Amazon/ABC News(PORTLAND) -- Amazon said that it was "evaluating options" after recent and shocking news that its Echo device had not only recorded a couple's conversation inside their home, but also had sent it to a random contact. A Portland, Oregon couple got a phone call from a family friend in Seattle a few weeks ago, saying that he'd been sent audio recordings of them talking inside of their home, according to CBS affiliate KIRO-TV. "At first, my husband was like, 'No, you didn't,' and he's like, 'You sat there talking about hardwood floors,'" a woman who identified herself to the affiliate as Danielle said. "I felt invaded, like total privacy invasion." Danielle said she unplugged all of her Amazon devices and reached out to the company, which said it would investigate. In a statement addressing the incident, Amazon said that the Echo "woke up" because of a word used in the background conversation that sounded like "Alexa," the name of Amazon's voice control system. "The subsequent conversation was heard as a 'send message' request," Amazon told ABC News in a statement Thursday . "At which point, Alexa said out loud 'To whom?' At which point, the background conversation was interpreted as a name in the customers contact list. Alexa then asked out loud, '[Contact name], right?' Alexa then interpreted background conversation as 'right,'" Amazon said. "As unlikely as this string of events is, we are evaluating options to make this case even less likely," the company said. Copyright 2018, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. iStock(WASHINGTON) -- The bill establishing Pentagon policy for the next fiscal year includes items on President Donald Trump's military wish list, including giving service members a pay raise, laying ground rules for a military parade and making progress on establishing a military branch focused on outer space. The Senate Armed Services Committee approved its version of a more than $700 billion military authorization bill Thursday and is now awaiting a Senate floor vote, while the House of Representatives has already passed its version, where some of Trumps wish-list items are better detailed. The National Defense Authorization Act sets spending levels, but then Congress must pass a separate bill to actually allocate funds. Heres a look at some of the items that President Trump will likely be paying closest attention to: SERVICE MEMBER PAY RAISE: In both the House and Senate versions of the NDAA service members get a 2.6% pay raise. The House version also extends special pay and bonuses to service members in high-demand fields. Earlier this year Trump erroneously said he gave service members their first pay raise in 10 years, when in fact they have had their salaries raised at least 1 percent every year for more than 30 years. What is correct is that this is the largest pay increase service members have seen in nine years. MILITARY PARADE: The House version of the NDAA gives the Secretary of Defense the authority to fund a military parade in Washington, D.C., to satisfy President Trumps stated desire for an event like the Bastille Day parade he witnessed during his trip to Paris. In a statement, House Armed Services Committee chairman Mac Thornberry said he agrees with President Trump that it is appropriate to honor and celebrate 100 years of patriotic sacrifice in a way that expresses appreciation and admiration for our men and women in uniform, including a parade in the nations capital and a national celebration for that purpose. But the bill also puts significant limits on the amount of military equipment and personnel that can be devoted to the parade all at the Secretary of Defenses discretion. Language in the House bill allows the Secretary of Defense to expend funds specifically for the display of small arms and munitions as well as the participation of ceremonial military units, but it also expressly prohibits the use of funds for motorized vehicles, aviation platforms and munitions other than those used for customary ceremonial honors. Thornberrys statement added that his proposal would prohibit the use of operational units or equipment in the parade if the Secretary of Defense believes their inclusion would hamper readiness. The Senate version, named after Armed Services Committee chair John McCain, R-Ariz., does not contain any language covering President Trumps desire for an elaborate military parade in Washington D.C. like the one he witnessed during a trip to Paris which commemorated Bastille Day. There was discussion about it in committee but it ultimately was not added, a Senate Armed Services Committee aide told reporters Friday. SPACE FIGHTING: President Trump has occasionally expressed his desire to see the United States military dominance expand in outer space, alluding to an eventual new military corps. "I said, 'Maybe we need a new force. We'll call it the Space Force,' he said at an event in March. "And I was not really serious. And then I said, 'What a great idea. Maybe we'll have to do that. That could happen. That could be the big breaking story. So far, Congress and the military havent caught up to Trumps lofty plans, but they have been laying the groundwork. Last year, in fact, the House Armed Services Committee tried to establish a Space Corps within the Air Force, similar to the Navys Marine Corps, but the Senate committee sought to expressly prohibit any such setup. The compromise between the two committees was to require several bureaucratic steps to consolidate the Air Forces command of military space operations. This year, the Houses request is slightly different. It seeks to establish a fighting force, housed within the Air Force, which would be dedicated to space warfighting, giving it less autonomy than a separate corps would. It also requires the Secretary of the Air Force to increase the number and improve the quality of its civilian and military space cadre, submitting a report to Congress on its plans by next March. The Senates bill has no language on space but an aide said last years NDAA provided a pretty significant homework assignment for the Air Force to focus on, including standing up Air Force Space Command as the single authority for all decisions related to space security. The committee is waiting to see what comes out of the department on that, the aide said. The Senate could vote on its NDAA as soon as the first week of June, after which point the two committees must merge their bills in a conference committee. Copyright 2018, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. remaining of Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. Chemical sensing with 2D materials During the last decade, two-dimensional materials (2DMs) have attracted great attention due to their unique chemical and physical properties, which make them appealing platforms for diverse applications in opto-electronic devices, energy generation and storage, and sensing. Among their vari ... more Atomic hydrogen interactions with gas-phase coronene cations: hydrogenation versus fragmentation Sequential hydrogenation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) cations drives a gradual transition from a planar to a puckered geometry and from an aromatic to an aliphatic electronic structure. The resulting H-induced weakening of the molecular structure together with the exothermic nat ... more Attendees pass by the ZTE Corp. stand at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona on Feb. 26, 2018. (Simon Dawson / Bloomberg) My question is, how long will this (segregation index decline) last, and will we see it stabilize. I think its a positive thing, and its one we shouldnt turn our nose up at, but I also think its one that we should be cautiously optimistic about, Loury said. The segregation measures are great for us to get a broad picture of what is happening, but they also need to be looked at with a closer eye, to tell us whats happening on the ground. Officers shouted to stop and chased him into the alley, where he pointed a weapon toward them as he fled, Sgt. Al Stinites, a department spokesman, said at the scene early Saturday. At least one of the officers fired at the man. The first shooting of the holiday weekend according to the Tribunes tally, which began after 3 p.m. Friday happened shortly after 5 p.m. in the West Pullman neighborhood. Police said a 31-year-old was grazed in the arm in the 200 block of East 119th Street, and was taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, where he was listed in good condition. Around the same time, a 20-year-old woman was shot in the 800 block of West 76th Street in the Gresham neighborhood. She was pronounced dead at the University of Chicago Medical Center, police said. She was walking down the street when someone approached from behind and shot her twice in the back of her head. The Cook County medical examiners office identified her as Bobbieana Slyons, who lived in the same block where she was killed. We are grateful to all of our DuSable trustees, those remaining on the board and those who are departing, thank them for their dedication and service to this great institution, and have been assured of their continued support of the mission of DuSable Museum, the statement said. We will take this opportunity to continue to build our board, a process thats already underway, and were excited about the changes to come. At some point you're going to have to let them do their job, Trump previously said of police. In many cases, the police are not allowed to do their job they have to be politically correct. Were talking about lives of wonderful people, and they have to be allowed to do their job and you will see it stopped. A photo released by South Korea's presidential Blue House shows President Moon Jae-in hugging North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un on May 26, 2018, after their second summit on the north side of the truce village of Panmunjom in the Demilitarized Zone. (Courtesy of the Blue House) According to the affidavit, Todd Palin said he told Track Palin not to come to the house but that his son said he would come anyway to beat him up. Todd Palin told police he got his pistol "to protect his family." "He was, I think, very uncomfortable with the whole idea," Bussert said. "We explained to him why we thought it advanced the defense's case. It was probably the strongest piece of evidence that we could offer. The whole claim was so specific and so unusual there wasn't a lot of ambiguity about it we thought, well, if we can refute that, we can obviously persuade the jury." Individuals, corporations and foundations have all stepped up which has allowed the foundation to pay off more than half of the $23 million loan we took to acquire the collection at the request of and to benefit the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum. Now, its Gov. Bruce Rauner and the state legislatures turn. If they dont act and very soon we will have no choice but to further pursue steps to sell part of this unique and irreplaceable collection. The routine has been the same since 1949, when his father Gerald took him to his first race. Leave at 5 a.m. from his Crown Point house, watch the race and then come home that night. Raoul said in April that he would need to research the issue before reaching an opinion, but that generally he did not believe the law should be used to prevent disclosure of police officer conduct in cases where the identity of a juvenile can still be protected. The tax break, which the village would need to endorse, would lower the propertys assessment level from 25 percent of fair market value, which is the level used for commercial property, to 10 percent, or the same level as homes are assessed at. That lower rate would remain in place for 10 years, then rise to 15 percent in the 11th year and 20 percent in the 12th year. The tax incentives are renewable. Our May/June 2018 issue, which is our Annual Labor Issue, has been sent to subscribers, and weve posted several articles from it to our website, including David Bacons How Filipino Migrants Gave the Grape Strike Its Radical Politics, Ellen David Friedmans Whats Behind the Teachers Strikes, and (posted today), the first installment of Jane Pauls series A Sustainable Economy Rises in Los Angeles, Financing a Sustainable Economy in Los Angeles. Here is the page-two editorial note from this issue: Our New Annual Labor Issue With this issue, we move our Annual Labor Issue from September/October to May/Juneor, as we have been telling people, from the bosses Labor Day to where it belongs: near May 1st, which is celebrated almost everywhere besides the United States as International Workers Day. Our cover story, by veteran labor organizer Ellen David Friedman, looks at the biggest story in the U.S. labor movement todaythe teachers strikes that have caught fire in West Virginia, Oklahoma, Kentucky, Arizona, and Colorado. The strikes caught many people by surprise because they are happening in red states with relatively weak unions and labor rights. But GOP austerity policies in those states have squeezed public-sector workers, and teachers in particular, for years; the strikes are a response by teachers who have reached a breaking point. Friedman analyzes the insurgency as the last recourse teachers have when politicians and labor bureaucrats have failed them. But this movement moment also includes the growing democratic rank-and-file caucuses in the blue states, like the one that took over the Chicago Teaches Union, which are linking up with likeminded teachers in the red states. Public-sector workers are about to feel yet another squeezefrom the expected U.S. Supreme Court ruling in in Janus v. AFSCME Council 31. That ruling, which could come by early summer, is likely to eliminate the requirement that workers who dont want to join an existing union have to pay an agency fee for the collective bargaining services that the union provides. In his Economy in Numbers column in this issue, Gerald Friedman provides some background to Janus, including the precipitous rise of public-sector unions in the 1960s and 70s; the steady rate of unionization in the public sector since then, even as the rate in the private-sector has fallen; and the fact that women, African Americans, and Latinos are disproportionately likely to work in the public sector and to be in public-sector unions. These groups will be affected most by Janus, but the ruling will also undermine the positive pressure public-sector unions have on wages and pensions for all workers. As is the case in teaching, women are also represented disproportionately in the hospitality sector. Economist Ellen Mutaris feature in this issue examines how that affects the dynamics of sexual harassment in the sector, with a focus on casino workers. Mutari emphasizes how intersecting institutionalized power structures of gender, race, and class are key to understanding workplace harassment and how it differs from sector to sector. Collective action, including militant action through unions and through organizations like the Restaurant Opportunities Center United, will be key to moving the #MeToo movement from a hashtag/media phenomenon focused on Hollywood to a robust social movement encompassing industries with lower-wage workers. History holds important lessons about the importance of labor militancy. As Jane Slaughter noted recently in Labor Notes, the striking teachers in West Virginia wore red bandanas in homage to that states heritage of militant organizing among coal miners. Similarly, David Bacons feature on the role of militant Filipino activists in the history of the famous grape strike of the late 1960s credits the activists for keeping a legacy of labor militancy alive through another period of reaction, the Cold War. Also in this issue: John Miller looks at the Wall Street Journals criticisms of Trumps tariffs and the resulting trade war with China and outlines a progressive alternative to both Trumps trade chaos and the Journals free-market trade policies; Arthur MacEwan responds to a readers question about what regional wage variations mean for the proposal to raise the minimum wage to $15/hour; we begin a new series by teacher and community activist Jane Paul on efforts to build a sustainable economy in Los Angeles; and more! ~~~ We are very pleased to announce that Dollars & Sense has a new co-editor, Nick Serpe! Nick worked for several years as an editor at our comrade publication, Dissent magazine, and more recently did graduate work in economic history at Columbia University, where he studied the political economy of Silicon Valley. He brings extensive experience in editing and left publishing and also a passion for labor organizing and left political activism. Welcome, Nick! When things did not go right, the village was at the forefront of correcting problems, according to Little. She said an effort was made to make sure inconvenience to residents was minimized during projects. One example was when Cook County fell behind schedule during the first year of the rebuilding of Lake Cook Road in 2011. "When you look at this cockroach, its really not as scary or as gross as you think it is. Were just trying to show people how cool these animals are, having fun and making sure people at our shows have fun with it. When Newmeyer graduated from Conant High School in Hoffman Estates as a teen, she said there were maybe seven Hispanic students at the school and three of us were related, she said. Fast forward to 2018, schools like Conant and those in U46 are more diverse. U46, for instance, is now a majority-minority enrollment school district. Newmeyers school, Timber Trails in Hoffman Estates, is majority Hispanic and Asian students. Jones was charged with killing Fleming after kidnapping her and her baby in Anderson on April 6, 2015, and taking the two to Gary. Fleming's body was found in a closet in a Gary home; the infant was at the home and being cared for by Jones' sister, according to court documents. I needed to get information about my job search, but when I came in here I saw everyone going toward the Community Room, said Jocelyn White, as she looked over the list of 22 authors promoting their books. I had no idea we had so many talented people right here in northwest Indiana. Audience members will learn about the people Brooks parents literally came over on the boat with that became our family, because they had no relatives. They were a special breed of people. They came here with a lot of history and no money. Each made really good lives for themselves and their families, Brooks said. When they got together, it was amazing to sit, listen, and watch. Boebert speaks at Columbus Day Celebration, angers some in crowd There were mixed emotions at the Columbus Day Celebration in Pueblo when Rep. Lauren Boebert took the stage as guest speaker U.S. export of corn-based ethanol to China grew 57 percent for the 2017/18 marketing year, reaching 77 million gallons, according to a Wisconsin Ag Connection report on Friday. The report said U.S. year-to-date exports of corn-based ethanol reached approximately 982 million gallons for the 2017/18 marketing year, up 16 percent from the past year. Brazil remained the top importer of U.S. ethanol while China is the fourth largest importer. Rapidly-growing Chinese ethanol market also encouraged U.S. producers to study Chinese ethanol market and policy. In the recent Ethanol Summit of the Asia Pacific held in Minneapolis, U.S. ethanol industry and U.S. officials, as well as Industry and government officials from 17 countries joined in a session dedicated to the development of ethanol policy and use in China. 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 Catalyst Paper announced on Friday that it plans to sell paper mills in Wisconsin and Maine to a subsidiary of Chinese Paper company Nine Dragons, according to local reports. Reports said Nine Dragons would pay 175 million U.S. dollars for the two mills and it had no immediate plans for changes after the deal is closed in the second quarter. Ned Dwyer, Catalyst president and CEO, said the sale of the company's U.S. assets allows it to pay down debt and focus on operations in British Columbia, according to reports. "Our focus right now is on continuing current operations and conducting business as usual on a day-to-day basis," spokeswoman Kelly Karr said. The paper mills in Wisconsin and Maine employ nearly a thousand local workers. Reports said there will be no layoffs at the mills. Nine Dragons' main focus is on environmentally friendly recycled paper, but it also operates conventional pulp mills like those in Maine and Wisconsin that it is purchasing. In the future, Nine Dragons said it plans to invest in packaging paper and pulp products to keep both of the mills competitive. Chinese Geely Fleet arrived at the Shell Technology Centre in German city of Hamburg on Thursday, to discuss together about future technology cooperation, as well as to highlight the strategic partnership. "This journey has showcased the capacity of both Geely and Shell products and brands. In the 12 years of cooperation between Geely and Shell both sides have adhered to win-win cooperation," said Lin Xiaozhe, vice president (transmission) of Geely Powertrain Research Institute. "In the future, we expect to expand our cooperation with the development of new energy vehicles to provide consumers with the energy efficient cars they demand," Lin added. For the first time, Shell is powering Geely as its new fleet of Geely Boyue 4x4 cars travel across Asia and Europe to further strengthen their relationship. The Boyue fleet, which began the tour on May 4 in Chinese city of Xi'an, is set to leave Hamburg on Friday for further trip. The entire tour will pass through 58 cities in 9 countries and span 18,000 km until early June. "We want to showcase the Geely's capability globally, and how Shell has supported that evolution in terms of technology and brand," Ade Ajala, global marketing manager of Shell International, told Xinhua. According to Ajala, to drive Geely cars across China and Europe, it is a great opportunity to showcase the capability of the Geely vehicles through different conditions and also to demonstrate that Geely goes global powered by Shell. In the future, both companies look to work together to create a new model of eco-cooperation through brand cooperation, deeper and broader technical cooperation, global market cooperation, and comprehensive supply chain cooperation solutions to share industrial changes and explore new opportunities. The World Health Organization (WHO) on Friday granted an international emergency medical team (EMT) from China the highest level within the WHO EMTs initiative, making China the top country with the most WHO-certified EMTs. During the ongoing 71st World Health Assembly in Geneva, WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus hosted a brief ceremony of certification for China International Emergency Medical Team (Sichuan) at the UN Office in Geneva. Consisting of 166 personnel, including 41 doctors and 65 nurses, the team is a partnership of several hospitals from China's southwest Sichuan Province. It's the first Chinese medical team to be verified as Type 3, the highest level in WHO's ETMs initiative, capable of treating 200 outpatients and performing 15 major surgical procedures and 30 minor surgical procedures per day. At the ceremony, Dr. Tedros said he had planned to expand the WHO EMTs to include about 50,000 medical professionals in the next few years, and expects even more support from China. "Thank you, brothers!" he said in Chinese to the team members after the ceremony. The team from Sichuan is the third Chinese EMT that has been certified by the WHO. Back in 2016 and 2017 respectively, two other EMTs from China's Shanghai and Guangdong were also granted the certification, making China the only country that has contributed three international EMTs to the WHO initiative which consists so far of 15 teams. The WHO EMTs project was launched in July 2015 to quality-assure and peer-review global teams, in light of past shortcomings where medical personnel self-responded without necessarily right skill-set, training, supplies or equipment. It aims to help countries affected by disasters, outbreaks and emergencies to identify teams that are appropriately trained and equipped when they seek international medical assistance. Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday called for enhanced international exchange and cooperation in the development of the big data industry. Xi made the remarks in a congratulatory letter to the China International Big Data Industry Expo 2018, which opened Saturday in Guiyang, capital city of southwest China's Guizhou Province. The rapid development of new-generation information technologies such as Internet, big data, and artificial intelligence has brought significant and far-reaching impact on social and economic development, state governance, social management, and people's life in all countries, Xi said. He said countries need to increase communication and cooperation to seize the opportunities in the big data sector, promote its healthy development and handle challenges such as data security and cyberspace governance. China attaches great importance to the development of big data, Xi said. With the vision of innovative, coordinated, green, and open development that is for everyone, China is implementing a national big data strategy centered on building the country's strength in cyberspace and nurturing a digital China and smart society, which will aid the transition of the country's economy from high-speed growth to high-quality development, Xi said. The Chinese president said he expects expo attendees to exchange views and pool wisdom in order to promote the big data sector's innovative development to benefit all people and facilitate the building of a community with a shared future for humanity. You are here: China An international expo on big data opened Saturday in southwest China's Guizhou Province, attracting over 40,000 participants from nearly 30 countries. Focusing on the latest technological innovation and achievements, the four-day China International Big Data Industry Expo 2018 in the provincial capital of Guiyang will be attended by 388 exhibitors, according to the organizing committee. The expo will include a summit on e-commerce innovation and development, eight panel discussions and more than 50 forums. Covering some 60,000 square meters, the expo's exhibition zones are dedicated to state-of-the-art technology, hardware, digital applications and experience, and startups. The expo will also feature a global competition on big data and artificial intelligence. Shock and horror were palpable in Brussels as Italy elected the region's first populist government. Until that moment, the EU's problems had been kept on the periphery. Greece was a small, obscure country in the southeastern corner of a Europe whose center was holding strong even at the time the Greek crisis started. Britain's exit was considered a landfall, as the first time the "ever closer union" was reversed. Hungary, Poland and other central Euro countries were often considered oddities as being conservative and nationalist -- out of character for a union whose future is inexorably joined together. The western states, including founder members Italy, Germany and France, were considered immune to this strain of populism. Not anymore. Enter the winners of the recent elections in Italy: two antiestablishment parties that have come together in a coalition to form a new Italian government, and have named Giuseppe Conte, an unknown law professor from Florence, as the potential prime minister. The leader of the hard right League party, Matteo Salvini, and his counterpart from the left-wing 5-Star Movement, Luigi Di Maio, agreed that Conte is the best candidate for Italy's future. Upon confirming their choice, they approached Italian President Sergio Mattarella, who is responsible for guiding the creation of the new government, though he appeared reticent to invite such openly Eurosceptic elements. The coalition agenda is horrifying Brussels already. It includes billions of euros in middle-class tax cuts, as well as an enormous spending boost for social welfare and poverty. It also includes a complete overhaul of EU-mandated pension rules and immigration and monetary reforms. Most controversially, it includes mass ejection of migrants from Italian shores. The coalition's plans include deporting over half a million migrants who have arrived in Italy over the last two years, especially from Africa via Libya. Alongside Greece, Italy has borne the brunt of migration through the Mediterranean, despite consistent pleas to the other states to share the burden. Italy's prosecutors have even accused local NGOs of orchestrating social engineering on a mass scale. The backlash of this situation has resulted in the win of the populists. The shock in the market is clearly visible. Italy's borrowing cost surged and the stock market hit a record low. Salvini, the more hawkish leader of the two coalition parties, wrote on Twitter that it would be a fundamental duty of the new Italian government to discard everything that was accepted by the previous government. As Martin Wolf pointed out in Financial Times, Italy isn't Greece. In a sense, while the two nations' problems trace back to the same roots, Italy is seven times larger, and the Italian economy is the fourth largest in the Euro zone, making it nearly impossible for Italy to fail and nearly impossible to save it either. And therein lies the problem. Of course, Italy's parliament and president need to approve the new government, and the two largest parties are already showing signs of backing down. But the fundamental truth remains that Europe has reached an inflection point. The underlying rationale behind the rise of the far right and populist parties lies in uncharted mass migration which hasn't been properly controlled. That is the single biggest variable, and it is what is breaking the back of the Euro zone. Consider a scenario where Italy flat-out refuses to share any burden of migration, deporting hundreds of thousands of people to Africa. Italy has the capability and police force to achieve this. Would that action then be barred by the EU? I doubt it. The EU would have to swallow their collective pride and accept it. And that would indeed mean the end of the moral privilege of the European Union. There is no win for the EU, and that prospect scares the officials in Brussels more than anything. Sumantra Maitra is a columnist with China.org.cn. For more information please visit: http://www.china.org.cn/opinion/SumantraMaitra.htm Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors only, not necessarily those of China.org.cn. Flash China and Oman on Friday issued a joint statement on the establishment of strategic partnership between the two countries. In the document, the two sides agreed that since the establishment of their diplomatic ties on May 25, 1978, political mutual trust and traditional friendship have continued to increase and cooperation in the areas of energy, economy and trade, connectivity and culture has yielded fruitful results. The two sides have broad prospects for cooperation. Chinese President Xi Jinping and Oman's Sultan Qaboos Bin Said spoke highly of the rapid development of bilateral relations. Based on the demands of developing China-Oman relations and the common will to enhance the level of their ties, the two heads of state decided to establish a strategic partnership between the two countries. This is in the common interest of the two countries and their people and is conducive to the common development and prosperity of the two countries, said the statement. Under this framework, both countries are willing to focus on the following cooperation: The two sides agree to strengthen exchanges and consultations between leaders of both countries, maintain regular communication and coordination on bilateral relations as well as international and regional issues of common concern, continuously expand consensus, and consolidate and deepen mutual political trust. The two countries support each other on issues concerning national independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, and emphasize the principle of non-interference in internal affairs. Oman reaffirms its firm adherence to the one-China principle and recognizes that Taiwan is an inalienable part of Chinese territory, said the statement. Oman supports the Chinese government's position on issues concerning Taiwan, Xinjiang, Tibet and the South China Sea, while China supports Oman's efforts in safeguarding sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, and national security and stability. Oman welcomes and supports the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative and is willing to actively participate in projects under this framework. It will continue to support and participate in the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, said the statement. China appreciates Oman's active participation in the Belt and Road construction and welcomes Oman to become a partner under the initiative. The two sides are willing to further strengthen policy communication, enhance alignment of the Belt and Road Initiative and Oman's "Ninth Five-Year Plan" and actively implement the cooperative documents on the Belt and Road construction. The two countries believe that the cooperation on production capacity and investment is an important part of the pragmatic cooperation between the two countries. The two sides will synergize their development strategies and focus on cooperation in such areas as exploitation of energy resources, chemical industry, manufacturing and marine industries. The two sides agree to make full use of the mechanism of the China-Oman Joint Committee of Economics and Trade, expand mutually beneficial cooperation in infrastructure construction, industrial parks, railways, ports, power stations and logistics, and promote the all-round development of bilateral economic and trade relations. The two sides believe that energy cooperation is an important pillar of pragmatic cooperation and support further cooperation in such fields as crude oil trading, exploration and development of oil and gas resources, service engineering and refining and chemical industry. They agree to strengthen cooperation in new energy and renewable energy, the statement said. The two sides are willing to promote financial cooperation. They support the discussion on the possibility of developing monetary cooperation and playing the role of own currency in bilateral trade and investment. They encourage financial institutions of the two sides to provide financial support for bilateral trade and investment cooperation. The two sides will carry out cultural exchanges in various forms to increase understanding and friendship between the two peoples, according to the statement. China will provide more opportunities for Oman students to study in China and support Chinese language teaching in Oman. Both parties are willing to actively study the establishment of a Chinese cultural center in Oman. The two sides are willing to strengthen exchanges and cooperation in the areas of law enforcement security and anti-terrorism, strengthen intelligence and information exchanges and carry out technical cooperation and personnel training. The two countries are willing to work together to promote the establishment of a free trade zone of the China-Gulf Cooperation Council(GCC) as soon as possible, strengthen communication and coordination under the framework of the China-Arab Cooperation Forum, in order to promote the collective cooperation between China and the GCC and the Arab countries. China and Oman share broad common interests in many major regional and international issues and will enhance cooperation and coordination in the United Nations and other international organizations, said the statement. The two sides emphasize that the reform of the UN Security Council needs the consensus of all member states to advance in a balanced manner, reach the broadest consensus and seek a "package solution." The two sides support the peaceful resolution to regional hotspot issues through dialogue and political negotiation, said the statement. Oman appreciates the fair position and important role played by China in regional affairs, while China supports Oman in playing a greater role in regional affairs, it said. Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site. 0108263 License for publishing multimedia online Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349 There really are right-wing extremists in Congress-- Jim Jordan (R-OH), Brian Babin (R-TX), Matt Gaetz (R-FL), Pete Olson (R-TX), David Kustoff (R-TX), Pete Sessions (R-TX), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Austin Scott (R-GA), Doug Lamborn (R-CO), Diane Black (R-TN), Jeb Hensarling (R-TX), Joe Wilson (R-NC), Mike Conaway (R-TX), Mark Meadows (R-NC), Jody Hice (R-GA), John Fleming (R-LA), Mo Brooks (R-AL), Louie Gohmert (R-TX), Barry Loudermilk (R-GA)... I don't want to call anyone a Nazi. But someone could. But there really aren't any left-wing extremists in Congress. Not a one. (I wish there were.) The dozen House Democrats with the highest ProgressivePunch lifetime scores are all, basically, left-of-center moderates: Most of them represent districts with constituents to the left of where they are! David Adler, writing for Wednesday'sput together an OpEd asserting that Centrists Are the Most Hostile to Democracy, Not Extremists , equating extremists on the right with "extremists" on the left. "The warning signs," he begins, "are flashing red: Democracy is under threat. Across Europe and North America, candidates are more authoritarian, party systems are more volatile, and citizens are more hostile to the norms and institutions of liberal democracy. These trends have prompted a major debate between those who view political discontent as economic, cultural or generational in origin. But all of these explanations share one basic assumption: The threat is coming from the political extremes." OK, Europe has some left wing extremists. But not the U.S. On the right, ethno-nationalists and libertarians are accused of supporting fascist politics; on the left, campus radicals and the so-called antifa movement are accused of betraying liberal principles. Across the board, the assumption is that radical views go hand in hand with support for authoritarianism, while moderation suggests a more committed approach to the democratic process. Is it true? Maybe not. My research suggests that across Europe and North America, centrists are the least supportive of democracy, the least committed to its institutions and the most supportive of authoritarianism. I examined the data from the most recent World Values Survey (2010 to 2014) and European Values Survey (2008), two of the most comprehensive studies of public opinion carried out in over 100 countries. The survey asks respondents to place themselves on a spectrum from far left to center to far right. I then plotted the proportion of each groups support for key democratic institutions. Respondents who put themselves at the center of the political spectrum are the least supportive of democracy, according to several survey measures. These include views of democracy as the best political system, and a more general rating of democratic politics. In both, those in the center have the most critical views of democracy. Some of the most striking data reflect respondents views of elections. Support for free and fair elections drops at the center for every single country in the sample. The size of the centrist gap is striking. In the case of the United States, fewer than half of people in the political center view elections as essential. Of course, the concept of support for democracy is somewhat abstract, and respondents may interpret the question in different ways. What about support for civil rights, so central to the maintenance of the liberal democratic order? In almost every case, support for civil rights wanes in the center. In the United States, only 25 percent of centrists agree that civil rights are an essential feature of democracy. One of the strongest warning signs for democracy has been the rise of populist leaders with authoritarian tendencies. But while these leaders have become more popular, it is unclear whether citizens explicitly support more authoritarian styles of government. I find, however, evidence of substantial support for a strong leader who ignores his countrys legislature, particularly among centrists. In the United States, centrists support for a strongman-type leader far surpasses that of the right and the left. What Does It Mean? Across Europe and North America, support for democracy is in decline. To explain this trend, conventional wisdom points to the political extremes. Both the far left and the far right are, according to this view, willing to ride roughshod over democratic institutions to achieve radical change. Moderates, by contrast, are assumed to defend liberal democracy, its principles and institutions. The numbers indicate that this isnt the case. As Western democracies descend into dysfunction, no group is immune to the allure of authoritarianism-- least of all centrists, who seem to prefer strong and efficient government over messy democratic politics. Strongmen in the developing world have historically found support in the center: From Brazil and Argentina to Singapore and Indonesia, middle-class moderates have encouraged authoritarian transitions to bring stability and deliver growth. Could the same thing happen in mature democracies like Britain, France and the United States? We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form iStock/Thinkstock(WASHINGTON) -- The Trump administration has reached a deal with Chinese telecom ZTE to lift economic sanctions on the firm, a move likely to frustrate much of Congress, two sources familiar with the arrangement have confirmed to ABC. The Commerce Department will lift a seven-year ban on ZTEs ability to buy American parts, which was imposed after the company violated U.S. sanctions and did business with Iran and North Korea. The U.S. government is also concerned that the state-backed company was using its devices to spy on users. In a statement, a White House official said, This is a law enforcement action being handled by Commerce. We are making sure ZTE is held accountable for violating U.S. sanctions, pays a big price, and that we are protecting our security infrastructure and U.S. jobs. The effect of the action, however, weakens the existing sanctions on ZTE. The U.S. will instead require the company to pay a fine, install U.S. compliance officers and change board members. A spokesperson for the Commerce Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment. President Donald Trump has asserted that loosening sanctions on ZTE will strengthen the U.S. hand in broader trade negotiations with China and lead to China purchasing more American goods. Trump had previously tweeted that China was willing to increase agricultural imports from the U.S. Earlier this week, as President Trump tweeted his intention to execute this agreement, GOP Sen. Marco Rubio warned that the new deal would not be enough to change ZTEs bad behavior. The U.S. has already fined the company $1.2 billion. We're basically saying, we're going to give you the same deal you violated the first time, and by the way you can keep spying, Rubio told ABC in an interview Tuesday. Democrats were also quick to condemn the move. House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., issued a statement linking the agreement to contemporaneous reports that China had agreed to fund the construction of a Trump-linked hotel in Indonesia, which White House officials have dismissed as unrelated. The Presidents ZTE deal is a staggering betrayal of the American people, Pelosi said. Although Trump pledged to fight for hard-working Americans, he is now using U.S. government resources to enrich a foreign company right after the Chinese government reportedly agreed to funnel half a billion dollars into one of his familys resorts. Congress has already taken additional steps to block ZTEs influence in the United States. A measure blocking the military from working with contractors that use ZTE devices and networks will likely soon pass as part of its annual defense authorization bill, and the Pentagon has already banned the sale of ZTE devices on U.S. bases. House and Senate committees are also working on bills to prohibit the Trump administration from unilaterally lifting the seven-year ban on ZTEs ability to purchase U.S. supplies. The Senate measure, introduced by Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., passed the Banking Committee Tuesday by an overwhelming margin. Congress is also exploring ways to expand the U.S. governments ability to review foreign transactions through the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS). The Banking Committee also approved a bill by Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas., that would do just that. Copyright 2018, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. Questo comunicato e stato pubblicato piu di 1 anno fa. Le informazioni su questa pagina potrebbero non essere attendibili. Why isn't So-And-So on this list? You acquire to buy tera gold ps4 be actually stupid/biased/ignorant to acquire larboard him/her out of it?By all bureau acquaint us who you anticipate becoming a abode but isn't on the list. Leave a agenda with your own top 10 in the comments breadth at the bottom. Frank Lampard is a cornerstone of the Premier Alliance era and the midfielder actualization a allotment of the top 5040 Rio Ferdinand Born in London and accomplished by a acclaimed London club, he became one of the abundant defenders of his bearing and one of England's best best centre halves. Revered by millions of admirers for his allegation to the cause, he has aswell been afflicted in his allotment of controversies, including the fallout from the racism storm arising from a bout amidst Chelsea and QPR in 2011 that had the knock-on aftereffect of Fabio Capello abandonment as England manager. He's won altered Premier Alliance titles, the Champions Alliance and is a allotment of the 20 most-capped England players. And all of this he has in accustomed with nemesis John Terry. They allotment much, and are poles apart.But admitting Terry spent all his career at Chelsea (bar a abbreviate adaptation at Nottingham Forest), Ferdinand fabricated record-breaking moves not already but twice, for 18m from West Ham to Leeds, afresh for 30m to Manchester United. Ferdinand's accommodating foundation, his plan on amusing issues, his associates of the FA commission, his assurance with his Twitter followers (more than six million) and a beginning media career - as a documentary tera ps4 gold maker, blur funder and administrator - aswell point to a hinterland and an access far above the pitch. Rio Ferdinand enjoyed a admirable career in the Premier Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Continue Reading Below Advertisement Thankfully, Fox didn't know that at the time of the attack, so he figured he'd simply poke the shark in the eye and swim away. That seemed to work for a minute, until the shark figured out that a hand is also meat. It took over 90 stitches to repair the damage from that wound. Rapidly running out of ideas, Fox grabbed the shark from behind and held on, reasoning that if he was one with the shark, maybe it wouldn't bite him quite so much. After a few minutes, he realized he'd been underwater for quite some time, and maybe should try to get some air. After reaching the surface, Fox peered into the water below and saw "this great big shark coming up with its mouth wide open." Then two miraculous things happened. First, the shark went for the fish float attached to Fox's dive belt instead of his delicious soft parts. Second, the line to his belt had been mostly severed by the earlier bite, and thus snapped when the shark snagged his floatie and dived. A passing crew rescued Fox, who later left the hospital with several hundred stitches but no lasting damage. He then went on to swear a lifelong vendetta against marine predators. Or wait, no, he founded an organization to research and protect sharks, because he's a much better person than we are. Bu kez Binali Yldrm gitti: Zannediyorlar ki... All this week we have heard harrowing testimonies from the survivors of the Grenfell fire disaster, along with moving tributes from those who lost loved ones. The public inquiry into the blaze has listened to mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers and friends of the dead tell their heartbreaking stories. The family of chauffeur Mohamed Neda told of his last phone message, in his native Afghan language: Goodbye. I hope I havent disappointed you. Goodbye to all. All this week we have heard harrowing testimonies from the survivors of the Grenfell fire disaster, along with moving tributes from those who lost loved ones. The public inquiry into the blaze has listened to mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers and friends of the dead tell their heartbreaking stories Hisam Choucair lost his mother, sister, brother-in-law and their three daughters. He ran to the tower but was too late and watched helplessly as they burned to death. When he showed his phone footage of people trapped behind windows as the fire raged, 20 survivors attending the inquiry were so overcome they left. No more, Eleanor Eleanor Tomlinson, aka Demelza, was bumped off in the first episode of the next series, its seven million fans wouldnt bat an eyelid The woman who plays Aidan Turners wife in Poldark insists shes worth equal pay. First, if Eleanor Tomlinson, aka Demelza, was bumped off in the first episode of the next series, its seven million fans wouldnt bat an eyelid. Second, she is a supporting actress and Turner is the star. Next shell be asking for the show to be called Mrs Poldark! Advertisement The overwhelming sense of grief and injustice has been palpable. Grenfell was a terrible tragedy that claimed the lives of 72 people. The cause would seem to be a mixture of incompetence, dereliction of duty, possible illegality and callous cost-cutting. It is the job of the inquiry, chaired by Sir Martin Moore-Bick, to sift through the rubble of charred evidence and deliver justice for the families. Yet given its already highly charged nature is giving the families so long to air their emotions the best way to conduct what needs to be a clinical search for the truth? It goes without saying that my heart breaks for those afflicted by Grenfell, but this week a letter to The Times caught my eye. It was written by Michael Jones, a solicitor who attended the inquest into the Aberfan disaster in 1966, when a landslide from a colliery waste tip engulfed the Welsh villages primary school, claiming the lives of 116 children and 28 adults. Mr Jones points out that the Aberfan tribunal judge, Lord Justice Edmund-Davies, concentrated on the responsibility for the slippage of the tip and did not spend days hearing the testimonies of the bereaved parents. Nor were relatives given the chance to air their stories of loss at the inquest where the coroner offered them only sympathy and explained he already had the evidence he needed concerning the dead. Green's not gold, Jeremy They were always the most unlikely of couples, Sir Philip Greens now heavily pregnant daughter Chloe who inherited her fathers looks and the Hot Felon turned model Jeremy Meeks. Now a wedding is planned, the wife Meeks dumped for Chloe has admitted defeat. Starting a family with a billionaires daughter is the golden ticket, Melissa Meeks says. Maybe not. If it all goes wrong, daddy is likely to treat the hotty worse than he did the BHS pensioners. Advertisement Although the relatives were not pleased, Mr Jones says he always thought the coroner right. Lamentation is not the purpose of an inquest, he says. These are different times, of course in contrast to the stoicism of that age. Today, the need for public expressions of grief and outrage seem to have become part of modern life. But I cant help feeling Mr Jones has a point. A degree of solace for the distraught families will ultimately come not from public grieving but from knowing why their loved ones died unnecessarily and who is to blame. That way another appalling tragedy might be avoided. The Royal Wedding was a wonderful celebration of British pomp and circumstance, attended by more than 3,000 police at a cost of 30 million. It did not warm the hearts of all Brits. A black friend told me: Three young men were stabbed to death in London that weekend and not a copper in sight. Many are asking what next for Meghans dignified mum, Doria Ragland. Given she and Prince Charles bonded so beautifully, and he has a bad back, perhaps the yoga teacher could take up permanent residence at Clarence House. Lovely to see Harrys exes Cressida Bonas and Chelsy Davy at the chapel in Windsor, but sad we didnt get a glimpse of Meghans former boyfriends. I guess they didnt have a pew big enough to seat them all. MegS has engaged the services of the Queens assistant private secretary Samantha Cohen to guide her through her first months in the Royal Family. Evidently she is going to proceed with humility. Of all the adjectives one could use about Meghan, humility doesnt instantly spring to mind. While I have every sympathy for poor Catherine Downey, who wrote chillingly in the Mail about how she was the victim of a banking scam, I have one question. When she was called by a lady from the NatWest fraud team who sounded a bit like my mum, very well spoken, why didnt the alarm bells ring? In all the times Ive called my bank, I cant remember a single time when the person on the other end sounded like English was their first language. The Duchess of York recalled how she became secretary to art dealer William Drummond, who died recently. He explained: I would like someone 28-plus as my PA, then employed her. A bit cruel, Id say even at her largest, Fergie was never more than a size 20. ++ Westminster Wars ++ Ruth Davidson has described Theresa Mays leadership as joyless and hectoring. The Scottish Tory leader may like cheering us up with stunts such as placing her ample bottom on the back of a rodeo buffalo, but is that really what we want from our PM while shes busy sorting out Brexit? Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt appears to support calls for a 2,000-a-year hypothecated NHS tax on every household. But this wont be paid by every family, will it? Itll be paid by every working family, while the 3 million households out of work wont contribute at all. So once again hard-grafting people will foot the bill. Hardly very Tory is it? Newsnights dour presenter Kirsty Wark wants to replace David Dimbleby when he steps down from Question Time. A horrible thought. Her dentist-drill voice, not to mention her Left-wing views, would keep us awake all night. Dimbleby is more effective than Temazepam. Is there a lesson for all troubled wives in the horrific tale of the serial sex cheat soldier who tried to kill his wife by tampering with her parachute? If you suspect your husband is playing around, dont go parachute-jumping with him. Id probably rule out bungee-jumping, too. To ward off cancer we should eat no more than three portions of red meat a week, says a report. Poppycock! And in my defence, I cite one Dame Anna Wintour, glacial editor of American Vogue, who eats steak every day of her life. Nuclear Wintour is now 68 and looks as fabulous, fashionable and scary as ever. Hopkins worse than Hannibal Promoting his new BBC adaptation of King Lear, in which the monarch has an agonising relationship with his daughter Cordelia, Anthony Hopkins reveals he hasnt a clue where his only child Abigail, 48, lives or even if she has children. They havent spoken in two decades. Families split up, he says coldly. I dont care one way or the other. You dont have to love each other. Sorry, but dads do have a duty to love their daughters, not just use them to publicise a TV performance. This horrible man makes his most famous character, cannibal Hannibal Lecter, seem like a pussycat at least it was only strangers whom Lecter ripped the hearts out of. A fashion student whose grandmother survived breast cancer has designed a swimwear range for mastectomy patients. Lauren Milburn, 21, from Long Eaton in Derbyshire, created the stunning collection for cancer survivors who have had one or two breasts removed. Named 'Nisey' after her grandmother Denise Pounder, who underwent a single mastectomy, the pieces feature pockets for prosthetic breast inserts and are designed to conceal scar tissue. Lauren was even given support by Nottingham-based swimwear brand Speedo with some of the technical aspects of her design, including the elastics and pockets for the prosthetic breast inserts. Scroll down for video Lauren Milburn, 21, of Long Eaton in Derbyshire, has created a swimwear collection that caters for the needs of women who have had one or two breasts removed due to breast cancer (seen left, with grandma Nisey) Lauren's designs are set to go on public display for Nottingham Trent University's Art and Design Summer Show 2018 Lauren, who is studying at Nottingham Trent University's School of Art and Design, said: 'Many women who have had mastectomies feel let down by the high street as they can't find bras or swimwear which are up to date and meet their needs. 'Many are designed with pensioners in mind, but many older women like my grandma don't want to look out of date. 'A mastectomy is a lot for a person to go through and women want to buy clothes which make them feel normal again.' For her collection, Lauren created a tankini and a bikini with halter-neck cover-ups, and a one-piece swimsuit with a wrap. She combined floral prints with modern pattern cutting to make the garments appear feminine and up to date. Named 'Nisey', after her grandmother Denise Pounder, who underwent a single mastectomy, it features pockets for prosthetic breast inserts and is designed to conceal scar tissue Lauren was even given support by Nottingham-based swimwear brand Speedo with some of the technical aspects of her design, including the elastics for the prosthetic breast inserts For her collection, Lauren created a tankini and a bikini with halter-neck cover-ups, and a one-piece swimsuit with a wrap Concealed seams have been used inside the cups to minimise rubbing on scar tissue and maximise comfort. Lauren's grandmother Nisey, 68, from Stapleford in Nottinghamshire, said: 'I am so proud of what Lauren has achieved in this project for ladies like myself who have gone through full breast surgery. 'All we want is to be comfortable and confident in what we wear. There isn't a lot to choose from on the open market. 'It's not just the older lady who's hit with this disease, its younger ladies too. 'I'm sure they would be only pleased to welcome more vibrant and patterned garments on the market too like bras, swimwear, bikinis, tankinis, that women would feel confident in wearing to the beach or to the local swimming pool.' She combined floral prints with modern pattern cutting to make the garments appear feminine and up to date Concealed seams have been used inside the cups to minimise rubbing on scar tissue and maximise comfort The show will feature works by more than 1,300 graduating artists and designers and this year is one of the ways in which Nottingham Trent University is marking its 175th anniversary Lauren's designs are set to go on public display for Nottingham Trent University's Art and Design Summer Show 2018. The show will feature works by more than 1,300 graduating artists and designers and this year is one of the ways in which Nottingham Trent University is marking its 175th anniversary. Emma Prince, senior lecturer in fashion design at Nottingham Trent University, said: 'Lauren has taken her grandmother's personal experience of breast cancer and used it as inspiration to help the many thousands of other women in the UK who have undergone a mastectomy. 'She has spotted what she believes to be a gap in the market and has identified a way to help improve the lives of women with similar experiences. 'By providing inclusive swimwear, more women who have had mastectomies would be able to buy the garments they like and need, and feel good about what they wear again.' Advertisement A talented Australian artist has revealed a unique perspective to the royal wedding in a series of stunning hand-drawn sketches capturing newlywed couple Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Alexandra Nea Graham, an artist and illustrator based in Newtown in Sydney's inner west, drew the strikingly accurate images in light of the royal wedding at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle last weekend. The artistic impressions offer a creative lens to the royal wedding that has rarely been seen among the catalogue of already-released photos from the day. The series replicates a complete collection from Harry and Meghan's engagement announcement, to the moment the couple emerge from the ceremony and even features royal family members and celebrity guests. Talented Australian artist Alexandra Nea Graham has released a series of stunning hand-drawn sketches capturing newlywed couple Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex In a creative twist to the iconic photo of Harry and Meghan emerging hand-in-hand from the ceremony (left), Ms Nea Graham took pen to paper to share her impression of the royal couple (right) In a creative twist to the iconic photo of Harry and Meghan emerging hand-in-hand from the ceremony, Ms Nea Graham took pen to paper to share her impression of the royal couple. 'The way her looks at her. The way he holds her hand. The love this couple clearly have for each other has sprinkled a much needed dose of magical happiness over hearts the world over,' the artist captioned the sketch she shared over her Instagram page. Most of the sketches focused on the bride herself, described by Ms Nea Graham as 'breathtaking' and 'classic, totally modern yet completely timeless, a flawless natural beauty and a woman head over heels in love with her Prince.' Meghan's stunning $350,000 Givenchy gown made by British designer Clare Waight Keller was replicated in the sketches, complete with the bateau neckline, simple A-line silhouette and three quarter sleeves. Meghan's stunning $350,000 Givenchy gown made by British designer Clare Waight Keller was replicated in the sketches, complete with the bateau neckline, simple A-line silhouette and three quarter sleeves Slide me Most of the sketches focused on the bride herself, described by Ms Nea Graham as 'breathtaking' and 'classic, totally modern yet completely timeless, a flawless natural beauty and a woman head over heels in love with her Prince' Even Princess Charlotte's adorable wave was imitated in the drawings, replicating the photo taken of the three-year-old with her mother. 'I had to sketch everyones favourite little Princess,' Ms Graham said. 'She is looking so adorable in her role of flower girl ... and has certainly perfected her confident royal wave! Alexandra Nea Graham (pictured) an artist based in Sydney drew the striking images in light of the royal wedding Even Princess Charlotte's adorable wave was imitated in the drawings, replicating the photo taken of the three-year-old with her mother. 'I had to sketch everyones favourite little Princess,' Ms Graham said. 'She is looking so adorable in her role of flower girl ... and has certainly perfected her confident royal wave! Her beautiful mama so proud at her side.' 'When Hollywood and Royalty collide!' one sketch was captioned. Meghan's Hollywood co-stars from Suits - Abigail Spencer and Janina Gavankar - were sketched alongside Amal Clooney and Lady Kitty Spencer, niece of Diana Princess of Wales and cousin of Prince Harry and Prince William. 'When Hollywood and Royalty collide the fashion stakes skyrocket!,' the artist wrote. 'Here they are my top four best dressed at The Royal Wedding! '(Pictured from left: Abigail Spencer, Amal Clooney, Janina Gavankar and Lady Kitty Spencer) Slide me Lady Kitty Spencer the niece of Diana, Princess of Wales and cousin of Prince Harry and Prince William (pictured) was described by the artist as 'a vision ... ... the epitome of ladylike class and elegance' 'Lady Kitty Spencer you were a vision,' Ms Graham said. Ms Spencer's hand-painted Alta Moda Dolce and Gabbana dress was perfectly captured in the illustrated version, described as 'the epitome of ladylike class and elegance in this most stunning Dolce Gabbana creation paired perfectly with Philip Treacy millinery, Royal Wedding guest perfection'. Similarly, Amal Clooney's Stella McCartney gown was detailed and noted as the artist's 'favourite guest'. 'Couldnt resist a quick sketch of this stunning beauty! Amal Clooney (almost!) steals the show in this gorgeous Stella McCartney look, my favourite guest!' Amal Clooney's Stella McCartney gown was detailed and noted as the artist's 'favourite guest'. 'Couldnt resist a quick sketch of this stunning beauty! Amal Clooney (almost!) steals the show in this gorgeous Stella McCartney look' Abigail Spencer was immaculately drawn in a navy polka dot frock, a design the artist said she 'needed in her wardrobe!' Ms Nea Graham admitted she was up late at night sketching the wedding. 'I feel like I have been living in a royal wedding bubble these past few days,' she said. 'But its been worth it as such fun straying from my to-do list to sketch all these amazing looks.' Meghan's Hollywood co-stars Sarah Grafferty (left) and Gina Torres (right) from Suits Actresses Sarah Rafferty (left) and Gina Torres (right) photographed on arrival at St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle before the wedding of Prince Harry to Meghan Markle Abigail Spencer (pictured) was immaculately drawn in a navy polka dot frock, a design the artist said she 'needed in her wardrobe!' Slide me Pictured: Gabriel Macht and Jacinda Barrett. 'This Emilia Wickstead dress, That Garrison bespoke suit. The picture perfect couple at The Royal Wedding!' this sketch was captioned Advertisement Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark celebrated his 50th birthday with a glittering gala at one of Copenhagen's palaces, attended by fellow European royals. The heir apparent arrived at the dinner at Christiansborg Palace on Saturday night in full military regalia flanked by his exquisitely-dressed wife Princess Mary. Frederik's impressive uniform included gold epaulets, a red-and-gold collar, and a chest full of medals, while he carried an elaborate fur hat in his white-gloved left hand along with a sword. Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark celebrated his 50th birthday with a glittering gala at one of Copenhagen's palaces last night Queen Margrethe of Denmark gives the birthday speech for Crown Prince Frederik at his celebrations last night Crown Princess Victoria looked elegant in a floor-sweeping floral gown and a regal blue sash, as well as a glittering tiara. She attended the event with her husband Prince Daniel King Willem Alexander of the Nederlands and wife Queen Maxima looked picture perfect as they arrived at the event Princess Mary looked stunning in a floor-length pink sequinned dress and she carried a delicate pink matching clutch bag Frederik's impressive uniform included gold epaulets, a red-and-gold collar, and a chest full of medals, while Mary topped her heavily-sequined light pink dress with a tiara and Queen Margrethe's sister Princess Benedikte wore a regal light blue gown and a more elaborate tiara His 46-year-old wife looked every bit the Crown Princess as she topped her heavily-sequined light pink dress with a tiara and matched her husband with a turquoise sash. The party was hosted by his mother Queen Margrethe, attending with her sister Princess Benedikte who walked in dressed in a regal light blue gown and a more elaborate tiara. Queen Margrethe was without her husband and Frederik's father Prince Henrik, who died in February after a long illness. Other guests included the monarchs of Belgium, Luxembourg, Holland, Norway, Sweden, and Greece with the Spanish king and queen sending their apologies. Prince Frederick's younger brother Prince Joachim arrives at the gala with his wife Princess Marie, as did Prince Daniel of Sweden and his wife Princess Victoria Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg with his wife Grand Duchess Maria Teresa (left) were also at the party alongside Crown Princess Mette-Marit and Crown Prince Haakon of Norway (right) Queen Margrethe wore an eye-catching pink gown and gold crown for the occasion, which she attended solo without her husband and Frederik's father Prince Henrik, who died in February after a long illness King Philippe of Belgium arrives with his wife Queen Mathilde (left), as does King Carl Gustaf of Sweden with Queen Silvia (right) Prince Frederik earlier began his birthday by stepping on to the Amalienborg Palace balcony to rapturous applause from his adoring subjects. He initially stepped out alone into the bright Copenhagen sun on Saturday to massive cheers, before he was joined by Princess Mary and the rest of his family. Looking slightly shy in a sleek navy blue suit, white shirt and blue pattered tie, he showed his appreciation for the crowd by clasping his hands together and bowing his head. The royal couple waved at well-wishers as they rode through the streets of Copenhagen to get to the gala Frederik's impressive uniform included gold epaulets, a red-and-gold collar, and a chest full of medals Countess Alexandra, former wife of Prince Joachim of Belgium wore a white lace gown for the glitzy occasion Guests included the monarchs of Belgium, Luxembourg, Holland, Norway, Sweden, and Greece with the Spanish king and queen sending their apologies Guests stand as a sign of respect as Queen Margrethe is lead to her table in The Knights Hall His 46-year-old bride beamed with pride as she waved to the royal fans who spent hours outside the palace waiting for a glimpse of the popular couple. The Australian-born princess wore a light fitted dress with striking bright floral patterns, complimented with brilliant blue earrings and wore her highlighted locks down and behind her head. They were soon joined by Queen Margrethe who stood out in a bright pink gown with a broach in the shape of a Marguerite Daisy, the national flower of Denmark. Prime Minister of Denmark, Lars Loekke Rasmuseen and wife arrived, followed by Anders Samuelsen, Foreign Minister Queen Silvia looked stunning in a scarlet gown with a floral design as she smiled for the waiting cameras Henri, Grand Duke of Luxembourg and wife Maria Theresa and King Philippe of Belgium and wife Queen Mathilde pose for the cameras The royal families of Europe were suitable dressed to the nines for the very formal occasion last night Frederik and Mary's four children Christian, 12, Isabella, 11, and seven-year-old twins Vincent and Josephine were miniature versions of their parents, with the boys in the same suits as the birthday man. Celebrations started days ago when the Crown Prince unveiled a new set of commemorative portraits of himself on Thursday night, posing in front of it with his family. Australian-born artist Ralph Heimans was also in attendance at the special reception at Frederiksborg Castle in Hilleroed. Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark celebrated his 50th birthday by stepping on to the Amalienborg Palace balcony to rapturous applause from his adoring subjects Prince Frederik was soon joined by his wife Princess Mary, who beamed with pride as she waved to the royal fans who spent hours outside the palace waiting for a glimpse of the popular couple The royal couple were then joined by Queen Margrethe and their four children Christian, 12, Isabella, 11, and seven-year-old twins Vincent and Josephine Princess Mary cut a stylish figure fuchsia A-line dress which was cinched in at the waist, and featured a ruched hemline and balloon sleeves. She teamed the dress with stylish T-bar sandals and wore her hair in loose blow-dried waves. Mary was joined by her mother-in-law Margrethe, who opted for a pastel pink shift dress and white court shoes, tying her hair in an elegant chignon. Looking slightly shy in a sleek navy blue suit, white shirt and blue pattered tie as he showed his appreciation for the crowd by clasping his hands together and bowing his head The Australian-born princess wore a light fitted dress with striking bright floral patterns, complimented with brilliant blue earrings and wore her highlighted locks down and behind her head Frederik and Mary's four children Christian, 12, Isabella, 11, and seven-year-old twins Vincent and Josephine were miniature versions of their parents, with the boys in the same suits as the birthday man. Meanwhile Princess Josephine, 10, wore a pretty pink lace dress and her hair in a half ponytail as she embraced her little sister Isabeella, who looked sweet in a baby blue lace dress. Prince Christian and Vincent looked smart in suits and ties, matching their father, who looked dapper in a fitted suit and blue tie. The family admired the opulent paintings, which were painted at the National History Museum in Hilleroed. Celebrations will continue into the evening when Queen Margrethe hosts a gala dinner at Christiansborg Palace attended by numerous other royals and likely members of Mary's Australian family Thousands of Danish citizens packed the square outside the palace to wish Frederik happy birthday, cheering and waving Danish flags Prince Frederik of Denmark (far right) looked delighted as he joined his family to unveil their portraits Ralph Heimans (fourth left) at Frederiksborg Castle in Denmark on Thursday The new portrait will form the center of an exhibition with portraits by Australian visual artist Ralph Heimans. The exhibition 'Ralph Heimans Portraits' shows a significant part of the artist's production, which includes a portrait of Crown Princess Mary, members of the British Royal House and international personalities. The love story between Princess Mary and Prince Frederick has been well documented; the couple met in a Sydney bar and Mary, born in Tasmania, moved to the northern hemisphere to be with Frederik. The Prince, 49, was joined by his mother Danish Queen Margrethe, 78, (seen) his wife Princess Mary, 46, Prince Christian, 12, Princess Josephine (seen), 10, and twins Princess Isabella (seen) and Prince Vincent, seven Ralph was also in attendance, posing alongside the family as they admired their portraits (portrait of Frederik seen) In December, in a candid interview with Australian Women's Weekly, the Crown Princess revealed that moving to the other side of the world was difficult. 'I did experience a feeling of loneliness - short-term - when I first moved to Denmark,' she told the magazine. 'Moving to Denmark was a huge change in my life - a new culture, new language, new friends, and another way of life.' 'So, I see it as quite natural that at times I felt quite alone or a little bit like I was on the outside looking in.' Princess Mary cut a stylish figure fuchsia A-line dress which was cinched in at the waist, and featured a ruched hemline and balloon sleeves (far right) Barbecue season is well and truly upon us...but with so many types of burger on supermarket shelves, it's difficult to tell which truly tastes best and gives you top value for money. Now a blind taste test by a panel of expert judges from Which? magazine can reveal the best-tasting fresh beef burger out of nine premium own-brand products and one branded item to crown one the king of the barbecue. The test found that Co-op's 3.19 two-pack of Irresistible Hereford Beef Burgers are the best buy after scoring 82 per cent. However Aldi's cheaper 2.49 four-pack of Specially Selected Aberdeen Angus Beef Quarter Pounders, which came second, were also highly praised. In last place were Gourmet Burger Kitchen's 4.50 pack of two Beef Burgers, which scored just 56 per cent. Co-op's 3.19 two-pack of Irresistible Hereford Beef Burgers were the winner in the taste test and were described as having a 'great beefy taste'. Gourmet Burger Kitchen's 4.50 patties were ranked last The panel of testers, made up of butchers and chefs, commended the Co-op burgers for their juiciness, appearance and 'great beefy taste'. It was the only product to be given Which? magazine's Best Buy seal of approval - a hallmark of quality. The Co-op burgers were among the more expensive of the brands tested, costing 3.19 for the pack of two burgers. However, the panel also praised a far cheaper option, handing it a Great Value award: Aldi's Specially Selected Aberdeen Angus Beef Quarter Pounders. The best (and worst) beef burgers to buy 1. Co-op Irresistible Hereford Beef Burgers (two per pack - 3.19): 82% 2. Aldi Specially Selected Aberdeen Angus Beef Quarter Pounders (four per pack - 2.49): 75% 3. M&S Our Best Ever Burger (two per pack - 3.50): 75% 4. Morrisons The Best 6oz Chuck Steak Beef Burgers (two per pack - 3.50): 74% 5. Tesco Finest Steak Beef Burgers (four per pack - 3): 74% 6. Asda Extra Special Seasoned Beef Burgers (four per pack - 3): 72% 7. Lidl Deluxe Scotch Beef Steak Quarter Pounders (four per pack - 2.49): 71% 8. Sainsbury's Taste the Difference 30 Day Matured Beef Burgers (two per pack - 3.50): 63% 9. Waitrose 1 Hand Pressed Burgers (two per pack - 3.74): 62% 10. Gourmet Burger Kitchen Beef Burgers (two per pack - 4.50): 56% Advertisement Aldi won a Great Value award and came second for its 2.49 pack of 4 Aberdeen Angus Beef Quarter Pounders (left). M&S achieved the same score but came third for its new Our Best Ever Burger product (right) The burgers came second in the taste test, scoring 75 per cent, the same score as M&S's new 3.50 Our Best Ever Burger pack of two product. Priced at 2.49 for a pack of four, each Aldi burger works out at less than half the price of a Co-op burger. At the bottom of the table was Gourmet Burger Kitchen's Gourmet Beef Burgers, with a score of 56 per cent. Costing 4.50 for a pack of two, these were the most expensive burgers the panel of judges tried as they cost 38p more per burger than the next most expensive brand. They were branded a 'huge disappointment' by the panel, who said the burgers shrank badly during cooking. One judge described their taste as 'awful' and the texture as 'hideous'. Sainsbury's came third from bottom for its Taste the Difference 30 Day Matured Beef Burgers (two per pack - 3.50, left), while Waitrose's 1 Hand Pressed Burgers (two per pack - 3.74) ranked second from last (right) The second lowest scoring brand was Waitrose, with its Waitrose 1 Hand-Pressed Beef Burgers which scored 62 per cent. These were also the next most expensive burgers in the test, costing 3.74 for a pack of two. Nikki Stopford, director of research and publishing at Which?, said: 'Barbecues are a staple of any British bank holiday weekend, so shoppers will be delighted to know they don't have to pay over the odds for a great burger this summer. 'Our taste test results found that price and brand are no indication of quality, meaning everyone can enjoy a great barbecue this weekend - weather permitting.' What did the Which? magazine judges make of frozen and meat-free vegan burgers? One judge praised Linda McCartney's Vegetarian lb Burgers (2 for two) for being the best vegan burger As well as the fresh burgers, Which? magazined asked the panel to give their verdict on one brand of premium frozen burgers, and three widely-available meat-free alternatives. For the frozen option, the panel tasted Iceland's Luxury Aberdeen Angus Quarter Pounders, costing 2 for a pack of four. They were pleasantly surprised by the burgers, especially by how 'juicy' they were, claiming they would be handy to have in your freezer. But in general, felt that shoppers would be better off with the fresh Aldi burgers, which cost only 12p more per patty. The magazine also asked one member of the panel to taste three meat free burgers: Linda McCartney's Vegetarian lb Burgers (2 for two), Quorn's Classic Burgers (2.50 for two) and Meat the Alternative's Classic Burgers (3 for two). The expert felt that, overall, all three looked the part, tasted pretty good and would all be great vegetarian alternatives at a barbecue - but their favourite was the Linda McCartney burgers, praising them for looking very similar to high-quality beef burgers, and staying moist once cooked. Advertisement Visit Which?'s website for advice on buying a barbecue. Solo: A Star Wars Story Cert: 12A 2hrs 15mins Rating: You can see Solo: A Star Wars Story as a movie that, exhaustingly, is just one sci-fi film staple after another and proves that Alden Ehrenreich, the young actor who takes on the role of Han Solo in this prequel, is no Harrison Ford. And there were odd moments when I was in danger of seeing it that way too. But you can also see it as relentless franchise fun, bristling with brilliant visual effects and superb production design, and boldly going where few science-fiction films have gone before, prior to these #TimesUp times, with flirty female droids, feisty black female outlaws and a female lead who is far more than just a pretty face. Alden Ehrenreich (above) might not be Harrison Ford, but Solo is relentless franchise fun, and while it is not be the greatest Star Wars film, it is certainly a good one Thankfully there were far more moments when that was the way I saw it too, eventually coming to the conclusion that while Solo is not the greatest Star Wars film, it is certainly a good one. The sudden sacking of original directors Phil Lord and Chris Miller, who had made The Lego Movie and 21 Jump Street, and the bringing in of the hugely experienced Ron Howard, who made Apollo 13, has paid off. At heart, whats hes delivered is a Star Wars western full of shoot-outs, bar brawls, card games and double-crosses, in which the young Solo, having escaped the slave-like existence of his home planet to become a pilot but left his girlfriend Qira (Emilia Clarke) behind in the panicky process, can never quite decide whether hes an outlaw or the good guy. Emilia Clarke's Qi'ra is far more than just a pretty face, as the female lead in a cast that includes flirty female droids and feisty black female outlaws who shine in these #TimesUp times But we, of course, know better because weve seen the 1977 original that turned Ford into an international star. Will this turn the little-known Ehrenreich into a star too? With facial expressions and a vocal delivery that often seem more reminiscent of a young Dustin Hoffman than a young Ford, he gives it his best shot without ever setting the screen alight. But, giving the sort of performance that suggests Han was born with that extraordinary inner self-confidence rather than picking it somewhere along the galaxy-spanning way, he just about holds his own, which, when youre sharing the screen with the likes of Woody Harrelson, Paul Bettany and Donald Glover, is not a bad effort. Ehrenreich just about holds his own, which, when sharing the screen with Woody Harrelson (above centre) Thandie Newton (above left), Paul Bettany and Donald Glover, is not a bad effort Summarising a story that goes on relentlessly for the best part of 135 minutes is just about impossible, so let me just get you on your way by telling you that Han, having dropped out of the Empires Navy to become a mere foot soldier, befriends Chewbacca in prison, escapes to team up with the outlaw Beckett (Woody Harrelson) and attempts to steal some dizzyingly expensive starship fuel known as coaxium only to discover that what they really need is a fabulously fast spaceship. Like the Millennium Falcon, perhaps. But unfortunately that happens to be owned by the great gambler Lando Calrissian (Glover). Anyone else feel a game of sabacc coming on? And, no, thats not a spoiler, its in the 1977 original. Oh, and by this time Han has also met up with Qira again, who doesnt seem quite the nice girl she once was, having come into the orbit of the fatally volatile gangster Dryden Vos (Bettany). There's very nearly too much comedy thanks to Fleabag star Phoebe Waller-Bridge's initially very funny but eventually over-indulged voice and motion-capture performance as L3-37 Theres always been comedy in Star Wars films and this time theres very nearly too much thanks to Fleabag star Phoebe Waller-Bridges initially very funny but eventually over-indulged voice and motion-capture performance as L3-37, the straight-talking, filter-free droid who makes camp old C-3PO look like a shy wallflower. Various fine details from the original trilogy are satisfyingly explained here, as we learn the origins of Hans lucky dice, his favoured gun and how he did the Kessel Run in less than 12 parsecs. Despite these, however, this feels like a film that will please younger franchise fans rather than those, like me, who were there first time around. Despite explaining details from the original trilogy, this feels like a film that will please younger franchise fans, rather than those who were there the first time around For just as Ehrenreich is no Ford, Games Of Thrones star Clarke is no Carrie Fisher, at least in Princess Leia mode. Or, to put it another way, for all the dizzying action, I could have done with caring a bit more. SECOND SCREEN Show Dogs (PG) Rating: Edie (12A) Rating: The Little Vampire (U) Rating: Normally, Im not the greatest fan of live-action films featuring talking animals, but Show Dogs is silly enough and funny enough for me to make an exception. You just have to take a deep breath, think OK, its a film with lots of talking dogs, three prolix pigeons and an angry tiger, and jump in. The success of what ensues is down to a well-polished script, some nice canine characterisation and a well-chosen voice cast. Rapper-turned-actor Chris Ludacris Bridges is spot-on as Max, the grumpy, macho police rottweiler who believes he could solve every case himself if his bungling human handler (Will Arnett) didnt keep getting in his way. But stealing every scene is Stanley Tucci as Philippe, the petulant and ever-so-slightly-camp Belgian papillon who reluctantly becomes Maxs sidekick as he goes undercover at a Las Vegas dog show in pursuit of an animal-smuggling ring. I also loved the film references (Lassie, Lady And The Tramp), the comedy set-pieces and the chilled-out, philosophy-quoting Hungarian sheepdog. With a well-polished script and a well-chosen voice cast, Show Dogs is silly enough and funny enough to prove an exception to anyone's dislike of live-action films featuring talking animals Hot on the heels of John Hurts That Good Night comes Edie (12A) a more life-affirming exploration of our senior years with Sheila Hancock playing the 83-year-old and recently widowed title character who sets off to finally conquer the Scottish mountain Suilven shed planned to climb with her father. Simon Hunters direction is slow and far from subtle at times, but the photogenic Hancock is game and the scenery is stunning. It charms in the end. The Little Vampire is a European cartoon about a clan of vampires being pursued by Rookery (voiced by Jim Carter), a somewhat accident-prone vampire-hunter. Thank heavens Rudolph, at 13 the youngest of his clan, escapes and is befriended by a mortal boy of the same age. Can friendship bridge the divide? Good fun, despite the occasional violent threat seeming a little at odds with a U certificate. Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom June 6 The Jurassic World theme park has been closed since that nasty business with the Indominus four years ago. But now the islands volcano is erupting and the dinosaurs are threatened with extinction (again), so someones got to come up with an evacuation plan. Step forward former operations manager Claire Deering (Bryce Dallas Howard) and raptor-whisperer Owen Grady (Chris Pratt). Well it worked last time although on that occasion the dinosaurs didnt make it to the mainland... Oceans 8 June 18 If ever a film captured the spirit of the times its this one, with a classy all-female cast going where no classy all-female cast has gone before: the classic caper movie. Sandra Bullock plays Debbie Ocean (sister of Danny who knew?), who emerges from prison with a serious plan to steal some of the jewellery on show at New Yorks annual star-studded Met Gala. But first shes going to need a crew which is where the likes of Cate Blanchett, Anne Hathaway and Rihanna come in. Mamma Mia! star Cher plays Sophies grandmother but, at 72, is only four years older than Meryl Streep, who plays Sophies mother Sicario 2: Soldado June 29 No Emily Blunt this time, and no Denis Villeneuve calling the shots behind the camera. But Josh Brolin and Benicio del Toro are both back, along with newcomers to this intense, Mexican drug cartel franchise Matthew Modine, Isabela Moner and Catherine Keener. Taking over directorial duties is highly respected Italian film-maker Stefano Sollima, the man responsible for the much-admired television crime series Gomorrah. Skyscraper July 12 Dwayne Johnson plays a former FBI hostage-rescue team leader who now assesses skyscraper security. So the day he finds that the worlds tallest building in Hong Kong ablaze after a terrorist attack, that hes being blamed for it, and that his family is trapped inside well its definitely not a good day at the office. Expect Die Hard meets The Towering Inferno. Mission: Impossible Fallout. The sixth film in the 22-year-old franchise and something of a sequel to Rogue Nation. FILM FACT: Tom Cruise learned to fly a helicopter and notched up 2,000 in-flight hours in order to execute just one Mission: Impossible stunt Ant-Man And The Wasp (left). Incredibles 2 (right). FILM FACT: The voice of superhero costume designer Edna Mode in Incredibles 2 was recorded by Brad Bird, writer and director of both Incredibles movies The Jurassic World theme park has been closed since that nasty business with the Indominus. But now the islands volcano is erupting and the dinosaurs are threatened with extinction. FILM FACT: Jeff Goldblum, who starred in the first two Jurassic Park films, returns after a 21-year hiatus as mathematician Ian Malcolm Incredibles 2 July 13 The folk at Pixar dont like to be rushed it took them 13 years to come up with Finding Dory, and one year longer now to deliver Incredibles 2. The future of the world is still dependent on how well Helen and Bob Parr better known as Elastigirl and Mr Incredible can share out the childcare. But with Elastigirl in full superhero mode and Mr Incredible stuck at home with their semi-superhero kids, its not looking good. Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again July 20 What a year 2018 promises to be for Abba fans: the first new songs for 35 years and the long-awaited sequel to Mamma Mia! Its ten years on, Sophie (Amanda Seyfried) is pregnant, wondering what her mother, Donna (Meryl Streep), was like at the same stage in life and how she met her three lovers, Bill (Stellan Skarsgard), Sam (Pierce Brosnan) and Harry (Colin Firth). Expect flashbacks galore with Lily James playing the younger Donna and Cher belting out Fernando Mission: Impossible Fallout July 26 The sixth film in the 22-year-old franchise and, judging by the return of Sean Harris as arch-baddie Solomon Lane and Rebecca Ferguson as baddie-turned-goodie Ilsa Faust, something of a sequel to Rogue Nation. Paris features large as Tom Cruises Ethan Hunt rushes around Europe duelling helicopters and racing motorbikes and speedboats. The 55-year-old broke an ankle jumping from one building to another in London, but it hasnt put him off the endless stunts. Oceans 8. FILM FACT: Former One Direction star Zayn Malik makes his acting debut in Oceans 8 although in what shape or form remains to be seen Ant-man and the Wasp August 3 Come on, admit it, you smiled. Its hard not to at the thought of an ant-sized superhero; even his fellow superheroes mocked the idea in Avengers: The Infinity War. But the surprise of the first film three years ago was that it was good enough to take such a silly story halfway seriously. Can they pull it off again? Well, with Ant-Man now joined by The Wasp (shes got wings and can sting) and a cast led by Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly, Michael Douglas and Michelle Pfeiffer, you wouldnt bet against it. Mile 22 August 10 Actor-turned film-maker Peter Berg makes top-class thrillers, as anyone whos seen Deepwater Horizon or Lone Survivor can attest. Teaming up with Mark Wahlberg for a fourth time, their latest joint venture is the story of a resourceful and inevitably gun-toting intelligence officer who works off-the-grid on missions that defy normal military and diplomatic solutions. So when a policeman with highly sensitive information needs to be spirited out of a foreign country, James Silva (Wahlberg) is the man for the job. Any idea how far away the airport is? The Meg August 10 Summer just wouldnt be summer without a shark movie to put us off our seaside paddle. The Meg pitches Jason Statham against something from the depths that is very big indeed. Scientists thought the megalodon think a great white but twice the size had been extinct for two million years. But guess what? e Aussie Shiraz was one of the first reds I fell in love with when I started working in wine. I adored its boldness, hearty flavour and easily identifiable trademark aromas of smoke and spice. Australian Shiraz is their mostly widely planted red, taking up an impressive 30 per cent of the entire local vineyard area. Exports of bottled Shiraz from Australia to the UK increased by eight per cent to A$44 million (25 million) for the year ending March 2018, so its high time we took this red powerhouse a bit more seriously. The worlds biggest fans of this style of wine live in China (44 per cent of Shiraz and Shiraz blends are exported there), followed by the USA with 14 per cent and the UK at nine per cent. Proportionate to our size, this shows just how much we love it. And with good reason, since Australia has a long tradition of expertise, and some of the worlds oldest Shiraz vines are found there the Langmeil Freedom Vineyard, for instance, dates back to 1843. Depending on the climate, the region and winemaking methods, Shiraz produces an impressive range of styles from Down Under. Barossa is probably the most famous region, producing rich peppery reds. But for a more fruity style, Clare Valley (also famous for Riesling) produces some stunning Shiraz from producers such as Skillogalee. Langhorne Creek is a place to watch for rising quality in South Australia, not far from Adelaide. And while Shiraz as a soloist gives wines of immense character, you can also find it blended with Cabernet Sauvignon or with Grenache and Mourvedre for a GSM blend, which mimics the recipe from Frances Rhone. As for the iconic stuff, look for world-famous producers such as Henschkes Hill of Grace and Penfolds Grange, and if you get the chance to taste this top-end stuff, go for it. But keep your eye out for the next generation. More than 20 years since I first began tasting the splendour and diversity of Shiraz, the one thing Im sure of is the skys the limit especially Down Under. Q My teenage daughter has mood swings with tearfulness and irritability, as well as bloating and breast tenderness before her period. Could it be premenstrual syndrome? Our GP is dismissive. A Those symptoms are common to premenstrual syndrome (PMS). In fact, more than 150 psychological, behavioural and physical symptoms have been identified, according to the National Association for Premenstrual Syndrome (NAPS). The most usual are listed in the box below. A survey of 1,004 girls aged 14 to 21 by the charity Plan International UK found 79 per cent had experienced worrying symptoms but had not seen a doctor No one will experience every symptom, which may vary from cycle to cycle. Although the exact cause has still to be identified, experts agree the key factor is the rollercoaster of hormones during the monthly cycle. PMS may affect the sufferer continuously from ovulation (when the egg is released) until her period starts ten to 16 days later, or for three to four days at ovulation then again before menstruation, or in other patterns. PMS lifts with menstruation so women are symptom-free for seven to ten days per cycle. COMMON SYMPTOMS OF PMS Psychological/behavioural Mood swings, depression, anxiety, tiredness, fatigue, lethargy, feeling out of control, irritability, aggression, anger, reduced cognitive ability, sleep disorder, food cravings. Physical Breast tenderness, skin rashes, bloating, weight gain, clumsiness, headaches, backache. Advertisement NAPS advises that keeping a menstrual chart is the only reliable method of diagnosis. Your daughter can download one from its website (pms.org.uk) and should fill it in for at least two cycles before consulting her GP again. If she feels that another GP may be more receptive, she should ask to see a different one. A section called Getting the most from your doctor by Dr Carol Cooper on the NAPS website is helpful. You will also find NAPS guidelines by consultant gynaecologist Mr Nick Panay on treating PMS, including a section on complementary therapies. Mr Panay says evidence suggests magnesium, calcium and vitamin D supplements may help, and also isoflavones such as soy and red clover. Agnus castus, the fruit of the Vitex agnus-castus tree, is the best-researched option for PMS, he comments. Its important to choose a quality-controlled product such as Agnus Castus PMS Relief by Higher Nature (7.15 for 30 tablets) or Periagna Agnus Castus Fruit by Bio-Health (10.75 for 60 capsules, both victoriahealth.com). Moderate to severe PMS affects up to 30 per cent of women, according to Mr Panay, but is probably under-reported because talking about periods is still a taboo for many women. A survey of 1,004 girls aged 14 to 21 by the charity Plan International UK found 79 per cent had experienced worrying symptoms but had not seen a doctor. Over half believed the symptoms were normal; 48 per cent felt embarrassed by their period. Talking to a sympathetic GP about period problems is important because they may indicate an underlying condition such as endometriosis, where cells from the womb lining (endometrium) migrate to other parts of the body causing inflammation, pain and scar tissue, possibly leading to infertility. For more information, go to endometriosis-uk.org. Tackling period poverty One in ten girls in the UK cannot afford sanitary protection, and its commonplace for women who are homeless or refugees, and those in disaster areas worldwide. To help women keep their dignity, you can donate to charities such as Actionaid (actionaid.org.uk), The Red Box Project (redboxproject.org) and The Homeless Period (thehomelessperiod.com). Also buy an extra packet of tampons or towels when shopping and give them to your local foodbank. Britains Got Talent judge Alesha Dixon is supporting the Always campaign to talk about menstruation and help #EndPeriodPoverty Email your questions to sarah@sarahstacey.com On the eve of a blockbuster V&A exhibition about FRIDA KAHLO, Joanna Moorhead profiles the artist whose unflinching portrayal of love, betrayal and personal tragedy has made her an icon for us all. The Mexican artist pictured in the 1930s In the middle of a street of drab, grey houses in a suburb of Mexico City, the irrepressible spirit of Frida Kahlo seems to sing out of the vibrant cobalt walls of her home, the Blue House (or La Casa Azul). Sitting in the courtyard, its easy to imagine her sashaying around it in her traditional peasant dresses, her hair piled up on her head and her dark brown eyes below that famous monobrow locking yours in a gaze that was somehow simultaneously fragile and strong. In her lifetime, Frida was overshadowed, literally and figuratively, by her giant of a husband, the muralist Diego Rivera. (In front of me is a press cutting from the 1930s; its dismissive headline, Wife of the master mural painter gleefully dabbles in works of art.) But today the queue snaking down the road outside the Blue House is here for Frida, who has posthumously eclipsed her husband and become probably the most famous female artist who ever lived. Pain, heartache, infertility Frida didnt shy away from telling it like it was To many visitors who make the pilgrimage to this house, which is now a museum, Frida is a hero. She certainly is for me: and sitting here I am struck yet again by her extraordinary determination, resilience, fearlessness and unconventionality. Frida was a feminist long before the 1960s and she campaigned for the rights of minorities decades before it became fashionable. Most of all and this is the pivotal reason why she means so much to me and to millions of other women she never shied from telling it like it was. Pain, betrayal, heartache, miscarriages, infertility, disability Frida shared everything in technicolour images and minute detail because, despite the great suffering she experienced, she never allowed it to diminish her spirit. An outfit from the exhibition at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London Today, any Frida Kahlo exhibition is guaranteed to be a blockbuster, and thats certainly the expectation for the new show opening soon at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London. It will include some of her stunning self-portraits, but the majority of the exhibits will relate to the subjects of Fridas art rather than the art itself: her personal possessions such as clothes and jewellery, as well as items that connect to her chronic ill-health medicine bottles, medical corsets and her prosthetic leg. And to those critics who will say that the show is less of an event because it focuses on Fridas life rather than her art, a disciple like me can only respond: Fridas life and her art were so closely intertwined that theyre one and the same. Like that of the greatest artists, her work is entirely infused with her personality, and its Fridas personality that speaks to me across the years. Frida's house La Casa Azul, where she was born on 6 July 1907 Like Frida like every woman Ive known sadness, difficulties and pain. Maybe my problems havent been as spectacular as Fridas, but she didnt have a monopoly on suffering and she didnt pretend she did. What marks her out is her willingness to go public with the most personal of journeys, and to show the rest of us how to overcome them. Rather than papering over the emotional cracks of life, Frida acknowledged the toll, but refused to be cowed by it. When Ive been up against it when Ive been let down or when I was dealing with breast cancer, my own health battle Ive been buoyed up by Fridas example: face the reality, keep going and, however bad things get, never compromise your love of life. Although Frida had much to make her fearful, she lived fiercely Frida was born in the Blue House on 6 July 1907, the daughter of a Mexican mother and a German photographer father. From her mothers family, who originated from Oaxaca, came a knowledge of the issues around indigenous people that she would later champion. And her fathers photographs documenting her life from babyhood provided a building block to creating art with her life story at its centre. But these werent just lucky twists of fate for Frida: theyre an example of how she continuously turned the cards shed been dealt into advantages. Its hard to imagine anything worse than what happened to her at the age of 18, just as she was beginning her studies to become a doctor. Along with a boyfriend, she was travelling on a bus that was in an appalling collision with a streetcar. Frida was impaled on a handrail; its metal pierced her pelvis. She also suffered fractures to her spine and ribs, and her right leg, which had already been damaged by childhood polio, was broken in 11 places. Frida at work on a portrait, 1931 The accident marked the start of a life that would be full of operations (more than 30 in all), pain and disability, yet it was the moment that came to define Frida. Instead of focusing on how unlucky she had been or how difficult her life had become, she realised that nothing she could do would change the circumstances in which she found herself and that her attitude towards those circumstances was everything. So what might have been her greatest tragedy became her most precious asset. She thought not about how being in pain and disabled was limiting her life, but how she could illuminate her suffering through her art. In her Self-Portrait with Thorn Necklace and Hummingbird (1940), Frida looks serene and poised, despite the thorns around her neck. She is coping with her difficulties and, despite the weight of it all symbolised by the hummingbird, which is dead there are butterflies in her hair. And as well as her own paintings, there are the photographs taken of her, especially those by her lover Nickolas Muray. In one of his pictures which I saw at the Dolores Olmedo Museum in Mexico City Frida is lying on her bed in her medical corset, yet her expression is one of flirtatious fun. We limit ourselves, Frida seems to say, by our reaction to lifes hardships. Turn things around, have power over what you can have power over: dare life to do its worst in the knowledge that you will go on making the best of it. Frida painting in bed, 1952 Frida met Diego through a mutual friend, the Italian photographer Tina Modotti, in 1928. He was already an established artist and she sought him out to show him her work. When they married the following year, Diego whose nickname was the frog on account of his ugliness was 42 and Frida 22 (her mother described it as a union between an elephant and a dove). There were huge difficulties with the relationship. Both partners had affairs including Diego with Fridas sister Cristina and Frida with the Russian dissident Leon Trotsky, who was on the run from Stalin. And Frida miscarried three times, which meant she and Diego remained childless. But when they divorced in 1939 they realised they couldnt live without one another, and remarried a year later. Frida with her lover Leon Trotsky, his wife Natalia and US Communist leader Max Shachtman Naturally, Fridas art charts the ups and downs of her marriage, and its always the tiniest details that tell the story. I remember the tears pricking my eyes as I stood in a gallery in San Francisco in front of her 1931 work Frida and Diego Rivera. What touched me was the size of the couples feet: Diegos vast and planted, Fridas minuscule and barely there. It seemed to sum up one of the difficulties of Fridas life: how to honour both her commitment to Diego and her own ambitions. How we keep our autonomy as married women is a modern issue, but Frida was naming it all those decades ago. As time went on Frida became more independent, but she went on feeling the pain of her imperfect marriage in an honest and self-critical way. In Diego and Frida 1929-1944 a gift to Diego on their 15th wedding anniversary she paints them as two halves of the same face: separate but joined. Frida in 1939, photographed by her lover Nickolas Muray Frida never searched for easy answers she was honest about the complexities of life yet she always reached for joy and knew its healing simplicity. Nothing is worth more than laughter, she wrote. It is strength to laugh. Tragedy is the most ridiculous thing. She laced her truths with humour: There have been two great accidents in my life, she once said. One was the trolley and the other was Diego. Diego was by far the worst. The whole story of Frida and Diego as reflected through her work seems to sum up a universal reality: we cant live without our partners, but much of the time we cant live with them either. Fridas genius is that she understood the power of her story. She was aware of how her experiences could be captured to move and affect other people and make them think again about their own lives and suffering. Interestingly, this approach was in stark contrast to Diegos art, which takes the grand-sweep view: one of his most famous works depicts the history of Mexico, painted around the stairwell of the countrys National Palace. Diego concentrated on the bigger picture; Frida on the details. In their lifetimes, he seemed like the more important artist, but Frida proved that its an honest examination of the heart our feelings, our choices and our complexity that stands the test of time. Writer Joanna Moorhead at Fridas house La Casa Azul Perhaps the most inspiring element of Fridas complicated, painful and all-too-short life (she died aged 47 in 1954 in the Blue House), is that she was not afraid. Although she had much that could have made her fearful, she lived boldly and fiercely. Towards the end of her life she accepted the need to have one of her legs amputated. Feet, she wrote, what do I need them for if I have wings to fly? One of the exhibits in the V&A show will be her prosthetic leg, which seems emblematic of the vulnerability and strength that intertwined in her life and her work. The leg looks heavy and there are thick leather straps to attach it to her thigh. But on the foot is a red lace-up boot, with a heel and a painted dragon. Frida went on dancing, whatever life dealt her and more than 60 years after her death, she inspires us to go on dancing, too. Frida Kahlo: Making Her Self Up will open at the V&A on 16 June; for details, visit vam.ac.uk Mrs S.H. writes: I contacted the Association of British Travel Agents about holiday company TUI as you advised in The Mail on Sunday on March 25 and I have now received this from the association: Unfortunately, the member has advised us that they are not willing to use the conciliation scheme on this occasion. The association says that the scheme is voluntary, so customers can only proceed if the member agrees to it. I am disappointed with ABTA. What is the point of a voluntary scheme and why would TUI want to engage in it if it does not have to? All at sea: The TUI Discovery cruise was ruined TONY SAYS: I was stunned to hear this news. You and your husband were on a cruise on the TUI Discovery when you went for a cigarette in a signposted designated smoking area on deck. A crew member opened a heavy metal door from the inside, gashing your leg and leaving you lying bleeding and needing emergency treatment from the ships doctor. He stitched the open wound but it needed cleaning and dressing every day. Your cruise was ruined. It turned out that the door was for emergencies only and the crew member had taken an unauthorised short cut. There were no warnings, inside or outside the door, until signs were hastily added in the wake of your accident. When you returned home, your solicitor approached TUI, requested copies of its accident records and suggested you might sue in the county court. TUIs response was to tell him you would have to claim in the specialist Admiralty Court, not the local county court. Your solicitor warned you about mounting costs, so you felt forced to back down. The Association of British Travel Agents seemed to offer a lifeline. It runs two schemes for arbitration and conciliation in complaint cases. The conciliation scheme specifically handles personal injury claims and can award up to 10,000. How The Mail on Sunday first reported the TUI incident in March TUI told me it refused to take part because it did not accept any responsibility for your injury. But surely this is like a bank robber refusing to appear in court because he has pleaded not guilty and thinks that should be good enough. TUI says you can still sue for damages. This giant company knows you are a 70-year-old of limited means but says it is sure you can find lawyers on a no-win, no-fee basis. Well, I told TUI you had tried this and one of the biggest law firms in this area had turned you down flat because the level of damages you might win would not earn it a big enough fee. For the moment at least, you are stymied. You cannot afford to sue and TUI has the power to block any claim through ABTA. If a no-win, no-fee law firm is interested, please feel free to contact me. When we published an account of your injury in March and TUIs response, I suggested that passengers on its ships should take out both travel insurance and a legal expenses policy. At the time, I only half meant it. Now I am completely serious. One reader said her daughter was charged 199 by Santander for an inadvertent debt of 23, made up entirely of bank charges K.J. writes: I am writing following your coverage of Santanders excessive overdraft charges. My daughter was charged 199 for an inadvertent debt of 23, made up entirely of bank charges. Santander failed to communicate with her for more than three months, ignoring its own banking covenant. By my calculation, the result is interest at 845 per cent for a four-day overdraft. This is hardly a reasonable way to deal with a 21-year-old probationary teacher to whom Santander had offered an unsolicited 2,000 free overdraft just weeks earlier. TONY SAYS: This is not quite as clear cut as it seems. Santander has confirmed your daughter had 11 in her account but made two card payments that meant she was overdrawn by 23. Four days later she deposited enough to put her account back into credit. But she has an Everyday Current Account and the rules state that if you help yourself to an overdraft you will be charged 6 a day. So there was already a 24 charge in the pipeline because of the four days she was in the red. These charges meant your daughter was overdrawn again. As she made no fresh deposits, there were new overdraft fees of 60 for one month and 95 the next month. I hoped to have a helpful word with Santander as the bank did cancel the 119 overdraft charge for the reader whose letter we published recently. Unfortunately, this proved impossible when Santander revealed that your daughter had been in the same situation twice before. It had already cancelled charges of 95 and 18 and had explained exactly how she could avoid a recurrence. In July, Santander plans to cap unarranged overdraft charges on the Everyday account at 50 a month which is better but still far from ideal. Your daughter was offered a 123 Graduate account which includes a free overdraft of up to 2,000. She turned this down but I would urge her to think again. If she cannot keep her account in credit, at least she could sidestep daily fees of 6. If you believe you are the victim of financial wrongdoing, write to Tony Hetherington at Financial Mail, 2 Derry Street, London W8 5TS or email tony.hetherington@mailonsunday.co.uk. Because of the high volume of enquiries, personal replies cannot be given. Please send only copies of original documents, which we regret cannot be returned. Lord Stevenson, 72, chaired HBOS until 2008 A company backed by former HBOS chairman Dennis Stevenson has gone into receivership after defaulting on a 320,000 loan. Lord Stevenson, 72, who chaired HBOS until 2008, is a partner of a property trading firm that owns land near Heathrow Airport. Crane Road Properties took out the loan against the value of the freehold to two sites on the perimeter of Heathrow airport. The loan was originally secured with Anglo Irish Bank, which had to be bailed out in the financial crisis. It has since transferred to Irelands National Asset Management Agency (NAMA) which put the firm into receivership in January, after Crane Road Properties defaulted on the debt. Crane Road Properties, whose latest accounts show a 24,000 loss, is backed by Lord Stevenson and The Stevenson Partnership, a family firm. NAMA said it could not comment further due to legal reasons. Earlier this month, Lord Stevenson was named in a report on an alleged fraud at HBOS Reading that ruined scores of firms, which took place on his watch. He did not respond to requests for comment. Meeting: Barclays chief Jes Staley The Bank of England could block demands from activist shareholders at Barclays to shrink or spin off its investment banking division. Bosses at the lender believe regulators at the Bank of England will resist such calls because they want to make sure the UK has its own home-grown investment bank. With the exception of Barclays, the major investment banks in the City are US institutions, including Goldman Sachs. Regulators are thought to be keen to avoid total dominance by Wall Street players. Barclays is trying to bolster its defences against activist investor Edward Bramson, who has built up a 5 per cent stake. Insiders believe its status as a globally significant financial institution one which is monitored very closely because it is so big it is deemed a potential risk to the whole system may act as protection against Bramson. Bramson reportedly wants Barclays to wind down its fixed income trading division, saying it is not profitable enough given the amounts of capital the bank must set aside to operate in the area. But Barclays believes the division is critical to maintaining its heft in investment banking. There were reports last week that Barclays might even merge with Standard Chartered to head off Bramson. Experts said regulators are unlikely ever publicly to spell out their position on retaining British investment banks, but that they were worried about the situation. A senior regulatory lawyer said: When it comes to doing deals you need underwriting capacity. If you are only relying on the Americans, they might want to just put their capacity towards US investments they understand better. The Bank of England could block demands from activist shareholders at Barclays to shrink or spin off its investment banking division That would mean companies being unable to get finance from the capital markets and being forced to rely on more expensive loans instead, the source said. Sources close to Barclays insist that any regulatory support for the banks investment division would never amount to a blank cheque. The bank is wrestling with different options for dealing with Bramson, without knowing exactly what his intentions are. Despite a cordial meeting between chief executive Jes Staley and Bramson earlier this month, it is thought the activist investor listened and asked questions about the banks plan rather than spelling out an alternative. Barclays is a much bigger firm than F&C Asset Management and Electra Private Equity where Bramson has launched shake-ups. The Bank of England, Barclays and Bramson declined to comment. Deal: Ian Hannams firm is advising Bluejay Mining Controversial mining rainmaker Ian Hannam is lining up investors to fund a 1 billion mineral project that could help secure Greenlands independence. His investment firm Hannam & Partners is advising Aim-listed Bluejay Mining which plans to raise 57 million to develop its Dundas mineral project in northern Greenland. Hannam resigned as chairman of Capital Markets at JP Morgan Cazenove and was fined 450,000 in 2012 for leaking inside information about an oil and gas takeover. He went on to set up his own company managing negotiations with major mining firms. The project financing will be used to start extracting ilmenite a valuable mineral in demand to make products including 3D printers, toothpaste and white paint. The Dundas deposits are the worlds highest-grade source of ilmenite. Bluejay upgraded its estimate for the Dundas resources by 400 per cent in recent weeks, valuing those identified so far at 1 billion. Greenland is emerging as a mining hub due to climate change as melting ice exposes new mineral sites. The Greenland government would collect royalties of 2.5 per cent of the gross profits from Dundas, helping to reduce its reliance on Danish subsidies. Ministers support Bluejays plans and are expected to approve its first mining licence soon. The new owner of Homebase is preparing to inject up to 75 million into the business as part of rescue plans after the struggling DIY store was sold at a massive loss, sources said. Australian firm Wesfarmers agreed to sell the chain to restructuring specialist Hilco Capital for 1 on Friday amid speculation the retailer may need to close stores. Homebase is understood to have been losing between 15 million and 20 million a month. The new owner of Homebase is preparing to inject up to 75 million into the business as part of rescue plans after the struggling DIY store was sold at a massive loss, sources said Wesfarmers bought the company, which has 250 stores and around 11,000 staff, two years ago. Chief executive Rob Scott said the acquisition had been clearly disappointing and the result of poor execution as well as a deterioration in the UK retail sector. One restructuring source said: This is an incredible tale of rapid collapse for a very well respected retailer. How the Aussies got this so wrong, I have no idea. Hilco plans to take the business back to its roots, according to a source familiar with the deal. The source said: New management were brought in three months ago and they are doing a good job. It needs some heavy lifting, some more seasoned retail professionals in there and some cash. But it has been trading substantially better in the last three months and there are early signs of resuscitation. The source added that Hilco is planning to put in a very significant amount of money with a cheque in a few weeks time. There is some cash in the business but this is additional money, said the source. Wesfarmers said it had taken a 230 million loss which it described as normal working capital cash left with the business, as well as future pension contributions and transaction costs. Mistake: Homebase stores were converted into Aussie-style Bunnings There has been speculation that a chunky dowry was discussed. The Aussies had been converting Homebase stores into Bunnings, the Antipodean equivalent. There is now likely to be a sell-off of Bunnings products and restocking more of Homebases traditional lines such as paints and soft furnishings such as wallpaper and lamps. Homebase had given up competing with B&Q, Wickes and Screwfix, and sold only a small range of hard DIY products, as they are known in the trade. Wesfarmers, used to a different kind of customer in its home country, had decided to reverse that strategy and flooded shops with power tools and heavy equipment. It had also brought in giant Australian-style barbecue burners and 6,500 jacuzzis perfect for a nation that spends a lot of time outdoors but not so for British shoppers used to more dismal weather. Two sources with close knowledge of the chains current performance, said closures may still be necessary. One said: I think for the business to survive it will need to be shrunk significantly by 100 stores, something in that order. Homebase sources said it was too early to discuss closures as sales at some stores had improved Homebase sources said it was too early to discuss closures as sales at some stores had improved. Another said Wesfarmers had stuffed Homebase and its warehouses full of expensive stuff. Anyone liquidating some or all of that stock with heavy discounts, is going to turn some good money quickly, he said. It has been one of the most disastrous retail acquisitions in Britain. David Errington, an analyst at Bank of America Merrill Lynch in Australia, told Scott in a Friday conference call that its plan to cut it and run was a terrific move. But he blasted him for the debacle that he estimated has cost Wesfarmers, Australias largest private employer, well over AUS$1.5 billion in just over two years (850 million) on a very poor investment. Errington added: The board should have been able to detect that something wasnt right here. Where does the buck stop? And, ultimately, whos going to pay a price for losing this amount of money in such a short period of time? Scott admitted there will be remuneration implications. Claudia Patricia Gomez Gonzalez, 20, pictured, was fatally shot by a US Border Patrol agent in Rio Bravo, Texas A 20-year-old Guatemalan immigrant has been shot dead by a US Border Patrol agent. Claudia Patricia Gomez Gonzalez died on Wednesday in Rio Bravo, Texas, after an unnamed agent came across her and three others whom he suspected had entered the country illegally. As he tried to take the group into custody they reportedly charged at him and tried to attack him 'using blunt objects', CPB said in a statement on Thursday. That statement said the agent had shot and killed 'one of the assailants'. However, the agency on Friday issued a new statement with no mention of 'blunt objects,' saying merely that the group 'rushed' the officer after ignoring orders to get on the ground. The second statement did not refer to 'assailants', describing the dead migrant as a 'member of the group'. The agent fired at least one shot, striking Gomez. The Border Patrol said that the 15-year veteran agent involved in the shooting has been placed on administrative leave. Texas Rangers and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the CBPs Office of Professional Responsibility, are investigating the incident. Scroll down for video Gomez's aunt, Dominga Vicente, pictured, said her niece had recently graduated as a forensic accountant but was unable to find a job, so she left Guatemala for the US to escape poverty Gomez's aunt Dominga Vicente appeared at a press conference on Friday in Guatemala City. She explained that her niece had recently graduated as a forensic accountant but was unable to find a job and ultimately decided to leave Guatemala to escape a life of poverty. She hoped to set up a new life in the US, following in the footsteps of hundreds of thousands of other Latin American people. The altercation with Border Patrol was witnessed by a local resident named Marta Martinez, who started filming directly after the shot was fired. A seven-minute video shows agents performing CPR on Gomez as Martinez yells 'Why did you shoot the girl? You killed her!' in Spanish from behind the camera. Martinez told local news station KENS that the woman's face was covered in blood, but claimed that the agent said he didn't kill her. 'I felt very angry, I don't know if I wanted to cry because what I was seeing, but I didn't think it was right what they did,' she said. Martinez told the New York Times that as the officer escorted the remaining three men away in custody, she heard him say: 'See what happens? This is what happens with you people.' A video shows agents performing CPR on Gomez directly after the shot was fired. The woman taking the video can be heard yelling 'Why did you shoot the girl? You killed her!' in Spanish Guatemalan officials confirmed that Gomez was entering the country illegally, but added that the rights of migrants should be respected. 'Guatemala laments any act of violence and excessive use of force by the border patrol,' the foreign ministry said in a statement. In the press conference in the Guatemalan capital, Gomez's family asked the US to stop treating migrants like 'animals'. The video was filmed by local resident Marta Martinez, pictured, who posted it to Facebook Gomez's blood is still visible in the area where she and three others were apprehended 'To the government of the United States, [I ask] that you do not treat us like this - like animals - just because you are a powerful and developed country,' Vicente told reporters. Last week Trump called some illegal immigrants 'animals' when referring to criminal gangs such as MS-13, which has a presence across Central America. He defended his statement on Wednesday, adding that he was working on a plan to reduce aid to those countries that he claims are not doing anything to stop gang members from crossing into the US. Vicente appeared at a press conference in Guatemala City on Friday, where she asked the US to stop treating immigrants 'like animals', referring to a comment by Donald Trump last week Border Patrol released a statement about the incident on Thursday: On May 23, 2018, at approximately 12:22 p.m., a lone Border Patrol Agent responded to a report of illegal activity near a culvert by Centeno Lane in Rio Bravo, Texas where he discovered a group of illegal aliens. Initial reports indicate that as the agent attempted to apprehend the group, he came under attack by multiple subjects using blunt objects. The agent fired at least one round from his service issued firearm, fatally wounding one of the assailants. The rest of the group fled the scene. Border Patrol Agents called for EMS and administered first aid until the Rio Bravo Fire Department arrived. Three illegal aliens related to the incident were subsequently apprehended by responding agents. The incident is currently under investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Texas Rangers. Christopher Stone and Rosie Yanas (Right), whose son Chris Stone (Left), 17, was killed, filed a lawsuit in Galveston County on Thursday The family of one of the students killed in a Texas high school shooting filed a lawsuit against the alleged gunman's parents, claiming the shooter's father didn't properly secure the weapons and were negligent in entrusting him with firearms. Authorities charged Dimitrios Pagourtzis, a 17-year-old student Santa Fe High School, with capital murder in the May 18 attack that killed eight students and two substitute teachers. Investigators said Pagourtzis used a shotgun and pistol belonging to his father that had been kept in a closet. Texas law states that guns can't be made accessible to children under 17, with exceptions such as hunting or when under parent supervision. Parents can be charged with a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail and $4,000 in fines if the child fires the weapon and causes serious injury or death. Christopher Stone and Rosie Yanas, whose son Chris Stone, 17, was killed, filed a lawsuit in Galveston County on Thursday. Stone's funeral was Friday. The Stone family blames Antonios Pagourtzis (Pictured center along with Dimitrios to the left) for improperly securing his weapons and neglect People visit a cross for Christopher Stone at a memorial for the victims of the Santa Fe High School shooting on May 21, 2018 The lawsuit also argued that Pagourtzis' parents didn't obtain mental health counseling for their son and didn't warn the public about his 'dangerous propensities.' Dimitrios Pagourtzis posted a photo of a T-shirt emblazoned with the phrase 'Born to Kill' on social media, and Gov. Greg Abbott has said the teenager had journals with writings indicating he planned the attack. Authorities charged Dimitrios Pagourtzis (Pictured), a 17-year-old student Santa Fe High School, with capital murder in the May 18 attack Pagourtzis family attorney Nicholas Poehl said he only represents them in the criminal case against the son and declined comment on the civil lawsuit. He did not know when the family would have attorney in the civil matter. The lawsuit is not the first of its kind following a mass shooting. Most recently, the family of one of the four people killed in a shooting at a Waffle House restaurant in Nashville, Tennessee, sued the suspected gunman's father, accusing the Illinois man of negligence. In that case, police said the gunman had displayed signs of mental illness before his Illinois gun card was revoked in 2017. His guns were transferred to his father, but police said the father returned them to his son at some point. Texas law requires gun owners to 'take steps that a reasonable person would take to prevent the access to a readily dischargeable firearm by a child, including but not limited to placing a firearm in a locked container or temporarily rendering the firearm inoperable by a trigger lock or other means.' Texas Gov. Gregg Abbott, left, hosts a roundtable discussion in Austin, Texas, Thursday, May 24, 2018, to address safety and security at Texas schools in the wake of a recent shooting Santa Fe students takes part in a roundtable discussion in Austin, Texas hosted by Gov. Abbott In that case, police said the gunman had displayed signs of mental illness before his Illinois gun card was revoked in 2017. His guns were transferred to his father, but police said the father returned them to his son at some point. Texas law requires gun owners to 'take steps that a reasonable person would take to prevent the access to a readily dischargeable firearm by a child, including but not limited to placing a firearm in a locked container or temporarily rendering the firearm inoperable by a trigger lock or other means.' Abbott, a staunch supporter of gun rights, said this week he's open to strengthening laws on gun storage and reporting lost or stolen weapons. But that suggestion is already drawing resistance from some gun rights lawmakers who said they would resist efforts for more government control of what happens inside the home. Grace Johnson, a student at Santa Fe High School in Texas, center, speaks during a roundtable discussion in Austin, Texas, Thursday, May 24, 2018 Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, left, hugs Scot Rice during a discussion about guns in schools at the Governor's Reception Room at the Capitol in Austin Investigators said Pagourtzis used a shotgun and pistol belonging to his father that had been kept in a closet 'The idea of regulating and enforcing the storage of firearms is a nightmare. I will fight it forever,' tweeted Republican Rep. Jonathan Stickland. Alice Tripp, legislative director of the Texas State Rifle Association, met with Abbott this week during the governor's roundtable talks on school safety and mass shootings. Tripp said attendees were told that authorities have used the law to charge parents 62 times since it was first enacted in 1995. On Friday, a group of Santa Fe High School students called for stronger home gun storage laws. They spoke at an event organized by March For Our Lives, which formed after the deadly February shooting at a high school in Parkland, Florida. The students also called for enhanced security at schools and mental health background checks for anyone trying to buy a firearm. Parents can be charged and be punished by up to one year in jail and $4,000 in fines if the child fires the weapon and causes serious injury or death Student Bree Butler said she supports gun ownership and her family owns guns, but they are locked safely away and she doesn't have combination to the gun locker. 'It's so important that we understand that none of us are trying to take your guns away,' Butler said. Three of the Santa Fe victims were buried Friday. Mourners gathered in the Houston suburb of Crosby for 15-year-old Christian Riley Garcia. Friends and family described him as brave 'far beyond his years' and said he often put the needs of others before himself. Friends said Garcia used his body as a barricade against a closet door in a classroom to keep the shooter from entering. Stone was buried in League City. Substitute teacher Cynthia Tisdale, who was married for nearly 40 years and had three children and eight grandchildren, was buried in Dickinson. She was brought up in her fathers home believing in democracy and that positive stance has been rewarded after Barbados elected its first female prime minister. Mia Mottley has emerged as victor in Thursday's elections, which has returned the Barbados Labour Party (BLP) to power on the island of some 285,000 people for the first time in a decade. The opposition inflicted a crushing defeat on the ruling Democratic Labour Party (DLP), winning all the seats in the Caribbean island's parliament, election results showed on Friday. 'This victory is the people of Barbados' victory,' Mottley, 52, told supporters outside the BLP's Bridgetown headquarters The result means the Barbadian House of Assembly is without an official opposition On her Twitter account, Mottley says she was 'brought up in my fathers home believing in democracy and trusting the will of the people 'This victory is the people of Barbados' victory,' Mottley, 52, told supporters outside the BLP's Bridgetown headquarters, as she called the result a vote for a more inclusive and transparent kind of leadership for Barbados. 'This must be our legacy to the people of Barbados: to give you back your government and your governance,' said the new PM, a former minister and attorney general who was sworn in later yesterday. On her Twitter account, Mottley says she was 'brought up in my fathers home believing in democracy and trusting the will of the people. The Electoral and Boundaries Commission said the BLP had elected all 30 members of the parliament, delivering the first clean sweep in the history of the legislature. The DLP had previously held a slim majority with 16 seats. However, the result means the Barbadian House of Assembly is without an official opposition, despite the fact that an unprecedented 135 candidates ran for office across nine parties. Outgoing Prime Minister Freundel Stuart, who had served since 2010, congratulated Mottley, conceding that the DLP had suffered an 'overwhelming defeat.' 'In campaigning, whenever there is success, success is shared by all those who succeed and by those with whom they are associated, but when there is failure, failure points to one man,' he told reporters at his party headquarters. 'I think that there was some hurt in the society in respect of some of the decisions that had to be made.' The US State Department issued a statement commending Mottley's 'stated intent to address fiscal transparency' and saying the United States looked forward to working with Barbados to enhance economic partnerships and private sector investment. The Barbadian economy has struggled since a sharp contraction in 2009 after the global financial crisis. Weak growth has put strains on Barbados' public debt, pressuring foreign exchange reserves and helping to spark repeated downgrades of the island's credit rating. The DLP's economic record dogged Stuart in the campaign. Many voters expressed frustration at the party's failure to reduce debt and the cost of living even as their taxes rose. Rudy Giuliani wants to be briefed on classified information about the origins of the FBI's investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election. Giuliani, President Donald Trump's new attorney, told The Associated Press on Friday that the White House hopes to get a readout of the classified information shared with lawmakers next week. Of particular interest to Trump's team is information about the use of a longtime government informant who approached members of Trump's campaign in a possible bid to glean intelligence on Russian efforts to sway the election. Rudy Giuliani (in May) said that he wants to be read in to classified information about the origins of the FBI's investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election Trump has made unproven claims of FBI misconduct and political bias and has denounced the asset as 'a spy.' If Giuliani should get his briefing on the classified information, Trump's legal team may take it to the Justice Department as part of an effort to scuttle the ongoing special counsel probe. 'If the spying was inappropriate, that means we may have an entirely illegitimate investigation,' Giuliani said of special counsel Robert Mueller's probe. He then invoked the material compiled by former FBI Director James Comey before he was fired. 'Coupled with Comey's illegally leaked memos, this means the whole thing was a mistake and should never have happened,' Giuliani said. 'We'd urge the Justice Department to re-evaluate, to acknowledge they made a mistake. It's a waste of $20million of the taxpayers' money. The whole thing is already a waste of money.' Comey has said he had the authority as a private citizen to ask a friend to share details from one of his memos with the news media, and has said he did nothing wrong. The Justice Department official who would be the one to receive any complaints from Giuliani would presumably be Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, who appointed Mueller last year in the wake of Comey's firing and was present for Thursday's briefings. Suggesting that the probe was launched on the backs of inappropriately obtained information was Giuliani's latest effort to discredit the investigation by painting it as a purely political event. Giuliani said that he wants to see the classified information before deciding whether Trump (in May) should testify in front of special counsel Robert Mueller If the classified information is made available to Trump's team, they may use it as part of their effort to scuttle the ongoing probe headed up by Robert Mueller (pictured in 2008) The FBI began a counterintelligence investigation in July 2016 to determine if Trump campaign associates were coordinating with Russia to tip the election. The investigation was opened after the hacking of Democratic emails that intelligence officials later formally attributed to Russia. The two meetings held Thursday were sought by Trump's GOP allies in Congress and arranged by the White House, as the president has tried to sow suspicions about the legitimacy of the FBI investigation. Trump and his allies have focused on the use of the informant. 'What motivated putting him in? What sort of information were they seeking from him? What did they get?' Giuliani asked Friday. 'They clearly did not get incriminating information or we'd have found out about it by now. And why did they hide it for so long? There's a big concealment that went on here for over a year since the president said he had been surveilled.' So far, 19 people, including Trump's former campaign chairman and former national security adviser, have been charged in Mueller's investigation. Three former Trump aides have pleaded guilty and are cooperating with the investigation. Democrats emerged from the meetings saying they saw no evidence to support Republican allegations that the FBI acted inappropriately. Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina was not in the meetings but, in a radio interview Friday, broke with the president to say a 'confidential informant is not a spy,' though he cautioned about investigations into campaigns. Initially offered only to Republicans, the briefings were the latest piece of stagecraft meant to publicize and bolster the allegations. But they also highlighted the degree to which the president and his allies have used the levers of the federal government in this case, intelligence agencies to aid in Trump's personal and political defense. The presence of a White House lawyer, Emmet Flood, and White House Chief of Staff John Kelly at the outset of the briefings raised immediate alarms from Democrats, who said they were concerned officials could use information from the meetings to the president's legal advantage. They also said it was inappropriate for White House officials to attend any part of a meeting about a criminal investigation that directly concerns the president and his campaign. Some also questioned whether the presence of Flood and Kelly violated Justice Department policy meant to limit contacts with the White House to specific circumstances. Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats said Flood and Kelly 'were there to relay the President's desire for as much openness as possible under the law; and both left as planned_before the substantive portion of the meeting began.' Giuliani said it would be appropriate for Trump to be briefed about the findings. 'He's not the subject or target of that investigation. He should know what is discussed,' said Giuliani, the former mayor of New York City. 'Moreover, I assume President Obama knew about it. And if Obama knew about it, why can't Trump?' Questions would likely be raised about the appropriateness of sharing the information with the White House in light of the ongoing probe into Trump's campaign. It was unclear how much information was given to lawmakers. According to a U.S. official familiar with the broader of the two meetings, the briefers did not reveal the name of the informant. They brought documents to Capitol Hill but did not share them, and made several remarks about the importance of protecting intelligence sources and methods. The person declined to be identified because the briefing was classified. The president intensified his attacks on the probe this week, calling it 'spygate' and tweeting Thursday that it was 'Starting to look like one of the biggest political scandals in U.S. history.' Trump told one ally this week that he wanted 'to brand' the informant a 'spy,' believing the more nefarious term would resonate more in the media and with the public. It remained unclear what, if any, spying was done. The White House provided no evidence to support Trump's claim that President Barack Obama's administration was trying to spy on his 2016 campaign for political reasons. House Intelligence Committee Chairman Devin Nunes, an ardent Trump supporter, originally demanded the information on an FBI source in the Russia investigation. Giuliani said the president's legal team would wait to see a report out of the briefings before making a decision as to whether Trump would sit for an interview with Mueller's investigators. He previously had said that a decision would not be made about an interview until after Trump's summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, a meeting the president canceled Thursday but the White House is open to reviving. 'We'll see about the future of the summit before we definitely make a decision about a timetable,' Giuliani said. However, Giuliani told HuffPost Friday that the decision whether Trump will testify in front of special counsel Robert Mueller could be decided by June 12. Giuliani also said that if he had his druthers, he would prefer that Trump not testify before Mueller. 'I dont see what you gain from that,' Giuliani said, while adding that Trump is very much in favor of testifying. 'He believes hes telling the truth: He didnt collude with the Russians and he didnt obstruct justice,' Giuliani said. Memorial Day travel may be the busiest it has been in more than a dozen years, AAA reported. It said that more than 41.5 million people are expected to take a trip this weekend, nearly 5 percent more than 2017, the busiest since 2005. Travel delays could be up to three times longer, according to INRIX, a global transportation analytics company. Scroll down for video Pictured here is a heavy traffic jam on the Kennedy Expressway leaving Chicago for the Memorial Day weekend on Wednesday Thursday and Friday are expected to the most crowded before the holiday as travelers coincide with work-week commuters. It's reported that the majority of travelers, 36.6 million, will take a car to their destination. 3.1 million people are expected to fly, and 1.8 million will take trains, buses and cruise ships. 'Following a long winter, Americans are excited to kick off the summer travel season and have fun with family and friends,' said Jim Lehman, President of AAA East Central. Pictured here is a crowd of people at Delta's check-in counters at Boston Logan International Airport 'Although gas prices are on the rise, a strong economy will keep demand high for the holiday weekend.' Drivers will pay the most expensive Memorial Day weekend gas prices in four years. AAA released a list of the top 10 Memorial Day travel destinations. The number one spot is Orlando Florida, the second is Seattle, Washington and the third is Honolulu, Hawaii. People are also heading overseas to Europe including Rome, Dublin and London among the most popular destinations. Memorial Day travel may be the worst it has been in more than a dozen years, AAA reported, crowds of people pictured here in New York City Orlando, Florida is the number one destination this year for Memorial Day weekend Pictured here is Denver, Colorado, the ninth most popular destination this weekend Phoenix, Arizon, pictured here, is also a very popular destination coming 6th on the list Cashed up foreign investors are the reason why the federal government is putting a stop to cash payments of more than $10,000. The federal government is cracking down on foreigners buying homes in the Sydney property market with 'suitcases stuffed with cash'. The restriction on cash payments comes after law enforcement agencies warned the federal government overseas buyers could be laundering money linked to serious crimes, according to The Saturday Telegraph. Revenue and Financial Services Minister Kelly O'Dwyer told the publication the new cash limit will be introduced to stop buyers from purchasing homes with money. In 2017, Transparency International warned Australia to close legal loopholes to prevent the corrupt elite from laundering the proceeds of corruption in the real estate market The new law comes into effect on July 1, 2019. 'Large cash payments are not just an issue of tax fraud, they also allow organised criminal enterprises to wash their cash in the legitimate economy,' Ms O'Dywer told the publication. In 2017, anti-corruption organisation Transparency International identified Australia as one of four international hotspots for the corrupt to invest and launder money. Transparency International warned Australia to close legal loopholes to prevent people from laundering corruption proceeds in the real estate market. 'Governments must close the loopholes that allow corrupt politicians, civil servants and business executives to be able to hide stolen wealth through the purchase of expensive houses in London, New York, Sydney and Vancouver,' Transparency International chairman Jose Ugaz said. 'The failure to deliver on their anti-corruption commitments feeds poverty and inequality while the corrupt enjoy lives of luxury.' There's a crackdown on on foreigners buying Sydney homes with 'suitcases stuffed with cash'. A report revealed last year that 70 per cent of Chinese buyers pay for homes in Australia with cash According to Transparency International's Doors Wide Open: Corruption and Real Estate in Key Markets report in March 2017, Australian data shows that a large proportion of real estate purchases use cash and don't require the involvement of a financial institution. 'In Australia, 70 per cent of Chinese buyers pay in cash and they represent the largest proportion of foreign purchases in the country,' the report states. 'These transactions may represent an increased risk of money laundering where foreign buyers come from countries with high levels of illicit financial outflows.' Federal Minister Kelly O'Dwyer (pictured) said the $10,000 cash payment limit was fuelled by overseas buyers paying for properties in cash Board of Taxation chairman Michael Andrew told The Saturday Telegraph that there was anecdotal evidence of large cash payments and that 'people have boasted about building an entire house for cash'. 'There was certainly some evidence (of cash payments) in the apartment market,' he told the publication. 'Were seeing a lot of people pay cash to contractors.' The owner of High Street chemist Boots has been accused of 'exploiting cancer patients' by charging the NHS 3,220 for a drug that costs just 93 elsewhere. Boots' parent company, whose biggest shareholder is Monaco billionaire Stefano Pessina, often supplies the Health Service with a mouthwash that relieves patients of painful sores left after chemotherapy. The liquid drug is known as a 'special' - an unlicensed medicine bought especially by the NHS to treat patients with particular needs. Specials cost the NHS 75million a year and can be so expensive some patients are told they can't have them. Because they are so rarely used, suppliers can charge what they like for them. Boots parent company has been accused of exploiting cancer sufferers by overcharging for pain-relieving mouthwash used by chemotherapy patients. File image of Boots used Records seen by The Times show a Boots-owned company charged between 3,220 for three 200ml bottles of the special mouthwash for cancer patients in extreme pain. Health documents also show the same amount could be bought from a pharmacy in West Sussex for 93.42. Boots sister company Alliance Healthcare, owned by umbrella company Walgreens Boots Alliance, placed four other orders for the specialist mouthwash in recent years. After the newspaper's findings showed they were all far higher in price than they could have been, Boots has been accused of cashing in on a legal loophole and exploiting cancer patients. Steve Brine, health minister, told the paper: 'The British public will take an extremely dim view of any company found to be exploiting our NHS and patients, and we have asked the Competition and Markets Authority to consider investigating as a priority.' Earlier this year Walgreens Boots Alliance was revealed to be charging 1,579 a pot for medically-approved moisturiser that is available for 1.23 elsewhere. Boots parent company Walgreens Boots Alliance stocks the NHS with the 'special' drug. The company's biggest shareholder is Monaco billionaire businessman Stefano Pessina (pictured with Ornella Barra at a Boots event in New Jersey) The Monaco (pictured) mogul owns the company accused of cashing in on a loophole that allows suppliers to set their own prices for the drugs The company has denied overcharging on both occasions, claiming their pricing adheres to the law. The recent revelations were last night referred to the Competition and Markets authority on the recommendation of the Government. A spokesman for Walgreen Boots Alliance told the newspaper: 'Company leaders have recently met with officials from the Department of Health to discuss the specials sector and we would welcome any further conversations.' Investigations also found the NHS paid 2,600 for sleeping pills that can be bought for 1 a pack elsewhere. The paper also reports the Health Service paid 3,200 for arthritis medication that can be bought for 1 each elsewhere, as well as 45 for a single pill that costs just 13p at some suppliers. MailOnline has contacted Boots for further comment. The identity of a one-year-old girl who died after being left in a car all day in blistering 89 degree heat has been revealed. Katera Barker died on Wednesday in Nashville, Tennessee, after adoptive dad Matt Barker left her in a car and took a ride sharing service to the airport for a business trip, the Tennessean reported. Police say that Matt Barker dropped off Katera and her five-year-old sibling at daycare on Wednesday morning, but didn't realize that Katera was still in the car after the drop-off. Katera Barker (above) died on Wednesday in Nashville, Tennessee, after her adoptive dad left her in a car and took a ride sharing service to the airport for a business trip Police say that Matt Barker forgot the girl in the car, and the tragedy wasn't discovered until his wife Jenny (with him above) realized Katera had never been dropped off at daycare He drove home and the young girl was still in the car as he parked it around 8am and departed on a business trip, taking a ride-sharing service to the airport, according to police. Katera's adoptive mother, Jenny Barker, discovered the tragedy on Wednesday evening when she went to pick up the children from daycare, and was told that Katera had never been dropped off. The panicked mother called 911 at around 5.42pm as she raced back to the family home. Jenny Barker arrived at the home before paramedics and pulled the girl out of the car, performing CPR on her. Paramedics transported Katera to Vanderbilt Childrens Hospital, where she was pronounced dead on arrival. Authorities say a recently adopted 1-year-old girl has died after her father left her in a hot truck Metro Nashville police said the adoptive father, Matt Barker, 'reportedly forgot' about the child, Katera Barker, after dropping off her sibling at day care between 7:30am and 8am Wednesday. Their home in East Nashville is seen above Matt Barker immediately flew back to Nashville upon hearing of Katera's death, arriving Wednesday evening. According to the National Weather Service, temperatures in Nashville reached a high of 89 degrees, meaning the inside of the truck could have reached nearly 120 degrees. No charges have been filed in the case as of Friday. So far, the parents have cooperated with investigators. Authorities say the parents had recently adopted Katera. Tiahleigh Palmer's mother agreed to give up her young daughter just days before she was brutally murdered by her foster father. The 12-year-old girl was found dead and floating in Pimpama River, Gold Coast, by a fisherman in October 2015, just under a week after Rick Thorburn killed her. The school girl's biological mother, Cindy Palmer, had struggled to care for her daughter and put Tia into foster care for her 'wellbeing'. Scroll down for video Tiahleigh Palmer's mother (pictured together) agreed to give up her young daughter just days before she was brutally murdered by her foster father and abused by her foster brother The 12-year-old girl (pictured) was found dead and floating in Pimpama River, Gold Coast, by a fisherman in October 2015 just under a week after Rick Thorburn killed her The school girl's biological mother, Cindy Palmer, (pictured together) had struggled to care for her daughter and put Tia into foster care for her 'wellbeing' The heartbroken mother claimed she endured years of death threats and had to 'uproot her family' because of the 'horror (Thorburn) created' (pictured) On the 21st of October in 2015, Ms Palmer attended a stakeholder meeting and 'relinquished full-time care of Tia,' Crown Prosecutor Carl Heaton QC told the Supreme Court during Rick Thorburns murder sentencing, according to the Courier Mail. In her victim impact statement, Ms Palmer detailed her heartbreak over her daughter's violent death and says it still haunts her. 'I cannot go out into public alone. I fear someone will recognise me and then publicly blame and shame me for what happened to Taihleigh ... that blame should fall on you (Thorburn), not me,' Ms Palmer said in court Friday. She claimed she endured years of death threats and had to 'uproot her family' because of the 'horror (Thorburn) created'. 'Every day I am forced to think about and relive the unimaginable and horrendous end of my daughter's life,' she said. 'Every day I must endure the pain and heartbreak of not only my own pain and loss but also to help guide my other three children through their own struggles ... a constant battle. 'Because of your (Thorburn's) actions I will not only never see Tiahleigh's beautiful face again or see her cheeky smile, but I will also never see her grow up.' Tia, as she was affectionately known, had been in foster care since she was seven-years-old and lived with the Thorburns in Logan, Queensland, on weekends for about a year until she moved in full time about nine months before her death. The 12-year-old, who was described as a creative free spirit, lived with Thorburn, 56, and his wife Julene and their two sons, Trent and Josh at their remote two hectare property surrounded by horse paddocks and strawberry farms. The 12-year-old lived with Thorburn (left) and his wife Julene (second right) and their two sons, Trent (far right) and Josh (second left) at their remote two hectare property 'Every day I am forced to think about and relive the unimaginable and horrendous end of my daughter's life,' Ms Palmer said (pictured) The family - who all had blue working with children cards - owned a day care business, Miss Julene's Family Day Care, and an food truck business, Nothing Healthy Here. A previous foster carer for the school girl, Julie Pemberton, said Tiahleigh 'hated' the home but never went in to detail why, 9News reported. Ms Pemberton said the youngster had run away from the Thorburns more than 10 times in 10 months leading up to her death - a ploy that was later used by the foster father to cover up his vile act. The school girl revealed to her biological family, which she stayed in regular contact with, that she had a 'crush' on her older foster brother Trent. 'Because of your (Thorburn's) actions I will not only never see Tiahleigh's (pictured) beautiful face again or see her cheeky smile, but I will also never see her grow up,' Ms Palmer explained A previous foster carer for the school girl, Julie Pemberton, said Tiahleigh 'hated' the home but never went in to detail why and ran away from home 10 times in the 10 months with Thorburns Soon after, the then 18-year-old sexually assaulted the 12-year-old at the four-bedroom brick house and told a friend he was worried she was pregnant. Just days later, Thorburn 'took care' of the situation by smothering the 12-year-old to prevent an 'incest' scandal which would destroy their lives. The disgraced foster father claimed to drop off the youngster to Marsden State High School and took to Facebook to announce her disappearance as part of the elaborate plot. Days after murdering the defenceless girl, Thorburn was one of the pale bearers carrying Tiahleigh's coffin at the heartbreaking funeral. Justice David Boddice called Thorburn's conduct 'appalling' and described the murder and cover-up as 'cold, calculating and callous', ABC News reported. 'You showed no respect for her, even in death - you murdered this defenceless child who relied on you for protection,' he said. Tiahleigh's foster brother Trent (pictured) sexually abused her and when he feared the 12-year-old was pregnant, Thorburn 'took care' of the matter by murdering her Days after murdering the defenceless girl, Thorburn (pictured second from left) was one of the pale bearers carrying Tiahleigh's coffin at the heartbreaking funeral Ms Palmer (left) said she 'cannot go out into public alone' because she 'fears' of the death threats and 'public blame' if people recognise her and shame her for Taihleigh's death (right) The anguishing mother (pictured) said it was a 'constant battle' to endure the 'pain and heartbreak' created by Thorburn Almost three years later, Thorburn was sentenced to life in jail on Friday after pleading guilty to the schoolgirl's murder and will not be eligible for parole until 2036. Trent was jailed in September 2017 for a maximum four years after pleading guilty at the Beenleigh District Court to four charges, including incest. His mother Julene spent six months behind bars after pleading guilty in November 2017 to perjury and attempting to pervert the course of justice. The Thorburns' eldest son, Joshua, was sentenced to three months in jail in July 2017 after pleading guilty to same charges as his mother. Tiahleigh's death led to reviews of protocols on cases of children who go missing while in out-of-home care. Handyman Jamie Wilson told police his name was Mark Wilson then continued pretending to be his brother in later magistrates court appearances An uninsured and unlicensed driver who was caught by the police told officers he was his brother and kept up the act for a further eight years, a court heard. Handyman Jamie Wilson told police his name was Mark Wilson then continued pretending to be his brother in later magistrates court appearances, even intercepting his brothers post so he would not find out. He was first stopped by police on the A48 in St Mellons, Cardiff, in May 2009 in a Vauxhall Astra. The former alcoholic, now 52, said he panicked and gave his brothers name. He then went to Cardiff magistrates court in November 2009 and pretended to be his brother. He hesitated when asked to confirm his identity but continued to impersonate his brother and pleaded guilty to driving without a licence or insurance. Mark Wilson was fined 115 and given six penalty points. The defendant started paying the fine, but could not keep up with the payments of 10 a fortnight. In 2011, Mark Wilson was shocked to receive a letter saying he had 45 left to pay of an outstanding fine. Former alcoholic Jamie Wilson (pictured), 52, said he panicked and gave his brothers name Prosecutors said he went to police to report the matter but did not receive a response from them or the court. The innocent brother then received a letter from enforcement services in July last year requesting payment of the outstanding amount. He contacted the agency and was sent a memorandum of conviction, which contained details he recognised as his brothers Astra. Jailing him for six months for perverting the course of justice, Judge Richard Williams said it is always regarded as a grave offence because it strikes at the heart of the criminal justice system. He said the defendant, who has five previous convictions including dishonesty and being drunk and disorderly, could have owned up at any time. Friends and family gathered to celebrate the life of a heroic student who shielded his classmates from gunfire during last week's shooting at Santa Fe High School. Christian Riley Garcia, 15, was one of the ten people gunned down in an art class on the morning of May 18. His classmates have said that Christian used his body to barricade against a closet door in the classroom to prevent the shooter from getting inside. An open-casket funeral service was held on Friday in Crosby, Texas, in remembrance of the 15-year-old who had displayed bravery 'far beyond his years' during the tragic massacre just one week prior. Scroll down for video Christian Riley Garcia, 15, was one of the ten people gunned down at Santa Fe High School last Friday. His classmates say Christian heroically shielded them from the bullets An open-casket funeral service was held at the church Christian grew up attending on Friday Christian's friends and family gathered to honor and celebrate the brave 15-year-old's life Christian, who has been described by loved ones as remarkably selfless and brave beyond his years, was a history buff who had aspired to pursue a career in the military '[Christian] grabbed me and my teacher and got us into the closet,' Christian's best friend Courtney Marshall, 15, told ABC News. '[The gunman] just shot into the closet. I saw my teacher just die in front of me and I just saw my best friend die in front of me.' 'Christian saved my life - he's a hero.' Christian, a history buff who had dreamed of pursuing a military career, had grown up attending Crosby Church in the Houston suburb of Crosby where the service was held. 'The sacrifice of his own life, others were allowed to escape and had some time to get away,' Pastor Keenan Smith said of the teen's bravery. 'We know there were several lives lost but his story is a story of true heroism. He gave himself so others would have a chance.' Christian's classmates have said that the teen used his body to barricade a closet door in the art room during last weeks massacre to prevent the shooter from getting inside Crosby Church was filled with tearful mourners saying their goodbyes to the teen on Friday Christians football jersey was displayed at the front of the church alongside several photos Pallbearers carried Christian's casket out of the church following the touching funeral service A service for another one of the victims, 63-year-old Cynthia Tisdale, was held earlier on Friday. The beloved substitute teacher had been married to her husband for nearly 50 years and had four children and 11 grandchildren. Her service was held in League City, not far from Santa Fe southeast of Houston. Pagourtzis has been charged with capital murder for the shooting that killed Christian and Tisdale along with eight others: teacher Ann Perkins, 64, and students Sabika Sheikh, Chris Stone, Kim Vaughan, Angelique Ramirez, Aaron Kyle McLeod, Christian Garcia, Jared Black and Shana Fisher. The parents of 17-year-old Chris Stone filed a lawsuit against the gunman's parents on Friday based on claims that Pagourtzis used a gun owned by his father. Christopher Stone and Rosie Yanas have charged Pagourtzis' parents with not properly secure their weapons and allowing their son access to ammunition, as well as being negligent by entrusting him with weapons. Another service was held in honor of 63-year-old victim Cynthia Tisdale earlier on Friday in League City, Texas. Tisdale was one of the two teachers killed in the shooting Tisdale is survived by her husband of 46 years as well as four children and 11 grandchildren They also claim that Pagourtzis' parents didn't obtain mental health counseling for their son or warn the public about his 'dangerous propensities'. On Thursday Texas Governor Greg Abbott met with survivors who recounted horrifying stories of dodging bullets, hiding from the attacker and seeing classmates get shot. They pleaded with Abbott to push for gun reform, specifically mentioning a need for higher security on school campuses as well as background checks for potential purchasers. The three-hour discussion was organized by March For Our Lives, the student-led group that formed following the Parkland shooting in February. The Republican governor appeared receptive to reform ideas, but the staunch Second Amendment supporter is not expected to push for major changes in legislation. Texas Gov Gregg Abbott, left, met with student survivors on Thursday to hear their horrifying stories of dodging bullets, hiding from the attacker and seeing classmates get shot Britain last night backed a decision by the Netherlands and Australia to hold Russia legally responsible for its role in the downing of passenger jet MH17. The move comes almost four years after a missile strike blew the Malaysia Airlines flight out of the sky above Ukraine, killing all 298 on board. A total of 196 of the victims were Dutch and 27 Australian, while ten were Britons. Dutch prosecutor Fred Westerbeke, pictured, provided evidence of the BUK missile used to shoot down MH17 on July 17, 2014 over eastern Ukraine Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said yesterday: State responsibility comes into play when states fail to uphold provisions of international law and thats clearly the case. Australia and the Netherlands quickly gained support from the US, UK and the EU, putting further strain on tense relations between Moscow and the West. Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson called on Russia to co-operate fully with the investigation, adding: The Kremlin believes it can act with impunity. The Russian government must answer for its actions in relation to the downing of MH17. This is an egregious example of the Kremlins disregard for innocent life. Russia denies involvement in the downing of the Boeing 777 on July 17, 2014. The plane was flying 33,000ft above war-ravaged eastern Ukraine when it was torn apart by a missile fired from territory controlled by pro-Russian rebels. The Boeing 777 passenger jet was shot down 100 miles east of Donetsk, Ukraine in July 2014 A Dutch-led team of investigators said on Thursday they had strong evidence that the Buk missile system that brought down the Amsterdam-Kuala Lumpur flight came from a Russia-based military unit, the 53rd anti-aircraft missile brigade based in the city of Kursk. It was the most explicit link yet published by the investigators between Moscow and the downing of Flight MH17. Australian foreign minister Julie Bishop called for international support for the legal initiative by her country and the Netherlands. If military weapons can be deployed and then used to bring down civilian aircraft in what was essentially a war zone, then international security is at risk and we call on all countries to inform the Russian Federation that its conduct is unacceptable, she added. Russian President Vladimir Putin last night again denied his countrys involvement. Asked at an economic forum in Saint Petersburg whether a Russian army missile was used, he said: Of course not. Mr Putin added Moscow could not fully trust Dutch findings about the incident because Moscow had not been involved in the investigation. Malaysia's new prime minister-elect has announced he is not ruling out further searches for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370. Anwar Ibrahim, 70, who was pardoned by the king and released from jail just weeks earlier, said there are too many questions that have not been answered on MH370. 'Was it a failure of the system? Was it a failure of those monitoring the system or was it an intention to ignore or cover up?' he told The Australian. What happened to MH370 is one of the world's biggest aviation mysteries. The plane disappeared in March 2014 with 239 on-board while travelling from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. Anwar Ibrahim (pictured), 70, has announced he is not ruling out further searches for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 MH370 is one of the world's biggest aviation mysteries - after the plane disappeared in March 2014 with 239 on-board while travelling from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing Mr Anwar is skeptical about 'discrepancies in the cargo, passenger lists and the government's earlier assertions that the plane flew over the South China Sea Pilot Mr Zaharie Shah (pictured) was flying the aircraft on March 2014 with 239 on-board while travelling from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing Mr Ibrahim's comments come after Malaysia's transport minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook implied the current search will be the last for the lost Malaysian Airlines plane. The new government has extended the current search to May 29, Mr Loke told the Australian. Mr Anwar is skeptical about 'discrepancies in the cargo, passenger lists and the government's earlier assertions that the plane flew over the South China Sea instead of the Indian Ocean. 'What was described by authorities and what was in the cargo was totally different,' The prime minister-in-waiting said. Mr Ibrahim also doesn't promote the controversial theory that the plane was hijacked by pilot Zaharie Shah. Mr Anwar said there are too many questions that have not been answered on the MH370 'What was described by authorities and what was in the cargo was totally different,' The prime minister-in-waiting said The new government has extended the current search to May 29, Transport minister Mr Loke said Leading expert Christine Negroni previously rubbished claims that the pilot of the Malaysia Airlines MH370 had been on a suicide mission and deliberately landed the plane in the sea. Mrs Negroni pointed to crucial evidence that the wreckage of the Boeing 777's wing flaps - which assist with landing - were retracted at the time of the crash in March 2014. Her comments came in response to claims made by former Canadian air crash investigator Larry Vance during at interview on Australia's 60 Minutes. Mr Vance claimed that the pilot Shah had cruelly attempted to keep the plane in one piece - meaning everybody on board would perish, but he would avoid creating debris that would aid search attempts. He claimed Shah flew off course on a suicide mission and planned to kill himself and the 238 others on the journey from Beijing to Kuala Lumpur. Mr Vance said: 'He was killing himself; unfortunately, he was killing everybody else on board, and he did it deliberately'. Setting out his argument in his new book MH370: Mystery Solved, Mr Vance suggested Shah wanted to leave as little trace as possible, in a final act of malice. Yet Ms Negroni has rubbished his conclusions as 'preposterous' and 'absurd' and used the photos to prove her point. Mrs Negroni (pictured) rubbished recent claims that pilot Zaharie Ahmad Shah tried to land the plane in the Indian ocean softly The plane was not under full control when it crash landed - rubbishing a bombshell theory set out by former Canadian air crash investigator Larry Vance In a post on her website following the show, she slammed the 60 minutes for airing theories which she called 'far-fetched'. 'By contrast, in The Crash Detectives, I suggest that a rapid decompression of the aircraft rendered the pilots partially hypoxia and therefore incapable of making sensible decisions. 'One or both of the men on the flight deck then inadvertently flew the aeroplane off course until they succumbed. The plane flew on until it ran out of fuel in the South Indian Ocean.' Mr Vance claimed Shah had attempted to keep the plane in one piece - meaning everybody on board would perish, but he would avoid creating debris that would aid search attempts Sydney has plenty of room for growth, New South Wales' treasurer has declared. Despite claims by NSW Opposition Leader Luke Foley that the city's population is being forced to move out of the south-west suburbs amid mass immigration, NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet says the city has a lot of space. 'I don't think we should be gloomy. I think the future of NSW, and the future Australia, is incredibly bright,' told the Sydney Morning Herald. The city's population is predicted to grow by 1.5 per cent per year, reaching nearly 7 million by 2039, according to the NSW Government's latest inter-generational report. Sydney's population still has room to grow and will reach nearly 7 million by 2039 according to NSW Treasury The NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet (pictured) said he thinks the future of NSW and the future of Australia is bright Sydney's population will continue to soar, reaching an estimated 11.2 million by 2056. Mr Perrottet said Sydney will end up having three cities. The current metropolis will be regarded as the Sydney's eastern city, with a central city forming in Parramatta and a third in the west, he said. Mr Perrottet's comments come after Mr Foley used the phrase 'white flight' when referencing a declining number of Anglo families living in parts of Western Sydney on Wednesday. He was later forced to apologise for his comments after he was savagely reprimanded by fellow Labor MPs for 'injecting race' into the debate over immigration, according to The Daily Telegraph. The Daily Telegraph understands Mr Foley was deeply apologetic and distressed that his comments caused offence when it was not his intention, Mr Foley admitted it was a poor choice of words. MPs who approached Mr Foley after his comments accepted his apology and also accepted his stance on a resourcing issue he was trying to highlight. His comments come after NSW Opposition Leader expressed concerns families have been forced to move out of south-west Sydney due to mass immigration Premier Gladys Berejiklian told parliament that Mr Foley's comments were 'deeply divisive, dangerous and nasty' while a number of Western Sydney Labor MP's jumped to his defence. They said he had put an important issue, how the state will reinforce resources in suburbs where thousands of refugees were relocated. Labor frontbencher and Member for Bankstown Tania Mihailuk defended Mr Foley against claims he was a racist. 'Luke Foley has been brave enough to call this for what it is. Our suburbs are a welcome refugee zone but we need support to match those realities,' she said. Tax could be axed on savings interest for pensioners and basic-rate taxpayers under proposals to simplify the system Tax could be axed on savings interest for pensioners and basic-rate taxpayers under proposals to simplify the system. Most pay no tax on interest they earn on savings but the system is so complex that at times even HM Revenue and Customs fails to get its calculations right, the Office for Tax Simplification said. All basic-rate taxpayers currently have a 1,000 tax-free personal savings allowance. It is 500 for higher earners. There are a number of other allowances exempting savers from tax on the interest they earn, including the 5,000 starting savings rate for lower earners. But the OTS, an independent Treasury adviser, said in a report that all the different rates and allowances mean it is very difficult to calculate the tax correctly in all circumstances. One of its suggestions for simplifying the system was to exempt savings interest completely, either for basic-rate taxpayers only, for individuals with total income below a certain threshold, or for individuals over pension age. It said: This is clearly a radical option and would come at a potentially significant cost to the Exchequer, which has not yet been quantified. Rachel Griffin, of the investments and pensions company Old Mutual Wealth, said the tax system was something like Frankensteins monster [with] numerous bolt-ons. The OTS, an independent Treasury adviser, said in a report that all the different rates and allowances mean it is very difficult to calculate the tax correctly in all circumstances She added: The issue with the savings industry is not that it isnt working but that, in some respects, its easier to take on debt than ascertain the most tax efficient way to save. Steve Webb, of the pensions firm Royal London, said: The system is run for the convenience of HMRC, not the taxpayer. The sooner HMRC works with others to come up with a fairer and simpler system, the better. A spokesman for the Treasury said 95 per cent of people pay no tax at all on their savings income thanks to our recent interventions. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle kiss at their wedding in Windsor on May 19 Last Saturday, something extraordinary happened. While the Royal Wedding was, on the surface, little more than two people publicly acknowledging their love, the way it gripped the nation suggested something else was going on. Even those who are indifferent to the royals were mesmerised. One friend who considers herself anti-monarchy sent me countless text messages on everything from Meghans dress to the flowers. When I went out that evening for dinner with friends, it was all we talked about. The table next to us even joined in. It clearly resonated on a profound level, speaking to us all about something. But what? A few years ago, I read a fascinating book called When A Princess Dies. Written by a group of psychoanalysts, it explored the psychology underpinning the public grief that followed the death of Princess Diana. The book argued that what we were witnessing was not mass hysteria. Rather, Diana had as do many people in the public eye key characteristics that resonate inside us. When we grieve for them, we are really grieving for something else yet it is actually easier to cry for someone you have never met, but whose story chimes with some unresolved issues of our own. This might sound fanciful, yet whats interesting is that in the months after Dianas death, psychiatric units reported a decrease in admissions by 50 per cent. Princess Diana in Sydney, Australia, in 1996 Suddenly, so the thinking goes, people had an outlet for their pent-up distress. Carl Jung, the 20th-century Swiss psychiatrist, was convinced that everything in the universe is intimately connected through a thing called the collective unconscious. Though Jungs ideas have rather fallen out of fashion, I think he provides a useful insight into the psychology behind these public, collective displays of emotion. He argued that the collective unconscious mind pooled our thoughts and experiences and put them in a sort of melting pot which we could all access. It is rich in imagery and explains why we share common fears, desires and beliefs. It is something we all tap into without realising it, and sometimes a person or event comes along that resounds with something deep in our collective unconscious. I think this is what was happening last Saturday. It was impossible to watch Prince Harrys wedding without thinking of Diana and the haunting image of that little boy walking behind her coffin. In that image, Harry represented our deepest fears being bereaved or abandoned, left alone and defenceless. And here was the resolution of that harrowing image: our desperate need to see that, however awful something is, things will turn out well in the end. For me, what happened last Saturday was each of us coming together to collectively remind ourselves that, even in the darkest moment, there is hope. That, in the end, everything will be fine. Great news that the Government is sending debt recovery hit squads into NHS hospitals to ensure that overseas patients not entitled to free care pay for their treatment. About time. If we want to ensure the NHSs survival, we must protect it from so-called health tourism. But while these hit squads are welcome, why are they needed at all? When someone enters the country, why, as a condition of entry, dont we simply insist that they have appropriate private medical insurance? That way, any NHS treatment that those people from overseas have can be billed straight to their insurer. Problem solved. Why Britain must talk about abortion, too The abortion debates in the Republic of Ireland have been fascinating to follow not least because yesterdays referendum forced the country to have a discussion that involved the latest medical information. We, in Britain, desperately need to do the same. Our abortion laws are out of date. When they were written in 1967, there was a safe margin between the upper limit for termination, which in most cases was 24 weeks, and the number of weeks at which premature babies could survive. But as medicine has advanced, the age of viability has got lower and lower, until now this safe margin no longer exists. Today, we are at the ethically questionable point where doctors can try to save the life of a premature baby born at 23 weeks, while, in the same hospital, a woman is legally allowed to undergo an abortion on a foetus of the exact same gestation. It makes no sense, and despite being pro-choice I feel very uncomfortable about this. As, privately, do many doctors. However, this is not something we openly discuss because, as soon as we try, we are denounced as anti-choice. Of course, the vast majority of terminations are done at 13 weeks or before, with only a fraction less than 2 per cent occurring after 20 weeks. But, even so, this still accounts for about 3,000 terminations a year. Thats getting on for ten a day. Now consider this: currently, a premature baby born at 21 weeks is unable to survive. At 22 weeks, there is a 1 per cent survival rate. But at 23 weeks, the survival rate increases to between 11 and 40 per cent. Based on current premature survival rates, it would seem to me that a cut-off of 22 weeks for an abortion would make sense. Or 20 weeks, if we wanted to be cautious but that should be up for debate. Yet part of the problem is that as soon as anyone tries to have this discussion, they are drowned out by the pro-choice lobby who see any questioning about abortion as an attack on womens rights. We need to have this conversation because all of us men, as well as women should have a say on such a complex ethical issue. Advertisement Emmanuel Macron and Vladimir Putin tried to mend fences after months of strained relations on Syria, the Crimea, and alleged poisonings. The French President turned on his vaunted charm as he sat next to his Russian counterpart at an economic forum in St Petersburg on Friday. He referred to Putin as 'Dear Vladimir' and the two men nodded in agreement with each other about a range of issues. The pair were also joined by French First Lady Brigitte (second from left) at a 'Stars of the White Nights' gala reception after the economic forum Emmanuel Macron and Vladimir Putin tried to mend fences after months of strained relations on Syria, the Crimea, and alleged poisonings The pair were also joined by French First Lady Brigitte at a 'Stars of the White Nights' gala reception after the economic forum. The two leaders put their disagreements behind them and bonded over something they have mutual concerns about - U.S. President Donald Trump. They found a common ground in their shared unease at the former reality TV host's policies on Iran, climate change, and international trade. Mr Trump's withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal meant Russian or French companies doing business with the regime could be hit with unilateral U.S. sanctions. Speaking at a question-and-answer session in front of an audience of business executives and Russian officials, Putin said the U.S. withdrawal was damaging and counter-productive. 'If international agreements are revised every four years it would offer zero horizon for planning. It will create the atmosphere of nervousness and lack of trust,' he said. The French President turned on his vaunted charm as he sat next to his Russian counterpart at an economic forum in St Petersburg on Friday President Macron referred to Putin as 'Dear Vladimir' and the two men nodded in agreement with each other about a range of issues Mr Putin said the U.S. withdrawal from the 2015 agreement came even as the international nuclear watchdog confirmed that Tehran was fulfilling its obligations. 'What should it be punished for, then?' he asked. He also railed against the United States applying its laws beyond its borders to punish foreign companies. 'This is unacceptable and it has to end,' he said. Macron, who had travelled to Washington in an unsuccessful bid to persuade Trump to keep faith with the Iran deal, did not explicitly criticise the U.S. leader. He said he had a strong relationship with Trump, but he acknowledged there are 'issues on which we have differences'. He said he would try to convince Trump to return to talks about Iran's nuclear programme, and was also critical of Trump's decision to move the U.S. embassy in Israel to Jerusalem, out of step with the stance of most European governments. 'That was not desirable,' Mr Macron said, adding that the embassy move played a part in sparking fatal clashes between Palestinian protesters and Israeli forces. The two leaders put their disagreements behind them and bonded over something they have mutual concerns about - U.S. President Donald Trump However, it wasn't all smiles as President Macron said EU sanctions on Russia would not be lifted unless there was progress on Ukraine Macron also said Mr Trump had, de facto, lost an international argument over the Paris climate change agreement because the international consensus in support of the accord had held, even though Trump had decided to exit the deal. President Trump's administration last month imposed sanctions on a raft of major Russian companies. The step also hurt European and other international firms who had to cut off business ties with the sanctioned entities for fear of punitive action by Washington. As he sat alongside Putin, President Macron referred repeatedly to the need to establish 'European financial sovereignty' - a jab at European economies' reliance on the U.S. financial system. He also arrived in St Petersburg with a large delegation of French business executives keen to sign deals with Russia, despite the new U.S. sanctions. Russian President Vladimir Putin, center, welcomes International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Christine Lagarde, left, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, right, his wife Akie, second right, French President Emmanuel Macron, second left, and his wife Brigitte Macron, third left, to attend the Gala reception The presence of Macron and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (left) and their statements in favor of cooperation were important for Putin, indicating that the U.S.-led efforts to isolate Russia face increasing obstacles Putin accused the United States of undermining global trade rules by using sanctions as a weapon in its drive towards protectionism. The Russian leader also engaged in a tongue-in-cheek exchange with President Macron, saying with a smile that Russia could help protect Europe if its rift with the U.S. widens over Iran. 'Don't you worry, we will help ensure your security,' Putin said. President Macron responded on a serious note that France and its allies could stand for themselves. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe also spoke at the forum and called for closer cooperation with Russia. The presence of Macron and Abe and their statements in favor of cooperation were important for Putin, indicating that the U.S.-led efforts to isolate Russia face increasing obstacles. Earlier in the visit, President Macron and his wife Brigitte attended a wreath laying ceremony at the monument of the 'mother country' in the Piskarevskoie memorial cemetery While her husband was charming Putin at the forum, Ms Macron toured the city from a riverboat The Russian leader also pointed to the presence of many foreign executives at the event as evidence that the U.S. sanctions were failing to achieve their aim. However, it wasn't all smiles as President Macron said EU sanctions on Russia would not be lifted unless there was progress on Ukraine. 'The ball is in the camp of Russia and Ukraine. It's as simple as that. We won't lift the sanctions if nothing's done,' he said. 'That's what we discussed with Vladimir Putin,' Macron told a news conference after meeting with his Russian counterpart. EU countries will meet in July to consider extending the sanctions imposed on Russia in 2015, President Macron said. Missing teenager Lily Christopherson, who hasn't been seen since May 9, is confirmed to be with Christopher Fitzpatrick (pictured) and police believe they are staying in motels A Washington mother is pleading for help to find her 15-year-old daughter, who police confirmed is traveling with a registered sex offender, 39. Missing teenager Lily Christopherson, who hasn't been seen since May 9, is confirmed to be with Christopher Fitzpatrick and police believe they are staying in motels. Officials say they are likely staying in camping areas between Tacoma and Tumwater, however it is unknown if Christopherson is willingly traveling with Fitzpatrick, Kiro 7 reported. Christopherson allegedly took a bus from Bonney Lake to Federal Way two weeks ago. Authorities says she may have passed through the Federal Way Transit Center, so Lily's mother, Lena Winters, handed out flyers with her photo at the transit center and other locations in Federal Way. 'I'm feeling completely heartbroken. She's my heart and it's missing. It's indescribable how I feel right now,' Winters said. A Bonney Lake, Washington mother is pleading to the public to help find her 15-year-old daughter, Lily Christopherson, who police confirmed is traveling with a registered sex offender, 39 Fitzpatrick has a record including assault with sexual motivation. He is known to be around Federal Way, so authorities and Winters hope Lily may be in the area. Police initially thought she might be with Alex Thueringer, who lives in Bonney Lake but has ties to Snohomish County. However, police spoke to Thueringer, but he allegedly did not know the teen's whereabouts. In a tweet Monday Bonney Lake police said 'been in contact with Alex Thueringer. Lileana Christopherson is still missing.' Lily's mother, Lena Winters, (pictured) said 'I'm feeling completely heartbroken. She's my heart and it's missing. It's indescribable how I feel right now' Winters is worried her daughter may be a victim of human trafficking. 'That's exactly what I'm scared of. She's a beautiful girl. She doesn't realize the dangers out there.' 'Send her home. She's our heartI want her to know "don't be scared to come home; we're not angry with you."' Authorities say Lily was also seen at an apartment in the area of 327th Lane in Federal Way. Christopherson is about 5'2", 120 pounds, and has a small scar near her left eye. She has hazel eyes and long brown hair. If you see her, call 911. Survivors of the Parkland school shooting lay down in 'die ins' at two Publix supermarkets Friday to protest the chain's support for a gubernatorial candidate aligned with the National Rifle Association, as the company announced a suspension of political contributions. The students from Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School shouted 'USA, not NRA!' and caused brief delays at the checkout as customers navigated carts around them on the floor. Pro-NRA counter-protesters also showed up at one store, and two men almost came to blows before police intervened. 'A lot of people don't support who Publix is supporting,' said Haylee Shepherd, a 15-year-old sophomore at Stoneman Douglas, who joined 13 fellow protesters on the floor for about 10 minutes at one of the stores. 'It's going to reflect on them as a brand and people shopping there.' Shoppers went around the 'die in' in the produce section of the Publix supermarket in Coral Springs, FL. Protesters spent 12 minutes lying on the ground. One minute for every mass shooting since the Pulse Nightclub shooting in 2016 Many protesters held sunflowers, the flowers that Parkland shooting victim Joaquin Oliver bought for his girlfriend the morning he was killed Publix has been criticized by the students for supporting Agriculture Commissioner and gubernatorial candidate Adam Putnam, a Republican who has called himself a 'proud NRA sellout.' The activists have called for a boycott of the supermarket. Publix announced earlier this week that it would 'reevaluate' its donations amid the outcry. In another statement Friday, company spokeswoman Maria Brous said the chain would halt its contributions for now as it continues that reevaluation. David Hogg, who has become an outspoken activist since the shooting at his high school led the chant 'USA, Not NRA' Publix, a chain across Florida, announced Friday that they will suspend political donations effective immediately Senior David Hogg, one of the most vocal student activists for gun reform and one of the founders of March for Our Lives, helped organize the protest. It came a week after 10 were killed at a high school in Santa Fe, Texas, and the same day that authorities said an Indiana middle school student opened fire inside his science classroom, wounding a classmate and a teacher. The student protesters lay on the ground for 12 minutes, which represented the number of mass shootings since the Pulse Nightclub shooting in June of 2016. Each held a sunflower representing the flowers that Parkland victim Joaquin Oliver had purchased at the Publix on Valentine's Day just hours before he was killed. At one point, a counter protester, Bill Caracofe, stuck his middle finger an inch from Hogg's face outside the grocery store just a few miles from the school where 17 of Hogg's classmates and teachers were gunned down. Shoppers carefully walk among the protesters to get to the Publix refrigerator David Hogg says that there are plenty of candidates who are not backed by the NRA to donate money to. Hogg's twitter response to the suspension of political donations. 'There are millions and millions of people who don't worship everything that comes out of his mouth,' said Caracofe, who joined about a dozen NRA supporters who counter-protested inside the store. He said the students' anger toward Publix should be directed at the sheriff's office and school district for failing to protect them. Hogg said such reactions are common, saying the media has falsely portrayed him as someone who wants to seize guns. He said he supports the Second Amendment but wants tighter regulations, universal background checks and training for people who own AR-15s and similar semi-automatic rifles. Publix has been a strong Putnam supporter. Campaign finance records show that Publix, its top executives and board members, and their family members have donated more than $750,000 altogether to Putnam or his political committee. A former top Publix executive who is related to the chairman of Putnam's committee has donated an additional $65,000. The suspension announced Friday applies only to money from the company, which has given $413,000 to Putnam over about three years. The supermarket chain is one of a long line of Florida corporations that has helped bankroll Putnam's candidacy. Over the last three years Putnam has also gotten substantial financial help from Walt Disney Co., Florida Power & Light and U.S. Sugar. Disney has given more than $800,000 to Putnam's political committee, including a $50,000 check it gave him earlier this month. Publix said it supports candidates focused on building the economy. 'We regret that some of our political contributions have led to an unintentional customer divide instead of our desire to support a growing economy in Florida,' the company said in a statement. Australia's most wanted ISIS terrorist is living in a two-level unit behind bars in a dorm-room style setting at a Turkish prison. Islamic State recruiter Neil Prakash was apprehended in 2016 when he crossed the Syrian border into Turkey after fighting in Syria and Iraq. The 27-year-old is reportedly being held at Gaziantep H-Type Prison - a special jail with about 1,500 prisoners including terrorists - where he has been kept since his arrest almost two years ago. Australia's most wanted ISIS terrorist (pictured) is living in a two-level unit behind bars in a dorm-room style setting at a Turkish prison Islamic State recruiter Neil Prakash (pictured) was apprehended in 2016 when he crossed the Syrian border into Turkey after fighting in Syria and Iraq Prakash has been in Gaziantep H-Type Prison (pictured) since his arrest about two years ago The Australian terrorist is living in the unit block behind prison walls along with 20 men with free reign of the kitchen, living room complete with a television and exercise yard, an observer told Daily Telegraph. 'They have television. They receive food by the prison and they can make breakfast, lunch and dinner,' they said. 'The guards do not have guns inside the prison. 'There's a market inside the jail house ... it's a normal, standard market where you can buy mince meat or juice.' Despite the lenient luxury of the prison, Prakash reportedly has no money to even afford a bottle of water, no friends and only has the clothes on his back. The Muslim convert became radicalised at a Melbourne bookshop and moved to Syria in 2013 after allegedly plotting foiled terrorist attacks in Sydney. The 27-year-old is reportedly being held at the special jail which has about 1500 prisoners including terrorists The Australian terrorist (left) is living in the unit block behind prison walls along with 20 men with free reign of the kitchen, living room complete with a television and exercise yard After three years fighting with the caliphate, Prakash paid a people smuggler to take himself - along with two women and three children - across to Turkey but because of an Australian tip off, the ISIS recruiter was arrested in October 2016. 'He is a coward trying to keep a low profile,' an observer told News Corp. 'He's pretending he's not ISIS.' Efforts to have Prakash extradited to Australia to face charges of being a member of a terrorist organisation and 'incursions into a foreign state with the intention of engaging in hostile activity have been stalled. Despite the lenient luxury of the prison, Prakash reportedly has no money to even afford a bottle of water, no friends and only has the clothes on his back His case was adjourned for a third time when the Kilis Criminal Court delayed his next hearing until July 19, and with Turkish elections coming up further delays are expected. Prakash is awaiting sentencing in Turkey on charges of being part of a terrorist organisation and Turkish authorities need to establish his whether he committed any crimes against Turkey while fighting with ISIS. If he is convicted for his actions he will face a lengthy prison sentence in a Turkish prison which would delay any extradition to Australia even further. Prakash is the most senior Australian member of ISIS to be captured alive after appearing in a number of Islamic State propaganda videos in which he encouraged other followers to launch deadly attacks. Military veteran Jonathan Torres (pictured) was taken into federal custody without incident on Friday A 40-year-old military veteran was arrested in connection with two explosive devices found in southeast Texas in recent weeks, federal prosecutors said Friday. Investigators with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the FBI said in a news conference that they had linked the devices and postcards with cryptic messages referring to the bombs that were sent to the Beaumont Police Department to Jonathan Matthew Torres. Investigators found mousetraps, screws and other components of the devices and postal materials while executing a search warrant Thursday at Torres' Beaumont home. After the search, Torres was taken into federal custody without incident. A device exploded May 10 outside an Episcopal church, shattering windows and causing other damage. No one was hurt. Another device that didn't detonate was found April 26 inside a U.S. Postal Service mailbox near a Starbucks. ATF officials said they were able to link devices and postcards with cryptic messages referring to bombs that were sent to the Beaumont Police Department (pictured) to Jonathan Torres The device consisted of a mailing package containing explosive material and a mousetrap that was designed to be triggered when the package was opened, according to a probable cause affidavit. Police found a note in the package reading 'Haji die U.S.A.,' and signed 'J.H.' U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Texas Joseph Brown said during the news conference Friday that evidence found in Torres' home suggested he was preparing and had the capacity to mail a more damaging device. Brown said that with Torres in custody, he was 'very confident that there's no further threat to the public.' He said investigators are still determining a motive, but they had ruled out international terrorism or racial or religious animosity. Torres was charged with using an explosive to cause property damage, possession of an unregistered destructive device and mailing a threatening communication. He is scheduled to appear in court May 29. If convicted, Torres faces between five and 20 years in prison. Earlier this month, police said they were working to ensure the incidents didn't 'mirror the recent events of Austin.' U.S. Attorney Joseph Brown (left) said that Torres was preparing to construct a more devastating device while ATF Special Agent Fred Milanowski (Right) told reporters that no other bombs were sent through the mail The discovery of the devices in Beaumont followed a series of package bombs that exploded in the Austin area over a three-week period, killing two people and severely wounding four others. The suspect used one of his own devices to blow himself up as authorities approached his stopped vehicle on March 21. Torres alluded to the Austin bombings in postcards mailed to Beaumont police, according to the affidavit. Police received a postcard a day after discovering the device near the Starbucks that was stylistically similar to the note found with that device, the affidavit said. 'Do you want (Beaumont) to become another Austin,' it read. It was signed 'J. Hancock.' Investigators said they later learned Torres had reported to Beaumont police in 2016 that his then-roommate, John Hancock, had stolen four firearms. Brown said authorities are not pursuing other suspects. Torres allegedly sent additional postcards to Beaumont police, claiming other explosive devices had been planted in the city. ATF Special Agent Fred Milanowski said that investigators found no evidence of other devices. Public records show Torres' previous addresses included a U.S. Marine Corps base in Australia from 1997 until 2001. Torres was sentenced to two years' probation after he was arrested in 2013 for possession of a controlled substance, records show. Another wave of K2 'zombies' has descended on Brooklyn, as the area fights an epidemic of overdoses tied to a bad batch of the illicit drug. Paramedics peeled three overdose victims from the sidewalk at around 12.30pm on Thursday at the intersection of Ralph Avenue and Eastern Parkway in the Brooklyn neighborhood of Crown Heights. Cops say a batch of bad K2 packed in baggies showing Scooby-Doo and a scantily clad woman labeled 'Fairly Legal' has sent nearly 100 to the hospital in recent days. Last Saturday, 25 were hospitalized amid apocalyptic scenes in Bedford-Stuyvesant, about two miles north of the latest incident. FDNY paramedics and police responded to the corner of Eastern Parkway and Ralph Avenue for possible victims of a bad batch of K2 on Thursday The man appears to remain unconscious as paramedics load him into a waiting ambulance A suspected overdose victims lies sprawled on the ground on Thursday in Crown Heights One man had trouble walking and had to be assisted by first responders Cops warned that K2 in packages like these could be 'especially threatening' This branding of the dangerous drug was also implicated in the recent spate of overdoses 'K2 is a dangerous, deadly drug, but this strain is especially threatening,' said NYPD Chief of Department Terence Monahan earlier this week. Police say they are working to determine exactly what chemicals are sending dozens to the hospital. K2, also called 'spice' or synthetic cannabinoids, refers to a wide range of complex chemicals that bind to the same receptors as marijuana - but with unpredictable and sometimes serious side affects. These dangerous chemicals are often manufactured in China, and then sprayed on plant material and sold in baggies for as little as $1, according to police. Police say they have made 36 arrests in at least five locations in connection with the recent spate of overdoses. Photos from the most recent incident on Thursday in Crown Heights show one man sprawled on the sidewalk in a daze, covered in vomit. Two men assist one of the suspected overdose victims (center) as he struggles to walk Paramedics check on a man passed out on the sidewalk on Thursday in Crown Heights Another man appears unconscious as paramedics load him into a waiting ambulance. 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 A third man appears crazed and resistant as first responders attempt to lead him to assistance. 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. 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. In May 2016, he announced that there had been an 85 percent decline in K2-related emergency visits in the last 10 months. Last weekend, Councilman Robert Cornegy Jr and Assemblywoman Tremaine Wright, whose districts includes Bedford-Stuyvesant, held a press conference asking for extra law enforcement outside Big Boy Deli, the epicenter of the overdoses. A man is seen stumbling last weekend in Bedford-Stuyvesant, where 25 were hospitalized The sidewalk was littered with people in stupors last weekend in Bedford-Stuyvesant '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. '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.' A mother has accused a hospital of refusing to serve her food because she does not breastfeed her son. Jessie Taylor said she rushed her son, Riley, to Townsville Hospital, in north Queensland, on Mother's Day after the 10-month-old fell ill with a chest infection. The 27-year-old said she was getting settled with Riley when a kitchen staff member asked her if she had eaten lunch, according to the Townsville Bulletin. Ms Taylor said a nurse interjected and asked her if she was breastfeeding, to which she replied that she fed Riley formula. The young mum claims the nurse then told her meals were reserved for breastfeeding mothers, the publication reported. Mother Jessie Taylor (pictured left) was refused food at a Queensland Hospital because she was not breastfeeding her child Although she informed there was a kitchen in the ward, Ms Taylor said she did not want to leave Riley's side and couldn't take him with her to retrieve food because he was infectious. 'I understand the hospital's approach, but when you've got a very young child it's very difficult to leave just for a meal when in the next room a mum is getting a meal just because she's breastfeeding,' she said. 'It bugged me all week. It's one of those things that did genuinely upset me because it added that element of stress.' Ms Taylor told Daily Mail Australia she had to stop breastfeeding her children due to circumstances. 'We are parents and we should be equal, we were not visitors' she said. Riley (pictured), aged 10-months, was admitted to the Townsville hospital with a chest infection. While in hospital, he was fed by a tube The mother of two said she was offered spare food twice during her six-day stay and described the children's unit as 'absolutely amazing'. 'I was fully understanding that I could have gone and prepared something to eat in the new Ronald McDonald family room, an excellent facility, but I didn't want to leave my baby,' she told the Townsville Bulletin. Hospital chief executive Kieran Keyes Daily Mail Australia the hospital provides food for patients, but not visitors. 'The Townsville Hospital kitchen produces close to 500,000 meals for patients each year,' Mr Keyes said in a statement. 'Feeding hospital visitors would triple or quadruple the number of meals that we would need to make. He said there are many options available to visitors at the hospital for food with cafes and other food outlets based on the campus. 'The new Ronald McDonald Family Room, which is part of the children's ward, always has bread, donated by Tip Top and milk, donated by Pauls, for families. 'Every morning the Family Room also puts on a pancacke breakfast for families of unwell children. 'Patients in the Townsville Hospital are cared for and monitored by our world-class staff and are well looked after regardless of whether they are accompanied by a visitor.' Townsville Hospital (pictured) chief executive Kieran Keyes said the hospital provides food for patients, but not visitors Social media users reacted with anger to the policy, commenting that all mothers should be treated the same. 'A caring mother beside her baby is a mother regardless of breast or bottle feeding,' one person said. Another person said: 'I think its such discrimination to only feed breast feeding mothers. 'When my daughter was in hospital at 11 weeks old it was so hard to even leave her side, let alone going to get a meal.' An emotional two-page letter written by a sexual abuse victim has been credited with helping convict an Australian Archbishop of concealing such crimes dating back decades. Adelaide Archbishop Philip Wilson stood down on Friday after he was convicted for concealing child sex abuse at Newcastle Local Court. He is the highest-ranking Catholic official in the world to be convicted of covering up abuse in the church. The letter which helped bring his case before a court was penned by Peter Creigh, who was abused by paedophile priest James Fletcher more than 50 years ago. Mr Creigh detailed his harrowing childhood as an altar boy in the two-page note written in 2010. 'I had a choice. If I didn't tell them it would have got to me and I would have become another statistic,' Mr Creigh told The Advertiser after Wilson's conviction. Scroll down for video A two-page letter written in 2010 by a victim was all it took to take out an Australian Archbishop Philip Wilson (pictured) who was convicted for concealing child sexual abuse Letter (pictured) written by Archbishop Wilson after he was convicted in Newcastle Local Court In the letter, Peter Creigh (centre) details his harrowing childhood as an altar boy who was abused by priest James Fletcher Mr Creigh said the sexual assaults occurred in 1971 at the hands of Father Fletcher. In the letter, Mr Creigh explosively alleged he had told Wilson of the abuse he endured in 1976. The letter dated July 29, 2010, was found by the Special Commission of Inquiry in 2013 after being kept secret for three years. Mr Creigh concluded: 'For us victims of sexual abuse our lives will not be the same again, we have been mentally, and in some cases physically scarred for life that is the sad part.' The Catholic Archbishop was found guilty of covering up father Fletcher's sexual abuse of altar boys from the 1970s on Tuesday. Abuse victim Peter Creigh said he went to see Father Wilson at the presbytery of St Joseph's Catholic Church (pictured) in East Maitland in 1976 to tell him about what Fletcher had done to him five years earlier Wilson was found guilty of covering up father Fletcher's sexual abuse of altar boys from the 1970s on Tuesday. Prosecutor Gareth Harrison said Wilson was involved in a cover-up to protect the church's reputation Prosecutor Gareth Harrison said Wilson was involved in a cover-up to protect the church's reputation arguing that child sex abuse 'victims came second' in Wilson's mind. 'Archbishop Philip Wilson has today been found guilty of failing to inform police about allegations of child sexual abuse,' Archbishop Mark Coleridge said on the Catholic Archdiocese of Adelaide's site. 'Archbishop Wilson maintained his innocence throughout this long judicial process. It is not yet clear if he will appeal the verdict.' Wilson officially stepped aside from his role as Archbishop on Friday. An animal shelter is up in arms after 15 cats - including two pregnant felines - were dumped on its doorstep, covered in urine and faeces. Volunteers with The Animal Protection Society of WA said they discovered the cats crammed into two carries on Tuesday. At first, they presumed only one cat was in each of the carriers, but sadly it was not the case. Fifteen cats drenched in their urine and faeces, shoved in two filthy carriers dumped at the doorstep of an animal shelter in Western Australia The cats were packed in so tight that it was not possible to see them all, volunteers said. They soon learned there were six cats in one and another nine in the second carrier, which was covered in dirt and faeces. Volunteers also discovered two of the cats were pregnant, leaving them with potentially 30 cats requiring treatment. The non-profit organisation shared the heartbreaking story on their Facebook page. Two teams of volunteers spent an entire day cleaning the cats and conducting health checks. 'It was one of the worse cases we've dealt with and the highest quantity of cats left behind,' Animal Protection Society President Melanie Jackson told Daily Mail Australia. The cats were packed in so tight in the carries (pictured) that it was not possible to see them all The state of the cats were very alarming as they were so skinny that none of the cats were in their normal healthy range. The cats will be named 'The Spice Cats' and will be available for adoption by sometime end of next week 'The state of the cats were very alarming. They were so skinny and none of the cats were in their normal healthy range. 'One of the pregnant cat's is very skinny but we are hopeful with good nutrients her kittens will get a chance at a healthy life,' Ms Jackson said. Ms Jackson added that one positive aspect was that none of the cats are feral. 'They were okay to be touched but some of them were little scared,' she said. The shelter says it doesn't have the resources or funds to take care of the cats. Vet checks, flea treatments, worming, vaccinations, microchips and desexing for all of the felines will cost approximately $4,500. The cats will be named 'The Spice Cats' and will be available for adoption by sometime end of next week. The shelter is asking the community to make a donation for the cat's care through their Facebook page. The organisation believes the cats are the result of an owner who did not sterilise them. A Texas jury convicted a Brazilian couple on Friday of aiding the kidnapping of their grandson and relocating him to the South American country, the latest US-Brazil child custody dispute. Carlos and Jemima Guimaraes were acquitted of other conspiracy charges in a Houston courtroom. They were arrested last February while arriving in Miami for vacation and charged with aiding in the kidnapping of their eight-year-old grandson Nico Brann five years ago. Carlos and Jemima Guimaraes (Pictured) were convicted in a Houston courtroom on Friday of aiding in the kidnapping of their grandson Chris Brann (pictured with son, Nico) claims his ex-wife took their child to Brazil in 2013 intending to stay permanently, while telling him the trip would only last a few weeks The couple could face a maximum sentence of three years in prison upon sentencing or a simple fine, according to local broadcast affiliate Fox 35. The couple's daughter Marcelle Guimaraes, Nico's mother, allegedly relocated the child to Brazil under false pretenses and without the permission of his American father Chris Brann, a Houston physician. If the verdict is upheld, the grandparents in their 60s could face up to three years in prison. The couple's daughter Marcelle Guimaraes (pictured), Nico's mother, allegedly relocated the child to Brazil under false pretense But that verdict was thrown into uncertainty after the presiding judge said he would consider the defense's request to override the jury's findings and acquit on all charges, according to the Houston Chronicle. Such overrides are rarely granted. The couple presented evidence during trial that the child's mother was fleeing domestic violence, according to local media. 'I and our side are crushed,' the couple's lawyer Rusty Hardin said outside the courthouse, according to KHOU-TV. He testified before the US Congress in 2016 to ask Washington to impose sanctions on Brazil for violating an international standard requiring the return of children to their home country, if they were taken in violation of custody agreements. A similar dispute led to the Sean Goldman Act in 2014, authorizing Washington to take action in international child custody disputes, ranging from public condemnation of other governments to the suspension of US aid. Brann claims his ex-wife Marcelle Guimaraes took their son to Brazil in 2013 intending to stay permanently, while telling him the trip would only last a few weeks. 'I never wanted it to come to this and the only thing I want is for my son to come home,' Brann said following the ruling. 'I hope they will take responsibility for their actions and do everything they can do have him come home as soon as possible.' Marcelle Guimaraes's parents allegedly helped her hide her motives, and enrolled Nico Brann (pictured) in a Brazilian school they operated The physician noted, however, that if his estranged wife was willing to bring back their son voluntarily, he would personally petition the court to exercise restraint against the grandparents. 'Despite all the cruelty they have heaped on my extraordinary son Nico, by obstructing his relationship with me, Nico remains my sole concern. 'If my ex-wife Marcelle returns with Nico to the United States immediately, I will happily appear at the Guimaraes' sentencing hearing to advocate maximum leniency.' Marcelle Guimaraes's parents allegedly helped her hide her motives, and enrolled the child in a Brazilian school they operated, before the South American country's legal system granted the mother full custody. In 2016, the parents of seven children illegally taken from the US to Brazil asked then-Secretary of State John Kerry to sanction Brazil under the 2014 law. They argued Brazil had seen no evidence the US takes such abductions seriously. As Alvaro Uribe, Colombia's most powerful politician, was making his rise to the presidency more than two decades ago, US officials were repeatedly told that the up-and-coming politician had ties to the nation's drug cartels, according to newly declassified State Department cables. The cables were obtained and released Friday by the National Security Archive, a non-profit group, as Uribe's handpicked candidate, Ivan Duque, is the frontrunner in polls to win Sunday's presidential election. They describe meetings between 1992 and 1995 between American officials and Uribe as well as other Colombian politicians in his then Liberal Party. Colombia's former President Alvaro Uribe stands between Ivan Duque, presidential candidate for Democratic Center party, right, and his running mate Martha Lucia Ramirez during a campaign rally in Bogota, Colombia, Sunday, May 20, 2018. Colombians will go to the polls on May 27 for a first round presidential election In one 1993 cable, then Senator Luis Velez told a US Embassy political officer that Uribe was a cousin of the Ochoa crime family that partnered with Pablo Escobar and had financed his political campaigns. Velez, then a close Uribe ally, explained that because of those ties Escobar demanded he meet with his wife to try and facilitate the kingpin's peaceful surrender at a time he was the world's No. 1 fugitive. 'Escobar, through the Ochoas, is now demanding Uribe return the favors by trying to open a communications channel to Gaviria,' an embassy political officer wrote in the confidential cable, referring to then President Cesar Gaviria. Allegations of links to drug cartels and paramilitaries have dogged Uribe since the start of political career in the early 1980s, when the civil aviation agency he led was accused of giving air licenses to drug traffickers. But he's always denied them and while president from 2002-2010 was a staunch U.S. ally in the war on drugs, extraditing a record numbers of suspected drug traffickers to the US and aggressively expanding a US program to aerially spray illegal coca crops with chemical herbicide. Uribe, in a video posted on social media, dismissed the allegations as 'fake news, in electoral periods and without proof.' Duque, whose father was governor of Uribe's home state of Antioquia when his political career kicked off, didn't comment. In the turbulent 1980s and 1990s, at the peak of the Medellin cartel's power, almost all Colombian politicians were suspect in the eyes of US officials. A previously declassified U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency report from 1991 listed Uribe as one of 100 suspected Colombian 'narcopols,' calling him a 'close personal friend' of Escobar who was 'dedicated to collaboration with the Medellin cartel at high government levels.' The newly released cables provide a more nuanced look at some of the evidence underlying that assessment, and even some backhanded praise for the politician who would go on to decimate leftist FARC rebels on the battlefield, paving the way for their disarmament under a 2016 peace deal. Uribe was a cousin of the Ochoa crime family that partnered with Pablo Escobar and had financed his political campaigns For example, after one meeting with US Embassy officials in 1992, Deputy Chief of Mission David L. Hobbs said Uribe comes across as a rising political leader and 'serious interlocutor' who wanted to draw close to the U.S. government. 'With each meeting we become less inclined to believe the narco ties attributed to him,' he wrote. Still, throughout this period, U.S. Embassy officials appeared to waver in their judgement. In another cable from March 1993, Ambassador Morris Busby states he believes there is 'substance to the rumors,' if no hard evidence, that Uribe and future President Ernesto Samper, whose campaign he was backing in Medellin, had ties to drug traffickers. Prosecutors would later determine that the Cali cartel spent millions of dollars on Samper's campaign and the U.S. would go on to revoke his visa and withdraw all support for his government. Today, scandal continues to engulf Urube, so far to little effect. Despite an ongoing Supreme Court investigation against Uribe in a witness-tampering case involving a paramilitary group he was allegedly covering for, he was the most voted candidate in March elections for the Senate. Meanwhile his brother, Santiago Uribe, is awaiting trial on charges he was a leader in a death squad called the Twelve Apostles that was run from his cattle ranch. Colombian police have re-arrested a former hitman for the late drug lord Pablo Escobar as part of an investigation into extortion. The chief prosecutor's office said Friday that Jhon Jairo Velasquez, 56, was arrested in Medellin. It has yet to provide details about the investigation. Velasquez, known by his nickname Popeye, was paroled in 2014 after spending 22 years in jail for plotting the assassination of a former Colombian presidential candidate. While working for the Medellin Cartel, Velazquez, by his own confession, killed over 300 people with his own hands, and helped to plan the murders of some 3,000 more, including the woman he loved. Jhon Jairo 'Popeye' Velazquez in handcuffs and escorted by armed guards on his way to appear before a judge Jhon Jairo Velazquez, who worked closely with drug lord Pablo Escobar, was escorted to court in handcuffs on Friday. Velazquez, seen here at a court hearing on Friday, served 22 years in prison before his release in 2014 'Popeye' Vasquez (right) killed more than 300 people and ordered the death of 3,000 to enforce Pablo Escobar's (left) reign of terror While he has since said he regrets killing so many people, he has always stayed very loyal to Escobar, the drug kingpin who died in 1993. As he was getting out of prison he told El Tiempo that 'If Pablo Escobar were to be reborn I'd go with him without thinking.' Since his release from prison, Popeye has gained notoriety as a YouTube star who espouses conservative political views and hate-filled diatribes against leftist rebels and Venezuela's socialist government. Last week he took aim at Colombia's leftist presidential candidate Gustavo Petro, warning that his 'rifle will speak for me.' In his channel description he writes: 'I started this channel in order to tell the day to day process of reintegration into society. 'I have had the opportunity to be born again after 23 years and three months of the worst punishment a human being can afford.' Velazquez, seen here visiting the tomb of Pablo Escobar, has said he regrets the killing, but not working for the drug kingpin. Velasquez previously told the New York Times that he wasn't cashing in on his notoriety and said: 'Its not about monetizing my life story but about telling the stories, the things that happened Pablo Escobar, seen here in a file photograph was killed in 1993 in a shootout with police 'Ive been famous for 30 years. I only want to have an opinion because I am an activist. 'I am against the Venezuelan and Colombian government. I am against Donald Trump because of his hatred of Latinos. I just want my opinion heard.' Velasquez was given his 30-year sentence in a maximum security jail in Bogota for plotting the murder of a former presidential candidate. The slaying of the cartel-fighting politician Luis Carlos Galan during the 1990 presidential campaign he was heavily favoured to win marked the apex of drug violence that engulfed Colombia two decades ago. In a bid to fight extradition to the United States, Escobar ordered scores of assassinations - of judges, cabinet ministers and journalists. The cartel waged a bombing campaign across Bogota, Medellin and Cali, with many of the explosive devices planted by Velasquez. Escobar even downed an Avianca commercial jetliner in 1989, killing all 107 on board, because he believed Galan's political heir, then President Cesar Gaviria, was aboard. Footage of the moment a police officer allegedly assaulted an innocent teenager has been released by a court. The 16-year-old was stopped by Victoria police as he was walking home with a friend in Ringwood, east Melbourne, during the early hours of Christmas morning in 2014. The video, captured on one of the boys' phones, appears to show officer Simon Marengareu assaulting the teen and shoving him to the ground, Herald Sun reports. The video was released by County Court Judge Jeanette Morrish who stipulated that it must be reported the footage was not complete, had been enhanced and was not properly synchronised. 'Hey, sonny, don't get smart,' the police officer can be heard saying as the boy makes a comment about his own last name - seconds before Mr Marengareu allegedly attacks him and throws him down in the street. The victim's friend, who is filming the incident, attempts to capture further footage of the struggle, but appears to have his phone struck out of his hand by a second policeman: officer Dennis Gundrill. Mr Gundrill can be heard pressuring the teen into deleting the footage, moments before the teen vocally accuses the police officer of twisting his arm and begs him to stop. The footage was allegedly deleted after the boys were taken to the Ringwood police station - but Prosecutor Bruce Walmsley QC said it was recovered after the teen's father paid a 'significant sum' to experts, prompting Victoria Police to investigate. 'It was a guilty mind that deleted the video,' Mr Walmsley said. Mr Marengareu and Mr Gundrill are on trial over the incident. Footage of the moment a police officer allegedly assaulted an innocent teenager has been released by a court, as two officers face charges over the accusations (stock image) The charges allege that one of the teenagers was punched in the face and both were falsely imprisoned for assaulting police and resisting arrest. Mr Marengareu has pleaded not guilty to intentionally causing injury, and he and Mr Gundrill have both pleaded not guilty to false imprisonment, attempting to pervert the course of justice and perjury. Johanna Griggs has opened up about the moment she savaged the Commonwealth Games closing ceremony live on air. The Channel Seven reporter allegedly warned producers that she was about to 'go rogue' seconds before leveling a savage rebuke at Games organisers for what was widely regarded as a lackluster closing event. 'I'm giving you fair warning, I'm gonna go rogue, standby,' Griggs said into her intercom as she prepared to give her coverage from the commentary box of the closing ceremony on the Gold Coast, News.com.au reports. Scroll down for video Johanna Griggs has opened up about the moment she savaged the Commonwealth Games closing ceremony live on air, as she allegedly told producers 'I'm gonna go rogue' Griggs says she has no regrets about the incident, as Seven bosses praised her 'I keyed onto the bosses and said to my producer, 'Athletes are now walking out of the stadium... the crowd's leaving the actual stadium... There's no way I'm gonna stand up at the end of this and say I think it's a great closing ceremony'' she recalled. The producers, somewhat unsure of how it might look if their host commentator publicly slammed the event, consulted Seven's big bosses for direction. That direction was given in the form of a simple instruction to Griggs: 'Go your hardest.' The ex-athlete proceeded to launch a searing reproach of the closing ceremony that grabbed national media attention, castigating the organisers and host broadcasters for allegedly 'wrecking a tradition' and not showing enough of the athletes. 'I didn't write it down. I just thought about the key things I wanted to say,' she recalls. 'One, it wasn't our fault. Two, I just wanted the athletes to know. And three, it was just the wrong thing.' The Channel Seven reporter allegedly warned producers that she was about to 'go rogue' Griggs says she has no regrets about the incident, revealing that even Seven's bosses were congratulating her in the wake of her scathing and impromptu critique. The network's billionaire chairman Kerry Stokes is said to have approached her at a function after the ceremony to express his pride and support for what she did. 'He said, 'I'm just so proud of what you've done, you have my total backing',' recounted Griggs. On the night of the ceremony Seven was slammed by viewers for not showing any footage of the athletes. On the night of the ceremony Seven was slammed by viewers for not showing any footage of the athletes No athletes? A view during the Closing Ceremony for the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games But hosts Jo Griggs and Basil Zempilas said the host broadcaster did not allow Seven the rights to show the athletes. 'We understand people have been disappointed by tonight's closing ceremony, and to be honest Jo, so have we,' Zempilas said. Griggs defended Channel Seven by saying: 'People are thinking Seven has chosen not to show pictures of athletes. 'We are the Australian rights holders, so we can only show you the footage provided by the actual hosts broadcasters... they made the decision not to show the athletes entering the stadium. 'I'm furious. they are wrecking a tradition that is part of the Commonwealth Games.' 'You want to see the athletes come in. You want to see them jumping in front of camera. You want to see them celebrating 11 days of great sport. We missed out on all of that.' A white Lamborghini crashed into a traffic camera on Melbourne's south on Friday afternoon. The luxury car, estimated to be worth $200,000, was badly damaged when pieces of the vehicle went flying into the air. The 30-year-old male driver miraculously walked away without injuries, Victorian police said. A white Lamborghini crashed into a traffic camera on Melbourne's south on Friday afternoon The luxury car, estimated to be worth $200,000, was badly damaged and wheels and pieces went flying into the air and onto the road 'It is alleged a white Lamborghini lost control on City Road and crashed into a fixed speed camera pole at the intersection of Montague Street just after 4pm,' Victorian police said in a statement. Local Grayden Park, 33, heard a big bang and screeching tyres from his nearby backyard, news.com.au reported. 'We were outside in the backyard and we heard someone powering around the corner,' he said. 'Then screeching tyres and then a big bang and another bang.' A man who tried to kiss and grope a 13-year-old he met online, later lured the girl to his car with a packet of cigarettes. Shaen Samani Alizadeh, 29, asked the girl to meet him in his car in Nerang on the Gold Coast, a Queensland court was told. Alizadeh asked the girl about her previous sexual experiences and attempted to kiss and grope her before she ran away from him, the Gold Coast Bulletin reported. Alizadeh had a history of selling drugs to 16-year-old girls he later had sex with, the court also heard. Shaen Samani Alizadeh, 29, was sentenced to 15 months in prison after pleading guilty in the Southport District Court (pictured) to one count of using the internet to procure a child under 16 for a sexual act Judge Katherine McGinness described Alizadeh's actions as 'predatory' and sentenced him to 15 months in prison to be suspended immediately, meaning only if he commits a crime within two years will he return to prison. 'There was a real flavour of actions of a sexually predatory nature in your behaviour,' she said. Alizadeh pleaded guilty in the Southport District Court to one count of using the internet to procure a child under 16 for a sexual act. 'Do not touch a woman without her consent,' Judge McGinness said. 'Do not do anything sexual with a woman or child without her consent.' Alizadeh lured the girl to his car with a packet of cigarettes in Nerang on the Gold Coast (pictured) and had a history of selling drugs to 16-year-old girls he later had sex with Alizadeh met the girl on social media between September and October of 2015 and made suggestive messages to her, Crown prosecutor Gary Churchill said. 'The defendant was clearly priming her for sex by asking about her past sexual experiences,' Mr Churchill said. Just months prior, Alizadeh served four-and-a-half months in prison for selling cocaine, ecstasy and ice to girls aged between 16 and 18, some of whom he had sex with. Judge McGinness said these precedents did not warrant further prison time. Alizadeh had been doing 'small jobs' within the family business since he was released from prison in September last year, his defence barrister Malcolm Harrison told the court. A young woman has been charged following the death of a newborn baby in Sydney's Northern Beaches last year. On Friday 20 October 2017, police were called to Mona Vale Hospital after the woman attended and required treatment following the birth of a child. Later that day, officers from Northern Beaches Police Area Command attended a home in Newport, where a newborn baby was located dead inside. The 22-year-old woman appeared at the Manly Local Court (pictured) where she was granted bail A crime scene was established and an investigation was launched into the circumstances surrounding the infants death. On Thursday, following an investigation into the baby's death, the 22-year-old was charged with mother alone conceal birth by disposing body and appeared at Manly Local Court, where she was granted bail. She is next scheduled to appear at the same court on June 7. A Brothel madam whose punters received everything from a naked massage to a 'Brucie bonus' faces jail after being convicted of running a vice den. Chin Chih Chang insisted she was a professional masseuse and had 'no idea' the scantily clad young Asians she employed were selling sex to her clients in a luxury harbour apartment block. Jurors and lawyers frequently laughed as a series of punters gave evidence during a five-day trial. Brothel madam Chin Chih Chang, above, has been convicted of running a vice den at Lord Gambier Wharf, Kirkcaldy, in Scotland Police raided the ground floor flat on May 31 last year. The court was told that Chang was selling sex through ads on Gumtree to punters, who paid between 80-110 a time for sessions PC Kevin Daglish told Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court how, during a raid, he entered a room at the flat, which had initially been blocked by Chang, and found witness Alasdair McIntosh with his 'buttocks in the air'. 'I observed his buttocks in the air and underneath him was a female with her legs wrapped around him. 'I told him to get off and get up. He rolled off the female and has stood up. 'I would have expected him to have tried to cover up but he just stood there with a grin on his face as if he wasn't bothered about the scenario. 'I had to tell him to go and get dressed. He walked with no shame, arrogantly. He was quite cocky.' Mr McIntosh had earlier told the trial he had responded to an advert and gone to the flat for a massage on his 'sore back' - but had received an 'unexpected Brucie bonus' from a scantily clad woman, for a 'happy ending' after his back rub. Witness Alasdair McIntosh, above, said he went for a massage on his 'sore back The court was told that Chang was selling sex through ads on Gumtree to local punters. They paid between 80-110 a time for sessions at their home or in the flat in the upmarket Lord Gambier Wharf development in Kirkcaldy's harbour district, on the south-east coast of Scotland. Police raided the ground floor flat on May 31 last year. Prospective client Andrew Wilson said he had arranged appointments by text with Chang - and received a reply offering 'the girlfriend experience' or a 'naked massage' but had arranged to pay 40 for a non-sexual service. James Saunders later told how he had handed 80 to Chang before receiving a 'topless massage' from a young Asian woman. He said: 'I got a phone number for it. It was in the paper. There was an advert for Tiffany's massage services or something like that. 'I think I asked what was available and the age of the girls.' Mr Saunders then told the court that the young girl had entered the room topless and was only wearing a pair of knickers during the massage. Mr Saunders added that 'if you pay a bit extra, you get oral sex'. Barry Livingstone, 45, who lived in the same block as the brothel, told how he would see different men arriving at the flats throughout the day and later found an advert offering massages from the property online. He told a friend, the earlier witness Alasdair McIntosh, about the property but claimed he didn't know he had visited it until he saw him at court where he 'burst out laughing'. But Chang insisted she was running a legitimate business - and said the 30,000 in dirty money she transferred to her native Taiwan was cash for her son. Asked if she knew why the male clients would ask if other women were available when they turned up she said: 'Some people want noodles today and rice tomorrow.' Fiscal depute Ron Hay, in his closing speech to jurors, said Chang's denials were 'frankly ridiculous'. He added: 'Not only was the accused permitting prostitution, but she was managing provision of these services. Chang, 53, of Eaton Road, Hove, Sussex, denied charges on indictment of keeping or managing a brothel at the flat in Lord Gambier Whard, Kirkcaldy, between April 18 2016 and May 31 2017. She further denied transferring criminal property out of Scotland on various occasions between April 19 2016 and May 31 2017. But after a five-day trial at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court a jury took less than an hour to find her guilty of both charges by unanimous verdicts. Chang now faces a jail term when she returns to be sentenced next month. Sheriff Jamie Gilchrist QC deferred sentence until June 27 for social work background reports and released her on bail in the meantime. A TSB customer watched helplessly as hackers stole 9,000 of his wedding savings while he was on hold to the bank for more than four hours. Ben Alford, from Weymouth, called TSB after noticing a 9,000 loan from another company that he had not applied for had been approved, and a 1,000 overdraft had been set up on his account. He immediately logged into online banking and phoned the bank, but while on hold for four-and-a-half hours he saw 5,000 and then 4,000 taken out of his account in two transactions. Mr Alford told the BBC: 'Had they answered their fraud line promptly, none of this money would have been taken because it could have been stopped. I literally watched the money go out of our account.' Ben Alford and fiancee Francesca Cuff had 7,000 of their wedding savings stolen while on hold to TSB for four-and-a-half hours Mr Alford said: 'I just felt helpless. It was like being robbed in broad daylight' The account the money was taken from was set up in he and his fiancee Francesca Cuff's name. Around 7,000 of the couple's own wedding savings were taken in the hack. Mr Alford added: 'I just felt helpless. It was like being robbed in broad daylight.' Scammers used the SIM swap scam to access his account. The technique used involves convincing your phone network provider to swap your phone number on to a new SIM card the scammers own. Banks using 'two-step' authentication text you a code to let you log in. But because the scammers now have a phone with your number, the authentication details are sent to them instead of you. With that code they can log into your bank account, and easily transfer cash out of your account and into their own. A TSB spokesperson said: 'While our systems are safe and secure unfortunately fraudsters are increasingly sophisticated and looking to take advantage of situations like these. 'If customers have been a victim of fraud as a direct result of our recent IT issues they won't be left out of pocket.' Mr Alford is not the first customer to report a hack during the firm's online meltdown. Pictured: Paul Pester, TSB's chief executive appeared to try to downplay the scandal in Parliament A string of customers have logged into their online accounts to find their savings have disappeared in a series of payments they did not make. They have then been left on hold for up to five hours when they tried to complain to the crisis-hit bank. Many have been left struggling for cash or unable to make crucial payments for weddings or house moves. It is the latest crisis to hit the TSB after 1.9 million customers were locked out of their accounts following a botched IT upgrade last month. Last night, TSB insisted there had been no data breach. But IT experts said it was possible criminals were using the weeks of chaos as an opportunity to target customers. One theory is that they are posing as members of bank staff to convince frantic account-holders to hand over their details, or are sending emails to victims embedded with computer viruses that allow the crooks to raid accounts. Campaigners called on TSB to take action against the huge phone waiting times faced by fraud victims. Justin Modray, founder of consumer advice website Candid Money, said: 'This seems like an absolute mess. TSB needs to try to rectify things for customers who have been treated so badly during this fiasco.' Most customers affected by the fraud appear to have had their accounts raided in the past week. Teacher Ewan Monaghan had his savings snatched by fraudsters on Wednesday. He received an email from TSB congratulating him on a new overdraft that he had not requested. He checked his and his wife's accounts and discovered they had been raided. He contacted TSB's fraud department and was left on hold for an hour. Mr Monaghan, 39, from St Albans, said staff then agreed to freeze his account but refused to block his wife's unless she made a separate call herself, which involved another lengthy wait. The thieves also ran up a 3,000 overdraft in Mr Monaghan's name, and he says TSB is charging him interest on it. He said: 'It is unacceptable for banks not to keep our accounts safe. TSB do not seem to be fussed about sorting this out.' A 37-year-old woman from Edinburgh told Money Mail that she feared a house move would be put on hold after her 70,000 deposit was taken by crooks. She also said she was forced to wait for hours on the bank's fraud line. Nicki Joynes wrote on Twitter: 'Okay, my 74-year-old dad sat in a branch for five hours yesterday and is back today, 1000s taken from ISA and you can't understand how.' TSB said: 'We are reminding customers not to click on any links or messages which they receive that they feel are suspicious.' HAS YOUR TSB ACCOUNT BEEN HIT BY FRAUD? Email moneymail@dailymail.co.uk or write to Money Mail, 2 Derry Street, London, W8 5TT. iStock/Thinkstock(DUBLIN) -- Two major exit polls project that Irish voters have voted to repeal the country's Eighth Amendment, passed by voters in 1983, which effectively bans abortions in the island nation. One poll, by The Irish Times, projected 68 percent in favor of repealing. Another, by RTE, showed a similar projection of 69.4 percent in favor. The results followed a contentious and emotional campaign in a deeply Catholic nation, home to one of the world's strictest abortion bans. Seeking or providing an abortion in Ireland was a criminal offense that carries up to 14 years behind bars. As a result, thousands of Irish women make the trip abroad, often to England, to have an abortion. More than 170,000 women traveled from the Republic of Ireland to access abortion services in another country between 1980 and 2016, according to the Irish Family Planning Association. As the vote date approached, the debate between the two sides had grown deeply contentious, which, in part, motivated a lot of Irish ex-patriots to fly home from around the globe to cast their ballots -- many posting their positions on social media beside the hashtag #HomeToVote. Repealing the amendment means that abortion could be regulated as it is in both the United States and the United Kingdom, clearing the way for Ireland's government to implement more liberal abortion laws. Lawmakers are now expected to debate proposed legislation allowing abortions within the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, and after that in cases of fetal abnormalities or serious risks to the mothers health. The vote pitted conservative backers of strict abortion restrictions against those supporting a woman's right to choose. The Yes campaign was supported by Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar, though neither of the largest political parties took a side in the debate, allowing individual politicians to make up their own minds. The No side was largely backed by so-called pro-life groups -- the most prominent being The Iona Institute, a socially conservative Roman Catholic advocacy group. As the vote date approached, the battle between the two sides grew increasingly vicious, with both Yes and No campaigns being accused of illegal removing each others street posters. The heated, emotional campaign saw limits placed on social media advertisements nationwide, with Facebook and Google banning campaign ads after concerns from experts that some campaign ads were funded by U.S. based anti-abortion groups. Following a 2015 vote, Ireland legalized same-sex marriage. Copyright 2018, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. A female former police chief at the centre of a sex discrimination case that led to a 870,000 payout to a colleague she 'bullied' is now giving speeches on 'how to combat white male culture in the workplace'. Former Met Police deputy assistant commissioner Maxine de Brunner is available to hire for public speaking events on topics including diversity and leadership. One of her lectures is titled 'How thin is the glass?' and focuses on the challenges she faced rising through the ranks of the Met and the 'unconscious bias' she fought against from inside the organisation and the media. As reported by Mail Online, she was criticised at an employment tribunal where Chief Inspector Adrian Denby won 870,000 after being unfairly treated by Ms de Brunner. Mr Denby, 49, was removed from his role in charge of a tactical unit after she launched a campaign to challenge the squad's 'macho culture' because she was unhappy with beers being found in an station fridge and her 'pet hate' of male officers walking around in only towels. Maxine de Brunner, right, who was criticised at former colleague Adrian Denby's (left) sexual discrimination employment tribunal which found she treated him unfairly, has left the force and is now giving lectures on diversity and leadership in the workplace including one on 'breaking the glass' A tribunal heard that Chief Inspector Denby ran the Territorial Support Group in Paddington, more commonly known as the riot squad. Mr Denby said he regretted not stopping male colleagues from crossing the room in towels, but also blamed the poor design of the office. He believed he was unfairly punished for failings, while a female colleague in a similar position was treated differently. A tribunal found that Mr Denby was discriminated against and the London force paid him compensation in an out-of-court deal. A source told The Sun that the tribunal had cost the Met more than 2million. And the Metropolitan Police is also understood to be helping Denby set up a business as part of the settlement. It is understood that Denby is currently on sick leave. A spokesperson from the Metropolitan Police said: 'We can confirm that we have reached a settlement in this case. 'As there is a confidentiality clause in place, we are not in a position to discuss further.' Ms de Brunner's website also says she gives speeches on her experience with cyber attacks and workplace transformation. On diversity, her website says the lectures will 'deliver key factors to achieve personal and professional success which will include, passion, determination, resilience, decision-making, dogged determination and strong leadership'. Chief Inspector Adrian Denby (pictured) won 870,000 after being unfairly treated by Met Deputy Assistant Commissioner Maxine de Brunner who removed from his role in charge of a tactical unit after launching a campaign to challenge the squads macho culture Following the case Ms de Brunner told The Times she contests 'nearly everything that is being reported'. She added: His investigation had nothing to do with my visit. I had absolutely nothing to do with his future promotion prospects.' It adds the audience will 'leave with determination and belief that anything is possible, courage to operate outside their comfort zone, inspiration and optimism to make a different reality. CI Denby joined the Met Police in January 1993 and had been a chief inspector for eight years, serving with the Iraqi police in 2004 to 2005 and then in Kabul, the Afghan capital from 2008 to 2009. He was awarded nine commendations, worked with counter terrorism units and planned security arrangements for the Royal Family, including the Queen. But the officer, who is seven years away from retirement, claimed he was unfairly punished for failings, while a female colleague in a similar position was not. A hearing in 2016 was told that Deputy Assistant Commissioner Maxine de Brunner arrived at the unit in September 2014 where CI Denby, 47, was in charge, 'on a mission to drive out the macho culture'. Shortly after arriving she encountered an unnamed male colleague in the corridor wearing only a towel around his waist on his way to the locker room. Miss de Brunner was so incensed following the incident that Mr Denby feared he was going to be removed from his position. He was placed under investigation for alleged malpractice by officers in his unit including fiddling overtime hours and operating an off-licence from inside the police station. But a female of similar rank in another unit, who also came under investigation, was not subjected to similar measures. At the time of the incident CI Denby was in charge of the Territorial Support Group (TSG) unit in Paddington, west London. The Metropolitan Police is also understood to be helping Denby set up a business as part of the settlement in a case is said to have cost around 2million in total At a remedy hearing today the tribunal heard CI Denby maybe too sick to ever return to working with the Met Police. The tribunal found CI Denby was discriminated against over his gender when he was removed from his post in October 2014 and five restrictions were placed on him. He was also not allowed to apply for promotion to superintendent. Suspension notices were served on an acting inspector and three sergeants after a raid by the Department of Professional Standards which found 'beer in the fridge and a price list on the front of the fridge'. In her judgement Tamara Lewis said Mr Denby's case was 'striking for its unfairness' and concluded that his treatment was down to his sex. The judgement adds: 'We have found this case marked by lack of transparency. 'In the absence of any explanation, direct sex discrimination occurred and decision-makers consciously or unconsciously, viewed the claimant as a man as part of the problem in a way in which they would not have viewed him had he been a woman'. How female police chief at heart of sexism case was allowed to retire despite being investigated for sending more than 20 officers to attend her son's school fun day Deputy Assistant Commissioner Maxine de Brunner rose to the very top of the Met but retired suddenly after a career touched by a string of scandals. The officer, who worked for the Met for three decades, first came to prominence as she led the investigation that saw Paul Burrell put on trial over allegations he stole 310 items belonging to Princess Diana, Prince Charles and Prince William. The 2003 trial collapsed in embarrassing circumstances and she was accused of being among the officers who 'grossly misled' Charles and William about the royal butler's chances of prosecution. It collapsed after 12 days when it was revealed the Queen had come forward at the weekend with crucial information that proved him innocent and he was seen weeping into his barrister's black robes as he was freed. 'Regina versus Burrell' was effectively halted by Regina when the Queen wondered about the relevance of Mr Burrell telling her, a few weeks after Diana died, that he had taken some of her papers for safekeeping. An 'independent' inquiry effectively exonerated then DCI de Brunner who would continue to rise up the ranks at the Met to the high post of Deputy Assistant Commissioner and reports at the time suggested she felt she was scapegoated over Burrell's bungled court case. Maxine de Brunner from Tadworth is decorated with the Queen's Police Medal by Her Majesty but would later be allowed to retire in controversial circumstances But in 2013 she was in the news again, this time after the Met spent 660 on a ceremonial head-dress for her while having to make 500 million of cuts. The force was accused of 'wasteful spending' after it emerged it laid out for de Brunner's Napoleon-style hat with a black and white feathered plume. Scotland Yard defended it claiming the 660 hat had to be bought on health and safety grounds, saying it had to be exactly fitted as it has no chin strap. Then in July 2016, as Adrian Denby's discrimination case raged, it was revealed she was facing disciplinary action after allegedly arranging for dozens of police officers, along with dogs, horses and cars, to entertain pupils at her son's private school. It was claimed she asked for a massive deployment of officers and specialist units to Chinthurst School in Surrey, at an estimated cost to taxpayers of 10,000 at a time when the UK was on high terror alert. She gave staff a long list of the expensive assets she wanted to spend a whole day at the primary school, including a firing range, an armed response vehicle, riot vans, mounted officers and dogs, it was said. The controversial event was planned for June 2016, but was cancelled after her bosses were told it was an inappropriate use of scarce resources. But The Mail on Sunday revealed an almost identical event at the school, instigated by De Brunner, had previously gone ahead. Chiefs then asked Hertfordshire Constabulary to investigate the then 50-year-old for misconduct over her plan. But in August 2016 it emerged that the top cop would be allowed to retire while still the subject of the misconduct probe and hoped to cash in on her expertise by becoming a leadership consultant. Her updated profile on social network LinkedIn said she will be 'augmenting my service to the promotion of exceptional leadership'. It is believed she was allowed to leave the Met as she was not facing a 'gross misconduct' charge that could have seen her sacked or prosecuted. Ms De Brunner had been in the Met for 30 years so will be able to claim her full taxpayer-funded pension. A professional diver has questioned a scuba instructor for losing sight of a 'beautiful' British tourist, 23, who drowned off the Great Barrier Reef when she became separated from her group. British woman Bethany Farrell died while diving in the Whitsundays, off the coast of Queensland, on February 17, 2015. Queensland Police diver and former professional dive instructor, Senior Constable James Hall, told the inquest this week instructors should always stay within arm's reach of introductory divers. Bethany Farrell, 23, died during a scuba diving trip on February 17, 2015, this picture was taken of her just before the fateful trip Bethany was on a gap year when she died on a scuba diving trip in the Whitsundays He told the court that this lack of training means instructors should be more vigilant. 'You need to be there to operate if for them at all times, within arm's reach, you've got to be so close,' he said. Bethany, a British tourist was travelling with friends on a gap year in 2015 when she took part in the diving tour with Wings Diving Adventures at Blue Pearl Bay, 9News reported. Her dive instructor, Fiona McTavish, told the inquest in Mackay this week she had looked away for a few seconds to navigate a tricky section of coral when she lost her. Immediately after she noticed she had gone, a search and rescue was launched. Bethany's travel partner was quickly taken to the surface and Ms McTavish started looking underwater. In the moments before her death Phillip Brown, a crew member of New Horizon, saw Bethany's surface the water and wave her hands in distress In the moments before her death Phillip Brown, a crew member of New Horizon, saw Bethany's surface the water and wave her hands in distress. 'They were grappling the water, trying to grasp for air,' he said via phone to the inquest. Her body was found lying lifeless an hour later in a deeper section of water, off the dive path. Her dive mask removed and regulator floating in the water beside her. On the day of Bethany's death, the water visibility was less than two metres. She posted this photo to her Instagram account just days before her death with the cation: ''An afternoon stroll by the harbour' Bethany's death seized international attention and sparked outrage. Since her death, Bethany's parents, Patrick and Carol Farrell, who flew in for the inquest, have searched for answers, attempting to make sure this avoidable tragedy never strikes again. 'We have engaged a barrister to represent our interests and intend that this time no stone will be left un-turned in our fight for truth and justice for Bethany,' the couple said in a statement to media. They believe the inquest will shine a light on their daughters 'avoidable death' and the 'systematic failings' by the diving group that could have prevented the tragedy. Bethany reportedly panicked during the scuba dive with Wings Diving Adventures, and drowned after she became separated from her instructor (stock image) Bethany Farrell, 23, from Essex, is pictured here before her trip to Australia The four-day coronial inquest has examined what changes should be made in the dive industry to prevent avoidable scuba fatalities. Coroner David O'Connell told the hearing that there was an urgent need for change. The inquest heard that the practices prescribed by training manuals and regulations are often neglected by dive companies. For instance, a non-mandatory code of practice recommends teaching introductory divers how to ascend in an emergency and a separate training manual recommends teaching divers how to operate a flotation device. Neither of these were touched on during Bethany's training session. Coroner David O'Connell told the hearing that there was an urgent need for change in the industry In March 2017 Wings Diving Adventures was fined $160,000 for breaching its duty under the Safety in Recreational Water Activities Act 2011. No conviction was imposed and the company stopped operating all scuba activity after the death. Alexander Michael Keyte, the company's former director, broke down and cried at the inquest after he was grilled on his company's safety procedures. While he was wiping away tears he apologised to Bethany's parents. 'I'd just like to say I'm really, really sorry for the death of your daughter,' he said, according to the ABC. 'It hurts me ... every time I cuddle one of my kids I think of your daughter.' Advertisement Bank Holiday revellers have already begun taking advantage of the three-day weekend by hitting the streets of Blackpool last night. Pictures taken in the early hours of the morning show party goers pouring on to the streets from nightclubs and being spoken to by police. One blonde woman, who appeared to be having an argument with a man, ended up throwing her wig into his face. The fun is set to continue throughout the weekend which is set to be a scorcher with temperatures of up to 30C predicted over the coming few days. Anyone in Northern Ireland, which will see 'the best of the sunshine' with Scotland, could enjoy record bank holiday temperatures. The current record for Northern Ireland is 77.4F (25.2C), set in Strabane in 1978. This blonde woman, who appeared to be in an argument with this man, angrily threw her wig into his face last night The pair were later seen talking to police - with the blonde woman holding on to her wig as she stands barefoot on the street This man was helped back to his feet by a group of men and women after stumbling over outside a nightclub in Blackpool Although this man initially appeared concerned after the second man fell over, the pair quickly got into a fight The angry reveller was seen holding on to his drink as he swung a punch at the man being pulled away by the bouncer Eventually the second man was taken away in handcuffs by police. The Bank Holiday fun is set to continue with temperatures of up to 30C expected The father who killed his 12-year-old foster daughter has claimed living with the torment of knowing he took the life of the young schoolgirl is 'unbearable'. In a letter penned by Rick Thorburn, who pleaded guilty to the 2015 murder in Brisbane's Supreme Court Friday, the 57-year-old also claimed he still loved her. 'There is not a day go by that I am not haunted by what I have done, the torment I live with is unbearable,' he wrote in a document obtained by ABC News. Rick Thorburn (centre) has claimed living with the torment of knowing he took the life of his 12-year-old foster child was 'unbearable' In a letter penned by Thorburn (excerpt pictured), who pleaded guilty to the 2015 murder in Brisbane's Supreme Court Friday, the 57-year-old also claimed he still loved her Thorburn killed Tiahleigh Palmer between 8pm and 10pm October 29, hours after his son Trent, who was 18 at the time, confessed to having sex with her, telling his parents he feared she was pregnant. Tiahleigh's badly decomposed body was found by fishermen on the banks of the Pimpama River six days after she went missing while in the Thorburn family's care. He claimed he had no memory of the years following the brutal killing, of which specific details were not known given how badly Tiahleigh's body had decomposed. 'I have no memory of the night this happened, and not much memory of the last two and a half years. I only have small fragments which I find hard to put together.' 'I was supposed to protect you and give you a good life (and) a good future that no one else wanted to,' he wrote. Thorburn killed Tiahleigh Palmer (pictured) between 8pm and 10pm October 29, hours after his son Trent, who was 18 at the time, confessed to having sex with her Thorburn, 58, admitted to murdering the 12-year-old (pictured) on the Gold Coast in October 2015 and was sentenced to life in jail Trent Thorburn (pictured), Rick's 20-year-old son, was released in January after serving 16 months in jail for incest, perjury and attempting to pervert the course of justice 'It did not matter about her occasional naughtiness, you could not help love her and I still do.' Justice David Boddice called Thorburn's conduct 'appalling' and described the murder and cover-up as 'cold, calculating and callous', ABC News reported. 'You showed no respect for her, even in death - you murdered this defenceless child who relied on you for protection,' he said. The court heard Tiahleigh was first placed into care in 2010, aged seven, and in January 2015, the Thorburn family became her full-time carers. Tiahleigh's (pictured) body was dumped in the Pimpama River, and found six days after she went missing while in the care of Thorburn and his family Trent (pictured), who admitted to having sex with his foster sister, was jailed in September 2017 for a maximum four years after pleading guilty at the Beenleigh District Court to four charges, including incest Nine months later, Trent told his cousin he had had sex with Tiahleigh and was concerned she was pregnant. 'I have never raised a hand, anger or violence, to any child, I have never even smacked my own children as I never wanted to treat anyone the way I was as a child,' Thorburn's letter stated. 'The sentence that will be handed down today will not be justice for what I have done, it will only be a number to me.' Thorburn has been sentenced to life in jail after pleading guilty to the schoolgirl's murder and will be eligible for parole in 2036. Part of his plan, which was told to the family, was to dispose of Tiahleigh's body, which was found unclothed but for her underpants (pictured are police divers searching the Pimpama River for evidence) Tory grandees want to 'replace' Prime Minister Theresa May with first Michael Gove and then Ruth Davidson in the next three years. It is understood as many as 30 MPs are trying to gather support for the 'plot' to force out Mrs May and install the Environment Secretary as a caretaker leader. He would then step down in 2021 in favour of Ms Davidson in a plan called the 'Gove-Davidson successon'. Ms Davidson is already aiming to oust SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon as First Minister in the Scottish Parliament in the next Holyrood elections in 2021. And the politician, who announced she was pregnant last month, has previously hinted she would run for a Westminster seat if she fails in that bid. Tory grandees are 'plotting to replace Theresa May (left) with Michael Gove (right) after Brexit is delivered in 2019 According to The Sun, frustrated senior Tories want to replace Mrs May when Brexit is delivered over the difficulties in securing the divorce from the EU. A former cabinet minister told the paper Ms Davidson is seen as the 'messiah' and the 'answer to the party's problems', with Mr Gove able to 'fill the gap' during the Brexit transition period. The source said: 'Michael wants to be the leader, but he also accepts he can't fight a general election. 'He knows he's toxic to too many voters after his education reforms and running the Leave campaign.' Another senior Tory said: 'The party needs to find the right leader to follow Theresa, and someone who can win an election. The problem is they're not necessarily the same person.' Should the plan come to fruition it would mean four Conservative leaders in just seven years and two who would not have faced an election. It is also understood the plan would be opposed by rivals including Home Secretary Sajid Javid and Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt who would likely launch their own leadership campaigns. Earlier this week Ms Davidson and Mr Gove appeared together to support the launch of new Tory think tank Onward. Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson would then become leader in 2021 as part of the Tory 'succession plan' Speaking at the launch, the Scottish Tory leader risked angering Mrs May earlier this week by branding the Tories 'dour and joyless'. She said: 'Sometimes as Tories we just look a bit dour. 'We look a bit joyless, a bit authoritarian sometimes. We don't get to win if we start hectoring the people we need to vote for us.' It came ahead of Ms Davidson attending a Cabinet meeting in Downing Street. Mrs May has often faced similar criticisms of her leadership, previously being called 'Maybot' during last year's election campaign in which the Tory party lost their majority. And Ms Davidson's success north of the border has been credited with helping the Tories cling on to power. The dozen new MPs in Scottish constituencies was essential for Mrs May to hold on after a surge in support for Labour. Ms Davidson's humour and lively style has won her legions of fans, and put Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon on the back foot. The 39-year-old - often tipped as a possible successor to Theresa May - announced last month that she partner Jen Wilson will be welcoming their baby in the autumn after undergoing IVF. She posted a photo on Twitter of the couple beaming alongside their cocker spaniel, Wilson, with the message: 'Our little family of three is becoming four...' Police are searching for a young mother and her daughter who have been missing for almost week. Kristina Subu, 26, and her three-year-old daughter Abiya were last seen in the Dandenong area, south-east of Melbourne's centre, on Sunday, May 20 and police believe they could have travelled interstate. Police hold grave concerns for the welfare of the mother and daughter. Kristina Subu, 26, and her three-year-old daughter Abiya were last seen in the Dandenong area on Sunday, May 20 and police believe they could have traveled interstate They are known to visit the Greater Dandenong region regularly and police have information which suggests they could now be in South Australia. Police have released an image of the mother and daughter in the hope someone recognises them and can provide information on their whereabouts. Anyone who sights Kristina or Abiya or has information on their whereabouts is urged to contact Springvale Police Station on 8558 8600. A music teacher accused of touching a six-year-old girl's bottom and upper leg with his groin will remain behind bars. The 21-year-old man from Sydney's north-west was charged with 20 counts of indecent assault. He committed the assaults during private violin lessons at an after school care centre, police allege. The 21-year-old man from Sydney's north-west was charged with 20 counts of indecent assault Police said the assaults were reported earlier this year after the victim's parents confronted the teacher at a shopping centre, ABC News reported. The man was arrested on Friday and charged with indecent assault against a person under 16-years-old. His employment has since been suspended. The man appeared in Parramatta Bail Court on Saturday and was denied bail. He is set to appear in court again next month. The investigation is ongoing. Celebrities and politicians are overjoyed with the impending result of the Irish referendum as voters appear to have said 'yes' to overhauling strict abortion legislation. Big names including Dara O'Briain and Father Ted creator Graham Linehan were among many on social media to post celebratory messages after exit polls suggested the yes campaign would win by a landslide. The Mock the Week presenter tweeted 'Gwan Ireland' ahead of the vote and later added: 'Special congratulations to those in Ireland who stood up and told their stories, and pushed back shame and silence, and banished it from this debate.' Linehan tweeted a meme from his show of Father Ted, labelled Ireland, kicking a priest labelled 'The 8th Amendment' in the bottom. Father Ted creator Graham Linehan likened the likely election result to a famous scene on his beloved TV show in a tweet following the poll Mock the Week presenter Dara O'Briain also celebrated the yes win and congratulated all those in Ireland for 'pushing back shame and silence' X Factor presenter Dermot O'Leary said 'no state should have the right to tell a woman what to do with her body' Irish Politician Timmy Dooley also welcomed the landslide win which would 'close the burden of shame' Writer Marian Keyes has also tweeted her support for those who flew home to Ireland to vote An Ipsos/MRBI poll conducted for the Irish Times expects 68 per cent for the Yes camp after weeks of campaigning led by Taoiseach Leo Varadkar. Seventy per cent of women voted yes along with 65 per cent of men, and all aged groups under 65 were in favour of the ballot. Citizens had essentially been asked to decide whether to retain or repeal the Eighth Amendment of the state's constitution, which prohibits terminations unless a mother's life is in danger. According to the poll, conducted for The Irish Times, the country chose to liberalise its laws by 68 per cent to 32 per cent. Irish author Marian Keyes was among the first celebrities to react on Twitter. Welcoming the exit poll's findings, she wrote: 'Oh my god Lads! Exit poll shows 68% voted YES! Can exit polls be trusted? If so, THIS IS GREAT THANK YOU, EVERYONE!!!' Irish comedian and television presenter Dara O Briain expressed his surprise, tweeting simply 'Janey mac', having earlier tweeted: 'G'wan Ireland. This is a big day, and we're all thinking of you. yesyesIsaidyes' Comedian and actor David Schneider also used a Father Ted meme to express his joy at the exit polls result Irish politician Catherine Murphy added the 'result says it all' about the campaign in Ireland Former One Direction member Niall Horan also called on the Irish people to 'do right' by the women of the nation Irish comedian Ed Byrne tweeted: 'I really wish I had it in me to simply rejoice in a victory for Irish women, but I can't help but delight in this being a defeat some of the most despicable people in Ireland.' Comedian David Schneider also reacted positively to the result. He said: 'Come on, Ireland! Let the exit poll be right! Go on! Repeal it! RepealThe8th.' Call The Midwife star Stephen McGann revealed he was brought to tears by the exit poll. He tweeted: 'Tearing up in work at reports of the exit poll. Those silent legions of poor, scared, lonely women. All of that coldness and shame. Please let it end now with a single, strong, healing heart. x.' Taoiseach Varadkar, a former doctor who led the Yes campaign, welcomed the exit poll with the expectation it would be confirmed when ballots were counted. 'Thank you to everyone who voted today. Democracy in action. It's looking like we will make history tomorrow...' he wrote on Twitter. A massive 87 per cent of voters aged 18 to 24 said they voted Yes, with changing demographics expected to have a significant pull on the result. Yes heartland Dublin was predicted to vote 77 per cent in favour and rural Ireland, where the most resistance was expected, had a 60 per cent prediction. Even Connacht-Ulster on Ireland's west coast, which was expected to have the most No votes, has 59 per cent say they cast their ballots to repeal. Ireland is set to vote in favour of looser abortion laws with exit polls predicting a 68 per cent Yes vote in Friday's referendum An Ipsos/MRBI conducted for the Irish Times expects a stunning landslide for the Yes camp after weeks of campaigning The exit poll asked 4,000 people at 160 of the about 6,500 polling places how they voted and has a margin of error of about 1.5 per cent. Another poll by Ireland's national broadcaster RTE made a similar prediction of 69.4 per cent Yes, with 65.9 per cent of men said they were in favour along with 72.1 per cent of women. The poll conducted by Behaviour & Attitudes asked 3,800 voters at 175 polling stations and had a 1.6 per cent margin of error. Polls closed at 10pm and ballot counting will begin at 9am on Saturday with an official result expected later that day. Yes voters took to the streets and pubs of Ireland after the exit polls were announced, elated that their side seemed assured of victory. Celebrations will likely be far bigger on Saturday when the results are officially announced after counting finishes. Jubilant Yes supporters celebrate likely victory after a long day of campaigning at polling booths Thumbs up for victory from these three Yes supporters who hit the pubs to celebrate Turnout could be more than 70 per cent as more than 100,000 new voters registered ahead of the poll and thousands of expats boarded planes from around the world. It was tracking higher than both the 2015 same sex marriage referendum, which got 60.5 per cent, and the 65 per cent who voted in the 2016 general election. A Yes win would see the government overhaul Ireland's abortion laws by the end of the year, bringing them in line with the rest of Europe. Access to abortions would be unrestricted until 12 weeks of pregnancy, and from 12 to 24 weeks if there was a risk to the mother's life or a serious risk to her health. None would be allowed after 24 weeks, regardless of the circumstances, which is not the case in many other countries with relaxed abortion laws. Pro-choice campaigners now turn their attention to Northern Ireland which, despite being part of Britain, still considers abortion a crime. Some said women north of the border would soon be able to board trains to Dublin or Dundalk to get the procedure, once the government changed the laws. The highly contentious campaign has divided the nation, pitting young against old, town against country and church against state Irish cast their votes to decide whether to repeal the constitution's Eighth Amendment that outlaws almost all abortions Former shadow Northern Ireland secretary Labour's Owen Smith said the Irish exit polls showed change was also needed in his country. 'Wonderful news, if true. And a powerful message to Northern Ireland. We need change across the whole island of Ireland,' he tweeted. Leader of Northern Ireland's Alliance Party Naomi Long said: 'Eyes will now turn to us: yet again a place apart. Behind GB. Behind Ireland.' Abortions are only legal in Northern Ireland if the life or mental health of the mother is at risk. Political leaders south of the border were at the forefront of efforts to liberalise the law during the referendum campaign. However, a majority of politicians in Northern Ireland do not favour the radical law changes now proposed in their neighbouring jurisdiction. Though there has been intense debate over whether terminations should be allowed in the cases of fatal foetal abnormalities and rape, there remains significant opposition at Stormont to unrestricted abortion access. But campaigners for the extension of Great Britain's 1967 Abortion Act insist those politicians are out tune with wider public opinion in Northern Ireland. Part of the high turnout is due to scores of largely young, largely Yes voters returning to Ireland from as far afield as South America, Bangkok and Australia to vote In airport departure lounges and the arrivals hall in Dublin, ex-pats wearing Repeal jumpers and t-shirts and with 'yes' buttons affixed to their chests, hugged, celebrated, took stock of the moment, then headed to the polls The issue is also not one easily divided along traditional orange and green lines, as there are socially conservative unionists and nationalists who are equally committed to preserving the lives of the unborn. Irish cast their votes to decide whether to repeal the constitution's Eighth Amendment that outlaws almost all abortions. The amendment, written after a previous referendum on the issue in 1983, considers the life of the mother and unborn child to be equal. As the law stands, Ireland has one of the most restrictive abortion systems in Europe with women barred from the procedure even in cases of rape. Abortions are only allowed if the mother's life is in danger. Women and doctors found breaking the law face up to 14 years in jail. Irish cast their votes to decide whether to repeal the constitution's Eighth Amendment that outlaws almost all abortions. The amendment, written after a previous referendum on the issue in 1983, considers the life of the mother and unborn child to be equal. As the law stands, Ireland has one of the most restrictive abortion systems in Europe with women barred from the procedure even in cases of rape. Abortions are only allowed if the mother's life is in danger. Women and doctors found breaking the law face up to 14 years in jail. A mother arrives early to vote at a polling station in Dublin Flowers are left at the foot of a new mural of Savita Halappanava put up on the day of the Abortion Referendum on liberalising abortion laws in Dublin 'Thank you to everybody who voted today - democracy can be so powerful on days like today,' Ireland's deputy premier Simon Coveney tweeted. 'Looks like a stunning result that will bring about a fundamental change for the better. Proud to be Irish tonight.' Senator Catherine Noone, chairwoman of an Oireachtas committee which recommended the abortion law changes, tweeted: 'I'm feeling very emotional tonight - we are a great, compassionate people. So proud of us!' UK Minister for Women and Equalities Penny Mordaunt said it was a 'historic & great day for Ireland, & a hopeful one for Northern Ireland'. 'That hope must be met. #HomeToVote stories are a powerful and moving testimony as to why this had to happen and that understanding & empathy exists between generations,' she tweeted. The leader of the Alliance Party in Northern Ireland, Naomi Long, said it appeared to be an 'incredible result for #together4yes #repealthe8th'. 'Eyes will now turn to us: yet again a place apart. Behind GB. Behind Ireland,' she tweeted. The highly contentious campaign has divided the nation, pitting young against old, town against country and church against state. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar smiled broadly as he voted in St Thomas' school in Laurel Lodge, Castleknock, confident of victory in the abortion referendum Speaking to reporters afterward, he said he was 'quietly confident' of a victory, adding that high turnouts being reported across the country would help the Yes camp President Michael D Higgins and his wife Sabina were among those casting their vote in Dublin on Friday morning Ireland's two biggest political parties, Fianna Fail and Fine Gael, have allowed their MPs a free vote on the issue, opening up rifts between members. Part of the high turnout is due to scores of largely young, largely Yes voters returning to Ireland from as far afield as South America, Bangkok and Australia to vote. In airport departure lounges and the arrivals hall in Dublin, ex-pats wearing Repeal jumpers and t-shirts and with 'yes' buttons affixed to their chests, hugged, celebrated, took stock of the moment, then headed to the polls. Mr Varadkar smiled broadly as he voted in St Thomas' school in Laurel Lodge, Castleknock, confident of victory in the abortion referendum. Mr Varadkar wore a jacket and open neck shirt as he cast his ballot in the heart of his Dublin West constituency at around 11.15am. 'I always get a little buzz from voting, it just feels like it is democracy in action,' he said after emerging from the polling station at where morning polling was described as steady. Ireland referendum Q&A - What is the Eighth Amendment? It is a clause in the constitution which was written after a previous referendum on the issue in 1983 recognised the right to life of the unborn child. It protects the equal right to life of the mother and the unborn and effectively prohibits abortion in most cases. Among its supporters are the Catholic church, which remains a strong presence in Ireland, though diminished from its heyday. Young people are among the most enthusiastic proponents of repeal. - What effect has it had? In 1992, women were officially given the right to travel abroad, mostly to the UK, to obtain terminations. Pro-repeal campaigners said almost 170,000 have done so. The Irish Government's deputy premier, Tanaiste Simon Coveney, has argued that effectively left Britain deciding the law for Irish women around the procedure and it was time to take back control in Ireland. - What about the women who stay in Ireland? The campaign to liberalise abortion gathered momentum after an Indian dentist, Savita Halappanavar, died in hospital in Galway aged 31 when she was refused an abortion during a miscarriage. Her husband, Praveen Halappanavar, said she repeatedly asked for a termination but was refused because there was a foetal heartbeat. Health service reviewers later identified failings in her care. - Did anything change? In 2013, legislation was amended to allow terminations under certain tightly restricted circumstances - the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Act. When doctors felt a woman's life was at risk due to complications from the pregnancy, or from suicide, they were permitted to carry out an abortion. It followed a 1992 Supreme Court ruling that terminations were permitted where the mother's life was at risk. That regime has prompted uncertainty, proponents of repeal said, with the medical profession facing possible prosecution and up to 14 years' imprisonment if they wrongfully carry out an abortion. - Was that concession enough for those seeking liberalisation? Not according to the women who were still travelling to the UK in their droves for procedures. Among them were Amanda Mellet and her husband James, who took their case to the UN's Human Rights Committee. The Committee called for reform to give women greater rights and said the ban on abortion caused cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment. In 2016, for the first time in its history, the Irish State compensated a woman, Mrs Mellet, for the trauma caused by forcing her to travel to Britain for an abortion. - What approach did the Government adopt? It established a public advisory body, a Citizen's Assembly, which recommended introduction of unrestricted access to abortion. Because of the Eighth Amendment, a public poll was needed before new laws could be passed, and earlier this year the country's Housing Minister, Eoghan Murphy, set the date for the abortion referendum as Friday May 25. The Government has published draft legislation to be introduced if the amendment is repealed which would allow relatively free abortions, subject to consultation with a medical professional and after a short waiting period, up to 12 weeks after gestation and up to 24 weeks with restrictions. If, after 12 weeks, a woman's life is threatened or there could be serious harm to her health two doctors will consider whether to allow the procedure. Terminations will not be carried out after the foetus becomes viable, following 24 weeks of pregnancy Advertisement Despite the enthusiasm Mr Varadkar, said he was 'quietly confident' but warned supporters on Thursday night not to take anything for granted. 'There's been good turnout across the country so far and I'm hoping for a yes vote,' Mr Varadkar said. A high turnout would be to the advantage of the Yes campaign, he predicted. The Yes camp is concerned that a 'silent No vote' could swing the result, as happened with Brexit and Trump. Leader of the main opposition party, Fianna Fail's Micheal Martin, voted to repeal in his constituency in Cork while Sinn Fein President Mary Lou McDonald also cast a Yes vote in Dublin. However, her Sinn Fein party colleague and vocal anti-abortion campaigner Peadar Toibin called on Irish people to vote No to 'abortion on demand'. 'The irony that the referendum on abortion is being held on International Missing Children's Day will not be lost on many Irish people,' he tweeted. Yes voters argue that Ireland's system has not stopped abortion happening, with an estimated 3,000 women going to the UK for a procedure each year A Yes vote would mark another historic milestone for deeply Catholic Ireland which legalised contraception in 1979, divorce in 1995 and same-sex marriage in 2015 Ireland held a referendum on the Eighth Amendment of the country's constitution on May 25 A pair of nuns prepare to cast their votes in the referendum. The Catholic Church has thrown its weight behind the No campaign 'Those on the margins of society suffer most from abortion. Vote No to Abortion on Demand.' Catherine Murphy, leader of the minority left wing party Social Democrats who eagerly supported the Yes campaign, praised the exit poll results. 'The exit poll results are strongly indicating that voters have taken on board the clear message that the Eighth Amendment harms women and must be removed from our Constitution, she said. 'While we await the counting of votes tomorrow, we are very encouraged by these early signals showing that Irish people have understood the need to vote Yes so that we can provide women with the healthcare they need in a compassionate, caring and medically safe system.' Garda Alan Gallagher carries a polling box to a waiting helicopter on the island of Inishbofin, where just a few dozen people voted on Thursday While those in mainland Ireland will vote on Friday, around 2,000 people on the Donegal, Galway West and Mayo islands voted on Thursday (pictured, Gola Island) A Yes vote would mark another historic milestone for deeply Catholic Ireland which legalised contraception in 1979, divorce in 1995 and same-sex marriage in 2015. Yes campaigners say the current system fails mothers whose children develop fatal foetal abnormalities in the womb, meaning there is no chance they will survive birth. At the moment, such women are legally obligated to carry the baby to term and have a still birth. They also argue that Ireland's system has not stopped abortion happening, with an estimated 3,000 women going to the UK for a procedure each year. An unknown number also rely upon abortion drugs purchased illegally over the internet to carry out the procedure at home, risking their health and jail time. Fresh turf marks the spot where former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia were found slumped on a bench after being poisoned by a military nerve agent in March. It comes as businesses in the Maltings area of Salisbury are preparing to reopen as the city takes a 'massive step' in its recovery from the Novichok attack. Wiltshire Council reopened thoroughfare at 8am this morning, nearly 11 weeks after the incident that thrust the cathedral city into the centre of a global diplomatic crisis. Defra announced it had handed back the area from Government control on Monday after an 'extensive clean-up'. Fresh turf marks the spot where former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia were found slumped on a bench after being poisoned by a military nerve agent in March Yulia and her father Sergei Skripal, pictured together, were attacked with Novichok on March 4 at Mr Skripal's home in Salisbury Alistair Cunningham, head of the council's recovery effort, said the reopening of the shopping precinct represents a 'massive step the recovery for this beautiful city'. 'It has always been a priority to reopen this main economic thoroughfare, which takes visitors and shoppers from the main car parks to the city centre past the shops in the Maltings that have been directly affected,' he said. 'The Maltings site has undergone thorough testing and clean-up work by world-class specialists, and the public can be reassured that any traces of nerve agent that may have been present have been removed and the site presents no risk to public health. 'I would urge people to visit and support the businesses in the Maltings, and the rest of Salisbury as the city recovers and gets back to normal.' Wiltshire Council has opened the thoroughfare in the area this morning, 11 weeks after the attack Pictured: Personnel in hazmat suits securing a tent covering the bench the Skripals were found in back in March Businesses in the Maltings and around Salisbury have been adversely affected by the incident as some shoppers avoided the area over health and safety concerns. Swathes of the city were sealed off as investigators moved in before a massive decontamination operation began when the Skripals were found unconscious on a bench on March 4. Last week, ministers praised the 'resilience' of Salisbury residents in the face of disruption, which they blamed on 'Russia's reckless actions'. Prime Minister Theresa May's official spokesman said police had released all sites for decontamination, except for the Skripal house, and the priority was making the sites safe so 'Salisbury can get back to normal'. Moscow has repeatedly denied responsibility for the attack on the Skripals, and on Friday Vladimir Putin questioned the UK's explanation around their poisoning. The Russian president said the version of events 'is not possible' as victims of a military grade agent would have died 'immediately'. Swathes of the city were sealed off as investigators moved in before a massive decontamination operation began National Australia Bank has promised to compensate customers who suffered financial hardship as a result of their system crashing on Saturday. NAB customers across Australia were left without access to their own money after the bank's system crashed, including NAB ATM's, EFTPOS and online banking. NAB business executive general manager Cindy Batchelor said the bank will look at ways to compensate customers. Scroll down for video NAB business executive general manager Cindy Batchelor (pictured) spoke with the media today and said the bank will look at ways to compensate customers 'If there was a loss that was driven by the outage today, then compensation will be provided to customers,' she told 9 News. 'Every customer has the opportunity to come and talk to us about the impact they've had specifically on their business and our intention is to work with each and every one of them.' She said the system crash was a result of a 'series of failures' which also impacted the company's phone lines. NAB customers have been left furious as the national bank experiences an country-wide outage (pictured) Ms Batchelor also wanted to reassure customers that the incident was an extremely rare occurrence, and NAB always tried to provide a 'reliable service'. Chief Customer Officer Business and Private Banking Anthony Healy also issued an apology for the incident and said they had 'let customers down' ABC News reported. 'I want to apologise to those who are out trying to do their shopping on a Saturday morning, and particularly our merchants [who] are trying to do business and maintain banking services for their customers,' he said via NAB's Twitter account. Chief Customer Officer Business and Private Banking Anthony Healy (pictured) also issued an apology for the incident and said they had 'let customers down' Thousands have been left without access to their money or EFTPOS and ATM services Saturday morning The outage began about 8am on Saturday, leaving thousands stranded without cash. Furious customers took to social media to complain about being unable to pay for items such as fuel or food. Others said they were unable to pay for taxi fares overseas. The outage hit Australia at about 9.30am, leaving many doing the grocery shopping unable to pay without cash 'We're currently experiencing issues with multiple services including internet and mobile banking, ATMS and EFTOPS,' NAB confirmed online. 'Sorry this has happened on a Saturday everyone. Systems are still affected but for purchases only. 'Our teams are working to fix this as soon as possible. We're sorry for the inconvenience.' Hundreds of people have taken to Twitter to vent their frustration with the company, many claiming to have to put the trolleys of groceries on hold at the supermarket. 'Have had to leave trolley full of groceries as couldn't pay. Will have to find the time to go shopping twice. Just glad I wasn't at a cafe and not able to pay,' someone explained. NAB confirmed online they were working to resolve the issue but were not sure when it would be fixed leaving customers furious 'Currently I'm sitting at an airport unable to get foreign money and will be landing not knowing if my credit card or debit card work in the Middle East!,' one wrote (pictured) 'Thanks guys, I can't buy medications that I desperately need. Your apologies mean nothing to my health,' another claimed (pictured) 'Thanks guys, I can't buy medications that I desperately need. Your apologies mean nothing to my health,' one wrote. 'Currently I'm sitting at an airport unable to get foreign money and will be landing not knowing if my credit card or debit card work in the Middle East!,' another shared. 'Beers on NAB when this s*** is sorted,' someone suggested. Daily Mail Australia has contacted NAB for comment. Sales of carrots have been soaring across the UK as self-checkout thieves pretend to buy the cheap vegetable while packing more expensive items such as avocados, a criminologist has claimed. Carrots are often the cheapest vegetable by weight, meaning many Brits using self-checkout machines can save themselves money by lying about which item they are weighing when buying loose products. Brits seemingly bought 800 million more carrots last year compared to 2013. Senior Criminology lecturer Emmeline Taylor, from City, University of London, told the Times: 'I was working with retailers to reduce shoplifting when one major supermarket discovered it had sold more carrots than it had ever had in stock. Sales of carrots have been soaring across the UK as self-checkout thieves pretend to buy the cheap vegetable while packing more expensive fruits such as avocados, a criminologist has claimed (file photo) Popular orange vegetable? Brits seemingly bought 800 million more carrots last year compared to 2013 (file photo) 'Puzzled by this development it looked into its inventories and found that in some cases customers were apparently purchasing 18kg of carrots in one go. 'Unfortunately this wasnt a sudden switch to healthy eating, it was an early sign of a new type of shoplifter.' Britain has 50,000 self-service tills and more than 3billion worth of goods are estimated to be stolen through them every year. Theft from these types of tills has become so common that nearly 25 per cent of shoppers have admitted to taking at least one item without paying for it. Theft from these types of tills has become so common that one in four people have admitted to taking at least one item without paying Ms Taylor says that Brits committing 'discount theft' may not even view it as stealing. She added: 'This behaviour is perceived as cheating the system or a way of "gamifying" an otherwise mundane routine.' Ms Taylor refers to the thieves by the acronym SWIPERS, which stands for seemingly well-intentioned patrons engaging in routine shoplifting, and has placed them into four categories. The categories are: Advertisement Britain's bank holiday weekend was rudely interrupted by torrential rain, thunder and a spectacular display of lightning, with standing water reported on roads around west London. A deluge hit the south east before midnight with showers or longer spells of rain promised for Wales and central and southern England throwing barbecue plans into chaos. Scotland and Northern Ireland will escape the worst of the bad weather, however temperatures are still expected to reach 77F in the south east. At least 17million journeys are expected to be taken over the long weekend but plans to enjoy outdoor barbecues could be hit by potential thunderstorms, heavy rain and even flooding in parts of southern England. There were 50,000 lightning strikes overnight at BBC weatherman Tomasz Schafernaker tweeted: "Mother of all #thunderstorms now over London. Oh boy! This UTTERLY INSANE. Lightning dramatically hit The Shard in London in the early hours of this morning as the Bank Holiday weather took a turn for the worse with heavy rain This fork of lightning stretched across the sky towards the city of London This lightning bolt found its target on the outskirts of the City of London The crew of the RNLI station at Tower Hill posted this image on Twitter showing these dramatic scenes There were dramatic scenes over the City of London with lightning streaking across the darkened skies Lightning lit up this mosque in east London as the bank holiday weekend's good weather broke in dramatic fashion In Portsmouth, the lightning lit up the sky above the Solent as several ships made their way out to sea Many people filmed the forked lightning which was spotted across London around midnight The beach at Loch Morlich near Aviemore which was one of the hottest places in Scotland today. The snow is still lying in places on the Cairngorm Mountains behind Racegoers at York Racecourse enjoyed the sunshine as temperatures are expected to hit between 77F (25C) to 79F (26C) People wear rain ponchos in the crowds during the first day of BBC Radio 1's Biggest Weekend at Singleton Park, Swansea Visitors enjoy a warm sunny afternoon on West Bay beach making the best of the weather on a day where heavy thunderstorms are forecast for later in the evening It will still be a 'warm to very warm' bank holiday weekend for most and hopes that temperatures could tip 30C (86F) are now 'not impossible but less likely', according to Met Office forecaster Bonnie Diamond. Pictured: West Bay beach Millions of people (pictured driving in their holiday caravans) are enjoying their bank holiday getaways as the first few rays of the heatwave weekend begin - with temperatures predicted to hit 86F (30C) in the next three days The stormy weather from yesterday will continue across the long weekend. Pictured: Brass Band enthusiasts brave the rain as they listen to bands play in the village of Delph during the Whit Friday brass band competition on May 25, 2018 in Oldham The Met Office has issued a yellow rain warning for the South today between 6am and 12am amid concerns that the conditions will put a dampener on the weekend. But anyone in Scotland, which will see 'the best of the sunshine', could enjoy hot temperatures this bank holiday without the threat of thunderstorms. It will still be a 'warm to very warm' bank holiday weekend for most and hopes that temperatures could tip 30C (86F) are now 'not impossible but less likely', according to Met Office forecaster Bonnie Diamond. The warmest late May bank holiday weekend on record is officially 91F (32.8C), set on the May 29 1944 bank holiday Monday in Horsham, West Sussex, and Tunbridge Wells, in Kent, together with London's Regent's Park. London could hit 79F (26C) to 84F (29C) - just a little shy of the warmest day of 2018 so far which was the 84.4F (29.1C) recorded at London's St James's Park on April 19. The competition, which was first recorded in 1884, sees each band perform two pieces; one whilst marching (pictured) and then a show-piece to an adjudicator, who sits in a room or caravan hidden so that the judge cannot see who is playing It will feel warmest across southern England and Wales, where temperatures could rise into the 80s Fahrenheit (high 20s Celsius). Meanwhile Southampton can expect 77F (25C) to 79F (26C) and Bristol may get 77F (25C). BUSIEST TIMES ON BRITAIN'S ROADS DATE PLANNED LEISURE JOURNEYS BY CAR EXPECTED BUSIEST TIME ON ROADS Today 4.45 million 4pm to 7pm Tomorrow 3.82 million 10am to 4pm Sunday 2.86 million 10am to 4pm Bank Holiday Monday 2.86 million 12pm to 4pm Planning a trip between May 22 and 29, but no date set 4.77 million afssaf Further north it may reach 66F (19C) in Aberdeen and 64F (18C) in Newcastle. But Southern England, the South West and Wales are set to be cloudier, very warm and at risk of thunderstorms. The Met office reports that there is a small chance that homes and businesses could be flooded quickly, with damage to some buildings from floodwater, lightning strikes, hail or strong winds. Train or bus services could face delays, while spray and flooding could lead to difficult driving conditions and road closures. Forecasters also warned that flooding or lightning strikes could also bring power cuts and loss of other services, with thunderstorms this afternoon possibly bringing up to 1.2in (30mm) of rain. Four flood alerts have been put in place for the the Midlands and the Southeast across the long weekend. The further warning for this weekend in southern England said heavy showers and thunderstorms will affect some areas, and that there is a 'small chance of fast flowing or deep floodwater causing danger to life'. Forecasters have also warned there is a chance of some communities becoming cut off by flooded roads, along with a risk of power cuts and other services to some homes and businesses being lost. A Met Office spokesman added: 'Very warm and humid conditions will lead to thunderstorms developing across parts of Southern England, the South and West Midlands and Wales on both Saturday and Sunday.' 'Thunderstorms will produce torrential rain and hail in places with up to 30mm (1.2in), while some places may miss the worst of the heavy rain. 'A north-south split will see Scotland and Northern Ireland get the best of the weather while England and Wales suffer problematic weather with sunshine but heavy showers and thunderstorms. 'The west of Scotland will see some of the best of the sunshine this weekend. 'The greatest risk of intense thunderstorms is in the southwest which will then breakout more widely to the rest of England and Wales tomorrow. 'It's going to be a hot three days but not a record breaker by the looks of things.' There are rain warning out for the south of England across the next two days. Pictured: The 'Saddleworth Whit Friday Brass Band Contests' attracts up to 100 brass bands from all over the UK and Europe to compete Masses of caravans travel South down the M1 near Nottingham, for the start of the Bank Holiday Weekend A Met Office spokesman said: 'Very warm and humid conditions will lead to thunderstorms developing across parts of Southern England, the South and West Midlands and Wales on both Saturday and Sunday' At least 17million journeys are expected to be taken over the long weekend but plans to enjoy outdoor barbecues could be hit by potential thunderstorms, heavy rain and even flooding in parts of southern England Northern Ireland might see some thunderstorms but still enjoy rays of sunshine throughout their long bank holiday weekend. Heavy downpours will occur across the south of England and around Wales with some communities warned of flooding problems. Monday will see less chance of thunderstorms and rain - with temperatures expected to reach 86F (30C). Chief meteorologist Andy Page said: 'There is a risk of potentially severe thunderstorms during the bank holiday weekend. These are most likely to affect the south and southwest of the country. However exact location details are uncertain at this stage. 'Impacts from heavy downpours are possible, however are likely to be localised. We are carefully monitoring the thunderstorm threat and recommend people keep updated with the forecast on the day if they have outdoor plans.' Traffic hotspots are expected to include the M25 between Gatwick Airport and the M1, the M3 south west of London, the M4 west of London and between Cardiff and Swansea, and the A47 Swaffham to Great Yarmouth. A teenager was robbed of two years of her life after a tick bite left her in a 'zombie-like' state and barely able to move. Danica McDougall was walking her dog in Manly Vale, in Northern Sydney, three years ago when she received the life-changing bite, leaving her wheelchair bound. She became seriously ill and developed Lyme disease - an illness not recognised or treated by doctors in Australia. Danica McDougall (pictured) was walking her dog in Manly Vale, in Northern Sydney, three years ago when she received an infectious tick bite which left her battling Lyme disease The illness is not recognised in Australia and the family had to pay $35,000 for ozone therapy (pictured) treatment in Cyprus The 17-year-old told Manly Daily she remembered being bitten by a tick while walking at David Thomas Reserve as a 14-year-old, but could not recall much since. 'I do remember the dog walk and remember finding the tick on my back, but I don't remember the years after that because it was a pretty quick downward fall,' she said. 'I couldn't tell you how I coped with it or what I did to occupy my time because it's a blank slate. In my mind I'm 14, but I'm 17 now.' Her mother was forced to take on the role of her full-time carer Four months after the bite, Danica (pictured) was told she was carrying borrelia bacteria in her body, and was recommended to detox with herbal supplements and antibiotics More than four months after the bite, Danica's mother, Wendie, made a breakthrough discovery. She saw a television program about the disease, an infection spread to humans by ticks, that despite being recognised by 80 other countries, was not yet in Australia. Eventually a doctor told the family Danica was carrying borrelia bacteria in her body, and recommended she detox using herbal supplements and take antibiotics. 'I believe that not all doctors are unwilling to treat borellia and co infections, they just don't know what to recognise or how to treat,' Mrs McDougall told Daily Mail Australia. It was only after seeing multiple other doctors that eventually her mother came across one who confirmed her suspicion that her daughter (pictured) had Lyme disease 'They have no support from the medical association, education or funding for research and are at risk of deregistration.' Danica's best chance at recovery remained offshore, in Cyprus, where Lyme sufferers from around the world travel to receive ozone therapy. Family and friends raised $35,000 for Danica to have the treatment, which had proven incredibly effective in other patients from Australia. The therapy made a radical difference to the teenager, who for the first time since the bite, was able to walk up and down stairs, talk and laugh. Danica's (pictured inside machine) best chance at recovery remained offshore, in Cyprus, where Lyme sufferers from around the world travel to receive ozone therapy The therapy made a radical difference to the teenager (pictured with a nurse), who for the first time since the bite, was able to walking up and down stairs, talk and laugh 'I can hold conversations. I can actually think. I'm better at remembering, though it's hard for me to remember what I had for breakfast or what I did yesterday because my short-term memory is practically non-existent,' Danica said. Despite the improvement, she still faces a long journey to remission and to repair the horrific damage to her nervous system and strengthen her immune system. Mrs McDougall has urged the government for help in raising awareness about the illness and providing treatment for its unlucky sufferers. 'The government has refused to recognise Lyme or support patients with care as they have put it in the too hard basket. How long are they going to ignore us?' Mrs McDougall started a Go Fund Me account to help with ongoing medical bills for her daughter. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and South Korean President Moon Jae-in have met for the second time in a month to discuss peace commitments they reached in their first summit. They also talked about Mr Kim's potential meeting with President Donald Trump next month. South Korea's presidential office said Mr Moon will personally announce the outcome of Saturday's summit with Mr Kim on Sunday. The presidential Blue House did not immediately provide more details. North Korea leader Kim Jong-Un, left, and South Korean President Moon Jae-In are pictured embracing ahead of a summit in the north side of the demilitarised zone The pair of leaders, pictured shaking hands before their meeting in Panmunjom, have been discussing peace commitments agreed at a previous summit last month They were joined by aides in a meeting room in the border village and a detailed account of their discussions will be announced on Sunday, according to the South Korean government This is the second time in a month they have met to discuss peace commitments The meeting at a border truce village came hours after South Korea expressed relief over revived talks for a summit between President Trump and Mr Kim. This was following a whirlwind 24 hours that saw the US leader cancel the highly anticipated meeting, before saying it is potentially back on. Trump later tweeted that the summit, if it does happen, will likely take place on June 12 in Singapore as originally planned. In their first summit in April, Kim and Moon announced vague aspirations for a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula and permanent peace, which Seoul has tried to sell as a meaningful breakthrough to set up the summit with Trump. But relations between the rival Koreas chilled in recent weeks, with North Korea canceling a high-level meeting with Seoul over South Korea's participation in regular military exercises with the United States. It insisted that it will not return to talks unless its grievances are resolved. South Korea, which brokered the talks between Washington and Pyongyang, was caught off guard by Trump's abrupt cancellation of the summit in which he cited hostility in recent North Korean comments. Moon said Trump's decision left him 'perplexed' and was 'very regrettable.' He urged Washington and Pyongyang to resolve their differences through 'more direct and closer dialogue between their leaders.' President Moon was also pictured shaking hands with Kim Jong-Un's sister Kim Yo Jong ahead of the discussions North Korean leader Kim Jong Un inspects the construction site of the Wonsan-Kalma coastal tourist area in Gangwon-do In their first summit in April (left and right), Kim and Moon announced vague aspirations for a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula and permanent peace, which Seoul has tried to sell as a meaningful breakthrough to set up the summit with Trump Trump's back-and-forth over his summit plans with Kim has exposed the fragility of Seoul as an intermediary. It fanned fears in South Korea that the country may lose its voice between a rival intent on driving a wedge between Washington and Seoul and an American president who thinks less of the traditional alliance with Seoul than his predecessors. Trump's decision to pull out of the summit with Kim came just days after he hosted Moon in a White House meeting where he openly cast doubts on the Singapore meeting but offered no support for continued inter-Korean progress, essentially ignoring the North's recent attempts to coerce the South. In his letter to Kim, Trump objected specifically to a statement from senior North Korean diplomat Choe Son Hui. She referred to Vice President Mike Pence as a 'political dummy' for his earlier comments on North Korea and said it was up to the Americans whether they would 'meet us at a meeting room or encounter us at nuclear-to-nuclear showdown.' North Korea issued an unusually restrained and diplomatic response to Trump, saying it's still willing to sit for talks with the United States 'at any time, (in) any format.' Trump's back-and-forth over his summit plans with Kim has exposed the fragility of Seoul as an intermediary 'The first meeting would not solve all, but solving even one at a time in a phased way would make the relations get better rather than making them get worse,' North Korean Vice Foreign Minister Kim Kye Gwan said in a statement carried by Pyongyang's official Korean Central News Agency, which mainly targets external audience. Analysts say Kim's diplomatic outreach in recent months after a flurry of nuclear and missile tests in 2017 indicates he is eager for sanctions relief to build his economy and the international legitimacy the summit with Trump would provide. But there's also skepticism whether Kim will ever agree to fully relinquish his nuclear arsenal, which he likely sees as his only guarantee of survival. Comments in North Korea's state media indicate Kim sees any meeting with Trump as an arms control negotiation between nuclear states, rather than a process to surrender his nukes. The North has said it will refuse to participate in talks where it would be unilaterally pressured to give up its nukes. Brits may have to pay more for rose wine this summer after prices were pushed up by fears of a shortage in France. The country, which produces 31 per cent of the world's supply, experienced bad weather last year which has cut the harvest by around 12 per cent. On top of the potential shortage, the wine has been growing in popularity, particularly among millennials, reports the Times. Jack Merrylees, from Majestic Wines, said: 'Out-of-season drinking is a factor, with winter drinking sales up by 11 per cent, so you usually go into spring with a buffer of stock from the last year but that has all been drunk through.' Drinkers stocking up for the early May bank holiday have also drained supplies. Brits may have to pay more for rose after bad weather in France last year led to a shortage (file photo) A boom in popularity has seen consumption of the pink drink rise by 31 per cent in just 15 years, with Britons drinking more than 111 million bottles every year. Respect for rose has grown in France where it was previously considered only acceptable to drink on summer holidays. Now the French drink more rose than white, with one in three bottles sold containing a blush wine. Although many have warned prices are set to rise, others have argued the shortage is 'exaggerated'. Philippe Brel, manager of Estandon Vignerons who own vineyards in Provence, told The Local: 'Yes, we had a weak harvest in 2017 but to say there is a "shortage" is over the top.' He added: 'We are of course vigilant and will follow the amount of rose consumed very closely, but for the moment, even in spite of the poor harvest last year, the lights are green. 'I repeat, there is nothing to suggest there will be a rose shortage in France.' Donald Trump Jr. was told by Spanish prosecutors he should be 'concerned' on Friday after they handed over recorded phone calls between a Russian oligarch he met with in 2016 to the FBI Donald Trump Jr. has been told he should be 'concerned' that the FBI has obtained wiretapped conversations involving Alexander Torshin, a Kremlin-linked banker who tried to set up a 'backdoor' meeting between the president and Putin during the 2016 NRA convention. The calls were between Torshin, who met Don Jr. in 2016, and Alexander Romanov, a Russian money launderer who has long been the target of an investigation by Spanish prosecutors. It is not known when they were recorded or even what the pair discussed but they were originally obtained by Spanish police as part of their ongoing pursuit of Romanov for money laundering and organized crime. The FBI requested them 'several' months ago and Spanish prosecutors complied, giving a strong indicator that Torshin is part of the special investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election as has long been suspected. On Friday, Spanish prosecutor Jose Grinda confirmed that he had received a request from bureau agents to turn the tapes over and that Trump Jr., who ended up meeting Torshin briefly in 2016 despite the Trump campaign rejecting his earlier requests for private meetings, should be 'concerned'. In the calls, Romanov called Torshin the 'Godfather' but what else they discussed or when the conversations took place remains unclear. In May 2016, Torshin tried to set up a meeting between Putin and Donald Trump and billed it to Trump campaign aides as a 'backdoor overture and dinner invitation' at the NRA convention which was taking place in Louisville, Kentucky, weeks later. The calls were between Alexander Torshin, a former Kremlin legislator and now an official at a Russian central bank (left) and Alexander Romanov, a known money launderer (right) Torshin has long been trying to penetrate the Republican party and regularly travels to the US with his gun-loving assistant Maria Butina (seen with him above in Washington in 2017) to court conservative groups and politicians Jared Kushner rejected it, according to a New York Times report in November, telling his campaign colleagues to 'be careful'. Torshin attended anyway with his assistant Maria Butina. He ended up meeting Donald Trump Jr. briefly at a separate event the same week where the pair spoke for 'two or three minutes', mostly about their shared passion for guns, according to people who were there. There is no proof that he sat down with anyone else from the Trump campaign aside from this one encounter and his proven connection to them stops there. Butina is pictured at the 2015 NRA convention. Senate Democrats say they have proof Russians were funneling money through the NRA to support Trump's campaign However, the FBI's interest in the calls may be sign of suspicion over what money, if any, Torshin or any other Russian gave the NRA in the run-up to Trump's campaign. It has been claimed by Senate Democrats that he funneled money into the NRA and in turn bolstered Trump's campaign. The NRA has insisted that Torshin only ever paid his membership fees but admitted previously to taking roughly $2,500 in contributions from Russian-linked contributors. Torshin is on a list of oligarchs who have been sanctioned by the Treasury Department. In banning him, they said it was proven that he had been trying to influence the American political system for years, since long before Trump announced his campaign, and that he was trying to act on Putin's behalf to push his agenda. Spanish police have long been trying to snare him and came close to it in 2013 when they planned to arrest him at a party thrown by Romanov on the island of Mallorca. He never showed up and has evaded them ever since. A Canadian couple have been told their young daughter's sundress is not suitable for pre-school. Jamie and Sadie Stonehouse from Winnipeg sent three-year-old Lola to school in a little sundress complete with spaghetti straps. But The Little Years Nursery School ended up texting the parents about their little girl's outfit telling them she should not wear it to the daycare again. Scroll down for video Three-year-old Lola's sundress was labelled as 'inappropriate' by teachers Lola showed off the dress during a TV interview in Canada but she cannot wear it for school 'They said that her dress was inappropriate for nursery school, and she needed to have two-inch wide straps on her sundress,' said Jamie Stonehouse to CTV. The problem began on Wednesday when temperatures in Winnipeg soared to more than 86F. Lola's mum picked out the light dress from her daughter's closet and thought it looked perfect for the hot weather. But the school were less impressed and staff told the parents that if she wanted to wear the dress again, Lola would need to wear a t-shirt underneath it. The dress, which is pink and orange and has frills going down to the little girl's ankles. The issue, Lola's parents say, is that the shoulder straps weren't thick enough for the preschool's policy. According to the school, the straps need to be at least two inches wide. Dad, Jamie and mom, Sadie hit back at the school's rules and said her daughter will think she has done something wrong Mom, Sadie said: 'She's not going to understand and think she did something wrong.' 'At two inches she might as well just be wearing a shirt,' said Jamie. 'It's covering pretty much her whole shoulder and down a bit, so it's not even a summer dress at that point.' Lola's mom Sadie said the incident has left her feeling upset after struggling to explain to her youngster why she can no longer wear a dress she loves to school anymore. 'She's not going to understand. She's going to think that maybe she did something wrong, when she very much didn't,' said Sadie. 'She's going to be questioning her own body. And that's such a young age to even be thinking of something like that.' Staff at the school said the little girl would have to cover up or wear a shirt with her dress The nursery school director claimed that staff follow a dress code laid out by the local school authority The couple say they plan to stick to the nursery school rules but hope that managers might considering reviewing its policies. 'I don't think any girl should have to worry about how much shoulder she's exposing when she dresses to go to school or anywhere else. At any age,' said Sadie. 'She's a child. Innocence is innocence and we're the only ones who can give it to them,' said husband Jamie. The nursery school director told CTV News that staff follow a dress code laid out by the local school authority. However, a spokesman for the division then said it doesn't have a dress code and that the leaders were supposed to use their personal judgement. In a statement, they said: 'Instead, we believe in allowing our school leaders to use discretion and encourage best practices in a respectful way.' A 95-year-old man believed to be battling dementia has been arrested on suspicion of murdering his carer. Two ambulance crews were scrambled to his first-floor flat in Holloway, north London at around 4am on Thursday after neighbours heard a scream. The 61-year-old female careworker was rushed to hospital with head injuries but could not be saved. The arrest makes the suspect, named locally as Ahmed Seddiki, one of the oldest people ever arrested for murder in the UK. Neighbours said he had to be helped out of his flat in his wheelchair by paramedics and others said he was receiving round-the-clock care before the incident. A 95-year-old man has been arrested after the death of a female careworker in north London today. Police officers were seen scouring a flat on the Ringcross estate in Holloway (pictured) yesterday Mr Seddiki, who neighbours say is frail and uses a walking stick, was taken to hospital as a precaution after being arrested on suspicion of murder. The four-storey block of flats on an estate near Holloway Road, north London was clear of police today. Mr Seddiki is understood to live at the address with his wife, Fatima, but it is not clear how she is. A neighbour said: 'They are a really nice family. They have a daughter and a son too. 'I have seen ambulances coming here nearly every day for the past year. Mr Seddiki is in a wheelchair. 'Paramedics had to help him out of the flat. The woman, who has lived in the flat below the Seddiki's since 2007, said that the elderly gentleman had stopped being able to recognise her recently. She said: 'He forgot who I was. He's suffering with dementia, I think. He was the nicest man - I can't believe the police arrested him.' Another neighbour said: 'He was getting 24-hour care, there was an older black lady who came in to look after him in the evenings.' One resident putting out her rubbish said she had seen forensics in 'grey suits' entering the flat on Thursday afternoon. 'A policeman told me it was an accident', she said. Another neighbour said Mr Seddiki and his wife Fatima had two carers looking after them in the evenings. It is believed the other carer called an ambulance for the victim and stayed with Mr Seddiki and his wife, thought to be 91, until police came and arrested the nonagenarian. The neighbour, known as Sonia, said: 'She was a beautiful human being. 'Bless her soul, she loved her job and was so good at it. 'We chatted about all things like holidays and how she kept healthy because she looked so great.' Police officers are pictured entering the flat where the woman is believed to have been injured It is believed Mr Seddiki had become housebound over the last few years and had to be transported in a wheelchair. His wife Fatima had been housebound for a 'longer time' say neighbours. Another neighbour said: 'I haven't seen the wife in years. 'I used to help the husband with his shopping but he doesn't get out the house anymore. The Metropolitan Police said he was granted bail but will remain in hospital until he is moved to somewhere 'his complex health and care needs can be managed'. A neighbour who has been living in the 95-year-old's block of flats in Holloway for 10 years said he was rarely seen outside his home since he and his wife fell ill. The woman, who did not want to be named, said another neighbour told her of hearing a scream in the early hours of Thursday morning. She said the elderly man would normally have a carer looking after him and he was occasionally visited by family members. 'It's a surprise. They are a very good family,' she said. 'I don't know what's happened. I was coming home from work and saw police upstairs. 'Another neighbour heard a scream at about 4am, but I didn't.' Councillor Richard Watts, leader of Islington Council, said: 'We are devastated to hear of the death of a carer in Islington. 'Our thoughts are with her family and friends at this desperately sad time.' The woman, 61, worked at London Care's Holloway branch in Seven Sisters Road, north London The woman worked for London Care's Holloway branch in Seven Sisters Road, Islington. The firm has confirmed it has launched its own investigation but would not comment further. A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: 'A murder investigation has been launched after a woman died from head injuries following an incident in Islington. 'Police were called at approximately 7.10am on Thursday, May 24 to a north London hospital where a 61-year-old woman was admitted suffering from head injuries. 'She died in hospital at 10.57am on Friday, May 25. Her next of kin have been informed. A post-mortem examination will take place in due course. 'At this early stage it is believed that her injuries were sustained at a residential address in Islington where she was working as a carer. 'A 95-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder. 'He has been taken to hospital as a precaution due to a pre-existing condition where he will remain pending transfer to a location where his complex health and care needs can be managed. Police have bailed him while inquiries continue.' Detectives from the CID based at the Central North Command Unit investigate. Officers are not seeking any other persons in connection with this investigation. Anyone with information relating to this incident is requested to call police on 101. You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Paul Holes was on the ' My Favorite Murder' this week and shared what gave the 'biggest impression' when looking around suspect Jospeh DeAngelo's home The cold-case criminologist who first identified the Golden State Killer suspect Joseph DeAngelo just released a chilling detail about what he saw in the man's bedroom. Paul Holes appeared on the 'My Favorite Murder' podcast this week and shared what gave the 'biggest impression' when he was looking around DeAngelo's bedroom. The criminologist claimed that the killer would turn on the television, only to turn the sound off and place a towel over the screen 'so he would have this glow, so he could see her.' '(I) walk into DeAngelo's room, and he has a computer there, and he's got a towel over the monitor,' Holes added, New York Daily News reports. Holes revealed, beforehand, that the East Area Rapist was known to bind his female victims and place them in front of TVs. The criminologist claimed that the killer would turn on the television, only to turn the sound off and place a towel over the screen 'so he would have this glow, so he could see her' (pictured is the home of Sharron Huddle's, a victim of DeAngelo) Jewelry, cuff links and necklaces with heart-shaped pendants were trinkets the Golden State Killer liked to take from his victim's home 'I'm looking at that going, 'Is that just a dust cover? Or is he reminiscing (and) he wants a glow, you know?'' Holes said. 'Is he pulling out any of those souvenirs and replicating the glowing environment from back in the 1970s?' Jewelry, cuff links and necklaces with heart-shaped pendants were trinkets the Golden State Killer liked to take from his victim's home. They were found inside his. DeAngelo, 72, an ex-cop who went on to work in a grocery warehouse for nearly three decades, was arrested last month. Also taken from the home scene were ski masks believed to be worn during most of the encounters A women's ring recovered from the scene believed to be a family heirloom Police take bags of evidence from the suspect's home He is believed to be responsible for at least 12 murders and more than 50 rapes in California between 1975 and 1986. Investigators said he gained access to the homes by prying open a window or door while the victims slept. He would then shine a light in the face of his victims and tie up the female victim. If a male victim was present, the Golden State Killer would tie him up as well before ransacking the home and raping the female victim. Now divorced and recently retired, he was quietly living in a single-story home in the Sacramento suburb of Citrus Heights until Tuesday's arrest. Police have now finished combing through the beige-colored house, removing boxes of evidence, guns, cars a motorcycle and a boat, among other items. Police have now finished combing through the beige-colored house, removing boxes of evidence, guns, cars a motorcycle and a boat, among other items DeAngelo is believed to be responsible for at least 12 murders and more than 50 rapes in California between 1975 and 1986. Holes claimed that DeAngelo was extremely uncooperative while being investigated after his arrest. 'I watched seven hours-worth of the interviews, and I just don't see him talking,' Holes said. DeAngelo, 72, an ex-cop who went on to work in a grocery warehouse for nearly three decades, was arrested last month 'He's a psychological sadist,' he said. 'His big thing was the fear he was instilling in the victims.' DeAngelo was nabbed after police matched DNA from items he discarded with samples found at his many crime scenes. They used a sample from an Internet genealogy site submitted by a distant relative to narrow their search to him, according to the Sacramento Bee. Sacramento County Chief Deputy Attorney Steve Grippi told the paper they compared crime scene DNA to online 'open-source' profiles until they found the relative. After months of comparisons, cops finally narrowed the DNA down to DeAngelo on Thursday last week and began surveilling him and on Friday got a sample from an item he discarded. They sent the sample to the county crime lab which found 'overwhelming evidence' that after 44 years they had finally got their man. DeAngelo was first hit with two murder charges for the 1978 deaths of Brian Maggiore and his wife Katie, who are believed to be the Golden State Killer's first murder victims. Rhonda Wicht, 24, and her four-year-old son Donald, were killed in 1978 The identity of the Golden State Killer has finally been revealed. Pictured are combination images the FBI released of sketches of the East Area Rapist/Golden State Killer before his capture He was later also charged with the murders of Lyman and Charlene Smith who were found dead in their home by their 12-year-old son in 1980. Investigators said DeAngelo has three adult daughters. An old wedding announcement says he married Sharon Marie Huddle in 1973, according to the Sacramento Bee. They are now divorced. An old newspaper article states that DeAngelo was a police officer in Auburn, and was eventually fired in 1979 for shoplifting from a Sacramento drug store. Auburn City Manager Jack Sausser said at the time that DeAngelo failed to answer any of the city's investigations and there 'was justifiable grounds to remove him from the public sector'. Another old newspaper article said DeAngelo was in the Navy and served aboard the USS Canberra, a Baltimore-class cruiser. He left the navy in 1967. A former bikini model has spent just one day in prison after being caught hiding a bag of ice inside her shorts during a drug sting last year. Asher Ruth DeRouffignac had her 23 month sentence for supply and possession of meth suspended on Friday because she had a high chance of rehabilitation, the Supreme Court in Darwin heard. The 29-year-old avoided jail after pleading guilty last month to trafficking 17.5 grams of meth and possessing drugs in the northern suburb of Malak in August. Asher DeRouffignac (pictured) spent just one day in prison after being caught hiding a bag of ice inside her shorts during a drug sting last year The court heard the mother-of-one was identified by police after they recorded her discussing drug deals to a friend inside a car, whose phone had been tapped by police. As an officer approached her, she put a clip-seal bag containing ice down the front of her pants, where it stayed until she later moved it to her mouth. She refused to spit the bag out but eventually did, before admitting to buying and selling the drugs for the main target of the investigation. Chief Justice Michael Grant said on Friday the woman had 'not been able to control her impulsiveness until recently' but had 'taken steps to change her ways', NT News reported. The court heard the mother-of-one (pictured) was identified by police after they recorded her discussing drug deals to a friend inside a car, whose phone had been tapped by police Chief Justice Michael Grant said in court (pictured) Friday the woman had 'not been able to control her impulsiveness until recently' but had 'taken steps to change her ways' 'You've been given such a sentencing disposition because I believe that despite your criminal history you can be successful on probation in the community,' he said. 'If you comply with the conditions of your suspended sentence there's some prospect of you successfully completing your period of rehab.' Justice Grant added DeRouffignac should adhere to her strict bail conditions otherwise face potential jail time. 'Steps that you've already taken demonstrate that you want to turn you life around and lead a lawful existence,' he said. Justice Grant added DeRouffignac (pictured) should adhere to her strict bail conditions otherwise face potential jail time 'However you need to very clearly understand that the conditions I have imposed on you are to be very strictly enforced.' De Rouffignac once modelled for the Sunday Territorian. In 2011, she told the publication of her dream to travel. 'There's an endless list of places I want to see,' she said. 'Now I'm getting older I've got to grab the bull by the horns.' A woman whose husband was a passenger on flight MH370 has vowed to become the Malaysian Government's 'worst nightmare' if it stops looking for the plane. Australian woman Danica Weeks lost her husband Paul when flight MH370 vanished in 2014. Mrs Weeks said now was not the time for 'closure' as the Malaysian Government suggested, but instead time for the truth, Perth Now reported. Danica Weeks (right) lost her husband Paul (left) when flight MH370 vanished four years ago Malaysian Transport Minister Anthony Loke said on Thursday it was time to end the search for the plane and start moving towards closure. However Mrs Weeks said the Malaysian Government had an 'international responsibility' to help locate the missing plane. 'The International Civil Aviation Organisation ought to bring pressure to bear on Malaysia to honour its responsibilities,' she said. This past Thursday Malaysian Transport Minister Anthony Loke told ABC's South-East Asia correspondent Adam Harvey it was time to end the search for the plane and start moving towards closure (stock image) Mrs Weeks (with husband Paul) said she wanted to meet with Australian officials to ensure the search for the plane continued Mrs Weeks said she wanted to meet with Australian officials to ensure there was enough pressure on the Malaysian Government to do the right thing. 'I am seeking a meeting with the Foreign Minister Julie Bishop to see what can be done.' Mrs Weeks said she hoped private wreck hunters would join the search for MH370 including David Mearns, who famously located HMAS Sydney. Michael Avenatti's estranged wife labeled the famed lawyer 'emotionally abusive', 'hot-tempered' and 'angry and vindictive' in court documents last year, it has been revealed. Avenatti, who represents Stormy Daniels, is in the process of divorcing his wife of seven years, Lisa Storie. The pair began proceedings in November, when Storie filed in Los Angeles before having her petition dismissed. It was later moved to a court in Orange County and Avenatti was the one who filed the papers. In one document which was obtained by Fox News this week, Storie described an incident at their $17million home where she said her ex-husband became 'verbally aggressive'. She has since retracted her description of him and said the pair are trying to divorce civilly and in private. She said there had never been any form of abuse - physical, emotional or verbal - between them and described him as a 'good man' of whom she has never been afraid. Avenatti has also told DailyMail.com that he never abused his wife, the mother of his son, in any way. The court document reads: '[Avenatti] is hot tempered and used to having his way when he doesn't he gets extremely loud and verbally aggressive. ' Lisa Storie (left) is Michael Avenatti's estranged, 47-year-old wife. She said in court documents that Avenatti is 'verbally aggressive' and 'emotionally abusive' It goes on to describe an incident on December 17 when he arrived at their home to find Storie had changed the locks on their home. 'I offered for him to be with [their son] for 9am to 7pm with a nanny present. He took umbrage with the request, showed up with his 15-year-old daughter and demanded access to the house...he immediately started yelling at me,' she said in the documents. In her statement this week - after telling Fox News that she was frustrated that their divorce had not yet been finalized - Storie painted her estranged husband differently. 'Michael has in the past been a loving and caring husband and is a loving and caring father. I never called the police because I was never threatened with harm. I never sought to have him excluded from our home because I felt threatened or feared for my safety or that of my son. 'Further, he has paid all child support and spousal support. He is a good man. Storie added that journalists were trying to 'harm him' with a 'defamatory story that has no basis in reality'. Avenatti told DailyMail.com last week: 'There was never any abuse, alleged or otherwise, by me in my relationship with my wife.' 'There are a host of things that I could disclose relating to Lisa, her habits and the circumstances around her filing but I will decline to do so at this time as she is the mother to my son and I do not think it is appropriate to malign her,' he added. Last week, Storie told Fox News: 'I need to be divorced and if [Michael Avenatti] continues to paint the narrative, he can ignore our case! Everyone reports we are divorced. That does not help my goal to get a divorce. The narrative she was referring to was her ex's ongoing pursuit of President Trump and Michael Cohen on behalf of Daniels who says she slept with Trump in 2006 and who took $130,000 from his attorney to keep quiet about it before the election. Avenatti has led a media campaign on her behalf and is dogged about keeping his case in the headlines. It has cast a long shadow over his ongoing divorce from Storie, 47, who lives Newport Beach, California. Avenatti filed for divorce himself in December in Orange County. Their next court date is in July. So far, she has changed lawyers once. Last week, he told DailyMail.com his wife's claims were 'ridiculous', saying: 'Nothing has been delayed.' His wife previously filed in Los Angeles but the case was dismissed in November. Her reasons are unknown but on Friday she demanded: 'Tell me where our money and his time has been spent.' Storie said she would be 'happy' for her husband to move on with a 'nice woman' like Christie Brinkley, who he was tangibly linked to, but threw shade on his famous, Trump-bashing client. Storie is the founder of the swimwear line Ikaria Resortwear, a celebrity-adored clothing line. She is running a loss on the business and has personal expenses of $25,000-a-month, according to their divorce records Michael Avenatti, his estranged wife claims, is 'painting the narrative' of his case on behalf of porn star Stormy Daniels. His ex says porn stars are not his type and there is nothing going on between the pair but she will not reveal the reason for their divorce 'I'd be more than happy if he dated a nice woman. 'Better than porn stars,' she said, hastily adding that there was nothing romantic between her husband and Daniels. 'Porn star is not his type if that's what you want to know. No story here except what you see on TV,' she added. Since Avenatti filed in December, the pair have been batting back and forth in court and the fight has laid their extravagant lifestyle bare. The street view of Avenatti's home in Newport Beach is shown with his Mercedes G Wagon. It backs onto a lake. According to real estate records, it sold at the start of the month for $17million Storie is Avenatti's second wife. They married in 2011 before she founded her resortwear line Storie will not say what prompted her to change the locks on their home and throw her husband out last year In previous court documents, it was claimed that he spends $40,000-a-month on Ferrari Spyder, Mercedes G Wagon, a private plane and its pilot, and trips to a MedSpa where he spends $1,000. The pair lived together in Via Lido Nord, Newport Beach, in a sprawling, waterfront home which sold at the start of the month for $17.25million. Beforehand, they were paying $100,000 a month to keep it and $14,000 a month for an apartment in Los Angeles, the court papers reveal. Storie also spends thousands a month at a MedSpa, the documents claimed. Her business, Ikaria Resortwear, is making a loss despite being adored by reality TV stars and Instagram stars. Storie's personal expenses total $25,000 a month and include cash for shopping, gifts and socializing, along with $12,000 a month on nannies for their three-year-old son. At an event for her swimwear line in October last year, she proudly sported her large engagement and wedding rings. There, she posed with former Real Housewives of Miami stars to have her photograph taken. Veteran TV presenter Ray Martin has come under fire for dropping the N-word twice during SBS's broadcasting of the royal wedding. Martin was co-hosting the public broadcasters free-to-air coverage of the royal wedding on Saturday night with Ms Myf Warhurst and Joel Creasey when the gaffe happened. He was discussing with his co-hosts how far the Royal Family's attitudes towards race has changed for the better when he used the N-word not once, but twice. Ray Martin (pictured) has come under fire for using the N word twice while presenting SBS's coverage of the royal wedding Viewers took to twitter to express outrage over Martin's use of the word Martin used the slur while telling a historical anecdote about Prince Philip. He attempted to point out how the wedding of Prince Harry to Meghan Markle, who has African heritage, symbolised a shift in attitudes towards race. His comments were removed from the recorded version of the program, which can be watched on SBS On Demand, following an 'editorial judgement,' The Sydney Morning Herald reported. Taking to social media, users also questioned the broadcaster over his decision to call the cellist, Sheku Kanneh-Mason, a 'black boy' during the coverage. In a statement to Fairfax an SBS spokeswoman said the discussion about Prince Philip's use of the word: 'highlighted the positive cultural changes that have occurred, with the commentary that immediately followed from both presenters indicating that these terms are unacceptable.' She said the broadcast had not received any formal complaints and said Martin was using the term 'within its reported historical context.' Prince Phillip has been known to have made a few high profile gaffes in recent years. In 2003 Prince Phillip told the President of Nigeria, while he was dressed in traditional robes, 'You look like you're ready for bed.' On a tour of Australia in 2002 The Prince asked Aboriginal Elder William Brin in Queensland, 'Do you still throw spears at each other?' The recent change in data protection laws has sparked chaos for the Church of England, with vicars fearing they will no longer be able to pray for the sick. On Friday the General Data Protection Regulation, or GDPR, came into force across the EU in a bid to crackdown on the unethical use of personal data. But the new regulations have triggered mass confusion, particularly among small businesses, charities and religious organisations who don't fully understand the rules. The Church of England expressed concerns they will no longer be able to pray for the sick when they can't attend church. The GDPR has sparked chaos for the Church of England with vicars fearing they can no longer pray for the sick in their absence Although church leaders have been told they can exercise their own 'pastoral judgement', they have been warned against telling their congregations if parishioners are ill without their consent. This week Marcus Walker, the rector of Great St Bartholomew in central London, tweeted: 'We've been told we can't pray for anyone who hasn't given their personal consent, which is just ridiculous.' There was outrage on social media, with people slamming the new data protection rules as 'ludicrous'. But a spokesman for the Diocese of London sought to clarify the situation. They told The Telegraph: 'There is no obstacle, under the GDPR, to spoken prayers in church 'As the national guidelines say, where personal data (such as information about health) is going to be recorded and published, such as on a church website or in a newsletter, it is good practice to ask the person concerned whether they're happy for that to happen. 'In sensitive situations in which somebody is highly likely to be unhappy about having their name and/or other information shared, we do warmly advise seeking their agreement, and refraining from sharing their information in print where consent can't be obtained.' Marcus Walker, the rector at Great St Bartholomew in London (pictured), slammed the situation as 'ridiculous' The spokesman said churches should strive to get consent before publishing the fact a member of the congregation is ill in a community newsletter. Mr Walker took to Twitter to express his relief, saying: 'Very glad to have had clear guidance from the @dioceseoflondon that our practice of publicly praying for those who have been added to our prayer board can continue. 'Common sense and pastoral sensitivity are the governing principles' - and so they should be!' The General Data Protection Regulation has been created over the course of four years in order to strengthen data protection in an era in which people are continuously giving social media websites permissions to use their personal information in exchange for 'free' services. GDPR will be replacing the Data Protection Act 1998, which itself was brought into law so that the 1995 EU Data Protection Directive could be implemented and give people more control over how organisations use data. The regulation also introduced penalties for those who do not comply with the new rules and in turn, suffer from data breaches. It also standardised all data laws across the European Union. A significant change in the new regulation is that if companies fail to provide adequate security to protect data, they could be fined heavily under GDPR. When a data breach occurs, the people who are at risk of being affected must be told within 72 hours of the company being aware of it. Those who do not meet this deadline could face a penalty of two per cent of their annual worldwide revenue, or 10 million (8.7m), whichever is higher. Then, the data protection authority should be contacted and in the UK, this means the Information Commissioner's Office, or the ICO. The authority should be given information about the nature of data breach, how many people have been affected, what the consequences could be and what measures have been actioned. If people's rights are ignored, the fine could reach up to 20 million (17m) or four per cent of your global annual turnover, whichever is higher. A music teacher accused of touching a six-year-old girl's bottom and upper leg with his groin allegedly confessed in a series of text messages sent to the girls father. Oscar Ahn, 21, from Sydney's north-west, was employed by a day care centre to teach young children how to play the violin when he allegedly touched the young girl inappropriately on a weekly basis, for months. Ahn's alleged predatory behaviour was exposed during an altercation with the girl's parents at a Costco outlet, a Sydney court heard on Saturday. Oscar Ahn, (pictured) 21, from Sydney's north-west, was employed by a day care centre when the alleged predatory behaviour begun The girl and her mother ran into the violin teacher at the store and when the girl's mother told her to say hello to Ahn, she 'drew back towards her mother like she was frightened,' and said 'he touched me,' court documents revealed. Afterwards the music teacher allegedly confessed his alleged guilt to the girl's father in a series of text messages, 9News reported. 'I didn't think about how a child would feel, how scared they would have been and must have been so frightened to come to the lesson,' he said. 'I really feel that my actions were very wrong and I regret it so much.' Ahn handed himself in at Redfern Police Station yesterday and allegedly told officers if the Costco interaction had not happened his alleged offending would have continued, the court heard. Ahn has been charged with 20 counts of indecent assault of a person under the age of 16. Ahn (pictured) allegedly confessed his alleged guilt to the girl's father in a series of text messages Allegedly Ahn made the confession of guilt after seeing his alleged victim in Costco Greg Meakin, (pictured) Ahns lawyer, said it was disappointing that his client was refused bail Ahn was denied bail when he appeared at Parramatta Court on Saturday. Ahn's father attended the hearing in Sydney afterwhich he planned to take him back to Victoria to see a physiologist. Greg Meakin, Ahns lawyer, said it was disappointing his client was refused bail. He is set to appear in court again next month. The investigation is ongoing. A 14-year-old school boy who suffered critical head and neck injuries while on school camp has opened his eyes for the first time since the accident. Connor Petterson, a grade 9 student from Marist College Ashgrove, was scaling a high ropes course in the Sunshine Coast hinterland on Wednesday when he became tangled and fell. He was knocked unconscious and airlifted to the Lady Cilento Children's Hospital's intensive care unit, where he was treated for serious injuries, 9 News reported. Connor Petterson, 14, (pictured) have opened his eyes for the first time since a near fatal accident while scaling a high ropes course at school camp Workplace Health and Safety Queensland officers have attended the camp over the past days to continue their investigations into the accident Today the school released a statement saying the school boy had finally opened his eyes. 'It is with a profound sense of joy that we inform you that Year 9 student, Connor Petterson, has received the 'all clear' after an MRI last night,' the statement read. 'Mr and Mrs Petterson have been overwhelmed with your prayers and support but ask that you please continue to pray for all people in ICUs.' He was unconscious from the accident and airlifted to the Lady Cilento Children's Hospital's intensive care unit with serious injuries Adventure Alternatives managing director Todd Samorowski defended his company's professionalism and safety Adventure Alternatives managing director Todd Samorowski defended his company's professionalism and safety after Connor Petterson, 14, became entangled in high ropes at Stanmore, north of Brisbane. 'This was an unforeseen incident,' Mr Samorowski said in a statement on Thursday. 'It had nothing to do with the misuse or failure of any safety equipment, instructional or participant error.' Workplace Health and Safety Queensland officers have attended the camp over the past days to continue their investigations into the accident. Sebastian Joyce is only six weeks old but the son of former deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce and Vikki Campion is set to pocket $150,000 from his first on-air interview. Mr Joyce, who urged the media to 'move on' in an unpaid interview with Fairfax in February and appealed for privacy, has had an apparent change of heart and agreed to sell the story of his relationship to the Seven Network. The proceeds of the anticipated exclusive sit-down interview will be passed on to their son, the Sunday Telegraph reported. Sebastian Joyce is only six weeks old but the son of former deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce (right) and Vikki Campion (left) is set to pocket $150,000 from his first on-air interview Speculation had circulated over Mr Joyce's increasing financial costs after his pay was reduced by more than $200,000 a year - from $416,000 to $203,030 when he resigned from the role and returned to the backbench. However, an industry insider told The Telegraph the money had gone into a trust fund for Sebastian 'to be independently administered at a future date'. 'Lawyers ultimately get to decide if it should be accessed for the child's education or if it will go to the child as a lump sum when he gets to 18 or possibly older,' the insider said. 'The baby's parents have no say in it and cannot access it.' Mr Joyce, who urged the media to 'move on' in an unpaid interview with Fairfax in February and appealed for privacy, has had an apparent change of heart and agreed to sell the story of his relationship to the Seven Network However, not all members of government have been impressed with Mr Joyce's actions following Ms Campion's pregnancy in February and Mr Joyce's subsequent resignation. 'It makes you wonder whether he is even interested in the Government doing well. He is unbelievable,' a frontbencher said. Mr Joyce will still have to declare the proceeds of the interview on the parliamentary register of members' interests, as any income of dependants must be disclosed. Mr Joyce and Ms Campion were reportedly directly involved in the bidding negotiations and did not use an agent to negotiate the deal, network sources and insiders have claimed. The new parents made headlines when it was revealed Mr Joyce was expecting a baby with a former staffer months after he announced a split from his wife and mother-of-four children. The couple welcomed their baby boy on April 16 after the relationship went public in February, but have kept their son out of the public eye since. Mr Joyce and Ms Campion (pictured) will still have to declare the proceeds of the interview on the parliamentary register of members' interests, as any income of dependants must be disclosed Police are searching for a missing seven-year-old boy, who has not been seen since 8am today. Their investigation was launched after Nathan Ross vanished from his home in the Dalneigh area of Inverness, Scotland. Nathan Ross, seven, has been missing since 8am today (Saturday), sparking a search by police officers in Scotland Police Scotland said the boy was thought to be in the company of his mother's partner, 39-year-old Clive Topping. The boy is thought to be with Clive Topping, said Police Scotland Officers, who have appealed for information on their whereabouts, said: 'It must be stressed that at this time there are no suspicious circumstances. 'However, police have been unable to trace either party.' Nathan is said to be 4ft tall, with a slim build and short brown/red hair. He also has a bottom front tooth missing. The boy normally wears jogging bottoms, although it is not known what he was wearing when he went missing. Mr Topping is said to be 5ft 4in, of slim build, with receding fair hair. Police have asked anyone with information to contact them on 101. Gursoch Kaur, 20, graduated from the New York Police Academy this month An Indian American, 20, has become the first turban-wearing Sikh woman in the New York Police Department. Gursoch Kaur, from Queens, New York, graduated from the police Academy earlier this month. There are currently about 190 Sikh police officers in NYPD, 10 of whom are women. But since turbans were first allowed to be worn by recruits in December 2016, Kaur is the first woman to do so. 'I feel blessed,' Kaur told Desi Talk. 'People haven't seen anything like that. It's great because it gives me an opportunity to tell them what's behind the turban, educate them. That's how we love one another,' she added. Kaur said that she hopes her presence on the force can bring visibility to the Sikh community and will help locals learn more about her culture. The Sikh Officers Association of NYC tweeted a photo of Kaur and its board members at the graduation ceremony on May 16. 'We are proud to welcome first #SikhTurbaned female Auxiliary Police Officer in the @NYPDnews. APO Gursoach Kaur and other Auxiliary Police Officers graduated from the Academy. We are proud of you. Stay safe. #sikhsinlawenforcement,' the tweet said. The Sikh Officers Association of NYC tweeted a photo of Kaur and its board members at her graduation ceremony that made her the first turban-wearing female officer Kaur is also in her second year at Nassau Community College where she studies accounting. She is currently an auxiliary officer and hopes to become a full-pledged police officer in the NYPD. However, she is already hitting the pavement and policing the streets. 'We are the eyes and ears of the community,' she told Desi Talk. 'I go on parades, am controlling traffic, making sure everybody is safe.' Kaur said she enjoys being asked about her culture by community members and teaching them about her culture. She displays the policing symbol in the front of her blue turban - something that was just allowed in 2016 after a long struggle by the Sikh community. 'Auxiliary Police Officer Kaur's accomplishment by joining NYPD Auxiliary has been ground breaking. She will be joining the largest Auxiliary Police Program in the United States. Delare Rathour, NYPD officer and vice president of the Sikh Officers Association, told HuffPost. 'Officer Kaur will make all Sikhs around the world proud! By the community seeing officer Kaur wearing a turban and in uniform they will feel nothing but pride, seeing one of their own serving her community,' Rathour added. Kaur said her parents are proud as well as overwhelmed with the support they are getting for their daughter's accomplishment. Female Sikhs do not traditionally wear the turban, but more and more women are turning to the head wear as a way to clearly identify their faith and better reflect the appearance of the Gurus. Doris Jakobs, a professor in religious studies at the Waterloo University in Canada, told BBC more younger women who were living outside their traditional homeland of Punjab in India had adopted the turban. 'It's a sign of religiosity in which some Sikh women are no longer content with just wearing a chuni (headscarf),' she said. 'Wearing a turban is so clearly identifiable with being Sikh and so women now also want that clear visual sign that they are also Sikh as well. It's a play on the egalitarian principle of Sikhism.' The discovery of a USB, that contained Islamic State material on it, in the Goulburn Correctional cell of notorious terrorist Bassam Hamzy has forced the NSW government to close a loop hole allowing prisoners to keep terrorist propaganda. The legal loop hole allowed prisoners to posses and view extremist materials if it formed part of the evidence in their legal case. Authorities are now concerned that aside from the implications of jihadist prisoners viewing such items, they would also be able to use it to radicalise other inmates,The Daily Telegraph has reported. Bassam Hamzy (pictured) was legally allowed to have the USB as part of his legal case Under amendments introduced into state parliament this week prisoners will only be allowed to view such material when in the presence of their lawyer. The USB that sparked the concern was found in Hamzy's, who is the founder of Brothers 4 Life, cell last year by prison officials. At the time prison authorities were conducting a targeted search of his cell for a mobile phone. The flash drive had been registered as containing material relating to his legal case but officers were concerned about the content on the device. 'The USB contained Islamic State material,' a prison source said. Under the amendments, terrorism evidence is defined as anything that advocates support for terrorist and violent extremism. New amendments introduced to NSW parliament will close this loop hole (Goulburn Correctional pictured) Counter Terrorism Minister David Elliott said the new laws would be similar to how accused sex offenders could not possess sensitive evidence. 'NSW has the toughest counter-terrorism laws in the country, including increasing police powers, strengthened bail laws, stronger parole provisions and the creation of a post-sentence detention scheme for high-risk terrorist offenders,' Mr Elliott said. 'It will now be an offence for an accused person to possess extremist material, similar to the way accused sex offenders cannot possess sensitive evidence, such as photographs of sexual assault victims. 'Having extremist material in a correctional centre inhibits efforts to deradicalise the person, and increases the risk of radicalisation of other inmates.' He said the breaches could attract a two-year jail sentence. A millennial who slammed Gen Y for 'whinging and failing to make even a start' to break into the property market has revealed she receives $200 in pocket money a week from her parents. Melbourne woman Emily Power, 33, revealed she had handed control of her finances over to her parents because she didn't trust herself with money. Her parents had access to her bank account and give her $200 pocket money a week after all major expenses are paid. Author Emily Power (pictured) says Gen Y need to stop trying to be like their parents because they will never likely make money from real estate in the manner of Baby Boomers The property journalist outlined her plan in a column written inn 2016 titled 'I am 33 and my parents give me pocket money'. Ms Power said she was surprised to receive negative feedback to the column. 'Some people called me a twit, I got trolled online. I wouldn't call it abusive, but I was shocked by the strength of the negativity, she told The Daily Telegraph. 'I think people were appalled that somebody who was working in the public eye, and who was a young woman of an age I could be married and have children, wasn't able to handle her finances and needed her parents. Ms Power says although the younger generation has been slammed for indulging in smashed avocado on toast instead of focusing on saving for a house deposit, she believes the real reason home ownership is becoming unattainable is because Gen Y are simply 'whinging and failing to make even a start'. Ms Power knows the difficulty of entering the market firsthand. Until recently she had a crippling debt problem she ran down a $7000 credit card, twice '[They] will never likely make money from real estate in the manner of Baby Boomers, nor we will be able to start off on the property ladder by purchasing the sort of home we grew up in,' she told FEMAIL this week. 'Check your expectations at the door and accept that real estate investment is a long haul,' she said. 'Instead of feeling crushed by prices, embrace buying conservatively and that might mean in a suburb that may not have been high on your wish so you can more than comfortably manage the mortgage (and perhaps pay more than the monthly minimum) and build equity to leverage that into your next purchase.' Ms Power knows the difficulty of entering the market firsthand. Until recently she had a crippling debt problem she ran down a $7000 credit card, twice. One day, late in 2015, she disclosed the extent of her spending problem to her parents and together they came up with a solution her parents would take over control of her salary and give their 33-year-old daughter pocket money. 'Check your expectations at the door and accept that real estate investment is a long haul,' says Ms Power (stock image) 'My mum and dad pass on a few hundred dollars every fortnight from my salary,' she wrote for Domain, which she is now editor of. 'My wages are paid into an account controlled by my parents and from that, they hand me $400 a fortnight to live on.' The article made headlines but more than two years on, she's almost saved $40,000 for a deposit on her first house. She says she doesn't have all the answers to Gen Y's housing problems, but knows that they need to 'walk, talk and act like a buyer, even if they're broke'. 'To afford a home, you might be saving for a deposit at least four-and-a-half years,' she says. 'And that's if you are in a couple. Ms Power advises to find suburbs with railway upgrades, public transport access to the city, money being spent on university campuses and job creation (stock image) 'Single savers have to go without holidays, clothes and barista coffees for much longer to scrape together a suitable deposit for an average-priced property. 'Like an athlete training for an Olympic gold medal, you need to have a specific ambition in order to stay motivated and disciplined for that long,' she adds. Ms Power says even if you have a few dollars in your savings account, it's wise to start chatting to a bank manager about how much you could likely borrow. 'It's a healthy pastime and you'll stay on target with your savings goal,' she says. 'Hand-in-hand with sitting idle and wallowing in defeat is not being a student of the market. Ms Power says even if you have a few dollars in your savings account, it's wise to start chatting to a bank manager about how much you could likely borrow (stock image) 'There are markets within markets in real estate - reading up on the broader 'Melbourne market' isn't an indicator necessarily of what, at a granular level, is happening price wise in a suburb you have your eye on, and you may have written off an area you thought you could not afford by failing to understand what opportunities exist.' She says the suburbs Gen Y should be looking to buy in might not be that obvious. 'In all capital cities, instead of always following the aroma of roasting beans in an hipster cafe, look also for high-vis vests,' she says. The Domain editor and property expert has written a book, How to Buy a Home (pictured) 'It's not cool and sexy but workman beavering away on infrastructure improvements are an indicator for affordable postcodes with the potential for capital growth (and the potential to rent it out to tenants, in the future, if you decide to keep it as an investment). 'Find suburbs with railway upgrades, public transport access to the city, money being spent on university campuses and job creation. 'The price boom has helped drag up once-humble postcodes, so set your car GPS wide, load up with a coffee (but only one, because you are saving) and spend some time exploring neighbourhoods that you have long been prejudicial against. 'Bridesmaid suburbs are postcodes which are often a second choice, nestled next to happening neighbourhoods with a vibrant lifestyle. But bridesmaid suburbs are blossoming, thanks to the price boom, due to a spillover of buyers who are priced out of red hot suburbs'. The unemployed de facto wife of a bikie president, who claimed to be struggling financially, has been stripped of her luxury house boat worth up to $300,000. The seizure was part of an investigation into the income of Susan Nehme and Nomads national president Sleiman 'Simon' Tajjour, who both receive Government pensions but appear to live lavish lifestyles, Daily Telegraph reported. Moored at Breakfast Point in Sydney's inner west, the boat 'Dream On' and how it came to be owned by Nehme will be a major target of the investigation. Susan Nehme (pictured), the de facto wife of bikie president Sleiman 'Simon' Tajjour, had her $300,000 'Dream On' houseboat seized because authorities believed it was bought illegally The NSW Crime Commission claimed the coupe's possessions, which included a Harley-Davidson and a number of cars, including a Lexus 4WD, plus a recently purchased property in Greystanes, were obtained with fraudulent loans. Police claimed in documents tendered to the NSW Supreme Court Tajjour was on a disability pension, while his partner received a single mothers pension. The mother-of-two has not been charged over ownership of the boat, however authorities were convinced it was obtained through illegal means. She told the court she was unaware the vessel was registered in her name and claimed she had been used as a cover. Nehme's lawyer, Omar Juweinat, revealed she had agreed to give up any rights in relation to the boat. Susan Nehme (right) and Nomads national president Sleiman 'Simon' Tajjour (middle) both receive Government pensions but appeared to live lavish lifestyles, the court heard 'Frankly, she is a vulnerable single mother who was simply used as a front by the true owner,' he said. The boat, worth between $200,000 and $300,000, was transferred to Nehme's name on September 27, 2016 according to RMS records tendered to court. A financial investigator from the Crime Commission made moves to freeze the boat that same day under the suspicion it was part of 'serious crime-related activity'. The couple both pleaded guilty in Burwood Local Court to falsifying loan applications used to buy a house, a Harley-Davidson and cars, including the Lexus. Tajjour was sentenced to six months prison Friday after pleading guilty to lying on two applications, one for $750,000 and another for $580,000, in 2015. Tajjour (right) was sentenced to six months prison Friday after pleading guilty to lying on two applications, one for $750,000 and another for $580,000, in 2015 Nehme pleaded guilty to operating companies, including one called Clodz Electrical, to borrow more than $813,000, from ANZ bank and Macquarie Bank from 2013 to 2015. Court documents revealed Nehme listed her job as the company's directer in an application to buy a 2009 Harley-Davidson, despite not owning a motorbike licence. Macquarie Bank noted 'deception in the application' when Nehme applied for a loan with it in 2015, according to court documents. The Crime Commission case is set to return to court Sunday. The owner of Boots has denied overcharging the NHS for a special pain-relieving mouthwash used by cancer patients. Boots' parent company, whose biggest shareholder is Monaco billionaire Stefano Pessina, often supplies the Health Service with a mouthwash that relieves patients of painful sores left after chemotherapy. The liquid drug is known as a 'special' - an unlicensed medicine bought especially by the NHS to treat patients with particular needs. Because they are so rarely used, suppliers can charge what they like for them. Yesterday it was reported that Boots' umbrella company had charged the NHS 3,220 for the specialist mouthwash, when it can be bought for just 93 elsewhere. Responding to the Times' allegations, Walgreens Boots Alliance categorically denied overcharging. Boots parent company has been accused of exploiting cancer sufferers by overcharging for pain-relieving mouthwash used by chemotherapy patients. File image of Boots used A spokesman told the BBC: 'We firmly reject accusations of overcharging the NHS. 'Our senior company leaders have already recently met with officials from the Department of Health to discuss the specials products.' The allegations were passed to the Competition and Markets Authority, who are now investigating them. A CMA spokesman said today: 'We can confirm we have received a complaint and are considering it.' While an NHS England spokesman said: 'All pharmacies should seek to secure best value in preparing 'specials' for patients.' Specials cost the NHS 75million a year and can be so expensive some patients are told they can't have them. Boots parent company Walgreens Boots Alliance stocks the NHS with the 'special' drug. The company's biggest shareholder is Monaco billionaire businessman Stefano Pessina (pictured with Ornella Barra at a Boots event in New Jersey) Records seen by The Times show a Boots-owned company charged between 3,220 for three 200ml bottles of the special mouthwash for cancer patients in extreme pain. Health documents also show the same amount could be bought from a pharmacy in West Sussex for 93.42. Boots sister company Alliance Healthcare, owned by umbrella company Walgreens Boots Alliance, placed four other orders for the specialist mouthwash in recent years. After the newspaper's findings showed they were all far higher in price than they could have been, Boots was accused of cashing in on a legal loophole and exploiting cancer patients. Steve Brine, health minister, told the paper: 'The British public will take an extremely dim view of any company found to be exploiting our NHS and patients, and we have asked the Competition and Markets Authority to consider investigating as a priority.' Earlier this year Walgreens Boots Alliance was revealed to be charging 1,579 a pot for medically-approved moisturiser that is available for 1.23 elsewhere. The Monaco (pictured) mogul owns the company accused of cashing in on a loophole that allows suppliers to set their own prices for the drugs The company has denied overcharging on both occasions, claiming their pricing adheres to the law. The recent revelations were last night referred to the Competition and Markets authority on the recommendation of the Government. A spokesman for the Walgreen Boots Alliance told MailOnline yesterday: 'We firmly reject accusations of overcharging the NHS. 'As a pharmacy-led organisation, Walgreens Boots Alliance and all its UK-based businesses fully comply with all applicable legal requirements in order to supply the healthcare products and services, including specials, that patients need in a timely manner. 'We are proud to serve our communities across the UK and to be part of the countrys healthcare service. We have a long history of providing dedicated care for cancer patients and supporting cancer charities and cancer research organisations. 'Specials make up an extremely small proportion of the total items dispensed in the UK and are unique, unlicensed prescription items ordered at short notice; they are bespoke and made to address individual patient needs. Walgreen Boots Alliance, who owns Boots (pictured), denies the allegations. But they have been referred to the Competition and Markets Authority 'Specials are therefore made by highly trained technicians in dedicated laboratories in the UK, that source ingredients, produce and quality-check often on the same day, and as a single item. 'This process incurs high overheads, reflected in the final cost, which is set in line with the sector to reflect the bespoke nature of the products. 'Boots UK fulfils prescriptions for specials by ordering and dispensing them to patients as required and specifically detailed on the prescriptions. 'The decision to request a specials prescription rests with medical professionals, like GPs and hospital consultants.' Investigations also found the NHS paid 2,600 for sleeping pills that can be bought for 1 a pack elsewhere. The paper also reports the Health Service paid 3,200 for arthritis medication that can be bought for 1 each elsewhere, as well as 45 for a single pill that costs just 13p at some suppliers. A Massachusetts man is headed to prison for the fatal stabbing of his teenage girlfriend. Nickolas Lacrosse, of Springfield, was sentenced to life without parole Thursday after a jury found him guilty of first-degree murder. Prosecutors say Lacrosse stabbed 17-year-old Kathryn Mauke 32 times in her own home in February 2015 because he was angry she had broken up with him. Nickolas Lacrosse, of Springfield, was sentenced to life without parole Thursday after a jury found him guilty of first-degree murder Prosecutors say Lacrosse stabbed 17-year-old Kathryn Mauke 32 times in her own home in February 2015 because he was angry she had broken up with him 'But 32 blows were necessary to end Kathryn's life,' Assistant District Attorney Mary Sandstrom said in her closing arguments, according to MassLive.com. 'The defendant used a level of severity reserved only for cold-blooded murderers.' 'He wanted her dead. He wanted to make sure of it,' she said. The now-23-year-old Lacrosse previously testified that he didn't intend to kill Mauke but went to her home to get 'clarification' on the break-up. Sandstrom said, 'I would suggest he took just what he needed to murder Kathryn, to end the rejection that in his mind he never deserved. This defendant wasn't going over there for closure, wasn't going over there for clarification.' She added that Mauke had been extremely clear when wanting to end the relationship and had made her feelings known for months. Two defense experts - a neuropsychologist and a psychiatrist - had testified that Lacrosse didn't have the ability to control his actions. They claimed that Lacrosse went into a dissociative state when he did the kiling. 'But 32 blows were necessary to end Kathryn's life,' Assistant District Attorney Mary Sandstrom said in her closing arguments 'The commonwealth would like you to believe that all of a sudden now he's this cool calculated guy,' defense attorney Alan J. Black said 'Going over there with a knife to kill her.' 'Is that a reasonable explanation or did he, quote, lose it?' A lawyer for Lacrosse did not immediately return a call seeking comment. Members of a Hampden Superior Court jury found Lacrosse guilty Wednesday after a trial that lasted about three weeks. A service dog went into labor and delivered eight puppies in the middle of a terminal at Tampa International Airport on Friday. City of Tampa Fire Rescue was on the scene to provide support to the new mother and documented the delivery. Ellie the service dog was accompanying a passenger en route to Philadelphia when her litter decided it was time to make its entrance into the world. Tampa Fire Rescue shared the sweet moments over social media. Scroll down for video A service dog named Ellie, which is short for Eleanor Rigby, went into labor and delivered eight puppies in the middle of a terminal at Tampa International Airport on Friday Ellie's owner was right by her side as the two-year-old Labrador retriever gave birth unexpectedly to a litter of eight, include seven male puppies and one female puppy Plastic and cotton mats were placed on the ground, to give Ellie a sterile surface and protect the carpeting in the terminal 'An air travelers service dog is delivering puppies now,' the department wrote in a post shared on Twitter. 'Were a full-service department!' Photos shared with multiple posts caught a smiling crowd gathered nearby, cheering Ellie the yellow lab on. Ellie's owner was right by her side as the two-year-old Labrador retriever gave birth unexpectedly to a litter of eight, include seven male puppies and one female puppy. Dressed in denim capri pants and a Hawaiian-print shirt, the owner snuggled right up to Ellie to comfort her through the process. Down on the ground right next to seating at one of the gates, the miracle of life unfolded before everyone's eyes. It was quite a scene to take in, too. Plastic and cotton mats were placed on the ground, to give Ellie a sterile surface and protect the carpeting in the terminal. The father to the little ones, named Nugget, was also traveling with the crew and was there for the birth; Nugget is pictured here Down on the ground right next to seating at one of the gates, the miracle of life unfolded Photos shared with multiple posts caught a smiling crowd gathered nearby, cheering Ellie on (From left to right) The owner of the service dog, Paramedic Larry Glanton, an unidentified woman and Lt Natalie Brown smile for the camera after Ellie delivered all eight of the pups The paramedics, Ellie's owner, other air travelers and airport personnel watched and waiting for each of the puppies to join the rest of the brood, over the span of about an hour. Finally, they all made their way into the world, one by one, and got cleaned up on a black and green blanket, before they could snuggle up to their mom. The father to the little ones, named Nugget, was also traveling with the crew and was there for the birth. Lt Natalie Brown of Tampa Fire Rescue carefully handles a puppy in the airport on Friday Ellie's owner kissed her on the snout while she delivered her puppies in the terminal After it was all said and done, the department gave credit where credit was due, tweeting: 'Tampa paramedics do it all! Paramedics Larry Glanton and Lt Natalie Brown teamed up to deliver the eight puppies.' And now, in addition to their human, both Ellie and Nugget have their own little canine family to take care of. Ellie is short for the service dog's full name, which is Eleanor Rigby. An Oregon activist has created a 'Reparations Happy Hour,' asking white people to donate money as a symbolic gesture to be doled out to people of color. 'Reparations Happy Hour' creator Cameron Whitten, 27, of Portland, Oregon, threw the inaugural event on May 21 at local bar Backyard Social. The event's invitation, which was shared on social media, stipulated 'Reparations for black, brown and indigenous people. Paid for by whites folks.' Black, brown and indigenous people attending a 'Reparations Happy Hour' in Oregon were given $10 in 'reparations,' culled from donations made, in part, by white people The 'Reparations Happy Hour' was thrown by local Portland, Oregon, activist group Brown Hope. About 40 people were said to have attended and more than 100 people donated money According to event organizers, $10 cash would be given out to attendees as 'reparations,' paid for in part by the donations of white people who were specifically not invited to attend the happy hour. 'White people can show up and support by GIVING reparations. Instead of physically attending, your presence will be felt through your active financial support for healing, leadership, and community building within Portlands black, brown, and indigenous community,' the event's listing stated. Local activist Cameron Whitten, 27, of Portland, Oregon, is the brains behind the 'Reparations Happy Hour' 'It was only $10, but when I saw them I saw their eyes light up,' Whitten told the New York Times. 'What I saw there was that people felt like they were finally seen.' Forty people attended the happy hour, which was thrown by local activist group, Brown Hope, according to The Oregonian. Whitten also tapped seven white people to help defend the event against any potential interference from alt-right groups in the area. The desire to limit the happy hour's attendees to people of black, brown and indigenous descent was based on the notion of creating an 'intentional' and safe space for them. While $10 might not seem like much in reparations the idea that money should be given to black people for generations of trauma suffered and the continuing impact of slavery it's just meant to be a symbolic gesture. 'How often do we actually recognize and acknowledge someone's suffering? We're so used to being denied any sort of justice that $10 is a respite,' Whitten said. The $10 in reparations were meant to be a symbolic gesture, acknowledging the suffering of people of color, according to the event's creator Interest in May's happy hour has led organizers to plan a second happy hour to be held in June The 'Reparations Happy Hour' was met with skeptical reactions on social media Although the 'Reparations Happy Hour' was warmly received by those who attended, the event was met with skepticism on social media, with people taking umbrage over the seemingly flippant association with the idea of reparations. 'This belittles the whole argument for reparations. Its not a joke or a happy hour. Its a legitimate demand of an oppressed people who were ENSLAVED,' wrote @MsChaunceyKR on Twitter. 'What in special hell,' wrote tweeter @Keedinah. 'Reparations Happy Hour? Really?? How about addressing inequalities in pay, housing and education? You know, something that'll make a meaningful difference. How about stop shooting/arresting us for just going about our business trying to live our best life?' Whitten said that more than 100 people white and non-white people alike donated money for the 'Reparations Happy Hour' and that it would become a regular event. A second happy hour is being planned for June 20 at Portland bakery Back to Eden, where, in early May, a black woman was apparently denied service after closing time, even though bakery employees continued to serve several white people who also entered the establishment after closing. The two employees were since fired. A set of teeth found by the Russians in Berlin in 1945 have turned out to be Hitler's - and in an awful condition. The dental remains picked up by the Soviets after the fall of Nazi Germany had only ever been referred to as the teeth of Patient A H. But after a team of French scientists were allowed to go to Moscow and analyse them, it has been revealed A H stood for Adolf Hitler. Not only did they uncover the fact the German dictator had terrible teeth, they also rubbish conspiracy theories he managed to escape from under the March of the Allies. A set of teeth found by the Russians in Berlin in 1945 have turned out to be Adolf Hitler's (pictured) - and in an awful condition Pictured: The teeth were revealed to be Hitler's after a team of French scientists travelled to Moscow to analyse them The teeth were found with part of a skull outside the Fuhrerbunker in the ruins of Berlin in the final days of the Second World War. This confirms Hitler did commit suicide inside his bunker in Berlin and he didn't miraculously escape to Argentina as some have suggested. The skull remains also show he did not shoot himself in the mouth, as many believe. Philippe Charlier headed up the trip to see the remains and published his findings in the European Journal of Internal Medicine. Mr Charlier said Hitler only had four teeth, because his others had been replaced because of his vegetarianism, acid regurgitation and addiction to medicines. 'The teeth are authentic, there is no possible doubt. Our study proves that Hitler died in 1945,' professor Philippe Charlier told AFP. 'We can stop all the conspiracy theories about Hitler. He did not flee to Argentina in a submarine, he is not in a hidden base in Antarctica or on the dark side of the moon,' Charlier said. He wrote in the journal: 'Previous identification(s) of Nazi leaders and relatives have been published in the biomedical literature, but it has to be said that all the published studies dealing with the authenticity of the remains of Adolf Hitler were carried out without any direct access to the remains, i.e. skull and jaws. On his suicide method, he added: 'The absence of antimony, lead and barium at the surface of dental calculus deposits could be understood as an argument against the hypothesis of an intra-buccal firearm wound at the moment of the suicide of Adolf Hitler.' After they were picked up by Stalin's forces he ordered they be brought back to Moscow. Mr Charlier told The Times: 'For him, the person who had the remains was the winner of the war.' Pippa Middleton and her husband James Matthews were spotted strolling through a park in Paris on Saturday. The Duchess of Cambridge's sister, who is believed to be pregnant, held hands with her husband as they went for a walk in the French capital. The pair were seen wearing casual clothes a week after they attended the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in Windsor. It comes after Pippa stepped out in workout gear in London on Friday apparently en route to the gym. Her-low key ensemble was a far cry from the 495 floral dress she wore to attend Meghan and Harry's Windsor Castle nuptials on Saturday. Pippa Middleton and her husband James Matthews were seen strolling in Paris today Pippa and James Matthews wore casual clothes as they went for a walk in the Paris park Pippa and James both wore sunglasses on a sunny afternoon in Paris on Saturday Pippa wore a loose-fitting pink dress while James was seen in a casual blue shirt and shorts The pair were spotted in France a week after they attended Harry and Meghan's wedding Pippa wore trainers and carried a handbag as she walked through the park in Paris James and Pippa looked relaxed in the sun as they walked hand in hand in Paris The couple, who married last year, held hands on their Saturday walk in the French capital Pippa and James joined other Parisians enjoying the sunshine in the park on Saturday Pippa had her hair down on the weekend walk with her husband in Paris James took a call on his mobile phone as he and Pippa took a stroll in the Paris gardens Advertisement Riots broke out on the streets of Paris as tens of thousands protested against French President Emmanuel Macron's economic reforms that plan to cut 120,000 public service jobs. Seven officers were injured as they tried to stop hooded youths dressed in black with ski masks and balaclavas from destroying a bank on the Place de la Bastille. Dozens of rioters pelted police with bottles and other projectiles at the protest on Saturday, with police responding by firing teargas at the mob. Riots broke out on the streets of Paris as tens of thousands protested against French President Emmanuel Macron's economic reforms Saturday's protests were organised by France's main far left party, the hardline CGT trade union, and about 80 other organisations, hoping they would lead to a groundswell of support against the reforms Forty-three people were arrested, many of whom police said were carrying weapons, and others were held for violent acts including attacks on police. Interior Minister Gerard Collomb earlier said authorities wanted to limit the activity of the ultra-leftwing blocs who attacked police and property during clashes that marred several earlier protests. 'I hope that this parade will be a calm parade, where people can express their opinion. We are in a republican state and those who want to break, loot, even attack the police force, are arrested in a preventive way,' he said. On Tuesday, at least 100 youths, dressed the same as Saturday's rioters, forced their way to the front of another public sector union demonstration in the French capital. Police charged the mob and used tear gas, water cannons, and their batons to isolate them from the peaceful protests, which had to be suspended until the mayhem was under control. Seven officers were injured as they tried to stop hooded youths dressed in black with ski masks and balaclavas from destroying a bank on the Place de la Bastille Union officials and the police gave widely different figures for the turnout. CGT said 80,000 people participated in the protest in Paris, and 250,000 came out nationwide. The police, however, said the protest drew 21,000 in Paris Saturday's protests were organised by France's main far left party, the hardline CGT trade union, and about 80 other organisations, hoping they would lead to a groundswell of support against the reforms. Union officials and the police gave widely different figures for the turnout. CGT said 80,000 people participated in the protest in Paris, and 250,000 came out nationwide. The police, however, said the protest drew 21,000 in Paris. The turnout was lower than the 320,000 during a previous nationwide protest in March. President Macron, 40, who came to power a year-ago promising to push through tough reforms, has shown no sign of surrender so far and on Saturday again vowed to get his policies implemented. 'I won't preside in light of the polls or demonstrations, because we have done too much of that (in the past),' he said on Saturday during a visit to Russia. Forty-three people were arrested, many of whom police said were carrying weapons, and others were held for violent acts including attacks on police Interior Minister Gerard Collomb earlier said authorities wanted to limit the activity of the ultra-leftwing blocs who attacked police and property during clashes that marred several earlier protests Unions have staged several nationwide strikes since the start of the year, while SNCF rail workers have been carrying out rolling strikes on two of every five days of the week since April over plans to reform the company and open it to competition. The unions accuse President Macron, a former investment banker, of wanting to destroy public services - a vital source of employment and a pillar of communal life in many parts of the country. While the CGT took part in Saturday's protests, the two other main unions, the CFDT and FO, did not saying they were too politicised. France has one of the biggest public sectors in Europe relative to the size of its economy. The country has not balanced its budget since the 1970s, leading to a public debt equivalent to nearly 100 percent of GDP. Protesters were expected to hold rallies in at least 160 places across France, CGT Secretary General Philippe Martinez said, adding that President Macron should listen to the growing anger. 'It's a message in defence of public services, which is to say a different conception of French society than that held by the president,' he said. President Macron, 40, who came to power a year-ago promising to push through tough reforms, has shown no sign of surrender so far and on Saturday again vowed to get his policies implemented. Hooded youths dressed in black with ski masks and balaclavas smashed windows and threw bottles at police during earlier chaotic protests in Paris on Tuesday At least 100 youths forced their way to the front of a public sector union demonstration in the French capital on Tuesday afternoon PCF communist party secretary general Pierre Laurent addressed the crowds, saying: 'When we have power so arrogant, so authoritarian in his methods, if the country does not show its strength and unity, we will not be able to push the boundaries'. Meanwhile at a protest in the southern port city of Marseille, Jean-Luc Melenchon, leader of the far left France Unbowed party, urged protesters to carry a message to the president. Melenchon listed a number of grievances including staff shortages at hospitals, limited admissions at universities, and lack of police in tough neighbourhoods, because the government says it does not have the means to fund them. 'We do not believe you because you are lying,' Melenchon said, adding that Macron's government had given a 4.5 billion euros (4.9 billion) tax break to the rich which could have been invested in hospitals. 'The hard head of Emmanuel Macron must hear this message of the people. The country is rich, the country has to share. We've had enough of the same people always having everything. 'In the name of the poor, humiliated, homeless, abandoned miners, we tell you 'Enough!'' he said. A riot police officer detains a youth during a demonstration in Paris, Tuesday, May 22, 2018. French public services workers have gone on strike as part of their protest a government plan to cut 120,000 jobs by 2022 Youths throw items to riot police officers during scuffles with police forces during a demonstration in Paris A man is detained by riot police officers during scuffles with police forces during a demonstration in Paris Saturday's marches follow strikes on Tuesday when public-sector employees from street sweepers to teachers joined rail workers in walking out over what they called an 'attack' against public services. It was the third day of stoppages and demonstrations by public workers since last year's sweeping election win by Macron, who has pledged to reduce spending, trim jobs and overhaul large parts of the vast French state. Air traffic controllers and street sweepers to librarians, teachers, and even police officers joined other public service workers in strikes across France. They called reforms and plans to cut 120,000 jobs by 2022 by President Emmanuel Macron an 'attack' against civil services and their economic security. A riot police officer aims a rubber projectile gun at youths as officers fought to isolate them from the peaceful deomstration Youths were kept at bay by tear gas and eventually the mayhem was cleared and the march could proceed Masked youths used huge walls of cardboard as a shield against police and lit their way through the tear gas with flares Police charged the mob and used tear gas, water cannons, and their batons to isolate them from the peaceful protests against planned labour reforms Black-clad youths charges through a cloud of smoke towards police positions during the chaotic riot There was such mayhem that public service protesters had to suspend their march until police brought the situation under control Police officers furious about attacks on their pensions were among the 16,400 protestors taking part in the 'Day of Rage'. In scenes that would be illegal in Britain, police vehicles took part in a go-slow demonstration on roads around Paris during the Tuesday rush hour. Off-duty officers also joined a mass march in the city, while their working colleagues tried to maintain the peace during protests that are notorious for descending into violence. Like other public sector workers, the police were furious that their 'special' pension regime was threatened by President Macron. It allowed some officers to retire at 52, on 75 per cent of their working salaries, with 57 the statutory age for leaving. Youths clash with police who used batons to subdue them during fierce riots on Tuesday afternoon Several protesters were arrested and though photos from the scene showed some bleeding from their heads, no injuries were reported A member of the black-clad mob is knocked to the ground and surrounded by police as one of several arrested Police charged the mob with btons drawn and used riot shields to deflect bottles and debris thrown at them Police drag away one rioter still hiding his face with a mask and hoodie and shields his eyes with goggles 'The job of the police is atypical and dangerous,' police trade unionist Jean-Claude Delage said, defending the pensions, and other favourable working conditions. 'We pay a heavy price for doing a job for 24 hours a day, suffering woundings and deaths.' When uniformed French officers took part in protests about increasingly dangerous working conditions in 2016, the then Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve branded their behaviour illegal. 'Demonstrating with police cars and revolving blue lights is not in conformity with the code of ethics of the police in France,' he told parliament. Chaotic streets scenes in Paris as the mob rushed ahead of protesters to clash with riot police Youths face riot police officers during scuffles with police forces during a demonstration in Paris Riot police officers spray gas at photographers caught in the crossfire during scuffles part of a demonstration in Paris Despite this, there were no attempts on Tuesday to stop officers taking part in the mass protest. Strikes affected schools and daycare centres, flights and some energy infrastructure. Public transport was also disrupted as some workers took part ahead of the next round of two-day strikes at national rail operator SNCF starting late on Tuesday. It was the third day of strikes protests since Macron was elected pledging to reduce public spending, trim jobs and reform large parts of the vast French state A rail worker holds a flare during protests as air traffic controllers and street sweepers to librarians, teachers, and even police officers joined other public service workers in strikes across France. Students of the Paris Tolbiac university join civil servants as they called reforms and plans to cut 120,000 jobs by 2022 by President Emmanuel Macron an 'attack' against civil services and their economic security Rolling demonstrations and strikes were organised against President Macron's reforms, which he said would make France more competitive and business-friendly. He was slashing public spending, getting rid of civil service jobs, and making it easier for firms to hire and fire. All unions in France called for strikes on Tuesday, including walk-outs at schools, kindergartens, and colleges - the first time they all cooperated in 10 years. 'This shows how high the stakes are,' FSU union leader Bernadette Groison said. Demonstrators carry a banner 'Macron No' during a demonstration in Paris among the 16,400 protestors taking part in the 'Day of Rage' Hardline Brexiteer Jacob Rees-Mogg has bought a 5 million home next to Parliament, fuelling speculation that the ambitious MP is positioning himself as the next Tory leader. The five-storey mansion is even closer to the House of Commons than Downing Street is and until recently was the political HQ of pro-Tory tycoon and power-broker Lord Ashcroft, a supporter of Mr Rees-Mogg. The disclosure came amid fresh evidence of a possible threat to the Prime Minister by Mr Rees-Mogg's allies who fear Theresa May is determined to block their plea for a so-called 'hard Brexit'. And it comes as a Mail on Sunday investigation into Mr Rees-Mogg's City firm reveals a string of Russian investments but virtually no stake in the British economy. Conservative MP Jacob Rees-Mogg (pictured with wife Helena de Chair) has bought a 5m home closer to Parliament than Downing Street, fuelling rumours he wants to be party leader The MP's company, Somerset Capital Management, which manages nearly 7.5 billion on behalf of wealthy private investors and City institutions, has interests in two Russian firms blacklisted by the US and others which are controlled by oligarchs in President Vladimir Putin's inner circle. The Russian assets were valued at 217 million on Friday. The Mail on Sunday has also learned that one of Mr Rees-Mogg's leading allies, Right-wing MP Philip Davies, confronted Tory Chief Whip Julian Smith over Mrs May's survival prospects at a recent Commons meeting attended by Mr Rees-Mogg. Mr Smith pointed out the absence of a Tory majority in the Commons made it hard for Mrs May to speed up Brexit laws, saying: 'It's all about numbers.' Mr Davies fired back: 'Yes and the number is 48!' It was a menacing reference to the 48 Tory MPs needed to trigger a leadership contest. Although he is a backbench MP, Mr Davies is the live-in partner of Work and Pensions Secretary Esther McVey, seen by some as another potential Tory leader. He said last night: 'I don't comment on my discussions with the Chief Whip.' Pictured: The MP is moving into Cowley Street, in the historic 'Old Westminster' quarter Mr Rees-Mogg the bookies' favourite to succeed Mrs May has been urged by members of his pro-Brexit European Research Group (ERG) to be tougher in his dealings with the Prime Minister. At one meeting of the group last week, Mid Derbyshire MP Pauline Latham said: 'No more Mr Nice Guy, Jacob. Show some steel.' The revelation about Mr Rees-Mogg's new Westminster base comes as No 10 prepares for a series of Commons showdowns over Brexit next month. After last week's 'summit' between Mr Rees-Mogg's ERG and Chief Whip Mr Smith, the Government agreed to bring forward key votes on the EU Withdrawal Bill to the middle of next month. The move was forced by the Brexit rebels because they believe they have the numbers to 'crush the Remainers'. Mrs May's allies fear that Brexit MPs are preparing to challenge her if she fails to give in to their demand to take a tougher stance with Brussels. Conservative chiefs have warned that with no Commons majority, any such instability could lead to a General Election the third in four years and risk putting Jeremy Corbyn in No 10. The five-storey 18th century home (interior pictured) has cost the MP over 5million Mr Rees-Mogg dismissed claims that he planned to use his new house dubbed 'Jacob's own No 10' by one Tory MP wag as a leadership campaign headquarters. He said: 'I bought it because I have six children. My Mayfair house has three bedrooms for nine people so reception rooms now have children in them.' He is not the only Tory 'big beast' who appears to be repositioning himself. According to one report yesterday, Tory grandees are plotting for Environment Secretary Michael Gove to replace Mrs May as a caretaker PM after Brexit next March, then hand over to popular Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson in time to lead the party into the 2022 General Election. Mr Rees-Mogg's supporters want Mrs May to 'strike now' and ram through the Brexit laws while Mr Corbyn's Commons voting strength is down. Lewisham East Labour MP Heidi Alexander has resigned and another Labour MP is gravely ill and is unlikely to be able to vote. Mogg's new street By Glen Owen, Deputy Political Editor for The Mail on Sunday Jacob Rees-Mogg new power base sits in a historic quarter of 'Old Westminster' which has been thick with plotters for centuries. The Somerset MP paid 5.625 million for the property in Cowley Street earlier this year, part funded by a mortgage from the Queen's bank, Coutts & Co. It became vacant after pro-Brexit former Tory deputy chairman Lord Ashcroft, who had been renting the building to house his varied political and business operations, moved out. The five-storey 18th Century building is closer to Parliament than Downing Street, lying just 390 yards from the Commons. It is also a mere 500 yards from Tory campaign HQ and only 100 yards from the Westminster studios of the main broadcasters. A map shows Rees-Mogg's new home, which he is believed to be moving into with his family in August, in relation to the House of Commons and Downing Street Houses and offices in this road are traditionally fitted with the division bells which summon MPs to vote, as they are near enough for MPs to reach the Commons chamber within the required eight minutes. It means Mr Rees-Mogg will have the luxury of being able to relax at home between late-night votes. Mr Rees-Mogg, who has six children with his wife Helena, is expected to move into the house at the end of August, after he has finished a refurbishment. Local planning documents show it includes the installation of surprisingly modern touches such as 'walk-on rooflights' over his basement. The estate agent which advertised the house for 6 million purred about the potential for 'five bedrooms, four reception rooms, four bathrooms, and significant family kitchen', concluding: 'This would make a substantial and desirable London home.' Rees-Mogg's new home used to belong to Lord Ashcroft, a supporter of the backbencher's Cowley Street is where Prime Minister John Major based his campaign in 1995, when he quit as Tory leader and invited MPs to challenge him, telling Eurosceptic opponents to 'put up or shut up'. Michael Portillo was revealed as a plotter after he was caught installing phone lines in a secret campaign HQ in Lord North Street a one-minute walk away to challenge Major if the contest went to a second round. In the 2001 Tory leadership battle, the same Lord North Street house was used by the victorious Iain Duncan Smith. Mr Rees-Mogg's house is also just feet from the building which the Liberal Democrats used as their HQ until 2011. Lord North Street has been described as 'reeking of political intrigue', hosting political salons since the days of Disraeli. It is where Winston Churchill went to plot against Neville Chamberlain in 1940; and in the 1970s, former Labour Prime Minister Sir Harold Wilson claimed that his townhouse at 5 Lord North Street had been bugged by MI5. Now a new chapter of intrigues appears to be opening up. Home Secretary Sajid Javid was embarrassed last night after it emerged he was caught up in the failed prosecution of a Tory aide accused of sexual assault. Mr Javid told a court that a Tory official told him that Richard Holden, former aide to ex-Defence Secretary Michael Fallon 'grabbed her backside bare flesh hard' and that 'no one' saw it. But in an extraordinary twist, the alleged victim's legal team urged the jury 'not to rely on' in effect, ignore Mr Javid's statement because it clashed with the account she gave to the court. On Friday, the jury at London's Southwark Crown Court took just half an hour to acquit Mr Holden, 33, of sexual assault at a Christmas Party in 2016 at a house he rented with two friends. Judge Deborah Taylor said he could leave 'without a stain on his character'. He was actually charged with sexual assault by touching her clothes, not her skin, as Mr Javid said the woman had told him. Former aide to ex-defence secretary Michael Fallon Richard Holden (pictured with his girlfriend Charlotte Ivers at Westminster) was cleared of sexual assault this week And the alleged victim also appeared to gainsay Mr Javid's evidence that she had told him no one had heard the incident: she told the court someone 'screamed 'get off or f*** off!' ' and pulled Mr Holden off her physically. Astonishingly, Mr Holden's legal team accepted Mr Javid's lurid evidence as they believed it backed up Mr Holden's claim that the alleged victim had changed her story and lacked credibility. In an extraordinary exchange, the judge said the prosecution could not 'impugn their own witness [Mr Javid] if you have not called him'. The prosecution lawyer said: 'We aren't saying he's lying, but he is not necessarily reliable [on that point].' She said her 'first duty was to the Crown [the complainant]' not to the Home Secretary. Theresa May was also dragged into the case when one of her aides was interviewed by police in her Commons study and gave evidence which Mr Holden says helped to prove his innocence. David Beckingham said he could see Mr Holden's arms during the time of the alleged attack Mr Holden said this meant it was 'physically impossible' for him to have groped the woman in the way she claimed. It is the latest in a series of sex assault cases to collapse and is likely to reopen the row over the police's alleged failure to release vital evidence to defendants. Mr Holden told The Mail on Sunday that the past 18 months had been a 'living nightmare' and the police investigation was a 'disgrace'. It had ruined his Tory career and nearly destroyed his relationship with his girlfriend. It has also cost him 150,000 in legal fees and lost earnings. The disclosure of Mr Javid's intervention in the case comes only weeks after he became Home Secretary. The woman complained to Mr Javid two months after the alleged attack and he told her to go to the police. In his statement read out in court, Mr Javid said: 'Michael Fallon's special adviser, Richard Holden, came over and said he wanted to say goodbye. 'As he was hugging her, he suddenly put his hands down her clothes I'm not sure if top or skirt put his hands on her backside and grabbed her bare flesh hard. Home Secretary Sajid Javid (pictured) told a court that a Tory official told him that Richard Holden, former aide to ex-Defence Secretary Michael Fallon 'grabbed her backside bare flesh hard' and that 'no one' saw it She said no one else would have seen what happened because she was near the wall and he did it so quick.' Mr Holden's legal team said they accepted Mr Javid's statement as a factual account of what the woman had told him but claimed that she had contradicted it in court, undermining her credibility. Mr Holden directed his anger at police, claiming they withheld evidence from two witnesses who backed his claim that he was not drunk. He also said: lHe was forced to obtain a court order to get his own phone records which showed the two witnesses were telling the truth and police then 'magically' found transcripts of interviews with them. HOME SECRETARY SAVID JAVID'S 'EVIDENCE' 'She said that when leaving with a friend, she was putting on her coat, Michael Fallon's special adviser, Richard Holden, came over and said he wanted to say goodbye. 'She said he tried to give her a hug goodbye, which she thought was quite unusual. 'As he was hugging her, he suddenly put his hands down her clothes I'm not sure if top or skirt put his hands on her backside and grabbed her bare flesh hard. 'She said no one else would have seen what happened because she was near the wall and he did it so quick.' Advertisement lPolice did not take into account evidence from 20 party guests who said they had not seen or heard anything, despite the woman's claim that Mr Holden was physically pulled off her as someone screamed 'get off or f*** off!' lMr Holden tracked down all 20 who then backed his version of events. lPolice flew a witness from San Francisco to give evidence of Mr Holden being 'drunk', but in the witness box she said he was only 'tipsy'. lOfficers said it was 'not worth' tracking down the alleged victim's old mobile phone which she had used to exchange WhatsApp messages with Mr Holden, who produced the 'mildly flirtatious' messages in court. lTwenty-seven minutes after the alleged 11pm assault, the woman messaged three people including Mr Beckingham with a 'crying with laughter' emoji saying she had 'had so much fun'. Lancashire-born Mr Holden was forced to quit his senior Government role over the allegations. He was charged last November at the height of the so-called 'Pestminster' scandal when several MPs were accused of harassing staff and a week after his boss, Mr Fallon, was forced to resign for touching a female journalist's knee. 'It was heartbreaking,' Mr Holden said. 'I had joined the Tory Party as a teenager, worked at Party HQ for seven years. It was my whole life and it had gone. It was as though they were not going to prosecute, and then someone thought, 'We'd better prosecute that bloke we investigated ages ago who worked for Fallon.' ' But in an extraordinary twist, the alleged victim's legal team urged the jury 'not to rely on' Mr Javid's evidence against the former Fallon (pictured) aide He added: 'We found out belatedly that police contacted everyone at the party who all said they saw and heard nothing. But the police chose to ignore it. 'I had to track them all down and they confirmed none had seen any sexual assault, let alone hear someone scream, 'Get off or f*** off!' ' Mr Holden claims police also failed to disclose evidence from two witnesses who told them he had received an important phone call relating to his MoD job minutes before the alleged attack at 11pm. 'The police denied having interviewed the two. When we proved they had, they magically produced the transcripts.' The authorities also arranged for a witness who had described Mr Holden as being 'drunk' to be flown from San Francisco, where she now lives, to London to give evidence. She told the court Mr Holden was 'tipsy', rather than drunk. Mr Holden said his girlfriend Charlotte had forgiven him for 'mildly flirtatious' messages with his alleged victim before the party. He says the authorities must review such cases. 'Of course, victims of sexual assaults must be protected. But this investigation was appalling. At my first court appearance, the case in front of mine was two men accused of trying to assassinate Theresa May. That sums it up.' Mr Javid did not respond to a request for comment. There is a pivotal moment in the BBC drama A Very English Scandal when the wife of Liberal Party leader Jeremy Thorpe receives a devastating telephone call. It is from Norman Scott who, between sobs, blurts out that he was once her husbands lover. Viewers are left in no doubt that the news comes as a profound shock to Caroline Thorpe just two years into their marriage but the truth, as The Mail on Sunday reveals today, is altogether quite different. Tonight the mini-series continues when millions will see Thorpe left distraught by Carolines death in a car crash in June 1970, some months after the phone call. Compelling: Hugh Grant, left as Jeremy Thorpe and Alex Jennings as Peter Bessell in the BBC's A Very English Scandal Witnesses said she seemed distracted and was looking down when her Ford Anglia Estate veered across the middle of the road into oncoming traffic, struck a lorry and another car, somersaulted in the air and landed on its roof. According to the TV drama, the phone call and the crash are inextricably linked and viewers are left with the clear impression that Scott bore some responsibility for her death. It is, however, a fiction which Scott, now 78, described last night as a terrible slur. He said: The implication is that Caroline was unaware of my relationship with him and that is why I brought about her death because she was distracted while driving. It is totally invented scenario. And his claim is supported by a remarkable letter unearthed by the MoS that was sent to Scott by Thorpes then close friend and confidant Peter Bessell, which destroys a similar canard about Scott being the catalyst for Carolines death. Norman Scott (right) is a former model who had an affair with Thorpe (left) when homosexuality was illegal. He says the drama suggests he was partly to blame for the death of Thorpe's wife Scott insists that Caroline knew about his affair with Thorpe even before she married him and records show that he said as much in a statement to police in June 1971. That statement says Bessell had previously told me that Jeremy Thorpe, before he married Caroline, had told her of our homosexual relationship. It is worth noting that many years later Thorpes biographer, Michael Bloch, would say of sophisticated Caroline: Contrary to what was sometimes later said, she did not feel either shocked or threatened by his [Thorpes] homosexuality. Many television viewers, of course, are only just learning about the scandal, which led to the 1979 trial of the century when Thorpe was cleared of plotting to kill Scott. The extraordinary story involved an illicit affair, secret letters, blackmail claims, a botched assassination attempt on a lonely moor, a shabby Establishment cover-up and, finally, a fall from grace unparalleled in Westminster. Hugh Grant has garnered much praise for his compelling portrayal of Thorpe. Scott himself calls it brilliant but terrifying and the evocation of the era is faultless. And in an interview today, the son of Peter Bessell left and right), Paul, echoes these sentiments saying: Theyve got the tone wrong. It feels like a Carry On film, a humorous romp. But its tragi-comic elements overlaid with jaunty background music are often at odds with the extraordinary storys darkness. There is already criticism that the series shows no sensitivity to those participants in the saga who are still alive, a complaint Scott made in a previous interview with this newspaper. He criticised producers for turning it into a bit of a comedy, adding: Its far too light, given what happened...my story isnt a comedy its about the total destruction of a person. And in an interview today, Peter Bessells son Paul echoes these sentiments saying: Theyve got the tone wrong. It feels like a Carry On film, a humorous romp. One wonders, too, what Thorpes loved ones make of his sinister portrayal. After all, in the eyes of the law, if not history, he is an innocent man. But no one is more critical than Scott, who insisted last night: They [the BBC] told me they had gone over the facts with a fine toothcomb, yet seem content to destroy me in their script. Scott insists that Caroline (right) knew about his affair with Thorpe (left) even before she married him and records show that he said as much in a statement to police in June 1971 The letter to Scott from Bessell offers some prescient observations. Writing in 1981, Bessell expresses anger that Thorpes best man David Holmes had publicly claimed in a newspaper article that Scott visited Caroline hours before she died. My concern was, and is, that I believe Holmes false assertion may have done you more damage than almost anything else, says Bessell. In the letter Bessell also quotes an extract from an addendum to his privately published book about the affair. ...At no time did David or Jeremy so much as hint to me that Scott had called on Caroline. If there were any truth in the story they would have told me in order to justify their subsequent actions. He calls the theory twaddle. A much more likely explanation for the crash was that Caroline was simply tired. She found the General Election held 11 days earlier a great strain and had been woken several times the night before the crash by her baby son. Bessell, a Liberal MP who died in 1985, is played by Alex Jennings and features prominently in the first episode. He spent years trying to deflect the scandal that engulfed and eventually consumed Thorpe, whom he eventually turned against, giving evidence for the prosecution in 1979. In last Sundays first episode he listens with a reluctant ear as Thorpe airs plans to murder Scott. Thorpe was a man given to whimsical supposition and Bessell was never quite sure if he was serious. But over the following years Bessell did try to silence Scott, a former male model, who it was feared was hellbent on ruining Thorpes career. For Paul Bessell, Peters son, the drama has brought back a raft of memories of the most bitterly painful period in his fathers life, as well as his own and those of his late mother, stepmother and sister. Our family was destroyed by this, he says. His fathers decision to give evidence against Thorpe led to the crushing of his reputation. He was torn to shreds on the stand and in the media, branded a drug and sex addict, a serial bankrupt and fundamentally dishonest. Hugh Grant has garnered much praise for his compelling portrayal of Thorpe. Scott himself calls it brilliant but terrifying and the evocation of the era is faultless When Thorpe was acquitted, the judge, Mr Justice Cantley, dismissed Bessells testimony that Thorpe had said shooting Scott would be no worse than shooting a sick dog as a tissue of lies. But Paul said: It was an Establishment conspiracy and my father told me on many occasions that he felt hed been the fall guy of the trial. Indeed, the drama depicts one of the most outrageous Establishment cover-ups of the post-war era, involving the police, the political elite including two Prime Ministers who both knew details of Scotts accusations against Thorpe and eventually, the justice system. For many years, Paul, now 66, was tainted by his fathers disgrace. Even a good friend once said to me, How does it feel to have a dad whos a grass? he said. Watching the drama has been horrible, said Paul, who runs a video production company from his home in Buckinghamshire. He revealed how he first learned of Thorpes homosexuality as a teenager in the mid-1960s. Scott He criticised producers for turning it into a bit of a comedy, adding: Its far too light, given what happened...my story isnt a comedy its about the total destruction of a person. Pictured: Hugh Grant as Thorpe and Ben Whishaw as Norman Scott The MPs dalliances were an open topic of conversation among his family. I remember my mother not liking it at all as she was quite conservative. 'It wasnt the fact he was gay so much as that it was all so furtive, although of course it had to be back then. There was an occasion where Jeremy came down to open a fete in my dads constituency and he brought one of his boyfriends with him he wasnt very subtle about it. My mother told him to send the boy away. He says his father was also open about his desire to help Jeremy. Dad was very passionate about preserving the Liberal Party, which was virtually dead at the time, and not allowing it to get involved in any sort of scandal, said Paul. He felt a need to protect Jeremy from himself, as much as anything. Also, Jeremy was his boss, and its flattering if your boss chooses you to confide in. Such was Peter Bessells desire to reassure his friend that despite he himself being a renowned womaniser, he told Thorpe over steak tartare in the House of Commons restaurant that he, too, was 20 per cent homosexual. I dont think there was any truth in it, said Paul of the conversation, which viewers saw in last weeks episode. In 1970 Bessell, facing bankruptcy, moved to the United States where he remained until his death. He was persuaded to give evidence against Thorpe by a 1976 Sunday Times article in which Thorpe denied sleeping with Scott and deflected all blame for the attempt to kill him on to Bessell. That was the last straw, says Paul. He decided to give an interview to Tom Mangold, who worked on BBCs Panorama, and told them the full story. 'Tom was delighted to have got the scoop, but when he went into the office with it, his editor said, Thank you very much for that, took it from him and that was the last anyone heard of it. 'The BBC was an arm of the Establishment and they obviously didnt want the truth to come out. Mangold later made a film about the conspiracy which, as a result of Thorpes acquittal, could not be shown. He was ordered to destroy his copy by the then editor of BBC News, but kept it, and it will be shown for the first time on BBC4 next month. Perhaps the most controversial aspect of Bessells decision to return to Britain to testify in Thorpes trial was the deal he struck with the Sunday Telegraph, in which he would receive 50,000 for an interview if Thorpe were found guilty, and 25,000 if he were acquitted. He knew hed be ripped apart for it, but he felt he had no choice, said Paul. He was broke and the State didnt pay for his legal fees. After those, his net profit was only around 3,000. Watching the court case unfold was agony for Bessells family, who realised quickly that for Thorpe to be acquitted, the story needed other villains. The entire trial was geared against my father, says Paul. I cant describe what its like to watch your father go through that, being ripped to shreds in court and by the newspapers. My dad was all alone in a hotel room when the verdict came through, and I couldnt help but think of him while Thorpe came out of court, jubilantly waving to the crowds. In his 1981 letter to Scott, Bessell noted with foresight: I fear whether we like it or not, we have all been part of a small piece of history that will be revived again and again... Advertisement A massive fire has consumed several at Europe's second biggest theme park, sending plumes of smoke miles into the air as flames licked 45ft high. The blaze broke out at Europa-Park in Rust, near Germany's southwest border with France, about 6.20pm on Saturday with more than 200 firefighters battling to control it. Billowing smoke was seen for miles around, causing panic among Germans on social media as it spread across the popular tourist attraction. A massive fire has consumed several at Europe's second biggest theme park, sending plumes of smoke miles into the air as flames licked 45ft high Spectacular aerial video captured the flames burning a huge section of the park to the ground as it moved from building to building out of control Photos posted to social media showed the raging fire levelling the buildings in the Scandinavian area (during fire and after pictured) How the fire started was unknown but it started at the 'Pirates of Batavia', a 'water-dark ride' about 400m long, which was completely destroyed. Other attractions damaged or destroyed in the blaze included 'Bamboe Baai', Fashion World Camp Davin & Soccx, the Fjord Restaurant and a Scandinavian-themed area. Photos posted to social media showed the raging fire levelling the buildings in the Scandinavian area, and other parts of the park, including large warehouses, reduced to rubble. Spectacular aerial video captured the flames burning a huge section of the park to the ground as it moved from building to building out of control. The blaze broke out at Europa-Park in Rust, near Germany's southwest border with France, about 6.20pm on Saturday with more than 200 firefighters battling to control it Billowing smoke was seen for miles around, causing panic among Germans on social media as it spread across the popular tourist attraction How the fire started was unknown but it started at the 'Pirates of Batavia', a 'water-dark ride' about 400m long, which was completely destroyed Whole sections of the park were reduced to smoldering ruins as visitors were caught off guard and had to flee the area Terrified tourists were evacuated from the park and surrounding area as soon as the fire sparked and authorities said there were no injuries. Rehearsals for a popular show Immer Wieder Sundays were being conducted in the park as the fire raged, with Swiss pop star Beatrice Egli fleeing along with hundreds of others. She filmed the devastation and posted it to her social media with the caption 'oh my god!' The fire was finally brought under control about 9pm. Police will investigate the cause in a 'criminal investigation'. Europa-Park attracts 5.6 million visitors a year, making it the most popular theme park in Germany and the second most in Europe after Disneyland Paris. Jeremy Corbyn was too unemotional or too stupid to understand claims that he has failed to combat anti-Semitism in the Labour Party, it has been claimed. The Labour leader is described as bored, uninterested and condescending in a leaked account of his meeting with Jewish leaders last month to discuss the issue. It suggests he lacks the emotional or intellectual ability to comprehend their demands for more action to tackle the problem. By contrast, he sprang into life with a convulsion when told that his support for a two state solution in the rift between Israel and Palestine meant he was a Zionist. Jeremy Corbyn was too unemotional or too stupid to understand claims that he has failed to combat anti-Semitism in the Labour Party, it has been claimed. The Labour leader is described as bored, uninterested and condescending in a leaked account of his meeting with Jewish leaders last month to discuss the issue The withering pen portrait of Mr Corbyns behaviour is contained in a leaked account of his meeting with the Board of Deputies of British Jews (BoD) and the Jewish Leadership Council at his Commons office four weeks ago. The document was drawn up by a Jewish leader at the meeting, where Mr Corbyn was called on to take tougher measures to stamp out anti-Semitism in the Labour ranks. At the time, Jewish representatives issued a statement saying they hoped he would show more passion and enthusiasm in dealing with the issue. But the leaked account, obtained by The Mail on Sunday, shows their private view was more critical and reveals clashes between Mr Corbyn and Jewish representatives. It states: [Mr Corbyns] body language was hard to read. He was not especially animated. It may have been pensive, or bored and uninterested. He replied with pre-prepared statements in a monotone. It suggested an emotional, political or intellectual inability to improvise suitable responses. Most of the time he had his chin on his hand and a facial expression somewhere between scepticism, concentration and non-interest. A Labour spokesman said: Jeremy made clear [at the meeting] his absolute commitment to rooting out anti-Semitism from our party. A British mother imprisoned for spying in Iran faces a second trial on another unspecified security charge. Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, 39, was arrested at the airport in 2016 and is currently serving a five-year sentence. But her husband Richard has today announced the mother-of-one has been charged with another security offence and faces a second hearing. Mr Ratcliffe said the wording of the charge is 'ominous' and could mean serious prison time. Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, 39 (pictured with her daughter Gabriella) was arrested at the airport in 2016 and is currently serving a five-year sentence He originally believed his wife, of Hampstead, north London, would be facing an allegation of spreading propaganda against Tehran's Islamist regime, but fears the new wording from the head of the court could indicate a heavier charge. 'He's definitely used a more dramatic description,' Mr Ratcliffe said. 'It could be just what we thought would happen and it could be an omen of more.' A count of spreading propaganda would be at the 'milder end' of security charges, he said, but the terminology used also leaves room for a more serious allegation to be brought against his wife. 'If nothing else, it's a more ominous way of presenting the facts, but it could also be an allusion to more ominous facts,' he added. Her husband Richard (pictured centre with her right and baby left) has today announced the mother-of-one has been charged with another security offence and faces a second hearing According to reports, Iran's semi-official news agency Tasnim said Tehran Revolutionary Court's head, Musa Ghazanfarabadi, announced the fresh trial would be over a security charge, but did not specify whether it was on espionage or another matter, or when a trial would start. The Foreign Office said it would not provide 'a running commentary on every twist and turn'. The new charge came despite Prime Minister Theresa May calling on Iranian President Hassan Rouhani to release British prisoners on humanitarian grounds. Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe was detained at an airport in April 2016 while travelling home with her daughter and was accused by Iran of plotting against the government. The Thomson Reuters Foundation worker denies the charges against her and says she was in the country to introduce her daughter, Gabriella, to her parents. The charge against the Thomson Reuters Foundation worker (pictured) is a security one, but the wording is unspecific Emile Cilliers sent a chilling threat to his ex-lover just months before sabotaging his wifes parachute. He warned Nicolene Shepherd not to contact him after she accused him of abandoning their two children. She had texted him after discovering he had fathered six in all. Six children? Really? And you cant even take care of the first two, she wrote. Cilliers replied: Leave me alone or I will do something [that] will make you regret talking to me again. Looking back after his conviction, Nicolene says it was a clear threat. He is capable of absolutely anything, she said. It makes me shudder to think what he might have done. Emile Cilliers warned Nicolene Shepherd (pictured) not to contact him after she accused him of abandoning their two children Full-time mother Nicolene, 34, of Somerton in Somerset, met Cilliers in their native South Africa and followed him to Britain. But he left her to marry Carly Taylor, with whom he had two more children. As revealed by the MoS last year, during that marriage he continued to see Nicolene. And although they divorced in 2009 he was still having sex with Carly after marrying Victoria. Incredibly, he cheated on both of them with his Austrian mistress skydiver Stephanie Goller. More details have emerged from the celebrity-packed royal wedding evening reception including James Corden stealing the limelight from Prince Harry and Meghan Markle - by dressing as Henry VIII. The actor and US talk show host, who attended the reception with his wife Julia, acted as compere for the evening, apparently turning up dressed in full Tudor regalia according to one guest. While many guests were left wiping away their tears after Meghan read an emotional poem about her new husband, Corden provided light relief with his hilarious turn as the erstwhile monarch. 'Your royal highnesses, ladies and gentlemen, I had no idea what to wear to a royal wedding so I looked it up in the royal etiquette manual and found this outfit. 'I hope I've come in the right gear,' the Sunday Times reported. As well as Corden's jibes about the size of Windsor castle, Harry's best friend Charles van Strauzenbee was also on hand to mock his long-term pal for his hair colour and naughty antics at boarding school. And Prince William further added to the mischief, by making a crude joke about 'wet knickers' during his speech. History boy! James Corden, who attended the reception with his wife Julia (pictured at the royal wedding), acted as compere and apparently turned up dressed in full Tudor regalia According to an unnamed guest the actor and talk show host appeared dressed as Henry VIII joking that he was unsure how to dress at a royal wedding While Meghan Markle had left guests in tears after reading a poem about Prince Harry, other speeches provided light relief. The pair are pictured arriving at their evening reception at Frogmore House, Windsor According to the unnamed guest, Corden also performed a song on the piano that he'd written about the couple before handing over the proceedings to van Strauzenbee, 30. He recalled his first meeting with the Prince when he was just eight and Harry was three years older, with the prince acting as his dormitory monitor. Telling the laughing crowd how instead of comforting a young van Strauzenbee, who was homesick for his mother, he threw his teddy bear out of the window onto the roof. 'Ladies and gentlemen, I ask you, how can you put someone in charge of a dorm when that someone is worse behaved than the whole dorm combined?' Van Strauzenbee apparently also poked fun at Harry's hair, saying that he was 'in denial for years' that he was ginger and also joked that his royal pal was such a poor polo player because 'he's always hungover when he plays'. The close friend also made reference to Harry's late mother Diana, praising him for how he dealt with her death, thanking the 'phenomenal Meghan' for making his friend 'so very happy'. Meghan and Harry's kiss sparked huge cheers from people outside the chapel and the 100,000 watching on the streets of Windsor The new Duchess of Sussex (pictured leaving with Prince Harry) 'stole the show' with her emotional verses at the evening reception at Frogmore House in Windsor, according to a guest The royal couple, the newly created Duke and Duchess of Sussex, headed to their reception at Frogmore House Their evening wedding reception followed the afternoon one at St George's Hall and was attended by 200 guests. At one point later in the evening, British actor Idris Elba who has DJ'd in some of the world's top clubs apparently took over for a brief turn on the decks. It was revealed guests were seated at tables in a grand marquee set up on the lawn of Frogmore House, were named after words said differently in British and American English - like tomato, basil and oregano. The reception went on into the early hours, with music and cheering heard as far away as Windsor's Long Walk. Harry and Meghan hold hands as they walk out of St George's Chapel after the wedding ceremony The new Duchess of Sussex 'stole the show' with her emotional verses at the evening reception at Frogmore House in Windsor, according to one guest. The former Suits actress, 36, spoke of her intense love of her new husband, 33, and how it was 'love at first sight'. 'You have navigated everything with grace': Harry references Meghan's family troubles in wedding speech It's been a tough week for Meghan Markle with fighting within her family and her father pulling out of walking her down the aisle just days ago. But her new husband Prince Harry is said to have praised the 36-year-old former actress, saying she had 'navigated everything with such grace', adding: 'We make such a great team'. He is also said to have told his bride: 'I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with you.' Meghan's father Thomas was in Mexico after pulling out just days ago due to ill health. It followed an extraordinary week that saw in-fighting between her estranged family, her nephews turning up to London uninvited and her only relative at the wedding being her mother Doria Ragland. But Miss Ragland, who looked moved during the service, was there for her daughter and Prince Charles was asked by Meghan to step in and walk her up the aisle to meet Harry. Mr Markle told TMZ: 'My baby looks beautiful and she looks very happy. I wish I were there and I wish them all my love and all happiness.' Advertisement The unnamed guest told The Sun: 'She read her poem like the professional actress she is. 'Most of the room was misty-eyed by the final line - Harry looked so proud and had to wipe away a tear. 'She spoke about their first date and said she knew she had met her prince from the off and how blessed and lucky she feels to have found such a profound love.' When they announced their engagement the couple revealed they were set up on a blind date by a mutual friend in July 2016. This is believed to have been American-based fashion designer Misha Nonoo. A Royal bride is never believed to have addressed wedding guests - with Meghan breaking convention at the gathering. It followed Prince Charles' emotional speech in the afternoon, when he joked about 'darling old Harry'. Charles is believed to have told how moving it was to watch his little boy get married, finishing by saying: 'My darling old Harry, I'm so happy for you.' Harry is also said to have given an 'off the cuff' speech about how happy he was, and jokingly promised that the American guests would not steal any swords from the castle. He is also said to have turned to his guests and asked: 'Can anyone play the piano' before Sir Elton John played a medley of Your Song, Tiny Dancer, Circle Of Life and I'm Still Standing. The Australian grandmother sentenced to death by hangman's noose after she was 'duped' into smuggling drugs to Malaysia should not expect much sympathy from the people of the south east Asian nation. Malaysian locals flatly told MailOnline that drug runners 'should die' days after Maria Elvira Pinto Exposto, 54, was sentenced to death by hanging for allegedly smuggling in more than a kilogram of crystal methamphetamine. Malaysia's hardline, mandatory punishment for drug smugglers has previously been branded 'cruel, inhumane and degrading' by human rights activists. But Kuala Lumpur residents were strongly in favour of executing smugglers in more than a dozen interviews on the capital's streets this weekend, with locals arguing illegal drugs would 'spoil' the country. Scroll down for video Australian grandmother Maria Elvira Pinto Exposto (white shirt) has been sentenced to death in Malaysia on drug smuggling charges Sen Ramiah, a volunteer at a local temple, called for more crimes to be punished with execution. 'The death penalty is really a must,' he said Pancake shop worker Salleh Sheikh Mohamed, 51, was not worried if smugglers were shipping in marijuana, but said importers of 'anything chemical that kills? They should die' Kajang prison for women where Elvira Pinto Exposto, 54, is being held facing death 'It's justified because so many people, so many families, their lives are destroyed because of drugs,' local Kwan Daniel said. Mr Daniel argued the country could 'rot away' without capital punishment for drug runners. 'It's a good punishment for real drug traffickers, if they're really drug traffickers,' he said. Pancake shop worker Salleh Sheikh Mohamed, 51, was not worried if smugglers were shipping in marijuana, but said importers of 'anything chemical that kills? They should die'. 'At my age, I've come across a lot, and they don't give a s***. Those who sell (drugs), they don't give a s***. So why should we care about those people?' Sen Ramiah, a volunteer at a local temple, called for more crimes to be punished with execution. 'The death penalty is really a must,' he said. Mr Ramiah argued it was a 'scary' deterrent for criminals and that smugglers should not be 'forgiven' by society. 'You can't forgive them, because it's hurting the people, the community,' Mr Ramiah said. 'Hopefully other countries will follow the same kind of rules we have'. 'I'm against the death penalty because you are just a human being and you can make mistakes,' shopkeeper Norifah Samd (pictured) said 'It's justified because so many people, so many families, their lives are destroyed because of drugs,' local Kwan Daniel (pictured) said Flower stall operator Kareik (right) said he 'totally' does not agree with the death sentence and thinks drug runners should get 'maybe a few years' in prison Malaysia was one of only 23 nations to execute people in 2016, according to Amnesty International. 'It's been practised here a long time, you can't erase that overnight,' said one local, a retired hotel porter named Nathan. Just a handful of Malaysians who spoke to MailOnline believed execution was too harsh a punishment. 'I'm against the death penalty because you are just (a) human being and you can make mistakes,' shopkeeper Norifah Samd said. 'God is the creator, God is the only one who can take your life'. She said drugs 'destruct everything' but could not accept execution as a punishment. A flower stall operator, who gave his name only as Kariek, suggested short jail terms as an alternative: 'I totally do not agree with the death sentence. Maybe (smugglers should get) a few years, that should be enough.' Some Malaysians expressed sympathy for Ms Exposto if she was - as she has consistently claimed in court - duped into carrying her luggage for a mysterious online suitor. Retired hotel porter Nathan, who declined to give his last name, said individual countries have their own culture when it comes to drug laws Shoe store worker 'Nur' speak to Mailonline during interview in Kuala Lumpur on May 26, 2018. Nur said she sometimes agrees, and sometimes disagrees with the death penalty Shop worker Shakilu Ridzu (pictured) said via translator that the 'death penalty is good' Artist Hudry Hayn, 51, agreed with the death penalty as drugs could 'spoil' the country Tunalan Beloo 61, a Malaysian who migrated to Perth, compared the scourge of drugs to guns Others expressed disbelief, saying 'everybody knows' about the country's strict laws. Ms Explosto's lawyers have said she was a 'naive and innocent mule'. She struck up an internet romance with a 'US serviceman' named 'Captain Daniel Smith', who claimed he was serving in Afghanistan, the Malaysian courts have heard. She flew to China to meet him, but 'Captain Smith' never showed up and a man instead asked her to take a backpack to Melbourne on his behalf. Ms Exposto was arrested at Kuala Lumpur international airport in December 2014 after authorities found 1.1kg of crystal methamphetamine stitched into the bag's lining. She had not been required to walk through immigration at the time and reportedly volunteered her bags to Customs for inspection. 'Maria is a victim of an internet romance scam,' lawyer Tania Scivetti told Reuters after last week's sentencing. 'She is not a drug trafficker.' The case will continue in the coming months. Ms Exposto will appeal her sentence to the country's highest court. It is her final avenue of appeal. President Donald Trump has launched a stinging attack on former President Barack Obama, criticising his predecessor's lack of action over 'so-called Russian meddling'. Posting on Twitter, Trump claimed that Obama was informed about potential Russian influence on the 2016 Presidential election prior to Americans going to the polls. The current President said that Obama failed to act because he thought Democrat candidate Hillary Clinton, who he referred to as 'Crooked Hillary', was going to win the election and 'didn't want to upset the apple cart'. Donald Trump took to Twitter to blast his predecessor and accuse him of knowing about Russian meddling before the election Trump's comments are the latest in a series of angry barbs over the issue of Russian meddling in the election. He also slammed Hillary Clinton and criticised the investigation into his campaign, asking why his former rival hadn't been investigated. His latest tweet said: 'Why didnt President Obama do something about the so-called Russian meddling when he was told about it by the FBI before the election? Because he thought Crooked Hillary was going to win, and he didnt want to upset the apple cart. 'He was in charge, not me, and did nothing.' Current President Trump claimed that Obama didn't act because he 'didn't want to upset the apple cart' He also earlier slammed his former rival Hillary Clinton, who he labelled 'Crooked Hillary' It followed an earlier tweet where he claimed that Clinton had 'much collusion' with Russia. He wrote: 'Why didnt the 13 angry Democrats investigate the campaign of Crooked Hillary Clinton, many crimes, much collusion with Russia? Why didnt the FBI take the server from the DNC? Rigged Investigation.' Academic Stefan Halper, 73, (above) has been identified in published reports as the suspected paid FBI informant who met with multiple Trump campaign members in 2016 His latest comments come after he lashed out at the 'crooked' leadership of the FBI, demanding to know why 'spies' were sent into his campaign to purportedly investigate Russian infiltration attempts, rather than anyone warning campaign leadership. 'With Spies, or Informants as the Democrats like to call them because it sounds less sinister (but its not), all over my campaign, even from a very early date, why didnt the crooked highest levels of the FBI or Justice contact me to tell me of the phony Russia problem?' Trump wrote on Saturday afternoon. In recent days, academic Stefan Halper, 73, has been identified in published reports as the suspected paid FBI informant who met with multiple Trump campaign members in 2016. Trump has lashed out at the 'crooked' leadership of the FBI, demanding to know why 'spies' were sent into his campaign Democrats have defended the insertion of informants into the campaign as a legitimate counterintelligence operation targeting Russian attempts to infiltrate Trump's campaign, claiming it was not a politically motivated investigation to dig dirt that could then be used against Trump. Halper is a well-connected academic and veteran of three former Republican administrations, with ties to both the FBI and MI6. Both he and the FBI have declined to comment on prior reports that he is the informant who met with Trump campaign staffers George Papadopoulos, Carter Page and Sam Clovis. It was reported late last year that the FBI did in fact meet with Trump campaign officials weeks after he got the nomination to warn that foreign adversaries, including Russia, might try to infiltrate his campaign. In subsequent tweets on Saturday, Trump pivoted to attacks on Special Counsel Robert Mueller's probe, in an apparent attempt to link that investigation with what he has taken to calling 'Spygate'. 'This whole Russia Probe is Rigged. Just an excuse as to why the Dems and Crooked Hillary lost the Election and States that havent been lost in decades,' Trump wrote. '13 Angry Democrats, and all Dems if you include the people who worked for Obama for 8 years. #SPYGATE & CONFLICTS OF INTEREST!,' he continued. An apparent allusion to the film 'Twelve Angry Men', about a jury that nearly convicts a man before finding reasonable doubt, '13 Angry Democrats' seems to refer to the staff of Mueller's probe. Trump referenced the film Twelve Angry Men (above) in a pair of tweets about the '13 Angry Democrats' he says form the core of Mueller's investigative team Out of the 17 attorney staff members on the team that have been publicly identified, 13 have been identified as registered Democrats in published reports. They are Greg Andres, Rush Atkinson, Ryan Dickey, Michael Dreeben, Kyle Freeny, Andrew Goldstein, Adam Jed, Elizabeth Prelogar, James Quarles, Jeannie Rhee, Brandon Van Grack, Andrew Weissmann and Aaron Zelinsky. The other four publicly identified team members are registered as unaffiliated, or do not appear to be registered to vote. 'When will the 13 Angry Democrats (& those who worked for President O), reveal their disqualifying Conflicts of Interest?' Trump wrote in a third tweet on Saturday. 'Its been a long time now! Will they be indelibly written into the Report along with the fact that the only Collusion is with the Dems, Justice, FBI & Russia?' In March, the Department of Justice's Inspector General launched a review of possible surveillance abuses by the FBI and Justice officials related to the inquiry into Russia's alleged interference in the 2016 election. Last week, the DOJ said that the review would be expanded to investigate whether there was 'any impropriety or political motivation in how the FBI conducted its counterintelligence investigation' into alleged Russian election interference. Vladimir Putin and Shinzo Abe took some time out from haggling over Pacific islands to take in a theatre performance and meet a very frisky puppy. The Russian President showed his Japanese counterpart a good time in Moscow on Saturday after they attended an economic forum the day before. Mr Abe and his wife Akie Abe sat beside President Putin on the centre balcony of the Bolshoi Theatre to watch the show. Vladimir Putin and Shinzo Abe took some time out from haggling over Pacific islands to take in a theatre performance Mr Abe and his wife Akie Abe sat beside President Putin on the centre balcony of the Bolshoi Theatre to watch the show They got on stage to open the cross-cultural year of Russia and Japan, which featured an impressive display by men dressed as fully-armoured Japanese samurais. Earlier they helped present a Japanese Akita dog to Russia's 16-year-old Olympic figure skating champion Alina Zagitova. The Pyeongchang Olympics gold medalist proclaimed her love for Akitas after spotting them while training in Japan and locals vowed to find her one. The head of the Akita preservation society, Takashi Endo, gifted her a three-month-old puppy called Masaru in the ceremony in a central Moscow hotel. They got on stage to open the cross-cultural year of Russia and Japan, which featured an impressive display by men dressed as fully-armoured Japanese samurais Earlier they helped present a Japanese Akita dog to Russia's 16-year-old Olympic figure skating champion Alina Zagitova (second from left) The Pyeongchang Olympics gold medalist proclaimed her love for Akitas after spotting them while training in Japan and locals vowed to find her one Mr Abe and his wife held and patted the dog, whose name means 'win' or 'victory', before giving her to Alina who earlier begged her parents for one if she won gold. President Putin and Mr Abe pledged to finally put to bed the decades-old territorial dispute over the Kuril Islands lying between the two countries. Arguments over who owns the four islands has prevented Russia and Japan from formally signing a peace treaty even 70 years after World War II ended. The Soviet Union took the islands in the closing days of the war and they have poisoned relations ever since. Japan is seeking to implement joint business projects on the Kuril Islands as a way to gain momentum to resolve the dispute. 'The Japanese and the Russians will be able to reap the fruits of the joint work on the islands. If we cooperate, we can achieve great results that bring mutual benefit,' Mr Abe said. Mr Abe and his wife held and patted the dog, whose name means 'win' or 'victory', before giving her to Alina who earlier begged her parents for one if she won gold In recent years, foreign ownership of Japan's most famous indigenous breeds has skyrocketed, with celebrities like Hollywood actor Richard Gere and French film star Alain Delon owning the breed The head of the Akita preservation society, Takashi Endo (left), gifted her a three-month-old puppy called Masaru in the ceremony in a central Moscow hotel Mr Abe's late father Shintaro took the lead in negotiations with Moscow as a foreign minister but died in 1991 after pushing for talks while suffering from cancer. 'Solving (the dispute) is not easy but we would like to end it within the lifetime of our generation,' he said. He added Tokyo was 'thankful' to Moscow for allowing Japanese citizens to visit the graves of relatives on the islands. Earlier, Abe said he hoped for a 'new breakthrough' in settling the territorial dispute over the Kuril Islands and that he was 'ready to reinforce cooperation in a calm but energetic manner.' President Putin said at a press conference after the talks that Russia would 'assist' in allowing Japanese citizens to visit the Kuril islands. 'We believe it is important to patiently continue the search for a solution that would satisfy the interests of Russia and Japan and that would be accepted by the nations of both countries,' he said. President Putin and Mr Abe pledged to finally put to bed the decades-old territorial dispute over the Kuril Islands lying between the two countries Arguments over who owns the four islands has prevented Russia and Japan from formally signing a peace treaty even 70 years after World War II ended Japan has been careful to avoid criticising Russia, particularly its role in Syria that has drawn condemnation by Western countries, as it seeks to resolve the territorial dispute. Putin said after the meeting that a Japanese business delegation would visit the islands this year. The two leaders also discussed the North Korea crisis with Mr Putin calling for 'restraint in order not to allow a new spike in confrontation and to keep the situation in the political and diplomatic field'. Russia has retained close ties with its Soviet ally North Korea, while Pyongyang has test fired ballistic missiles over Japan. 'The most important (thing) is for North Korea to carry out full and irreversible denuclearisation,' Mr Abe said for his part. Mr Abe's late father Shintaro took the lead in negotiations with Moscow as a foreign minister but died in 1991 after pushing for talks while suffering from cancer Mr Abe (left) earlier attended the 2018 Saint Petersburg International Economic Forum Russia has retained close ties with its Soviet ally North Korea, while Pyongyang has test fired ballistic missiles over Japan. Japan and Russia were both members of six-party talks on regulating the North Korea crisis, which also involved China, the US and both Koreas. The talks were designed to offer the North security and economic benefits in exchange for denuclearisation but broke down in 2009 when Pyongyang abandoned them. President Putin and Mr Abe pledged to 'reinforce cooperation' at a time of tension with the West. 'I am very pleased to have the opportunity to talk in detail on our bilateral relations and political cooperation,' Putin said as he greeted Abe in the Kremlin. The two leaders already met this week on the sidelines of the Saint Petersburg Economic Forum where Abe was present as a guest of honour. Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (R) and Chansy Phosikham, head of the Lao Peoples Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committees Organisation Commission (Source: VNA) He told Chansy Phosikham, head of the Lao Peoples Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committees Organisation Commission, in Hanoi on May 25th that the Vietnamese Party and State always require all-level Party Committees, ministries, agencies and localities to assist Laos in national development, considering this as Vietnams responsibility. The Vietnamese and Lao Prime Ministers have regularly met and discussed ways to enhance the bilateral ties, Phuc added, stressing that Vietnam is willing to provide the best possible support for its neighbouring country. The Vietnamese government leader highly valued outcomes of the talks between the Lao Party Central Committees Organisation Commission and the Organisation Commission of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee, which was held during Chansy Phosikhams visit and focused on exchanging experience in Party building and personnel work. He urged the two sides to tighten their coordination in implementing Vietnam-Laos joint statements, agreements reached by Party leaders of the two countries and Governments, the agreement signed at the 40th meeting of the Vietnam-Laos Intergovernmental Committee and other cooperation programmes. For his part, Chansy Phosikham said his visit aims to learn from Vietnams experience in organisation and personnel work. He highlighted the firm stance of the Lao Party, State and people on the fruitful cooperation and traditional friendship with Vietnam. Laos is actively implementing infrastructure projects, especially those in the transport sector, to bring the two countries closer, he said./. A top official with the Department of Health and Human Services testified that nearly 1,500 children who arrived unaccompanied at the southern border are unaccounted for. And now, there are concerns that that number could increase as the Trump Administration implements their policy of separating children as young as one from their parents at the border. Steven Wagner, the acting assistant secretary for the HHS' Administration for Children and families, told a Senate subcommittee on homeland security that between October and December 2017, the Office of Refuge Resettlement (ORR), which is under his purview, attempted to contact 7,635 unaccompanied children. He testified that the ORR 'was unable to determine with certainty the whereabouts of 1,475 children.' Steven Wagner, a top HHS official, told Senators that his department had lost track of almost 1,500 migrant children Central American children play at a respite center in Texas. Many families turn themselves in as soon as they get across the border The children were reportedly mostly from El Salvador, Guatamala and Honduras. They arrived at the Southwest border fleeing from gangs, abuse, and drug cartels. After arriving at the border, they were taken into government care, and then sent to live, usually with relatives, and that is how the government lost 1,475 children - 20 per cent of the the children who came into the country seeking safety. And now, that number could increase as the Trump Administration moves to enforce their 'zero tolerance' policy, which includes arrests of first time crossers and other punishments. Attorney General Jeff Sessions noted: 'If you're smuggling a child, then we're going to prosecute you, and that child will be separated from you, probably, as required by law. If you don't want your child separated, then don't bring them across the border illegally.' Border patrol agents take Central American immigrants into custody in this file photo, the new 'zero tolerance' policy could lead to families being separated In this file photo of the San Ysidro Port of entry at the Mexican border with California cars wait to be admitted to the US President Trump tweeted on Saturday morning that Democrats are to blame for the policies separating families. This morning President Trump said his administration is not to blame for the policy, tweeting: 'Put pressure on the Democrats to end the horrible law that separates children from there parents once they cross the Border into the U.S. Catch and Release, Lottery and Chain must also go with it and we MUST continue building the WALL!' Meanwhile, there is concern about the 1,475 children who are missing, and could have fallen into the hands of human traffickers. Kate Bosworth and husband Michael Polish are going 'MIA.' The couple have launched a non-profit school, the Montana Institute of the Arts, in Kalispell, Montana. 'Our goal is to create a hands-on approach to the movie-making process, taught by professionals in the industry,' Kate, 35, said on Instagram. 'The arts have been an essential part to our love, to our lives, and we are so thrilled to share it with you.' New venture: Kate Bosworth and husband Michael Polish have launched a non-profit school, the Montana Institute of the Arts, in Kalispell, Montana MIA is accepting new students through June 7 and classes will kickoff come July. 'As a Montana resident who has a long family lineage here, it is important to me that the Montana film and art community flourish,' Michael, 47, said in a statement. 'We believe we have a concept to help support this vision.' Kate added: 'Between the two of us, Michael and I have accumulated over 40 years experience in filmmaking. We look forward to bringing our knowledge of the arts to a place that is so special to usMontana.' 'Our goal is to create a hands-on approach to the movie-making process, taught by professionals in the industry,' Kate, 35, said on Instagram. 'The arts have been an essential part to our love, to our lives, and we are so thrilled to share it with you' 'As a Montana resident who has a long family lineage here, it is important to me that the Montana film and art community flourish,' Michael, 47, said in a statement. 'We believe we have a concept to help support this vision' Bosworth and Polish were married on a ranch in Montana back in August 2013. Just after tying the knot, Kate talked with Queen Latifah about the special locale. 'It's beautiful,' she said. 'Michael was raised there, and we have property up there. You see more wild animals than people. You're so far away from it all and it's just glorious.' She is now the proud mother of two. American Housewife star Katy Mixon and her retired Olympian fiance Breaux Greer welcomed their second child on May 16. They named their baby girl Elektra Saint Greer; she weighed 8lbs and 12oz and measured 22 inches long. Before the birth: Katy Mixon and her retired Olympian fiance Breaux Greer welcomed their second child, a baby girl, on May 16. Here they're seen at her February baby shower in NYC 'Katy and baby are doing great,' the 37-year-old's rep told People, which revealed the news on Friday. The couples new addition joins big brother Kingston Saint. He turned one on Saturday, three days after his sisters birth. 'Breaux, Kingston and their dogs Gracie and Bella are so thrilled,' the rep added. Proud parents: Katy, 37, and Breaux, 41, seen at the VES awards in LA in February revealed that Elektra Saint Greer weighed in at 8lbs and 12oz and measured 22 inches Katy celebrated the pending arrival of her daughter at a baby shower, honoring both the mom-to-be and her Good Housekeeping cover in February. In November, the Eastbound And Down star revealed she was pregnant again less than a year after giving birth to Kingston. 'This happened just the quickest situation ever,' she had said to Access Hollywood Live. With her onscreen family: Katy's American Housewife was renewed for a third season earlier this month 'I couldnt be more shocked. Didnt know it was possible.' The couple have been together for five years. Aside from his four-time Olympic run in the javelin discipline, Breaux is also an eight-time American Champion, holding the national record for the longest javelin throw at 91.29 meters. Nicole Richie was a barefaced beauty as she stepped out in Sherman Oaks, California on Friday with her family. The 36-year-old socialite, her husband Joel Madden, 39, and their two children Harlow, 10, and Sparrow, eight, were snapped as they walked together on the street of the Southern California suburb in the San Fernando Valley. The fashion designer was clad in a boho chic ensemble of a long black coat with floral highlights, a black shirt, black pants and high-top Vans sneakers. Scroll below for video Stunning: Nicole Richie, 36, was a barefaced beauty as she stepped out in Sherman Oaks, California on Friday with her family She had her brown locks parted and pulled into tight pigtails as she carried a fire orange purse. The Candidly Nicole beauty also had in hand a copy of the book What Are We Doing Here?, a collection of essays from author Marilynne Robinson, on the daytime outing. The former Good Charlotte frontman looked equally as laid back sporting a black Nike sweatshirt with black joggers to match. Chatting: Nicole's musician hubby Joel Madden wore a sporty black Nike ensemble with a Dodgers baseball cap. Sparrow matched his dad in Nike wear The mother-of-two, looking stunning on the daytime outing, opened up to Elle last month about how she's come to embrace a natural look in recent years. 'Over the past two decades, I felt I needed a lot more before - I needed extensions, foundation, the brows, so many things,' she said. 'Then, I got to a place where I was more confident and wanted to show who I was, because being somebody else can be fun for a second but at the end of the day, it ends up being tiring because it's not you.' Focused: Nicole continues to have a strong presence in fashion with her House of Harlow 1960 The daughter of American Idol's Lionel Richie and older sister of model Sofia Richie (who's dating Scott Disick), said that it's not to say she's not a fan of makeup. 'I am somebody who is all about being your most authentic self,' she said, 'and representing who you really are and loving makeup at the same time.' After dating for nearly four years, the adorable couple confirmed their engagement in February 2010 before marrying on Dec. 11, 2010. She is currently starring in the play Confidence which premiered this week. And it appears Tanya Burr has bags of the stuff as she stepped out in a dramatic ensemble during an evening off with her husband Jim Chapman. The 28-year-old, who made her name from beauty vlogging, sported a deep crimson dress which featured frilly detailing. Wow: The 28-year-old, who made her name from beauty vlogging, sported a deep crimson dress which featured frilly detailing The crushed velvet number perfectly hugged Tanya's curvaceous physique as she went arm in arm with her beau. She vamped up her look with a daring dark purple lip but otherwise kept the rest of her make-up simple, applying lashings of mascara. Tanya who her tresses swept back off her face in a sleek style, which only accentuated her pretty features. Giving herself some added inches the budding actress wore a pair of killer barely-there heels. Strolling alongside her, Jim cut a dapper figure, in a dark grey suit which gave off a slight sheen. He matched the two-piece with an open-necked shirt and a pair of brown suede shoes. Cosy: Tanya Burr has bags of confidence as she stepped out in a dramatic ensemble during an evening off with her husband Jim Chapman The online sensation has landed a starring role in in the revival of Judy Upton's nineties play Confidence at the Boundless Theatre at the Southwark Playhouse. Tanya takes the role of Ella in the play that tells the tale of summer working by the seaside and will be the aspiring actress's debut role. She was propelled into the limelight as a British YouTuber making videos about fashion, style and baking. Tanya has been training in drama for the past three years and has just signed with London based acting agency, Waring and McKenna. She shot a film, Disconnect, earlier this year which is due to be released next year. As well as rubbing shoulders with a number of vlogger stars, she married fellow YouTuber Jim Chapman at Babington House, Somerset in September 2015. Sparks flew when they first started dating in 2007 and the couple decided to take their relationship up a knot in December 2012. Her marriage to Mark Wright has been marred by rumours of a breakdown in recent years. And Michelle Keegan has addressed the hear'say yet again - admitting that the only negative she gets from working abroad is constantly having to deal with speculation that her romance with Mark Wright is on the rocks. The Our Girl star is so confident with her relationship with the former TOWIE hunk, that she also proudly gushed about him being offered another year in the States as presenter for Extra TV. 'Try not to read into it': Michelle Keegan has admitted that the only negative she gets from working abroad is the speculation that her marriage with Mark Wright is on the rocks Speaking about reports of her impending divorce from Mark, Michelle confidently told The Sun: 'Theres so much negativity behind the fact that if I work away and Marks away, it has to be a disaster.' The former Coronation Street star added that she was a 'positive person' so she did her best not to 'read into the negativity.' The pair have spent much of their married life apart, due to their working commitments on opposite sides of the world. Mark bagged a television corresponding role with the gossip site Extra, and relocated to the States for the job in September. 'I'm so proud!' The Our Girl star is so confident with her romance with the former TOWIE hunk, that she also gushed about him being offered another year on Extra TV in LA Future plans: In terms of their living arrangement, Michelle who has been married to Mark since 2015, added 'we'll see' Meanwhile Michelle has flitted between England and South Africa to film BBC drama Our Girl. While Michelle has noted that the source of the break-up rumours stem from both of them working in different country's for months on end, she revealed news that he was just asked to another year back as host on Extra TV. Admitting she 'he hasn't signed yet', Michelle enthused: 'Its always been something that we will talk about. Im just really proud of him.' In terms of their living arrangement, Michelle who has been married to Mark since 2015, added 'we'll see.' While Mark has been working his charm in LA, Michelle has been busy auditioning for roles in the sunny city and confessed that people thought her accent was Australian. Big thing! Mark bagged a television corresponding role with the gossip site Extra, and relocated to the States for the job in September Actress: Michelle has flitted between England and South Africa to film BBC drama Our Girl Meanwhile, Mark recently appeared on ITV's Lorraine where he revealed the pair are keen to prove the naysayers wrong, who believe a long-distance union can't work. He said: 'We're back and forward all the time. I just come to see her for a weekend and try and make sure it's three weeks maximum that we don't see each other. 'People are told and taught long distance relationships cant work. Why cant they work? 'As long as you see each other enough, it keeps things fresh. While we're young and we're still so in love and so happy, and shes travelling round the world with her work, why not? Michelle and Mark met in Dubai in 2012, and married in a stunning ceremony at Hengrave Hall in Suffolk three years later. Mike Myers said that one of his kids continues to push him to do another Austin Powers film. The actor spoke with People Friday as he turned 55, saying that his oldest child, six-year-old son Spike, presses him about another installment in the series that included 1997's Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery, 1999's Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me and 2002's Austin Powers in Goldmember. Spike 'keeps asking me, "Wheres the fourth Austin Powers?" which is the weirdest thing,' said Myers, who has two other kids with wife Kelly Tisdale: daughters Sunday, four, and Paulina, two. Scroll below for video Encouraging: Mike Myers, 55, said that his son Spike, six, continues to push him to do another Austin Powers film. He was snapped in LA earlier this month 'Im like, "Get off my back. Im doing my best,"' Myers told the magazine. The Saturday Night Live alum said that on one occasion, a sleepy Spike had some ideas about the Dr. Evil's habitat. 'He said, "Whats Dr. Evils lair?"' the Scarborough, Canada native recalled. 'And I said, "An oil rig," and he said, "Whats an oil rig?" I said, "Its where you drill oil at sea." He goes, "It should be a sewer," and fell asleep.' All good: Myers told the magazine he feels he 'may have found the right balance' in his life The Wayne's World star, who appears in the new film Terminal, took a long-view about his ascent to comedy stardom while chatting with the magazine at the debut of the movie, which also stars Margot Robbie and Simon Pegg. 'Its all weird, dude. I grew up in government assisted housing in Toronto, so all of this is bizarre and fun,' he said. 'This is the happiest time of my life. 'I have a lot of stuff coming and I think I may have found the right balance now and Im super thrilled.' Myers said he's spent the last few years focusing on family: 'I know what Im doing in terms of my kids now, so that was a good six years.' The comedian said he's been 'having a blast' amid appearances in the last few months on the biggest shows in comedy. 'I was on Saturday Night Live recently and then I was on Jimmy [Fallon] and I did Dr. Evil and I just did Trumps doctor on Kimmel,' he said. 'I love it. Its like being shot out of a cannon without [a] net. Its so much fun.' She started her career as a fashion model appearing in Vogue and Harper's Bazaar. And Jaime King brought her cover girl talents to Hawaii as she commanded attention in a skimpy blue bikini. The 39-year-old Nebraska native flaunted her fabulous figure as she practiced her skills at snorkeling in the beautiful blue water with her husband Kyle Newman. Stunner: Jaime King brought her cover girl talents to Hawaii as she commanded attention in a skimpy blue bikini Daring to impress, the Hart Of Dixie star showcased her toned tummy in the two-piece that cut low on her lithe waist. Her gorgeous gams were thrust on center stage as the bikini bottoms were high cut on her perfectly proportioned hips. Jaime can next be seen in the star-filled Ocean's 8 movie, in which she appears alongside a who's who of Hollywood. The mother-of-two was caught up in a horrifying situation last month, which led to the arrest of homeless man Paul Francis Floyd. Impressive: Daring to impress, the Hart Of Dixie star showcased her toned tummy in the two-piece that cut low on her lithe waist Jaime had just stepped from her vehicle, leaving her friend and her four-year-old son James Knight inside, where Floyd allegedly jumped onto the rear windshield of the vehicle and smashed the glass, showering the young boy in debris. Shortly after the incident, Floyd was charged with child endangerment, which is a misdemeanor, along with a felony count of vandalism for the damage to her car. The 38-year-old star said outside court: 'I'm just trying to stay strong for my kid. And not just for my child but for every single victim, because the process is grueling, and it's made so that victims feel victimised. But I believe in our mayor, and I believe in our officials and I hope that today they're going to choose the right thing.' And Jaime noted that whilst her friend is 'doing well' following the ordeal, her son will likely be scarred for life. She said: '[James Knight is] having a hard time facing it. Absolutely, 100 percent [this will scar him for life]. [My friend is] strong, she's doing well.' It's the role that put her on the Hollywood map. But Katherine Langford has bid farewell to her 13 Reasons Why character Hannah Baker in an emotional Instagram post on Friday. 'As most of you know @13reasonswhy was my first ever job and I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to tell Hannah's story so fully,' wrote the 22-year-old. Scroll down to see video Adieu: Katherine Langford has bid farewell to her 13 Reasons Why character Hannah Baker in an emotional Instagram post on Friday Although her character committed suicide in the first season of the hit Netflix drama series, Hannah had appeared in Clay's (Dylan Minnette) mind in the second season. 'Thankyou to @netflix, @paramountpics, @anonymouscontent, the incredible producers, creatives, cast and crew for making these last 2 years so special. 'And to all of you here - Thankyou for filling my life with love and light. 'This show will always be a special part of my life, and regardless of whether Hannah is there or not, I know that I will continue to strive to do work that is meaningful and has a positive impact - whether that be in film, music, or any other form of art. 'There is a lot coming up this next year, and I can't wait to share it with you.' The Australian actress is currently shooting the film Spontaneous, in which she plays Mara Carlyle, whose life is forever changed when students in her senior class suddenly start (literally) exploding around her. Gorgeous: Although her character committed suicide in the first season of the hit Netflix drama series, Hannah had appeared in Clay's (Dylan Minnette) mind in the second season Big year: 'There is a lot coming up this next year, and I can't wait to share it with you.' Seen here with Dylan Minnette During the second season of the show, Hannah's mother shared a note with Clay Jensen that she found on one of the family computers. The note was a detailed list Hannah left of 'reasons why not' to kill herself. In total, she came up with 11 two of which were Clay. 'Eleven reasons. She came up just short,' Olivia (Kate Walsh) said to Clay. 'She left so many out you know that don't you? No matter how many reasons there might be why, there are always more why not.' On the whole it was only correct, and commendable, that EastEnders addressed the modern-day problem/plague of teenagers becoming involved in knife crime. The soap is set in London after all although not admittedly in the real world. Some aspects of the storyline that saw Keegan Baker and his best mate Shakil Kazemi being savagely stabbed (the latter fatally) were well handled. Tragedy: 15 reasons why Shakil should NOT have been killed off and the storyline about teenagers and knife crime wasnt effective in EastEnders The dispute leading up to Monday evenings attack (Keegan stealing a bike) was exactly the type of petty beef that escalates with bloody consequences in inner cities on a daily basis. I disrespected him, Keegan acknowledged about Shakils killer (a violent thug and evidently a keen cyclist) whose crew Keegan had characteristically challenged as little pocket gangsters when they came to Walford to get the bike and him. It was also a clever touch that it was Shakil rather than Keegan who paid the highest price the innocent sidekick in the wrong place at the wrong time doing the right thing (trying to give the bike back to avoid trouble). Sadness: On the whole it was only correct, and commendable, that EastEnders addressed the modern-day problem/plague of teenagers becoming involved in knife crime Having said that here are 8 reasons why the storyline was problematic and using Shakil as the victim the poster-boy for this issue was not just a mistake but arguably did the show more harm than good. 1. Shakil had become one of EastEnders few realistic characters Tragically (for him), its only now that hes dead we might begin to appreciate Shakil. Shakil wasnt a teenage alcoholic, anorexic, gang member, victim of male rape, or having an affair with one of his teachers. He mostly hung around at home doing nothing and moaning about his mum fussing. In other words, he was normal. His exchanges with Carmel, Keegan, and his girlfriend Bex were all convincing something that was so unusual on this show they killed Shaki off. He was innocent! It was also a clever touch that it was Shakil rather than Keegan who paid the highest price the sidekick in the wrong place at the wrong time doing the right thing 2. We will now be subjected to Bex singing about Shakil, about Shakils death, and her feelings about him/it You just know Bex is composing another one of her soppy sub-X Factor dirges for Shakils memorial (in the Vic) even now. 3. The timeline of Shakils death was weird Explained: Here are 8 reasons why the storyline was problematic and using Shakil as the victim the poster-boy for this issue was not just a mistake but arguably did the show more harm The producers were so excited by the chance of including authentic clips of Harry and Meghans big day on Lindas flat screen television in the Queen Vic it didnt seem to have occurred to them how incongruous/ridiculous it was that in Walford the royal wedding still hadnt finished on Monday and the residents of Albert Square were still watching it throughout Tuesdays episode too. And you thought Skys coverage felt interminable. Then having dragged out Shakils demise for days, he was gone in 60 seconds on Friday. The action opened with Shakil flat-lining and receiving CPR before doctors promptly gave up. 4. If Mick Carter is such a saint why didnt he help Shakil when he staggered up to the Vic bleeding profusely? Mick Carter warned him off, supposedly thinking he was drunk even though he never had been before. It's true: Jim Shelley says Shakil had become one of EastEnders few realistic characters 5. We will never know why instead of tumbling into the pub Shakil somehow camouflaged himself perfectly under a covering of bushes and bin bags He remained there undetected for two days. Shirley had the job of notifying Keegans family that he was in hospital while Robbie and Masood conducted the search and Ian put him in the recovery position. Throughout all this the police and paramedics littering the square did nothing. 6. Keanu likewise didnothing He feared the worst when he saw the gang asking about Keegan in the Vic but went to bed and had a good nights sleep without checking if his brother and Shakil had got home safely. 7. Alfie Moons return intercutting the action under-mined the impact of Shakils storyline The revelation that Alfie was the father of Hayleys baby could have waited a week, when Shakils story was over. As for the discovery that Alfie and Kat were estranged because he blamed their young son Ernie needing three skin grafts after suffering burns from boiling water on her neglect Kat and Alfie came over so badly it was impossible to care about either of them. 8. Hayleys fantasy about going back to Spain with Alfie, having their baby to make their own little appy family, and being a muvver to his kids (instead of their own mum Kat) was not so much tragic as comic/nonsense It wasnt exactly The Waltons. 9. When Shakils father rushed into the hospital instead of being a dramatic entrance it only reminded us how ludicrous it was that we never saw him Umar Kazemi only lives in Essex doesnt he? But he hadnt made it to Walford to see Kushs baby (Umars grandson) even though the child was ill, or when Kush had any of his many heart attacks, Awkward: When Shakils father rushed into the hospital instead of being a dramatic entrance it only reminded us how ludicrous it was that we never saw him 10. A storyline about knife crime only highlighted EastEnders own problems The storyline only accentuated how unrealistic EastEnders is when it comes to urban/London life. Keegan and Shakil never had any rivalry with kids from other schools/estates, or fancied any girls there mostly because they didnt exist. They didnt have any friends anywhere outside Albert Square come to that. Shakil died without even seeing London. 11. Shakils death means we will have to suffer the usual guff about community This had already started. I shouldve found him sooner, moaned Masood self-piteously. You cant think that way mate, Mick consoled him, even though Mas should have done something other than step over the pool of Shakils blood and not bothered to mention it to anyone. When Shirley had told him Keegan had been stabbed the way Masood persisted wittering about his plan to end his business partnership with Ian Beale displayed a lack of caring that was weirdly unedifying. 12. Not just Shirley even Mo Slater was upset The show had spent weeks re-establishing Mo as the areas con artist - doing dodgy deals with Fat Elvis, ripping off the neighbours faking Kats death, and setting up a blatantly phoney scam as a fortune teller etc. Then on the night Keegan and Shakil were stabbed, suddenly we were being asked to believe Mo had suffered these bleeding awful dreams. Cemetery dreams - with the Grim Reaper, tombstones, the lot. Do us a favour ! Plans: A storyline about knife crime only highlighted EastEnders own problems 13. Next up was Max who rushed to the hospital to support Carmel, the woman he had so royally shafted for months. (Not in a good way, when he was working for James Willmott-Brown.) We cant pretend it isnt happening! Max insisted when Carmel didnt want his consolation or empathy. (It was true he had too lost a child but also that he was mostly upset about Abi not Shakil.) No matter how far you go the pains gonna follow you ! he asserted. In EastEnders, that much was true. 14. Sharon was also thinking about herself Ive always felt safe here, she lamented to Ian in WALFORD, the crime capital of Europe. The place where her best friend Linda had been raped and Ians daughter Lucy murdered - by his young son Bobby. Paul Coker had been killed in a homophobic hate crime and Mick Carter shot in broad daylight during an armed robbery that turned out to be just the start of Aidan Maguires reign of terror a result of which Vincent had disappeared. The dastardly deeds of the various gangsters over the years are too numerous to mention. 15. For some reason the person seemingly most devastated by Shakils death and Keegans stabbing (that we were meant to feel particularly sorry for) was Mick Carter Women like Carmel and Bex hardly got a look in even though they were Shakils mother and girlfriend respectively. Instead, EastEnders brand of macho sensitivity took over. As well as Max, Danny Dyer hogged the cameras, generally becoming moody in the hospital as he watched what was happening. Whether it was meant to be from guilt, grief, or just a way to make everyone swoon over the cliched idea of a tough guy who was really a big softie was anyones guess. He told the police officer dealing with Shakils murder he wanted to be the one to tell Keegan his friend was dead. You dont want that responsibility, the detective assured him, not surprisingly (speaking from experience). I do, Mick insisted. I know the family. Hardly. He wasnt close to the Taylors, even Keegan. Im really proud of you! Linda trilled later. God knows why. It was a miracle Keegan hadnt been killed too. Micks antics when he drove him to Walford General deciding not to wait for the ambulance and then somehow stalling the car on a deserted motorway in front of an oncoming lorry had put him in more jeopardy than the loss of blood Keegan suffered when he was stabbed in the jugular. Sustainable investment and smart cities As one of the most dynamic cities in Vietnam with remarkable growth and a hotspot for foreign investment, Da Nang was chosen the first destination for the Dutch Days with the theme Sustainable investment and smart cities. The event began on May 25th with an official meeting between Consul General of the Netherlands to Ho Chi Minh city Mr Carel Richter and Vice Chairman of Da Nang Peoples Committee Ho Ky Minh. During the meeting, the Dutch official expressed his admiration for Da Nang not only for its vibrant development, but also for the citys efforts and future plan in accomplishing environmental sustainability. Mr Carel Richter spoke at the interactive seminar He also informed Minh about the performance of Dutch companies in Vietnam. Dutch businesses take sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibilities (CSR) seriously. Many companies take CSR even further and develop circular business models to reduce environmental footprint. A clear case of leading by example which sees recognition in the CSI 100 where three Dutch companies have been in the top 15 listing in 2016 and 2017, including a consecutive number 1 spot for a Dutch company. Furthermore, it was agreed that Da Nang has a lot of potential for developing smart city model, and the Netherlands is one of the countries in the forefront for smart cities. Dutch companies and knowledge institutes are always willing to share experiences with Da Nang to help build a smarter, friendlier, and more sustainable city. Last year, Da Nang exported USD12 million to the Netherlands (mainly garment and textile, sea-food products, toy for kids and handicrafts), while just spent around USD400,000 for Dutch materials of garment and textile and others. Currently, it is home of five Dutch companies. This meeting was followed by an interactive seminar where businesses could meet, share business ideas and discuss possible cooperation on future projects. Well-known Dutch companies like Royal Haskoning DHV, Philips, Akzo Nobel, Witteveen+Bos demonstrated many interesting cases of how businesses can contribute to sustainability and add values to common well-being. Bringing our people closer The second day of Dutch Days in the central coastal city was dedicated to the public audience with a range of cultural activities. Early in the morning of May 26th, the city center was brighten up with an orange bike ride carrying the logo and messages of the 45 years celebration, drawing a crowd to Library of General Sciences (No.46 Bach Dang, Hai Chau district). A pop-up museum with 16 masterpieces by Dutch painters was opened up where the audience could learn about the history of the Netherlands. Culture of Western Europe nation was also featured in a range of activities like mini quiz, food tasting, and story-telling as well./. Hugh Grant has married his long-term girlfriend Anna Eberstein in an intimate ceremony at Chelsea registry office on Thursday. In images obtained by The Sun, the beaming couple emerged from the ceremony - with Hugh in a suit and Anna in a shirt and mini-skirt - after tying the knot, despite his previous insistence he would never marry. Sources told the site: 'Everybody looked very happy and relaxed, it was obviously an informal occasion with only very close family members present. Happy days: Hugh Grant has married his long-term girlfriend Anna Eberstein in an intimate ceremony at Chelsea registry office on Thursday 'The group congregated on the steps and Grant stepped in right at the last minute, seemingly in a bid to attract attention.' Following the ceremony, Anna flashed a gold band on her wedding finger during a glam London night out with her husband after their nuptials. Grant is also famous for his own reluctance to marry. He split up in 2000 with his actress girlfriend Elizabeth Hurley after 13 years together. He told People magazine in 2015: 'I'm not really a believer in marriage. I've seen very few good examples, maybe five, in my life, but I think otherwise it's a recipe for mutual misery.' Happy days: In images obtained by The Sun, the beaming couple emerged from the ceremony - with Hugh in a suit and Anna in a shirt and mini-skirt - after tying the knot, despite his previous insistence he would never marry Golden girl: The night before the ceremony, Anna flashed a gold band on her wedding finger during a glam London night out with her now-husband It was previously reported that the Four Weddings and a Funeral star would walk down the aisle with his Swedish girlfriend, marking the first marriage for the actor. Wedding banns for the couple were at Kensington and Chelsea register office, near the couple's 10million home in the capital, earlier this month. Hugh and Anna have been together six years and share three children, John Mungo, who was born in September 2012, and another child born in December 2015. Hugh's ex Elizabeth let slip in March that Hugh had had a third child with Anna, but the birth date and gender are unknown. News of the engagement emerged after the wedding banns for Hugh and Anna were posted on screens in the office at Chelsea Old Town Hall. First marriage: Wedding banns for the couple were posted at Kensington and Chelsea register office, near the couple's 10million home in the capital A source has told The Sun: 'This is a day none of Hughs friends ever thought would come. He will soon be a pensioner and has finally become a family man.' As well as his three children with Anna, Hugh also shares two children with ex Tinglan Hong. The star enjoyed a 13-year romance with actress and model Hurley, splitting in 2000 but remaining great friends. It was Elizabeth who shared the news of the birth of his new baby during an interview with Andy Cohen on Watch What Happens Live in March. She candidly said: 'He had another one last week. He has five. He was over 50 when he spawned them all.' Andy asked Elizabeth if she was shocked by it and she delightfully responded: 'No, hes an enchanting dad. Really, really sweet.' Ex: The star enjoyed a 13-year romance with actress and model Hurley, splitting in 2000 but remaining great friends Hugh's children 1987-2000 - Hugh enjoyed an extremely high-profile romance with Elizabeth before splitting following his infidelities. While they never had children, he is Godfather to her son Damian, 15 September 2011 - Hugh became a father for the first time, to a daughter Tabitha with receptionist Tinglan Hong, after 'a fleeting affair' September 2012 - The actor later became a father for a second time to John Mungo, his first baby with Anna December 2012- After a brief reunion, Hugh and Tinglan had another child, as she gave birth to a boy called Felix although this only became publicly known when a birth certificate leaked when he was 16-months-old December 2015 - Anna and Hugh became parents once more to a second child, although they have never announced the child's name Advertisement The actress then cheekily cracked up her fellow guest on the chat show, David Oyelowo when she spoke of Hugh's forray into fatherhood. She said: 'Having these kids has transformed him from a very miserable person into a fairly miserable person. Its improved him. Hes gone up the scale.' The actor also dated socialite Jemima Khan for three years before their break up in 2007. Hugh has been back in the public eye of late, promoting his new BBC One drama A Very English Scandal, which sees the actor play disgraced politician Jeremy Thorpe. Hugh says he had to lose weight to portray Thorpe's hollow-cheeked appearance in the drama. 'I just got thinner. He was cadaverous, Thorpe, so I bought a bicycle and went racing round Richmond Park for four months and lost quite a lot of weight.' He said playing the old Etonian, who stood trial in 1979 for conspiracy to murder his gay ex-lover Norman Scott, also required a 'genius' make-up artist. 'He knew exactly what to do,' he said. 'Clever stuff like making my cheekbones even more hollow, the contact lenses and the hair.' Busy month: Hugh has been on the promo trail this week for his new BBC drama A Very English Scandal Charlotte Crosby teamed up with Joshua Ritchie and Sophie Kasaei to support their ex co-star Aaron Chalmers at the Bellator 200 MMA event, in London on Friday. Proving to be his biggest fans, the lively trio gave their mutual pal a standing ovation from their VIP seats after his victory against his rival Ash Griffiths. Beaming Josh, 24, applauded his pal while excitable Sophie, 28, and Charlotte, 27, caught the heart-stopping scenes on camera with their iPhones. Fight night! Geordie Shore's Charlotte Crosby joined her beau Josh Ritchie and Sophie Kasaei as they supported former co-star Aaron Chalmers at MMA event, in London on Friday Charlotte wore her waist-length tresses down to her waist, going for a smart casual look with her logo T-shirt and thigh-grazing miniskirt. For a touch of glamour, the reality star accessorised with a Louis Vuitton clutch and she added stilettos to her look. The Geordie Shore starlet showcased her surgically-enhanced features, brought to the attention of the cameras with soft touches of make-up. Ahead of the fight, Charlotte and Josh looked smitten as they gazed adoringly into each other's eyes while posing for the hunk's latest Instagram post. Cute chic: Charlotte wore her waist-length tresses down to her waist, going for a smart casual look with her logo T-shirt and thigh-grazing miniskirt Meanwhile, Sophie pulled out all the stops on her attire as she was a total knockout in her plunging thigh-split orange dress. Following their night at the fight, Charlotte took to Instagram to share a picture of herself with Sophie and Aaron to mark the champion's birthday. She penned in the lengthy message: 'Happy birthday to the one and only @aaroncgshore. Last night was absolutely amazing, yet again you proved all the narrow minded dirty a***s wrong! Sexy! Sophie pulled out all the stops on her attire as she was a total knockout in her plunging thigh-split orange dress Besotted! Ahead of the fight, Charlotte and Josh looked smitten as they gazed adoringly into each other's eyes while posing for the hunk's latest Instagram post 'So so so so proud of you and how far you have come! Taking control of what is gunna be the most successful ever journey for you! f**kinnggggg knock the c**ts out!!! always my fellow dj Aarons tho love you so much!' (sic) The MMA event was where the Charlotte and Joshua love story really began, with the pair packing on the PDA in front of cameras to support their mutual pal in December. Their love has really blossomed since the end of last year, with the duo even enjoying a sun-drenched couples holiday with pals Holly Hagan and Jacob Blyth. However, their romance hasn't been plain sailing as the lovebirds' ferocious bust-up abroad was filmed by holidaymakers during one of their nights out. Geordie Shore pals! Following their night at the fight, Charlotte took to Instagram to share a picture of herself with Sophie and Aaron to mark the champion's birthday Seemingly putting their troubles behind them, the couple have remained inseparable since touching back down in the UK earlier in the week. The Tattoo Of Us star revealed the chemistry between the pair was simmering while she was still attached to her ex Stephen Bear. Charlotte had no qualms in confessing Josh was secretly messaging the starlet during her getaways with her former flame. She recently admitted: 'When I was still kinda with Stephen, Josh actually slid into my DMs. He was like, ''are you in Ireland tonight?'' I was like, ''yeah, I'm Ireland' and he went, ''you wanna meet up?'' And I was actually thinking about it.' The whole squad! Josh, Charlotte and Sophie had VIP passes to watch their pal in the ring She's known for being stylish at all times. And Sienna Miller, 36, didn't disappoint, as she stepped out in New York City on Friday in her gym gear and a pair of statement canary yellow sunglasses. The British actress looked utterly relaxed as she strolled through Washington Square Park, even stopping to have a sit down on a bench before snapping a selfie. Style: Sienna Miller, 36, looked chic as she stepped out in New York City on Friday in her gym wear and a pair of statement canary yellow sunglasses. Sienna wore a semi-sheer white tank top with a pair of black gym leggings, revealing her slender figure in the sporty ensemble. The blonde beauty's golden tresses were styled in loose, tousled waves and fell past her shoulders beautifully as she clutched her coffee. The American Sniper star beamed for her camera as she snapped a selfie on her phone, while taking some time out in the Big Apple. Super-stylish Sienna has recently spoken about her style evolution from her twenties to her thirties. Gym bunny: Sienna wore a semi-sheer white tank top with a pair of black gym leggings, revealing her slender figure Sienna told Harper's Bazaar last month: 'I never used to mind drawing attention to myself through what I wore... 'I didn't mind being quite brave and colourful and I don't want that anymore. The mini-skirts and stuff 'It was great and I was in my twenties, but I've grown up a little bit. I love classic fashion; for now, I'm in a toned down, mellow state.' Relocation: The G.I. Joe star has said she likes simple style now, following her more flamboyant twenties (Sienna pictured in 2008) Actress Sienna has relocated to New York with her five-year-old daughter Marlowe, but she is also regularly seen in the city with ex-fiance Tom Sturridge - Marlowe's father. She is so settled that her five-bedroom townhouse in London's Queens Park was recently put up for both sale and rent. According to The Times, Sienna bought the home in 2014 for 3million but put it on the market for sale at 2.75m. Now that she's in New York it is being let for for 2,000 a week. She is swiftly moving from the modelling circles into the acting world. And Emily Ratajkowski was every inch the movie star at the grand opening of Apex Social Club and Camden Cocktail Lounge at the Palms Casino Resort, in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday. The Gone Girl star, 26, exhibited her enviable figure in her skintight nude dress which accentuated her hourglass figure. What a vision! Emily Ratajkowski slipped her envy-inducing figure into a tight nude dress at glitzy event for the grand opening of Apex Social Club in Las Vegas on Saturday Framing her best assets, Emily put on an incredibly busty display in the low-cut neckline of her garment. Twirling on the red carpet in her sky-scraper strappy bronze heels, the Darkness star drew attention to her slender legs in her midi dress. The actress toted a bright red clutch to bring vibrant colour to her ensemble as she commanded attention at the glamorous event. Emily hit the red carpet alone without her new husband Sebastian Bear-McClard, who recently supported the star at the premiere for her latest movie Darkness. Sexy! Framing her best assets, Emily put on an incredibly busty display in the low-cut neckline of her garment Leggy lady: Twirling on the red carpet in her sky-scraper strappy bronze heels, the Darkness star drew attention to her slender legs in her midi dress The movie star plays Veronique in the thriller about a blind musician who becomes embroiled in London's criminal underworld after she hears a murder being committed. It come as a surprise to many the movie star walked down the aisle in a budget $200 ZARA suit at New York City Hall in a private affair in February earlier this year. Yet the newly wed shut down nasty claims that her marriage would only last weeks in her cover interview with Marie Claire in May. How to accessorise: The actress toted a bright red clutch to bring vibrant colour to her ensemble as she commanded attention at the glamorous event She told the publication: 'People came after my marriage, like, "Wow. I give it three weeks." Im like, "What?" 'No one can take women seriously on any choices that they make, especially if theyre unique to them and they dont play into the way we think women should get married. Its a constant writing-off.' As well as her outburst, Emily revealed her cleavage makes her feel powerful as the key to her sexuality. She explained: 'Boobs are funny...They hurt sometimes, and sometimes theyre the thing that makes me feel the most powerful. Theyre a key to my sexuality.' The Australian model recently flaunted her impressively-toned physique in a nude shoot for Link Nutrition, just eight months after giving birth to her second son. And Erin McNaught, 36, has revealed how working out after giving birth was more for her own sanity than slimming down for a 'post-baby body'. The wife of rapper Example told Daily Mail Australia on Thursday: 'Working out for me, that 20 or 30 minutes a couple of times a week, it was like my church.' EXCLUSIVE: 'Working out was like my church': Erin McNaught reveals fitness routine after giving birth as she showcases post-baby body in stunning nude photo shoot for Link Nutrition 'For me, after I had my baby, the workout aspect really was more for my own sanity,' the former pageant queen said, noting how breastfeeding and looking after two young tots rarely leaves 'time for yourself'. 'You really sacrifice a lot of your own, everything, really. You are so relied upon on from these little humans that you barely have any time for yourself so working out... It was that time that I had that was completely and utterly mine and mine alone.' Erin said she primarily headed to the gym for the physical and mental health benefits, but added: 'If that translates to my figure then great, but thats not why I was doing it.' Speaking on the impact social media influencers and celebrities have on new mother's feeling pressure to 'bounce back', Erin said: 'I certainly hope I havent contributed to that in any way! For me, a lot of it is genetic and my mum is still very tiny and at the same time I eat really well and I've always loved exercise.' 'Thats not why I was doing it': While fans had noticed her incredibly taut figure two-weeks after giving birth to son Ennio last year, she adds working out has always been more about the affects on her physical and mental health than any affects to her appearance (Pictured: 38-weeks pregnant(L) and two-weeks postpartum (R)) Natural beauty! Erin recently left little to the imagination in a tasteful shoot as a celebrity ambassador for health supplements company Link Nutrition, admitting she was 'really proud' of how the images turned out The former Miss Universe Australia says she is lucky to squeeze in two workouts s a week these days, opting for high-intensity interval training sessions or a quick run in London when she has time. Becoming a celebrity ambassador for all-natural supplement brand Link Nutrition, she told Daily Mail Australia: 'Ive always been health conscious and while I do eat my fair share of junk food, I try for the most part to eat really well and organic, choosing real food as opposed to processed food.' 'I want to set a good example for my kids. I want them to understand the reason why we eat food; that it's fuel for our body and it makes us feel good if we do it right.' 'Ive always been health conscious... I want to set a good example for my kids': Signing on as a celebrity ambassador for Link Nutrition she hopes to teach her children the importance of using food as fuel Erin recently left little to the imagination in a tasteful shoot for the brand's new campaign, which she admitted she was 'really proud' of the results. The Australian model stripped off to promote health supplements company Link Nutrition, covering her modesty with strategically placed fruit and vines. Erin's husband, British rapper Example, was a fan of the campaign, sharing Erin's racy behind-the-scenes selfie and writing: 'When your missus is quite literally A SALAD.' This month, the couple celebrated five years of marriage after tying the knot in Byron Bay, New South Wales in 2013. They share two sons: three-year-old Evander Maxwell Gleave and eight-month-old Ennio Stanley Gleave. Married At First Sight star Telv Williams only confirmed his romance with Maddie Carolan a month ago. But things appear to be moving quickly for the couple, with the reality star gifting his girlfriend with a golden surprise on Thursday. While Telv did not offer his ladylove an engagement ring, he did present her with a mouth-watering burger complete with a 24 carat gold bun. That was quick! On Friday, Married At First Sight star Telv Williams dined with girlfriend Maddie Carolan at Phat Stacks in Melbourne, where they chowed down on 24 carat gold burger The famed burger is served at Phat Stacks in the trendy Melbourne suburb of Camberwell, where Telv and Maddie dined on their romantic date. Priced at a whopping $88.80, the tasty treat features a double beef patty, chicken, bacon, three slices of cheese and onion rings. The big burger is also accompanied by a liquid nitrogen smoke show, which left such an impression on Telv that he shared some snaps to his Instagram Stories. Married At First Bite! Telv shared a snap of Maddie before she bit into her burger Mouthwatering! Priced at a whopping $88.80, the tasty treat features a double beef patty, chicken, bacon, three slices of cheese and onion rings 'Sooooo cooooool (sic)' he wrote beneath a picture of the meal surrounded by smoke. 'Thanks for having us @phatstacksburgers that gold burger was next level' he captioned another photo of the delicious dinner. Meanwhile, it appeared the FIFO worker was equally as enamoured with Maddie, sharing a snap of his ladylove before she bit into her burger. Loved-up! Telv confirmed his romance with Maddie a little more than a month ago 'I can't deal with this girl @maddie_carolan' the star wrote, accompanied by an emoji with heart eyes. The blonde beauty looked every inch the girl next door, cutting a casually chic figure in a white Kookai tee. Telv and Maddie's date occurred at the same time as the hunk's 'ex-wife' Sarah Roza made her first public appearance with her new beau, James Stephens. On the other side of the city, the buxom bombshell attended a charity dinner with her new man, several months after her bitter split from Telv, whom she wed on Married At First Sight. Ant McPartlin makes his last appearance on Britain's Got Talent in Saturday's upcoming final pre-recorded episode before his rehab ordeal. In typical Ant and Dec fashion, the cheeky duo will storm the stage together for the last time where they dance along to DJ Murray Mint's audition. The funny double-act were in their element as they larked about on stage looking as if they didn't have a care in the world. Astonishing moment! Ant McPartlin stole the spotlight in emotional final scenes on Britain's Got Talent as Dec Donnelly revealed the financial impact of going solo Ant and Dec even wore personalised LED glasses which flashed up their names during DJ Murray Mint's performance. The duo danced excitedly, and the pair even managed to get judges David Walliams, 46, and Simon Cowell, 58, to join in on the fun. With an infectious energy to him, DJ Murray quickly got the whole audience on their feet as they waved their Great Britain flags in the air as a sign of support. In the dancing mood: The presenting duo were so into DJ Murray Mint's fun Disco Inferno performance that they ran on stage to dance alongside his groovy backup dancers His stylishly dressed back-up dancers clapped and jumped around on stage, as one woman stepped up to the judge's panel to give them funky accessories. David was given a crown, Simon a Hawaiian flower necklace, Amanda Holden a balloon, and Alesha Dixon a Sombrero. Stylish: Simon had been given a Hawaiian flower necklace by one of DJ Murray Mint's well dressed dancers Clearly determined to get the party started, David jumped out of his seat and shimmied along to Simon in an attempt to get him dancing. Ant and Dec were also on board to get the music mogul on stage, as they dragged him on to the stage the moment Don't Blame It On The Boogie by The Jacksons started playing. Dancing in sync with DJ Murray and his crew, Ant, Dec, and David seemed to be in their element as they flawlessly performed the disco moves. The final show: Ant's appearance on the ITV primetime show will be his last of the season, as Dec is currently set to host the live semi-finals solo Simon seemed to be less confident in his dancing ability though, as he looked to his colleagues to try and follow along. Fans will have to wait and see whether DJ Murray's skills win over the judges enough to send him through to the next round, as he joins the list of hopefuls taking to the stage for the first round of semi-finals. In the light of Ant stepping down from his television commitments following his second rehab stint, Dec discussed the monetary impact of going it alone. Seeking help: This comes after it was reported that he had moved into a 4.5million mansion as he continues to get treatment following his drink-driving conviction in April He told The Sun's TV Mag: 'A couple of years ago our management said: "Have you considered key man insurance? Because if something were to happen to the other one, your income would probably stop. Youre not going to work on your own." 'We were like: "What do you mean, not going to work on our own?!" Then someone went: "No, no or its just for some money to come in while you decide what to do." We preferred that version!' The interview follows reports Ant had moved into a 4.5million mansion as he continues to get treatment following his drink-driving conviction in April. According to The Sun, Ant moved from the West London home he was renting following the split from wife Lisa Armstrong to a more tranquil abode, eight miles away. Ant has been back in rehabilitation for drink and drug-related problems, leaving Dec to make his first red carpet appearance alone at the recent BAFTA TV Awards. The troubled star was recently fined a record 86,000 and banned from the road for one year and eight months after pleading guilty to drink-driving. The television personality was twice the legal limit when he was arrested for drink driving after a car crash, according to police. However, despite his troubles it has been reported that Ant might return to I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!, according to The Mirror. Media personality Antonia Kidman has revealed her traditional home life with her businessman husband, Craig Marran, and her six children. The Singapore-based author says the pair are 'pretty clear about their roles' in their family, adding she takes care of majority of the domestic tasks. Speaking to Stellar Magazine on Sunday, the 47-year-old was candid about her duties as a mother and how she balances it with her career. 'I finally feel like I'm coming up for air': Antonia Kidman talks her traditional home-life as a mother of six... as she reveals a surprising new career move 'During the week, I take care of the home and domestic tasks and he works for us outside of the home,' she said, adding on weekends they do it together. 'We both value what the other person does and we each prefer the roles that we have... We see each other as part of a team and we make our decisions based on that,' the mother-of-six added. In the issue, the younger sister of Oscar-winner Nicole Kidman, gives a wide-ranging chat about balancing motherhood and her personal ambitions. Traditional! Antonia says she takes care of domestic duties during the week, while her husband goes out to work. Pictured here with daughter Lucia and husband Craig Marran in 2016 Antonia has four children with her late ex-husband Angus Hawley, who she was married to until 2007, and two with current husband Craig Marran. Her ex-husband died of a heart attack in 2015. She added it was important for her to work outside of the home, having published two books on parenting in the past: Feeding Fussy Kids and The Simple Things. Busy mother! In the past, Antonia has authored two books on parenting. The media personality is pictured here with her daughter Lucia in 2015 Now the accomplished author has planned a new move into social justice advocacy and family law, having just completed her Juris Doctor. 'I have thoroughly relished the challenge of it,' Antonia said, adding she will graduate from the course later this year. 'I find social justice and family law incredibly interesting, and plan on moving into this area when I graduate.' Starting her career in journalism at the Nine Network, Antonia then moved on to Foxtel where she presented a number of lifestyle-based shows. In the public eye for quite some time, In 2008 she was awarded Favourite TV personality at the ASTRA Awards for the second time. Prince Harry's ex Chelsy Davy put on an extremely passionate display while dining with her boyfriend James Marshall on Thursday - a week after the Royal Wedding. The blonde beauty's mind seemed to be far away from her newlywed former flame as she sat in a restaurant for an al fresco date with her dashing love in London, with who she was kissing, giggling and even suggestively playing around with a ring. A week before her cosy date, the 32-year-old South Africa stunner was a surprise addition at Harry's wedding to former actress Meghan Markle, before which she reportedly had an 'emotional' phone call with the Royal. Yay! Prince Harry's ex Chelsy Davy, 32, put on an extremely passionate display while dining with her boyfriend James Marshall, 44, on Thursday - a week after the Royal Wedding The businesswoman was spotted locking lips with the TV producer, 44, during their casual lunch, before they embarked on a spring stroll. Chelsy continued her playful display as she toyed with a ring and chuckled throughout their outing. Showcasing her toned legs, Chelsy donned a thigh-skimming floral skirt, tied in with a pale pink cami and a denim jacket. A royally good laugh? The blonde beauty's mind seemed to be far away from her newlywed former flame as she sat in restaurant for an al fresco date with her dashing love, with who she was kissing, giggling and even suggestively playing around with a ring Sombre? A week before her cosy date, the South Africa stunner was a surprise addition at Harry's wedding to former actress Meghan Markle Good luck? She seemed very please with her eye-popping ring as they larked around Raunchy! The couple appeared in the throes of love as they shared a steamy kiss during their casual lunch The blonde beauty maintained her bold appearance in the fashion department, as she toted a heavily-patterned backpack and sported shiny silver trainers. Complementing her radiant complexion, she opted for minimal make-up and wore her tresses in a poker straight fashion. Meanwhile, James went casual in a grey T-shirt, form-fitting indigo jeans and a pair of rugged red canvas shoes. Full of fun: Chelsy continued her playful display as she toyed with a ring and chuckled throughout their outing Leggy: Showcasing her toned pins, Chelsy donned a thigh-skimming floral skirt, tied in with a pale pink cami and a denim jacket Having fun: The blonde beauty maintained her bold appearance in the fashion department, as she toted a heavily-patterned backpack and sported shiny silver trainers Effortless: Complementing her radiant complexion, she opted for minimal make-up and wore her tresses in a poker straight fashion Hmmm: Meanwhile, James went casual in a grey T-shirt, form-fitting indigo jeans and a pair of rugged red canvas shoes Prince Harry and Chelsy were together for seven years between 2003 and 2010 after meeting as teenagers at Cheltenham. She accompanied Harry on his gap year to Cape Town before returning to the UK to study in Leeds and be closer to him. However, the spotlight proved to be too much for Chelsy as she previously told The Times: 'It was so full-on: Crazy and scary and uncomfortable.' Animated: She pulled a funny facial expression as she held hands with her partner Check him out! James appeared to flex his muscles, to which an amused Chelsy stroked his arms She added: 'I found it very difficult when it was bad. I couldn't cope. I was young, I was trying to be a normal kid and it was horrible.' However, the blonde also said that she thinks 'she'll always be friends' with the Royal. According to Vanity Fair, she got in touch with her ex last week - after discovering that she had been invited to the ceremony but not the reception at Frogmore House, and the conversation acted as closure for the former couple. A family friend told VF: 'It was their final call, a parting call in which they both acknowledged Harry was moving on. Chelsy was quite emotional about it all, she was in tears and almost didn't go to the wedding. Way back when: Chelsy, who dated Harry from 2003 to 2010 (pictured together in 2008), was said to be in tears in what was referred to as their 'final call' Former flames: She accompanied Harry on his gap year to Cape Town before returning to the UK to study in Leeds and be closer to him (pictured September 2007) Candid: However, the spotlight proved to be too much for Chelsy as she previously told The Times : 'It was so full-on: Crazy and scary and uncomfortable' (pictured July 2007) The happy couple: Prince Harry and Meghan extended the ceremony invitation to Chelsy but she was not invited to their ceremony at Frogmore House 'In the end, she went and promised Harry she wouldn't try and gatecrash the party.' MailOnline has contacted Kensington Palace for a comment. She is reported to have arrived to the Royal Wedding with fellow ex-girlfriend Cressida Bonas, with the pair spotted chatting together ahead of the ceremony. The Prince enjoyed a tumultuous seven-year romance with law graduate Chelsy, while his relationship with actress Cressida who was introduced to him by Princess Eugenie, floundered after two years. Moving on: According to Vanity Fair , she got in touch with Harry last week - after discovering that she had been invited to the ceremony but not the reception Happier times: A family friend told the publication that Chelsy was 'quite emotional' about her ex moving on Still pals: She is reported to have arrived to the Royal Wedding with fellow ex-girlfriend Cressida Bonas, with the pair spotted chatting together ahead of the ceremony Hurt? Many social media users were quick to point out the jewellery designer's more somber face during the service Hamish Shephard of Bridebook.co.uk told the MailOnline: 'The presence of two of Harry's ex girlfriends is a relatively unique trend to a royal and society wedding such as this. 'Only 11 per cent of UK couples have invited an ex to their wedding (let alone two!), with only 5 per cent having attended a wedding of one of their exes.' Many social media users were quick to point out the jewellery designer's more somber face during the service. While many joked that her pensive face screamed 'it should have been me', others admitted that they could relate to her. Body language expert Judi James, says that Chelsy's feelings were evident during the wedding. She is in London to film scenes for Maleficent 2. Yet Angelina Jolie took a break in her jam-packed acting schedule to spend some quality time with her children Knox and Shiloh at Legoland Windsor on Friday. The Hollywood A-list star, 42, made the most of the fun-filled day out as she joined in to play Panning for Gold with her nine-year-old son and 11-year-old daughter. Doting mum! Angelina Jolie took a break in her jam-packed acting schedule to spend some quality time with her children Knox and Shiloh at Legoland Windsor on Friday Worlds away from her red carpet appearances, the actress ditched her typical dress and heels as she kept the chill at bay with her long padded jacket. Lara Croft icon Angelina kept a watchful eye on her children as the trio enjoyed their Pirates-themed adventures. The movie star kept her appearance low-profile, with her long brunette tresses worn in a low ponytail and she accessorised with trademark huge circular sunglasses. Natural beauty! Worlds away from her red carpet appearances, the actress ditched her typical dress and heels as she kept the chill at bay with her long padded jacket MailOnline has approached Angelina Jolie's representatives for comment. The family outing comes amid reports Angelina was furious she was not allowed to take her kids out of the US during her custody battle with her estranged husband Brad Pitt. Angelina was planning to take her six kids (Maddox, 16, Pax, 15, Shiloh, Vivienne and Knox) to London as she filmed her sequel Maleficent 2. However, The Tourist star's has reportedly been told she can't take the children across to the UK until she and Brad have sorted their divorce. Great fun: Lara Croft icon Angelina kept a watchful eye on her children as the trio enjoyed their Pirates-themed adventures An insider told the New York Post's Six Page column: 'They are figuring out how it would work, but she is not happy. She wants to take the kids to London with her while she's shooting and she's frustrated with the process. 'They're talking about how it would work. Even the people around her are getting tired of it.' MailOnline have contacted Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt's reps for comment. The estranged couple have been locked in a bitter divorce battle, including who will get custody of their children, since they called time on their marriage in 2016. Despite the furore, it is reported that the pair are weeks away from finalising the details of their divorce. Busy! The Hollywood A-list star, 42, made the most of the fun-filled day out as she joined in to play Panning for Gold with her nine-year-old son and 11-year-old daughter A source told The Sun in April: 'The terms of the divorce are now agreed. They are being finalised by both legal teams, but will be filed within weeks. 'It's a huge turnaround from where the marriage ended, especially given the claims Angelina made against Brad, but they are now on pretty good terms. Both decided it was crucial for the children that they had a respectful relationship. 'The key thing is that they agree to custody sharing, with Brad having access and working with Angelina on logistic issues about work and travel. There were rumours the divorce was being called off, but that's not the case.' Photo taken on May 22, 2018 shows a market under construction at Hainan Resort Software Community in south China's Hainan Province. The community strengthened ecological protection and built education, health care, culture, business and recreation supporting facilities for the convenience of employees. As of March of 2018, a total of 2,632 enterprises have registered in the community. (Xinhua/Yang Guanyu) 12 1 [ Editor: zyq ] She's been documenting her excitement for the highly-anticipated Monaco Grand Prix on social media. And Princess Charlene continued her preparations for the event as she stepped out in Monaco during the practice races with her husband Prince Albert II on Saturday afternoon. The former Olympic swimmer, 40, looked every inch the trend-setter as she slipped into a khaki green jumpsuit, which accentuated her incredibly slender frame. Off they go: Princess Charlene, 40, continued her preparations for the Grand Prix during the practice races with her husband Prince Albert II, 60 on Saturday The Royal commanded attention as she enhanced her statuesque frame in a pair of studded strappy heels and protected her eyes with circle-framed sunglasses. Enhancing her youthful-looking appearance, the Princess of Monaco styled her blonde hair into her trademark chic short bob, and opted for neutral-toned makeup. Meanwhile, Prince Albert, 60, cut a typically dapper look as he was clad in a pair of light brown trousers, a crisp blue shirt and a navy blazer. Stylish: The former Olympic swimmer looked every inch the trend-setter as she slipped into a khaki green jumpsuit, which accentuated her incredibly slender frame Stand-out: The Royal commanded attention as she enhanced her statuesque frame in a pair of studded strappy heels and protected her eyes with circle-framed sunglasses Stunning: Enhancing her youthful-looking appearance, the Princess of Monaco styled her blonde hair into her trademark chic short bob, and opted for neutral-toned makeup The couple were joined by an array of celebrities during the practice races, including Danish actor Nikolaj Coster-Waldau and F1 ace Lewis Hamilton. Clearly excited for the races, Princess Charlene shared a photo of her twins Gabriella and Jacques, three, posed inside a toy Formula One race car. 'Getting ready for the GP', she captioned the Instagram snap, along with the hashtag #startyourengines. Proud: Charlene been documenting her excitement for the highly-anticipated Monaco Grand Prix on social media Star-studded: The couple were joined by an array of celebrities during the practice races, including Daniel Ricciardo, Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel and Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton Giddy: Danish actor Nikolaj Coster-Waldau appeared in high spirits as he tried his hand at the sport Organizers of the Monte Carlo race are set to defy Formula One's rulers by employing models before Sunday's race, and Hamilton has welcomed the return of the grid girls for the Monaco Grand Prix. Liberty Media abolished the long-standing F1 tradition at the beginning of the year after denouncing the practice as 'at odds with modern-day societal norms.' Liberty has since rolled out its grid kids scheme, with 20 children already involved in the junior ranks of motorsport lining up in front of the drivers prior to the start of the race. Practice makes perfect: Racing driver Max Verstappen was spotted in the Aston Martin Red Bull Racing RB14 Tag Heuer on track Hell's Kitchen host Gordon Ramsay has taken a sensational swipe at his counterpart Marco Pierre White. The hot-headed celebrity chef didn't mince words when it came to his fellow UK chef, who hosted the Australian version of the show. Speaking to The Sunday Telegraph, the 51-year-old hit out at the show's lacklustre premiere Down Under by the Seven network. Scroll down to video 'The f**k up he made of Hell's Kitchen was embarrassing': Hot-headed chef Gordon Ramsay has taken a swipe at Marco Pierre White after his Hell's Kitchen failure 'The f**k up he made of Hell's Kitchen was embarrassing,' straight-talking Gordon said of Marco and his role on the Australian-version of the show. Gordon continued his vitriolic spray, hitting out at the chef for launching the show with the opening line: 'I made Gordon Ramsay cry.' He started: 'Yeah, you made me cry with laughter, you f**ker. I'm still laughing my head off now.' Daily Mail Australia have reached out for comment from Channel Seven and chef Marco Pierre White. 'Yeah, you made me cry with laughter, you f**ker': The blonde chef didn't mince words when speaking about Marco, who fronted Channel Seven's version of Hell's Kitchen to dismal ratings In the wide-ranging interview, Gordon took aim at the former MasterChef guest judge for his high-profile spat with food critic Matt Preston. Matt made comments about the Michelin-starred chef's son, after the then 22-year-old admitted to drug use and paying for sex. Marco then defected to Hell's Kitchen from MasterChef, which was on a rival network. 'I made Gordon Ramsay cry': It appears the chef made Gordon Ramsay angry after he fronted Hell's Kitchen and dissed Masterchef following his departure Despite the upset, however, in a rare moment of gushing the explosive blonde chef praised MasterChef hosts Gary Mehigan, Matt Preston and George Calombaris. 'Gary is a Brit and we go back a long way. Matt, as you know, is a true bon vivant with an amazing palette; and George is a professor who wants to keep everyone on their toes.' Despite Hell's Kitchen being a major ratings winner in the US, the local version attracted a less-than-impressive crowd to it. Its season finale was beaten by renovation show, The Block, with a number of viewers slamming it on social media. Marco was accused of being 'boring', while other fans said the show was 'butchered' by the Seven network and was 'fu**ing boring'. She was the picture of glamour as she joined a host of celebrities at the star-studded amfAR Gala earlier this month. And Milla Jovovich proved to be in good company as she was spotted greeting pal Sebastian Faena with a warmly-embraced hug and kiss at the lavish event during the 71st annualCannes Film Festival in Antibes, France. The screen star, 42, appeared in high spirits as the pair engaged in a lively conversation during the glitzy bash, which raised millions for the fight against HIV/AIDs. Friendly: Milla Jovovich was spotted greeting pal Sebastian Faena with a warmly-embraced hug and kiss at the lavish event during the 71st annual Cannes Film Festival earlier this month. The model took to the red carpet shortly before heading into the event, where she dazzled in an one-shouldered pink maxi dress, which featured a sizzling thigh-high split and sequins placed around her derriere and her midsection. Ensuring all eyes were on her, the Zoolander 2 actress added to her statuesque frame in a pair of nude strappy heels and accessorised with a velvet burgundy clutch. The brunette beauty accentuated her beauty in a slash of red lipstick and swept her tresses into a sleek bun. Close: The screen star, 42, appeared in high spirits as the pair shared a friendly peck during the glitzy bash, which raised millions for the fight against HIV/AIDs Milla's appearance comes after it was reported that she and her filmmaker husband Paul W.S. Anderson, 53, have put their 1960s, three-bedroom pavilion on the market for $4.5 million after purchasing it just one-and-half years ago for $3.9 million, according to Variety. Milla - who stars in the popular Resident Evil franchise, which has grossed $1.2 billion worldwide - is thought to have acquired the Rodeo Drive house as an investment. The minimalist abode was listed as a furnished rental at $20,000 per month shortly after the couple bought it. Glitzy: The model was the picture of glamour as she joined a host of celebrities at the bash It boasts three bedrooms and 3.5 bathrooms and sits in a fenced plot of land complete with swimming pool. Milla and the English film director have been married since 2009 and share two children. They welcomed their first daughter Ever in 2007 and became parents to another daughter named Dashiel in 2015. All eyes on her: The Zoolander 2 actress took to the red carpet shortly before heading into the event, where she dazzled in an one-shouldered pink maxi dress She has been enjoying a babymoon in Monaco with her Hot Felon beau and her family. And Chloe Green was spotted holding a what appears to be a vape pen to her lips as she relaxed on her billionaire father Philip Green's luxury super-yacht on Saturday. Representatives for Chloe did not reply to repeated requests for comment from MailOnline. Babymoon: Chloe Green was spotted holding a what appears to be a vape pen to her lips as she relaxed on her billionaire father Philip Green's luxury super-yacht on Saturday Sources close to Philip Green earlier furiously dismissed reports speculating about the pictures as nonsense. The former Made In Chelsea star topped up her tan while holding the apparent vape pen to her mouth. It's not known if the vape pen was empty. The Topshop heiress displayed her burgeoning bump in a blue tie-dye playsuit as she sat on the decking of the multi-million pound boat. She let her long brunette locks cascade over her shoulders and appeared to opt for minimal make-up for their sea jaunt. Holiday:The former Made In Chelsea star topped up her tan while holding the apparent vape pen to her mouth. It's not known if the vape pen was empty Relaxing: The former Made In Chelsea star relaxed onboard the yacht Bumping along: The Topshop heiress displayed her burgeoning bump in a blue tie-dye playsuit as she sat on the decking of the multi-million pound boat Impressive: The super-yacht has a swimming pool, a helipad, three lifts, six luxury cabins and a crew of 40 A study for The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released last year suggested vaping while pregnant could cause babies to be born with disfiguring birth defects to their faces and heads. The researchers found that exposure to e-cigarette vapor damaged cells that would eventually become facial features in ways that could cause facial clefts and uneven growth of facial structures. Meanwhile, Jeremy seemed enthralled by the breathtaking views of the Mediterranean coastline, showing off his rippling physique by going shirtless and donning a pair of checkered shorts. A superyacht by definition has to be 24m in length, but according to The Guardian Sir Philip's vessel is 90m. It has a swimming pool, a helipad, three lifts, six luxury cabins and a crew of 40. He has a net worth of 3.6bn. Earlier this year it was claimed that Chloe is not only expecting her first child with Jeremy but is engaged to the former convict as well. 'The family are fully on board planning a wedding, and Tina [Chloe's mother] is looking forward to being a grandmother,' a source told The Daily Mail. 'Chloe has been telling everyone that she is having a little boy.' Ahead of the impending arrival of their little one, the couple have been spending time in Monaco, relaxing at their own apartment in the same block where her parents own a 7 million penthouse. Loved-up: Ahead of the impending arrival of their little one, the couple have been spending time in Monaco, relaxing at their own apartment It must be love: Earlier this year it was claimed that Chloe is not only expecting her first child with Jeremy but is engaged to the former convict as well Jeremy was casually-clad in a white top and black and white chece High spirits: The pair also cuddled and waved at passers-by aboard the Lionheart Model looks: Jeremy later displayed his rippling muscles as he went shirtless while Chloe chatted on the phone Earlier this month, the former gang member said he 'couldn't be happier to be welcoming a child with his heiress girlfriend. Speaking to FV Magazine, model said: 'I've never been in this place mentally, emotionally, physically, that I'm in right now. I've never been in such an amazing place.' Adding his final thoughts on what love means to him, Meeks added: 'Love means everything, everything to me. It's what keeps people alive, it's what keeps people going, to love and to be loved.' Doting dad: Earlier this month, the former gang member said he 'couldn't be happier to be welcoming a child with his heiress girlfriend Smitten: He previously said: 'I've never been in this place mentally, emotionally, physically, that I'm in right now. I've never been in such an amazing place' Blossoming bump: Later in the day Chloe slipped into tight grey leggings and a plain black top which showed off her pregnancy curves Chloe and Jeremy are said to have first set their eyes on each other at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2017, where the Hot Felon was modelling for Phillip Plein. Jailbird Jeremy earned the dubious accolade of the 'world's hottest felon', when his mugshot went viral in 2014. Once a member of the North Side Crips street gang in California, Meeks was described as 'one of the most violent criminals in the Stockton area' before he was jailed for possessing a firearm. He was released from prison in 2016 saying that he had found God, before quickly securing a six-figure modelling job and ditching his wife and family when he met Chloe. Sizzling romance: Chloe and Jeremy are said to have first set their eyes on each other at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2017, where the Hot Felon was modelling for Phillip Plein After years of to and fro, they confirmed they were back on in the show's season premiere last month. But James Argent and Gemma Collins' relationship will reach fever pitch once again on Sunday's episode of TOWIE. The feisty couple will be at the centre of drama in the series finale, after having an explosive row at the airport following their Tenerife holiday. Bust-up: James Argent and Gemma Collins' relationship will reach fever pitch once again on Sunday's episode of TOWIE With Arg leaving Gemma to race back to Essex, Gemma is left crestfallen and admits her doubts about the relationship are resurfacing to Chloe Sims and Georgia Kousoulou. Meanwhile her beau tries to explain his side of the story to Tommy Mallet, revealing Gemma has blocked him on social media. The next day at Tommy's birthday, Gemma has a renewed positivity, leaving her future with her reality star boyfriend in doubt. Argument: The feisty couple will be at the centre of drama in the series finale, after having an explosive row at the airport following their Tenerife holiday With Georgia telling Arg where Gemma's head is at, he finally has the chance to speak to her at the end of the party to try and patch up their fractured relationship with her and his former friend Chloe Sims. Their explosive row occurred after their romantic break in Tenerife, where they shared a slew of loved-up snaps on social media. In an video obtained by The Sun, the couple were pictured rowing at London's Southend airport, with Gemma grabbing Arg's arm. Doubtful: With Arg leaving Gemma to race back to Essex, Gemma is left crestfallen and admits her doubts about the relationship are resurfacing to Chloe Sims and Georgia Kousoulou Devastated: Meanwhile her beau tries to explain his side of the story to Tommy Mallet, revealing Gemma has blocked him on social media While it's not clear what the tiff was about, Gemma begged her boyfriend to talk to her, but he's not having any of it as he shouts back and tries to get away. Another relationship in limbo is Dan Edgar and Amber Turner after their counselling therapy session last week. As Yasmin forced the pair to sit through an awkward counseling session, neither could admit they loved each other. Girlfriend material? Another relationship in limbo is Dan Edgar and Amber Turner after their counselling therapy session last week 'I dunno... that's a big word to just throw around,' Dan said. 'I know we've been doing this whole thing a year but that's a big thing for me to say.' He continued: 'The label of relationship does freak me out a bit, I'm just being honest, I don't know why. 'My mum and dad and split up when I was young and most of mates' mums and dads aren't together. I think things change once you get in a relationship: first things are all good then the arguments start, the jealousy creeps in, and things do change.' What will be? Having confronted Chloe Lewis over failing to have her back on the Dan situation, Amber decides to hear Dan out when he approaches her at the birthday party Asking what Amber's take on things were, the blonde beauty said: 'For me it's more I feel insecure because I don't know where I stand.' Having confronted Chloe Lewis over failing to have her back on the Dan situation, Amber decides to hear Dan out when he approaches her at the birthday party. Meanwhile Myles pleads with Courtney over their future together, offering to whisk her away to Mexico on a romantic holiday together. Can they reconcile and will there be a happy ending? The drama concludes in The Only Way Is Essex on Sunday at 9pm on ITVBe. Reunite? Meanwhile Myles pleads with Courtney over their future together They broke millions of hearts across the globe when they decided to take a break back in 2016. But Liam Payne sent fans wild by performing a mini One Direction reunion on stage at Radio 1's Biggest Weekend as he belted out one of the band's hits History. There wasn't a dry eye in the house as fans sobbed their way through Liam's rendition of the track with a slideshow of the band behind him. Wow: Liam Payne sent fans wild by performing a mini One Direction reunion on stage at Radio 1's Biggest Weekend as he belted out one of the band's hits History Sobbing: Fans who were touched by his tribute took to Twitter to express their emotional response to his choice of song, which was the bands last hit before taking a break Fans who were touched by his tribute took to Twitter to express their emotional response to his choice of song, which was the bands last hit before taking a break. One fan, Hannah Reynolds, wrote: 'As if I cried when @LiamPayne sang history at the biggest weekend x' While another added: 'Aaaaw @LiamPayne is doing History at the biggest weekend bless him.' Old track: There wasn't a dry eye in the house as fans sobbed their way through Liam's rendition of the track with a slideshow of the band behind him Touching: One fan, Hannah Reynolds, wrote: 'As if I cried when @LiamPayne sang history at the biggest weekend x' Another very animated follower said: 'Liam Payne I am so proud of you. You smashed your performance at the biggest weekend! Everyone was dancing and singing and wow, you made me cry during history... thank you! Love you so much.' One very emotional fan said: 'How could you do this to me, just bawled my eyes out at History... the music video came on and I knew I was gonna end up swimming in a pool of tears. The song choice could be a further hint that the band are planning a reunion as last month Liam revealed that it could be great for the boys to get together for a 'One Direction festival'. Tweets: Fans were emotional following the performance at the biggest weekend in Swansea Liam also delighted fans with a selection of his solo hits including Familiar , Get Low and For You. He was joined on stage by backing dancer Chloe Ferns who he was pictured chatting to as he enjoyed a night out in Dubai at the exclusive Penthouse Bar in the luxury Five Palm Jumeirah hotel in March. This came it was revealed Liam was planning to whisk Cheryl away for a 'make or break' holiday as the couple fought to save their relationship Backing dancer: He was joined on stage by backing dancer Chloe Ferns who he was pictured chatting to as he enjoyed a night out in Dubai at the exclusive Penthouse Bar in the luxury Five Palm Jumeirah hotel in March Also rocking the stage at annual event was Emelie Sande who donned a yellow and black checked frock. The Next To Me hitmaker belted out tracks in her signature soulful tones as crowds cheered along to an array of her tracks. While Liam was performing at the Radio One event in Swansea Emelie took to the stage in Perth, Scotland to perform. Smashing it: Also rocking the stage at annual event was Emelie Sande who donned a yellow and black checked frock Powerhouse: While Liam was performing at the Radio One event in Swansea Emelie took to the stage in Perth, Scotland to perform. Jess Glynne, who rose to fame with her debut solo Right Here after featuring in songs for Clean Bandit and Route 94, joined Liam at the biggest weekend festival in Swansea. The songstress looking striking in an edgy metallic blue coat and and a pair of white trousers as she wowed fans with her tracks. She wore her signature flaming tresses in a crimped style which gave a dramatic effect against her aqua coloured coat. Edgy: Jess Glynne, who rose to fame with her debut solo Right Here after featuring in songs for Clean Bandit and Route 94, joined Liam at the biggest weekend festival in Swansea Killing it: She wore her signature flaming tresses in a crimped style which gave a dramatic effect against her aqua coloured coat Sporting a revealing ensemble Anne-Marie oozed sex appeal as she flounced around the stage during her set in Swansea. She opted for a tie-dye effect co-ord which flashed her toned midriff as she performed hits from her latest album Speak Your Mind. The Ciao Adios hitmaker put on a cheeky display as she stuck out her tongue at her fans. Check me out: Sporting a revealing ensemble Anne-Marie oozed sex appeal as she flounced around the stage during her set in Swansea Cheeky! She opted for a tie-dye effect co-ord which flashed her toned midriff as she performed hits from her latest album Speak Your Mind Working it: Olly Alexander from Years & Years made an impression on stage in a daring black and yellow check jumpsuit Hugging it out: The band member hugged two other people on dance who were presumably his backing dancers Storming the stage were British band Clean Bandit who were joined by singer-songwriter Kristen Joy, who rose to fame on the 2012 series of the voice, and Yasmin Green. The band and Kristen took on a red theme as they each donned a piece of cherry coloured clothing for the performance. And they ensured their performance was also red hot as they ensemble came together to belt out some tracks together for the crowd. Coming together: Storming the stage were British band Clean Bandit who were joined by singer-songwriter Kristen Joy (left), who rose to fame on the 2012 series of the voice, and Yasmin Green (right). Talent: The band and Kristen took on a red theme as they each donned a piece of cherry coloured clothing for the performance Groovy: And they ensured their performance was also red hot as they ensemble came together to belt out some tracks together for the crowd Singer and rapper Craig David was another famous face to appear on stage during the event in an camouflage print jacket and forest green hooded jacket. The performer put on an animated display as he bounced around the stage, entertaining the crowd. Also putting all their energy into a set was lead singer of Scottish band Chvrches Lauren Mayberry who donned a baby pink tutu and fish net tights. Cheeky! Singer and rapper Craig David was another famous face to appear on stage during the event in an camouflage print jacket and forest green hooded jacket Loving it: The performer put on an animated display as he bounced around the stage, entertaining the crowd Pretty in pink: Also putting all their energy into a set was lead singer of Scottish band Chvrches Lauren Mayberry who donned a baby pink tutu and fish net tights Rock chic: The Chvrches singer wore a contrasting outfit which consisted of a form-fitting vest top and boots to accompany her eye-catching tutu All smiles! Sara Cox took on a presenting role at the event in Perth between acts in a pretty linen mini dress Presenting: Also taking to the stage to chat to the crowd was Claudia Winkleman who kept it casual in a denim shirt and black skinny jeans Showman: Sam Smith put on a dapper display in a checked trench coat as he took to the stage in Swansea Amazing: After a brief hiatus, Sam stormed back into the charts last year with his latest album The Thrill Of It All Jaw-dropping: Sam showed off his amazing vocals in front of the enormous Welsh crowd Great show: Oasis legend Noel Gallagher delivered a rousing performance in Perth Doing well: His appearance came after he featured on a pre-recorded message played at a memorial concert on the anniversary of the Manchester terror attack Sharp: He was his typical stylish self in skinny jeans and a leather jacket, along with Ray Ban-esque sunglasses Looking great: Radio 1 presenter Maya Jama oozed street chic in camouflage combat trousers and a sequinned crop top as she hosted proceedings in Swansea Getting motivated: The girlfriend of grime superstar Stormzy flashed her toned abs in the quirky look as she took to the stage Ever-great: Ed Sheeran delivered a typically toned-down performance in Swansea Sing along! The fan-favourite performer got the crowd involved in the performance from an illustrious list of songs She hails from the Netherlands. And it seems Dutch model Romee Strijd has returned to her homeland for a break. On Saturday the 22-year-old Victoria's Secret Angel shared Instagram snaps of herself and a gal pal in bikinis at The Hague. So fierce: Dutch model Romee Strijd donned a barely there, leopard spot, string bikini in an Instagram snap she shared on Saturday Romee looked fierce in a barely there string two piece in leopard spot material. The beautiful blonde, who stands a statuesque 5ft 11ins, pouted as she looked at the camera through her shades. Her blonde pal opted for a white bikini that she fiddled with when she sat up. The pair were lounging on black cushions next to an expanse of water, which could have been the city's Hofvijver Lake. Steamy shot: The 22-year-old Victoria's Secret Angel didn't reveal where she and her pal were beyond saying it was 82F and she was at The Hague in her native Netherlands But Romee didn't reveal her location beyond saying it was 82F and she was in The Hague. The blue-eyed beauty was just a teen when she first got into modelling. But she was quickly spotted by a number of designers and soon started walking in shows for Alexander McQueen, Badgley Mischka, Phillip Lim, Prada and Vera Wang. Flaunt those curves: The beautiful blonde and her pal pouted at the camera as she took a selfie Romee has since appeared in campaigns for Carolina Herrera, Alexander McQueen, Donna Karan, Stradivarius, Giuseppe Zanotti, H&M and Marchesa. She made her Victoria's Secret debut in 2014 and received her wings in 2015. Meanwhile, there was no sign of her boyfriend of eight years, Laurens van Leeuwen. They have been together since Romee was 15, long before she became one of the world's most famous models. Her world came crashing down when her son Shakil Nazir was murdered in a shock stabbing on EastEnders on Friday night. And Carmel Kazemi returned to her son's murder scene with Keegan Baker as Bonnie Langford and Zack Morris filmed the heartbreaking scenes on Saturday. The devastated mother fought back tears as she stepped onto the estate where Keegan stole the bike to help identify the boy who stabbed him and her beloved son Shakil. Distraught: Carmel Kazemi returned to her son's murder scene with Keegan Baker as Bonnie Langford and Zack Morris filmed the heartbreaking scenes on Saturday In the dramatic scenes, Carmel looked distraught as she clutched onto Keegan's hand for support. As the stabber's mother returned with her shopping, she witnessed her son being handcuffed by two police officers. Dropping her bags, the mother fought tooth and nail, trying to get to her son, while Carmel and Keegan looked on visibly shaken. Heartbreaking: Her world came crashing down when her son Shakil Nazir was murdered in a shock stabbing on EastEnders on Friday night Moving; In the dramatic scenes, Carmel looked distraught as she clutched onto Keegan's hand for support Arrested: As the stabber's mother returned with her shopping, she witnessed her son being handcuffed by two police officers Instinct: Dropping her bags, the mother fought tooth and nail, trying to get to her son, while Carmel and Keegan looked on visibly shaken The filming comes a day after fans of the show struggled to hold back the tears on Friday as they finally said goodbye to Shakil, after he passed away in hospital from a shock stabbing. Viewers of the BBC soap rushed to Twitter to express their grief at the heart-wrenching scenes, with others also praising actress Bonnie Langford for her performance as Shakil's devastated mum Carmel. After finally being discovered in the Albert Square bushes hours after being stabbed by a rival gang, Shakil (played by Shaheen Jafargholi was frantically rushed to hospital but doctors were unable to save him. Angry: The mother launched into a furious tirade with one police officer Emotional: EastEnders fans were left heartbroken on Friday after Shakil Nazir finally passed away from his stabbing, with others praising Bonnie Langford's performance as mum Carmel Carmel and Shakil's brother Kush (played by Davood Ghadami) were then delivered the news the teen had passed away, leaving the family completely heartbroken. At first Carmel refused to believe her son had died, and it wasn't until she was allowed to see the body that the brutal reality began to sink in, breaking down in tears as she stood by his bed. In the episode's closing scenes Carmel blew a kiss to Shakil before saying: 'My baby. Night night.' Heartbreaking: At first Carmel remained in denial about her son's death, but finally broke down in tears after being allowed to see his body Inevitably the hard-hitting scenes sparked much reaction from fans, with many tweeting through their tears that they couldn't cope with saying goodbye to fan favourite Shakil. One viewer wrote: 'HOW THEY GONNA KILL OFF SHAKIL LIKE THAT HE WAS SO UNDESERVING. HE WAS SO SWEET AND PURE NOOO.' Another wrote: 'OMG Shakil my heart is broken' while a third added: 'Nooo! They killed Shakil!' In tears: Viewers of the BBC soap struggled to say goodbye to Shakil following his stabbing by a rival gang earlier in the week Other viewers rushed to praise Bonnie Langford's performance as Carmel, portraying the heartbreaking reality of a mother losing a child. One viewer tweeted: 'EastEnders back to its best... has me crying with Carmel tonight...' while a second viewer wrote: 'Carmel absolutely broke my heart tonight! Makes me think about these poor families that get news like this in real life, so many what ifs and why's - this needs to change!!' Another viewer tweeted: 'I can't imagine how Carmel would be feeling, as a mum it's just your worst nightmare.' RIP: Shakil finally passed away from his stabbing on Friday, leaving his family devastated at the hard-hitting storyline on knife crime Important: Fans rushed to praise Bonnie's performance as the devastated mum Carmel Shakil's death had been announced beforehand as part of the hard-hitting storyline on knife crime, and the aftermath next week will see Carmel struggling to cope. Spoilers released ahead of next week have revealed that Carmel will attempt suicide following Shakil's death, as Albert Square comes together in the teen's memory. Meanwhile Keegan Baker, who survived the stabbing, revealed in Friday's episode that he wants to speak out on what happened in his memory, particularly as he felt responsible after clashing with the gang by stealing their bike. EastEnders continues on Monday 28th May at 8pm on ITV. Their split has been a bitter one, so I was pleased to see Ewan McGregor and estranged wife Eve bury the hatchet in time to see their eldest daughter Clara graduate from New York University last week and even pose for this Instagram family selfie. Ewan filed for divorce from his wife of 22 years in January after he was spotted kissing Fargo co-star Mary Elizabeth Winstead in a London restaurant and rubbed salt into the wound by thanking both Eve and Mary in a Golden Globes speech, prompting his former wife to say: I dont care what he is doing. I was pleased to see Ewan McGregor and estranged wife Eve bury the hatchet in time to see their eldest daughter Clara graduate from New York University last week and even pose for this Instagram family selfie Ewan filed for divorce from his wife of 22 years (both left) in January after he was spotted kissing Fargo co-star Mary Elizabeth Winstead, right, in a London restaurant 'We dont speak. Now, it seems the family are on speaking terms, with aspiring photographer Clara, 22, gushing: Thank you to my wonderful parents for giving me the gift of a full education. 'This mug pays for his grub!' Vogue model laughs off being kicked in the jaw by her showjumper horse Vogue model Edie Campbell almost had her cover girl looks ruined last week after she was kicked in the jaw by her horse Edie Spare a thought for Vogue model Edie Campbell, 27, who almost had her cover girl looks ruined last week when she was kicked in the jaw by her horse Ed. Edie a keen showjumper who owns four horses was left with a nasty gash on her neck which required an ice pack. Luckily, Edie, nursing her injury above, was back riding the next day, her sense of humour intact. She joked: Do they not realise its this sweet mug that pays for their grub? Advertisement I can reveal Prince Harry will play in his Sentebale Polo Cup in the UK this summer. It will be at a royal polo club in England, former England captain Malcolm Borwick tells me. Harrys Sentebale charity supports the mental health and wellbeing of children affected by HIV in Lesotho and Botswana. They may not have walked the red carpet together at the double opening of the Apex Social Club and Camden Cocktail Lounge at the Palms Casino in Las Vegas on Saturday. But model and actress Emily Ratajkowski's husband Sebastian Bear-McClard was there to support his beautiful wife. The happy couple was seen cuddling up as they checked out his phone at a booth at the Apex behind a small table covered with a slew of refreshments. Up close and personal: Emily Ratajakowski and husband Sebastian Bear-McClard cuddle up as they check out his phone at the opening of the new Apex Social Club at the Palms Casino in Las Vegas Saturday The Gone Girl star, 26, showed off her enviable figure in her skintight nude dress, which accentuated her hourglass figure. Sebastian, 31, was far more casually dressed as he peered out from underneath the hood of his blue zip-up jacket, which he paired with cream pants. Later they got comfy on a sofa as Sebastian sipped a cocktail. The couple, who tied the knot on February 23, looked incredibly happy as they kicked off Memorial Weekend in Sin City. She is swiftly moving from the modelling circles into the acting world. Snuggling up: The 26-year-old Gone Girl star and her 31-year-old husband got comfy on a sofa at the club as Sebastian sipped a cocktail What a vision! Emily slipped her envy-inducing figure into a tight nude dress at the glitzy event But that didn't stop Emily showing off her catwalk creds on the red carpet in her skin-tight, low-cut dress, Twirling in her sky-scraper, strappy bronze heels, the beautiful brunette drew attention to her slender legs in her midi dress. She toted a bright red clutch to bring vibrant color to her ensemble. Meanwhile, Sebastian was also by her side for the premiere for her latest movie, Darkness, in Los Angeles on Wednesday. Sexy style: Framing her best assets, Emily's low-cut dress showed off her cleavage Leggy lady: Twirling on the red carpet in her sky-scraper strappy bronze heels, the Darkness star drew attention to her slender legs in her midi dress She plays Veronique in the thriller about a blind musician who becomes embroiled in London's criminal underworld after she hears a murder being committed. It was released on Friday. She and Sebastian surprised many when they tied the knot in a low-key wedding at New York City Hall in February with Emily wearing a budget $200 Zara suit. The newly wed shut down nasty claims that her marriage would only last weeks in her cover interview with Marie Claire in May. How to accessorize: The star toted a bright red clutch to bring vibrant color to her ensemble She told the publication: 'People came after my marriage, like, "Wow. I give it three weeks." Im like, "What?" 'No one can take women seriously on any choices that they make, especially if theyre unique to them and they dont play into the way we think women should get married. Its a constant writing-off.' As well as her outburst, Emily revealed her cleavage makes her feel powerful as the key to her sexuality. She explained: 'Boobs are funny...They hurt sometimes, and sometimes theyre the thing that makes me feel the most powerful. Theyre a key to my sexuality.' The comment was made by Chau Cong Bang, Deputy Director of the Ca Mau Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, at a conference on links in the shrimp industry, held on May 25. He said that the shrimp farming in Ca Mau and the neighbouring provinces has been strongly assisted by non-governmental organisations in recent years, through technical support as well as input and output links. But if the origin, quality and environment of shrimp products cannot be traced, farmers will face significant difficulties in selling their products, therefore links in value chains are a must, Bang emphasised. After two years of implementing a shrimp value chain cooperation project in Ca Mau, Bac Lieu and Soc Trang provinces, there are now 25 partnerships for selling shrimps, with three cooperatives certified by the Aquaculture Stewardship Council, and an additional nine expected to be recognised in 2018. However there are still a number of problems, such as weak financial capacity, hindrances to partnerships as a result of group interests, and a lack of sanctions for violation of or failure to comply with the terms of partnership contracts. Currently the shrimp farming costs in Vietnam, and the key regions of Ca Mau, Bac Lieu and Soc Trang in particular, are higher than those of other regional countries. As such, links in input, output and production are the most effective way to reduce costs and enhance the competitiveness of Vietnams shrimp industry. In that way, small shrimp farmers are guaranteed that their products will be sold, while enterprises will have a stable supply. He previously said he would rather 'slash his wrists' then play Bond again. But Daniel Craig is set to step into the famed 007 shoes for a fifth time and will reportedly net an eye-watering pay check for his reprisal. The 50-year-old actor is said to earn 50million for his role in the next James Bond film, which will be released in October 2019. Hefty wage: Daniel Craig is set to step into the famed 007 shoes for a fifth time and will reportedly net an eye-watering pay check for his reprisal A source told The Mirror: 'Daniel is raring to go out with a bang alongside Danny. 'They have been talking already about their visions and the practicalities once the cameras start rolling in December at Pinewood. 'Daniel is worth every penny given that Spectre made over 700million and Skyfall over 900million before they sold DVD, streaming and TV rights.' Golden boy: The 50-year-old actor is said to earn 50million for his role in the next James Bond film, which will be released in October 2019 MailOnline has contacted Daniel's representatives for comment. The mammoth salary beats the 37million the Hollywood hunk reportedly made for Spectre. It comes after Daniel and director Danny Boyle were confirmed for the next James Bond film. Universal Pictures have won the international distribution rights to the 25th movie about the spy - who will be played by Craig for a fifth time - with Boyle set to direct the hotly-anticipated movie, which will drop in the UK first on October 25, 2019. The actor's return will undoubtedly stun fans as he stated three years ago that he would 'rather slit his wrists' than take on the role once more. He's back! Danny Boyle and Daniel Craig have been confirmed for the next James Bond film, which will be released in October 2019 EON Productions' Michael G Wilson and Barbara Broccoli told Deadline: 'We are delighted to announce that the exceptionally talented Danny Boyle will be directing Daniel Craig in his fifth outing as James Bond in the 25th instalment of the franchise. 'We will begin shooting Bond 25 at Pinewood Studios in December with our partners at MGM and thrilled that Universal will be our international distributor.' Production on the movie, which will land in the US on November 8, 2019. Speaking in 2015, when asked about returning to the role, Craig told the Guardian: 'Now? Id rather slash my wrists. No, not at the moment. Not at all. Thats fine. Im over it at the moment. Were done. All I want to do is move on. 'I dont know what the next step is. Ive no idea. Not because Im trying to be cagey. Who the f**k knows? At the moment, weve done it. Im not in discussion with anybody about anything. If I did another Bond, it would only be for the money.' Having a giggle: Universal Pictures have won the international distribution rights to the 25th movie about the suave spy which will drop in the UK first on October 25, 2019 Despite this he is making his comeback in the role, ahead of its return. Kevin Ulrich, chairman of the board of directors at MGM - who will handle domestic distribution with Annapurna - said: 'Under the leadership of Michael and Barbara, we couldn't be more thrilled than to bring the next 007 adventure to the big screen uniting the incomparable Daniel Craig with the extraordinary vision of Danny Boyle.' Jon Glickman, group president at MGM, who will also handle the digital and worldwide television distribution rights, added: 'It has been 16 years since 'Die Another Day' was distributed by MGM and it's incredibly gratifying to be releasing this film alongside the powerhouse team at Universal.' In March, Boyle teased he was working on the Bond 25 script. He said: 'We are working on a script right now. And it all depends on that really. 'I am working on a Richard Curtis script at the moment. We hope to start shooting that in six or seven weeks. Then Bond would be right at the end of the year. But we are working on them both right now.' Ben Whishaw - who plays Q in the franchise - recently admitted he was delighted to hear Boyle had signed up to helm the next movie. He's back: Speaking in 2015, when asked about returning to the role, Craig said: 'Now? Id rather slash my wrists. No, not at the moment. Not at all. Thats fine. Im over it' Speaking to BANG Showbiz, Ben explained: 'I just think it's really exciting to have Danny Boyle on board for Bond. 'I was thrilled when I read that he was going to be doing it, I can't think of a better or more exciting fit for Daniel [Craig] and the direction he's taken the character of Bond. 'I'm just really excited to work with him, I've been such a big fan. It seems weird to talk about it because I've not had a conversation with him but it's exciting.' Bond 25 is set to be Craig's final outing as secret agent 007. She's the former Bachelorette who has since made acting strides as Home And Away's Jasmine Delaney. And on Sunday, ahead of the release of award nominations, The Daily Telegraph's Confidential suspects that Sam Frost may receive a nod for a Logie. It comes after the show's fans criticised the 29-year-old for her lack of acting experience. Is Sam Frost set to win a Logie? Home And Away's newest recruit is rumoured to receive an award nomination...after being SLAMMED by fans for her acting 'She is likely to be named a finalist in the best newcomer category,' The Daily Telegraph reported on Sunday. The speculation comes after Sam was slammed by avid fans of the long-running Channel Seven drama. Having made her debut at the end of 2017, Sam left select viewers less-than-impressed with her acting. Logie bound? 'She is likely to be named a finalist in the best newcomer category,' The Daily Telegraph's Confidential speculated on Sunday Following her episode debut, one fan Tweeted: 'Dear god I hope Sam Frost's acting skills improve.' 'Why is Sam Frost on Home And away,' along with 'I can't believe it's gotten worse,' others wrote. Another joined in with: 'Why is Sam Frost in home and away anyway why is she haunting me like this.' Hollywood bound? The news follows Sam's acting being slammed by avid fans of the show However it wasn't all negative, with some fans praising the blonde beauty for her first appearance on the soap. 'Sam Frost on #HomeAndAway,' one wrote, adding heart-eyes emojis. 'Bravo Sam Frost you killed it tonight on home and away,' another complimented. 'Sam Frost doing her best work there... #HomeAndAway,' one social media user gushed. The full list of Logie Award nominees will be announced at The Star on the Gold Coast on Sunday, with the event set to be held on the Gold Coast on July 1. One year after Aboriginal leaders came together for talks at Uluru, Labor's Pat Dodson is continuing his push for an indigenous consultative "voice" to parliament to be enshrined in law. "Otherwise, it just becomes the play tool of the parliament, whoever's in parliament," Senator Dodson told ABC Radio on Sorry Day. "Because if you start getting critical and stroppy of the government then they're going to get rid of you." Senator Dodson chairs a committee examining whether an indigenous 'voice' to parliament should be written into the constitution, as recommended in the Uluru Statement, and is due to report by July. A 'voice' to parliament would give indigenous Australians a say on policy addressing the social inequalities highlighted by the 'Closing the Gap' program. Only three of the program's seven targets to improve indigenous welfare are on track of being met. "It's a simple proposition but a very important one if we're going to go forward," Senator Dodson said. "It'll deliver to them the aspirations that underpin the Uluru statement, the creation of an entity - a body, a voice - that can interface with the parliament." After he spoke, an indigenous delegation marched on Parliament House from the Aboriginal Tent Embassy to mark two decades of National Sorry Day. The First Nations Grandmothers have been meeting with government this week to address the high rates of indigenous children in care and custody. "As we speak my children are still there in that system," said Queensland First Nations woman Serena Bulmer. "I am fighting for them. That's the reason I came down here to Canberra. Being here with these old ladies has given us strength to keep fighting". A May 25 deportation deadline for Australian missionary nun Patricia Fox to depart the Philippines has been extended until June 18 by the country's Justice Secretary, Menardo Guevarra. The announcement, which is being carried in local media outlets in the Philippines, requires that the country's Bureau of Immigration comment within 10 days on the latest in a series of appeals by Sister Fox claiming she had not been afforded due process. Sister Fox would have a further five days to reply and after that Guevarra could require a series of what he referred to as "clarificatory hearings" to achieve a "just resolution of this appeal". The 71-year-old had her missionary visa downgraded to a visitor's visa, over alleged involvement in partisan political protests, and she was subsequently given 30 days leave the country. However, Guevarra said that the 30-day count "was interrupted" when Fox filed a motion for reconsideration. "Upon denial of said Motion for Reconsideration, the petitioner had a remaining period of 25 days from May 24, 2018, the date when she was served a copy of the order denying her motion for reconsideration, or until 18 June, 2018, within which to leave the country," Guevarra told local media. A new offence could be created for unlicensed drivers in Victoria who accidentally kill or seriously injure others. The Department of Justice and Regulation is investigating the change as part of a wider review of the state's driving laws. It's understood Police Minister Lisa Neville asked for the consideration of a new offence for unlicensed drivers following the death of Jalal Yassine-Naja. Jalal, 13, was killed as crossed a road in Brookfield and was hit by Ayou Deng, but police only charged the woman with unlicensed driving. The government will consider details of the review in coming months. New "anti-gang" powers have been used by Queensland police for the first time to search a property in Brisbane on Friday night. Police invoked the powers designed to target organised crime operations in Queensland on Friday with a raid on an industrial property in Lawnton in Brisbane's north which they suspected of being a clubhouse for the Rebels motorcycle gang. After entering the property around 7.40pm, police discovered nine patched members of the Rebels in the shed, which was supposed to have been used for car repairs. During the search police seized several items including Rebels paraphernalia such as flags, vests and belts as well liquor and a cash register. Police intend to use the evidence to formulate a restricted premises application in the Brisbane Magistrates Court. 10 people were detained during the search including the nine patched Rebels, with all of the nine receiving consorting notices and Public Safety Orders under the state's Peace and Good Behaviour Act. A young mother has been charged following the death of a newborn baby, according to NSW Police. The 22-year-old is accused of concealing a birth by disposing of a body. Police say the baby was found dead inside a home at Sydney's northern beaches in October last year after the woman attended hospital for treatment post-birth. On Thursday, following an investigation into the baby's death, the 22-year-old was charged and appeared at Manly Local Court, where she was granted bail. She is next scheduled to appear at the same court on June 7. Queensland veteran Matt Scott faces missing the opening State of Origin match after being cited for a shoulder charge while Felise Kaufusi has been cleared to debut for the Maroons if selected. The match review committee on Saturday charged North Queensland prop Scott with a grade-one offence for a hit on Melbourne's Young Tonumaipea that will cost him a one-match ban unless he successfully contests it. Meanwhile Melbourne's Kaufusi escaped a charge after being put on report during the match for a possible cannonball tackle in his team's 7-6 win over the Cowboys in Townsville on Friday night. It means Kaufusi remains in contention to be named on Monday in the Queensland team for the Origin series opener in Melbourne on June 9. Melbourne forward Sam Kasiano faces a one-match after being charged with dangerous contact on Cowboys playmaker Johnatahn Thurston. The Queensland Reds will be kicking themselves after a horror night with the boot cost them a Super Rugby win against New Zealand's Highlanders in Brisbane. The hosts dominated territory and possession, with hooker Brandon Paenga-Amosa putting his case for a Wallabies berth as the Reds dominated the scrum. But they couldn't convert that into points, with poor in-game kicking options costing them in the 18-15 defeat at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night. A 78th-minute Lima Sopoaga penalty was the difference as both teams scored two tries in a gut-busting clash. The Highlanders (7-5) bounced back after a heavy loss to the NSW Waratahs last weekend while the Reds (4-8) are now a distant third in the Australian conference. The loss completed another eventful week at Ballymore after veteran James Slipper was slapped with a two-month ban for a second positive test for cocaine. The Highlanders chose to rest All Blacks Ben Smith, Luke Whitelock, Shannon Frizell and Liam Coltman, while the second half introduction of gun Test halfback Aaron Smith was pivotal. The Reds produced some champagne rugby to open the second stanza, linking from inside their own half with a series of speculative passes. Queensland then hammered the Highlanders down the middle before Jono Lance and Samu Kerevi both offloaded to see Hamish Stewart burst over for a 15-8 lead from a brilliant 20-phase sequence. The visitors responded though, dominating the next 15 minutes and defying some stiff Reds defence to level through All Blacks loose iorward Liam Squire with 20 minutes to play. Out on their feet, the desperate Queensland defence led by Lance somehow kept the Highlanders out before the late penalty sealed their fate. The Reds had their chances at the death, but failed to find touch on multiple occasions and often kicked into space without any chasers. Paenga-Amosa pressed his case for a call-up for next month's Test series against Ireland though, dominating the scrum for the Reds and scoring a first-half try from a well-executed driving maul. At least one occupant of a car that crashed into a Sydney home could have been involved in an argument with someone in another vehicle before the incident, police say. Emergency services were called to Rosemeadow in Sydney's southwest on Saturday afternoon following reports the car had crashed into a house. No one was inside the home but police say it sustained significant structural damage. The 39-year-old female driver and her 18-year-old male passenger were uninjured and police inquiries into the incident are ongoing. Maj. Gen. Nguyen Hong Son, Director of the Military Hospital 175 of the Defence Ministry, said since July 2014, the hospital has been assigned to prepare and train staff, consisting of 63 persons, for the level-2 field hospital to take part in United Nations peacekeeping activities. The field hospital has continually received assistance from Australia, he said, noting that aside from personnel and financial support for the teaching of English, the Australian army has also provided short- and medium-term training courses for the staff of the field hospital and helped them participate in specialist workshops in Australia. This active support has helped considerably improve the foreign language, medical and peacekeeping skills of the hospitals staff, Son added. Talking to the staff of the level-2 field hospital No. 1, Governor-General Cosgrove said Australia and the countries sending forces to UN peacekeeping missions always want to ensure that their forces will receive care from the most wholehearted military doctors and nurses when they are injured or ill. With the level-2 field hospital, doctors and military medical force of Vietnam will not only serve the Vietnamese army and people but also the world peace. He added he hopes that military doctors will care for the health and lives of not only the UN peacekeeping force but also people in the countries they work in. Australia is proud to stand by Vietnam in preparing for and implementing this task. It is his countrys honour to help Vietnam train English skills and support it with some equipment, he said, noting that the two sides have been moving closer and closer to each other during the 20 years of defence cooperation. National Australia Bank has apologised for an outage that downed ATMs, EFTPOS and online banking across the country, and vowed to compensate customers who suffered losses. Banking services were restored about five hours after the major outage struck on Saturday, leaving NAB customers across Australia furious. A power issue was to blame for a series of faults that hit the bank's mainframe in Melbourne, taking out its major services nationwide. "It has had an incredible impact on our customers and for that we're incredibly sorry," NAB Business executive general manager Cindy Batchelor told reporters in Melbourne. NAB says all customers are invited to speak with the bank about the losses they suffered in the outage and they will be compensated. Frustrated customers shared their stories during the outage, including businesses that lost sales because they couldn't process EFTPOS payments. Customers overseas complained of being unable to pay for taxi fares and other things because of the outage. NAB executive Anthony Healy took to social media to issue a video apology for the outage, saying it was "not good enough". A Brisbane teenager is recovering in hospital after being critically injured earlier this week on a high ropes course during a school camp. Connor Petterson, 14, remains in the Lady Cilento Children's Hospital after injuring his face and neck in the accident at Stanmore, north of Brisbane, on Wednesday. On Saturday his school, Marist College Ashgrove, announced Connor had been given a medical "all-clear" after undergoing an MRI on Friday night. The Year 9 student's parents, who remain by the boy's bedside, told the school they were "overwhelmed" by the prayers and support they had received. The school, which cancelled the Year 9 camp on Wednesday following the accident at Stanmore, north of Brisbane, delivered the news of the "all-clear" with a "profound sense of joy". The company behind the camp says it will investigate the circumstances behind the accident. "It is far too early to speculate on why this occurred but please know we are determined to understand the causes fully and will do whatever is required to prevent something like this occurring again," Adventure Alternatives managing director Todd Samorowski said in a statement on Friday. A Sydney man has been charged after he allegedly assaulted the person delivering his takeaway order. It's alleged the 21-year-old man argued with the 27-year-old delivery man before forcing him out of the unit complex on to the street and punching him several times in the face. The older man suffered a suspected eye socket fracture, a broken nose and a chipped tooth in the incident in Narwee on Saturday evening . Police arrested the 21-year-old at the scene and charged him with assault occasioning grievous bodily harm. He was granted conditional bail to appear at Sutherland Local Court on June 19. Former deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce and his partner Vikki Campion have sold the story of their relationship to the Seven Network for $150,000, with the money to go to their baby, News Corp Australia reports. An industry insider has told News Corp the money will be held in trust for six-week-old Sebastian. "The baby's parents have no say in it and cannot access it," the insider said. "Lawyers ultimately get to decide if it should be accessed for the child's education or if it will go to the child as a lump sum when he gets to 18 or possibly older." Even if he does not profit from the interview, Mr Joyce will still have to declare it on the parliamentary register of members' interests. Mr Joyce, who urged the media to "move on" in an unpaid interview with Fairfax in February, was forced to resign to the backbench as a result of the scandal. Seven's Sunday Night program reportedly won out in a bidding war with the Nine Network's 60 Minutes to secure the exclusive interview. Mr Joyce indicated late in 2017 that he had split from his wife and mother of his four daughters, Natalie. The relationship with Ms Campion, his former staffer, became public from February 7. Sebastian was born in Armidale on April 16. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said Mr Joyce had not breached any ministerial standards because Ms Campion had not been his "partner" when she worked for him. But Mr Turnbull went on to criticise Mr Joyce for exercising a "shocking error of judgment" before banning ministers from having sexual relationships with staff. The scandal was fed by reporting on questions surrounding Mr Joyce's travel entitlement use, his scoring of rent-free accommodation in Armidale, and harassment allegations lodged by a Western Australian woman. Three teenagers have been charged after hitting a shop assistant in the head with a spanner while stealing bottles of Coke in Brisbane. Police say two boys and a girl tried to leave the CBD shop with two large bottles of Coke and punched and kicked the staff member who tried to stop them, before hitting him in the head with a spanner. Police arrested the teenagers a short time later in King Edward Park. Two boys, 15 and 16, and a 15-year-old girl have been charged with one count of robbery with violence. Part of the BUK-TELAR rocket which brought down Malaysian Airlines flight MH17 displayed by investigation officials who say it came from a Russian military unit based in Kursk into rebel controlled territory in eastern Ukraine The Netherlands and Australia on Friday took the first step towards dragging Russia to court over the shooting down of flight MH17, accusing Moscow of being responsible for the disaster over war-torn eastern Ukraine in 2014. The move won swift support from international allies, a day after investigators concluded that the Russian-made BUK missile which tore apart the Boeing 777 passenger plane in mid-air on July 17, 2014 came from a Russian military brigade based in southwestern Kursk. "There is but one conclusion to be made from yesterday's presentation, namely that Russia is thoroughly responsible for the deployment of this BUK system," Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte told reporters. All 298 people on the flight en route from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur were killed when the missile slammed into the plane as it flew over territory held by pro-Russian rebels in eastern Ukraine. The Dutch government said in a statement that, together with Australia, it was holding Moscow "formally accountable" for the tragedy, and may now move towards submitting the complex dossier to an international judge or organisation. Russia, however, swiftly denied any responsibility. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said he had been informed by his Dutch counterpart Stef Blok that "they have practically no doubt that the BUK came from Russia." "I asked him about facts proving these claims. He did not give me any facts saying they want Russia to help establish them based on unfounded suspicion," Lavrov added. - Russia 'accountable' - "The downing of flight MH17 caused unimaginable suffering," said Blok the day after the latest findings from the Dutch-led Joint Investigation Team (JIT). "On the basis of the JIT's conclusions, the Netherlands and Australia are now convinced that Russia is responsible for the deployment of the BUK installation that was used to down MH17," he added. Piet Ploeg, who lost three relatives in the crash, told AFP the Dutch and Australian decision to hold Russia responsible "is exactly the right thing to do". "It's an important step on the way to get justice for victims," Ploeg added. The EU and NATO both urged Moscow to accept responsibility for the disaster. Russia should "fully cooperate with all efforts to establish accountability", said the EU's foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini in a statement. The United States and Britain also said they backed the move to hold Russia responsible for the disaster. "It is time for Russia to acknowledge its role in the shooting down of MH17 and to cease its callous disinformation campaign," said State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert. Ukraine's President Petro Poroshenko said the Dutch and Australian decision "is an extremely important step for Russia to assume its responsibility for systematic violations of its international commitments". He added he instructed "without delay" that proposals are prepared by Kiev "for the possibility to join a trial launched by the Netherlands and Australia." Rutte urged Russia "to look seriously" at the results of the investigation, adding the Netherlands would demand Moscow's full cooperation at a UN Security Council meeting on Ukraine due to be held on Tuesday. But the Russian defence ministry also vehemently rejected the findings, saying the missile "most likely belonged to the Ukrainians". Although the BUK missile had indeed been manufactured in the Soviet Union in 1986 "all the missiles made that year were withdrawn from service in 2011", the ministry said. - Compensation claims - Investigators, however, painstakingly recreated the BUK system's route from Kursk across the border into rebel-held eastern Ukraine using videos and photos. The team "has come to the conclusion that the BUK-TELAR that shot down MH17 came from the 53rd Anti-aircraft Missile Brigade based in Kursk in Russia", top Dutch investigator Wilbert Paulissen said. Investigation officials, seeking to bring criminal charges, have not said who actually fired the missile. But they are appealing for further information, especially about the BUK system's crew, and who ordered the plane to be shot down. Meanwhile, the investigative site Bellingcat claimed it had identified the second of two men whom the JIT consider top suspects after obtaining wire-tapped conversations before and after the plane was shot out of the sky. US President Donald Trump Trump blamed "open hostility" from the North Korean regime for his decision to call off planned talks with Kim Jong Un US President Donald Trump on Friday welcomed North Korea's response to his decision to call off a high-stakes summit next month, after Kim Jong Un's regime said it was still willing to talk "at any time." "Very good news to receive the warm and productive statement from North Korea," Trump tweeted, a day after his shock move to cancel the talks. "We will soon see where it will lead, hopefully to long and enduring prosperity and peace. Only time (and talent) will tell!" In a personal letter to Kim, Trump announced Thursday he would not go ahead with the June 12 summit in Singapore, following what the White House called a "trail of broken promises" by the North. Trump blamed "open hostility" from the North Korean regime for his decision to call off the planned talks with Kim Jong Un, and warned Pyongyang against committing any "foolish or reckless acts." But Pyongyang's reaction to the sudden U-turn has so far been conciliatory. First Vice Foreign Minister Kim Kye Gwan called Trump's decision "unexpected" and "regrettable." But he left the door open for talks, saying officials were willing "to sit face-to-face at any time." Just before Trump announced the cancellation of the meeting, North Korea declared it had "completely" dismantled its nuclear test site in the country's far northeast, in a carefully choreographed goodwill gesture ahead of the summit. But the chances of success for the unprecedented face-to-face had recently been thrown into doubt as threats were traded by both sides. Trump's announcement came a day after Pyongyang hardened its rhetoric, calling comments by Vice President Mike Pence "ignorant and stupid." The decision blindsided treaty ally South Korea, which until now had brokered a remarkable detente between Washington and Pyongyang. China, Pyongyang's sole major ally, urged the two foes to "show goodwill," while UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on the parties to keep talking, as did host Singapore, and Russia's President Vladimir Putin held out hope the talks would eventually take place. Politically, Trump had invested heavily in the success of the planned summit. But as the date drew nearer, the gulf in expectations between the two sides became apparent. Washington has made it clear it wants to see the "complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearization" of the North. But Pyongyang has vowed to never give up its nuclear deterrent until no longer threatened by what it calls US aggression. George Tyndall, former University of Southern California gynecologist, allegedly used his position to abuse student patients The president of a top California university resigned Friday in the wake of a growing scandal over a former campus gynecologist who stands accused of sexually abusing thousands of students over a period of decades. C.L. Max Nikias' departure was announced in a letter by the board of trustees as the University of Southern California was facing multiple new lawsuits Friday over its alleged failure to act against the physician despite repeated complaints. The women allege that George Tyndall, who left the university last year, used his position to abuse them repeatedly, conducting improper examinations and groping their breasts. Rick J. Caruso, the board's chairman, wrote that it had "agreed to begin an orderly transition and commence the process of selecting a new president." "We have heard the message that something is broken and that urgent and profound actions are needed," he said. "We will rebuild our culture to reflect an environment in which safety and transparency are of paramount importance, and to institute systemic change that will prevent this from occurring in the future." The decision followed a call by two hundred professors demanding Nikias' resignation. Two class actions meanwhile were submitted at the Los Angeles Superior Court Friday "on behalf of thousands of female students" who attended the school in Los Angeles and were allegedly sexually abused and illicitly photographed by Tyndall. The complaints were filed by a team including Howard Janet, the lawyer who spearheaded a $190-million suit in 2014 against Baltimore's Johns Hopkins Hospital and its physician Nikita Levy. That settlement was reached on behalf of approximately 8,500 women whom Levy, who subsequently committed suicide, recorded using a camera hidden in a pen. "As with the Hopkins case, this case centers on allegations of grossly improper pelvic exams that involved improper probing, at times without gloves, sexually charged remarks and illicit photographing of genitalia," said Janet. "It appears that Dr. Tyndall, like Dr. Levy at Hopkins, violated the sacred trust between physicians and patients -- specifically the trust between male OB/GYNs and patients -- in a methodical and disturbing fashion by preying on young, unsuspecting women." The case exploded last week after the Los Angeles Times published accounts from several current and former employees regarding Tyndall's behavior toward his mostly adolescent patients. - Widening scandal - The lawsuits allege that USC received repeated complaints from students and co-workers, but failed to take appropriate action. Meanwhile, six former students were added to an existing lawsuit alleging that the university received complaints dating back to the early 1990s, but deliberately concealed Tyndall's abuse. The group, described as "Jane Does 5-10," accuses USC of paying the doctor a substantial financial settlement to resign in an attempted cover-up following an internal investigation in 2016. He eventually left in 2017 after USC concluded that he had violated anti-harassment policy by making repeated racially discriminatory and sexually inappropriate remarks to patients. Since last week, more than 300 students have contacted a university hotline established to receive complaints and information about Tyndall. "Sadly, the university and its board of trustees have not taken the necessary steps to determine who was responsible and hold them accountable," said John Manly, a lawyer for Jane Does 5-10. Manly compared the Tyndall case to that against disgraced Michigan State University doctor Larry Nassar, who was accused of molesting more than 300 women and girls and sentenced in January to up to 175 years. Rachael Denhollander, the first to publicly accuse Nassar, reminded her Twitter followers of her impact statement, which asked: "This is what it looks like when leaders don't do their job?" "Well, this is what it looks like, again," tweeted Denhollander. "Standing with the survivors of USC. Professors, students, leaders, do what is RIGHT, IMMEDIATELY. Don't be the next MSU." Friday's legal action follows the launch of four lawsuits submitted on May 21 over Tyndall's conduct. Haura, a four-year-old Iraqi girl with a rare congenital skin condition that covers much of her upper body in black marks and hair, stands in front of her mother in the family home in Wahed Haziran, Diwaniya province, on April 17, 2018. Photo by Haidar Hamdani. Four-year-old Iraqi girl Haura should be enjoying her childhood -- games in the street, tearing in and out of friends' homes and small squabbles over toys. Instead, a rare congenital skin condition covering much of her upper body in black marks and hair has made her the object of ridicule in her village, about 200 kilometres (120 miles) south of Baghdad. Everyday, Haura's parents dress her in long sleeved shirts and high collars, but it's a losing battle -- her neck gives her away, to laughter and jeers. "In two years, she will have to go to school -- we really dread that", says Haura's mother Alia Khafif at the family home, in Wahed Haziran, Diwaniya province. "How will the other children behave with her? We can't guarantee that she'll be comfortable in a school and this is the biggest obstacle for her future", sighs Khafif, dressed in a traditional long black veil. The black marks and hair cover Haura's shoulders and almost her entire back, along with much of her arms and neck. But things could still get a lot worse. Her condition, a giant form of naevus -- birthmarks or moles -- make her highly vulnerable to malignant melanoma, the most dangerous skin cancer. To ward off a potentially "fatal" outcome, the best treatments would be a skin graft and laser sessions, dermatologist Aqil al-Khaldi tells AFP. He also recommends psychological help. But Haura's despairing family can't afford these things. Iraq's medical system has been destroyed by the 15 years of chaos that has followed the toppling in 2003 of dictator Saddam Hussein, and by more than a decade of sanctions before that. - 'Won't play with her' - "We have seen several doctors and they all told us that she cannot be treated in Iraq. They all say we have to go to a specialist centre abroad," says Haura's mother. "We cannot afford the journey or medical costs." Even treatment to alleviate itching is beyond the family's reach -- and the irritation gets worse with the Summer heat, as temperatures regularly exceed 50 Celsius (120 Fahrenheit). "What we have is barely enough to live on and to send four brothers and sisters to school," adds Khafif, whose husband is old, sick and unemployed. Haura's teenage brother Ahmad stands up for her. "She's a normal child, there's nothing wrong with her," he insists. Haura, a four-year-old Iraqi girl with a rare congenital skin condition, stands in the doorway of her family home. The condition, a giant form of naevus -- birthmarks or moles -- makes her highly vulnerable to malignant melanoma, the most dangerous skin cancer. Photo by Haidar Hamdani. "But when she leaves the house, our neighbours laugh at her." Outside in the street, passing children avoid her like the plague. "Even if the Prophet asks us, we won't play with her", one says. So when her siblings head to school, Haura sits and plays on her own -- or peers mournfully into a little green-framed mirror, held up close to show only her big brown eyes and pretty face. Cormoran President Azali Assoumani at his inauguration in May 2016. Critics say the former colonel is trying to undermine democracy The Comoros islands boasts dramatic volcanic landscapes, ylang-ylang essential oils and picture-perfect beaches, but beneath this idyllic image, a complex political crisis is worsening. At its heart is President Azali Assoumani, facing a mounting chorus from critics who describe him as bent on enshrining himself in power and destroying democracy. The Constitutional Court has been suspended, demonstrations outlawed and one of Azali's leading critics, former president Ahmed Abdallah Sambi, has been placed under house arrest. A referendum on a package of so-far unconfirmed constitutional changes is due on July 29. Azali has also indicated he will call elections next year, which could enable him to remain in office beyond 2021, when his currently non-renewable term expires. "It's a constitutional coup d'etat," said Youssouf Boina, head of the opposition Union for the Development of the Comoros (UPDC) party. "Azali has set in place a war machine to carry out his personal ambitions," said the head of the Juwa party, Ahmed el-Barwane. Among grassroots groups, Salim Soulaimana, president of the Federation of Civil Society Organisations (Fecosc), expressed alarm. "We are bidding farewell to the republic and becoming a monarchy in all but name," he said. - History of turmoil - The Comoros -- an archipelago of three islands between Mozambique and Madagascar and one of the world's poorest countries -- has had a long history of political turmoil, including intervention by mercenaries, since it gained independence from France in 1975. A fourth island in the group, Mayotte, remains part of France. Azali, a 59-year-old former colonel, was president between 1999 and 2002, coming to power after ousting acting president Tadjidine Ben Said Massonde in a military coup. Former president Ahmed Abdallah Sambi, pictured at his home a day after being placed under house arrest He won the election three years later, stepping down in 2006 to democratically hand over power to Sambi. But in May 2016, he returned again as president after an election marred by violence and allegations of voting irregularities. On May 19, Sambi, president from 2006-11, was placed under house arrest at his home near the capital of Moroni, just days after he had returned to the Comoros from a six-month absence abroad. "Acts like these put our democracy under threat," Sambi retorted. "We no longer have the right to meet, to express ourselves, to move." The aim of the move was "to provoke," Sambi continued. "It's as if they want to lead us into crisis." The move appears to be linked to an incident a day before when Azali and Sambi both attended Friday prayers, and as they left Moroni's main mosque, Sambi's supporters jeered Azali. The interior ministry said the move was imposed to "preserve public order and security," accusing Sambi of behaviour that fomented "stone-throwing at the police, violent demonstrations and disruption to religious ceremonies." Several hundred Sambi supporters demonstrated outside the mosque on Friday to demand that he be freed from house arrest, an AFP journalist reported. In addition to Sambi's house arrest, the authorities have ordered that anyone seeking to preach "obtain the consent of the ulemas," a body of religious scholars, in Moroni -- an apparent jab at Sambi, who frequently makes sermons. Accusations that the government is cracking down on freedom of expression raise official hackles. "We are only applying the measures that were approved during the Sambi presidency but which were never used," Interior Minister Mohamed Daoudou told AFP. "Now that they are (being applied), people are saying it's a dictatorship." Sambi's party, Juwa, also complains that it was barred from holding its congress at a large venue in Morono, and accuses police of using teargas to break up a rally on his home island, Anjouan. In April, Azali suspended the Constitutional Court -- his spokesman, Mohamed Ismailla, said the institution had become "useless, superfluous and incompetent" because the eight-seat panel only had three judges and thus could not constitute a quorum. "All that was needed was to appoint judges" to achieve a quorum and make it operational, one of the court's members, Soidri Salim Madi, said. Vietnam wants to learn the RoKs strategies and solutions to building e-government, Minister Dung said, noting that both sides need to set up a channel to exchange information and establish a joint working group for long-term and effective cooperation. Kim Boo-kyum, for his part, expressed his belief that as Vietnam holds a significant part in the New Southern Policy of RoK President Moon Jae-in, the bilateral relations will be deepened in various fields, including diplomacy, economy and culture. Regarding the building of e-government system, the RoK Government sees Vietnam as its important partner and a group of Korean experts was sent to Vietnam in December 2017 and March 2018 to discuss the e-government building cooperation project, he stressed. The same day, Minister Dung had a working session with the RoK Minister of Science and ICT. China is showing insecurity over 'more substantial developments' in US-Taiwan ties, the island's president Tsai Ing-wen says Diplomacy has never been easy for Taiwan and is becoming ever more complex as it is caught between the United States under an unpredictable leader and an increasingly assertive China, which claims the self-ruling island as its own. In her strongest statement yet over pressure from China, Taiwan's president Tsai Ing-wen blamed Beijing after Burkina Faso severed ties Thursday with Taipei. Tsai said China was showing insecurity over "more substantial developments in relations between Taiwan and the US, and other like-minded countries". The US remains democratic Taiwan's most powerful ally and leading arms supplier, although it gave up official diplomatic ties in 1979 to recognise Beijing. In recent months, it has made a series of new overtures -- President Donald Trump signed a symbolic bill paving the way for mutual visits by high-level officials and Washington gave long-awaited approval for a licence necessary to sell submarine technology to Taiwan. Yet while Taiwan's relationship with the US is essential to its security, it must also guard against riling China, its biggest military threat but also the dominant market for the island's export-driven economy. Beijing officials have described ramped-up Chinese military drills near Taiwan as a warning against asserting its sovereignty. Analysts say they are also a message to Washington. Foreign minister Joseph Wu -- whose resignation over Burkina Faso was rejected by Tsai -- said earlier this month that furthering Taiwan-US relations must be done "in a very cautious manner". He described the government as seeking to "advance bilateral interests without creating any kind of trouble for anyone else". - New friends - While Taiwan calls itself a sovereign country, the island has never formally declared a split from the mainland and China sees reunification as its eventual goal. While Taiwan calls itself a sovereign country, the island has never formally declared a split from the mainland Since Tsai came to power two years ago, Beijing has become increasingly hostile and is highly suspicious of her traditionally pro-independence party. China is using its clout to shut Taiwan out of international meetings and to pressure companies to list the island as a Chinese province on their websites. To mitigate against Beijing's suppression, Taipei is making a concerted effort to win more international backing. Tsai is pursuing new business and cooperation with other nations, including through her "southbound policy", which targets 16 south and southeast Asian countries, as well as Australia and New Zealand. More countries than ever had voiced support for Taiwan after Beijing blocked it from a major meeting of the World Health Organization (WHO) earlier this month, said Tsai, who cast it as a sign the island was gaining global recognition. "Taiwan needs to form a broader coalition of willing friends to supplement the support it gets from the US," said Jonathan Sullivan, director of the China Policy Institute at Nottingham University, although he added the US remains the island's top foreign relations priority because of its influence. - Washington shift - Observers say growing frustration with Beijing has prompted the latest supportive gestures from the US towards Taiwan as trade tensions between the world's two largest economies escalate and concerns mount over China's assertiveness in the region. The United States is Taiwan's leading supplier of arms, including F-16 fighter jets Relations with China are "no longer serving US interests", said William Stanton, who headed the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) -- the US de-facto embassy in Taipei -- from 2009 to 2012. Arguably the most liberal place in Asia, Taiwan stands in stark contrast to Communist China's authoritarian one-party state and is a strategic Pacific ally for Washington to counter Beijing's territorial ambitions. All eyes will be on which US official is sent to the opening of AIT's newly built office complex next month, which cost $250 million. However, some observers point to Trump's erratic approach to foreign policy and fear Taiwan could be used as a pawn in his negotiations with China. "It may appear the situation in the US bodes well for Taiwan. But so far, we haven't seen what kind of benefits it is bringing us," said Teng Chung-chian, a diplomacy professor at Taipei's National Chengchi University. The US has not granted special trade protections to Taiwan, such as relief from steel and aluminium tariffs, he added. Any US support highlighting Taiwan's claim to sovereignty could also risk a "harsh response" from Beijing, said Kharis Templeman, a political scientist at Stanford University. But foreign minister Wu dismissed the possibility of Taiwan being used as a bargaining chip by the US, saying the island has "good friends" in the Trump administration. "Taiwan by itself is also an actor," he added. "We can also try to judge what is in Taiwan's best interest, and try to find the right policy for Taiwan." In 2003, one Brian Wells robs a bank in Pennsylvania with a collar bomb in a bizarre heist now examined in a Netflix mini-series As bank heists in America go, this was one of the weirdest: in 2003, a pizza delivery man walks into a bank with a bomb around his neck and a note demanding a quarter of a million dollars. Police in Pennsylvania apprehend him, but shortly thereafter, the explosive device goes off, ripping a hole in his chest that kills him minutes before the bomb squad arrives. Netflix has now come out with a mini-series on the robbery and returns to a question that has divided opinion for 15 years: was that man, one Brian Wells, a willing accomplice, or was he the unwitting victim of a bizarre plot? The four fast-moving episodes of "Evil Genius," directed by Barbara Schroeder and Trey Borzillieri, look back at all the puzzles that made up this heist in Erie, a small city in the Great Lakes region. It all begins when Wells, 46, walks into a branch of PNC Bank with a gun shaped like a cane. Around his neck is a collar with a bomb on a timer. He hands over a note demanding $250,000, but was given just over $8,000, and leaves sucking on a lollipop he grabbed from the counter. In his hand he carries pages of rambling, hand-written instructions for a sort of a scavenger hunt for keys and combinations hidden around Erie that would remove the collar. - Death by remote control - But he never got as far as that hunt. Wells was apprehended near the bank, and handcuffed. Police realized he was wearing a bomb, and kept their distance. That scene was filmed and broadcast by TV stations around the world. "I don't know if I have enough time now," Wells told police. He said he had been tricked while delivering pizzas. "I am not lying," Wells said as he sat on the sidewalk. "It's gonna go off." The collar starts to beep. Wills gets more and more agitated. Then it explodes and kills him. To recover the explosive device, police had to cut off Wills' head. Then, in the following days, odd things start happening in Erie. Robert Pinetti, a former colleague of Wells, is found dead in his home, apparently the victim of a drug overdose. Then another man, Bill Rothstein, tells police there is a body in his refrigerator. The body is that of James Roden, boyfriend of one Marjorie Diehl-Armstrong, whom Rothstein describes as a woman who manipulates people. Diehl-Armstrong, once a brilliant student noted for her striking good looks, suffers from bipolar disorder. Twenty years earlier, she was accused of murdering her then-boyfriend, but argued she had acted in self-defense and was acquitted at trial. It gets even more complicated, so pay attention. Once a brilliant student, Marjorie Diehl-Armstrong is accused of killing two partners before taking part in the weird bank heist According to a drug addict named Kenneth Barnes, Diehl-Armstrong planned the bank heist so as to get money to hire him as a hitman to take out her own father, whom she accused of spending the money due her as part of her inheritance. Rothstein, a former boyfriend of Diehl-Armstrong and a mechanically-gifted eccentric, allegedly designed the bomb. Diehl-Armstrong is therefore the "Evil Genius," as the Netflix series is entitled. Obsessed by this woman, co-director Borzillieri communicated with her for more than 10 years, in writing and over the phone, to better understand the case -- becoming particularly focused on the subject of Brian Wells. "In the beginning, very much like the residents of Erie and law enforcement, I believed that he was involved in this case and did so for a good long while," said Borzillieri. "By the end of the journey, my opinion is that he was innocent," he told AFP. A long FBI probe found that Wells was a "co-conspirator" -- a conclusion which meant that the others involved in the plot could not legally face the death penalty for his murder. - 'Maniacal game' - "I think the whole plan initially started out as a way for them all to make some money. But it developed into more than just making money. It became almost a game to them. A diabolical, maniacal game," said FBI special agent Jerry Clark. Diehl-Armstrong, who died of cancer last year aged 68, also fascinated Schroeder, who is a journalist. "Marjorie can be abrasive and off-putting, but she is also fascinating. She is like a train wreck where you have to turn your head and look and then she keeps your attention because she is eloquent," said Schroeder. "She was the most fascinating female I have ever come across." The last episode of Evil Genius adds a reasonable clue to the so-called Pizza Bomber mystery -- previously unheard testimony from a prostitute named Jessica Hoopsick. Hoopsick claimed she became friends with Wells and developed feelings for him, despite the fact that he was also a paying client, and says she wants to resurrect his reputation and name. She says she was paid by Diehl-Armstrong and her people to recruit an easy target for their heist plans. She says she suggested Wells. "He had no idea what would happen to him," Hoopsick says in the Netflix series. Smoke rises from buildings in a rebel-held neighbourhood of Daraa in southern Syria following reported shelling by the regime on May 22, 2018 The US has warned Damascus it will take "firm" action if the regime of Bashar al-Assad violates a ceasefire deal, after Syrian aircraft dropped leaflets on a southern province ahead of an expected offensive. Residents of Daraa told AFP Friday that several different leaflets were scattered across the province, which has borders with Israel and Jordan and is expected to be among the next targets in the resurgent regime's reconquest. One of them, seen by a journalist contributing to AFP in the city of Daraa, includes a picture showing lined up bodies, presumably of anti-government fighters. "This is the inevitable fate of anyone who insists on carrying arms," reads the leaflet. The US State Department issued a statement late Friday saying it was "concerned" by the reports and that the area in question was within the boundaries of a de-escalation zone it had negotiated with Russia and Jordan last year. "We also caution the Syrian regime against any actions that risk broadening the conflict or jeopardize the ceasefire," said spokeswoman Heather Nauert, adding that the ceasefire had been re-affirmed by President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin at a meeting in Vietnam in November. "As a guarantor of this de-escalation area with Russia and Jordan, the United States will take firm and appropriate measures in response to Assad regime violations," she added. Syrian regime and allied forces on Monday retook the Yarmuk area in southern Damascus, giving President Bashar al-Assad full control of the capital and its surroundings for the first time since 2012. Daraa's location makes any broad operation there very sensitive, with Israel suspecting Damascus' Iranian allies of seeking to establish a military footprint closer to its borders. Government and allied forces control about 30 percent of Daraa, the rest of which is held by various factions, including a small contingent of fighters from the Islamic State jihadist group. Japan's Akane Yamaguchi hits a return on her way to a straight sets victory against Thailand's Ratchanok Intanon Japan's women clinched the Uber Cup on Saturday, breezing by surprise finalists Thailand 3-0 in Bangkok to end a 37-year wait to regain the title. With a team stacked with top ranked players in both the singles and doubles, Japan made light work of the hosts, who entered the finals for the first time after stunning China in the semis. It ends an Uber Cup drought for Japan that stretches back to 1981 and is a major confidence boost ahead of the Olympics which they will host in two years' time. The Uber Cup is second in prestige only to the Olympics as a national team event. World singles number two Akane Yamaguchi got Japan off to a flyer, dulling the boisterous partisan home crowd with a 21-15, 21-19 win over Ratchanok Intanon, blending deft touches at the net with patience in the rallies and power shots. Ratchanok, world number four and Thailand's favourite athlete, conceded that she lost concentration after bickering with the umpire early in the second set over his refusal to grant a review. Doubles pair Yuki Fukushima and Sayaka Hirota stormed to the second point of the match winning their tie 21-18, 21-12. The writing was on the wall for the hosts and Nozomi Okuhara made light work (21-12, 21-9) of a visibly tired Nitchaon Jindapol to seal victory. "Thirty-seven years ago Japan was very strong... we are happy to make history again," a beaming Okuhara told reporters. The win caps four years of effort to push the players up through the world rankings while knitting together the national team, coach Park Joo-Bong said. "I was worried about the atmosphere, but the team took the pressure and were hungry to win," the South Korean coach said, adding the team are on the right track for the Olympics. Thailand, who registered the shock of the tournament by beating perennial winners China in Friday's semis, celebrated the runners-up medal as a sign of progress for a young side growing in confidence as the Asian Games approaches. "We are strong contenders to win gold," said coach Rexy Mainaky. "Skillwise our players are world-class, but to go to the next level we have to do more. We will come back on this and evaluate what we need to add," he told reporters. China, absent from the women's final for the first time ever after Thailand's thrilling 3-2 win in the semis, have a chance to redeem national pride in the Thomas Cup on Sunday when they play Japan. But Japan are eyeing a clean sweep led by singles star Kento Momota who swatted away world number one Viktor Axelsen in their final four matchup on Friday. burs-apj/amu For black members of the LGBTQ community, finding a hairdresser who understands both their hair type and what they are looking for can pose a much greater challenge than for white people Nova -- young, black, and a member of Los Angeles's homeless population -- is sick of looking feminine and wants a part-shaved, mainly dreadlocked hairstyle that can appear a little more manly when the occasion demands. Mainstream hairdressers are often inadequate, unable to let Nova express a complex gender identity that falls outside of the traditional binary male-female classification. Nova has come to Project Q, a mobile salon offering free haircuts to homeless "genderqueer" people across Los Angeles, as well as crucial support or advice on combating bullying and developing self-esteem. "Not a lot of barbers will want to work with someone that they perceive as a woman, to cut their hair short, because they don't know what they're doing," said 31-year-old Madin Lopez, Project Q's founder. "They try to leave it more feminine and try to make it pretty (around) the face." Project Q's customers, like Lopez, mainly classify themselves as genderqueer or "non-binary" -- meaning their gender identities are not exclusively masculine or feminine. Like many in the community, they prefer people to refer to them using gender-neutral pronouns -- typically "they," "them" and "their." For black members of the LGBTQ community, finding a hairdresser who understands both their hair type and what they are looking for can pose a much greater challenge than for white people. Nova, who lives in a homeless shelter, says they want to be able to feel "like a princess" on certain days but, on others, put on chest-flattening gear for a more masculine look. In a caravan equipped with a large mirror, a swivel chair and a collection of brushes, scissors and razors, Lopez goes to work, guiding an electric razor to a background soundtrack of R&B. - 'Resistance' - A paying customer could easily be asked to shell out upwards of $700 for the complex cut Nova wants, but Lopez works free-of-charge and the equipment is covered by donations. "I look at Nova and I see myself. I've been in their shoes. I've been someone that didn't have a place to stay," says the softly-spoken Lopez, face broadening into a smile. The stylist, who looks studious in circular-framed glasses, hair partly shaved, part cropped short, sees self-maintenance as a form of "resistance." "Preservation is key to the longevity of our cause, our activism. I use hair as a form of activism," the crimper says. Project Q is a mobile salon offering free haircuts to homeless "genderqueer" people across Los Angeles, as well as crucial support or advice on combating bullying and developing self-esteem Lopez's goal is to be a role model for these young people, the kind of mentor figure that the hairdresser never had as a youngster. When Lopez was 13, their parents beat them, unable to accept their child's "queer" identity. One day, a teacher noticed Lopez had marks around their ears and the teenager was put in foster care. "Sometimes it would take two to three weeks for me to even leave my room. And then I got my hair done, one of those times, and... something clicked. I just changed. I felt better about myself," Lopez explains. Before long the budding stylist was cutting schoolmates' hair in return for bus tickets, something to eat or tampons. High school was a breeding ground for violence, however -- Lopez even recalls having friends suffer gunshot wounds -- prompting a move to hairdressing school. - 'You're going to hell' - Life remains difficult for LGBTQ youth, despite advancements like the legalization of same-sex marriage, and doubly so for those in minority racial groups. "We're still fighting bathroom laws," Lopez says -- a reference to the ongoing controversy in the United States over access to gender-neutral and women's restrooms for trans people who identify as female. Meanwhile, frequent headlines about black youth being killed by police and homophobic attacks such as the 2016 Pulse nightclub massacre only add to the suffocating sense of unease. "They are killing black men and they're killing gays, and I'm black and I'm gay. So you feel like a target and it's terrifying," Lopez tells AFP. Another pressure, Lopez says, is the powerful influence of Christian evangelists in black communities, who are often intolerant of minority gender identity and sexuality. It was a bitter lesson that Lopez learned upon marrying a woman. "The night before my wedding my dad called and said, 'You're going to hell. I don't want to ever see you again,'" Lopez recalls. Many non-binary young people rejected by their families end up on the streets, a situation exacerbated by California's chronic housing shortage. For Nova, Lopez's hair salon is not merely a place for haircuts, but a sanctuary from the realities of a world that can be harsh for people whose identity is not considered the norm. "It makes my life so much easier, especially going through my transition, especially when I have questions that I don't know how to answer myself," Nova tells AFP. "And having that person that you can connect with, because they understand what you're going through, is very vital. And I feel like... they are literally saving life." Taiwan diplomacy Burkina Faso's foreign minister will begin a visit to China on Saturday, just days after cutting diplomatic ties with Taiwan in the first such visit in 25 years, diplomatic sources told AFP. "Minister (Alpha) Barry flew to China after taking part in Thursday's cabinet meeting and is expected to arrive in Beijing on Saturday, after stopping in Abidjan and Paris," a diplomatic source told AFP on Friday. It is the first such visit since the west African country suspended co-operation with Beijing in 1993 before switching recognition to Taiwan a year later. But on Thursday, the Sahel state announced its decision to sever ties with Taiwan following a string of similar moves by African states since 2000. Swaziland remains the only African country to have relations with Taiwan. In a statement, Barry said "changes in the world, the current socio-economic challenges facing our country and our region call on us to reconsider our position". China considers Taiwan to be a renegade province. The two have for years engaged in a diplomatic tug-of-war in developing countries, with economic support and other aid often used as bargaining chips for recognition. China has notched up a string of successes south of the Sahara, where it has gained a high profile in infrastructure projects, especially in transport. The move to dump the island, which is left with only 18 diplomatic allies around the world, sparked the resignation of Taiwan's foreign minister, Joseph Wu. A landlocked country of 18 million people on the southern rim of the Sahara, Burkina Faso is one of the poorest nations of the world. It ranked 185th out of 188 states in the UN's Human Development Index for 2016. Solly Msimanga, 37, has been mayor of Tshwane -- or Pretoria and surrounding districts -- since the opposition Democratic Alliance party won local elections in 2016 The mayor of South African capital Pretoria was 'carjacked' outside a restaurant in the early hours of Saturday by an armed gang that stole his silver Mercedes Benz. Solly Msimanga, 37, has been mayor of Tshwane, the official name of Pretoria city and surrounding districts, since the opposition Democratic Alliance party won local elections in 2016. "I was coming out of the restaurant after dinner when two guys approached me. As I was about to get into my car, one takes out a gun," he told local media, admitting he was shaken by the incident. "As I was standing there, they came pointed at me with the gun. I thought they actually wanted to take me." He said the car's tracker had traced the vehicle for a short time before it stopped working. Violent crime is notoriously common in South Africa, with armed robbery, rape, carjacking and muggings among the biggest threats. According to annual crime figures released last year, there were 16,717 carjacking incidents reported, the highest number recorded in the last 10 years. The murder rate has risen to 52 killings a day. South African police often come under fire for failing to bring down crime, although officials insist that levels have declined since the end of apartheid in 1994. EU officials are concerned that regional efforts to resolve conflicts in East Africa could be harmed by fallout from the Gulf crisis Diplomatic tensions between countries in the Gulf are threatening peace efforts in East Africa, particularly in the Horn of Africa, the EU's special envoy has warned. The crisis, which erupted nearly a year ago, has pitted Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt and Bahrain against Qatar, with Riyadh and its allies accusing Doha of fostering close ties with Iran and backing Islamic extremists. But the fallout has had direct repercussions in the Horn of Africa where it has exacerbated already-existing tensions, notably in Somalia, said Alexander Rondos, Europe's special envoy to the region. In particular, tensions have escalated steadily between Somalia and the United Arab Emirates, which has sought to extend its influence there as the war in Yemen rages on. Although the two countries have been traditionally close, Mogadishu's attempts to remain neutral over the Gulf divisions have not gone down well. One of the EUs "most important objectives" is to make sure that East Africa "is as well protected as it can be from what is a rapidly shifting geo-political environment" in the Gulf, he said on Friday following a two-day seminar of EU envoys to the region. Political strife between Gulf states and their alliances with east African players was "the biggest strategic issue because it could easily undermine all of the efforts to overcome East Africa's own particular crises, whether it's South Sudan or Somalia," Rondos said. "We dont need something aggravating these efforts," he added, describing the geo-political challenge as the "biggest game in town". In Somalia, the conflict has raised tensions between the federal states and the central government, with many unhappy about President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed's neutral stance. For some, there would be many economic benefits to throwing Mogadishu's support behind Saudi Arabia or the Emirates in a development which has put pressure on already fraught internal relationships in a country already fraught with violence. Rondos also expressed concern that the Gulf crisis could exacerbate tensions between East African nations working together on efforts to solve regional crises, notably South Sudan and Burundi, as well as in Somalia. Burkina Faso established diplomatic relations with China days after breaking ties with Taiwan China and Burkina Faso signed an agreement to establish diplomatic relations on Saturday, days after the west African nation cut ties with Taiwan in yet another victory for Beijing in its campaign to isolate the island. A communique on establishing relations was signed in Beijing by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his counterpart Alpha Barry. Burkina Faso broke off ties with Taiwan on Thursday, becoming the second country to do so within a month and leaving the democratically ruled island with only 18 diplomatic allies around the world. Wang said in a speech after the signing that Burkina Faso acknowledged in the communique that "there is only one China in the world." "The Burkina Faso government is following the trend of the times and made the right political decision," he said. The move had been widely expected after Burkina Faso defected from Taiwan, which has steadily lost ground in a decades-long diplomatic tug-of-war with China in developing countries. Taiwan can now claim only one ally in Africa, Swaziland. "Now Africa has only one country with which we have not yet established (relations)," Wang said. "We hope this country can join the big China-Africa family of friendship as soon as possible." China and Taiwan split in 1949 after a civil war won by the Chinese Communists. The two sides often use economic support and other aid as bargaining chips for diplomatic recognition. China still considers Taiwan to be a renegade province to be reunified with the mainland, by force if necessary. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (L with Alpha Barry) said Burkina Faso had 'made the right political decision' Relations between Taiwan and China have worsened since President Tsai Ing-wen took over in Taipei in 2016. Beijing has raised the pressure on Tsai, whose government refuses to acknowledge that Taiwan -- whose democratic freedoms stand in stark contrast to Communist-ruled China -- is part of a "one China". Burkina Faso was the fourth country to cut ties with Taipei since Tsai took office two years ago. Calling China "the world's most important economy," Barry said he expected Burkina Faso to benefit from the relationship. Taiwan expressed its "strong disappointment, regret and anger" at the move. In a statement, the foreign ministry accused Burkina Faso of "being lured by China's dollar diplomatic offensive, ignoring the significant contributions Taiwan had made for the past 24 years towards Burkina Faso's security, social stability, economic development and people's livelihood". Tsai has also lashed out at China's "crude behaviours" after Burkina Faso broke ties. "China's crude behaviours to undermine our sovereignty have already challenged the bottom line of Taiwan's society. We will not tolerate it anymore," she said Thursday. The Dominican Republic switched recognition to Beijing earlier in May, terminating a 77-year diplomatic relationship to recognise China. The small African nation of Sao Tome switched recognition to Beijing in late 2016, followed by Panama in June last year. Criticism of the powerful military is seen as a red line in Pakistan Pakistan's army has summoned the ex-head of the intelligence agency, accusing him of violating the military code of conduct over a book he co-authored with the former spy chief of arch rival India. Retired Lieutenant General Asad Durrani, who headed Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) from 1990 to 1992, also came under fire from former prime minister Nawaz Sharif for allegedly disclosing national secrets in the book. In a surprise move, Durrani co-authored "The Spy Chronicles: RAW, ISI and the Illusion of peace" with A.S. Dulat, the ex-chief of India's Research and Analysis Wing intelligence agency. The book is based on a series of discussion between Durrani and Dulat with Indian journalist Aditya Sinha on various topics including Afghanistan, Kashmir and the tense relations between Pakistan and India. Military spokesman Major General Asif Ghafoor said Durrani had been called to the general headquarters on May 28 -- and "will be asked to explain his position on views attributed to him in book 'Spy Chronicles'". "Attribution taken as violation of Military Code of Conduct applicable on all serving and retired military personnel," the spokesman added. Durrani was summoned after Sharif Friday criticised him for disclosing secrets in the book. Sharif apparently tried to draw a parallel between Durrani's revelations and his own statement suggesting Pakistani militants were behind the 2008 Mumbai attacks, which sparked a firestorm at home and in India and was later slammed by Pakistan's National Security Council. The former prime minister had approached what is seen as a red line by touching on criticism of Pakistan's powerful armed forces, especially their alleged use of proxies in India, in his interview with Dawn newspaper published last week. "Militant organisations are active. Call them non-state actors, should we allow them to cross the border and kill 150 people in Mumbai? Explain it to me. Why can't we complete the trial?" Sharif told Pakistan's leading English daily, referring to stalled court cases against several suspects. The Mumbai attacks left 166 people dead and brought India and Pakistan to the brink of war. Media reports said Durrani had admitted Pakistan's role in the unrest in Indian-administered Kashmir in the book. Sharif had called for the National Security Council to convene over Durrani's views in the book and accused the general of disclosing classified information. Sharif was ousted from the premiership by the Supreme Court last July but his party remains in power. He told Chansy Phosikham, head of the Lao Peoples Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committees Organisation Commission, in Hanoi on May 25 that the Vietnamese Party and State always require all-level Party Committees, ministries, agencies and localities to assist Laos in national development, considering this as Vietnams responsibility. The Vietnamese and Lao Prime Ministers have regularly met and discussed ways to enhance the bilateral ties, PM Phuc added, stressing that Vietnam is willing to provide the best possible support for its neighbouring country. The Vietnamese government leader highly valued outcomes of the talks between the Lao Party Central Committees Organisation Commission and the Organisation Commission of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee, which was held during Chansy Phosikhams visit and focused on exchanging experience in Party building and personnel work. He urged the two sides to tighten their coordination in implementing Vietnam-Laos joint statements, agreements reached by Party leaders of the two countries and Governments, the agreement signed at the 40th meeting of the Vietnam-Laos Intergovernmental Committee and other cooperation programmes. For his part, Chansy Phosikham said his visit aims to learn from Vietnams experience in organisation and personnel work. He highlighted the firm stance of the Lao Party, State and people on the fruitful cooperation and traditional friendship with Vietnam. Laos is actively implementing infrastructure projects, especially those in the transport sector, to bring the two countries closer, he said. Men and women marched through the Kurdish-controlled city of Qamishli on Saturday to protest Turkey's military presence in Syria Hundreds demonstrated in Syria's northeastern city of Qamishli on Saturday, in response to a call by Kurdish authorities for global protests against Turkey's military presence in the flashpoint Afrin region. Turkish forces and allied Syrian rebels seized the northwest Afrin region from Kurdish fighters in March, after a two-month military offensive that prompted tens of thousands of people to flee. Since then, thousands of people displaced from other parts of Syria -- notably the Eastern Ghouta suburb of Damascus -- have been resettled in the emptied city. Syria's Kurds, who have built up their own autonomous administrations in the chaos of the country's seven-year war, say that amounts to demographic change. On Saturday, men and women marched through the Kurdish-controlled city of Qamishli to protest Turkey's military presence. They waved the yellow, green, and red flag that represents Kurdish part of Syria, as well as signs that read: "No to Turkish occupation." "Leave, leave, Erdogan! Killer, killer, Erdogan!" many chanted, in reference to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Ghassan Juli, a 38-year-old resident of Qamishli, described the Afrin developments as a "disaster." "Our people were forced out, and fighters from other areas were brought to live there," he said. Her head wrapped in a shawl that matched the Kurdish flag, Bahia Hassan said Afrin's original residents were afraid to return because of fears of abduction or worse. "Enough killing, enough kidnapping our boys! Enough killing women and children. We won't accept this," said the 45-year-old. Syria's Kurds control swathes of the country's north, and many of those who fled to Afrin escaped into nearby Kurdish-held territory. Around 135,000 stayed in the Afrin region, more than a third of them in the urban centre that shares the same name, according to the United Nations. Many Kurds chanted slogans criticising Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at Saturday's march Since war broke out in 2011, half of Syria's population has been displaced, including more than five million outside the country and another six million internally. Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas's health is the subject of regular speculation, with no clear successor identified Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas, hospitalised since May 20 with pneumonia, is in excellent health but no date has been set for his discharge, a hospital official said on Saturday. "His state of health is excellent but the doctors have not yet decided the date of his release," said Saed Sarahna, the head of the Istishari Arab Hospital where Abbas is being treated. Palestinian officials have said the 83-year-old could go home on Monday or Tuesday but doctors at the hospital, near Ramallah in the occupied West Bank, have not confirmed that timeframe. One official said, however, that doctors would not agree a discharge date before his complete recovery. Pictures of Abbas walking around the wards and reading a newspaper were published on Monday, in an apparent attempt to calm rumours that his condition was worse than officially reported. Official media said he had spoken to a number of regional politicians to reassure them of his health. On Saturday he was visited by Gong Xiaosheng, China's special envoy to the Middle East, official Palestinian news agency WAFA said. Abbas was admitted on Sunday with complications following an ear operation, while also complaining of chest pains. Abbas's health is the subject of regular speculation, with no clear successor identified. In February, he underwent what were described as routine medical tests in the United States. Abbas won a four-year term as president in 2005, but he has since remained in office without further elections. Abbas argues the split between his Fatah party and the Islamist Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip, has made elections politically impossible. A moderate, he has been involved in decades of negotiations with Israel but is unpopular among Palestinians, with the majority wanting him to step down. Over 400 people have reached Everest's summit this month during the busy spring climbing season A promotional stunt by an Irish tech company to bury $100,000 worth of a new cryptocurrency at Everest's summit has been linked to the death of a Sherpa guide, the company said Saturday. Social networking startup Ask.fm has become embroiled in controversy after a Sherpa who guided four climbers sponsored by the company went missing near the peak's summit in mid-May. "We are now aware that one of the Sherpas who assisted our group amongst others, went missing during the descent," the company said in a statement. Lama Babu Sherpa has not been seen since 14 May and is presumed dead, Nepal-based Seven Summit Treks, who organised the logistics for the expedition, told AFP. One of the guide's crampons and his backpack were found but his body has not been located. The startup -- which is based in Latvia and Ukraine -- backed four Ukrainian "crypto enthusiasts" to climb the world's highest peak carrying two smart cards loaded with one million tokens of the company's yet-to-be released cryptocurrency. Three of the sponsored climbers reached the summit of the 8,848-metre (29,029-foot) mountain and buried one of the smart cards. "You can come and take them if you can," climber Taras Pozdnii said in a video purportedly shot at the summit and posted on Youtube by the company. Pozdnii told AFP that the missing guide was not always part of their team, but he had seen him at the summit. "He was behind us when coming back. I don't know what happened with him," Pozdnii said by phone. The team was hit by strong winds during their descent, with Pozdnii suffering frostbite on his hands and feet and eventually being airlifted to the capital Kathmandu. Ask.fm said the tokens in the two ledger wallets were worth $100,000, though this estimate is not based on actual market data since the company has not yet made its initial coin offering (ICO). Sherpas regard Everest as a sacred peak, and believe that a powerful goddess called Miyolangsangma lives at the mountain's summit. Reports of climbers -- including Sherpas -- pulling headline-grabbing stunts on Everest have in the past prompted complaints they were defiling the peak. Over 400 people have reached Everest's summit this month during the busy spring climbing season when warmer temperatures and calmer winds typically open the route to the top of the world. Opposition MPs and their supporters gather on the May 13 Square on Antananarivo on May 26, 2018, to demand the resignation of Madagascar's President Hery Rajaonarimampianina Madagascar's ruling party said Saturday it was "open to" holding negotiations with the opposition, the day after a court ordered a coalition government to be formed to end the island's political crisis. The country has been rocked by violent protests against President Hery Rajaonarimampianina over electoral laws that the opposition says bar their candidates from participating in elections expected this year. "The High Constitutional Court calls us to enter negotiations, so we are open to negotiations," HVM party lawmaker Philobert Milavonjy Andriasy told a crowd of more than 2,000 supporters at a stadium in the capital Antananarivo. Since April 21, hundreds of opposition supporters have regularly occupied a square in the heart of the capital Antananarivo, demanding Rajaonarimampianina resign. The row centres on new electoral legislation that critics say is loaded in the president's favour. Friday's court ruling ordered him to dissolve the present government and for a consensus prime minister to be chosen. It also said that the coalition government should organise early elections, and gave the government and opposition ten days to reach an agreement between themselves. Speakers from the HVM party at Saturday's rally stressed that they believed they still had popular support in the country. "Today is just the beginning, but we are going to tour Madagascar to show that we are in the majority," said party leader Rivo Rakotovao. The crisis has triggered international concern, with the African Union, the UN and regional bloc Southern African Development Community (SADC) all dispatching envoys. Madagascar has seen a series of popular protest movements since gaining independence from France in 1960, often resulting in bloodshed. Elected in 2013, Rajaonarimampianina has not yet announced whether he will stand for re-election. But two former heads of state have already mooted runs: Marc Ravalomanana, who was president from 2002 to 2009, and Andry Rajoelina, who removed Ravalomanana during a coup. The two former rivals have joined forces in the protests against the government. Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) welcomes Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at the Kremlin in Moscow on May 26, 2018 Russian President Vladimir Putin and Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Saturday pledged to move forward on a peace treaty to solve a territorial dispute over the Kuril Islands. The Soviet takeover of the islands in the closing days of world war II has poisoned relations between the two countries for 70 years. "We believe it is important to patiently continue the search for a solution that would satisfy the interests of Russia and Japan and that would be accepted by the nations of both countries," Putin said at a news conference following the talks. He added that Russia would "assist" in allowing Japanese citizens to visit the Kuril islands. "Solving (the dispute) is not easy but we would like to end it within the lifetime of our generation," Abe said. He added that Tokyo was "thankful" to Moscow for allowing Japanese citizens to visit the graves of relatives on the islands. Earlier, Abe said he hoped for a "new breakthrough" in settling the territorial dispute over the Kuril Islands and that he was "ready to reinforce cooperation in a calm but energetic manner." The summit is the latest attempt to draw a line under World War II since Japan and the Soviet Union began discussions in 1956. Abe's late father Shintaro took the lead in negotiations with Moscow as a foreign minister but died in 1991 after pushing for talks while suffering from cancer. Japan has been careful to avoid criticising Russia, particularly its role in Syria that has drawn condemnation by Western countries, as it seeks to resolve the territorial dispute. - North Korea - The two leaders also discussed the North Korea crisis. Putin called on countries participating in regulating the North Korea crisis to show "restraint in order not to allow a new spike in confrontation and to keep the situation in the political and diplomatic field." "The most important (thing) is for North Korea to carry out full and irreversible denuclearisation," Abe said for his part. Russia has retained close ties with its Soviet ally North Korea, while Pyongyang has test fired ballistic missiles over Japan. Japan and Russia were both members of six-party talks on regulating the North Korea crisis, which also involved China, the US and both Koreas. The talks were designed to offer the North security and economic benefits in exchange for denuclearisation but broke down in 2009 when Pyongyang abandoned them. Putin and Abe pledged to "reinforce cooperation" at a time of tension with the West. "I am very pleased to have the opportunity to talk in detail on our bilateral relations and political cooperation," Putin said as he greeted Abe in the Kremlin. The two leaders already met this week on the sidelines of the Saint Petersburg Economic Forum where Abe was present as a guest of honour. Lebanon, a country of just over four million people, has seen its water, electricity, and waste removal infrastructure strained by the influx of Syrian refugees Lebanon's top diplomat warned Saturday that a recent Syrian property law could dispossess hundreds of thousands of Syrian refugees from their land back home, leaving them permanently displaced in Lebanon. The law, known as Decree 10, allows Syria's government to seize private property for zoned developments and compensate proven owners with shares in the new projects. But rights groups and lawyers fear that millions of Syrians who have sought safety abroad do not have the right paperwork or enough time to claim their land. On Saturday, Lebanon's foreign minister Gebran Bassil said Decree 10 could adversely impact the nearly one million Syrian refugees in Lebanon. In a letter to his Syrian counterpart Walid Muallem, Bassil expressed "Lebanon's fear that the conditions imposed by this law will hinder the return of a not-insignificant number of displaced to their hometowns." Once an area is declared a new development zone under Decree 10, owners inevitably lose their property. They can, however, get shares in the new project by proving they owned land there within 30 days of the decision being publicly announced. "The inability for displaced to prove ownership in the provided timeframe could cause the to lose their property... and dispossess them of one of their main incentives to return to Syria," said Bassil. Lebanon, a country of just over four million people, has seen its water, electricity, and waste removal infrastructure strained by the influx of Syrian refugees. Officials have ramped up calls recently, especially before the country's parliamentary elections earlier this month, for Syrian refugees to go back to parts of their homeland where violence has died down. Despite some returns to slivers of Syria, the United Nations says the country as a whole remains still unsafe for civilians to return to. Bassil on Saturday sent a matching letter to UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, demanding the UN inform Syrians in Lebanon on the content of this law. The UN should "do whatever necessary to protect the rights of displaced Syrians to retain their property," and to communicate with Damascus on the subject, it said. Bassil's comments come just days after President Michel Aoun demanded Syrians "return to safe areas in their country, without waiting for a final solution to the Syrian crisis." Prime Minister Saad Hariri also lambasted the legislation on Tuesday. "This total invention of Decree 10 has no purpose but to prevent these displaced from going back to their country," he said. Syria's war erupted in March 2011 and has since forced more than five million people to flee outside the country and has displaced over six million internally. The boycott by the Saudi Arabian-led group has forced Qatar, which previously relied on its Gulf neighbours, to look elsewhere for food imports Qatar has ordered shops to remove goods originating from a group of Saudi Arabian-led countries which a year ago imposed a wide-ranging boycott on the emirate, Doha officials said Saturday. A directive from the economy ministry ordered shops to immediately strip shelves of products from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt. Inspectors will visit stores to ensure they comply with the order, the ministry said. The government will also try and stop products such as Saudi dairy goods from entering Qatar via a third country. Qatar's Government Communications Office (GCO) said it was trying to "protect the safety of consumers". "Products originating from blockading states, which as a result of the blockade cannot pass the GCC customs territory, has to undergo proper import inspections and customs procedures," the GCO said in a statement. "Qatar conducts its trade policy in accordance with all of its multilateral and bilateral agreements." The order comes just days before the anniversary of a bitter Gulf crisis. Since June 5 last year, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt have cut all relations with Qatar, accusing it of financing terrorist groups and having close ties with Iran. The countries subsequently imposed a trade and diplomatic boycott on Qatar, which rejects the charges and says the countries are seeking regime change in Doha. The row has forced isolated Qatar, which previously relied on its Gulf neighbours, to look elsewhere for food imports, including Turkey, Morocco and Iran. Many such imports enter the country via ports such as Kuwait and Oman. It is through these ports, and also via individuals, that goods from the boycotting countries manage to get in to Qatar, said a source with knowledge of the situation. "Businessmen from the blockading countries are trying to go around the blockade... by using third parties," said the source. KOLKATA, India (AP) - Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Friday called for international pressure on Myanmar to take back hundreds of thousands of Rohingya Muslims who have sought shelter in her country to escape military-led violence. Hasina said Bangladesh gave shelter to the fleeing Rohingya on humanitarian grounds despite not being rich, but they should return to Myanmar. "Other countries should put pressure on Myanmar to take them back," she said in a speech at Visva-Bharti University in India's West Bengal state. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the speech. About 700,000 Rohingya have fled Myanmar's Rakhine state since last August and are living in squalid camps across the border in Bangladesh. Aid agencies have expressed concern that the Rohingya will not be safe or able to live freely if they return. The Rohingya face official and social discrimination in predominantly Buddhist Myanmar, which denies most of them citizenship and basic rights because they are considered immigrants from Bangladesh. HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) - A Hartford police officer who was critically injured in a stabbing last week has been released from the hospital. Police say Officer Jill Kidik, a 12-year member of the department, was discharged from the hospital on Friday and is expected to make a full recovery. Kidik was repeatedly stabbed in the neck on May 17 while responding to a tenant-landlord dispute. Her jugular vein and trachea were lacerated. Two maintenance workers have been credited with pulling the attacker off Kidik and saving her life. The suspect, 39-year-old Chevoughn Augustin, of Hartford, is in custody on $2 million bail and is due back in court June 5 on charges including attempted murder. ___ Information from: WFSB-TV, http://www.wfsb.com ANKARA, Turkey (AP) - Turkish police say at least 51 suspected Islamic State militants have been detained in simultaneous raids around Istanbul. A statement from Istanbul's police headquarters said Friday that anti-terror units raided 16 different locations in the city, detaining suspects it described as "foreign fighters." All of them were foreign nationals, the statement said, without providing details on their countries of origins. The suspects had either traveled or were planning to travel to "conflict zones," the statement added in an apparent reference to Syria or Iraq. Turkey has suffered a series of deadly attacks blamed on IS militants, including a New Year's attack at an Istanbul nightclub in the early hours of 2017 that killed 39 people. Under the chair of head of the Samoa Mission to the United Nations Ambassador Aliioaiga Feturi Elsaia, who is the groups chairman for May, the 54-member group agreed to nominate Vietnam as its only candidate for the position. The voting will be held by the UN General Assembly in June, 2019. At the meeting, Ambassador Nguyen Phuong Nga, Head of Vietnams Permanent Mission to the United Nations, thanked the Asian-Pacific countries for approving Vietnams nomination. She affirmed that Vietnam will do its utmost to deserve the trust of its international friends, expressing her hope that Vietnam will receive further support from those same countries. The nomination is a vivid illustration of Vietnams prestige among regional nations and it will create favourable conditions for Vietnam to mobilise support from countries in other regions. The Asia-Pacific Group is among five regional groups at the UN. PARIS (AP) - The French government has agreed to take on 35 billion euros ($40.8 billion) in debt from the national railway company SNCF as it seeks to end months-long rolling strikes. French Prime minister Edouard Philippe met Friday with unions to discuss amendments to a rail bill preparing SNCF to open up to competition. As SNCF's total debts amount to 50 billion euros ($58 billion), the government's decision meets unions' demands. Laurent Brun of the hard-left CGT union promised to "continue the combat" to negotiate other guarantees. The bill, already voted by the lower house of parliament, will go to the Senate next week. Rail workers are on rolling strikes through June to protest against the government's plans, which would revoke SNCF employees' special right to retain jobs and benefits for life. WASHINGTON (AP) - The Latest on President Donald Trump and the investigation into Russia's meddling in the 2016 campaign (all times local): 8:17 a.m. President Donald Trump is not backing down on his unproven claim that the FBI planted a spy in his presidential campaign. FBI Director Christopher Wray departs the Capitol through a basement corridor after House and Senate lawmakers from both parties met for a classified briefing about the federal investigation into President Donald Trump's 2016 campaign, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, May 24, 2018. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) Trump is tweeting an interview aired Thursday night on the "Tucker Carlson Tonight" program. A writer for the conservative media website The Federalist told Carlson that "everyone knows there was a Spy" in Trump's 2016 campaign. Trump has branded his latest attempt to discredit the special counsel's Russia investigation as "spygate," part of a newly invigorated strategy embraced by his Republican colleagues to raise suspicions about the probe into Russia meddling in the 2016 campaign. He has embellished reports that a longtime U.S. government informant approached members of his campaign in a possible bid to glean intelligence on Russian efforts to sway the election. On Friday, Trump tweeted, "The Democrats are now alluding to the concept that having an Informant placed in an opposing party's campaign is different than having a Spy, as illegal as that may be. But what about an "Informant" who is paid a fortune and who "sets up" way earlier than the Russian Hoax?" __ 12:30 a.m. Republican and Democratic lawmakers have gotten classified briefings about the origins of the FBI investigation into Russia's meddling in the 2016 presidential election, a highly unusual series of meetings prompted by partisan allegations that the bureau spied on Donald Trump's campaign. Democrats emerged from the meetings saying they saw no evidence to support Republican allegations that the FBI acted inappropriately, although they did express grave concern about the presence of a White House lawyer at Thursday's briefings. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell told Fox News he had learned "nothing particularly surprising," but declined to go into detail. Still, the extraordinary briefings drew attention to the unproved claims of FBI misconduct and political bias. Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein leaves a classified briefing about the federal investigation into President Donald Trump's 2016 campaign, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, May 24, 2018. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) FBI Director Christopher Wray, right, leaves a classified briefing about the federal investigation into President Donald Trump's 2016 campaign, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, May 24, 2018. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) National Intelligence Director Dan Coats, center, is surrounded by security as he departs the Capitol after House and Senate lawmakers from both parties met for a classified briefing about the federal investigation into President Donald Trump's 2016 campaign, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, May 24, 2018. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) Sen. Richard Burr, R-N.C., chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, arrives as House and Senate lawmakers from both parties gather for a classified briefing in a secure room about the federal investigation into President Donald Trump's 2016 campaign, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, May 24, 2018. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) LONDON (AP) - London police have seized half a million pounds ($667,000) worth of bitcoin from a prolific computer hacker in a case described as the first of its kind for the 188-year-old department. Cybercrime detectives seized the bitcoin from Grant West, 26, who was sentenced to 10 years and 8 months in prison Friday for attacking some 100 companies worldwide, largely using 'phishing' email scams to obtain the financial data. Once he obtained the data, West would then sell the material to market places on the dark web and convert his profits into bitcoin. The London Metropolitan police discovered evidence of cyberattacks on 17 major firms including Sainsbury's, Asda, the British Cardiovascular Society and the Finnish bitcoin exchange. Officers also recovered a memory card containing approximately 78 million individual usernames and passwords. MONACO (AP) - Women will make a return of sorts to the Formula One grid at this weekend's Monaco Grand Prix, although not in the previous "grid girls" role now discarded. Instead of women standing in front of each car, holding up the driver's race number, men and women representing watchmaker Tag Heuer will take photos of the drivers for social media purposes. There will be a man and a woman for each driver and they will also report fans' comments back to drivers. Early this year, F1 ended the long-standing practice of using "grid girls." FILE - In this Aug. 23, 2015 file photo grid girls carry flags prior the Belgium Formula One Grand Prix at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit, Belgium. Women will make a return of sorts to the Formula One grid at this weekend's Monaco Grand Prix, although not in the traditional "grid girls" role now outlawed. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner, file) The tradition saw women dressed in uniform walking onto the grid shortly before the race start, holding up placards. Women would also stand alongside the top three drivers on the podium after the race. F1 managing director for commercial operations Sean Bratches said in January the practice wasn't appropriate anymore, a move which met with more approval outside of F1 itself. Michel Boeri, the president of Monaco's Automobile Club, disagreed with the decision. "Our American friends considered that employing young women to hold up placards contributes to demeaning (women)," Boeri said in local newspaper Nice-Matin. "Our hostesses come from modelling and communication colleges. They are elegant and in the image of Monaco." But French driver Romain Grosjean welcomed the decision to scrap it. "When it was removed, I thought it was a good thing for women in the 21st Century because they were not used as just a board holder," Grosjean said. However, he remains a rare disapproving voice. Four-time F1 champion Lewis Hamilton welcomes the return, although he expressed reservations. "I think women are the most beautiful thing in the world. When we pull up to the grid and there are beautiful women on the grid, that's the Monaco Grand Prix, that's a lovely thing," the British driver said this week. "But I definitely don't think that we should ever be supporting or pushing these women in general to feel uncomfortable. And if they are, then we shouldn't do it." Sebastian Vettel is adamant the practice should continue, even claiming to know how women feel. "I think they enjoyed what they were doing," the German driver said. "I'm sure if you ask any grid girl on Sunday if they're happy to stand there, their answer will be 'Yes.' It speaks a little bit for our times that sometimes there's a lot of noise for nothing." As a one-off in 2015, the Monaco GP replaced "grid girls" with "grid boys" - men in short jeans - in a move scoffed at by Vettel. "You get there and park behind George or Dave," the German driver said at the time. "What's the point?" Last month, the Russian GP also considered bringing "grid girls" back, with Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Kozak saying "If we can reach an agreement we will revive this tradition." F1 team principals have joined in the debate. "It's up to the track also to decide if they want to put grid girls on," Sauber team principal Frederic Vasseur said Thursday, smiling. "I think it's a good move." His views were largely echoed by Mercedes head of motorsport Toto Wolff and Red Bull team principal Christian Horner. "I think it was not discriminatory at all, it was part of the history of Formula 1," Wolff said. "So I'm happy to see them back on the grid in Monaco." Horner, whose team has Tag Heuer as a sponsor, added: "So long as it's done in an appropriate manner, then it's ultimately down to the promoter." ___ More AP auto racing: https://racing.ap.org ___ Jerome Pugmire on Twitter: www.twitter.com/jeromepugmire HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) - High bail has been set for the parents of a seriously injured 6-week-old baby in Connecticut who is not expected to survive. Twenty-three-year-old Edwin Babilonia and 20-year-old Ashley Perez were arraigned Friday on charges including cruelty to persons and leaving a child under 12 unsupervised. A Superior Court judge set bail at $500,000 for Perez and $750,000 for Babilonia. A public defender for the couple says the injuries suffered by the infant were accidental. Hartford police say the baby was taken to Connecticut Children's Medical Center on Thursday with cranial bleeding, severe bruising, rib fractures and a collarbone fracture. Police describe the injuries as "non-survivable." Prosecutors say additional charges are possible. BERKELEY, Calif. (AP) - Fluffy, Cottonball and Marshmallow or Bruce, Clark and Diana? University of California, Berkeley officials are asking for help naming three fluffy peregrine falcon chicks that hatched last month in the iconic Campanile bell tower on campus. The adult birds return each year to nest at the same place, and this is the second year for the grown Campanile peregrines, said Glenn Stewart, a researcher with the UC Santa Cruz Predatory Bird Research Group. In this May 17, 2018 photo provided by Marcia Garcia-Alvarez are three peregrine falcon chicks in the Campanile bell tower on the University of California, Berkeley campus in Berkeley, Calif. University officials are asking for help naming three fluffy peregrine falcon chicks that hatched last month in the bell tower. The San Francisco Chronicle reports a woman named Bunny suggested by Twitter naming the two males and one female Fluffy, Cottonball and Marshmallow. One male chick is in front, and a male, left, and female, right, huddle together in the background. (Maria Garcia-Alvarez/via AP) "They eat their food where they catch it. But when they have babies, they bring the food into the nest area. So when the food started coming into the balcony on April 23, we knew the eggs had hatched," he said . Last year, the community cheered when two chicks took their initial flights and mourned when one died after flying into a window. Peregrines are the fastest animals in the world with a diving speed that can top 200 mph (322 kilometers per hour). So far, suggestions for the two males and one female have honored literary, scientific, and superhero figures. One person suggested "Bruce Wayne, Clark Kent and Diana Powers," although Wonder Woman's last name is Prince. A Shakespeare fan thinks "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern and Ophelia" would make swell names for the birds. And a woman named Bunny suggested by Twitter that the birds be named Fluffy, Cottonball and Marshmallow, the San Francisco Chronicle reports , but those names might be too cuddly given that grown peregrines are sharp and deadly. The new chicks will be tracked for the next couple of decades. The public can participate by Twitter or Facebook. The deadline is Monday. ___ Information from: San Francisco Chronicle, http://www.sfgate.com In this May 17, 2018 photo provided by Maria Garcia-Alvarez, an adult female peregrine falcon flies overhead as three peregrine falcon chicks are banded below inside the Campanile bell tower on the University of California, Berkeley campus in Berkeley, Calif. University officials are asking for help naming three fluffy peregrine falcon chicks that hatched last month in the bell tower. The San Francisco Chronicle reports a woman named Bunny suggested by Twitter naming the two males and one female Fluffy, Cottonball and Marshmallow. (Maria Garcia-Alvarez via AP) In this May 17, 2018 photo provided by Mary Malec are two peregrine falcon chicks in the Campanile bell tower on the University of California, Berkeley campus in Berkeley, Calif. University officials are asking for help naming three fluffy peregrine falcon chicks that hatched last month in the bell tower. The San Francisco Chronicle reports a woman named Bunny suggested by Twitter naming the two males and one female Fluffy, Cottonball and Marshmallow. (Mary Malec via AP) TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) - Florida's ban that prevents medical marijuana patients from smoking their cannabis has gone up in smoke. Leon County Circuit Court Judge Karen Gievers on Friday ruled that a state's ban on smokable cannabis is unconstitutional. Florida's Department of Health said in a statement it has appealed the ruling, which will impose an automatic stay. Gievers wrote in her 22-page ruling that Floridians "have the right to use the form of medical marijuana for treatment of their debilitating medical conditions as recommended by their certified physicians, including the use of smokable marijuana in private places." In this May 16, 2018 photo, Cathy Jordan, right, who has been suffering from ALS since 1987, looks on after completing testimony in Tallahassee, Fla., that would declare a smoking ban on medical marijuana unconstitutional in Florida. A Florida judge on Friday, May 25, 2018, ruled that the ban is unconstitutional. (AP Photo/Joe Reedy) Ben Pollara, who runs the nonprofit medical marijuana advocacy group Florida for Care, said the ruling is a big victory for patients and voters. Taylor Patrick Biehl of the Medical Marijuana Business Association of Florida added that "despite legislative pushback over interpretation and ideologies, justice has been served." Voters approved a constitutional amendment in 2016 allowing the use of medical marijuana. The only mention of smoking in the amendment's language and in an intent document during the 2016 campaign was that the Legislature and local governments could restrict it in public places. The Legislature last year passed enacting laws that banned the sale of smoking products, citing a health risk. The laws, signed by Florida Gov. Rick Scott in June, say patients can use cannabis through vaping and in food, oils, sprays and tinctures. John Morgan, who led the push to legalize medical marijuana Florida, filed a lawsuit challenging the ban two weeks after Scott signed the bill. He was joined in the suit by two patients with terminal illnesses who benefit from smokable medical pot. Cathy Jordan, who has had ALS since 1986, says smoking the plant dries her excess saliva, increases her appetite and works as a muscle relaxer. Diana Dodson, who has had HIV since 1991, testified May 16 that vaping is 50 percent less effective than smoking and that smoking allows her to get the proper dosage. Jordan said that when she was diagnosed with ALS - amyotrophic lateral sclerosis - doctors thought she would live only three to five more years. She credits smoking with helping to prolong her life, and has been supported by her physicians. "So many people won't smoke due to the stigma and it being against the law. This is legitimate medicine," she said by phone from her Manatee County home after the ruling. "This ruling is not just for me but for many other people." Bob Jordan, Cathy's husband, said he was still in shock after getting the call about the ruling. "A little woman with ALS took on the state and won. That's an amazing thing. It is kind of surreal," he said. He tweeted after the ruling that "truth prevails." Florida Department of Health spokesman Devin Galetta said in a statement that the ruling "goes against what the legislature outlined when they wrote and approved the law to implement the constitutional amendment that was approved." The next stop will be the state's 1st District Court of Appeal in Tallahassee. It will be the second medical marijuana case that court will be taking up after Gievers ruled last month that a Tampa man - Joseph Redner - is entitled under state law to possess, grow and use marijuana for juicing. Redner was prescribed juicing treatments from his doctor to prevent a relapse of stage 4 lung cancer. BILOXI, Miss. (AP) - Musician and rapper Afroman has agreed to pay $65,000 to settle a lawsuit filed by a woman he punched during a 2015 Mississippi performance. The Sun Herald reports a judgment filed Thursday in Harrison County Circuit Court says Afroman must pay Haley Byrd in monthly installments of $10,000 and if he does not, he will owe her $125,000. Byrd's attorney Tim Holleman says the Florida resident was 21 when Joseph Edgar Foreman, whose stage name is Afroman, punched her while she danced after getting on the stage during the Mardi Gras concert in Biloxi. FILE - In this Aug. 22, 2001 file photo, Afroman, whose real name is Joseph Foreman, poses for a portrait in New York. Musician and rapper Afroman has agreed to pay $65,000 to settle a lawsuit filed by a woman he punched during a 2015 Mississippi performance. A judgment filed Thursday, May 24, 2018 in Harrison County Circuit Court says Afroman must pay Haley Byrd in monthly installments of $10,000 and if he does not, he will owe her $125,000. (AP Photo/Shawn Baldwin, File) Afroman had pleaded guilty to an assault charge. He also agreed he will not disparage, slander or libel Byrd. She claimed he defamed her by writing a song about the assault called "Stay off the Stage." ___ Information from: The Sun Herald, http://www.sunherald.com BEIJING (AP) - China's top anti-terrorism official has called for closer international cooperation to "destroy the breeding ground of terrorism," along with a ramping-up of already overwhelming counterterrorism measures at home. State media quoted State Councilor Zhao Kezhi telling officials at a national teleconference on Friday that more needs to be done to improve intelligence gathering and anti-infiltration measures. "It's necessary to comprehensively implement measures to address the root cause and improve anti-terrorism work system," the official Xinhua News Agency quoted Zhao as saying. He called for "deepening anti-terror international cooperation and making efforts to destroy the breeding ground of terrorism." FILE - In this May 22, 2018 file photo, China's Minister of Public Security Zhao Kezhi poses ahead of a plenary meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) security secretary summit in Beijing. Zhao has called for closer international cooperation to "destroy the breeding ground of terrorism," along with a ramping-up of already overwhelming counterterrorism measures at home. (Jason Lee/Pool Photo via AP, File) China's international counterterrorism efforts have focused on Central Asia, which borders on its restive northwestern region of Xinjiang, where Islamic militants have killed hundreds in recent years. China has imposed stifling security in Xinjiang, employing armed force as well as high-technology measures such as facial recognition and big data to identify potential threats. Since last spring, tens and possibly hundreds of thousands of Muslims have been placed in mass internment camps where they face enormous physical and psychological stress to renounce their religion, native Uighur culture and any pro-separatist sentiments. China's sweeping anti-terrorism law took effect in 2016 under President Xi Jinping, who has led the country's broadest crackdown on dissent of all kinds in decades. However, concerns over human rights abuses and China's own secretive political system have limited cooperation with most other countries. KIEV, Ukraine (AP) - With his back to goal but eyes on the incoming cross, Gareth Bale connected with the ball while leaping in the air and sent a scissor-kick arcing into the top of the net. Fusing athleticism and technique, it was a mesmerizing sight to behold from the Real Madrid forward. Rarely has there been a finer goal in a European final and Bale followed it up with another to seal Madrid's third successive Champions League title in a 3-1 victory over Liverpool on Saturday. Yet with blunders, injuries and intrigue unfolding throughout the night in Kiev's Olympic Stadium, the wonder-goal just enriched this engrossing climax to the European club season and set the tone for weeks of uncertainty. Real Madrid players celebrate with the trophy after winning the Champions League Final soccer match between Real Madrid and Liverpool at the Olimpiyskiy Stadium in Kiev, Ukraine, Saturday, May 26, 2018. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader) A weeping Mohamed Salah was forced off in the first half with a shoulder injury that foiled Liverpool's quest for a first continental success in 13 years and left the World Cup hopes of the "Egyptian King" in jeopardy. Tears also streamed down Loris Karius' face after the Liverpool goalkeeper's mistakes gifted two goals in the biggest match of his career. It might also be his last for Liverpool, which was denied a sixth European title by the aristocrats of the continent. When all they should have been thinking about is celebrating, both Bale and teammate Cristiano Ronaldo also cast doubts on their Madrid careers. But while Zinedine Zidane was adamant about the need to keep hold of five-time world player of the year Ronaldo, the Madrid coach seemed far less concerned about the future of the player whose two goals just delivered the club's record-extending 13th European title. Bale only came on in the second half. The impact was explosive, scoring the bicycle kick in the 64th minute. Five years into his Madrid career, the 28-year-old Bale wants to be more than a super-sub. "I need to be playing week in, week out and that hasn't happened this season for one reason or another," Bale said after lifting the European Cup for a fourth time with Madrid. "I need to sit down in the summer and discuss it with my agent." Will Bale get assurances over a place in the starting XI? "It might be complicated," Zidane said. "But everybody looks out for themselves and takes care of their own thing, and I understand that." Zidane doesn't understand why Ronaldo raised fresh doubts over his commitment to the club. "He must stay," Zidane said. "He will stay with us." While Ronaldo became the first five-time winner in the post-1993 Champions League era, this was a comparatively muted performance in a final for a player who has contributed decisive goals in the three finals Madrid had contested in the previous four seasons. In the tunnel before kickoff there was a furtive glance across to Salah, who has also scored 44 goals this season. But the showdown between the world player of the year and a contender for his throne never materialized. Blame Sergio Ramos for that, although the foul that ended Salah's final was not the Madrid captain at his most cynical. Salah landed heavily on his left shoulder in a twisting fall after 25 minutes. Ramos stepped away from the scene unpunished and Salah soon managed to step up after overcoming the initial pain. Not for long. Salah's final was over after 30 minutes. Lying on his back, hands covering his face, Salah rose only to leave the field. An incredible debut season at Liverpool came to a crying end. Four minutes later, the tears were flowing down the face of Dani Carvajal after the Madrid right back appeared to injure a hamstring while attempting a back-heel. Face-down on the field, Carvajal knew his final was over in the first half for the second successive season. "Of course it was a little shock to the team," Klopp said. There were bigger shocks to come, from Liverpool's goalkeeping blunders. After collecting a shot six minutes into the second half, Karius rolled the ball out too casually, neglecting the presence of Benzema who stuck out his right foot and dispatched the ball into an empty net. The immediate impact of Karius' blunder was offset by Mane's equalizer in the 55th. Dejan Lovren rose above Ramos and headed into the path of Mane, who turned the ball into the net. But then Bale, so determined to prove Zidane wrong, entered this meeting of the Premier League's fourth-place team and Spain's third-place finisher. "I was very disappointed not to start the game," he said. "I felt like I deserved it. The best I can do is to come on and make an impact." That was achieved with the goal three minutes after replacing Isco and he netted again in the 83rd thanks to Karius' second gaffe. The German allowed Bale's shot to squirm through his hands into the net in the 83rd. "I just feel sorry for my team," Karius said. "I know I let them down today." It left Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp reeling from a sixth successive loss in a final, including a 2013 Champions League defeat to Bayern Munich while Borussia Dortmund coach. For Zidane, victory in Ukraine puts the former France great in an elite field alongside Carlo Ancelotti and Bob Paisley as a three-time European Cup winner. But no one has achieved the feat faster, with each of his three seasons in charge ending by winning the game's biggest club prize. "I'm still only starting out as a coach," the 45-year-old Zidane said. "You've got to seize the moment and that's what I'm doing." ___ More AP Champions League coverage: www.apnews.com/tag/ChampionsLeague Rob Harris is at www.twitter.com/RobHarris and www.facebook.com/RobHarrisReports Real Madrid players celebrate with the trophy after winning the Champions League Final soccer match between Real Madrid and Liverpool at the Olimpiyskiy Stadium in Kiev, Ukraine, Saturday, May 26, 2018. (AP Photo/Sergei Grits) Real Madrid's Gareth Bale celebrates with the trophy after winning the Champions League Final soccer match between Real Madrid and Liverpool at the Olimpiyskiy Stadium in Kiev, Ukraine, Saturday, May 26, 2018. (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin) Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates with the trophy after winning the Champions League Final soccer match between Real Madrid and Liverpool at the Olimpiyskiy Stadium in Kiev, Ukraine, Saturday, May 26, 2018. (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin) Real Madrid's Gareth Bale, right, scores his side's second goal during the Champions League Final soccer match between Real Madrid and Liverpool at the Olimpiyskiy Stadium in Kiev, Ukraine, Saturday, May 26, 2018. (AP Photo/Sergei Grits) Real Madrid's Gareth Bale celebrates past Liverpool's Jordan Henderson, left, after scoring his side's third goal during the Champions League Final soccer match between Real Madrid and Liverpool at the Olimpiyskiy Stadium in Kiev, Ukraine, Saturday, May 26, 2018. (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin) Real Madrid's Sergio Ramos, right, walks away after a collision with Liverpool's Mohamed Salah, left, during the Champions League Final soccer match between Real Madrid and Liverpool at the Olimpiyskiy Stadium in Kiev, Ukraine, Saturday, May 26, 2018. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic) Liverpool's Mohamed Salah grimaces on the ground after injuring himself during the Champions League Final soccer match between Real Madrid and Liverpool at the Olimpiyskiy Stadium in Kiev, Ukraine, Saturday, May 26, 2018. (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin) Real Madrid's Gareth Bale celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the Champions League Final soccer match between Real Madrid and Liverpool at the Olimpiyskiy Stadium in Kiev, Ukraine, Saturday, May 26, 2018. (AP Photo/Sergei Grits) During his stay, the Governor-General attended talks with President Tran Dai Quang, and meetings with Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Chairwoman of the National Assembly Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan, and Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City Peoples Committee Nguyen Thanh Phong. He visited the level-2 field hospital No. 1, based at the Military Hospital 175 in Ho Chi Minh City. At the meetings, both sides expressed their delight over the sound and effective development of bilateral ties. They agreed to continue with activities to mark the 45th anniversary of diplomatic ties and raise two peoples awareness of the value of Vietnam-Australia relations. Regarding the orientation for the strategic partnership in the coming time, they reached consensus on consolidating political trust and strategic faith through enhancing delegation exchanges, improving the efficiency of existing bilateral cooperative mechanisms, while setting up new cooperative frameworks like an economic partnership, agricultural partnership, innovative partnership, and meetings at foreign ministerial level. They laid stress on the efforts to deepen core cooperative sectors: security-defence, economy-trade, science-technology, education-training and development assistance, saying that they will serve as levers to boost collaboration in other potential fields. Both sides will create favourable conditions for their airlines to expand operations of direct flights between big cities and encourage citizens to become involved in the Vietnam-Australia Work and Holiday programme. They affirmed to support each other at regional and international forums, especially at the UN, ASEAN, and mechanisms led by ASEAN. They pledged to coordinate stances regarding the East Sea issue and cooperate closely to implement the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). KAMPALA, Uganda (AP) - Wailing women, long speeches, livestock slaughtered for a feast. For many in Africa, funerals are multi-day gatherings and deeply traditional, with elaborate burial rites to emphasize the belief that the dead are not really dead. So some Africans are uncomfortable with the rise of cremations, long considered taboo but a growing necessity as migration to cities is crowding out graveyard space and producing a landless generation without cash for a funeral. Last month authorities in Kenya's capital, Nairobi, urged Kenyans to accept cremation amid a shortage of space at the public cemetery in the neighborhood of Lang'ata, where some bodies have been piled on top of others. "We don't have space," Nairobi's top health executive, Hitan Majevda, told The Associated Press. "So cremation for us is the only option." The cremation last month of Kenneth Matiba, a former presidential candidate and once one of Kenya's wealthiest men, has provoked more talk of the practice as a not-so-terrible choice in a socially conservative country of over 48 million people where many landless people occupy crowded slums. The local Star newspaper reported that elders in Matiba's ancestral home were "shocked" by his wish to be cremated, and the provost of Nairobi's All Saints Cathedral issued a statement calling the debate "more of a cultural and philosophical issue rather than a biblical one." Matiba wasn't the first prominent Kenyan to choose cremation. Nobel laureate and environmental activist Wangari Maathai was cremated in 2011. Cremation is not controversial in the developed West. In the United States, the practice reached an all-time high and surpassed the rate of burials for the second year in a row, according to a 2017 report by the National Funeral Directors Association. The report cited the declining influence of religion as one reason for the change. In Africa, officials promoting cremation cite more practical concerns: poverty and lack of space. It costs about $130 to cremate an adult at the Lang'ata crematorium in Nairobi. In comparison, traditional funerals are big business across Africa with people expecting to be fed and entertained, often with alcohol, for several days leading to the burial. The Lang'ata crematorium is seeing a gradual rise in activity with at least one person now cremated weekly, said Maina Nderitu, an official there. Dickson Kamau, who was at the crematorium to collect his brother's ashes one recent afternoon, said his family made the "traumatizing" decision to cremate because of a lack of ancestral land. "We live in Nairobi and relocated from home long time ago," he said. A similar problem was cited by Elias Kagwa, whose cousin was cremated earlier this year amid a land dispute that left the family stranded with the body. He and other relatives couldn't bear to linger near the crematorium while the body burned, so they returned the next day to pick up the ashes. "Personally I will want to be cremated when I die, but I will not want to see anyone I know cremated," Kagwa said. Most people in Kenya oppose cremation, often on cultural grounds, echoing feelings elsewhere in sub-Saharan Africa where traditional beliefs are often respected even among those devoted to Christianity or Islam. "You associate your family tree with where your ancestors are buried," said Mwambutsya Ndebesa, a professor of history at Makerere University in neighboring Uganda. "A burial site is like a physical site of identity, of tribal identity." In Uganda, funeral directors have put cremation on their brochures but find few or no takers. Some people have inquired about cremation but have not gone through with it, said Stephen Musoke, operations manager at A Plus Funeral Management in the capital, Kampala. The company has organized the cremation of just one Ugandan since 2002, he said. "Cremation is a good idea as long as the world is changing and there is less time and money," said Pius Ssetimba, a funeral planner with Kampala Funeral Directors. "People these days don't have time to attend funerals and it's expensive to maintain a graveyard." Cities in Uganda and elsewhere in Africa are expanding as more people migrate in from villages, fueling a real estate boom that has raised a new challenge: what to do with graveyards on prime pieces of property. "A graveyard is an encumbrance, a big, big encumbrance," said Emma Ssekandi, a land broker in Kampala. Cremation is a viable alternative, he said, although he himself would rather be buried at his ancestral home. Rajni Tailor, whose Indian Association Uganda owns Kampala's only crematorium, said he has proposed a solution for those who want to preserve burial sites for generations: the partial burning of a body to preserve a few bones that would be interred in a smaller grave. "It's a matter of convincing the Africans," Tailor said. "The city councils have to convince them that 'Look, cremation saves the land.'" ___ Follow Africa news at https://twitter.com/AP_Africa MADRID (AP) - Spanish police say they have arrested a 66-year-old man suspected of robbing nine different banks in Spain in the past month. He was arrested in a hotel in Getafe near Madrid, where police said he had spent Friday night. Authorities say they believe the man has been robbing banks for the past 35 years. He allegedly carried out his most recent robberies in Madrid, Toledo and Alicante. The suspect's modus operandi was to dress formally, without covering his face, and show a pistol to a bank teller while calmly demanding cash, according to police. ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (AP) - Ethiopia says it is releasing an Ethiopia-born British national detained in Yemen in 2014 under the country's infamous anti-terror law. Andargachew Tsige was secretary-general of the opposition group Ginbot 7 based mainly in Ethiopia's arch- foe Eritrea. The state-affiliated Fana Broadcasting Corporate reports that Andargachew was pardoned under "special circumstances" with the intervention of the attorney general. The report says close to 600 people are being released in all. Britain had been trying to secure Andargachew's release since his arrest. Ethiopia's new Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed was installed in April and has since secured the release of several thousands of prisoners, including high-profile politicians and journalists. TIRANA, Albania (AP) - Thousands of Albanian opposition supporters called for the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama during an anti-government protest in the capital Saturday, accusing him of links to organized crime. Participants marched along Tirana's Martyrs of the Nation boulevard chanting "Rama go." They held Albanian and European Union flags, and some threw stones and hard objects at Rama's office building and the Interior Ministry. "Albanians are protesting against the government's ties to organized crime and trafficking, which is undermining the future of Albania and now European integration efforts," Democratic Party leader Lulzim Basha told The Associated Press. Protesters hold an effigy of Albanian Prime Minister Eli Rama during an anti-government rally in front of the interior ministry in Tirana, Albania, Saturday, May 26, 2018. Thousands of Albanian opposition supporters held an anti-government protest Saturday calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama, whom they accuse of links to organized crime. (AP Photo/Hektor Pustina) Basha, who headed the march and was the only speaker at a rally, estimated the "hundreds of thousands" of people attended the event. Police gave no figures. The rally ended after about two hours. National police chief Ardi Veliu said 11 officers were injured while trying to keep protesters away from government buildings. Some protesters pulled down a fence at the Interior Ministry and tried to break through a police cordon. The conservative opposition Democrats showed a picture of their newspaper's editor-in-chief allegedly injured from skirmishes with police. Veliu visited the injured policemen and the editor at the hospital. Meanwhile, Rama took to Facebook to thank Democrats "who do not support the government but still refused to take part" in the rally. The Democrats also have accused Interior Minister Fatmir Xhafaj of supporting his brother's drug-related activities. Earlier this month, the brother turned himself it to Italian authorities to serve a 2002 sentence for drug trafficking. Xhafaj denies the allegations, saying he would resign the moment the claims were proven. "No politicians should be guaranteed impunity," Basha said Saturday. The Democrats suffered a landslide loss in last year's parliamentary election securing only 43 of the 140 seats. Albania, a NATO member since 2009, is expecting to launch negotiations to join the EU next month. ___ Follow Llazar Semini on Twitter at https://twitter.com/lsemini Protesters react with Albanian police during an anti-government rally in front of the interior ministry in Tirana, Albania, Saturday, May 26, 2018. Thousands of Albanian opposition supporters held an anti-government protest Saturday calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama, whom they accuse of links to organized crime. (AP Photo/Hektor Pustina) Albania's main conservative opposition Democratic Party leader Lulzim Basha speaks during an anti-government rally in Tirana, Albania, Saturday, May 26, 2018. Thousands of Albanian opposition supporters held an anti-government protest Saturday calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama, whom they accuse of links to organized crime. Supporters led by Basha on Saturday marched along the capital Tirana's Martyrs of the Nation boulevard calling "Rama go." (AP Photo/Hektor Pustina) Protesters take part in an anti-government rally in Tirana, Albania, Saturday, May 26, 2018. Thousands of Albanian opposition supporters held an anti-government protest Saturday calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama, whom they accuse of links to organized crime. (AP Photo/Hektor Pustina) Albania's main conservative opposition Democratic Party leader Lulzim Basha speaks during an anti-government rally in Tirana, Albania, Saturday, May 26, 2018. Thousands of Albanian opposition supporters held an anti-government protest Saturday calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama, whom they accuse of links to organized crime. Supporters led by Basha on Saturday marched along the capital Tirana's Martyrs of the Nation boulevard calling "Rama go." (AP Photo/Hektor Pustina) Albania's main conservative opposition Democratic Party leader Lulzim Basha speaks during an anti-government rally in Tirana, Albania, Saturday, May 26, 2018. Thousands of Albanian opposition supporters held an anti-government protest Saturday calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama, whom they accuse of links to organized crime. Supporters led by Basha on Saturday marched along the capital Tirana's Martyrs of the Nation boulevard calling "Rama go." (AP Photo/Hektor Pustina) Protesters react with Albanian police during an anti-government rally in front of the interior ministry in Tirana, Albania, Saturday, May 26, 2018. Thousands of Albanian opposition supporters held an anti-government protest Saturday calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama, whom they accuse of links to organized crime. (AP Photo/Hektor Pustina) A protester chants slogans as Albanian policemen stand in formation, during an anti-government rally in front of the interior ministry in Tirana, Albania, Saturday, May 26, 2018. Thousands of Albanian opposition supporters held an anti-government protest Saturday calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama, whom they accuse of links to organized crime. (AP Photo/Hektor Pustina) ISLAMABAD (AP) - Pakistan's army has summoned a former spy chief over a book he co-authored with his former Indian counterpart. The newly released book, entitled "Spy Chronicles," suggests Pakistan cooperated with the U.S. in the 2011 raid that killed Osama bin Laden. The book is co-written by Asad Durrani, the former chief of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence; AS Daulat, the former head of India's Research and Analysis Wing; and the Indian journalist Aditya Sinha. Durrani had retired years before the bin Laden raid. Maj. Gen. Asif Ghafoor, a military spokesman, tweeted late Friday that Durrani had been summoned to appear at army headquarters on Monday over violations of military rules on attribution, without providing further details. KAMPALA, Uganda (AP) - A police spokesman says 22 people are dead after a speeding passenger bus struck a tractor and then a beer truck on its way to Uganda's capital. Emilian Kayima says in a statement that 14 others were injured in the crash Friday evening near Kiryandongo town. Police dispute a Uganda Red Cross statement that the crash killed more than 40. Motor accidents frequently occur in the East African nation where roads are often narrow and potholed. Authorities blame many accidents on speeding or drunk drivers. The police statement says "many road accidents are a result of avoidable human undertakings." DHAKA, Bangladesh (AP) - Security officials in Bangladesh said they raided an area in the capital on Saturday and detained at least 100 suspects as part of a nationwide anti-drug crackdown, amid accusations that extrajudicial killings have taken place during the drive. Over 60 suspected drug peddlers have been killed and over 3,000 suspects detained across Bangladesh in the crackdown, according to tallies by officials and local media. The campaign was launched earlier this month on orders by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Officials and local media have said the deaths occurred in shootouts between security officials and suspects or during raids, but rights groups have called the killings extrajudicial. The country's main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party has said many of its leaders and activists have been the target of the security agencies in the name of curbing the illegal drug trade. Some families have told local media that plainclothes men picked up some suspects and that they did not return alive. Bangladesh's Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) soldiers stand guard during a raid on suspected drug dealers at Mohammadpur Geneva Camp in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Saturday, May 26, 2018. More than 60 suspected drug peddlers have been killed and over 3000 suspects detained across Bangladesh as security agencies have launched a nationwide anti-drugs crackdown since early May. (AP Photo/ Mehedi Hasan) Authorities have denied the allegations, saying they're following a policy of zero tolerance in the fight against drugs. The government has said many of the suspects have criminal charges against them. Mufti Mahmud Khan, a spokesman for the Rapid Action Battalion, said security officials cordoned off part of Dhaka's Mohammedpur area on Saturday and detained at least 100 suspects. The area, which is locally called Geneva Camp, is a crammed slum and is known as one of the top spots for the selling of illegal drugs in Dhaka. Bangladesh's leading English-language Daily Star newspaper reported Saturday that a total of 63 people had been killed since the anti-drug drive began on May 4. Other leading newspapers reported that some 3,000 people had been detained. The crackdown is expected to continue for a few more weeks. Domestic and global human rights groups have decried the campaign for the alleged extrajudicial killings. Obaidul Quader, a close aide to Hasina and the ruling party's general secretary, said Saturday that the suspects have died in "shootouts," and that the killings should not be termed as extrajudicial. New York-based Human Rights Watch criticized the authorities for the deaths. "The government has a duty to ensure law and order, but must order its forces to do so in a rights respecting manner," Meenakshi Ganguly, South Asia director for the group, said in an email Saturday. "The authorities should order an impartial and time-bound inquiry into these killings during the crackdown on drug dealers and prosecute any police or (Rapid Action Battalion) member if they violated domestic and international laws," she said. The anti-drug campaign began amid a concern in Bangladesh about the spread of "yaba" pills, especially among youths. Bangladesh does not produce the drug, which is made from caffeine and methamphetamine, and has blamed Myanmar for its production and the smuggling of it into the country through a porous border. BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) - Colombia will become NATO's first partner in Latin America in recognition of the country's battle-tested military. President Juan Manuel Santos on Friday said that the country's entry into the military alliance's global partnership program will take place next week in Brussels. A NATO spokeswoman said Saturday that Colombia's ties to the group have steadily advanced since 2013. In 2015 Colombia contributed a vessel to NATO's Operation Ocean Shield to counter piracy off the Horn of Africa. The partners include nations such as Japan, Afghanistan, New Zealand, Mongolia and Iraq that work with NATO in some areas. Colombian authorities said the partnership will help in training a military that confronts threats from transnational criminal networks and instability in neighboring Venezuela. NEW YORK (AP) - Morgan Freeman says he likes to compliment people to make them feel at ease around him but that he has never sexually assaulted women. The Academy Award-winning actor is fighting back against charges of bad behavior made by multiple women in a CNN report this week. He said in a statement late Friday that the report has devastated him and that "it is not right to equate horrific incidents of sexual assault with misplaced compliments or humor." Following the report, Visa announced it was suspending all of its marketing that features the actor's voice. FILE - In this Jan. 6, 2016, file photo, actor Morgan Freeman participates in the "The Story of God" panel at the National Geographic Channel 2016 Winter TCA in Pasadena, Calif. Freeman says he likes to compliment people to make them feel at ease around him but that he has never sexually assaulted women. The Academy Award-winning actor is fighting back against charges of bad behavior made by multiple women in a CNN report this week. He said in a statement late Friday, May 25, 2018, that the report has devastated him and that "it is not right to equate horrific incidents of sexual assault with misplaced compliments or humor." (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP, File) CNN's story includes one movie production assistant who said Freeman unsuccessfully tried to lift her skirt. Other women talked about unwanted touching on their backs and shoulders. Mostly, Freeman's accusers say he would comment about their bodies or clothes or make them uncomfortable by staring. A male former employee of Freeman's production company said the 80-year-old actor would behave like a "creepy uncle." One of the article's authors, Chloe Melas, began working on it following a press junket where she said Freeman clasped her hand, looked her up and down and made comments like, "you are ripe." "I admit that I am someone who feels a need to try to make women, and men, feel appreciated and at ease around me," Freeman said. "As a part of that, I would often try to joke with and compliment women, in what I thought was a light-hearted and humorous way. Clearly I was not always coming across the way I intended." He said that he did not assault women, create unsafe work environments or offer employment or advancement in exchange for sex. His reference to equating his behavior with others was unclear. The accusations against Freeman came out the same day word spread that New York City authorities were filing rape charges against disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein. Freeman's statement was reminiscent of an email written by longtime television anchor Tom Brokaw sent to friends recently after a former colleague had accused him of unwanted sexual advances. "I am devastated that 80 years of my life is at risk of being undermined, in the blink of an eye, by Thursday's media reports," Freeman said. Freeman won the 2005 Oscar for best supporting actor for "Million Dollar Baby." He was nominated four other times, including for "Driving Miss Daisy" and "The Shawshank Redemption." His voice is familiar on commercials and as a narrator for documentaries and other productions. ___ Associated Press writer Jocelyn Noveck and Josh Boak, AP economics writer in Washington, D.C., contributed to this report. TEHRAN, Iran (AP) - Iran's state-run IRNA news agency is reporting that the country's authorities have detained a university professor over insulting Sunni Muslims. The Saturday report said that, after locals voiced their anger, forces from the country's powerful Revolutionary Guard detained a professor of Persian Literature at Azad University in the southeastern province of Sistan and Baluchistan for posting a video online insulting Sunni Muslims. Though most Iranians are Shiite, Iran's eastern Baloch region is majority Sunni. Zahedan city, the provincial capital of Sistan and Baluchistan, has been the scene of occasional clashes between Iranian forces and Baluch separatists. For example, mobile numbers beginning with 166, 122, 199, and 188 will be replaced by those prefixed by either 80, 30, 50, 40, or 70, depending on the carriers. Mobile numbers currently prefixed by two-digit carrier codes will remain unchanged. The move, scheduled for September, is part of a wider effort to clean up the disorder in telephone numbering which got underway last year with the rollout of standardised local dialling codes for landline numbers. The area codes for landline numbers in all provinces and cities are now in the form of 2xx. Minister of Information and Communications, Truong Minh Tuan, said the plan for the mobile phone number prefix change was already a year behind schedule. He has requested that mobile operators finalise the details of their plans by June 1. Under the law, subscribers must be notified of any such change 60 days in advance and they can use both the old and new prefixes for a transitional period of 60 days from the date the new codes take effect. RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - A former Virginia high school teacher has been sentenced to two years in prison for sending a naked photo of himself to one of his students. The Richmond Times-Dispatch reports that the punishment given to Benjamin Brittain was well above advisory sentencing guidelines ranging from one day to three months behind bars. Prosecutors said Brittain was an economics teacher at Deep Run High School when he sent naked photos of himself via social media to a 16-year-old girl in 2016. They said he also sent the girl messages saying he wanted to have sex with her. Brittain apologized before the judge imposed his sentence Friday, saying he is "extraordinarily, immeasurably sorry" for what he did. Brittain pleaded guilty in February to taking indecent liberties with a minor. ___ Information from: Richmond Times-Dispatch, http://www.richmond.com DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) - Syria's Foreign Ministry says it has handed to the Russian and Iranian ambassadors in Damascus a list of the members it has named to a committee to review the national constitution. Control over the constitutional process has been a key point of conflict between President Bashar Assad's government and the international community and Syrian opposition. Assad has said his government will only consider amendments to the current constitution, in defiance of a U.N. initiative to have the government, opposition, and independents draft a new document. The U.N. initiative was given a boost in February by Russia which organized a Syrian congress in Sochi earlier this year to press the warring sides to pen a new constitution. But the Syrian government has refused to endorse the effort. The Foreign Ministry's statement, published on state media on Saturday, was vague on the matter of whether the government was naming its own commission or nominating members to a U.N. commission. It did not identify the members named in the list. And it said the government was satisfied with "the current constitution." IPSWICH, Mass. (AP) - The ceiling of a Massachusetts church building from the 1850s has collapsed, hours before a group of up to 100 people was scheduled to meet. The roof of Living Faith United Methodist Church in Ipswich fell Friday. Thousands of pounds of wood and plaster fell into its sanctuary. No one was injured. A building commissioner said the church's age is likely to blame for the collapse. The floor was littered with several feet of piled up boards, nails and plaster. Ipswich is about 30 miles (48 kilometers) northeast of Boston. The church will temporarily relocate its services to Ascension Memorial Church. INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - Danica Patrick loves good omens. She learned of a couple of them Saturday that could bode well for her in the Indianapolis 500. The popular if polarizing Patrick, who will be racing for the final time Sunday, spent the morning signing autographs alongside Scott Dixon and Helio Castroneves at the racetrack. The trio will make up the third row when the green flag drops, with Patrick starting on the inside. Tony Kanaan, of Brazil, and Danica Patrick take a selfie with their rings during the drivers meeting for the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, in Indianapolis Saturday, May 26, 2018. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings) "First, I observed that we might be the oldest row," Patrick joked in a posting on social media . She turned 36 in March, Dixon will celebrate his 38th birthday in July and Castroneves turned 43 earlier this month. Then, Dixon leaned over and reminded Patrick that the trio was on the podium together when she won at Twin Ring Motegi in Japan. Her breakthrough victory in April 2008 made Patrick the first woman to win a top-level sanctioned open-wheel race. Castroneves was second that day and Dixon was third. "I love a good sign," Patrick said. "One more day until my last race." The fact that she's nearing the conclusion of her career, with seemingly no regrets, has resulted in a laid-back attitude all month. Patrick has spent more time chatting with reporters, signing autographs for fans and soaking in the atmosphere than she had in the past. She even took a humorous picture with Castroneves on Saturday, when the duo received their rings for starting the Indy 500. Castroneves had a large one and Danica a much smaller one, and she posted the photo next to one from the Japan podium, where she stood next to a massive trophy as the winner and Castroneves held up a dinky version of the same trophy as the runner-up. Patrick doesn't intend to make her farewell race a 500-mile parade, though, even if she's taking a more easygoing approach. She believes her Chevrolet-powered ride from Ed Carpenter Racing has the handling and horsepower to win, as evidenced by a qualifying effort that left her starting seventh. She had a few issues in the final practice on Carb Day, mainly with the electronics, but pronounced the car ready to go after getting back onto the track for the last few minutes. "I'm glad to get the issues out of the way early on," she said. "We made some changes when I went out the second time, and I'm feeling good about starting seventh on Sunday." ___ More AP Auto Racing: https://racing.ap.org Danica Patrick and Marco Andretti walk to the drivers meeting for the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, in Indianapolis Saturday, May 26, 2018. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings) MIDDLETOWN, Conn. (AP) - A new monument in Connecticut honors service animals with a statue of one of the nation's most famous war dogs. The sculpture, "Stubby Salutes," was unveiled Saturday in Veterans Memorial Park in Middletown. Stubby was a Boston-terrier mix that traveled to Europe with a Connecticut unit during World War I. He became famous for warning soldiers of incoming gas attacks and locating wounded soldiers on the battlefield, staying with them until help arrived. His story was the subject of a major animated movie last month, "Sgt. Stubby: An American Hero." The bronze sculpture, created by artist Susan Bahary, is the culmination of a three-decade effort to create a memorial, spearheaded by the family of Robert Conroy, the army corporal who adopted Stubby during training. "I wanted to capture his likeness of course," Bahary said as a guest on Fox News . "I also wanted to capture that beautiful spirit. That courage. His bravery. His ability to cheer up the troops both on the battlefield and at home." SANTIAGO, Chile (AP) - The president of the Chilean Catholic Church's Commission for the Prevention of Abuses has resigned after acknowledging he was slow to investigate allegations of misconduct in his diocese. The church's Episcopal Conference announced Saturday it had accepted the resignation by Rancagua Bishop Alejandro Goic. He remains bishop of the diocese. Its statement says that "difficulties that have occurred in the diocese he leads have made this determination necessary." Fourteen priests in Goic's diocense have been temporarily suspended over the past week. A week ago, Goic apologized for failing to promptly investigate a reported case of sexual abuse in his diocese. Every bishop in the South American country has offered to resign over what Pope Francis said was their negligence in protecting children. WASHINGTON (AP) - A federal court has ruled that the Education Department violated privacy laws with regard to students defrauded by the Corinthian for-profit college chain. In a break with Obama administration policy, Education Secretary Betsy DeVos announced in December that some students cheated by the now-defunct schools would only get a part of their federal student loan forgiven. In order to determine how much to forgive, the agency analyzes average earnings of graduates from similar programs. But a California district court ruled late Friday that the department's use of Social Security Administration data in order to calculate loan forgiveness violates the Privacy Act. The court ordered that the Education Department stop the practice and stop debt collection from these students. FILE - In this Sept. 7, 2017, file photo, Education Secretary Betsy DeVos speaks at George Mason University Arlington, Va., campus. On Friday, May 25, 2018, a federal court ruled that the Education Department violated privacy laws with regard to students defrauded by the Corinthian for-profit college chain. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File) The court also said that it needs to hear more from the agency and plaintiffs in the class-action suit in order to decide whether or not to compel the agency to return to full loan forgiveness. A hearing is scheduled for June 4. The decision marks an important victory for students challenging the partial loan forgiveness rule. Toby Merill, director of the Project on Predatory Student Lending at Harvard University, which is representing the students, hailed the decision. "The notion that students got anything other than negative value from Corinthian has been roundly disproved by student experience and the judgment of employers and the legitimate higher education sector," Merill said in a statement. " An Education Department spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment Saturday. DeVos said the approach of the Obama administration left room for potential abuse and unfairly burdened taxpayers who ended up paying for those loans with their taxes. DeVos said her new procedure will take into account the value a student received from their education and compensate them for what they didn't get. But critics slammed the new rule as unfair since tens of thousands of Corinthian students have already received full loan discharge under the Obama administration. They said some students will not be able to get a full refund just by virtue of working a minimum-wage job in an unrelated field and making some income. One of the plaintiffs in the suit, Jennifer Craig, borrowed $9,000 to attend a Corinthian medical insurance and billing program in 2014, but she never received her diploma because the school shut down in 2015. She was unable to get a job in her area of study because the school did not provide her with the necessary practical training. The Education Department only forgave 20 percent of her loan. Craig says that she and her husband live in poverty and are unable to pay off the remaining 80 percent. The Obama administration cracked down hard on for-profit colleges accused of fraud and shut down Corinthian and other major chains and tightened regulations for the schools. The administration spent $550 million to fully forgive the loans of tens of thousands of students. There are currently nearly 100,000 claims from students still pending at the department. MIAMI (AP) - The Latest on Subtropical Storm Alberto (all times local): 6:10 p.m. Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey has declared a state of emergency for several counties ahead of Subtropical Storm Alberto. The order effective at 6 a.m. Sunday covers 40 counties across the southern portion of the state. The National Hurricane Center on Saturday issued a tropical storm warning for Alabama's coast, saying tropical storm conditions are possible there by early Monday. Forecasters say a wide area will get 3 to 6 inches (8 to 18 centimeters) of rain, with 6 to 12 inches (15 to 30 centimeters) closer to the coast. Ivey's announcement says Alabama residents should be "prepared for the potential of significant flooding." By declaring an emergency, Ivey is directing the appropriate state agencies to exercise their authority to assist communities and entities affected by Alberto. ___ 5:15 p.m. The National Hurricane Center has issued tropical storm warnings for parts of Florida and Alabama as Subtropical Storm Alberto moves north. Forecasters at the center in Miami issued the warnings Saturday evening. They cover the northern Gulf Coast of Florida west to the Mississippi-Alabama border and the west coast of Florida from Bonita Beach to the Anclote River. The Pinar del Rio province of Cuba remains under a tropical storm warning. Alberto is about 95 miles (155 kilometers) north of the western tip of Cuba and is moving north at 13 mph (20 kph). The storm has top sustained winds of 40 mph (65 kph) and is expected to strengthen as it moves over the eastern Gulf of Mexico. ___ 11:35 a.m. Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant has declared a state of emergency as Subtropical Storm Alberto moves toward the state's coast. In a tweet Saturday, Bryant said he signed a proclamation declaring the emergency and an order making the Mississippi National Guard and other state resources available should they become necessary. The latest advisory from the National Hurricane Center shifts the storm farther east with a potential landfall near the Alabama-Florida state line. ___ 10:40 a.m. Florida Gov. Rick Scott has declared a state of emergency for all 67 counties ahead of Subtropical Storm Alberto. Scott made the announcement on Saturday morning. At a briefing at the state emergency operations center in Tallahassee, authorities urged Floridians to take the storm seriously. Wes Maul, the state's emergency management director, said timing of the storm is uncertain, but the entire state will feel the effects. Swelling riverbanks, tornadoes and localized flooding are possible. ___ A storm moving slowly through the Caribbean Sea is threatening to bring heavy rainfall, mudslides, and flash floods to parts of Mexico, Cuba, Florida and the U.S. Gulf Coast this weekend. Subtropical Storm Alberto - the first named storm of the 2018 hurricane season - was continued roiling toward parts of coastal Mexico and Cuba with rip currents and dangerous surf on Saturday. Both countries issued tropical storm watches for portions of their coastlines, with rain totals in some isolated areas of up to 25 inches. U.S. forecasters followed suit by issuing a tropical storm watch for parts of the Gulf Coast from the Florida Panhandle southwest of Tallahassee to the New Orleans metropolitan area. At 5 a.m. EDT, the National Hurricane Center in Miami said Alberto was moving north-northeastward toward the Yucatan Channel and was centered about 95 miles (105 kilometers) southeast of Cozumel, Mexico. Its top sustained winds were 40 mph (65 kph). A gradual strengthening was expected through the weekend as it moves north. CHICAGO (AP) - The Chicago Cubs have selected the contract of catcher Chris Gimenez from Triple-A Iowa and optioned catcher Victor Caratini to the farm club. To make room for Gimenez on their roster, the Cubs designated infielder Efren Navarro for assignment. Gimenez joined the Cubs on Saturday before their game with the San Francisco Giants. The 35-year-old signed a minor league contract with Chicago in the offseason after a combined nine seasons with five major league teams. Gimenez played for Cubs manager Joe Maddon with Tampa Bay in 2012 and 2013 and teamed with struggling Chicago starter Yu Darvish with Texas in 2014. Darvish, who signed a $126 million, six-year free-agent deal with the Cubs in the offseason, is 1-3 with a 4.95 ERA in eight starts and just earned his first win with Chicago last Sunday at Cincinnati. Darvish is scheduled to start Sunday against San Francisco, but Maddon said Gimenez will not be behind the plate. Maddon said the move was made primarily to get the 24-year-old Caratini more playing time. Caratini appeared in 26 games with Chicago, batting .262 with three doubles and four RBIs. PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Aaron Nola of the Philadelphia Phillies is pitching a no-hitter through six innings against the Toronto Blue Jays. Nola has struck out 10 and walked one at Citizens Bank Park. The 24-year-old righty has thrown 88 pitches Saturday. Nola fanned five straight batters before a line of thunderstorms moved into the area and caused the second rain delay of the afternoon. The tarp was put on the field after the top of the sixth. Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Aaron Nola throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays, Saturday, May 26, 2018, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton) The Phillies lead 1-0 on a home run by Maikel Franco. IUCNs Marine and Coastal resource programme co-ordinator Bui Thi Thu Hien said the communication campaign aims to raise awareness among islanders and tourists of the need to create clean and safe marine areas for sea turtles returning to the island. She said the programme will encourage hotel owners and tour operators to commit to providing free drink water for tourists when visiting the islands as part of the initiative Refill, Not Landfill. The campaign also wants to send a message Down 1 bottle, Save the Future, to reduce the use of single-use plastic bags to save the ocean from plastic pollution. Last year, IUCN, with financial support from the US Fish and Wildlife Service and in collaboration with Ly Son island district, debuted a collection of 30 murals with the theme I love the ocean, and Im born to be wild in An Binh islet commune, focusing on protecting the marine turtle, a species considered an indicator of the status of the coastal environment. Quang Ngai beaches, including areas in Binh Son district on Ly Son island, had 200 sea turtles regularly approaching the beaches to lay their eggs in the 1980s. However, the figure dropped by 90 percent between 1980 and 2000 due to rapid urbanisation, over-fishing and the construction of concrete dykes. On Cham island, a world biosphere reserve site in Quang Nam province, the management board of Cham islands Marine Protected Area has begun a campaign to stop the use of plastic straws and single-use plastic cups among locals and visitors. The local community is being encouraged to reuse and recycle material straws (metal, bamboo or grass). The island, 20km off the coast of Hoi An beach, was the first locality in Vietnam banning the use of plastic bags and promoting the 3-R (reduce, reuse and recycle) programmes in 2011. Island officials said all tourists are warned to leave plastic bags on the mainland before going on a speedboat trip to the island. Samsung has been ordered to pay Apple more than 400 million in damages in the latest round of a legal battle over patents that began in 2011. Here is what the ruling means. Why has Samsung been ordered to pay damages? Previous rulings in this long-running court case determined that the Korean firm must pay damages for copying aspects of the original iPhones design and technologies. Apple contends that Samsung would not have emerged as the worlds largest smartphone seller had it not copied certain technologies from the iPhone. Samsung was originally ordered to pay more than one billion dollars, but a series of appeals and rulings saw that amount reduce and change on multiple occasions since the latest settling on 539 million US dollars (403 million). This was in relation to three Apple design patents and two linked to functions on the original iPhone. How does the decision affect Samsung? With the issue now solely focused on what Samsung must pay in damages, the decision will not impact Samsung in terms of the phones it makes and sells today. Samsungs current flagship phones, the Galaxy S9 and S9+ (Martyn Landi/PA) The patents and apparent infringements around them are based on devices that are no longer made and sold, so the ruling is unlikely to have an impact on Samsungs current and future smartphone manufacturing. Financially, the latest figure awarded represents a substantial amount of money, but in the long run is unlikely to greatly hinder the technology giant its most recent quarterly financial results reported a net profit of more than 10 billion US dollars. What happens next? Samsung has not confirmed yet if it plans to appeal against the decision, saying in a statement after the ruling that it will consider all options, leaving open the possibility that the dispute could rumble on further. The firm added that it hoped to obtain an outcome that does not hinder creativity and fair competition for all companies and consumers. In a company statement, Apple said: This case has always been about more than money. Apple ignited the smartphone revolution with iPhone and it is a fact that Samsung blatantly copied our design. Northern Ireland needs a voice at the Brexit talks table, Jeremy Corbyn has said. The Labour leader visited an Irish border bridge on Friday as part of his two-day tour of the country. The porous 300-mile frontier is one of the most vexed issues facing negotiators in Brussels but Northern Ireland has no ministers to intervene since devolved Government at Stormont collapsed more than a year ago. Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn speaking during a Londonderry Chamber business breakfast (Liam McBurney/PA) Mr Corbyn addressed a meeting of business leaders in Londonderry: Please, to the parties in Stormont: you have to come together to re-form a government there. It is impossible to go through a period so crucial as Brexit negotiations without a voice for Northern Ireland being made at the table by the political classes in Northern Ireland. I hope they understand that message and I hope that we can make very rapid progress on that. Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn with Professor Deirdre Heenan (centre) and shadow Northern Ireland secretary Tony Lloyd (right) during a visit to Lifford Bridge on the Irish border (Liam McBurney/PA) There is to be a transition period but the transition period is not unlimited, that we well know, and crucial decisions are going to be made in the next three months and I understand very clearly the message that you have given me here this morning. A backstop border option if no other deal was reached with the EU would see Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK follow Brussels regulations relating to co-operation on the island of Ireland to protect frictionless all-island trade. The British Government has said it is focused on securing a customs deal which would avoid the need for such a backstop and has ruled out anything which would create a regulatory difference between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK. Jeremy Corbyn takes a selfie with Professor Deirdre Heenan during a visit to Lifford Bridge on the Irish border (Liam McBurney/PA) Mr Corbyn walked the Lifford bridge between Northern Ireland and the Republic, close to the Co Tyrone town of Strabane, and took selfies with passers-by. He supports a customs arrangement with the EU to protect trade and ensure no regulatory barriers after Brexit. The British Government is examining whether a customs partnership or a technological solution to border checks can be made to work. The Opposition leader added: Any kind of border, physical border, virtual reality border, technological border, whatever, would be very damaging to the economy. Mr Corbyn said a hard frontier would seriously damage Northern Irelands north-west, including the life chances of those already suffering from excessive unemployment. He claimed the Government was making a mess of the negotiations and was too divided and weak to get a good Brexit deal. Jeremy Corbyn meets Betty Keegan with her dog Blossom after visiting Lifford Bridge on the Irish border (Liam McBurney/PA) Stormont has not sat for months following a dispute over a botched green energy scheme. Northern Irelands rudderless public services were thrown into sharp relief recently when a Civil Service decision to approve a major incinerator project in the continued absence of powersharing ministers was overturned by a court. Mr Corbyn added: It is unconscionable that you have civil servants making major decisions, then challenged by the courts, with elected politicians having no say whatsoever. Donald Trumps personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, met with a Russian oligarch and discussed US-Russia relations just 11 days before Mr Trump was inaugurated as president, according to a source. A person familiar with the meeting, held at Trump Tower in New York, said the oligarch, billionaire Viktor Vekselberg, met with Mr Cohen for about 20 minutes in his office. The two men were joined by Andrew Intrater, Mr Vekselbergs American cousin, who leads a New York private equity firm that manages his financial assets. A source said Donald Trumps lawyer met Viktor Vekselberg ahead of the inauguration (Evan Vucci/AP) Soon after the inauguration, Mr Intraters company, Columbus Nova, paid Mr Cohen 500,000 US dollars (376,000) for consulting work. Mr Vekselberg was targeted in April with US Treasury Department sanctions, citing his ties to Russian president Vladimir Putin. Russian president Vladimir Putin has hit out at Britain for blaming all their mortal sins on Russia, saying undue accusations have been placed at Moscows door for everything from Brexit to the Skripal poisoning and the downing of MH17. He scoffed at suggestions that Russian hackers have been interfering in state affairs, saying this was not in line with our policy. They now blame Russia for Brexit again, tosh. We have nothing to do with it whatsoever. This is the inner matter of the UK, Mr Putin said. Vladimir Putin, centre, with heads of international news agencies at the St Petersburg International Economic Forum (Michael Metzel/TASS/PA) And I guess we can suspect that those who wanted the UK to leave the EU are Russian agents, he added, noting that UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson was among those campaigning to leave the European Union. If they want to worsen their relationships with Russia they can blame all their mortal sins on us and this is actually the case nowadays, Mr Putin said. Brexit, and Catalonia and the Skripal case, God knows what and this plane again. Mr Putin was speaking to the heads of international news agencies including Press Association chief executive Clive Marshall on the margins of the St Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF). A photo of Steven Noreilde from Brasschaat, Belgium, a victim of flight MH17, lays next to tributes at Schiphol airport in Amsterdam (Patrick Post/AP) International investigators concluded earlier this week that a Russian military unit was responsible for firing the missile which brought down Flight MH17 over war-torn eastern Ukraine nearly four years ago. Britain has now backed international calls by the likes of the Netherlands and Australia for Moscow to be held accountable for the event which killed all 298 people on board. In a statement, Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said the incident which claimed the lives of 10 British nationals was an egregious example of the Kremlins disregard for innocent life. Fully support Australian and Dutch request to Russia to accept state responsibility for its role in the downing of flight MH17. Vital Russia now cooperates to deliver justice for victims of this tragedy, which killed 298 people including 10 Brits.https://t.co/r4LPfyQfiL Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) May 25, 2018 But Mr Putins spokesman Dmitry Peskov rejected the findings, saying Russia had been barred from taking part in the investigation and did not trust its results. The Russian defence ministry said the missile involved more than likely came from Ukrainian arsenals. Top seed Dominic Thiem had to work double time to book his place in the final of the Lyon Open on Friday. The Austrian world number eight first had to polish off an outstanding quarter-final against Spaniard Guillermo Garcia-Lopez of Spain, which had been suspended at one-set-all on Thursday due to darkness. Dominic Thiem reached the final of the Lyon Open (Ettore Ferrari/AP) Thiem duly completed a 6-7 (4/7) 7-6 (7/0) 6-4 win before returning to face Dusan Lajovic of Serbia, who also extended him to three sets. Lajovic fought back to take the tie into a decider but a solitary break point opportunity was enough for Thiem to seize the initiative and reach the 16th main tour final of his career with a 6-4 5-7 6-4 win. .@ThiemDomi will play @GillesSimon84 in the Lyon final on Saturday, aiming to lift his 10th @ATPWorldTour title & record his 200th match win. Read More: https://t.co/rjUeYJKeJj pic.twitter.com/yqEkmyQvnA ATP Tour (@atptour) May 25, 2018 Thiem will face Frenchman Gilles Simon, who ended the stunning run of Great Britains Cameron Norrie 6-1 7-6 (8/6). Norrie had recorded a career-best win over John Isner in the quarter-finals but could not match the Frenchman in the first set as he was broken three times. . @cam_norrie's great run in Lyon ends after falling to Gilles Simon 6-1, 7-6 in the semi-finals! Next stop the #FrenchOpen! #BackTheBrits pic.twitter.com/9dBBC5M9BN LTA (@the_LTA) May 25, 2018 Norrie, who will rise to well inside the worlds top 100 in the new world rankings, looked much more solid in the second set which did not see a single break of serve, only for Simon to edge the tie-break to take the match. In the Geneva Open, Germanys Peter Gojowczyk pulled off a surprise 6-4 6-4 win over Italian second seed Fabio Fognini to make the final. He will play Hungarys Marton Fucsovics, who reached his first tour final with a 2-6 6-4 6-1 win over sixth-seeded American Steve Johnson. A male student armed with two handguns opened fire at a suburban Indianapolis middle school on Friday, wounding another student and a teacher before being taken into custody, authorities said. Seventh-grader Ethan Stonebraker said his science teacher had confronted the youth, who he said pulled out a gun and opened fire while the class was taking a test. Our science teacher immediately ran at him, swatted a gun out of his hand and tackled him to the ground, Ethan said. If it werent for him, more of us would have been injured for sure. .@INSenDems response to the tragic shooting at Noblesville West Middle School this morning: pic.twitter.com/KoyZuOQ2Sw IN Senate Democrats (@INSenDems) May 25, 2018 The attack at Noblesville West Middle School happened at around 9am, police chief Kevin Jowitt said at a news conference. He said the suspect asked to be excused from class before returning with the guns, and investigators believe he acted alone. We do know the situation resolved extremely quickly, Mr Jowitt said. There was no information released on the identities or conditions of the victims, who were taken to hospitals in Indianapolis. Indiana University Health spokeswoman Danielle Sirilla said the teacher was taken to IU Health Methodist Hospital and the wounded student was taken to Riley Hospital for Children. She did not know the seriousness of their injuries. The IMPD family is thinking of our neighbors to the north in Noblesville. Thoughts and prayers to all involved in the active shooter incident at the middle school #NoblesvilleWest IMPD (@IMPDnews) May 25, 2018 The attack comes a week after an attack at a high school in Santa Fe, Texas, that killed eight students and two teachers, and months after the school attack that killed 17 people in Parkland, Florida. The Florida attack inspired students from that school and others throughout the country to call for more restrictions on access to guns. After the Indiana attack, students were bused to the Noblesville High School gym, where hundreds of parents and other family members arrived to retrieve them. Eighth-grader Chris Navarro said he was inside an auditorium when he heard several gunshots about a minute before the bell rang for the change in classes. The speaker came on and said we were on lockdown and people rushed in and we went to the back of the room. I went into this little room in the back with three other people, he said. Emergency services outside Noblesville West Middle School (Robert Scheer/The Indianapolis Star via AP) Jennifer Morris, who was among the worried parents who rushed to collect their children, said she was at work when her 14-year-old son sent a text message about the shooting. He said, Im OK, please come get me. That was probably 20 minutes after it happened, she said. Its like a bad dream. I dont know how you get the kids through this. This isnt something youre trained for as a parent. Governor Eric Holcomb, who was returning from a trip to Europe on Friday, issued a statement saying he and other state leaders were getting updates about the situation and that 100 state police officers had been made available to work with local law enforcement. Our thoughts are with all those affected by this horrible situation, Mr Holcomb said. Chinas ruling Communist Party has ordered local governments to crack down on the construction of large outdoor religious statues amid increasing restrictions on expression of faith of all kinds. The directive from the United Front Work Department mainly targets followers of Buddhism and Taoism, two of Chinas five officially recognised religions. The meeting required all localities to take up the regulation of large outdoor religious statues as their top priority in preventing the further commercialisation of Buddhism and Toaism, the directive said. Karl Marx famously referred to religion as `opium for the masses (PA) Thousands of Buddhist and Taoist temples and shrines, along with mosques and churches, were damaged or destroyed under communism, especially during the violent 1966-76 Cultural Revolution. Although many have been restored and reopened since then, new regulations and a bureaucratic overhaul earlier this year have put the day-to-day running of religious affairs directly under the officially atheistic party. That has been accompanied by a renewed campaign promoting atheism and loyalty to the party, along with a push to study the works of one of communisms founding fathers, Karl Marx, who famously wrote that religion is the opium of the people. The anti-religion drive overlaps with campaigns to promote patriotism and party loyalty, oppose separatism among ethnic minorities and fight Western liberal values. Thunderstorms and torrential rain will take over from bursts of sunshine across England and Wales during the bank holiday weekend, while Scotland is expected to be spared. Much of the south of England and Wales are subject to a yellow weather warning throughout Saturday and Sunday, with a small chance of flooding and damage from lightning strikes, hail and strong winds. The north of England may only be struck later on Sunday, but Scotland is predicted to bask in sunshine through until Monday, according to Met Office meteorologist Sarah Kent. (PA Graphics) She said: It is going to be a warm weekend and I think nearly everybody will see some sunshine, but the big caveat is that because its been quite humid, particularly southern parts are at risk of seeing some quite heavy showers. It could possibly develop into some heavy thundery outbreaks over the next 48 hours. Despite the quite torrential showers, Ms Kent said temperatures are set to reach 24C (75F) in the south while Glasgow could be as high as 22C (72F) on Sunday. Scotland looks as though theyre going to hang on to the best of the sunshine certainly all the way through until the end of Sunday, however by Bank Holiday Monday there may be one or two lighter showers, Ms Kent said. Good morning, Heavy thundery showers for some. Increasingly warm. Keep up to date here: https://t.co/jtrhUzUBdR ^Louise pic.twitter.com/rtgTWMwoZh Met Office (@metoffice) May 26, 2018 Northern Ireland is also predicted to be spared, with highs of 20C (68F) expected in Belfast. Ms Kent warned the rain could affect drivers over the holiday weekend, which would add to the disruption from engineering works and industrial action. Reduced timetables are in effect on services by operator Northern on Saturday, with the RMT union striking over the role of train guards. Network Rail issued a warning over services to and from Birmingham New Street, no trains stopping at Swindon and bus replacements between Oxenholme and Glasgow Central and Edinburgh due to rail improvements. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and South Korean President Moon Jae-in have met for the second time in a month to discuss carrying out the peace commitments they reached in their first summit. The pair also talked about Mr Kims potential meeting with President Donald Trump next month. South Korean presidential spokesman Yoon Young-chan said Mr Moon will reveal the outcome of his surprise meeting with Mr Kim on Sunday. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and South Korean President Moon Jae-in embrace (South Korea Presidential Blue House/Yonhap/AP) The presidential Blue House did not immediately provide more details. The meeting at a border truce village came hours after South Korea expressed relief over revived talks for a summit between President Trump and Mr Kim following a whirlwind 24 hours that saw the US leader cancel the highly anticipated meeting, before saying it is potentially back on. President Trump later tweeted that the summit, if it does happen, will likely take place on June 12 in Singapore as originally planned. In their first summit in April, Mr Kim and Mr Moon announced vague aspirations for a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula and permanent peace, which Seoul has tried to sell as a meaningful breakthrough to set up the summit with President Trump. But relations between the rival Koreas have chilled in recent weeks, with North Korea cancelling a high-level meeting with Seoul over South Koreas participation in regular military exercises with the United States and insisting that it will not return to talks unless its grievances are resolved. South Korea, which brokered the talks between Washington and Pyongyang, was caught off guard by President Trumps abrupt cancellation of the summit in which he cited hostility in recent North Korean comments. Mr Moon said President Trumps decision left him perplexed and was very regrettable. He urged Washington and Pyongyang to resolve their differences through more direct and closer dialogue between their leaders. President Trumps back-and-forth over his summit plans with Mr Kim has exposed the fragility of Seoul as an intermediary. It fanned fears in South Korea that the country may lose its voice between a rival intent on driving a wedge between Washington and Seoul and an American president who thinks less of the traditional alliance with Seoul than his predecessors. On May 24, @SecPompeo spoke by phone with #ROK Foreign Minister Kang. The Secretary & Foreign Minister reaffirmed their shared commitment to the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula and to the ironclad alliance between the US & the Republic of #Korea. https://t.co/ZsrUNXrf7F Ned Price (@StateDeptSpox) May 25, 2018 President Trumps decision to pull out of the summit with Mr Kim came just days after he hosted Mr Moon in a White House meeting where he openly cast doubts on the Singapore meeting but offered no support for continued inter-Korean progress, essentially ignoring the Norths recent attempts to coerce the South. In his letter to Mr Kim, President Trump objected specifically to a statement from senior North Korean diplomat Choe Son Hui. She referred to Vice President Mike Pence as a political dummy for his earlier comments on North Korea and said it was up to the Americans whether they would meet us at a meeting room or encounter us at nuclear-to-nuclear showdown. North Korea issued an unusually restrained and diplomatic response to President Trump, saying it is still willing to sit for talks with the United States at any time, [in] any format. The first meeting would not solve all, but solving even one at a time in a phased way would make the relations get better rather than making them get worse, North Korean Vice Foreign Minister Kim Kye Gwan said in a statement carried by Pyongyangs official Korean Central News Agency, which mainly targets external audience. Notably, the statement did not appear in Saturdays edition of Rodong Sinmun, the official mouthpiece of the Norths ruling party thats widely read by North Koreans. Huddersfield boss David Wagner praised Jurgen Klopps world-class tactical ability but believes one of the Liverpool managers best traits is being the nectar which draws everyone in. Wagner is in Kiev to support his close friend in Saturdays Champions League final against holders Real Madrid. He is better-placed than most to assess his fellow German following the time they spent working together at previous club Borussia Dortmund and he said it was the unquantifiable things which made his compatriot different. David Wagner, right, will be in Kiev to watch friend Jurgen Klopps side play in the Champions League final (Dave Howarth/PA) He is the nectar. He is exactly the human he seems to be and that is why everyone has such a good, warm relationship with him: backroom staff, players, supporters, Wagner told Press Association Sport. He doesnt play a role and he is honest and says what he thinks and I think this is what everyone likes to hear. But without world-class tactical ability you are not able to reach so many finals and he is in a Champions League final for the second time with two teams (Dortmund and Liverpool) which before the campaign no-one expected to be in the final. Now he has done it a second time and hopefully he will win this final. Klopps record of losing his last five finals will not matter in Ukraine, according to Wagner. For sure he is desperate to win this trophy tonight, he added. The only thing that counts is this final, the finals he has played in the past are totally irrelevant. He will be prepared for sure and invest everything he has with his players and his backroom staff. We have to give big credit to him and his staff because I think the players are very well prepared mentally and physically, which is very difficult after such a long season. This is the last game of a very long season and they are able to perform in the big games as well and this is where he has his absolute strength. He is able to deliver an atmosphere where everyone is relaxed but focused enough and this is why Im pretty confident they have a chance. Wagner will be cheering on from the stands in the NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium. I wish Jurgen all the best from bottom of my heart that he can win this trophy, he said. We have texted a few times in the last week, of course we did, but in the end he knows everything he has to do and I am sure his team will be on fire tonight. They deserve to win this trophy but they need a bit of luck. The programme aims to encourage children to explore and appreciate the diversity of the worlds cultures. Children will be invited to draw national costumes of the countries, play folk games, try making traditional toys, and enjoy folk songs and dances of India, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Brunei, and Vietnam. Notably, participating children will receive direct instruction from foreign students who are studying in Vietnam. The event is expected to provide the youngsters a chance to explore the similarities and differences between the folk games of Vietnam and other countries, as well as increase their understanding of the traditional cultures of other people in the region and the world. Johanna Konta has vowed not to let fiery first-round opponent Yulia Putintseva get under her skin. British number one Konta gets her French Open campaign under way on Sunday against the 23-year-old from Kazakhstan who has a reputation as something of a hot-head on court. Konta, bidding to reach the second round at Roland Garros for the first time, insists she will not be distracted by the goings on over the other side of the net. In my experience, most players act the way they do in their own self-interest and in getting their own emotions out and basically working with their own demons on court, said Konta. Jo Konta is ready to get her French Open campaign going (Adam Davy/PA) So I assume the way Im going into the match is that she will deal with the match the way she feels she needs to deal with it to win and I will deal with the match the way that I feel I need to deal with it to win. Does it bother me? No. Konta was quick to defend her record at Roland Garros, which saw her fall at the first hurdle to Hsieh Su-wei a year ago and Julia Goerges 12 months previously. This is only my third French Open main draw by ranking, so I think it would be a little bit unfair to just say completely that my record is terrible, because I would like to give it a few more years, she added. Also, Ive only qualified for two Slams and one of them was here, so I have experienced success here. And actually the one last year was an incredibly tough one against Su-Wei and weve all seen since then how well she can play. And before that was against Julia Goerges, who plays incredibly well on this surface. But as for how I feel on the surface, actually every year that I come here I look forward to it because I know I can play well on the clay. Reigning champion Jelena Ostapenko begins the defence of her title on Sunday against Ukrainian Kateryna Kozlova. It is a tough start for the Latvian, who was unseeded when she charged through the draw last year, against the world number 68. I know its not going to be easy because I will have that pressure. Im just trying to do everything possible to be ready, said Ostapenko. Of course it feels like home also, because, I mean, I won the title here, and spent the two weeks here. I mean, just feeling great to be here. Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov, last years ATP Finals winner and seeded fourth, is the star attraction of Sundays mens draw, taking on Viktor Troicki of Serbia. In a late change to the draw on Saturday afternoon, Rafael Nadals original first-round opponent Alexandr Dolgopolov withdrew from the tournament. The 10-time winner and defending champion will now play lucky loser Simone Bolelli, the world number 130 from Italy. The father of a woman feared murdered went looking for his daughter after she failed to turn up to her birthday celebrations, neighbours have claimed. Police found a woman in her 20s dead in a bed when they were called to a flat in Gossops Green, Crawley, West Sussex, at 10.30pm on Friday. A man aged 47 is in custody after he was arrested on suspicion of murder, Sussex Police said. A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder (Flora Thompson/PA) Neighbours described how police flooded into Highams Hill after a father came searching for his daughter. Deliveroo driver Aaron Harvey, 24, who lives in a nearby block of flats, claimed he witnessed the sequence of events unfold as he smoked a cigarette out of his window after a night shift. Speaking to the Press Association he said: This man came over, saying he had been looking for his blonde 28-year-old daughter and had I seen her. He said she had been house-sitting for a man in a flat here for four months. He said no-one had heard from her for about 10 hours and he was worried. He said it was her birthday and she had booked a hotel in London to celebrate with friends but never turned up. According to Mr Harvey, the man who said he was Mauritian had been looking for his daughter for about an hour but had no response when he knocked on the door of the flat or any others nearby. He said: I felt sorry for him, he was panicking. I said I had seen a blonde girl who didnt live here quite a bit recently but I didnt know her. I hadnt seen her that day. She would come back in the evening and always seemed to be in a rush. I told him if I saw anything I would let him know and that I hoped he found her. I really hope the police find out what happened to her. He said his five-year-old son was kept awake all night worrying about the commotion outside, adding: The man was making phone calls and then the police turned up. First there was one car, then suddenly loads more flooded into the street, and vans and paramedics. They had bright lights on for a long time. Police and ambulances are here all the time, but this was a lot more than usual. We havent slept. He said shortly afterwards he saw a different man being pushed out of the block of flats in a wheelchair who was covered in blood. He added: He was taken over to the ambulance to be treated. We have never seen him before so we dont think he lives here. The man was detained and treated for minor injuries, police said. Detective Chief Inspector Emma Heater, from the Surrey and Sussex major crime team, urged anyone with information to contact police quoting Operation Grayhill. Mr Harvey claimed crime had been on the rise in the street, with drug dealing, theft and anti-social behaviour particularly prevalent. He added: The police know about it and so do the council, which owns the flats. The main doors to the stairwell dont lock in any of the buildings, including the one where the woman was found. Drunk people come in at night and bang on peoples doors. One day I came home and our door had been kicked in, it still hasnt been fixed. We are just a normal family, we want to know it is a safe place to live. Crawley Borough Council and Sussex Police have been contacted for comment. Anti-abortion campaigners have described the decision of Irish voters as a tragedy of historic proportions. The Save the 8th campaign, which conceded defeat on Saturday morning, said a wrong did not become a right simply because the majority supported it. Communications director John McGuirk said the unborn child no longer had a right to life recognised by the Irish state. Anti-abortion demonstrators have accepted defeat in the referendum (Niall Carson/PA) Shortly, legislation will be introduced that will allow babies to be killed in our country, Mr McGuirk said. We will oppose that legislation, he said. If and when abortion clinics are opened in Ireland, because of the inability of the Government to keep their promise about a GP-led service, we will oppose that as well. Every time an unborn child has his or her life ended in Ireland, we will oppose that, and make our voices known. Anti-abortion campaigner Cora Sherlock said she was saddened by the results. A lot of misleading claims were made about Irelands healthcare, she said. Im very upset that women were made to feel like they should be frightened going into Irish hospitals, which was a failing of Yes campaigners because our international record is fantastic in this area. Independent TD Mattie McGrath, who advocated for a No vote, said the support for repeal was not evident to him on the doorsteps during the campaign. The people have spoken and I accept the will of the people, he said. Mr McGrath told RTEs Referendum 2018 programme that he would hold the Taoiseach and health minister to their words that abortion would be rare and restrictive. He added that he hoped the concerns of the No voters would be taken into account in the legislation. Independent senator Ronan Mullen, who drew criticism for his views on abortion and mental health during the campaign, said he had a strong sense of sadness about the voters decision. A lot of unborn children will lose their lives in the future, thats what happens when abortion gets legalised, Mr Mullen said. Id asked people to keep those children in their thoughts and prayers today, and their mothers and those involved in taking their lives. The senator said he would not be supporting legislation that came through parliament. He claimed that when abortion was available as a matter of choice, children with disabilities would suffer. The Governments proposed legislation does not permit abortion on the grounds of pregnancies with diagnosis of disability. Prominent anti-abortion activist Declan Ganley tweeted when the first exit poll results emerged on Friday night. It read: When due to the snuffing out of their human rights, the first of countless thousands of Irelands unborn children are killed in Irish clinics or hospitals, all those that voted No can at least know you fought the good fight to try to save those little ones. Heros [sic] all. Ireland has voted by a landslide to reform its strict abortion laws. A two-to-one margin has so far backed the liberalising change in Fridays referendum, with the vast majority of constituencies returned. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said the consensus included men and women and nearly all social classes and age groups. The question on the ballot asked citizens to opt to either retain or repeal the Eighth Amendment of the states constitution, which prohibits terminations unless a mothers life is in danger. Pollsters suggested the stories of women forced to travel to the UK for terminations or take illegal pills obtained on the internet helped sway public opinion, as well as the death of an Indian dentist denied the procedure while she miscarried. Addressing thousands of cheering pro-choice supporters in the courtyard of Dublin Castle, Mr Varadkar said: The people have spoken. Campaigners gather in the main square at Dublin Castle (Niall Carson/PA) They are saying this is a country where we trust women and respect their choices. Thank you so much for making today possible. Ministers have promised to allow terminations within the first 12 weeks, subject to medical advice and a cooling-off period, and between 12 and 24 weeks in exceptional circumstances. Mr Varadkar said the results represented the culmination of a quiet revolution, one that had been taking place in Ireland for the past 10 to 20 years. Fantastic crowds at Dublin Castle. Remarkable day. A quiet revolution has taken place, a great act of democracy. pic.twitter.com/MLtzkSkdLw Leo Varadkar (@LeoVaradkar) May 26, 2018 We are a country that is not divided, a country that says that we respect women, that we trust women and we support them. He said the result was a mandate to bring forward legislation enabling the procedure and the Government is expected to pass laws by the end of the year. The people have said that we want a modern constitution for a modern country, that we trust women and we respect them to make the right decision and the right choices about their healthcare. A vocal anti-repeal movement conceded defeat. Pro-choice campaigners and supporters celebrate at the count centre in Dublins RDS (Brian Lawless/PA) The Save the Eighth group said: What Irish voters did yesterday is a tragedy of historic proportions. However, a wrong does not become right simply because a majority support it. A decade after the Eighth Amendment was approved, women in Ireland were officially given the right to travel abroad, mostly to the UK, to obtain terminations. Pro-repeal campaigners say almost 170,000 have done so. The liberalisation campaign gathered momentum in 2012 after an Indian dentist, Savita Halappanavar, died in hospital in Galway aged 31 when she was refused an abortion during a miscarriage. The husband of a British charity worker jailed in Iran on a charge of spying has described the announcement of a second trial as ominous. Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, who is already serving a five-year prison sentence, will face a further hearing accused of an unspecified security charge, it was announced on Saturday. Her husband Richard Ratcliffe believed his wife, from Hampstead, north London, would be facing an allegation of spreading propaganda against Tehrans Islamist regime, but fears the new wording from the head of the court could indicate a heavier charge. According to reports, Irans semi-official news agency Tasnim said Tehran Revolutionary Courts head, Musa Ghazanfarabadi, announced the fresh trial would be over a security charge, but did not specify whether it was on espionage or another matter, or when a trial would start. The Foreign Office said it would not provide a running commentary on every twist and turn. Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe was arrested and jailed in 2016. She has consistently denied all allegations, insisting she was on holiday to introduce her daughter to her family. The new charge came despite Prime Minister Theresa May calling on Iranian President Hassan Rouhani to release British prisoners on humanitarian grounds. Christian Horner has increased the pressure on Max Verstappen by calling on him to stop making mistakes following his Monaco crash. Verstappen will start Sundays race on motor racings most famous streets from the back of the field after he lost control of his Red Bull in practice, and failed to take part in qualifying because of the resulting damage to his car. The 20-year-old Dutchman should have been in contention for the victory, but that will instead be left to his Red Bull team-mate Daniel Ricciardo after the Australian scored his first pole in two years. Red Bulls Max Verstappen will start from the back of the grid in Monaco (David Davies/PA) Ricciardo delivered a crushing performance to qualify more than two tenths of a second clear of Sebastian Vettel, with Lewis Hamilton third. Hamilton, who holds a 17-point lead over Vettel, will be quietly content with splitting the Ferrari drivers Kimi Raikkonen lines up in fourth given that the principality is among Mercedes bogey tracks. Verstappens speed and gung-ho style have seen him earmarked as a future world champion, but his accident at the high-speed swimming pool section was his fifth major error in six rounds this year, and his fifth crash in four appearances in Monte Carlo. Max needs to learn from it and stop making these errors, Red Bull team principal Horner said. He is in a car that is capable of winning this grand prix and that will hurt him even more because you dont get that many opportunities to win a Monaco Grand Prix. "He's in a car capable of winning the race... he needs to stop making these errors" Christian Horner's thoughts after a very mixed day for Red Bull #MonacoGP #F1https://t.co/utaWnEXO4u Formula 1 (@F1) May 26, 2018 Verstappens mechanics worked furiously to repair the damage on his Red Bull, but they failed to turn his car around in the two-hour gap between practice and qualifying. Verstappen sheepishly attempted to console his crestfallen crew before watching his team-mate post the fastest lap ever recorded in 76 visits to Monaco. I would imagine that was a pretty painful qualifying for him watching what could have been, Horner added. Weve got a great car and a phenomenally fast driver and would have been able to compete for the pole today. For the whole team to be running one-legged with such a strong car is frustrating. Congrats to Daniel today, he did a great job. Were looking forward to the challenge tomorrow. Are you excited? @MercedesAMGF1 #MonacoGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/J5guFbtrAY Lewis Hamilton (@LewisHamilton) May 26, 2018 Verstappens mistake, however, aided Hamiltons cause. Last year, he qualified a lowly 14th before crossing the line in seventh, but after posting the third fastest time on Saturday, the Englishman believes he is still in contention for his third win in as many rounds. I won my first grand prix here from third, Hamilton said. Theres going to be lots going on throughout the race. I really cant tell you what Monaco is going to bring tomorrow, but I am going to give it everything and keep my head down. My goal is to switch places with Daniel, so thats what I am going for. A new lap record and a second pole for @danielricciardo on the streets of Monaco! #Monaco250 pic.twitter.com/2jcmrZTO3a Red Bull Racing Honda (@redbullracing) May 26, 2018 For Ricciardo, he has not put a foot wrong, topping every practice and qualifying session the first driver to do so this season with his Red Bull car ideally suited to the slow-speed Monte Carlo streets. His performance here will also have done little to harm his contract dealings at Red Bull, while both Mercedes and Ferrari continue to keep a watching brief. We sent a statement in practice on Thursday and we have been quickest in every session, Ricciardo said. There is still a lot of fire in this belly. Ive done everything I can so far, so lets finish the job tomorrow. Im pumped. Hollywood star Chris ODowd has said Ireland is experiencing a wave of social progress as his home country voted by a landslide vote to reform its strict abortion laws. The actor joined dozens of Irish celebrities in reacting to the two-to-one margin in Fridays referendum, with the vast majority of constituencies returned. Dara O Briain, author Marian Keyes and Mrs Browns Boys star Rory Cowan were among those welcoming the outcome. Chris ODowd said Ireland was experiencing a wave of social progress (Matt Crossick/PA) A warm wave of social progress is washing over Ireland. Roscommon just got its feet wet and it feels glorious. https://t.co/IZ1ujUX1GT chris o'dowd (@BigBoyler) May 26, 2018 ODowd wrote on Twitter: A warm wave of social progress is washing over Ireland, as he praised and congratulated campaigners. O Briain said it was a glorious, proud day for the country, in a post. He added: Well done Ireland, and well done the women of Ireland. Special congratulations to those in Ireland who stood up and told their stories,and pushed back shame and silence, and banished it from this debate. Such a brave thing to do. @TaraFlynn @glinner and @hellycake, @roisiningle and so many more Dara O Briain (@daraobriain) May 26, 2018 Special congratulations to those in Ireland who stood up and told their stories,and pushed back shame and silence, and banished it from this debate. Such a brave thing to do. @TaraFlynn @glinner and @hellycake, @roisiningle and so many more. Citizens had essentially been asked to decide whether to retain or repeal the Eighth Amendment of the states constitution, which prohibits terminations unless a mothers life is in danger. Cowan posted: Great news. And hopefully we wont see pickets and demonstrations etc etc at hospitals that will perform terminations. We dont want to see anti-choice vandalism in action. Writer Keyes was among the first celebrities to react on Twitter. Welcoming the exit polls findings, she wrote: Oh my god Lads! Exit poll shows 68% voted YES! Can exit polls be trusted? If so, THIS IS GREAT THANK YOU, EVERYONE!!! Defence Attache at the Vietnamese Embassy in Cambodia Nguyen Anh Dung handed over these gifts to permanent Vice Chairman of the front Nhem Valy. Nhem Valy expressed the profound gratitude of the Cambodian people in general and the front in particular for Vietnams assistance. He said that the gifts will help the front contribute more to Cambodias nation building and development as well as the countrys relations with Vietnam. Over the past years, the front has coordinated actively with the Vietnam Fatherland Front, Defence Ministry and other ministries, thus helping consolidate and develop the traditional friendship and solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries people. It was the first meeting between China, Russia, France, Britain, Germany and Iran in a bid to save the Iran nuclear deal following the US pullout. To save the deal, all sides need to find ways to continue its implementation, including monitoring of Iranian nuclear facilities, while looking for alternative measures to secure Iran's economic interests. Due to the nature of US sanctions, however, this is proving a difficult task. Signal was clear that all sides involved were committed to saving the Iranian nuclear deal by offering Iran a package of solutions to compensate for the United States pulling out. Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said he is more confident after negotiations with the five major states on May 25. In a statement, the EU said its priorities over the next few weeks would include "maintaining and deepening economic relations with Iran, the continued sale of Iran's oil and gas, effective banking transactions with Iran" and so on. No consensus of deadline was reached among the parties. Iran may give more time for all parties to find solutions, according to sources. Araghchi told reporters that his country is waiting for the proposed compensation package and to see if the solutions work for Iran. A Western diplomat, on the condition of anonymity, said they don't want Iran to leave the deal, and things needed to be done to support Iran, adding that Friday (May 25)'s meeting was a "good meeting". However, offering solutions would need time. Diplomats told reporters all sides remain united for saving the deal. Russian Ambassador to the UN in Vienna Mikhail Ulyanov told Xinhua he is cautiously optimistic about the solutions which could compensate for US sanctions on Iran. Tehran suggested having a foreign ministers' meeting soon to further push the process forward in discussing solutions for the issue. The proposal was agreed by all sides while no time frame was announced. A confidential report of UN nuclear agency IAEA on May 24 showed Tehran is still complying with the historic nuclear deal after the United States' withdrawal from the deal. Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with former French President Francois Hollande at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, capital of China, May 25, 2018. (Xinhua/Pang Xinglei) BEIJING, May 25 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping said Friday that he had full confidence in the prospects for China-France ties. Xi made the remarks when meeting with former French President Francois Hollande at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing. "We paid visits to each other's country during your presidency and forged the China-France comprehensive strategic partnership, which has served as the sound foundation for the long-term development of bilateral ties,"said Xi. "I have full confidence in the prospects for the China-France ties," he said, stressing that China and France reached broad consensus on expanding bilateral and multilateral cooperation during President Emmanuel Macron's state visit to China in January. The international situation has undergone profound and complicated changes, while countries are becoming more interdependent and no country can stand aloof, said Xi. China is willing to work with France to enhance strategic coordination, stick to multilateralism, jointly address global challenges and promote world economic growth as well as facilitation and liberalization of trade and investment, so as to help safeguard a world order that should be peaceful, stable, open and inclusive, he said. China stands ready to enhance cooperation with the European Union, he added. Hollande said he was glad that he had made efforts to enhance France-China ties during his presidency and injected impetus into the comprehensive strategic partnership. Saying that he cherished his friendship with Xi, Hollande spoke highly of China's active role in international affairs under the leadership of Xi, especially China's important contribution to the Paris agreement on climate change. He said he was happy to see the momentum of strategic cooperation between France and China can continue and be enhanced under the current circumstances, as this is conducive to multilateralism and resolving international and regional issues via dialogue and cooperation. BEIJING, May 25 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Friday called for solid efforts in economic restructuring to maintain steady growth while moving toward high-quality development. Chairing a plenary meeting of the State Council, Li said "China should stick to the principle of pursuing progress while ensuring stability, and properly manage the timing, regulation manner and intensity of macro-control." "China should keep deepening reforms and focus on transforming government functions to further bring out market vitality," Li said. "Unswerving efforts should be pushed to expand opening-up to allow local and foreign businesses to compete fairly in the Chinese market," the premier said. Efforts should be made to streamline administrative procedures, improve government services, broaden market access and reduce taxes and fees, so that market can play a decisive role in resource allocation and government can serve better, according to Li. China should speed up economic restructuring, cultivate new growth drivers and update traditional industries, so that Chinese industries will move to the medium-high end of the value chain. Li also said that environmental protection should go hand in hand with economic growth. Outdated capacity should be eliminated while more efforts should be made to develop environmental protection industries, he said. Development should be people-centered, with high-quality mechanisms to support fields including poverty alleviation, employment, compulsory education, and healthcare, Li said. Li also stressed strengthened risk control, especially in fields including finance, urban governance and workplace safety. BEIJING, May 25 (Xinhua) -- China and Oman on Friday issued a joint statement on the establishment of strategic partnership between the two countries. In the document, the two sides agreed that since the establishment of their diplomatic ties on May 25, 1978, political mutual trust and traditional friendship have continued to increase and cooperation in the areas of energy, economy and trade, connectivity and culture has yielded fruitful results. The two sides have broad prospects for cooperation. Chinese President Xi Jinping and Oman's Sultan Qaboos Bin Said spoke highly of the rapid development of bilateral relations. Based on the demands of developing China-Oman relations and the common will to enhance the level of their ties, the two heads of state decided to establish a strategic partnership between the two countries. This is in the common interest of the two countries and their people and is conducive to the common development and prosperity of the two countries, said the statement. Under this framework, both countries are willing to focus on the following cooperation: The two sides agree to strengthen exchanges and consultations between leaders of both countries, maintain regular communication and coordination on bilateral relations as well as international and regional issues of common concern, continuously expand consensus, and consolidate and deepen mutual political trust. The two countries support each other on issues concerning national independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, and emphasize the principle of non-interference in internal affairs. Oman reaffirms its firm adherence to the one-China principle and recognizes that Taiwan is an inalienable part of Chinese territory, said the statement. Oman supports the Chinese government's position on issues concerning Taiwan, Xinjiang, Tibet and the South China Sea, while China supports Oman's efforts in safeguarding sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, and national security and stability. Oman welcomes and supports the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative and is willing to actively participate in projects under this framework. It will continue to support and participate in the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, said the statement. China appreciates Oman's active participation in the Belt and Road construction and welcomes Oman to become a partner under the initiative. The two sides are willing to further strengthen policy communication, enhance alignment of the Belt and Road Initiative and Oman's "Ninth Five-Year Plan" and actively implement the cooperative documents on the Belt and Road construction. The two countries believe that the cooperation on production capacity and investment is an important part of the pragmatic cooperation between the two countries. The two sides will synergize their development strategies and focus on cooperation in such areas as exploitation of energy resources, chemical industry, manufacturing and marine industries. The two sides agree to make full use of the mechanism of the China-Oman Joint Committee of Economics and Trade, expand mutually beneficial cooperation in infrastructure construction, industrial parks, railways, ports, power stations and logistics, and promote the all-round development of bilateral economic and trade relations. The two sides believe that energy cooperation is an important pillar of pragmatic cooperation and support further cooperation in such fields as crude oil trading, exploration and development of oil and gas resources, service engineering and refining and chemical industry. They agree to strengthen cooperation in new energy and renewable energy, the statement said. The two sides are willing to promote financial cooperation. They support the discussion on the possibility of developing monetary cooperation and playing the role of own currency in bilateral trade and investment. They encourage financial institutions of the two sides to provide financial support for bilateral trade and investment cooperation. The two sides will carry out cultural exchanges in various forms to increase understanding and friendship between the two peoples, according to the statement. China will provide more opportunities for Oman students to study in China and support Chinese language teaching in Oman. Both parties are willing to actively study the establishment of a Chinese cultural center in Oman. The two sides are willing to strengthen exchanges and cooperation in the areas of law enforcement security and anti-terrorism, strengthen intelligence and information exchanges and carry out technical cooperation and personnel training. The two countries are willing to work together to promote the establishment of a free trade zone of the China-Gulf Cooperation Council(GCC) as soon as possible, strengthen communication and coordination under the framework of the China-Arab Cooperation Forum, in order to promote the collective cooperation between China and the GCC and the Arab countries. China and Oman share broad common interests in many major regional and international issues and will enhance cooperation and coordination in the United Nations and other international organizations, said the statement. The two sides emphasize that the reform of the UN Security Council needs the consensus of all member states to advance in a balanced manner, reach the broadest consensus and seek a "package solution." The two sides support the peaceful resolution to regional hotspot issues through dialogue and political negotiation, said the statement. Oman appreciates the fair position and important role played by China in regional affairs, while China supports Oman in playing a greater role in regional affairs, it said. Chinese university students are taking creative photos to celebrate graduation. Take a look at these pictures that have already gone viral. Chongqing: Graduates dressed as players from famous computer game PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds pose for photos on campus at Chongqing Electronic Information College in southwest China. Guangzhou: Well-dressed graduates walk on a red carpet on campus at Guangzhou University, May 10, 2018. Nanchang: Happy Family: Students take pictures with their parents, who they regard as the most important people in their lives. Anhui: Two graduates and their teachers pose for pictures on campus at a university in east Chinas Anhui province. During the student's military service, the school suspended recruitment to their major, making them the only students this year. Unlike other university photos, the two students sit in front of their teachers. WASHINGTON, May 25 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump said here on Friday that the United States will possibly reinstate the meeting with the top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) Kim Jong Un. "We are having very productive talks with North Korea (DPRK) about reinstating the Summit which, if it does happen, will likely remain in Singapore on the same date, June 12th," Trump tweeted. He added that if necessary, the meeting "will be extended beyond that date." Trump said earlier on Friday that his planned meeting with Kim "could even be the (June) 12th," adding that both the DPRK and the United States want the meeting to happen. "We'll see what happens. We are talking to them now," Trump said. "They very much want to do it. We'd like to do it." Trump on Thursday sent a letter to Kim, saying that their planned meeting will not happen. DPRK's First Vice Foreign Minister Kim Kye Gwan said his country is ready to sit down with the United States anytime in any manner for talks to solve the problems existing between them. China said Friday that it hoped the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and the United States would cherish the recent progress and continue to address mutual concerns via dialogue and push for the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang made the remarks at a daily press briefing. A Chinese chef living and working in Norway has made a unique contribution to China-Norway civil ties by introducing fantastic Chinese cuisine to the Nordic country. The Chinese chef Ma Lie has worked in the catering industry for over 50 years. He moved to Norway 28 years ago as a chef with an international catering company. Not long after his arrival, he was invited to cook for the then Norwegian Prime Minister. Recalling this memory, Ma said the Prime Minister was quite satisfied with his food. After that, Chinese cuisine gained huge popularity with the local people, and the Chinese restaurant industry soared. Four years later, Ma opened his own restaurant in the capital city of Oslo. In order to further expand the popularity of Chinese food, Ma made various attempts to cater to the local people. He kept traditional Chinese cooking methods, but adjusted flavors to suit the tastes of locals. That is what really helps Chinese food keep a foothold in foreign countries, he said. Last year, Ma helped hold a Chinese food exhibition in Oslo, which was attended by multiple high government officials of Norway. The event attracted a number of local citizens and achieved huge success. We are not only enticing diners, but also introducing them to China, Ma noted. In his eyes, food is a window through which the world can look at Chinas rich culture and its rapid development. China has stood up, grown rich and become strong. We overseas Chinese have the responsibility of introducing our country to the world, he said. BEIJING, May 25 (Xinhua) -- Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) countries agreed to further strengthen and deepen judicial cooperation, according to a joint statement issued on Friday. The joint statement was signed at the 13th conference of presidents of supreme courts of SCO member countries, which was held in Beijing. The representatives exchanged views on issues including cooperation against cross-border crimes, digital court development and legal affairs in international trade. The communication and cooperation between supreme courts of SCO member countries is conducive to maintaining long-lasting peace, security and stability in the region, as well as strengthening mutual trust and neighbour friendship among the member states, according to the joint statement. The representatives called for cooperation against cross-border crime, and improvement in settling international civil and commercial disputes. All sides decided to strengthen cooperation to fight terrorism, separatism, extremism, drug trafficking, human trafficking and money laundering, the statement said. The statement also noted that supreme courts of SCO member countries are willing to learn from each other, and jointly push for a more impartial, efficient, civilized and normative judicial system. 17 May 2018 (University of Waterloo) More Canadian cities will experience damage from the emerald ash borer than previously thought. As a result of climate change and fewer days of extreme cold, the beetle may eat its way further north than originally estimated. Kim Cuddington, a professor of biology at the University of Waterloo, led the team that produced a probability map for North America showing where the emerald ash borer is likely to kill trees. We ran specific predictions to help Canadian cities decide if they need to make plans before theyre affected, said Cuddington. Calgary is likely to experience damage, as are Thunder Bay, Prince George and Winnipeg. Edmonton and Saskatoon are less likely, but they should remain vigilant.So far, the wood-boring beetle has wiped out tens of millions of ash trees and will likely cost municipalities $2 billion. Still, people expected Canadas extremely cold temperatures to stop the species rapid migration.This should be a wake-up call for how we think about invasive species, said Cuddington. We need to develop preemptive measures as well as mitigate potential impacts. By the time we see the damage, its almost too late.According to previous studies, prepupae can survive in temperatures as low as -34C. Cuddington and her group confirmed the temperature found under the bark where the insect overwinters is warmer than the outside.We took a different approach from traditional range maps and charted the statistical probability of under-bark temperatures being above this lethal limit for at least six years, said Cuddington. Thats just long enough for the insect to kill its host tree.This is one of the first studies to couple an extensive empirical data set with measures of climate variability using a mechanistic modelling approach. Cuddington says researchers need to think more carefully about how a changing and unpredictable climate relates to the biology of an invasive species and their risk of doing damage, both economically and ecologically.The research appears in the journal Biological Invasions. By Roberto Samora and Ana Mano; editing by Grant McCool 24 May 2018 SAO PAULO (Reuters) A severe drought has compromised Brazils second corn, the countrys largest crop of the cereal, which is now expected to be 10 million tonnes lower than last season, consultancy Agroconsult said on Thursday. The firm, which is leading a crop tour of Brazils top producing areas, forecast the second corn crop will likely fall to around 57 million tonnes, reducing its previous view by more than 3 million tonnes. Brazils second corn, which is planted after soybeans, accounts for roughly 70 percent of the countrys entire production and make it the worlds third largest producer after the United States and China. The drought eased, said Andre Pessoa, partner at Agroconsult, during an event in Sao Paulo, referring to dryness during April and early May, which caused significant losses. Still, he said Agroconsults estimate may be cut further pending a survey of fields in producing states like Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, Parana and Goias. [more] By Luke Darby 25 May 2018 (GQ) The Trump administration called immigrant children future criminals on the same day Border Patrol was accused of sexually and physically abusing child detainees.In April of 2017, when Donald Trump ordered his first missile strike in Syria, the president said that he was moved by the images of children killed in suspected chemical attacks. It was a rare moment of Trump being moved by compassion, and it hasnt been replicated.Now the Trump administration, and John Kelly in particular, have been criticized for its decision to break up families crossing the border illegally, and for their careless planning about what to do with those children one theyre shoved into detention centers on military bases. But Trump is doubling down, claiming that those children are nothing more than criminals in the future. Per the Washington Post: Immigrant advocates have long said that the children, primarily from Central America, are fleeing violence in their home countries and seeking safe harbor in the United States. But the Trump administration has used their plight to justify cracking down on policies that allow these migrants to be released and obtain hearings before immigration judges, rather than being deported immediately. We have the worst immigration laws of any country, anywhere in the world, Trump said at the roundtable held at the Morrelly Homeland Security Center. They exploited the loopholes in our laws to enter the country as unaccompanied alien minors. Trumps not alone in thinking that. Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein claimed that the gang activity that happened during his tenure U.S. attorney for Maryland was fueled by undocumented children. According to Rosenstein, those children roam the streets like Oliver Twist until theyre absorbed into criminal organizations. Were letting people in who are creating problems. Were letting people in who are gang members. Were also letting people in who are vulnerable. []On the same day that Trump and Rosenstein explained why children have to be treated as a national security threat, the ACLU released a report detailing a long history of child abuse at detention centers for immigrants. According to 30,000 pages of documents obtained through the Freedom of Information Act, the ACLU alleges that Customs and Border Patrol officials are responsible for sexual abuse, physical assault, and denial of medical care, clean water and food. 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United Arab Emirates United Kingdom of Great Britain & N. Ireland Uruguay, Eastern Republic of Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia, Republic of Zimbabwe ST. PETERSBURG, May 25 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan on Friday urged countries around the world to build trust and boost cooperation in order to tackle international challenges and cement the foundation for sustainable global growth. He made the appeal in a speech at a plenary session of the 22nd St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), a three-day event in Russia's "northern capital" with the key theme of "Building a Trust Economy." Pointing out that no single country can cope with today's challenges alone, Wang said building a trust economy that features equality, mutual trust, mutual benefit, inclusiveness and good faith between enterprises, markets and countries, is an effective way to unleash the potential of global growth. Building trust needs mutual understanding and mutual respect, he said, adding that it also needs all parties to discover and solve their own problems and consolidate their self-confidence. The Chinese vice president stressed that politicizing economic and trade issues and picking up the stick of economic sanctions at the slightest provocations will gravely impair market certainty. No country should blame its own problems on others, and all countries should pursue development paths that suit their own realities and strive for common development through opening up and cooperation, Wang said. He suggested that countries around the world join forces to chart the course forward with structural economic reforms and innovative development. He also called for global unity in resisting trade protectionism and safeguarding the stable international economic order, particularly the authority of the multilateral trading regime. Economic and trade disputes should be handled properly through communication and consultation, and different parties need to take care of each others' major concerns, Wang added. China, he said, is forging ahead under the leadership of President Xi Jinping toward the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation and will steadfastly stick to the opening-up policy of mutual benefit. Other countries, he added, are welcome to take part in China's economic development, share its market opportunities, and participate in the Belt and Road Initiative, which has now become a new platform for international cooperation. Hailing Russia as a constructive player in global economic governance, Wang said China highly appreciates the socioeconomic development achievements Russia has made under the leadership of President Vladimir Putin and firmly believes that Russia will realize its development goals for the next six years. He added that with annual bilateral trade approaching 100 billion U.S. dollars, China stands ready to work with Russia to deepen their all-around cooperation, strengthen their comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination, and make new contribution to the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. Launched in 1997, SPIEF has become one of the leading platforms for global brainstorming on key economic issues facing Russia and the world as a whole, and is now often referred to as Russia's Davos. Besides Wang, this year's event was also attended by Putin, French President Emmanuel Macron, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and International Monetary Fund chief Christine Lagarde. By Reuters , May 25 , 2018 WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Trump administration told lawmakers the U.S. government has reached a deal to put Chinese telecommunications company ZTE Corp back in business after it pays a significant fine and makes management changes, a senior congressional aide said on Friday. U.S. President Donald Trump appeared to confirm the deal in a tweet late on Friday. I closed it down then let it reopen with high level security guarantees, change of management and board, must purchase U.S. parts and pay a $1.3 Billion fine. Read More: Join us - become an Elderado today at: LarryElder.com Follow Larry Elder on Follow Larry Elder on Twitter "Like" Larry Elder on Facebook By CNBC , May 24 , 2018 The United States on Thursday imposed sanctions on several Iranian and Turkish companies and a number of aircraft in a move targeting four Iranian airlines. The companies targeted were linked to Mahan Air and Meraj Air, the U.S. Treasury Department said in a statement. It also said it was targeting a number of their aircraft, as well as aircraft from Caspian Airlines and Pouya Air. Read More: Join us - become an Elderado today at: LarryElder.com Follow Larry Elder on Follow Larry Elder on Twitter "Like" Larry Elder on Facebook Germany allows PKK-supporter HDPs election rallies As Germany bans ruling Turkish AK Party snap election events inside the country, PKK-supporter Peoples Democratic Party (HDP)s rallies were allowed. Germany is showing a democracy deficit by denying Turkish politicians permission to campaign ahead Turkish elections. German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas had announced that the country would not allow Turkish politicians to carry out election campaign rallies ahead of the upcoming June 24 elections. President Erdogan on May 20 had addressed thousands of expatriate Turks in the Bosnian capital of Sarajevo instead of Germany. GERMANY BINDS ONLY FOR SOME PARTIES It turns out that German goverment has been only binding for some of the political parties in Turkey and not for the others. Allowing Peoples Democratic Party, which are able to pursue political campaigns freely all over Germany, makes one question the reliability of the country. HDP has organized a rally in German city Cologne regarding the upcoming elections. Germany applies double standards for Turksish political parties, raises question marks in minds. HDP, known for its close links to the PKK is listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey. Putin: Pressure on Turkey over S-400 purchase wont produce results President Vladamir Putin slammed US over pushing Turkey into abandoning S-400 deal with Russia. Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday criticized US saying that Turkey has the right to choose its own military aircraft, amid Ankara's deal to buy missile-defense systems from Russia. Russia and Turkey had signed a loan agreement last December to supply S-400 air defense systems to Ankara. According to a statement by the Turkish defense industry secretariat, two S-400 batteries will be operated and serviced by the Turkish military. But Turkeys purchase of S-400s has raised concerns among NATO member countries. US Senate committee on Thursday passed a defense policy bill that included measures to prevent Turkey from purchasing the F-35 jets. Turkish government condemned the new legislation going through the US Congress. "THIS ATTITUDE AGAINST TURKEY IS UNFAIR" Speaking at the Saint Petersburg Economic Forum, Putin criticized US policy. President said that pressure on Turkey for its purchase of the S-400 defense missile systems from Russia will not produce results and only further encourage. "As well as I know President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, it is quite difficult to get any results by using pressure tools towards him. On the contrary, this will encourage Mr. Erdogan, and he will not make compromises while protecting national interests." Putin stated. "I am having a hard time to explain this pressure. Such attitude against Turkey is unfair." he added. Syrian officers trained by Turkey assume duties in Afrin 620 Syrian policemen assumed the security duties in Syrias Afrin right after completing the basic training given by the Turkish Police Academy. After Turkish armys successful Operation Olive Branch launched on Jan. to clear Syrian Kurdish Peoples Protection Units (YPG) terrorists from Afrin and to establish security and stability along Turkeys borders and in the region, Turkish forces are continuing to their normalization process in the region. Turkish Police Academy and special forces unit members trained the candidates in Syria on police regulations, general discipline and operational training, such as destroying improvised explosive devices. The new police force officially assumed its duties following a swear-in ceremony which was organized in the Afrin city center. The police force will serve in the Afrin city center as the Afrin Security Directorate and will ensure security in the area against PKK terrorists that were neutralized by the Turkish Armed Forces and the Free Syrian Army as part of Operation Olive Branch. The decision of around 200 MPs to join the Future of Homeland party will change the political landscape Related Free Egyptians Party faces mass resignations of MPs in latest internal crisis The political landscape in Egypt's parliament is seeing a dramatic shift this week, as a large number of independent and party-based MPs join the Future of Homeland party, swelling its ranks in parliament. Party head Ashraf Rashad announced at a press conference on Thursday that around 150 independent MPs who are members of the "For the Sake of Egypt" association have decided to join the party. Rashad said the association, which was formed late last year to mobilise mass support for the re-election of President Abdel-Fatah El-Sisi in Egypt's 2018 presidential election, also decided to merge with the Future of Homeland party. Rashad also said that 50 MPs affiliated with the Free Egyptians Party have resigned in order to join Future of Homeland's ranks. "Some of these are high-profile figures such as Alaa Abed, the former parliamentary spokesperson of the Free Egyptians Party and the current head of parliament's human rights committee, and Abdel-Hadi El-Qasabi, head of parliament's social solidarity committee," said Rashad. Rashad also revealed that Hossam El-Kholi, the former deputy head of the Wafd party, was named the secretary-general of the Future of Homeland party. El-Kholi announced last week that he had decided to resign from Wafd. Alaa Abed told reporters that the merging of For the Sake of Egypt with Future of Homeland will change the political landscape of the country. He also said that as many as 50 MPs affiliated with the Free Egyptians Party have decided to switch alliances. "They have decided to join the Future of Homeland party to make it the leading political party in Egypt," said Abed. Abed and El-Khouli said they broke ranks with the Free Egyptians Party and the Wafd party to transfer their expertise to Future of Homeland. "We want Future of Homeland to be Egypt's leading and majority party," said El-Khouli. Rashad said the party's success in swelling its ranks to become the leading political force in Egypt came after President Abdel-Fatah El-Sisi urged political parties with similar platforms to merge into stronger entities. "We strongly believe in President El-Sisi's initiative and so we have moved quickly to convince more than 150 independent MPs to join our ranks," said Rashad. The Future of Homeland party, founded in 2015, won 57 seats in Egypt's parliament in the last election. Atef Nasser, the parliamentary spokesman of Future of Homeland, told reporters today that MPs affiliated with the party grew from 57 last week to around 250, or around 40 percent. "We got 150 independent MPs, and a number ranging between 40 and 50 MPs who were members of the Free Egyptians Party and the Wafd party," said Nasser. Future of Homeland's successful political moves have come as a big surprise to the majority Support Egypt" parliamentary coalition, which announced a month ago that it was planning to turn itself into a licenced political party. "I agree that the decision of 150 independent MPs to join our party came as a big surprise to the leaders of Support Egypt," said Nasser, also noting that "the support for Future of Homeland's moves came after many MPs complained of the poor performance of the Support Egypt coalition's leadership and its failure to impose discipline in parliament." Some legislative experts, however, questioned the legality of the decision by independent and party-based MPs to join Future of Homelands ranks. "As we all know," said Abdel-Moneim El-Oleimi, an independent MP and a long-term member of parliament's legislative and constitutional affairs committee, "when MPs switch political or partisan alliances they automatically face the threat of losing their parliamentary membership." According to El-Oliemi, "Article 6 of the House of Representatives law states that elected MPs cannot change their political designation once elected." "Independent MPs would lose their parliamentary membership if they decided to join a political party following their election, and the same would be true if an MP elected on a party ticket suddenly became an independent," said El-Oleimi, adding that "Article 110 of Egypt's 2014 constitution also states that an elected MP will be stripped of parliamentary membership if he/she loses trust and esteem or if he/she ceases to meet any of the membership conditions based on which he/she was elected." Search Keywords: Short link: This item is available in full to subscribers. Attention subscribers We have recently launched a new and improved website. To continue reading, you will need to either log into your subscriber account, or purchase a new subscription. If you are a digital subscriber with an active subscription, then you already have an account here. Just reset your password if you've not yet logged in to your account on this new site. If you are a current print subscriber, you can set up a free website account by clicking here. Otherwise, click here to view your options for subscribing. Sarkozy and Merkel : June 2009 solution to May 2005 "NO" ? - Will French President Nicolas Sarkozy and German Chancellor Angie Merkel live up from June 2009 to their obvious Historic European mission to revitalize, and re-launch the "European Dream", after the series of 3 "NO" since May 2005 in France, the Netherlands and Ireland, by renewing, and changing the EU with fresh stimulus, big horizons, and values attractive for EU Citizens ? Whatever views anyone might have, it's a Fact that, recently, EU's political spectrum didn't produce other more charismatic and popular EU leaders than Merkel and Sarkozy, starting from September 2005 and May 2007, respectively. This trend was confirmed, in one way or another, both during the German EU presidency in 2007 (shared by Merkel with the SPD), and mainly during the French EU Presidency in 2008, (with Sarkozy "free" to move). The positive 2009 EU Polls are a natural consequence : - Both with 72% Sarkozy and Merkel are considered by EU Citizens to be "the most Influential" leaders in Europe, by far. - They are the only EU political leaders to attract a Majority of "Positive" views by EU Citizens, (Merkel over 60%, Sarkozy over 50%, particularly in the continent). - 60% of EU Citizens find the 2008 French EU Presidency "Good", (and the satisfaction grows up to 67,5% in continental Europe). The Poll was made by "OpinionWay" in big EU countries as Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK, (with the only exception of France), from 26 to 28 May 2009. But the most important is that both Franco-German leaders seem willing to, at last, really start serious business on EU's indispensable renovation and Renaissance from 2009 : Year of crucial EU and German Elections. Therefore, this time, the joint European move by Sarkozy and Merkel, which just published a common Franco-German Manifesto, aims to stimulate aspirations and action not only in their respective countries, but also in many other EU "partners", as they say. Both on EU economy, social values and scientifico-technologic research, as well as on Turkey's controversial EU bid, obviously incompatible with a popular Political Europe, whose Citizens can find a collective Identity and popular Values, they have already started to magnetize various growing voices accross the European landscape : "Today, more than ever, it' time for action", they stress from the outset. Facing "an unprecedented Global financial and economic Crisis", "Europeans must get resolutely involved if they want for the World which is being built to meet their Values of Liberty, Solidarity and Justice". "That's what we want" and "propose to our Partners" : * "A strong Europe, able to protect us" : - "We refuse a Bureaucratic EU, which mecanically applies burdensome rules and is afraid of change. We want a European Union which listens what Citizens have to say, which innovates, stimulates". - "We want a strong and united EU in the World, while also respecting its Member States' Diversity", which "brings Courageous Replies to the Questions of our Times, ensuring our Prosperity : This implies to "favor Research and Innovation", "Economic Coordination", to "develop real Policies on Immigrationn, Energy, Defence, and modernise common policies, particularly Agriculture". * "EU must bring immediate replies to the Global Crisis". - "Lawless liberalism failed". "The Model we want is that of a Responsible Market Economy, which favors Enterpreneurs and Workers, above Speculators ; Long-term Investment, over immediate profiits". - "We appeal upon the EU to take, from June, the first decisions to ensure a real European Regulation of Financial Markets, based on coordination and cooperation". "On speculative funds, on fiscal heavens, CEO's and financial operators' earnings, EU must give the example". - "We call to change the rules of accounts, which are important for our Economy's revival : The competent normative authorities must take action". "The issue of a sufficient Credit offer is of central importance for our Economy". "We don't accept that, during this Financial Crisis, the European Banks' capacity to lend money might be unjustly reduced by Capital's requirements and accountant's rules * "During the German and French Presidencies, EU has resoclutely prepared itself for the fight against Global Warming... EU is the 1st and only area in the World to have adopted a package of ambitious and legally binding rules to comply with International Aims" - "We have now to convince our Friends and Partners, to get involved, in order to atteint, next December at Copenhagen, a Global Agreement worthy of whay is at stake. Our closer ally, the US, but also other big industrial countries, must commit themselves with the same force as the Europeans". "Green Growth is a Chance ... and an opportunity to create jobs turned towards the Future. Europe must be a leader". - But, at the same time, we must ensure that our companies remain competitive in the World. The ambitious European involvements on Climat must not lead into a position where EU industry might become a Victim of Unfair Competition. Climat protection and Competitvity must go together. If our International partners refuse to associate themselves to our efforts, we are determined to take measures to protect European Industry" * "Europe must be more ambitious for its Industry" : "It must favor the emergence of strong European enterprises at a Global level". - "As long as an International mechanism" to "monitor Public Aids at WTO level, and hinder 3rd Countries to give abusive subsidies to their enterprises, provoking unfair competition", is "not yet set up, we must consider Transitory European Solutions". * "The current Public Debt is too heavy... We must head anew towards sound public finance, as soon as we'd have passed the crucial stage in this crisis". ------------------------------------------------- * Last, but not least : "Europe must play a top-level role in the World" - "For that purpose, it needs efficient Institutions. That's why we need Lisbon Treaty". "The 27 Member States decided, last December (2008) that the Treaty should enter into force before the end of this year (2009)". To obtain that, June EU Council must agree "on the Guarantees for Ireland". - But, "to be able to act, EU needs Borders. An Enlargment without Limits is not possible", Sarkozy and Merkel stressed in an obvious reference to Turkey, etc. - "In order to be strong, Europe must assume its Values and its Identity". "Human Rights .. are at the basis of our commitment for a Peaceful Development accross the World". - "For that purpose, we shall strengthen our common Defence and Security policy". ---------------------- * "We are ready to contribute to activate the EU towards the realisation of these aims, with our EU Partners". "In order to succeed", Europe "needs the active involvment of all, starting by Citizens themselves. That's why the June 7 rendez-vous is important", and "we are calling all Europeans to vote". "We are convinced that, if Europe wants, Europe can", they conclude. ----------------------- Precisely : - What can better forge "Europe's Will" than a "European Consciousness" emerging from political, democratic struggles to face Global Challenges, and open big New Horizons, including by crystal-clear Public Debates, with active EU Citizens' involvement, before the most important EU Decisions affecting People's lives ? Precisely what "EuroFora"s project warns since 1997-2007, and unprecedented Majority Abstentions, since 1999-2004, added to 3 "NO" to EU Referenda in 2005 and 2007, proved meanwhile.. Let's hope that the Time wasted by some scandalous anti-European and anti-Democratic obstacles of the Past, will stimulate faster, simplified but substantial and persistent, efficient action.- Ottawa, Ontario May 24, 2018 - The Canadian Agri-Food Trade Alliance (CAFTA) praises the tabling of the Comprehensive and Progressive agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) in Parliament and urges swift implementation of enabling legislation. Tabling the treaty is the first step towards implementation which will require legislation to be tabled, debated, and passed by both chambers of Parliament before Canadians can benefit from increased access to the Asia-Pacific. With Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne tabling the treaty, weve taken a historic step closer to having competitive access to Asia-Pacific markets, says CAFTA president Brian Innes. Its critical that we keep up the momentum so that Canada is not left behind by the first six countries who implement the CPTPP. The CPTPP will come into effect once six countries ratify the agreement. These countries will then see CPTPP tariff cuts come into effect and they will secure a first-mover advantage over other CPTPP members who have not ratified. Other countries are moving fast to implement the agreement. Mexico ratified the deal in April, Australia tabled the treaty in its Parliament and vows to ratify soon and the deal has successfully made it through Japans Lower House with a clear plan to vote on it before the end of June. Malaysia and Chile are both expected to implement the agreement quickly and New Zealand, Singapore, Peru, Vietnam and Brunei are all working towards an autumn implementation date. Canada needs to be part of the first six countries who implement the CPTPP, says Innes. The longer we wait the longer well face headwinds in the Asia-Pacific. Canadian agri-food exporters are currently at a competitive disadvantage because other countries have trade agreements that Canada does not. Mexico, Australia and Chile have free trade agreements with Japan and the Japan-EU Economic Partnership Agreement will soon slash 85 per cent of Japanese tariffs on European agri-food products. Being part of the original six countries would also give Canada more influence in negotiating the terms for the many countries that have expressed interest in joining the CPTPP, including the United States. For the agri-food sector that is growing through exports, the CPTPP is a big deal. According to research commissioned by CAFTA, the trade pact could increase agri-food exports by $1.84 billion. Not being in the CPTPP could mean $2.93 billion in opportunity costs for agri-food sector - a significant blow to a sector that generates $96 billion in GDP annually and supports about 1 million jobs in urban and rural communities across the country. Asian markets are the key to agri-food growth, says Innes. Implementing the CPTPP is essential for industry to meet governments target of $75 billion in agri-food exports by 2025, said Innes. CAFTA members have predicted that the original TPP agreement would enable beef exports worth $300 million, $300 million more pork exports, an additional $100 million in barley products, and $780 million more value-added canola exports. In addition, pulses, soybeans, sugar and processed food products all stand to gain improved access. With the CPTPP not including the U.S., these benefits will be even greater. Whether you are a Canadian farm family who depends on world markets, a processor, an exporter, or someone who lives in a community supported by the sector, this agreement means more stability, economic growth and prosperity, says Innes. Source : CAFTA DRONE pilots have beaten dogs for the second year in a row at Muresk Institutes novel Drone versus Dog competition that highlights technology career opportunities available in agriculture. But it was a close finish on the Muresk oval last Wednesday. Jay, the energetic eight-year-old border collie/kelpie cross, scorched around the obstacle course laid out on the oval in a blistering 16.29 seconds 1.13 seconds quicker than the best time achieved by a drone controlled by a student pilot. But in his enthusiasm to set quickest time Jay misinterpreted hand signals and vocal instructions from owner and Mandurah dog trainer Sylvia Hamilton. He raced around the last hay bale obstacle instead of between them. The dogs disqualification left year 11 John Curtin College of the Arts student Archie Le Grice, 16, the winning pilot with a time of 17.42 seconds for manoeuvring a drone over the same course. He won a Phantom 3 drone fitted with a camera for the college. With a time of 19.12 seconds, Mark Ward of Western Australia College of Agriculture, Harvey, was second. Although she crashed out of the competition, Kelmscott Senior High School student Taila Gilbertson was judged by drone instructor and chief controller Sam Watson of UAV Resources, which supplied the drones, to be the smoothest operator. Participants were years 10-12 students from the three Western Australian College of Agriculture campuses Harvey, Denmark and Cunderdin, Applecross and Kelmscott senior high schools, Quairading District High School, Kiara College, Edmund Rice College, Bindoon, and John Curtin College of the Arts, with 190 students visiting Muresk for the day. A roadshow crew and trailer display promoting drone and other new technology in agriculture, had visited each college and school earlier in the year and each had chosen from student nominations a drone pilot to represent them in the Drone versus Dog competition. The eventual winner was the only drone pilot in the competition with any previous experience. Archie said he had been flying his own drone for about nine months, but admitted to crashing it. He had three clear competition rounds without crashes or straying off the course. It was his second win in a week. Archie also won the Under 18 Junior Boys division at the HIF WA Longboard Titles and will represent WA at the Australian Surf Festival on the Tweed Coast, New South Wales, in August. On the day drone pilots were given instruction by UAV Resources before the competition while cheer squads of non-competing students attended careers in agriculture course information sessions. Muresk general manager Prue Jenkins said the aim of the competition, initiated last year, was to alert senior secondary students to the diverse range of career opportunities available that were associated with agriculture in some way. She said it was also a way of encouraging them to consider further study options that could enhance their ability to find a career in or associated with agriculture. Currently there are 1.6 million people employed across the agriculture supply chain in Australia there are so many career opportunities in this sector and, with new technologies, many of those challenge the traditional perceptions of farming and food production, Ms Jenkins said. Later, Education Minister Sue Ellery said the State government understood the importance of growing agricultural skills ... as the industry offers an opportunity to diversify and strengthen the Western Australian economy. The Drone versus Dog trial is a unique way to show school students the role technology plays in a modern farm, Ms Ellery said. Its been a big hit with students and highly effective in changing their perceptions about jobs in agriculture. p Curtin University is seeking expressions of interest for its new Associate Degree in Agribusiness course which is expected to start at Muresk within months. The two-year associate degree will provide people undertaking the course with an understanding of agriculture production systems combined with the business skills associated with the production, processing, marketing and distribution of food, Curtin said. Lower admission criteria will apply to the associate degree course than to the Bachelor of Agribusiness offered at Curtins Bentley campus, but the associate degree will be a pathway into the full bachelor degree, providing up to 18 months credit. Anyone interested in the new course at Muresk should lodge an expression of interest at curtin.edu/assoc-degree-ag. A GRAIN Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) Grains Research Scholarship has been awarded to The University of Western Australias (UWA) Soodeh Tirnaz, for her work in the area of protecting canola yields from blackleg disease. The GRDC scholarship will support Ms Tirnazs PhD studies in identifying and mapping disease resistance genes in the Brassicaceae plant family, with a focus on canola. She is studying new approaches to better understand how canola resistance genes respond to blackleg and her work will build on existing research into improving resistance in canola to this disease. Ms Tirnaz said blackleg disease had a huge economic impact on the grains industry in Australia, with average annual yield losses for growers of 15 per cent. The Australian canola industry was devastated by blackleg epidemics in 1972 and in 2003 and in many years it is still a very damaging disease, Ms Tirnaz said. I am examining the mechanisms whereby defence genes can be switched on and off without changing the plants underlying DNA and the role this plays in increasing tolerance to blackleg disease. Information generated by this research could potentially be used in canola breeding programs to improve resistance in future canola varieties. Reducing yield losses even by a few percentage points can benefit Australian canola growers by millions of dollars each year. Mr Tirnaz said the scholarship would provide her with the opportunity to expand her PhD experiments, attend international conferences and visit other institutions to develop her skills and knowledge. I hope to complete this project in 2020 and I am looking forward to continuing my research in this field, she said. The GRDCs research scholarship program supports post-graduates in fields of study aligned with the GRDCs research priorities. The program is part of the GRDCs thrust to build research capacity within the grains industry. GRDC Research Scholarships are awarded on the basis of the academic excellence of the applicant, relevance of proposed research to GRDC priorities, and evidence of industry contribution or involvement. South Regional TAFE wool classing students and their lecturer Robert Carter visited the Western Wool Centre (WWC) in Bibra Lake on Wednesday to watch the live auction as price guides across the 18-22 micron spectrum and the Western Indicator all moved to record highs. They also visited Australian Wool Handlers Pty Ltd wool stores and Australian Wool Testing Authority nearby, as well as the Elders show floor at the WWC where lot samples of wool are displayed for buyers to inspect before and after sales. An annual event since 2007 as part of the wool classing course, the excursion was arranged by Mr Carter to impress on students the necessity of correct clip preparation, classing and documentation. The itinerary was organised by Elders WA wool manager Danny Burkett and Elders wool technical officer Danny Royal. Mr Burkett told students the ease with which wool moved from the woolshed through the supply pipeline to the end processor starts with them in the shed. You have control over the wool preparation, the classing, the lines to be made, the documentation and the suggested lotting advice, Mr Burkett pointed out. He stressed the importance of neat, accurate and complete wool clip documentation wool classers specifications that accompany wool clips and assist with lotting. This documentation enhances the movement of wool through the pipeline, he said. Mr Burkett urged students to embrace new technology and use electronic wool clip stationary now available. This will help reduce errors and value add along the pipeline, he said. Mr Carter highlighted that, along with their documentation, wool classers needed to alert woolgrowers to the significance of correctly completing and signing the National Wool Declaration. The quality assurance document helps safeguard the reputation of the Australian wool industry, Mr Carter said. The students are studying for their Certificate IV in Wool Classing and come from around the State. They are all working in the industry, are experienced in all aspects of shed duties and have completed Certificate II and III in Advanced Wool Handling. The course involves 12 topics of correspondence work followed by a three-week intensive TAFE release block at the Narrogin campus. Trainee wool classers then return to work under the supervision of a registered wool classer prior to their final assessment. Enquiries about the course can be directed to Mr Carter on 0437 310 825 or rob.carter@srtafe.wa.edu.au. Lebanon expressed concern to Syria on Saturday over a new law aimed at redeveloping areas devastated by seven years of war, saying the initiative could hinder the return of many Syrian refugees to their homeland. Lebanese Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil wrote in a letter to his Syrian counterpart Walid al-Moualem that the terms of "Law 10" could make it difficult for refugees to prove property ownership, and in turn discourage some from returning. The legislation came into effect last month as the army was on the brink of crushing the last insurgent enclaves near Damascus, consolidating President Bashar al-Assad's grip over nearly all of western Syria. It allows people to prove they own property in the areas chosen for redevelopment, and to claim compensation. But aid groups say the chaos of war means few will be able to do so in the time specified. The law has yet to be applied. Bassil, whose country hosts more than a million Syrian refugees, voiced concern over the limited time frame given for refugees to prove possession of their properties. "The inability of the refugees to practically present what proves their possession (of their properties) during the given time limit might lead to them losing their properties and their sense of national identity," Bassil said in the letter, according to a Foreign Ministry statement. "This would deprive them of one of the main incentives for their come return to Syria," he added, echoing comments earlier this week by Lebanese Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri. Hariri said the law "tells thousands of Syrian families to stay in Lebanon" by threatening them with property confiscation. Bassil sent a similar letter to U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, calling for action to protect the rights of Syrian refugees in maintaining their properties.Lebanon expressed concern to Syria on Saturday over a new law aimed at redeveloping areas devastated by seven years of war, saying the initiative could hinder the return of many Syrian refugees to their homeland. Lebanese Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil wrote in a letter to his Syrian counterpart Walid al-Moualem that the terms of "Law 10" could make it difficult for refugees to prove property ownership, and in turn discourage some from returning. The legislation came into effect last month as the army was on the brink of crushing the last insurgent enclaves near Damascus, consolidating President Bashar al-Assad's grip over nearly all of western Syria. It allows people to prove they own property in the areas chosen for redevelopment, and to claim compensation. But aid groups say the chaos of war means few will be able to do so in the time specified. The law has yet to be applied. Bassil, whose country hosts more than a million Syrian refugees, voiced concern over the limited time frame given for refugees to prove possession of their properties. "The inability of the refugees to practically present what proves their possession (of their properties) during the given time limit might lead to them losing their properties and their sense of national identity," Bassil said in the letter, according to a Foreign Ministry statement. "This would deprive them of one of the main incentives for their come return to Syria," he added, echoing comments earlier this week by Lebanese Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri. Hariri said the law "tells thousands of Syrian families to stay in Lebanon" by threatening them with property confiscation. Bassil sent a similar letter to U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, calling for action to protect the rights of Syrian refugees in maintaining their properties.Lebanon expressed concern to Syria on Saturday over a new law aimed at redeveloping areas devastated by seven years of war, saying the initiative could hinder the return of many Syrian refugees to their homeland. Lebanese Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil wrote in a letter to his Syrian counterpart Walid al-Moualem that the terms of "Law 10" could make it difficult for refugees to prove property ownership, and in turn discourage some from returning. The legislation came into effect last month as the army was on the brink of crushing the last insurgent enclaves near Damascus, consolidating President Bashar al-Assad's grip over nearly all of western Syria. It allows people to prove they own property in the areas chosen for redevelopment, and to claim compensation. But aid groups say the chaos of war means few will be able to do so in the time specified. The law has yet to be applied. Bassil, whose country hosts more than a million Syrian refugees, voiced concern over the limited time frame given for refugees to prove possession of their properties. "The inability of the refugees to practically present what proves their possession (of their properties) during the given time limit might lead to them losing their properties and their sense of national identity," Bassil said in the letter, according to a Foreign Ministry statement. "This would deprive them of one of the main incentives for their come return to Syria," he added, echoing comments earlier this week by Lebanese Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri. Hariri said the law "tells thousands of Syrian families to stay in Lebanon" by threatening them with property confiscation. Bassil sent a similar letter to U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, calling for action to protect the rights of Syrian refugees in maintaining their properties. Search Keywords: Short link: Category Select Category Apparel/Garments Textiles Fashion Technical Textiles Information Technology E-commerce Retail Corporate Association Press Release SubCategory Select Sub-Category Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD) Action and its partners hosted an exciting and interactive side event - United to End RHD, on Wednesday 23rd May at the Graduate Institute in Geneva, Switzerland prior to government discussions at the Seventy-first session of the World Health Assembly on a Resolution on Rheumatic Fever (RF) and Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD). The high-level event co-sponsored by the governments of New Zealand, Australia, Fiji and Namibia, focused on the impact of a Resolution on RF and RHD on those who matter most: people living with RHD and frontline health workers delivering essential RHD services.Fijis Permanent Representative to the United Nations and Other Organisations in Geneva, Ambassador Nazhat Shameem Khan was among a range of diverse panellists for this event which included people living with RHD and frontline health works from around the world; the Honourable. Dr Clark, Minister of Heath of New Zealand; H.E. Bernard Haufiku, Minister of Health and Social Services of the Republic of Namibia; Professor Brendan Murphy, Chief Medical Officer, Australia; and representatives from the RHD Action Partners.Ambassador Khan highlighted the Pilot activity by the Ministry of Health and Medical Services which seeks to train school nurses on the early detection of RHD in primary schools. This is the first of such an initiative that integrates RHD screening into an existing school outreach programme which the world can learn from. Ambassador Khan also highlighted the importance of ensuring a collaborate approach with inclusive and innovative partnerships as a key ingredient in addressing RHD challenges.Also in attendance was Ms Buli Wainiqolo of Fiji, who shared her experience on RHD and the barriers on access to treatment and lack of awareness. Ms Wainiqolo sent a strong message for the need to encourage and empower persons with RHD to come forward and share their stories.The interactive discussions at the side event raised many issues concerning the impact of the Resolution on RF and RHD and its implementation. Discussions also centred on the challenges faced by many countries in tackling RHD, the tools available to better address RHD, and how such challenges can be overcome.-ENDS- . - , , . . 8.00 12.30 , , ... Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan said on Friday that a summit between the United States and North Korea was necessary to ensure security on the Korean Peninsula. Speaking at an economic forum in St Petersburg, Wang said security on the Korean peninsula touched on China's core interests and that conflict should be avoided at all costs. U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday called off a historic summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un scheduled for next month, citing Pyongyang's "open hostility." Search Keywords: Short link: South Korean President Moon Jae-in met North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on Saturday to discuss Kim's possible upcoming summit with U.S. President Donald Trump, the South said, the second inter-Korean summit in as many months. Moon and Kim met just north of the heavily militarised border in the afternoon to exchange views to pave way for a summit between North Korea and the United States, South Korea's presidential office said. Moon will announce the outcome of his two-hour meeting with Kim on Sunday morning, officials aid. Search Keywords: Short link: Image: Shutterstock Lenders or the committee of creditors (CoC) need to be more proactive in creative value of the assets under insolvency as they have a higher responsibility, said MS Sahoo, Chairman of Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India.The Chairman regulatory oversight board said, "CoC should be a bit more proactive in creating value. The creditor has the option of both recovery and resolution. For recovery, (there are) many options."One can resolve outside as well, but if you have come here, you have a higher responsibility...COC is in a custodian and trustee position," he said.He pointed out that the objective of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC), which became a law in 2016, is that the law wants resolution through a collective approach ensure a going concern is kept going even as it is also to maximise the value of the asset and also balance the interest of all stakeholders."The objective is to revive if viable, and if not viable, then close it. you can't directly go to liquidation...If the objective is just to discover a price, get a big value, perhaps we could have had gone to the stock market," the IBBI chief said at a conference.Since the code was made into law in May 2016, a total 800 cases have been admitted and about 120 have been either resolved or liquidated.Giving more statistics, Sahoo also said that 200 cases have opted for voluntary liquidation and as high as 2,400 cases were rejected or dismissed before admission at the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT), the insolvency court."Probably we are not making the best use of the Code. The Code is a much more powerful thing, it can be used for much more higher purposes so that the resolution is sustainable," Sahoo said addressing some advocates and stressed asset experts.Sahoo hit out at the lenders for not making optimal use of the IBC."It was left to CoC to create a value. it is their role to tell what is there and what are the possibilities one can look at and create a market for that and bring out what has caused the insolvency so that the resolution plan really addresses that, he said.Further he stated, "Today, we are not making the optimal use of the law, we are after maximising value because the code says so. But the code says that it is for the maximisation of value of the asessed corporate debtor and not for a stakeholder or set of stakeholders. That is why we moved away from recovery, we went on the path of resolution."He added that the law did not define what is resolution plan but is "left actually to the imagination of financial creditors as well as the resolution professionals".Rashesh Shah, CEO and Chairman of Edelweiss Group suggested that the CoC approval to clear resolution process for insolvency accounts should be brought down to 51 percent from 66 percent for large cases.He believes that "unintentionally good plans are being vetoed out by a minority creditors...revival and resolution should be primary objectives and liquidation should be last."On the recent amendment in the ordinance to allow promoters of MSMEs (micro, small and medium enterprises) to buy their own assets, though unware of the details, Sahoo said: "MSMEs all over the world are on a different footing. Most of them in India are partnership or proprietorship...Whenever a big company goes into a liquiditaion or resolution, MSMEs will take the maximum hit."On whether partnership firms and individual defaulters can be tried under the insolvency law, Sahoo said, "Partnership firms and individuals will go to DRT (debt recovery tribunals). We have not yet started individual insolvency, preparatory work is on..."Original Source: New details of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's royal wedding reception have been revealed. On Thursday, actress and close friend of Markle, Janina Gavankar, talked about what it was like to be a guest at the royal wedding in an interview with Town &Country Magazine. "We all danced until the wee hours. We partied and celebrated and ate sliders at 2 in the morning," the star shared. "It was such a beautiful day and a carefree night, and it was a very powerful day in history. And I think everybody felt it across the world." The actress also opened up about the new Duke and Duchess of Sussex incorporated both of their respective countries into the reception decor explaining that each table was named after a food that is pronouceddifferently in America and in England. "Potato, potato, tomato, tomato, oregano, oregano," she said. "It was so sweet. There were so many nods to the beautiful mashup of two cultures." Gavankar then explained that although the wedding was a world-renowned affair, the private reception was so intimate, "it felt like a small wedding." One thing that made many of us giggle was that we could hear the wonderful people outside, the actress said of sitting in St. Georges Chapel during the ceremony. When the vows were happening, they would cheer, and we could hear them. It was a very quiet chapel. We all followed the Queens lead. But we could hear everyone cheer and it was so heartwarming. Really, it filled our hearts. Although the wedding itself was a seemly perfect event, the "True Blood" actress admitted that there were some issues having to do with the royal wedding dress code saying that many of the American guests struggled to find something appropriate to wear. The "L-Word" star, who donned a unique orange ensemble with a bold, black hat said, "Many of the Americans commiserated over how difficult it was to find dresses that fit all the requirements." The Palace required women to wear closed-toed shoes, have shoulders covered, a dress that was knee-length or longer and hats were a mandatory accessory. We were told pantyhose at some point but many American didnt wear them, Gavankar admitted but scared of breaking the rules, she decided to sport hose under her dress. I didI was so afraid of screwing up that I just followed all protocol, but there were some rebels in our group. But all in all, Markle's friend was glad to experience the monumental event. "I walked away feeling so confident that these two will put their combined power into the world for good," she said. "They did it apart. Theyve done it apart their entire lives. Imagine what they can do together." Abby Lee Miller is finally free. The Dance Moms star, 51, was released from her halfway house on Friday, according to the Federal Bureau of Prisons records. Miller moved from FCI Victorville to the house in Long Beach, Calif., in March. The reality star was diagnosed with cancer the following month. She was sentenced to one year in prison on bankruptcy fraud charges and for taking $120,000 worth of Australian currency back home without reporting it in May 2017. She was originally scheduled for a June 21 release. This story originally appeared in the New York Post. Harvey Weinstein wore a special chain of three sets of handcuffs to accommodate his wide waistline and then still whined that the cuffs were too tight, law-enforcement sources told The Post on Friday. The former Hollywood big began complaining shortly after being thrown into a holding cell in Manhattan court in the morning, sources said. I dont feel good, the fallen movie mogul griped from his holding cell, according to sources. He grumbled about the tightness of his specially extended handcuffs, which clasped his hands behind his back, the source said. Other nearby suspects in lock-up were stunned by Weinsteins presence. Oh, sh-t! Thats Harvey fing Weinstein! one man yelled as the disgraced producer was led in. Weinstein looked scared and frail in the holding cell, where he sat on the floor, a source said. Earlier that morning at the First Precinct in Lower Manhattan, the ashen 66-year-old was processed downstairs because he was having trouble walking. He was fingerprinted at the precinct with a digital machine and offered nervous smiles to police chatting around him, sources said. This story originally appeared in the New York Post. Morgan Freeman released a second statement in which he defends the fact that he "did not assault women" after being accused of sexual harassment by eight women on Thursday. The famed actor began his statement by saying, "I am devastated that 80 years of my life is at risk of being undermined, in the blink of an eye, by Thursdays media reports. All victims of assault and harassment deserve to be heard. And we need to listen to them. But it is not right to equate horrific incidents of sexual assault with misplaced compliments or humor." Freeman then admitted to making some people feel uncomfortable throughout his career but didn't intend to offend and said, "I admit that I am someone who feels a need to try to make women-and men-feel appreciated and at ease around me. As a part of that, I would often try to joke with and compliment women, in what I thought was a light-hearted and humorous way." The eight women told CNN in a detailed article that Freeman made suggestive comments about their appearance and inappropriately touched them. A young production assistant told the outlet that Freeman harassed her for several months while working on the 2015 set of "Going In Style." She claimed that Freeman made comments about her body almost every day and would rub her lower back. "[He] kept trying to lift up my skirt and asking if I was wearing underwear," she claimed, adding Freeman's co-star Alan Arkin "made a comment telling him to stop." "Morgan got freaked out and didnt know what to say," she alleged. The article's co-author and sole accuser who went on the record, Chloe Melas, alleged that Freeman harassed her when she interviewed him for CNN at a press junket for the movie "Going in Style." Melas, who was pregnant at the time, said upon meeting Freeman he looked her up-and-down and said a "Boy do I wish I was there." The remark was caught on camera but the tape was not rolling when Freeman allegedly also told her, "You are ripe." The actor said of the allegations in his statement, "Clearly, I was not always coming across the way I intended. And that is why I apologized Thursday and will continue to apologize to anyone I might have upset, however unintentionally." Finally, Freeman defended himself and stated, "But I also want to be clear: I did not create unsafe work environments. I did not assault women. I did not offer employment or advancement in exchange for sex. Any suggestion that I did so is completely false. Following the allegations, Freeman has been dropped by VISA as a spokesperson and Vancouvers transit system, TransLink, said they were pausing the actors voice announcements as part of a VISA ad campaign on the transit system," Deadline reported. Fox News' Sasha Savitsky contributed to this report. The makers of the educational childrens program Sesame Street are suing the production company behind comedian Melissa McCarthy's new R-rated movie co-starring Muppet-like puppets. In a lawsuit filed Thursday in New York City, Sesame Workshop alleges that The Happytime Murders is abusing the famed Muppets sterling reputation in its advertisements. Further, the lawsuit contends the "Sesame Street" brand will be harmed by a just-released movie trailer featuring "explicit, profane, drug-using, misogynistic, violent, copulating and even ejaculating puppets" along with the tagline "NO SESAME. ALL STREET." In the film, McCarthy plays a human detective who teams with a puppet partner to investigate grisly puppet murders. Brian Henson, son of famed Sesame Street puppeteer Jim Henson, who created the Muppets, directed the raunchy movie, People reported. Daughter Lisa Henson executive-produced the film. The elder Henson's Muppets -- including characters Kermit the Frog, Bert and Ernie and Big Bird -- have been a key feature of "Sesame Street" since the show launched on public television in 1969. Henson died in 1990 at age 53. The rights to the Muppets characters were acquired by Disney in 2004. Sesame Workshop claims the movies use of the tagline could cause irreparable injury to the long-running children's shows wholesome, kid-friendly brand, the Blast reported, citing the lawsuit. A judge Friday scheduled a hearing next week to consider a request for immediate relief by Sesame Workshop, which sued for unspecified damages and an order forcing the film to be marketed differently. STX Productions LLC, the company behind the film, said it was looking forward to introducing its "adorably unapologetic characters" to adult moviegoers this summer in a statement issued in the name of "Fred, Esq.," a lawyer puppet. "We're incredibly pleased with the early reaction to the film and how well the trailer has been received by its intended audience," it said. "While we're disappointed that Sesame Street does not share in the fun, we are confident in our legal position." Lawyers for Sesame Workshop asked the judge to order STX not to use any of Sesame's trademarks and intellectual property, including the phrase, "NO SESAME. ALL STREET," in marketing the film, according to court papers. The puppets film is set to release Aug. 17. The Associated Press contributed to this report. One New York man is accused of slapping a Dennys waitress on the bottom while his wife was in the bathroom. The 65-year-old may now spend up to a year in jail. On May 22, Clarence H. Locke Jr. arrived at Denny's in Rome with his wife around noon, sat down at one of staffer Jayme Adairs tables, and ordered beverages, Newshub reports. "The customer and his wife came in together. I didn't recognize him by his face, but when he walked in he said, Hello Jayme," the 23-year-old waitress recalled. As Lockes wife soon left the table to user the restroom, the shocking incident unfolded. CHIPOTLE ADDING DRIVE-THRU LANES, BUT CUSTOMERS WON'T BE ABLE TO ORDER AT THEM "I get their drink order, I turn to walk away and he reaches out of the booth, almost falls out of the booth and tries, and hits my butt, Adair told WKTV . And I was just in shock. I never had something like that happen to me. She immediately informed her manager, who told the man to leave. "It made me feel embarrassed, it was degrading, it made me feel...it made me feel like I did something wrong and I know I didn't do anything wrong," Adair further mused, adding that nothing like this has happened in the five years she's worked at Denny's of Rome. KFC SUED BY MAINE MAN CLAIMING HE FOUND BONE IN CHICKEN POT PIE The alleged assault was caught on CCTV, and authorities were able to identify Locke shortly afterwards. He was arrested later that day around 1:30 p.m., Syracuse.com reports. "So many women go through this and it is not fair. I did nothing wrong and I did not deserve that, Adair said. Locke was charged with forcible touching, a Class A misdemeanor punishable with up to a year in jail or three years probation. Upon conviction, the violation does not require a person to register as a sex offender, unless the victim is younger than 18 or it is not the attackers first sex-related conviction, WKTV reports. Locke was later released on an appearance ticket for City Court. "Working women are sick and tired of being subjected to this kind of abuse," Oneida County District Attorney Scott McNamara told the outlet. "Why someone would think that they could touch these people like that defies logic." FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK FOR MORE FOX LIFESTYLE NEWS If you plan to visit Berkeley, Calif., anytime soon, take heed: The city saw a record number of sexually transmitted infections last year. In fact, provisional data from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) shows the entire state of California saw an all-time high number of STIs in 2017, and recorded a 45 percent increase in chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis over the past five years, the Daily Californian reported. In Berkeley, the rise mostly affected college-aged people, with 898 cases of chlamydia, 367 cases of gonorrhea and 33 cases of syphilis being the most of those three types of STIs in the city since 2013, according to the CDPH. Heidi Bauer, chief of the CDPH's STD Control Branch, noted that the provisional data was released because we felt strongly that it told an important story. Bauer told the Daily Californian that sexually active people should be tested frequently for STIs because the infections often dont produce symptoms. "People are not aware that they need to be tested on a regular basis. A lot of people think theyre going to have a symptom which is only true some of the time, Bauer told the paper. Most of these infections dont cause any symptoms and are readily transmitted through oral sex a lot of people dont use condoms for oral sex. California passed a measure in 2015 making sexual health education classes in public schools mandatory as part of efforts to curb the number of STIs, the paper reported. A number of factors have been suggested as possible causes for the rise in STIs, such as expanded social networks because of the Internet, a reduction in sex education in schools and a decrease in condom use, Mashable reported. Matthew Prior of the National Coalition of STD Directors told MensHealth.com that doctors may be avoiding talking to their patients about their sexual activity, and fewer disease intervention specialists are checking that infected people receive treatment. In Los Angeles County, health officials are studying how societal factors, such as race and economic status, relate to the states ongoing mission to reduce STIs, the Los Angeles Times reported. Colombia will next week formally join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, making it the only Latin American nation in the alliance, President Juan Manuel Santos said late on Friday. Colombia will join as a "global partner", Santos said, which means it will not necessarily have to take part in military action, and will be fully accredited in Brussels. The 29-nation NATO alliance reached a partnership agreement with Colombia back in May 2017, just after peace was signed with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, an agreement that earned Santos a Nobel Peace Prize. "Colombia benefits a lot from being an active part of the international community, many of the problems we face are increasingly global and need the support and collaboration of other countries for their solution," Santos said in a televised address. Other global partners include Afghanistan, Australia, Iraq, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Mongolia, New Zealand and Pakistan. The partnership with Colombia will cooperate on global security areas like cyber and maritime security, terrorism and links to organized crime, according to NATO's website. The announcement came just hours after the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) approved Colombia as a new member. "Being part of the OECD and NATO improves the image of Colombia and allows us to have much more play on the international stage," Santos said. Search Keywords: Short link: A service dog unexpectedly went into labor shortly before she and her two owners were slated to board a flight at the Tampa International on Friday. The 2-year-old yellow lab, Eleanor Elle Rigby, (named after The Beatles song of the same name), gave birth to eight puppies -- seven males and one female, according to the Tampa Fire Rescue. The puppies father, a yellow lab named Nugget who is also a service dog, was also at the airport at the time of the birth. Personnel with the Tampa Fire Rescue, which documented the birth on Twitter, helped Elle to deliver her puppies. An airport spokesperson told Fox 35 that a woman and her daughter were flying from Tampa to Philadelphia. They were aware that Ellie was pregnant, but didn't realize how far along she was. Due to the unexpected birth, the woman and her daughter missed their flight. They now plan to drive from Tampa to Philadelphia -- roughly 1,000 miles -- with their 10 dogs, the Miami Herald reported. NEW You can now listen to Fox News articles! At first, when I looked at the photo, I couldnt believe I was looking at the same person. Victor was holding his drivers license next to his face, but he didnt look anything like the man pictured on the card. The face staring at me from the license was visibly plump, with heavy jowls and eyes that squinted through chubby cheeks. The Victor holding the card looked markedly thinner: his eyes were sunken, his cheekbones protruded out of his face, and his skin stretched tight against his brow. Hunger had completely altered his appearance in a matter of months. One word etched at the bottom of the card told Victors entire story: VENEZOLANO Venezuelan. Last weekends controversial presidential election in Venezuela has reminded Americans of an economic and humanitarian crisis we have ignored for far too long. If we are honest with ourselves, we might not be able to ignore it much longer. Since global oil prices took a plunge in 2014, the Venezuelan economy has been in a freefall. For decades, the countrys vast oil reserves the largest in the world masked the weak economic state of the country and the destructive reality of socialism. Now, Venezuela stands on the brink of a catastrophe on par with the worlds worst refugee crisis and its unfolding in our backyard. In the past two years, nearly 1 million Venezuelans have fled to surrounding countries, putting pressure on economies in the region. They live in crowded shelters and peddle to buy food and medicine for themselves and relatives back home. But the fate of refugees is arguably better than those who remain behind. Those still inside Venezuela live in a desperate state. Evidence of this is how getting pregnant in Venezuela has turned into a curse. In 2016, the infant mortality rate rose 30 percent, while maternal mortality spiked by 65 percent. Baby formula is so scarce that its not even available in hospitals and can only be bought at exorbitant prices on the black market. In moments of desperation, women have turned to sterilization out of fear of getting pregnant and not having enough food to sustain themselves or a child. At home, the situation doesnt get any better. A recent survey conducted by three Venezuelan universities revealed 80 percent of homes in Venezuela are food insecure. Two in three Venezuelans report having lost 20 pounds or more in the past year. In fact, food insecurity at home is so bad, it has driven boys to run away and join bands of scavengers that fight over territorial control for collecting and selling recyclables. Hunger is driving Venezuelans to extremes. Our contacts in the area have shared stories and pictures with us (like the one mentioned above) of emaciated families and babies. In one village in particular, a mob broke into a farmers field and killed and ate his cattle on the spot. Sadly, amidst this unspeakable suffering, the Venezuelan government has closed the doors to international aid. Even more alarming, there are reports that political parties manipulated peoples hunger to influence the presidential election. World Help has managed to strategically work with internal partners and churches in the area to provide food to families in need. I honestly cannot share more information on how we distribute food and aid in Venezuela without putting our partners in danger but I can tell you we do it in small amounts, and that our partners are literally risking their lives to help people desperate for a meal. As the worlds attention returns to Venezuela this week, we must take this opportunity to remind ourselves we cannot keep ignoring this crisis. Millions continue to suffer with every day that passes. And while we might not be able to fix all of Venezuelas problems, we can at least do our part to raise awareness and reach as many people as possible with aid and hope. NEW You can now listen to Fox News articles! A surprise meeting Saturday between North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un and South Korean President Moon Jae-in shows the two are working hard to resurrect a much more important summit between Kim and President Trump, just two days after the U.S. president cancelled it. The Trump-Kim summit, designed to discuss U.S. demands that North Korea get rid of its nuclear weapons and agree not to build new ones, had been scheduled for June 12 in Singapore. However, President Trump cancelled the historic meeting the first ever by an American president and a North Korean leader. He wrote in a letter to Kim Thursday that the meeting would be inappropriate following North Korean expressions of tremendous anger and open hostility to the United States. But after the North responded with a conciliatory statement free of its usual anti-American insults and saber-rattling that it hoped talks could still be held, President Trump tweeted Friday night: "We are having very productive talks with North Korea about reinstating the Summit which, if it does happen, will likely remain in Singapore on the same date, June 12th., and, if necessary, will be extended beyond that date." Will there be a summit between President Trump and Kim? It all depends on Kim. All the photo-ops, hugs and warm gestures in the world arent going to solve the North Korea crisis. Kim needs to show he is serious about moving toward denuclearization. What nearly brought the U.S. and North Korea to the brink of war last year on multiple occasions was Kims growing nuclear weapons arsenal, coupled with the Norths long-range missiles that could carry the nukes to the U.S. homeland potentially killing millions of Americans. Our allies South Korea and Japan would be far easier targets for a horrific nuclear attack by neighboring North Korea. Preventing North Korea from starting a nuclear war that could be the most devastating conflict in human history must be the urgent focus of the international community. We need to look at the North with cold-eyed realism. Even though Kim is not detonating nuclear warheads or flinging missiles over Japan now to test his military capabilities as he did last year North Korean scientists are continuing work in their labs to strengthen and expand the Norths atomic arsenal. Each minute that passes is another minute Kim can build more weapons of mass destruction by some estimates, one new nuclear weapon every month using technology the North has already has, without the need for further nuclear tests. While the whole world is obsessed with summits, the Trump administration needs to focus on only one thing: Will Kim Jong Un give up his nuclear weapons in a way that is realistic and verifiable, offering a plan that is actionable? If the answer is yes, then President Trump and Kim should meet. If not, there is simply no point in legitimizing a dictator whose family has caused the deaths of millions of North Koreans. Holding a Trump-Kim summit just for the sake of holding the summit makes no sense if it wont result in progress toward North Korean denuclearization. But how can both sides bridge what seems to be an insurmountable gap? Kim at least up until now is only willing to offer an aspirational pledge to denuclearize, afraid that unilaterally giving up his nuclear weapons will leave him exposed to regime change in the future. The Trump administration, it seems, is looking for something concrete, with a clear end date for a non-nuclear North Korea, including tough verification measures. My advice, as I offered on The Ingraham Angle on Fox News Thursday, is a simple step-by-step approach, where both sides would give a little in a reciprocal fashion to build trust and end the standoff. This step-by-step approach seems to have been hinted at in various formats by U.S. State Department officials and even by President Trump in several interviews. The plan would work like this: Following a concreate pledge to denuclearize, North Korea would give up one or two nuclear weapons in rapid fashion. Once these weapons come under some sort of international control and are verified for their authenticity, the United States and its allies perhaps working with the United Nations Security Council would remove a small portion of the economic sanctions that have badly damaged North Koreas economy. Next, North Korea would surrender several long-range missiles. This could include one or two intercontinental ballistic missiles or if the North was wary of going that far perhaps five medium- or intermediate-range missiles. The missiles would be placed under international control and verified. Then more sanctions would be lifted. Such a process could go on for months and even a little longer, building trust and ensuring that North Korea keeps its word. It could also be expanded to include Kims chemical and biological weapons programs. The step-by-step plan would include clear benchmarks for both sides and what each side gives and takes. It could even include incentives for a much more rapid denuclearization, along with a clear start and end date that must be honored. Such a plan could also be terminated quickly if things were to sour or if we discover that North Korea is trying, once again, to cheat on any deal. If Pyongyang tried to wiggle its way out of such an agreement, tried to stall, or did anything that went against the agreement it could be stopped immediately. The U.S. and our allies would then reimpose the maximum pressure campaign and ensure Kim is contained, trapped in isolation until he decides he is serious about abandoning its nukes. The result, thanks to such a step-by-step approach, would be a world free of Kims nuclear weapons and all missiles that could leave his territory. This would also make it impossible for North Korea to build any such weapons in the future through a tough, ongoing verification process. This would need to be accomplished by January 20, 2021 the end of President Trumps first term. Of course, there would criticism of such a plan. Some would argue that this is just an Iran-style deal and not tough enough because it fails to make North Korea surrender all it nuclear weapons upfront. I would love to see Pyongyang accept unilateral nuclear disarmament, as Libya did. But considering North Koreas own statements over anything like the so-called Libya-model, I think it seems clear this simply wont happen. Having studied North Korea for over a decade, I can tell you that if President Trump insists on such a deal, he will only make Kim dig in his heels. Kim will see the Libya model as surrender that could lead to him being ousted from power and killed. So there is virtually zero chance that he will agree to this. The only process that will work is one in which both sides are making concessions nearly at the same time, allowing everyone to save face, with no one side looking like it is appeasing the other. But none of this will happen unless North Korea is willing to come to the negotiating table in good faith and history shows that has never been the case. Now is the time for the Trump administration to test Kims intentions and find out once and for all if he is willing to make history and put the interests of his impoverished and long-suffering people above his own desire to use nuclear weapons inflate his ego and stay in power. NEW You can now listen to Fox News articles! Following the most recent school mass shooting this time in Santa Fe, Texas, where 10 students and teachers were killed and 10 were wounded Friday family members, friends and investigators find themselves searching for illusive answers. Why did this happen? How do you make sense of such a senseless tragedy? Texas Gov. Greg Abbott pointed out that unlike other recent mass shootings, there were not those types of warning signs. The red-flag warnings were either nonexistent or very imperceptible. The accused shooters parents said the media reports of the shooting seemed incompatible with the boy (they) love, and the 17-year-old boys best friend said he was one of the most responsible people I knew. He didn't drink or do drugs, to my knowledge he was academically proactive, making all A's. Given the profile that is emerging, investigators have not yet identified the motive for the shooting. I, however, know precisely why this latest killer did what he did. And I also know what will motivate the next killer to act in a similar way. Many years ago, as I began investigating high-profile murders in Los Angeles County, I carefully chronicled the motives for every homicide that occurred in our region. You might think there are a million reasons why someone would commit a murder, but there are only three possibilities. At least one of these three motives is the driving force behind every homicide, theft, burglary and robbery. In fact, these three motives lie at the heart of every conceivable crime or misdeed. Human misbehavior is motivated by: financial greed, sexual or relational lust, and the pursuit of power. You might be wondering if there is a fourth category. There isnt. What about jealousy? What about anger? Ask yourself the question: What is causing the jealousy or anger? There are only three answers to this question, and now you know them. The notorious gang, MS-13, inadvertently confirmed these three motives when leaders chose the motto for their criminal organization: Kill, Steal, Rape, Control. All murders (kill) are motivated by financial greed (steal), sexual lust (rape) or the pursuit of power (control). Sometimes only one of these motives is the driving force behind a crime. Sometimes two or more are involved. The latest school shooting is a good example. While there doesnt appear to be any financial motive, the killer does appear to have been driven by the other two motivations Ive described: Sexual Lust A 16-year-old girl killed in the Santa Fe shooting, Shana Fischer, was apparently pursued by the accused killer in the days and weeks prior to the shooting. Her mother said the accused shooter kept making advances on her and she repeatedly told him no. According to Shanas father, she told her mother two weeks ago he was going to come and kill her. The Pursuit of Power This form of motivation can be very nuanced and includes ones sense of respect, authority, embarrassment, prestige or control. For example, as the accused killer became more aggressive in his advances toward Shana (approximately one week prior to the shooting), Shana eventually stood up to him and embarrassed him in class. In addition, several news organization have reported that the accused shooter was bullied and mistreated at school. Episodes of perceived disrespect and embarrassment are often the motive for murder. This would also explain why some of the accused killers friends said that he recently started wearing a trench coat and telling students he was buying knives off Amazon. The accused shooter incrementally sought the respect (and fear) of others, a classic example of the pursuit of power. During the attack, the killer even selectively spared students he liked so he could have his story told. This effort to elevate his fame and prestige after the fact is consistent with the motive Ive described. Since only three motives lie behind school shootings like the ones weve seen recently, I sadly expect to see more shootings in the future. Unless we, as a nation, are willing to embrace and promote a worldview that helps us understand the proper role of money and financial stewardship, promotes sexual purity and restraint, and helps us place the needs of others ahead of our own desires, we can expect more of the same. Those restorative values may sound familiar to you; they used to be part of our collective heritage and our common worldview. They are also our last and greatest hope if we ever expect to minimize and contain the only three reasons anyone commits a crime. President Trump kept the diplomacy door open with North Korea on Friday, welcoming the regime's latest productive statement and saying the two sides are still talking following the administrations decision to cancel a planned summit with Kim Jong Un. In a tweet on Friday night, the president said talks about reinstating a June summit that was canceled earlier this week were progressing: "We are having very productive talks with North Korea about reinstating the Summit which, if it does happen, will likely remain in Singapore on the same date, June 12th., and, if necessary, will be extended beyond that date." Trump had nixed the summit following threats from North Korea. But hours after the U.S. pulled out of the meeting, North Korea issued a statement suggesting the regime was open to talks. Very good news to receive the warm and productive statement from North Korea. We will soon see where it will lead, hopefully to long and enduring prosperity and peace. Only time (and talent) will tell! Trump tweeted on Friday morning. He also told reporters that were talking to them now, adding, It could even be the 12th. They very much want to do it, we want to do it, well see what happens, Trump said. Everybody plays games. A top North Korean official had issued a statement Thursday evening expressing the regimes willingness to sit down for a summit with the U.S. We express our willingness to sit down face-to-face with the U.S. and resolve issues anytime and in any format, North Korean Vice Foreign Minister Kim Kye-gwan said, according to Yonhap News outlet, which cited the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA.) The official also said that Trumps move to call off the summit highlighted the tensions between the two countries, further emphasizing the need for a meeting. The official added that Kim had been preparing for the summit. Despite all of this, the U.S. unilateral decision to scrap the talks causes us to reconsider whether all of the efforts and the path we have taken is really the right one or not, the official said, according to Yonhap. Our commitment to doing our best for the sake of peace and stability for the world and the Korean Peninsula remains unchanged, and we are open-minded in giving time and opportunity to the U.S. But on Friday, with the door left open for potential U.S.-North Korea talks, Trump suggested it was the Democrats who were against negotiations with the rogue regime. Democrats are so obviously rooting against us in our negotiations with North Korea. Just like they are coming to the defense of MS 13 thugs, saying that they are individuals & must be nurtured, or asking to end your big Tax Cuts & raise your taxes instead. Dems have lost touch! Trump tweeted Friday. Following Trumps letter to Kim on Thursday suggesting to hold the meeting would have been inappropriate, House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., blasted the president, suggesting Kim had won. Pelosi described the letter from Trump to Kim as a Valentine. Hes the big winner and when he got this letter from the president saying okay nevermind, he must be having a giggle fit, right now, in North Korea, Pelosi said on Capitol Hill Thursday. Also on Friday, the president tweeted about the reported FBI informant who had communicated with members of his campaign in 2016. The Democrats are now alluding to the concept that having an informant placed in an opposing partys campaign is different than having a Spy, as illegal as that may be. But what about an informant who is paid a fortune and who sets up way earlier than the Russia Hoax? Trump tweeted. Moments later he added: Can anyone even imagine having Spies placed in a competing campaign, by the people and party in absolute power, for the sole purpose of political advantage and gain? And to think that the party in question, even with the expenditure of far more money, LOST! After a high-level Justice Department briefing held Thursday on the Russia case, Democratic lawmakers maintained there was no evidence to support claims of a spy in the Trump campaign. Fox News' Liz Zwirz contributed to this report. Maryland Democrats were shocked in 2014 that Republican Larry Hogan had won the governorship in their deep-blue state and have since been determined to deny him a second term. But the notably-resilient Hogan is running strong in 2018 -- leading by double-digits against his closest Democrat challengers and amassing a war chest bigger than the combined total of the entire Democratic primary field. The Hogan reelection campaign this week announced raising $1.2 million from April 10 to May 15 and having roughly $9 million in cash -- more than twice the total of his seven major Democratic challengers. Even Hogan admitted that he pulled off a nearly impossible win four years ago -- becoming only the second Republican governor in the state in nearly five decades. And a Hogan win in November would mark the first time since 1954 and only the second time in Maryland history that a Republican was reelected governor. Maryland Democrats seemed ready in 2014 to extent their dominance in state-wide politics, with White House-seeking Gov. Martin OMalley poised to hand off the governorship to Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown. But voters thought differently. Weary of increasing taxes and fees under OMalley and uninspired by Browns campaign, they elected the pro-business Hogan. OMalleys political ambitions coupled with Marylands economic environment really did create an opening for Hogan, Todd Eberly, a St. Marys College of Maryland politics professor, told Fox News on Wednesday. Hogans message was Maryland is business-friendly. And he made clear that the state had to dial back some regulations. Shortly after Hogans upset win, Democrats began lining up to defeat him. And they seem to have become more energized along the way by the liberal opposition to President Trump. Even before the official 2018 election cycle started, Maryland Democrats had a full slate of high-profile and experienced candidates -- including former NAACP leader Ben Jealous and Rushern Baker, the former county executive for Prince Georges County, one of the states biggest Democratic voting blocs. However, Hogan now leads all seven Democratic candidates by double digits in essentially every poll. And he will have much of his $9 million in cash for the general election, considering he has no primary challenger. Voters and political experts like Eberly argue that such a large field of Democrats -- swept into the race by the favorable political climate -- has handicapped the partys chances of defeating Hogan. However, they expect the governors lead will narrow after states June 26 primary. The race will tighten when Democrats pick their nominee, Lou Jacobson, who handicaps gubernatorial races for Governing magazine, said Wednesday. As the race sharpens, Democrats will come home. Hogan is certainly in good shape, especially in Maryland. But its going to be a close contest. Among the underlying indicators, Jacobson argues, are the polls high percentages of undecided voters and Hogan yet to cross the 50 percent threshold with likely voters, despite having a plus-60-percent approval rating. That means they might like what hes doing, but theyre not necessarily going to vote for him, Jacobson said. Polls show Hogan with at least a 13-point advantage over Baker. He is followed in the primary polls by Jealous, state Sen. Rich Madaleno, former Obama White House official Krishanti Vignarajah, lawyer Jim Shea and tech entrepreneur Alec Ross. Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz was in second place until he died on May 10 of heart attack. His campaign has since been taken over by running-mate Valerie Ervin. Jealous emerged as an early favorite, in large part because of his national name recognition and an endorsement from Vermont Sen. Bernie Sander. Yet, Baker has in numerous candidate forums so far shown himself as an experienced legislator. A win would make Baker the states first black governor. Reported fundraising totals released this week show Shea having raised nearly $700,000 over the past three months, with $1.4 million in cash. Hes followed by Jealous, who raised about $1 million, much of that from outside the state, and with about $660,000 in available cash. Baker, third in fundraising, reportedly took in just $543,000, with $577,000 cash on hand. Jacobson and Eberly attribute Hogans favorable position headed into the general election largely to him governed like the moderate he vowed to be -- focusing on the economy, avoiding divisive social issues like abortion and gay marriage and swiftly addressing the states opioid crisis. Hogans has also worked well with the Democrat-controlled legislature. Hes different in both style and substance from what voters see in Washington with its partisan infighting and gridlock, campaign manager Jim Barnett said Friday. Hogan has also continued to distance himself from President Trump, whose 2016 presidential campaign he did not support, though Democrats repeatedly try to tie Hogan to the president, who remains unpopular in liberal-leaning states. Earlier this week, they seized upon state Republican party Chairman and Hogan campaign legal adviser, Dirk Haire, saying that Trump has been successful in his roughly first 14 months in office. The only thing Donald Trump has done for Maryland is raise health insurance premiums and increase taxes for middle class families, said state Democratic Party Chairwoman Kathleen Matthews. Maryland voters now know that Governor Hogan will defend and enable Donald Trumps destructive policies, if elected to a second term. Maryland Democratic Party spokesman Fabion Seaton said Saturday that the group has been organizing in Maryland for more than a year. When Kathleen Matthews became chair of the party, she made clear there would be no more off-election years in Maryland, he said. Seaton also touted a grassroots operation that he says has contacted more than 100,000 potential voters and has reached beyond the historically Democratic strongholds of Baltimore City and Montgomery and Prince Georges County to include parts of western Maryland. Its unprecedented, way beyond the point youd expect by now, he said. Were competing in every single county. The 62-year-old Hogan has shown incredible resilience in the face of challenge -- having been diagnosed in 2015 with cancer that is now in remission. However, hell have to overcome several other hurdles to win reelection -- including some daunting math. Democrats have a 2-to-1 advantage over Republicans in registered voters in Maryland. In addition, the GOP hasnt controlled the General Assembly since the early 1900s and the states last Republican senator was elected in 1970. Hogan could also be at the mercy of the national electorate, which has the potential to create a wave election that could give Democrats control of the U.S. House, a handful of state legislatures across the country and the Maryland governorship. I feel like were well positioned, but were still working hard. You cant count your chickens before they hatch in a state like Maryland and in a year like this, Barnett also said. Republicans control of 33 governorships and roughly two-thirds of state legislatures. The person Hogan really has to beat is Trump, Eberly said. If its a referendum on Hogan, he wins. If its a referendum on Trump, he a one-timer. Shakespeare may have been onto something when penning A Midsummer Nights Dream. In the play, the kingdom ruled by Titania and Oberon is collapsing because of their internal scrums and bickering. In fact, the kingdom is a wreck because of their governance. Flowers are sprouting in the middle of the winter. Snow falls in the summertime. Everything is topsy turvy. In the final lines of the play, Puck apologizes to the audience. Perhaps the play wasnt up to standards. Gentles, do not reprehend; if you pardon, we will mend, Puck tells the audience. Puck promises better fare for the next performance. But Puck also gives himself and the players an out. Puck suggests that everything the audience witnessed may not even be real. It may have just been a dream. Such is the case for House Speaker Paul Ryan and GOPers these days. A plan to approve a partisan, farm bill and food assistance measure imploded late last week over immigration. Thats because disparate wings of the House Republican Conference are at odds with the GOP leaders over how to handle immigration and DACA policy. The decision by key members of the conservative House Freedom Caucus to oppose the farm bill helped dispatch that measure to defeat. Meantime, moderate Republicans are within striking distance of executing a rare, parliamentary end-run that will spur an automatic debate on four different immigration and DACA bills in June or July. The contretemps spurred chatter among some Republicans that Ryans retirement was the issue. A few argued that maybe theyre better without the Wisconsin Republican and could push for a mid-Congress leadership election. Ryans a lame duck, retiring in January. Its unclear if the GOP will even retain the House. If the GOP anoints someone new, theres clarity as to whos in charge. Is it Ryan? Is it House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif.? Is it House Majority Whip Steve Scalise, R-La., or someone else? This is filtering around for a variety of reasons, said one Republican source familiar with the talk. Another senior House Republican indicated that the farm bill failure lit the fuse to switch leadership at the top in mid-stream. Democrats and Republicans pick their individual speaker candidates in late November. A vote for speaker is usually held on the floor every other January 3, the start of each new Congress. In other words, everything is topsy turvy. Snow in summer. Flowers blooming in winter. The debate about the farm bill, really wasnt about the farm bill. It was about immigration. A Shakespearean play within a play. Maybe the internal squabbles forced leaders to lose control of their kingdom. All they need now is for Ryan and others to steal a line from Puck and apologize to the audience, vowing to get it together before the next run. Or, maybe things arent that screwed up in the first place. Perhaps, a Puck implies, its all just an illusion. A dream. In truth, is the pandemonium enveloping Ryan really that different from the tumult faced by House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, before he retired in October, 2015? During his time clasping the speakers gavel, Boehner scrapped with rank-and-file Republicans over immigration. Theres a big battle over immigration now. Boehner presided over a failed farm bill in June, 2013. Ryan can now add a similar ignominy to his resume. Lets be clear: Theres no one who can command the votes for the speakership right now besides Ryan. McCarthy even tamped down rumors he was trying to engineer a palace coup. Completely untrue, he said. Paul has my total support. Freedom Caucus Chairman Rep. Mark Meadows, R-N.C., defended Ryan. There are no barnacles on the speakers boat, he said. He will be speaker until November. But the concept of triggering a speakers vote over the summer actually carries consequences for Democrats. Thats why the maneuver is intriguing to some Republicans. Republicans have appropriated House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., as a foil since the historic 2010 midterm election, which flipped the House to the GOP and cost Pelosi her speakership. A unique byproduct of calling a vote for speaker now forces Democrats to vote on the record, for or against her. Democrats must win seats on GOP turf this fall if they are to have a chance at winning control of the House. Pelosi isnt popular in congressional districts in which moderate and conservative Democrats are vying for office. Republicans would naturally ensure that any speaker vote on the House floor in Washington trickles into those campaigns. Sixty-three Democrats voted for Rep. Tim Ryan, R-Ohio, over Pelosi in their internal leadership contest last fall. But Democrats dismissed the potential GOP gambit to get Democrats on the record again as voting for Pelosi just before the midterm election. Multiple Democrats noted that a mid-Congress speaker vote is a different animal than a vote for speaker at the beginning of a Congress. When Boehner left in October 2015, there was no real challenge to Pelosi when the entire House chose between her and Paul Ryan as his successor. Theyre not going to drive a wedge in our caucus, House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer, D-Md., said of theoretical GOP leadership calisthenics. They ought to stop gotcha politics and ought to focus on substance. But a mid-Congress speaker vote could present another opportunity on the GOP side of the aisle. This is the two bites at the apple theory. A new speaker over the summer would face tests on immigration, the farm bill, federal spending and a border wall. Theres always a restlessness among House Republicans. So if Republicans tapped someone new over the summer and didnt like their performance, they could possibly select someone else in January. However, this is postulatory. Perhaps a dream, as Puck suggests in the play. Republicans squelched any conjecture about GOP leadership for now. But two weeks in late June could metamorphose abstraction into reality. House Republicans have etched in stone a June 22 re-vote on the failed farm bill. Remember that the bill didnt fail because of agriculture policy. It sswent up in flames over immigration. Key members of the Freedom Caucus yanked their support for the farm bill in an effort to force the House Republican brass to concoct a conservative agreement on immigration. Thats why House Republican leaders have worked so feverishly behind the scenes to bridge the gap between moderates and conservatives. We are making progress. How it ends, I dont know, said Rep. Carlos Curbelo, R-Fla., a moderate, as he left a meeting with GOP leaders. Its important to have a fairly specific agreement by the end of the week. And, its the end of the week, and so far, no deal. In essence, the Freedom Caucus has taken a hostage: the farm bill. If theres no compact on immigration before June 22, the roughly 35-member group will shoot the hostage and the farm bill will never return to the House floor this year. June 25 is the next problem. A coalition of 213 moderate Republicans and most Democrats have signed whats called a discharge petition to go against the wishes of House Republican leaders and force a debate on a series of immigration and DACA bills. A discharge petition is a rarely successful parliamentary gambit that can plonk bills onto the floor if the entreaty secures 218 signatures. The House calendar is arranged in such a way that June 25 is the next available date to consider a discharge petition -- provided its advocates score the signatures by June 11. GOP leaders want to avoid a messy, divisive debate on immigration. Theres a chance that the House could approve one of the immigration/DACA bills with just the right mixture of Democrats and Republicans. You want a Doomsday scenario for Ryan? Try a second failed farm bill, coupled with an embarrassing failure to maintain control of the House floor with the discharge petition and perhaps the passage of a controversial immigration plan -- favored mostly by Democrats. That turn of events would be apocalyptic. It could breathe life into the idea of early leadership battles as the kingdom devolves into chaos, ala the play in A Midsummer Nights Dream. Maybe none of this internecine Republican conflict is real. It may just appear that way. Especially if Republicans find a path to quash the immigration rebellion on the discharge petition and pass the farm bill. This conference has always had its ups and downs. The speaker will continue to move us forward as a team, said Ryans spokeswoman AshLee Strong. If thats the case, all Republicans will have to do is apologize like Puck. Theyll try spruce things up for the next performance. Private citizen Barack Obama garnered a rock star-like reception this week in one of the areas where he is admired most: the liberal bastion of San Francisco. Arent you all supposed to be at work right now? Obama shouted to oohing and ahhing fans who spotted the former president while he was leaving the offices of Airbnb on Thursday, the San Francisco Chronicle reported. Arent you all supposed to be at work right now? Barack Obama, to crowd gathered in San Francisco A crowd of about 100 people screamed and applauded upon seeing the former commander-in-chief, the newspaper reported. Demarris Evans, an attorney who had happened to be present, called Obamas spontaneous remark hilarious. It just shows why people love him so much, Evans said. Obama had been scheduled for a discussion with Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky. The pair have reportedly been acquainted since 2015, when Chesky was named a Presidential Ambassador for Global Entrepreneurshiop, a company statement read. Prior to this week, one of Obama's most recent Bay Area appearances occurred in 2016, when he spoke at the seventh annual Global Entrepreneurship Summit at Stanford Universitys Memorial Auditorium, the Chronicle reported. Obama was next scheduled to travel to Seattle to headline a reception for Washington state Gov. Jay Inslee and attend a Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee event. President Trump on Saturday called on Democrats to end a horrible law that he says separates children from their parents when they cross the border -- and also accused them of protecting MS-13 thugs. Put pressure on the Democrats to end the horrible law that separates children from there [sic] parents once they cross the Border into the U.S. he tweeted. Trump made the remarks amid a pushback from Democrats and activists at a zero tolerance policy enforced by the Justice Department. That policy refers all illegal border crossings for prosecution, including illegal immigrants with children. Those parents are housed at adult detention centers, and consequently their children are separated from them, registered as unaccompanied minors and handed to the Department of Health and Human Services. Trump has blamed Democrats for the separation of children from their parents before. Last week he told Homeland Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen that the breaking up of families occurred because of bad laws that the Democrats gave us. The Associated Press reported that he appeared to be referring to a 2008 law to combat child trafficking -- a bipartisan law authored by Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., but signed into law by Republican President George W. Bush. While the law says nothing about separating families, it does say that children travelling alone from countries other than Mexico and Canada must be released in the least restrictive setting -- namely a family or shelter. The Justice Departments zero-tolerance policy, designed to deter prospective illegal immigrants, means that illegal immigrants are no longer released with their children into the U.S. and consequently that their children are separated from them. If you cross the border unlawfully, then we will prosecute you. Its that simple, Sessions said earlier this month. If you are smuggling a child, then we will prosecute you. And that child may be separated from you, as required by law. SESSIONS SAYS ALL ILLEGAL BORDER CROSSERS WILL BE PROSECUTED; CHILDREN MAY BE SEPARATED FROM PARENTS But Trump called on Democratic lawmakers to end the practice, apparently as part of a deal that includes the ending of so-called catch and release whereby illegal immigrants are released into America while they wait for their court hearing. He also said that the diversity lottery visa and so-called chain migration -- where immigrants can sponsor family members for visas -- must end. Catch and Release, Lottery and Chain must also go with it and we MUST continue building the WALL! he tweeted. He also returned to accusing Democrats of protecting MS-13 gang members. He has said repeatedly that their opposition to strong border policies, as well as the promotion of sanctuary policies in states like California and New York, mean criminal gang members get released back into communities. Democrats are protecting MS-13 thugs, he tweeted. Trump was criticized by Democrats for describing MS-13 members as animals. This week he accused Democrats of trying to defend them, noting that he was criticized for his remarks by Democratic leaders Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-NY. Fox News' Samuel Chamberlain and The Associated Press contributed to this report. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un are in Singapore where they will meet one-on-one for a historic summit Tuesday. After some back-and-forth on whether the meeting would actually happen, the two leaders arrived in Singapore on Sunday. They are scheduled to meet at 9 a.m. local time (9 p.m. ET Monday) with only translators present, according to the White House. The meeting will later expand to include other officials, such as Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, chief of staff John Kelly and national security adviser John Bolton. SEE KIM JONG UN'S BIZARRE NORTH KOREA PROPAGANDA PHOTOS The summit will be the first-ever meeting between a sitting U.S. president and a North Korean leader. Its important because of the potential opening it has; there is potential diplomatic progress, former Vice Adm. Robert B. Murrett, a professor of practice, public administration and international affairs at Syracuse University, told Fox News. This is something we havent been able to do for many years, said Murrett, who also serves as deputy director of the Institute for National Security and Counterterrorism at the college, specializes in national security, international relations, military and defense strategy. Why is this meeting significant? Aside from the potential diplomatic benefits between the U.S. and North Korea, the summit could benefit other countries. It not just about the United States, he said, explaining that the meeting could have also been a win for our partners in the east, such as South Korea and Japan, but also areas in the South Pacific region such as Australia. He added, "These talks have the ability to reduce security tensions in East Asia and present an opportunity for the U.S. to reinforce the strong links with South Korea, Japan and even China." TRUMP CANCELING NORTH KOREA SUMMIT DECRIED BY SOME LAWMAKERS, PRAISED AS 'RIGHT CALL' BY OTHERS What topics are Kim and Trump expected to discuss? Denuclearization will be at the fore, Murrett said. North Koreas nuclear weapons and ability to deliver them at long distances should be central, said Murrett, who added that recent talks between North and South Korea would suggest that it would remain a core issue. But Murrett also expected discussion of the Hermit Kingdom's role in the global economy. Despite various sanctions placed on the country, North Koreas economy grew by 3.9 percent in 2016. But Murrett said diplomatic talks represent the prospect of North Korea rejoining the family of the Asians if only from an economic standpoint, potentially opening the door for the country to trade with more than just China. It would be in the interest of the people of North Korea, Murrett added. Does Trump deserve credit for the summit? In short: Yes, in part. While Trump deserves credit for agreeing to meet with Kim, his decision to do so was likely sparked by the window of opportunity that has existed because of ongoing pressure on North Korea to better its relations with surrounding countries and beyond, Murrett said. South Korean President Moon Jae-in also deserves a fair amount of credit, he said, citing the recent summit between the two Koreas and the display of unity at the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang as one of several steps toward unification in some fashion or another. Trump is one of many important players, said Murrett, noting that Chinese President Xi Jinping and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe were also key players. Abe met with Trump at Mar-a-Lago in April, where the two affirmed their strong determination to strengthen our shared resolve on North Korea, and increase the capability of the U.S.-Japan Alliance to confront all emerging threats to peace, stability, and an international order based on the rule of law, the White House said at the time. And President Xi and Kim secretly met in May in China, Chinese state television announced after the North Korean leader had already left the country. "[The leaders] had an all-around and in-depth exchange of views on China-[North Korea] relations and major issues of common concern," the Chinese news agency reported, while Kim was quoted saying that he hopes to build mutual trust with the U.S. through dialogue. Fox News' Serafin Gomez, Kathleen Joyce, Katherine Lam, Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Zoe Szathmary, Elizabeth Zwirz and The Associated Press contributed to this report. Pakistan plans to hold general elections on July 25, a presidential spokesman said Saturday, enabling what would be only the second ever democratic transfer of power in the nuclear-armed country. "The president has approved July 25 as the date for holding general elections in the country," a spokesman from Mamnoon Hussain's office told AFP. The date was also confirmed by the government of Pakistan's Twitter account and was also reported by state media outlets. Search Keywords: Short link: The White House said Saturday that a pre-advance team is heading to Singapore in case a much-anticipated summit between President Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un goes ahead -- the latest sign that the meet-up could be back on despite its cancellation by Trump earlier this week. The White House pre-advance team for Singapore will leave as scheduled in order to prepare should the summit take place, White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders told reporters. President Trump wrote to the North Korean dictator on Thursday, saying the June 12 summit was being nixed after comments by a North Korean official that had threatened nuclear war. Based on the tremendous anger and open hostility displayed in your most recent statement, I feel it is inappropriate, at this time, to have this long-planned meeting, Trump wrote in his letter to Kim. Therefore, please let this letter serve to represent that the Singapore summit, for the good of both parties, but to the detriment of the world, will not take place. He called the imploded summit a sad moment in history. You talk about your nuclear capabilities, but ours are so massive and powerful that I pray to God they will never have to be used, Trump wrote to Kim. If you change your mind having to do with this most important summit, please do not hesitate to call me or write. The world, and North Korea in particular, has lost a great opportunity for lasting peace and great prosperity and wealth. But on Friday night, Trump tweeted that very productive talks about reinstating the summit were underway, and he said that June 12 could still be the date for such a meeting. TRUMP WELCOMES STATEMENT FROM NORTH KOREA, SAYS TALKS TO REINSTATE SUMMIT 'PRODUCTIVE' He also told reporters Friday that everybody plays games and said: They very much want to do it, we want to do it, well see what happens. Trump had also blasted Democrats, saying that they were rooting against the U.S. in its negotiations after House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said Kim was the winner from Trump's decision. The North Koreans had also expressed willingness to sit down face-to-face with the U.S. and resolve issues anytime and in any format, North Korean Vice Foreign Minister Kim Kye-gwan said, according to Yonhap News (which cited the Korean Central News Agency) that Trumps move to call off the summit highlighted the tensions between the two countries, further emphasizing the need for a meeting. The official added that Kim had been preparing for the summit. Fox News Jennifer Bowman and Brooke Singman contributed to this report. The White House is reportedly seeking a briefing on the information that lawmakers received Thursday regarding classified documents related to Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election. Rudy Giuliani, one of Trumps attorneys, told the Associated Press on Friday that the White House hopes to receive a handout of the information next week, specifically in relation to a government informant who reportedly approached members of the Trump campaign in a possible attempt to gather intelligence on Russias efforts to influence the election. Giuliani said that if the alleged spying turns out to have been inappropriate, then we may have an entirely illegitimate investigation, referring to the Mueller probe. "(W)e may have an entirely illegitimate investigation. Rudy Giuliani, attorney for President Donald Trump He then invoked the material compiled by former FBI Director James Comey before he was fired. "Coupled with Comey's illegally leaked memos, this means the whole thing was a mistake and should never have happened," Giuliani said. "We'd urge the Justice Department to re-evaluate, to acknowledge they made a mistake. It's a waste of $20 million of the taxpayers' money. The whole thing is already a waste of money." " ... (T)he whole thing was a mistake and should never have happened. ... It's a waste of $20 million of the taxpayers' money. The whole thing is already a waste of money." Rudy Giuliani, attorney for President Donald Trump President Donald Trumps legal team may take what they learn to the Justice Department in hopes of stymieing the ongoing special counsel probe. Trump has dubbed the reported informant digging around during his presidential campaign as a spy, and said it could be one of the biggest political scandals in history! The president has also made unproven claims of FBI misconduct and political bias. Comey has stood by his decision to share details from one of his memos with a friend in hopes of getting it to the news media, and contends he has done nothing wrong. If Giuliani files any complaints, they would presumably fall on the desk of Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, who appointed Mueller last year following Comeys ousting. Rosenstein was also present for Thursday's briefings. The FBI and Justice Department on Thursday held a pair of high-level briefings for lawmakers in an effort to ease Republican pressure over the Russia investigation, amid Trumps outcry over revelations that a confidential informant made contact with several of his advisers during the 2016 campaign. "What motivated putting him in? What sort of information were they seeking from him? What did they get?" Giuliani asked Friday. "They clearly did not get incriminating information or we'd have found out about it by now. And why did they hide it for so long? There's a big concealment that went on here for over a year since the president said he had been surveilled." "What did they get? They clearly did not get incriminating information or we'd have found out about it by now." Rudy Giuliani, attorney for President Donald Trump So far, 19 people, including Trump's former campaign chairman and former national security adviser, have been charged in Mueller's investigation. Three former Trump aides have pleaded guilty and are cooperating with the investigation. Following the meetings -- which were initially offered to Republicans, but expanded to include an afternoon session for bipartisan members of Congress -- Democrats claimed they saw no evidence to believe that the FBI acted inappropriately. U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., was not in the meetings but, in a radio interview Friday, broke with the president to say a "confidential informant is not a spy," though he cautioned about investigations into campaigns. The presence of a White House lawyer, Emmet Flood, and White House Chief of Staff John Kelly, alarmed Democrats at the briefing over concerns the officials would share information from the meetings for Trumps legal advantage. But Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats said both left as planned before the substantive portion of the meeting began, and "were there to relay the president's desire for as much openness as possible under the law. Giuliani said it would be appropriate for Trump to be briefed on the findings. "He's not the subject or target of that investigation. He should know what is discussed," said Giuliani, a former mayor of New York City and a former federal prosecutor. "Moreover, I assume President Obama knew about it. And if Obama knew about it, why can't Trump?" "(I)f Obama knew about it, why can't Trump?" Rudy Giuliani, attorney for President Donald Trump Giuliani also said the president would wait to decide on whether to sit down for an interview with Mueller until after they have seen a report on the briefings. The White House has yet to provide any evidence to support Trumps claim that President Barack Obama's administration was trying to spy on his 2016 campaign for political reasons and it remained unclear whether any spying took place. House Intelligence Committee Chairman Devin Nunes, R-Calif., an ardent Trump supporter, originally demanded the information on an FBI source in the Russia investigation. Late Sunday, the DOJ asked its watchdog to investigate whether there was inappropriate surveillance. "If anyone did infiltrate or surveil participants in a presidential campaign for inappropriate purposes, we need to know about it and take appropriate action," Rosenstein said in a statement announcing the move. Fox News Alex Pappas, Jake Gibson and the Associated Press contributed to this report. Police on Friday removed a young black bear from a tree outside a home in Hanover, Pennsylvania. Hanover Fire and Rescue officials as well as the York County Game Warden assisted the borough police department in removing the bear, which weighed roughly 100 pounds, according to Fox 43. The police department said on Facebook that the bear roamed around the Hanover neighborhood before climbing and staying in the tree. Once Game Warden Timothy Wenrich with the Pennsylvania Game Commission arrived at the scene, the bear was sedated and safely lowered from the tree once the sedative took effect," the police department wrote. The bear was later released at safe location, the police department said, though did not specify where. The department reminded residents of the unpredictability of all wild animals, noting that it is normal at this time of year for juvenile bears to be forced away from their mother and left to find their own territory. One unruly American Airlines passenger caused quite the scene in the high skies when his request for beer was denied by a flight attendant, leading him to push and threaten to kill his seatmate in an altercation that eventually lead to a brawl between the two men mid-flight. On May 23, flight 1293 from Saint Croix to Miami International Airport took a turn for the worse thirty minutes in. Apparently, a passenger identified as Jason Felix in court documents shared with Fox News by American Airlines was denied a beer by a male flight attendant after the staffer heard Felix making a commotion in the bathroom. DELTA FLIGHT REQUESTS EMERGENCY LANDING DUE TO ILL FLIGHT ATTENDANT Calling the flight attendant a f***t upon returning to his seat, the passenger hit the call button and requested a beer, which the unnamed flight attendant denied. Felix continued calling the crew member a f****t and b****. You could sense that the tension was increasing, so I just decided to use my iPhone in case something were to happen, witness and passenger Bill Bolduc told WSVN. He was asking for more beer and more alcohol. According to the documents, Felix then began to push against his male seatmates legs, trying to get out of his own seat to confront the flight attendant. AER LINGUS PLANE, BEING TOWED BY AIRPORT WORKERS, SMASHES DIRECTLY INTO CONCRETE POLE [He was] hitting the chair, swearing, yelling at other passengers, spitting at people at some point, Bolduc recalls. Escaping to the aisle and continuing to shout, Felix soon turned to his seatmate and said Im gonna kill you while pointing his index and middle fingers in the mans face in a gesture that mimicked a gun. The men began to brawl and another passenger leapt up to intervene before Felix was restrained by flight crew. After the flight landed safely in Miami, Felix was immediately taken into custody by Miami-Dade Police, who turned him over to the FBI. FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK FOR MORE FOX LIFESTYLE NEWS In the wake of the terrifying incident, Bolduc told WSVN that passengers should take comfort in how well the American Airlines flight crew handled the hullabaloo. Calm under pressure. It was very impressive, he said. The situation could have been even worse. We thank our crew of flight 1293 for taking care of our customers after a passenger caused a disruption. We are proud of the work they do every day, a spokesperson for American Airlines told Fox News. Charges have been filed against Felix for violating for interference with flight crew members and attendants and in U.S. District Court in Southern District Florida. A 30-year-old man who earlier this week was told by a judge that he had to vacate his parents New York home was handed a June 1 moving date, according to a court order. Michael Rotondo has to be out of the house, where he reportedly lived free of charge for several years, by noon on that date or risk being forcibly removed by county sheriffs, the order signed by State Supreme Court Justice Donald Greenwood on Thursday said, according to The Associated Press. Rotondo apparently found out about the date from a Syracuse.com reporter, according to the outlet, who said he hadnt received the order yet. NEW YORK MAN, 30, IS ORDERED TO VACATE PARENTS HOME AFTER REFUSING TO LEAVE FOR MONTHS The 30-year-old told the outlet that the ordered date, which is a week away, was really not a lot of time. I really dont understand how thats necessary, he continued. After the judges order to vacate on Tuesday, which Rotondo reportedly dubbed outrageous at the time, he vowed to appeal the decision. He re-emphasized that idea on Friday, telling Syracuse.com that he would try to find a legal way to stay put. He also reportedly said that he would "try to resolve this as civilly as possible." However, he also acknowledged that he needed to start packing my boxes so I can move, Syracuse.com said. But I have to pay for the boxes, which might be a problem, he told the outlet. MAN, 30, EVICTED FROM PARENTS HOME TALKS ABOUT CUSTODY BATTLE FOR SON THAT LED TO STRAINED FAMILY RELATIONSHIP Rotondo's parents reportedly penned a number of letters to their son, starting in early February, telling him he needed to get out of their house. After he reportedly didn't leave, they took him to court. The 30-year-old had asked for at least 30 days to leave, arguing for a full six months during court arguments on Tuesday which the judge called "outrageous." The judge said Rotondo's mother was entitled to remove him right away, but wrote that she requested he be given until June 1 to vacate. Rotondo told Syracuse.com that he was not grateful for those days. Fox News Katherine Lam and The Associated Press contributed to this report. A California woman survived a perilous 700-foot plunge after her car went off a highway in the San Bernardino Mountains on Thursday night. California Highway Patrol Officer Juan Quintero told the San Bernardino County Sun that the unidentified 26-year-old woman crashed around 5:45 p.m. while driving southbound on Highway 18. He said she appeared to have made an intentional left turn off the road. She was able to call for help but couldnt tell dispatch her exact location. Using her cellphone, authorities were able to figure out her approximate whereabouts. San Bernardino County firefighters went down the mountain to rescue the woman, who was taken to a hospital. Battalion Chief Bob Evans said he was amazed that the young woman was doing quite well despite the drop. "I don't know what her prognosis will be, but she has an altered level of consciousness and some back pain, understandably," he said. Evans also told the Sun that finding her in the dense woods was like finding a needle in the haystack, and that once they did locate her, they needed to tie their longest rope (500 feet) to another rope to reach her. The California Highway Patrol is investigating the circumstances of the crash. The Associated Press contributed to this report. One week after police say 17-year-old Dimitrios Pagourtzis opened fire at Santa Fe High School, leaving eight of their schoolmates and two substitute teachers dead, four students are speaking out, calling for gun reform. We should never go to school, church, and movies and fear we wont make it home that night, said Kennedy Rodriguez, an 18-year-old senior at Santa Fe. To amplify their message, on Friday, they joined March for Our Lives Houston, which was launched in the wake of the February massacre in Parkland, Fla. Theyre pushing for stricter background checks, mental health evaluations, and mandatory lock-up of guns. Authorities say Pagourtzis used his fathers .38 caliber pistol and shotgun to carry out the attack. We need to keep guns in check and out of the way of those who can harm others and themselves, said Bree Butler, an 18-year-old senior. We dont want to take away guns. What I mean is common sense solutions-making sure guns dont fall into young childrens hands, locking guns in a safe place, reporting when guns go missing, said Megan McGuire, a 17-year-old junior at the school. But, they say new safety measures have to be about more than just guns. Having a licensed therapistmaybe another armed officer in our school.having doors locked from inside would be nice, said Butler. Despite their push for change, they were quick to distance themselves from the students and community of Parkland. We dont want to be compared because we are not Parklandeven though we are young adults using our voices, we are different, said Rodriguez. This week, Governor Greg Abbott held three days of gun violence prevention discussions. March for Our Lives Houston says theyve also been working with lawmakers on a state bill for gun reform. However, they did not release details as to when the bill will be introduced. Butler acknowledges school safety can be complex. Still, she says she hopes something can be done so that no one will ever feel what shell feel when she returns for her last few days of high school next week. Im scared. I didnt experience the worst of it. I want to spend time with classmates. I want to have closure of that not being the last day in my school, she said. The eldest son of former Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin is seeking to bar the media from covering court hearings after he was accused of assaulting his father last year at the family home in Alaska. Track Palins lawyer filed a motion Friday to prohibit or limit media access to proceedings in Veterans Court, including a hearing scheduled to take place Tuesday, to ensure the case does not become a distraction to other veterans in the system. The lawyer, Patrick Bergt, said he also plans to file an application next week to formally transfer the case to the Veterans Court part of Alaskas therapeutic court system. Track Palin served in the military for one year in 2008 during the Iraq War. Sarah Palin has suggested that Tracks assault might be related to post-traumatic stress disorder. Track Palin was arrested in December after his mother told authorities her son was on some kind of medication and "freaking out." A police affidavit says father Todd Palin was bleeding from head cuts. He told police the dispute began when his son called to pick up his truck from the Palins' home in Wasilla. According to the affidavit, Todd Palin said he told Track Palin not to come to the house but that his son said he would come anyway to beat him up. Todd Palin told police he got his pistol "to protect his family." Track Palin told police he broke a window, disarmed his father and put him on the ground. When police arrived, Track Palin yelled at officers, calling them peasants, and "moved around in a strange manner" before being arrested without incident, a Wasilla police affidavit says. Track Palin pleaded not guilty in January to a felony burglary charge in the incident. He also faces misdemeanor charges of assault and criminal mischief. The judge overseeing the assault case is Anchorage District Court Judge David Wallace, who was appointed to the bench by Sarah Palin when she was Alaska's governor. A call by the Associated Press, asking if Wallace planned to recuse himself because of that connection, was not returned. Alaska law allows either prosecutors or the defense to pre-empt a specific judge from overseeing a case if they deem it necessary, Anchorage-based media attorney John McKay told the AP. The Associated Press contributed to this report. President Trump tweeted in defense of the Chicago police on Friday, saying they had every right to legally protest, days after a police union in the city planned a demonstration against Mayor Rahm Emanuel, who it claims is anti-police. Chicago Police have every right to legally protest against the mayor and an administration that just wont let them do their job, Trump tweeted. The killings are at a record pace and tough police work, which Chicago will not allow, would bring things back to order fast ... the killings must stop! Trump's comment came two days after Blue Wednesday in Chicago, during which members of the citys Fraternal Order of Police showed up at a City Council meeting to address their grievances against the mayor. They claim that Mayor Emanuel has turned his back on them. BLUE WEDNESDAY IN CHICAGO AS UNION TAKES STAND AGAINST ANTI-POLICE MAYOR EMANUEL During the meeting, members accused Emanuel of not taking their interests into consideration due, in part, to a consent decree with the federal government thats in the works, The Chicago Tribune reported. The decree will give a federal court oversight over the Chicago Police Department. Chicago police have argued that the decree is a shroud for even more anti-police policies. You are more concerned with consent decrees, settlements, pandering to police-hating groups than negotiating a contract with us, Patrick Murray, union vice president, said, according to the newspaper report. Our members are starting to believe you have no intention of negotiating a contract with us until after the next election. WOMAN APPEARS TO SPIT ON PRO-POLICE DEMONSTRATOR AT CHICAGO CITY HALL Some police officers staged a protest at City Hall, which became tense. One woman was reportedly seen appearing to spit at a demonstrator marching with police officers. The move also follows the Chicago Police Boards recent decision to put Officer Robert Rialmo on no-pay status over a fatal shooting in 2015 that was deemed unjustified by the board but was ruled justified by Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson. Emanuel does not sit on the independent police board, which made the ruling on Rialmos job status. Emanuel is in the midst of an election, as he runs for his third term as mayor. Fox News Matt Finn contributed to this report. The woman whose accusations of sexual assault by a Texas trooper were discredited by video footage will not face any additional charges because she never actually filed an official complaint with police, the countys district attorney said Friday. Ellis County District Attorney Patrick Wilson said that Sherita Dixon-Cole reported the alleged assault to a detention officer on two separate occasions the night of her arrest, not to a sworn peace officer, meaning that she never actually filed a false report. Ms. Dixon made a general claim that the trooper made inappropriate physical contact with her. That claim was made to a detention officer, not to a peace officer. That fact is important in this offices analysis, his statement read. She was encouraged to make a complaint with DPS but went on again to complain to another detention officer, Wilson said. She was taken to a hospital after this where she refused to be examined or treated. We know this decision will frustrate many in the public who have called for criminal charges against Ms. Dixon-Cole as both a punishment to her and as a deterrent to others who may make false and damaging allegations against the peace officers who protect all of us. Dixon-Cole alleged that after she failed a sobriety test during a traffic stop, Officer Daniel Hubbard suggested that he would release her from custody in exchange for sexual favors. She also claimed that after she refused, she was forcefully groped, fondled and raped. Police body cam footage released by the Texas Department of Public Safety did not corroborate her story. Her attorney, Lee Merritt, issued an apology after evidence proved that Dixon-Cole had fabricated the allegations. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Four Maryland teenagers were charged with hate crimes after racist graffiti, homophobic slurs and swastikas were discovered spray-painted on a high school campus. The graffiti was found at Glenelg High School on Thursday morning just before an awards ceremony for seniors, the Baltimore Sun reported. Following an investigation, which included reviewing surveillance video, police arrested four senior students: Seth Taylor, 18, of Ellicott City; Tyler Curtiss, 18, of Brookeville; Joshua Shaffer, 18, of Mt. Airy; and Matthew Lipp, 18, of Woodbine, FOX 5 DC reported. SLAIN MARYLAND POLICE OFFICER LAID TO REST The four students face multiple counts of destruction of property based on race, color, religious belief, sexual orientation, or national origin, officials told FOX 5 DC. Three of the students were taken into custody from school and the other was picked up by officials from his home. We will not tolerate this in Howard County, Superintendent Michael J. Martirano told reporters at a news conference. We work hard every day to make sure our children are safe and protected. No child, no staff member, within our inclusive community should ever feel any form of threat or harassment or any form of hate, he continued. The incident was the first hate crime reported at a Howard County school this year. After the graffiti was found, the schools principal David Burton spoke to students regarding the incident. Officials said some of the graffiti was directed toward Burton. OFFICIALS TRADE BLAME AFTER TEEN ARRESTED IN OFFICERS DEATH On what should be a joyous day, when parents and students assemble to celebrate the senior class for its many accomplishments, they were instead confronted with an appalling display of bigotry defacing their school, Howard County Executive Allan H. Kittleman said at the news conference. He said he had four children who attended the high school and his daughter was currently employed as a teacher at the institution. I know the sentiments expressed in this terrible graffiti are extremely unsettling to our residents. But we cannot let those who promote hate destroy our important year-end traditions and must remind ourselves that this type of intolerant behavior is the work of a small number of hateful individuals, Kittleman said in a statement. They do not represent our shared beliefs as a community. They do not represent our shared values in Howard County. We will not tolerate it and will stand together in condemning this behavior. A male driver whose vehicle struck three women Friday morning on the campus of Portland State University in Oregon was arrested nearly three hours later in what authorities called a hit-and-run. The suspect, identified as Greg Phillip Porter, 61, faces three counts each of attempted murder and assault, FOX12 Oregon reported. He was being held at the Multnomah County jail. One victim was in critical condition at a hospital and another was in serious condition, police said. The family of the third woman asked that no updates be given about her health. The women havent been identified. Witnesses said they saw a blue 2005 Mazda Tribute jump a sidewalk near the university Friday morning and mow down three women near a light-rail station. They said the driver sped away from the scene, where abandoned sneakers, a glove and a green sweater lay strewn over a splash of blood. "He clearly was trying to stay on the sidewalk, accelerating, trying to get as many people as he could," witness John Strong told FOX12 Oregon. "The vehicle moved so fast, it's hard to tell you if it ran over the girls, or if they went up and hit the hood and they flew off." Authorities have not said how fast the Mazda was going or how long it drove on the sidewalk, but a witness said he estimated it to be traveling at 45 mph. The Oregonian reported Porters last known address as Secora, a Southeast Portland rehabilitation facility. James Aldred, an administrator at the facility, told the paper Porter suffered from delusions. Police havent determined a motive and have yet to rule out intoxication, mental health problems or a medical incident as the reason for the crash. Authorities were looking to obtain a search warrant to seize the car. The Associated Press contributed to this report. The governors of Alabama, Florida and Mississippi have each declared a state of emergency in their states as Subtropical Storm Alberto spreads north and west. The storm was expected to make landfall as early as Monday morning or as late as Monday evening, AccuWeather reported. Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey made the declaration for 40 counties. Florida Gov. Rick Scott declared a state of emergency for all 67 counties. Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant said Saturday that he also signed a proclamation declaring an emergency in his state. The storm is expected to bring significant rain, threatening the start of the summer tourist season for beach towns along the Gulf Coast. The executive orders from the governors make resources available to state and local governments as they prepare to deal with the storm and its aftermath. The orders allow for the deployment of National Guard personnel, if necessary. As of 5 a.m. EDT Sunday, the National Hurricane Center in Miami said Alberto was about 330 miles south of Apalachicola, Fla., and moving north-northeast at 13 mph. The storm had top sustained winds of 40 mph and was expected to strengthen as it moves over the eastern Gulf of Mexico. In Gulfport, Miss., on Saturday, several residents lined up under overcast skies and occasional drizzle to fill 10- and 20-pound bags with sand they will use to block any encroaching floodwater expected as a result of Alberto. Tommy Whitlock said sandbagging has become a regular event in his life because he lives next to a creek. "I'm doing this because every time we have a hard rain, it floods at my house," Whitlock said. "We get water from other neighborhoods, and water can get up to a foot deep in some places." Eddy Warner, a retired consultant for a construction company, filled bags while waiting for his nephew to come help transport them home to protect his garage. "I'm 65 years old and too old to be doing this," he said, laughing. In Florida, Scott talked about the importance of the emergency declaration. As we continue to monitor Subtropical Storm Albertos northward path toward Florida, it is critically important that all Florida counties have every available resource to keep families safe and prepare for the torrential rain and severe flooding this storm will bring, Scott said in a news release. Today, I have declared a state of emergency in all 67 Florida counties to make sure that our state and local governments are able to coordinate with federal partners to get the resources they need. Scott urged Floridians to get ready for the storm and develop an emergency preparedness plan. Remember, the track of these storms can change without notice, Scott said. Do not think that only areas in the cone will be impacted everyone in our state must be prepared. Alberto, the first storm to be named ahead of the official June 1 start of hurricane season, is expected to gain strength until it reaches the northern Gulf Coast by Monday night, the National Hurricane Center said. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Former President George H.W. Bush said he was delighted to spend some time with veterans in Maine on Saturday, while he was there over the Memorial Day weekend. The 41st president shared photos on Twitter of the monthly pancake breakfast he said he attended at American Legion Post 159 in Kennebunkport. GEORGE H.W. BUSH SEES HAMILTON IN HOUSTON, WEARS SOCKS INSPIRED BY MUSICAL Delighted to join the veterans, including my dear friend Gen. Brent Scowcroft, at the @AmericanLegion Post 159 monthly pancake breakfast in Kennebunkport today, Bush wrote. This weekend we remember, and thank, all who have given their lives for our great country. Bush mingled with attendees of the breakfast and took part in a group photo, in which he was sat in the front of the group. GEORGE H.W. BUSH ARRIVES IN MAINE FOR THE SUMMER, FAMILY SAYS Bush, 93, arrived in Maine last week, according to his spokesman, Jim McGrath, who shared a photo of his arrival in Kennebunkport. The trip came about a month after the death of his wife, former first lady Barbara Bush. Bush has spent part of every summer in Kennebunkport since his childhood, except while serving as a naval aviator during World War II. The Associated Press contributed to this report. An Ohio home owned by a Cincinnati Bengals player has been searched and a man living there arrested and charged with marijuana trafficking. The Cincinnati Enquirer reports the home in West Chester outside Cincinnati is owned by Bengals cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick. It was raided April 10, about two weeks after Butler County records show Kirkpatrick bought it. Kirkpatrick's agent says 36-year-old Jarrod Blair was a tenant at a rental property Kirkpatrick owns. He says Kirkpatrick isn't a target of the investigation and is assisting West Chester police. Blair has been charged with drug trafficking and drug possession. Court records don't show if he has an attorney. Kirkpatrick purchased a home in Cincinnati's Indian Hill neighborhood for $1.9 million in June 2017. He was a Bengals' first round pick in 2012. ___ Information from: The Cincinnati Enquirer, http://www.enquirer.com Officers with the Boynton Beach Police Department in Florida attended a young boys 5th grade graduation ceremony in place of his father, a former police officer with the department who died of a heart attack in 2016. The boy, Kaleb, graduated from Northboro Elementary in West Palm Beach on Friday. Nine of his father Joe Crowders former colleagues cheered Kaleb on from the audience as he walked across the stage. Congratulations, Kaleb! We are so proud of you, and we know your dad is too. We love you, the police department wrote on Facebook. It meant everything to us to be there. We all felt like proud parents, Stephanie Slater, the police departments spokeswoman who also attended Kalebs graduation, told the Palm Beach Post. We are so proud of the fine young man that Kaleb is and we know that Joe was smiling his giant smile this morning watching Kaleb, too. The Palm Beach Post reported that the elder Crowder was just 44-years-old when he unexpectedly passed away of a heart attack while exercising. Crowder, who served with the Boynton Beach Police Department for nearly 15 years, was a canine officer and a staff sergeant in the U.S. Army reserves. Following his death, a local dog park was named in his honor. When he was walking down the red carpet and he saw us his face just lit up, Slater said. He sat two rows in front of us and kept looking back at all of us. There were lots of hugs and smiles. In each and every one of us, Joe was there, she added. Publix announced it has suspended contributions to Florida gubernatorial candidate Adam Putnam, a self-proclaimed proud NRA sellout, after survivors of the deadly Parkland school shooting held die-in protests at two supermarkets on Friday. The students from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shouted USA, not NRA! and caused brief delays at the checkout as customers navigated carts around them on the floor. Pro-NRA counter-protesters also showed up at one store, and two men almost came to blows before police intervened. "A lot of people don't support who Publix is supporting," said Haylee Shepherd, a 15-year-old sophomore at Stoneman Douglas, who joined 13 fellow protesters on the floor for about 10 minutes at one of the stores. "It's going to reflect on them as a brand and people shopping there." FLORIDA COUPLE FINDS 300-POUND ALLIGATOR SWIMMING IN THEIR POOL The supermarket chain has been criticized by the students for supporting Putnam, Floridas Agriculture Commissioner. Records showed that Publix, its top executives and board members, and their family members have donated more than $750,000 altogether to Putnam or to his political committee. A former top Publix executive who is related to the chairman of Putnam's committee has donated an additional $65,000. The activists have called for a boycott of the supermarket. We would never knowingly disappoint our customers or the communities we serve, Publix said in a statement Friday. As a result, we decided earlier this week to suspend corporate-funded political contributions as we reevaluate our giving processes. Publixs announcement came moments before the protests organized by Stoneman Douglas senior David Hogg began at the supermarkets. Hogg, 18, one of the most vocal student activists for gun reform and one of the founders of March for Our Lives, has made headlines for speaking out. The protests came one week after 10 people were killed at a high school in Santa Fe, Texas, and the same day that authorities said an Indiana middle school student opened fire inside a science classroom, wounding a classmate and a teacher. At one point, a counter-protester, Bill Caracofe, stuck his middle finger an inch from Hogg's face outside the grocery store just a few miles from the school where 17 of Hogg's classmates and teachers were gunned down. FLORIDA SCHOOL SHOOTING VICTIMS PARENTS MOVE TO SUE GUN MAKER, SELLER OF FIREARM USED IN PARKLAND MASSACRE "There are millions and millions of people who don't worship everything that comes out of his mouth," said Caracofe, who joined about a dozen NRA supporters who counter-protested inside the store. He said the students' anger toward Publix should be directed at the sheriff's office and school district for failing to protect them. Hogg said such reactions are common, saying the media has falsely portrayed him as someone who wants to seize guns. He said he supports the Second Amendment but wants tighter regulations, universal background checks and training for people who own AR-15s and similar semi-automatic rifles. The suspension announced Friday applies only to money from the company, which has given $413,000 to Putnam over about three years. The supermarket chain is one of a long line of Florida corporations that has helped bankroll Putnam's candidacy. Over the last three years Putnam has also gotten substantial financial help from Walt Disney Co., Florida Power & Light and U.S. Sugar. Disney has given more than $800,000 to Putnam's political committee, including a $50,000 check it gave him earlier this month. The Associated Press contributed to this report. The family of one of the students killed in a Texas high school shooting filed a lawsuit Thursday against the suspect's parents, claiming the father didn't properly secure weapons and the parents were negligent in entrusting their son with firearms. Christopher Stone and Rosie Yanas, whose son Chris Stone, 17, was killed, filed the lawsuit in Galveston County. Stone's funeral was Friday. Authorities have charged Dimitrios Pagourtzis, 17, a Santa Fe High School student, with capital murder in the May 18 attack that killed eight students and two substitute teachers. Investigators said Pagourtzis used a shotgun and pistol belonging to his father that had been kept in a closet. Texas law states that guns can't be made accessible to minors, with exceptions such as hunting or when under parental supervision. Parents can be charged with a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail and $4,000 in fines if the child fires a weapon and causes serious injury or death. Texas law also requires gun owners to "take steps that a reasonable person would take to prevent the access to a readily dischargeable firearm by a child, including but not limited to placing a firearm in a locked container or temporarily rendering the firearm inoperable by a trigger lock or other means." Gov. Greg Abbott, a Republican and a staunch supporter of gun rights, said this week that he's open to strengthening laws on gun storage and reporting lost or stolen weapons. At a Friday event organized by March For Our Lives, a group of Santa Fe High School students called for stronger home gun storage laws and enhanced security at schools and mental health background checks for anyone trying to buy a firearm. Student Bree Butler said she supports gun ownership and her family owns guns, but they are locked safely away and she doesn't have combination to the gun locker. "It's so important that we understand that none of us are trying to take your guns away," Butler said. It's so important that we understand that none of us are trying to take your guns away. Bree Butler Mourners also gathered Friday in the Houston suburb of Crosby for 15-year-old Christian Riley Garcia who died in the attack. Stone was buried in League City. Substitute teacher Cynthia Tisdale, who was married for nearly 40 years and had three children and eight grandchildren, was buried in Dickinson. The Associated Press contributed to this report. In a historic vote, Ireland has chosen overwhelmingly to repeal a constitutional ban on abortions, election officials announced Saturday. Irish voters approved the repeal by a vote of 66.4 percent to 33.6 percent--with more than 2.1 million votes cast, according to the official tally. At 64.5 percent, the turnout was one of the highest ever recorded for a referendum in Ireland and the highest of any referendum since 1992, The Journal reported. Earlier Saturday, the Irish Prime Minister hailed the apparent vote for overturning an abortion ban in his largely Catholic country as "the culmination of a quiet revolution. "The people have spoken," Leo Varadkar said as exit polls showed a landslide vote to repeal the Eighth Amendment to the Irish constitution. "The people have said that we want a modern constitution for a modern country, that we trust women and we respect them to make the right decision and the right choices about their health care." The prime minister, a medical doctor who came to power last year, spoke to RTE News in advance of the announcement of the referendum's official results. He is expected to address the nation later Saturday. What we have seen today is a culmination of a quiet revolution that has been taking place in Ireland for the past 10 or 20 years, he said. ABORTION REFERENDUM IN IRELAND LIKELY TO RESULT IN REPEAL OF BAN, EXIT POLLS SUGGEST Earlier Saturday, a leading anti-abortion group called the vote a "tragedy of historic proportions" as it conceded defeat. John McGuirk, spokesman for the Save the 8th group, told Irish television that many Irish citizens will not recognize the country they are waking up in. "You can still passionately believe that the decision of the people is wrong, as I happen to do, and accept it," he said. "I don't think you'll find many people on our side of the referendum who don't accept the result. That would be wrong." The Irish Times and RTE television exit polls suggest the Irish people have voted by nearly 70 percent to repeal a 1983 constitutional amendment that requires authorities to treat a fetus and its mother as equals under the law. Currently, terminations are only allowed when a woman's life is at risk. If the projected numbers hold up, the referendum would be a landmark in Irish women's fight for abortion rights. It would also likely end the need for thousands of Irish women to travel abroad mostly to neighboring Britain for abortions they can't get at home. VOTING UNDERWAY ON IRELAND'S ABORTION REFERENDUM Ireland's Minister for Children and Youth Affairs Katherine Zappone said Saturday she is confident new abortion legislation can be approved by parliament and put in place before the end of the year. "I feel very emotional," she said. "I'm especially grateful to the women of Ireland who came forward to provide their personal testimony about the hard times that they endured, the stress and the trauma that they experienced because of the eighth amendment." The Associated Press contributed to this report. The president of the Chilean Catholic Church's Commission for the Prevention of Abuses has resigned after acknowledging he was slow to investigate allegations of misconduct in his diocese. The church's Episcopal Conference announced Saturday it had accepted the resignation by Rancagua Bishop Alejandro Goic. He remains bishop of the diocese. Its statement says that "difficulties that have occurred in the diocese he leads have made this determination necessary." Fourteen priests in Goic's diocense have been temporarily suspended over the past week. A week ago, Goic apologized for failing to promptly investigate a reported case of sexual abuse in his diocese. Every bishop in the South American country has offered to resign over what Pope Francis said was their negligence in protecting children. In a surprise turn of events, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un met with South Korean President Moon Jae-in in the demilitarized zone for the second time in a month on Saturday to discuss the peace commitments they reached in their first summit. The meeting came hours after President Donald Trump suggested his June 12 meeting with Kim may still go ahead. Moons office, who released photos of the meeting, said the leaders met on the North Korean side of the demilitarized zone in the village of Panmunjom between 3 and 5 p.m. local time. The Blue House said Moon would personally announce the outcome of Saturdays summit on Sunday. The two leaders reportedly spoke for two hours to "frankly discuss" how they could make the potential summit between Kim and Trump a success. The meeting came hours after South Korea expressed relief over revived talks for a summit between Trump and Kim following a whirlwind 24 hours that saw the U.S. president cancel the meeting. TWO NORTH KOREAN DIPLOMATS BEHIND US SUMMIT BACK-AND-FORTH In their first summit in April, Kim and Moon announced vague aspirations for a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula and permanent peace, which Seoul has tried to sell as a meaningful breakthrough to set up the summit with Trump. But relations between the rival Koreas chilled in recent weeks, with North Korea canceling a high-level meeting with Seoul over South Korea's participation in regular military exercises with the United States and insisting that it will not return to talks unless its grievances are resolved. On Thursday, Trump canceled the highly anticipated summit with North Korea that had been set for next month, calling the talks inappropriate following the hostility displayed in the latest comments from Kim. South Korea, which brokered talks between Washington and Pyongyang, was caught off guard by Trump's abrupt cancellation of the summit. The move to pull out of the summit, slated to take place in Singapore on June 12, came after threats from Kim to call off the talks. In a letter to Kim on Thursday, Trump said the world, and North Korea, had lost a "great opportunity for lasting peace and great prosperity." However, Trump told reporters on Thursday that the meeting could potentially be back on. On Friday, Trump tweeted, "We are having very productive talks with North Korea about reinstating the Summit which, if it does happen, will likely remain in Singapore on the same date, June 12th., and, if necessary, will be extended beyond that date." Trump had nixed the summit following threats from North Korea. But hours after the U.S. pulled out of the meeting, North Korea issued a statement saying it's still willing to sit for talks with the United States "at any time, (in) any format." TRUMP WELCOMES STATEMENT FROM NORTH KOREA, SAYS TALKS TO REINSTATE SUMMIT PRODUCTIVE Very good news to receive the warm and productive statement from North Korea. We will soon see where it will lead, hopefully to long and enduring prosperity and peace. Only time (and talent) will tell! Trump tweeted on Friday morning. The White House has not immediately commented on the meeting between Moon and Kim. Comments in North Korea's state media indicate Kim sees any meeting with Trump as an arms control negotiation between nuclear states, rather than a process to surrender his nukes. The North has said it will refuse to participate in talks where it would be unilaterally pressured to give up its nukes. Fox News' Brooke Singman and the Associated Press contributed to this report. Kent Police may have released the most bizarre composite ever in their hunt for an alleged con man. Unfortunately for anyone on the lookout for the man, the computer-generated image covers most of his face in gigantic sunglasses. "It looks like Elton John 30 years ago," said Gary Flippence before Keith King added: "Is it Charlie Sheen?" Officers issued the picture following a report of a "distraction" burglary in Canterbury, Kent. The offender called at a caravan in Woodlands Estate, Blean, on May 7 pretending to be a mobile home repairman. Detective Constable Chris Bungard said the man fraudulently told a victim in his 70s that he needed his floor replacing and offered to do this at a cost. He added: "After the caller left the victim noticed some money was missing and reported this to Kent Police." The suspect is described as a white man of medium build, around 5ft 7ins tall, with brown and grey wavy hair. He was wearing dark trousers, a light colored top, sunglasses and was carrying a walking stick. DC Bungard added: "While we investigate this incident we would ask all residents in the area to be vigilant and look out for anything suspicious. "Always check ID with cold callers and if you are not sure, dont let them into your home. "We would like to hear from anyone who recognizes the man in this image or who has information about the alleged offense." The article first appeared in The Sun. U.K. right-wing activist and journalist Tommy Robinson was arrested and reportedly jailed Friday after he filmed members of an alleged child grooming gang entering a court for trial -- but the details of his purported sentence remain murky after the judge ordered the press not to report on the case. Robinson, the former head of the English Defense League and a longtime activist against Islam and Islamic migration, was arrested after he was filming men accused of being part of a gang that groomed children. Britain has been rocked by a series of child sex scandals perpetuated by gangs of predominantly Muslim men. Video shows Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Lennon, being surrounded by as many as seven police officers as he livestreamed the incident on his phone. The police informed him he was being arrested for breach of the peace. But shortly after his arrest, a source with knowledge of the case told Fox News that he had been jailed for 13 months on a contempt-of-court charge. A court listing indicated the case was closed by Friday afternoon. One source said he was jailed in Hull Prison. The prison declined to comment to Fox News on whether Robinson was there. Leeds Crown Court also did not return a request for information. According to The Independent, Robinson was already on a suspended sentence for contempt of court over a gang rape case in 2017. The judge in the case on Friday slapped a reporting ban on the case. The order bans reporters from reporting on a case if there is reason to believe the reporting could prejudice a trial. The order prevents reporting until the conclusion of the trial Robinson was reporting on. The gag order led to news outlets in the U.K. removing their reporting from their websites to comply with the order. Most remaining reporting in the U.K. comments on Robinsons arrest, but not on his purported sentencing. Sources with knowledge of Robinsons case spoke on condition of anonymity in part because of fear they would be arrested for contempt. One told Fox that Robinsons lawyer warned that, considering the presence of Muslim gang members in prison, a 13-month sentence was tantamount to a death sentence. Tommys lawyer said he will likely die in jail given his profile and previous credible threats, and the judge basically said he doesnt care, the source said. He sentenced him to 13 months in prison. Reaction to Robinsons sentencing from commentators and right-wing politicians was fierce, particularly as it is the latest in a series of commentators -- particularly those who are critical of Islam and mass Islamic migration into the U.K. -- being locked up by British authorities. What kind of police state have we become? tweeted U.K. Independence Party leader and European MP Gerard Batten. I am trying to recall a legal case where someone was convicted of a crime which cannot be reported on, he added. Where he can be cast into prison without it being possible to report his name, offence, or place of imprisonment for fear of contempt of court. Arrested for breaching the peace while reporting on a Islamic grooming gang trial? Dutch MP Geert Wilders tweeted. Is this Saudi-Arabia? Wilders also submitted parliamentary questions to the Dutch minister of foreign affairs on the matter. In the U.S., actress Roseanne Barr, star of the ABC revival of the sitcom "Roseanne," retweeted a number of supportive messages for Robinson, and tweeted out her own outrage. Robinson has long been a polarizing figure in the U.K., with supporters saying that he speaks out against political correctness and the growing influence of Islamic extremism, while opponents claim he is a racist who stokes fear and division. A counter-terror police official said Robinson's material was partially responsible for the radicalization of a man who committed a terrorist attack on a mosque last year. Robinson upset former CNN host Piers Morgan by brandishing a Koran and claiming it cites "murder and violence against us" in an appearance on "Good Morning Britain." "Put that book down and show some damn respect for peoples' religious beliefs," Morgan said. On Saturday, supporters of Robinson protested outside the gates of 10 Downing Street. Robinson is the latest right-wing figure to fall foul of the authorities. Canadian right-wing activist and journalist Lauren Southern was turned away from the U.K. in March shortly after she had made a video in Luton, an English town with a relatively high Muslim population, and put out a stall declaring: Allah is gay as an experiment to see what the reaction would be. RIGHT-WING JOURNALIST LAUREN SOUTHERN DENIED ENTRY TO UK, PURPORTEDLY OVER CRITICISM OF ISLAM Also in March, Generation Identity activists Martin Sellner and Brittany Pettibone, were refused entry to the U.K. after being judged that their presence was also not conducive to the public good. U.S. radio talk show host Michael Savage and blogger Pamela Geller, both of whom have been outspoken in their criticisms of Islamic extremism, have also been banned from entering the U.K. Even President Trump has faced calls from politicians to be banned from the U.K. -- in particular over his views on immigration and his controversial travel ban. Trump will visit the U.K. in July, where he is expected to be met by protests. A Utah man who has been incarcerated in a Venezuelan jail since 2016 was on a flight home to the U.S., Venezuelan officials said Saturday. Joshua Holt, 26, has been jailed in Venezuela after he traveled to the South American country in the summer of 2016 to marry Thamara Candelo, whom he met on a website for Mormon singles. The two planned to return to the U.S. after getting married, but were jailed in El Hilcolde on what human rights groups said were largely trumped-up charges. Good news about the release of the American hostage from Venezuela. Should be landing in D.C. this evening and be in the White House, with his family, at about 7:00 p.m. The great people of Utah will be very happy! President Donald Trump said in an early morning tweet. In a following tweet, Trump said he was "looking forward to seeing Joshua Holt this evening in the White House." "The great people of Utah are celebrating!" he continued. Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch's office said in a statement minutes before that Holt and his wife were on their way back to the U.S. Over the last two years I've worked with two Presidential administrations, countless diplomatic contracts, ambassadors from all over the world, a network of contacts in Venezuela, and President Maduro himself, and I could not be more honored to be able to reunite Josh with his sweet, long-suffering family in Riverton, the statement said. UTAH MAN IN VENEZUELAN JAIL SAYS PRISON 'HAS FALLEN,' TAKEN OVER BY PEOPLE WANTING TO KILL HIM Hatch's office also thanked Tennessee Sen. Bob Corker for his "pivotal efforts" and the "Senate Foreign Relations Committee for their help in this effort." "I want to particularly thank Caleb McCarry, whose expertise and effort in Venezuela on my behalf has been instrumental in bringing Josh home," the statement concluded. Corker later released a statement about the release, saying he "was honored to play a small role in bringing Josh and his wife home." He went on to thank Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and the State Department, as well as Caleb McCarry, "an incredibly valued member of my staff," whose help was instrumental in bringing the family home, he said. The statement said that both "Corker and McCarry are traveling with the Holts from Venezuela." Corker shared a photo of himself with the Holts and said "we are on our way home." Utah Sen. Mike Lee also released a statement regarding Holt's release. "I am very excited that after almost two years in prison, Utahn Joshua Holt has been released and will be reunited with his family today. We have long fought and prayed for his release from the Venezuelan government and are thrilled for his family," Lee said. Venezuelan authorities claim Holt and his wife were stockpiling weapons, and have suggested they were part of a U.S. plan to overthrow President Nicolas Maduro. But witnesses say they saw Venezuelan police, accused of demanding $10,000 from Holt and Candelo, plant weapons just before arresting the couple - and announcing the discovery of the arms. Laurie Holt, Joshuas mother, told Fox News in February that her sons ordeal has taken an emotional and physical toll on her. A week ago, the 7-year-old daughter of Candelo from a previous marriage arrived in the United States on a humanitarian visa to live with Joshua Holts parents in Utah. Earlier this month, Holt made pleas on Facebook claiming that the prison he was incarcerated in has been taken over by people trying to kill him. TRUMP ADMINISTRATION FINDS SUCCESS IN BRINGING HOME DETAINED I need help. They have taken the entire prison where I am at, he can be heard saying in the first video. The people have taken the entire prison. Theyre outside, theyre trying to break in. Theyre saying they want to kill me. They are saying that they want me as their guarantee. AMERICANS In the second video, Holt continues by calling on the people of America to get him out. I have been begging my government for two years. They say that they are doing things, but Im still here and now my life is threatened. Holt's family said in a statment they were "grateful to all who participated in this miracle." "We thank you for your collaboration during this time of anguish. We ask that you allow us to meet with our son and his wife before giving any interviews and statements. We are grateful to all who participated in this miracle," the statement read. Fox News' Elizabeth Llorente, Paulina Dedaj and Elizabeth Zwirz contributed to this report. In 1994, the Rwandan Tutsi ethnic minority was the victim of genocide at the hands of Hutu extremists. Dozens of leading perpetrators were prosecuted and sentenced by the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) and by domestic courts in a number of countries; hundreds of thousands of others were tried in Rwan das neo-traditional gacaca jurisdictions. It has been clear for many years that the Tutsi-dominated rebel force, the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF), also committed crimes against humanity and war crimes before, during and after the genocide. This was established by United Nations rapporteurs, nongovermental organisations, academics and journalists. Although the ICTR was also competent to judge these crimes, not a single RPF suspect was prosecuted. This clear instance of victors justice came about, among other reasons, because the RPF which took power in 1994 and still governs Rwanda today was shielded by Washington and London. Paul Kagame, RPF leader during and after the civil war and currently the countrys president, is considered a visionary by his friends Bill Clinton and Tony Blair. Despite ruling Rwanda by terror, he is credited with economic achievements and good bureaucratic governance. At the same time, his record of demo-cracy and human rights is appalling. Although there were some indications to that effect, I have in the past resisted the notion of a double genocide, but must now revise that position. While the RPFs previous crimes went unpunished, Canadian investigative journalist Judi Rever has in her book In Praise of Blood (Random House, 2018) convincingly demonstrated that Kagames movement has also committed genocide against the Hutus. Based on hitherto secret files of the ICTRs Office of the Prosecutor, other documents and numerous interviews with former RPF military and civilian officials, she shows in great and gruelling detail how Hutu women and men, children and elderly were slaughtered on a massive scale. The intent to exterminate the Hutus as such, as defined by the genocide convention, is not in doubt. Although precise figures are unknown, the death toll may well run into the hundreds of thousands. Rever identifies 20 RPF leaders, among whom is Kagame himself, as perpetrators of these atrocities. These convincing findings can no longer be ignored. Can Kagame continue to be honoured by the best universities across the world, receive red-carpet treatment wherever he goes, be a frequent guest at the Davos World Economic Forum and chair the African Union? His place, and that of his lieutenants, is in a court of law facing justice for his crimes and receiving the punishment he deserves. Most Rwandans, Hutus and Tutsis alike, are fully aware of this tragic history. Unless the truth is told, the country will not find the reconciliation it so badly needs. Filip Reyntjens, emeritus professor of law and politics, University of Antwerp Free Freightnet Membership List your company in the Freightnet directory. It's Free, it's Easy and your company can be displayed in front of potential freight buyers within 24 hours. Hey Long Beach, join us as we soar through the skies of Long Beach, California for a unique look at our great city! (Click below to watch video). Court case : Bonn taxi driver accused of raping passenger Bonn A 39-year-old taxi driver is accused of raping a 50-year-old woman last September. The public prosecutors office is charging the father-of-four. Teilen Teilen Weiterleiten Weiterleiten Tweeten Tweeten Weiterleiten Weiterleiten Drucken A taxi driver is accused of threatening a 50-year-old woman that he would kill her lapdog and of raping her consequently. Now the public prosecutors office has charged the father-of-four. Soon the 39-year-old accused will have to explain himself in front of the Bonn district court, as spokesperson Tobias Gulich said. According to the charges, the woman had visited her boyfriend in Kessenich and got into the taxi of the 39-year-old at around 10pm to be driven home in the north of the city. After a stop at a filling station where the woman purchased drinks, he is said to have threatened her: If you dont want something happening to your dog, youll do as youre told. According to the charges the dog of the 50-year-old was not the kind of dog that would be able to defend its owner. Taxi driver denies all charges At a supermarket the 39-year-old stopped again and ordered her to buy condoms. He underlined his request by repeating his threat that he would harm the dog. So she obeyed. Afterwards the accused is said to have driven to a parking lot near the Romerbad and demanded her to take off her trousers. When she cried and refused, he threatened her again and forced her to perform oral sex. He drove her home afterwards. The 50-year-old ran into her appartment and called the police. The 39-year-old was located the same night and arrested. The family father not only denies the accusations but claims it was the other way round, according to the investigators report. In truth, the woman hassled him and made insinuating comments, clearly demanding sex, which did not happen. The public prosecutors office is convinced though that the 50-year-old is speaking the truth, particularly as the indications were according to her report of events. Im Ashamed Nigeria Is Now Used As Negative Example Former President, Goodluck Jonathan xspraise at 26-05-2018 09:41 AM (3 years ago) (m) Former President Goodluck Jonathan says he is ashamed that Nigeria is now being used as a negative example in the international community. He cited recent instances when the Ghanaian President, Nana Akufo-Addo, mocked the poor state of security in Nigeria and the nairas weakening status. Former President Goodluck Jonathan says he is ashamed that Nigeria is now being used as a negative example in the international community. He cited recent instances when the Ghanaian President, Nana Akufo-Addo, mocked the poor state of security in Nigeria and the nairas weakening status. Jonathan spoke at the inauguration of the first bridge built by Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State in Ado Ekiti, the state capital, on Friday night. The former President lamented that things were so bad in the country that Nigeria had lost its respect in Africa. He said, He (Ghanaian President) said Ghana is not like Nigeria where cattle roam the streets. At another occasion in the United Kingdom, he made scathing remarks about Nigerias currency. I feel ashamed as a former President that the president of a neighbouring country used Nigeria as negative examples. If a neighbouring African president will use Nigeria to make negative examples, then we as leaders must know certain things are wrong in the country. That means we as leaders must change the way we do things. The former President, therefore, urged Nigerian leaders to show serious concern, noting that many things had gone wrong in the country. Jonathan spoke at the inauguration of the first bridge built by Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State in Ado Ekiti, the state capital, on Friday night.The former President lamented that things were so bad in the country that Nigeria had lost its respect in Africa.He said, He (Ghanaian President) said Ghana is not like Nigeria where cattle roam the streets. At another occasion in the United Kingdom, he made scathing remarks about Nigerias currency.I feel ashamed as a former President that the president of a neighbouring country used Nigeria as negative examples.If a neighbouring African president will use Nigeria to make negative examples, then we as leaders must know certain things are wrong in the country. That means we as leaders must change the way we do things.The former President, therefore, urged Nigerian leaders to show serious concern, noting that many things had gone wrong in the country. Post Reply I am Victor, I write reportage on sport news and latest metro happenings in Nigeria. Posted: at 26-05-2018 09:41 AM (3 years ago) | Hero chukkychukky at 26-05-2018 09:47 AM (3 years ago) (m) we spoken Joramentity aka chukkychukky Posted: at 26-05-2018 09:47 AM (3 years ago) | Gistmaniac we spoken Reply maxzy277 at 26-05-2018 10:21 AM (3 years ago) (m) Wasnt it a gradual process Posted: at 26-05-2018 10:21 AM (3 years ago) | Gistmaniac Wasnt it a gradual process Reply slimber at 26-05-2018 10:32 AM (3 years ago) (f) Bfor nko abi nah lie Posted: at 26-05-2018 10:32 AM (3 years ago) | Hero Bfor nko abi nah lie Reply kaposky at 26-05-2018 11:35 AM (3 years ago) (m) WILL U SHUT UP THAT UR STINKING MOUTH.ALL OF U ARE THE SAME, WHAT MADE U FAIL TO BUILD THE SECOND NIGER BRIDGE.HOW MUCH DID UR WIFE PETIENCE LOOT WHEN U WERE THE PRESIDENT. AM NOT TALKING OF THE ONE U LOOTED. GOD WILL PUNISH ALL OF U ONE DAY Posted: at 26-05-2018 11:35 AM (3 years ago) | Gistmaniac WILL U SHUT UP THAT UR STINKING MOUTH.ALL OF U ARE THE SAME, WHAT MADE U FAIL TO BUILD THE SECOND NIGER BRIDGE.HOW MUCH DID UR WIFE PETIENCE LOOT WHEN U WERE THE PRESIDENT. AM NOT TALKING OF THE ONE U LOOTED. GOD WILL PUNISH ALL OF U ONE DAY Reply tegonwa at 26-05-2018 12:03 PM (3 years ago) (m) The Kettle Calling The Pot Black.Obasanjo Pls Go On With Ur Third Force. Posted: at 26-05-2018 12:03 PM (3 years ago) | Gistmaniac The Kettle Calling The Pot Black.Obasanjo Pls Go On With Ur Third Force. Reply willyking at 26-05-2018 12:46 PM (3 years ago) (m) Quote from: kaposky on 26-05-2018 11:35 AM WILL U SHUT UP THAT UR STINKING MOUTH.ALL OF U ARE THE SAME, WHAT MADE U FAIL TO BUILD THE SECOND NIGER BRIDGE.HOW MUCH DID UR WIFE PETIENCE LOOT WHEN U WERE THE PRESIDENT. AM NOT TALKING OF THE ONE U LOOTED. GOD WILL PUNISH ALL OF U ONE DAY at list he was able to sense that president of other african country are now using nigeria to make bad example, but do ur bubuhari know if is country is going down the drain, no he is simply carry is malu malu head up and down without one single brain inside, just thank God for ur life that when ebola nearly enter the country it goodluck that was there, thank ur God it was not this evil goverment of change may be all of u insulting goodluck would have been dead and gone now, i trust buhari he will simply run away with is family to uk..and stay there and watch nigeria from plasma tv.. Posted: at 26-05-2018 12:46 PM (3 years ago) | Gistmaniac at list he was able to sense that president of other african country are now using nigeria to make bad example, but do ur bubuhari know if is country is going down the drain, no he is simply carry is malu malu head up and down without one single brain inside, just thank God for ur life that when ebola nearly enter the country it goodluck that was there, thank ur God it was not this evil goverment of change may be all of u insulting goodluck would have been dead and gone now, i trust buhari he will simply run away with is family to uk..and stay there and watch nigeria from plasma tv.. Reply crocatum at 26-05-2018 01:05 PM (3 years ago) (m) other Africans now laugh at us, because we were just taking things for granted, we have abundant resource but we perish and lack, we bow to our former colonial masters, we beg, no electricity, we are still busy trying to make our roads, we are trying to make the train system work, while other African countries like Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, even Uganda, are surpassing our transportation system, other African countries dont suffer electricity like we do, again we must find some excuses to explain why we can not make it work. Posted: at 26-05-2018 01:05 PM (3 years ago) | Gistmaniac other Africans now laugh at us, because we were just taking things for granted, we have abundant resource but we perish and lack, we bow to our former colonial masters, we beg, no electricity, we are still busy trying to make our roads, we are trying to make the train system work, while other African countries like Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, even Uganda, are surpassing our transportation system, other African countries dont suffer electricity like we do, again we must find some excuses to explain why we can not make it work. Reply crocatum at 26-05-2018 01:07 PM (3 years ago) (m) Now we have become the lab rat, for scenarios, why things do not work. Posted: at 26-05-2018 01:07 PM (3 years ago) | Gistmaniac Now we have become the lab rat, for scenarios, why things do not work. Reply fineboy77 at 26-05-2018 01:56 PM (3 years ago) (m) What is he even saying?,that things were rosy and heavenly while he was in office? What is the color beneath your skin? Posted: at 26-05-2018 01:56 PM (3 years ago) | Hero What is he even saying?,that things were rosy and heavenly while he was in office? Reply zumata at 26-05-2018 02:17 PM (3 years ago) (f) The most humble president in nija,you failed but your administration was far better than this present one whom the leaders always claims to be saints while they are looting our money in a daily bases.Our problem here in nija is that we're over whelmed with religious and tribalism which leads to killing ourselves. Go to other african countries you will know that nija is behind we're only answering giant of africa for mouth,i have been to Senegal,Ghana,Gambia,Morocco,Algeria and many other africa countries and i found out that they have steady electricity and water while here in our country no water and no electricity while citizens are paying their bill every month. My prayer is that may the wind of God blow upon nija and consume all the evil men and women that are the problems of this God blessed nation in Jesus name amen. Posted: at 26-05-2018 02:17 PM (3 years ago) | Upcoming The most humble president in nija,you failed but your administration was far better than this present one whom the leaders always claims to be saints while they are looting our money in a daily bases.Our problem here in nija is that we're over whelmed with religious and tribalism which leads to killing ourselves.Go to other african countries you will know that nija is behind we're only answering giant of africa for mouth,i have been to Senegal,Ghana,Gambia,Morocco,Algeria and many other africa countries and i found out that they have steady electricity and water while here in our country no water and no electricity while citizens are paying their bill every month.My prayer is that may the wind of God blow upon nija and consume all the evil men and women that are the problems of this God blessed nation in Jesus name amen. Reply ficull at 26-05-2018 02:57 PM (3 years ago) (m) You contributed to it Posted: at 26-05-2018 02:57 PM (3 years ago) | Gistmaniac You contributed to it Reply osarobo62 at 26-05-2018 03:09 PM (3 years ago) (m) this thief that should have been publicly stoned Posted: at 26-05-2018 03:09 PM (3 years ago) | Hero Reply crocatum at 26-05-2018 04:06 PM (3 years ago) (m) no more thieves, look at our nation, so shit, so stone age, a joke, a story by others to laugh at, a beggar attitude, poor in producing, destroyed the ecology of the niger delta, polluted air of river state, Taliban of the northeast, cows of ravages, kidnapping of the south areas, now we want to even add drugs like Mexico, superstition, and rituals, so much for the BACKWARDNESS. Posted: at 26-05-2018 04:06 PM (3 years ago) | Gistmaniac no more thieves, look at our nation, so shit, so stone age, a joke, a story by others to laugh at, a beggar attitude, poor in producing, destroyed the ecology of the niger delta, polluted air of river state, Taliban of the northeast, cows of ravages, kidnapping of the south areas, now we want to even add drugs like Mexico, superstition, and rituals, so much for the BACKWARDNESS. Reply kaposky at 26-05-2018 05:00 PM (3 years ago) (m) Quote from: willyking on 26-05-2018 12:46 PM at list he was able to sense that president of other african country are now using nigeria to make bad example, but do ur bubuhari know if is country is going down the drain, no he is simply carry is malu malu head up and down without one single brain inside, just thank God for ur life that when ebola nearly enter the country it goodluck that was there, thank ur God it was not this evil goverment of change may be all of u insulting goodluck would have been dead and gone now, i trust buhari he will simply run away with is family to uk..and stay there and watch nigeria from plasma tv.. I AM A STUNCH CRITIC OF BUHARI, IF U PRESENT BUHARI AND SATAN, I WILL FIRST KILL BUHARI, BUT ATTIMES WHEN U TAKE UR MIND BACK, U WILL KNOW THAT ALL OF THEM ARE CORRUPT RULERS, BUHARI IS THE WORST Posted: at 26-05-2018 05:00 PM (3 years ago) | Gistmaniac I AM A STUNCH CRITIC OF BUHARI, IF U PRESENT BUHARI AND SATAN, I WILL FIRST KILL BUHARI, BUT ATTIMES WHEN U TAKE UR MIND BACK, U WILL KNOW THAT ALL OF THEM ARE CORRUPT RULERS, BUHARI IS THE WORST Reply officynero at 26-05-2018 07:43 PM (3 years ago) (m) Life goes on Posted: at 26-05-2018 07:43 PM (3 years ago) | Gistmaniac Life goes on Reply Otikadinje at 26-05-2018 08:39 PM (3 years ago) (m) Birds of the same feathers....... blame one another Oscardeejay Posted: at 26-05-2018 08:39 PM (3 years ago) | Gistmaniac Birds of the same feathers....... blame one another Reply jacklyn111 at 27-05-2018 12:41 AM (3 years ago) (f) If He Is Ashamed, He Should Go And Hide In THe Well...Shameless and Greedy Bastards...Oponu Man Posted: at 27-05-2018 12:41 AM (3 years ago) | Upcoming If He Is Ashamed, He Should Go And Hide In THe Well...Shameless and Greedy Bastards...Oponu Man Reply james987 at 27-05-2018 04:37 AM (3 years ago) (m) Quote from: fineboy77 on 26-05-2018 01:56 PM What is he even saying?,that things were rosy and heavenly while he was in office? It hard to understand people like you, talk about dollars rising,talk about the economy talk about herds men talk about everything basically. When Jonathan handed over to buhari 2015 were things this bad??. Evil trive because of people like you. Posted: at 27-05-2018 04:37 AM (3 years ago) | Hero It hard to understand people like you, talk about dollars rising,talk about the economy talk about herds men talk about everything basically. When Jonathan handed over to buhari 2015 were things this bad??. Evil trive because of people like you. Reply kacylee at 26-05-2018 11:25 AM (3 years ago) (f) Some faceless gunmen in the Niger Delta part of Nigeria have reportedly abducted a student and are demanding several millions of naira. Some faceless gunmen in the Niger Delta part of Nigeria have reportedly abducted a student and are demanding several millions of naira. Unknown gunmen have reportedly kidnapped a 200 level student of the Cross River University of Technology, CRUTECH. It was reported that the student named Kisha Emmanuel Adah from the department of Civil Engineering was kidnapped by his abductors on Tuesday after being trailed by a taxi at the University gate in Calabar, the state capital. According to reports, it was gathered that the young student in his late teens was trailed from an outing he took part in with two friends. One of his friends,said, Emmanuel was abducted in the taxi he used while on his way back from school, while another who pleaded anonymity said, he came as far as the school gate before he was abducted. The kidnappers, according to reports - have demanded a sum of fifteen million Naira (N15, 000,000) as ransom for his release. Unknown gunmen have reportedly kidnapped a 200 level student of the Cross River University of Technology, CRUTECH.It was reported that the student named Kisha Emmanuel Adah from the department of Civil Engineering was kidnapped by his abductors on Tuesday after being trailed by a taxi at the University gate in Calabar, the state capital.According to reports, it was gathered that the young student in his late teens was trailed from an outing he took part in with two friends.One of his friends,said, Emmanuel was abducted in the taxi he used while on his way back from school, while another who pleaded anonymity said, he came as far as the school gate before he was abducted.The kidnappers, according to reports - have demanded a sum of fifteen million Naira (N15, 000,000) as ransom for his release. Post Reply I have been reporting for several years now and I am very interested in visual news reportage with strong inclusion of photos and video multimedia. Posted: at 26-05-2018 11:25 AM (3 years ago) | Addicted Hero NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWS WIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE U.S. TORONTO, May 25, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Plateau Energy Metals Inc. (Plateau or the "Company") (TSX VENTURE:PLU) (OTCQB:PLUUF) (FRANKFURT:QG1) announced today that it has completed its previously announced non-brokered private placement of units (Units) raising gross proceeds of approximately $2,502,000 (the Financing). The Company issued and sold 4,169.997 Units at a price of C$0.60 per Unit with each Unit consisting of one common share of the Company and one-half of one common share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a Warrant). Each Warrant entitles the holder to acquire one additional common share of the Company at a price of C$0.90 Until May 25, 2021. The Company has the right to accelerate the expiry of the Warrants on 30 days written notice if, following 4 months and one day from the issuance of the Warrants, the volume weighted average price of the common shares of the Company on the TSX Venture Exchange for any period of twenty (20) consecutive trading days exceeds C$1.20 per common share. All securities issued in the Financing are subject to a 4-month hold period in Canada and such longer periods as may be required under other applicable securities laws. The Company issued an additional 125,100 common shares and 62,550 non-transferable warrants (having the same terms as the Warrants) to qualified finders in connection with the Financing. Net proceeds from the Financing will be used to fund further drilling, property payments and the preparation of technical reports on the Companys properties on the Macusani Plateau in southeastern Peru as well as for working capital and other general corporate purposes. Insiders of the Company acquired ownership of, or control or direction over, 756,666 Units, or approximately 18.1% of the number sold in the Financing. As a result of the participation in the Financing by insiders, the Financing was considered to be a related party transaction as defined under Multilateral Instrument 61-101 (MI 61-101) and TSX Venture Exchange policy 5.9 (Policy 5.9). The transaction was however exempt from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 and Policy 5.9, as neither the fair market value of the securities issued to insiders nor the cash consideration paid for such securities exceeded 25% of the Companys market capitalization at the relevant time. The participation of insiders in the Financing and the extent of such participation was not finalized until shortly prior to the completion of the Financing. Accordingly, it was not possible to publicly disclose details of the nature and extent of related party participation in the Financing at least 21 days prior to the completion date. The securities referred to in this press release have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the U.S. Securities Act) or any state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from such registration requirements. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy the securities in the United States or in any jurisdiction in which such offer, sale or solicitation would be unlawful. About Plateau Energy Metals Plateau Energy Metals Inc. is a Canadian lithium and uranium exploration and development company focused on its properties on the Macusani Plateau in southeastern Peru. The Company controls all reported uranium resources known in Peru, significant and growing lithium resources and mineral concessions covering over 91,000 hectares (910 km2) situated near significant infrastructure. Plateau Energy Metals is listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol 'PLU', quoted on the OTCQB under the symbol PLUUF and the Frankfurt Exchange under the symbol 'QG1'. The Company has 69,496,054 shares issued and outstanding. For further information, please contact: Plateau Energy Metals Inc. Ted OConnor, CEO ted@plateauenergymetals.com +1-416-628-9600 info@plateauenergymetals.com Website: www.plateauenergymetals.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/pluenergy/ Twitter: www.twitter.com/pluenergy/ Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. How States Rank Ohio, A+, 98 points West Virginia, A+, 98 points Minnesota, A, 94 points Wisconsin, A, 94 points Arizona, A-, 93 points Connecticut, A-, 93 points Iowa, A-, 91 points Louisiana, A-, 90 points South Carolina, B+, 87 points Kentucky, B, 85 points Nevada, B, 85 points Wyoming, F, 35 points Alaska, F, 46 points California, F, 47 points Hawaii, F, 48 points Tennessee, D, 54 points Rhode Island, D, 55 points Alabama, D, 56 points Georgia, D, 57 points Idaho, D, 58 points Oklahoma, D+, 60 points Louisiana has re-introduced a bill to expand its website capabilities to deliver more information on government spending, a move that is increasingly gaining traction among states. HB 10 , introduced earlier this week by Reps. Taylor Barras and Raymond Garofalo, seeks to not only include executive branch expenditures on the existing Louisiana Transparency and Accountability Portal (LaTrac), but also include spending information from the Louisiana judiciary, legislature and public universities, according to the bill.Louisianas interest in providing a wider breadth of state spending data in a user-friendly format is part of a broader plan by states across the nation to deliver a range of government data and information in an easily digestible format, says Michelle Surka, tax and budget director for the U.S. Public Interest Research Group (U.S. PIRG). The nonprofit organization last month released its 2018 report , which ranks states based on the transparency of the government spending data they provide on their state websites.After publishing this report eight times over the years, the piece of good news is that states are getting better and better at providing transparency to their spending, Surka said.States governments and their CIOs are interested in providing transparency to their constituents on how their tax dollars are being put to use, she added. Also, if state agencies are aware their expenditures are easily available for public scrutiny though a website search, it potentially cuts back on government fraud and creates a situation where state CIOs and other government officials may become more efficient in their spending, Surka surmised.U.S. PIRG provides a top 10 and a bottom 10 list of the states, based on the online access to government state spending data. Some of the criteria used to rank the states include the depth and breadth of the spending data provided, such as government payments to vendors, the scope of tax dollars used to offset subsidies to companies looking to set up shop in a state, and the ability to provide a one-stop resource for citizens, which can search for data across a number of state agencies from one website portal versus going to a dozen government websites to glean the same information.Here is the list of U.S. PIRGs 2018 top 10:And a list of the bottom 10:Ohio ranks No. 1 for its ability to put different disparate data sets from across a number of state agencies and branches into one searchable portal dashboard, Surka says. West Virginia tied for first with its user-friendly, intuitive search capabilities on its website.West Virginia did not do a data dump. They made it intuitive and searchable. Some websites upload thousands of PDFs onto their site that arent searchable and expect citizens to find what they need on the site, Surka explained.As for Louisiana, the state is already in the top 10 because of its LaTrac and its well-structured design, but should HB 10 ultimately pass and become enacted, Surka said it would likely push Louisiana to one of the top spots.As for the bottom 10 states, one of the common threads is a lack of prioritizing the importance of providing transparent government spending data, she noted. Wyoming, for example, requires citizens to input the specific name of the vendor to find out how much a particular vendor received and does not afford the ability to search for data based on subject, such as how much the governor of Wyoming spends on travel, she added.Spending transparency is only part of the issue when it comes to how citizens interact with their governments' websites, Surka says. States that opt to spend time on how their citizens can access their sites see great outcomes from it in terms of how policy decisions are made to the programs created. (TNS) North Carolinians are calling on state leaders to make schools safer and pay teachers more.State legislators have proposed a bill that may do both if the teacher agrees to get police training.A trio of Republican legislators want to set aside $9 million for the "School Security Act of 2018," which would offer a 5 percent salary boost to up to 3,000 teachers who complete the state's training programs and become school resource officers. A school resource officer is a certified law enforcement officer who is permanently assigned to provide coverage to a school or a set of schools.More than $4.7 million would go to the N.C. Department of Public Instruction to establish the "Teacher Resource Officer Grant Program," and the rest would go toward salary supplements. The bill was proposed Thursday by Republican state Sens. Warren Daniel, Ralph Hise and Dan Bishop.If the teacher qualifies and successfully completes training to become a "teacher resource officer," he or she "shall have the same powers as municipal and county police officers to make arrests for both felonies and misdemeanors and to charge for infractions."Schools could determine whether their teacher-resource officers would carry firearms. And a teacher's identity as a school resource officer would be confidential under state law, meaning the public wouldn't know which teachers doubled as officers.Daniel said in an email that the bill "solves the two major personnel problems associated with implementing public school security the high cost of putting an adequate number of SROs in every school and the shortage of SRO candidates to apply for the positions.""It also addresses law enforcements concerns about having armed teachers who are not adequately trained to handle firearms and deal with emergency situations," Daniel said. "The Sheriffs Association was consulted in the drafting of the bill and they made a number of helpful suggestions."The idea was immediately panned by Mark Jewell, president of the North Carolina Association of Educators."This is such a bad idea," Jewell said. "NCAE opposes arming our teachers. We should be armed with resources to help our students be successful."Teachers could apply to the program through their school, which would have discretion over who qualifies. Teachers who have at least two years of experience in the military or as a law enforcement officer would get precedence.A teacher would have to go through the same training that school resource officers complete, and, at least once every five years, complete training "to respond to an active shooter situation," the bill says.The state would provide up to two weeks of additional paid leave to all teachers in the training program.The N.C. DPI would establish the program and grant criteria by Aug. 1, 2018, accept applications until Nov. 1 and award grants no later than Dec. 31. As for private and charter schools, the bill authorizes teachers who have a concealed handgun permit to carry it at the school so long as school administrators and a local law enforcement agency give written permission.The North Carolina Justice Academy requires would-be school resource officers to complete 400 hours of training to become certified, and trainees must be sworn members of a law enforcement agency within the state of North Carolina.Specht: 919-829-4870 @AndySpecht2018 The News & Observer (Raleigh, N.C.)Visit The News & Observer (Raleigh, N.C.) at www.newsobserver.comDistributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. (TNS) There's a digital divide between Centre County, Pa.'s urban and rural areas.Many residents who live in the less populated communities don't have adequate access to high-speed Internet services. Gov. Tom Wolf launched an initiative this year that aims to help expand broadband access to businesses and households throughout Pennsylvania.High-speed Internet access is essential to growing our economy, expanding educational opportunities for our children, increasing access to modern health care, and improving the safety of our communities, Wolf said in a statement. For Pennsylvania to succeed we must close the digital divide ensuring every citizen and business has the access it needs to connect to the ever-expanding digital world in which we live and work.Areas of the county that have limited or no broadband access defined as a "point of entry into the Internet via a service provider or mobile carrier" include portions of the Penns Valley, Bald Eagle Valley and Mountaintop regions, according to data from the Centre County Planning Office.In urbanized areas of the county, 9 out of 10 residents are in a broadband Internet service area, while just 3 out of 10 residents in rural areas are in a service area. Of the roughly 162,000 county residents, about 136,000 have broadband Internet and 26,000 do not, according to the planning office."Centre County is slightly better off in terms of broadband Internet services provided to residents and businesses, but there is vast room for improvement," senior planner Liz Lose said. "With the selection of technologies, Internet service providers and dedicated leaders, we have the capacity to resolve broadband Internet issues in rural areas it is finding the right funding formula and partnership model."Wolf's Pennsylvania Broadband Incentive Program will offer $35 million in incentives to telecommunications companies in an effort to encourage them to expand their Internet service to underserved or unserved areas throughout the state.The Federal Communications Commission has determined census blocks in the state that are up for bid in its upcoming Connect American Fund Phase II Auction, which begins on July 24. The auction will award up to $1.98 billion of universal service support over 10 years to areas currently unserved by broadband, according to the FCC.However, it doesn't guarantee that all areas included in the auction will get expanded service. It's really up to the providers.Wolf said he is hoping to make high-speed Internet available to every Pennsylvanian by 2022.U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., said that there needs to be a "massive infusion of dollars" into infrastructure for rural broadband."When you go across Pennsylvania, it's hundreds of thousands of people just in rural counties ... that have no high-speed Internet," Casey said. "Kids can't learn in school, they can't do their homework, small businesses can't grow."He said all levels of government are working toward solving the problem, but "we haven't really advanced as much as we need to.""It should be a national goal, just like electricity was a couple generations ago," Casey said. San Jose, Calif.'s recent pact with AT&T to deploy small cells to upgrade its broadband connectivity is meant to lay the foundation for 5G as well as the forthcoming public safety network FirstNet. But the city also thinks it could serve as a landmark for other municipalities weighing similar decisions.The five-year agreement, which AT&T can extend for two additional periods of five years at applicable rates, was announced by San Jose on April 23 . It will allow AT&T to install roughly 170 small cells around the city to supplant and improve upon coverage from its existing macrocell sites.This will yield improvements in existing LTE coverage over which 70 percent to 80 percent of Internet of Things data traffic will occur, officials said in an April 19 memorandum to the City Council.It will also help bridge a digital divide; that is, the city has 95,000 residents without broadband or Internet access, according to Chief Innovation Officer Shireen Santosham, one of. Many of them are low-income.AT&T will pay about $5 million in lease revenue over the contracts maximum 15-year life plus $850,000 in up-front permitting revenue aimed at increasing the speed of small cell permitting. The company will pay an additional $1 million targeting organizational, process and technology improvements at the city, according to the memorandum.The connectivity enabled by small cells is key to supporting the city's quality of living, to realizing its Smart City Vision and to maintaining its brand image as the Capital of Silicon Valley, officials said in the memo. And while scrutinizing the citys Broadband and Digital Inclusion Strategy over the past two years or so, officials discovered San Jose had only about 3 percent high-quality fiber in the ground, Santosham said.The agreement is the result of negotiations that identified shared goals including economic development, equitable deployment and digital inclusion. What makes it unique, from San Joses perspective, is that part of AT&Ts investment will be dedicated to improving the citys capacity to manage broadband and speed deployments, Santosham said. And remaining monies from the providers investment will go into a digital inclusion fund still being organized.We fundamentally believe theres common ground to be had here. And these kinds of agreements, I think, can show other cities and the industry where that common ground is. We want broadband investment in our cities and we need the companies to bring the capital and expertise to do that. There really shouldnt be as much contention as there has been, Santosham said.Jason Porter, vice president, technology planning at AT&T, said the agreement brings a lot of benefits to his company as well, as it enables its rising need to be able to connect things at higher speed and lower latency, to be able to deliver the services that our customers are trying to deliver.With the move to 5G, as we deploy more and more 5G edge capabilities, were able to reduce the latency significantly, which unlocks entirely new use cases that were very excited about. We also, with our FirstNet offering, weve got a huge need and desire as a company to provide the best service we can for our first responders, Porter said.AT&T is the service provider for the First Responder Network Authority of the United States, otherwise known as FirstNet , which 56 states and territories joined late last year. The company offered priority service and pre-emption capabilities ahead of a controlled core network introduction that began on March 27.We have an obligation as a company, it may not be contractual, but we feel this motivation to provide the best services for our first responders. We likely have a need or an opportunity that we can pair nicely with that citys need and it can likely lift all those boats, Porter said.Eric McHenry, Santa Rosa's chief information officer, said the city council will hold a study session June 5 on small cells. The municipality has what he described as fundamentally poor cellphone coverage across all carriers, a condition highlighted by last years historic Tubbs Fire one of a series of North Bay blazes which burned nearly 37,000 acres and consumed more than 5,500 buildings. Santa Rosa was the worst hit by that fire.Its been in the news quite a bit recently that a lot of people wanted to get alerted by their cellphones but they couldnt get coverage. Couple that with FirstNet and Verizons public cloud, we really want to get small cells in our city also, McHenry said.Verizon began installations and permit applications about six months ago for around 70 small cells in Santa Rosa, with around 40 on Pacific Gas & Electric poles and around 30 on city light standards. But after hearing from residents concerned about the devices aesthetics, and from activists worried about radiofrequency radiation, the city in March paused approval of installations on poles it owns. RF radiation is already regulated by the Federal Communications Commission.McHenry said San Joses agreement with AT&T appears to have yielded favorable results for the city and will likely be part of the Santa Rosa City Councils discussion but he pointed out that the market is different in San Jose, where the number of people utilizing each small cell would likely be lower, resulting in lower pole attachment fees for the agency. Santa Rosa, he said, has also set a precedent in existing contracts with Verizon and provider Mobilitie, which is seeking to add around 50 small cells on city standards.Given its current coverage, digital equity is not as much front of mind up here, McHenry said. I think fundamentally for me, my concern is, I want to get better cellphone coverage in Santa Rosa. Oakland County, Mich., which is home to more than 1.2 million residents in the Detroit area, has announced that Bridget Kravchenko will be its new chief information security officer (CISO) starting May 29, making her the first woman to hold that job.Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson made the announcement via a press release , praising Kravchenkos qualifications as impressive. Kravchenko (pictured at left) was CISO at Federal-Mogul Motorparts, and she is the chairperson of Michigan InfraGard, which is a public-private partnership with the FBI aimed at bolstering online protections for United States citizens, infrastructure and resources. Prior to her position with Federal-Mogul Motorparts, she held the role of CISO at Meridian Health Plan.Information security is one of our highest priorities in the county and we have worked hard to protect the assets with which we are entrusted, said Oakland County CIO Phil Bertolini. [Krevchenko] is highly respected and brings a wealth of industry experience, which will help Oakland County continue to be a leader in this area.As CISO, Krevchenko will join Oakland Countys information technology department, which is responsible for innovation and tech programs, providing service for all other county government units, as well as local municipalities and other groups that are affiliated with the county. All told, this includes more than 100 local governmental units, more than 50 private-sector customers and more than 1,700 Access Oakland customers. The department and by extension Krevchenko is also responsible for more than 150 major tech applications consisting of more than 8,000 programs for which it provides systems support, maintenance, enhancements and new development.Bertolini said Krevchenkos experience is invaluable, and she will manage a team of four cybersecurity specialists that will be involved in every aspect of Oakland Countys IT work. Bertolini expects Krevchenkos experience with public-private partnerships in particular to be a tremendous asset for the department.Those public-private partnerships and the ability to leverage resources from multiple entities, thats paramount to success, he said.Krevchenkos predecessor in the role was Chris Burrows, who worked for Oakland County from 2013 until February of this year, when he stepped down to serve as the senior vice president of security solutions for CBI Cyber Security Solutions, which is based in Ferndale, Mich. Essentially, Bertolini said, Burrows built a robust and dynamic cybersecurity framework, with a momentum that someone with Krevchenkos extensive experience will be able to build upon. The next rumour regarding Fernando Alonso's future has emerged in the Monaco paddock. Earlier, with McLaren's Zak Brown saying he wants to keep the Spaniard, it emerged that Alonso and Flavio Briatore met with Ferrari officials. But Speed Week now reports that McLaren is considering entering Indycar full time. Another rumour in the paddock suggests the British team will initially partner with an existing team before going it alone in 2020. It would tie in with the sudden appointment of two-time Indycar champion and Indy 500 winner Gil de Ferran as a McLaren consultant. The rumour is that Alonso would front the Indycar team from the cockpit from 2019. Brown confirmed: "We are looking at some other forms of motor sport, most notably Indycar is under review. "He (de Ferran) obviously has great history there, so any expertise he has that he can volunteer to help us improve, we're very open-minded to that." Alonso said: "I had nothing to do with de Ferran's appointment. Zak called me a few weeks ago and said that the team is looking at options and he can help with a fresh perspective. "At the moment he (de Ferran) is listening more than talking, and then he will contribute more." (GMM) NHK WORLD-JAPAN and PBS Hawaii Bring Documentary on Heroic WWII Japanese-American Regiment to Screening Attendees and Viewers Also in Commemoration of the150th Anniversary of Japanese Immigrants to Hawaii, a Second Two-part Program Relevant to Japanese-Americans to Air in Coming Weeks News Release HONOLULUMay 23, 2018 NHK WORLD-JAPAN , the English-language channel operated by Japans public broadcaster, NHK, today announced it will host a special screening of Rescuing the Lost Battalion The Story behind the Heroes, a documentary that recounts the compelling story behind the 442nd Infantry Regiment of Japanese-American soldiers who rescued a battalion of fellow US troops surrounded by German forces in France during the latter part of World War II. These Nisei soldiers became instant heroesbut at a steep cost. Rescuing the Lost Battalion will air on PBS Hawaii and NHK WORLD-JAPAN in August 2018. NHK WORLD-JAPAN and PBS Hawaii will present the documentary at a screening on Tuesday, June 5 at the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii in Honolulu, as part of Gannenmono, a celebration of the 150th anniversary of the first Japanese immigrants to Hawaii. Leslie Wilcox, PBS Hawaiis president and CEO, will serve as emcee for the screening, and Yoichiro Sasagawa, NHK director of Rescuing the Lost Battalion, will provide remarks and participate in a question-and-answer session following the closing credits. "I am honored to bring this important documentary from NHK WORLD-JAPAN to the US, enabling viewers to be enlightened by this significant piece of history," said Yoichiro Sasagawa. "The documentary was completed with the strong support of veterans and their families, as well as many organizations and individuals related to this part of history. By telling the story of the 442nd Infantry Regiment to not only Americans and Japanese, but to young generations around the world, I hope to offer an opportunity for everyone to think about war itself." Also coinciding with Gannenmono, this summer NHK WORLD-JAPAN will air a two-part program of relevance to Hawaii, and in particular to its Japanese American residents. The special s , airing on June 30 and July 7, 2018, examine the lives of local Japanese Americans who have built their rich culture over the past 150 years, and continue this lifestyle in Hawaii. We are very pleased to co-host this screening with NHK WORLD-JAPAN. This historically important documentary and other NHK WORLD-JAPAN programming are of great interest to our Hawaii viewers, said Wilcox. We are honored to work closely on this with the Japan America Society of Hawaii, the Nisei Veterans Legacy, and the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii, and were thrilled that this event is part of the Gannenmono celebration. Carried throughout the U.S. since 2009, with Hawaii one of its first carriage markets, the growth of NHK WORLD-JAPAN has been particularly strong in major U.S. markets. The 24/7 broadcast station also reaches viewers through affiliates in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, Washington, DC, San Francisco, Atlanta, Seattle, Denver, Orlando, Charlotte and Baltimore. ---30--- About NHK WORLD-JAPAN NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation) is Japans sole public broadcaster, operating the nations largest domestic and international television network. In Japan, NHK broadcasts four TV channels and three radio stations. NHK also transmits two international television channels, NHK WORLD-JAPAN (English, HD, 24/7) and NHK WORLD PREMIUM (Japanese, HD, 24/7), as well as international radio services in eighteen languages. NHK WORLD-JAPAN reaches over 300 million households in 160 countries and regions via local satellite and cable TV providers. Online live streaming and VOD (video on-demand) services through the free mobile app and the website, give viewers access to NHK WORLD-JAPAN anywhere and anytime. You can also connect through Apple TV and Amazon Fire TV. Presenting an extensive range of Asia-centered programming, NHK WORLD-JAPAN is your window to Japan, Asia, and the rest of the world. For more details, visit https://www.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/ About Japan International Broadcasting, Inc. Japan International Broadcasting Inc. (JIB), a subsidiary of NHK, is responsible for the worldwide distribution of the HD English language news/lifestyle channel NHK WORLD-JAPAN, as well as the HD Japanese language channel NHK WORLD PREMIUM. Currently, the two channels are broadcast around the world on three international plus domestic satellites in their respective markets and reach households, hotels and others via DTH, cable, IPTV, and terrestrial broadcast. About PBS Hawaii Judge orders TRO against Tupolas ousted GOP critic Star-Adv May 26, 2018 (excerpts) A Honolulu district judge Friday granted gubernatorial candidate state Rep. Andria Tupola an injunction against harassment, restraining the leader of a conservative Republican splinter group from contacting, threatening or harassing her. Tupola sought the petition against Eric Ryan, president of the Hawaii Republic Assembly, after she accused him of harassment and cyberbullying. She claimed Ryans social media posts and advertisements about her incited death threats from other people. Ryan was expelled Thursday from the Republican Party of Hawaii by a 19-12 vote of its full state committee. This was Tupolas third petition filed against Ryan. Judge Michael Tanigawa denied the first petition April 12. The second was denied April 16 by Judge Hilary Gangnes, who presided over Fridays hearing. Gangnes order, which both parties agreed upon, is in effect for three years. She ordered Ryan to refrain from contacting Tupola by telephone, cellphone, mail, email, texts and social networking sites. The judge noted the case involves the intersection of First Amendment free speech rights involving political issues, which makes it different from the average temporary restraining order case, but said the statute doesnt except politicians from its protection. She said there is no legitimate purpose to posting photographs and making allegations about her family members who are not running for political office. She concluded that the purpose was to cause Tupola emotional distress, with apparently no factual basis. . Tupolas attorney, Michael Green, in his closing comments said state law on harassment gives politicians the same protections as other people .. Ryan repeatedly responded with snide remarks and in a provocative manner. When Green asked Ryan whether Tupolas statement was a true statement in the petition where she said she feels afraid and helpless, Ryan said, I think shes full of it. Full of what? Green asked. Full of the same stuff youre full of, Ryan said. Green called what Ryan did to Aaron Wilson, executive director of the Republican Party of Hawaii, evilness by sending to his boss information and a photo that he was a pedophile, despite knowing it was false. It shows his lack of credibility, he said.. read About what Hawaii Republicans are Focused on While Democrats run in Elections Court Records: A teacher gives a lesson at a primary school in Ersai township in Daliangshan mountain area in Sichuan province. [Photo/VCG] Govt pledges to tackle imbalance, eliminate crowded classes by 2020 China will lend stronger financial support to improve education quality in remote rural areas to improve the country's weak links in education, a senior official said. Zheng Fuzhi, assistant education minister, said during a news briefing held by the State Council's information office on Friday that China will direct another 13 billion yuan ($2 billion) toward fiscal transfers to local governments for education. The decision was made during the State Council's executive meeting on Wednesday. Zheng said the money will mainly be given to schools in remote and poverty-stricken areas, and another 10,000 teachers will be sent to such areas to improve education quality there. Efforts will be given to improve the treatment for teachers under the compulsory education system in rural areas, Zheng says, and the Ministry of Education will work to make sure that salaries for such teachers will not be lower than local civil servants, and will make sure salaries are paid on time. Fiscal transfers for education have increased from 246 billion yuan in 2012 to 311.8 billion yuan in 2017. More than 80 percent of the funds have been used to improve education quality in western China. At the same time, about 80 percent of financial support came from the central government. The government has attached great importance to improving compulsory education in recent years, Zheng said, and half of the country's education expenditures were spent on compulsory education. A total of 96 million students received financial support in 2017. He said further balancing education quality in urban and rural areas will be an important task for the ministry this year, he said. "There has been a strong imbalance of education quality in rural and urban areas for a long time and there are some historical reasons behind such phenomenon," Zheng said. "Currently, schools of good teaching quality in urban areas are getting overwhelmingly crowded." Zheng said that by the end of 2017 there were 368,000 classes across China with more than 56 students in each class. He said the government aims to eliminate such crowded classes by 2020 to ensure education quality, while more adequate financing will be provided to schools with very few students in remote rural areas. Her appointment was approved unanimously by the KEI's board of directors, according to a spokesperson on Wednesday, and she starts in September. Former U.S. Ambassador to Korea Kathleen Stephens will become president of the Korea Economic Institute of America, a think tank in Washington. "This is an important time in the U.S.-Korea relationship," Stephens said in a statement. "I look forward to joining a great team at KEI, and to doing all I can to deepen dialogue, understanding and cooperation on the range of issues critical to the future of Korea and our relationship." The current president, former congressman Donald Manzullo, retires in June. Stephens (65) is currently a fellow at the Asia-Pacific Research Center of Stanford University. A career diplomat, she served as U.S. ambassador to Seoul from 2008 to 2011. She arrived in Korea for the first time in 1975 as a member of Peace Corps and taught English in South Chungcheong Province for two years. She returned in 1983 as a foreign service officer, working at the embassy and the consulate in Busan. She retired from the foreign service in 2013 after working as charge d'affaires in India. Funded by the Korea Institute for International Economic Policy, the KEI was established in 1982. U.S. President Donald Trump said Friday the much-anticipated summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un that he, Trump, canceled Thursday could still place as originally scheduled. "We'll see what happens," Trump said before leaving the White House to deliver the commencement address at the nearby U.S. Naval Academy. "It could even be the 12th." Trump said U.S. and North Korean officials are engaged in talks aimed at reviving plans for the summit. "They very much want to do it. We'd like to do it. We're going to see what happens." U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis echoed those remarks Friday, telling reporters at the Pentagon that ongoing discussions between Washington and Pyongyang could put the summit "back on" track. "That diplomats are still at work on the summit, (the) possibility of a summit, so thats very good news," Mattis said. When asked if the summit could still be on June 12, Mattis was non-committal, saying only, "The diplomats are working it but nothing's changed." Earlier Friday, Trump said North Korea's response to his cancellation of the summit was "warm and productive" and expressed hope it would lead to "long and enduring prosperity and peace." North Korea said Friday it is still willing to sit for denuclearization talks with the United States "at any time, (in) any format." North Korean Vice Foreign Minister Kim Kye-gwan, a longtime nuclear negotiator and senior diplomat, said in a statement carried by state media that the North is "willing to give the U.S. time and opportunities" to reconsider talks. As an existing print subscriber it is easy to get FREE access to all our online content. When you click get started below it will walk you through creating an online account to attach your print subscription number to. After your account is created it will ask you to either add a subscription for online access or click on the print subscriber button. Click the print subscriber button header and it will open a dropdown, now click on get started. The page will reload and you will be prompted to enter an account number and a zip code. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO USE THE NUMBER OFF OF THE MOST RECENT ISSUE OR ANYTHING AFTER JANUARY 28, 2019 TO GAIN ACCESS! OLD ACCOUNT NUMBERS WILL NOT WORK The account number and zip code are easily available on your most recent issue of the High Plains Journal or Midwest Ag Journal in the address fields as is shown here. Sometimes the account number has extra zero's in front of it, just ignore those. South Korean President Moon Jae-in held a surprise meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un on Saturday to ensure a summit between Kim and U.S. President Donald Trump goes off successfully, South Korean officials said. It was the clearest sign yet that the on-again off-again summit between Trump and Kim is likely to be held as initially agreed, in Singapore on June 12. The unannounced meeting at the Panmunjom border village between Moon and Kim came a month after they held the first inter-Korean summit in more than a decade at the same venue and declared they would toward a nuclear-free Korean peninsula. "The two leaders candidly exchanged views about making the North Korea-U.S. summit a successful one and about implementing the joint declaration," South Korea's presidential spokesman said in a statement. Moon, who returned to Seoul earlier this week after a meeting with Trump, will announce details of the meeting with Kim on Sunday morning. Trump said on Friday that Washington was having "productive talks" with Pyongyang about reinstating the June 12 meeting, just a day after canceling it. Politico magazine reported that an advance team of 30 White House and State Department officials was preparing to leave for Singapore later this weekend. Reuters reported earlier this week the team was scheduled to discuss the agenda and logistics for the summit with North Korean officials. The delegation was to include White House Deputy Chief of Staff Joseph Hagin and deputy national security adviser Mira Ricardel, U.S. officials said, speaking on condition of anonymity. Trump said in a Twitter post late on Friday: "We are having very productive talks about reinstating the Summit which, if it does happen, will likely remain in Singapore on the same date, June 12th., and, if necessary, will be extended beyond that date." Trump had earlier indicated the summit could be salvaged after welcoming a conciliatory statement from North Korea saying it remained open to talks. "It was a very nice statement they put out," Trump told reporters at the White House. "We'll see what happens -- it could even be the 12th." "We're talking to them now. They very much want to do it. We'd like to do it," he said. The comments came just a day after Trump canceled the meeting, citing Pyongyang's "open hostility." Brayton School held its annual Memorial Day observance on Friday. McCarron's fourth grade class at Brayton School. PreviousNext Brayton Pupils Encouraged to Remember Sacrifices Teacher Marie McCarron and her fourth-grade class the lead the event each year with help from the school community. See more photos here. NORTH ADAMS, Mass. Brayton Elementary School pupils got a lesson in sacrifice and honor during the school's annual Memorial Day observance on Friday. Guest speaker James Canavan, a Coast Guard and Navy veteran, reminded the assembly in the school's cafetorium that some 37,000 Massachusetts residents had given their lives over the years "so that we can do things like we're doing here today." It was a commemoration, he said, a matter of remembering together the sacrifices made by the men and women who had heeded the call of duty. But some of the children didn't need much educating on the subject because when he asked what a sacrifice was, the hands went up. "A sacrifice would be like someone goes to war," explained Ben Wentz. "That would be saying that they gave their lives for something and that something would be the United States of America." Led by Marie McCarron's fourth-grade class, this was the third year the event has been held at Brayton since the closure of Sullivan School, which had done the yearly observance. Marine Lt. Col. Bennett Walsh, superintendent of the Soldiers' Home in Holyoke, who also spoke last year, said the school and its students understood what the observance was about. "What you're all doing here today is the meaning of Memorial Day," he said. "You're taking the time, even though you might not have a family member in the military." The fourth-graders took turns in introducing guests, reciting poems and President Lincoln's letter to Mrs. Bixby , leading the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silence, and explaining the history and the meaning behind Memorial Day. There were also choral and band performances, and a color guard from the Richard A. Ruether American Legion Post 152. A number of dignitaries were invited, including Mayor Thomas Bernard, school administration, police officers, veterans and veterans groups representatives and McCarron's husband, Sgt. 1st Class Michael McCarron. Canavan, who recently moved back to Massachusetts with his wife, former Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts President Mary Grant, told the children that sacrifices come in all sizes. The president had written to Mrs. Bixby because she had lost five sons to the Union cause, a heartbreaking sacrifice. But their teachers, and the police officers, and firefighters and emergency medical services also make sacrifices to serve their communities, he said. "We've got talked about sacrifices, it's giving something up, something that you value, something that you want to keep ... for the greater good," he said. While the federal holiday dates to 1971, and the first general order on decorating graves was in 1868, Canavan pointed to one of the first instances of commemoration when newly freed slaves in Charleston, S.C., properly reburied more than 250 Union soldiers who had died in a prisoner of war camp. Thousands turned out for the cemetery dedication to honor the men who to free them. "This Memorial Day really has its roots among regular people," Canavan said. "The government didn't have to tell them to do this, they wanted to do this on their own." Retired Army Staff Sgt. Joseph Zustra Jr., commander of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 996, encouraged the children to learn about their own families military history. "Over our country's long history, every generation has been called to service for one war or another," he said. "These families literally lost husbands, wives, mothers, fathers, and children in the defense of freedom not only for our country but also for the defense of other countries whose sovereignty, freedom and way of life were threatened." Remembering that is a solemn duty that now falls on their shoulders, Zustra said. "We need to take the time to tell the stories of our families' military history ... you may be surprised at the outcome of such a conversation." He, like Canavan, encouraged the children to attend the Memorial Day parade and to understand what the day is about. "Rendering honors is never wrong but it is important not to do so blindly," he said. Bernard spoke of North Adams' more recent losses in Army Spc. Michael DeMarsico II, killed in Afghanistan in 2012, and Army Sgt. Peter W. Foote, killed in 1968 in Vietnam. Their names are at the Armory and the skating rink, but the mayor wanted to impress upon the children they were real people, with real friends and families who love and miss them. "Each one of us has a responsibility to understand the sacrifices made to keep us free and to live up to the example of those who made those sacrifices," Bernard said. Superintendent of School Barbara Malkas, whose daughter is in the Coast Guard, said she understands the waiting and worrying that families go through when their loved ones might be in danger. On Memorial Day, we should be also thinking of them, as well, for their sacrifice, she said. She also pointed to the Latin mottos of the armed services faithful, courageous, strong and defending against oppression. "Think about that as leaders: I will be courageous, I will be strong, I will be ready, and I will defend those who cannot defend themselves," Malkas said. "That is a charge that all of us can do in honor of those who lost their lives so we may live in freedom." Participating fourth-graders were Rommel Alvarez, Ariana Barton, Faith Brazeau, Alex Cable, Brayden Canales, Lillyonna Crawford, Kaylee DiSanti, London DiSanti, Dylan Dunn, David Gregory, Lucas Hamilton, Bradley Karmazyn, Jordyn Lloyd, Keira Martin, Traivon Moore, Mercedes Ritcher, Cole Schadler and Lila Stanley. Kathmandu, May 25 Officials from the Kathmandu Metropolitan City and a Chinese company have signed an agreement to conduct a study to determine the feasibility of a monorail line along the Ring Road in Kathmandu. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between Kathmandu Metropolitan City and China Railway Construction Corporation, amid a programme organised in the Capital on Friday. China Railway will submit a report on the feasibility of the project within seven months. As per the agreement, the company will also study the financial, technical, and sustainability aspects. Speaking at the event, Mayor Bidya Sudnar Shakya said he was committed to completing the construction of the project within his tenure. Likewise, the Chief Executive Officer of the China Railway Li Hongki said the company was committed to completing the study within the stipulated time. The KMC will also be cooperating with the Lalitpur Metropolis in this regard. New Jersey state Attorney General Gurbir Grewal slammed Department of Education Secretary Betsy DeVos for effectively shutting down investigations into fraudulent activity by private universities in the U.S. In a letter to DeVos, Grewal, the first Indian Sikh American Attorney General in the U.S., offered to take over the investigations. (New Jersey Office of the Attorney General photo) Former physician Rajesh Kumar Singla, who practiced at John Muir Hospital in Walnut Creek, Calif., was arrested May 8, 2017 on suspicion of sexually assaulting a female patient. The Indian American doctor accepted a plea deal April 7 of eight months of house arrest. (Contra Costa County Sheriffs Department photo) Congress and JD-S legislators after the trust vote in the Karnataka Assembly in Bengaluru May 25. The Karnataka government, led by Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, May 25 won the confidence motion with a voice vote in the new Assembly after opposition BJP members walked out ahead of the floor test. (IANS photo) People thinking of getting hitched this year must be busy planning how they will save up money to complete the wedding ritualsfor Nepali weddings are generally expensive. A typical Nepali wedding has two key dimensions: cultural rituals and social gatherings. Both involve excessive costsnot only for the bride and the groom, but for both the families get stuck in planning for expenses for months. Bibhushan Shakya and Silva Shrestha also began discussing finances a couple of months ago as they had set the wedding date for May 11. This couple, however, were not concerned about how much they would spend for jewellery and how many thousands of rupees on parties. They were trying to make their wedding a bit different in terms of expenditure. In fact, they were trying to cut down on all possible costs for the wedding and invest the saving on a social cause instead. One week after they tied the knot, the couple now finally feel a sigh of relieffor they have already sent USD 10,000 that they had saved for their wedding to a social enterprise in Nepal working on an educational reform campaign here. Shakya and Shrestha, who currently live in different parts of the United States, came to Kathmandu earlier this month for their wedding, and have already returned to their school and work back in the States. Before leaving Nepal, they donated the amount to Teach for Nepal (TFN), an organisation that has been mobilising teachers at community schools in six districts of the country as a part of a two-year fellowship, with a mission to bridge differences between private and community schools of the country. No publicity gimmick When Shakya proposed to Shrestha and both the families that they invest their wedding budget on the social cause, everyone was taken by surprise. He did not have a stable job. Neither a home nor a car, Shrestha shares, But, when he proposed that we donate that big amount to an organisation, I myself did not believe it at first. In fact, Shakya initially had proposed to give away USD 15,000, combining savings of both the bride and groom. However, the lady thought it could be beyond their capacity and convinced the groom to reduce the amount by one third. The couple claim the idea originated in Shakyas benevolent desire to support the education of the underprivileged. They say they did not donate the money because they were rich, and they wanted to show it off, or they had a lust for popularity as benevolent hearts. We both had a deep faith that education matters in every persons life and we wanted to make our contribution to the campaign that has a mission to change the educational landscape here, Shakya claims, I had been saving all possible money in a bank account since I moved to the US in 2004 and the money I had was the culmination of my savings over these 14 years. Whereas Shakya was saving since 2004, he also convinced Shrestha to join him since they began the relationship in 2014. Then, they opened a joint account in the US and over these four years, Shrestha also contributed a significant amount. We were not concerned about how our decision would be taken by others. Not at all! Shrestha shares, adding, she did not have any idea that TFN would reveal the information about the donation to the media and the public. Desire to set an example Though they did not have any craving for popularity, both of them say they wanted to set themselves as an example in front of their families, relatives and friends. Yes, I used to donate money to organisations like this regularly, but in small amounts. I had a desire to make it as big as possible on my wedding, because I wanted to set an example that wedding is not about spending money in foods and ornaments, but also about fulfilling your duty to your society, Shakya says as Shrestha adds, I have many cousins and friends and relatives who are thinking of beginning conjugal life very soon. I wanted to inspire them about the idea of donation. The couple had planned to share the news about their donation on their personal Facebook pages only so that would-be brides and grooms would think of following suit. This is why the couple spent so much time in ensuring that the donated fund will be properly utilised for the right purpose as there are many organisations which claim to be assisting the needy in the country. Shakya shares that he chose TFN just because he had known people who established the organisation and was updated about changes the organisation has made since it began the fellowship programme in 2013. At first, they considered supporting children of their own schools with the money. However, they later realised that impacts of assistance to the TFN would be greater, apparently because they were educated at big schools of Kathmandu and children there would not need much assistance financially. Revolt against tradition Because they did not care about the spending in ornaments and food, they say they do not have any idea about how much their families spent on their wedding. We just asked our parents to take care of everything because we did not want to do the wedding that way. However, we could not vehemently dismiss expectations of our family from us, so we compromised in letting the wedding ceremony be the traditional way. Apparently, the families did not leave any stone unturned to make their wedding as grand as possible. Though they do not have any idea about how much money was spent on the rituals and the parties exactly, they estimate that it was not less than any other average wedding in Kathmandu. We did everything that a traditional Newari wedding in Kathmandu has, Shrestha explains, But still, we made a few changes within those traditions to symbolically suggest that we wanted change. For example, during weddings in Shakya families, the grooms family has to gift diamond rings to the couple. However, the groom here chose to stop that tradition. Therefore, they put on tungsten carbide rings as a symbolic revolt. My mom saidoh, you cannot go to become a part of the new family putting on such a cheap ornament, but I told her I would revolt. I told her that I would put on gold-plated ornaments if she really wished so, Shrestha excitingly shares, I even said that my man currently needs an iPad more than a gold chain, hence we should offer him the iPad as a gift instead of jewellery. At the end of the day, they did what they chose to do. In life, you have many excuses to skip doing something, Shakya turns philosophical in defence, But, at the same time, you have as many choices to do something. I just wanted to make right choices, and wish every person would choose right options available to them rightly. After all, you are not going to take anything from this world when you die. Therefore, you should do whatever gives you emotional satisfaction. Shrestha turns out to be the perfect better halffor she seconds, If your small efforts change anyones life, why not? Reno Omokri, former aide to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, who is one of the most outspoken critics of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration, has said only someone like Buhari who enjoys backwardness can idolise Abacha. According to Mr Omokri Nigeria made its best ever improvement on Transparency Internationals Corruption Perception Index, moving eight places forward from 144 to 136 in 2014 under Jonathan. In an interview with Punch, Omokri said Buhari governments persistent blaming of President Jonathan for the looting is not justified without facts. He said; Thank God it was an All Progressives Congress senator that got up on live television and revealed that this administration has borrowed more money in three years than the Peoples Democratic Party borrowed in 16 years, yet what has been the impact? Till today, no one in the Buhari administration can point to even one project that the President Buhari-led government has initiated, started and completed in three years except the Daura helipad which was built for the Presidents own use. Great leaders think of the people they lead. It is weak leaders, like Buhari, who think only of themselves. President Buhari is an ungrateful beneficiary of President Obasanjos good governance. He is an ingrate for saying he is paying Obasanjos debt. Obasanjo did not spend $16bn on power. Obasanjo actually paid all our foreign debts and left a total reserve of $67bn. It is Buhari who has borrowed more in three years than the PDP borrowed in 16 years. Buhari is a plague on this nation. Never since the civil war have we had death on so wide and so high a scale. How many of us will still be alive if Buhari is re-elected in 2019? You or your family may be next! On Buharis praise for late head of state, Sani Abacha, Mr Omokri said; It is only someone like President Buhari, who enjoys backwardness, who has no sense of decency or decorum or even shame, that can idolise such a thoroughly nasty piece of work like Abacha! In a twitter post today, Omokri also lambasted the president and the Economic and Financial Crimes commission, EFCC for just initiating a probe against ex president, Olusegun Obasanjo. A Nigerian family from Ogun state has disowned their daughter, Shalom Shoremi, applying to court to enable her t marry a woman. In a newspaper advertorial, the Shoremi family announced that it has disowned their daughter, Shalom for seeking to marry a woman. The family wrote: The attention of Shoremi Family of Ogun State has been drawn to an application for a special marriage license sought by Shalom T. Shoremi, the advertorial read. She had requested for a special marriage license at the Federal Marriage Registry on 22nd of March, 2018 to allow her consummate a same sex marriage, which was rejected as it in variance with the marriage Act of the Federal Republic Of Nigeria. The family is disassociating itself from the move and has served ties with her. We also disown her on the grounds that what she planned to do is against the law in Nigeria. She will also not be entitled to anything from the family inheritance. Recall that Former President Goodluck Jonathan had signed the anti-gay bill into law in January 2014, therefore when reportedly approached a federal marriage registry for approval to consummate her marriage to her partner, the application was rejected. Same-sex marriage probation act of 2014, prescribes 14 years imprisonment for those convicted of homosexuality. Nollywood actor, Adeniyi Johnson is bereaved. His elder sister and only living sibling Aderonke Victoria Babalola has died. Adeniyi wrote a heartfelt piece in her honour saying, Its just you and I for over 33yerars, we both have good promises for our mum, I know the struggle and pains and how hards its been, we both wanted the best out of life but why do you have to leave me all by myself at this moment? no brother no sister just me alone, I write with tears and pains, I write because I need to pour out my mind, you see us and all.. we love you and want you around for long, I knew Ill bury you but was hoping for 60-70 more years egbon mi I love you, we love you but God loves you more. please pray for my mum. goodnight ADERONKE VICTORIA BABALOLA your children are in tears he said. -Linda Ikeji Former President Goodluck Jonathan has said he feels ashamed whenever Nigeria is used a negative example. Jonathan made this known while speaking at the inauguration of the first bridge built by Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State in Ado Ekiti, the state capital, on Friday night. He (Ghanaian President) said Ghana is not like Nigeria where cattle roam the streets. At another occasion in the United Kingdom, he made scathing remarks about Nigerias currency. I feel ashamed as a former President that the president of a neighbouring country used Nigeria as negative examples. If a neighbouring African president will use Nigeria to make negative examples, then we as leaders must know certain things are wrong in the country. That means we as leaders must change the way we do things. The former President also advised President Muhammadu Buhari to resist pressure to rig the July 14 governorship election in Ekiti State. Few weeks ago, a Nigerian mother of two, Uwaila Agbonson happily celebrated her divorce from her husband, Emmanuel Arigbe-Osula with a cake. At that time, she called out the names of the side chicks that ruined her home and the roles they all played as she wished them a happy life with her ex husband. Now, her husbands family has responded to her claims calling her a liar and described it as a case of greed and blackmail taken too far. Read the full statement below: Someone just contacted me that youre alleging on Social Media that hes replying your post. Drama queen, He is not interested in your fake news & sensationalized stories. Everyone in the world knows that if he was not paying child support in America & the additional gift of maintenance totalling over $2550 monthly he agreed to, He would have been in jail or be without all his driving & business licences. In addition until two weeks ago, he was still paying for your car insurance, you and your siblings phone bills. As at this very second, I am writing he still pay for your phone & Mobil internet (hot spot). Remember that the last time you paid for anything in 15 years until recently was just a few months ago. He sent you to London for your B.Sc & M.Sc after you couldnt pass the University Matriculations Examination, UME in Nigeria. Whereas you lied that you were a graduate of Computer Science from Uniben, a school you never attended. You spent over $100, 000 on jewellery design training & complete jewellery making studio, completed with Diamond processing & crafting equipments seating in your basement unused. You also spent Tens of thousands of Pounds on other training & setup of a fully equipped Salon that lasted less than 3months while in London. Even when you didnt work one day in 15 years, he paid people $600 weekly to come to the house daily to tutor the children because you were too busy on phone & social media and couldnt take care of your children. You are such a shameless liar who is completely driven by greed & the fact that the wide dream of a clean out in the divorce fell short of your high expectations. You told the family court that the House you got in the divorce settlement should have been fully paid for. A 7bedrooms duplex occupied by you, his two kids, your two brothers who are medical doctors, who by the way were fully trained in All Saints University in the Commonwealth of Dominica by uncle Emmanuel after their father abandoned them there in their first year, your sister & her daughter, who he has cared for since birth apart from training her at Benson Idahosa University. The man virtually adopted & cared for your entire maternal family until just a couple of months ago despite the divorce. Whereas none of you worked, he was responsible for everyone & brought all of you to the United States after educating all of you. As an educated woman now, he could have refused to pay for your maintenance when he filed for the divorce, but instead agreed to it because he wanted you to sign the divorce amicably. You went to court to try to tarnish his name by filling for Order of Protection for you & the kids, it was dismissed because you withdrew it for lacking in substance. His counter-suit was granted. Thats your pain. In court the transcripts will show the world that you & your lawyer argued that he shouldnt be believed because all Nigerians are 419 and now you are appealing to Nigerians sentiments after failing to tarnish him in the family court. The divorce has been over for years, what is your beef? It must be greed certainly. Its not easy having to work for the first time in your life and pay your own bills in America by yourself right? Prove to the world how many years you have worked in your life. Now that you have started working for the first time in your life as a Dialysis Technician, instead of appreciating the handiwork of others in getting you and members of your family to where you are now in life, your desperation has heightened. You want him to continue to pay for everything like before. You have bragged that youre DELILAH and will do anything to destroy him, but God knows that all he did was to marry you against all advice & lifted everyone around you up. So, you shall not succeed. You should be ashamed of yourself for the extent your greed has driven you. You ran up over four credit cards to the turn of hundreds of thousands of dollars & the man did not ask you to pay & yet you are saying crap and lies all over the social media. Enough of your greed and blackmail UWAILA. Emmanuel has a good heart and the fear of God, yet you want to use your greed to tarnish him. I have told you privately & now publicly that you will not succeed. You are not celebrating, but vindictive and bitter over the unsuccessful plot to clean out. You have your boyfriends, so move on and give him peace of mind to move on. If your greed is still driving you, my uncle said that the judge repeatedly told you that you can go to the Supreme Court to seek it, but dont cry wolf when theres none. When my Uncle said over four years ago that you boosted that you are DELILAH out to destroy him, we doubted, but you are beginning to make me believe that you are really a Delilah, but this time around, yours is an unsuccessful mission in Jesus name, Amen. Osa Osula -AKpraise On a bi-annual basis, Apple issues a transparency report, which typically covers the standard account/data takedown requests. This latest report also includes a policy change. On Friday, Apple issued its latest transparency report, which does indeed cover the number of takedown requests pertaining to Apple accounts, as well as requests to access Apple devices, from government bodies all across the globe. But, the report also includes a change to Apples policy regarding requests to remove apps from the companys digital App Stores. Apple has officially confirmed that it will start reporting on government requests to remove apps from the App Store. This change in policy will kick in beginning July 1, 2018: Starting with the Transparency Report period July 1 December 31 2018, Apple will report on Government requests to take down Apps from the App Store in instances related to alleged violations of legal and/or policy provisions. These new reports from Apple will be an explicit detail of which apps, and what type of apps, governments around the world are trying to shut down and remove. Apples transparency reports will also tell us just how many times the company follows through with those requests to remove apps. As it stands right now, Google doesnt share the same information for its Play Store. Rounding out the transparency report, Apple revealed that it had received 29,718 requests for information on Apple devices from governments around the globe between July 1, 2017 to December 31 of the same year. In those situations, the company confirms it complied 79 percent of the time. In addition to that, governments also requested direct information regarding 3,358 Apple accounts, which Apple complied with 32 percent of the time. You can check out the full transparency report through the source link below. Our Take While Apple has confirmed it will be reporting on app takedown requests from governments across the globe, it hasnt said that it will actually name drop the apps specifically. So while we might know that Apple received requests to remove a certain type of app so many times from a certain government, we probably wont now which app, or apps, specifically. Thats unfortunate, but this move for better transparency on Apples part is a nice step in the right direction. [via Apple With GDPR coming into effect in the EU later this week, Apple has released a Data and Privacy portal where it is allowing Apple account holders in the region to download all their associated account data. The company had first promised to release this tool a couple of months ago. The Data and Privacy portal from Apple provides one with an option to not only download all the associated data from their account but also modify their details and delete or temporarily suspend the account. For now, though, Apple has only rolled out the option to download all associated account data for Apple ID holders in the EU, Norway, and a few other regions where the GDPR regulations are going to be applicable. If you are interested in downloading all the associated data from your Apple account, follow the steps below to know how. And if you are wondering what kind of details Apple collects about you, make sure to read this post. Unlike Google, Facebook, and Twitter, Apple collects the bare minimum amount of data which should please a lot of privacy-oriented folks out there. How To Download All Data Associated to your Apple Account Step 1: Head over to Apples Data and Privacy portal and log in with your Apple account and password. Step 2: After logging in, you will see the following options: Obtain a copy of your data Correct your data Deactivate your account Delete your account Select the first option which will then provide you with the option to select all the associated account data that youd like to download. This includes your App Store, iTunes Store activity, device information associated with your Apple account, Game Center activity, and more. Depending on your preference, select the data that youd like to download or just select all of them. Apple breaks the associated account data into two parts. Data related to iCloud Drive, iCloud Mail, and iCloud Photos are shown separately as they can be large and take a long time to download if you have a slow internet connection. Step 3: In the next step, Apple provides an option to break up your account data into multiple files thereby making it easier to download. So, for example, you can break the associated account data into multiple files of 1GB so as to make it easier to download everything. Once done, you will be shown a Thank You note from Apple. The company will create an archive of all your data and then email it to you within seven days of receiving your request. Depending on the amount of data associated with your Apple ID, it can take Apple anywhere between a day to five working days to send you an archive containing all your data. Most of this data will be populated in spreadsheets and contain information related to your Apple account, the number of Apple devices and accessories you have purchased over the years, details about them like their serial number and MAC address, and more. If you are not happy with the amount of data that Apple collects about you or want to disable/delete your Apple account for any reason whatsoever, you can find the relevant options in this portal. And as mentioned before, right now, the Data and privacy portal is only available for Apple account holders in the EU but it will be rolled out to Apple users worldwide in the coming months. This Week in Review A weekly review of the best and most popular stories published in the Imperial Valley Press. Also, featured upcoming events, new movies at local theaters, the week in photos and much more. #NO:EL Rapper NO:EL arrested over allegedly assaulting police officer, refusing breathalyzer Rapper NO:EL was arrested Tuesday on charges of driving without a license, refusing to take a breathalyzer test and headbutting a police officer last month. Police took the 21-y... MEDFORD, Ore. A man charged with Attempted Murder and Assault after shooting his erstwhile host with a handgun has been acquitted of all charges by a jury in Jackson County. At the time of his arrest on May 3 of 2017, police said that Charles Curtis of Albuquerque, New Mexico had been staying with Medford-resident Daniel Daly and his girlfriend Diane Rose, when Daly and Rose got in a fight, causing Daly to leave the house. When Daly returned, he found Curtis and Rose in the hot tuband Curtis was naked. Daly confronted Curtis, after which Curtis produced a handgun, shooting Daly in the arm. When police arrived at the house, they took Curtis into custody. The accused shooter was charged with Attempted Murder, Assault in the First Degree, Assault in the Second Degree, and Unlawful Use of a Weapon (Firearm). When the case unfolded in court, however, Curtis' lawyer Christopher Missiaen argued a more complex sequence of events. According to Missiaen's case, Daly threatened and assaulted Curtis several times prior to the shootingtelling Curtis that he would need to leave or Daly would 'kill him.' The defense also argued that Daly had been in intense conflict with Rose that night, and they attempted to establish a history of domestic violence in that relationship. State evidence claimed that police dispatch had received multiple 911 calls that night regarding the house on Eagle Trace Drive. Some of them were calls to report the shooting, however they also reported a female caller saying "Domestic violence. Come now." Missiaen argued that Daly had assaulted his client, slamming Curtis' head onto concrete and the side of the hot tub. It was when Daly returned for a second time that Curtis felt in fear of his life and produced a handgun, shooting Daly. The defense's argument was enough to sway the Jackson County jury on Thursday, who ruled to acquit Curtis on all four charges, 10-2. Missiaen said that his client is 'very happy to live in a country where we are innocent until proven guilty.' Workers move a sign near facilities for producing polypropylene at the Sinopec Yanshan Petrochemical Company on the outskirts of Beijing, Friday, May 25, 2018. The facility, part of the Chinese state-owned oil giant Sinopec, opened its doors to journalists on Friday as the U.S. and China continue talks aimed at averting a trade war between the two countries. The sign reads "Vehicles strictly forbidden to pass through." (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) U.S. whistleblower and transgender rights advocate Chelsea Manning speaks at the C2 business conference, in Montreal on Thursday, May 24, 2018. Manning, the former U.S. soldier who became famous after she was imprisoned for passing government documents to Wikileaks, is calling for radical changes to the American military and police forces. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz WestJet planes are seen at the Calgary Airport in Calgary, Alta., Thursday, May 10, 2018. WestJet Airlines says contract negotiations with its pilots resumed Monday in Calgary. The threat of a strike by WestJet pilots appears to be over. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh A guard stands at the entrance of the north tunnel at North Korea's nuclear test site shortly before it was to be blown up in a media tour of dismantling the test site, at Punggye-ri, North Hamgyong Province, North Korea, Thursday, May 24, 2018. (AP Photo/Rafael Wober) In this photo taken Friday, May 25, 2018, UNICEF staffer Jean Claude Nzengu, center, talks with members of an Ebola vaccination team as they prepare to administer the vaccine in an Ebola-affected community in the north-western city of Mbandaka, in Congo. An Ebola vaccination campaign is under way in Mbandaka, the city of 1.2 million on the Congo River where four Ebola cases have been confirmed. (Mark Naftalin/UNICEF via AP) A woman from the"Yes" campaign reacts after the final result was announced in the Irish referendum on the 8th Amendment of the Irish Constitution at Dublin Castle, in Dublin, Ireland, Saturday May 26, 2018. Ireland appeared to move away from its conservative Roman Catholic roots and embrace a more liberal view Friday as two major exit polls predicted voters had repealed a constitutional ban on abortion. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison) A paddle steamer named after Oliver Cromwell has sunk twelve miles off the coast of Wales yesterday afternoon. The ship, which was a Mississippi-style paddle steamer riverboat, was on its way to Coleraine after being sold by English Holiday Cruises for a sum of 245,000. No injuries were reported from the sunken ship and no pollution was caused, as the ship had no fuel aboard. The sinking of the ship was caught on camera by the RNLI and shared with the BBC, as seen below. The ship was named after Oliver Cromwell, whose troops murdered thousands of Irish people during the Irish Confederate Wars and described the sacking of Drogheda in 1649 where some 4,000 civilians were killed as "the righteous judgement of God on these barbarous wretches." Here's the ship named after him sinking into the Irish Sea. HARRISBURG, Ore. -- A semi-truck headed east on Diamond Hill Drive crashed Friday morning as it turned northbound onto I-5, closing the on-ramp at milepost 209. The driver, who suffered no serious injuries, said he was going 15 to 20 mph making the turn when the truck tipped over, according to Oregon State Police. The trailer was carrying crushed up cars. Before the semi-truck could be set upright, officials had to pump out 250 gallons of fuel from the gas tank, causing delays in reopening the on-ramp. There was also a small oil leak from the truck, which has been cleared. NOBLESVILLE, Ind. (AP) A male student opened fire at a suburban Indianapolis middle school Friday morning, wounding another student and a teacher before being taken into custody, authorities said. Seventh-grader Ethan Stonebraker said the science teacher likely prevented even more injuries by confronting the shooter, who he said pulled out a gun and opened fire after walking in late while the class was taking a test. "Our science teacher immediately ran at him, swatted a gun out of his hand and tackled him to the ground," Stonebraker said. "If it weren't for him, more of us would have been injured for sure." The attack at Noblesville West Middle School happened around 9 a.m., police Chief Kevin Jowitt said at a news conference. He said investigators believe the suspect acted alone, but didn't detail what happened or the severity of the injuries to the victims, who were taken to hospitals in Indianapolis. The identities of those involved weren't immediately released. Indiana University Health spokeswoman Danielle Sirilla said the teacher was taken to IU Health Methodist Hospital and the wounded student was taken to Riley Hospital for Children. She didn't know the seriousness of their injuries. The attack comes a week after an attack at a high school in Santa Fe, Texas, that killed eight students and two teachers, and months after the school attack that killed 17 people in Parkland, Florida. The Florida attack inspired students from that school and others throughout the country to call for more restrictions on access to guns. After the Indiana attack, students were bused to the Noblesville High School gym, where hundreds of parents and other family members arrived to retrieve them. Eighth-grader Chris Navarro said he was inside an auditorium when he heard several gunshots about a minute before the bell rang for the change in classes. "The speaker came on and said we were on lockdown and people rushed in and we went to the back of the room. I went into this little room in the back with three other people," he said calmly standing between his parents as they picked him up. Erica Higgins, who was among the worried parents who rushed to get their kids, told WTHR-TV that she learned of the shooting from a relative who called her at home. "I just want to get my arms around my boy," she said. Higgins said her son was shaken up but knew little about what happened. "I got a 'Mom, I'm scared' text message and other than that, it was 'come get me at the high school,'" Higgins said. Gov. Eric Holcomb, who was returning from a trip to Europe on Friday, issued a statement saying he and other state leaders were getting updates about the situation and that 100 state police officers had been made available to work with local law enforcement. "Our thoughts are with all those affected by this horrible situation," Holcomb said. Noblesville, which is about 20 miles (32 kilometers) northeast of Indianapolis, is home to about 50,000 people. The middle school has about 1,300 students from grades 6-8. The school's academic year was scheduled to end next Friday. Indiana's Senate Democrats issued a statement in response to Friday's school shooting expressing their condolences to the victims and calling for steps to prevent such shootings, including restrictions on guns. ___ Follow Rick Callahan on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Callahanwrick WORTH COUNTY, Iowa A glider has to make an emergency landing in North Iowa Friday evening. It came down in a farm field just east of Interstate 35 near the exit to the Diamond Joe Casino. The pilot needed to get out of the way of stormy weather and made a soft landing without any injury. Stephen Nesser of St. Paul was the one manning the glider. he is participating in the Albert Lea Region 7 Glider Competition this weekend. While first responders say they don't often get calls for plane crashes, or gliders in a field, Nesser said this is probably his eighth or nineth time landing in a field. He said he was aiming for a field, he did miss judge the landing just a little. "I was going to land in another field and i relaized the only road is I-35 and you can't get a car there," he said. "So I changed my route. I was getting low. I thought that green strip was a road and it will be easy to get a car there, but unfortunately it wasn't a road." Those with the Worth County Sheriff's Office say the glider was not damaged; howver, there was an unknown amount of damage caused to the crop in the field. Those who own the land say they will not be able to estimate the damage for a couple of weeks. MASON CITY, Iowa - While Democratic candidate for governor Nate Boulton has officially dropped out of the race, he will still be on the ballot for the June primary. Cerro Gordo County auditor Riley Dirksen says that because of Iowa Code, which states that even if a candidate drops out before an election, they are to remain on the ballot because official ballots were finalized. It's also too early to tell how many absentee ballots were cast for Boulton, and for those who cast early or absentee ballots for Boulton cannot legally change their vote. Kevin Hucka of Mason City hopes some action could be taken ahead of time by candidates before running for office. "What I really think needs to be done is to get all the facts out there and lay it on the table and tell it straight. And the candidates need to be straight too," Hucka says. "We need good politicians that work for the people, not put their self interests ahead of the people." Boulton suspended his campaign for governor Thursday after three women came forward accusing him of sexual misconduct. MESERVEY, Iowa A motorcycle rider is cited after a Friday night crash in Cerro Gordo County. Sheriffs deputies were called to the intersection of 120th Street and Balsam Avenue just before 9:30 pm. They say Shawn Lane, 48 of Thornton, was westbound on 120th, lost control of his 2012 Harley-Davidson cycle, and slid into the ditch. Deputies say Lane did not require medical treatment for his minor injuries and the motorcycle sustained only minor damage. Deputies also say further investigation found that Lane was intoxicated at the time of the crash. Hes been charged with OWI, operating a motor vehicle without a license, and failure to maintain control. The Meservey and Thornton fire departments assisted at the scene. Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. U.S. President Donald Trump said Friday his planned meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un could still take place June 12, after canceling the summit a day earlier. Trump said the two countries are talking and both sides want to have the meeting that was supposed to be held in Singapore. "We'll see what happens. It could even be the 12th," Trump told reporters before departing the White House. "We're talking to them now. They very much want to do it. We'd like to do it. We're going to see what happens." Trump later tweeted that "very productive talks" are currently under way between the United States and North Korea, adding that if held, the meeting will likely take place in Singapore on June 12. "We are having very productive talks with North Korea about reinstating the Summit which, if it does happen, will likely remain in Singapore on the same date, June 12th, and, if necessary, will be extended beyond that date," he said. Trump canceled the meeting a day earlier, citing "tremendous anger and open hostility" from North Korea. He and Kim had agreed to meet to talk about the dismantlement of North Korea's nuclear weapons program, which sent tensions soaring last year. But Pyongyang recently issued a series of statements calling out the U.S. for demanding its "unilateral" denuclearization and threatening to pull out of the summit. In a statement late Wednesday, the communist regime challenged the U.S. to a "nuclear-to-nuclear showdown" and called U.S. Vice President Mike Pence a "political dummy." North Korea responded to the cancellation in a strikingly conciliatory tone. "We would like to make known to the U.S. side once again that we have the intent to sit with the U.S. side to solve problem regardless of ways at any time," Vice Foreign Minister Kim Kye-gwan said in a statement carried by the North's state-run Korean Central News Agency. The chief of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has told visiting South Korean Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon that the United Nations body will be ready to verify North Korea's denuclearization if relevant countries reach an agreement. IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano made the remarks Friday during his meeting with Lee, who arrived in Vienna the previous day for a three-day official visit to Austria. Lee also met with Lassina Zerbo, executive secretary of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO), in the Austrian capital on the same day. The chiefs of the IAEA and the CTBTO expressed support for the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and called for a "political agreement" on the issue. Amano told Lee that his agency was closely monitoring North Korea's nuclear program situation through satellite photos, while making preparations for verification work in the North. The IAEA chief ruled out intervening in international politics but vowed not to stand idle as far as the denuclearization of North Korea is concerned. The agency set up a separate team on North Korea within its secretariat in August last year. In response, Lee said: "North Korea's leader may also have an understanding of the verification process as the Panmunjom Declaration calls for a complete denuclearization. The question is how quickly and concretely the concerned parties can reach an agreement." The prime minister said the recent confusion over the planned North Korea-U.S. summit is regrettable, but he is not pessimistic about the long-term outlook. In a separate meeting with the CTBTO's chief, Lee appreciated the U.N. organization's efforts to monitor nuclear tests worldwide and maintain lasting peace in the world. Zerbo said he was impressed by the inter-Korean agreement produced from the April 27 summit between leaders of South and North Korea. Zerbo stressed the importance of a swift political agreement by the concerned nations on the complete denuclearization of North Korea, while Lee replied North Korea may have a full understanding of the issue. (Yonhap) Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will hold talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Saturday, hoping to make progress on economic cooperation on a group of islands that the countries have disputed over for decades. The meeting comes just two days after US President Donald Trump abruptly cancelled next month's summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Singapore. In a speech at a business forum in St Petersburg on Friday, Abe stressed the importance of bilateral cooperation in the denuclearization of North Korea. Abe and Putin are expected to agree to speed up preparations for joint economic projects on the Russian-administered Kuril Islands, which Japan also claims and calls its Northern Territories. Little progress has been made since the two leaders agreed in December 2016 to begin discussing projects on the islands. South Korean President Moon Jae-in, right, and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un embrace each other after their second summit on the northern side of Panmunjeom, Saturday. / Courtesy of Cheong Wa Dae Moon and Kim shake hands before they start to discuss Kim's possible summit with U.S. President Donald Trump. / Courtesy of Cheong Wa Dae Moon Jae-in with South Korea's National Intelligence Service Director Suh Hoon and Kim Jong-un with North Korea's United Front Department chief Kim Yong-chol / Courtesy of Cheong Wa Dae By Park Si-soo South Korean President Moon Jae-in held a surprise summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un on Saturday to discuss Kim's possible upcoming summit with U.S. President Donald Trump, Cheong Wa Dae said. It was the second meeting of the two leaders after their first on April 27. The meeting took place from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. on the northern side of Panmunjeom, said the presidential office. President Moon will announce the outcome of the meeting at 10 a.m. "The two leaders candidly exchanged views about making the North Korea-U.S. summit a successful one and about implementing the Panmunjom Declaration," said presidential spokesman Yoon Young-chan in a statement. He did not confirm how the meeting was arranged or which side asked for it. The White House stays silent on the unexpected inter-Korean summit. Video and photos released by Cheong Wa Dae showed Kim hugging Moon and kissing him on the cheek three times as he saw Moon off after their meeting at Tongilgak, the North's building in Panmunjeom, which straddles the North-South border. They were accompanied by South Korean intelligence chief Suh Hoon and his North Korean counterpart Kim Yong-chol, who is in charge of inter-Korean affairs. Video footage also showed Kim's sister, Yo-Jong, greeting Moon as he arrived at Tongilgak and shaking hands, before the South Korean leader entered the building flanked by North Korean military guards. The meeting came hours after South Korea expressed relief over revived talks for a summit between Trump and Kim following a whirlwind 24 hours that saw Trump cancel the highly anticipated meeting with Kim before saying it's potentially back on. Trump later tweeted that the summit, if it does happen, will likely take place on June 12 in Singapore as originally planned. The office of President Moon Jae-in Saturday welcomed the resumption of talks between the United States and North Korea for discussions on a bilateral summit. Moon's spokesman Kim Eui-kyeom said that South Korea regards the renewed hope for a summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un as a "fortunate" development. "It's a fortunate thing that the possibility of the North Korea-U.S. dialogue is still alive without being terminated," Kim said in a message to reporters. "(Cheong Wa Dae) is carefully watching the progress." By David Tizzard One day, a man fell down in the snow. He lay there cold and afraid. He cried out: "Help me up. Please, someone help me up!" A Buddhist monk passed by, heard the poor man's cries, and lay down in the snow next to him. The injured man got up and walked away. The most prominent form of Buddhism on the Korean Peninsula is Mahayana (Great Vehicle), though over time, like much else here, it has transformed into its own unique form of Korean Buddhism K-Buddhism, perhaps, for those involved in internet debates concerning that particular prefix. Defined by its use of bodhisattvas, Sangha and resolution in facing and overcoming obstacles, it has suffused itself onto the Korean character. It is also found in China, Japan, Tibet and parts of Mongolia. It stands separate from the other main strand of Buddhism, Theravada (Small Vehicle), which sees its path originating in India and then taking it through Sri Lanka, Thailand, Burma, Laos and Cambodia. A simple story illustrates where these two religious paths diverge. A group of people walk through the desert. After some time, they come across a ladder leaning against a wall. Eventually, the Theravadan decides to ascend the ladder and see what is on the other side. On reaching the top, he sees Nirvana. Paradise. Thinking nothing of the people that he has left behind in the desert, the Teravandan leaps over the wall and into the heavenly land that he has found. Liberation from the shackles of life has been achieved. Theravada is the Small Vehicle of Buddhism because the journey to paradise is taken by one person. The Mahayanan then climbs the ladder. On reaching the top, he too sees the idyll beyond. However, as he belongs to the Great Vehicle, he descends back down the ladder to tell the people below of what he has discovered. He then encourages them to journey with him and become part of the congregation that he leads. This becomes his duty and the role of the Bodhisattva is elevated. The Buddhism in Korea is thus more based on the collective it is not so much about sitting in the hills, smoking a pipe and letting your beard run white as you try to decipher the various k?ans presented to you. Instead, it encourages collective action: Study, singing, eating. Importantly, it encourages people to show kindness and grace to all. It does not forbid its adherents from attending any other types of religious services nor does it demand that the people in its temples refrain from singing in a church or a mosque. It has no problem with people bowing to their ancestors during traditions such as jesa or charye. There are indeed few things that Buddhists here actually take umbrage with. National holidays are cherished events here as they allow people some respite from the daily grind, the office and the school desk. It is important, however, that we not forget where they come from. Park Chung-hee ruled South Korea from 1962 to 1979 and during that time he frequently acted in ways that were sympathetic to Buddhism as well as financially supportive. Shortly after becoming president he enacted the Management of Buddhist Property Law. Thirteen years later, in 1975, he declared Buddha's birthday a national holiday for the people of the nation. All those enjoying themselves in the parks, department stores and coastal resorts on the public holiday last Tuesday would no doubt have thought little of these actions taken by that man 43 years ago. Choi Kyu-hah's term as Korean president was short-lived as he was quickly ousted in a coup by another military figure, Chun Doo-hwan. Unlike his companion Park, Chun was a devout Christian and thus had a great distrust of Buddhist practices and the various organizations in the country. Support that had been there previously soon began fading and that decline has continued over the decades. Today, Buddhism is seen by many as the chance to embark on a revitalizing temple stay in the mountains, or perhaps something to spark a conversation about the origins of the swastika, or a trip with a loved one to the Cheonggyecheon to see the lantern and lotus displays. What should not be forgotten, however, is just how embracing, pragmatic and utilitarian Buddhism is. It can still play a role for this country and its inhabitants. Not through proselytization or late-night television shows, but, instead, by reminding people that it's possible, nay necessary, to learn to get along with each other despite the various differences that may arise. After all, should they be very closely examined, the variances and imbalances will likely soon reveal themselves to be nothing of the sort. As the political sphere becomes ever more divided by debates on how to respond to North Korea, as social chasms widen between men and women in the light of a whole host of movements, and as the generations of families become more and more alienated from each other thanks to the exponential growth of technology, there needs to be something to provide a little unity. Let me close with one last example from the Buddhist tradition on how such seemingly impossibilities can be achieved. Two men were observing a flag fluttering in the wind on a faraway tower. The first man declared, "It is the flag that moves." The second man immediately countered him, "No, it is the wind that moves." The two argued back and forth, each championing their own position. A passing monk heard the commotion and when asked for his own opinion, he replied: "It is neither the flag nor the wind. It is the mind that moves." David Tizzard (datizzard@swu.ac.kr) is an assistant professor at Seoul Women's University and host of TBS eFM's cultural radio show "A Little of a Lot." The show can be heard every Sunday from 4 p.m.-6 p.m. on 101.3 FM or downloaded via online platforms such as iTunes and Podbang.? By Emanuel Pastreich When the Trump administration illegally threw away the nuclear agreement with Iran, usurping the authority of congress, not to mention those silly little people called the "citizens of the United States," and then it went on to openly support the brutal killing of unarmed protesters in Jerusalem with high-powered weapons by Israeli military/police forces, many thought we had hit rock bottom. But in fact, now that the Federal government has been practically emptied of men and women of any ethical standards, we learn that we are just getting started. Blaming Trump does not help much of anything. We have a massive institutional collapse taking place which is rendering the United States essentially ungovernable. The group around Donald Trump who are now calling the shots are a priceless collection of extremists, drawn to the sugar daddy like flies. They are not conservatives in any sense of the word. They are essentially psychotic, caring nothing about a future of severe climate change, and or nuclear war, or for that matter about their own children. They are the superrich, or they service the superrich, and they have effectively taken the final step of severing the ties between the United States and the so-called international community. Some may feel obligated to follow them on their joyful promenade to the Apocalypse. I would just as well stay as far away as possible from this insane drive to start a world war. As Albert Einstein once wrote, "I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones." I must say, granted the weapons available today, and the impending catastrophe of climate change, Einstein was an optimist. May 24, 2018 was the turning point. It was a day "of no significance," to use the term that Ray Hwang employed in describing how the breakdown of institutions in the late Ming Dynasty rendered that powerful political entity impotent from within. Nothing that happened was overly significant for the average person, but the results may be catastrophic. The two events of May 24 went by practically unnoticed by many Koreans, or for that matter, by many Americans, as they rushed about trying to make enough money to feed their families, or as they indulged in video games and commercial pornography in an attempt to try and escape from a grim reality. But for those of you interested in the grim pursuit of truth, these two events were profound in their implications. First there was the glib letter from America's President Donald Trump to Kim Jung-un that grabbed some bandwidth and set the media pundits off chattering in the most amusing and harmless manner. This letter, with Trump's flashy John Hancock at the bottom, was no ordinary letter. The letter was a proclamation that the president of the United States is now a "supreme leader" who does not need any authorization from congress, from experts, or from anyone else, in making his decisions as he rides forward to represent the United States to the entire world. He can destroy the world if he feels like it and an amazing number of Americans are happy to pretend this political nightmare is a temporary misunderstanding. The media told us that this letter was but a step in complex negotiations, and not the end of the road. The argument was that because the letter does not rule out negotiations, therefore we should be optimistic. Perhaps. But the more convincing interpretation is that this positive spin was purposely promoted in the U.S. media to keep from being aware of just how serious a matter such a letter would be for North Korea, for China, and for many in South Korea. Postponing the summit a few weeks, or even months, is not a big deal. Sending such a rude and threatening letter to Chairman Kim on precisely the same day that North Korea invited foreign correspondents to witness the blowing up of the Pyunggye-ri nuclear test site was a glaring insult. The event at Pyunggye-ri is not real denuclearization, but it is the first in a series of planned good-will gestures that would affirm a commitment to engagement and fundamentally alter the relationship of North Korea with the world. If the United States joined in that process, a path towards denuclearization would be possible. Ask any true expert on non-proliferation and she will tell you that it is the reduction of tensions, and not the destruction of nuclear weapons, which must be the first step. The letter was a clear insult of the highest order. An insult to North Koreans, to South Koreans, to the Chinese, even to Japanese and others who had worked hard to make this summit possible and to start a real dialog. Moreover, the letter from Trump was not meant for only Kim Jung-un; it was a message to the entire world that if the Trump team threatens war, nothing can be negotiated except the conditions for complete submission to its economic and political demands. There was another critical cancelation that took place on May 24 which did not show up in many newspapers, but had profound significance for those who make military decisions. The Trump administration suddenly ordered the Pacific Command to officially "disinvite" China (more specifically Chinese People's Liberation Army-Navy) from the RIMPAC 2018 Naval exercises to be held in Hawaii. RIMPAC has evolved into one of the most important opportunities for the Chinese and American military to work together and to exchange opinions. Military experts view it as a critical part of the effort to assure cooperation between the two great powers facing the Pacific. The Trump administration officially invited China to attend RIMPAC in May, 2017. And now, it suddenly rescinds an invitation already sent, the very same day that Trump also cancels the Singapore summit that the Chinese government had put so much work into making possible? It is hard to interpret this act as anything but a tremendous insult to China. Ordinary citizens in China or the United States may not understand this situation at all, but the people involved in military planning have no doubt as to the significance of this decision. It will cause ill will that can last for decades. That was not an accident, it was the whole idea. The push for military confrontation is also entering a new stage in the Middle East at the very same time. The risks keep going up in Syria, bit by bit. Who knows what exactly is happening on the ground, or what to believe of what is reported by the New York Times. But can see clearly that U.S. commandos have taken the first steps towards directly conflict with the Russians and Iranians also in Syria. Those operations are obscure, with those involved often unaware of what is going on. Most of the US troops are in fact mercenaries who work for private contractors and not accountable. But one thing is for sure, a small fire fight in such an ambiguous environment could easily move up the chain of command on the American side (or for that matter the Russian side) and be transformed into an order to use tactical nuclear weapons, or other toys. In an overly-automated military, such an act, which could set off a world war, can easily take place without presidential authorization. Perhaps that was the whole point. But even those risky actions are not enough to sate the lust for war. The slaughter of the protesters against the extreme decision of the Trump administration to move the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem is looking increasingly like it was a cynical political ploy. The protesters were not threatening anyone. Rather the shooting of children was watched with horror around the world, mostly in the Middle East not so much in the United States. The calculation is clear: if Israel and the U.S. goad Islamic groups through such acts of cruelty Islamic militias will eventually launch an attack against Israelis in Israel, or Israelis abroad. When that attack takes place, it will be used as casus belli to strike at the presumed attackers. And, without any doubt, those attackers will be linked back to Iran. Most likely Israel, perhaps together with the United States, will bomb Iran directly in such a scenario. Most Americans (or South Koreans and Japanese) have access to only the poorest quality of news reporting, if they watch the news at all. They will not know anything about the insults described above, or their geopolitical significance. But the next step taken by North Korea, or by China, or by Iran will be presented by the mainstream media as outlandishly aggressive behavior. We are taking about an entire class of educated people who are sleepwalking through history. "The Sleepwalkers" (Die Schlafwandler) is the title of an extended novel by the Austrian novelist Hermann Broch in which he describes the lives of three fictional characters who were caught up in the collapsing cultural order of Europe in the days leading up to the First World War, and through that debacle. Broch describes a bizarre psychological state in the educated classes of Germany at the time. People lived like sleepwalkers, functional in society, competent at their jobs, but in the most profound sense completely oblivious to the signs of economic and systemic collapse. Because they could run a society while remain unaware of the consequences of their actions, they made the unthinkable possible. Christopher Clark took that title for his book "The Sleepwalkers: How Europe Went to War in 1914 (2012)." Clark's book is history, not literature, and he describes the policies and the economic principles that drove the nations of Europe to engage in a war that was so destructive, and which no one wanted. Clark notes in his book that as tensions rose, capable diplomats and politicians came up with more and more ingenious solutions. Yet they could only put off the building tensions, and could not address the profits to be made from arms manufacturing, or the appeal for politicians of stoking emotions. That is the exact danger we sense in the sudden meeting between Kim Jung-un and Moon Jae-in at Panmunjeom immediately following Trump's cancelation of the Singapore summit. The diplomatic move was ingenious, but it completely fails to address the true issue: the increasing push for a war with China by factions in the United States military. The final point to take home from Clark's book, and other studies about 1914, is the importance of secret diplomacy. Not only did all the nations of Europe weave incredibly complex webs of secret diplomatic and military treaties, they also fabricated any number of convincing documents to "prove" that their opponents were in the wrong. The secret military treaties dictated the manner in which the various countries were aligned with each other, and those treaties, known to only a handful of people, dictated the course of military actions after the catalytic assassination of Archduke Ferdinand of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. For the average citizen, the process seemed as magic as it seemed ineluctable that nation after nation committed itself to a form of mass suicide. There was a reason for the push for diplomatic transparency after the First World War, and then again after the Second World War. We are once again walking down that same slippery slope. Numerous meetings between high military officials throughout Asia, and the world, have been held to discuss intelligence-sharing, or missile defense cooperation, or other military-military cooperation. Those appearing in newspapers are the tip of the iceberg. Those classified agreements contains numerous rules for what each side is committed to do in the case of a conflict. That is to say that much of these "intelligence-sharing" agreements are not about stopping evil spies, and missile defense is not so much about stopping missiles. Rather these texts are classified agreements that define who can tell whom what to do in a crisis. We must ask ourselves, why must they be secret? There is still much we can do to arouse ourselves from our long slumber and take a positive step towards peace. But the first baby step is to break away from the mass psychology of denial that pervades our society and to confront the world, and human nature, as it is. Casey Lartigue Jr., co-founder of the Teach North Korean Refugees Global Education Center, compiled these statements from interviews with refugees studying in TNKR. Ken, escaped to South Korea in 2010 North Korea was trying to test Donald Trump but he is a different kind of president, he's more of a businessman and he doesn't think about politics. He canceled the summit, but I think it would be more accurate to say it has been postponed. He is a businessman, so if the terms of the deal change, then he will return to the negotiation table. If it looks like a deal won't happen, then he will do what he said: Walk away from the table. North Korea probably thought it could get away with the same tactics it used with other U.S. presidents, that they could push him. So I'm not disappointed, I see this as being part of Trump's negotiation process. Hye-yoon, female, escaped to South Korea in 2011 Really? I didn't know. I hadn't heard about Trump canceling the summit. Now that I know, I can say that I am disappointed. I am not optimistic that North Korean will change until it has no choice, but at least having a summit could have been the start of that change. Lee Sa-hee, escaped to South Korea in 2010 My mother asked me to read Trump's letter to her. As I was reading it, I came across the words "sadly" and then a word I didn't know: "Detrimental." I was literally shocked. Some people might say that Trump is unpredictable, but I also think Trump is the only man in the world who can deal with Kim Jong Un. People want things done the conventional way, but then the results will be the same. Trump is being different, using a different strategy. I did have to think about the consequences of this, if I should stay here. The result will be either great: reunification and freedom for North Koreans. Or it will be terrible, a war. I assume the meeting will be held later. This is probably Trump still negotiating. I feel sorry for the main people trying to make this happen. I just try to be optimistic, I hope they won't push the button. A customer buys KT&G's lil Plus heat-not-burn tobacco product at a GS25 convenience store in Seoul, Wednesday. / Courtesy of KT&G Tobacco makers launch new HNB devices despite lingering dispute By Park Jae-hyuk A fierce competition will likely take place in the nation's heat-not-burn (HNB) tobacco market next month. Tobacco companies in Korea are also expected to exert every effort in the upcoming month in lobbying against graphic warnings that will be required on packages of heated tobacco products beginning in December. Last Wednesday's events heralded the expectations will come true. Philip Morris Korea held a press conference that day to mark the first anniversary of the launch of its IQOS tobacco heating system and boast the company's achievements over the past year. On the same day, KT&G released the upgraded lil Plus HNB tobacco product at nationwide convenience stores, but the Korean tobacco maker denied a claim that it intentionally began selling the new product on the day of its rival's press conference. Although the pioneer of the new market was Philip Morris, KT&G came up with the upgraded device first. Industry officials regard the release of lil Plus as the Korean firm's strategy to attract smokers who need to change their devices in the near future. "E-cigarettes equipped with batteries generally perform poorly, after being used for about a year," an industry official said. "Early adopters of IQOS are now about to consider buying new products." The potential demand for new heating devices within the next three months is estimated at over 500,000 units, according to industry officials. KT&G seems to take advantage of the growing demand for new products to attract IQOS users with lil Plus. As of the first quarter this year, IQOS accounted for 7.3 percent of the nation's overall tobacco market, followed by lil and British American Tobacco (BAT) Korea's glo. According to Philip Morris Korea, the company has sold 1.9 million IQOS here. Starting last Wednesday, however, KT&G expanded the number of cities selling lil to 64 from 14, which had been impossible due to the short supply resulting from unexpectedly high demand for the product. To defeat KT&G, business bellwether Philip Morris will likely launch the upgraded IQOS in Korea. "I have nothing to say about the new IQOS for now. The new product will be released in Japan within this year and will come to Korea later," Philip Morris Korea managing director Chong Il-woo told reporters at the press conference. He also said he heard the new IQOS will allow users to smoke multiple times on a single charge. Philip Morris' IQOS heat-not-burn tobacco products and HEETS tobacco units are on display at the Four Seasons Hotel in Seoul, Wednesday. / Yonhap An example of graphic warnings required to be put on packages of heated tobacco products beginning in December. / Korea Times file Kendallville, IN (46755) Today Overcast. Slight chance of a rain shower. High 69F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Cloudy skies early, followed by partial clearing. Low 52F. Winds light and variable. Dogs with longer faces, like Arby the Pembroke Welsh corgi, have an easier time breathing than short-faced dogs like boxers or bulldogs, according to Sylvan Lake Animal Clinic veterinarian June Vandiver. Panting is the only way dogs are able to release heat, but excessive panting may be a sign that your pup is overheating. Thank you for reading! Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue. Rome, May 25 - Premier-designate, Giuseppe Conte, continued to hold talks on Friday as he prepares a list of ministers for the 5-Star Movement (M5S), League coalition government he has been given a mandate to try to form. Conte, a 54-year-old law professor from Puglia with no political experience, had a round of meetings with the parties in parliament on Thursday and he also talked to representatives of investors who lost money in a series of recent bank crises. He met Bank of Italy Governor Ignazio Visco on Friday before talks with M5S leader Luigi Di Maio and League leader Matteo Salvini. There appears to be tension between President Sergio Mattarella and the League-M5S over the cabinet, in particular the possibility that 82-year-old Euroskeptic economist Paolo Savona could become economy minister. Di Maio and Salvini seem intent on sticking by the choice of Savona despite reported misgivings on the part of Mattarella. It is a prerogative of the head of State to approve ministers, after discussions with the premier-designate. Sources at Mattarella's office said Thursday that the big issue on the formation of a new government was not supposed vetoes against some ministers but, on the contrary, possible diktats to the premier and the head of State on the exercise of the functions given to them by the Constitution. Conte said that he talked "about the state of the Italian economy" during a meeting with Visco. He responded "we'll see" when reporters asked whether he would meet President Sergio Mattarella later on Friday. Three events across San Diego will pay respects to those who died while serving in the military, to mark Memorial Day, Monday, May 28. 1) The Mount Soledad Memorial Association will host a tribute 2 p.m. Monday, May 28 at 6905 La Jolla Scenic Drive South. Each year, the Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial ceremony honors a particular veteran or veteran group. This year, there with be a plaque presentation for Ulysses S. Grant, American Civil War General and 18th President of the United States from 1869 to 1877. The Keynote Speaker will be Brigadier General Jeffrey Broadwater. Tim Chelling, executive director of the Mt. Soledad Memorial Association explained: This year we will re-dedicate our Memorial to those who have given their lives in the belief that honor, sacrifice, integrity and service to others in the name of freedom are not just the foundation of our nation, but the most important values of life. Those we salute on our walls deserve nothing less. According to the Association, Brigadier General Broadwater is the Commanding General of the National Training Center and Fort Irwin. Its purpose is to conduct tough, realistic, Unified Land Operations with our Unified Action Partners to prepare Brigade Combat Teams and other units for combat. (Broadwater) is a graduate of Ranger School, the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, and the National War College. His awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, and Meritorious Service Medal. For more details, call (858) 459-2314 or visit soledadmemorial.com 2) At the USS Midway Museum, Legacy Week presents a weekend of activities, May 26-28, at 910 North Harbor Drive. The weekend opens 9 a.m. Saturday, May 26, with the Wreath Ceremony on the Midway flight deck to honor veterans from World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War and the War on Terrorism. The free event features speakers, a flyover, the tossing of wreaths over the ship and the playing of Taps. At 10 a.m., writer Barbara Field will lead a writing workshop called Leave a Legacy, to guide participants through the memoir-writing process. Bring paper and pen. Space is limited. $30 per person. A ticket to this workshop includes same-day admission to the USS Midway Museum. Day one concludes with a Freedom Benefit Concert featuring the Gin Blossoms (Hey Jealousy). Proceeds from this event will benefit local military non-profits and is a celebration of our Veterans and Military families. Tickets from $35. Throughout Sunday, May 27, veteran pilots will be on hand to answer questions about the aircrafts they flew. On Monday, May 28, those who visit the Midway Museum can hear performances from the US Coast Guard Auxiliary band Arizona at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.; and the Bonita Vista Music Machine at 12:30 p.m. A Blood Drive runs 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and donors receive one free pass to the USS Midway Museum, while supplies last. To conclude Legacy Week, the National Moment of Remembrance is 3 p.m. May 28. Those unable to attend can view the event via Facebook Live: facebook.com/ussmidwaymuseum/ Weekend festivities 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, May 26-28, include a viewing of the Remembrance Wall with photos and stories of those who have fallen in the line of duty, and a Kids Adventure Discovery Zone. Admission is $21 with discounts. For more details, call (619) 544-9600 or visit midway.org 3) Miramar National Cemetery (a federal military cemetery near the Marine Corps Air Station Miramar), the Veterans Memorial Service is 1 p.m., Sunday, May 27, at 5795 Nobel Dr. Active duty military, veterans, families and the public are invited. Parking is limited on cemetery grounds. Speakers will include Veterans Affairs Deputy Secretary Thomas G. Bowman, and Port of San Diego Captain and Sector Commander Joseph R. Buzzella, Jr. For more details, call (858) 658-7360 or visit miramarcemetery.org State officials figure the Volkswagen diesel emissions testing scandal added an extra 10,000 tons of noxious nitrogen oxide to Californias air. To make up for it, the state will use $423 million of Volkswagen penalty money to cut the same amount of nitrogen oxide by subsidizing the purchase of zero-emission trucks, buses and other vehicles. The California Air Resources Board approved the program at a public meeting in Sacramento Friday, though not without contention. The plan probably will benefit companies including Tesla, Nikola Motor, Toyota, BYD, Proterra and others in an attempt to clean the air. Advertisement Some pushback came from several of CARBs 16 board members, echoed in public comments during the Friday session. They said CARB is focusing too much on electric vehicle development and not enough on near-term policies that would convert diesel engines to natural gas, which they said would clear that air faster and cheaper. Because all-electric vehicles cost so much more than retrofits, not enough will be sold in coming years to match retrofits for far cheaper emissions reductions, some contend. But board Chairwoman Mary Nichols said heavy electric vehicle technologies are emerging faster than anyone thought they were going to and ultimately will lead to huge reductions in nitrogen oxide and other pollutants. The subsidy program is part of a settlement with Volkswagen that brought about $1.3 billion to the state. The company was caught altering diesel engine software to enable its cars to pass emissions tests while they continued to spew illegal levels of pollution in normal driving. In 2017, CARB began spending $800 million in Volkswagen penalty money to provide thousands of electric vehicle chargers around the state. As many as 1,000 zero-emission trucks and buses will be subsidized under the nitrogen-oxide mitigation plan. Up to 800 commercial combustion-engine vehicles will be eligible to retrofit their old engines with cleaner alternatives. Other equipment eligible for subsidies includes garbage trucks, concrete trucks, dump trucks, airport ground support vehicles, heavy duty forklifts, port cargo handling equipment, tug boats, tow boats and systems to save energy on ships idling along a loading dock. Most subsidies fall under a scrap and replace provision, which means older vehicles must be put out of service before the subsidized vehicle is bought. A public comment period generated strong support for the plan, but controversy erupted at Fridays meeting over near-term and long-term spending. Only $60 million of the $423 million will be spent on making existing diesel heavy vehicles more efficient, through modifications including a conversion to natural gas, although that approach will account for 70% of nitrogen oxide emission cuts. (The Diesel Technology Forum, a lobbying group, noted that the money directed at cleaner combustion-engine technology is less than the $63 million set aside by CARB to administer the entire program.) Modifying diesel engines is the best bang for the buck, contended Blake Headley, general manager of Central California Power, because more emissions will be cut, faster. But a suggestion from CARB board member Judy Mitchell of southwest Los Angeles County to shift more money to the natural gas retrofit programs gained no traction. The final vote was 12 to 2, with Mitchell and Ron Roberts of San Diego County voting no. CARBs executive staff had said 4,000 public comment emails indicated broad support for a longer-range, all-electric heavy vehicle program. As many as four all-electric vehicle manufacturers will be on the market within the next one to three years, CARB said. A representative from Tesla spoke in support of the zero-emission side of the plan and said if theres any money left over for light trucks, Tesla would be interested in that, too. Recent statements from Tesla Chief Executive Elon Musk have put the timeline for the companys semi-truck project in question. Buses and other industrial equipment also will receive subsidy money. At $130 million, transit, school and shuttle buses account for the biggest chunk of the subsidy program. The program would pay a maximum of $400,000 for each zero-emission school bus, nearly the entire cost. GreenPower Motor Co. a battery electric transit and school bus maker based in Canada with a manufacturing plant in Porterville is poised to benefit. The plan will pay up to $180,000 to buyers of zero-emission buses, about a quarter of the full cost. BYD, a Chinese company with a factory in Lancaster, and Proterra, a Silicon Valley company with a factory in Los Angeles, both stand to benefit. BYD is set to be a prime supplier to Los Angeles Metro, as the transit agency shifts to zero-emission vehicles. The company has been under scutiny for quality problems and allegations of poor performance. A recent report in The Times described buses that broke down frequently and fell far short of their intended range, and intense company lobbying of public officials for no-bid contracts. Heavy-duty truck buyers will qualify for a $200,000 price break per truck. CARB said it will stretch out the subsidy program for trucks because so few zero-emission vehicles exist. Nichols, the board chairwoman, suggested a communications program be set up to explain program details to the general public. Its complicated, she said. Its hard for us to even understand them. russ.mitchell@latimes.com Twitter: @russ1mitchell Elisabeth Rohm, who grew up in Manhattan and Long Island, chose her Venice home five years ago because she wanted to live by the water. I ride my bicycle, and I smell the ocean, how the water has rolled in, the former Law and Order actress said. Some places sing to your soul, and being near the ocean has always had the best effect on me. Rohm loves the colorful living room in her cozy bungalow, which she shares with her 10-year old daughter; their husky, Blue; and their cat, Amber. There, she reads in an armchair, helps her daughter with her homework and entertains friends whom she encourages to track sand in, relax and feel at home in the barefooted-ness of it all. Advertisement Its surprising to some people, because of what I do, Rohm, 45, said. They think we all hide behind gates. Rohm, currently on crime drama The Oath on Sony Crackle, mostly decorated the house herself, with help from online design company SwatchPop. She envisioned a space that was filled with color, meaningful pieces and comfortable furniture designed for all-day lounging. Why is this your favorite room? I think of it as a porcelain teacup more color, less sense, more whimsy. Theres something delicate about it. Even if you have a large home, you tend to hang out in the same room all the time. Whats the reason you opted for an online design service? Its cool and interactive. You send a picture of a room, layout questions and they suggest products. Its like having a personal decorator help you finish your look and bring your vision to life. They helped me pull the room together, without it being matching-matching. Did anyone else help you? I worked a lot with Francesca DeShae, who owns LiveStyle Marketplace & Gallery here in Venice. She has beautiful, colorful bohemian pieces, and the larger pieces came from her. What was the overall look you were going for? I wanted everything to flow and look pulled together, but it wasnt like I wanted draperies that fell to the ground. I wanted sunlight in the space. It was about creating a thread, because theres so much color and inconsistency. And bohemian-chic? Definitely, with lots of pinks and blues and some elegant touches like this rug but without a lot of formality. What are some of your favorite pieces in the room? There are pillows and paintings from Bali and Cambodia, which I found through SwatchPop. And this painting has sentimental meaning for me; it was done by artist Justin Love, and I got it when I was on Law & Order. The chairs are from West Elm. I have my share of Buddhas and crystals; my mother was a meditation teacher, so those pieces remind me of her. What do you love doing in here? I like to sit and arrange flowers; they make the house come alive and look so vibrant. When my daughter goes to sleep, Ill have a glass of wine and read scripts. Half of what an actor does is read material to see what they might do next. And theres no TV in this room; its a place where we sit and converse. The casual vibe is really nice. So many homes feel forced and formal. But how much do we need, really? We dont need a palace. hotproperty@latimes.com MORE FROM HOT PROPERTY: Pharrell to hang his hat at Tyler Perrys L.A.-area mansion Deadpool 2' actress Morena Baccarin ready to part with Spanish duplex in Atwater Rams Jared Goff completes a quick strike in the Ventura County housing market Longtime Westlake Village home of entertainer Mickey Rooney seeks $2.9 million In the opening shot of Paul Schraders new movie, the camera creeps slowly toward First Reformed Church, a small chapel in upstate New York that has welcomed parishioners since 1767. The place has seen better days, and so has its weary reverend, Ernst Toller (a superb Ethan Hawke). He leads a weekly congregation of about four or five in a building regarded as little more than a Dutch Colonial relic by its owner, a deep-pocketed mega-church called Abundant Life Ministries. The leaders of Abundant Life plan to celebrate the 250th anniversary of First Reformed with a reconsecration ceremony, a chance to fire up the rusty old organ and hallow these halls anew, in memory of those who built them centuries ago. But for Toller, the faith of those early founders, who once used their chapel to shelter slaves fleeing north along the Underground Railroad, stands in stark contrast to the slick, corporatized hypocrisy of the modern American church an institution that has betrayed its believers, its mission and, above all, the Earth over which God decreed that man should have dominion. First Reformed, in other words, is hardly the subtlest of theological provocations, which may be why it feels like the right one for these none-too-subtle times. 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. That admittedly may not be saying very much in light of Schraders troubled recent productions, including Dying of the Light and The Canyons. The bitter, much-publicized industry battles that erupted around those projects suggested that Schrader, a Calvinist by upbringing and a rebel by temperament, was enduring his personal stations of the cross. With First Reformed, his artistic resurrection is complete, and the arc of his formidable, erratic career snaps curiously into focus. This is a classic Schrader study of the male soul in extremis, seen with a bracing new clarity. Cedric Kyle in a scene from "First Reformed." A24 Shot in the square academy aspect ratio by cinematographer Alexander Dynan, in long, measured takes captured by a mostly stationary camera, it marks the directors first conscious effort to mimic the hushed, contemplative aesthetic of directors like Robert Bresson, Carl Theodor Dreyer and Yasujiro Ozu, as brilliantly explicated in Schraders seminal 1972 book, Transcendental Style in Film. A conflicted, achingly sincere man of the cloth, Toller is like a contemporary version of the protagonists in Bressons Diary of a Country Priest and Ingmar Bergmans Winter Light. At the same time, the emotional extremity of his plight to say nothing of the somber gravity of Hawkes performance makes him spiritual kin to the tormented heroes of Affliction, Hardcore and, supremely, Martin Scorseses Taxi Driver, for which Schrader wrote the screenplay. An ex-military chaplain who lost his son in Iraq and separated from his wife soon thereafter, Toller tends to his flock with the joyless devotion of a man under a self-imposed prison sentence. Much of his anguish is communicated in voice-over from the pages of his personal journal, in which we learn that his health is rapidly declining; his increasingly heavy drinking surely doesnt help. One of the few bright spots in his life is Mary (Amanda Seyfried), a First Reformed parishioner who pleads with him to counsel her troubled husband, Michael (Philip Ettinger). An ex-con and radical environmentalist, Michael is so terrified by the implications of global warming that he wants Mary to abort their unborn child, rather than bring an innocent soul into a world swiftly headed for its next mass extinction. What transpires between the two men is a dialogue sequence of extraordinary lucidity and emotional power, during which Toller gently reminds Michael that despair exists so that Gods hope can shine all the brighter. But something about Michaels doomsday lament rooted in a young mans naivete, but also in a scientifically accurate view of the planet nonetheless takes root deep within Toller, feeding on his own despair. The minister takes some solace in his regular interactions with Mary, a gentle soul who shares her husbands activism if not his fatalism, even as he pushes away Esther (Victoria Hill), a church choir director who carries a torch for him, but earns only his irritation in return. READ MORE: Paul Schrader discusses 'First Reformed' and insisting on final cut But the chief objects of Tollers contempt are the leaders at Abundant Life, who turn out to be not just complacent toward the environments destruction but actively complicit. These include not only the head pastor, Rev. Jeff Jeffers (a terrific Cedric Kyles, better known to all as Cedric the Entertainer), but also Edward Balq (Michael Gaston), a top church donor who happens to work at one of the regions biggest industrial polluters. That bit of plotting might sound overly convenient, but Schrader, never pretending to be writing anything other than a polemic, gives it a terribly persuasive banality. It feels entirely of a piece with what we see of Abundant Life, every detail of which the enormous red-carpeted sanctuary, the state-of-the-art media equipment, the hip modern cafeteria with its artfully Scripture-adorned walls feels ruthlessly accurate and almost comically alienating. Any churchgoer who has entered a house of worship that felt more like a corporate stronghold will know the feeling. First Reformed thus becomes a bitterly corrosive portrait of the conscientious Christian as environmental warrior-revolutionary, in which a lonely man of God is not just disillusioned but radicalized against the institution that called him forth. Schrader is not afraid to draw out the mordant humor in the situation, or to punctuate Tollers grimly mounting despair with a darkly cynical laugh. At times you may question the calculation behind his immaculate formal rigor, which is impossible not to admire even when it threatens to veer toward archness. The crystalline deliberation of the framing, the heightened eloquence of the dialogue, a particularly surreal shout-out to Andrei Tarkovskys The Sacrifice there is beauty and grandeur in these aesthetic gestures, but also a sly sense of mischief, as if Schrader were treating his cherished transcendental cinema as the vehicle for some grand postmodern joke. The ending, with its stark commingling of horror and grace, refutes that fear without banishing it entirely. Early on in the movie, Toller says, Wisdom is holding two contradictory truths in our mind at the same time. And so it is with First Reformed, which is finally fulfilled rather than torn apart by its contradictions. It is a cinephiles delight and a believers conundrum, an austere American art film with a bracing B-movie soul, and a story in which the cruelest of cosmic punchlines may finally be no different from the most beautiful accession of grace. ------------ First Reformed Rated: R, for some disturbing violent images Running time: 1 hour, 53 minutes Playing: Arclight Cinemas, Hollywood; the Landmark, West Los Angeles See the most-read stories in Entertainment this hour justin.chang@latimes.com @JustinCChang Lounging poolside with a pitcher of margaritas was once considered the perfect midyear break. But these days, not so much. Instagram-ready sunrise asanas and plant-based food trucks have replaced sleeping in and heaving buffet spreads. After yoga and meditation offerings became standard at music festivals, event organizers began organizing dedicated yoga retreats. And those have since turned into wellness festivals featuring yoga, tribal dance, mindfulness sessions, live music, seminars and souk-style markets selling everything from kombucha to hemp-infused oils. Some last a day, others run almost a week. Many scream road-trip. You might need to pack a tent, or maybe youll be chilling out in air-cooled auditoriums. Whatever the format, the idea is to send people home restored, rejuvenated and inspired. By date, heres a rundown of nearby wellness retreats, and what to expect when you get there. Did we miss your favorite wellness getaway? Let us know in the comments below and we may include it in an upcoming story: Advertisement Buddha Fest June 1-3, Los Angeles Talks, films and dedicated meditation sessions make up this three-day event, taking place between UCLA and the Writers Guild in Beverly Hills. Speakers include Buddhist teacher Lama Tsultrim Allione one of the first American women to be ordained as a Buddhist nun who will be sharing insights about female empowerment. There will also be numerous daylong intensives, including Waking Up With Wisdom and Compassion. Priced per event attended, ranging from $15 to $75. Info: buddhafest.org :: Restorative Arts and Yoga Festival June 1-3, Lake Tahoe Held at Granlibakken, a rustic lodge on the North Shore of Lake Tahoe, this festival is part of the lodges Sierra Soul Series of Wellness Events. The weekend opens with a session of yoga, breath work and sound vibration with a live DJ. The next two days are spent doing various types of yoga, or taking a class in tai chi, going on a nature hike and even a session where participants can create their own mantra chant. Meals fittingly healthful options like chickpea and turmeric soup and grilled halibut are included. Full weekend is $289 including all meals and activities. Alternatively, activities are priced individually. Not including lodging. Info: granlibakken.com Jump on in at the Restorative Arts and Yoga Festival. (North Lake Tahoe ) :: DisclosureFest June 23, Los Angeles. For its inaugural event last year, DisclosureFest attracted some 4,000 participants who danced to tribal music in the middle of Los Angeles State Historic Park outside DTLA, had their astrological charts read and had access to several yoga sessions. As with the 2017 event, the plan is for everyone to gather at 2 p.m. for a mass meditation which will be live-streamed. Los Angeles State Historic Park, 1245 N. Spring St. Free. Info: disclosurefest.org. DisclosureFest, outside DTLA. (DisclosureFest ) :: Wanderlust July 19-22, Squaw Valley Now in its 10th year, this festival has everything pool parties, stand-up paddle yoga, trail hikes interspersed with meditation to music and interactive talks about setting intentions and cultivating gratitude. And all in a scenic sprawl incorporating mountains and lakes that figure into many of the activities. Multiple prices, ranging from $15 for a single class to $1,050 for unlimited four-day access. Lodging not included. 1960 Squaw Valley Road, Olympic Valley. Info: wanderlust.com :: Telluride Yoga Festival July 19-22, Telluride, Colo. Dip in and out of an array of yoga classes Handstand Fun and Effective Home Practice, The Anatomy of an Arm Balance, take a class in making your own kombucha or how to forage for ingredients to blend arnica oil; enjoy a 5K run along the San Miguel River. This four-day summer event with the scenic San Juan Mountains in the backdrop takes place around numerous Telluride locations. Registration and hospitality at the Palm lobby of the Telluride High School, 721 West Colorado Ave., Telluride. The four-day pass is $455. Less expensive passes and single classes also available. Lodging not included. Info: tellurideyogafestival.com Some classes take place against the San Juan Mountains. (Telluride Yoga Festival ) :: The Pursuit Series Aug. 10-12, Bear Valley Pack your sunscreen, because a lot of what happens in this Northern California weekend retreat takes place outdoors. Yoga and meditation are standards, of course; but participants will also go fly-fishing, stand-up paddle boarding and kayaking. Small groups and personalized instruction in mean that participants get to up their camping skills -- there are even sessions in how to pack the perfect backpack. Luxury camping options available. 207 Highway 4, Bear Valley. The three-day pass is $399. Lower cost tickets available. Info: pusuit.theoutbound.com Enjoying the outdoors at the Pursuit Series. (Pursuit Series ) :: Wellspring Oct. 26-28, Palm Springs And if you cant make it to any of these summer events, make a plan for fall, when the inaugural Wellspring conference organized by Wanderlust takes place in Palm Springs. Sure, theres lots of yoga, meditation and hikes, but the idea is for the brain to get a workout as well: among those on hand sharing their expertise will be actress and vegan activist Alicia Silverstone, Dave Asprey of Bulletproof known for biohacking his way to weight loss and mental alertness and Mark Hyman, functional medicine physician and bestselling author (Eat Fat Get Thin). Other talks will be on social change, the environment and creating more peaceful relationships. Sound baths, musical performances and pool parties will round out the experience. $945 for an all-access pass includes $150 credit towards hotel accommodations. Info: wanderlust.com Dr. Mark Hyman will be one of several wellness experts at Wellspring. (Wellspring ) Health@latimes.com READ ON! Yes, you can eat your way to beautiful skin 10 high-tech gadgets to help you get to sleep How Scandals Katie Lowes hid her psoriasis 7 steps to making your health your No. 1 priority He lost 84 pounds in four months and kept it off Despite years of growing a successful jewelry business with a celebrity following, Maya Brenner had a personal design challenge to resolve. "If I had meetings or stylists come in, I'd always apologize for the space," she said of her former workplace in a historic Art Deco tower on Pershing Square where she's been based for the past seven years. "I didn't feel like the office matched where my business was." With a baby on the way in 2017 and this current year marking the 20th anniversary of her eponymous company, Brenner decided to move when a larger 1,600-square-foot suite became available in the same building. And "instead of apologizing" for the state of her hybrid office/studio/showroom, it was time for an upgrade. Brenner had met Los Angeles-based interior designer Sarah Sherman Samuel at a pop-up sale and was a fan of her work. L.A. interior designer Sarah Sherman Samuel collaborated with jewelry designer Maya Brenner (both not pictured) to transform Brenner's downtown L.A. HQ/studio and showroom. Tessa Neustadt Given that Sherman Samuel was also pregnant and her due date was in November and Brenner's in December, the team had a hard deadline to create "one big, unified space that reflects the brand itself, which is elegant but also fun," Sherman Samuel said. Brenner designs necklaces with custom letters and U.S. state charms (Meghan Markle was seen wearing an M and an H from her jewelry line.) Brenners requirements for her new office started with the fact that "it's not my house and I'm not going to be in here forever. I don't want anything that's too expensive, too precious." Stylistically, "I wanted it to be feminine but also a little bohemian," Brenner said. Brenner said Sherman Samuel gave her everything she wanted high quality yet affordable components that when combined are beautifully cohesive and polished." "She takes Wayfair, Overstock and West Elm and makes it look like a million bucks," Brenner said, and leveraged the exisiting space for her eight employees to create a wow factor. A preexisting small enclosed glass room proved perfect to transition into Brenner's "little jewel box" to showcase her collections, along with her line of embroidered linen throw pillows. Sherman Samuel selected accessible furniture and accessories throughout. In the lounge area, a scarf by L.A. company Block Shop was repurposed into a wall hanging next to the seating area with layered rugs and an Anthropologie settee. Sherman Samuel suggested a Pink Marble pattern from her Lulu & Georgia wallpaper collection for the more intimate glassed-in showroom, with flooring that's a vinyl decal from Atrafloor but looks like stone and brass inlay from a distance. The glassed-in showroom is adorned with Pink Marble wallpaper from the Lulu & Georgia collection. Tessa Neustadt This approach also suits Brenner's own philosophy and personal aesthetic. "That's sort of who I am. I'm very high/low," she said with a laugh. Storage consists of customized IKEA units, and Sherman Samuel sourced Prettypegs tapered desk legs to spruce up IKEA tables for Brenner's staff. (All Maya Brenner pieces are designed and orders processed in-house, while manufacturing takes place nearby in the Jewelry District.) Sherman Samuel's line for Semihandmade kitchen cabinet doors and hardware personalize the look of the office kitchen, where she chose a gold-flecked terrazzo wallpaper accent. Brenner brought a vintage pedestal table that Sherman Samuel paired with CB2 chairs, as well as art she's collected. "I really love that table, and it helps to tell her story," Sherman Samuel said. Sherman Samuel's eye for small details made a huge difference, such as the black tape she suggested to use on the wall that holds Brenner's personal paperwork. Bold, graphic, gem-themed wallpaper enclosing a closet also provides contrast with the softer touches. Sherman Samuel said the three wallpaper patterns she picked "are spread around and it's not overwhelming, but they all go with each other." The adjacent office hit the market a week after Brenner's son, Otis, was born in December, so Brenner jumped at the chance for more room that was already needed. "It's funny how quickly you grow out of the space," she said. A dining/conference table from Article and illuminated by Rejuvenation fixtures had unwittingly become the shipping station. The improved storage and overall better logistical flow means the central long surface can remain clear for meetings and Brenner's own needs. She doesn't have a fixed desk or private office and prefers "to float around." Maya Brenner's jewelry designs include state-charm pendants. Katie Falkenberg / Los Angeles Times "People are really happy to come in and work here," Brenner said. The new surroundings also boost her creativity and attitude toward welcoming visitors and clients. "It changes the mood. Now I'm super proud of it." Interior designer Sarah Sherman Samuel's resourcefulness shows how improving your workspace doesn't mean breaking the bank. Here are her tips: Be open to all sources From West Elm to Article and Etsy, "she finds really great pieces from unexpected vendors," Brenner said of Sherman Samuel's shopping savvy. Contrasts and juxtapositions "I like to balance" the pink tones and colors "with natural wood accents and concrete, and juxtapose the natural elements with the masculine shapes, like the heavy concrete table and wood conference and coffee table," Sherman Samuel said. Don't underestimate small details Even the type of tape Sherman Samuel recommended for Brenner's evolving collage stands out. Find the hacks Giovannis Fish Market in Morro Bay, Calif., makes its money by selling seafood, but owner Giovanni DeGarimore made news this month when he bought a 70-pound octopus and set it free. DeGarimore told the Tribune of San Luis Obispo that hes had a change of heart about selling or consuming octopus after learning about their intelligence and an experience he had playing hide-and-seek with one while scuba diving in Fiji. So when his dock manager called last week to say a local fisherman was selling an octopus that had been caught in a crab trap, DeGarimore couldnt bear the thought of it being cut up. He says he bought the octopus, named it Fred and temporarily kept it in a tank at his market, then released it. Good morning. Im Paul Thornton, and it is Saturday, May 26, 2018. My apologies to the newsletter subscribers reading this from Europe the links below probably will not work for you. Lets take a look back at the week in Opinion. Since the FBI confirmed in March 2017 that it was investigating Russian interference in the 2016 election and possible links between Donald Trumps campaign and Moscow and after James Comey was fired from the FBI and former director Robert S. Mueller III was appointed special counsel to take over the probe the president has insisted there was no collusion! with Russia but has behaved in a way that suggests he is something short of completely innocent. Among other things, he has derided the investigation as a witch hunt, privately chastised Atty. Gen. Jeff Sessions for recusing himself, taunted his critics by name and reportedly had to be talked out of firing Mueller. Trumps latest move to frustrate the Russia investigation puts him and the country in ominous new territory. On Sunday, the president tweeted he hereby demands that the Department of Justice investigate his bogus conspiracy theory that the Obama administration may have planted spies in his campaign. The Times Editorial Board warned that Trump appears ready to cross a bright line: This threat of intervention was ominous. If Trump was willing to order the Justice Department, which is supposed to act independently and without political influence, to instead pursue investigations that served him personally and politically, would he be equally willing to demand an end to one he considered a political liability? The leadership of the Justice Department scrambled to try to placate the president without compromising its integrity any more than necessary. After Trump's tweet, the department announced that its inspector general would expand an ongoing internal review to determine "whether there was any impropriety or political motivation" in the FBI's counterintelligence operation connected to the 2016 campaign.... Trump's defenders in Congress and in the conservative news media insist that law enforcement and U.S. intelligence services should stay out of partisan politics. But if there is evidence that a presidential campaign is being courted or manipulated by agents of a foreign power, it can't simply be ignored. Whether anyone involved in the Trump campaign criminally cooperated with Russian efforts is something Mueller is attempting to establish. The question is whether he will be allowed to complete his investigation unmolested by the president who derides his efforts as a witch hunt. After Trump's latest outburst and the Justice Department's response, however careful and calibrated it may have been we're more concerned than ever that the president might take that chance. >> Click here to read more Her exam by a disgraced USC gynecologist was anything but normal. Sixteen years ago, Dr. George Tyndall who was revealed by the Los Angeles Times to have been the subject of multiple complaints and yet allowed to continue practicing for nearly three decades examined USC alumna Cate Guggino, who still remembers precisely where she felt pain when she was probed in way thats totally inconsistent with protocol. Her account is deeply troubling and, for those who care to better understand the scandal, a must-read. L.A. Times USC President C.L. Max Nikias time is up. The Times Editorial Board agrees with the 200 professors who called for the embattled university leader mired in his second major scandal in as many years to resign or be dismissed: Like leaders of the Catholic Church and many other institutions that have faced reputational scandals, Nikias has responded to crisis by trying to protect his brand first rather than the at-risk members of his community. Thats not the kind of leadership USC needs as it moves forward. L.A. Times Power lines are setting the West on fire. We still dont know definitively what caused the 250-square-mile wildfire that burned much of Santa Rosa last fall, but we do know that the utility PG&E is hoarding cash in case it needs to fund a multibillion-dollar payout. Elsewhere in California and the western United States, aging, frayed or otherwise compromised power lines have fueled major fires over the last several years. The Atlantic No, Trump didnt call all undocumented immigrants animals. New York Times columnist Bret Stephens puts the presidents remarks in context and notes he was specifically referring to immigrants affiliated with the notorious MS-13 gang. As for MS-13, Stephens includes a helpful reminder about the gangs Los Angeles origin and how Trump seems to miss a bigger lesson about the unintended consequences of mass deportation. New York Times A 55-year-old woman who was previously described as a person of interest in the slayings of three people in Leimert Park has been charged with murder, authorities said Friday. Nancy Jackson was taken into custody Tuesday in the Culver City area, said Los Angeles Police Capt. Petter Whittingham. Forensic and ballistic evidence pointed to Jackson in the killings, police said, adding that all three victims had been shot. For the record: This article gives an incorrect age for Orsie Carter. She was 79, according to the Los Angeles County coroners office. Jackson has been charged with killing Phillip White, 65; William Carter, 83; and Orsie Carter, 82, in the 3900 block of South Bronson Avenue, according to the Los Angeles County district attorneys office. An arraignment was continued to July 11, prosecutors said. Jackson was described at a news conference Friday as an evil person who was down and out and had been staying with White in his home, acting as a caretaker, Whittingham said. He was flanked at the news conference by family members of the victims. Advertisement Jackson had taken unfair advantage of White and his kindness and may have also stolen from him, Whittingham said. Nancy Jackson (LAPD ) On Monday, Whites mother, Orsie Carter, and his stepfather, William Carter, were visiting with their son when they were all killed, Whittingham said. Police said Jackson may have been told that she was going to be forced out of the home, which may have prompted her anger. Its unclear how long Jackson had been staying with White, but Whittingham said perhaps as long as six months. The bodies of White and the Carters were not discovered until Tuesday night; they were found in the bathroom of Whites beige, Spanish-style home, where he had lived for four decades. All of the bodies showed signs of blunt-force trauma, authorities said. Family members said White had multiple sclerosis and that the Carters, who lived in Baldwin Hills, would often stop by to check on him. Friends and family said Jackson was Whites longtime friend who had recently re-emerged in his life. White, known by many as quiet and kindhearted, allowed Jackson to move in temporarily, childhood friend Ralph Tilley said. Jackson had said she planned to move to Las Vegas, but she then refused to leave. Most of the family members at Fridays news conference declined to speak to the media. Terry Carter, the brother and son of the victims, made a simple statement: They were wonderful, generous, gracious loving people. --Times staff writer Angel Jennings contributed to this report. nicole.santacruz@latimes.com For more crime news, follow @nicolesantacruz on Twitter. Last year, Matthew Johnston logged on to his Facebook account to vent. Going to be deleting a lot of people off of Facebook. Just realized how many fake people I have on here, he wrote. But at the time Johnston might have been the biggest faker on his own Facebook page: a man posing as a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer until his arrest in October. Thats when federal agents served a search warrant at his Fontana home. They took him into custody on suspicion of impersonating an ICE agent and also discovered a cache of weapons and explosive devices. Advertisement Investigators determined that Johnston had purchased a fake ICE badge from a vendor in China and created the credentials with the help of a friend. Last week, Johnston was sentenced to two years in federal prison. Why, of all the law enforcement officers, did Johnston pick an ICE agent? He told federal investigators that he wanted to impress people while choosing an agency he felt nobody knew about. It was, on its face, an ironic statement, given the prominence of ICE and its front-line role in President Trumps battle against illegal immigration. And yet, how many people really know what an ICE agent looks and dresses like? Immigration officers have often been mistaken for police officers during enforcement actions. They have also impersonated occupational safety officials at work sites. Immigration enforcement advocates say so-called sanctuary city policies have led federal agents to use such ploys. The Department of Homeland Security has said their tactics are consistent with their authorities under federal law and in accordance with the Constitution. Johnston told investigators that he didnt pick a local law enforcement agency because that seemed riskier. His family did not respond to multiple requests for comments. ICE, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Department of Homeland Security, has more than 20,000 employees, according to the departments website. Joseph Macias, special agent in charge of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcements Homeland Security Initiative in Los Angeles, said Johnston simply picked a department that was in the limelight. I took it as him boasting about himself, Macias said. He wanted to show his bravado to his new girlfriend and be able to say Im an ICE agent. Jeff Gilgallon, special agent in charge for ICEs Los Angeles Office of Professional Responsibility, said there has been an uptick of such cases. Shortly after Trump won the presidential election, a man by the name of Michael Ruiz impersonated an ICE officer and swindled immigrants in South Carolina out of roughly $70,000, authorites allege. It was the second time the conman had done this. The first time he was able to con more than $200,000 from immigrants. In April 2017, a former Washington Post employee was accused of impersonating an ICE officer. And earlier this year in Delaware, a woman and man were arrested and charged with impersonating ICE agents in an attempt to rob a woman. Gilgallon said other cases involved telephone scams and insider scams such as a person claiming to have access to a DHS employee who could speed up immigration cases. When they impersonate the agent, it undermines the publics confidence in law enforcement, Gilgallon said. Were reaching out to police departments and educating them of the various schemes that are out there. Federal investigators began to unravel Johnstons lies in October when a San Bernardino County Sheriffs deputy pulled over a white 2017 Audi, according to federal prosecutors and a federal affidavit. The driver of the vehicle was Johnstons girlfriend, who had accidentally turned on the blue and red emergency lights on the vehicles dash. The woman told the deputy that she was trying to plug in her phone and didnt realize she had activated the lights. She told him the car belong to Johnston and that he worked for Homeland Security. The deputy asked the woman to call him. On the phone, Johnston identified himself as an ICE agent and said he had forgotten to take the lights off the dash. Johnston asked the deputy to have his girlfriend remove the lights. She did and was allowed to go. The next day the deputy informed ICE of Johnstons claiming to be an ICE employee, triggering an investigation after Johnstons name didnt come up as a federal employee. Over several days, investigators discovered social media accounts in which Johnston claimed to be a federal agent. There were photos too. One image on a Facebook account showed Johnston standing by [a] doorway wearing a dark blue polo shirt with insignia patches on his right shoulder, body armor, tactical khakis, and a tactical dropdown holster, similar to that of an ICE agent, the affidavit read in part. On his Facebook accounts he claimed to be employed with the Department of Homeland Security and said he worked in Fugitive Apprehension. Federal investigators say Matthew Johnston sent a series of text messages to his girlfriend, including one with a photo of a handgun, handcuffs and his fake ICE credentials. (Department of Homeland Security ) Federal investigators interviewed Johnstons girlfriend, who told them she learned of his employment after asking him. She showed them photos Johnston had sent her. The photo showed a handgun, a pair of black handcuffs, a Homeland Security ID badge with Johnstons picture and the DHS seal, and gold ICE belt badge, the affidavit read. The girlfriend told investigators that Johnston had given her $1,500 to $2,000 every week for no reason. Investigators dont believe Johnston used his fake authority to shake immigrants down for money. But Johnston had committed to the role. Investigators said Johnston had taken a report from his girlfriends friend, who was having problems trying to remove a roommate from her apartment. The roommate was in the country illegally. In another instance, Johnston saw a hit-and-run and chased after a car with his red and blue lights on, causing the driver of that car to crash. Johnston was known to tell people at Deja Vu Showgirls in the City of Industry that he worked as a Homeland Security agent. Staff declined to comment. Those who knew him there described him as a nice person who would show up at the club a few times a week. He wasnt known to brag about his purported employment with Homeland Security, but people knew about it. We want to know the truth. Who was he? one person said. The federal affidavit shows that on several occasions Johnston tried to pull people over, including two women who worked at Deja Vu. On Oct. 20, federal investigators served a search warrant at Johnstons home in Fontana, where he lived with his parents. Inside, federal agents found 32 firearms, including shotguns, rifles, pistols and revolvers; about 10,000 rounds of ammunition; two rocket launchers; and explosive materials and devices, according to the federal affidavit. On Oct. 20, 2017, federal agents served a search warrant at the Fontana home of Matthew Johnston. Inside they found a cache of weapons, ammunition, explosive devices and counterfeit items he used to pose as an immigration officer, according to a federal affidavit. (Department of Homeland Secuirty ) Agents also found a body armor plate carrier bearing an olive drab DHS seal and an American flag, a polo shirt bearing the DHS seal and marked ICE on the front and Police ICE on the back. They also found a phone used to create fake telephone numbers so that he could send messages to himself to bolster his ICE identity, the affidavit stated. Investigators also learned that Johnston had sold an AR-15 to a man for $700. According to the affidavit, Johnston told investigators he was able to get a security guard job with Southern Executive Security because the company believed that he was an ICE agent. But a company official disputed that claim. To my knowledge, he did not work for our office, said Sal Hanna, vice president of operations for Southern Executive Security. Investigators said they believe Johnston impersonated an immigration officer after his ex-wife insulted him in front of his daughter sometime in 2016. She told his daughter that he had done nothing with his life, the affidavit read. Except Johnston had. Just nothing to brag about. ruben.vives@latimes.com For more Southern California news, follow @latvives on Twitter. Pacific Gas & Electric Co. power lines that came into contact with trees caused four Northern California wildfires that burned more than 14 square miles last fall and incinerated 134 buildings, state fire officials said Friday. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection indicated that three of the fires might have been prevented if PG&E had made a greater effort to keep trees clear of its power lines. Cal Fire said it is turning those findings over to prosecutors in Nevada and Butte counties, where the blazes occurred. PG&E said it is reviewing the agencys conclusions, adding that safety remains its paramount goal. Advertisement Based on the information we have so far, we believe our overall programs met our states high standards, the utility said in a statement. PG&E said it inspects and monitors every overhead electric transmission and distribution line at least once a year under its Vegetation Management Program. No one was killed or injured by the four fires the agency addressed Friday. The blazes, in largely rural areas, were among more than 170 that broke out across California in October, consuming more than 380 square miles of forest, farmland and vineyards. Some of those fires were deadly. Devastating damage occurred in Northern Californias wine country, where dozens of lawsuits seeking tens of millions of dollars have been filed against PG&E. Cal Fire said it is continuing to investigate the other fires and will release its findings as they become available. The La Porte fire in Butte County covered 13 square miles and destroyed 74 structures. It was blamed on tree branches falling onto power lines, but investigators concluded that there were no violations of state law and that PG&E was not to blame in the blaze. But the Honey fire, also in Butte County, was caused by inadequate clearance of tree branches near PG&E power lines, the agency concluded. In Nevada County, which encompasses Californias Sierra Nevada gold country, two fires burned across a mile and a half, destroying 60 structures. In one case, fire officials said, PG&E failed to remove a tree near a power line. In the other, agency investigators said, the utility did not provide proper clearance between trees and power lines. For years, Harvey Weinstein was an influential man accustomed to strolling paparazzi-lined red carpets, schmoozing with beautiful people as photographers called out his name. On Friday, the disgraced movie mogul drew a similarly rowdy crowd under a far harsher spotlight. As Weinstein stepped out of a dark sport utility vehicle in front of the New York Police Departments 1st Precinct station in downtown Manhattan, hordes of photographers and television camera operators jostled for shots behind barriers on either side of him. Reporters shouted questions. He ignored them. It was a monumental day for the #MeToo movement, which was ignited after dozens of women accused Weinstein of sexual misconduct. On Friday, the film producer turned himself in to the NYPD and prosecutors filed criminal charges against him, including rape. Advertisement As he walked into the police precinct, he carried a book that, some say, signaled defiance: Elia Kazan by Richard Schickel, a biography of the legendary director and former member of the Communist Party who was infamous for naming names of other party members including those of his friends amid a wave of U.S. anti-communist hysteria. And, in an era in which women in the film industry are speaking out about sexual harassment and demanding gender parity, Weinsteins attorney invoked an old Hollywood stereotype in the producers defense. Mr. Weinstein did not invent the casting couch in Hollywood, Benjamin Brafman said, referring to the practice of a person in power demanding sex in exchange for career advancement. And to the extent that there is bad behavior in that industry, that is not what this is about. Bad behavior is not on trial in this case. Its only if you intentionally committed a criminal act, and Mr. Weinstein vigorously denies that. Its the first prominent prosecution of a Hollywood figure since a wave of accusations of sexual harassment and assault rocked the industry in the wake of New York Times and New Yorker stories detailing Weinsteins alleged behavior. Some hope the #MeToo movement will usher in a new era in the way the industry and the rest of society treat women and hold men accountable for their bad acts. But Weinsteins defense, at least as it was outlined Friday, appears to draw a distinction between objectionable behavior and criminal behavior. Some experts said it suggests an ugly legal battle ahead. Steve Cooley, a former Los Angeles County district attorney, said prosecutors are likely to try to show that Weinstein has a long history of sexual assault, a tactic employed by authorities in the Bill Cosby case. Weinsteins lawyers, on the other hand, will probably raise every possible defense: statute of limitations, discredit the victims and their motivations. Weinstein was charged with rape in the first and third degree involving a woman in 2013, and with committing a criminal sexual act in the first degree with another woman in 2004, Manhattan Dist. Atty. Cyrus R. Vance Jr. said in a statement. Authorities have withheld the womens names, although one of them went public with allegations against Weinstein in a magazine article last year. On Friday morning, Weinstein, wearing a light blue sweater beneath a dark blazer, was escorted out of the NYPD precinct by two police investigators who held his arms back. He smiled. His hands were cuffed behind his back as he was walked through a courtroom. He did not speak during a brief appearance. The judge set his bond at $10 million and restricted his movements to New York and Connecticut. Weinstein surrendered his passport, and his attorney handed over a $1-million cashiers check for the bail. Weinstein consented to 24-hour-a-day GPS monitoring and a temporary restraining order requested by one accuser. Manhattan Assistant Dist. Atty. Joan Illuzzi said in court that Weinstein used his position and power to sexually exploit women. Speaking to reporters after the court appearance, Brafman said Weinstein will enter a plea of not guilty and continues to vehemently deny any criminal behavior. Weinstein, he said, maintains that any sexual acts were consensual and that the charges are constitutionally flawed. Brafman said that if the women are cross-examined before a jury, the charges will not be believed by 12 people, assuming we will get 12 fair people who are not consumed by the movement that seems to have overtaken this case. The attorney said he will be filing a motion to dismiss the charges as being legally flawed and not supported by credible evidence. The charges are the first to result from seven months of investigations in New York, California and London. Sources with knowledge of the case who spoke on the condition of anonymity said one of the plaintiffs is a once-aspiring actress who has alleged that Weinstein assaulted her during a meeting at his Miramax office in 2004. The second alleged victims identity has not been reported. Lucia Evans told the New Yorker magazine last year that Weinstein said during a meeting in one of his offices that shed be great in Project Runway which Weinstein helped produce and which premiered later in 2004 but that she needed to lose weight. She said he then told her about two scripts, a horror movie and a teen love story, then forced her to perform oral sex. She said she objected but that Weinstein exposed his penis and pulled her head down toward it. I said, over and over, I dont want to do this, stop, dont, Evans told the New Yorker. I tried to get away, but maybe I didnt try hard enough. I didnt want to kick him or fight him. In the end, she said, hes a big guy. He overpowered me. Weinstein has been accused by more than 80 women of misconduct. Police in Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, New York and London have conducted investigations into more than 20 allegations. He faces the prospect of more charges. Los Angeles County Dist. Atty. Jackie Laceys team has been reviewing two investigations into Weinstein by Beverly Hills police, as well as three Los Angeles Police Department investigations, including an Italian actress allegation of rape in 2013. According to law enforcement sources, detectives believe that case is promising for prosecution because the woman told her story to three people, including a priest, relatively soon after the alleged attack. LAPD detectives also have evidence the woman was a guest at the Beverly Hills hotel where she claims Weinstein attacked her, the sources said. The case does have flaws, they added. Detectives found little physical evidence of an attack and have been unable to secure proof that Weinstein was at the hotel when the woman says the rape occurred. Sources said the Manhattan district attorney is using a grand jury to look into allegations against Weinstein and that federal prosecutors with the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York are investigating whether he lured women across state lines for the purpose of sex crimes and committed fraud while trying to cover up accusations. The seeds for Weinsteins arrest were planted three years ago when NYPD detectives captured him on tape admitting to groping an Italian model, but prosecutors declined to file charges, saying they could not show intent. Infuriated detectives said they believed Weinstein had confessed on the recording. Weinstein was previously questioned at the 1st Precinct station about model Ambra Battilanas allegations that he groped her during a meeting. Detectives had encouraged her to wear a wire to a follow-up meeting. As detectives listened in, the producer admitted to touching her breasts and promised not to do it again. Cooley said that although Weinsteins lawyers have complained about jurors potentially being influenced during the high-profile case, the reality is that most people are well aware of the allegations. If they want to bring a change-of-venue motion to have the trial outside New York, theyre going to have to go to Mars or the moon or maybe North Korea to find someone who hasnt heard about Weinsteins bad acts. Cooley said Brafmans bravado outside the court likely wont help with potential jurors. As for Weinsteins carrying of the Elia Kazan biography, Cooley said it indicated he saw himself as a victim. Weinstein also carried a copy of Something Wonderful: Rodgers and Hammersteins Broadway Revolution by Todd S. Purdum as he walked into the police station. For women who say they were attacked by Weinstein, Friday seemed like a moment of justice. I can say this: The man who pinned me down had handcuffs on today, actress Rose McGowan, who has accused Weinstein of rape and reportedly settled a lawsuit against him years ago, told NBC. Actress and director Asia Argento, who also has accused Weinstein of rape, tweeted that Weinstein on Friday will take his first step on his inevitable descent to hell. We, the women, she wrote, finally have real hope for justice. Queally reported from New York, and Winton and Branson-Potts reported from Los Angeles. james.queally@latimes.com Twitter: @JamesQueallyLAT richard.winton@latimes.com Twitter: @haileybranson hailey.branson@latimes.com Twitter: @haileybranson Fourteen more women have sued USC alleging that a campus gynecologist sexually abused them during medical exams and that the university failed to take action when patients and clinic staff complained about his behavior. The new filings brought the total number of women suing the university by Friday afternoon to 21. About 385 women have called a university hotline since a Times investigation last week detailed how USC allowed Dr. George Tyndall to continue practicing at a student health clinic on campus despite a record of complaints that spanned more than two decades. One woman who sued alleged Tyndall put his face within two inches of her vagina while fondling her and saying repeatedly, It looks beautiful. Another alleged Tyndall thrust his entire ungloved hand back and forth inside of her, causing her naked body to shake uncontrollably. Several accused Tyndall of performing exams without using gloves. Advertisement The scandal over how USC handled years of complaints against the physician has roiled the campus and led the universitys Board of Trustees to announce Friday that the schools president, C.L. Max Nikias, would be replaced. Tyndall, who resigned last year, has denied wrongdoing. In a letter to The Times dated May 17 but received Thursday, the physician said he had heard of only one patient complaint before March 2016 an allegation that he did not wear gloves during a pelvic exam. He wrote that the clinics then-executive director, Dr. Larry Neinstein, conducted a poll of medical assistants or nurses who accompanied him as chaperones when he saw patients and that they confirmed that an exam without a glove never happened. In addition, Tyndall said it was well-known that he always carried a small hand towel in one of the pockets of his Filipino barong an embroidered shirt to use to avoid touching door knobs, elevator buttons, faucet handles, etc. He wrote that he did so to avoid catching a cold, which he said would prevent him from counseling USC patients. Patients sometimes fabricate stories, he wrote, adding that male and female clinicians who conduct pelvic exams should always have a chaperone present. He included with his letter more than a dozen positive comments from patients who sent Neinstein and other clinic supervisors emails from 2013 to 2015. Overall Dr. Tyndall is a great doctor and a very friendly man who shows great care for his patients, one read. USCs handling of Tyndall has sparked more than a week of turmoil at the university, culminating in the news late Friday that Nikias would step down. Earlier in the week, the Academic Senate, which represents USC faculty, called for Nikias to resign after a fiery town hall in which professors demanded an immediate vote of no confidence. Some also expressed outrage at the universitys Board of Trustees for an earlier public message in which the boards chairman, John Mork, said its executive committee strongly supported Nikias despite a series of scandals over the last year. An open letter also calling for Nikias to resign circulated among faculty and received nearly 500 signatures by Friday. A similar petition by students and alumni garnered more than 4,000. USC has said that complaints about Tyndall dating to the early 2000s reached Neinstein, who died in 2016, but that he handled patient complaints independently. The university said it was unclear why Tyndall was allowed to remain in his position. It was only after a frustrated nurse reported Tyndall to the campus rape crisis center in 2016 that the gynecologist was removed. USC leaders have acknowledged that the system for reporting and disciplining Tyndall had broken down, but they denied having known about the complaints before last year, according to a letter from Provost Michael Quick. The university, in a secret deal last summer, allowed Tyndall to resign quietly with a financial payout. USC did not report him to the Medical Board of California, which investigates misconduct by physicians and has the power to terminate their licenses, until last March. The university has acknowledged that in hindsight Tyndall should have been reported much sooner. Last week, USC ousted two top administrators at the clinic. The university is also sending cases to the Los Angeles Police Department for criminal review. The state medical board has confirmed it is now investigating Tyndall. Many of the women who have sued allege similar conduct by Tyndall, including his frequently commenting on the tightness of patients vaginal muscles and making inappropriate remarks about their sex lives. According to one lawsuit, a student was forced to strip naked in his office rather than the examination room. He then proceeded to graze his ungloved fingers along her body under the pretense of checking for moles, the lawsuit said. Tyndall also spread her buttocks so he could leer at her anus, according to the suit. He then inserted his ungloved fingers into her vagina, causing the student to cry out in pain, the suit said. He refused to remove his fingers, according to the lawsuit, even as she was reduced to tears. adam.elmahrek@latimes.com | Twitter: @adamelmahrek matt.hamilton@latimes.com | Twitter: @MattHjourno Susan Burton took the bus home from prison six times, with a buck-fifty left in my pocket, she said, no ID and her worldly possessions in a box. In the two decades since her last Greyhound lap, Burton and her Watts-based group, A New Way of Life Reentry Project, have thrown a lifeline to around 1,000 other women to interrupt the incarceration cycle that held her for 20 years the project operates homes to help women leaving prison get back on their feet. Her memoir, released last year, pushed her to the forefront of the criminal justice reform movement. But last month she jumped at the chance to go back to the California Institution for Women in Chino, where she spent four of her six prison terms. There is no place Id rather be than here with you, she said before signing copies of her book for more than 100 inmates. Your life matters. Advertisement Burtons memoir, Becoming Ms. Burton: From Prison to Recovery to Leading the Fight for Incarcerated Women, written with author Cari Lynn, tells a story of unspeakable abuse and violence. She says its not an uncommon story among incarcerated women. Growing up in Boyle Heights projects and South Los Angeles, Burton was molested at age 4 by the boyfriend of an aunt who called her dirty little girl and swore her to secrecy, the book says. She was sexually abused again by a man she met going door to door for the Woodcraft Rangers program for underserved children. He gave her and her family money. Gang-raped at age 14, she gave birth to her daughter. The death of her 5-year-old son, Marque, run over by an off-duty LAPD officer, plunged her into deep depression and substance abuse that led her to prison, she said. Most of her charges were for drugs, but she never received substance abuse treatment. The Police Department never even apologized, she said of her sons death. Burton recovered at a treatment center in predominantly white Santa Monica, where she said she found counseling and resources unheard of in the black community. People are treated differently in Santa Monica than they were in South L.A., she said during her prison talk, drawing um-hums from the largely black and Latino audience. Criminal justice reform activist Susan Burton said a wall of nos clouds female inmates futures. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times ) A New Way of Lifes first house has grown to five residences, with a staff of 25, including attorneys, a social worker, public policy advisors and organizers working on political issues as well as direct services. Burton has become a major voice in the movement against long prison sentences and for full restoration of ex-felons civil rights, including the right to vote. Her book tour took her to prisons and cities across the country, and she made the late-night television and radio circuit. Admirers have called her a modern-day Harriet Tubman, and she doesnt shy away from the comparison. I try to be humble, but I want you to know I know I am powerful, she told the Chino inmates. I feel like Im building an underground railroad. In seeking reform, she is bucking the Trump administration, which has called for maximizing drug sentences and eliminating federal prison halfway houses. But California voters are leading the way nationally in easing drug penalties. And Los Angeles County has embraced prisoner reentry programs, with an eye to bringing down the numbers of homeless and mentally ill people about 5,000 crowding the jails. Peter Espinoza, director of the Los Angeles County Office of Diversion and Reentry, said he hopes to collaborate with Burtons group. What is really compelling about Susan is how she translated her story into her lifes work, said Espinoza, a former L.A. Superior Court judge. But Burton said casual cruelties in the prison system and what she called a wall of nos still cloud women inmates futures. Ex-felons can be discriminated against legally for jobs and housing. Burton visited the Chino prison through Just Detention International, a nonprofit for victims of sexual abuse in prison, because her gate pass had been revoked. Lt. Rosie Lopez, the prisons public information officer, said it was against department policy for ex-felons to have volunteer passes. Female inmates still struggle to get adequate sanitary hygiene products, Burton said. Lopez said sanitary products are available in the prison at all hours of the day, but inmates murmured in recognition as Burton described her sanitary hygiene products disappearing when guards tossed her locker. And women still arrive at A New Way of Life without identification, including Patrice Wallace, who was let out of prison after serving 20 years of a life sentence for a three-strike case. Her first two convictions were for robbery and the third for possession of less than a coffee sweetener packets worth of cocaine. I had to ask a friend in New Orleans to bring her mother to the vital records bureau to track down Wallaces identity records, Burton said. A New Way of Life dispenses with the rules and restrictions that make some halfway houses feel like prison, Burton said. There are few preconditions, you can bring your children A New Way of Life attorney will help you regain custody and visitors are fine. But Burton said the women are not coddled; sobriety is mandatory, and residents are up by 8 a.m. for meditation circle, then off to school or work. The houses have a family atmosphere, with barbecues and birthday celebrations, and Burton said she is developing the women as advocates and leaders. Most places tell people they need fixing, Burton said. We tell people they had a normal response to a violent society, and we can help them become knowledgeable and better people. This month, Shenika Green popped her 4-month-old daughter, born in prison, into a bouncy chair in front of an infant video as Burton fussed over a small spot on the floor. The walls were hung with pictures of Gandhi and Martin Luther King and political slogans. Green said she was released from a California womens prison in March with nothing but a list of shelters and programs. I dont call that help, especially when you have children, Green said. Lopez said the prison offers service provider fairs, reentry counseling and a kiosk where inmates can search for programs by ZIP Code. Wallace said that like Burton, she took that lonely bus home from prison several times, only to land back in the streets. This is the first program I entered, Wallace said. I intend to complete it successfully and begin living life like I should have. gholland@latimes.com Twitter: @geholland Governor Rick Scott has declared a state of emergency in all 67 Florida counties as Subtropical Storm Alberto makes its way north through the Gulf of Mexico. Only the western tip of Floridas Panhandle is in the projected path of the storm but the governor urged all Florida residents to be prepared for severe weather. A tropical storm warning has been issued for the west coast of the Florida peninsula from Bonita Beach to the Anclote River. The track of these storms can change without notice, Scott said. Do not think that only areas in the cone will be impacted everyone in our state must be prepared. The state of emergency also ensures that state and local governments have plenty of time, resources, and flexibility to get prepared for this storm. Advertisement Heavy rain, wind gusts, strong rip currents, possible flash flooding and perhaps even tornadoes are forecast across South Florida during the Memorial Day weekend. A flood watch is in effect for all of South Florida, as the region braces for rough weather from the eastern fringes of Subtropical Storm Alberto, which was moving slowly and erratically Saturday morning. As the day wore on Saturday, the National Weather Service in Miami reported the certainty of flooding had increased for all of South Florida, including Collier County. The flood watch runs to 8 p.m. Sunday, the period when Alberto is expected to pass closest to the region on its course toward the northern Gulf coast. Although the east side of the storm isnt expected to reach Broward, Miami-Dade or Palm Beach counties, the storms outer bands are expected to bring the area heavy rain, gusts of more than 40 mph, strong rip currents and the possibility of tornadoes, according to a briefing by the National Weather Service in Miami. Such winds typically would only break small tree branches, said Robert Molleda, warning coordination meteorologist for the National Weather Service. But with the ground already saturated by previous rains, he said its possible trees could be uprooted and fall on power lines, causing outages. All of South Florida is also at risk for tornadoes throughout Saturday night and all of Sunday, according to a 3 p.m. briefing from the weather service in Miami. Alberto, appearing a week before the official start of hurricane season, maintained sustained winds of 40 mph and was moving north at 10 mph toward the coasts of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. The National Hurricane Center has issued tropical storm and storm surge warnings for the northern Gulf coast, from eastern Louisiana to the western Florida Panhandle. A tropical storm warning has been issued for the Dry Tortugas in the Florida Keys. The storms sustained winds are expected to intensify to 65 mph over the next three days, as it approaches the northern Gulf coast. This would make Alberto a strong subtropical storm, although well short of the 74 mph threshold for hurricane strength. At 5 p.m. Saturday, the storm was about 95 miles north-northwest of the western tip of Cuba or about 170 miles southwest of the Dry Tortugas, according to the National Hurricane Center. The storm is forecast to come closest to South Florida late Saturday night and early Sunday morning although it will remain well out in the Gulf of Mexico. Even though South Florida is not in the projected path of Alberto, the region is on the east side the wettest side of the storm. In contrast to a tropical storm or hurricane, where the strongest winds are at the center, a subtropical storm can have the most powerful winds far from the core. The subtropical designation is a nuance in the world of weather science. Essentially, the characteristics of a subtropical system mean it lacks the punch to quickly increase in strength and become a hurricane. On its current forecast track, Alberto is expected to continue its slow journey north through the weekend until making a turn to the northwest Monday as it approaches the north-central Gulf coast, the hurricane center said. Rain chances, as forecast by the National Weather Service, are between 70 and 80 percent throughout the Memorial Day weekend. Its not until mid-week that the rain chance dips to 40 percent, which is more typical for South Floridas rainy season. About three to seven inches are expected for the greater Fort Lauderdale and Miami areas, with three to four inches expected for Palm Beach County. Locally heavy rainfall is forecast across western Cuba and over much of Florida and the northern Gulf coast into early next week, senior hurricane specialist Stacy Stewart said in Fridays tropical weather outlook. ALSO Sun Sentinel Hurricane Preparedness Guide 2018 Here are the names of 2018 hurricanes and tropical storms Congratulations, youve made it to a long and restful Memorial Day weekend, filled with friends, family and good eating (we hope), and time to think about the reasons we mark this holiday. To help with the tableside aspect of this, we have not a few burger recipes for you, as well as a few thoughts on what to pick up at the farmers market (cucumbers) if you can get there. Its the last weekend of our food festival, which ends when the month does. So we have a few stories about some of the visiting chefs, including Atticas Ben Shewry, who confesses his fondness for green ants, and Centrals Virgilio Martinez, who considers the humble potato. For restaurants closer to home, Jonathan Gold reviews MTN in Venice, and we go in search of a man (or men) who performs Elvis Presley covers on the Thai restaurant circuit. Did that get your attention? Yeah. So go queue up some old Presley songs and, as it were, turn the page. Amy Scattergood THE MIND HAS MOUNTAINS Advertisement Dungeness crab ramen from MTN restaurant in Los Angeles Venice Beach neighborhood. (Ashley Randall ) At MTN, chef Travis Letts Venice izakaya, Jonathan considers the mind of the chef well, not really, but some of us have Gerard Manley Hopkins lines embedded along with PBS clips and memories of Shinjuku noodle shops. Anyway, back to MTN, pronounced mountain, and what our critic finds inside the Abbot Kinney restaurant. Crab ramen? Yes. Homemade tofu? Indeed. ELVIS, BUILDING Manuel Toi GB (center), known as Thai Elvis, performs at Siri Thai Cuisine on May 19, 2018, in Burbank, California. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times ) As Deputy Food Editor Jenn Harris reports, Thai Elvis is not dead though the sequinned-pantsuit-clad man performing at your local Thai restaurant may not be the guy you thought he was. If youre among the uninitiated, no worries: Jenn explains. If, however, your idea of fun has for years been eating deep-fried trout with mango sauce at Palms Thai while the Elvis impersonator on stage sang Love Me Tender, you might still need some clarification. POTATO, POTAHTO Chef Virgilio Martinez (Jimena Agois ) Peruvian chef Virgilio Martinez, in town for some Food Bowl events, has a better appreciation of potatoes than most folks given that hes a world-class chef, from a country known for them, and that hes checked out a few hundred of the more than 4,000 varieties of the staple food. Test Kitchen Director Noelle Carter discusses this and more and, yes, gets a recipe. NO CAMPFIRE REQUIRED Smores from the new Gotta Have Smore dessert shop on Fairfax Avenue in Mid-Wilshire. (Muse Media ) Love smores but really dont feel like incinerating marshmallows in your backyard? Jenn gets news on an upcoming shop that specializes in the stuff, called Gotta Have Smore (nice) in this weeks Restaurant News column. What else is going on? Theres a rose festival in Malibu taking place, conveniently, on National Rose Day, and the reboot of the restaurant Tacos Punta Cabras, now called Punta Cabras, in Santa Monica. Two words: chorizo fundido. L.A. Times Food Bowl is happening now. We hope youll join us for the final week of our monthlong food festival, with events celebrating L.A.'s food and drink scene and helping promote sustainability and raise awareness and funds to fight food waste, hunger and food insecurity. For more info and tickets, go to lafoodbowl.com. Jonathan Golds 101 Best Restaurants, the authoritative annual guide to local dining, is online for subscribers featuring his 2017 Best Restaurants. If you dont have a copy of the booklet, you can order one online here. Check us out on Instagram at @latimesfood. And dont forget the thousands of recipes in our California Cookbook recipe database. Feedback? Wed love to hear from you. Email us at food@latimes.com. Facing growing anger over two appalling and damaging scandals that have thrown the campus into disarray, the University of Southern Californias Board of Trustees announced Friday evening that President C.L. Max Nikias would step down. That was the right decision and a necessary first step toward restoring accountability and repairing trust in USC leadership. Nikias had been under fire from students, faculty and alumni over how he and other university leaders handled the two cases of egregious misconduct. In both, Nikias failed to respond forcefully or appropriately or transparently. As a result, he lost the trust of the faculty, hundreds of whom signed a letter last week saying he no longer had the moral authority to lead the school. On Wednesday, the faculty senate approved a resolution calling for his resignation. But Nikias departure alone will not solve USCs problems. The Board of Trustees and whoever ultimately becomes the universitys next president will have to grapple long and hard with the larger cultural and institutional flaws that allowed misconduct to continue, that let serious complaints go ignored and that hid bad behavior, rather than forcing it out into the open. That will require more than the creation of a few task forces and the issuance of reassuring news releases. Among other things, says William G. Tierney, a USC professor who specializes in higher education, the Board of Trustees will have to step forward to play a stronger oversight role, rather than acting as a cheerleader (or, as the current chairman of the board once put it, a servant) for the president. And the faculty senate will have to speak up more often as it did last week when it believes the administration requires guidance or advice. Nikias was apparently a difficult man to challenge; colleagues say he didnt want to hear bad news, didnt suffer critics gladly. He was an extraordinarily successful fundraiser who expanded the university and moved it up in the national rankings, but he was not much of a listener, relying instead on a narrow team of loyal aides. The next president will of course need to raise money and continue to build the university, but he or she must be careful about what is sacrificed in the process. Advertisement The most recent and most shocking scandal to rock the campus and push Nikias toward the door was that a gynecologist at the student health clinic had been repeatedly accused over decades of making sexual comments and touching young patients inappropriately during pelvic exams. The university removed Dr. George Tyndall only in 2016 after a nurse reported him to the campus rape crisis center; he was forced out of the university in 2017. But his misconduct was not revealed to patients or the USC community until a Times investigation was published this month. More than 300 people have since come forward to USC, many with allegations of mistreatment and sexual abuse dating back to the early 1990s. A great academic institution has to ensure its core values including the safety of its students dont get sacrificed in pursuit of growth. The Tyndall case came almost a year after The Times revealed that the dean of the medical school, Dr. Carmen Puliafito, was doing drugs and partying with young criminals and addicts. At the heart of the Puliafito and Tyndall scandals was a disturbing pattern. USC administrators ignored or downplayed concerns of misconduct. When the complaints could no longer be ignored, leaders offered secret settlements to make the problem employees go away. They failed to report the doctors to authorities and neglected to reach out to patients. Nikias could have used these troubling cases to demonstrate his commitment to protecting students and patients. He could have sent a message that misconduct would not be tolerated. Instead his decisions and behavior suggested that his top priority was protecting USCs reputation, not its students or patients. In the end, the efforts at damage control only hurt USCs standing in the community. That should be a lesson to the Board of Trustees, which now has to find Nikias replacement. Yes, USC should be ambitious in fundraising, in hiring talented professors and in performing groundbreaking research. But a great academic institution has to ensure its core values including transparency, accountability and the safety of its students dont get sacrificed in the pursuit of growth. Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook UPDATES: 2:30 p.m.: This editorial was updated with additional analysis about the future of USC. This editorial was originally published at 5 a.m. Arguably the most successful of Elon Musks post-PayPal ventures sits in Los Angeles backyard Hawthorne-based SpaceX and the billionaire rocket builder and electric car innovator now wants to rescue Los Angeles commuters from their daily freeway slogs by opening a network of tunnels in which they may one day be whisked between L.A. International Airport and Dodger Stadium in 10 minutes. But for all this local success and service-minded enterperneurship, theres been one group of people who long ago became Musk skeptics: newspaper readers in Los Angeles. For years, Musk benefited from adulatory media coverage even though his most high-profile venture, electric car maker Tesla Inc., built products almost exclusively for drivers who could afford $80,000 sedans and never made a profit. Now that Tesla faces increased scrutiny and criticism over its failure to meet production targets on its first mass-market electric vehicle and the treatment of its factory workers, Musk has started lashing out at journalists in a way many have compared to President Trump. Times letter writers have expressed skepticism about Musk for years. Recently, that skepticism has turned into criticism. Advertisement Perry Fein of Los Angeles questions the timing of Musks turn on the media: Musks sudden bout of righteous indignation regarding the news medias credibility seems to be primarily self-serving. While there are legitimate problems with the way that news is being reported by a great many publications, the timing of Musks outrage is highly suspect. I cant recall the entrepreneur ever having an issue with the way the news media operated before his company began receiving bad press. This strikes me as being a transparently opportunist move, and much like Trump, Musk seems to not care how much damage he does to the Fourth Estate. There is nothing inherently wrong with Musks idea to create a platform to keep journalism honest. What concerns me is the potential for this idea to further curtail the free press, which has already been affected by demagoguery and a cult of ignorance. Agoura Hills resident Bill Brock also compares Musk to the president: Musk is at it again with his impersonation of Trump by degrading people who do not agree with him. Musk and Trump are both under pressure, and both react to it the same way. Bill Brock, Agoura Hills This is money talking: I can do and say what I want because I have money. And, I have attorneys who make it impossible for you to do anything about it because you dont have enough money for attorneys. Most of us want lots of money for the simple reason that it allows us to do and say what we want when we want to, and not be worried about the results. Musk and Trump are both under pressure, and both react to it the same way. John Snyder of Newbury Park wonders how long Musk can keep Tesla afloat: I was excited when I first read that Tesla would try to build a car that would cost about $35,000. But the production problems are bringing to mind more and more phrases like now you see it, now you dont, and keep your eye on the pea under the cup. Musk may be doing what he needs to keep Tesla alive for the moment, but how long can he keep going on this way? Hype is going to carry him only so far. I do know I dont want to be anywhere nearby when the lava hits the ocean. Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook To the editor: As an evangelical Christian who does not own a gun, I am appalled at the idea of believers being encouraged to bring their firearms with them when they go to church. (At a church security seminar: Guns, God and get those heads up when you pray, May 22) The gun lobby has once again crossed the line by suggesting, if not demanding, that theres got to be a new god in the church that wields ultimate power over death. His name is gun, and he alone knows whats best for you and your safety. We are to believe that somewhere hidden in the authoritative word of God, we are remiss if we now come to worship unarmed. And all the while, with our eyes wide open during prayer and our minds far removed from God in case a shooter begins opening fire, we pretend to worship Him, instead really worshiping the guns that we believe keep us safe. We dont have to get too far into Scripture to know that God hates idols, and lets be honest for those who preach the sanctity of the 2nd Amendment, guns have become idols. Advertisement Christians, it is time to examine your faith. There is no place for an idol in a house of worship. Do we truly believe that guns in church will save us? Certainly not from the wrath of God. Richard Roth, Huntington Beach .. To the editor: Conservatives say its because we give our kids Ritalin instead of beatings and took prayer out of public schools. Liberals say we need a new assault weapons ban, ignoring the fact that the overwhelming majority of killings committed with firearms involve handguns. Others say we should block school entrances and exits, ignoring that Dan White shot the mayor of San Francisco and Supervisor Harvey Milk in the heavily guarded City Hall. We live in a country with more than 300 million guns in circulation. Accept that a stranger can end your life in a second for no reason, and theres nothing you can do about it except hope it happens to somebody else. Gary Davis, Los Angeles .. To the editor: Many Christian denominations are concerned that they are losing membership. Your front-page story about armed churchgoers is not encouraging. Theres nothing quite like having armed guards at the sanctuary where you go to worship the prince of peace. It gives attendees a sense of confidence in the almighty. Surely this is contradictory indoctrination. Darrell Waterman, San Bernardino .. To the editor: It seems that some Christians are allowing themselves to be manipulated by their fears, causing them to abandon key elements of the faith in the name of vigilantism. Those who teach Christians to bring guns with them when they worship use straw men to make their case. In your article, they chided attendees that they needed to be armed because God would not keep them safe. Christianity does not offer a promise of protection in the world. On the contrary, Christians are promised trouble due to their faithfulness. There was implicit denigration of our Muslim neighbors in the quote about a bullet from a Methodist. Raising the irrational fear of the other who is different may be effective in selling guns and tickets to seminars, but it is not ethically sound. Craig A. Repp, Rancho Santa Margarita Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook Prospects for a historic U.S.-North Korean summit appear be improving following a surprise meeting Saturday between the leaders of North and South Korea during which the two men discussed reviving the summit that President Trump had called off. The meeting between North Koreas Kim Jong Un and South Korean President Moon Jae-in announced by the South Korean presidents office a few hours after it occurred marked another historic moment in the fraught history of the two nations. The leaders were apparently able to get together quickly to address a crisis in a way that until recently would have been almost unthinkable. Saturdays meeting was only the fourth time but the second in a month that top leaders from the North and South have met directly. The purpose, a spokesman for Moon said, was to continue inter-Korean dialogue, but also to salvage a potential meeting between Kim and Trump, who on Thursday canceled a scheduled summit in Singapore, citing a series of hostile words and signals from Kims regime. Advertisement They exchanged opinions for implementation of the Panmunjom Declaration and for the successful realization of U.S.-North Korea summit, the spokesman, Yoon Young-chan, said. Moon said Sunday that he and Kim Jong Un agreed to meet casually, when needed, a dramatic shift in inter-Korean relations, regardless of the outcome of the Trump-Kim summit. He said Kim had requested the meeting. I have long emphasized the importance of regular, direct communication between leaders as a way of overcoming conflict between the two Koreas, he said at a news conference in Seoul. In that regard, Id like to say yesterdays summit, which was held like an everyday event between friends, is as much meaningful as the historic Panmunjom summit in April. I think this is how the two Koreas should meet. Moon said the two leaders had a candid conversation about the possible summit with Trump, and Moon appeared to stand firm with the United States position on denuclearization. I stressed that the two leaders need to settle misunderstandings through direct communication and have sufficient communication through working-level talks on the agenda to be agreed on at the summit, Moon said, adding that Kim agreed. Chairman Kim once again made clear his will for the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, he said, and expressed his willingness to end the history of war and confrontation and cooperate for peace and prosperity through a successful summit with the United States. Moon also said Kim seemed concerned about whether Washington would secure his governments safety. White House officials said they were informed of the extraordinary two-hour meeting in advance, and indicated they remained open to a summit between Trump and Kim. White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced Saturday morning that a logistical team bound for Singapore, led by Trumps deputy chief of staff, Joe Hagin, will leave as scheduled in order to prepare should the summit take place. Trump, during an appearance in the Oval Office on Saturday night, acted as if the summit had never been called off. He said, Were doing very well in terms of the summit with North Korea and that theres a lot of goodwill. A lot of people are working on it, he added. Its moving along very nicely. Were looking at June 12 in Singapore. That hasnt changed. Follow the latest news of the Trump administration on Essential Washington Independent analysts saw Saturdays meeting between the North and South Korean leaders as another indication of Moons commitment to securing a diplomatic breakthrough on the Korean peninsula after 65 years of hostility between the two countries. Moon Jae-ins priority is to convince Kim Jong Un to seize the opportunity, no matter what, which is the summit meeting with the U.S. said Bong Young-shik, a research fellow at Yonsei Universitys Institute for North Korean Studies in Seoul. But Saturdays meeting could pose risks if Moon strayed from Washingtons position, he added. The U.S. still has 28,000 troops, several military bases and defensive anti-missile systems scattered throughout South Korea. Moon, the son of North Korean war refugees who rose to power last year and has staked his presidency on the prospect of inter-Korean peace, might also be trying to secure his own commitments from the North even if talks with Trump go nowhere. Moon has been careful during the last few months of whirlwind diplomacy to frequently credit Trump for the opening of talks with North Korea. Nonetheless, strains between the allies have periodically become noticeable. Trump notably did not inform the South Koreans before canceling the summit Thursday White House officials said he feared word would leak to the news media if he informed allies. The White House released his letter to Kim scrubbing the summit shortly after Moon landed back in Seoul after a visit to Washington, where he had met with Trump. A U.S. national security spokesman said Saturday that high-level White House officials were notified of Moons meeting in advance, though he would not say whether the White House requested it, helped script the dialogue or was given an option to call it off. We continue to value our close coordination with our South Korean ally on these issues, said Robert Palladino, the national security spokesman. One former national security official predicted Trump would react enthusiastically to Moons attempt to keep the diplomatic outreach between Trump and Kim alive. The presidents approach worked, the former official said in a text message. Trump scared them. Moon wants talks. We have regained initiative. By contrast, Srinivasan Sitaraman, an associate professor of political science at Clark University in Massachusetts, saw the sudden meeting between the two Korean leaders as a sign that South Korea was pursuing its own interests independently of the U.S. He noted that to Moon, peace between the two Koreas is very important to his political legacy and regional stability. This second, impromptu summit tells us that the United States has become a superfluous and unreliable partner, he said. Michael J. Green, who served as senior Asia advisor to President George W. Bush during a prior effort to negotiate with North Korea, said Trump probably does welcome Moons efforts but that Moon has different aims than Trump. It is, first and foremost, Moon trying to resurrect the summit because he sees the alternative as Donald Trump talking about military strikes again, which really traumatized the South Korean people, Green said. Conventional warfare could cause tens of thousands of deaths in South Korea, while nuclear or chemical attacks would be even more devastating. The chief sticking point for Washington and Pyongyang is Trumps insistence that North Korea, which has amassed as many as 60 nuclear weapons and long-range missiles to deliver them, immediately begin steps toward total denuclearization. North Korea has not been willing to commit to eliminating its nuclear arsenal, which Kim, his father and his grandfather, who each preceded him as leader, have spent more than half a century acquiring. Moon is less concerned with denuclearizing North Korea a goal that many outside analysts see as unlikely. Instead, Green explained, Moon wants to keep the dialogue alive. The South Koreans are reading the president, he said. They are also reading Kim, who may be just as eager to meet with Trump. Kim might see the diplomacy as key to relaxing the severe sanctions against his isolated country. Trump helped build that pressure by securing cooperation from China and other major economic players. But if diplomacy is back in play whether symbolic or substantive China may be eager to reopen trade with North Korea, a longtime ally. North Koreans really, really want this meeting with Trump, said Sue Mi Terry, a former CIA analyst who serves as Korea chair at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington. Their reaction after Trump canceled was so conciliatory in all my years of following North Korea, Ive never seen anything like that, she said. I think there is a good chance the summit is back on track. After Trump said the summit was off, the North Korean government issued a statement saying it regretted Trumps action and remained willing to talk. Trump called that a very nice statement. Moon and Kim met at Tongilgak, a negotiation site on the North Korean side of Panmunjom, the diplomatic outpost on the border separating the two countries, which are still technically at war. Moon was greeted there by Kim Yo Jong, the North Korean leaders sister, who made a splash in South Korea by attending the Winter Olympics. A top North Korean diplomat and former spy chief for the totalitarian state, Kim Yong Chol, also attended the meeting. The two leaders posed for pictures together, embracing. Representatives for the Blue House, the South Korean presidents official residence, declined to comment on which nation initiated Saturdays meeting. The meeting followed a head-spinning series of diplomatic events. Thursday, in calling off the June 12 summit with Kim, Trump had accused the government in Pyongyang of open hostility. On Friday, however, he said that talks with North Korean officials had resumed. He expressed cautious optimism that the meeting could be held after all. Earlier Saturday, another spokesman for Moon, Kim Eui-kyeom, told reporters that Trumps softening of his language had been welcomed by the Blue House: We consider it fortunate that the embers of dialogue between the U.S. and North Korea have not died and are now being revived, he said. We are carefully watching the developments. noah.bierman@latimes.com Twitter: @noahbierman Special correspondent Stiles reported from Seoul and Bierman from Washington. Staff writer Barbara Demick in New York contributed to this report. UPDATES: 6:35 p.m.: This article was updated with comments by President Moon Jae-in and President Trump. 4:25 p.m.: This article was updated with additional detail on Trumps tweet. 1:35 p.m.: This article was updated with additional analysis. 11:20 a.m.: This article was updated with additional details about the meeting between Moon Jae-in and Kim Jong Un, reaction from the White House and analysts comments. 5:45 a.m.: This article was updated with additional detail and reaction. This article was originally published at 4:45 a.m. The candidates running to become Californias next governor aggressively clashed in the most contentious and consequential face-off of the campaign Tuesday night, trying to make the case that they are best suited to lead the state as voters begin receiving ballots in the mail. Melissa Robison rappelled out of helicopters and set up telecommunications for infantrymen and engineers while serving in the Armys 101st Airborne Division. But as a student of Orange Coast Colleges Professional Mariner Program, she learned how to use a very different craft: the colleges 92-foot yacht, Nordic Star. When shes on her personal boat, Robison, 41, of Long Beach, volunteers with the Coast Guard Auxiliary as a safety patrol member based at Long Beach Shoreline Marina. Shed like to break into marine surveys as a boat inspector and appraiser and eventually get her captains license. Karen Prioleau, an on-the-water instructor for OCCs School of Sailing & Seamanship, said she values having veterans like Robison in her class of 35 students because their military experience benefits the entire cohort. Likewise, Robison said she has learned a lot from Prioleau and Nordic Star captain Bob Armstrong. For me, to hear their stories in a safety class where they say, I went out and this happened or that happened, youre not going to be able to find that in a book, Robison said. I just find it extremely inspiring and Im so grateful to be in a class thats led by another female in a field thats dominated by men. OCC students in the Professional Mariner Program have the unique opportunity to learn seamanship aboard Nordic Star, which is known among local boaters for its long history in Newport Harbor. Students technically arent crew members on the yacht, but they can apply for jobs under Armstrong, who has skippered boats for 40 years. Costa Mesa residents Heather Jamison, 25, and Oscar Ussery, 29, are former students who now work as deckhands. Individuals and organizations can charter Nordic Star for up to 50 guests. The cost depends on whether youre looking for a sunset dinner in Newport Harbor or to anchor off Catalina Island for the weekend. The below-deck staterooms designed by Diane Johnson, known for her interior design on the superyacht Invictus include elegant bathrooms with chrome fixtures and marble countertops and floors. Nordic Star, built in 1969, was owned by three local families. Its most recent owner, Lido Isle resident Jerry Barto, said he bought the yacht from the previous owners heirs after he learned about a prospective buyers plan to move the boat to Santa Monica. He strongly believes the floating institution needs to stay local. Its part of Newport Harbor, Barto said. Barto donated Nordic Star to the OCC School of Sailing & Seamanship in 2011 so students could learn how to captain boats and ships. His four children sailed as students at Newport Harbor High School and attended Orange Coast College before advancing to universities. I really have a soft spot for OCC and the mariner program, Barto said. Recently, after Prioleau trained students on how to use Nordic Stars fire hoses and rescue a mannequin simulating an unconscious person, Armstrong piloted the yacht to Bartos waterfront home and blew the horn. Barto waved from his second-floor balcony to the OCC students lined up on the bow. What youre doing right now, thats what that ship is meant to do, Barto shouted. Student Meredith McCuskey hollered back, Were your biggest fans! DANIEL LANGHORNE is a contributor to Times Community News. Orange County Fair Board members have decided to put off voting on rental contracts for three gun shows planned for the fairgrounds later this year, citing questions that emerged in recent media reports regarding the events operating company. Most board members said at their meeting Thursday that it would be best to hold off on authorizing the Crossroads of the West Gun Show to take place at the OC Fair & Event Center in August, October and November until any potential issues are resolved. We need to take a look and make sure that everythings proper, said board member Stan Tkaczyk. The boards 5-2 decision doesnt affect the Crossroads of the West show set for June 2-3 at the Costa Mesa fairgrounds. Board Chairwoman Barbara Bagneris and member Sandra Cervantes cast the dissenting votes without comment. Vice Chairman Robert Ruiz and member Newton Pham were absent. A crowd of gun show supporters let out a smattering of boos when board members cast their votes to postpone a decision on the contracts, which have a combined value of about $278,000. Earlier in the week, Del Mar Fairgrounds Chief Executive Tim Fennell sent a letter to the state Department of Justice asking for an investigation of whether the gun show should have been granted the certificate of eligibility license required to operate, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune. The letter followed allegations that Crossroads of the West founder Bob Templeton and his son, Jeff, have felony convictions for federal firearms violations that could prevent them from organizing gun shows in California, the newspaper reported. Bob Templeton told the Orange County Fair Board on Thursday that his daughter, Tracy Olcott, is the general manager of our operation and that she holds the certificate of eligibility required by the state to manage gun shows. The Union-Tribune also reported that Jeff Templeton has not been involved with the familys gun shows since about 2004 because of his criminal convictions, according to his family. However, Fair Board members said it would still be wise to wait before approving the three additional shows. I think what we need to do is to be prudent and to be cautious and to be sensitive and wait until we get some law enforcement guidance about licensure and those other issues that were brought up, said board member Nick Berardino. A man advertises guns for sale at a Crossroads of the West Gun Show at the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa in October. (File Photo ) Crossroads of the West has long been a fixture at the OC Fair & Event Center and operates gun shows elsewhere in California, as well as in Arizona, Nevada and Utah. Over the past few months, Fair Board members have broached the idea of discussing their broader policy regarding gun shows. However, that conversation has not taken place. Aside from the contracts, Thursdays agenda included an item about board members potentially touring the gun show next weekend. Gun show supporters urged the board not to take any action that would cancel future shows. Visiting a show in person, they added, should help dispel any concerns about the events. luke.money@latimes.com Twitter @LukeMMoney The Newport Beach Arts Commission chose three winners out of more than 200 entries in the 2018 Sculpture Photo Contest showcasing the sculptures in Civic Center Park. Barnet Rawitch won in the Sense of Place category with Flying Over Newport, an image of the figure in Life is a Balancing Act overlooking the park with the Pacific Ocean on the horizon. Anita Rasmussen took the Creativity honors with Sunset in Newport, an image of the Sphere 112 sculpture against a colorful evening sky. Gabriel Encinas won in the Human Element category with Flying Fish, an image of a ballerina leaping before the giant dorsal fin of No Swimming. Selecting winners was a difficult task, contest committee chairwoman Barbara Glabman said in a statement. We appreciated the participation by so many talented individuals of all ages and we were impressed by the diversity of style and originality in the submissions. Prizes include gift certificates donated by local restaurants Modo Mio Rustic Italian Kitchen, Bluewater Grill and Bistango. To see all the submissions, visit bit.ly/2Ly5Khg. hillary.davis@latimes.com Twitter: @Daily_PilotHD Revisions to Glendales traffic-calming program that will make it easier to install speed humps on streets near schools and parks were approved by City Council this week. In February, the Transportation and Parking Commission recommended updates to the Neighborhood Traffic Calming Programs speed hump criteria, particularly adjacent to schools and parks, after years of calls from the community to council about speeding issues. The Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program, or NTCP, was created in 1996 to give the city tools to minimize speeding, cut-through traffic and accidents in residential areas and outline criteria for different traffic calming measures. Speed humps, which are similar to speed bumps but are slightly lower and placed at a longer driving distance, are the most common measure used. The program hadnt been updated since 2004. Three of 12 speed-hump criteria were changed, including lowering the percentage of consensus required for installation by residents from 75% to 67%, reducing average daily traffic volume required from 1,000 vehicles per day to 500 daily and adjusting speed criteria from 15% of vehicles operating at or beyond 30 mph per day to 10%. One-way streets with one or two lanes near schools and parks will also now be eligible for speed humps. There will be more streets that qualify for street humps, especially around schools and parks, said Roubik Golanian, assistant city manager who was the citys public works director prior to his recent promotion. And based on our historical records, we had, in the past, received requests within the vicinity of schools where, under the existing requirements, the streets didnt qualify. Well revisit those and, if they meet the requirements, well proceed with the installation. Residents have also called council members to complain about speeding on arterial streets, such as Glendale Boulevard and Colorado Street, but the NTCP does not apply to those streets. Depending on the size of a street, it can cost between $2,000 and $3,000 to install a speed hump. The NTCP already has $50,000 in funding for the 2017-18 fiscal year, and Golanian said he doesnt think the city will exceed that amount, even with the increase in speed humps that may come with these revisions. Golanian said residents can initiate the process of requesting installation of a speed hump on their street by calling Glendales Public Works Department at (818) 548-3945 or creating a service request at https://bit.ly/2s7XUDg. alejandra.reyesvelarde@latimes.com Twitter: @r_valejandra Exit polls late Friday showed that Ireland was poised to repeal its constitutional ban on abortion in a historic referendum that divided the nation during the run-up to the election. After voting ended, an exit poll showed that 68% of the voters cast ballots to rescind the ban, which outlaws almost all abortions even in cases of rape or health risks to a pregnant woman. The poll showed that 32% opposed any change. A second exit poll, by broadcaster RTE, showed a 69%-to-31% margin in favor of repeal. The numbers were startling in an election that was expected to be razor-close. Voters were asked to repeal the 8th Amendment of the Irish Constitution, which grants equal rights to life for the mother and the unborn. Irish voters approved the amendment in 1983, by a margin almost identical to that now supporting its repeal, after a massive campaign by religious groups seeking to prevent Ireland from following Britain and the U.S. in liberalizing abortion laws. Advertisement Early turnout was inconsistent in polling stations across the country but picked up in the hours before polls closed at 10 p.m., according to local news reports. Yes in danger of failing, read a warning issued by Together for Yes, the official pro-choice campaign, on social media at around 5 p.m. Please get to the polls, and bring people with you! Thousands of Irish citizens flooded the countrys ports and airports on Friday, returning from around the globe to vote. Irish voters who live abroad are not allowed to cast ballots by mail and must return if they wish to vote. I was actually not going to come back; I thought I couldnt afford it or take the time, said Sarah Bunce, 24, who changed her mind and arrived in Dublin from Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain, to cast a ballot in her hometown of Ennis in favor of ending the abortion ban. Its something that I feel really strongly about. I think its progress. Outside a polling station in central Dublin, Teresa Brody, who said she lost her first child to miscarriage 50 years ago, said she voted against ending the ban. It was horrendous, and God help anyone who goes through with an abortion, because I went through misery and I still pray for that child, she said. will sleep tonight in the hope of waking up to a country that is more compassionate, more caring and more respectful. It has been an honour to be on this journey with you and to work #togetherforyes . See you all tomorrow! Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) May 25, 2018 Health Minister Simon Harris promised that if the referendum passes, the center-right government would work to legalize abortion for pregnancies up to 12 weeks, and beyond that in cases in which a womans health is at risk or the fetus is diagnosed with a fatal condition. The minority government, however, will require support from other parties and independent politicians to pass such legislation. The official counting of ballots will begin early Saturday. Results are expected by the early evening. Casey is a special correspondent Colombians go to the polls Sunday in a historic presidential election that could decide the fate of the already precarious peace agreement by the countrys largest and most violent rebel group and the government of outgoing president and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Juan Manuel Santos. The election is the first in Colombia since the disarmament of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, under terms of the peace deal signed in November 2016 that ended 52 years of civil conflict. Depending on who wins, analysts say, the vote could presage the end of the accord, which is already on shaky ground amid assassinations of former combatants and allegations of noncompliance by both sides. Surveys indicate that none of the five presidential candidates is strong enough to garner the 50% plus one votes needed to avoid a June runoff. Two diametrically opposed candidates are likely to proceed to the second round: right-wing politician Ivan Duque, who opposes critical elements of the peace deal, and leftist former guerrilla Gustavo Petro, who generally supports the pact. Also running are former Medellin Mayor Sergio Fajardo; former senator and cabinet minister German Vargas Lleras, and former vice president and peace negotiator Humberto de la Calle. Although 30 million Colombians are eligible to vote, turnout of no more than 15 million is expected. Advertisement Duque, a 41-year-old economist, led his opponents in opinion polls prior to balloting with 35% of those questioned saying he would get their vote. He is favored to beat Petro, a former Bogota mayor, or any of the other candidates he would face in a runoff next month. The front-runner status of Duque, a relatively unknown quantity in Colombian politics, is testimony to the enduring power of his patron, former President and now Sen. Alvaro Uribe. Many Colombians credit Uribe for turning the tide militarily against the FARC with $10 billion in military and anti-terrorism aid from the U.S. under so-called Plan Colombia. Santos was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for brokering the deal with FARC, but the pact is unpopular among many Colombians. Uribe has been a strident critic of the pact with the rebels, favoring instead a military victory, which he maintained was close at hand when he left office in 2010. Duque, a former Inter-American Development Bank staffer and holder of a Georgetown University graduate degree, has pledged to amend the justice provisions in the accord so that FARC members convicted of heinous crimes serve prison sentences; rebel leaders have vowed never to submit to such punishment. All other candidates have publicly pledged to support the peace process if elected. Arlene Tickner, an international relations professor at Rosario University in Bogota, said the agreement already is in serious jeopardy because of slow implementation, lack of money and other factors and that changes proposed by Duque could spell its doom There is growing distrust of the process on the part of many demobilized guerrillas, Tickner said. So depending on who passes to the second round, we will see efforts to stall it even more or reinvigorate it. While I think its impossible to dismantle the peace deal completely, it could be dismembered to the point it ends up falling apart. Duque also has said he supports the extradition to the U.S. of Jesus Santrich, a former top FARC commander who was arrested in April on charges of facilitating a drug deal with a Mexican cartel. A federal court in New York has requested Santrichs extradition. Although the peace pact guarantees ex-rebels lenient detention sentences under special peace tribunals for crimes committed before the accord was signed, it stipulates that ex-fighters are subject to ordinary justice for crimes committed after that point. As a result, Duque and other hard-liners say Santrich, who is accused of trafficking drugs after the deadline, should be extradited. For its part, the FARC, which has morphed into a political party using the same initials, alleges that Santrich, who was set to take a seat in Congress, was framed and that an extradition would violate the pact. Peace deal advocates argue extradition should be denied to salvage the accord. In any case, Santrichs arrest has fortified peace deal critics who say the FARC has not lived up to its end of the bargain by failing to provide authorities with more information on drug-trafficking routes and contacts it developed with cartels during the conflict. For that reason, the U.S. State Department still classifies the FARC political party as a terrorist entity. Duque is Uribes hand-picked candidate, a smart guy, technically competent, but with few if any identifiable independent political positions of his own, said Bruce Bagley, a University of Miami professor. If he is elected, make no mistake, we will have Uribe 2.0 back in office. Duque also has benefited from what Bagley and Tickner described as a campaign to stigmatize Petro as a Castro-Chavista populist candidate who would lead Colombia down a path to socialism and economic ruin as happened in neighboring Venezuela under the late President Hugo Chavez. Chavez was a political protege of Cubas Fidel Castro. Petros left-leaning campaign has emphasized the need to address social and economic inequality in Colombia, which, with its 28% poverty rate, is one of Latin Americas most economically and socially unequal countries. Kraul is a special correspondent. A Utah man who was imprisoned in Venezuela amid deteriorating ties between the United States and Venezuela and languished for nearly two years in a Caracas jail was released Saturday. The family of Joshua Holt, 26, announced his release in a statement, and President Trump later confirmed it on Twitter, though the president referred incorrectly to Holt as a hostage. Good news about the release of the American hostage from Venezuela, Trump wrote, adding that the man and his family were expected Saturday evening in Washington for a ceremony at the White House. The great people of Utah will be very happy! Trump added. Advertisement Holt appeared with Trump at the White House on Saturday night after he was flown out of Venezuela, accompanied on the flight by Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn). Trump said Holt was one 17 Americans held overseas who have been freed under his administration. Holt said, Im just overwhelmed with gratitude for everything you guys have done. His mother, Laurie Holt, also at the White House ceremony, added thanks for Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro for finally releasing her son. Trump thanked four congress members who joined the group in the Oval Office, who thanked him in turn. Holts wife, Thamara Candelo, who is Venezuelan, had also been detained with Holt when he traveled to Venezuela for their wedding. The Mormon missionary and his new wife had planned to spend the summer of 2016 in Caracas while awaiting U.S. visas for Candelo and her children. He was arrested on weapons charges but never tried. Laurie Holt said her son suffered respiratory problems, kidney stones and other ailments while in jail and lost considerable weight. During his White House visit, Holt had changed into a suit and tie and appeared in good health, if tired. Holts relatives had pressed his case insistently, and although U.S. officials initially kept a low profile, they eventually became more vocal in demanding his release. But talks with the socialist Venezuelan government were complicated by diplomatic tensions and Venezuelas deepening social and economic crisis. Holt was freed just weeks after he made a chilling, clandestine video begging for help and saying his life was in danger because of deadly riots and fires in several Venezuelan prisons. Also advocating for Holt was Corker, chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, who traveled to Caracas and met with Maduro on Friday. Just days earlier, Maduro had expelled the top two U.S. diplomats in Venezuela, accusing them of plotting to sabotage last Sundays presidential election. Maduro blames much of the humanitarian disaster gripping his once oil-rich nation on foreign interference. Maduro won the election handily. The United States and several Latin American countries condemned the election as a sham because most of Maduros key opponents were jailed and his loyalists control most of the press, the courts and all the major government institutions that oversee elections. One of the diplomats expelled was the charge daffaires, Todd Robinson, who after the prison unrest this month went to the Foreign Ministry to demand officials give him information on Holts condition. They refused to see him, Robinson said at the time. Washington and Caracas have not exchanged ambassadors since 2010, making Robinson the most senior U.S. official there. The Trump and Obama administrations have imposed numerous economic sanctions on the Maduro government, accusing many senior officials of enriching themselves through drug trafficking and money laundering. However, there have been intermittent efforts over the last several years to reduce tensions between the two countries and find ways for peaceful political changes in Venezuela. In addition, at least as long ago as March, back-channel talks had opened between U.S. congressional advisors and Venezuelan officials to discuss, among other issues, freeing Holt. On May 17, State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert again demanded Holts release and said the administration held the Maduro government responsible for Holts safety. Francisco Palmieri, acting assistant secretary of State for Western Hemisphere affairs, conveyed a similar message to Venezuelan officials in Washington. What changed Maduros mind now is unclear. He may be hoping for relief from some of the sanctions, or an easing of diplomatic isolation. Neither is likely to be forthcoming, however. Laurie Holt and U.S. officials insisted all along that Joshua Holt and his wife were innocent, perhaps victims of the intense suspicion with which many Venezuelan officials regard Americans. UPDATES: 9:25 p.m.: This article was updated with Joshua Holts visit to the White House. This article was originally published at 11:20 a.m. The response from Israel has been harsh: at least 115 Palestinians killed and thousands more injured in eight weeks of protests along the Gaza Strips eastern border. Many if not most of the dead were affiliated with Hamas, the armed Islamist movement that controls the squalid coastal enclave and has fought three wars against Israel over the past decade. One Israeli soldier has been injured; no Israeli has been killed. And yet Hamas leaders seem enthusiastic about continuing a nominally nonviolent form of protest, one which has deflected attention from their governing failures and placed their conflict with Israel back on the international agenda. In a sermon delivered after 59 people died from Israeli fire in a single day last week, the groups political chief, Ismail Haniyeh, acknowledged the pain of families who were bidding farewell to lost loved ones but said the blood of the martyrs was not shed in vain. Advertisement Your children succeeded in reviving the Palestinian issue in the souls of individuals around the world, Haniyeh told them. This blood will encourage us and make us more resilient. Though Hamas did not initiate the protests, it was quick to embrace them. Haniyeh vowed that the weekly gatherings would continue until they achieve their goals: the lifting of a crippling blockade imposed by Israel when Hamas took control of Gaza in 2007 and a right to return to ancestral lands in Israel. This is a peaceful way to defend our rights against occupation, Haniyeh said. Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh rallies protesters at the border separating Israel and Gaza, in central Gaza Strip, on May 18 (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times ) Few analysts suggest that Hamas which over the years has used suicide bombers, missiles and attack tunnels against Israel may actually be considering abandoning its long armed struggle in favor of nonviolent resistance. But there is broad consensus that the group doesnt want another war with Israel and sees popular demonstrations as an effective tool, at least for now. During those military confrontations between Hamas and Israel, [there was] so much damage, so much killing, so much blood was spilled, said Mukhaimer Abu Saada, a political science professor at Gazas Al Azhar University. And at the end of the day, Hamas did not gain anything. Much of the aid pledged to help Gazans rebuild after the latest conflict, in 2014, has gone unfulfilled, a product of donor fatigue and concerns among a number of Arab nations about Hamas ties to the Muslim Brotherhood, an Islamist movement they view as a threat. Israel and Egypt, citing security concerns, still tightly restrict the movement of goods and people in and out of the enclave. The economy, never robust, is now in ruins. Nearly half the population is unemployed; raw sewage is pumped into the sea; tap water is undrinkable, and electricity flickers on for just three or four hours a day. A tense standoff with Fatah, the secular party that controls the Palestinian Authority but was driven out of Gaza by Hamas in 2007, has compounded the misery. The West Bank-based government has slashed the salaries of thousands of its employees in Gaza, among other punitive measures. Many Gazans blame Hamas, the de facto government here, for the increasingly dire conditions. Last year, thousands took part in demonstrations against the electricity cuts, a rare public display of anger against Hamas, which has demonstrated little tolerance for dissent. By joining the nonviolent protests, Hamas succeeded in diverting this internal pressure from Hamas to the Israelis, Abu Saada said. The benefits arent only internal, he added. Israels response to what officials there fear could turn into a massive breach of security barriers along the frontier with Gaza has allowed Hamas to play the role of the victim and make Israel look really bad in the eyes of the international community. The United Nations Human Rights Council voted last week to set up a commission of inquiry into what it described as Israels disproportionate and indiscriminate use of force. South Africa and Turkey recalled their ambassadors to Israel over the violence; Turkey also temporarily expelled Israels ambassador, and Israel asked the Turkish consul general in Jerusalem to leave. Israeli officials maintain that the protests are far from peaceful. Some participants throw stones and launch kites with flaming rags attached in hopes of setting Israeli agricultural fields on fire. Military officials also accuse Hamas of using the gatherings as cover to wage attacks, citing instances of gunfire and the planting of explosives along the border fence. We have hard evidence Hamas was encouraging or gave orders to young people to harm or kill Israeli soldiers and take their bodies, said a senior official with the Israel Defense Forces who was not authorized to speak publicly about the intelligence. They did not call for kidnapping live soldiers because they know that would be war. A number of protesters were spotted carrying knives and daggers at last weeks demonstrations after instructions circulated on Facebook urging them to arm themselves and try to break through the fence. Members of a committee set up to coordinate the protests later claimed that the posts were planted by spies. Even some participants, however, accuse Hamas of hijacking the demonstrations for its own ends and using desperate young Gazans as cannon fodder. In the hallways of Shifa hospital, the main medical facility in Gaza, some relatives of the injured and maimed blamed female demonstrators for encouraging young men to storm the fence on May 14, the bloodiest day so far. Many of those women were affiliated with Hamas, they remarked bitterly. Gazas Ministry of Health later removed the name of an infant girl from the list of those killed that day, pending an investigation into her death. The family said she died after being exposed to tear gas, but a doctor at the hospital where she was treated attributed the death to a preexisting heart condition. Palestinians wait to board busses that will transport them to the border separating Israel and Gaza for the first Friday of the holy month of Ramadan protest in Gaza City on May 18 (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times ) Some of Hamas critics accuse the group of driving up the casualty toll by providing buses to transport the faithful from mosques to the protest encampments every week after Friday prayers, and by offering payments to the injured and the families of the dead. Ahmed Abu Artema, a social media activist credited with dreaming up the protests, dubbed the Great March of Return, rejected the criticism. There is no respect in these words for the Palestinian martyrs, he said. They are not robots who can be controlled by others. Rather, he believes the demonstrations helped persuade Palestinians of the benefits of peaceful protest something he said makes me very happy. Hamas threw its weight and organizational powers behind the idea from the start. The decision appears to have paid off. Last week, Egypt announced that it would keep the Rafah crossing with Gaza open for all of Ramadan, the Muslim fasting month, the longest period in years. Hamas was able to get out of its isolation. It was able to become more relevant [and] to show, again, that it can mobilize people, said Omar Shaban, founder of PalThink for Strategic Studies, a Gaza think thank. Thats why Hamas is very happy. Hamas is feeling victorious. When Haniyeh visited a protest site east of Gaza City with other Palestinian faction leaders Friday, he was mobbed by hundreds of supporters, some of whom hurled rocks at Israeli soldiers with slingshots, burned tires and launched incendiary kites. Israeli forces responded with volleys of tear gas and gunfire. More than 100 people were injured at multiple sites along the fence, according to Gaza health officials. Hamas leaders maintain that such protests are peaceful because most participants are unarmed. At a recent news conference, Yahya Sinwar, the Hamas leader in Gaza, acknowledged that members of the groups military brigades have taken part in the gatherings but insisted that they left their weapons at home. Not one bullet was fired at the Israeli occupation; not one rocket was fired, Sinwar said. He did not address the grenades and homemade firebombs that the Israeli military says have been hurled at its soldiers, including as recently as Friday. While Hamas may be pleased with the protests, the benefits to Gazas beleaguered residents appear marginal at best. Bringing the Palestinian issue into the light again, OK, thats good strategically, politically. But does it bring electricity? said Shaban, of PalThink. Hundreds of families who were already struggling must now contend with the death or injury of a breadwinner. Reconciliation talks between Hamas and Fatah remain at a standstill. And Israel and the United States wont talk to Hamas, which they regard as a terrorist group. Meanwhile, the anger in Gaza continues to build. Already some protesters are calling on Hamas to avenge the many deaths and injuries. So far, the response from Hamas and other militant groups has been restrained. A series of Israeli airstrikes aimed at Hamas military installations has not been met with a resumption of rocket fire against Israel. But analysts say it is a fragile calm. This is why Gaza needs a fundamental solution, Shaban said. The situation is not stable at all. It could explode at any minute. Salah is a special correspondent. Special correspondent Noga Tarnopolsky contributed to this report from Jerusalem. alexandra.zavis@latimes.com Twitter: @alexzavis iStock/Thinkstock(MIAMI) -- A passenger on an American Airlines flight to Miami was arrested after he allegedly launched into a midair, profanity-laced tirade and traded punches with others on the plane who were trying to restrain him. The whole incident was caught on tape after passenger Jason Felix began yelling at flight attendants over their refusal to sell him more alcohol, according to charging papers. An off-duty police officer on the plane, dressed in a blue plaid shirt in the video, stepped in to try to restrain the unruly passenger, but Felix only became more enraged. Finally, another passenger talked down Felix and he calmed down. "You need to please sit down. Im not bringing you more beers," a flight attendant is heard saying in the video. "Please sit down. We will be there in an hour. Why do you have this attitude? You had a couple of beers." The flight from St. Croix landed in Miami on Wednesday, where Felix was taken off the plane by responding officers from the Miami-Dade Police Department. He was then taken into custody by the FBI, since the incident took place on a plane. Felix is facing federal charges of interfering with a flight crew. Felix told another passenger that he was going to kill him and spit blood on him, an FBI agent said in the complaint obtained by Miami ABC affiliate WPLG-TV. The complaint also says the flight attendant in the video tried to get Felix to leave the plane's bathroom, but was called a homophobic slur. American Airlines said in a statement they were proud of the way their employees handled the situation. "On Wednesday, May 23, American Airlines requested law enforcement meet flight 1293 from St. Croix to Miami due to a disruptive passenger. We thank our crew for taking care of our customers and are proud of the work they do every single day. Please contact law enforcement for additional details." Copyright 2018, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. Authorities in Allentown now have a lesser offense to charge people with, if they are caught for personal use of marijuana within the limits of Pennsylvania's third biggest city. Mayor Ray O'Connell on Friday signed into law the bill passed 4-3 by city council to decriminalize small amounts of marijuana. It may be more of a symbolic than a practical victory for marijuana advocates, though: Allentown police Chief Tony Alsleben says that per a directive from Lehigh County District Attorney Jim Martin, police will enforce the stricter state law. The city's measure makes possession of a small amount of marijuana -- defined as 30 grams or less or marijuana or 8 grams or less of hashish -- a summary offense carrying a fine as low as $25. Council passed the bill May 16. It takes effect after 10 days, which is Saturday. O'Connell had 10 days to sign or veto the bill or allow it to become law. It also applies to personal use of marijuana and possession of marijuana paraphernalia. Pennsylvania law says possession of a small amount of marijuana is a misdemeanor carrying a maximum penalty of 30 days in prison and a $500 fine. Martin strongly advised officials in the city, the Lehigh County seat, against creating a local marijuana law. He calls the idea unconstitutional and unenforceable in the face of existing state law. The ACLU of Pennsylvania sent the city a different opinion, saying officials do have a say in how marijuana use is punished. In a statement, O'Connell said the state law "is putting an indelible mark on the backs of many otherwise law-abiding citizens. "Our ordinance is not addressing the legalization of marijuana. We are simply saying that possessions of small amounts of marijuana should be handled with a summons and not arrest and possible jail time." The new law punishes violators with a fine of $25 for a first offense, $50 for a second in one calendar year, $100 for a third offense in a year and $150 or up to eight hours' community service for a fourth offense. The proposal earmarks any revenue from the new law for recreation and police community engagement. Six Pennsylvania municipalities have passed similar measures: Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Erie, Harrisburg, York and State College. A Bethlehem City Council committee has recommended full council approval of a bill identical to Allentown's. Marijuana remains illegal under federal law as a Schedule 1 drug. Deemed to have a high potential for abuse and no medical use, it's in the same category as heroin; the psychedelics LSD, Ecstasy and peyote; and the sedative methaqualone. Pennsylvania, like New Jersey, is among 29 states plus the District of Columbia with medical marijuana programs for qualified patients. U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., last month introduced a bill to decriminalize marijuana at the federal level. There is also a bill to that effect before the Pennsylvania Legislature. Easton City Council earlier this year rejected decriminalizing a small amount of marijuana, saying it's an issue for state not local lawmakers. Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @KurtBresswein and Facebook. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook. Rescue and recovery teams were on the Delaware River early Saturday searching for a man believed to have fallen out of a canoe. The canoe capsized at 3 p.m. Friday just above the Interstate 80 bridge, according to a news release from the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. A woman was rescued and brought via boat to Kittatinny Point in Hardwick Township, where an ambulance took her to a hospital, the release says. The missing man is a 39-year-old New Jersey resident, the release says. Neither the man nor the woman wore a life jacket. National Park Service spokeswoman Kathleen Sandt said searchers from the park service and Portland Hook and Ladder Company were on the river Saturday morning resuming a search that started Friday. She said the Portland emergency workers in a boat are using sonar to search the river bottom for a body. "Conditions are high, fast, cold and muddy and there's lots of debris," she said. "We want some more information before we send divers down there." "We recommend that only experienced paddlers go canoeing and kayaking on the river right now," said Chief Ranger Eric Lisnik in the news release. The river is hovering right around the 8 foot mark at the Montague gauge and is predicted to remain around that level through the weekend, Lisnik said. Life jackets are mandatory when the river reaches that height. Due to current river conditions, swimming is prohibited at the park's three beaches and is strongly discouraged elsewhere throughout the river corridor until water levels recede, the release says. You can check online to monitor water levels in that area. Rudy Miller may be reached at rmiller@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @RudyMillerLV. Find Easton area news on Facebook. A New York woman who drove drunk with an open bottle of vodka and her kindergarten-aged son in the car was sent to Northampton County Prison on Thursday. Court records say Shaquana Muhammad crossed over into the oncoming lane of Route 611 in Portland at 11:30 p.m. Oct. 7, 2017. The 41-year-old was pulled over at Delaware Avenue and State Street, the police report says. She refused to complete field sobriety tests, had slurred speech and a lack of balance and couldn't complete the tests she attempted, police said. Her son was in the car. Northampton County Assistant District Attorney Sandra Foster McClure said the boy was 5 years old at the time, although Muhammad said he was 6. Police said she had an open bottle of vodka, an empty beer can and a cup with an unidentified alcoholic beverage in the car. Her blood alcohol content was 0.19, which is more than twice the legal limit to drive. Northampton County Judge Jennifer Sletvold sent Muhammad to county prison for three months to five years. McClure said after the hearing that Muhammad admitted she is an alcoholic. "She expressed a lot of remorse," McClure said. McClure said Muhammad is responsible for the care of her two children and her sister, who suffers from mental and physical disabilities. While those factors weigh in her favor, Muhammand needs to understand that her addiction and the behavior resulting from it puts herself, her family and the public at risk, McClure said. Muhammad, who lives in the 2100 block of Madison Avenue in New York City, pleaded guilty Thursday to drunken driving and to endangering the welfare of a child. She was ordered her to complete drug and alcohol treatment, submit to random urine screens when she's paroled and to complete 100 hours of community service. Rudy Miller may be reached at rmiller@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @RudyMillerLV. Find Easton area news on Facebook. Home > Archives (2006 on) > 2018 > Nehru and Minorities by S. Gopal The following contribution from Nehrus biographer and eminent historian, Dr S. Gopal, was published in Mainstream (November 12, 1988). It was based on the Ansari Memorial Lecture which he delivered at the Jamia Millia Islamia, Delhi on February 22, 1988. It is being reproduced here because of its relevance in the present scenario. When Jawaharlal Nehru came to active politics in the early twenties, he had not yet moved to the personal position of religious agnosticism which was to mark him in later years. His conventional Hindu theism helped to block his mind from questioning Gandhis effort to strengthen the national identity by drawing up a programme which took for granted the divergence between the Hindu and Muslim communities but was acceptable to both. Nehru was not comfortable with the Khilafat movement but justified it at a political rather than a religious level by arguing that it was an effort to thwart the division of Turkey and a part of the struggle for the freedom of India. This enabled him to square the Khilafat movement with the assertion that the Congress should not identify itself with controversial religious issues. But his position was not always logical. It is odd, for example, to find him saying that it was the duty of Hindus to help the Muslims at this time for if the British succeeded in destroying Islam they would then try to destroy the Hindu religion.1 Again, as the Mayor of Allahabad in 1923 he guided the Board to reject unanimously the suggestion to prohibit the slaughter of cattle; but his attitude was based not so much on any principle as on a feeling that this was not a matter calling for administrative intervention, for he had earlier suggested to the Hindus that they should request Muslims to stop cow-killing rather than fight them about it. The spread across the face of India in the mid-twenties of rioting involving sections of the Hindu and Muslim communities compelled Nehru to take a more clear-cut position on the question of religion in politics. It now became obvious to him that India, caught in the whirlpool of mutual antagonism, would be dragged down into the abyss unless this so-called religion was scotched and the intelligentsia at least was secularised. Nehru used this word in 1926, not in the accepted sense of the separation of church and statethis had no immediate relevance in India if only because the state was in alien handsbut to mean the toleration of all faiths and beliefs and permissible religious practices, leading to a separation of religion from politics. For such tolerance to be not emotional generosity but coldly reasoned, Nehru looked to both industria-lisation and mass education of the type that would dissolve dogma and the dogmatic mentality. Nehru had begun to discern the mesh of political reaction, economic stagnation and religious superstition; and he himself shed the vestiges of conventional religious belief. The less, he told Indians on his return from Europe in December 1927, we talk of and worry about the next world, the more good we are likely to do to our fellow countrymen and country. To Nehru now religion was the fountain-head of authoritarianism and the method used at all times to secure the submission of the oppressed. But getting rid of religion altogether was a long-term objective; the immediate problem was dealing with the growing communal animosity. Nehru was clearsighted about the reasons for this. The social disharmony between Hindus and Muslims had spread to other spheres with the regional imbalance in development under the East India Company, leading to the classes who gained most from British rule being predominantly Hindu. By the time the interior areas of India caught up with the rest, national awareness expressed itself increasingly in a Hindu idiom. The process of divergence between the religious communities was further aggravated by official policy symbolised by the establishment of separate electorates; and as the franchise was broadened periodically on this basis, the communal elements grew correspondingly stronger. From this analysis Nehru drew the conclusion that the communal problem was a wasteful diversion from the main campaign against the British. The communal parties, both Hindu and Muslim, derived their support from the feudal and upper classes, defensive of vested interests, seeking office and employment from the British and pandering to myth and passion in their attempts to secure a base among the people. So to Nehru these communal parties were giants with feet of clay, who would fade into nothingness in the light of reason once the British were pushed out. He, therefore, in accordance with his favourite strategy of indirect approach, ignored the communal problem and concentrated his energies on the national movement against foreign rule and on the need to give that movement an economic slant. The vast majority of the Indian people, whatever their religion, bore the common burdens of hunger and poverty, and when these burdens were lightened, the curse of religion in politics would be lifted. Religious minorities should be of no political significance; the minority that mattered and which had to be resisted was that of the rich exploiters. Nehru, therefore, regarded as a waste of time all attempts at a political settlement of the communal problem. Ansari pinned his faith on mutual adjustments through formal and informal conversations with communal parties, but to Nehru this was a futile endeavour. These parties had no wish to see unity conferencs succeed; nor had the British, who could always outbid the Congress. So the Congress Muslims were always on the retreat, continuously offering concessions to which there could be no end; and Nehru, despite his personal affinity with Ansari and many other Muslims in the Congress, could not conceal his contempt for their attitude. Even Nehru, however, especially in the years when he was the President of the Congress, could not completely turn away from trying to eliminate the communal menace. Till the time came when class conflicts set aside religious clashes, he wished the Hindus, as the majority community, to show the generosity which would remove fear and suspicion. The minorities should be given the fullest assurance, not of jobs and of seats in Assemblies, but that their culture and traditions would be safe. Provision to foster languages and education would help to nourish the rich, varied, larger, common culture of India. The existence of such a culture was also one of the points he sought to establish in his historical writings. Nehru had not the training of a professional historian but he had the instincts of a good one. He rejected, even in the early thirties, the standard periodisation of Indian history into Hindu, Muslim and British; and he stressed on his readers that Islam did not believe in religious persecution and a man like Mahmud of Ghazni, who was generally regarded as an iconoclast, was in fact no more than a successful soldier who would have looted to whichever religion he had belonged. The best of Indian culture was to Nehru a synthesis; this had badly frayed in recent times and should be rebuilt on the secular foundations of freedom and social equality and in consonance with a better world order. To ensure that civil disobedience in 1930 was not weakened by communal forces, Nehru reasserted the commitment of the Congress to religious, cultural, linguistic and educational freedom, and promised that on communal issues the Congress would not favour any side but hold the centre impartially.2 In the resolution on Fundamental Rights at the Karachi Congress in 1931, looking forward to a free India, he incorporated clauses providing that every citizen should enjoy freedom of conscience and the right freely to profess and practise any religion, subject to public order and morality, that all citizens were equal before the law, irrespective of religion, creed, caste or sex, that no disability attached to citizens for these reasons in regard to public employment and in the exercise of any trade or calling, and that the state should observe neutrality in regard to all religions. This was the first breakdown, in concrete terms, of the concept of secularism in the Indian context and formed the basis of the Articles in the Constitution many years later. Once the Congress, the leading political party in the country, had committed itself to these provisions, Nehru expected the ground to be removed from under communalism, for there was no logical justification left for communal demands. On the political plane, the only solution was the nationalist one, with no room for special representation. Life, however, as Nehru himself often said, is different from and larger than logic. He might assert that communalism was a ghost but the ghost refused to vanish and continued to drink blood. So, tacitly shedding the view that the Hindu-Muslim problem did not exist because it had nothing to do with the masses, Nehru decided, during the few months at the end of 1933 when he was out of prison, to face the issue. He was still of opinion that the communal parties were basically props of political reaction, and he continued to urge the Hindus, as the majority community, to take the initiative in generosity. But he shifted from the position that communal feeling was always the artificial creation of political groups. To the extent that it existed among the Hindus and was able to disguise itself as nationalism, it was the Indian version of fascism and deserving of the severest condemnation. Muslim communal groups seemed to him at least middle class and representative in some degree of the Muslim viewpoint, while its leaders behaved with greater dignity than those of the Hindu Mahasabha, who spoke only for capitalism, landlords, and a few princes and their hangers-on. Nehru also now conceded that it was under-standable that the Muslims, as an economically and educationally backward community, might be apprehensive about the future. Honest communalism is fear; false communalism is political reaction.3 To distinguish between shades of communalism and to contend that it could sometimes be honest and, therefore, presumably legitimate, was to embark on a dangerous course. It at once jeopardised the position of the many Muslims in the Congress who had not hesitated to participate in the civil disobedience movement; and Nehru made this worse by stating that no other organisation could successfully challenge the claim of the communalists to speak for the Muslims and that their aggressively communal character gave them an advantage over the Muslims in the Congress. Having yielded so much ground in argument to Muslim communalists, Nehru sought to defeat them in practice by contending that the way to deal with communal parties was not to barter with them but to appeal over their heads to the masses. Their cultural unity was enduring, the demand for political and economic freedom was the reality and the communal myth would cease to exist when put to the test of mass opinion. A Constituent Assembly elected by adult franchise, even on the basis of separate electorates, would dispose of the communal problem readily enough. All this seemed very remote as the Congress developed no clear objectives or ideology, the government with the Communal Award divided the people into numerous religious compartments and Nehru, sitting in prison, heard of persistent communal violence. What a disgusting savage people we are? Politics, progress, socialism, communism, sciencewhere are they before this black religious savagery?4 But the election campaign of 1936, with a wider franchise than before, gave Nehru his chance. He played down the communal issue, held up independence and better economic conditions as the first priorities and centred his fire on the alien rulers, the capitalists and the landlords. In the United Provinces, a clash with the Muslim League was avoided. Speaking on the same platform as Jinnah, Nehru referred to communalism as no more than a nuisance which made people petty-minded and hid from view the major problems. In his presidential address at the Faizpur Congress in December 1936 he did not refer to communalism at all. The results of the elections confirmed Nehru in his view, gained during his tours, that the Congress had never been stronger. But it had contested few Muslim seats and of these lost most. Even so, Nehru felt that the Congress should have fielded more Muslim candidates. The Muslim masses had been too long doped with communal poision and were suspicious of the Congress; but there was a ferment among the younger Muslims and the masses and the Congress should reach out to them. The Muslim rank-and-file had a greater potentiality, perhaps because of more freedom in social relations, than the Hindu counterpart and, if convinced of a new thought, would accept it. So, smothering Jinnahs hopes of a resurrection of the atmosphere of the Lucknow Pact and the reaching of a political agreement at the leadership level, Nehru in 1937 initiated a Muslim mass contact campaign. This was a chance for implementing his theory that the masses had no communal problem and could be led to forget this side-issue by offering them political action and placing before them an economic programme; but the opportunity was squandered.5 In fact, it was Jinnah who, accepting what he regarded as a challenge, strengthened the position of the League among the Muslim masses by appealing to God and Koran and alleging that Islam was being threatened. Taking advantage of the acceptance of office by the Congress, he slid easily from attacking the Congress, representing majority opinion, to denouncing it as representing Hindu opinion and complained of general harassment of Muslims without specifying his charges. Nehru had gradually and reluctantly to change his opinion that there was no real strength behind the League. Jinnahs demand that his party be recognised as the authoritative and representative organisation of the Muslims was unacceptable; but it was no longer enough merely to go half-way to meet the minorities and allay their fears in matters of culture, language and religious observances. Nehru was willing to consider, in any scheme of provincial redistribution, the grant, to important groups and minorities, of territories within which they would have full opportunities for self-development, but the League, not being serious about non-political matters, paid no attention. By the beginning of 1939 Nehru was forced to acknowledge that the communal problem had acquired a new and serious aspect. The fear of the Muslims that they might be swamped by the Hindu majority had widened considerably; there was, particularly in the United Provinces, more general ill-will among the Muslim masses towards the Congress than at any time before, and fascist elements were becoming stronger in both the communal parties. Even now, Nehru was hopeful that the economic issue would wither the communal problem if the provincial governments gave priority to such measures as the wiping out of old debts and the arrears of rent; but the Congress Ministries were too conservative to move in these matters. By the time war broke out and these Ministries resigned, Nehru had to accept defeat: there is no doubt that we have been unable to check the growth of communalism and anti-Congress feeling among the Muslim masses.6 Even civil war now seemed to him possible. His buoyant optimism, however, soon returned to the surface. He placed hopes in the Leagues commitment to independence; and even its attainment of a mass base might be helpful in bringing pressure to bear on its feudal leadership. If the Congress and the League could work together in dealing with the government in the war crisis, the communal grievances would fall into perspective. So the Congress was willing to accept the League, if not as the sole Muslim organisation, at least as an important and influential party. But joint action with the Congress had now no interest for Jinnah and he would not go beyond seeking statutory provision for coalition Ministries. With the celebration of the Day of Deliverance and the passing of the Pakistan resolution by the Muslim League, there was no scope for negotiations with it, and Nehru became more concerned with giving assurances to the Christians and Sikhs that the Congress was committed to secularism and legitimate minority interests could be protected by a Constituent Assembly, in which such questions would be settled not by a majority vote but by common consent and differences referred, if necessary, to arbitration not by the British but preferably by the League of Nations. But during the war years such matters were not in Nehrus hands. The League, with active British support, expanded its popular backing and moved to the climax of partition. Nehrus policy towards the minorities before 1947, therefore, had not been a success. He had been convinced that the communal problem was not a matter for solution by the communalists. These were political reactionaries converting religious matters into a political problem to promote their own narrow interests; and the best answer to them was religions toleration, safe-guarding of culture and languages and emphasis on political independence and economic better-ment, both of which cut across religious differences. But the British Government gave Nehru no chance to translate this flawless thesis into practice. A dissolution of the communal problem was not possible in a colonial setting. The day on which, Nehru had written as far back as 1936, India achieves her freedom, communal differences and jealousies will get solved of themselves. Far from being this the case, in August 1947 such differences assumed national and even international proportions. The refusal to synchronise acceptance of Pakistan with recog-nition of the two-nation theory and the presence of large religious minorities in India made secularism the only possible basis of a uniform and durable national identity. Rational thinking and a civilised outlook meant the insistence on religion as a private matter for the individual with no bearing on civic rights and duties; and in a multi-religious society the state had to stay aloof from all faiths and permit diverse forms of worship provided they did not conflict with other religions. But to provide in the Constitution for secular behaviour was only the beginning of the struggle. The circumstances of 1947 had intensified the communal mood and even the most senior of Nehrus colleagues were not always careful in maintaining that the state should not promote any particular religion. It was suggested that secularism was a Western concept unsuited to India, where the large majority practised Hinduism as a social religion. To counter this, Nehru had, long before independence, defined secularism not according to any dictionary or historical tradition but in a way adapted to conditions in this country. The future Indian state would not be hostile to religion but would not represent any one religion and would provide freedom of conscience to all. As before 1947, Nehru as the Prime Minister was more concerned with Hindu than with Muslim communalism. The Hindu faith, preaching hospitality to all forms of belief, was ideal on paper; but the practice was rigid and narrow. The Muslim outlook might often be worse, but it could not make much difference to the future of India. So the destruction of Hindu communalism was indispensable for Indias survival. But just as Hindu revivalism was the greatest danger, so also it was the prime responsibility of the Hindus to provide the religious minorities with a sense of security. The test of success was not what the Hindus thought but how the Muslims and other minorities felt. It was only if the Hindus were secular that the non-Hindus could become secular. They should not gain the impression that they were being treated as second-class citizens. So Nehru assured the Christians of full freedom for evangelical work so long as it did not impinge on politics and, giving the Muslims special attention, encouraged their recruitment to the armed and civil services, particularly the police, and their employment in the private sector. Recognising that Urdu, while spoken by both Hindus and Muslims, had become a symbol of Islamic culture, he provided that its use and teaching were given priority, especially in Delhi and Uttar Pradesh. Yet, just as to distinguish between Hindu and Muslim communalism was to falter in logic, so too to seem to favour the majority or to provide special treatment to minorities is to weaken secularism as the foundation of equality and democracy. The pressure of circumstances sometimes led Nehru to hesitate and not to throw his full weight on the side of secularism. In 1948 he committed the support of the government to the banning of communal political parties but did not implement the resolution. He agreed with Gandhi that the compulsory stoppage of cow-slaughter, taken as an isolated decision, would appear as a concession to Hindu bigotry and therefore to be avoided; yet he did not oppose the listing of the banning of cow-slaugher as one of the Directive Principles of State policy in the Constitution and was content to see that nothing came of it in practice. An even greater deficiency in his policy of merging religious communities in a general citizenship was the restriction of the insistence on monogamy to Hindu men and the grant of the rights of divorce and inheritance only to Hindu women. In his keenness to win the confidence of the Muslim community, he failed to ensure the equality before the law of all Indians and enact a common civil code. Religion can be separated from politics more easily if it is also separated from the law. There is no room in a secular society for differences in personal law which claim religious sanction. To deny rights to Muslim women which are available to women of other faiths is a violation of the provision in the Constitution that the state shall not discriminate against any citizen on grounds of religion. As Nehru had realised from the very start, the real answer to the mixing of religion with politics is mass education. An educated society, forward-looking and striving for development, will, even without knowing it, liquidate communalism, both of reaction and of fear. Nehru was always aware that the problem of minorities was best handled not in itself but as a part of wider issues. But he could not achieve what he hoped for during the freedom movement and he did not do what he knew should be done in an independent India. He himself suggested that the problems of the minorities were not suited to his temperament and cast of mind. I must confess to you, he wrote to Jinnah after some talks with him soon after the outbreak of war, that in this matter I have lost confidence in myself, though I am not usually given that way. But the last two or three years have had a powerful effect on me. My own mind moves on a different plane and most of my interests lie in other directions. And so, though I have given much thought to the problem and understand most of its implications, I feel as if I was an outsider and alien in spirit.7 But if Nehru did not come up with appro-priate and effective actions in different contexts, he at least left us with the right answers and the correct approaches. Footnotes 1. Presidential address at the Bundelkhand Conference, June 13, 1921, Selected Works, Vol. 1, p. 177 ff. 2. The Problem of Minorities, March 14, 1930, Selected Works, Vol. 4, pp. 259-261. 3. Interview, November 29, 1933, The Bombay Chronicle (December 2, 1933). 4. Diary entry, April 17, 1935. 5. Mushirul Hasan, The Muslim Mass Contact Campaign, Economic and Political Weekly, December 27, 1986. 6. Nehru to Rajendra Prasad, October 18, 1939. 7. October 18, 1939. Home > Archives (2006 on) > 2018 > Socialism and Nehru by K.N. Raj The following is the text of the paper read by the distinguished economist and Director of the Delhi School of Economics at the symposium held in New Delhi to mark the first death anniversary of Jawaharlal Nehru, May 27, 1965. Dr K.N. Raj, who passed away sometime ago, subsequently became the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Delhi. Socialism, like democracy means now different things to different people. Almost everyone in India calls himself today a socialist. This appears to be the price socialism has paid for its mass appeal. The reason for the present confusion is however not just the mass appeal of socialism and the indiscriminate use to which it has been put. There are other more substantial reasons for loss of clarity, and it is important to understand what they are. Two Streams Historically, socialism is the product of two streams in Western thought, one associated with the emergence of humanism from the fifteenth century onward following the Renaissance and the other with the development of modern science and technology. In the earlier stages the humanistic element was more promi-nent in the formulations on socialism but later, more particularly after Marx, the emphasis on science and technology became so pronounced as to almost obscure the underlying humanist impulse. In this latter phase the development of socialist thought got also very closely interw-oven with the conditions existing in the countries in which science and technology were develo-ping most rapidly. These were the industrial nations of Western Europe, more particularly Germany, France and Great Britain. Capitalist development had proceeded far enough in these countries for the emergence of a numerically large industrial proletariat. The gains of technological progress were also evident, though even more so was the exploitative character of capitalism and the misery of the industrial workers. Removing Contradictions It was natural in this kind of setting to concentrate attention on the impact of the new technology of the Industrial Revolution on two classes, the owners of the instruments of production and those employed by them. Significantly however the emphasis in this more modern phase of socialist thinking was not on the mere elimination of economic inequality (as it was when the sole impulse was humanism) but on the removal of certain contradictions in capitalist society which were believed to have come in the way of the full use of the productive powers released by science and technology. An interesting distinction Marx drew in this context was between what he called forces of production (meaning thereby the known range of technology) and the relations of production (by which he meant the specific institutional arrangements concerning production in a given social structure). It was the contradiction between the two which, according to him, found expression in conflict between social classes and became the mainspring of revolutionary change. The emergence of capitalist relations was itself seen therefore as a revolutionary change in response to the technology of modern industry and the inability of the earlier pre-capitalist forms of organisation to cope with it. Indeed no one had greater praise for the achievements of capitalism than Marx himself, as will be evident from the following extract from the Communist Manifesto drafted in 1848: The bourgeoisie, during its rule of scarce one hundred years, has created more massive and more colossal productive forces than have all preceding generations together. Subjection of natures forces to man, machinery, application of chemistry to industry and agriculture, steam navigation, railways, electric telegraphs, clearing of whole continents for cultivation, canalisation of rivers, whole populations conjured out of the groundwhat earlier century had ever a presenti-ment that such productive forces slumbered in the lap of social labour? In course of time, it was however argued, capitalism would in turn become incapable of absorbing changes in technology because there would develop an incompatibility between their growing capital-intensive character and the motivation of private profit on which their adoption would depend. Conditions would then be ripe for its displacement by socialism. Thus the case for socialism was not that it was the only way of satisfying the urge for equality and social justice in a growing, developing economy. Socialism was simply inevitable because capitalism as an economic system would cease to be technically efficient and progressive and begin to disintegrate from within. Resilience In actual experience the capitalist society has shown considerable resilience and capacity for adaptation and growth, more particularly in the last three decades. It is of course possible to say, as some do, that the threat of socialist revolution and preparations for war have them-selves contributed to the survival of capitalism. It is also possible to argue that the capitalist society has been transformed so much during this period that in fact a social revolution of more or less the kind foreseen has already taken place. Did not Engels pointedly refer to Marxs belief that in England at any rate the inevitable social revolution might be effected entirely by peaceful and legal means? But that capitalist societies (or whatever else one might like to call them) have survived so far, retaining most of their distinctive features such as private ownership of the means of production, is a question of fact and not of opinion. They have not only managed to survive but have continued to show fairly impressive results in terms of technical progress and growth. However, the societies in which capitalism has shown impressive results are those in which either the earlier pre-capitalist forms of organi-sation had been transformed over a long period of history when science and technology were not taking very rapid strides or, as in the United States, where an altogether fresh beginning could be made without any carry-over from the past. The impact of capitalism in the last century on societies still in the early stages of transition from pre-capitalist forms of organisation has been of a very different character. If the case for socialism is to be stated in a form that has relevance to contemporary reality and political action, it must take account of these and other facts thrown up by experience. It is because of the failure to do so explicitly that there is so much confusion today as to what socialism stands for. The experience of the last century has underlined not so much the inability of capitalist societies to be technically efficient and progressive but the sharp inequalities and concentration of economic power which capitalist development seems to almost inevitably promote. This is evident not only on the national but on the international plane. The case for socialism rests today therefore not so much on the considerations which Marx and others focused attention on but on essentially humanistic grounds. Pre-capitalist Societies It is also important to realise that, to societies still largely in the pre-capitalist stages of development, the challenge of modern science and technology presents itself very differently from the way it did to the more advanced societies of the West in the nineteenth century. To them it comes as a challenge from outside, not one that has naturally emerged from within. For that reason the institutions and attitudes required to meet the challenge are also lacking in these societies, which was not the case in Western Europe. Indeed the existing social and economic institutions in the now backward countries are not only more exploitative in character than any known in capitalist societies but, what is worse, inhibit development and progress of any kind. Their first need is therefore to transform these pre-capitalist relations so as to make their economies responsive to innovation and change. They have also to meet the competition of the already advanced countriesa problem not faced to the same degree by developing countries in the nineteenth centuryand so they must not only catch up but catch up quickly. That the capitalist pattern of development is not the most satisfactory or the most efficient way of accomplishing these tasks is fairly obvious. The socialist path appears by far the more promising. But it is easier to find a nomenclature for an alternative path than to lay down the precise contents of a programme that will meet the requirements of societies. This is the problem which faces socialists today. It is clear that a socialist programme in the context of the developing countries of today, cannot mean in its detail the same things as it did to Marx and others who had in mind the conditions in Western Europe some decades ago. Thus, when production is still based largely on pre-capitalist forms of organisation, and has to continue being so for some time since modern industry on the required scale can be developed only over a period, social ownership of the means of production is not necessarily the most effective way of promoting the absorption of modern science and technology in all sectors of all the economy. Ownership There is a strong case for social ownership in sectors in which large investments are required and in which the technology and the organi-sation corresponding to it make possible both economies of scale and concentration of economic power. But when, as in the case in agriculture, the units of production are themselves small, the population is large relatively to the land available for cultivation, and foodgrains are a serious bottleneck to development, that form of organisation which promotes the most efficient application of labour and other inputs to the available land is obviously to be preferred whether or not it goes along with private ownership of property. There is a great deal of scope here for both differences of opinion and experimentation. Failure to recognise this fact is responsible for most of the acrimonious and sterile controversies among socialists today. Nehrus Historical Sense It is a measure of the vision and historical sense of Jawaharlal Nehru that he had a clearer understanding of these facts and tendencies of the contemporary world than almost anyone else of his generation. Nor was it something he acquired towards his later days. His reserva-tions on the earlier Marxist formulations of socialism and what it involved were not the result of any kind of disillusionment and did not therefore have the quality of sourness or negation which the writings of many who call themselves socialists have displayed in recent times. His was a positive but non-dogmatic approach, and this he maintained to the very end. Thus Nehru made the following observations as early as 1936 in his Autobiography: Socialists and communists in India are largely nurtured on literature dealing with the industrial proletariat. In some selected areas, like Bombay or near Calcutta, large numbers of factory workers abound, but for the rest India remains agricultural, and the Indian problem cannot be disposed of or treated effectively in terms of the industrial workers. Nationalism and rural economy are the dominant conside-rations, and European socialism seldom deals with these.... (The) path we take is not merely a question of what we like or dislike or even of abstract justice, but what is economically sound, capable of progress and adaptation to changing conditions, and likely to do good to the largest number of human beings... The emotional appeal of socialism is not enough. This must be supplemented by an intellectual and reasoned appeal based on facts and arguments and detailed criticism....the whole value of Marxism seems to me to lie in its absence of dogmatism, in its stress on a certain outlook and mode of approach, and in its attitude to action. That outlook helps us in understanding the social phenomena of our own times, and points out the way of action and escape. Nehru also quoted with approval Lenins statement: Nothing is final; we must always learn from circumstances. Reluctant to Define For these same reasons he was very reluctant to offer a precise definition of socialism. Speaking in 1956 on the objective of socialism to which the Congress party and the government had already been committed, he said: I do not propose to define precisely what socialism means in this context because we wish to avoid any rigid or doctrinaire thinking. Even in my life I have seen the world change so much that I do not want to confine my mind to any rigid dogma. Underlying all this caution and wariness was really a certain view of the role of science and, more specifically, of the impact of science on social evolution. Emphasis on science and its significance was indeed a dominant and recurring theme in almost everything Nehru said and wrote. In 1959 he stated his view of how science and technology governed social and economic organisation and why, in his judgment, ideology played a secondary if not a passive role in social change: It is not so much ideology which is changing human life, but the growth of science and technology which are constantly changing social and economic structures. Function influences form. This is so in architecture. It is equally so ultimately in social structures, the form of that structure following its function. Science and technology are constantly changing functions, and so the social structure has necessarily to adapt its form to these new functions. There were thus important, even crucial, differences between Nehrus view of the actual process of social change and adaptation and the Marxist view. Marx emphasised the contradic-tory, mutually exclusive, opposite tendencies in all phenomena and this determined his approach to the form of the struggle for achievement of socialism. Nehru was willing to recognise the reality of class affiliation and conflict based on economic interests as well as the necessity for coercion, but he was unprepared to commit himself to any particular form of action and was on the whole inclined to stress the possibility of peaceful change through democratic methods of coercion. In fact the more aware he became of all the facets of a pre-capitalist society, more particularly of the divisions based on caste, religion and language in the Indian social structure, the more he emphasised the importance of peaceful change. Function of Socialism Though Nehru refused to offer a precise definition of socialism, and also emphasised the need for achieving it through peaceful methods, he was very clear in his mind about the function of socialism and its necessity in the context of Indian conditions. In India we have entered, belatedly, into the phase of industrial revolution. We have done so at a time when parts of the world are in the jet and nuclear age. We have thus, in effect, to proceed simultaneously with both these revolutionary changes and this involves a tremendous burden. We have accepted socialism as our goal not only because it seems to us right and beneficial, but because there is no other way for the solution of our economic problems. It is sometimes said that rapid progress cannot take place by peaceful and democratic methods and that authoritarian and coercive methods have to be adopted. I do not accept this proposition. Indeed, in India today any attempt to discard democratic methods would lead to disruption and would thus put an end to any immediate prospect of progress.... The mighty task we have undertaken demands the fullest cooperation from the masses of our people. That cooperation cannot come unless we put forward an objective which is acceptable to them and which promises them results. The change we seek necessitates burdens on our people, even those who can least bear them; unless they realise that they are partners in the building up of a society which will bring them benefits, they will not accept these burdens or give their full cooperation. Far-sighted View Thus, to, Nehru, socialism as a goal offered the best prospect of meeting the requirements of humanism and the challenges of modern science and technology in a society which was at least two centuries behind times. One does not know whether this far-fighted view and all its impli-cations are adequately understood and will be translated into action by those who follow him, particularly if such action clashes with the self-interest of classes which are in a position to exercise influence and coercion on the political plane. It is not unlikely that all that Nehru said and stood for will be reduced to empty words and symbols by a society which has really not had a deep humanistic or scientific tradition and often attaches more importance to form than substance. But the more widely the rational basis of Nehrus advocacy of socialism is under-stood, and the more quickly it is followed by concrete action, the greater are the chances of preserving and building further on the rich legacy he has bequeathed to us. (Mainstream, June 5, 1965) Home > Archives (2006 on) > 2018 > India without Nehru From N.C.s Writings The following piece, which appeared under the New Delhi Skyline in Mainstream, was written two days after Jawaharlal Nehrus demise on May 27, 1964. It was published on May 30, 1964. As the golden flame licked up the funeral pyre, an unforgettable scene ended near the banks of the Jumna and under the shadow of the Red Fort. It was an emotional experience without precedence, to watch this mightiest demons-tration of love and respect that this great country has paid to any man. For Jawaharlal Nehru was, for the vast mass that is engulfed in sorrow today, not just a symbol of freedom, he was part of their very personality: it is difficult for this entire generation of ours to think of India without him; whatever we felt and learned, made us happy or sad, our hopes and our frustrations, were all inextricably interwoven with him. As the millions came to join in his final journey through the streets of Delhi, new and old, they were as yet too stunned to feel the pangs of his loss in full measure. An indescribable sense of the coming void, of an existence in which Nehru would no longer be there seemed to have gripped them. The expression often used in his life-time that he could feel the pulse of the nation, could be understood in the fullest measure when one watched with awe the vast sea of humanity that accompanied him for miles in the grueling summer sun. A sense of personal loss was writ large on every face, young and old. The remarkable initiative shown by the vast concourse of men and women in mourning could hardly be missed as the cortege was carried from the Prime Ministers House to the open space beyond Rajghat. The Army and the Police could not manage the solid phalanx that thronged the eight-mile route: but spontan-eously, the people with an amazing sense of dignity befitting the poignant occasion, made way for the entire funeral procession to pass while they themselves were wending their way to the cremation ground. The realisation that Nehru was in broken health had come months back. In fact, it began with his serious illness in the summer of 1962, just two years ago, when the most agile among political figures was laid up in bed for more than a month. Since then came the severest ordeal in his whole careeras also of free Indiathe armed attack by the Chinese. In fact, the blow came with the Chinese breach of faith five years ago, because he had made the friendship with China the sheet-anchor of his foreign policy. For any leader anywhere else in the world, placed in similar circumstances, Pekings diabolic attack would have been a killing blow. The fact that Nehru could not only survive the shock but found his own bearings as also of the nations to a large measure testified to his tremendous will power and steadfast devotion to the principles and ideals he has always striven to hold aloft. No wonder that in Delhi today many felt that if any single factor had killed this fearless fighter for peace, amity and understanding among nations, it was the perfidy of Peking. New Delhi is comforted in its hour of grief by the unique demonstration of friendship and solidarity that has been conveyed from all parts of the world. Cold War barriers have gone in paying homage to the man who had always fought it with unwavering faith in a world without war. If the West has paid generous tribute to his memory, Moscow has not lagged behind, and in the Capital today there is the recognition of Khrushchevs expression of sorrow at the loss of a good friend; his ready pledge of support to the present government has been widely noted. After Nehru Who? The question that has been debated for years has left the country no wiser. It is an extraordinary phenomenon that though Nehrus departure was for long not unexpected, the nationNew Delhi particu-larlywas never more unprepared. The grim fact that Nehru, unlike Gandhiji, did not groom anybody to succeed him, has left New Delhi in an uncanny suspense. The Titan has left behind a brood of dwarfs, none of whom can aspire even to that national eminence which was the hallmark of the Congress High Command when freedom came to this land. Under the shade of the mighty banyan tree, no other plant did grow in stature or stamina. It was therefore but inevitable that the milling crowds that attended the memorable funeral were mostly beset by the inexorable question-markwho will lead the government of this country, keeping it together and strong? This was indicated by the common people constantly flocking in clusters round the different leaders, Right and Left, all along the journey to the cremation ground. Who knows on whom the mantle will fall, or snatched by whom? In the highest circles, the debate began within a few hours of the passing away of the leader. Actually, it started with the arrival of the Congress President late in the evening. Sri Kamaraj met Sri Lal Bahadur Shastri that very night. Since then, brisk lobbyings have been going on in the Capital in practically all circles. Sri Nandas supporters have been meeting in their own conclave, and so have Sri Shastris. Reports have come of Sri Morarji Desais talks with Sri Jagjivan Ram. Ententes and alignments of the most diverse character are being talked about. An interesting development has been a wide demand from a large number of Congress MPs that the choice of a new leader should not be confined to close arrangements among the top few. As one of the rank-and-file members remarked, Palace intrigues will not do, no longer shall we accept a fait acompli by the High Command. Though it looks like a democratic demand, it is said to have been inspired by Sri Morarji Desai. Three names have been heard as the likely contenders for Nehrus successionSri Nanda, Sri Shastri and Sri Morarji Desai. Of these, there seems to be little prospect for Sri Desai on his own wangling a majority either in the Working Committee or in the Parliamentary Party. How-ever, he might strike some agreement with some other important group as that of Sri Jagjivan Ram, who commands a good number of supporters, at least the bulk of the Scheduled Caste MPs. It is significant that some of the Congress Left leaders are not totally averse to strike a deal with Sri Morarji Desai as a means of edging out Sri Shastri. It is understood that if Sri Desai does not become the Prime Minister, he wants, as price of an entente, the assurance that he would get back his old portfolio, namely, Finance. But this raises the question of Sri T.T. Krishnamacharis future, for though he has no group following in the Congress as such, he does enjoy Sri Kamarajs patronage. While fortunes may change unexpectedly in the next few crucial days, the indications available on the eve of the Congress Working Committee meeting placed the chances of Sri Shastris success as better than those of Sri Nanda. Apart from a large body of UP and Bihar membersthe biggest single bloc in the Congress Parliamentary PartySri Shastri is assured of the support of Sri Kamaraj and Sri Atulya Ghosh. It is learnt that Sri Sukhadia also supports this alliance. Sri Biju Patnaik, who originally belonged to this group, has walked over to Sri Desai, it is learnt. An incident showing up the strained relations was provided by the announcement of the portfolios of Sri Nandas Caretaker Cabinet: Sri Shastris supporters did not conceal their annoyance at Sri Nandas holding the External Affairs portfolio together with the Home. According to one report, there is a possibility that Sri Nandas supporters, as a last resort in solving any possible deadblock, may press for Smt Indira Gandhi to be the Prime Minister. But it is not yet clear that she will persuade herself to accept the proposal, nor that it would automatically lead to the ending, or at least the freezing, of all group wrangles. It appears that Sri Shastris supporters also want to enlist her for the Cabinet of their choice and may vote for her to be the new Foreign Minister. However Smt Vijayalaxmi Pandits name is also being mentioned as a possible candidate for the External Affairs portfolio, though her chances are rather slim. The choice of the Prime Ministership is bound up with the question of selecting the Cabinet. For, the Congress President as also whoever is the possible choice would like to have an unanimous election. Under the circumstances, there is a strong tug-of-war among the groups to strengthen their own representation in the composition of the Cabinet. If Sri Shastri wins, there is hardly any chance for Sri Desai being taken into the Cabinet, though Sri S.K. Patil might have a chance. There is a lurking doubt if Sri Jagjivan Ram would find a place in a Shastri Cabinet, unless there is a last-minute understanding. If Sri Nanda wins, then both Sri Jagjivan Ram and Sri Krishna Menon may be brought back: and Sri Desai too may not be left out. But Sri Patil is not likely to be acceptable for Sri Nandas team. Whatever be the final selection, observers in the Capital fear that despite all show of unanimity, a Cabinet led by any of the groups in todays context, will have powerful critics inside the Congress Parliamentary Party itself. This will no doubt be a strain on its stability. Should we have UP projected in the Centre? was the ominous question heard even in the funeral procession. Meanwhile, powerful vested interests are not just passive spectators. Their mighty lobbies have been at work and if they could manage to have their say even under Nehru, how much more demanding they must be today. In the Capital, there are even talks of large-scale air-freighting of solid cash on the day the common humanity was saying a tear-choked goodbye to their beloved leader. Man-eaters are at large, and they carry Morarjibhai on their book. But how many among the powers-that-be in New Delhi can fight the man-eaters? A minor episode that must strike New Delhis press corps as not only interesting but significant is the hand-out released by the I&B Ministrys Press Information Bureau on the day after the Prime Ministers passing away. The Bureau has done excellent work to help the journalists in covering the momentous event. Entitled Jottings from Jawaharlal, the 11-page hand-out contains very good passages from Nehrus speeches and writings. As many as 34 passages have been chosen, but none of these contain even the breath of any reference to socialism, while portraying the life and work of the man who gave the concept of socialism to the national movement and made it the official goal of the government. A straw in the wind? To forget the message of Nehru so soon after his departure may be the anxious objective of a handful of Big Money, but not certainly of the teeming millions who formed the never-failing companion of Jawaharlal Nehru. (Mainstream, May 30, 1964) Home > Archives (2006 on) > 2018 > Hamid Ansari, Jinnahs Portrait and Turmoil in AMU by Ram Puniyani Recently (May 2018) Hamid Ansari, the ex-Vice President of India, was invited to the Aligarh Muslim University to honour him with life membership of the AMU Students Union (AMUSU). He had due security with him, still the Hindu Yuva Vahini-ABVP activists could reach near his place of stay. The pretext of the armed protesters was that Jinnahs portrait has been put up to please Ansari and that they will not allow Jinnahs portrait in the AMU. The usual violence followed a few arrests of Vahini volunteers, most of them let off. This has been followed by a series of statements from Yogi Adityanath, who incidentally is also the founder of this Hindutva group, saying that the portrait will not be allowed, Subramanian Swami questioned as to who will teach a lesson to the AMU! The students of the AMU are on protest against the violence unleashed by the Vahini and ABVP. Too many angles to the story! First of all, how come the armed volunteers of the Vahini and ABVP reach near the place where Hamdi Ansari was put up? One recalls that on every occasion there has been an attempt to humiliate this distinguished scholar, diplomat who held the high office. His photo of not saluting the Republic Day parade, hinting he is disrespecting, was made viral only to bring in the realisation that he was following the rule book as only the President takes the salute and no one else. When he was given farewell Modi hinted at his being a Muslim, being attached to issues related to Muslims in a very humiliating way. In this light he being targeted is just the continuation of what the RSS combine has been doing to Ansari so far. How come someone recalled that Jiannhs portrait is there and on that pretext the armed volunteers sneaked into the AMU campus? Has the portrait been put up yesterday? The portrait has been there from 1938, as the AMU Students Union conferred a rare honour on him by giving him life membership of the AMUSU. The statement is that Jinnah divided the country, so how can we celebrate him?was the slogan. The role played by Jinnah in the freedom movement is not a linear one and is not uniform. He began as a part of the movement and was part of it in the beginning. He was to his credit the Chairman of the Reception committee which welcomed Gandhi on his return from South Africa. He was the one who fought the case, in which Bal Gangadhar Tilak was given the death sentence and it is due to his legal brilliance that he could save the life of Tilak. He was also the lawyer for the young revolutionary, Sardar Bhagat Singh, and to cap it all he entered a Hindu, Muslim unity pact with Tilak (Lucknow, 1916). Indias nightingale Sarojini Naidu called Jinnah as the ambassador of Hindu-Muslim unity. There is another side to the story also. He dissociated from the national movement once Gandhi launched the non-cooperation movement in 1920, in which for the first time the average people of the country were involved. This move-ment laid the foundation of the biggest ever mass movement in the history of the world. Jinnah was a constitutionalist and he felt involving average people in the struggle against the British is unwarranted. Similarly he opposed Gandhis role in the Khilafat movement and gradually dissociated from active involvement with it and left for London to practice law. The second major flaw which transformed Jinnah, who was basically secular, was his associating with and leading the Muslim League. The Muslim League was given the status of being the representative of Muslims by the British. This was a basically a motivated exercise by the British as the Muslim League began from the Nawabs and Landlords, with feudal values inherent in it down to the core. His role as a leader of the Muslim League and his Lahore resolution of a separate country for Muslims, Pakistan, is what made him a communal leader. To blame him alone for the partition of the country is a distorted presentation of the history of modern India. The process of partition was begun by the British who pursued the policy of divide and rule. This was supplemented by communalists from both the Hindus and Muslims. Savarkar was the first one to articulate that there are two nations in the country, the Hindu and the Muslim. As per this under-standing, the country belongs to Hindus; so the Muslim nation will have to remain subordinate to the Hindus. This is where Jinnah falls in the communal trap and the logic he puts forward is: if there are two nations in the country, so why not two countries? So why not Pakistan? Jinnah that way has been the subject of various biographies and interpretations. His August 11, 1947 speech in Pakistans Constituent Assembly states that people are free to follow their own religion, state will not interfere in that, elaborates his secular values. Advani quite late in his life after having launched the biggest attack on secular values by demolishing the Babri mosque, realised that Jinnah was secular. He called Jinnah secular and paid with his career as the RSS combine has built on the understanding of Hate Jinnah, has presented Jinnah as a symbol of Indian Muslims, Jinnah as a symbol of Indias enemy Pakistan! With this AMU episode, Hindu nationalist politics is killing many birds with a single stone. First, to target Hamid Ansari, whom they cant approve of as his credential is thoroughly secular. Second, is to create yet another divisive issue in the form of the portrait of Jinnah, to add on to other emotive issues manufactured so far. And thirdly, to intimidate the AMU campus in line with what has been done in the JNU, Hyderabad University to name a few. One can say the Ghost of Jinnah, who can be called as a Secular soul in a Communal body, will keep visiting us, and the RSS combine through its efforts will keep propping up divisive issues one after the other! The author, a retired Professor at the IIT-Bombay, is currently associated with the Centre for the Study of Secularism and Society, Mumbai. Home > Archives (2006 on) > 2018 > Silence and Din Define Indian Journalism by L.K. Sharma In India today, one cannot talk of science, history or politics without a reference to mythology. Godmen and astrologers make their daily pronouncements on the TV channels. So, how does one report the emergence of an independent journalist in a sea of embedded media? One attributes it to Divine intervention to reform his degraded profession! Sorry, this outrageous statement was designed to make you read this piece on Ravish Kumar, a TV anchor from India. In order to be read or heard today, one has to shout and shock. In the confrontation-loving high-decibel society, the one who shouts the loudest wins. Most newspaper readers have got addicted to hyperbole and rhetoric and the TV viewers to screaming anchors. Journalism promotes vitiated public discourse and falls victim to it. On the other hand is a phrase banished from journalism. Fair journalists are hunted and silenced. Those of the other kind are bought and deployed to make maniac noises in favour of the ruling establishment and against its critics. A sober beginning to this article would not have worked. Indian journalism in crisis would strike no new note since this is not typical of India. Americas President is told every day that free press is essential for sustaining democracy. The theme of this World Press Freedom Day on May 3 was Keeping Power in Check: Media Justice and the Rule of Law. One heard stirring calls on governments to strengthen press freedom, and to protect journalists. Many depressing headlines marked the occasion. One from India said: Bastar journalist charged with sedition for sharing cartoon lampooning the govern-ment. With seven complaints registered against reporters in one month, the police of the Chhattisgarh State are notorious for acting against journalists. Old headlines of journalists murdered featured in opinion pieces. The threats to press freedom even by the so-called democratic governments were discussed. Some references came up to the internal threat from within the profession. Veteran journalist Thalif Deen recalled that once a Malaysian politician, asked about the leading newspapers in his country, shot back: We have only misleading newspapers. Reports about the dark spots carried references to fake news, enforced disappearances of journalists, authoritarian governments tight-ening grip on press freedom, getting away with murder in Slovakia, pre-election tension threa-tening free speech in Brazil, Azerbaijan blocking news websites, Kenyan journalists feeling the heat, and to internet freedom rapidly degrading in South-East Asia. There is a hostile environment in India in which Ravish Kumar and other independent journa-lists work. They are attacked by the devotees of the Modi Government. Ravish Kumars fans keep alerting him and wishing for his safety and security. Ravish Kumar works for a Hindi TV channel. Thanks to the translation of one of his books in English many more citizens can understand the dangers to democracy that he warns against in his Hindi programmes. The Free Voice: Ravish Kumar on Democracy, Culture and the Nation is a more searing document than a Free Press Inquiry Commission Report. Of course, it is more interesting to read. The author recalls that within a few months in 2017, journalists were forced to gather twice to condemn violence against colleagues. In a sequel to this book, he will have to say, our speeches made no difference as threats and violence against journalists continued or even increased. The chapter headings give a flavour of Ravish Kumars short book: The Robo-Public and the Building of a New Democracy. The National Project for Instilling Fear. Wherever a Mob Gathers is Hitlers Germany. The book covers an area wider than just press freedom. Ravish Kumar refers to the wars for religious pride. He writes about the ongoing battles against what some radical Hindus call Love Jihad. Every other day a handful of goons go on a rampage because a girl of one faith chooses to marry a boy of another faith. Internal threats to press freedom are not new. In many democratic countries, including India, advertisers and media owners diminished it. Some of the organisations fighting for press freedom during the Cold War era never dealt with this internal threat. The state was their only target and change of regime their goal. A Western media mogul inspired his Indian counterparts to transform journalism into a profit-making infotainment business. The media feeds the readers and viewers with what they supposedly want. The owners dumped the editors who thought the readers should be given what is good for them and for society! What the newspaper readers really want remains a controversial topic. The readers appetite can be whetted by titillating stories and images. If a tabloid prints a naked womans photo, its rival has to flash two women. It is said that readers of a British tabloid do not care who ruled the country as long as they see the photos of porn stars every morning! Most TV anchors can be called the children of a former TV star, an American of Irish origin, who gained mass popularity for his extreme Right-wing views and for his ability to silence his studio guests with insults. His pernicious influence afflicted a host of Indian TV journalists. Ravish Kumar seeks to counter such trends night after night, challenging his Hindi TV viewers to change to another channel if the issues of unemployment, poverty, illiteracy and sick hospitals and under-funded state schools do not interest them and if they are obsessed with the Hindu-Muslim debates engineered by the vote-grabbing politicians. His selection of topics can bore the viewer looking for titillation. The disclosure that so many schools have neither teachers nor buildings and so many officially electrified villages turn dark at night may interest some concerned citizens. But most others want to know whether Rekha was seen with A or with B at last nights Bollywood bash. So, Ravish Kumars news and discussion agenda drags his channel down in the ratings competition and affects its balance-sheet. However, his channel wears it as a badge of honour and Ravish Kumar gets an honourable mention in select circles of media critics and enlightened TV watchers. He refrains from using the formula to win the ratings war. Apart from politics, he covers education and health extensively, highlights public grievances, failures of the administration and hypocrisy of politicians. He does this effectively, gently and with a literary flair. Irony and satire mark his coverage at a time when many other journalists either lack this talent or dare not use it lest an intolerant government is offended. Ravish Kumar seeks to give voice to the powerless. He cajoles the powerful to hear the voices from the margins. Such journalistic conduct was taken for granted once but old-fashioned journalism has gone out of fashion. Ravish Kumar is conscious of his professions failures and indulges in self-criticism. He distilled his disappointment in a memorable programme titled TV stricken with TB. That night, black screen was all that there was to see. A powerful commentary made up for the loss of picture. The surprised viewers were told that the black TV screen was not due to a technical problem but was designed to make a point! The risks that Ravish Kumar takes by practicing developmental journalism pale into insignifi-cance when compared to the risk to his life and limbs that he takes by criticising the Modi Government. He is spared no threats, abuses and insults. And these are not just via the social media. He has been chased and his live interviews interrupted by bikers. After one such incident, he telecast a programme recreating the scene through computer graphics and images of menacing shadowy figures. It seemed like a thriller film clip. Many others like Ravish Kumar face similar problems. The women journalists refusing to be embedded anger the ruling party activists even more. A Minister calls them presstitutes. Not many fellow journalists protest. Some because they have been won over by the ruling estab-lishment flaunting its power to punish and reward. Ravish Kumar and his ilk work in a hostile environment. Dealing with independent journalists has been outsourced since official measures to curb press freedom attract too much frontal criticism. This kind of threat is new for India. It once went through a much darker but brief period when the state suppressed press freedom and arrested some dissenting journalists. That was when the Indira Gandhi Government declared the Emergency and suspended civil rights. Then the suppression of press freedom was blatant and it was there for all to see. These days crowds deal directly with the critics of the government which may signal to the police force to look the other way. This method is subtle and insidious and invites less criticism. When the state suppresses press freedom, it becomes an identifiable target for the NGOs and brave newspaper editors. The BJP-ruled Government of Rajasthan tried to curb press freedom through an official order but had to retreat in the face of powerful protests. A safer strategy is to unleash state-sponsored or state-inspired Rottweilers against a few targeted journalists. Dissenters and critics can be silenced as easily by threats of physical and psychological violence delivered by goons personally or through the social media, as by a local police inspector knocking at the door at midnight. Once goons terrorise, discretion trumps bravery. Self-censorship attracts little attention and the government achieves its objective with-out getting blamed. This has become common in democracies where unconstitutional conduct against suspected terrorists is outsourced by the governments. Reporting rising sectarian violence makes independent journalists more vulnerable. When the accused persons belong to a political outfit, the party activists attack the reporters. Ravish Kumar writes: Today, the number of people who spread hatred by highlighting this reason or that or by exploiting various inequalities has increased exponentially. He talks about the erosion of liberty and dignity, the undermining of the Constitution and democracy and the collapse of institutions. The author scrutinises the governments mal-intention and societys response. It is a field report on the spurt in intolerance, hate and sectarianism. It is about an emerging dictatorial order underpinned by mobocracy and populist politics spreading like wildfire in this post-fact era. The tradition of debate and dialogue has been abandoned. To be a critic of the ruling establishment is to be the enemy of the nation. Ravish Kumar records the proliferation of programmed Indians who can see only one face (that of the Prime Minister). They are progra-mmed to dismiss not only contrary opinion, but also discussion. They listen to nothing, they read nothing. Those who behold a different sight are enemies and traitorsin the context of India, they would be anti-Modi, anti-Hindu, anti-national. He continues: Fake news first falsified news and journalism and it is now turning the citizens fake. The Robo-public is a fake public. A fake public makes a fake Republic, a fake political consciousness, a fake democracy. Ravish Kumar begins the book narrating his own encounter with fear that affects all those who speak out. He describes the deadly feeling while handling a report about the sudden death of a judge dealing with a case featuring allegations against a powerful politician who went on to become the President of the ruling party. Ravish Kumar chose to speak out. Some honest police officers or independent judges protecting the powerless must have been gripped by a similar fear during their careers, but Ravish Kumar recalls his experience with a literary flair. So, his introduction to the book becomes a moving and frightening document. He breaks the shuddering silence surrounding that sensitive news story. He delivers the sensitive report on NDTV concluding with the words: Now whatever will be, will be. The closing sentence, he says, was for my viewers, and also for myself. Having done the programme, he finds release from the fear that had held him in its suffocating grip for two days. This independent journalist says he makes the journey from fear to courage every day. My days start with the trolls abuses and threats and end with the thought that I should be careful for the sake of my job. The recent transformation of the nation into a Republic of Fear has been observed by all but only a few like Ravish Kumar have recorded it for posterity that will inherit an officially revised history of the nation, its religions, and its leaders. The author says: Post-2014, the political winds began to change course. Criticism of the government began to be equated with criticism of the nation. A factory called the IT Cell was set up and many varieties of fear were manufactured inside its basement. The trolls of the IT Cell mounted fierce attacks on anyone who dared to ask questions. They were called many things, from anti-nation, anti-religion to even pimps of the Opposition media.... Even serving Ministers began to attack reporters. The IT Cell (of the ruling party) rapidly transformed media into lapdog media. He notes that many anchors and journalists crept into the laps of power and began to sing praises of Prime Minister Modi. Ravish Kumar refers to the IT Cell running the WhatsApp university that specialises in teaching fake and poisonous history. He quotes politicians threatening to kill critics or announcing rewards for their heads. The threats to the freedom of the press, like the violation of the human rights, used to cause greater concern in international fora and the Western capitals during the Cold War. These days the international community is not shocked by the murder of journalists in India or the threats to the freedom of the press. It is different if such incidents take place in a country that refuses to be a strategic ally or that has neither oil nor market to offer. The recent Commonwealth summit in London did not take much notice of these issues. The Commonwealth Journalists Association and the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative tried in vain to sensitise the leaders to such problems in the member-nations. The activists should try and slip the reprint of the chapter Speaking Out into the pack of agenda papers of the summiteers at every forum! Ravish Kumars prose may move some of them. The author is a senior journalist and writer who worked in India and abroad (notably Britain) in several major newspapers. Now retired, he is a free- lancer. He was recently in London to cover the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. Home > Archives (2006 on) > 2018 > Karnataka: The BJP ended up Winning 104 Seats, while the Congress ended up (...) by Sanjay Kumar In Karnataka, what looked like a close election between the Congress and BJP for most part of the election campaign, finally resulted in a hung Assembly, with the BJP emerging as the single largest party. The BJP ended up winning 104 seats, while the Congress ended up winning 78 seats. During the campaign though the Janata Dal (Secular) kept saying it would emerge as the king and not the kingmaker, this hung verdict has finally resulted in the JD(S) emerging as the real kingmaker. The JD(S) performed very well winning 37 seats and polled 18.4 per cent votes. Though the BJP has emerged as the single largest party, this verdict should neither be seen as the verdict against the ruling Congress Government as its support base expanded compared to 2013 nor as rejection of the politics of the regional partythe JD(S). But the increased vote-share of the BJP and its increased tally of seats may be seen as a mild desire amongst the Karnataka voters for a change. It is true that the BJP has managed to emerge as the single largest party, but this victory by no means indicates a Narendra Modi wave nor does it indicate a complete rejection of the Congress in the State. The BJP has managed to improve its vote-share compared to 2013, but its vote-share declined by nearly five percentage points compared to the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. Though the Congress got badly defeated, and its tally of seats went down from 122 seats to 78 in the recent elections, it still managed to hold on to its vote-sharean indicator of the support-base of the Congress. The Congress managed to poll 37.9 per cent votes, nearly the same as it had during the 2013 Assembly elections (36.6 per cent). But even with this same vote-share, the Congress got defeated as the BJP managed to increase its support-base from 20 per cent in 2013 to 36.2 per cent in the recent elections though this increase in vote-share is slightly artificial as the BJP, which contested the 2013 Assembly elections, was not the BJP of today. During the 2013 Assembly elections, the BJP contested against the Karnataka Janata Paksha (KJP) and Badavara Shramikara Raitara Congress Party (BSRCP) of the Reddy brothers, each of which managed to poll 9.7 and 2.7 per cent votes. The present BJP is a united BJP, when both these factions have merged with the BJP and the realistic vote-share of the present BJP is 32.3 per cent votes. The BJP managed to increase its vote-share to 36.2 per cent compared to its combined vote-share of 32.3 per cent in 2013. The JD(S)s performance is more or less similar to its performance of 2013, the party has polled 18.4 per cent votes and managed to win 37 seats, which is similar to its 20.1 per cent votes and 40 seats in 2013. The vote-shares of the BJP and Congress do indicate that there was no big Modi wave as was witnessed in many other States like Uttar Pradesh. But with this victory, one cant deny that the win should be credited to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Mr Modi has again demonstrated his ability to pull votes for the party and that he is the sole vote-catcher for the BJP. If party President Amit Shah played the role of the anchor, carried his bat through the BJPs innings of campaign, Mr Modi came in the slog overs. He hit the ball hard and scored the desired runs to give the BJP the lead, but not enough to cross the majority mark on its own. The two addressed a large number of rallies during the campaignMr Modi addressed 21 rallies while Amit Shah addressed 30. The two led the BJPs campaign and were able to shield their chief ministerial candidate, B.S. Yeddyurappa, who in public perception did not have a clean image, which helped the BJP in these elections. The popular support of the various political parties, as indicated by the votes polled, does indicate that while the Congress and JD(S) managed to hold on to its caste-based support-bases, the BJP not only managed to hold on to its support-base but also managed to expand it to some other social groups. In tune with the expectations of many, a large number of upper-caste voters voted for the BJP. The Congress, even by recommending for making Lingayats a separate religion, failed to make any dent in the Lingayat vote-bank of the BJP, and they seemed to have voted for the BJP in very large numbers. The Lingayats, who deserted the BJP in 2013, returned to the party and voted for it in sizeable numbers in the recent elections. The Congress may have lost this election but it managed to hold on to its support-base amongst Dalits, adivasis, Muslims and those belonging to the lower OBCs in Karnataka. The Congress did manage to corner the larger share of the lower OBC votes, but the BJP seems to have made some inroads amongst the lower OBC voters in Karnataka. The success of the JD(S) in southern Karnataka is largely credited to the party holding on to its Vokkaliga vote-bank. The findings of the survey clearly indicate that the Vokkaligas voted for the JD(S) in large numbers. In fact, the way voters of different castes and communities voted in Karnataka, one could say these elections were also contested with an undercurrent of a class divide, the lower class voters sided with the Congress, a party which has always tried to identify itself as championing the cause of the poor and the downtrodden, while the well-to-do section of voters sided with the BJP. While the Congress seemed to be fast losing its advantage over the BJP amongst poor voters in many States, the party still seems to be holding strong amongst its traditional support-base in Karnataka. Even with a similar support-base, the fact that the BJP managed to emerge as the single largest party in Karnataka is mainly due to the uneven support-base of the party in different regions. An analysis of the verdict at the regional level suggests that though the BJP managed to establish a massive lead in its stronghold of Coastal Karnataka and Mumbai-Karnataka regions, it could also expand its support-base in other regions of the State, mainly Central Karnataka. The only region where it failed to make an impact is the Southern Karnataka region, which has 51 seats, where the JD(S) managed to hold on to its support-base with massive support of the Vokkalika community. Its alliance with the BSP seemed to have helped the JD(S) in consolidating Dalit support in its favour. The message for the Congress is clear: the strategy to pose any challenge to the BJP is to form alliance and have an understanding with smaller political parties to prevent a division of the anti-BJP votes. Had the Congress formed an alliance with the JD(S), which they are trying to do after the verdict, the final tally of seats for the BJP and this Congress-JD(S) alliance could have been very different. (Courtesy: The Asian Age) Sanjay Kumar is a Professor and currently Director of the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies, New Delhi. Home > Archives (2006 on) > 2018 > Karnatakas Verdict, Loud and Clear The following article was written before the latest developments in Karnataka. Tactically the Congress has won the day even though the party has been rejected outright by the people of Karnataka which went to polls for the state legislature. In the process, the Congress has still managed to win 78 seats out of a possible 222 for which elections were conducted. The party High Command went into a huddle and instantly decided to provide outside support to the Janata Dal (Secular) which has secured mere 38 seats. Eventually, the Congress avenged its defeat. At the same time, it also turned the tables against the BJP which emerged the single largest party. Its unfortunate that despite 104 seats in its kitty, the BJP will not be able to form the government. In the bargain, it is the JD(S) under the leadership of former Prime Minister Deve Gowda which has got an unexpected bonanza. However, one cannot deny the BJPs success because of the popular verdict. Apparently, it is all because of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his party president Amit Shah, who were instrumental in bringing together the two warring groups, one led by B.S. Yeddyurappa and the other by B. Sriramulu, in the State. The RSS can also feel satisfied that it had its way in selecting the candidates. This is the first time that the BJP, always associated with the north, crossed the Vindhyas to have a foothold in the south. This is bound to have an impact in Andhra Pradesh if and when it goes to polls, especially after Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu decided to take on the BJP when the Centre refused to give a special status to the State. Kerala has traditionally been a Communist stronghold while Tamil Nadu is still caught up with the two Dravidian parties, the DMK and AIADMK. Making inroads into the two States will be a difficult proposition for the BJP, but the party has already begun its spadework, keeping the future elections in mind. As for Telangana, Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao is fully entrenched now. Yet, the overall scenario is not conducive to the belief of secular parties. The Congress has realised it more than anybody else. That also sums up the reason for the partys High Command sending two veterans, Ghulam Nabi Azad and Ashok Gehlot, to Bengaluru to offer the partys support to H.D. Kumaraswamy to form the government. In the process, the Congress was able to keep the BJP out of the seat of power. The only possible hurdle in the entire plan, the outgoing Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, was taken on board before the party offered the leadership position to Kumaraswamy. This was in contrast to what happened in Goa, Manipur and Meghalaya where the BJP moved swiftly to form governments with its quick planning. Perhaps, this was something even the BJP would not have dreamt. At the time of writing, the ball is in the State Governors court. All depends on what he ultimately decides. As for the convention, the Governor has to ask the single largest party to form the government and prove its majority on the floor of the House. But the recent experience is not a happy one. The Congress had emerged as the single largest party both in Goa and Manipur. However, it was not invited to form the government. It is beyond any doubt that the JD(S) and Congress coalition have a clear majority. But this is only a post-poll arrangement which has no sanction. Normally, the pre-poll alliances between political parties are the safer options for Governors to trust and ensure formation of a stable government than the post-poll alliance, like the one now between the JD(S) and Congress. Indeed, this one is intended to stop the BJP from coming to power. Yet, the claims of the coalition over the number of MLAs, which will ultimately count, cannot be denied. The S.R. Bommai judgment clearly enunciates that the strength of the parties must be decided on the floor of the House and not at Raj Bhavan. In the present context, the ideal way to go forward is to convene the Assembly session as early as possible, appoint a pro-tem Speaker, administer oath to all the elected members, before asking both the contenders to prove their majority on the floor of the House. Whoever wins the confidence vote is entitled to be the Chief Minister. The Congress could have well averted a situation like this if only it had a tie-up with the JD(S) before the elections. Neither the Congress nor Siddaramaiah envisaged that in the last three decades, the people of Karnataka have never returned the party that was in power. The anti-incumbency factor has caught up with the outgoing Chief Minister. His first four years of mis-governance came to be counted. That he could win in only one of the two constituencies he had contested speaks volumes about his popularity with the people. As a result, the Congress has lost yet another State from its grasp. Its more than a coincidence that the party started losing ground ever since Rahul Gandhi has become the President. The Congress has no option except to have a new face at the top. But who will replace him remains the question. Ideally, Sonia Gandhi herself should re-occupy the office. The tag of being Italian is no longer there. The other option is Priyanka Vadra if the choice is to be confined to the dynasty. There are other leaders available but the party is so much linked with the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty that no other person qualifies. The tragedy is that the people of India have moved away from the dynasty, but the party has not from its thinking. The Karnataka election will certainly have repercussions for the future of Indian politics. Even though Prime Minister Modi has emerged as the countrys most popular politician, he or, for that matter, the BJP cannot be absolutely sure of its prospects in 2019. 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 > Victory of Post-Poll Alliance in Karnataka: Victory for the Constitutional (...) by S.N. Sahu Long years back, while replying to a debate in the Constituent Assembly, Dr B.R. Ambedkar had very thoughtfully said that Indian democracy would produce many impossibles. What happened in Karanataka, in terms of the Governor inviting the leader of the single largest partyBJPto take oath as the Chief Minister even as the Congress-JD(S) combine staked claim on the basis of the majority of MLAs on their side gave the impression that the BJP would be able to manage the majority and it would be impossible for the post-poll Congress and JD(S) alliance to form the government. There seemed to be everything going against the post-poll alliance as the Governor extended the invitation to Yeddyurappa to take oath as the Chief Minister and gave him fifteen days to prove his majority even though, as per media reports, Yeddyurappa wanted only seven days to do so. The manner in which the invitation was extended by the Governor at 9 pm and Yeddyurappa was asked to take oath as the Chief Minister at 9.30 am next day left hardly any scope for the Congress-JD(S) combine to move the Supreme Court in the middle of the night to challenge the decision of the Governor to invite Yeddyurappa to form the government. Questionable Role Played by the Karnataka Governor The role played by the Governor raised many questions and the legal and moral basis of his actions were found to be weak. In the process the institution of the Governor was considerably weakened and diminished by the actions of the Governor who unmistakably appeared to be motivated by partisan considerations. It was inconsistent with the vision of the framers of the Constituent Assembly who envisioned the Governor to be impartial, neutral and independent constitutional post taking oath to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution. It was also incompatible with Mahatma Gandhis utterances of December 12, 1947 that theirs (Governors) must be an all pervasive moral influence in their provinces. The fact that in the past many Governors had not lived by the high values and vision associated with the office of the Governor is no excuse to justify the infractions committed by the present Governor of Karnataka. The widespread questioning of the decision of the Governor including in the apex court speaks of his doubtful credibility to live by the oath he has taken to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution. Fear of Poaching of Congress and JD(S) MLAs Apprehensions were expressed in many quarters that elected MLAs of the Congress and JD(S) would be influenced by the BJP to come to its side and support the government headed by Yeddyurappa even at the risk of violating the provisions of the Anti-Defection Law and getting disqualified in lieu of pecuniary considerations. Some audio tapes played in some TV channels clearly prove the point that the MLAs of the post-poll alliance were lured to break away from their original parties and support the BJP for getting many favours including some ministerial berths. Shri Ram Madhav, while participating in a discussion in a TV channel on the possibility of the BJP forming the government in Karnataka in spite of inadequate MLAs in its fold, famously replied that the BJP has Shri Amit Shah to take care. Alertness and Reflexive Action on the part of Congress at the Political Level In such a situation what turned the table against the BJP was sheer alertness and sharp reflexive action on the part of the Congress leadership led by Ghulam Nabi Azad to unconditionally extend support to the JD(S) to form the government before the Election Commission formally announced and notified the election results and stake claim before the Governor of Karnataka that they had majority support to form a stable government. Such sharp and reflexive action on the part of the Congress leaders stood in contrast to what it did in Goa where it did not stake claim to form the government even as it emerged as the single largest party after the election results were announced in that State. In fact when the BJP Government was formed in Goa based on the post-poll alliance it forged and acquired majority, the Congress party moved the Supreme Court challenging the decision of the Governor and arguing the point that as the single largest party it should have been invited to form the government. When the Supreme Court observed that the Congress party did not even stake claim to form the government, the latter had no explanation to offer. Eventually it moved a substantive motion in the Rajya Sabha under the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business to discuss the conduct of the Goa Governor in not asking the single largest party to form the government. The then Chairman, Rajya Sabha, M. Hamid Ansari, admitted the motion but could not give time to discuss it in the House as the Rules required that the Chairman may discuss with the Leader of the House and allot time but for some inexplicable reason the Leader of the House, Arun Jaitley, did not indicate the time in spite of several reminders by the Congress leaders to do so. As a result the substantive motion to discuss the conduct of the Goa Governor could not be taken up. All those developments heavily weighed in the minds of the Congress leaders and they wasted no time in forging a post-poll alliance with the JD(S) and staking claim with the Governor to form the government. Sharp and Reflexive Action to move the judiciary The sharp reflex action and alertness on the part of the Congress leaders was evident at the political level and it was blended nicely and strategically with their quick and brilliant initiatives to move the Supreme Court in the middle of the night to challenge the Governors decision to invite Yeddyurappa to take oath as the Chief Minister. It was a master-stroke and one must acknowledge that the Supreme Court responded with adequate judicial sensitivity by constituting a Bench and hearing the parties concerned till morning and giving an order that a pro tem Speaker be appointed to conduct the floor test, that the 15 days time given by the Governor to Yeddyurappa to prove majority be reduced to a mere two days and asking the Chief Minister not to nominate five Anglo-Indian members to the Karnataka State Assembly. The alertness and vigilance maintained on the part of the Congress and JD(S) to keep their elected MLAs together and make them immune to poaching by the BJP to ensure the necessary strength to prove majority on the floor of the House also contributed to fortify their resolve to unitedly sustain their post-poll alliance. Yeddyurappas Resignation proved his Claim of Majority Support Hollow The resignation of Shri Yeddyurappa after delivering an emotional speech in the Karnataka Assembly and without facing the floor test proved beyond reasonable that his claim of majority support for his party was a hoax and constituted a hollow claim and Governors assessment to the effect that he extended invitation to the BJP leader after satisfying that prima facie he would form a stable Government was hopelessly erroneous and contrary to the law and convention established in this regard. Constitutional Methods Ensured Victory for post-poll Alliance in Karnataka and can Counter Communal and Fascist Forces The victory of Congress and JD(S) alliance in Karnataka indicates that the fascist and communal forces can be checkmated by sheer alertness and vigilance in taking prompt action in combination with secular forces and formations and strategic use of institutions enshrined in the Constitution. All such methods, which enabled the post-poll alliance to register triumph in Karnataka and snatch victory from the jaws of defeat, proves right the prediction of Dr Ambedkar that Indian democracy would produce many impossibles. The victory achieved in Karnataka by the post-poll alliance was based on employment of the constitutional method in contrast to the uncons-titutional method adopted by the authorities to invite Yeddyurappa who had not got the support of the majority of members. Dr Ambedkar his last speech in the Constituent Assembly stressed on adoption of the constitutional method and urged the nation to remain wedded to it to achieve the objectives of the Constitution and cautioned that any other method contrary to the constitutional method would result in the grammar of anarchy. In fact the grammar of anarchy wrought by the communal and fascist forces in twentyfirst century India has to be countered by widespread adoption of the constitutional method which, as Professor Amartya Sen and Jean Drez in their book An Uncertain Glory: India and its Contradictions said, deepens public reasoning and helps to use democracy and democratic methods more creatively for achieving the goals enshrined in the Constitution. This is the larger meaning and significance of the victory of the post-poll alliance in Karnataka. The author served as an Officer on Special Duty and the Press Secretary to the former President of India, late K.R. Narayanan. Home > Archives (2006 on) > 2018 > Putin - Modi Summit at Sochi: New Informality in India-Russia (...) by Ajay Patnaik The following article has been written against the backdrop of the summit meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Sochi on May 21, 2018. Key developments in India-Russia relationship India has had very close relations with the Soviet Union, which continues with its successor state Russia. Today the relationship is called Privileged Strategic Partnership. The Russian vector also helps India to contest some of the negative trends in the international order in the post-Cold War era. The friendship continued unabated even if both the countries were diversifying their relations towards the West, particularly with the United States in the 1990s. There are qualitative changes in the nature of defence relations between the two states. From being a market of Soviet arms, today both are jointly producing military hardware and intend to sell it to third countries. The BrahMos Missile System and the licensed production in India of the SU-30 aircraft and T-90 tanks are examples of such new trajectory of cooperation. Russia agreed to supply latest weapons like S-400 air defence systems and construct frigates. Both sides also agreed to form a joint venture to manufacture Ka-226T helicopters in India.1 Of course, India still uses Russian origin tanks, aircraft, helicopters, aircraft carrier, ammunition and other systems. However, programmes such as the joint development or outright purchase of the Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft and Multi-role Transport Aircraft, as also the up-gradation of the Su-30 MKI aircraft, are the new ones that would take the defence relations to a new level.2 Since 2003, the Indian and Russian naval forces have been alternatively involved in a military exercise called the Indra. The 2017 exercises in October-November involved all three branches of the military in Vladivostok, Russia. India and Russia also held a separate counterterrorism exercise under the Indra framework involving land forces of both countries with about 500 military personnel near Vladivostok in October 2016.3 The regular joint military exercise Indra 2016 was held in the Ussiriysk district in Vladivostok from September 22 till October 2, 2016. India is part of some multilateral organisations in which Russia is a leading or founding member. SCO and BRICS are examples of such cooperation. In fact, Russia has been instru-mental in drawing New Delhi to those organisations. India has also shown interest in a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement with the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU), led by Russia in the post-Soviet space. Being a major energy importer, India attaches great significance to Russia. There have been improve-ments in relations in this sector since the ONGC-Videsh Limited acquired 20 per cent stake in the Sakhalin-I oil and gas project in Russia in 2001. Major investments by Indian companies in the Russian energy sector, apart from the Sakhalin-I ($ 2.2 billion), include acquisition of the Imperial Energy (US $ 2.1 billion) of Russia. Given the priority both countries give to their relationship, Indias investment is picking up momentum as was demonstrated in the second and third quarters of 2016, with Indian companies investing close to US $ 5.5 billion in Russias Oil and Gas sector.4 During the 17th Annual Summit between the Russian President and Indian Prime Minister in 2016, both sides agreed on a joint study for a possible gas pipeline from Russia to India. Engineers India Limited and Gazprom were identified for this purpose. Other agreements included: Education and Training programmes between Indias ONGC Videsh Limited and Rosneft Oil of Russia; Programme of Cooperation (PoC) in the Field of Oil and Gas for the period 2017-18; and the Sale and Purchase Agreement between Rosneft and Essar of India for acquisition of 49 per cent stake in Essar Oil Limited. According to the Ministry of External Affairs of India, both countries are working towards realisation of an Energy Bridge between the two countries, which is based on robust civil nuclear cooperation, LNG sourcing, partnership in the Oil and Gas sector, and engagement in renewable energy sources.5 Trade between Russia and India has been an area of concern, though both are strategic partners and long-standing friends. Given the level of trade, it was natural that leaders of both countries would talk about it and set some targets. Russian President Vladimir Putin highlighted this during his visit to India in December 2012, when he announced that the goal is to take the bilateral trade from $ 10 billion to $ 20 billion by 2015. In December 2014, the trade target of US$ 30 billion by 2025 was set when the leaders of both countries met. Yet, bilateral trade during 2015 amounted to US$ 7.83 billion, with Indian exports amounting to US$ 2.26 billion and imports from Russia amounting to US$ 5.57 billion. Bilateral trade even declined by 2016. Though the Strategic Partnership between Russia and India was upgraded to Privileged Strategic Partnership during Putins visit to New Delhi in 2010, trade incidentally has not kept pace with the qualitative changes in the political and strategic relations.6 However, both countries need to go beyond the trade issues to global and regional issues that would be of long-term concern. The current US Administration brings back memories of unilateral invasions and sanctions that were seen at the beginning of this century. Against the backdrop of the US withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal, the visit of the Indian Prime Minister to Russia on May 21, 2018 could not have been at a more critical time. Following President Trumps declaration of withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal on May 8, his Secretary of State Mike Pompeo threatened Iran with strongest sanctions in history. The unilateral withdrawal from the deal is symbolic of what the current US Administration thinks about the global order. Not just unilateralism, the agenda of regime change is being aggressively pursued. On every pretext and on the basis of unverified claims, Syria is being bombed. The leaders of North Korea and Iran have been conveyed that their survival may be at stake if they dont carter to the US list of demands. It appears that there is again a strong push to create a unipolar world order under American leadership. In this context, the Indian Prime Ministers visit to Russia for informal talks makes sense. On many issues, formal talks would possibly create difficulties in relations with the United States. On some other issues, China might feel unhappy. In any case, India-Russia relations needed to move on to a higher level to really call it privileged and strategic partnership. Global Order The beginning of this century saw emerging major regional players like Russia, China and India feeling uncomfortable with the unipolar world order and unilateralism that was being pursued by America and its allies in the 1990s. Following the US invasion of Afghanistan, other countries have been subjected to forced regime changesIraq and Libya for example. The same attempt is being made in Syria as well. The emerging powers have been against unilateral actions without the sanction of the United Nations. One of the major outcomes of the failure of the US-led global order was the coming together of emerging powers in the form of a global organisation called BRICS. Since its first summit, BRICS has reiterated its commitment to build a multipolar world order. It has been highly critical of the unilateral moves by Western powers to remove leaders of sovereign states. BRICS opposes Western attempts to place new limits on sovereignty and is highly suspicious of Western claims that sovereignty can be trumped by so-called universal principles of the humanitarian and anti-proliferation variety. In short, Russia and India along with other BRICS members are natural allies in their search for a new world order where the voices from the South would carry weight without fear of reprisals from the West or their actions in the international arena would be free from any fear of Western reaction. The other issue that brought the BRICS countries together was their growing frustration at the lack of reforms in the Bretton Wood institutions and the UNSC, and at the attempt to impose a hegemonic unipolar global order. The BRICS countries have been taking steps to develop alternative institutions like the New Development Bank (NDB) and Contingency Reserve Arrangement, which will be giving loans without resorting to conditionalities, in contrast to what the IMF and World Bank do. At the same time there are differences between emerging powers. For example, India is keen to become a permanent member of the UNSC and NSG, but is unable to find support from China. Beijing has blocked New Delhis bid even though a majority of the NSG members back Indias entry into the organisation, which controls nuclear commerce between member-states. India hopes Russia as a close friend of China should help India in this regard. Regional Order Russia and India are plagued by the dangers of terrorism and extremism, which threaten their social stability and territorial integrity. This is an area of cooperation, and in this sphere Russia and India have been cooperating within the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organi-sation. One of the main reasons for Indias interest in the SCO has been multilateral cooperation in the fight against terrorism. India joined the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) as an observer. It applied for full member-ship in 2014 and became a full member at the Astana Summit of the SCO on June 8-9, 2017. However, on the issue of terrorism as well, India-China differences are visible. From Indias perspective China has a double standard when it comes to Pakistan-based terrorists targeting India. New Delhis efforts to get some individuals like Masood Azhar, based in Pakistan, to be named as terrorists by the United Nations have faced resistance from China. Beijing has blocked every move by India in the UN Security Council. From Indias point of view, China has been ignoring Pakistan-backed terrorist activities in Kashmir. Though Russia supports Indias case on the issues of UNSC reform and Kashmir, it has so far not been able to bring one of its key partners, China, on board regarding Indias security concerns. The China-Pakistan nexus has always come in the way of bilateral and multilateral engagement between New Delhi and Beijing. This could affect negatively Indias relations with Russia as well. Russias interest in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) may not go down well with India. Instead, India would like Russia to do more on the International North-South Transportation Corridor (INSTC), which is progressing at a slow pace, while CPEC is moving on a faster track. India, like China, has also shown interest in a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement with the EEU, but for years nothing has come about on this. If China manages to break a deal between its BRI and EEU, India has reasons to feel aggrieved with Russia.7 India also has serious misgivings about Russias efforts to rope in Pakistan to negotiate with the Taliban for keeping the ISIS out and move towards a peace settlement in Afghanistan. In the last two years, Russia has been hosting talks to resolve the Afghan crisis, including the Moscow-Islamabad-Beijing summit in December 2016 and a multi-nation conference involving the Central Asian states, Iran, India and Afghan representatives in April 2017. In the process, Pakistan has not only received diplomatic prominence but also military equipment from Russia. Already the first joint military exercise by Russia and Pakistan called Druzhba 2016 from September 24 till October 7 and supply of four helicopters to Islamabad had raised hackles in Delhi. Though in the face of mounting concerns in India, Russia announced that no such exercise would be held in future, the whole episode did introduce some irritants in the relationship. (Pakistan is set to receive four Mi-35 attack helicopters from Russia for $ 153 million in 2017.) Russias interest in the CPEC and Gwadar port, both being built and operated by China, is fuelling speculation in India that the Russia-China geopolitical synergy may be at the cost of India. India and Chinas Silk Road Strategy On May 8, 2015 Putin and Xi Jinping, in a joint statement in Moscow, agreed on the cooperation between the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and the economic belt of the Silk Road. In this document, Beijing actually supported the activities of the EAEU.8 The One Belt, One Road (OBOR) initiative, also known as Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), is supposed to cover 60 countries over the world and China plans to invest $ 890 billion into more than 900 projects in these countries. Of this amount, $ 40 billion is to be invested in infrastructure for trade routes from western China through Central Asia and Russia to the Middle East and Europe.9 Russia also attaches great importance to the Belt and Road Initiative and it would like to further link it with Russias Eurasian Economic Union.10 Indias reluctance to join the OBOR is mainly because of the CPEC, which violates Indias sovereignty as the project covers the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) region. The OBOR would massively strengthen Chinas economic, political and security influence in Indias neighbourhood. The disconnect between Russia and India on this issue is quite clear. Putin attended the BRI Forum on May 14, 2017 and Russia has shown interest in connectivity through the CPEC and wants closer cooperation between Chinas BRI and the Russia-led Eurasian Economic Union. Since the CPEC riles India more than anything so far as Chinas activities in the region are concerned, New Delhi expected a less enthu-siastic response from Russia to such Chinese moves. Indias Silk Road Strategy The India-Pakistan-China triangular dynamics also impact on Indias policy towards Eurasia. Many Indian specialists believe that Chinese efforts have been to tie India down to South Asia so that India is less able to purposefully engage with Central Asia or other regions outside the subcontinent. Chinas clandestine help to build Pakistans nuclear and missile capability is cited as an example of this Chinese strategy. Two other major projects, the Kara-koram highway and Gwadar deep-sea port, are also seen as Chinas attempt to create a win-win situation for itself and Pakistan. The recent Chinese statement on the Silk Road (BRI) includes these projects, which is why India is not keen on participating in Chinas BRI/OBOR project. Indias engagement with the Eurasian region has faced obstacles due to lack of land access routes, competing interests of China and the US hostility towards Iran. To overcome the accessibility problem, two routes are becoming very important for India. New Delhi has invested in two projects that have placed it well to take advantage of a larger Eurasian market. These two projects are the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) and the Chabahar Port project. This will open up two access routes for India, which may constitute part of Indias Silk Road Strategy. India needs to focus on a Act North Policy to better articulate its Eurasian strategy. The International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) is a multi-nation transport project that would radically reduce the cargo transportation time and cost between India on one side and Central Asia and Russia on the other, with Iran being the pivot. In 2000, Russia, Iran and India signed an agreement in St. Petersburg to develop this route. Today it has thirteen members and one observer. The North-South Transport Corridor can link Mumbai to St. Petersburg, with reduction in cost and time.11 A dry run was conducted by India with the help of Russia, Iran and Azerbaijan in August 2014 to test the routes readiness and cost-effectiveness. Following this an Indian delegation visited Iran in January 2015 to assess the progress made after the dry run. The delegation was reportedly happy to see the progress including the turnaround time for vessels, which is now 24/48 hours at Shahid Rajaee Terminal in Iran. It is reported that the INSTC would reduce the transit time by 40 per cent and cost by 30 per cent to the CIS and Russia as compared to the traditional route via St. Petersburg. This means movement of goods from India to Russia would take 16-21 days at competitive freight rates.12 There is another route to Eurasia that is being promoted by India through the Chabahar port in Iran to Afghanistan and then onward to Eurasia. India and Iran had agreed to develop this port in 2003. Chabahar Port in Iran is meant to give India access to Afghanistan and Central Asia bypassing Pakistan and also give Afghanistan access to warm waters. In October 2014, India approved the frame-work of an inter-governmental Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for setting up an US$ 85.21 million joint venture firm for equipping two fully constructed berths at Chabahar port Phase-I project for a period of ten years, which could be renewed by mutual agreement. The same year, a Joint Venture was created involving two Indian entities, Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust and the Kandla Port Trust. An annual revenue expenditure of $ 22.95 million to support operational activities of the Indian Joint Venture was also approved.13 The port will be developed through a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), which is a joint venture of the Kandla Port Trust (KPT) and Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT). The SPV will invest US $ 85.21 million to convert the berths into a container terminal and a multi-purpose cargo terminal. The port will be also used to ship crude oil and urea, saving India transportation costs. It will also cut transport costs and freight time for India to Central Asia and the Gulf by about a third.14 During the visit of the Indian Road Transport and Highways Minister to Iran in May 2015, both countries signed an MoU that enables Indian and Iranian commercial entities to commence negotiations towards finalisation of a commercial contract under which Indian firms will lease two existing berths at the port and operationalise them as container and multi-purpose cargo terminals.15 During Indian Prime Minister Modis visit to Tehran in May 2016, there were several agreements, which included the extension of a credit line by India for the development of infrastructure related to Chabahar, an agreement to establish a trade transport corridor, further Indian assistance in building the rail infras-tructure to improve Afghanistans connectivity via Iran. The problem of market-size in Eurasia is being addressed through the creation of a Eurasian Economic Union/Customs Union, which could open up a much bigger market for India in that region.16 India and Russia have been trying to plug the gaps to overcome low bilateral trade for a number of years with modest success. A common Eurasian market would address that problem by creating a rich and diverse market of larger size. India initiated a study to work out a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agree-ment (CEPA), an omnibus free trade agreement with the Customs Union. India and Russia have decided to jointly study the possibility of India joining the grouping. Before the visit of President Putin to Delhi to attend the 15th annual India-Russia summit on December 10-11, 2014, a Russian-Indian working group was established in November 2014. This was to help the process move forward within the Eurasian Economic Commission, which is the permanent regulatory agency of the Customs Union and the Eurasian Economic Community.17 India plans to link the INSTC with other projects in the region, such as the 2011 Ashgabat Agreement to develop a transit corridor initially connecting Uzbekistan, Iran, Turkmenistan and Oman. For Indias energy security and connectivity with Eurasian countries, Iran is a pivotal country. Iran is the third largest exporter of oil to India in 2017-18. In April 2018, and India remains after China the largest oil market for Iran. Because of the terms offered by Teheran, New Delhi had planned to double its crude oil imports for oil refineries in India.18 Even during the earlier sanctions regime against Iran, oil imports from that country continued and payments were made through sale of goods from India and Iran was allowed to have rupee account against its exports to India. Today, when the sanctions again loom large against Iran, Indias interests are going to be severely dented. It cannot just give up on oil imports, nor can it look away from transportation corridors through Iran. Russia has been one of the key powers instrumental in the signing of the nuclear deal with Iran. US actions against Iran would be a huge geopolitical negative for Russia in West Asia. Conclusion Though there are areas of concern, like on the issues of Sino-Pak nexus, Chinas position on Indias entry into certain multilateral organi-sations, Chinas Silk Road Project in disputed areas etc., New Delhi would lean heavily on Russia to address some of these issues. In fact, the recent visit of the Indian Prime Minister to Russia is like a reset after leaning too heavily on the US under the Trump Administration. The threat of strongest sanctions in history might bring together countries like India, Russia and China to resist this latest American move. Their commitment to a multipolar world order is going to be severely tested and Indias Prime Ministers visit to Moscow augurs well for emerging countries. The informality of the discussions makes one conclude that contentious issues concerning some of Indias neighbours on which New Delhi feels that Russia can play the role of a catalyst may have been part of the dialogue. More important, the immediate issue of potential sanctions against Iran and its impact on both Russia and India would have been also taken up. Endnotes 1. India-Russia Relations, Ministry of External Affairs of India website, https://www.mea.gov.in/Portal/ForeignRelation/India_Russia_Relation_DEC2016.pdf~ 2. Amit Cowshish, Indias Defence Trade with Russia, Institute of Defence Studies and Analysis (IDSA), December 22, 2015, http://www.idsa.in/idsacomments/indias-defence-trade-with-russia_acowshish_221215 3. Franz-Stefan Gady, India, Russia to Upgrade Joint Military Exercise, The Diplomat, Eurasia Institute, May 9, 2017, http://thediplomat.com/2017/05/india-russia-to-upgrade-joint-military-exercise/ 4. Overview Of India-Russia Economic Cooperation, Embassy of India in Moscow, http://indianembassy.ru/index.php? option=com_content&view=article&id=705 &Itemid=705&lang=en 5. India-Russia Relations, Ministry of External Affairs of India website, https://www.mea.gov.in/Portal/ForeignRelation/India_Russia_Relation_DEC2016.pdf~ 6. The Hindu, December 24, 2012. 7. For a detailed analysis of Indias Silk Road Strategy, see, Ajay Patnaik, Central Asia: Geopolitics, Security and Stability, Routledge, Abingdon/New York, 2016. 8. Alexander Lukin, Rising China and the future of Russia, Interviewed by Andrei Zavadsky, 29/6/15, available on MGIMO website archives, http://old.mgimo.ru/news/experts/document275870.phtml 9. Cholpon Orozobekova, Can Chinas Ambitious OBOR Mesh With Russian Plans in Eurasia?, The Diplomat, November 9, 2016. http://thediplomat.com/2016/11/can-chinas-ambitious-obor-mesh-with-russian-plans-in-eurasia/ 10. China, Russia agree to further expand investment, energy cooperation, Xinhua, April 13, 2017, http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2017-04/13/c_136206684.htm 11. Rajeev Sharma, Transport Corridor offers many opportunities for Indo-Russian trade, Russia & India Report, November 29, 2012. http://indrus.in/articles/2012/11/29/northsouth_transport_corridor_offers_many_ opportunities_for_indo-ru_19421.html) 12. Indian Delegation visits Iran on International North South Transport Corridor Study for new potential routes to Russia and CIS destinations, Daily Shipping Times, January 16, 2015. http://www.dailyshipping-times.com/news-upload/upload/fullnews.php?fn_id=9490; India starts testing North-South water transit corridor, SvobodnayaPressa, August 26, 2014, cited in Russia & India Report. http://in.rbth.com/economics/2014/08/26/india_starts_testing_north south_water_transit_corridor_37813.html) 13. India, Iran sign pact on developing Chabahar port, Press Trust of India, cited in IBN Live, May 6, 2015. http://ibnlive.in.com/news/india-iran-sign-pact-on-developing-chabahar-port/544113-3.html 14. India-Iran Strategic Chabahar Port to be Operational by December 2016, Will Give Access to Afghanistan, Central Asia, NDTV, India, May 24, 2015. http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/india-iran-strategic-chabahar-port-to-be-operational-by-december-2016-wii-give-access-to-afghanistan-765599 15. India, Iran sign pact on developing Chabahar port, Press Trust of India. 16. The Eurasian Union came into existence from January 1, 2015. With a total population of almost 200 million people and a (PPP) GDP of over $4trillion, the Eurasian Union would be a strong economic bloc. The Eurasian Union: Putins Answer to the EU, The Huffington Post, February 2, 2015. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/christopher-atamian/the-eurasian-union-putins_b_6585578.html?ir=India&adsSite-Override=in 17. Shruti Srivastava, FTA with Customs Union on the table during Putin visit, The Indian Express, December 9, 2014. 18. India plans to nearly double oil imports from Iran: Sources, The Times of India, April 6, 2018. Prof Ajay Patnaik, who is a specialist on Russia and Central Asia, is the Dean, School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. Gold Junior Stocks GDXJ ETF Fundamentals The junior gold miners have largely been shunned over the past year or so, condemned to listlessly drift near lows. Their stock prices have suffered serious collateral damage from stubbornly-bearish gold sentiment. But they are faring much better under the hood than their battered visages suggest, with their latest quarterly results revealing strong fundamentals. Juniors are ready to soar when gold sentiment turns. Four times a year publicly-traded companies release treasure troves of valuable information in the form of quarterly reports. Companies trading in the States are required to file 10-Qs with the US Securities and Exchange Commission by 45 calendar days after quarter-ends. Canadian companies have similar requirements. In other countries with half-year reporting, many companies still partially report quarterly. The definitive list of elite junior gold stocks to analyze comes from the worlds most-popular junior-gold-stock investment vehicle. This week the GDXJ VanEck Vectors Junior Gold Miners ETF reported $4.6b in net assets. Among all gold-stock ETFs, that was second only to GDXs $7.6b. That is GDXJs big-brother ETF that includes larger major gold miners. GDXJs popularity testifies to the great allure of juniors. Unfortunately this fame created serious problems for GDXJ over the past couple years, resulting in a major mission change. This ETF is quite literally the victim of its own success. GDXJ grew so large in the first half of 2016 as gold stocks soared in a massive upleg that it risked running afoul of Canadian securities laws. And most of the worlds smaller gold miners and explorers trade on Canadian stock exchanges. Since Canada is the center of the junior-gold universe, any ETF seeking to own this sector will have to be heavily invested there. But once any investor including an ETF buys up a 20%+ stake in any Canadian stock, it is legally deemed to be a takeover offer that must be extended to all shareholders! As capital flooded into GDXJ in 2016 to gain junior-gold exposure, its ownership in smaller components soared near 20%. Obviously hundreds of thousands of investors buying shares in an ETF have no intention of taking over gold-mining companies, no matter how big their collective stakes. Thats a totally-different scenario than a single corporate investor buying 20%+. GDXJs managers shouldve lobbied Canadian regulators and lawmakers to exempt ETFs from that 20% takeover rule. But instead they chose an inferior, easier fix. Since GDXJs issuer controls the junior-gold-stock index underlying its ETF, it simply chose to unilaterally redefine what junior gold miners are. It rejiggered its index to fill GDXJs ranks with larger intermediate gold miners, while greatly demoting true smaller junior gold miners in terms of their ETF weightings. This controversial move defying many decades of convention was done stealthily behind the scenes to avoid outrage. Theres no formal definition of a junior gold miner, which gives cover to GDXJs managers pushing the limits. Major gold miners are generally those that produce over 1m ounces of gold annually. For decades juniors were considered to be sub-200k-ounce producers. So 300k ounces per year is a very-generous threshold. Anything between 300k to 1m ounces annually is in the mid-tier realm, where GDXJ now traffics. That high 300k-ounce-per-year junior cutoff translates into 75k ounces per quarter. Following the end of the gold miners Q118 earnings season in mid-May, I dug into the top 34 GDXJ components results. Thats just an arbitrary number that fits neatly into the tables below. Although GDXJ included a staggering 73 component stocks in mid-May, the top 34 accounted for a commanding 80.1% of its total weighting. Out of these top 34 GDXJ companies, only 5 primary gold miners met that sub-75k-ounces-per-quarter qualification to be a junior gold miner! Their quarterly production is highlighted in blue below, and they collectively accounted for just 10.3% of GDXJs total weighting. But even that is really overstated, as 3 of these are long-time traditional major silver miners that are increasingly diversifying into gold in recent years. GDXJ is inarguably now a pure mid-tier gold-miner ETF. That would be great if GDXJ was advertised as such. But its very misleading if investors still believe this dominant Junior Gold Miners ETF still gives exposure to junior gold miners. I suspect the vast majority of GDXJ shareholders have no idea just how radically its holdings have changed since early 2016, and how much it has strayed from its original mission. Ive been doing these deep quarterly dives into GDXJs top components for years now. In Q118, fully 30 of the top 34 GDXJ components were also GDX components! These ETFs are separate, a Gold Miners ETF and a Junior Gold Miners ETF. So theres no reason for them to own many of the same companies. In the tables below I highlighted the symbols of rare GDXJ components not also in GDX in yellow. These 30 GDX components accounted for 75.0% of GDXJs total weighting, not just its top 34. They also represented 31.4% of GDXs total weighting. So 3/4ths of this Junior Gold Miners ETF is made up of nearly a third of the major Gold Miners ETF! These GDXJ components in GDX start at the 12th-highest weighting in that latter larger ETF and extend down to 45th. Do investors know GDXJ is mostly GDX gold stocks? Fully 11 of GDXJs top 17 components werent even in this ETF a year ago in Q117. They alone now account for 34.6% of its total weighting. 16 of the top 34 are new, or 43.4% of the total. In the tables below, I highlighted the symbols of companies that werent in GDXJ a year ago in light blue. GDXJ has changed radically, and analyzing its top components Q118 results largely devoid of real juniors is frustrating. Nevertheless, GDXJ remains the leading junior-gold benchmark. So every quarter I wade through tons of data from its top components 10-Qs or 10-Ks, and dump it into a big spreadsheet for analysis. The highlights made it into these tables. Most of these top 34 GDXJ gold miners trade in the US and Canada where comprehensive quarterly reporting is required by regulators, but some trade in Australia and the UK. There regulators only mandate companies to report in half-year increments. Fortunately many of those gold miners still do tend to issue production reports without financial statements each quarter. But there are wide variations in reporting styles, data presented, and release timing. Blank fields in these tables mean a company hadnt reported that data for Q118 as of this Wednesday, after Q1 earnings seasons end. The first couple columns of these tables show each GDXJ components symbol and weighting within this ETF as of mid-May. While the majority of these stocks trade on US exchanges, many symbols are listings from companies primary foreign stock exchanges. Thats followed by each gold miners Q118 production in ounces, which is mostly in pure-gold terms. That excludes byproduct metals often present in gold ore. These are mostly silver and base metals like copper, which are valuable. They are sold to offset some of the considerable costs of gold mining, lowering per-ounce costs and thus raising overall profitability. In cases where companies didnt separate out gold and lumped all production into gold-equivalent ounces, these GEOs are included instead. Then productions absolute year-over-year change from Q117 is shown. Next comes gold miners most-important fundamental data for investors, cash costs and all-in sustaining costs per ounce mined. The latter directly drives profitability which ultimately determines stock prices. These key costs are also followed by YoY changes. Last but not least the annual changes are shown in operating cash flows generated, hard GAAP earnings, sales, and cash on hand with a couple exceptions. Percentage changes arent relevant or meaningful if data shifted from positive to negative or vice versa, or if derived from two negative numbers. So in those cases I included raw underlying data rather than weird or misleading percentage changes. This whole dataset together offers a fantastic high-level read on how the mid-tier gold miners are faring fundamentally as an industry. And that was really well in Q118! Once again the light-blue-highlighted symbols are new top-34 GDXJ components that werent included a year ago in Q117. And the few yellow-highlighted symbols are the only stocks that were not also GDX components in mid-May. Despite still being advertised as a Junior Gold Miners ETF, in reality GDXJ is now a mid-tier gold miners ETF. Thats fine if investors realize this, but misleading if theyre unaware. Having such massive overlap between GDXJ and GDX is a huge lost opportunity for VanEck. It owns and manages GDX, GDXJ, and the MVIS indexing company that decides exactly which gold stocks are included in each. With one company in total control, theres no need for any overlap in the underlying companies of what should be two very-different gold-stock ETFs. Inclusion ought to be mutually-exclusive. VanEck could greatly increase the utility of its gold-stock ETFs and thus their ultimate success by starting with one big combined list of the worlds better gold miners. Then it could take the top 20 or 25 in terms of annual gold production and assign them to GDX. Based on Q118 production, that would run down near 129k to 89k ounces per quarter. Then the next-largest 30 or 40 gold miners could be assigned to GDXJ. Getting smaller gold miners back into GDXJ would be a huge boon for the junior-gold-mining industry. Most investors naturally assume this Junior Gold Miners ETF owns junior gold miners, which is where they are trying to allocate their capital. But since most of GDXJs funds are instead diverted into much-larger mid-tiers and even some majors, the juniors are effectively being starved of capital intended for them. Thats one of the big reasons smaller gold miners stock prices are so darned low. They arent getting enough capital inflows from gold-stock-ETF investing. So their share prices arent bid higher. They rely on issuing shares to finance their exploration projects and mine builds. But when their stock prices are down in the dumps, that is heavily dilutive. So GDXJ is strangling the very industry its investors want to own! Back to Q118 results, production is the best place to start since thats the heart of the whole gold-mining industry. These top 34 GDXJ gold miners collectively produced 3986k ounces of gold last quarter, which rocketed 90.2% higher YoY! But because of GDXJs huge component changes over the past year, this comparison is meaningless. Thankfully Q118 should be the last quarter straddling this epic discontinuity. It was the second quarter of 2017 when GDXJs constituency list was radically altered to look much more like todays. Many smaller gold-mining stocks were demoted or booted to make way for the parade of much-larger imports from GDX. So when this current quarters results are released this summer, GDXJs year-over-year comparisons should be back on apples-to-apples footing. That will be nice after a year of turmoil. For all GDXJs faults, it does still offer investors exposure to much-smaller gold miners. Last week I did a similar analysis with the top GDX components Q118 results. Their quarterly production averaged 279k ounces, well into major territory above 1m annually. But the top 34 GDXJ miners comparable number was 121k ounces, which is about 57% smaller. This is solidly into the mid-tier realm, a different focus than GDX. This current list of GDXJs top miners are actually growing their gold production nicely, with an average gain of 7.7% YoY. That is about double the 3.8% of GDXs top miners in Q1. Its much easier to grow off smaller bases. Generally the smaller the gold miners in market-capitalization and production terms, and the faster they are growing, the more stock-price appreciation potential they have when sentiment is favorable. With todays set of top-34 GDXJ gold miners achieving such impressive production growth, their costs per ounce shouldve declined proportionally. Higher production yields more gold to spread minings big fixed costs across. And lower per-ounce costs naturally lead to higher profits. So production growth is highly sought after by gold-stock investors, with companies able to achieve it commanding premium prices. There are two major ways to measure gold-mining costs, classic cash costs per ounce and the superior all-in sustaining costs per ounce. Both are useful metrics. Cash costs are the acid test of gold-miner survivability in lower-gold-price environments, revealing the worst-case gold levels necessary to keep the mines running. All-in sustaining costs show where gold needs to trade to maintain current mining tempos indefinitely. Cash costs naturally encompass all cash expenses necessary to produce each ounce of gold, including all direct production costs, mine-level administration, smelting, refining, transport, regulatory, royalty, and tax expenses. In Q118, these top 34 GDXJ-component gold miners that reported cash costs averaged $692 per ounce. That surged a sharp 7.0% YoY, not what youd expect given the higher gold production. But these cash costs were skewed way higher by major South African gold miners that should never have been included in GDXJ. They are all way too big, and that country is suffering a nightmare scenario with an openly-racist government trying to steal all ownership away from anyone without black skin. So all the once-proud South African gold miners have serious problems on multiple fronts that look insurmountable. Due to technical challenges of very-deep mining and endless labor unrest, production is sliding at the big South African miners. That helped catapult cash costs at Sibanye Gold and Harmony Gold to truly-crazy levels of $1155 and $1215 per ounce in Q1! Excluding just these two outliers, the rest of these top 34 GDXJ miners had cash costs averaging $650. Thats up just 0.5% YoY and better than top GDX miners $667. Way more important than cash costs are the far-superior all-in sustaining costs. They were introduced by the World Gold Council in June 2013 to give investors a much-better understanding of what it really costs to maintain gold mines as ongoing concerns. AISCs include all direct cash costs, but then add on everything else that is necessary to maintain and replenish operations at current gold-production levels. These additional expenses include exploration for new gold to mine to replace depleting deposits, mine-development and construction expenses, remediation, and mine reclamation. They also include the corporate-level administration expenses necessary to oversee gold mines. All-in sustaining costs are the most-important gold-mining cost metric by far for investors, revealing gold miners true operating profitability. These top 34 GDXJ gold miners reporting AISCs saw their average slip 0.1% lower YoY to $923 per ounce in Q118. These dead-flat levels are very interesting considering the radically-different GDXJ component list over the past year. That also compares favorably with the GDX majors which have much-better economies of scale with more gold mines. Their AISCs averaged $884 in Q1, only 4.2% lower. And again those big South African gold miners skewed average GDXJ AISCs higher. While Harmony didnt report AISCs, Sibanyes surged to a scary $1336 per ounce! Cut that out, and the rest of these top 34 GDXJ gold miners average AISCs retreat to $904. Gold miners generally have higher costs in Q1s too, as thats when mine managers often choose to process lower-grade ores which retards gold production. Ores within gold deposits were certainly not created equal. Miners have to dig through lower-grade ores on the way to higher-grade stuff. Regardless of how much gold in the rock processed, the throughput of mines is fixed. Their mills can only process the same tonnages of rock quarter after quarter. So when lower-grade ore is sequenced, less gold is produced. The big fixed costs of mining are spread across fewer ounces. Gold miners game their ore grades, tending to collectively have the lowest production and thus highest costs in Q1s and the opposite in Q4s. These top GDXJ components total gold production fell 4.9% QoQ from Q417! I suspect the reason mine managers choose to process lower-grade ores early on in new years and higher-grade ores later is to maximize their year-end stock-price appreciation and hence bonuses! The mid-tier gold miners still-low costs last quarter prove they are faring far better fundamentally today than their low stock prices imply. All-in sustaining costs are effectively this industrys breakeven level. As long as gold stays above $923 per ounce, it remains profitable to mine. At Q118s average gold price of $1329, these top GDXJ gold miners were still actually earning big average profits of $406 per ounce. Thats up an impressive 37.2% YoY, as the top 34 GDXJ gold miners in Q117 had average AISCs of $924 in a lower-gold-price environment averaging $1220. Given such major earnings growth, investment capital should be flooding into the mid-tier gold miners. Yet inexplicably GDXJs average share price of $32.82 in Q118 was 12.4% lower than Q117s $37.46! Todays gold-stock levels are fundamentally-absurd. Gold miners offer such compelling investment opportunities because of their inherent profits leverage to gold. Gold-mining costs are largely fixed during mine-planning stages, when engineers and geologists decide which ore to mine, how to dig to it, and how to process it. The actual mining generally requires the same levels of infrastructure, equipment, and employees quarter after quarter regardless of gold prices. With gold-mining costs essentially fixed, higher or lower gold prices flow directly through to the bottom line in amplified fashion. This really happened in GDXJ over the past year despite its radical changes in composition. An 8.9% gold rally in quarterly-average terms catapulted operating profits 37.2% higher, or 4.2x. Thats even better than the typical leverage of gold-mining profits to gold prices of several times or so. The mid-tier gold miners stocks cant trade as if their profits dont matter forever, so an enormous mean-reversion rally higher is inevitable sooner or later. And that assumes gold prices merely hold steady, which is unlikely. Radical gold underinvestment reigns today after years of extreme central-bank easing. As major central banks start unwinding their epic QE, stock markets will sell off and investors will return to gold. The impact of higher gold prices on mid-tier-gold-miner profitability is easy to model. Assuming flat all-in sustaining costs at Q118s $923 per ounce, 10%, 20%, and 30% gold rallies from this weeks levels would lead to collective gold-mining profits surging 23%, 55%, and 87%! And another 30% gold upleg isnt a stretch at all. In the first half of 2016 alone after the previous stock-market correction, gold soared 29.9%. GDXJ skyrocketed 202.5% higher in 7.0 months in largely that same span! Gold-mining profits and thus gold-stock prices surge dramatically when gold is powering higher. Years of neglect from investors have forced the gold miners to get lean and efficient, which will really amplify their fundamental upside during the next major gold upleg. The investors and speculators who buy in early and cheap could earn fortunes. Given the radical changes in GDXJs composition over the past year, normal year-over-year comparisons in key financial results simply arent meaningful. Again the massive rejiggering of the index underlying GDXJ didnt happen until Q217, so Q118 is the last quarter before results finally grow comparable. But in the meantime, heres the apples-to-oranges reads on the top 34 GDXJ components key financial results. Cash flows generated from operations soared 134.0% YoY to $1367m. As long as OCFs stay massively positive, the gold mines are generating more cash than they cost to run. That gives the gold miners the capital necessary to expand existing operations and buy new deposits and mines. It is shocking that an industry so cash-flow-positive is plagued by such ridiculously-irrational bearish sentiment, that cant last. On the hard-profits front under the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles required by the SEC, these top 34 GDXJ gold miners earned $161m in Q118. That was up 42.3% YoY, from a very-different list of top GDXJ components. That would look far better if it wasnt for Yamana Gold, which alone lost $161m in Q1 from a big non-cash impairment charge on a smaller gold miner it bought. That was the only big GDXJ loss. Revenues surged 80.4% YoY to $4320m, and cash on balance sheets climbed 25.2% to $6390m. There isnt much analysis to do with such radically-different GDXJ constituent lists, so I cant wait for Q218 when comparable results return. But the mid-tier gold miners were faring quite well fundamentally last quarter despite their silly bargain-basement stock prices. This anomaly has to be resolved to the upside. The mid-tier gold miners Q118 results proved again that gold stocks vexing consolidation since early 2017 isnt the result of operational struggles, but merely bearish psychology. That will soon shift as these wildly-overvalued stock markets inevitably roll over, leading to surging gold investment demand. These elite mid-tier gold miners stocks are a coiled spring overdue to soar dramatically, with vast upside potential. While GDXJ should certainly no longer be advertised as a Junior Gold Miners ETF, it offers exposure to some of the best mid-tier gold miners on the planet. Its growing on me, I like this new GDXJ way better than GDX. That being said, GDXJ is still burdened by overdiversification and way too many gold miners with inferior fundamentals that shouldnt be in there. They include those struggling big South African miners. So the best way to play the gold miners coming massive mean-reversion bull is in individual stocks with superior fundamentals. Their gains will ultimately trounce the major ETFs like GDXJ and GDX. Theres no doubt carefully-handpicked portfolios of elite gold and silver miners will generate much-greater wealth creation. GDXJs component list is a great starting point, but pruning it way down offers far-bigger upside. At Zeal weve literally spent tens of thousands of hours researching individual gold stocks and markets, so we can better decide what to trade and when. As of the end of Q4, this has resulted in 983 stock trades recommended in real-time to our newsletter subscribers since 2001. Fighting the crowd to buy low and sell high is very profitable, as all these trades averaged stellar annualized realized gains of +20.2%! The key to this success is staying informed and being contrarian. That means buying low before others figure it out, before undervalued gold stocks soar much higher. An easy way to keep abreast is through our acclaimed weekly and monthly newsletters. They draw on my vast experience, knowledge, wisdom, and ongoing research to explain whats going on in the markets, why, and how to trade them with specific stocks. This weekend only we are running a 20%-off sale on term subscriptions, cutting the price as low as $9 per issue. Subscribe today while gold stocks remain dirt-cheap! The bottom line is the mid-tier gold miners now dominating GDXJ enjoyed strong fundamentals in their recently-reported Q1 results. While GDXJs radical composition changes since last year muddy annual comparisons, todays components mined lots more gold at dead-flat costs. These miners continued to earn fat operating profits while generating strong cash flows. Sooner or later stock prices must reflect fundamentals. As gold itself continues mean reverting higher, these mid-tier gold miners will see their profits soar due to their big inherent leverage to gold. GDXJ now offers excellent exposure to mid-tier gold miners, which will see gains well outpacing the majors. All it will take to ignite gold stocks overdue mean-reversion rally is gold investment demand returning. The resulting higher gold prices will attract investors back to gold miners. Adam Hamilton, CPA So how can you profit from this information? We publish an acclaimed monthly newsletter, Zeal Intelligence , that details exactly what we are doing in terms of actual stock and options trading based on all the lessons we have learned in our market research. Please consider joining us each month for tactical trading details and more in our premium Zeal Intelligence service at www.zealllc.com/subscribe.htm Questions for Adam? I would be more than happy to address them through my private consulting business. Please visit www.zealllc.com/adam.htm for more information. Thoughts, comments, or flames? Fire away at zelotes@zealllc.com . Due to my staggering and perpetually increasing e-mail load, I regret that I am not able to respond to comments personally. I will read all messages though and really appreciate your feedback! Copyright 2000 - 2018 Zeal Research ( www.ZealLLC.com ) 2005-2019 http://www.MarketOracle.co.uk - The Market Oracle is a FREE Daily Financial Markets Analysis & Forecasting online publication. AMHERST -- The Yee family has signed a deal with developers Archipelago Investments to open a new Iya Sushi and Noodle Kitchen restaurant at Archipelago's One East Pleasant building downtown. Managing partner Andy Yee said Friday that the building, named for its address at 1 East Pleasant St., is still under construction and that he and his team should take possession of it sometime in June. That time frame puts the grand opening in September. "Not the best time to open a new restaurant, when everybody is rushing back to Amherst," Yee said. "But we have walked into high-volume situations before. We will walk into high-volume situations in the future." The Yees are working with professionals on a final design. "It's going to be hip," Yee said. The Yees opened their first Iya in 2013 in the Village Commons, 15 College St., South Hadley. The Amherst Iya represents an extension of the concept to another prime location. "There are a lot of students at this Amherst location," he said. "A lot of foot traffic." One East Pleasant will be a five-story, mixed-use residential and commercial building at the site of the former Carriage Shops. It will have 135 apartments with 143 tenants along with 7,500 square feet of retail space that will include the new Iya. Based in Amherst, Archipelago Investments also did the Olympia Place student apartment complex near the University of Massachusetts, the 12-unit Boltwood Place near the Boltwood Garage and 36-unit Kendrick Place at 57 East Pleasant St. The Yee family owns, or has an interest in, several restaurants in Western Massachusetts, including Johnny's Tavern in Amherst just a few blocks from the new Iya site; Johnny's Bar & Grill, Johnny's Taproom and Iya Sushi and Noodle Kitchen, all in South Hadley; the Route 9 Diner in Hadley; and the Student Prince in Springfield. They closed the Hu Ke Lau in Chicopee in April and are redeveloping the property. The Yees also plan to take over the Dockside Restaurant at Brunelle's Marina in South Hadley and rename it The Boathouse. Scott Bruton, a one-time model who has accused Star Trek actor George Takei of sexually assaulting him in 1981, acknowledged in a recent series of interviews he fabricated parts of his claim. However, he later said he was not walking back his story. Contrary to his claims to The Hollywood Reporter last fall that Takei was "was groping my crotch," Brunton told The Observer over a series of recently taped interviews he did not actually remember Takei touching his genitals, and he admitted to fabricating certain details of the encounter. The Observer also presented Brunton with opinions from toxicologists suggesting Takei never drugged him as he had claimed. In response, Brunton told The Observer he may have been just drunk, but would never know for sure. However, he said, referring to Takei, "it makes him a little less sinister." Following publication of The Observer article, Brunton, 60, said the reporter had "basically taken things that I said, and misconstrued them, twisted them." "It was like he was just looking for any little, tiny discrepancy," he told OregonLive on Friday. When Brunton's claims surfaced during the rise of the #MeToo movement last fall, Takei said he "shocked and bewildered at these claims," adding he had no recollection of meeting Brunton. Takei, 80, was subjected to media scrutiny and personal attacks, including a tweet from Donald Trump Jr. who mocked the liberal activist for plying kids with alcohol to assault them. Following The Observer report, Takei tweeted on Friday, "As many of you know, this has been a very difficult period for myself and my husband Brad as we have dealt with the impact of these accusations, but we are happy to see that this nightmare is finally drawing to a close." "As I stated before, I do not remember Mr. Brunton or any of the events he described from forty years ago, but I do understand that this was part of a very important national conversation that we as a society must have, painful as it might be. It is in that spirit that I want folks to know, despite what he has put us through, I do not bear Mr. Brunton any ill will, and I wish him peace. Brad and I are especially grateful for the many fans who stood by me throughout this ordeal. Your support kept us going, and we are so immensely thankful for you." LAWRENCE -- A married Lawrence couple was ordered held without bail for up to 120 days after a district court judge deemed them too dangerous to release as they await trial on charges of rape, kidnapping and sexual enticement of a 13-year-old girl, the Eagle-Tribune reported. Police said Jose Sanchez had sex with the girl two times. When his wife, Alina Santos, found out, she wrote up a contract that stipulated the girl would have sex with her husband again. Sanchez faces charges of statutory rape and kidnapping, while Santos was charged with kidnapping, enticement for sex of a child under 16 and making threats. They have been held in jail since their May 17 arraignment. Prosecutors told Judge Kevin Gaffney they expect the couple to be indicted by a grand jury soon. At that time the case will be moved to Salem Superior Court. Thousands of pounds of wood and plaster came crashing down at the historic Living Faith United Methodist Church in Ipswich Friday, a few hours before a group of 50 to 100 people was scheduled to meet there. Rev. Adam Randazzo told The Boston Globe that the sanctuary of the 160-year-old church "looks like a war zone." No worshipers were inside the building when the collapse occurred, and the newspaper reported that the church's new $12,000 baby grand piano and organ were spared. Randazzo said that a Narcotics Anonymous meeting was scheduled to meet there Friday night. "It would have had 50 to 100 people here. This could have been a lot worse," he told CBS Boston. Take a look at the damage done here at Living Faith United Methodist Church after the roof collapsed earlier today. More details tonight @wbz pic.twitter.com/fS5hDDmSmF Gary Brode (@GaryBrodeNews) May 25, 2018 Ipswich Building Commissioner David Fuller told the television station that the church's age is likely to blame for the collapse, but noted that these types of occurrences are very unusual. Living Faith typically has 20 to 30 people at Sunday services and will temporarily relocate to Ascension Memorial Church on County Street, according to The Globe. NORTHAMPTON -- Massachusetts State Police found an improvised explosive device in a vehicle at the Three County Fairgrounds in Northampton Friday, officials confirmed Saturday. Jennifer Mieth, of the State Fire Marshal's Office, said the Massachusetts State Police Bomb Squad was called to assist Northampton Police in responding to the small explosive device located in a car at the fairgrounds. Mieth said the the bomb squad assigned to the State Fire Marshal's Office rendered the device, which was like a "homemade firework," safe. Northampton Police Lt. Alan Borowski said officers found the IED during a search of the vehicle, which had been involved in an earlier pursuit with South Hadley, Holyoke and Northampton Police. Borowski said police responded to a call from South Hadley law enforcement around 8 p.m. and pursued the vehicle before being called off. The vehicle was later spotted by an officer working at the Northampton fairgrounds, who alerted police that it had been parked in the back and three occupants appeared to have run from the car, Borowski said. Police, with help from Easthampton and State Police K-9 officers, located and apprehended two of the three occupants. The third turned themself into police Friday night, according to Borowski. The three individuals, who are juveniles, were not arrested. They face numerous charges, Borowski said. The Three County Fairgrounds began hosting the Paradise City Arts Festival Saturday. The event will run through Monday. This is a breaking news story and will be updated when more information becomes available. MOUNT WASHINGTON -- Massachusetts State Police are leading a search for a 13-year-old Connecticut boy who went missing while on a hike in the Berkshire County town of Mount Washington, according to news reports. State Police told Western Mass News they were notified around 8:15 p.m. Friday that the boy had gone missing while hiking with his father and a sibling near the Department of Conservation and Recreation headquarters on East Street. Police said the boy vanished after going too far ahead and losing contact with the group, the news outlet reported. The State Police Air Wing assisted with the search, which was called off around 3 a.m. Saturday, according to Western Mass News. The search reportedly resumed hours later with members of the State Police, Egremont Fire Department and others. Troopers said the boy has a cell phone, but that reception in the area is not good. He also reportedly had food, water, extra clothing and a light at the time of his disappearance. Massachusetts State Police did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the search. This is a breaking news story and will be updated when more information becomes available. Authorities are searching for the driver of a vehicle involved in a fatal hit-and-run in Mattapan early Saturday morning. CBS Boston reports that a 40-year-old Boston man was hit and killed near Morton and Fuller Streets just after midnight. Neither the victim's identity nor a description of the vehicle has been released. This is a breaking news story and will be updated as more information becomes available. Public safety personnel are never truly off the clock. So when a patron began to choke at Eller's Restaurant in Cherry Valley, a Leicester firefighter who was working his second job as a line cook sprang into action. That firefighter, Johnny True, may have saved the woman's life. Boston 25 News reports that another patron had been trying, unsuccessfully, to help the choking woman when a waitress shouted for help. True then came out of the kitchen and began performing the Heimlich maneuver. "Within seconds, she was fine," the restaurant wrote in a Facebook post. "To see this young man perform so instinctually in such a stressful situation was truly impressive!" Couldn't be more proud of Johnny True!! A guest started choking this morning and I ran to her to see Johnny already... Posted by Eller's Restaurant on Sunday, May 20, 2018 The incident happened last week, and since then, praise has been pouring in -- including from the Leicester Fire Department, which congratulated True on its Facebook page. For True, it's all part of the job. "It's all in a day's work for me. It's just what I do," he told Boston 25 News. We keep hearing that President Trump poses a threat to our democracy, as if that had never happened before. It's all Elizabeth Warren talks about. This modern day Founding Aunt's intentions are good, but she is all wrong. We are one-third into the Trump presidency, administration or regime - whatever tag you think fits best. Scholars who rate him the worst president in our history should turn in their free passes to the Smithsonian, since a president's true impact cannot be measured until years after he's gone. That's why Dwight Eisenhower and George H.W. Bush are going up, while JFK is no longer an American saint. If Trump is testing our democratic ideals, at least he is doing it in full view. Maybe that bluster and all those hysterical tweets have some value after all. He's too impulsive to be good at sneaking around, hiding his true motives under layers of bureaucracy. I've been told he's no LBJ, the all-time politician who played the back rooms of Washington like a fiddle. That's true. It can also be interpreted in more than one way. This is not an endorsement of Trump. For one thing, it offends me that he's forced us to choose between reasonable morality and character and a healthy stock market, though he's hardly the first Chief Executive to do that, either. But democracy is tested all the time. It was tested in 1937, when Franklin D. Roosevelt - no doubt a hero of Elizabeth Warren - tried to stack the Supreme Court. It was tested in the 1950s, when government agencies conducted waves of secret scientific and military tests, some justified for security purposes and and others which were just gross and awful. It was tested in the 1960s, when the Vietnam War was conducted in a way that denied most Americans enough information to decide if it was a war they wanted. It was tested by Iran-Contra in the 1980s. We don't need to turn back the clock to Andrew Jackson to start a debate over whether democracy has been tested. Sometimes the system has failed that test, but usually there is an eventual correction. For the slaves, that tragically took nearly 100 years (and even that didn't solve inequality). Native Americans will argue it never really happened with them. It took women more than 130 years just to get the vote. Democracy was tested when Abraham Lincoln suspended the fundamental right of habeas corpus to stop anti-Civil War protests. It was tested by the Japanese-American internment camps of World War II. So don't tell me that Trump is inventing some new threat to our cherished ideals. And the fact is, democracy needs to be tested. Our form of government is a citizen participation sport. It is human nature not to care until you're a little scared. Democracy needs to be threatened because that's the only way we can make sure we care enough about keeping it. In a very unintended way, Trump's election did us a big favor. It forced Americans to realize how little we know about our our country's history, Constitution and government. It forced us to examine the Bill of Rights, and not just the Second Amendment, if only because so many people think the president either doesn't know about it or doesn't think it should get in his way. We are now more than 16 months in, and democracy is doing well. Trump has had impact but he has been blocked on immigration decisions he wanted. He does not have The Wall. He has been forced to compromise in order to get some measures passed. This is when Trump is at his best, taking a core principle to objecting parties and trying to hammer out something that will pass. That's our system, and no president adheres to its restrictions by choice. The Founding Fathers set up checks and balances that force them. If this is really Donald Trump versus the Constitution, that old document written by a bunch of old men is doing fine. Every president (except, perhaps, Jimmy Carter) tries to test the limits of his power and see how he can apply his vision to America with the least possible interference. Trump is doing so in a brazen, aggressive, argumentative and to many people, offensive way. But mostly because he can't keep his mouth shut, he's doing it in front of us, and I'd rather that than some crafty political operative skulking around Washington, pulling the system's strings while nobody is looking. People say Trump is a threat, but if our democracy were in such peril, people like Elizabeth Warren wouldn't be allowed to keep saying it. I hope she keeps warning us, because we need to be kept on our toes, no matter who is in charge. That hasn't always been true. If democracy is really under siege, it's surely not the first time. It's only the first time so many people seem to care. SPRINGFIELD -- Bob Massie and Jay Gonzalez, Democratic candidates running for Massachusetts governor, stopped in Forest Park Saturday to make their pitches to local delegates ahead of next week's state party convention. The candidates, who are looking unseat Republican Gov. Charlie Baker this fall, touted their campaign platforms as they met with party activists during an afternoon reception hosted by Springfield Democratic Committees and the West Springfield Democratic Town Committee. Victor Davila, a Springfield Ward 6 Democratic Committee member and organizer of the event, said the "meet and greet" sought to give local delegates and voters the opportunity to get to know the two gubernatorial hopefuls before the convention. "We're hoping that they get to meet them: Who they are, their platforms and what they bring to the table for the state before they vote (on whom to endorse) at the convention," he said in an interview. "We truly believe that voters have to be informed to increase voter participation." Davila noted that he will be among the delegates set to vote on candidate endorsements, among other things, at the Massachusetts Democratic Party's 2018 convention. Massie, an environmentalist and entrepreneur, said he hoped to emphasize to Springfield Democrats that the city needs more support from the state to expand and improve its infrastructure "so it can really thrive" -- something he would prioritize if sent to Beacon Hill. "Every time I come out here, I have been struck by the strengths and the energy in this town. Yet, there has not been the support and transportation is probably the number one question," he said in an interview. "But we also need to be moving so that we improve people's access to housing; people who really are having trouble with higher education now; and we need to set ourselves up for prosperity in the future, that includes renewable energy." The Democrat further said he believes there needs to be more of a focus on cities in Massachusetts "that are not Boston." Gonzalez, a former health insurance executive and state budget chief under former Gov. Deval Patrick, said he wanted Springfield Democrats to know that, if elected governor, he would focus on issues that impact residents' everyday lives. "My pitch is, basically, we've got a governor right now who is not trying to make a difference in peoples' lives -- Massachusetts has fallen behind under Charlie Baker. We need a governor that's going to aim high and try to make a difference in way that people are going to feel on a day-to-day basis," he said in an interview. Gonzalez, who took issue with the governor's handling of transportation issues in Western Massachusetts, added that he would be a governor who "stands up for every person in this state." "People in Springfield are seeing their PVTA services being cut because Charlie Baker doesn't prioritize it, he does nothing to try to address it -- I don't think he even understands the impact that has on peoples' lives on a day-to-day basis. I want to be a very different governor," he said. With Massachusetts Democratic delegates set to gather at the DCU Center in Worcester next weekend, both candidates said they're optimistic they will receive the minimum 15 percent of support needed at the convention to officially qualify for the Sept. 4 Democratic primary. Both Gonzalez and Massie, who hope to secure the party's endorsement at next week's convention, said Secretary of the Commonwealth William Galvin's office has already certified them to the ballot. BOSTON -- The Red Sox welcome the NL East-leading Atlanta Braves to Fenway Park for three games this weekend starting Friday. The young Braves lead the NL in batting average (.264) and slugging percentage (.428). They rank second in on-base percentage (.335) and OPS (.762) while ranking fourth in extra-base hits (154) and home runs (57). They rank fifth in starter ERA (3.44). AL East standings as of Friday afternoon: 1. Boston 34-16 (.680) 2. New York 31-15 (.674) 1 game behind 3. Tampa Bay 23-25 (.479) 10 games behind 4. Toronto 23 27 (.460) 11 games behind 5. Baltimore 16 34 (.320) 18 games behind Friday, May 25, 7:10 p.m.: LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (4-1, 4.13) vs. RHP Julio Teheran (4-1, 4.17) TV: NESN Radio: 93.7 FM (Boston) / 1440 AM (Worcester) / 105.5 FM (Springfield) Saturday, May 26, 1:05 p.m.: LHP Drew Pomeranz (1-2, 5.97) LHP Sean Newcomb (5-1, 2.39) TV: NESN, MLB Network Radio: 93.7 FM (Boston) / 1440 AM (Worcester) / 105.5 FM (Springfield) Sunday, May 27, 1:05 p.m.: LHP Chris Sale (5-1, 2.17) vs. RHP Mike Foltynewicz (3-3, 2.72) TV: NESN Radio: 93.7 FM (Boston) / 1440 AM (Worcester) / 105.5 FM (Springfield) Live Stream: MLB.tv and NESNgo FIVE THINGS TO WATCH 1. Dustin Pedroia's return and where he'll bat in the order The Red Sox activated Pedroia from the disabled list Friday. He won't start Friday but he's available off the bench and expected to start Saturday. Pedroia, who underwent a cartilage restoration procedure on his left knee Oct. 25, appeared in six rehab games for Triple-A Pawtucket, going 1-for-17. 2. Drew Pomeranz has been working on his mechanics, will it translate? The Red Sox pushed Pomeranz's start back from Thursday to Saturday. He pitched a simulated game Tuesday and worked on mechanical changes. Pomeranz has posted a 5.97 ERA, 1.78 WHIP and .302 opponent batting average in six starts. But the lefty had a 5.23 ERA (31 innings, 18 runs, 32 hits, 11 walks) over his first six starts last year and then finished with a 3.32 ERA in 32 starts. 3. The Braves' 21-year-old and 20-year-old Ozzie Albies, a 21-year-old second baseman, is batting .280 with a .323 on-base percentage, .575 slugging percentage, .898 OPS, 14 homers, 15 doubles, two triples and 34 RBIs in 48 games. Ronald Acuna Jr., a 20-year-old left fielder, is slashing .250/.313/.433/.746 with four homers, seven doubles and 12 RBIs in 26 games. 4. A Sunday pitchers' duel Chris Sale (5-1, 2.17) and Mike Foltynewicz (3-3, 2.72) will face each other Sunday. Sale went 13th overall in the 2010 draft while Foltynewicz went 19th overall in the same draft. 5. Life after Hanley The Red Sox designated Hanley Ramirez for assignment Friday. J.D. Martinez is batting third and Mitch Moreland is batting fourth here in the first game of the series. Alex Cora said Blake Swihart will receive a more active role now with Ramirez gone. Will he start Saturday or Sunday? We attempted to send a notification to your email address but we were unable to verify that you provided a valid email address. Please click here to update your email address if you wish to receive notifications. Otherwise, you may click here to disable notifications and hide this message. A lineup of 44 films is set to be screened at the 2018 Cinetopia Film Festival, which runs May 31 to June 10 at venues in Ann Arbor, Dearborn and Detroit. The festival is a major draw for cinephiles and screenwriters with a lineup of films from the world's best festivals like Sundance, Cannes and Venice. Cinetopia will feature several appearances by filmmakers and talent to speak with audience members and answer questions about their work, organizers say. Director and comedian Bo Burnham is scheduled to attend the screening of his feature-film debut, the festival's opening film, "Eighth Grade." The film captivated many at the Sundance Film Festival with a comical, yet relatable perspective on modern-day teenage angst. Burnham is scheduled to attend the Michigan Theater screening at 8 p.m. on May 31 in Ann Arbor. The closing film for Cinetopia 2018 will be "Love Gilda," a documentary about Detroit native Gilda Radner, best known as one of the seven original cast members of "Saturday Night Live." "Love Gilda" will screen at 2 p.m. on June 10 at the Detroit Film Theater. Director Lisa D'Apolito and Radner's brother Michael are scheduled to be available after the premier to discuss the film and Radner's work. Like previous years, Cinetopia will also include the 2018 Arab Film Festival, which is presented by Dearborn's Arab American National Museum. This year, the festival focuses on marginalized communities and voices, with films focusing on gender, sexuality, identity, social justice, activism and community building. Some local can't-miss films include: "A Boy. A Girl. A Dream: Love on Election Night" "Savage Youth," "Thirst for Justice" "The Big House" For the full lineup of films, click here. CLINTON TOWNSHIP, MI - A man accused of shooting at Detroit police last year was arrested Saturday, May 26, after removing his tether the day before, police said. Ivory Traylor (Detroit Police Department) Ivory Traylor, 31, was taken into custody without incident Saturday in Clinton Township, Detroit police announced. At 9:30 a.m. Friday, May 25, Traylor removed his tether on the northbound Lodge Freeway at the Wyoming exit ramp, police said. Traylor is accused of shooting at police officers in an incident on May 17, 2017. After police returned fire, Traylor was injured and arrested. Traylor faces several charges from the incident, including assault with intent to murder. Police said a $100,000 bond was posted and Traylor was placed on a tether upon release. He was initially held on a $3 million bond. PONTIAC, MI - As Michigan residents spend more time outside during the summer months, Oakland County officials have offered tips to avoid ticks. Lyme disease is an illness stemming from a bacterial infection through tick bites, according to a news release from Oakland County officials issued Friday, May 25. There were more than 300 reported human cases of Lyme disease in Michigan in 2017, according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDDHS). Symptoms include fever, rash, muscle and joint pain, dizziness and bulls-eye rash. Treatment early on can lead to complete recovery, according to health officials. "Residents are urged to protect themselves against Lyme disease and other tickborne diseases by avoiding tick bites." said Leigh-Anne Stafford, health officer for the Oakland County Health Division. "If you find a tick attached to your body, quickly remove it, watch for symptoms, and contact a medical provider if you experience symptoms." According to Oakland County officials, risk for Lyme disease can be reduced by: Wearing long-sleeved shirts; light-colored, long pants; and closed-toed shoes. Tucking shirts into pants and pants into socks. Applying insect repellent containing DEET (20-30 percent) or Picaridin to exposed skin and to clothing. Applying permethrin to clothes and shoes (do not apply permethrin to skin). Avoiding contact with overgrown grass, brush and leaf litter. Protecting your pets as well, as they can come into contact with ticks and carry them into your home. Residents are advised to check their entire bodies immediately after leaving outdoor areas that likely have ticks, the release states. A hot shower as soon as possible is also recommended. Children should be assisted in checking their bodies for ticks. Oakland County officials recommend the following if a tick attached to one's skin is discovered: Grasp the tick with tweezers as close to the skin as possible. Pull gently but firmly, but do not squeeze the body of the tick. Try to pull the tick out without leaving mouth parts embedded in the skin. After removing the tick, wash hands and bite area thoroughly with soap and running water. Apply an antibacterial cream to the site of the bite. Michigan residents can submit ticks for free to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) for identification and possible Lyme disease testing, according to the release. Electronic photos of ticks can be sent to the MDHHS for identification at MDDHHS-Bugs@michigangov.com. More information on how to submit ticks and photos is available online at Michigan.gov/lyme. Additional information on Lyme disease is available on the Oakland County Health Division website or on Public Health Oakland's Facebook and Twitter pages. A nurse on call in Oakland County is available from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at 800-848-5533 or at noc@oakgov.com. ALAMO TOWNSHIP, MI -- The driver of a tractor-trailer was cited for texting on a mobile device during of a crash that injured the truck driver and another motorist on U.S. 131. The crash happened about 1:45 p.m. Friday, May 25, after exit 44, the exit for D Avenue, the Michigan State Police said. The crash was cleared by about 4:25 p.m., the Michigan Department of Transportation said. The semi struck a Chevrolet Malibu that was re-entering the road after making a stop along the shoulder, MSP said. After broadsiding the passenger car, the semi driver lost control of his truck, causing it to roll over, MSP said. After broadsiding the passenger car, the semi driver lost control of his truck, causing it to roll over, MSP said. The semi driver from Fremont was transported to Borgess Hospital in Kalamazoo with minor injuries. The driver and passenger of the Malibu sought treatment for minor injuries at Spectrum Hospital in Grand Rapids, police said. Investigation of the crash showed that the driver of the semi was texting on his mobile device at the time of the crash and was cited for the infraction, MSP said. Traffic on US-131 was slow during the crash response. MSP reminds drivers to exercise extra care while driving during the Memorial Day holiday weekend and to never text and drive. SAGINAW, MI -- After nearly four years in business, downtown Saginaw's Bradley's Bistro is closing its doors. The farm-to-table restaurant located at 216 Federal Ave. is not open during the Memorial Day weekend and is not reopening afterward, co-owner Lisa Kelly said in a Facebook post. "We have come to (yet another) impasse, financially," Kelly said in the post. "We (and others) have doubled-down many times in the course of building and sustaining our business, and have reached the conclusion that we have run out of financial viability and we need to move on to something different. "We have been open almost four years, and most of you know that we have spent almost every minute of that time putting all our effort and energy into making a go of this. We've been all in, and it's been a spectacularly rewarding, if difficult, journey. We have been well supported by our community and our friends, and we are so grateful for the investment and enthusiasm of the family that formed around Bradley's. We have had so much joy and excitement here, and met so many wonderful people, and have had the privilege of sharing our space and our talents with our community. We have absolutely no regrets about the investment we made here. We are exceptionally lucky people to have had this." MLive was unable to reach Kelly directly Saturday, May 26. The eatery opened in October 2014. Its menu's focus was on seasonal and locally sourced foods. It was quite popular and was visited in two MLive Michigan's Best searches, for its French fries and mac and cheese. May 26, 2018 Syria - U.S. Moves To Protect Al-Qaeda And ISIS in Daraa The Syrian government and its Russian ally plan to clean up the southwest region of Syria around the city of Daraa. The move should open the M5 highway, Syria's lifeline, between Damascus and Jordan and secure the border with Jordan as well as the demarcation line with the Israel occupied Golan Heights. The operation was supposed to start in a day or two, but the U.S. has now threatened to intervene. As the southwest Daraa governorate is infested with a large Islamic State (ISIS) group as well as al-Qaeda and associated groups the U.S.move must be interpreted as protection for these terrorists. On July 7 2017 The U.S, Russia and Jordan agreed to set up a de-escalation zone in southwest Syria. The parameters were not publicized and the implementation lagged. Russia had offered to let its military police supervise the zone but the U.S. rejected that. The opening of the important M5 highway to Jordan which was originally part of the plan did likewise not happen. The ceasefire in the region was broken several times. There was also infighting between ISIS and al-Qaeda. In November 2017 the presidents of the United States and Russia met and agreed to a Memorandum of Principals which covered southwest Syria. The memorandum was not published. The neo-conservatives at the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) disliked the agreement. It headlined Southern Syria Deal Fails to Constrain Iran, al Qaeda. Israel had demanded that no groups associated with Iran should come near the zone, but no such rule was agreed upon. ISW also noted: Al Qaeda has exploited the de-escalation zone to develop a new durable safe haven along the Syrian-Jordanian border. Neither al-Qaeda nor the Islamic State are covered by the de-escalation and ceasefire agreement. UN Security Council resolutions 2249 and 2254 demand that all UN members fight Al Qaeda, ISIS and individuals and groups associate with them. It calls upon UN member states "to eradicate the safe haven they have established over significant parts of Syria". At that time ISW published a map of southwest Syria which shows the strategic positions taken by ISIS (grey), al-Qaeda (brown) and aligned groups (light brown): In December 2017 the U.S. stopped payments to "rebels" in the south west. Some of the groups, including al-Qaeda, receive money, weapons and fire support from Israel. In April 2018 ISW published a new version of its map of the area. Amusingly al-Qaeda had vanished from it: Over the last days Syrian helicopters have dropped leaflets over "rebel" held towns in the western part of the rebel held areas. They demand that the rebels give up fighting and reconcile with the Syrian government. The Iranian ambassador to Jordan Mojtaba Ferdowsi-pour publicly declared that Iran has no role in any military operation in south of Syria. He added: 'After ending its mission in Syria, Iran will not remain in Syria and whenever Syrian government ask us, Iran will leave the country.' It is obvious that the Syrian government and its Russian allies have all rights to fight ISIS and al-Qaeda independent of any de-escalation agreement. The UNSC resolutions even demand that. But the U.S. thinks different. Last night the U.S. State Department published this threat: The United States is concerned by reports of an impending Assad regime operation in southwest Syria within the boundaries of the de-escalation zone negotiated between the United States, Jordan, and the Russian Federation last year and reaffirmed between Presidents Trump and Putin in Da Nang, Vietnam in November. The United States remains committed to maintaining the stability of the southwest de-escalation zone and to the ceasefire underpinning it. We also caution the Syrian regime against any actions that risk broadening the conflict or jeopardize the ceasefire. As a guarantor of this de-escalation area with Russia and Jordan, the United States will take firm and appropriate measures in response to Assad regime violations. ... One wonders what "firm and appropriate measures" the U.S. has planned for. Strong words? Cruise missile attacks? Nukes? I have not seen any reaction yet from the Syrian or Russian side. --- [Moon of Alabama is currently asking for donations. Please support this site.] Posted by b on May 26, 2018 at 19:14 UTC | Permalink Comments next page When my father, now 91, was no longer able to fully care for himself, his emerging needs unfolded slowly. At first, we noticed unpaid bills began to stack up, which my younger brother and I took over managing. Then there were other daily details of his life, such as cleaning and eating, that began to deteriorate. Since my father had no intention of moving into assisted living--he rejected the places we toured--yet couldn't continue to be completely on his own, the third option, which we knew little or nothing about, was home care. Do you love music and theater, and want to work in that world, but arent sure of your route? Luke Dennis started there and followed a winding path to his career at WYSO 91.3FM. I asked Luke how he crafted his career. The highlights of his story follow. In the beginning As Luke Dennis was growing up in Wilmington, Ohio, his parents adopted a hands-off approach, allowing him to set his own course. He liked music. Starting in 6th grade, he played euphonium in the band and bass guitar in the jazz band and various rock bands. Currently, he plays in a local band, Lord Kimbo, with his best friend from elementary school, Mike Bisig. Luke was in charge of his college search and visits. He visited just one school, Kenyon College, liked it, and applied early decision. After Kenyon accepted him, they sent him his financial aid package. In Lukes hotheaded eighteen-year-old opinion, it was insufficient. Without consulting his parents, he told Kenyon, Im going to withdraw unless you increase my financial aid. They said, Just do it. I dropped out of Kenyon before I even started and I had nowhere to go to college. A friends stepfather knew the Dean of Admissions at Wittenberg University and suggested Luke visit. Within eight days, Luke was enrolled and attending orientation for new students. One of many happy accidents Ive had. Without any reflection, Luke declared a double major in music and theatre at Wittenberg. He quickly found mentors in each department and it ended up being a great fit. I could act and direct in the theatre program and I ended up doing a vocal performance emphasis in the music department, which has helped me at WYSO. What path did Luke take after Wittenberg? After graduating from Wittenberg, I thought I might like to direct plays at a college. To pursue that goal, Luke enrolled at Tufts University in Boston in a dual M.A./ Ph.D. program in theater history, literature and theory. I didnt do any research or think about it. Luke had met his wife, Sally, in the Wittenberg Theatre program. Boston sounded good to her, too, so she moved with him and found a job teaching at Cambridge Montessori School. While Luke studied at Tufts, he also worked three jobs, so I wasnt putting a lot of focus on my studies. His jobs included: Box office at the American Repertory Theater Improv theater in Bostons North End running the lighting and sound Reading Room at The Harvard Theatre Collection, Houghton Library a public facing position working with researchers who were researching cool interesting stuff Tufts graduate fellow I got paid to teach acting to undergraduates which was real validation of why I went to graduate school Although graduate school felt like the right path for me I couldnt force myself to sit down and write. I liked going to class; I liked reading the plays a lot. But I certainly was not interested in publishing papers or going to conferences or writing a dissertation. Consequently, after three years at Tufts, Luke dropped out of the Ph.D. program and accepted a full-time position in the Reading Room at the Harvard Theatre Collection doing the same thing hed been doing on a part-time basis. I liked the ways that the past could inform the present. During that time, Luke and his wife also started a theater company, actively producing about three shows a year at the Boston Center for the Arts with a focus on new plays. So I was in that world and thats why the Theatre Collection interested me. Did Luke stay with the Harvard Theatre Collection? After a year, Luke decided he needed more money. Knowing that he wanted to work with theater productions in Boston, he found a job as the Director of Education and Outreach for the Boston Lyric Opera. Opera had been Lukes focus as graduate student, so I just applied and basically talked my way into the job. The Boston Lyric Opera Company is a big company, with four main stage productions a year at the Schubert Theater, and a summer season of public performances on Boston Commons. It was a fun job. I got to travel with their touring childrens opera. Three years later, Lukes boss retired and the company wanted Luke to take on a much larger role. Luke and Sally had just had their first child, which changed things. We felt very isolated having an infant none of our friends had kids yet. Luke and Sally decided, We should raise our children around family. What did Luke and Sally do? Three months after their daughter was born, Luke and Sally moved to Yellow Springs, Ohio. Luke took a job as Education and Outreach Director at the Victoria Theater Association in Dayton. The job wasnt a good fit for Luke, however, so he only lasted for one and a half years. It did serve as a stepping stone to become the Director of Muse Machine. How did Luke like Muse Machine? Started in 1982, Muse Machine is an arts education program that works with Dayton area schools to connect students and teachers to the performing and visual arts. Due to educations increased emphasis on testing, arts education had changed since the Muse Machine began. Schools no longer had room in their schedules for arts appreciation programming. I was there as a real driver of change, not just an administrator, but a creative program person moving toward more of a residency model where artists are in the school for a prolonged period doing in depth curriculum based stuff with students. The funding landscape for nonprofits in the Dayton area had also changed. Major corporate supporters like NCR and Mead Corporation had drastically decreased their support as they reduced their presence in the region. Consequently, Luke had to sell the new program approach to the schools at the same time that he was reinventing the organizations funding model. Luke stayed for four years with Muse Machine. I enjoyed it, but it took a toll on my family life. I did not have a good work/life balance and was letting it bleed into my personal life. Work pressures made him want to go back to a time when things were different. What did Luke do to relieve the pressure? Luke learned that the Curator of the Harvard Theatre Collection had died suddenly.Remembering how much he had liked working there, he applied and persuaded his wife to move back to Boston. I wont have to work as much. Ill make more money and our kids can grow up in the richness of the culture. I thought it was going to be great, but it was terrible. Why was the job as Curator of The Harvard Theatre Collection terrible? As the Curator, Luke was responsible for Building the collection Managing the funds and the purchases of materials Discovering auctions of rare items around the world Preparing materials on requested theater subjects for student use in the Reading Room The job was fun. I traveled a lot. But Lukes wife, Sally, was deeply unhappy. They had left a very supportive network of close friends with kids the ages of our kids and didnt find anything similar in Boston. Consequently, Luke left Harvard after six months. That sounds drastic! What happened next? Luke called Neenah Ellis, General Manager of WYSO 91.3FM, and told her, Im desperate to move back. I need a job, so if you hear of any opening, will you let me know. In another happy accident, Neenah told him WYSO was searching for a Development Director. He applied for the job, interviewed, got the job, resigned from Harvard, and moved back to Yellow Springs all within 40 days. WYSO 93.1FM is a public radio station, based in Yellow Springs, Ohio, which airs 24/7. Operated by Antioch College since 1958, WYSO is the only NPR News station in the Miami Valley. In addition to NPR programming, WYSO delivers: local and state news public affairs programming and news specials Public Radio International American Public Media PRX BBC (British Broadcasting Service) the work of independent radio producers Did Luke find happiness at WYSO? WYSO is a good fit. Although his title is Development Director, hes not just focused on dollars, because programming drives fundraising. He said, I get to be creatively involved as long as it relates to the mission. Im really more of community, outreach, partnerships AND fundraising. I get to go to all the meetings. I get to meet with funders, meet with producers. I got to help launch the area youth program. WYSO is such a nexus of so many interests and ideas; its like a place of ideas and collaboration. In a theater company or opera company, we were hitting barriers to participation such as the high expense of a ticket. I love that WYSO is free. WYSO offers so much programming: storytelling, news, journalism, programs that celebrate young people with youth radio. Those are some of the things that have made me want to go to work. Thats obviously a big draw, because Luke is celebrating his five-year anniversary. In describing the work culture at WYSO, Luke quoted Mother Theresa, I can do things you cannot; you can do things I cannot; together we can do great things. He has found that sort of collaboration at WYSO. Everybody works from their strength and does their part. Lukes observations: CHESHIRE A former school superintendent, early intervention pioneer and namesake of the Stephen August Early Intervention Center died at the age of 92. August was appointed assistant superintendent in 1958 and took the top job in 1967. He retired in 1984 after 26 years with the district. August was a proponent of educating special needs children in the district and was among the educators who developed Cheshires first special education class in 1960. At the time the state didnt mandate that the district provide local education for such students. In an interview with the Record-Journal newspaper in 1984, August argued that special education students should be educated in their hometowns. We cant just send kids away, it doesnt work, he said. The early intervention center at Darcy School for 3- to 5-year-olds started in the early 1970s. August worked to secure funding through state and federal grants throughout his tenure, according to Record-Journal articles from the period. Greg Florio, a former Cheshire superintendent who now leads the Capitol Region Education Council, said he worked with August in the New Britain school district. August retired from Cheshire schools but wasnt ready to stop working, Florio said, and took a job in New Britain. He remembered seeing the former superintendent with a full head of white hair and always a smile. August had a sense of humor and knew his stuff, Florio said. He was the whole gamut, the education side, the special education side, he was well versed in the business side, Florio said. The early intervention center established in Cheshire preceded many others in the state and was the model for other districts. When it began, other schools sent children to Cheshire. The early intervention model set up at Darcy was groundbreaking. They worked with Yale, they worked with all kinds of experts in the field, Florio said. Florio said August was passionate about education and intervention for young special needs students. August was raised in Meriden and joined the Marine Corps at the age of 17, serving in the Pacific theater during World War II. He finished high school at Cheshire Academy and attended Drake University and UCONN. After retiring, August taught part time at Southern Connecticut State University. He lived in Niantic. jbuchanan@record-journal.com 203-317-2230 Twitter: @JBuchananRJ SOUTHINGTON The school budget will include six fewer teaching positions, fewer purchased services and a reduction in supplies spending to account for a less-than-requested increase from the town. The Board of Education Thursday voted 6-1 on the changes to accomodate the $95.8-million education budget the Town Council approved earlier this month, an increase over the current years budget of roughly $94.2 million. School Superintendent Timothy Connellan had sought a $97.3 million budget, an increase of about $3 million, and described his plan as a level services budget, meaning it was the amount of funding needed to meet rising costs. The school board ultimately agreed on a $96.8 million proposal of its own but the Board of Finance dropped that to $95.3 million, which they described as a $1.1 million increase over the previous year. During Thursdays meeting, the school board voted on budget changes to accommodate the cuts made to their Jaunary requests. Much of the difference, nearly $700,000, was made up through a reduction in the school districts contribution to the towns self-insurance fund. Town and school officials agreed that the fund is healthy enough to abosrb the reduction due in part to changes in the health care benefits offered to employees. Other cuts include the elimination, through retirement, of six positions next year. Connellan said he prioritized cuts that wouldnt impact the classroom or teachers. There are real reductions here, Connellan said. We still lost positions. No one is losing their job, but we still lost positions. The reduction of six teaching positions this year follows a reduction of 14 last year. The upcoming school year is projected to have the lowest elementary school enrollment in recent years before increasing for the next eight, Connellan said. Board member David Derynoski, the lone opponent, said he only received the recommendations the night before and wasnt comfortable with approving them. He also took issue with a reduction in the supplies line item, saying that would affect the classroom. We didnt have anywhere near the supplies we needed for this year, let alone next year, Derynoski said. Board Chairman Brian Goralski supported the changes and didnt have a problem with the amount of time to review the proposal, saying school officials were in the best position to determine the least harmful cuts. Im not an expert to flip through the book and tell the administration what to cut, he said. Im a volunteer, theyre the experts. Voting Thursday would also alleviate anxiety among teachers who were concerned about the possibility of lay-offs. Thats why I want to do this tonight, Goralski said. If we have a budget, I think our staff will close out our last 21 days with students in a better zone. jbuchanan@record-journal.com 203-317-2230 Twitter: @JBuchananRJ Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. (Newser) When Barry Gibbs' wife had a heart attack two years ago, the North Carolina man couldn't take her to the hospital in nearby Belhavenbecause it had closed. Should he drive her 60 miles east to one town or 70 miles west to another? Neither seemed close enough. But his dilemma isn't unique in a country where 83 rural hospitals have shuttered since 2010 in an ongoing financial crisis, the Guardian reports. The problem: Many rural people have contract jobs without insurance, so hospitals often pay for the neediest, especially in states that rejected the Medicaid expansion under ObamaCare. Now urban hospitals are averaging 6% annual profit and rural hospitals only 2%. And as the former mayor of Belhaven learned, the politics of it can get ugly. story continues below Adam O'Neal, who served as mayor for 12 years, staged protest walks when the medical consortium Vidant Health prepared to close the hospital for losing money. "Its worse than murder," says ONeal. "Everybody who needs emergency care and is dying is being murdered by Vidant." The consortium did build a $5.9 million multispecialty clinic after closing the hospital, but that left Belmont without all-important emergency care. On the federal level, Sen. Chuck Grassley has introduced a bill to let small, rural hospitals save money by offering only emergency care and transferring other patients, so that's in the pipeline, per UPI. But it's too late for Barry Gibbs, whose wife Portia died on the way to the hospital. He sprinkled her ashes outside his home. (Read more hospitals stories.) (Newser) Since-deleted YouTube videos of Dr. Windell Boutte dancing and singing around exposed patients in her operating room are sending chills throughout the patient community, reports CNN. The Atlanta plastic surgeon can be seen rapping, dancing while holding surgical instruments (minus gloves or mask), and cutting into an abdomen to the beat of O.T. Genasis' song "Cut it." Even her assistants get involved, doing a little background dancing. At one time she had posted 20 such videos, reports CNN. Sister network HLN has tracked down five malpractice lawsuits pending against Boutte, and there appear to be others. The most recent lawsuits were filed by attorney Susan Witt on behalf of three women who were allegedly damaged by Boutte. story continues below Witt alleges that Boutte uses unqualified staff, misleads patients about procedures, and performs unsafe surgeries, per the Atlanta-Journal Constitution. Ojay Liburd, 26, is suing on behalf of his mother, Icilma Cornelius, who went to Boutte for a tummy-tuck and ended up with permanent brain damage caused by lack of oxygen after her heart stopped during the 8-hour procedure. Another accuser said she went to Boutte for laser liposuction and was horrified by the results. Its more like Freddie Krueger cut my stomach, she told WSB-TV. Bouttes Lilburn office is not a licensed surgery center nor does she have admitting privileges at hospitals. Her website identifies her as Atlantas most experienced cosmetic surgeon, and says that she has over 100,000 satisfied patients. (Read more cosmetic surgery stories.) (Newser) A Missouri storm chaser told friends in his obituary that he wants them to launch his ashes into a tornado, adding: "That'll be fun!!!!" Jim "Mad Dog" Sellars spelled out his unique wishes in the obituary he wrote before he died Tuesday, reports the AP. Greenlawn Funeral Home confirmed the death, saying the Springfield man was 64. He'd lived with a heart condition for several years. story continues below The Springfield News-Leader reports that Sellars's older brother, John Sellars, described his brother as a "renaissance man." Jim Sellars worked more than three decades for a telephone company, served as a reserve police officer, and had a lifelong passion for weather and HAM radios. And for years, he chased storms. John Sellars says his brother could "look at the radar and just know where the storm was headed." It was unclear whether his last wish would actually be fulfilled. (Read more tornado stories.) (Newser) A central Montana rancher shot a wolf-like animal after it was spotted in a pasture with livestock, but a closer look has prompted state wildlife officials to take DNA samples to determine what type of animal it was, reports the AP. Fish, Wildlife, and Parks regional spokesman Bruce Auchly said the animal's front claws and canine teeth are too short and its ears are too tall in proportion to its skull for it to be a purebred wolf. "We have no idea what this was until we get a DNA report back," Auchly tells the Great Falls Tribune. story continues below The animal was shot on May 16 near Denton. Wolf management specialist Ty Smucker says the animal could be a wolf-dog hybrid, though DNA tests haven't been returned. Among the colorful possibilities suggested by commenters, per the Tribune: a grizzly cub, a Bigfoot-esque creature called a "dogman," or a prehistoric (and extinct) dire wolf. Whatever it turns out to be, state officials say the rancher was within his rights to kill the animal because it was seen near livestock, domestic dogs, and children. (Read more mystery stories.) (Newser) Police believe that they have found the body of missing 5-year-old Lucas Hernandez, of Wichita, Kan. Lucass stepmother, Emily Glass, has been arrested for obstruction and one count of interfering with a law enforcement officer, reports People. According to the Wichita Eagle, the badly decomposed body was under a bridge on a gravel road, about a quarter of a mile from the nearest house. Sheila Medlam, a volunteer searcher, says she got a text message from a private investigator telling her, "We found him at 5:01." Within hours of the discovery, about two dozen volunteer searchers went to where the body was found and stood vigil for him, per the Eagle. The area where the body was foundnear the town of Sedgwick about 20 miles north of Wichitawas close to where they had been searching. story continues below Glass, who has a one-year-old daughter, reported Lucas missing from their rental home on Feb. 17. The boy's father, Jonathan Hernandez, works out of state for long stretches and was away at the time, per ABC. A few days after Lucas disappearance, the police arrested Glass, 27, for endangermentspecifically, smoking three bowls of marijuana and then driving her daughter to a restaurantbut a jury found her not guilty. Court documents indicate that Lucas was frequently seen with bruises, and after Lucas was reported missing, friends and relatives came forward and said they thought he had been abused. A family friend who says she spoke with Jonathan relayed a message from him: "Jonathan said thanks to all searchers and everybody" who has supported the family and cared about Lucas. The friend adds, "Just continue to pray for the family because they lost somebody they love." (Read more missing child stories.) (Newser) The roller coaster of North Korea news took another twist on Saturday: Kim Jong Un met with South Korean President Moon Jae-in a surprise summit, reports the BBC. The two leaders embraced for the cameras afterward. "Both leader exchanged opinions ... for the successful holding of the North Korea-US summit," says a statement from Moon's office, adding that he will provide details on Sunday. The status of a June 12 meeting between Kim and President Trump remained very much in the air after Trump canceled the meeting, then suggested on Friday that it might happen after all. story continues below "We are having very productive talks with North Korea about reinstating the Summit which, if it does happen, will likely remain in Singapore on the same date, June 12th., and, if necessary, will be extended beyond that date," Trump tweeted. And in an exchange with reporters Friday, Trump made the same point. Were talking to them now," he said. "They very much want to do it. Wed like to do it." (A Trump-Kim commemorative coin is a hot seller.) (Newser) Hawaii County officials say the number of structures lava has destroyed on the Big Island is now 82, including about 37 homes, reports the AP. The number will surely rise: Firefighters were going door to door in the Leilani Estates urging residents to evacuate, reports CNN. The Kilauea volcano has been erupting for three weeks now, spewing lava from cracks that emerged in neighborhoods and sending ash sky-high from its summit. Earthquakes also have been occurring, and about 2,000 people were ordered to evacuate from the rural communities where the lava fissures opened. Tourism officials say Hawaii's Big Island has lost about $3 million for May, June, and July as major cruise lines have canceled planned stops. (Read more Hawaii stories.) (Newser) A Utah man jailed in Venezuela on weapons charges nearly two years ago was released Saturday after US officials and his family pressed for his freedom from the South American country, the AP reports. "We are grateful to all who participated in this miracle," Joshua Holt's family say in a statement. President Donald Trump says Holt and his family were expected at the White House on Saturday evening. "Good news about the release of the American hostage from Venezuela. ... The great people of Utah will be very happy!" Trump says in a tweet. story continues below The 26-year-old Holt had gone to Venezuela in June 2016 to marry a woman he met online while he was looking for Spanish-speaking Mormons to help him improve his Spanish. Holt's wife, Thamara, was also freed, says Sen. Orrin Hatch, who adds that Holt will soon be reunited with "his sweet, long-suffering family" in Riverton, Utah. Their release came after Tennessee GOP Sen. Bob Corker, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, met with Venezuela's president, Nicolas Maduro, on Friday, two days after the embattled socialist leader kicked out the top US diplomat in the country. Click for the whole story. (Read more Venezuela stories.) (Newser) Irish voters cleared the way for abortions to be legal in their country for the first time by repealing a constitutional ban on the procedure and authorizing legislators to reflect the popular will by giving pregnant women a choice, results from a landmark referendum showed Saturday. Voters in Friday's referendum supported rescinding the ban, adopted in 1983 as the Eighth Amendment to the Irish Constitution, by 66.4% to 33.6%, the AP reports. The size of the win for abortion rights exceeded expectations and was cast as a historic victory for women's rights. Prime Minister Leo Varadkar, speaking after the official tally was announced at crowded Dublin Castle, hailed the momentous outcome as a "once in a generation vote" that showed the electorate's concern "for the next generation." story continues below "The wrenching pain of decades of mistreatment of Irish women cannot be unlived," says Varadkar, who backed repeal. "However, today we have ensured that it does not have to be lived again." Opponents of the repeal movement conceded defeat on Saturday morning after exit polls from the night before suggested more than two-thirds of voters had backed repeal. John McGuirk, spokesman for the Save the 8th group, told Irish television Saturday that many Irish citizens would not recognize the country in which they were waking up. The group said on its website that the referendum's outcome was a "tragedy of historic proportions," but McGuirk said the vote must be respected. "You can still passionately believe that the decision of the people is wrong, as I happen to do, and accept it," he says. (Read more abortion stories.) Sorry! This content is not available in your region New Delhi: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) on Saturday declared the Class 12th board examination results for the academic session 2017-18. The board has made the results available at its official websites, which are www.cbseresults.nic.in, www.cbse.nic.in. In order to avoid heavy traffic students may also log in to other third-party websites such as www.results.nic.in, results.gov.in. This year, around 83.01 per cent candidates have cleared the CBSE Class 12 examination. TheA top three regions are Trivandrum, Chennai and Delhi withA 97.32%, 93.87% and 89% pass percentage respectively.A Meghna Srivastava from Ghaziabad has topped the examination with 499 marks out of 500. "There is no secret, you just have to work hard and be consistent throughout the year. I never counted the number of hours I studied. My teachers and parents have been really helpful. They never pressurised me," ANI quoted Meghna. #WATCH: Meghna Srivastava, #CBSE class 12 topper who scored 499 out of 500 marks, shares her success story, says 'There is no secret, you just have to work hard throughout the year'. #CBSEResult2018 pic.twitter.com/YKaZzqxs7W a ANI (@ANI) May 26, 2018 Meanwhile, students who are waiting eagerly to get their CBSE Class 12th results 2018 may go through the following steps. Steps to check CBSE Class 12th Results 2018: 1- Visit the official website of CBSE- www.cbse.nic.in 2-Click on the link on the websiteas home page- CBSE Class 12th Result 2018. 3- Submit the required details such as roll number 4- Check and download your result 5- Print the copy for future reference The IVR numbers to check the results are: CBSE class 12th results for the academic session 2017-18 have been announced. pic.twitter.com/f1pE908jAv a ANI (@ANI) May 26, 2018 - 24300699: For local Delhi users - 011 - 24300699: For subscribers in other parts of the country Candidates can get their CBSE Class 12 Results 2018 via SMS. SMS - cbse12 type roll number type sch and center no and send it to 7738299899. Additionally, students will also be able to check their results on Google by searching for CBSE Class 12 result. "CBSE has partnered with Google for the first time to host the boardas Class 10 and Class 12 results on the search engine," Hindustan Times quoted CBSE spokesperson Rama Sharma. Earlier on April 25, the CBSE had conducted a re-test for the Class 12 Economics paper, after a purported leak and assured thatA declaration of results will not be delayed due to the re-examination process. The CBSE will start its counselling process from May 26 and continue till June 9. The procedure will take place between 8 am to 10 pm every day. The board will be providing counselling services to students and parents to overcome common psychological problems and general queries related to Class X and XII results. This year, around 11,86,306 candidates registered to appear for the CBSE Class 12 exam, which took place at 4,138 centres in India and 71 centres outside the country. New Delhi: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has provided the most hard working prime minister to the country, BJP president Amit Shah said Saturday on the occasion of the fourth anniversary of Narendra Modi led NDA government. Shah was addressing a press conference on four years of Modi government and said Modi, the most popular leader in the world, has ended the politics of appeasement and dynasty, and ushered in politics of development. During his address, Shah has also listed a series of positive developments, achieved by Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the last four years. "The party has provided a PM who works for 15-18 hours a day. We are proud that this Prime Minister is a leader of BJP," ANI quoted Shah during the conference. He said that with the 2016 surgical strikes conducted across the LoC, the government exhibited its political willingness to take on the country's adversaries. According to the BJP chief the government has also resolved the long-pending issue of One Rank One Pension within a year of coming to power. He has also stated that several measures such as the constitution of an SIT to curb black money were taken by the government. The black money issue was one of the main poll planks of the BJP during the 2014 election campaign. Live - Shri @AmitShah addressing a press conference on completion of 4 years of Modi govt. #SaafNiyatSahiVikas https://t.co/FCkqfJrBzI BJP (@BJP4India) May 26, 2018 Also Read | Four years of Narendra Modi government LIVE updates | PM to address public rally in Cuttack "Modi dispensation is sensitive and committed towards development of villages," Shah added. Talking about the rising fuel prices in the country Shah said, "The current prices of petrol and diesel were the same during three years of Congress government. But they are fed up of these raised prices in only three days in our government." The BJP president has also assured a long term-solution for the soaring petrol and disel prices across India. Earlier in the day, Congress president Rahul Gandhi released a report card for the Narendra Modi government. In reply to Gandhi's tweet, Shah said, "What else do you expect from Rahul Gandhi? He is in the opposition, he has to do this. We have presented facts and figures and anyone can challenge that." 4 Yr. Report Card Agriculture: F Foreign Policy: F Fuel Prices: F Job Creation: F Slogan Creation: A+ Self Promotion: A+ Yoga: B- Remarks: Master communicator; struggles with complex issues; short attention span. Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) May 26, 2018 Also Read | PM Narendra Modi releases his achievement list on 4th anniversary of NDA government On a day, when the BJP is celebrating its fourth anniversary in the country, the Congress party is observing 'Vishwasghat Diwas' (betrayal day) in 20 different cities across India. Press conferences will also be held by senior party leaders such as Gulam Nabi Azad, Ashok Gehlot, and Randeep Singh Surjewala. In other places, state unit presidents and AICC incharges will hold press conferences to mark the protest against Narendra Modi led BJP government. (With inputs from agencies) For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: A day after challenging Prime Minister Narendra Modi for fuel price reduction challenge, Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Saturday issued a areport carda on the occasion of four years of Modi government in power. Gandhi on his Twitter handle released the report card and said that the prime minister has failed to tackle the farmersa issue and failed in asubjecta of agriculture in Karnataka. 4 Yr. Report Card Agriculture: F Foreign Policy: F Fuel Prices: F Job Creation: F Slogan Creation: A+ Self Promotion: A+ Yoga: B- Remarks: Master communicator; struggles with complex issues; short attention span. a Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) May 26, 2018 In a thorough explanation, Gandhi stated that there was aRs 0a contribution to Congress state governmentas Rs 8,500 crore farm loan waiver. He added that due to the PMas crop insurance scheme, private insurance firms are bagging huge profits and farmers are suffering. Mr Modias Report Card State: Karnataka Sub: Agriculture 1. Contribution to Cong State Govts 8,500 Cr Farm Loan waiver = 0 Rs 2. PMas crop insurance scheme: Farmers suffer; pvt insurance companies make huge profits. 3. No MSP+50%, for Karnataka farmers. Grade = F pic.twitter.com/SLJBE4cXWC a Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) May 3, 2018 The Congress presidentas tweet came a day after PM Modi held the Siddaramaiah Government responsible for the miserable condition of the state farmers. He attacked Karnatakaas Congress government over its alleged distance towards executing the crop insurance scheme to insult them against crop loss. "I keep getting complaints regarding Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana from Karnataka, but one of our MPs has done a great work in his constituency with the help of Kisan morcha workers. He, however, did not name the MP. "The Karnataka government is indifferent...it does not care about the benefits that a farmer can get from the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana," he said. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: With National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government completing its fourth year in power, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is addressing a mega rally in Odisha's Cuttack city on Saturday. Large number of security personnel have been deployed at the historic Baliyatra ground ahead of PM Modi's arrival at the place. The venue has been chosen because Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Dharmendra Pradhan is in charge of undivided Cuttack. Modi's visit is significant to the state after BJP's defeat in the Bijepur bypoll along with two urban polls of Notified Area Councils at Attabira and Hindol. With an unfortunate defeat in the recent Karnataka Assembly polls, the party is now intensifying its campaign across the poll-bound states including Odisha. Apart from various state assembly elections, the BJP has also shifted its focus to the 2019 Lok Sabha elections with an aim to retain its power in the country for the second consecutive time. Here are the Highlights on Four Years of Narendra Modi government: # 06:30 PM: Due to the Mahanadi water dispute, farmers of Odisha are suffering. We are committed to resolve their problems and address the challenges they have to face: PM Narendra Modi # 06:20 PM: There is lack of proper health facilities in several places. Situation is worse here in Odisha. I wonder what were the previous govts doing? Even if state govts aren't carrying out their responsibilities properly, centre is doing everything it can in this direction: PM in Cuttack # 06:10 PM: Why didn't Congress realise that the poor are not being entertained at banks? Why didn't the Congress ever see that the lives of poor people also hold value and they also need life insurance: PM Modi # 06:02 PM: Till 2014 39% of the population had access to sanitation facilities, today the figure is over 80%. From independence till 2014 there were around 6 crore toilets in the country but in last four years 7.5 crore toilets have been made: PM Modi in Odisha's Cuttack # 06:00 PM: Four former chief ministers were jailed due to ongoing probe against corruption: PM Narendra Modi # 05:50 PM: Chaos was caused for some when we made strict laws against black money, it made many come together & stand on the same stage, those accused in big scams are coming together now. : PM Narendra Modi # 05:40 PM: It is important to remember the issues which the nation was facing 4 years ago, the atmosphere there was four years ago. It is important to remember how much did the family, which ruled the nation for 48 years, cared for it : PM Narendra Modi in Cuttack # 05:33 PM: In these four years, the 125 crore Indian have come to believe that our India can change. Today the nation is going from 'Kala Dhan to 'Jan Dhan', from bad governance to good governance: PM Narendra Modi in Cuttack # 05:30 PM: Many who are in the NDA govt have lived in poverty and that is why betterment of the poor is their biggest priority. It is a government whose President, Vice President & Pradhan Sevak, all have lived in poverty: PM Modi in Cuttack # 05:25 PM: Your aspirations, dreams, and hopes is what makes me keep working: PM Narendra Modi in Cuttack # 05:23 PM: Great freedom fighter Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose was born in this holy land: PM Narendra Modi in Cuttack # 05:20 PM: It is my good fortune that I got the opportunity to greet my 125 crore countrymen from the land of great Lord Jagannath: PM Modi in Cuttack # 04:07 PM: It is your voice that counts! Tell me what you feel about the working of the Central Government, its initiatives and the development work in your constituency. Take part in this survey on the NaMo App, PM Modi tweeted. It is your voice that counts! Tell me what you feel about the working of the Central Government, its initiatives and the development work in your constituency. Take part in this survey on the NaMo App. https://t.co/KZwMJDTlfP pic.twitter.com/50aHCSAfMa Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 26, 2018 # 03:13 PM: PM Narendra Modi will address a public meeting in Cuttack, Odisha on Saturday at 4 pm. # 01:59 PM: I repeat this, that we want Shivsena and BJP to fight together in 2019 elections, says Amit Shah. # 01:58 PM: TDP left but Nitish Ji came. 11 more parties became part of NDA after 2014. Family of NDA has increased, not decreased. Only Chandrababu Ji left: BJP President Amit Shah. # 01:21 PM: The current prices of petrol and diesel were the same during three years of Congress government. But they are fed up of these raised prices in only three days in our government? Government is thinking about that and will form a long-term solution for it: Amit Shah. The current prices of petrol & diesel were the same during three years of Congress government. But they are fed up of these raised prices in only three days in our government? Government is thinking about that & will form a long-term solution for it: BJP President Amit Shah pic.twitter.com/DccgbfQvqu ANI (@ANI) May 26, 2018 # 01:20 PM: Financial inclusion of women, SC/ST, minorities and other weaker sections, unparalleled infrastructure development, fiscal consolidation & securing rights of all sections of society have been highlights of the 4 years of transparent government led by PM Narendra Modi ji. # 01:19 PM: India is fast transforming from a tax non-compliant society to a tax-compliant society. The enactment and implementation of GST, the impact of demonetisation, effective tax compliance are all steps against black money, steps which are formalising the Indian economy, Jaitley tweeted. # 01:18 PM: Ten years of the UPA rule had unquestionably witnessed the most corrupt Government since Independence. PM Narendra Modi ji created transparent systems through legislative and institutional changes which have given our country a scam-free governance, says Arun Jaitley. Ten years of the UPA rule had unquestionably witnessed the most corrupt Government since Independence. PM @narendramodi ji created transparent systems through legislative and institutional changes which have given our country a scam-free governance. Arun Jaitley (@arunjaitley) May 26, 2018 # 01:16 PM: In the last 4 years leadership of PM Narendra Modi ji has transformed India from being a part of the fragile five to a bright spot on the global economic scene. A regime of policy paralysis has been transformed into one of decisions and actions: Finance Minister Arun Jaitley. # 01:15 PM: Bharatiya Janata Party considers war the last option. However, we have zero tolerance regarding safety of our borders. The most number of terrorists have been killed in BJP government, says Amit Shah. # 01:12 PM: What else do you expect from Rahul Gandhi? He is in the opposition, he has to do this. We have presented facts and figures and anyone can challenge that: BJP President Amit Shah on Rahul Gandhi's tweet regarding Modi government's performance. # 12:56 PM: Congress President Rahul Gandhi released report card for Narendra Modi government. 4 Yr. Report Card Agriculture: F Foreign Policy: F Fuel Prices: F Job Creation: F Slogan Creation: A+ Self Promotion: A+ Yoga: B- Remarks: Master communicator; struggles with complex issues; short attention span. Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) May 26, 2018 # 12:55 PM: A Congress worker tonsures her head during the party's protest in Chandigarh against Narendra Modi government. Delhi: Army Subedar arrested for allegedly attempting to molest a Pharmacy student on board Duronto Express, yesterday. ANI (@ANI) May 26, 2018 # 12:46 PM: BJP provided the most hardworking Prime Minister and the most popular leader in the world to the country, a PM who works for 15-18 hours a day. We are proud that this Prime Minister is a leader of BJP: Amit Shah. # 12:35 PM: BJP president Amit Shah addressing a press conference on completion of 4 years of Modi government. Live - Shri @AmitShah addressing a press conference on completion of 4 years of Modi govt. #SaafNiyatSahiVikas https://t.co/FCkqfJrBzI BJP (@BJP4India) May 26, 2018 # 12:34 PM: Congress members and workers stage protest against 4 years of Narendra Modi led-BJP government, in Delhi. The party is observing 'Vishwasghat Diwas' (betrayal day) in view of the Modi government's anniversary on Saturday. Congress members & workers stage protest against 4 years of Narendra Modi led-BJP government, in #Delhi. The party is observing 'Vishwasghat Diwas' (betrayal day) in view of the Modi govt's anniversary today pic.twitter.com/aaulPoAl6t ANI (@ANI) May 26, 2018 # 12:00 PM: GST enhancing ease of doing business and ease of living - BJP # 11:17 AM: BJP National President Shri Amit Shah will address a press conference on completion of 4 years of Modi government at 12:30 pm today BJP National President Shri @AmitShah will address a press conference on completion of 4 years of Modi government at 12:30 pm today. Watch LIVE at https://t.co/vpP0MI6iTu & https://t.co/KrGm5hWgwn. #SaafNiyatSahiVikas pic.twitter.com/02oWGf79Wu BJP (@BJP4India) May 26, 2018 # 11:00 AM: Ensuring affordable and quality healthcare - BJP # 10:50 AM: Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan ensuring good health of Mother and Child - BJP # 10:49 AM: This government has failed on all fronts. PM Narendra Modi terms everything he does as historic, I think that is why fuel prices are at a historic high during his government: BSP Chief Mayawati. This government has failed on all fronts. PM Narendra Modi terms everything he does as historic, I think that is why fuel prices are at a historic high during his government: BSP Chief Mayawati on 4 years of Modi govt pic.twitter.com/HrhdF8q4II ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) May 26, 2018 # 10:47 AM: Ujjwala Yojana ensuring smoke-free lives for crores of poor families. 3.8 crore poor women got LPG connections - BJP # 10:17 AM: Heralding a revolution in sanitation: Under Swachh Bharat Mission over 7.25 crore toilets built, sanitation coverage goes up from 38% in 2014 to 83% in 2018 -BJP # 10:10 AM: Securing future for Nari Shakti through Pradhan Mantri Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana - BJP # 10:02 AM: Next generation infrastructure for New India - BJP # 10:00 AM: Connecting villages through Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana - BJP # 09:55 AM: The essence of the last 4 years is 'mera bhashan hi mera prashasan hai,' 'only my rhetoric is my governance' & on all parameters the Narendra Modi govt has been an absolute catastrophe: Congress' Manish Tewari, on 4 years of Modi government. # 09:50 AM: Ayushman Bharat to be Worlds largest health insurance initiative # 09:43 AM: I congratulate the Prime Minister & his entire cabinet for successful four years in the central government. I have faith that India will emerge as a super power in the world under PM's guidance.Congress must be prepared for another defeat in 2019: Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath. I congratulate the Prime Minister & his entire cabinet for successful four years in the central government. I have faith that India will emerge as a super power in the world under PM's guidance.Congress must be prepared for another defeat in 2019: Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath pic.twitter.com/fk9SGfarnP ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) May 26, 2018 # 09:42 AM: Strong economic fundamentals define India # 08:53 AM: Economy growing at a robust rate, with 7.4% GDP growth forecast for FY 2018-19 - BJP # 08:52 AM: Record budgetary allocation of Rs. 2,11,694 crore for farmers welfare in New India- BJP # 08:50 AM: No village in India is now in darkness. DDUGJY ensured every village is electrified. SAUBHAGYA ensuring every household is electrified, targeting 4 crore un-electrified households - BJP No village in India is now in darkness. DDUGJY ensured every village is electrified. SAUBHAGYA ensuring every household is electrified, targeting 4 crore un-electrified households. https://t.co/Vb2FwWxTsU #SaafNiyatSahiVikas pic.twitter.com/Jy75SJD4Ny BJP (@BJP4India) May 26, 2018 # 08:42 AM: Multi-faceted focus on doubling famers incomes - BJP # 08:40 AM: Jan Dhan serving the banking needs of the unbanked poor: 31.52 crore Jan Dhan accounts opened - BJP # 08:35 AM: Narendra Modi government took stringent action against corruption and black money - BJP Meanwhile, a day before Prime Minister's visit to the twin cities of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack, BJP president Amit Shah on Friday inaugurated an exhibition on various schemes and infrastructure projects launched under the Narendra Modi government. The exhibition, which will be marking the fourth anniversary of Modi government, was organised at the Ambedkar International Centre by Union Minister Vijay Goel. Besides that, the BJP will also launch a fortnight-long programme with its president Amit Shah leading an exercise to reach out to one lakh personalities from different walks of life to highlight its achievements. On this day in 2014, we began our journey of working towards Indias transformation. Over the last four years, development has become a vibrant mass movement, with every citizen feeling involved in India's growth trajectory. 125 crore Indians are taking India to great heights! Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 26, 2018 The programme will start on May 27, in which ministers from both the Centre and BJP ruled states will reach out to personalities or experts or influential people across the country. MPs, MLAs, mayors and all other office-bearers of the party will also be present at the event. It will also include a special contact drive in SC and ST localities and senior citizens. The BJP will promote the use of Narendra Modi App during the party's interactions with the people from different walks of life. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Gangster Abu Salem has been convicted in Patiala Court of Delhi in 2002 extortion case on Saturday. Salem has always claimed that the prosecution has no evidence related to the case against him. The gangsters advocate also stated that the ruling is a violation of the Treaty due to which Salem was brought to India from Portugal in 2005. In 2002, a Delhi-based businessman Ashok Gupta filed a case against Abu Salem, who was accused of seeking ransom worth Rs 5 crore. In the Mumbai blasts case, the special TADA court had last year convicted six people, including gangster Abu Salem and Mustafa Dausa. While, Abdul Qayyum was found innocent. Abu Salem was convicted because of involvement in terrorist activities and conspiracy. Whereas Mustafa Dausa was convicted for plotting a murder and terrorist activities. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Days after Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis accused the Shiv Sena of betrayal, the latter on Friday dubbed the BJP as a "mad murderer" that is "stabbing anyone coming in its way. In an aggressive, straight to the point write up in Shiv Senas Saamana, Uddhav Thackeray has sternly criticised Yogi Adityanaths recent visit to Palghar and stated that he felt like hitting him with his own footwear. The write up comes days after Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis accused the Shiv Sena of deception and the latter on Friday termed the BJP as mad murderer that is stabbing everyone. Angry at the Uttar Pradesh chief minister for wearing his footwear when garlanding the photo of Maratha warrior Chhatrapati Shivaji, Uddhav termed Yogi Adityanath as a hypocrit CM. "He garlanded (photo of) Shivaji Maharaj while wearing chappals. I felt like taking the same chappals and hitting his face with it," wrote the Shiv Sena chief. "He is no yogi, he is a bhogi. Had he been a yogi, he would have given up everything and gone and sat in a cave. But he has gone and sat in the CM's chair." The former alliance partner of Shiv Sena in Maharashtra was termed as mad murderer by Uddhav Thackeray. "Today, the BJP has become a mad murderer that stabs anybody coming in its way," the Sena editorial alleged. The word fight between the Shiv Sena and the BJP has stooped to new lows but may even degrade further with Uddhav stating that he is ready for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. "The Sena's victory in Nashik and Parbhani is just the beginning and our win in Palghar (Lok Sabha bypoll) will be the trailer. The developments that follow will change the course of politics in Maharashtra." For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: In yet another early morning encounter, five terrorists were shot dead in Jammu and Kashmir's Tangdhar sector on Saturday. The terrorists were trying to cross the LoC in Tangdhar sector, located in Kupwara district of North Kashmir. It is yet to confirm that how many were trying to cross over, but according to reports, five terrorists trying to enter the Indian side were spotted in the wee hours of Friday and gunned down by the Indian forces. A search operation is still underway to check if there are any remaining terrorists in the locale, according to Defence spokesperson Colonel Rajesh Kalia. Here are the LIVE updates on Tangdhar sector encounter: # 11:07 AM: #SpotVisuals from Tangdhar: 5 terrorists, who were trying to infiltrate, have been killed by security forces in an ongoing operation. (Visuals deferred by unspecified time) #JammuAndKashmir pic.twitter.com/MCNLYMLhLb a ANI (@ANI) May 26, 2018 # 08:30 AM:A Another terrorist killed by security forces in Tangdhar sector of #JammuAndKashmir. Total five terrorists have been killed after security forces foiled an infiltration attempt today. Operation underway. #UPDATE Another terrorist killed by security forces in Tangdhar sector of #JammuAndKashmir. Total five terrorists have been killed after security forces foiled an infiltration attempt today. Operation underway a ANI (@ANI) May 26, 2018 # 08:05 AM: Infiltration bid foiled by security forces in Tangdhar sector of #JammuAndKashmir. Four terrorists killed. Operation in progress The Centre on May 16 agreed to Kashmir Chief Minister Mebhooba Muftias proposal for ceasefire in Jammu and Kashmir during the holy month of Ramzan. Announcing conditional ceasefire, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) asked the security forces not to launch operation against terrorists during the holy month.A For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday held a closed-door meeting with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in Kolkata. The West Bengal chief minister later stated that a "lot of issues" were discussed during the meeting. "The discussion was friendly and cordial. We discussed trade, economic ties and their improvement among other things," she said. "The country (Bangladesh) is doing well in all aspects and we want them to prosper more...We want them (Bangladesh leaders) to come here all the time," Banerjee told the journalists following the highly anticipated meeting. The Trinamool Congress president said the responsibility of maintaining good relations between India and Bangladesh depend on both the countries. Banerjee added that if the Centre and Bangladesh agreed, a 'Bangabandhu Bhavan' could come up in the city. Hasina was on a two-day visit to India to attend the convocation of Visva-Bharati and the inauguration of Bangladesh Bhavan at Santiniketan on Friday. She also visited the Jorasanko Thakurbari, the ancestral house of Rabindranath Tagore in the city. On Saturday, Hasina was conferred honorary D.Litt by Kazi Nazrul University in Asansol. She visited the Netaji Research Bureau at the national leader's ancestral house in the city prior to her meeting with Banerjee. Hasina later left for Dhaka in a special flight. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: A Delhi court on Saturday disallowed BJP Rajya Sabha MP Subramanian Swamy's petition in the year-old National Herald case involving Congress president Rahul Gandhi and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi among others. In its last hearing on May 14, the Delhi court reserved order on Swamy's plea for May 26. His plea sought Young Indian Pvt Ltd Stakeholders Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi to either admit or deny the documents filed by him on whether they are originals. The court, however, has allowed Swamy to summon those documents, officials after examination, as evidence, the news agency ANI reported. National Herald Case: Delhi Court disallowed Subramanian Swamys petition that accused had to admit or deny documents but allows Swamy (Petitioner) to summon those documents, officials after examination, as evidence. pic.twitter.com/BfssDRQLmE ANI (@ANI) May 26, 2018 Read | Rahul Gandhi declares PM Modi's report card, gives him 'F' in subject of fuel prices, agriculture The Bharatiya Janata Party leader had filed three different applications, in which he accused the Congress party of an interest-free loan of Rs 90.25 crore to Associated Journals Limited (AJL), owner of the National Herald newspaper. In the first application Swamy sought documents from Congress while in the second one he demanded the Congress leaders and others to either deny or admit if the documents were original. The third application was filed in order to request the court to take certain documents, relating to the National Herald case, as the record that he claims that he had found lying at his doorstep. Read | BJP provided most hard working Prime Minister to India: Amit Shah on 4 years of Modi government In November last year, Sonia and Rahul filed their response to the applications filed by Swamy. In the response, they stated that the application filed by Swamy was not bonafide and filled with the sole object of "delaying the proceedings in a lifeless case". For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Bengaluru: It is unfortunate for the Bharatiya Janata Party and the central government that the public perception is that the BJP is ruling Tamil Nadu by proxy and holds it solely responsible for the Sterlite protests and police killings in Tuticorin. Justification of police firing that killed 13 protesters from Tuticorin and neighbouring villages from the local TN leaders only added fuel to the fire and cemented the public perception that the BJP will find it difficult to fight against, in the run up to the general elections in May 2019. Tamil Nadu along with neighbouring Puducherry sent 40 MPs to the Lok Sabha and in the previous elections, the strong Modi wave that swept the country stopped at TN border and bowed to the supreme revolutionary leader Amma, Jayalalithaa. The BJP could win only one seat and that to thanks to, ironically the strength of the Congress candidate in Kanyakumari that gave the BJP candidate Pon Radhakrishnan a victory in a three-cornered fight. Amma wave across TN swept the state and won 37 out of all the seats on offer. The only leader who could win a seat was regional party Pattali Makkal Katchi leader and former union health minister Anbumani Ramadoss. Why the public perception on the ground that is going pretty much against the BJP for none of its fault, is important is that the BJP is unlikely to repeat its 2014 performance in Uttar Pradesh and other parts of North India and would be looking at virgin areas like South India States located down the Vindhyas together account for 130 seats and most of the region appears a no-go area for the BJP. And more so in Tamil Nadu, which has seemed more or less orphaned after the death of former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa who ruled the state with an iron hand and a tough pro-Tamil Nadu stance on plenty of issues concerning the state whether it was Cauvery river water sharing, Kudankulam Nuclear power plant protests, GST or NEET. But after her death the AIADMK government that followed lived dangerously, more due to the merciful support it received from the Centre, did not leave anything in doubt that this Tamil Nadu government headed by Edapaddi Palaniswami and his deputy O Panneerselvam (after a peace brokered between the two AIADMK leaders allegedly by Prime Minister Narendra Modi) was indeed taking instructions from New Delhi. Reversal of NEET position causing untold misery to its medical aspirants in the state is seen by the people of Tamil Nadu as one more instance of capitulation to the BJP. Cut to Sterlite protests and the firing that the opposition in Tamil Nadu headed by DMK describes it as totally unprovoked, the killing sure does raise many questions to the manner in which the police appeared to be shooting to kill rather than to stop and control violent protesters as the police manual and standard operating procedures. TN BJP leader H Raja justified the police action and in fact, other leaders saying that Tuticorin would have turned into a Kashmir if tough action was not taken only went onto provoke the protesters further. Why have the protests that have been going on for several years peaked today? Chennai-based environmental activist reasoned that instead of heading to the protesters seeking a shutdown of the factory, the government gave permission for the company to expand its capacity that would mean doubling of hazards to health and environment that the copper smelter plant is causing to the region. Farmers lament that the effluents from the factory were destroying the agricultural fields and leading to severe health hazards for the villagers nearby. The spike in protests was triggered by this permission to expand capacity of the plant to 80,00,000-ton last July and have only been growing due to the stand of the government that seemed to favour the private company. People in the region suffer from breathlessness, wheezing and fear that sustained exposure could lead to cancer. For the time being, the situation is being brought under control. The Madras High Court has ordered the closure of the company and the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board has snapped power to the company. But with company officials planning to take legal recourse to the government action, the Copper smelter plant saga is far from over. New Delhi: Amid perennial neighbourhood issues with Pakistan and the recent estrangement with Nepal which India laboured to bridge, Indo-Bangladesh relations stand out as an example of good neighbourly ties despite Chinese efforts to wrench and lure Dhaka away from New Delhi. Indeed, Prime Minister Modi and his Bangladesh counterpart Sheikh Hasina have struck a fine rapport and consequently, the stakes for India are high as Bangladesh goes to polls later this year. While the re-election of Hasina would cement those ties, a vote for her arch-rival Begum Khaleda who is now under detention on corruption charges could alter the picture overnight and leave the door ajar for sinister Pakistani groups to intensify subversive operations at our doorstep. Indo-Bangla positives found reiteration when the two leaders met at the convocation of the Viswa Bharati University in Shantiniketan on along with West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee whose concurrence is essential for any plan to share the waters of Teesta river. Indias help to Bangladesh in launching the countrys first satellite Bangabandhu 1 also came up for laudatory mention. Modi referred in his Shantiniketan speech to the golden chapter in Indo-Bangla relations. For him too in the Indian general elections next year, good ties with neighbours would be an issue that would work to his benefit at least in Bangladeshs case. A settlement on sharing Teesta waters which originates in the Himalayas and flows through Sikkim and West Bengal to merge with the Brahmaputra in Assam and (Jamuna in Bangladesh), is perhaps the only major bone of contention between the two neighbours. For West Bengal, the Teesta is important since it is the lifeline of half-a-dozen districts. Bangladesh has sought an equitable distribution of Teesta waters from India, on the lines of the Ganga Water Treaty of 1996, but to no avail. Mamata Banerjee has been opposing the sharing of Teesta waters on the ground that West Bengal would fall short of its requirements and such a line strikes a sensitive chord with the people of her state. Whether the meeting with Sheikh Hasina in Shantiniketan would help in softening her stand remains to be seen. That this visit of Hasina brought Mamata to interact with Modi is also significant because the two are at daggers drawn in the electoral battles. Sheikh Hasina has sought Indias help also in resolving the Rohingya issue with Myanmar with an estimated 11 lakh Rohingya refugees living in Bangladesh. That these refugees put a heavy strain on its economy and need to be taken back to their original country is beyond question. India can ill afford not to heed Hasinas SOS to use its good offices with Myanmar to resolve the refugee crisis. If Bangladesh succeeds in making tangible headway on both the issue of Teesta waters sharing and on Rohingya refugees being taken back by Myanmar, it would be a major boost in Sheikh Hasinas re-election efforts and that would be a big gain for India. India recognises that Bangladeshs support is critical to Indias Act East policy. Be it the forum Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal (BBIN) and Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) Bangladeshs support will help India gain a toehold to counter Chinese influence in the region. Maritime connectivity link is another area in which India and Bangladesh can work together. There, indeed, are huge opportunities for mutual cooperation and if the same tempo is maintained as it is now, there could be major gains for the two countries in coming days. China has been wooing Bangladesh to take advantage of the development of Gwadar port in Pakistan but Dhaka has resisted any overtures that are inimical to Indian interests. One shudders to think what the consequences for India would be if Hasina does not remain at the helm in Bangladesh. It is a measure of the fragility of Indias foreign policy initiative that it is dependent on one person to take forward the Indo-Bangla juggernaut. New Delhi: At least 48 people including 16 children died in northern Uganda after a bus slammed a tractor driving with no lights at night and then a truck, the Red Cross said on Saturday. "Evacuation teams are working tirelessly to rescue the injured", said Ugandan police spokeswoman Emilian Kayima, adding that all three drivers had died. "The death toll is now at 48 including 16 children," Red Cross spokeswoman Irene Nakasiita told a leading press agency. The accident took place on Friday night in Kiryandongo, around 140 miles north of the capital Kampala. The bus slammed the tractor first before colliding with a truck. Uganda has one of the worst records for road safety, mainly due to the poor condition of vehicles and roads as well as due to dangerous driving. More than 9,500 people have died in road accidents in the country between 2015 and 2017, as per the figures by the transport ministry. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. More than 5, 000 expatriates were deported from Bahrain in the past three years for violating the Kingdoms labour laws, it was recently revealed. According to the latest statistics released by the Supreme Judicial Council, 5, 294 expats were sentenced to deportation after they were convicted in various cases related to the violation of the work titles mentioned in their residency permits between the years 2015-2018. The figures showed that 16 expatriates were deported between January 1 and March 13 this year. It was also proved that 1, 022 were deported in 2017, while the highest number recorded was 2, 724, the total number of expats convicted and deported in 2015. This was unfolded within the reply of the Supreme Judicial Council to queries of the Services Committee in the Council of Representatives, which is planned to vote this week on a bill that shows more leniency towards convicted expats by scrapping compulsory deportation as a penalty. Submitted by MP Mohammed Al Maarifi last January, the bill aims to amend a clause in Act 19 of the year 2006 with regard to the regulation of the labour market. The proposed amendment scraps the existing text in the law which stipulates compulsory deportation of foreign workers found guilty of engaging in any work in the Kingdom without a work permit issued in accordance with the provisions of this act. In the event of conviction, the court shall order the deportation of the foreign worker from the Kingdom and the prohibition of his re-entry either permanently or for a temporary period of not less than three years, reads the clause in the existing law. The proposed amendment suggests fining convicts BD100 and granting judges the jurisdiction to deport the convicts in accordance with their offence, instead of mandatorily deporting them as per the instructions of the current law. According to Al Maarifi, the bill would achieve social justice thats instructed by the Kingdoms constitution, considering the humanitarian circumstances of some of the convicted expats requiring that theyre not deported from the country and granting the Judiciary Authority discretionary power whether to deport the convict or not. The committee received the proposed law and thoroughly discussed it with the related establishments, including the Supreme Judicial Council, Interior Ministry and Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA), in addition to the Legislative and Legal Affairs and Foreign Affairs, Defence and National Security Committees in the council. LMRA rejected the bill and warned that it may encourage some foreign workers to violate the law. The authority also added that if the bill is implemented, it would weaken the legal tools utilised by the Kingdom to combat the irregular employment issue. The bill was supported by Interior Ministry and both parliamentary committees. However, the Foreign Affairs, Defence and National Security Committee advised to maintain the existing text which stipulates the prevention of deported expats from re-entering the Kingdom for at least three years. After discussing the matter for almost five months with the related authorities, Services Committee members decided to approve the bill, which will be voted on this Tuesday during the regular weekly meeting of the Council of Representatives, in the presence of representatives of the government. The mouthpiece of Northern Nigeria, Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), has backed the call on President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration... The mouthpiece of Northern Nigeria, Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), has backed the call on President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration to probe former President Olusegun Obasanjo over the alleged $16 billion power project scandal.The ACF said that doing so would send a signal to other public office holders on the need for prudent management of the nations resources.National Publicity Secretary of ACF, Alhaji Muhammad Ibrahim Biu, in an exclusive interview with The Nation, said it is worrisome that those that were responsible for the failure of the power project were not brought to justice despite the previous probe by the National Assembly.According to the ACF spokesman, the calls by some Nigerians on President Buhari to probe the alleged $16 billion power project scandal is not misplaced, considering the harm corruption has inflicted on the nation and the promise by this regime to fight it.From 1999 to date, the promises made by our political leaders to improve power supply have mostly been observed in the breach.The National Assembly had sometimes probed the alleged corruption associated with power supply, but Nigerians are yet to know the fate of that probe.Most worrisome is the lack of the political will to bring to justice those found guilty by the probes which have, unfortunately, continued to encourage corruption by making it a way of life and culture.Therefore, the change we need is to make public officials, however highly placed, account for their malfeasance while in office.The probe will serve as a deterrence to others and also instil prudence in managing public office for performance.Following fresh alarm by President Muhammadu Buhari, some civil society organisations have demanded for the probe of the alleged $16 billion power contracts.These organizations include Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) and the Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership(CACOL).SERAP said: We welcome the focus by President Buhari on the massive allegations of corruption and mismanagement in the power sector and urge him to expand his searchlight beyond the Obasanjo government by ensuring accountability and full recovery of the over N11 trillion squandered by the three administrations.It is only by pursuing all the allegations and taking the evidence before the court that the truth will be revealed and justice best served. This is the only way to conclusively address the systemic corruption in the power sector and an entrenched culture of impunity of perpetrators.Addressing impunity in the power sector should be total. This would help improve the integrity of government and public confidence and trust in their government. It would also serve as a vehicle to further the publics perception of fairness and thoroughness, and to avert any appearance of political considerations in the whole exercise.By immediately pursuing justice and recovery of any stolen assets in the power sector, the Buhari government would be acting in the public interest, and consistent with the spirit and letter of the constitution, particularly Chapter 2 of the 1999 Constitution dealing with Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy, and providing that high-level public officials have a clear obligation to eradicate all corrupt practices and abuse of power.SERAP notes that lack of access to uninterrupted energy/electricity services has forced many citizens to use and collect frequently contaminated surface water for drinking and household uses; and denied the citizens the ability and services for boiling, purifying, disinfecting and storing water, as well as for irrigation to increase the productivity of lands, thereby decreasing the availability of food supplies and undermining employment opportunities.On its part, CACOL said: Our stand is that the Federal Government should waste no time further but should probe whoever is behind poorly implemented national projects.Now that the President has confirmed that $16 bn was wasted under former President Olusegun Obasanjo, the Buhari administration needs to summon enough courage and politicalwill to bring the culprits to book.Power, influence and political leanings should not be considered in bringing whoever is guilty to book. In its resolve to take the gospel of Christ to the nooks and crannies of Nigeria and beyond through music and creative arts, Love World Music and Arts Ministry, an arm of Pastor Chris Oyakhilomes Believers Love World Ministries, is set to release the Best Songs of the Year album.According to Pastor Oyakhilome, the major inspiration behind conceiving the idea three years ago was basically to transform societies around the world through music and creative arts.The Best Songs of the Year is a project initiated to reach the world through music and creative arts ministrations. It is a compilation of the best music from the finest music ministers from Believers Love world Nation. It contains timeless truths and messages that have the ability to transform and change societies all around the world. As a result, we resolved to consciously circulate the album all around the world, he said.The Best Songs of the Year album contains songs from top gospel artistes including Sinach, Frank Edwards, Eben, Jahdiel, Evangelist Kathy Woghiren, Buchi, Israel Strong, Ada, Wisdom, Testimony Jaga, Rap Nation and many others. Ahead of the 2019 presidential election, an ex-militant leader of Phase II Amnesty group, under the Presidential Amnesty Programme, PAP, General Emma Lawson has vowed to protect President Muhammadu Buharis votes in the Niger Delta region.Lawson also known as Sinaman while addressing a selected team of journalists in Abuja recently, threatened to deal with anybody seeking to truncate Buharis vote in the Niger Delta region, including ex-militants who might want to stand on his way.He claimed that he protected votes that belong to the President during the election, while he vowed that any militant that is hell-bent on frustrating the re-election of Buhari would meet stiff resistance.According to him, President Buharis performance in developing the Niger Delta region was more than expectation, compared to what the former President and son of the soil, Goodluck Jonathan, did despite the six years he was in power.His words: With circumspect, the socio-political happenings in recent times as they affect the Niger Delta region, I humbly make the following declaration, that I General Emma Lawson, No 1 Phase Two Ex-militant Leaders and the Grand Commander of the Creeks of the Niger Delta region shall deliver and protect President Muhammadu Buharis votes in the 2019 general elections in the region of the Niger Delta.That I shall lead other ex-militant generals under my leadership in this onerous task I have assigned to myself without fear and intimidation from any person or group in the region, and if any ex-militant or youths stand on my way to stop me from carrying out this patriotic task for our great nation, he shall not be forgiven and must be punished according to the laws of the land and law of the creeks.According to him, this declaration and vote of confidence on Buhari is as a result of unprecedented achievements of the President in three years generally, particularly in the Niger Delta region.He continued: These unprecedented achievements are hereby stated, but not limited to the following: visible and tangible projects are being executed by the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, in every nooks and crannies of the Niger Delta region as against preceding order of Jonathans government, where virtually most projects were awarded and executed on pages of newspapers.That, the historical take-off of Maritime University, Okerenkoko, is worthy of commendation whilst academic activities have commenced fully. Where our so-called son of the soil failed, Mr President is succeeding.That reforms and prompt payment of ex-militant entitlements in the Federal Government Amnesty programme is worth celebrating as well as the appointment of Professor Charles Dokubo, as Coordinator for the Federal Governments amnesty programme.That the midwifery of the legal framework for the establishment of the Petroleum University, Okerenkoko is worth of mentioning, again, where our so-called son of the soil failed, the Man, from Daura has succeeded. I celebrate you, Mr President for the ongoing clean-up of Ogoni Land. What our so-called son of the soil Jonathan refused to do in six years, Mr President, you did it in just two years in office. Indeed you are not just a friend but a brother to us.He lauded the appointment of Barrister Festus Keyamo as spokesman of the Muhammadu Buhari Campaign Organisation for the 2019 presidential election.He, however, appealed for completion of the East-West Road, stating that by doing so, Buharis name would be written in goldPolitics they say is a game of interest and it will be quite interesting how the 2019 general elections play out in the months ahead. TORONTO and SPOKANE, Wash., May 25, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hydro One Limited (Hydro One) (TSX:H) and Avista Corporation (Avista) (NYSE:AVA) today announced the achievement of an important milestone in the regulatory approval process of their proposed merger. The companies have filed an all-parties, all-issues settlement agreement in the merger proceeding before the Public Utility Commission of Oregon (OPUC). This represents a full settlement which all parties have agreed is consistent with the public interest and will provide net benefits to Avistas Oregon customers. The settlement agreement is subject to review and approval by the OPUC. This is yet another key milestone as we navigate the path toward completing this transaction, said Mayo Schmidt, President and CEO, Hydro One. Once complete, this merger of two leading institutions will generate tremendous value for our organization, as well as our shareholders, employees and customers. We are very pleased by the progress we have been able to achieve in cooperation with all parties involved. This settlement agreement is a positive next step in the process to finalize our partnership with Hydro One, for the benefit of our customers in Oregon and all of our stakeholders, Avista Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Scott L. Morris said. With the broad support of all of the parties in Oregon, we believe the settlement agreement meets the standard for approval in Oregon and affirms the commitments weve made to continue to operate as we do today, with local decision-making and increased community support. The settlement agreement in Oregon includes financial and non-financial commitments, and confirms Avistas commitment to its customers and the communities it serves. Under the settlement agreement, customers in Oregon would receive immediate financial benefits in the form of rate credits that would become effective at the close of the transaction, along with additional safeguards to assure the continued financial well-being of Avista. As a result of this settlement agreement in Oregon, settlement agreements in Washington, Idaho and Alaska and commitments in Montana, the total financial commitment across all states, if approved, would be approximately $78.6 million. No costs associated with the transaction will be recovered from Avista or Hydro One customers. Please refer to www.puc.state.or.us for the joint application and settlement agreement (which includes the complete list of commitments). In addition to Hydro One and Avista, the parties to the merger proceeding in Oregon include the OPUC staff, Oregon Citizens Utility Board, Alliance of Western Energy Consumers and the Oregon and Southern Oregon District Council of Laborers. Applications for regulatory approval of the transaction are still pending with utility commissions in Washington, Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Montana. An all-parties, all-issues settlement agreement was filed with the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission on March 27, 2018. An all-parties, all-issues settlement agreement was filed with the Regulatory Commission of Alaska on April 3, 2018. An all-parties, all-issues settlement agreement was filed with the Idaho Public Utilities Commission on April 13, 2018. A settlement agreement with the City of Colstrip was filed with the Montana Public Service Commission on May 15, 2018. Hydro One and Avista received the Federal Communications Commissions consent on May 4, 2018 to close their merger and antitrust clearance on April 5, 2018 after the expiration of the waiting period under the U.S. Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended. The transaction received approval from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on January 16, 2018 and from Avista shareholders on November 21, 2017. The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States completed its review of the proposed merger on May 18, 2018, and has concluded that there are no unresolved national security concerns with respect to the transaction. Also required is the satisfaction of other customary closing conditions. Hydro One and Avista continue to anticipate closing the transaction in the second half of 2018. For further information: Hydro One Media: Jay Armitage Director, Corporate Communications media.relations@hydroone.com, 416-345-6868 Investors: Omar Javed Vice President, Investor Relations investor.relations@hydroone.com, 416-345-5943 Avista Media: Casey Fielder, Communications Manager casey.fielder@avistacorp.com, 509-495-4916 Investors: Lauren Pendergraft, Investor Relations Manager lauren.pendergraft@avistacorp.com, 509-495-2998 About Hydro One Limited We are Ontario's largest electricity transmission and distribution provider with more than 1.3 million valued customers, over C$25 billion in assets and 2017 annual revenues of nearly C$6 billion. Our team of over 7,400 skilled and dedicated regular and non-regular employees proudly and safely serves suburban, rural and remote communities across Ontario through our 30,000 circuit km of high-voltage transmission and 123,000 circuit km of primary distribution networks. Hydro One is committed to the communities we serve, and has been rated as the top utility in Canada for its corporate citizenship, sustainability, and diversity initiatives. We are one of only five utility companies in Canada to achieve the Sustainable Electricity Company designation from the Canadian Electricity Association. We also provide advanced broadband telecommunications services on a wholesale basis utilizing our extensive fibre optic network through Hydro One Telecom Inc. Hydro One Limited's common shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX:H). Forward-Looking Statements and Information This press release and the joint application and settlement agreement to which it refers may contain forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Words such as expect, anticipate, intend, attempt, may, plan, will, can, believe, seek, estimate, and variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking information. These statements are not guarantees of future performance or actions and involve assumptions and risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed, implied or forecasted in such forward-looking information. Some of the factors that could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from the results expressed, implied or forecasted by such forward-looking information, including some of the assumptions used in making such statements, are discussed more fully in Hydro Ones filings with the securities regulatory authorities in Canada, which are available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com . Hydro One does not intend, and it disclaims any obligation, to update any forward-looking information, except as required by law. About Avista Corporation Avista Corporation is an energy company involved in the production, transmission and distribution of energy as well as other energy-related businesses. Avista Utilities is our operating division that provides electric service to 385,000 customers and natural gas to 350,000 customers. Its service territory covers 30,000 square miles in eastern Washington, northern Idaho and parts of southern and eastern Oregon, with a population of 1.6 million. Alaska Energy and Resources Company is an Avista subsidiary that provides retail electric service in the city and borough of Juneau, Alaska, through its subsidiary Alaska Electric Light and Power Company . Avista stock is traded under the ticker symbol "AVA." For more information about Avista, please visit www.myAvista.com . This news release contains forward-looking statements regarding the companys current expectations. Forward-looking statements are all statements other than historical facts. Such statements speak only as of the date of the news release and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the companys control, which could cause actual results to differ materially from the expectations. These risks and uncertainties include, in addition to those discussed herein, all of the factors discussed in the companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2017 and the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2018. The fight between Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, and the Commander of Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (F-SARS) in the state, Mr. ... The fight between Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, and the Commander of Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (F-SARS) in the state, Mr. Akin Fakorede, an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), worsened yesterday with the governor describing Fakorede as a disgrace to the Nigeria Police Force and a threat to lives and democracy.The governor, it was learnt was displeased by reports that he offered N50 million to the F-SARS commander in Rivers, in the presence of the National Chairman of PDP, Prince Uche Secondus, to work with him (Wike), but that Fakorede rejected the offer, making the governor to be publishing false advertisements against him on the front and inside pages of major national newspapers.Fakorede, having earlier been exonerated by the Inspector- General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris, of all the allegations levelled against him by Wike and the Rivers government, got the IGPs authorisation to sue Wike and his administration. Fakoredes lawyer, Ayodele Akintunde, SAN, on Wednesday gave seven-day ultimatum for retraction and unreserved apology on front pages of national newspapers that published the advertisements, twice the number of times, while demanding N2 billion damages for the publications.The lawyer demanded that the Rivers State government must also give a written undertaking never again to publish any similar libel against his client in future. When contacted yesterday evening to react to the latest development, Fakorede stated that he would not want to take issue with Wike, his allies and Rivers government, since his lawyer is handling the matter. Wike, through the states Commissioner for Information and Communications, Chief Emma Okah, a lawyer, claimed that Fakoredes threat to drag Wike and Rivers government to court for libel was a joke of the century, stating that such suit was welcome and that it would afford the administration the opportunity to expose the Rivers commander of F-SARS. Wike said: The Rivers State government stands by the various publications complained of by Mr. Fakorede, a man who has no shame. Rivers governor also likened the commander of F-SARS in Rivers to the proverbial satanic pig that would eat the crops of the farmer and would still wait in ambush to attack him, instead of running away.He stated that Rivers government would stand shoulder to shoulder with Fakorede and his unnamed sponsors, in defence of the rights of Rivers people to freely choose who would represent them through free and fair elections, as other Nigerians were entitled to. Wike said: Rivers State government is eagerly waiting for the court processes and we dare Mr. Fakorede to put his reputation to test. Mr. Fakorede is taking advantage of the rising moral decay in our society. On the demand for N2 billion as compensation for libel, the Rivers governor described Fakorede as a gold digger, wondering the basis for such a laughable claim. He said:Even though, nobody is infallible, the minimum course of sensible conduct expected of Mr. Fakorede against the background of the wrong he has inflicted in Rivers State is to apologise and seek Gods face. Certainly, a hollow threat of litigation is far below expectation.We expect that he (FSARS commander in Rivers) will heed this advice and act well, by treating Rivers people with deserving respect and dignity. Fakorede, in his request to IGP for authorisation, with reference number: C B : 3 9 6 0 / R V S / F SARS/VOL.2/8, which was passed through Rivers Police Commissioner, Zaki Ahmed, and dated May 15, 2018, stated that he wanted permission to institute legal action, seeking an injunction against the continuous publication of the false advertisements against him. Rivers commander of FSARS said in the request letter:In the last one month, the Rivers State government has taken up paid advertisements on the front and inside pages of major national dailies in the country, alleging falsely that some staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), specifically one Mary Tunkoyo and Dr. C. Odekpe were assaulted by my person and I am presently engaging in the plotting, training, recruiting and arming of a special squad in Kaduna, Abuja and Port Harcourt, for the purpose of rigging the 2019 elections. These allegations are not only false, but are very malicious, more so considering the fact that the socalled INEC report has been investigated extensively by the IGPs Special Investigation Panel and I was completely and totally exonerated from blame, as the evidence of all the parties attest to our (F-SARS operatives) good work of protecting INEC staff under attack. Alleged billionaire kidnap kingpin, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike a.k.a Evans, yesterday again asked a Lagos High Court sitting in Igbosere to quash all the charges filed against him by the Lagos State Government.He said that similar charges were already pending before a Lagos high court, and requested that he should be tried by one judge.The Lagos State Government had brought a fresh five-count charge bordering on conspiracy to kidnap, kidnapping and attempted murder against Evans and three others.Evans was arraigned alongside Joseph Emeka, Ugochukwu Nwachukwu and Victor Aduba.In the second charge, Evans is standing trial alongside Joseph Emeka, Linus Okpara and Victor Aduba.At the resumed hearing of the case yesterday, Counsel to the first defendant, Mr Olukoya Ogungbeje told the court that he had filed a motion on notice to quash all the charges filed against the first defendant, Evans.In the motion on notice, Ogungbeje said that all the charges were grossly defective, repetitive and an abuse of court processes.He said that the prosecution had earlier filed similar charges and amended charges bordering on kidnapping against the same first defendant pending before the same High Court of Lagos State.He relied on Section 153 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law ( ACJL ) of Lagos State, adding that nothing stopped the prosecution from bringing the charges under one judge.He said that counts three, four and five were repetitions of same offence.Apart from the counts being of same offence, same section of the law is being provided in these counts.I submit that the prosecution misfired by bringing different charges and instituting the same case in different courts.I urge your Lordship to quash the charge because it is defective and an abuse of court process, Ogungbeje said.while responding to the motion, the State Director for Public Prosecutions (DPP), Ms Titilayo Shitta-Bey, said the general rule is that every offence must be in a separate count.Shitta-Bey stated that the first defendant was charged with attempt to murder Chief James Uduji, in count three, while in count four, he was charged with attempt to murder Mr Donald Nwonye. Former President Goodluck Jonathan has advised President Muhammadu Buhari not to abuse power. Former President Goodluck Jonathan has advised President Muhammadu Buhari not to abuse power. Jonathan said this in Ekiti state while inaugurating some projects on Friday. He commended Ayodele Fayose, governor of the state, urging Nigerian leaders to make personal sacrifices in the bid to strengthen the nations democracy and make the country great. The former president said with the performance of Fayose, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would win the July 14 governorship election. But he appealed to Buhari to resist the pressure from unpatriotic elements who wish to subjugate democracy to attain selfish ends. Since I came in I have been going round the state with the Governor. I have seen the support the Governor still has, I have seen the support the Peoples Democratic Party enjoys in the state. I have also seen the enthusiasm of our people. I dont believe anybody can defeat the PDP in Ekiti, if real election is going to be conducted, he said. I use this opportunity to call on Mr. President because I was there before, and I know that when you are there, there is so much pressure on you to use all the powers at your disposal to subjugate democracy. Dont do that because what you go with, at the end of the day, is the good name you leave behind. If you use your powers negatively, posterity will haunt you. I call on Mr. President to use his power to strengthen democracy because all the great democracies we see in the world today were built by people. People make sacrifices to make their country great. Making a case for good leadership, the former president said it has got to the stage where the nations neighbours cite the country as a bad example. Jonathan said he feels sad each time people say negative things about Nigeria. A President of a neighbouring country, Ghana, recently made two negative remarks about Nigeria. First, the current Ghanaian President was addressing Ghanaians about the movement of cattle within their shores and he said openly that Ghana is not like Nigeria where cattle roam freely. That was quite uncomplimentary, he said. He added that recently the same president was speaking in the United Kingdom when he made disparaging remarks about Nigerias currency. Lai Mohammed, minister of information and culture, says the country is more transparent under President Muhammadu. Lai Mohammed, minister of information and culture, says the country is more transparent under President Muhammadu. In a statement on Saturday, Segun Adeyemi, media aide to Mohammed, quoted the minister as saying this when he received Delia Ferreira Rubio, chairperson of Transparency International (TI), at his office on Friday. The minister said TI has not offered the necessary support to the government. A recent report by TI said corruption was getting worse in the country. Nigeria has never had a more transparent, more accountable government than the Buhari administration, the minister said. As a policy, this government is the most committed to fighting corruption. We need your support in the area of advocacy and capacity building. They look at the actions of an aberrant few to condemn the government. Mohammed said when the government disclosed that 55 people stole N1.34 trillion between 2006 and 2013 and the time it published the looters list, the civil society was busy parroting the cliche that the allegations were one-sided, instead of supporting the governments action. Citing the Change Begins With Me programme, he said the government is not only fighting corruption with laws but also with education and inclusiveness in government. Mohammed said the country is succeeding in its anti-corruption war because the fight is led by a president whose integrity is beyond reproach. He alleged that corrupt persons are using looted funds to mount a campaign against the administration, especially in the social media, because they know that the reelection of Buhari would spell doom for them. On her part, Rubio said she decided to visit Nigeria because the country could set the pace for the fight against corruption on the continent. She said while the government is doing a lot to fight corruption, it should ensure there is transparency and more efficiency in service delivery. Mohammed Abubakar, governor of Bauchi state, says Nuhu Gidado who resigned on Wednesday, was the most pampered deputy governor in Nigeri... Mohammed Abubakar, governor of Bauchi state, says Nuhu Gidado who resigned on Wednesday, was the most pampered deputy governor in Nigeria. In his resignation letter, Gidado said though he wished to complete his tenure, he lost interest in the job along the line. Ordinarily, I should have remained up to the end of the tenure, but, with the currently dampened spirit and waning zeal as it relates to my official engagements, my continued stay will not be fair and truthful to you as my brother and leader, the letter had read. Speaking with state house correspondents after meeting President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday, Abubakar said there was no misunderstanding between him and the ex-deputy. Asked to comment on their relationship before Gidado resigned, he said they had the most fantastic working relationship. And you can ask him, he has said several times that he is the most pampered deputy governor in Nigeria, he added. What transpired is in the letter of the deputy and I think people should read that letter. Read the entire letter and you will see that there was nothing bad that transpired between us. His final paragraph is that he remains loyal to his leader and his brother. In my response I eulogized him and wished him the best in his future endeavour and assured him of the support of the good people of Bauchi State. There was no problem whatsoever. He added that his ex-deputy resigned willingly and there is no way you can force him to accept an employment when the time has come for him to look elsewhere. Reacting to a claim reportedly made by Gidado that he resigned because he was not being treated as part of the state government, the governor said the media aide was wrong. I think he is wrong. Go to the house of assembly and check, I went on official leave twice since I took over and each time I transmitted a letter to the house of assembly making him the acting governor of Bauchi, he said. Nigeria and other African countries at the Africa Day 2018 in New York renewed their commitment to win the fight against corruption so as to advance sustainable development on the continent.Nigerias Permanent Representative to the UN, Prof. Tijjani Bande, and other African envoys made the pledge at the celebration of Africa Day, hosted by the AU Mission to the UN.On Africa Day, Africans on the continent and in the Diaspora converge to recommit to the mission of the AU and to celebrate the diversity and progress of Africa.Bande represented President Muhammadu Buhari, who was recognised in his capacity as the Champion of AUs anti-corruption crusade.The theme for this year is: Winning the Fight against Corruption: A Sustainable Path to Africas Transformation.He noted the laudable vision of the defunct Organisation of African Unity, now AU, but said it would not be achieved if the continent did not deal with corruption.Bande said: The Thabo Mbeki Report indicated that Africa loses at least 50 billion dollars to corruption yearly and it receives less as aid.Talking about corruption, which is not calculated but happens every day, the conclusion is clear: theres no way well achieve our ambition if we do not tackle corruption.The President of Nigeria has been showing clear resolve to fight corruption Treasury Single Account, Whistle Blowers Policy and no one will be allowed to go scot-free with corrupt practices.And almost every day, millions of Naira are being uncovered that could not be used even by individuals who have stolen them.Bande conveyed Buharis gratitude for the recognition that he should lead as champion against corruption but reminded the gathering that corruption fights back.He said corruption had fought back and is fighting back, not only in Nigeria but all over the continent, stressing the need for resilience in the fight against the scourge.According to him, every institution judiciary, executive, legislature is implicated, adding that fighting corruption involves all of us; the citizens must be on board or there would be no victory.The Nigerian envoy said political will, individual efforts, institutional reforms, among others, were needed, stressing that there is the need to forge stronger partnership to ensure stolen funds are returned.Chairperson of African Union Commission, Moussa Mahamat, said the launch of AU was a testimony to the determination of African leaders to expedite the achievement of continental unity and to find home-grown solutions to the regions challenges.Represented by Ms Fatima Kyari-Mohammed, Permanent Representative of AU to the UN, Mahamat said central to the work ahead of AU is the fight against corruption in all its forms. Corruption destroys the lives of ordinary people and undermines their trust in their leaders and public institutions.Resources that are needed for development and the delivery of services such as electricity, education, healthcare, sanitation and clean water are diverted by a few, thus depriving the majority of the people from access to these critical services.The AU Commission chief said African leaders had declared the July 11 yearly as African Anti-Corruption Day, 2018 as Year for Combating Corruption and adopted a Call to Action to fight against corruption and eradicate it.I want to challenge all of us, leaders and Africans from all walks of life, to firmly deal with this scourge, the AU chief said.Mahamat said 2018 witnessed the launch of the Single African Air Transport Market, as well as the signing of the African Continental Free Trade Area and the Protocol on Free Movement of Persons, and the African Passport.Other speakers at the event, which also honoured the centenary birthday of late Dr Nelson Mandela, included Rwandan Ambassador to the UN Valentine Rugwabiza and President of the UN General Assembly Miroslav Lajcak.Others were Vice President of Universal Peace Federation International, Tageldin Hamad, Wife of Cape Verde Ambassador to the UN Yamile Rocha and South Africas Ambassador to the UN Jerry Matjila.Matjila formally presented South Africas candidacy for the Non-Permanent Seat of the UN Security Council, representing Africa for the 2019 to 2020 term, which election comes up on June 8. The Shoremi family from Ogun state has disowned Shalom Shoremi, one of its daughter, for seeking to get married to a woman. The Shoremi family from Ogun state has disowned Shalom Shoremi, one of its daughter, for seeking to get married to a woman. In a newspaper advertorial, the family announced that it had severed all ties with Shalom. Shalom had reportedly approached a federal marriage registry for approval to consummate her marriage to her partner. The family said the application was rejected in line with the same-sex marriage probation act of 2014 which declares the act illegal in Nigeria. Former President Goodluck Jonathan had signed the anti-gay bill into law in January 2014. The law prescribes 14 years imprisonment for those convicted of homosexuality. The attention of Shoremi Family of Ogun State has been drawn to an application for a special marriage license sought by Shalom T. Shoremi, the advertorial read. Act of the Federal Republic Of Nigeria. She had requested for a special marriage license at the Federal Marriage Registry on 22nd of March, 2018 to allow her consummate a same sex marriage, which was rejected as it in variance with the marriageAct of the Federal Republic Of Nigeria. The family is disassociating itself from the move and has served ties with her. We also disown her on the grounds that what she planned to do is against the law in Nigeria. She will also not be entitled to anything from the family inheritance. Read the piece by Reno Omokri below... Being half literate is like a piece of meat being half cooked. From the outside, the meat l... Read the piece by Reno Omokri below... Being half literate is like a piece of meat being half cooked. From the outside, the meat looks cooked. It is only when you taste it that you realize that the cook is not cooked through. This is the problem with Muhammadu Buhari. The President does not like to read. If he was a reading man, he would not have made the statement he did about $16 billion being wasted on power projects by the Obasanjo led administration. The President had said while playing host to the Buhari Support Group as follows: One of the former Heads of State between that time was bragging that he spent more than 16 billion American dollars, on power. Where is the power? Where is the power? And now we have to pay the debts. The figure of $16 billion does not exist and it is sad that a President, with records available to him can make such a reckless accusation, especially when the facts are available to him if he would only read! Since President Buhari is so enamored with Nasir El-Rufai, the manipulative Governor of Kaduna state and uber Buhari sycophant, I would like to quote from an interview that El-Rufai gave on October 17, 2009. In that interview, entitled My Grouse With Yaradua, El-Rufai said: When Yar'Adua came in, he made statements while receiving Oby Ezekwesili in her new capacity at the World Bank to the effect that he believed that the amounts spent by Obasanjo were wasted. He came up with a figure of $10 billion. When his own Senior Special Assistant (Engr. Foluseke Shomolu) wrote him a memo to the effect that the figure quoted was inaccurate, the president fired him. Very conveniently, the House of Representatives began a probe of the NIPP under Obasanjo and sensationalised it. The National Economic Council also had a committee under Governor Suswan of Benue reviewing this NIPP. After a year, both committees were not able to establish any wrongdoing against Obasanjo and in fact confirmed that the actual amount spent was not $10 billion, but actually a fraction of that amount (less than $6 billion committed and $3 billion actually disbursed - the exact amounts quoted by Engr. Shomolu). If the report of the various committees that investigated these allegations are to long for a President who prefers to read cartoons as his own spokesman admitted, then perhaps he can spare the 25 minutes it would take him to read his proteges interview. But the question that discerning Nigerians should be asking is why is Buhari bringing this up? After all he and Tinubu once begged former President Obasanjo to be their navigator. Did they not know he was a crook when they started their bromance with him? Last year on Obasanjos birthday, President Buhari called him a statesman with commitment to good governance. Today, he is hinting at probing Obasanjos alleged $16 billion power project contracts just because Obasanjo is against his reelection. This is just vindicating my stand that we have war on C?o?r?r?u?p?t?i?o?n? opposition! As long as you are on the Presidents side and praising him, all your sins are forgiven like Musiliu Obanikoro. But the minute you get a bout of conscience, your old real and imagined sins are dredged up. On this matter of Obasanjo however, President Buhari has met his match. I like Obasanjos response to Buhari. Trust Baba Iyabo. He said, inter alia that: If he (Buhari) cannot read the three-volume book (My Watch), he should detail his aides to do so and summarise the chapters in a language that he will easily understand. Buhari is an ungrateful ignoramus for saying he is paying Obasanjos debt. Obasanjo did not spend $16 billion on power. Obasanjo actually paid ALL our foreign debt and left a total reserve of $67 billion. Thank God it was an All Progressive Congress Senator that got up on live television and revealed that this administration has borrowed more money in three years than the Peoples Democratic Party borrowed in 16 years, yet what has been the impact? Imagine a man like Buhari, who has not initiated, started and completed any project in three years (beside the helipad he built for his personal use in Daura) attacking men who initiated and finished thousands of projects. The Presidents comments overshadowed an even more important issue which very few journalists appear to have picked on. The Buhari Support Group, whose visit excited the President and moved him to indict Obasanjo, is led by the Comptroller General of the Nigerian Customs Service. A serving Comptroller General of Customs heading the Buhari Support Group without resigning, a serving Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission publicly wearing a Buhari re-election lapel pin on live television is how low the Buhari administration has taken Nigeria. At that same event, the President also lavished praise on former head of state, General Sani Abacha. What type of anti-corruption crusader chooses Abacha, a proven thief, who was also a blood thirsty buffoon, as his mentor? When I schooled in England, my university had a module on Abachas thievery. This is the man Buhari aspires to be? The man who exiled Tinubu and NADECO! Abachas killer squad killed many Nigerians during his reign of terror including Kudirat Abiola, Chief Alfred Rewane, Major General Shehu Musa Yaradua (rtd) Bagauda Kaltho, Sola Omatsola amongst others, yet this is the very same man a democratically elected President like Buhari praises as his mentor. A murderous thief! Are we then surprised that there are killer squads of herdsmen going round Nigeria killing people? Like mentor like mentee! What was the point of Chief MKO and Kudirat Abiolas sacrifice if Abacha is today the hero of our President? Why stop at Abacha? President Buhari should also declare Anini and Shina Rambo as national heroes. How unfortunate for a nation when a thief is the Presidents role model. In the year 2000 Osinbajo, then the Attorney General of Lagos, prosecuted members of Abachas killer squad including Hamza Al-Mustapha, who was sentenced to death for Kudirat Abiolas murder. In the year 2018, Osinbajos boss, President Buhari, eulogizes Abacha as his hero and mentor. Can someone help me ask Osinbajo, what he is still doing in this wicked government? On the same week that the Buhari administration charged Shekarau to court for ALLEGEDLY looting ?950 million, the head of the government, was busy praising Abacha a man that has been CONVICTED for looting over $5 billion. Buhari charges small thieves and worships big thieves! This is the same Buhari, whose government brought back, reinstated and double promoted Nigerias biggest ever thieving civil servant, Abdulrasheed Maina. How can anybody in their right minds believe that Buhari still has integrity? And this is the man who wants Nigerians to re-elect him next year? A man who thinks Nigerian youths are lazy, who thinks Nigerians are criminals (as he told the Telegraph of London), who goes about telling international investors that his country is corrupt? That is why he has surrounded himself with people like Lai Mohammed and Garba Shehu. Lai Mohammed said President Buharis re-election in 2019 will be easy because the APC has kept their campaign promises. Can someone remind Lai that he is meant to be fasting during Ramadan and that fasting is not just abstaining from food, it includes abstaining from lies! Lai, fear God!!! Why should Lai Mohammed still Lie even in Ramadan when he is meant to be fasting? The name Lai is not enough for this remarkable liar! We should just add Linus, Liability, Lion, Liebaran and Lieraba to his name. Someone that lies during Ramadan that Buhari has fulfilled his campaign promise can never be trusted to ever tell truth! And as for Garba Shehu who told me to tell my friends in the PDP that they are not coming back to power, my response to him is that he should buy a mirror and what he will see is the face of PDP. Garba Shehu was Special Assistant on media for years during the Peoples Democratic Party administration of President Olusegun Obasanjo. Garba did not resign from that government. In fact, Garba Shehu was affiliated with the Peoples Democratic Party for 12 good years. He has been in the PDP for more years than he has been APC. He was in the PDP longer than I, Reno Omokri, have been associated with the PDP. Garba Shehu cannot deny this because his office was opposite mine at the Presidential villa between 2003 when I returned from the United Kingdom and 2005 when I went to the US. Garba shehu used to craft very strong anti-Buhari press releases for the PDP during his 12 year sojourn as a PDP member, which included years spent as SA media under Obasanjo. Now he crafts press releases for the same man he once attacked against the same people he once praised! Garba is the epitome of AGIP-Any Government in Power. I am the epitome of loyalty. There is no basis to compare myself with him. I follow my conscience. Garba follows his stomach. Let me stop here for now and continue to observe the unraveling of Buhari. I warned Nigerians but they never listened. Sadly, the man had to ruin the nation before my fellow countrymen and women saw him for who and what he truly is-a pretender who used subterfuge to get to power. A woman who police say had a suspended driver's license was charged with DWI after she crashed into the back of a car Friday, causing a child to be ejected on Route 287. A Lincoln Navigator was traveling north on the expressway in Mahwah when it was struck from behind at 2:49 p.m. by a Chevy Malibu driven by Christine Ryan, 27, of Bartonsville, Pennsylvania, according to New Jersey State Police Trooper Alejandro Goez. Goez said the Navigator then hit the left guard rail and a 12-year-old in the back seat was ejected. The child, whose name was not released, was airlifted to St. Joseph's Regional Medical Center in Paterson with "serious injuries," Goez said. He did not know the child's condition as of 11 p.m. Friday. Goez said the driver of the Lincoln was not injured and a third passenger suffered minor injuries. Ryan was not injured in the crash. In addition to DWI, Ryan has been charged with assault by auto, possession of a controlled dangerous substance and causing severe bodily injury while operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license. Chris Sheldon may be reached at csheldon@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @chrisrsheldon Find NJ.com on Facebook. Three men who escaped from a state juvenile facility in Burlington County earlier this month were arrested in Newark this week. Newark residents Lonell Carruthers, 22, Almuqtadir Padgett, 20, and Dyshawn Williams, 22, were wanted for a May 3 escape from the Albert Elias Residential Community Home in Bordentown Township. The home is on the campus of the Juvenile Medium Security Facility, and both are run by the state's Juvenile Justice Commission (JJC). The facilities are known as the Johnstone Campus. No public alert was made about the escape. A spokesperson for the state Office of the Attorney General, which oversees the JJC facilities, said the escape remains under investigation and declined to comment further. Carruthers and Williams were also wanted for a carjacking, according to a news release from Newark Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose. Newark's Fugitive Apprehension Team, New Jersey State Police and Juvenile Justice investigators arrested Carruthers Thursday morning on the 800 block of Clinton Avenue, in the Clinton Hill area of the city. That same group of law enforcement then went to the 300 block of West Runyon Street and arrested Williams and Padgett. The fugitive busts on Thursday also snared Narik Feaster, 23, of Orange, and Newark resident Jahaan Allen. Both were wanted on federal warrants for weapons offenses unrelated to the May 3 escape. Editor's Note: This story has been updated with information from the Juvenile Justice Commission about the facility from which the men escaped. 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 CALGARY, Alberta, May 25, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Spartan Energy Corp. ("Spartan" or the "Company") (TSX:SPE) is pleased to announce that it has obtained approval from the holders (the "Spartan Shareholders") of common shares of Spartan (the "Spartan Shares") at a special meeting of Spartan Shareholders (the "Meeting") held today to consider the proposed plan of arrangement (the "Arrangement") pursuant to which Vermilion Energy Inc. will acquire all of the outstanding Spartan Shares, as previously announced by Spartan on April 16, 2018. The Arrangement was approved by: (i) 96.23% of the votes cast by Spartan Shareholders present in person or represented by proxy at the Meeting; and (ii) 95.85% of the votes cast by minority Spartan Shareholders (after excluding the Spartan Shares of those persons required by Multilateral Instrument 61-101 of the Canadian Securities Administrators). Following the requisite Spartan Shareholder approvals having been obtained at the Meeting, Spartan obtained a final order of the Court of Queens Bench of Alberta approving the Arrangement. Spartan anticipates that the Arrangement will close on or about May 28, 2018, subject to the satisfaction or waiver of all other conditions to the Arrangement. ABOUT SPARTAN Spartan is a company actively engaged in the business of oil and gas exploration, development, acquisition and production in Alberta and Saskatchewan. The Spartan Shares are listed and posted for trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol SPE. Spartan is headquartered in Calgary, Alberta. FURTHER INFORMATION Richard (Rick) McHardy President and Chief Executive Officer OR Tim Sweeney Manager, Business Development Spartan Energy Corp. 3200, 500 Centre Street SE Calgary, Alberta T2P 1A6 Fax: (403) 410-3378 Email: info@spartanenergy.ca Forward Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. More particularly and without limitation, this press release contains forward-looking statements regarding the proposed Arrangement and closing of the Arrangement. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, that address activities that Spartan assumes, anticipates, plans, expects, believes, projects, aims, estimates or anticipates (and other similar expressions) will, should or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. All of the forward-looking statements in this release are qualified by the assumptions that are stated or inherent in such forward-looking statements. Although Spartan believes these assumptions are reasonable, they are not exhaustive of the factors that may affect any of the forward-looking statements and the reader should not place undue reliance on these assumptions and such forward-looking statements. No assurance can be given that these factors, expectations and assumptions will prove to be correct. Completion of the Arrangement is subject to a number of conditions which are typical for transactions of this nature. Failure to satisfy any of these conditions may result in the termination of the arrangement agreement. The forward-looking statements provided in this press release are based on managements current belief, based on currently available information, as to the outcome and timing of future events. Spartan cautions that its intention to proceed with the Arrangement and other forward-looking statements relating to Spartan are subject to all of the risks and uncertainties normally incident to such endeavors. These risks relating to Spartan include, but are not limited to, that the Arrangement is not completed on the announced terms or at all. Furthermore, the forward-looking statements contained herein are made as at the date hereof and Spartan does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or to revise any of the included forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable securities laws. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. Additional information on these and other factors that could affect the completion of the Arrangement as well as Spartans operations and financial results are included in reports on file with Canadian securities regulatory authorities and may be accessed through the SEDAR website (www.sedar.com) or the Companys website (www.spartanenergy.ca). Finding an Airbnb rental in Collingswood, Camden County appears to be a snap. Twenty-eight "hosts" pop up in the area, all seemingly eager to welcome guests and rake in some extra bucks by doing so. But an online petition circulating through the area casts new light on challenges facing legions of willing participants in the burgeoning "sharing" economy. The problem: Local zoning laws. Suzanne Cloud Tapper is challenging local zoning laws in Collingswood that prevents her from renting rooms in her home on Airbnb. Susanne Cloud Tapper said she received a cease and desist order from the borough of Collingswood in November. It told her to immediately stop renting the three rooms she had available in her three-story twin home. She had been an Airbnb host for the past four years, welcoming mostly medical students on short-term residency at local hospitals. The zoning board ruled unanimously against her in March when she applied for a variance to allow her to operate as a bed and breakfast, which would allow the use. Now she's circulating a petition ahead of a planned meeting with Mayor Jim Maley to challenge the ruling. "I'm a widow and my three boys have grown up and are out of the house," said Cloud Tapper, 66. "I have a fairly low income and I was looking for a way to stay in my home. I was renting out the rooms my sons used to live in." Airbnb is an American company launched in 2008 that allows homeowners to do short-term rentals of their properties. It boasts of more than 2.8 billion hosts in 191 countries. Cloud Tapper is part of the fastest growing demographic for hosts in the U.S., seniors, with 200,000, including 120,000 senior women, according to the company. Maley, a real estate attorney who has been a borough commissioner since 1989 and mayor for the past 22 years, said he plans to meet with Cloud Tapper, but is not necessarily buying her and the company's line about a new "sharing economy." "It's a boarding house and you're not allowed to have them," he said. "The only difference is instead of putting a sign out front that you have a room to rent, you put it on the internet." Maley pioneered an effort to convert rentals that were formerly single-family homes back into single-family residences over the past 20 years. The effort has been credited with turning around Collingswood, a town with 15,000 residents and a walkable downtown, into a revitalized restaurant mecca and hipster hangout. "I've spent 25 years trying to stop single family homes from becoming rental homes and this is kind of going the other way," Maley said about Airbnb. Cloud Tapper, a college adjunct English professor, jazz vocalist and pianist, also hosts a local gathering called Jazz Bridge in Collingswood, and said its proximity to mass transit into Philadelphia is a key selling point for her rentals. Maley said borough officials looked the other way in 2015 when Pope Francis visited Philadelphia and throngs of locals rented out rooms to pilgrims attending festivities. But he said the more than two dozen host listing rooms available in Collingswood are still not safe from a knock on their door from local zoning officials. "We can't tell where those properties are, or they would all be cited," he said. "You can't find out exact location of properties until you sign up and pay for it." Airbnb officials said they have personally spoken to Maley about how to bring hosts into local compliance, but the conversation is "ongoing." "Airbnb recognizes the need for common-sense regulation of home-sharing," said Josh Meltzer, head of Northeast policy for Airbnb. "That's why we have worked with more than 400 municipalities to craft policy that fits both the needs of local government as well as those of our local hosts." Meanwhile, Cloud Tapper is continuing her petition drive to change local laws to allow Airbnb rentals. "They will provide a revenue stream for our town and allow older residents to keep up their homes," she said. Bill Duhart may be reached at bduhart@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @bduhart. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips There were 61,659 domestic violence incidents reported in New Jersey in 2015, the most recent year with statistics available from the New Jersey State Police. Children were involved or present in 28 percent of those incidents. In Hudson County in 2015, domestic violence accounted for 1,612 assaults, 134 threats, three kidnappings, and 16 sexual assaults. Five homicides that year were of a domestic nature. Seven women and three men were killed in domestic violence incidents in 2016, while at least five people died in similar incidents in 2017. Joaneileen Coughlan, director of domestic violence services at WomenRising, said domestic violence is about power and control. There are many reasons men or women may stay in a relationship where violence is present: their partner may be the financial support in the home, children may be involved, or the victim could feel as if they are in more danger if he or she leaves, Coughlan said. "The cycle can start with anything," Coughlan said. Women who are victims of domestic violence and are seeking help are encouraged to call WomenRising's hotline at 201-333-5700. According to recent polls, the majority of New Jerseyans have no idea who Phil Murphy is much less that he campaigned for governor on a platform made of legal weed and country bear jamborees. I'm assuming since you're on a political cartoon blog (reexamine your life choices) you are aware of now governor Murphy's pledge to call a halt to the annual bearpcolypse that culls the state's ursine population down to "manageable" levels. Like his promise to legalize recreational marijuana, Phil's plans to fully embrace our furry neighbors has his some political snags. A report this week revealed that Governor Murphy may be having second thoughts on his hunt moratorium. Seems fish and wildlife has great concerns over the efficacy of the alternative methods of reducing the bear population. Apparently non-lethal methods like contraception or secretly enrolling them in the Coast Guard won't rid New Jersey's forests of the governmentally mandated number of bears. In their view the only way to thin the herd is to continue the annual hunt. This is bad news for the bears, certainly, but also for Murphy. It's only a few months into his term and despite some of the good stuff he's done Phil has had to roll back some of his very popular, very public campaign promises. Legal weed, if it happens, is going to take significantly longer than the first hundred days. Free community college, don't hold your breath. Now he can't even make good on his pledge not to shoot the bears? Maybe he's lucky nobody knows who he is. President Donald Trump's administration unveiled a dramatic change to a Medicaid program that provides 4 million low-income women with contraception and other health services -- aimed at depriving funding for clinics that refer women for abortions. Pro-abortion advocates call it a "gag rule," and the latest attack on Planned Parenthood, although it would apply to all clinics that accept money from Medicaid's "Title X" program. The rule would leave the clinics with a critical choice -- follow the rule and stop discussing abortion as an option, or forfeit the funding. In New Jersey, that would jeopardize $8.8 million in Title X funds the 43 clinics share, according to the state Health Department. Clinics already are prohibited from using Title X grants to pay for abortions, but the rule announced on Tuesday goes a step further. The clinics "may not perform, promote, refer for or support abortion as a method of family planning, nor take any affirmative action to assist a patient to secure such an abortion," according to the rule. The rule draws a "clear financial and physical separation between Title X funded projects and programs or facilities where abortion is a method of family planning," according to a statement from U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Planned Parenthood Action Fund of New Jersey's Political Director Christine Sadovy said chapters around the country have begun staging demonstrations, and will flex their considerable political muscle to prevent the rule from taking effect. "Doctors and nurses, hospitals and health centers that receive Title X funding would be prohibited from referring their patients for safe legal abortions," Sadovy said. "It removes the guarantee Title X patients -- low income patients -- can get full and accurate information about their health care." The Title X program costs the federal government $260 million, and is used to help 4 million low-income people pay for contraception, gynecology exams, cancer and sexually-transmitted disease screenings. On Friday, Health Commissioner Dr. Shereef Elnahal said the family planning centers have the backing of the Murphy administration. "We are working closely with the New Jersey Family Planning League and others to study the potential impact, and the governor and I will do everything we can to blunt the effects on New Jersey," Elnahal said. "Family planning services provide essential care--contraceptive care, cervical and breast cancer screening, diabetes screening, and intimate partner violence screenings," he said. The Trump administration's proposed rule comes just as Gov. Phil Murphy delivered some positive news to the 43 family planning health clinics operating in New Jersey. In February, Murphy, a Democrat, and the Democrat-controlled state Legislature restored a $7.5 million fund shared by the clinics, which Gov. Chris Christie, a Republican, abolished eight years ago. At the time, Christie described the cut as one in a series of necessary decisions to close a budget deficit but later, when he prepared to seek the presidency, said he made the decision to show his opposition to abortion. Like Title X funding, clinics are prohibited from using any of the $7.5 million in state funding to terminate a pregnancy. Murphy also bolstered the Title X program by dedicating $2.3 million in his proposed budget to admit women with slightly higher incomes to qualify for family planning services. The state disbursed the $7.5 million to the Family Planning League of New Jersey, which divided up $7.1 million among nine clinics, and keeping $372,500 for itself, according to state budget documents. Planned Parenthood of North, Central and South Jersey and Planned Parenthood of Metropolitan New Jersey received $3.5 million and $1.2 million, respectively. Other family planning centers located in Cape May, Cumberland, Essex, Hudson, Hunterdon, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Somerset, Sussex and Warren counties, shared the remaining $3 million, according to the budget documents. The league also said new facilities would open in Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Morris and Warren counties, according to the budget documents. But if the federal rule is adopted, clinics in New Jersey would feel it. The grant covers about 18 percent of the budget for Planned Parenthood clinics in New Jersey, Sadovy said. Planned Parenthood nationally serves 40 percent of women who receive birth control at the family planning clinics, according to the Guttmacher Institute, an international reproductive rights think tank. "For many women, losing Planned Parenthood would mean losing their trusted provider, and in many cases the only source of care they have." said Kinsey Hasstedt, Guttmacher's senior policy manager. Legal challenges would be likely if the rule is enacted, Sadovy said. "We would not ever turn our backs on our patients who need an abortion," she added. Susan K. Livio may be reached at slivio@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @SusanKLivio. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook WASHINGTON -- New Jersey's big military base just got some added protection. Deliveries of new refueling tankers to Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst would proceed as planned and the base itself would be protected from any efforts to close military facilities under legislation that passed the House Thursday. The annual National Defense Authorization Act, which sets Congress' defense priorities for the 12 months beginning Oct. 1, passed, 351-66, in the final House vote before the week-long Memorial Day recess. The measure provides $708 billion in Pentagon spending, reflecting the higher levels negotiated in February by President Donald Trump and congressional leaders. That deal removed the spending caps that congressional Republicans and President Barack Obama agreed to in lieu of raising taxes to fund the military. The Senate is working on its own version and the two bills then need to be reconciled and sent to Trump for his signature. The legislation includes $2.1 billion for 12 KC-46A refueling tankers, which will replace the KC-10s now housed at the joint base. The Air Force announced last year that the joint base's 305th Air Mobility Wing eventually would get 24 of the new KC-46A tankers by 2021. "These refueling tankers will bring new jobs and growth to our state and make our base an indispensable starting point for national security missions on the East Coast," said Rep. Donald Norcross, D-1st Dist., a member of the House Armed Services Committee. A separate provision expresses a "sense of Congress" that "the Air Force and industry should dedicate 7 the resources and manpower necessary to ensure the first KC-46 is delivered" during the current fiscal year. The provision also calls the aircraft "an essential foundation for our nation's ability to project power and deter adversaries, enabling the global reach of our joint force." The placement of these tankers will ensure that Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst continues to be our nation's premier air mobility installation and home to over 42,000 jobs," said Rep. Tom MacArthur, R-3rd Dist., whose district includes the military facility. There also is $10.2 million for to replace a refueling system at the base. "As the current refueling system is broken, the aircraft with hazardous cargo must be refueled by tanker trucks -- a time-and-labor intensive process that is costly, inefficient and increases the risk of fuel spills," said Rep. Chris Smith, R-4th Dist. This includes $10.2 million for Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst to replace the Hot Cargo Hydrant System, used for aircraft that require hazardous cargo parking. "As the current refueling system is broken, the aircraft with hazardous cargo must be refueled by tanker trucks--a time-and-labor intensive process that is costly, inefficient and increases the risk of fuel spills," Smith said. "This necessary replacement of the hydrant system would upgrade the safety and efficiency of the tanker refueling at the base." The legislation blocks a new round of base closings, which New Jersey officials have worried could target the joint base, just as the Pentagon tried to scale back operations at McGuire Air Force Base two decades ago. The prohibition protects "the joint base and the vital role it plays in our national security and local economy," MacArthur said. Jonathan D. Salant may be reached at jsalant@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JDSalant or on Facebook. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook. People whose gender identity conflicts with their sex at birth trying to live a transgender life face unique forms of discrimination lesbian and gay people do not confront. The law in New Jersey does not allow transgender people to change their birth certificates to reflect their gender unless they have sexual reassignment surgery, which happens less often. And their death certificates must record the physical identity to which they are born. A package of legislation that passed the state Assembly on Thursday seeks to rectify those indignities, according to Assemblywoman Valerie Vaineri Huttle, D-Bergen, one of the prime sponsors of the three-bill package. "Now more than ever, we need to stand up for those who are being marginalized," Vainieri Huttle said during the Assembly voting session Thursday. "Antiquated policies and attitudes towards transgender individuals have led to discrimination, violence, depression and suicide. While tremendous strides have been made in recent years to advance equality for members of the 'LGB' community much more still needs to be done to help protect our brothers and sisters in the 'T' community," she said. Joining her on the floor of the Assembly was Babs Siperstein, a Jersey City native who lives in Edison who was the first elected transgender member of the Democratic National Committee in 2012. They named the law amending birth certificates after Siperstein. A 2016 report by the Williams Institute at the University of California, Los Angeles School of Law estimated 30,100 transgender people call New Jersey home. There are 1.4 million transgender people living in the United States, according to the report. Christian Fuscarino, executive director for Garden State Equality, a civil rights group, said he was grateful for the legislation. "Gov. Phil Murphy has been staunch ally to our community and we fully expect that he will be signing all three bills this June," he said. Here's what the Assembly approved to boost transgender rights: * A1718, which requires the state Registrar of Vital Statistics to issue an amended birth certificate to a person born in the state containing the transgender person's name and sex. A parent or guardian may make the request on a child's behalf. The bill awaits action in the Senate. * A1726, which permits the person planning the funeral for a transgender person to request the death certificate be amended to reflect the person's identity. The transgender person may also leave behind a document "providing proof of clinical treatment for gender transition may be used to memorialize a gender transition." The bill has now passed both the Assembly and Senate and awaits action by Murphy, a Democrat. Fuscarino called this "a respect in death act...that will allow transgender people to be remembered as they lived by adding gender identity to the categories listed on a New Jersey death certificate." * A1727 establishing a transgender quality task force "to assess legal and societal barriers to equality" and recommend future laws to prevent discrimination. This bill is also on Murphy's desk. "With these bills we can strengthen the law to ensure protection of our transgender residents and their livelihoods," said Assemblywoman Nancy Pinkin, D-Middlesex, also a prime sponsor. "Discrimination, harassment, decreased educational and employment opportunities, as well as barriers to clinically-appropriate healthcare and social services will continue to harm them unless we take a stand," Pinkin said. Susan K. Livio may be reached at slivio@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @SusanKLivio. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook. NEW YORK -- Shohei Ohtani didn't want to look. The New York City back pages hadn't been particularly kind to the Japanese star, who turned down the Yankees in the offseason. The tabloids weren't happy the Angels moved the right-hander from his marquee start Sunday in the Bronx against fellow countryman and star Masahiro Tanaka. Still, Ohtani saw them, and he heard loud boos when the Yankees beat the Angels, 2-1, at Yankee Stadium on Friday night. Ohtani didn't help much, going 0-for-3 with a walk and a strikeout looking. He also lost a clutch battle with closer Aroldis Chapman. With a runner on second base, Ohtani nearly homered off a Chapman 100-mph fastball. instead it went foul to left field and Ohtani eventually grounded out to shortstop to end the threat. Here's what Ohtani said, via his translator, about the boos and about the back pages: So, the newspaper, my interpreter brought it to me. I didn't really want to see it, but I was kind of forced to. And the booing, it's not the first time it's happened. So you get kind of used to it. Just trying to shut that out of my mind and focus on my at-bat. The Angels' PR staff cut off a reporter asking Ohtani why he didn't want to sign with a big-market team, such as the Yankees, in the offseason. Brendan Kuty may be reached at bkuty@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @BrendanKutyNJ. Find NJ.com Yankees on Facebook. The Times-Picayune is marking the tricentennial of New Orleans with its ongoing 300 for 300 project, running through 2018 and highlighting 300 people who have made New Orleans New Orleans, featuring original artwork commissioned by NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune with Where Y'Art gallery. Today: businessman and philanthropist W. Boatner Reily III. The icon: W. Boatner Reily III. The legacy: W. Boatner Reily III grew up learning to love, and embrace, New Orleans' rich and varied customs. What else would you expect from the man who reigned as Rex in 1982 and who for decades ran Reily Foods, the company that produces such thoroughly New Orleans brands as Luzianne Tea, Blue Plate Mayonnaise and French Market Coffee? At the same time, though, he wasn't your traditional traditionalist, unafraid to complement time-honored practices with innovation, most notably in his reintroduction in 1977 of satire to New Orleans' modern Carnival celebrations, which had fallen out of favor under pressure from thin-skinned politicians 100 years earlier. In so doing, Reily found a way, as he often did, to perfectly honor the city's history while also bettering its future -- and with a dash of wit thrown in. The artist: Sean Randall. The quote: "I told them the crown was the right size but they'd probably have to shrink my head." -- W. Boatner Reily III, on his reign as Rex Explore more of Sean Randall's work online at WhereYart.net and in person at the Where Y'Art gallery, 1901 Royal St. William Boatner Reily III was born Dec. 30, 1928. Those who knew him never used his first name. To them, he was always Boatner. Source: The Times-Picayune archives More on 300 for 300: A 37-year-old man was arrested Friday (May 25) on rape charges following his indictment earlier this month in the sexual-assault of a 12-year-old girl, according to the Orleans Parish District Attorney's office. Thalmus Williams was indicted May 10 with two counts of first-degree rape in the June 2016 attack on the girl, who is now 14 years old. The assault occurred June 5, 2016, in a New Orleans East apartment, prosecutors say. Williams was arrested on rape charges in February 2017, Orleans Parish court records show. He was originally indicted in March 2017. More than a year later, on April 20 of this year, charges against Williams were dismissed and a court order for his release was granted. According to the Orleans Parish DA's office, the case against Williams was reinstituted through the new indictment after additional DNA evidence was obtained. Orleans Criminal District Court Judge Robin Pittman set Williams' bond at $2 million after the indictment was read earlier this month. Williams appeared in court Friday for his arraignment, during which he pleaded not guilty. Friday night, Williams remained in the Orleans Justice Center jail in lieu of bond lowered to $200,000 by Orleans Criminal District Judge Ben Willard. Nataniel Pabon-Trinidad, a rising senior at Thomas Jefferson High School for Advanced Studies in Gretna, took his first CLEP exam last year just as an aside. He'd completed his Spanish III class and his teacher told him he could earn college credit if he took a standardized test sanctioned by the College Board. "I thought, 'Why not?'" Pabon-Trinidad recalled recently. "I'd just taken the class, and the test was free." Now, Pabon-Trinidad has earned 32 college credits through CLEP, the College Level Exam Program, making it possible for him to start college classified as a sophomore. CLEP allows students to take college level exams in exchange for college credit. Once Pabon-Trinidad understood the implications of passing the CLEP tests, he started taking them "like hotcakes," he said laughing. "It's a great opportunity to get ahead in college," Pabon-Trinidad said. Many of the CLEP exams correspond to required introductory-level general college courses, officials at the Jefferson Parish school said. "The Freshman Year For Free program isn't just a catch-phrase or a slogan, it's a reality," said Kristoffer Bonilla, CLEP coordinator at Thomas Jefferson. "I'm so proud of him!" Thomas Jefferson has partnered with a philanthropy organization called Modern States Education Alliance that pays the testing fee for the students and provides academic resources to prepare for the exams. Top stories in New Orleans in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up The school started a pilot CLEP program in 2016 that includes several students, but none have earned as many hours as Pabon-Trinidad, Bonilla said. But it does take work. Pabon-Trinidad said he strategically aligned his Advance Placement courses -- for which the exams can also earn students college credit -- with the CLEP exams that he planned to take. "It's not just easy, you will have to study a lot," he said. "I've integrated most of the CLEP studying with my classes. "For example, after I took the AP psychology test, I think it was two or three days later, I took the CLEP, and it was basically the same material. I did same thing with U.S. History, and AP European History. Both of those courses aligned with the CLEP." Pabon-Trinidad can take more CLEP exams his senior year, too. He said he's leaning towards political science and law school with an eventual career in politics, but hasn't decided on a college yet. However, among state colleges, his research indicates that Louisiana State University would accept all of his current CLEP hours, he said. "And it's close to the state capitol so I can get internships there and get a leg up in politics," Pabon-Trinidad said. We're sorry, you encountered a page that doesn't exist. WASHINGTON - The Trump administration's long-awaited decision on whether to allow seismic testing for oil and gas beneath the Atlantic Ocean is causing heartburn for the energy industry, which eagerly awaits the fulfillment of President Donald Trump's push to allow offshore drilling in U.S. coastal waters. Five seismic survey companies want federal permission to shoot loud, pressurized air blasts into the ocean every 10 to 12 seconds around-the-clock for months at a time over 330,000 square miles of ocean from Florida to the Delaware bay, in search of fossil fuel deposits beneath the ocean floor. If approved, the activity would reverse an Obama-era denial of testing permits in the Atlantic Ocean and represent a major advance of Trump's "America-First Offshore Energy Strategy." After the public-comment period ended in July 2017, many stakeholders expected the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to quickly approve the "incidental harassment authorizations" needed to move the permit applications forward. But more than 10 months later, NOAA, one of two federal agencies that will decide the matter, still hasn't approved the authorizations. The IHA would allow the seismic testing to harass or injure small numbers of marine mammals, which would otherwise be prohibited under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Scientists fear long-term exposure to air-blast noise could cause hearing loss and impair breeding, feeding, foraging and communication activity among dolphins, endangered whales, other marine mammals and sea turtles. While the Marine Mammal Protection Act sets a 120-day statutory review period to decide IHA applications, some require more analysis, consultation and resources that can exceed the 4-month time period. From 2011 through 2016, the average processing time for IHA applications was 7.5 months, according to written Senate testimony from Chris Oliver, assistant administrator for fisheries at NOAA. But after executive orders from Trump called for reducing regulatory burden, NOAA committed to cutting IHA processing times. Since implementing new streamlining measures, like waiving legal reviews for "low impact/low controversy actions not expected to be at risk of litigation," the average processing time overall fell to 6.6 months for IHAs issued from December 2016 to November 2017, Oliver's written testimony said. The authorizations for the Atlantic, however, are proving more of a challenge. "We're in the process of evaluating over 117,000 comments that we received on that, many of them of a highly technical, legal, policy nature. So that process has taken a little bit longer than we expect. But we expect within the next few weeks to have made a decision on those authorizations," Oliver told a Senate panel on April 25. One month later, the energy industry is still waiting. And it is openly chiding the Trump administration over the slow process. In a recent blog post, Nikki Martin, president of the International Association of Geophysical Contractors and Randall Luthi, president of the National Ocean Industries Association, said the permitting "delay is a complete bureaucratic breakdown by federal agencies in what should be an otherwise straightforward process. "Approve or deny is simple and clear." If the authorizations are granted, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management would then have to complete an environmental study before they decide whether to approve the final testing permits. There is no timeline for the environmental study. While some lawmakers and business leaders have raised concerns about the economic effect that seismic testing and offshore drilling could have on Atlantic Coast toursim and fishing, the energy industry has largely cheered President Trump's push to expand offshore drilling. In January, the Interior Department announced plans to hold 47 offshore oil and gas lease sales from 2019 to 2024. That includes 19 off the coast of Alaska, seven off the coast of California, 12 in the Gulf of Mexico and nine in the Atlantic Ocean, where there have been no sales since 1983 and there are no existing leases. Environmental news in your inbox Stay up-to-date on the latest on Louisiana's coast and the environment. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up Seismic testing became a moot issue after President Barack Obama removed the Atlantic Ocean from the nation's five-year program for oil and gas development in March 2016. Later that year, Obama also barred drilling in environmentally sensitive areas of the Atlantic from Virginia to Maine. Then, in one of its final acts, the Obama administration in January 2017 denied all pending Atlantic Ocean testing permits. But Trump signed an executive order in April 2017 that would reverse these policies. In addition to opening up millions of acres of coastal waters for oil and gas leasing, Trump also called for streamlining the application process for seismic testing permits. A December 2017 GAO report found that National Marine Fisheries Service, a division of NOAA, couldn't accurately provide the dates when they determined IHA applications were "adequate and complete" because the agency doesn't specify how or when staff should record this data. The agency is currently working on that new guidance, according to Oliver's testimony. But the regulatory delays are taking a toll. "Considering that the Marine Mammal Protection Act, or MMPA, requires agencies to issue decisions within 120 days after deeming IHA applications complete, this delay is a shocking policy failure," Martin and Luthi's blog post said. Luthi, Martin and representatives of other industry groups, like the American Petroleum Institute and the International Association of Drilling Contractors, support passage of the Streamlining Environmental Approvals Act (HR 3133), sponsored by Louisiana Rep. Mike Johnson, R-Benton. The legislation would amend the Marine Mammal Protection Act and deem permit applications dealing with offshore oil and gas exploration to be "approved" if the processing time exceeded 120 days. The bill, which was assailed by environmental groups for weakening protections for marine mammals, was passed by the House Committee on Natural Resources in January. But it hasn't been voted on by the full House where Democrats and some coastal state Republicans oppose seismic testing as a prelude to offshore drilling. In an e-mail statement, Oceana, an international ocean conservation group, said scrapping the "small numbers" requirement in the Marine Mammals Protection Act would "remove one of the precautionary standards that Congress recognized is necessary to prevent the extinction" of marine mammals. "We cannot trade away protections for our treasured marine life just because the oil and gas industry sometimes finds them inconvenient," wrote Diane Hoskins, Oceana's campaign director. In his testimony, Oliver said the NOAA is considering other ideas to further streamline the permitting process. These include increasing the maximum time period for IHAs beyond the current one-year limit and removing the requirement that only "small numbers" of marine mammals can be harassed or injured under an IHA. The agency is also considering removing the requirement that IHAs apply only in a "specified geographical region." "There may be circumstances where the impacts of an activity on marine mammals is similar across multiple regions," Oliver's written testimony said. --- Tony Pugh | McClatchy Washington Bureau (TNS) Subtropical Storm Alberto made a turn north toward the Gulf of Mexico overnight, bringing heavy rains to Cuba in a preview of what forecasters expect for the northeastern Gulf Coast later this weekend. In a 7 a.m. update Saturday (May 26), the National Hurricane Center said Alberto was 120 miles east-northeast of Cozumel, Mexico, and about 70 miles south of the western tip of Cuba. The storm was moving north at 9 mph, but it was not strengthening, with maximum sustained winds remaining at 40 mph. A tropical storm watch remained in effect for metro New Orleans, including Lake Pontchartrain and Lake Maurepas. The watch also included the Gulf Coast from Grand Isle to Indian Pass, Fla. Tropical storm conditions are possible in the area within 48 hours. A storm surge watch was in effect from the mouth of the Mississippi River to for Horseshoe Beach, Fla., meaning surge flooding was possible in that area in the next 48 hours. Forecasters expected flood heights to reach up to 4 feet above ground in some coastal areas. Alberto was expected to continue chugging in a north-northwest direction Saturday, entering the Gulf of Mexico later today and making a turn to the northwest Sunday. The storm threatened to bring heavy rainfall, mudslides, and flash floods to parts of Mexico, Cuba, Florida and the U.S. Gulf Coast this weekend. "Gradual strengthening is forecast until the system reaches the northern Gulf Coast by Monday night," the Hurricane Center said. Tropical storm winds were expected in Cuba on Saturday, and starting in parts of the U.S. on Sunday. Alberto was expected to dump 10 to 15 inches of rain across western Cuba, with some areas totaling as much as 25 inches. In south Florida, residents should expect rainfall totals of 3 to 7 inches, with maximum amounts of 10 inches, forecasters said. Those estimates were slightly lower than previously expected. The hurricane center also said a tornado or two could occur over parts of south Florida on Saturday. Heavy rain is expected to hit the central Gulf Coast region and southeastern U.S. later this weekend, continuing into early next week. Top stories in New Orleans in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up "Flooding potential will increase across this region early next week as Alberto is forecast to slow down after it moves inland," the NHC advisory said. A subtropical storm has a less defined and cooler center than a tropical storm, and its strongest winds are found farther from its center. Subtropical storms can develop into tropical storms, which in turn can strengthen into hurricanes. Alberto comes ahead of schedule: the six-month hurricane season doesn't begin until June 1. Parts of Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana have already seen heavy rain this week, and further deluges could leave those areas vulnerable to flash flooding and river flooding. Some beachfront and riverfront communities are already handing out sandbags. The downpours could dampen Memorial Day, the unofficial start of the summer tourist season along Gulf beaches. Along with heavy rains and high winds come rough seas and a threat of rip currents from Florida to Louisiana that can sweep swimmers out to sea. Red flags warning of dangerous surf conditions are already flying along some beaches. Jordan Sawmiller of Ohio told WALA-TV that he was approaching the water with caution in Gulf Shores, Alabama. "It will hit you pretty hard and it sucks you right back out. So, I don't like getting in there very far," Sawmiller said. A hotel owner in Panama City Beach, Florida, told the Panama City News Herald that her family's five hotels are normally full on Memorial Day weekend. But Julie Hilton said people are canceling because of the weather and room reservations are down about 20 percent. The Associated Press contributed to this report. The city of New Orleans warned residents of the risk of flooding this weekend from Subtropical Storm Alberto and unrelated thunderstorms. The storm is expected to bring heavy rains to the area starting Sunday (May 27). In addition, thunderstorms are possible Friday night and Saturday. A news release from the office of Mayor LaToya Cantrell said residents should try to clean out catch basins and gutters near their homes, and to stay home during heavy rainfall. The Department of Public Works will continue to clear and unclog catch basins, and residents should call 311 to report catch basins that are not fully functioning. The city has 115 out of 120 drainage pumps functioning, the release said. Flooding reports Residents should use caution around areas prone to significant street flooding, such as streets under bridges and overpasses, and should call 911 to report street flooding and life-threatening emergencies. Reports of street flooding can be viewed at streetwise.nola.gov. Parking on neutral ground The city will suspend parking restrictions on neutral grounds, beginning at 7 a.m. Saturday. Top stories in New Orleans in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up Special needs registry Residents with special needs can enroll in a city registry by calling 311 or visiting ready.nola.gov. Those with special medical needs can contact the Health Department at 504-658-2558 through the weekend. RTA buses and streetcars Transit services will be provided as weather and road conditions permit. Streetcars will be replaced with buses if winds exceed 35 mph, line blockages occur or water pools on streetcar tracks. Louis Armstrong International Airport The airport will remain open as long as conditions are safe. Travelers are advised to check with their airlines for the latest flight information. Entergy Customers should sign up for text alerts by texting REG to 368374 or downloading the free Entergy app at entergyapp.com. Customers are urged to stay safely away from any downed power lines and report them by calling 1-800-9OUTAGE. Up to 150,000 households who otherwise wouldnt qualify including some with six-figure salaries are expected to apply for food stamps as qualifications are relaxed to help in the recovery from Hurricane Ida. English Icelandic The District Prosecutor has delivered data from its investigation to the defendants whos attorneys are now starting to review. By this delivery Eimskip has now finally received information about the main subject matter regarding alleged infringements on Article 10 of the competition law, in the investigation of the District Prosecutor. In the Icelandic Competition Authoritys charges to the District Prosecutors Office it is stated that the main subject matter of the case concerns issues in the period of 2008 to 2013: The investigation covers alleged illegal concerted practices of Eimskip and Samskip, cf. Article 10 of the competition act and Article 53 of the EEA-agreement. The concerted practices are said to contain that the companies have reached mutual understanding on restricting their sources of supply and that the companies have divided up their customers by not going after large customers of each other. The purpose, or the outcome, of this was that it established and sustained a status (serenity) on the transportation market where active competition was prevented and the companies were able to increase prices to customers. Also there are implications of direct concerted practices and illegal exchange of information between the suspected companies. It is being investigated whether certain managers of Eimskip and Samskip have practiced encouraged or made effective the said alleged concerted practices of Eimskip and Samskip and thereby infringed Article 41.a., cf. Article 42 of the competition act. (direct citation from the Competition Authoritys charges). Ever since the Icelandic Competition Authority denied Eimskips request for access to the data of the case on 13 September 2013, almost 5 years ago, the company has requested information on the subject matter of the case. After the ruling of the Competition Appeals Committee in September 2014 the company was granted very limited access to the dawn raid claim and Competition Authoritys statements, but everything that mattered had been redacted. Eimskip has announced all information it has been given access to on the case, among other things in a detailed press release in October 2014 followed by media coverage. The company has not received a statement of objections from the Icelandic Competition Authority which indicates that the authority has not yet concluded its investigation. The District Prosecutor has stated that the case is being processed. The company welcomes that the defendants have received data and at long last the subject matter relating to Article 10 of the competition law is presented. No one at the company has been charged. How the west should judge a rising China Advanced countries are hobbled by their inability to manage their own affairs Martin Wolf Todays advanced countries, dominated by the US and Europe, have a preponderant share of the global economy. The 14 per cent of humanity that lives in advanced countries generates 60 per cent of world output at market prices and 41 per cent at purchasing power parity. This will not last: as recently as 1990, advanced countries generated 78 per cent of world output at market prices and 64 per cent at purchasing power parity. The west must accept its relative decline or engage in a grossly immoral and probably ruinous struggle to prevent it. That is the most important truth of our era. For this reason, above all, westerners need to consider how those in the rising powers view the world. It is likely that China, in particular, will emerge as by far the worlds biggest economy. We need to evaluate and assess the views of those who lead it. Two weeks ago, I presented what I heard in high-level meetings in Beijing. Now, I will assess what I heard, under the same headings. China needs strong central rule A noteworthy fact was the belief of our interlocutors that Chinese political stability is fragile. History suggests that they are right. The past two centuries have seen many man-made disasters, from the Taiping Rebellion of the 19th century to the Great Leap Forward and cultural revolution. It is quite easy therefore to understand why members of the elite seem convinced that renewal of the Communist party, under the control of Xi Jinping, is essential. We must recall that the upheaval of modernisation and urbanisation through which China is now going, destabilised Europe in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Yet this tightening of control could derail the economy or generate a political explosion in a country containing an ever more literate, interconnected and prosperous people. China wishes to be a huge Singapore. Can it? Western models are discredited The Chinese elite is right: they are, alas. The dominant view among the rest used to be that the west was interventionist, selfish and hypocritical, but competent. After the financial crisis and the rise of populism, the ability of the west to run its economic and political systems well has come into doubt. For those who believe in democracy and the market economy as expressions of individual freedom, these failures are distressing. They can only be dealt with by reforms. Unfortunately, what the west is getting instead is unproductive rage. China does not want to run the world On this point, we can express doubts. For the first time, China will become a great power within a global civilisation. Like all great powers before it, China will surely wish to arrange the global order and the behaviour of other states (and private organisations, too) to its liking. China also has many neighbours, many of them historically allied to the US. It is already trying to expand its influence, notably in the South China Sea. It is also trying to influence behaviour, not least of all Chinese students, abroad. All this represents the inevitable extension of Chinese power abroad. China is under attack by the US The Chinese elite is right that Americans increasingly regard their country as a rival, indeed a threat. Americans, in turn, argue that China is attacking them, by extending its military power and undermining allies, notably Japan. The truth is that power is inevitably a zero-sum game. The rise of Chinese power will be seen as a threat by the US, whatever Chinas intentions may be. Moreover, many Americans, indeed many westerners, do not really accept Chinese positions on Tibet and Taiwan, are suspicious of Chinas intentions and resent its success. Such mutual mistrust opens the so-called Thucydides trap of suspicion between incumbent and rising powers. US goals in trade talks are incomprehensible China is right: they are ridiculous. But within them are genuinely important issues, notably intellectual property. China will survive these attacks This is almost certainly true. Unless the US breaks all its commitments and seeks to impose an economic embargo on China, the current friction will not halt Chinese progress, although it may slow it. A greater threat to China would lie in the domestic reaction to a far more hostile external environment. The likely response would be yet tighter political and economic control, rather than the needed shift towards a more market-oriented, more private-sector-led and more consumption-driven economy. This will be a testing year It will. In fact, it will be a testing century. The right view for the west to take is that China is indeed a significant competitor. Its rise will create many dilemmas for the west and especially for the US. But China is also an essential partner in ensuring a reasonably co-operative, stable, prosperous and peaceful world. The west needs to think much harder about how such a world should work. The US administrations view that the unilateral exercise of US power is all that is needed will fail. It will not manage the global commons that way, not that the Trump administration cares about that, at all. It will also not achieve stability: if it doubts that, it should look at the cauldron that the Middle East has become after endless interventions. It is essential for westerners to realise that our biggest enemy has become our inability to run our own countries well. Meanwhile, the only future for an interdependent world has to be based on mutual respect and multilateral co-operation. This does not mean accepting every Chinese demand as legitimate. Far from it. Principled resistance is essential. But we are moving from a western-dominated past to a post-western future. We have to make the best of it. Roseburg, OR (97470) Today A mix of clouds and sun in the morning followed by cloudy skies during the afternoon. High near 60F. Winds light and variable.. Tonight A steady rain early...then remaining cloudy with a few showers. Low 44F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 80%. After a decade in regulatory and economic limbo, there is very little about a proposed liquefied natural gas export terminal in Coos Bay that isn't subject to debate and controversy. And now a statewide survey concludes that most Oregonians oppose the project that has been on the drawing board for well over a decade. Policy Interactive, a public opinion firm in Eugene, surveyed 1,115 state residents about the proposed terminal and pipeline. The online poll was partially funded by two environmental groups, though the audience was purchased from third party vendors, and respondents didn't know the topic until they agreed to participate. The survey found 57 percent either strongly opposed or leaned toward opposing the Jordan Cove Energy Project, versus 22 percent who either leaned toward supporting or strongly supported the project. Twenty percent of respondents were undecided or neutral. Those results were consistent statewide, even in the congressional district where the project would be located. Statewide, 30 percent of those surveyed strongly opposed the project, while only 6 percent strongly supported it. The company backing the project doesn't agree with the methodology or results, though it declined to get into a "he-said, she-said" debate over the specifics. The company also declined to say whether it had conducted its own polling on the project. "The Jordan Cove Project receives strong support from local and state elected officials, and the thousands of business owners and community members who will benefit greatly from our work here in Oregon, said project spokesman Michael Hinrichs. Jordan Cove would likely be the largest construction project in Oregon history. It includes a 232-mile feeder pipeline across Southern Oregon, as well as a massive terminal on the North Spit of Coos Bay to super-chill the gas into a liquid and load it on tankers for shipment across the Pacific. The total cost is estimated to come in between $8 billion to $10 billion. Hinrichs said the project will produce more than 6,000 construction jobs and 200 permanent positions, many of which will be filled with locals from Southern Oregon. It also will generate tens of millions of dollars in community fees paid in lieu of property taxes, as the project is located in an enterprise zone. Similar gas export terminals proposed on the Columbia River died after years of litigation and regulatory denials. Indeed, The Federal Energy Regulatory commission denied Jordan Cove a license in 2016, saying backers hadn't demonstrated sufficient need for the project to compensate for the negative impacts on landowners affected by the pipeline. The Calgary-based company backing the project, Pembina Pipeline Corp, has since reapplied and hopes the fossil-fuel friendly Trump administration will greenlight the project. The project has polarized Oregonians since it was first proposed as a gas import project in 2004. More than a decade later, boosters are still hoping it will inject new life into a corner of the state that has lagged economically for decades and bolster property taxes that can be used to support local schools. Opponents, meanwhile, believe the economic benefits are illusory, and decry the potential environmental, public safety and property impacts. Public sentiment may not be a deciding factor, as the decision rests with federal and state regulators. But Jordan Cove has spent heavily to build public support, and boosters have insisted that opponents of the project are a vocal minority. Indeed, Rep. David Brock Smith, R-Port Orford, who represents parts of Curry, Coos, Douglas, and Josephine counties, called The Oregonian/Oregon Live after hearing about the survey. He says that in his interactions with constituents, support for the project is "overwhelming." Coos County residents overwhelmingly rejected a ballot measure last year that would have made it impossible to build the project. But even opponents of Jordan Cove said they thought the ballot measure was ill conceived and overreaching. The survey did find the strongest support for the project 26 percent - in congressional District 4, which includes Coos Bay and Brock Smith's district. But 53 percent of respondents from that district were still opposed. Moreover, only 37 precent of those surveyed within the district chose the statement, "It is desirable because of jobs and economic growth," while 63 percent chose "It is undesirable because of private property rights and environmental impacts." Tom Bowerman, the director of Policy Interactive, said the survey did find a "thin margin of support" for the project among respondents who lived in Coos Bay proper, though he said the sample size was so small that the margin of error would have been above 15 percent, negating the result. "That's out of bounds for good inference of how the public feels," he said. Some controversy is embedded in the survey questions, as well. The first one directly dealing with Jordan Cove describes some of the pros and cons of the project, and includes a statement that the company has rejected in the past as categorically untrue: "Jordan Cove would be the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the state." Bowerman said the statement was based on a 2017 study by a climate change advocacy group that suggested the project's in-state greenhouse emissions would be comparable to Portland General Electric's coal-fired plant in Boardman, and its total lifecycle emissions, including downstream emissions when the gas was burned in Asia, would be 15 times worse. Jordan Cove objected to that study at the time. Based on its permitted level of in state emissions, the company says it would be the seventh largest source of greenhouse gases in the state, or sixth after the Boardman coal plant is retired in 2020. The same survey question, when quantifying the benefits of the project, also uses a much lower construction jobs number -- 2,000 -- than Jordan Cove's most recent estimate, which is three times higher. To be clear, however, the company's job estimates have changed repeatedly, and the company still uses the 2,000 construction jobs number on its website. Property rights have been one of the chief concerns with the project in southern Oregon, as the pipeline would cross more than 200 private properties. Two-thirds of the survey respondents agreed with the statement that the use of condemnation (eminent domain) to acquire pipeline right of ways would increase their opposition to the project. - Ted Sickinger 503-221-8505; @tedsickinger As Oregon's economic expansion pushes into its ninth year, state economists and lawmakers are increasingly focused on when the next recession might hit. "That's really what we're obsessing over now," state economist Mark McMullen told lawmakers during a presentation this week. "There's starting to be a lot of discussion out there about what could go wrong. But economists and lawmakers also say Oregon is better positioned to weather a moderate economic downturn than it was in the past, thanks to changes lawmakers and voters approved over the last two decades. By next summer, the state's Office of Economic Analysis forecasts, Oregon will have enough financial reserves built up to cover 11 percent of the general fund budget. That's not enough to get the state through the type of deep recession that occurred during the 2008-09 financial crisis, but it could stave off deep budget cuts during a moderate downturn, such as the 2001 recession, McMullen said. Economists predict total reserves will reach $2.3 billion by next summer. The current two-year state budget is approximately $21 billion. "This is phenomenal," Sen. Mark Hass, chair of the Senate Finance and Revenue Committee, said Wednesday. "This is what everybody wanted." Hass said good government organizations generally recommend that states keep enough money in reserve accounts to cover 10 percent of their general fund budgets. Nearly a decade of economic growth has allowed lawmakers to balance state budgets without dipping into the savings accounts, allowing automatic payments to build up the rainy day and education stability funds. Mandates for those payments were added to the state constitution and Oregon law more than a decade ago. The state has also started several budget cycles with several hundred million dollars on hand. "This is the first time we've been in this position with reserves," legislative revenue officer Chris Allanach said this week. Deciding how much to set aside in reserves is "always a balancing act," he said. If the state were to save enough to get through a severe recession, some people might question why Oregon was sitting on so much money instead of spending it on services. Voters signed off on the education stability fund in 2002 and it receives a portion of state lottery revenues. Lawmakers can tap both funds during a downturn, subject to specific economic triggers and voting requirements. The state feeds the rainy day fund, created by the Legislature in 2007, by diverting a small amount from the general fund. Advocates for building Oregon's reserves have long pointed to the volatility that accompanies the state's reliance on income taxes. Adding to that instability is Oregon's unique kicker tax rebate law, which is triggered when tax revenues for a two-year budget cycle come in more than 2 percent above economists' forecast from the start of the cycle. Earlier this week, economists announced for the first time in this budget that it's likely taxpayers will receive a rebate on their 2019 taxes. The possibility that Oregon could issue the third kicker in a row, combined with talk of when the next recession will start, has some lawmakers discussing ways to chip away at the kicker. McMullen said it's particularly difficult for economists to avoid triggering a kicker on forecasts near the start of a downturn, if the slowdown is later than predicted. "That's when we give out these big kicker payments is when we get this big year just at the end when things are about to turn down," McMullen said. -- Hillary Borrud 503-294-4034; @hborrud A clash over money for the victims of the MAX train attack remains unresolved, with about a third of $1.6 million raised by supporters still in dispute. Lawyers for the families of Ricky Best and Taliesin Myrddin Namkai-Meche continue to wrangle over nearly $600,000 raised on GoFundMe by a Portland restaurateur after both men were fatally stabbed. The men had tried to intervene when police say Jeremy Christian launched into a racist harangue against two teenage girls, one of them wearing a hijab, last May. After a year of avoiding mediation or formulas commonly used after tragedies to distribute funds, the parties have sought an independent arbitrator. Nearly 35,000 people around the world donated to a series of online fundraisers created for victims of the brutal assault at the Hollywood Transit Center. Only the money raised by Nick Zukin's "Tri Met Heroes" campaign remains tied up. The campaign ultimately topped $586,000 from 11,000 donors. Disagreements over how to distribute the funds emerged almost immediately. Micah Fletcher, who survived the attack and was also listed as a beneficiary of the crowdfunding campaign, relinquished claims to the money in March, his lawyer told The Oregonian/OregonLive. "Micah thinks the money should go to the families of the deceased, and that was his intent all along," said attorney Rosemary Brewer. Erin Olson, a lawyer for Namkai-Meche, who had graduated from Reed College in 2016, had proposed the be money evenly distributed among parties. But Best family attorney Robert J. Miller argued his clients should receive most of the money because Best, an Army veteran and his household's breadwinner, left behind a wife and four children. Olson declined to comment on a possible timeline for the arbitration when reached by phone. Calls and emails to Miller's office were not returned. This week, the mother of one of the girls who witnesses say Christian targeted launched a GoFundMe campaign for the teens. It aims to raise $75,000 to help "with general needs like therapy" as well as assist them with starting an online business. Donors last year raised nearly $150,000 for the two girls, which they received. - Shane Dixon Kavanaugh skavanaugh@oregonian.com 503-294-7632 II @shanedkavanaugh A 29-year-old drunken driver who fled the scene of a one-car crash -- leaving behind her dying father -- was sentenced to about 4 years in prison Friday. Almost immediately after the crash, Alma Delia Santiago slipped out of the driver's seat of her overturned Kia Rio and rode off in a friends car. Multnomah County Sheriffs deputies arrived a short while later at the scene, in the 16500 block of Southeast Foster Road at about 1:30 a.m. Sept. 10. Santiagos 52-year-old father, Miguel Santiago, was rushed to Oregon Health & Science University's hospital with serious head injuries. He died three days later. Alma Santiago didnt make any statements Friday, but shook and looked near tears just before Multnomah County Circuit Judge Thomas Ryan sentenced her to prison and a lifetime driver's license suspension. Her attorney described the crash as a tragedy. Were very fortunate it wasnt worse than it was, said defense attorney Drake Durham. Investigators ultimately determined that five people had been riding in Alma Santiagos car that night: Alma Santiago, her two young children, her mother and her father. Prosecutor Nathan Vasquez said Alma Santiago took her two children with her when she fled the crash scene in the car of a friend, whod been following them. Her father was the only one to suffer serious injuries. Her father was already outside of the Kia Rio and bleeding heavily when deputies arrived. Her mother told a deputy that her husband had been driving, according to a probable-cause affidavit. But the deputy didnt believe the story -- noting that most of the blood in the car appeared to be in the rear passenger seats. The driver's seat also was positioned too close to the steering wheel to accommodate a man of Miguel Santiagos size, the affidavit said. The affidavit stated that the Kia Rio was registered to Alma Santiago. The next day, when confronted by investigators, Alma Santiago started crying and admitted to drinking, driving and causing the crash, according to the affidavit. Investigators determined that her mother and father also had been drinking that night, while attending a nearby gathering. Alma Santiago pleaded guilty to criminally negligent homicide, hit-and-run driving and driving while the influence of intoxicants. Her blood alcohol at the time of the crash wasnt known because police didnt interview her until the next day. In agreeing to a sentence, the prosecutor said his office took into account that Alma Santiago had no criminal history and appeared to be a hard-working single mother. Court papers say she worked at a meat factory, and she had three children who were ages 2, 4 and 6 at the time. This behavior didnt seem in line with who she is as a person, Vasquez said. And in the end, she is going to have to live with the fact that she killed her father. Alma Santiagos mother was in the courtroom. She sobbed into a scarf as a deputy escorted her daughter out in handcuffs, after the hearing. Vasquez said his office didnt charge the mother with hindering prosecution because she doesnt speak English and the language barrier would have made it a difficult case to prove exactly what she said to the deputy the night of the crash. The district attorneys office also dropped its pursuit of charges against the friend who drove Alma Santiago and her children away from the crash scene, in exchange for the friends cooperation in prosecuting Alma Santiago. When Alma Santiago is released from prison, she could face a deportation hearing because she's not a U.S. citizen. -- Aimee Green The cause of the Portland Streetcar derailment in Southeast Portland on Thursday that damaged three cars and injured one person is still under investigation, authorities say. It's not immediately clear when investigators will be able to determine what caused the derailment near Southeast Grand Avenue and Taylor Street, Portland Bureau of Transportation spokesman John Brady said Friday. The damaged streetcar was towed away around 1:30 a.m. Friday, and the street was reopened around 3 a.m., Brady said. One person was taken by an ambulance to a hospital after the incident, and a second person, also apparently injured, separately made their way to the hospital, Brady said. Both are expected to survive. -- Everton Bailey Jr. ebailey@oregonian.com 503-221-8343; @EvertonBailey After a national tragedy, it's common for the federal government to take symbolic action to formally condemn hate or honor victims of violence. President Trump, who initially made controversial comments after the white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, that left one woman dead, eventually signed a resolution condemning the violence and "domestic terrorist attack" in Virginia. But as the one-year anniversary of the fatal stabbings on a MAX train arrives, a similar resolution hasn't budged in the House of Representatives. Oregon Democrats in Congress say Republicans are standing in the way. "This is a matter of honoring heroes who stood up in the face of hate and bigotry and rebuking white supremacy," Rep Earl Blumenauer, D-Oregon, said in an email. "It shouldn't be a question. The fact that House Republican leadership continues to block our resolution is absolutely shameful." The U.S. Senate approved the resolution June 8, 2017, without amendments. The resolution names Ricky Best and Taliesin Myrddin Namkai-Meche, the two men killed on the light-rail train last year, and also cites Micah Fletcher, the then-Portland State University student who was wounded but survived. The three men were coming to the defense of two young women who "were the targets of threatening anti-Muslim hate speech," the resolution reads. The symbolic document references the "heroism and sacrifice" on that day "in the face of domestic terrorism." Jeremy Christian, the man accused of the slayings, awaits a 2019 trial. Rep. Greg Walden, R-Hood River, one of the highest-ranking members of his party in the House of Representatives, did not respond to a request for comment. U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden issued a statement criticizing Republicans for failing "for months on end" to bring the resolution to a vote. "As people of good will everywhere prepare to mark the anniversary of this deadly attack on the MAX train, it's sadly telling that the resolution passing the Senate in June 2017 by unanimous consent remains shamelessly blocked in May 2018 by the majority running the House." -- Andrew Theen atheen@oregonian.com 503-294-4026 @andrewtheen DUBLIN - The Irish went to the polls Friday to vote in a wrenching, historic referendum over abortion rights that both sides said would show what kind of country Ireland is. Results from two exits polls released after voting ended at 10 p.m. suggested a decisive win for the campaign to repeal the Eighth Amendment to the Irish constitution. The amendment, passed in 1983, enshrined an "equal right to life" for mothers and "the unborn" and outlawed almost all abortions - even in cases of rape, incest, fatal fetal abnormality or risk to maternal health. The Irish Times exit poll, conducted by Ipsos/MRBI, had 68 percent favoring repeal and 32 percent against. The poll released by respected Irish broadcaster RTE, commissioned in association with Irish universities, had 69.4 percent voting yes to repeal and 30.6 percent voting no. The official count of the vote will not begin until Saturday morning, with final results expected Saturday afternoon or evening. Reports from polling stations around the country indicated high turnout. About 3.3 million Irish have registered to vote, and many appeared to be returning from abroad to cast ballots. On social media, the hashtag #hometovote was popular. At Dublin Airport, waves of women arrived - many of them wearing "repeal" T-shirts and with "yes!" stickers on their luggage. Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar, who supports repeal, told reporters Friday that the high turnout was probably good for his side. "Not taking anything for granted, of course, but quietly confident," Varadkar said. Opinion surveys in the run-up to the referendum have showed the "Yes" vote to repeal the amendment ahead, while revealing that as many as 1 in 5 people were undecided just days ago. Ireland, for centuries guided and dominated by the Catholic Church, has one of the strictest abortion bans in the developed world. Seeking or providing an abortion is punishable by up to 14 years in prison. Since 2013, there has been an exception for when a mother's life is at risk. If the repeal vote wins, Ireland's political leadership has promised that Parliament will quickly pass a new law guaranteeing unrestricted abortion up to 12 weeks, and beyond that in cases of fatal fetal abnormalities or serious risks to a mother's health. That would bring Ireland's access to abortion more in line with the other 27 members of the European Union. Although Ireland bans the procedure, it does not restrict travel to procure an abortion. Since 1980, more than 170,000 women have traveled by ferry or airplane to Scotland, England or Wales to get an abortion there. Researchers estimate that about 3,500 make the trip each year, and that another 2,000 end their pregnancies with pills they buy over the internet and smuggle into Ireland. Campaigns to lift the abortion ban have emphasized that it is a woman's right to decide what to do with her body - and that Ireland should be a compassionate society, not one that forces pregnant women to travel to another country to receive a procedure that should be available at home. Kevin Keane, 23, is the president of the Students' Union at Trinity College Dublin. He's been campaigning hard for repeal - a position he says reflects a dynamic, young, European outlook and a turning-away from the scandal-ridden Catholic Church. "So many people in Ireland have rejected religion. We were raised with it; we went to Catholic schools, and growing up with that rhetoric made people hate it," Keane said. Three years ago, Ireland became the first country in the world to back same-sex marriage in a popular vote, confirming a profound shift in Ireland's social attitudes. Keane, who is studying law, had one worry - that men who supported abortion rights would stay home. "They'll say, 'I don't think I should vote on this. I think this is something the women should decide.' " The "No" campaigns stressed the "human rights" of the fetus. Some Irish activists have called abortion "murder," but many campaigners have tried a softer tone, saying Ireland should "love both" the pregnant woman and her unborn baby. "Ireland has treated its daughters terribly," said Marylou Doherty, 66, a teacher who has been an active antiabortion activist since the 1983 campaign. Where are the fathers and family to help a young mother cope with a crisis pregnancy? she asked. "We know the majority of abortions are about their lifestyle," Doherty said. "It just doesn't suit them to have a baby at this time." Doherty maintained that making abortion more difficult to obtain forced women to think more about their decisions and perhaps to seek help or put a baby up for adoption. -- The Washington Post By Ken Goe The 44th Prefontaine Classic, the last to be held at the current Hayward Field, will unfold today, beginning at 12:40 p.m. with the men's triple jump. The first event on the track is the men's International Mile at 12:48 p.m. It's a slam-bang show, lasting just over two hours, and packed with world and Olympic champions. I counted 20 Olympic gold medalists in the field prior to the meet, but that was before Allyson Felix dropped out. This is the best track meet in North America and arguably the best in the world. It will be televised live on NBC, beginning at 1 p.m. Don't Edit The meet actually got underway last night. There were some good performances and some nostalgia. Pole vault winner Sam Kendricks combined both, fighting off tricky winds and a challenge from teenage star Mondo Duplantis en route to victory. He insisted on taking a victory lap for the last time in the old stadium, then climbed up in the doomed east grandstand to spend time with fans there. A grand, new state-of-the-art Hayward Field is expected to open in the spring of 2020. But it won't be the same. Here is my story from last night, which leads with Kendricks' victory. Don't Edit The O's Andrew Greif talked to athletes for their thoughts about the Hayward reconstruction. He and I will be back for today's proceedings. Here is where to go for today's schedule and results. OK, more links: Kendricks soaks up Hayward Field for a final time. Pole vault wunderkind Mondo Duplantis remains 0-for-his-career against Kendricks. Don't Edit The experts at LetsRun.com say Emmanuel Korir rocked, Selemon Barega impressed and Edward Cheserek disappointed on the opening night of the Prefontaine Classic. Teenager's "easy" win steals the thunder from Cheserek and Paul Chelimo in the Pre Class 2-mile run. Barega upstages Chelimo in the Pre Classic 2-Mile Emmanuel Korir takes some contact in stride en route to victory in the Pre Classic 800. Korir stumbles but wins the Pre Classic 800 anyway. Don't Edit Germans rule the Pre Classic javelin. Thomas Rohler wins a javelin showdown at the Pre Classic. Collegian Dani Jones upsets the pros in the Pre Classic's High Performance 1,500. Scott Olberding of Citius Mag: The Pre Classic's short program is a good show. Big Friday night performances set the stage for Saturday's main event at the Pre Classic. Don't Edit Don't Edit Matthew Centrowitz recalls a wild night in Eugene during the 2011 USATF Championships. LetsRun.com's Jonathan Gault has the inside scoop from the Pre Classic, including the differing training methodologies of the Nike Oregon Project and the Bowerman Track Club. The Bowerman Track Club's Shelby Houlihan, running today in the Pre Classic 1,500, is primed to build on her indoor success.. Olympic silver medalist Evan Jager has a big goal in mind for 2018. Don't Edit Allyson Felix withdraws from the Pre Classic without bothering to inform meet officials. Oregon Ducks have a good day at the West Preliminary track meet. The Ducks have had a good first two days at the regional qualifying meet. Sabrina Southerland and the Women of Oregon shine in regional qualifying in Sacramento. The Pac-12 is punching tickets and taking names at the regional. Don't Edit Oregon State concludes the regional. OSU comes up empty on Day 2 of the regional. Big personal record propels the University of Portland's Riley Osen into the NCAA Outdoor Championships in the steeplechase. Portland State's season ends in Sacramento. Paul Merca: Washington steeplers advance to Eugene; ex-Lane Community College high jumper Dakarai Hightower wins a NCAA Division II title. Don't Edit Jordan Geist and Turner Washington are among five Arizona athletes who have advanced to the NCAA Outdoor Championships. Arkansas State's Jaylen Bacon blazes to a win-legal 100 time of 9.97. Tennessee's Shania Collins runs the fastest all-conditions 200 in collegiate history. USC's Rai Benjamin breaks the school record in the 400 hurdles with a college-leading time of 47.98. Don't Edit USC's Michael Norman believes it will take a sub-44 400 to win the NCAA title. (Video) Karissa Schweizer was ready for a fast 10k at the Sacramento regional. (Video) Larry Eder of RunBlogRun tries to make sense out of the USA Track & Field's messy rebidding process for the 2020 U.S. Olympic Trials. Running careers have led to side businesses for Desi Linden, Lauren Fleshman and Jax Mariash. Toni Reavis: Is facial recognition technology the key to catching drug cheats. Don't Edit Don't Edit Stephanie Case for Outside: Ultra-running has a gender problem. Seth Nonnenmacher of George Fox throws the javelin 241-11 to win the NCAA Division III title, breaks the school record and qualifies for the USA Track & Field Outdoor Championships. L&C's Jake La Grand finishes with a non-scoring best of 188-9 in the NCAA Division III javelin. Willamette's Hannah Swanson qualifies for the NCAA Division III steeplechase final. Corban's Michael Schmidt places sixth in the NAIA decathlon. Western Oregon 4x400 advances to the NCAA Division II Outdoor Championships. Concordia athletes don't make it to the award stand Friday at the NCAA Division II Outdoor Championships. The front page from LetsRun.com. The links package from Track & Field News. The links from Duck Sports Now. The links from Beaver Sports Now. -- Ken Goe kgoe@oregonian.com | @KenGoe EUGENE -- Fans who showed up to Hayward Field Friday night hoping to see an American record left disappointed. So, too, did anyone wondering whether a former Oregon Duck star could conjure up some old magic in his outdoor debut as a professional. Instead, it was 18-year-old Selemon Barega of Ethiopia who broke away from the 17-man pack around the final turn to win the two-mile at the 44th Prefontaine Classic on Friday night. Barega spoke little English, but knew enough to call the win in 8 minutes, 20.01 seconds "easy" -- even after conceding the conditions were "tough." Temperatures were in the high 50 degrees and runners faced a breeze that refused to die down. The world indoor 3,000-meter silver medalist, Barega used a 54.8-second final lap to hold off Paul Chelimo, the 5,000-meter silver medalist from the Rio Olympics, whose time of 8:20.91 was good enough for second but well off his stated goal of breaking Matt Tegenkamp's 11-year-old U.S. record -- also set at the Pre Classic -- of 8:07.07. While the leaders jostled at the front throughout the race, the crowd's sentimental favorite was unable to move up to the front as fans here have grown so accustomed to seeing. Former Oregon Duck star Edward Cheserek finished 15th in 8:31.43. The 17-time NCAA champion for the Ducks was racing outdoors for the first time professionally for Skechers in a blue and lime green singlet. Cheserek is coming off an indoor season in which he clocked the second-fastest mile in history. He wasn't the only star to struggle in the elite field. World 5,000-meter champion Muktar Edris of Ethiopia was 13th in 8:26.11 and Paul Tanui of Kenya, the silver medalist in the 10,000 at the 2016 Rio Olympics, was last in 8:33.44. Chelimo is still seeking his first victory in a IAAF Diamond League event. He came within 0.02 of a second of doing that earlier this month in a 5,000 meters in Shanghai, a race where he hoped to break 13 minutes only to get outkicked. He didn't want his performance in Eugene to go like that in China, he said. "This time I just wanted to go there and go for the win," he said. "Sometimes times don't matter, just winning is important." Behind him were former Oregon runner Eric Jenkins, who was seventh in 8:23.50, and Oregon Track Club Elite's Hassan Mead, who finished 10th in 8:24.09. A pair of rabbits ripped off laps at a target pace of 60.8 seconds in order to get Chelimo close to the record and leaders came through the first mile at 4:14.9. Chelimo later said he wasn't "100 percent" healthy. "You hear what he pace is going to be, you hear (Chelimo) wants to get an American record so you kind of gear up to sit and just hurt for a little while," Jenkins said. "I was actually happy with how i felt, it was just a real back and forth race. I think I made a few too many moves and didn't really hold it." -- Andrew Greif agreif@oregonian.com We have used your information to see if you have a subscription with us, but did not find one. Please use the button below to verify an existing account or to purchase a new subscription. Sustainable socio-economic development rather than economic growth alone should be a primary goal, Polish President Andrzej Duda said at the Economic Forum in Tbilisi, Georgia, on Saturday. President Duda paid a visit to Georgia on Saturday to attend observances marking the centenary of the 1st Democratic Republic of Georgia. Other leaders from Central and Eastern Europe also took part in the anniversary events. Earlier, the Polish president together with his Slovak and Georgian counterparts Andrej Kiska and Giorgi Margvelashvili as well as Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili took part in the opening of the economic forum. "I am deeply touched that I can stand here today in Tbilisi on this important day when together we celebrate the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the First Democratic Republic of Georgia," Duda said. He recalled his "great patron and predecessor", the late President Lech Kaczynski, "for whom a free, independent, sovereign and safe Georgia was an important, if not basic, element of European security, but also, more broadly, of global security." The Polish president expressed his satisfaction that, as a "student and successor" of Lech Kaczynski, he could take part in the opening of the Economic Forum in Tbilisi. "I am proud that the models that have been developed in Poland over the past 20 years are now applied in Georgia, that this forum is being held in cooperation with the foundation organising the Economic Forum in Krynica (southern Poland - PAP)," Duda stressed. According to the Polish president, "security and peace" are the necessary conditions for successful economic growth and development. Social cohesion is another prerequisite for the economic development, in Duda's opinion. "Growth cannot take place at the price of deepening social differences," he argued. These differences should be eliminated, which is what social programmes implemented in Poland are aimed at. Free trade is another condition for economic growth, Duda argued, noting that the potential of Polish-Georgian economic cooperation is not yet fully exploited. He pointed out that positive trends in the development of this cooperation were maintained in 2017 and that trade turnover increased by about 30 percent, including Polish exports to Georgia by 24 percent and imports from Georgia to Poland by more than 80 percent. Duda pointed out that since 2016 Georgia has been the largest recipient of Polish export products in the South Caucasus. "We hope to continue this trend in 2018. I am convinced that over the coming years we will be able to achieve much more in this area," the president said. The Polish president sees the potential for Polish-Georgian cooperation in Polish companies' participation in implementing the strategic hydropower development programme in Georgia. He believes that Poland has a lot to offer to Georgian partners in the field of green technologies, renewable energy sources, energy efficiency and waste management. In Duda's opinion, transport cooperation also looks very promising, including support for the West-South transport corridor connecting India through Iran and then Azerbaijan, Georgia, Ukraine and Poland to Western Europe, as well as the development of a new Silk Road from China through Kazakhstan, then also Azerbaijan, Georgia, Ukraine and Poland to Western Europe. Duda pointed out that these routes could become an alternative to those running through Russia. The President of Georgia stressed that it is very important for him to welcome "two of his friends, the presidents of Poland and Slovakia," on an important day like this. As Margvelashvili said, "it is extremely symbolic, because they are two leaders who strongly support and protect Georgia's interests in many international formats." (PAP) mr/ jd/ Ireland appears poised to roll back its restrictions on the elective abortions, reports the Irish Times. The Western country currently outlaws abortions for women except in cases where the mother's life is in danger. Today's vote was a Yes/No referendum to amend Ireland's constitutional eight amendment; it is the first step towards easing the country's restriction on abortion access. Ireland's legislature is expected to propose a law to allow women to obtain elective abortions up within the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. NPR reports that over 200,000 women have traveled to Britain in order to obtain an abortion; the law would allow Irish women to have abortions in their home country. According to exit polls, the Yes campaign (in favor of legalizing abortion) received 68 percent of the vote an overwhelming majority. Many Irish nationals traveled back from the Grea Britain, Europe, and across the world in order to vote in the referendum. A referendum to appeal the vote may not take place, making today's vote especially critical for pro-choice supporters. Savita Halappanavar, an Indian dentist, has been held up by Irish pro-choice campaigners; Halappanavar died in 2012 after a hospital refused to induce an abortion during her excruciating 7 day-long miscarraige. She developed blood sepsis and suffered a cardiac arrest before dying. The right to abortion in Ireland is one of the most restrictive in Western countries and is primarily based on religious beliefs. Irish, English, and international Twitter users cheered the landslide decision. An official declaration of the referendum results is expected on Saturday. When I was a child growing up in Ireland, it was illegal to buy a condom, get a divorce or have sex with someone of the same gender. I look at this new Ireland and I wonder how a country can reinvent itself so radically, and so much for the benefit of people's freedom. https://t.co/gPwltuDYiW Andrew Byrne (@aqbyrne) May 25, 2018 the landslide victory in Ireland is a huge win for reproductive rights and great news for everyone who wants fewer Irish people walking the earth Brandy Jensen (@BrandyLJensen) May 26, 2018 [TWITTER] Ireland: [chanting] Nice, nice Rest of world: nice, NICE Secretary: [pounding her clipboard] NICE, NICE, NICE nice (@gayderrida) May 25, 2018 the ireland vote is another example of how powerful un-shame-able women are Molly Priddy (@mollypriddy) May 25, 2018 Well done, Ireland but if you think this means I'm going to stop doing my flawless impression of you bog creatures you've got another thing coming. Matt Christman (@cushbomb) May 25, 2018 Update: Ireland has officially overturned the abortion ban as of Saturday, May 26, 2018. A huge win for women all over the country. The tale goes on: One quite unintended consequence of the Israeli invasion of Lebanon was the energizing of the largest of the countrys ethnic factions, the Shiites, who had been relatively docile. The way in which this was done is a tribute to the awesome power of ignorance and misunderstanding. (Another factor, of course, was the emergence of a militant Shiite state in Iran, under the leadership of the Ayatollah Khomeini. Many Lebanese Shiite religious leaders had been trained in Iran, and the rise of the Islamic Republic gave them a new pride, a new fire.) It will be recalled that the PLO had set itself up in South Lebanon for the purpose of raiding into Israel and had turned itself into a kind of quasi-state. The Palestinians had turned the south into a battleground in which the Shiites often took most of the casualties, and they were prone to liberate any itemup to and including homes and carsthat took their revolutionary fancy. Many of the Shiites fled into the cities, most notably into Beirut, where they continued to serve as the menials of the upper classes (if they found work in the first place) and where they did not share at all in the Levantine high life of sophisticated Lebanon. It is not surprising, then, that the first reaction of the Shiites in the south was to welcome the Israeli invaders as liberators from PLO oppression. But the Shiites had not expected the Israelis to stay forever, and they were not pleased when the Israelis turned to Lebanese Christian militiamen to help them rule the area. Furthermore, the Israelis, many of whom have not the slightest personal religious experience,[1] were grotesquely insensitive to Shiite religious feelings. (There are virtually no Shiite Muslims in Israel.) Stories are told by various authors of Israeli desecrations of mosques and of the Quran, done ham-handedly in the course of routine searches. The most spectacular instance of this occurred on 16 October 1983, in the town of Nabatiyya, when an Israeli military convoy decided to drive through a crowd of between 50,000 and 60,000 Shiites who were celebrating the most important of their holidays, Ashura, which commemorates the martyrdom of Husayn, the Prophets grandson, at the hands of the unjust Umayyad tyranny. This is a holy day, a day during which the worshipers work themselves up to an emotional pitch and even go so far as to bloody themselves with whips. When the Israeli convoy ran into difficulty getting through the crowd, it began to honk horns and demand that people clear out of the way. It was the equivalent, says Thomas Friedman, of someone turning on a ghetto blaster in a synagogue on Yom Kippur, the Jewish Day of Atonement.[2] The crowd began to throw rocks and bottles, and in the ensuing chaos some of the Israeli vehicles were overturned. The Israelis panicked and opened fire on the worshipers. This incident brought the sleeping Shiite population to life. They began to fight against the Israelis with sniper ambushes, bombs packed with nails, wandering donkeys set to explode, ambulances packed with dynamite. There were the suicide bombers, too. With a religious faith virtually based on the idea of martyrdom, they were willing, indeed almost happy, to die.[3] It is extremely difficult to defend oneself against such an opponent. Strict Israeli measures such as travel and trade restrictions, car searches, and checkpoints only managed to irritate the Shiites more. [1] Friedman, From Beirut to Jerusalem, 475, tells an interesting anecdote to illustrate his claim that the majority of Israelis dont even know what to do inside a synagogue. How, then, could they be expected to know much of mosque etiquette? [2] Friedman, From Beirut to Jerusalem, 180. [3] One of the most striking pieces of testimony about the suicide attack on the Marine barracks in Beirut, which occurred about a week after the incident in Nabatiyya, is that the driver of the bomb-laden truck smiled at the guard as he hurtled past to his death. Posted from Paris, France The Deputy Minister for Education in charge of General Education, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, has urged young people to work hard towards the realization of their dreams and bring honour not only to themselves, but to their families, schools and the country. Dr. Adutwum made these remarks when he received the Robotics Team of Opoku Ware School in his office on Wednesday at the Ministry for Education on their arrival from Michigan in the United States, where they won the Innovation Award at the just ended Robofest Competition and was the only African team out of a total of 24 teams to win any award. They were joined by a cross section of the schools old boys and the team members families to pay a courtesy call on the Deputy Minister and to inform him of their achievement. The delegation also included Dr. Yaw Okraku-Yirenkyi, the Coordinator of the Ghana Robotics Academy & Foundation (GRAF), who praised the efforts of the Opoku Ware School team and explained that there were other global robotics competitions slated for China, Thailand and Philippines later this year. The spokesman for the delegation, who is also Secretary to the Opoku Ware Old Boys Association (Akatakyie) Mr. Rodney Nkrumah-Boateng, informed the Deputy Minister that the boys had worked so hard and were inspired to work even harder in future competitions to bring honour to their country. He expressed the hope that the team will be able to draw on the ministrys support ahead of their preparations for future contests, and that the school was determined to become a robotics hub in the country. Dr. Adutwum expressed his delight at the teams achievement and congratulated them for their hard work. You have no excuse to rest on your laurels. You clearly have a lot of potential and you have to keep working hard, he urged them. The team was treated to a reception later in the evening at the National Theatre, hosted by Akatakyie ahead of their onward trip to school in Kumasi yesterday, where they received a rousing welcome from their schoolmates. Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video A task force of Tamale Metropolitan Assembly led by the Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE) Issah Salifu Musah has abducted scores of children spotted roaming the outskirts of the metropolis at night without supervision. Mr. Musah said his action is in a direction to sensitize the metropolis and rid the streets of Tamale of children between the ages of four and fifteen who wander about after 10pm. Prior to the arrests, the MCE said he had the backing of Chiefs and elders in the area after a directive was issued to cordon parents in the past months about the movement of their wards at night therefore, failure to adhere means their children would be detained if found as culprits. Speaking to reporters, Musah Superior said, the presence of these children on the streets at night is an indication of irresponsible nurturing on the part of their parents, a development he said would not be encouraged in the Northern part of the country. Tamale Metropolitan Assembly will no longer tolerate or accept children between the ages of zero and fifteen to roam the streets of Tamale. We have consistently communicated this to our chiefs, we have informed our elders, the religious leaders, we have issued press statement discussing it. In fact we inaugurated the Biasom task force which was supposed to be replicated in all the electoral areas in Tamale and we had sensitized the people of Tamale for the past two months, said Mr. Musah. Musah Superior held that the children have potentials of becoming great leaders in future, therefore every parent has a responsibility to ensure that their childs dream is realized. He held that no parent has an excuse not to keep a child safe. The task force led by myself have removed the children from danger. The children are between the ages of six and fourteen and that is not acceptable. Every parent has the responsibility to keep the child safe. You do not have any excuse not to keep your child safe. And that is why I am sounding this caution to parent that the TaMA will no longer allow children under age to roam the streets of Tamale. Source: Ghanaweb.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Lawyer and Member of Parliament for Sekondi, Andrew Agyapa Mercer has described former President John Dramani Mahamas intended return to contest election 2020 as unconstitutional. According to him, any such move by Mr Mahama could be fraught will legal challenges as the constitution is clear on his eligibility under this circumstance. Ex-President Mahama over the weekend declared his intention to contest the Presidency in the 2020 general polls and will face a stiff contest from the likes of Ekow Spio Garbrah, Prof. Joshua Alabi, Alban Bagbin, and Sylvester Mensah at the partys primaries. But Lawyer Andrew Agyapa Mercer is clear in his reading and understanding of the 1992 constitution that the ex-President Mahama constitutionally has no chance of returning to the Presidency. My understanding of Article 66 and 68 is that hes barred from ever contesting the Presidency again, but when you raise that conversation they are quick to say that youre afraid of them that these are express words of the constitution. The man has left office as President, the constitution doesnt say that when you leave office after one term or two terms you have a right to contest twice and my interpretation of those provisions is that, that two terms is a continues to term. When you leave office your benefits that are not varied until you die are there in the constitution, its clear Article 68 but they say the constitution gives him two terms, hes done one so hell go and chop all the benefits for twenty years if he so desires and come back to come to continue. In this case hes coming back after 4 years, for me I say hes no right to contest. Article 66 of the 1992 Constitution reads: (1) A person elected as President shall, subject to clause (3) of this article, hold office for a term of four years beginning from the date on which he is sworn in as President. (2) A person shall not be elected to hold office as President of Ghana for more than two terms. (3) The office of President shall become vacant (a) on the expiration of the period specified in clause (1) of this article; or (b) if the incumbent dies or resigns from office or ceases to hold office under article 69 of this Constitution. (4) The President may, by writing signed by him, and addressed to the Speaker of Parliament, resign from his office as President. Source: kasapafm Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video A Deputy Minister of Communications, George Nenyi Andah has reiterated the fact that the Founding President of IMANI Africa Franklin Cudjoe is on the wrong path as far as discussions on the Ministry of Communications contract with Kelni GVG is concerned. Franklin Cudjoe is calling for the abrogation of the $89.4million contract between the state and telecommunications company, Kelni GVG. According to him, Subah Info Solution and Afriwave are already performing similar jobs for the Communication Ministry as a result; the contract is needless and is just a duplication of functions. Reacting to this earlier on in the week, George Andah defused IMANIs concern adding, no amount of pressure will compel the government to cancel the controversial contract. reacting to the same issue during a panel discussion on JOY FMs Newsfile programme Saturday, the deputy minister who also doubles as the Member of Parliament for Awutu Senya West Constituency said he suspects IMANI is being motivated. Either IMANI is misinformed or they have been motivated to do whatever they are doingI would have expected that if they had any concerns, they should have engaged the ministry. People could be misinformedIMANI is not God. There hasnt been any request to meet with the ministry. They are misinformed; IMANI is misinformed, he noted. According to him, we are 100 percent sure that this (contract) is in the interest of Ghana. Background Kelni GVG, a Haitian originated company, has been awarded a contract by the government for design, development and implementation of a common platform for traffic monitoring, revenue assurance, and mobile money monitoring and fraud management. The Kelni GVG contract upon its signing stipulates that a payment of $1,491,225 be paid monthly for a 5-year period, amounting to a total of USD 89,473,500. Per the terms of the contract, which was signed in December 2017, the monthly payments are supposed to begin no later than 30 days after the contract was signed. This, by inference, means that the state through the Ministry of Communications owes at least $5.96 million as of May this year. Meanwhile, Glo has already signed on according to George Andah. Source: Rebecca Addo Tetteh/Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Ranking Member on the Constitutional and Legal affairs committee of Parliament and Member of Parliament for Tamale South, Inusah Fuseini, says the administration of former President John Mahama was far better than the current President Akufo-Addo-led government. He said when the two presidents are compared, former President John Mahama will best be described as a saint. Contributing to a discussion on TV3s New Day about comments made by former President John Mahama, which have been widely interpreted as a possible comeback, the Tamale Central MP said: Nana [Akufo-Addo] demonstrated Mahama was a saint. John Mahama in a Facebook post had subtly declared his intention to contest the flagbearership of the National Democratic Congress party, an action that has been met with mixed reactions. Even though some people think the former president has no chance again, others, including the national organizer of the party, Kofi Adams, think John Mahama is the right candidate to get the victory for the party in 2020. Inusah Fuseini is also of the view that without John Mahama, the party may not get a suitable competitor for the 2020 general elections. If President Mahama doesnt run who will run, he quizzed. Source: 3news Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Founder of World Miracle Outreach, Rev. Dr. Lawrence Tetteh has joined the fray regarding the extension of the four-year presidential term currently being practised per the constitution in the country. Echoing the words of Dr. Samiu Kwadwo Nuamah, MP for Kwadaso Constituency, Rev. Dr. Lawrence Tetteh argued that the four-year term was not enough for government to implement its projected policies. My biggest challenge is that the four-year span for the leadership is not enough. This is Ghana. This is Africa. This is not Europe where we have all the systems and everything in place that there is continuity, the revered man of God explained in an interview with GhanaWeb. Comparing the governance system in Europe to that of Ghana, Rev. Dr. Lawrence Tetteh posited that unlike Ghana, there is hardly any change in staff at the presidency or in Parliament in Europe or America or Asia. He held the assertion that a minimum of 6 years would rather suffice in helping a new government fulfil its campaign projects. When government changes hand in Europe, in America or in Asia, the staff in the ministries do not change hands. The staff at the presidency do not change hands, the staff at the prime ministers office do not change hands. Staff at the Parliament do not change hands. But in this part of the world we live in, everything changes. So let us give our leadership six years at least to be able to formulate, settle down and put things together, Rev. Dr. Lawrence Tetteh added. The outspoken cleric claimed that a new government wastes the first two years of assuming office to settle down and put things in place, with the third year set aside for campaigning. Thus, there is not enough time to implement policies. Source: Ghanaweb.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The presentation is simple: a series of monofilament fishing lines hang from the ceiling, and attached to each small plastic baggies. Inside each baggie is a small plastic crystal bead. There are a total of of 5,577 baggies -- one for each of the people who died in Pennsylvania due to heroin or opioid overdoses Pennsylvania in 2017. The piece is titled "5577," and has been recently installed in the State Museum of Pennsylvania as part of the museum's Art of the State exhibit which opens June 24. "I think there are so many people that are involved in this issue -- and this is just Pennsylvania," said Maria Maneos, the artist behind the project. "It's beautiful, but once you understand it, it's horrific at the same time." Maneos is one of many Pennsylvanians with a personal connection to addiction. "My son struggles with heroin addiction," she said. "Smart kid, college, all that stuff. But when I found myself going to the Montgomery County prison to visit him, and seeing so many others just like him, I said, 'the arts can do something here'." Maneos had previously done art therapy with disabled veterans and people recovering from strokes, so she then shifted to working with the incarcerated. Her nonprofit organization, Brush With the Law, built upon the art classes, and helps use art as therapy as well as a re-entry tool and source for community service: several inmates with the program created murals, including one for the Norristown Police Department in honor of a fallen officer. Maneos partnered with another organization, a mental health advocacy group called Hope Works, in order to complete "5577." "After she told us her vision of how it will represent the people who have died of opioid or drug overdose, we wanted to be part of that," said Ameika Malcolm of Hope Works. "Everybody had a connection with that in some shape or form. Everybody had, whether it was directly or indirectly, some story that they could tell you. 'I know somebody', or a family member is going through this crisis, or overdosed, or experienced the ripples of that." People enrolled in the Hope Works programs helped fill the baggies for the piece, which were then installed by Maneos, Malcolm and State Museum staff and volunteers. And in every step of the process, inevitably, conversation arose about the epidemic, and people shared stories about their own experiences and connections. "They were able to support each other in conversation, Malcolm said. "It was very therapeutic for people who were going through loss, or whatever struggle they had at the time. " One man in the Hope Works program, Malcolm explained, "doesn't like to interact. But the fact that he was able to sit there and put the gems in the bag was his outlet, or his way of expressing, 'I am out here in the world, I'm getting involved, and I have a sense of community around me'." Beverly Lichkus, a volunteer with the State Museum who helps organize the Art of the State exhibits, said that such projects are valuable because they "allow people to have that conversation." "I've worked with bereavement patients and cancer patients," she said. This is a great project because it opens conversation for them to heal. The healing arts help them communicate better and tell their story. Everyone has a story, everyone got there for a reason. It's really important to allow that healing to happen through the arts." "This installation is obviously a very timely piece," added Michele Ensminger, chief of exhibits at the State Museum. "It's a focus of conversation everywhere around the world, not just central Pennsylvania." Ensminger, like Maneos, has a child that suffers from addiction. "Every time I think about this -- we're standing here unwinding these strings, that are sometimes frustrating," she said. "And every time I look at one of these little crystals in a baggie, I think, 'that is representing someone's life who lost that battle.' It's just very close to home for me." "When you read a number, and see a number, it's completely different," Maneos said. "The visual on this is very important, to help bring the awareness of those numbers. There are so many people struggling with this, it's not just them by themselves. They're not alone, and they're remembered." After a long pause, she added, "they're not just people we should just hide away, or should be embarrassed. There's help of some sort, and there are communities that want to help." By Douglas M. Charles President Donald Trump tweeted this week that he would order the Department of Justice to investigate whether the FBI, under President Barack Obama, had "infiltrated or surveilled" his presidential campaign "for political purposes." Trump was referring to the FBI's use of an informant to gather information in its probe of Russian interference in the 2016 election. The president described this informant as a "spy" who was "placed" in his campaign. Trump also framed the entire episode employing a Watergate suffix, calling it "spygate." He has claimed it could be "one of the biggest political scandals in history." As an FBI historian, I believe an examination of how the FBI has handled and used informants in the past will shed light on this current controversy. Informants get the information Informants -- an informal term for what the FBI really calls Confidential Human Sources -- are, and always have been, one of the most basic sources of information in FBI and police investigations. As sources of information they are what counterintelligence professionals sometimes call "assets," not spies. The FBI does not "place" or insert informants, as it would do with undercover FBI agents. Informants are people who are already in a position to know or learn information and who willingly cooperate with the FBI. Most often, informants cooperate because they're concerned with something they've seen or heard. In writing my book "Hoover's War on Gays: Exposing the FBI's "Sex Deviates" Program," I uncovered the identities of many FBI informants. Sometimes, they seek out the FBI and offer their services to an FBI agent handler out of concern for what they've seen. Such was the case with Dr. Alfred Gross, who had previously worked with the FBI and who in 1952 regarded a gay civil rights group he met as threatening because he viewed them as mentally ill. Others became informants because they were strong anti-communists during the Cold War, like Warren Scarberry, an informant I uncovered who believed he saw in the Mattachine Society of Washington the work of Communists. He called and visited the FBI about this. Still others acted out of a personal sense of patriotism or were criminal conspirators looking for a deal with prosecutors. Informants run the spectrum of motivations, from selfless to selfish. A well-placed informant In President Trump's self-described "spygate," the FBI's informant was a retired international affairs professor at Cambridge University named Stefan Halper. Halper had established GOP connections. He worked variously for Republican presidents including Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush. He was also a man who long served the U.S. intelligence community as a source. Stefan Halper has been identified as the informant who helped the FBI's Russia investigation. Wikipedia It's unsurprising, then, the FBI used Halper in its counterintelligence probe. Most significantly, he happened to have been in a unique position where he had connections to Trump campaign officials who all had different types of Russian contacts. These included Trump campaign co-chair Sam Clovis and Trump foreign policy advisers Michael Flynn, Carter Page and George Papadopoulos. Today's FBI does not practice political espionage at the behest of presidents or anyone else, and informants are not part of anything like that. There are investigative guidelines and congressional oversight mechanisms to prevent it. That was not always true: During the tenure of FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover (1924-1972), the FBI conducted unchecked political surveillance operations. The Hoover FBI also used informants in these efforts to monitor, for example, FDR's foreign policy critics, civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., student radicals and the anti-war movement, and to keep tabs on the LGBT community. Hoover's abuses forced reforms Hoover's actions were violations of Americans' civil liberties and the trust placed in law enforcement. Precisely because of these Hoover-era abuses, special investigative regulations were put into place about the use of informants in the 1970s. If an FBI probe is particularly sensitive and potentially involves "a greater risk to civil liberties," then FBI agents are required to seek higher levels of authorization for their use. In the Hoover era, there was little to no oversight in the use of informants, let alone more intrusive investigative techniques. Today's FBI is not the Hoover FBI. Yet even during the Hoover years, informants were key to more standard FBI national security investigations. The FBI captured Russian spy Rudolf Abel -- who was portrayed in the 2015 Tom Hanks film "Bridge of Spies" -- because an FBI informant within Abel's circle, named Reino Haynaham, talked. In 1965, the FBI quickly apprehended the murderers of civil rights activist Viola Liuzzo in Alabama because it had a paid informant within the Ku Klux Klan, Gary Thomas Rowe Jr. The FBI captured Russian spy Rudolf Abel with the help of an informant. Wikimedia It is no surprise, then, that FBI officials used a confidential human source in its counterintelligence probe about Russian election meddling. The informant was in a position to gather information early in the FBI investigation. That basic information undoubtedly was then further developed and enhanced with more traditional documented sources, as is evidenced by the fact that both Michael Flynn and George Papadopoulos pleaded guilty and are now cooperating with the Mueller investigation. The Conversation What we see in today's example is less about spying than a glimpse into how FBI national security investigations operate and unfold - and how they can sometimes be politicized. Douglas M. Charles is an associate professor of history at Penn State University. He wrote this piece for The Conversation, where it first appeared. By Matthew Lam, Charlotte Levy, Anthony Notarobert, and Lakshman Balaji Pennsylvania powers America. We understand the value of the resources under our feet and the hard work invested in obtaining them. We're not people to put up with unfair prices and waste resources. So, why are we literally letting tons of natural gas float away? In 2015, the state calculated that 112,100 tons of methane from unconventional (hydrofracked) wells went to waste, unused due to leakages in our gas wells. And that's on the low side; an outside estimate suggested we may in fact be losing five times as much. This missing gas is lost from cracked pipes, outdated compressors, and other aging equipment. But it's not lost from natural gas companies' balance sheets. Instead, Pennsylvania citizens are paying the price: up to $131.5 million per year for gas they never receive. These leakages don't just hurt your heating bill, however --they threaten basic public safety. In 2011, a gas line ruptured and caused an explosion in Allentown killing five and injuring three. But between that disaster and today, six more major explosions have occurred across Pennsylvania, killing and injuring many and causing over $38 million dollars of property damage. Explosions like the one in Allentown are chance misfortunes, but it does not mean that we should ignore the underlying issue of leaking natural gas infrastructure and give those who responsible a pass. The technology to make repairs is neither new nor prohibitively expensive. Besides getting positive news coverage, leakers actually save money by investing in new equipment in the long run by capturing lost product. For an estimated cost of only around $500 per-site, an increase in production efficiencies and public safety are sure worth the price. To keep their leaks in check and our natural gas companies accountable, we must, as Pennsylvanians, urge our companies to partner with the Environmental Protection Agency. A voluntary commitment, the EPA's Natural Gas Science to Achieve Results (STAR) Program helps private companies meet emission reductions through annual reporting requirements and facilitation of information sharing in the industry. With input from experts at the EPA and accurate data reporting, we can rest assured that real changes are made in the pipelines. In fact, the program's promotion of technologies resulted in domestic emissions reductions of 51.4 Bcf in 2016, which is equivalent to $155 million of natural gas. Pennsylvania is an energy state; we know that the lights don't turn on by magic. And when we, as consumers, sign up for a service with a gas company, we are held accountable for making sure that every wattage of power is put to best use. So why are the energy producers not doing their due diligence themselves? Considering the hazards and waste from natural gas being leaked, surely our power companies can, in turn, own up to their commitments by partnering with the EPA. Considering the natural gas industry's profit margins, this STAR program is a low-hanging fruit. Fortify the pipes and stop the gas leakages -- they are literally letting dollar bills float into the air. Matthew Lam; Charlotte Levy, a Pennsylvania resident; Anthony Notarobert and Lakshman Balaji are students at Cornell University. They spent the past semester researching natural gas leakage in Pennsylvania. By Eugene Robinson President Donald Trump has many limitations, to put it mildly, but he is brilliant at the dark art of branding. Those seeking to hold him accountable had better study his technique -- and learn to fight fire with fire. Witness how Trump is trying to use the word "spy" as a weapon against the FBI, the Justice Department and special counsel Robert S. Mueller III's investigation of Russian interference in the election. The president's performance this week has been totally dishonest -- and, let's be honest, quite effective. Here is what really happened, as far as we know: In 2016, the FBI saw what it believed were Russian attempts to interfere with the U.S. election, including contacts with three Trump campaign advisers. Alarmed and needing to know more -- but not wanting to publicly investigate the campaign, which could be prejudicial against Trump -- agents asked a retired college professor named Stefan A. Halper to touch base with those advisers to see what he could find out. Halper did so. Two of the advisers, Carter Page and Sam Clovis, have spoken publicly about the encounters and described them as innocuous. Here is what happened, according to Trump: "Spygate!" Trump has consistently and cleverly referred to Halper as a "spy," rather than an "informant," which is what he really was. And he has suggested, falsely, that the "spy" was "placed very early into my campaign." Trump alleged in a tweet Wednesday that the "Criminal Deep State," which for some reason is apparently persecuting him, has been "caught in a major SPY scandal the likes of which this country may never have seen before!" Right-wing media and Trump's political allies have joined the chorus, which is meant to sow doubt on the Mueller probe's legitimacy. And I believe the campaign is having at least some success -- all because of the word "spy." According to the Associated Press, "Trump told one ally this week that he wanted 'to brand' the informant a 'spy,' believing the more nefarious term would resonate more in the media and with the public." He was right. His supporters have gleefully adopted the term. Media outlets have called Trump on his distortion, but in order to refute the word "spy" it is necessary to use the term -- which has the counterproductive effect of reinforcing the word through repetition. Trump's success in making some people believe his campaign was "spied on" does not deter Mueller from his appointed rounds. But it can incrementally shake confidence in Mueller's findings -- unless he completely exonerates Trump, in which case the president will paint him as the noblest and finest public servant in the history of the republic. None of this should surprise anyone. Trump had early success as a real estate developer, then made a series of foolish investments, especially in Atlantic City, that almost ruined him. He survived by transforming the Trump Organization into what is essentially a branding company that makes deals to put the Trump name on projects whose costs, and risks, are borne by others. He has long understood how perception can overwhelm reality -- and how the right turn of phrase can change everything. As The Post's Karen Tumulty wrote in January 2017 , Trump came up with the phrase "Make America Great Again" on Nov. 7, 2012, the day after Mitt Romney's loss to Barack Obama. Five days later, Trump applied for a trademark. This was back in 2012 . He's good at this. Of course you will recall how he branded his opponents for the Republican nomination with mocking nicknames -- "Little" Marco Rubio, "Low Energy" Jeb Bush and the rest. It was juvenile and undignified, but it served to lump the other contenders together and diminish them all, while letting Trump set himself apart and above. Rep. Adam B. Schiff (D-Calif.) , the ranking minority member on the House Intelligence Committee, is trying to give Trump a dose of his own medicine. What Trump calls "Spygate" should really be known as "Lie-gate," Schiff says, because it is built on falsehoods. Schiff should get points for making the effort, but he's already a bit late. Trump understands, and seizes, the first-mover advantage that comes from coining definitional terms. "Lie-gate" is a decent counterpunch. "Spygate," by contrast, was a roundhouse sucker punch -- not nice, not polite, but effective. Beating Trump at his own game requires playing that game. This means acting instead of always reacting -- it means defining the linguistic terrain before he can. And it means understanding, as the president does, that words don't just describe reality. They shape it. Eugene Robinson is a columnist for The Washington Post. His work appears on Saturdays on PennLive Opinion. In a candid sit-down with the New York Times this week, several cast members from the Netflix series addressed the allegations of inappropriate behaviour against actor Jeffrey Tambor, including an outburst directed at his co-star, Jessica Walter. Walter attends the LA Premiere of "Arrested Development" Season Five at Raleigh Studios Hollywood, in Los Angeles on Thursday, May 17, 2018. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Invision, Richard Shotwell An RCMP officer walks past a makeshift tent covering a body at a shooting which left one person dead in Dartmouth, N.S., on Saturday, May 26, 2018. Nova Scotia's Serious Incident Response Team, which investigates all serious incidents involving police, along with the RCMP and Halifax Regional Police are at the scene. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Andrew Vaughan A woman places flowers by a mural showing Savita Halappanavar, a 31-year-old Indian dentist who had sought and been denied an abortion before she died after a miscarriage in a Galway hospital, with the word YES over it, in Dublin, Ireland, on the day of a referendum on the 8th amendment of the constitution. The referendum on whether to repeal the country's strict anti-abortion law is being seen by anti-abortion activists as a last-ditch stand against what they view as a European norm of abortion-on-demand, while for pro-abortion rights advocates, it is a fundamental moment for declaring an Irish woman's right to choose. (Niall Carson/PA via AP) Police and emergency personnel surround the scene of a shooting at Lake Hefner in Oklahoma City, Thursday, May 24, 2018. A man armed with a pistol walked into LouieAos On The Lake restaurant at the dinner hour and opened fire, wounding two customers, before being shot dead by a handgun-carrying civilian in the parking lot, police said. (Bryan Terry/The Oklahoman via AP) The U.S. Department of Justice issued a press release on May 24 saying that Azat Martirossian, a former Armenian Ambassador to China, has been charged for his alleged participation in a scheme to launder bribe payments to foreign government officials for the benefit of a Columbus, Ohio-based subsidiary of Rolls-Royce plc, to secure a contract to supply equipment and services to power a gas pipeline from Kazakhstan to China. Also charged with Azat Martirossian, 62, a citizen of Armenia, was Vitaly Leshkov, 50, a citizen of Russia. Both are employees of Technical Adviser, an international engineering consulting firm. The two are believed to be residing outside the United States. Pirate offense sputters in loss The downpour of rain that drenched Pirate Field in the fourth quarter was probably an accurate representation of just how Perryville football coach Brent Roth and his team felt following the game.The Indians have fun in shutout victory over Bayless St. Vincent football coach Tim Schumer said that his team had a lot of fun on Friday night. The Indians scored early and often, then dominated on defense as they shutout Bayless 59-0 Rich Lazer, who ran for Congress in 2018, is returning to his former job in Mayor Kenneys administration. Read more That was fast. Rich Lazer, the Democrat who launched an unsuccessful bid for Congress this year, is returning to Mayor Kenney's administration. The 33-year-old worked for Kenney almost his entire adult life, starting as an intern for the then-councilman and eventually becoming his deputy mayor of labor. He resigned from that position in February to run for Congress. Lazer will go back to the post on May 29. "Lazer has been a key adviser to the mayor on many issues, and he has certainly been missed during the past few months," said Mike Dunn, a spokesman for Kenney. Dunn said Lazer had been "instrumental" in helping to reach agreement on a new labor contract with the city's blue-collar union as well as end the 2016 SEPTA strike. Lazer is also an ally of John "Johnny Doc" Dougherty, the leader of the city's building trades, who is under federal scrutiny. Dougherty has denied any wrongdoing. Dougherty launched a super PAC backing Lazer, which spent nearly $1 million on TV ads. Kenney appeared in the spots. Dunn said that Lazer will work on "a number of pressing labor-related matters," including contract negotiations with the city's municipal white-collar union as well as the mayor's public works project, known as "Rebuild." Lazer did not respond Friday to a request for comment. Lazer campaigned to represent Pennsylvania's Fifth Congressional District, which is largely based in Delaware County but also includes parts of South Philadelphia and Montgomery County. He ran on a platform of Medicare-for-All and a $15 minimum wage, and received the endorsement of Sen. Bernie Sanders and several labor groups. He came in third in the 10-person primary. This crater was left behind in Upper Black Eddy, Bucks County, after a mysterious, late-night explosion on May 13, according to nearby resident Nick Zagli. Federal and state authorities are probing a series of these explosions in rural Bucks County. Read more Nick Zagli found himself awake at 4 a.m. on May 13, thrust into the middle of a mystery. A loud, powerful explosion startled him as he sat inside his home in Upper Black Eddy, a rural community in Bucks County cut through by state game lands. "Look, this is a rural area. We all shoot guns and set off fireworks," Zagli, 53, said Friday. "But this? This was different." Zagli bore witness to one of a series of mysterious, late-night explosions in the northernmost part of the county, a full hour from Philadelphia. Reports from at least five adjacent townships have poured in for nearly a month, a volume that this month attracted the attention of federal investigators now lending a hand to the state police detectives assigned to the case. The FBI and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives have offered little insight into the probe, saying only that the blasts don't appear to be natural or the result of construction work. Trooper Mark Allen, the public information officer assigned to the state police barracks in Bethlehem, said Friday that an update will be issued "no sooner than Tuesday with more specific and accurate information." Meanwhile, theories from Zagli and his neighbors, incredulous that federal agents are exploring their communities, run the gamut. Everything from errant asteroids hitting the earth to conspiracies about clandestine miners digging underground tunnels. Zagli's curiosity was piqued further the morning after the blast when, as he was out driving near his home, he found a hole in the earth near the shoulder of Lonely Cottage Road. Debris had been blown onto the road from the crater, about 4 feet wide and a foot deep. He watched that day as state police investigators examined the area, but they didn't offer him any information. Nor did they comment on the issue Friday. Meanwhile, the hole is still there, filled to the brim with rainwater, surrounded by displaced soil. Police in nearby Richland and Springfield Townships referred comment to state police Friday. Previously, Richland Township Police Chief Richard Ficco told reporters that two of his officers had heard the explosions while on patrol, with one witnessing a flash of light seconds before hearing the rumble of the blast. Sue Crompton, a longtime resident of Haycock Township, doesn't know what to make of it all. The sound, she said Friday while taking a break from her midday shift at the Quakertown Family Restaurant, was unlike anything she had ever heard. "It practically knocked me out of bed," Crompton, 52, said. "Your mind goes to meteorites or people making bombs. I just don't want anyone to get hurt." Crompton said she felt an earth-shaking explosion April 30, waves of tremors that rattled the windows in the mobile home she shares with her elderly mother. And she weathered a similar quake two weeks earlier, she said, when she heard two blasts go off about five minutes apart. At the time, she said, her neighbors chalked it up to a blaze at a nearby barn. The more recent explosion changed their minds. "With that rumble? No way," she said. Before her days waiting tables at the suburban diner, Crompton worked on a ski resort in Colorado. Sometimes, she'd hitch a ride up the mountain with the crews as they'd ignite controlled demolitions to stave off avalanches. Even that sound, she said, didn't match these mysterious overnight explosions. Juan Carlos Cruz, of Center City, met with Pope Francis at Vatican to discuss Cruzs experience as a survivor of sexual abuse by the Rev. Fernando Karadima in Chile. Read more Juan Carlos Cruz risked upending his life as a Philadelphia executive to speak out about the trauma he had spent decades trying to forget. He went so far as to write an eight-page letter to Pope Francis in 2015 recounting the alleged sexual crimes against him as a teenager and the cover-up that ensued only to have the pontiff disbelieve him. The abuse that he said he endured while growing up in Chile at the hands of a then-respected cleric, the Rev. Fernando Karadima, was dismissed as "slander" by the leader of the world's 1.2 billion Roman Catholics. What hope was there for change in the church, a disheartened Cruz wondered, if the most powerful figure in Christendom refused to listen? Earlier this year, however, the Vatican dispatched investigators to look into not only Cruz's accusations but other reports of sexual misconduct roiling the Chilean church. They found even the worst to be true. So on April 29, in the private papal living room at Casa Santa Marta in Vatican City, Cruz sat face-to-face with Francis, as the pontiff pleaded for forgiveness. "He said he had committed grave mistakes," said Cruz, a Center City resident who works as a communications and branding executive at DuPont in Wilmington. "Who am I not to give this man a second chance?" The meeting also yielded an unexpected and groundbreaking statement from the pope, according to Cruz. In a discussion about one Chilean cardinal's accusation that Cruz might have enjoyed the abuse because he was gay, Francis offered acceptance of Cruz's homosexuality. Regardless of sexual orientation, Cruz recalled the pontiff saying, "God made you. God loves you. I love you. And you should love yourself." Cruz did not interpret those words as a forthcoming change in church teaching. They were important only "to who I am," he said. But Michael Rocks, president of Dignity/Philadelphia, an advocate for LGBT rights in the Catholic Church, asserted that the sentiment expressed by the pope does have larger significance. "The whole notion that homosexuality is a disorder and morally wrong I think the pope basically wiped that out," Rocks said. "By saying the pope loves you, you should love yourself, and God made you this way, that is the critical statement. God made you." The Vatican has not commented on the pope's remarks as recounted by Cruz. A spokesperson for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia declined to comment because local leaders were not involved in the meeting. But Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York has called the comments a reflection of traditional Catholic teaching. "Jesus would have said that," Dolan said during his satellite radio show on the Catholic Channel. Even though "sexual expression outside of a man and woman in marriage is contrary to God's purpose," every person should be treated with dignity and respect. At the Vatican, Cruz was joined by James Hamilton, a surgeon, and Jose Andres Murillo, a philosopher, both of whom live in Chile and also have been on a mission to share their experiences of abuse by Karadima and demand accountability from the Catholic hierarchy. Cruz predicts seismic upheaval for the Chilean church. Its 31 active bishops have offered their resignations as the result of a scorching 2,300-page report written by Archbishop Charles Scicluna, a top Vatican investigator of sexual abuse. Although no official action has yet been taken, Cruz said he hopes that Francis "will start firing [them] soon. The pope listened to us. He held people accountable, and this brings hope to survivors around the world." John Salveson, of Bryn Mawr, a survivor of priest molestation who runs the Foundation to Abolish Child Sex Abuse, described Cruz as "a brave person who has done an enormous service to a church that treated him so badly" and has repeatedly demonstrated its unwillingness and inability "to police itself." Cruz has been on his crusade since 2009, when Hamilton told him that he knew what had happened to him. Both had been members of El Bosque, the parish of Karadima, a charismatic priest who helped train young people for the priesthood. Hamilton and Murillo had previously spoken out in Chile, but to no avail. They wanted Cruz to stand beside them in a joint effort to stop the monstrous cleric and end the cover-up. Cruz grew up in Santiago, the oldest of three sons of a banker and a homemaker. When his father died suddenly at age 39, the family was devastated. Cruz, then 15, sought guidance from the church and, specifically, Karadima, whom many referred to as a saint. It was during a confession that the abuse started, he said, calling it "paralyzing, horrifying." Another priest, the Rev. Juan Barros, had witnessed some of it, he added. Cruz remained a part of the parish, and the object of molestation, for eight years. "It's hard for me to come to grips with this," he said. "I consider myself semi-intelligent. I've worked for national corporations, but at that age, I was broken, and that man took advantage of me." He went on to study journalism and work at a Santiago TV station. Fifteen years ago, partly to escape the nightmarish memories, he emigrated to the United States. When Cruz, Hamilton, and Murillo began speaking out in 2009, they were interviewed by journalists in Chile, met with church officials, and filed criminal and civil complaints against Karadima. In 2011, Karadima was found guilty by a church tribunal and sentenced to spend the remainder of his life in prayer and penitence. He currently lives in a nursing home in Chile. The allegations in the criminal complaint were found to be credible by a Chilean judge, but the statute of limitations had run out. The ruling is being appealed. The civil suit is pending. In 2015, Francis appointed Barros as bishop of the town of Osorno, prompting an outcry from that region's Catholics. Barros had protected and covered up abuse, they charged. By then, Cruz had moved to Philadelphia and begun working at DuPont. He wrote a letter describing his experience with Karadima that was hand-delivered to Cardinal Sean O'Malley, a member of the Vatican's Commission for the Protection of Minors. O'Malley was to give the letter to the pope. Cruz heard about the delivery but nothing afterward. In January, the pope visited Chile amid protests against Barros. The pontiff claimed he had never seen any evidence or complaints about his new bishop and branded the allegations from survivors as "calumny." But shortly after the trip, the Associated Press printed Cruz's 2015 letter with a picture of O'Malley receiving it. The pope sent Scicluna to investigate victims' claims. Cruz was interviewed by the two bishops in February at the Church of the Holy Name Jesus in New York. From there, the investigators traveled to Chile, where they interviewed a total of 70 people, producing a report that laid blame at the feet of Chile's Catholic hierarchy. After reading it, the pope apologized publicly. In early April, Cruz received a call from the Vatican. The pope wanted him, Hamilton, and Murillo to visit Rome. The pontiff wanted to apologize in person. The men stayed in the pope's private residence, meeting individually with him and also as a group. When Cruz's turn came, he and the pontiff "talked for three hours. We laughed. I cried. He heard me," Cruz said. He emerged confident that the pope would take action, and that the visit was not a public relations exercise. "I feel like I was representing so many men and women of different ages, even some who have committed suicide, who are sick and tired of waiting, who walk around with this shame inside their bodies. We brought their pain with us," he said. "We want to make this the beginning of the end of this culture of abuse." Stephen Pierce,leads January protest over La Salle Universitys plans to sell art from its museum. The sales commenced in April, anyway, with 22 works sold at a New York auction. Read more The national Association of Art Museum Directors, unhappy with the sale of artworks from institutional collections, has imposed sanctions on the La Salle University Art Museum and the Berkshire Museum, the AAMD announced Friday. The sanctions, approved by the association's board, mean that museums belonging to the AAMD, a professional organization with 243 members, have been asked to "refrain from lending [to] or borrowing works of art" from either La Salle or Berkshire "and to also refrain from collaborating with either institution on exhibitions." Officials at La Salle, which roiled the university campus by announcing in early January that it would sell artworks held by its museum to fund capital improvements and a strategic plan, did not respond to requests for comment Friday. >> READ MORE: La Salle plan to sell museum masterpieces stuns art community AAMD policy states that "selling art to support any need other than to build a museum's collection fundamentally undermines the critically important relationships between museums, donors, and the public." In other words, art may be sold to acquire other art, but selling art to fix the plumbing or renovate a library is considered unethical and worthy of sanctions. Neither La Salle, which sold 22 works at a New York auction in April, nor the Pittsfield, Mass., Berkshire Museum, which sold 11 works Wednesday, also at a New York auction, is a member of the AAMD. Berkshire Museum officials have said they will use the proceeds of art sales to build an endowment and fund capital improvements. A spokesman for the AAMD said Friday that the sanctions will remain in place unless the institutions decide to use the proceeds to acquire art. Both the La Salle and Berkshire auctions failed to meet low sales estimates. >> READ MORE: How Philly's PAFA took advantage of a Berkshire auction fail Indeed, the Berkshire Museum's failed effort to auction off a large 1875 oil painting by Frederic Church allowed the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts to acquire the work for an undisclosed sum in a "private sale" after the auction, PAFA announced Thursday. Protests are now expected at every concert on the Philadelphia Orchestra's 2018 tour of Europe and Israel, in the wake of Thursday night's interruption at the Centre for Fine Arts Brussels. Pro-Palestinian protests against the orchestra's forthcoming tour dates in Israel interrupted the Thursday Brussels performance during the Brahms Piano Concerto No. 1 with pianist Helene Grimaud, causing a 25-minute delay. After leaving the stage, the orchestra returned to complete its program. Security on the tour is being increased at every turn, whether in hotels or at the concert halls. "We realize that BDS [the international Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions movement] intends to stage protests at all of our concerts throughout the tour," read a memo by general manager Kelvin Hill circulated to orchestra members on Friday. "We hope the increased bag checks will keep [out] any sort of signs or banners but we really can't do anything to prevent anyone making an outburst of some kind," the memo continued. >> READ MORE: Philadelphia Orchestra and Yannick Nezet-Seguin resolute about visit to Israel "We also believe an announcement from the stage at the start of each concert will be important," Hill wrote, "and that should be made by a representative of each hall in the native language of the concert stage. Yannick feels this is the best way to manage the message to the audience and alert them that this could/will happen during the concert so that they aren't completely surprised if/when it happens." The demonstration in Brussels was not part of the U.S.-based coalition Philly Don't Orchestrate Apartheid (PDOA), wrote PDOA spokesperson Susan Abulhawa in an email, though the organizations were in contact. PDOA has held repeated demonstrations this spring outside the Kimmel Center protesting the orchestra's Israel tour, and protesters inside the Kimmel disrupted the May 19 performance of Tosca. >> READ MORE: Pro-Palestinian activists protest the Philadelphia Orchestra's Israel tour >> READ MORE: Yannick slams his baton after pro-Palestinian protesters disrupt 'Tosca' performance "The disruption [in Brussels] was actually a surprise to us," Abulhawa said. "We knew they were going to protest outside, though." "It gives me no pleasure to disrupt the work of artists of any form, including, and especially, musicians," she added. "But even musicians or those who manage or lead them are accountable for the choices they make." Abulhawa said she rejects "the idea that music or art [or sports] are sacrosanct realms that must be isolated and insulated from real and shocking human suffering." At a meeting held Friday afternoon for musicians in Luxembourg, the second city on the European leg of the tour, no one directly expressed a desire to leave the tour, according to a spokeswoman for the orchestra. "For safety reasons I would like to keep the additional details confidential," said vice president of communications Ashley Berke in an email. The orchestra's scheduled performance dates in Europe continue through June 1, with concerts in Haifa, Tel Aviv, and Jerusalem June 3-5. Classical music critic Peter Dobrin contributed to this story. The Liberties Walk retail-and-residential street at the development known as the Piazza in Northern Liberties. Read more Philadelphia's Post Bros. property group has acquired a stake in the Northern Liberties apartment and retail complex known as the Piazza from Kushner Cos., the New York-based real estate firm formerly headed by presidential son-in-law Jared Kushner. Post Bros. paid $44.1 million for Kushner's interest in the property, which is centered on North Second and Wildey Streets, with plans to renovate units in three of the development's buildings with new kitchens and bathrooms, it said in a release Friday. "We see a tremendous amount of potential in this property," Post Bros. chief executive Michael Pestronk said in the release. "There is an exciting energy in this neighborhood, and Piazza is the only rental property of this scale in the area." The Piazza also known as Schmidt's Commons is a 500-apartment complex that includes 125,000 feet of commercial space across nine adjoining properties. Tenants include a WeWork coworking venue, which leases space in a former brewery building. Kushner and partner Oaktree Capital Management acquired the property in 2013 for a reported $130 million from developer Bart Blatstein, who built the complex on part of a cluster of properties he began assembling in the early 2000s around the former Schmidt's brewery site. Oaktree was previously said to have been seeking to sell its share of the property but will now apparently retain its stake in a deal that's characterized in the release as a recapitalization of the partnership. In addition to the apartment renovations, Post Bros. plans to add a pool for residents in the property's courtyard as part of a "strategic effort to reposition the Piazza," the company said in the release. The complex's two biggest apartment buildings, Erbe and Navona, are 77 percent and 85 percent filled, well below citywide averages that run between 90 and 95 percent depending on neighborhood, according to data earlier this year from the CoStar Group, a real estate market tracker. Post Bros.'s acquisition comes amid moves by Blatstein to develop a new apartment and retail complex on another section of the land he acquired while planning the Piazza that has remained vacant. The new development, which Blatstein is calling Piazza Terminal, will comprise nearly 1,200 rental apartments across six buildings with 45,000 square feet of retail space on 4.4 acres just west of the existing complex. It is scheduled for consideration on June 5 by Philadelphia's Civic Design Review panel, which makes nonbinding suggestions on the city's biggest development proposals. Philadelphia-bound golden retriever Eleanor Rigby gives birth to eight puppies in the Tampa Bay International Airport. Read more It was around 11:45 Friday morning, about 30 minutes before the Philly-bound flight was scheduled to take off from Tampa International Airport. Diane Vanatter was at Terminal F about to board with her two beloved therapy dogs, Ellie for Eleanor Rigby and Nugget. Suddenly, she noticed Ellie, who was pregnant with Nugget's puppies, acting strange. "She stood up and hunched her tail and started shaking," Vanatter said Saturday night from her parents' home in Bradenton, Fla. "I saw feet come out two feet," she said. "I laid her on the ground and I said, 'I need help! My puppy is delivering babies.' " An American Airlines employee summoned Tampa Fire Rescue, and paramedics rushed to the scene. "They were absolutely great," Vanatter, 48, of Aston, said. Vanatter crouched on the floor and helped comfort Ellie. "I kept seeing more feet come out," she said. Over the next three hours, Ellie delivered eight pups seven boys and the last one a girl. "We were worried about her at first, but she seems fine. We had a vet check them all out." "All done," the paramedics tweeted at 3:26 p.m. Friday. Vanatter said she would have never attempted to fly Ellie back home if she thought she was close to giving birth. She said she'd had a vet check the light-colored golden retriever two days before the flight. Usually, a dog's temperature dips and she doesn't eat or drink as much if she is about to go into labor, Vanatter said. "None of that happened," Vanatter said. "It had to have been the stress of going to the airport." About five months ago, Vanatter had driven from Philly to Bradenton with Ellie, Nugget, and her daughter Stephanie, 24, to care for Vanatter's father. Stephanie returned to Aston on May 8, while Vanatter decided to stay a little longer with Ellie and Nugget. Ellie is a therapy dog to Stephanie, who suffers from bipolar disorder. She named her Eleanor Rigby because the dog was from Rigby, Idaho, and Stephanie is an avid Beatles fan. "She's my emotional support," Stephanie said Saturday night from her home in Aston. "She can detect when I'm feeling down and not feeling right. She comes to my side and she puts her head on my arm." Nugget is Vanatter's therapy dog. Vanatter says she suffers from chronic pain, a heart condition that causes low blood pressure, and low blood sugar. "When my pain is high, he comes to me and calms me down," she said. Vanatter is now back at her dad's home with Ellie, Nugget, and their eight pups. None has been named yet. "This is not something I planned," Vanatter said. "Nature just took its course. I'm so glad everything went well and everyone is happy and healthy. "These dogs are like my babies. They go everywhere I go." Staff writer Oona Goodin-Smith also contributed to this report. Police in Brooklawn investigate the scene near Old Broadway Way and Browning Lane where a woman was struck by a train on May 25, 2018. Read more A woman was hospitalized Friday afternoon after being struck by a Norfolk Southern train in Camden County, a rail company spokeswoman said. The incident occurred about 4:20 p.m. in Brooklawn in the area of Old Broadway Way and Browning Lane where the tracks run near the roadway but do not cross. The woman was taken to Cooper University Hospital. Her condition was not immediately released. The train included two locomotives and 74 empty rail cars and was heading south, said Susan Terpay, director of public relations for Norfolk Southern. Denise Barger was supposed to attend a Father's Day barbecue the night she was beaten to death in her Berwyn home. But at the last minute, she texted a niece to say she wasn't feeling well. Her throat had been bothering her for a while, her brother Mike McDonald recalled, and the medicine Barger had been prescribed to treat it "knocked her out." The next morning, June 17, 2016, McDonald arrived at Barger's colonial home on Heatherstone Drive. Every weekday, he would drop off his Norfolk terrier there. When Barger didn't answer the door, McDonald found his spare key and let himself in. "Denise," he called out, over and over, as he walked through the home. Perhaps, McDonald recalled thinking, his sister was just in the bathroom, out of earshot. When McDonald went upstairs and entered the master bedroom, he walked into the scene of a murder that nearly two years later remains unsolved. "I still see what I saw that day," McDonald said, "every time I blink my eyes." Barger was lifeless on the floor beside her bed. When McDonald called 911 around 8:40 a.m., he told dispatchers his sister was bleeding from the head and cold to the touch. Barger was pronounced dead in that bloody bedroom, and her picturesque 3,000-square-foot home became a crime scene. Authorities found a rear deck door open on the first floor. McDonald told police his sister usually locked all the doors before going to bed. Barger died of blunt-force trauma, the medical examiner determined. She suffered a broken nose and seven broken ribs. Her brain was bleeding. Bruises on her arm signaled that she may have been grabbed, according to the autopsy report. But, who would have wanted to kill the 62-year-old widow? Barger worked as a patient safety liaison for the Pennsylvania Patient Safety Authority, and previously served as risk management director for the Main Line and Jefferson Health systems. For about a decade, she had lived in Daylesford Estates, which sits between Routes 252 and 202 about five miles from the King of Prussia Mall. She had been preparing to move to a townhouse in the neighboring Daylesford Lake complex. A townhouse would be smaller, more manageable for her, McDonald said. And besides, Barger had a Shore home in Avalon, where she enjoyed spending time with her extended family, he said. A week before Barger died, McDonald said his sister made a comment that stuck with him. She said her Daylesford Estates home "had been nothing but bad luck." It was where her husband, Thomas, had died suddenly three months before at the age of 64, McDonald said. The two had always been a perfect match, first as friends at Cardinal Dougherty High School and then as partners, he said. They had been married for more than 35 years. Now McDonald's sister, too, was gone. On the day her body was discovered, authorities found a trail of blood from Barger's deck to a backyard fence that separates her yard from that of a neighbor, David Bookstaber, police records show. That same day, Chester County detectives interviewed Bookstaber, a 42-year-old Yale-educated husband, father, and Air Force veteran. They wanted to know if Bookstaber had seen or heard anything unusual on the day of his neighbor's death, or perhaps unknowingly captured a clue on the surveillance cameras he had all around his house. They also asked about Bookstaber's right hand, which appeared "badly swollen," investigators later said, with an injury consistent with having struck something. Bookstaber told authorities he had poison ivy, which caused his hand to swell, law enforcement officials said. Hours later, authorities obtained a search warrant and descended on Bookstaber's home. They found blood on a sink and on a light switch in the garage, according to documents law enforcement officials compiled after the search. In the mudroom, they found a pair of Sperry men's boat shoes that appeared to match bloody tread patterns on Barger's bedroom floor, the documents say. And they learned that Bookstaber's home surveillance system which included several exterior video cameras had not been working in the days leading up to his neighbor's death, documents show. The day after Barger's body was discovered, authorities said, a police dog tracked the scent of blood from Barger's bedroom to Bookstaber's garage door. Through his lawyer, Joseph P. Green Jr., Bookstaber said he had no knowledge of the crime and hopes the person who killed his neighbor will be brought to justice. "He has no involvement," Green said. "He hasn't committed any crime." When asked about the findings from the search warrants, Green emphasized that it had been nearly two years since authorities gathered that information. He declined to comment further. This week, Chester County First Assistant District Attorney Michael Noone said the investigation of Barger's death is "active and ongoing" and urged anyone with information to contact police. Law enforcement officials have talked with friends, neighbors, and associates of Barger's. They have studied the crime scene, and pored over forensics, the autopsy report, and the results of several searches of Barger's property and her neighbor's. Noone declined to say whether his office had any suspects or had identified possible motives. As the two-year anniversary of Barger's death approaches, McDonald is trying to hold himself together so his sister can get justice. Since he walked into that crime scene, McDonald said, he has been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and depression. He thinks of his sister many times a day. "It's just tough to lose somebody like that," McDonald said. "Really, really tough." 03.21.06 Police investigate a crime scene on F Street near Allegheny in North Philadelphia. A man was shot in the back and later died. Daily News Photo / Jessica Griffin Read more Police have identified the man charged with stealing a car with two young children inside and leading police on a chase through Northeast Philadelphia on Wednesday night. Lakim McDonald, 23, of the 5600 block of Washington Avenue in West Philadelphia, is charged with robbery of a motor vehicle, fleeing police, two counts of kidnapping, reckless endangerment, and other related offenses. He was being held on $100,000 bail. The incident began after an unidentified 28-year-old mother stopped at a friend's house in the 1000 block of Van Kirk Street in Summerdale to drop something off while her two boys, ages 1 and 6, remained in the backseat, police said. In that moment, McDonald allegedly got behind the wheel of her idling 2010 Toyota Camry and took off. When the mother reached her friend's front door, she turned around to make the frightening discovery that the Camry and her sons were gone, police said. She quickly flagged down a passing police car. Other police units in the area, including an Aviation Unit helicopter, quickly tracked down the white Camry, but McDonald evaded police. He abandoned the sedan after crashing into a curb less than two miles away near the Castor and Wyoming Avenues traffic circle in Crescentville, police said. With TV news cameras recording the arrest, McDonald was pulled from the damaged car and handcuffed, but the children were no longer inside the vehicle. The boys remained missing when the mother was brought to the scene, according to police. McDonald admitted to dropping the children off on the 4700 block of Darrah Street, police said. At around the same time, a 911 call confirmed their location. According to court records, McDonald pleaded guilty in 2015 to burglary and was sentenced to five years' probation. During a recent hearing on the role of innovation in addressing climate change, several Republicans made faulty claims about the climate, past and present: Alabama Rep. Mo Brooks falsely claimed river sediment deposits and rocks falling from cliffs cause sea level rise, later writing that this was "the #1 cause." Melting ice at the poles and ocean thermal expansion are the dominant causes. Brooks also said global warming leads to more ice on Antarctica. That's false. The continent has been losing ice since the beginning of the 21st century. Texas Rep. Lamar Smith falsely said there's "no correlation" between sea level rise and carbon emissions. Sea level rise is strongly linked to global warming, which is primarily caused by increased carbon emissions from humans. Florida Rep. Bill Posey falsely claimed it was "30 degrees warmer when the dinosaurs roamed." It was never that hot when dinosaurs lived. More importantly, it has never been close to that hot when humans lived. Posey also claimed the last ice age "was caused by a cataclysmic collision of an asteroid." That's false. Ice ages are caused by changes in the Earth's orbit and related factors. The congressmen all members of the House Science, Space and Technology Committee made their claims while questioning Philip Duffy, a physicist and the president of the Woods Hole Research Center, a climate change think tank. On a number of occasions, Duffy contested what the Republicans said, to no avail. We'll take their claims one by one. An Alabaman in Antarctica Brooks, the congressman from Alabama, made two false claims during the hearing one about river sediments and cliff rocks and another about ice in Antarctica both during a debate with Duffy about the causes of sea level rise. Brooks asked why "sea levels have risen" since "human beings have been on the planet." Duffy then correctly explained that "sea levels over the last 3 million years have gone up and down in line with the cycles of ice ages." During their exchange, Duffy also said that "ground subsidence" is "a factor in some regions." Ground subsidence, or the sinking of land, does contribute to land loss in some regions, such as in Louisiana, which we wrote about in March 2017. But those answers didn't satisfy Brooks, so he pointed to factors he believed are causing sea level rise. Brooks, May 16: What about erosion? Every single year that were on Earth, you have huge tons of silt deposited by the Mississippi River, by the Amazon River, by the Nile, by every major river system and, for that matter, creek, all the way down to the smallest systems. And every time you have that soil or rock, or whatever is it, that is deposited into the seas, that forces the sea levels to rise because now youve got less space in those oceans because the bottom is moving up. What about the White Cliffs of Dover, California, where you have the waves crashing against the shoreline, and time and time again youre having the cliffs crash into the sea? All of that displaces water which forces it to rise. Does it not? Duffy's response: "I'm pretty sure that on human time scales those are minuscule effects." Duffy is right again, as we'll explain. Brooks doubled-down on these claims in a May 19 op-ed published on the news site AL.com. "Over the history of planet Earth, far and away the #1 cause of sea level rise has been erosion and its resulting deposits of sediment and rocks into the world's seas and oceans," he wrote, adding, "There is no close second cause of sea level rise." This is false. According to a 2017 report by the U.S. Global Change Research Program, global sea level rise is "primarily driven by two factors," both directly related to global warming. First, the oceans are expanding because water swells as it gets warmer. According the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the "oceans are absorbing more than 90 percent of the increased atmospheric heat associated with emissions from human activity." Second, there's also more water in the oceans because mountain glaciers and the Antarctic and Greenland ice sheets are melting, explains the 2017 report. We asked Steven Goodbred Jr., an environmental scientist at Vanderbilt University whom we interviewed for another piece on sea level rise, for his take on Brooks' claim. He did say that "sediment does displace water," but it has a minuscule effect "on shorter time scales (<100 years) due to the small volume of sediment relative to the immense volume of the oceans." On time scales longer than 100 years, "it has no real effect" because of a process called isostasy, where "the added weight of sediment to the oceans causes the crust to sink and the reduced weight of the sediment eroded from the land causes it to rise," Goodbred added. In other words, there's "no net change in water level relative to land," he said. Torbjorn E. Tornqvist, a geology professor at Tulane University in New Orleans whom we spoke with for the March 2017 piece on land loss in Louisiana, gave us the same explanation, adding that Brooks' comments "are utter nonsense." This brings us to the second false claim Brooks made. As he continued his exchange with Duffy, Brooks asked "would it surprise you to know that as global temperatures rise assuming for the moment that they do that that actually increases the amount of ice that is collected on Antarctica?" Brooks repeated these claims in his May 19 op-ed. Duffy's response: "That's not true, sir." Duffy is right it's not. We wrote about ice levels in Antarctica and Greenland in January, after President Trump falsely implied the globe's ice caps are at "record" high levels. According to NASA, both of these ice sheets have declined in mass since 2002. "Both ice sheets have seen an acceleration of ice mass loss since 2009," the agency adds. During the hearing, Brooks supported his claim by saying that he "made a trip down to Antarctica and met with National Science Foundation scientists and they all agreed with global warming and they emphasized that you're going to have an increase in the amount of ice in Antarctica because of global warming." His explanation? "[P]rojected global warming will LOWER sea levels because warmer Antarctic air will carry more moisture above the Antarctic land mass, and deposit that moisture in the interior of Antarctica, where it will take hundreds of years to glacially make its way to the sea," wrote Brooks in his op-ed. NSF "scientists opined that the increase in Antarctic continental ice will more than offset the loss of ice elsewhere on planet Earth." We reached out to Brooks' office to ask for the names of the NSF-funded scientists who gave him this information, but we received no response. We also contacted multiple researchers studying the topic, and they all agreed that Brooks' explanation was inaccurate. Santiago de la Pena, a researcher at Ohio State University who studies glacier dynamics, told us that, while he was there when Brooks and other politicians visited Antarctica in 2014, he did "not recall having said conversation" with Brooks. "Current climate models do contemplate an increase of snowfall over Antarctica in a warming scenario, which is logical given a potential increase of moisture in the atmosphere," he added, but "the increase would be of an order of magnitude smaller than total mass loss." Erin Pettit, an associate professor at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks, who studies glaciers, told us that she "did meet with the congressional visitors as a whole for about 10 minutes," but she didn't speak with Brooks specifically. "The vast majority of the peer reviewed papers in recent years would not agree with the congressman's statement," she added. In short, while there might be some ice gained in the interior of Antarctica, there's a net loss because ice is retreating along the coasts at a faster rate. Other experts in this area Eric Steig at the University of Washington, David Holland at New York University, and Richard Alley at Pennsylvania State University also told us Brooks' claim was inaccurate for the same reasons. Smith Strikes Again We've written plenty of times about claims made by Rep. Lamar Smith, chairman of the House science committee. But rarely, if ever, has a scientist corrected him on the spot, as Duffy did during the hearing. While putting up a slide showing two graphs, Smith said, "You will see that for the last 100 years sea level rise has been basically constant," adding, "It's been going up at about 1.8 mm per year, and you'll see that there appears to be no correlation between the increase in the sea level and carbon emissions." Duffy interjected, pointing out to Smith that he had "shown a sea level record from one location." Duffy, May 16: Smith: Duffy: Smith: Duffy: Smith: Youve shown a sea level record from one location. Again, Duffy is right. First, the rate of global sea level rise is around four times faster than what it was about 100 years ago. We reached out to Duffy for support for his claim, and he sent us a study led by James Hansen, a climate scientist at Columbia University. That paper summed up previous research on the topic, which showed the average rate of sea level rise was about 0.6 millimeters per year between 1900 and 1930. Between 1993 and 2015, the rate was about 2.6 mm per year, which is 4.3 times faster and that's the conservative estimate. However, we should mention that we've written previously that other climate scientists have said the Hansen paper's future projections for global sea level rise are exaggerated, one of those scientists being Michael Mann, the director of the Earth System Science Center at Penn State. We reached out to Mann to ask him if the paper's summary of past observations is accurate, and he confirmed that it is. Second, Duffy is right that sea level rise in San Francisco, or any other specific location, "doesn't represent what's happening globally." As we explained in March 2017, local sea level rise takes into consideration phenomena such as ground subsidence, not just melting ice and the thermal expansion of the oceans, which is what scientists consider when they look at the rise globally. Plus, juxtaposing sea level rise in one location with global carbon emissions is an apples-to-oranges comparison. When you look at sea level rise globally and compare it with global temperature rise, there is a strong association, says the 2017 Global Change Research Program's report. And as we've written countless times, there's also a causal link between global temperature rise and carbon emissions from human activity. When we reached out to Smith's office for comment, his spokesperson didn't provide us with any evidence to the contrary. Poseys Scientific Faux Pas Florida Rep. Bill Posey also questioned Duffy about the Earth's climate before the development of human civilization and made several scientific misstatements along the way. During their exchange, Posey asked Duffy what "the temperature on Earth [was] before the last ice age," to which Duffy responded, "Before the last ice age, the last interglacial, well, similar to what it was about 100 years ago." Duffy is a little off here. According to NOAA, "global mean annual surface temperatures were warmer than preindustrial [times] by about 1 to 2C" during the last interglacial period, which started about 125,000 years ago. Posey followed up by rhetorically asking, "You think? You don't think maybe it was 30 degrees warmer when dinosaurs roamed the Earth?" As we'll explain, he's much more than a little off. Duffy then responded by correctly stating, "There certainly have been epochs in the past when global temperature was warmer than it is now." There have been periods during which the Earth's mean temperature was warmer than it is today, but Posey is wrong to say that the mean global temperature was 30 degrees warmer at any point when dinosaurs roamed. NOAA explains: "Our planet probably experienced its hottest temperatures in its earliest days" at more than 3000 degrees Fahrenheit about 4.54 billion years ago. Even after "those first scorching millennia," Earth "has sometimes been much warmer than it is now," the agency adds. NOAA points to two such periods between 600 and 800 million years ago and about 55 to 56 million years ago. NOAA points out that these record periods "occurred before humans existed." It added, "Those ancient climates would have been like nothing our species has ever seen." But did dinosaurs roam during either of these periods? Dinosaurs are traditionally thought of as living between 247 and 66 million years ago, a time known as the Mesozoic Era. However, scientifically speaking, dinosaurs still exist today, as research has shown that modern-day birds are a group of dinosaurs that survived the mass extinction of dinosaurs occurring 66 million years ago. So, a record warm period didn't occur when dinosaurs, as we typically think of them, roamed the Earth. Still, since modern-day birds are technically dinosaurs, one could say dinosaurs were still around about 55 to 56 million years ago. But how hot was it? During this period what scientists call the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum evidence suggests that the planet's global mean temperature rose "by as much as 5-8C (9-14F) to an average temperature as high as 73F," NOAA explains. The global average temperature over the past few years has hovered between 58 and 59 F, or upwards of 1.5 F above the 20th century average of 57 F. So that comes out to, at most, around 14.5 F warmer about 55 million years ago than now not 30 F warmer, as Posey said. In degrees Celsius, the difference would be even smaller. And it's also worth reiterating that this warm period did not occur during the previous interglacial period or the last ice age about 125,000 years ago, which is what Posey first asked Duffy about. In short, Posey's statement is wrong on multiple counts. Posey made another false claim while questioning Duffy about the cause of the last ice age. Posey, May 16: Duffy: Posey: What caused the end of the last ice age? Again, Duffy is right and Posey is wrong. There are additional factors, however. NOAA explains, "Variations in Earth's orbit through time have changed the amount of solar radiation Earth receives in each season." And the warmer periods the interglacials "tend to occur during periods of peak solar radiation in the Northern Hemisphere summer." But there are likely other factors at play as well. Pettit, at the University of Alaska, put it this way: "Ice ages in general are caused by subtle changes in the Earth's orbit and Earth's tilt, with complexities introduced by feedbacks within our climate system and the arrangement of the oceans and continents." One example of a feedback in the climate system is the ice-albedo feedback, NOAA explains. As solar radiation increases with changes to the Earth's orbit, it melts ice covering the planet, which, in turn, leads to more solar radiation being absorbed by surface, leading to more warmth. Why? Because ice is more reflective, or has a higher albedo, than land or water. So where did Posey get this idea that an asteroid caused the last ice age? We contacted his office to find out, but we never received a response. Posey may be confusing the cause of ice ages with the theory that asteroid impacts caused the Younger Dryas. This is a period between 11,600 and 12,900 years ago when the planet's climate got drastically colder, explains Nature in a September 2013 article. But as Pettit explained to us in an email, "That theory is definitely not the leading one, but more importantly it only applies to *one* particular cold period of a thousand years at the very end of the last ice age. It did *not* cause the last ice age." Toward the end of their exchange, Posey asked Duffy: "What do you say to people who theorize that the Earth, as it continues to warm, is returning to its normal temperature?" Duffy responded: "If you want to characterize a temperature above today's temperature as normal, you're free to do that, but that doesn't mean that's a planet that we want to live on." Posey then replied, "I don't want to get philosophical," adding, "I'm trying to stay on the science here." But the fact of the matter is he didn't stick to the science, and neither did Brooks nor Smith. Former Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane moved a big step closer to serving her jail term Friday with a ruling by the state Superior Court affirming her conviction for perjury and leaking grand jury information to hurt a rival. Kane, 51, the first woman and first Democrat to be elected state attorney general, was convicted by a jury nearly two years ago, but the judge in the case said she did not have to serve her 10- to 23-month sentence in the Montgomery County prison until her state appeals were over. Like all defendants in criminal cases in Pennsylvania, Kane, who lives in the Scranton area, had an automatic right to one appeal to have her conviction reviewed by a three-judge panel of the state Superior Court. Her next option would be to ask for a group of nine Superior Court judges to reconsider the case. If such a hearing is not granted, Kane then could ask the state Supreme Court to take up her case, although it is not legally required to. If it turns away her appeal, or hears it but rules against Kane, she then would be jailed. >> READ MORE: Jury: A.G. Kane guilty of perjury, obstruction, all other charges Former state Chief Justice Ronald Castille, in an interview Friday, said there was no guarantee that the high court would take up an appeal, although he said the current court seemed to enjoy considering high-profile cases. Even if Kane is denied hearings by both the full Superior Court and the state high court, the process could take eight months or more to play out. In its unanimous 23-page opinion, the three-judge Superior Court panel made quick work of one of Kane's arguments that the special prosecutor who first built the case against her lacked legal legitimacy. The panel noted that the state Supreme Court had rebuffed Kane on that score even before her conviction. The panel also rejected Kane's claim that she should have been permitted to bring up a pornography scandal in her office as part of her defense. The judges said that Montgomery County Court Judge Wendy Demchick, who presided over Kane's 2016 trial, was right to block that as irrelevant. Kane was accused of leaking grand jury material in a vendetta against former prosecutors in her office. In a complex argument, she said she wanted to tell jurors that she was aware that those prosecutors had received pornographic emails on the job but that she had not used that knowledge against them. This restraint, she said, showed she had not been engaging in a vendetta. But Demchick said mentioning porn would have pointlessly and unfairly inflamed the jury. The Superior Court panel consisted of a Democrat, Anne E. Lazarus, who wrote the opinion, and two Republicans, William Platt and Paula F. Ott. The path to Kane's conviction was convoluted. It began when the Inquirer disclosed in 2014 that Kane had secretly ended a bribery investigation involving state legislators from Philadelphia. >> READ MORE: Kane shut down sting that snared Phila. officials To retaliate against a former state prosecutor whom she blamed for the story, Kane leaked secret grand jury information that she thought would embarrass the prosecutor. The plot backfired. The judge who presided over the grand jury appointed a special prosecutor, Thomas Carluccio, to investigate the leak. He blamed it on Kane and accused her of lying about her actions. Building on the work of the special prosecutor, county prosecutors in Montgomery County where the grand jury had been based brought the criminal case against Kane. If Kane should fail in all her appeals, she would join about 350 other female prisoners in the county prison in Eagleville. A Texas state trooper told Fox News he's received thousands of death threats after a woman accused a different trooper -- with the same last name -- of sexually assaulting her during a traffic stop. That claim was refuted by video evidence. The threats poured in after columnist and activist Shaun King brought attention to the accusations on Twitter, but before body cam video contradicted those allegations. King and civil rights attorney Lee Merritt identified the accused trooper as Officer Hubbard or Hubbard in their initial posts, without revealing his first name. The trooper accused by the woman is named Daniel Hubbard. Now, the trooper with the same surname, Jarrod K. Hubbard, is fighting back. Jarrod Hubbard, 37, who's been with the force for 13 years, was placed under protection of the Texas Rangers on Monday, his father said. The Rangers did not immediately confirm it to Fox News. Ten days ago, I was expecting to go out for a couple-hour hike to look for arrowheads, but it turned into quite a daylong adventure. Friend Paul Julsrud and I headed through Chatfield with our first stop about 10 miles later at Bucksnort Dam on Trout Run Creek near Pilot Mound. Paul, an avid trout fisherman, told me he needed to "take a look at the water," but I think he just wanted to impress me with the "jumping trout." As we watched the clear water of this Root River tributary drop about seven feet over the former hydroelectric dam, Paul said most of the time he comes here he sees trout attempting to "jump" the dam. Paul not being someone I would doubt, I still felt I needed to see it with my own eyes to believe. And, after a couple minutes, I did, with a 12-inch trout unsuccessfully attempting to defy gravity with a 5-foot jump. Before we left 10 minutes later, we had seen at least six make the same attempt, none of them apparently powerful enough to succeed. Retiring rattler Our next stop would be a hike on one of the nearby bike trails well used in this region, although on a weekday we encountered only a handful of bikers. Paul had been here on Mothers Day with his wife and said they saw a rattlesnake and some pheasant-back mushrooms. While we unfortunately did not run into the rattler again, we did harvest some of the mushrooms, which I later cooked up for a real treat. By this time wed put on quite a few miles traveling more roads than I could keep track of. However, it was the numerous stream and river crossings, as well as springs we could see, which reminded me we were in the Driftless region of Minnesota, and we still hadnt been in a field looking for arrowheads. But first, lunch was a must at Pauls favorite Italian restaurant in Rushford. Afterwards we headed to some of the fields Paul had walked many times over the years as a hunter of Native American artifacts, including tools and arrowheads. But the first fields we headed for would not be worth walking, as they were now environmentally friendly no-till fields, meaning no plowing to help turn up the artifacts. Knowledgeable guide By now, Pauls knowledge of this area he grew up in, and the research he had done into the Native Americans that once called this nature paradise home, became almost as interesting to me as finding anything they might have left behind. We even passed by numerous sites of known "Indian" burial mounds and cultural effigy mounds, as well as some we were guessing may have been. As we became more immersed in these rolling hills, bluffs and valleys, I told Paul it was probably quite easy for folks living here to just tune out the outside world and have a better quality of life for doing so. Former residents also undoubtedly had quality lives until settlers drove them out. Heading towards another possible collecting site, we ran into a local, now-retired farmer whom Paul had not seen for more than 50 years, yet they recognized each other and drummed up quite a conversation. Then we finally found a field Paul had walked before, and it appeared to have been tilled late last fall or this spring. We spent about a half-hour looking for rocks protruding from the upturned soil and picked up any that looked as though they might be chert, a sedimentary rock containing microscopic quartz crystals, making it harder than most for tool and arrowhead making. Path less traveled In this field, neither of us found any arrowheads, but we did find numerous chert chips confirming we were in a Native American site, as the chert would have been brought in from a small quarry near Grand Meadow or places further away. Walking over ground previously inhabited by Native Americans was pretty inspiring. And as we headed out of this Driftless region towards Rochester, I realized that just like the Whitewater Valley northeast of Rochester, this is another special area seldom seen by most of the more than a quarter-million people who live within an hour of it. So, some day treat yourself to a drive to Pilot Mound, Rushford, Arendahl and maybe even Choice, where Paul said he would take me on our next trip after telling me how it got its name. And make sure to stop at the Bucksnort Dam to watch the jumping trout. At any given time, there are 140 languages or dialects spoken on the streets in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. An international city, languages and cultures blend, thrive in neighborhoods and excel in creating dining experiences to brag about back home. The neighborhoods provide a taste of the world with a definite Canadian flare, especially when spending a day shopping. Its easy to ease your way into a shopping mode, even at one of the citys world-class museums. Be sure to see the namesake exhibits, maybe enjoy lunch or take tea at C5 at the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM), but then stop in the gift shop. The gift shop at the ROM is one of my favorites on the planet for its variety, thoughtful and knowledgable staff and ambience. Across town at the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO), I cave for all things "Frank" and its Frank Gehry connection and maybe a nosh at AGO @ Bistro with its fixed-price lunch and dinner. Theres the Bata Shoe Museum, too. Its subject matter speaks for itself. When shopping in Canadas largest city, its easy to pack a treasure that will whisper "Toronto" each time it is pulled from the closet or polished for the holidays. Shopping markets In the past 20 years, Toronto has evolved as a leading style destination. The city has its own local designers with labels that are coveted by residents and visitors alike. Look for Laura Seigel, Hilary MacMillian and Any Raina. Make plans to make a stop at Toronto Designers Market on Queen St. West where 30 designers have outlet from household to clothing and jewelry. Other retail outlets include outlet malls, shopping centers, vintage stores, home stores, boutiques and a world of high fashion. There is a lot to shop during summer street fairs too. In the multicultural neighborhoods, there are authentic goods from all over the planet. Find refined elegance and specialty shops on Bloor Street. Explore the over-the-top malls like Toronto Eaton Centre, the legendary Hudson Bays flagship store and the very special Kleinfelds bridal boutique. Torontos top shopping destinations range from cool independent shops to outlet malls, thrift stores and luxury boutiques. To shop for vintage designs, local labels or a bargain, seek out the Leslieville neighborhood. Head toward The Beaches for mid-century modern and retro furnishings and accessories. For a countercultural bohemian vibe, try Kensington Markets antiques, vintage finds and "new to you" clothing shops. Luxury shoppers can trek to midtown for Yorkville and the aforementioned Bloor Street for prestigious international retailers from Tiffany to Vuitton. This area is also home to Canadas upscale department store, Holt Renfrew, and the flagship Roots store for cottage-chic casual wear and quality leather goods. In addition to shopping, find theatre, museums, festivals, specialty tours and dining in Toronto. From city center to the waterfront and the historic neighborhoods between, a progressive and inclusive culture permeates the city. Experiences and attractions After a day of shop-til-you-drop, settle into a seat for a big-ticket theater experiences. Show T-shirts are sold, if you havent had your fill on the street. There are Broadway musicals, comedy, dinner theaters and dance. Toronto is on of the top cities on the planet for English-speaking theater for number of stages and the quality. There are more than 90 stages and nearly 40 productions running each month. Iconic attractions fill out a girlfriends getaway with stops at the top of CN Tower, into the depths at Ripleys Aquarium of Canada, maybe pick up a gift at their gift shops. Toronto, Ontario, Canada: Toronto is the capital city of the province of Ontario, Canada. A major Canadian city along Lake Ontarios northwestern shore, it looks and feels much like American cities especially Chicago. for the skinny on what to see and do while visiting Toronto, visit see torontonow.com. The Washington Post reports on a suit in federal court alleging that policies instituted by the District of Columbia government to attract younger, more affluent professionals to poor, African-American neighborhoods discriminate against poor and working-class Blacks who have lived there for generations. The city stands accused of breaking up close-knit black communities. The policies challenged were undertaken pursuant to D.C.s New Communities program, initiated to turn aging public housing complexes into mixed-income developments. The idea was to economically integrate neighborhoods. With encouragement from and incentives provided by the city, developers and business owners constructed apartment towers, renovated row houses and opened restaurants, coffee houses and bars that catered to a younger, more affluent breed of Washingtonian. The lawsuit alleges that these policies are classist, racist, and ageist. Although the result of the policies so far has been to integrate neighborhoods, the plaintiffs say that the intent was to re-segregate black communities into white upper class and creative class communities. The left, though, supports government action to create mixed-income communities. More than that, it claims that the failure to create them violates fair housing law because it discriminates against Blacks, who are said to need white neighbors and businesses to escape from poverty. Thats the thrust of the Obama administrations Affirmative Furthering Fair Housing rule (AFFH). Is it race discrimination to break up close-knit black neighborhoods by encouraging an economic and racial mixture? Or is it race discrimination not to promote/mandate the creation of such neighborhoods? I dont think both can be race discrimination. Indeed, I dont think either is. Race discrimination in housing is when people arent allowed to buy properties they can afford because of their skin color. Nothing more. The Presentation Story Fr. Al Lauer shares his personal testimony "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me; therefore He has anointed me. He has sent me to bring glad tidings to the poor, to proclaim liberty to captives and release to prisoners, to announce a year of favor from the Lord." Luke 4:18-19 Brothers and Sisters in Jesus, I have seen the glory of God on many occasions, but possibly the greatest movement of the Spirit I have ever witnessed began at Our Lady of Presentation Church, Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1977 and continues to the present day. I share these personal experiences in this book so as not to keep these wondrous deeds under a bushel basket but put them on the lampstand to give light to all in the house (Lk 11:33). Let the Spirit motivate, teach, convict, heal, and love you through the sharing of these testimonies. I thank God for the wonderful brothers and sisters He has given me. I thank Him for you. I thank God especially for my loving, faith-filled, and faithful parents, and I dedicate this book to them. May these sharings lead us to prayer and intercession. May all who read this book give their lives totally to Jesus and be filled with the Holy Spirit. Immaculate Mary, pray for us. In Jesus' name, Fr. Al Lauer HOLY ORDERS "You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek." Psalm 110:4 I should have been ordained a priest when in grade school. By God's grace I had great faith and fervor at that time. At 7 years old, I gave my life to Jesus. I loved Jesus in the Mass and went to Communion every day. People told me that I wasn't old enough to know what I was doing, but time proved my sincerity. Even in high school, the Holy Spirit was active, although I did not understand Him. In college and graduate school, I began to sin by treasuring the pleasures of the world, and where my treasure was, there my heart was (Lk 12:34). I lost my first love (Rv 2:4). My heart began to move away from God. The secular humanism of the seminary pushed me farther from God, so that I was spiritually at my lowest, when ordained to the priesthood. On May 25, 1974, I was ordained a priest of the diocese of Cincinnati, Ohio. I had waited and prepared almost twenty years for ordination day. Bishop Bernardin, several other bishops, and over 200 priests laid hands on me. However, I did not receive God's power because the Spirit was stifled in my life. I began teaching at Kettering Alter High School and serving at St. Luke parish in Beavercreek, Ohio (a suburb of Dayton). This was probably the most miserable year of my life. Although the people of the parish and the school were very gracious, my house was no longer on the solid Rock of Jesus but on the sands of selfishness (Mt 7:24-27). I was depressed for the first time in my life. I was going through the "living death" (1 Jn 3:14) which those who don't personally know Jesus must endure. My life was becoming meaningless. Prayer: Thank You Jesus for having mercy on me by taking me back. BAPTIZED IN THE SPIRIT (Mk 1:8) "If anyone thirsts let him come to Me; let him drink who believes in Me. Scripture has it: 'From within him rivers of living water shall flow.' Here He was referring to the Spirit." John 7:37-39 Almost a year after my ordination, one week before Pentecost, I preached on the Scripture: "Together they devoted themselves to constant prayer" (Acts 1:14). In the homily, I challenged the parishioners to apply this teaching by coming to church for prayer throughout the week. I didn't expect anyone to come, but about a dozen people met Sunday evening for prayer. They expected me to lead them, but I hadn't the slightest idea what to do. Without knowing how we did it, we prayed for an hour. Within four nights, we were praying three or four hours and returning to church for 6:15 AM Mass. For the first time in our lives we were snatched up to worship at the throne of God. No one laid hands on anyone or prayed for the gifts of the Spirit. We knew nothing about spiritual gifts and the movement of the Holy Spirit. But we knew the Spirit had done a miracle because we had never before prayed spontaneously for more than a minute or two, and now we were praying for hours. It was a sovereign act of God, like the baptism in the Spirit Cornelius and his household received (Acts 10:44-47). We started to read the Bible to find out what had happened to us. The words almost jumped off the page. We would read four or five chapters without a pause. We continued to pray nightly, daily, constantly, until Pentecost. We were so happy we decided to pray in thanksgiving during the week following Pentecost. After that, we prayed for another day, then another. This continued for over a year, for 500 nightly prayer meetings. No one realized what God was doing until much later. Prayer: "Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on us." MARY, MY MOM "The angel answered her: 'The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; hence, the Holy Offspring to be born will be called Son of God.'" Luke 1:35 Presentation Ministries has always had a special devotion to Mary. We are named after Our Lady of Presentation Church. I first prayed in tongues while praying Mary's rosary. I also saw the Lord use the rosary as the catalyst for a powerful evangelistic outreach. One of our sisters was even rescued from a rapist by saying the "Hail Mary." From the time that I received a new outpouring of the Spirit, I connected Mary with the Spirit. Just as she interceded in the upper room at the first Pentecost, she prays now for a new Pentecost. I had grown up praying the rosary every day. In retrospect I see that our daily family rosary was one of the highlights of my childhood. Even through high school and college, Mary's prayers for me through the rosary were a source of life and light. But in graduate school, I finally got too sophisticated for the rosary, and I put Mary into the background of my life. My life with the Lord continued to deteriorate until finally I called on the Lord and received the Holy Spirit in a new way. Almost immediately, the Spirit led me to return to my mother and the praying of the rosary. These Spirit-filled rosaries were a means of renewal for me and many others. Thank you Mary for mothering me. I dedicate myself to your immaculate heart. Lead me to pour out my life for Jesus as you did. Prayer: Father, with Mary, in this Marian Year, I intercede for a new Pentecost. PRAYING IN TONGUES "All were filled with the Holy Spirit. They began to express themselves in foreign tongues and make bold proclamations as the Spirit prompted them." Acts 2:4 When we received the outpouring of the Spirit, we received amazing gifts of prayer, understanding the word, and Christian community. But we were not aware of the gifts of the Spirit mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12. Gradually we heard about these gifts, read about them in the Bible, and received them. By God's power, we were able to heal, counsel, discern, teach, and serve. However, I had a difficult time yielding to the gift of praising God in another language. A woman from our parish would periodically announce to me that I could speak in tongues. But she walked away before I had a chance to argue with her. After two years I still had not spoken in tongues. One morning we were praying the rosary in front of an abortion chamber. At that time, I was a hospital chaplain and had been called to an emergency during the night. I knew the Bible said that we built ourselves up when we prayed in tongues (1 Cor 14:4). I certainly needed to be built up. But I was hesitant to say words that didn't make sense to me. I asked God about this, and He indicated to me that for years I had said things in English that didn't make sense and I shouldn't be overly concerned about this. The Lord showed me I had a "double standard" for tongues and English. I expected God to force the words out of my mouth in tongues while in English I open my mouth in obedience to the Lord. The Lord showed me obedience was the issue, not understanding. Prayer: Jesus, may all who read this speak in another tongue to praise You. STEPS OF FAITH "Go sell what you have." Mark 10:21 After we had prayed daily for a few months, two sisters in the Lord took a step in faith by leaving everything and devoting themselves to pastoral ministry. In the spirit of Jesus and Francis, they went forth without "walking staff or traveling bag" (Lk 10:4). They were joined later by two brothers in the Lord. They formed two households. The men lived in their house in return for painting it. The women were to pay a low rent to live in a run-down apartment. The landlord was supposed to come for the rent each month. He never came, even after a year. God provided in a miraculous way. Later this community stepped out in faith by starting a soup kitchen to minister to the poor. We had nothingno place, funds, food, dishes, or utensils. We found a little hall to rent, begged some food, and opened the soup kitchen at the time of the devastating winter of 1976. This ministry was a clear witness to the Lord's miracle-power and love for the poor. The community also ministered by visiting and praying for the sick at home, in hospitals, and in nursing homes. We were largely unaware of God's healing power, but He had patience with us and honored our faith. Eventually we began to see several inner healings. The Lord was preparing our hearts to see great physical healings. The faith of these early community members inspires us to this very day. Since then courageous brothers and sisters have stepped out in faith to change a farm into a renewal center, start a Christian newspaper, home-school their children, and staff a Christian radio station. By faith we have claimed God's promises and He has done the impossible. Prayer: Jesus, by faith in You may we conquer the world (1 Jn 5:5). FUNERAL HOME FAITH "Cure the sick, raise the dead, heal the leprous, expel demons. Matthew 10:8 A woman familiar with our community asked me to pray for her friend who was in intensive care. No one in recorded medical history had ever recovered from the combination of diseases she had. Her husband was told by the doctors that his wife was probably dead, although the machines made it appear she was still functioning. The doctors told him they would pronounce his wife dead that afternoon. When I met him, he was looking through the yellow pages under "funeral directors". I introduced myself and mentioned that I had been asked to pray for his wife. I gave her the Anointing of the Sick and came back later that afternoon. She was not pronounced dead, and the doctors said they would wait till morning. She was not pronounced dead then either. She came out of the coma a couple days later, out of intensive care in two weeks, and out of the hospital in a month. Not only was she changed from death to life but her husband moved from skepticism to faith. From looking through the yellow pages for an undertaker, he came to looking through the Bible to meet Jesus, the Resurrection and Life, the miraculous Healer of his wife. This healing caused a stir even in the medical field, as doctors from Ohio State investigated this unprecedented event. This dramatic healing prepared me for a sudden transfer from Springfield to Cincinnati. An emergency situation in priest personnel arose required my experience in hospital chaplaincy. The Lord wanted to continue teaching me about His healing power. In a year at Jewish, Children's, and Holmes' hospitals, I saw both quiet and dramatic healings. I realized that God answers every prayer with a great outpouring of His love not always the way we expect, but always in love, and giving us what we ask for or better. Prayer: "Lord, I do believe! Help my lack of trust!" (Mk 9:24). SPIRITUAL WARFARE "Our battle is not against human forces but against the principalities and powers, the rulers of this world of darkness, the evil spirits in regions above. You must put on the armor of God if you are to resist on the evil day. Ephesians 6:12-13 One day I received a call from the bishop's office informing me that he had received several letters denouncing me. When my enemies names were divulged, I did not even recognize many of those attacking me. This puzzled me, since I had never experienced anything like it. How could people I hardly knew hate me so much? I asked several people about this, but no one had a satisfactory explanation. I had almost given up, when I read Ephesians 6:12 (see above). The bright shining light of God's word overcame my darkness. Throughout my seminary training, I had been highly secularized. For all practical purposes I had come to deny any significance to the devil. But now I was facing a situation for which the only reasonable explanation was the evil one. I began to fight the devil and not the people. I used the spiritual weapon of prayer and received the Lord's victory, when previously I didn't even know there was a war. All these insults and attacks eventually came to a head. My pastor and I were asked to meet with Bishop Bernardin, who gave me full support and an encouraging vote of confidence. Serious spiritual warfare has broken out regularly in my service to the Lord and His people. This is to be expected (2 Tm 3:12) but nonetheless painful. Thank God that the One in us is greater than the one in the world (1 Jn 4:4). Prayer: Father, in Jesus' name, I bring down the strongholds of the evil one, demolish his sophistries, destroy his proud pretensions, and make every thought captive to Jesus (2 Cor 10:4-6). "DRY BONES" (Ez 37) "In days to come, the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established as the highest mountain and raised above the hills. All nations shall stream toward it." Isaiah 2:2 Our Lady of Presentation Church was "the highest mountain" of the Lord's work in my life. When I had been sent there as a seminarian to teach CCD several years before, I was appalled at an all-white congregation in the midst of a predominantly black neighborhood. The poison of racial bigotry was openly and aggressively expressed in parish meetings. Furthermore, the church had almost no young people or families. Despite this, I felt a strange and strong call to Presentation, which I brought to the diocesan personnel director. He recommended that I be assigned there, but the bishop stopped the move. Three months later, however, he changed his mind, and I went to Presentation. We began interceding daily for renewal in Presentation Church. An elderly lady from the parish suggested that we have a daily Lenten prayer service. On Easter Monday we began a prayer group with five people participating. Nine days before Pentecost, we began a novena to the Holy Spirit. Twelve people received the renewal of their Confirmations. These people caught the fire of the Holy Spirit, spoke in tongues, and prophesied. In one year, 93 people returned to the Lord and His church. This was over 30% of the church. Within five years, the majority of the parishioners were baptized in the Holy Spirit. The barriers between black and white, rich and poor, and educated and illiterate were broken down. The dry bones had heard the word of the Lord (see Ez 37:5). Prayer: Jesus, by Your power, may we raise dead churches to life. BLACK AND WHITE "I pray that they may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me." John 17:21 "Because the loaf of bread is one, we, many though we are, are one body, for we all partake of the one loaf. 1 Corinthians 10:17 The Holy Spirit taught us at Presentation that Christian community is not merely sharing with people we are comfortable with, but repenting of division and stepping out in faith to the whole body of Christ. One Sunday, I made an act of faith by not merely stating that racial prejudice was wrong but announcing that I would personally ask anyone who persisted in bigoted words, behavior, or attitudes to leave the church. A few parishioners left after that sermon. This struggle to overcome our racial prejudices bore great fruit. As God formed our Christian community, it became a family of black and white, rich and poor, young and old, high-tech and illiterate. I have never seen such a diverse community. Many experienced for the first time the reality and the power of the body of Christ. We realized that a white person must not say to a black brother or sister "I don't need you", or vice versa (1 Cor 12:21). Since many had rarely shared with people different from themselves, we started a soup kitchen, not only to feed the poor but also to give us an opportunity to spend time with each other. This led to sharing with other churches in the area, and denominational barriers were also removed by our unity in the Spirit. For example, we joined together with the Church of Christ in a home schooling support group. Also, we saw the wife of the Presbyterian minister healed, as the various ministers and priests laid hands on her. Jesus was making the two into one (Eph 2:14). Prayer: Jesus, may there not be all-white churches or all-black churches. Give us catholic churches. Break denominational barriers too. "NO CHAINING THE WORD OF GOD" (2 Timothy 2:9) "A third time Jesus asked him, 'Simon, son of John, do you love Me? Peter was hurt because He had asked a third time. 'Do you love Me?' So he said to Him: 'Lord, You know everything. You know well that I love You.' Jesus said to him, 'Feed My sheep.'" John 21:17 I was in the seminary eleven years, and for most of those years we were assigned to read the Bible daily. But I could never get interested in the Bible. Although I had excelled academically in all my Bible classes, had three graduate degrees, could read the original Greek of the New Testament, and began my priesthood teaching the Bible several hours a day at Alter High School and St. Luke parish; the Bible was a closed book to me. I almost never read it unless I had to prepare a teaching or homily. After receiving a new outpouring of the Holy Spirit, I read the Bible constantly and found myself reading a verse or two at stop lights while driving. I was devouring the word of God (Jer 15:16). I started teaching the Bible at prayer meetings and setting up adult Bible studies. I eventually doubled, then tripled, the length of my homilies. I started teaching Bible teachers and thereby set up dozens of Bible studies in Southwestern Ohio and Northern Kentucky. In this ministry of the word, the Lord gave me a vision of the spiritual condition of His body. I saw His people in intensive care, suffering from severe spiritual malnutrition and bound by heavy chains. Aware of being at the death-bed of a terminally ill world, I was led by the Spirit to preach and teach the gospel to feed and free His people. The word of God became my daily bread and the sword of the Spirit (see Eph 6:17). Prayer: Jesus, may Your word burn in our hearts within 24 hours (Lk 24:32). RADIO "So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, but shall do My will, achieving the end for which I sent it." Isaiah 55:11 We grew to love God and His word, as we saw lives change. We proliferated Bible studies and taught teachers to lead Bible groups, but we felt God wanted something more. On retreat at the Trappist monastery in Gethsemani, Kentucky, during the Holy Year of 1983, I sensed God calling us to spread the gospel through radio broadcasting. At first, I had a negative reaction to this calling, since I knew nothing about radio. This made me think God might be calling me, since it wasn't my idea. But I knew that the radio ministry would be impossible without a team of dedicated workers. So I announced it at Mass and scheduled a meeting for anyone interested. If no one came, I would tell God He made a mistake. A half dozen people came to the first meeting. All were eager to spread God's word, but no one had any experience in radio. We didn't even have a suitable tape recorder and had no idea how much radio time cost. When we found that a radio broadcast was generally $2 a minute ($30 for a 15-minute program) we thought a 15-minute weekend program was all we could afford. A few people surprisingly offered us enough support to have a Monday-Friday weekday program. The Lord miraculously blessed our programs. They are now heard in several states. By God's grace, we have endured technical difficulties, program changes, price hikes, and station closings. Every broadcast is a miracle in itself. "All that matters is that in any and every way...Christ is being proclaimed!" (Phil 1:18) Prayer: Father, may Your word resound through all the earth and to the ends of the world Your message (see Ps 19:5). "ONE BREAD, ONE BODY" "Jesus took bread, blessed it, broke it, and gave it to His disciples. 'Take this and eat it,' He said, 'this is My body.' Then He took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them. 'All of you must drink from it.' He said, 'For this is My blood'" Matthew 26:26-28 The demands of these ministries could have turned us all into Marthas, busy and upset about many things (Lk 10:41). We could have fallen into the trap of salvation by works rather than faith. But the Lord kept calling us to sit at His feet in eucharistic adoration. After we experienced Pentecost, we devoted ourselves to the breaking of the bread (Acts 2:42). Daily Mass became the center of our lives. Every Mass was truly a celebration. Masses kept getting longer as we enjoyed the Lord's presence in an intimate, eucharistic way. We added an evening Mass, Monday through Friday, to maximize the opportunity for daily Mass. To proclaim the good news of daily Mass and Communion we called our radio program "Daily Bread" and taught on the daily eucharistic readings. Desiring more, we took advantage of the opportunity to extend communion with Him by adoring Jesus through exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. We began with a few hours of prayer a week. Eventually we took turns sitting at the feet of Jesus every day, almost all day, and even into the night. It is inestimable what God did for us and through us in these years of eucharistic adoration. Most of this book, as with all our books and teachings, was given by the Lord at the time of eucharistic adoration. "All of us, gazing on the Lord's glory with unveiled faces, are being transformed from glory to glory into His very image by the Lord Who is the Spirit" (2 Cor 3:18). Prayer: "Sweet Sacrament, we Thee adore, O make us love Thee more and more." "O Sacrament most holy, O Sacrament divine, all praise and all thanksgiving be every moment Thine." CONFESSION (THE SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION) "With that he set off for his father's house. While he was still a long way off, his father caught sight of him and was deeply moved. He ran out to meet him, threw his arms around his neck and kissed him. " Luke 15:20 When I first came to Presentation there was hardly anyone going to Confession. I "heard Confessions" an hour a week, and most of that time I sat idle. As we studied God's word and listened to prophecy, the Lord made it increasingly clear that the church would never be renewed until large numbers regularly confessed their sins in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. This was brought about by two people interceding at church during the time Confessions were scheduled. At first, one or two people came in for Confession during the hour. After a couple weeks, there was still no increase. Then one of the sisters realized she was called to answer her own prayer and go to Confession. Gradually, more people started coming. In two years, the time for Confessions had to be extended, and people also made appointments. Time for Confessions increased from a few minutes to 5-10 hours per week. Some began to throw "Confession parties", in imitation of our heavenly Father (Lk 15:32). They invited friends over, arranged with me for a Confession-time, and went to Confession individually as all prayed. For the first time, many realized what it meant to "celebrate" the Sacrament of Reconciliation. We also had Confessions with healing services. Hundreds made life-changing Confessions. We confessed our sins, and were forgiven, freed from guilt, and made holy. Jesus' blood washed us clean. Prayer: Father, may I go to Confession at least monthly. MONEY "What I say to you is this: 'Make friends for yourselves through your use of this world's goods, so that when they fail you, a lasting reception will be yours.'" Luke 16:9 Since our treasures determine our hearts (Lk 12:34), any movement of the Spirit will live or die, depending on our response to God's economic calls. When I began working at Presentation, the bingo folded. I hoped that the festival would fold too, which it did after one last gasp. Many were predicting the bankruptcy of the church. We were an inner-city parish, with collections amounting to $200-$300 per week. We began to pray for money, and God did miracles. We never had an unpaid bill. Eventually, we taught our people about tithing. Many people gave not just money but their very selves (1 Thes 2:8). Like the early church, we "shared all things in common" (Acts 2:44), and everyone's needs were provided for. The Lord continued to teach us His financial ways. For example, at the beginning of my ministry at Presentation, my car breathed its last. Since I was serving as a hospital chaplain and was called for emergencies, I intended to buy a used car within a week. Since God took good care of my transportation needs that week, I postponed getting a car for another week and then another month. I was hitchhiking each day back and forth from the hospital. People were shocked to pick up a hitchhiking priest, dressed in black. One person who gave me a ride even entered the seminary. Throughout my "carelessness", not one patient at the hospital was delayed pastoral care. God seemed to be calling me not to have a car. I have gone without a car ten years and God has greatly blessed me and others. Both the parish and myself began to realize what Jesus meant when He said: "Blest are the poor in spirit; the reign of God is theirs" (Mt 5:3). Prayer: Father, thank You for helping us, when we realize we can't help ourselves. THE DAY GOD STOLE MY STEREO "The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord!" Job 1:21 The time was autumn and everyone was astir with preparations for Thanksgiving. I had celebrated Mass for one of the prayer groups of the city and challenged people to simplify their lives and appreciate the bounty of material possessions the Lord had given them. As I returned to the rectory, I was surprised that a light was on. When I opened the door, I saw that the office and rectory were ransacked, and I heard the shuffling of the burglar as he escaped out the back door. The thief did not have time to rob the office, but he did get away with a thousand dollars of stereo equipment and my violin. I had always loved music, been a part-time disc jockey, and devoted much time and money to music. Even though I had little talent, I had learned to play the guitar and was now torturing the world as I made a vain attempt to learn the violin. At first, I blamed this robbery on the burglar and the devil. As time went on, it seemed that the Lord was turning this burglary to the good by setting me free from material possessions which dominated my life (Rm 8:28). He also put me and the rest of the world out of our misery by preventing me from screeching through another fiddle-tune. Prayer: Jesus, thank You for taking things away. Free me from "spiritual anorexia" caused by indulging my carnal desires (see Gal 5:17, Prv 13:19). SHARED FINANCES "Those who believed shared all things in common; they would sell their property and goods, dividing everything on the basis of each one's need. Acts 2:44-45 (see also Acts 4:32) A few of the brothers and sisters believed they were called to serve the Lord full-time in non-salaried jobs. We confirmed their calling, and then we sought God's will about providing for their livelihood. We sensed the Lord leading us to pool our resources. Each month 6-10 brothers and sisters "put into the pot" whatever they believed the Lord wanted. They also listed any basic needs they had to meet. The money was redistributed accordingly, and several brothers and sisters were given the freedom to work for the kingdom in unsalaried jobs. The Lord called everyone in this group to live simply. Few had cars or TVs, but all had what they needed and were free to follow the Spirit's lead. Although very few people were making any money, several were being funded, and no one ever missed a meal or had an unpaid bill. One family even came off welfare, as God provided through this financial sharing group. Another family moved to Cincinnati from Virginia and eventually joined this group. All worked hard for the Lord, as Jesus led them, rather than as monetary needs dictated. This very book and much of our ministry is dependent on this New Testament structure of financial sharing. Prayer: Father, may I trust You enough so as to live the new life of the gospel. LIFE WITHOUT SEX "Some men are incapable of sexual activity from birth; some have been deliberately made so; and some there are who have freely renounced sex for the sake of God's reign. Let him accept this teaching who can." Matthew 19:12 Jesus calls celibacy a gift (Mt 19:11). Before I became a priest, I saw celibacy as a practical need. With the demands of the ministry, a married and family life would be very difficult. But eventually I began to see that celibacy is more than practical. It is God's way of freeing people for world evangelism, beginning locally and extending even to the ends of the earth (Acts 8:26ff). It puts God's soldiers on the front lines in spiritual warfare. Celibacy is a living prophecy that challenges believers to serious Christian commitment (Lk 20:34-36). It is a precious calling for building up the body of Christ. Others eventually caught the vision and accepted the call of the single life for the Lord. At Presentation Church we had as many as eight full-time pastoral workersall were celibate. God's word teaches: "The unmarried man (woman) is busy with the Lord's affairs, concerned with pleasing the Lord" (1 Cor 7:32). "I am going into this with you for your own good. I have no desire to place restrictions on you, but I do want to promote what is good, what will help you to devote yourselves entirely to the Lord" (1 Cor 7:35). Prayer: Father, may those reading this, who are called to be celibate for Your kingdom, accept their call. Speak to the heart of each one. STREET-EVANGELIZATION "Go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations. " Matthew 28:19 Like the Ethiopian eunuch, our single people used their freedom and availability to spread the gospel. Our evangelists went as servants. We spoke simply, openly, and directly about Jesus and prayed for each person's practical needs. On holidays, many people in our neighborhood would be home because they could not afford to go anywhere. We shared Jesus with at least 100 people each Memorial Day, July 4, and Labor Day. In one week, almost 1000 doors were knocked on and hundreds heard about Jesus, even several Jehovah Witnesses. They seemed surprised that "the shoe was on the other foot". We prayed for the Lord to show us how to make an even greater impact. One sister received a prophecy calling for a procession through the neighborhood while praying the rosary and sprinkling everyone and everything with holy water. Since most of our neighbors were black Baptists or Appalachians, I felt our actions would not be understood and therefore did not accept the prophecy. But later Jesus changed my mind, and we marched. God blessed this act of faith. Several people accepted Jesus and joined the church. These marches led to weekly outdoor prayer meetings every summer, which touched the lives of hundreds. On several occasions we gathered together some of our men to boldly proclaim Jesus in front of our neighborhood grocery store. Alcoholics, junkies, and deranged people were usually hanging around in front of the store. Our men began by forming a circle on the sidewalk and prayed publicly as people rushed in and out of the store. As we shared God's word on the street, the Lord set captives free and confirmed the message with cures, signs, and wonders (Mk 16:20). Prayer: Lord, may our lives allow You to add to our number daily, as You have promised (Acts 2:47). SAUL TO PAUL "You can depend on this as worthy of full acceptance: that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. Of these I myself am the worst." 1 Timothy 1:15 One of the most dramatic examples of the Lord's saving grace was Tom (not his real name). I came upon Tom while he was about to rape one of the neighborhood girls. I just stood there and waited for Tom to notice me. When he saw me, he stopped his violence toward the girl. He began to yell, threaten me, and wave around his wadded up T-shirt. (Later, I found out he had a gun in the shirt.) I continued to stand there and said the name "Jesus" under my breath. I hoped Tom would leave, but instead he shocked me by saying he wanted to go to church. We walked four blocks to church. I didn't have enough presence of mind to know what to do. Finally, I asked Tom if he wanted to know Jesus. He said "No." Then I asked if he would pray. He said "No." Next, I asked him to repeat a prayer after me. He said "No." I made the sign of the cross and asked if he would make that motion. He said "No." I asked if he would do it by himself where no one could see him. He said "Yes." He made a left-handed sign of the cross and went home. A couple weeks later I met Tom again. He ran toward me and told me Jesus had come to him and freed him. Tom had three vices. He was a professional thief, bound by sexual lust, and preoccupied with guns. Tom said Jesus freed him from two out of three vices. (He didn't tell me which two.) Later, Tom joined a store-front church and was delivered from the third bondage. Prayer: Jesus, thank You for changing Sauls to Pauls. Do it again today. JESUS ON THE FRONT PAGE "I am not ashamed of the gospel. It is the power of God leading everyone who believes in it to salvation." Romans 1:16. When we fell in love with Jesus, we wanted everyone to know about Him. It saddened us to see Jesus ignored in the newspapers. He belongs on the front-page since He is the Lord of all history. Jesus either initiates historical events or is willing to redeem situations we have caused on our own. He is limited only by our refusal to repent. The big news is always what Jesus is doing in world events, but newspapers are bent on ignoring the main Person in every news story. Thus the modern newspaper disqualifies itself from objective reporting. Because of this conspiracy to ignore Jesus, we were called to start a Christian newspaper. This paper does not primarily report "religious" news but secular news without ignoring Jesus. When God put this in our hearts, we prayed for three years. One brother in the Lord left home and job to move to Cincinnati and serve in this ministry. As usual, we had no money or personnel, but we were willing to work for free. More "workers for the harvest" were necessary so we prayed and announced our need (Mt 9:38). Three people who had newspaper experience responded. We made the leap of faith, and a Christian newspaper was born after a three-year gestation period. Prayer: Father, we repent of handing over the mass media to the devil. We reclaim it for Your kingdom in Jesus' name. ON-THE-JOB TRAINING "Whoever acknowledges Me before men I will acknowledge before My Father in heaven." Matthew 10:32 The Lord commands us not to work for perishable food but for food that remains unto life eternal (Jn 6:27). This means that making money is not as important as making Christians. No matter what the business, the main jobs are evangelism, intercession, and ministry. We must be able to work for Jesus at our place of employment. Otherwise, we can't maintain we're living a Christian life. We have been teaching, interceding, and pastoring for years to get our community members working for the Lord. A few work for our ministry or in church, but most work secular jobs. These brothers and sisters have been courageous in proclaiming Jesus. They have led individuals to accept Jesus as Lord, receive the Holy Spirit, and be forgiven, healed, and reconciled. They have begun Bible studies and prayer groups at work, despite persecution. One of the greatest examples of working for the Lord took place at a job interview. One of our brothers was trying to get a construction job. During the interview, he started witnessing to the owner of the company. If the owner reacted unfavorably, our brother would not be hired. But the owner of the company opened up and gave his life to Jesus. When our brother later became involved in the farm ministry (see page 24 ) and needed a trailer to house his family, the employer bought a $20,000 trailer for our brother's family. By risking his job, our brother was blessed abundantly. Prayer: Father, may our workers have the boldness and fearlessness of St. Joseph in witnessing for Jesus. THE DEATH OF A JUST MAN "Precious in the eyes of the Lord is the death of His faithful ones." Psalm 116:15 One of our most faithful workers had a heart attack and died. The night before his death he shared at our men's Bible study and joined in the outdoor prayer meeting. Often, in the Bible, the death of a good person results in a new outpouring of divine life. After this man's death there was a ministry explosion. For years we had given teaching after teaching on the responsibility of the lay person to minister, but we had little effect. Our people seemed paralyzed, and they refused to be set free. As in most churches, the same few souls were doing most of the parish work and getting more and more tired. After our brother's death more ministries developed in three months than in three years previously. Evangelization blossomed, renewal took a quantum leap. Ministries to children, teens, and retarded adults began. Later, this man's farm became a renewal center, where hundreds of people, especially teens, have met the Lord. From very meager beginnings, we saw a ministry explosion which was the catalyst for expanded evangelization and many miracles. At our brother's funeral Mass, we proclaimed God's word: "You can depend on this: If we have died with Him we shall also live with Him; if we hold out to the end we shall also reign with Him" (2 Tm 2:11-12). Prayer: Jesus, may we continually carry about in our bodies Your death so that Your life may be revealed through us (2 Cor 4:10). DOWN ON THE FARM "He sold a farm that he owned and made a donation of the money, laying it at the apostles' feet." Acts 4:37 A sister in our community owned a 120 acre farm. After the death of her husband, she realized she had to make a decision about the farm. She offered it to the community for a retreat center, but we encouraged her to sell the farm to provide for her family. How could we start a retreat center when established retreat centers were going out of business? In two years, she thought she sold the farm on two occasions. Each time the deal fell through. Finally, we accepted the fact that God wanted to use the farm for renewal. Then once again it looked as if the farm would be sold. But once again the Lord changed all that and it was back in our hands. The farm had been unoccupied for over a year. Someone had broken in and taken some of the furnishings. There was no heat in the house. At this point, a handful of us celebrated the eucharist in that cold, barren farm house. We received God's word that He would use this farm for renewal and the building of His kingdom. With God's word as our strength, we proceeded to develop the farm into a renewal center. We had no money, no personnel, and little facilities. Most of the land was not tillable, but over the years God has done the impossible. He has raised up workers for this ministry. The payments on the farm have been miraculously paid, and the Lord has raised up the people and money to build a discipleship center. Prayer: Jesus, nothing is impossible for You. Do in my life more than I can ever ask or imagine (Eph 3:20). HEALING THE LAY PERSON "Observing the self-assurance of Peter and John, and realizing that the speakers were uneducated men of no standing, the questioners were amazed. Then they recognized these men as having been with Jesus. Acts 4:13 It seems that we always are desperately in need of workers for the harvest. Obviously, most of these workers must be lay people. But the mentality of most lay people is that they may only "pray, pay, and obey" and that it's up to the priests and religious to do the "spiritual" ministering. Although this attitude may have been practical for an American immigrant-church, it is suicidal for the church of today. If lay people do not lead the way in world evangelism and renewal, we are doomed. The Lord is raising up lay people to turn the Church right side-up. For example, a couple from our community was powerfully anointed for a healing ministry. At that time the husband was a highway patrolman. He went to a conference at Notre Dame and was asked to pray for a sick person. That person rested in the Spirit on the street outside the convention center. Seeing this, one person after another asked for prayers and rested in the Spirit. It was like Jesus walking through the streets of Galilee. Our brother's wife soon joined him in the healing ministry. And thousands have received the Lord's healing touch through the ministry of this couple. The Lord is freeing and healing the lay person to free and heal in His name. Prayer: Jesus, may all reading this find their places and ministries in Your body. PRO-LIFE "The sick upon whom they lay their hands will recover." Mark 16:18 Our first healing services led many to the Lord. Expectant faith began to grow in our community. Healing became part of everyday life. We would spontaneously gather around those who were hurting and pray for them, not only in church but at parish meetings, the bus stop, the grocery store, and on the street. Among the most dramatic healings we received, were remarkable cures of babies in the womb, who were supposedly deformed. For example, one mother, who had been mistakenly exposed to fluoroscopy treatments, was told by the doctors to abort because her baby would probably have monstrous deformities. She refused and gave birth to a perfectly healthy baby boy. These healings of infants in the womb encouraged us in our prayers and witness for life and against abortion. Some of us have been praying publicly for several years before an abortion chamber. We have seen with our own eyes babies saved as we prayed. To further complement our healing ministry, I have taken a stand for peace. For over 10 years I have been a conscientious objector to the payment of federal income taxes, since these fund the system of war. Furthermore, our tax dollars fund Planned Parenthood, the perpetrator of millions of abortions. Because of the establishment of Satan's stronghold in our society, healing ministries have trouble integrating healing into life. Many Christians pray for peace and life, and pay for war and death. They pray for the symptoms but ignore the causes. At Presentation, God has blessed us in bringing together healing, pro-life work, and peacemaking. Prayer: Father, may we choose life, even for our enemies (Dt 20:19). HOME, SWEET HOME "Give my greetings to Prisca and Aquila; they were my fellow workers in the service of Christ Jesus and even risked their lives for the sake of mine. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them. Remember me also to the congregation that meets in their house." Romans 16:3-5 For the first 300 years of Christianity, the believers met in homes. Even to the present day, the majority of Christians throughout the world gather for communal worship in homes. Only in America and Europe do believers assemble primarily in church buildings. In Presentation Communities, we came to a point where there was meeting upon meeting. Christian community, rather than supporting the family, seemed to be conflicting with it. We also experienced dwindling evangelistic power and pastoral problems that defied resolution. We sensed the Lord calling us to return to the structure of the early church: a family-based community, with the larger body being a community of communities. We are in the midst of raising up leaders to form home-based communities. We find new people coming to these family gatherings who would have never participated in the whole community. In addition to evangelization, we see breakthroughs in people's lives, accelerated growth in Christian maturity, strengthened marriages and families, inner healing, and practical application of the Bible to everyday life. The home-based community is the missing link for renewing our parishes. Prayer: Father, may our homes be places where several Christian brothers and sisters share daily life in Christ. HOME-GROWN KIDS "Bring them up with the training and instruction befitting the Lord." Ephesians 6:4 Most of the children in our community turn their lives over to Jesus and receive the Holy Spirit years earlier than other kids do. Why should these kids be educated with and by those who do not acknowledge Jesus as Lord? Why shouldn't our children have the best education possible? This happens when the parents have the primary responsibility for their children's education, because they alone have a special anointing to disciple their children for Jesus. I remember a Church of Christ minister, who, even though he was the principal, decided to home-school his children rather than send them to his own Christian school. This helped me realize that home-schooling was to be preferred to even the best Christian school because in God's perfect plan a school can never take the place of the parents but can only assist them. Our home-schooled kids are freer and more open to Jesus than most of their peers. They spend several hours a week with other kids but they spend more time with their parents than with their peers. Our kids are able to witness to Jesus and take leadership several years earlier than their peers. They are able to see their bodies as temples of the Spirit. They experience victory over sexual temptations and see God's power in their lives. In addition to being advanced spiritually, they excel academically. Our kids are not perfect, but they're "the best," our future, our present, and our pride and joy. We thank the Lord for showing us how to disciple them by relying on their parents' anointing. Prayer: Father, may You raise up our teenagers to be great leaders in the near future. Further accelerate their growth for the sake of Your kingdom. "THE STONE REJECTED" "The Stone which the builders rejected has become the Cornerstone." Psalm 118:22 When you read about all God's wondrous works at Presentation, you may conclude it was heaven on earth. It was the closest thing to heaven I have ever seen, but still the devil raged furiously against what the Lord was doing in this community. In 1984 I was transferred. This made matters more difficult, but the brothers and sisters continued to reach out to the Lord and to one another. God kept on saving the lost, feeding the poor, and healing the sick. But, despite all this life, the church was surprisingly closed by the diocese and sold to a Baptist congregation. Presentation was an inner-city church growing in numbers, paying all its bills, free from debt, and expanding in ministries, and yet it was closed. The parishioners were broken-hearted, but God promised that when the grain of wheat falls to the earth and dies, it bears much fruit (Jn 12:24). In the last few years, Presentation Ministries has expanded. In addition to radio, we have been able to teach God's word to thousands through our books, audio/video recordings, TV programs, and newspaper. We are discipling children through home schooling and equipping adults for ministry. Our farm and renewal center, retreats, and healing Masses have been used by God, more than we could ever ask for or imagine (Eph 3:20). As prophesied, the word is going forth from Presentation Mountain: "All nations shall stream toward it; many peoples shall come and say: 'Come, let us climb the Lord's mountain, to the house of the God of Jacob. That He may instruct us in His ways, and we may walk in His paths.' For from Zion shall go forth instruction, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem" (Is 2:2-3). Prayer: Father, thank You for turning everything to the good for those who love You (Rm 8:28). THE BEGINNING "Not by might, not by power, but by My Spirit, says the Lord." Zechariah 4:6 (our translation) The story has not come to an end. In fact, we are still writing it by lives of love and service to the Savior. To those who are working, interceding, or contributing in any way to His work through Presentation Ministries, God's promises are: "I know your deeds; that is why I have left an open door before you which no one can close. I know that your strength is limited; yet you have held fast to My word and have not denied My name" (Rv 3:8). "Because you have kept My plea to stand fast, I will keep you safe in the time of trial which is coming on the whole world, to test all men on earth. I am coming soon. Hold fast to what you have lest someone rob you of your crown" (Rv 3:10-11). "One moment yet, a little while, and I will shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land. I will shake all the nations, and the treasures of all the nations will come in, and I will fill this house with glory, says the Lord of hosts. Mine is the silver and mine the gold, says the Lord of hosts. Greater will be the future glory of this house than the former, says the Lord of hosts" (Hg 2:6-9). Pray about these prophetic scriptures. They speak to us personally as we move toward the third millennium of Christianity and Jesus' final coming. Prayer: Maranatha! Come, Lord Jesus! Presentation Ministries has grown and developed for many years. It is now a Lay Association of the Faithful under the authority of the Archbishop of Cincinnati. PM has focused on establishing ministries and home-based communities in order to disciple Catholics more deeply for Christ. They do this by teaching the word of God and equipping the laity for Christian ministry using the gifts of the Holy Spirit. ICICI Bank enrolls 1.75 lakh merchants on EazyPay ( Read 5781 Times) 26 May 18 Share | Print This Page Eazypay is Indias first digital PoS application which enables merchants to accept payments through multiple digital modes The all new app has first-in-class services; merchants / retailers can scan barcodes to raise invoices, track inventory via in-built dashboard & undertake sales on credit They can also apply for a card-swipe machine instantly in a completely digital and paperless manneranother first in the industry Nearly 7500 merchants are currently registered with Eazypay across Rajasthan Udaipur: ICICI Bank, Indias largest private sector bank by consolidated assets, has added an array of industry-first features to Eazypay, the countrys first digital point-of-sale (PoS) application. It was launched by the bank during demonetisation to enable merchants/retailers & professionals to collect payments through multiple digital modes including Unified Payment Interface (UPI), credit / debit card & internet banking of any bank, Aadhaar Pay, Bharat QR Code and PocketsbyICICIBank digital wallet. Since then, Eazypay has quickly garnered 1.75 lakh customers, enhancing the Banks nation-wide network of physical and digital PoS to over 7 lakh. The application now offers a host of new services that are unprecedented in the industry. This list includes enabling merchants/retailers/professionals to enjoy the convenience of applying for a card-swipe machine instantly, in a completely digital and paperless manner, without any requirement to visit a bank branch. It also allows them to scan barcodes to raise invoices instantly; easily track inventory and draw insights on sales trends via an in-built dashboard in the app and track products sold to customers on credit among others. Additionally, with a view to offer convenience to retailers who have medium to large scale operations, the application can now be used by its employees simultaneously, to collect payment on their mobile phones at multiple counters in-the-store. It can also be used at its branches in other cities as well as on-the-go for home deliveries. Speaking about the new features, Mr. Anup Bagchi, Executive Director, ICICI Bank said, ICICI Bank has always played a pioneering role in introducing digital innovations to accelerate the shift to a digital economy. In line with this vision, during demonetisation, we launched Eazypay, a digital point-of-sale as a mobile application. This was a path-breaking concept as it aimed to facilitate millions of merchants, retailers and professionals across the country to accept digital payments from various modes on a single mobile application. Eazypay has received an encouraging response from the market with usage across segments like kirana shops, restaurants, travel & tour operators, chemists and professionals among others. Due to this robust usage, within a year itself, its network has rapidly grown to 1.75 lakh, taking the Banks nation-wide network of physical and digital PoS to over 7 lakh. The all-new-Eazypay is a result of further extensive research and offers a host of services with many industry-first features including instant & paperless application for card-swipe machine and bar code scanning for instant invoicing. I believe, that these new features will further broad base usage and offer both convenience and flexibility to retailers by offering the most comprehensive digital payment collection tool. I foresee that in the near future, Eazypay will surpass the Banks physical PoS network, thereby further facilitating the creation of a less-cash ecosystem in the economy. ICICI Bank customers who have a current account with the bank can simply download the upgraded Eazypay app from their Android based smartphones. They can also request for a card-swipe machine instantly, in a completely digital and paperless manner. Basis the volume and nature of transactions, merchants can avail three different kinds of card swipe machines. Eazypay comes with best-in-class security features. It allows only one registration for a unique mobile number and requires mandatory authentication with MPIN for every login, among others. Nearly 7500 merchants are currently registered with Eazypay across Rajasthan. The application is largely being used by merchants including garment traders, restaurants, travel & tour operators, chemists and professionals among others. Below are the new industry first features of Eazypay: Scan-n-Bill: Merchants can now scan barcodes of thousands of FMCG merchandise from their smartphones using the Eazypay app and can generate invoices digitally. Supports cash & credit sales: The app also allows merchants to tag payments as paid by cash or sold on credit. Transactions that are tagged as sold on credit can be fulfilled anytime by accepting payments through the existing modes of collection. Integrated sales dashboard: The app features an in-built sales dashboard which displays a comprehensive summary of products sold, thereby providing merchants with critical insights on purchase patterns. It also provides merchants with a consolidated transaction MIS of payments collected across all modes for easy reconciliation. Sub merchant limit: The unique sub merchant creation feature now allows retailers who have medium to large scale operations to enable its employees to collect payments simultaneously, using their smartphones. This is especially useful for retailers who have multiple billing counters like in super markets and large pharmacies, branches in other cities or offer home delivery service. Queries and support requests: Merchants can now get answers to their queries by raising support requests directly from the app. B2B payments for merchants: Merchants can make B2B payments through the My Invoices option in the app. This facility is available only for select manufacturers. Collecting payments through a card swipe machine: Merchants can collect payments by enabling customers to swipe their credit and debit card using three different kinds of card swipe machines. All three devices support magnetic stripe (swipe) as well as chip-based (insert/dip) cards based on the Visa, MasterCard and RuPay platforms. Source : This Article/News is also avaliable in following categories : Business News Your Comments ! Share Your Openion ( Read 6057 Times) Source : Udaipur : The latest UAE Cabinets twin decisions to extend the residency permit up to 10 years for foreign investors, qualified professionals and talented students as well as offer 100 percent foreign ownership of private companies are expected to steer large investment into the countrys real estate market and Danube Group and its real estate arm Danube Properties are well-positioned to serve the new property buyers and investors.This might come as a pleasant surprise to a lot of people as it somewhat breaks the taboo that foreigners might not be granted a longer term residency permit in line with the policy of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member countries, MrRizwan Sajan, Chairman, Danube Group and Danube Properties, says.The plan to allow 100 percent foreign ownership of companies registered in the UAE is another landmark move that will place the UAE ahead of its regional peers and help the country to attract more global talents.These two decisions strengthen our conviction and confidence in the UAEs leadership and these will usher in a new dawn of unprecedented socio-economic growth.Dubai-based developer Danube Properties has a Dh3.14 billion portfolio of 3,628 residential homes ready to serve a growing number of investors from South Asia, mostly India.Indian nationals, who form the largest foreign investor group in Dubais real estate, have bought properties worth Dh83.65 billion in the last five years from 2013 to 2017 in Dubais property sector, according to statistics compiled by Dubai Land Department(DLD).They invested Dh15.6 billion in Dubais real estate in 2017, Dh12 billion in 2016 and Dh20 billion in 2015 their highest in a year, according to DLD.Indian nationals form the largest expatriate population in the UAE and they are also the largest foreign owners of business establishments in the country.As an established player in the UAE with a credible history of quarter of a century of sound business practice, Danube Group is well prepared to serve a sizeable chunk of the property buyers, Mr Sajan, says.As a business group with deep roots in India and the UAE, Danube Group is well positioned to support investors from India and other South Asian countries, Sajan says. With 827 homes delivered on time and on budget and a further 870 homes being readied for delivery this year, Danube Properties has a solid track record to support new investors. We still have nearly 2,000 units at various stages of development coming up in the next two years.Indians are the largest expatriate community in the UAE and the largest non-GCC foreign investor group as in Dubais real estate and the new announcements will encourage them to buy property en masse due to the 10-year residency scheme.Like the United States and other developed countries, the UAE has always benefitted from its open-door policy, the inclusion of foreigners. The expatriates have had their share of contribution to the remarkable progress made by the country in the last 47 years since the formation of the UAE federation.The UAE which has one of the worlds highest ratio of expatriate population, largely depends on foreigners to support the economic activities including public services. However, all of them have to renew their visas once in every two or three years line up for medical tests, Emirates ID card and residence visas.The 10-year residence permit will now change that. This will strengthen the personal loyalty of the expatriates to the UAE and encourage them to invest in their future. They will no longer plan their savings and future within a two- to three-year tenure. A 10-year residency will encourage them to invest in buying property, equity, bonds and other assets.However, the UAEs visionary leadership has been renowned for their far-sightedness and out-of-the-box thinking. In 2002, Dubai was the first economy to open its land and property sector for foreign freehold ownership again, a taboo that no one thought would be broken. Later, it became a UAE-wide norm.Similarly, the twin decision to allow 10-year residency to foreigners and grant 100 percent foreign ownership in businesses will give the countrys economy an unprecedented push that we have not seen in the last ten years. These are timely decisions and the right step towards building a great future. If you were looking for the Charlestown Democratic Town Committee website and ended up here, try this Got news tips, gossip, suggestions, complaints?E-mail us: progressivecharlestown@gmail.com We strive to avoid errors in our articles. Our correction policy can be found here With a growing reputation for offering Chinese religious art at accessible estimates, Gianguan Auctions is poised to meet the growing interest in Buddhist art. A varied collection awaits in the June 9 sale. Among the highlights is a gilt bronze Shakyamuni Buddha cast during the Ming Dynasty (14th-17th c.). Embodying the period's high aesthetics, the figure's patina is enhanced by a turquoise robe decorated with pink and red flowers within a matrix of fine wire. Rendered in dhyanasana with hands in dhyanamudra, the moulded scultpure carries the Ming Dynasty Yongle Six Character Mark. It is Lot 206. More than fifteen hundred years ago, during the Northern Wei Dynasty, a carver worked a jade rock of green and russet tones into a seated figure of Sakyamuni Maitreya. It has survived remarkably well. With right hand raised in abhaya mudra and left hand in varda mudra, the figure's robes fall in loose folds around the body. A remarkable piece of early craftsmanship, it is Lot 205, 20-inches tall and weighs 26 pounds. Historic charm radiates through a Northern Qi (6th c.) stone figure that retains traces of polychrome pigment. The Sakyamuni Buddha is seated in dhyanasana on a lotus pedestal supported by a base. A mandorla frames the tight curls of the head. There is some damage to the mandorla and both hands have been lost to the ages. The carving, which is 16-inches tall, is Lot 211. A gilt figure of exceptional quality is a rare Northern Zhou (6th c.) gilt bronze seated Buddha. Finely cast and retaining a bright patina, the traditionally posed Buddha has a raised right hand while the left one rests on the knee. Complimenting the serene features, the robe is elaborately worked in folds that appear to flow as they drape over a three-tiered gilt bronze pedestal enhanced with foliating finishes. The detailed statue is 14-inches tall and positioned at Lot 213. A rare Ming figure of the Buddha Amitabha exemplifies the stylistic range of religious art. The figure, seated in dhyanasana, holds an amphora bottle in its accurately positioned left hand. Bossing highlights the tightly coiled whorls of hair, setting off the dark face. Lot 228 is 15-inches tall. Details may be viewed at http://www.gianguanauctions.com. The June 9 sale will be conduced live in the gallerys headquarters at 39 W. 56th Street, New York,beginning at 6 pm. Online bidding can be done at epailive.com, liveauctioneers.com, or invlauable.com. Condition reports may be obtained by emailing the gallery at info(at)gianguanauctions(dot)com. Previews open on Friday, June 1 and run through Friday, June 8, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. I am super excited to have both Doug and Laurie join our team. They both are major assets and have so much to offer our clients and team. They strive to provide the best services possible for our clients and develop new ways to innovate. Granite Professional Insurance Brokerage, Inc (http://www.graniteins.com) is excited to announce that Laurie Giroux and Doug Anstine have joined Team Granite. Laurie Giroux joins Granite with 25+ years of experience working in Employee Benefits. She will be further expanding the Employee Benefits Division and taking on her new role as the Regional Sales Manager. Laurie focuses on integrating technology with innovative strategies and solutions to streamline the HR process as well as the employee enrollment experience. Doug joins Granite with 30+ years of experience working in Commercial Property & Casualty Insurance. Doug will be working to further expand the Property & Casualty Programs for Associations and Franchisors by taking on his new role as Program Director, Vice President of Commercial Lines. Laurie will help clients by offering Businesses a simplified technology solution with Granite HealthPro (https://www.graniteins.com/granite-healthpro) powered by Maxwell Health that streamlines Employee Benefits, open enrollments, compliance and HR, so they can focus on their people. Lauries goal is to save both time and paper by revolutionizing the way employers stay compliant, administrate, communicate, and make changes to their employee benefits program, all in one place. Doug Anstine is responsible for the development, negotiation, and customization of insurance and compliance focused programs for Companies, Associations and Franchisors. He will collaborate with stakeholders to properly analyze plans and goals in order to develop the right program with a team of specialists, dedicated to the clients goals. CEO and President, Shawn Edgington is happy to announce their onboarding with the Granite Family and states, I am super excited to have both Doug and Laurie join our team. They both are major assets and have so much to offer our clients and team. They strive to provide the best services possible for our clients and develop new ways to innovate. Granite Insurance Brokers is a leading insurance brokerage and risk management firm serving a variety of businesses nationwide with offices in Northern and Southern California. Granite specializes in providing custom programs and services to America's Businesses. We leverage technology to customize unique programs for businesses, associations and franchises across the country, including Workers Compensation, Property & Casualty Insurance, HR, Compliance and Employee Benefits. Please, remember to follow us on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn to stay up to date! https://www.facebook.com/graniteinsurancebrokers/ https://twitter.com/Graniteins https://www.linkedin.com/company/graniteinsurancebrokers/ Durante Rentals has made it on to this years RER 100 list of the 100 top-earning rental companies in the country. Coming in at #86, with $20.3mm in 2017 rental revenue ($30.8mm total revenue), this is Durante Rentals first time on the list. They join an exclusive group of rental companies with a combined $21.917 Billion in rental revenue. That figure surpasses their prior years total rental revenue of $19.299 Billion, an increase of 13.6 percent, and an all-time high. Durante Rentals rental volume increased by 16 percent in 2017, in large part due to the opening of two new locations, one in Brooklyn and the other in Danbury, Conn., their first outside of New York. Their earth-moving division, New York Takeuchi, was also awarded and expanded territory to now include eleven counties in Northern New Jersey. Their New York - New Jersey Takeuchi division is now one of the top Takeuchi dealers in the country. The year also marked the fifth consecutive time Durante was named to INC 5000 Magazines List of Americas Fastest Growing Private Companies. Co-founder and CFO Chris Jones stated, Consistent growth while also maintaining the culture we have is incredibly difficult to achieve. We have talented people who give their all day in and day out with a smile in every department. It is our teams commitment to excellence that has enabled our growth. Co-founder John Durante said, This accomplishment does not happen without my partners, Anthony Durante and Chris Jones and our team of over one hundred committed men and women. Thank you to all our friends, family, co-workers, vendors and customers who have supported us these past 9 years. About Durante Rentals Founded in 2009 by three entrepreneurs, Durante Rentals is the most dependable name in construction equipment rentals with locations in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Brewster, Carmel, Elmsford, Flushing, Mt. Vernon, West Nyack, Danbury, and coming soon to New Jersey. Contractors look to Durante for all their construction equipment needs including telehandlers, scissor lifts, generators, boom lifts, conveyors, track loaders, skid steers, ride-on rollers, forklifts and more. Durante Rentals services all five boroughs of NYC, Westchester, Rockland County, Putnam County, Connecticut and New Jersey. For more information about Durante Rentals, visit http://www.DuranteRentals.com. or call 1-800-DURANTE. For more information about their subdivision, New York New Jersey Takeuchi, visit http://www.NYTakeuchi.com. About Rental Equipment Register RER has been the acknowledged source of information on the rental industry since 1957. Editor Michael Roth is an expert in the industry and has authored hundreds of feature articles, visited hundreds of rental centers and manufacturers, and written thousands of news stories. He leads an award-winning editorial team that delivers hard-hitting industry newsfrom fast breaking stories about major players to new product launches and marketing strategies. Vaco Orlando is a talent and solutions firm founded by Denise Bennett-Walls in 2005. Thirteen years later, Vaco has Florida locations in Orlando, Miami, Jacksonville and Tampa. In 2017, Vacos revenues exceeded $450 million, and is also part of a global network with offices in Canada, the United Kingdom and India. The greatest part of the journey for Bennett-Walls has been building Vaco side by side with incredible partners in one of the best communities in the country. Choosing the right team is the single most important step to success. It takes a great team to build a great company built to last, says Bennett-Walls, Orlando Vacos managing partner. Vacos mission is to help leading companies find talent to grow their businesses and to connect people to their dream jobs. Vacos Florida team spends half its time supporting local leaders by recruiting top talent for their companies, providing subject matter experts on a project basis, temporaries for staff augmentation and outsourced solutions. In 2018, Vacos CPAs will work with clients to implement the new FASB pronouncements. Small businesses not quite big enough for full-time executives will leverage the experience of Vacos part-time executives (CEO, CHR, CFO, CIO, CMO, CSO). Companies will continue to invest in technology, and Vacos financial analysts will jump into more data-driven initiatives. The companys Florida team also meets with professionals to discuss their career goals, the right position based on their career cycle, and how Vaco can best support them. Vaco will continue to grow organically and through acquisition in 2018. We are very interested in speaking to staffing and consulting companies in Florida ready to take their business to the next level, Bennett-Walls says. Every year I try to give equal weight to my personal and professional goals, said Denise Bennett-Walls, Managing Partner Vaco Orlando. This year I committed to help the Central Florida Leukemia and Lymphoma society (LLS) in any way I can because the search for a cure will never be found without personal and professional support from our community. It is too often that we are meeting people that are affected by cancer in one way or another, we need a cure to this disease. If you would like to partner with me to support the Central Florida chapter of LLS, please go to vacofightingcancer.org, for more details. Car Wars, the leader in AI call routing and marketing analytics, announced today its sponsorship of PCG Companies Digital Marketing Strategies Conference. During the conference, Car Wars Executive Vice President of Business Development and former Van Tuyl Group Marketing and CRM Director, Cassie Broemmer, will host a panel featuring some of the nations largest dealer group executives; executives include Geno Walsh with Qvale, Adam Simms with Price Simms and Paul Nygaard with Larry H. Miller. The expert group plans to discuss how and why dealers should provide the most optimal customer service experience starting with the phone. The easiest and most effective way for a dealer to see an ROI boost and grow market share is to get better on the phone, Broemmer said. Im looking forward to showing how getting back to the basics coupled with groundbreaking AI technology will take the dealerships we know and love to the next level in Sales and Service. Car Wars also just released its suite of AI products latest solution: Cari Set. Cari breaks apart and analyzes hundreds of data points on each phone call to help dealerships book more appointments and streamline the sales process. Shes planned to be the talk of the town during Broemmers dealer panel. Broemmers session, Winning Business with Cari and CRISP Phone Techniques, is at 8:30 a.m. on June 4. The Digital Marketing Strategies Conference runs June 3-5 this year at the Napa Valley Marriott Resort & Spa. More on the dealer panel attendees: Qvale Auto Groups Director of Retail Operations, Geno Walsh, has been an integral part of the group for more than 8 years. He currently manages 15 stores and frequently speaks at various automotive conferences and workshops throughout the year. Prior to his time at Qvale, Walsh was in the Finance industry. Adam Simms is the COO of Price Simms Auto Group, championing the companys daily operations. Previously, Simms was a VP at AutoNation, the Hall Auto Group and the Walser Auto Group. He also founded iMotors.com and ResponseLogix digital companies focused on auto marketing and sales. Paul Nygaard is Larry H. Miller Auto Groups VP of Marketing, responsible for brand and product development. Nygaard is responsible for growing the groups overall digital strategy with innovative market concepts and SEO/SEM brand targeting. Register for the conference and Broemmers dealer panel here: http://digitalmarketingstrategies.org/register/. About Car Wars Car Wars' trained human reviewers listen to and categorize every inbound and outbound call at the dealership. This data provides managers insight into how every call is handled, alerts them when an opportunity needs attention, and actively improves phone performance in sales and service. Car Wars uses competition and transparent accountability to create a high-powered phone culture that converts more phone calls into booked appointments. The restoration of the North American XP-82 is nearing completion in Georgia, with a goal of flying the aircraft at Oshkosh this summer. There is no better place than Oshkosh to make the first public flights of this aircraft, which is why it is our intent to complete the restoration and testing so we can be a part of AirVenture 2018. The restorers of a North American XP-82 Twin Mustang, one of the most unusual fighter/escort aircraft ever deployed by the U.S. military, are aiming to make EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2018 its first public appearance to celebrate completion of an arduous 10-year restoration project. The 66th annual Experimental Aircraft Association fly-in convention is July 23-29 at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The event is the worlds largest annual gathering of vintage warbird aircraft, with more than 300 participating each year among the 10,000 airplanes that arrive in the region for the event. The 10-year restoration project in Douglas, Georgia, began after aircraft restorer Tom Reilly discovered the complete airframe on a farm in Ohio. Reilly then scoured the earth seeking engines, propellers and a multitude of other XP-82 parts to continue the restoration. The interest and enthusiasm for this restoration has been wonderful and gratifying, said Reilly, who has chronicled the restoration process online. There is no better place than Oshkosh to make the first public flights of this aircraft, which is why it is our intent to complete the restoration and testing so we can be a part of AirVenture 2018. The XP-82 restoration brings back a unique flying example of an aircraft designed late in World War II as a long-range fighter escort to accompany B-29 bombers for thousands of miles on missions over the Pacific Ocean. Based on the highly successful P-51 Mustang design, the XP-82 used twin fuselages and two specially designed Rolls-Royce Packard-built Merlin engines to supply the speed, range and armament needed for the task. Fewer than 300 of the airplanes were produced as the P-82, with all but five scrapped in the years after the Korean War as the military moved to jet aircraft. It has been decades since people have seen this aircraft type fly anywhere, said Rick Larsen, EAAs vice president of communities and member programs, who coordinates AirVenture features and attractions. The return of this historic aircraft to the sky is a tribute to the vision and perseverance of the restoration team, and its fitting that the group has AirVenture as a goal to fly this beauty before a huge, appreciative audience. About EAA AirVenture Oshkosh EAA AirVenture Oshkosh is the Worlds Greatest Aviation Celebration and EAAs yearly membership convention. Additional EAA AirVenture information, including advance ticket and camping purchase, is available online at http://www.eaa.org/airventure. EAA members receive lowest prices on admission rates. For more information on EAA and its programs, call 1-800-JOIN-EAA (1-800-564-6322) or visit http://www.eaa.org. Immediate news is available at http://www.twitter.com/EAA. We are extremely excited about our new partnership with Lendza. Their reputation has been built over years of working with top tier lenders and we are honored and humbled to be included in this exclusive company of top tier lenders. Seek Capital is the leading company for startup business funding in the United States. Lendza is a funding request service that matches small business owners seeking capital with a suitable lender. Today, the two companies are proud to announce a new partnership where Lendza will start connecting small business owners looking for startup business loans with Seek Capital. CEO of Seek Capital, Roy Ferman, stated, "We are extremely excited about our new partnership with Lendza. Their reputation has been built over years of working with top tier lenders and we are honored and humbled to be included in this exclusive company of top tier lenders. We look forward to growing our relationship with Lendza and continuing to service their many startup business clients in need of capital." ABOUT SEEK CAPITAL Seek Capital is the leader in startup business funding. Launched in 2015, Seek Capital has helped solve the challenge of early-stage business owners obtaining capital to launch or grow their small business. The company has grown by combining the Seek Capital proprietary lender matching platform, Capital Seeker, with its dedication to providing a hands-on, consultative approach to each client. By utilizing the Capital Seeker the company is able to provide real-time underwriting decisions allowing business owners to instantly know their funding options. To date, the company has matched over 20,000 successful applications across the United States. Seek Capital has an A rating with the Better Business Bureau, is a consistent Top 3 rated or Winner of LendingTrees Lender Award and was Ranked #44 by Glassdoor Best Place to Work 2017. For more information, visit Seek Capital. ABOUT LENDZA Lendza helps small businesses find funding for up to $350,000 through its free, state-of-the-art request form. Even those already turned down by a bank may find funding through Lendzas hassle-free and confidential process. Lendza is always adjusting its routing system to figure out new and better ways to find money for loan customers. In an effort to provide a wide range of small business credit solutions, the company partners with a variety of reputable credit providers. Lendza offers customers access to the industrys most solid network of business funding providers. The company proudly stands by its commitment to try to connect every potential borrower with a funding source. For more information, visit Lendza. Lip enhancement can be achieved by a number of treatment options including fillers, lip implants, a lip lift and fat transfer. - Senior Editor of Cosmetic Town Cosmetic Town, an online plastic surgery and information community based in Los Angeles, is helping patients looking to enhance the appearance of their lips by publishing a list of the Best Lip Enhancement Doctors in Los Angeles. According to the senior editor of Cosmetic Town, Los Angeles is well-known for being the home of TV and movie stars. Many of these celebrities make regular appearances on the red carpet with enhanced lips and, in turn, patients across the country want to achieve the same look. Lip enhancement can be achieved by a number of treatment options including fillers, lip implants, a lip lift and fat transfer. Each of these techniques provides enhanced lips while still keeping them in proper proportion with the rest of the face. The senior editor explained the process used by Cosmetic Town to pick the doctors that made the final list. An intelligent algorithm, focused on cosmetic surgery, was used by our team to choose the doctors. Our research team examined the experience and skill level of the doctors as well as the overall satisfaction level patients felt with their physician. We also examined the amount of articles the doctors write on a regular basis as part of their continuing efforts to educate patients about plastic surgery procedures. According to the senior editor, the final decision about which doctors made the list was not determined by any outside influences. The senior editor said Cosmetic Town does not require, or accept, any form of compensation from the doctors on the list. The lip enhancement list was created to help patients easily find board-certified doctor in Los Angeles that provides natural looking, and long-lasting, results. About Cosmetic Town Cosmetic Town is an online cosmetic medicine publication that also features doctors who were endorsed and highly recommended by their peers. This reliable and streamlined database allows users to easily navigate the website and access the information they need with just a click of a button. Users can also stay informed and get the latest news on plastic surgery by reading the regularly updated news section. Visiting the forum page is also another way for users to stay engaged and keep each other up to date. The No. 24 Liberty University Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 driven by LU sophomore online student William Byron. Im looking forward to it. Its always fun to race on my home track and Im really excited about this weekend, Byron said. William Byrons No. 24 Liberty University Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 will feature the names of two Liberty University alumni who served their country honorably when it lines up for Sundays 6 p.m. NASCAR Cup Series race. The 600-mile event will be held at Byrons hometown track of Charlotte Motor Speedway. Liberty is the primary sponsor of the No. 24 Chevrolet in the 600 Miles of Remembrance race, the longest of the NASCAR season and the first event in the NASCAR Salutes program. The seventh annual commemoration honors U.S. military branches with special races over Memorial Day at Charlotte and Independence Day weekend at Daytona International Speedway. All 40 drivers in Sundays field will have cars sporting patriotic paint schemes and carrying the names of service members who have given their lives in active military duty. Byron, a sophomore pursuing a business communication degree through Libertys online program, will honor former U.S. Army Maj. Mike Donahue, whose name is blazed across the windshield visor. Donahue, an Army Airborne Corps paratrooper, served three tours of duty in South Korea, Iraq, and Afghanistan, where he was killed at age 41 in a September 2014 Taliban suicide attack in Kabul. He had served as an assistant professor of military science for Libertys Army ROTC program from August 2008 to July 2010, also earning his masters and doctoral degrees in education during that time. A Purple Heart recipient, Donahue won Bronze Star and Defense Meritorious Service medals. His wife, Sherri, and their children, Victoria, Seamus, and Bailey are planning to attend Sundays race, along with approximately 6,000 active U.S. military personnel. Byron will also honor retired Air Force Lt. Col. Charlie Davidson, whose name will be displayed above the drivers side window. Before becoming director of Libertys Doctor of Ministry (D.Min) program, Davidson experienced a decorated 20-year career as a military chaplain. He was the first Air Force chaplain to serve in Baghdad and was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for bravery and valor under hostile fire and combat conditions during Operation Iraqi Freedom in November 2003. Davidson died following a battle with cancer at the age of 59 in April 2017. He had ties to NASCAR as a member of Bristol (Va.) Raceway Ministries Board of Directors. He will be represented at Sundays race by several family members. Donahue and Davidson have both been honored with the universitys George Rogers Champion of Freedom Award. A prerace Salute to the Troops will feature demonstrations of military vehicles and weaponry from all five branches of the U.S. Armed Forces, including F-15 fighter jets, a Blackhawk helicopter, Humvees, Howitzers, a HIMARS rocket system, a Marine MTVR vehicle, and two Combat Rubber Raiding Crafts. Senior leaders representing all five branches of the military will address the crowd, and the Fort Bragg Firing Party will take part in a 21-Gun Salute. Tickets for Sundays race, available online, start at $49 for adults and $10 for youth 13 and under. Representatives from the Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force will have interactive fan-friendly displays in the speedways Fan Zone. The 20-year-old Byron is currently the rookie points leader and ranks 19th overall in his first season in the NASCAR Cup Series. He posted the 11th-fastest speed in Thursdays afternoon practice session at Charlotte, averaging 188.285 miles per hour over 10 laps. On Thursday evening, Byron qualified 21st for the 600-mile event on Sunday. Im looking forward to it. Its always fun to race on my home track and Im really excited about this weekend, Byron said. About Liberty University Liberty University, founded in 1971, is the largest private, nonprofit university in the nation and the largest university in Virginia. Located near the Blue Ridge Mountains on more than 7,000 acres in Lynchburg, Va., Liberty offers more than 550 unique programs of study from the certificate to the doctoral level. More than 250 programs are offered online. Libertys mission is to train Champions for Christ with the values, knowledge, and skills essential for impacting tomorrows world. New documents reveal U.S. President John F. Kennedy, learned to fly at an Embry-Riddle seaplane base in Miami during World War II. The training took place over 10 days in 1944. The facts of Kennedys flight training in Miami had been lost to time, but thanks to some great detective work and a just discovered 1944 flight log from a former Embry-Riddle seaplane flight instructor, a decades-long legend has been confirmed. New documents have come to light indicating one of the most famous men in history, U.S. President John F. Kennedy, learned to fly at an Embry-Riddle seaplane base in Miami during World War II. The training took place over 10 days in 1944. The findings, verified by Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Archivist Kevin Montgomery, have been corroborated by presidential historian Douglas Brinkley, author of the forthcoming book, "American Moonshot: JFK and the Great Space Race." See the video and photos at John. F. Kennedy Takes Flight. I would call it a fact that JFK trained to fly with Embry-Riddle in Miami, said Brinkley, Ph.D., a professor of history at Rice University. The story of how Kennedy started flight lessons in Miami began on a starless night in August 1943. Navy Lieutenant Kennedy was commanding PT-109, a motor torpedo boat that was patrolling the straights in the Solomon Islands, waiting to attack a Japanese naval convoy when an unseen enemy destroyer broadsided the much smaller patrol boat, sinking it and scattering the crewmembers into the water and wreckage. The report of the catastrophe, the harrowing rescue and Kennedys heroism quickly appeared in newspapers across America, and eventually this story would help propel him into politics and ultimately into the presidency. When Kennedy returned to the states, he was assigned to the Navys Submarine Chaser Training Center in downtown Miami as an instructor in March of 1944, while waiting for back surgery from injuries he received in the PT-109 accident. At this time, Embry-Riddle was training thousands of American and British military aviators at a halfdozen airfields in south Florida for the war effort. But school founder John Paul Riddle still had his original Miami flight school and charter service location a small seaplane base on Biscayne Bay that had opened in 1939 to train anybody who wanted to learn to fly through the Civilian Pilot Training Program. From the location of the sub chaser center, also on the edge of Biscayne Bay, Kennedy would have been able to see Embry-Riddle aircraft taking off from the seaplane base across the bay, said Montgomery. Nobody knows how this war hero from a storied family ended up at the front desk of the flight school asking about flying lessons or what motivated him to learn to fly seaplanes. He was an avid sailor from a young age, and at this time, his older brother was flying land-based PB4Y Liberators from England on anti-submarine missions. Mining History for Clues The facts of Kennedys flight training in Miami had been lost to time until EmbryRiddles Dean Emeritus Bob Rockett began chasing down an anecdote almost 15 years ago that Kennedy had taken flight lessons at Embry-Riddles seaplane base when he was in the Navy during World War II. In 2004, Rockett, then Dean of the Universitys Heritage Project, spoke with Helen Hassey (42, MC, Non-degree), a pioneering aviator who had been a flight instructor at the Embry-Riddle seaplane base in the 1940s. She told me about the day Kennedy appeared at the base in Miami for flight lessons, said Rockett. We didnt have any information about this in our archives. In trying to verify Helens story, I contacted the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum in Boston, Mass. They told me they had no record of JFK ever taking flight lessons. No additional information could be found on the Kennedy-seaplane story until 2016, when Rockett and Montgomery learned about authenticated pages from a flight log signed by Kennedy on a website for the Shapell Manuscript Foundation, an organization based in Israel that researches and collects original manuscripts and historical documents, including of American presidents. The flights recorded in the log took place over a 10-day period in May of 1944, in Miami, in Piper Cub seaplanes, the same type of aircraft used at the seaplane base, said Montgomery. I cross-checked the airplane tail numbers from Kennedys flight log entries with photographs of our seaplane fleet in the archives and found a match. Montgomery and Rockett were now convinced the story was true, but they still needed supporting evidence. A chance Facebook message in spring 2017 to the Embry-Riddle Eagle Alumni Center from Bambi Miller at the Piper Pilot Shop in Vero Beach, Fla., led to the final puzzle piece. I got the message from Bambi and spoke with her, said Alan Cesar, a communications specialist and writer for Embry-Riddles Alumni Magazine, Lift. She told me a customer had come in and told her a story about learning to fly at the seaplane base during World War II. She has become something of a celebrity at Piper. The celebrity is 98-year-old Corinne Smith, who, at an early age was inspired by the idea of becoming a pilot. She moved to Miami after college in 1941 and started flying lessons at the seaplane base, which at the time had about a half-dozen Piper Cubs on floats. A job there as a secretary helped her pay for training. Smith completed her first solo flight in July 1942, and eventually earned pilot certificates for both land-based aircraft and seaplanes. She eventually became an instructor pilot and head of the flight simulation department. Montgomery and Cesar visited with Smith, and she gifted a copy of her flight log from May of 1944 to the Embry-Riddle archives. Corinnes log revealed that two of the tail numbers recorded in her log book matched those in Kennedys flight log, and in one instance, she flew the same aircraft on the same day as JFK, Montgomery said. You can read more about Smith in the EmbryRiddle Alumni Magazine, Lift. With all the evidence in hand, Montgomery contacted Presidential historian Douglas Brinkley. After examining the documents, Brinkley was convinced the Kennedy flight logbook was authentic and that it proved Kennedy had indeed trained with Embry-Riddle. JFK was staying in Palm Beach at his fathers home during the same weeks shown in his log book, said Brinkley, coauthor of JFK: A Vision for America, which was published for the centennial of Kennedys birthday in 2017. He had a love of aviation and coastal areas, so it all makes sense. I would call it a fact that JFK trained to fly with Embry-Riddle in Miami. Thanks to a small handful of people at EmbryRiddle, and a 1944 flight log from alumna and seaplane pilot Corinne Smith, a decades-long legend has been confirmed. In the course of just 10 days in May 1944, Lieutenant John F. Kennedy would go from his first flight lesson to a solo flight. The flight log ends there. Records indicate Kennedy left just days later to travel to a Naval Hospital in Massachusetts for back surgery. According to Brinkley, he abruptly stopped taking flight lessons once DDay occurred on June 6. Kennedy would subsequently retire from the service, run for congress and eventually become the 35th President of the United States. Lean more about EmbryRiddles distinguished aviation history at https://erau.edu/about/brief-history ABOUT EMBRY-RIDDLE AERONAUTICAL UNIVERSITY Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is the worlds largest, oldest and most comprehensive institution specializing in aviation, aerospace, engineering and related degree programs. A fully accredited university, Embry-Riddle is also a major research center, seeking solutions to real-world problems in partnership with the aerospace industry, other universities and government agencies. A nonprofit, independent institution, Embry-Riddle offers more than 80 baccalaureate, masters and Ph.D. degree programs in its colleges of Arts & Sciences, Aviation, Business, Engineering and Security & Intelligence. The university educates students at residential campuses in Daytona Beach, Fla., and Prescott, Ariz., through its Worldwide Campus with more than 125 locations in the United States, Europe, Asia and the Middle East, and through online programs. For more information, visit http://www.embryriddle.edu, follow us on Twitter (@EmbryRiddle) and facebook.com/EmbryRiddleUniversity, and find expert videos at YouTube.com/EmbryRiddleUniv. Confident Governance https://www.confidentgovernance.com , world leading innovator of Governance as a Service platform and award winning Compliance (GRC) Solutions Provider announces the release of the newest enhancements to its Compliance Automation platform by further solidifying it's GDPR and Enterprise wide Compliance product suite.By fully integrating GRC processes with Customer Relationship and Sales processes with worlds leading CRM systems such as Salesforce.com https://www.Salesforce.com , Confident Governances GDPR solution https://appexchange.salesforce.com/appxListingDetail?listingId=a0N30000003JRPTEA4 enables Agile and most efficient method to quickly demonstrate Compliance with evolving Privacy laws such as GDPR. With leading edge releases like the GDPR release, Confident Governances Compliance program meets the highest standards in the industry and has consistently reinforced the commitment to make Compliance a competitive advantage rather than a burden for Customers and Partners globally. As the EU GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) came into action from May 25th 2018, as per a recent WSJ published survey https://www.wsj.com/articles/gdpr-has-companies-big-and-small-racing-to-comply-1527154200 by an independent firm, over 50% of respondents globally have not made adequate efforts to bolster their GDPR related Compliance. Coupled with this fact is that Companies globally are moving towards a digital business model, which is generating a massive amount of Customer data. The GDPR affects not only European Companies collecting data within the EU, but also non-European Companies with data subjects based anywhere in the EU. GDPR expands the privacy rights of EU individuals and places new obligations on all Organizations that market, track or handle EU personal data. Companies have been burdened with tremendous cost, anywhere from $1 million or even more than $10 million for Fortune 500 Companies, as per a recent WSJ published survey https://www.wsj.com/articles/companies-worry-that-spending-on-gdpr-may-not-be-over-1527236586 . Complying with these types of Regulations is extremely costly, burdensome and often times very complex. With this Product Release, the main aim of Confident Governance https://www.confidentgovernance.com is to make the cost of Compliance more Efficient and bearable for Companies that cannot dedicate disproportionate amount of resources to just Compliance. A lot of Companies are looking at this as a Compliance headache. We see Compliance as a Competitive Edge. It is a huge opportunity for Companies to improve their Risk Management procedures with regards to Cyber Security and Data Privacy. We see the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) as an important step across all Industry Verticals in terms of protection of data and individuals. Confident Governance's https://cglabs.us/cg_products mission has been focused on ensuring that we Democratize Compliance by making it Easy, Agile and Cost Efficient for Customers worldwide using world leading Governance as a Service platform to comply with key GDPR principles. said Confident Governance https://cglabs.us/cg_products Board Chairman Bhavesh Bhagat https://www.linkedin.com/in/bhaveshbhagat/ . The Confident Governance GDPR suite https://appexchange.salesforce.com/appxListingDetail?listingId=a0N30000003JRPTEA4 enables an incredibly rich Compliance starting point for Customers with 99 articles and 173 recitals across entire breadth of the EU regulation. The chief Risks of GDPR non-Compliance track are Negative Publicity Regulatory Penalties Risk of Civil Litigation Organizations around the world are thinking through and catching up to evolving steps that they need to take in order to comply. Businesses that do not comply with GDPR face a potential fine of 4% of global revenues. Hence, the Boards need to understand this regulation around Data Privacy and ask management if the Company has a Data Privacy Compliance program. It is also important to ensure the Company stays on schedule to meet the laws requirements, stays within budget for its Compliance efforts and has the right Processes and Controls in place to mitigate any Risk to that data. ConfidentG GDPR platform https://appexchange.salesforce.com/appxListingDetail?listingId=a0N30000003JRPTEA4 enables world leading Rapid Compliance by Establishing conformity to the requirements of GDPR Compliance Anytime, Anywhere, Any Device Compliance Management https://appexchange.salesforce.com/appxListingDetail?listingId=a0N30000003JRPTEA4 Real time Collaboration https://cglabs.us/RE_IA_Mobility between Legal, Marketing, Sales, Audit, Risk & Compliance teams Real time Artificial intelligence powered Reporting/Dashboarding https://cglabs.us/RE_IA_Reporting system for notifying the board or an independent committee about GDPR Compliance 360 degree visibility https://cglabs.us/RE_IA_FraudRiskAssessment into the Companys high-GDPR Risk areas and prioritized Compliance activities With this latest addition of GDPR product release into its platform https://appexchange.salesforce.com/appxListingDetail?listingId=a0N30000003JRPTEA4 , Confident Governance continues to Democratize Governance worldwide https://cglabs.us/client_testimonial by providing the most efficient and agile Governance, Risk and Compliance to Companies globally and makes Risk & Compliance a Competitive advantage for them. About Confident Governance Rated top Governance and Compliance Salesforce Solutions Provider for 2017 and GEW 50 award recipient, Confident Governance, is the first native purpose built inventor of Governance as a Service delivering patent pending innovative Cloud Security, Governance, Risk management and Compliance product portfolio on the worlds largest Cloud Computing platform Salesforce.com. Its industry leading products make Governance and Risk Management powerful and affordable for Organizations of all sizes enabling them to not only focus on Governance from within but also from universal external shifts in Risks, using Social Media and Geo-spatial location based information. Using ConfidentG applications you can infuse Transparency and Trust amongst your Executives and Stakeholders without Technical complexity and without having to worry about buying hardware and software. Every aspect of Confident Governance products is designed to make it easier for Businesses to implement an effective Governance, Risk and Security Compliance System to provide clear Transparency with easiest non-technical operation enabling Confidence in Governance. Welcome Guest! You Are Here: Remarks: Thanks to Paul Robeson in the middle 1900s, this is probably the best-known spiritual that Black slaves in the US had sung in the early 1800s. It ... 1 day ago The Trump administration has told Congress that the Commerce Department struck a deal with Chinese phone maker ZTE to ease sanctions against the tech giant in exchange for changes at the company. According to a source familiar with the deal, the Commerce Department informed members of Congress that the current sanctions a practice called a denial order which prevents ZTE from buying parts from US companies will be lifted in exchange for changes at the company. " "I closed it down then let it reopen with high level security guarantees, change of management and board, must purchase U.S. parts and pay a $1.3 Billion fine. Dems do nothing but complain and obstruct. They made only bad deals (Iran) and their so-called Trade Deals are the laughing stock of the world!" ZTE was crippled following sanctions from the US. The company said in a statement on May 10 that due to the crackdown, "the major operating activities of the company have ceased." The denial order was implemented after ZTE failed to respond to earlier sanctions that alleged the company sold goods containing US parts into Iran and North Korea, a violation of sanctions against those countries. "If the administration goes through with this reported deal, President Trump would be helping make China great again," Schumer said. "Simply a fine and changing board members would not protect America's economic or national security, and would be a huge victory for President Xi, and a dramatic retreat by President Trump. Both parties in Congress should come together to stop this deal in its tracks." A group of 27 senators from both parties signed on to a letter earlier in the week that, in part, warned the Trump administration against going easy on ZTE. The lawmakers pointed to national security officials' fear that ZTE could gain access to critical US technology and help bolster the Chinese government's efforts to modernize their defense capabilities. Yesterday the Republic of Ireland held a historic referendum on repealing the 8th Amendment to the Irish Constitution, which prohibited abortion under practically all circumstances (no exceptions for rape, fetal non-viability, etc.). While polling had pointed to a narrow win for repeal, two exit polls show a landslide result , 68% to 32%, for repealing the amendment and thus legalizing abortion. The margin was even more lopsided among younger voters , 87% to 13% among those under 24. Theseexit polls, and the actual vote counting won't be finished until later today (will have ongoing coverage ), but even if the actual margin is somewhat narrower, this is a stunning win in a country that was totally in the grip of the Catholic Church a generation ago and had been one of the strongest bastions of the Church for fifteen centuries.Ireland has been changing. Three years ago it became the first country to legalize gay marriage by popular referendum (as opposed to court rulings or legislation), by a margin of 62% to 38%. The current Prime Minister is openly gay. 78% of the population still identifies as Catholic, but weekly church attendance among Catholics is down from 91% in 1972 to 30% in 2011 (14% in Dublin), and many of those who still go do so only for family or social reasons Life under the abortion ban was marked by degradation and hypocrisy. Many women needing abortions traveled to nearby Britain to obtain them, or resorted to unsafe illegal methods. For some, yesterday's vote was a chance to strike back at oppressive tradition and its enforcers.Based on what I've been seeing on hard-line Catholic websites, many opponents of repeal followed a strategy of mumbling to themselves, fiddling with beads, and not eating (or as they describe it, praying the Rosary and fasting). For some reason, this apparently did not prove effective in changing the outcome. One wishes our opponents would entirely confine themselves to such methods, but I suppose it's too much to hope for.There is a lesson for Americans here. Polling before the vote predicted a narrow win for repeal, while the exit polls show the actual result was around two-to-one. There are a variety of reasons why polling can fail to predict a vote accurately. In a case like this, where interest and emotion are running high, one possibility is failure to predict turnout. Pollsters must guess at which groups will actually vote and in what numbers; if actual turnout patterns are different, the actual vote outcome may be far different from what the poll predicted. In Ireland, by all accounts, turnout was astonishingly high. The increased victory margin may reflect high turnout among groups that usually vote in only meager numbers, such as young people, or the pro-repeal side may have been more energized relative to its opponents than pollsters expected. Here in the US, Democrats have often done better in special elections over the last year than polling suggested, and this too may reflect an especially motivated Democratic base. But in November, the Trumpanzees too may be energized by fear of Trump being impeached if Democrats win the House. In the polarized and intense politics of the US today, we can't let polls push us into overconfidencedespair. Turnout will be everything, and every battle must be fought hard.Update: The official result is in -- 66.4% for repeal, 33.6% against. According to him, emerging markets boost global economies making growth prospects for emerging markets much higher. He made these statements during the launch of NiBS Executive MBA with Emerging Markets Focus. Research says companies in emerging markets grow faster than those based in developed economies. Professor Kwaku Atuahene Gima says the programme is being done in affiliation with the SBS Swiss Business School (SBS) Zurich, Switzerland. The Executive MBA program is designed to create a program for aspiring leaders who want to develop bold foresight to embrace the full potentials in emerging markets. Professor Kwaku Atuahene Gyima has therefore urged businesses to be committed to acquiring the necessary skills to leverage on the potentials of Ghanas emerging market. Meanwhile, an economist at the Nobel International Business School, Dr Hod Anyigba has expressed dissatisfaction at the underutilization of digital means of running businesses in the country. According to him, there is the need for businesses to invest in digital strategy in order to compete with global brands. Welcome to the Pulse Community! We will now be sending you a daily newsletter on news, entertainment and more. Also join us across all of our other channels - we love to be connected! He told Accra-based Starr FM: We are focusing on the work that we have to do. We will not be distracted. Yes, it is our responsibility to educate Ghanaians [on the contract]. I have a duty, the Minister has a duty to respond to concerns that Ghanaians have raised and that is exactly what we are doing. We wont be distracted. We will focus and make sure that we monitor the revenue." Kelni GVG was awarded the contract to monitor revenue losses and simbox fraud in the telecommunications sector. But the deal has generated controversy after founding president of IMANI raised issues about the terms of the agreement. According to Franklin Cudjoe, the deal is potentially bad and a careless duplication of roles. The newspaper also reports that the LGBT group have started lobbying some MPs to speak on their behalf and ensure that their rights and freedoms are guaranteed in the laws of Ghana. The MP for Pusiga and the Ranking Member of the Gender and Children Committee, Laadi Ayii Ayamba is reported to have told her colleague MPs that at a forum which was attended by herself and the Deputy Majority Leader, Sarah Adwoa Safo, the issue about LGBT came up for discussion where their opinion was sought about how they could help fight for the rights of lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgender. She said: I, in particular, made them understand that for us we will be discussing and take it up but they should come and sit in the public gallery and declare that they are the gay people in Ghana and also present the matter to Mr. Speaker and hear what they will say. READ MORE: Spio Garbrah vows to fight legalisation of homosexuality READ MORE: How Mac Mac is running ports and harbours authority as a family business In addition, the workers say Mac Manu's children are the biggest suppliers to the Authority, adding that he has obtained for himself over GHC4 million wiring contract. The Board Chairmans wife has taken over ticketing for staff travels and the Authority is being priced at cut-throat prices. We are paying two, three times more than other competitors are offering for ticketing and pricing at the Authority, the leader of the union workers of GPHA, Joseph Assib, said at a press conference Thursday. The Board Chairman has seven companies in the port. The Chairman has three of his children as the biggest suppliers to the Authority," Assib said. He has obtained for himself a contract of over GHC 4 million for the wiring of our newly constructed electrical and material block. He is intimidating management staff and as well interfering in the day to day running of the Authority. Reacting to the workers allegations in an interview with Accra-based Starr FM, Mac Manu described the allegations as bogus. It is bogus and when I come to Accra we will delve into it, he said. He added: Please, Please I dont have time for thats why I am saying they [allegations] are bogus. Thats why I said when I come I have to show documents to you and they have to bring their documents. They did tell you why they are saying that and why are you asking me that? I am saying it is bogus. So say Mac Manu says it is bogus. Thats all. I am saying it is bogus because it is not true. READ MORE: GPHA staff demands removal of Mac Manu He, subsequently, ordered the Business Committee of Parliament to schedule an appropriate day next week for the Minister to brief the House. Kelni GVG was awarded the contract to monitor revenue losses and simbox fraud in the telecommunications sector. But the deal has generated controversy after policy think tank IMANI Africa raised issues about the terms of the agreement. IMANI founding president Franklin Cudjoe argues that the deal is potentially bad and a careless duplication of roles. Some American firms, including news sites like the Los Angeles Times and New York Daily News, blocked access in the EU because they were unable to comply with the General Data Protection Regulation, which took effect Friday. Other US websites have shut down entirely, and some have hired consultants to help shut off access for any users in Europe. Large US tech firms have pledged compliance with the EU rules, and have in many cases promised to extend the same protections worldwide. But legal challenges filed in Europe accused Google and Facebook of failing to abide by the new law. Why not in US? Some US activists argue that the implementation offers an opportunity to give more privacy and data protection benefits to Americans. "We see no reason why US companies, as they strive to comply with the new European policies, cannot extend the GDPR standard to American consumers," said Katharina Kopp of the Center for Digital Democracy, one of 28 activist groups endorsing a letter in that vein to major US and global companies. Senator Ed Markey and three fellow lawmakers introduced a resolution this week that would call on firms to offer the same protections of the European law in the US. "The American people are going to wonder why they are getting second-class privacy protections," said Markey. The law establishes the key principle that individuals must explicitly grant permission for their data to be used, and give consumers a right to know who is accessing their information and what it will be used for. Companies can be fined up to 20 million euros ($24 million) or four percent of annual global turnover for violations. Cumbersome, confusing GDPR critics argue the law is confusing and cumbersome, and could lead to unintended effects on both sides of the Atlantic. Daniel Castro of the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, a Washington think tank, called GDPR "a confusing and impractical set of rules" that offers consumers little benefit. "Instead of hiring engineers, companies are hiring privacy lawyers," Castro said in a blog post with researcher Alan McQuinn. Ryan Radia of the Competitive Enterprise Institute said that although GDPR was aimed at Big Tech, it is likely to strengthen the grip of large internet firms. "This will result in greater market concentration, as small firms and startups will find it difficult to comply with the increased regulatory cost burden," Radia said. Amy Webb, a fellow at Harvard's Nieman Foundation and founder of the Future Today Institute, warned the new law could lead to a "splinternet" with different kinds of data available in various regions of the world, and could be particularly cumbersome for news organizations. "It's plausible within a decade, we could find ourselves stuck in a new digital divide, where many disparate splinternets behave and function differently, depending on where in the world the net is being accessed," she said in a blog post this week. Webb said news organizations could find it especially difficult to comply because of the need for consent in organizing feeds and promoting content. "The business model for news, already tenuous, could be further weakened," she said. Henry Farrell, a George Washington University professor who follows transatlantic relations, said the entire business model of the tech sector could be at risk from GDPR. "This is now my second term in a row," the Russian leader said. In 2008, after serving two consecutive terms as president, Putin's ally Dmitry Medvedev became president while Putin moved to the post of prime minister before returning to the presidency four years later. But observers said Putin remained the most powerful man in the country. "Remember the previous time I left the presidential post, I also plan to stick to the rules this time," he said, in a possible hint that he could repeat his earlier move to the premiership in 2024. Asked on the eve of March 2018 polls if he planned to run for the presidency in 2030, Putin said: "Am I supposed to be in this post till I'm 100 years old? No!" The sketches, based on the photographs, had been drawn a day or two before by Michele Cahill, the founder of Pet Portrait Fun. Participants trace the sketches, then use watercolors to paint their dogs portrait. Sometimes theyll request I superimpose an image behind them, like the Brooklyn Bridge, said Cahill, 41. Cahill spent 15 years as a graphic designer working for companies like Disney and Nickelodeon. She gave her first watercolor class last September. At first it was once a month. Now its up to three, Cahill said. With summer, it will become more often. The classes cost $65 and usually take place on Sundays. Melina Metalios, 46, who brought Bolt, her American Eskimo shepherd, was here for the third time. Gabrielle Hurwitz, 26, who arrived with Riley, a mini-Bernedoodle, and Kylee Yee, 35, who came stag because her French bulldog, Portra, had the puppy flu, were both first-timers. Michelle Gilson, with her fiance, Andrew Fontanese, and Bear, their bichon-Shih Tzu, came to the class on a family outing. Shes been after me for weeks to set up a date, said Fontanese, 28, who works in finance. The challenge in doing that is we have to leave Bear at home. This is the best of both worlds. He then looked at the sketch Cahill created. I cant believe how she captured Bears emotion, he said, which I thought was impossible. It was true. Just as in the original picture, Bears perky personality leapt off the page. A short demonstration kicked off the evening, and Cahill gave tips throughout the two-hour session, as she took thoughtful laps, checking on peoples work and connecting with the dogs. This is the kind of class where youre not going to paint a moon or flower and then leave it in a bar at the end of the night, Cahill said, alluding to various paint-and-sip classes offered throughout New York City. People take the time to paint their dogs and are proud of their work. Theyre not going to throw it out. Wine was offered, and so was cheese, and soon enough participants had bonded with one another. Each had a watercolor kit, a plastic plate for mixing and a paper towel for blotting. Dogs seemed somehow to purposely pose on the floor or sit in their owners laps and watch as they became colorized. Some pet owners went bold, opting for bright, heavy strokes; others chose faint pastels. Maggie Finales, 49, a graphic designer, finished first. My dog Luli passed away 10 years ago, she said. This is a tribute to her. Finales chose to paint her Yorkie from a photo taken in Puerto Rico. It was the 90s. She was very happy lying in the sun. Ive had a portrait of her done before, but Ive never drawn her. She was with me for 17 1/2 years. This is a way of remembering her. For Metalios, a dog groomer, the evening was an opportunity to tap into a different creative side, while spending quality time with Bolt. I love being in a place where I can bring him, and I like to paint, she said. Its nice to have multiple paintings of my dog. Her first portrait of Bolt was placed prominently in her wall unit. I might replace that one with this one, she said. My first was amateur. Now Im like a pro. This article originally appeared in The New York Times. Sharon who won a MacArthur Fellowship in 2017 was in New York for a few days in March to conduct auditions for Meredith Monks Atlas. He will stage the opera in 2019 at the Los Angeles Philharmonic, where he is an artist in residence. Its a lot to take on, said Sharon, chuckling a bit at the daunting schedule over coffee at Lincoln Center. Sharon cited T.S. Eliots essay Tradition and the Individual Talent to explain how his stated penchant for openness and experimentation and adventure worked vis-a-vis operas vaunted history. Any progress in any genre has an eye toward that tradition that it came from, because nothing came from absolutely nowhere, he said. Still, Sharon said it was surprising when he got a call in 2016 from Katharina Wagner, the composers great-granddaughter and co-director of the Bayreuth Festival, about taking the helm at the famed event. I said, How do you know about me? (Word had come from the director of the Wiener Staatsoper.) His version of Lohengrin will have costumes and set design by Neo Rauch and Rosa Loy, the married German artists. It reflects Sharons belief that all of the arts are moving toward a collaboration-centered approach. To do that in the home of this overwhelming monolithic genius, I think its very exciting, he said, seemingly still surprised at his success. He added, Sometimes Im still in a state of shock how quickly these ideas have managed to take root. ______ Open to Chance and Discovery Nick Mauss Artist Unclassifiable exhibitions are all the rage, and multimedia artist is the most frequently claimed self-descriptor in the art world. But even in that context, Nick Mauss: Transmissions, which was at the Whitney Museum of American Art until mid-May, is hard to silo. The show served as a kaleidoscopic lens on the development of ballet in 20th-century New York alongside avant-garde visual arts, with a focus on the tight-knit circle of gay men who propelled it. Although his name was in the title, only one piece by Mauss own hand was on view: Images in Mind (2018), two panels of enamel paint on mirrored glass that met in a corner. Its an artwork disguised as an exhibition, said Scott Rothkopf, the Whitneys chief curator and deputy director and an organizer of Transmissions. Instead, Mauss, 37, largely curated works by others including photographs by George Platt Lynes and costume designs by painter Pavel Tchelitchew and arranged for a daily production by a rotating cast of 16 dancers, who performed in a roped-off area of the galleries. Mauss grew up in Germany and attended Cooper Union in New York. He says he considers drawing his primary medium, although he often works in sculpture, too. The 303 Gallery in Chelsea has shown his works on paper, as well as glass and ceramic pieces. Nicks not a linear thinker, Rothkopf said. Its part of what makes him a good artist. His process is open to chance, discovery and surprising connections. Mauss, who is developing a site-specific installation on MITs campus, said that his goal with Transmissions was to capture something fleeting. Ballet really only exists in its moment of performance, he said, but it also exists in memory. ______ Marrying the Artistic With the Architect Amanda Williams Artist Growing up on the South Side of Chicago, Amanda Williams was perceiving boundaries from an early age. Even at 6 or 7 years old, wed drive by a piece of major infrastructure, and there would be trash just on one side, she said. That planted the seed for me: What is urbanism? Now an artist, Williams, 43, recently had a solo show at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, featuring her photographs, installations and works on paper that look at the social impacts of the built environment. But she studied architecture at Cornell and took a long detour through that profession first. Working on the West Coast, she had unlimited budgets on dream projects, she said. She had studied painting, too, and was making art on the side until she reached a convergence point of sorts. The work has evolved to a point where I am able to marry my architect self and artistic self, said Williams, who is again based in her hometown. It occupies an interesting space that is neither and both. For her best-known project, Color(ed) Theory (2015), Williams painted eight homes in Chicagos Englewood neighborhood that were slated for demolition. The colors she employed were custom-mixed to match those found on products that were prevalent in her childhood, like Crown Royal purple and Chicken Shack red. People have an immediate response to the colors, and it did a great job of drawing attention to why these houses were being demolished, and larger issues, said Grace Deveney, an assistant curator at the MCA who organized Chicago Works: Amanda Williams. Williams collaborated on a project that just had its debut at the U.S. Pavilion of the Venice Architecture Biennale and next year will address the phenomenon of redlining discriminatory lending practices for an exhibition at the University of Chicagos Smart Museum of Art. Chicago is unfortunately the perfect place to look at these things, she said, adding, Color always has a double meaning. ______ From Comedy to Suspense to Victorian Melodrama Theresa Rebeck Playwright, screenwriter, novelist If you want to find Theresa Rebeck, she is in Brooklyn, writing. That explains her prodigious output: She has written or co-written more than 20 plays (Omnium Gatherum, a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize; Mauritius; The Understudy), scripted cop shows on television, turned out a couple of novels and created the NBC show Smash, set in the world of Broadway. This year alone, audiences can see a new play by Rebeck with a restaurant setting, Seared, at the Williamstown Theater Festival in Massachusetts starting in July; in November comes Downstairs, a family drama at Primary Stages in New York, which was written for its stars, siblings Tyne Daly and Tim Daly. Given the range of themes, milieus and forms of her plays, what ties it all together? Im curious about a lot of things, Rebeck said. I never received a definition from critics saying, This is what she does, and thats been an enormous gift. Rebeck can write comedy, and she is quick with a quip: Look it up, Rebeck said when asked her age, which appears to be around 60, adding that she was eminence grise status. She grew up in Ohio with a Catholic Republican background, she said. You could say Im an escapee. Rebeck received an MFA in playwriting and a Ph.D. in Victorian melodrama from Brandeis University and has shown an ability to find relevance in the forms of the past. Recently she retooled William Congreves Restoration comedy The Way of the World at the Folger Theater in Washington. Theres something intriguingly old-fashioned about her she knows about form and language, said Daly, the Tony- and Emmy-winner who read all of Rebecks plays before embarking on Downstairs. Daly added that psychology, not plot, drives Rebecks works. Shes wonderful with suspense, she said. I find myself sitting in her plays and getting scared, and I dont know why. ______ Dynamism and Hope, Performance and Education Najee Omar Poet, performer, arts educator and activist Scheduled to open in 2019, the much-anticipated multidisciplinary arts center known as The Shed will be housed in a 200,000-square-foot building devised by Diller Scofidio & Renfro and the Rockwell Group, in New Yorks Hudson Yards. The fundraising target is a cool $550 million. To the list of well-known artists, architects and philanthropists involved with the project, add the not-so-famous name Najee Omar. Omar, 27, founded the arts education nonprofit Spark House, which is advising the Shed on DIS OBEY, a series of pre-opening commissions centered on civil disobedience and social justice. Spark House does its work in schools as well as at nontraditional venues like juvenile detention centers. Over coffee, Omar, whose website proclaims Najee Omar is possessed, said his goal was to create something good for people who have hope about whats happening in the world today. Tamara McCaw, the Sheds chief community and civic program officer, discovered Omar when both were working at the Brooklyn Academy of Music and he performed one of his poems at a staff talent show. He got up onstage and killed it with his poetry and the dynamism of his performance, McCaw said. You knew he was a rising star. Omar, raised in Brooklyn and a graduate of Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts, is the author of poems including Black Is and Ode to Litefeet, the latter a paean to hip-hop inflected subway dancing. McCaw brought him to the attention of the Sheds artistic director and chief executive, Alex Poots, and they saw that Omars voice fit well into the DIS OBEY theme. We need him, Poots said, adding that it was his goal to have Omar perform his works someday at the Shed, too. The note of defiance in the title DIS OBEY seemed to fit Omars outlook. Progress, for me, would mean access to the arts for everyone, he said, before adding, Progress is a fight. ______ How We Picked Our Visionaries People love lists. We want to check out the best places to travel, catch up with the best inventions of the last 100 years, be in the know about the best-dressed people, the best books, the best schools. And on and on. Of course, there is a risk to listmaking. Maybe your choices wont hold up over the years. Maybe the best book of decades ago seems not so great today. With the listmaking fervor and its risks in mind, we searched for people who would fit our criteria for visionaries. They had to be people who are forward-looking, working on exciting projects, helping others or taking a new direction. We wanted diversity in gender, race and ethnic background. We assigned writers who are knowledgeable about the subjects we deemed most important. And we limited the list to 30. Narrowing down the numbers was a huge challenge. And thats a good problem to have. It means there are a lot of people out there who are following their visions. We hope this inspires you to follow yours. This article originally appeared in The New York Times. Now, with the ouster of Malaysias governing party this month after six decades in power, Kohs family and supporters are calling for a new investigation into his kidnapping. It is one of many cases the new government is being called on to re-examine, including similar abductions, the deaths of prisoners in custody and politically charged murders. We should change the culture of impunity, said Eric Paulsen, executive director of Lawyers for Liberty, a Malaysian human rights group. The countrys new prime minister, Mahathir Mohamad, has said his government will restore the rule of law and ensure that the ousted prime minister, Najib Razak, is held accountable for billions of dollars that went missing from a state investment fund he oversaw. In recent days, police have raided residences associated with Najib and confiscated more than 350 boxes and pieces of luggage containing cash, jewelry, expensive watches and luxury handbags. On Friday, police said the seized cash amounted to $28.6 million, and that the various luxury goods had yet to be appraised. Najib has denied any wrongdoing. He told members of his party Sunday, Im not a person who steals what belongs to the people. But he was called in for questioning Tuesday by Malaysias reinvigorated anti-corruption commission. Human rights advocates are optimistic that the search for justice will not stop there. Another figure likely to come under scrutiny is the former inspector general of police, Khalid Abu Bakar, who helped block inquiries into the missing government funds and oversaw the investigation of Kohs kidnapping, among other abduction cases. Khalid, who retired from the police force last year, has pledged to cooperate with any inquiry. Koh was abducted on Feb. 13, 2017, as he was driving in broad daylight in the Kelana Jaya neighborhood near Kuala Lumpur, the capital. His case has received considerable attention because his children, who conducted their own investigation, recovered video of the kidnapping that had been captured by residents security cameras. While visibility is somewhat obscured, the video shows Kohs car hemmed in and halted by the three SUVs. Men, some with their faces covered, get out of the vehicles and approach his car. Two men on motorcycles order approaching vehicles to keep their distance. There is a crash as Koh apparently tries unsuccessfully to escape. Then all the vehicles drive off quickly together. One witness reported the abduction to police. A piece of Kohs license plate was later found on the street. But police have made no progress in solving the case. The motive remains unclear, but Koh had been threatened several years earlier for preaching in settings where Muslims could be swayed. It is illegal in Malaysia to try to convert Muslims to Christianity. Three other disappearances since late 2016 also involve victims who challenged the prevalent Malaysian view of Islam. Pastor Joshua Hilmy, a convert to Christianity from Islam who was known to preach his new religion freely, disappeared around Nov. 30, 2016, along with his wife, Ruth Sitepu. They packed no belongings and their car is missing. A week earlier, Amri Che Mat, who was said to promote a Shiite interpretation of Islam in this predominantly Sunni nation, disappeared as he was driving near his home in Perlis, Malaysias northernmost state. Just before midnight on Nov. 24, 2016, four-wheel-drive vehicles surrounded his car, a witness said. His car was later found abandoned. Amri, the founder of a charity group called Perlis Hope, has not been heard from since. This month, a police officer came forward and told Amris wife, Norhayati Mohamed Ariffin, that a team of police officers had kidnapped her husband and Koh. He identified the officers in charge and indicated that the abductions were motivated by the victims religious activities, Norhayati said. She provided the information to police, including the name of the informant. I urge the police to investigate these serious allegations with urgency and to find my husband Amri Che Mat and also Pastor Raymond Koh and return them to their loved ones immediately, she said. Thomas Fann, chairman of Engage, a Malaysian human rights group, said there have been at least nine other cases of forced disappearances, often targeting criminal gang suspects. He expects more victims families to come forward and he urged the government to investigate the role of police in these cases. The police are supposed to uphold law and order and human rights, said Susanna Liew, Kohs wife. They are not supposed to engage in these clandestine operations. Human rights activists are also seeking an investigation into deaths of detainees in jails, prisons and immigration centers. Some advocates estimate there were more than 1,000 wrongful deaths in custody during the Najib years. Some were victims of police abuse and torture, they say. Many were victims of neglect. Most were unauthorized immigrants or suspected criminals. Medical examiners have been known to cover up abuse in cases where evidence shows that the police were responsible, said Paulsen of Lawyers for Liberty. During his first week in office, Mahathir called for an end to torture and for inquests to determine how detainees died. This is a good start, said Sevan Doraisamy, executive director of Suara Rakyat Malaysia, a human rights group that focuses on justice issues. This was never mentioned by the former prime minister. Cynthia Gabriel, executive director of the Center to Combat Corruption and Cronyism in Kuala Lumpur, called for new investigations into two high-profile killings connected to corruption cases involving Najib. One is the 2006 murder of a Mongolian woman, Altantuya Shaariibuu, 28, who helped negotiate Malaysias purchase of two Scorpene-class submarines from France while Najib was defense minister. The French government is investigating whether Najib and his associates received more than $130 million in kickbacks. Shaariibuu, who complained that she had not received a promised $500,000 share, was killed by two of Najibs bodyguards, who then blew up her corpse using military explosives. The bodyguards were convicted, but no motive was ever established. Some suspect they blew up the body to hide something. In a letter to Mahathir last week, the president of Mongolia, Khaltmaagiin Battulga, asked him to bring about justice in the case, which he said had harmed relations between the two countries. Gabriel also urged the government to investigate the 2015 kidnapping and murder of Kevin Morais, a prosecutor who was investigating Najib over the money missing from the state investment fund. Police say Morais was murdered because of his role in a different case, but his brother, Charles Morais, has long maintained that he was killed because he knew too much about Najib and the money. There are many murders unsolved and linked to one scandal or another, Gabriel said. There should be a thorough cleanup of the system. There is so much that has gone wrong over 60 years. This article originally appeared in The New York Times. Last year, he apologized to the nation for failing to live up to that pledge, expressing how anxious and remorseful it made him. Then, this year, he proclaimed a new shift to North Koreas 25 million people: Now that the nation possessed a nuclear arsenal, it could change gears and start building a prosperous economy after years of international sanctions. So when President Donald Trump on Thursday abruptly canceled their much anticipated summit meeting June 12, the North Korean response was remarkably diplomatic and cordial, holding open the hope that the meeting could still take place. It was a strong reminder, analysts said, that Kim not only wants a diplomatic deal with the United States. He may need one. North Korea can still survive under sanctions, especially if China helps it, said Shin Beom-chul, a senior fellow at the Asan Institute for Policy Studies in Seoul. But as long as sanctions are there, Kim Jong Un can never deliver the kind of rapid economic growth he has promised for his people. Kims stated desire to continue engaging with Trump even after such a high-profile snub does not necessarily mean the North Korean leader is willing to renounce his nuclear arsenal, the primary U.S. demand. No matter how painful sanctions may be, analysts say, Kim would be unwilling to give up his nuclear weapons unless an accord left him feeling completely safe without them. The security of his family-run regime is nonnegotiable. Still, his apparent willingness to continue diplomatic efforts does signal that Kim, 34, is under pressure to satisfy rising expectations in North Korea for economic gains and shake off the painful grip of sanctions. While largely depicted as a nuclear provocateur in the outside world, Kim is determined to be the face of a modern and more open North Korea at home. He has erected new buildings and repainted old ones in Pyongyang, the capital, attended a concert by a South Korean girl band and let a state orchestra play U.S. pop music. Kim has also sent party officials to China to learn its economic policies and has even admitted to other failures during his supposedly faultless leadership, like a botched satellite launch in 2012. When he met with South Koreas president, Moon Jae-in, last month and invited him to Pyongyang, he asked Moon to fly there because North Koreas roads and trains were in such embarrassing condition. The contrasts between the North and South are particularly stark. North Korea generates a tiny fraction less than 5 percent, by some estimates of the electricity that South Korea does, leaving passengers stranded for hours in immobilized trains because of widespread power shortages, according to defectors from the country. The dueling economic realities of the two countries are on clear display from space: Even now, nighttime satellite photos show the southern half of the Korean Peninsula splotched with bright lights, while Kims North is shrouded in darkness, with only a pinprick of light indicating the location of Pyongyang, where the nations elite lives. Without a doubt, North Korea has come a long way since the 1990s, when mass starvation stalked the population and the country was so energy-starved that travelers camped out in stations for days waiting for trains. Since taking over after the death of his father, Kim Jong Il, Kim has installed water parks, ski resorts, a new airport, skyscrapers and even a dolphinarium. He has appeared in public with his fashionable wife, Ri Sol Ju, and has been seen pulling weeds in an amusement park, riding roller-coasters with foreign diplomats in Pyongyang and hugging and hooking arms with soldiers and workers. Cellphones have become a common consumer item in North Korean cities, although the country remains mostly shuttered from the global internet. But for all his efforts to portray himself as vigorous, approachable and goal-oriented, there is a limit to how far Kim can go under international sanctions, analysts say. The domestic pressures on him are compounded in some ways by the growth of markets he has introduced and the emergence of a moneyed class in Pyongyang. Under Kim, a new generation is growing up exposed to DVDs and flash drives of South Korean soap operas and movies, raising expectations for a better quality of life. Kim has the power to rule his country and suppress dissent through extreme brutality. There is no political opposition. He is believed to have ordered dozens of executions, including the killing of his own uncle, and North Korea still runs a network of gulags. Kim keeps the elite on its toes by frequently purging and reshuffling senior military and party officials. But he is also eager to be seen as people loving.' Building a strong socialist country is his catchphrase. Recent visitors say Pyongyang looks more colorful and prosperous than it did a decade ago, with stores stocked with imported and domestically produced foods. But conditions outside the capital remain dismal, with widespread malnutrition among children and nursing mothers, according to U.N. relief agencies. The U.S.-led maximum pressure sanctions campaign has seriously undercut North Koreas ability to earn hard currency needed to buy imports. Since September, the U.N. Security Council has banned all major North Korean exports, including coal, iron ore, seafood and textiles. If enforced fully, the sanctions could eliminate 90 percent of the countrys total exports. North Korean exports to China, which account for more than 90 percent of the Norths international trade, fell by one-third to $1.65 billion last year, with volumes plunging by as much as 95 percent in recent months. The U.N. sanctions also cut the Norths imports of refined petroleum products by 90 percent, causing gasoline prices to double. Many mines and factories have closed for lack of raw materials or export orders, according to South Korean and Japanese news organizations. Investors and fishermen have deserted fishing ports, after lucrative exports to China were blocked. Last year, four North Korean soldiers defected to South Korea through the heavily armed border. One of them braved a hail of bullets while fleeing. When South Korean doctors operated on him, they found his intestines riddled with worms. There is no sign of a return to mass starvation, experts say, and the country is believed to still earn substantial amounts of cash through smuggling, hacking and weapons sales. But analysts warn that the North Korean economy could reach a breaking point unless Kim finds a way to loosen sanctions soon. Trumps surprise decision to withdraw from the summit meeting could play into Kims favor in some ways, especially if it chips away at the willingness of China North Koreas main trading partner to enforce sanctions vigorously. In the weeks leading up the meeting, Kim had taken very public steps to lay the groundwork for negotiations, including releasing three U.S. prisoners. On Thursday, he demolished his countrys only nuclear test site. Then, just hours later, Trump abruptly pulled out of the summit. Instead of reacting with rancor, the North Koreans put out a calm response, saying they would do everything we can for the peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula. Trump softened his tone Friday, saying a meeting might take place, but the diplomatic seesawing by the U.S. president suddenly made Kim look like a reliable and consistent negotiating partner. Kim has perfected the most dramatic makeover within a few months, said Lee Sung-yoon, a professor of Korean studies at Tufts University. Hes gone from pariah to statesman, from madman to gracious, well-prepared leader who knows his brief. Some analysts said Trumps initial decision to scrap the summit meeting was a hiccup before a return to dialogue. Others said that if the two nations failed to get diplomacy back on track quickly, Kim could feel growing pressure to resume weapons tests to pressure the United States and salvage his fallen status at home and abroad, said Cheon Seong-whun, an analyst at the Asan Institute in Seoul. While Kim may wield tremendous power, his longevity as North Koreas undisputed leader is not guaranteed. Kims engagement with Trump may be unsettling to senior figures in North Koreas military who worry that he could, in fact, relinquish the countrys nuclear arsenal, which he has called a treasured sword that ensures the countrys survival. At the same time, Kims failure to meet the expectations he has raised for greater prosperity at home could anger the people who have already had a taste of a more affluent life. The group around Kim that are living reasonably well and benefiting from the way hes kind of running things is relatively large, said Scott Seaman, a Korea analyst at the Eurasia Group, a consultancy in Washington. That could mean you dont want to tick it off. Like many dictators, Seaman said, This is a guy who goes to sleep at night not knowing whether hes going to wake up. This article originally appeared in The New York Times. Hossanah according to the Cable was awarded a full-tuition scholarship by her school in, she is still required to pay $63,000 for books, equipment, among others. But due to lack of funds and her inability to seek employment in the US, she opens a GoFundMe account to seek financial help to offset her academic bills. She also said she has applied for loans but due to her international status and lack of family in the US, she has not been able to get any. Hossanah writes on her GoFundMe page: I graduated from my undergraduate university summa cum laude in 2017 as one of the best students in my college. During that time, I was accepted to one of the top 10 medical schools in the country but I was not able to attend in August of that year because of financial difficulties. As a reward for my academic merit, I was awarded a full-tuition scholarship from the medical school. This has been a source of joy to myself and my family in Nigeria as it has been a dream of mine to help people through medicine for a long time. ALSO READ: NUC shuts down 58 illegal universities The issue with this was, I was still required to produce an estimate of $63,000 for other expenses including books and equipment for the last 3 years of the MD program. The requirement for an international student is that the fees for all four years are paid up front either in an escrow account or through loans. I have applied for loans but due to my international status and lack of family here, I have not been able to get any. I am not allowed to work while in medical school and this is where I need your help. To be able to complete my medical education, I need $63,000 by December 2018. This sum will cover the costs of the last three years of my schooling and ensure that I am able to finish well. It is a large sum of money for my family to raise especially in the current situation in Nigeria. Every donation means so much to me as it would bring me one step closer to my goal. Helping me share this would also be a big help to ensure that more people see this. This is my exam paper for a module named Law in a business context with the red circle which I did today 23rd of May. Stepping out of the exam hall my friends were like Fola how did you feel about question 22 and for the first time in my life, I felt ashamed of being a Nigerian. I believe fraud is being committed everywhere but for it to be recognised and used as an exam question in UK, then it is VERY BAD for Nigeria. My lecture slide showed a typical example of a yahoo boys storyline in the green circle, I went further to search for Advance-fee scam with the belief that it was exaggerated in my lecture slide and I found the information in the blue circle. I am short of words at the moment realising the fact that theres been so much issues lately about yahoo boys on social media, this is not a good reputation for Nigerians at all....... This matter tire me ooo my people. ALSO READ: Actor accused of sexual assault back in the 90s Read his statement below: "I am devastated that 80 years of my life is at risk of being undermined, in the blink of an eye, by Thursdays media reports. But I also want to be clear: I did not create unsafe work environments. I did not assault women. I did not offer employment or advancement in exchange for sex. Any suggestion that I did so is completely false. "All victims of assault and harassment deserve to be heard. And we need to listen to them. But it is not right to equate horrific incidents of sexual assault with misplaced compliments or humor. I admit that I am someone who feels a need to try to make women and men feel appreciated and at ease around me. As a part of that, I would often try to joke with and compliment women, in what I thought was a light-hearted and humorous way. "Clearly I was not always coming across the way I intended. And that is why I apologized Thursday and will continue to apologize to anyone I might have upset, however unintentionally." Morgan Freeman reportedly accused of sexual harassment Morgan Freeman is the latest celebrity to be caught in the web of sexual harassment as a young lady has accused him of his unruly behavior. According to CNN, the young production assistant had gotten a job at movie ''Going In Style'' where the actor was starring alongside Michael Caine and Alan Arkin. She revealed how she was touched on different occasions inappropriately by the veteran actor during the movie project. In one incident, she said, Freeman "kept trying to lift up my skirt and asking if I was wearing underwear." He never successfully lifted her skirt, she said -- he would touch it and try to lift it, she would move away, and then he'd try again. Eventually, she said, "Alan [Arkin] made a comment telling him to stop. Morgan got freaked out and didn't know what to say." Also, CNN revealed that this is not the first time the actor is being accused of sexual harassment as a senior member of the production staff of the movie "Now You See Me" in 2012 said that Freeman sexually harassed her and her female assistant on numerous occasions by making comments about their bodies. ALSO READ: Disgraced movie producer charged with rape A number of celebrities have in the last one year been called out over sexual harassment allegations. Among those called out include Kelvin Spacey and famous movie director, Harvey Weinstein. Violence between armed anglophone separatists and government forces occurs almost daily in the Northwest Region and the Southwest Region, following an escalation of the crisis in late 2016. According to Menka residents, the Cameroonian army fended off an attack in the area in mid-May but soldiers returned overnight between Sunday and Monday. Many young people have been missing since. "There have been some killings in Menka by the army," Nji Tumasang, deputy of the first anglophone opposition party, the Social Democratic Front, told AFP. "We think that at first glance they are civilians because no weapon was found on them. The husband of an activist from our party is among the victims." The Cameroonian government did not comment when approached by AFP. Since anglophone separatists declared independence last October, dozens of officials and foreigners have been targeted for abduction. Abductions are also used as a tool to enforce allegiance among locals who have not taken up the separatist cause. Earlier this month, the US ambassador to Cameroon accused government forces of carrying out "targeted killings" and other abuses in the fight against independence-seeking militants. The foreign ministry later expressed its "deep disapproval" of the comments made by US ambassador in Yaounde, Peter Barlerin. The presence of a large English-speaking minority -- about a fifth of Cameroon's population of 22 million -- dates back to the colonial period. It was once a German colony that after World War I was divided between Britain and France. In 1960, the French colony gained independence, becoming Cameroon, and the following year, the British-ruled Southern Cameroons was amalgamated into it, becoming the Northwest and Southwest Regions. For years, resentment built among anglophones, fostered by perceived marginalisation in education, the judiciary and the economy at the hands of the French majority. According to Premium Times, Buhari's Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari, earlier this week dispatched a memo directing the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, to terminate the contract. The President was also said to have ordered the National Security Adviser and the Nigerian Intelligence Agency to investigate how the contractor obtained security clearance for the job without an end-user certificate. Buhari also reportedly ordered that the contractor should be made to supply items equivalent to the $50 million upfront payment which they received recently. If the contract had pulled through, the contractor, HSLi, would have received $195 million in payment for the sale of an undisclosed number of special mission aircraft, special mission helicopters and 12 fast intervention vessels for the Nigerian Navy. The contract was signed off by the Federal Executive Council in December 2017. A report by Guardian said Nigeria was meant to acquire three helicopters, three aircraft, three big battle-ready ships, 12 vessels and 20 amphibious cars to secure Nigerian waters from the 'Israeli company'. The deal had been criticised and described as a contract designed to steal, with Amaechi fronting for the government. Suspicious contractor Investigations by Premium Times revealed that the contractor, which according to Amaechi is an Isreali company, is not registered as a business entity in Israel. But the company is said to hold close ties with Mitrelli, another Israeli Company which also holds close ties with the minister. When Amaechi served as the governor of oil-rich Rivers state, he had awarded a $140 million contract to Mitrelli (aka LR Group) to develop a farm in Etche, a suburb of Port Harcourt, the state capital. LR Group was said to have recently rebranded as Mitrelli as it transitioned into an arms business. The President's spokesmen Femi Adesina and Garba Shehu did not respond to enquiries about whether Buhari let Amaechi in on the termination. The International Organisation on Migration (IOM) Chief of Mission in the DRC, Jean Chauzy, said this in a statement in IOMs site on Saturday. Last week, in the DRC, cases of Ebola were confirmed in Mbandaka, a city with a population of 1.2 million people some 150 kilometres from where the outbreak originated in Bikoro Health Zone, Equateur Province. Mbandaka is connected by river routes to DRCs capital, Kinshasa and cities in the Republic of Congo and the Central African Republic. This fuelled concerns that the disease could spread more widely, Chauzy stated. She said that there were joint assessments by the stakeholders at various points of entry to the capital to gauge the strength of the areas epidemiological surveillance system The assessment focused on migration routes from the affected province of Equateur through the ports of Maluku and Kinkole on the Congo River and at the Beach Ngobila in the capital, Kinshasa. The assessment team found boats in the ports, which often travel between Kinshasa and the Equateur Province, stopping at several ports and carrying a few hundred people at a time. Sanitary conditions were very poor and health screenings non-existent at these ports, she said. Chauzy quoted one boat captain as saying his boat carries hundreds of passengers to different localities along the Congo river from Kinshasa, Kisangani through Mbandaka. According to her, the assessments, carried out with the National Border Health Programme, enabled response teams to immediately identify practical measures to strengthen health surveillance around the capital city. These include training, equipping and deploying response teams to the river ports, whilst carrying out community mobilisation activities in villages upstream on the Congo River. There is a need to ensure that there are strong health screenings, hygiene and sanitation measures in place in this environment where there is high risk for transmission said Chauzy, She said that the ports did not meet international standards for boarding and disembarking and that lack of effective surveillance could lead to Ebola cases being found in Kinshasa. It is important that ports in Kinshasa are included in preparedness efforts. Kinshasa is connected to Mbandaka and Bikoro through the Congo River and Lake Tumba for Bikoro. From Kinshasa, travelers can reach any place in the world. Kinshasa is a home of more than 60 private and small ports along way Congo River. Travel and trade of cities along the Congo, Kasai and Ubangi rivers are intense. Dr Teresa Zakaria from the WHOs Surge Team said strengthening public health capacities for early detection and response to Ebola as well as other infectious diseases was important in points of connection such as the two ports. Zakaria said as of 22 May 2018, three health zones in the Equateur Province were affected, including Bikoro, Iboko and Wangata, with 58 cases including 27 deaths. Since the beginning of the outbreak declaration, IOM has been conducting Population Mobility Mapping at the border points and in the affected areas to quantity and gather information on population movement. IOM is also supporting the deployment of a team of epidemiologists, veterinarians, and hygiene specialists from the Ministry of Health to affected areas and nearby border areas. These teams are currently conducting health screenings and risk communication activities, while also putting in placs infection prevention and control measures at 16 key point of entry to Equateur, Mai-Ndombe and Kinshasa. President Muhammadu Buhari had on Tuesday, May 22, queried the expenditure on power during the Obasanjo administration. The former president had also responded, challenging the Federal Government to go ahead and probe him. The Nation reports that a team of EFCC operatives is already gathering facts that would be used for the investigation. According to the newspaper, the agency may invite two ex-ministers, former top officials of the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), present and past officials of the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) and all the people recommended for investigation by a committee of the house of representatives. "We are looking into all the allegations and issues surrounding the power projects. We will conduct a comprehensive and forensic probe to ascertain the true status of all the projects," The Nation quoted a source as saying. "This investigation will actually ascertain how much has been spent so far. We have many figures being bandied about as follows: $16 billion, $13.278 billion, $10.3 billion, $8.4 billion and $8.55 billion. "This is not an investigation aimed at ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo or anybody. We have to step in to set the records straight. "Already, a team is collating facts and figures on these projects as part of the preliminary level/ bend of the investigation. We will retrieve the report of the House of Representatives Committee which investigated the power projects. "The House actually recommended 18 top former public officers, including two ex-ministers, for investigation by anti-graft agencies, especially EFCC and ICPC. Many salient issues were raised for investigation by the house committee, which was headed by Hon. Ndudi Elumelu. Speaking in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Osogbo, Adewole said that Federal Government was not happy with the strike. The JOHESU strike will soon be over. The Federal Government is doing everything possible to bring the strike to an end, Adewole said. Meanwhile, the Nigeria Medial Association (NMA), Osun branch, has accused JOHESU members of harassing medical doctors at Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex (OAUTHC), Ile-Ife, Osun. Dr Tokunbo Olajumoke, the Osun NMA Chairman, made the allegation at a news conference in Osogbo on Saturday. Olajumoke, who noted that the doctors were ready to work and provide proper healthcare services to patients, said that JOHESU members were not allowing them to perform their duties. He said JOHESU members in the hospital locked up critical facilities that the doctors needed to work with in order to frustrate the doctors. Olajumoke, however, said that doctors would continue to do their jobs and render healthcare services to the people regardless of the JOHESU strike. He cautioned the striking JOHESU members to desist from intimidating doctors, adding that the striking JOHESU members were desperate to create the impression that it was impossible for the hospital to exist without them. He urged the management of the hospital to provide adequate security for the doctors in the hospital to enable them do their jobs. According to Olajumoke , the association is not opposed to salary increment as being agitated by JOHESU but granting such request will warrant similar fresh demand for salary increment by doctors too. The management of OAUTHC should without further delay provide adequate security to prevent the breakdown of law and order. Tentatively, ad hoc staff should be temporarily employed to assist in the smooth running of the hospital. In his reaction, the National Media Officers of JOHESU, Mr Godwin Ogbonna, said the allegation by NMA was not true, adding that JOHESU members did not attack or harass any doctor at OAUTHC. The minister said when he received a delegation of Transparency International (TI), led by the chair of the body's international board, Delia Ferreira Rubio, in Abuja on Friday, May 25, 2018. He urged the global anti-corruption body to support, rather than condemn, the Buhari administration's fight against corruption. ''Nigeria has never had a more transparent, more accountable government than the Buhari Administration,'' he said. ''As a policy, this government is the most committed to fighting corruption. We need your support in the area of advocacy and capacity building,'' he added. Mohammed said TI and the local civil society organizations affiliated to it have not offered the necessary support to the administration, adding: ''They look at the actions of an aberrant few to condemn the government.'' He said when the government disclosed that just 55 people stole N1.34 trillion naira between 2006 and 2013, and when it published the list of looters, in response to a challenge from the opposition, "a section of the civil society were busy parroting the cliche that the allegations were one-sided, instead of supporting the government's action." The minister also tasked TI and its affiliates to show more understanding for the sociological complexities of fighting corruption in Nigeria, especially as Nigeria operates a federal system of government under which the federal government has no control over the actions of the federating states. He said the administration was not just fighting corruption with laws and prosecution, but also with education and inclusiveness in government, citing the government's 'Change Begins With Me' programme as an example of efforts being made to achieve attitudinal change among the citizenry. Alhaji Mohammed said Nigeria is succeeding in its anti-corruption fight because the fight is being led by a President whose integrity is beyond reproach noting: ''Even his worst critics won't say he indulges in or encourages corruption.'" He said corrupt persons are using looted funds to mount a virulous campaign against the administration, especially in the social media, because they know that the re-election of the President will spell doom for them. On her part, the TI global chair said she decided to visit Nigeria, her first-ever visit to Africa, because the country can set the tone for the continent in the fight against corruption. Ferreira Rubio said TI's mandate is to offer support through civil society organizations and the private sector to foster the fight against corruption. She said while the government is doing a lot to fight corruption, it should ensure more transparency and more efficiency in service delivery. Leah was one of schoolgirls kidnapped by Boko Haram insurgents from Girls Technical College, Dapchi, Yobe state. She was held back by insurgent for refusing to denounce her Christian faith for the religion of her abductors Islam. In an interview with on Saturday, May 26, 2018, Mrs Sharibu said she was reunited with her daughter, Leah, in the dream. She said her daughter appeared to her at midnight, in a red dress and hugged her while smiling from ear to ear. Rebecca said Leah narrated her ordeal in captivity. I finally got my freedom Mama, Rebbeca quoted Leah to have said in the dream. Mama, I really suffered in [Boko Harams] hands. We sleep on leaves and barely take baths, but they fed me well. We hugged each other very tight in such a way that no force could separate us before narrating her ordeals to me, she said. Those minutes of excitement nearly took away all my sorrow. Sadly, it was a dream. I cried when I opened my eyes and realized it. I tried going back to sleep for more, but I couldnt. I cried throughout that night and prayed that God should make it reality. Rebecca said Leah will not return to her schoolin Dapchi when she regains her freedom. She said no official from the state or federal governments, or even the school principal, has visited her home since the incident. She complained that the government has failed to keep the family abreast of developments regarding Leah. Ive already transferred her brother to a school in Jos. She is the only one I am waiting for now, she said. Its very sad and frustrating, each time we hear something from the media about our daughter. Recently, government said that negotiation for my daughters release is complicated. As parents, we should be informed of any development before going to press. The governments way of relaying the information is making me angrier, and more frightened by the day. Leah turned fifteenyears of age on May 14, 2018. Television Continental broke the news, which was also reported by Pulse. The report, citing security sources privy to the matter, said DPO Adbul is being punished for the arrest of the suspected mace thieves and his 'too revealing' testimony before the National Assembly Ad-hoc Investigative hearing on the matter. Abdul was said to have told the investigative committee co-chaired by by Deputy Senate Leader, Senator Bala Na'Allah and Honourable Betty Apiafi that some security officials, lawmakers and National Assembly staff may have conspired to organize the invasion and mace theft. Speaking to TVC in a telephone conversation in Abuja on Saturday, May 26, the spokesman of the Nigeria Police Force, Jimoh Moshood insisted that "the news is not correct". "What I am saying is that there is nothing like that. If there is anything like that I will be able to confirm to you or not. I am the force PRO. How can the person say he has it on good authority? Does the person speak for the police force? I am telling you that the news is not correct", he was quoted as saying. "Today is Saturday and I was on duty yesterday. So how do I now confirm a story that didn't happen on official day? If there is anything like that, it will come out yesterday abi? Thank you so much." Sources insist redeployment happened But security sources who were earlier quoted to have confirmed the redeployment of Abdul reportedly insisted that the redeployment took place, dismissing Moshood's denial as lies. They further revealed that a new officer has been posted to the National Assembly to replace Abdul. "The redeployed DPO has gone to the National Assembly complex to evacuate his belongings. He is lying. Somebody has even been posted (as replacement). It is even Adamawa that the DPO was posted to and not Yobe like we earlier heard. Moshood is just lying, don't mind him." One of the sources was quoted as saying. ALSO READ: How mace was stolen from National Assembly in pictures and videos The budget was increased by the legislature by N508 billion from the N8.61 trillion proposed and presented by President Muhammadu Buhari to the NASS in November 2017. Enang, in a statement in Abuja, said he had received the 2018 budget passed by both chambers of the NASS and was set to be transmitted to the president for further action. I have received the 2018 Appropriation Bill for onward transmission to the President as soon as possible. In a statement issued on Friday, May 25, the company said it shut down production as soon as the leaks were noticed on Thursday, April 24. The SPDC said it also deployed containment booms and mobilised its oil spill response teams to clean the sites. "In line with Nigerian oil and gas industry regulations, a Joint Investigation Visit (JIV) team comprising security and regulatory agencies as well as community representatives and SPDC personnel was constituted and deployed to the sites," the statement said. According to the JIV team, four leak points on the pipeline were confirmed. It also identified the impacted areas in Odimodi community of the state. The company, however, noted that the cause of the leaks is yet to be determined as it is working on further site preparation and mobilisation of specialised equipment to the swamps for safe excavation of the pipeline for inspection. "The JIV team is expected to return to the sites as soon as possible to complete the investigation process," the statement said. Last week, the oil firm declared force majeure on exports of Bonny Light crude. The Force majeure is a legal clause that allows companies to cancel or delay deliveries due to unforeseen circumstances. ALSO READ: Nigerian widows seek to sue Shell in Dutch courts The force majeure declared on Bonny Light exports came after a leak on the 200,000 to 240,000 bpd Trans-Forcados pipeline had also forced a shutdown. Abdullahi (APC-Umaisha/Ugya), gave the commendation on Saturday after he voted at his Galadima B polling unit in Umaisha, Toto Local Government Area (LGA) of the state. He appreciated the electorate for coming out to vote, describing the process as transparent, free and fair. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the speaker also inspected the election at Kofar A, Kofar B, Hausuwa Liman, Hausuwa Kambari polling units among others. He said candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) would not fail the people if elected and described the party as the only party that could salvage the nation from its current challenges. APC has provided the purposeful and quality leadership at both the national and state level. President Buhari and Gov. Al-Makura have done credibly well and they are still doing their best to improve on the standard of living of Nigerians, he said. "Two French agents in our service and probably one of the spouses of these agents are accused of serious acts likely to be considered acts of treason, on suspicions of delivering information to a foreign power," Parly told CNews television. Speaking from Moscow, French President Emmanuel Macron called the alleged conspiracy "extremely serious" and said the justice system would investigate and judge the suspects. A security source, speaking to AFP on condition of anonymity, confirmed French media reports that the two agents at the General Directorate of External Security (DGSE) were suspected of working for China. At least one of them had been posted in the country, according to the "Quotidien" programme on French broadcaster TMC, adding that the men had been uncovered by domestic counter-intelligence agents. Beijing has long been accused of commercial spying to capture valuable intellectual property, but its intelligence operations are thought to have expanded in step with its growing foreign ambitions. "They're trying to learn what other powers intend to do in terms of politics, diplomacy, etcetera, while of course continuing their hunt for economic information," said Alain Chouet, a former head of intelligence and security at the DGSE. 'Fish in deep water' According to French researcher Philippe Marvalin, writing in the "Dictionary of Intelligence" published in March, China has 18 spy agencies employing some 7,000 people handling 50,000 agents known as "chen diyu", or "fish swimming in deep water". "The US is their main target, and in Europe they are especially active in France, Britain, the Netherlands and Germany," he wrote. Another former spy chief, who insisted on anonymity, told AFP that Beijing has sent agents to all corners of French industry, including attractive students to French universities who can be used to entrap targets. "You meet someone here or there: It's quiet infiltration, nothing dramatic. It's not like the movies," he said. Francois-Yves Damon, a China specialist and historian who consulted for the DGSE, recalls surprising a Chinese student at the elite ENA school, which produces France's top public servants, photocopying huge piles of documentation. "Anything he could get his hands on!" Damon told AFP. "Knowing the capacity of China's secret services, seeing two former DGSE agents caught and imprisoned doesn't surprise me a bit," he said. 'Extremely vigilant' The revelations came just a few weeks after US authorities indicted a former CIA operative on charges of spying for China, following his arrest in January. And concerns about Chinese spying in Australia led to reforms to espionage and foreign interference legislation last year which singled out Beijing as a focus of attention. Asked Friday about the arrests in France, China's foreign ministry said it was unaware of the situation. The agents are now retired but Parly said they were "quite likely" still in service at the time, though investigators were still determining how long they had been passing along intelligence. She also declined to specify the nature of the compromised information, nor to reveal if the two agents were working together. But a source close to the inquiry said prosecutors have requested the declassification of DGSE documents dating from July 6, 2016, to April 19, 2017, suggesting the agents may have been compromised for months. In a statement, the DGSE -- similar to Britain's MI6 or the United States's CIA -- said the revelations "are a major area of focus for the DGSE as well all French counter-intelligence services." A survey of 4,000 voters for The Irish Times newspaper put the pro-choice camp ahead by 68 percent to 32 percent, while a second exit poll of 3,800 voters by national broadcaster RTE put the margin at 69 percent to 31 percent. "Democracy in action. It's looking like we will make history," Varadkar wrote on Twitter following a divisive and often emotional campaign. The result looks set to be another hammer blow to the Roman Catholic Church's authority in Ireland, coming three years after referendum voters backed legalising same-sex marriage by 62 percent. In what was traditionally one of the most religious countries in Europe, the Church's influence has waned in recent years following a series of child sex abuse scandals. The referendum comes three months before a visit by Pope Francis for the World Meeting of Families. The Irish Times survey suggested women voted by 70 percent in favour of the proposal and men by 65 percent. People over 65, however, voted 60 percent against overhauling the current legislation, which only allows terminations in cases where the mother's life is in danger. All other age groups backed the proposal, with support at 87 percent among the youngest voters, aged 18 to 24. Urban voters were 71 percent in favour and rural voters -- thought to be the most conservative -- gave a predicted 60 percent support. 'Overwhelming desire for change' Figures from different constituencies are expected from 1100 GMT, with a final result to be announced later in the day at the main counting centre in Dublin Castle. Varadkar's government has proposed that if the amendment is repealed, abortion will be allowed in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy and between 12 and 24 weeks in exceptional circumstances. He has promised that a draft law will be published before the end of the summer with the aim of approval by the year's end. Varadkar and Micheal Martin, leader of Ireland's other main party Fianna Fail, both support the legislation, meaning that it is widely expected to be approved. The exit poll showed "an overwhelming desire for change that nobody has foreseen", wrote The Irish Times's deputy political editor Fiach Kelly. "The victory for the 'Yes' campaign looks set to be neither narrow nor based on a few segments of Irish society. Rather, it will be carried high on the shoulders of a majority across the entire country," he said. He called it "the final casting off of old mores". Dropping the 8th amendment Nearly 3.5 million voters were asked whether they wanted to overturn the ban. Deputy Prime Minister Simon Coveney said the referendum had made him "proud to be Irish", forecasting "a stunning result that will bring about a fundamental change for the better". The anti-abortion campaign, which wanted to keep the Irish constitution's eighth amendment, seemed prepared to accept a heavy defeat but vowed to stand firm. "Abortion on demand would deal Ireland a tragic blow but the pro-life movement will rise to any challenge it faces," said prominent anti-abortion campaigner Cora Sherlock. Save the 8th campaign spokesman John McGuirk said an unborn child's right to life existed "independent of what a majority says. "That said, with a result of that magnitude, clearly there was very little to be done." Eyes on Northern Ireland Abortion is still banned in some 20 countries worldwide, while others have highly restrictive laws in place. In the European Union, predominantly Catholic Malta is the only country with a total ban. Ireland's eighth amendment recognises the "right to life of the unborn" with an "equal right to life of the mother". jpegMpeg4-1280x720The amendment was introduced after a 1983 referendum that approved a constitutional ban on abortion. Anyone terminating a pregnancy in Ireland currently faces up to 14 years in jail. The law was tweaked in 2013 to allow terminations if the mother's life is at risk. The ban has led to thousands of women travelling each year to neighbouring Britain, where terminations are legal, or increasingly turning to abortion pills sold online. Since 1983, around 170,000 Irish women have gone abroad for terminations. From as early as 5 am, winding queues stretching more than a kilometer long were witnessed as unemployed Kenyans sought to secure employment with Sarova Stanley hotel that had announced vacancies in various departments. If the scenes witnessed are anything to go by, then the unemployment crisis in the country has reached unprecedented levels and casts doubts on governments records of 2018 that only 7 million Kenyans are unemployed. A recent UN report disclosed that Kenya has the highest unemployment rates in Eastern Africa and is equal to the unemployment rates in Ethiopia and Rwanda combined. (Ethiopia has a population of about 83 Million) Multiple applicants with impressive academic qualifications expressed frustrations at the government for doing little to improve the situation. This comes in the wake of multi-billion scandals that could have been channeled to more meaningful use to create employment to millions of unemployed Kenyans. The Jubilee administration had also promised to create employment opportunities to millions of unemployed Kenyans facing tough economic times. However, going by what was witnessed during the open day recruitment drive at Sarova Stanley, little or no progress has been made. In recent times, Kenyans with impressive qualifications have gone to extreme lengths to secure with some mounting posters along traffic in a bid to catch the attention of potential employers. Maraga acknowledged that Kenyans in the diaspora are feeling frustrated by the runaway corruption in the country that has seen billions of public funds looted by corrupt individuals. He also expressed confidence in President Uhuru Kenyatta, assuring the public that he believes that the president will live up to his word and deal with corruption decisively. President Uhuru Kenyatta has assured Kenyans that the government will deal with those involved in these vices and I believe him. Thats why Im asking you not give up on your country. This is the time to be patriotic, Maraga said. The CJ was speaking at the launch of the Kenya Diaspora Conference held in Dallas, Texas on Friday where he urged Kenyans in the diaspora not to give up in the war against corruption. He stated that reports of rampant corruption sometimes easily lead to the false conclusion that Kenya is a failing and hopeless state yet Kenya is a country of enormous progress, promise and hope. QUIZ: Guess the Road Songs We can't wait to get back on the road again! Play this quiz and see if how many you can get right! Europe: Sqills is providing its S3 Passenger sales, distribution and reservation suite for Eurostar. Director Bart van Munster said this would offer interesting new interfaces with ticketing and reservation systems from the UKs Association of Train Operating Companies, air global distribution systems and SNCFs PAO API. Wavestone is providing project ... Find a great selection of commercial real estate, manufactured homes, timeshares and more for Sale Buy real estate. Find a great selection of commercial real estate, manufactured homes, timeshares and more for Sale in US and Canada. Search Real Estate 'Already, the BJP treats the Constitution like the unpopular old uncle at the party, whom everyone pays lip service to and then proceeds to ignore,' says Mitali Saran. IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra D Modi, left, and Bharatiya Janata Party President Amit A Shah. Photograph: Kind courtesy @BJP4India/Twitter There goes the comforting thought we once entertained, that once the Karnataka election was over, we could all stop living at an exhausting pitch of suspense. Far from relief, the aftermath of that election has put Indian democracy in free fall, in both alarming and interesting ways. First, there was the stunning outcome in Karnataka, which in the morning had looked so certain for the BJP that various journalists jumped the gun with stories about their victory in yet another state. By the afternoon the BJP was short of a majority, and a Congress-Janata Dal-Secular post-poll alliance was in place. It looked like checkmate, except that the state's governor, an old friend of Prime Minister Modi, refused to meet the Congress. The purpose of this window of no-man's-time was made clear by the do-or-die manoeuvres that followed. The BJP allegedly offered Rs 1 billion inducements to MLAs; the Congress-JDS went about marshalling its flock. The governor invited B S Yeddyurappa to form the government and gave him an unbelievable two weeks to prove his majority on the floor of the House. The Congress applied to the Supreme Court, which held a pre-dawn hearing in which it refused to stay Yeddyurappa's swearing-in, but said it would be provisional until the case was decided. During the hearing, the attorney general actually argued that the anti-defection law that disqualifies MPs who switch parties, should not apply before the floor test. One MLA says he is being threatened with raids and cases. Flights on which MLAs were being flown out of Karnataka 'didn't work out' -- several people speculated that they had been denied ATC clearance -- and they eventually took buses. The BJP withdrew security from the Eagleton resort in Bengaluru where MLAs were staying and complained -- complained! -- that Congress MLAs had been locked up and had their phones confiscated. Kerala Tourism trolled the whole process by tweeting an invitation to MLAs to unwind in its 'safe & beautiful resorts'. Any number of jokes about horses did the rounds on social media, but the laughter is entirely black when you consider what all of this says about Indian democracy, especially alongside the horrific election-related riots in Bengal. The whole sordid saga would be funny if it weren't so tragic. Meanwhile think back to the BJP's similar tactics in Goa, Manipur, and Meghalaya. At the time, the press it garnered was heavily about Amit A Shah being an awesome strategist whose every move -- in this case snatching victory from the jaws of defeat -- was a 'masterstroke'. Much of the same media has decided, this time, that the Congress is engaging in dirty tricks. In fact, the Congress has shown spirit in Karnataka, both through the campaign and in its messy aftermath. It has shown spine in declaring that it will go back to Goa and Manipur, where it was the largest single party but was out-played by the BJP cobbling numbers together, and demand that based on the precedent in Karnataka, it be invited to form the government in those states. It seems serious about trying to keep its MLAs together. The Congress is no saint. It has a long history of messing with institutions, being high-handed and venal, and horse-trading like it's going out of style (which it manifestly isn't). It is hobbled by sycophancy, slow to react, slower to act, and has been a source of deep frustration to secular, pluralist Indians since the BJP came to power. But while we are busy standing around scrupulously criticising it for the past, we are letting the BJP close its hands around democracy's throat. Like it or not, the Congress is an important part of the Opposition that this country desperately needs, to push back against the BJP. In this election, whatever the outcome of the floor test, the Congress has found its feet with surprising speed and agility, sparking signs of solidarity from regional leaders. The time for warnings about the death of democracy at the hands of the RSS-BJP is long over. Warnings are for before the fact. Already, today, the BJP treats the Constitution like the unpopular old uncle at the party, whom everyone pays lip service to and then proceeds to ignore. The Congress has to be better and held to merciless account when in power, but waiting for it to be perfect, today, is nothing short of an endorsement of today's status quo. 'The couple was not doing anything wrong and they have the right to sit wherever they want.' 'All that was going through my mind was that I had to do my Constitutional duty of saving this man.' IMAGE: A screengrab from the video showing Sub-Inspector Gagandeep Singh using himself as a shield to protect a Muslim man from the irate mob. Photograph: Kind courtesy YouTube Amid the vitriol and hatred that is shared on social media, there was a single, simple, story that made everyone smile on Friday. A video of a Sikh police officer saving a Muslim youth from being attacked by an angry mob in Uttarakhand's Ramnagar district on Tuesday, May 22, has gone viral (external link). The incident occurred near the Garjiya Devi temple in an isolated area. The video shows, a young Sikh police officer -- now identified as Sub-Inspector Gagandeep Singh -- using his body to shield the young man from the crowd trying to assault him. The incident, which was caught on camera, was quickly shared on social media, where people hailed Singh for his heroic act. Speaking to Rediff.com/Syed Firdaus Ashraf, Singh says, "I have learnt from Guru Nanakji that we all must live in harmony and brotherhood and have concern for others." Here is what happened in his own words: "I was on duty on May 22 when I witnessed a ruckus near the temple premises. A mob had caught hold of a couple. When I reached the spot, the mob were beating up the man. I inquired with people in the mob what the problem was and that's when I was told that the boy was Muslim and the girl with him a Hindu. They were viciously beating him up. I just grabbed him and held him close to him. I simply wanted to ensure that no one could hurt him anymore and he was safe. The mob was out of control; if you saw the video, you could see that it was very difficult for me to remove the man from the situation. All the drama began when the couple was found by the mob sitting near the Ganga river. It is usual to see couples sitting there, but unfortunately for this couple, there was a mela taking place, which resulted in the large crowds. I don't know what the couple was doing when the mob caught hold of them. I quickly flung into action when I noticed the chaos and saw that a crowd had congregated. At that point of time, I wasn't afraid of the mob. All that was going through my mind was that I had to do my Constitutional duty of saving this man. People say I was brave, but I was simply doing my duty. At that moment, only one thing was racing through my mind and that was no innocent should die because of this mob outrage. I believe the Constitution of India says that no one has the right to hurt another person. The couple was not doing anything wrong and they have the right to sit wherever they want and nobody should raise an objection. I have learnt all these things in law and while doing my police training. It was my duty to save that Muslim man. As much I could do, I did my best. Right now, I have come to know that the superintendent of police has ordered that I be given an award of Rs 2,500. On that day, no one was arrested as there was no complaint lodged by anyone. Today, an FIR has been lodged in the case. I feel the message that goes out by what I have done is that we should not spread hatred in society and no one has the right to put any prohibition on another individual. Our Constitution has given the right to all that they have the freedom to sit anywhere and no one must raise an objection to it till the time they are not doing anything illegal. I have learnt from Guru Nanakji that we all must live in harmony and brotherhood and have concern for others. I did exactly that on May 22. This was taught to me by my family and this is my culture. We should care for every living being -- be it a bird, animal or human beings." IMAGE: BJP president Amit Shah greets the media as he arrives for the press conference at party headquarters in New Delhi, on Saturday. Photograph: Ravi Choudhary/PTI Photo Asserting that Bharatiya Janata Party's return to power in 2019 is 'not a challenge but a certainty', its president Amit Shah on Saturday projected the next Lok Sabha polls as a contest between Prime Minister Narendra Modi's efforts to 'remove corruption and poverty' and the Opposition's single-point agenda of 'Modi Hatao' (replace Modi). On the Modi government's fourth anniversary, Shah listed details of its 'successes' and heaped scorn on the likely challenge from Rahul Gandhi-led Congress, saying he may have declared himself a prime ministerial candidate but his bid has not got support from even his party colleagues, let alone other opposition leaders. Projecting Modi as the 'most popular and most hardworking prime minister with unending energy', Shah said he replaced the United Progressive Alliance's policy paralysis with a policy-driven government working for the poor and improved economy while also raising the country's esteem in the world. Asked about the 'achche din' (good days) promised by the BJP-led ruling alliance when it came to power, Shah said the government has 'done a lot to fulfil its promises in four years and one year is still left'. The BJP president came down heavily on the Opposition saying a shocking change has happened in the country's politics with those against the prime minister resorting to lies and speaking it loudly all the time. "This is something new I am seeing and the Opposition seems to have decided to continue with this tactic till the 2019 polls... Its one-point agenda is 'Modi hatao' while the BJP and Modi want to remove disorder, corruption and poverty to usher in stability and development," Shah said at a press conference. Playing down the challenge from a united Opposition, he said people are standing by Modi like a rock and the prime minister's politics of performance will prevail over those promoting politics of dynasty, casteism and appeasement. Taking on the Congress, which has accused the government of peddling lies and Modi of harming the dignity of his chair, Shah said the BJP is ready for a debate over facts and figures about the Centre's achievements. Countering the charges, the BJP president said the honour of the prime minister's chair had hit rock bottom under the Congress-led UPA, as he took a dig at former prime minister Manmohan Singh, remarking that Modi does not need to seek anybody's permission before taking a decision. Singh was often accused by critics of being guided by the then Congress president Sonia Gandhi in his decisions. "The Congress will not decide about the dignity of the prime minister's chair. People have done it. They have replaced its 14 state governments (with BJP)," he said. Asked if he saw a challenge from a united opposition or Rahul Gandhi in 2019, Shah said there is no challenge and its return to power is a certainty. Referring to Gandhi's comments during the Karnataka assembly polls that he may be prime minister if his party gets the required numbers, Shah said no Congress leader came out in support of his statement, nor did opposition leaders like Sharad Pawar, Mamata Banerjee or Akhilesh Yadav. Asked if the government has delivered on its promises, he said it has made successful efforts to change the lives of 22 crore families, referring to welfare schemes like providing LPG cylinder, houses, electricity and toilets among others to the poor, as also efforts to improve the country's economy and security of its borders. Whatever be the opposition's lies, those who have befitted from the government schemes will remember it, he said, underlining his party's welfare plank. To a question about the Telugu Desam Party leaving the National Democratic Alliance and the saffron party's turbulent relations with another key ally Shiv Sena, Shah said he wants its alliance with Sena to continue and added that 11 new parties, including Nitish Kumar-led Janata Dal-United, have joined the ruling bloc. He also discounted the likely challenge from Samajwadi Party-Bahujan Samaj Party alliance in Uttar Pradesh, saying the media had declared the grouping of 'two boys', a reference to SP chief Akhilesh Yadav and Gandhi, a winner in the state assembly poll before the results came, but it was the BJP that swept the election. Shah also said that the BJP's win in 104 seats in Karnataka is a good sign of its expansion in south India. Asked about Pakistan's continued support to terrorism in Kashmir despite Indian Army's operations, including surgical strike, and if war was an option, he said, "War is the last resort. It is not an option. Maximum number of terrorists have been killed in the last four years." Shah also said the government is also working on long-term policy to deal with soaring petroleum prices. He claimed that in three years of the UPA rule, petrol and diesel prices were as high as they are now. He also maintained the BJP's position on the Ram temple issue, saying it wants the issue to be resolved either through courts or dialogue. Stating that no village is without power now, Shah said the government recently covered 16800 villages, which had over 50 per cent Dalit population, with its seven welfare schemes, Jan Dhan bank account, toilets and LPG cylinder for all homes, and will cover 65000 villages by August 15. The Modi government ended an era of instability and has delivered on its two key promises, that it will work for the poor, Dalits, tribals, backwards, farmers and village, and that it will raise India's esteem in the world. It has fulfilled both, he said. IMAGE: South Korean President Moon Jae-in bids farewell to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un as he leaves after their summit at the truce village of Panmunjom, North Korea, on Saturday. Photograph: The Presidential Blue House/Handout via Reuters South Korean President Moon Jae-in met with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on Saturday to discuss the possible forthcoming United States-North Korea summit, announced South Korea. The two leaders held a surprise meeting at the Demilitarized Zone, CNN reported, citing, the South Korean presidency, as saying in a statement. According to the statement, the two sides 'exchanged their opinions' on among other things successfully conducting a US-North Korea summit, according to the statement. As per the officials, the South Korean leader will announce the result of his two-hour long meet with Kim on Sunday morning. Kim was with his sister Kim Yo Jong and his top aide Kim Yong Chol in charge of inter-Korean affairs. Moon was accompanied by South Korea's national intelligence service chief, Suh Hoon, according to the reports. The recent development comes barely hours after Trump, in a Twitter post, wrote that the summit could still happen on June 12 as previously scheduled. 'We are having very productive talks with North Korea about reinstating the Summit which, if it does happen, will likely remain in Singapore on the same date, June 12th., and, if necessary, will be extended beyond that date,' Trump tweeted. Saturday's meeting was the second inter-Korean meeting, as last month, Kim became the first-ever North Korean leader to step on the South Korean soil, when he took a step at the border village of Panmunjom in the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ), the world's most heavily guarded border, separating the two countries. He then shook hands with Moon, which was the first-ever meeting between them after the Korean War ended in 1953. The inter-Korean summit was also unique as it was the first time in over a decade that it was being held. The previous two summits were held in 2000 and 2007 in Pyongyang. It was also the first time that the summit was being held in South Korea. Sama Shabir Shah says she used to study outside Tihar jail while waiting for hours to be allowed to meet her father. Umar Ganie reports from Srinagar. Photograph: Umar Ganie for Rediff.com IMAGE: Sama Shabir Shah, right, with her mother in Srinagar, May 26, 20187. Bringing laurels to her family, Sama Shabir Shah, separatist leader Shabir Shah's daughter, has topped the Central Board of Secondary Education Class 12 examination in Jammu and Kashmir, which were declared on Saturday. Sama, a student of the Delhi Public School, Athwajan, scored 97.8 per cent marks in Class 12. Shabir Shah, leader of the Jammu Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party, is currently lodged in New Delhi's Tihar jail. He was arrested in September 2017 by the Enforcement Directorate in a case of alleged terror funding in the Kashmir valley. Sama attributed her success to her father's guidance. Though the news about her success has gone viral across India, Sama said her father is yet to hear about it. "I miss my father. I attribute my success to his guidance which helped me pass the examination with distinction. We were made to wait for five hours at the Tihar gate to meet my father just for 20 minutes and I would always read books for those five long hours at Tihar gate," Sama said. "I can't forget this. I am proud of my father," she said. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti congratulated Sama in a tweet, saying she was 'truly an inspiration for the youth of our state'. 'Congratulations to Sama Shabir Shah for securing 97.8% marks in the class 12th class examination,' Mehbooba tweeted. 'Her hard work and determination has helped her overcome all odds and she is truly an inspiration for the youth of our state.' Additional inputs: PTI 'I expect normalcy to return in one or two days,' says Tuticorin's new Collector Sandeep Nandur. T E Narasimhan reports from Tuticorin. Gireesh Babu reports from Chennai. IMAGE: Protesters burn tyres to block a road during the protest demanding the closure of the Sterlite factory in Tuticorin, May 22, 2018. Photograph: PTI Photo. S Vasantha has been trying to buy sugar tablets for the last four days. First the chemist was closed. When it reopened, the ATM had run out of money. Like Vasantha, life for residents of Tuticorin has been thrown completely out of gear as the busy streets of the city, renowned for its pearl fishing, remained deserted on Friday, May 25. In the market road, most shops were closed for the fourth day after 13 people were killed in police firing during protests against environmental degradation by the Sterlite Copper plant in the city. The company denies the charge. Though the Madras high court has stayed the expansion of the plant and the state government has ordered its closure, protesters want an assurance it will not reopen because it has allegedly flouted environmental laws and caused health problems. Besides, they want action against officials involved in the firing on Tuesday and Wednesday. Tuticorin started calming down on Thursday after Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami announced the closure of the plant and the state pollution control board ordered its power supply be switched off. Most ATMs and card-swipe machines are not working because Internet services have been halted for five days in Tuticorin, Tiruneveli and Kanyakumari districts. In an attempt to pacify the public, the state government has transferred senior police and other officials, including the district collector. The new district collector, Sandeep Nandur, who took charge on Thursday, went to the Government Hospital to meet the injured and relatives of those who were killed. He told them medical care would be given to the injured. He also ordered Amma canteens to provide free food and co-operatives to supply fruit, vegetables and milk for the next three days. "I expect normalcy to return in one or two days," Nandur said. Residents are still in shock. In a few pockets such as Anna Nagar, Thres Puram and places near the Sterlite factory, there is tension and heavy police deployment. The road leading to Thres Puram, a fishing hamlet where a 47-year-old woman, Jhansi, was killed, has been blocked with fishing boats and large pipes so that the police cannot enter. Johnson, Jhansi's son-in-law who was allegedly detained by the police and made to sign on a piece of paper before her body was handed over to him, said she was walking home after dropping a parcel of fish at his house. Students who cleared their boards are not able to register for entrance exams. Cargo worth Rs 10 billion to Rs 12 billion, including textiles from Tirupur, is lying at Tuticorin Port. Around 5,000 lorries have stopped plying. For once, the ruling AIADMK and the DMK are on the same page. Neither party wants the Sterlite plant to reopen or a second one to come up. The Town of Narragansett's proposed 1,700-foot extension of the William C. O'Neill Bike Path from its current end on Mumford Road has recently hit some hurdles involving National Grid and potential cultural resources in the area. A Place for All Conservatives to Speak Their Mind. (Agencia CMA Latam) - The Brazilian government has reached an agreement Thursday night with truck drivers to suspend their strike for 15 days. The deal should buy some time for politicians to find a way to cut fuel prices, but part of the drivers rejected the proposal, and president Michel Temer ordered national security forces to clear all of the roads that are currently blocked by the truckers. In a speech, Temer said that the Brazilian government would not allow the shortage of goods. "Those blocking the roads are hurting the population and will be held accountable. Lots of them [truck drivers] are doing their part, but a radical minority is blocking roads and preventing many drivers from doing their jobs." Truck drivers stopped working on Monday to protest against high fuel prices and since then several regions in Brazil stopped receiving goods like food and gasoline. In large cities, like S?o Paulo, there is no more gasoline or ethanol in pumping stations. Twelve airports in Brazil also face fuel shortages and another seven airports - including Congonhas, one of the busiest air hubs in the country - are expected to run out of fuel later today, according to Infraero, the state-owned company that manages the airport infrastructure in Brazil. During a press conference last night, ministers Eduardo Guardia, Eliseu Padilha and Carlos Marun announced that, in exchange for the truce with drivers, Petrobras would maintain the 10% price cut to diesel oil for 30 days. The oil company will bear the costs of the measure for 15 days, while the government will cover the expenses of the remaining period. The government will also discuss with Congress diesel oil exemptions from PIS/Cofins, the primary federal tax on fuel, and CIDE-Fuels, another federal tax of lesser importance. Guardia said that it is also negotiating with state governments to reduce ICMS, a regional tax on diesel, and a potential exemption from toll collection on highways for empty trucks. The minister said during the press conference that the Brazilian government does not interfere with Petrobras' pricing policy and that it will work for predictability in diesel prices by the end of this year, subsidizing the difference between the prices set by Petrobras and those established by the government. Of the 11 transport sector entities that took part in the meeting, the Brazilian Association of Truck Drivers (Abcam), which represents 700,000 truck drivers, and the National Union of Truck Drivers (Unicam) have rejected the proposal and said they would remain on strike. by Agencia CMA Latam For comments and feedback: editorial@rttnews.com Economic News What parts of the world are seeing the best (and worst) economic performances lately? Click here to check out our Econ Scorecard and find out! See up-to-the-moment rankings for the best and worst performers in GDP, unemployment rate, inflation and much more. Report: 9 civilians killed in 64 Saudi-led airstrikes over 24 hours [26/May/2018] In Saada province, six civilians were killed and four injured in the airstrikes which targeted tents of Bedouins in Hajr area of Majz district. Also in Saada, the warplanes launched 10 air strikes on Atfin area and four airstrikes on Aal-Abo-Jubarah of Kutaf district. Meanwhile, a civilian was injured in missile shelling hit several areas of Razih district as well as artillery and missile shells were fired toward Ghur area of Ghamer border district and several areas of Munabeh border district of Saada. In Hodeidah province, two civilians were killed in an airstrike hit a main road in Zabid district, while a civilians a bulldozer was destroyed in an airstrike on Zuraibh area of Zabid district. In Taiz province, a civilian was killed and another injured in Saudi-led airstrike on a home in Barh area of Maqbanh district, as well as a woman and a child were injured when the Saudi-paid mercenaries targeted Hamim area of Qubaita district. Also in Taiz, dozens of civilians were killed and injured by the fires of the mercenaries in Bir-Bash market and Dar area. In Hajjah province, over 35 airstrikes were launched on Haradh and Medi districts. br>SANAA, May 26 (Saba) Nine civilians were killed and eight injured when the US-backed Saudi-led aggression coalition launched 64 airstrikes and ground attacks on several districts of Yemens provinces over the past 24 hours, according to reports combined by Saba News Agency.In Yemens Jawf province, an airstrike was waged on Mutun district.In Najran border province, seven Saudi-led aggression airstrikes were waged on Talat-Rejla and another on Makharoq site.Writing by Sameera HassnSaba Amit Shah BJP President Amit Shah on Saturday said the he expected people to re-elect Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2019, promising the NDA government which replaced politics of appeasement with development will provide houses to all by 2022. Counting the achievements of the Modi government On the fourth anniversary of the NDA rule, Shah said the BJP had replaced the politics of "appeasement, dynasty and caste" with the politics of "development and performance". The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), he said, had the distinction of giving a government free of corruption capable of "taking decisions for the poor and farmers". "We expect the people to vote Prime Minister Modi back to power with a full majority," Shah said. "By 2022, everyone (in India) will be living in their own houses." Ten people were killed and 26 others injured in a multi-vehicle collision in Telangana's Siddipet district on Saturday evening, police said. The accident involving a bus of the state-owned Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC), two trucks and a SUV occurred on Hyderabad-Ramagundam highway at Pragnapur in Siddipet district, about 60 km from here. According to police, a bus proceeding to Mancherial from Hyderabad lost control and collided head-on with a truck coming from opposite direction on Rajiv Rahadari, as the highway is known. The truck hit the road divider and collided with a Qualis and a container lorry. The Qualis was crushed between the truck and container lorry. Four women and two children were among 10 killed in the accident. While seven of those killed belong to same family and were travelling in Qualis, the remaining three deceased were bus passengers. As many as 26 passengers of the bus were also injured. They were shifted to government-run Gandhi Hospital in Secunderabad here and the conditioned of four them is stated to be critical. Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao expressed shock over the accident. He directed officials to provide better medical treatment to the injured. He conveyed his condolences to the members of the bereaved families. Transport Minister Mahender Reddy ordered a probe into the accident. Irrigation Minister Harish Rao, who hails from Siddipet, said Rs 5 lakh compensation each would be paid to the families of the deceased. Nipah virus may not have spread beyond Kerala but its scare has spread across the country with several states investigating suspicious cases and issuing advisories on precautions and travel to Kerala. With another death in Kerala on Saturday, the total number of deaths due to Nipah virus has reached 13. The majority of the deaths have been reported from Kozhikode district with some from the nearby Malappuram district in Kerala. Even as incidence of fresh cases in Kerala has come down, state health authorities claim things are under control and the Union Health Ministry maintains virus outbreak is a localised occurrence and there is no need to panic, fear runs high across the country. Panic gripped Himachal Pradesh when several bats were found dead at Government Senior Secondary School in Barmapapri in Sirmaur district this week. However, tests at the National Institute of Virology in Pune ruled out that the bats were carrying Nipah virus. Himachal Pradesh Additional Chief Secretary B.K. Agarwal has advised people not to panic about the Nipah virus and said that all medical colleges in the state are prepared to deal with the situation, if it occurs. Similarly, in Telangana, two persons, including one who visited Kerala recently, were admitted to hospitals on Friday with suspected Nipah virus infection. The state health authorities without taking any chances have sent their samples to Pune for investigation. K. Shankar, Director, Institute of Preventive Medicine (IPM), Hyderabad said that people should postpone their plans to visit Kerala in view of the situation. The authorities are conducting awareness campaigns and are also screening people at airport, railway and bus stations. Telangana Director of Medical Education K. Ramesh Reddy, however, said there was no need for panic as the state had not recorded any confirmed case of Nipah virus. The Bihar government issued Nipah virus alert on Saturday, asking people to take precautions. An advisory has also been issued to people with the dos and don'ts as preventive measures. "The government has issued an alert of Nipah virus in view of its outbreak in Kerala," said health department official R. D. Ranjan. "People have been advised to keep distance from bats and pigs. They have been asked not to consume fruits without washing them." Madhya Pradesh issued its advisory on Friday. While saying there was no reason to worry as the virus is generally limited to a place, Health Services Director B.N. Chouhan advised against eating fruits that are fallen on the ground or appear to have animal teeth or claw marks. Those living in areas with a bat population or where travellers from Kerala are staying should contact the nearest government hospital if any symptoms of Nipah are found, Chouhan said and added the symptoms are headaches, fever, bodyache, cough, problems in breathing, vomiting, diarrhoea, laziness and others. Nipah virus is transmitted to humans through infected fruit bats, pigs or other Nipah-infected persons. With test results showing that a particular variety of bats, found in and around Kozhikode and mostly at the worst-affected Perambara town, is not carrying the virus, a special team from Pune will see how best they can take samples from other varieties of bats also found in the district. Karnataka's ruling alliance partners - the JD-S and Congress - on Saturday held talks on cabinet expansion a day after Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy won the trust vote in the assembly. "Leaders of both alliance partners met at a hotel here and discussed the cabinet expansion and portfolios to be allocated to their legislators. The talks will resume on Monday after the Congress state unit leaders return from Delhi," a Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) official told IANS here. As agreed by the partners, the Congress, which won 78 seats, will have 22 cabinet ministers, including Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara, while the JD-S, which has 36 members in the house, will have 12 ministers, including the Chief Minister. "The state Congress leaders told Kumaraswamy that they would submit him a list of names to be made ministers after their high command clears them in Delhi by Sunday," said the official. Only Kumaraswamy and Parmeshwara were sworn-in on Wednesday before the floor test on Friday. "Portfolios to be shared by the alliance partners will be decided after the selection of legislators for the cabinet posts and before their swearing-in," said the official. Kumaraswamy's elder brother and lawmaker from Holenarsipur in Hassan district H.D. Revanna and two senior JD-S leaders attended the meeting, in which former Congress Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, party's state in-charge K.C. Venugopal and senior party leader D.K. Shivakumar participated. The Congress leaders later left for Delhi to discuss the cabinet expansion issue with party President Rahul Gandhi, party's leader in the Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge and senior party leader Ghulam Nabi Azad. "Legislators to be made ministers have been selected for approval by the high command. Allocation of portfolios earmarked for our party will also be decided in consultation with the high command," a Congress official told IANS. The JD-S will also finalise its list of members for the cabinet posts in consultation with its supremo H.D. Deve Gowda by Monday. As election to the Raja Rajeshwari Nagar assembly seat in Bengaluru is on Monday and vote count on May 31, the date of cabinet expansion will be decided on Tuesday. Polling in the RR Nagar seat was postponed due to alleged electoral malpractice by Congress contestant Munirathna, who was the sitting legislator. Dear Editor, Re: Poverty and risking customary lands Our forefathers didnt have PhDs let alone a higher education like most of the supposedly well indoctrinated, I mean educated ones we have today with the exception of Dr. Fiu and others that brought this issue of customary land to the lime light. They were wise enough to know the consequences of the wicked intentions of foreign governments and their international bankers together with our own government that devised a scheme to unlock the lock and key mechanism already in place in the constitution to protect the integrity of our customary land. Look at our P.M., he has been patrolled around the world by the UN and their financiers like a rock star making him feel important to these super power countries giving him more money we cant pay but banking on our land as a financial instrument to achieve his goals. The Torrens System is evil. Its a slavery system that was adopted by most Commonwealth nations. Regis means king, giving up your right of land ownership to the king or government. The white mans law has hidden agendas in it. Its written with double meaning and innuendos that need a lawyer to interpret it. The law of commerce and banking dealt the same way with liquid assets and fixed assets. liquid means mutable or interchangeable it can slip away from you like water, when you spill water, once its gone, its gone; while fixed assets means it cannot be removed like our land its real estate so which one would you rather have, liquid assets or fixed assets? I would prefer real estate, fixed assets, not fiat currency that has no value, the only value that has on it is the paper that is written on it. Leituala Roger B. The Congregational Christian Church of Samoa (C.C.C.S.) is standing its ground in the ongoing dispute with the Government over the law requiring the Head of State and Church Ministers to pay taxes on their alofa. The decision from the Fonotele remains the same as in 2017 and that is to reject the law requiring Church Ministers to pay taxes, said the C.C.C.S. General Secretary, Reverend Vavatau Taufao. Keep in mind that in the C.C.C.S., there is no such thing as ones discretion. That is why I have pride in my church because we practice the true meaning of democracy. We are a democratic church, the decision was not decided by one person, rather the entire church." The General Secretary made the comments during a press conference held minutes after the closing of their annual conference at Malua yesterday. Rev. Vavatau said about 90 per cent of the church leaders reject the law. On Thursday, Prime Minister Tuilaepa Dr. Sailele Malielegaoi made it clear that any Church Minister, including the C.C.C.S., who refuses to pay their taxes will face the full force of the law. This law is the same as the law governing murder, Tuilaepa said. Once you violate that law, you alone will be criminally charged. And if you conspire with someone else to murder another person, youll be charged as well. Reverend Vavatau said the issue was put to a vote during the General Assembly. It was way over the majority who rejected it, approximately 90 percent of the attendees who voted. So the decision is not by Elders of the Church, it is the decision by the Fonotele. Asked about the way forward, Rev. Vavatau said they would seek a face-to-face meeting with Prime Minister Tuilaepa. The Fonotele has agreed for the representatives of the Church to meet the Government because in the past there was correspondence going back and forth. Today, the Fonotele has decided to seek an opportunity to meet the Prime Minister to officially inform him of the decision by the Church. The decision by the Fonotele is a decision by the Church members who are attending on behalf of their respective parishes, not the Church Ministers. The General Secretary maintained that church members want to understand the rationale behind the law. The reason has to link to church beliefs. There is no teaching by Jesus that points to the taxing of Church Ministers. According to Reverend Vavatau, Jesus teachings is clear, what belongs to God, give it to him. And the common belief among church members of their alofa to the Faifeau, is that they give freely with the notion this is their way expressing of their love for God. That is why they give and more reasons why they do not want the Church Ministers to pay taxes. Rev. Vavatau said it is the right decision. For me personally, I am very proud of my church, they stand by their faith and I am very proud of that, said Reverend Vavatau, while fighting back tears. I am proud of my Church, he reiterated. He reminded the teachings of the Bible not to compromise the Gospel. We cant compromise the Gospel to satisfy human necessities. Reverend Vavatau gave an example, overseas countries have accepted gay marriage, are we going to compromise the Gospel to satisfy human nature? With my belief in my God, I cant compromise my gospel, over laws that were not thoroughly thought out. Reverend Vavatau made it clear the decision by the Fonotele to reject the law in question is not the decision by the elders, the committees nor the Church Ministers. It is the decision made by the Fonotele, the Church and that is because the foundation of the C.C.C.S. is based on the fact that we are a democratic denomination. Just to be clear in case the blame is laid upon the Elders when in reality the decision was made by the Fonotele. We requested the Government for postponement, as I have said earlier this Church does not operate on one persons views and that is why we have to stand by the decision made by the Fonotele. He also commented on the notice by the Ministry of Revenue that will be fully enforced by 30 June 2018 that should Church Ministers insist on not paying their taxes, the Government will use the power of the law to hold them accountable. That includes the threat of fines and further charges. Reverend Vavatau expressed grave concern about the so called implementation. Now this is where we have to be very careful, because we dont want the affairs of the State to mingle with the affairs of the Church. He said the irony is quite significant. So tell me, who are the employers for the Church Ministers to pay taxes, should the employers attain a business license to operate? This is what I mean; only employees are to be pay taxes. And I have asked this question during the consultation and I want to make another thing clear is that the Church never once endorsed the taxing of Church Ministers. Reverend Vavatau said during Tofilaus Administration, he vehemently rejected the suggestion to tax Church Ministers. I dont know what is the motive behind the move of the current Administration to level such taxes. I know the Government needs money, but I dont agree with the way they are trying to get money from the church, this will hinder the Churchs future plans. He said the Prime Minister has made numerous public complaints against the Church, but the Church carries on without countering the complaints. Reverend Vavatau put it out that hes ready to face the consequences of the law pertaining to the Church Minsters who refuse to pay taxes. For the Church, I hope they are ready, but for me personally, I am ready to face the consequences. I cannot speak for the Church Ministers but considering the response of the Fonotele, they are ready to face the consequences, said Reverend Vavatau. Reverend Vavatau declined to comment on the move by some C.C.C.S. Church Ministers who have already registered with the M.O.R. and have agreed to pay taxes despite the decision. I cannot comment on that issue because there is a Committee that deals with Church Ministers. Doctors and business personnel for the largest healthcare group in Asia, Apollo Hospitals, visited the Ministry of Health yesterday. Head of International Business for Apollo Hospitals, Dr. Harinder Singh Sidhu spoke with the media about their visit following a memorandum of understanding with the Samoa Government, which covers providing specialist healthcare as well as plans to develop Samoas medical personnel. We work with African continents and Middle Eastern areas and we have engaged with the Pacific Islands in the past four years.We worked extensively in Fiji and we are very excited to be here in Samoa, we have signed up with the Ministry of Health in Samoa to share our knowledge and expertise to help the healthcare services here. In breaking into the next level, we are looking at a teaching capacity in training our doctors here. Accompanying Dr. Harinder, were oncologist specialist Dr. Kausik Bhattacharya and kidney transplant specialist, Dr. D. Vijaya Rajakumari, who each took a turn to speak about how they could contribute to advancing Samoas health care services. While the oncologist and kidney specialists have been here, they have had a chance to see some patients in Samoa and discuss with the local specialist doctors about which cases can be managed here and how they can assist locally. Dr. Harinder added: Then also if patients need to come to India right, we discuss what requirements are needed right now, what are the treatment plans, costs, and how the post treatment plan will be done. We are looking at maintaining a continuum of care, we are not looking at Apollo coming in one time or the patient comes for treatment and then comes back. We are looking at a patient getting a seamless care; along with the doctors here we will keep in touch with the doctors in Apollo so that we can give updates of the developments of the patients diseases and prognosis. Responding to questions about how India can keep their medical costs so affordable, Dr. Harinder pointed out that with a population of 1.4 billion, Indias cost saving advantages are a result of economies of scale, adding that it is not a compromise on quality. To send someone over for heart related diseases to New Zealand for care, the cost is NZ$35,000 per person, that cost does not include airfares or accommodation. For that amount, you can take 75 patients for the same care to India. The cost of treatment in India is very good. For comparison purposes, heart surgery which would cost US$100,000 (T$255,202) or NZ$60,000 (T$106,149) it can be done in India for $6,000 and similarly there is a better outcome with a 99 percent success rate. A kidney transplant would be US$150,000 (T$382,781) but in India it would be $15,000, about one tenth of the cost. We were told that in 2004 and 2005, Samoan patients had to go out for dialysis and they only had an x-amount of dollars for five patients. In 2018, they have the same budget but for 209 patients. The Apollo Hospitals group has 71 hospitals all over India; they also offer health insurance and have a pharmaceuticals division. We also want to take this opportunity to thank the M.O.H. for putting their trust in Apollo hospitals, said Dr. Harinder. They have worked with hospitals in New Zealand and other places but this is the first time they will work with Apollo Hospitals in Samoa and we are sure that it will be a very fruitful one for all. We are very excited to see the vision of the Government. Yesterday, we had the honour of meeting the Hon. Prime Minister and the Health Minister, when you go out to low socio-economic areas of the country, healthcare is a very high priority for the Government. We really appreciate the vision of the Government. The idea of Samoa meeting self-sustainability of healthcare, that is what we are targeting were not just here to treat your patients, we are looking at how to make Samoa self-sustainable. Since the introduction of beekeeping in Samoa as a potentially viable commercial industry in the 1970s, the local demand for honey has increased drastically. With the collapse of the first beekeeping company Samoa Bee & Honey Co. Ltd (S.A.B.H.O.) in 1989, efforts to try and maintain the supply and demand chain for honey has always been a challenge for beekeepers. Two long time commercial beekeepers in Samoa, Leicester Dean and Raymond Voigt, spoke to the business team of the honey shortage widely experienced in Samoa at the moment. Mr. Dean and Mr. Voigt have been part of initiatives to revive the beekeeping industry six years after the collapse of S.A.B.H.O. by maintaining enough bee colonies to supply the demand for honey in the local market. According to the gentlemen, the present honey shortage is not isolated to only Samoa, but is experienced worldwide because of climate change, exotic bee diseases, the excessive usage of agricultural chemicals such as pesticides, herbicides which kill foraging bees, and is compounded with shrubs, bushes and vines, forest and fruit tree flowers. For Samoa, they admitted the continuous wet weather is a challenge for beekeepers on both Upolu and Savaii. The rain water expels the nectar, which the bees need for food and to feed the thousands of young bee brood and emergent worker bees within one hive, Mr. Voigt said. Without the adequate supply of nectar and pollen, the queen bee limits her egg laying from 1000 eggs per day to maybe 200 to 300 just to keep the hive alive and going through periods of scarcity until the weather becomes suitable to provide new bee food supplies. Mr. Dean explained honey is the bees surplus stored food stock. Beekeepers are not harvesting at present because the bees in the hive would starve and die out. During this period of honey shortage, most hives in Samoa are being fed raw sugar or white sugar syrup as a supplement to keep the hives alive until sufficient nectar bearing blossoms emerge. That period is known as the honey flow, Mr. Dean added. Honey importation has been prohibited under the Importation Prohibition Order of March 2000 to preserve Samoas bee stock from the worlds major diseases. These diseases, they said, are infectious and caused by bacterial, fungal spores (that produce toxins) and viruses which can be found in some overseas produced honey and prohibited imported items. Most overseas honey, especially those treated with chemicals have traces of toxicity. Others are deliberately adulated with other forms of syrup and are no longer healthy apart from being a sweetener, Mr. Dean said. Mr. Voigt said Samoa had the first unfortunate incident of American Foulbrood (A.F.B.), which killed off the bee larvae and hive bound worker bees. A.F.B. was found in 2012, 2014, and again in 2016. It takes two to three years for the disease to be identifiable within a hive. A total of four discovered diseased hives were immediately doused with petrol to kill the bees, and the brood to stop the spread of A.F.B. by the drones (male bees), which naturally roams from hive to hive up to the radius of three kilometers in search of honey to feed on, he said. The petrol doused diseased hives consisting of the complete hive boxes with any honey stocks were placed in a pit and burnt and then buried. Two beekeepers suffered the total loss of $3500 to $4000 at the current replacement cost, which will take up to 18 months to two years to restart a hive and reach its honey production stage and also largely depend on favourable sunny and non-windy weather. FACT FILE: Apiculture (beekeeping) in Samoa 1860 1900: The dark honeybee of Northern and Western Europe, which are inherently aggressive, were introduced in Western Samoa by missionaries and the first European settlers to obtain honey for their own personal use. 1950 1960: Mr. Batchelor imported the passive yellow Italian honeybee queen bees from Hawaii to improve the temperament of the established black or brown honeybee. 1963: Mr. P.C. Muir of Auckland, New Zealand sent two nucleus colonies to Avele College to form a base of an Apiculture Class. 1968: Samoa planned to import 300 hives from N.Z. to start beekeeping at the Alafua Agriculture College under Mr. R.S. Walsh. 1970 1989: Beekeeping was taught at U.S.P. School of Agriculture Alafua Campus by Father MacDonald of Channel College and other tutors after Father MacDonald passed away. 1975: George Kelsall began beekeeping with 40 colonies imported from N.Z. 1977: R.O.M.A. International applied for Government incentives to start up the first commercial Honey Company and purchased Mr. G. Kelsall&Cos 40 colonies. 1978: R.O.M.A. changed its name to the Samoa American Bee Co. Ltd (S.A.B.C.O.). S.A.B.C.O. expanded to about 1000 colonies. 1985: Samoa Bee & Honey Co. Ltd (S.A B.H.O.) took over management as a joint venture with (S.A.B.C.O.), to utilise the much needed technical support of two experienced beekeepers. 1989: S.A.B.H.O. collapsed in November-December because of a conflict of interest with the Development Bank of Western Samoa (D.B.W.S.). 1997: Beekeepers Association of Samoa Incorporated (W.I.B.F.) was registered with the Registrar of Incorporated Societies. The cause of the outbreak, they said was traced back to honey which was hand carried from American Samoa, which had A.F.B. bacteria. There is no cure for any honey bee disease and burning is the only known method of control and hopefully eliminates A.F.B., and another worst and dreaded bee disease European Foulbrood, Mr. Voigt said. While developed countries have the resources and finances to eradicate bee diseases and pests, Samoas beekeepers do not have such advantages. The Beekeepers Association of Samoa wish to increase hive numbers which would boost the local honey production which can also be realised with the engagement of many more farmers interested in taking up beekeeping utilising crop unproductive land, in some cases to set up honey bee hives, Mr. Dean said. Samoa could be turned into a honey bee sanctuary when all bee pests and diseases are certified absent within Samoa. Samoa will then be known as honey bee disease free. Imagine if natures master pollinator, the honey bee and other local pollinators bees spirals into extinction? Man would only have four more years on earth. It is said that honey bees go back 100 million years and there exists a great possibility that it could become extinct soon if the present situation is not addressed. The principle role of the honey bees is in the pollination of many agricultural crops and forest which promote the increased production of seeds, fruits and vegetables. Honey bees wax is a major component of many industries, pharmaceutical medicines and domestic usages. Other hive by-products have medicinal properties, which are used in the production of medications. For business tips and stories you wish for us to write about, contact the number 7755385 or email: [email protected] President of the Institution for Professional Engineers (I.P.E.S.) Samoa, Matamu James Moeono, presented a $10,000 cheque for 10 science students of the National University of Samoa. The scheme, in its 10th year now, pushes science students to do engineering. Matamu said there needs to be more emphasis on the engineering profession. He said its critical to our countrys economic sustainability to encourage more students into the field engineering, which is why the professional body continues to award science students at the National University of Samoa (N.U.S.). Its a profession that our economy depends on, Matamu said. That is why I.P.E.S. is trying to work together with the university to ensure that students know about this profession. A lot of students here in Samoa dont know about engineering, so thats why we want to work closely with N.U.S. to let our science students know that there are other professions that exist. Matamu says its time for Samoa to take ownership of their work and place their trust in their own talent. According to him, there is no one size fits all model for engineering and relying on foreign engineers who are brought in to undertake our major projects here on the island can result in unnecessary mistakes. A lot of assistance both financial and expertise came from overseas. Some of the developments our Government is doing are more suited for overseas and not our local conditions. We have high rise buildings that some of the buildings they close up, this is a tropical island we want the design to suit us. Our local engineers know our local conditions. We know what our people want. Its like our roads, we have tropical rains where rainfall fill buckets compared to the rain showers in New Zealand. But the New Zealand companies they come and help out and they apply their standards, but its not right because the conditions are not the same and therefore the designs cannot be the same. He believes it needs to start from the top and policies need to change to involve a professional body of engineers to be involved in major building projects in Samoa. The Institution of Professional Engineers Samoa is trying to bridge a gap and work with Government and make sure that they know we exist. We are the unsung heroes that do a lot of work in the background, but we are not involved with the strategy. There are lots of government policies that engineers need to be involved in, for example evaluation of major projects, I.P.E.S. doesnt have any say but we should be involved with those projects. The threat from the Governments point of view is they are thinking that we are coming in and there will be a conflict of interest and corrupt practices. But we are just a body and the President will make the call on who will be the right person to sit in on those evaluations. Right now, there are a lot of major projects that are written by people who have no understanding of the technical stuff, so those are the things that need attention because a lot of palagis or donors send the money in for developments and they also send their own people in to do the work as part of their strategy, which is not good. Send the money, we have engineers who can do it and they will do a better job compared to the ones who come from overseas. The I.P.E.S. has come a long way and Matamu acknowledges that things are better than they used to be, but that they have a long way to go in institutionalising the value of a profession in engineering among our young people. Back in our time when we were here, we didnt know what engineering was all about because there were no systems back then like now. Unlike students in New Zealand and Australia who know about civil engineering at school so they get taught and get informed before they get university. Us here, its not there yet. Thats the work were doing as a professional institution is to work with students as well as the Government is pushing for science students to do engineering. A drug and alcohol treatment programme is set to arrive in Samoa thanks to New Zealand government funding. The Salvation Army was awarded a fund to set up their 12 step programme in conjunction with local partners. The funding is from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Partnerships Fund, which supports New Zealand organisations to partner with locals to meet challenges across the Pacific. Already in Samoa and preparing to set up the programme is Lieutenant Colonel Rod Carey. The Salvation Army will partner with the Samoan Drug Court in order to help people escape the life cycle of drug related crimes, said Carey. Punitive sentences like prison time or heavy fines dont address the causes of their offending like addiction. Their offending is either under the influence of alcohol and drugs or driven by the need to get money for alcohol and drugs, said Carey. So this programme hopefully deals with the issue rather than people going in and out of prison. Samoa has had a Drug Court for two years and is based on the system in Auckland. Appearances before the drug Courts defer sentencing in order to refer offenders to treatment programmes in order to address the root causes of their offending, says Carey. Alcohol and drugs are increasing problems in Samoa, where a lot of criminal activities are fuelled by alcohol or drug use, he said. The 12 step treatment programme will be tailored to a Faa Samoa style, and is both an individual and group programme. Well be working closely with their families, their support networks, the villages, church and the people in their lives that can help them overcome their addiction, said Carey. We will deal with issues of relationships, gender equality, anger management, imbalance of power in relationships for female partners. Were a Christian church and social service provider and so part of the programme will have a spiritual component to it. Carey says one of the first steps in the programme is learning about a power greater than yourself that can help, which is very in line with Samoan Christian values. The Salvation Army will also partner with Goshen Trust Mental Health Services, a mental health care provider in Samoa to support and develop them further. Often there is a strong link between alcohol and drug issues and mental health problems, Carey said. If we have patients that show symptoms of mental health problems we will refer them to Goshen, and if they have clients who appear to them have alcohol related issues they can refer them to us. Carey says the programme is also hoping to address the issue of violence towards women and children, which is exacerbated by alcohol and drug use. We are in discussions with Samoa Victims Support Group who do a lot of good work in the area of reducing violence towards women and children. For over four years the Tanoa Tusitala Hotel has provided accommodation for overseas medical guests of the Samoa Cancer Society (S.C.S.), particularly for the Auckland Starship Team who make an annual visit to Samoa to work with the Paediatric team at N.H.S. and follow-up on children with cancer, with the society. The success of this long-standing arrangement between Tanoa Tusitala and S.C.S. has now resulted with the hotel group becoming the Official Accommodation Provider for the society. Executive Manager for the Tanoa, Selau Solofa, said: The Tanoa Tusitala Hotel is pleased to assist with accommodationtowards Cancer awareness projects to the community. She added that they are happy to make a cash donation of $5,000 to the Samoa Cancer Society that can be used towards the services they provide. S.C.S. Chief Executive Officer, Shelley Burich acknowledged the generous support and ongoing commitment of Mr. YP Reddy and the Tanoa Hotel Group. We continue to be overwhelmed with the generosity of our community and none more so than what our local business community continues to provide for many N.G.Os in Samoa, she said. We are happy to be able to add Tanoa Tusitala to our growing list of Official Providers for the society, such as Bluesky Samoa, telecommunications provider, ANZ Bank (Samoa), transport provider and now Tanoa Tusitala, as accommodation provider. All of these Providers allow us to continue with our day to day work and support to cancer patients and we remain eternally grateful for their kindness and support. The newly upgraded Faleolo International Airport is another reason Kevin and Paulie Rule would return to Samoa. Speaking to the Dear Tourist team, the couple spoke highly of the upgraded airport noting the difference since the last time they came. Certainly noticeable is the upgrade since the first time we came here, Kevin said. The airport has really upgraded. It is definitely better now to come inside the airport with the air conditioner it is lovely, definitely more comfortable, Paulie added. Apart from that, Samoa is just a perfect place for the couple to relax and get away from their busy schedules. This is the third visit for the couple from Taumarunui, New Zealand. Being married for 48 years has its perks. Having to travel the Pacific area together and enjoy the beauty of the tropics couldnt be done much better than with your soulmate. They have been to Fiji, Rarotonga, Hawaii and Vanuatu. It was perfect that we had to come to Samoa. We used that as an escape from the real cold weather back home. The roads there have been closed because of the snow, Kevin said. This time, theyve extended their stay a bit to experience more of Samoa. The people are very nice and helpful and friendly. This time we did not eat the local food, but we had it before, which was good, Kevin added. We havent done a lot, just enjoying and relaxing mostly in the resort. The couple offered some advice for Samoas tourism sector. I think you just have to be open and let the culture come to you. It is a much laid back atmosphere here and you are able to get used to it, just let it happen and take it easy, Paulie shared. I am sure we would come back again. It is a very good place to come and we will totally recommend it. The first time we came we probably wouldnt recommend it, but now for sure. There were really not a lot of things here and very little shops, but now it has changed, which is definitely an improvement. People are one of the main reasons Charlie and her sister, Katie Wilkinson keep returning to Samoa. The first trip was with their dad about six years ago and after that it was almost after every two years. This trip would make it their fourth time to the island. This time they are in Samoa with their family, a total of 30 people. It was a perfect time for them to spend time together as a family. Katie lives in Auckland and brought her four month old daughter with her while Charlie lives in Wellington. We came probably every second year to Samoa, Katie said to the Dear Tourist team. I think what makes us return is the warmth and the people are really lovely. It is very easy especially with the kids. Its a short flight from New Zealand. They love kids here. It is a nice and warm place to come. Charlie told the Dear Tourist team that it is the people that makes them return. I think the people and just being in the middle of the culture is what makes the value of a place. There would be nothing worse than going somewhere and feeling like an outsider. I feel the Samoans are really outgoing and help you to bring the culture nearer. They helped us out with the language and the fiafia night for example. The sisters couldnt help but highlight the changes theyve noticed since they last came. There are probably more hotels here and more options to do, I guess, Katie said. Where the tsunami was, it is good now. I guess it takes a longer time to fix the infrastructure here then for example in Fiji or even New Zealand, Charlie added. I dont think there is anything missing here because it is a balance between where you can go and explore. The options are there and you still have the opportunity to relax in the resort. Like we are here to spend time as a family, like our family is big in doing things together. Some of us took the option today (yesterday) to go out to explore, but my sister and I, we wanted to relax and look after Chloe. It is easy here to hire a car and get the Samoan license. Katie added: I think it is pretty good because I have been to quite a few islands and it depends on where you go. In Fiji for example, it is different and for me I think it is easier here as a tourist. Compared to Fiji, which is pretty much full of resorts, there is almost a lack of authenticity, whereas here you can still have the resorts, but at the same time the authenticity of the town as well, which I think is really cool, Charlie added. The people are really friendly, a little bit more reserved than the Fijians, but I really like the Samoan people and culture, obviously enough to get a tattoo. I think our whole family likes the Samoan culture. For Charlie her first stay in Samoa was worth getting a permanent reminder inked on her skin. I have been here when I was 16. It was after the tsunami, what we saw then was pretty crazy. My dad and I got matching Samoan tattoos. We had seen turtles and when we returned then we decided to get them done. My mom was not happy, but she is over it now. We really love Samoa, she said. It is such a beautiful place. It is really nice and warm and I really like the natural beauty as well, the trench, the natural water. This is definitely not the last time we come here. I want to bring my partner and show him this nice place. I really like being here and want to return. NEW YORK (AP) Revelations that an Amazon Echo smart speaker inadvertently sent a family's private conversation to an acquaintance highlights some unexpected risks of new voice-enabled technologies. According to Amazon, the fault was an "unlikely" series of inadvertent vocal cues that triggered the speaker, caused it to begin recording and then led it to interpret subsequent conversation as a "send message" request. There's no way to eliminate these sorts of privacy risks short of unplugging entirely. But you can minimize the odds of unpleasant privacy surprises with these tips: KILL THE MIC: Most smart speakers have a physical button to disable the microphone, so a private conversation can't be recorded to begin with. You can hit that when you're having sensitive conversations. The button on the Echo will turn red; other devices have similar cues. It doesn't make sense to keep the mic disabled throughout the day, though. If the Echo can't hear you, it won't be able to order you more toilet paper or play smooth jazz. LIMIT THE MIC: Disabling the microphone isn't practical on a smartphone, but you can limit what apps have access to it. Go to the settings and turn off mic access to all but essential apps such as voice recorders or video conferencing. Netflix doesn't really need voice access; you can simply type the name of the show you're searching for. ABOUT THAT CAMERA: Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg famously puts a piece of tape over his laptop's camera to prevent spying if anyone were to hack his device. Buy yourself a roll. Or use bandages. If you have a home-security camera that's connected to the internet, turn the camera to the wall when you're home. Just remember to turn it back before you leave, or you defeat the point of having a security camera. BLOCK THE SIGNALS: For smartphones and other gadgets you carry with you, a "Faraday bag" that blocks electromagnetic waves can help prevent unwanted spying. The good ones will block cellular and other signals, meaning privacy-compromising information such as your location won't leak out either. Just remember, your phone won't get any calls while it's in the bag that's the whole point. BE INFORMED: Apple, Samsung and other tech companies have worked over the years to ensure that their products work "out of the box," without users having to pore through lengthy manuals and operating instructions. The downside is that users are often unaware of all the things their gadgets can do, good or bad. Checking reputable online reviews, how-to guides and even instructional videos will help you get the most out of new technologies. They'll also tell you about any known glitches and risks. Of course, the safest approach is not to buy a new gadget in the first place. That might not be practical for smartphones these days, but do you really need a smart speaker or a television set that's connected to the internet? (As it turns out, it's actually difficult to buy a TV without "smart" capabilities these days, but nothing says you have to connect it at home.) From toothbrushes to slow cookers to toys, if companies can dream it up, it's out there. Companies often release smart gadgets without thinking through the risks and ensuring their security. This makes them easy targets for malicious hackers. This is especially true with manufacturers that aren't well known or that specialize in toys and other non-tech businesses. A resident of Alafua has raised concerns about what he called the irresponsible attitude of the Electric Power Corporation (E.P.C.) workers towards the public. Charlie Mansfield told the Sunday Samoan that for the past two weeks, E.P.C. workers did not care to remove the trees they had cut along the public road that connects the main road to the other residences that live on his side. According to Mr. Mansfield, the first Saturday they had come to cut the trees, they dumped all the rubbish on the side of the road. This destroyed his rubbish stand. They did not even bother to try and repair it. I am more concerned about the powerline since last cyclone it hasnt been secured either, the frustrated man said. They just dump the rubbish about on the property after their work not bothering to clean it afterwards. They are irresponsible, they just dont care. Mr. Mansfield said the cutting of the trees by E.P.C. was to protect the powerlines, but they could have removed the branches of the trees. These trees have been here through three cyclones and it was unnecessary to remove them. Prune yes, but cut down and leave across the road like this for the past 10 days is incredible." In these days of environmental awareness and awareness of erosion, I find this incredible. The gang that cut down these trees had a chain saw and could have cut the logs up to move them but typically they left them to cause as much inconvenience to the residents as possible. Mr. Mansfield said in the process of cutting the tress, they also took down the powerlines completely. They cut my underground broadband line and left the power lines still within easy reach of pedestrians. When they finally get around to removing the logs, they will probably damage my water line which the S.W.A. has typically left above ground. Efforts to get comments from the E.P.C. were unsuccessful as of press time. Chula Vista last week moved one step closer to bringing a four-year university to the South Bay when the City Council extended its negotiation agreement with the University of Saint Katherine. The San Marcos-based private university originally planned to open a satellite campus on a 10-acre space in Otay Ranch. However, the university now plans to ditch San Marcos and relocate to Chula Vista. Our intention is to be the four-year university of South County, said the schools founder and president, Frank J. Papatheofanis. To lure the university to the South Bay, Chula Vista is offering Saint Katherine a $1 a year lease. The length of the subsidized lease has not been determined. Advertisement Chula Vista entered into a multi-phase negotiation agreement with the University of Saint Katherine in January. The first part of that agreement was a vetting of the schools academic credentials. That included a review of the schools accreditation by the Senior College and University Commission of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), an organization responsible for accrediting public and private universities in California, Hawaii and Pacific territories such as Guam. As part of the vetting process, Chula Vista also looked at the schools partnership with local universities, its 70 percent graduation rate, and the degrees it offers. We are happy that we were able to get through this academic vetting, Papatheofanis said. On May 22, the city approved the review of the schools credentials and asked city staff to start looking into University of Saint Katherines financials to determine whether it has enough money to build, maintain and operate a new facility. In this next phase, we really want to focus on the financials and the ability of Saint Katherines to make that move onto the University Innovation District Property, said City Manager Gary Halbert. Chula Vista hopes to have a multi-institutional University Center that serves as many as 20,000 students. The city set aside 375 acres in Otay Ranch for the project and has tried to lure San Diego State University and the University of California system to the South Bay. Council members said this week that Saint Katherine, which is only asking for 10 acres, would be the first part of the puzzle and they pleged to continue looking for other universities to attract. This doesnt preclude in the future any public university coming to the University Site, said Mayor Mary Casillas Salas. According to the negotiation agreement, the $1 annual lease will be for a number of years to be determined by the parties based upon the developers proposed investment in the project and other factors. The purpose of the below-market lease is to provide an economic development assistance to jumpstart the citys university project, said City Attorney Glen Googins. University of Saint Katherine was founded in 2010 and offers bachelors degrees in liberal arts and sciences. Those degrees include Art, Business Management, History, Literature, Interdisciplinary Studies, Music, Orthodox Christian Theology, Biological Sciences, Kinesiology, and Biochemistry and Chemistry. They were acredited by WASC in 2016. The school also has agreements with the University of San Diego and Point Loma Nazarene. Saint Katherine students are allowed to participate in USDs teaching credential program and graduates of Saint Katherines kinesiology program are admitted into Point Lomas masters program. The school hopes to relocate from San Marcos to Chula Vista on a 10-acre campus with enough space to serve 1,000 students and house 400 students. Originally, the space was intended to be a satellite campus, but Saint Katherine University now prefers to relocate because there is so much more opportunity in Chula Vista, Papatheofanis said. The school may keep a satellite campus in San Marcos, he added. Saint Katherines $23,000 annual tuition is right in the middle of what other San Diego-based colleges offer. San Diego State University is about $7,500, UC San Diego is about $14,000, Point Loma Nazarene is $35,000 and University of San Diego is $47,000. The school is in talks with Southwestern College about creating some sort of transfer program that would allow Southwestern credits to transfer over to Saint Katherine, Papatheofanis said. Councilman Stephen Padilla, who represents the district with the university site, had concerns about whether Saint Katherine might discourage other schools from moving into the space in the future. There are questions to be answered about the long-term viability of such an institution, how subsidizing and engaging with such an institution would have an effect on the long-term viability of enticing other institutions to come i.e. the event this institution failed, Padilla said. Padilla encouraged the rest of the City Council to expand the search for a four-year university beyond San Diego. He proposed marketing the 375-acre space in Otay Ranch to universities throughout the world. Not enough people know about that asset and that to me is a huge economic development asset, he said. Somewhere out there, there are institutions that if they knew what we had, we could so some amazing things. Contact Gustavo Solis via Email or Twitter Nearly two years after it was enacted, Californias physician-assisted suicide law is, at least for the moment, no longer in effect. A Riverside County judge who ruled against the law last week issued a formal judgment Friday deeming it unconstitutional. Legal experts said that meant the law had been overturned. The law allowed patients who are terminally ill to request life-ending medications from their doctors. In the first six months it was in effect, more than 100 Californians, most of them suffering from cancer, used it to take their lives. Supporters of the law say they hope theyll be able to keep the law in place by appealing Riverside County Superior Court Judge Daniel A. Ottolias decision, but it is unclear if or when that might happen. It is a bit of a mess, said Kathryn Tucker, an attorney who heads the End of Life Liberty Project at UCSF/UC Hastings Consortium on Law, Science & Health Policy. Whats happened so far? Opponents of the End of Life Option Act filed a lawsuit hoping to overturn the law on the day it took effect in 2016. On May 15 this year, Ottolia ruled that the law was unconstitutional because the California Legislature had passed the bill during a special session dedicated to healthcare issues. He ordered the law voided, but the decision did not immediately take effect. The aid-in-dying legislation was approved in 2015 and made the state the fifth in the nation to legalize the practice. When Gov. Jerry Brown signed the law, he said he imagined that if he were dying in prolonged and excruciating pain, "it would be a comfort to be able to consider the options afforded by this bill. California Atty. Gen. Xavier Becerra appealed Ottolias decision Monday, arguing that the ruling was erroneous because aid-in-dying is indeed a healthcare issue and thus appropriate for the special legislative session. Becerra also asked that the 4th District Court of Appeal order that the law be kept in place during the appeals process, but a three-judge panel denied Becerras request. So is the law currently in effect? As of Friday evening, it is not. Ottolias formal judgment invalidated it. Until and unless the law is reinstated by action of the court of appeal or California Supreme Court, it has been ruled unconstitutional and is therefore void, Stephen Larson, an attorney for the group suing to invalidate the law, said Friday in an email to The Times. But whats going to happen next is unclear. Becerra is expected to file an appeal against Ottolias judgment, but had not as of Friday evening. His office could not be immediately reached for comment. Jonathan Patterson, a staff attorney for Compassion and Choices, a national advocacy group that supports the law, said he believes that filing the appeal would automatically suspend Ottolias judgment and reinstate the law. Larson, however, disagreed, setting up a dispute that will likely be settled in court. With all things in the law, theres room for interpretation, Patterson said. Opponents cheered Ottolias judgment and said the law had created the dangerous possibility that people who feel as though theyre a burden on their families could be coerced or pressured into taking their own lives. We hope that this effort to appeal the ruling of Judge Ottolia fails so that people with terminal illness, disabilities, advanced age, and economic challenges will be liberated from this dangerous public policy, Matt Valliere, executive director of the New York-based Patients Rights Action Fund, said in a statement. What does this all mean? That things are up in the air. Once Becerra files his appeal, opponents and supporters of the law will likely disagree as to whether the law is in effect, creating uncertainty among patients who are seeking life-ending medicines as well as doctors who write prescriptions for them, experts say. Tucker said she hoped the appeals court would rule to preserve the law while the case, which she did not think would ultimately succeed, is sorted out. I dont think they have a leg to stand on, and yet the wheels of justice turn slowly, and thats why its important to have clarity until that process can conclude, she said. Harry Nelson, a healthcare attorney in Los Angeles, said that even with an overturned law, the medical board probably wont go after doctors for writing such prescriptions because the panel is represented by the state attorney generals office the very people defending the law. He said local district attorneys could try to prosecute doctors, but most physicians who write prescriptions under the law dont typically advertise that they do so. California's data from the law's first six months show that 173 physicians wrote the 191 prescriptions statewide. Doctors who do this are extremely private about it, said Nelson, who represents several doctors who have written prescriptions under the law. If youre a doctor involved in this, all the more reason why it was a better decision to remain cloistered. Nelson, however, said he didnt expect that law would be permanently overturned in California. Even if the appeals court upholds Ottolias decision, the state Legislature could pass a similar law, perhaps with additional safeguards, Nelson said, adding that it has strong support in the Legislature and among the public. A 2015 survey conducted by UC Berkeley found that 76% of Californians supported allowing terminally ill patients to take their own lives. Id be surprised if the law doesnt stand in the long term, he said. Support our journalism Please consider subscribing today to support stories like this one. Get full access to our signature journalism for just 99 cents for the first four weeks. Already a subscriber? Your support makes our work possible. Thank you. soumya.karlamangla@latimes.com Twitter: @skarlamangla UPDATES: 5:20 p.m.: This article was updated with additional reaction. This article was originally published at 2:15 p.m. When the 34-year-old woman saw the news Thursday morning, she couldnt help but smirk. The world had been holding its breath for the unprecedented summit between a sitting U.S. president and North Koreas leader, but she knew better than to get her hopes up. Many were caught off guard when President Trump abruptly called off the meeting early Thursday, citing hostile comments from North Korea but she knew from the start, she said, the North Korean regime wasnt to be trusted. When youre a refugee who has twice escaped North Korea, now seeking asylum in the U.S., skepticism becomes second nature. I knew this was going to happen, said the woman, Jo, who asked to be identified by her last name only because of family members still living in North Korea. The true intention of the North Korea I know is to get the eyes and ears of the world on them, and get out from under the sanctions. Advertisement Jo joined two other North Korean refugees at a Koreatown hotel ballroom Thursday evening for what was supposed to be a discussion in advance of the historic U.S.-North Korea summit, organized by a group advocating for asylum for North Koreans. With the summit abruptly called off less than three weeks before it was set to take place, all three said they had put little stock in the meeting or any results that might have come out of it. A wild dog cannot turn into a sheep ... The world is dancing to a show North Korea is putting on. Jo, North Korean escapee The three are among an estimated 400 North Koreans currently in the U.S., many of them awaiting asylum under the North Korean Human Rights Act of 2004. Advocates say about 100 have settled in Southern California. Here, they are a waitress, an industrial technician and a security guard. In North Korea they were a laborer, a civil servant, a truck driver regular, everyday people far from the center of power and influence in Pyongyang. They sat with placards with their names facing away from the audience, out of concern for the safety of their families in North Korea if it becomes known they are seeking asylum in the nation they were taught to hate. The negotiation points such as sanctions, nuclear tensions and human rights bandied about by diplomats and policy experts are real, practical matters that they have lived through and that will affect the lives of their loved ones. Thawing of relations with the U.S. and easing of sanctions could have eventually meant a better economic future for their hometowns and potential reunification with family but the refugees, who left North Korea between 1997 and 2008, said they had little expectation the summit would have yielded results. The outside world has been fooled over and over again, said Jack Lee, the technician, who now lives in Orange County and asked to be identified by his adopted English nickname. What Trump did is correct. A Koreatown audience, including some North Koreans, listens to a panel of three North Korean refugees discuss the canceled U.S.-North Korea summit. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times ) Jo said her hometown in North Hamgyong Province was near the Punggye-ri nuclear test site, where North Korea this week blew up tunnels with foreign journalists watching, and that her brother worked there. The destruction of the site, she said, was just theatrics, masking the fact that North Korea will not easily give up its nuclear ambitions. She said even as North Korea was putting on a charm offensive toward the outside world, it remained brutal to its own people, cracking down on those who view South Korean content or communicate with people outside North Korea. A wild dog cannot turn into a sheep, she said. The world is dancing to a show North Korea is putting on. Jo first fled in 2004 but was caught by Chinese authorities and sent back to the North, before escaping once more in 2008. Im someone who can never trust North Korea, she said. Ho Lee, the truck driver-turned-security guard who asked to be identified by part of his name, left North Korea in 1997 amid a severe famine there, during which hundreds of thousands starved to death. A regime that would invest in developing nuclear weapons while its own people go hungry is not one that should be treated seriously, he said. How is a nation that cant even supply soap making nukes? he said. Roberto Hong, an immigration attorney and founder of the support group Assn. of North Koreans in America, urged the community to keep an open mind about the future of U.S.-North Korea relations. Its what happens going forward thats important, he said. We have to get our expectations in check, get our hearts ready. victoria.kim@latimes.com For more California news, follow me on Twitter @vicjkim President Donald Trump met with in the Oval Office yesterday with Poway veteran Ray Chavez, 106. After complimenting how good the centenarian looks, Trump joked about wanting to have some of the retired Navy quartermasters genes. 6 Trump memorialized the encounter Thursday in an Instagram bearing the message: President Donald J. Trump greets 106-year-old Pearl Harbor veteran Ray Chavez of Poway, CA in the Oval Office at the White House, Thursday, May 24, 2018, in Washington, D.C. Chavez is the oldest living Pearl Harbor veteran. By mid-day today, his post had more than 228,000 likes. The president retweeted a similar Twitter message by his social media director. Advertisement Chavez and his daughter and caretaker, Kathleen Chavez, were escorted to Washington, D.C., by Spirit of Liberty Foundation head Richard Rovsek and his wife, Jeri, of Rancho Santa Fe, who also appear in the tweeted White House photo. Ask Bill Rider how long he served in Vietnam and the past Marine Corps sergeant says, Three years, nine months and 20 days, but whos counting? He is a survivor of the unit known as The Walking Dead. His mission in life is helping combat veterans with post-traumatic stress. (Courtesy of Capital Concerts ) All eyes on Vietnam vet: Carlsbads Bill Rider and San Diego will have a starring role in the the National Memorial Day Concert on the west lawn of the U.S. Capitol Sunday evening. They told me I was the only one ever selected from San Diego County to be showcased during the program, Rider said of the 29-year tradition, which highlights three veterans groups or causes each year. The 90-minute celebration co-hosted by actors Joe Montegna and Gary Sinese will be carried live on PBS TV at 8 p.m. and re-broadcast at 9:30 p.m. Riders story is narrated by stage actor Graham Greene. Camera crews spent two weeks in San Diego following the Vietnam veterans efforts to reach out to Amerian combat veterans suffering from Post Traumatic Stress (PTS). Its PTS, without the D, which stands for disorder, says Rider. This is not a disorder or a weakness, but a sure thing that happens to vets who go to war and get traumatized by witnessing friends being killed and by killing others which isnt normal. Rider should know. He has suffered from PTS since 1968 when he was sent home on a Medevac flight from Vietnam fighting malaria and dysentary that had winnowed him down to 120 pounds (although he wasnt diagnosed until 1999). Rider was a member of the ill-fated 1st Division Marine Corps 9th batallion, called The Walking Dead because, in part, so few survived the Battle of Khe Sanh in which 40,000 enemy soldiers converged on 2,500 U.S. troops. He estimates he knew 100 of the fallen troops whose names appear on the Vietnam Memorial in Washington, D.C. Three men were killed in one day that I knew intimately. I dont know of anyone who served with me who didnt get a Purple Heart. Rider, a squad leader, was wounded three times. He also received a Purple Heart, plus a Presidential Unit Citation, a Naval Commendation with a Bronze V for valor and other commendations. After years of struggling with his own PTS, Rider founded the American Combat Veterans of War in Oceanside in 2001 to help others deal with the horrific sights, sounds and smells of combat, and the guilt of surviving when their buddies did not. We were seeing World War II, Korean and Vietnam war guys at the time, he says. Then 9/11 hit, and we had our hands full as traumatized troops returned home from Iraq and Afghanistan. Ive been there and done that, so they feel they can open up with me. Even so, it takes weeks and sometimes months for the trauma to emerge especially with the younger ones who tend to self-medicate with alcohol and drugs. Every Tuesday evening at his Safe Warrior Outreach office in Carlsbad, vets gather to discuss their experiences and work out their problems. Every Thursday, Rider can be found at the countys Vista Detention Facility, where two sections are reserved for about 70 incarcerated military veterans. Their PTS moments often have led to domestic violence, alcoholism, DUIs and drug abuse to drown traumatic memories. We come to mentor them, he says of his Veterans Moving Forward program. Everybody makes a mistake. We take the gloves off and try to deal with whats going wrong. We use brutal candor. We tell them, If youre fine, what are you doing in jail? Every week Rider takes $100 and deposits small amounts into the accounts of inmates who lack the funds to purchase incidentals. When they are released from jail, we buy suits for them and invite them to come to Safe Warrior Outreach every Tuesday. They also get Christmas presents for inmates children. Since the program began five years ago, the recidivism rate for the vets it serves has dropped from 85 percent to 10 percent, Rider says. He also helps with a Department of Defense-sponsored surf clinic for amputees being treated at the Navy Medical Center in Balboa Park. At other times, Rider and 20 to 25 volunteers handle veterans phone calls asking for help with everything from meltdowns to getting disability payments, separation papers or even paying rent. What we do as a nonprofit is to cover the gamut, says Rider, who gets no salary. PTS never disappears. Rider still lives with it daily, and his friends who were killed are never far away. I remember their names every day. I say the names. You have to say them, Rider says. For me, every day is Memorial Day. diane.bell@sduniontribune.com (619) 293-1518 Twitter: @dianebellSD Facebook: dianebell.news Despite the citys concerted effort to house and shelter homeless veterans, a report released last week found that their numbers had increased by 24 percent in this past year, reaching 1,312. What happened? Its hard to say, but San Diego isnt alone. In 2017, the number of homeless veterans nationwide increased for the first time in seven years, although not as dramatically as in San Diego County. The 2017 count found about 40,000 homeless veterans nationwide, up by nearly 600 people and a 1.5 percent increase from the previous year. Overall, however, homelessness among veterans has improved significantly. Nationally, the number of homeless vets dropped 46 percent from 2010 to 2017. San Diego County had 2,200 homeless veterans in 2010, and this years number reflects a 40 percent decrease over the past seven years. Advertisement Locally, people in the field said this years increase could be linked to housing cost or people transitioning out of the military who havent saved money and prepared for civilian life. At least one person suspected that veterans were moving to San Diego County from other areas, outpacing efforts to help ones already here. Some say theres a possibility that the actual number of homeless veterans didnt increase as much as it seems, but that more homeless people were being accurately identified as veterans because of improved methods of counting and serving them. About half of San Diegos homeless veterans are living in shelters. The rest are living outdoors or in vehicles, and their numbers are increasing. According to this years report, 659 homeless veterans are unsheltered, a 45 percent from last year. The number of veterans living in shelters was up 9 percent from last year. I think its a combination of factors, Veterans Village of San Diego President and CEO Kim Mitchell said about the increase. The cost of living in San Diego is high, she said, and about 78 percent of Veterans Village clients receive less than $1,500 a month. About 44 percent have zero income, she said. Among those veterans are many who just got out of the service, are too young for Social Security and have no disabilities that would bring compensation payments. I just talked to a young man who came into our program this week, Mitchell said. He got out of the military in January. In five months, he spent all the money he had and ended up homeless because he couldnt afford a place to live. Mitchell said its also possible that the increase doesnt mean there are many more homeless veterans, but rather more homeless who identify themselves as veterans. The annual count also has improved its method of identifying veterans, she said, and increased assistance for homeless veterans could mean more are coming forward looking for help. Some of that started in 2010, when then-President Barack Obama pledged to end veterans homelessness. Veterans Affairs and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development increased funding for programs aimed at reducing homelessness, and the effort seemed to pay off. The number of homeless vets began to go down, dropping from 74,000 in 2010 to less than 40,000 in 2016. In San Diego, the city and the Housing Commission launched the Housing our Heroes initiative in March 2016 and reached its goal of finding rental units for at least 1,000 vets last October. In late December, the city opened a large tented shelter run by Veterans Village of San Diego. The structure can hold up to 200 people and is one of three bridge housing shelters that together can hold almost 700 people. Since opening in December, the bridge shelter at Veterans Village has seen 41 people transitioned into permanent housing, an average of about 10 a month, Mitchell said. While the 2018 task force report showed the number of veterans in shelters had increased by 9 percent, Mitchell said it could be higher if the count were taken today. On the night of the Jan. 26 count, the Veterans Village tent probably was less than half full, but now has about 200 people each night, Mitchell said, adding that she met with the mayors staff recently to discuss adding more bunks to the tent so more homeless veterans could come in off the street. In August, Veterans Village is planning to open its first permanent housing complex, the 54-unit, 104-bed Veterans Villas in Escondido. Mitchell said the nonprofit also has partnered with Cohen Veterans Network to help post-9/11 veteran with mental health issues. Veterans Village is looking at sites now with a plan to open a facility by the end of the year, she said. The number of homeless veterans nationwide has sharply decreased since 2007, but a slight increase last year reversed the trend. (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs ) In North County, Homeless Veterans of San Diego founder Kelly Luisi said shes seen an uptick in the number of homeless veterans seeking help. I definitely think that the number has gone up, she said. I see a steady flow of new veterans. Luisi founded the nonprofit in February 2017 and said she used to see one or two new vets a week.These days, she sees two, three or more each week. Im never without a new case, she said. She acknowledged, however, that part of the increase could be because many homeless veterans have only recently discovered the new organization. While Homeless Veterans of San Diego may be a new organization, Luisi has been involved with the population for years. She founded Our Fallen Soldier in 2006 to help families of fallen service members after her own brother was killed in Iraq. San Diego Homeless Veterans has served about 110 people in the past year, placing 26 in bridge housing and nine into permanent housing, with another four on the way. Clients include people who have been homeless more than 20 years, and ages range from a 24-year-old to a 94-year old World War II vet at risk of losing his home, she said. While she cant say with certainty why the number of homeless veterans has increased, Luisi wonders if the work being done locally to house and shelter them is being offset by new arrivals from out of the area. Id say probably 85 percent are not from San Diego, she said about homeless veterans she helps. Its very rare that I actually meet somebody who grew up here. Her observation contradicts studies that have shown that more than 70 percent of the areas homeless are natives or became homeless while living in San Diego. She also said homeless veterans from at least three different states Pennsylvania, Kansas and Maryland told her that somebody had bought them bus tickets and told them they could find help in San Diego County. Then there are veterans who come to San Diego County on their own, having discovered the area while stationed here or because they feel comfortable around military bases. Tony Teravainen, president of Support the Enlisted Project in Mira Mesa, said he hasnt seen an increase in the numbers of people he serves. His group helps enlisted service members and veterans in seven counties, with 83 percent of the clients from San Diego. While the numbers havent gone up, he said, there has been a shift in clientele. Last year, 36 percent of the organizations clients were veterans and 64 percent were active duty. This year so far, 51 percent of their clients are vets and 49 percent are active duty. One of the organizations goals is to prevent homelessness. Teravainen said the group stopped 70 evictions last year, with the number of clients almost evenly split between active duty military and veterans. The last time the point-in-time count revealed a steep increase in homeless vets in San Diego County was in 2015, when the number of unsheltered homeless veterans increased by 22 percent from the previous year. That number, however, marked a 29 percent decrease in unsheltered homeless vets over five years. Looking at the trend nationally, the Veterans Health Administrations Homeless Programs Office, under the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, said the recent uptick in veterans homeless could be related to high rent, low vacancy rates and untapped resources. The VA, HUD and the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness have agreed to work together to gather stakeholder feedback, analysis data develop recommendations to meet veterans needs. Possible funding for those recommendations would occur in the 2020 budget, according to the Homeless Programs Office. More information about programs to help homeless veterans is available at va.gov/homeless. 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 Republican Lorie Zapf is facing several challengers, including three well-funded Democrats, in her campaign for re-election in San Diego City Council District 2, which includes the citys beaches and a slice of western Clairemont. Zapf, 59, says she should be re-elected because of her experience, institutional knowledge and relationships with the areas unusually active community and civic groups. Zapfs main challengers Democrats Jordan Beane, Jennifer Campbell and Bryan Pease have criticized Zapf on issues including homelessness, affordable housing, vacation rentals and responsiveness to constituents. Other candidates in the race include Republican Kevin Melton and Democrats Randy Hahn and Daniel Smiechowski. In addition, potential candidate Aaron Taylor submitted papers for a write-in candidacy on Tuesday. Advertisement The two candidates who get the most votes in the June 5 primary will face each other in a November runoff. If Democrats take the seat in November it would boost their 5-4 majority to 6-3 or possibly 7-2 if incumbent Republican Chris Cate were to also lose his re-election campaign in District 6. The two Democratic council seats up for grabs this year Districts 4 and 8 are virtual locks to remain Democratic based on voter registration and the candidates participating. One strong factor in Zapfs favor is that shes an incumbent. The last time an incumbent lost a San Diego City Council race was 1992. Beane, who lives in Pacific Beach and works at the University of California San Diego, said by phone that he expects Zapf to make the runoff and that he hopes to be the candidate she faces this fall. All of this is a job interview to say why youre the best person to beat Lorie Zapf in November, he said by phone. Beane, 34, said Zapf isnt a good fit with the beach communities, where most of the residents are young, politically progressive and renters. You have a progressive group of people being represented by somebody who is fairly conservative, he said. We need to make sure that voice is heard. Beane also said he is in the best position among the challengers to take advantage of a wide registration gap between Democrats and Republicans in District 2. Through May 1, the district had 32,000 registered Democrats, 22,900 registered Republicans and 26,000 registered voters who have no party affiliation. Beane said the key in November will be getting as many of those Democrats as possible out to the polls in an off-year election. I am more fluent in the language of people who are just starting their lives and starting to make big decisions, he said. Campbell, a retired doctor living in Bay Ho, said by phone that key issues for her are vacation rentals and preserving recreation areas for the public. On vacation rentals, she said one problem is that city officials dont understand what a nuisance they are to neighborhoods unless they experience it directly. I can walk in other peoples moccasins and understand how they feel, said Campbell, 72. Campbell and Zapf have a similar stance: renting out a room in a house is OK, but absentee landlords renting out whole homes is not. But Campbell said Zapf has dropped the ball as the council member whose district has the most vacation rentals. She was in charge of the committee that was supposed to come up with this legislation for three years and never came up with anything, Campbell said. I get things done I dont wait years. Campbell also said Zapf would be more likely to allow developers and hoteliers to take over public land in Mission Bay Park or elsewhere in the district. You can count on me not to overdevelop the coastal area, Campbell said. We need recreation areas for our citizens. We cant afford to lose any more of our public spaces. Pease, 40, said in an email that he is the best candidate for the job because hes the only one with a track record and experience fighting for key issues like homelessness, tenant rights and the environment. Pease, an attorney living in Ocean Beach, said the city should focus more on evidence-based solutions to homelessness, rather than just paying lip service to a national model of making permanent housing solutions the No. 1 priority. He has won several high-profile environmental cases as an attorney, including efforts to protect the seals in La Jolla. Zapf, who lives in Bay Ho, said she plans to play key roles in her next term solving problems like homelessness, affordable housing and vacation rentals. There are a lot of issues I have experience with and institutional knowledge of that can make a difference, she said by phone. These are issues Ive been working on for a long time. I can be impactful and help find solutions. If Zapf wins, it would be her third term on the council despite the citys term limits policy limiting candidates to two terms. She is eligible for a third term this year because her Bay Ho home shifted from District 6 to District 2 during her first term in office in 2011, when boundary lines were re-drawn something that happens every 10 years with a new census. The idea is that the clock re-sets when a candidate shifts into a new district. Zapf served four years in District 6, is now serving her fourth year in District 2 and is seeking another four-year term in District 2. She said the shift to District 2 required her to become familiar with the beach areas many community groups and civic associations, an experience that she says has paid dividends. I really feel at ease and like Im part of the community, Zapf said. On being a Republican representing a heavily Democratic district, Zapf said she thinks its an unimportant distinction. When Im out there in the community, Im just working with people on problems. No one cares about your party affiliation, she said. Zapf, a Latina, also said her staff is politically and ethnically diverse. I think were very reflective of the community, she said. Zapf has a large fundraising lead in the race. Through the last reporting period in April, she had raised $363,000, while Campbell had raised $95,000, Pease had raised $49,000 and Beane had raised $39,000. Melton and Hahn havent raised any money, while Smiechowski had raised about $3,000. david.garrick@sduniontribune.com (619) 269-8906 Twitter:@UTDavidGarrick A two-car collision that may involve drunken driving shut down a stretch of Market Street on Friday afternoon, San Diego police report. At least one person was hurt in the crash, which happened about 5:40 p.m. The collision led police to shut down Market from Pitta Street to 54th Street in both directions, Sgt. Michael Tansey said. It was reopened shortly after 8 p.m. He said drunken driving may have played a role in the rush-hour crash. Advertisement teri.figueroa@sduniontribune.com (760) 529-4945 Twitter: @TeriFigueroaUT UPDATES: 10:25 p.m. This story was updated to note that the road had reopened. It was originally published at 6:55 p.m. A man leaving a market was caught in the crossfire of a gun fight in Logan Heights Friday, San Diego police said. The 27-year-old victim was leaving Ideal Market on National Avenue at 31st Street about 9 p.m. when he saw four to five males arguing across the street, police said. The victim kept walking to his car when he heard gunshots. He ran to the safety of his car and discovered hed been hit once in the left thigh. He drove himself to a hospital and was expected to survive. Police did not release any descriptions of the males involved. Advertisement kristina.davis@sduniontribune.com Twitter: @kristinadavis Its been 100 years since one of the worst swimming tragedies in local history, when a massive rip current swallowed 13 people in the water off Ocean Beach. Another 60 imperiled swimmers were helped to shore on May 5, 1918. The next day, the San Diego Union reported: A crowd of over 5,000 holiday makers looked on from the beach as bathers and rescuers struggled in the surf, powerless except to shout encouragement to those who were risking their lives for those whose strength was being sapped by the undertow. Further in the story, the paper reported: As the rescued were brought to the beach, willing hands wrapped them in overcoats and shawls and men and women bent themselves to the task of resuscitation. Advertisement Most of the dead, it would turn out, were Army soldiers or Navy sailors. That history, plus a half-century of ocean rescues in the region before 1918, is chronicled in a new book that looks at the history of San Diego lifeguards from 1868 to 1941. The book is titled Help! San Diego Lifeguards to the Rescue. Its author is Michael T. Martino, who was a lifeguard and became an Aquatic Specialist for the states parks department. It was published by Sunbelt Publications in El Cajon. A second book, planned for release next year, picks up where the first left off from 1941 through present day. The loss of life on May 5, 1918, shaped the future of San Diegos then-four-year-old lifeguard service. After that day, the city got serious, said former City Councilman Byron Wear. That was the calling that We have got to do something about this lifeguard service, said Wear, who volunteered to oversee the 10-year effort it took to pull together the 150-year history of lifeguarding in San Diego. The project meant pouring through old newspapers, city budgets and documents for what Wear himself a city lifeguard in the 1970s called the most comprehensive lifeguard history of any agency in the entire world. Last week, about 300 people gathered in Ocean Beach to mark the tragedys 100-year anniversary with a ceremony and a paddle out. Every lifeguard that was hired over the last 100 years was hired because of a drowning or rescue, Wear said. Now, we do river rescues and cliff rescues and also swift-water rescues and more. Im very proud to say that San Diego is the finest lifeguard service in the word, Wear said. And this drowning that happened 100 years ago changed the way that lifeguarding is done. teri.figueroa@sduniontribune.com (760) 529-4945 Twitter: @TeriFigueroaUT A soldier who grew up in San Marcos died Thursday in a non-combat related incident while deployed to Kosovo, the Department of Defense said. Staff Sgt. Conrad A. Robinson, 36, had been living in Los Angeles. He was at Camp Bondsteel supporting Operation Joint Guardian, a long-term peacekeeping mission overseen by NATO. He was assigned to the Armys 155th Medical Detachment, 261st Medical Battalion, 44th Medical Brigade, based at Fort Bragg, N.C. He was working as a preventative medicine specialist, Army officials said. Advertisement His death is under investigation. His mother told NBC 7 San Diego that he was found unresponsive in a chair before his regular morning workout. Were extremely saddened by the death of Staff Sgt. Conrad Robinson, battalion commander, Lt. Col. Kevin Kelly, told the Army Times. Staff Sgt. Robinson was known around the battalion for his infectious smile, humor and kind heart. He was the definition of selfless service and took the time every day to listen and mentor soldiers. Robinsons last Facebook post was March 12, when he let his friends and family know he had made it to Kosovo. Robinson graduated from San Marcos High School, according to his profile. He leaves behind a wife and two daughters, his mother told NBC. kristina.davis@sduniontribune.com Twitter: @kristinadavis The U-T receives a lot of take-down requests from people who would like inconvenient, embarrassing or unwanted news from their past removed from the Internet. Generally, the U-T declines. Editors consider the news to be a daily chronicle of local history; the paper does everything it can to preserve it. Occasionally, though, someone finds material that was published improperly or spots information that could put someones safety at risk. An instance of that happened, and it was flagged earlier this month. Advertisement A photo of a sheriffs deputy ran in December in the Ramona Sentinel, one of the U-Ts community papers. The picture was taken during a career day at a school. It showed the deputy in his uniform with his two young sons, both wearing uniforms that matched their dads. The deputy was unaware the photo appeared online. A law enforcement colleague had noticed it and told him about it. In an email a couple of weeks ago, the deputy explained that in his line of work, he has contact with criminals who might want to harm his family, and he was worried about his childrens safety. This was a legitimate concern. His children clearly appeared in the photo, and the caption identified them by name. I reached the Sentinel editor. She agreed and removed the picture. The Conversation now a podcast, too U-T staffers Abby Hamblin and Luis Gomez, who write The Conversation for digital publication, are now producing a podcast of the feature. The Conversation focuses on timely news that is generating conversation, such as the NFLs policy over the national anthem or Californias end of life law. It appears on the U-Ts website and is published via Twitter and Facebook Live. Starting Tuesday, the feature also went to audio with the podcast. A fresh broadcast will be available Monday through Friday. The episodes generally will last between seven and 10 minutes, Gomez said. We are tinkering as we go along, he said. But we hope people walk away with a story or topic that will get them talking. Hearing others talk about a thing helps me listen to details I can grasp, so I hope listeners can experience the same. The podcasts are available on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Soundcloud or on other apps where you can find podcasts. Search for The Conversation or Abby & Luis. You can also listen to them at sandiegouniontribune.com/podcasts. Luis and I are extremely passionate about getting people interested and engaged with the news, so we see this as another opportunity to connect with our community, Hamblin said. Its exciting to be a part of this, and I hope the listeners enjoy it. Hamblin and Gomez welcome feedback through Twitter at @sdutIdeas, or on their personal Twitter accounts at @abbyhamblin and @rungomez. You can also email them at abby.hamblin@sduniontribune.com or luis.gomez@sduniontribune.com. Domain names were briefly down A reader called last week to ask if the U-T had disabled its old Internet domain name of utsandiego.com. She said links to stories at that address had stopped working. It was only a temporary problem that has been fixed. All the U-T domain addresses remain active. The U-T has had several Internet addresses over the years. In 1995, under the Copley family ownership, it began SignOnSanDiego.com, or sosd.com. Under the Doug Manchester ownership, it became utsandiego.com. And under the Tronc ownership, it became sandiegouniontribune.com. (I use sosd.com to call up the U-Ts website out of habit and because its so short.) Last week, servers were moved, and the old domain names needed to be configured. They were briefly down but now work again. 25 degrees off on crumb cake recipe A reader emailed last week furious over an incorrect temperature in a recipe that appeared in the Food section May 16. At first, I didnt grasp why she was so angry, but as I read her email, I understood. The recipe was for a Cardamom-Pecan Crumb Cake. The temperature was typed in incorrectly. It read 325. It should have been 350. The reader said all the ingredients went to waste butter, eggs, sour cream, vanilla and expensive cardamom. A correction ran Thursday on A2. Section editor Chris Ross will rerun the recipe in Wednesdays Food section with the correct temp of 350. California needs a more streamlined public education system. Policy-making and implementation decisions shouldnt be diffused between the State Board of Education and the state superintendent of public instruction. And there shouldnt be more than 1,000 school districts or individual Offices of Education with elected boards in all 58 counties including those with only a few thousand people. But while clunky, this likely wont change anytime soon. Which brings us to the San Diego County Office of Education, whose duties include providing oversight of local districts to ensure they use proper fiscal practices; assisting districts facing emergencies; serving as a de facto appeals board for those whose charter school proposals have been rejected by district officials, and overseeing continuation schools and educational opportunities for nearly 5,000 students who have been expelled, are in the juvenile courts system or are otherwise in trouble. This year, somewhat reluctantly, The San Diego Union-Tribune Editorial Board endorses both county board incumbents on the June 5 ballot: Alicia Munoz, who represents the boards District 3, which includes El Cajon, La Mesa, Spring Valley and parts of San Diego, and Rick Shea, who represents the boards District 5, which includes Del Mar, Encinitas, Carlsbad, Oceanside, Poway, Fallbrook and some other inland areas. We wish Munoz, a community college instructor, were less comfortable with the states education establishment and its history of complacency. But she has a much better command of education issues than challenger Eric Lund, president-CEO of the East County Chamber of Commerce, as reflected in Lunds superficial responses to a candidate questionnaire, including his odd assertion that he has the expertise to attack the pension crisis hammering school budgets. The crisis is a math problem, not one readily solved by better management. Advertisement The other race is a closer call. The last time that Shea, a personable, thoughtful veteran educator, sought election, the U-T Editorial Board endorsed his opponent former state Sen. Mark Wyland because of our belief Wyland would fight much harder for education reforms. This election, the same seemingly holds for Sheas opponent San Diego State education professor Cheryl James-Ward. She shows particular insight when discussing how a new school funding system meant to help struggling students has not lived up to promises made in 2013. But to our disappointment, James-Ward sidestepped our question about the abrupt 2016 exit of her husband 10-year county Office of Education Superintendent Randy Ward after he was accused of illegal pay raises, self-dealing, conflict of interest, misuse of public funds and more. It may not seem fair to ask a candidate about a spouses alleged misdeeds. But when that spouse ran the organization that the candidate seeks to help govern and a trial is looming, such a question is appropriate and demands a thorough, candid response. Munoz and Shea for county school board. Related: See where the District 3 candidates stand on the issues. See where the District 5 candidates stand on the issues. Read and listen to all of our candidate interviews & questionnaires. See also: How The San Diego Union-Tribune Editorial Board will make its 2018 election endorsements You will find all of our endorsements here. Twitter: @sdutIdeas Facebook: San Diego Union-Tribune Ideas & Opinion In the courtyard of the downtown San Diego Central Library Saturday morning, a Flamenco performer dressed in bright red and wearing handmade Spanish rosewood shoes led a couple dozen people in dance. At the same time roughly 100 feet away inside the library, a small group of tarot card enthusiasts were having their futures explained. Across San Diego, at the main library as well as 12 other city library branches, the third-annual How-To Festival, featuring more than 90 different peer-to-peer workshops covering every imaginable subject, was taking place. From how to grow air plants to how to cook the perfect pancakes to how to write a memoir to how to buy or sell a home in todays market. I want to hear you say Ole! said Flamenco dancer and lecturer Kymberly Mueller who claims to be a reserved person until putting on the signature dress and shoes, at which point she becomes La Kymberlina, fierce with dance. Carmen Beassis of La Jolla, 59, one of the spectators who became a performer while learning some basic Flamenco moves, said she loved the short lecture. She was a really good presenter and dancer, she said. She was very interactive with the kids and the adults. I liked it. Beassis husband, Joseph, 87, whom Carmen admitted she dragged to the Flamenco workshop, was more impressed with the Central Library, which moved into its new $189 million structure on Park Boulevard in 2013. Its amazing, he said. The building, the staff. Amazing. Wed never been here before. At the same time as La Kymberlina was dancing, in another part of the library Bonnie White of El Cajon was having her future laid out before her during a tarot card reading. The presenter for the tarot card workshop failed to show up, but two other women, Morgan Delain and Donna Rose, who had come to listen but knew a bit about the subject themselves, led the discussion. As they were explaining the meaning of one of the cards that had been placed before White having to do with the need to conserve energy and prioritize things, White said it made sense to her because she works with children. Ohhh! the small group said in unison. Thats the tarot song, joked Rose. The lead organizer for the festival was Adrianne Peterson, the head librarian at the Rancho Penasquitos branch. We heard about the program at a California Library Association conference a few years ago, Peterson said. The library in Louisville, Ky., pioneered the concept of a How-to Festival of bringing the community together to present classes on what they know to share with their own community. We got so excited and decided we needed to share this with San Diego. Two years ago the festival was limited to four branches and attracted about 600 people. Last year it was expanded and drew 900. This year Peterson said they expected more than 1,500 to participate. Back in the courtyard at noon, Michael Klarreich, a former teacher at the New York School of Performing Arts, was instructing people about the art of telling a joke. He began: Thank you ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to this presentation of how to really clean your house. People laughed. That was a really dumb joke, he said. But I got that laugh. He went on to explain how intonation and energy and many other things go into getting people to think something is funny. Inside the library there werent any jokes as Andrew Rosales, a ranger from Cabrillo National Monument, lectured about the Rocky Intertidal Ecosystem to a handful of intent listeners. The group seemed interested in the large photographs of mollusks all the same. jharry.jones@sduniontribune.com; 760/529-4931; Twitter: @jharryjones In a candid interview with the Union-Tribune, Adam Day, the new board chairman of California State University, said that the system needs to improve its graduation rate, more efficiently manage enrollment, find effective ways to use online courses, and carefully weed out academic majors that are no longer drawing significant numbers of students. Adam Day of San Diego spoke to the U-T on Friday, two days after Gov. Jerry Brown criticized public universities in California, saying that they dont operate efficiently, making it hard for students to graduate within four years. Day said that the governors remarks deserve serious attention, and that the CSU is already at work on many of the problems. Advertisement Day earned a degree in political science at San Diego State University, then went on to become a public administrator and public relations expert. His new position gives him deep influence over life at the nations largest public-university system. Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. San Francisco, CA -- (SBWIRE) -- 05/25/2018 -- The global market for alnico magnets is predicted to grow at a substantial pace over the next few years, due to the rising number of applications across diverse industries. As alnico magnets are considered as one of the best options for permanent magnets, they are being used extensively in the automotive industry across the globe. The prominent players operating in the global alnico magnets market are making notable efforts to offer innovations and advancements to the product in order to expand their application base in the next few years. The increasing demand for alnico magnets from medical devices, automobiles, household equipment, electronic products, electricity generation, and other sectors is projected to encourage the growth of the global alnico magnets market throughout the forecast period. In addition to this, the rising awareness among consumers regarding the use of alnico magnets in accordance with the rising environmental concerns is predicted to generate several growth opportunities for the key players operating in the alnico magnets market across the globe. Request a sample copy of the Report @ https://www.tmrresearch.com/sample/sample?flag=B&rep_id=140 The rapid development of the manufacturing sector in China is expected to result in a promising growth of the alnico magnets market in this nation. Moreover, the flourishing automotive sector in several emerging nations in Asia Pacific is projected to encourage the growth of the alnico magnets in the next few years. Furthermore, the rising level of competition among the leading players in terms of product portfolio, innovations, and technological developments is projected to contribute towards the overall development of the overall market in the coming few years. Global Alnico Magnets Market: Overview Alnico refers to a family of iron alloys that primarily contain aluminum, nickel, and cobalt in addition to iron. Alnico magnets are ferromagnetic and are suitable to make permanent magnets. Permanent magnets retain magnetic properties even in the absence of an external magnetic field. Alnico magnets are used across a range of applications such as household equipment, electricity generation, automobiles, and electronic and medical devices among others. Alnico magnets are utilized in temperature sensitive applications such as MR-based electronic and automotive sensors and Hall Effect. They were considered the strongest permanent magnets until the introduction of rare earth magnets and are used across a range of applications. The report assesses vital market indicators such as market drivers, market challenges, and trends in the historic years based on which their behavior is analyzed for the 2017-2025 period. The report presents a detailed assessment of technological developments and competitive landscape that will impact the development of the global alnico magnets market until the end of the forecast period in 2025. Request TOC of the report @ https://www.tmrresearch.com/sample/sample?flag=T&rep_id=140 Global Alnico Magnets Market: Drivers and Restraints The incessant development of the automotive industry due to the increasing population and technological advancements is favoring the growth of the alnico magnets market. Alnico magnets are extensively used in the automotive industry across a range of applications such as economy and pollution control. Components such as alternators, motors, and gearbox require alnico magnets to carry out their mechanism. Alnico magnets are utilized in battery components, moving car parts, engine components, and other integral systems. In addition, alnico magnets are one of the most vital components in electric motors and are used in exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) systems that help reduce NOx emissions. Most automotive engines and electric motors use alnico magnets as they are highly coercive in nature. Moreover, alnico magnets are used in the stator of the wind turbine for producing AC electricity. The rising environmental concerns and depleting conventional sources of energy have led to the increasing use of renewable energy sources such as wind energy and solar energy. This has favored the growth of the global alnico magnets market. Furthermore, hybrid electric vehicles are expected to present new growth opportunities to the global alnico magnets market during the forecast period. Global Alnico Magnets Market: Regional Outlook China displayed the highest demand for alnico magnets in 2013 and held a major share of the global market. The flourishing automotive industry due to the increasing population and economic growth is favoring the growth of the alnico magnets industry in China. Asia Pacific (excluding China) stood as the second largest region in the global alnico magnets market in the same year due to the growth of the wind power industry. However, North America and regions contributed thinly to the global alnico magnets due to the non-availability of rare earth elements. Read Comprehensive Overview of Report @ https://www.tmrresearch.com/alnico-magnets-market Major Companies Mentioned in Report Some of the leading players in the global alnico magnets market are Adams Magnetic Products Co, Dexter Magnetic Technologies Inc., Hitachi Metals Ltd., Molycorp Inc., Shin-Etsu Chemicals Co. Ltd., Vacuumschmelze GmbH & Co., Arnold Magnetic Technologies, Electron Energy Corporation, Lynas Corporation Ltd., OM Group, and Tengam Engineering Inc. among others. About TMR Research TMR Research is a premier provider of customized market research and consulting services to business entities keen on succeeding in today's supercharged economic climate. Armed with an experienced, dedicated, and dynamic team of analysts, we are redefining the way our clients' conduct business by providing them with authoritative and trusted research studies in tune with the latest methodologies and market trends. Albany, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 05/26/2018 -- The global automatic identification system market to witness a significant rise in demand across different regions The technological advancements taking place in various industries, has increased its demand from various regions worldwide. Sea freight is witnessing a huge growth across the globe. There are also huge investments made for marine industry in developed and developing countries, which has led to an increase in demand of automatic identification system especially for vessel tracking. The increasing concern for security and safety is a major reason for the growth of the vessel tracking, globally. According to the regional market analysis, APEJ is expected to lead the global automatic identification system with an expected market size of over US$ 130 Mn by the end of 2027, growing at a value CAGR of 7.1% during the forecast period. Growth of APEJ's automatic identification market is associated with high traffic in the Malacca Strait Route creating high space for AIS. The Malacca Strait experiences high density vessel traffic, and is one of the busiest routes among all sea routes. Due to the narrow route, there is the high potential of collisions. To avoid collisions, enhance security and safety, and also manage sea traffic, APEJ is projected to have a huge demand for advanced AIS for real-time navigation. Get a free sample request @ https://www.xploremr.com/connectus/sample/410 MEA is also expected to stay a lucrative region during the forecast period. It is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.5% during 2017-2027. The growth of MEA's automatic identification system is driven with the rise of oil business in gulf countries. These countries have a huge sea operations due to oil exports. This oil business is creating a huge demand for AIS. High speed two-way communication and navigation is required for security purposes. This region is witnessing a significant demand for AIS, and is expected to contribute to the growth of the AIS market during the forecast period. Qatar's National Security Shield Project, is also focusing on AIS, including the latest technology for the security of coastal areas. This demand from the government is creating a huge competition among vendors to stay ahead in terms of technology. The high demand for AIS in this region is fuelling the global AIS market. Furthermore, the countries in Middle East are developing the IT sector. The integration of IT in AIS has paved the way for usage of AIS in a large number of applications, thereby greatly enhancing its utility. For instance, the use of Big Data Analytics on AIS helps defense agencies predict and detect anti-national activities with the support of domain awareness and maritime intelligence. The incompetency of software may hinder the growth of the global market in many regions In spite of continuous technological advancements in the software for AIS, the software still lags behind many attacking methods developed till now. The technology will still take some more time to reach perfection. For instance, the software in AIS is not able to check if messages actually originate from vessels sending them, which gives a chance for attackers to spoof or hijack information. These technical complexities which the software still lags behind and can pose restraints for the AIS market growth. The AIS sometimes predict wrong weather. The transmission of fake weather forecasts related to AIS can also pose a great challenge for its market growth. Buy Now Full Report @ https://www.xploremr.com/cart/reports/buynow/410 Albany, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 05/25/2018 -- Transparency Market Research's new market study on the global paints and coatings market examines the developments in the said market from regional, product, and application considerations for the 2013-2019 period. The report, titled "Construction Paints and Coatings Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2013 - 2019," says that the global construction paints and coatings market will reach a valuation of US$76.1 bn by 2019, increasing from US$51.6 bn in 2012. This amounts to a CAGR of 5.8% between 2013 and 2019, adds the report. The report points out that the growth of the construction paints and coatings industry is, naturally, dependent on the progression of the construction industry. Currently, the construction industry is displaying robust growth thanks to economic development following the 2008-09 economic slump, which affected most major economies around the world. Residential, commercial, and industrial undertakings that are up all over the world are indirectly contributing to the growth of the construction paints and coatings industry. Browse Research Report With Complete TOC @ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/construction-paints-coatings-market.html Major impediments that are challenging the growth of this market are the price volatility of petroleum-based feedstock and laws in place that regulate the permissibility of volatile organic compounds that can be added to paints and coatings formulations. Paints and coatings are used in building construction for several purposes. Some of these are increasing the visual appeal of the building's facade, protection of the structure against climatic extremes, waterproofing of the building's surface, increasing its durability, and protecting the surface from harmful creatures such as termites. Asia Pacific is the largest regional market for construction paints and coatings; the region, along with Europe, held a share of close to 70% in the global market in 2012. In Asia Pacific, large-volume infrastructural development, especially in the emerging economies of China and India, proffers immense growth prospects for the construction paints and coatings market. The Middle East and Africa region is also a hotspot of construction activities due to a host of government-driven infrastructural development projects coming up in the U.A.E, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia. This will result in increased demand for construction paints and coatings for these undertakings, So much so that the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region will emerge as a significant region contributing to the growth of the global construction paints and coatings market. Request a PDF Brochure with Research Report Analysis @ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=1840 Among the product types of construction paints and coatings, waterborne paints and coatings dominated the market in 2012 and held a share of close to one-third of the global market. Other product segments of the construction paints and coatings market are solvent-borne coatings, powder coatings, high solids/radiation cured coatings, and others. The report also analyzes the global construction paints and coatings market from a competitive standpoint. BASF SE, PPG Industries, Sherwin-Williams Company, AkzoNobel, and Asian Paints are some of the companies that are actively involved in this industry. Using analytical tools such as Porter's five forces and SWOT analyses, the report elaborates on the competitive dynamics of the market during the forecast period. About Transparency Market Research Transparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMR's experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge. Each TMR syndicated research report covers a different sector - such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals, energy, food & beverages, semiconductors, med-devices, consumer goods and technology. These reports provide in-depth analysis and deep segmentation to possible micro levels. With wider scope and stratified research methodology, TMR's syndicated reports strive to provide clients to serve their overall research requirement. Albany, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 05/26/2018 -- Iraq holds a place of importance within the Middle East and North Africa Market healthcare industry. According to a report published by Transparency Market Research, the Iraq healthcare (surgical procedures) market stood at a valuation of US$320.3 mn in 2013, and displaying a 7.8% CAGR between 2014 and 2022, is expected to rise to US$530.3 mn in 2022. With a population of 32 mn (2014) rising at approximately 2.9% per year, Iraq holds an array of opportunities for growth. Request for Sample Copy of Report @ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=4708 The healthcare system in Iraq works in a centralized fashion, wherein the public hospitals form the core of preventive and curative healthcare services. The capital intensive model has been developed under the aegis of Iraq's Ministry of Health (MoH), which is also the key healthcare provider in the country. However, that hasn't stopped the growth of a parallel private healthcare sector in the country. Healthcare services in the public healthcare (surgical procedures) market are dispensed through public hospitals and have extremely affordable price points. That's because the country's constitution stipulates that the government provide citizens free healthcare through public hospitals and clinics. Any medical device, drug, or laboratory equipment that is imported or commercially distributed in the country requires the approval of Marketing Drugs and Medical Appliances (KIMADIA) a government owned company under the Iraqi ministry of health. Enquiry for discount on this report @ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=D&rep_id=4708 The most widely conducted surgical procedures in the Iraq healthcare market are: cardiac procedures, orthopedic surgeries, general surgeries, reconstructive, and neurosurgeries. Of these, the highest revenue generation was credited to cardiac procedures in 2013 at over US$100 mn. In Iraq, as in many other countries across the world, cardiovascular diseases are on the rise and patients need intervention at many levels. The spread of diabetes in the country has also indirectly boosted the demand for cardiovascular surgeries in the country. The report studies the Iraq healthcare (surgical procedures) market from the competitive perspective. The findings of the report indicate that the industry is highly fragmented in nature, making it extremely competitive, too. The number of medical device manufacturers based out of Iraq has only grown in recent years and, in relation to this growth, the number of suppliers has increased too. The space is defined by the presence of both regional and international players. Leading companiesboth suppliers and manufacturersthat have been studied in the Iraq healthcare (surgical procedures) market are: Al Assad Scientific Bureau, Applied Medical Corporation, Albanna Group, Ismailiya Medical Co., Aesculap, Inc., Maquet Holding B.V. & Co. KG, Koninklijke Philips N.V., Munir Sukhtian Group Company, Medtronic, Inc., Siemens Healthcare, Rudolf Riester GmbH, Stryker Corporation, St. Jude Medical, Inc., and TeknoMed Company. This indicates that the competitive landscape in the country is a mix of both regional and global companies, creating competition at different levels but helping keep innovation a constant in the market. Request for the TOC of the Report @ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/report-toc/4708 About Transparency Market Research Transparency Market Research is a next-generation market intelligence provider, offering fact-based solutions to business leaders, consultants, and strategy professionals. Our reports are single-point solutions for businesses to grow, evolve, and mature. Our real-time data collection methods along with ability to track more than one million high growth niche products are aligned with your aims. The detailed and proprietary statistical models used by our analysts offer insights for making right decision in the shortest span of time. For organizations that require specific but comprehensive information we offer customized solutions through adhoc reports. These requests are delivered with the perfect combination of right sense of fact-oriented problem solving methodologies and leveraging existing data repositories. TMR believes that unison of solutions for clients-specific problems with right methodology of research is the key to help enterprises reach right decision. Valley Cottage, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 05/26/2018 -- Future Market Insights (FMI) delivers key insights on the global Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE) market in its upcoming report titled "Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE) Market: Global Industry Analysis and Opportunity Assessment 20152025".The global low density polyethylene market is projected to expand at a healthy CAGR of 5.6% in terms of value during the forecast period due to various factors, regarding which FMI offers vital insights in detail in this report. Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE) is the most common form of polyethylene manufactured from monomer ethylene. This thermoplastic finds applications in film & sheets, extrusion coatings, injection mouldings and other applications. The products of LDPE are extensively utilized in various industries such as construction, automotive, packaging and others. Demand for LDPE is primarily driven by widening span of various end-use applications and products. Macro-economic factors including developing retail sector, urbanization, growing prominence of recyclable products and rapid commercialization in developing economies are further driving growth of the global LDPE market. Request For Report Sample@ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-1021 As of 2014, Asia Pacific excluding Japan (APEJ) accounted for around 27.8% market share by value, followed by North America, Western Europe and other regions. APEJ region is expected to witness significant growth and gain market share during the forecast period. Revenue from developed economies are collectively expected to expand at a CAGR of 3.4% during the forecast period. China is expected to emerge as the single largest market in terms of value, surpassing the U.S. by end of the forecast period. In 2014, the film & sheets application was the largest segment in the global low density polyethylene market, followed by the extrusion coating and injection moulding segments. The film & sheets application segment is projected to remain the largest segment throughout the forecast period, creating an incremental $ opportunity of US$ 16,080.7 Mn between 2015 and 2025. In 2014, tubular reactor was the largest technology segment in the global low density polyethylene market. The autoclave segment is expected to create an incremental $ opportunity of US$ 5,793.3 Mn for low density polyethylene producers over the forecast period. Request For Report Table of Content (TOC): https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/askus/rep-gb-1021 Some key players in the low density polyethylene market that have been covered in this study include LyondellBasell Industries N.V., ExxonMobil Corporation, The Dow Chemical Company, Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC), BASF-YPC Company Limited, LG Chem Ltd., E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, Braskem S.A., Formosa Plastics Corporation and Qatar Petrochemical Company. Albany, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 05/26/2018 -- The military light utility vehicle is a small in size manufactured for military. They are relatively light and short compared to other cars and trucks. The military light utility vehicles are unarmored and have small body projections for all-terrain mobility and capacity of at least 4 passenger. Get Brochure for Latest Advancements and Research Insights @ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=23411 Based on product, the military light utility vehicles market is segmented into jeep, SUV, bus and others. Among various product, in 2016, the jeep segment dominated the military light utility vehicles market and expected to be the same during the forecast period of 2017 2025. The growing demand for military light utility vehicle from commercial sector is one of the major factor boosting the market. In addition, SUV segment is also anticipated to witness the highest growth in the coming years. Based on end user, the military light utility vehicles market is segmented into defense and commercial. Among various end user, in 2016, the defense segment dominated the military light utility vehicles market followed by commercial and expected to be the same during the forecast period of 2017 2025. Increase in the demand of weapons in several developing countries such as China, India, Saudi Arabia and Brazil among others is one of the major factor boosting the demand of military light utility vehicles in defense segment. The Asia-Pacific region is anticipated to be the key growth area for armor in the coming years. India, China, Malaysia, the Philippines, Pakistan, Singapore, Thailand and South Korea all have armored vehicle replacements in the coming years. Middle East nations such as the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia are re-equipping as conflict continues in Iraq and Syria. By geography, the military light utility vehicles market has been segmented into five regions namely North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Africa and Latin America. North America is a major customer and manufacturer of military light utility vehicles and it is distant first from other regions in terms of market share with only Europe next to it by a huge margin in the market share. The impact of its dominance is such that the military light utility vehicles market relies heavily on the U.S. defense budget and military spending. Europe is the second largest market in military light utility vehicles. In 2016, the U.K. holds highest share of the market among other countries in Europe and expected to be the same during the forecast period. Browse Market Research Report @ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/military-light-utility-vehicles-market.html Owing to rising number of conflicts, government concern to protect civilians from damages has increased in the recent years which in turn expected to boost the market for the military light utility vehicles in the coming years. Asia Pacific is anticipated to grow at a high CAGR during the forecast period of 2017 2025. Emerging markets are anticipated to be prominent sources of defense spending on military light utility vehicles as their economies are expected to grow over the forecast period. Countries such as China, Japan, and India have increased their defense spending significantly over the past decade, thus creating significant scope for adoption of military light utility vehicles. Rapid technological developments, potential conflicts, re-alignment of forces, and changing economic climate are some of the major factor boosting the market for military light utility vehicles in Middle East and Africa. In Latin America, high military spending in several countries such as Brazil, Ecuador and Chile among others has propelled the growth of military light utility vehicles market. Some of the major players in the military light utility vehicles market include are BAE Systems (United Kingdom), General Dynamics Corporation (United States), Thales Group (France) and Lockheed Martin Corporation (United States). These key players are targeting the emerging economies and are applying several methods to increase their market share. In addition, some of the other major players Mercedes Benz (Germany), Volkswagen AG (Germany), Boeing International (United States), Elbit Systems Ltd. (Israel), International Armored Group (United States) and INKAS Armored Vehicle Manufacturing (Canada) among others. The quiet and completely self-effacing hero of this madcap weekend in Brunswick, Maine, when both our children graduate, is Liam. He is skipping his own high school graduation back in Marietta to support his sister, to dwell in the reflected glory of her honors-festooned graduation ceremonies. He made Dean's List at Washington State Community College, where he's taken the last two years' worth of his courses, readying himself for fall admission to West Virginia University. He won't get to march with his class at Marietta High School, but not a peep of complaint from him as he holds his weary, exhausted, much celebrated sister close here in Maine. I have never been more proud of both of them. Writing from a small bed in Freeport, Maine, where Bill, Liam and I are holed up in the midst of a wild, wild weekend of graduation ceremonies:Everyone loves a grateful person. Conversely, people who act as if the world owes them something just for drawing breath are somewhat less popular, unless they're really good looking or rich and thus somehow mysteriously entitled to respect and admiration by the masses. It's hard to know where gratitude comes from. A certain amount can be instilled ("Say thank you to the nice lady, honey.") But theof gratitude isn't something you parrot out when commanded. You have to feel it deep inside, and then it comes out in intangible ways.I've never understood people who don't thank waiters, public servants, or anyone who helps them, be it their friends, their parents or their friends' parents. Somebody holds a door for you or cooks you a meal, you acknowledge that. You single them out for thanks. So I guess, in this house, there has been an expectation of gratitude and acknowledgement for kindnesses large and small instilled from an early age. Again, intangible, but there. It's a culture. Still, when your kids get past the age where you can hiss, "Say thank you!" you hold your breath and hope they remember, and you take them aside and set them straight if they fail to show gratitude. But you can't make themit unless they feel it. I am happy to report that both Phoebe and Liam feel and show gratitude in eloquent and sensitive ways. If gratitude be a measure of a person, they are both tall.So it was with great anticipation that we learned that Phoebe, among all the students receiving scholarships from Bowdoin College, had been asked to prepare a speech thanking the donors to Bowdoin scholarships at a luncheon late last week. When she was home for spring break, she'd riffled through my closets as she often does, and she picked out two cocktail dresses, both in Bowdoin black and white, that she thought might work. I was bemused to see this long-stemmed lovely wearing my clothes! Who wore it better? The redhead!! But even better than, she gave her speech to me right there in my studio, because I had long since committed to a keynote for the Biggest Week in American Birding that very same day! Bowdoin offered to fly us both out to see her speak, but only Bill was able to take them up on it. Sigh. He had a marvelous time, and he said he'd never felt more proud in his life.Through the magic of live streaming and the kindness of Bowdoin staff, I was able to race back from the Magee Marsh boardwalk, which had been crawling with warblers, to my room at Maumee Bay Hotel and watch President Clayton Rose introduce my daughter. Then I watched her take the podium. What a thrill that was! My heart overflowed. I have always told her she is a natural writer; that whatever she does in life, her attention to the craft of writing and storytelling will carry her through and set her apart.So I sat there, my faithful iPhone running, making a video of the whole thing, intending only to send it to my brother and sisters and aunt and a dear friend or two, and it occurred to me that you might like to see and hear her speak, too.And here's the speech. You'll see the back of Bill's head, and he gets up at the end and hugs her. It's pretty sweet.I guess what I love most about it, aside from the deep breath she takes as she begins, is that she is so aware that she is both blessed and lucky to have been raised to aspire to more. Her empathy for her high school classmates comes through loud and clear. So does her self-awareness, her sense of where she fits in the rarefied atmosphere she has been privileged to breathe. It's a delicate line she walks in this speech, and I think she toes it like a pro. Being able to get up and do that--to make people feel something-- is a tremendous gift in itself. Anyway, enough of my blabbin'. Enjoy the speech. 135 booked for selling inferior food products The Department of Food Technology and Quality Control (DFTQC) filed cases against 135 firms in the first 10 months of the fiscal year for selling substandard food products that pose a risk to human health, mainly edible oils, bottled water, pulses and dairy products. Press Release May 25, 2018 Legarda Lauds Masbate for its Coal-Free Policy Venice, Italy - Senator Loren Legarda commends the province of Masbate for the issuance of a resolution banning the development and operation of coal-fired power plants making the province "coal-free". As chair of the Senate Committee on Climate Change, Legarda said Provincial Resolution No. 096-18 will help the province reduce harmful emissions, promote renewable energy, protect the environment and safeguard the health of its people. Legarda agrees with the provincial board of Masbate in saying that its decision is for the benefit of present and future generations of Masbatenos. "As current leaders, we are responsible for how we protect the environment and conserve our resources for the benefit of the future generations. This is how we contribute to a resilient and sustainable development." "If we want to achieve sustainability, we need to scale up green initiatives for adaptation and mitigation measures that will further enable us to protect our environment and our people," the Senator said. "Our accession to the Paris Agreement was a vital step towards our climate resilience efforts and equally crucial is the level of action that local governments will undertake. Local leaders must be at the forefront of climate action to ensure that solutions will address the specific climate vulnerabilities of communities. Thus, I commend these enlightened LGUs for leading their communities towards the better path of resilience and sustainability. I urge all other provinces to follow suit," said Legarda. "Choosing to go coal-free and shifting to clean and renewable energy sources is not just compliance with the Paris Agreement but also ensuring that our communities use energy sources that are more reliable, efficient and cheaper," she added. Masbate is now one of the five provinces in the Philippines that have banned coal-powered energy projects; Ilocos Norte, Negros Oriental, Sorsogon, and Guimaras being the first four. "Aside from going low-carbon, I also urge LGUs to craft their respective local climate change action plans (LCCAP) and adopt the 1.5 degrees Celsius limit goal in doing so. Let us do this because the future of our people and our environment, and the sustainability of our communities matters. Let us do this because the survival of the present and future generations lies in the decisions and actions that we take today," concluded Legarda, the UNISDR Global Champion for Resilience and UNFCCC National Adaptation Plan Champion. Legarda is now in Venice, Italy for the Vernissage of the Philippine Pavilion in the 16th Architecture Biennale, a joint project of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Senator's Office. The Vernissage was held yesterday and will be open to the public from May 26 to November 25, 2018 at the Artiglierie, Arsenale in Venice. Press Release May 25, 2018 Speech of Senator Loren Legarda Hibla ng Lahing Filipino Travelling Exhibition 24 May 2018 | Madrid, Spain Read by Dr. Ana Labrador Traditional textiles are ties that bind. It links the past to the present and brings together cultures, which, no matter how diverse, has a commonality. It is in this premise that the Hibla ng Lahing Filipino textile gallery was born in 2012 in two small rooms of the National Museum of the Philippines. Today, I am filled with pride because from the simple rooms that first housed the textile gallery, Hibla has now gone international. It all started with a vision to have our own textile gallery in the Philippines, inspired by my travels to neighboring countries in Southeast Asia like Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, each having their own rich weaving heritage showcased in their museums. I thought, there is so much to show the world about the indigenous artistry of Filipinos through traditional textiles and I have proven this with the numerous visits I had to various weaving communities around the Philippines. I even go to the remotest barangays if only to see the most skilled weaver of a town or province. No weaver has ever failed to amaze me yet. Their diligence, creativity and passion are truly remarkable. When I met Director Jeremy Barns and Dr. Ana Labrador, I did not think twice and offered my proposal to establish a textile gallery in the Philippines. The plea did not fall on deaf ears. In 2012, we opened the Hibla ng Lahing Filipino: The Artistry of Philippine Textiles at the National Museum, the country's first permanent textile gallery. The exhibition was then housed in two small rooms of the National Museum of Fine Arts; but its impact was immense that even Queen Sofia of Spain could not help but say that it was "the best of the best of the best." The gallery features the raw materials and looms used in weaving, the relevance of textiles in various communities, the different fabrics and styles of weaving, and various traditional textiles from ethno-linguistic communities, including the oldest existing textile in the Philippines, the Banton cloth. Former Timor Leste President Jose Ramos-Horta, Japan First Lady Akie Abe, American-British entrepreneur Lady Lynn Forester de Rothschild, and Ermenegildo Zegna CEO Paolo Zegna were among the visitors of the gallery who were impressed with the artistry and craftsmanship of our Filipino weavers. A year after its launch, the National Museum found a bigger place to house the gallery. The Hibla gallery was transferred to the National Museum of Anthropology and it was able to hold more textiles and looms and accommodate more visitors. Many weekends, I would just walk in and observe the visitors. It is heartwarming to hear their comments and know that they find the gallery interesting and it enriches their knowledge about our weaving heritage and our culture as a whole. But one gallery is not enough to hold our rich weaving culture and through the Lecture Series and Weaving Demonstrations on Philippine Textiles and Indigenous Knowledge, we are able to showcase the various weaving techniques of different weaving communities in the country. It is an opportunity for the public to interact with our weavers and appreciate the work and love they pour into every textile they weave. In July 2017, the National Museum launched the first Hibla regional gallery, the Hibla Iloko at the National Museum Ilocos Regional Museum Complex in Vigan, Ilocos Sur. Many more Hibla regional galleries will soon rise, and we hope that someday we will have not only galleries, but one whole Hibla Museuma vision that I know we can bring into fruition. Because once, the Hibla gallery was a vision; but now it has travelled to London last October; in Lisbon, Portugal last March; and now, here in Madrid, Spain. We launch this travelling exhibition with our pina-seda weavers and embroiderers, who have showcased their passion and exceptional skills during the weaving and embroidery demonstrations. I would like to thank Anna India Dela Cruz and Nelia Rogano from Kalibo, Aklan, and Marilyn Tobias and Magdalena Rosales of Lumban, Laguna for sharing their knowledge and skills for this travelling exhibition. These weavers and embroiderers are our culture-bearers. They inspire us to preserve our heritage as they have remained faithful to their culture, they have not turned their backs on their roots, and they have fully embraced their tradition, which is an intangible wealth that they possess. The Hibla gallery, which has blossomed into many other initiatives, is not only an effort to celebrate indigenous artistry through textiles and provide more Filipinos the opportunity to discover priceless information about our heritage, but an attempt to bring the challenge of nurturing our weaving traditions into the national stage, to a wider audience. As we open the Hibla ng Lahing Filipino Travelling Exhibition here in Madrid, I invite you to take yourself in a journey, explore the similarity and diversity of our traditional textiles, and be fascinated with the traditional skills that gave fruit to such artistic creations. Thank you. POE: SUSPEND EXCISE TAXES ON FUEL ILOILO CITY--As the public reels from increasing commodity prices, Sen. Grace Poe on Friday, May 25, recommended the suspension of excise taxes on fuel as part of the tax reform package. This was the initial recommendation of the Senate committee on public services after it conducted a public hearing in Iloilo City on Friday, May 25, on the effects of Republic Act No. 10963 or the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) law particularly on utilities and transportation. "Hihilingin natin sa Department of Finance at sa ibang ahensya ng gobyerno na pag-aralang mabuti ang suspension ng excise taxes sa fuel dahil sa walang humpay na pagtaas ng presyo ng produktong petrolyo," said Poe, committee chairperson. During the hearing, senators were told that pump prices in Panay region have already increased by 30 percent or at least P10 for diesel and gasoline since December last year. The region already registered price upticks in rice (P5 per kilo), pork (P15 per kilo) and fish (P20 per kilo). Farmers also have to fork in an additional P2,600 a month and a worker has to contend with additional P3,640 after the passage of the TRAIN Law, the Senate panel was told. Consumer groups in Panay have blamed the effects of TRAIN Law being aggravated by increasing fuel costs as the culprit of higher commodity prices. "Bilang tulong sa ating mga kababayan, lalo na sa mga mahihirap, dapat na pag-aralan ng ahensya ang pagpapaliban sa full implementation ng TRAIN Law, partikular sa fuel excise taxes, dahil lahat ng produkto ay apektado nito," Poe stressed. Poe said she will ask her colleagues to support the proposal for the fuel excise tax suspension. Since the law's implementation in January this year, average price increase has been P8.07 per liter for gasoline, P8.95 for diesel and P9.15 per liter of kerosene. Calls for fuel excise tax suspension snowballed as consumer prices rose 4.5 percent in April compared to a year ago, setting its fastest pace in over five years. Sen. Bam Aquino on China missiles in WPS Ipaglaban naman natin ang talagang atin. China invaded undisputed Philippine waters and installed missiles. Gawain ba 'yan ng isang kaibigan? Kumilos naman tayo para sa kinabukasan ng bansa at ng mga Pilipino. We support the convening of National Security Council (NSC) and hope the President listens to our security experts. We also filed a resolution to investigate the installation of missiles in Panganiban ang Zamora Reefs. 2 arrested for murdering newborn in Kanchanpur Police arrested two persons in charge of murdering a newly-born baby from Bhimdutta Municipality in Kanchanpur district. Apex court show-cause to government on Dhungel clemency bid The Supreme Court has served a show-cause notice to the government on the latters plan to offer amnesty to murder convict Balkrishna Dhungel. Demonstrations by DMK, its allies Congress, Indian Union Muslim League and other parties like Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, Communist Party of India, and Communist Party of India-Marxist were staged across Tamil Nadu and neighbouring Puducherry. : The bandh called by Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam-led opposition parties to condemn police firing at Tuticorin in which 13 people lost their lives and press for Chief Minister K Palaniswamis resignation passed off peacefully on Friday. State-run transport corporation buses, autos, taxis and trains operated as usual while banks, hotels, commercial establishments and markets were open. Attendance in government and private establishments was normal, officials said. In Tuticorin, barring a stray incident of a bus being set ablaze, no fresh violence was reported on Friday and the port city appeared to limp back to normalcy with operation of buses to select destinations like Tirunelveli beginning on Friday with police security. The vegetable market also opened. Prohibitory orders, however, continue to be in place in Tuticorin. Police on Friday deployed drones for monitoring the situation as part of efforts to maintain law and order, even as a bus was torched by unidentified persons. The drones were used in select locations for effective monitoring, to enable the police personnel to take swift action to prevent untoward incidents, a district official said. While calm prevailed in the city, miscreants set fire to the bus at nearby Karungulam after asking the passengers to get down, he said. The bandh call evoked good response in several regions falling under Kanyakumari and Tirunelveli districts, adjoining Tuticorin, besides Coimbatore, Tirupur and Tiruvarur. Though most shops, retail outlets and commercial establishments were closed in such regions, public transportation was not affected. In Congress-ruled Puducherry, normal life was hit. All shops and establishments, restaurants, cinema houses, vegetable and fish markets remained closed. Autos, private and Puducherry government run buses were off the roads. DMK Working President M K Stalin said such protests would continue till Palaniswami quits and demanded that government make an official announcement that the Sterlite plant would be shut permanently. Protests would be held till such an official declaration was made, he told reporters at a hall where he was lodged by police after he led a protest at Madurantakam in Kancheepuram district. He alleged that those in the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam government were bribed, vis-a-vis the Sterlite row. Hitting out at the AIADMK regime, Stalin said he and his party colleagues went to the Secretariat on Thursday to lay siege to the chief ministers office. We were there to tell the chief minister to quit his office and go home and not to give any petitions, he said. Violent protests erupted in Tuticorin on Tuesday as locals took to the streets demanding closure of a copper factory of the Vedanta group over pollution concerns. The Leader of the Opposition in the assembly claimed that it was the protest led by him that goaded Chief Minister Palaniswami to break his silence on Thursday on the Tuticorin violence. Referring to a case filed against him for defying prohibitory orders, Stalin said his partymen had faced several cases and were not afraid of going to jail for peoples cause. He demanded a probe by a sitting judge of the high court into the violence and said his party cannot agree on the inquiry by a retired judge (Aruna Jagadeesan) which the government had announced on May 23. A large number of cadres carrying placards against the violence participated in the demonstration. Later, Stalin was removed from the spot along with his party workers by police and they were detained in a marriage hall. At Chennai, former Chennai Mayor and DMK leader M Subramanian, party Rajya Sabha MP Kanimozhi, VCK chief Thirumavalavan, MMK leader M H Jawahirullah were detained after they staged a protest, police said. Similar protests were held by DMK-led Opposition parties including the CPI-M and the CPI across the state. All those detained would be released later in the day, police said. Internet services, which were suspended in Kanyakumari and Tirunelveli districts on May 23, were restored in these districts on Friday, unconfirmed reports said. Along with Tuticorin, internet and mobile data services in the two districts were suspended on May 23 to check rumours and provocative messages on social media. Violent protests erupted in Tuticorin on May 22 and 23 as locals took to the streets demanding closure of Vedanta groups copper factory over pollution concerns and 13 were killed in police firing. In a BSE filing, Vedanta said Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board on May 23 ordered disconnection of electricity supply and closure of its copper smelter plant at Tuticorin adding it was non-operational since March 27 this year. The Madras high court on Friday issued notice to the CBI on a plea seeking a probe by the agency into the police firing. Copyright 2018 PTI. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of PTI content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent. Commuting in a lawless country A typical scene on a bus plying the Koteshwor-Maitighar route, which I use almost every day, is something like this: The khalasi is precariously hanging on the door of the vehicle, hailing passengers, no matter whether the bus is empty or packed to the rafters. Those who can grab seats are lucky but not spared from the nauseating crowdedness of the bus. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- There are no Community Board meetings scheduled for the week of May 28. Local community boards give residents an opportunity to offer input in the decision-making process for many long-term projects impacting the borough. Community Board meetings are open to the public and afford a great way to learn more about what's going on in your neighborhood and to get involved. If you have something you would like to speak out about, all you need to do is sign up -- before the meeting is called to order -- to speak in the public session. Community Board 1 represents the North Shore of Staten Island, with the board office located at 1 Edgewater Plaza, Suite 217, in Stapleton. Community Board 2 represents the Mid-Island district, and holds meetings in the Lou Caravone Community Service Building on the campus of Sea View Hospital Rehabilitation Center and Home, 460 Brielle Ave., in Sea View. Community Board 3 represents the South Shore of Staten Island, with the board office located on the second floor of 1243 Woodrow Rd., Woodrow. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. - Police are asking for the public's assistance identifying three individuals in connection with a Port Richmond robbery. (Photo courtesy of DCPI) According to the NYPD, on Sunday, April 21, at approximately 11:15 p.m., a 40-year-old male and his 17-year-old son were approached from behind by three unidentified individuals while walking near Simonson Place and Castleton Avenue. The first individual hit the 40-year-old male in the face with a rock multiple times and removed a wallet from his person, police allege. The second individual hit the 17-year-old multiple times in the face with a closed fist, police said. According to a statement from the NYPD's Deputy Commissioner of Public Information, the victim then gave the third individual $10. Both father and son were transported to Richmond University Medical Center in West Brighton, where they were treated for their injuries. (Photo courtesy of DCPI) The first individual is described as a black male in his late teens, last seen wearing a white shirt and grey sweatpants. The second and third individuals are both described as white males in their late teens. Anyone with information in regard to this incident is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). The public can also submit tips by logging onto the Crime stoppers website at WWW.NYPDCRIMESTOPPERS.COM or by texting tips to 274637 (CRIMES) then entering TIP577. All calls are kept strictly confidential. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- The FDNY responded to a fire Saturday at a commercial strip in Great Kills, at the site of the former H.S. Farrell Lumber. One firefighter suffered a burn to the arm, according to an FDNY source. A woman who live in a second-floor apartment next door said flames were shooting out of the roof of the vacant, two-story building as firefighters arrived. "I smelled smoke and thought it was the pizzeria that has the wood burning stove," said Kathy Cogswell. "I heard the fire engines and I looked out the window, and saw the fire." Cogswell said her apartment didn't appear to be damaged, and was told by authorities she'd have to wait outside while they inspected the integrity of the vacant building. Sources said the job was complicated by the old floors and staircases inside the building, which has been vacant since 2002. A partial collapse was reported at the warehouse behind the storefront in November. The 3900 block of Amboy Road remained blocked off by authorities, as of about 10 a.m., as firefighters continued to assess the scene. Sources said firefighters broke through a portion of the rear concrete wall as part of their efforts to knock down the fire. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. - He's not on the ballot, but President Donald Trump looms very large in the GOP primary battle between Rep. Dan Donovan (R-Staten Island/Brooklyn) and former Congressman Michael Grimm. Which is hardly surprising, seeing as Trump won Staten Island with 57 percent of the vote when he ran for president in 2016. He did even better during the GOP primary, when he got 82 percent of the vote among Republicans here. It was his best county in the country. No wonder Donovan and Grimm want to staple themselves to his side. Trump is all over Grimm's campaign mail. Grimm pledges that he'll support Trump if elected again to the House. For Donovan it's been trickier. He backed Trump in the general election, but voted against Obamacare repeal, tax reform and punishing sanctuary cities, three key pieces of the Trump agenda. Grimm has been quick to remind district residents of those votes, even though there's really no telling how Grimm would have voted on those issues were he in Donovan's shoes. That's one of the benefits of being the challenger. And Donovan has taken pains to remind voters that there are things he agrees with Trump on. In his first TV spot, Donovan says he's working hard with Trump to "deport dangerous illegal aliens, build the wall and end sanctuary cities." The commercial is actually titled, "Standing Tough With President Trump." But despite how loudly the Trump name has been mentioned by both Grimm and Donovan, the Donald hasn't made an endorsement in the race. This from a president that tweets round-the-clock, and gets involved in races all over the country. He's not going to chime in on a seat in his own backyard, the only GOP seat in the five boroughs? The seat in his best GOP borough? Not that Trump has shunned Donovan. Just the other day, Trump gave Donovan a lift on Air Force One as both attended a roundtable on the MS-13 gang on Long Island. It was the second such trip that Donovan has made with the president. But Trump wasn't exactly Mr. Warmth in introducing Donovan to the crowd. "Congressman Daniel Donovan," Trump intoned. "Really known as Dan, right? Dan Donovan. He's been a friend." Not bad. But compare that to the effusive intro Trump gave to Long Island GOP Rep. Peter King, who was seated next to Trump at the event. Trump called him "the great Peter King" and said, "He's going a good job. And he's fully got my endorsement, even though I assume he has no opponent." Said Trump, "Nobody would be that crazy to run against Peter." In fairness, it would be hard for Trump to endorse Donovan after Donovan showed the president the back of his hand on three key votes. And Trump has little to gain by getting involved in a GOP squabble on Staten Island. Better to keep his powder dry for the moment and see if he has to come in and give the eventual Republican nominee a boost during the general election. So in Trump's absence, Donovan and Grimm have turned to Trumpian surrogates to boost themselves. Grimm had former White House communications director Anthony Scaramucci, who served Trump for all of 11 days, here for a fund-raiser last week. And Donovan has been backed by former Mayor Rudy Giuliani, the latest in the long line of lawyers advising Trump during the Russia investigation. Of course, Rudy has been a Donovan supporter for years, but he's got the Trump sparkle on him these days, and that's good enough. Of the two surrogates, Giuliani is the one who's actually working for Trump at the moment. So that's a plus. But there ain't nothing like the real thing. And that's Trump. He's still got a month to make some noise in the race. Taiwan diplomacy harder than ever in US-China tug of war Taipei, May 26 (AFP) May 26, 2018 Diplomacy has never been easy for Taiwan and is becoming ever more complex as it is caught between the United States under an unpredictable leader and an increasingly assertive China, which claims the self-ruling island as its own. In her strongest statement yet over pressure from China, Taiwan's president Tsai Ing-wen blamed Beijing after Burkina Faso severed ties Thursday with Taipei. Tsai said China was showing insecurity over "more substantial developments in relations between Taiwan and the US, and other like-minded countries". The US remains democratic Taiwan's most powerful ally and leading arms supplier, although it gave up official diplomatic ties in 1979 to recognise Beijing. In recent months, it has made a series of new overtures -- President Donald Trump signed a symbolic bill paving the way for mutual visits by high-level officials and Washington gave long-awaited approval for a licence necessary to sell submarine technology to Taiwan. Yet while Taiwan's relationship with the US is essential to its security, it must also guard against riling China, its biggest military threat but also the dominant market for the island's export-driven economy. Beijing officials have described ramped-up Chinese military drills near Taiwan as a warning against asserting its sovereignty. Analysts say they are also a message to Washington. Foreign minister Joseph Wu -- whose resignation over Burkina Faso was rejected by Tsai -- said earlier this month that furthering Taiwan-US relations must be done "in a very cautious manner". He described the government as seeking to "advance bilateral interests without creating any kind of trouble for anyone else". - New friends - While Taiwan calls itself a sovereign country, the island has never formally declared a split from the mainland and China sees reunification as its eventual goal. Since Tsai came to power two years ago, Beijing has become increasingly hostile and is highly suspicious of her traditionally pro-independence party. China is using its clout to shut Taiwan out of international meetings and to pressure companies to list the island as a Chinese province on their websites. To mitigate against Beijing's suppression, Taipei is making a concerted effort to win more international backing. Tsai is pursuing new business and cooperation with other nations, including through her "southbound policy", which targets 16 south and southeast Asian countries, as well as Australia and New Zealand. More countries than ever had voiced support for Taiwan after Beijing blocked it from a major meeting of the World Health Organization (WHO) earlier this month, said Tsai, who cast it as a sign the island was gaining global recognition. "Taiwan needs to form a broader coalition of willing friends to supplement the support it gets from the US," said Jonathan Sullivan, director of the China Policy Institute at Nottingham University, although he added the US remains the island's top foreign relations priority because of its influence. - Washington shift - Observers say growing frustration with Beijing has prompted the latest supportive gestures from the US towards Taiwan as trade tensions between the world's two largest economies escalate and concerns mount over China's assertiveness in the region. Relations with China are "no longer serving US interests", said William Stanton, who headed the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) -- the US de-facto embassy in Taipei -- from 2009 to 2012. Arguably the most liberal place in Asia, Taiwan stands in stark contrast to Communist China's authoritarian one-party state and is a strategic Pacific ally for Washington to counter Beijing's territorial ambitions. All eyes will be on which US official is sent to the opening of AIT's newly built office complex next month, which cost $250 million. However, some observers point to Trump's erratic approach to foreign policy and fear Taiwan could be used as a pawn in his negotiations with China. "It may appear the situation in the US bodes well for Taiwan. But so far, we haven't seen what kind of benefits it is bringing us," said Teng Chung-chian, a diplomacy professor at Taipei's National Chengchi University. The US has not granted special trade protections to Taiwan, such as relief from steel and aluminium tariffs, he added. Any US support highlighting Taiwan's claim to sovereignty could also risk a "harsh response" from Beijing, said Kharis Templeman, a political scientist at Stanford University. But foreign minister Wu dismissed the possibility of Taiwan being used as a bargaining chip by the US, saying the island has "good friends" in the Trump administration. "Taiwan by itself is also an actor," he added. "We can also try to judge what is in Taiwan's best interest, and try to find the right policy for Taiwan." China, Burkina Faso establish ties following Taiwan snub Beijing, May 26 (AFP) May 26, 2018 China and Burkina Faso signed an agreement to establish diplomatic ties on Saturday, days after the West African nation cut ties with Taiwan, handing Beijing yet another victory in its campaign to isolate the island. A communique on establishing relations was signed in Beijing by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his counterpart Alpha Barry. Burkina Faso broke off ties with Taiwan on Thursday, becoming the second country to do so within a month and leaving the democratically ruled island with only 18 diplomatic allies around the world. Saturday's move had been widely expected after Burkina Faso defected from Taiwan, which has steadily lost ground in a decades-long diplomatic tug-of-war with China in developing countries. "Now Africa has only one country with which we have not yet established (relations)," Wang said in a speech afterward. "We hope this country can join the big China-Africa family of friendship as soon as possible." Taiwan can now claim only one ally in Africa, eSwatini, formerly known as Swaziland. China and Taiwan split in 1949 after a civil war won by the Chinese communists. The two sides often use economic support and other aid as bargaining chips for diplomatic recognition. China still considers Taiwan to be a renegade province to be reunified with the mainland, by force if necessary. Relations between Taiwan and China have worsened since President Tsai Ing-wen took over in Taipei in 2016. Beijing has raised the pressure on Tsai, whose government refuses to acknowledge that Taiwan -- whose democratic freedoms stand in stark contrast to Communist-ruled China -- is part of a "one China". Burkina Faso was the fourth country to cut ties with Taipei since Tsai took office two years ago. EPG defers June 1-3 meeting The ninth meeting of Eminent Persons Group on Nepal-India relations, which was scheduled to take place in Kathmandu on June 1-3, has been postponed until further notice. 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The foundation organizes events that benefits St. Maarten/St. Martin, Dominicans residing on St. Maarten/St. Martin and the Commonwealth of Dominica. Most recently, DFS collaborated with the St. Maarten Guyanese Association in holding a Pre-Mothers Day Dinner and Dance held at Emilios Restuarant. We chose to partner with the Guyanese Association because we would like to build a unity among the various National groups on the island. We are all residing on St. Maarten/St. Martin and we should maintain a peaceful relationship with not only the natives but with the other nationals as well, stated Mr. Felix. The event was very successful and it was a delight to see the interaction, this shows that even though we come from different nations we are still One Caribbean; we share similar culture and customs in more ways than one. Another highlight of the evening is a performance by the late Mi Pa Ben. When I asked him to do a small performance as a representation of St. Maarten, he was very excited to do so and even offered his service free of charge, stated Mr. Felix. Throughout his performance Mi Pa Ben announced that Dominica is always dear to his heart because his first ever gig he performed was in Dominica. DFS will be holding their general meeting on Thursday May 31, 2018 commencing at 7:30pm at the University of St. Martin. We will be discussing some very important and pressing topics that affect us all, states the secretary. All Dominicans are invited and encouraged to attend this meeting. Persons interested in joining DFS may contact President Clayton Felix at +1721-5276801 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . ~Nagico is the Platinum Sponsor~ PHILIPSBURG:--- The Rotary Club of Sint Maarten, in conjunction with the Windward Islands Medical Association, and their Platinum Sponsor, NAGICO Insurances held a conference for medical professionals on the state of Oncology (Cancer) treatment and care on St. Maarten on May 10 - 12 at the Belair Community Center. The conference was attended by more than 100 medical professionals from around the region, and 5 international experts in the field of Oncology that addressed the local medical professionals and members of the public. Dr. Neinke Gonzales-Diaz, Dr. Diego Ramos, Dr. Wouter Dercksen, Dr. Marino Leon and Dr. Martijn Stuiver each spoke on their respective specialties. Dr. Hidde Dekethe, Secretary of the Windward Islands Medical Association, continued, The medical portion of the event had also a great attendance with 3/4 of all (para) medical professionals of St. Maarten present, as well as Doctors and Nurses from Saba and Statia. For sure Oncology and Palliative Care in St. Maarten was given a new boost, all benefitting the population of St. Maarten and the surrounding islands. A FREE Public Meeting on Cancer preceded the medical conference on Thursday evening, May 10, 2018. The Honorable Minister of Health and Member of Parliament, Mr. Emil Lee, welcomed attendees with a heartfelt and personal message that highlighted the importance of knowledge about caring for ones own health. More than 230 residents attended this public meeting on Cancer Care, which included presentations on the state of Cancer Care on Sint Maarten, focusing on Prostate Cancer and Breast Cancer as the most common types of cancer effecting our region. President of the Rotary Club of Sint Maarten, John Caputo said, This years conference exceeded our expectations with record attendance at the public session. We also added a live stream of the event on the Rotary Club of Sint Maartens Facebook Page for those that could not attend. The video is still online for those that would still like to view it. And to make it even easier, the Rotary Club added free shuttle bus transportation to and from the Belair Community Center from Dutch Quarter and St. Peters. Projects like this have long lasting effects on our communities and if this program saves just one life, we will have made a tremendous difference. We look forward to working with Nagico for many years to come as we continue our ongoing program of medical professional and public education. With that, thank you to the entire team at Nagico. Lisa Brown, the Marketing Manager for Nagico Insurances, who attended the public session added, It is our pleasure to support the Rotary Club of Sint Maarten and the Windward Island Medical Association with this years initiative on Cancer education and care. We loved the live streaming and we are already starting to plan our portion of next years public session. It just keeps getting bigger and better each year. For more information about the Rotary Club of St. Maarten, please contact the Rotary Club of St. Maarten Press Officer at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit the website www.rotarysxm.org. MARIGOT: --- Vice Prosecutor Michael Ohayon and the Gendarmes told reporters on Friday that there has been an increase in violent armed robberies on the French side. Ohayon said that at least seven armed robberies were committed in the in the evening or at night. These armed robberies took place during the week of April 26th to May 18th 2018. The crimes were committed by at least four suspects that were moving around in a Hyundai Idis. The suspects were armed and each time they assaulted their victims by hitting them in the face area with their guns. One of robberies was committed in Baie Nettle and that victim was chopped on the arm area. Another armed robbery was committed in the Grand Case area against tourist couple, in each of the cases the victims were robbed of their valuables. The gendarmes conducted an operation on Lady Fish Road in Sandy Ground, there four of the suspects were arrested. The suspects that were caught confessed to have committed the armed robberies. Two of them are from St. Martin, the oldest being 21 years old while the other is 17 years old, and both are known by the Gendarmes and have been condemned in the past. The third suspect is a 19 year old a national of Dominica who has been living on St. Martin since he was 6 years old. ~ More clarification and information requested.~ PHILIPSBURG:--- At least two candidates that submitted their names to become Ministers were asked to provide more information so that the screening process could continue, those two candidates are SMCP leader Wycliffe Smith and Democratic Party candidate Perry Geerlings. According to information provided to SMN News Smith was asked to provide more information on his taxes especially that of his late wife playschool. While Geerlings has to provide more information on his former job at Standard Trust. SMN News obtained a full statement from SMCP leader Wycliffe Smith who is currently in the Netherlands attending the IPKO meetings Following is the full statement from MP Smith: While in the Netherlands about to participate in the IPKO meetings I received a number of WhatsApp messages and phone calls to inform me of the rumors that are circulating on St. Maarten about the screening. Therefore, I decided to inform the SMCP board as follows:- On Wednesday, when I was preparing to leave Sint Maarten to attend the IPKO the Formateur informed me that he had received several documents for the candidate-ministers from the Governor, including mine, requesting me to further clarify information that I had submitted to him concerning me and my sons as it related to taxes, bank accounts, mortgages, loans and some additional personal information. I was also advised to resign from the playschool foundation that was established by my deceased wife. Given the short time, prior to my departure to the Netherlands, I was unable to supply the requested information. Unfortunately, this will have to wait until I return. The Formateur further informed me and the other minister-candidates that the Prosecutor's Office is no longer satisfied with a curriculum vitae but that they now require a copy of my passport, a census registration abstract and a letter giving them permission start the screening process. Fortunately, I was able to pass on these documents to the Formateur, prior to leaving the island. In my humble opinion, requesting additional information about a person and his family does not constitute failure to pass the screening. Upon my return, I shall supply the governor with the requested information and documentation. One of the other entities involved in the screening is the National Security Service. Most likely they will also be requesting additional information. The questionnaire pertaining to the screening dates back to 2012. Making the questions clearer and being specific about the needed supporting documents would definitely help to avoid the rumors that are circulating during the screening process. I am glad that I am experiencing this process for myself now, so that I can later better inform the people via an article about what the screening exactly entails. ERGO, ERGONOMICS Economics and business books written in Nepali language for general audience are pretty rare. Sujeev Shakyaauthor of Unleashing Nepal, published in 2009 by Penguin Books India (revised edition in 2013)has attempted to fill that void with his new book titled Arthat Arthatantra-Nepali Illam ra Udhyamko Yatra, published by nepa~laya. It is largely based on his English book but some updates contextualise political and socio-economic developments since 2009, offering fresh perspectives that interestingly depart from well-worn narratives. Gore gangs sordid saga The total gold smuggled into Nepal on January 5, 2017, allegedly by Chudamani Upreti aka Gore in different consignments, adds to 61 percent of the total legal imports of the precious metal between July 2015 and February 2017. Putin, Abe speak to ISS astronauts from Kremlin Moscow, May 26 (AFP) May 26, 2018 Russian President Vladimir Putin and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Saturday spoke to astronauts on board the ISS via a live video link from the Kremlin. Russian astronaut Anton Shklaperov and his Japanese colleague Norishige Kanai, on board the International Space Station (ISS), appeared on a giant screen in the Kremlin after the two leaders held bilateral talks. "We have been cooperating with Japan in space for over ten years," Putin told the astronauts, stressing Japan's "important contribution" to the functioning of the ISS. "Allow me to express my joy to the fact that you work in such unity in space," Abe said, according to Russian interpreters. "Our cooperation leads to important results," Japan's Kanai told the two leaders. Shklaperov said it was "particularly pleasant" that the ISS celebrates the 20th anniversary of its founding in 2018, which has been declared the year of Japan in Russia and the year of Russia in Japan. Both astronauts arrived on the ISS in December. Putin and Abe held talks on Saturday, pledging to "reinforce cooperation" at a time of tension with the West. Moonwalking astronaut-artist Alan Bean dies at 86 Washington, May 26 (AFP) May 26, 2018 US astronaut Alan Bean, the fourth person to walk on the moon, has died, his family announced in a statement released by NASA. He was 86 years old. The moonwalker who went on to become a painter died Saturday in Houston after suddenly falling ill weeks before, the statement said. He was among the elite group NASA chose for its third group of astronauts in 1963, having served as a test pilot in the US Navy. He twice ventured into space, originally in 1969 on the Apollo 12 moon landing mission, and later as commander of the second crew to fly to the first US space station Skylab in 1973. His second foray outside of Earth's atmosphere saw Bean log a record-breaking 59-day, 24.4 million-mile flight (39.3 million kilometers). He retired from NASA in 1981 to embark on a third career as an artist, creating Apollo-themed paintings textured with lunar boot prints or using acrylics infused with small bits of his mission patches sprinkled with moon dust. Fellow astronaut Harrison Schmitt called Bean "one of the great renaissance men of his generation -- engineer, fighter pilot, astronaut and artist." Born March 15, 1932 in Wheeler, Texas the future moonwalker earned a degree in aeronautical engineering from the University of Texas in 1955. He is survived by his wife, sister and two children from a prior marriage. Walt Cunningham, who flew on Apollo 7 and called Bean his best friend of 55 years, said "we are accustomed to losing friends in our business but this is a tough one." "Alan and I never missed a month where we did not have a cheeseburger." In 1994 Bean told The New York Times the otherworldly perspectives he got in space inspired him to devote the latter half of his life to art, to the surprise of many of his colleagues. "Every artist has the Earth or their imaginations to inspire their paintings," he said. "I've got the Earth and my imagination, and I'm the first to have the moon, too." mdo/it Hope, challenges as PM marks 100 days in office The first 100 days of the KP Sharma Oli-led government were marked by hopes among the people of prosperity, development and good governance even as many goals set out in the annual policies and programmes appear to be too ambitious to achieve. Brazil government orders troops to clear strikers' blockades Brasilia, May 25 (AFP) May 25, 2018 Brazil's government raised the stakes in its tense standoff with striking truckers Friday, ordering troops onto the streets to clear huge blockades that have left much of the country paralyzed. The country's economic capital of Sao Paulo declared a state of emergency, the auto industry shut down, gas stations ran out of fuel and dozens of flights were canceled on the fifth day of the protest Friday. The truckers have attempted to put a stranglehold on movement of goods in Brazil to protest fuel price rises. They blocked main roads in much of the vast South American country that has only limited rail services and where 60 percent of goods are transported by road. The truckers pressed on with the strike despite an agreement announced by the government with union representatives late Thursday to call a 15-day suspension. President Michel Temer announced in a televised address Friday that he had "mobilized the security forces" to clear the roads. "We are not going to permit that the population does not have access to essential goods... that hospitals do not have the necessary medicines to save lives," he said in a televised address. - 'Gasoline to put out a fire' - "We accepted the 12 main demands of the truckers, who agreed to immediately end the blockades. Unfortunately, a radical minority continues to block the roads." Defense Minister Joaquim Silva e Luna vowed the army "will act in a rapid, coordinated and robust manner... to free traffic in the critical areas" such as at refineries and airports. In a joint statement, the leaders of the main unions slammed "the government's decision to use the army as an instrument of repression" and "try to use gasoline to put out a fire." But the Abcam union, which represents some 700,000 truckers, called on its members to withdraw the blockades, voicing "concern for the safety of the drivers." The mayor of Sao Paulo earlier declared a state of emergency to allow city authorities to "seize private goods such as fuel, for example, that is stored in a service station." Exports were also badly hit as the strike forced the auto industry, which employs some 132,000 people, to close down, because factories were unable to receive supplies. The airport in the capital Brasilia canceled 30 flights as it ran out of fuel. The company that manages the country's airports, Infraero, said 10 others have also exhausted their fuel supplies, including that of Recife in the northeast. - 'Gas stations deserted - Long lines have formed at gas stations in major cities since Monday as drivers sought to fill up before supplies ran out. But on Friday, many of those service stations were deserted as there was no fuel. Fresh produce was becoming increasingly scarce in supermarkets. And when it appeared, the prices had often doubled. In the Jardim Paulista district of Sao Paulo, one fresh food vendor said he feared he would have nothing left to offer in the coming days. "Today, I'm here, tomorrow I don't know. Soon, it's be like Venezuela. People have money but there is nothing to buy," said the man, who asked that his name not be used. The strikers are protesting increases in fuel prices -- the result of a politically sensitive decision made in late 2016 to allow the state-run Petrobras oil giant autonomy to set its pricing, as well as a rise in world prices in recent weeks. The truckers' determination has been a heavy blow to Temer's center-right government, five months ahead of presidential elections. "It shows to the public and to markets, in Brazil and overseas, that the Temer government... has no power," political analyst Andre Cesar of the Hold consultancy said. "We have been underestimated by this government. They said that Brazil would not stop if the trucks stopped. We have proved that it would," striker Luiz Carlos, 47, told AFP as his truck was part of blockade at an oil refinery in Duque de Caxias, near Rio de Janeiro. According to the National Transport Confederation, Brazil has more 2.5 million trucks, some 477,000 of which are operated by independent drivers. If the movement intensifies, the economic consequences could be catastrophic for a country that has struggled to recover from a 2015-16 recession. js-lg/wdb/mdo Trump says North Korea summit could still happen Washington, May 26 (AFP) May 26, 2018 One day after abruptly pulling the plug on a high-stakes summit with North Korea, US President Donald Trump said Friday the meeting with Kim Jong Un could go ahead after all -- and would "likely" happen on the originally scheduled date of June 12. The summit would be an unprecedented meeting between a sitting US president and a North Korean leader, which Washington hopes will result in full denuclearization of the reclusive state. "We're going to see what happens," Trump told reporters at the White House, after welcoming Pyongyang's latest statement on the talks as "very good news." Later Friday, Trump said in a tweet that "very productive talks" were ongoing with North Korea about reinstating the summit. "If it does happen, will likely remain in Singapore on the same date, June 12th," he wrote, adding the meeting could be extended further if necessary. On Thursday, Trump cancelled the summit that was due to take place in Singapore, blaming "tremendous anger and open hostility" from Pyongyang in recent days. But North Korea responded Friday by saying it was willing to talk to the United States "at any time" -- a reaction Trump welcomed as "warm and productive." "We're talking to them now," Trump said of the North Koreans. "They very much want to do it. We'd like to do it." US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said there was "possibly some good news" on the summit, while White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders told reporters: "If the meeting takes place on June 12, we will be ready." Secretary of State Mike Pompeo spoke by phone with South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha, and the two agreed to remain "closely coordinated" in efforts to create conditions for dialogue with North Korea. They "agreed that must continue until North Korea embraces denuclearization," according to a US readout of the call. Trump's cancellation of the summit had blindsided treaty ally South Korea, which had brokered the remarkable detente between Washington and Pyongyang, with President Moon Jae-in calling the move "shocking and very regrettable." - 'Twists and turns' - State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert cast the fast-moving developments as simply "twists and turns" in the process. "We never expected it to be easy," Nauert told reporters. But the whiplash from the White House was unusual even for the chaos-loving president. In March, apparently acting on impulse, Trump agreed to the talks with Kim after only limited input from aides. In a letter to Kim, Trump blamed Kim's regime for his decision to call off the summit, and warned North Korea against committing any "foolish or reckless acts" while also highlighting America's "massive and powerful" nuclear capabilities. First Vice Foreign Minister Kim Kye Gwan called Trump's decision "unexpected" and "regrettable" but sounded a conciliatory tone, saying officials were willing "to sit face-to-face at any time." Just before Trump announced the cancellation of the meeting, North Korea declared it had "completely" dismantled its nuclear test site in the country's far northeast, in a carefully choreographed goodwill gesture. - 'Show goodwill' - Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said he respected and supported the US president's move to cancel the summit while China, Pyongyang's sole major ally, urged the two foes to "show goodwill." Russia's President Vladimir Putin held out hope the talks would eventually take place. Politically, Trump had invested heavily in the success of the planned summit. As the date drew nearer, however, a gulf in expectations between the two sides became apparent. Before Trump's announcement, Pyongyang had hardened its rhetoric, calling comments by Vice President Mike Pence "ignorant and stupid." Washington has made it clear it wants to see the "complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearization" of the North. Pyongyang has vowed it will never give up its nuclear deterrent until it feels safe from what it terms US aggression. - Libyan model - The White House was unhappy about what it considered to be a "trail of broken promises" by North Korea -- including failure to show up for summit preparatory talks and complaints about the latest US-South Korean joint military exercise. It also was unhappy about the North's failure to allow international observers to verify the dismantling of the Punggye-ri test site, the staging ground for all six of its nuclear tests. But the North's Kim Kye Gwan countered that Pyongyang's angry statements were "just a backlash in response to harsh words from the US side that has been pushing for a unilateral denuclearization." Both Pence and Trump's hawkish National Security Advisor John Bolton had raised the specter of Libyan leader Moamer Khadafi, who gave up atomic weapons only to die years later at the hands of US-backed rebels. Joel Wit, founder of the respected 38 North website which monitors North Korea, said Kim's hand has been strengthened regardless of whether the summit goes ahead because recent weeks have seen him forge connections with Chinese President Xi Jinping, as well as with Russia and South Korea. "Kim has created sort of a cushion for failure that if the US backs away, the Chinese and Russians will be behind him," Wit said. "If the United States tries to come back to the table, (Kim) may toughen up his negotiating position feeling that his political position has been strengthened." But others said Trump's demonstrated willingness to walk away could yet extract further concessions from Pyongyang. "North Korea will have to propose more detailed plans for denuclearization if it wants to talk in the future," said Go Myong-hyun, an analyst at the Asan Institute of Policy Studies. S. Korea welcomes prospect of 'reignited' US-North Korea talks Seoul, May 26 (AFP) May 26, 2018 South Korea on Saturday welcomed the renewed prospect of a summit between the United States and North Korea after President Trump cancelled talks with Kim Jong Un only to suggest they might still take place. "We find it fortunate that the embers of the North Korea-US talks are reignited. We are watching developments carefully," Presidential Blue House spokesman Kim Eui-gyeom said. Trump's cancellation of the summit blindsided treaty ally South Korea, which had brokered the remarkable detente between Washington and Pyongyang. President Moon Jae-in had to scramble his national security team when news of Trump's decision first reached Seoul late Thursday evening as he called Washington's u-turn "shocking and very regrettable". On Friday, Trump turned on his heels again, saying the meeting with Kim could go ahead after all -- and would "likely" happen on the originally scheduled date of June 12 in Singapore. The summit would be an unprecedented meeting between a sitting US president and a North Korean leader, which Washington hopes will result in full denuclearisation of the reclusive state. South Korea's Moon has pushed diplomacy as he desperately sought to calm spiralling tensions on the Korean Peninsula and an escalating war of words between Kim and Trump last year sparked by Pyongyang's detonation of its largest nuclear bomb to date and a series of intercontinental ballistic missile tests. Syrian army allows pre-2011 conscripts to return home Damascus, May 26 (AFP) May 26, 2018 Syria's army has issued orders to return home for men conscripted for compulsory service in 2010, the year before war broke out, fighters and local media said Saturday. The decision ends the drawn-out deployment of thousands of Syrians who enlisted for the mandatory 18 months of military service in 2010, but who ended up serving for eight years because of the war. Al-Watan, a Syrian daily close to the government, reported that the army had "issued a decision to demobilise the officers and reservists of Recruitment Class 102 as of June 1, 2018". The decision comes in the wake of a string of military gains around the capital Damascus and in the central province of Homs. Mohammad, 27, has been serving for eight consecutive years after enlisting in 2010, but will finally go home next month. "I feel like I just won a huge battle," said Mohammad, who hails from Syria's second city Aleppo. "I called my family this morning and told my mom to congratulate me as I'd been discharged. She was surprised and didn't know what to say," he told AFP from Damascus, where he is now deployed. Before Syria's conflict erupted in 2011, men 18 and older had to serve between 18 months and two years in the armed forces, after which they remained part of the reserves. But when war broke out, anyone enlisted remained deployed on active duty. The regime initially lost swathes of territory and its 300,000-strong army was nearly halved by deaths, injuries and defections. Russian air strikes, local militiamen and fighters from Iran, Iraq, Lebanon and elsewhere have helped it recapture much of the territory it lost. Mohammad was expecting to serve until 2012, but ended up fighting for years longer along several fronts, including the Eastern Ghouta rebel bastion outside Damascus. "We've been dreaming of this moment for a long time, and now the dream has become reality," he said. Syrian state media did not report the decision, while local outlets did not specify how many troops it would impact. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor estimated that nearly 15,000 soldiers and reservists would be affected. Israeli soldier wounded in West Bank Thursday dies: army Jerusalem, May 26 (AFP) May 26, 2018 An Israeli soldier critically injured by a Palestinian in the occupied West Bank on Thursday died of his injuries on Saturday, an army statement said. The English-language statement said that Sergeant Ronen Lubarsky, 20, of the Duvdevan special forces unit, died during the morning, two days after being struck on the head by a stone block thrown during an arrest raid. Israeli media said that the block was a granite slab dropped from a third-floor window. Palestinian sources said at the time the incident took place during a night-time operation to arrest suspects in Al-Amari refugee camp in the city of Ramallah, seat of the Palestinian Authority. The Israeli military said that the troops were seeking Palestinian militant gunmen. "The operational activity in which (Lubarsky) participated was intended to apprehend a squad of operatives who were involved in shooting attacks," it said. It added that he was promoted posthumously to the rank of Staff Sergeant. His attacker has not been identified. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed his "deep sorrow" at the soldier's death. "The security forces will reach the terrorist and the state of Israel will bring him to reckoning," a statement from his office quoted him as saying in Hebrew. Israeli forces regularly carry out night raids in Palestinian-governed parts of the West Bank to arrest Palestinians suspected of militant activities against Israel. Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman said that Duvdevan was at the forefront of such raids. "Duvdevan, one of our elite units, conducts many arrests every night in an endless war that has no publicity and no glory," he wrote on his official Twitter account. "We shall bring Ronen justice," he added. Amari camp, home to 15,000 Palestinians, is a regular flashpoint where Israeli raids have sparked fierce clashes in the past. One such operation, in 2016, brought hundreds of stone-throwing Palestinian youths onto the streets. Troops responded by firing live ammunition and rubber bullets, wounding 28 people. Palestinian security sources said then that the army had tried to arrest an official from Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas's Fatah party, who managed to escape. Rome, Italy, May 26, 2018 (SPS) - The African ambassadors accredited to Italy on Tuesday celebrated Africa Day in the presence of the representative of the Polisario Front, Amih Omar, and prominent Italian and European personalities. The Moroccan delegation led by its Ambassador in Rome tried to prevent the Sahrawi delegation from attending the event, which angered the ambassadors of the continent who refused Moroccan behavior, when the Dean of the African Diplomatic Corps in Rome, Ambassador of the Democratic Republic of Congo, on behalf of all Ambassadors, expressed rejection to the disgraceful Moroccan behavior and confirmed the right of the Saharawi state as a founding member of the African Union to attend all the meetings organized by the continent, which was approved by all diplomats, prompting the Moroccan ambassador and his delegation to withdraw. The celebrations, which honored the African leader Nelson Mandela, organized a photo exhibition at the Islamic Institute in Rome, and an exhibition of the customs and traditions of peoples, especially African dishes, where Sahrawi popular dishes were present in a pavilion devoted entirely to the Sahrawi state. (SPS) 062/SPS/TRA English25/05/2018 GERMAN EMBASSY: CHANTING ANTI-ISRAELI SLOGANS UNACCEPTABLE SARAJEVO, May 25 /SRNA/ - Chanting anti-Israeli slogans at the election rally by the Turkish Party of Justice and Development /AK/ of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on May 20 in the Zetra Hall in Sarajevo in principle is unacceptable for the German Government, the German Embassy in Sarajevo told SRNA. The German Federal Government finds the chanting of slogans that are directed against a country or a religion in a humiliating way unacceptable in principle. This particularly holds true for anti-Israeli and anti-semitic statements, the spokeswoman for the German Embassy in BiH, Natascha Garloff-Jonkers, told SRNA. She has said that the German Embassy does not voice its opinion on visits to and public speaking of foreign heads of state and prime ministers in BiH. The US Embassy in Sarajevo says that a visit and a rally by Turkish President Erdogan in Zetra fall into the domain of bilateral relations between BiH and Turkey. In principle, we believe that gatherings and rallies held in a sovereign state are in the jurisdiction of that state, in keeping with state and international laws. In general, the US supports the right of citizens to peaceful and lawful gathering and expression of opinion, regardless of where they are, the US Embassys public relations office told SRNA. The Embassies of Great Britain and France had no comment on chanting against Israel by supporters of the Turkish president, while the Embassy of Israel, which covers BiH from Tirana, did not issue any press release on this issue. Prior to the rally by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on May 20 in Sarajevos Zetra Hall, several thousand supporters of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan chanted "Allahu Akbar" and slogans against Israel. /end/sg KMC signs MoU with China Railway for monorail feasibility study The Kathmandu Metropolitan City on Friday signed a memorandum of understanding with China Railway 25 Bureau Group Co Ltd of China Railway Construction Corporation (CRCC) to conduct a feasibility study for the proposed monorail rail system along the 27km Ring Road. Nepal-Bangladesh trade talks to focus on barriers Nepal and Bangladesh will discuss trade facilitation and elimination of tariff and non-tariff barriers at the fourth commerce secretary-level trade talks scheduled to start on Wednesday in Kathmandu. Post reaches out to Province 5 readers The Kathmandu Post senior editorial team held an interaction in Butwal on Friday in its first readership outreach in Province 5 after the three-tiers of elections conducted last year. Rich wives, poor husbands! Let us all thank our man Oli and his courtiers for letting us know about how much gold, land and other stuff they own as if it will make us feel better to know that most of our mantris are rich folks and will not engage in corruption to enrich themselves further. Anup Ojha is a reporter for The Kathmandu Post primarily covering social issues and human interest stories. Before moving to the social beat, Ojha covered arts and culture for the Post for four years. Sanjog Manandhar is a Photojournalist for The Kathmandu Post, covering political, social, cultural and current issues through the lens. Before joining the Post in 2012, he worked as a Photojournalist in Nepal Samacharpatra Daily for two years. Speaker slams truant lawmakers Lower House Speaker Krishna Bahadur Mahara on Friday censured lawmakers for not attending an important House meeting on Thursday after signing the attendance register. The government has made it clear that it sides with Israel when it comes to Syria and a long-term peace deal. Israel has not attacked any Russian targets with its growing air offensive against Iranian forces. During May the Russian president met separately with the Israeli and Syrian leaders and apparently worked out terms of a peace deal that Israel and the Assads can live with. Turkey is willing to follow as long as Turkish border security measures (a security zone on the Syrian side of the border patrolled by Turk supported Syrian militias) are left alone. In the northeast the Syrian Kurds could have their autonomy as long as they kept the peace. Basically the Russian proposal is that all foreign troops leave Syria. That will include the Americans but not those that now have treaty rights (Russia has an airbase and part of a port). Israel insists that Iran have no treaty rights and get out completely, along with their local affiliate Hezbollah. The Americans have no interest in a permanent presence they just want to deal with some Islamic terrorists and then leave. To achieve such a deal the remaining rebel groups have to be destroyed. These holdouts are mainly Islamic terrorist groups aligned with al Qaeda or ISIL (Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant). The Kurds and Americans, with some help from Iraqi forces, are going after the remaining ISIL personnel in eastern and northeastern Syria. The Assads, with the help of Iranian mercenaries and Hezbollah, are clearing areas along the northern and southern borders of remaining rebels. The only problem with this plan is that Iran refuses to leave. The Russians have no certain fix for this although the Israelis are trying their best to destroy all Iranian bases in Syria. This approach, which not perfect, is having a noticeable impact on Iran. Russia reported (thanks to their extensive air defense radar coverage of western Syria) that Israel appeared to have used 23 fighter-bombers to launch 60 air-to-ground missiles or smart bombs against Iranian targets after Iran launched an unsuccessful May 10 rocket attack on Israeli bases in the Golan Heights. Russia also reported that Israel appears to have used ten ground launched missiles (probably the Delilah missile, which is usually launched from aircraft). Delilah is one of several loitering missiles Israel has developed. Spike NLOS is one of those in wide use. These can search for a target, with a human controller approving a target via a datalink, which also provides video of hits on targets, which Israel sometimes releases to the media. This was the case with the latest airstrikes, which destroyed many Syrian air defense systems (S-200 and Pantsir). Russia explained away the Pantsir loss by asserting that the vehicle was resting. Russia has other problems with the Assad government and Iranian mercenaries, especially when it comes to handling peace deals with rebels. Russia insists on honoring these deals while the Assads and Iranians prefer to modify these safe passage deals. These terms include civilians and disarmed fighters (from a surrendered rebel area, like the ones around Damascus moving to other rebel held territory in the north). Often Russian security forces are in charge of security for the assembly and movement of the surrendered rebels and the Russians see that job as including protecting the surrendered rebels (most of them civilians) until they reach their destination. The Assads and Iranians have a different approach which includes interrogating many of the surrendered rebels and seizing those who are thought to contain useful information or are believed to have been too successful at killing Assad and Iranian personnel. During these purges of the surrendered rebels there is also a lot of theft as those doing the purging steal portable valuables. The Assads and Iranians also believe that civilians who stay behind can be purged as well even though the peace agreements forbid that. Russia believes these practices are counterproductive as it makes rebels less willing to accept a surrender dead. The Assads and Iranians are not bothered much by that and are willing to slaughter pro-rebel civilians as well as the armed rebels when there is no willingness to surrender. There have been some armed confrontations between Assad or Iranian forces and Russians over this. The Russians tend to prevail. As a result a growing number of surrender negotiations include rebels insisting that Russian forces handle the evacuation, movement and protection of the civilians and disarmed rebels. This sort of thing is another reason why the Russians maintain good relations with the Israelis and are have a difficult time doing the same with Iran. The Assads need the Russians and Iranians to defeat the remaining rebels. The Russians provide air support that Iran cannot. Since mid-2015 Russian warplanes have accounted for most of the airstrikes supporting the Assad forces. So far that comes to about 6,900 air strikes in total and only 14 percent (nearly all of them Russian) against ISIL targets. The air strikes by Assad aircraft were made possible by Russian logistical and technical support. Again, Iran could do little to help with this. The Assads wont say it, but they, and most Syrians (pro and anti-Assad) would like the Iranians gone. The Assads now control about half of Syria and the Kurds and Turks about a third. The 50,000 or so Iranian mercenaries are technically part of the Syrian armed forced but in fact report to Iranian officers. Iran could take control of territory but that would make it more of a target for Israeli airstrikes and less able to assert that it is only there to help the Assads put down the rebellion. Other Problems In Syria For a while (before making deals with Israel) Russia tried to dissuade Israel and its Western allies from attacking more Syrian targets, especially those that put its high tech weapons to the test because so far these electronic and anti-aircraft systems have proved ineffective against Israeli attacks and probably wont do much better against the Americans. This is bad for business, as Russia has been touting the combat experience in Syria to get more sales for their new stuff. It would also be disastrous for Russian diplomacy which has portrayed Russia as a powerful and technically advanced ally for Syria, Iran and Turkey. Although Russia talks tough against Israel and the Americans it does not want to take that any further, nor does it want to appear like Russia is backing off. Russia is in an embarrassing situation and not getting much sympathy from anyone, not even Russians back in Russia. There have been some major embarrassments. The February incident where over 200 Russian military contractors died when they tried to seize a small base in eastern Syria containing American troops did not trigger calls for revenge among Russians. Instead the attitude was that these guys took a chance to make a lot of money and it didnt w0rk out. There are a lot of dangerous jobs in Russia that pay well to compensate for the risk. Those who do that work are opportunists, not patriots. So the government has to go easy in Ukraine and Syria. Israel seems more aware of this than most Middle Eastern powers. That is partly because Israel has a large Russian minority, courtesy of a lot of Russian Jews coming to Israel since the 1980s and keeping in touch with folks back home. Another aftereffect of the 200 contractor deaths was Russia revealing how many Russian military personnel have served in Syria since mid-2015. It was 48,000, and that includes army, navy and air force. Not included are contractors, who are civilians, even if they took on some of the most dangerous jobs and suffered more casualties than the military personnel. Out of those 48,000 Russian military personnel who have been in Syria (some for less than a day, few for more than six months) only about 60 have died in combat so far. There have been half as many military contractors serving in Syria and they have suffered nearly 500 dead. No official numbers of military contractor fatalities have been released but Russian volunteer organizations have tried to keep track of the funerals or other indications of young men dying in Syria and it is clear that being a military contractor is a lot more dangerous. The point here is that there are still some Russians willing to take dangerous combat jobs but there are not enough them to maintain the million man military Russian leaders want. Corruption Cures The government may not have a lot of success reducing corruption but the extent of the corruption is documented. The government reported that in 2017 the number of corrupt incidents in the government reached 6,500 and involved $30 billion in spending. The figures for 2016 were 3,800 incidents and $15 billion. Most of the corruption was in the defense and space program budgets. This makes sense because these two areas, especially ship building and development and construction of satellite launcher rockets and ballistic missiles, have, since the 1990s, been noted for their corruption and competence problems. The corruption angle was made clear when the government openly sought solutions to the seemingly intractable problems with building warships on time, on budget and without serious defects. While many other nations with large navies, like the United States, have similar (although less catastrophic) problems what is most embarrassing is how China is proving to be the most competent builder of warships. China can turn out carriers, large destroyers and submarines faster than anyone else and do so on time, on budget and apparently without a large number of defects. A Russian study of the problem concluded that the main differences between Russia and China was that corruption in warship construction was always more of a problem in Russia and it got worse after the Soviet Union collapsed and key managers and technical people were free to find better jobs elsewhere. That loss of talent left Russian shipyards with an older, less capable and more corrupt workforce and management. The other difference is that China, starting in the late 1970s, created a market economy while maintaining a communist police state government. This included creating from scratch a world class commercial ship building industry. The Russian communists were too late and too inept in trying to establish a market economy and that led to the collapse of the communist police state in Russia. All this is very embarrassing for most Russians, especially those running the country today. Getting Competitive Years of curbing oil production have finally worked and the world oil price is now headed for $80 a barrel. Unfortunately for the traditional major producers (who have cut production to get the price up) the rising oil price mainly benefits non-OPEC (oil cartel) nations like the United States and Canada that are doing a lot of fracking. Five years of low oil prices forced the frackers to become more efficient to remain profitable. Thus there is more profit, and incentive to increase production as the world oil price increases. Because of this traditional major producers, like Russia, are not seeing enough increased oil income to recover from the damage five years of lower oil prices have caused. Thus Russian estimates of GDP growth continue to be low (about two percent a year) and now the Americans are imposing more sanctions and these are expected to make economic growth in Russia even more difficult. Russia tried to adapt to the four years of sanctions but only had limited success because of the more fundamental problems with the Russian economy (corruption, shortages of skilled personnel and a persistent inability to compete with foreign nations (especially China and Europe). May 23, 2018: There were more revelations from the official Dutch government investigation into the destruction of Malaysian B-777 airliner (flight MH17) over eastern Ukraine in 2014. The latest findings identify the Russian aid defense unit (53rd Anti-Aircraft Brigade) the missile came from. As with previous Dutch investigative reports about the MH17 Russia denied any involvement. A late 2016 report concluded that the missile used was owned by Russia, not Ukraine. The UN has been unable, because of Russian opposition, to conduct such an inquiry but that has not stopped similar investigations by nations whose citizens were passengers on the aircraft. In July 2015 eleven of the fifteen members of the UN Security Council voted to establish a tribunal to investigate who was responsible for shooting down flight MH17 over eastern Ukraine in 2014. Russia used its veto to block the resolution. Russia and Russian backed Ukrainian rebels were always the main suspects in the destruction of MH17 and the deaths of all 298 aboard. Russia blames the loss of MH17 on the Ukrainians but offered no convincing proof. The Russian manufacturer of the missile believed responsible admitted that it was their missile. At a press conference a company rep showed how the pattern of fragments found in the aircraft hull could only have been made by one version (now out of production) of the missile used by their BUK M1 system. Less convincing was the company theory that the missile was not fired from territory controlled by pro-Russian rebels. The aircraft was shot down as it passed over territory controlled by pro-Russian separatist rebels in Donbas. The airliner was at an altitude of 10,000 meters and the rebels were known to have some captured or Russian supplied systems BUK M1s systems that can hit targets as high as 14,000 meters. For three days the rebels allowed only limited access to the site for international airline accident investigators. Russia will never admit that the missile was fired with their assistance by rebels under their orders but thats that the evidence continues to show. . May 22, 2018: Off the north coast one of the new Borei class SSBNs (ballistic missile nuclear subs, or "boomers") successfully fired four Bulava SLBMs (Sea Launched Ballistic Missile) at once as part of a continuing testing program. This was the first time a Borei had launched a salvo of SLBMs and all these were reported to have hit their targets 5,600 Japanese downrange (off the Pacific coast. A June 2017 test, launching a single Bulava, was also a success. The tests since 2017 were an improvement over the previous two test launches in late 2016. One of these two launches failed. The latest Russian SLBM design, the Bulava (also known as R-30 3M30 and SS-NX-30) had been an embarrassing disappointment with over a third of the test launches failing. Bulava was almost cancelled several time because of the test flight failures. But the government believed there is no better option than to keep trying to make Bulava work. May 21, 2018: In northwest Syria the Russian Hmeimim (or Khmeimim) a irbase was again approached by at least one unidentified UAV. Russian forces shot it down and are trying to figure out who it belongs to. Islamic terror groups in the area are the main suspects. May 20, 2018: Ukraine revealed that Russia was now sending ammunition to its forces in Donbas via the refurbished rail links between Russia and Donbas. The Ukrainians have discovered the destinations of these ammo trains and the warehouses where the rockets, shells and other ammo are stored before being distributed to Russian backed rebels. While there has been a ceasefire, and little movement of the front line, for years the Russian backed forces are constantly firing on the Ukrainian troops and civilians. These attacks have been particularly heavy in the last week, leaving at least twelve Ukrainian civilians and military personnel dead and many more wounded. May 19, 2018: In the south (Chechnya) four Islamic terrorists attacked a church, leaving the four attackers dead as well as a civilian and two policemen. Four more police were wounded. Investigators later found that the four Islamic terrorists were seeking to take Christians hostage. May 13, 2018: There was yet another demonstration in Moscow protesting the government censorship of the Internet and how the recent (April) government decision to block one application (Telegram) had some unpopular side effects. The initial April blocking effort caused massive and unexpected disruption of Google services in Russia. This was related to Russian attempts to shut down the encrypted messaging app Telegram in Russia. Maintaining the ban has led to disruption of other Internet services most Russians use. The company that runs Telegram refused to provide the Russian government with a way to read encrypted Telegram messages and the government responded with an effort to shut down Telegram use in Russia. The government ordered hundreds of IP addresses blocked, believing that would block Telegram. It did, but not for everyone. An unexpected side effect of this censorship campaign was to disrupt a lot of vital (for many Russian users) Google services. Telegram was founded by a Russian entrepreneur after he fled Russia in 2014 because of disagreements with the government over censorship and corruption. Before the ban users in Russia comprised some seven percent of Telegram users worldwide. May 12, 2018: Algeria showed off another recently purchased Russian weapon system; the TOS-1A multiple rocket launcher. The rocket tubes are mounted on a T-72 tank chassis and uses 220mm rockets equipped with thermobaric warheads. These used a fuel-air explosive system that first disperses a combustible mist, which is then ignited, producing an enormous explosion. Russia classifies the TOS-1A as a flame thrower because the warhead creates a huge fireball. Some of the 54 Algerian TOS-1A vehicles have been seen stationed near the Libyan border. Algeria is the latest of many export customers for this system, which appeared at the end of Cold War (1980s) and the Russian military could not really afford it in the 1990s but export customers could. May 11, 2018: A Russian official quietly let it be known that Russia was not going to deliver S-300 Air Defense systems to anyone in Syria. Israel has been publicly and privately urging Russia to institute such a ban and now the ban is official. Israel has apparently made it clear, during the recent exchange of fire with Iranian forces in Syria, that the Israelis have the upper hand in terms of tech and military capabilities. Russia needed that demonstration so they could maintain their good relationship with Iran while also refusing to deliver S-300 systems to the Assads. This was something the Iranians wanted and were willing to pay for. But the Russians were not willing to lose the good relationship they had long (actually since the beginning in 1948) had with Israel. Nor were the Russians willing to risk having the S-300 defeated by Israeli SEAD (Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses) tactics and equipment. The Iranians may be willing to underestimate the Israelis, but the Russians prefer to be more realistic. May 1, 2018: Over the Baltic Sea a Russian Su-27 came within six meters (20 feet) of an American P-8 maritime patrol aircraft flying in international air space. This sort of thing has become common, especially over the Baltic and Black Seas. Since 2014 these incidents in the Baltic has been a growing problem. Its not just unsafe distances. NATO interceptors based in Poland and the Baltic States have been sent up more frequently because of Russian military aircraft making unsafe flights over the Baltic Sea. These Russian warplanes were detected by NATO military radar, but had their transponders turned off and had not filed a flight plan with the air controllers who regulate air traffic over the Baltic. With no flight plan and transponders turned off these warplanes were inviable to flight controllers. This sort of thing risks collision with commercial aircraft and Russia has ignored criticism of this dangerous practice. NATO has responded by sending up interceptors, which do have their transponders on, to escort the Russian aircraft and give air traffic control radars something to identify and track. April 28, 2018: One of two Indian IL-38s maritime recon aircraft in Russia was grounded when its landing gear failed to operate properly and further damage was suffered as the Russian crew landed the aircraft. The IL-38 had undergone an upgrade and was being flown to where the Indian flight crew could fly it back to India. The Russian manufacturer promised to fix the damage within 30 days and then the Indian flight crew could return to Russia to pick up the aircraft. There is a second Indian IL-38 undergoing upgrades as well. India is not happy with the IL-38s and is in the process of replacing all them with American P-8s. Meanwhile the Russians still operate the IL-38, being unable to afford a new aircraft. In 2013 the Russia ordered more of its 18 elderly IL-38s to be upgraded to the IL-38N standard. The Russian Navy only has about 18 IL-38s operational, which are roughly equivalent to the American P-3s, but have not had their sensors and communications equipment updated since the Cold War. Only 59 were built between 1967 and 1972. This upgrade has already been installed on five Indian IL-38s a decade ago, and one Russian aircraft, to assist development. Getting the upgrade for more Russian aircraft was mainly a matter of getting the money. April 26, 2018: The government finally signed the contract to carry out essential upgrades to Russias only aircraft carrier; Admiral Kuznetzov. The upgrade has been postponed several times but now the much-needed refurbishment is going forward. Kuznetzov is getting nearly $900 million in upgrades and repairs thatwill keep the carrier out of service from 2018 to 2021. Actually it might take longer because Russia has to use locally produced maritime engines rather than the ones it used to get from Ukraine. The Russian Defense Ministry insists that the Russian manufacturer has been able to produce the same type of engines Ukraine produced but that remains to be see. There is more bad news with plans to upgrade ship electronics because Russian officials admit that the sanctions have made it difficult to get key electronic components from Western firms. Without the upgrade the carrier will continue to be incapable to going far from port. In 2016 when Kuznetzov visited the Mediterranean foreign military pilots flying close by could not help but notice that there was a lot of rust on the deck of the carrier and the vessel looked unwell. This was not a good sign. The only other ship of the Kuznetzov class was purchased by the Chinese in 1998 and completely refurbished by 2012 to become the Chinese Liaoning. It is now in service and looks a lot better than the Kuznetzov, which has had some updates since the 1990s but a lot of this work is suspect. Back in 2012 a military procurement official was prosecuted for substituting cheaper, substandard parts for new ones meant for the Kuznetzov. The corrupt official used forged documents to get away with this but members of the crew noticed the substandard parts and reported it. The Kuznetsov has been sent back to the shipyard several times since 2005 to fix problems and update equipment. Much was wrong with the ship, due to poor design, sloppy workmanship, or corruption. Its gotten so bad that lackadaisical sailors are threatened with being sent to serve on the Kuznetsov as a way of motivating them. These cruises south were mainly for publicity purposes and without an extensive refurbishment Kuznetsov cannot go to sea regularly. The current upgrades will concentrate on keeping the carrier operational but not much more. Currently the ship has serious problems with its engines and many other mechanical and electrical systems. These must be fixed for the ship to remain mobile and habitable. This is important not for military purposes but because Kuznetsov is the flagship of the fleet and a symbol of Russian naval power. So enough must be done to at least keep up appearances. The government made a point of how there would be much scrutiny of the upgrades to avoid any corrupt practices. April 25, 2018: In mid-April Russia confirmed the obvious and admitted they had lost their huge market share of commercial satellite launches. As recently as 2013 Russia had half that market. Five years later their market share had fallen to about ten percent and Russian showed no signs of regaining their dominance and expected their share of the commercial market to sink to as low as four percent. After 2013 Russia faced growing competition from cheaper, more reliable Chinese satellite launch services. But what really accelerated the Russian decline was the surprising emergence of new American launch technology, mainly the SpaceX reusable launchers (that can regularly return and land intact). This is particularly annoying because it was another unexpected new American technology (fracking) that drove down and world price of Russias main export; oil and natural gas. Fracking also made the United States the major producer of oil and gas and a new competitor for Russia in export markets. Meanwhile Russian space industry officials said they would put more emphasis on satellite design and manufacturing, which is a much larger (by about three times) market than launch services. But even there Russia is having problems competing, mainly because of a shortage of skilled engineers and reliable manufacturing capabilities. So while Russia has lost about $2 billion a year in launch business they will probably lose ground on the satellite side of the business as well. In April 2018 two Chinese born men (Shan Shi and Gang Liu) were indicted for conspiring to commit economic espionage in the United States. It was also revealed that the two men (one of them an American citizen and the other a permanent resident) and four others were also indicted in July 2017 for conspiring to steal trade secrets. The theft involved obtaining, from 2014 onward, information necessary to create and mass produce syntactic foam, a substance used to keep objects afloat in deep water. Syntactic foam is used in offshore oil exploration and production as well as for several military systems. The two accused spies were provided with technical and financial support by CBMF, a state-owned Chinese firm that had been established to develop new maritime technologies and put the technology into production. The Chinese spies were provided with several million dollars to establish a CBMF subsidiary in Texas where key technical people were hired away from an unnamed multinational firm that had developed syntactic foam production technology. Using bribes and other financial inducements the Chinese spies provided the necessary information for CBMF to build a factory in 2016 for the production of syntactic foam. The main customer for this syntactic foam was a Chinese shipyard building warships and other naval equipment. CBMF also began offering their syntactic foam to foreign customers. If convicted Shan Shi (an American citizen) faced 45 years in prison while Gang Liu faces 25 years. Economic espionage like this is a common activity for China and has been used mainly against the United States but other Western nations as well. Even Chinese neighbor and ally Russia has suffered heavy losses due to this Chinese economic espionage. There are going to be a lot more court cases like this because Chinese firms are becoming bolder in how they exploit stolen software, trade secrets and other technology. In the past, the Chinese were careful in the use of stolen tech when exporting their own military equipment copied from Russian designs. The Chinese had started doing this during the Cold War, which sometimes got fairly hot (there were some deadly border skirmishes in the 1970a) because China and Russia developed some territorial and ideological disputes that did not settle down until the Soviet Union dissolved in 1991. The Russians are still angry about the continued Chinese theft of their tech and growing Russian threats over this caused the Chinese to sign agreements in the last decade that declared Chinese firms would stop stealing and reselling Russian tech. In practice, this only slowed the Chinese down, but it placated the Russians for a while. Currently, the Americans are starting to sound like the Russians in the 1990s, but the Americans have more legal and economic clout to deploy and this situation is liable to get ugly before (if ever) it gets better. By 2012 most American officials had come to openly admit that a whole lot of American military and commercial technical data has been stolen via Chinese Internet (and more conventional) espionage efforts. Details of exactly all the evidence of this is unclear, but apparently, it was pretty convincing for many American politicians and senior officials who had previously been skeptical. The Chinese efforts have resulted in most major American weapons systems having tech details obtained by the Chinese, in addition to a lot of non-defense or dual-use technology (as in the syntactic foam case above). Its not just the United States that is being hit but most nations with anything worth stealing. Many of these nations are noticing that China is the source of most of this espionage and few are content to remain silent any longer. Its no secret that Chinese intelligence collecting efforts since the late 1990s have been spectacularly successful. As the rest of the world comes to realize the extent of this success, there is a building desire for retaliation. What form that payback will take remains to be seen. Collecting information, both military and commercial, often means breaking laws and striking (or hacking) back at the suspected attackers will involve even more felonies. China has broken a lot of laws. Technically, China has committed acts of war because of the degree to which it penetrated military networks and carried away copies of highly secret material. The U.S. and many other victims has been warning China there will be consequences. As the extent of Chinese espionage becomes known and understood, the call for consequences becomes louder. China has tried hard to conceal its espionage efforts. Not just denying anything and everything connected to its hacking and conventional spying but also taking precautions. But as their success continued year after year, some of the Chinese hackers became cocky and sloppy. At the same time, the victims became more adept at detecting Chinese efforts and tracing them back to specific Chinese government organizations or non-government hackers inside China. Undeterred, China has sought to keep its espionage effort going and has even expanded operations. For example, starting in 2008 China opened National Intelligence Colleges in many major universities. In effect, each of these is an "Espionage Department" where, each year, several hundred carefully selected applicants are accepted in each school, to be trained as spies and intelligence operatives. China has found that espionage is an enormously profitable way to obtain military and commercial secrets and now China trains and rewards those who have a talent for such things and make a career of it. The Internet based operations, however, are only one part of Chinas espionage efforts. While Chinese Cyber War operations in this area get a lot of publicity, the more conventional spying brings in a lot of stuff that is not reachable on the Internet. One indicator of this effort is the fact that American counter-intelligence efforts are snagging more Chinese spies. This is partly due to increased spying efforts by China (which puts more of their people out there to get caught), as well as more success by the FBI and CIA. All this espionage, in all its forms, has played a large part in turning China into one of the mightiest industrial and military powers on the planet. China is having a hard time hiding the source of the new technologies they are incorporating into their weapons and commercial products. Many of the victims initially had a hard time accepting the fact that the oh-so-eager (to export) Chinese were robbing their best customers of intellectual property on a grand scale. Now Western firms are a lot more wary about dealing with the Chinese. China has been getting away with something the Soviet Union never accomplished, stealing Western technology and then using it to move ahead of the West. The Soviets lacked the many essential supporting industries found in the West (largely founded and run by entrepreneurs) and was never able to acquire all the many pieces needed to match Western technical accomplishments. Soviet copies of American computers, for example, were crude, less reliable, and less powerful. It was the same situation with their jet fighters, tanks, and warships. China gets around this by making it seemingly profitable for Western firms to set up factories in China, where Chinese managers and workers can be taught how to make things right. At the same time, China allows thousands of their best students to go to the United States to study. While many of these students will stay in America, where there are better jobs and more opportunities, a growing number are coming back to China and bringing American business and technical skills with them. Finally, China energetically uses the "thousand grains of sand" approach to espionage. This involves China trying to get all Chinese going overseas, and those of Chinese ancestry living outside the motherland, to spy for China, if only a tiny bit. This approach to espionage is nothing new. Other nations have used similar systems for centuries. What is unusual is the scale of the Chinese effort, and that makes a difference. Supporting it all is a Chinese intelligence bureaucracy back home that is huge, with nearly 100,000 people working just to keep track of the many Chinese overseas and what they could, or should, be trying to grab for the motherland. This is where many of the graduates of the National Intelligence College program will work. It begins when Chinese intelligence officials examine who is going overseas and for what purpose. Chinese citizens cannot leave the country, legally, without the state security organizations being notified. The intel people are not being asked to give permission. They are being alerted in case they want to have a talk with students, tourists, or business people before leaving the country. Interviews are often held when these people come back as well. Those who might be coming in contact with useful information are asked to remember what they saw or bring back souvenirs (legal or otherwise). Over 100,000 Chinese students go off to foreign universities each year. Even more go abroad as tourists or on business. Most of these people were not asked to actually act as spies but simply to share, with Chinese government officials (who are not always identified as intelligence personnel), whatever information they obtained. The more ambitious of these people are getting caught and prosecuted. But the majority are quite casual and individually bring back relatively little and are almost impossible to catch, much less prosecute. Like the Russians, the Chinese are also employing the traditional methods, using people with diplomatic immunity to recruit spies and offering cash, or whatever, to get people to sell them information. This is still effective and when combined with the "thousand grains of sand" methods brings in a lot of secrets. The final ingredient is a shadowy venture capital operation, sometimes called Project 863 that offers money for Chinese entrepreneurs who will turn the stolen technology into something real. No questions asked. If you can get back to China with the secrets, you are home free and potentially very rich. This is the approach Chinese firms like CBMF are set up to do. While CBMF was technically supposed to develop new technologies in China the unofficial mandate was to steal as much as possible from other nations and not get caught. Not getting caught is becoming more important because that can lead to increasingly dangerous diplomatic and legal problems. When the Chinese steal some technology and produce something that the Western victims can prove was stolen (via patents and prior use of the technology), legal action can make it impossible, or very difficult, to sell anything using the stolen tech outside of China. This is what the recent syntactic foam case is all about. For that reason, the Chinese long preferred stealing military technology and tried to avoid using stolen commercial tech in a way that made it easy to determine the source of stolen data. This meant keeping stolen commercial tech inside China. And in some cases, like manufacturing technology, there's an advantage to not selling it outside of China. Because China is still a communist dictatorship, the courts do as they are told, and they are rarely told to honor foreign patent claims when stolen tech is discovered in China by its foreign owners. But increasingly, Chinese firms are boldly using their stolen technology, daring foreign firms to try and use Chinese courts to get justice. Instead, the foreign firms are trying to muster support from their governments for lawsuits outside China. Naturally, the Chinese government will howl and insist that its all a plot to oppress China. This has worked for a long time, but many of the victims are now telling China that this conflict is being taken to a new, and more dangerous, level. The eloquence of silence The Ugly Duckling turned out to be a misnomer. Bullied for being different, slow and clumsy compared to his siblings, the so-called ugly duckling struggled all his life to find love and acceptance. He wanted to fit in. And he almost broke himself trying. Only to later realise that he was not a duck but a Swan. AIA first SL insurer to win an IQA for Growth in the World View(s): AIA Insurance has been recognised as one of LIMRAs 2018 Top 5 Companies for the Advisor International Quality Award (IQA) growth in the world. This new award recognises companies who have experienced the highest year- on- year growth percentage of over 20 per cent of IQA qualifiers for the last two years, the company said in a media release. The IQA was introduced in 1960 to recognise the outstanding performance of agents who promote quality business on a consistent basis, while providing superior customer service. AIA said it is the first and only company in Sri Lanka to win this award which is a testament to AIAs high calibre of financial advisors. AIAs CEO Pankaj Banerjee said in this regard, We are delighted with this recognition as it speaks of the outstanding performance of our Wealth Planners who have consistently performed in promoting quality business and producing new business while priding themselves in delivering customer service. To attain this award, our qualifiers met rigorous minimum new customer acquisition standards for two consecutive years and have maintained an impressive persistency rate of these customers. Senior Vice President & Managing Director for LIMRA, Ian J. Watts said AIA Insurance Lanka PLC has shown that it values its agents who understand the importance of new customer acquisition and high persistency rates- which is without doubt, imperative for the success of the business. For the continued prosperity of the Sri Lankan insurance industry, and the industry in the rest of the world, we encourage other companies to follow AIAs leading example. Bringing quality ideas to real life is about winning an Effie award By Raj Moorthy View(s): View(s): While advertising plays a significant role in building a brands success, bringing out the qualitative and quantitative ideas to real life makes it exceptional, to stand out the best from the rest. Effie awards is one such platform that recognises creative ideas that makes an enormous impact in a society. In continuing to raise the standards of advertising anc creativity, the Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing hosts the Effie Awards 2017 for the 10th consecutive year while Effie Awards Global celebrates 50 years this year. At the Effie awards participants and media briefing held at the Hilton Residence in Colombo on Monday, head of the jury, Tharaka Ranwala stressed that advertising agencies must look at the effectiveness of any case study. You need to be smart enough to make the judges upright (spellbound). In most cases the idea is lost by the end. You need to spell out the idea clearly and it must suit the category for which you have applied for. The idea must have a quantitative and qualitative value in real life that in turn generates sales and revenue to your clients. Mr. Ranwala also pointed out that small and upcoming advertising agencies did quality case work at last years Effie Awards. Effie Awards Project Chairman, Gayan Perera mentioned that entry for this years awards is for cases done by agencies between 1 October 2016 and 30 September 2017. Applications are now open and the final deadline to submit the cases for various categories is on 12 July 2018. Judging of the cases will take place in July and August and the Effie Awards 2017 will be held in September this year, he added. Profit and non-profit organisations that create a positive change is a new category that has been introduced at this awards, noted Mr. Perera. It was also explained during the briefing that judging of the cases is done in the local context whereas the quality standards have improved over the years reaching the true potential to match global Effie standards. EUs long winters dampen apparel exports in Q 1 By Sunimalee Dias View(s): View(s): Retail demand in the European Union for Sri Lankan apparel was at a mere 5 per cent increase in the first quarter of this year compared to 2017. This was a drop in expectations on the back of the GSP plus trade facility that resumed in July 2017. Sri Lanka Exporters Association (SLEA) President Felix Fernando told the Business Times on Friday that due to the long winter season in Europe the industry had observed a drop in retail demand for apparel as a result of which local exporters were unable to reach the expected increase in sales of 12 per cent. The industry was only capable of achieving a 5 per cent growth in apparel exports during the Q1 compared to the same period last year. He noted that spring garments could not be released as most of the Europeans were slow on purchasing clothing and would rather remain indoors than go out shopping. Reports have stated that Europe was in the grip of a cold snap, which has sent temperatures plunging below their usual late-February levels, and sparked heavy snow showers in unusually southerly spots like Rome. And expectations are that there could be severe weather with flooding and rains in Europe this month. In fact another report highlighted that even April was giving the chill with temperatures dropping even in the US. Usually by March it clears up, Mr. Fernando explained and noted that however, this year the situation has not been the same. He pointed out that in 2017 they had observed a big growth in the EU market during the first quarter compared to 2016. April however, he pointed was a relatively low month. During the first three months of this year the industry expected to achieve a growth of 12 per cent in apparel exports compared to last year. However, the figures during the first quarter was up by only 5 per cent for both the US and the EU compared to last years sales as a result of which earnings were at US$1.269 billion. Meanwhile, Mr. Fernando noted that the exports to other sectors like China, India and Japan had however, dropped by about 2.3 per cent. The industry expects to achieve an increase of US$500 million more in earnings for this year compared to last year. Peoples Insurance services available at the click of a button By Bandula Sirimanna View(s): View(s): Buying insurance will be made available for the people at the click of a button by Peoples Insurance Plc through its latest digital innovation strategy, a top official of the Peoples Banks flagship subsidiary said. Chief Executive Officer of Peoples Insurance PLC Deepal Abeysekera told the Business Times that they are forging ahead with its new strategy aimed at designing and deploying more convenient ways for customers to access information and purchase insurance online. The scaling up of investment in technology and research will be the priority currently to stay ahead of peers in terms of product innovation, process efficiency, cost cutting and service delivery, he said. However despite higher costs, the insurance firms bottom line improved year -on-year and profit after tax grew by 17 per cent to reach Rs.773 million in 2017, from Rs.658 million in 2016, he claimed. The key initiative was the enhancement of the corporate website, enabling multi-device compatibility to deliver a fully integrated customer experience; he said adding that investments were made to design E-insurance products. These innovative products will help the Peoples Insurance to secure first mover advantage in servicing the insurance needs of a number of emerging sectors in the economy, he disclosed. He emphasised that the companys prospects for the future remain strong, given the base of more than 16 million Peoples Bank customers and another over a million with Peoples Leasing and Finance PLC. Peoples Insurance will focus on non-motor insurance as 60 per cent of the product portfolio of the industry consists of motor insurance policies, he revealed. At present, the company is expanding the household and small and medium enterprise segments including fire policies while catering to the needs of the business and customer requirements especially relating to lifestyle- and business-related products, he pointed out. He opined that it will be focusing on some non-traditional products such as healthcare and travel insurance. Sri Lankas insurance industry is yet to gain its full potential. Overall insurance penetration level was around 1.1 per cent of GDP, which is well below the global average of 6.2 per cent. Current market growth is at around 15 per cent, he said predicting that it would grow at 8-10 per cent. Peoples Insurance has grown rapidly over the years, and at present it is exploring ways to expand its reach, he said. Santani on profitable footing View(s): Santani, a fully-fledged wellness resort in Sri Lanka located in the village of Werapitiya in the foothills of Knuckles Mountains, just 12 km off Teldeniya on the main Kandy Mahiyangana road, has cashed in on profits in its first year of operations. Santani has 20 rooms, a healthy fine dining restaurant, a destination spa in Sri Lanka and a special and unique focus on wellbeing and preventative healthcare, a media release issued by the resort stated. Selected by both CondeNast Traveler and Travel + Leisure as one of the best new hotels of the world in 2017, the resort considers it a great accolade that they won. Also Santani went far beyond being selected as one of the best new hotels by being selected as one of The Best Spas/Spa Hotels of the world by Tatler (only eight hotels were chosen from the world) at the Tatler spa awards, which is the highest authority when it comes to spa and wellness travel, the release said. Forbes magazine then selected Santani as one of the most unique hotels among only 25 properties chosen from around the world. In addition to the above, Santani recently won the Geoffrey Bawa award for architectural excellence making it the only hotel to win the prestigious main award in the history of Bawa awards. I think the key to our success is that we did everything differently. It was not just doing things differently for the sake of being different but a well thought out strategic differentiation that we havent seen in Sri Lanka before, the resorts founder Vickum Nawagamuwage said. After the end of the war it was quite evident the local industry had not really thought about competition and they were still working on a 1970s mindset as a primarily beach destination and Thailand was just on par with Sri Lanka and no Maldives, Bali, Langkawi, etc. We cater to discerning guests who have already experienced material indulgences and are now seeking a higher level of luxury that is also high in social, environmental, and community impact, he added. In terms of the financial performance Santani has been making profits in its first year itself. Typically, it takes about three years for hotels to make profits given the sales cycles and as we all know, most of the recent Sri Lankan properties are not making profits even after six to eight years. The resort has achieved over 40 per cent occupancy in the first year, operating profits or positive EBIT around 36 per cent of occupancy and net profits at around 38 per cent of occupancy. Santani was constructed at about 45 per cent of the cost of a typical hotel that charges around US$500 a night thus giving superior investment returns. It is really important any developer focuses on this ratio and let that drive everything they do, Mr. Nawagamuwage said. Gota has long dialogue with recuperating Kabir View(s): Former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa who now heads Viyath Maga, an organisation made up of professionals and businessmen, sprung a surprise on the United National Party (UNP) Chairman and Minister Kabir Hashim last Thursday. He paid a visit to his Rajagiriya residence to see how the former UNP General Secretary was faring after a brief illness. Mr Hashim had undergone surgery for a nose and throat ailment at a private nursing home and had returned to his residence to recuperate only that day. Mr Rajapaksa went there after a wedding at a five star hotel in the City. He was accompanied by Dilith Jayaweera, a businessman with links to a media outfit that is engaged in bi-partisan publicity campaigns (for the Rajapaksa-led SLPP and the Wickremesinghe-led UNP). A 90 minute chat began with the two sides avoiding subjects related to politics. However, like fish taking to water, they were soon discussing politics and how to improve the public service. Mr Rajapaksa said that instead of appointing advisors on many a subject, he preferred making them Additional Secretaries to Ministries so that they could take decisions and enforce them. Mr. Hashim, who has been told by doctors not to exercise his vocal chords too much, acknowledged the viewpoint by nodding his head. As the duo prepared to leave, a relative of Mr. Hashim asked Mr. Rajapaksa: Is it final that you would be the Joint Opposition candidate for the presidency? Mr. Hashim broke his silence. Ey vagey deval ahanna epaa, or dont ask such things, he advised. It is noteworthy that the visit came when former UNP Chairman and Minister Malik Samarawickrema and Minister Mangala Samaraweera castigated Mr Rajapaksa in two separate statements they issued. Mr. Samarawickrama accused Mr. Rajapaksa of exhorting the UNPs economic policies when he addressed a well-turned out meeting of Viyath Maga at the Shangri La hotel and Mr. Samaraweera referred to alleged corrupt activities associated with Mr. Rajapaksa. The Viyath Maga event was also attended by prominent businessmen who were earlier staunch backers of the UNP a move that has angered the UNP leadership. According to at least one insider, Mr Rajapaksa had voiced a future economic framework for Sri Lanka on the lines of the speech made by Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Communist Partys annual sessions in Beijing in March this year. Co-incidentally, weeks earlier, he had spent a month in a Chinese university. President orders probe on media reports Criminal Investigation Department detectives have been assigned to probe media reports which claimed the security forces have been placed on alert for possible civil disturbances. The move follows a directive from President Maithripala Sirisena to Police Chief Pujith Jayasundera. The Police Chief has been told to determine whether the reports were formulated by any group and disseminated to the media. A state run newspaper as well as a private outlet had reported on the story. CID officials said they would record statements from those responsible for the story. Weeratunga extradition bill tops US$ 300,000 With Sri Lanka having an ineffective diplomatic mission in the United Arab Emirates, the Government has been compelled to use the services of a law firm to deal with matters relating to a most wanted person Udayanga Weeratunga, former Ambassador to Russia. Legal sources say that so far the Government has incurred more than US$ 300,000 as fees (Rs. 47 million) for the firm as efforts to seek the extradition of Mr. Weeratunga to Colombo continue. Top Chinese official here; US senators also due A high ranking Chinese official is now on a visit to Sri Lanka He is Kong Quan, Vice Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Chinese National Peoples Congress, Chinas national legislature. With 2,980 members in 2018, the National Peoples Congress is the largest parliamentary body in the world. Also due in Colombo are four United States senators from the Senate defence committee. Lavish birthday bash free for politico If he were living, even Governor Henry George Ward, the eleventh governor of Ceylon under British rule, would have been surprised. A hotel on a road which still remembers his name hosted a lavish birthday party for a politico; liquor flowed and the food was a feast. The local Johnny was so thrilled at the turnout too. The joy was all because he did not have to pay for food, drink or for the hotel. For him, they are all for the asking. The Governments two coalition partners the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) and the United National Party (UNP) are locked in two different proxy wars with each other in a new turn of events which began this week. For the SLFP, its 16 rebel MPs, now sitting in the Opposition benches in Parliament, have embarked on a project to form a broad coalition of political parties with the exception of the UNP. The process began with a meeting they held last Thursday with the Joint Oppositions de facto leader, former President Mahinda Rajapaksa. For the UNP, it came in the form of a 20th Amendment to the Constitution that sought to further clip the powers of the President and confer them on a Prime Minister. Of course, it came in the form of a Private Members motion in the name of four Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) parliamentarians Vijitha Herath, Sunil Handunetti, Nihal Galappathy and Nalinda Indatissa. JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake was present when the motion was handed over to Speaker Karu Jayasuriya. Barring an occasional verbal volley against selected UNPers, the JVP, a left party with opposite socio-economic and political views, is all too well known for maintaining a close rapport with the UNP since the 2015 presidential election. So much so, the story did the rounds this week that two UNP leaning lawyers, one from the party and another from a minority party, were the authors of the draft a claim strongly dismissed by the JVP. Yet, the draft 20A, as the highlights reveal, mirrors the current enigma over the office of the Presidency and that of the Prime Minister. It is a public secret that the holders of the two offices are at variance causing heavy political turbulence. Such an imbroglio has already led to economic uncertainty and instability. MOVE FOR A BROAD COALITION The SLFP rebel groups meeting with Rajapaksa on Wednesday evening at his Wijerama Road official residence came despite internal divisions amongst themselves. At least three former ministers who are among those in the group favour the idea of them becoming members of the Joint Opposition. They are Susil Premajayantha, Anura Priyadarshana Yapa and Lakshman Seneviratne. However, others led by Dayasiri Jayasekera insist that they should remain within the SLFP, re-organise the party and prepare it for the 2020 presidential and parliamentary elections. In fact, it is the latter groups view that prevailed when the SLFP leader, President Maithripala Sirisena, gave his nod for the meeting with Rajapaksa. Earlier, at the partys Central Committee meeting on May 17, a member of the rebel group unveiled their plans as part of measures to strengthen the SLFP. Yesterday, they held their first public meeting in Matara under the theme Nidhahase Hirda Shakshi to explain their role. Our aim is to build the SLFP support base that is at some 15 % now to 25%, said former Minister and Kurunegala District parliamentarian Dayasiri Jayasekera. He said that they were also working on a programme of action identifying priority areas where economic and other development activity should be carried out. Jayasekera, who is now at the centre of a storm over accepting a million rupees from Perpetual Treasuries, a firm associated with Arjun Aloysius, currently under probe by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) over the Central Bank bond scam, said: We do not want to abandon the SLFP. The onetime official spokesperson did admit that he received one million rupees for his political campaign. But he says he cannot remember who gave the cash cheque or who encashed it a familiar defence in recent times. He said, We are seeking a consensual government without the UNP. In fact, he told the Sunday Times, President Sirisena told us at the CC meeting that we should decide on the future of the SLFP and reminded us that I have to run the government. Whether the remarks were a suggestion for the SLFP to quit or focus more on party re-organisation remains unclear. It was at that moment that SLFP patron and former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga walked out from the meeting. At Wednesdays meeting Rajapaksa invited the 16 rebels to enrol in the Joint Opposition. For now, the JO is spearheaded by the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP). Jayasekera replied, I told him you are the cake. We need the icing too. That seemed an allusion to Sirisena and the need to bring him in. Since the SLPP is another entity, Jayasekera revealed, he told Rajapaksa to think of Maithripala Sirisena as well. The former UNP MP added that his group has declared they would act as a bridge to ensure there is re-unity within the SLFP. Another meeting between the rebel group and Rajapaksa is due after June 3. This is to elect new office bearers for the SLFP. Associated with Rajapaksa was G.L. Peiris, the SLPPs formal leader and three others. Senior SLPP sources said Rajapaksa reached broad agreement on three main areas during the talks. One was that the breakaway SLFP parliamentary group and the Joint Opposition parliamentary group meet together regularly to discuss common issues before Parliament. Another was to formulate a common agenda highlighting their unified positions when tackling political issues. The third, the source said, was an invitation by Rajapaksa to all SLFP parliamentarians to join. He had said as the leader (of the SLPP) he was willing to accept them. This remark, no doubt, is an assertion that Mahinda Rajapaksa would be the leader of that Front. What would then be Sirisenas role? That by itself is an indication that many thorny issues would remain and an immediate convergence of the two sides in re-unity is remote if not more difficult. For Rajapaksa and his backers, much more than their proactive campaigns, political windfalls have come their way due to many a flaw and inaction of the Government. Every aspect of public life has been affected as a result. For the now emaciated SLFP, with little or no bargaining power, Rajapaksa is in an unassailable position to call the shots. More so with added public disgruntlement over recent price hikes, mainly the result of the hike in fuel prices. This perhaps is one of the reasons that prompted Sirisena to ask the breakaway group to be more concerned about the future of the SLFP whilst he had to run the government. He may be feeling that time is running out with the party machinery not being geared effectively for the 2020 elections. Both SLFP General Secretary Duminda Dissanayake and UPFA General Secretary Mahinda Amaraweera have come in for criticism over the February 10 local polls debacle and their alleged inability since then to place the party on a good footing. Both have hinted to colleagues they were willing to give up their party positions if they are not wanted. However, the question is who will replace them? Sirisena is running out of options. Any one picked from the breakaway group would draw accusations that they have hijacked the party. On the other hand, there is a dearth of seniors with proven track records. 20th AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION The first hints of a 20A being moved by the JVP became public during the week when Parliament took up the vote of no-confidence against Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe. One of the 20A promoters, Sunil Handunetti told the Sunday Times the motion is aimed at removing the ill-effects of the Executive Presidential system. He said if the 20A was approved, the Cabinet of Ministers would be stronger than the President. A significant feature of the draft 20A is the fact that there is no provision for the conduct of a national referendum in the event it is passed by Parliament. The JVP appears to be relying on a previous example the passage of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution just months after the presidential election in January 2015. Those amendments became law without a national referendum, because any un-constitutional provisions were brought in line with the Constitution and the Government avoided the need to go for a referendum. Handunetti said, Abolishing the Executive Presidency is something which all leaders including former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe have promised to do. Therefore, they should stand by their promises. Of course if the government wants to drag this on, it can do so for about six months, but we believe it would not take so long, he said. He added, There are concerns among minority parties, but we are willing to discuss them. Of course, there may be some who do not want to change their positions and it may not be fruitful to discuss it with them. The JVP has drafted this proposal and put it forward for the benefit of the country. HIGHLIGHTS OF 20A The Bill seeks to make significant changes in respect of four institutions. The Office of President 1. The President to be elected by Parliament by simple majority at its first sitting following a general election. 2. The President to ordinarily hold office for five years. 3. The President cannot be a member of a political party while holding office. 4. Executive power to be shared between the President and the Cabinet of Ministers. 5. The President will continue to be the Head of State, Head of the Executive, and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. 6. The President to receive all Cabinet papers and decisions, and to be entitled to communicate his views on them to the Cabinet. 7. The President to appoint Ambassadors on the advice of the Cabinet of Ministers. 8. The Speaker (and not the Prime Minister) to act for the President. 9. Proceedings for the removal from office of the President may be initiated through a resolution signed by 50% of the members of Parliament. There are also several consequential amendments following the enactment of the 19th Amendments. For example, it seeks to clarify that in appointing Ministers and Deputy Ministers, and in assigning them subjects and functions, the President will always act on the advice of the Prime Minister (and not in consultation on some occasions). It also seeks to provide that in making appointments of Secretaries to Ministries, the President will act on the advice of the Cabinet of Ministers. These were gaps left by the 19th Amendment. Several executive powers of the President, where he/she acts on his/her initiative and not on advice have been retained. These include the power to appoint a Delimitation Commission; the power to permit the appointment of Ad Hoc Judges of the Supreme Court; the powers under the Public Security Ordinance; and all the powers relating to Provincial Councils. The Office of Prime Minister 1. Where the party that has obtained more than 50% of the total number of seats in parliament had, at the time of tendering nominations, nominated its Prime Ministerial candidate, and that candidate has been elected to Parliament, the President shall appoint that person to be Prime Minister. 2. In the absence of such nomination, the person appointed to be Prime Minister to seek a vote of confidence at the first sitting of Parliament. If he/she fails to do so, Parliament will elect the Prime Minister. 3. The Prime Minister to be the Head of the Cabinet. Parliament 1. There will be no prorogation of Parliament. 2. During the first two years of Parliament, the Appropriation Bill will be deemed to be rejected only if it is defeated in Parliament on three occasions. 3. Parliament may be dissolved only if the President is requested to do so by a resolution passed with a 2/3 majority. The Judiciary 1. A court will have no jurisdiction in respect of disciplinary action taken against a Member of Parliament by his/her political party. 2. The Presidents power to seek the opinion of the Supreme Court on a question of law or fact is removed. 3. The consultative jurisdiction of the Supreme Court must be exercised in public. Consequential amendments 1. These amendments will come into force on January 9, 2020. 2. The current Presidents term of office will end on January 8, 2020. 3. The present Parliament will be dissolved on February 8, 2020 (i.e. six months ahead of schedule). WHAT IT PORTENDS: This Bill appears to be logical successor to the 19th Amendment. In the tumultuous circumstances in which that Amendment was debated and passed at a late night session, especially in the Committee Stage, several errors were made, and this Bill seeks to rectify many of them, especially those relating to the Office of the Executive President. There are some matters of concern. One is that all the provisions of this Bill, if passed, will not come into force, until January 9, 2020. This means, for example, that all the relevant authorities, including the Elections Commission, will be required under the existing constitutional provisions to engage in the futile exercise of making preparations for a presidential election which will eventually not take place. Another matter of concern is that, by retaining Article 155 in its present form, the President will exercise the power to declare a state of emergency and make emergency regulations on his/her own, without reference to, or advice from, the Cabinet of Ministers. In practical terms, is this really possible? What will be the consequences? A third matter of concern is that the Presidents term of office is linked to that of Parliament. This means that if Parliament decides, by a 2/3 majority that it should be dissolved after two years, the Presidents term of office will also be similarly curtailed. A constitutional Head of State should be the permanent, non-political, unifying figure in the country, and should be assured of a fixed term of office, not dependent on the vagaries of politics. An official response from the Joint Opposition is expected only after the leaders of its constituent parties meet this week. However, a high ranking SLPP source said yesterday it was highly unlikely that the party would support the 20A. Similarly, the SLFP, too, is not in favour of the move. It argues that a Constitutional Assembly is set to examine a new Constitution. Hence, it asks why there is a hurry to rush through 20A when there are a number of other priority issues for the government. Without the SLPP and the SLFP, 20A will not be able to muster a two-thirds majority to pass the Bill. Joint Opposition Parliamentary leader Dinesh Gunawardena protested this week at a meeting of the Steering Committee chaired by Premier Wickremesinghe, over reports that a group of experts were formulating a new draft constitution. According to a JO source, this was after the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) threatened to stage a non-violent civil disobedience campaign demanding that the Government address issues it has pledged to the Tamil community. Gunawardena told the meeting that it was highly irregular for anyone other than the Steering Committee to formulate a new Constitution. When Wickremesinghe said there was no such move, Gunawardena insisted that the fact should be incorporated in the minutes of the meeting that was being held after a lapse of six months. Thus, both the moves for a grand coalition without the UNP and a project which is sure to receive UNP support to curtail powers of the Presidency are doomed to fail. Ironically, staying in power appears to be more a priority than addressing the woes of the public. Govt. to pay Iranian oil debts in euro The Government will pay state-owned National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) the Euro equivalent of US$ 251 million (Rs. 41 billion), the Cabinet of Ministers decided on Tuesday.President Maithripala Sirisena, who chaired the meeting, expressed concern that the outstanding amount since 2012 had not been paid. This is despite the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) obtaining clearance in January 2016 from the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) in the United States in the light of sanctions that prevailed at that time. Though they were since lifted, US President Donald Trump has threatened to re-impose them after pulling out of the Iran nuclear deal. Petroleum Resources Development Minister Arjuna Ranatunga told his ministerial colleagues that in 2012, the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation had imported two Iranian Light crude oil shipments. The costs amounted to US$ 127,069,206 and US$ 123,155,963 respectively. He said that the total value of these two shipments was US$ 250,925,169. He admitted that the settlement of the outstanding sums was not made even after the lifting of the sanctions. Minister Ranatunga has said that Central Bank Governor Indrajit Coomaraswamy has suggested the EUR channel payment procedure. The Attorney General is also to be consulted before the Euro remittances are made in instalments. During his state visit to Iran, President Sirisena told his counterpart Hassan Rouhani that Sri Lanka owed money for previous shipments of oil purchased. He also requested for more supplies at concessionary terms. The king cobra and Sri Lankas fascinated paralysis View(s): When the king cobra kills, it is said that its glare is so unnerving that the victim is fascinated first into a state of terrified immobility before the strike occurs, paralyzing through the injection of a potent neurotoxin that immobilizes the central nervous system. The victims, (including humans if the dose is large enough), can feel impending death but be completely powerless to prevent it, sans immediate recourse to anti-venom treatment. Political chicanery, natural disasters and human misery In some ways, it feels as if Sri Lanka is in that advanced state of paralysis as the country lies transfixed in a state of apathy with a quarreling National Unity Government, overtly ambitious constitutional reforms going nowhere and urgent economic problems of the populace remaining unsolved. One disaster after another continues to hit the most vulnerable as the monsoon rains envelop the land bringing deaths and homelessness in their wake. First the drought, then the rains hammer Sri Lanka with equally devastating effect and we have no mitigation system in place beyond politicians distributing relief to desperate people. Indeed there is an inescapable link between political chicanery, natural disasters and human misery. Corruption, unplanned developments and unauthorized constructions have meant that natural disasters turn deadlier each year. Even as Colombo was built up to be the prettiest city in Asia during the Rajapaksa years, its wetlands were mercilessly encroached on with political patronage and no regard for the law. Now as rain waters routinely flood the city, we see one direct consequence thereof. But our memories are short. And mistakes aplenty made by this Government has paved the way for the return of the Rajapaksas in a more venomous avatar than before, cheered on in no doubt by Colombos capitalist class which brazenly genuflected before the family brand in the (political) coming out of former President Mahinda Rajapaksas brother and onetime Secretary of Defence, Gotabhaya Rajapaksa recently. Remarkable displays of absurdity An effective antidote to this current paralysis would have been far reaching party reforms in Sri Lankas two major parties, the United National Party (UNP) and the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), compelled by, if not anything else, the bruising results of the local government elections a few months ago. Boasting of its democratic credentials as UNP party seniors are wont to do, is to little purpose in the absence of a radical reimaging of its image and reconnection with its rural constituents. Meanwhile the less said about the SLFP, the better as it thrashes about in a state of stupefying bewilderment. Each distasteful muddle continues to be as bad as the other. It was unacceptable enough that United National Party government members from the parliamentary watchdog Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) had tarnished themselves by engaging in phone conversations with Arjun Aloysius of Perpetual Treasuries ill-fame even as COPE was engaging in an inquiry against him. But in a display of quite remarkable absurdity, those very same members were re-appointed to COPE in the new parliamentary session. Known rogues of the Joint Opposition protested against the re-appointments in high moral flood. In theory, the United National Party may well cling to the explanation that its representatives on COPE had done nothing that had been proved to be wrong during the Aloysius inquiry and should therefore not be penalized. However the sheer absence of commonsensical strategy in allowing yet another stick for the Joint Opposition to beat and that too, in regard to the Perpetual Treasuries fiasco, (the Achilles heel of the Government) beggars the proverbial imagination. On the other hand, the confession of a once prominent SLFP Minister that Aloysius had contributed towards his election campaign fund in 2015 contributes to this tragi-comedy. An ordinary man or woman watching this parliamentary pantomime could not be blamed for calling down curses on all politicians. Accusing fingers need to point inwards Then again, it is notable that Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe warned in a speech widely carried on national television a few days ago that journalists who are supporting a Rajapaksa-return are at risk of being disappeared themselves. That was the strategy used by the family dominated regime in power to tame the media, so beware of what you want, he added. Far be it my intention to defend the indefensible given the shamelessly transparent manner in which the private electronic media in particular peddle their political agendas over the airwaves. But perhaps the Prime Minister may also fittingly point the accusing finger inwards towards his own Government given its equally shameless record of doing very little to close outstanding cases of journalists who had disappeared without a trace or had been assassinated and beaten up during the Rajapaksa decade. Thursdays conviction of General Secretary of the BBS, Ven. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara by the Homgama Magistrates Court for threatening and criminally harassing the wife of disappeared cartoonist Prageeth Ekneligoda two years ago brings this question forcibly to mind. It remains to be seen as to what sentence will be passed down on the offender. But the issue here is larger than this one slim victory. The Government needs to acknowledge that pointing fingers (even justifiably) at the media wholly bypasses its own responsibility in failing to bring outstanding cases of gross human rights violations to justice. In the meantime, its party reforms have been largely unconvincing to the ordinary people. The king cobra and its prey So the paralysis of the nation awakens the fitting image of the king cobra and its prey, as it surely must. Only this time it is an entire nation that will be in the throes of its own death struggles. And even if there is a re-grouping of resistant liberal democratic forces, far greater popular cynicism will be evidenced. The inanities and political motivated agendas of activists comprising civic movements appearing to work for the people but paradoxically willing to disregard core values of the Rule of Law in support of political imperatives in 2015 saw to that. Activist voices of protest were transformed almost overnight to uncritical proponents of government policy, defending stuttering anti-corruption efforts and deeply flawed transitional justice processes alike. Now we will face the consequences of that monumental shortsightedness if not lack of wisdom. It does not really help when pessimistic predictions turn out to be right. One would wish almost desperately to be proved wrong but such wishes are of no avail. Meanwhile the Government now tosses a casual explanation that the much ballyhooed lessening of indirect taxes imposed on the people. (touted as to why the entire tax structure was revised despite cautions that reforms were done clumsily and without forethought), will be seen only two years hence. By that time, both this painful circus and the political caterwauling would assuredly be over amidst the tatters of the 2015 rainbow revolution. Barring a miracle, a harsh reckoning seems inevitable for this land and its sadly paralyzed people. The mighty and the corrupt fall but not always View(s): The recent Malaysian elections that resulted in the downfall of a political party that has ruled the country for decades and the ouster of an allegedly corrupt leader have brought home an important lesson. But it is hardly likely that our leaders will learn from this significant turn of events. It is more likely they would round the wagons and protect themselves with added precautions so they will not have to face the ignominy now haunting Najib Razak accused of fiddling accounts and robbing national wealth. One way crooked politicians and their bag carriers protect themselves is by keeping investigative agencies at arms length and curbing their independence of action which they were promised to uphold in the early days of this government and even before that. While many Asian leaders over the years have faced trial for corruption and fraud, some of our leaders act as though they would never have to pay the price of being named, shamed and brought to justice and spat upon by an incensed public that believed the honeyed words that emanated from seemingly sincere political mouths at election time. The architect of our 1978 constitution, former president Junius Richard Jayawardene used to compare some leaders to the French Bourbons who, he said, learnt nothing and forgot nothing. The vile and corrupt among Sri Lankas political community-and we have quite a lot as you would have noticed- are in some ways like the Bourbons that seemed to fascinate the wily JR who used to be called The Fox. My brother Mervyn went one better and called him 20th Century Fox. Indeed JR as he was popularly called, had some attributes of a fox. But one thing he could not be accused of was being corrupt, though I am sure he had an inkling of some who dipped their fingers into the public purse and other means to fatten themselves. Sir John Kotelawala who preceded him as prime minister many years before and led the country in the early 1950s knew very well that some of his political buddies were on the take and so his celebrated saying to colleagues and others Hande athe thiyanakan beda ganilla (as long as the spoon is in your hand serve yourselves). Make hay while the sun shines may be a close English-language approximation of the Kotelawalian words but hardly as coruscating. One could name many from the post-independence era who were honest to the core and passed away with virtually little or no assets to leave behind. Those days of honest politicians who ruled Ceylon and then Sri Lanka are long past. Many of them were educated and were from the professional classes unlike some of todays lot who, having failed to achieve basic educational standards have found refuge in politics which needs no standards at all, educational or ethical. What is so galling is that corruption has seeped to the lowest of political institutions and even simple and normal administrative exercises that citizens are entitled to receive from public institutions and public servants are deliberately delayed or even refused if something (a bribe) is not given when such gratifications are solicited. During a recent visit to Colombo I heard constant public complaints that nothing moves until the wheels of administration are not greased with palm oil. These complaints come from citizenry who have had to deal with officials of an elected institution such as the Colombo municipality and government departments to village-level bodies. Nothing moves and even the services that a member of the public is entitled to are generally performed only when the greedy and corrupt are mollified and gratified that sufficient grease has passed between them. When much of the state structure, if not its entirety, functions on greasing those who run such institutions, it is a sign of moral decay and no amount of promises held out to the people will convince the populace that political pledges will ever be fulfilled. In the early months of the yahapalana government I listened to President Sirisena telling an anti-corruption conference in London organized by then British Prime Minister David Cameron, what steps the Sirisena administration has taken in its fight against corruption. He also set out what he hopes to do to bring to justice those of the previous government who were responsible for corruption and abuse of national wealth. President Sirisenas homilies seemed genuine enough for he had only months before come to power and other leaders and government representatives gathered at Lancaster House were keen to know how the state machinery, with the help of foreign anti-graft bodies, would be utilized to fight the corrupt. Three years have passed since those promises were made before an international audience. But even before he came to office the public were promised that if elected a Sirisena administration would bring to book those who robbed the state and had their hands stained with the blood of corruption and fraud. So what has happened? Virtually nothing. Those who were accused of corruption remain free. Some others against whom cases have been filed never have their cases heard as they are postponed for months on end each time a hearing comes up in court leading to public questions about judicial integrity. Certainly some have been brought to justice. But they are not the big beasts who were said to have been involved in big time corruption and stealing the wealth of the nation. Even more interestingly the political infighting between the two major parties in the coalition has resulted in the spotlight being turned on them. The allegedly corrupt on both sides of the yahapalanaya administration have been exposed to the public. Most recently it was President Sirisenas chief of staff called I. Mahanama who was caught in the counting house- the back seat of a car- counting out the money which was only a small portion of the loot allegedly demanded. But whatever happened to Mahinda Rajapaksas chief of staff Gamini Senarath whose name came into focus a couple of years or so ago but has now faded from the legal radar screen. Where on earth has he got to? And what about Sajin Vass Gunawardena about whom much was said but little seems to have been done, according to some who spoke to me on the failed promises of the yahapalana government. If the public is incensed it is because new burdens are being heaped on their already burdened shoulders while politicians go merrily along untouched by all this. That is because every government has pampered them with more perks such as luxury vehicles and increased salaries/allowances. What is also galling is that politicians are involved in nefarious activities such as stripping forest reserves of their trees and even encroaching into such reservations and partitioning off areas to settle their supporters. Defending some political actions, one yahapanalaya supporter told me that politicians like others declare their assets. Goodness me, what a puerile argument. Does the Speaker to whom MPs present their assets declaration or the president to whom ministers present their declarations ever glance at any of them. Even if they do what good has ever come out of it. If politicians want to come clean their assets declarations must be made available to the public to peruse freely and without charge. If there is no such provision now then there should be a law permitting such perusal. If politicians have nothing to hide let them open their declarations to public view. Will it ever happen, politicians voluntarily making their assets and liabilities known to the voters? It was the celebrated author George Orwell who once said that the people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves and traitors are not victims.. but accomplices. One of the problems is that our leaders do not learn from history. They do not believe that they will be ousted and subsequently found they had dipped into the till. But the mistake they make is believing that power is eternal, that they will always remain acceptable to the people. How wrong they could be. Should they take a Kaleidoscopic view of Asia alone and how the mighty have fallen from grace in the continents post-war history they should realize that nothing is permanent, as the Buddha preached. From Ferdinand Marcos who ruled the Philippines with an iron fist, to Indonesias Suharto and family who stashed away enough money to open a new bank, to Pakistans corrupt leaders such as Nawaz Sharif named in the Panama Papers, several Indian chief ministers such as Jayalalithaa Jeyaram and the recent South Korean president Park Guen-hye jailed for 24 years on several charges of corruption to Malaysias defeated leader Najib Razak, have all been exposed for corruption and fraud. If some of Sri Lankas leaders and other politicians believe they are permanent fixtures in the political firmament and can continue to rob and allow their kith and kin to rob and demand pay-offs, they better take some history lessons. Hell is empty and all the devils are here, wrote Shakespeare in the Tempest. How true. Remember those promises of ending corruption, nepotism, cronyism and installing accountability, meritocracy and clean governance. Hell any of us could have said. After all we dont have the power to do so. But then what of those who have the power but still will not do so because as President Sirisena said the other day, there is more work to be done. Indeed and we know what that is, dont we. 20A: That which is best governed is best View(s): After a false start on the all but forgotten Republic Day (May 22), the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) eventually submitted the 20th Amendment to the Constitution (20A) on Friday to the Speaker of Parliament. One can only hope the 20A which is introduced as a Private Members motion will not end up like the Impeachment motion of yesteryear which seems to have gone missing from Parliament Records (please refer to our page 1 story). Presented sans much fanfare, the Amendment is meant to change a whole system of government at the very apex of the countrys politics. Much talked about over the years, and an election promise at every Presidential and Parliamentary election since 1994, only to be broken each and every time, 20A seeks to return the country to a virtual Parliamentary democracy from the Executive Presidency that exists today. That the JVP is introducing the 20A Bill is intriguing, to say the least. Especially so when there is an all-party parliamentary committee studying a new Constitution. In the murky world of Sri Lankas politics, there is reason to suspect some hidden agenda behind what would, and should, be an altruistic move to fulfil an election pledge solemnly given to the people who voted this Government in. Though not in the Government, the JVP has been lending its support from the outside to it at times, and was one of the parties of the rainbow coalition that campaigned to oust the previous Government. Doing away with the Executive Presidency, long associated with authoritarianism bordering on dictatorship, was among the major battle cries of that coalition. The 20A seeks an Indian-style election of the next President by Parliament. The existing powers of the Executive Presidency will be clipped and the President will be dictated to on the advice of the Prime Minister on many things where he currently only needs to consult the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister, will now be designated the Head of Government, and will, for all intents and purposes, be an Executive Prime Minister like (s)he was prior to 1978. From the time Prime Minister J.R. Jayewardene mooted the Executive Presidency and became the first Executive President of Sri Lanka in 1978, there have been its detractors and endless debates, both in favour of the system, and against it. Ironic as it turns out to be, those who got on the streets at the time it was introduced and swore they would lay down their lives to have it abolished, are today its vehement proponents saying they are prepared to die to defend it and see it continues. The United National Party (UNP), having institutionalised the Executive Presidency, has taken up the official position that it wants the system reversed to a Parliamentary system. Many suspect the JVP is acting as a proxy in the exercise, as the UNP does not want to be the party that undid what it instituted. Such a suggestion, the JVP would say, is preposterous and that it is acting on its own free will. The proponents of abolishing the Executive Presidency say that the system has failed. The main reason they attribute to that is the concentration of power in one person who is Head of State and Head of Government, and is of one political party subject to the bias of parochial political interests. 20A says the future President cannot be a leader of a political party. To some extent, those executive powers did affect individuals who were politicians one day and the next day transformed to a strange hybrid; part man (or woman) and part God. They inevitably tended to go on ego trips with the hurrah boys and girls egging them on, insulating them from the real world until they came crashing back to earth. Some believed they were Roman Emperors or Napoleans, some ancient Lankan king, and even wanted a special throne made for them. Some demanded they be called His Excellency or H.E., and had state radio and television begin their newscast with those words and utter something these modern monarchs would have deigned to do for that day. Almost all Presidents did not have strong offices as an Executive Presidency requires. Even the first President did not set the trend. As all power flowed from his Secretariat, there was much to be desired from his senior staff who handled all that power; few and far between were his advisers who could recalibrate the wrong path the President was taking. There was hardly a connecting link between Parliament and the President even though the President has a room in the House premises. An early case in point was when the then Chief Justice Neville Samarakoon telephoned the President and was asked by the secretary what it was about, only to be told it was none of his business. The episode developed into a constitutional crisis between the Executive and the Judiciary resulting in the eventual resignation of the Chief Justice in the face of a Parliamentary inquiry against him. A later President used rubber-stamping MPs of his party to have a Chief Justice impeached. A Parliamentary democracy is no guarantee against such power surges that are witnessed periodically from an Executive President. Independent Sri Lanka has seen the life of Parliament extended both by a Parliamentary democracy (1975-77) and an Executive Presidency (1983-90). It is the same difference. If there is a will, there is a way to subjugate the democratic process. The recent argument in defence of the Executive Presidency is also a strange one. It is based on the 13th Amendment to the Constitution (13A) which established the Provincial Council system. The reasoning is that an Executive Presidency stands as a bulwark against moves by a future council that wishes to secede from the rest of the country, and the F word federalism. This bogey has re-emerged to keep the Executive Presidency in power and in place. But India, which in fact already has federalism with state governments, has a Parliamentary system and safeguards in its Constitution to thwart any such moves. States can be placed under Presidential Rule on the advice of the Prime Minister at the Centre. The same can be done in Sri Lanka. Equally strange is the way 20A is being introduced. When something as fundamental as a change in the system of government is being done, and when customarily this requires maximum transparency, 20A is being almost surreptitiously brought through a back door Private Members motion. Surely, these are games being played in the corridors of power with each political party only seeing the benefits that will accrue to it at the next election rather than the long-term interests of the country. As for the ordinary people of this country, neither system will bring down the price of fuel nor avoid the floods. For forms of government let fools contest was the famous quote of Alexander Pope. That which is best governed, is best. Amaranath brings latest classical guitar music CD View(s): Renowned classical guitar guru Amaranath Ranatunga released his forth and newest collection of classical and flamenco guitar compositions, Your Way recently. The collection includes 10 pieces namely Deep and Reality, Yesterday Gone, Romantic Cadence, Movement, Your Way, Dont walk, run, Last part of the Night, Romantic poem of King Kashyapa, Change your mood and Beyond the Triangle. Among the collection Amaranath specifically mentions the second Yesterday Gone, sixth Dont walk, Run and the eighth piece Romantic poem King Kashyapa in the compact CD. Yesterday Gone narrates that many people face defeats, discouragements, failures at the end of each today but for all of them there is a hope, that is tomorrow and Dont work, Run tells there should be aims and dreams in life. Without aims and dreams life cannot be directed to a victory. In Romantic poem King Kashyapa Amaranath recreates the story of Kashyapa in three parts. In the first part he musically creates the building of Sigiriya by Kashyapa, the second part its beauty and the third part depicts the declaration of war against his brother Mugalan. Amaranath who has extensively contributed to Sri Lankan music through classical and flamenco guitar has produced a large number of students to Sri Lankan music and academia. Over the last 16 year service at the University, he has produced seven batches of graduates and more than 40 of them now serve as music teachers all around the country. They have introduced classical guitar as a musical instrument at their respective schools. Today Amaranaths students have produced the next generation who play that beautiful musical instrument, classical guitar. In 2014 there were only four teams who took part in the All Island School Music Competition using guitar as an instrument but in 2017 this increased to 49 teams, says Amaranath who is proud about the service rendered by his students to expand horizon of music in government schools. Amaranath who began studying guitar as far back as 1964 under American guitarist Mervyn Sanders and Indrani De Silva, started to learn Fleminco guitar in 1977 under Mexican Flamenco guitarist Fredric Bruno. Amaranath is the first Sri Lankan university lecturer in classical and Flamenco guitar and also the first Asian to develop a syllabus for classical and flamenco guitar for a four year BA degree. In March this year Amaranath performed in Australia with some solo concerts. He performed in Alvie Hall, at Mount Waverley, at Glenroy Live Guitar Performance at the Glenroy library in Glenroy and solo concert in Chandler Theatre at Keysbourough in Melbourne. The latest musical compositions , Your Way is now available at all Sarasavi book shops around the country. An extraordinary journey to the top Johann Peries successfully reached the summit of Mount Everest last week. In this our last blog entry which has documented his journey through the weeks, his Colombo team shares details of Johanns last few days before he reached the summit View(s): View(s): Since the last update Johann completed the third rotation from Base Camp up through Camps 1 and 2 up to Camp 3. This involved climbing up the treacherous Khumbu Ice fall along the way to Camp 1, and then the equally challenging Lhotse Face, a vertical climb along the ascent from Camp 2 to Camp 3. This was a particularly challenging climb, and Johann and his fellow climbers were quite depleted at the end of it. Upon their return to Base Camp they waited patiently for their turn to begin the climb to the summit. Johann is in Team 3 of the IMG (International Mountain Guides) group. There are only three climbers left on his team, and one more has joined them from Team 2, so there were four of them, each with their own Sherpa, departing for the summit. The weather has generally been very bad during this expedition. The climbers have been inundated with snow-storms and blizzards, the camp sites are littered with large stones and boulders which have rolled down during the numerous avalanches. The last couple of days have seen the weather starting to clear. Other teams have already departed for the summit as the weather has finally started clearing on the summit. Team 3 departed for the summit later than the other teams. After some more relaxed climbs along the few rest days they were ready for their final departure to the summit. They spent a night at Camp 1, another at camp 2, a further night at Camp 3, and then they proceeded to Camp 4 for a short rest there before they made their bid for the summit on Monday night. After Camp 3 they oxygen tanks were on full time as the saturation of oxygen in the air is very low. From this point Johann was trekking alone, with his Sherpa Ming Ma. From Camp 4 they proceeded up to the South Column and then the South-east ridge. They changed oxygen cylinders at The Balcony and proceeded up towards the summit. At the summit Ming Ma contacted Base Camp to make an announcement. At 5.55am on Monday morning Johanns expedition manager in Colombo, Sajeda Akbarally, received a call from Base Camp advising her that Johann had reached the summit of Mt Everest, making him the second Sri Lankan, and the first Sri Lankan man, to reach the summit. After spending a few short minutes at the summit Johann commenced the descent. He is currently on the descent, making his way back to Everest Base Camp, and then further down to Lukla where he will fly back to Kathmandu. Johann is indeed grateful for the prayers and good wishes of all his family, friends and colleagues who are supporting him at home. Fete de la Musique in Colombo View(s): Alliance Francaise de Colombo is once again organising Fete de La Musique (International Music Day) on Saturday 24th June 2017 from 10.00 am to 6.00 pm at their Air Conditioned Auditorium at No. 11, Barnes Place, Colombo 7 . This unique musical event Fete de La Musique began in France in 1982 on 21st of June as the celebration on the first day of Summer. But it has turned into a major Summer Music Festival now and is celebrated all over the world. Every year, Professional and Amateur Musicians in France take to the streets and parks on this day to celebrate the arrival of Summer after a dismal Spring. It is free of charge and thousands of people flock to these parks and streets and performers embrace all kinds of music and cultures and it goes on the whole day. Here in Sri Lanka, this is an ideal chance to expose young musical talent to the world. Alliance Francaise de Colombo is calling all young and old, professional and amateur musicians and artistes to join the fun at the Fete de La Musique Festival. It is for everyone and there is no age barrier. Anybody can sing in their own language said Mangalika Hewage of the Alliance Francaise de Colombo. Individuals, school bands, schools music clubs, Interact Clubs, music groups, ballet schools/groups, dancing schools and groups, music associations are welcome to join the Summer Festival, a communique from Alliance Francaise de Colombo stated. We are inviting anyone who can sing (in any language) or can play any musical instrument, dance etc to send their application to the Alliance Francaise de Colombo. Pop, jazz, rap, country & western, disco, rock, baila or music genres are most welcome to Fete de La Musique she added. Its free of charge and the Organisers, Alliance Francaise de Colombo will provide the Venue, Sound Systems and also the backing music by Annesley Malawana and his band Chimes. Anybody is allowed to bring their own musical instrument or other equipment. There will also be many professional artistes, who are billed to perform as guest artistes. Fete de La Musique will be a carnival atmosphere Festival but without any charge. Food and soft drinks are available at the premises for reasonable rates. Contact the Francaise de Colombo for application forms to participate at Fete de La Musique at 11, Barnes Place, Colombo-7 Tel 2694162/2693467/2671073 or e-mail to secr@alliancefr.lk Madonna is coming back with a new album View(s): The queen of pop, Madonna may be on the verge of releasing new music. The 59 year old took to social media on May 18 to tease fans with the wording Beautiful Game coming soon and giving a hint that Mirwais will be producer. Madonna last released an album Rebel Heart in 2015. The Backstreet Boys are back with new music. The 90s boy band released their new song Dont Go Breaking My Heart on May 17. The electropop song is a standalone release at the moment. Their last album In The World Like This came out in 2013. Formed in 1993 the Backstreet Boys literally swelled the music scene for a few years with such hits like Quit Playing Games (With My Heart), As Long As You Love Me, I Want It That Way and Shape Of My Heart among others. The new song is produced by Jamie Hartman and Stuart Crichton. The Backstreet Boys comprise Nick Carter, Kevin Richardson, Howie Dorough, Brian Littrell and AJ McLean. Liam Payne is to release his debut solo album on September 14. He made the announcement on the Good Morning America show recently. He has released two singles ahead of the album namely Strip That Down featuring Quavo and For You with Rita Ora from the soundtrack of the film Fifty Shades Freed. Rita Ora has had to cancel her concert on 20th May in Bristol, England at the last moment owing to ill-health. She took to social media to apologise to her fans with a picture of herself on a hospital bed. Ora has promised her fans to reschedule the show for 29th May. Ora has been a centre of row with the release of her recent song Girls among the LGBT community. The UK singles chart welcomed a new song to the top 10 at No: 6 This Is America by Childish Gambino. The song moved up the chart form No: 14 to give the multi- talented Gambino his very first UK top 10 hit. The song is about the gun violence in the US. The trap/ afrobeat song features US rappers Quavo, Young Thug, Bloc Boy JB, and 21 Savage. This Is America has already topped the US hot 100 singles chart. David Guetta has secured his 21st UK top 10 song with Flames featuring the vocals of Sia. The pop track sees the two score their second UK hit after Titanium topped the chart in 2011. Flames has been on the chart for eight weeks starting at No: 55. Sias influence comes out strong on Flames. Shawn Mendes secured his fourth UK top 10 hit as In My Blood took a good jump from 21 to No:10. The song is the debut release from Shawns forthcoming third self-titled album. In My Blood at first took a nose dive on the chart after it debuted at No: 13 eight weeks ago. It slipped badly dropping to 21. This week In My Blood bounced back to No:10. The song has an acoustic beginning and then grows with drums and guitars adding the rock thrust. TW LW 1 1 One Kiss Calvin Harris & Dua Lipa 2 2 Nice For What Drake 3 3 No Tears Left To Cry Ariana Grande 4 4 Freaky Friday Lil Dicky ft: Chris Brown 5 5 2002 Anne-Marie 6 14 This Is America Childish Gambino 7 6 Answerphone Banx & Ranx ft: Ella Eyre & Yxng Bang 8 7 Paradise George Ezra 9 11 Flames David Guetta ft: Sia 10 21 In My Blood Shawn Mendes So whose fashion sparkled and who missed the Markle? By Liz Jones View(s): View(s): There were no real clangers on the big day. No outrageous hats from Eugenie and Beatrice. No outrageous bottoms threatening to eclipse the bride. There were only two slight faux pas: Amal Clooney threatened to outshine the sun, and the mother of the bride wore mint while the Queen chose lime: almost, almost a colour clash. On the whole, the female guests particularly the Royals had put in time and effort to get it right, and had clearly been poring over the spring/summer catwalk photos to make sure they were all bang on trend. Hence, there was lots of asymmetric tailoring on show, so much so many assumed Windsor had been built on a hill. Some hits * Pippa Middleton in a 495 print by British label The Fold. Thank the Lord the pleats hide her bottom * Meghans Suits co-star Gina Torres in a very elegant floral tea dress by Costarellos * Fergie was a picture of elegance on Saturday as she paired a navy skirt suit with a Jess Collet hat and towering heels Some misses * Beatrice looked lamp-like in her Roksanda teal silk organza with a Stephen Jones hat * A drab Noel Coward look for Princess Anne was that a dressing gown she arrived in? Countess Spencer in top-to-tail mauve very 1970s Laura Ashley and the cape is a miss * Chelsy Davy paired navy with navy with navy with navy * When Victoria Beckham turned up in her own-design maternity dress to Kates wedding, we could forgive the very dark navy a little. But surely this time she could have worn something more colourful. At least she ditched those wildly dated Louboutin platforms: the fashion equivalent these days of snow-washed denim. Uni students taking the joy of education to a small community By Hiranyada Dewasiri View(s): View(s): Early on a Sunday morning, seven-year-old Kasun was sweeping the small community hall, with a broom twice as tall as he was. This is where a group of volunteers from the Education Renaissance Programme will have their weekly learning sessions for Kasun and his friends of the slum community in Mihindu Mawatha, Veyangoda. The Education Renaissance Programme is a registered non-profit volunteer organization launched in 2013. With around 10 volunteers now, they have been conducting learning sessions for the children of this community every Sunday morning from 9 to 11 since June 2017. A group of around four volunteers from ERP visit Kasun and his friends every week. Starting with a game, the class proceeds to work on language skills and soft skills. Initially, the ERP had to conduct indoor and outdoor activities that would help the children improve skills like teamwork. They are now transitioning to teaching subjects like mathematics and Sinhala, Tamil and English languages, said Tharinda Mallawaarachchi, an undergraduate at the University of Colombo and member of ERP. Tharinda has always liked to do voluntary work in the field of education. ERP believes in joint learning, different to the teacher-student relationship in a traditional classroom. Through active classroom participation, ERP looks to help the children. The education model that ERP uses is such that while supporting children with their school subjects, they also carry out discussions about the problems they face daily. They also watch films together in the class. We try to redefine what is understood as education, said Vidarshana Fernando, an undergraduate in the University of Kelaniya and Treasurer of ERP. Before December 2017, the dilapidated community hall would leak on a rainy day. But, after a group of Project Management students from the University of Kelaniya voluntarily fixed the leaking roof and renovated the building, rain no longer interrupts classes. The children also have a small library with a few books in Sinhala, Tamil and English. The families that live here were victims of the July riots in 1983. Located about a kilometre away from the heart of Veyangoda, the community only has one functioning common toilet and many houses are affected by floods during heavy rains, said Jayarani, a resident. Although they receive electricity bills to their names, most residents dont have deeds to their homes. A group of around 20 to 25 children ranging from ages 5 to 12 participate in this programme. When asked about what they wanted to be when they grow up, the childrens answers ranged from coconut plucker to policeman to pilot. They are restless learners, eager to get out of the classroom and play but they enjoy their two hours of learning on Sunday. Nine-year-old Amila should be in grade 4 if he went to school. Although they tried to admit him to several nearby schools, the schools have not taken him in, said Nagaiya Marimuththu, Amilas father. I have not received an education, but I want my child to at least be able to read a sign board, he added. Mr. Selvaratnam, another father appreciated the effort of ERP. We prefer to work with the communities for longer periods in order to build trust that would create a space to do more impactful work, said Upul Wickramasinghe, Co-founder of the Education Renaissance Programme. Initially the residents seemed indifferent to their work but with their regular visits, the residents now trust the volunteers and their interest in working with the children, said secretary and volunteer of ERP and undergraduate at the University of Colombo Maheshika Sewwandi. As students who benefited from the free education system, the founding group of ERP felt the need to fulfil their ethical responsibility to society, said Upul. By intervening in the education of these children, ERP hopes to help the community to improve their living conditions. Any change that needs to be made in society has to succeed good living conditions, said Thiyagaraja Waradas, co-founder of ERP. The two founders graduated at local universities and are currently reading for their PhDs overseas. 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. Vote View Results 21 die, 150,000 affected by flood havoc View(s): The death toll in floods and landslides increased to 21 yesterday with the disaster affecting more than 150,000 people in 19 districts across the country. Two more people were missing after they were swept away in flood waters in the Biyagama and Chilaw areas. According to the Disaster Management Centre, by yesterday, about 105 houses have been fully damaged and 4,832 houses partially damaged. For relief operations, the Kalutara district will receive eight million rupees, Ratnapura district Rs. 6 million, Colombo district Rs. 5 million, Kurunegala district Rs.5 million, Gampaha district Rs. 5.2 million, Puttalam district Rs. 3.7 million, Kegalle district Rs. 2 million, Galle district Rs. 1 million, Matara district Rs.1 million, Badulla district Rs. 0.5 million, Moneragala district Rs. 0.5 million and Kandy district Rs. 0.95 million. Initially Rs. 10,000 will be paid through divisional secretaries. However after valuing the damage the compensation amount may increase. Another Rs. 38.85 million has been allocated for immediate relief services to provide dry ration, prepared food, hygiene kits, bed sheets and blankets the people affected by the floods and landslides, said Savithri Jayakody, Deputy Director of the State-run National Relief Services Centre. The allocation will be made by the National Insurance Trust Fund under the disaster management coverage policy. At present the Government can handle disaster relief assistance. However, if the situation worsens we will publish an official assistance requirement. We have been getting inquiries from foreign mission and donor agencies, she said. The present inclement weather has affected Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara, Galle, Matara, Hambantota, Badulla, Ratnapura, Kegalle, Kandy, Matale, Nuwara eliya, Puttalam, Kurunegala, Moneragala, Mullaitivu, Jaffna, Vavuniya and Polonnaruwa districts. Floods were reported as torrential rains increased the water levels of Kelani, Kalu, Gin and Nilwala rivers, Ma and Attanagalu Oyas. Aloysius W.M. Mendis back in business with new investor 'I can't remember who gave me the cheque' -- Dayasiri Jayasekera View(s): View(s): W.M. Mendis & Co, whose accounts were frozen as part of Central Bank action against companies in the Perpetual Group of Companies, is back in operation again, reportedly with the assistance of an unnamed investor. The liquor manufacturer is among 24 Perpetual Group companies whose bank accounts were frozen earlier this year by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL). In total, the operations of around 100 accounts remain suspended. Meanwhile, a further B report filed into the magisterial inquiry over the Bond scam by the prosecution this week said that Kasun Palisena, Chief Executive Officer of Perpetual Treasuries Ltd, received Rs 63,570,274.61 in June 2015 and May 2016 as bonus and that there was evidence to say these were proceeds of the crime under investigation. The report contained information on certain third party payments made by W.M. Mendis and Walt & Rowe, a company connected to Perpetual. One witness, Uswatte Liyanage Susil Anderson Perera, was employed as an agent at Certis Lanka Courier Services (Pvt) Ltd. He was seconded to handle W.M. Mendiss documentation and bank affairs from May 15, 2017 onwards. In his evidence, he said that while working in this capacity, he had cashed cheques amounting to Rs 10 million from an account in the Sampath Bank corporate branch belonging to W.M. Mendis on December 28, 2017. Afterwards he handed the money to Sujith Alwis, the Finance Manager of W.M. Mendis, in two black tulip bags. The witness said he saw Mr. Alwis hand over those bags to an occupant in the front passenger seat of a land cruiser jeep at the parking lot of the said bank. The same report informs court that one Herath Mudiyanselage Amila Kumara Herath gave evidence that Walt & Rowe issued a cheque with the number 566635 from its current account in Bank of Ceylon with the number 0073900773 on July 10, 2015 amounting to Rs 1mn. He claimed that, after cashing this cheque at the Bank of Ceylon branch on July 12, he handed over the money to Wayamba Province Chief Minister and current MP Dayasiri Jayasekera. Mr Herath is a police officer attached to Mr Jayasekeras security in 2015. Mr Jayasekera admitted this week that he took the money but said he had done nothing wrong. He said he used the cash for his election campaign. He also said there were many others in Parliament who had taken money from Arjun Aloysius but declined to reveal names. He called on authorities to divulge their identities. The Presidents Secretary has a list of 118 names of people who took money from Arjun Aloysius while investigations were being conducted into the bond scam, he told the Sunday Times. Why wont they release that list? He said he couldnt remember who gave him the cheque but that it was not written in his name. I inquired about this but have no recollection of who gave it and who cashed it at the bank, he insisted, adding that he did not know if Mr Aloysius had authorised it. I had no business dealings with Perpetual, he said. This happened on July 13, 2015, the date of nominations for the Parliamentary election. I was not a member of COPE (Committee on Public Enterprise) and I was in the Provincial Council as Chief Minster. Geoff Aloysius [Arjuns father] has been a very good friend of mine since 1998, he continued. I got to know Arjun much later, not more than 10-15 years. They supported me in the Provincial Council election and at the general election. As I said in Parliament, I cant actually remember that this cheque was given by Arjun, he maintained. He didnt meet me. Normally, when Im not in Colombo, some people call and say I want to give you some money to support you. I say, Give it to a friend or something as I cant come on that date. That is what happens usually. This was a cash cheque and I actually cant remember who gave it, Mr Jayasekera said. Everyone comes and talks and gives money during elections. You cant remember who gives money. I dont write it down. He also insisted that, despite taking the money for his election campaign, he did not defend or speak on behalf of Mr Aloysius or his companies when the bond scam came to light. When he was approached for assistance, he reportedly said, I cant speak on this. I cant protect you because you have been caught red-handed. Chinese company given nod to build 40,000 eco-friendly houses for war-affected people By Namini Wijedasa Govt scraps controversial plan for 65,000 pre-fab houses View(s): View(s): The Resettlement Ministry which, since 2015, promoted an unpopular project to build 65,000 prefabricated steel houses for the war-affected in the North and East this week secured Cabinet approval for a new Chinese initiative to construct 40,000 concrete houses for the same people. ArcelorMittal, the international steel giant behind the Resettlement Ministrys original proposal to erect prefabricated steel houses, has pulled out. This was after it was finally decided, following a long protest campaign by civil society groups and local politicians including the Tamil National Alliance TNA), to grant the company the authority to 6,000 and not 65,000, houses. The company felt this was too small a number to invest in. The Resettlement Ministry still proposes to build 65,000 houses but will start with 40,000. The contractors are now China Railway Beijing Engineering Group Co Ltd and its country representative Yapka Construction (Pvt) Ltd. They are the same parties selected by the Disaster Management Ministry to erect 10,000 of these houses for landslide victims. Each 650 sq ft house will cost Rs 1.28mn. They will be funded by 100 percent soft loan with 15-year repayment and a minimum two-year grace period, the Ministry told Cabinet. The concrete panel dwellings will be built with technology that combines autoclaved lightweight concrete (ALC) panel with light-gauge steel (LGS) roofing system. It has a 14-day rapid construction period and was reportedly environment-friendly. The precast ALC concrete panel is to be made overseas and imported. However, the Ministry has decided to establish two factories to produce the panels and other housing materials to be used for the projects throughout the North and East. Land has been identified for this purpose in the Mankulam and Batticaloa areas and it is anticipated to use fly ash from the Lakvijaya coal power plant to manufacture the concrete panels. Cabinet granted approval for negotiations with China Railway and Yapka Construction. The factories are to be established and run with 100 percent self-financing by the two companies. Consent was also granted to exempt items imported for the construction of the precast houses from value added tax, port and airport development levy and nation building tax. The National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) is to be appointed as the technical consultant to the project at a concessionary fee. A Cabinet Appointed Negotiating Committee will be set up comprising the Secretaries to the Ministries of Megapolis and Western Development, Disaster Management and Resettlement. To avert disagreement to the Ministrys latest initiative, a presentation was made to TNA MPs in January this year. Four parliamentariansS Sritharan, Charles Nirmalanathan, S. Yogeswaran and G. Srinesanthen inspected the Disaster Management Ministrys model house in Badulla on March 1. On March 2, Opposition Leader R Sampanthan issued a letter to Resettlement Minister D.M. Swaminathan stating that, The MPs are satisfied with the house constructed using new technologies and they are of the view that this type of houses [sic] are suitable to the environment and acceptable to the people of the Northern and Eastern Provinces. Mr Sampanthan urged Minister Swaminathan to resolve the pressing need for housing as decided by the Government to construct 65,000 houses using the new technologies of precast cement panel housing for the displaced and resettled people for the N&E provinces as quickly as possible. But Cabinet this week also gave the green light to a separate bid by a consortium of humanitarian organisations to build 25,000 traditional brick-and-mortar type permanent houses for the war-affected. This group is led by the UN Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), UN Office for Project Services (UNOPS), Habitat for Humanity Sri Lanka and the Sri Lanka Red Cross Society. The paper was presented by the Ministry of National Policies and Economic Affairs. The consortium has offered three housing options to the Government. The first costs Rs 1,099,500 per house; the second costs Rs 1,117,700 per house; and the third Rs 1,116,800 a house. The proposal was submitted in response to a tender floated by the Government. A Cabinet Appointed Negotiating Committee (CANC) and a Project Committee were established and they followed an international bidding process. Forty-one parties expressed interest but only 10 submitted offers conformed to the requirements with financing proposals. The programme was packaged into 500 housing units of 100 packages to encourage small companies. Based on an evaluation, five bidders were deemed technically qualified. They were Sinohydro Corporation which wanted 75,000 houses; China Jiangxi Corporation which wanted 10,500 houses; Central Engineering Services (Pvt) Ltd which wanted 1000 houses; Access Engineering PLC which wanted 1000 houses; and Sierra Construction Ltd which wanted 9,000 houses. But the lowest price on offer was Rs 1.94 million per dwelling. However, the National Housing Development Authority (NHDA) engineers unit price estimate was Rs 1.52 million (without VAT). The rates submitted by bidders were significantly higher than this. The CANC and PC, therefore, rejected all the proposals submitted through the international competitive bidding process. It was observed that the consortium of humanitarian agencies, while interested in participating in the tender, was unable to post a bid security due to UN regulations. Therefore, it submitted its proposal outside the tender process before bids closed. Their prices and financing terms were found to be very much advantageous to the national economy (nearly 50 percent of those of other bidders). They will use local labour, materials and small contractors to benefit the local economy and communities. There is also no foreign exchange outflow in terms of their financing proposals. Cabinet granted approval to allow the existing CANC and PC to finalise the consortiums proposal and further negotiate the most advantageous terms. It also gave permission to reject all the international competitive bids as recommended by the CANC as the prices were significantly higher than the engineers cost estimate. Drugs and docs at a touch of your phone, e-consultations on the way By Chrishanthi Christopher Fears over quacks abusing the system; NMRA calls for guidelines to regulate, monitor e-prescriptions and home-dispensing View(s): View(s): The introduction of e-consultation in Sri Lanka, a popular method enabling patients to access general practitioners (GPs) through their mobile phones is being studied by the National Medicinal Regulatory Authority (NMRA) to ensure the system is not hijacked by quacks. The NMRA Chief Executive Officer Dr. Kamal Jayasinghe said that proper regulations need to be introduced soon to monitor the system and legitimise e-prescription and home-dispensing of medicinal drugs. The Sunday Times learns that e-consultation is fast becoming popular among patients who find it easier to consult the GP over the mobile phone. This is a new concept where patients could consult a GP of their choice registered with a service providing company. An application is used on mobile phones and on a touch of the screen a GP can be accessed and consulted. There is no travelling, no waiting outside crowded corridors in hospitals and most importantly even at late nights and wee hours of the morning a doctor could be contacted in an emergency. At the end of the consultation, within minutes an e-prescription will be sent to the patient through the mobile phone. In home dispensing, the medicinal drug is delivered to the door step. It can be from your nearest pharmacy, from Colombo if you are living in rural interiors or even from overseas via internet orders. While welcoming the innovative technology, pharmacists and doctors alike said that the system needed to be regulated. Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA) President Dr. Ruvaiz Haniffa said the SLMA was not against new developments but insisted that the system needed to be monitored by an independent regulatory body. We need to develop guidelines aimed at a fool proof method so that the patients confidentiality is protected, he said. Innovation is good but eventually the patient should benefit. There should be a fair playing field from the patients perspective, he said. Dr. Haniffa said the system should be fool proof enough to ward off quacks. There are only around 25,000 qualified doctors registered with the SLMC but it is believed more than 40,000 quacks operate in the country and there is a possibility that these people can enter the system, he said. Chinta Abeywardena, the former president of the Pharmaceutical Society of Sri Lanka, said the NMRA Act was silent on e-prescription. Pointing out that dispensing medication without a proper prescription was illegal, she emphasised on the need to have guidelines to regulate the system. A Wellawatte pharmacist said every month about five to ten people would walk in with phone prescriptions. He said he knew this was not correct, but he would still dispense the drugs to maintain his business. In Wellawatte there are about 40 pharmacies. If we dont sell the drugs, others will . We have invested millions of rupees into the business and therefore cannot afford to lose business, he said. He also said that maintaining records of medicinal drugs dispensed was necessary for the renewal of licences. We are required to enter the patients age, sicknesses, addresses, the names of doctors and drugs in a record throughout the year, he said. Manjula Jayawardena, treasurer of the All Island Pharmacy Owners Association which has more than 3,000 members said that its members had no complaints on the issue. He said he saw no issue in dispensing the drugs as long as the e-prescription carried the doctors details name, registration number and signature. However, he did not rule out the possibility of the system being doctored by unscrupulous persons to suit their needs. There is no way to identify whether the prescription had been tampered with, he said. Dr. Janaka Wickramasinghe, co-founder of ODoc Pvt Ltd., the pioneer company in launching the e-consultation for general practitioners, insisted that under the NMRA Act the electronic signature is valid. He said he saw no reason for pharmacists to complain about e-prescription when they had no qualms about dispensing medication without prescription. The e-prescriptions are endorsed by SLMC registered doctors who are on our list. We cannot understand why the pharmacies cannot dispense the drugs, he asked. Explaining what a prescription is, Dr. Janaka Wickramasinghe said it a document authorizing in writing to a Pharmacist from a person authorized by law to prescribe medicines or medical devices to dispense a specified medicine or medical device for use by a designated individual or for animal use; Also under Section 52 of the Regulations of the Cosmetics, Devices and Drugs Act,persons authorised by law to prescribe medicines include registered medical practitioners. All SLMC registered doctors are registered medical practitioners. As to the legality of prescriptions, section4 of the Electronic Transactions Act says any instrument required by law to be in writing shall be deemed to satisfy that requirement if it is in the form of an electronic document. Under section 3 of the same Act, by law, no electronic document be denied legal recognition, effect, validity or enforceability on the ground of it being in an electronic form. Dr. Wickramasinghe said that all prescriptions issued on the oDoc Video Consultation Platform, are issued by SLMC registered doctors through a secure account unique to each doctor. These prescriptions clearly identify the doctor issuing the prescription, carrying the name, SLMC registration number, seal and signature of that doctor. The name of the patient is also clearly identified as the person who is to receive these medicines together with the patients gender and age. This prescription also carries in type written form, the specific medicines prescribed to the patient. Hence, he said the electronic form of the signature of a doctor on prescriptions issued on the oDoc Video Consultation Platform fulfils all requirements and should be recognised as a legal document under Section 7 of the Electronic Transactions Act, as amended by Act No. 25 of 2017 NMRA CEO Dr. Jayasinghe said that when the NMRA Act was drafted the e-consultation concept was not in operation. This is a new concept and we need to add this to the Act under the pharmacy regulations, he said. The Sunday Times learns that the NMRAs pharmacy regulation committee is drafting regulations. We are discussing e- prescription and home dispensing of pharmaceutical drugs and how it could be regulated to protect the patient from any harm, he said. In terms of the present law, a prescription for medicinal drugs is an order by a registered qualified doctor for the dispensing of a medicinal product and should be dispensed by a professional a pharmacist who is legally authorised to dispense. The order, he said must be in writing in a legally prescribed format and signed by the doctor. Dr. Jayasinghe said that under the Act the pharmacist has to literally come in contact with the prescription . However, in the e-prescription and home dispensing methods this does not happen. Either the prescription is read out over the phone or taken down by the delivery taker. It is important that the pharmacists personally read the prescription and hand out the drugs to the patient or their proxy. Also certain drugs are required to be transported under optimum environmental conditions. In home dispensing this can be compromised, the NMRA CEO said. Fertilizer to be gazetted an essential commodity under price control By Sandun Jayawardana View(s): View(s): The Government will impose strict price controls on fertilizer, through a gazette notification expected next week, declaring fertilizer an essential commodity. Under the Government price controls, a 50kg bag of straight fertilizer will be sold to paddy farmers at Rs 500, while for those planting other crops it will be Rs 1,500. Straight fertilizers supply only one primary plant nutrient. There are currently 3 types of straight fertilizers sold in the country; Urea, Triple Superphosphate (TSP) and Potassium Chloride, also known as Muriate of Potash (MOP). Agriculture Minister Mahinda Amaraweera told the Sunday Times that he officially requested the Minister of Industry & Commerce, Rishad Bathiudeen, this week, to gazette fertilizer as an essential commodity. While the gazette has yet to be issued, the Minister claimed that, the news that fertilizer was to be made essential, had persuaded many traders to stop selling fertilizer at higher prices. Authorities say the price controls will also apply to various mixed fertilizers being sold on the open market. Mixed fertilizers are a mixture of straight fertilizers and sold at exorbitant prices, placing farmers in severe difficulties. National Fertilizer Secretariat Director Ajith Pushpakumara said they were currently drawing up a pricing list for mixed fertilizers, which the Secretariat hopes to publish once the gazette on fertilizer is issued. When pricing mixed fertilizers, factors such as blending costs, back costs and dealer margins will be considered, he added. The main reason for making fertilizer an essential commodity is to prevent various acts of corruption taking place in the sale of fertilizer, he further stressed. There were many who were mixing the fertilizers sold at subsidized rates and selling them as fertilizer for various crops other than paddy. Some traders were selling a bag of mixed fertilizer for between Rs 2,500-Rs 3,000. Once the gazette is issued, the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) under the Ministry of Industry & Commerce, will be empowered to take action against such traders. Minister Bathiudeen is currently overseas and expected back on Monday (28). A senior official at the Ministry of Industry & Commerce claimed that, gazetting fertilizer as an essential commodity has not been done before, and would require extensive discussions. We expect to take a decision next week once the Minister returns to the country, he added. Garbage separation exposes sanitation workers to disease View(s): Sanitation workers are risking their health trying to separate household waste with their bare hands at garbage dumps. They neither have gloves nor boots. These garbage separation sites have also become an eyesore in the capital, Colombo and pose dangers to public health for which the Colombo Municipal Council is also responsible. Environmentalist of the Biodiversity Conservation and Research Circle, Supun Lahiru Prakash, said that apart from being an occupational health hazard it is also an appalling sight. The sites at which they separate the garbage are posing health risks to the public as well, Mr Praksah said. They only collect degradable or non degradable waste. The rest is left over, attracting cockroaches and flies, he said. He said it was unethical to force workers to collect and separate garbage without protective gear. Environmental Lawyer Wardani Karunaratne said that if the government expects people to separate their waste, the basic facilities should be given to the middle and lower class households. At least provide garbage bins, she said. The government has not been able change attitudes despite campaigns, she said. Schools too should educate children against dumping waste and reducing waste, she said. If the government expects the sanitation workers to separate the garbage, they should be trained, she said. Asked to comment on Friday evening, Y Sylvester, the Colombo Municipal Councils director of Solid Waste Management, said she could be contacted during office hours for a response. CMC councillor Dr. Kariyawasam asks for report on Meethotamulla Colombo Municipal Council Member Dr. Pradeep Kariyawasam has asked the council to appoint a committee to submit a report on the collapse of the Meethotamulla garbage dump, last year. Dr. Kariyawasam who was Colombos Chief Medical Officer when the tragedy occurred on April 14 last year has proposed to the council to reveal facts on the use of chemicals to reduce the thickness of the garbage heap during a two-year period prior to incident. He has also said that the committee report should look into the quality of the gravel mounted on the dump and the personnel behind the project and who paid for what. In addition he says the report should also reveal who was behind the operation where 50 tankers of RYDALL OE chemical was poured on top of the garbage heap just three weeks before the tragedy. Meanwhile, Standing Committee (solid waste) chairman M.M.C Mahendra de Silva has vigorously denied claims that the CMC used chemicals on the Meethotamulla garbage dump as charged by the Municipal Councils treasurer. He said they used an enzyme to stop the garbage from decaying and emitting a foul smell. Kaduwela bridge contractor ignored repeated warnings: Irrigation Dept. By Namini Wijedasa View(s): View(s): The contractor tasked with building the new Kaduwela-Biyagama bridge has repeatedly ignored orders from the Irrigation Department to remove a temporary jetty that now threatens to impede the flow of the Kelaniya River which is swelling with incessant rains. The Irrigation Department has issued several directives to KD Ebert & Sons Holdings to take down at least 20m of a jetty that was installed months ago to enable construction of a pier on the river. This would leave at least two-thirds of the river unobstructed, thereby minimising the threat of flooding during rains. Irrigation Director General S. Mohanarajah said a written instruction to supplement telephone messages was last issued on May 11. The Road Development Authority has maintained that it was difficult to remove the structure because of water levels but directives were given as far back as last year in anticipation of another flood situation in 2018. This year, the warnings were conveyed from April onwards. If the rains continue in the catchment areas, things come down the river and get lodged in the jetty, thereby obstructing the flow of the river, an Irrigation Department official said. Last time, too, there were big trees trapped there. This week, the main Kaduwela-Biyagama bridge had to be closed for traffic due to soil erosion along the banks nearby. But the police said the contractor of the new bridge was also responsible for the damage. The contractor has excavated under the old, existing bridge, said an engineering source. Before doing so, they should have tightened the sheet piles that are there from 2015 along the embankment by adding cross boards and anchoring. This would have reinforced the embankment. Since it was not done, the water soaked the soil and with heavy rain surcharge the embankment collapsed, he explained. But these are not the only problems with KD Eberts handling of the Kaduwela-Biyagama project or with the construction of several other bridges allocated to it by the RDA under the Kuwait Fund. According to the minutes of a steering committee meeting, the company has only shown 48 percent progress in the construction of bridges in the package at the end of April 2018. The Kaduwela-Biyagama bridge itself was due to have been finished in September 2017. An extension was granted up to April 2018. But, with work still not over, an RDA committee is now evaluating whether yet more time can be granted till September. They have submitted a revised programme and it is being evaluated, said Nihal Sooriyarachchi, RDA Chairman. Earlier this year, the RDA said it was granting an extension to KD Ebert despite protracted delays in implementing the bridge project to avoid disruption to nine other large contracts awarded to the same contractor. The decision was called to question by other RDA officials, including union members, who pointed out that there were contractual provisions to impose penalties on companies that did not carry out their obligations. The right procedure is to take delay charges, they said. If the company objects, it can go for arbitration. Building activity was abandoned for several weeks last year. Work on the Kaduwela-Biyagama bridge came to a standstill. Several other bridges were at various stages of construction. The respective project director issued a termination letter to the company but the RDA reversed the decision, supported by former Highways Minister Lakshman Kiriella, Highways Ministry Secretary D.C. Dissanayake and Mr Sooriyarachchi. It was claimed the company faced financial difficulties due to recent diversification activities. There were questions, too, over a Chinese company that KD Ebert had tied up with to bid for the project as a joint venture. They cannot be located, a senior RDA official said. We sent a few letters but did not get a response. The Sunday Times telephoned K.D. Indika, Managing Director of KD Ebert, for a comment. He said he would respond after exiting from a meeting. Lanka fully enforces sanctions against North Korea By Chris Kamalendran View(s): View(s): Sri Lanka has given full effect to the United Nations sanctions on North Korea with powers to freeze funds, financial assets and economic resources of persons or entities dealing with that country. Defence Secretary Kapila Waidyaratne has been officially declared as the Competent Authority to ensure compliance with the sanctions, in keeping with a requirement of the UN Security Council Resolution. A gazette notification giving full effect to the UN sanctions was published last week and it will now be the responsibility of the relevant agencies and authorities to implement it, a senior Defence Ministry official said. The Government last month listed the designated items, 79 designated persons and 54 other designated entities involving North Korea with which trading and other dealings will be banned. Under the notification, any Sri Lankan in the country or outside the country cannot supply, sell or transfer directly or indirectly any item designated by the UN to any person in North Korea or a person acting on behalf of that country. Under the restrictions, Sri Lankans cannot permit the use of a vessel or any aircraft for carrying out any of the restricted activities. Sri Lankans also cannot apply to register vessels in North Korea, lease or operate any vessel flagged by that country. Under the regulations, Sri Lankans in the country or outside cannot receive assets, financial assistance, technical training or any other assistance related to provisions of manufacture or production, storage etc. Making available any funds, financial assets and economic resources directly or indirectly to any designated persons or entity also is prohibited. Providing public or private financial assistance for trade with North Korea also remains banned. The Competent Authority will have wide responsibilities of recommending to the Government to monitor and take action regarding foreign nationals working for designated persons or entities, to close representative offices and persons violating the resolution. A senior Foreign Ministry official, however, said Sri Lanka continues to maintain diplomatic ties with North Korea through Sri Lankas Beijing embassy which is accredited to North Korea and North Koreas New Delhi mission which is accredited to Sri Lanka. The UN Security Council imposed sanctions on North Korea due to its nuclear programmes. Sitting SC Judge gives evidence before brother judges View(s): For the first time in the countrys history, a sitting Supreme Court (SC) Judge gave evidence as a witness and was crossed examined by the Defence, during an inquiry held last week, before a 3-Judge Bench of the SC, comprising Justices Sisira de Abrew, Nalin Perera and Prasanna Jayawardena. The momentous occasion was when SC Justice Vijith Malalgoda was a witness to a SC inquiry into its Rule Order issued on Attorney-at-Law Nagananda Kodithuwakku, for Contempt of Court. The SC Rule Order on Attorney-at-Law Kodithuwakku was in response to a statement made by him at the Court of Appeal (CoA), where he is alleged to have alluded that the Judiciary and Judges were corrupt and not trustworthy and honest. During the inquiry, Justice Malalgodas evidence was led by Acting Attorney General (AG) Dappula de Livera. Defendant Kodithuwakku, represented himself and cross examined the witness, Justice Malalgoda. The incident for the inquiry had allegedly occurred on May 21, 2015, during a case taken up before then President of the CoA, Justice Vijith Malalgoda and Justice S. Madawala, with the Sri Lanka Customs (SLC) as Respondent. Attorney-at-Law Kodithuwakku, who appeared for the complainant, had requested the case be transferred to a different court, on the grounds that it involved large sums of money relevant to the SLC. A complaint was later lodged at the SC against Mr Kodithuwakku, alleging he had insulted the Judges and the Court while making the request. After considering the matter, the Chief Justice had issued a Rule Order on Mr Kodithuwakku and ordered an inquiry. Justice Malalgoda related the incident, and his evidence was backed by Senior Deputy Solicitor General (SG) Milinda Gunathilake, CoA Registrar Sanath Pinnaduwa and SC Registrar Pradeep Fernando, who had all been present at the CoA that day. Representing himself, Attorney-at-Law Kodithuwakku, following his cross examination of all the witnesses, told court, in his evidence, he had no intention to insult the Judiciary. He was then cross examined in turn. The Bench then ordered the Acting AG, the Respondent and the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) to make oral submissions in relation to the incident. Additional SG Priyantha Nawana, P.C., Deputy SG Viveka Siriwardena and State Counsel Hashini Opatha appeared with Acting AG Dappula de Livera for the Prosecution. Rohan Sahabandu P.C and M. Ali Sabry P.C. appeared for the BASL. SriLankan says neo flights restricted because of engine problems By Namini Wijedasa View(s): View(s): SriLankan Airlines (SLA) is flying all but one of its Airbus neo fleet within an hours range of airports suitable for emergency landings as its Engineering Department has noticed a deterioration in engine gas temperature margins of certain engines and is working with the manufacturer to rectify the problem, the company said. These decisions are taken by the Engineering Department of the organisation as part of their primary role to dispatch aircraft that can complete the mission and ensure that the exemplary safety standards set by the airline are met, the airline said in a statement issued to the Sunday Times. SLA Engineering is working closely with CFMI {the engine manufacturer} to ensure that a software upgrade and some hardware replacements are carried out, after which EDTO [Extended Diversion Time Operations] will be restored, on an individual basis, to selected aircraft. The Sunday Times has for several weeks reported on issues related to the Extended Twin-engine Operations (ETOPS) certification granted to SriLankans A320/321 neo fleet by the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka (CAASL). Approval allows these twin-engine aircraft to fly at least 90 minutes outside the range of airports suitable for emergency landings. But the airline lost ETOPS certification in January after its Maintenance Department released one of the planes (registration 4R-ANE) for use despite having detected debris in the oil monitoring system of an engine. Consequently, the A321 neo flying as UL 898 to Hong Kong on January 21, 2018, was forced to shut down the engine in question and divert to Bangkok on a single engine. The CAASL carried out an investigation and immediately withdrew ETOPS certification. On May 11, CAASL restored ETOPS certification after weeks of discussion and inspection. A spokesman for the regulator said the airline had addressed its concerns. Without availing itself of the facility, however, SriLankan continues to operate just one of its five Airbus neos as an ETOPS flight. This means the other aircraft spend extra time in the air to ensure that they are always within 60 minutes of an emergency or diversion airport. They burn up extra fuel while passenger travel time greatly increases. SriLankan said this week that the reason was due to manufacturing deficiencies. It was not immediately clear whether the maker of the enginesCFM International Jet Engines (CMFI)or the lessorAerCapwill compensate SriLankan for losses sustained; and whether such contingencies are written into the relevant agreements. ETOPS (Extended Twin-engine Operations) or more correctly EDTO (Extended Diversion Time Operations) refer to aircraft that fly further than a designated distance from a suitable airport. All aircraft are certified to fly up to 60 minutes (about 700 to 1000 km depending on the aircraft) from a suitable airport, the statement said. In the case of twin-engine aircraft, to fly further than this from a suitable airport, the aircraft must be certified for EDTO by both the manufacturer and the regulator. In the case of the A320/321 fitted with CFMI LEAP engines, the manufacturer has been granted EDTO approval. The CAASL also granted 90 minutes EDTO approval but withdrew this in January. Since then, it has been approved once again. This approval is granted to a combination of airframe plus engine, not to individual aircraft. However, the operator (SriLankan Airlines) in coordination with the manufacturer (CFMI), have a cutting-edge engine monitoring programme that relies on real-time information sent via satellite link to CFMIs central computers, it continued. Using this information, each individual engine is constantly monitored and all engine parameters are closely scrutinised, to ensure that safety margins are strictly observed. Using these advanced techniques, SLA Engineering has noticed a deterioration in the Engine Gas Temperature (EGT) margins of certain individual engines, it said. Engine EGT margin is a key parameter for EDTO operation and the decline on some engines is due to some manufacturing deficiencies. These decisions are taken by the engineering department of the organisation as part of their primary role to dispatch aircraft that can complete the mission and ensure that the exemplary safety standards set by the airline are met, it explained. SLA Engineering is working closely with CFMI to ensure that a software upgrade and some hardware replacements are carried out, after which EDTO will be restored, on an individual basis, to selected aircraft. The airline emphasised that its primary focus is safety and that it is committed to ensuring the whole fleet exceeds the required safety standards and we will not compromise this in any way. US to indict Lankas former ambassador View(s): The US Department of Justice is moving to indict former Sri Lankan Ambassador Jaliya Wickremesuriya on money laundering charges, an authoritative source said. There is a move based on a probe by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and approved by a grand jury to indict Jaliya Wickramasuriya, he said. Diplomatic immunity granted to Mr Wickramasuriya during his tenure as Sri Lankas Ambassador in Washington was waived by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, clearing the path for the indictment. The lifting of immunity was done at the request of the US authorities on the basis of a prima facie case against him. The immunity of any diplomat can be lifted by a Government at any time, said a diplomatic source. Mr Wickramasuriya filed a writ petition in Sri Lankas Court of Appeal challenging the removal of immunity but it was dismissed on March 29 this year. He has now filed a Fundamental Rights case in the Supreme Court on the same issue. There is also an open warrant for Mr Wickramasuriyas arrest. It was issued by the Colombo Fort Magistrate after he failed to appear in court. The Financial Crimes Investigation Division has reported to court that he has allegedly misappropriated US$ 33,000 out of US$ 6.6 million allocated to buy a building for the Sri Lankan Embassy in Washington. He is said to have remitted the money to Sri Lanka. Blind faith in the third eye Bhante Dhammika writes on the strange case of Lobsang Rampa the three-eyed Lama, a British plumber, who hoodwinked many around the world with his form of esoteric Buddhism even after he was uncovered View(s): View(s): The Buddha founded the bhikkhu and bhikkuni Sangha to offer the optimum environment in which to pursue the highest spiritual goal attaining Nirvana. However, from almost the very beginning some have been attracted to the Sangha for very different reasons to escape from poverty, to have an easy life, to attain academic distinction then disrobe and get a good job being some of them. A few have even entered the Sangha for nefarious reasons to use it as a cover for cheating the gullible and making money. The Vinaya contains several examples of this. It took at least a century after Buddhism became known in the West before it became clear that it was not a mystical system based on magic and supernatural powers. And even when a better knowledge of it was available groups such as the Theosophical Society continued to promote Madam Blavatskys so-called esoteric Buddhism; an untidy mixture of Western occultism, Asian superstitions and a sprinkling of authentic Buddhism. This impression of Buddhism is still current among some Westerners and some people are ready victims to frauds and con-men posing as Buddhists or even as monks. One such person was Cyril Henry Hoskin. Born in England in 1910, he was apprenticed to a plumber when young and worked as one for several decades. Later he made trusses worn by men suffering from hernias. Up until the early 1950s his life seems to have been unremarkable but then beliefs and notions he had probably held for many years started to manifest themselves in his behaviour. His neighbours noticed that he started dressing in a strange, slightly oriental attire, that he had shaved his head and claimed that his real name was Dr. Kuon Suo and that he was Chinese. The English are used to eccentrics and it seems no one took much notice of him. In 1956, the publishers Secker and Warburg in London received the manuscript of a book titled The Third Eye written by a Tibetan Lama named Lobsang Rama. The book told of the Lamas life in Tibet and his training as a monk which included surgically opening a third eye in his forehead thereby giving him clairvoyant powers. Intrigued, they decided to publish it thinking that as Tibet had been in the news because of the recent Chinese invasion of Tibet, it might boost sales. But the editor was somewhat sceptical about the books authenticity and wrote to Rampa asking him to come for an interview. When the editor saw him and heard him speak it was clear that he was an ordinary working class Englishman. Before the interview the editor had shown the manuscript to some Tibetan experts and they had told him the books story was a fraud; they also taught him how to say Did you have a safe journey in Tibetan. At the beginning of the interview the editor addressed Rampa with these words but he had no idea what was being said to him. It was clear that Lobsang Rampa was an imposter. Nonetheless, the book was a good story so Secker and Warburg published it with a note saying that the story could not be verified. Almost instantly it became a bestseller, receiving favourable reviews in several leading newspapers. The influential Times Literary Supplement called it almost a masterpiece and it created much interest among the general public. However Hugh Richardson and Heinrich Harrer, amongst the few Westerners who had actually lived in Tibet, poured scorn on the book, pointing out its innumerable errors about Tibetan language, manners and customs, and Buddhist monastic life. Both affirmed that there was no such thing as an operation opening a so-called third eye. Nonetheless, the book sold 300,000 copies in the first 18 months; it has been continually in print ever since and has been translated into 40 languages. But the public were not the only people taking an interest in Rampa. So was Scotland Yard. Their inquiries from the Home Office showed that no Tibetan passport holder had come to Britain for many years and so one day the police came calling on Lama Rampa asking to see his passport. A few days later he moved to Dublin. A group of concerned Buddhists and Tibetologists were interested to find out the truth about Rampa too and so they hired a private investigator. The investigator uncovered Rampas real name and doings and also that he had never left the British Isles. He also tracked him down and confronted him. Rampa had a bizarre story to satisfy all the questions. Yes he admitted, his real name was Cyril Hoskin but a few years previously he had fallen out of a tree while trying to photograph birds and been knocked unconscious. When he recovered he found that his consciousness had been knocked out of his brain and the consciousness of a Tibetan Lama (the Tibetan word for a monk) had replaced it, so that while physically he was Cyril Hoskin in all other respects he was actually the Tibetan monk Lobsang Rampa. The private investigator produced a piece of paper with Buddhist stanzas in Tibetan script on it and asked Rampa to read it. When he couldnt the investigator asked him why, if he had a detailed memory of other aspects of his life in Tibet, he couldnt read his own language. Rampa had no answer for this and asked the investigator to leave. On February 3, 1957 the headlines of Londons Daily Express read, The Full Truth About the Bogus Lama. Although Lobsang Rampa was no Tibetan monk, he did have miraculous powers, or at least good luck, albeit with the help of gullible and naive people. Undaunted by the expose in the press he wrote a second book, Doctor from Lhasa, supposedly a continuation of his autobiography, which also sold well. By now financially well off for the first time in his life he moved to Canada and over the next few decades turned out 18 other books, each making more and more bizarre unbelievable claims, including his ability to travel to other planets through his astral powers. Over the years his books have sold in the millions and he has hundreds of thousands, perhaps several million followers, who believe implicitly in the tall tales he told. The overwhelming evidence that he was really only an English plumber with a vivid imagination does not seem to diminish his standing in their eyes. There have been several biographies of him presenting him as a great mystic and in Russia there is actually a public monument to him! A miracle indeed! Hoskins was never properly ordained as a monk despite posing as one. Was he a complete fraud, was he just deluded or was he a mixture of both? Personally I favour this third option. Was he harmful? The people who bought his books were never coerced into doing so. But there is no doubt that he did do great harm to Buddhism and that his books continue to do so. Many people believe that Buddhist practice allows one to see auras, travel to other planets, levitate and contact flying saucers, that it is all about astrology, gazing at crystals and communicating with the dead. Some 20 years ago a young man in Germany was rushed to hospital after he used a knife to try to open his third eye. Fortunately he survived but the newspapers were full of reports saying that this was a Buddhist practice. Several genuine Tibetan monks teaching Buddhists in the West have told me that it is not uncommon for people to come to them asking if they, the monks, can teach them how to open their third eye. When the monks tell them that this has nothing to do with Buddhism the people often go away angry or annoyed that the monks would not share their esoteric knowledge with them. Lobsang Rampa has been a major reason why many Westerners and even a good number of ill-informed Asian Buddhists associate Buddhism with New Age and pseudo-mystical nonsense rather than what it is really about kindness, gentleness, clear-mindedness and wisdom. As for Cyril Henry Hoskin, he died in Calgary in Canada in 1981 aged 70. De La Salle Brothers: Celebrating 150 years in SL with a thanksgiving mass View(s): The De La Salle Brothers will mark their 150th anniversary (sesquicentennial year) of coming to Sri Lanka and tercentennial death anniversary of St. John Baptist De La Salle, their Founder with a thanksgiving mass at the De La Salle Brothers Mother house in Mutwal, Colombo 15. The mass will be celebrated by Papal Nuncio of Colombo, Most. Rev. Dr. Pierre Ngugen Van Tot, on May 27 at 9 a.m. Three French Brothers arrived in Sri Lanka in December 1866 and were persuaded by Bishop Hillarian Sillani OSB who had earlier approached the Superior General in Rome, to take over St. Benedicts from the Benedictine Fathers. They took over the school management of St. Benedicts Institute in January 1867 but not being able to handle English they set sail to the west in August 1867. The Bishops renewed attempts brought back Brothers better equipped to handle English and the La Sallian apostolate at St. Benedicts was officially commenced in May 1868. The end of the nineteenth century saw the Brothers settle at Kotahena, Mutwal and Negombo. Early in the 20th century, the Brothers had in their hands two typical La Sallian schools De La Salle College, Mutwal and St. Josephs College, Grandpass in Colombo and St. Josephs Bandarawela. They were in line with their Founders thinking, taking over schools for the common people. The brothers established seven English schools outside Colombo prior to independence in 1948. Boys Town of Diyagala, Ragama, just north of Colombo, was set up in 1959 to care for the marginalized youth in society, irrespective of creed. La Sallian Community Education Service (LCES) provides community education in slums, teaching at pre-vocational levels. The LCES Institute at Mutwal, Colombo, similar to Boys Town, provides a refuge to children of slum-dwellers and is a haven for hundreds of homeless people. The De La Salle Academy at Kotahena, Colombo, founded in 1972, provides non-formal education to youth and adults alike seeking career courses. Br.R.J.Jeyakanthan Have you made a date with Nigella? View(s): Cinnamon Life will host the internationally renowned TV cook and food writer Nigella Lawson for a series of events in Sri Lanka from June 21 23. Nigellas tour in Sri Lanka will comprise an array of exciting events. On June 21, a lucky number of HSBCs Premier clients will travel to Cinnamon Wild Yala with Nigella, where they will get an opportunity to mix and mingle with the celebrity as they embark on a wildlife safari, a sunset dinner by the lake followed by a champagne breakfast. In the evening of the 22nd of June, Nigella will travel back to Colombo where she will be hosted at the Cinnamon Grand Colombo for a cocktail, where participants will have the chance to purchase her latest book At My Table: A Celebration of Home Cooking. The excitement continues with the Mystery Box Cooking Challenge designed by Nigella on June 23, held at Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo. Aspiring Sri Lankan cooks who wish to showcase their culinary skills and compete in this challenge can send their entries online. Shortlisted candidates participate in the cook-off, where there will be three winners selected in the categories of technique, flavour and presentation. Details will be available in due course on www.cinnamonboxoffice.com. On the 23rd, there will also be an exclusive closed-door event for 400 lucky individuals who will be privy to a conversation with Nigella, where the celebrity cook will discuss details of her career, her culinary achievements, inspirations and much more; followed by an enticing brunch, a meet-and-greet and photo opportunities. A tour of Sri Lanka would not be complete without Ceylon tea. On the evening of the 23rd, 400 participants will have an opportunity to partake in High Tea, curated by Nigella followed by a book signing of Nigellas latest book which will be available for purchase at the venue. Cinnamon Life presents Nigella Lawson in Colombo - in association with HSBC Premier, Transport Provider Jaguar Land Rover, Airline Partner Sri Lankan Airlines, High Tea Partner Spa Ceylon gourmet tea, Indulgence Partner Imorich Ice cream, Inbound Travel Partner Walkers Tours, Outdoor media partner Emerging Media, Official partner of the everyday Beko, Print Media and Web partners the Sunday Times, the Daily Mirror, Daily FT, Life online, Daily Mirror.lk, Hi Magazine and HI TV, Radio Partner Lite FM, Cinema Partner Scope Cinema and Domestic Airline Partner Cinnamon Air. For more details of this and other exciting events from Cinnamon Life, please visit www.cinnamonboxoffice.com LC Cares have a day of right Royal fun View(s): As the British public was preparing to celebrate Prince Harry and Meghan Markles wedding on Saturday, May 19, LC Cares kicked off the celebrations with a Royal Wedding themed monthly fellowship on Wednesday, May 16 at Ladies College. As part and parcel of any royal event is a good old fashioned Street Party, the volunteers of LC Cares decorated the OGA room with red, white and blue British bunting, flags, table decor and a giant cutout of the couple. A large screen showed clippings from previous royal weddings interspersed with footage of the young couple while traditional songs were played in the background. Competitions saw the guests making hats to wear to the royal wedding along with a group quiz based on royal trivia. Traditional British fare was served from the ginger beer to the Ploughmans Platter, pies and bangers and mash with onion gravy. And a summery dessert based on the great British pudding the Eton Mess was served along with a rainbow cake. It was an enjoyable morning. We liked the quiz because it was both fun and informative. Enjoyed the pub food, specially the pickles said one senior member. LC Cares which comes under the Ladies College Old Girls Association Trust Fund is a project for old girls by old girls. It began when a group of old girls came together over four years ago to volunteer their time and services to assist old girls and retired teachers of Ladies College by offering assistance, making house calls and hospital visits. A monthly fellowship is held every third Wednesday where old girls and teachers have an opportunity to come together to meet, chat, enjoy some games and lunch. The lunches often home cooked and sponsored by old girls or batches of old girls usually have specially chosen themes. In addition to the monthly fellowship special fellowships are also held and the members are looking forward to their next event, a day trip to Negombo in June of this year. Relationships you build in school last forever and as they say at Ladies College One Family Unbroken. . Thank you to the LC Cares team for all the trouble taken. It was so well organized. I appreciate very much that as young people you care for oldies like us. God bless you all, said an old girl Sriyanee Gooneratne. Love and care shown to us makes us feel wanted. Most of us are single lonely people hence we enjoy the fun and laughter shared together. The young LCites have added colour to our lives, said Lalitha Rajapakse while an enthusiastic Kamala Fernando commented that It was fun, fantastic, fabulous. Pretty N Pink in full bloom View(s): The Grand Ballroom of the Galle Face Hotel was ablaze with flowers as the Ikebana International Sri Lanka Chapter 262 celebrated its 10th anniversary with Pretty N Pink on May 20. Singaporean floral artist Christopher Lim who lends his support to the Chapter conducted a floral demonstration and the occasion was graced by Japanese Ambassador Kenichi Suganuma. All proceeds from the event will go to help patients with breast cancer in Jaffna and Karapitiya hospitals. Double standards in commemoration of fallen members By A B Sosa VSV psc View(s): View(s): In the past couple of weeks there have been divergent views expressed whether our brethren living in the North should be permitted to commemorate the deaths of their kith and kin and friends on the anniversary of the day that the LTTE was eliminated from our country. In this context, the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna [ JVP ]has been allowed to commemorate annually the demise of their leader Rohana Wijeweera and their comrades who were killed by the Services, Police and pro government unofficial troops. The justification for this double standard is that the aim of the LTTE was to separate the country and declare Eelam whilst the JVP was motivated to overthrow the Democratically elected Government and form a Revolutionary undivided dictatorial government under the leadership of Rohana Wijeweera and his politbureau. The atrocities and activities of the LTTE are well documented and several books authored by those who had to face the brunt of their attacks commencing 1980 up to 2009 have been published. The JVP commenced their revolutionary ideology in 1971 This was rapidly thwarted by the services. They re emerged in 1987 until they were militarily destroyed in 1990. At this juncture, a parallel could be drawn between the LTTE and the JVP. The former were nurtured, trained and armed by our so called big brother whilst the JVP was supported by North Korea. Most of the present day JVP members may not be aware of this scenario as they may have been either toddlers or not born. In 1970 North Korea through its Embassy in Colombo was attempting to indoctrinate our population by carrying out a concerted advertising campaign through our printed media extolling the virtues of their President Kim Il Sung and his system of Government. This was further buttressed by their propaganda vans accessing particularly our rural areas screening films pertaining to the revolutionary concepts of this dictatorial country. Their propaganda blitz reached a crescendo in April 1971 when it was considered opportune to launch their revolution. Unfortunately for them, owing to a communication blunder their revolutionaries in Wellawaya attacked the Wellawaya Police station 24 hours ahead of schedule [ H Hour].This alerted all service establishments and Police stations who initially activated their defense plans to nullify the thrust of the attacks thus compelling them to retreat into jungle terrain. To compound the woes of the JVP they were very poorly armed carrying only shot guns and locally made grenades most of which mal functioned. When the services got into an offensive search and destroy mode they were fairly easily obliterated. There is no doubt that our National intelligence arm was not functioning up to an acceptable standard. Within a very short time the Government ordered the North Korean Embassy to close down and return to their country. In such a circumstance, it is logical to assume that our Government had very good reasons to adopt such a drastic move. Just as much as the Indians destabilized our country from 1980 onwards using the LTTE as pawns the North Koreans attempted a similar operation ten years prior to the adventure of big brother using the JVP as their pawns. Thus, it is crystal clear that both India and North Korea were intent on pillaging us by possibly brain washing some of our citizens to achieve their agendas. When the JVP commenced its armed campaign their leader Rohana Wijeweera was relaxing in a remand jail in Jaffna. When their campaign faltered he broadcast an appeal to his minions to cease operations as they will steer a democratic path. All those who either surrendered or were captured were rehabilitated and released. As a matter of fact Rohana Wijeweera entered main stream politics and contested at an election. However, the rehabilitated JVP even though on the surface were democrats were biding their time to launch a revolution. They were secretly conducting classes on this theme to our rural youth. Their concept was a closed economy both in imports and exports. They propounded that all tea plants should be uprooted and Ranavara planted instead! They realized that they could not come into power by democratic means. Hence, they were indoctrinating and recruiting particularly rural youth to launch their revolution A spark had to be lit to embark on this adventure. The opportunity was grabbed when in 1987 the infamous accord was signed and the IPKF landed in Sri Lanka. The JVP who had learnt their lessons from the 1971 episode embarked on a terrorist trail of murder and mayhem. Almost all government establishments particularly South of the Bentota river were set ablaze. Buses and other government vehicles were destroyed, Electricity to almost all places in the South was totally disrupted by destroying the posts which were either cut down or uprooted. All shops were compelled to be closed using children [child soldiers?] to distribute chits, any shop keeper defying these orders was killed, Grama Sevaka Niladaries were ordered to resign from their posts under threat of death some in fact were murdered. A nation wide lights out campaign handled by their child soldiers was activated. Tea planters were ordered to cease operations. Those who defied were murdered. School principals were ordered to allow their students to go on the rampage. Anyone defying was threatened with death. Parents and siblings of any person remaining in the Tri services or Police were instructed to inform their sons to desert. If this was not complied with they were threatened with death and in fact some were murdered. In comparison to these atrocities the LTTE were far more humane. The JVP murdered Rev Father Michael Rodrigo whilst he was saying Holy Mass at his parish at Wellawaya. The reason apparently was that he was much loved in the area and was considered an obstacle to their activities. They murdered the Member of Parliament for Tangalle Mr. Jinadasa Weerasigne and burnt to the ground the residence of the Member of Parliament for Ambalantota Dr. P M B Cyril. They attempted to murder the President His Excellency J R Jayawardene and the Prime Minister Hon R Premadasa by lobbing a hand grenade into a committee room of the Parliament when in session. Minister Lalith Athlathmudali was seriously injured whilst the Member for Deniyaya was killed. The family members of the Minister of Trade Hon M S Amarasiri were killed. Similarly close relatives of serving Servicemen and Policemen were killed. As a matter of fact the families of persons under direct threat were accommodated under makeshift arrangements in military establishments e.g. Air Force Base Katunayaka. Democratic elections were anathema to them. They Disrupted Provincial Council elections in 1988 by threatening to murder those who went to cast their ballots. Some early voters were in fact killed. During this period of mayhem the JVP leader Rohana Wijeweera and family were comfortably living in an up country tea planters bungalow until he was captured. On being captured the coward that he was came on National Television and advised all his cronies to give up arms and live in the main stream of life. It is beyond reason that such a despicable personality is to date hailed as a hero and virtually venerated. Perhaps the present day rank and file of the JVP are ignorant of the track record of their deceased hero. I am well aware of the activities of both the LTTE and the JVP as I was the Director of Ground Operations of the Air Force in the decade of the 1980s. I was responsible for the security of all Air Force airfields in the North and the East. I was appointed Coordinating Officer of the Hambabtota District when the bubble burst in mid 1987. This area was 1010 square miles in extent and consisted of Tangalle, Beliatta, Walasmulla, Weeraketiya, Sooriyawewa, Ambalntota, Weerawila, Tissamaharama, Lunugamwehra upto Kataragama. A year later I was appointed Base Commander of the Katunayaka Air Base. The reason for my penning this article is that, in my opinion the JVP and the LTTE were terrorist organizations. The objective of the JVP was to tie up with North Korea and launch a revolution to dislodge the Democratically elected government and establish a Dictatorship. The aim of the LTTE as is well known was to divide the country and establish Eelam in the North and the East. Fortunately for us both terrorist organizations failed in their attempts. The government has clearly spelled out that its aim is to reconstruct and reconcile the North with the rest of the country. In my opinion the sincerity of this objective should not be confined to empty words. The yardstick is that both were failed terrorist organizations. Whilst a velvet glove is extended to the JVP an iron hand is shown to the next of kin and friends of the fallen LTTE members. It is reiterated that the facility extended to the twice failed JVP revolutionaries should be extended to the relatives and members of the now defunct LTTE to commemorate their fallen brethren. That which is sauce for the Goose should be sauce for the Gander (The writer is a retired Air Vice Marshal) Focus on preventive diplomacy to avert conflicts By Thalif Deen View(s): View(s): STOCKHOLM (IPS) In the paradoxical battle against military conflicts, is preventive diplomacy one of the political remedies that can help deter wars before they break out? Miroslav Lajcak, President of the UN General Assembly, points out that prevention takes many forms, and it must tackle conflict at its roots before it can spread. This means stronger institutions. It means smart and sustainable development. It means inclusive peace-building. It means promoting human rights, and the rule of law. At a recent three-day Forum on Peace and Development, sponsored by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) and the Swedish Foreign Ministry, participants came up with several responses, including international mediation, pre-conflict peace-building, counter-terrorism and, perhaps most importantly, sustainable development that aims at eradicating poverty and hunger. Lajcak cites a recent World Bank-United Nations report, titled Pathways for Peace, that argues in terms of dollars and cents: that for every $1 spent on prevention, up to $7 could be saved over the long term. Speaking on the Politics of Peace the theme of the SIPRI forum which concluded May 9he said: Peace can be political. It can be complicated. And it can be messy. Mediators do not have an easy job. Jan Eliasson, chairman of the SIPRI Board of Governors and a former Swedish Foreign Minister, points out that aside from saving and improving human lives, studies suggest that investing $2 billion in prevention can generate net savings of $33 billion per year from averted conflict. And according to a World Bank survey, he said, 40 percent of those who join rebel groups do so because of a lack of economic opportunities? It is time for us all to get serious about prevention and sustaining peace if we are to achieve the peace envisioned in the SDGs by 2030. Policy makers must focus efforts on prevention, committing additional resources and attention to the highest risk environment, said Eliasson, a former UN Deputy Secretary-General. In an introduction to the Politics of Peace, SIPRI says targeted, inclusive and sustained prevention can contribute to lasting peace by reducing the risk of violent conflict. Unfortunately, the political will to invest in prevention is often lacking where it is needed most, notes SIPRI. The UNs peacekeeping budget for 2017-2018 is estimated at a staggering $6.8 billion. But how much does the UN really spend on preventive diplomacy? At a high level meeting on peace-building last month, several delegates emphasised the concept of prevention, but complained about the failure to aggressively fund such prevention. Asked how one could explain that meagre resources, a little bit over $1 million is being devoted to preventive diplomacy, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters April 25: I think thats a question perhaps to those who allocate the budget. The Secretary General has repeatedly called for greater resources and greater emphasis to be put on prevention. Siddharth Chatterjee, UN Resident Coordinator & UNDP Resident Representative in Kenya told IPS, todays violent conflicts are complex, trans-border and multi-dimensional in nature. Similarly, the causes and patterns of conflict are also complex and intertwined with ethnicity, dispute over boundaries, and competition over scarce resources, weak governance systems, poverty, socioeconomic inequalities, environmental degradation, etc. The complexity of violent conflict, he argued, makes it prolonged, deadly, and economically costly to the countries which experience conflicts. According to Collier et. al (2003), by the end of a typical civil war, incomes are around 15 per cent lower than they would otherwise have been, implying that about 30 percent more people are living in absolute poverty due to conflict. And according to the same authors, conflict would also lead to a permanent loss of around 2 percent of gross domestic product (GDP). Chatterjee also pointed out that the main damage of conflict emanates from its adverse effects of diverting resources from the productive sector to violence and destructive activities. These widespread conflicts are imposing an enormous cost not only to the countries where conflicts are raging but also to their neighboring countries, which often end up hosting refugees crossing the borders to seek a safe-haven. This further results in considerable economic and environmental problems for the host countries. He said armed conflict and violence are increasingly complex, dynamic and protracted. More than 65 million people were forcibly displaced in 2016 alone. Many conflicts have endured for decades; others have repercussions well beyond their immediate area. Sanam Naraghi Anderlini, Executive Director of the International Civil Society Action Network (ICAN) told IPS that after so many wars and so much destruction, Im stunned that governments still think that weaponry is the pathway to peace and security. When individuals are able to weaponise a car, a bus or truck, hi-tech missiles arent going to solve the problem. We need to be looking at the root causes and drivers. She said this brings up issues of gross inequality, rising extremism thats fostering un-belonging, and other issues relating to education, mental health and so forth. She asked: What does it cost to build schools in Northern Nigeria so kids have a chance of a future? What does it cost to develop state of the art environmental programs that can preserve water and enable farmers to grow crops, so they arent forced to migrate to cities and be jobless and desperate? Globally, more than 260 million children and youth are not in school, and 400 million children have only primary school education, according to UN estimates released last week. If left unaddressed, the education crisis could leave half of the worlds 1.6 billion children and youth out of school or failing to learn the most basic skills by 2030. Last week, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and his Envoy on Global Education, Gordon Brown, received a petition signed by some 1.5 million young people calling for more investment in education. The petition was delivered by three youth activists from India, Kenya and Sierra Leone. In the aftermath of the Cold War, said Naraghi Anderlini, we recognised that human security was integral to state security. The 9/11 attacks threw us off course and we entered a realm of perpetual war and retaliations. Yet at the core sits issues of human security, dignity, legitimate grievances and aspirations. State failure is central to everything we see from corruption to excessive violence and being absent in basic service provision. She warned that governments can try to hide behind their bluster, weaponry and techno-wizardry but we are hurtling towards a new unknown, but this will not be the path to peace. The tragedy is that ordinary people, civil society actors in communities everywhere, have the answers and solutions, she argued. They have rolled up their sleeves and with limited resources they are doing extraordinary work. They raise uncomfortable truths for this reason, governments and even the UN system dont bring them to the table. They provide side events and agree to host them on the margins of major summits. But the citizens are not marginal, they are at the very center of any state. And civil society organizations that enable citizens to contribute to solving problems should be equal partners in the space of decision making globally, she declared. Chatterjee told IPS the other emerging threat to the global community is violent extremism which has not only sets in motion a dramatic reversal of development gains already made, but also threatens to stunt prospects of development for decades to come, particularly in border lands and marginalized areas as well as affecting developed countries. To support prevention of conflict and violent extremism; it is important to focus on the root causes, drivers of conflict and radicalization, which are intertwined with poverty, social, cultural, economic, political and psychological factors. Extremism, which often evolves into terrorism, has its origin in poverty and human insecurity, which is partly linked to exclusion, marginalisation and lack of access to resources and power, he noted. A recent UNDP report the Road to Extremism- which is based on extensive data collected from East and West African countries, revealed that poverty and marginalisation to be the main factors that drive young people to join extremist groups. The study also found that the tipping point is how the government treats the community and the youth. In addressing both violent conflict and extremism, Chatterjee said, it is important to invest in prevention because attempting to address the problem once it has erupted will cost more and huge amount of resources. And, it will also be complicated, as in the case of Somalia or the Central African Republic (CAR). That is why the UN Secretary Generals reform agenda emphasises preventing violent conflicts before they erupt into full-fledged crises. The Secretary Generals agenda also links conflict to SDGs, and the principle of leaving no one behind espoused by the SDGs is a critical condition for sustainable peace and prosperity, said Chatterjee. He said this approach will strengthen institutions to sustain peace as the best way to avoid societies from descending into crisis, including, but not limited to, conflict, violent extremism and ensure their resilience through investments in inclusive and sustainable development. The bottom line is without peace, little or nothing can be achieved in terms of economic and social progress and without development it would be difficult to achieve sustainable peace, declared Chatterjee. Asked for his reaction, Dan Smith, SIPRI Director, summed it up as follows: In general I think that a Norwegian politician, Erik Solheim, now head of UNEP, put it well when he said, at a public meeting many years ago, in response to a question about why prevention is not emphasised more, something along these lines: Because, to my knowledge, no politician has ever been re-elected on the basis of preventing a war that might not have happened in a faraway country that none of her or his voters have ever heard of. (The writer can be contacted at thalifdeen@ips.org) Theory and practice in foreign policy making Dr Sarala Fernando View(s): View(s): The foreign affairs debate in this country has been enlivened by critical comments on the rise of foreign neo-conservative forces which are apparently bent on turning this country into a vassal state according to the words of Tamara Kunanayagam. We wondered whether this was the same Tamara, feisty champion of Tamil rights who was a thorn in the side of the Sri Lanka delegation in Geneva in the 1980s! Her criticism comes at a time when the neo-cons are arguing that their hard pressure tactics have succeeded in making DPRK take major steps in de-nuclearization and calling for President Trump to be awarded the Nobel Peace prize! However the key to the successful resolution of the DPRK question may lie in the quiet diplomacy and strategic cooperation of China behind the scenes ,so different to the strident US public pressure tactics. How does academic opinion feed into the Foreign Ministry policy making machinery? In fact it competes with a host of other intelligence available to the Foreign Ministry, including the influence of powerful states and lobbying from different stakeholders in the country and abroad which take primacy when quick decisions are required.To give a practical example, given that regaining of the EU GSP+ concession was a major foreign policy goal for this government in order to boost flagging local exports and employment, it was then considered legitimate for the government to accept forward positions on human rights in keeping with the international conventions we have signed. Yet there is always recourse to explaining to the HRC when some element cannot be implemented due to public reluctance, as for example the resort to foreign judges. Failure to understand this aspect of the Foreign Ministrys role as a central arbiter has often led to power struggles between political appointees who prefer to lobby political leaders directly ending in the early recall of some appointees or worse, one or two recently being charged in courts with the issue of Interpol red letters for arrest. It is also true that acceptance of Foreign Ministry recommendations depends on its influence within the government which rose to a peak during the Kadirgarmar era and now seems to be at a low ebb as a result of the current domestic political woes. How should the calls for transitional justice by international human rights activists be balanced with local sensitivities on the role of the armed forces who are considered war heroes? In the long term the best response may lie in structural changes within the military, for example, creating a credible legal backbone to advice on IHL aspects of ongoing operations. Cases involving military personnel can be expeditiously investigated and tried within the military court system, as is the practice in many other countries especially those whose forces are involved in active military duties. This legal office within the military should also have a public information role which for example would have brought to the fore the independent accounts of the last stages of the armed conflict by foreign military officers which amply counter the exaggerated casualty figures and assessments of the UN foreign human rights experts. Within the debate on how human rights should be handled in foreign policy- making, there is little doubt about the urgency for bipartisan approaches in Parliament and open public debate. Indeed, it was Foreign Minister Kadirgarmar who made the most progress in that area by inviting groups of parliamentarians from the opposition to come to the Foreign Ministry to have regular briefings from senior officials and hold frank exchanges of views on recent developments. Key pieces of legislation such as the Missing Persons Office should have had broad support in Parliament if there had been wide consultations in the drafting stage . For those who live in this country, issues such as torture, detention, enforced disappearances are of very real concern and there is a crucial need for a robust legal framework. On disappearances, Sri Lanka had been commended by the international community for its actions after the Southern insurrection, to award compensation and death certificates which helped bring down the huge case load considerably. Yet there arose the question of how to deal with the pending cases which could not be accommodated under this scheme and several proposals were discussed at length with international experts. Consulting with international experts and the OHCHR is a mark of good faith and Sri Lanka has in the past sought and received useful technical cooperation from the OHCHR to strengthen national or domestic institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights. What is important is not to give the impression that we seek in the Human Rights Council and other fora just to defend the government and to disparage opposing views but are seriously concerned with improving the overall human rights situation in Sri Lanka. To this effect, when I was in Geneva, the Sri Lanka delegation would sit together after the HRC sessions and analyse all the criticism leveled at us to see where constructive response was possible. One such recommendation was to remove corporal punishment from our statute books, which legislation was coming down from colonial times. In the Ministry we took our responsibilities seriously and endeavoured for example to respond promptly to queries from OHCHR experts and complete on time our reporting obligations under the various human rights international conventions. Once the American Ambassador gave us a list of so called missing persons which was then processed through an inter-ministerial committee. The Police were given a deadline to complete their investigations and they performed well, accounting for most of the persons listed, which was a matter of satisfaction to all sides. These explanations are made because it is often difficult for crusaders of human rights to understand the slow working of government in Sri Lanka; they see only an inflexible government to accuse, but in truth there are many officials at different levels who are fighting for change. With regard to the current resolution on Sri Lanka before the HRC, it should be remembered that during the watch of the professional diplomats, the instructions had always been to keep a low profile and to prevent any mention of Sri Lanka in official records. To do this we may have had to swim with the sharks and dance with the wolves but this strategy enabled Sri Lanka to be elected and re-elected as a member of the HRC even during the years of the conflict. Since only members of the HRC carry a vote , this is key to being able to counter adversarial moves such as country resolutions and special sessions and keeping us safe from international sanctions. We were seen as a responsible member of the international community with friendship to all. That is until came the time when apparently a political decision was made to show the world our mettle and to summon all the forces towards a victory resolution at the HRC, somewhat like the Charge of the Light Brigade. From hard nosed preventive diplomacy, we moved to adversarial defensive diplomacy as a result of which we opened ourselves to retaliation by powerful players and seemingly endless monitoring by the OHCHR. But even this scrutiny can be overcome with genuine efforts within a framework of broad public acceptance such as the LLRC recommendations. This historical recall is made at a time when appeals are being made for a return to the abrasive diplomacy which has brought us to the current phase of international attention. Fortunately, an affable and well qualified professional with solid experience in UN affairs, has now taken over as Permanent Representative in Geneva. We can therefore rely on a period of careful diplomacy led by the Foreign Ministry which for so many years strengthened Sri Lankas image abroad and its reputation characterized by Secretary General Koffi Annan in 2005 as a constructive and engaged Member State of the UN. The question now is how to mobilize bipartisan support at home for a sustainable foreign policy including active positions on human rights at a time of domestic political crisis. (The writer is a retired Foreign Service diplomat) Update: Police have released the name of the man found dead in the Fall Creek Gorge. ITHACA, N.Y. -- A 21-year-old man was found dead under a bridge in the Fall Creek Gorge in Ithaca on Friday afternoon, according to the Ithaca Police Department. The identity of the man is being withheld, police said. The Ithaca Police Department and Cornell Police Police Department responded to the 800 block of Stewart Avenue -- just off the Cornell campus -- in regards to a report of a man in the Fall Creek Gorge at 1:29 p.m., police said. He was later determined to have died, police said. Officers identified the man and told family, police said. The incident is still under investigation and an autopsy is scheduled for a later date to determine how the man died, police said. Police encourage anyone with information about the incident to call Ithaca police at 607-272-9973 or 607-272-3245. CORTLAND, N.Y. -- A day-long standoff ended Saturday when police busted into a Cortland hotel room and found the suspect critically injured, police said. Corey J. Hobart was found unresponsive in the bathroom of a Hampton Inn room with wounds that appear self-inflicted, said the Cortland Police Department. The 28-year-old Conklin man is in critical condition at Upstate University Hospital in Syracuse. Hobart was found around 3 a.m. -- 24 hours after the parolee's attempt to escape arrest started, police said. The incident began over 40 miles south of Cortland near Binghamton. A Broome County sheriff's deputy spotted Hobart driving in Johnson City and tried to pull him over, police said. Hobart -- who was wanted for violating parole -- refused to pull over, police said. Hobart is on parole for drug and forgery charges, according to state records. The deputy chased Hobart as the parolee sped north on Interstate 81, police said. When Hobart exited at Polkville and drove into Cortland, police met him with a tire deflation device. The device worked. But Hobart continued to drive around the city on flat tire before stopping at the Hampton Inn at 26 River St., police said. Hobart stepped out of the car with a female passenger: Jeri Ann Healy. He pointed a handgun at the woman and at the officers chasing him, police said. The pair walked into the hotel and entered a room that had been rented by Healy, police said. Officers surrounded the property and evacuated the building. "It was learned Hobart and Healy were acquaintances," police said. "However, Healy appeared to be being held against her will." Police negotiated with Hobart. Healy was safely released from the room around 11 a.m., police said. As officers continued to try and coax Hobart to surrender, they learned he had two handguns, a shotgun and a stash of drugs, police said. After several hours, the parolee went silent, police said. Loud flash, explosion at Hampton Inn after SWAT Team entered building: pic.twitter.com/slto0CDJym The Cortland Voice (@CortlandVoice) May 26, 2018 Officers breached Hobart's hotel door around 3 a.m. and found him unconscious inside, police said. He was treated by paramedics and rushed to Upstate hospital. No officers or hotel patrols were injured during the standoff. The investigation remains open. Healy, the woman freed from the hotel, was charged with seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance after police found heroin in the car used during the chase. The 27-year-old Johnson City woman was given an appearance ticket and released. The Hampton Inn staff was "extremely" helpful during the long standoff, police said. The Cortland Police Department was assisted by a slew of departments: the Cortland County Sheriff's Office, the Broome County Sheriff's Office, the Tompkins County Sheriff's Office, the New York State Police, the Ithaca Police Department, the Syracuse Police Department, the FBI, New York State Parole, the Cortland Fire Department, the Endicott Police Department, the Homer Police Department and TLC Ambulance. WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Donald Trump's legal team wants a briefing on the classified information shared with lawmakers about the origins of the FBI investigation into Russia's meddling in the 2016 presidential election and may take it to the Justice Department as part of an effort to scuttle the ongoing special counsel probe. Rudy Giuliani, one of Trump's attorneys, told The Associated Press on Friday that the White House hopes to get a readout of the information next week, particularly about the use of a longtime government informant who approached members of Trump's campaign in a possible bid to glean intelligence on Russian efforts to sway the election. Trump has made unproven claims of FBI misconduct and political bias and has denounced the asset as "a spy." "If the spying was inappropriate, that means we may have an entirely illegitimate investigation," Giuliani said of special counsel Robert Mueller's probe. He then invoked the material compiled by former FBI Director James Comey before he was fired. "Coupled with Comey's illegally leaked memos, this means the whole thing was a mistake and should never have happened," Giuliani said. "We'd urge the Justice Department to re-evaluate, to acknowledge they made a mistake. It's a waste of $20 million of the taxpayers' money. The whole thing is already a waste of money." Comey has said he had the authority as a private citizen to ask a friend to share details from one of his memos with the news media, and has said he did nothing wrong. The Justice Department official who would be the one to receive any complaints from Giuliani would presumably be Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, who appointed Mueller last year in the wake of Comey's firing and was present for Thursday's briefings. Suggesting that the probe was launched on the backs of inappropriately obtained information was Giuliani's latest effort to discredit the investigation by painting it as a purely political event. The FBI began a counterintelligence investigation in July 2016 to determine if Trump campaign associates were coordinating with Russia to tip the election. The investigation was opened after the hacking of Democratic emails that intelligence officials later formally attributed to Russia. The two meetings held Thursday were sought by Trump's GOP allies in Congress and arranged by the White House, as the president has tried to sow suspicions about the legitimacy of the FBI investigation. Trump and his allies have focused on the use of the informant. "What motivated putting him in? What sort of information were they seeking from him? What did they get?" Giuliani asked Friday. "They clearly did not get incriminating information or we'd have found out about it by now. And why did they hide it for so long? There's a big concealment that went on here for over a year since the president said he had been surveilled." So far, 19 people, including Trump's former campaign chairman and former national security adviser, have been charged in Mueller's investigation. Three former Trump aides have pleaded guilty and are cooperating with the investigation. Democrats emerged from the meetings saying they saw no evidence to support Republican allegations that the FBI acted inappropriately. Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina was not in the meetings but, in a radio interview Friday, broke with the president to say a "confidential informant is not a spy," though he cautioned about investigations into campaigns. Initially offered only to Republicans, the briefings were the latest piece of stagecraft meant to publicize and bolster the allegations. But they also highlighted the degree to which the president and his allies have used the levers of the federal government -- in this case, intelligence agencies -- to aid in Trump's personal and political defense. The presence of a White House lawyer, Emmet Flood, and White House Chief of Staff John Kelly at the outset of the briefings raised immediate alarms from Democrats, who said they were concerned officials could use information from the meetings to the president's legal advantage. They also said it was inappropriate for White House officials to attend any part of a meeting about a criminal investigation that directly concerns the president and his campaign. Some also questioned whether the presence of Flood and Kelly violated Justice Department policy meant to limit contacts with the White House to specific circumstances. Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats said Flood and Kelly "were there to relay the President's desire for as much openness as possible under the law; and both left -- as planned_before the substantive portion of the meeting began." Giuliani said it would be appropriate for Trump to be briefed about the findings. "He's not the subject or target of that investigation. He should know what is discussed," said Giuliani, the former mayor of New York City. "Moreover, I assume President Obama knew about it. And if Obama knew about it, why can't Trump?" Questions would likely be raised about the appropriateness of sharing the information with the White House in light of the ongoing probe into Trump's campaign. It was unclear how much information was given to lawmakers. According to a U.S. official familiar with the broader of the two meetings, the briefers did not reveal the name of the informant. They brought documents to Capitol Hill but did not share them, and made several remarks about the importance of protecting intelligence sources and methods. The person declined to be identified because the briefing was classified. The president intensified his attacks on the probe this week, calling it "spygate" and tweeting Thursday that it was "Starting to look like one of the biggest political scandals in U.S. history." Trump told one ally this week that he wanted "to brand" the informant a "spy," believing the more nefarious term would resonate more in the media and with the public. It remained unclear what, if any, spying was done. The White House provided no evidence to support Trump's claim that President Barack Obama's administration was trying to spy on his 2016 campaign for political reasons. House Intelligence Committee Chairman Devin Nunes, an ardent Trump supporter, originally demanded the information on an FBI source in the Russia investigation. Giuliani said the president's legal team would wait to see a report out of the briefings before making a decision as to whether Trump would sit for an interview with Mueller's investigators. He previously had said that a decision would not be made about an interview until after Trump's summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, a meeting the president canceled Thursday but the White House is open to reviving. "We'll see about the future of the summit before we definitely make a decision about a timetable," Giuliani said. 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 ... "I hate my mom's phone," wrote a second-grade student in a heartbreaking homework from school that was shared online by her teacher. The girl's answer in her assignment has gone viral, showing that smartphone addiction reaches beyond teenagers and children. Parents and adults are also affected by it, resulting in a negative effect on their children. Second-Grader Wishes Cellphones Didn't Exist Jen Adams Beason, an elementary school teacher in Louisiana, issued a homework assignment, asking her students to write about an invention that they did not like and why. Beason, however, likely did not expect heartbreaking responses from the question. Beason on May 18 uploaded to Facebook the answer of one student, with the image now viral after being shared almost 300,000 times. "I don't like the phone because my panert (sic) are on their phone every day," the student wrote, even going as far as calling using phones "a really bad habit." "I hate my mom's phone and I wish she never had one," the student added. The handwritten note was accompanied by a drawing of a smartphone with an X mark over it and a sad face with a speech bubble that says "I hate it." Making matters worse is the fact that, according to Beason, out of her 21 students, four of them had similar answers. In her Facebook post, she added the hashtags #getoffyourphone and #listentoyourkids. Fighting Smartphone Addiction Smartphone addiction is not a new topic. In January, investors urged Apple to do something about the growing problem of smartphone addiction in children. That same month, a study from San Diego State University revealed that too much smartphone use leads to unhappy teenagers. The discussion on smartphone addiction, however, has been mostly focused on children and teenagers, as opposed to how parents are showing the behavior in front of their children and neglecting their relationships with them. A recently published study found that "technology-based interruptions in parent-child interaction" is connected to anger outbursts and restlessness among young children. Possible ways for parents to end smartphone addiction so that they can again have meaningful interactions with their children include designating "No Phone Zones" at home and activating Do Not Disturb mode on their devices. There is also a new app named Siempo that is designed specifically to function as a smartphone addiction solution. The things that Siempo does to address the problem include turning a smartphone's background white, replacing flashy icons with bland ones, and changing notification times. 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. In keeping with privacy-oriented GDPR rules that take effect May 25, Apple has revealed a new privacy portal that allows users to download all personal data associated with their Apple ID. Users can download data about their activity on the App Store, iTunes Store, iBooks Store, and Apple Music. Data about your activity at Apple's online and physical retail stores are also available, including repairs users have requested and their AppleCare support history. Users can also download all iCloud data, including photos, bookmarks, reminders, calendars, and other documents. The ability to download user data is available only to those in the European Union at the moment, as well as those in Iceland, Lichtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland. However, 9to5Mac reports Apple is preparing to roll out this feature to all users worldwide. Non-EU users can still request for data corrections or deactivate their Apple ID. How To Download A Copy Of Your Apple Data To download a copy of your Apple data, head to privacy.apple.com and click "Obtain a copy of your data." Choose "Get started" and tick the checkboxes next to the data options you want to download. There is a separate section for Mail, Drive, and Photos because the files may be significantly larger. Next, select a file size. Apple will separate your data into 1 GB to 25 GB increments to make it easier for you to download. All files will be available in formats that are compatible with other cloud drives. You will need to wait up to seven days for Apple to verify your request and provide your data. How To Delete Your Apple ID Users outside the EU can still have their Apple ID deactivated or deleted if they want to. Note, however, that these cuts you off entirely from the Apple ecosystem of products and services. For instance, you will no longer be able to access your App Store, iTunes, and iBooks purchases or use iCloud services such as FaceTime, iMessenger, and Apple Pay. If you have appointments scheduled at an Apple Store or support cases with AppleCare, all those will be removed as well. Deactivation does not mean Apple will permanently delete your data. It will just prevent everyone, including you, from accessing it unless you decide to re-activate. To remove all your Apple data from the company's servers forever, you need to delete your Apple ID. To delete your Apple ID, head to the privacy portal and choose "Delete your account." Click the "Get started" link and read the conditions thoroughly and sign the terms and conditions. Apple will verify all deletion and deactivation requests to keep users safe from abuse. Photo: Michael Coghlan | Flickr 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The hunt for the Loch Ness monster goes on as scientists use cutting-edge DNA technology to sequence genetic fragments present in the lake that will prove the creature's existence. A team of international scientists led by Neil Gammell, a geneticist from the University of Otago in New Zealand, started collecting water samples from the Scottish lake. They will process the DNA samples to hopefully reveal the monster's genetic fingerprint. Finding The Loch Ness Monster Even though their data may not validate the Loch Ness monster's existence, the researchers said it can still provide valuable information about the loch. Experts from the University of Canberra, the Natural History Museum of Denmark, the Loch Ness Project, University of California Santa Cruz, as well as the Alpine Ecology Laboratory in France have gathered to form the Loch Ness Hunters group. The results of their study are expected to be published in January 2019. The Loch Ness Hunters will use environmental DNA sourced from the skin, feces, eggs, and sperms of plants and animals living in the lake. These traces contain the species' DNA signature, which is deposited in the dirt or water. By analyzing the water samples, they expect to isolate the DNA of known organisms and identify each of them. "eDNA is fantastic for assessing biodiversity in, particularly, inaccessible ecosystems. It's already been used to survey deep-sea communities using sediment samples and insect diversity in Antarctica from soil samples," said Helen Taylor, a researcher at the University of Otago who also works with Gemmell. Sightings Of The Loch Ness Monster The legend of Nessie has piqued the curiosity of locals and international tourists. According to the Official Loch Ness Monster Sightings Register, there have been more than 1,000 instances when Nessie was spotted at the Loch Ness and other Scottish lochs. The latest sighting, which happened on March 26, was reported by a tourist from Idaho in the United States. Dakota Frandsen said a large dark shape creature around 40 feet in length was moving toward Urquhart Castle jetty on mid-afternoon. Dakota said the skin looked grayish in color resembling that of a hippopotamus. The figure gradually disappeared as it swam to the opposite direction. Meanwhile, the earliest sighting dates back to 565 AD when the Irish Saint Columba saw the monster and allegedly spoke to it. Reports of the incident occurred not on the Loch Ness itself but on the River Ness, which flows out of the lake into the North Sea. "In a story told over 100 years after the event, the saint saved one of his followers from being attacked by the creature. He made the sign of the cross and commanded it to 'Go no further. Do not touch the man. Go back at once'," the Loch Ness Hunters wrote on their website. From then on, sightings of Nessie has become sporadic, although the interest to seek the truth behind the urban legend remains alive. 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. An Omaha family was in for a shock when they spotted a cat on the roof of a speeding van on the highway last week. Omaha Family Films Cat Clinging To Roof Of Speeding Van Ronda Rankin was driving down the I-480 in Omaha, Nebraska, last Friday, May 25, when her daughter noticed something strange on top of an adjoining van. It first appeared to be some kind of round, fuzzy blur on the roof of a burgundy minivan exceeding speeds of 60 mph, but as they inched closer they realized that the ball of fluff was actually a terrified gray and white cat clinging on to the roof of the vehicle for its dear life. Rankin recorded the footage on her cellphone from the backseat of her car. "That's a cat!" her daughter can be heard exclaiming in the clip, ending a debate among her family members who first mistook the tenaciously hanging animal for a raccoon. The Rankin family then pulled up next to the van and alerted the occupants of the vehicle, after which the car slowed down. The video, which was shared on Twitter last week, has only just become a viral phenomenon, with close to 170,000 views. Watch the clip below: WHOA! A friend shared this video of a cat riding on top of this van going 60 mph on I-480 between Martha & Farnam in Omaha Friday around 8:30 p.m. People in the van had no idea! "They were shocked and scared! They immediately pulled over. Anyone know what happened to cat? pic.twitter.com/b4xWxaqu3W Chinh Doan (@ChinhDoan) May 20, 2018 Officials, Nebraska Humane Society Investigating The Incident Since the video has gone viral, local officials and the Nebraska Humane Society are seeking the public's help to identity the owners of the van and determine how the feline ended up on the roof of the vehicle. "We have never seen a video like that before," said Mark Langan of the Nebraska Humane Society. "How that cat held on at high speeds like that is amazing. I want to know what happened to the cat. People in Omaha want to know what happened to the cat. Let's find out what happened to this poor cat." What Exactly Happened? KET7 managed to track down the owners of the cat and it turns out that the feline, whose name is Rebel, still has all of his nine lives intact. As a matter of fact, Rebel did not even suffer a single scratch. Michelle Criger, Rebel's owner, told the news outlet that she had absolutely no idea that he was on the roof of their van. Apparently, the cat usually likes to hang around the car, so she always checks the inside of the vehicle and under it before driving off. However, she did not feel the need to the check the top of the vehicle, until the Rankin family flagged her down. 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Public health officials in Nashville confirm that a Hepatitis A outbreak has hit the city with a total of 14 known cases of the disease. The cases, which have been reported over the past five months, marks a significant increase from the city's annual average of two Hepatitis A cases. The Metro Public Health Department is currently working with the Tennessee Department of Health in an effort to put a stop to the outbreak. Other Hepatitis A outbreaks have also been occurring in several other states since early last year, including in Kentucky and Indiana. The disease is primarily spread among homeless people and those who use drugs. How You Contract Hepatitis A Anyone can get infected with Hepatitis A, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, but the following groups are potentially at a higher risk: People with direct contact with someone who has hepatitis A. Travelers to countries where hepatitis A is common. Men who have sexual contact with men. People who use drugs, both injection and non-injection drugs. Household members or caregivers of a recent adoptee from countries where hepatitis A is common. People with clotting factor disorders, such as hemophilia. People working with nonhuman primates. The health department will begin administering free Hepatitis A vaccines on May 29 at all three health centers to three at-risk groups: illicit drug users, men who have sex with men, and homeless people. Hepatitis A: What You Should Know Hepatitis is the inflammation of the liver, and the A variant is a highly contagious infection caused by the Hepatitis A virus. It can cause a person to fall ill from a few weeks to several months. Death from Hepatitis A, while rare, is still known to occur. The disease is typically spread when a person unknowingly ingests the virus from objects, food, or beverages contaminated by small, undetected amounts of stool from a person who's infected. Per data from the CDC, there were 4,000 Hepatitis A cases in the United States in 2016. Overall, however, cases have declined 95 percent since a vaccine first became available in 1995. It is recommended that those who feel they've been exposed to the virus to act as quickly as possible. Vaccines are typically effective in treating the illness, but only if given within the first two weeks after exposure. It is not possible to get Hepatitis A twice. 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. A group of scientists associated with the San Diego Frozen Zoo expresses their plan of resurrecting the nearly extinct Northern White Rhino population through genetic engineering of the species' DNA. Only two females were left of the species when the last male, Sudan, died in March. There are no other species left of them even in the wild, as the two female rhinos were being kept in captivity for their protection. Oliver Ryder, director of conservation genetics at San Diego Zoo Global, said that given a suitable assisted reproduction or advanced cloning technology, the whole population of the Northern White Rhino could be resurrected. Frozen Northern White Rhino Cells Ryder and his colleagues will try to recover the Northern White Rhino population using the animals' cryopreserved cells that are being stored at the Frozen Zoo facility. First, the team investigated the genetic history of nine cryopreserved cell lines of the Northern White Rhino through DNA sequencing. This produced the very first genome sequencing of the species despite still being incomplete, the researchers said. Nevertheless, their work could already serve as the foundation of the planned recovery program for the nearly extinct Northern White Rhino. Second, the team compared their DNA analysis of the Northern White Rhino to the cells of the Southern White Rhino, the animals' closest related subspecies. The analysis, published in Genome Research, revealed that the two groups of rhinos had separated some 80,000 years ago and had evolved with genetic variations. Nevertheless, even with the genetic differences between the two species, the lineage seen in them remained the closest when compared to the lineage of other extinct species that other scientists are planning to clone. This discovery became particularly promising, as the San Diego Zoo had successfully impregnated a Southern White Rhino through artificial insemination. The team was positive that mothers from the subspecies could carry the babies of the Northern White Rhino in the future. "The [Southern White Rhino] went through a severe genetic bottleneck, but is now the most populous of all forms of rhino at 20,000 individuals, suggesting that a genetic rescue utilizing these cell lines could be the foundation for a similar recovery in the [Northern White Rhino]," said Tate Tunstall, lead author of the study and a scientist from the San Diego Zoo Institute for Conservation Research. Resurrection Of Northern White Rhino Population The team's plan, although still at an early stage, was already met with criticisms. Marty Kardos, an evolutionary biology researcher at the University of Montana, expressed concerns about possible harmful mutations when the Northern White Rhino and Southern White Rhino were combined. Jason Gilchrist, an ecologist at Edinburgh Napier University in Scotland, was cautious about reviving a species that could no longer live in their natural habitat. In the case of the Northern White Rhino, illegal poaching activities in Africa were a big factor in their extinction. Gilchrist could not see the point of resurrecting their population if the entire species would merely stay in captivity. 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Tinder is ready to help users find perfect matches with a new feature called Tinder Places. The function would access users' favorite locations. Introducing Tinder Places The social media app revealed the new function on May 23. The app users will track every move, including visiting coffee shops, restaurants, and bars. Company leaders hope that users would be able to meet new people through their favorite venues. Users will have to tap a pin at the top of their Discovery screen to access the feature. By tapping "Turn Places On," they will be able to find others who enjoy the same places. Once users find potential people, they can start the messaging process. Addressing Privacy Issues In its official blog post, Tinder discussed potential privacy issues that could cause concerns. It reassured users that they can easily opt out of Tinder Places. In addition, the social media app stated that Tinder will automatically remove the users from locations once they leave. The company also reassured that Tinder Places is for social venues only. Users may keep their favorite locations a secret. Also, customers have the option of not allowing Tinder Places announce that they are there. Tinder Places will only show potential matches. Several company leaders believe that the feature has plenty of safeguards in place to make users feel comfortable and not worry about stalkers. "As a female who designed this feature, I personally made sure that I would feel safe using it," said Samantha Stevens, Tinder's director of location products, to TechCrunch. Currently, Tinder Places is available in Sydney and Brisbane in Australia and in Santiago, Chile. The company has not announced when the feature will be available worldwide. Tinder also worked with both Foursquare and Mapbox on this new addition to the app. Tinder Tales Researchers at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology found that Tinder users are open to more short-term sex than people who do not use the app. Researchers looked at the social media activity and sexual behavior of 600 students ages 19 to 29. The study found that those participants who accepted and were open to casual sex were more inclined to use mobile dating apps. Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg threw shade at Tinder during the 2018 F8 Developers Conference. He announced that the social media company would create a dating service that would focus on building long-term romantic relationships. He also accused Tinder and rival OKCupid of promoting a dating culture that is more accepting of short-term bonds. Tinder tested out a video feature for its iOS users in Sweden and Canada. They allowed these users to create 6-second short looping videos. While the concept was introduced in the now-defunct Vine, the dating app hoped that its users would use the video function to create videos to make an impression on potential love interests. To access the feature, they had to tap a button that stated "Add Media" to create a video. Tech Times reached out to Tinder for a comment on this story. 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Purchases made via links on our site may earn us an affiliate commission Mick Rock/Wolfson EntertainmentLast year, Daryl Hall & John Oates introduced HoagieNation, their very own music and food festival, in their hometown of Philadelphia. On Saturday, the duo and their musical pals are back for a second helping, and they're getting things started a little early, too. "What made us want to continue it was it was very successful," Daryl tells ABC Radio. "It's really gonna be more of a two-day event this year. Last year was just one." Things get underway tonight with a pre-party at The Fillmore in Philadelphia, a venue that partially inspired Hall & Oates' current single "Philly Forget Me Not." In addition to performances by a couple of musical acts, there will be food from a huge number of acclaimed chefs, including Top Chef and Food Network stars. On Saturday, the action moves to Festival Pier at Penn's Landing, where about eight different acts will be playing throughout the day, and, naturally, there'll be a hoagie eating contest. "It's gonna be great," Daryl says. "Train is gonna play before us, and us, and we also have my friends Fitz and the Tantrums on the bill that night...so it's gonna be a very interesting night. And other people -- it's a festival!" He adds, "And we're gonna really have some great food there. Y'know, it's Philly! You gotta have some great food....it's gonna be a great time, a great day." Following the festival, Hall & Oates will resume their joint tour with Train on June 5 in Toronto. Copyright 2018, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. While responding to a theft complaint at a grocery store last year, Lafayette Police discovered the suspect, 28-year-old Ian Howard, running frantically outside the store, reversing directions and stopping to stare at people. Howard told officers the FBI wanted to kill him, and that white vans had been following him. He couldnt remember his name or address, and he did not respond when officers asked if hed been taking the prescription medication that he was carrying, according to a police report. Eight and a half months later, Howard was accused of shooting two employees at a convenience store, then murdering Cpl. Michael Middlebrook, the Lafayette Police officer who responded to the shooting scene. The employees survived their wounds. +28 'He taught me how to love'; slain Lafayette police officer's compassion remembered at funeral When Lafayette Police Sgt. Aaron Thibodeaux became the patrol sergeant of a new squad, he didnt know what to make of one of its members, Offi Howards case is proceeding as a wave of new laws across the United States aim to keep guns out of the hands of people who pose an imminent risk of violence, mentally ill or not. And they illustrate the challenges of crafting effective policies to accomplish that goal, something people on all sides of the gun debate say they desire. Howard, the only suspect in the Oct. 1 shooting, now faces the death penalty. He has pleaded not guilty. +2 Accused Lafayette cop killer Ian Howard pleads not guilty The man accused of killing Lafayette Police officer Michael Middlebrook pleaded not guilty Tuesday to all charges stemming from an Oct. 1 shoo Howard was taken to the University Hospital and Clinics emergency room following the grocery store complaint due to his mental state, according to the police report. And a physician and coroners deputy separately deemed him a threat to himself and others within 72 hours, according to emergency certificates obtained by The Advocate. The certificates authorized holding Howard for 15 days of emergency inpatient treatment. He was released in two days, according to a hospital spokeswoman, and its unclear if he received additional treatment. What seems clear is that any additional treatment was limited to three days, and it did not prevent Howard from immediately arming himself. Nor did any law. Howard acquired two guns within three weeks of his emergency room visit. One was an AR-15 rifle, purchased on Jan. 21, 2017, three days after Howard was released from the emergency room. The other was a Smith and Wesson pistol, purchased three weeks after the rifle and later recovered from Howards car at the convenience store shooting scene. +3 Accused Lafayette cop killer purchased AR-15 days after being involuntarily taken to mental hospital The man accused of killing Lafayette police officer Michael Middlebrook legally purchased two guns last year within weeks of being involuntari Many of the details of what exactly happened at the convenience store have not been clearly established in the court record. The lead State Police investigator, Christopher Leday, testified that Howard used the pistol to shoot the employees, and a different gun that was already in the store to shoot Middlebrook. Police discovered the AR-15, live ammunition and a box for the pistol, along with matching purchase receipts, while executing a search warrant on Howards apartment, according to Ledays March 6 courtroom testimony. Patient privacy protocols restrict what can be publicly known about Howards treatment, and his family declined an interview request. We have no comment at this time. Our prayers and deepest sympathies are with the family of Cpl. Middlebrook and the other victims of this tragedy, Edwin Howard, the defendants father, said in a statement. +31 Photos: Funeral Services for Cpl. Michael Middlebrook Funeral Services for Lafayette Police Cpl. Michael Middlebrook was held Friday October 6th 2017 at Our Saviors Church located at 1201 E. Brou The grocery store complaint was not the last time Lafayette Police were alerted to Howards potentially threatening behavior. Eight months after his emergency room visit, and three weeks before Middlebrook was shot to death, Howard allegedly threatened to kill a supervisor who fired him from a south Lafayette restaurant. In addition to verbal threats, Howard texted the supervisor a picture of a deceased person with his brains blown out from his head, according to a Sept. 11 police report. He warned the supervisor not to be in the parking lot at night, the police report says, and he sent similarly threatening messages to another employee. The restaurant employees did not press charges, and police left a voicemail for Howard instructing him to stop the threats. The police report does not indicate any additional law enforcement response to the incident. Howards previous encounters with police, as well as his status as the only suspect in the shooting death of a police officer, did not warrant seizing the AR-15 rifle and live ammunition found in Howards apartment, based on Ledays testimony. Upon questioning by Howards attorneys, Leday acknowledged that police left the weapon as theyd found it, in the vacant apartment of a man whose incarcerated status had been splashed across the news media. There was no reason to seize it, Leday said, since it was not suspected of being used as part of any crime, and nothing indicated that it was illegally obtained. He has rights, Leday said, adding that police cant just take his weapon if its not included in the investigation. We cant do that. Its not clear where the rifle and ammunition are currently located. A State Police spokesman referred questions to the District Attorneys Office of the 15th Judicial District, which did not respond to repeated queries. Red flags Gun laws aimed at disarming people, mentally ill or not, who pose imminent threats of violence are gaining steam across the United States. Its not clear, though, how such laws could be written in a way that would have prevented Howard from acquiring and keeping the guns he obtained after his brief emergency room stay. Modeled after domestic violence restraining orders, these risk-based gun removal laws, also known as red-flag laws, allow law enforcement, and in some cases family members of potentially threatening individuals, to petition courts for temporary gun seizures. After weighing the persons history of substance abuse, domestic violence and other evidence of imminent risk, which can include mental health, judges can order ex-parte gun seizures without allowing the targeted person to weigh in. The person is then entitled to a hearing, usually within two or three weeks, to argue for the return of the guns, and judges determine if its safe to do so or if the guns should be held another year. The idea is to effectively target risky behavior, which isnt well captured by focusing strictly on mental health, said Allison Anderman, managing attorney at the Giffords Law Center, which advocates gun-violence prevention laws. Part of the whole point of these laws is to disarm someone without subjecting them to the stigma of involuntary commitment, Anderman said. Its much less of an invasive procedure than taking someone into custody. The earliest versions of these laws passed in Indiana and Connecticut about two decades ago, allowing law enforcement to remove guns after showing probable cause of imminent danger. Californias 2014 red-flag law introduced the restraining orders, which could be granted even when the targeted individual didnt own guns, prohibiting them from future purchases. The California law also expanded the categories of who can petition to include family or household members. Opponents argued this opened the door to people abusing the law during interpersonal conflicts. The California State Assembly recently approved a bill adding employers, school personnel and co-workers. Versions of red-flag laws are now on the books in nine states, including four that have passed since the Valentines Day high school shooting in Parkland, Fla., according to The Trace, a nonprofit news website focused on gun violence. Such laws were considered, or are still being considered, in 10 other states, including Louisiana. The National Rifle Association has expressed general support for red-flag laws. The executive director of the NRAs institute for legislative action, Chris Cox, said gun restraining orders can be a good way to reduce violence, so long as they have strong due process protections, and require that the person get treatment. A proposal for a Louisiana red-flag law by state Rep. Gary Carter, D-New Orleans, floundered in the recently concluded legislative session. Carters House Bill 448 received one hearing in the House Administration of Criminal Justice committee that ended with Carter requesting another hearing to allow for modifications before a vote. A second hearing of the bill was never scheduled. Carters bill allowed only district attorneys and peace officers to petition for gun seizures and limited the initial seizure period to 14 days, both features of more restrictive red-flag laws. Top stories in Acadiana in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up The committee chairman, Sherman Mack, R-Albany, applauded Carter for proposing the bill, but showed little enthusiasm for it during the April 5 committee hearing. Macks chief concern was that the bill targets people who possess guns, without clarifying who owns them. Carter repeatedly tried to assure Mack that he could modify the bill to specify legal ownership, but Mack was unmoved. You have to define possession, ownership, Mack said. I get the bill, but its got some pretty wide-open doors that could be abused. Carter was joined at the hearing by Victoria Coy, who was then the executive director of the Louisiana Violence Reduction Coalition. In an interview, Coy said she thought Mack was deliberately nitpicking technicalities that could have been easily addressed in amendments. The questions being asked were not in good faith, Coy said. We expected to go in to debate fairly. We expected to debate the merits of the law. A Washington, D.C.-based state liaison with the National Rifle Association, Erin Luper, reiterated at the hearing that the NRA supports gun restraining orders, but opposed Carters bill. The NRAs opposition to Carters bill also included its lack of mechanism for returning weapons once they expire, and the reporting of gun restraining orders to the national background check system with no way to remove them, Luper said. Court orders People with mental illnesses who have been deemed by a court, board, commission or other lawful authority to be dangerous to themselves or others are prohibited from buying guns under federal regulations. That and other prohibitions are enforced via the National Instant Criminal Background Check System, which relies on states to report disqualifying information. Louisiana only reports court orders for treatment to the national database, not emergency holds like the one imposed on Howard, even though both result in involuntary inpatient care Emergency holds are far more common in Louisiana than judicial commitments. There are typically between 1,800 and 2,000 judicial commitments annually across the state, according to the Mental Health Advocacy Service, a state agency that provides legal representation for the mentally ill. More than 4,500 coroners emergency certificates were executed in Lafayette Parish alone last year, according to the Coroners Office. Coroners certificates in Lafayette Parish almost always come after those signed by physicians, so they provide a reasonable estimate of the number of 15-day emergency holds, according to the Coroners Office chief investigator. At least one large-parish coroner thinks emergency holds ought to merit consideration of eligibility for gun ownership, even if such holds are an imperfect measure for automatic disqualification. It should trigger additional background checks and psychosocial testing, said Jefferson Parish Coroner Gerry Cvitanovich. I think thats a reasonable course of action. Im not saying they cant have a gun. Im just saying they should undergo some additional scrutiny. Scholarly research shows that a tiny percentage of people with severe mental illnesses such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and major depression commit violence, but that the rate of violence among this group is still higher than others. Only 2.9 percent of people with those diagnoses commit violence in any given year, almost equivalent to the violence rate among substance abusers who are not mentally ill, according to a 2011 study published in the journal Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology. The violence rate jumps to 10 percent for people are severely mentally ill and also substance abusers, according to the study, and the rate is 0.8 percent for those who are neither. That was one of many studies the Consortium for Risk-Based Firearm Policy drew upon in a landmark 2013 report that fueled the policy movement toward restraining and protection orders at the heart red flag laws over the last five years. The report warns against directly attributing risk to mental illness, since diagnosis-based gun policies are unlikely to reduce violence. Lack of anger impulse control, childhood trauma and substance abuse are more reliable indicators of violence risk than a mental health diagnosis, said Amy Barnhorst, a UC-Davis clinical professor who was a member of the consortium. Its going to miss a lot of people who are very dangerous, Barnhorst said, referring to gun restrictions based on diagnosis. Its also going to include a lot of people who are not dangerous, because the standard, run-of-the-mill person with a serious mental illness is not a wild and crazy, murderous psychopath. At the same time, however, the consortium recommended hospitalization-based prohibitions that are tougher than the common, judicial-based interpretation of federal regulations. The consortium recommended states expand the prohibition to temporarily include anyone subjected to short-term, involuntary psychiatric hospitalization, based on its finding that there is a heightened risk for violence among small subgroups of people with severe mental illnesses in the period after discharge. Such a prohibition, effective for five years, already exists in California. But legal advocates for the mentally ill such as Kathy Cook, deputy general counsel for the Mental Health Advocacy Service, are concerned prohibitions like the one in California risk unfair discrimination while ignoring more threatening individuals. Short-term, involuntary hospitalizations in Louisiana are based on brief evaluations, the results of which can be influenced by a variety of factors unrelated to dangerous mental illness, Cook said. The only way hospitalization-based prohibitions can be fair, Cook said, is if there are similar ones based on one-time evaluations for other groups, such as failed drug screens for substance abusers. I dont know of any other rights that we have that would be in danger based on a 15-minute eyeball conversation, Cook said. You would not do that with any other type of population group. But, Barnhorst said, hospitalization-based prohibition has two advantages as a policy: they target a specific group for whom there is evidence of heightened risk, and they are based on trackable events. That is what good firearm legislation should do, Barnhorst said. We already have a lot more broad and less evidence-based prohibitions in place. We are never going to be able to look out there and pick out exactly who is going to be violent. Consortium recommendations On its face, the consortiums recommendation of a gun prohibition based on involuntary hospitalization would seem to have precluded Howards gun purchases. But Barnhorst noted a critical distinction: the recommendation was intended to include an evaluation by a psychiatrist, which she said is necessary to trigger the California prohibition. While Howard had unimpeded access to guns in the days after his emergency room stay, he had no access to psychiatrists during the days he was there. Its not clear if Howard received a psychiatric evaluation at another facility during his involuntary treatment last year. The University Hospital emergency room has a designated extension for psychiatric patients, but it has no mental health professionals on staff, said Ali Sadeghi, the emergency director. I dont have access to psychiatrists, I dont have a counselor, I dont have a social warker, Sadeghi said. We do all of that ourselves. He said the limited space available for psychiatric patients admitted to the University Hospital emergency room means that sometimes decisions on discharges are made based on non-medical considerations, such as whether family members are available to pick up patients. I dont have the ability to be the psychiatrist, but Im making the judgment as a psychiatrist, Sadeghi said. Because of circumstances, we are forced to do something. We make a judgment saying you are probably safe to go home. Schoolchildren from several Louisiana public schools came to Southern University on Nov. 5, 2015, expecting a special performance by the famed Human Jukebox, all 250 members, along with the Dancing Dolls. Instead, a much smaller band consisting of two drum lines showed up to play that Thursday morning at Southerns Felton G. Clark Activity Center. There were no horns and no Dancing Dolls. The event started late and ended early. Its organizer, Octagon Media, which reported selling 2,305 tickets, claimed it lost more than $17,000 on what was billed as JukeFest 2015. Can't see PDF below? Click here. Two years later, the media firm sued the university and then Band Director Nathan Haymer alleging breach of contract, litigation that is still making its way through court. On Haymer was fired May 1 after other emails surfaced suggesting he might have pocketed money from a handful of Mardi Gras parades. He has since lodged an appeal that set to be heard June 22 by the Southern University Board of Supervisors. +5 Southern University fires popular band director, he says he is disappointed with decision Ending days of limbo for its band director, Southern University on Tuesday fired Nathan Haymer, bringing his leadership of the famed Human Juk Haymers brother, Niles Haymer, remains his co-counsel, but the former band director has hired New Orleans attorney Karl Bernard as his lead counsel. Niles Haymer said Friday that his brother has ample documentation to show he did nothing wrong that he intends to present at his appeal hearing. He kept every receipt, he kept everything, Niles Haymer said about his brother. The disappointment of those who came to the Nov. 5, 2015, event at Southern University is palpable in emails the university provided to The Advocate in response to a public records request. Mark Gulley from Polk Elementary in Baton Rouge emailed Octagons founder, Maranda White, just hours after the event. He contrasted the 37-minute performance he witnessed versus the promises White made to him and other educators. We paid $500 to attend this event and someone at Southern University owes us an explanation, Gulley said. Nathan Broe, the music teacher at LaBelle Aire Elementary in Baton Rouge, emailed White that night, offering a similar list of glaring discrepancies between what his kids were led to believe they would be experiencing and the disappointing event they watched. I am not concerned with the personal consequences and repercussions of a failed field trip, Broe concluded. My students have lives that matter to me. Their disappointment and shattered trust is of great concern to me. They deserve better than what they got today, a lot better. The released emails revealed that Nathan Haymer had soured on the event just days before it was to occur. The band announced on Facebook on Oct. 30 that the event had been canceled. That same day, Haymer sent Christopher Brown, then Southerns executive vice president and provost, urging him to pull the plug on the event. The band director said Octagon Media had failed to answer his financial questions satisfactorily. I am not assured that the band will be treated fairly in terms of the profit from the event, Nathan Haymer wrote. In her lawsuit, White, of Octagon Media, suggested there were other reasons the event didn't come off as billed. White said Nathan Haymer sent her a text message just five days before the event that she found unsettling. In it, she said, he asked for a check be written out to him that would be hidden from the business. Top stories in Baton Rouge in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up Yes, the ten percent needs to be a check made payable to me so that the staff can be properly compensated," the text read, according to the lawsuit. "I am asking for you to hide this ten percent in your percentage charge from your business. If this cannot be done, please let me know." +4 Human Jukebox members defend Southern band leader as internal investigation ensues Members of Southern University's famed Human Jukebox crowded into the Southern Board of Supervisors meeting Friday, pleading the case for thei After she balked at paying money under the table, White said, Haymer began to back out of the event and then canceled it. White fought back, the emails make clear, persuading Brown and Southerns general counsel, Tracie Woods, to enter into a written contract for the full Human Jukebox to appear at the event. Niles Haymer has said that his brother was subsequently cleared by the university for his actions in connection to Octagon Media, though no records have been released as yet revealing any inquiry into Haymers behavior at that time. But when Octagon Media filed its lawsuit earlier this year, it sparked local news coverage. WBRZ-TV on April 17 asked for emails from Haymer for the first four months of 2018. Those emails prompted an internal investigation led by Brian D. Adams, executive director of internal audit. In his five-page report on that investigation, which the university released to The Advocate in response to its public records request, Adams wrote that Nathan Haymer likely violated nine different sections of the state ethics law by accepting items of economic value, specifically $14,700 in direct payments that were paid to him by four Mardi Gras krewes. Adams also concluded that Haymer had violated a direct directive from the university in striking deals with five Mardi Gras krewes without receving approval from higher ups. Kathleen Allen, administrator for the Louisiana Board of Ethics, told The Advocate that she could not as a matter of agency policy either confirm or deny whether the office has received an ethics complaint connected to Nathan Haymer. +4 Southern University announces interim director of bands after firing last leader Southern University's associate director of bands will step in as the interim director after the former leader of the famed Human Jukebox was On Wednesday, April 25, six days before he was fired, Nathan Haymer was interviewed by Adams. According to the report, Haymer admitted to Adams that hed accepted direct payments, calling them honorariums, part of which he used to pay his staff, part to pay himself. He argued, Adams wrote, that such payments were customary and that the previous Southern band director received them, as well as directors of other college bands. Can't see PDF below? Click here. Adams said the previous director, Lawrence Jackson, denied ever receiving such payments. Adams also wrote that he called auditors with LSU and Grambling and confirmed that their band directors dont get honorariums or similar direct pay. Nathan Haymers new attorney, Karl Bernard, said he is preparing a full accounting of his activities to present to the Board of Supervisors in hopes they will reconsider. We want them to have the opportunity to view the whole truth, not just part of the truth, Bernard said. The National Weather Service discontinued the tropical storm and storm surge watches related to subtropical storm Alberto for Louisiana on Saturday afternoon. The watches were previously in effect for west of the mouth of the Pearl River, but the National Weather Service canceled them, according to the 4 p.m. advisory report. A storm surge watch is still in effect from the mouth of the Pearl River to the Crystal River in Florida. A tropical storm watch is still in effect from the mouth of the Pearl River to the border of Mississippi and Alabama, according to the advisory. Meteorologist anticipated that the center of Alberto the first named storm of the 2018 hurricane season that officially starts June 1 will move over the eastern Gulf of Mexico on Saturday night through Sunday night before approaching the northern Gulf Coast on Monday. The storm moved into the Gulf of Mexico on Saturday morning. Top stories in Baton Rouge in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up Current projections through Thursday show the Baton Rouge and New Orleans areas receiving less than an inch of rain, according to the New Orleans and Baton Rouge office of the National Weather Service. "Greatest concern continues to be the potential for heavy rain over coastal Mississippi but with the latest shift east in the track rainfall amounts have been dropped considerably," an update from the New Orleans and Baton Rouge office of the National Weather Service read. It appears Louisiana is in the clear when it comes to the heavier amount of rainfall from Subtropical Storm Alberto, according to the National Hurricane Center. In their 10 p.m. update Saturday, the NHC said Alberto's center reformed somewhat to the northeast of its previous position in the 4 p.m. update. This new forecast shifts Alberto's path further away from Louisiana. The potential rainfall amount has also trended downward for Louisiana, which is now expected to only receive between 1-2 inches of rain over the next five days. Earlier Saturday, the NHC called off the Tropical Storm Watch and Storm Surge Watch for the New Orleans area. Alberto's latest track has the storm moving north-northeastward at 13 mph with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph. A turn toward the north-northwest is expected Sunday through Monday night, with the center of Alberto crossing the eastern and northern Gulf of Mexico through Monday before making its expected landfall at the Mississippi-Alabama border by Monday evening. Alberto turns sights toward Alabama-Florida border; SE La. expected to be spared People around southeast Louisiana breathed a little easier Saturday as subtropical storm Alberto appeared to be headed farther east, meaning i Alberto the first named storm of the 2018 hurricane season that officially starts June 1 is expected to strengthen as it sweeps northward through the Gulf of Mexico. Top stories in Baton Rouge in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up At a briefing in Tallahassee, Florida authorities urged residents to take the storm seriously and to organize water, food, medicines and other preparations. Gov. Rick Scott declared a state of emergency, which gives him wide latitude to prepare. In Mississippi, Gov. Phil Bryant said on Twitter that he has signed an emergency proclamation to make the National Guard and other resources available. Cuba maintained its tropical storm watch for the province of Pinar del Rio, while Mexico cancelled its watch for the resort-dotted coast of the Yucatan peninsula, where the storm brought heavy rain. There were no immediate reports of emergencies. In Cancun, local newspapers showed scenes of some streets flooded to mid-hubcap level. Forecasters at the National Weather Service warned residents along coastal Alabama and Mississippi as well as the Florida Panhandle to brace for heavy rain and high winds. Isolated tornadoes were also possible. The NWS said a flash flood watch would be in effect from Saturday evening through Tuesday evening for southeastern Mississippi, much of southern Alabama, and the western Florida Panhandle. +4 Understanding Alberto: What does 'subtropical' mean? Possible impacts in south Louisiana? The first storm of the 2018 Atlantic Hurricane Center was named Friday morning as Subtropical Storm Alberto officially formed over the northwe "This system will bring excessive rainfall to the watch area beginning Saturday evening and continuing through Tuesday evening. Rainfall amounts of 5 to 8 inches, and possibly locally up to double these amounts are possible in this area with this event," the NWS said. The next forecast advisory will be Sunday morning. Mixing dire warnings about the urgent need for action to save Louisiana's disappearing coast with optimistic statements about the future, Gov. The high-speed chase ended in his arrest in a man-made pond in Algiers, but Kidus Wodajo was sure he had outwitted the police. Wodajo was so proud of his ruse, in fact, that he placed a series of calls from the New Orleans jail bragging about his disposal of a firearm that, as a convicted felon, would have compounded the charges he faced for fleeing from authorities in a stolen vehicle. During one monitored conversation, he revealed that he had pulled a handgun out of his waistband and left it "in the lake" before being taken into custody. "I'm too smart for those bitches," Wodajo crowed, referring to law enforcement. It seems unlikely that Wodajo knew his calls every word he spoke into the receiver were being recorded and saved into a digital library for the perusal of prosecutors and police. So New Orleans police, after learning about the calls, drained the pond and recovered a loaded Taurus Millennium pistol a discovery that landed Wodajo a nearly four-year sentence in federal prison. That 2013 case highlights the investigative value of eavesdropping on jailhouse phone calls a widely used technique that drew fresh criticism last week from a New Orleans watchdog group. Law enforcement agencies monitor even the most innocuous phone conversations behind bars, listening for code words or less subtle tidbits that can help crack a case. Report questions recording of New Orleans inmates' calls to their lawyers Thousands of times a month, New Orleans jail inmates pick up a phone to call friends, lovers or lawyers. Almost all those calls are recorded, The watchdog group, Court Watch NOLA, said the Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office has taken it a step too far, recording not only inmates' discussions with friends and family but also calls they place to defense attorneys' cell phones. Attorneys in New Orleans may conduct unrecorded landline phone calls with their clients after signing an affidavit promising not to allow anyone else on the call. Court Watch NOLA blasted the practice of recording any calls to lawyers a practice not unique to New Orleans as an unconstitutional subversion of attorney-client privilege. Why do they do it? But the criticism also raised a question that has confounded defense attorneys, detectives and corrections administrators since jails began tapping inmate phone banks decades ago: Why do so many defendants make incriminating statements over jailhouse phones, despite clear warnings that their conversations are being monitored? "We've wondered that, too," said Burl Cain, the longtime former warden of the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola. "It's incredibly useful. If any kind of event occurs on the inside, you can track it back and figure out the players, or sometimes you even catch it on the front end and prevent some kind of violence." Correctional facilities warn inmates and often the people on the receiving end of their calls that their conversations are being recorded. The technology has become so sophisticated in some lockups that speech-recognition software flags certain "trigger words," alerting authorities of any mention of an escape, contraband smuggling and other security threats. And yet, prosecutors have built entire cases on admissions made during these calls. In New Orleans, Don Hancock, who long worked as the telephone supervisor at the Sheriff's Office, became known as "the closer" because of how frequently he was called upon to testify in criminal proceedings. "There's a sign on top of the phone saying you're being recorded, but you've still got guys setting up dope drop-offs," said Gregory Hartshorn, who served 10 years in prison for a carjacking conviction in Jefferson Parish. Hartshorn, who during his term became a "jailhouse lawyer" at the Elayn Hunt Correctional Center in St. Gabriel, recalled a case in which an inmate committed a shooting and then told his girlfriend during a recorded call from behind bars that he had hidden the gun in a dryer and that she should dispose of it. "We're not talking about the highest education level here," said Hartshorn, who now works in home construction. "I think it's mostly out of desperation, and a lot of times it's just stupidity." But Prem Burns, a former longtime prosecutor in Baton Rouge, said the phenomenon involves more than an inmate's intellect, or lack thereof. She likened incriminating jailhouse calls to the psychological need that some criminals have to "return to the scene of the crime." "I think there is a natural human desire to unburden yourself, to talk to somebody about it, in the same way they often give a confession to a cellmate," Burns said. "They know they're being recorded, but there's still that natural desire to talk." Michael Tidwell, a corrections administrator who worked in several jails around the country, including two stints in New Orleans, described an "ingrained logic" in which many inmates do not believe their calls are actually being recorded let alone listened to. He said they consider the warnings to be an intimidation tactic intended to dissuade inmates from communicating with people on the outside. "They figure, 'There aren't even enough deputies here to watch us. How could they possibly have somebody listening on the phone?' " Tidwell said. "And they'll say the damnedest things. You go back and listen to them and it's like, 'I can't believe this guy is admitting this on the phone.' " Fair warning? Longtime defense attorney Arthur "Buddy" Lemann III said jailhouse phone calls have become a "staple" of federal drug prosecutions, such as the recent racketeering case that dismantled the murderous 39'ers gang. That case involved nearly 8,000 jail calls. Lemann said he has begun advising clients not to use jail phones for any purpose and if they do, not to discuss their cases under any circumstances. "I think recording the inmates is wrong and, in many cases, I don't think the warning they're receiving is sufficient," he said. "These people are in custody, and they really aren't being given the full Miranda warning that anything you say, even to your lawyer, may be used against you." The Orleans Parish District Attorney's Office, in responding to Court Watch NOLA, said last week that prosecutors use recorded calls between inmates and their attorneys on an "exceedingly rare" basis. It has happened, however, as in the case of Gerard Howard, a man who told his defense attorney over a jailhouse phone that he had gone through detox shortly before his arrest. Prosecutors introduced the call to help convict Howard of possessing drug paraphernalia in 2015. "It completely changed the way I dealt with clients," the defense attorney, Thomas Frampton, wrote in an email. "I effectively stopped taking clients' calls." In Louisiana state prisons, calls between inmates and defense attorneys are recorded "but not monitored unless the warden determines a security need exists," said Ken Pastorick, a spokesman for the state Department of Public Safety and Corrections. But authorities consider other jailhouse calls to be fair game and regularly mine them for investigative leads. Keith Foster, a New Orleans heroin trafficker, placed a call following his 2015 arrest in which he not only ordered the killing of a confidential informant "I need you to take care of that" but told the man on the other end of the phone where he could find the "piece" for the hit. "Don't nobody know where it's at but you," Foster said, according to federal court records. "Go get that bitch." Foster was sentenced to nearly 25 years in federal prison. The would-be hit man, Kermeric Johnson, of Chalmette, received an 18-year sentence. Jailhouse calls can be a honey pot for law enforcement, particularly in the days before a case goes to trial or is presented to a grand jury. One former U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration agent said investigators frequently review the calls to corroborate information they receive from cooperating witnesses. "You don't even need a search warrant," said the agent, who spoke on the condition of anonymity. "We'd always use the calls on the federal side." Reality or pretense? Burns, the former prosecutor, said the calls can be useful even when they do not contain an explicit confession. Criminal defendants often do not take the witness stand, but recorded calls offer a window into their mindset and demeanor. Authorities learned from jailhouse calls that William "Billy" Bates Colvin a former East Baton Rouge Parish Clerk's Office employee who stole several kilograms of cocaine from an evidence vault received preferential treatment while awaiting trial in the Pointe Coupee Parish Jail. Calls between Colvin and his mother, Kay Bates, then a state district court judge, revealed that Colvin was not being searched after meeting with visitors. Colvin later pleaded guilty to malfeasance in office, possession of cocaine and obstruction of justice. He served five years in prison and was released last year. In New Orleans, prosecutors used recorded calls this year to rebut Travis Boys' claim that he was insane when he fatally shot veteran police officer Daryle Holloway in 2015. Boys' behavior had raised questions about his mental health, especially when he ate feces in front of potential jurors last year. But prosecutors accused him of malingering, pointing in part to calls he placed to his girlfriend that suggested he indeed understood the gravity of the charges against him. Jurors ultimately rejected the insanity claim, and Boys was sentenced to life in prison. "You can put someone in a nice suit for a jury trial, and they can pretend they're not intellectually bright or that they have a mental disability," Burns said. "But if you really hear them on the phone, in their own setting, using their own language, it shows their ability to think and to plan. They're not the raving maniac they come into court claiming to be." A former top military aide to three U.S. presidents and his business partner made a simple pitch to foreign investors: Pump money into post-Katrina rebuilding efforts in New Orleans and get an easy path to a green card allowing them to stay in the U.S. But rather than using the money to build a promised hotel complex in Algiers, retired Air Force Col. Timothy Milbrath and William B. Bart Hungerford Jr. spent it buying things like half-million-dollar homes for themselves, federal prosecutors say. A grand jury in New Orleans handed up a raft of fraud charges Friday against Milbrath, 62, and Hungerford, 57, and they could face years in prison and hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines if convicted. At the center of the case is the so-called EB-5 visa program, which allows immigrants to obtain permanent residency if they invest at least $500,000 in a U.S. company that within two years creates jobs for 10 Americans in an area with a high unemployment rate. New Orleans was one such area following its devastation by Hurricane Katrina in 2005. And in October 2006, then-Mayor Ray Nagins administration signed a contract giving a company founded by Milbrath and Hungerford the exclusive right to link EB-5 visa hopefuls with local projects in which to invest. The company, NobleOutReach, collected $15.5 million from 31 immigrants from countries such as China, Turkey, Jamaica, Iraq, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom. Milbrath and Hungerford, of Maryland, bought into several coffee shops and bars that brought jobs to some of the areas in New Orleans that Katrina least affected, so none of that helped the investors quest for green cards, according to reports from WWL-TV. Plans to build a hotel, conference center and WOW Cafe & Wingery on an empty lot in the 3000 block of Gen. de Gaulle Drive in Algiers were supposed to help the investors status in the EB-5 program. Yet the complex never materialized, despite a groundbreaking ceremony that featured live music, dancing, and speeches from city and state politicos. Can't see video below? Click here. Top stories in New Orleans in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up Among other things, federal authorities say, Milbrath and Hungerford instead used the money to pay their and their wives' salaries roughly $210,000 each one year. Some of the money also helped Milbrath buy a $580,000 vacation home in Delaware, the indictment says, and Hungerford allegedly used some of it to buy a $490,000 home in Virginia that he then rented to his relatives. Milbrath and Hungerford claimed that checks they wrote for themselves from investor funds were loans and loan repayments. To hide where the money was actually going, they set up an elaborate web of companies and lied to federal immigration officials as well as New Orleans leaders, prosecutors allege. Investors filed a lawsuit in 2014 in New Orleans Civil District Court seeking damages from Hungerford, Milbrath, their wives and various companies. The plaintiffs argued that the scam robbed them of money and left them facing deportation proceedings when their visas expired and the jobs required for them to get green cards werent created. Some of the plaintiffs had settled before the feds charged Milbrath and Hungerford on Friday with five counts of wire fraud plus counts of plotting to commit mail and wire fraud, commit immigration fraud and launder money. Through the years, there have been a number of fraud cases involving the EB-5 visa program. A message left at a telephone number associated with NobleOutReach was not returned. An attorney for the investors who sued Hungerford and Milbrath didnt respond to a request for comment either. Milbrath served as the White House Military Offices chief of staff under Presidents Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton. Nagin in 2014 was sentenced to 10 years in prison following his conviction on corruption charges. Staff writer John Simerman contributed to this report. if the people of Biafra want Republic of Biafra, it will be a reality during my administration. ----Donald Trump Donald Trump I wi... Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark ride in a carriage through the streets of Copenhagen during Frederiks 50th birthday festivities, 26 May 2018 (BAX LINDHARDT/AFP/Getty Images) Royals gathered at Christiansborg Palace in Denmark today to mark the 50th birthday of Crown Prince Frederik with a white-tie gala. You know what that means tiaras! HENNING BAGGER/AFP/Getty Images Queen Margrethe II paid tribute to her son while wearing her newest sparkler, the Naasut Tiara. She paired it with its matching earrings and a diamond riviere. The pair of square diamond brooches she wears originally belonged to Queen Josefina of Sweden and Norway; they were originally used to secure the cloaks worn as part of traditional Swedish court dress. BAX LINDHARDT/AFP/Getty Images For her husbands big birthday celebrations, Crown Princess Mary also wore her newest sparkler: her Edwardian Tiara, a diamond, ruby, and spinel diadem that can also be removed from its frame and worn as a necklace. She wore the tiara with the earrings that she had made to coordinate with the piece. screencapture Princess Marie of Denmark didnt offer us any surprises with her tiara choice for the evening: she wore Princess Dagmars Floral Tiara, which has been her go-to sparkler since her wedding day a decade ago. screencapture Countess Alexandra of Frederiksborg, was also on the guest list. She wore the lovely Alexandrine Diamond Drop Tiara for the evening. screencapture Princess Benedikte shone in the grand Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg Fringe Tiara, a legacy from the family of her late husband, Prince Richard. She paired it with the diamond fan earrings from her mother, the late Queen Ingrid, and the diamond necklace from the collection of her Danish grandmother, Queen Alexandrine. She pinned her diamond and sapphire brooch, which belonged to Princess Thyra, at her right shoulder. screencapture Benediktes daughter, Alexandra of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg, was the other female member of the SWB family in attendance. She borrowed her mothers diamond floral tiara for the occasion; she also wore a pair of earrings set with pale blue gems. screencapture Queen Anne-Marie arrived for the gala dinner with King Constantine. She wore one of the familys most important tiaras: the Khedive of Egypt Tiara, which is the wedding tiara for Queen Ingrids female descendants. She also wore her portion of the Queen Alexandrine necklace, plus the aquamarine heart pendant from the collection of Margaret of Connaught. screencapture Anne-Maries daughter-in-law, Marie-Chantal, disappointed just a bit with her tiara choice. She sank a diamond necklace or bracelet into her hair as a bandeau for the evening, and it was barely visible. She also wore two long necklaces. screencapture Heres another angle that shows Marie-Chantals hair ornament, which appears to wrap most (if not all) of the way around her head. screencapture But Marie-Chantals daughter, Maria Olympia, was one of the most exciting tiara wearers in attendance at the gala. For the first time, she wore her very own sparkler: the Miller Fringe Tiara. This piece was a gift to baby Maria Olympia from her maternal grandmother on the day of her christening. During her childhood, it was often worn by her mother, Marie-Chantal. Now Olympia appears to have reclaimed it for her own jewelry box. screencapture Shes slightly blurry here, but Anne-Maries younger daughter, Theodora of Greece and Denmark, borrowed her mothers Antique Corsage Tiara for the event. She paired it with a pendant necklace and a cluster button brooch. screencapture And one more heirloom Danish royal tiara was on display: Countess Sussie of Rosenborg wore Queen Alexandrines Fringe Tiara for the occasion. screencapture Royals from other European houses were in attendance, too. Queen Silvia of Sweden brought out a tiara we dont see very often: the King Edward VII Ruby Tiara. She also wore diamonds, including the Karl Johan Earrings. screencapture Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden wore a favorite sparkler, the Baden Fringe Tiara, pairing it with the diamond floral earrings from the Brazilian parure. HENNING BAGGER/AFP/Getty Images Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway wore her wedding tiara, the Diamond Daisy Bandeau, with her convertible diamond pendant earrings, worn on this occasion with pearl drops. screencapture Fresh off the state visit to Luxembourg, Queen Maxima of the Netherlands wore a low-profile tiara with incredible wattage: the Dutch Diamond Bandeau. She paired the tiara with lots of additional diamonds, including one of the familys large diamond brooches, which she pinned at her waist. screencapture Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg wore the familys Chaumet Choker Tiara with its pearl toppers. This is the second time weve seen the tiara this week; Hereditary Grand Duchess Stephanie wore it on Wednesday evening for the Dutch state banquet. screencapture You can just see the tiara, pearls and all, peeking over the crowd in this shot. screencapture Queen Mathilde of the Belgians was lovely in diamonds, including the Brabant Laurel Wreath Tiara, her diamond fringe earrings, and Queen Fabiolas Diamond Fringe Brooch. screencapture Hereditary Princess Sophie of Liechtenstein doesnt usually attend Danish royal events, so it was wonderful to see her at this gala. She donned the Habsburg Fringe Tiara and a lovely diamond ribbon brooch for the occasion. screencapture And we also caught a glimpse of the magnificent Ancona Tiara on Camilla of Bourbon-Two Sicilies. She and her husband are good friends of the Danish crown princely couple; hes even one of Princess Josephines godparents. It was a festival of fringes tonight, with examples from Denmark, Germany, Sweden, Greece, and Liechtenstein on show. Which jewels from tonight were your favorites? Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Editorial Board (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Sat, May 26, 2018 09:49 1235 a7124a1e87885b91d244660f9e629651 2 Editorial legislation,terrorism,Terrorism-Law,terrorism-law-amandment,TNI,military,National-Police Free Indonesia will soon have a new terrorism law. The House of Representatives had been sitting on the legislation for months, but on Friday, barely two weeks after a series of deadly terrorist attacks in the country, they finished their work. It took a crisis to get our representatives off their backsides. A major point of contention was the role of the Indonesian Military (TNI) in fighting terrorism. Will they have full authority or play second fiddle to the National Police as they do under the current law? The House has settled on the former. Ironically, it was National Police chief Gen. Tito Karnavian who pressed for the new law to be enacted, arguing shortly after the attacks that also killed at least six police officers that he needed more authority to more effectively fight terrorists. The new authorities include the right to detain suspects longer and with less bureaucracy. Armed with these extra powers, which the military will also have, human rights groups must now ensure that they are not abused. It has been nearly 20 years since the military was removed from politics and then confined to dealing with national defense, leaving national security the domain of the police. The extra powers under the new terrorism law call to mind the Subversion Law, one of the first laws the nation repealed immediately after the fall of Soehartos militarybacked regime in 1998, because it was widely abused to silence and jail critics of the government. To their credit, the police have done a superb job in keeping the nation safe from terrorism, which is categorized as an extraordinary crime. The attacks a few weeks ago, including at the National Polices Mobile Brigade headquarters in Jakartas suburb of Depok, were a few lapses in security. There would have been far deadlier attacks had it not been for the police, particularly its Densus 88 counterterrorism squad. This is evident in the number of suspected terrorists they have killed, arrested, prosecuted and jailed in several operations to bust terrorist networks and cells. The nation has now decided the military and the police will share the responsibility. For the safety and security of the country, we ask that the National Police and TNI work together as equal partners. This may not be as easy as it seems, as the police were treated as the soldiers little brothers in the past. One key area for collaboration is sharing intelligence. Gen. Tito says that in fighting terrorism, 75 percent of the work is in intelligence, 20 percent in developing cases and 5 percent active measures. The attacks earlier this month were clearly intelligence lapses that could have been prevented. Sharing the field also means sharing the burden. Terrorists have targeted police officers, stations and even headquarters as for much of the last 10 years precisely because the police have gotten in the way of their struggle to establish a caliphate. For better or worse, we will soon have a new terrorism law with all the attendant risks. There are no more excuses, and certainly no more lapses, for allowing another deadly terrorist attack to occur. A hair-raising ride with race car driver Danica Patrick, a masked ball at Versailles, a visit to a camel racetrack in Abu Dhabi, and, of course, rare Napa wines: Thats a tiny taste of whats on offer at the 38th extravagant Auction Napa Valley. The purpose of the lavish, four-day, annual event is to raise as much money as possible for two dozen local charities, such as Boys & Girls Clubs of Napa Valley, St. Helena Hospital, and Ole Health. It kicks off on Thursday night, May 31, with such spectacular vintner-hosted welcome dinners as the one at Barnett Vineyards, on top of Spring Mountain. But you can start bidding remotely in the e-auction on Memorial Day weekend. Nearly 300 lots in the weeklong e-auction, Friday barrel auction, and Saturday live auction will provide plenty of ways to spend, spend, and spend more. The live event is sold out, but you can still bid from home. (See below for my picks.) The big question is whether 2018s take will break the 2014 record of $18.4 million. That will depend on whos bidding, but given the state of the stock market, the odds are that many of the 2,000 attendees will feel flush. This years theme could be called the year of the woman. The co-chairs are four sisters, Angelina, Alycia, Riana, and Giovanna Mondavi, whose family owns Charles Krug, the oldest winery in Napa. Their grandfather Peter was the brother of Robert Mondavi, who founded his eponymous winery after the two split in a bitter fight. (They reconciled in 2005.) Theyre the first all-female team to chair the event andwith ages that range from 25 to 35also the youngest. Introduced to the wine industry at birth, theyre fourth-generation wine insiders with their own tiny collective project, Dark Matter Wines, which makes small quantities of a powerful, aromatic zinfandel and a spicy, smoky cabernet. They are also involved other family brands, such as high-end cabernet winery Aloft. Everyone expects the grandiose at Auction Napa Valley, No. 2 sister Alycia explains when I meet the quartet in February, but we want to remind people that were families and farmers first. They reached out to people in their generation, looking for ways to make the event more approachable. One of their more down-to-Earth ideas is the rose popsicle cart that will circulate before the Live Auction. Another is the picnic path on the spacious lawns of Charles Krug during Fridays Barrel Auction; it will wind among food and wine pavilions representing six Napa villages. The tents will showcase top vintners and restaurant dishes, from Calistoga to Carneros. St. Helena features Tomato Beef Gazpacho from Michelin-starred Terra restaurant, as well as Stony Hill Vineyards iconic chardonnay. The Live Auction lots always contain multiple elements: rare wines, exotic trips, lavish dinners, and one-of-a-kind experiences. Serendipity and networking with their friends helped the Mondavis round up their ultimate Arabian dream lot. It started with the idea of the Beach Polo Cup Dubai, says Alycia Mondavi, and one thing led to another. Now the five-day trip includes private tours of the Louvre Abu Dhabi, the royal stables (home to 30 priceless thoroughbreds), and that camel racetrack visit. The Mondavis have also put the family mark on the soulful, family-style dinner the follows the Live Auction. San Francisco chef Nancy Oakes will cook up their grandmothers Italian recipes. Then everyone will heador waddleto a caravan of pastel-colored dessert trucks. All this is a far cry from the first auction in 1981, when the final take of $324,142 was considered a stunning success. Back then, the highest bid, $24,000, was for a case of then unnamed Robert Mondavi/Baron Philippe de Rothschild cabernet that became the first vintage of Opus One. The audience mostly drank water, because the temperature was 105 degrees and the tent wasnt air-conditioned. Read also: Jakpost Nightlife: Wine hangouts Place your bids In the e-auction: The weeklong e-auction (152 lots; $250 minimum bid) kicks off at noon on Sunday, May 27, and closes on June 3. Think of this as live-auction lite. The smaller-scale lots include dinners at the vineyards, private tastings with winemakers, and overnight stays in winery guesthouses. Top picks include a chance to help harvest grapes at Cain Vineyard and Winery, high on Spring Mountain, enough wine to instantly populate a cellar with Napa classics, and a sleepover at a vintners home in buzzed-about sub-region Coombsville. The ultimate wine lot is a Salmanazar (9-liter bottle) of killer cab 1995 Shafer Hillside Select. In the Friday barrel auction: 110 lots (minimum bid, $200) go on sale at Charles Krug winery. Each is a barrel of wine from a different estate; when the auction closes, the top 10 bidders for any barrel will each get one case of the wine. A new mobile app will track your position in the top 10 and send alerts when youve been outbid. Id single out the one-of-a-kind special Insignia cuvee from Joseph Phelps, Larkmead Vineyards the Lark Ascending cabernet from a two-acre vineyard plot, and the inaugural release of the Prisoners new, plush Derange red. In the live auction: Saturday afternoons big spend highlights 32 extraordinary, vintner-sponsored lots that typically bring $100,000 and up. (You can fax an absentee bid by Thursday night.) In addition to the Mondavis Arabian luxury Lot l, I have my eye on Lot 11: Party Like Its 1789 with Opus One. It features a stay at Versailles and an invite to a fabulous masked ball in its Orangerie, where you can dance all night in custom costumes and masks. (Those are yours to keep.) Additional fascinating lots include 100 miles-per-hour-plus laps around a track with Danica Patrick (Lot 28), a tour of Portugals Douro Valley (Lot 14), and a stay at a lavish villa on Saint Barths (Lot 21). The wine highlights are two 1992 vintage double magnums of Screaming Eagle and Paradigm (Lot 27) and five six-liter bottles from Bond (Lot 19). Dont fret if your bids dont make it. Just start thinking of 2019. That will be the 75th anniversary of the founding of Napa Valley Vintners trade association, which promises that next years auction will change everythingmeaning it will be really, really over-the-top. FYI alert: On Monday, June 4, 75 special packages at $7,500 apiece will go on sale. A collection of batik showing a fusion of Mexican and Indonesian influences is currently on display at the Museum of Fine Arts and Ceramics in Kota Tua, West Jakarta, until June 3. Handmade by Indonesian and Mexican students, the Batik a la Mexicana exhibition commemorates 65 years of bilateral relations between the two countries. Mexican Ambassador to Indonesia Armando G. Alvarez said the batik exhibition is only the first of a series of events this year to be hosted by the embassy. The choice of batik, he added, is to celebrate Indonesia's world-renowned technique, which has been included in UNESCO's list of intangible cultural heritage, and to combine it with Mexican designs for an exchange of culture. Read also: US filmmaker showcases batik-making process in Batik of Java In explaining some of the artworks, the ambassador referred to several designs as indigenous Mexican motifs, such as birds and flowers, while others are colonial-inspired or come from contemporary Mexican culture, such as the Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). "So, [the batik display] different Mexican motifs but using an Indonesian technique. What does it mean? Well, it's basically to establish a [] dialogue between the culture of Indonesia and the culture of Mexico," Alvarez told The Jakarta Post during the exhibitions opening night on Wednesday. Upon entering the hall, visitors are greeted by a sheet of batik painted pink and featuring three skulls, inspired by pierced paper designs used during the Day of the Dead, a celebration in Mexico that honors deceased loved ones. Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) batik print created by Erendira Hernandez. (JP/Wienda Parwitasari) The piece was created by Erendira Hernandez, a Mexican student currently studying in Yogyakarta on government-funded scholarship Darmasiswa, which welcomes foreign students from countries with diplomatic ties to Indonesia to study the Indonesian language, art and culture. Several dozen Mexican students have come to Indonesia through the scholarship, Alvarez said. "It is still a small number because Mexico and Indonesia are still discovering each other," he said, adding that the Latin American country continues to open routes for tourism and cultural exchanges with Indonesia. Twenty-six fusion batik pieces are on display, a concept that was developed and supported by Mexican Honorary Consul in Yogyakarta Warwick Purser. Three Indonesian artists and two Mexican students, both Darmasiswa scholars, participated in the exhibition. Zelda W. Kartika, the Foreign Ministry's director of America I, overseeing North and Central America, said the exhibition is a reflection of the close friendship between the two countries. (wng) Nova -- young, black, and a member of Los Angeles's homeless population -- is sick of looking feminine and wants a part-shaved, mainly dreadlocked hairstyle that can appear a little more manly when the occasion demands. Mainstream hairdressers are often inadequate, unable to let Nova express a complex gender identity that falls outside of the traditional binary male-female classification. Nova has come to Project Q, a mobile salon offering free haircuts to homeless "genderqueer" people across Los Angeles, as well as crucial support or advice on combating bullying and developing self-esteem. "Not a lot of barbers will want to work with someone that they perceive as a woman, to cut their hair short, because they don't know what they're doing," said 31-year-old Madin Lopez, Project Q's founder. "They try to leave it more feminine and try to make it pretty (around) the face." Project Q's customers, like Lopez, mainly classify themselves as genderqueer or "non-binary" -- meaning their gender identities are not exclusively masculine or feminine. Like many in the community, they prefer people to refer to them using gender-neutral pronouns -- typically "they," "them" and "their". For black members of the LGBTQ community, finding a hairdresser who understands both their hair type and what they are looking for can pose a much greater challenge than for white people. Nova, who lives in a homeless shelter, says they want to be able to feel "like a princess" on certain days but, on others, put on chest-flattening gear for a more masculine look. In a caravan equipped with a large mirror, a swivel chair and a collection of brushes, scissors and razors, Lopez goes to work, guiding an electric razor to a background soundtrack of R&B. Read also: 'Queer Eye' season two launches globally on Netflix June 15 - 'Resistance' - A paying customer could easily be asked to shell out upwards of $700 for the complex cut Nova wants, but Lopez works free-of-charge and the equipment is covered by donations. "I look at Nova and I see myself. I've been in their shoes. I've been someone that didn't have a place to stay," says the softly-spoken Lopez, face broadening into a smile. The stylist, who looks studious in circular-framed glasses, hair partly shaved, part cropped short, sees self-maintenance as a form of "resistance". "Preservation is key to the longevity of our cause, our activism. I use hair as a form of activism," the crimper says. Lopez's goal is to be a role model for these young people, the kind of mentor figure that the hairdresser never had as a youngster. When Lopez was 13, their parents beat them, unable to accept their child's "queer" identity. One day, a teacher noticed Lopez had marks around their ears and the teenager was put in foster care. "Sometimes it would take two to three weeks for me to even leave my room. And then I got my hair done, one of those times, and... something clicked. I just changed. I felt better about myself," Lopez explains. Before long the budding stylist was cutting schoolmates' hair in return for bus tickets, something to eat or tampons. High school was a breeding ground for violence, however -- Lopez even recalls having friends suffer gunshot wounds -- prompting a move to hairdressing school. Read also: Meet kids who break gender stereotypes, boundaries - 'You're going to hell' - Life remains difficult for LGBTQ youth, despite advancements like the legalization of same-sex marriage, and doubly so for those in minority racial groups. "We're still fighting bathroom laws," Lopez says -- a reference to the ongoing controversy in the United States over access to gender-neutral and women's restrooms for trans people who identify as female. Meanwhile, frequent headlines about black youth being killed by police and homophobic attacks such as the 2016 Pulse nightclub massacre only add to the suffocating sense of unease. "They are killing black men and they're killing gays, and I'm black and I'm gay. So you feel like a target and it's terrifying," Lopez tells AFP. Another pressure, Lopez says, is the powerful influence of Christian evangelists in black communities, who are often intolerant of minority gender identity and sexuality. It was a bitter lesson that Lopez learned upon marrying a woman. "The night before my wedding my dad called and said, 'You're going to hell. I don't want to ever see you again,'" Lopez recalls. Many non-binary young people rejected by their families end up on the streets, a situation exacerbated by California's chronic housing shortage. For Nova, Lopez's hair salon is not merely a place for haircuts, but a sanctuary from the realities of a world that can be harsh for people whose identity is not considered the norm. "It makes my life so much easier, especially going through my transition, especially when I have questions that I don't know how to answer myself," Nova tells AFP. "And having that person that you can connect with, because they understand what you're going through, is very vital. And I feel like... they are literally saving life." Russian police on Saturday said they arrested a man for vandalising one of the best known works of 19th century painter Ilya Repin, depicting Ivan the Terrible killing his son, at a gallery in Moscow. Police said the man used a metal pole to break the glass covering Repin's world famous painting of the 16th century Russian Tsar, titled "Ivan the Terrible and his Son Ivan on November 16, 1581". The Tretyakov Gallery said the work was "seriously damaged" as a result. "The canvas has been ripped in three place in the central part of the Tsar's son. The original frame suffered from the breaking of the glass," the gallery said in a statement. "Thankfully the most valuable part was not damaged," it added, referring to the face and hands of the Tsar and his son, the Tsarevich. The statement added that the incident took place late on Friday, just before the museum closed. "The man entered the already empty Ilya Repin room. He bypassed staff who were scanning the rooms before the closing, and hit the glass of the painting several times with a metal pole," the gallery said. Russian state news agency TASS reported the man, a 37 year-old from the central city of Voronezh, did so for "historical reasons". Police later released a video of the man, who said he acted under the influence of alcohol. "I came to look at it (the painting). I went to the buffet in the evening, I wanted to leave. Then I drank 100 grams of vodka. I don't drink vodka and something hit me," the man said. Read also: Picasso painting of muse, future lover fetches European record 50m - Not the first attack - Ultra patriotic groups have protested against the painting before, notably in 2013 when monarchists demanded for it to be removed from the gallery. The gallery refused to remove it and reinforced security around the work. It is not the first time the painting has suffered an attack. In 1913, a man stabbed the work with a knife, ripping the canvas in three places. Ilya Repin was then still alive and participated in the restoration of his painting. Since 1913, the painting has been protected by glass. Russian state officials have lobbied for the rehabilitation of the medieval ruler's image, who led Russia from 1547 to 1583 and earned the moniker "Terrible" due to his brutal policy of oprichnina, which included the creation of a secret police that spread mass terror and executed thousands of people. He also killed his own son, most likely by accident during a violent rage. In June 2017, Russian President Vladimir Putin said the story was a "legend" used by the West against Russia. "Did he kill his son? Did he not? Many experts say he did not and that this was invented by the Pope's Nuncio who came to Russia for talks and tried to turn Orthodox Rus to a Catholic Rus," Putin said. In October 2016, Russia inaugurated a controversial monument, the first of its kind, to the 16th century tyrant in Oryol, a city some 335 kilometers south of Moscow. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Sat, May 26, 2018 07:07 1235 a7124a1e87885b91d244660f9e625cc0 1 City zero-down-payment-housing,Jakarta-administration,postponement,jakpro Free The Jakarta administration has decided to postpone the zero down-payment housing program until it completes a guide that will comprehensively explain the program to applicants. Previously, the Jakarta administration said residents could start booking the apartments under the scheme in April. However, it has yet to conclude the regulations on the program. Jakarta Deputy Governor Sandiaga Uno said the guide was needed because the information about the program had been distorted. The city administration earlier instructed the Jakarta Public Housing Agency to communicate about the guide with city-owned enterprises Bank DKI, PD Sarana Jaya Pembangunan, PT Jakarta Propertindo (Jakpro) and PD Pasar Jaya. On April 25, Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan asked the related agencies to hire communications consultants to help them explain the program to applicants. I want to launch the program as soon as possible, but we dont want to rush and make a mistake, Sandiaga said on Thursday as quoted by tempo.co. Sandiaga added he hoped the book would use simple language so all applicants could understand the program. The Jakarta administration launched the zero down-payment housing program in Pondok Kelapa, East Jakarta, in January to provide affordable housing for low-income families. Anies assured that the houses would be made available for those with salaries under Rp 7 million (US$494.50) per month. (cal) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Japan News/ANN) Tokyo Sat, May 26, 2018 08:51 1235 a7124a1e87885b91d244660f9e62768f 2 Business #Japan,#USA,#automotive,#car Free US news media have reported that the US government is considering new tariffs of up to 25 percent on imported automobiles. If the investigation, to be conducted based on Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, concludes such imports threaten national security, the United States will take measures to restrict auto imports, much like the measures implemented in March to limit steel and aluminum imports. Automobiles account for about one-third of Japans total exports to the US, making it the largest category of exported items. Currently, the US imposes a 2.5 percent tariff on passenger cars from Japan. If the tariff rate is raised to any extent, even up to 25 percent, that would rapidly put the brakes on exporting Japanese automobiles and inevitably have a huge impact on the nations exports. Trade statistics for 2017 released by the Finance Ministry show that automobile exports to the US totaled 4.5 trillion (US$41.15 billion). If 960 billion for auto parts is included, the export figure increases further. Japans steel products, which have been subjected to US import restrictions, make up 1.4 percent of the nations total exports. Those restrictions have a limited impact on the Japanese economy as a whole. Data from the International Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers shows that the number of automobiles sold in the USs was 17.8 million units in 2017, the second largest in the world after China with sales of 29.12 million units. According to the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association, Japanese automakers produce 3.76 million units in the United States a year, but annual exports from Japan remain high at 1.73 million units. Japan's car exports based on brands (The Japan News/File) Production shift eyed At a press conference Thursday, Akio Mimura, chairman of the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, expressed concern about the possible tariffs on automobiles, saying, The impact will be huge worldwide. Some European countries have criticized such a measure as a violation of World Trade Organization rules. Yoshiaki Nishimura, chairman of Sumitomo Riko Co., which produces rubber and other products for automobiles, told reporters in Nagoya on Thursday, Automobile production in Japan could fall nearly 20 percent. He hinted at the possibility that the company might shift its production of some products from China to the US. Meanwhile, automobile tariffs could also adversely affect US consumers. According to the US Commerce Department, imported automobiles account for 48 percent of total sales in the US. The American International Automobile Dealers Association, which comprises dealers of foreign vehicles, said in a statement Wednesday, Tariffs are taxes. It called the move an economic disaster for American consumers, dealers and dealership employees. The Trump administration must overcome opposition at home to impose new tariffs. Bargaining chip Trump apparently aims to win concessions from other countries by hinting at new tariffs on vehicle imports. In renegotiations for the North American Free Trade Agreement, member countries initially aimed to reach an agreement in mid-May, but Mexico and Canada have voiced strong opposition over changes such as one to rules intended to boost production of goods in the United States. That has pushed the NAFTA talks into a deadlock. Trumps move would also serve as a warning to the European Union, with which Washington is negotiating to reduce its trade deficit. Japan is scheduled to start trade consultations with the United States in mid-June or later. A senior government official handling economic issues expressed concern, saying, Its possible that [Japan] could be brought into a similar situation [to NAFTA]. There is a possibility that Japan will be forced to open its markets in the agricultural and other sectors in return for the suspension of the US tariffs on automobiles. In the case of steel and aluminum, the Trump administration launched an investigation in April 2017 and imposed the tariffs in March this year. Bargaining could last for a while. Topics : This article appeared on The Japan News newspaper website, which is a member of Asia News Network and a media partner of The Jakarta Post Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Alastair Macdonald (Reuters) Brussels Sat, May 26, 2018 09:59 1235 a7124a1e87885b91d244660f9e62a2b7 2 World #UNICEF,#Europe,#EU,#children,#Rohingya,#Africa,#aid Free European governments facing aid fatigue among voters should see payments to help the foreign poor as a high-yield investment in their own future, the head of UN children's agency UNICEF said on Friday. In Brussels to see key donors as the European Union begins tense negotiations on a long-term EU budget that will be hit by Britain's Brexit departure, UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore said that while immediate crises tugged at heart strings, wealthy states should also view aid as a long-term investment. "There is much more to be done ... making the case for long-term investment," the former US diplomat and business leader, who took over UNICEF in January, said of persuading governments to support a body which gets about half its funding from Europe. "Your heart immediately wants to help in crises," Fore said, noting some 300 such situations every year such as the flight of Muslim Rohingya from Myanmar, and describing the EU as generous. "But there is a very important case made for development -- that if you can...give children and young people a chance, that then you will have communities that are peaceful and prosperous, that you will have prosperity and peace across the entire world. Isn't that also well worth investing in?" Asked about criticism from some that the EU risks diverting aid from development toward security measures to stop Africans reaching Europe, Fore said: "Longer-term investments will have a larger pay-off - but it is sometimes hard to make that case." She cited the example of investments of as little as 50 cents a year per child in primary education in Africa to promote literacy and numeracy as a high-yield use of Western money. "That becomes then a market for goods and services. So it is not only stability and peace but it is prosperity for Europe ... The return will be manifold in the decades to come. "You need to be able to prove to your people that the tax money that is going towards development is being well used. "That every single euro is put to good use, and so you have to make the economic argument." Teenagers Businesses, Fore said, often appeared quicker to see those advantages than governments, noting a new UNICEF drive for partnerships with the private sector to promote "life skills" for the 1.2 billion people in the world aged 10 to 18 who face opportunities and challenges in a fast-changing digital economy. "They are either a ticking time bomb," Fore said of a generation posing major employment problems for many countries - "or the greatest opportunity we have in the world today." In her first few months, Fore has had to field frequent questions from donors about policies to counter sexual abuse by aid workers after a scandal blew up in February over Oxfam. "Every donor asks of that," she said. "But their questions are important and it is adding a really useful urgency." With its focus on children and young adults, she said, UNICEF was particularly attentive to the issue and was looking into a number of cases, including some very dated or that had been previously investigated and closed. "We look at every corner," she said. 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08 (1) Aug 07 (1) Aug 03 (1) Jul 27 (1) Jul 26 (1) Jul 24 (1) Jul 22 (1) Jul 21 (1) Jul 19 (1) Jul 15 (1) Jul 14 (1) Jul 13 (3) Jul 10 (1) Jul 08 (2) Jul 07 (1) Jul 06 (1) Jul 03 (1) Jul 01 (1) Jun 28 (1) Jun 24 (2) Jun 20 (1) Jun 19 (1) Jun 18 (1) Jun 15 (1) Jun 14 (2) Jun 11 (1) Jun 09 (3) Jun 08 (1) Jun 07 (1) Jun 06 (1) Jun 04 (2) Jun 03 (1) Jun 02 (2) Jun 01 (1) May 31 (3) May 30 (1) May 29 (1) May 28 (2) May 26 (1) May 25 (1) May 18 (1) May 17 (1) May 15 (1) May 09 (1) May 07 (2) May 02 (1) May 01 (1) Apr 30 (1) Apr 27 (1) Apr 26 (2) Apr 23 (1) Apr 22 (1) Apr 19 (1) Apr 18 (1) Apr 12 (1) Apr 11 (1) Apr 09 (1) Apr 07 (1) Apr 05 (1) Apr 01 (1) Mar 30 (1) Mar 27 (1) Mar 25 (1) Mar 22 (2) Mar 19 (1) Mar 18 (1) Mar 16 (1) Mar 15 (2) Mar 13 (1) Mar 12 (1) Mar 11 (1) Mar 10 (1) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Suherdjoko (The Jakarta Post) Semarang Sat, May 26, 2018 12:09 1235 a7124a1e87885b91d244660f9e631aa6 2 National ramadhan,Ramadhan-2018,Idul-Fitri,Idul-Fitri-2018,idul-fitri-exodus,Central-Java,Central-Java-Police Free Central Java Police chief Insp. Gen. Condro Kirono said residents need not be afraid of terror attacks during Ramadhan and Idul Fitri because the police were ready to deploy thousands of personnel to secure the festivities. He called on people to stay alert, adding that National Police and Indonesian Military (TNI) personnel and other government agencies were working together to prevent terror attacks. Throughout Ramadhan, including the home-bound travel season and the Idul Fitri holiday, 21,000 police personnel in Central Java, supported by the TNI and other elements, will secure crowded areas such as airports, stations, terminals, banks, pawn shops and housing compounds, said Condro. He added that the police would launch operations against thugs, illegal fee practices and other crimes ahead of the Idul Fitri holiday. The Staple Food Task Force has also continued to monitor basic commodity prices in the markets. There have been an increase in prices, but everything is still at a normal level. We have met with distributors and wholesalers of basic commodities. The prices are controlled well, said Condro, adding the police have not yet found staple food and fuel hoarding practices as well as fake money distribution during their monitoring activities. (ebf) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Sat, May 26, 2018 14:27 1235 a7124a1e87885b91d244660f9e6350da 1 City smuggling,lobster-seeds,soekarno-hatta-airport,police Free Soekarno Hatta Airport Police have thwarted an attempt to smuggle 990 lobsters seeds. Soekarno Hatta Police chief Sr. Adj. Comr. Victor Togi Tambunan said the suspect, identified only as R, had tried to smuggle the lobster seeds, which R kept inside a suitcase, from Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi, to Singapore. The plot was uncovered on May 2, while R was waiting for a connecting flight to Singapore, said Victor on Friday as quoted by kompas.com. At the time, Rs flight had been delayed. However, when the airport personnel tried to return the suitcase to R, R reportedly denied ownership of it and fled the scene. When the airport personnel scanned the suitcase they found hundreds of lobster seeds inside. The police arrested R on May 19 in Riau Islands. R admitted receiving help from two other people. We are still searching for the two people. They have been included on the wanted list, Victor said.(iwa) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Frank Palmos (The Jakarta Post) Sat, May 26 2018 Two invitations arrived for me on my 22nd birthday on Jan. 20 1962, at my Kebayoran hostel, asking me to join two families for Ramadhan the next month. So, I sent a telegram in reply to the Bandung family in West Java saying I would arrive on Feb. 1 on the daily Soober Ban (Suburban) bus. We stopped for coffee at Puncak Pass, then on the other side near Cianjur the driver suggested we be careful and keep our heads down because we were crossing a one-way bridge and the Darul Islam snipers in the hills might shoot at us. We spent a nervous hour lined up, waiting for traffic from Bandung to get through. Kartosuwiryos rebels were in the hills, often taking pot shots that kept passengers and bridge guards on their toes. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (Agence France-Presse) Bogota Sat, May 26, 2018 10:24 1235 a7124a1e87885b91d244660f9e62d947 2 World Colombia,NATO,security Free Colombia will next week formally become NATO's first Latin American "global partner," President Juan Manuel Santos announced Friday. Santos, who won the 2016 Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to end a half-century of armed conflict with the former rebel movement FARC, said the move would improve Colombia's image on the world stage. "We will formalize in Brussels next week -- and this is very important -- Colombia's entry into NATO in the category of global partner. We will be the only country in Latin America with this privilege," the president said in a televised address. In addition to Colombia, NATO lists Afghanistan, Australia, Iraq, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Mongolia, New Zealand and Pakistan as "partners across the globe" or simply "global partners." Each country "has developed an Individual Partnership Cooperation Program" with the 29-country US-led alliance, with many contributing actively to NATO missions. Colombia and NATO reached a partnership deal in May 2017 following the conclusion of the peace accord with FARC, now a political party. According to NATO's website areas of cooperation include cyber security, maritime security, terrorism and its links to organized crime, as well as building the capacities and capabilities of the Colombian armed forces. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Sat, May 26, 2018 16:15 1235 a7124a1e87885b91d244660f9e638d46 1 National religion,preachers,Islam,mosque,AzyumardiAzra Free Islamic organizations should make their own list of moderate preachers to promote religious moderation, a renowned Muslim scholar has said following the Religious Affairs Ministrys release of a similar document. The Indonesian Ulema Council [MUI] or other Islamic organizations should make their list, and they should cooperate with Islamic universities in making the list so that the names on it could be academically assessed, Azyumardi Azra of the Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University in Jakarta said as quoted by tempo.co. He said the preachers should meet certain standards and such requirements were needed to prevent provocative preaching. Preachers in countries like Singapore, Malaysia and Egypt, he added, must be licensed to give a sermon. Indonesian preachers do not have to obtain a permit, but the freedom is often misused, he said. The list of moderate preachers released by the Religious Affairs Ministry has stirred public debate, but the ministry defended the move, saying that those who were included had met a series of criteria. According to Religious Affairs Minister Lukman Hakim Saefuddin, the list was made to cater to the publics demand for moderate preachers. There are three criteria for moderate preachers, according to the ministry, namely competency in understanding Islamic teachings, experience in preaching and a commitment to preserving the nations values of unity. The minister assured that there was not political motive behind the list. (gis/ahw) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Sat, May 26, 2018 16:06 1235 a7124a1e87885b91d244660f9e6370c5 1 City counterfeit-money,fake-money,fake-bills,tanjung-priok,police Free Tanjung Priok Police have arrested Surya Adnan Kasogi, aka Yogi, 30, for allegedly selling counterfeit money via Facebook. We arrested the suspect at one of his relatives houses in Menduran, Malang, East Java, on May 23, Tanjung Priok Polices general crime unit head Adj. Comr. Faruk Rozi said on Friday, as quoted by tempo.co. The crime was uncovered when cyber personnel monitoring social media found an account allegedly selling counterfeit money. The police persuaded the suspect to make a transaction in Plumpang, North Jakarta. However, upon learning that the suspect resided in Malang, Tanjung Priok police cooperated with the Malang Police to arrest the suspect, who allegedly had operated the business since 2017. The suspect learned [to counterfeit money] from Youtube, said Faruk. He added that the suspect sold Rp 3 million (US$212) in counterfeit money for Rp 1 million rupiah. The police confiscated a printer, notebook and fake Rp 50,000, Rp 20,000, Rp 10,000 and Rp 5,000 bills. (iwa) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Sat, May 26, 2018 13:14 1235 a7124a1e87885b91d244660f9e633ab2 1 National prison,prisoners,pekalongan,penitentiary,flooding Free More than 400 detainees in Pekalongan Penitentiary in Central Java were moved to other prisons in the province on Friday after the prison became inundated by tidal flooding. Every cell in the penitentiary was flooded with sea water, the Law and Human Rights Ministry's director general for corrections, Sri Puguh Budi Utami, said in a written statement on Friday. The rooms are no longer fit for living. Clean water supply and sanitation facilities are also impacted, she added. From 466 evacuees, 331 were placed in Nusakambangan penitentiary. The rest were evacuated to Salatiga, Batang, Slawi, Ambarawa, Kendal, and Pemalang penitentiaries. Utami said Brebes Penitentiary would also receive 20 detainees. The roughly 300 prisoners who remained in the flooded prison reportedly had to put up with the situation and made emergency hammocks from sarongs to sleep in. When the tidal flood reached its peak on Wednesday, the detainees had to sleep on the roof, Bawono Ika, the head of Pekalongan Penitentiary, said. Utami said her agency would continue to evacuate the prisoners until the facility was again suitable to host prisoners. (gis/dpk/ahw) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Fadli (The Jakarta Post) Batam Sat, May 26, 2018 11:50 1235 a7124a1e87885b91d244660f9e6309b1 1 National SAR,Australian,Bintan,Tourist Free The search and rescue operation for Jhon Cullent, the Australian national who allegedly fell off the Sun Princess yacht around Bintan islands, Riau Islands, has been stopped, officials have said. We officially stopped the search at 6 pm, Budi Cahyadi, the head of Tanjung Pinang Search and Rescue National Agency, told The Jakarta Post on Friday. He said it was already the seventh day of the search with zero results, and that his team concluded that the process would no longer be effective. He said his team had circulated photos of Cullent to local fishermen with the hope that they could identify him if they came across the victim. The 81-year-old Cullent reportedly fell from the yacht on Saturday, May 19, during a voyage from Australia to Port Klang, Malaysia. He allegedly fell into international waters near Bintan. (gis/ahw) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Yeo Jun-suk (The Korea Herald/Asia News Network) Seoul, South Korea Sat, May 26, 2018 20:55 1234 a7124a1e87885b91d244660f9e63dc78 2 World South-Korea,North-Korea,summit,denuclearization Free President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un on Saturday held their second summit at the truce village of Panmunjeom following their first meeting in April, according to South Koreas presidential office. In a text message sent to reporters, presidential chief press secretary Yoon Young-chan said the leaders of the two Koreas candidly exchanged their opinions to implement the joint declaration of the first summit and to successfully hold the US-North Korea summit set for June 12 in Singapore. The summit took place from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Panmungak, a North Korean building inside Panmunjeom, Yoon said. The first summit was held at the Peace House, a South Korean building opposite Panmungak. Cheong Wa Dae, however, declined to elaborate further and said details of the summit would be revealed Sunday by President Moon himself. It was a decisionmade by the two Koreas, Yoon said. Reporters were not notified of the summit beforehand and it was only attended by the two Koreas incumbent and former spymasters: South Koreas National Intelligence Service Director Suh-hoon and Kim Young-chul, former chief of the Norths Reconnaissance General Bureau. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (Agence France-Presse) Washington, United States Sat, May 26, 2018 16:49 1234 a7124a1e87885b91d244660f9e6396ef 2 World Syria,united-states,Middle-East,war,civil-war Free The US has warned Damascus it will take "firm" action if the regime of Bashar al-Assad violates a ceasefire deal, after Syrian aircraft dropped leaflets on a southern province ahead of an expected offensive. Residents of Daraa told AFP Friday that several different leaflets were scattered across the province, which has borders with Israel and Jordan and is expected to be among the next targets in the resurgent regime's reconquest. One of them, seen by a journalist contributing to AFP in the city of Daraa, includes a picture showing lined up bodies, presumably of anti-government fighters. "This is the inevitable fate of anyone who insists on carrying arms," reads the leaflet. The US State Department issued a statement late Friday saying it was "concerned" by the reports and that the area in question was within the boundaries of a de-escalation zone it had negotiated with Russia and Jordan last year. "We also caution the Syrian regime against any actions that risk broadening the conflict or jeopardize the ceasefire," said spokeswoman Heather Nauert, adding that the ceasefire had been re-affirmed by President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin at a meeting in Vietnam in November. "As a guarantor of this de-escalation area with Russia and Jordan, the United States will take firm and appropriate measures in response to Assad regime violations," she added. Syrian regime and allied forces on Monday retook the Yarmuk area in southern Damascus, giving President Bashar al-Assad full control of the capital and its surroundings for the first time since 2012. Daraa's location makes any broad operation there very sensitive, with Israel suspecting Damascus' Iranian allies of seeking to establish a military footprint closer to its borders. Government and allied forces control about 30 percent of Daraa, the rest of which is held by various factions, including a small contingent of fighters from the Islamic State jihadist group. Scheduled for completion in August, Garuda Wisnu Kencana (GWK) will become the second tallest statue in the world. Created by Indonesian sculptor Nyoman Nuarta, it would be shorter than the Spring Temple Buddha in China but taller than the Laykyun Sekkya Buddha in Myanmar, according to kompas.com. Below are the seven tallest statues in the world as compiled by kompas.com: 1. Spring Temple Buddha Built between 1997 and 2008, this statue is 153 meters tall. Located in Lushan County, Henan, China, it weighs up to 1,000 tons and is made up of 1,100 pieces of copper. 2. Garuda Wisnu Kencana This magnificent statue was initiated by Nyoman Nuarta alongside former tourism, postal and telecommunication minister Joop Ave. The development kicked off in 1997 and is currently at 70 percent completion. Set to be 121 m tall, the GWK is made from imported materials from countries like Japan, Europe and Latin America. Read also: US man stole thumb of Chinese terracotta warrior statue 3. The Laykyun Sekkya Buddha With a height of 116 m, this statue in Myanmar is unique as it actually consists of two statues: one standing and the other one lying down, which makes it a popular attraction among local as well as foreign tourists. 4. Ushiku Daibutsu Located in Japan's Ushiku, Ibaraki Prefecture, this 120-m tall bronze statue depicts the Amitabha Buddha. Completed in 1993, it has an elevator that takes visitors to an observation deck at a height of 85 m. 5. Statue of Liberty #statueofliberty A post shared by Luis Erik Garcia Trujillo (@luiserikgt) on May 22, 2018 at 10:51pm PDT This 93-m tall statue in New York, the United States, is probably the most popular among tourists. Created as a symbol of freedom and democracy, it was completed in 1886 and declared a national monument in 1924. 6. The Motherland Calls Standing at 85 m, this statue features a woman stepping forward with a raised sword. Said to be the tallest in Russia and Europe, it was built to commemorate the sacrifices made by Soviet troops during the Battle of Stalingrad during World War II. 7. Christ the Redeemer A tourism icon in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, this 30-m tall statue with arms stretching 28 m wide serves a symbol of Christianity across the globe. Listed as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, it is made of reinforced concrete covered with a soapstone mosaic of thousands of triangle tiles. (kes) I f you are a wine lover then knowing the best local wineries is always useful. Now you can impress your friends over dinner by picking the best English wine, which according to The World Wine Week is not that bad at all. In the year between April 2017 and April 2018, UK wine producers planted a record one million vines, meaning an extra two million bottles will enter the market in 2018. The UKs wine production has been on the up for well over a decade now, and with British summers becoming warmer, that trend is set to continue. There are over 500 vineyards in the UK producing different types of grapes, with Chardonnay taking the number one spot as the most popular variety grown. Production takes place up and down the country but the presence of limestone across Kent and Sussex makes for particularly fertile ground meaning Britain provides a truly unique climate for farming, big names such as Taittinger and Vranken-Pommery have set up operations in the UK. Following the World Wine Week, the following vineyards have been selected as the best of 2018, in no particular order: Denbies Surrey Denbies first opened its doors in 1984 with the first planting taking place in 1986. It has since grown to a physical site stretching 627 acres across the North Downs, near the town of Dorking in Surrey. Since that auspicious start Denbies has gone from strength to strength, producing international award-winning sparkling, rose and dessert wines, as well as the UKs first home grown Sauvignon Blanc. Denbies first opened its doors in 1984 with the first planting taking place in 1986. It has since grown to a physical site stretching 627 acres across the North Downs, near the town of Dorking in Surrey. Since that auspicious start Denbies has gone from strength to strength, producing international award-winning sparkling, rose and dessert wines, as well as the UKs first home grown Sauvignon Blanc. Chapel Down Kent Located in the Kent countryside,near the market town of Tenterden, Chapel Down is the official wine of No 10 Downing Street. Covering 22 acres, Chapel Down boasts an impressive array of facilities including The Swan restaurant and a wine academy all set against a backdrop of a designated area of beauty. The Swan has been awarded two AA Rosettes and a Michelin Bib Gourmand and offers packages including afternoon tea, three course meals and a cheese pairing experience. Ryedale Yorkshire The rolling chalk hills of the Wolds play host to the Ryedale Vinyards. Set across two locations, Westow and Howsham, Ryedale says they are currently the most northerly commercial vineyard in Britain. They pride themselves on the low environmental impact their growing has to the surrounding area, even harvesting by hand. Not content with just their wines, Ryedale has two orchards producing cider and apple juice. Camel Valley Cornwall This Cornwall family affair has quickly ascended to the forefront of British wine making. Started in 1989 by ex-RAF pilot Bob Lindo and his wife Annie, Camel Valley has become famous for its selection of sparkling and still wines. Speaking about Camel Valley, Bob says: we supply Waitrose nationally, Fortnum's and Hakkasan in London, and even export to Japan. You'd be surprised how many customers say they first tried a glass of our wine at Tate Modern in London and felt they just had to come and visit the vineyard. I think making a top-quality product is the secret of our success.' Bob and Annie have handed over the reins to their son, Sam, resulting a great level of success. Sam has been awarded UK Winemaker of the Year Award and the Wine of the Year Trophy since taking charge and shows no sign of slowing down. This Cornwall family affair has quickly ascended to the forefront of British wine making. Started in 1989 by ex-RAF pilot Bob Lindo and his wife Annie, Camel Valley has become famous for its selection of sparkling and still wines. Speaking about Camel Valley, Bob says: we supply Waitrose nationally, Fortnum's and Hakkasan in London, and even export to Japan. You'd be surprised how many customers say they first tried a glass of our wine at Tate Modern in London and felt they just had to come and visit the vineyard. I think making a top-quality product is the secret of our success.' Bob and Annie have handed over the reins to their son, Sam, resulting a great level of success. Sam has been awarded UK Winemaker of the Year Award and the Wine of the Year Trophy since taking charge and shows no sign of slowing down. The show promises to be a thrilling new addition to British musical theatre, taking an anachronistic approach to the story of Henry VIII's wives, with music heavily inspired by the world of pop. Described as a "pop concert like no other", SIX will take you through the story of Henry's ex-wives from their perspective, as the 'queen bee's take the task of narration back into their own hands. The project comes from Toby Marlow & Lucy Moss, two thirds of production company Hot Gay Time Machine, who met at the University of Cambridge where they became collaborative partners. The show began life at the Edinburgh Fringe, winning the Musical Theatre Review Best Musical Award, where it caught the attention of producers Kenny Wax and Global Musicals. Starring as the eponymous 'six' are: Renee Lamb (Catherine of Aragon), Christina Modestou (Anne Boleyn), Natalie Paris (Jane Seymour), Genesis Lynea (Anna of Cleves), Aimie Atkinson (Catherine Howard) and Izuka Hoyle (Catherine Parr). You can see SIX at the Norwich Playhouse from 11-15th July, after which it'll be heading to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and then for a full run at the West End. Tickets can be bought from the Norwich Playhouse's website here. East Londons trendy Truman Brewery will accelerate in eccentricity as students from over 60 leading Universities unleash their creations for the renowned Graduate Fashion Week.Fortified with limitless creativity and diversity, around 1,000 people will exhibit endless innovations as their exclusive designs are paraded down 25 unique catwalk shows; with a hefty 30,000 guests expected to attend the largest annual showcase of its kind. Workshops and talks from high-flying industry brands, including Gap, John Lewis and Boohoo will also take place as well as Iconic model Twiggy being in conversation with Hilary Alexander OBE! Mary Portas is also scheduled to give an insight into a life within the world of fashion and designer Richard Quinn will also be in attendance speaking to Sam Conti maybe about the time the Queen showed up to one of his events!From illustration to design, photography and more, students will also have the potential to be scouted by a well-known design and fashion house as industry experts search for tomorrows talent and inspiration. Christopher Bailey MBE, Stella McCartney; Giles Deacon, Julien Macdonald and Matthew Williamson are just some of the most successful and influential designers whose careers were propelled from the previous events. Spanning over international waters, 50 foreign universities are now participating and include talent from Australia, USA, China and Russia. Diane Von Furstenberg and Nadja Swarovski have been announced as lifetime patrons; echoing the global reach of the Graduate Fashion Week. Aspiring designers will also strive to impress tough judging panels for various prestigious awards, with representatives from brands including Ralph Lauren, Vogue Italia and Dior. Graduate Fashion Week runs from 3 - 6 June at Shoreditchs Truman Brewery. Tickets can be purchased online at GraduateFashionWeek.com Blaxploitation emerged as a subgenre of American cinema during the early 1970s. Thought the genre received backlash for its use of stereotypical Black characters, these films were nonetheless one of the first instances in which Black characters and their culture could be the heroes of their own narratives, rather than serving simply as victims, sidekicks or other low status characters in someone elses story. Though controversial, Blaxploitation allowed for a rethinking of racial relations in the United States. Films like Gordon Parks 1971 Shaft brought the Black experience to the forefront of social consciousness, allowing for political and social issues relating to African-American communities to be explored in ways it hadnt before. One of the foremost stars of this movement was Pam Grier. Her iconic roles in many such films, from Coffy to Foxy Brown, saw Grier hailed as the Queen of Blaxploitation. Not only was the genre primed to diversify the big screen, Pam Griers arrival would also redefine how Hollywood presented all women. At a time when the only roles available to women of colour were, in her words, practically invisible, or painfully stereotypical, Grier took B-movie roles and used her authoritative screen presence and talent to lend a strength and psychological depth to her characters that not even the films directors had anticipated. As the first ever woman to star in an action film, let alone the first woman of colour, she subverted the male-led action movie norm in a two-pronged attack. I had to bump heads with a lot of men in the industry, Grier recalls in a 2011 The Guardian article. They were not comfortable with showing a progressive black female in an action role. As a strong woman, I was seen as a threat. There was a fear that women would mimic me in real life. I remember certain people saying: Oh, shes taking our jobs, shes castrating men as far as I was concerned, I thought: We dont need to walk behind you, we should walk beside you. Its true that Griers filmography exposes a disturbingly blurred line between empowerment and exploitation. The interlinking genres of Blaxploitation and sexploitation were a perpetual battle between revolutionary female powerhouses and oppressive men intent on quashing womens subversions. Casually-made jokes about rape and mans control of women are repeatedly juxtaposed with genuine feminist assertions. Despite this, Griers career managed to create a captivating and complex narrative of oppression and empowerment, and it is the strength and humanity with which Grier told her characters stories that make these divisive films worth discussing. It was Pam Grier who first carved out a space in the industry for Black women in action films, and thus Black liberation and feminist empowerment walked hand-in-hand with Griers work. Arguably Pam Grier was both the first and the last well-known Black woman to star as an action hero, to proudly display her heritage and culture, and to do so within the context of her community. It would be decades before the likes of Halle Berry and Zoe Saldana emerged in action films and even then, the narrative largely ignored their Blackness. Grier paved the way for women in general to become action heroines. Sigourney Weaver in Alien, Linda Hamilton as Terminators Sarah Connor, Angelina Jolie as Lara Croft, all the way to todays host of professional women badasses, all have Pam Grier to thank for proving to Hollywood that a female-headlined action film is bankable. It is much thanks to Pam Griers Blaxploitation career that opened the door for both women in general, and specifically Black women, to enter the action genre and to lead their own stories. They could be outspoken about inequality and oppression, could make feminist declarations and could celebrate their heritage, all in the public eye. A hot tub company is searching for an official tester to feature on its social media accounts. Lay-Z-Spa wants someone to review all their latest hot tubs and become the companys brand ambassador over the summer. In return for their face on Lay-Z-Spas Instagram and Facebook pages, the brand will pay the post-holder 500 and give them their very own hot tub and accessories. All you have to do to apply is make a 30-second video explaining why they should be a hot tubologist and submit it to Lay-Z-Spas Facebook page or post it to Instagram, tagging @layzspaofficial. Entries should be submitted by June 10. This month of May brings me a generous bouquet. I see the lovely lilacs all about Minot, Rugby and the countryside. In bountiful arrays, they bloom in deep purple, light lavender, white, pink and when one looks very closely, some are even trimmed with white on their edges. How about double lilacs? I was first introduced to these on my morning walking in Rugby by neighbors Duane and Irene Baillie. Out in the country as the green blades are rising and changing the brown landscape, there comes ribbons of lavender. Yes, lilacs lifting their soft sweet faces to catch the morning dews. One of my fondest memories of lilac dialog happened with Hartley Hageness. We were standing in his yard admiring the blooming lilacs when he went on to tell me that while flying his plane, he noticed below a complete row of lilacs stretching for several miles and all in bloom. He said he could not resist so he lowered the airplane to catch a better view-plus he was able to smell their fragrance! Now there is an example of my cup with beauty is overrun! As you have gathered by now, the lilac is one of my very favorite blooms. Their charm and grandeur bring a smile to me. I have written about them before but one can never say enough about lilacs in North Dakota and the memories they have and continue to create. When I sat down to write this article, our daughter Lydia was at my side. I was visiting with her about lilacs and trying to interest her in going for a walk to do some photography with them. She didnt jump at that chance, but when I mentioned about what to make for this article she came to my rescue. She said Dad, let me make the recipe for your column, and then went on to explain that it would be lemon bars. She enticed me just a bit more by reminding me that lemon bars would be a perfect match with lilacs because you taught me that yellow in the direct compliment to purple. How could I say no to that! She is an active member of 4-H and has taken a real interest in baking that past few months. As of May 23, Lydia is now a budding eighth grader at Ramstad School which leads me to this quote by Michael Altshuler, The bad news is time flies. The good news is youre the pilot. Last night was a moment to cherish as Lydia chimed in on helping with my column. We had to start the process by playing a quick game of badminton, and then it was on to the kitchen. She started the process by using (I kid you not) her favorite Pyrex bowl from the farm at Ray. Remember the Pyrex set of yellow, green, red and blue? Well this lemon bar tango involved the yellow and green bowls. Before long I heard, Mom, I need your help! and it came as the crust was being placed in the baking pan where Jan said dont press too hard! I had to peek around the corner as both of them as nestled at the kitchen counter working-another pleasant memory of home. Here is another glorious recipe from the family files introduced first by our Aunt Ethel Thompson, of Williston. This is a splendid example of a bar recipe that is refreshing, attractive and delicious. It is something that all can enjoy with its buttery crust, custard lemon filling, light crusted top and all with a minimalist of cookery-take time to enjoy the lilacs and leisure! They have been dusted with powder sugar to remind us that there would be no lilacs without the bounty of winter. Its a shame that winter often gets a bad rap when the temps drop below zero and snow piles high. Do not shun these trials-just remember they bring about lovely lilacs. California may have sunny days in January but do not have the delight of waking up to beautiful lilacs nestled in every corner of North Dakota in springtime. So now in honor of school being out, winter and lilacs lets have a toast! My gathering of cooking information as you know has been lifelong. I learned back in 4th grade from Ida Hoppe and Gladys Rust, both Underwood cookery stars, that beating whole eggs and sugar is important. They both improved my method by showing me that beating an egg mixture until it forms the ribbon. This means that eggs double in volume, look like a thick, soft, pale yellow salad dressing. Using this method of beating whole eggs with sugar and then adding other ingredients results in bars that have a lift. Whenever I use lemons and the lemon zest is not required for the recipe, I simply remove it store it in the freeze for future use. Lemon zest can be used in so many ways and it freezes nicely. Remember the zest of citrus is only the colored part of the peel as the white pith is bitter and unsightly. The fourth graders at Ely Elementary School met in the park Tuesday, May 22 to celebrate Arbor Day and learn about the value of having trees in our community, with Bismarck Community Forest Specialist Joe Nichols. Trees are very beneficial in clearing our air, slowing climate change, preventing species loss by providing shelter, and they nurture our human spirit, asserts the Arbor Day organization website. Nichols explained how Arbor Day began in history and what it has come to mean to North Dakota, and Rugby specifically. Nichols taught the students how to prepare the trees location. He demonstrated how to clip the roots to a desirable length prior to planting and how to properly fill the hole while aligning the tree. Next he discussed the importance of watering the tree regularly while the root system is being established. The 4th graders seemed to really enjoy this education, said Jennifer Stewart, City of Rugby auditor. They were all listening intently and were excited to learn more about planting trees. We really appreciate Nichols coming to Rugby and teaching our students about the importance of trees to our community. Specific tree diseases such as Dutch Elm were discussed, and the children were educated in what to look for in identifying disease and learning how to maintain tree health. The students had their picture taken with the flag that was presented to the city for maintaining status of Tree City USA for 15 consecutive years. Support: Arrow Global works with defaulters to repay debts More than four million UK households have amassed debts that they are either unwilling or unable to pay. This has created a long-term headache for banks, sitting on more than 800 billion of so-called non-performing loans money they assume they will never recoup. The banks are under pressure from regulators to do something about it. Selling the loans at a substantial discount is one possible solution. The banks take a one-off hit but they can at least move on unencumbered by past mistakes. A thriving market has developed centred on purchasing bad debts and trying to recoup more of the money than the banks can. Arrow Global is a specialist in this field. The shares are 278p and deserve to be considerably higher, as the company has a track record of success, allied with a sensitive approach to vulnerable people it deals with daily. Arrow buys packages of non-performing loans from banks in the UK and continental Europe at an average price of 10p in the pound. In many cases, banks have lost track of their errant customers but Arrow has developed ways of finding these debtors and assessing their circumstances. The company then works with defaulters who are able to repay their debts, devising long-term plans, often over many years. The process can be difficult but once a plan is in place it can bring considerable relief to investors. Arrow also works with charities and organisations such as Citizens Advice to make sure high standards are maintained. More players have entered the market so pricing has become competitive, but Arrow has developed strong relationships with leading banks so it is frequently offered packages of loans before any of its rivals. Having acquired these bunches of bad debts, chief executive Lee Rochfords main task is to ensure that, if the company pays 10p in the pound for the loans, it recoups more than that from debtors. The firm has consistently managed to do this, outperforming expectations along the way. Bad debts: More than four million UK households have amassed debts that they are either unwilling or unable to pay Arrow floated in 2013 at 205p. Since then it has started working in Belgium, Holland, Ireland, Italy and Portugal too and two-thirds of group profits now come from continental Europe. This creates considerable opportunities, particularly in Italy, where the bad debt problem is immense. Arrow is also involved in restructuring property debts, ranging from unpaid mortgages to large unpaid commercial loans. Arrows 2017 results showed a 35 per cent increase in revenues to 319 million and a 30 per cent rise in profits to 70.3 million. This year, revenues of 331 million are forecast, with profits of almost 81 million and a dividend of 12.7p, putting the stock on a yield of more than 4.5 per cent. But the shares have fallen from a high of 470p last summer, hit by concerns about rising competition. Arrow was also targeted by a hedge fund late last year, which alleged the business was over-reliant on cheap funding. Rochford rebuts these claims completely, saying the business is stronger than ever. First quarter figures showed good progress and several directors bought shares afterwards, including Rochford. Analysts are largely supportive too, suggesting Arrow stock is worth more than 450p and that long-term prospects are robust. Midas verdict: Acquiring bad debts and creating practical repayment plans can be a complex task, requiring a network of banking relationships, financial acumen and empathy with debtors. Arrow believes it ticks all three boxes and recent results are encouraging. At 278p, the shares are a bargain and the dividend is attractive too. Traded on: Main Market Ticker: ARW Contact: arrowglobal.net or 0800 130 0169 Thirst for life: Algy Cluff was in the Grenadier Guards, once owned The Spectator and is now planting a vineyard at his home Algy Cluff is celebrating. His oil and gas firm, Cluff Natural Resources, hit the jackpot in the North Sea last week when it won exploration licences for an area the size of Bedfordshire. Cluff claims the new acreage will triple the potential value of the firm in which he holds an 8 per cent stake as well as defying sceptics who believe the North Sea is a dwindling asset. Initial estimates suggest Cluff Natural Resources, currently valued at 14 million, could be sitting on up to 3 billion of oil and gas. When the news was announced last Wednesday, Cluff was at lunch with a judge to talk about one of the charities he supports, but couldnt resist toasting the North Seas second coming. After all, the 78-year-old commodities veteran made a fortune from the first North Sea boom. Back in 1975, his oil firm CCP North Sea Associates struck black gold at the Buchan oil field, turning his investors into millionaires overnight. Cluff wont put a precise number on the value of the potential oil and gas resources in his firms ten new exploration blocks. But when it comes to North Sea Mark II, where his Aim-listed firm will drill alongside energy giants BP, Shell and Chevron, Cluff says profits could read like telephone numbers. It reflects the fact we have worked very hard to advance the North Sea and its reputation, and argue the case for the independents as well as the majors, he says. Cluff, a former soldier in the Grenadier Guards, seems to have modelled his CV on the heroes of the John Buchan novels he devoured during his childhood in Cheshire. He has skirmished with tribesmen in Borneo; prospected for gold in Burkina Faso; and serenaded Robert Mugabe on the bagpipes at his Scottish estate. He is chiefly known for the gold and oil discoveries made by his string of eponymous firms. But he has also stood (unsuccessfully) as a Tory MP and owned The Spectator magazine. Along the way, he has gained a reputation as a pink gin-loving bon viveur, at home in the gentlemens clubs of St Jamess. His wife Blondel once found his direct debit list and suggested he changed his name from Cluff to Club, as he spent so much money on and in them. Cluff's oil and gas firm, Cluff Natural Resources, hit the jackpot in the North Sea last week when it won exploration licences for an area the size of Bedfordshire Over lunch in one of the seven members clubs he continues to patronise, Cluff appears to have mellowed, ordering only a small lager. But then he fires off his weekly schedule for his retirement, after stepping back from the day-to-day running of his company, and its clear his thirst for adventure is undimmed. Cluff, who has dabbled in journalism, currently spends one day a week writing. He recently published a book called Unsung Heroes, an anthology of his heroes and villains, and is planning another to celebrate the work of war photographer Geoffrey Keating. My strongly held conviction is that the North Sea contains substantial wealth for British people Another day is spent on charity work, chairing a new trust that protects the graves and memorials of British soldiers killed overseas before 1914, and the remaining three are devoted to Cluff Natural Resources, where he is chairman. Im a restless animal, Cluff says. I am partially driven by wanting to set a good example to my children. Cluff and Blondel, a City lawyer-turned heritage adviser and philanthropist, have three sons, all over 6ft 4ins tall. Harry, 24, is a cerebral poet and authority on T.S. Eliot; Philip, 21, speaks four languages and is off to Hong Kong to be an intern at Jardine Matheson; and 16-year-old Charlie is at sixth-form college in London. Cluff is not pushing them in any direction thats fatal but hopes they might take over another of his many projects: producing sparkling wine. This week, he will start planting a vineyard at the former windmill near Dover that has been his home for 50 years. His sparkling English wine will be called White Cliffs and is a tribute to his father Harold, who imported sherry and ran a chain of off-licences. The drinks business has always been in my blood in more ways than one, ha ha. Cluff says the start-up costs are 20,000, and he plans to produce up to 12,000 bottles of wine within four years as long as he can stop alcoholic badgers eating the vines. Rival English sparkling wines such as Chapel Down and Nyetimber sell for between 30 and 40 a bottle. Thats a gleam in my eye, he says. Its a very interesting return on investment. Despite a penchant for leisurely liquid lunches, Cluff has made millions and called his memoir Get On With It. Now his career has come full circle, by returning to the North Sea, he says its his duty to help fix Britains chronic gas shortage. Cluff is scornful of our reliance on foreign imports somethings gone wrong there and believes there are still major gas discoveries to be made closer to home. We need to explore every option for securing our viability. My humble but strongly held conviction is that the North Sea still contains substantial wealth for the British people, he says. Cluff Natural Resources already holds two licences in the southern North Sea, acquired on the recommendation of geochemist Chris Matchette-Downes. The firm is looking for commercial partners to start drilling as soon as possible. Cluff also championed plans to release North Sea gas by burning coal under the seabed, but the Scottish Government blocked the plans, to his great annoyance. I can understand why onshore fracking is not popular, but under the North Sea there are billions of tons of coal that can be converted into enough gas to keep Europe going for 2,000 years, he says. In my opinion this can be done very safely, but my opinion is not shared by anybody else. In a fit of pique, Cluff sold his 4,000-acre Gruinards estate in the Scottish Highlands to a fellow oil tycoon. After I was double-crossed by Mrs Sturgeon, I had no appetite for Scotland. Another cloud over his career is the fate of African mining firm Cluff Resources, which made a huge gold find in Tanzania only to fall prey to an opportunistic takeover by Ghanaian firm Ashanti Gold. I regret the way it was taken away from me; it was my baby, he says. Perhaps because of his ups and downs, Cluff says he was happiest in the Army. Wearing his regimental tie, he sums up his adventures stoically. Its been a long laugh really, he says. Some people allow themselves to be overwhelmed by misfortune, but Im very resilient. I havent got everything right by any means. But I get up, shake myself off and get on with the next thing. This week saw challenger bank Gatehouse launch the first one-year savings rate to hit 2 per cent in more than 12 months. The bank is Sharia-compliant and is one of a growing number of Sharia banks rising up This is Money's independent best buy savings tables. Among these accounts are many names you'll recognise; and some you won't. Lloyds, United National Bank, Al Rayan Bank, BLME and Gatehouse are just a few of the banks offering some or solely Sharia-compliant savings accounts in the UK. But while most of us are aware of Sharia accounts, few are clear on exactly how they work and what they offer. The basic tenet of Sharia law is that you may not profit from money The basic tenet of Sharia law is that you may not profit from money - so savings accounts cannot pay interest. Instead they offer savers an expected profit rate from accounts. To achieve this return savers' money must be used in a productive way, meaning Islamic banks must invest it in areas such as business, trade or assets which are deemed ethical. Investment must therefore be in sectors that adhere to Sharia principles, thus excluding gambling, alcohol, tobacco or arms. Because there is this investment element to Sharia savings, it means there is an element of risk involved, but most banks monitor accounts daily to achieve these profit rates. Many promise to give you access to your cash before the end of a fixed term as well, should they be concerned that they won't achieve this profit rate. Because there is an investment element to Sharia savings, it means there is an element of risk involved And the upside of having your money invested in this way is that the rates on offer blow the cash competition out of the water. Unlike with a straightforward investment though, your money is covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme up to 85,000 where the bank is registered in the UK and authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority. If you were to invest yourself directly, your money would be covered only up to 50,000. To find out more about Sharia savings, we spoke to Gatehouse chief executive Charles Haresnape. Why do Sharia-compliant savings accounts pay a profit rather than interest? Gatehouse chief executive Charles Haresnape CH: This is the single most important difference between a Sharia-compliant UK savings account and a conventional one, so a good starting question. The short answer is that paying interest -or riba - is forbidden under Islamic law, which states that money is a medium of exchange with no intrinsic value of its own. So because money has no value in itself, it cannot therefore generate interest. Because of this fundamental principle, Sharia-compliant banks dont offer interest in the way that a traditional savings account would but instead channel savers deposits into ethical investments where they earn a share of the banks profit, something that is permissible under Islamic law. They then set an expected profit rate (EPR) that they are comfortable can be achieved. Once it is achieved, they share the returns with their customers. These rates of return are very competitive compared with larger banks. Is investing a savings account riskier than cash? CH: It might at first but then its important to point out that we have never failed to pay the full EPR. And even if the EPR were to change, you would still get to walk away with all your returns up until that point intact. All money invested according to Sharia principles will avoid sectors such as arms, tobacco, gambling and alcohol. Under Islamic law, theyre forbidden outright. Examples of eligible ethical investments that a Sharia-compliant bank might make include construction projects, residential or commercial property and sukuk (Islamic bonds). Note that every Sharia-compliant bank will have a supervisory board that ensures it is investing ethically and in accordance with Islamic law. A Western bank, by contrast, can choose to be ethical but is under no legal obligation. Because of this ethical approach, we see many people saving with Sharia-compliant banks who are non-Muslim as well as Muslim. You simply need to be aged 18 years or over, resident in the UK, and hold a current account with a UK bank or building society. Sharia investments will avoid sectors such as arms, tobacco, gambling and alcohol Should UK savers be nervous of non-UK banks? CH: While the vast majority of Sharia-compliant banks are owned by overseas banks some, including ourselves, are UK-based and domiciled. In other words, were as British as any other British bank, but just so happen to be Shariah-compliant. Just like any other British bank, were protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme up to the current scheme limits of 85,000 per person and 170,000 for money held in joint names. Your savings are protected in exactly the same way as they would be with any other UK bank. Do I need to pay tax on Sharia profit rates? CH: No, your account is not subject to tax deductions. All profit will be paid gross of UK income tax, as standard. Profit payments are basically treated in the same way as savings interest and, depending on your personal circumstances, you may be liable to pay tax on the profit received. Area residents will gather in Titusvilles Scheide Park on Monday where Memorial Day ceremonies will be held. An address will be given by John McGinnis, an Air Force veteran and former Herald columnist. Username: Password: or Register Thread Rating: 4 Vote(s) - 3 Average 1 2 3 4 5 Category 3 Mekunu Making a Potentially Devastating Landfall in Oman spo snouou Vocem sine nomine audivit! User ID: 350320 05-25-2018 08:18 AM Posts: 67,593 Post: #1 Category 3 Mekunu Making a Potentially Devastating Landfall in Oman Advertisement The cyclone is expected to make landfall early Saturday near Salalah, Omans third-largest city and home to some 200,000 people near the sultanates border with war-ravaged Yemen. Conditions quickly deteriorated in Salalah after sunrise Friday, with winds and rain beginning to pick up. Strong waves smashed into empty tourist beaches. Many holidaymakers fled the storm Thursday night before Salalah International Airport closed. Indias Meteorological Department said the storm in the Arabian Sea was packing maximum sustained winds of 160-170 kilometers (99-106 miles) per hour, with gusts of up to 180 kph (112 mph). On Socotra, Gov. Ramzy Mahrous said one ship sank and two others ran aground in the storm. The storm sent torrents of rain pouring through homes and streets, leaving residents soaking wet and trying to wade to safety. He said of the 17 missing: We consider them dead. Yemens self-exiled President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi in a statement ordered troops under his command on the island to help citizens, deliver supplies and reopen roads. The island, listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, has been the focus of a dispute between the United Arab Emirates and Yemens internationally recognized government amid that countrys war after Shiite rebels, known as Houthis, seized the Yemeni capital, Sanaa. Saudi troops recently deployed on Socotra as a confidence-building measure over complaints by Yemens government that the UAE deployed troops there without its permission. Socotra has a unique ecosystem and is home to rare plants, snails and reptiles that can be found nowhere else on the planet. It is known for its flower-and-fruit bearing dragon blood tree, which resembles an umbrella and gets its name from the dark red sap it secretes. Salalah, the hometown of Omans longtime ruler, Sultan Qaboos bin Said, already began sandbagging low-lying doors and warning residents not to go into valleys for fears of flashing flooding. Oman sent rescue helicopters to remote villages in its Dhofar governorate to evacuate those who could be impacted by flooding or mudslides. It also evacuated the critically ill from Sultan Qaboos Hospital in Salalah, flying them north to Muscat, the countrys capital. The port of Salalah, crucial to Qatar amid a boycott by four Arab nations over a diplomatic spat with Doha, said it also had taken precautions and secured cranes ahead of the cyclone. Seasonal rains are nothing unusual for southern Oman this time of year. While the rest of the Arabian Peninsula bakes in areas where temperatures near 50 degrees Celsius (122 degrees Fahrenheit), those in the sleepy port city of Salalah enjoy rainy weather that sees fog and cool air wrap around its lush mountainsides. Temperatures drop down around 25 degrees Celsius (77 degrees Fahrenheit) during its annual monsoon festival. Quote: Powerful cyclones, however, are rare. Over a roughly 100-year period ending in 1996, only 17 recorded cyclones struck Oman. In 2007, Cyclone Gonu tore through the sultanate and later even reached Iran, causing $4 billion in damage in Oman alone and killing over 70 people across the Mideast. more: https://www.apnews.com/40ecc35619a24bbbb...SocialFlow The cyclone is expected to make landfall early Saturday near Salalah, Omans third-largest city and home to some 200,000 people near the sultanates border with war-ravaged Yemen.Conditions quickly deteriorated in Salalah after sunrise Friday, with winds and rain beginning to pick up. Strong waves smashed into empty tourist beaches. Many holidaymakers fled the storm Thursday night before Salalah International Airport closed.Indias Meteorological Department said the storm in the Arabian Sea was packing maximum sustained winds of 160-170 kilometers (99-106 miles) per hour, with gusts of up to 180 kph (112 mph).On Socotra, Gov. Ramzy Mahrous said one ship sank and two others ran aground in the storm. The storm sent torrents of rain pouring through homes and streets, leaving residents soaking wet and trying to wade to safety.He said of the 17 missing: We consider them dead.Yemens self-exiled President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi in a statement ordered troops under his command on the island to help citizens, deliver supplies and reopen roads.The island, listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, has been the focus of a dispute between the United Arab Emirates and Yemens internationally recognized government amid that countrys war after Shiite rebels, known as Houthis, seized the Yemeni capital, Sanaa.Saudi troops recently deployed on Socotra as a confidence-building measure over complaints by Yemens government that the UAE deployed troops there without its permission.Socotra has a unique ecosystem and is home to rare plants, snails and reptiles that can be found nowhere else on the planet. It is known for its flower-and-fruit bearing dragon blood tree, which resembles an umbrella and gets its name from the dark red sap it secretes.Salalah, the hometown of Omans longtime ruler, Sultan Qaboos bin Said, already began sandbagging low-lying doors and warning residents not to go into valleys for fears of flashing flooding.Oman sent rescue helicopters to remote villages in its Dhofar governorate to evacuate those who could be impacted by flooding or mudslides. It also evacuated the critically ill from Sultan Qaboos Hospital in Salalah, flying them north to Muscat, the countrys capital.The port of Salalah, crucial to Qatar amid a boycott by four Arab nations over a diplomatic spat with Doha, said it also had taken precautions and secured cranes ahead of the cyclone.Seasonal rains are nothing unusual for southern Oman this time of year. While the rest of the Arabian Peninsula bakes in areas where temperatures near 50 degrees Celsius (122 degrees Fahrenheit), those in the sleepy port city of Salalah enjoy rainy weather that sees fog and cool air wrap around its lush mountainsides. Temperatures drop down around 25 degrees Celsius (77 degrees Fahrenheit) during its annual monsoon festival.more: (This post was last modified: 05-26-2018 05:41 PM by spo snouou .) spo snouou Vocem sine nomine audivit! User ID: 350320 05-26-2018 05:41 PM Posts: 67,593 Post: #2 RE: Cyclone Mekunu to be extremely severe on landfall in Oman Category 3 Mekunu Making a Potentially Devastating Landfall in Oman https://www.wunderground.com/cat6/catego...dfall-oman spo snouou Vocem sine nomine audivit! User ID: 350320 05-26-2018 06:53 PM Posts: 67,593 Post: #3 RE: Category 3 Mekunu Making a Potentially Devastating Landfall in Oman Quote: Cyclone Mekunu was downgraded to a tropical storm Saturday, a day after lashing the southern coast of Oman and killing at least two people, authorities said. The storm had intensified to a category two cyclone as it hit Oman's Dhofar and Al Wusta provinces on the Arabian Sea on Friday, battering the coast with torrential rains, strong winds and massive waves. The national civil defence committee said on Saturday the cyclone had subsided to a tropical storm but was still pummelling the country with heavy rain and winds. Oman's directorate general of meteorology said the cyclone had gone inland and was heading northwest into Saudi Arabia, but that heavy rains would likely continue into Sunday. The Hafa and Dahariz areas were flooded by sea water on Saturday as authorities remained worried about flash floods in the area's valleys and potential mudslides in the mountains. In the Wadi Darbat, the storm's rains supercharged its famous waterfall. https://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/oman/cycl...-1.2226654 worm rider lop guest User ID: 442938 05-26-2018 09:17 PM Post: #4 RE: Category 3 Mekunu Making a Potentially Devastating Landfall in Oman One day, they say, the desert will be green. LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 441769 05-26-2018 09:29 PM Post: #5 RE: Category 3 Mekunu Making a Potentially Devastating Landfall in Oman Lots of sand to get into it. Everything will be sand blasted. Might be horrible.... LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 442126 05-27-2018 05:30 AM Post: #6 RE: Category 3 Mekunu Making a Potentially Devastating Landfall in Oman https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3VNBBHLogY Includes a clip of a waterfall turning a city street into a running waterway. It also explains how it could be drastic on one small area and just 2,000 feet up it was dry air. Kind of freaky freak storm. Includes a clip of a waterfall turning a city street into a running waterway.It also explains how it could be drastic on one small area and just 2,000 feet up it was dry air.Kind of freaky freak storm. IcelandAir begins transatlantic service to Kansas City The first arrival from IcelandAir lands at Kansas City International Airport Friday at 8:45 p.m. Flights to Reykjavik officially begin Saturday. About 300 people make transatlantic flights every day from Kansas City, said Justin Meyer, KCI spokesman. Actually, often enough for this interesting new service to take hold and garner a bit of local excitement. Read more: Woman Trafficked by Cult Is Awarded $8 Million: 'They Took My Childhood' Kendra Ross's human trafficking story started in 2002, when she was 11 and forced to cook, clean and provide child care for the United Nation of Islam Inc., a cult in Kansas, court documents say. At 12, she was moved from her mother's home into a household of female members of the cult. From the smarter readers among our blog community, here's anround-up of a recent case involving a dude who got scary faith journey start right here in the metro . . . Read more: Flowers said he visited the Google Fiber retail store at 43rd Street and State Line Road on Thursday afternoon to get his internet service repaired. Flowers told Kansas City police the store was busy with customers, and he saw the tall, thin, white man go into the store with the sledgehammer after menacing a couple of people outside. Flowers convinced the man to walk outside, rather than to cause trouble inside the crowded store. "That's where I opened up the door, and I was like, 'Bro, what are you doing here?'" Flowers told FOX4. Flowers and his family said that led to a scuffle in the store parking lot and near the front door of the internet retail store. Flowers said the man hit him twice with the sledgehammer -- once on his shoulder and another to the back of his head. Flowers' family members said that left him with a visit to the hospital with a broken shoulder. Local crime story that shouldn't be skipper over, here's a glimpse at Kansas City Internets life amid rising local crime . . .Here's more deets that aren't as fun asYou decide . . . Sinnad, the regions leading card processing service provider with advanced card payment solutions, said it has received its payments processing license from global digital payments leader Visa International. This will help support its vision to expand into Bahrain as a payments service provider, and back local and regional markets by utilizing the new and fully integrated programme. "Receiving the licence from Visa International is a major milestone in Sinnads strategic expansion plan," remarked Rana Almaeeli, the general manager, Sinnad. "Visa is one of Sinnads main offerings, and we have always aimed to diversify our services by adopting international schemes. The licence win will grant the group an opportunity to better cater to our banks needs through a wide variety of services," she stated. Shashank Singh, Visas general manager for Bahrain, Kuwait, and Oman, said: "Third party payment processors are an important part of the payments ecosystem, helping financial institutions with a wide array of transaction processing services and providing speed and agility to their processing capabilities." "Visa is happy to partner with third party processors like Sinnad who share Visa's commitment to reliability, security and speed and to serving our client banks and cardholders in Bahrain," stated Singh. Almaeeli said Sinnad looked forward to utilising the Visa licence to its full capacity. "We provide state-of-the-art solutions in cards processing to banks across the MEA region and will continue offering high-quality deliverables that cater to the needs of the business community," she added.-TradeArabia News Service Zain Bahrain, a leading telecom services operator in the kingdom, has introduced its new express home delivery service wherein Zain customers can now complete multiple services all at their own door step. Zain Bahrain customers can now renew their post-paid plans, sign up for new plans, register their Zain line and have SIMS and devices delivered straight to them through Zain Bahrain express delivery service. All Zain Bahrain customers need to do is visit the E-shop portal and place an order where a trained representative from Zain Bahrain will arrive to complete the required service at your convenience, said a statement from the company. In addition, Zain Bahrain customers can also register their Zain line through the newly-implemented Sim-Card fingerprint registration at home. The trained representative from Zain Bahrain will arrive with the Sim-Card fingerprint registration machine to complete the registering process at the customers doorstep, it stated. Zain Bahrain customers will have to carry their Bahraini CPR or a valid GCC national identity card or Passport to undergo the new registration prior to the deadline which falls on June 2 for post-paid customers and March 2, 2019 for pre-paid. Zain Bahrain express service was initially launched for Zains valued customers to enjoy the convenience of home delivery through Zain Bahrain telesales, it added.-TradeArabia News Service Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec) and its allies are likely to gradually revive oil output in the second half of the year to ease consumer anxiety as prices trade near $80 a barrel, said Saudi Energy Minister Khalid Al Falih. The Saudi comments, echoed by Russia, mark a major shift in the historic alliance they forged in 2016 to end a global oil glut. While the producers were determined just a month ago to keep supply restrained and boost prices, theyre now changing course as oils surge to a three-year high puts strain on the global economy and draws political heat from major consumers, notably the US, reported Bloomberg. On April 20, the president took to Twitter to lambaste the cartels push for higher prices. "Looks like Opec is at it again," he tweeted. "Oil prices are artificially High!" Trumps intervention gave typically strident voice to a concern held more widely in the US and other consuming countries: oils rally from less than $30 in early 2016 to more than $80 this month risked becoming a threat to global economic growth. On Friday, Saudi Oil Minister responded, saying his country shared the "anxiety" of his customers. He then announced this shift in policy that all but gave a green light for a market sell-off. Speaking at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum in Russia, Al Falih said: "I think in the near future there will be time to release supply" smoothly to avoid shocking the market." When Opec, Russia and other major producers meet in June we will do what is necessary to reassure consumers, the minister added. Al Falih spoke after talks with his Russian counterpart Alexander Novak, who said the output increase would start in the third quarter, if it is approved by other members of the group. Both men said the size of the boost was still subject to negotiation. Oil fell sharply following the comments, with Brent crude losing as much as 2.5 per cent to $76.84 a barrel as of 12:02 p.m. in London. The international benchmark is still up 15 percent this year. The Opec and its allies have been cutting more than intended under the terms of their deal for several months. Thats partly because of unplanned losses in countries including Venezuela and Angola, but also because the Saudis have consistently cut deeper to demonstrate their determination to rebalance the market. The producers are now discussing a plan to bring the cuts back in line with what they originally agreed, said people familiar with the matter. They are still debating whether that would mean offsetting all the excess cuts made involuntarily in nations like Venezuela, or simply requiring individual members to move back in line with their own targets, which would entail a much smaller boost, reported Bloomberg. Ending deeper cuts by individual members would barely boost supply, while moving the group back to 100 per cent compliance in aggregate would add more than 700,000 bpd. Terminating the deal would increase output by about 1.3 million bpd. The lower end of the potential increase, backed by Gulf producers including Saudi Arabia, would add just 300,000 barrels a day to the market, one person said. The more generous option favored by Russia would deliver an additional 700,000 to 800,000 barrels a day, the person said. Given current developments, with supply worries driving the price to $80, it would make perfect sense to remove the over-compliance by compensating for the shortfall from Venezuela, said Ole Sloth Hansen, an analyst at Saxo Bank A/S in Copenhagen. Excess cuts amounted to about 740,000 barrels a day in April, according to estimates from the International Energy Agency. Without compensating supply from other members, this number looks likely to expand as the US re-imposes sanctions on Iran and the collapse of Venezuelas oil industry worsens. Username: Password: or Register Thread Rating: 1 Vote(s) - 5 Average 1 2 3 4 5 Page: 1 2 3 Americans! Seriously, you have to pay for studying? Spectre 34 Never give up User ID: 442858 05-26-2018 07:22 AM Posts: 5,158 Post: #1 Americans! Seriously, you have to pay for studying? Advertisement That's insane idea. Here where I live it is totally free. It is up to your ambition and motivation what you want to study and how far. 77 Theofacist Deluxe edition User ID: 438700 05-26-2018 07:36 AM Posts: 4,000 Post: #2 RE: Americans! Seriously, you have to pay for studying? Lolol even here SA Only the rich pay to go university. Amerika is a slave pen, we gotta rescue our bros dude. All we need is pooooweeerrr. And we getting that soon. I beliebe it LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 442496 05-26-2018 07:41 AM Post: #3 RE: Americans! Seriously, you have to pay for studying? Ricardo Wrote: (05-26-2018 07:36 AM) Lolol even here SA Only the rich pay to go university. Amerika is a slave pen, we gotta rescue our bros dude. All we need is pooooweeerrr. And we getting that soon. I beliebe it America is a true police state, With nearly more prisoners than almost all other countries combined. As much as you like to hate on the younger generations like millennials, Guess what they're bringing this system down in many different ways. The most effective way being by not participating in it. America is a true police state, With nearly more prisoners than almost all other countries combined. As much as you like to hate on the younger generations like millennials, Guess what they're bringing this system down in many different ways.The most effective way being by not participating in it. LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 441610 05-26-2018 07:44 AM Post: #4 RE: Americans! Seriously, you have to pay for studying? dont know about the paying part, the trouble is keeping an analog pace with digital equipment LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 435649 05-26-2018 07:49 AM Post: #5 RE: Americans! Seriously, you have to pay for studying? Mitternacht Wrote: (05-26-2018 07:22 AM) That's insane idea. Here where I live it is totally free. It is up to your ambition and motivation what you want to study and how far. Where is this wondrous place? Where is this wondrous place? Spectre 34 Never give up User ID: 442858 05-26-2018 07:52 AM Posts: 5,158 Post: #6 RE: Americans! Seriously, you have to pay for studying? LoP Guest Wrote: (05-26-2018 07:49 AM) Mitternacht Wrote: (05-26-2018 07:22 AM) That's insane idea. Here where I live it is totally free. It is up to your ambition and motivation what you want to study and how far. Where is this wondrous place? Finland! :) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Education_in_Finland We have pretty amazing healthcare as well. Health care in Finland consists of a highly decentralized three-level publicly-funded healthcare system and a much smaller private sector. Although the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health has the highest decision-making authority, the municipalities (local governments) are responsible for providing healthcare to their residents. Finland offers its residents universal healthcare. The prevention of diseases and other types of health promotion have been the main focus of Finnish healthcare policies for decades. That has resulted in the eradication of certain communicable diseases and improvement in the health of population. The quality of service in Finnish healthcare is considered to be good; according to a survey published by the European Commission in 2000, Finland belongs to the top five countries in satisfaction: 88% of Finnish respondents were satisfied, compared with the EU average of 41.3%.[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Healthcare_in_Finland Finland! :)We have pretty amazing healthcare as well.Health care in Finland consists of a highly decentralized three-level publicly-funded healthcare system and a much smaller private sector. Although the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health has the highest decision-making authority, the municipalities (local governments) are responsible for providing healthcare to their residents.Finland offers its residents universal healthcare. The prevention of diseases and other types of health promotion have been the main focus of Finnish healthcare policies for decades. That has resulted in the eradication of certain communicable diseases and improvement in the health of population.The quality of service in Finnish healthcare is considered to be good; according to a survey published by the European Commission in 2000, Finland belongs to the top five countries in satisfaction: 88% of Finnish respondents were satisfied, compared with the EU average of 41.3%.[1] SkeptiSchism Registered User User ID: 381174 05-26-2018 07:54 AM Posts: 34,234 Post: #7 RE: Americans! Seriously, you have to pay for studying? Nah I'm studying on my own via the internet, graphics arts and some programming. Most of it is free, but if you want the best content it will cost you some money, like $20 a month. Cheaper than cable and a lot cheaper than going to school and paying thousands in tuition to learn skills that were used 10 years ago. LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 442833 05-26-2018 08:09 AM Post: #8 RE: Americans! Seriously, you have to pay for studying? Mitternacht Wrote: (05-26-2018 07:52 AM) LoP Guest Wrote: (05-26-2018 07:49 AM) Where is this wondrous place? Finland! :) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Education_in_Finland We have pretty amazing healthcare as well. Health care in Finland consists of a highly decentralized three-level publicly-funded healthcare system and a much smaller private sector. Although the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health has the highest decision-making authority, the municipalities (local governments) are responsible for providing healthcare to their residents. Finland offers its residents universal healthcare. The prevention of diseases and other types of health promotion have been the main focus of Finnish healthcare policies for decades. That has resulted in the eradication of certain communicable diseases and improvement in the health of population. The quality of service in Finnish healthcare is considered to be good; according to a survey published by the European Commission in 2000, Finland belongs to the top five countries in satisfaction: 88% of Finnish respondents were satisfied, compared with the EU average of 41.3%.[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Healthcare_in_Finland You come from just about the only country in the world that even comes close to utopia. It's a pity your country is so racist! 98%+ Caucasoid? You need more diversity, you natsie! Booooo! You come from just about the only country in the world that even comes close to utopia. It's a pity your country is so racist! 98%+ Caucasoid? You need more diversity, you natsie!Booooo! LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 441641 05-26-2018 08:27 AM Post: #9 RE: Americans! Seriously, you have to pay for studying? My Finnish friend, my only advice to you is that if you hear anyone in your country wanting any policy of privatisation or neoliberalism, you should shoot them with one of those antitank rifle on skies things from WWII. We squeeze students because we squeeze everybody. America is about not being the last sucker holding the bag America is a hollowed out shell of misery and corruption. LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 442871 05-26-2018 08:31 AM Post: #10 RE: Americans! Seriously, you have to pay for studying? Mitternacht Wrote: (05-26-2018 07:22 AM) That's insane idea. Here where I live it is totally free. It is up to your ambition and motivation what you want to study and how far. So they let any schmuck into any classroom for free? Somehow I think your misrepresenting the reality. So they let any schmuck into any classroom for free?Somehow I think your misrepresenting the reality. Spectre 34 Never give up User ID: 442858 05-26-2018 08:34 AM Posts: 5,158 Post: #11 RE: Americans! Seriously, you have to pay for studying? LoP Guest Wrote: (05-26-2018 08:09 AM) Mitternacht Wrote: (05-26-2018 07:52 AM) Finland! :) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Education_in_Finland We have pretty amazing healthcare as well. Health care in Finland consists of a highly decentralized three-level publicly-funded healthcare system and a much smaller private sector. Although the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health has the highest decision-making authority, the municipalities (local governments) are responsible for providing healthcare to their residents. Finland offers its residents universal healthcare. The prevention of diseases and other types of health promotion have been the main focus of Finnish healthcare policies for decades. That has resulted in the eradication of certain communicable diseases and improvement in the health of population. The quality of service in Finnish healthcare is considered to be good; according to a survey published by the European Commission in 2000, Finland belongs to the top five countries in satisfaction: 88% of Finnish respondents were satisfied, compared with the EU average of 41.3%.[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Healthcare_in_Finland You come from just about the only country in the world that even comes close to utopia. It's a pity your country is so racist! 98%+ Caucasoid? You need more diversity, you natsie! Booooo! Well, when it comes to mass immigration change is already happening..I see every day non finnish persons. Well, when it comes to mass immigration change is already happening..I see every day non finnish persons. LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 442871 05-26-2018 08:34 AM Post: #12 RE: Americans! Seriously, you have to pay for studying? LoP Guest Wrote: (05-26-2018 07:41 AM) Ricardo Wrote: (05-26-2018 07:36 AM) Lolol even here SA Only the rich pay to go university. Amerika is a slave pen, we gotta rescue our bros dude. All we need is pooooweeerrr. And we getting that soon. I beliebe it America is a true police state, With nearly more prisoners than almost all other countries combined. As much as you like to hate on the younger generations like millennials, Guess what they're bringing this system down in many different ways. The most effective way being by not participating in it. About 25%... so far too many but not close to the rest of the world combined. And sinceiyou clearly are either a liar, ignorant, or misinformed I won't bother pointing out how foolish the rest of your post is. About 25%... so far too many but not close to the rest of the world combined.And sinceiyou clearly are either a liar, ignorant, or misinformed I won't bother pointing out how foolish the rest of your post is. LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 441742 05-26-2018 08:41 AM Post: #13 RE: Americans! Seriously, you have to pay for studying? Mitternacht Wrote: (05-26-2018 07:22 AM) That's insane idea. Here where I live it is totally free. It is up to your ambition and motivation what you want to study and how far. America always finds a way to monitize everything. There is nothing free here at all, everyone is trying to enter your wallet constantly. I could never afford college, it broke my parents to put just one sibbling through college. I hope if reincarnation is real that I can be born in a better country. Im turning 60 soon and with the way America bleeds everyone financially most of us can only hope for a quick death. America always finds a way to monitize everything.There is nothing free here at all, everyone is trying to enter your wallet constantly.I could never afford college, it broke my parents to put just one sibbling through college.I hope if reincarnation is real that I can be born in a better country.Im turning 60 soon and with the way America bleeds everyone financially most of us can only hope for a quick death. LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 442496 05-26-2018 09:16 AM Post: #14 RE: Americans! Seriously, you have to pay for studying? LoP Guest Wrote: (05-26-2018 08:34 AM) LoP Guest Wrote: (05-26-2018 07:41 AM) America is a true police state, With nearly more prisoners than almost all other countries combined. As much as you like to hate on the younger generations like millennials, Guess what they're bringing this system down in many different ways. The most effective way being by not participating in it. About 25%... so far too many but not close to the rest of the world combined. And sinceiyou clearly are either a liar, ignorant, or misinformed I won't bother pointing out how foolish the rest of your post is. The Truth Hurts. You Seem Hurt. The Truth Hurts. You Seem Hurt. LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 435649 05-26-2018 09:58 AM Post: #15 RE: Americans! Seriously, you have to pay for studying? Sounds like a great place to hail from. Enjoy. Advertisement Lunaticoutpost.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program , anaffiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.Amazon, the Amazon logo, MYHABIT, and the MYHABIT logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.Don't be a pest to the forum.No profanity in thread-titles or usernamesNo excessive profanity in postsNo Racism, Antisemitism + HateNo calls for violence against anyone..This website exists for fun and discussion only. 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Addressing a public gathering at Chhatar village in Jind district, Khattar said the appointment process would begin in June. He said 7,000 posts would be filled in the police department and about 38,000 grade-D appointments would be made in other departments. He said transparency in the appointment was among the major achievements of the BJP government. A total of 24,000 persons have been appointed in universities, colleges, police and other departments on merit, the Chief Minister claimed. Ahead of his roadshow in Jind, Khattar announced a grant of Rs 10 crore for the development of Chhatar village under the Mahagram Vikas Yojana. He appealed to farmers to adopt water conservation tools, adding the state government was offering heavy subsidies on drip irrigation and water sprinklers. rchopra@tribunemail.com Vishal Joshi Tribune News Service Kurukshetra, May 26 Within three months of granting it a special autonomous status, the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) has approved a grant of Rs 100 crore for Kurukshetra University. Confirming this to The Tribune on Saturday, Vice Chancellor Prof KC Sharma said the grant would give a boost to the long-pending requirement of infrastructure development and strengthening research activities on the campus. He hoped that the state government would further increase financial support to the KU that was facing a financial crunch for the last several years. Sources said the KU had submitted a proposal of Rs 162 crore to the Centre but the MHRD agreed to allocate Rs 100 crore. The UGC funds will route through Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA), a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS). Being the oldest university of Haryana, KU has excelled in various fields. We are looking for more liberal financial assistance from the government to make KU into a centre of excellence, said Sharma. On March 20, the University Grants Commission (UGC) had accorded full autonomy for 62 higher educational institutes across India, including KU in recognition of high academic standards. The VC said the prompt fund allocation had silenced rumours that the Centre might ask the autonomous institutes to generate independent financial resources. Extension of laboratories, libraries, purchase of equipments and renovation of classrooms will be among top priorities from the central funds. Construction of ramps and lifts in the various buildings for the convenience of differently abled persons will also be ensured, said the VC. The state government pays 95 per cent budget of the aided colleges whereas KU gets only 30 per cent of its annual budget. I have written the state authorities to enhance the budget allocation for an overall development, said the VC. editorial@tribune.com Tribune News Service Karnal, May 26 Congress media in charge and Kaithal MLA Randeep Singh Surjewala on Saturday asked the Election Commission to stop Prime Minister Narendra Modi from holding a public rally at Baghpat tomorrow, a day before the byelection in Kairana in Uttar Pradesh. He said that if the Prime Minister does not follow the Constitution, who else would. The Election Commission should take cognizance of it, as it can influence the election results, he said. Surjewala was attending the opening of a four-wheeler showroom of Congress leader Suresh Gupta at Matlauda on the National Highway-44. Surjewala interacted with mediapersons on the sidelines of the programme. He claimed that four years of the Union government had been a flop show. He said that the government had failed to give relief to farmers, common people, traders and other sections of society. Surjewala alleged that the government had even failed on the fronts of internal and external security of the country. Pakistan has been violating ceasefire, while Chinese forces are entering Indian territories regularly. But instead taking stringent steps, the Central government is watching as a mute spectator, he alleged. Farmers are not getting full rate for their produce. Instead of providing relief to farmers under the Fasal Bima Yojana, the government has provided benefit of around Rs 14,800 crore to seven private companies, he said. The BJP had promised before coming to power of generating two crore jobs every year, but instead, it could generate only 7.18 lakh jobs in four years. Demonetisation and the Good and Services Tax (GST) have broken the backbone of traders and common people, he alleged. Surjewala said that atrocities against minorities and crime against women were rising across the country. harinder@tribunemail.com Bhanu P Lohumi Tribune News Service Shimla, May 26 A skip in their gait and smiles on their faces, as many as 8.90 lakh students in 15,429 Himachal Pradesh government schools, among them 3.11 lakh tiny-tots (primary), attended school on Saturday without having to carry cumbersome schoolbags. Their day packed with fun activities, there was excitement and laughter all around. The attendance was, of course, more than usual. Besides Bal Sabha, the students participated in games such as kabaddi, tug-of-war and volleyball. There were brainteasers too in the form of quiz contests. The Education Department has decided that the last Saturday of every month will be bag-free. The aim is to provide a different learning environment more creative, stimulating and fun-filled. No bags! We did not carry the anxiety of showing homework to teachers, exclaimed Ankur, a Class VII student at Government Senior Secondary School, Boileauganj. Buoyed by the response, Director of Elementary Education Manmohan Sharma said they intended to continue with the experiment though some private schools had refused to be a part of it. Showing the way, Government Central Public School, Kothi, near Reckong Peo in Kinnaur district, was the first to turn bagless last year, doing away with satchels for Class I and II and equipping classrooms with computers and cameras. The school has emerged as a role model; the staff have been issued appreciation letters, said Sharma. editorial@tribune.com Ambika Sharma Tribune News Service Solan, May 26 A massive forest fire erupted in the forest area around the Air Force Station, Kasauli, where a chopper was pressed into service by the defence authorities to douse flames Saturday evening . The presence of dry pine needles on the forest floor triggered the blaze which spread from Dochi village on the Kimmughat-Chakki-Ka-Mor road to Naam village and Naam Sari village just below the Air Force Station. The defence station was engulfed in thick smoke as another fire broke out in the forest area lying behind the Hanuman Temple at the Monkey Point, making the task arduous for the fire-fighting team. Keeping in view the exigency of the situation, the forest staff and policemen also rushed to the spot. Four fire tenders from Parwanoo, Kasauli Cantonment and Solan also reached the spot to douse the fire. Several locals from the villages near the defence area were also seen assisting the fire-fighting operations. SHO, Kasauli, Nirmal Singh, said an IAF chopper was pressed into service to douse the fire as it was approaching the IAF station. The fire-fighting operations, which began in the afternoon, were continuing till the filing of the report and fire in about 60 per cent of the area had been controlled though it would take some more time to extinguish it. DFO, Solan, RS Jaswal, said eight to 10 staffers had been deployed to assist the defence staff. Though a fire, which had erupted at Dochi last evening, was doused around 1:30 pm, the simmering fire on the forest floor was fuelled by strong wind. It spread upwards from Naam and Naam Sari village towards the Air Force Station by evening, putting the defence authorities in a state of high alert. The chopper made several sorties to refill water from Chandigarh. DFO, Solan, RS Jaswal, also said two labourers were injured last evening while trying to douse flames which had erupted at a Sanawar village. Resorts lying on the Kimmughat-Chakki-Ka-Mor road were also threatened by the forest fire. The resort staff rued that despite calling the fire station at Parwanoo, no help had been received initially and it assumed an alarming proportion by evening. An arduous task The presence of dry pine needles on the forest floor triggered the blaze which spread from Dochi village on the Kimmughat-Chakki-Ka-Mor road to Naam village and Naam Sari village just below the Air Force Station. The defence station was engulfed in thick smoke as another fire broke out in the forest area lying behind the Hanuman Temple on the Monkey Point, making the task arduous for the fire-fighting team editorial@tribune.com Dipender Manta Tribune News Service Mandi, May 26 Despite repeated efforts of the government to settle the boundary issue with Jammu and Kashmir, the dispute arose again as the Jammu and Kashmir Police set up its seasonal police check-post in the Himachal territory at Sarchu. It was stated that residents of Jammu and Kashmir, who run eatery shops and other business at Sarchu, were threatening residents of Lahaul-Spiti to move back to Lahaul. After the opening of the Manali-Leh road, a large number of tourists have been visiting Leh and Lahaul residents have set up eatery shops and camping sites at Sarchu to earn their livelihood. Sonam Dolma, gram panchayat pradhan, Dharcha in Lahaul Spiti, conveyed to the district administration that the Jammu and Kashmir Police had entered 7 km inside the Himachal territory. She said the residents of Lahaul-Spiti were also forced to come back from Sarchu. Ashwani Kumar Chaudhari, Deputy Commissioner, Lahaul-Spiti, said on Saturday that a team of police personnel had been sent to the spot to analyse the situation. The government had been also informed about it and the matter was pending with the Centre. During the Congress regime in the state, a former Lahaul-Spiti MLA and vice-chairman of the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes also tried to find a permanent solution, but in vain. On the directions of the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes, a Geological Survey of India team had also visited Sarchu for demarcation but the two states could not reach to any conclusion. Agriculture Minister Ram Lal Markanda, who represents the district, said, I have raised the issue with the Centre twice and I hope the Centre will intervene to find a permanent solution soon. Matter pending with Centre rchopra@tribunemail.com Tribune News Service Srinagar/Kupwara, May 26 Five militants were killed in a gunfight as the Army claimed to have foiled an infiltration bid in Kupwara district. The infiltration bid was foiled a day after Army Chief General Bipin Rawat, who completed his two-days visit to Kashmir on Friday, asked Pakistan to stop infiltration and establish peace along the border. The incident took place when troops intercepted a group of infiltrating militants near Gagadari eagle post close to the Line of Control (LoC) in the wee hours on Saturday. As the Army noticed suspicious movement around 3 am, the group was challenged. The infiltrating militants opened fire, triggering a gunfight. So far, five militants have been killed, defence sources said. Col Rajesh Kalia, Srinagar-based defence spokesman, said the combing operation was still under way. Ambarkar Shriram Dinkar, Superintendent of Police, Kupwara, said the bodies of the militants were yet to be retrieved. A search operation is under way, but the gunfight is over. We have reports of killing of militants in the operation, but their bodies have not been retrieved so far, Dinkar. This is the second infiltration bid foiled by the Army in Kupwara in three days. On May 24, the Army had claimed to have foiled a major infiltration attempt in the nearby Keran sector by forcing at least 10 militants to retreat under the impact of heavy gunfire. Ever since the militancy broke out in Kashmir, the frontier Kupwara district has been known as the key infiltration route for militants from across to sneak into the Valley. While security forces have halted all anti-militancy operations since May 17, the Army continues to maintain a high alert along the LoC, as militants are making desperate attempts to sneak into the Valley. Days after the unilateral ceasefire was announced, four militants were killed in a gunfight at the Brinjal forest in Handwara when they were intercepted by the Army. Second attempt in three days editorial@tribune.com Arteev Sharma Tribune News Service Jammu, May 26 Uprooted from their houses due to continued Pakistan shelling, border dwellers on Saturday faced another humiliation when Jitendra Singh, Union Minister in the PMO, tried to placate them by distributing bananas and biscuits to mark the completion of four years of the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre. Singh, who happens to be their representative in the Lok Sabha, visited the Hiranagar relief camp with local leaders and officers and distributed refreshment among displaced people who have taken shelter in a school. However, this proved counterproductive as the border residents raised anti-BJP and anti-minister slogans at the relief camp to express their resentment against the failure of BJP-led government at the Centre and the Union Minister to ensure their safety and security in the last four years. It all happened when the Union Minister, accompanied by Health Minister Devinder Manyal, Hiranagar MLA Kuldeep Raj, Jammu Divisional Commissioner Hemant Kumar and other officers reached Government Higher Secondary School, Hiranagar, to meet the people from border, who had fled their homes following intense Pakistan shelling. Immediately after his arrival at the relief camp, the minister asked the officials accompanying him to distribute bananas and biscuits among them. Border dwellers, however, felt offended with this banana politics and asked him about the promises of his government that five marla plots would be allotted to border residents at safer places. Four years ago, you and your government had promised that five marla plots would be given to us to ensure our safety, but nothing has been achieved so far, women from Londi, a border village, said. The minister admitted that it was his initiative to have plots for border residents at safer places, but the project was shelved following the concerns and requests of security forces. The project has been shelved on the request of security forces as they had concerns that it could lead to migration from the border. We had to respect the forces and their request was paramount to us. Security forces favoured construction of bunkers and small houses to deal with the situation. The construction of bunkers has not been taken up because of the present situation on the border, Singh said while addressing the border dwellers. One of the villagers, however, confronted the minister, asking him to give an assurance on the safety and security of border residents. As the minister did not give ear to his concern and left the relief camp, the border villagers staged a protest and chanted anti-minister and anti-BJP slogans. He did not listen to our problems. He came and distributed two bananas each among the affected people. Was he there to distribute bananas or listen to our grievances? We want permanent solution to our problems and not bananas, said Bharat Bhushan Sharma, vice-president, Border Welfare Committee. editorial@tribune.com Tribune News Service Srinagar, May 26 A shutdown was observed at Hajin in north Kashmirs Bandipora district on Saturday against the killing of a 36-year-old man on the intervening night of Thursday and Friday. Hajin residents staged a protest against the killing of the civilians. All shops remained shut to protest the killings. While the police blame the Lashkar-e-Toiba for slitting the throat of Mohammad Yaqoob Wagay, 36, a resident of Gunda Preng, Hajin, the militant group, in an unverified audio clip, has denied any role in the two recent killings, including that of Wagay. It is the handiwork of Indian agencies to defame us (militants) and create a rift between the public and militants, the audio clip of the Lashkar claimed. Despite a shutdown, the situation in Hajin remained normal. At least five civilians have been killed by gunmen in the past nearly two months in Hajin. Username: Password: or Register Thread Rating: 0 Vote(s) - 0 Average 1 2 3 4 5 Page: 1 2 3 4 What did Iraq have to do with the September Eleventh attack? LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 442917 05-26-2018 11:24 PM Post: #1 What did Iraq have to do with the September Eleventh attack? Advertisement It doesn't add up. Was there dancing Iraqi in New York? Were the alleged Hijackers from Iraq? Did Iraq plant the Explosives? Where does Iraq fit into the 911 equation? How does, "Operation Iraqi Freedom" coinside with looking for "Weapons of Mass Destruction"?It doesn't add up.Was there dancing Iraqi in New York?Were the alleged Hijackers from Iraq?Did Iraq plant the Explosives?Where does Iraq fit into the 911 equation? LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 441752 05-26-2018 11:27 PM Post: #2 RE: What did Iraq have to do with the September Eleventh attack? Squat, it was Israel with the help of certain undercover US elements and Saudi Arabia. Strategos Against Dystopia User ID: 441784 05-26-2018 11:30 PM Posts: 9,542 Post: #3 RE: What did Iraq have to do with the September Eleventh attack? Iraq had nothing to do with the 9/11 attacks. Fact. Pookie New Jacques City User ID: 413063 05-26-2018 11:31 PM Posts: 3,063 Post: #4 RE: What did Iraq have to do with the September Eleventh attack? LoP Guest Wrote: (05-26-2018 11:27 PM) Squat, it was Israel with the help of certain undercover US elements and Saudi Arabia. dont forget England, Pakistan, Canada. at least you didn't stop at Israel like those who planted the dancers want! dont forget England, Pakistan, Canada.at least you didn't stop at Israel like those who planted the dancers want! LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 442917 05-26-2018 11:38 PM Post: #5 RE: What did Iraq have to do with the September Eleventh attack? LoP Guest Wrote: (05-26-2018 11:27 PM) Squat, it was Israel with the help of certain undercover US elements and Saudi Arabia. Bush was very quick to Invade. Was "Shock and Awe" drawn up prior to the September 11th attack, it appears to look that way. Bush was very quick to Invade.Was "Shock and Awe" drawn up prior to the September 11th attack, it appears to look that way. LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 442917 05-26-2018 11:41 PM Post: #6 RE: What did Iraq have to do with the September Eleventh attack? Steven James Dishon Wrote: (05-26-2018 11:31 PM) LoP Guest Wrote: (05-26-2018 11:27 PM) Squat, it was Israel with the help of certain undercover US elements and Saudi Arabia. dont forget England, Pakistan, Canada. at least you didn't stop at Israel like those who planted the dancers want! What about Russia having a hand in it too? Putin never Speaks of it... What about Russia having a hand in it too?Putin never Speaks of it... LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 442954 05-26-2018 11:46 PM Post: #7 RE: What did Iraq have to do with the September Eleventh attack? Steven James Dishon Wrote: (05-26-2018 11:31 PM) LoP Guest Wrote: (05-26-2018 11:27 PM) Squat, it was Israel with the help of certain undercover US elements and Saudi Arabia. dont forget England, Pakistan, Canada. at least you didn't stop at Israel like those who planted the dancers want! And the US. The CIA were warned an attack was coming And the US.The CIA were warned an attack was coming LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 442917 05-26-2018 11:49 PM Post: #8 RE: What did Iraq have to do with the September Eleventh attack? LoP Guest Wrote: (05-26-2018 11:46 PM) Steven James Dishon Wrote: (05-26-2018 11:31 PM) dont forget England, Pakistan, Canada. at least you didn't stop at Israel like those who planted the dancers want! And the US. The CIA were warned an attack was coming Was the CIA given a reason for the coming attack? It's said the attack was because the United States wouldn't go along with Something. Was the CIA given a reason for the coming attack?It's said the attack was because the United States wouldn't go along with Something. fnord lop guest User ID: 337000 05-27-2018 12:12 AM Post: #9 RE: What did Iraq have to do with the September Eleventh attack? LoP Guest Wrote: (05-26-2018 11:46 PM) Steven James Dishon Wrote: (05-26-2018 11:31 PM) dont forget England, Pakistan, Canada. at least you didn't stop at Israel like those who planted the dancers want! And the US. The CIA were warned an attack was coming The CIA were warned, but they already knew the attack was coming because they helped to plan it. The CIA were warned, but they already knew the attack was coming because they helped to plan it. piequal3because14 Angel of Love from Heaven User ID: 441550 05-27-2018 12:32 AM Posts: 28,017 Post: #10 RE: What did Iraq have to do with the September Eleventh attack? The same thing Poland had to do with Nazi invasion in WW2. Look into my eyes to see a Paradise of Love https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqtHu0XFal0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wo7PY4vbQLE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LTm9ui-26F0 Dirk lop guest User ID: 426152 05-27-2018 12:36 AM Post: #11 RE: What did Iraq have to do with the September Eleventh attack? Iraq's WMD were shipped out to Syria and Syria has used them multiple times since then. Iraq and Syria were Baathist allies. The other link is the lead hijacker Attah , whose doctors said he had anthrax rash, and who had met with Iraqi intelligence in Prague just prior to 911, with Iraq one of three countries with such highly aerosolized anthrax particles. The other two being the US and the USSR. Attach was also seen on a security camera at a 711 buying tons of moisturizers with rashes all over, at the time. Some of the anthrax was postmarked from Iraq, the ones targeting the national enquirer's owner. The other anthrax letters targeted the Senators who had sponsored the bills in Congress authorizing the assassination of Sadaam Heussein. I would add that Iraq tried to assassinate George Bush I in Kuwait and had explosives planted under the stage where he was going to speak. Another thing to look into more is the Kurdish area of Iraq there was a Boeing Jet being used for test run attacks prior to 911. Not well publicized except for at the time. Same with the anthrax details. There are also many links between Terry Nichols, Abu Sayef, and Iraqi Elite Guard, in terms of the Oklahoma City bombing, which you could look into more if you had any intellectual curiosity , and were not already 'programmed'. LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 441641 05-27-2018 12:42 AM Post: #12 RE: What did Iraq have to do with the September Eleventh attack? Dirk Wrote: (05-27-2018 12:36 AM) Iraq's WMD were shipped out to Syria and Syria has used them multiple times since then. Iraq and Syria were Baathist allies. The other link is the lead hijacker Attah , whose doctors said he had anthrax rash, and who had met with Iraqi intelligence in Prague just prior to 911, with Iraq one of three countries with such highly aerosolized anthrax particles. The other two being the US and the USSR. Attach was also seen on a security camera at a 711 buying tons of moisturizers with rashes all over, at the time. Some of the anthrax was postmarked from Iraq, the ones targeting the national enquirer's owner. The other anthrax letters targeted the Senators who had sponsored the bills in Congress authorizing the assassination of Sadaam Heussein. I would add that Iraq tried to assassinate George Bush I in Kuwait and had explosives planted under the stage where he was going to speak. Another thing to look into more is the Kurdish area of Iraq there was a Boeing Jet being used for test run attacks prior to 911. Not well publicized except for at the time. Same with the anthrax details. There are also many links between Terry Nichols, Abu Sayef, and Iraqi Elite Guard, in terms of the Oklahoma City bombing, which you could look into more if you had any intellectual curiosity , and were not already 'programmed'. Saddam had some old surplus US chemical weapons left over from the Iran war, which we knew about, the war was over allegations that WMD production was on going. Nobody knows who's doing the chemical attacks in Syria, post proof that it was Saddam stockpile. Other than that, there are a bunch of "links" ginned up by half-way conmen and other dubious sources. Saddam's regime was not friendly to Al-Qaeda types and they had nothing to gain by pulling off 9/11. Saddam had some old surplus US chemical weapons left over from the Iran war, which we knew about, the war was over allegations that WMD production was on going.Nobody knows who's doing the chemical attacks in Syria, post proof that it was Saddam stockpile.Other than that, there are a bunch of "links" ginned up by half-way conmen and other dubious sources. Saddam's regime was not friendly to Al-Qaeda types and they had nothing to gain by pulling off 9/11. LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 442203 05-27-2018 12:46 AM Post: #13 RE: What did Iraq have to do with the September Eleventh attack? Saddam paid for 9/11. Classified info. LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 441769 05-27-2018 12:51 AM Post: #14 RE: What did Iraq have to do with the September Eleventh attack? US has only themselves to blame. Not jews, or anyone else. And all that bitching about liberalism doesn't make anything right. There are so many things you guys here also believe, that leads to people in power and with a military, to do what they are doing. The main one being thinking America and you are special compared to all other nations and races. Another is your interest in guns and thinking it is ok to shoot criminals. And another one is your believe that the strongest deserve what the can get, the weak do not deserve special treatment, survival of the fittest and natural law. And another is believing that inequality is not something you should do something about and allow people to become extremely wealthy and powerful, affecting everything, including war. And another is being so anti government that you are very pro corporate in the sense that they have extreme privacy and liberty, also the companies of war. So check yourself, before you wreck yourself. LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 441641 05-27-2018 12:53 AM Post: #15 RE: What did Iraq have to do with the September Eleventh attack? LoP Guest Wrote: (05-27-2018 12:51 AM) US has only themselves to blame. Not jews, or anyone else. And all that bitching about liberalism doesn't make anything right. There are so many things you guys here also believe, that leads to people in power and with a military, to do what they are doing. The main one being thinking America and you are special compared to all other nations and races. Another is your interest in guns and thinking it is ok to shoot criminals. And another one is your believe that the strongest deserve what the can get, the weak do not deserve special treatment, survival of the fittest and natural law. And another is believing that inequality is not something you should do something about and allow people to become extremely wealthy and powerful, affecting everything, including war. And another is being so anti government that you are very pro corporate in the sense that they have extreme privacy and liberty, also the companies of war. So check yourself, before you wreck yourself. American culture is trash, but that's really for another thread. Let's continue talking about how the Iraq war went down in history as both a great blunder and a bloody crime. American culture is trash, but that's really for another thread. Let's continue talking about how the Iraq war went down in history as both a great blunder and a bloody crime. Advertisement editorial@tribune.com Tribune News Service Jammu, May 26 Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Friday pitched for equal benefits to the people living along the International Border (IB) as available to those living along the Line of Control (LoC) for their sufferings were indistinguishable. She is the first Chief Minister to have declared so publicly and has the plans to take up it with the Central government. Both residents of IB and LoC have been the victims of Pakistan shelling. This is the least we can do for them, she told The Tribune on Saturday as she recalled the heart-wrenching tales that she heard from border residents on Friday when she met them. They are living in terrible times, she said. Her promise to remove all hurdles that prevent the International Border residents from getting the benefits enjoyed by the LoC residents would bring them reservation in jobs, professional institutions and other such institutions. Residents of the International Border have been long been pleading that the discrimination against them be removed for they undergo similar atrocities caused by shelling from across as the LoC people. Their demands had, however, fallen on deaf ears. Mehbooba said she would ensure that her words were translated into action. Her promise that the border bhavans would be constructed to keep IB residents safe when border shelling starts hitting their homes, schools, work places and fields is realistic, she insists. There is not enough land available to meet the demand of five marlas plots or 1,350 sqft of land for each family living along the borders, she said. The border bhawans will have all basic facilities, including health and education. Currently, the border migrants are lodged in schools, where such facilities are not available. And, we have to shut schools too. That is another tragedy, she said. Mehbooba is the first Chief Minister to visit the border residents whose lives have been affected by shelling from across the border. The CM on Friday announced that her government would examine the demand of raising a battalion of the J&K Police comprising border youth only. She also assured the IB residents that her government would look into their demand of bringing them on a par with those of the LoC areas in terms of facilities, perks or any incentives. She also assured the residents that steps would be taken to construct border bhawans in urban areas so that the people affected by border shelling could stay there during difficult times. amansharma@tribunemail.com New Delhi, May 26 A court here on Saturday convicted gangster Abu Salem for demanding Rs 5 crore as protection money from a Delhi-based businessman in 2002. Additional Sessions Judge Tarun Sehrawat held Salem guilty of extortion and criminal intimidation and posted the matter to July 30 for hearing arguments on the quantum of sentence. The court, however, acquitted the other accused -- Chanchal Mehta, Majid Khan, Pawan Kumar Mittal and Mohammad Ashraf -- citing lack of evidence against them. One of the accused, Sajjan Kumar Soni, had died during the trial. In the extortion case lodged in Delhi, it was alleged that Salem had demanded Rs five crore as protection money from businessman Ashok Gupta, a resident of Greater Kailash in south Delhi, in 2002. Salem was convicted under Sections 387 (putting person in fear of death or of grievous hurt, in order to commit extortion), 506 (criminal intimidation) and 507 (criminal intimidation by an anonymous communication) of the Indian Penal Code. He faces a maximum punishment of seven years in jail. Advocate M S Khan, appearing for Salem, had denied the allegations levelled against his client and contended that the trial in the case violated the order by which the gangster was extradited from Portugal to India. Salem, who was extradited from Portugal in November 2005, is facing various other cases, including those related to the 1993 Mumbai blasts. He is currently in judicial custody. - PTI editorial@tribune.com New Delhi, May 26 Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Saturday led the criticism of the BJP-led NDA government, saying Prime Minister Narendra Modi was a master communicator but had problems dealing with complex issues. In a tweet marking four years of the Modi government, Gandhi generously awarded F (failed) grades to the government on most indicators giving A+ only on counts of sloganeering and self promotion. 4 year Report Card: Agriculture: F; Foreign Policy: F; Fuel Prices: F; Job Creation: F; Slogan Creation: A+; Self Promotion: A+ Yoga: B-. Remarks: Master communicator; struggles with complex issues; short attention span, Gandhi tweeted after BJP president Amit Shah claimed electoral victories as a mark of the PMs continuing popularity. The Congress, however, differed with Shah with the partys media chairman Randeep Surjewala arguing that the PMs electoral power was waning. Ten Lok Sabha byelections have been held in the past four years. The BJP has lost all of these. The Congress has won four. When the BJP came to power in 2014, it had 282 MPs in the Lok Sabha. Today it has 279, Surjewala said in response to Shahs claims. The Congress also fielded veterans Ashok Gehlot and Ghulam Nabi Azad on Saturday to attack the BJP government on various issues with Azad raising concerns on the prevailing national security scenario. This PM got the maximum votes in the name of national security and national security is the weakest under him. Kashmir has seen more armed personnel and civilian casualties, more international border ceasefire violations under the BJP rule than ever in the past. The Congress leaders attacked the PM on each of his pre-2014 Lok Sabha poll promises seeking answers and accusing the former of lying. The booklet the party released asked questions like Can the BJP name any crop where an MSP equaling cost of production plus 50 per cent profit was given to the farmer as the PM promised pre-2014? TNS rchopra@tribunemail.com Gaya, May 26 Four miscreants looted Rs 25 lakh at gun point from employees of a toll plaza when they were on their way to deposit the money in a bank at Amas in Bihars Gaya district, police said. Two of the miscreants were arrested along with Rs 2 lakh after the incident on Friday, Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG), Magadh Range, Vinay Kumar, said. The miscreants snatched the bag containing Rs 25 lakh from three employees of the toll plaza located on NH 2 (Grand Trunk road) when they were on their way to deposit the money at Amas branch of the Punjab National Bank, the DIG said. After snatching the bag when the miscreants were escaping locals chased them and caught hold of two of them and handed them over to the police, the DIG said. PTI harinder@tribunemail.com New Delhi/Cuttack, May 26 Marking the fourth anniversary of the BJP-led NDA government, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said people have put a seal of approval on its performance, while party chief Amit Shah asserted that its return to power in 2019 is not a challenge, but a certainty. As the top two ruling party leaders went all out to highlight the governments achievements and mock their rivals, the Opposition launched a scathing attack against the dispensation with the Congress releasing a booklet India betrayed and alleging that Modi and Shah were harmful for the country. Modi addressed a rally to mark the anniversary of his government and chose Odisha, a state high on his partys agenda for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. He said his governments fight against corruption has sent shivers down the spines of many who have come on one platform, a reference to Opposition parties which have been in talks to put up a united fight against the ruling alliance. At the rally in Cuttack, the PM said his government is moving on the correct path and people have put their seal of approval on it as he noted that his party is in power in 20 states. At a press conference in the national capital, Shah reeled out figures to highlight the governments achievements. Asked about the achche din slogan, Shah said the government has done a lot to fulfil its promises in four years and a year is still left. In a Facebook post, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, who is recuperating after a kidney transplant, launched a blistering attack on the Congress and maverick and temperamental leaders of regional parties like the TMC, DMK and BSP, and said the debate till the 2019 polls would be Modi versus an anarchist combination. PTI Good governance The country is moving towards sushasan (good governance) from kushasan (bad governance) and towards jandhan (public money) from kaladhan (black money). The Congress has always been driven by power. Narendra Modi, Prime Minister editorial@tribune.com Our Correspondent Abohar, May 26 The CIA staff of the Punjab Police on Saturday claimed to have nabbed gangster Lawrence Bishnois cousin and his two accomplices and seized 4 unlicensed pistols with some cartridges. Abohar DSP Gurbinder Singh Sangha told the media here on Saturday that at a naka near Gumjal village, close to the interstate (Punjab-Rajasthan) border, CIA staff incharge Sajjan Singh got a tip off that some armed youths were hiding behind shrubs. A raid resulted in the arrest of Lawrences cousin Abhishek Godara of Kishanpura (Sangria), Vikas of Ujjalwas (Nohar) and Narinder Singh Nandu of Rajanwali village (Abohar). Two others fled away. The police seized a .315-bore pistol, three .32-bore pistols (all unlicensed) and eight live cartridges, besides an empty one. Preliminary investigation indicated that they were on some crime mission in the Abohar area. A case under Sections 399 and 402 of the IPC and Sections 25, 54, 59 of the Arms Act has been registered at the Khuyiansarwer police station. editorial@tribune.com Neeraj Bagga Tribune News Service Amritsar, May 26 Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh has accused the Punjab Police and National Investigation Agency (NIA) of implicating NRI Sikh youths in false cases and sought a probe from a neutral and independent agency. In a strongly worded statement here on Saturday, he said there was resentment among the Sikh sangat over these arrests. Citing the example of Gurjant Singh, a resident of Ludhiana, the jathedar claimed that he was implicated in a false case by the NIA and Punjab Police. He asked Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh to get his case investigated by a neutral agency. He said Gurjant was shown involved in five targeted killings in the state. Under the tutelage of the International Sikh Federation, Gurjant had objected to indecent songs in Punjabi and exposed elements targeting Gurmat ideology on social media, he said. The jathedar said he wanted to expose the culprits behind the desecration of Guru Granth Sahib at Bargarhi and wrote to the CBIs SIT to involve him in the investigation. Similarly, British national Jagtar Singh Jaggi Johal and other Punjabi youths were held by the police and subjected to inhuman torture, he claimed. He called upon the Shiromani Committee, Sikh organisations and Sikh sangat to come forward to provide justice to these Sikh youths. Meanwhile, leaders of splinter Akali groups maintain that the jathedars statement was influenced by the SAD. They stated that many matters brought before Akal Takht remained unattended, while some were taken up promptly. Jarnail Singh Sakhira, SAD (Amritsar) general secretary, said all decisions of the jathedar, including the present one was influenced by the Badals. The Sikh sangat had already rejected Giani Gurbachan Singh after he pardoned Dera Sacha Sauda head Gurmit Ram Rahim Singh, who had been accused of hurting religious sentiments of the Sikhs by wearing attire similar to that of Guru Gobind Singh. editorial@tribune.com Sangrur, May 26 Farmers, under the banner of BKU Rajewal, protested in Sangrur city on Saturday against the hike in petrol and diesel prices. They raised slogans against the Union Government and also submitted a memorandum to Sangrur SDM Avikesh Gupta to be forwarded to the Prime Minister. Farmers are committing suicide as their debt is rising but the Union Government is creating more problems for them by increasing diesel and petrol prices. We will launch an indefinite protest if it doesnt roll back the hike, said Gurmeet Singh Kapial, district president of BKU Rajewal. BKU Rajewal state secretary Niranjan Singh Dohla alleged that the Centre was favouring only big industrial houses and it had no mercy for poor farmers. TNS singhking99@yahoo.com Harvinder Khetal As the visual on the books cover suggests, Naina Lal Kidwai's compendium of articles and op-eds for various publications does red-flag an SOS for sanitation. And, yet the wake-up call is not despairing. The strong do-or-die message emphatically laying down the importance of clean water and environment helpfully comes loaded with dos that will save India from 'dying'. Both, the dire ground reality and urgent measures delineated to lift India from the quagmire of dirt and filth depict Kidwai's deep engagement with these issues. Her exposure to framework and policy requirements and issues in these areas in India and also to global thinkers on these pressing topics comes through as she expertly expounds on the action agenda for sanitation, water, pollution and green finance. A lot has been written about the government's Swachh Bharat Mission and its endeavours to make all the districts of the country open defecation-free. Interestingly, this book red-flags the next step: that is, the significance of disposing of human excreta and treatment of faecal waste. The Modi government would do well to take urgent note of managing this 'sludge' that, if left untreated, will further pollute the soil and water of our urban and rural landscape, and cause disease-ridden insanitary conditions. This point hits home as she cogently writes: Waste management is one of the biggest challenges that we face today. Nationally, we generate a staggering 1.75 million tonnes of faecal waste a day. However, there are no systems in place to safely dispose of the bulk of this waste. Nearly 80 per cent of this sludge human excreta and water mixture that bears disease-carrying bacteria and pathogens remains untreated and is dumped into drains, lakes or rivers, posing a serious threat to safe and healthy living. Most of our cities are not equipped with proper sewerage to carry this waste or treatment plants. Thus, the raw, untreated sludge contaminates our water bodies. At the same time, we need water for sanitation. So, water and sanitation are firmly inter-linked. What compounds the problem is that our groundwater is depleting fast, with 54 per cent of the area being under high-to-extremely-high water stress. The author goes on to suggest a solution to this critical problem: "the FSM system." (Here, the reader is left to find out for herself what the abbreviation FSM stands for. One encounters similar hurdles at a few other places). Well, FSM is faecal sludge management; it comprises the collection, transport, and treatment of faecal sludge and septage from pit latrines, septic tanks or other onsite sanitation systems. It has been successfully adopted by some South-East Asian countries. Without sludge management, all the development of cities will go waste. To tackle this challenge as well as of air pollution in our cities, given that 14 of the 30 most polluted cities of the world are in India, as per a WHO survey, urban planning requires tailored responses and not just lifting solutions that may have worked in other nations. But none of this is possible without finance since pollution and urban planning go hand in hand. For a green economy, it is imperative that banks finance only those projects that are doing the needful to contain effluents and polluting agents. The sugar mill/distillery in a Gurdaspur village of Punjab whose molasses recently spilled into the Beas, fatally impacting aquatic life and polluting the river is a case of how ecologically disastrous it can be if such precautions are overlooked. The private and public sectors need to work in tandem to ensure funding for a greener climate. The book is bound to encourage conversations in light of Naina Lal Kidwai's environmental engagements that include the International Advisory Council of the Inquiry of UNEP, Global Commission on Economy and Climate, Shakti Sustainable Energy Foundation, Chair of the FICCI Sustainability Energy and Water Council, and the India Sanitation Coalition. She retired as Chairperson, HSBC bank. Perhaps, Kidwai could consider penning another book detailing an inside view of these positions. Though what is needed is more than a conversation, given this alarming, but apt, analogy that Naina has mentioned, highlighting the critical state of insanitation: When a jumbo jet crashes, it makes front-page news for days. Diarrhoea accounts for 1,600 deaths daily the same as eight jumbo jets crashing every day. But this is not considered noteworthy and barely gets our attention. Unsafe water is a major cause of this disease. Its an SOS-worthy situation, indeed. editorial@tribune.com Sandeep Dikshit Only a few were mystified last year by the sudden frontloading of the triple talaq controversy in national consciousness for weeks on end. Politicians have usually tiptoed around the Muslim Personal Law, fearful of the unanimity generating ability of the mullahs and its consequent impact on their votebanks. The Hindutva Parivar had no such compulsions, having cheerfully forsaken the Muslim vote for the larger pot of pan-Hindu consolidation. When the case arrived in the Supreme Court, the gingerness surrounding the issues was palpable: five judges of different faiths heard the case. But there was a hollow unanimity. The government backed the petitioners and the All India Muslim Personal Law Board did not hold back its censure, describing the practice of triple talaq as horrendous, sinful and undesirable. The matter should have ended at that. And if it had, this book would have been a racy narrative of court room drama and the forces outside that shaped it. But picture abhi baaki hai. It did not end on August 21 when the Supreme Court scratched out Triple Talaq, for the court also resolved to hear the invalidation of nikah halala and polygamy at a future date. The government was also directed to frame a law in this respect. This is where Ziya Us Salams book will continue to act as a useful, well rounded and trustworthy account of a broad consensus in the Indian Muslim community about the future trajectory of their societal persuasions and practices. Ziya wields a light scalpel while dissecting the communitys underbelly but he dives deep, aided by the rich tapestry of Muslim theology in the authoritative Hadiths (Bukhari, Daud and Sahi Muslim), preachers (Israr Ahmed, Tariq Jameel, Bilala Philips) and the current crop of the well-versed, including Faizan Mustafa, who writes a succinct foreword. Local maulanas fall woefully short of the expected benchmarks in literacy compounded by their complete ignorance of the Koran, a practice not uncommon in other religions and regions. This breeds patriarchal and even misogynist mindsets fostered by domination of mosques as a male domain, except those maintained by Ahl-e Hadith and a few by the Jamat-e-Islami. It is not that the Muslim societys cultural-religious architecture is devoid of foundations. But in North India, the reason-based arbitration of the seminaries at Deoband and Lucknow are beyond the reach of the poor. Can a judicial order have an impact where illiteracy is widespread and the community leaders of a largely impoverished and ghettoised community are drunk on notions of male hegemony? Reform is possible if the real intention is not to blackball a community or extract further concessions from a defensive mindset. But a necessary precondition is to lend a close ear to the communitys intellectuals and forge a common understanding based on appreciation of their perceptions and surmises. Ziya helpfully swings the story back and forth from the Prophets time to the present and the many fierce arguments on theological interpretation that have raged within the community in between. It provides continuity and enables him to hand out some bold prescriptions. Halala, currently a rage among Indian Islamophobists on the social media, is cast in the atmosphere prevailing at that time in Arabia and, therefore, scratched out as incongruous for the present day and age. Nikah mut'ah like nikah halala is evaluated at length and, it too, receives thumbs down. Saving polygamy, the most controversial for the last, the assessment is premised on two verses in Surah an-Nisa that give it sanction. These, he says, are contextual verses, revealed by the Prophet for a specific purpose. These were among the many verses in the Koran to tackle a particular situation existing at that time. The Muslim is prepared to stand up and debate; correct himself if in the wrong. But he is bound to resist even well-meaning ministrations if triple talaq is framed as a political project to corner the community that began taking shape a couple of years before the 2014 elections when Project Modi had entered the post-embryonic stage. Post-2001 has seen a fierce debate in the Muslim community over the appropriateness of indiscriminate violence as a political means to achieve power and settle inter-state relations. It sadly overshadowed the ferment within the Muslim community where the dominant sentiment is not rage but dispassionate self-examination and reassessment of the societys moorings and the requirement to shift some of the customary goalposts. Ziyas book will be an important handbook to the global discourse in this respect. editorial@tribune.com Vijay C Roy Decreasing land holdings and dwindling incomes from conventional agriculture practices have played havoc with the lives of Punjabi farmers, especially small and marginal ones. Many of these farmers in Punjab have found a smart way to overcome the crisis. Inspired by their brethren from western and southern states, many small and marginal farmers in Punjab have forayed into collaborative farming. Economies of scale and better returns have propelled them to venture into forming farmer producer organisations (FPOs). Flower power Gurwinder Singh Sohi Gurwinder Singh Sohi (39) of Nanowal village, Fatehgarh Sahib, started FPO Akal Farmer Producer Company Limited. He and other farmers jointly grow flowers like gladiolus and marigold and vegetables and sell these in nearby markets, including Chandigarh. Around 65 farmers, each having a landholding of three to five acre, jointly cultivate the fields and sell their produce. Previously, I used to cultivate wheat and paddy on nine acres. Seeing a better future in floriculture, I motivated more farmers and diversified from the traditional crops to floriculture for economic stability, says Gurwinder. He is cultivating on 22 acres now, nine of his own and 13 more are on lease. Out of these 22 acres, he grows gladiolas on 12 acres, both for flowers and bulbs, while five acres are under marigold cultivation. He and other farmers also grow organic vegetables. They also grow pulses and paddy, mainly basmati varieties. Marigold can be grown both in summer and winter on as little as three acres. As the quantity of our produce is quite good, we trade in nearby markets and decide our own price rather than relying on the middleman. This is the beauty of FPO as it empowers the farmers, adds Sohi. According to analysts, this is a major step towards farmer empowerment. Through an FPO, we get credibility with people and banks. All stakeholders actively take part in this model as we are all accountable equally. This is also our first step towards marketing our own produce, say the farmers associated with FPOs. The bee in his bonnet Kamalvir Singh Kamalvir Singh (36) started Nojvan Farmer Producer Company Limited for taking bee-keeping on a large scale. I was a marginal farmer when I took up bee-keeping. It turned my fortunes. It inspired me to take apiculture to the next level and at the same time help my fellow farmers by incorporating it as an FPO. Today, more than 140 farmers with an average landholding of two to four acres are associated with the FPO and have an annual production of around 100 tonnes, says Kamalvir. We are in a better position to negotiate prices. For example, we command a premium of at least Rs 10-15 per kg. Besides being an FPO, we save on input costs, he adds. Milking the profits Puneet Singh Thind It is beyond doubt that the farmers will be able to make a profit by making direct sales to end consumers. This will also benefit the customers and give farmers a better price, thus creating a sustainable space for agriculture. Ambala-based Puneet Singh Thind (35) formed Ambala Farmer Producer Company Limited in 2015 and mobilised dairy farmers from around eight nearby villages to retail milk. Currently, 325 small dairy household farmers, having three to five animals and commercial dairy farmers having between 20 and 100 animals, are associated with the FPO. The combined average daily production of these farmers is 6,000 litres. The FPO supplies milk to Ambala and nearby areas in Punjab and Haryana. By coming together our net realisation has increased significantly and we dont have to depend on private or government milk plants for selling the produce. The formation of the FPO also helped in promoting entrepreneurship among youth, adds Puneet. Joint venture Hardeep Singh In 2014, when Hardeep Singh (38), a farmer from the nondescript village Ghagga in Patiala district of Punjab, started growing organic vegetables on a 12-acre plot of land, he had high hopes. But soon he realised he needed economies of scale after some German importers approached him for a large order in 2016. Hardeep understood his shortcomings. He was not in a position to accept the export order because of his limited landholding. However, he found a solution. He incorporated an FPO in January 2017 by mobilising 63-odd small and marginal farmers, majority of them young, from nearby areas. Initially, they started cultivating organic fruits and vegetables in about 100 acres. Today the FPO, Punjab Organic Veg & Fruits Producer Company Ltd, has around 200 members and 350 acres under joint cultivation. The members of the FPO jointly procure seeds, bio-fertilisers and machinery. It also jointly undertakes training, networking and imparts financial and technical advice to members, besides production, consolidation and aggregation, marketing and selling of the produce. Speaking about the benefits, Hardeep says, As all farmers associated with the FPO jointly procure seeds, bio-fertilisers, and other inputs, they are in a commanding position and have a better negotiating power. So, when they jointly procure bio-fertiliser, they are able to save nearly 25-30 per cent of their input cost. Similarly, the post-harvest cost is also less as farmers are in a better position to demand premium for their produce. The premium varies from 40-50 per cent, and at times even 80 per cent. Hardeeps FPO supplies organic fruits and vegetables to Delhi, Kullu and nearby areas like Patiala, Mohali, Sangrur, Bathinda, Fazilka, Karnal, Hisar, etc. We are also planning to set up a processing unit for processing fruits and vegetables, adds Hardeep about future plans. What are FPOs Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) are a cross between cooperative societies and private limited companies. These not only enable the farmers to get a good price for their yield but also provide an overall corporate sphere to the traditional agricultural sector in terms of modernisation, infrastructure and technology implementation. Central incentive Compared to the southern states, the FPOs are yet to catch the fancy of farmers in Punjab and Haryana. However, the five-year tax holiday proposed in the Union Budget for FPOs with a turnover of up to Rs 100 crore is likely to boost their incorporation in the region. If it is implemented successfully, the announcement will help in realising the Centres goal of doubling the farmers income by 2022, says a senior Nabard official. Under the Produce Fund (Producers Organisation Development and Upliftment Corpus), Nabard, around 67 FPOs in Punjab are covering a gamut of activities such as agro-processing, dairy, goatery, vegetable cultivation, etc. In Haryana, there are 50 registered FPOs. Issues before FPOs 1. Concept awareness: In North India, officers as well as farmers are not well aware of the concept of FPOs and how it is different from cooperatives, self-help groups and other kind of farmer groups. A major reason for this is the lack of cross-state exposure on such initiatives. 2. Treatment of FPOs at par with cooperatives: In Punjab and Haryana, cooperatives like Verka, Markfed and Vita are quite strong, hence terms of trade are different for both organisations. Rules have not been not updated by states to treat FPOs and cooperatives at par. 3. Incentives to FPOs: A state like Punjab lacks behind because there is no state policy and department to deal with FPOs. 4. Inefficient nodal agencies: The state-level agencies, responsible for promotion of FPOs, are not doing much. Solutions 1. A single window system should be developed for FPO promotion. 2. State government should make schemes of model project of small-scale processing plant for FPOs with higher incentives. 3. Special focus should be given at cluster level. 4. States should support farmers groups by giving them space in market. Who can Form FPOs As per the concept, farmers who are the producers of agricultural products, can form groups and register themselves under the Indian Companies Act. These groups can be created at the state, cluster and village levels. It is aimed at engaging farming companies to procure agricultural products and sell them. Supply of inputs such as seed, fertiliser and machinery, market linkages, training and networking and financial and technical advice are also among the major activities of an FPO. editorial@tribune.com Suparna-Saraswati Puri Like most old Indian locations, the town of Chikmagalur also enjoys a reasonable measure of historical importance. Cikkamagala and uru can be literally translated into English as younger daughters town. The name has mythological tracings in the Kannada folklore. It is said that the legendary chief of Sakkarepattana or Sakharayapattana gifted the town in dowry to his youngest daughter Rukmangada. In the Malenadu region of Karnataka, located at the foothills of the Mullayanagiri range in the Western Ghats, Chikmagalur is primarily known for its pleasant climate and is popularly hailed as the land of coffee. The city offers an array of unexpected small pleasures to travellers looking for some adventure. With a demographic base of less than 15,000 residents, Chikmagalur is a haven for a first-time visitor wanting to explore the environs. In your must-see or to-do list, you can include visits to Hebbe, Manikyadhara and Kallathigiri waterfalls, Hoysala temples at Somanathapura, Halebidu and Belur, Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary, treks and trails of Kudremukh, Mullayanagiri and Baba Budan Giri ranges. Also, a must-do is a leisurely walk through the bazaars of Mahatma Gandhi Road and Indira Gandhi Road that can prove to be an insightful experience. Incidentally, Indira Gandhi chose Chikmagalur as her constituency after losing Rae Bareli in the 1977 Lok Sabha Elections. The crammed up retail outlets and high-rise shopping arcades located on these roads are interjected with colonial structures that cant be missed. For that matter, check out the crumbling edifice of a pre-Independence jail compound or remnants of an early 20th century British bungalow. Inside the bungalow, you will enjoy the sight of an odd item of antiquity like an exquisite Victorian-style brass-door knocker, adorning the entrance of an innocuous repair shop. For a student, the chaos of the market place suddenly seems to get replaced by a landscape immersed in historicity with a sillage of the British Raj. A casual conversation with an old shopkeeper reveals that the entire colonnade happened to be the urban dwellings most affluent locality in the mid-1920s. Curiously, coffee reached Chikmagalur in a Sufis beard. Story has it that an Indian mystic named Baba Budan, while returning from a pilgrimage to Mecca, smuggled seven beans of coffee from Yemen. He was on his way to Mysore when one of the beans got dropped at Chikmagalur. Hence, its acclaimed status as the land of coffee! For novices in the history of beverage, a visit to the state government coffee museum may be educative, while for connoisseurs, a brief halt at the famous Panduranga Coffee Works on MG Road is mandatory. The manufacturers produced the finest Arabica coffee (grown on their own plantations) from state-of-the-art German machines. Interestingly, to a new customer, the showstopper in the shop will be a 150-year-old brass coffee filter, with exquisitely carved pedestals; a family heirloom strictly not for sale. In addition to coffee, Chikmagalur was also known for its vanilla, exported predominantly to Europe. However, in the last 20 years, most farmers have had to stop the cultivation because of the rise in temperature. This was a hill station destination offering respite from the heat of the plains, especially, during summer. Now we too experience a regular hot season like the cities of the North, laments G.Vijay Kumar, a spice trader who belongs to a family of vanilla cultivators. Given the rampant urbanisation in and around the town, the 21th-century version of Chikmagalur does suffer from drastic changes and driving through its lanes, a thought frequently surfaces: When did we as a nation exemplify the sentiment: Not-being-heritage-proud? Nevertheless, in all fairness, Chikmagalur, headquarters to the popular Cafe Coffee Day enterprise, manages to engage travellers. It fascinates with history, nature and roasted beans, rather successfully. Know the place singhking99@yahoo.com Swati Rai For a long time now, menstrual health and hygiene issues have been largely dusted under the carpet. They have surfaced intermittently at high society charity events, but largely considered an issue collocated with the hoi polloi. In the last few years, however, a Padman here and a Rupi Kaur there have tried to draw attention to the issue. And now when the UK royals asked their guests to not gift and instead donate to Myna Mahila Foundation from Mumbai, the attention was drawn to the issue once again. The charity that encourages women to make their own pads is barely three years old and was founded by Suhani Jalota to take up the issues and taboos surrounding menstrual health. The idea was to build a dialogue around this aspect of female health and empower women to speak about these. Just like the chatty Myna bird, says Jalota, who attended the wedding of Prince Harry and American actress Meghan Markle along with Archana Ambre, the distribution manager, and Deborah Das, the HR and production manager. Jalota met Markle at an event that honoured her as one of the Glamour College Women of the Year in 2016. Her work struck a chord with Markle at the awards luncheon in New York City and, a year later, the American actress was in Mumbai to see Mynas work for herself. In India, where more than 40 per cent of Indian women in the age group of 15 to 24 years do not have access to sanitary products, the charity employs women from slum areas to manufacture inexpensive alternatives. It also ensures their distribution and raises awareness amongst women about the hygiene and health benefits of using pads instead of harmful rags or dry leaves, etc. Myna reaches out to over 10,000 women a month and aims to reach 25,000 by the end of 2018. However, the impact of the effort is not measured in numbers only. The organisation looks into various related aspects. For example, we also keep a track of these women switching from rags to pads; and whether they are experiencing lower rates of female health problems like vaginal and urinary tract infections. We also keep a close watch on data reflecting a decline in school dropout rate as a result of using these hygienic options, says Jalota. The UK visit has Jalota ecstatic. The support from the couple (Prince Harry and Markle, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex) is proving extremely helpful in raising awareness regarding our areas of work. The media attention towards our work and the visits to our websites have grown a hundred per cent, she says. And how about the wedding? The experience was of once-in-a-lifetime variety. To be able to take two of our team members, who have never been on an aeroplane, to London, was a pleasure, says Jalota, who thanks Padma Shri awardee Dr Jockin Arputham, director of Myna Mahila Foundation, for his support. Reportedly, Markle has told her that she will soon plan another trip to Myna. This one will be closely watched and hopefully bring more weight to the campaigns around menstrual health. On the Duchess portal The newly launched portal of The Duchess of Sussex carries the above photo of Meghan Markle at the Myna Mahila Foundation. It reads: In the slum communities of Mumbai, The Duchess witnessed the work of the Myna Mahila Foundation who empower women through access to menstrual hygiene products and employment opportunities. Struck by her experience, she wrote an op-ed for Time Magazine about the stigmatisation of menstrual health management and its long term hindrance to girls education. . Banana trees that fit in a test tube. Fish farmed in the desert. Robots picking fruit. Welcome to the brave new world of food, where scientists are battling a global time-bomb of climate change, water scarcity, population growth and soaring obesity rates to find ways to feed the future. With one in nine people already short of enough food, supporters pushing for a Second Green Revolution argue without major changes hunger will become one of the biggest threats to national security and human health. Scientists are looking to the future to find innovative ways to produce food. But they admit getting billions of farmers globally and consumers to change will be a battle. You need a revolution in the agriculture and food system within the next decade because without it, we're never going to achieve any of the really important (global) goals that weve set, said Bruce Campbell, director, CGIAR Research Programme on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security. A visit to United Nations-backed laboratories 35 km outside Austrias capital Vienna provides a glimpse into the food of tomorrow's world. Here, in labs and greenhouses packed with genetic sequencing machines, robotic equipment and plants and insects of all sizes, scientists are using nuclear technology to spur disease-resistant banana trees. Scientists are also working on other innovations from gene editing of crops to lab-grown meat that could fundamentally change how food is grown, distributed and eaten. Our agri food system is at a critical stage. It must be re-shaped, said Shenggen Fan, director general of the Washington-based International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). The first Green Revolution, which peaked in the 1960s, dramatically boosted harvests and helped stave off famine in poor parts of the world. But the industrial farming era it spurred, critics say, has led to a food system that cripples the environment. Of the worlds 7.6 billion people a population projected to reach 9.8 billion by 2050 about 815 million people go hungry daily. Globally, about 40 per cent of adults are overweight and 13 per cent obese, says the World Health Organization. Technology is also helping meet the growing demand for meat, without more emission-producing livestock. The ideas hark back to predictions former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill made in a 1931 essay. Fifty years hence we shall escape the absurdity of growing a whole chicken in order to eat the breast or wing by growing these parts separately under a suitable medium, he wrote. MI6 breaks stereotypes The waters are deep and still, the atmosphere tense. A shark glides in from the dark depths and circles menacingly. The footage is about MI6 spies and the next scene should be of an action James Bond type in a dramatic fight for survival. Instead, the camera pans out to show an aquarium and the visitors; a woman reassuring her alarmed child. MI6s first ever television advertisement is aimed at attracting recruits from ethnic minority communities and breaking stereotypes. The message is that the officer from the Secret Intelligence Service is not a macho white man, but the young black mother. MI6 are in the process of relaxing their rules of entry to reach the new recruitment pools. There are no problems with getting people to join, say MI6, with 800 more staff due to be taken on to add to the current strength of 2,700. The aim of the campaign is to reach people who may not see the Secret Intelligence Service as a natural career. MI6 have won a number of awards in recent years for promoting gender and ethnic equality. Latest figures, however, show that progress needs to be made on both racial and gender balance. Overall, women make up 24.1% in the senior civil service grade and 37.8% among the non-senior category. There is not a single black or other ethnic minority member of the service's senior staff and that group makes up just 6.8% of the non-senior workforce. The advertisement will be first shown on Thursday evening. Alex Younger, the MI6 Chief, said: Regardless of background, if you have the skills we need and share our values, I want you to consider a career in intelligence in a service that reflects todays society. UKs tryst with LSD In the kind of clipped BBC English that more frivolous generations associate with comic Harry Enfields Mr Cholmondley Warner, the narrator explained how the LSD was given to the Royal Marine Commandos in a cup of wartah. Twenty-five minutes latah, the first effects of the drug became apparent. The men became relaxed and began to giggle. The footage from 1964 shows the hitherto ferociously well-drilled servicemen lying flat on their backs, helpless with laughter, intoxicated by the hilarity of it all, and by the acid. One hour and ten minutes after taking the drug, intones the narrator, With one man climbing a tree to feed the birds, the troop commander gave up, admitting he could no longer control himself or his men. He himself then relapsed into laughter. Perhaps bizarrely, the whole thing was considered something of a triumph. Ultimately, though, this field exercise conducted by the governments secretive Porton Down chemical weapons research establishment was the first in a series that would culminate in failure. Half a century ago this year, the militarys experimentation with acid ended with the chairman of the Chemical Defence Advisory Board declaring that the idea of using LSD as a weapon of war was more magical than scientific. That the British military gave up on LSD in 1968, at the very moment the sixties counterculture was enthusiastically embracing it, is but one of the ironies. Unraveling space mystery Scientists have spotted one of the most detailed looks at the universe in the history of astronomy. The breakthrough observation allowed scientists to receive radiation from deep in space, and could shed light on the fast radio bursts (FRBs) that are one of the most mysterious signals we have ever received on Earth. The discovery is an unprecedented look at the distant universe. The observation is equivalent to looking out from Earth and seeing a flea on the surface of Pluto. The observation was possible because scientists actually saw two stars orbiting each other, and working to propel the radiation through the universe and down to Earth. The two stars are a mere 20 km apart but they are around 6,500 light years from Earth. One of the stars is a cool, lightweight star called a brown dwarf. The other is an energetic, strange and spinning star known as a pulsar. The gas coming out of the brown dwarf appears to be magnifying the energy from the pulsar, and sending out a bright streak of radiation. The discovery could help explain fast radio bursts, the intense blasts of radiation that are occasionally sent down to Earth. Those powerful signals are until now entirely unexplained and have prompted suggestions that they are the result of either undiscovered physics or even artificial technology. Sources: Thomson Reuters Foundation & The Independent Manmeet Singh Gill in Amritsar Manmeet Singh Gill in Amritsar What if you accompany a pregnant woman to a healthcare centre and are told that the gynaecologist assisting in delivery has not slept for the last 36-48 hours? You probably wouldnt opt for the service. In many medical colleges, the on-duty post-graduate student-cum-junior resident doctors (JRs) seem a victim of a burnout syndrome. Recently four PG students at the gynaecology department of Government Medical College in Amritsar left their coveted courses midway as they could not handle the tough duty hours. The JRs at the medical college, especially in the gynaecology and paediatrics departments, complain that they have to work for long hours to meet the patient rush. In departments such as medicine, orthopaedics and a few others, the duty hours are longer, but less than in gynaecology and paediatrics sections. A 24-hour duty is considered normal for the JRs. GMC Principal Dr Sujata Sharma says the college follows the same rules as elsewhere. She said the students who left midway had their personal reasons. Dr Arvind Sharma, registrar, Baba Farid University of Health Sciences (BFUHS), to which GMC Amritsar and other medical colleges in state are affiliated, says he cannot comment on the issue without having a look at the Supreme Court guidelines. He was not forthcoming on whether the university has its own guidelines to regulate the working hours of junior residents? Central Residency Scheme guidelines circulated by the Union health ministry in 1993, following the 1988 instructions of the Supreme Court, state that junior resident doctors cannot be subjected to a maximum of 48-hour duty in a week. Also, single-stretch duty cannot exceed a maximum of 12 hours. At GMC gynaecology department in Amritsar, 54-hour or more duty stretch is common, say hospital sources. Studies on causes of sleep deprivation conducted worldwide clearly say it adversely affects cognitive and psychomotor skills and causes serious performance deficiency. A few of these studies point out that sleep deprivation, more or less, causes the same level of psychomotor dysfunction as caused by alcohol consumption. Though no such study has been conducted at the local level, Dr Savinder Singh, in-charge of the government-run premier Dr Vidya Sagar Institute of Mental Health said: Staying awake for long duration could result in weakness, irritability, a fall in work potential, fatigue and other physical and mental issues. These signs are fairly visible among junior doctors. The patients often accuse these doctors of being rude and indifferent. This has often led to manhandling of JRs. In a recent visit to the labour room at GMC, a JR was reportedly heard telling the female patients attendant: This child too would die for sure if you did not bring the gloves (surgical) in time. The woman had last year lost a grandson. Given the circumstances, the JRs do not have the time for being polite. A former gynaecologist with the health department and patron of Punjab Civil Medical Services Association, Dr RS Buttar, admits junior resident doctors are often rude. What would anybody do if he or she has not slept for 24-36 hours? Dr Buttar suggested that the government should hire house surgeons to ease the load on junior doctors. The students must not be subjected to independent duties unless a senior and trained expert is present. The purpose of junior residency is to train future specialists under the guidance of trained doctors, he said. The JRs are the ground staff in government facilities. The senior faculty takes one or two rounds of their respective wards daily. The seniors attend the OPDs, classes and are on-call duty in complicated cases. Around-the-clock availability of JRs makes them the face of public health services. Therefore, they have to bear with public ire even for a shortage of medicines and surgical supplies. Dr Neeraj Nagpal of Medicos Legal Action Group (MLAG), which is all set to move the SC against the treatment of JRs, said on May 7, a student at King George Medical University Lucknow tried to commit suicide due to stress caused by work overload. The MLAG has recently procured duty rosters from 57 government-run medical colleges across the country. ROBINSINGH@TRIBUNE.COM The eucalyptus dont lie Amritsar: It has taken thousands of dead fish in the Beas to turn our focus on Buttar Sivian and 10 other surrounding villages. For years the villagers have been angry with Rana Sugar Mill for discarding nauseating blackish waste water in the nearby drain. The mill has developed a pond on a large chunk of land in which eucalyptus trees are planted. In between the trees, wide and deep trenches have been dug to dispose of the waste water. The villagers recall their first protest in 2004. If the Akalis failed to stop the toxic water discharge, how can we expect any action from Congress as the mill is owned by one of their senior leaders, says a resident of Buttar Sivian village, who wishes not to be named. The sugar mill has a septic tank adjacent to the drain. Mill officials say they have never released the untreated water into the drain. Some employees on duty say it might have reached the drain due to overflowing or a leakage. In less than a hundred meters lies a large plot with eucalyptus trees where trenches are dug for waste water disposal. Farmers and nearby farm house residents say they do not drink water from hand pumps. The water supply and sanitation department had installed a water tank in a village, but most residents prefer to get water from deep-dug submersible bore-wells. For the poor, hand-pumps or neighbourhood houses are the options. Gurnam Singh of Dehati Mazdoor Sabha says years after 2004 the people of around a dozen villages had complained about a pungent smell and the ash in the air. Soon they realized that water in drain was affecting the groundwater. The water taken out from hand pumps was yellowish and smelly. We started an agitation, which ended after the authorities promised us to keep the drain free from the dangerous discharge. RN Sharma, general manager Rana Sugar Mill, says the unit follows all the guidelines of the pollution control board. They often visit us and keep a check on the infrastructure and other conditions. We have a water treatment plant. We recycle the water. We never dump water into the drain. Charanjit Singh Teja Crisis of free water Jalandhar: On the Amritsar-Delhi National Highway, you cannot miss a large signboard of the Jagatjit Industry formed under the patronage of Maharaja Jagatjit Singh of Kapurthala in 1944. The unit abuts village Hamira (Kapurthala). The industrial house manufactures and markets alcoholic beverages, malt, malt extract, milk foods, milk powder, ghee, dairy products, glass and plastic containers. The companys brand once ranked among the 10 fastest growing brands. Villagers recall the industry initially provided jobs to many people. Today, there is no fresh water tap in any house of the four villages situated adjacent to the Jagatjit Industry. The chemically treated water is dumped in open tanks. Farmers use this water for irrigation within a 15-km radius. Hamira is now divided into three pattis (parts). Village elders say the groundwater got contaminated around 10-15 years ago. It turned dark red and stank. We were unable to wash our clothes, says Satnam Singh, sarpanch. The government began water supply, but told the villagers to pay the bills. Meanwhile, facing huge protests by villagers, the company agreed to provide drinking water free of cost. Since then, bore wells as deep as 550 feet feed the villages with twice-a-day supply. The villages that get direct supply from the company, even during a power outage, are Hamira Lakhan Khola. Company officials, including general manager Daljit Singh refused to speak. Kapurthala deputy commissioner Mohammad Tayyab said the administration would soon take up with the industry the ways to restore groundwater table in the area. Rachna Khaira Deaths, Dilemma Hoshiarpur: Reddish-brown stinking water fills plantation and irrigation areas meant for utilizing the water from the treatment plant. The eucalyptus trees, well-known for quickly absorbing water, have turned brown some of them rotting in the reddish-brown water. Fly ash from AB Sugar Mill and AB Distilleries has piled up in an open area. According to pollution control laws, the ash should be disposed of in a specially prepared covered pit. There are two huge tanks with 7,000 kiloliters and 3,500 kiloliters of spent-ash. These were used for producing biogas. The sludge left behind was used for bio-composting. Both the tanks were sealed by the pollution control department over a year ago. The huge quantity of spent-wash is lying under seals put up by the PPCB. Dalwinder Singh Bodal, convenor of a local committee against distillery, says Bodal and Berchha villages are the most affected. There have been 15 cancer-related deaths in these villages in the last six years, says Dalwinder. Two more cancer cases were detected in Berchha this month, says Berchha sarpanch Satpal Singh. Former sarpanches Harvinder Singh Jhinger and Varinder Singh Machhiana say a government inquiry in 2014-15 found that the underground water in the mill area and surrounding villages is badly contaminated. The tube-wells pump out pale yellow water. Local legal advisor Lakhvir Singh says based on experts suggestions, the SDM and DC had ordered the mill on Sept 14, 2016, to install 20 tube-wells at various levels and keep them running for 24 hours for a year so that the contaminated water could be pumped out. But they have installed only four. Vice-president of AB Distilleries SK Gupta claims there is no violation of rules. We have put in place all kinds of pollution control measures. For example, we have installed the latest reverse boiler-cum-incinerator for effluents and spent-wash. About the number of tube-wells to be installed at various elevations, he said: No one has told us to what levels these have to be put up, so we did whatever best we could. Sanjiv Kumar Bakshi Hold your nose at Maine Patiala: As you hit Patiala-Maine road, cover your face and hold your nose. For nearby residents, it is a routine sight. People around village Maine have a common grouse: the distillery has polluted the drain so badly that sometimes it is difficult to sit inside the house. Officials of Patiala Distilleries and Manufacturers Ltd say the unit does not discharge the untreated water beyond a limit. PPCB officials have given the unit a clean chit. Villagers show a drain of the Patiala Choti. Not even animals drink this water. It is no sewage, but the chemicals present there, says a villager. You can see the underground pipes bringing the chemicals-laced water to the riverbed. This is done furtively at night to escape detection, says Krishan Chand, a villager. We use the underground water for drinking and agriculture. One can imagine what can happen to us or to those who eat vegetables grown using this water. Distillery manger Neeraj Bansal says the unit was not discharging any water outside their premises. We have 282 bigha of land around the unit where we have over 40,000 eucalyptus trees which take care of the discharged water. PPCB environmental engineer SS Matharu dismisses villagers allegations. Everything there is under CCTV and the underground pipes only discharge storm water which accumulates after heavy rains, he says. Plus, we also conduct random sampling of the water. Aman Sood Black Bein bleeds Jalandhar: No one comes to us, no one stays with us. Relatives say it smells here and children have allergy marks on their faces, rues Jagdish Kaur of the Mahalon village at Nawanshahr. The village is situated a few kilometres from the Nawanshahr Cooperative Sugar Mills and lies by the banks of the local Bein. Sewage water from the city and the treated effluent from the mill are being dumped into the Bein. The mill (a cooperative) owners maintain the unit meets the best standards in effluent treatment in the state, and that the pollutants in its drain are within the permissible limits, a claim backed by the PPCB. Mahalon is one of the many villages that bear the brunt of the black water carried across the fields. Ujagar, an old Mahalon resident, says he has seen better days of the river. The day they began dumping the citys sewage and the mills water into the river, it turned into a hell for us. Taps and tanks became useless. The groundwater is unfit for consumption and hand pumps have been dumped for long. While pointing to the plants growing by the Bein, panch Balbir Singh says: Its off season now. During the production season, there is an additional flow of water in the Bein. All we know is both mill waste and citys dirt fall into the drain. For days the water has a strange smell, its level also rises suddenly at night. Jagdish Kaur, another village resident living there for the past 40 years, says, Fevers take long time to go and other diseases are common. Our children get allergies and our relatives shy away from visiting us. In the evenings one cant stand there. GM of the Nawanshahr Cooperative Sugar Mills says, For the past over a month, the mill is closed. The effluent we drain out meets the permissible limits. There is no question of pollution being caused by the mill. Ashok Kumar Kalsi, senior environmental engineer PPCB Jalandhar, said the board recently carried out a drive to check storage of molasses by major units of the area. We have also checked the units at Nawanshahr and Phagwara. Molasses were found to be responsibly stored. So far no discrepancy has been found in Jalandhar mills. Aparna Banerji Mills without STP will be shut down What lessons has the government learnt from the Beas disaster? The incident has shocked us. We are going to call a meeting of all the industrialists and tell them that those who don't have STPs (sewage treatment plants) must install them. Those have them should make them functional. Now no mill, irrespective of the political affiliation, would be allowed to function without having STP and fulfilling environmental norms. As for the department, wherever negliegence took place, action has been taken. Will industry accept strictness? No doubt the industry in Punjab is in a bad shape. Our intention is not to harass any industrialist. But they will have to follow rules. What is the action plan? The CM has formed a committee under my chairmanship, which will comprise members from multiple departments. We will give our first report within a week. Vishav Bharti Online monitoring is on Beyond local officers, what is the mechanism to monitor the polluting industry? Officers from different regions of Punjab are deputed to randomly check pollution in water-effluent sensitive industries. Online monitoring of large and medium industries is also undertaken. Is there a roadmap being prepared to be presented to the government? Since the matter relating to cleaning rivers is a multi-departmental task, the state government has formed a committee with administrative secretaries of the departments concerned to take measures to keep the rivers clean and restore ecology. What is the action plan for distilleries and sugar mills? The government has already formed a panel consisting of representatives from director of factories, commissioner, excise & taxation and chairman and PPCB. They will recommend measures to ensure the Beas incident does not recur. Aman Sood uttara@tribuneindia.com SEOUL/WASHINGTON, May 26 South Korean President Moon Jae-in held a surprise meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on Saturday in an effort to ensure a high-stakes summit between Kim and US President Donald Trump takes place successfully, South Korean officials said. The unannounced meeting is the latest dramatic turn in a week of diplomatic flip-flops surrounding an unprecedented summit between the United States and North Korea, and the strongest sign yet that the two Korean leaders are trying to keep the on-again off-again summit on track. Their two-hour talks at the Panmunjom border village came a month after they held the first inter-Korean summit in more than a decade at the same venue on April 27 and declared they would work toward a nuclear-free Korean peninsula and formally ending the 1950-53 Korean War. "The two leaders candidly exchanged views about making the North Korea-US summit a successful one and about implementing the Panmunjom Declaration," South Korea's presidential spokesman said in a statement. He did not confirm how the secret meeting was arranged or which side asked for it. Moon, who returned to Seoul on Thursday morning after meeting Trump in Washington earlier this week in a bid to keep the summit on track as initially planned, for June 12 in Singapore, was due to announce details of the meeting with Kim early on Sunday. Video and one of the photos released by the presidential Blue House on Saturday showed Kim hugging Moon and kissing him on the cheek three times as he saw Moon off after their meeting at Tongilgak, the North's building in the truce village, which lies in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ)the 160-mile (260 km) long, 2.5-mile (4 km) wide buffer that runs along the heavily armed military border. The previous summit was held at the southern side of the border. They were accompanied by South Korean intelligence chief Suh Hoon and his North Korean counterpart Kim Yong Chol, who is in charge of inter-Korean affairs. Video footage also showed Kim Jong Un's sister, Kim Yo Jong, greeting Moon as he arrived at Tongilgak and shaking hands before the South Korean leader entered the building flanked by North Korean military guards. Moon is the only South Korean leader to have met a North Korean leader twice, both times in the DMZ, a symbol of unending hostilities after the Korean War ended in a truce, not a peace treaty. Former South Korean leaders Kim Dae-jung and Roh Moo-hyun met with Kim Jong Un's late father, Kim Jong Il, in Pyongyang in 2000 and 2007, respectively. Trump hails productive talks Trump said on Friday that Washington was having "productive talks" with Pyongyang about reinstating the June 12 meeting, just a day after cancelling it. Politico magazine reported that an advance team of 30 White House and State Department officials was preparing to leave for Singapore later this weekend. Reuters reported earlier this week the team was scheduled to discuss the agenda and logistics for the summit with North Korean officials. The delegation was to include White House Deputy Chief of Staff Joseph Hagin and deputy national security adviser Mira Ricardel, US officials said, speaking on condition of anonymity. Trump said in a Twitter post late on Friday: "We are having very productive talks about reinstating the Summit which, if it does happen, will likely remain in Singapore on the same date, June 12th., and, if necessary, will be extended beyond that date." Trump had earlier indicated the summit could be salvaged after welcoming a conciliatory statement from North Korea saying it remained open to talks. "It was a very nice statement they put out," Trump told reporters at the White House. "We'll see what happensit could even be the 12th." "We're talking to them now. They very much want to do it. We'd like to do it," he said. The comments came just a day after Trump cited Pyongyang's "open hostility" in cancelling the meeting. Threats, insults After years of tension over Pyongyang's nuclear weapons programme, Kim and Trump agreed this month to hold what would be the first meeting between a serving US president and a North Korean leader. The plan followed months of war threats and insults between the leaders over North Korea's development of missiles capable of reaching the United States. Trump scrapped the meeting in a letter to Kim on Thursday after repeated threats by North Korea to pull out over what it saw as confrontational remarks by US officials demanding unilateral disarmament. Trump cited North Korean hostility in cancelling the summit. In Pyongyang, North Korean Vice Foreign Minister Kim Kye Gwan said North Korea's criticisms had been a reaction to American rhetoric and that current antagonism showed "the urgent necessity" for the summit. He said North Korea regretted Trump's decision to cancel and remained open to resolving issues "regardless of ways, at any time". Kim Kye Gwan said North Korea had appreciated Trump having made the bold decision to work toward a summit. "We even inwardly hoped that what is called 'Trump formula' would help clear both sides of their worries and comply with the requirements of our side and would be a wise way of substantial effect for settling the issue," he said. North Korea also went ahead with a plan to destroy its only known nuclear site on Thursday, the most concrete action yet since pledging to cease all nuclear and long-range missile tests last month. Dozens of international journalists left North Korea on Saturday after observing the demolition of the underground tunnels in Punggye-ri, where all of the North's six nuclear tests were conducted including its latest and largest in September. Trump's latest about-face sent officials scrambling in Washington. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis told reporters diplomats were "still at work" and said Trump had just sent a note out on the summit, which could be back on "if our diplomats can pull it off." US State Department spokeswoman Katina Adams declined to give details of any diplomatic contacts but said: "As the president said in his letter to Chairman Kim, dialogue between the two is the only dialogue that matters. If North Korea is serious, then we look forward to hearing from them at the highest levels." White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders told reporters Trump did not want a meeting that was "just a political stunt". "He wants to get something that's a long-lasting and an actual real solution. And if they are ready to do that then ... we're certainly ready to have those conversations," she said. Reuters rchopra@tribunemail.com Seoul, May 26 South Korea on Saturday welcomed the renewed prospect of a summit between the United States and North Korea after President Donald Trump cancelled talks with Kim Jong Un only to suggest they might still take place. We find it fortunate that the embers of the North Korea-US talks are reignited. We are watching developments carefully, Presidential Blue House spokesman Kim Eui-gyeom said. Trumps cancellation of the summit blindsided treaty ally South Korea, which had brokered the remarkable detente between Washington and Pyongyang. President Moon Jae-in had to scramble his national security team when news of Trumps decision first reached Seoul on late Thursday evening as he called Washingtons u-turn shocking and very regrettable. On Friday, Trump turned on his heels again, saying the meeting with Kim could go ahead after all--and would likely happen on the originally scheduled date of June 12 in Singapore. The summit would be an unprecedented meeting between a sitting US president and a North Korean leader, which Washington hopes will result in full denuclearisation of the reclusive state. South Koreas Moon has pushed diplomacy as he desperately sought to calm spiralling tensions on the Korean Peninsula and an escalating war of words between Kim and Trump last year sparked by Pyongyangs detonation of its largest nuclear bomb to date and a series of intercontinental ballistic missile tests. AFP ROBINSINGH@TRIBUNE.COM Caracas, May 26 Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro met with US Senator Bob Corker on Friday, the socialist-led government said, less than a week after Maduro was re-elected to a six-year term in a vote the US did not recognise. The election prompted a further deterioration in relations between the two countries. The United States responded to the vote, which it called undemocratic, with additional sanctions, prompting Venezuela to expel the top two US diplomats. The US responded with a similar move. Reuters ROBINSINGH@TRIBUNE.COM New York, May 26 Harvey Weinstein, who was arrested and arraigned on charges that he raped one woman and forced another to perform oral sex on him, has been released on US$ 1 million bail. According to USA Today, the disgraced Hollywood producer also agreed to wear a GPS tracker and to surrender his passport after turning himself in to police on Friday. Weinstein was carrying three books, including Todd Purdums Something Wonderful: Rodgers and Hammersteins Broadway Revolution, as he got out of a black SUV and walked past the swarm of TV cameras. His defence attorney Benjamin Brafman told reporters that Weinstein would enter a not guilty plea. Mr Weinstein has always maintained that he has never engaged in non-consensual sexual behaviour with anyone. More than 100 women, including prominent Hollywood celebrities such as Gywneth Paltrow, Angelina Jolie, Salma Hayek, Ashley Judd, Uma Thurman and Asia Argento, have publicly accused Weinstein of sexual misconduct. PTI Quick downfall The domain turkeytelegraph.com may be for sale. 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Instagram to alert users about outages 12 Oct 2021 | 2:42 PM Menlo Park, Oct 12 (UNI/Sputnik) Instagram has introduced a new feature to the app that will alert users about outages or technical issues as soon as they occur. see more.. Idea of mixing Covid-19 vaccines is interesting but more data needed: WHO 12 Oct 2021 | 2:40 PM Geneva, Oct 12 (UNI/Sputnik) The idea of mixing different vaccines against Covid-19 for boosting the immune response is quite interesting but more research data is needed, including on Russia's Sputnik V, World Health Organization (WHO) Chief Scientist Soumya Swaminathan said in an interview with Sputnik. see more.. Covid-19 pandemic forced over 100 million people into poverty: Guterres 12 Oct 2021 | 2:40 PM United Nations, Oct 12 (UNI/Sputnik) Over 100 million people worldwide have found themselves below the poverty line due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and more than 4 billion do not have any social assistance, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said. see more.. For companies in Viet Nam, only 31 per cent said the EU policy environment has had a positive impact on their business, while 66 per cent saw no impact. According to the report, Navigator: Now, Next and How for Business, a majority of businesses appear to be ignoring or undermining the impact of important policies on their operations. For companies in Viet Nam, only 31 per cent said the EU policy environment has had a positive impact on their business, while 66 per cent saw no impact. The data was similar for the US policy environment (31 per cent for the EU and 60 per cent for the US), the two major markets for Viet Nams exporters. Similarly, 74 per cent of respondents said the North-American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) has had no impact on their business. A broad lack of awareness from businesses that have major trade and policy initiatives has put them at risk of missing out on significant international growth opportunities, according to the report. Although many firms, especially in the services sector, would consider expanding to new markets to grow their business, many could end up losing their competitive advantage if they do not recognise how trade policy is re-shaping the worlds supply chains, and where the best opportunities lie for them in the next few years, according to the HSBC report. The positive impact of initiatives that are closer to home, however, were more broadly recognised by the surveys respondents. Chinas Belt and Road Initiative and ASEAN 2025 policies received the greatest vote of confidence from business leaders, 59 per cent and 56 per cent, respectively, in the Asia-Pacific region. Seventy-four per cent of companies in Viet Nam said that ASEAN 2025 would have a positive impact on their business and 26 per cent saw no impact. In addition, 50 per cent of survey participants in Viet Nam said the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) was relevant to their business. Sixty-three per cent of Vietnamese companies cited CPTPP as having a positive impact on their business, while 35 per cent said there had been no impact. Meanwhile, 46 per cent of firms in Asia-Pacific said the CPTPP trade deal was relevant for them and 48 per cent expected it to have a positive impact on their business. Vu Tien Loc, chairman of the Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), said at a recent meeting that the CPTPP would be the backbone of international economic and trade commitments for Vietnamese businesses, despite some changes from its predecessor, the now-defunct Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement. The CPTPP is considered a better option for Viet Nam and 10 other partner countries, after the US departure from the TPP, he noted. Conducted by HSBC Commercial Banking, the report examined sentiment and expectations towards international trade in 26 countries and territories, including Viet Nam, China, Hong Kong, India, the UAE, the UK and the US, among others. President Emmanuel Macron has pledged extensive changes aimed at making French trains more efficient and less costly to operate. (Photo: AFP/Gerard Julien) Absorbing the debt has been a key demand from unions, and the government's decision to spell out its commitment was received positively by some trade unionists. "This will become part of state debt and it will be paid back in the same conditions and at the same time as the state's public debt," Prime Minister Edouard Philippe told reporters. A total of 25 billion would be absorbed in January 2020 and another 10 billion in 2022, Philippe said, slashing the state-owned group's borrowings which currently stand at 46 billion (US$53 billion). "The issue is moving forward," said Luc Berille, head of the UNSA union, the second-biggest on the network. "There is now dialogue." All trade unions representing staff on the SNCF have backed the longest-ever rail strike sequence, which began in early April and has seen workers walk out on two days out of every five. The conflict between centrist President Emmanuel Macron and the rail unions, a historic bastion of the labour movement, is seen as a key test of the president's resolve and ability to push through other tricky reforms, such as his plans for retirement financing. But the CGT, which has spearheaded resistance nationally and organised numerous protests against Macron, said it planned to keep up the stoppages which are scheduled to last until the end of June. Other unions including SUD-Rail and FO also said they would continue striking, bolstered by a vote of SNCF employees earlier this week that showed 95 percent of 90,000 respondents rejecting the government's proposed reforms. But the walkouts have been progressively weakening since they began, with strike participation falling among staff. Many analysts see the government as holding the upper hand. Public opinion remains supportive of Macron as the rail reform legislation winds its way through parliament, with a vote in the upper house scheduled for Jun 5. MONEY FOR REFORM Philippe held meetings with the main rail unions on Friday to seek an end to the conflict, which has cost the SNCF more than 250 million in lost revenue, according to the company. The state's decision to take on some part of the SNCF's debt, built up over decades of investment in high-speed lines and other expenses, was always expected, and has always been conditional on reforms being accepted.. Macron has pledged extensive changes aimed at making French railways more competitive ahead of the opening of the European market to passenger rail competition starting in 2020. Most controversially, he wants to end the job-for-life protections and the special status enjoyed by railway workers - but only for new recruits. The unions this week indicated they would accept the phasing out of the special status in exchange for guarantees that the government will ensure a "strong" new collective labour agreement for rail workers. The unions also oppose the transformation of the SNCF into a joint-stock company whose shares would be held by the state, which they see as a first step towards privatisation. The government has repeatedly denied this. The number of students to sit the entrance exam in Hanoi this year has reached 105,000, an increase of 22,000 over last years figure. - Photo vov.vn The number of students to sit the entrance exam in Ha Noi this year has reached 105,000, an increase of 22,000 over last years figure. It means that students in the city will have to try even harder to compete with each other. For Vu Thi Hoa, a resident in Thanh Xuan District, studying at a public high school is the only option for her son. She said if her child failed the exam she will have to send him to vocational study, as her family cant afford to send him to a private school. Upon hearing the news that this years minimum admission score will be significantly higher than previous years, Hoa sent her son to extra classes in private centres to prepare him for the exam. At the centre my son can review his classes, and there are teachers there to support him, she said. In addition to parents worries about their childrens ability to pass the exam, the cost of applications to high schools only adds to the burden. With a cost of VND 300,000 (US$13) for a set of application documents, which includes a personal profile of the candidate and their related academic information. On top of private classes, the total cost of a high school exam can reach extortionate amounts. Its too wasteful for the education system, said Nguyen Thi Thu, mother of a 9th grade student, who lives in ong a District. Another mother said she had paid close to VND1 million (US$44) to purchase a set of application documents for her son. When I came to register my child the queue was in the hundreds. Ive heard some schools recorded 3,000 applications. Its an unbelievably high number, she told Lao Dong (Labour) newspaper. Some schools dont limit the number of application forms sold, even once they surpass the target number of students, she said. She questioned what the schools will do with the money after they sell out the dossiers. The mother cited some schools which announced they could only admit a few hundred students, but have sold thousands of dossiers. Such schools include those for gifted students such as the high schools for gifted students under the Ha Noi Foreign Language College and the Ha Noi University of Science. Its too expensive to pay VN300,000 for a dossier. Is it just a way to make more money? Hoa questioned. Meanwhile, many other schools set up mock high school exams which cost between VND60,000-120,000 for each subject. Tran Tu Khanh, from the Planning and Finance Department under the Ministry of Education and Training noted that there is currently no regulations on fee collection for schools which enjoy financial autonomy. However, they are required to publicise the cost before collecting fees. A management official from a university said that the cost of a set of dossiers, plus exam fees, should stand at just VND200,000. This would cover all expenditure for the exam supervisors and administration work. The cost of VND300,000-450,000 per a set of application documents is too high, considering that the higher the number of applications, the cheaper the cost of the process. Honda's CR-V cars were launched in Vietnam in last November. Photo: tienphong.vn Kuwahara said in the afternoon of May 24 that Honda adjusted the technical specifications of CR-V and Civic vehicles to better match the export markets weather conditions. Therefore, Vietnamese owners do not need to worry about the same errors. To clarify Hondas recall decision, Kuwahara said: The cars in China did not fit the weather conditions in some Chinese localities. The concerns were awakened after Honda Motor Co., Ltd. in the middle of February announced recalling 350,000 CR-V and Civic vehicles with 1.5L Turbo engines in China to resolve a problem caused by an unusual amount of un-combusted petrol collecting in the engines lubricant oil pan. Hondas CR-V and Civic vehicles in Vietnam are currently imported from Thailand. According to tienphong.vn, the issue hugely affected Hondas sales revenue in March. In China alone, Hondas revenue reduced by 13 per cent and fell by 2.3 per cent during the years first three months. The number of CR-V vehicles sold in March was 916, far lower than the 14,360 in the same period last year. In addition, the sales revenue from Civic vehicles also fell by 16.5 per cent. Reuters stated that the issue in some cases caused a strong odor of gasoline inside the car and in other cases the cars check-engine light came on. Honda and its Chinese partner Dongfeng plan to resolve this issue by updating the engines gasoline injection control software. Tienphong.vn also stated that in many US forums specialised in Honda vehicles, many people complained about gasoline smell in the cabin of their CR-V cars. However, Honda has not announced recalling these vehicles in the US. In 2016, Honda recalled 350,000 Civic vehicles in the US to resolve an issue with electronic brakes. The Ministry of Construction to divest from Viglacera MoC recently released its approved plans to divest 80.57 million shares, equaling 17.97 per cent of Viglaceras charter capital, in the first phase. The offered stake makes up 33 per cent of MoCs holding in the company. The sale will be conducted through the order matching method on the Hanoi Stock Exchange, expected to take place in two month's time. After the sale, MoC will decrease its holdings in Viglacera to 161.4 million shares, equaling 36 per cent of the charter capital of the corporation. The selling price will be equal to the ceiling price determined on the transaction session on the same date, but not less than VND26,100 per share or the average reference price of 30 consecutive trading days on the stock market prior to the date the information on the divestment is disclosed. Previously, at the September 14, 2017 transaction, five investment funds under VinaCapital management, namely VOF Investment Ltd., Asia Value Investment Ltd., Vietnam Investment Ltd., Vietnam Investment Property Holdings Ltd., and Vietnam Ventures Ltd., purchased a total of five million shares, raising VincaCapitals ownership in Viglacera from 16.36 to roughly 21.36 million shares, making it a strategic shareholder. Thus, MoCs divestment is an opportunity for VinaCapital to buy more shares to increase its holding in Viglacera if it has ambitions to do so. Most recently, Viglacera and Kaisheng Group signed an agreement to establish Yen Phong Ultra-Clear Glass Co., Ltd. to develop an ultra-clear laminated glass factory with the daily capacity of 650 tonnes in the expanded Yen Phong Industrial Zone in the northern province of Bac Ninh. The construction of the factory is expected to kick off in the third quarter of this year and be finished by 2020. Once completed, it will be the first ultra-clear laminated glass factory in the country. Its products will be used to manufacture solar panels. Besides, Viglacera and its partners are accelerating the construction of a $106.4-million ultra-clear glass factory located in the southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau so that the factory can go into pilot operation in the second quarter of 2019. In early May, Viglacera and Prodimat Corporation of Cuban Construction Material Company (Geicon) of the Cuban Ministry of Construction signed a contract to launch the 50/50 SANVIG joint venture manufacturing building materials. The project has a total investment of $59.7 million and charter capital of $39.86 million. In the first phase, the joint venture will focus on renovating and upgrading its two existing ceramic tile factories to improve productivity, quality, and change product design in order to meet the designed capacity of three million square metres of tiles and 150 thousand sanitary ware products per year. Then, in the second phase, the joint venture will invest in a brick factory with a capacity of three million sq.m and a sanitary ware factory with a capacity of 500,000 products per year. File photo taken September 09, 2014 shows wreckage Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 at the crash sitee 80km east of Donetsk. Russia said the Netherlands had provided no evidence that Moscow was directly behind the 2014 shooting down of flight MH17 AFP/Alexander KHUDOTEPLY "Dutch Foreign Minister Stef Blok called me today," Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told reporters in Saint Petersburg. "They have practically no doubt that the BUK missile came from Russia. I asked him about facts proving these claims. He did not give me any facts saying they want Russia to help establish them based on unfounded suspicions," said Lavrov. He accused the Dutch of using the tragedy that claimed the lives of 298 people aboard the Malaysian plane to "achieve their own political goals". On Thursday, international investigators said for the first time that the Russian-made BUK missile which smashed into the Boeing 777 in mid-air on July 17, 2014 came from a Russian military brigade in Kursk located more than 500 kilometres (300 miles) south of Moscow. The Dutch government said Friday Russia was directly "responsible" for the downing of the plane, a move which may trigger legal action. Lavrov compared the claim to the case of former double agent Sergei Skripal who was poisoned with a potent nerve agent along with his daughter Yulia in Britain in March. London has determined it "highly likely" that Russia was responsible for the attack using a nerve agent developed in the USSR. Moscow has furiously denied the charges, challenging Britain to provide evidence and mocking the phrase "highly likely". "This resembles the so-called Skripal case when they said 'highly likely that's the Russians' but Scotland Yard immediately reported that the investigation is continuing. And it has not been completed yet," Lavrov said. "There is a feeling of deja vu," he said. "We are still ready to cooperate," he added, saying that information that Russia has supplied should not be ignored or used selectively. Russian President Vladimir Putin late Thursday repeated calls that Moscow should be included in the investigation team. Russia has repeatedly said no such weapon ever crossed the Russian-Ukrainian border. It has come up with numerous theories to deflect the blame and pointed the finger at Kiev. Prudential may have once again deducted money from its clients' bank accounts by error. Photo: baomoi.com.vn According to channelnewasia.com, the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) confirmed on May 24 that some policyholders of Prudential have encountered erroneous deductions from their bank accounts. On Thursday, multiple customers approached Channel NewsAsia and took to social media to complain about "unauthorised fund transfers" and deductions of 100 times their premium from their bank accounts. Customer accounts of multiple banks were affected. This was not a cyberattack, but an operational lapse, said MAS in a media release. Channelnewasia.com also quotes Huang, a Prudential policyholder, that she was notified of an unauthorised fund transfer of more than S$50,000 ($37,271) from her HSBC bank account at about 3.45 PM on May 24. When Huang called the bank, she was told that they had received numerous similar phone calls from customers. Huang also added that her advisor sent her a message of apology from Prudential at around 8 PM on the same day, with the content: Good evening. We apologise for the technical error in billing. Some clients have been over-charged today. Currently we are investigating the matter and will rectify it ASAP. A Facebook user named Terence Tan said a total of S$32,634 ($24,326) was deducted from his wife's bank account instead of S$326.34 ($243.26). The 41-year-old operations executive told Channel NewsAsia that the money was credited back into his wife's account at around 9.30 PM. He added that no explanation has been offered to him or his wife so far. Another user, Angela Lee, said S$3,230 ($2,407) was deducted from her sister's bank account, instead of S$32.30 ($24.08). When she called Prudential regarding the mistake, she was told it was an "IT glitch." According to the newswire, MAS said in a statement on Thursday that it has directed Prudential and its payment bank, Standard Chartered Bank Singapore, to return the customer funds without delay, to keep customers updated, and to investigate the root cause of the incident. In an email to Channel NewsAsia, Prudential confirmed that "a number of our customers experienced a GIRO deduction in excess of their insurance premium or a failed GIRO deduction." "We have investigated the matter and found that this is due to a technical error," said a Prudential spokesperson. This is not the first time Prudential has been in the hot water for such an issue. Two years ago, its subsidiary Prudential Vietnam Finance Company, one of the four financial companies controlling the Vietnamese consumer finance market, was also made a similar mistake. In early 2018, Korea-based Shinhan Group bought out Prudential Vietnam Finance Company at a price that was more than five times its charter capital. According to baomoi.com.vn, B.V.D in Tay Ho district, Hanoi said that in 2013, he signed a credit contract with Prudential Vietnam Finance Company to take up a loan of VND47 million ($2,070) for 48 months, so he paid VND1.946 million ($85.7) per month via his Vietcombank account. Thus, the total money for both interest and principal D had to pay during the 48 month was VND80 million ($3,524). At 10 AM of September 29, 2016 D paid VND17.244 million into his bank account at a Vietcombank branch in Hanoi's Hoan Kiem district to pay off the rest of his debt to Prudential Finance Vietnam Company. However, on October 6, he discovered that his bank account was deducted an extra $85.7the exact monthly sum that D had to pay to Prudential Finance Vietnam Company. D. sent documents to require explanation from the financial company and Vietcombank to find out that the bank at 13.24 PM on September 29 still deducted $85.7 to pay his debt to Prudential Vietnam Finance Company. Afterwards, D requested Prudential Finance Vietnam Company to return his money and provide compensation for his travelling expenses. On October 7, Prudential Vietnam Finance Company returned his money via Vietcombank with a formal apology, stating that the incident was due to an unexpected technical error. A representative of Prudential Finance Vietnam Company told VIR that the company has since then been focusing on improving the quality of technology and services to prevent similar incidents. A corner of Hoi An ancient town According to the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT), Quang Nam attracted 5.3 million tourists in 2017, including 2.8 million foreign visitors. Meanwhile, the neighbouring city of Danang lured only 4.4 million travellers in the comparable period. Quang Nam apparently requires more three to five star hotels according to the VNAT. It forecasted that by 2020, Hoi An would see the shortage of 10,000 three to five-star hotel rooms, including 3,500 five star hotel rooms. Many visitors who come to Hoi An often stay at hotels in Danang supposedly due to a shortage of hotels in the province. Quang Nam Province has set a target to welcome eight million tourists by 2020 with the total revenues of VND15.5 trillion (USD704.5 million), accounting for 10% - 12% of the local GDP. The province expects to attract 12-14 million visitors by 2025. Saudi oil minister Khaled al-Faleh said at an economic conference in Russia that a gradual output increase could happen in the second half of the year to prevent any supply shocks. (Photo: AFP/Amer Hilabi) The suspected double-agents were charged and detained last December, but the incident only came to light late Thursday following French media reports and a statement from Defence Minister Florence Parly. "Two French agents in our service and probably one of the spouses of these agents are accused of serious acts likely to be considered acts of treason, on suspicions of delivering information to a foreign power," Parly told CNews television. Speaking from Moscow, French President Emmanuel Macron called the alleged conspiracy "extremely serious" and said the justice system would investigate and judge the suspects. A security source, speaking to AFP on condition of anonymity, confirmed French media reports that the two agents at the General Directorate of External Security (DGSE) were suspected of working for China. At least one of them had been posted in the country, according to the "Quotidien" programme on French broadcaster TMC, adding that the men had been uncovered by domestic counter-intelligence agents. Beijing has long been accused of commercial spying to capture valuable intellectual property, but its intelligence operations are thought to have expanded in step with its growing foreign ambitions. "They're trying to learn what other powers intend to do in terms of politics, diplomacy, etcetera, while of course continuing their hunt for economic information," said Alain Chouet, a former head of intelligence and security at the DGSE. 'FISH IN DEEP WATER' According to French researcher Philippe Marvalin, writing in the "Dictionary of Intelligence" published in March, China has 18 spy agencies employing some 7,000 people handling 50,000 agents known as "chen diyu", or "fish swimming in deep water". "The US is their main target, and in Europe they are especially active in France, Britain, the Netherlands and Germany," he wrote. Another former spy chief, who insisted on anonymity, told AFP that Beijing has sent agents to all corners of French industry, including attractive students to French universities who can be used to entrap targets. "You meet someone here or there: It's quiet infiltration, nothing dramatic. It's not like the movies," he said. Francois-Yves Damon, a China specialist and historian who consulted for the DGSE, recalls surprising a Chinese student at the elite ENA school, which produces France's top public servants, photocopying huge piles of documentation. "Anything he could get his hands on!" Damon told AFP. "Knowing the capacity of China's secret services, seeing two former DGSE agents caught and imprisoned doesn't surprise me a bit," he said. 'EXTREMELY VIGILANT' The revelations came just a few weeks after US authorities indicted a former CIA operative on charges of spying for China, following his arrest in January. And concerns about Chinese spying in Australia led to reforms to espionage and foreign interference legislation last year which singled out Beijing as a focus of attention. Asked Friday about the arrests in France, China's foreign ministry said it was unaware of the situation. The agents are now retired but Parly said they were "quite likely" still in service at the time, though investigators were still determining how long they had been passing along intelligence. She also declined to specify the nature of the compromised information, nor to reveal if the two agents were working together. But a source close to the inquiry said prosecutors have requested the declassification of DGSE documents dating from Jul 6, 2016, to Apr 19, 2017, suggesting the agents may have been compromised for months. In a statement, the DGSE - similar to Britain's MI6 or the United States's CIA - said the revelations "are a major area of focus for the DGSE as well all French counter-intelligence services." The United States is concerned by reports of an impending Assad regime operation in southwest Syria within the boundaries of the de-escalation zone negotiated between the United States, Jordan, and the Russian Federation last year and reaffirmed between Presidents Trump and Putin in Da Nang, Vietnam in November. The United States remains committed to maintaining the stability of the southwest de-escalation zone and to the ceasefire underpinning it. We also caution the Syrian regime against any actions that risk broadening the conflict or jeopardize the ceasefire. As a guarantor of this de-escalation area with Russia and Jordan, the United States will take firm and appropriate measures in response to Assad regime violations. The Presidents of the United States and Russia agreed in Da Nang to de-escalate the conflict. This agreement must be enforced and respected. Russia has declared to the world and to the UNSC that it will guarantee ceasefires in its self-declared de-escalation zones. Unfortunately, the Assad regime, with the support of Russia and Iran, has repeatedly violated these de-escalation zones, most recently in its brutal assault on East Ghouta. The Assad regime and its allies continue to prolong the conflict by ignoring their own de-escalation agreements and stonewalling the Geneva process. Russia is duly responsible as a permanent member of the UN Security Council to use its diplomatic and military advantage over the Assad regime to stop attacks and compel the Assad regime to cease further military offensives. Russia has blocked UN Security Council actions that would have held Assad accountable for the use of chemical weapons and possibly saved innocent lives in Syria 11 times so far in this conflict. Six of those vetoes related to the use of chemical weapons, and others were providing humanitarian access and aid, and ceasing attacks against civilians. Russia should live up to its self-professed commitments in accordance with UNSCR 2254 and the southwest ceasefire, embodied in the Da Nang Statement issued by Presidents Trump and Putin DLT leader XAPO Plans Gibraltar Expansion Chief Minister Fabian Picardo and Minister for Commerce Albert Isola met with Wences Casares who is on a business visit to Gibraltar. Mr Casares is a Co-Founder and CEO of global firm Xapo, the wallet and cold storage vault provider who are reputed to be the largest custodian of bitcoin in the world and who were ranked this year in the Forbes Fintech 50 list. The meeting, held at No6, provided an opportunity for Mr Casares to deliver an update on the exciting expansion plans for Xapo and how Gibraltar is supporting these through the DLT Regulatory Framework that came into effect in January 2018. Xapo already holds a financial services license in Gibraltar and is in the process of seeking further authorisations related to their planned expansions in Gibraltar. Mr Casares also met with the Gibraltar Financial Services Commission on this visit. Xapo is headquartered in Palo Alto, California and was founded in 2014 with the aim of making the bitcoin currency more secure and accessible. The Xapo Wallet operates through a mobile app and online and includes the ability to transfer funds to and from the Xapo Vault. In April 2014, Xapo introduced a debit card that links to the users Xapo Wallet and functions like a standard debit card, except that it is backed by bitcoins instead of traditional currency. Accompanying Mr Casares were Seamus Rocca of Xapo and Joey Garcia of the law firm Isolas. Paul Astengo Senior Executive with Gibraltar Finance and who leads on technology initiatives was also present at the meeting. Photo: Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg via Getty Images John McCain: For Whom the Bell Tolls is a pre-obituary for one of the most fascinating, maddening, and respected lawmakers in American history. Directed and produced by Peter Kunhardt and his sons, George and Teddy a team responsible for other politically themed HBO documentaries, including one about Ted Kennedy that debuted as the senator was battling a brain tumor John McCain: For Whom the Bell Tolls arrives as McCain is publicly contending with the same affliction. Its a movie that comes across as a final statement about who McCain was and how he would like to be remembered. As such, not surprisingly, it treats the maverick senator from Arizona with reverence and respect. But to its credit, the documentary does not gloss over McCain shortcomings, nor the errors he has made during his decades of public service as a politician and a soldier who famously became a prisoner of war in Vietnam for five-and-a-half years. Airing on Memorial Day night, a scheduling choice imbued with at least two layers of subtext, For Whom the Bell Tolls opens with a quote from the Ernest Hemingway novel that gives the documentary its subtitle and that happens to be McCains favorite book: The world is a fine place/And worth the fighting for/And I hate very much to leave it. McCain later explains that he loves Robert Jordan, the soldier protagonist in For Whom the Bell Tolls, because hes someone who makes sacrifices for things that are bigger than himself. The documentary casts McCain as a Robert Jordan of sorts, drawing a line from his childhood as part of a proud military family to his experience in Vietnam, where he wound up in the prison camp dubbed the Hanoi Hilton and endured substantial physical and mental torture. There is footage of McCain in the hospital during that period speaking to the camera in tears about how much he loves and misses his wife that, like many details in this documentary, will make ones vision go cloudy. That wife his first, Carol appears in the documentary and talks about the uncertainty that she and their three oldest children had to live with during this period. Shes also quite candid about how devastating it was when, a few years after returning home, he left her upon meeting his second and current wife, Cindy, who is 17 years younger than him. He was looking for a way to be young again and that was the end of that, Carol says. I didnt know anything about it. I had no idea what was going on. I was pretty much blindsided and it broke my heart. We were all shocked and heartbroken, says Sidney McCain, John and Carols daughter. It caused quite a rift within the family. This is one of several moments when John McCain: For Whom the Bell Tolls reminds us that its subject is far from a saint. Thats true when it comes to his political career as well. The documentary hits the primary highs and lows of his time in Congress and as a two-time presidential candidate, flashing back to the days of the Straight Talk Express in 2000 and his following campaign in 2008, when he chose Sarah Palin as his running mate That was a mistake, he says then lost to Barack Obama and his good friend Joe Biden. In keeping with the accepted narrative about McCain, he is painted as someone who has sometimes been convinced by his staff and his party to act against his better instincts for the sake of allegedly improving his political odds. (The choice of Palin is an example of this McCain wanted to put Lieberman on the ticket but so is his statement of support for the display of the Confederate flag in 2000, when he was battling George W. Bush for the Republican nomination.) But hes also depicted as an aisle crosser and compromiser, the kind of politician that has all but disappeared from the Republican party today. You dont even have to listen to what anyone is saying in this documentary to pick up on that second thread. Just look at the politicians who appear on-camera to speak about McCains legacy. The vast majority of them Biden, Obama, John Kerry, Bill and Hillary Clinton are Democrats, with Lindsey Graham, George W. Bush, and people who worked for McCain representing the Republican side. (Joe Lieberman, the former Democratic senator who became an independent, is a symbol the middle of the spectrum, I suppose.) The documentary doesnt give McCain a total pass when it comes to his role in shaping the current, deplorable climate in Washington, either. Though it does make much of recent speeches McCain has delivered in which he has decried the populist and divisive spirit dominating political discourse, it also notes that he may be indirectly responsible for it. As New York Times columnist David Brooks puts it, I dont think he could have known this at the time, but in picking Sarah Palin, he basically took a disease that was running through the Republican party not Palin herself, shes a normal human being, but a disease that Ill call anti-intellectualism, disrespect for facts and he put it right at the center of the party. Heres a sentence that doesnt get written very often on Twitter or in left-leaning publications like this one: David Brooks is right about this. The name Donald Trump is never spoken in John McCain: For Whom the Bell Tolls, but McCains disdain for what Trumps presidency represents reflected in footage of those recent speeches, including the one he famously gave on the Senate floor last July before refusing to support a Republican-backed health care bill comes through loud and clear. McCain critics, however, will be quick to note that while his words have been powerful, he hasnt wielded his legislative and voting strength as mightily as he might have to push back against Trump. (FiveThirtyEights breakdown of McCains voting record during this administration serves as a reminder that he has supported, among other things, the appointments of Betsy DeVos, Ben Carson, Scott Pruitt, Jeff Sessions, and Steven Mnuchin to Trumps cabinet.) Still, For Whom the Bell Tolls makes clear that McCain has been receptive to opposing viewpoints and able to maintain strong relationships even with those with whom he may not always agree, something that, as he notes, is fundamental to democracy. Footage of him during the 2008 election contradicting a voter who said that Obama is an Arab serves as testament to that. (I thought that was an indication, President Obama says of that moment, of who John fundamentally was.) First and foremost, this documentary is as a moving farewell to a flawed, but still admirable, man. But it also comes across as another type of good-bye, one to the basic civility Americans once were able to take for granted in the political realm. John McCain: For Whom the Bell Toll is another reminder that this, too, is dying. University of Alabama in Huntsville researchers are looking in to the health effects of medications used to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD. According to the most recent stats from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Alabama ranks in the top five in the U.S. for the number of ADHD meds doctors prescribe to kids with the disorder. The research being done on campus is the first time people are gathering data specifically to find out if using ADHD drugs lead to having brittle bones. Dr. Gordon Macgregor and Dr. Shannon Mathis are Professors at UAH. They're doing the study there, because of how many kids on campus take ADHD meds. "We expect a lot of our college aged students, maybe 25%, to be on this drug. That's the numbers that are published," said Dr. Macgregor. The number of kids taking the drug goes up at certain times of the year. "Research has been done that during an exam that up to 50% of the college aged students have taken this drug," said Dr. Macgregor. They're specifically looking at the impact of long term use of amphetamines, like Adderall and Ritalin, that have been used for six months or longer. "The original observations came from these illegal drug users. The methamphetamine users that they have really bad teeth and their teeth fall out. Teeth is a bone," said Dr. Macgregor. The researchers are right in the middle of getting 120 UAH students to come get a bone density scan. Depending on the results, they have a follow up study they want to do too. "Such as a high intensity training program that would be interesting and exciting and fun for young adults to partake in that might increase bone density and offset the affect of the drug," said Dr. Mathis. Depending on the results of the study, this could have an impact on how many of these types of medications are prescribed. "Maybe physicians will really scrutinize whether or not those signs and symptoms of add and adhd are present prior to prescribing these medications," said Dr. Mathis. The two researchers plan on wrapping up the study in October. They'll analyze the data and make a conclusion. If they find ADHD meds do cause brittle bones they'll move on to their next study. WASHINGTON (AP) - President Donald Trump's legal team wants a briefing on the classified information shared with lawmakers about the origins of the FBI investigation into Russia's meddling in the 2016 election. And Trump's lawyers may take the information to the Justice Department as part of an effort to scuttle the ongoing special counsel probe. Rudy Giuliani, one of Trump's attorneys, told The Associated Press on Friday that the White House hopes to get a readout of the materials next week. Giuliani wants to know in particular about the use of a longtime government informant who approached members of Trump's campaign about Russian efforts. He says if that was inappropriate, special counsel Robert Mueller's entire probe may be "illegitimate." Giuliani adds the White House may urge the Justice Department "to re-evaluate" the investigation. (Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.) 5/25/2018 4:45:05 PM (GMT -5:00) Neighbors are concerned after a second person was arrested in an incident where a man was beaten inside a Decatur home. According to Decatur police, 32-year-old Cody Dudley was arrested on charges of first-degree kidnapping, first-degree robbery, and second-degree assault. 40-year-old Gary Murphy, Jr. was arrested on the same charges earlier this month. Police say more arrests are likely. WAAY 31 talked to neighbors about the attack and learned what they hope to see happen. Ive lived here 52 years and I aint never noticed nothing like that here, because everybody really gets along," said Ronald Smith. "Im really just as shocked as ever about it. Smith says he never imagined a kidnapping or a robbery would happen on his streetmuch less both. Were living this close and didnt even know it. According to Decatur police, Cody Dudley and Gary Murphy, Jr. were charged after a man was attacked inside this home in April. But police say they believe more people could be involved. Theyre expecting to make more arrests. Now, after hearing the news, parents in the neighborhood are worried about their childrens safety. My little girl, I just dont want her around that stuff," one neighbor said. "And if thats happening across the street, then I dont want her around that. Im just hoping that type of stuff will stop, because, I mean, weve got kids out here," Smith added. "Theres kids out here every day, and thats very dangerous right there. One dad says, after hearing what happened, hes even considered leaving the neighborhood altogether. "Maybe I need to move and relocate. Both neighbors say they just hope whoever else is responsible for the crime is caught soon. Officials tell WAAY 31 the victim was able to get away from the home after the attack. The victim was taken to Decatur Morgan Hospital and has since been released. ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) - A Maryland measure setting a new standard for how states deal with foreign interference in local elections on social media will go into law without Gov. Larry Hogan's signature. The bill was passed after alleged Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential race, and Hogan said Friday that the measure seeks to achieve "a number of laudable goals" he strongly supports. But he says serious constitutional concerns have been raised. Hogan noted opposition from the Maryland-Delaware-D.C. Press Association, which criticized the bill for forcing news websites to publish ad purchases. The association says forcing media organizations to do that violates the First Amendment. The law requires platforms to create a public database identifying ad purchasers. It extends disclosure rules applying to political ads for radio, television and print to social media. (Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.) 5/25/2018 2:34:23 PM (GMT -5:00) ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - The eldest son of former Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin is seeking to bar the media from covering court hearings after he was accused of assaulting his father last year. A lawyer for 29-year-old Track Palin filed a motion Friday to prohibit or limit media access to proceedings in Veterans Court. The motion says its purpose is to ensure the case does not become a distraction to other veterans in the system. Veterans Court is part of Alaska's therapeutic court system. Anchorage District Court Judge David Wallace denied media requests to cover pre-trial proceedings earlier this week. Wallace was appointed to the bench by Sarah Palin when she was Alaska's governor. A phone message left at the court asking if Wallace planned to recuse himself from the case was not immediately returned. (Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.) 5/25/2018 6:31:49 PM (GMT -5:00) MOBILE, Ala. (AP) An Alabama pastor has been sentenced to 50 years in prison on rape and sexual abuse convictions. Mobile County Circuit Judge John Lockett sentenced Alvin McNeil Thursday after he was found guilty by jurors in April of raping a 16-year-old girl and molesting an 11-year-old girl. New outlets report that a mother told police in 2016 that McNeil had raped and impregnated her older daughter and molested her younger daughter. The 56-year-old Prichard resident was then pastor of Open Door True Worship Apostolic Church in Mobile. McNeil is sentenced to 30 years on the rape conviction and another 20 years on the sexual abuse conviction. CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) - The chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee is meeting with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro two days after the embattled socialist leader kicked out the top U.S. diplomat in the country. There was no immediate comment from Republican Sen. Bob Corker's office about the nature of the surprise visit. Maduro was re-elected Sunday to a second term in a vote condemned by the U.S. as rigged. In the wake of his victory he threw out American charge d'affaires Todd Robinson for allegedly conspiring to sabotage the vote. Accompanying Corker in Caracas was his aide Caleb McCarry, who was behind backchannel talks earlier this year aimed at securing the release of imprisoned American Joshua Holt. Holt has been held for two years without a trial on what he considers trumped-up charges (Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.) 5/25/2018 3:43:52 PM (GMT -5:00) A service dog waiting on a flight in Tampa ended up needing some extra space for the trip. A two-year-old Labrador Retriever named Eleanor Rigby went into labor at Tampa International Airport Friday afternoon. An air travelers service dog is delivering puppies now @FlyTPA Were a full-service department! pic.twitter.com/4xlPixtcFn Tampa Fire Rescue (@TampaFireRescue) May 25, 2018 Tampa ABC affiliate WFTS reported that the dog was with her owner waiting to fly to Philadelphia when she went into labor. Tampa Fire Rescue was there to help Elli deliver the puppies -- seven boys and one girl. Georgia new No. 1 in AP football poll; Kentucky vaults to 11 By Bill Hughes May. 25, 2018 | 06:08 PM | PADUCAH, KY One member of the Marshall County High School's class of 2018 missed the graduation ceremony Friday night, but he got his diploma anyway.Grant Utley was in a car accident Saturday night when his vehicle hydroplaned during a downpour of rain. He suffered an injury to his spinal cord that required a 6-hour surgery. Doctors put a bar and screws in his back to release pressure from his spine, and he has been at Baptist Health Paducah all week.Friday afternoon, classmates, family and administrators crowded into Grant's hospital room, where Principal Patricia Greer and Superintendent Trent Lovett presented him with his diploma.Grant's mother, Jennifer Webb Utley, posted on Facebook earlier this week that he had no feeling in his legs, but later indicated there may have been some minor improvement in his condition. Grant will be transferred next week to Shepherd Spinal Center in Atlanta for more specialized treatment.Jennifer said the first thing Grant wanted after his surgery was the Marshall County Strong bracelet he had worn every day since the school shooting on January 23. It was saved for him by emergency room personnel, and he immediately put it back on his wrist.Grant's mom said,"our community is stronger and closer since the tragedy on January 23. The outpouring of love and support is what is getting us through this."Jennifer allowed us to include this video in our story: Nine months after allegedly killing a man who came to his home to buy a house and three months since a judge ordered a psychological evaluation, an 82-year-old murder suspect is still waiting for it. Anthony N. Darcy, 82, is charged in Shawnee County District Court with premeditated first-degree murder, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and aggravated endangering of a child younger than 18, according to court records. As of Friday, Darcy's evaluation hasn't started much less been completed. Darcy's lawyers appeared before the court Thursday to determine the status of that evaluation. Unfortunately delays of this sort are not uncommon when the issue of competency is raise, Shawnee County District Attorney Mike Kagay said Friday. However, the court has a duty to resolve this issue before the criminal prosecution can proceed. Kagay said Friday that in August 2017, a competency evaluation showed Darcy was competent to be tried. But, in December, the court ordered a second evaluation, which showed the defendant was no longer competent. At a hearing on Jan. 26, 2018, prosecution and defense lawyers stipulated to a report by a local mental health professional who examined Darcy. The judge then found Darcy to be incompetent and ordered that he undergo an evaluation at the Larned State Security Hospital. The judge issued an order on Feb. 2 to evaluate Darcy again. Since that date, the defendant has remained in the Shawnee County Jail due to a backlog at the Larned facility. My staff has been informed that the defendant is the next person on the list and he will be transported when the next spot becomes available, Kagay said Friday. Once Darcy is transported, the staff at Larned will have up to 90 days to report back to the judge, the district attorney said. Kagay said the report back to the judge either will show the defendant has regained competency or is likely to do so in the foreseeable future, or that the defendant isnt competent and there is no substantial probability that he will attain competency in the foreseeable future. The case next will return to court on Aug. 30. Stephen Matthew Snyder, 36, was shot May 1, 2017, outside Darcys house at 3031 S.W. 33rd. When Snyder was shot, his then-8-year-old son was with him. On the day Snyder was shot, Darcy called Snyder, who was buying Darcys house, saying it was OK for Snyder to come over to the house about 6 p.m., according to a law enforcement affidavit released to a Topeka reporter in 2017. Snyder and an unidentified person had closed April 27, 2017, on Darcys house, but Snyder had allowed Darcy to continue living in the house for two weeks with a move-out date by May 10. During that time, the buyers were to have access to the house as long as they contacted Darcy first. When Darcy called a law enforcement dispatcher just after the shooting, he told the dispatcher the unloaded firearm was on a counter in the house. Snyder suffered multiple gunshot wounds. On Friday, Darcy remained in Shawnee County Jail, according to Shawnee County Department Corrections records. By: Paige Cline The hills are still green for the most part, but a little[Read More] WiGBits Headline News Would you like to receive our WiGBits? Signup today! WiG Entertainment News Would you like to receive our WiG Entertainment News? Signup today! Digital Issue Would you like to receive our Digital Issue? Signup today! Shaun French was "obsessed" with 15-year-old Baleigh Bagshaw and harassed her in the days leading up to her brutal murder, investigators say. On Friday, the Salt Lake County District Attorney's Office charged French with aggravated murder, a first-degree felony, in the West High teenager's death. Charging documents say French slit the teen's throat and told an acquaintance that he "damn near cut her head off," the charges state. French, 24, is also charged with aggravated burglary, a first-degree felony; obstructing justice and sexual exploitation of a minor, second-degree felonies. On May 7, Baleigh arrived home, 1624 W. 500 North, in her Fairpark neighborhood from school just after 3 p.m. She called her mother, as she always did, to let her know she was home. Baleigh "started screaming" while on the phone with her mother, according to charging documents. A neighbor went to check on the girl but called police after seeing blood inside the house. After the incident, French called family members to say "he cut a girl's throat," the charges state. French and another man then began driving, allegedly to South Carolina. They stopped at a gas station in Evanston, Wyoming, where French threw his bloody clothes and a backpack into a dumpster, according to court documents. Salt Lake police later spent more than 250 staffing hours searching the Uinta County Landfill. They found the backpack and inside it, clothing with blood stains, a knife, rubber gloves, duct tape, latex gloves and a ski mask, charging documents state. French was arrested on U.S. 50 near county Road 13 in southeast Colorado by the Otero County Sheriff's Office following a two-day manhunt. His friend was in the car with him at the time of his arrest. As investigators began piecing together a possible motive, they learned that Baleigh told her mother on May 2 that she had a sexual relationship with French when he lived with their family from December 2016 until July 2017 when she was 14, according to court documents. French threatened to send Baleigh's mother nude pictures of her daughter as well as post them on social media, the charges state. As Baleigh was telling her mother this information, her phone kept ringing. She stated "it was French and that he had called her 13 times that day." Later, Baleigh's mother received nude photographs of her daughter sent to her via social media. At that point, Baleigh and her mother discussed getting a restraining order against French, police say. Detectives interviewing friends and family of French were told that "French was 'obsessed' with (Baleigh) and that he wanted to marry her." The friend who was with French when he was arrested told police that French had recently visited him in Ohio and "was trying to get his life together and breaking up with a girlfriend in Utah," the charges state. The two planned to drive to Southern Carolina together. But French diverted their trip back to Utah because investigators say he "wanted to talk to his ex-girlfriend about her statutory rape accusation." On May 6 and 7, French and the man spent part of their days at an undisclosed park. On May 7, French allegedly left the man to walk to Baleigh's house. When he returned, he "had blood all over his face and hands," according to the charging documents. An autopsy determined that Baleigh had "severe lacerations" to the front of her neck and a "deep stab wound" to the back of her neck. Prosecutors have requested that French be held without bail. An initial appearance is scheduled for Tuesday, and a special scheduling conference is set for June 9. The Little Rock based group Preserve Arkansas placed the Thomas-Tharp home in Fayetteville on it's list of Arkansas' Most Endangered Places. The home located on W. Old Farmington has been in the area since around the Civil War. Rachel Whitaker, the research specialist at the Shiloh Museum, said the home was at one point used as a triage center for soldiers who fought at the Battle of Prairie Grove. On their list, Preserve Arkansas said the home is quickly deteriorating because of vandalism and weather. The home is also located on the very edge of a new mountain bike park approved by the city of Fayetteville in February. Whitaker said if the home is lost, so too is the information it could contain about the area during the Civil War. She explained there is a lot of information that could be gained by studying even just the architecture of the house. Right now, Whitaker said the biggest weapon for the home is public interest. "A lot of the ways to protect things is you have to have somebody who either has the funds and the interest who wants to come in and preserve and protect it themselves," Whitaker said. "Or you have to have a community group who wants to come in and preserve and protect." Preserve Arkansas suggested that the city use the home as a southern gateway to the new mountain bike park to help preserve it. The city said Friday afternoon that they have not discussed the property in any way at this point in time. A Utica man is facing felony charges after he allegedly deposited a stolen check worth more than $32,000 and used ATMs from the local area to New Jersey to withdraw the funds, according to the New Hartford Police Department. Police say they were called to the M&T Bank in Consumer Square in New Hartford by employees who reported that 38-year-old Jermaine Waring of Utica was in the store trying to withdraw money from an account. Police say bank employees discovered that on May 18, Waring had deposited a check for $32,493.95 into a business account that he had opened earlier this month under a business name. Employees say Waring presented the appropriate state-issued paperwork for the business when he opened the account. After the check had been deposited, approximately $20,000 was withdrawn from the account over the course of three days, at ATMs from central New York all the way down to New York City and New Jersey, according to police. Bank employees believed it was suspicious so they contacted the construction company in Mount Vernon that issued the check, and company officials confirmed that they issued a check for that amount to a company with a similar name in Illinois, but they said the Illinois company never received the check, or several other checks issued by their company. Police say an investigation found that Waring came into possession of the check, then filed for a business in New York under a name similar to the company in Illinois, just a few days after the check was written. The account was then opened and the check was deposited, and after the check cleared, money started being taken from the account a few days later. Police say Waring was at M&T Bank when employees called police to report it, so they transported him to the police station for questioning and an interview. Waring was then charged with the following felonies: - Third-degree criminal possession of stolen property - Third-degree grand larceny - Second-degree forgery - First-degree falsifying business records Waring was arraigned and sent to the Oneida County Jail on $2,500 cash bail. Hes scheduled to appear in New Hartford Town Court next week. ROME A female corrections officer was injured at Mohawk Correctional Facility earlier this month while investigating suspicious activity by two inmates, according to the New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association. According to NYSCOPBA, on May 12 the officer was conducting regular rounds in one of the dormitories when she approached two inmates who she believed were acting suspicious, and she saw that one of the inmates had a latex glove in his hand. The officer then ordered the inmates two to the wall so that she could perform a pat-and-frisk for contraband. As the officer began searching the inmate with the latex glove he suddenly elbowed her in the face, according to NYSCOPBA, and the inmate then threw the glove at her. The glove had a liquid inside that was later identified as the drug Neurontin, and the liquid got into the officers eyes, mouth and on her head. Officials say the officer activated her alarm, and after a brief struggle she was able to restrain the inmate with the help of other officers. NYSCOPBA officials say the officer sustained a laceration to her lip and she was treated by staff at the correctional facility, then transported to a hospital for evaluation. The 24-year-old inmate who reportedly injured the officer is currently serving a five-year prison sentence after a 2014 conviction in Erie County on charges of first-degree attempted robbery, first-degree attempted assault and second-degree criminal possession of a weapon. NYSCOPBA says the inmate was sent to a special housing unit following the attack. Recent actions taken by DOCCS to relax disciplinary actions have created an inmate population that is emboldened, said Scott Carpenter, Central Region Vice President for NYSCOPBA, in a news release. There is no incentive for inmates to behave in a manner that is consistent with a safe environment inside the prison. We need to continue to advocate for disciplinary measures that will deter inmates from attacking staff as well as criminally prosecute inmates that commit serious acts of violence. Rome, N.Y. - The family of 49 year old Cheri Saupp say they will soon begin working to help prevent domestic violence, something they say they couldn't do to help their own loved one. Utica Police say a 911 call came in around 6:30 a.m. last Friday, May 18th for the report of a medical emergency. Police say fIrst responders from the Utica Fire Department found 49 year old Cheri Saupp unresponsive in her William St. apartment. Saupp's boyfriend, 32 year old Brian Brewczywski, was also inside the apartment. 6 days later, on Thursday, Utica Police arrested Brewczywski and charged him with 1st degree manslaughter. Brewczywski was arraigned on that manslaughter charge in Utica City Court Friday morning where he pleaded not guilty. He is being held on $100,000 cash bail. Police say Brewczywski beat Saupp so badly, she later died from her injuries at St. Elizabeth Medical Center. Police say the autopsy showed that Saupp died from a brain bleed caused by blunt force trauma, trauma they say Brewczywski caused when he assaulted Saupp the morning of May 18th. Saupp's younger sister, Heidi Maiolo, who lives in Rome where Saupp grew up, says Cheri was a very loving person who enjoyed helping others, a big reason why she says Cheri began working at the Compassion Coalition in Utica a couple of years ago. Maiolo says it's been a very tough week for her entire family, "It's been hard, it's been ups and downs, trying to process things daily, different things happening everyday, but today we got justice, and we know justice will be served." Maiolo says she believes Saupp was involved in an abusive relationship with Brewczywski for some time, and now she and her husband, Jamie Maiolo, want to get involved in preventing domestic violence. Heidi says she felt there were issues between Cheri and Brewczywski, but Cheri would never say anything when asked if something was wrong. Cheri and Heidi grew up in Rome with their other four siblings. The Allen's lived right around the corner from the old RFA, but Cheri moved to Utica 12 years ago, married and had two children, but divorced and began seeing Brian Brewczywski about two years ago. Heidi says the family is in the midst of planning a funeral service, one they plan on having in Utica, Cheri's home for the past twelve years, "Cheri was a big part of the community and we want to make sure we can bring her back to her community so they can have that closure, she would definitely want that." That service will be held at the St. Vladimir Ukrainian Catholic Church on Genesee St. in Utica. No date has been set. As soon as it is, we will pass the information along. LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) Habitat for Humanity of Lafayette is celebrating a milestone in the community. A home on Howell Street is the program's 300th build. "It's exciting," said homeowner Michelle McGhee. "Yeah, it's kind of surreal." McGhee said she never thought she'd be a homeowner. "It's hard to put it into words," she said. "I'm just so appreciative and overwhelmed." But her dream is coming true, thanks to Habitat for Humanity of Lafayette. "It means stability," McGhee explained. "It means a safe place to call home for the rest of my life. For my family, it will be a place where we can have a happy place." For the last 34 years, Habitat has been building or rehabbing 13 to 15 homes a year with low-income families that need a safe, decent place to live. "It's an amazing program, and it helps build the community and creates good homes with good people in them," McGhee added. McGhee's home is the program's 300th build. On Friday, a special gathering celebrated the milestone. Habitat for Humanity of Lafayette Executive Director Doug Taylor said it would not be possible without the community's support. "Housing is so important to a healthy community," said Taylor. "If people are living in conditions that are substandard and there's a cost burden for their rent, they can't spend money on other things that they really need." It's that community support that's helping McGhee turn the house into a home for her family. It's a huge sense of pride," McGhee said. "To have something that's going to be mine, it's an investment in my life and everything. So, it feels great." Construction began earlier this spring and is set to wrap up in the next couple of months. NOBLESVILLE, Ind. (WLFI) News 18 continues to follow the tragedy at a middle school in Noblesville. Two were injured, a student and a teacher, after another student opened fire. The teacher who was shot, 29-year-old Jason Seaman, was able to take down the shooter. He is said to be in good condition. The other person shot was 13-year-old Ella Whistler. Her family released this statement, Friday: "Our daughter, Ella Whistler, was involved in a horrific shooting today at her school. We will spend the next days and weeks processing what happened and why. But first, we wanted to say she is doing well at Riley Hospital for Children. Her status is critical, yet we are pleased to report she is stable. We'd like to thank everyone across the country who prayed for our family today. We've felt those prayers and appreciate each of them. We'd also like to thank the first responders, Noblesville police, Indiana State Police and the medical staff and surgeons at Riley. Please do not contact our family for further comment at this time. We appreciate you respecting our privacy as we support Ella in her recovery." Noblesville Schools Education Foundation has also set up a way to donate to the families, you can help by following this link. FRANKFORT, Ind. (WLFI) - Frankfort leaders are cracking down on trains blocking railroad crossings for long periods of time. The city's mayor said it's become more frequent and it's causing safety and traffic hazards for drivers. In some instances, the trains have been parked on the crossing for up to three hours. Neighbors said enough is enough. "I've lived here my whole life and I know people say the trains divide our town," said Chris Coomer. However, the trains aren't just dividing the city of Frankfort. Coomer said trains are now starting to divide his business. "We may have materials coming in, semi loads of material, and we'll have drivers call in and say, 'Hey I've been sitting here waiting for this train for an hour,'" said Coomer. Coomer's family business, Coomer and Sons Sawmill, sits right next to two railroad tracks. Lately, there has been several instances of trains blocking the railroad crossings for long periods of time. "We've had instances in the last six months where it's been two to three hours," said Coomer. Mayor Chris McBarnes said this has been the case for all of the city's rail crossings. McBarnes said the trains have been keeping ambulances from passing and making people late to work. "Bottom line is we're saying enough is enough and we want to get the attention of the rail companies," said McBarnes. According to Indiana law, a train cannot be stopped at a crossing for more than 10 minutes. "The thing that worries me the most with this situation is when crossings are blocked for these amounts of time, people's lives are in danger," said McBarnes. The city is now fighting back by fining and citing trains that block rail crossings for more than 10 minutes. The city is currently in the process of fining one train companies for blocking County Road 200 for more than an hour. McBarnes is now calling on neighbors to report any blocked trains to Clinton County dispatch. "We will immediately dispatch an officer to that site. If they can visually see that that crossing is blocked for more than ten minutes, then that particular rail company will get a citation," said McBarnes. McBarnes said Norfolk Southern trains are one of the biggest offenders. A Norfolk Southern spokesperson said their goal is to keep trains moving. However, the reason a train would be stopped for a lengthy amount of time is because of a mechanical or safety issue. The spokesperson said he couldn't speak directly to the stopped trains in Frankfort. McBarnes said he hopes Frankfort's voice is heard, but he also knows that fining and citing could possibly not have an impact. "State statute is very loose, there's not a lot of teeth behind it," said McBarnes. "The fines that get paid go back into an industrial rail service fund by which these rail companies can pull basically the fines that they paid to upgrade their own infrastructure." Coomer said he desperately wants the city to find a solution. However, he doesn't know if citing is the way to go about it. "I don't think the fines are the answer. I think it's some type of cooperation with the railroad company to make things better and make things work for the community," said Coomer. LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI)-- Two men are in jail after shots were fired last night in a Lafayette neighborhood. Officers were called to a home on North 7th Street last night where police said the shots were fired around 11 P.M. The family involved in this shooting says they know this neighborhood isn't the safest. But the mother News 18 spoke to said she never expected bullets to be shot at her own home. "Mommy there's glass." "There's glass here buddy I don't want you here." Amber Smith said she's thankful more than ever to have her children still by her side, unharmed. "Honestly, my first thought was I am just thankful," Smith said. "After I saw the bullet hole, I had decided to stay downstairs for about ten more minutes with the baby before because I was getting ready to head upstairs." Smith said she's witnessed a lot of crime in her Lafayette neighborhood but never imagined a bullet would strike through her attic window. Thursday night, Lafayette police responded to a call near 7th and Hartford Streets. Shots were fired right at Smith's home. Shortly after, police arrested 20-year-old Lawrence Bennett and 20-year-old Malik Adams. Neighbor Casey Diaz said hearing gunshots sadly has become the new norm for this neighborhood. But he said packing up and leaving just isn't an option "I'm not going to let it shake me," Diez said. "This is my neighborhood I know if I don't stay here nothing's going to get done about it." Like Diez, Smith said leaving her home isn't something she wants to do, but she said it's times like these when she's reminded that someone up above is watching. "You tell her who protected us, you know who protected us," said Smith. LPD said this investigation is still ongoing, and asks anyone with information regarding this incident to contact the We-tip hotline. China News on Women Sorry, the page you requested was not found. If you're having trouble locating a destination on Womenofchina.cn, try visiting the Womenofchina Home page Newly released data cast a revealing light on the state of income inequality in America a decade after the Great Recession. While CEO pay soars to unheard of heights, nearly 51 million US households cannot afford basic necessities like housing, food and health care. The figures show that a tiny oligarchy of the super-rich continues to tighten its grip over society, as more and more families struggle to get by. The New York Times on Friday published the Equilar 200 Highest-Paid CEO Rankings for 2017. The survey, conducted annually by the executive compensation consulting firm Equilar, lists the pay packages awarded to CEOs at US public companies with more than $1 billion in revenue. Entries regarding the 10 highest-paid CEOs in 2017 show not only massive compensation packages, but huge percentage increases over 2016. No. 1: Hock E. Tan of Broadcom, total compensation of $103,211,163a 318 percent increase over 2016 No. 2: Frank J. Bisignano of First Data, total compensation of $102,210,396a 646 percent increase over 2016 No. 10: Stephen Kaufer of TripAdvisor, total compensation of $43,160,584a 3,400 percent increase over 2016 This year for the first time, as part of the 2010 Dodd-Frank banking law, publicly traded US corporations must begin publishing comparisons between the pay of their chief executive and the median compensation of other employees. (Figures are not yet available for all of the highest-earning CEOs.) The following are just a few of the pay ratios for 2017: Mindy Grossman, Weight Watchers International, with $33,371,856 in total compensation, received 5,908 times the median employee pay ($6,013). Margaret H. Georgiadis, Mattel, with $31,275,289 in total compensation, received 4,987 times the median employee pay ($6,271). Michael Rapino, Live Nation Entertainment, whose total compensation rose by 577 percent to $70,615,760, received 2,893 times the median employee pay ($24,416). Put another way, a Walmart worker earning the companys median salary of $19,177 would have to work for more than 1,000 years to earn the $22.2 million that company CEO Doug McMillon was awarded in 2017. Among the companies that disclosed CEO pay ratios, the median was 275 to 1, i.e., the typical employee would have to work 275 years to earn the annual compensation of his or her companys CEO. While CEO compensation continues to climbwith the top 200 CEOs receiving an average raise of 14 percent in 2017, compared to 9 percent in 2016 and 5 percent in 2015there are 50.8 million US households that cannot afford a basic monthly budget, including housing, food, child care, health care, transportation and a smart phone. The new data was made available Tuesday by the United Way ALICE Project. Those struggling to meet a basic monthly budget include 16.1 million households living below the official federal poverty level, an abysmally low $24,300 for a family of four in 2016. Also included, however, were another 34.7 million families called ALICE, which stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. In other words, these households include working members and are not officially poor, but cannot afford basic necessities. As the ALICE Project press release on the data notes, ALICE is the nations child care workers, home health aides and store clerksthose men and women who work at low-paying jobs, having little or no savings and are one emergency from poverty. Workers at companies whose CEOs rank in the top 200 in pay fall into this category, including McDonalds, Walgreens, Office Depot and food service companies Aramark and Sysco. Data highlighted by the research includes the following: Two-thirds of all US jobs in the country are low-payingless than $20 an hour, or $40,000 a year if full-time. More than 30 percent of households in each state cannot afford a basic survival budget. The percentage of these families ranges from 32 percent in North Dakota to 49 percent in California, New Mexico and Hawaii. Those families earning over the poverty level but struggling to afford basic necessities outnumber similarly struggling households living in poverty in all 50 states. California, Texas and Floridathe first, second and fourth most populous states, respectively--have the largest number of ALICE households in the country. Also published Tuesday was a study by the Federal Reserve Board that exposes the precarious financial situation facing millions of American workers and their families. The Report on the Economic Well-Being of US Households in 2017 found that 4 in 10 adults, if faced with an unexpected expense of $400, would either be unable to cover it or would pay for it by selling a possession or borrowing money. For working class families, such unexpected expenses could include a medical bill, a car repair, home repairs, appliance replacement, unexpected taxes or finesthe list goes on. While the CEOs in the top 200 have assets stashed away in rainy day funds in the millions, an unexpected emergency can mean going without food, being forced deeper into credit card debt, debt collection or eviction. The study found that 3 percent of renters were evicted or moved because of the threat of eviction in the last two years. The report noted that one-fifth of non-retired adults are pessimistic about their future employment opportunities. A substantial number of workers are in precarious employment, with one-sixth having irregular work schedules imposed by their employer, and one-tenth receiving their work schedules less than a week in advance. The study reported that over half of college attendees under age 30 have taken on debt to pay for their education. Those who failed to complete a degree, and those who attended for-profit institutions, were more likely to have fallen behind on their payments. Among those making payments on their student loans, the typical monthly payment was between $200 and $300, or 6 to 9 percent of total income for someone working full-time at $20 an hour. Another Fed study, The Demographics of Wealth, found that people born in the 1980s, part of the millennial generation, were at the greatest risk of becoming a lost generation in terms of wealth accumulation. This age group is one of the most likely to be saddled with student debt. While all families headed by someone born in 1960 or later have failed to recover economically since the Great Recession, those born in the 1980s are the least likely to have recovered to their pre-1980 financial level. Not surprisingly, the Economic Well-Being report found that less than two-thirds of non-retired adults thought their retirement savings are on track. One-fourth had no retirement savings or pension whatsoever. While workers are told by politicians of both big business parties that there is no money to pay for decent wages, education, health care or retirement, companies in the Standard & Poors 500 stock index are sitting on the largest cash stockpile in history, with estimates varying between $1.8 and $2.2 trillion as of the end of 2017. The obscene levels of compensation doled out to the CEOs and the corresponding struggle of working class families to pay basic monthly bills provoke no serious response from the Democratic Party, which is fixated on the claims of Russian meddling in the 2016 elections. The Democrats have provided the votes to fund the Pentagons record $700 billion budget and secure the confirmation of black-site torture administrator Gina Haspel to head the CIA. They put up no serious opposition to Trumps multi-trillion-dollar tax cut for corporations and the rich. Meanwhile, work requirements are being imposed on Medicaid and food stamps, with virtually no opposition from the Democratic Party. The working class must break from both parties of the capitalist class and build a mass socialist movement to seize the wealth of the financial elite and put an end to the profit system. This is the only basis for meeting essential social needs. Asia Indian port workers to strike for higher wages Dock workers at 12 major Indian ports, including Kandla, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata, will hold a one-day strike on May 28 to demand higher wages and improved services conditions, including better pensions, back-dated to January 2017. The 12 ports handle approximately 61 percent of the countrys cargo traffic. The strike, which is being organised by the National Coordination Committee (NCC), an alliance of the major port workers federations, is also in protest against the central governments Major Port Authorities Bill. Introduced in 2016, the cost-cutting bill will privatise existing port hospitals, and eliminated a percentage of port revenues that are used to pay allowances, provident funds, gratuity and other hard won benefits. NCC officials have threatened indefinite strike action if the Ministry of Shipping and Indian Ports Association authorities refuse to address workers demands. Tamil Nadu: Trichy rural postal workers still out Thousands of Tamil Nadu rural postal workers in the Trichy postal region began indefinite strike action on Tuesday for a pay increase. The walkout was called by the National Federation of Postal Employees (NFPE), who told the media that 90 percent of the regions 5,000-strong postal work force were involved in the industrial action. The strike has severely impacted on postal and money order deliveries. The postal workers want a pay increase in line with the rises recommended by the Kamalesh Chandra committee for rural postal workers. The committee has proposed a 2.5 percent increase in the monthly minimum wage to 10,000 rupees ($US147.87) for Scale 1 workers, 12,000 rupees for Scale 2 and 14,000 for Scale 3. The NFPE has threatened nationwide indefinite strike action from August 23 if the authorities continue to delay the outstanding increases. Indian sanitation workers in Haryana continue strike More than 30,000 sanitary municipal workers in Haryana state in India remain on strike after walking out on May 9 for a pay rise and improved working conditions. Garbage continues to pile up all over the state. The strikers want permanency for contract workers, a 15,000-rupee minimum monthly wage for sewerage workers, implementation of free medical facilities for all contract workers, higher allowances for permanent and contract employees, and better safety equipment for sewer cleaners. Discussions between the sanitation workers union (Nagar Palika Karmachari Sang) in Haryana and municipal authorities remain deadlocked. The state government is using essential service regulations and recruiting strike-breakers to try and break the ongoing industrial action. Strikers have vowed to continue their action until their demands are met. Indian food corporation workers protest in Punjab Food corporation workers and staff members in Jalandhar, Punjab state, held a one-day protest in the state last week over Food Corporation of India (FCI) managements refusal to pay outstanding wage increases. Food Corporation of India Employees Association (FCIEA) members wore black badges during the protest and have imposed bans on overtime. FCIEA district chairman Gurinder Singh told the media that if management did not grant workers demands there would be strike action from June 15 to 22. Wage increases for category III and IV employees have been outstanding since January 1, 2017. Pakistan: Punjab university workers demand permanent employment Contract workers at the government-funded Punjab University demonstrated on May 18 for job permanency and in protest against a Punjab Higher Education department directive not to renew work contracts. The measure threatens jobs of about 600 current employees at Punjab University whose contracts end in June or earlier. This is despite promises from authorities that the contract workers would be given permanent jobs. University administration has already sacked 75 contract workers. The department alleges that the university is not complying with the official recruitment process and using this to cut jobs and slash education expenditure. Tribal area health workers in Pakistan demand outstanding dues Workers from the state-funded Lady Health Workers (LHW) program in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) blocked the Peshawar-Torkham Highway on Monday in protest against the non-payment of dues for the past 11 months. The demonstration was called off after the authorities promised to resolve the issue before the Eidul Fitr religious holidays. Pakistans LHW program is mainly available to those in FATA and other rural regions where other health services are miniscule. Employees of the program, who provide vital health services to poverty-stricken regions, are among the most exploited in Pakistan. Non-payment of wages is commonplace with most of the workforce on daily wage contracts. Bangladesh garment workers demand higher minimum wage Hundreds of Bangladesh garment workers demonstrated last Friday for immediate implementation of a 16,000 taka ($190) minimum monthly wage, a festival allowance equal to basic salary and all wage arrears paid by next month. The protest was organised by the Garments Workers Trade Union Centre. On January 14, the Bangladesh government established a minimum wages board to review the salaries of readymade garment workers. The current minimum wage is about 5,300 taka ($60). Union leaders told the media there has only been one meeting since the wage board was formed and four months of deliberate delays. Sri Lanka immigration officers end protests Sri Lanka Immigration & Emigration Officers Association members at Bandaranayake International Airport and Colombo Sea Port held a one-day work-to-rule campaign on May 17. Union members held a silent demonstration outside the Bandaranayake International Airport at Katunayake prior to launching the industrial action. The work bans were lifted by midnight that day after the union received a written assurance by Domestic Affairs Minister S.B. Navinna that the workers claims will be resolved. The workers want reestablishment of jobs cut from the service and better working conditions. Domestic Affairs Minister S.B. Navinna promised to submit workers demands to the Sri Lankan cabinet on May 23. South Korean doctors protest Around 7,000 doctors rallied in Seoul on May 25 against the governments unilateral medical care policy. The protest was called by the Korean Medical Association. Referencing the Moon-led government, the doctors shouted slogans including: Lets banish Moon Jai-in Care and The government has come up with a delusional policy. Doctors denounced the lack of negotiations prior to the establishment of the governments new policy and warned that it could result in real funding cuts and the deterioration of services. Cambodian workers strike after union organiser fired About 1,000 Cambodian workers struck at the Cheng Xin Manufacturing plant in the Bati district of Takeo province on May 17. They staged a protest outside with a banner demanding that a sacked union representative be reinstated. Som Sopheap was reportedly fired for seeking to organise a union at the factory. He had played a leading role in a campaign for improved working conditions, including for the establishment of an infirmary and lunch room, and the payment of monthly bonuses on time. The company has refused to rehire Sopheap and failed to meet any of the workers claims. Indonesia: Coca-Cola employees reject national agreement Workers at Coca-Cola factories in Indonesia have rejected a national collective agreement and formed a new union alliance. The new body, which is called the Coca-Cola Indonesian Workers Council and unites four unions, opposed a work agreement organised between the company and the Confederation of All Indonesian Workers' Unions (KSPSI). Coca-Cola is reportedly refusing to recognise the new union council or reinstate two dismissed union leaders involved in its formation. The company operates 10 bottling plants and has an Indonesian workforce of around 12,000. Company management is continuing to collaborate with the KSPSI, which was established under the Suharto military dictatorship. The national agreement is to facilitate a major restructuring operation by the giant transnational corporation, which involves layoffs and attacks on works rights and benefits. The new alliance was established after a series of mass protests. When employers at the Semarang bottling plant struck on May Day to protest the national agreement, management operatives went to their homes and demanded that they go to the factory and work. Australia and the Pacific Australian bank note printers strike for pay increase Workers at Note Printings Melbourne plant in Victoria struck for 24 hours on May 18, as part of a dispute over a new enterprise work agreement. Fridays action is the first time in 150 years that workers at the company have gone on strike The company, a wholly owned facility of the Reserve Bank of Australia, prints banknotes for 18 countries, as well as Australian passports. The workers are members of the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union (AMWU). The union is asking for a 4 percent pay increase per annum over the three-year life of the agreement, but the company is offering only 2 percent. The AMWU is also seeking permanency for casuals, many of whom have been employed at the company for years, a resolution of classification issues and domestic violence leave. The union is attempting to divert widespread anger among workers into impotent appeals to management, calling for backroom negotiations with higher level Note Printing representatives. New Zealand cinema workers strike Workers at Event, New Zealands largest cinema chain, walked off the job at 10 p.m. on Wednesday for higher wages. The industrial action was timed to coincide with a premiere midnight screening of Solo, the latest instalment in the multi-billion dollar Star Wars film franchise. Event operates across the country, employing around 200 staff, 50 of whom rallied outside the chains Queen Street cinema in Auckland. The strike was organised after months of pay negotiations with the Unite Union broke down. Entry-level workers at Event earn the minimum wage whilst managing staff earn $NZ20$NZ22 per hour. The company claims the strike was unlawful and say they offered a 4 percent pay increase. The union has limited their pay demand to $23 for managers, only a few cents higher than what Event were offering. New Zealand fast food workers vote to strike Wendys fast food chain workers are voting to strike after the company imposed cuts of up to 20 percent on rostered work hours. According to Unite Union leader Mike Treen, Wendys management are removing automatic pay rises for workers after six months employment and refuse to give workers a 15-minute break during the first three hours of the work day. Wendys employees fought a three-year battle to regain days-in-lieu entitlements for working on public holidays. While the company last year was ordered by the Employment Relations Authority to repay workers for lost days-in-lieu, it has yet to do so. Lordstown GM workers are directing their anger against both the company and the United Auto Workers who have entered into a deal to layoff the second shift while hiring subcontractors into the massive assembly plant that builds the Chevy Cruze. Some 1,500 workers are set to lose their jobs on June 22 when GM eliminates the second shift at the plant located on the outskirts of Warren and Youngstown Ohio. At the same time the UAW has struck a deal with the company to bring in lower paid workers from its subsidiary Lordstown GM Subsystems LLC to do many of the jobs. Workers contacted by the World Socialist Web Site Autoworker Newsletter pointed to the conflict of interest as the UAW collects dues from both the Lordstown workers and those at GM Subsystems, who are paid a fraction of what a traditional autoworker makes. They are trying to force out the older workers and replace them with temporary workers, said Tammy, a Lordstown worker, with 23-year service who is set to lose her job on June 22. I have 23 years and I am out the door. I know a worker with 50 years service who is being forced to retire. It is company greed, they will replace him with someone making just $15 an hour. Tammy noted that she knows of another worker with 47 years and one with 35 years both who are being forced to retire. This is a way to force senior workers to retire. In order to keep your job you have to go on the line. GM doesnt want any senior workers, they are forcing them either to work the line or take their pension. They dont want someone making $30 an hour driving a forklift when they can replace them with someone making just $15 an hour, and the union is working with GM to do this. The WSWS Autoworker Newsletter calls on all autoworkers to stand behind their brothers and sisters in Lordstown to oppose the layoffs and the UAWs blatant collaboration with management. A serious fight to defend jobs requires a break with the pro-company UAW and the formation of rank-and-file committees democratically elected and controlled by autoworkers. Anger exploded at the Lordstown plant when it became known that UAW officials, including UAW Vice President for GM Cynthia Estrada, had signed a backroom deal with management sanctioning the hiring of lower paid subcontractors. In an effort to blackmail workers Estrada claimed the subcontracting was the only alternative to the possible closure of the plant. They should likewise reject the stock in trade lie of the UAW that concessions will save jobs. Many workers with higher seniority are able to bid for jobs that are not on the line, such as forklift driver and keeping the line stocked with parts and supplies. Under the deal agreed to by the United Auto Workers, GM can fill all non-assembly positions using its contracting firm GM Subsystems with workers who get paid just $15 and less an hour. In turn, GM agreed that those workers will be members of the UAW and pay dues to the union. Now the senior workers from the second shift will be forced to either bump someone off the line or be laid off. In addition it has been revealed that the UAW signed a Memorandum of Understanding as part of a backroom maneuver with GM to bring in subcontract workers at its Lake Orion Assembly plant north of Detroit for the express purpose of replacing high seniority workers. A Lordstown worker said, Many people arent ready to retire, but they cant work the line anymore. The heavy lifting and the repetitive motion destroys your body. I lift 30 to 40 pounds when each car comes down the line and we do at least 400 cars each night. Ive had rotator cuff surgery and there are times when Ive lost all my feeling in my hands and arms. My body is beaten to death. Ive lived in this area all my life. Ive raised my children and now Im raising my grandchildren. I cant move. The union is not protecting us. They are working with the company. The company is greedy, the International is greedy, the union is greedy. Its not the temporary workers fault, they make at top $15 an hour and they are just trying to feed their families. Instead of fighting for all the workers, the union is a part of the company working against us. Many workers that are being laid off from Lordstown had previously worked at Packard Electric making parts for GM cars. That company was bought by GM and then spun off and went into bankruptcy. Workers lost their health care and much of their pension through the bankruptcy court. When they were hired into the Lordstown plant, they maintained their corporate wide seniority, but lost their seniority at the plant. The WSWS Autoworker Newsletter spoke to another Lordstown worker with over 20 years service who is getting laid off. They dont count the time I worked at Packard. All the time Ive given to GM, all the dues I paid to the UAW and I will be out on the street. I hope this isnt that long, I hope they bring back the second shift, I hope they bring back the third shift, but I dont think they will. How can they say the union represents us, but all they care about is getting their dues money? Its all about the company profits and not about the workers. Workers are going to have to unite and build an organization that fights for us. They dont even pretend to represent us, said a second tier worker who is set to lose his job. What ever happened to equal pay for equal work? Now the company is bringing in a third tier while older, senior workers are getting laid off. All they want is cheap labor. The union tries to blame work going to Mexico, but those workers just want to live too. Everyone should unite together and demand a decent living, not tell GM we will just keep working for less. The attack on Lordstown workers is part of a global assault on jobs being carried out by GM, which has halted all car production in Russia, Australia and India and is threatening auto production in South Korea if workers do not accept concessions. The fight to defend jobs requires a united fight by autoworkers across national boundaries, challenging the right of the auto transnationals to chop jobs in their insatiable drive for profit. A break with the UAW and the election of rank-and-file committees is the first step in this struggle. We urge Lordstown workers to contact the WSWS Autoworker Newsletter to begin this fight. In the early hours of May 11, Peter Miles, 61, allegedly shot his wife Cynda 58, his daughter Katrina, 35 and his four grandchildren, Taye, 13, Rylan, 11, Arye, 10, and Kadyn Cockman, 8. At around 5.00 a.m., he reportedly rang the police to inform them and then turned the gun on himself. It is said to be the worst mass shooting in Australia since the Port Arthur massacre of 1996, when 35 people were killed. The family of seven had lived on the 12-hectare property in the hamlet of Osmington for three years, after Peter and Cynda Miles moved there from the nearby small town of Margaret Rivera surfing and tourist area in southwest Western Australia renowned for its wineries. Peter Miles had worked as a farm manager at Margaret River Senior High School for 20 years and had a farm maintenance and repair business. Reports indicate the couple had bought the property and moved there with their daughter and her children following her marriage breakdown. The four autistic children had briefly attended the local primary school but were withdrawn to be homeschooled. Interviews with the familys friends and neighbours reveal a community desperately seeking to probe and understand the social and personal crises that led to such an outcome. They indicate that the family was experiencing financial hardship, prompting Peter, in the days before the tragedy, to seek casual vineyard and farm work. According to people who knew the family, Peter had suffered depression for some years following the suicide death of one son and news that another required an organ transplant. Just hours before her death, Cynda, who was becoming increasingly concerned about her husbands mental health, said on Facebook that his depression was getting worse and worse and he was becoming less rational. She told a close friend he had been prescribed anti-depressants in the previous few weeks. There are suggestions that the medication was not working, which could explain his violent transformation. But an interview conducted with the childrens father, Aaron Cockman, a local carpenter and builder, provoked outrage among a layer of feminist writers in the mass media. His statements were condemned because they highlighted mental health problems and social pressures as the source of the tragedyrebuffing the feminist narrative that violence against women is caused by dominant white men, male privilege or misogyny. The grieving and traumatised father appealed to those listening to his comments not to be angry. I dont feel angry, he said. I feel tremendous sadness for my kids. I dont want anyone to feel angry. He said he thought his estranged father-in-law had been struggling to hold it together and appeared to have planned to fix all his familys problems by taking out everyone. Peter didnt snap, Cockman said. Hes thought this through. I think hes been thinking this through for a long time. Cockman described his love and respect for his father-in-law prior to the bitter separation with Katrina and his restricted access to his children. He said Miles was an awesome man, before this all blew up. He was like my best friend The reason Im standing up here is so that people everywhere, not just those who knew Katrina and myself, Peter and Cynda, dont feel hatred. Feminist columnists writing for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Fairfax publications and the Guardian reacted with fury to his statements. Sydney Morning Herald journalist Clementine Ford declared: While Cynda Miles was a well-known figure in the town less was known about [Peter] Miles. Despite this, the narrative of the Good Bloke Under Pressure has risen up in the wake of the homicide. As is typical in cases like this, mental health is being blamed. At the Guardian, Van Badham went further: We also know that what domestic murderers have mostly in common isnt the heartache thats been speculated within Peter Miles. It isnt tragic childhoods, substance abuse problems, persistent criminal behaviour or mental illness, either. Whatever may have transpired in Margaret River that morning, the narrative of the good bloke who snaps and kills his family is myth, whether its what people thought of him or not On the ABC panel show The Drum, Badham outlined the position of identity politics adherents. He is a white man who looks familiar in terms of the way he is depicted. People dont want to believe that white men who are in positions of domination in the society we live in can be capable of committing acts of violence we understand these perpetrators for what they arepossessive, controlling murderers. Supposedly, the only reason men are violent is because of patriarchy and entrenched misogyny. According to these journalists, social conditions do not explain why menand womencarry out terrible and shocking acts against their families or others. Any examination of the impact of unemployment, poverty, medical problems and mental illness is callously denounced as apologising for, and even encouraging, male violence. Their utter indifference to the social crises that afflict much of the population reflects the attitude of a privileged middle-class layer that has exploited gender-based identity politics to pursue position, income and wealth. Statistics shed light on the terrible situation that faces millions of people, especially in regional areas of Australia. A Centre for Rural and Remote Mental Health report noted: In 2016, the number of suicides per 100,000 people in rural and remote Australia was 50 percent higher than in the cities. This rate gets higher as areas become more remote and has been growing more rapidly than in the cities. Mental health problems were experienced by 21.1 percent of males and 22.1 percent of females with weekly household incomes of less than $580, compared to 8.9 percent of males and 9.1 percent of females living in households with a weekly income of more than $1,030. The report noted that within rural and remote populations, men, young people, farmers, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples were at increased risk of suicide. Exacerbating this dire situation is reduced access to mental health care in rural and remote areas. In 2015, the number of psychiatrists per 100,000 people stood at 13 in major cities but only five in remote areas and just two in very remote parts of the country. The number of mental health nurses, 53 per 100,000 people in remote areas and 29 in very remote areas, was 64 percent and 35 percent respectively of those available in major cities. The number of psychologists was even lower. Access to these professionals in remote and very remote areas was 34 percent and 24.5 percent of those in metropolitan cities. When compared with major cities, per capita Medicare expenditure on mental health services in 201516 was 74 percent in rural regions and 21 percent in remote areas. The report noted: In many respects, mental illness is like physical illness: given appropriate and timely intervention and treatment, mental illness can be successfully managed. The continual slashing of health budgets by state and federal Coalition and Labor governments, however, has left the poorer sections of population and those in outlying and isolated areas without the facilities to treat the results of the growing stresses and problems of their lives. Whatever the specific trigger that resulted in the horrifying death toll at the Forever Dreaming farm in Osmington, Peter Miles evidently did not see a way to resolve the issues he and his family faced. The proponents of feminist identity politics sheet home the responsibility for his desperate and terrible decision to gender and skin colour. In doing so, they provide a cover for the social conditions, and economic system, that led to the situation. On Saturday, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the rest of the leadership of the Hindu supremacist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) celebrated the fourth anniversary of their assuming office with speeches hailing Indias progress. Progress for whom? The barbarity of social life and class relations in contemporary India were laid bare in Tuesdays police massacre of working people demanding the closure of a copper smelter that has long befouled Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu, polluting its groundwater and environs with toxic chemicals. The massacre, which left 12 people dead and more than 60 others injured, had all the hallmarks of a state provocation. Tamil Nadu authorities criminalized the protest days in advance, claiming it represented a threat to public order. They deployed 1,500 police officers who quickly set upon the illegal demonstration, then resorted to deadly force when the bigger-than-anticipated crowd of 20,000 fought back. Violating their own procedures, police fired no warning shots and targeted those at the head of the protest for death. As video and eyewitness evidence and, most tellingly, the victims bodies attest, police snipers aimed for protesters heads and torsos, not their legs. While people in Tamil Nadu and across India voiced outrage over the polices actions, the Modi regime and Tamil Nadus AIADMK state government, a close ally of the BJP, quickly proclaimed the Tuticorin atrocity a necessary and proportionate use of force and plotted further repression and violence. This included: cutting off all access to social media and the Internet for five days in the states three southernmost districts, placing the paramilitary Central Reserve Police Force on standby for possible deployment in Tamil Nadu, and issuing ominous intelligence agency warnings of leftist extremist plans to use the popular outcry over the Tuticorin events to foment violence. The people of Tuticorin and fishermen in southeast Tamil Nadu have been protesting against the threat from sulphur dioxide, lead, arsenic and other toxins spewed from the Vedanta Resources smelter since it opened in 1996. Yet the authorities have been utterly impervious to their complaints. Vedanta and its proprietor, the multi-billionaire industrialist Anil Agrawal, have been given license to spew pollutants that have sickened and killed local residents and ravaged the pearl and fish industries off the shores of southeast Tamil Nadu. The trigger for the most recent agitation for the smelters closure was the government's authorization for Vedanta to double the Tuticorin smelters annual production capacity to 800,000 tonnes per year, which would make it the world's second largest copper smelter. In an attempt to mollify popular anger over Tuesdays massacre, the Tamil Nadu government and courts have ordered the smelter shut indefinitely, with the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board demonstratively declaring that it has disconnected the smelter's power supply. But the Indian state and political elite have shown time and again that they are at the beck and call of Agrawal and Indias corporate elite and that they view environmental devastation and social misery as the price of progress. Sooner rather than later, they will green light the smelters reopening, just as they have on previous occasions when Vedanta's flouting of the most minimal environmental standards compelled them to order temporary production halts. Such social crimes abound across India. In its drive to make India a global cheap-labour production hub, the Indian bourgeoisie has pursued a socially incendiary agenda of privatization, deregulation and corporate tax cuts, while diverting state resources from health care, education and agricultural supports to big business infrastructure projects and the modernization and nuclearization of Indias armed forces. Mounting social opposition from Indias workers and toilers has been met with state repression and the stoking of communal reaction and noxious caste politics. Take the case of the 13 Maruti-Suzuki auto workers jailed for life on frame-up murder charges for daring to challenge the brutal cheap-labour regime that prevails in Indias new globally connected industries. State prosecutors and judges have publicly justified the savage class justice meted out to them on the grounds that their exemplary punishment is needed to reassure investors and advance Modi's Make in India campaign, which seeks to woo foreign capital to set up production in the country. A quarter-century of neo-liberal reform has transformed India into one of the most unequal societies in the world. While three quarters of all Indians eke out their existence on less than US$2 per day, the top 1 percent gorges on 23 percent of all income and 60 of the countrys entire wealth. This social polarization is exemplified by the exponential growth in Indian billionaires. Whereas in the mid-1990s there were just two Indian billionaires, now, according to Forbes, there are 131. This means India, which has a GDP little bigger than Canadas, boasts the worlds third largest number of billionaires, having surpassed Germany, Britain and Russia. The Modi regimea government that combines veneration of the capitalist market and personal enrichment with rabid communalismis the culmination of this process of social plunder. Indias corporate elite, led by none other than its biggest billionaire, Mukesh Ambani, propelled Modi and his BJP to power in May 2014 to intensify the assault on the working class and more aggressively assert the Indian bourgeoisies great power ambitions. The four-year-old BJP government has accelerated pro-investor reform, slashed Indias already derisory social spending, and harnessed India to Washington's military-strategic offensive against China. While the vast mass of Indias population has been excluded from the benefits of Indias capitalist development, the process has given rise to a new and increasingly rebellious working class. The south Indian state of Tamil Nadu has experienced Indias most rapid urbanization over the past two decades and, not coincidentally, has emerged as a center of social opposition. According to the national Bureau of Police Research and Development, in 2016, the last year for which such statistics are available, Tamil Nadu had the second highest number of protests, be it strikes, demonstrations or anti-government meetings, of any state, an average of 47 per day. While the BJP and Indias corporate elite celebrate Indias rise, the reality is that the country is a social powder kegone that is being roiled by mounting economic and geopolitical shocks emanating from the breakdown of world capitalism. That this mass social anger has yet to give rise to a conscious working class political challenge to the Modi regime and the Indian bourgeoisie as a whole is principally due to the political treachery of the Stalinist parliamentary partiesthe Communist Party of India (Marxist) and its older, smaller ally, the Communist Party of India, or CPI, and their trade union affiliates, the CITU and AITUC. For decades, the Stalinists have functioned as an integral part of the bourgeois establishment and the most important social prop of the Indian bourgeoisie. The BJP rose to power by exploiting popular anger over mass joblessness and chronic poverty. But the Stalinists paved the way for this by supporting a succession of national governments, most of them Congress-led, that pursued neo-liberal reform and closer relations with Washington, and by implementing, in the states where they held office, what they themselves termed pro-investor policies. The Stalinists have responded to the intensification of the class struggle by lurching still further to the right. In the name of opposing the BJP, they are urging the working class to place its trust in the putrefying democratic institutions of the Indian statethe very institutions responsible for Tuesdays massacre and the victimization of the Maruti Suzuki workersand to lend its support to the Congress Party, till recently the Indian bourgeoisies preferred party of government, as well as a host of right-wing regionalist and caste-ist parties. The Stalinists attitude toward the working class is exemplified by their hostility to the framed-up Maruti-Suzuki workers. Although employers routinely threaten workers with doing a Maruti Suzuki, the Stalinists are treating these class-war prisoners like the pariahs of 19th century South India, refusing to publicize their case, let alone mobilize the working class to fight for their freedom. This is because they recognize that a campaign linking the defence of the Maruti Suzuki workers to the struggle against poverty wages and precarious employment would blow up their alliance with the Congress Party and their unions cozy, corporatist relations with big business. In India, as around the world, the most urgent task is the forging of the political independence of the working class so it can advance its own program in opposition to social inequality, exploitation and war and rally the urban and rural poor around it in the fight for workers power and socialism. The central task in carrying out this perspective is the building of a new political leadership of the working class through the construction of a section of the International Committee of the Fourth International in India. The following is the third part of a three-part interview with Professor Piers Robinson, an academic at the University of Sheffield and a member of the Working Group on Syria, Propaganda and Media. Parts one and two appeared on May 24 and May 25. Julie Hyland: What is your estimation of the alleged poisoning of Sergei and Yulia Skripal by Russia, and how do they relate to the war in Syria? PR: We initially issued two briefing notes on Skripal. That was partly because some of the people in the Working Group who had been looking at chemical/biological events in Syria had relevant knowledge and were aware that what the British government was saying straight off was inaccurate, i.e., the idea that the nerve agent used was Russian and only the Russians could have produced it, etc. I did feel, because at the time the Syrian government was retaking large portions of territory, that the representation of Skripal might be being exploited as part of a broader propaganda drive against Russia (which was providing military support to Syria). If there was going to be an escalation in Syria, beyond the bombing that occurred, that would take us up against the Russians. There was a good possibility that the Skripal event was going to be exploited as part of a broader anti-Russian propaganda drive. Its not something you can pinpoint for sure at this stage because you dont have access to the information. I dont think we will know the full truth of exactly what is happening for some time. But you can make an informed judgement call. What we do know is that the claims being made at the time were not tenable. So when [Foreign Secretary] Boris Johnson pretty much said it was the Russians who must have poisoned the Skripals, that appeared to be a statement of certainty that was not warranted. And, of course, the recent history of Iraq and UK government claims regarding alleged WMD stockpiles was an important reminder that governments can be strongly motivated to distort and manipulate their claims, especially when intelligence is involved. I think the Skripal poisoning might be connected to events in the US. We do know, because Alex Thomson from Channel 4 tweeted on March 12 that the government had put a D-notice restriction on the reporting of [MI6 agent] Pablo Miller. Professor Paul McKeigue (University of Edinburgh) has issued a new briefing talking about this matter. Pablo Miller was Skripals handler. He was connected to [former MI6 officer] Christopher Steele. He was responsible for the dossier alleging Trumps collusion with Russia. That, as I understand it, was a key part of initiating proceedings and investigations against Trump. It appears that the dossier was linked to the Democratic National Committee in that they apparently commissioned it. If it is the case that Skripal was in any way connected with that, it forms a possibility that there was a motive for someone other than Russia to have carried out the poisoning. More broadly, there is the possibility that the whole Russia-gate narrative is being used for bigger political purposesto influence Trump, to try and shore up action in the Middle East, perhaps on some level to distract Western publics from increasing awareness of how we have been involved in wars in the Middle East. JH: What do you take from the research that you are involved in? PR: My personal view is that the truth always comes out eventually. There appears to be a failure for Western military objectives in Syria, at least at this point in time. Arguably, its the first failure of the post 9/11 regime-change wars and I know from studying Vietnam that at such a point things can start to unravel, with infighting, politicians arguing and secrets coming out. In Vietnam, of course, you had the Pentagon Papers coming out. I think we are possibly at that point and I think the truth is coming out, slowly. But even if it doesnt come out, theres a very simple issue here. If I say I am not going to look at this issue (Syria and the War on Terror) because Im too scared or because Im being attacked in the media, I might as well go off and do something else. There is no point in my being an academic who looks at propaganda if I sidestep exploring propaganda in cases such as Syria. The other point is that this must be understood in the context of major wars that have at the very least been fuelled, if not then instigated, by the West. And these are wars that have been massively destructive. So however stressful my life is because of a bad newspaper article about me, it is nothing compared to the people who are out there. Talk to Vanessa Beeley or Eva Bartlettthey go to Syria and, for example, talk to mothers who have lost their sons. This is very real. So theres a basic moral issue for us as Western academics. We need to start having a much fuller public debate about this war and all the wars weve been seeing since 9/11. We should be scrutinising our governments because they have been involved in these wars. This is basic democratic politics. It is definitely my role as an academic, as it is with any professional, to say that we should at the very least talk about these issues and debate them. I come from an international relations academic background and people shouldnt underestimate the potential dangers we face. There are very high stakes in this. Quite aside from the devastation that has been caused in these wars, we are in a period of major systemic change globally. China is rising and we are seeing a more confident Russia. Major conflicts can occur at these transition points. So when people ignore or play down the fact that we have US warships in the Mediterranean firing cruise missiles at targets in Syria, which is manned with Russian air defence systems this is not a situation to be taken lightly. How far are we from a Cuban missile crisis type event in Syria? This is about the future of the next 20 to 30 years and not stumbling into a dreadful corner where we are engaged in a serious conflict with Russia, another nuclear power, with an inability to control where that ends up. Someone said that in the run-up to the First World War many people didnt know what was going on. Before they knew it, they were plunged into a catastrophic war in Europe that decimated a generation of young men. The current situation has that feeling about it. When you have possibly a very propagandised population, that is a very risky place to be in because the ability for publics to check government action is curtailed. Its no good sitting around worrying about Armageddon. It probably wont come to that, but it could and we all have a responsibility to be informed and to question our governments. We should be looking at whats happening in the Middle East and be very concerned about the dangers of further military escalation and war. At the moment, people are waiting to see, in particular, what might happen in Iran. It is our responsibility to question our governments and to develop informed opinions with regard to what is going on. Lives are at stake. Concluded US judge Jude Robert Morin of the Washington, D.C. Superior Court ruled Wednesday that federal prosecutors withheld crucial evidence that would likely have led to the acquittal of six defendants involved in the Disrupt J20 demonstration against the inauguration of President Donald Trump on January 20, 2017. The police responded to the J20 demonstration with indiscriminate violence and the kettling of protesters, eventually arresting 230 people. They fired on the crowd with chemical agents, pepper spray, rubber bullets and crowd control grenades. D.C. police have attempted to justify the crackdown by citing several windows that were broken at five different corporate storefronts, a relatively common occurrence during mass demonstrations. Hours after the arrests took place, a limousine was set on fire, an unrelated act which the prosecution has attempted to pin on defendants. An American Civil Liberties Union lawsuit, currently underway against the D.C. police, alleges that officers knocked a 10-year-old boy to the ground and pepper-sprayed his mother. Overall, police deployed weapons on at least 191 occasions in the course of the day. Police fired 74 sting ball grenades, a type of non-lethal explosive that ejects rubber balls in a radius surrounding the point of impact. Protesters also claim police sexually assaulted detainees. The mainstream media has maintained a virtual news blackout on the mass arrests and ensuing trials, while not a single Democratic Party official has spoken up in support of any of the defendants. Following the acquittal late last year of all six defendants in the first round of prosecutions, the Trump administration is determined to win at least some convictions in order to set a legal precedent for the criminalization of constitutionally protected political speech and protest. The trial for the next slate of J20 defendantsMatthew Hessler, Christopher Litchfield, Daniel Meltzer, Dylan Petrohilos, Clay Retherford, and Caroline Ungerwill begin June 4. Petrohilos, a 28-year-old graphic designer, was the victim of a police raid in April of last year, as a result of video footage taken by an undercover police officer who had infiltrated protest planning meetings running up to the demonstration. Police seized his cellphones, computers, and a black Anti-capitalist, Anti-fascist flag from his front lawn. The six defendants are among the 59 individuals still facing felony charges. The notice of intent to proceed with felony charges against the remaining defendants came on the heels of a dismissal of charges for 129 defendants in January of this year. This mass dismissal of charges underscores the lack of evidence and overall weakness of the prosecutions case. Judge Morin agreed with the defense that the prosecutions use of an edited video as evidence constituted a violation of what is known as the Brady rule, a provision which outlines the states obligations regarding evidence potentially favorable to the defendants exoneration. The defenses legal team has filed a motion for sanctions on the prosecutor and dismissal of the charges against their clients, who face sentences that could potentially send them to jail for decades. The court has yet to make a decision. Sanctions have broad ramifications and could range from a simple warning to jurors to view the evidence with caution, to an outright mistrial. If Morin chooses not to dismiss charges against the defendants, the defense team has requested the Project Veritas video footage be suppressed at trial. The 1963 case Brady v. Maryland established the legal precedent that the suppression by the prosecution of evidence favorable to an accused violates due process where the evidence is material either to guilt or to punishment, irrespective of the good faith or bad faith of the prosecution. The defense attorneys argued that the withheld evidence in question was from an edited video created by Project Veritas, a far-right political organization that has become known for sting operations utilizing selectively edited footage in targeted smear campaigns against its political opponents. The organization gained notoriety in 2009 for producing doctored video evidence that led to the collapse of the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN). In the current case, the prosecution presented a doctored video produced by Project Veritas-linked infiltrators of Disrupt J20 planning sessions to suggest that the group intended to incite violence at the protest. The defense motion states: The government has used attendance at this meeting and statements made during the meeting to allege that the defendants conspired to commit acts of violence and destruction on [January 20, 2017] [The] defense is now in possession of the full unclipped video that proves the government misrepresentedin open courtthe contents of the unclipped portion of the planning meeting. In a portion of video footage which was later redacted, the Project Veritas spy can be heard saying, I was talking with one of the organizers from the IWW [Industrial Workers of the World] and I dont think they know anything about any of the upper echelon stuff. This statement alone is a damning indictment of the prosecutions efforts to present defendants as individuals guilty of pre-meditated acts of violence. As a result of the doctored video, police seized IWW membership cards, meeting minutes and bylaws as evidence. The government had uploaded an additional 45 minutes of video material that had been taken ostensibly at the same planning meeting, but from a different angle. None of the defense attorneys had been given prior knowledge of or access to this video footage to give them the proper amount of time to sift through the material and prepare a response. Although defense is now in possession of this information, this blatant hiding of evidence leads counsel to have to go through hours of video evidence in this matter again to make sure there arent any other instances when the government has clipped or misrepresented evidence, the defense lawyers state in their motion. That is an impossible task and should not be the burden of the defendants. Sam Menefee-Libey, a legal activist and member of the Dead City Legal Posse, spoke with the World Socialist Web Site about the significance of Morins ruling. Im glad the D.C. Superior Court is starting to recognize some of the US attorneys shady tactics in the case. This has been pretty typical of the prosecutions actions since the beginning, Menefee-Libey noted. They have used questionable information from known ultra-nationalist groups such as the Oathkeepers, Project Veritas, and others. We hope that there will be further sanctions against the US Attorneys office as more comes to light. Theyve been playing fast and loose with the rules that theyre supposedly bound by. Youth are bearing the brunt of the Conservative governments austerity measures, with thousands affected by unemployment, homelessness and poverty. Their plight is made worse by brutal cuts to welfare benefits and social programmes. There are currently around 794,000 16-to-24-year-olds not in education, employment or training (NEETs). This is approximately 11 percent of all youth in the country. The real figure is likely higher due to the cautious assumptions behind government statistics. New research reveals that large numbers of these lack even the minimal state support they are entitled to. The London Youth charity published a report, Hidden in Plain Sight: Young Londoners Unemployed Yet Unsupported. It defines as hidden the 480,000 youth across Britain in the 18-to-25 age bracket that are NEET and not accessing statutory support such as welfare benefits and Job Centre Plus services. It details some of the causes and effects of this form of social exclusion, highlighting the broader social conditions facing youth today with case studies. The research was based on data collected via their social programmes, surveys, and official statistics. London Youth originated in a coalition of youth charities in the 1880s from the ragged school movement that provided education and support to destitute children across the country. This was established in 1844, the year Frederick Engels wrote his seminal The Condition of the Working Class in England, by which time the organisation ran over 20 free schools. There are a range of social and economic factors that are pushing youth off the radar, the report finds. Many struggle to access Job Centre services due to lack of proper documentation or other bureaucratic hurdles. Others lack a bank account, internet access or sufficient literacy. Others are carers for older relatives. The political and media establishment has waged a systematic campaign of demonization of welfare recipients and young people, particularly the most oppressed layers. London Youth notes that many deliberately avoid the welfare system due to stigmatisation that has fostered a misconception that accessing statutory state support is a sign that one has given up on life. Many are repelled by onerous job-seeking requirements that would take control of their lives, forcing them to engage in fruitless, unpaid work programmes. The research found: They were discouraged from signing on after hearing stories from others who had been sanctioned [received cuts to their welfare payments], or experienced delays to receiving their payments, and the financial hardship this caused. Young people described the process as jumping through hoops for nothing. Taking all of this into consideration, many young people decided that they would rather not bother. Young people mistrust Job Centres, which are not seen as a genuine source of support that would help young people find a job because they are unhelpful or they fear being treated badly due to the threat of arbitrary sanctions and other punitive measures. Hidden youth are more likely to possess GCSE qualifications and have completed further education than their counterparts who do participate in the welfare system. This exposes the lie that all unemployed youth are voluntary drop-outs. Young workers face a lack of decent opportunities. The welfare state has been eviscerated over the last decades. The role of Job Centres is often toxic, with staff under pressure to reject legitimate benefit claims and force claimants into dead-end, low-paid jobs. The transition from education to the labour market is a minefield. The report describes the long-term effect of poor careers advice and disruptive changes in the job market for which youth are unprepared. Many experience multiple set-backs before finding a permanent job, often poorly paid or demeaning. The study discusses how social environment determines much of the response to these socio-economic pressures. A struggling young person may decide not to persevere through official channels and instead turn to friends or family members, while others enter the growing off the books economy of cash-in-hand work. These problems can cause a vicious cycle of knock-backs, with the study noting long-term effects including increased risk of unemployment and poverty. For those youth that do receive state support, its already paltry value is being systematically reduced. Most hidden youth live with their parents and are less likely to be living independently than those claiming state support. However, housing benefit for young people only covers the cost of a single room in a shared house and the Income Support rate is also lower. The Conservatives eliminated Housing Benefit for 18-to-21-year-olds in 2014 but were forced into a U-turn due to popular hostility to this vindictive policy. However, the benefit has been merged into the new Universal Credit system, aimed at cutting welfare spending and making benefits harder to claim. This and other austerity measures are exacerbating youth homelessness. Precarious working conditions are becoming the norm, with zero-hours contracts in the gig economy and other measures impacting on millions. Over one-third of employees in this sector are young people. Many dont sign on as unemployed, whether when in-work (when many are eligible for in-work benefits) or even during periods of unemployment. Youth who are working a few hours a week are effectively hidden from the unemployment statistics and dont receive the support they need. The lack of a reliable income is pushing large numbers of young workers into debt. A 2017 study by Populus Data Solutions found that 48 percent of 18-to-30-year-olds have to regularly borrow money, skip meals or work overtime to make ends meet. Around one-quarter are in permanent debt. These financial pressures and the lack of a stable future are fostering hopelessness and impacting mental health. The charities involved in this research do not provide any solutions for the root cause of this social crisis. Their proposals ignore the structural unemployment that is inherent to capitalism. Their calls for increased funding to youth charities to help youth into the labour market are simply an attempt to grease the wheels of supply and demand, as one charity activist admitted on social media. The government shrugged off the issue of hundreds of thousands of young people going without even minimal welfare support. In response to the London Youth report, an official spokesperson refused to discuss the findings, instead claiming that youth unemployment is falling. Youth face a punitive system as the ruling class creates a hostile environment in the same spirit as that targeting immigrants at the centre of the Windrush scandal. The wholesale waste of talent and energy is an indictment of an obsolete social order. TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTHI) - A new store is having their grand opening in Terre Haute on Saturday. It's called High Five Liquidation. You can find it on the south side of Terre Haute where Circuit City used to be. This doesn't work like a regular store. They sell wholesale items from major retailers. Everything starts off costing $5. That is each Saturday. Then the prices get lower as the week goes on. The store sells everything from electronics, to clothing, to hygiene products. The goal is to have shoppers dig for things they might need. The Terre Haute location is their first, but they plan to expand throughout Indiana. "We're looking about two to three months...we'll be opening in Vincennes, then on to Princeton, Evansville, Bloomington, and Indianapolis," Don Griffin told us. They will only let so many people in the store at a time. They say on big days like Saturdays and Sundays, there will be a big line outside of the store to get in, because the store works as first come, first serve. They open Saturday morning at 9:00. The address is 4233 South U.S. 41. EDGAR COUNTY, Ind. (WTHI) - A Terre Haute man is dead after a motorcycle accident in Paris, Illinois. It happened Thursday night on Lower Terre Haute Road. According to the Edgar County Coroner, 60-year-old Donald Scott, Jr. was killed when the motorcycle he was driving struck a deer. LAWRENCEVILLE, Ind. (WTHI) - The Desert Storm veterans sign in Lawrenceville, Illinois was recently removed. But thanks to a local resident, that's not where this story ends. The county began planning to remove the sign two years ago. The sign was originally meant to be a temporary memorial for those currently fighting the war. However, for years the sign stayed up and became worn down. Now Lu Ann Judy, a resident of Lawrenceville, is trying to raise money for a permanent solution. So far she has raised $1,800. The goal is $5,000. Her hope is to build a memorial to honor veterans past and present. Judy says, "Instead of putting the people's names on the monument itself, recognize all the wars from the civil war on up to and including current conflicts" Donations can be made at the Ambraw Federal Credit Union or at the groups GoFundMe page. To visit their page Click Here This article has been updated since its publication. NOBLESVILLE, Ind. (AP) A male student opened fire at a suburban Indianapolis middle school Friday morning, wounding another student and a teacher before being taken into custody, authorities said. The attack at Noblesville West Middle School happened around 9 a.m., police Chief Kevin Jowitt said at a news conference. He said investigators believe the suspect acted alone, but didn't detail what happened or the severity of the injuries to the victims, who were taken to hospitals in Indianapolis. The identities of those involved weren't immediately released. Indiana University Health spokeswoman Danielle Sirilla said the teacher was taken to IU Health Methodist Hospital and the wounded student was taken to Riley Hospital for Children. She didn't know the seriousness of their injuries. After the attack, students were bused to the Noblesville High School gym, where hundreds of parents and other family members arrived to retrieve them. Eighth-grader Chris Navarro said he was inside an auditorium when he counted hearing 16 gunshots about a minute before the bell rang for the change in classes. "The speaker came on and said we were on lockdown and people rushed in and we went to the back of the room. I went into this little room in the back with three other people," he said calmly standing between his parents as they picked him up. Erica Higgins, who was among the worried parents who rushed to get their kids, told WTHR-TV that she learned of the shooting from a relative who called her at home. "I just want to get my arms around my boy," she said. Higgins said her son was shaken up but knew little about what happened. "I got a 'Mom, I'm scared' text message and other than that, it was 'come get me at the high school,'" Higgins said. Gov. Eric Holcomb, who was returning from a trip to Europe on Friday, issued a statement saying he and other state leaders were getting updates about the situation and that 100 state police officers had been made available to work with local law enforcement. "Our thoughts are with all those affected by this horrible situation," Holcomb said. Noblesville, which is about 20 miles (32 kilometers) northeast of Indianapolis, is home to about 50,000 people. The middle school has about 1,300 students from grades 6-8. The school's academic year was scheduled to end next Friday. The attack comes a week after an attack at a high school in Santa Fe, Texas, that killed eight students and two teachers, and months after the school attack that killed 17 people in Parkland, Florida. The Florida attack inspired students from that school and others throughout the country to call for more restrictions on access to guns. Indiana's Senate Democrats issued a statement in response to Friday's school shooting expressing their condolences to the victims and calling for steps to prevent such shootings, including restrictions on guns. BIBB COUNTY, Ala. (WTVA) - A Missing Child Alert has been issued for an Alabama child from Bibb County. The alert is for Samuel Haiden Simmons, 13. He is described as a white male. He was last seen wearing blue jeans, a camouflage shirt and cowboy boots in the area of Vernontown Road at 8:30 p.m. in West Blocton on Thursday, May 24. If you have any information on his whereabouts, please call the Bibb County Sheriff's Department at 205-926-3129 or 911. LOWNDES COUNTY, Ga. (WALB) - With showers expected to sweep South Georgia this weekend, Lowndes County says now would be a good time to stock up on emergency items. Lowndes County Emergency Management says now is the time to start picking up little necessities like flashlights or even batteries, these are going to make your weekend flow a lot smoother in case the weather takes a turn in a different direction. Although flooding is not expected in Lowndes County, moving expensive or sentimental items off the floor early will help you if weather takes a turn for the worse. People should also have water ready and available, especially if someone in the home takes medicine or needs special care. Emergency Management leaders say people should expect thunder and lightning, pointing out that lightning has been the number two weather-related killer in Georgia for the last 18 years. Lowndes County Sheriff Ashley Paulk also warns people to lookout for water standing on roads, streets, or bridges. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - A convicted felon was arrested after sexually assaulting, choking, and threatening his girlfriend and her children because he believed she was having an affair. Timothy Washington, 29, was taken into custody by the Leon County Sheriff's Office on Friday. On Dec. 5, 2017 around 4:50 p.m., the Tallahassee Police Department responded to a report of domestic battery. When officers arrived, they saw the victim was visibly shaken and crying. Officers saw that the victim "had obvious physical injuries, to include a swollen left eye and forehead, a small abrasion to her clavicle area, and red marks on both sides of her neck." While talking with officers, the victim advised them that she had arrived at the residence she shares with Washington. She stated when she entered the residence, Washington battered her by throwing her to the kitchen floor and hitting her in the face. The victim told officers that while she was lying on the floor, Washington grabbed a hold of her hair and pulled her down the hallway. According to the police report, Washington continued to hit her while saying, "I am going to kill you" and "You are not leaving." The victim said Washington placed his hands around her neck and applied enough pressure that she could neither breath or scream for help. Washington ultimately stopped the assault, and the victim was able to escape from the residence. Officers were unable to find Washington on Dec. 5. Officers followed up with the victim on Dec. 6, finding out that the victim and Washington have been in a dating relationship since Feb. 2017 and have lived together since June 2017. She told officers that there had been prior instances of domestic violence. TPD records showed that since June 2017 the victim contacted law enforcement on three prior occasions to report being hit by Washington. The police report states the victim failed to fully cooperate with each follow-up investigation and no arrest could be made. The victim said on the afternoon of Dec. 5, she had gone over to a friend's house to socialize. Washington, believing she was having an affair, began sending her angry and threatening messages that read "Ima beat that a** h**" and "B**** on my grandma grave ima beat the s*** out of you h**." The threatening messages continued with Washington threatening to kill the victim's pet rabbit and burning her children. The victim informed officers that along with being hit, she was also sexually assaulted by Washington. She stated that while she was on the kitchen floor, Washington pulled her pants from her body and tore her underwear off against her will. While doing this, Washington told the victim he was checking to see if she had sex with someone while she was away from the residence. The victim said that as she was trying to get to her feet, she saw that she was bleeding from her private area. After searching the residence, officers found blood smeared on the kitchen floor and a towel stained with suspected blood in the trash can. They also found the victim's torn shirt and pants in the dryer as well as her torn underwear on the floor of her bedroom. Based on the evidence, Washington is being charged with felony domestic battery by strangulation and sexual battery. Washington is a convicted felon with significant criminal history in Florida and Georgia. His bond has been set at $20,000. CORAL SPRINGS, Fla. (WPLG) - Parkland school shooting survivor and activist David Hogg is playing dead for a purpose. The Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School student was joined by friends early Friday as they staged a preview of their planned "die-in" protest in the parking lot of a Publix supermarket in Coral Springs. Hogg is orchestrating the protest over the Florida grocery store chain's support for gubernatorial candidate Adam Putnam. The teenagers drew chalk outlines of bodies in the store's parking lot as part of their crusade to end gun violence. One of the teens could be seen laying in a chalk outline as Sky 10 flew overhead. "More people have died in school than have died in war this year," Hogg said in a video posted to his Twitter account Friday morning. In recent days, Publix has come under criticism over social media from the survivors of the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School after the Tampa Bay Times reported that the Lakeland-based company gave Putnam more than $500,000 for his campaign. "Where shooting is a pleasure" was scrawled in chalk in the Publix parking lot, a play on the store's "Where shopping is a pleasure" slogan. Hogg and fellow classmate Diego Pfeiffer drew the chalk outlines of 17 bodies -- one for each person killed in the Valentine's Day massacre. A cleaning crew later washed away the chalk. Putnam, a Republican and currently Florida's agriculture commissioner, is a strong supporter of gun rights and referred to himself as a "proud NRA sellout" in a 2017 Twitter post. "Publix is a family, local store, which should support things that are better for families, such as not gun violence," Pfeiffer told Local 10 News. Hogg is calling for a boycott of Publix and wants customers to lay down in front of the cash registers at 4 p.m. for 12 minutes. "I'm calling on Publix to, one, never support an NRA-supported politician or candidate ever again, and two, pull their money out of his campaign, double it and donate it to the victims fund," Hogg told Local 10 News. Local 10 News reporter Todd Tongen was at the Publix in Parkland Friday afternoon as Hogg and about two dozen gun control supporters laid on the floor in the grocery store for the die-in. National Rifle Association supporters were also inside the grocery store, shouting at those who were taking part in the protest. Police were on hand to make sure the protest stayed peaceful. The store's general manager appeared to be overwhelmed and ordered members of the media to remain off the property. Publix has said it hasn't provided any financial support to the National Rifle Association. On Friday, the company announced that it will stop making corporate-funded political donations -- at least for now. "At Publix, we respect the students and members of the community who have chosen to express their voices on these issues," Publix said in a statement. "We regret that our contributions have led to a divide in our community. We did not intend to put our associates and the customers they serve in the middle of a political debate. "At the same time, we remain committed to maintaining a welcoming shopping environment for our customers. We would never knowingly disappoint our customers or the communities we serve. As a result, we decided earlier this week to suspend corporate-funded political contributions as we reevaluate our giving processes." Copyright 2018 by WPLG Local10.com - All rights reserved. Local 10 News reporter Todd Tongen was at the Publix in Parkland Friday afternoon as Hogg and about two dozen gun control supporters laid on the floor in the grocery store for the die-in. National Rifle Association supporters were also inside the grocery store, shouting at those who were taking part in the protest. Police were on hand to make sure the protest stayed peaceful. The store's general manager appeared to be overwhelmed and ordered members of the media to remain off the property. Publix has said it hasn't provided any financial support to the National Rifle Association. On Friday, the company announced that it will stop making corporate-funded political donations -- at least for now. "At Publix, we respect the students and members of the community who have chosen to express their voices on these issues," Publix said in a statement. "We regret that our contributions have led to a divide in our community. We did not intend to put our associates and the customers they serve in the middle of a political debate. "At the same time, we remain committed to maintaining a welcoming shopping environment for our customers. We would never knowingly disappoint our customers or the communities we serve. As a result, we decided earlier this week to suspend corporate-funded political contributions as we reevaluate our giving processes." Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-19 01:02:07|Editor: yan Video Player Close ADDIS ABABA, June 18 (Xinhua) -- Ethiopia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) has called for calm in the border dispute between the two red sea nations of Eritrea and Djibouti, with which it shares common border. The statement from regional heavyweight Ethiopia on Sunday will be keenly watched as the landlocked nation of 100 million people used to utilize Eritrean ports for its import and export trade 20 years ago. That changed when a border war between Ethiopia and Eritrea from 1998-2000 which cost around 70,000 lives on both sides saw Ethiopia lose access to Eritrean ports and instead rely on Djiboutian ports. Ethiopia views its access to Djiboutian ports, through which about 95 percent of its external trade passes through, as a national security issue, raising fears the Eritrea-Djibouti border dispute could turn into a conflict involving Ethiopia. Ethiopia's current non-permanent membership in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has also raised speculations about Ethiopia's role in the scheduled Monday meeting of UNSC to discuss the Eritrea-Djibouti border tensions. Ethiopia's statement also supported Saturday's African Union (AU) Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat statement calling for a deployment of fact finding mission to the disputed area. Djibouti has appealed to the AU and UNSC to resolve the border dispute, while accusing Eritrea of moving its troops to the disputed territory. A border dispute between Eritrea and Djibouti resulted in armed clashes in June 2008, leaving several people dead from both sides. A mediation effort led by the Gulf Kingdom of Qatar in 2010 led to a Qatari peacekeeping force being stationed in the Eritrea-Djibouti border. Tensions between Eritrea and Djibouti resurfaced after a 450 strong Qatari peacekeeping force stationed in their common border left the area abruptly on Wednesday. The Qatari troops left the Eritrea-Border Djibouti after Eritrea signaled its support for Saudi Arabia led efforts to isolate Qatar. Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Bahrain and United Arab Emirates have accused Qatar of supporting terrorism and severed ties earlier this month. Qatar has denied the charge but its ties to regional Saudi rival Iran and support for various Islamist groups has put it at odds with fellow Gulf region countries. Source: Xinhua| 2018-05-25 23:27:55|Editor: Lu Hui Video Player Close The 13th conference of presidents of supreme courts of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member countries is held in Beijing, capital of China, May 25, 2018. (Xinhua/Sun Ruofeng) BEIJING, May 25 (Xinhua) -- Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) countries agreed to further strengthen and deepen judicial cooperation, according to a joint statement issued on Friday. The joint statement was signed at the 13th conference of presidents of supreme courts of SCO member countries, which was held in Beijing. The representatives exchanged views on issues including cooperation against cross-border crimes, digital court development and legal affairs in international trade. The communication and cooperation between supreme courts of SCO member countries is conducive to maintaining long-lasting peace, security and stability in the region, as well as strengthening mutual trust and neighbour friendship among the member states, according to the joint statement. The representatives called for cooperation against cross-border crime, and improvement in settling international civil and commercial disputes. All sides decided to strengthen cooperation to fight terrorism, separatism, extremism, drug trafficking, human trafficking and money laundering, the statement said. The statement also noted that supreme courts of SCO member countries are willing to learn from each other, and jointly push for a more impartial, efficient, civilized and normative judicial system. CAPE TOWN, May 25 (Xinhua) -- South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Friday initiated a large-scale investigation into widespread corruption in a number of local and national government departments. Under an presidential order, the Special Investigation Unit (SIU) will investigate several matters at various levels of governance in terms of the Special Investigating Units and Special Tribunal Act (1996), the Presidency said. A broad range of proclamations were signed by the president to this effect, presidential spokesperson Khusela Diko said. The proclamations authorized the SIU to investigate allegations of serious irregularities in relation to procurement of goods and/or services in a manner that was not fair, competitive, transparent, equitable or cost-effective contrary to applicable legal framework, according to Diko. The investigation will also cover improper or unlawful conduct by employees or officials and unlawful appropriation of expenditure or public money or property, among others, Diko said. A number of government departments at various levels were named by the president as major targets of the investigation. These include the National Department of Public Works, the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Department of Transport, the Media, Information and Communication Technologies Sector Education and Training Authority and various Eastern Cape provincial institutions. One of the prominent corruption scandals to be investigated is related to late president Nelson Mandela's funeral in 2013. The funeral was allegedly exploited by unscrupulous officials, resulting in 300 million rand (about 24 million U.S. dollars) wasted and misspent, as the Eastern Cape provincial government scrambled to pull it off with no proper plans in place, according to Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane. Since taking power in February, Ramaphosa has repeatedly vowed to wipe out corruption in his government. Friday's decision by the president is seen as the most drastic move in this regard. South Africa suffers from widespread corruption, which includes the private use of public resources, bribery, and improper favoritism. The 2017 Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index assigned South Africa an index of 43, ranking South Africa 71 out of 180 countries. This ranking represents a downward direction change with a drop of two points down from 45 in the previous year. Countries with scores below 50 are believed to have a serious corruption problems. by Alessandra Cardone ROME, May 25 (Xinhua) -- The United States investigation into car imports may have negative impacts on both domestic carmakers and the whole sector, according to Italian media and analysts. U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that he had instructed the Commerce Department to launch an investigation into automobile imports under Section 232 of 1962 Trade Expansion Act, which would allow Washington to introduce tariffs on national security ground. Washington had cited a similar security provision when it proposed to introduce additional tariffs on steel and aluminium imports in March. As such, the recent announcement may lead to an increase in U.S. tariffs on foreign car, trucks, and vehicle parts up to 25 percent. Considering Italy's major auto manufacturer, Italian-American Fiat-Chrysler Automobiles (FCA), it may suffer partial effects despite having some of its production in the United States, according to Italian leading business daily Il Sole 24 Ore. "With regards to FCA Group, the measure might impact negatively on Alfa and Maserati brands, with possible obstacles emerging also in production and export of some Jeep models from Europe," the newspaper wrote on Friday. In case U.S. tariffs were indeed increased after the investigation was closed, Il Sole said Alfa Romeo in particular "might face enormous difficulty in boosting its share in a market where Germans already have brand recognition and a partial local production." Analysts with Mediobanca Securities explained in a note that Trump's decision was probably a move to put pressure on Canada and Mexico, in order to obtain some concessions in the ongoing renegotiation of NAFTA (North Atlantic Free Trade Agreement). "Although it is not yet clear which could be the countries impacted by new tariffs, this news could have a negative impact on the whole sector, adding some volatility to (global) major car-makers," the note seen by Xinhua read. As for FCA Group, despite its strong production capacity in the United States, Mediobanca Securities experts also said new tariffs might affect its production in Mexico and its sales of Alfa Romeo models from Italy to the United States. Italy was the seventh largest vehicles and light trucks exporter to the United States in terms of value in 2017, after Mexico, Canada, Japan, Germany, South Korea, and UK, according to statistics by the international trade administration of the U.S. Commerce Department. On the other hand, the United States were the first vehicle export market for Italy -- absorbing 18 percent of the whole sales abroad -- followed by Germany (12.5 percent), and France (12 percent), a report by Italian Association of Automotive Industry (ANFIA) showed. However, European Union (EU) countries altogether counted for 54 percent of the exports. The report was based on export data in the period from January to September 2017. Overall, the automotive sector in Italy counts 3,200 companies, employing about 1.16 million people, some 252,000 of whom directly involved in vehicle production, according to ANFIA. The whole supply chain's turnover was about 82 billion euros (95.6 billion U.S. dollars), equal to 5 percent of Italy's gross domestic product, and sales abroad reached 39 billion euros in 2016, the association said in December. (1 euro = 1.17 U.S. dollars) CHICAGO, May 25 (Xinhua) -- Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) agricultural commodities settled higher on Friday, with wheat futures surging over 2 percent on worries that adverse weather will lead to crop shortfalls in key growing areas around the world. Soybeans advanced for the fifth time in six sessions on renewed Chinese buying of U.S. export shipments, while corn edged upward on spillover support from higher wheat. The most active corn contract for July delivery rose 1.75 cents, or 0.43 percent, to close at 4.06 dollars per bushel. July wheat delivery added 12.75 cent, or 2.4 percent, to close at 5.43 dollars per bushel. July soybean delivery went up 5.75 cents, or 0.56 percent, to close at 10.415 dollars per bushel. CBOT brokers report that funds on Friday have bought 3,400 contracts of wheat, 2,200 contracts of corn, and 3,100 contracts of soybeans. In soy products, funds have bought 2,900 contracts of soy meal while selling 3,000 contracts of soy oil. As for international market, Russia's SovEcon cut its production estimate to 77 million tonnes from 78.2 million tonnes on Thursday due to adverse weather in some growing areas. On the demand side, however, exports from the Russia continue at a record pace, the consultancy company said, and it shows that there is global demand for the grain. Members of peacekeeping troops attend a sent-forth event in Monrovia, Liberia, on Feb. 5, 2018. (Xinhua/Zhao Xiaoxin) by Xinhua writer Wang Jiangang UNITED NATIONS, May 25 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations is "very grateful" for China's contributions to peacekeeping and the importance that China attaches to peacekeeping "sends a good message" to the rest of the world, spokesman for UN peacekeeping, Nick Birnback, said on Friday. "China's contributions are very important," said Birnback in an exclusive interview with Xinhua, noting that "China's contribution has steadily grown over the years." "That sends a message that one of the great powers is increasingly showing that it believes peacekeeping to be important. So, that's a good signal to the rest of the troops and police contributing countries and indeed to all our partners and membership," added Birnback, also chief of the Public Affairs Section of the UN Departments of Peacekeeping Operations and Field Support. Twenty-eight years have passed ever since China began its participation in the UN peacekeeping operations in 1990, when Beijing sent five military observers to the Middle East. Today, China has become the second-largest country to share UN peacekeeping costs and has some 2,500 peacekeepers serving in nine UN peacekeeping operations. Speaking of the example that China has set for other big powers, Birnback said that as a permanent member of the Security Council, China's example is very important as "many members of the Security Council don't give forces to us." Noting that some of the big powers "vote" and "pay (the peacekeeping fees)," which is, of course, "an incredibly important part of the equation," however, the message that is sent by a permanent member that "the Council is constantly increasing and sending forces to some of the difficult missions is excellent" and "important for people on the ground." Birnback said that the reason why China's contribution is so important is also because of "the quality of the personnel we get," noting that the troops and police that China sends are "are well trained and are ready for the task." "We can rely on them to execute the very complicated mandates that are signed," Birnback stressed. Injured Chinese peacekeeper Si Chongchang (L) waves to people as he leaves a hospital in Dakar, Senegal, on June 26, 2016. Four Chinese peacekeepers, injured in terrorist attacks in Mali, left for China on Sunday. (Xinhua/Wang Meng) In the same vein, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, UN under-secretary-general for peacekeeping operations, told Xinhua last year that China dispatches "high-value, hard-to-source enabler troops." "This in turn not only sends a good message, but allows us to be more effective on the ground," Birnback said. Highly commending the China-based training bases for UN peacekeepers, Birnback said "those are important to us." Noting that UN officials regularly visit those bases and discuss with Chinese government officials, military and police officers to make sure that all understand the challenges ahead and to work through some of the issues, he said UN officials have had "very good experience working with (Chinese) officials at those bases." "What those bases do is guarantee that the forces and personnel that China sends are ready for the challenges that they confront on the ground," he said. "They come ready to complete the tasks. And that's very important," he added. Currently, Chinese peacekeepers are serving on a number of missions including, as Birnback put it, "some of our important and dangerous operations." Due to their outstanding performance and the spirit of sacrifice for world peace, 18 Chinese peacekeepers have so far received the Dag Hammarskjold Medal, a posthumous award given by the UN to military personnel, police, or civilians who lose their lives while serving in UN peacekeeping operations. The medal is named after Dag Hammarskjold, the second UN Secretary-General, who died in a plane crash in what is now Zambia in September 1961. The year 2015 was a landmark of China's rise as a global security provider. Not only did China commit 8,000 troops to the UN peacekeeping standby force -- one fifth of the 40,000 total troops committed by 50 nations -- China also pledged 100 million dollars to the African Union standby force and 1 billion dollars to establish the UN Peace and Development Trust Fund. This year, the UN celebrates the 70th anniversary of UN peacekeeping, a unique and dynamic instrument to help countries torn by conflict transition to lasting peace. The first UN peacekeeping mission was established in May 1948, when the UN Security Council authorized the deployment of a small number of UN military observers to the Middle East to form the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization to monitor the Armistice Agreement between Israel and its Arab neighbors. Over the past 70 years, more than 1 million men and women have served under the UN flag in more than 70 UN peacekeeping operations. More than 100,000 military, police and civilian personnel from 125 countries currently serve in 14 peacekeeping operations. Source: Xinhua| 2018-05-26 07:04:26|Editor: Yurou Video Player Close LIMA, May 25 (Xinhua) -- Peru on Friday officially requested the United States extradite former President Alejandro Toledo, who is under investigation on charges of corruption, the Foreign Affairs Ministry said. Toledo, who has been living in hiding somewhere in the United States with his wife, is accused of accepting 20 million U.S. dollars in bribes from Brazilian construction giant Odebrecht in exchange for inflated public works contracts to build the Interoceanic Highway linking Peru and Brazil. The ministry said via its Twitter account that it delivered the documents to the U.S. State Department, where they are to be processed before being sent to the Department of Justice. Toledo, who served as president from 2001 to 2006, fled to the United States more than a year and a half ago, despite an arrest warrant has been issued. His lawyer Heriberto Benitez filed a habeas corpus motion to block the extradition process, claiming his client's individual rights are under threat. MEXICO CITY, May 25 (Xinhua) -- Mexico's Economy Minister Ildefonso Guajardo on Friday dismissed as "bombast" the latest U.S. proposal to impose tariffs on imports of foreign vehicles and auto parts. Appearing on a television news show, the minister, who heads Mexico's negotiating team in talks with the United States and Canada to renegotiate the 1994 North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), rejected the idea of introducing a new, higher tax on vehicles imported into the United States. "What one has to understand is that our strategy and negotiating process cannot change because of this bombast that they launched over there," said Guajardo. U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that he has instructed Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross to consider initiating a national security investigation into automobile imports. Ross has initiated a so-called Section 232 investigation into the national security implications of automobile imports, according to the U.S. Commerce Department. Guajardo ridiculed the idea, joking that "over there, on the comedy shows, they say that having a Mercedes in Manhattan is a national security risk." The U.S. proposal was widely seen as an attempt to pressure Mexico into agreeing to other U.S. demands, such as changes to the rules of origin for automobiles, but the tactic failed to sway Mexico. "The more noise this bombast makes, the more we should concentrate and commit to a solid, well thought out strategy," Guajardo added. He estimated there is a 40 percent chance NAFTA's partners will be able to negotiate a new deal before Mexico holds presidential elections on July 1. The trade deal has been under negotiation since August on the insistence of Trump, who believes the terms benefit Mexico and Canada at his country's expense. According to Mexico, NAFTA has benefited the North American automobile industry as a whole, today the world's third-largest, after the European Union and China. Each U.S.-made automobile contains 3,800 U.S. dollars-worth of Mexican parts, while each Mexican-made vehicle contains 5,500 dollars-worth of U.S. parts, Mexican government figures show. The NAFTA region manufactures 18 million vehicles a year, with 12.5 million produced in the United States. WASHINGTON, May 25 (Xinhua) -- A federal judge in eastern U.S. state Virginia has postponed the trial of Paul Manafort, President Donald Trump's former campaign chairman for two weeks, local media reported Friday. The trial date now is rescheduled to July 24, said Judge T.S. Ellis. He had initially set the trial date for July 10. The delay is "owing to a family member's medical procedure," said the judge, without further details. Manafort plead not guilty in March to 18 criminal charges including bank and tax fraud in federal court in Virginia. At the time, prosecutors said in court that they planned to call 20 to 25 witnesses for the trial and the arguments could last up to two weeks. If convicted, Manafort will face up to 305 years in jail. Manafort will go through two separate trials in total this year. Another trial on federal charges in Washington D.C. is scheduled to begin on Sept. 17 and likely to stretch for several weeks. In Washington D.C., Manafort is charged with making false statements about his foreign lobbying work for pro-Russia Ukrainian politicians, and engaging in a money laundering conspiracy. These charges would bring a likely sentence of 15 to 20 years in prison if Manafort was found guilty. All charges, which Manafort has denied in both courts, were levied during the ongoing Special Counsel Robert Mueller's probe into alleged Russian meddling in the 2016 U.S. elections and possible collusion with the Trump campaign. Manafort's longtime business associate Rick Gates, also a former Trump campaign aide, has pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy against the United States and making false statements to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, cutting a deal with Mueller. "Manafort and Gates generated tens of millions of dollars in income as a result of their Ukraine work," a February indictment said, "From approximately 2006 through the present, Manafort and Gates engaged in a scheme to hide income from United States authorities, while enjoying the use of the money." Manafort and Gates were originally indicted in October on charges of conspiracy and fraud stemming from their lucrative lobbying work in Ukraine. The authorities at the time said Manafort alone laundered more than 18 million dollars. Trump has vigorously and repeatedly denied any collusion between his campaign and Moscow during the elections. The Russian government has also repeatedly dismissed the accusations of interference. Source: Xinhua| 2018-05-26 07:54:38|Editor: Yurou Video Player Close BOGOTA, May 25 (Xinhua) -- Colombia recaptured Jhon Jairo Velasquez, alias "Popeye," former head assassin for late drug kingpin Pablo Escobar, on Friday on charges of conspiracy to commit extortion. The arrest happened after Velasquez threatened presidential candidate Gustavo Petro on Twitter and was accused of committing extortion in the city of Medellin. Velasquez, who spent 23 years in prison for the crimes he committed as part of the Medellin cartel, was denounced by two families of trying to extort them as part of a criminal gang. Senator Ivan Cepeda also denounced Velasquez this week for six crimes, especially making death threats aimed at Petro and his followers on Twitter. In posts on the social media network, Velasquez accused Petro's supporters of not allowing him to express himself, threatening to shoot them and to become a "holy warrior" for Colombia. After Cepeda's denunciation, Colombia's prosecutor-general, Nestor Humberto Martinez, assigned a prosecutor to investigate the case, eventually leading to Popeye's arrest. Velasquez, nicknamed Popeye for his resemblance to the cartoon character, has remained controversial since being released in 2014. In December 2016, he was filmed brandishing a firearm in the streets of Medellin. Source: Xinhua| 2018-05-26 09:04:41|Editor: Yurou Video Player Close Yemeni state employees register to receive food rations in Sanaa, Yemen, on May 25, 2018. Yemen, which has been in war since 2015, remains the world's worst humanitarian crisis. Three quarters of the population, or more than 22 million people, urgently require some form of humanitarian help, including 8.4 million people who struggle to find their next meal. (Xinhua/Mohammed Mohammed) by Nguon Sovan, Mao Pengfei PHNOM PENH, May 26 (Xinhua) -- E-commerce has boomed in Cambodia in the last five years although a law governing the sector is not yet in place, officials and industry insiders say. Commerce Ministry Secretary of State Mao Thora attributed the growing popularity of e-commerce to the rapid development of technology, saying the government had almost finalized a draft e-commerce law. "Online shopping has become increasingly popular in recent years thanks to the rapid growth of Internet users in the kingdom," he told Xinhua recently. "Since there is no law to regulate the sector, the numbers of online shopping platforms and the online trade volume are unavailable and if there is any fraud, it is difficult for us to intervene," he said, adding that the ministry will educate online shopping operators to register their businesses when the law is in place. Thora said the current e-commerce businesses are made based on mutual confidence and agreement between sellers and buyers only. He said the e-commerce law will protect both investors and consumers and settle differences when problems happen. He added that the law will cover e-payment, which is managed by the National Bank of Cambodia, and state punishment for those who violate the law. The bill is being drafted by the Ministry of Commerce in cooperation with the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications, the Ministry of Justice, the National Bank of Cambodia, and the Securities and Exchange Commission of Cambodia. Meanwhile, Thora praised China for its rapid development of e-commerce, saying that Cambodia was seeking China's help to develop its e-commerce. He said China could assist Cambodia through technical equipment and e-commerce experts. Posts and Telecommunications Ministry Undersecretary of State and Spokesman Khov Makara said about 10 million of the kingdom's 15 million people have access to the Internet, up from only 3.86 million in 2013. "Currently, about 67 percent of the population have the Internet access, and most of them get access to online via smart phones," he told Xinhua. "We expect that around 90 percent of the population will get connected to the Internet by 2020." The spokesman said the rapid growth of the Internet users was very useful for daily life, work, and business, including the e-commerce. He said e-commerce has rapidly developed in Cambodia thanks to technological development and high rates of Internet connectivity as well as the country's strategy towards digital economy by 2023. Online shopper Roth Navy, 35, said buying goods online is convenient and saves time because there is no need to leave home for the shops. "Usually, I buy clothes, shoes and handbags from online shops, and their postal service staff deliver those things to my house and I pay in cash on delivery," she told Xinhua. Sear Rithy, chairman of online shopping platform called MAIO Mall (My All In One Mall), which was launched in 2015, said more and more people have chosen to purchase products online because it is convenient and time-saving. "We have seen a steady sales growth of around 30 percent per annum, though trade volume is still small," he told Xinhua. He said the MAIO Mall is the B2B (business-to-business) and B2C (business-to-customer) market. "Online shopping has been developing well in Cambodia, and we hope that the government will establish the e-commerce law as soon as possible to govern this sector," he said. Rithy said for his company, there was no difficulty in delivery services because he also owned Kerry Express, a package delivery service company that distributes packages to consumers across the kingdom. For payment services, he said customers can either pay online through credit cards, or by cash on delivery. Sun Socheat, chief executive officer of online shopping website Mall 855, which was launched since 2007, said the website was a marketplace for people who want to sell or buy products, ranging from electronic products, to vehicles, to land and other property. "My online platform is the C2C (consumer-to-consumer) market, I allow people to use the site free of charge to sell their products," he told Xinhua, adding that he got income from ads and from selling electronic products on the site. He said the current challenge for the online businesses was expensive delivery services. For payment services, he said customers in Phnom Penh are required to pay in cash on delivery, while those in provinces are required to pay in advance through a mobile money transfer service. He said in the absence of the law, online shoppers hesitate to pay in advance through the mobile money transfer service because they worried being cheated or given fake products. "I believe that when the e-commerce law is in place, online shopping will grow stronger because it is convenient for consumers," he said. KATHMANDU, May 26 (Xinhua) -- Nepal's foreign exchange reserve has been decreasing over the last three months, impairing the Himalayan's country's capability to finance imports, Nepal's Rastra Bank (NRB) has said. The Nepali central bank said in its third quarterly review of monetary policy released on Friday that the massive expansion of imports, outflow of dividends by the foreign investors and slow growth of remittance contributed to decreased foreign exchange reserves. According to NRB, Nepal's foreign exchange reserves decreased to 10.16 billion U.S. dollars in mid-April this year from 10.31 billion U.S. dollars in mid-July 2017 when the Nepal's fiscal year began. As a result, the latest reserve is enough to sustain imports of goods and services for 9.7 months in mid-April down from 11.4 months in mid-July last year. After years of consistent growth in foreign exchange reserves fueled by rising remittance, foreign exchange reserves started to drop since mid-January this year. "We are not worried about current drop in foreign exchange reserves as our target is to keep such reserves to sustain the imports of goods and services for at least eight months," Nara Bahadur Thapa, executive director of the NRB told Xinhua on Friday. "But, the situation may worsen provided the import continues to surge and remittance growth continues to slow and export does not grow as required." According to NRB data, Nepal's merchandise imports grew by 25 percent to 8.36 billion U.S. dollars as of first nine months of the current fiscal while the country's exports rose by 14.1 percent to 662 million U.S. dollars as of first nine months of the current fiscal. Nepal received remittance 5.23 billion U.S. dollars during the same period with a rise of 9.6 percent against the same period last fiscal. This shows heavy reliance on remittance for Nepal's import financing with tourism contributing only 481 million U.S. dollars. After consistent decease in remittance in the early months of the fiscal year, inflow of remittance has started to rebound since mid-February this year, according to NRB. KUALA LUMPUR, May 26 (Xinhua) -- While high debt burden has become a challenge for the new Malaysian government, economists believe the country's strong macro fundamentals and external finances will continue to support its rating profile. "It is unlikely that international rating agencies will adjust on Malaysia's sovereign rating outlook to negative (from stable) in the near to medium term," said Affin Hwang Capital in a report Friday, citing Malaysia's improving economic outlook, sustainable current account surpluses, and steady increase in foreign exchange reserves. Malaysian Ministry of Finance on Thursday confirmed that the federal government debt and liabilities account for 80.3 percent of Malaysia's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) as of December, 2017. The debt burden has raised concerns of ratings downgrade when some rating agencies have already warned that the country might not able to achieve its deficit target this year after the abolishment of the 6-percent Goods and Services Tax (GST). Affin Hwang Capital, however, noted that a majority of the government guarantees debts are borne by government-linked companies and statutory bodies, which may have their own source of revenue to serve their debt obligations. Besides, an advisory council set up by Malaysian new government has earlier met with the three key sovereign rating agencies, Moody's Investors Service, S&P Global Ratings and Fitch Ratings, to explain on the country's fiscal deficit position. Affin Hwang Capital also believes that the new government is able to improve on its fiscal position going forward, and remains committed toward fiscal discipline and consolidation. The new Malaysian government has indicated earlier that it is confident on its economic reform. It has recently announced several measures to cut the government expenditures, such as a 10-percent pay cut for ministers and downsizing public sector. The GST removal, which will be effective next month, will also be replaced by a 10-percent sales and services tax that will be re-introduced by this year. While there is a concern on revenue gap following the move, some economists have turned positive on Malaysia's consumer sentiment as the move is likely to boost the country's domestic consumption. "The removal of GST will boost consumer and business sentiment which will lead to higher private consumption, lower cost of doing business in some cases and induce businesses to invest more," said DBS Group Research in a report dated May 17. Economists also generally believe that Malaysia is facing a short-term pain, which may lead to a long-term gain amid its economic reform. "We need to lower public debt, debt servicing, and government consumption to improve growth given its inverse and significant relationship (between public debt as well as debt service against the GDP based on per capita)," said AmBank Research in its report Friday. According to the report, the focus areas for Malaysia's new government going forward could be improving the monitoring of the expenditure in each area of the economic activities, especially at the micro level. Greater transparency on government-guarantee loans under the public-private partnerships that may not be fiscally responsible, improving and effectively managing government consumption could also be the key areas. The government may also be targeting high-impact and productive businesses to drive growth, boosting investors' and household confidence by addressing leakages and attractive ringgit to support overall business competitiveness. "We expect the noises on the Malaysian front will potentially taper off, compensated with greater levels of transparency, governance and clarity on the direction of the economy," said Ambank Research. The Malaysian economy grew 5.4 percent year-on-year in the first quarter, supported by continued expansion in private sector activity and strong support from net exports. The country's current account surplus stood at 15 billion ringgit (3.77 billion U.S. dollars) or 4.4 percent of GDP as of the first quarter. As of May 15, its central bank's international reserves amounted to 109.4 billion U.S. dollars, which is sufficient to finance 7.6 months of retained imports and is 1.1 times the short-term external debt. Source: Xinhua| 2018-05-26 10:09:57|Editor: ZD Video Player Close Zhang Yun (C), director of the Institute of History Studies of the China Tibetology Research Center, exchanges views with Professor Jonathan A. Silk (R) from Leiden University in the Hague, the Netherlands, May 25, 2018. A visiting Chinese Tibetan scholar delegation, led by Zhang Yun, on Friday briefed Dutch officials and scholars on the latest development of China's Tibet Autonomous Region and discussed cooperation in Tibetan studies. (Xinhua/Sylvia Lederer) THE HAGUE, May 25 (Xinhua) -- A visiting Chinese Tibetan scholars' delegation on Friday briefed Dutch officials on the latest development of China's Tibet Autonomous Region and discussed cooperation on Tibetan studies. The delegation met with officials from the Multilateral Organizations and Human Rights Department and from the Asia and Oceania Department of the Dutch Foreign Ministry. Zhang Yun, head of the delegation and director of the Institute of History Studies of the China Tibetology Research Center, outlined the achievements Tibet has scored in sectors ranging from economy, culture, education to healthcare and environmental protection. On the human rights situation there, Zhang said: "As China's development has entered the fast lane, all aspects including human rights in Tibet have achieved tremendous successes." "Regarding differences on certain issues, we should stay frank with each other, learn from each other and communicate more with each other. We should especially try to understand each other's arguments, rather than stay biased and mount criticism," the Chinese scholar told Dutch hosts. Arjen van den Berg, deputy director of the Asia and Oceania Department of the Dutch Foreign Ministry, agreed with Zhang's views on cultural differences. He said more exchanges are welcome as they can help share opinions and deepen understanding. Members of the Chinese delegation discussed the current situation of Tibetan studies in China, Europe and the United States with Dutch scholars on Tibetan studies from Leiden University. Both sides expressed their willingness to boost exchanges, share research materials and expand cooperation. Source: Xinhua| 2018-05-26 10:19:59|Editor: Lu Hui Video Player Close BEIJING, May 26 (Xinhua) -- It took only 20 years for Beijing-based Leyard Group to become a world leading LED screen producer. Headquartered in Beijing's high-tech base Zhongguancun, the company has 14 percent of the world's LED screen market, with its products seen at the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics, the 2015 military parade in Beijing and the APEC summit. The company saw its net profit surge to 1.2 billion yuan (188 million U.S. dollars) in 2017, more than 10 times the volume in 2012 when it was listed. Li Jun, founder and president of the group, says the key to success is innovation, for which Zhongguancun is renowned. "Once you are in the atmosphere here in Zhongguancun, you will be driven to entrepreneurship and innovation," says Li, adding that a breakthrough in small spacing LED displays had reduced the unit cost of LED lights from over 2 yuan to around 2 cents. Located in Haidian District, home to numerous universities and research institutions, Zhongguancun initially took shape for electronics sales in 1978, when China started its reform and opening-up drive. Over the past four decades, the area has developed into an aggregation base for high-tech entrepreneurs and innovators as Beijing has vowed to build it into a national center of innovation. In 1978, Chinese leadership announced at a national conference on science that "science and technology is productivity." A reform and opening-up drive was introduced later that year, revitalizing the country's economy. Liu Chuanzhi, founder of China's PC giant Lenovo Group, remembers how the country lagged behind Western countries in computer technology back then. "When the developed countries were using the 386-model computers, they only sold the lower model of 286 to China," Liu said. Liu and his team started their business at the doorkeeper's room of the Institute of Computing Technology at the Chinese Academy of Sciences 34 years ago. Now, the group has secured an annual revenue of 300 billion yuan, becoming an icon of Zhongguancun, as well as China. In 1988, the State Council approved the establishment of a new technology development pilot zone in Zhongguancun to support its development. Preferential measures were offered, such as lower tax and bank loan support. "On hearing the measures, I was thrilled," said Wang Wenjing, a former civil servant who attended the inauguration ceremony of the zone and has started his own business. His software service company Yonyou is now known for its cloud services, with 15,000 workers. In 1999, the State Council approved the establishment of a management committee for Zhongguancun Science Park. In 2009, Zhongguancun was approved as a national demonstration area for innovation. More government measures have been introduced over the years to encourage entrepreneurship and innovation. In 2011, Zhongguancun set up an angel capital guiding fund, which then started 17 funds with renown investors. It is estimated that there are now over 10,000 active angel investors in Zhongguancun, offering strong support to mushrooming high-tech startups. "The total investment of dozens of billion dollars Xiaomi had received in the first five years were all from investors in Zhongguancun," said Lei Jun, CEO of mobile and smart device producer Xiaomi based in Yingu Mansion of Zhongguancun. Founded in 2010, Xiaomi saw over 100 billion yuan of revenue in 2017. The number of high-tech businesses in Zhongguancun has reached more than 20,000, with 300 of them listed. In 2017 alone, nearly 30,000 companies were established, which means nearly 80 businesses were registered every day. Companies registered in Zhongguancun reported total revenue of more than 5 trillion yuan and were granted 43,000 patents in 2017. Li Jun from Leyard said numerous talent, abundant information, powerful R&D and innovation had made Zhongguancun outperform other places, setting an example for the entire country. "Companies are cells of our country, and the deepening reform and opening-up drive has been eliminating development barriers, with companies being the biggest beneficiaries and supporters," he said. VIENNA, May 25 (Xinhua) -- South Korea will continue to work for peace on the Korean Peninsula after the U.S. side canceled the planned meeting with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)'s top leader Kim Jong Un, South Korean Prime Minister Lee Nak-yeon said here Friday. The "historic opportunity" created by the inter-Korean summit and the Panmunjom Declaration on April 27 must continue to be used, Lee told a press conference after meeting with Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz. Kurz considered the cancellation of the planned summit regrettable. "However, there is still hope that there will be a peaceful solution, a peaceful coexistence," said Kurz. Kurz hoped that this step "might be a postponement and the meeting could take place.". U.S. President Donald Trump said Friday that the United States is talking to the DPRK and his planned meeting with Kim could still happen after he canceled it on Thursday. Source: Xinhua| 2018-05-26 10:30:01|Editor: Yurou Video Player Close BOGOTA, May 25 (Xinhua) -- The Colombian government and its last major rebel movement announced Friday their peace talks scheduled for May 27-30 in Havana will be postponed to make way for the first round of the country's presidential election on Sunday. "We express our firm commitment to the searching for an agreement which allows Colombians to enjoy a country at peace, with full rights and well-being," said the government and the National Liberation Army (ELN). A unilateral ceasefire started on Friday as the ELN announced on May 14 that it would cease military activities from the midnight of May 25 to midnight of May 29 in order to allow voters to express themselves in the election "It is hoped that this conciliatory spirit of the ELN will be met with a similar stance from the various political-military forces of the regime," said the ELN. If no political candidate wins the election outright with 50 percent of the vote on Sunday, a second round will be held on June 17. Talks between the government and the ELN began in February 2017 and their fifth round of negotiations in Havana started on May 10. Negotiations previously took place in Quito, Ecuador. Ecuador pulled out as mediator of the talks after three Ecuadorian journalists were murdered earlier this year along the Colombian border by dissidents of FARC, an extinct Colombian guerrilla group now. Source: Xinhua| 2018-05-26 11:00:05|Editor: Yurou Video Player Close MEXICO CITY, May 25 (Xinhua) -- Global consumption of Mexico's national spirit Tequila has increased fast, estimated to grow 3.2 percent annually by 2021, Mexico's National Tequila Industry Chamber said Friday. The projection indicates the second biggest growth for a spirit on the global market in the near future, only behind whisky's 3.4 percent, according to the chamber's president Rodolfo Gonzalez. "By 2021, global tequila consumption is forecast to reach 34.7 million nine-liter cases, compared with the more than 31 million cases consumed in 2017," Gonzalez told a press conference, citing the latest report by the London-based International Wine and Spirit Research. Mexico exports some 1.2 billion U.S. dollars worth of tequila to about 100 different markets worldwide, led by the United States, Europe and South America, showed government figures. North America is expected to continue with a highest demand in the coming years, and Colombia will become the fourth-largest export destination, said Gonzalez. Mexico's tequila production is forecast to increase 3 percent in 2018 to reach 290 million liters, he said, adding there are enough sources of the spiky cactus-like agave plant to meet the industry's needs. The tequila industry generates some 70,000 jobs and represents Mexico's fifth largest agricultural export, after beer, avocados, tomatoes and berries, according to the Agriculture Ministry. Source: Xinhua| 2018-05-26 11:45:09|Editor: Liu Video Player Close ST. PETERSBURG, Russia, May 25 (Xinhua) -- President Vladimir Putin said the Russia-China comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination is developing at the best level in history and the prospect is very good. "There is no need to re-define Russian-Chinese relations. In fact,Russia and China have established a fairly good strategic partnership," said Putin in response to a question from He Ping, editor-in-chief of the Xinhua News Agency during a joint interview by several major international media outlets here on Friday. Putin spoke highly of the 19th Communist Party of China (CPC) National Congress, which he said had created more favorable conditions for further development of bilateral ties in the long run. "The latest decisions of the Congress had made our relations more stable and predictable not only in the medium period but in the distant future," he said. Putin said that with China's active efforts to push forward denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and its vital role in resolving related issues, the situation on the peninsula has improved noticeably. On the economic front, Putin expressed his satisfaction with the current momentum of bilateral trade relations. "China is our largest trading partner and we have over 86-billion-U.S.-dollar trade value each year. We are very satisfied with this," said Putin, adding that bilateral trade volume is expected to expand to as many as 100 billion U.S. dollars in a year. Noting that Russia increased export of engineering products to the Chinese market last year, Putin hailed the diversification and improvement in the trade structure as "encouraging." Putin mentioned oil and gas, nuclear energy, renewable energy, machinery manufacture, space technology, aircraft building, chemical industry and agriculture as the major fields where the two countries can carry out cooperation in the near future. The president said the Chinese renminbi (RMB) is expected to become an international reserve currency in a wider scope and the two countries are pushing forward home currency transaction in bilateral trade. He hoped that the two sides could continue to boost mutual investment and jointly exploit markets. Noting that this year marks the China-Russia year of local cooperation, Putin stressed that vibrant communication at local level has offered even greater impetus for bilateral ties. "More and more infrastructure, roads and bridges are under joint construction by our two countries. People from different regions of Russia and China has made even closer contacts in recent years," Putin said. "All this progress shows our relations enjoy very good prospects," said Putin, adding that Russia will work closely with China to push forward bilateral ties in the future. Putin Friday was jointly interviewed by major international media outlets including Xinhua, AP and TASS on the sidelines of the ongoing St. Petersburg International Economic Forum which was kicked off on Thursday. Source: Xinhua| 2018-05-26 11:50:10|Editor: Liu Video Player Close BEIJING, May 26 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping Saturday called for enhanced international exchange and cooperation on the development of big data industry. He made the remarks in a congratulatory letter to the China International Big Data Industry Expo 2018, which opened Saturday in Guiyang, capital city of southwest China's Guizhou Province. Asian Mergers and Acquisition Links founder and CEO Hideki Tanifuji and his Filipino team Hideki Tanifuji, the Japanese founder and chief executive of Asian Mergers and Acquisition Links, has brought his expertise to the Philippines to invite more foreign capital. Established in 2015, AMAL is a boutique investment bank that aims to guide businesses and corporations in merging and acquiring companies for business expansion and new industry opportunities. Its services include strategy development, corporate valuation, financial consulting, pre- and post-merger evaluation and due diligence works. With over 10 years of reputable corporate experience in the field of M&A and thorough understanding of the global market, Tanifuji is proud to bring his long-time passion and industry expertise to the country via his growing team of young Filipino professionals. Through his visionary leadership, AMAL has closed six deals, five of which were cross-border in just one year. Prior to AMAL, Tanifuji was a former corporate officer in M&A Capital Partners which is one of the leading boutique investment banks in Japan. In 2007, he put up his own M&A company in Tokyo. When asked why he chose the Philippines among other locations in the region for his work, Tanifuji says he sees great potential for M&A in the country and he envisions to bring a lot of foreign investors that can contribute to more growth for the economy. To date, three Japanese companies have invested in the Philippines through AMAL. The prospects of growing the business here are very high. Back in 2016, the Philippines has been recognized to be among the countries in the region whose GDP growth is the highest, at 6.8 percent, compared to its neighbors that are still struggling to achieve GDP growth stability. Majority of Filipinos are good English speakers, and the culture and quality of professional manpower are also plus factors, he says. With matured countries like Japan looking for investments and/or acquisitions in developing countries such as the Philippines, which he considers the top in the Asean, Tanifuji is confident that M&A will go a long way in the years to come. This line of business is unique in such a way that all efforts and resources of the company are focused only on providing financial advisory services, hence clients are assured that they will receive dedicated service from the company. Another core strength is that AMAL is an independent firm with no political attachments, has many strong connections with big Japanese companies, and has connections with big foreign companies in Australia, Singapore, and the US, says AMAL finance director Shaela Mae Claveria.In bringing companies from across the world together seamlessly, AMAL provides advisory services and assistance to clients that have M&A needs throughout the entire rigorous process. After assessment and evaluation of clients individual needs, AMAL matches companies that have same corporate goals and objectives with regards to M&A transactions. Due diligence is a later stage in M&A. Most accounting firms are focused on that. For us, while we support due diligence, our focus is to offer the total wholistic M&A package. Functions include tapping clients, introduce clients to M&A, negotiation for evaluations, all the works. Add to this the smart combination of Japanese financial business expertise and Filipino brand of rigor, a core competency that is unique to the Asian M&A Links team, says AMAL chief operating officer Dinah Ilagan. By paving the way for seamless, unimpeded business transitions, AMAL provides clients with maximized benefits in the form of immediate returns and long-term advantages. While still considered a young company, AMAL is continuously growing in operations. In fact, it is positioning itself to become the No. 1 M&A company in the Philippines and one of the leading in Asia. To date, AMAL is one of the biggest in its industry in terms of manpower as it has 80 employees composed of the management team, HR, IT staff, accountants, marketing analysts, consultants and foreign language speakers/ translators. Apart from transferring to a more spacious and modern office in Bonifacio Technology Center this year, Tanifuji says his other immediate goals for AMAL includes establishing a subsidiary in Bangkok in October 2018 with a target of growing into having 100 employees within the next five years. Envisioning the long-term growth of the business, AMAL is also aiming to list in SME board of the Philippine Stock Exchange by second quarter of 2019. This is also the main growth strategy of Tanifuji to accelerate the growth of the company inorganically. Aside from the publicly-listed M&A firms in Japan, AMAL will be the only M&A firm to be listed in any Asian stock exchange. Additionally, AMAL is targeting to be the number one in the ASEAN region and grow its workforce to 200 employees by 2020. AMALs main headquarters is located at Unit 8, 3rd floor, Bonifacio Technology Center on 31st Street corner, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. Source: Xinhua| 2018-05-26 12:15:14|Editor: Yurou Video Player Close Belarusian Prime Minister Andrei Kobyakov speaks during an interview with Xinhua News Agency in Minsk, Belarus, May 21, 2018. Belarus looks forward to further enhancing practical cooperation with China in various fields, Andrei Kobyakov has said. (Xinhua/Wu Zhuang) by Xinhua writer Li Jia MINSK, May 26 (Xinhua) -- Belarus looks forward to further enhancing practical cooperation with China in various fields, Belarusian Prime Minister Andrei Kobyakov has said. He made the remarks in an exclusive interview with Xinhua here ahead of the upcoming visit by Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan to Belarus. Relations between Belarus and China have been developing rapidly, and the level and intensity of bilateral exchanges have been continuously improved, he said. It is expected that Wang's visit will further promote practical cooperation between the two countries in politics, economy and trade, tourism, culture and other fields, Kobyakov said. In 2016, the two countries decided to establish a comprehensive strategic partnership featuring mutual trust and win-win cooperation. Bilateral relations have reached an unprecedented level since then, the prime minister said. In recent years, high-level exchanges between the two countries have become increasingly active, he said. "Both sides have also conducted fruitful cooperation on multilateral occasions. We firmly support each other in the United Nations and other international organizations," Kobyakov said. He said China's staunch support helped Belarus consolidate its position in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and under the "16+1" cooperation mechanism between China and Central and Eastern European Countries. Underlining that Belarus is located at an important junction of the Silk Road Economic Belt in the Eurasian region, Kobyakov said that his country has actively participated in the Belt and Road Initiative proposed by China in 2013. The China-Belarus industrial park, jointly built by the two countries, is an exemplary project of reciprocal cooperation under the framework of the initiative. Until now, 34 companies from eight countries have entered the industrial park, which has gradually become an important international cooperation platform. "For us, the park represents the future direction of the development of the Belarusian economy. It will contribute to the economic growth of our country and boost its export potential," Kobyakov said. Transportation of China Railway Express via Belarus has been growing rapidly, he said. In 2017, over 2,700 freight trains traveled from China to Europe via Belarus. "We plan to increase this number to 5,000 a year by 2020. This will create an opportunity for Belarus to expand export of milk, beef, chicken and other foods to China," he said. The prime minister also pointed out that Chinese and Belarusian enterprises have actively carried out mutually beneficial cooperation. Jointly implemented by the two sides, 16 large-scale projects have already been completed in Belarus, he said. "Another 16 cooperation projects are being implemented with a total value of approximately 8 billion U.S. dollars," he added. With regard to China International Import Expo to be held in Shanghai in November, Kobyakov said Belarus attaches great importance to the exhibition, adding that Belarus' participation will inject new impetus into bilateral economic cooperation. Noting that 2018 marks the Year of Belarus in China and the Year of China in Belarus, the prime minister said the two countries are going to provide more convenience to attract tourists from each other. PYONGYANG, May 26 (Xinhua) -- Kim Jong Un, the top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), has called for building a world-class beach resort in the eastern port city Wonsan, the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said Saturday. While inspecting a construction site at the Wonsan-Kalma coastal tourist area, Kim said new miracles of construction were again taking place, said KCNA. "It is the determination of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) to wonderfully build the Wonsan-Kalma coastal tourist area as a Korean-style coast city ... to make our people enjoy the highest civilization at the highest level," he was quoted as saying. The WPK said in a plenary session last month that the DPRK would concentrate all its efforts on economic construction to improve the people's livelihood. Wonsan, facing the Sea of Japan, is known for its beautiful beach scenery. Source: Xinhua| 2018-05-26 12:25:15|Editor: Liu Video Player Close CARACAS, May 25 (Xinhua) -- The Venezuelan government began on Friday a series of meetings with diplomats from the European Union (EU) to explore investment opportunities in the South American country. The meetings are aimed "to strengthen investment for Venezuela's economic recovery," Venezuelan Economy and Finance Minister Simon Zerpa tweeted. "We thank the government for opening up this opportunity," Spanish Ambassador to Venezuela Jesus Silva said after a meeting. Spanish companies "have always bet on Venezuela" even amid the country's economic and political crises, Silva said. Silva was one of three ambassadors attending the gathering, along with Italy's Silvio Mignano and the Netherlands' Norbert Braakhuis. The meeting is part of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's six-point action plan to tackle his country's most pressing problems in his second term from 2019 to 2025, including political reconciliation, productive investment, fighting corruption, strengthening social welfare programs, defending the nation from outside interference and perfecting Venezuelan-style socialism. Maduro presented his action plan to the National Constituent Assembly after taking the oath of office on Thursday. Source: Xinhua| 2018-05-26 12:50:18|Editor: Lu Hui Video Player Close HAVANA, May 25 (Xinhua) -- The sole remaining survivor of last week's deadly plane crash in Cuba is still in critical condition and likely to suffer from complications from her injuries, the hospital which is treating her said Friday. Cuban national Mailen Diaz, 19, is currently the only person to have survived the tragic accident while two other women rescued alive along with Diaz have succumbed to their injuries. Dr. Carlos Martinez, director of Havana's Calixto Garcia University Hospital, where the survivors were treated, said Diaz was responding favorably to treatment. However, the extent of her injuries made a prognosis difficult. The ill-fated Boeing 737 crashed and ignited a little past noon on May 18, just minutes after taking off from Havana's Jose Marti International Airport on its route to eastern Holguin province. There were 113 people on board, including six crew members from Mexico. The Cuban government has appointed a high-level commission to investigate the cause of the crash, with the help of Mexican and American experts. Jose Armando Daniel Lopez, president of Cuba's Institute of Civil Aviation and Aeronautics, said on Thursday night that it could take months to reach credible conclusions. Cubana de Aviacion operated the aircraft under a wet lease arrangement with Mexican charter airline Damojh (commercially known as Global Air), which means airplane and maintenance crew were provided together by the lessor. Built in 1979, the plane passed its last inspection in November 2017, Mexican officials said. Source: Xinhua| 2018-05-26 13:05:22|Editor: Yurou Video Player Close LOS ANGELES, May 25 (Xinhua) -- The president of the University of Southern California (USC) has agreed to step down over the scandal of a longtime campus gynecologist who is accused of sexual misconduct to female patients, the USC Board of Trustees said Friday. "Today, President (C. L. Max) Nikias and the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees have agreed to begin an orderly transition and commence the process of selecting a new president. We recognize the need for change and are committed to a stable transition," said Rick J. Caruso, chairman of Subcommittee of the Executive Committee of the USC Board of Trustees, in a statement "We appreciate the voices of the many members of the university community who have expressed indignation from the harm inflicted on our students by Dr.(George) Tyndall," Caruso said. "The University of Southern California is governed by a Board of Trustees, with both a fiduciary and legal responsibility to that community. We have heard the message that something is broken and that urgent and profound actions are needed," he said. The statement does not mention the timing of Nikias' departure. Two hundred professors at USC on Tuesday called upon Nikias to step aside over the gynecologist scandal, criticizing him for failure to protect students and staff from repeated and pervasive sexual harassments and misconduct. "He has lost the moral authority to lead the University, and in addition, to lead the investigation of institutional failures that allowed this misconduct to persist over several decades," said the professors in a letter to the Board of Trustees. Tyndall had worked as the only fulltime gynecologist at the USC student clinic for 27 years. According to the Los Angeles Times' investigation, complaints about his repeated misconduct toward young female patients started in early 1990s, including improperly photographing students' genitals, touching women inappropriately during pelvic exams and making sexually suggestive remarks about their bodies. The USC is a leading private research university located in Los Angeles in the U.S. state of California. A total of 45,500 students were enrolled in the 2017-2018 academic year, including around 5,400 from China's mainland. More than 300 people, most of them former female patients of Tyndall, have come forward with allegations of mistreatment and sexual abuse by Tyndall that date back to the early 1990s, Los Angeles Times reported. The USC has been sued by some former students over the scandal. The university fired two longtime student health clinic administrators last week. According to the Los Angeles Times, some of Tyndall's colleagues feared that the gynecologist was targeting the university's growing population of Chinese students in recent years. Those Chinese students often had a limited knowledge of the English language and American medical norms. The Consulate General of China in Los Angeles expressed its deep concern over the scandal last week, requesting the university to take serious steps to investigate the issue and protect Chinese students from illegal acts. Three former Chinese students of the USC filed lawsuits against damage caused by Tyndall this week, said their attorneys in a press conference on Tuesday. Nikias became the USC's 11th president in August 2010. He has been at the USC since 1991, as a professor, director of national research centers, dean, provost, and president. Source: Xinhua| 2018-05-26 13:25:24|Editor: Lu Hui Video Player Close URUMQI, May 26 (Xinhua) -- For 23 years Ma Xiaohua has been guarding 690 hectares of forest on the edge of the Gurbantunggut Desert to fight against desertification in northwest China. On the southern edge of Gurbantunggut, China's second largest desert after Taklimakan, a 70-kilometer long belt of forest was grown by thousands of people with the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps in the 1950s. To ensure the saplings survived, they fetched water from up to 50 kilometers away. Ma took on his father's role as a forest ranger in 1995, when he was 23 and newly demobilized from the army. "Not until my father passed away did I understand why he decided to stay here," said Ma. "There must be someone to protect the forest, even if he knew how hard the work is." Ma has no neighbors, not even tap water. To irrigate the forest he sets out at 7:00 am every day. "With a pump and pipes it's easier to fetch water from the well now. Simply turn on the valve, and every tree gets water," he said. In the past he had to dig sand out of the canal before watering the trees. It took him at least a month to water all the trees. Weather is a big challenge. The skin on his arms peels in the scorching summer and in winter, he has to endure bitter cold as the temperature drops to minus 40 degree Celsius. On windy and dusty days he can't even find the way home, and his hair, clothes and mouth are full of sand. The worst woe is, of course, human. To stop illegal logging Ma patrols the forest on his second-hand motorcycle. "Sometimes I am threatened. I was called 'a savage.' But I protect the forest, which is so precious in containing the desert," Ma said. He almost lost his left eye when it was pricked by a thorny oleaster branch. He didn't bother to get treatment, and the infection was so bad that he lost much of his eyesight. He had another accident in 2008, when he went to fix a faulty valve but fell off his motorcycle on a slippery road after the rain. He broke his collarbone, but he went back to work just a week after surgery. He also suffers from arthritis because his hands are often immersed in cold water. "I've never thought of leaving," he said, not even when his father was sick in 2006 but he had to finish the irrigation. When he finally made it to the hospital, there were just three days left for the old man. "My father told me to bury him beside the desert," he said. With a monthly salary of 2,500 yuan (400 U.S. dollars), Ma can only afford 15 yuan for shoes. Fresh vegetables and meat are luxury. He seldom goes home to see his wife and his son. "But they are all supportive of me," he said. Under Ma's care and protection, survival rate of the trees in the forest exceeds 85 percent. The forest has become an important part of the Three-North Shelterbelt Forest Program. Launched in 1978 and expected to be completed by 2050, the project consists of afforestation in northwest, north and northeast China. By 2015, the project has seen nearly 30 million hectares of forests planted and preserved. China has made great progress against desertification in recent years. The area of desertified land in the country shrank by an annual average of 1,980 square km in the 2010-2014 period. Source: Xinhua| 2018-05-26 14:10:31|Editor: Lu Hui Video Player Close BEIJING, May 26 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday called for enhanced international exchange and cooperation in the development of the big data industry. Xi made the remarks in a congratulatory letter to the China International Big Data Industry Expo 2018, which opened Saturday in Guiyang, capital city of southwest China's Guizhou Province. The rapid development of new-generation information technologies such as Internet, big data, and artificial intelligence has brought significant and far-reaching impact on social and economic development, state governance, social management, and people's life in all countries, Xi said. He said countries need to increase communication and cooperation to seize the opportunities in the big data sector, promote its healthy development and handle challenges such as data security and cyberspace governance. China attaches great importance to the development of big data, Xi said. With the vision of innovative, coordinated, green, and open development that is for everyone, China is implementing a national big data strategy centered on building the country's strength in cyberspace and nurturing a digital China and smart society, which will aid the transition of the country's economy from high-speed growth to high-quality development, Xi said. The Chinese president said he expects expo attendees to exchange views and pool wisdom in order to promote the big data sector's innovative development to benefit all people and facilitate the building of a community with a shared future for humanity. BANGKOK, May 26 (Xinhua) -- A bus hit a 10-wheel truck early Saturday injuring 28 in central Thailand, according to local reports. The accident happened in Phichit province when a bus with Bangkok license plate was heading for northern Thailand's Phitsanulok from Bangkok. The bus crashed into a truck carrying steels. The two vehicles veered off and fell into a road ditch. Twenty-eight people were injured and hospitalized, according to reports. One of the injured said the driver drove over speed limits for several times. She said most of the passengers were sleeping when the accident happened and woke up in shock, only to find themselves stuck in the bus. The cause of the accident is under investigation. Inter province bus accidents take up most of road accidents in Thailand. Fatigue driving and speeding are the main causes. PHNOM PENH, May 26 (Xinhua) -- Seventy-five Cambodians, mostly children, suffered food poisoning after they ate bread filled with egg, meat and other ingredients in eastern Kratie province, a health official said Saturday. The incident took place in Trapaing Traing village in Chitborey district on Friday after they ate free snacks distributed during an event promoting cassava products. "A few hours after they ate those loaves of bread, they had the same symptoms: stomachache, vomit and fatigue, and for children, they had also had diarrhea," Chheang Sovutha, director of Kratie Provincial Health Department, told Xinhua, adding that the victims included 53 children. He said their condition was "not serious" and most of them had recovered and left the provincial hospital and district health center for home after receiving medical treatment. According to Sovutha, loaves of suspected contaminated bread had been sent to a laboratory in Phnom Penh for test. Checks on food are rare in Cambodia, where safety regulations are lax. Earlier this month, 13 people died and nearly 300 others got sick after drinking methanol-laced rice wine and polluted canal water in Sre Non and Aloch villages in Chitborey district of Kratie province. Source: Xinhua| 2018-05-26 15:10:40|Editor: Xiang Bo Video Player Close Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan addresses the 22nd St. Petersburg International Economic Forum in St. Petersburg, Russia, May 25, 2018. (Xinhua/Yao Dawei) ST. PETERSBURG, Russia, May 26 (Xinhua) -- The 22nd St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) concluded a plenary session Friday as world leaders gathered here to discuss pressing economic challenges. Held under the theme "Building a Trust Economy" this year, the forum, often referred to as Russia's Davos, attracted some 15,000 participants from 70 countries to Russia's "northern capital" and second largest city. The leaders noted that there are alarming trends that might compromise economic growth, including rising protectionism and unilateralism, the spiral of sanctions and risks from radical technology transformation. Recognizing the need for a concerted effort in response, they called on countries to enhance mutual trust, remove trade barriers and boost bilateral and multilateral cooperation to drive forward global growth. NEED FOR COOPERATION "Global mistrust is calling into question the prospects of global growth," Russian President Vladimir Putin told the forum. In a speech at the plenary session, Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan urged countries to build trust and boost cooperation in order to tackle international challenges and cement a foundation for sustainable global growth. Noting that no single country can cope with today's challenges alone, Wang said building an economy featuring equality, mutual trust, mutual benefit, inclusiveness and good faith between enterprises, markets and countries, is an effective way to unleash the potential of global growth. Also speaking at the forum, French President Emmanuel Macron said trust is being lost in the international arena and "we need to develop a multilateral approach" to solving international issues. Describing Russia as "an inalienable part of Europe," he said, "In view of our history... and our common interests, we must work on strengthening mutual trust." Echoing Macron's remarks on cooperation and interdependence among countries, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Russia's economic growth would benefit its neighbors including Japan while highlighting the importance of cooperation in solving their territorial disputes. He also expressed a willingness to conclude a post-World War II peace treaty with Russia. In response to Macron's and Abe's appeals, Putin said, "A prosperous future cannot be created by working in isolation ... I am sure we will certainly be successful if we strengthen mutual trust and the spirit of partnership." FIGHTING PROTECTIONISM As a result of global mistrust, trade protectionism is making a comeback. Discussions at the forum voiced concerns about the trend's impact on global economic activities and growth. Nobody wins in a trade war, International Monetary Fund (IMF) chief Christine Lagarde said, noting that trade can lead to higher productivity, lower prices and improved living standards. "It would be a grave mistake to resort to protectionism and to unilateralism. This would be a self-inflicted wound," she said. Putin also expressed the concern that the system of multilateral cooperation built over decades is being "crudely" destroyed while violating rules is becoming a rule. "Open markets and fair competition are gradually replaced by all kinds of exemptions, restrictions and sanctions... The spiral of sanctions and restrictions is only widening, harming more and more countries and companies," he said. In this regard, Chinese vice president Wang called for global unity in resisting protectionism and safeguarding a stable international economic order. In addition, Wang reaffirmed China's commitment to its opening-up and welcomed countries to share in the opportunities, including taking part in the Belt and Road Initiative, a new platform for international cooperation. Speaking of the U.S. trade deficit with China, Lagarde said, "One country should not look at one single deficit with another country but its overall position vis-a-vis the rest of the world. That's how trade works. It's a strange complaint (by Washington)." She said major trade disputes between the United States and China should be settled at the World Trade Organization (WTO). Russian experts praised China's efforts to promote free trade. "China is a consistent supporter of an open economy and broad international economic cooperation ... China defends free trade and compliance with WTO rules," said Sergei Uyanayev, deputy director of the Institute of Far Eastern Studies at the Russian Academy of Sciences. "The country considers it unacceptable to build unjustified protectionist barriers." UPHOLDING MULTILATERALISM Opportunities along side challenges stemming from globalization have made it a priority to improve global economic governance. To this end, it is wise to adhere to the multilateral system and develop mutually beneficial cooperation, leaders said at the St. Petersburg forum. Lagarde listed major global economic problems, including high levels of debt, financial fragility, unfair distribution of the rewards of globalization, threats to the trade system and climate change, urging countries to work together to find solutions. "All that calls in our view for a renewed multilateralism...It is through those institutions and through no other means, particularly unilateral ones, that things will actually improve," she said. In particular, the WTO remains a key multilateral institution and universal venue for resolving disputes. Putin said that the WTO is not ideal, but abandoning it without replacement means destroying the existing order, including institutions and rules. "It is very important for us to draft and introduce together a legitimate mechanism of change, which will allow the international community to get rid of obsolete and sometimes inefficient and archaic norms, preserving all the best practices and creating new instruments that meet the requirements of the time," he said. While praising Russia as a constructive player in global economic governance, Wang reiterated China's support for reforms in particular intended to promote the role of emerging markets and developing countries. In this regard, Yaroslav Lissovolik, chief economist of the Eurasian Development Bank, said China has made important initiatives in recent years, citing "BRICS Plus" and the Belt and Road Initiative. "China is channeling huge funds for the development of infrastructure in developing countries. So from this perspective, China has done a lot of work that serves to support multilateral trade, openness and liberalization in the world economy," Lissovolik said. The women OFWs at the Philippine Overseas Labor Office in Kuwait shed tears of joy upon hearing the various possibilities that the Coca-Cola 5by20 entrepreneurship program holds for them and their families. Addressing the plight of distressed women overseas Filipino workers, Coca-Cola Philippines will conduct its second micro-enterprise training specifically designed for women who wish to start their own business. Coca-Cola Philippines, through its 5by20 Program, and in partnership with government agencies, is leading the efforts to help these women prepare for their reintegration in the country. There are currently over 2.2 million Filipinos working in various labor sectors abroad, 83 percent are in Asia, with large concentrations in the Middle East. About 54% of these OFWs are women, who are primarily engaged as laborers or low-skilled workers and who venture abroad in their bid to find better sources of income in order to provide for their families. In line with the governments bid to provide livelihood for returning distressed OFWs, Coca-Cola Philippines, through its 5by20 program and in partnership with the Department of Labor and Employment through the Overseas Workers Welfare Association and the National Reintegration Center for OFWs, launched the Women Entrepreneurs Reintegrated and Economically Active at Home or Women Reach program in the State of Kuwait. The Women Reach program is designed for women OFWs who were employed in the low-skilled labor sector such as domestic helpers, prioritizing those who have experienced distress during their employment period. This program is the first of its kind that provides a step-by-step entrepreneurial training, business counseling, and self-assessment for the OFWs to determine the most appropriate business model and scale based on their skills and resources.This is our way of continuously empowering women, especially those in the most vulnerable sectorsin this case, the distressed women OFWs who are currently here at the Philippine Overseas Labor Office in Kuwaitby helping them prepare for their livelihood once they set foot back in the Philippines, said Gilda Maquilan, 5by20 lead and sustainability manager of Coca-Cola Philippines. This program has been designed in such a way that it will be responsive to the skills and resources that they have. We are one with the government in helping uplift this sector that once they are back with their families, they are also economically empowered in their own country, said Maquilan. In 2017, the pilot training at the Philippine Overseas Labor Office in Kuwait was able to reach 100 distressed women OFWs, most of whom are awaiting the completion of their deportation procedures. The 5-day training program tackled topics such as the creation of a solid business plan, technical assistance in the fine-tuning of these business plans, and gender sensitivity. Amidst the government-imposed deployment ban to Kuwait, Filipino women OFWs who are still waiting for repatriation to the country will continue to receive their entrepreneurial training. They will also be provided with entrepreneurial starter kits through the Balik Pinay, BalikHanapbuhay program of the Labor Department. Most of the business plans that were conceived by the participants during the training included backyard hog and poultry raising, carinderia, sari-sari store, computer rental shop and online ready-to-wear shop. Source: Xinhua| 2018-05-26 15:10:40|Editor: Li Xia Video Player Close A giant panda cub makes the first public appearance at the Malaysian national zoo near Kuala Lumpur May 26, 2018. The female cub, born in January, is the second offspring of its parents "Xing Xing" and "Liang Liang", both arriving in Malaysia from China in 2014. (Xinhua/Chong Voon Chung) KUALA LUMPUR, May 26 (Xinhua) -- The second giant panda born in Malaysia made her first public appearance at the national zoo here on Saturday. The four-month-old cub made her debut on a small platform set inside a room, in front of media cameras outside a glass window. Her black-and-white fur is fully grown with the typical black eyes. The female giant panda now weighs 9 kg and is in good health, said Zoo officials. She will be meeting the public daily inside the room before joining her parents in the open display area in two to three months' time. Bai Tian, Chinese ambassador to Malaysia, said he expects the baby giant panda to be another envoy to promote friendship between China and Malaysia. He also suggested to hold a online campaign to name the cub. The baby panda, born in January, is the second offspring of her parents Xing Xing and Liang Liang who arrived in Malaysia in 2014. Their first-born, Nuan Nuan, who is also a female, returned to China in November last year after turning two-year-old. Source: Xinhua| 2018-05-26 15:40:45|Editor: ZD Video Player Close GUIYANG, May 26 (Xinhua) -- China's top legislature inspected the implementation of the Statistics Law in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province and southwest China's Guizhou Province from Monday to Saturday. Chen Zhu, vice chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, who headed an inspection team, stressed the importance of statistics in the cause of the Communist Party of China and the country, and called for better implementation of the Statistics Law. He stressed tackling prominent problems in the work of statistics, ensuring supervision over law enforcement and creating a sound environment for the work of statistics to make it better serve economic and social development. The tour was part of a round of inspections on Statistics Law implementation in 13 provincial-level regions, which will run until the end of May. The inspection teams examined the major measures governments at all levels and their departments have taken to carry out reform in the management of statistics, implement the law, and ensure the authenticity and accuracy of statistical data. The law was enacted in 1983 and revised in 2009. This has been the first nationwide inspection on the Statistics Law implementation since the revision. MANILA, May 26 (Xinhua) -- Nine drug suspects were shot dead in a raid in North Cotabato province in southern Philippines, police said Saturday. Police officer Bernard Tayong of the North Cotabato Police said the suspects were killed around 11:15 p.m. local time on Friday in gunbattles with police in a village in Matalam town. He said a team of policemen swooped into the hideout of the drug suspects with a search warrant but was fired at by the suspects led by Dadting Kasan and Intan Aban. "(The suspects) fought and engaged law enforcers in heavy firefight," Tayong said, adding the shootout lasted an hour. Tayong said no illicit drugs were found during the raid, however, police seized assorted firearms, including improvised 50-caliber barre sniper rifle, rocket-propelled grenades and ammunition. The Philippines has intensified its anti-drug war that resulted in arrests and deaths of alleged drug dealers and users. Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) speaks in respose to a quetion from He Ping, editor-in-chief of China's Xinhua News Agency in St. Petersburg, Russia on May 25, 2018. (Xinhua/Lu Jinbo) ST. PETERSBURG, Russia, May 25 (Xinhua) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin said the Russia-China comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination is developing at the best level in history and the prospect is very good. "There is no need to re-define Russian-Chinese relations. In fact,Russia and China have established a fairly good strategic partnership," said Putin in response to a question from He Ping, editor-in-chief of the Xinhua News Agency during a joint interview by several major international media outlets here on Friday. Putin spoke highly of the 19th Communist Party of China (CPC) National Congress, which he said had created more favorable conditions for further development of bilateral ties in the long run. "The latest decisions of the Congress had made our relations more stable and predictable not only in the medium period but in the distant future," he said. Putin said that with China's active efforts to push forward denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and its vital role in resolving related issues, the situation on the peninsula has improved noticeably. On the economic front, Putin expressed his satisfaction with the current momentum of bilateral trade relations. "China is our largest trading partner and we have over 86-billion-U.S.-dollar trade value each year. We are very satisfied with this," said Putin, adding that bilateral trade volume is expected to expand to as many as 100 billion U.S. dollars in a year. Noting that Russia increased export of engineering products to the Chinese market last year, Putin hailed the diversification and improvement in the trade structure as "encouraging." Putin mentioned oil and gas, nuclear energy, renewable energy, machinery manufacture, space technology, aircraft building, chemical industry and agriculture as the major fields where the two countries can carry out cooperation in the near future. The president said the Chinese renminbi (RMB) is expected to become an international reserve currency in a wider scope and the two countries are pushing forward home currency transaction in bilateral trade. He hoped that the two sides could continue to boost mutual investment and jointly exploit markets. Noting that this year marks the China-Russia year of local cooperation, Putin stressed that vibrant communication at local level has offered even greater impetus for bilateral ties. "More and more infrastructure, roads and bridges are under joint construction by our two countries. People from different regions of Russia and China has made even closer contacts in recent years," Putin said. "All this progress shows our relations enjoy very good prospects," said Putin, adding that Russia will work closely with China to push forward bilateral ties in the future. Putin Friday was jointly interviewed by major international media outlets including Xinhua, AP and TASS on the sidelines of the ongoing St. Petersburg International Economic Forum which was kicked off on Thursday. NEW DELHI, May 26 (Xinhua) -- India's federal home ministry set up a women safety division to address issues pertaining to women safety comprehensively in a time bound manner, officials said Saturday. "In order to address offences against women particularly rape in a holistic and time bound manner, the division would focus on enhancing capacity of the existing administrative, investigative, prosecution and judicial machinery, along with appropriate measures for rehabilitation of victims and bringing attitudinal changes in society," a home ministry spokesman said. Officials said the division would deal with all aspects of women safety in coordination with relevant ministries, departments and state governments. India has witnessed a series of sexual attacks on women and girls, sparking criticism and concern among local residents. Bloomberg Editor-in-Chief John Micklethwait, France's President Emmanuel Macron, Russia's President Vladimir Putin, Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, China's Vice President Wang Qishan, and International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Christine Lagarde (L-R) at a plenary session as part of the 2018 St Petersburg International Economic Forum at the ExpoForum Convention and Exhibition Centre in St Petersburg, Russia, May 25, 2018. (Xinhua/Wu Zhuang) ST. PETERSBURG, Russia, May 26 (Xinhua) -- The 22nd St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) concluded a plenary session Friday as world leaders gathered here to discuss pressing economic challenges. Held under the theme "Building a Trust Economy" this year, the forum, often referred to as Russia's Davos, attracted some 15,000 participants from 70 countries to Russia's "northern capital" and second largest city. The leaders noted that there are alarming trends that might compromise economic growth, including rising protectionism and unilateralism, the spiral of sanctions and risks from radical technology transformation. Recognizing the need for a concerted effort in response, they called on countries to enhance mutual trust, remove trade barriers and boost bilateral and multilateral cooperation to drive forward global growth. NEED FOR COOPERATION "Global mistrust is calling into question the prospects of global growth," Russian President Vladimir Putin told the forum. In a speech at the plenary session, Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan urged countries to build trust and boost cooperation in order to tackle international challenges and cement a foundation for sustainable global growth. Noting that no single country can cope with today's challenges alone, Wang said building an economy featuring equality, mutual trust, mutual benefit, inclusiveness and good faith between enterprises, markets and countries, is an effective way to unleash the potential of global growth. Also speaking at the forum, French President Emmanuel Macron said trust is being lost in the international arena and "we need to develop a multilateral approach" to solving international issues. Describing Russia as "an inalienable part of Europe," he said, "In view of our history... and our common interests, we must work on strengthening mutual trust." Echoing Macron's remarks on cooperation and interdependence among countries, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Russia's economic growth would benefit its neighbors including Japan while highlighting the importance of cooperation in solving their territorial disputes. He also expressed a willingness to conclude a post-World War II peace treaty with Russia. In response to Macron's and Abe's appeals, Putin said, "A prosperous future cannot be created by working in isolation ... I am sure we will certainly be successful if we strengthen mutual trust and the spirit of partnership." Russian President Vladimir Putin addresses a plenary session as part of the 2018 St Petersburg International Economic Forum at the ExpoForum Convention and Exhibition Centre in St Petersburg, Russia, May 25, 2018. (Xinhua/Wu Zhuang) FIGHTING PROTECTIONISM As a result of global mistrust, trade protectionism is making a comeback. Discussions at the forum voiced concerns about the trend's impact on global economic activities and growth. Nobody wins in a trade war, International Monetary Fund (IMF) chief Christine Lagarde said, noting that trade can lead to higher productivity, lower prices and improved living standards. "It would be a grave mistake to resort to protectionism and to unilateralism. This would be a self-inflicted wound," she said. Putin also expressed the concern that the system of multilateral cooperation built over decades is being "crudely" destroyed while violating rules is becoming a rule. "Open markets and fair competition are gradually replaced by all kinds of exemptions, restrictions and sanctions... The spiral of sanctions and restrictions is only widening, harming more and more countries and companies," he said. In this regard, Chinese vice president Wang called for global unity in resisting protectionism and safeguarding a stable international economic order. In addition, Wang reaffirmed China's commitment to its opening-up and welcomed countries to share in the opportunities, including taking part in the Belt and Road Initiative, a new platform for international cooperation. Speaking of the U.S. trade deficit with China, Lagarde said, "One country should not look at one single deficit with another country but its overall position vis-a-vis the rest of the world. That's how trade works. It's a strange complaint (by Washington)." She said major trade disputes between the United States and China should be settled at the World Trade Organization (WTO). Russian experts praised China's efforts to promote free trade. "China is a consistent supporter of an open economy and broad international economic cooperation ... China defends free trade and compliance with WTO rules," said Sergei Uyanayev, deputy director of the Institute of Far Eastern Studies at the Russian Academy of Sciences. "The country considers it unacceptable to build unjustified protectionist barriers." Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan addresses the 22nd St. Petersburg International Economic Forum in St. Petersburg, Russia, May 25, 2018. (Xinhua/Yao Dawei) UPHOLDING MULTILATERALISM Opportunities along side challenges stemming from globalization have made it a priority to improve global economic governance. To this end, it is wise to adhere to the multilateral system and develop mutually beneficial cooperation, leaders said at the St. Petersburg forum. Lagarde listed major global economic problems, including high levels of debt, financial fragility, unfair distribution of the rewards of globalization, threats to the trade system and climate change, urging countries to work together to find solutions. "All that calls in our view for a renewed multilateralism...It is through those institutions and through no other means, particularly unilateral ones, that things will actually improve," she said. In particular, the WTO remains a key multilateral institution and universal venue for resolving disputes. Putin said that the WTO is not ideal, but abandoning it without replacement means destroying the existing order, including institutions and rules. "It is very important for us to draft and introduce together a legitimate mechanism of change, which will allow the international community to get rid of obsolete and sometimes inefficient and archaic norms, preserving all the best practices and creating new instruments that meet the requirements of the time," he said. While praising Russia as a constructive player in global economic governance, Wang reiterated China's support for reforms in particular intended to promote the role of emerging markets and developing countries. In this regard, Yaroslav Lissovolik, chief economist of the Eurasian Development Bank, said China has made important initiatives in recent years, citing "BRICS Plus" and the Belt and Road Initiative. "China is channeling huge funds for the development of infrastructure in developing countries. So from this perspective, China has done a lot of work that serves to support multilateral trade, openness and liberalization in the world economy," Lissovolik said. TRIPOLI, May 26 (Xinhua) -- Libya's labor minister said Friday that the country's public sector is overcrowded with 1.8 million employees, calling for more cooperation with the private sectors to create jobs. "The employment of the public sector is overwhelmed, amounting to nearly 1.8 million. We are striving to partner with the private sector to reduce the burden on the state budget," Al-Mehdi Al-Amin, Labor Minister of the UN-backed government, told Xinhua here. Earlier in May, the Libyan government announced a general budget of 31 billion U.S. dollars for 2018. However, the public sector is expected to take more than 17 billion dollars, over half of the general budget, to pay employees' salaries, according to data from the labor ministry. "There is a major imbalance in the recruitment policy. We are in close contact with the parliament and the Higher Council of State to introduce necessary legislation to attract private companies to ease this burden and recruit young people," the minister said. Libya's unemployment rate is currently 5.5 percent, according to the statistics from the ministry. The north African country has been plagued by economic woes due to escalating violence and political division following the 2011 uprising that toppled former leader Muammar Gaddafi. Furthermore, its economy mostly relies on oil, which is prone to fluctuations in global prices. COLOMBO, May 26 (Xinhua) -- The death toll of Sri Lanka's monsoon rains reached 19 on Saturday while over 128,000 people have been affected, the country's Disaster Management Center (DMC) said in its latest update. DMC Spokesperson Pradeep Kodippili said that two people were reported missing in the south while over 55,000 people had been evacuated to safer areas. With the threat of more rains in the coming days, Kodippili said those living in low areas, close to rivers and lakes were advised to evacuate and the police, along with tri forces had been deployed in all the affected districts for urgent relief assistance. To date, over 4,000 houses, mainly in the south and north central Sri Lanka have been fully or partially damaged. Kodippili also warned the naval and fishing communities to be vigilant as the sea areas extending from Mannar, in the north to Pottuvil, in the east and then Galle and Hambantota, in the south, could be rough as the wind speed could increase up to 60 to 70 kilometers per hour at times. President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on Wednesday instructed relevant authorities to immediately provide relief to the affected people due to floods and landslides. Sri Lanka is facing its annual monsoons. "Heavy falls above 100 millimeters can be expected at some places in Sabaragamuwa, Western, Central and North-Western provinces and in Galle and Matara districts," the Meteorological Department said. Over 200 people were killed and 78 people missing when the southwest monsoons caused severe floods and landslides across Sri Lanka last year. YANGON, May 26 (Xinhua) -- A total of 683 people, including 403 foreign citizens, as well as 35 passports were removed from blacklist in Myanmar during the two-year tenure of the incumbent government, according to a press release from the Ministry of Labor, Immigration and Population on Saturday. To enable prompt identification process to other black list entries, the Myanmar Advanced Passenger Processing System (MAPPs) has been installed at the country's airports in March this year. During the period, Myanmar and other ASEAN (the Association of Southeast Asian Nations) member countries reached bilateral visa exemption agreements for diplomatic or official passports holders. Under the agreements, such passport holders from a total of 21 countries are being exempted. Meanwhile, over 270,000 foreign visitors from 53 countries were offered visa-on-arrival at Yangon, Mandalay and Nay Pyi Taw airports with over 9.5 million U.S. dollars revenues being collected, the report said. by Jin Zheng, Christine Lagat NAIROBI, May 26 (Xinhua) -- Purity Kawira grew up in the dotting hills of central Kenya where she learnt the art of fortitude and determination which later proved valuable when she contemplated joining the national police force after high school. The 40-year-old female officer has a bubbling zeal to serve her country and outstanding performance recently secured her a promotion in the highly competitive and risk-laden career. Kawira is currently an inspector at the elite police division in charge of protecting Kenya's railway infrastructure whose modernization has gathered steam thanks to financial and technical contribution from China. She will be among 30 police officers drawn from different specialized agencies who will be departing to China to participate in a four-week training seminar on enhancing railways security. Speaking to Xinhua on Wednesday during a farewell reception for the officers destined for training in China, Kawira vowed to utilize the opportunity to build her skills in policing. "My desire is to gain expertise that will boost my work of ensuring there is safety at the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR)," Kawira remarked. "I look forward to a fulfilling experience in China and will share knowledge gained with colleagues," she added. The vivacious policewoman has been in charge of a platoon that has been providing security to the China funded Mombasa-Nairobi Railway project since its launch by President Uhuru Kenyatta in May last year. Kawira hailed the launch of the SGR passenger and cargo trains that have been a game changer in transport, commerce and regional integration. "We feel privileged to be on the frontline of protecting the SGR train and are witness to the many benefits it has brought to this country. By acquiring new skills, we will be able to protect passengers and cargo being ferried through this modern train service," Kawira told Xinhua. The Chinese government has sponsored the month-long training program for Kenyan police officers to boost their capacity to provide safety to passenger and cargo ferried through the SGR trains. Guo Ce, the Economic and Commercial Counselor at the Chinese Embassy in Kenya, said the training seminar for Kenyan security personnel will enhance smooth operation of the SGR project that is an integral part of the Belt and Road Initiative. "To protect the SGR project, the early harvest of the Belt and Road Initiative, this year we specially designed a bilateral seminar for the railway police," said Guo. Kenyan security officers were convinced that the China sponsored training seminar will inject fresh vitality in protection of critical infrastructure like the SGR project. Nicholas Mutai, a 38-year-old corporal at Kenya Railways Police, applauded the Chinese government for according him an opportunity to acquire new skills in policing a transformative modern railway project. "I thank the Chinese government for according me a chance to study and improve on my policing work," said Mutai. "The SGR project has been transforming this country since its launch last year and I will devote my energy to enhance its safety upon return from China," he added. Mutai has a 15-year experience in the National Police Service and is determined to excel in a vocation that has rapidly evolved thanks to investments in training and technology adoption. Alice Mwarabu, a female police officer in her late 20s who is based at the port city of Mombasa, said that providing round the clock security to the SGR trains has been an honor. "It has been an honor to serve at the SGR as a security officer and look forward to sharpen my policing skills during the training in China and apply it to boost safety of passengers traveling via SGR train," said Mwarabu. The bubbly officer joined the police force five years ago and is convinced that the training in China will improve her ability to provide safety to passengers and crew at the Nairobi-Mombasa SGR train. Kenyan police officers are expected to acquire new knowledge on enhancing the safety of the SGR project during the training seminar in China. Patrick Makokha, the deputy commandant at the railways and ports police section, said the officers who will participate in the training are expected to revolutionize security operations at the SGR project. "We are grateful to China for assisting us build the capacity of our officers guarding the SGR and hope they will apply knowledge acquired during the training to transform our work," said Makokha. BUCKET LIST DESTINATIONS. The spectacular Grand Palace in Bangkok, which serves as the home of the Thai King, is one of the many tourist spots in Thailand. Enjoy the serene attractions in Vietnam. Mingle with kangaroos in Australia. Revel in the stunning architecture of India. Walk on the cobblestone streets of Sweden. The world has no shortage of stunning sights and delightful destinations. No matter where on the planet you are, theres at least one place that offers plenty to discover and enjoymay it be food or sites or people.For those looking at visiting Thailand, Chiang Mai, Phuket, and Krabi boast rare wildlife, breathtaking landscapes, and pristine beachesperfect for nature lovers and sun chasers. Meanwhile, urbanites are drawn to a citys hustle and bustle will appreciate Bangkok better with its wide array of food and shopping adventures that any traveler shouldnt miss out on.Another must-see destination in Asia is Vietnams Hanoi and Saigon, and Cambodias Phnom Penh, which are overflowing with landmarks that history enthusiasts and tourists alike will surely find fascinating and Instagram-worthy. Also nearby are another backpackers favorites: Yangon in Myanmar and Vientiane in Laos.Featuring some of the worlds best vineyards and cultural hubs, one can discover the wonders of Australia through different cities such as Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, and Sydney. Meanwhile, Auckland in New Zealand is a mix of urbanscapes and quiet rural areas that suit various tastesgo to the city one day and to the countryside the next.Eager to discover the diverse and vibrant cultures of India, Nepal, Bangladesh, and the UAE? Head to cities like Bangalore, Kolata, Colombo, Dhaka, Hyderabad, Kathmandu, Chennai, Mumbai, Delhi, and Dubai where travelers will be met by a plethora of adventure options in every aspect, from dining to shopping to outdoor excursions.European cities are timeless beauties, for those exploring the continent for the first time, Brussels, Frankfurt, London, Milan, Moscow, Munich, Paris, Rome, Zurich, Copenhagen, Oslo, Stockholm, and Vienna offers varied attractions, from sumptuous food to world-famous destinations. Now, are you itching to list down the cities you want to see Lucky for MasterCard cardholders, ticking off these destinations off their bucket lists is easier as the global payments company offers special rates on both business class and economy tickets for travel dates until Dec. 15. Booking period ends May 31. MANILA, May 26 (Xinhua) -- Eight people were killed and about 30 others injured in two separate road accidents in the southern Philippines, police said on Saturday. Police said five were killed when a car hit a sport utility vehicle (SUV) in Alegria town in Surigao del Norte while travelling towards Butuan City. The SUV car was thrown out of control and hit a roadside tree, killing five of its passengers, police said. Police said four were injured in the Alegria accident. The other accident occurred in Malaybalay City in Bukidnon province. Police said three people were killed when a passenger bus turned on its side on Thursday. Two passengers were reportedly pinned to the ground by the bus and a bystander was also killed when the bus hit her, police said. Most of the 28 passengers were injured, police said. Source: Xinhua| 2018-05-26 18:41:07|Editor: Xiang Bo Video Player Close SHANGHAI, May 26 (Xinhua) -- A new composite material developed by a group of Chinese researchers has proved highly effective in cleaning water contaminated by organics. During the past month, the composite material, a mixture of black titania and three-dimensional (3D) tubular graphene, was used to clean a 40,000-square-meter area of water in east China's Shanghai, Anhui, and Jiangsu as part of a pilot scheme. Excessive organics, such as ammonia and nitrogen, can consume a large amount of oxygen in the water and generate stinky substances that kill aquatic life. Without human intervention, sunlight can naturally degrade organics to water and carbon dioxide, but the process requires months to years, depending on different degrees of pollution. Results of the trial showed that the material, which accelerates the process, can significantly improve water quality within two weeks, said Huang Fuqiang, chief researcher at the Shanghai Institute of Ceramics of Chinese Academy of Sciences. Black titania serves as an efficient visible-light catalyst, while the 3D graphene can "catch" organics, Huang said. The material was used in two parks in Shanghai, where lakes suffered excessive organics caused by the accumulation of fallen leaves. Residents often complained about dead fish floating on the lakes. Monitoring data showed indexes such as chemical oxygen demand, ammonia and nitrogen levels, and phosphorus levels improved seven days after use. Excessive organics can also be caused by discharge of wastewater generated by families and agricultural and industrial production. by Pankaj Yadav NEW DELHI, May 26 (Xinhua) -- Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government completed its four years on Saturday. Modi assumed oath of office of prime minister on May 26, 2014, after winning a massive mandate following a 10-year rule by the Indian National Congress (INC) party. On the occasion, Modi stressed that development over the last four years had become a "vibrant mass movement." Tweeting a three-minute video highlighting achievements of his government, Modi said, "With the best intent and complete integrity, we have taken futuristic and people-friendly decisions that are laying the foundations of a new India. The government is gaining confidence of people. On Saturday, Modi is scheduled to mark the completion of four years by addressing a mammoth political rally in eastern state of Odisha. According to the BJP sources, the party has already entered into election mode for the next general elections slated to be held early next year. Though, speculations are making rounds in the political circles that the BJP might pre-pone the general elections to this year-end when four states - Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Mizoram go to polls. The BJP is learnt to have started preparing its list of achievements and a new slogan focusing not just on development projects taken up by the Modi-government, but also highlighting its "clean intentions." Pitching for a second consecutive term for the BJP, the party has developed a three-minute video highlighting various schemes and decisions taken by the present day government that impacted the lives of people. The video also focuses on the improvement in the quality of life of people in a rural setting, putting numbers to the people who have benefited. The BJP's new tag line is "Saaf Niyat, Sahi Vikas" (Clean Intentions, Right Development) and the punch line - "2019 Mein Phir Modi Sarkar" (Modi government again in 2019). The blitzkrieg is expected to focus on comparing 48 months of Modi's government with the previous 48 years, projecting the BJP-led national coalition that has fast-tracked development projects. The key highlights of the party's campaign are - free cooking gas connections to poor families, the country's first bullet train project, electrification of nearly 18,000 villages across the country, economic policies like demonitisation and imposition of Goods and Services Tax (GST). Political analysts in the country, however, are of the opinion that Modi government's last one year would be very crucial in deciding whether it will win a second consecutive term. Dr. Jaswant Singh, a columnist and political commentator, said that no doubt Modi has made a mark in both in national and international politics, the last one year of his government is going to be crucial. "All his policies, programs and schemes have been popular and ambitious too, but it is yet to be seen whether they will get him votes in the next polls. If by-elections held in different states in the recent months are an indicator, Modi government is definitely losing popularity," Yadav told Xinhua. Meanwhile, a survey conducted by leading English daily "The Times of India" gathered that 71.9 percent of Indians say they will vote for Modi as prime minister again in the next polls, slated to be held in 2019. The poll was conducted online between May 23 to May 25 in nine languages across nine media properties of the Times Group. As many as 844,646 respondents took part in the survey. Rahul Gandhi, the INC president, was highly critical of the Modi government and his style of functioning. In one of his tweets, he mentioned that Modi was like a "student struggling with complex issues and he has failed in solving major issues". He gave "F" grade to the BJP-led government in four parameters, agriculture, foreign policy, fuel prices and job creation. BERLIN, May 26 (Xinhua) -- A senior policymaker of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) in Germany has warned the country's federal government on Friday not to give in to blackmailing attempts by the new Italian government in the context of proposed eurozone reforms. "The federal government cannot allow itself to be blackmailed and certainly cannot agree to assume joint liability on behalf of Germans savers (for Italian debt) in the framework of a European deposit insurance scheme," Wolfgang Steiger, secretary general of the CDU economics council, wrote in the magazine "Focus". Italian President Sergio Mattarella has recently nominated the little-known civil lawyer and academic Giuseppe Conte to lead a coalition government formed by the populist parties Lega Nord (the Northern League) and MoVimento Cinque Stelle (Five-Star Movement). Conte is a political novice chosen by the two parties as a compromise candidate who is expected by observers to occupy the post of prime minister in a largely symbolic fashion. While Conte has himself come under attack for allegedly making exaggerated claims on his resume, German officials and opposition politicians are since publicly expressed concern that the technocrat will fail to act as a curb on the Eurosceptic sentiment in the new Italian cabinet. CONCERN: EUROZONE EXIT? According to Steiger, Lega Nord and MoVimento Cinque Stelle were already scheming to achieve a mutualisation of sovereign debt in the eurozone. This "dangerous" game could ultimately cause "the end of the Euro," Steiger wrote. Similarly, the Bavarian governor Markus Soeder (CSU) told the newspaper "Passauer Neue Presse" that Berlin would have to do "everything in its power to bring Italy back to financial reason." Lega Nord and MoVimento Cinque Stelle have both blamed the poor economic performance of Italy during recent years on the strict budgetary rules of the European monetary union and have vowed to end austerity in the highly-indebted country by lowering taxes dramatically and introducing a basic minimum income. The new Italian government denies having any plans to leave the eurozone and has emphasized that its coalition agreement merely lists a goal of achieving a voluntary debt reduction with its creditors. However, Lega Nord is also pushing for the nomination of the Eurosceptic economist Paolo Savona as finance minister. Savona has described the eurozone as a "German cage" and argued that Italy needed to be prepared for the eventuality of an eurozone exit if it was left with no other option. Peter Bofinger, a member of the independent council of official economic advisers to the German government, highlighted the growing risk of a potential exit of Italy from the eurozone on Friday. Speaking in the newspaper "Saarbruecker Zeitung", Bofinger said that such a development would be "problematic" for Germany too, as "other countries could follow suit." Bofinger cautioned that any confidence that Germans savers could actually benefit from such a development were misplaced. "The consequences of a euro-crash for Germany would be lower corporate profits, lower wages and hence also extreme losses of taxation revenue for the government," he said. LONDON, May 26 (Xinhua) -- A giant replica of the moon, measuring more than seven meters across, went on public display Friday at Liverpool's Anglican Cathedral, the fifth largest churches in the world and the biggest in Britain. Created by renowned British artist Luke Jerram, the stunning "Museum of the Moon" uses detailed NASA imagery of the lunar surface and includes a sound composition created by award-winning composer Dan Jones. Dean of Liverpool Sue Jones said: "We feel blessed to be able to host this amazing installation at Liverpool Cathedral. While we are foremost a place of worship, we are also a focal point for people in Liverpool and visitors to the city." "This artwork enables to us to continue in our mission to be a place of welcome and hospitality for both the spiritual and the secular," she said. The art work forms part of a creative program as part of a cultural holiday weekend in the city which includes a tall ships regatta and the first ever visit to Britain of France's iconic Bordeaux Wine festival. Liverpool cultural spokeswoman, Deputy Mayor Wendy Simon, said: "This bank holiday weekend we are bringing together the worlds of art, music, tall ships, great food and drink." Simon said the program, commissioned by Culture Liverpool and part funded by Arts Council England, includes international and local art works, installations, music, dance and theatrical performances to celebrate ten years since Liverpool reigned as the European Capital of Culture in 2008. FAIZABAD, Afghanistan, May 26 (Xinhua) -- Afghan forces launched cleanup operations to wipe up the remnants of insurgents from the troubled Kohistan district in Afghanistan's northern province of Badakhsahn, an official said Saturday. "Security forces entered the Kohistan district early Saturday to completely drive insurgents out of the district," Ghulam Hazrat Karimi, an army spokesperson in the northern region, told Xinhua. The Taliban militants briefly overrun Kohistan district couple of weeks ago. Although the militants have been evicted from the district headquarters they are at nearby and can storm the security checkpoints at any time. According to Karimi, the security forces are determined to destroy militants hideouts in Kohistan district to ensure lasting peace there. Taliban militants who are already in control of Wardoj and Yamgan districts in Badakhshan haven't commented. Source: Xinhua| 2018-05-26 19:46:23|Editor: Li Xia Video Player Close GAZA, May 26 (Xinhua) -- Since the break out of rallies and protests close to the border between eastern Gaza Strip and Israel, the Israeli army has shot dead 116 Palestinians and wounded over 13,000 others, medics said Saturday. Ashraf al-Qedra, spokesman of Gaza health ministry, told reporters that death toll climbed to 116 after Hussein Abu Oweida, 41 years old, from Gaza died of his wounds he sustained a few days ago in eastern Gaza. "Among the 13,000 injured, around 300 wounded Palestinians from the Gaza Strip are still in serious and critical condition," said al-Qedra, adding that "their lives are still in danger after they had been shot by Israeli soldiers' gunfire." Medics and officials in the health ministry in Gaza expected that the death toll would further rise due to the large number of critically wounded cases and the severe shortage of medical facilities and needed medicines. The main goals of the rallies, which the Palestinians call as the Great March of Return and broke out on March 30, are to end 11 years of an Israeli blockade imposed on the Gaza Strip. Suhair Zaqout, spokeswoman of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), said in a press statement that the ICRC has increased its medical crews' presence side by side to the Palestinian medical crews to help treat the wounded in Gaza. On Friday, Hamas and Islamic Jihad leaders stressed that the Great March of Return will carry on until it achieves its goals of defying the Israeli blockade. Yehya Sinwar, Hamas chief in the Gaza Strip, arrived at eastern Rafah town close to the border with Israel to join the 9th Friday of the rallies. He said the peaceful marches will go on, and called on the Palestinians for a large popular participation on June 5, the anniversary of the six-day Arab-Israeli war in 1967. Source: Xinhua| 2018-05-26 19:51:25|Editor: Li Xia Video Player Close GAZA, May 26 (Xinhua) -- Upon arrival in the Palestinian Gaza Strip, Richard Villar, a British surgeon with the International Committee for Red Cross (ICRC), rushed to the Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza city to help save Palestinian protesters injured by Israeli soldiers. Villar arrived in Gaza one day before the mass anti-Israel Palestinian rallies peaked on May 14, leaving more than 60 Palestinians dead and thousands of others injured. "This is the largest casualties I have ever seen in one day," Villar told Xinhua. The British doctor is one of many physicians who came to help treat thousands of Gaza protesters injured during the mass rallies, known as the "Great March of Return," which kicked off on March 30. Around 115 Palestinians have been killed and 13,000 others injured by Israeli since late march. Villar is now helping Palestinian doctors at Gaza's largest hospital of Shifa. "The number of the casualties was a surprise, but the nature of the casualties was not a surprise because I have been to conflict zones before," the 65-year-old doctor told Xinhua, adding that the majority of the wounds were in the lower limbs. The doctor said he came to Gaza to help medical teams save lives, but he also said that he learned many things from Gaza doctors. He affirmed that Gaza has excellent medical staff as they are well experienced in dealing with incidents, but he said the problem is with the availability of equipment, medications and disposable items. Hospitals in Gaza have already been suffering from a lack of medical supplies, equipment, and electricity due to the blockade Israel has been imposing on the seaside territory since 2007. Health ministry in Gaza has recently warned that the health situation in the Hamas-ruled territory is on the verge of collapse amid severe shortage of medicines and medical supplies. According to the ministry, deficit in medicines reaches 50 percent, while there is a 27-percent shortage in medical consumables, and a 58-percent shortage in laboratory materials and blood banks. Seven government hospitals out of 12 receive emergency cases during confrontations between Palestinian protesters and Israeli soldiers, according to health ministry in Gaza. The ministry said the seven hospitals are struggling to deal with so many wounded amid shortage of human resources and supplies for operations. The ministry has sent urgent appeals to international organizations to provide medicines and supplies to public hospitals in the Gaza Strip. In a recent interview with Xinhua, World Health Organization (WHO) official Mahmoud Daher warned of the gravity of health situation in Gaza due to a large number of injuries. Daher stressed that WHO is making efforts to urge the international community to provide more aid to government hospitals in Gaza, as well as projects worth millions of U.S. dollars to provide supplies, medicines, medical equipment and emergency trainings. He said the aid provided until now is not enough as budget for health sector in Gaza is over 40 million dollars. These warnings led Essam al-Sayd, an Egyptian surgeon based in France, to come to Gaza to give a hand. "I have dealt with large numbers of casualties since I arrived here," he told Xinhua. He added that he and his colleagues at the Gaza European Hospital in Khan Younis conducted 30 surgeries on May 15. "Most of the injured were shot in the lower part (of the body), which may cause future disabilities," he explained. Sayd is supposed to stay in Gaza for three more weeks to help those injured in the ongoing clashes with Israeli soldiers. "I will always come back to save lives here," he said. PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea, May 26 (Xinhua) -- In a sign of unity and cooperation, 21 Asia-Pacific trade ministers released a joint statement following the conclusion of Saturday's summit. Over two days, the 24th APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade Meeting in Papua New Guinea's (PNG) capital city of Port Moresby, discussed a range of ways member economies can work together to strengthen cooperation, deepen economic integration and promote digital connectivity across the region. "As a driver of economic growth and greater regional integration, through trade and investment liberalization and facilitation, APEC continues to contribute to job creation and the improvement of living standards in the Asia Pacific," the statement said. "However, we recognize that the full benefits of trade have not reached all segments of our societies. "The widening income gap, social inequality and the need to narrow the digital divide, as well as the increasing impact of environmental degradation pose great challenges." In response, the ministers pledged to uphold the role of APEC as an "engine for sustainable economic growth and prosperity" which lays the foundations for a "shared future." With this year's APEC theme, "Harnessing Inclusive Opportunities, Embracing the Digital Future", the minister's joint statement included a total of 52 acknowledgments, much of which focused on the importance of the Internet, e-commerce and digital economy. "Technology and innovation, they are changing the pace of global trade and fostering innovative and inclusive growth in the Asia-Pacific region," the statement said. "We are committed to promoting cooperation... and working together to bridge the digital divide." The statement also reaffirmed the need for adequate investment through public-private partnerships in order to develop "quality infrastructure," that can drive growth and improve living standards. "We encourage economies to continue joint work through policy dialogues and investment-related capacity building including community engagement to communicate the benefits of investment," the statement said. Other topics addressed by the ministers included the role of female entrepreneurs will play in future economic growth, environmental sustainability and food security. Chair of the meeting and foreign minister of PNG Rimbink Pato, accompanied the acknowledgements of the ministers with a statement of his own, expressing gratitude for the cooperation shown by delegates at the summit. "We underscore that trade liberalization and facilitation are essential for achieving sustainable global growth and remain committed to continuing APEC's leadership to promote free and open markets," Pato said. "Our commitment to keep our markets open, to fight against and to rollback protectionist and trade distorting measures, and we reaffirm our leaders' pledge to extend the standstill commitment until the end of 2020." Source: Xinhua| 2018-05-26 20:36:39|Editor: Li Xia Video Player Close South Korean President Moon Jae-in (L) and top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) Kim Jong Un hold their second summit at the DPRK side of the border village of Panmunjom, on May 26, 2018. (Xinhua/Blue House) SEOUL, May 26 (Xinhua) -- South Korean President Moon Jae-in and top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) Kim Jong Un held their second summit in Panmunjom Saturday afternoon. South Korean presidential office said the two leaders met at the DPRK side of the border village of Panmunjom from local time 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday. The two leaders exchanged their opinions on implementing the April 27 Panmunjom Declaration, and on how to have a successful DPRK-U.S. summit, according to the Blue House. Moon will release the result of the summit at 10:00 a.m. local time on Sunday, the Blue House said, without elaborating further. Moon and Kim met on the South Korean side of Panmunjom on April 27, agreeing to complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and the change of the current armistice agreement into a peace treaty. Their second summit came after U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday that the United States will possibly reinstate the meeting with Kim. Trump on Thursday sent a letter to the DPRK leader, saying that their originally planned meeting in Singapore on June 12 will not happen. DPRK's First Vice Foreign Minister Kim Kye Gwan responded then that his country is ready to sit down with the United States anytime in any manner for talks to solve the problems existing between them. China said Friday that it hoped the DPRK and the U.S. would cherish the recent progress and continue to address mutual concerns via dialogue and push for the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. The South Korean government also said Friday that Seoul planned to continue diplomatic efforts to maintain a dialogue momentum between the DPRK and the United States. According to the Blue House, at a National Security Council (NSC) meeting held on Friday, the NSC members shared a view that efforts to improve inter-Korean relations will contribute to enhance relations between Pyongyang and Washington and complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. TRUE WANDERER. Professional travel organizer Rhyan Joe Sianquita's photo taken in Marawi City earned him the top prize of a denim brand's travel competition. Sianquita's #TrueFoodie photo shows him, together with locals, trying some of Marawi's delicacies. Sianquita's #TrueCulture photo entry Rhyan JOE Sianquita travels for a living. As a professional travel organizer, he has already explored many beautiful destinations across the country. But his recent trip to Marawi, where Islamic State-inspired militants laid siege last year, was a truly special one. I travel every week because of my job, said Sianquita. But what made this trip so different is the destination. All the blogs called Marawi the city of no return, but at the airport, I met so many wonderful people who made me realize that it wasnt true. They were even inviting me into their homes! Last week marked the first anniversary of the five-month-long armed conflict in the city. Filipinos commemorated the many lives lost, remembered the chaos and damagesestimated at P17 billionit brought, and celebrated the bravery of our soldiers and resiliency of its residents whose lives have been disrupted. This were the very things that inspired Sianquita to go to the southern city of Marawi, despite the risk of entering what was once a warzone.Every time I travel, its important to have a picture-perfect adventure. As I walked through the warzone in Marawi, the angst of being there was real; its not a perfect picture, he wrote in the caption of his photo taken in the city. He continued, Along with the 1st Scout Ranger Company, I crossed through the memorable sites of ground zero carrying the memories and stories before and during the war. We felt the anguish and pain of losing a fellow comrade. But something sparked in me what only eyes of the heart and soul can see. Beyond the chaos and hostility is a promise of HOPE. Rubbles turned into building dreams of a better Marawi, where faith and camaraderie from each and every Filipino will make this land rise from the ashes, he enthused after his three-day trip. His photo and its caption earned him the 2018 True Wanderer award from denim brand Wrangler.Sianquita and nine other finalists were sent on a three-day journey to different places in the Philippines. They had to undergo three different challenges and share photos and stories behind them using the hashtags #TrueFoodie, #TrueCulture, and #TrueAdventure.I was up against many professional photographers, and their captions were also so good, he shared. As the day of the announcement came closer I became more worried, but decided to just tell myself that I already won through the experience. Sianquitas #TrueAdventure entry stood out from among the many other great photos and captions. He won P500,000 worth of prizes, including a three-day/two-night all-expense-paid trip for four to any Philippine destination, as well as travel gear, one drone camera, one tablet, and Wrangler gift certificates.He is particularly excited about the drone camera because he wants to take more spectacular shots while on his travels. Im a hiker, so I want to be able to hike in mountains abroad like the Everest base camp and Kinabalu. But for my upcoming True Wanderer trip, Im thinking of going to Bohol, he shared. My mother has never been on a plane so I want to bring her with me, along with my graduating sister and my wife. Sianquita encourages everyone to wander and explore the many destinations of the Philippinespopular tourist spot or not. Its really not about your destination but its about the memories you make along the way. NAIROBI, May 26 (Xinhua) -- Kenyan crop and livestock farmers are grappling with a myriad of diseases resulting from adverse weather conditions brought about by the rains. It has been raining in the East African nation since March and Kenya's Meteorological Department has said the heavy rains would go on until next month, adding more pressure on farming. Crop farmers are grappling mainly with blight and bacterial wilt. The diseases have attacked coffee, tomatoes, onions and potatoes pushing up the cost of production for farmers. Even as they save on irrigation water, the farmers have to invest heavily in pesticides to fight the diseases and others to avoid losses. The two diseases are a huge threat to the crops because they lead to 100 percent loss if not checked. "I have grown tomatoes on half-acre. Last month when it was raining heavily, the crop was attacked by blight and I had to spray consistently to save it because it had started fruiting," Joseph Gitau, who grows the crop in Juja, told Xinhua recently. The farmer who works as an auditor in Nairobi said eradicating the crop became difficult because the rain washed away the chemicals. "I am not going to harvest much this season because the rains destroyed some fruits and some flowers also aborted. This is a bad season for me," he said. The blight has attacked coffee in main production areas in central Kenya threatening the cash crop that is exported in markets in Europe, Asia and the Middle East. Farmers in Nyeri, Murang'a and Kiambu are currently grappling with the disease, which they say is attacking their crop for the first time in years. "It is the first time I am seeing it since I started farming coffee 10 years ago. We have been asked to use certain chemicals to save the crop," said Moses Karanja, a coffee farmer. The disease, according to farmers in central Kenya, was prevalent in other areas including Nakuru and Trans Nzoia. However, excess rainfall in the area led to its emergence. "This is new disease in the region. I am calling it new because it is the first time it is being heard of in Nyeri," said Karanja. Caroline Wandia, an agronomist in Nyeri, said bacterial blight in coffee is normally favored by cool, wet weather. "Normally, lesions appear on leaves with water soaked margins when the infection begins. The leaves eventually dry up and roll inwards as they turn brown," she said. She added that the same symptoms are observed with tomatoes, onions and potatoes when attacked by blight. "The brown, dried leaves normally do not shed but remain attached to the plant. Sometimes the leaves appear like they have been scorched by fire," she said. For livestock farmers, the rainy season comes along with coccidiosis, pneumonia and Rift Valley Fever, among others. Coccidiosis affects mainly chicken, pigs, sheep and goats. On the other hand, sheep and goats and even chickens are prone to pneumonia, with a number of farmers recording deaths. "I lost my five goat kids last week to pneumonia. They were rained on and after two days, they developed the disease. It was too late when the vet arrived," said Jackson Mutisya, a farmer in Kangundo, on the outskirts of Nairobi. Several cases of the deadly Rift Valley Fever have been reported in the East African nation. The disease affects cattle, sheep and goats and also humans. The government on Saturday last week issued an alert on the disease, citing possible outbreak due to the rains. Mosquitos spread the Rift Valley Fever virus, and with the rains, the insects multiply faster. Veterinary services director Obadiah Njagi and medical services director Jackson Kioko said in statement that the weather conditions are ideal for mosquito breeding and increase the risk of Rift Valley Fever outbreak in Wajir, Garissa, Tana River, Malindi, Kwale, Laikipia and Kajiado. The major outbreak in Kenya was reported in 2006/2007 following prolonged rain. At least 160 people died and the livestock sector lost about 40 million dollars, according to official figures. File photo shows an elephant passes by a tourist jeep in the Manyara National Park in northern Tanzania. (Xinhua photo/Zhang Ran) ARUSHA, Tanzania, May 26 (Xinhua) -- Tanzanian authorities have announced new strategies aimed at saving Lake Manyara National Park, which is threatened deposition caused by farming activities. Telesia Mahonga, Karatu District Commissioner, said the Lake Manyara ecosystem is under serious threat, and if left unattended the northern Tanzanian park will vanish. "We have informed paddy growers on the upper parts of rivers to quit, and if they defy the order, we'll evict them by force," the official said, describing the park as key for the flamingos that inhabit the lake. The park is a home to more than 400 species of birds. "The Lake Manyara National Park is a good spot for bird watching. Visitors to the park can expect to see upwards of 100 different species of bird on any day," she said, adding that the sanctuary contribute heavily to the country's tourism sector. But farmers who do farming on the upper parts of rivers that supply water to the lake have been contributing deposition in the lake, which in turn affect breeding sites of birds and wild animals, she said. "Before evicting them, we're educating farmers on better farming practices, which are friendly to the environment as well as informing them on the negative impact of farming nearby rivers. And those who would defy the order will be taken to court," said Mahonga. Chief park warden Noelia Mhonga also suggested swift measures to be taken by the government and other players to save the 58-year-old lake. Ibrahim Ninga, park official in charge of the neighborhood, said the sanctuary is surrounded by 46 villages, whose activities such as farming and livestock rearing all pose a negative impact on the lake. MADRID, May 26 (Xinhua) -- Spain's 2018 General State Budget, recently approved by the Congress of Deputies, will boost growth of employment in the country, according to the BBVA Research chief economist for the Iberian Peninsula, Miguel Cardoso. "All these measures will result in an increase in domestic demand and, therefore, will underpin the growth of employment and the reduction of unemployment," Cardoso told Xinhua. "It is correct to say that they are positive in the short term." Unemployment is a major challenge for Spain since the financial crisis of 2008 destroyed millions of jobs. The first quarter unemployment rate was at 16.7 percent, according to the Inquest into the Active Population (EPA) published by the National Institute of Statistics (INE). Cardoso said that salaries will increase a priori, faithful to the trend of recent months, and along with the retroactive increase in pensions to be applied next July 1, both of which will strengthen the rise in domestic demand. However, he stated that the new budget increases the vulnerability of the country in the medium and long term. "The reduction of Spain's fiscal deficit and public debt will slow down. That rise in debt will create a snowball effect that will leave less room to meet fiscal obligations and, therefore, Spain is more vulnerable," he said. Meanwhile, Josep Pique, a former minister with the then government headed by Jose Maria Aznar, agrees with Cardoso that "when addressing the demographic challenge, which is marked by the growth of longevity and a low birth rate, it concerns the inability to achieve a State Pact that guarantees the future of pensions after 2030". Pique explained that this year budget, amounting to 354.224 billion euros of spending, is expansive, but warned that it has been presented again with delay and there is a lack of reformist impulse, due to a minority government and the political instability. "Once again, the opportunity to carry out a fiscal reform that guarantees greater efficiency and income stability, that improves the competitive position, the productivity and the resilience of the Spanish economy in the future is lost," he said, warning that the income prediction is not realistic. Pique stated that the 2018 budget reflects the consolidation of the recovery of the Spanish economy, "but without a long-term vision and marked by the electoral calendar." However, the public accounts also include positive factors, such as investment spending, according to Cardoso. "It was one of the key factors of the deficit reduction," he said, "investment meant an improvement in the competitiveness of the Spanish economy." Investment, in fact, will favor one of the sectors that has traditionally been the driving force of the Spanish economy, construction. "We hope that this will intensify the creation of employment in order to compensate the tourism sector deceleration," Cardoso said. All areas surrounding construction, such as manufacturing, will also grow, he explained. The European Commission backed the new budget and warned that this year the deficit could be higher than required. Spain's Prime Minister, Mariano Rajoy, was slightly criticized for the new expansionary measures and, above all, for having relaxed the pace of savings over the last years. "Spain must be careful," Cardoso concluded. (1 euro=1.17 U.S. dollars) Source: Xinhua| 2018-05-26 20:51:44|Editor: Li Xia Video Player Close DUBAI, May 26 (Xinhua) -- The ADM slaugterhouse of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) capital Abu Dhabi said on Saturday it has processed over 23,330 head of livestock in the first week of Ramadan, marking an "unprecedented footfall," UAE state news agency WAM reported. Licensed abattoirs in the capital have measured up to the increasing public demand for slaughtered animals and dealt with 22,332 sheep and goats, 998 cows and camels between May 13 and May 19. Muslims usually buy meat of slaughtered animals days before the start of Ramadan, the Islamic month of fasting and worshipping. Veterinary tests were undertaken on animals to ensure the community's safety. Some carcasses were destroyed, as they were deemed unfit for human consumption, said the WAM reported. The Abu Dhabi municipality also urged all community members to avoid carcasses and livestock brought from unknown sources or unlicensed street vendors. Slaughtering animals privately at home or by non-licensed butchers or slaughterhouses is forbidden by law in the UAE. Private wild animal ownership is also banned in the Gulf Arab country. During Ramadan, Muslims do not drink, eat or smoke from sunrise until sunset. They usually break their fast with their family members and friends at sunset, followed by evening prayers. Children under 14 years old, the elderly, sick people, the pregnant and breastfeeding women are exempted from fasting. Source: Xinhua| 2018-05-26 21:16:47|Editor: Li Xia Video Player Close DUBAI, May 26 (Xinhua) -- Unit 1 out of four units of United Arab Emirates' (UAE) Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant will be ready to operate "by the end of 2019 and early 2020," the project operator Nawah Energy Company said Saturday. The plant, located in the Al Dhafra region of Abu Dhabi, will be loaded with nuclear fuel assemblies required to commence nuclear operation. The statement added Nawah had completed "a comprehensive operational readiness review to generate an updated schedule for the start-up of the nuclear energy reactor." The scheduled review was carried out in "strict accordance" with the principles of "a healthy nuclear safety culture," the statement said. "Our review relied on global nuclear standards to analyze the remaining work required for nuclear operations," said Nawah's CEO Mark Reddemann. He added that "by achieving high standards in Unit 1, Nawah is setting a robust precedent for the subsequent operation of Unit 2, 3 and 4, as well as for the regional industry." Nawah said it is also seeking independent assessments by the International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna and the World Association of Nuclear Operators in London to ensure all aspects of the 20 billion U.S. dollars plant meet "the highest international standards of nuclear quality and safety." The UAE, a major oil supplier, aims to become less dependent on oil and gas for domestic energy purposes. According to the government's website, the "UAE energy strategy 2050" aims to lead to a domestic energy mix with clean energy, gas, clean coal and nuclear power taking up 44 percent, 38 percent, 12 percent and 6 percent, respectively. The UAE's neighbor Saudi Arabia has also taken steps to establish nuclear power. ADDIS ABABA, May 26 (Xinhua) -- The Ethiopia Federal Attorney General announced on Saturday a decision has been made to pardon a prominent rebel leader, Andargachew Tsige. Tsige, a British citizen of Ethiopian origin, has been serving a prison sentence since June 2014, for leading and directing an outlawed rebel group Ginbot 7, based mainly in Ethiopia's arch-foe Eritrea. Ethiopian law doesn't allow dual citizenship. The state media Ethiopia News Agency reports Tsige was pardoned under "special reasons" with the intervention of the attorney general. Prisoner releases are part of the Ethiopian government's promises to institute political reform and affirm commitment to good governance. Since the swearing of new Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on April 2, several thousand prisoners including prominent opposition figures and activists have been released. Source: Xinhua| 2018-05-26 21:26:49|Editor: ZD Video Player Close KUNMING, May 26 (Xinhua) -- A three-year study conducted by Chinese scientists has shown a dramatic population decline of the Green Peafowl, one of the world's most threatened pheasants, in China over the past three decades. The survey from 2014 and 2017 recorded the number of the birds in China as between 183 and 240, only around a third of the number recorded in the 1990s, according to Kong Dejun, the first author of the research paper, which was published online in the journal Avian Research earlier this week. Given the elusiveness of the birds and undetected habitats, the population of Green Peafowl in the country is estimated at less than 500, said Kong, an associate professor in the life sciences at Kunming University in southwest China's Yunnan Province. The bird's population was estimated at between 800 and 1,100 in the 1990s. There had been no updates on the population and distribution of the species since then, hindering effective protection of the bird. The species is classified as being endangered on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature Red List, and is under top protection in China. The birds are native to the tropical and subtropical forests of Southeast Asia and southern China. In China, they have only been spotted in Yunnan since the 1990s. The species used to live in 54 counties in Yunnan, while the survey only found them in 22 counties. Threats to the species include poaching, habitat loss, poisoning and hydropower construction, the study found. The size of each flock of the birds has also shrunk to three to five from eight to 20 three decades ago, Kong said. "But the good news is we also detected large flocks of 18 to 27 members, which increases our confidence in population recovery of the bird." File photo shows a Ugandan police officer inspects a public service vehicle along the Kampala-Masaka Highway, Uganda. (Xinhua/Ronald Ssekandi) KAMPALA, May 26 (Xinhua) -- Three more people succumbed to critical injuries, raising the death toll of the Friday night deadly road accident to 22 in Uganda's midwestern district of Kiryandongo, police said on Saturday. Emilian Kayima, Uganda's police spokesperson, said in a statement a total of 18 adults and four juveniles perished in the deadly accident involving a bus, a beer truck and tractor at Nanda village along the Gulu-Kampala Highway. The bus was heading towards the capital Kampala from the northern Ugandan district of Lira. He said 14 survivors who were injured in the grisly accident were airlifted to the capital, Kampala using a military helicopter for medical attention at Mulago National Referral Hospital. "We continue to thank all those who that have been working in saving lives plus police officers that worked since last evening in service of people," said Kayima. "We wish quick recovery to the injured. Many road accidents are a result of avoidable human undertakings," he said. The accident that happened around 8:30 p.m. local time paralyzed traffic along the busy road for several hours as police and rescue teams struggled to remove the bodies and survivors from the wreckage. 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| 2018-05-26 21:36:51|Editor: Li Xia Video Player Close DAMASCUS, May 26 (Xinhua) -- The Syrian Foreign Ministry said Saturday it has sent the name list of the government delegation for the UN-backed constitutional committee to the Russian and Iranian ambassadors to Syria. The ministry was quoted by the state news agency SANA as saying that the committee was to discuss the current constitution, giving no further details. The announcement came just days after Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said in Moscow that his government was going to send the name list of the government delegation for the constitutional committee in the UN. ADDIS ABABA, May 26 (Xinhua) -- U.S. sanctions on the South Sudanese government are emboldening rebels to stall at peace talks, a South Sudanese official said on Saturday. Speaking to local and foreign media in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa, James Morgan, South Sudan Ambassador to Ethiopia and the AU, said U.S. "meddling" in the form of arms embargo and individual sanctions on South Sudan government officials have made attaining peace in South Sudan difficult. Morgan said that the South Sudanese government is ready to accept peace proposals that accept South Sudan's constitutional process. Morgan further said the government is prepared to accommodate proposals that bridge gaps with the rebels, such as reforming the composition of the army and on parliamentary representation. On Wednesday, Brian Shukan, Director of the Office of the Special Envoy for Sudan and South Sudan, U.S. Department of State, said the U.S. government is willing to increase pressure on South Sudan warring sides to reach deal to end the civil war that is inching towards its 5th year. His comment came shortly after the latest round of South Sudan peace talks in Addis Ababa failed to produce an agreement among the various warring sides in the civil war. Already, the U.S. has imposed arms embargo and several rounds of targeted sanctions on current and former South Sudanese officials in the form of asset freezes and travel bans. South Sudan descended into violence in December 2013, after a political dispute between President Salva Kiir and his former deputy Machar led to split in the army, leaving soldiers to fight alongside ethnic lines. Since then the country has been embroiled in a conflict that has taken a devastating toll on the people, creating one of the fastest growing refugee crises in the world. Duterte to visit South Korea in June posted May 26, 2018 at 11:50 pm by Vito Barcelo May 26, 2018 at 11:50 pm The Palace confirmed on Saturday that President Rodrigo Duterte will visit South Korea on June 3 to 5, and meet with Korean President Moon Jae-In who are expected to discuss ways to enhance bilateral trade between the two countries. Palace Spokesperson Harry Roque said Dutertes trip would be his first visit as President of the Philippines to South Korea. He visited South Korea twice as mayor of Davao City. The President will meet with South Korean leaders to discuss and strengthen economic ties with that country, Roque said over a radio interview. During his bilateral meeting with Moon Jae-in on the sidelines of the Asean Summit last year, Duterte encouraged South Korea to invest in manufacturing, automotive, food production, processing, agribusiness, electronics, and energy.President Duterte also expressed his gratitude to South Korea for importing Philippine products such as food, garments, chemicals and electronic parts. There are more than 24,000 Filipino workers deployed in South Korea under Koreas Employment Permit System. COMMENT DISCLAIMER: Reader comments posted on this Web site are not in any way endorsed by Manila Standard. Comments are views by manilastandard.net readers who exercise their right to free expression and they do not necessarily represent or reflect the position or viewpoint of manilastandard.net. While reserving this publications right to delete comments that are deemed offensive, indecent or inconsistent with Manila Standard editorial standards, Manila Standard may not be held liable for any false information posted by readers in this comments section. Source: Xinhua| 2018-05-26 21:56:56|Editor: ZD Video Player Close HEFEI, May 26 (Xinhua) -- Hefei, once considered a rural backwater, has become a favorite city for multinational companies, thanks to the rapid development of its manufacturing industry. Whirlpool, an American home appliance maker, opened its new China headquarters and global R&D center in the city on Thursday. On Friday, Volkswagen, together with its Chinese partner JAV Motors, launched its first domestically made electric SUV in Hefei, also capital of Anhui Province. The ongoing World Manufacturing Convention in the city attracted about 4,000 participants worldwide, including senior executives of 315 foreign manufacturing firms, aiming to cash in on China's manufacturing upgrades. "China is developing faster than the rest of the world on new energy vehicles, intelligent transportation and connectivity. Volkswagen strongly takes it into account," Volkswagen Group China President and CEO Jochem Heizmann told Xinhua. JAC Volkswagen was established in December 2017. Within half a year, it launched its first vehicle, which will hit the market in the latter half of this year. Last month, China announced plans to phase out shareholding limits for foreign investors in the automobile industry as part of its efforts to further expand opening-up. The cap will be removed for commercial car producers in 2020 and passenger car producers in 2022. International carmakers will be allowed to have more than two joint ventures in the country as well. Volkswagen will be a direct beneficiary of the policy change as it opens its third joint venture, JAC Volkswagen, the country's first joint venture focused on developing electric vehicles. The German carmaker plans to provide 400,000 new energy vehicles to Chinese customers before 2020, and up to 1.5 million such vehicles by 2025. Like Volkswagen, Whirlpool has been in the Chinese market for more than 30 years. Unlike many multinationals that put their Chinese headquarters in coastal metropolises, it moved its headquarters from Shanghai to Hefei, a rising home appliance manufacturing hub in China. "The presence of competitors in Anhui Province actually helps us as well, because we collectively attract the best suppliers, knowledgeable technicians and university graduates," said Whirlpool President and CEO Marc Bitzer, adding that the Hefei-Anhui industrial cluster is the company's third, and it has tremendous growth opportunities for the future. "We started in China more than 30 years ago, when 'Made in China' meant low cost and low tech. We have developed in the last five years a new model we called 'Made in China' that equals high tech and high quality, which is in line with the vision of the Chinese government," Bitzer told Xinhua. Whirlpool's Hefei smart factory, which was completed in November last year, includes digitization, automation and intelligent logistics systems, which carry out intelligent control of production processes and backend data feedback. "The high cost, high quality smart factories are a sustainable model for China. The sooner we start, the earlier we arrive," he said. The transition to high-quality development and expansion of opening-up in the manufacturing industry have created enormous opportunities for foreign companies, with more value-added products and a market with bigger purchasing power, thanks to the rise of China's middle class, according to Wu Xiaohua, deputy head of the Academy of Macroeconomic Research under the National Development and Reform Commission. Among 609 manufacturing sector sub-categories, 96.1 percent were completely open to foreign investment, according to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT). In 2017, the manufacturing sector attracted total foreign direct investment of 33.5 billion U.S. dollars. The MIIT data also showed that 4,986 foreign-invested manufacturing firms were set up last year, up 24.3 percent year on year. The main fields of foreign investment covered computers, integrated circuits, smart manufacturing and other high-tech sectors. Thomas Reinbacher, China chief representative of University 4 Industry, a German Industry 4.0 education platform, came to the World Manufacturing Convention in search of business opportunities. Reinbacher said his platform has more than 100 experts from over 50 manufacturing companies, including BMW and Volkswagen, who can share the German industrial experience with their Chinese counterparts. "We hope we can grow with China's manufacturing industry," said Reinbacher. ADDIS ABABA, May 26 (Xinhua) -- Authorities in Ethiopia's northern Amhara regional state announced on Saturday they've intercepted 116 guns and thousands of bullets which were being smuggled to Ethiopia from Sudan. Aberaraw Yehuala, Chief of West Metema locality police department, West Gonder zone, Amhara regional state, said the illegal arms were intercepted through the coordination of local civilians, regional security forces and the Ethiopian army, reported state media Ethiopia News Agency. Yehuala further said the arms were intercepted in a three-day period this week, during checks on lorries coming from Sudan and that three drivers have been arrested on suspicion of trying to smuggle the illegal arms to Ethiopia. Violent anti-government protests in Gonder region of Amhara regional state in July 2016, over a reallocation of a district to the neighboring Tigray regional state two decades ago morphed into an armed confrontation between security forces and armed civilians, leaving several dead from both sides. Since then, the Ethiopian federal government and Amhara regional state have strengthened checks on vehicles entering into and from Sudan to Gonder region to avoid a repeat of the July 2016 clashes that shocked many Ethiopians. Ethiopia strictly controls licensing and movement of arms across the country and private arms ownership is relatively rare in the East African country. Source: Xinhua| 2018-05-26 22:06:59|Editor: ZD Video Player Close Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Burkina Faso's Foreign Minister Alpha Barry sign a joint communique to resume diplomatic relations between China and Burkina Faso, in Beijing, capital of China, May 26, 2018. (Xinhua/Wang Ye) BEIJING, May 26 (Xinhua) -- China and Burkina Faso on Saturday announced the resumption of diplomatic ties in a joint communique signed by Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Burkina Faso's Foreign Minister Alpha Barry in Beijing. The communique said the resumption of the ties was in line with the interests and wishes of the people in the two countries. The two governments agree to develop friendly relations based on the principles of mutual respect of sovereignty and territorial integrity, non-aggression, non-interference in each other's internal affairs, equality, mutual benefit and peaceful coexistence, the communique said. The government of Burkina Faso recognizes that there is but one China in the world, that the government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China, and that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory. The government of Burkina Faso promises it will have neither official relations nor official exchanges with Taiwan, it said. The African nation announced a decision to sever its "diplomatic" relationship with Taiwan on Thursday. Source: Xinhua| 2018-05-26 22:07:00|Editor: Li Xia Video Player Close DAMASCUS, May 26 (Xinhua) -- At least five people were killed and 43 others wounded on Saturday when a car bomb went off in the rebel-held city of Idlib in northwestern Syria, a monitor group reported. The big explosion rocked the 30-Street in Idlib, causing heavy smoke and dust in the area, said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The death toll could likely rise as many people were in critical conditions, the London-based watchdog added. The explosion came just two weeks after a previous one targeting the city, which killed 28 people, including militants with the al-Qaida-linked Levant Liberation Committee. Idlib has for long been under the control of various rebel groups, as it is the main destination for the rebels who recently evacuated the areas around the capital Damascus and in central Syria after reaching deals with the government. After being jam-packed with militants, Idlib has witnessed rising infighting between rebel groups, particularly attacks against the al-Qaida-linked ones. ADDIS ABABA, May 26 (Xinhua) -- The Office of Ethiopia Federal Attorney General announced on Saturday it has pardoned 740 individuals and four companies. Speaking to journalists, Federal Attorney general Berhanu Tsegaye said 137 individuals imprisoned on terror charges were released, along with 27 individuals imprisoned on corruption charges were give the pardon. Corruption charges on four companies was also discontinued. Tsegaye said another 576 individuals serving time on various other criminal charges were also pardoned, 18 of whom are females. The prisoner releases are part of the Ethiopian government's promises to institute political reform and affirm commitment to good governance. Since the swearing in of new Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on April 2, several thousand prisoners including prominent opposition figures and activists have been released. ADDIS ABABA, May 26 (Xinhua) -- Ethiopia is undertaking border demarcation with all its neighboring countries except Eritrea, an Ethiopian official said on Saturday. Shemsudin Ahmed, Director of Border and Trans-border Resources Affairs in the Ethiopia Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said Ethiopia is jointly working with neighboring countries to ensure the border demarcation is done on a mutually satisfying basis and strengthens inter-country relations, reported state affiliated media Walta Information Center. He said the demarcation of the border will facilitate peace and assure movement of citizens. A border dispute between Ethiopia and its northern neighbor Eritrea led to a bloody two-year border war between 1998-200, which killed an estimated 70,000 people from both sides. Since then, the two countries are engaged in a state of armed standoff along their common border, punctuated occasionally by sporadic small-scale clashes. Source: Xinhua| 2018-05-26 22:57:09|Editor: yan Video Player Close HONG KONG, May 26 (Xinhua) -- A senior official with the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) government said on Saturday that Hong Kong supports high quality bilateral and regional economic arrangements that would add momentum to further trade and investment liberalization, contributing to the realization of the long-term vision of the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific. Edward Yau, Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, made the remarks during a discussion on the second day of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Ministers Responsible for Trade (MRT) Meeting in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, according to a press release by the SAR government. "As an economy which champions free and open trade for years, Hong Kong consistently practices what we preach, and has been duly recognized for decades by international institutions as the world's freest economy for 24 years in a row. We firmly believe that inclusive economic growth and free and open trade can go hand-in-hand, reinforcing each other," he said. Yau said being a services-oriented economy, Hong Kong welcomes APEC's progress in the implementation of the APEC Services Competitiveness roadmap. Hong Kong will continue to work with APEC member economies in the implementation of the road-map. He hoped all APEC members could make the best of APEC's strength as a forward looking, highly motivated driving force for open and free trade and investment in the world when developing its post 2020 vision. At the conclusion of the MRT meeting, a chair's statement that represents APEC's prevailing view in support of the Multilateral Trading System was issued. Participating ministers also endorsed the MRT statement which reaffirmed APEC member economies' commitment to improving connectivity and deepening regional economic integration, promoting sustainable and inclusive growth, strengthening inclusive growth through structural reform and strengthening economic and technical cooperation. HO CHI MINH CITY, May 26 (Xinhua) -- Despite its considerable tuberculosis (TB) prevention efforts and high rate of successful treatment, Vietnam is still ranked the 16th among 30 countries in the world with the biggest numbers of TB patients, according to statistics from the World Health Organization (WHO). Vietnam spots nearly 130,000 TB patients each year, the country's National Lung Hospital said on Saturday, quoting the WHO's estimation. Recently, Vietnam has quickly and effectively applied new technologies to fight TB in a short period of time, and it has planned to eliminate the disease by 2030. Since the adoption of multidrug-resistant TB treatment in 2009, Vietnam has treated some 11,000 patients with the success rate of over 70 percent, the hospital said, noting that the world's rate of successfully treating multidrug-resistant TB is 54 percent. People visit Chinese stand during the International Exhibition for Agriculture and Food Industry AgroBalt 2018 in Vilnius, Lithuania, on May 24, 2018. The International Exhibition for Agriculture and Food Industry AgroBalt 2018, which started on Thursday in Vilnius, attracted 200 participants from 24 countries, including a big delegation from China. (Xinhua/Guo Mingfang) VILNIUS, May 26 (Xinhua) -- The International Exhibition for Agriculture and Food Industry AgroBalt 2018, which started on Thursday in Vilnius, attracted 200 participants from 24 countries, including a big delegation from China. With 24 Chinese companies present, the Chinese exhibition stand attracted a lot of visitors, including Lithuanian Prime Minister Saulius Skvernelis and Agriculture Minister Giedrius Surplys. "More and more Lithuanians enjoy Chinese food and Chinese products. I myself just tasted some delicious Chinese food at the Chinese exhibition stand," the agriculture minister told Xinhua. He said the Lithuanian government attached great importance to the Chinese market and was looking forward to trade cooperation with China, not only for exports, but also imports. With regard to the China International Import Expo to be held in Shanghai in November, the minister believed and hoped that Lithuania "would bring our best (to the exhibition) and we would learn about China's best possibilities to trade". Rolandas Taraskevicius, adviser of Lithuania's agricultural minister, said that AgroBalt is more businesses-oriented event rather than exhibition for farmers. In the words of Taraskevicius, AgroBalt opens a good opportunity for businesses to present themselves to potential partners and clients. According to the Lithuanian official, the visit of Chinese delegation gives a unique possibility for Lithuanian business people as Chinese exporters, traders and distributors are among the delegates. "It shows that they are ready to offer some opportunities to Lithuania, it is an exclusive chance," Taraskevicius was quoted as saying by local media after he visited the exhibition. The international meeting of ministers of agriculture on the grounds of 16+1 cooperation framework, involving Central and Eastern European countries and China, will take place during AgroBalt. The exhibition will continue until May 26. ADDIS ABABA, May 26 (Xinhua) -- The Federal Attorney General of Ethiopia on Saturday officially dropped corruption charges against 740 convicts, including former high-profile Ethiopian government officials and a prominent rebel leader. According to Berhanu Tsegaye, some 137 of the pardoned individuals were imprisoned on terror charges, while 27 others were charged in connection with corruption. Among the released terrorism related convicts is the prominent rebel leader, Andargachew Tsige, a British citizen of Ethiopian origin, who has been serving a prison sentence since June 2014, for leading and directing an outlawed rebel group Ginbot 7, based mainly in Ethiopia's neighboring nation Eritrea. Tsige's release, which the attorney general said was on a "special amnesty rationale," followed the announcement on Friday to release former high-profile Ethiopian government officials. Among the former Ethiopian government officials whose cases dropped on Friday include Melaku Fanta, the former Director General of the Ethiopian Revenues and Customs Authority with the rank of a Minister, and his deputy, Gebrewahed Woldegiorgis, who were arrested in 2013 together with other 11 individuals suspected of involving in large scale corruption cases, state television EBC reported. Alemayehu Gojo, former deputy minister of finance and economic cooperation, who was arrested last year as part of Ethiopia's biggest anti-corruption sweep in years, is also another high-profile defendant included in the attorney general's latest amnesty list. Gojo, who is a member of Ethiopian Parliament, had his immunity revoked by a vote in the Parliament, a necessary step before he was prosecuted for corruption. Tsegaye, announcing the pardon on Saturday, also revealed that some 576 individuals serving time on various other criminal charges were also pardoned as part of the large government's amnesty program. The amnesty program, which the Ethiopian government said is a means towards national reconciliation and unity, has seen the release of thousands of prisoners and others under investigation since the swearing in of Ethiopia's new Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed, on April 2. Just last month, 114 defendants who were detained on terrorism cases were given pardon followed by the closure of a notorious detention and investigation center located in the capital Addis Ababa. The Ethiopian government has characterized the mass prisoner release programs as part of its efforts to widen political space by creating national consensus and reconciliation. Regional states have also conducted similar large scale prisoners release recently, including pardoning more than 2,200 prisoners by Ethiopia's northern Tigray regional state. Ethiopia's largest Oromia regional state administration has also on Thursday pardoned some 7,611 prisoners. The Department of Foreign Affairs on Saturday extended its condolences to the families of two Filipina nurses who were killed in a car accident in Australia on Friday. In a statement released on Saturday, the DFA confirmed that two individuals who died from a head-on car crash were Filipina nurses. Our thoughts and prayers go to the loved ones of two of our own who lost their lives in this tragedy, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano said after receiving the initial report from Ambassador Minda Cruz of the Philippine Embassy in Canberra. Cayetano also said that the country is praying for the quick recovery of six others who were injured. The Foreign Affairs chief added that the DFA is ready to extend any possible assistance that the families of the victims may require.In her report, Cruz said a pharmacist, his three children and a relative of one of the fatalities were injured in the car crash. Cruz said the two fatalities, who were active members of the Filipino Community in Canberra, were on their way to Melbourne to attend an El Shaddai anniversary event when the accident happened. The envoy who visited the injured victims in the hospital, said the victims were on board a Dodge Journey vehicle which collided head-on with a Toyota Land Cruiser being driven by a 65-year-old man. The crash, which took place along a stretch of highway in Wallaroo, about an hour from Canberra, is under investigation by authorities. Source: Xinhua| 2018-05-26 23:47:18|Editor: Yamei Video Player Close Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Burkina Faso's Foreign Minister Alpha Barry sign a joint communique to resume diplomatic relations between China and Burkina Faso, in Beijing, capital of China, May 26, 2018. (Xinhua/Wang Ye) BEIJING, May 26 (Xinhua) -- China and Burkina Faso on Saturday announced the resumption of diplomatic ties in a joint communique signed by Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Burkina Faso's Foreign Minister Alpha Barry in Beijing. The communique said the resumption of the ties was in line with the interests and wishes of the people in the two countries. The two governments agree to develop friendly relations based on the principles of mutual respect of sovereignty and territorial integrity, non-aggression, non-interference in each other's internal affairs, equality, mutual benefit and peaceful coexistence, the communique said. The government of Burkina Faso recognizes that there is but one China in the world, that the government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China, and that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory. The government of Burkina Faso promises it will have neither official relations nor official exchanges with Taiwan, it said. The African nation announced a decision to sever its "diplomatic" relationship with Taiwan on Thursday. At a press briefing after the meeting on Saturday, Wang Yi said China highly commended the government of Burkina Faso for making a right political decision. According to Wang, the two sides agreed to enhance political trust and forge ahead friendly exchanges and cooperation in various fields to bring substantial benefits to the people of the two countries. Chinese President Xi Jinping welcomes Burkina Faso's President Roch Marc Christian Kabore to attend the Beijing summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation to be held in September and President Kabore has expressed his expectation for the summit, said Wang. He said the resumption of China-Burkina Faso ties signified a step forward to a goal that all African nations will join in the big family of friendly cooperation between China and Africa. Both China and Africa long for early realization of this goal, he said. "Only one African country has not established diplomatic relations with China and we sincerely hope that this country could soon join in the China-Africa family of friendship," he said. WASHINGTON, May 26 (Xinhua) -- The White House said on Saturday that a preparation team for a possible meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)'s top leader Kim Jong Un will leave for Singapore as scheduled. White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said in a statement that "the White House pre-advance team for Singapore will leave as scheduled in order to prepare should the summit take place." Trump said on Friday that the United States could still meet with Kim as planned on June 12 in Singapore. Trump tweeted that "we are having very productive talks with North Korea about reinstating the Summit which, if it does happen, will likely remain in Singapore on the same date, June 12th." He added that if necessary, the meeting "will be extended beyond that date." Trump had called off the meeting on Thursday before backtracking a day later, saying the summit could still take place. Should the summit take place, it would be the first time for a sitting U.S. president to meet a DPRK leader. ADDIS ABABA, May 26 (Xinhua) -- Ethiopian government disclosed on Saturday that the country's road coverage has increased from less than 19,000km to 113,000km during the last 27 years. The Ethiopian Roads Authority said the East African country's road coverage in 1991 was estimated to be less than 19,000km, of which the share of rural areas was less than 6,000km while urban areas with around 12,000km. With 113,000km total road coverage, road access has now reached to 1.23km per 1,000 Ethiopians, figures from Ethiopian Roads Authority indicated. The authority further noted Ethiopia's current investments in the infrastructure construction sector, which includes railway construction across the country as well as connecting the capital Addis Ababa with the long-serving Djibouti port. The 752km transnational Ethiopia-Djibouti Standard Gauge Rail, East Africa's first electrified railway, and the Addis Ababa Light Rail, a 475-million-U.S. dollar railway project, are the pioneer railway infrastructures in Ethiopia. The Ethiopian government also considered the two Chinese-built transport projects as flagship infrastructure projects as Ethiopia works to remain as Africa's fastest-growing economy. Meanwhile, Ethiopia's electricity generation capacity has also registered an 11-fold increase during the last 27 years, according to the Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP). According to EEP CEO, Azeb Asnake, Ethiopia has managed to increase its electricity generation from 380 Mega Watts (MW) in 1991 to around 4,300 MW currently. She also said EEP has managed to increase its customer numbers from 600,000 in 1991 to around 2.8 million people in 2018, while an additional 8,000 rural towns being beneficiaries of electricity during the same period. "Ethiopia is constructing several energy projects, including the 6,450 MW Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), which in total can generate about 9,000 MW of additional energy," said Asnake. CAIRO, May 26 (Xinhua) -- Egypt's top administrative court ordered on Saturday to block YouTube streaming website for one month over hosting a video that denigrates Prophet Muhammad of Islam. A lower administrative court has previously ordered the National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (NTRA) to do so, but the latter appealed against the ruling, citing it was hard to implement. The top administrative court rejected the NTRA appeal on Saturday and upheld the YouTube temporary ban as a final, unappealable ruling. The lawsuit dates back to 2013 when an Egyptian lawyer demanded for blocking YouTube in Egypt until the offensive clip on Prophet Muhammad and other anti-Islamic videos are removed. Privately funded and produced in California, the video in discussion first appeared on YouTube in 2012, raising a wave of anti-American outrage in the Muslim world where Prophet Muhammad is highly revered. It is unclear how the temporary ban will be implemented, as YouTube was still working in Egypt Saturday afternoon. Source: Xinhua| 2018-05-27 00:12:25|Editor: yan Video Player Close TIKRIT, Iraq, May 26 (Xinhua) -- Four Iraqi police officers were killed on Saturday during an operation to hunt down remnants of the Islamic State (IS) militant group in the central province of Salahudin, a provincial police source said. In the early morning, a joint force from Iraqi army, provincial police and a paramilitary Hashd Shaabi brigade, backed by helicopter gunships, advanced from two directions to clear the rugged Mteibijah area near the border between the provinces of Salahudin and Diyala, Mohammed al-Obeidi told Xinhua. During the operation, a huge roadside bomb explosion hit a police vehicle, killing Mohammed al-Jubouri, police chief of the town of Alam, some 15 km east of the provincial capital Tikrit, his deputy Salih Samir and two policemen, Obeidi said. The operation in Mteibijah was designed to take control of the entire area, where hundreds of IS militants are believed to hide, in order to prevent their attacks against civilian and military targets in Salahudin and Diyala, he added. However, the vast rugged land and mountains in the predominately Sunni Arab province of Salahudin have made it difficult for Iraqi troops to dislodge the extremist militants from Mteibijah. Hundreds of IS militants earlier fled their former bases in the key cities of Salahudin, including Tikrit, after the Iraqi forces cleared these areas during major anti-IS offensives. Late in 2017, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, also the commander-in-chief of Iraqi forces, officially declared full liberation of Iraq from IS militants after Iraqi forces recaptured all the areas once seized by the extremist group. However, some IS remnants have since melted in urban areas or fled to deserts and rugged areas in the country, carrying out attacks from time to time against security forces and civilians. Source: Xinhua| 2018-05-27 00:17:26|Editor: yan Video Player Close TEHRAN, May 26 (Xinhua) -- Iran on Saturday denied reports that it will negotiate with the European Union (EU) over the country's ballistic missile program, Tasnim news agency reported. Such reports and lies are parts of "a psychological operation" by Israel, Tasnim cited Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif as saying. "We have said times and again that we are merely negotiating about the JCPOA and have no demands or words beyond it," he said. The JCPOA refers to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action signed in 2015 between Iran and six major powers including Britain, France, Russia, China, the U.S. and Germany. "The EU itself denied the reports" about missile talks too, Zarif added. On Friday, Iran and five other parties to the deal, namely Britain, China, France, Russia and Germany, held a meeting in the Austrian capital of Vienna to discuss the future of the nuclear deal after the U.S. withdrawal. Abbas Araghchi, Iran's deputy foreign minister and a senior nuclear negotiator, said following the meeting that the Islamic republic will decide whether to stay in the nuclear deal, following a series of negotiations at different levels over the next few weeks. Source: Xinhua| 2018-05-27 00:17:26|Editor: yan Video Player Close AMMAN, May 26 (Xinhua) -- The Jordan Atomic Energy Commission (JAEC) and Russia's state-owned Rosatom Overseas signed a deal Saturday to conduct a joint feasibility study for building a Russian-designed Small Modular Reactor in Jordan (SMRs). Building on the cooperation and studies performed for a large nuclear power plant, Russia and Jordan have decided to intensify and step up their cooperation in building SMRs, Khaled Toukan, chairman of the JAEC, said in a statement. "We have been cooperating with Rosatom for many years, and we are going to build on this cooperation in various spheres. Today, a potential project to construct SMR-type NPP (nuclear power plant) seems more relevant and more needed, so we would like to focus on it," Toukan said. Evgeny Pakermanov, president of Rosatom Overseas, said the Russian group and Jordan decided to focus cooperation on enhancing SMR technology projects based on Rosatom's innovative solutions. "The SMR technologies will certainly become one of our top priorities on the way to develop the world energy market," he said in the statement. Apart from its modular composition, one of the main advantages of the Russian-designed SMR plant is it could be used as a desalination and heating plant, according to the statement. Jordan is looking forward to benefiting from all the available technologies in order to meet its energy needs. In 2015, Jordan signed an agreement with Russia for building a nuclear power plant with a total capacity of 2,000 megawatt, at a cost of 10 billion U.S. dollars. Russia and Jordan are cooperating closely in the human resource development area, to implement the nuclear project in Jordan. Currently, 100 Jordanian students are studying in related programs in major Russian universities, according to JAEC. British surgeon Richard Villar (L) and Essam al-Sayd, a French doctor of Egyptian origin, came to the Gaza Strip to help save the lives of the Palestinians injured by Israeli gunfire during the recent clashes near the Gaza-Israeli border. (Xinhua) GAZA, May 26 (Xinhua) -- Upon arrival in the Palestinian Gaza Strip, Richard Villar, a British surgeon with the International Committee for Red Cross (ICRC), rushed to the Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza city to help save the Palestinian protesters injured by Israeli gunfire. Villar arrived in Gaza one day before the mass anti-Israel Palestinian rallies peaked on May 14, leaving more than 60 Palestinians dead and thousands of others injured. "This is the largest casualties I have ever seen in one day," Villar told Xinhua. The British doctor is one of many physicians who came to help treat thousands of Gaza protesters injured during the mass rallies, known as the "Great March of Return," which kicked off on March 30. Around 115 Palestinians have been killed and 13,000 others injured by Israeli since late march. Villar is now helping Palestinian doctors at Gaza's largest hospital of Shifa. "The number of the casualties was a surprise, but the nature of the casualties was not a surprise because I have been to conflict zones before," the 65-year-old doctor told Xinhua, adding that the majority of the wounds were in the lower limbs. The doctor said he came to Gaza to help medical teams save lives, but he also said that he learned many things from Gaza doctors. He affirmed that Gaza has excellent medical staff as they are well experienced in dealing with incidents, but he said the problem is with the availability of equipment, medications and disposable items. Hospitals in Gaza have already been suffering from a lack of medical supplies, equipment, and electricity due to the blockade Israel has been imposing on the seaside territory since 2007. The health ministry in Gaza has recently warned that the health situation in the Hamas-ruled territory is on the verge of collapse amid severe shortage of medicines and medical supplies. According to the ministry, deficit in medicines reaches 50 percent, while there is a 27-percent shortage in medical consumables, and a 58-percent shortage in laboratory materials and blood banks. Seven government hospitals out of 12 receive emergency cases during confrontations between Palestinian protesters and Israeli soldiers, according to health ministry in Gaza. The ministry said the seven hospitals are struggling to deal with so many wounded amid shortage of human resources and supplies for operations. The ministry has sent urgent appeals to international organizations to provide medicines and supplies to public hospitals in the Gaza Strip. In a recent interview with Xinhua, World Health Organization (WHO) official Mahmoud Daher warned of the gravity of health situation in Gaza due to a large number of injuries. Daher stressed that WHO is making efforts to urge the international community to provide more aid to government hospitals in Gaza, as well as projects worth millions of U.S. dollars to provide supplies, medicines, medical equipment and emergency trainings. He said the aid provided until now is not enough as budget for health sector in Gaza is over 40 million dollars. These warnings led Essam al-Sayd, a French surgeon of Egyptian origin, to come to Gaza to give a hand. "I have dealt with large numbers of casualties since I arrived here," he told Xinhua. He added that he and his colleagues at the Gaza European Hospital in Khan Younis conducted 30 surgeries on May 15. "Most of the injured were shot in the lower part (of the body), which may cause future disabilities," he explained. Sayd is supposed to stay in Gaza for three more weeks to help those injured in the ongoing clashes with Israeli soldiers. "I will always come back to save lives here," he said. SOFIA, May 26 (Xinhua) -- Bulgarian law enforcement authorities at the country's Lesovo checkpoint on the country's southeastern border with Turkey have seized 4.992 kg of cannabis, authorities said Saturday. The illicit drug, split into 14 packets, was found on Friday morning in a Bulgaria-registered car traveling to Turkey, the country's Interior Ministry and National Customs Agency (NCA) said in a joint statement. The driver of the vehicle, a Bulgarian citizen, was arrested at the scene, the statement said. According to official data, Bulgaria seized 471.8 kg of cannabis at its borders in 2017. Source: Xinhua| 2018-05-27 01:02:40|Editor: yan Video Player Close TAIPEI, May 26 (Xinhua) -- Taiwan's statistics authority said Saturday that the island's economy is expected to grow by 2.6 percent in 2018, 0.18 percentage points higher than the previous forecast released in February. The adjustment was made based on strong economic performance in the first quarter, which saw a 3.02-percent increase based on a preliminary estimate, said the authority. The annual Consumer Price Index (CPI) forecast was raised to 1.49 percent, up 0.28 percentage points, mainly reflecting escalating oil prices. It also revised the 2017 economic growth rate to 2.89 percent from the previous report of 2.86 percent. Ousted chief justice Maria Lourdes Sereno on Friday asked the Supreme Court to give her more time to explain why she should not be sanctioned for violating the sub judice rule and for casting aspersions on members of the bench at the height of debates on the quo warranto case against her. Serenos spokesperson, Josalee Deinla, said Sereno has already filed a motion for extension asking Supreme Court to give her 15 days more, or until June 9, to respond to the show cause order. In its May 11 ruling, the Court ousted Sereno as top magistrate for violating the Constitution by failing to file the required Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth and ordered her to show cause why she should not be sanctioned for speaking in public about her case when it was ongoing as well as for casting aspersions on members of the Court. When this petition for quo warranto was filed, respondent (Sereno) continuously refused to recognize this Courts (SCs) jurisdiction. Instead of participating in the process and answering the charges against her truthfully to assist in the expeditious resolution of the matter, respondent opted to proceed to a nationwide campaign, conducting speeches and accepting interviews, discussing the merits of the case and making comments thereon to vilify the members of the Congress, cast aspersions on the impartiality of the members of the Court, degrade the faith of the people to the judiciary, and falsely impute ill-motives against the government that it is orchestrating the charges against her, the Court said, in a decision penned by Associate Justice Noel Tijam. It is well-nigh unthinkable for respondent to profess deprivation of due process when she herself chose to litigate her case before the media, the tribunal said. The SC said Serenos behavior of disdain and contempt towards some justices whom she dubbed as Biased 5 originally, and later, Biased 6, can no longer be tolerated. Such actions, indeed, resulted in the obfuscation of the issues on hand, camouflaging the charges against her with assaults to judicial independence, and falsely conditioning the publics mind that this is a fight for democracy. Once and for all, it should be stated that this is not a fight for democracy nor for judicial independence. This is an undertaking of the Courts duty, as it is called for by the Republic, to judicially determine and settle the uncertainty in the qualification, or otherwise, of respondent to sit on the highest position in the judiciary, the Court said.Voting 8-6, the high court granted the quo warranto petition seeking to nullify Serenos appointment as chief justice in 2012 for failing to submit her SALNs before the Judicial and Bar Council, which set the requirement for applicants. An opposition lawmaker, meanwhile, accused House leaders of treason for allegedly abdicating their constitutional duty to impeach erring public officials. Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman, a member of the opposition, said the House leadership should have been disposed of the impeachment case filed against Sereno amid the Supreme Court ruling in favor of the quo warranto petition against Sereno. But instead of having acted on the articles of impeachment, the House leadership put the complaint on the backburner. The leadership of the House of Representatives has committed treason against the chamber when it abandoned and forfeited the constitutional power of the House to initiate impeachment proceedings in the wake of the power grab by eight Justices of the Supreme Court who removed Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno by granting an irregular and improvident quo warranto petition, Lagman said. The House leaders, particularly Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez and Majority Leader Rodolfo Farinas, have unilaterally deferred to the finality of the 8-6 High Court decision unseating the chief magistrate without following the constitutionally mandated impeachment process, he added. This is the 3D rendering of the architectural design of the Sabah Al-Salem University City, or Kuwait University, which is the country's key national strategic construction project being built by Chinese companies. (Xinhua) KUWAIT CITY, May 26 (Xinhua) -- "I feel guilty but proud," Qu Yonggang, an engineer of China State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCEC), told Xinhua on the construction site of the Sabah Al-Salem University City, or Kuwait University. He was in response to the recent fame he gained online after his newly-wed wife "complained" in an online post about him for having no time to care for her and the family. "I wish I could become a brick in Kuwait University so that I could see him everyday," said Qu's wife, who wast left home in China, far away from Kuwait. Speaking of his wife's post, Qu admitted "I didn't care enough about my family, but I am more needed here." "I am one of the bricks for building the Kuwait University," he joked in the interview with Xinhua. Qu, whose job at the construction site in Kuwait University is managing the project's costs, has been indeed very busy and lacks enough time to care about his wife and family afar. "There are more than 30,000 items on the list, ranging from truckloads to sand and cement," he said. "I need to compare the construction progress with cost consumption to ensure high quality. I have to keep track of construction progress, submit reports in a timely manner, and correct deviations," he noted. Even when returning to China for a short stay to attend his wedding ceremony, Qu still had to take a laptop with him anytime. He even worked alone from the afternoon to the evening while his relatives and friends celebrated his wedding in another room. That was because that "the report can not be delayed," he said. Qu didn't delay his schedule of flying back to Kuwait, despite his wife had a high fever that day. Since graduating from college in 2013, Qu has gone through the entire process of the CSCEC's project of Kuwait University: bidding, winning the contract, and executing the entire project. Thanks to the responsibility and hard work by Chinese employees in the CSCEC, the university project is expected to be completed by the end of next year. Sabah Al-Salem University City, or Kuwait University, is the country's key national strategic construction project. It covers an area of 6 million square meters. Once completed, it will provide 40,000 university students with brand-new facilities, including a teaching building, a conference center, and a library. At present, most of the major projects in the University City are being implemented by Chinese companies, including the CSCEC. "We will leave Kuwait with high-quality buildings. It will certainly be a business card representing 'China's construction'," Qu said. He also expected to compensate his wife who he thinks he owes a lot due to the mission in Kuwait. "Family support is the most important when you are working abroad. I hope I can compensate her after finishing the project," he said. Qu is just one of about 8,000 Chinese employees working on about 80 projects as more than 40 Chinese companies are operating in this Arab country. Since the Kuwaiti government decided to merge its "Vision 2035" with China's Belt and Road Initiative, more Chinese companies have come to Kuwait to seek opportunities. Proposed in 2013, the initiative, formally known as the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, aims to build a trade and infrastructure network connecting Asia with Europe and Africa along the ancient trade routes of the Silk Road. Qu said almost every Chinese employee working in Kuwait has a similar story like his. Through building high-rise buildings, roads and bridges, China has expanded its cooperation with Kuwait, which benefits local people who will eventually enjoy the convenience offered by these facilities. With the scheduled delivery of the entire campus of Kuwait University in 2021, it will surely become the highlight of the fruitful China-Kuwait cooperation within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative. Source: Xinhua| 2018-05-27 01:12:43|Editor: yan Video Player Close TEHRAN, May 26 (Xinhua) -- Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on Saturday congratulated his Venezuelan counterpart Nicolas Maduro for his re-election, state TV reported. In a message to Maduro, Rouhani hailed the election in Venezuela as "successful, peaceful and fair," saying it was a "great victory" for the Latin American nation. "Without a doubt, the successful, peaceful and fair election, under economic sanctions and threats by foreign powers, is considered a great victory and achievement for the government and people of Venezuela," Rouhani said. Iran is hopeful about further expansion of the "cordial and all-out" relations through joint efforts during Maduro's presidency, he added. Last week, Maduro secured a second six-year term in the Venezuelan presidential election. Source: Xinhua| 2018-05-27 01:22:46|Editor: yan Video Player Close BEIJING, May 26 (Xinhua) -- Chinese researchers are developing a satellite navigation system to assist the development of unmanned vehicles. The low orbit Satellite Based Augmentation System (SBAS) is developed by China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation. The system is based on a low orbit micro-nano satellite that was launched together with the fourth Fengyun-III meteorological satellite in November 2017. The low orbit navigation satellite can conduct high accuracy positioning down to the centimeter level in five minutes. High-accuracy positioning on the ocean and across remote mountainous areas will be helped by the low orbit SBAS, which can also act as ground observation stations. The SBAS is considered the best choice for unmanned vehicles, since it has the advantages of lower costs and global coverage. The low orbit SBAS is also expected to be applied in agricultural drones and landslide monitoring. An Iranian military truck carries missiles during a parade on the occasion of the annual Army Day on April 18, 2018 in the Iranian capital Tehran. (AFP PHOTO) TEHRAN, May 26 (Xinhua) -- Iran on Saturday denied reports that it will negotiate with the European Union (EU) over the country's ballistic missile program, Tasnim news agency reported. Such reports and lies are parts of "a psychological operation" by Israel, Tasnim cited Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif as saying. "We have said times and again that we are merely negotiating about the JCPOA and have no demands or words beyond it," he said. The JCPOA refers to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action signed in 2015 between Iran and six major powers including Britain, France, Russia, China, the U.S. and Germany. "The EU itself denied the reports" about missile talks too, Zarif added. On Friday, Iran and five other parties to the deal, namely Britain, China, France, Russia and Germany, held a meeting in the Austrian capital of Vienna to discuss the future of the nuclear deal after the U.S. withdrawal. Abbas Araghchi, Iran's deputy foreign minister and a senior nuclear negotiator, said following the meeting that the Islamic republic will decide whether to stay in the nuclear deal, following a series of negotiations at different levels over the next few weeks. ADDIS ABABA, May 26 (Xinhua) -- Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Rwandan President Paul Kagame have vowed to work together on continental, regional and bilateral issues of common interest towards development. The two leaders announced their respective country's commitment as part of Kagame's two-day state visit to the East African country starting Friday, where he paid a visit to Ethiopia's major development infrastructures such as Ethiopia's flagship Chinese-built Hawassa Industrial Park. Kagame, who is also the current chairperson of the African Union (AU), met and discussed with Ethiopia's Ahmed, as the two pledged to cooperate in various development agendas. Kagame, who lauded the two countries' existing ties, said after his visit to the Hawassa Industrial Park that "we can only move forward hand in hand together in many spheres, and work together like never before." The two leaders have also emphasized on the implementation of the various bilateral agreements signed before, which include the 11 signed agreements across multiple sectors last year as part of the visit of Ethiopia's former Prime Minister, Hailemariam Desalegn, to Rwanda. According to the Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the two leaders' discussions focused on "ways of further strengthening the longstanding, multifarious and historical relations between Ethiopia and Rwanda." The two leaders have also raised various issues on continental matters that include the free trade agreement, which the Ethiopian premier dubbed Rwanda as "the pioneer" with regard to Africa's continental free trade ambition. "The issue of economic integration was a dream for our forefathers now my dear brother (Kagame) is realizing that vision," Ahmed said, adding that "Rwanda is taking a measure to integrate Africa." Ahmed further stressed the ambition to work together, saying that "we will continue to work together to change the continent. I am sure in the next few years we will release some of our visions to change our continent so welcome to your home." Kagame, as part of his tour inside Ethiopia's flagship Chinese-built Hawassa Industrial Park late on Friday, had visited some of the international textile and apparel companies, including PVH, a company known for marketing diversified portfolio of brands including Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger. He also paid a visit to the park's Zero Liquid Discharge facility, an environment-friendly sanitation facility. Kagame's visit to the Hawassa industrial park and other infrastructures in Ethiopia is expected to share the positive aspects of Ethiopia's experience on the sector to Rwanda, according to the Ethiopian Government Communications Affairs Office. The industrial park, which the Ethiopian government considers as a model for the construction of other industrial zones across the country, has proved successful immediately after its inauguration in July 2016. It has attracted world-class textile and apparel companies to the country. Built by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), the Hawassa industrial park, located in Ethiopia's southern city of Hawassa, was completed in a record time of nine months. The Ethiopian government has previously disclosed its plan to generate close to 1 billion U.S. dollars in annual revenue from the park once it starts operations at its full potential. Source: Xinhua| 2018-05-27 02:28:00|Editor: yan Video Player Close TEHRAN, May 26 (Xinhua) -- Iranian Foreign Ministry on Saturday rejected the recent remarks by U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo that Tehran must stop enriching uranium and import the material instead. "We welcome Pompeo to the world of foreign policy and diplomacy. But I believe he is unaware of international developments," Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qasemi said. Meanwhile, Qasemi asserted Iran's "legal right" to uranium enrichment. "Iran's legal right to uranium enrichment has been established and Iran possesses its know-how. So I believe he is not updated on developments and is repeating words of his defeated predecessors," the Iranian spokesman noted. "Such remarks are not understandable either to us or to the world," Qasemi added. DAR ES SALAAM, May 26 (Xinhua) -- State-of-the-art Ebola screening facility has been installed at Tanzania's leading airport following an outbreak of the disease in neighboring Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) that has killed over 20 patients, an official said on Saturday. Faustine Ndugulile, the Deputy Minister for Health, inspected the facility and directed relevant authorities that all passengers arriving through the Julius Nyerere International Airport (JNIA) in the commercial capital Dar es Salaam must be screened. Ndugulile added that the east African country has created a special center at the airport for treating patients diagnosed with the deadly disease. "We are doing all we can to ensure that the disease does not enter into the country," said the minister, adding: "Nobody has been diagnosed with Ebola in the country until now." He said measures have also been put in place to ensure that there was enhanced screening in other entry points, including airports and ports, around the country. On Wednesday, Ndugulile allayed fears of an outbreak of the deadly Ebola virus, saying no person has been diagnosed with the disease in the east African nation. Ndugulile said people should not panic following unconfirmed reports of the outbreak of the disease in the country, the second largest economy in the east African region. The minister was forced to allay the fears after the World Health Organization (WHO) recently confirmed that at least 27 people died from Ebola in DRC. "There is no suspected case of Ebola or Ebola-like symptoms that have been detected in the country, and people should not panic," Ndugulile told a news conference in the commercial capital Dar es Salaam. Last week, Tanzania joined neighboring Uganda and Kenya on issuing an alert. Ummy Mwalimu, the Minister for Health, said the government has directed regional medical officers across the country to strengthen surveillance in an effort to prevent the Ebola outbreak in the country. With this reappearance of the Ebola outbreak, the DRC is at its ninth Ebola outbreak since 1976. The last outbreak recorded by the country took place in May 2017 in the northern province of Bas-Uele which killed four people. The Ebola virus is highly contagious and causes a range of symptoms including fever, vomiting, diarrhea, generalized pain or malaise and in many cases internal and external bleeding. Mortality rates of Ebola fever, according to WHO, are extremely high, with the human case-fatality rate ranging from 50 percent to 89 percent, depending on viral sub-type. FRANKFURT, May 26 (Xinhua) -- China's decision to slash its automobile import tariffs is highly valued by the German automotive industry, president of German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA) Bernhard Mattes said in a statement released recently. "The announcement by China to cut import tariffs on vehicles from the current 25 percent to 15 percent from July 2018 -- tariff reductions are also planned for supplier parts -- is highly valued by the German automotive industry,"said Mattes. In his view, China's tariff cut is another important step for open markets as well as a sign of strengthening international trade. Following Britain, the U.S, Italy and France, China is the fifth largest export market for German passenger vehicles, with around 260,000 cars exported from Germany to China. "Above all, China is an important production location for German manufacturers and suppliers. " Mattes pointed out. In 2017, German manufacturers produced 4.89 million cars in China, which amounted to 30 percent of the entire production of German car brands worldwide, according to VDA. OSLO, May 26 (Xinhua) -- Still 472 days before Norway's local elections next year, Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg has expressed belief in a victory for her Conservative Party, newspaper Aftenposten reported Saturday. "To put it simple: we will win the cities. We will win the villages. In short, we will win the election next year," she told hundreds of party members at a campaign gathering Saturday. Solberg's Conservative Party has a goal that is to take back power in major cities such as Oslo, Trondheim and Bergen, the home town of prime minister, according to the report. The party promises to provide better schools, better elderly care and sustainable welfare municipalities, Aftenposten reported. "When 10,000 children leave school without learning to read and write well, it is a barrier to their further development," Solberg was quoted as saying. "It must therefore be a priority that we get early intervention and ensure that no children experience school refusal because they have not received enough help," she said. Source: Xinhua| 2018-05-27 03:43:12|Editor: yan Video Player Close CAIRO, May 26 (Xinhua) -- Egypt's top administrative court ordered on Saturday to block YouTube streaming website for one month over hosting a video that denigrates Prophet Muhammad of Islam, the Egyptian lawyer who filed the lawsuit told Xinhua. "The ruling is final, unappealable and enforceable," lawyer Mohamed Hamed Salem said. A lower administrative court has previously ordered the National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (NTRA) to do so, but the latter appealed against the ruling, citing it was hard to implement. The top administrative court rejected the NTRA appeal on Saturday and upheld the temporary ban as a final, unappealable ruling. The lawsuit dates back to 2013 when the Egyptian lawyer demanded to ban YouTube in Egypt until the offensive clip on Prophet Muhammad and other anti-Islamic videos are removed. "The ruling is a punishment for YouTube website that will cost it massive economic losses," Salem told Xinhua. Privately funded and produced in California, the controversial video first appeared on YouTube in 2012, raising a wave of anti-American outrage in the Muslim world where Prophet Muhammad is highly revered. The lawyer said that "the offensive video" led some fanatic Islamists to assault the U.S. and British embassies in Cairo at the time. It is unclear how the temporary ban will be implemented, as YouTube was still working in Egypt until Saturday evening. "The NTRA is responsible for implementing the ban and there is no technical difficulty to do so," the lawyer told Xinhua, warning "I will file a lawsuit against the NTRA chief if the ban is not implemented." The Calidas Vigilant Investigative and Security Agency Inc. has secured multimillion-peso contracts with at least three government agencies months after Jose Calidas appointment as Solicitor General. This was revealed in the documents leaked to media during the weekend. The security firm owned by Calidas wife, Milagros, bagged various contracts with the National Parks Development Committee, the National Anti-Poverty Commission, and the National Economic and Development Authority from 2016 to 2018, documents from these agencies showed. As of press time, Calida has yet to issue a statement. The documents said the NPDC awarded a P29.2-million contract to Calidas firm last January for security services at the Rizal and Paco parks in the capital city. A service agreement between NPDC and VISAI dated Jan. 31, 2018, as shown in one of the documents, identified Milagros Calida as the security agencys Chairwoman/President. Last year, the NPDCunder the Tourism departmentalso awarded a P10.3-million security contract to VISAI to provide security for the two parks.The security firm of Calida also bagged a P2.8-million service contract from the National Anti-Poverty Commission in August 2016. A month after (September 2016), it got another contract with the National Economic and Development Authority amounting to P6.8 million for security services. Calida is facing graft raps at the Ombudsman owing to his allegedly anomalous ownership of a security agency that has contracts with several government agencies. Jocelyn Acosta-Nisperos filed a 13-page complaint against Calida. She said Calida allegedly violated the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, the Code of Conduct and for Ethical Standards for Public Offices and Employees and the Revised Penal Code. Acosta-Nisperos claimed in her complaint that the document she received from the Securities and Exchange Commission showed Calida owned 60 percent of Vigilant Investigative and Security Agency, while his wife and three children own 10 percent each. Source: Xinhua| 2018-05-27 03:48:14|Editor: yan Video Player Close SANAA, May 26 (Xinhua) -- At least five civilians were killed in Yemen on Saturday in multiple airstrikes by Saudi-led coalition fighting Yemeni Shiite Houthi rebels, security officials, medics and residents said. Two women were killed and a third was wounded when an airstrike hit a family's house in Ablah area in Harf Sufism district of Amran province, about 60 km north of the capital Sanaa. Hours later, another airstrike on a family's home in the far northern province of Saada killed at least three children and wounded 15 other people, including children and women. The attack is the latest in a series of airstrikes targeting civilians in Yemen since the war began in 2015. On Wednesday, the Saudi-led coalition airstrike killed at least six farmers in a mango farm in Yemen's western Red Sea port city of Hodeidah, according to local officials. Two weeks ago, a coalition airstrike killed six civilians, including an entire family in Al-Azrakayeen district, north of the capital Sanaa, according to the officials and residents. The coalition intervened in the Yemeni conflict in March 2015 to roll back the Iranian-allied Shiite Houthi rebels and support the internationally-recognized government of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi. The rebels have seized control over much of the country's north since September 2014, including the capital Sanaa, and forced Hadi and his government into exile in Riyadh, the capital city of Saudi Arabia. The war has killed more than 10,000 Yemenis, mostly civilians, and displaced 3 million others, triggering one of the world's worst humanitarian crises. Source: Xinhua| 2018-05-27 04:38:22|Editor: yan Video Player Close BEIRUT, May 26 (Xinhua) -- Lebanese Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil sent Saturday letters to his Syrian counterpart and UN Secretary-General to express Lebanon's concern over possible negative repercussions of Syria's Law 10. Law 10, issued last month, calls on Syrians to register their private properties within 30 days, or the state would seize it. The owners have to provide documents proving the ownership within the deadline. Bassil said that while the law may encourage displaced Syrians to return home, the short deadline may cause problems, according to Lebanese National News Agency NNA. Bassil wrote to his Syrian counterpart Walid al-Moualem, saying "the inability for the displaced Syrians to prove their ownership within the given period may cause them to lose their properties and sense of loss of national identity, which deprives them of one of the main incentives for their return to Syria." In his letter to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Bassil called on UN to take the "necessary measures to protect the rights of the displaced Syrians and preserve their properties, while informing all Syrians living in Lebanon of this law." In both letters, Bassil stated that the Lebanese government will adopt a policy of practical measures to help those who want to return go back to Syria. According to UN Higher Commission for Refugees, Lebanon hosts more than 1 million Syrians who fled their war-torn country since the rebellion against President Bashar al-Assad erupted in 2011, though many expect the real number much higher. SIBIU, Romania, May 26 (Xinhua) -- Romania held on Saturday the regional preliminary round of the 11th "Chinese Bridge" Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreign Secondary Students in Sibiu, with Daniel Deacu winning the Grand Prize. "Learn Chinese, double your world" is the theme of this year's edition and 17 students were chosen from the four Confucius Institutes in Bucharest, Brasov, Cluj-Napoca and Sibiu to compete in the finals in Sibiu, a central city of the country, after local preliminaries. After fierce competition, Daniel Deacu from Ciprian Porumbescu Art School in Suceava, northeastern Romania, won the Grand Prize of the competition and will represent Romania in the global "Chinese Bridge" competition in China. Karina-Georgiana Visan from Gheorghe Lazar Secondary School in Bucharest took the first prize in the contest and will travel to Beijing to watch the final competition. Deacu, who studied Chinese for four years, is also an enthusiast of traditional Chinese painting. He said that he insists on learning Chinese because of Chinese painting, and the more he studies the language, the better he understands the Chinese painting. He hoped to go to college in China, to learn more Chinese language and culture, and of course, painting. "Besides the regular competing processes of 'Chinese keynote speech,' 'Knowledge on China' and 'Talent show,' 'Chinese national costume show' and 'Traditional Touhu game,' or throwing arrows into a distant pot, were added in the competition for the first time to add more fun and arouse more interest," Wang Jiong, Chinese director of the Confucius Institute of Lucian Blaga University in Sibiu, told Xinhua. Caliman Petra from Stefan Barsanescu Middle School in Bucharest and Valu Kriszta from the Gheorghe Sincai Middle School in Baia Mare, northwestern Romania, won the "Best Style Award" in the costume show, while Horobeanu Georgiana-Diana from I. C. Bratianu National School in Mioceni won the prize of the "Top Shooter Award" in the Touhu game. During the competition, all the audiences enjoyed an excellent visual feast full of Chinese elements performed by well-prepared competitors, including Chinese dances, classical music, brush painting, allegro and shadow puppetry. The whole competition was continuously full of warm applause and cheers. Sponsored by Hanban, the competition in Romania was co-organized by Confucius Institute at Lucian Blanca University of Sibiu and the Chinese Embassy in Romania, with Stefan Firu, general inspector at School Inspectorate of Sibiu County attending the event. Constantin Oprean, Romanian director of the Confucius Institute in Sibiu, pointed out at the event that all the participants are winners, as they have entered the world of profound Chinese culture and civilization. He also expressed his gratitude to Chinese teachers and volunteers of the Confucius Institutes who have carefully trained the contestants. He hoped that the student representing Romania to China will show high level in competition in Beijing. "The 'Chinese Bridge' proficiency competition for foreign secondary school students has been successfully held in Romania for 10 years since 2008," said Wang, stressing that the competition not only attracts more and more Romanian outstanding middle school students to participate in, but also draws attentions of more and more people to Chinese learning in Romania. The "Chinese Bridge" has become a stage for students to demonstrate the achievements of Chinese learning, as well as a solid link for promoting the friendly exchanges between China and Romania. TRIPOLI, May 26 (Xinhua) -- A senior Libyan government official said on Saturday that all the government buildings in the capital Tripoli are safe and have not been stormed. "The media reports about a number of government offices in Tripoli, including the (government's) presidential council headquarters, being stormed Friday night, is completely untrue," the official told Xinhua. "Some media linked (the report) to the killing of two people in the neighborhood of Ras Hassan in the capital two days ago. They reported that a number of angry armed residents of the area broke into the headquarters of the government," said the official. "This is not true, as the security services have contained the situation that took place on Thursday between the young people of the neighborhood and an armed battalion following the killing of the two residents," the official explained. The Tripoli Security Directorate denied in a brief statement later on Friday that gunmen were besieging the headquarters of the government. "Those responsible for securing the government are the security directorate of Tripoli, the general directorate of central security and the special operations force who are currently in place," the statement said. Xinhua correspondent toured Tripoli Saturday and noted a normal security deployment in front of government buildings. Two civilians were shot dead on Thursday by militia members in a neighborhood in central Tripoli, said the anti-terrorist special deterrent force of Libyan Ministry of Interior. Source: Xinhua| 2018-05-27 05:08:27|Editor: Yurou Video Player Close A man inspects the headquarters of the state-run Oil Company after it was hit by airstrikes in Sanaa, Yemen, on May 27, 2018. At least four civilians were killed when Saudi-led coalition airstrikes hit the headquarters of the state-run Oil Company and neighboring houses in Yemeni capital Sanaa on Saturday evening, officials, residents and rescuers said. (Xinhua/Mohammed Mohammed) SANAA, May 26 (Xinhua) -- At least four civilians were killed when Saudi-led coalition airstrikes hit the headquarters of the state-run Oil Company and neighboring houses in Yemeni capital Sanaa on Saturday evening, officials, residents and rescuers said. Eleven others were wounded, including four children, said security officials and rescuers at the scene. Police cordoned off the area to facilitate the rescue work to search for possible survivors. Ali al-Matary, a resident, said two successive airstrikes struck the company at around 7 p.m. local time (1600 GMT), destroying the building and badly damaging the adjacent densely populated residents' houses in the 60th Street neighbourhood. "There were no employees at the company at that time, only two guards who were critically injured, while the four killed were members of a family, and their house nearby was devastatingly hit by flying shrapnel of the airstrikes' missiles," al-Matary told Xinhua. This is the third airstrike targeting civilians in Yemen's northern provinces since Saturday morning. Earlier the day, coalition airstrikes killed at least five civilians in multiple attacks on the northern provinces of Amran and Saada, according to local officials and residents. MOSCOW, May 26 (Xinhua) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Saturday discussed a post-World War II peace treaty and agreed to keep on searching for solutions to relevant issues, according to the Kremlin. "During the talks we discussed issues related to the peace treaty. We feel it important to continue a patient search for a solution which would meet the strategic interests of both Russia and Japan and would be acceptable for the people of both countries," Putin said in a press statement following talks with Abe, which was published on the Kremlin's website. Both Russia and Japan claim a group of islands off Japan's northern prefecture of Hokkaido, called the Northern Territories in Japan and the Southern Kurils in Russia. The territorial spat has prevented the two countries from signing a peace treaty and hindered their diplomatic and trade relations. In September 2017, Putin and Abe agreed to conduct joint economic activities on the controversial islands and selected several projects in aquaculture, electrical power, creation of greenhouse facilities, garbage disposal, and the development of package tours. According to the statement, the two leaders reviewed the implementation of the agreements on joint economic activities on the islands and are satisfied with the state of dialogue in the five fields. "We also supported a proposal on sending the third Japanese business mission to the islands in the second half of the year. We will keep addressing problems related to the humanitarian part of the matter, and we will assist Japanese citizens in visiting the islands," Putin said. Putin also hailed the steady progress in Russia-Japan cooperation, citing good performance of mutual trade and investment, constant political dialogue, interactions among ministries, regions and agencies, amicable humanitarian relations, as well as joint projects in various fields. In addition, the two leaders touched on international problems including the issue of the Korean Peninsula, reiterating their interest in preserving peace in the region. "We believe that the process participants should show restraint, avoid a new cycle of confrontation and hold the situation within the political and diplomatic field," Putin said. WARSAW, May 26 (Xinhua) -- The Polish economy will become less and less dependent on the European Union funds, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said on Saturday, commenting on possible reductions of funds for Poland in the future EU budget. "We have a misconception that our economy depends on EU funds," Morawiecki told a local media. Morawiecki added that due to the huge neglect of previous governments, Poland lacked the infrastructure and therefore the government would "fight very hard for EU's structural funds and the common agricultural policy funds." Morawiecki noted that he met with Romanian Prime Minister Viorica Dancila on Friday. "I emphasised that Poland organises and coordinates all activities related to cohesion policy, which is the policy related to EU funds. We will firmly voice our expectations, defend our interests and we will win here," he stressed. In early May, the European Commission passed a draft of the EU's 2021-27 budget showing total members' commitments of 1.279 trillion euros and payments of 1.246 trillion euros. Under the draft, Cohesion Policy and Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) cuts may reach 7 and 5 percent, respectively. In addition, cohesion policy is expected to play a more important role in supporting structural reforms and the long-term integration of migrants. The draft budget envisages increasing national contributions, in commitments, to 1.11 percent of EU countries' gross national income (GNI) and, in payments, to 1.08 percent of GNI. The calculations of Poland's Ministry of Investment and Economic Development showed that Poland can get not 7 percent but 10 percent less in cohesion funds and that CAP funds for the country may be reduced by 15 percent rather than 5 percent. (1 euro = 1.17 U.S. dollars) Source: Xinhua| 2018-05-27 05:48:34|Editor: yan Video Player Close CAIRO, May 26 (Xinhua) -- Egyptian Presidential spokesman Bassam Rady stressed on Saturday that the Palestinian cause remains the core issue of Egypt and the Arab world. Egypt made a firm stance at the United Nations and the UN General Assembly that it would continue its historic role in serving the Palestinian cause, Rady said in an interview with Sout El Arab Radio. Rady hailed the leading role of his country in the Arab world and the achievement Egypt has made at the Arab world since incumbent President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi took office in 2014. Sisi took office in 2014 after the military ouster of former president Mohamed Morsi in July 2013 following mass protests over his one-year rule. PYONGYANG, May 27 (Xinhua) -- The Democratic Peoples's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on Sunday confirmed that its top leader Kim Jong Un met with President of the Republic of Korea Moon Jae-in on Saturday. The meeting was held at the northern side of the demarcation line between the two sides, according to the Korean Central News Agency. TRIPOLI, May 26 (Xinhua) -- Italian Ambassador to Libya Giuseppe Perrone on Saturday stressed Italy's support for the UN-proposed action plan on Libya. Perrone made his remarks during a meeting with Libyan Prime Minister Fayez Serraj in the capital Tripoli. According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister's office, the two officials discussed the political situation in Libya and a number of issues of common interest. "The Italian Ambassador reiterated Italy's support for the Government of National Accord and the efforts by the Prime Minister to achieve stability in Libya," said the statement. Italy will continue supporting for the initiative of UN envoy Ghassan Salame, and for the democratic path leading to presidential and parliamentary elections, it said. For his part, Fayez Serraj stressed the distinguished relations between Libya and Italy, expressing aspiration to develop political and economic cooperation between the two friendly countries. Despite signing a UN-sponsored peace agreement by the Libyan parties in December 2015 and appointment of Serraj's unity government, Libya remains politically divided between authorities in the east and the west, amid insecurity and chaos. Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General and Head of UN Support Mission in Libya, Ghassan Salame, proposed an action plan in September 2017 to end the Libyan political crisis. Salame's plan includes amendment of the political agreement and holding presidential and parliamentary elections before the end of 2018. Jose Ma. Sison The Communist Party of the Philippines has proposed a meeting between CPP founding chairman Jose Ma. Sison and President Rodrigo Duterte in Hanoi, but the government has rejected the offer. In a statement, Sison, also the chief political consultant of the National Democratic Front, said the original plan was for Duterte to attend the ceremonial signing of an interim peace agreement in Oslo once both sides have firmed it up. But the government side backed out and offered Medialdea as the proxy of Duterte, he said. Sison said the NDF then offered Hanoi as an alternative venue to facilitate the attendance of the President. Hanoi as a venue near the Philippines was proposed by NDF in consideration of the heavy work sked of Duterte, he said. The government, however, did not give a positive answer, the communist leader said, noting that Norway, as third party facilitator, could not make any arrangement with Vietnam until a consensus had been reached by both negotiating panels. Sison has rejected Dutertes offer to hold the peace talks in the Philippines, saying there are security issues that have to be considered in making such a move.I have consistently declared that I will return home when substantial progress is already achieved in the peace negotiations and my comrades and lawyers are satisfied with the legal and security guarantees. By substantial progress, I mean the entire Comprehensive Agreement on Social and Economic Reforms has been mutually approved by the government and NDF principals, he said. There are certain important considerations against my prematurely returning to the PhilippinesI would be placing myself and the entire peace negotiations in the pocket of Duterte and at his mercy. Any peace spoiler or saboteur would be able to destroy the entire peace negotiations by simply abducting or harming any NDF panelist or consultant, Sison added. While Duterte promised that no harm would come to Sison if he returned to the Philippines, the President threatened to kill his former college professor if the peace talks failed to produce an agreement within the next two months. If we come to an agreement, that is good. But if not, I will escort him personally to the airport if the talks amount to nothing within the next two months. I will allow him to go out of the country. I will not arrest him because I gave my word on that, Duterte said. But I will tell him, You son of a whore. Do not return here or I will really kill you, the President said. Sison, however, shrugged off Dutertes latest threat, saying the President had vowed to kill him one time too many that he now saw it as an expression of affection. Duterte has repeated so many times the threat to kill me that sometimes I surmise that the expression kill has actually become a term of endearment, as in some American comedies, Sison said. Source: Xinhua| 2018-05-27 06:18:40|Editor: yan Video Player Close GAZA, May 26 (Xinhua) -- Israeli war jets struck around midnight on Saturday two military facilities that belong to the Islamic Hamas movement in southern Gaza Strip, with no injuries reported, according to medics and security sources. The sources said Israeli war jets launched several missiles at a training military facility that belongs to Hamas west of the southern Gaza town of Rafah. Firefighters and medical crews rushed to the targeted place. The war jets also targeted another military facility west of the town of Khan Younis in southern Gaza Strip, according to the security sources and medics. The two Israeli airstrikes were carried out in response to an earlier infiltration of four Palestinian youths who cut the fence of the border between eastern Gaza Strip and Israel. Israeli and Palestinian media reported that the young men entered Israel, burned an Israeli army military post and returned to Gaza. The media reports also said that Palestinian youths flew kites and balloons carrying fire bombs that landed on Israel, causing large fire on farms. Violence erupted on the border between Gaza Strip and Israel since the start of the mass Palestinian rallies on March 30, where 116 Palestinians were reportedly killed and thousands others injured. TUNIS, May 26 (Xinhua) -- In the north corner of Djerba, the largest island of North Africa, the Abrials from France parked their car on the coast facing the Mediterranean Sea. For the Abrial family, the island is the "nomadic home." Located off the southern coast of Tunisia, Djerba is described as a gemstone in the Mediterranean. The color of the sea varies from different layers of blue under the sun, which comes out for over 300 days every year. In the rural areas, traditional white farmhouses and mosques present a quiet and peaceful view. With farms nearby, irrigated by small wells, some local residents live a self-sufficient life. Jean-Charles Abrial, 73 years old, told Xinhua "since 2013, my wife and I came to Djerba together for holidays. Two times each year, one from mid April to late May, and the other from mid October to late November." During their vacations in Djerba, the Abrials lived in their vehicle, which transformed into a small home with bed, simply-made shower and many daily necessities. They also built a yard by palm branches and leaves, with sunshade, beach chairs, a reclining chair, novels, a guitar and baskets filled with vegetable and fruits. "The sunbathing and calmness on this island are key attractions for us," said 72-year-old Eliane Abrial, while drying her hair after swimming. The Abrials were not the only foreigners impressed by this beautiful island. Caroline Strobl, a 55-year-old Austrian middle school teacher, came to Djerba for holidays each year since 2010. Dressed in Tunisian traditional-style outfit and wearing a cross necklace, Strobl told Xinhua she has rented a flat in the central souk on the island since 2016. "Djerba is my favorite, and I came here four times each year," Caroline said. "The sandy beach, the sea view, the fishermen, the mosque and the sundown, it is really gorgeous here for me." Besides the nature, Caroline also pointed out that Djerba was a harmonious island, where Muslims and Jews lived peacefully together. "There is the famous Jewish pilgrimage of Ghriba and we also find a Catholic church on the island. People here kept peace in mind," she said. Lying at the north point of the African continent, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, Tunisia is renowned for its rich tourism resources. Tunisia's inbound tourists exceeded 2.1 million from January to May 10 this year, up 23.6 percent year on year, according to the latest data from Tunisian Ministry of Tourism. Tourism revenues since the beginning of this year grew by 33.3 percent compared with the same period last year, reaching 772.7 million dinars (309.08 million U.S. dollars). Tunisian Minister of Tourism Salma Elloumi hailed the increase as a "remarkable and significant progress," saying the current year will see the recovery of the country's tourism sector. Tunisia witnessed a slump in its tourism since 2015 when the country was hit by three major terrorist attacks, which claimed the lives of more than 70 people, mostly foreign tourists and security forces. Tourism in Tunisia started to revive in 2017, with the introduction of tighter security measures and return of visitors' confidence in security situation. The VanWynsberghes from France came to Djerba for the first time in 2015 and they chose to visit here again this year. Patrice VanWynsberghe, 46 years old, who worked in transport sector, said "we have confidence in the security here and it only takes a three-hour flight to reach such good sunshine, sandy beach and calm environment. It is great!" Local residents were expecting more international visitors in June as it usually marks the beginning of the busy season for beach attractions. Souhail Vitamine, manager of an open-air cafe located in the central souk, told Xinhua this year's business was much better than last year. "Last year, there were only four waiters. This year we hired nine. We will hire more in the upcoming holiday," said Vitamine. "This year, more customers came, mainly from European countries. And we also start to receive Chinese tourists, a new market." "We are quite optimistic about this year," said Vitamine as he served fresh juice, mint tea and shisha to one table surrounded by foreign tourists. Many hotels and guesthouses in Djerba were almost fully booked for the peak summer time. Alessandra Campana, owner of a traditional guesthouse, said the reservation rate already reached 70 percent in late May. "We have confidence for this year's tourism and I plan to renovate more new rooms," said Campana. In a five-star hotel of an international chain, the occupancy rate also reached 50 percent in late May, a 100-percent growth compared with the same period last year. Haider Mbarek, operation manager of the hotel, said he was optimistic about this season's business. "Most customers were from Europe, but we also started to receive Asian tourists such as Chinese," said Mbarek. "China is a very promising market. We are getting more Chinese tourists now and expecting more." Tunisia's tourism sector accounted for about 8 percent of the country's GDP. The North African country received more than 7 million tourists from all over the world last year, a year-on-year growth of over 20 percent. Source: Xinhua| 2018-05-27 06:38:45|Editor: yan Video Player Close SANTIAGO, May 26 (Xinhua) -- A project to build a new Chinatown district in the Chilean capital will be carried out with donations from Chinese businesses in the area, Santiago's mayor Felipe Alessandri said Saturday. "The idea is to bring it closer to reality ... we have to help it (Chinatown) conform and give it a typical Oriental feel," said Alessandri. Xu Yiping, representative of Chinese businesses and key planner of the project, told Xinhua his intention is to build a beautiful Chinese district, so that local shopkeepers can work there with dignity and security. The project, presented this week to the Santiago Municipal Council, includes the construction of two "paifang" gates, which will mark the entrances and welcome visitors. Signages will be put up in Spanish and Chinese while typical designs from China's millennial artworks will adorn roofs, sidewalks and lights. The Chinatown will be spread out more than 550 meters, starting in Alameda, Santiago's main thoroughfare, and ending in Gorbea street, an area where dozens of Chinese shops already exist. Alessandri estimated the project would cost 933 million pesos (1.49 million U.S. dollars) and construction would begin and end in 2019. Source: Xinhua| 2018-05-27 06:53:48|Editor: yan Video Player Close CARACAS, May 26 (Xinhua) -- Venezuelan Minister of Communications Jorge Rodriguez announced Saturday that the country's judiciary had freed American citizen Joshua Holt and his wife, who had been arrested and charged with espionage and illegally carrying weapons. Rodriguez said that the measure was granted after the Venezuelan government met with a congressional delegation from the United States, which asked for the pair to be freed. The minister said that this move was part of the efforts by President Nicolas Maduro to show he was ready to hold dialogues to ensure peace and stability in the country. Holt, 24, is a U.S. citizen and was arrested by Venezuelan intelligence services on June 30, 2016, along with his wife, Tamara Belen Caleno. The former Venezuelan minister of the interior and justice, Gustavo Gonzalez Lopez, declared at the time that Holt and Caleno were found in possession of an AK-47 assault rifle, a fake M4 rifle, an MK2 grenade, ammunition and espionage equipment. He added that Holt had a pilot license as well as expert knowledge in the handling of weapons and electronic surveillance equipment. However, the United States maintained that Holt was held for almost two years without trial. Maduro ordered the release after meeting with Republican U.S. Senator Bob Corker in Caracas. Rodriguez said Maduro would "make every effort to maintain a respectful dialogue ... to avoid aggressions which Venezuela ... has been submitted to." A Turkish young girl selfies at Anitkabir, Ataturk's mausoleum, in Ankara,Turkey, on May 19,2018. (Xinhua) ANKARA, May 26 (Xinhua) -- As a country known as an ideal destination for enjoying sun-bathing beach holidays, Turkey is also aiming to become a global leader in health tourism with a series of recent measures introduced by the government. Suffering a long wait before getting treatment or surgery in their own countries, foreigners, especially the Europeans, prefer Turkey's medical institutions because of their fast-track procedures. Turkey is ranked fourth in the global list for healthcare tourism in terms of the number of patients served, and third in terms of the revenue generated. "Some 756,000 health tourists were welcomed in 2017, generating 7.2 billion U.S dollars," Emin Cakmak, founding chairman of the Turkish Healthcare Travel Council, told Xinhua. Citing the state-of-the-art oncology equipment used in Turkey, he hailed the serious investment in the health industry in the past 15 years, which "has completely upgraded Turkey's infrastructure and technology." In order to further the booming health tourism, the Turkish government announced a series of new investment regulations and incentives for the sector last month. According to Turkish Finance Minister Naci Agbal, the recently enacted value added tax (VAT) rules specify a VAT exemption for Turkey's foreign patients who receive services in this sector. Turkey, which has set a higher standard of success with the concept it created in the sector in recent years, saw a 31-percent increase in health tourism in 2017, at a time when the country's economy is facing difficulties with the depreciation of its currency. "Health and care for the elderly is a very costly business. Many countries are looking for ways to reduce the high costs. With its sun, qualified medical facilities, as well as personnel and thermal facilities, Turkey has had a great opportunity," Agbal said. For 2018, the medical tourism industry in Turkey aims to attract 800,000 patients and 8 billion dollars in revenue, with East Asia as one of the most promising markets. According to Cakmak, Turkey received 200 Chinese tourists for esthetic or anti-aging therapies in 2017, and expects 1,000 Chinese tourists this year as the cost here is 50 percent less than Switzerland and the United States. In fact, treatments are offered in almost all fields of medicine ranging from organ transplants, cardiovascular treatments to obesity and eye surgery. "I had to wait up to a year in the Netherlands to have a cataract surgery for my eyes, but here it was done in a matter of days and I am really happy with the result," Joost Van der Bosh, a foreign patient who had his surgery in Turkey's southern city of Antalya, told Xinhua. Turkey has also become a pioneer in hair implantation, with people from more than 70 countries seeking hair implant services in the trans-continental country. "Turkey is one of the leading countries in the world in the field of hair transplantation. Our doctors dealing with health tourism have serious hand skills," said Ozlem Safiye Kurt, a professional in the medical tourism sector. Turkey's high quality and success in hair transplantation has drawn huge interest from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates in the Middle East, as well as Germany, Britain, the Netherlands, Italy, Spain and France in Europe, Kurt added. According to Kurt, tourists receive hair transplantation services in Turkey at half of the price in their own countries. "We had thousands of patients from Europe in the past five years and some of them came back for a top-up to have more luscious hair," a clinic representative in Istanbul, who did not reveal her name, told Xinhua. The treatment costs also cover a two-night stay in a nice hotel for patients to go sightseeing in Istanbul, Turkey's historical heartland, she added. Besides good coordination between multiple ministries, Turkey's flag carrier Turkish Airlines with an increasing number of destinations also contributes significantly to the thriving sector. "Turkish Airlines flies to more than 300 destinations so it is a big asset. Patients can also get visa online, making travel an easy thing," Cakmak noted. Ottawa, CanadaPolice in Canada on Friday hunted for two men believed to have detonated explosives at an Indian restaurant near Toronto, wounding 15 people, but police said there was no indication the blast was an act of terror. The explosion late Thursday at the Bombay Bhel restaurant in Mississauga in Torontos western suburbs, which was reportedly felt more than four kilometers (2.5 miles) away, also did not appear to be a hate crime, authorities said. Two men wearing hoodies were seen entering the restaurant with an IED, or improvised explosive device, Peel Regional Police Chief Jennifer Evans told a news conference. The men were seen fleeing the scene immediately following the explosion, Evans added. Every police resource is being used right now to locate the people responsible for this horrendous act. Evans added: We havent ruled anything out as we start our investigation. Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale said there was no connection to national security at this point. The pair, who were also wearing jeans and face coverings, did not say anything in the restaurant, where two birthdays were being celebrated. They just dropped off the device and left, authorities said. The incident is nevertheless likely to provoke jitters in the nations biggest metropolitan area -- it comes just one month after a man in a rented van plowed into pedestrians on a crowded sidewalk in Toronto, killing 10 people. Pictures and video footage showed victims being escorted in wheelchairs and stretchers to waiting ambulances, or limping out of the restaurant, bleeding from wounds caused by flying glass and shrapnel. The blast reportedly destroyed the inside of the restaurant. Its front doors were shattered but still clinging to their hinges. Witnesses said the bomb looked like a paint can or a bucket and, according to police, was filled with projectile objects. Three of the wounded -- a 35-year-old man and two women aged 48 and 62 -- were taken to hospital in critical condition, but later improved to stable condition. Indias High Commissioner to Canada, Vikas Swarup, said all three were dual nationals. Other victims were treated for minor injuries after the blast at the eatery in a strip mall that is surrounded by houses, grassy fields, and condo towers under construction.This was a family restaurant and a place where celebrations take place, Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne said, calling the event shocking. On its website, the restaurant posted a message that said: It was an extremely horrific and sad incident. This is a heinous crime, echoed Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie. The Toronto area has a sizeable population of Indian descent at almost 600,000, and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau visited India in February. We stand in solidarity with the victims of this violence and we wish a speedy recovery to the wounded, Trudeau said on Twitter. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police are assisting Peel Regional Police in their investigation, Goodale said, even though terror is thus far not suspected. Evans said investigators were reviewing surveillance camera footage and asked for the publics help in identifying and locating the suspects, whom she said are believed to have fled eastbound in a vehicle. A canine unit and an elite police team were deployed immediately, but were unable to track the suspects, whose footprints in nearby mud were identified with yellow evidence markers. Police were also canvassing area residents for eyewitness accounts and any video footage from home security cameras. Canada has been hit periodically throughout the decades by criminal and political bombings, including those linked to Quebec nationalists in the 1960s, attacks on abortion clinics in the 1990s, a war between biker gangs from 1994 to 2002, and bombings of natural gas pipelines by environmentalists in 2008. Last year, Inderjit Singh Reyat, a Sikh militant and the only man convicted in the 1985 bombings of two Air India flights which had left Vancouver, was paroled after two decades in a Canadian prison. Those bombings killed more than 300 people. ONTONAGON An overnight search for an Ontonagon County man ended successfully Friday afternoon when Carl Thomas Kettunen, of Trout Creek, was found alive with his off-road-vehicle on top of him. Search teams from several entities were called to Ontonagon County in the afternoon, after efforts began Thursday night to locate the 66-year-old man. The last report of Kettunens whereabouts had been around 6 p.m. EDT Thursday when, after finishing his dinner, caregivers heard him leave his home at 9183 M-28 on his orange Honda Rancher off-road vehicle. Kettunen reportedly suffers from seriou... DELIVERING THE main address at Wakefield-Marenisco's graduation on Friday evening is Jennifer Wallner, CPA, of Marquette and formerly of Wakefield. Also seated on the dais are, from left, valedictorian Melissa Wanink, head teacher Mark Lane, superintendent Catherine Shamion, head teacher Brandon Makela, and board of education president Bradley Dalbec. WAKEFIELD - Twenty students graduated from the Wakefield-Marenisco High School Friday night, and dreams were the theme of the related ceremony in the school gym. The students' class motto was "Chase your dreams, but always know the road that'll lead you home again," a line by country music star Tim McGraw. While offering her welcome to the full house, superintendent Catherine Shamion suggested to graduates, "Take the first step toward your dreams tonight." She added, however, that "we'll be here waiting" whenever those same graduates need support or "a good kick." This was Shamion's ninth a... 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. Seoul: South Korea President Moon Jae-in met with North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un in a surprise summit at the Demilitarised Zone dividing the two nations, a day after US President Donald Trump said his summit with Pyongyang could still go ahead. The Blue House, South Korea's Presidential Office, said the two leaders held talks for two hours in the truce village of Panmunjom, where they had met last month and made a declaration vowing to improve ties. "They exchanged views and discussed ways to implement the Panmunjom Declaration and to ensure a successful US-North Korea summit," the Blue House said in a statement, adding further details would be released tomorrow morning. The meeting came a day after US President Donald Trump that a nuclear summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un could still take place as scheduled on June 12. Trump said his on Friday - a day after he cancelled the meeting blaming Pyongyang's "open hostility". "We'll see what happens. It could even be the 12th," Trump told reporters on the South Lawn of the White House before leaving for the US Naval Academy to deliver a commencement address. We are having very productive talks with North Korea about reinstating the Summit which, if it does happen, will likely remain in Singapore on the same date, June 12th., and, if necessary, will be extended beyond that date. Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 26, 2018 "They very much want to do it. We'd like to do it. We're going to see what happens," he was quoted as saying by the US media. Earlier, North Korea issued a conciliatory statement in response to Trump's decision to scrap his meeting with Kim. "We reiterate to the US that there is a willingness to sit down at any time, in any way, to solve the problem," said a top official at the North Korean Foreign Ministry. Trump, in a morning tweet, hailed Pyongyang's statement, saying, "Very good news to receive the warm and productive statement from North Korea." "We will soon see where it will lead, hopefully to long and enduring prosperity and peace. Only time (and talent) will tell!" (With AFP inputs) This news should come as a big relief to the fans of actor Irrfan Khan and all the cinema lover. During an exclusive chat with Mumbai Mirror, director Shoojit Sircar revealed that the actor, who has been battling with a neuroendocrine tumour and is undergoing treatment in Europe, is doing fine and is responding well to the treatment. Sircar told the tabloid that Irrfan will star in his upcoming project, a biopic on freedom fighter Udham Singh. Irrfan is expected to essay the role of Singh, who had assassinated Michael O'Dwyer, the former Lieutenant Governor of Punjab in British India in 1940, to avenge the 1919 Jallianwala Bagh massacre. "I've been speaking to both Irrfan and his wife (Sutapa Sikdar), hes responding well to the treatment and trying to cope with the knowledge that hes battling NeuroEndocrine tumour by treating the recuperation in Europe like a short and unexpected holiday." Only days back, Irrfan had tweeted about his upcoming film 'Karwaan'. Directed by Akash Khurana and produced by Ronnie Screwvala, the film is set to hit theatres on August 10. Earlier, reports did round that Ranbir Kapoor being roped in for Udham Singh biopic. However, Sircar turned down the speculations during the shooting of his recent release 'October'. Meanwhile, Shoojit Sircar and Irrfan have worked together in 'Piku' and if everything goes as planned, 'Udham Singh' biopic would be their second project together. The film is believed to go on floors at the end of this year. The Bihar School Examination Board (BSEB) has announced the dates for the Bihar Board Class 12th Results 2018 and Bihar Board Class 10th Results 2018. The results of Class 12 will be announced on June 7 while the results of Class 10th will be announced on June 20. As per reports, the confirmation of the same was given by BSEB chairman Anand Kishore on May 26. The intermediate examination results will be released for all three streams - Arts, Sciences and Commerce - together. Once released, the Bihar School Examination Board (BSEB) will make the results available on the official website of the board - biharboard.ac.in. Over 17 lakh students appeared for the Class 10th exams while over 12 lakh students sat for the 12th exams this year. The exams were held from February 21 to 28, 2018. Class 10 exams were held at 1,426 centres across the state. Here is how you can check your BSEB results 2018: 1. Visit official website - biharboard.ac.in. 2. Click on 'Bihar board results 2018'. 3. Click on BSEB class 12th results 2018. 4. Enter roll number and other relevant details. 5. Click on 'submit'. In 2017, the result for BSEB Intermediate examination was released on May 30, 2017. The BSEB result for class 10th was declared on June 22, 2017. The Bihar School Examination Board (BSEB) had even asked students not to wear shoes or socks to prevent cheating. The pass percentage in Class 10 was 50.12 and for class 12th was 30.11% in science, 32.13% in humanities and 73.76% in commerce. About BSEB: The Bihar School Examination Board was established for holding and conducting an examination at the end of the secondary school stage, for prescribing a course of studies for such examination and for carrying out such other objects and duties as may be considered necessary for the purpose as stated in the act, rules and regulations of the board. Normally every year the Bihar School Examination Board conducts annual secondary school examination in the month of February/March and supplementary school examination in the month of August/September on the basis of course/syllabus as prescribed by the state government. Apart from the aforesaid Secondary School Examination, the board also conducts departmental examinations (not on yearly basis) such as diploma in Physical Education, Certificate in Physical Education and Teachers Training Examination on such terms and condition as laid down by the state government. The Hague, Netherlands The Netherlands and Australia on Friday took the first step towards dragging Russia to court over the shooting down of flight MH17, accusing Moscow of being responsible for the disaster over war-torn eastern Ukraine in 2014. The move won swift support from international allies, a day after investigators concluded that the Russian-made BUK missile which tore apart the Boeing 777 passenger plane in mid-air on July 17, 2014 came from a Russian military brigade based in southwestern Kursk. There is but one conclusion to be made from yesterdays presentation, namely that Russia is thoroughly responsible for the deployment of this BUK system, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte told reporters. All 298 people on the flight en route from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur were killed when the missile slammed into the plane as it flew over territory held by pro-Russian rebels in eastern Ukraine. The Dutch government said in a statement that, together with Australia, it was holding Moscow formally accountable for the tragedy and may now move towards submitting the complex dossier to an international judge or organization. Russia, however, swiftly denied any responsibility. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said he had been informed by his Dutch counterpart Stef Blok that they have practically no doubt that the BUK came from Russia. I asked him about facts proving these claims. He did not give me any facts saying they want Russia to help establish them based on unfounded suspicion, Lavrov added.The downing of flight MH17 caused unimaginable suffering, said Blok the day after the latest findings from the Dutch-led Joint Investigation Team (JIT). On the basis of the JITs conclusions, the Netherlands and Australia are now convinced that Russia is responsible for the deployment of the BUK installation that was used to down MH17, he added. Piet Ploeg, who lost three relatives in the crash, told AFP the Dutch and Australian decision to hold Russia responsible is exactly the right thing to do. Its an important step on the way to get justice for victims, Ploeg added. The EU and NATO both urged Moscow to accept responsibility for the disaster. Russia should fully cooperate with all efforts to establish accountability, said the EUs foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini in a statement.The United States and Britain also said they backed the move to hold Russia responsible for the disaster. It is time for Russia to acknowledge its role in the shooting down of MH17 and to cease its callous disinformation campaign, said State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert. Ukraines President Petro Poroshenko said the Dutch and Australian decision is an extremely important step for Russia to assume its responsibility for systematic violations of its international commitments. He added he instructed without delay that proposals are prepared by Kiev for the possibility to join a trial launched by the Netherlands and Australia. Rutte urged Russia to look seriously at the results of the investigation, adding the Netherlands would demand Moscows full cooperation at a UN Security Council meeting on Ukraine due to be held on Tuesday. But the Russian defense ministry also vehemently rejected the findings, saying the missile most likely belonged to the Ukrainians. Although the BUK missile had indeed been manufactured in the Soviet Union in 1986 all the missiles made that year were withdrawn from service in 2011, the ministry said.Investigators, however, painstakingly recreated the BUK systems route from Kursk across the border into rebel-held eastern Ukraine using videos and photos. The team has come to the conclusion that the BUK-TELAR that shot down MH17 came from the 53rd Anti-aircraft Missile Brigade based in Kursk in Russia, top Dutch investigator Wilbert Paulissen said. Investigation officials, seeking to bring criminal charges, have not said who fired the missile. But they are appealing for further information, especially about the BUK systems crew, and who ordered the plane to be shot down. Meanwhile, the investigative site Bellingcat claimed it had identified the second of two men whom the JIT consider top suspects after obtaining wire-tapped conversations before and after the plane was shot out of the sky. The Uttarakhand Board of School Education (UBSE) on Saturday declared the Uttarakhand Examination Class 10 Board Result 2018, Class 11th and Class 12th Examination Result 2018 at 11 am. The Uttarakhand Board of School Education (UBSE) announced the results on its official website ubse.uk.gov.in or uaresults.nic.in. The result can also be accessed on uttarakhand.indiaresults.com. UK Board exams are usually held by the Board of School Education Uttarakhand in March and April 2018. This year, the Uttarakhand Board of School Education UBSE conducted the Uttarakhand Class 10th exams from March 6 to March 24 and Uttarakhand Class 12th examination from March 5 to March 24. There is a unified structure for secondary education and training that is followed by the Uttarakhand Department of education. Nearly 8 lakh students appeared for the Uttarakhand Board of School Education (UBSE) Class 10th exams. How to check Uttarakhand Board Result, Uttarakhand 10th Result 2018, Uttarakhand 12th Result 2018 Step 1: Click on the official website ubse.uk.gov.in or uaresults.nic.in. Step 2: Go to the link which says UK Board Result 2018, Uttarakhand Board Result 2018 Step 3: Enter your roll number Step 5: Download and save the UK 10th Result 2018, UK 12th Result 2018 for future reference. A total of 1,32,381 students had appeared for the Uttarakhand Class 12th Examination this year. Last year, a total of 145914 students had taken the Class 12th examination. New Delhi: Despite numerous corruption scandals including the infamous CWG and 2G controversies when the party was in power, Congress plans to now take on PM Narendra Modi's government for damaging the country socially and economically. The current government completes four years in power on Saturday and while BJP is planning to highlight its achievements, Congress is calling it 'Betrayal Day'. "While the Modi government may not have been able to fulfil its promises, it has clearly been able to inflict a lot of damage on the country, both socially and economically," the party tweeted. Promising to 'expose' NDA's failures, the party said protests would be held across the country. Senior leader Ashok Gehlot also said that Congress and other parties in opposition would unite to defeat a government which, according to him, is fascist and corrupt. "Everyone is full of angst against this NDA government. Be it farmers, youth, Dalits, the common man, all are suffering under this government," he said. Congress has been trying to mount an attack on the government on numerous fronts including job creation and rising fuel prices. Party president Rahul Gandhi - who previously said he would be the PM if Congress wins the 2019 elections - even called PM Modi corrupt after the elections in Karnataka. Political analysts largely though question if Congress would be able to sustain its attacks. Having lost power in almost every major state in the country in the last few assembly elections, the party's pan-India presence is under severe threat. Even in Karnataka where it completed a five-year term, Congress emerged a distant second to BJP - managing to form the government only by giving unconditional support to JDS. On top of it all, the party may be suffering from a cash crunch and asked people at large to make financial donations to it 'to save democracy.' So, as BJP ramps up preparations ahead of Lok Sabha Elections next year and plans numerous programs to underline work done by the government, Congress may well be on a rather sticky wicket. New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will on Sunday dedicate to the nation two newly built expressways - Delhi-Meerut Expressway and the Eastern Peripheral Expressway - in the Delhi-NCR Region. According to reports, the Prime Minister will travel in an open jeep on Delhi-Meerut Expressway and later inaugurate India's first smart and green highway, which is also known as the Eastern Peripheral Expressway (EPE). "The Prime Minister will travel in an open jeep on Delhi Meerut Expressway for 6 km during which he will be greeted by a huge number of people. The Prime Minister would inaugurate the exhibition and 3D model there and would later fly to Baghpat to dedicate to the nation the EPE," Road Transport, Highways and Shipping Minister Gadkari had said earlier. The Prime Minister's road show will commence from the Nizamuddin Bridge. All you need to know about EPE - India's first smart and green highway -The Kundli-Ghaziabad-Palwal (KGP) Expressway, also known as Eastern Peripheral Expressway (EPE), built at a cost of Rs 11,000 crore. -The 135-km EPE has several unique features and is India's first highway to be lit by solar power besides provisions of rainwater harvesting on every 500 metres on both sides and would showcase 36 national monuments and 40 fountains. -It has been completed in a record 500 days. -There are 8 solar power plants on this expressway having a capacity of 4000-kilowatt (4 MW). -The state-of-the-art road will have auto challans for over-speeding, as cameras will capture speed of vehicles, besides it will have provisions of tolling only for the distance travelled -The expressway has an iconic toll plaza at the entry point on Kundli side besides digital art gallery. -It is equipped with smart and intelligent highway traffic management system (HTMS) and video incident detection system (VIDS) and will set a benchmark in highway construction by being environment-friendly with world-class safety features and smart/interactive infrastructure. -The foundation stone of the greenfield project was laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on November 5, 2015. -2.5 lakh trees have been planted here including transplant of 8-10 year old trees and drip irrigation provision has been done. -It has consumed 11 lakh tonnes of cement, 1 lakh tonnes of steel, 3.6 crore cum earthwork and 1.2 cr cum fly-ash. -The project has generated employment opportunities of about 50 lakh man-days and 9,375 manpower was deployed here. -After it becomes operational, a lot of traffic, outbound or non-destined for Delhi will be diverted. -At least 50,000 vehicles going to Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Haryana, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan will be diverted, bringing down vehicular pollution. -The alignment of EPE starts near Kundli and passes through six parliamentary constituencies, viz Sonepat, Baghpat, Ghaziabad, Noida, Faridabad and Palwal. -The fully access controlled six-lane expressway provides entry and exit designated interchanges only and has 406 structures of which 4 are major bridges, 46 minor bridges, 3 flyovers, 7 interchanges, 221 underpasses and 8 road-over-bridges (ROBs). -The amenities include retail fuel outlets, restrooms, motels, restaurants, shops etc. Some of the monuments' replicas pertain to Ashoka Lion, Ashoka Chakra, Konark Temple, Jalianwala Bagh, Gateway of India, Qutab Minar, Char Minar, Lal Quila, Kirti Stambh, India Gate, Hawa Mahal and Gujarat Carving. -The project had earlier faced resistance from farmers over land and other issues which have since been solved by giving higher compensation. New Delhi: Indian forces on Saturday shot dead five terrorists trying to cross the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir's Tangdhar sector. News agency ANI reported that the terrorists were attempting to enter the Indian side in the wee hours of the morning but were spotted and fired upon by Indian forces. While it is not yet clear how many were trying to cross over, local reports have confirmed that the infiltration bid was foiled by personnel of 20 Jat Regiment and five of the terrorists were killed. Indian forces have been keeping a tight vigil all along the LoC - especially in the wake of increased and unprovoked firing from Pakistan Army from across the border. Mortar shelling is also done to provide cover to terrorists attempting to sneak into the Indian side of the LoC. Sources have also revealed that the country's notorious ISI is now training prisoners across jails in Pakistan to cross the LoC and launch localised attacks on Indian Army posts. In return, they are promised lesser jail terms and/or money. The Indian Army though has said it is confident of meeting every challenge and has made it a point to return fire with equal measure each time a ceasefire violation occurs. New Delhi: Amit Shah on Saturday said that the NDA government is monitoring the current prices of petrol and diesel closely and that a long-term solution would be formed. Addressing a press conference on the fourth anniversary of the Modi government, the BJP president assured that a solution to the current scenario of soaring prices would be found. "Government is thinking about it and will form a long-term solution for it," he said. The government has been facing severe criticism - especially from opposition parties - for record high prices. Amit Shah however said prices were high even before 2014 when Congress was in power. "The current prices of petrol and diesel were the same during three years of Congress government. But they are fed up of these raised prices in only three days in our government?" he asked. Critics though have largely blamed repeated hikes in excise tax by the Modi government for the current situation. While BJP maintains that prices of petrol and diesel in India are linked to international crude prices, the record highs of $140 a barrel was when UPA was in power. Once PM Modi came to power, international prices began coming down but the government - between November 2014 and January 2016 - hiked excise tax nine times to shore up finances. Earlier this week, Union minister Nitin Gadkari said that the taxes are being used for welfare schemes and any cut would have an impact on these programs. Bringing fuel prices under GST has been offered as one solution but no state - including the 21 where BJP has a government either directly or in an alliance - has even tabled the matter. There, however, was some sign of a possible relief on Saturday when international crude prices fell by 2% after Russia and Saudi Arabia hinted at increasing production.` NEW DELHI: The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) on Saturday issued a fresh warning about severe cyclonic storm Mekunu in western coastal state Goa. It warned fishermen not to venture out into the sea and informed that waves as high as 3 to 3.2 metres are likely to hit the shore. Drishti Marine, an agency appointed by Goa state government for life guard duties said, "People are also not being allowed into the sea." Goa: IMD issues warning about severe cyclonic storm #Mekunu, says 'Waves as high as 3-3.2 metres will hit shore. Fishermen have been asked not to venture out into sea'. Drishti Marine, agency appointed by state govt for life guard duties say'People also not being allowed into sea pic.twitter.com/r2C7KEnBEC ANI (@ANI) May 26, 2018 Earlier in the day, the cyclone claimed lives of two people, including a child, were killed while three others went missing in the Omani province of Dhofar after it hit the southern region of the Gulf Arab country. The three missing were Asian nationals. Mekunu started to weaken to a tropical storm in Oman and authorities began clearing operations on Saturday after the heavy rain but warned residents to stay in their homes, with run-off from river valleys flooding most main roads in Dhofar. The cyclone also killed at least seven people in the Yemeni island of Socotra while at least 40 people went missing. Yemen declared a state of emergency on Thursday for Socotra, which lies between southern Yemen and the Horn of Africa and is renowned for its unique animal and plant life. Warning: As the system is expected to move away from Indian coast, no adverse weather is expected along and off west coast of India and Lakshadweep. (i) Wind warning: Gale winds speed reaching 90-100 kmph gusting to 110 kmph is very likely to prevail over westcentral Arabian Sea off south Oman-southeast Yemen coasts during next 03 hours and will decrease thereafter becoming squally wind speed reaching upto 40-50 kmph gusting to 60 kmph by the evening of 26th May, 2018. (ii) Sea condition: Sea condition will be very high to high over westcentral Arabian Sea along & off south Omansoutheast Yemen coasts during next three hours and will improve gradually thereafter becoming rough by evening of today, the 26th May, 2018. (iii) Fishermen Warning Fishermen are advised not to venture into Westcentral Arabian Sea along & off south Omansoutheast Yemen coasts during next 12 hours. (With inputs from agencies) NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will on Sunday inaugurate the Kundli-Ghaziabad-Palwal (KGP) Expressway, which is also known as the Eastern Peripheral Expressway (EPE). Ahead of the inauguration of the EPE, the authorities have issued a traffic advisory for the general public. Here is what you should now - -The Eastern Peripheral Expressway will become operational from 27.05.2018 for the general public. -All non-Delhi destined goods vehicles approaching from Gurugram, Faridabad, Noida and Ghaziabad will be diverted onto the Eastern Peripheral Expressway before entering Delhi. -These diversions will be enforced from 0700 hrs on 27.05.2018 onwards. -There will be an additional deployment of police personnel at all border entry points connecting Delhi with the neighbouring districts on Eastern Peripheral Expressway to divert non-Delhi destined goods vehicles from entering into Delhi. -The neighbouring districts of Uttar Pradesh and Haryana will also deploy an adequate number of police personnel at the diversion points near the expressway for the diversions. -Such non-Delhi destined goods vehicles found plying in Delhi will be prosecuted as per law. -Therefore all transporters associations and transporters are advised to use the Eastern Peripheral Expressway to bypass Delhi for non-Delhi destined goods vehicles. NEW DELHI: Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati is likely to be projected as the party's prime ministerial candidate for the upcoming 2019 Lok Sabha elections even though the party did not win even a single seat in the lower house of Parliament in the last general elections. The decision on the same is likely to be taken on Saturday when the BSP national executive committee meets. The party is also likely to evaluate the possibility of a pre-poll alliance with the Congress in the upcoming assembly elections in BJP-governed Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh. The BSP chief has spent the last few weeks in Delhi strategising for the upcoming state elections and finalising the list of candidates. The BSP has been trying to move out of Uttar Pradesh and make a mark on a national level. The efforts were evident when the BSP joined hands with the Janata Dal Secular for pre-poll alliance in Karnataka and bagged one seat in the state. Mayawati was in Bengaluru this week when alliance partner JDS formed the government with Congress's support. She attended the swearing-in ceremony of Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy where most of the anti-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders were in attendance. United Progressive Alliance chairperson Sonia Gandhi was also among those present at the ceremony. Among the images of the opposition unity, the pictures of the two ladies - Mayawati and Sonia Gandhi - seemed to be the most interesting of all. The evident warmth between the leaders seemed to be a strong indication of a possible alliance in the coming months. Not just Sonia, her son and Congress chief Rahul Gandhi was also seen talking animatedly with Mayawati. Mayawati and Sonia Gandhi held each other's arms as Rahul watched them. There have been reports that the Congress has already reached out to Mayawati for an alliance in the three states but the BSP is yet to share her thoughts with them. Mayawati was also spotted on the dais with Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav. The bua-bhatija were seen shaking hands and smiling while sitting next to each other. Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee also approached Mayawati at the ceremony and spoke for a while. All the leaders present at the event, posed for a photograph holding each other's hands - giving the perfect moment to showcase how the entire opposition stood united against the saffron party. New Delhi: Months after Kathua and Unnao rapes that triggered a countrywide public ire, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Friday created a new division to deal with all issues of women safety in coordination with relevant ministries, departments and state governments. The Ministry has appointed a 1993 batch AGMUT cadre officer, Punya Salila Srivastava, as Joint Secretary to head this division that will deal with crimes against women, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes; crimes against children, elderly persons; anti-trafficking cell; matters relating to prison legislation and prison reforms; all schemes under Nirbhaya Fund; Crime and Criminal Tracking and Network System; and National Crime Records Bureau. Salila was earlier posted as Education Secretary in the Delhi government and was recently sent on central deputation to the Ministry of Home Affairs. "In order to address offences against women. particularly rape, in a holistic and time-bound manner, the new division would focus to enhance capacity of the existing administrative, investigative, prosecution and judicial machinery, along with appropriate measures for rehabilitation of victims and bringing attitudinal changes in society," a Home Ministry statement said. It said the division was considered to create a national mission for the safety of women, with participation of stakeholder ministries and departments, who would undertake specified actions in a time-bound manner. These included setting up of special Fast Track Courts (FTCs), strengthening of forensic set up and building up of national registry of sexual offenders, appointing additional public prosecutors, and providing appropriate medical and rehabilitation facilities to victims. Issues like sensitisation of children through appropriate changes in school curriculum, a media campaign for raising awareness, checking proliferation of pornography materials and online contents would also be addressed, the statement said. The move is a way of the NDA government to convey the message that safety of women is its top priority. The Centre had even promulgated the Criminal Law Ordinance 2018 last month following the kidnapping and murder of a minor girl in Kathua in Jammu. The Ordinance provides for death penalty to rapists of girls aged below 12 years and other stringent penal provisions for rape. It also proposes to set up a National Registry for Sexual offenders, which was recently rolled out by the Home Ministry. UPA-II had also introduced Criminal Law (amendment) 2013 following the December 2012 gangrape and murder of a 23-year-old woman in Delhi. MUMBAI: Confusion prevails over when the Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (MSBSHSE) will announce the Maharashtra Higher Secondary Certification Examination (HSC) Class 12 Result 2018. The Results were earlier expected by the end of May but according to some latest reports, the HSC Class 12 Result 2018 may be declared on Saturday, May 26. Once made available, HSC Class 12 Result can be accessed the official website of the Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (MSBSHSE) - mahresult.nic.in. The Maharashtra HSC Results 2018 can also be accessed on other websites like examresults.net/maharashtra, results.nic.in/index or results.maharashtraeducation.com. The Maharashtra State Board HSC Class 12 examination for the academic year 2017-2018 were held between the month of February and March 2018. The exams were conducted by the Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education MSBSHSE. Here is how to check the Maharashtra HSC 2018 results: Step 1: Log on official website Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education MSBSHSE on mahresult.nic.in Step 2: Click on the link which says MSBSHSE Maharashtra HSC Class 12 Result 2018 Step 3: Fill all the details like your roll number and center number to get your Maharashtra HSC result 2018, Maharashtra Class 12 Result 2018 Step 4: You will be able to view your scorecard. You can download and print the same for future reference The results can also be received on request through SMS. Type MHHSC SPACE and send it to: 57766. The marksheet of Class 12th Maharashtra HSC result will be made available to the students at the respective schools on a later date. The Higher Secondary Certificate Examination (HSC) is conducted by the Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (MSBSHSE) during the month of February and March through its nine Divisional Boards, which are primarily located at Pune, Mumbai, Nashik, Aurangabad, Kolhapur, Latur, Nagpur, Amravati and Ratnagiri. TAIPEIDiplomacy has never been easy for Taiwan and is becoming ever more complex as it is caught between the United States under an unpredictable leader and an increasingly assertive China, which claims the self-ruling island as its own. In her strongest statement yet over pressure from China, Taiwans President Tsai Ing-wen blamed Beijing after Burkina Faso severed ties Thursday with Taipei. Tsai said China was showing insecurity over more substantial developments in relations between Taiwan and the US, and other like-minded countries. The US remains democratic Taiwans most powerful ally and leading arms supplier, although it gave up official diplomatic ties in 1979 to recognize Beijing. In recent months, it has made a series of new overturesPresident Donald Trump signed a symbolic bill paving the way for mutual visits by high-level officials and Washington gave long-awaited approval for a license necessary to sell submarine technology to Taiwan. Yet while Taiwans relationship with the US is essential to its security, it must also guard against riling China, its biggest military threat but also the dominant market for the islands export-driven economy. Beijing officials have described ramped-up Chinese military drills near Taiwan as a warning against asserting its sovereignty. Analysts say they are also a message to Washington. Foreign minister Joseph Wuwhose resignation over Burkina Faso was rejected by Tsaisaid earlier this month that furthering Taiwan-US relations must be done in a very cautious manner. He described the government as seeking to advance bilateral interests without creating any kind of trouble for anyone else.While Taiwan calls itself a sovereign country, the island has never formally declared a split from the mainland and China sees reunification as its eventual goal. Since Tsai came to power two years ago, Beijing has become increasingly hostile and is highly suspicious of her traditionally pro-independence party. China is using its clout to shut Taiwan out of international meetings and to pressure companies to list the island as a Chinese province on their websites. To mitigate against Beijings suppression, Taipei is making a concerted effort to win more international backing. Tsai is pursuing new business and cooperation with other nations, including through her southbound policy, which targets 16 south and southeast Asian countries, as well as Australia and New Zealand.More countries than ever had voiced support for Taiwan after Beijing blocked it from a major meeting of the World Health Organization earlier this month, said Tsai, who cast it as a sign the island was gaining global recognition. Taiwan needs to form a broader coalition of willing friends to supplement the support it gets from the US, said Jonathan Sullivan, director of the China Policy Institute at Nottingham University, although he added the US remains the islands top foreign relations priority because of its influence.Observers say growing frustration with Beijing has prompted the latest supportive gestures from the US towards Taiwan as trade tensions between the worlds two largest economies escalate and concerns mount over Chinas assertiveness in the region. Relations with China are no longer serving US interests, said William Stanton, who headed the American Institute in Taiwanthe US de-facto embassy in Taipeifrom 2009 to 2012. Arguably the most liberal place in Asia, Taiwan stands in stark contrast to Communist Chinas authoritarian one-party state and is a strategic Pacific ally for Washington to counter Beijings territorial ambitions. All eyes will be on which US official is sent to the opening of AITs newly built office complex next month, which cost $250 million. However, some observers point to Trumps erratic approach to foreign policy and fear Taiwan could be used as a pawn in his negotiations with China. It may appear the situation in the US bodes well for Taiwan. But so far, we havent seen what kind of benefits it is bringing us, said Teng Chung-chian, a diplomacy professor at Taipeis National Chengchi University. The US has not granted special trade protections to Taiwan, such as relief from steel and aluminium tariffs, he added. Any US support highlighting Taiwans claim to sovereignty could also risk a harsh response from Beijing, said Kharis Templeman, a political scientist at Stanford University. But foreign minister Wu dismissed the possibility of Taiwan being used as a bargaining chip by the US, saying the island has good friends in the Trump administration. Taiwan by itself is also an actor, he added. We can also try to judge what is in Taiwans best interest, and try to find the right policy for Taiwan. New Delhi: Congratulating the NDA government for completing four years of being in power, Amit Shah on Saturday praised Narendra Modi for his hard-work and popularity. Addressing a press conference at party headquarters in the capital, Amit Shah claimed that the Modi government has taken several social and economic steps that have helped millions of people in the country lead a better life. Reserving a special praise for PM Modi, he said the achievements of the government are a result of his dedication. "BJP provided the most hardworking Prime Minister and the most popular leader in the world to the country, a PM who works for 15-18 hours a day. We are proud this Prime Minister is a leader of BJP," he said. Amit Shah also lashed out at the opposition. "Their agenda is to remove Modi and BJP. BJP's agenda is removing corruption and poverty from India." Some of the other key quotes against the opposition were as follows: * Opposition unity does not scare us. They were standing against us before the previous Lok Sabha elections as well. What happened? As long as we have support of people, nothing else matters. * TDP left but Nitish ji came. 11 more parties became part of NDA after 2014. Family of NDA has increased, not decreased. Only Chandrababu ji left. * Opposition will lie, lie loudly, lie always but that does not mean their lies become the truth. * Those who have received gas cylinders know they have it. People know they have jobs. Farmers have benefitted since Modi ji came to power. Houses were built, toilets constructed, villages electrified. But Congress cannot see it. It does not matter. What matters is people can. * The current prices of petrol and diesel were the same during three years of Congress government. But they are fed up of these raised prices in only three days in our government? The government will form a long-term solution for it (price rise). While Amit Shah then went onto elaborate on measures taken in the economic and social spheres, party leaders, workers and supporters across the country have been celebrating the occasion with much fervour. BJP now plans to reach out to one lakh 'famous personalities' from all spheres of life to highlight the government's achievements. Congress, as was expected, is not much impressed and called it 'Betrayal Day.' Party president Rahul Gandhi took a pot shot and tweeted a report card which blamed PM Modi for having a short attention span. 4 Yr. Report Card Agriculture: F Foreign Policy: F Fuel Prices: F Job Creation: F Slogan Creation: A+ Self Promotion: A+ Yoga: B- Remarks: Master communicator; struggles with complex issues; short attention span. Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) May 26, 2018 Political analysts though mostly agree that it is the charismatic leadership of PM Modi that has immensely benefited BJP - a party that has governments in 21 states either directly or as alliance partners. PATNA: In a surprising move, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'friend' and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Saturday made a U-turn and questioned benefits of the Centre's much-hyped demonetisation move. The Janata Dal-United leader sought to know if the Centre's sudden decision to ban the old currency notes of high denomination actually benefited the poor and the downtrodden, the marginalised and the weaker sections of the society. The Bihar politician also slammed the banks for allegedly helping the rich and powerful manage their cash during the notes ban. "I was initially the supporter of demonetisation...but how many people benefited from it? Some powerful people shifted their cash from one place to another," Nitish Kumar said. He made these remarks at a meeting with bank officials here. It is possibly the first time that the veteran Bihar politician, who is also president of the Janata Dal-United (JD-U), has questioned the demonetisation move of the Narendra Modi-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government. Incidentally, Nitish Kumar's remarks against the Centre's December 2016 demonetisation move came on a day when the saffron party was celebrating the completion of four years of Narendra Modi government at the Centre. Nitish Kumar's party JD(U) is a BJP ally and runs a coalition government in Bihar. The Bihar Chief Minister made these remarks in front of his deputy and BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi. After the Chief Minister expressed his reservations about the benefits of demonetisation to the man on the street, Sushil Kumar Modi, who was also present, downplayed his statement, saying, "Nitish Kumar has been a supporter of demonetisation." In 2016, Nitish Kumar, then part of a Grand Alliance of Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Congress, had supported demonetisation. Several political parties, including Congress, RJD-led by Lalu Prasad Yadav, Mayawati's BSP and Akhilesh Yadav-led SP had strongly opposed the notes ban move. They alleged that the demonetisation had badly hurt the Indian economy and retarded the engine of growth and development. Lucknow: The District Magistrate of Sitapur in Uttar Pradesh has issued an order for all government employees here to pose in front of toilets in their homes to prove that they do not relieve themselves in the open. Failure to send the selfie could mean no salary for the month of May. In a bid to make the district free from open defecation, the DM took the step of ordering government employees to click toilet selfies but in addition, they will also have to submit certificates which prove they have a toilet at their residences, according to news agency ANI. The order also clearly outlines that the salary for May would be stalled if the order was not abided by. Part of PM Narendra Modi's Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, toilet construction for maintaining personal hygiene and dignity has been given special priority. On February 8, the government told Lok Sabha that 11 states and union territories have become free from open defecation. These include Sikkim, Himachal Pradesh, Kerala, Uttarakhand, Haryana, Gujarat, Chandigarh, Daman and Diu, Arunachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Meghalaya. New Delhi: As Congress made a barrage of attack on the fourth anniversary of the NDA government at the Centre, BJP president Amit Shah on Saturday hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for ending dynasty politics and ushered the country in a new era of development. Addressing a press conference in the national capital, Amit Shah said, ''During the past four years, PM Modi provided good governance and ended politics of dynasty and casteism while also ushering in politics of development.'' "BJP provided the most hard-working and the most popular leader in the world to the country, a Prime Minister who works for 15-18 hours a day. We are proud that this Prime Minister is a leader of BJP," he said. Shah said the Prime Minister was sworn-in at a time when people had stopped believing that the nation would ever progress under a multi-party democratic system. Praising the (BJP)-led NDA government at the Centre, Shah said the party is proud of having given a corruption-free, strong decision-making administration, one that understands the needs of the people. Talking about people's trust in the government, the BJP chief said that at present 20 states have a government led either by BJP or BJP and its alliance partners. "We have done millions of crores of infrastructure projects without a scam. We have been working to give millions of people by promoting self-employment and ours is the first government to double the agricultural budget," he said. The BJP chief also said the government has resolved the issue of 'One Rank One Pension' for the armed forces within a year of coming to power. He also pointed out that several measures such as the constitution of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to curb black money were taken by the Narendra Modi government. Reacting to Congress president Rahul Gandhi's 'report card' tweet, Shah in a befitting reply said, "What else do you expect from Rahul Gandhi? He is in the Opposition, he has to do this. We have presented facts and figures and anyone can challenge that." What else do you expect from Rahul Gandhi? He is in the opposition, he has to do this. Wo thodi na hamare bakhan karenge. We have presented facts & figures and anyone can challenge that: BJP President Amit Shah on Rahul Gandhi's tweet marking performance of Modi govt in 4 years pic.twitter.com/L7Yu5mgncH ANI (@ANI) May 26, 2018 "The Opposition's agenda is to remove the Prime Minister and the BJP, but our agenda is to provide stability and development by removing corruption and poverty from the country," he said. As fuel prices continue to increase causing inconvenience to the general public, Shah said current prices of petrol and diesel were the same during three years of Congress rule as well. However, he assured that the Prime Minister-led government will soon evolve a long-term solution. The current prices of petrol & diesel were the same during three years of Congress government. But they are fed up of these raised prices in only three days in our government? Government is thinking about that & will form a long-term solution for it: BJP President Amit Shah pic.twitter.com/DccgbfQvqu ANI (@ANI) May 26, 2018 Speaking about repeated incidents of ceasefire violations along the Line of Control (LoC), Shah said, "BJP considers war as the last option. However, we have zero tolerance regarding the safety of our borders. The most number of terrorists have been killed under the rule of the BJP government." Bharatiya Janata Party considers war the last option. However, we have zero tolerance regarding safety of our borders. The most number of terrorists have been killed in BJP government: : BJP President Amit Shah ANI (@ANI) May 26, 2018 Giving an open message to Shiv Sena, Shah stated that the BJP wants the Shiv Sena and with it for the 2019 elections, adding that they are still together at both the Centre and in Maharashtra. When asked to comment on the Shiv Sena's recent remark about going it alone in the 2019 elections, Shah said, "You should ask them". For the unversed, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took over as the Prime Minister on May 26, 2014, after the BJP won an overwhelming majority of 282 seats. The ruling party has also come up with a new slogan - ''Saaf Niyat, Sahi Vikas.'' Meanwhile, as part of its nation-wide programme, the Congress in Tripura held protest rallies in different parts of Tripura on Saturday to observe the "Vishwasghat Divas" on the 4th anniversary of the Narendra Modi-led BJP government. Congress leader Gopal Roy said that the "Vishwasghat Divas" (betrayal day) was observed to highlight the failure of pre-poll promises and miss-governance of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) led government at the Centre. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not fulfil any of his pre-poll tall promises including providing two crore jobs per year to the youths," Roy told the media after a protest rally here. (With ANI inputs) LUCKNOW: In the wake of increasing incidents of attacks by stray dogs in Uttar Pradesh's Sitapur district and adjacent areas, a minister on Saturday turned his back on the matter and said that the government cannot be blamed if someone is being bitten by any animal. Addressing the media, UP Urban Development Minister Suresh Kumar Khanna said, "How does the government come in between if an animal bites somebody?" Ab koi jaanwar kahin ghusa aur usne kisi ko kaat liya toh usme shaasan aur satta kahaan se beech mein aate hain?: Suresh Kumar Khanna,UP Minister on attacks by stray dogs which claimed the lives of 14 children in Sitapur. pic.twitter.com/iqOtjrb792 ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) May 26, 2018 As many as 14 children have lost their lives so far due to attacks by stray dogs in the state. The incidents have led to a formation of a committee by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. Taking cognisance of the matter, CM Adityanath asked police, civic body officials and veterinary doctors to jointly investigate the issue and take measures. As many as 18 teams have reportedly been deployed by the district administration, who are carrying out operations to nab stray dogs in the region. The villagers have also formed teams to keep a check on dogs attacking more people. Armed with rods, sticks and swords. Media reports suggest that the administration will soon initiate sterilisation of stray dogs. The canines will be brought to city hospitals for the sterilisation process. HYDERABAD: The preliminary answer keys for the Telangana Integrated Common Entrance Test (TICET) are expected to be released soon. Once the answer keys are out, the candidates will be able to check their answer keys on the official website - icet.tsche.ac.in. Media reports suggest that the preliminary answer key will be released on Sunday, May 27, 2018. The examination was held on May 23 and May 24 at 60 centres across the state. Nearly 61,439 students have appeared in the examination. The last date of submission of objections on the basis of preliminary answer key is June 4, 2018. While the results of Telangana ICET are likely to be declared on June 6, 2018, the certificate verification will be done on July 6, 2018. With the release of answer keys, aspirants will be able to cross check their answers. However, this is the preliminary answer keys. The final answer keys will be released a week after the release of interim asnwer keys. TS ICET - 2018 (Telangana State Integrated Common Entrance Test -TS ICET) is conducted for admission into MBA and MCA courses of all the Universities in Telangana State and their affiliated colleges for the academic year 2018-19. This test is being conducted by Kakatiya University, Warangal on behalf of Telangana State Council of Higher Education, Hyderabad. Kakatiya University has successfully conducted ICET in 2005, 2006, 2012, 2013, 2014 and TS ICET - 2015, 2016 and 2017. Here's how to download answer key of TS ICET 2018: Step 1: Go to the official website - icet.tsche.ac.in Step 2: Click on the relevant link Step 3: The answer key will be displayed on the screen in a pdf format Step 4: Check the answer key according to your set Step 5: Download the answer key The candidates are suggested to take a print out of the answer key for future reference. Panaji: The Goa Police on Saturday arrested two people after they were accused in a gang-rape case at Colva, while another person is at large, a police officer said. The three accused--tourists from Indore -- have been charged with robbing and gangraping a 20-year-old woman late on Friday, while she was visiting Colva beach along with her 22-year-old boyfriend. "We have arrested Sanjiv Dhananjay Pal, 23, and Ram Santosh Bhariya, 19, both from Indore. We have teams on the lookout for the third accused who is also from the same city. They are tourists who were visiting Goa," Superintendent of Police (South Goa) Arvind Gawas told IANS on Saturday. The victim, who hails from a nearby village, had also claimed that the sexual assault was filmed by the alleged rapists and she was blackmailed by them against informing the police. Police have said that medical examination of the victim has confirmed rape. An FIR was filed late on Friday at the Colva police station under sections 376 (rape) and 394 (robbery) of the Indian Penal Code. LUCKNOW: BJP MLA Pankaj Singh, son of Union Minister Rajnath Singh, on Saturday claimed that he has received a death threat on WhatsApp. The Uttar Pradesh minister has informed the police about the threat. Earlier this week, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had ordered a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into the extortion threats received by at least 12 MLAs, most of them belonging to the ruling BJP. Media reports suggest that these MLAs have received phone calls and WhatsApp messages threatening them of dire consequences if they did not shell out Rs 10 lakh. The MLAs claimed that they have received text and WhatsApp messages asking them to pay Rs 10 lakh or their families will be eliminated within three days. Veer Vikram Singh (Meeranpur Katra in Shahjahanpur), Manvendra Singh (Dadraul in Shahjahanpur), Prem Prakash Pandey (Tarabganj in Gonda), Vinay Kumar Dwivedi (Mehnam in Gonda), Vinod Katiyar (Bhognipur in Kanpur), Shahshank Trivedi (Mahauli in Sitapur), Anita Rajput (Debai in Bulandshahr) are among those who have received threats calls. Taking cognizance of the matter, CM Adityanath had directed the Special Task Force (STF) and the Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) to act swiftly in this regard. The extortion threats were reportedly issued in the name of a gangster who once had worked with underworld don Dawood Ibrahim. According to police, others including a journalist in Bhopal have also received such threats messages in the recent past. However, to them, the matter appears to be a planned conspiracy to create panic. The calls were made from a land-line number registered in Texas which perhaps has a WhatsApp facility. The UP Police have obtained the IP address which was used to send threatening messages to the MLAs. Police further informed that such messages were also forwarded to film personalities in the 1990s. The gangster in question once worked with Dawood Ibrahim but the two later fell out. In all the messages, the caller identified himself as Ali Budesh Bhai from Dubai. (With inputs from agencies) New Delhi: Far removed from the big urban centres of Madhya Pradesh, Dindori's Shahpura is currently in the midst of a water crisis not seen in decades. Left with no option, locals - including children - are regularly climbing down a well which too is at least a kilometer away. News agency ANI reports that locals in Shahpura have to trudge a long distance each day in search of water. The only well is a kilometer away and even here, the water levels are so low that instead of dropping buckets, people themselves climb down and collect supplies. Many, including children, make the dangerous climb down the well each day and say it is the only way they can get water for their daily consumption and needs. The peak summer months here have resulted in all major and minor water bodies in the area drying up. The local administration has said that it has directed for two water tankers to be supplied everyday to provide relief to people. #WATCH: People in Dindori's Shahpura climb down the well in their area to collect water, as they are unable to fetch it using buckets due to less quantity. Locals are facing acute water shortage, SDM says Panchayat has been asked to provide 2 water tankers daily. #MadhyaPradesh pic.twitter.com/6kyenmpSXC ANI (@ANI) May 26, 2018 Water crisis is fast becoming a major problem in small towns and villages across Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. In recent weeks, there have been reports of people drawing drain water, pulling up and consuming dirty water from wells, and even using clothes as filters because a clean supply line is absent in many parts. Srinagar/New Delhi: In a major breakthrough, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Saturday arrested an alleged Jaish-e-Mohammed operative Muneer-ul-Hassan Qadri in connection with the 2016 terror attack on an Army camp in Nagrota in which seven soldiers, including two officers, were killed. An NIA spokesman, while appreciating the role of the Jammu and Kashmir Police, said that Qadri, who is a resident of Lolab in north Kashmir, was arrested for his alleged involvement in the Nagrota terror attack on the Army camp on November 29, 2016. Three Pakistani terrorists were also killed in the ensuing operation by the Indian Army and a huge quantity of firearms, ammunition, explosives and other articles were seized from them. The alleged JeM operative was arrested in a joint operation with Jammu and Kashmir Police. During his interrogation, Qadri, a Nepal returnee who was in custody of the J&K Police for some time, admitted his role in various terror modules, including the group involved in the Nagrota attack. J&K: NIA arrested Syed Muneer -Ul-Hassan Qadri, a resident of Kupwara in connection with terrorist attack at Army camp at Nagrota on 29 November, 2016 in which 7 army jawans lost their lives & 3 others were injured. He revealed that the attack was carried out by Jaish-e-Mohammad. ANI (@ANI) May 26, 2018 "Qadri has revealed that he along with other Valley-based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) operatives were in touch with its leadership in Pakistan and had received a freshly infiltrated group of three Pakistani terrorists from the Samba sector a day before the attack (on November 29, 2016)," an NIA spokesperson said. Preliminary interrogation of the accused revealed that the attack was carried out by the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), a banned terror group, in furtherance of a well-planned conspiracy from Pakistan, the spokesman said. Qadri also reportedly told the interrogators that he along with other Valley-based JeM operatives were in touch with the JeM leadership in Pakistan and had received a freshly infiltrated group of three Pakistani terrorists from the Samba sector a day before the attack. ''They subsequently stayed at a hotel in Jammu and then left the attackers outside the army camp in Nagrota late at night, and proceeded to the Kashmir Valley,'' the spokesman said. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) had registered a case into the incident in December 2016 for offences under sections 120B, 121, 307 of the Ranbir Penal Code (RPC) and sections seven and 27 of the Arms Act, 1958. 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These links are provided solely as a convenience and are not endorsements of any products or services in such sites, and no information or content in such site has been endorsed or approved by this blog. LUCKNOW: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday hit out at Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray after the latter said that he ''felt like hitting the BJP leader with his footwear' for allegedly insulting the Maratha icon Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Speaking to reporters, the monk-politician said, ''He (Uddhav Thackeray) doesn't know the reality. I don't need to learn manners from him. I have more manners than him. '' Replying to Shiv Sena's allegation that he insulted Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Yogi Adityanath said, ''I know how to pay tribute. Don't need to learn that from him.'' He doesn't know the reality.Don't need to learn manners from Uddhav Thackeray.I have more manners than him & I know how to pay tribute.Don't need to learn that from him:CM Yogi Adityanath on Uddhav Thackeray's comment on him about garlanding a photo of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj pic.twitter.com/4MaYI5IV5y ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) May 26, 2018 The remarks from the UP Chief Minister came shortly after Uddhav Thackeray's caustic remarks on him about garlanding a photo of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. In a fiery editorial in its mouthpiece 'Saamana', the Maharashtra-based party had slammed Yogi Adityanath for not removing his footwear while garlanding the photo of Maratha warrior king Chhatrapati Shivaji during a public rally in Virar two days back for Palghar Lok Sabha bypoll to be held on May 28. "The hypocrite Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, who visited Palghar for the poll campaign, has stabbed the BJP in the back,'' the party said. ''This shows they have not understood the history or Chhatrapati (Shivaji)," the Shiv Sena said in an editorial in its mouthpiece 'Saamana'. "Yogi comes here and gives lessons on Chhatrapati. However, while garlanding his statue, he does not even remove his chappals. This is an insult to Chhatrapati Shivaji. What does the BJP have to say on this," the Sena asked. Later, Uddhav Thackeray too slammed Yogi Adityanath's recent visit to Palghar and said he felt like hitting him with his own footwear for allegedly insulting the Maratha icon. "He garlanded (photo of) Shivaji Maharaj while wearing chappals. I felt like taking the same chappals and hitting his face with it," the Shiv Sena chief wrote in an editorial. "He is no yogi, he is a 'bhogi'. Had he been a yogi, he would have given up everything and gone and sat in a cave. But he has gone and sat in the CM's chair," he added. Uddhav also tore into BJP - former alliance partner of Shiv Sena in Maharashtra. "Today, the BJP has become a ''mad murderer'' that stabs anybody coming in its way," the Sena editorial alleged. Mumbai: At least six vehicles collided with each other on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway near Khalapur on Saturday bringing the traffic on the busy highway to a virtual standstill for about an hour. According to ANI, the collision between vehicles took place near toll-plaza after a speeding container truck applied sudden brakes. Maharashtra: Traffic came to a standstill for half-an-hour on Mumbai-Pune Expressway after 6 vehicles rammed into each other near Khalapur Toll Naka. 1 person, who got injured, was taken to hospital. Movement of vehicles now resumed. pic.twitter.com/bkwvLfec4V ANI (@ANI) May 26, 2018 The accident took place nearly 15-km from Lonavla around 12 noon. With the driver of the speeding container truck applying sudden brakes, the vehicles coming from the rear did not get a chance to sense the situation and one by one rammed into each other. This resulted in a major car pile-up on the highway. At least nine-person were injured in the accident and two of them are said to be in a critical condition. They have been rushed to a hospital in Panvel for treatment. Mumbai Traffic police personnel also rushed to the spot to clear the jam. The vehicular movement has now resumed. Last month, five people travelling to Pune to attend a marriage were killed in an accident on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway. More details are awaited. New Delhi: Bollywood's 'Queen', Kangana Ranaut is busy shooting for her upcoming film 'Mental Hai Kya'. The actress had a very special visitor on the sets recently and he is none other than Prithviraj Chandel, Kangana's adorable little nephew. Kangana's official page on Instagram shared the picture. As the actress is not on any social media platform, the Instagram page is managed by the 'Queen's team. Check out the picture right here: Kangana is very attached to her family members who have been with her through thick and thin. And Rangoli, Prithviraj's mom and Kangana's sister, has played a pivotal role in the actress's career by standing like a rock by her side. She has been a total support system to Kangana throughout her journey and has slammed all those who have spoken against her sister by giving befitting replies. Coming to the film 'Mental Hai Kya', the movie is produced by Ekta Kapoor and directed by Tollywood filmmaker K Raghavendra Rao's son Prakash Kovelamudi. The excitement for the movie started building up as soon as the first look posters were out. In one of the posters, Kangana gleefully smiles as she lies on the floor in a swimsuit and pretends to be murdered. In another poster, Rajkummar has translucent tape stuck around his face leaving one of his eyes closed. The movie also stars Rajkummar Rao and is written by Kanika Dhillon. Chunky Panday and wife Bhavana Pandey's daughter Ananya Panday, who is all set to make her Bollywood debut with Karan Johar's 'Student Of The Year 2' has already become a social media sensation, thanks to her fashion sense. The young girl was recently spotted at Bandra, dressed in her casual best. Ananya was seen sporting a white tee, distressed denim and white sneakers. She looked as fresh as a Lilly in these photos and happily posed for the shutterbugs before getting into her car. In the meantime, 'Student Of The Year 2' also features Tiger Shroff and debutante Tara Sutaria. The film went on floors last month and is expected to hit theatres on November 23 this year. Last year, Ananya made heads turn after she made a stunning debut at Le Bal Paris. Le Bal or Le Bal des Debutantes in Paris is a fashion event which is held annually in the month of November. Young girls from eminent families from across the globe team up to make the event a grand affair and display their style statement by wearing couture designer wear. London: Actor Kit Harington will be getting married to his 'Game of Thrones' co-star Rose Leslie on June 23. The couple met on the fantasy show in 2012, where they played on-screen lovers -- Jon Snow and Ygritte. Their engagement was announced in September last year. A June 23 date has been posted at the Huntly registration office in Aberdeenshire. The actress`s father, councillor Seb Leslie, owns a castle in his West Garioch constituency, reports bbc.com. They will exchange vows in the north east of Scotland. Leslie left the cast two years after they met, while Harington became one of the show's biggest stars - appearing in every series of the popular TV drama. Harington earlier told L`Uomo Vogue that it was "easy" to fall in love with Leslie. He said his best ever memory of the show were the three weeks in Iceland when they filmed the second season in 2012. "Because the country is beautiful, because the Northern Lights are magical, and because it was there that I fell in love," he said. New Delhi: Filmmaker Rajkumar Hirani who is known for his brand of cinema is leaving no stone unturned in surprising the fans with multiple look posters from the much-awaited biopic of the year 'Sanju' starring Ranbir Kapoor. But now we hear that Rajkumar Hirani has modified Sunil Dutt's original house for Sanjay Dutt's biopic. As per sources, Rajkumar Hirani is revamping Sanjay's old house where he once lived with his parents. While the house is no longer there, but Priya Dutt has helped him to work on the house for the shooting of the film. He approached Priya, who further helped him with photographs and videos of their ancestral home. Rajkumar Sir wanted to portray Sanjays life right from childhood as is and hence we all got into recreating the entire set up for the house where Sanjay originally resided with his parents Sunil and Nargis Dutt. The set creation took about 25 days and once it was ready, the cast and crew including the visitors on the sets were shocked and amazed to see the exact replication of the original house, " a source revealed. Ranbir Kapoor's unbelievable transformation in the teaser made it difficult for people to differentiate between the reel and the real Sanjay Dutt. 'Sanju' is the brainchild of Rajkumar Hirani and has an ensemble star cast with the likes of Ranbir playing the titular role of Dutt. It stars Sonam Kapoor, Dia Mirza, Paresh Rawal, Manisha Koirala, Anushka Sharma, Karishma Tanna, Jim Sarbh to name a few. This is the most-awaited film of 2018 as Ranbir has put in a lot of hard work to completely transform himself into looking like the real-life Dutt. The teaser has received a positive response and now all eyes set for the big release. The film will be hitting the screens on June 29, 2018. Moscow: The Kremlin on Friday rejected allegations of any Russian involvement in the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 over eastern Ukraine in 2014, an incident in which 298 people were killed. The Netherlands said on Friday it held the Russian state responsible and a Dutch cabinet statement said a "possible" next step would be presenting the case to an international court, adding Australia shared its assessment of Russia`s role. Dutch prosecutors on Thursday identified a Russian military unit as the source of the missile that shot down the plane. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on a conference call on Friday that Russia had not been a fully-fledged participant in the Dutch investigation into the incident and could not therefore trust its findings. When asked if the Kremlin denied allegations of Russian involvement, he said: "Absolutely." Peskov referred a question about possible compensation for families of the victims to the Russian Foreign Ministry. Open source Two Ukrainian soldiers were injured, one got a battle wound over the past 24 hours in Donbas, as Maksym Prauta, Defence Ministry Spokesperson on Joint Forces Operation issues, said at the briefing. As a result of battle actions, two Ukrainian soldiers were injured, one got a battle wound. They were taken to the healthcare facilities, the message says. The militants attacked Ukrainian positions in Luhansk sector from 120-mm mortar launchers near Zaitseve. Besides, the enemy was firing within two hours from 122-mm bombardment artillery and 120-mm mortar launchers near Novoluhanske. The terrorists were shooting at our positions near Svitlodarsk, Krymske and Luhanske. According to the Defence Ministry Spokesperson, 27 attacks were recorded in Donetsk sector over the past 24 hours. Our defence works were under the fire from 152-mm heavy tube artillery near Novotroitske and Stara Mykolaivka. In total, the enemy has launched 20 shells of this caliber at our sides. Enemys tanks attacked our positions ten times near Lebedynske and Nevelsk. The militants used 120-mm mortar launchers near Shyrokyne, Prauta noted. It was also mentioned, that the enemy was active near Vodyane, Hnutove, Krasnohorivka, Marinka, Nevelsk, Novoselivka Druha, Pavlopil, Starohnativka and Shyrokyno. Reportedly, the militants attacked the Ukrainian positions 33 times over the past 24 hours. The Joint Forces Operation units opened fire 11 timed. For picture posts from 2010 and earlier, see the Earlier Picture Posts Page According to him, Russia forcibly changes the demography of the peninsula that is equaled to the war-crimes The Russian Federation massively populates annexed Crimea with the Russian-speaking citizens from other regions. Mustafa Dzhemilev, the Ukrainian President Commission for Crimean Tatars claimed this as Ukrinform reported. 'The forcible change of the demographic composition of the occupied territory belongs to the war-crimes, according to Geneva Convention of 1949', he reminded. That is why the data on the number of the ressetlers is carefully hidden. However, according to Dzhemilev's data received from the testimony of the Crimean citizens, the issue is about from 850, 000 up to one million people. Alim Aliev, the co-founder of the non-governmental organization 'Crimea-SOS' identified a few categories of the ressetlers at 112 Ukraine broadcasting: the soldiers, FSB officers and officials who arrive to work at the local administrations. 'Russia repeats the strategy used during the first occupation at times of Catherine the Great. Then was no possibility to deport people, was not railway and wagons. They just created the unbearable conditions for people, forced them to migrate and as a result, the Crimean Tatars became the national minority during the short period of time', Dzhemilev noted. He also emphasized that the FSB holds the complex of the events to make the Crimean Tatars leave the peninsula. 'Not long ago, we intercepted one confidential letter of the FSB to so-called head of Crimea Aksenov. There was about three-year plan of the FSB toward the Crimean Tatars to make them cooperate with the occupation authority', Dzhemilev noted. According to him, the mass searches, filtrations, arrests were mentioned as the methods for this. Earlier Dzhemilev reported that 250 000 people were transferred from Russia to Crimea. According to The New York Times' data, from 200 up to 300 soldiers of the pro-Syrian government forces died Open source The four-hour battle took place between the American Armed Forces and pro-regime supporters in Syria, including the Russian mercenaries in February and The New York Times gained the details of the fight. According to the Pentagon data, there were around 500 pro-Syrian government forces against 40 Americans. It was one of the bloodiest battles the US faced in Syria since the fight against ISIS. Despite the Syrian forces, the Russian mercenaries participated in the battle, particularly; it is most likely to be the fighters of the Wagner Group known as the power of Russia's government that distracts attention from the connection of the Kremlin and some particular objectives. Pentagon described the battle as the self-defense and mentioned that there were 'hundreds of approaching rival troops, vehicles and artillery pieces in the week leading up to the attack'. The main events took place near Conoco gas plant not far from Deir al-Zour city. All this could bring Russia and the US to the bloody conflict but pro-Syrian government lost the battle. However, the number of the casualties is also not clear. Officially Russia claimed about four perished Russians, while Syria reported about 100 soldiers to be killed. According to The New York Times' data, from 200 up to 300 soldiers of the pro-Syrian government forces died. However, Russia's government denied and continues to deny that its mercenaries participated in the battle. As we reported on April 13, the U.S. troops landed a missile strike on chemical infrastructure in Syria; the UK and France joined in. The strikes killed at least six people and dealt damage to a number of weaponry research objects. On April 7, the volunteer organizations reported that the chemical attack at Douma, the East Ghouta took place. As a result of this attack at least 70 people died. The Syrian government and Russia called this information untrue, while the US and allies have blamed Bashar al-Assad for the attack. In its turn, Russias Foreign Ministry claimed that the missiles should aim the terrorists. The General Staff of Russia recommended the US and its allies to restore Syrian Raqqa instead of threats. Donald Trump, the U.S. President, was to meet with Kim Jong-Un, the leader of the North Korea, on June 12 Open source The White House representatives are getting ready for the takeoff to Singapore to prepare to the summit of the U.S. and North Korea, as Sarah Sanders, the White House Secretary, said, CBS reports. The White House pre-advance team for Singapore will leave as scheduled in order to prepare should the summit take place," Sanders noted. It should be noted that Donald Trump, the U.S. President, was to meet with Kim Jong-Un, the leader of the North Korea, on June 12. But the U.S. leader said he canceled the meeting due to big anger and outright hostility from Kim Jong-Un. As it was reported earlier, North Korea intended to shut down its nuclear site during the period between May 23-25 depending on weather conditions. Pyongyangs statement was made after the U.S. President Trump announced a meeting with Kim Jong-un in Singapore on June 12. The leader of North Korea promised he would not allow South Korean and American journalists to monitor the shut down the testing ground. Pyongyang announced it leaves the treaty which prohibits the proliferation of nuclear weapons in 2003. Later, the state faced a series of international sanctions. The U.S. offers North Korea the economic assistance in exchange for the refusal of the nuclear weapon. The EU will consider the extension of the sanctions against Russia at the EU summit on June 28-29 Open source The EU will not lift the sanctions against Russia without a significant progress with Ukraine. French President Emmanuel Macron claimed this after the meeting with Russia's President Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg as Reuters reported. 'The ball is on the field of Russia and Ukraine. It is very simple. We (the EU) will not lift the sanctions if nothing is done. This is what we have discussed with Vladimir Putin', Macron claimed. Earlier it was reported that the extension of the sanctions against Russia will be considered at the EU summit on June 28-29. As we reported Leaders of France and Russia discussed the current developments in Ukraine on May 24 in St. Petersburg. Macron said that Paris and Moscow should jointly work to provide collective security. Also, the latest conclusions in the case of MH17 disaster and the recent developments in that of Kyrylo Vyshynsky, the detained editor-in-chief of RIA Novosti news agency, - these were among the topics that turned the attention of reporters in Saint Petersburg, where Vladimir Putin and Emmanuel Macron met for negotiations and then gave a joint press conference. According to Sternenko, he was not served charge papers Open source Serhiy Sternenko, the former leader of Right Sector in Odesa has claimed that the knife with which he killed one of the attackers is owned by the perpetrators as skyrypin.ua reported. 'We (Sternenko was with the girlfriend) went home and near the house, two guys met us, they began to beat me up, also, they use the knife and I succeeded to take it', Sternenko said. Also, he was asked who the owner of the knife was. 'It was the knife of the perpetrators', he noted and told the details of the crime. 'When they began to beat me up I tried to defend myself. I saw that the attackers began to run away in different directions and I followed one of them. He ran about 30-40 meters and fell, holding his flank and said that he will not attack me anymore. I called an ambulance and saw that the blood sprays out of my hand', he said. Then the ambulance arrived. According to him, the doctors began to talk to his girlfriend. 'Then they came (to Sternenko), weakly examined the man and said that he is dead and took me away', he added. As we reported in the evening, May 24, the unknown, armed with cold weapons, attempted on the life of the former head of Odesas Right Sector Serhiy Sternenko. According to Sternenko, there were two attackers. One of them escaped and the second was stabbed by ex-leader of Righ Sector to death. Later Odesa police established and detained the escaped person. Open source A report on the promotion of the democracy and human rights in the Black Sea region was presented at the spring session of UN Parliamentary Assembly in Warsaw. Iryna Friz, Permanent Delegation to the UN Parliamentary Assembly, wrote the keynotes of the report on Facebook. In particular, mass violations of human rights on Ukraines occupied territories are mentioned in the report presented at the session. Besides, the spokesmen supported the notes on Russias responsibility for the violations of human rights not only n Donbas but also in Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Ulla Schmidt, the presenter, called a quick solution of Donbas conflict impossible. She also expressed a conclusion that the pressure on Russia has to be intensified. Putin continued following the path towards authoritarianism, using the mechanisms of oppression and nomination in a manual mode even more than Stalin did, the report stresses. Earlier, the UN Parliamentary Assembly will take place in Ukraine in 2020. YEREVAN, MAY 25, ARMENPRESS. Armenian President Armen Sarkissian and First Lady Nune Sarkissian arrived in Tbilisi on May 25 at the invitation of Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili. This is the first foreign visit of Armen Sarkissian in the capacity of President of Armenia. The Armenian President and the First Lady were invited to attend the 100th anniversary celebrations of Georgias First Republic. On the first day of the visit President Sarkissian had a one-on-one meeting with Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili, followed by an expanded format meeting of delegations, the Armenian Presidents Office told ARMENPRESS. At the meeting President Sarkissian thanked for the invitation and the warm reception. President Sarkissian also mentioned that Armenia too will celebrate the 100th anniversary of establishment of the First Armenian Republic on May 28. Sarkissian and Kvirikashvili were pleased to note the dynamically developing and yearly strengthening relations between the two friendly countries, and mentioned that they are proud of the common history, during which theyve learned from each other and are now happy over one anothers achievements. Both sides attached importance to the continuous development and enhancement of relations in an atmosphere of mutual trust, and maximal use of existing potential. The sides especially highlighted partnership in the fields of tourism, energy, IT and several other sectors. The recent political changes in Armenia were also discussed. The Georgian Prime Minister was pleased to note the civilized and peaceful resolution of the situation and attached importance to President Sarkissians role and efforts in the process and noted that Georgia is interested in the stability of Armenia. In turn, President Sarkissian said that all joint programs wont simply continue, but also expand. We are interested in the maximal use of the entire potential of our relations in different sectors, the Armenian president said. Later the President had a meeting with his Georgian counterpart - Giorgi Margvelashvili. Speaking about the 100th anniversary celebrations both in Armenia and Georgia, the Armenian president noted that the idea of freedom, which remains the leading idea today, is at the foundation of the historic anniversaries for both peoples. President Sarkissian characterized the Armenian-Georgian bilateral relations as friendly and collegial , which continue developing. Active intergovernmental dialogue anchored on historic base of mutual-understanding between our peoples and traditional friendship creates serious prerequisites for outlining new directions of partnership, the Armenian president said. The presidents also talked about the recent changes in Armenia and the prospects of development of the Armenian-Georgian ties. Both sides expressed confidence that not only are they able to maintain the current level of relations through joint efforts, but also to boos mutual cooperation elevating it to a new qualitative level. During the warm and frank meeting the Armenian president also invited his Georgian counterpart to visit Armenia. English translator/editor: Stepan Kocharyan YEREVAN, MAY 26, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan has congratulated his Georgian counterpart Giorgi Kvirikashvili on the countrys national holiday the 100th anniversary of restoration of state independence. In a congratulatory cable sent to Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili, PM Pashinyan wished his Georgian counterpart good health and future successes in his responsible activity, and peace and welfare to the people of Georgia, the PMs office said. I am convinced that the existing friendly relations between our peoples, as well as the high level of the current bilateral intergovernmental relations between the Republic of Armenia and Georgia will continue to serve for the benefit of our states, PM Pashinyan said in the cable. English translator/editor: Stepan Kocharyan YEREVAN, MAY 26, ARMENPRESS. The day after tomorrow, Monday, Armenia will celebrate two significant events Republic Day (100th anniversary of establishment of first republic) and the 100th anniversary of the Heroic Battles of May - the historic battles which took place in early 20th century and were a turning point for the country most notably the Battle of Sardarapat and the Battle of Bash Abaran. The Armenian victories at these battles halted the invasion of the Ottoman Empire. Armenias law enforcement issued a notification ahead of the celebrations on the schedule of events for that day. Citizens willing to attend celebrations at the Sardarapat Memorial can travel to the area by special buses from Yerevans Republic Square at 08:30 in the morning. The celebrations carry the title Century of Victories. A celebration will also kick off 20:30 in Yerevans Republic Square. Several nearby streets will be shut down for safety reasons from 17:00. English translator/editor: Stepan Kocharyan YEREVAN, MAY 26, ARMENPRESS. The situation in the Artsakh-Azerbaijan line of contact during the past week was relatively stable, the defense ministry of Artsakh told ARMENPRESS. The ministry said that Azerbaijani forces made nearly 150 individual ceasefire violations from May 20 to May 26, firing more than 1500 rounds at Artsakh outposts. The Defense Army units mostly refrained from taking countermeasures and vigilantly continued carrying out their service, the ministry said. English translator/editor: Stepan Kocharyan YEREVAN, MAY 26, ARMENPRESS. Armenia and Georgia are recording dynamic development in relations in the most various areas of mutual interest, Armenias minister of foreign affairs Zohrab Mnatsakanyan said during the Independence Day reception in Yerevan. I congratulate you on the 100th anniversary of restoration of Georgias state independence. It is an honor to participate in this celebration for our friendly country, the chance of which was given a century ago, when the Georgian people got the exclusive chance to initiate the inmost idea of independence and shape its modern history, he said. Georgians and Armenian, living side by side since dateless times, have shared one anothers grief and happiness, the minister said. According to the minister, the Armenian-Georgian relations have entered a qualitatively higher level. A bright example of what Ive said is the Armenian Presidents participation in the 100th anniversary events of restoration of Georgias state independence, he said, adding that both countries are able to boost bilateral ties through joint efforts. Armenian President Armen Sarkissian and First Lady Nune Sarkissian arrived in Tbilisi on May 25 at the invitation of Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili. This is the first foreign visit of Armen Sarkissian in the capacity of President of Armenia. The Armenian President and the First Lady were invited to attend the 100th anniversary celebrations of Georgias First Republic. On the first day of the visit President Sarkissian had a one-on-one meeting with Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili, followed by an expanded format meeting of delegations, the Armenian Presidents Office told ARMENPRESS. At the meeting President Sarkissian thanked for the invitation and the warm reception. President Sarkissian also mentioned that Armenia too will celebrate the 100th anniversary of establishment of the First Armenian Republic on May 28. Sarkissian and Kvirikashvili were pleased to note the dynamically developing and yearly strengthening relations between the two friendly countries, and mentioned that they are proud of the common history, during which theyve learned from each other and are now happy over one anothers achievements. Both sides attached importance to the continuous development and enhancement of relations in an atmosphere of mutual trust, and maximal use of existing potential. The sides especially highlighted partnership in the fields of tourism, energy, IT and several other sectors. The recent political changes in Armenia were also discussed. The Georgian Prime Minister was pleased to note the civilized and peaceful resolution of the situation and attached importance to President Sarkissians role and efforts in the process and noted that Georgia is interested in the stability of Armenia. In turn, President Sarkissian said that all joint programs wont simply continue, but also expand. We are interested in the maximal use of the entire potential of our relations in different sectors, the Armenian president said. Later the President had a meeting with his Georgian counterpart - Giorgi Margvelashvili. Speaking about the 100th anniversary celebrations both in Armenia and Georgia, the Armenian president noted that the idea of freedom, which remains the leading idea today, is at the foundation of the historic anniversaries for both peoples. President Sarkissian characterized the Armenian-Georgian bilateral relations as friendly and collegial , which continue developing. Active intergovernmental dialogue anchored on historic base of mutual-understanding between our peoples and traditional friendship creates serious prerequisites for outlining new directions of partnership, the Armenian president said. The presidents also talked about the recent changes in Armenia and the prospects of development of the Armenian-Georgian ties. Both sides expressed confidence that not only are they able to maintain the current level of relations through joint efforts, but also to boos mutual cooperation elevating it to a new qualitative level. During the warm and frank meeting the Armenian president also invited his Georgian counterpart to visit Armenia. English translator/editor: Stepan Kocharyan YEREVAN, MAY 26, ARMENPRESS. Students of Armenias UWC Dilijan had an anticipated guest for their graduation ceremony. The Prime Minister himself attended the Last Bell ceremony of the United World College Dilijan in Armenias eponymous town. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan met the graduates, toured the college and was briefed on its activities, ARMENPRESS correspondent reported. The PM signed the guestbook of the school and extended his best wishes. Dilijan international school, a place where one can learn, also learn newest methods. Learning is the most interesting thing during the entire life of a man, and this is one excellent destination for this process. All the best, from new and talented Armenia and the entire world, the PM said in the guestbook. 104 students from 63 countries are graduating the UWC Dilijan today. English translator/editor: Stepan Kocharyan Some 14,000 people have fled violence in the Central African Republic and crossed into the Democratic Republic of Congo in less than a week, the United Nations said Friday. The UN refugee agency (UNHCR) said it was "alarmed" about the displacement of 7,000 people from the southeast of the strife-torn country, adding that they were arriving "into a situation of little help and desperate need". "The speed of arrivals and the very limited humanitarian presence in the area mean that people urgently need increased support," said UNHCR spokesperson William Spindler, adding that most of the refugees were women and children. He said the agencies capacity for an emergency response is "severely stretched". A further 7,000 refugees from the central CAR town of Bambari also poured into DRC, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Violence in Bambari on Monday and Tuesday night led to the deaths of a local NGO worker and midwife, and saw the town's police station and UN bases attacked by armed men, presumed to be linked to the Union for Peace in CAR (UPC) group. The UN said it had resumed control of the city on Wednesday. On Thursday a Mauritanian peacekeeper was killed and eight injured in an attack on a UN convoy near the southeastern town of Alindao. The number of people from CAR fleeing to northern DRC had jumped even before the latest influx, the UN said, having risen from 102,000 to 182,000 in less than a year. The UN has around 12,500 personnel deployed in Central Africa as part of its MINUSCA mission, one of the world body's largest peacekeeping forces. The state controls only a small part of CAR's national territory. Armed groups clash in the provinces for control of resources, including diamonds, gold and livestock. The violence has raised fears that the country, one of the most unstable in the world, could again plunge into a bloody sectarian conflict. More than 600,000 people have been displaced by violence within the Central African Republic and a further 500,000 have crossed borders as refugees, while 2.4 million people are in need of emergency food aid Chile's Catholic church took another blow on Saturday as the bishop leading the charge against sex abuse stepped down following more allegations of misconduct by priests. Rancagua Bishop Alejandro Goic presented his resignation as head of the Bishops' Conference sex abuse prevention board, the latest episode in a Chilean abuse scandal which has rocked Pope Francis's papacy. The church accepted Goic's immediate resignation from the board set up in 2011 to investigate sexual abuse by clergy, following the case of Chilean priest Fernando Karadima. He was accused of child molestation in the 1980s and 1990s. Karadima was suspended for life by the Vatican, but several members of the Chilean church hierarchy are accused by victims of ignoring and covering up Karadima's abuse. Seven years later, yet another wide-ranging abuse case has emerged. Nicknamed "the Family," 13 priests and a deacon from Rancagua were accused by churchgoer Elisa Fernandez of sex abuse and lavish spending of church funds. She made her allegations on Channel 13 last week. Goic, 78, told local media he needed to resign to focus on shedding light on the charges against the fourteen, who have been defrocked. A priest said in the Channel 13 report that the group formed a sex abuse ring a decade ago, and engaged in sex acts with no regard for whether or not the victims were minors. In addition, offenders used social media to control their interactions with victims and used church money for trips abroad as well as expensive car services with young friends, the report added. Last week, 34 Chilean bishops announced their resignation over child sex abuse in the church, after Pope Francis summoned them. Argentine-born Francis has said it must not happen again on his watch, but Francis himself became caught up in the tragedies when he defended Chilean bishop Juan Barros who was accused of covering up Karadima's wrongdoing. Francis has apologized to the victims, three of whom he received at the Vatican, and admitted he had made "grave mistakes" after reading a 2,300-page report on abuses in Chile. Since 2000, about 80 Roman Catholic priests have been reported to authorities in Chile for alleged sexual abuse. Some analysts note that Chile's long tradition of having the church not subject to civilian law lent itself to impunity and cover-ups Chile's Catholic Church,whose Metropolitan Cathedral in Santiago is pictured, set up a board in 2011 to investigate sex abuse but allegations of misconduct have continued A Perth animal shelter has described the heartbreaking scene staff encountered after finding two filthy cat carriers carrying 15 felines drenched in urine and faeces. Animal Protection Society of WA (APS) wrote on Facebook that a team at their suburban shelter came across the two cat carriers sitting on their doorstep earlier this week. The shelter wrote the cats were packed in so tight you couldnt see them all and the poor babies were drenched in their own urine and faeces. It added that workers at the shelter discovered one of the cats is also heavily pregnant with another suspected to be pregnant. So potentially this 15 turns into as many as 30 cats, the shelter wrote. Fifteen cats have been dumped, cramped into two animal carriers at a shelter in Perth. Source: Facebook/ Animal Protection Society of WA These poor babies were terrified and filthy. This was a task undertaken by two of our team who worked all day to get to a point where these babies were clean, health checked and settled to come to terms with a new environment. APS said it suspects the owner did not sterilise the cats and knowing kittens were on the way decided to leave them. The shelter added it does not have the resources to look after the 15 along with the kittens yet to be born. Its expected the total cost of vet treatment for all 15 cats costs up to $4500. The APS is asking for donations to cover the costs of helping the felines. The shelter said the cats were cramped into cages drenched in excrement. Source: Facebook/ Animal Protection Society of WA This cat is said to have been drenched in its own urine. Source: Facebook/ Animal Protection Society of WA If you wish to help or are looking to give one of them a home click here. RSPCA WA said it had not received a report into the matter, and a volunteer from the shelter said there were no witnesses around when the cats were dumped so it seemed unlikely that the owner would be found. They said their priority was looking after the cats and finding them good homes. A Spanish galleon laden with gold that sank to the bottom of the Caribbean off the coast of Colombia more than 300 years ago has been found with the help of an underwater autonomous vehicle. New details about the discovery of the San Jose, which was made three years ago, were released for the first time this week with permission from the agencies involved in the search, including the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and the Colombian government. Weve been holding this under wraps out of respect for the Colombian government, Rob Munier, WHOIs vice president for marine facilities and operations, said. The exact location of the wreck of the San Jose, often called the holy grail of shipwrecks, was long considered one of historys enduring maritime mysteries. Some of the items on board the San Jose sitting on the ocean floor. Source: AAP The 62-gun, three-masted galleon, went down on June 8, 1708, with 600 people on board as well as a treasure of gold, silver and emeralds during a battle with British ships in the War of Spanish Succession. The treasure is worth as much as US$17 billion (A$22b) by modern standards. The US-based WHOI was invited to join the search because of its recognised expertise in deep water exploration. The institutes autonomous underwater vehicle, REMUS 6000, helped find the wreckage of Air France 447 in 2011, which crashed in 2009 several hundred miles off the coast of Brazil. It was REMUS 6000 that in November 2015 took some side sonar images that found the San Jose in more than 600 metres of water. The vehicle descended to nine metres above the wreck to take several photographs, including some of the distinctive dolphin engravings on the San Joses cannons, a key piece of visual evidence. The wreck was partially sediment-covered, but with the camera images from the lower altitude missions, we were able to see new details in the wreckage and the resolution was good enough to make out the decorative carving on the cannons, WHOI engineer and expedition leader Mike Purcell said. Story continues It was a pretty strong feeling of gratification to finally find it, Mr Munier said. It was a great moment. The treasure has been the subject of legal battles between several nations as well as private companies. Several weeks ago, UNESCO, the United Nations cultural agency, called on Colombia not to commercially exploit the wreck, whose exact location remains a state secret. As for the treasure, that remains on the sea bed for now. Four-year-old Iraqi girl Haura should be enjoying her childhood -- games in the street, tearing in and out of friends' homes and small squabbles over toys. Instead, a rare congenital skin condition covering much of her upper body in black marks and hair has made her the object of ridicule in her village, about 200 kilometres (120 miles) south of Baghdad. Everyday, Haura's parents dress her in long sleeved shirts and high collars, but it's a losing battle -- her neck gives her away, to laughter and jeers. "In two years, she will have to go to school -- we really dread that", says Haura's mother Alia Khafif at the family home, in Wahed Haziran, Diwaniya province. "How will the other children behave with her? We can't guarantee that she'll be comfortable in a school and this is the biggest obstacle for her future", sighs Khafif, dressed in a traditional long black veil. The black marks and hair cover Haura's shoulders and almost her entire back, along with much of her arms and neck. But things could still get a lot worse. Her condition, a giant form of naevus -- birthmarks or moles -- make her highly vulnerable to malignant melanoma, the most dangerous skin cancer. To ward off a potentially "fatal" outcome, the best treatments would be a skin graft and laser sessions, dermatologist Aqil al-Khaldi tells AFP. He also recommends psychological help. But Haura's despairing family can't afford these things. Iraq's medical system has been destroyed by the 15 years of chaos that has followed the toppling in 2003 of dictator Saddam Hussein, and by more than a decade of sanctions before that. - 'Won't play with her' - "We have seen several doctors and they all told us that she cannot be treated in Iraq. They all say we have to go to a specialist centre abroad," says Haura's mother. "We cannot afford the journey or medical costs." Even treatment to alleviate itching is beyond the family's reach -- and the irritation gets worse with the Summer heat, as temperatures regularly exceed 50 Celsius (120 Fahrenheit). "What we have is barely enough to live on and to send four brothers and sisters to school," adds Khafif, whose husband is old, sick and unemployed. Haura's teenage brother Ahmad stands up for her. "She's a normal child, there's nothing wrong with her," he insists. "But when she leaves the house, our neighbours laugh at her." Outside in the street, passing children avoid her like the plague. "Even if the Prophet asks us, we won't play with her", one says. So when her siblings head to school, Haura sits and plays on her own -- or peers mournfully into a little green-framed mirror, held up close to show only her big brown eyes and pretty face. Haura, a four-year-old Iraqi girl with a rare congenital skin condition that covers much of her upper body in black marks and hair, stands in front of her mother in the family home in Wahed Haziran, Diwaniya province, on April 17, 2018. Photo by Haidar Hamdani. Haura, a four-year-old Iraqi girl with a rare congenital skin condition, stands in the doorway of her family home. The condition, a giant form of naevus -- birthmarks or moles -- makes her highly vulnerable to malignant melanoma,the most dangerous skin cancer. Photo by Haidar Hamdani. Five Syrian rescue workers were killed in an attack by masked assailants Saturday on one of their centres in the northern province of Aleppo, the White Helmets said. The rescue force said armed men stormed its Al-Hader centre in a pre-dawn attack and fired on the first responders inside. Four volunteers were killed on the spot and a fifth died later in hospital, it wrote on Twitter. Founded in 2013, the White Helmets are a network of first responders who rescue wounded in the aftermath of air strikes, shelling or blasts in rebel-held territory. The Al-Hader centre lies in an area controlled by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a jihadist organisation whose main component was once Al-Qaeda's affiliate in Syria. "At around 2:00 am, an armed group stormed the Al-Hader centre, blindfolded the staff members who were on the night shift, and killed five of them," said Ahmad al-Hamish, who heads the centre. "Two others were wounded and another two were able to flee. The attackers were masked and escaped after stealing some equipment and generators," he said. It was unclear whether the attack was a robbery-gone-wrong or if the centre and its crew had been specifically targeted. More than 200 White Helmets rescuers have been killed in Syria's seven-year war, usually in bombing raids or shelling on their centres. While attacks like the one on Saturday are rare, they have happened before. In August, seven White Helmets members were killed in a similar assault in the town of Sarmin, in neighbouring Idlib province. Most of Idlib is held by HTS, as well as a part of Aleppo and the adjacent province of Hama. - 5 dead in Idlib - Tensions are on the rise there, with a wave of intra-opposition assassinations and clashes leaving at least 20 rebels dead in 48 hours, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. "You cannot separate the Al-Hader incident from the assassinations and other killings that have been happening more and more in recent weeks in areas under HTS control," said Observatory head Rami Abdel Rahman. The population of Idlib province has swelled to more than two million people as a result of massive transfers of rebels and civilians from onetime opposition zones elsewhere in the country. On Saturday, five people were killed in a blast in the urban capital of the province, also called Idlib, according to the Britain-based Observatory. "Two were civilians, including a child. There was also one Uzbek fighter and two unidentified people," said Abdel Rahman. The explosion hit a wide street in Idlib lined by tall cement apartment blocks. Several cars parked outside had been burned by the explosion. White Helmets rescuers could be seen carrying several wounded out of the building, including a crying infant and a wounded man on a stretcher, to ambulances parked nearby. The killings come as the White Helmets are facing a "freeze" on funding from the United States, which is still reviewing over $200 million earmarked for stabilisation in Syria. Five people were killed Saturday in a bombing in Idlib, where violence between Syrian rebel groups has risen in recent weeks Many of us think we can balance out our lifestyles, with a few smoothies or hours in the gym making up for a bit of what we fancy. But when it comes to cancer risk, that isnt the case with new guidelines from the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) suggesting that no amount of processed meat or alcohol is entirely safe. The advice was unveiled as part of a blueprint to cut rates of the disease by 40 per cent. Its worth noting, though, that other cancer experts suggest that the odd bacon butty wont lead you to an early grave. Even small amounts of processed foods such as ham or hot dogs increases bowel cancer risk and can increase risk of being overweight. Experts have warned that no amount of bacon is safe. Source: Getty Images The WCRF also said that alcohol is directly linked to an increase in risk of six cancers and recommended that people stick to water. Professor Linda Bauld of Cancer Research UK said: A bacon butty or glass of wine every so often isnt anything to worry about, its the things you do every day that matter most. Giota Mitou, WRCF director of research, said: We are making for the first time separate recommendations on sugar-sweetened drinks and the recommendation is to drink water and unsweetened drinks and to limit consumption of fast foods and other processed foods. When we talk about cancer prevention the strong evidence is that we need to follow a package of lifestyle behaviours, Dr Mitou said. Individuals need to follow as many of these recommendations as possible, not just some of them. The best advice is not to eat processed meat. The risk does increase with consumption. Our Cancer Prevention Recommendations work together as a blueprint to beat cancer that people can trust, because they are based on evidence that has now proved consistent for decades. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Saturday spoke to astronauts on board the ISS via a live video link from the Kremlin. Russian astronaut Anton Shklaperov and his Japanese colleague Norishige Kanai, on board the International Space Station (ISS), appeared on a giant screen in the Kremlin after the two leaders held bilateral talks. "We have been cooperating with Japan in space for over ten years," Putin told the astronauts, stressing Japan's "important contribution" to the functioning of the ISS. "Allow me to express my joy to the fact that you work in such unity in space," Abe said, according to Russian interpreters. "Our cooperation leads to important results," Japan's Kanai told the two leaders. Shklaperov said it was "particularly pleasant" that the ISS celebrates the 20th anniversary of its founding in 2018, which has been declared the year of Japan in Russia and the year of Russia in Japan. Both astronauts arrived on the ISS in December. Putin and Abe held talks on Saturday, pledging to "reinforce cooperation" at a time of tension with the West. Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe attend a communication session with the crew of the International Space Station at the Kremlin in Moscow on May 26, 2018 Japan's women clinched the Uber Cup on Saturday, breezing by surprise finalists Thailand 3-0 in Bangkok to end a 37-year wait to regain the title. With a team stacked with top ranked players in both the singles and doubles, Japan made light work of the hosts, who entered the finals for the first time after stunning China in the semis. It ends an Uber Cup drought for Japan that stretches back to 1981 and is a major confidence boost ahead of the Olympics which they will host in two years' time. The Uber Cup is second in prestige only to the Olympics as a national team event. World singles number two Akane Yamaguchi got Japan off to a flyer, dulling the boisterous partisan home crowd with a 21-15, 21-19 win over Ratchanok Intanon, blending deft touches at the net with patience in the rallies and power shots. Ratchanok, world number four and Thailand's favourite athlete, conceded that she lost concentration after bickering with the umpire early in the second set over his refusal to grant a review. Doubles pair Yuki Fukushima and Sayaka Hirota stormed to the second point of the match winning their tie 21-18, 21-12. The writing was on the wall for the hosts and Nozomi Okuhara made light work (21-12, 21-9) of a visibly tired Nitchaon Jindapol to seal victory. "Thirty-seven years ago Japan was very strong... we are happy to make history again," a beaming Okuhara told reporters. The win caps four years of effort to push the players up through the world rankings while knitting together the national team, coach Park Joo-Bong said. "I was worried about the atmosphere, but the team took the pressure and were hungry to win," the South Korean coach said, adding the team are on the right track for the Olympics. Thailand, who registered the shock of the tournament by beating perennial winners China in Friday's semis, celebrated the runners-up medal as a sign of progress for a young side growing in confidence as the Asian Games approaches. "We are strong contenders to win gold," said coach Rexy Mainaky. "Skillwise our players are world-class, but to go to the next level we have to do more. We will come back on this and evaluate what we need to add," he told reporters. China, absent from the women's final for the first time ever after Thailand's thrilling 3-2 win in the semis, have a chance to redeem national pride in the Thomas Cup on Sunday when they play Japan. But Japan are eyeing a clean sweep led by singles star Kento Momota who swatted away world number one Viktor Axelsen in their final four matchup on Friday. burs-apj/amu Japan's Akane Yamaguchi hits a return on her way to a straight sets victory against Thailand's Ratchanok Intanon The political standoff in Italy continued on Saturday over President Sergio Mattarella's refusal to approve the eurosceptic coalition's choice for economy minister. Three days after being appointed by Mattarella as prime minister, Giuseppe Conte, 53, has still not been able to form a government. Writing on Facebook late on Friday, League chief Matteo Salvini, who insists on naming the noted eurosceptic Paolo Savona, 81, as economy minister, was blunt. "I am really very angry," he raged. The far-right leader doubled down on Saturday, tweeting images of cartoons in German media lampooning Italy, writing: "The newspapers and German politicians insult us: Italian beggars, idlers, tax evaders, freeloaders and ungrateful. "And we should choose an economy minister that suits them? No thanks!" Salvini reiterated his position later on Saturday after a meeting with party leaders, saying "the League has already taken enough backwards steps". He added that he would give Conte the list of ministers the League wants on Saturday night. Salvini had nominated Conte for the premiership with the support of Five Star leader Luigi Di Maio, but officially it is the head of state and the premier alone who appoint ministers. And according to the Italian press, Mattarella will not bend for two reasons: to avoid isolating Italy in Europe and to protect the role of the president. Conte met the president late on Friday to report "informally" on the discussions, but without presenting his final list of ministers. Far from convinced of Conte's authority over the political heavyweights who will compose his team, Mattarella -- elected by a parliament which at the time was dominated by the centre-left -- wants Italy to respect its European commitments. But Salvini, 45, emboldened by the March 4 election, does not intend to give up either, reportedly to the point that he is willing to "blow everything up" and return to the voters. - Nervy markets - As guarantor of internationaltreaties, Mattarella has been more discrete since the standoff began on Thursday. But he was clear in denouncing the "unacceptability of diktats towards the prime minister and president" by political parties. The centre-left Democratic Party of former premier Matteo Renzi, however, did not pull its punches. "You are playing around at the expense of the country just to defend your miserable interests," party leader Maurizio Martina said in remarks addressed to Salvini on Saturday. There was no meeting scheduled for Saturday between Conte and the leaders of the League and Five Star, nor was there any indication that a solution could be found over the weekend. Conte did however receive the support of French President Emmanuel Macron during a phone call on Saturday. Macron gave the new Italian premier his best wishes for forming a government and said he would like to meet soon, Conte said on Facebook. The impasse has already started to make financial markets nervous, with the Milan Stock Exchange closing down 1.54 percent on Friday. The difference in yield on Italian 10-year sovereign bonds compared to Germany's reached 217 points Friday afternoon -- the highest level since December 2013 -- before dropping slightly to 206 points at close. Friday appeared to start positively, with Conte writing on his new Facebook page that his meeting with Di Maio and Salvini was "very profitable". "The ministers I will be proposing will be politicians," he said. But the exercise proved more complicated than expected for the little-known lawyer chosen by Five Star and the League because neither agreed to give the other the prime minister position. Giuseppe Conte, Luigi Di Maio and Matteo Salvini are meeting to discuss ministers Italy's prospective new prime minister Giuseppe Conte has still not presented a final list of ministers to the president Savona is a strong critics of the euro Diplomacy has never been easy for Taiwan and is becoming ever more complex as it is caught between the United States under an unpredictable leader and an increasingly assertive China, which claims the self-ruling island as its own. In her strongest statement yet over pressure from China, Taiwan's president Tsai Ing-wen blamed Beijing after Burkina Faso severed ties Thursday with Taipei. Tsai said China was showing insecurity over "more substantial developments in relations between Taiwan and the US, and other like-minded countries". The US remains democratic Taiwan's most powerful ally and leading arms supplier, although it gave up official diplomatic ties in 1979 to recognise Beijing. In recent months, it has made a series of new overtures -- President Donald Trump signed a symbolic bill paving the way for mutual visits by high-level officials and Washington gave long-awaited approval for a licence necessary to sell submarine technology to Taiwan. Yet while Taiwan's relationship with the US is essential to its security, it must also guard against riling China, its biggest military threat but also the dominant market for the island's export-driven economy. Beijing officials have described ramped-up Chinese military drills near Taiwan as a warning against asserting its sovereignty. Analysts say they are also a message to Washington. Foreign minister Joseph Wu -- whose resignation over Burkina Faso was rejected by Tsai -- said earlier this month that furthering Taiwan-US relations must be done "in a very cautious manner". He described the government as seeking to "advance bilateral interests without creating any kind of trouble for anyone else". - New friends - While Taiwan calls itself a sovereign country, the island has never formally declared a split from the mainland and China sees reunification as its eventual goal. Since Tsai came to power two years ago, Beijing has become increasingly hostile and is highly suspicious of her traditionally pro-independence party. China is using its clout to shut Taiwan out of international meetings and to pressure companies to list the island as a Chinese province on their websites. To mitigate against Beijing's suppression, Taipei is making a concerted effort to win more international backing. Tsai is pursuing new business and cooperation with other nations, including through her "southbound policy", which targets 16 south and southeast Asian countries, as well as Australia and New Zealand. More countries than ever had voiced support for Taiwan after Beijing blocked it from a major meeting of the World Health Organization (WHO) earlier this month, said Tsai, who cast it as a sign the island was gaining global recognition. "Taiwan needs to form a broader coalition of willing friends to supplement the support it gets from the US," said Jonathan Sullivan, director of the China Policy Institute at Nottingham University, although he added the US remains the island's top foreign relations priority because of its influence. - Washington shift - Observers say growing frustration with Beijing has prompted the latest supportive gestures from the US towards Taiwan as trade tensions between the world's two largest economies escalate and concerns mount over China's assertiveness in the region. Relations with China are "no longer serving US interests", said William Stanton, who headed the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) -- the US de-facto embassy in Taipei -- from 2009 to 2012. Arguably the most liberal place in Asia, Taiwan stands in stark contrast to Communist China's authoritarian one-party state and is a strategic Pacific ally for Washington to counter Beijing's territorial ambitions. All eyes will be on which US official is sent to the opening of AIT's newly built office complex next month, which cost $250 million. However, some observers point to Trump's erratic approach to foreign policy and fear Taiwan could be used as a pawn in his negotiations with China. "It may appear the situation in the US bodes well for Taiwan. But so far, we haven't seen what kind of benefits it is bringing us," said Teng Chung-chian, a diplomacy professor at Taipei's National Chengchi University. The US has not granted special trade protections to Taiwan, such as relief from steel and aluminium tariffs, he added. Any US support highlighting Taiwan's claim to sovereignty could also risk a "harsh response" from Beijing, said Kharis Templeman, a political scientist at Stanford University. But foreign minister Wu dismissed the possibility of Taiwan being used as a bargaining chip by the US, saying the island has "good friends" in the Trump administration. "Taiwan by itself is also an actor," he added. "We can also try to judge what is in Taiwan's best interest, and try to find the right policy for Taiwan." China is showing insecurity over 'more substantial developments' in US-Taiwan ties, the island's president Tsai Ing-wen says While Taiwan calls itself a sovereign country, the island has never formally declared a split from the mainland The United States is Taiwan's leading supplier of arms, including F-16 fighter jets Thousands of Albanian opposition supporters rallied in the capital Tirana on Saturday calling for the resignation of interior minister Fatmir Xhafaj, whose brother has been convicted of drug trafficking. The centre-right opposition accuses the minister of protecting his brother Agron Xhafaj, whom it alleges is still involved in the drug trade. Eleven police officers were injured when they were hit by stones during the demonstration, Albanian police chief Ardi Veliu told reporters, adding that the injuries had been slight. A journalist, Blendi Kasmi, also suffered a head injury. After leaving hospital Kasmi said he had been hit by a police officer using a baton, although other media said he had been hit by an object thrown by demonstrators. After rallying in front of the government headquarters, where they also called for the resignation of socialist Prime Minister Edi Rama, the protesters moved on to the interior ministry. There, they threw smoke bombs, as well as eggs and stones, AFP witnessed. The opposition has accused Agron Xhafaj, who in 2012 received a seven-year jail sentence in absentia in Italy, of continued involvement in drug trafficking. It recently published a recording in which a man presented as Agron Xhafaj appears to talk to traffickers. The prosecutor's office said on Thursday it had opened an investigation and had sent the recording to a specialist for verification. Interior Minister Xhafaj tweeted that if "scientific analysis proves that the accusations of the Democratic party are justified, then I will of course submit my resignation". The government dismissed the opposition's tactics as "mafia blackmail against the interior minister" who it said was involved in "reform of the justice system with international partners, the US and the European Union". Speaking at the rally, opposition leader Lulzim Basha accused the prime minister of "collusion with organised crime" and of "plunging the country into misery". Albanian lawmakers in February passed a law to screen police officers in a bid to clamp down on corruption and links to organised crime, an important part of EU-required judiciary reform. A candidate nation since 2014, Albania hopes to begin accession talks this year, but the EU has made the fight against corruption and organised crime a requirement for all the countries in the region. Last year 128 police officers received either administrative sanctions or fines, notably over their involvement in the smuggling of cannabis, a plague in the poor Balkan country. A former interior minister, Saimir Tahiri, politically allied with Prime Minister Rama, is currently under investigation for his alleged links with cannabis smugglers. Thousands of opposition supporters rallied in Tirana on Saturday calling for the resignation of the interior minister Fatmir Xhafaj after his brother was found guilty of drug trafficking Tens of thousands of people took to the streets across France on Saturday to demonstrate against Emmanuel Macron's policies, but the turnout fell short of expectations and the president said nothing would stop his economic reforms. Organisers had called for a "popular tide" of protest for the marches, which were organised by 60 unions, political parties and associations angry at Macron's policies perceived to favour the rich. However, the turnout was well below previous similar marches and Interior Minister Gerard Collomb said it was "a bit thin". The ministry estimated that just over 93,000 demonstrated in 142 places throughout the country, while the left-wing CGT union put the number at 250,000. In Paris, police reported just 21,000 protesters, while the CGT claimed 80,000. Occurrence, an independent monitoring group working for media outlets including AFP, said 31,700 demonstrated in the capital. That compared with a police count of 40,000 and the CGT's count of 100,000 for the last such protest in the French capital on May 5. The CGT had claimed a national turnout of 323,000 on March 22. Macron said Friday during a visit to Russia that the protests "won't stop" his progress. "I won't preside in light of the polls or demonstrations, because we have done too much of that," (in the past) he said. Saturday's marches follow strikes on Tuesday when public-sector employees from street sweepers to teachers joined rail workers in walking out over what they called an "attack" against public services. It was the third day of stoppages and demonstrations by public workers since last year's sweeping election win by Macron, who has pledged to reduce spending, trim jobs and overhaul large parts of the vast French state. - 'Power so arrogant' - PCF communist party secretary general Pierre Laurent addressed the crowds, saying: "When we have power so arrogant, so authoritarian in his methods, if the country does not show its strength and unity, we will not be able to push the boundaries." Forty-three people were arrested in Paris, most at the start of the demonstration at the Place de la Bastille. Police said some carried weapons, while others were held for violent acts. Several dozen hooded demonstrators pelted police with bottles and other projectiles. The authorities used teargas after seven officers were hurt, but the clashes were limited, AFP journalists reported. Interior Minister Gerard Collomb earlier told AFP the authorities want to limit the activity of the ultra-leftwing blocs who attacked police and property during clashes on May 1. "I hope that this parade will be a calm parade, where people can express their opinion. We are in a republican state and those who want to break, loot, even attack the police force, are arrested in a preventive way," he added. In the southern city of Marseille, left-wing leader Jean-Luc Melenchon urged protesters to form a "popular front, which the people need". "The hard head of Emmanuel Macron must hear this message of the people," the France Insoumis (Unbowed) party chief said. "The country is rich, the country has to share. We've had enough of the same people always having everything. "In the name of the poor, humiliated, homeless, abandoned miners, we tell you 'Enough!'" he said. France has one of the biggest public sectors in Europe relative to the size of its economy. The country has not balanced its budget since the 1970s, leading to a public debt equivalent to nearly 100 percent of GDP. The unions accuse Macron, a former investment banker, of wanting to destroy public services -- a vital source of employment and a pillar of communal life in many parts of the country. While the CGT took part in Saturday's protests, the two other main unions, the CFDT and FO, did not saying they were too politicised. burs-bp/har Police use water cannon to disperse protesters in Nantes on Saturday Tens of thousands of people took to the streets across France to demonstrate against Emmanuel Macron's policies, but the turnout proved disappointing as the president said nothing would stop his economic reforms Demonstrators hold a CGT trade union banner during a "maree populaire" (working-class tide) demonstration to protest against French President's policy, on May 26, 2018 in Marseille, southern France The unions accuse Macron, a former investment banker, of wanting to destroy public services Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has slammed Vladimir Putin after he categorically denied Russias involvement in the downing of flight MH17 that killed 298 people. On Thursday, a joint investigation from Australia and the Netherlands revealed the missile that struck the plane was from the Russian militarys 53rd anti-aircraft missile brigade based in the Russian city of Kursk. Flight MH17 was headed from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur when it was blown out of the sky, killing all 298 passengers and crew, including 38 Australians. However on Friday Russian President Vladimir Putin distanced Russia from the attack at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum. Certainly not, Putin said when asked if Russia were responsible for the incident. Julie Bishop called on Russia to take responsibility for the missile. Source: Sunrise Bishop responded on Saturday saying: Its time Russia accepted responsibility for the missile. It is time Russia stopped its campaign of misinformation, it is time Russia accepted responsibility, she told Sunrise. There is overwhelming evidence, and it should open dialogue with the grieving nations, including Australia, the Netherlands, and others. Bishop urged for other nations to band together in an attempt to make Russia take responsibility for the missile. Its conduct is unacceptable and that this was a complete and utter disregard for international norms and standards, and to deploy a sophisticated, advanced military weapon to bringdown to plane is a security threat. Vladimir Putin denied Russias involvement in the downing of flight MH17 on Friday. Source: Getty It is not acceptable. She said the two countries requested Russia enter into negotiations to open up a dialogue about its conduct and to seek reparations. The Russian defence ministry claimed the missile more than likely came from a Ukrainian arsenal as the fragments displayed by investigators indicated the Soviet-made missile was produced in 1986. It said the Russian military decommissioned all missiles of that type in 2011. Story continues The European Union and NATO have urged Russia to admit its role in the attack. The European Union calls on the Russian Federation to accept its responsibility and to fully co-operate with all efforts to establish accountability, EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said in a statement. The downing of MH17 was a global tragedy and those responsible must be held accountable, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said. With AAP. Cayuga County Habitat for Humanity thanks many local businesses and the community for making Women Build 2018 a tremendous success. On May 12 at 15 Grant Street, the current home rehabilitation project, 87 volunteers pitched in to change a womans life by installing kitchen cabinets, replacing the attic floor, building a deck and picnic table, painting several rooms and sprucing up the yard. Special thanks go to Lowes, National sponsor of Women Build 2018, which hosted local Tool-tastic Clinics in April offering advice on how to use power tools and make wise selections for painting projects; Wegmans for providing both a delicious breakfast and lunch; Auburn Party Rental for a tent, tables and chairs; L.A. Mathieson Portable Toilets; Beardsley Design for the loan of hard hats and security vests; Auburn School District for allowing use of the parking lot at Casey Park School; and Mesa Grande and Bradford Heights Delights for contributing additional food for the volunteers. Adam Helmer, who lived from 1754 to 1830, was a Revolutionary War scout and hero in the Mohawk Valley region of New York state. He was made famous by Walter D. Edmond's historic novel "Drums Along the Mohawk," which was published in 1936. Born in the Palatine area of German Flatts, Helmer joined a militia force under Col. Nicholas Herkimer in 1775 at the age of 21. In 1776, as the situation calmed down a bit in the Mohawk Valley, Herkimer allowed many of his regulars to return home to tend to their farms. About one out of 15, including Helmer, were retained to act as rangers, or scouts. Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} In the summer of 1777, Herkimer, by then a brigadier general, was warned by friendly Oneidas of the impending siege of Fort Stanwix (then Fort Schuyler) by British troops under the leadership of Lt. Col Barry St. Leger. Herkimer sent three runners, or scouts, including Capts. Hans Demuth and Hans Folts and Lt. Helmer, to Fort Stanwix to relay the news of the impending attack. Meanwhile, Herkimer led an ill-fated attack on St. Leger's army. They were ambushed in a ravine in what was to become known as the Battle of Oriskany. Helmer lost both his father and brother in that battle. 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. Solar company, opponents spar over whether GenX or similar compounds are used in film covering solar panels, risking water pollution as panels degrade The state Utility Commission will weigh whether the GenX compound that has polluted the Cape Fear River Basin could contaminate the Wilkinson Solar Plant in the Terra Ceia community of Beaufort County.Opponents of the 74-megawatt, industrial-scale solar generating plant have spent the past year raising concerns during N.C. Utility Commission hearings. It may be the first time GenX has been introduced into a solar regulatory proceeding in North Carolina.Lawmakers and the governor are discussing the best ways to study and clean up GenX releases from Chemours' Fayetteville manufacturing plant, which contaminated the Wilmington-area water supply. House and Senate Republicans introduced legislation May 17 authorizing Gov. Roy Cooper to close the plant if it doesn't stop releasing the chemical.But the possible presence of GenX and similar compounds in solar panels has added a new wrinkle to the debate. Environmental and conservation groups have pushed lawmakers to cut and clean up GenX emissions from chemical plants. Yet materials like GenX are used to increase strength and light transmission in film sheets that coat solar panels, and environmentalists want more solar facilities.Wilkinson and environmental groups call the concerns overblown. They say solar panels used in North Carolina aren't made with GenX or similar compounds. But a federal scientist who identified GenX pollutants in the Cape Fear basin recently said Chemours does use chemicals like GenX in the protective film coating solar panels, adding confusion to the dispute.Wilkinson Solar opponents May 21 presented a proposed order to the commission asking it to halt expansion at the site. The order included a section suggesting GenX could leak into groundwater as the 288,120 solar panels age and degrade.The Chicago-based solar developers submitted a counter order seeking the expansion, saying GenX isn't in the equipment they plan to buy.The Utility Commission has 30 days from May 21 to rule.State regulators got involved in 2017 after Wilkinson relinquished about 200 acres of its site plan. It ended a legal battle with a Christian school that objected to the solar farm near its property and let developers secure a required state certificate of public convenience and necessity.Soon after receiving the certificate, Wilkinson asked to add 165 acres in a different location.said Kristina Beasley, whose relatives live next to the proposed addition.Beasley said of GenX pollution.DuPont - which in 2015 spun off Chemours as a separate company - conducted GenX tests on lab animals. Some tests concluded the animals developed cancer, tumors, and reproductive problems from exposure to the compound. DuPont claimed GenX poses no risk to people.Baseline testing is needed at the Wilkinson site, Beasley and other witnesses told the Utility Commission. The tests could help identify GenX or other toxic chemicals and heavy metals infiltrating the soil and groundwater.Beasley says environmentalists, regulators, and lawmakers avoid talking about GenX and similar chemicals used in solar panels because solar energy is popular. Even so, she said, those same groups clamor for action against Chemours.Beasley says county officials haven't shown interest in the possible link between the solar panels and water pollution because solar developers spend a lot in the community. She faults state officials for failing to research the safety of imported solar panels.Beasley said.Cooper and his brother Pell leased family land for a solar farm in Nash County. The governor insists he gave up his economic interest in the deal in 2014, but records to substantiate his claim are murky.Beasley said some scholarly publications confirm GenX and similar materials are used in solar panel manufacturing, most of which occurs in China.she acknowledged.That was evident in technical comments Mark J. Strynar gave in a February interview with North State Journal. Strynar is an Environmental Protection Agency scientist whose research helped to identify Chemours' GenX pollution.The EPA compiled 39 records showing perfluorinated alkylated substances, commonly called PFAS, related to solar panels.Strynar told the newspaper. GenX chemicals are classified as PFAS compounds.Paul Thienpont, an executive with Wilkinson's parent company Invenergy, testified to the contrary at an April 11 hearing.Thienpont said.Thienpont testified panels planned for the solar electric plant passed EPA testing. The agency classified them as nonhazardous waste suitable for disposal in landfills. Under cross-examination, Thienpont said he didn't realize, coal ash passed the same EPA test and was considered nonhazardous material. Duke Energy and the state Department of Environmental Quality continue battling over disposing coal ash at Duke facilities.The N.C. Sustainable Energy Association issued a statement to Carolina Journal saying it "has seen no evidence that solar panels installed in our state contain any hazardous materials, and it's very disappointing that anyone would spread such inaccurate claims.the statement said.The statement said clean, solar energy benefits communities and residents statewide, generating new property tax revenues to fund schools, roads, and public safety, especially in rural areas. Contact: White House White House Press Office President Donald J. Trump is committed to protecting communities from the violent animals of MS-13. MS-13 is a transnational gang that has committed horrendous acts of violence in communities across America. The gang's motto is "mata, viola, controla," which means "kill, rape, control." There are more than 10,000 MS-13 members in the United States and more than 30,000 members worldwide. MS-13 is active in at least 40 States and the District of Columbia. Local MS-13 leaders often communicate and take orders from gang leaders in El Salvador. President Trump is meeting with law enforcement, local leaders, and victims of MS-13 violence on Long Island, New York. Communities on Long Island have been strongly impacted by the violence and suffering spread by MS-13. Police suspect MS-13 was involved in at least 25 killings on Long Island between 2016 and 2018. MS-13 is the largest and most violent gang on Long Island, with an estimated 2,000 MS-13 members in the area.President Trump's Administration is committed to combating MS-13 on all possible fronts. President Trump's Administration is fighting back against MS-13, by taking a wide range of actions against the gang. ICE Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) arrested 796 MS-13 members and associates in fiscal year (FY) 2017, an 83 percent increase from FY 2016. In 2017, the Department of Justice worked with partners in Central America to secure criminal charges against more than 4,000 MS-13 members. U.S. Border Patrol agents arrested 228 illegal aliens affiliated with MS-13 in FY 2017.The current immigration system contains loopholes and barriers that hinder efforts to fully confront MS-13. Certain loopholes in our immigration system are holding back efforts to fully confront MS-13. Transnational gangs, such as MS-13, take advantage of our porous borders and seek to use our current immigration system to their advantage. Federal immigration officials are not able to quickly remove alien gang members based on their membership in a gang. MS-13 has sought to use the influx of Unaccompanied Alien Children (UAC) entering the United States for recruitment. According to Congressional testimony by the U.S. Border Patrol Acting Chief in June 2017, MS-13 took advantage of recent large-scale flows of foreign nationals into the United States by hiding among these populations to enter our country. A few weeks back, we pushed out a post about the fact that Heathens serving in the U.S. Army are now allowed to sport a beard as part of their faith. In the story, I mentioned that a group that stands for heathens serving in the military stated that the growing of a beard wasn't a tenet of Heathenry. Given that Asatru, Heathenry and Paganism have been used to describe a wide number of belief systems and religions, I wasn't sure if making a basket statement like this was factually correct. Fortunately, I know someone who does. Dr. Karl E.H. Seigfried was the first Asatru to earn a graduate degree from the University of Chicago Divinity School. While at the university, he was President of Interfaith Dialogue and served on the Spiritual Life Council, the advisory board for the Spiritual Life Office. He holds degrees in literature and music from University of California at San Diego, University of Wisconsin at Madison, and University of Texas at Austin. He studied literature and art history at Loyola University Chicago, Rome Center, in Italy and took Icelandic language courses through University of Iceland's distance learning program. Dr. Seigfried currently works at the Illinois Institute of Technology as an Adjunct Professor in Humanities and as a Pagan Chaplain. He's Goi (priest) of Thor's Oak Kindreda Chicago-based organization, dedicated to the practice of the Asatru faith and a member of the Troth Clergy Program. Previously, Dr. Seigfried taught Norse mythology and religion at Loyola University Chicago, Carthage College, and the Newberry Library Seminars Program. Long story short, the good doctor knows everything about Heathenry that I don't. While I wanted, primarily, to ask him if the wearing of a beard as part of Heathenry was bonafide bunk, I felt the opportunity to follow up with a few questions about an often misunderstood religion was too good to pass up. So here we go. How would you define Heathenry to someone unfamiliar with the term? Asatru is a modern religion that revives, reconstructs, and reimagines pre-Christian Germanic polytheistic religion with emphasis on medieval Icelandic texts. The term Asatru itself is modern Icelandic for "sir faith" and means belief in or loyalty to the major tribe of Norse gods and goddesses. Practitioners usually refer to themselves as Heathens. More generally, the term Heathenry refers to the wider world of contemporary Germanic polytheism, which includes not only modern traditions based on older Icelandic and Norse beliefs and practices, but also on those of the Anglo-Saxons, Franks, and other ancient groups that spoke Germanic languages. Depending where in the world you are, today's practitioners may use the terms Asatru and Heathenry interchangeably, or they may insist that the first one refers specifically to beliefs and practices centered on Icelandic sources. When we self-identify as Heathens, it doesn't mean we're calling ourselves "heathens" in the popular or derogatory sense. There doesn't seem to have been a native word for the various systems of polytheistic religious beliefs and practices in any Germanic language before the clash with Christianity. After the new religion came to the north, the term Heathen (Old Norse heiinn, Old English haeen, Old High German heidan) was used for those who believed in what was also called the Old Way, and it's used in this sense by modern practitioners. Most Heathens around the world are deeply familiar with a wide range of source texts on various aspects of historical belief and practice. In order to understand the origins and development of our tradition, we study Roman reports, Old Norse and Anglo-Saxon poetry, Icelandic sagas, medieval legal codes, early German literature, nineteenth century folklore collections, and many other types of written sources along with academic works on archaeology, history, and so on. Although it's a modern religion, Asatru has a four-thousand-year history. Its gods, symbols, and rituals have roots in Northern Europe that date to approximately 2000 BCE. From shadowy beginnings in the Bronze Age through a late flowering in the Viking Age, local variants developed throughout continental Europe, the Nordic countries, and the British Isles. Large-scale public practice ended with Christian conversion, but there is documentation of private practice continuing for several centuries. Some beliefs and rituals survived into the twentieth century as elements of folk religion throughout the Northern European diaspora, including North America. Asatru is what sociologists call a new religious movement (NRM). In Iceland, the old faith of Odin, Thor, Freya, and the other Norse gods and goddesses was officially abandoned for Christianity at the national assembly in the year 1000 CE. Although private practice continued for some time afterward and folk practices continued much longer still it wasn't until after a group of twelve men and women adopted the term Asatru and formed the Asatruarfelagi ("Asatru Fellowship") as a new religious organization in 1972 that the old gods were once more openly worshipped in the country. The Asatruarfelagi was officially recognized by the Icelandic government in 1973, and its members performed the first public blot (Heathen ritual) held in Iceland since the rite was outlawed almost a thousand years earlier. The religion soon spread out internationally, and the number of adherents has greatly grown over the past 45 years. Asatru is now the largest non-Christian religion in Iceland, and the construction of a major hof (Heathen temple) is nearing completion. According to the 2013 Worldwide Heathen Census, some form of the religion can be found in 98 countries, with the United States having by far the largest number of practitioners. That's an amazing spread of what remains a largely unrecognized and misunderstood religion in less than half of a century. What beliefs, if you are comfortable speaking about them, do you personally hold? Worldview might be a better term than belief. In both modern Asatru and the ancient Germanic traditions that inform it, the focus is less on subscribing to a dogmatic set of beliefs than to experiencing and living life in a way that engages with the numinous as an intrinsic part of the world, not as an external force that stands outside time and space. I sometimes think of Asatru as a poetic gloss on life that is informed by the poems, myths, sagas, legends, and histories that we turn to for information and inspiration. We don't have sacred texts that parallel those of the Abrahamic religions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. We don't have commandments handed down from the heavens and preserved in infallible texts. Instead, our lore provides a guide to forming ways of seeing and acting. For just one example, a quiet walk in a forest can be a deeply meaningful experience enriched by both conscious and subconscious internal connections of the present moment to past engagement with lore of elves, myths of Odin, legends of Siegfried, and history of the early Germanic tribes. The nonverbal connection of elements can be more meaningful as a religious experience than any verbal discourse about beliefs. This way of seeing the world leads to a way of living in the world. The past is an active force that affects the present as the present continually becomes the past. Heathens often say that "we are our deeds," meaning that the actions we take in the now become part of the past that determines what can happen in the future. One way of conceiving of this process is as weaving a web of wyrd, of being part of a vast network of deeds and consequences. This naturally leads to the honoring not the worship, as it's often misunderstood of those who came before us and whose deeds made our own lives possible. In this worldview, death is the final action of an individual's life story, but it isn't at all the end of that life's effect on the future present. In the poem Havamal ("Sayings of the High One"), the god Odin famously says, Cattle die, kinsmen die, The self dies the same, But the glory of reputation never dies For the one who gets himself a good one. The focus here isn't on a mystical afterlife, despite the pop culture emphasis on the warrior's paradise of Valhalla. There's an acceptance of the finality of death, but it isn't part of some cartoonish Germanic doom and gloom. The realization of the reality of death for the individual doesn't lead to existential paralysis. Instead, it leads to a wholehearted embrace of living life to the fullest, so that one's deeds can continue to live positively in the minds of future generations and affect the life of the living beyond the death of the individual. The emphasis on the importance of deeds leads to a refocusing on life choices. What will you do to make a positive impact in your own lifetime? How will you work to make life better for future generations? Will you allow harm to come to your community through inaction? How will you preserve the lore of the past so that it continues to live on and have real effect in the present? Of course, other religions also ask these questions. Maybe the difference is that they are at the core of the Asatru tradition and not secondary to questions of salvation of the soul. I think the Norse gods are absolutely real, but I don't think that they are walking, talking characters as portrayed in Norse mythology. This distinction seems to hang up a lot of people. Given the prominence of evangelical and fundamentalist voices in American public discourse on religion, we tend to equate literal belief in ancient religious texts with religiosity. If you don't believe literally that your deity is exactly as described in the texts, you must be an atheist. I disagree. There's a very wide range of relationships with the divine in Asatru and Heathenry. Depending whom you ask, the deities are conceived of as natural forces, psychological drives, poetic constructs, cultural figures, immanent material beings, or something else entirely. I think that the gods and goddesses are all around us. I feel the might of Thor in midwestern summer thunderstorms. I feel the inspiration of Odin in moments of musical improvisation. I feel the presence of the elves in quiet places of the forest. The Old Norse texts sometimes refer to the gods as powers. That conception makes complete sense to me. I think the Norse myths portray the gods in understandable ways, as symbols that interact with each other in narrative forms. Reading a story about Thor's adventure can be a spiritual experience that is both related to and very different from experiencing his power in the thunderstorm. Taking myths literally as history does violence to the depth of their symbolic, religious, and cultural meaning. That violence can spill out into our interactions with others, because a fundamentalist approach to the word all too easily leads to a fundamentalist approach to the world. How did you come to find your beliefs? Finding is a good word to use. There was no conversion process, as there often is in the Abrahamic faith traditions. Instead, there was a realization and recognition that this modern religion with ancient roots was the right thing for me. As with many Heathens, it was less a sense of coming into a new belief system than having a sensation that this is what I already was. When I was a kid, my parents insisted that I learn Greek, Jewish, and Christian mythology. They told me, "You can believe whatever you want when you grow up, but you need to know these traditions, or you'll never be able to understand art, literature, and music." I was only familiar with Norse mythology in a general way, mostly through Marvel Comics and Dungeons & Dragons. The specific moment when things changed was when I stumbled across Children of Odin, the Irish poet Padraic Colum's 1920 retelling of the major Norse myths. Reading the book, I immediately saw my Opa in Thor. My German grandfather was born in the old country as a peasant farmer traditionally, the major constituency of the thunder god and worked as a bricklayer in Milwaukee after World War II. He loved drinking, dancing, children, and good solid food. The myths specifically show Thor sharing these loves, except for maybe the dancing. The god of the myths is arguably the idealized self-image of the free farmer, the ancient social class to which my Opa himself belonged. Like Thor, my Opa was quick to anger, yet equally quick to joy. Odin reminded me of my father. As a young child, my dad not only survived anti-German extermination camps run by Marshal Tito's Yugoslavian Communist Partisans, but he single-handedly rescued his extended family and led them to freedom in Austria's British Zone, repeatedly crossing a vast distance of hostile territory in Eastern Europe on foot. As a philosophy professor at Loyola University Chicago, he spent his adult life questioning and seeking answers for the most profound of life's questions. Odin appears when his descendants are in seemingly hopeless situations, as my father did in his youth for the members of his family. In his Wanderer aspect, Odin roams the world, questioning all and seeking wisdom, which is also the philosopher's task. Neither Odin nor my father necessarily found joy in wisdom. Odin learns that all must someday die, even the gods and the world itself. More than half a century after he survived torture at the hands of brutal extermination camp guards, my father watched as the president of his adopted United States worked to enable the brutal torture of "enemy combatants" even as he was himself dying of cancer. For both Odin and my father, awareness of darkness led not to paralysis, but to determination to fight the good fight. The more I learned about Norse mythology and religion, the more I felt connected to Thor and Odin. Thor goes alone against the giants as he fights the forces threatening the gods and humans under his protection. He cares very little for his own safety as he rushes headlong into battle with overwhelming opponents. He's a great inspiration as we fight today's battles against bigotry, homophobia, misogyny, racism, and injustice of all kinds. Thor can inspire us to bravely face the dangers that arise when challenging discrimination. Odin inspires in a very different way. His endless questioning and searching for wisdom is what I find most inspiring. I'm not seeking mystical answers in the words of the god. It's the questioning itself that I believe is important. I feel a connection to the poets of a thousand years and more ago who asked the same questions that bother me in the darkest hours of the night. I feel a similar connection to the god who still wanders the world and ponders the same questions under the same stars that shine down on me. Do you have any recommended starting points for folks that might be interested in learning more about heathenism? If someone wants to learn about any living religion, the best thing to do is to get to know practitioners of that tradition. I'm a member of the Troth, the international Asatru organization dedicated to inclusivity, education, scholarship, and training. We have members and representatives all over the place. Thor's Oak Kindred, the Asatru group in Chicago that I lead as goi (priest), represents the organization in Chicago and the surrounding region. Anyone interested in learning about the tradition can contact the parent organization and ask about clergy, members, or groups in their area that are holding public events or are interested in discussion. If that seems like too much, reading is good. There are many approaches to learning about a religion, but I would suggest reading about the mythology, the historical tradition, and the modern religions. For mythology, I recommend starting with the book that first got me into all of this Padraic Colum's Children of Odin (1920). It tells all the major myths in a coherent way, has fantastic illustrations by the Hungarian artist Willy Pogany, and is suitable for all ages. If you're ready for something deeper, read the Edda by Snorri Sturluson (c. 1220). Much of what we know about the myths comes from Snorri, and he writes in a straightforward prose style. Be forewarned: the Christian Snorri frames the myths in a hodgepodge of medieval Latin learning and sometimes gives his own interpretations that contradict what we now know about religious beliefs and practices of the earlier pagan era. For the most moving of the mythological texts, read the Poetic Edda. It brings together the great mythological and heroic poems of Iceland, mainly from one important manuscript of c. 1270. The poems tell of gods and goddesses, dwarves and dragons, heroes and Valkyries. These brilliant works served as sources for Snorri's more straightforward text, and they can be very difficult to understand without reading a lot of footnotes. All three books of the mythology books I recommend are free to download from The Norse Mythology Online Library. There are two wonderful and accessible books for learning about historical Germanic polytheism. H.R. Ellis Davidson's Gods and Myths of Northern Europe (1964) is my favorite introduction to Norse mythology, religion, and culture. The book introduces us to each of the major deities in detail and discusses not only literature but archaeology, theology, history, place-name analysis, visual arts, and more in a virtuosic work that my high school, college, and adult students love to read. Rudolf Simek's A Dictionary of Northern Mythology (1992) is a wonderful work that's really more of an encyclopedia than a dictionary. As the preface explains: the mythology and religion of all Germanic tribes Scandinavians as well as Goths or Angles and Saxons have been dealt with [in this book] insofar as they are Germanic in origin; hence, of the English mythology of heathen times, the religion imported by the Germanic tribes is included. Modern Heathens tend to have an expansive sense of the historical background of the modern religions. We study sources from Iceland, England, Denmark, Germany, and elsewhere. Simek's work is beloved by many of us both for its inclusion of a wide range of material and for its insightful drawing of connections between diverse sources. To learn about modern Asatru and Heathenry, I think it's important to read works by practitioners rather than by the academics who study them. Patricia M. Lafayllve's A Practical Heathen's Guide to Asatru (2013) and Diana Paxson's Essential Asatru: Walking the Path of Norse Paganism (2006) are both introductory books that give a brief overview of Heathen history and mythology, introduce deities and land-spirits, explain theological constructs, and describe rituals and celebrations performed today. For a more in-depth work, the two-volume Our Troth is a massive collaborative work divided into History and Lore (2006) and Living the Troth (2007). This is the standard text I recommend to scholars who want a detailed work on beliefs and practices written from a variety of perspectives within these religions. There was a recent story in the Army Times about a soldier who has been allowed to maintain a beard as doing so is a tenet of his heathen faith. However, the Open Halls Project stated that there is no requirement in heathenism to sport facial hair. In your experience as a scholar and practitioner, is this the case? There has been a long struggle for recognition of the rights of Asatru and Heathen members of the U.S. Armed Forces, and there has been some notable progress in the last few years. In 2013, the Department of Veterans Affairs responded to a petition by American Heathens and approved Mjolnir (Thor's hammer) as an available emblem of belief for government grave markers. The U.S. Air Force added Asatru and Heathenry as options on its religious preference list in 2014 , and after an email campaign and the submission of the Heathen Resource Guide for Chaplains to the Department of Defense in 2016 the religions were finally recognized across all branches of the U.S. Military Services in 2017. However, there are still no Asatru or Heathen chaplains, and there are reports from practitioners that recognition hasn't been fully implemented at ground level. These are serious issues of religious rights that have wide support across many subsets of the wider Heathen community. They concern access to appropriate counseling, keeping of texts and objects, time and space for ritual celebration, and last rites of memorial and burial. No such consensus supports the lone soldier who insists wearing a full beard is a requirement of Heathenry. First, there's no theological or historical basis for such a claim. There are texts that mention some pagans of the long ago time having beards, but there are also texts that mention others that are clean shaven and still others that have moustaches only. There is no written commandment from Odin declaring that growing a beard is a prerequisite of being an adult male practitioner, and the evidence shows that fashions in facial hair changed over time and across space during the many centuries of pre-Christian Germanic polytheism. Second, none of the major Heathen organizations in the U.S. or abroad list having a beard as a requirement for practicing the religion. To the contrary, they have mostly criticized and ridiculed this idea in public and private. There are definitely modern Heathen men who wear full beards, just as there are modern hipsters, metalheads, liberals, conservatives, truckers, and professors who wear full beards. There are also Heathens with moustaches, goatees, long hair, short hair, no hair, and every possible combination of grooming choices. Third, there seems to be something else going on here. I've been contacted by soldiers and police officers asking me to provide them with evidence that beards were required in ancient Heathenry so that they can fight official regulations as discriminating against them. That's the nub of the issue the idea that they are victims of discrimination. They usually open by stating that Muslim and Sikh men are allowed to wear beards, so they must have the same right because of their Heathen beliefs. They then claim ancestral connections to proud Germanic pagans and claim that they are the inheritors of an ancient tradition of sacred grooming that is somehow bound to both ancestry and religion. From everything I've seen, this is mostly about the anger of these men at Muslims and Sikhs receiving what they see as unfairly preferential treatment. It's a small part of a much larger cultural moment in which a subset of straight white men loudly proclaim that rights and recognition won by women, immigrants, people of color, members of minority religions, and members of the LGBTQ+ community are really attacks on them. I fully admit there's a strong counterargument to all of this which insists that Asatru and Heathenry are not dogmatic religions with centralized power structures, that local communities of practitioners decide the parameters of their own beliefs and practices, and that individuals can have direct experiences of the divine. What if you made a sacred oath not to cut your beard until a specific task had been accomplished a grooming view that does have precedent in ancient texts? What if your local Heathen community believes that beards are required as a mark of belonging? What if you had a vision of Thor in which he told you to grow a beard as a sign of devotion? These are issues between you, your religious community, and your deities. I don't think it would be advisable or even possible for the U.S. Armed Forces to accommodate every religious oath, local community practice, and personal experience of revelation that contradicts some standard regulation. How would that even work? As I said earlier, there are serious issues for Heathens in the military that a large proportion of practitioners have taken stands on, and there has been real progress in some of these areas. If an individual soldier can convince his commander that Thor wants him to have a beard, more power to him. It's just not something that will get a wide base of support from a large number of practitioners in the wider world. There's been talk in the news, on and off, about white nationalists and other racists groups taking an interest in "Odinism." What's the attraction and is their aggression and hate the norm, in your experience, with other practitioners of the faith? Despite media and academic fixation on this issue to the near-exclusion of any other aspect of Asatru and Heathenry, racist extremism is definitely not the norm among practitioners in the U.S. and worldwide. An impressive number of Heathen organizations worldwide have publicly signed Declaration 127, which includes this statement: "We hereby declare that we do not condone hatred or discrimination carried out in the name of our religion, and will no longer associate with those who do. We will not grant the tacit approval of silence in the name of fri [peace], to those who would use our traditions to justify prejudice on the basis of race, nationality, orientation, or gender identity." The document specifically denounces the Asatru Folk Assembly, an American group that had its Facebook page taken down last year for posting racist material and which is now listed by the Southern Poverty Law Center as a hate group promoting "neo-Volkisch" ideology inspired by German racist nationalism from the late 1800s through the Nazi years. There are other Heathen groups and individuals that hold and promote racist views, and their loudness on the internet gives an exaggerated impression of their actual numbers. They have been emboldened in the U.S. by the alt-right-adjacent public statements of Donald Trump as candidate and president and by mainstream media coverage that continues to scold non-Republicans and insist they have to listen to the concerns of the right-wing extremists regularly portrayed as "the folks next door." Members of Heathenry's racist fringe in the U.K., continental Europe, and the Nordic countries have been likewise emboldened by the rise of far-right politicians and the hateful rhetoric against immigrants and refugees. The attraction of white nationalists to Heathenry today seems largely centered on an association of Germanic pagan literature and symbols with the Third Reich. Runic symbols pop up fairly regularly on flags and banners carried by neo-Confederates and alt-right activists, almost always in the distinctive forms used by the Nazis. There's also a fixation of many young straight white male extremists on the Viking Age as some sort of model for a pure white ethnostate. Scholars in Scandinavian and medieval studies have done a good job of pushing back on these racist fantasies of the era, despite problematic race issues in their own academic fields. When religion is a factor in these hateful groups, it seems to be a secondary one. The Asatru Folk Assembly itself began as the Viking Brotherhood, a group that founder Stephen McNallen described as "a miniscule organization" that was "focused on the image of the warrior, and on the assertion of individual will and freedom that the warrior epitomizes." He has also openly stated, "I think many people first get involved in racial politics, and then later decide that maybe Odinism or Asatru [sic] attracts them." There is a subset of the far-right subculture that decided relatively recently that the evangelical Christianity they were raised in was "tainted" by its connections to Judaism and then moved over to Odinism or some other racist form of Heathenry. The negative aspects that they carry over from the worldview of their pre-conversion faith are usually fairly obvious and manifest as fundamentalism, sectarianism, overt homophobia, and an extremely conservative ideology regarding roles of women. The mainstream Asatru and Heathen communities regularly denounce the hateful fringe. A far more widespread and pernicious problem is the fact that more subtle prejudice sneaks into even the most well-meaning groups of every religion. We all need to do a better job of questioning our own biases and challenging those around us who promote stereotypes and derogatory views of others. Christianity, Judaism, Islam and other major faiths are discussed openly in the media on a regular basis. With such a long-running tradition, and so many adherents, why are pagan and heathenistic faiths pushed to the side more often than not? That's an easy question to answer: the quest for clicks and the inherent biases of the journalists themselves. On one hand, coverage of religion like most corporate news is driven by the profit motive. Journalists on what they themselves revealingly call "the God beat" write gushing pieces about Pope Francis as a liberal crusader because there is sizable demographic that will click on the headline. They write snarky pieces about fallen megachurch pastors because gleeful Schadenfreude also drives clicks. Writers fighting to justify their salaries in a hard market gravitate to the small cluster of topics that will get them hits and get them paid. On the other hand, the personal beliefs of religion reporters often drive their reporting for supposedly secular news outlets. I've had many conversations about this issue with journalists who cover religion for major mainstream and corporate media. Publicly, they talk a good game about supporting diversity in the newsroom and in subjects covered. Privately, they say amazingly revealing things about their own religious allegiances (Christian), explain why they mostly cover Catholicism (positively) and evangelicals (critically), and respond to my calls for true diversity in hiring and writing (furiously). Unsurprisingly, they insist that the private conversations are off the record. I have no problem with reporters reporting from a specific faith perspective. I was hired as a columnist at The Wild Hunt specifically to do so. But The Wild Hunt openly announces itself as "a daily, independent news journal dedicated to serving the collective Pagan, Heathen and polytheist communities worldwide." I openly declare my religious affiliations in my articles and my bio. The problem arises when reporters for trusted secular news organizations write news reports not opinion columns that promote their own religious tradition while actively hiding their own connection to that tradition. I've seen reporters who neglect to mention in their professional bios that they're actually ordained and practicing ministers. Again, I have no problem with a minister doubling as a reporter. I just think it's bizarre that their editors and publishers allow them to avoid full disclosure and to cover up conflicts of interest. I purposely used the term inherent bias earlier, because it seems that the prejudices of the reporters sometimes unconsciously override their own search for clicks. Mainstream religion reporters overwhelmingly cover white Christians, yet white Christians now make up only 40% of Americans. White evangelicals are now only 17% of the country's population, and white Catholics are down to 11%, but despite these shrinking numbers they continue to receive the lion's share of coverage on "the God beat." Editors hire people they feel comfortable around, and reporters write about what they know. As always, bleeding can push a group into leading the news. Reporting on Islam surged after 9/11. Articles featuring Jewish perspectives on violence involving Palestinians continue to be regularly produced. Asatru and Heathenry only get featured in regards to the racist fringe we discussed earlier. Every once in a while, there's a flurry of articles about Icelandic Asatru, but they either exclaim "People still believe in elves!" (with a picture of the Keebler Elves) or "People still believe in Thor!" (with a picture of Chris Hemsworth). For the past few years, religion reporters have been pushing a narrative of "the rise of the Nones." It focuses on deeply problematic American religion surveys that ask "Do you believe in God or not?" Published articles regularly jump straight from discussing the Abrahamic faiths to theorizing about atheists, agnostics, and the "religiously unaffiliated." There's no questioning of the question asked or mention of non-Abrahamic faiths. Is the erasure driven by willful prejudice or by inherent bias so strong that it blinds reporters to common sense? This resolute focus on Abrahamic faiths and atheism while ignoring other religious traditions plays out not just in the media but also in interfaith organizations and university offices of spiritual life. Again, one factor is financial; as American participation in legacy religions shrinks, organizations are wooing atheists in an attempt to bolster their membership and income. The other factor is, of course, bias; the atheist who agrees to discuss the existence of an Abrahamic deity is necessarily part of a conversation in which practitioners of polytheistic religions have no part. If we want to change this dynamic, we need to apply public pressure to editors and publishers of corporate news organizations that practice exclusion, and we need to financially support news outlets that provide inclusive coverage. Waiting for positive change accomplishes nothing. We are our deeds. Headshot courtesy of Dr. Karl E.H. Seigfried Thor flies over a farmer's field, painting by Max Koch (c. 1905), public domain Odin the Wanderer, Illustration by Willy Pogany for the book Children of Odin by Padraic Colum (1920), public domain Drinking horn, Thor's hammer pendant, and oath ring, courtesy of Dr. Karl E.H. Seigfried Blot to Thor, painting by J.L. Lund (d. 1867), public domain News / National by Staff reporter United Nations (UN) resident co-ordinator Bishow Parajuli has cited the death penalty as one of the critical issues which needs swift abolishment as the country under the new dispensation led by President Emmerson Mnangagwa revisits its stance on upholding human rights.Speaking at a Universal Periodic Review (UPR) stakeholders meeting in Harare yesterday, Parajuli cited the death penalty as one of the sticky issues that Zimbabwe needs to look at if its leaders were committed to upholding good practices in human rights compliance."Allow me to mention areas were more could be done and these are critical human rights issues which need attention including the total abolishment of the death penalty which am sure Zimbabwe can do with the highest level of leaders commitment," he said.Of the 260 recommendations of the UPR's forwarded to Zimbabwe to which abolishment of the death penalty is one of, the country has accepted only 150 of them and partially adopted an additional six."Let me underline the UN's commitment for support to the government and the civic society in facilitating the implementation of the UPR recommendations and in the promotion of human rights," Parajuli said.Although capital punishment is recognised by the country's laws, since 2005 when the country's last hangman died there has been no execution, despite calls by former President Robert Mugabe to activate the law in order to deal with ongoing cases of murder.Earlier this year President Emmerson Mnangagwa who is critical of the death sentence invoked the provisions of section 112 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe to commute to life imprisonment the death sentences of prisoners on death row for more than 10 years.The country's 2013 Constitution only exempts women from the death penalty together with males under 18 and over 69 years old and human rights groups that include Amnesty International have often called for the total abolishment of capital punishment. News / National by Staff Reporter President Emmerson Mnangagwa and his Equatorial Guinea counterpart yesterday paid tribute to Africa's founding fathers who toiled to lay the foundation of a united, free and economically integrated continent.Speaking to journalists at the Robert Mugabe International Airport in Harare shortly before he left for his country yesterday, Equatorial Guinea President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo said Africans have a cause to celebrate Africa Day.President Mbasogo said Africa Day was worth celebrating for uniting the entire continent saying it was important to reflect on the vision of the founding fathers."It's been a wonderful Africa Day because it brought us together one more time and ensure that all African issues are geared towards same objectives to bring Africans together free of the colonial oppression," said President Mbasogo."We are all considering ourselves today as a free continent that is geared towards co-operation development in political, economic, commercial areas and also free completely from subjugations."Turning to his two-day visit in the country, President Mbasogo said he had come to meet with the new leadership of the country."It was a wonderful visit; one of friendship and co-operation," he said."It has afforded me the opportunity to know the new members of Government and establish a common understanding that will lead us as we share the path of progress in our bilateral relations."President Mnangagwa also spoke of Africa Day and paid tribute to the founding fathers saying the continent would continue to celebrate and honour the day."We are grateful to the fathers of African Union and we remember their vision for Africa to be united," he said."We will continue to remember and honour Africa Day. It's historic that the entire African continent must remember this day when our founding fathers came together to create AU."He said the Kigali Summit in Rwanda which created the African continental free trade area was part of enhancing the vision espoused by Africa founding fathers for the continent to be united both politically and economically."Economic co-operation, this is where Africa is going," he said.Earlier on, President Mbasogo met President Mnangagwa at State House for an hour-long closed door meeting and details were not immediately available.President Mbasogo, who arrived in the country on Wednesday pledged to continue working with the new administration and take existing bilateral ties to new heights.He said they had come to reinforce already existing bilateral relations which blossomed during the Mr Robert Mugabe-led administration.President Mbasogo was seen off at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport by President Mnangagwa, Vice President General Dr Constantino Chiwenga (Retired) and Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Lieutenant General Dr Sibusiso Moyo (Retired), Environment, Water and Climate Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri and high-ranking Government officials.ZDF deployed military personnel to provide services at the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations, in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea.The security personnel contingent, which comprised police, soldiers and intelligence, travelled to Equatorial Guinea at the invitation of President Mbasogo.Bilateral relations between Zimbabwe and Equatorial Guinea were bolstered in 2004 when Harare foiled an attempted coup by mercenaries to topple President Mbasogo and replace him with exiled opposition leader and Spanish-based Mr Severino Moto.Zimbabwean security forces arrested British mercenary Simon Mann and 69 others at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport when they landed to pick up weapons, while on their way to overthrow President Mbasogo's government. News / National by Staff Reporter MDC-T leader Nelson Chamisa yesterday said he was mooting a grand coalition with National People's Party leader, Joice Mujuru, Zapu president, Dumiso Dabengwa and other smaller parties in order to dismantle President Emmerson Mnangagwa and Zanu PF's hegemony.Addressing a bumper crowd at an MDC Alliance rally at Pelandaba Stadium in Gwanda, Chamisa said only a united front will defeat Zanu PF."The people in this country need to be united. I asked Mujuru and Dabengwa and other small political parties to join me. We need a united front to beat Zanu PF," he said.Mujuru is currently the leader of the People's Rainbow Coalition and together with Dabengwa this week expressed their willingness to join Chamisa's MDC Alliance.Chamisa said the forthcoming elections were not about personalities, but about resolving the economic and political crisis in the country."We need to deal with corruption, we need to deal with the dictatorship," he said."Mnangagwa and Zanu PF will not be on the ballot paper. But corruption, dictatorship and lack of cash will be on the ballot paper. These ills will be represented by their ambassador ED Mnangagwa. So we need to vote out our suffering."Chamisa said the forthcoming elections were not about the past, but dealing with the future in order to secure a free and prosperous Zimbabwe. The MDC Alliance presidential candidate is today expected to address another rally in Beitbridge. News / National by Staff rpeorter Deputy chief secretary in the President's Office Ray Ndlukula let the cat out the bag on Thursday after he openly told a court that they illegally granted a lucrative contract to the wife of Vice President Constantino Chiwenga.It emerged in court during cross-examination that Marry Chiwenga, wife of former Zimbabwe Defence Forces commander, Constantino, was irregularly awarded a contract to provide travel arrangements for the Office of the President and Cabinet without going to tender.Marry's company, it also emerged, did not provide its registration certificate with the State Procurement Board (SPB), Certificate of Incorporation, tax clearance certificate from the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority or CR14 form. Nonetheless, it was awarded the contract and then asked to provide its registration with SPB and other essential documents at a later date.This was laid bare as Ndlukula was being cross-examined by Alec Muchadehama during his testimony against former Energy minister Samuel Undenge.The ex-Energy and Power Development minister is facing criminal abuse of office charges which allegedly prejudiced the State of $12 650.He was represented by Muchadehama and Dumisani Mthombeni when he appeared before Harare regional magistrate Hosea Mujaya for continuation of his trial."...Ndlukula you were recently in the media as having awarded a contract to Marry Chiwenga to provide travel services without going to tender," Muchadehama questioned.Ndlukula dithered."mmmm what I can say is that, that very company has been providing travel service to the Office of the President and Cabinet since 2016."And your worship, with regard to the Office of the President and Cabinet, there are certain considerations that we have to take into light especially in regards to travel of our principals. We don't just willy-nilly advertise certain tenders which we feel might have an effect on the security of our principals, hence that was done."I can confirm that I awarded her the tender having solicited for support and the condonation from the procurement regulatory authority of Zimbabwe. I (admit we) did not go for tender."Muchedahama, however, questioned the sincerity of the OPC in upholding corporate governance."When you gave her (Marry) company the job, she had just given you a profile, no CR14, no tax clearance, nothing, you didn't even know what the company was (about)," Muchadehama exclaimed, to which Ndlukula replied: "I don't think that is correct, it was a travel agency and we wanted them to provide a service."Jaws were to later drop as Ndlukula was made to read a letter he signed awarding the contract to Chiwenga without any requisite documents.In the letter, Ndlukula only asked for the requisite documents to be provided at a later date, as if to give the company a chance to put its house in order.Meanwhile, Ndlukula who testified against Undenge, said the former minister breached set procedures and authorised a contract that prejudiced the State of $12 650.However, during cross examination by Mthombeni, Ndlukula said Undenge could not have authorised the payment because it was not his duty to do so but that of Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC)'s chief executive officer who doubled up as Zesa Holdings' subsidiary's chief accounting officerNdlukula also admitted that the letter signed by Undenge did not instruct ZPC to pay Fruitful Communications any money.The State is alleging that on January 14, 2016, Undenge gave a directive to ZPC to engage Fruitful Communications run by television personality Oscar Pambuka and politician, Psychology Maziwisa, without going to tender."I put it to you that you are a political appointee and came here to paint the accused person in bad light to impress your authorities and anyone else behind his arrest," Mthombeni said."You are equally aware that the permanent secretary, group chief executive officer and ZPC chairperson were involved in this procedure at some point but never raised any objections at the material time."My client was simply made to append a signature to a letter that came from then vice president Emmerson Mnangagwa which was used by Maziwisa and Pambuka to attain the said tender."According to the State, Maziwisa and Pambuka are director and media executive, respectively, at Fruitful Communications.Sometime in January 2016, Maziwisa and Pambuka brought a letter to ZPC from former Energy minister Undenge directing the company to work with Fruitful Communications at intervals of six months per engagement.During that month, Maziwisa and Pambuka entered into a verbal agreement with ZPC which was represented by Noah Gwariro, the company's managing director, and Fadzai Chisveto, its public relations executive, to do publicity work.The court heard that on February 12, 2016, Fruitful Communications hosted a ZimAsset conference at Miekles Hotel where Undenge was the guest of honour and the event was covered by the national broadcaster.It was further alleged that on March 8, Maziwisa and Pambuka, intending to defraud ZPC, presented to Chisveto an invoice claiming they had hosted various programmes on ZBC, National FM and Power FM.Maziwisa and Pambuka claimed that Fruitful Communications had caused the programmes to be aired on radio and television and claimed $12 650.The duo was paid $12 650 and prejudiced ZPC the full amount, and nothing was recovered. News / National by Staff reporter A Harare magistrate has dismissed a bid to cage - pending trial - a soldier who duped former president Robert Mugabe of computers and accessories worth $50 000 for allegedly intimidating witnesses.Prosecutor Fransisca Mukumbiri had made the application arguing Pepukai Zvakavapano, a Presidential Guard soldier, had scared off witnesses from coming to testify during his trial.He is facing theft charges."The investigating officer clearly stated that he was advised by complainants that they were being threatened when he testified during this application," magistrate Josephine Sande ruled."However, the court cannot make a decision based on such reports because those witnesses were not present to adduce the evidence. The complainant's liberty cannot be prejudiced and the court will not confine him to remand prison pending finalisation of his trial."According to State papers, the complainant is Mugabe represented by Enoch Nyamurima, 52, a provincial intelligence officer in the President's department.Mukumbiri alleged that sometime in March, Zimbabwe House was to undergo renovations and had Mugabe's household goods, including a printer, computers and accessories.The court heard that Nyamurima was instructed to transfer the goods from Zimbabwe House to Polloground where five shipping containers had been put to secure the goods in custody.The goods were transferred and secured in the containers.On April 3, Zvakavapano and his accomplice Marega were deployed at the five containers location doing perimeter guard duties.During the night, Zvakavapano and Marega allegedly broke three padlocks on three of the containers and stole various amounts of computer accessories, laptops, desk top computer sets and printers valued $49 982.It was alleged the property was moved over a precast wall but Zvakavapano and Marega were disturbed by other soldiers on patrol and dumped four boxed laptops, a printer and an empty box of a Xerox printer and disappeared to avoid detection.Zvakavapano and Marega allegedly returned to take the property from their hide-out point and shared the spoils.The court heard that Zvakavapano began selling the stuff at giveaway prices in Harare. News / National by Staff reporter A soldier who poured paraffin on his pregnant girlfriend before setting her ablaze during an altercation was on Tuesday slapped with seven years' imprisonment.Trust Mugari, 29, was convicted of attempted murder before Harare regional magistrate Lucy Mungwari.Mungwari sentenced Mugari to seven years before suspending two years on condition of good behaviour.His girlfriend, Pamela Dhliwayo, 30, survived the attack after her sister who was present during the incident poured a bucket of water on her to douse the fire.However, she allegedly lost the pregnancy.Prosecutor Ephraim Zinyandu proved that on September 18 last year around 4pm Dhliwayo and her sister Natasha went to Mugari's friend (Wonder)'s residence looking for him.When they arrived, Wonder's wife was at the house and they were told that Mugari was not present.They returned home and that night Mugari and Wonder barged into Dhliwayo's house and began assaulting her.Mugari and friend queried why she had gone looking for him at Wonder's house saying it was embarrassing.Wonder joined in the attack and assisted his friend to assault Dhliwayo and only left for his home later but Mugari continued attacking the victim.Mugari began demanding his army uniform and went outside the house waiting for Dhliwayo to hand it over to him.While Dhliwayo was looking for the uniform, Wonder returned to the house claiming he had lost his cellphone and cap during the fracas and ransacked the room searching for it but could not find the items.Mugari removed his belt and bashed the woman before reaching for a paraffin stove and poured the fuel over Dhliwayo's body before setting her ablaze.He then sat and watched at a distance in the house while Dhliwayo burned and screamed for help.Dhliwayo's sister came with a bucket of water and poured it on her to douse the fire but she had sustained third degree burns.When Mugari realised the extent of injuries sustained by Dhliwayo, he left the room and jumped over a precast wall to avoid arrest.Dhliwayo was taken to Parirenyatwa Hospital where she was detained in intensive care and treated for the multiple burns sustained on the upper part of her body. News / National by Staff rpeorter MDC-T leader, Nelson Chamisa, says Emmerson Mnangagwa's government feels no moral obligation to address the Gukurahundi atrocities because most of the senior officials including the president himself were accomplices in the gory post-independence violence.Addressing party supporters at Maphisa Growth Point in Matebeleland South on Thursday, Chamisa said Gukurahundi can only be addressed by a new government."I feel pained that today I am close to Balagwe Camp where a lot of people were killed for their ethnicity. So, those who caused the killing of those people cannot console the victims and their relatives. Look, they are failing to even say sorry so that the country can move forward," said Chamisa.Mnangagwa was the minister of State Security during the ruthless crackdown while the current minister of Agriculture, Perence Shiri was the first commander of the Fifth Brigade which is blamed for the mass murders which targeted mainly civilians from Matebeleland and some parts of the Midlands provinces. News / National by Staff rpeorter Zanu-PF secretary for war veterans in the Politburo, Victor Matemadanda says the country should do away with tribal provincial names like Matabeleland and Mashonaland as these promote tribalism which hinders national development.Addressing war veterans on the way forward after the ruling party primary elections, Matemadanda who is also the secretary general of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association said the polls though not perfect are over and as such it was now time for party supporters to rally behind those who won for the good of the party.Matemadanda said there is no reason for the country to continue using tribal names to identify provinces as these are divisive and anti-developmental.On the 1980s disturbances that rocked the southern region, Matemadanda said there is need for victims to find closure by taking the country's former President Robert Mugabe to task whilst he is still alive.The Minister of State for Bulawayo Metropolitan Province Angeline Masuku urged war veterans to form consortiums and start businesses for them to improve their livelihoods.The meeting was also informed that Matemadanda has been tasked to vet all veterans of the struggle to weed out bogus members and ensure those who are not benefiting from government to get their dues. News / National by Felix Takunda Madzana They've postponed Magwegwe MP elections 5 times in a bid to frustrate the electorate and win one for Anale Ndebele the sitting MP. I want to love the party and help it but I sincerely don't see hope in DemocracyIt's way too corrupt. This is between you and all. I just want to tell you what's going on. In my ethical soul, I can not honestly stand for it. Elderly people have prepared 5 times and by the evening of the election, they send a text to cancel the elections.Not only for candidates but for the electorate that has been preparing to attend the vote. It's a serious disrespect for the Zimbabwean people and there is just no hope that MDC is the redeemed of democracyThat means all Monies and preparations wasted in the election is lost. We may have to sue the party for wasted funds in campaigning.The reason why things are like this is because many people have stayed silent when wrong happens to others. And the crooked ones have been the ones rewardedI'm heartbrokenThe party I love is not working at all. It's beyond repair.Banda unilaterally calling shots to benefit Anele against Eric Gono in Magwegwe. News / National by Staff reporter Masvingo Provincial Affairs minister Josiah Hungwe and deputy Finance minister Terrence Mukupe have been roundly condemned for their controversial statements which are out of step with what President Emmerson Mnangagwa believes in.Mnangagwa, who took over the reins from ousted Zanu-PF leader, Robert Mugabe, has pledged to hold free and fair elections and to accept the outcome of the plebiscite, whichever way the pendulum swings.But as the world begins to warm up to his promises, which are a marked departure from his predecessor's undemocratic rule, his officials are singing out of tune, thus poking holes into Mnangagwa's undertakings.On Tuesday, Mukupe declared that the military will not allow MDC Alliance leader, Nelson Chamisa, to rule if he wins this year's election.The rookie junior minister was immediately censured by government, which said his utterances were not reflective of the position of the ruling Zanu-PF, government or the military.On Wednesday, Hungwe, reminded his audience in Chiredzi that if Mnangagwa could shoot his way into power in November last year, then there was nothing to stop him from doing the same to keep office.Yesterday, the 27-member European Union (EU) which has been playing a wait-and-see game towards Zimbabwe's commitment to holding free and fair elections, expressed its disgust over Mukupe and Hungwe's remarks."If real news, hopefully unauthorised and definitely unlawful, reckless, improper, uncalled for and thus totally condemnable," said EU ambassador to Zimbabwe, Phillipe Van Damme, while writing on micro-blogging platform, twitter.Lawyer and human rights defender Doug Coltart observed on his twitter page that Mnangagwa, for all his peace sermons, might have a devious card under his sleeve."Yesterday it was deputy minister of Finance Terrence Mukupe, today it's minister of State for Masvingo Josiah Hungwe. These are senior figures within Zanu-PF.Government will protest they were unauthorised but these utterances are not coming from nowhere," said Coltart.Academic and researcher, Pedzisai Ruhanya, said Mukupe and Hungwe were just exposing Zanu-PF for what it is."Mukupe represents what this regime really and practically is, that is why he remains deputy minister. Forget about the pretence and public relations gimmicks. He is playing his assigned role while others mislead behind closed doors, under the cover of darkness and beyond media scrutiny are all Mukupes! It's called division of labour in authoritarian regimes. The problem is not Mukupe; its institutional, systematic, structural and the appointing authority ED. That is why Zimbabwe requires a governance overhaul not just removal of old Bob," said Ruhanya.Academic and researcher MacDonald Lewanika, in an opinion piece, captured how the army has been part of Zanu-PF's campaigning team, tracing the roots to the 1980s when under the instruction of Mugabe an estimated 20 000 people were killed during the Gukurahundi atrocities by a North Korea-trained crack army unit.According to Lewanika, the appointment of a retired army general Engelbert Rugeje to lead the ruling party's commissariat department shows that the old has refused to die and there was an underhand ploy to use the army in the forthcoming polls to be held before August 22."Rugeje's entry signalled a shift towards the entrenchment of militarism in Zanu-PF, and a return of attention to the Zanu-PF faithful rather than reaching out to external and hitherto adversarial publics. Zanu-PF's capacity to foster fundamental political change was dealt a heavy blow when Rugeje was given province over the party's political engine room and election strategy for 2018. This was the telltale sign that Zanu-PF was returning to factory settings, focused on the capture and retention of power rather than transformation of the architecture of governance and people's lives," said Lewanika."The international community has demonstrated a tremendous amount of goodwill towards Mnangagwa. This can be a basis for promoting and supporting real political change, but goodwill alone is not sufficient to turn the Mnangagwa regime whose members provided aid to Mugabe's dictatorship and took power through a coup into overnight democrats. There must also be pressure applied through a clear political incentive structure that is built on performance-based trade-offs for political and economic reforms, both on paper and in practice," said Lewanika.In the recently held Zanu-PF primary elections most of the retuning officers were soldiers and in a leaked document following the military coup last November, the command element revealed that they had deployed at least 2 000 soldiers who were gathering intelligence on behalf of Zanu-PF.In a statement yesterday, secretary-general of the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions Japhet Moyo the largest but shrinking workers' representative body said Mnangagwa, to save face, must fire Mukupe otherwise no one would believe his pledges."...Mukupe must be removed from government as he has shown to be unfit for government, reckless, a loose cannon and a danger to Zimbabwe. In his latest gaffe, deputy minister Mukupe treasonously claims that the army would not allow the country to be ruled by opposition leader Nelson Chamisa even if he wins the forthcoming elections."Although the government and ruling party Zanu-PF tried to do damage control by distancing themselves from Mukupe's utterances, we believe this is not enough. If Mukupe is not fired, we are bound to believe that his sentiments run through the ruling party and their denials are just smokescreens." News / National by Staff reporter Government teachers have been left divided after their employer dangled a 17, 5 percent salary increase for all civil servants on Thursday following the discord that has been simmering in the public service.Over the past two months, government has been negotiating with teachers, who are demanding salaries that are consistent with the poverty datum line, now estimated at $720.Initially, it had offered a 10 percent increase, which was later changed to 15 percent and subsequently 17, 5 percent, with effect from July 1. This followed the last meeting held by the National Joint Negotiating Council (NJNC) on Thursday.Following the NJNC's indaba, the Sifiso Ndlovu-led Zimbabwe Teachers Association (Zimta), said while the offer by government was insufficient, it gives a positive starting point."The 17,5 percent rise while being inadequate is a better trade off in that it is specific to civil servants as a non-taxable award and rural allowance will now be calculated as five percent of the total package," Zimta said in a statement."The meeting concluded that the education sector allowance must be followed up with a view of reactivating those that were frozen, while tabling new proposals for newly-environed sector specific".The association went further to say that the sector-specific allowances would be pursued in the next meeting when detailed proposals are tabled by educators."Our demand for collective bargaining must continue to be the beacon for development of industrial freedoms and our negotiators are active on this," Zimta said.In spite of the NJNC's decision, the Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union (Artuz) still feels that the offer does not meet their expectations.Artuz accused Cecilia Alexander, who leads the Apex Council an umbrella body that represents all civil servants unions in the country of not being sincere in representing the teachers' demands during the negotiations."If the 17,5 percent covers housing and transport as promised it translates to $17, 50 increase on transport allowance, $19,20 on housing and $44,00 on basic salary for the average teacher. (The) 17,5 percent pay rise is an insult to teachers," Artuz said, in a statement.At the NJNC, it was agreed that cash-in-lieu of vacation leave in excess of 123 days maximum accrual for teachers be paid on a staggered basis from July to December this year.It was also agreed that rentals at institutional accommodation be aligned to appropriate levels of members' housing allowance and members' appropriate grade be implemented with effect from July.Government also undertook to revisit and review the rental framework for accommodation at institutions such as training centres and schools as such accommodation is tied to duties."We reject the process and outcome of the negotiations. We will continue staging our Red Friday protests, which will be varied from week to week," said Artuz, which is also accusing Finance minister Patrick Chinamasa of projecting ordinary workers as overburdening the fiscus, whereas it is the executive luxuries straining government coffers.The Zimbabwe Rural Teachers Union (ZRTU) seemed appreciative of government's gesture, saying what has been put on the table was reached after protracted negotiations."The position was taken amid an agreement that the negotiations would continue to consider other non-monetary conditions of service and further salary review. Rural hardship allowance which momentarily remained at five percent and sector specific allowances to be further deliberated in the next meetings," ZRTU said.The lowest paid government worker is currently earning $253 per month.As a way of trying to improve working conditions for teachers, government recently rescinded its decision to bar teachers from going on vacation leave, taken in 2016 as a cost-cutting measure.Government has been under pressure from the civil servants, who are pushing for better wages and improved working conditions.Doctors recently took part in a crippling strike that lasted for a month, demanding a salary increase and better working conditions. Government relented and gave the doctors the money they were demanding.But the situation did not end there, as nurses also embarked on their own strike, leading to Vice President Constantino Chiwenga sacking at least 16 000 nurses, who were only taken back after they reapplied. Opinion / Columnist This article is circulating on social media. Now that I have your attention may I say that I'm very disappointed with some Ndebele fools who have been flooding my inbox with insults saying that I am a sponsored Zanu PF thug. I will understand if it were Shona's but the issue that I raised yesterday was about your own sister, your own mother and your own leader. Please note that I said some Ndebeles and not all are fools because if you don't realize the suffering that Khuphe is going through at the hands of Chamisa thugs then I'm unapologetic to call you fools.MDC has been winning elections because of Matabeleland and Ndebele people and if people like Welshman Ncube don't notice that this is actually the 2nd Gukurahundi and go on to think that Chamisa likes them then they are also fools. Chamisa disregarded the MDC constitution knowing that the Ndebeles will be the first to support him in fighting their own. Ndebeles should be ruling right now because they were the first to fight against Mugabe since the 80s but were divided by one of their own like Enos Nkala.The fact that Ndebeles cannot rule was planted by the Shona's and irrigated by the Ndebeles themselves, If they were United and made and Alliance and put either Sipepa Nkomo, Godern Moyo, Welshman Ncube, Dabengwa, Thokozani Khuphe as their candidate either Zanu or MDC would not stand a chance but no they want to have Shona councillors and MPs and not even once have I seen a Ndebele in a Mashonaland City Council and it won't happen not because it's not prectical but because of a mindset that they have to be willingly used and be dumped. Chamisa called Khuphe a dissident and never publicly apologised for the errant behaviour displayed in Buhera but some Ndebeles still support him, What's wrong with you people? MDC was formed by Ndebeles and where is it now?To see how inferior Ndebeles have been made to think they are, one Shona can make grown-up Ndebeles to struggle to speak Shona instead of forcing the Shona to come under them. For the record I'm not a member of Zanu PF and sighting wrong that Chamisa is doing does not make me a Zanu PF and it goes to show how shallow Chamisa supporters are.I am challenging the Ndebeles to change their mindset and believe in themselves. You are not few, you are not second class you are just being you.Insult all you want but the fact will remain, you will leave a curse for your children and their children to be mentally incapable of leading themselves.Rabson Mwenda- Mutare (Loyal MDC supporter) Opinion / Columnist "Bishow Parajuli, UN resident coordinator and resident representative for the UN Development Programme, said now was the time to support the southern African nation," reported Africa News Agency."I think the international community should be very open, the UN should be very open, to engage and partner with - and support Zimbabwe - to come out of some of the major crises they have had in the last several years so they can stand on their own," he told UN News during a recent visit to New York.The best help the UN can give Zimbabwe to help the country come out of these major economic, social and political crises is to make sure the country holds free, fair and credible elections and finally lay the solid foundation for building a competent, accountable and democratic government. The worst this the UN can do here is help the junta get away with yet another rigged election by turning a blind eye to what this regime is doing under the pretext "engaging and partnering" the regime!The people of Zimbabwe have suffered greatly these last 38 years because we were stuck with a corrupt and tyrannical regime that rigged the vote and used violence to stay in power. We KNOW what we want; free, fair and credible elections.If the UN wants to help the people of Zimbabwe then it must support them in demanding that the elections must be free, fair and credible! No if! No but!We also know what we DO NOT want; to be patronised by people who care more about their cushy and well-paid jobs and hobnobbing with the rich and powerful ruling elite and do not give a damn about the downtrodden. Amazon to bring 1,000 jobs to Ottawa with new warehouse Online retail giant Amazon is set to make a major investment in Ottawa, with a warehouse that will employ roughly 1,000 people, according to two members of Parliament. Orleans MP Andrew Leslie confirmed in an interview with CBC News that the company plans to take over a giant warehouse proposed for 5371 Boundary Rd., near Highway 417. An application submitted to the city says the facility will be over one million square feet and require 99 truck bays and more than 1,000 parking spaces. "It will employ approximately 1,000 people, good middle class jobs, and it's going to be a transportation hub," said Leslie, late on Thursday. "We have been working with Amazon for a couple of months now and we are just thrilled that it's all coming to maturation." 3 levels of government involved Leslie said that provincial, federal and municipal governments have all been involved in efforts to attract the firm. He said an announcement of the project was planned in the future. He did not have details of any government funding that might have been involved in attracting the project. Leslie said it's a fantastic opportunity for the city and the site is well-situated. "We are thrilled. I think this is fantastic news for Orleans." Francis Drouin, MP for the adjacent riding of Glengarry-Prescott-Russell, said it would be good for the entire region and the site is perfectly situated, with highways nearby and close to both Ottawa and Montreal. "It will drive traffic away from the downtown core, which is perfect," he said. Mayor silent on issue Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson declined to confirm the news at a press conference on Friday. However, he said it would be great news for the city. "Obviously we welcome any investment in our community,' he said. He added that it would be good to have a major employer in the eastern part of the city. In 2015, city council voted to extend municipal water services to the area and in 2016 council identified the site as an important employment opportunity. Story continues "A lot of my efforts have been trying to get companies to locate in the east end," Watson said. Pierre Leroux, the mayor of Russell Township, said he also couldn't confirm the news, but said it would be good to have a major employer in the community. "Amazon is a multi-billion dollar, multi-national company so if they are here it will be for the long term," he said. "The offshoot of everything else will just be incredible for the area." The company also declined to confirm its plans. "Amazon is constantly investigating new locations to support the growth and increase the flexibility of its North American network to address customers' needs," they said in a statement. "Amazon is not yet commenting on any specific plans in Ottawa." 'He should be more careful': Indigenous community takes issue with Winnipeg mayor's retweet Winnipeg Mayor Brian Bowman is coming under fire after his Twitter account shared a Globe and Mail opinion piece that contains a negative reference to the living conditions of the city's Indigenous community. Former Winnipegger Benjamin Shinewald's article, titled "The Jets are out, but Winnipeg is definitely 'in,' " praised Winnipeg's new status after the Jets' playoff run, as well as the success of the city's "slow and steady" economy. Critics of the piece have taken issue with a paragraph at the beginning of a section about the cultural makeup of the city, and contributions of different ethnic groups to Winnipeg's "enduring prosperity." "There are still many in the city who lag behind, including sizable parts of the city's large Indigenous community, some of whom live in deplorable conditions. This is a terrible stain on an otherwise impressive recent economic record," Shinewald wrote. "But other groups in Winnipeg are currently thriving, and they are at the heart of the city's success." The article goes on to point out the city's Filipino, Portuguese, South Asian, Jewish, Ukrainian and British-descended communities. Michael Redhead Champagne, the founder of Aboriginal Youth Opportunities, said while he and other leaders in the Indigenous community appreciate the article's focus on the positive aspects of Winnipeg, they take issue with the way Indigenous people are portrayed. "We do take exception to the fact that it seems like the only mention of Indigenous people was in a negative, very deficit-oriented, stereotyping way," he said. He also took issue with the fact the article was retweeted by Mayor Bowman's Twitter account. "It's important in 2018, in what many are calling an era of reconciliation, for especially those in media and leadership positions to be sensitive to how things can be received," said Champagne. Story continues "It's important for people to read an entire article prior to retweeting it." Bowman's office responded to the CBC's request for comment in an email. "Mayor Bowman has reviewed the feedback on the article. He has also reread the article. He agrees with the feedback, and has deleted the post. "The mayor was 'sharing' the complimentary comments about Winnipeg being on the rise. And did so without fully reviewing the article. In no way was the mayor intending to perpetuate the offensive comments contained in the article," said spokesperson Jeremy Davis. "Winnipeg is on the rise because of our diversity, not in spite of it." Davis said the mayor has reached out to those who were offended and will be communicating with the Globe and Mail on Friday. 'I apologize' The author of the piece offered an apology on Friday. "I love my hometown of Winnipeg and am thrilled that it is on such an awesome roll," Shinewald wrote in a statement emailed to CBC News. "At the same time, my remarks have caused hurt and upset to some. Among other things, some suggested that I relied on negative stereotypes of Indigenous peoples. I value that constructive feedback," he wrote. "What I intended to convey is that, in addition to loving Winnipeg, I am troubled that some members of the Indigenous community, and others in other communities, are not sharing equally in Winnipeg's prosperity and success. "I thought that was clear in the piece that I wrote, and many took it that way, but others didn't, and as a writer, I need to acknowledge that lack of clarity," Shinewald wrote. "To those who I hurt and upset, I apologize. I intend to learn from this experience and to do better next time." Focus on positive contributions, not poverty While the post sharing the story has been deleted from Bowman's Twitter account, Champagne said that doesn't go far enough. "In the case of this particular tweet, I know that it was deleted after the fact after some backlash was heard," he said. "But I think if we are cognizant enough to remove a message that we felt needed to be deleted, than we should also be deliberate about replacing that narrative with a positive one." Champagne said he would have liked to see Bowman point to a number of Indigenous initiatives, like the Bear Clan, Drag the Red and Got Bannock, that highlight the community's commitment to volunteerism. He also said the mayor could have directed some attention to the economic impact of the Manito Ahbee Festival and the Indigenous Music Awards, two Indigenous-led events that took place in the city last weekend. "There's a lot of fantastic things that we can focus on when we're talking about Indigenous communities in Winnipeg, other than the fact that we happen to be a little bit poor," said Champagne. "[The mayor] should be more careful, and he should probably tell his staff that likely operate his social media accounts to also be more careful." Work has officially started on an archaeological dig where the new span of the Ambassador Bridge will be built. The Ambassador Bridge and Walpole Island First Nation has joined together to investigate the archaeological potential of the construction site at the new Ambassador Bridge span location. The work is mandated by the Canadian government as a condition for the permit to build the bridge. The land is owned by the Walpole Island First Nation which hired AECOM, an archeological firm from Richmond Hill. The Canadian Transit Company is funding the project which is expected to cost more than $1 million. It will allow Walpole officials and AECOM to conduct archeological mitigation in the area of Villa Maria, Indian Road and a small bit of land between University Ave. and Riverside Drive. "This project will allow them to investigate, document and celebrate both this important archeological site and their long history in their traditional territory," said CTC president Dan Stamper. "We are very excited for this project which will help us to reconnect with, uncover, and share our rich history along the Detroit River area, which was integral to our traditional commerce and travel activities," said Daniel Miskokomon, Walpole Island First Nation chief. The land is currently part of a land claim put forward by the Walpole Island First Nation. Consultation Manager Dean Jacobs said they are seeking compensation in either money or "other benefits." Even though the First Nation needs to grant permission for the bridge span to be built, Jacobs said that will likely happen after the dig is done. "We aren't going to kick the bridge out," said Jacobs. Photo credit: Hugh Peterswald/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images - Getty Images From Road & Track Kris Meeke's most recent trip off the rally stage was so violent that we were amazed both him and co-driver Paul Nagle managed to get out of the wreck without a scratch. Just an hour ago, the British driver published a blog about what happened in Portugal, explaining how it was his fault, although the crash looked worse from the outside than from the cabin: Kris rounded off this thoughts looking ahead: "So Portugals over now, and were already looking forward to Sardinia in a couple of weeks. Our starting position should help us again and weve a pre-event test coming up where I know the Citroen Racing team will be able to try a few more ideas on set-up, having learned more on the car last weekend. Itll be good to put those changes and improvements into practice, and Im optimistic that well be able to give our season fresh momentum again as we head into summer. Thanks, as always, for your support. We really do appreciate it." Meeke obviously had a bad rally, but seemed ready to move on with the support of the team. Except he didn't have the support of the team, because the World Rally Team issued the following statement just moments before Meeke's Facebook post went live: Due to an excessively high number of crashes, some of which were particularly heavy, Citroen Racing WRT has decided to terminate the participation of Kris Meeke and Paul Nagle in the 2018 WRC. #WRC https://t.co/n5x6AZuSGj https://t.co/EVdv30HQ6X pic.twitter.com/7tJINTAyso - Citroen Racing (@CitroenRacing) May 24, 2018 It's bad to get fired. It's also bad to crash like Meeke has recently. But the way this was handled just has terrible optics. First, Meeke didn't seem to realize his job was very much on the line. If he did, that post wouldn't have gone up on his Facebook page. Also, the tweet is a case of kicking a guy when he's down. You just fired the driver, Citroen, why shout the reason to the world? Why not just let the fans determine it for themselves? Story continues No matter what, this marks the bitter end of a five year partnership between Meeke and Citroen that saw the pair win five rallies between 2015 and 2017. Photo credit: Massimo Bettiol / Stringer - Getty Images You Might Also Like Reuters Data-rigging allegations against International Monetary Fund Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva were set to loom over the opening of week-long IMF-World Bank annual meetings on Monday as the Fund's executive board failed to conclude its review after yet another marathon meeting. The IMF board met on Sunday with Georgieva and the law firm that claims she pressured World Bank staff to change data to boost China's "Doing Business" ranking when she was World Bank CEO in 2017, the IMF said in a statement, adding that the board had sought to "clarify details" in the review. The 24-member IMF board plans to meet again on Monday to decide Georgieva's future at the helm of the global crisis lender, people familiar with the plans said. A top Iranian Revolutionary Guards official responded to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's recent policy speech targeting Iran's presence in Iraq and Syria, arguing it was the U.S. that was unwelcome. Brigadier General Yadollah Javani, the lieutenant commander for the elite force's political affairs wing, said that Pompeo's remarks "indicate that he has been sleeping over the past 40 years and is unaware of what has happened during these years in the world and the region." The newly appointed top U.S. diplomat devoted his first major foreign policy speech on Monday to condemning the Shiite Muslim revolutionary government that has led Iran since toppling a pro-West monarchy in 1979 and has expanded the country's foothold in the region. "Iran has been present in Iraq and Syria at the invitation of the legitimate governments of these countries, and sided with the regional nations based on the common interests of the countries," Javani told Iran's semiofficial Tasnim News Agency. Trending: Amazon Saves 'The Expanse,' Jeff Bezos Calls Sci-fi Series 'Extraordinary' "If anyone should leave the region, it would be the meddlesome U.S., which has done nothing but damaging the region during these years," he continued. RTS1R4HK Aboud Hamam/Reuters Pompeo accused Iran on Monday of supporting U.S.-designated terrorist organizations such as Lebanese Shiite Muslim movement Hezbollah and jihadi Sunni Muslim organizations like Al-Qaeda, the Palestinian Hamas and Afghan Taliban. He vowed to unleash "the strongest sanctions in history" against Tehran just weeks after President Donald Trump announced the U.S. withdrawal from a 2015 nuclear deal that is still supported by Iran as well as China, France, Germany, Russia and the U.K. Story continues Iran has routinely denied offering direct support to foreign militias, but it is closely aligned to Hezbollah and, to a lesser extent, Hamas, which also enjoys assistance from Iran's top regional rival Saudi Arabia. Iran's backing for Hezbollah and other Shiite Muslim groups across Iraq and Syria have contributed to the defeat of the Islamic State militant group (ISIS), but it has also stirred local resentment against the U.S., which is actively battling the jihadis in both countries as well. Don't miss: Peter King Compares NFL Players Kneeling During National Anthem to Giving Nazi Salute Related: Iran Goes Against Russia, Says It's Staying in Syria as U.S. Military Threatens 'New Actions' Iran enjoys close relations with both the Iraqi and Syrian governments. Syria was a staunch supporter of Iran's 1979 Islamic Revolution that ousted the shah, who had already been once reinstalled by a CIA coup in 1953, and the two remained allies when Iraqi President Saddam Hussein took on Iran in 1980. After the U.S. invaded Iraq in 2003, Iran established strong ties with the newly installed Shiite Muslim leadership in Baghdad. However, the U.S. war in Iraq also gave rise to an ultraconservative Sunni Muslim insurgency that ultimately spawned ISIS, which claimed up to half of Iraq and Syria in 2014. As Iran mobilized allied fighters to assist Iraqi and Syrian troops taking on the jihadis, the U.S. gathered an international coalition to begin bombing ISIS in Iraq, where the government welcomed U.S. intervention, and in Syria, where the U.S. had backed rebels trying to overthrow Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. As the Syrian opposition grew increasingly jihadi in nature, the U.S. mostly abandoned support and switched its focus to a largely Kurdish formation called the Syrian Democratic Forces. The Syrian Democratic Forces have fought both alongside and against pro-Assad fighters, but generally work outside the framework of the central government as they advocate for greater Kurdish autonomy. Iran and Russia's backing for Assad, however, has helped him reclaim most of the territories lost in the wake of the 2011 insurgency, save for those in the hands of the Syrian Democratic Forces. Most popular: Subtropical Storm Alberto Path Update: Florida Gov. Rick Scott Declares State of Emergency As 'Severe' Weather Nears GettyImages-871352036 GEORGE OURFALIAN/AFP/Getty Images Iran's growing influence in the region is not only opposed by the U.S. but its top Middle Eastern allies, Israel and Saudi Arabia, as well. The two countries were the few international voices in support of Trump's decision to abandon the nuclear accords with Iran, and they have called on Washington to double down on its anti-Iran campaign. The U.S. military has targeted pro-Syrian government forcesincluding Russians and potentially Iraniansin Syria, but has claimed that every attack came in response to a provocation. Israel has reportedly been behind a years-long campaign of mostly unclaimed airstrikes that has become increasingly public as it targeted Iranian and pro-Iran positions with greater frequency. Trump expressed his desire to leave Syria in April, but recent escalations have led his military officials and advisers to push back. The U.S. became increasingly entrenched as it targeted Syrian government positions over chemical weapons allegations and threats by Turkey against U.S.-backed Kurdish forces in northern Syria. Iran, meanwhile, argued it would not leave unless asked to do so by the Syrian government, even after fellow Assad ally Russian President Vladimir Putin suggested last week that all foreign forces should eventually leave Syria. In Iraq, this month's elections produced a surprise victory for a candidate opposed to both U.S. and Iranian interference in local affairs. Popular Shiite Muslim cleric Muqtada al-Sadr has led militias against both the U.S. military and ISIS, and his coalition's win could threaten the 15-year U.S. military presence in the country. On Tuesday, a U.S.-led coalition spokesman asserted that "we are here by the request of the Iraqi government," adding that "whenever we will be told by the Iraqi government that we will have to leave, the politicians of our nations will take the right decision." This article was first written by Newsweek More from Newsweek Premier Scott Moe stuck to his usual talking points, including a sustained attack on the federal carbon tax plan, in his first "State of the Province" address in Saskatoon Friday. "As an economic plan, it's a disaster for Saskatchewan," he said of the carbon tax. "As an environmental plan, it's not worth the paper that David Suzuki's University of Alberta honorary degree is written on," he added, drawing laughs from some in the audience at Prairieland Park. Moe said the carbon tax, combined with other federal legislation, makes it hard to develop projects like the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project. He said it looks bad to foreign investors, too. "We're sending them a message that they may want to look elsewhere. That Canada may not be worth their time. That they're not welcome here." In April, the provincial government submitted a reference case to the Saskatchewan Court of Appeal to determine if the carbon tax is constitutional. Moe touched on pipelines, and Saskatchewan's economy in relation to the rest of Canada. A Quebec judge is deliberating on whether a religious order in Quebec City can exhume the remains of nearly 600 nuns. The Servants of the Holy Heart of Mary have been established in Quebec since the late 19th century. With dwindling numbers and only 157 nuns still living in their six-storey convent in Quebec City's Beauport neighbourhood, the order's provincial treasurer, Sister Gilberte Laflamme, said they have no alternative but to move out and sell the land. Laflamme said leaving the cemetery is as painful for the remaining nuns as moving away from the building that has been their home for decades, because the women buried there were like family. "It's really heartbreaking to leave them. We knew those sisters. We lived with them. We loved them," she said. "There are a lot of feelings there. I see sisters who go there every day to pray," Laflamme said, comparing the move to turning an entire page of history. Common thread Laflamme said many other religious communities have been forced to make similar decisions. "It's the same problem all over Quebec. There is not a lot of recruitment. People age, and we have to leave," she said. The cemetery was not only the resting place for deceased nuns from that convent, but also served as a burial ground for members of the congregation from across Canada. Lawyers for the congregation made the official request to exhume the remains before a Quebec Superior Court justice on Thursday. That request includes a list of the names of the 586 nuns and 15 laywomen who were laid to rest in the cemetery between 1941 and 2016. The judge is deliberating and should make his decision in the coming weeks. Offer to purchase The estimated value of the congregation's property is $19.3 million. Laflamme said a buyer has made an offer to purchase it, but there are still hoops to jump through before the sale becomes final, including obtaining a zoning change. The sisters plan to start moving out at the end of September. Story continues The whole process could take more than a month because many of them are frail and sick. They are to move to a private care home, Aux Jardins d'Evangeline, built in collaboration with the Ursulines religious order. How to move 600 coffins? Pending the court's approval, the plan is to move most of the remains to a private lot in the Saint-Charles cemetery. The general manager of the cemetery corporation, Francois Chapdelaine, said while they've been responsible for five major exhumations in the past decade, having to displace the remains of 600 individuals is no small task. "You have to be very meticulous with the older graves," said Chapdeleine, comparing the operation to archeological work. "We do it with a lot of respect and care." While the coffins of those who died most recently can be more easily moved, the bones exhumed from older graves must be carefully marked, to preserve their identity in the new burial place. "We know people are attached, that this decision isn't made lightly," Chapdelaine said. For 58 of the 601 dead, it will be the second time their remains have been moved, after having being exhumed in the 1960s from a cemetery in Limoilou and brought to the one in Beauport. "These bones had already been regrouped in an ossuary so it isn't their first trip, so to speak," Chapdeleine said. "We hope it will be their last." By Andrei Makhovsky MINSK (Reuters) - Belarus appointed an ambassador to Stockholm on Tuesday, ending a six-year-old diplomatic spat over a pro-democracy stunt that saw hundreds of teddy bears airdropped by a Swedish public relations firm over the former Soviet republic. In 2012, Minsk recalled its envoy to Sweden and expelled Sweden's ambassador after the toy bears were dropped over Belarussian territory, each carrying a message urging the authoritarian country to show greater respect for human rights. Since then, President Alexander Lukashenko has heeded some calls from the West to show more leniency towards political opposition, seeking to improve ties with the European Union and lessen Belarus's dependence on neighboring Russia. "We have an unjustifiably low level of relations with Scandinavian countries," Lukashenko's press service quoted him as saying as he appointed new ambassador Dmitry Mironchik. "Sweden is a very important country for us," he said. Lukashenko has run Belarus along Soviet-style command lines since 1994, but relations with the West have improved in recent years. This is partly linked to the pardoning of several political prisoners, while the opposition is represented in parliament for the first time in 20 years following a 2016 election that Western observers said was not fully democratic but an improvement on previous votes. (Writing by Alessandra Prentice; Editing by Peter Graff) Signs encouraging Ontarians to vote are placed outside prior to the 2011 Ontario election. (Photo from Flickr/knehcsg) On June 7 in Ontario, people who vote will go to their polling stations and do one of two things. Theyll either vote sincerely for the party they want to lead the province, or theyll vote strategically against the one they dont want to lead. Advance polling in the province right now has the New Democrats tied with the Progressive Conservatives for votes, and an IPSOS poll has found that about half of NDP voters polled said their vote was intended to keep the Liberal and PC parties from winning. Theyre voting against two things instead of voting for one thing, political strategist Jim Warren said. They want to throw the government out and they dont like the personality of Doug Ford so theyre going to vote NDP even though they dont know much about the leader or the politics. Strategic voting making a single vote count by casting it not in the hopes that a preferred party will win, but in the hopes that an unpopular party wont is an appealing option to voters in a situation where there isnt a single exceptional candidate or a candidate is particularly divisive. But Warren warns there are situations where voting strategically can have unintended consequences. For example, Warren said, the effectiveness of a strategic vote depends on the behaviour of other voters, and that behaviour can be hard to predict. Polls can paint a different picture from one week to the next as parties jockey for popularity and voters change their minds. You dont know because you cant tell ahead of time what everyone else is doing. Its not really a concerted effort, Warren said. And when you get unintended consequences is when you vote against somebody rather than voting for somebody. For example, strategic voter might choose to cast her ballot with the party she believes will defeat the one she doesnt want to win, only to have a third party gain popularity and throw her predictions off. He said strategic voting also has a limited impact in elections where one candidate or party is the clear leader in polls. Story continues It also depends on the popularity of the candidates, he said, comparing this years election to past federal elections where certain candidates, like the NDPs Jack Layton and the Liberals Justin Trudeau, rode on tides of popularity. When these tides happen, its pretty hard to defeat them, he said. In those situations youre better off to vote for your favourite candidate, in the true, traditional thoughtful way of voting, because its pretty hard for you to stem a tide with strategic voting. Fortunately for strategic voters, Warren said the 2018 provincial election is an example of a situation where strategic voting might make a difference, since no one candidate is considered exceptionally popular. This year, the NDP has been very effective at running a campaign that theyre the way to stop the conservatives from winning the election, he said. People are voting against parties instead of voting for them, and in this case it can have more of an impact. Which party do you least want to win the provincial election? Vote in the poll above and tell us in the comments below. Supreme Court of Montana. JOSEPH COLLINS, Petitioner, v. MONTANA EIGHTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT, CASCADE COUNTY, THE HONORABLE GREGORY G. PINSKI, PRESIDING, Respondent. OP 18-0166 Decided: May 22, 2018 COUNSEL OF RECORD: For Petitioner: Chad Wright, Appellate Defender, Koan Mercer, Assistant Appellate Defender, Helena, Montana For Respondent: The HonorableGregory G. Pinski, Montana Eighth Judicial District Court, Great Falls, Montana Jennifer Quick, Deputy Cascade County Attorney, Great Falls, Montana Justice Laurie McKinnon delivered the Opinion and Order of the Court. 1 Petitioner Joseph Collins asks this Court to exercise supervisory control over the Eighth Judicial District Court, Cascade County, in Cause No. ADC-17-630, following the District Court's denial of Collins's motion to substitute assigned Judge Pinski (Substitution Motion). We grant the writ of supervisory control and address the following issue: Did the District Court improperly deny Collins's Substitution Motion? FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND 2 The State charged Collins with assault with a weapon and the District Court scheduled Collins's arraignment for January 4, 2018. Collins did not appear at his arraignment and the District Court issued an arrest warrant. The police arrested Collins and the District Court subsequently set Collins's arraignment for January 25, 2018. Collins appeared at his January 25, 2018 arraignment, and on January 31, 2018, filed the Substitution Motion pursuant to 3-1-804, MCA. 3 The District Court denied Collins's Substitution Motion as untimely. The court noted that under 3-1-804(1)(b), MCA, a party must file a motion for substitution within ten calendar days after the defendant's arraignment. The court decided that Collins's arraignment occurred on January 4, 2018, as the plain language of the substitution statute does not require a personal appearance by Defendant. The District Court determined Collins's Substitution Motion was due on January 15, 2018, and therefore found Collins's request untimely. Collins filed a petition for writ of supervisory control, requesting this Court instruct the District Court to vacate its order denying substitution. The District Court responded, maintaining that it properly interpreted the statute and that Collins failed to timely file his motion. DISCUSSION 4 This Court has supervisory control over all other state courts. Mont. Const. art. VII, 2(2). We exercise supervisory control on a case-by-case basis, as it is an extraordinary remedy that is sometimes justified when urgency or emergency factors exist making the normal appeal process inadequate, when the case involves purely legal questions, and when [t]he other court denied a motion for substitution of a judge in a criminal case. M. R. App. P. 14(3)(c). 5 The parties agree that this Court may appropriately exercise supervisory control over this matter. Urgency factors exist making the normal appeal process inadequate, as Collins's request is premised upon his statutory right to have a different judge preside over his criminal matter. The case involves a purely legal question of whether the District Court properly interpreted 3-1-804(1)(b), MCA. Further, the District Court denied Collins's motion for substitution of judge in a criminal case. Accordingly, this case is properly before this Court on a writ of supervisory control pursuant to M. R. App. P. 14(3). See also, e.g., D.H. v. Mont. Fourth Judicial Dist. Court, 2012 MT 106, 2, 15-19, 24, 365 Mont. 82, 278 P.3d 1010 (exercising supervisory control over a district court's denial of defendants' motions for substitution of judge); Dusek v. Eighth Judicial Dist. Court, 2003 MT 303, 4-7, 13-14, 318 Mont. 166, 79 P.3d 292 (exercising supervisory control because the district court incorrectly denied defendant's motion for substitution of judge). 6 Each adverse party is entitled to one substitution of a district judge. Section 3-1-804(1), MCA. In a criminal action, a motion for substitution must be filed within 10 calendar days after the defendant's arraignment. Section 3-1-804(1)(b), MCA. The statute itself does not define the term arraignment. Therefore, we refer to Title 46, MCA, for the meaning of arraignment. See D.H., 17 (looking to Title 41, MCA, for assistance in distinguishing a youth's probable cause hearing from his initial appearance under 3-1-804(1)(b), MCA (2011)). Section 46-1-202(2), MCA, defines an arraignment as the formal act of calling the defendant into open court to enter a plea answering a charge. An arraignment must be conducted in open court and must consist of reading the charge to the defendant or stating to the defendant the substance of the charge and calling on the defendant to plead to the charge. Section 46-12-201(1), MCA. Further, the defendant must be given a copy of the charging document before being called upon to plead. Section 46-12-201(1), MCA. The Legislature explicitly provided that an arraignment may be conducted by the use of two-way electronic audio-video communication, as such technology allows all of the participants to be heard in the courtroom by all present and allowing the party to be seen. Section 46-12-201(1), MCA. 7 The clear import of these provisions is that a defendant must be present, either physically or via electronic audio-video communication, at his arraignment. If a defendant fails to appear at his scheduled arraignment, regardless of whether the nonappearance was voluntary, that hearing cannot be defined as his actual arraignment. Instead, the arraignment is the subsequent hearing in which the defendant is formally called into open court to enter a plea answering a charge. Section 46-1-202(2), MCA. At that hearing, the court must read the defendant the charge or charges against him and give him a copy of the charging document. Then the defendant pleads to the charge. None of those things happened on January 4, 2018, when Collins failed to appear for his scheduled arraignment. Therefore, his Substitution Motion was not due on January 15, 2018. Instead, Collins's arraignment occurred on January 25, 2018, and his Substitution Motion was due ten calendar days after that. Collins's January 31, 2018 Substitution Motion was well within the ten-day timeframe and therefore timely. CONCLUSION 8 Collins's arraignment occurred on January 25, 2018, and he filed his Substitution Motion on January 31, 2018, within the ten-day timeframe required by 3-1-804(1)(b), MCA. Because Collins's Substitution Motion was timely, the District Court improperly denied the request. 9 IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that Collins's petition for a writ of supervisory control is GRANTED. The District Court's order denying Collins's Substitution Motion is set aside and this matter is remanded for further proceedings consistent herewith. 10 The Clerk is directed to provide a copy of this Opinion and Order to all counsel of record and to the Honorable Gregory G. Pinski. DATED this 22nd day of May, 2018. FOOTNOTES . The District Court argues that the plain language of 3-1-804(1)(b), MCA, does not require the defendant's personal appearance at the arraignment and that the ten-day substitution timeline may begin even if the court does not arraign the defendant consistent with 46-12-201, MCA. To support its argument, the District Court looks to the history of 3-1-804(1)(b), MCA. Prior to 2015, the statute provided that a defendant needed to file a substitution motion within ten days after the defendant makes an initial appearance in the district court. Section 3-1-804(1)(b), MCA (2013). Sometimes the initial appearance is the arraignment and other times it is simply an initial appearance. The District Court contends that the change from initial appearance to arraignment demonstrates that the defendant's personal appearance is no longer required. We disagree and find that an arraignment starting the ten-day substitution timeline of 3-1-804(1)(b), MCA, must comply with the requirements of Title 46, MCA. The District Court reads 3-1-804(1)(b), MCA, as simply setting a definitive moment in the criminal proceeding to trigger the ten-day timeline in which to file a motion for substitution of judge. We agree with the District Court that 3-1-804(1)(b), MCA, sets a definitive moment triggering the ten-day timeline, but find that definitive moment to be when the defendant is arraigned pursuant to the standard procedure required in all criminal proceedings. LAURIE McKINNON We Concur: MIKE McGRATH DIRK M. SANDEFUR INGRID GUSTAFSON BETH BAKER Supreme Court of Texas. TEXAS WORKFORCE COMMISSION, Petitioner, v. WICHITA COUNTY, Texas, Respondent No. 170130 Decided: May 25, 2018 The narrow issue presented is whether an individual qualifies as unemployed under the Texas Unemployment Compensation Act (Unemployment Act or Act) while taking unpaid leave from her job under the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA). Applying the Unemployment Act's unambiguous language, we hold that she does. However, because eligibility for unemployment benefits requires more than unemployed status, we express no opinion on whether an individual on FMLA leave is ultimately entitled to such benefits. We reverse the court of appeals' judgment. I. Background Julia White worked for Wichita County as an assistant emergency management coordinator. On August 16, 2011, she went on FMLA leave for severe anxiety and depression. Her accrued paid leave ran out on August 19, after which she switched to unpaid leave. The County continued paying her health insurance premiums in accordance with the FMLA. In late September, White informed the County of certain medical restrictions placed on her return to work by her treatment providers, including that she work in a position that enabled her to interact with other people on a regular basis. The County initially concluded it lacked an open position meeting those restrictions; however, an accommodating position in a different department subsequently became available, and White returned to work for the County on November 4, 2011. In the meantime, White filed an initial claim for unemployment benefits with the Texas Workforce Commission on October 2. The County contested the claim on the ground that White remained a County employee and thus did not qualify for benefits. On October 25, the Commission issued a decision in which it determined that White was unemployed while on an unpaid leave of absence for a medically verifiable illness and that it could pay White benefits if [she met] all other requirements. The decision further noted that the Commission monitors eligibility for benefits every time weekly payments are requested. The County appealed, asserting that White never voluntarily left work, was never fired, was never laid off, and never left her employment. After a hearing, the Commission Appeal Tribunal affirmed the decision. The tribunal concluded that White was absent from work for medical reasons, had not been discharged for misconduct, and thus was not disqualified from receiving benefits. The tribunal also held that the County was required to reimburse the Commission for any benefits paid to White. The County appealed that decision, and the Commission affirmed. The County filed a petition for judicial review in district court, alleging that the evidence presented clearly indicates that White did not separate from her employment with Wichita County and is therefore disqualified from benefits. The parties filed cross-motions for summary judgment. The trial court granted the County's motion, denied the Commission's, and rendered final judgment reversing the Commission's decision that White qualified for benefits, finding that substantial evidence does not support the decision. The court of appeals affirmed, although it declined to answer the broad questions of whether and to what extent termination of the employment relationship must serve as a condition for the receipt of unemployment benefits. 507 S.W.3d 919, 926 (Tex. App.Fort Worth 2016). Instead, the court of appeals concluded that it would be absurd for an individual to be entitled to unemployment benefits during FMLA leave. Id. at 928. We granted the Commission's petition for review. II. Standard of Review We review summary judgments de novo. Travelers Ins. Co. v. Joachim, 315 S.W.3d 860, 862 (Tex. 2010). Summary judgment is proper when no genuine issues of material fact exist and the movant is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. Tex. R. Civ. P. 166a(c). When the parties file competing summary judgment motions and the trial court grants one and denies the other, we consider the summary judgment evidence presented by both sides, determine all questions presented, and if the trial court erred, render the judgment the trial court should have rendered. Sw. Bell Tel., L.P. v. Emmett, 459 S.W.3d 578, 583 (Tex. 2015). III. Analysis This case turns on the interpretation of a statute, which is a question of law requiring us to determine and give effect to the Legislature's intent. CHCA Woman's Hosp., L.P. v. Lidji, 403 S.W.3d 228, 231 (Tex. 2013). In so doing, we focus on the statute's text. In re Office of Att'y Gen., 422 S.W.3d 623, 629 (Tex. 2013) (Legislative intent is best revealed in legislative language.). We give statutory terms their common, ordinary meaning unless the statute clearly indicates a different result. William Marsh Rice Univ. v. Refaey, 459 S.W.3d 590, 593 (Tex. 2015) (citation omitted); see also TGSNOPEC Geophysical Co. v. Combs, 340 S.W.3d 432, 439 (Tex. 2011) (observing that statutory terms are given their ordinary meaning unless assigned a different meaning by statute or a different meaning is apparent from the statutory context). Further, we analyze statutes as a cohesive, contextual whole, accepting that lawmaker-authors chose their words carefully, both in what they included and in what they excluded. Sommers v. Sandcastle Homes, Inc., 521 S.W.3d 749, 754 (Tex. 2017). Where statutory text is clear, that text is determinative of legislative intent unless the plain meaning of the statute's words would produce an absurd result. Tex. Mut. Ins. Co. v. Ruttiger, 381 S.W.3d 430, 452 (Tex. 2012). A. Plain Language The Unemployment Act's purpose is to provide compensation for workers who are unemployed through no fault of their own. Collingsworth Gen. Hosp. v. Hunnicutt, 988 S.W.2d 706, 709 (Tex. 1998). To serve that purpose, the Act grants benefits to an eligible individual who is totally unemployed or partially unemployed in a particular benefit period. Tex. Lab. Code 207.002.003. Subsections 201.091(a) and (b) of the Unemployment Act, in the chapter containing the Act's general provisions, define total and partial unemployment: (a) An individual is totally unemployed in a benefit period during which the individual does not perform services for wages in excess of the greater of: (1) $5; or (2) 25 percent of the benefit amount. (b) An individual is partially unemployed in a benefit period of less than full-time work if the individual's wages payable for that benefit period are less than the sum of: (1) the benefit amount the individual would be entitled to receive if the individual was totally unemployed; and (2) the greater of: (A) $5; or (B) 25 percent of the benefit amount. Id. 201.091(a)(b). Subsection (c) confirms that an individual is considered unemployed if the individual is: (1) totally unemployed as defined by Subsection (a); or (2) partially unemployed as defined by Subsection (b). Id. 201.091(c). In turn, an unemployed individual's eligibility to receive benefits for a benefit period hinges on satisfaction of several statutory requirements. Id. 207.021. Among other things, the individual must: have registered for work at an employment office and continued to report to the office as required by applicable Commission rules; have made a claim for benefits; be able to work; be available for work; be actively seeking work in accordance with Commission rules; and have been totally or partially unemployed for a waiting period of at least seven consecutive days. Id. 207.021(a)(1)(5), (8). The Act also contains exceptions to and disqualifications from benefits for certain individuals who would otherwise qualify. For example, a teacher is not entitled to benefits during the period between two successive academic years or terms if she performed services in the first year or term and there is a contract or reasonable assurance that [she] will perform services in that capacity for any educational institution in the second year or term. Id. 207.041(a). And, consistent with the Act's purpose of compensating individuals who are unemployed through no fault of their own, an individual is disqualified for benefits if she was discharged for misconduct connected with [her] last work. Id. 207.044(a). Further, with certain exceptions, an individual is disqualified if she left [her] last work voluntarily without good cause connected with [her] work. Id. 207.045(a). One of those exceptions to disqualification applies when the individual left work because of a medically verified illness. Id. 207.045(d)(1). As the Act is structured, then, to receive benefits an individual must be unemployed, eligible, and not otherwise statutorily excepted or disqualified. As an initial matter, we note that White's eligibility for benefits in a given benefit period is not at issue. The Commission's decisions say nothing about White's eligibility, such as whether she was able to, available for, and actively seeking work during any particular benefit period. Indeed, the Commission's initial decision regarding White's claim concluded only that White was unemployed and that the Commission could pay her benefits if [she met] all other requirements. (Emphasis added). And the appeal tribunal determined that White was not disqualified from receiving benefits because she was absent for medical reasons. To the extent the Commission separately determined that White was eligible for and therefore entitled to benefits for one or more benefit periods, that determination is not in the record and is not before us. See Johnson v. Oxy USA, Inc., 533 S.W.3d 395, 399 (Tex. App.Houston [14th Dist.] 2016, pet. denied) (noting that the scope of the courts' jurisdiction [over suits for judicial review of an administrative decision] only extends as far as the language of the decision being appealed (citation omitted) ). Turning to the principal issue regarding whether White was unemployed while on unpaid FMLA leave, the Commission argues that she was because she clearly met the Act's definition of totally unemployed; that is, she was not perform[ing] services for wages. Tex. Lab. Code 201.091(a). The County does not appear to dispute that White was totally unemployed while she was on leave. Rather, the County contends that the Act's definitions of totally unemployed and partially unemployed are relevant to eligibility, see id. 207.021(a)(8) (to be eligible, a claimant must have been totally or partially unemployed for a waiting period of at least seven consecutive days), but not to the threshold issue of whether the claimant is unemployed. In the County's view, that threshold issue must be resolved by considering the ordinary meaning of unemployed, which connotes a formal severance of the employeremployee relationship. We agree with the Commission that, regardless of the ordinary meaning of the term, White qualified as unemployed under the Act's express definition. The Act plainly says that an individual is considered unemployed if the individual is: (1) totally unemployed as defined by Subsection (a) [of section 201.091]; or (2) partially unemployed as defined by Subsection (b). Id. 201.091(c) (emphasis added). In turn, an individual is totally unemployed in a benefit period during which the individual does not perform services for wages in excess of the greater of: (1) $5; or (2) 25 percent of the benefit amount. Id. 201.091(a). And an individual is partially unemployed in a benefit period of less than full-time work if the individual's wages are less than the sum of: (1) the benefit amount the individual would be entitled to receive if the individual was totally unemployed; and (2) the greater of: (A) $5; or (B) 25 percent of the benefit amount. Id. 201.091(b). We cannot agree with the County's argument that the Act does not define unemployed in the face of straightforward language to the contrary. Pursuant to these provisions, an individual qualifies as unemployed so long as her wages are low enough. Nothing in these definitions contemplates a formal severance of the employeremployee relationship. Thus, we may not utilize the common, ordinary meaning of unemployed because the Act clearly assigns it a different meaning. See TGSNOPEC Geophysical Co., 340 S.W.3d at 439. The County argues that this interpretation results from improperly reading section 201.091 in isolation rather than viewing the Act as a whole. The County notes that section 207.045 allows an individual to voluntarily leave her employment due to a medically verified illness without being disqualified from unemployment benefits. Tex. Lab. Code 207.045(d). The County goes on to argue that allowing an individual to apply for FMLA leave, rather than to voluntarily leave her employment, and still seek unemployment benefits renders section 207.045 meaningless. We disagree. An individual who qualifies as unemployed but leaves work voluntarily is generally disqualified from benefits, but she is not so disqualified if she left work because of a medically verified illness. Id. 207.045(a), (d). Whether an individual formally quits her job for medical reasons or goes on medical leave, section 207.045(d) ensures that she is not disqualified from benefits if she otherwise meets the Act's requirements. By contrast, the County's interpretation of the Act to require formal separation of employment as a prerequisite to unemployed status renders at least one provision meaningless. Subsection 201.091(d) explains that, notwithstanding the general definition of partially unemployed in subsection (b), an individual is not partially unemployed for purposes of this subtitle for a benefit period in which the individual's working hours are reduced by the individual's employer as a result of misconduct connected with the work on the part of the individual. Id. 207.091(d). An employer's reason for reducing an individual's hours is relevant precisely because it affects whether an individual is considered unemployed; if a severance of the employeremployee relationship is required, this provision serves no purpose. In sum, we hold that, under the Unemployment Act's plain language, an individual who does not perform services for wages during a benefit period is unemployed and is not disqualified from receiving benefits solely because she is on FMLA leave. We therefore turn our attention to the court of appeals' conclusion that this interpretation yields an absurd result. B. Absurd Result As noted, we may disregard a statute's unambiguous language only if it produces an absurd result. Combs v. Health Care Servs. Corp., 401 S.W.3d 623, 629 (Tex. 2013). In Combs, we explained that the absurdity doctrine is reserved for truly exceptional cases involving patently nonsensical results. Id. at 630 (noting that mere oddity does not equal absurdity). The court of appeals held that allowing an individual to receive both FMLA protection and unemployment benefits at the same time would be absurd because the federal and state statutes generally apply to distinct groups of people: those who cannot perform existing jobs on a temporary basis, desire to return to those jobs, and need protection for the jobs until the reason for leave resolves (FMLA) as opposed to those who desire new jobs and are ready and willing to perform them and need temporary income benefits in the meantime (unemployment under the labor code). 507 S.W.3d at 92728. The court of appeals' absurdity analysis is premature. This case simply does not require us to decide whether the law entitles an individual to receive unemployment benefits while on FMLA leave. Rather, our holding today extends only to whether an individual on unpaid FMLA leave fits within the Unemployment Act's definition of the term unemployed. And under the Act's multipronged structure, categorizing an individual on FMLA leave as unemployed does not entitle her to unemployment benefits because eligibility for benefits requires meeting several additional criteria. As noted above, these criteria include, among others, the ability to work, the availability for work, and an active search for work. See Tex. Lab. Code 207.021(a)(3)(5). The Legislature's decision to expansively define unemployed means only that White and others who qualify as such have the opportunity to demonstrate eligibility under these other criteria. Whether those criteria have been satisfied in this or any other case involving an individual on FMLA leave is not a question this appeal presents. Even assuming that an individual typically will not simultaneously qualify for FMLA leave and meet the Act's eligibility requirements for unemployment benefits, we cannot say that the Legislature's choice to allow an individual on FMLA leave to proceed to the eligibility phase of the unemployment-benefits application process amounts to an absurd result. See Combs, 401 S.W.3d at 630 (noting that the bar for reworking the words our Legislature passed into law is high, and should be). We reiterate that in this case, White's eligibility for benefits in any particular benefit period is not before us, and we express no opinion on that issue. C. Reimbursement by the County In its petition for judicial review of the Commission's decision and motion for summary judgment, the County also challenged the Commission's conclusion that the Commission would bill the County for benefits paid to White. The County is classified as a reimbursing employer under the Unemployment Act, meaning it does not make regular contributions to the Commission for unemployment payments but generally must reimburse the Commission for benefits properly paid to County employees. See Tex. Lab. Code 204.002 (generally requiring employers to pay contributions to the Commission on employment wages), 205.001(a) (allowing political subdivisions to elect to pay reimbursements for unemployment benefits instead of contributions), 205.013(a) (describing the amount a reimbursing employer must pay to the Commission for benefits paid to an employee). The County argued in the trial court that requiring such reimbursement is improper where benefits are paid to an employee who left work due to a medically verified illness. The County did not reassert this argument in the court of appeals or in this Court. In the trial court, the County relied on section 204.022, which excludes certain benefits from being charged to the accounts of employers who make contributions. See id. 204.022(a)(5). But the Act expressly states that subchapter B of chapter 204, which contains section 204.022, does not apply to a reimbursing employer. Id. 205.011(a)(2). We find no similar exception applicable to reimbursing employers. Thus, to the extent the County challenges the Commission's decision on this basis, we see no merit to such a challenge. IV. Conclusion We hold that the Unemployment Act expressly and unambiguously defines unemployed in a manner that does not require severance of the employeremployee relationship. We further hold that an individual on unpaid medical leave, even if protected under the FMLA, satisfies the Act's definition of unemployed and may qualify for unemployment benefits if she meets the Act's eligibility requirements. Accordingly, we hold that substantial evidence supports the Commission's decision. We reverse the court of appeals' judgment and render judgment for the Commission. FOOTNOTES . Some uncertainty exists as to when White was medically cleared to return to work. The County maintains that she was not cleared until November 4, the day she returned to work for the County in a new position. . Ultimately, judicial review of a final Commission decision is based on the substantial-evidence rule. Tex. Lab. Code 212.202(a). The party seeking to set aside the Commission's decision has the burden of showing it was not supported by substantial evidence. Mercer v. Ross, 701 S.W.2d 830, 831 (Tex. 1986). The trial court may set aside the decision if the court finds it was made without regard to the law or the facts and therefore was unreasonable, arbitrary, or capricious. Id. This includes the Commission's application of an incorrect legal standard. Id. . A benefit period consists of the seven consecutive calendar days ending at midnight on Saturday. Tex. Lab. Code 201.011(4). . The County noted at oral argument that White ultimately received approximately $1,200 in unemployment benefits, but that fact is not in the record. . At oral argument, the County maintained that it properly challenged White's eligibility for benefits in the trial court, but it conceded that it does not do so on appeal. . This subsection was added in 1995. Act of May 1, 1995, 74th Leg., R.S., ch. 76, 9.26, 1995 Tex. Gen. Laws 458, 648 (codified at Tex. Lab. Code 201.091(c) ). It therefore was not in the version of the Act in effect when the court of appeals held in Texas Employment Commission v. Southside Independent School District that the Act did not define the term unemployed. 775 S.W.2d 733, 735 (Tex. App.San Antonio 1989, writ denied). . Subsection 201.091(e) provides one exception, stating that an individual is not considered unemployed and is not eligible to receive benefits for any benefit period during which the individual works the individual's customary full-time hours, regardless of the amount of wages the individual earns during the benefit period. Tex. Lab. Code 201.091(e). Justice Lehrmann delivered the opinion of the Court. Over the past week, a series of blockades on key highways in Nicaragua has started to occur. These blockades are a result of on-going protests in Nicaragua going on against President Daniel Ortegas government. Perhaps of most interest to those who cover the cigar industry is a blockade that is now occurring on the Pan American Highway on the southern end of the city of Esteli. The Pan American Highway serves as the main artery through the country of Nicaragua stretching from the border with Honduras in the North to the border of Costa Rica in the South. Within Nicaragua, it connects Esteli with the capital city of Managua where the airport exists for both commerce and passengers. The blockades have been started by the protesters who are hoping to make a stronger statement by cutting off key transportation arteries in the country. The blockades have been occurring on the southern end of the city of Esteli, but have also been in other areas of Nicaragua. With Esteli the epicenter of the cigar industry in Nicaragua, concerns exist on how this will affect both production and distribution. Currently, the situation is affecting cigar industry personnel getting to an from the factory. Getting supplies (tobacco) and finished goods (cigars) in and out of the country have now been impacted. Time will tell what the impacts to the end consumer will be. The cigar industry is currently in one of its busiest seasons as it is ramping up production to fulfill orders for the upcoming IPCPR Trade Show that begins July 14th in Las Vegas. Angela Brown, co-owner of Fabrica Oveja Negra in Esteli has reported on her social media the blockades have impacted going into work at their factory. The delays have not just impacted Esteli. Rob Rasmussen, brand manager for Mombacho Cigars was a guest on the 5/25/18 edition of Smoke Night Live and said the situation in Nicaragua has caused a delay in getting the companys Cosecha 2013 release out of Grenada, where the companys Casa Favilli factory is located. Meanwhile, numerous people in the cigar industry have told Cigar Coop, the traffic in the area around Augusto C. Sandino airport in Nicaragua is subjected to numerous delays. Juan Martinez, President of Joya de Nicaragua recently said, We soon face a serious economic slowdown, with many sectors being badly hurt, tourism being one of them, as we have lost the faith and love from many of you who trusted our land. Many people will face unemployment as businesses fight to stay afloat. Many more will suffer as they will struggle to bring bread to the table for their families. The protests started after Nicaraguas National Social Security Institute (INSS) announced it was instituting a tax that would have increased the contributions by both employers and employees in Nicaragua while reducing overall benefits. When the Nicaraguan government took a heavy-handed response to the protest, the situation created violence. While the government rescinded this plan, the protests have continued with increased pressure for President Ortega to step down. Photo Credits: La Voz Del Norte SATURDAY, May 26, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- Learning how to do a skin self-exam could save your life. "Skin cancer is one of the few cancers you can see with the naked eye," said Dr. Ali Hendi, an assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Georgetown University Medical Center in Washington, D.C. "Yet sadly, many people don't know how to be their own hero when it comes to skin cancer, including what to look for on their skin or when to see a board-certified dermatologist," he added in an American Academy of Dermatology news release. Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States. One in five Americans develops skin cancer, and one person dies every hour from melanoma, the deadliest form of the disease. To check your skin, use a full-length mirror to examine your entire body, front and back. Then, raise your arms and look at your right and left sides, Hendi said. Bend your elbows and carefully check your forearms, underarms and palms. Look at the backs of your legs and feet, between your toes, and the soles of your feet. With nail polish removed, check your fingernails and toenails, as well. Use a hand mirror to check the back of your neck and scalp, and part your hair for a closer look. Finally, check your back and buttocks with a hand mirror. Ask a partner to help check your back and other hard-to-see areas. "While performing a skin self-exam, keep in mind that skin cancer can develop anywhere on the skin, not just in areas that are exposed to the sun," Hendi said. "If you notice any new spots on your skin, scalp or nails, spots that look different from other spots on your body, or spots that are changing, itching or bleeding, make an appointment to see a board-certified dermatologist," he advised. Hendi also explained the ABCDEs of checking for melanoma. A is for Asymmetry: One half of a spot is unlike the other half. One half of a spot is unlike the other half. B is for Border: The spot has an irregular, scalloped or poorly defined edge. The spot has an irregular, scalloped or poorly defined edge. C is for Color: Colors vary from one area of the spot to another, from shades of tan, brown or black, for instance, or areas of white, red or blue. Colors vary from one area of the spot to another, from shades of tan, brown or black, for instance, or areas of white, red or blue. D is for Diameter: When diagnosed, melanomas are usually larger than 6 millimeters (about the size of a pencil eraser), but can be smaller. When diagnosed, melanomas are usually larger than 6 millimeters (about the size of a pencil eraser), but can be smaller. E is for Evolving: The spot looks different or is changing in size, shape or color. See a medical professional if you have any of these signs or notice an existing mole start to change in any way. "When detected early, skin cancer, including melanoma, is highly treatable, making it imperative to check your skin regularly," Hendi said. "It only takes a few minutes to check your skin, and it could save your life." More information The U.S. National Cancer Institute has more on skin cancer. India and Netherlands launched Clean Air India Initiative in New Delhi. It aims to curb air pollution in Indian cities by promoting partnerships between Indian start-ups and companies from Netherlands. It also aims build network of entrepreneurs working on business solutions for cleaner air. Key Facts Clean Air India Initiative is collaborative project between Get In The Ring, a platform for start-ups of Netherlands Government, Start-up India and INDUS Forum, an online matchmaking platform of Indian and Dutch businesses. It is multi-corporate challenge that will test and scale innovations through collaboration between startups, corporates and governments by providing pilot opportunities for promising innovations that solve problem of pollution. Indo-Dutch Startup Initiative: #StartUpLink The initiative aims fulfil twin objective of facilitating market expansion for startups in two countries alongside fostering joint sense of innovation and entrepreneurship. It will help startups from both countries that are exploring each others markets and offers access to key information, relevant networks, pilot opportunities, and navigators for respective startup ecosystems. Shell E4 Start Hub Dutch oil major Shell, as a partner for the Indo Dutch #StartUpLink,has come on board with aim of accelerating Indias transition to sustainable energy future. It has established Shell E4 Start Hub to enable and empower energy entrepreneurs in progressing their impactful solutions. It is the first energy focused startup hub in India, offering startups access to infrastructure (labs+co-working space), industry knowledge, subject matter expertise, funding, global connections and brand recognition, combined with world-class accelerator program. Botswana continued executions this year, with the hanging of another death row inmate in 2018. State media reported that Uyapo Poloko was hanged on Friday. Poloko was convicted of killing Indian businessman Vijeyadeyi Kandavaranam on January 25, 2010 in Francistown in northern Botswana. Justice Modiri Letsididi sentenced Poloko to death for the murder, as well as 12 years in jail for attempted murder charge and 10 years for robbery. Letsididi, in passing sentence, said there were several aggravating factors in the case. "The crimes were committed in a brutal and ruthless manner because he strangled the deceased. Strangulation by nature leads to a slow and painful death. "In all the circumstances, I am unable to find any extenuating circumstances in the conviction for the offences that could reduce the accused's blameworthiness,' declared the judge. Poloko failed in his bid to overturn his death sentence this year after another judge, Justice Bashi Moesi, dismissed the convict's application. In February this year, Botswana hanged Joseph Tselayarona, after a court in 2017 sentenced him to 20 years in prison for the murder of his girlfriend and handed him the death penalty for the murder of the son. Deprose Muchena, of Amnesty International and the organisation's regional director for Southern Africa, said Tselayarona's execution was a step back for Botswana and showed the government's contempt for life. "Joseph's execution is a step back for Botswana and it shows the government's contempt for life. The death penalty is an abhorrent punishment and should never be used in any circumstances. While many countries in the region are moving away from this cruel form of punishment, Botswana is regressing". | Report an error, an omission, a typo; suggest a story or a new angle to an existing story; submit a piece, a comment; recommend a resource; contact the webmaster, contact us: deathpenaltynews@gmail.com Opposed to Capital Punishment? Help us keep this blog up and running! DONATE! "One is absolutely sickened, not by the crimes that the wicked have committed, but by the punishments that the good have inflicted." -- Oscar Wilde Attorney General Doug Peterson wants the Nebraska Supreme Court to speed up its consideration of an execution warrant for condemned prisoner Carey Dean Moore, and to set the execution date for July 10. Peterson filed a motion with the court Friday to speed up the warrant, saying that if July 10 doesn't work, he wants the court to consider setting it for sometime in mid-July. He cites several reasons. One of the execution drugs to be used is set to expire by the end of August. The date of execution, according to state law, must be set no later than 60 days following the court's issuance of a warrant, he said. Expiration dates of the 4 lethal injection drugs are: potassium chloride, Aug. 31; cisatracurium besylate, Oct. 31; fentanyl citrate, Aug. 31, 2019; diazepam, Sept. 1, 2019. An affidavit from Corrections Director Scott Frakes accompanying the motion says a prison team will be ready to carry out the execution within 30 days of receiving the death warrant. On May 9, Corrections spokeswoman Dawn-Renee Smith told the Journal Star the execution team was in compliance with the requirements for training specified in the department's execution protocol. The protocol calls for the execution team to meet every 6 months when no execution warrant has been issued, and weekly once a date has been set. Training must be documented, noting the date and duration, who supervised the training and the activities undertaken. The execution warrant has been pending with the Supreme Court more than 7 weeks, since April. Moore's death sentences have been final for 21 years, Peterson's motion said. Moore's four previous death warrants issued by the court were stayed or withdrawn for various reasons. In addition, no stays of execution have been issued by a federal court. Pending lawsuits and complaints are challenging the state's proposed executions, the department's lethal injection protocol and the constitutionality of the four-drug cocktail. The Lincoln Journal Star, Omaha World-Herald and ACLU of Nebraska have asked a Lancaster County district judge to direct the Department of Correctional Services to release information on lethal injection drugs, which the department has so far refused to do. A ruling on those lawsuits is pending. Moore doesn't have any appeals pending, hasn't joined lawsuits over death-penalty protocols and is largely believed to be not fighting the sentence. On Thursday, Moore asked the state Supreme Court to dismiss his attorneys in a case in which the state is seeking to carry out the death penalty against him. Danielle Conrad, executive director of the ACLU of Nebraska, said Friday that while it appears Moore has decided to stop fighting his execution, "it is precisely for this reason that our institutions bear extra responsibility to check themselves by ensuring that the laws are followed. "It is undisputed that there are still multiple legal questions and actions pending that are related to the state's decision to rush toward an execution in secrecy," Conrad said. Earlier this month, Chief Justice Michael Heavican, who leads the state's high court, gave the Nebraska Commission on Public Advocacy until May 29 to file a response to the state's request for an execution warrant for Moore. Peterson said there's no reason to further delay issuing the requested death warrant. Moore, 60, was sentenced to death on 2 counts of 1st-degree murder in Douglas County in the 1979 deaths of 2 Omaha cab drivers Reuel Van Ness Jr. and Maynard Helgeland. He has been on death row 38 years. If he is put to death, it would be Nebraska's 1st time carrying out capital punishment in 21 years. It also would be the 1st time the state would use lethal injection, and the 1st time in the country this particular 4-drug cocktail would be used. Nebraska Corrections Department offers scant information on execution team training Records maintained by the Nebraska Department of Corrections reveal that its execution team trained on 5 dates since the beginning of last year, and a specialized execution escort team trained on 4 dates. ACLU of Nebraska filed a public-records request to find out what training members of the team have had in preparation for carrying out an execution. Amy Miller, ACLU legal director, asked for documents generated between Jan. 1, 2017, and April 6 of this year, related to team training sessions, the IV team's performance of vein puncture and catheter placement, and communications among Director Scott Frakes, execution team members and doctors or medical experts about lethal injection. The department provided dates and duration of training for the escort team and the general execution team. The execution team trained on 5 dates for a total of 10 hours, 40 minutes. The specialized escort team trained 4 days for a total of 5 hours, 35 minutes. It sent no records of training for a specialized IV team nor acknowledged that such a team exists. Prisons spokeswoman Dawn-Renee Smith, who responded to the records request, told the ACLU the department would not supply certificates, confidential training rosters or memos. There were no records of communications with doctors or medical experts about lethal injection, she said. "The recently produced documents about training gives no adequate assurance that we would be looking at a smooth, well-conducted execution," Miller said. Attorney General Doug Peterson on Friday asked the Nebraska Supreme Court to speed up its consideration of an execution warrant for condemned prisoner Carey Dean Moore, and to set the execution date for July 10. An affidavit sent to the Supreme Court by Frakes said the execution team will be ready and able to carry out an execution within 30 days of the court's issuance of a death warrant. The team has been appointed and is qualified and trained as required, it said. When asked for training information, Smith told the Journal Star simply that the department is in compliance with the protocol directives on training. The protocol calls for the execution team to meet every 6 months when no execution warrant has been issued, and weekly when a date has been set. Training must be documented, noting the date and duration, who supervised the training and the activities undertaken. ACLU Executive Director Danielle Conrad reaffirmed that the public interest in getting training records is not, as the attorney general's office has suggested, in identifying members of the execution team, but rather ensuring the law and best practices are being followed, at a minimum, as government seeks to carry out an execution. According to the Death Penalty Information Center, at least 39 executions by lethal injection have been "botched," the latest in February. Executioners in Alabama worked 2 1/2 hours trying to find a vein for condemned prisoner Doyle Lee Hamm in the lower parts of his body, and finally had to call off the execution. Hamm had injuries, pain and symptoms of post-traumatic stress in the days following. Miller said many of the botched executions have been the indirect result of inadequate training or personnel without adequate experience. Most notably, she said, trying to lay an intravenous line without a lot of prior experience can end in injecting the lethal drugs into a muscle, rather than a vein, making the execution prolonged and painful. "The Supreme Court has said we can have executions as long as they are humane. They are not supposed to be painful or cause undue suffering," Miller said. Without the Corrections Department being willing to produce more information, especially about the IV team, there is a concern about whether or not the execution team is ready to carry it out successfully and constitutionally, she said. Miller said whether or not Nebraskans favor or oppose the death penalty, they have a right to know what the state is doing related to the execution, and if it will be carried out in a professional manner. "The veil of secrecy that has dropped on all matters relating to the death penalty is very concerning," Miller said. | Report an error, an omission, a typo; suggest a story or a new angle to an existing story; submit a piece, a comment; recommend a resource; contact the webmaster, contact us: deathpenaltynews@gmail.com Opposed to Capital Punishment? Help us keep this blog up and running! DONATE! "One is absolutely sickened, not by the crimes that the wicked have committed, but by the punishments that the good have inflicted." -- Oscar Wilde Lincoln Journal Star, May 25, 2018 Ambulance services said that three of the 15 people taken to hospital had critical blast injuries. (Representational Image) New Delhi: A homemade bomb exploded at an Indian restaurant in Mississauga, Canadas sixth largest city, injuring 15 people. Police said two suspects entered the Bombay Bhel restaurant in the Ontario city late on Thursday and detonated the improvised bomb. Ambulance services said that three of the 15 people taken to hospital had critical blast injuries. Two male suspects fled the scene immediately after the explosion in the city. External Affairs Minister (EAM) Sushma Swaraj said the Canadian police had so far found no evidence that it was a terror attack or a hate crime. She said three people who had been critically injured were stable. The blast had taken place in a restaurant called Bombay Bhel in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. On Friday evening, Ms. Swaraj tweeted, Here is the latest update from Canada. The 12 persons who were taken to hospital have been discharged. The other three persons who were critically injured are stable. According to Police, at this stage there is no evidence to term this incident as a terrorist attack or hate crime. Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina addresses during the Special Convocation of Kazi Nazrul University at Asansol in West Burdwan district of West Bengal on Saturday. (Photo: PTI) Kolkata: Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wajed on Saturday urged India and other neighbouring countries for cooperation to protect the young generation from the clutches of terrorism in South East Asia and for development of the sub-continent. She underlined that Bangladesh will follow the path of secularism highlighted by famous poet Nazrul Islam in his poetry. Hasina also vowed to work together with India. She was delivering her address after she was conferred honorary D.Litt by Kazi Nazrul University during its annual convocation at Asansol in Burdwan West. Except for West Bengal Education Minister Partha Chatterjee neither CM Mamata Banerjee nor Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi, who were in the invitee list, present for the event. Noting their absence, Hasina informed that she was aware of Tripathi's ill health. She, however, did not forget to express her gratitude to him as well as the chief minister for setting up the university after Nazrul's name and awarding her the honorary degree from the same academic institution. The Bangladesh PM said, "We always want the people of this sub-continent to lead a good life. We want our young generation to remain safe from violence, killings, terrorism and drugs in the world. We want them to build their lives in a positive, meaningful and progressive way. This is our prayer. I appeal for cooperation from our neighbouring countries in this context." Reiterating her call for the return of Rohingya refugees from Bangladesh to Myanmar she said, "While planning development, we do not think only about our country. We think of the subcontinent as a whole. We want to make this subcontinent free of poverty and hunger and turn it into a developed and rich one. We had many problems with our neighbours. We have resolved many of them and have been sorting out others." The Bangladesh PM added, "We need to focus on how to undertake the welfare of human beings and create a suitable environment for the people to live in this subcontinent. Today, Bangladesh has grown and is a developing nation. It far developed than the way it was left by the Father of our nation: Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahaman." Referring to the passing out students of KNU, Hasina told them, "Nazrul was inspired by secular thoughts. We are building Bangladesh on the line of his thoughts. Secularism is intertwined with our idealism and policy where everyone enjoys equal rights irrespective of religion, caste and creed. I hope you will work in that direction in your life as well." Chennai: The bandh called by the DMK-led opposition parties to 'condemn' the police firing at the anti-Sterlite protesters in Thoothukudi in which 13 lives were lost, and also to press for Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami to resign, passed off peacefully on Friday. The bandh evoked strong response with most business establishments and shops closed in Tirunelveli and Kanyakumari districts adjoining Thoothukudi where the shops were mostly open to cater to the conflict-weary public. There was good response to the bandh in Tiruvarur, Tirupur and Coimbatore also. In the Congress-ruled Puducherry, the impact was total with even the government-run buses off roads and most establishments were shut, including cinema houses. The response to the bandh was, however, only luke-warm in the rest of the state; perhaps due to the public fatigue over such mass protests-the last one was over Cauvery on April 5 called by the opposition parties. There was another bandh by the traders association the day before that. The public had a tough time on April 12 too as the Opposition protested against Prime Minister Narendra Modi visiting Chennai for inaugurating DefExpo. And so on. In this latest one, DMK and allies, including the Congress, IUML and MMK, besides other parties such as the VCK, CPI, CPI (M) and MDMK, took out protest rallies, with their leaders and cadres courting arrest. They were released later in the evening. DMK working president M.K. Stalin led the protest at Madurantakam in Kancheepuram district while his sister and party Rajya Sabha Member Kanimozhi was in the forefront of the demo at Egmore in Chennai, where she was joined by VCK's Thol Thirumavalavan and M. H. Jawahirullah of the MMK. Speaking to reporters after his release from a marriage hall at Acharapakkam in the evening, Stalin said the Opposition would continue agitating "until this government goes for good". BTC Global said that its services had been suspended after its primary trader, identified as Steven Twain, had failed to reply to emails requesting payments. (Representational Image) Cape Town (South Africa): An alleged Bitcoin scam in South Africa has left speculators with losses of more than USD 80 million (roughly Rs 542 crores) as an investment company admitted Friday its senior trader had disappeared without a trace. "This may prove to be the tip of the iceberg with potentially thousands more yet to discover theyve lost money," said Yolisa Matakata of the Hawks police investigations unit. "Unregulated, unusual investments at home or abroad come with a high risk that people could lose all their hard-earned pension and other savings," she warned. BTC Global said that its services had been suspended after its primary trader, identified as Steven Twain, had failed to reply to emails requesting payments. "We are as shocked and angry as everyone. But we all knew the risks involved in placing funds with Steven. We all became complacent," BTC Global said on its website. "Until Steven Twain resurfaces or is found there is nothing the admin team can do." South African police said they were investigating the alleged fraud, with more than 28,000 investors affected. Police said the company had targeted potential investors with promises of 2 percent interest per day, 14 percent a week and 50 per cent per month. Payments to investors were reportedly made every Monday until they suddenly dried up. Regulators worldwide are grappling with the boom in cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, which lure investors with the promise of high returns but are not backed by any central banks. On Thursday, a South African teenager was found four days after he was kidnapped by a gang who demanded a ransom in 15 bitcoins, worth about USD 123,000 (EUR 105,000 or Rs 84 lakhs). Police gave no details about any ransom payment. On May 17th, voters in Burundi went to the polls to decide whether to amend the countrys Constitution to extend presidential terms from 5 to 7 years. It is widely believed that the amendments will reset previously served terms, allowing President Pierre Nkurunziza to run for two more terms in office. Other amendments to the constitution would expand presidential powers and place restrictions on independent candidates and coalitions of such candidates.Some of these amendments run counter to the power-sharing principles enshrined in the Arusha Agreement which helped to end Burundis civil war. According to the Electoral Commission, some 73 percent of 4.7 million voters supported the constitutional amendments, while 19 percent voted against. As a result, President Nkurunziza, who first assumed the Presidency in 2005, could conceivably rule Burundi until 2034. However, the voting was fraught with problems, said U.S. State Department Spokesperson Heather Nauert in a written statement.The United States notes that the referendum process in Burundi was marred by a lack of transparency, the suspension of media outlets, and attempts to pressure voters. The government allowed vigorous campaigning by the opposition during the designated two-week campaign period, but numerous cases of harassment and repression of referendum opponents in the months preceding the vote contributed to a climate of fear and intimidation.The absence of independent observers also undermines confidence in the reported result. In the months preceding the vote, there were numerous reports of abuse and intimidation. Human Rights Watch issued a report stating it documented violations and abuses by state security forces, intelligence services, members of the ruling partys youth league the Imbonerakure and others close to the ruling party, in the year and a half leading up to the referendum. We remain concerned that passage of the revised constitution will be interpreted as resetting presidential term limits, wrote Heather Nauert.We recall the ruling partys commitment under the Pretoria Protocol to respect the principles of the Arusha Agreement, including respect for term limits. Media restrictions, arbitrary arrests, and harsh sentences for human rights defenders signals continuing limitations on civic and political space in Burundi.We call on the government to respect its citizens rights to freedom of expression, assembly, and association, she wrote. The United States supports the Burundian people and hopes for a future in which they enjoy vibrant and sustainable economic growth, security, and fundamental freedoms. The Spokesperson for EU Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations on Friday called on Russia to free detained and imprisoned Ukrainians, including filmmaker Oleh Sentsov, and representatives of the Crimean Tatar people. "The European Union expects international human rights standards on the peninsula to be upheld and all illegally detained Ukrainian citizens in Russia and on the Crimean peninsula to be released without delay," the Spokesperson said in a May 25 statement on the cases of several detainees in or from the illegally-annexed Crimea and Sevastopol. According to the statement, on May 14, 2018, Sentsov, a film director deported to eastern Siberia, began a hunger strike after four years of imprisonment. Another illegally-detained Ukrainian citizen, Volodymyr Balukh, has also recently spent two months on hunger strike. "They have opposed the illegal annexation of the Crimean peninsula and were sentenced, by courts whose jurisdiction the EU does not recognise, in breach of international law and elementary standards of justice," it said. Adding to the extremely worrying number of Crimean Tatars who have been persecuted and had their rights gravely violated, activists Server Mustafayev and Edem Smailov were also detained on May 21, 2018. President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko within the framework of the National Investment Council has met with President of Turkey's Turkcell company Ahmet Akca and discussed the prospects of supporting the program of rural medicine. "The interlocutors discussed the prospects of involving this company in the program of support for rural medicine in Ukraine, in particular taking into account its extensive experience in providing similar technical equipment in medicine, education, etc.," reads a report on the presidential website. The president of Ukraine noted that in accordance with his agreements with President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Ukraine and Turkey had significantly increased their cooperation, especially in the economic sphere. The parties are also finishing preparations to the meeting of the Strategic Council of the two countries, which should take into account the issues of cooperation between Ukraine and Turkey in the security, military-technical sphere, road construction and telecommunications, including the use of the Turkcell potential. The president noted a "very responsible attitude towards doing business in Ukraine" of this company. "I am grateful for your decision to increase the volume of investments into our country," Poroshenko added. The Turkcell chairman, in turn, thanked the president for an opportunity of his company to take part in the work of the National Investment Council. "It was a very productive and effective meeting. I am particularly impressed with its spirit and positive energy," Ahmet Akca noted. Georgia has always been a part of Europe and the European Union will protect its sovereignty and territorial integrity, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said at an Independence Day ceremony in central Tbilisi on Saturday. "We will always protect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia, of its legitimate borders," Juncker said. "Georgia is a country which has always been a part of Europe. A new chapter now begins in our relationship," he said. On Saturday Georgia marks the 100th anniversary since declaring independence and the foundation of the first Georgian democratic republic. The festivities are also attended by the presidents of Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Slovakia, Finland and Armenia. Iranian security forces on Friday May 25 prevented the 50th anniversary of the establishment of Writers Association, the oldest and most prestigious trade union for Iranian writers. Upholding human rights, organizing Iranian writers and campaigning against censorship are the focal points of the Iranian Writers Associations activities. Akbar Massoumbeigi, a member of the Writers Association reported on social media that security agents brutally stormed the venue of the writers gathering at a members house and barricaded the street in which it was located. The report added that security agents confiscated all the posters and memorabilia that members had prepared for the ceremony during the past year. They fear even a simple gathering at a private home, wrote another member, Hassan Mortazavi, on his Facebook. Last November, security agents had stormed a similar session when a group of writers were commemorating an Iranian novelist who had passed away. Both of Irans security establishments, the IRIGC Intelligence Organization and the Rouhani administrations Intelligence Ministry, have been preventing gatherings by various political and cultural groups including the National Front and the Writers Association during recent years. Meanwhile, The Center for Defending Human Rights in Iran has recently asked President Hassan Rouhani to stop violations of law and human rights by the Intelligence Ministry and other parallel intelligence organizations. In a statement issued on the occasion of its 50th anniversary, the Writers Association of Iran emphasised its mission to counter censorship, defend human rights and organize Iranian writers. The Association was established in 1968 by 49 prominent Iranian writers including Jalal Al-Ahmad, Bahram Bayzai, Darioush Ashouri and Mohammad Ali Sepanlou. The association organized a major literary event in 1978 shortly before the 1979 revolution which was instrumental in creating an atmosphere of dissent and political excitement. In the 1990s, two of its activists, poet Mohammad Mokhtari and writer Mohammad Jafar Pouyandeh were murdered by rouge elements in the Iranian Intelligence Ministry. Others, such as author Ali Akbar Saeedi Sijani were murdered in custody only because they wrote letters to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to inform him of violation of human rights in the country. The murders were part of the state sponsored organized crimes that mainly targeted intellectuals and political activists during that decade. The murders were later disclosed by Irans reformist President Mohammad Khatami and the outspoken reformist press that was allowed to operate in Iran during his term of office in late 1990s and early 2000s. Vigilante groups in Tehran have disrupted reformist National Trust Party congress Friday, May 25, to prevent the reinstating of Mehdi Karroubi, as the partys leader. Mr. Karroubi has been under house arrest in Tehran since 2011. He was one of the presidential candidates who ran against the incumbent, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in the 2009 disputed presidential elections, which led to widespread unrest and the creation of the Green Movement demanding fundamental reforms. Meanwhile, party leaders have also clashed with each other at the congress, say incoming reports from Tehran. Leading National Trust Party member Mohammad Javad Haghshenas, has estimated the number of those present at the congress at 1800. Haghshenas, a member of the partys political bureau, wrote in a tweet on Friday, organized vigilante groups disrupted the congress and the election of party leaders remained inconclusive although a majority had voted to reinstate the previous leaders. However, Hojjat Nazari, another leading member of the National Trust Party, told reporters that party members have reinstated Karroubi as the partys secretary general. Nazari wrote on his Twitter: Following this decision, hooligans who opposed Karoubi tried to change election results. Nevertheless, an Interior Ministry representative at the congress confirmed Karroubis election as party leader. Prominent party member Esmail Gerami Moghaddam also said Members voted for amending the partys charter and reinstating the previous central council members, adding that the chairman of the congress announced the end of the session as soon as the vigilantes began to disrupt the meeting, ILNA reported. Guest speakers at the congress, including reformist figure Mohamad Reza Aref, and parliament deputy-speaker Ali Motahari demanded an end to Karroubis house arrest, reported Etemad Online Website. While leading party members insist that those who disrupted the meeting were not party members, there are reports about a brawl between the members of the National Trust Party. A video released by some party members shows Rahmatollah Bigdeli, a well-known member of the party fighting with other members. Bigdeli told reporters that the partys charter was violated at the meeting of the congress. He said, non-members had entered the meeting while it was in progress, at the same time, some members protested that the congresss presidium consisted of a group of non-elected members. At the partys previous congress in 2016, party members rejected Karroubis resignation, and reinstated him as secretary general. Karroubi, one of the Green Movement leaders has been under house arrest for seven years, sending out occasional defiant statements critical of Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei. His calls for an open trial have been ignored. The National Trust Party was established by Karroubi and his aides in 2005. Baku, Azerbaijan, May 26 Trend: President of the Swiss Confederation Alain Berset has sent a congratulatory letter to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev. On behalf of the Swiss Federal Council and on my own behalf, I would like to convey my warmest congratulations to you on the occasion of the Republic Day and the centennial of the foundation of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic on 28 May, 1918, Berset said in his letter. I also send my sincerest wishes for the well-being and prosperity of Azerbaijan and the Azerbaijani people. Let me also assure you that I fondly look back on our meeting on the margins of the World Economic Forum in January which testifies to the excellent relations between our two countries. I look forward to this relationship of trust and friendship continuing to flourish in the months and years ahead, reads the letter. Baku, Azerbaijan, May 26 Trend: President of South Korea Moon Jae-in has sent a congratulatory letter to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev. On behalf of the Government and the people of the Republic of Korea, I would like to extend to you and the people of the Republic of Azerbaijan my warmest congratulations on the occasion of the Republic Day and the centennial anniversary of the foundation of the Republic of Azerbaijan, reads the letter. I wish to highly appreciate that in the course of the last quarter century of history as an independent country, your nation has made an extraordinary height of achievements in every area, the South Korean president said in his letter. Based on the established best relations and the common cultural background as Altaic language speaking nations, our relationship, I anticipate, will be further strengthened and deepened in a more accelerated manner in the future, reads the letter. Please accept my best wishes for your continued good health and the everlasting prosperity of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Baku, Azerbaijan, May 26 Trend: President of Hungary Janos Ader has sent a congratulatory letter to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev. "Allow me to express my congratulations to you and the people of your country on the occasion of the National Day of Azerbaijan, the Day of the Republic and the 100th anniversary of the proclamation of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, the president of Hungary said in his letter. Azerbaijan has achieved outstanding results in economic and social development and today it has become one of the leading countries in the wider region. I wish for this development to continue steadily. I can assure you that Hungary remains committed to further developing the strategic cooperation between our countries. On the occasion of the holiday, I wish you, Mr President, good health and every success in your highly responsible duties as well as peace and prosperity to the Azerbaijani people, reads the letter. Baku, Azerbaijan, May 26 By Leman Zeynalova Trend: Frances Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Yves Le Drian will visit Azerbaijan May 27. In Azerbaijan, the minister will have meetings with Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov, Finance Minister Samir Sharifov and other officials, said a message from French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs. Le Drian will review current international issues and discuss bilateral relations. At economic level, our cooperation will be strengthened by the signature of agreements between manufacturers from both countries and by the possible prospect of training tailored to market needs, said the ministry. Moreover, Jean-Yves Le Drian will visit the French-Azerbaijani University, opened in 2016 and rapidly developing. On its premises, built by the Azerbaijani government, Jean-Yves Le Drian will open an exhibition of French archives devoted to Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, said the message. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @Lyaman_Zeyn Baku, Azerbaijan, May 26 Trend: Azerbaijani Prosecutor Generals Office and the countrys Interior Ministry have exposed a $412,000 financial fraud in the Azerbaijani Popular Front Party, the Prosecutor Generals Office said in a statement May 26. As a result of the measures of detection, it was revealed that Saleh Huseynov, residing in the Russian Federation, in order to conceal the source of receiving "dirty" money, violated the requirements of the law On Entrepreneurship" the Tax Code and other normative legal acts. Moreover, with the purpose of carrying out an actual banking operation, he carried out propaganda in the territory of Russia in order to finance the activities of the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan, said the message. Saleh Rustamov ensured the transfer of $30,000 through Jeyhun Huseynov, Rauf Isgandarov, Heydar Ahmadov and Tural Mehdikhanov, who were engaged in the illegal transfer of money to Baku for Vidadi Rustamli. Rustamli received these funds and transferred them to Agil Maharramov, Ruslan Nasirov and Babak Hasanov. Thus, serious suspicions were found regarding financing of the activities of the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan in the amount of $412,000, as well as regarding activities to legalize a large amount of money received illegally. Baku, Azerbaijan, May 26 Trend: Azerbaijani Prosecutor Generals Office and the countrys Interior Ministry have exposed a $412,000 financial fraud in the Azerbaijani Popular Front Party, the Prosecutor Generals Office said in a statement May 26. As a result of the measures of detection, it was revealed that Saleh Huseynov, residing in the Russian Federation, in order to conceal the source of receiving "dirty" money, violated the requirements of the law "On Entrepreneurship" the Tax Code and other normative legal acts. Moreover, with the purpose of carrying out an actual banking operation, he carried out propaganda in the territory of Russia in order to finance the activities of the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan, said the message. Saleh Rustamov ensured the transfer of $30,000 through Jeyhun Huseynov, Rauf Isgandarov, Heydar Ahmadov and Tural Mehdikhanov, who were engaged in the illegal transfer of money to Baku for Vidadi Rustamli. Rustamli received these funds and transferred them to Agil Maharramov, Ruslan Nasirov and Babak Hasanov. Thus, serious suspicions were found regarding financing of the activities of the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan in the amount of $412,000, as well as regarding activities to legalize a large amount of money received illegally. As a result of the investigation the interrogated Babak Hasanov, Ruslan Nasirov, Agil Maharramov confessed to illegal actions and said that the money sent by Saleh Rustamov from Moscow was received from Vidadi Rustamli and was transferred to Ali Karimli and other persons with the purpose of financing the activities of the organization they represent. At present, the relevant departments of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Prosecutor General's Office are conducting an objective investigation into this criminal case to determine the number of the perpetrators and bring them to criminal liability. Baku, Azerbaijan, May 26 Trend: A presentation of the The Last Session feature documentary film dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic has been held at the Heydar Aliyev Center. Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Leyla Aliyeva and president of Baku Media Center, executive producer of the film Arzu Aliyeva attended the ceremony. Supported by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, the film was sponsored by BP Azerbaijan. President Ilham Aliyev signed an order to declare 2018 as a Year of Azerbaijan Democratic Republic. A series of events are being held on the occasion of the centenary of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic in the country and beyond its borders. Baku Media Centers feature documentary film The Last Session is one of these works, which highlights the last days of the challenged history of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic. Addressing the event, executive director of the film, president of Baku Media Center Arzu Aliyeva noted that this year Azerbaijan and its people mark the centennial of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic. The Azerbaijan Democratic Republic was the first democratic republic in the Muslim world. A multi-party parliament was established and main freedoms were ensured in the country. The women were granted the right to vote. Despite the fact that the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic existed for only about two years, this period is one of the most glorious pages in our countrys history, Arzu Aliyeva said. The film which is to be presented today highlights the events that took place on the last days of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic. Today, we live in an independent, strong, rapidly developing Azerbaijan, which has its own say on the international scene, and are proud of our history. I am confident that the founders of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic would have been proud of todays Azerbaijan too. In conclusion, I would like to express my gratitude to everyone who was involved in the creation of the film, including the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and BP, president of Baku Media Center Arzu Aliyeva said. In his remarks, BP Regional President for Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey Gary Jones noted that the film was dedicated to a remarkable day in the history of Azerbaijan. He underlined that BP is honored to be the sponsor of the film dedicated to the centenary of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic and thanked the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and Baku Media Center for their contribution to the film. The event then featured the presentation of The Last Session film. Supported by Baku Media Center, the Cinema Plus network of cinemas will host a free screening of the film for three days from May 26. Baku, Azerbaijan, May 26 By Anvar Mammadov - Trend: The International Finance Corporation (IFC) is committed to continuing to support the diversification of Azerbaijans economy by helping to mobilize the power of the private sector, Jan van Bilsen, IFC Regional Manager for the South Caucasus, told Trend May 16. He noted that the continued investment climate and regulatory reforms are important to build the confidence of investors to invest in the private sector and contribute to economic diversification. Recent developments, including the drop in oil prices in 2014, have made it clear that many countries of the region, including Azerbaijan, need to move to a different growth model, relying less on state resources and more on the private sector, said van Bilsen. "That means that new sources of growth must be tapped into. Many governments recognize this and are taking steps in that direction. One of the key drivers to accelerating and sustaining progress is making the private sector the main driver of growth." Van Bilsen noted that the IFC particularly welcomes the governments strong focus on improving infrastructure and enhancing connectivity within the country and internationally. "IFC is ready to work in infrastructure in Azerbaijan, for example in energy, waste management and transport, as long as there is interest in opening these areas to the private sector. Given our vast global experience in structuring public-private partnership projects in various sectors, IFC is ready to support the government in attracting private investment for selected public infrastructure through PPP transaction advisory support. This can help lower the fiscal burden and improve effectiveness and efficiency of public investment and assets," van Bilsen said. The regional manager added that IFC is also open to investing in competitive businesses that are transparent and well managed in various productive sectors, including but not limited to export-oriented industries to help the country generate alternative sources of foreign exchange. Azerbaijan became a member of the International Finance Corporation in 1995. Since the beginning of cooperation, IFC has allocated more than $500 million for projects in Azerbaijan covering financial services, infrastructure and production. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @Anvar_Mammadov Baku, Azerbaijan, May 26 By Ilkin Shafiyev - Trend: Azerbaijan plans to increase exports of pomegranate and products derived from it in the coming years, Chairman of the Azerbaijan Pomegranate Producers and Exporters Association Farhad Garashov told Trend. "The figures are growing from year to year. From October 2017 to March this year, exports of both pomegranate and products made of it valued $12 million. Usually the harvest of pomegranate begins in October. With proper storage, the product is kept until March," Garashov said. The chairman of the association noted that today the products made of pomegranates of Azerbaijani origin are exported to many countries, including Australia, Canada and Russia. "As for the pomegranate itself, today it is mainly exported to Russia. Our goal is to expand the geography of supplies, in particular to establish exports to Europe and North America," he said. Garashov also said that in 2017, processing enterprises in Azerbaijan purchased about 20,000 tons of pomegranate from local farmers for production of juices, narsharab (pomegranate syrup) and other products. The Azerbaijan Pomegranate Producers and Exporters Association was established on October 31, 2016. Today it brings together 26 members. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @IlkinShafiyev Baku, Azerbaijan, May 26 By Rufiz Hafizoglu - Trend: Turkey intends to increase the number of airports until 2023, the Ministry of Transport, Maritime Affairs and Communications of Turkey told Trend. The ministry said that during the previous 16 years, 29 new airports were built in Turkey. "Presently, 55 airports operate in Turkey," the ministry said. The ministry also noted that ten new airports are planned to be built in Turkey and the construction of the third airport in Istanbul is underway. The construction of the third airport in Istanbul has been completed by more than 88 percent. After commissioning, the number of flight destinations in Turkey will increase from 282 to 350. Under the project, the first runway of the new airport will be 3.7 kilometers long and 60 meters wide. The second runway will be 4.1 kilometers long and 60 meters wide. The first airport in Turkey was built in 1912 and was used for military purposes. For the first time the Istanbul airport was opened for international flights in 1953 and in 1985 it was renamed in honor of founder of the Turkish Republic Mustafa Kemal Ataturk. Follow the author on Twitter: @rhafizoglu Baku, Azerbaijan, May 26 By Fikret Dolukhanov Trend: The international center for cross-border cooperation (ICBC) "Khorgos" (Kazakhstan) - a new type of cross-border zone of trade and economic cooperation in the world - is one of the important mechanisms for promoting the national economic interests of Kazakhstan and China within the framework of the "Nurly Zhol" [Bright way] and "Silk Road Economic Belt" programs, the President of JSC ICBC "Khorgos" Kaharman Jazin told Trend. He noted that, the ICBC "Khorgos" is not a purely Kazakh-Chinese project, but a project of cross-border trade and economic cooperation aimed at a broad representation of the business community. Jazin said the main goals and objectives facing Kazakhstan and China are to strengthen mutual trust and good neighborliness, effective cooperation in political, trade, economic, scientific, technical and cultural fields, as well as in the field of transport and tourism. "ICBC "Khorgos" was granted the status of a special economic zone (SEZ) by the resolution of the government of Kazakhstan last year. This contributes to the creation of favorable conditions for the development of business and investment in the territory of Kazakhstan. Participants of ICBC "Khorgos" will be exempt from payment of basic taxes, such as land tax, property tax, corporate income tax, there is also a zero VAT rate for goods sold in the SEZ territory, and the absence of quotas for attracting foreign labor, " said Jazin. He noted that, the partners of ICBC "Khorgos" in the Eurasian Union show great interest and see the project as a unique platform for the promotion of their goods for export. "We all know that the participants of foreign economic activity are faced with the problem of entering foreign markets, lack of relevant analytics, problems at the borders and so on. In this regard, ICBC "Khorgos" is a permanently functioning forum or, if you prefer, an exhibition of its own products. After all, our center has a favorable geographical location it is no mere chance that the ancient Silk Road passed through Khorgos, and in modern realities its importance only increases every year," said Jazin. The president of ICBC said the economic attractiveness of the center is also supported by the development of transport routes, as ICBC "Khorgos" is located on the Almaty Khorgos section of the international motor highway corridor "Western Europe Western China". "The similar corridor, but a railway one, passes through Khorgos. As you know, just through that corridor, the container trains travel to Europe, Central Asia, as well as to the Caucasus, Afghanistan, and Turkey. In addition, a special economic zone "Khorgos Eastern Gates" with industrial and logistics areas and dry port Khorgos Gateway, which provides services for the transportation of goods is actively built in the region", said Jazin. He noted that, the partners of ICBC "Khorgos" have the opportunity to enter the new markets such as China, EEU, CIS and South-East Asia, with minimum cost and maximum benefit "Everyone wins, and we regard this as the uniqueness of our project based on the principles of mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality and the desire for joint development," said the president of the ICBC. ICBC "Khorgos" is a unique project of two countries - Kazakhstan and China. It is a center of trade, economic, tourism and investment cooperation. It consists of the Kazakh and Chinese parts, located on the adjacent near-border territories of the two states and connected by a special passage crossing the state border. Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, May 26 By Huseyn Hasanov - Trend: Turkmenistan's Turkmenbashi Complex of Oil Refineries (TCOR) has announced an international tender for development of tender proposals for reconstruction of the main step-down substations and creation of a system of centralized management of power supply of the enterprise. All interested companies are invited to submit applications, and to get a package of tender documents paying $1,725 per lot. Tender proposals should be sent to the Department of Foreign Economic Relations (DFER) of TCOR at the following address: Turkmenbashi Oil Refinery, Turkmenbashi City, Balkan, Turkmenistan. Tender proposals will be accepted until June 21, 2018. Phone: (+993243) 96-0-38, 2-03-89 (phone/fax: (+993243) 2-45-44,2-22-04 for sending applications) Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, May 26 By Huseyn Hasanov - Trend: A new investment project aimed at increasing the export of Turkmen natural gas has been proposed by the Kazakhstan consulting company KDA International, the Turkmengas State Concern said. Three options of the pipeline route capable of providing 10 billion cubic meters per year of Turkmen gas to Kazakhstan and 50 billion cubic meters per year to China have been developed in the project. "It is not just an idea, it is a concept which has already been discussed with all parties," said the Chairman of the Board of Directors of KDA International Company Kanat Ryskanul. He said China, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan can be involved in the project. It was also noted that, there are already potential investors, and there are also buyers who are ready to buy this huge amount of gas. Work on the project has been going on for three years. "It is not the most easily implementable project, as it is an international one, and it took time to agree on many issues. The final decision on its implementation will be made jointly, with participation of all member countries," said Ryskanul. Since the end of 2009, China has purchased 204 billion cubic meters of Turkmen gas and becoming its largest importer, Li Shuliang, General Manager of CNPC International Turkmenistan, said at the International Gas Congress in Avaza. Baku, Azerbaijan, May 26 By Leman Zeynalova Trend: OPEC and non-OPEC countries, participating in the deal to curb oil output have reached a record conformity level of 152 percent, said the Joint Ministerial Monitoring Committee (JMMC). The 24 OPEC and non-OPEC producing countries participating in the voluntary production adjustments continue to maintain outstanding levels of conformity to the terms of the historic Declaration of Cooperation of December 2016, said the JMMC. The JMMC reported that participating countries have achieved a conformity level of 152 percent during the fourth month of the second year of the Declaration of Cooperation. This demonstrates the commitment of participating countries to the restoration of market stability, which is intended to serve the long term interests of producers, consumers and the global economy, said OPEC. The JMMC acknowledged the rising concerns expressed by some importing and consuming countries regarding potential shortages in the global oil market and requested the JTC, supported by the OPEC Secretariat to continue to closely monitor the oil market and to report any fundamental changes. The JMMC Committee reaffirmed participating countries commitment to the stability of the market and energy security of the global economy. Furthermore, the JMMC reviewed the JTCs discussion regarding alternative and/or adjusted metrics to measure the impact of the Declaration of Cooperation and concluded that measuring market stability through a single metric is not sufficient and therefore a more comprehensive set of metrics is required. Committee members expressed satisfaction with overall results, but noted that individual country performance was not uniform. They once again highlighted the importance of even performance across all countries. The JMMC was established following OPECs 171st Ministerial Conference Decision of 30 November 2016, and the subsequent Declaration of Cooperation made at the joint OPEC/non-OPEC Producing Countries Ministerial Meeting held on 10 December 2016. Through the Declaration, 11 (now 10) non-OPEC oil producing countries and OPECs 13 (now 14) Member Countries decided on voluntary production adjustments of around 1.8 million barrels per day as part of efforts to accelerate the stabilization of the global oil market. The 9th meeting of the JMMC will take place in Vienna on June 21 2018. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @Lyaman_Zeyn Baku, Azerbaijan, May 26 By Rufiz Hafizoglu Trend: Turkeys General Directorate of Highways announced an open tender for rendering consulting services as part of construction of a 159 kilometer road in Kars province. Local and foreign companies can participate in the tender. The tender will be held at 10:30 (GMT +3) on June 21, 2018 Applications and proposals of interested parties are accepted at: Yenisehir Mahallesi Cevre Yolu Cad. No:29/D 36100 Merkez Kars. Email: [email protected] Phone: (+90 474) 453 60 00, fax: (+90 474) 213 63 37 The tender participation fee is 920 Turkish liras. (4.70796 TL = 1 USD on May 26) --- Follow the author on Twitter: @rhafizoglu Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, May 26 By Huseyn Hasanov Trend: Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Rashid Meredov met in Ashgabat with the EU Special Representative for Central Asia Peter Burian, the Turkmen Foreign Ministry said in a statement May 26. The parties discussed key issues of mutual interest, including the further development of relations between Turkmenistan and the European Union. During the negotiations, the implementation of the EU Strategy for Central Asia was discussed. The sides stressed the importance of regular political consultations, business meetings and negotiations, which contribute to formation of a reliable platform for further intensification of multifaceted relations between Turkmenistan and its European partners, the message said. The parties expressed support for a peaceful settlement of the situation in Afghanistan, and stressed the importance of further cooperation in the EU+CA Security Dialogue with the participation of Afghanistan. The EU delegation was also received in the parliament of Turkmenistan. Burian expressed the desire of Europe to expand and deepen cooperation with Turkmenistan. The European Union and Turkmenistan are committed to the implementation of the Trans-Caspian pipeline project designed to bring Turkmen hydrocarbon energy resources to European markets. Negotiations on the delivery of Turkmen gas to Europe have been underway since 2011. The Southern Gas Corridor, including the Trans-Caspian project, remains a priority for the EU. The project to lay a 300-kilometer gas pipeline along the Caspian Sea bottom to the shores of Azerbaijan, as previously noted by the interested parties, is optimal for the delivery of Turkmen resources to the European market. Further, Turkmen gas can get into Turkey, which borders European countries. Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, May 26 By Huseyn Hasanov Trend: Chinar Rustamova has been appointed as Turkmenistan's Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, a decree of the Turkmen president says. The diplomat will also continue to lead the diplomatic mission in China, which at this stage is the largest foreign trade partner of Turkmenistan. China has become a key buyer of Turkmen gas and expects to increase annual purchases to 65 billion cubic meters of gas. China is also actively cooperating with Turkmenistan in the supply of equipment and services for transport and communications. Ashgabat and Beijing agreed to take measures to promote and protect mutual investments, and to support commercial enterprises to operate in their countries. Tehran, Iran, May 26 By Kamyar Eghbalnejad - Trend: Deputy Head of Iran-China Joint Chamber of Commerce Majid-Reza Hariri said impending US sanctions on Iran would not affect the activities of Chinese firms in the Islamic Republic. The history of cooperation between Iranian and Chinese companies goes back to the pre-sanctions era, Hariri told ILNA news agency on May 23. The latest developments around the 2015 nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers, including new US sanctions on Iran will not change the track of this cooperation, as Chinese firms were present in the country even at the time the sanctions were in place, he added. Hariri further said Iran-China bilateral relations would be further enhanced as Iranian President Hassan Rouhani plans to travel to Beijing next month to discuss ties6 US President Donald Trump announced on May 8 that Washington was walking away from the nuclear agreement, which was reached between Iran and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council - the US, Britain, France, Russia and China - plus Germany. Trump also said he would reinstate US nuclear sanctions on Iran and impose "the highest level" of economic bans on the Islamic Republic. Trade turnover between Iran and China stood at $9,976.2 million in the first quarter of 2018, registering a rise by 10.7 percent year-on-year. China's exports to Iran in the 3-month period amounted to $4,322.1 million, 4.5 percent more year-on-year. The country also imported $5,654.1 million worth of goods from Iran in January-March 2018, 16.6 percent more compared to the same months of 2017. Trade turnover between Iran and China amounted to $37.18 billion in 2017, indicating a 19 percent rise year-on-year. Tehran, Iran, May 26 By Kamyar Eghbalnejad - Trend: NIOC (National Iranian Oil Company) Managing Director Ali Kardor said Iran is exporting nearly 2.5 million barrels of crude oil on a daily basis. Impending new US sanctions have not thus far undermined the flow of oil supplies to international markets, Kardor said on May 26. He added that Irans total exports of crude stood at an average of 2.5 million barrels per day (m/bpd), SHANA news agency reported. The US has failed to make any impact on the countrys oil export process, the Iranian official said, adding that Irans oil exports will remain unchanged if the Iran nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, is salvaged by the EU following the US withdrawal from the multinational accord. US President Donald Trump recently said he would take the US out of a nuclear agreement that was signed with Iran in 2015. He also signed a presidential memorandum to re-impose what he described as the highest level of sanctions against Iran. The memorandum specifies that many of the sanctions should be re-imposed in 90 days by August 6, 2018. The most important ones as reported by media would be a ban on Iran over buying or acquiring US dollars. Another set of sanctions will once again be clamped down on Iran within the next 180 days. The most important sanctions would be those concerning Irans oil sales and energy sector investment as well as transactions with the Central Bank of Iran (CBI). Tehran, Iran, May 26 By Kamyar Eghbalnejad - Trend: Volvo submitted the details of a type of 200-million-euro cooperation model to Iran whereby the Swedish construction equipment company will supply heavy machinery and equipment to the Islamic Republic. Representatives from VOLVO Construction Equipment Company held a meeting with Iranian Deputy Minister of Industry, Mining and Trade Mehdi Karbasian in Tehran on May 23 and submitted the cooperation model to him, IRNA news agency reported. Karbasian, who is also the Director of the Iranian Mines and Mining Industries Development and Renovation Organization (IMIDRO), welcomed the model, saying that this could help rejuvenate the countrys dilapidated fleet of mining machinery. An official with Volvo, for his part, said the company approves IMIDRO as the guarantor of the entire project. He, however, added that Irans Central Bank and Economy Ministry can also give this guarantee and help the plan go ahead. As the first phase of the cooperation framework, 200 million euros will be allocated by Volvo and this can be doubled with the help of IMIDRO, the report added. US President Donald Trump announced on May 8 that Washington was walking away from the nuclear agreement, which was reached between Iran and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council - the US, Britain, France, Russia and China - plus Germany. Trump also said he would reinstate US nuclear sanctions on Iran and impose "the highest level" of economic bans on the Islamic Republic. Before Trumps announcement, Irans mining sector had more than $10 billion of investment pledges by the Europeans and Chinese under its belt, but they are backtracking on their promises one by one over the new US sanctions. Login Login or e-mail Password Login Register Forgot password Login with Facebook Login with Facebook Register First name * Last name * Login or e-mail * Phone Company Industry Password * Confirm password * Register Login with Facebook Login with Facebook Password reset Login or e-mail Reset During the planned three-day visit, the representatives from the Iranian private sector will sit down with African merchants and businesspeople active in the fields of mines, food, engineering services, petrochemical products, oil, medicine and pharmaceutical equipment, tourism, car manufacturing, and household appliances, the report added. More than 300 Syrians have returned to their homes in the province of Homs and Damascus Eastern Ghouta neighborhood in the past 24 hours, chief of the Russian Center for Reconciliation of the Opposing Parties in Syria Yuri Yevtushenko said on Friday, TASS reported. "Restoration of damaged social infrastructure facilities and normalization of everyday life encourage people to return to the places of their former residence. Over the past day, as many as 216 people returned to their homes in the province of Homs, and 134 people returned to Eastern Ghouta," he said, adding that a total of 66,496 people have returned to Eastern Ghouta from refugee camps. The Russian reconciliation center jointly with the Syrian government continue efforts towards post-conflict settlement in the country. As many as 23 buildings were checked in the settlements of Ruheiba and Douma, twenty-nine mines, 58 shells and 15 improvised explosive devices were destroyed. "Syrian security agencies are checking information about former members of illegal armed groups who have surrendered arms and returned to peaceful life in the province of Homs. During the day, as many as 3,192 people underwent the process of status verification. They surrendered 338 pieces of weapons," Yevtushenko said. Russian military police deployed observation points in the settlements of al-Rastan and Kafer Laha to "prevent provocations and other illegal actions," he noted. In the past day, the center delivered a total of five tonnes of humanitarian cargoes, including food products, medicines and articles of daily necessity to the settlements of Mazloum in the province of Deir ez-Zor and Tell Maqsour in the province of Aleppo. More than a tonne of bread was delivered to Aleppos district of Tatal. As many as 108 Syrians, including 63 children, received medical assistance from Russian military doctors. At least 50 people have died in a boat accident in the northwestern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), according to officials, Al Jazeera reported. The boat which had been transporting passengers and goods tipped over in the Mombovo River as it made its way from Monkoto to Mbadanka on Wednesday night. "We found 49 bodies on Thursday and another one this morning," Tshuapa Vice-Governor Richard Mboyo Iluka was quoted as saying on Friday by AFP news agency. It was still not clear how many people were on board or how many had survived, with search and rescue missions still under way. "The causes of the sinking and the number of people missing are not yet known. The provincial government has already sent a team to find out more," Mboyo said. He pointed out that the boat had been travelling by night and without light, which is illegal under government safety measures. River transportation is common in the DRC where fewer roads means travellers often have no option but to rely on boats as a low-cost form of transportation. Accidents on the country's rivers and lakes are a frequent hazard, due to dilapidated boats, overloading and a lack of safety equipment. Earlier in February, at least 14 people were reported missing after two boats collided. The DRC is currently is also having to deal with an Ebola outbreakwith 31 confirmed cases and another 21 described as either probable or suspected. A 15-year-old student who was arrested in March after threatening violence at his school and the discovery of guns, ammunition and pipe bomb materials at his southwestern Michigan home has entered guilty pleas in the case, ABC News reported. The boy pleaded guilty this week to explosives and firearms charges. He earlier faced additional charges including making a terrorist threat. Sentencing is scheduled for June 5. Van Buren County Prosecutor Michael Bedford says the court determined the case would be handled as a juvenile matter. Authorities have said the Paw Paw High School student's family alerted authorities to the threat and investigators believed he had planned an attack the school. Classes were canceled the day after his arrest as a precaution. A search of the high school determined it was safe. U.S. President Donald Trump late on Friday said the United States was having productive talks about reinstating a June 12 summit with North Koreas leader Kim Jong Un, just a day after he canceled the meeting citing Pyongyangs open hostility, Reuters reported. We are having very productive talks about reinstating the Summit which, if it does happen, will likely remain in Singapore on the same date, June 12th., and, if necessary, will be extended beyond that date, Trump said in a Twitter post. South Koreas presidential spokesman said in response: We are cautiously optimistic that hope is still alive for US-North Korea dialogue. We are continuing to watch developments carefully. Trump had earlier indicated the summit could be salvaged after welcoming a conciliatory statement from North Korea saying it remained open to talks. It was a very nice statement they put out, Trump told reporters at the White House. Well see what happens - it could even be the 12th. Were talking to them now. They very much want to do it. Wed like to do it. After years of tension over Pyongyangs nuclear weapons program, Kim and Trump agreed this month to hold what would be the first meeting between a serving U.S. president and a North Korean leader. The plan followed months of war threats and insults between the leaders over North Koreas development of missiles capable of reaching the United States. Trump scrapped the meeting, planned for Singapore, in a letter to Kim on Thursday after repeated threats by North Korea to pull out over what it saw as confrontational remarks by U.S. officials demanding unilateral disarmament. Trump cited North Korean hostility in canceling the summit. In Pyongyang, North Korean Vice Foreign Minister Kim Kye Gwan said North Koreas criticisms had been a reaction to American rhetoric and that current antagonism showed the urgent necessity for the summit. He said North Korea regretted Trumps decision to cancel and remained open to resolving issues regardless of ways, at any time. Kim Kye Gwan said North Korea had appreciated Trump having made the bold decision to work toward a summit. We even inwardly hoped that what is called Trump formula would help clear both sides of their worries and comply with the requirements of our side and would be a wise way of substantial effect for settling the issue, he said. KYODO NEWS - May 26, 2018 - 22:08 | All, World Foreign journalists returned from North Korea to Beijing on Saturday by charter plane after witnessing blasts that Pyongyang says destroyed its only nuclear test site. About 30 reporters from Britain, China, Russia, South Korea and the United States were allowed to witness first-hand a series of explosions on Thursday at the Punggye-ri nuclear test site, amid fears they might have been exposed to radiation when tunnels and other facilities were blown up. "No media was allowed to bring in dosimeters or any sort of radiation equipment," Will Ripley, a CNN correspondent based in Hong Kong, said at Beijing International Airport. "We did not have any way to independently verify" radiation levels around the site. Asked about his current health condition, Will said with a smile, "I feel fine." A returning South Korean journalist, who said his dosimeter was confiscated by the North Koreans when he entered the country, also said he has noticed no symptoms of radiation poisoning. But the South Korean journalist said he will be monitored for radiation exposure after he gets home. The North Korean government issued a statement ruling out the possibility of an any radiation health threat. "There were neither leakage of radioactive materials nor any adverse impact on the surrounding ecological environment," the statement said. Punggye-ri, located in the northeast of the country, is where Pyongyang conducted all six of its tests to date of nuclear explosive devices, beginning in 2006 and including the last and most powerful last September. The first of three tunnels at the test site was demolished at 11 a.m., and the other two beginning at about 2 p.m., North Korea said, adding the explosions, carried out over several hours, ended after 4 p.m. Following the series of blasts, North Korea said that it "completely" destroyed the test site. But skepticism about the announcement lingers as Pyongyang did not allow experts, such as from the International Atomic Energy Agency, to accompany the foreign journalists to Punggye-ri to witness the event. "We cannot verify that" the test site was fully destroyed, said Ripley. "Hopefully people will look at the video, try to analyze and assess" whether the site was completely demolished, he said. KYODO NEWS - May 25, 2018 - 21:36 | All, Japan Panels of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party approved Friday a draft proposal for the government to develop the ability to strike enemy bases. Considering North Korea's nuclear and missile development and China's maritime assertiveness, the LDP will make proposals for beefing up defense capabilities, including a request for acquiring F-35B advanced stealth fighter jets. The government maintains the position that having a strike capability is possible under the war-renouncing Constitution if it can be considered a self-defense measure. But whether it can actually possess such a capability remains a politically sensitive issue. (Japan has undertaken a study on whether its helicopter carriers can support F-35B.) The proposals will be submitted to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who also heads the party, within the month and reflected in Japan's defense buildup guidelines to be reviewed at the end of the year. The LDP will also call for securing a "sufficient" defense budget. While falling short of presenting numerical targets, it referred to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization's goal of spending 2 percent of gross domestic product on defense. KYODO NEWS - May 27, 2018 - 02:19 | All, World South Korean President Moon Jae In and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un held a surprise meeting on Saturday at the truce village of Panmunjeom, speaking face-to-face for the second time in a month of how to bring peace to the region, after U.S. President Donald Trump revived hopes of a summit with Kim. Moon and Kim held talks at the truce village inside the Demilitarized Zone from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. and "candidly" discussed ways to implement the declaration issued after their historic first meeting on April 27, and how to have a "successful" North Korea-U.S. summit, South Korea's presidential office said. The presidential office said Moon will announce the outcome of his second meeting with Kim on Sunday at 10 a.m. (Moon Jae In, 2nd from left, and Kim Jong Un, right, meet at Panmunjeom on Saturday) [Photo courtesy of South Korea's presidential office] At their first meeting on April 27, held at the southern side of the border, Moon and Kim agreed to pursue "complete" denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and to work toward a formal end to the 1950-1953 Korean War. That was the first inter-Korean summit in over a decade -- and only the third ever. The two countries' leaders had held direct talks just twice before, in 2000 and 2007. The second Moon-Kim meeting, held just days after Trump canceled his planned June 12 summit with Kim in Singapore, was only announced after it had finished. It took place at Tongilgak, a building on the North Korean side of Panmunjeom, and the presidential office released photos of the two leaders together, including one of them sharing a warm embrace. Moon is the only South Korean president to have held a meeting twice with a North Korean leader. Moon had served as a broker between Pyongyang and Washington in talks over a potential Kim-Trump summit, resulting in plans for the first ever summit between a serving U.S. president and a North Korean leader. (Kim and Moon hug each other at Panmunjeom on Saturday) [Photo courtesy of South Korea's presidential office] But on Thursday, only two days after meeting with Moon in Washington, Trump abruptly canceled the planned summit with Kim in Singapore. The decision came as a shock to the South Korean leader, who said, "I am very perplexed and it is very regrettable." In his letter to Kim, Trump said the "tremendous anger and open hostility" recently shown by North Korea led him to conclude that it was not the appropriate time to meet. But then Trump suggested Friday that the meeting with Kim could still happen on June 12. "We'll see what happens. It could even be the 12th," Trump told reporters at the White House. "We're talking to them now. They very much want to do it. We'd like to do it." Trump subsequently wrote on Twitter that the two countries were having "very productive talks" and added that if the summit happens, it will likely still be in Singapore on the initially scheduled date, and could be extended if necessary. On Saturday, the White House said a team of U.S. officials will leave for Singapore as initially scheduled to prepare for a possible summit. Trump sent mixed messages after North Korea said it remains open to talking with the United States, even after the abrupt cancellation. "We would like to make known to the U.S. side once again that we have the intent to sit with the U.S. side to solve problem regardless of ways at any time," Kim Kye Gwan, a vice foreign minister, said in a statement carried by the country's official media on Friday. "We remain unchanged in our goal and will to do everything we could for peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula and humankind," he said. "We, broad-minded and open all the time, have the willingness to offer the U.S. side time and opportunity." The reaction from North Korea's long-serving point man on nuclear issues was very restrained, especially as compared to the belligerent statements issued earlier this month by him and another senior Foreign Ministry official. By Satoshi Iizuka, KYODO NEWS - May 27, 2018 - 15:10 | All, World Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Russian President Vladimir Putin reaffirmed Saturday they will make efforts to conclude a postwar peace treaty and accelerate bilateral economic cooperation. At a press conference after their summit talks in the Kremlin in Moscow, Putin said, "What is important is to seek a solution (to the peace treaty issue) that meets national interests of both sides and is mutually acceptable." Abe said he and Putin confirmed the two countries will work closely together toward North Korea's denuclearization, adding, "This is the stance shared by Japan and Russia." Abe and Putin met amid uncertainty over whether U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un will hold a summit and after South Korean President Moon Jae In and Kim met earlier in the day for the second time in a month. In their 21st face-to-face meeting, Abe and Putin discussed how to foster joint economic activities in five areas on disputed islands controlled by Moscow and claimed by Japan, as agreed to last September. The two leaders agreed to accelerate consultations to create business in the areas and dispatch business missions to the islands in the summer. Japan hopes the activities will pave the way to settling a decades-long territorial row over the islands, and ultimately to signing a post-World War II peace treaty. For its part, Russia aims to attract Japanese investment in the underdeveloped Far East region. Abe is banking on Putin, who secured another six-year term in a presidential election in March, to make a landmark decision over the contested isles off Japan's northernmost main island of Hokkaido. In a joint interview with Kyodo News and other news agencies Friday in St. Petersburg, Putin said a peace treaty is possible if bilateral relations deepen through planned joint economic activities. But when it comes to the disputed islands, it is still unclear whether the two countries will be able to come up with a "special framework" that does not compromise either side's legal position on the islands' sovereignty. The islands of Etorofu, Kunashiri, Shikotan and the Habomai islet group, called the Northern Territories in Japan and the Southern Kurils in Russia, were seized by the former Soviet Union at the end of the war. As part of humanitarian measures, Abe and Putin agreed to allow former Japanese residents of the islands to travel by aircraft to the islands this year to visit relatives' graves, as was allowed last year for the first time. Abe and Putin also confirmed how far the eight-point economic cooperation package, which Abe proposed two years ago, has advanced. On North Korea, Abe underlined that Tokyo and Moscow will closely cooperate so that Pyongyang will "head in the right direction." Putin, meanwhile, said the North Korean issue should be addressed "in a political and diplomatic manner," as opposed to Japan's stance to maintain, along with the United States, "maximum pressure" on the country. Abe said he believes Putin understood Japan's stance to comprehensively settle the issues of North Korea's nuclear weapons, ballistic missiles and Japanese nationals abducted by the North in the 1970s and 1980s. Japan has been performing a delicate balancing act in pursuing improved relations with Moscow amid deteriorating ties between Russia and Western countries, particularly the United States, Japan's major ally. Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Kotaro Nogami, who briefed reporters, said Abe and Putin confirmed they will provide support for the success of what would be the first-ever U.S.-North Korean summit. Trump, having once cancelled the talks, has now indicated they could take place as initially planned on June 12 in Singapore. Nogami also said the two leaders did not bring up the surprise inter-Korean summit held earlier Saturday. In an attempt to boost security cooperation, the two leaders agreed on the next round of so-called two-plus-two talks involving the two countries' foreign and defense ministers later this year following a session in March 2017 in Tokyo. Abe and Putin did not take questions from reporters despite an initial arrangement to do so during the press conference after the summit, which started around 40 minutes behind schedule. KYODO NEWS - May 27, 2018 - 00:29 | All, World Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is considering visiting the United States for talks with U.S. President Donald Trump in early June before heading to Canada for a Group of Seven summit, government sources said Saturday. Arrangements are under way for Abe to visit Washington June 6 and 7, the sources said, ahead of the G-7 leaders meeting June 8-9 in the Canadian city of Charlevoix. In the meeting, Abe hopes to strengthen coordination with the United States in resolving the issue of Japanese nationals abducted by North Korea in the 1970s and 1980s, according to the sources. Abe, who places priority on solving the abduction issue, apparently hopes to get a clearer picture of what Trump's intensions are amid uncertainty about the holding of the June 12 U.S.-North Korean summit in Singapore. On Thursday, Trump announced he was canceling the summit meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. But the following day, he said the two countries were holding "very productive" talks and the meeting could take place on June 12. The Japanese government has already conveyed to the United States its desire to schedule a meeting, and is awaiting a response, the sources said. A meeting between Abe and Trump could also be set up during the G-7 summit in Canada, but time constrains make that more difficult. Abe, who last met with Trump in April in Florida, is tilting toward meeting with Trump in Washington ahead of the G-7 summit so the leaders have more time to coordinate a bilateral approach to North Korea. The laxity shown by the public in adhering fully to the COVID guidelines after taking vaccines is one of the reasons attributed to the re-emergence of the pandemic among the vaccinated population. 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 [] The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act has been the crowning achievement of the Trump administration and the Republican-controlled Congress over the past year and a half, with dramatic changes to tax law including large cuts in corporate tax rates and substantial shifts in tax brackets, deductions, and credits for individual taxpayers. Yet many opponents of the tax reform efforts have noted the upward impact on the federal budget deficit that the new laws will cause, and they argue that reversing course and restoring at least some of the previous tax provisions that existed before the new law took effect is the best way to avoid a fiscal crisis. Democratic candidate Sean Casten is challenging incumbent Rep. Peter Roskam (R-Ill.) in the 6th District of Illinois, which includes a substantial portion of the northwestern side of suburban Chicagoland. In a blog post, Casten outlined his plan to, in his words, "bring fairness and rationality to our tax code" by revisiting the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act as well as looking for other potential sources of tax revenue. In what some are seeing as a possible strategy that other Democratic challengers could use to seek to unseat Republican lawmakers, the plan outlines several provisions to reverse or amend. Clockwork metal gears with the words Tax Reform engraved in the side of one. Image source: Getty Images. Bring back the old 39.6% tax rate Tax reform reduced the majority of the tax brackets that existed under prior law, and one move that received particularly strong criticism was the reduction of the top rate from 39.6% to 37%. Opponents argued that the reduction for the top bracket unfairly gave high-income taxpayers greater relief than lower-income taxpayers, although proponents of the measure pointed to substantial reductions lower down in the structure, including the reduction of the old 15% bracket to 12%. Casten would bring back the 39.6% rate, but only at a higher income level than the old brackets covered. The candidate argues that those making $1 million or more should pay the old rate in an effort to make the tax bracket structure more progressive. Story continues Replace lower corporate tax rates with investment-tied tax breaks, especially for key industries Another controversial provision of tax reform was the dramatic reduction in corporate tax rates from 35% to 21%. Proponents argued that the move would stimulate investment in the U.S. economy, but skeptics point to the rise in stock buybacks and dividend increases as benefiting corporate shareholders more than company employees. Casten's plan doesn't specifically state how much higher it would go in pushing corporate rates back toward 35%, but it highlights the need to focus on investment tax credits, accelerated depreciation, and a general restructuring of the depreciation framework in order to reward those companies that actually seek to grow their businesses by investing capital. The Illinois Democrat's plan singles out the need to help industries that are suffering from international competition, such as manufacturing. Some of the favorable tax provisions described above could go specifically to businesses in those key industries, with the intent of making them more competitive in the global economy. Get rid of the new pass-through deduction, but bring back SALT In addition to corporate tax reform, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act's provisions to allow owners of partnerships, limited liability companies, and sole proprietorships a deduction for the business income they generate also received criticism from the Democratic candidate. Despite its broad-based application, Casten focused solely on professionals like doctors and attorneys with his scorn for the provision, arguing that they don't deserve a tax cut at the expense of their workers, yet argued that the entire provision should be repealed. However, Casten didn't hesitate to point to his own district in suggesting a reversal of one of the revenue-generating aspects of tax reform: the new limit on the state and local tax deduction to $10,000. The candidate believes full deductions should be restored, giving highly taxed Illinois residents some relief on their federal returns. New taxes Finally, the Congressional candidate's tax plan includes some ideas for new taxes. First, Casten would eliminate the cap on Social Security payroll taxes, currently at $127,200, in order to shore up the program's financial stability. Also, the potential to use the border-tax framework that the White House had initially looked at closely could help make U.S. manufacturing more attractive. Even if higher corporate tax rates are restored, imposing taxes on overseas production facilities would give their domestic counterparts an economic and competitive edge. A sign of things to come? Some of the provisions Casten pointed to are district-specific, but many of them are broader-based ideas that other opponents of recent tax reform legislation have highlighted. With plenty of other possible proposals to undo what opponents see as the shortcomings of tax reform, it's unlikely that this particular plan will serve as the sole blueprint for Democrats running against incumbents who favored the law. Nevertheless, the proposal does indicate just how contentious the midterm elections are likely to be on this key issue of tax reform. More From The Motley Fool The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Bank of America Merrill Lynch shares several techniques fund managers and investors can use to outperform the benchmark indexes. The firm's equity and quant strategist says there are opportunities in under-covered stocks, more volatile sectors and longer-term investment horizons. There are several ways fund managers and investors can outperform the benchmark stock indexes, according to Bank of America Merrill Lynch. So far this year, 60 percent of active fund managers are beating their respective market indexes, tracking to the best performance since 2003. But it hasn't always been this easy, particularly with the rush of investor money to so-called passive funds that track indexes. "One of the biggest challenges for active managers has been a substantial shift to passive investment strategies," Bank of America equity and quantitative strategist Savita Subramanian said in a note to clients on Friday. "The best way to slow or reverse this shift is by generating alpha," another word for outperformance. Bank of America made a list of seven ways to beat the benchmark, three of which are highlighted here. "The job of an active fund manager is far from simple, and we would be remiss to reduce the complexity of fund management to a series of rules. But our quantitative work reveals a few techniques worth considering to beat the benchmark." Here are some recommendations that investors can use to outperform. 1. "Pick your battles." In some sectors, picking the right stock is key. For other sectors that are more influenced by macroeconomic factors, picking the sector is enough. Subramanian noted investors should focus on parts of the market with more return volatility, which provides opportunities for bigger gains. She recommended technology, health care and consumer sectors as a "stock-picker's paradise." And for those betting on sectors, she recommended financials, real estate, utilities and energy "where being right on macro (rates, oil, GDP, etc.) is likely a more important call." Story continues 2. "Take the road less traveled especially by the sell side." Investors are more likely to find bargains in areas of the market that are less covered by Wall Street analysts, Subramanian said. Less research means these stocks could get overlooked, and they won't be prone to overcrowded trades by investors chasing hot stocks. "The more eyeballs on a stock, the less alpha you're likely to harvest," she said. "Another pitfall avoided by steering clear of the sell-side darlings is crowding. Since the crisis, crowding has been a particularly acute issue for investors. In three of the last five years, the most overweighted stocks by active managers have underperformed the most underweighted stocks." 3. "Extend your time horizon." Subramanian said short-term trading hurts returns because of higher levels of competition. "Alpha over short time horizons has become increasingly hard to come by," she said. "But with the paucity of resources, investment strategies and eyeballs focused on the longer-term outlooks, the alpha opportunity over a longer time horizon has dramatically increased." Bank of America Merrill Lynch research showed funds do better if they hold their positions for longer, three-year holding periods. More From CNBC Vous etes confrontes a une infestation par la puce, la punaise de lit ? Voici plusieurs actions qui sont a mettre en uvre pour faire [] Chesapeake Energy Corporation (NYSE:CHK) could be poised for a comeback. The Oklahoma City-based exploration and production firm has returned to profitability on rising prices in its sector. Now, as the company strives to repair its balance sheet, profit forecasts, as well as an emerging export market, could turn the company around and lead to massive gains in CHK stock. From a fundamental perspective, CHK stock remains in poor shape. Although investors will like its price-to-earnings (PE) ratio of 6, the financials remain troubled. For one, it remains a $4.1 billion company with almost $9.4 billion in short- and long-term debt. While the market cap and debt levels have improved over the last year, the company remains in a precarious financial position. Also troubling is the value of current assets exceeding its current liabilities. This serves as a sign that the company has trouble paying its current bills. Plus, the fact that most of its current liabilities fall under a vague other current liabilities category will likely not reassure investors. InvestorPlace - Stock Market News, Stock Advice & Trading Tips Profits Back, Debt Levels Fall for CHK Stock Given these challenges, one might wonder why I would want to take a chance on CHK stock. The short answer hinges on oil and natural gas prices. Despite its troubles, Chesapeake remains the second-largest natural gas producer and 13th largest oil producer in the U.S. The low energy prices that nearly drove CHK stock into bankruptcy in early 2016 have reversed course. Crude oil prices have remained above $70 per share for most of the month. Also, natural gas prices, which have struggled to gain traction with rising oil prices, are once again approaching $3 per million BTUs. Other than a modest loss in the third quarter of 2017, the company has moved on from the massive losses seen in 2015 and 2016. The company earned 90 cents per share in 2017. Though analysts expect a modest drop in profits in coming years, they expect the company to remain profitable. Story continues The company also vowed to reduce debt by $2-3 billion by the end of 2018. That would take the debt level to no higher than $7.4 billion. The enterprise value of the company is believed to stands at least at the $12.75 billion level. If the stock price were to match this enterprise level, the stock would rise to $14 per share. Keep in mind, this stands as a conservative estimate. Although $7.4 billion remains a high debt load for a $12.75 billion company, it becomes a more manageable financial situation than the company has seen in the last few years. CHK Stock Will Likely Benefit From Exports Also, investors should not forget the emerging natural gas export industry. Much of Chesapeakes natural gas can be easily shipped by pipeline to the export terminal at Sabine Pass. Cheniere Energy, Inc. (NYSEAMERICAN:LNG), which operates Sabine Pass, will begin operations at its second terminal in Corpus Christi in the first half of 2019. Likewise, Dominion Energy Inc (NYSE:D) has also increased its focus on natural gas. Although a more diversified player, it expects natural gas to make up a majority of their production over the next 15 years. It has also begun exporting natural gas out of its Cove Point terminal in Maryland. Hence, CHK can sell much of its natural gas to markets in Europe and Asia. Pricing also remains favorable in these markets. Europe currently pays about $7.80 per million BTU for natural gas, while Japan pays around $9.40. Given this pricing, the prediction of natural gas below $3 for years to come could prove to be overly pessimistic. Concluding Thoughts on CHK Stock Consistent profits, debt reduction and exports could take CHK stock to massive gains. CHK nearly fell into bankruptcy during the oil price slump of a few years ago. As a result, debt remains burdensome and the stock has struggled to reach $5 per share. However, the company has again become profitable with the rise of oil prices. Also, debt levels continue to fall. Moreover, an emerging export market could see the company selling its gas at much higher prices abroad. Given these factors, I believe CHK stock is positioned for massive gains as higher prices and new markets return Chesapeake Energy to prosperity. As of this writing, Will Healy is long CHK stock. You can follow Will on Twitter at @HealyWriting. More From InvestorPlace Compare Brokers The post Chesapeake Energy Corporation Stock Will Return From Oblivion appeared first on InvestorPlace. The coal industry has been losing its charm with increasing emphasis on reduction in carbon emissions. The U.S. coal industry has faced stringent environmental regulations over the last few years. However, conditions have started to change for the better after the election of President Trump, who wants to revive the industry and relax regulations. The new administration has initiated steps to remove the restrictive provisions of the Climate Power Plan and has already walked out of the Paris Climate Agreement. But the industrys problems arent restricted to regulatory hurdles alone. Coal faces a far stronger challenge from natural gas. What this means is that coals competitive position will remain challenged even as the regulatory landscape is starting to become less onerous. Moreover, the global banking and financial services provider HSBC Holdings plc. (HSBC) said that it will stop funding new coal power plants across the globe, except projects in Bangladesh, Indonesia and Vietnam. The action will align the bank policy with the Paris Agreement. The Climate Power Plan and Paris agreement have the same objective of lowering emission levels. Coal usage to generate electricity and in other heavy manufacturing industries are the primary sources of greenhouse gas emissions. All major U.S. coal producers have been affected by a drastic fall in demand, and consequently prices have dipped. The coal companies have tried different ways like cutting production, idling coal mines, lowering expenses, selling off coal mines and producing coal from low-cost mines to remain commercially viable. Thanks to coal industry-friendly moves by the new government and the ensuing change, we have seen Arch Coal Inc. (ARCH) and Peabody Energy (BTU) successfully completing their financial restructuring and trading again. The recent release by the International Energy Agency (IEA) forecasts global demand to remain flat between 2017 and 2022. The drop-in demand for coal in China, European Union and the United States is being filled up by the increase in demand for coal in India and some countries in South East Asia. We believe that it is a positive forecast for coal as it is able to retain stable global demand despite strong competition from other sources of fuel. Story continues Coal and its various byproducts also find use in the industrial sector, underscoring its manifold advantages. However, unchecked usage of this fossil fuel has raised concerns in all quarters, especially those concerned with carbon emissions leading to greenhouse gas effects. Zacks Industry Rank: Positive We rank the 265 sub-industries in the 16 Zacks sectors based on the earnings outlook and fundamental strength of the constituent companies in each industry. We put our industries in two groups the top half (industries with the best average Zacks Rank) and the bottom half (the industries with the worst average Zacks Rank). Over the last 10 years, using a one-week rebalance, the top half beat the bottom half by a factor of more than two to one. The Zacks Industry Rank, which relies on the same estimate revision methodology that drives the Zacks Rank for stocks, currently puts the coal industry at 62 out of 265 industries in our expanded industry classification. This places the industry in the first group, corresponding to a positive outlook. President Trumps coal-friendly initiatives will have some positive impact on the industry. Of the 17 coal companies presently in our coverage, Contura Energy Inc. (CNTE) and Warrior Met Coal, Inc. (HCC) sport a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), and the remaining stocks have a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank stocks here. Trading at a Discount vs. S&P 500 The valuation of the industry looks inexpensive at present. The industry is currently trading at 9.99x P/E. This looks quite inexpensive compared to its traded multiple range of the S&P 500 (17.7x). The Zacks Coal industry has gained 30.6% in the past year compared with the S&P 500s return of 13.4%. Earnings Review & Outlook Out of the 17 coal companies in our coverage, five have come up with average first-quarter positive earnings surprise, with all witnessing an upward revision in earnings estimates for the current year. Apart from these, estimates of another four companies moved north for the current year. Miners have taken initiatives to cut costs while engaging in tactful expenditures to ensure coal-mining safety. Further, high-cost coal mines are being shuttered while operations are moved to low-cost regions. Longwall coal mining techniques are also having a positive impact on production. The marketing teams of coal companies have been working hard to secure new contracts and renew existing long-term contracts. Bottom Line Coal stocks are suffering but we know for a fact that coal reserves at the current pace of production and consumption will last longer than all other fossil fuel resources. Further, coal is far cheaper than other fuel sources. President Trump no doubt has brought in some hope for this industry in the difficult times. Plus, big names coming out of bankruptcy indicate a gradual turnaround of the coal group. Even though the damage done to this industry has yet to be compensated fully, the positive changes are already noticeable. Per a Bureau of Labor Statistics release, nearly 2,300 jobs were added in the coal industry till April 2018 from the time the new administration took charge. This is a welcome change from a drop in coal jobs noticed during the major part of 2016. Per U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), coal will still account for nearly 30% of the electricity produced in the United States in 2017 and fall slightly below 30% in 2018 not a bad achievement for an industry that has been under tremendous pressure from natural gas and booming alternative energy sources. We still believe that coals cost advantage and worldwide availability make it more commonly accepted source of power generation. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report HSBC Holdings plc (HSBC) : Free Stock Analysis Report Warrior Met Coal Inc. (HCC) : Free Stock Analysis Report CONTURA ENERGY (CNTE) : Free Stock Analysis Report Peabody Energy Corporation (BTU) : Free Stock Analysis Report Arch Coal Inc. (ARCH) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research A sizeable part of portfolio returns can be produced by dividend stocks due to their contribution to compounding returns in the long run. Over the past 10 years, Enbridge Inc (NYSE:ENB) has returned an average of 4.00% per year to shareholders in terms of dividend yield. Does Enbridge tick all the boxes of a great dividend stock? Below, Ill take you through my analysis. Check out our latest analysis for Enbridge 5 questions I ask before picking a dividend stock Whenever I am looking at a potential dividend stock investment, I always check these five metrics: Does it pay an annual yield higher than 75% of dividend payers? Has it consistently paid a stable dividend without missing a payment or drastically cutting payout? Has the amount of dividend per share grown over the past? Does earnings amply cover its dividend payments? Will it be able to continue to payout at the current rate in the future? NYSE:ENB Historical Dividend Yield May 26th 18 Does Enbridge pass our checks? Enbridge has a trailing twelve-month payout ratio of 176.87%, meaning the dividend is not sufficiently covered by its earnings. Going forward, analysts expect ENBs payout to reduce to 102.37% of its earnings, which leads to a dividend yield of 7.41%. However, EPS should increase to CA$2.13, meaning that the lower payout ratio does not necessarily implicate a lower dividend payment. If dividend is a key criteria in your investment consideration, then you need to make sure the dividend stock youre eyeing out is reliable in its payments. ENB has increased its DPS from CA$0.66 to CA$2.68 in the past 10 years. During this period it has not missed a payment, as one would expect for a company increasing its dividend. This is an impressive feat, which makes ENB a true dividend rockstar. Relative to peers, Enbridge produces a yield of 6.62%, which is high for Oil and Gas stocks. Next Steps: Taking into account the dividend metrics, Enbridge ticks most of the boxes as a strong dividend investment, putting it in my list of top dividend payers. Given that this is purely a dividend analysis, you should always research extensively before deciding whether or not a stock is an appropriate investment for you. I always recommend analysing the companys fundamentals and underlying business before making an investment decision. Below, Ive compiled three pertinent factors you should look at: Future Outlook: What are well-informed industry analysts predicting for ENBs future growth? Take a look at our free research report of analyst consensus for ENBs outlook. Valuation: What is ENB worth today? Even if the stock is a cash cow, its not worth an infinite price. The intrinsic value infographic in our free research report helps visualize whether ENB is currently mispriced by the market. Other Dividend Rockstars: Are there better dividend payers with stronger fundamentals out there? Check out our free list of these great stocks here. To help readers see pass the short term volatility of the financial market, we aim to bring you a long-term focused research analysis purely driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis does not factor in the latest price sensitive company announcements. The author is an independent contributor and at the time of publication had no position in the stocks mentioned. Michel Barnier, the European Union's chief Brexit negotiator speaks to media after arriving to attend a discussion with business stakeholders and cross-border groups and companies in Londonderry Michel Barnier, the European Union's chief Brexit negotiator speaks to media after arriving to attend a discussion with business stakeholders and cross-border groups and companies in Londonderry, Northern Ireland, May 1, 2018. REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyne By Alastair Macdonald BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The EU's Brexit negotiator urged the British government on Saturday to stop playing "hide and seek" over its aims for trade ties and warned that delays in agreeing on judicial oversight risk wrecking any Brexit deal. In pointed remarks after an ill-tempered week of talks in Brussels, Michel Barnier insisted he would not be intimidated by what he called a "blame game" from London of accusing the EU of inflexibility in rejecting British demands for close cooperation on security, trade and other issues after Brexit. In the text of a speech in Portugal to experts in EU law, he accused British leaders of failing to understand that it was the unique legal structures of the EU, to which Britain had contributed for 45 years, which underpinned trust among member states. These, he said, could not be extended to a non-member. The former French minister's comments come two days after an EU official dismissed as "fantasy" London's ideas for a customs deal, the border with Ireland and other issues. British ministers said those remarks were not "helpful". Both sides are hoping to make progress on a treaty before Prime Minister Theresa May meets the other 27 EU national leaders in a month in Brussels. They aim to agree a treaty by October. Barnier said he was ready to have "political level" talks to try to advance in three key areas where uncertainty remains, 10 months before Britain is due to leave in March 2019 -- how to rule on future disputes over the withdrawal treaty, a "backstop" solution for the Irish border and a framework for future ties. May's government, deeply divided over how to stick close to the EU, is debating whether to drop its rejection of a customs union. Barnier said: "If the United Kingdom would like to change its own red lines, it must tell us. The sooner the better ... A negotiation cannot be a game of hide and seek." Story continues GOVERNANCE URGENCY On the issue of the governance of a withdrawal treaty, he repeated the EU's insistence that primacy of the European Court of Justice inside the Union be maintained in regulating any dispute that could not be resolved by a joint committee appointed by the political leadership of both sides. The role of British judges would be respected, he added. But "without an agreement on governance, there will be no withdrawal agreement and so no transition period." A British government spokesman said London had been clear that when Britain left the EU, it would leave the ECJ's jurisdiction. "We are working constructively to negotiate an approach to enforcement and dispute resolution which meets the key objectives of both the UK and the EU, underpinning the deep and special partnership we seek," he said. "However, we are clear the dispute resolution mechanism must respect the autonomy and integrity of both the UK and the EU: it will be for our courts to interpret and apply the agreement." Many businesses are counting on a broad status quo between Britain and the EU after Brexit, agreed until the end of 2020. Barnier also criticised British officials for accusing the EU of inflexibility that would leave gaps in cooperation on security and other areas which would hurt both sides: "I see the temptation of a 'blame game' by which the European Union is responsible for the negative consequences of Brexit," he said. "But that will not sway us. That will not sway me." Citing British demands to be allowed to stay inside the EU's data protection system in the interests of EU business, Barnier said this was to miss the importance of the EU's internal rules. "Let's be clear: Brexit is not and never will be in the interests of EU businesses," he said. "It would not be in those businesses' interests to abandon our autonomy of decisions. "The United Kingdom must face up to the reality of the Union. It must also face the reality of Brexit ... It is one thing to be inside the Union and another to be on the outside." (Additional reporting by Michael Holden in London; Editing by Alison Williams and Helen Popper) (Adds material from North Korea's state news agency) * S.Korean president meets N.Korea's Kim Jong Un * Leaders discuss possible N.Korea-U.S. summit in Singapore * Kim expresses 'fixed will' on possible summit with U.S. * Earlier Trump tweet brightens prospects of meeting with Kim By Soyoung Kim and David Brunnstrom SEOUL/WASHINGTON, May 26 (Reuters) - South Korean President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un held a surprise meeting on Saturday in an effort to ensure that a high-stakes summit between Kim and U.S. President Donald Trump takes place successfully. The meeting was the latest dramatic turn in a week of diplomatic flip-flops surrounding the prospects for an unprecedented summit between the United States and North Korea, and the strongest sign yet that the two Korean leaders are trying to keep the on-again off-again summit on track. Their talks at the Panmunjom border village, which South Korean officials said lasted two hours, came a month after they held the first inter-Korean summit in more than a decade at the same venue. At that meeting, they declared they would work toward a nuclear-free Korean peninsula and a formal end to the 1950-53 Korean War. "The two leaders candidly exchanged views about making the North Korea-U.S. summit a successful one and about implementing the Panmunjom Declaration," South Korea's presidential spokesman said in a statement. He did not confirm how the meeting was arranged or which side asked for it. A statement from North Korea's state news agency KCNA said Kim expressed "his fixed will" on the possibility of meeting with Trump as previously planned on June 12. It also said Kim and Moon agreed to hold high-level talks between their two nations on June 1, and to take steps to quickly implement their efforts to denuclearize the peninsula. KCNA said the leaders also agreed to meet frequently. The agency said the two leaders had reached a "satisfactory consensus" and expressed "their stand to make joint efforts for the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula." Story continues The White House did not respond to a request for comment on the meeting. But White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said an advance team of White House and U.S. State Department officials would leave for Singapore on schedule this weekend to prepare for a possible summit there. "There is a very strong possibility a U.S.-North Korea summit could be back on very soon," said Harry Kazianis of the conservative Center for the National Interest think-tank in Washington. Whether one takes place depends on Kim agreeing to some sort of a realistic and verifiable denuclearization plan, added Kazianis, citing his own Trump administration sources. "If not, no summit. That is what it hinges on," he said. TRUMP HAILS "PRODUCTIVE TALKS" In a letter to Kim on Thursday, Trump had said he was cancelling the planned Singapore summit, citing North Korea's "open hostility." But on Friday he indicated the meeting could be salvaged after welcoming a conciliatory statement from Pyongyang. "We're talking to them now. They very much want to do it. We'd like to do it," Trump told reporters at the White House. A senior White House official had said on Thursday that organizing a summit by June 12 could be a challenge. However, in a tweet on Friday, Trump cited "very productive talks" and said that if the summit were reinstated it would likely remain in Singapore on June 12, and that it could be extended if necessary. If the summit is not held, some analysts warn that the prospect of a military confrontation between the two nations would rise, while a successful summit would mark Trump's biggest foreign policy achievement. The Trump administration is demanding that North Korea completely and irreversibly shutter its nuclear weapons program. Kim and Trump's initial decision to meet followed months of war threats and insults between the leaders over the program. Pyongyang has conducted six nuclear tests, and has developed a long-range missile that could theoretically hit anywhere in the United States. Experts, however, are doubtful that North Korea possesses a warhead capable of surviving the stresses of re-entering Earth's atmosphere. Video and a photo released by South Korea's presidential Blue House on Saturday showed Kim hugging Moon and kissing him on the cheek three times as he saw Moon off after their meeting at Tongilgak, the North's building in the truce village, which lies in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) - the 2.5-mile (4 km) wide buffer that runs along the heavily armed military border. Video footage also showed Kim's sister, Kim Yo Jong, greeting Moon as he arrived at Tongilgak and shaking hands, before the South Korean leader entered the building flanked by North Korean military guards. Moon is the only South Korean leader to have met a North Korean leader twice, both times in the DMZ, which is a symbol of the unending hostilities between the nations after the Korean War ended in 1953 in a truce, not a peace treaty. (Reporting by Soyoung Kim, Hyunjoo Jin and Joori Roh in SEOUL, and David Brunnstrom, David Morgan, Jonathan Landay, Roberta Rampton and Katanga Johnson in WASHINGTON Editing by Marguerita Choy and Rosalba O'Brien) FRANKFURT/SAN FRANCISCO Tesla Inc has flown six planes full of robots and equipment from Europe to California in an unusual, high-stakes effort to speed up battery production for its Model 3 electric sedan, people familiar with the matter told Reuters this week. Transporting equipment for a production line by air is costly and hardly ever done in the automotive industry, and the move underscores Tesla Chief Executive Elon Musk's urgency to get a grip on manufacturing problems that have hobbled the launch of the high-volume Model 3 and pushed Tesla's finances deep into the red. "As usual with Tesla, everything is being done in a massive hurry and money seems to be no obstacle," said one of the two sources. Tesla on Friday declined to comment on whether it has shipped in any new production equipment from Europe. Investors are closely watching Tesla and its high-profile CEO to see if the electric vehicle maker can pull off high-volume production of the Model 3, a car with the potential to catapult Tesla to a mass producer and assure its financial stability. But manufacturing troubles have led Tesla to repeatedly miss production targets for the sedan, and raised doubts about Musk's promises that the company will stop burning cash by the third quarter of this year. Tesla had free cash flow of negative $1 billion in the first quarter, and earlier this month disclosed that it could offer its Fremont, California, vehicle assembly plant as collateral for debt. Engineers from Tesla's German engineering arm, Grohmann, are now reworking the battery production line at the Gigafactory near Reno, Nevada, in a bid to free up bottlenecks, the person said. The line will become more automated gradually over time, added the source, who was not authorized to speak for attribution. Musk first disclosed plans for this line on a conference call with analysts in November, after complaining of problems with an original line built by a subcontractor. Musk has told investors the new battery production line will help the carmaker achieve a quantum leap in productivity. The company has noted, however, that it will still be able to reach its target of building 5,000 Model 3s per week by June without the addition of the new line. Story continues But Tesla's lack of consistency in its factories has undercut Musk's production promises in the past. Under time pressure to fix problems, Musk has now insisted the new production line should be a no-expenses-spared effort, the source said. That led to the decision to airlift the new production equipment to the United States from Europe, a step carmakers usually avoid by planning production equipment installations months or years ahead of a production launch. The shipments of new equipment began arriving in Reno this week, the two sources told Reuters. It is not clear when the new production system will be ready to start running. Robots frequently need to be recalibrated to adjust for minimal differences in the quality of raw materials they are working with or temperature and humidity differences. Steps to test the quality of materials and recalibrate robots have proven to be a bottleneck that Tesla managers had underestimated, the first source said. Musk has repeatedly complained of "manufacturing hell" trying to ramp up the Model 3, which began production, albeit slowly, last July. In February, Musk said the main bottleneck was still its battery module production, saying Tesla had become "a little overconfident, a little complacent" in its ability to execute. The Gigafactory's battery production is divided into four zones, two of which have experienced problems. Responsibility for two of these zones was originally delegated to subcontractors specialized in integrating complex systems, Musk said. "We were promised they would work, and it just didn't work," Musk said during a February conference call. A new design for an automated system for those zones was nearing completion, Musk said in November, adding that Grohmann was "working on the issue and making very rapid progress." One of the problems, both at the Gigafactory and at Tesla's Fremont vehicle manufacturing factory, has been the interface between Tesla and the subcontractors it hires. Sources have told Reuters of communication problems and high managerial turnover, which complicate the execution of big projects. Musk said in early May he planned to rid the company of "barnacles" contractors and subcontractors saying Tesla's reliance on them had become "out of control." Reporting by Edward Taylor in Frankfurt and Alexandria Sage in San Francisco Related Video: COEUR D'ALENE, ID / ACCESSWIRE / May 24, 2018 / Timberline Resources Corporation (OTCQB: TLRS; TSX-V: TBR) ("Timberline" or the "Company") announced today that mapping and surface sampling on the Paiute joint venture project, located in the Battle Mountain District of Nevada, have further defined a NNE-trending structural zone, measuring 2,500 meters long by 500 meters wide, which hosts gold-silver mineralization (Figure 1). The project, which is located 2.5 kilometers west of Newmont's Copper Basin copper-gold deposit, also contains a deeper copper-gold porphyry target. Timberline has entered into a definitive agreement with Americas Gold Exploration, Inc. to acquire a 73.7% interest in the Paiute project joint venture, with the remaining interest owned by a subsidiary of Barrick Gold Corporation. As shown in Table 1, 10 of the 21 surface grab samples collected by the Company along the structural zone returned gold values greater than 1.0 gram per tonne ("g/t"), with three samples over 10 g/t gold, including one sample assaying 42.9 g/t gold and 527 g/t silver. The assay results in Table 1 are consistent with gold and silver values from historical rock chip and soil sampling along the structural zone. Table 1. Assay results from Paiute Project Rock Sampling* ** SAMPLE E (UTM) N (UTM) Au (g/t) Ag (g/t) 18PC-001 494690 4499274 0.345 6.8 18PC-002 494710 4499300 17.200 723.0 18PC-003 494710 4499300 0.609 20.5 18PC-004 494541 4498733 1.425 1.7 18PC-005 494541 4498733 0.304 9.4 18PC-006 494541 4498733 0.214 3.6 18PC-007 494541 4498733 1.220 8.8 18PC-008 494799 4498664 0.967 1.5 18PC-009 494703 4498643 0.667 4.3 18PC-010 494704 4498639 4.120 58.4 18PC-011 494712 4498626 0.120 5.0 18PC-012 494697 4498583 3.250 59.5 18PC-013 494690 4498644 0.271 0.5 18PC-014 494608 4498296 0.336 2.7 18PC-015 494864 4498674 0.010 0.2 18PC-016 494883 4499125 0.211 2.4 18PC-017 494888 4499119 42.900 527.0 18PC-018 494902 4499146 2.940 36.7 18PC-019 494897 4499176 10.400 80.0 18PC-020 587345 4363559 1.820 6.4 18PC-021 494334 4498003 2.180 13.5 *Grab samples are selective and do not represent the true mineralization of the prospect **The above assays were determined by ALS USA Inc. from grab samples. The samples were crushed and pulverized and a fraction was selected for analyses. Gold was determined by 30 g Fire Assay with an Atomic Adsorption finish. Samples assaying over 10 ppm gold were re-assayed and completed with a gravimetric finish. Silver and base metals concentrations were analysed using Aqua Regia ICP-AES. Approximately 375 historic rock chip samples and 1,076 soil samples were collected between 1993 and 2017 by previous operators of the property, including Battle Mountain Gold, LAC Minerals, Pathfinder Exploration, High Desert Minerals Resources (HDMR), and Americas Gold Exploration Inc.(AGEI), with assays similar in range to those from recent sampling. The historic rock and soil samples gold assays support delineation of the gold-silver target zone. Story continues Timberline's President and CEO, Steve Osterberg commented, "We are very pleased with the results of our initial sampling at Paiute as it clearly confirms the presence of a gold-silver structural system of substantial size. Much of the target zone remains completely untested by drilling, and, where drilling has occurred, it has generally been to only very shallow depths below the surface. Based on the sampling results and our analysis of historical data, we believe that the potential for a Lonetree-type gold deposit is high in this district." Thirty-nine (39) drill holes have been completed by previous operators at the Paiute project with the majority less than 125 meters deep. Approximately 600 meters near the south end of the gold-silver structural target zone is entirely undrilled. Cautionary Statement Apart from recent sampling disclosed in Table 1, all other geochemical data is considered "historical" and does not conform to NI 43-101 standards. These data include historical drill information for which drill logs and assay certificates from industry standard laboratories are available and compiled in a database including UTM coordinates for each sample site. UTM sample location coordinates are also available for all historic rock grab samples a representative group of which have been field verified; ALS assay certificates are available for rock samples collected between 2014 and 2017. Historic soil sample data, including location coordinates is compiled in a database and were collected on lines spaced at 60 m separation, with samples collected at 30 m intervals along lines. Infill soil samples were collected in 1997 by Pathfinder Exploration on 30 m spaced lines and analyzed by Chemex Labs for which assay certificates are available. COPPER-GOLD PORPHYRY TARGET In addition to the priority gold-silver structural target, compilation of historic drill-related data also confirms the presence of a copper-gold porphyry target at shallow to moderate depth in the south-central part of the five-square kilometer Paiute project area (Figure 1). Multiple gold intercepts were drilled in 1995-1996 within altered granodiorite porphyry. Quartz monzonite porphyry was intercepted at 160 meters depth by a single vertical drill hole (#96-5) (Figure 2), which was terminated at 178.3 meters due to technical difficulties after drilling a 4.6 meter interval bearing copper sulfide (chalcopyrite) which assayed 1.24 g/t gold. Mr. Osterberg continued, "The gold-copper occurrence in drill hole #96-5 suggests mineralization in the quartz monzonite porphyry is distinct from the priority gold-silver structural target zone. The copper-gold mineralization and associated alteration is considered to be consistent with that of a porphyry copper-gold mineralized system and may represent that similar to the Copper Basin Project of Newmont Mining Company, located approximately 2.5 km to the east. We are keen to test this distinct target with drilling to follow completion of our geologic review of the historical data." Drill sites and access roads have been fully permitted by the Bureau of Land Management to complete initial drill testing of both the untested strike length of the gold-silver structural target and the copper-gold porphyry target. Figure 1. Paiute Project Gold-Silver Structural Target Zone defined by anomalous concentrations of gold in rocks and soils, and distribution of fault structures. Figure 2. Paiute Project Copper-Gold Porphyry Target with Peripheral Gold Mineralization. Cautionary Statement Figure 2 cross-section is based on historic drill data for which all drill logs, laboratory assay certificates have been compiled and reviewed. Drill sites have been identified and confirmed through field review and found to be consistent with database compilation. A Qualified Person has not done sufficient work to classify the historical information as a current mineral resource, and the Company is not treating the historical information as a current mineral resource. Additional drilling and analysis will be required to verify the historical information or create a current mineral resource. Further technical details of the Paiute project may be viewed at: http://timberlineresources.co/projects/Paiute. Steven Osterberg, Ph.D., P.G., Timberline's President and Chief Executive Officer, is a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the technical contents of this release. About Timberline Resources Timberline Resources Corporation is focused on advancing district-scale gold exploration and development projects in Nevada, including its 23 square-mile Eureka property, comprised of the Lookout Mountain, Windfall, and Oswego projects which lie along three separate structural stratigraphic trends defined by distinct geochemical gold anomalies; and as operator of two joint venture projects - the Paiute project joint venture with a subsidiary of Barrick Gold, and the Elder Creek project joint venture with McEwen Mining. All of these properties lie on the prolific Battle Mountain-Eureka gold trend. Timberline also owns the Seven Troughs property in northern Nevada, known to be one of the state's highest grade, former producers. Timberline has increased its owned and controlled mineral rights in Nevada to over 43 square miles (24,500 acres). Detailed maps and NI 43-101 compliant estimated resource information for the Eureka property may be viewed at http://timberline-resources.com/. Timberline is listed on the OTCQB where it trades under the symbol "TLRS" and on the TSX Venture Exchange where it trades under the symbol "TBR". Cautionary note to U.S. investors concerning estimates of resources: This press release may use the terms "resource", "measured resources", "indicated resources", "inferred resources" and "measured & indicated resources." We advise U.S. investors that while these terms are defined in and required by Canadian regulations, these terms are not defined terms under United States Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") Industry Guide 7 and are normally not permitted to be used in reports and registration statements filed with the SEC. The SEC normally only permits issuers to report mineralization that does not constitute SEC Industry Guide 7 compliant "reserves" as in-place tonnage and grade without reference to unit measures. U.S. investors are cautioned not to assume that any part or all of mineral deposits in these categories will ever be converted into SEC Industry Guide 7 reserves. Forward-looking Statements Statements contained herein that are not based upon current or historical fact are forward-looking in nature and constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Such forward-looking statements reflect the Company's expectations about its future operating results, performance and opportunities that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. These statements include but are not limited to statements regarding confirmation of the presence of a gold-silver-arsenic-bismuth system of substantial size, the potential for a multi-million ounce deposit, analogous to a Lonetree-type deposit, being high in this district, the presence of a copper-gold porphyry target located in the south-central part of the Paiute project area, mineralization being distinct from the priority gold-silver-arsenic-bismuth structural target zone, the mineralization representing gold that is peripheral to a mineralized copper-gold porphyry, similar to that at the Copper Basin Project, testing targets with initial drilling to follow-up on the historical results from hole 96-5, construction of drill roads and pads, initial drill testing of both the untested strike length of the Gold-Silver Structural Zone and the copper-gold porphyry target, focus on advancing the Windfall and Lookout Mountain projects at the Eureka property, the advancement of projects, exploration potential, and the size of Timberline's consolidated owned and controlled mineral rights in Nevada. When used herein, the words "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," upcoming, "plan," "target", "intend" and "expect" and similar expressions, as they relate to Timberline Resources Corporation, its subsidiaries, or its management, are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on information currently available to the Company and are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties, and other factors that could cause the Company's actual results, performance, prospects, and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, risks related to changes in the Company's business and other factors, including risk factors discussed in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2017. Except as required by law, the Company does not undertake any obligation to release publicly any revisions to any forward-looking statements. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. For Further Information Please Contact: Steven A. Osterberg President and CEO Tel: 208-664-4859 E-mail: info@timberline-resources.com SOURCE: Timberline Resources Corporation Roger Stone wanted Hillary Clinton-related emails from Wikileaks founder, Julian Assange, the Wall Street Journal reports. Stone reportedly asked radio personality Randy Credico for "any State or HRC e-mail from August 10 to August 30--particularly on August 20, 2011." Credico told the Journal that he "got tired" of Stone "bothering" him, and told Stone that had passed along the message to Assange. Roger Stone, a longtime confidant and former campaign advisor to Donald Trump , sought information from Wikileaks founder Julian Assange about Hillary Clinton , according to emails viewed by the Wall Street Journal . Stone reached out to Randy Credico, a radio personality who had interviewed Assange, in an email on Sept. 18, 2016 and asked him to contact the Wikileaks founder. "Please ask Assange for any State or HRC e-mail from August 10 to August 30--particularly on August 20, 2011," Stone wrote, according to the Journal. He had no formal role with Mr. Trump's campaign at the time. Stone wanted emails from Wikileaks about Clinton's alleged role in disrupting a supposed Libyan peace deal in 2011 when she was secretary of state, according to the Journal. After a back-and-forth over email, Credico told the Journal that he "got tired" of Stone "bothering" him, and told Stone that he had passed along the message to Assange. Both Stone and Credico told the newspaper they never had special access to Wikileaks' material. Rep. Adam Schiff, the ranking Democrat of the House Intelligence Committee, said that the emails between the two men had not been provided as part of the committee's probe of Russian election meddling, the Journal reported. The omission, Schiff said, "would mean that his testimony was either deliberately incomplete or deliberately false." Roger Stone told CNBC in an email that Schiff's statement was "typical bullshiff." "The e-mails fall outside the scope of their request," Stone added. "My attorney will respond for the record." Story continues Stone's lawyer, Grant Smith, told the Journal that the emails were "not encompassed within the scope of the committee's request." He did not immediately provide comment to CNBC. Stone was interviewed by the House committee in September. Credico was subpoenaed by the committee in November to testify before the committee. He could not be reached for comment. Credico tweet A representative for Rep. Devin Nunes, the Republican chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, did not immediately respond to CNBC's request for comment on the report. Read the full report on Stone's emails with Credico from the Wall Street Journal . More From CNBC Trump-Kim Jong Un summit 'probably was a bad idea in the first place': Former US ambassador Thomas Hubbard, former top U.S. diplomat to South Korea, says a meeting between the U.S. and North Korea was "doomed from the outset." President Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un were too far apart on the objective of the summit, says Hubbard. Any meeting between President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un "probably was a bad idea in the first place," Thomas Hubbard, former U.S. ambassador to South Korea , told CNBC on Thursday. Trump and Kim were too far apart on the objectives of next month's now-canceled summit , said Hubbard, who served in diplomatic roles during the administrations of George W. Bush and Bill Clinton . It was "probably doomed from the outset," added Hubbard, a principal negotiator of the 1994 framework that had been aimed at ending North Korea's nuclear weapons program. Meanwhile, former U.S. Ambassador Nicholas Burns , in an earlier CNBC interview, said Trump made the "right move" on Thursday in canceling the Kim summit. Referring to angry statements in recent days out of North Korea , Burns said these were not the actions of leader who sincerely wants to work toward dismantling his nuclear apparatus. North Korean Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Choe Son Hui said early Thursday, "I cannot suppress my surprise at such ignorant and stupid remarks gushing out from the mouth of the U.S. vice-president." The remarks out of Pyongyang were in response to what Vice President Mike Pence said in a Monday interview on Fox News. Pence said, "As the president made clear, this will only end like the Libyan model ended if Kim Jong Un doesn't make a deal." The reference to Libya , which was forced to give up its nuclear weapons in 2003 and later saw the regime of its former leader Moammar Gadhafi decimated by NATO during the country's civil war, set North Korea on edge. Trump's decision to pull the plug on the Kim meeting demonstrates U.S. strength, which is a "good thing right now," said Burns, currently a professor at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government. Story continues A summit may happen at some point, but for now, keeping U.S. sanctions in place against North Korea is the "leverage" to possibly bring Kim around, said Burns, whose 27-year career in foreign service spanned both Republican and Democratic administrations. Burns served as U.S. ambassador to NATO and was the State Department's third-ranking diplomat during the presidency of Bush 43. He also advised George H.W. Bush and Clinton. WATCH: Burns on Trump's decision to cancel Kim summit More From CNBC Kyrgyzstan appears to be waging a major battle on its own soil against alleged members of "international terrorist organizations." In less than 12 months, there have been at least 28 security operations that resulted in apprehending suspects who Kyrgyz authorities say were connected to terrorist groups in Syria and Iraq. The picture is not at all clear, but the frequency of detentions is striking. Before diving into the topic, some background. Kyrgyzstan is widely recognized as being more open than other Central Asian republics. Media are generally able to cover a greater variety of stories, including the apprehension of suspected militants; but that also suggests Kyrgyzstan might be the easiest country in the region for militants or people connected to international terrorist groups to enter. While there are undoubtedly militants returning elsewhere in the region, it is possible their numbers are more limited outside of Kyrgyzstan, given the more rigorous screening in countries like, say, Uzbekistan or Tajikistan. All the same, Kyrgyzstan might provide a window on the question: Are Central Asia's militants returning in higher numbers from the Middle East? We'll look here at reported apprehensions of militants on Kyrgyz territory from October 2016 until March 2018. I keep fairly close records of events throughout Central Asia, but it is entirely possible that I missed some reports -- so more people might have been taken into custody on charges stemming from alleged links to terrorists than are listed here. I am only including those said to have been connected to terrorist groups in Syria and Iraq. This report does not refer to alleged members of groups that could be considered more "local," such as Hizb ut-Tahrir, Jamaat Tablighi, or Yakyn Inkar, although alleged members of those organizations were also detained during the October 2016-March 2018 period. Kyrgyz authorities have estimated that some 600 of their fellow citizens left to join extremist groups in Syria and Iraq, including women and children. Some were killed there. But like other Central Asian governments, particularly Uzbekistan and Tajikistan's governments, Kyrgyzstan is concerned about the survivors and where they go once they decide to leave the fighting in the Middle East. On August 30, 2016, a suicide bomber attempted to ram through the gates of the Chinese Embassy in Kyrgyzstan's capital, Bishkek. The bomber was the only one killed, but several people were injured. In early October 2016, a video was posted on the Internet purportedly showing citizens of Kyrgyzstan who had joined the militant group Islamic State (IS) in Syria. Security was heightened in Kyrgyzstan after those events, but security operations do not appear to have netted many suspected terrorists on Kyrgyz territory. A New Year's Eve attack on the Reina nightclub in Istanbul that killed 39 people and wounded at least 70 others was initially blamed on a citizen of Kyrgyzstan, but that turned out to be untrue (the suspect, now in custody, is an Uzbek national). By the second half of January 2017, Kyrgyzstan's attention had turned toward the crash of a Turkish cargo plane outside Bishkek's Manas airport that had killed 35 Kyrgyz and claims by the leader of the Ata-Meken opposition party, Omurbek Tekebaev, that some of the cargo aboard that plane belonged to Kyrgyzstan's then president, Almazbek Atambaev. But terrorism was not altogether forgotten. On February 9, the head of Kyrgyzstan's State Service for the Implementation of Sentences, Taalaybek Japarov, said, "State prisons hold more than 300 people convicted of extremism and terrorism." Japarov said the number of people "convicted of such crimes is growing faster than other crimes," but he did not provide any supporting details for that statement. On April 3, 2017, Akbarjon Jalilov, a Kyrgyz citizen, boarded a subway train in St. Petersburg and detonated a bomb he was carrying, killing himself and 14 other people, and injuring more than 40 others. Kyrgyz Foreign Minister Erlan Abdyldaev was in Moscow at the time. On April 4, he told reporters in the Russian capital, "Kyrgyzstan will do everything it can to fight against the evil of terrorism." In retrospect, Abdyldaev's statement looks like more than a throwaway line; it appears to have heralded the start of a sweeping counterterrorism campaign back in Kyrgyzstan. By the end of April, the State Committee for National Security (GKNB) had detained three Kyrgyz citizens who were suspected of having fought in Syria and had returned: one in Osh in early April, another in Osh on April 20, and the third in Jalal-Abat a few days after that, according to TASS and Interfax reports. Scant Details There was little information about those taken into custody, and in later reports this would be the pattern of many of the detentions of the next 12 months. The first person detained in Osh was 25 years old and the GKNB accused him of being a member of Jabhat an-Nusra. According to the GKNB, the second "militant" detained in Osh was "born in 1994...recruited in 2013 and sent to Syria," and "it was established the person detained personally took part in mass executions of prisoners by the militants." In February 2016, he was purportedly given a mission "to commit terrorist attacks in the CIS during Victory Day (May 9) celebrations." On April 24, the GKNB said it caught a "member of an international terrorist organization" from Jalal-Abat Province who had joined militants in Syria in 2016. He allegedly returned to Kyrgyzstan to recruit people to go to Syria. The term "international terrorist organization" is frequently seen in the reports of detentions based on extremism charges. The GKNB said on June 28 that it caught four citizens of Kyrgyzstan who were from "an international terrorist organization" that was planning a series of attacks in Kyrgyzstan. On July 19, the GKNB said it detained "M.B., born in 1980," in the Kara-Suu district of Osh Province, who it alleged was a member of an international terrorist organization and had "participated in the armed conflict in the Syria-Iraq area." On August 14, an alleged recruiter for an "international terrorist organization" was caught; on August 19 there was another such suspect, "H.H.," born in 1994 Osh Province; and on September 25, it was "M.M.," born in 1995; on October 23, it was a Jalal-Abat Province man born in 1986 (Interfax); on December 11, "N.Kh." born 1989; on December 28, a militant "who had returned from Syria and was plotting to stage a series of terrorist attacks in Kyrgyzstan (Interfax); on February 16, the "active member of an underground terrorist group," born 1992 who trained in Syria; and a "terrorist" was reported detained on March 12. All these were alleged members of "international terrorist organizations" who had trained and taken part in fighting in the "Syria-Iraq area." Which groups they purportedly joined or worked with was unclear. There were also citizens of Kyrgyzstan who were identified as having been members of specific extremist groups active in the Middle East. "Ya.U.," reported detained on June 14, 2017, was said to be a member of Jamaat Tawhid wa Jihad; reports from July 21 said a 22-year-old Osh resident was a member of IS; and two suspected IS members were killed in a shoot-out in Chui Province on August 29; an IS militant detained during a counterterrorism operation on September 2 (Interfax); a "militant" from Osh Province who joined Jabhat an-Nusra and was reported detained on October 12; "U.A.," from Jalal-Abat, who October 13 reports said had joined Ahrar al-Sham (Interfax and TASS); and a 21-year-old resident of Jalal-Abat who a December 14 report said was a member of Jabhat an-Nusra. Those were all citizens of Kyrgyzstan, but they are not the only people taken into custody in Kyrgyzstan between April 2017 and March 2018. CIS Recruiters? Citizens of unnamed countries in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) have also come to Kyrgyzstan to recruit people to go to the "Syria-Iraq area," according to Kyrgyzstan's GKNB. An August 11 report alleged that a "citizen of a CIS country" who was recruiting for an "international terrorist organization" had been caught; on October 14 there was an Interfax report that a "citizen from one of the CIS countries" was detained for recruiting people to go to Syria; a November 1 TASS report referred to two "citizens of a CIS country" being taken into custody for recruiting people to go to the Syria-Iraq area; a December 15 report said a 25-year-old citizen of a CIS country who came to Kyrgyzstan to "conduct recruiting activities" was caught, according to Interfax and TASS; on December 27, the GKNB said it apprehended a citizen from a CIS country who had arrived from Syria and was trying to go on to Russia to carry out terrorist attacks (Interfax); on January 29, the GKNB said it caught three citizens of a CIS country who all participated in hostilities in Iraq and Syria and were trying to create terrorist cells in Kyrgyzstan; and a February 2 report said the GKNB detained a citizen of a CIS country who had "formed and led" a terrorist group in Kyrgyzstan" on orders from a leader of an international terrorist organization. Who Are These People? A number of the reports say that names are being withheld "in the interests of the investigation(s)." In more than half the reports, initials are given, often with age and place of birth or residence. Reports suggest they have been placed in "pretrial detention." But that is where their stories tend to end. I found one TASS report from August 10 on the Batken provincial court sentencing three people convicted of being IS members to lengthy prison terms. The report only says the three were caught "several months ago" during a counterterrorism operation. So these three might not be any of those people listed above. Some of the reports of these detentions mention the suspects (they are never called suspects, they are always referred to as "militants" or "terrorists") had material for making explosives, or possibly some small arms; often extremist literature was also found during these counterterrorism operations. Some, as noted, were in Kyrgyzstan to recruit new cadres. But most had "plans" to carry out terrorist attacks, though the details of these attacks are never made clear. From October 2016 to the end of March 2017, I can find no report of anyone being detained in Kyrgyzstan for being a member of "international terrorist organizations." Again, it is possible there were such reports; but there could not have been many, as it would they would have shown up somewhere in the thousands of pages of reports I collected during that time. Yet after the St. Petersburg subway bombing, some 40 people were detained and two killed in less than 12 months. Were these detained people in Kyrgyzstan unnoticed until authorities started their extended counterterrorism operations? Is Bishkek simply trying to show the Kremlin, and perhaps others, that it is serious about eliminating potential terrorist threats in the aftermath of the St. Petersburg subway bombing? Is there something else happening here? These are some of the many questions Kyrgyzstan's recent campaign elicits. The views expressed in this blog post do not necessarily reflect those of RFE/RL. Many thanks to Noah Tucker, a senior editor for RFE/RL's Uzbek Service, for our conversations about this topic. SajjadAhmad wrote: Last year, Gambia received $2.5 billion in loans from the International Third World Banking Fund, and its Gross Domestic Product grew by 5%. This year Gambia has requested twice as much money from the ITWBF, and its leaders expect that Gambias GDP will rise by a full 10%. Which of the following, if true, would LEAST undermine the expectations of Gambias leaders? This choice weakens the argument since it indicates that the increase of GDP last year wasn't due to the loans but extraordinary harvests. Hence, the increase in loans this year is unlikely to contribute to the increase of GDP. This choice weakens the argument since it indicates that the loans of $5 billion won't have strong effect on the economy. This choice indicates that Gambia's GDP growth rate can't exceed the maximum 6% rate so the expection of 10% next year is unlikely to occur. This choice indicates that Gambia cant receive more loans from ITWBF as expected, so the expectation is unlikely to occur. Correct. The GDP growth of neighboring countries is irrelevant to Gambia's economy (A) The large 5% increase of last year is attributable to extraordinary harvests due to unusually good weather conditions.(B) Gambias economy is not strong enough to absorb more than $3 billion in outside capital each year.(C) Gambia does not have sufficient heavy industry to fuel an increase in its GDP of more than 6% per year.(D) A provision of the charter of the International Third World Banking Fund prohibits the Fund from increasing loans to a country by more than 50% in a single year.(E) A neighboring country experienced an increase of 5% in its Gross Domestic Product two years ago but an increase of only 3% in the most recent year._________________ Photo: James Bombales For the first quarter of 2018, industry watchers were predicting that the cooling seen in the housing market would start to reverse course by the spring. But so far that hasnt been the case in April, national home sales and prices continued to fall. The primary reason that the market is taking so long to adjust? There are a few contenders, including the new mortgage stress test, the US economy, and a wave of Millennials who are waiting to make their home-buying dreams a reality. For a closer look at whats bogging down the Canadian housing market this month, BuzzBuzzNews has rounded up the latest expert commentary to keep you in the know. The stress test is still putting a wrench in the gears This week, Canadas biggest banks reported their second quarter earnings, with CIBC experiencing a serious cut in its number of mortgage applications. According to CIBC Canadian retail banking head Christina Kramer, the bank expects the number of new mortgages it grants in the second half of the year to fall 50 per cent. We expect there to be an origination decline in the 50 per cent range relative to the same period last year, she said, in a statement earlier this week. A year ago, two-thirds of our revenue would be related to our mortgage business and today thats about a quarter. Kramer attributed the predicted dip in applications to the new mortgage stress test that came into effect on January 1. What does this mean for the Canadian housing market? Potentially that home sales will continue to stay low, as the new stress test keeps would-be buyer from applying for mortgages. Higher bond yields could pose a problem US bond yields were up last week, and according to one economist, it could be bad news for the Canadian housing market. The magnetic pull higher from US yields is tightening financial conditions in Canada even without any change to the Bank of Canadas policy rate, wrote TD senior economist James Marple, in a recent note. A bond yield refers to the money that investors earn from holding bonds. They tend to have a parallel relationship to fixed mortgage rates when yields are high, banks sometimes raise fixed mortgage rates as well. Higher yields will make their way to mortgage rates, worsening affordability in a housing market that is already stretched, writes Marple. But the Millennials are coming Over a million GTA Millennials are currently living at home, contributing to the current low-sales environment. But that could change in the next few years. A new report from Ryerson Universitys Centre for Urban Research and Land Development has found that over the next 10 years, 700,000 Millennials will be looking to move into their own homes in the GTA. That could work out to 50,000 new Millennial households every year. The needs and wants of Millennials are little different than generations that have come before them, reads the report. Many of them are entering a stage where they will prioritize space and affordability over amenities and access to transitIn an unconstrained market, the homeownership rate for Millennials in the GTHA could rise from 40 per cent in 2016 to 60 per cent in 2026. As of August 26th, 2021 Yahoo India will no longer be publishing content. Your Yahoo Account Mail and Search experiences will not be affected in any way and will operate as usual. We thank you for your support and readership. For more information on Yahoo India, please visit the FAQ The requested page is currently unavailable on this server. Back to [RTHK News Homepage] New York, Mar 26 (IBNS): Following a series of armed attacks on camps hosting displaced Sudanese in central Darfur, the joint African Union-United Nations peacekeeping mission there has urged all parties to respect designated humanitarian areas, which it says should be free of weapons, threats, and violence. The African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) expresses deep concern about recent attacks on three different internally displaced persons (IDP) camps in Central Darfur state, which took place between 21 and 23 May 2018, resulting in a number of civilian fatalities and injuries among IDPs, said a press release issued by the mission on Thursday. Last year, the UN decided to reduce the number of peacekeepers in Darfur but made an exception for Central Darfur state, where rebels refuse to join the peace process or hold to a ceasefire. According to media reports, the fighting between the government forces and the armed groups has recently intensified, destabilizing the region. The latest incidents reportedly occurred in the space of three days at Khamsa Dagaig, Ardayba and Jedda IDP camps. UNAMID said that IDP camps are considered humanitarian space, and attacks on them could constitute a grave violation of international humanitarian law. While the prime responsibility of protecting civilians rests with the Government of Sudan, UNAMID shall continue to collaborate with the relevant government authorities on protecting civilians and engage with them regarding this matter at all levels, said Jeremiah Mamabolo, UNAMID Joint Special Representative. Meanwhile, UNAMID has taken several measures in response to these recent attacks, including more frequent patrols in and around the affected camps, as well as dispatching integrated teams to verify these incidents to prevent further attacks. UNAMID continues to monitor events and take appropriate measures, in line with its protection of civilians mandate from the United Nations Security Council, said the mission. UNAMID Kabul, May 26 (IBNS): A Taliban military chief has been gunned down in an airstrike conducted by Afghan forces in the country's Nangarhar province, reports said on Saturday. The deceased has been identified as Gul Mohammad Sangari. According to the Afghan Ministry of Defence, the forces targeted Taliban hideouts in Swati area of Surkh Road district of the province. A number of other militants have also been killed, however, the exact figure is unknown as of now. Mississauga, May 26 (IBNS): A 19-year old man had died after he was stabbed at his chest at a house party in Mississauga on early Saturday, media reports said. The house party was occurring at a home on Tradewind drive, near Winston Churchill Boulevard and Derry Road West at midnight. The incident occurred at around 1.15 am. After getting a call, police had arrived the spot and they found the man suffering from signs of trauma. The victim was rushed to a hospital where he had died due to injuries. Peel Regional Police spokesperson, Const. Bally Saini said it is believed that there were lot of people at the house party. The man was reportedly stabbed multiple times at his chest. Image: Facebook/@POTUS Ottawa, May 26 (IBNS): The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) advisers have said Canada needs to hit back at the US if the latter takes strong action against the former over trade following the failure of NAFTA negotiations, media reports said. Rona Ambrose, a member of NAFTA advisory panel, said she fears about US President Donald Trump's action against Canada if the NAFTA negotiations fail. Ambrose said Trump could target Canadian industries like wine, dairy, aerospace engineering and the auto sector. Ambrose told CTV News, "I think were going to see Trump use trade action through the commerce department aggressively to get what he wants if he cant get it through NAFTA." US President Donald Trump has recently said Canada, which is a partner in the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), is "very difficult to deal with" and "very spoiled". His comment came amid the reports that the US is considering tariffs on all imported vehicles. Referring to Canada and also Mexico, which is another partner in the NAFTA, Trump said: "They have been taking advantage of the United States for a long time. I am not happy with their requests ." "But I will tell you in the end we win, we will win and well win big," he added. Trump has been quoted by CTV News. The US President has been countered by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who said "all negotiations are challenging" and Canada will be working to get a better NAFTA deal. "This is a deal that matters deeply to the citizens of our three countries," Trudeau has been quoted by CTV News. The NAFTA is an agreement which came into force from January 1994 by Canada, Mexico and United States creating a trilateral trade bloc in North America. Trump has alleged that the US faced severe losses in trade pacts with Canada and Mexico, the two partners of NAFTA deal. For more than two years, US President Trump criticised the agreement and also hinted to take some serious steps being in the administration or at least send some ultimatums. Trump reportedly wants the treaty to be more fair. Both Canada and the US differ on the subject of climate change. How much pension income does a retired worker in Iran receives to spend 400-500 thousand tomans a month on his medications, so he can only keep walking and avoid paralysis? These are the concerns of a retired worker who is going to be bound to wheelchair unless he has regular injections. Mr. Health Minister, you said that drug prices wont go up. Now what do you have to say? Why are you telling this much lies to people? For how long are you going to do this? asks retired worker Morteza Assadi in his interview with state-run ILNA news agency on April 23, 2018. Sick and tired of regime officials empty promises, Assadi says how am I supposed to pay heavy drug costs? How much pension income does a retired worker receive to pay 400-500 thousand tomans a month for his medications, only to be able to walk and avoid paralysis? Due to an acute disease, the retired worker was put out of work three years ago on the eve of turning 40 and now is living on pension income. Hes suffering from AS, a disease which is a degree below MS, as he puts it. Assadi is upset about regime Health Ministers earlier comments, promising that drug prices would remain unchanged; promises that Assadi believes have all failed, making it difficult for many low-income people to continue living. Pointing to currency fluctuations, the spokesman for regimes Health Ministry had declared on April 16 that drug prices wont be affected by the current situation. But what happened in practice? In any economic crisis when the charts show foreign currency and US Dollar appreciation, therell be a drug shortage or scarcity, or increased drug prices at best, with special and difficult to cure patients being the most hit as imported drugs for such patients is a matter of life and death, even more crucial than the food they eat, writes state-run ILNA news agency. Morteza Assadi is one of the low-income people who have been hit the most by high prices of imported goods, including drugs. A former Qazvins Noorplus worker, Assadi now lives in the city while worrying about the day when hell no longer be able to pay for his medications and end up wheelchair bound. Without the drugs, I wont be able to walk and will have to stay at home all day. With the progression of the disease, we found out that it was a type of acute pneumonia. The disease progressed so much that put me out of work three years ago at the age of 39, Assadi describes his story, adding now, I receive the least pension income of just 950 thousand tomans a month. This years pension rises have not been in effect yet, so I still receive the last years rate. Drug prices meanwhile have skyrocketed. Pointing to officials promises about keeping drug prices unchanged, Assadi says weve heard many of these empty promises. But anytime they say dont worry about it, it means that its quite the opposite and we should be really concerned. Assadi describes that he has to pay 900 thousand tomans for three injections a month, a fee that used to be 250 thousand until not so long ago. Having no other source of income except his meager pension, Assadi says I have children who go to school and university. Besides, the 900 thousand I just mentioned is only the cost of injections. With doctors visit, daily drug intakes, and other costs involved, I have to pay at least another 100 thousand for my treatment. False promises being revealed Aidali Karimi, executive secretary of Qazvins Worker House, is closely familiar with Assadi and his problems. Pointing to the difficulties the retired worker is faced with, Karimi says Assadi is going through too difficult times. Drug prices increased sharply over the past few months, but the insurance rates remained unchanged, making it difficult for workers and low-income pensioners. Karimi criticizes regimes Health Ministry, saying what happened to the promises the Health Minister made? Werent drug prices supposed to remain unchanged? Werent people supposed to not worry about it? What does the Health Ministry want form workers? On one hand, they raise drug prices, and on the other hand they discredit health insurance plans by seizing social securitys medical resources. Whats this situation after all? Theyre passing it over to one another while the workers voice is not being heard by anyone, Karimi adds. Kaveh Madani, an expert on Irans dwindling water resources, fled the country in April after the Regime violently increased its crackdown on environmentalists and even arrested Madani. Thus, following his release, Madani resigned during a business trip to Bangkok and has remained in an undisclosed location outside Iran ever since. Madani said: The [Regime] won their battle against me. But they lost the bigger war with the people of Iran. If anything, they made me more popular. People could tell whos really guilty, and who cares about their country I realize that Im lucky Im not in prison, or dead. Earlier in the year, the mullahs had begun imprisoning dozens of scientists and activists on fake spying charges, which led to the suspicious death in custody of Kavous Seyed-Emami, co-founder of the Persian Wildlife Heritage Foundation in Tehran. Madani said: I never thought the hardliners would get so nervous about environmental activism, like trying to save cheetahs There are a lot of problems the government can deny. But the government cannot deny the air pollution in Tehran, or the dust storms in Khuzestan [in southwest Iran], or the deterioration of Lake Urmia. Madani, vice president of the United Nations Environmental Assembly, explained that the Iranian Regime concocted a conspiracy theory around his water bankruptcy fears and tried to turn the public against him with lies that he wanted to shut down the agricultural sector and import GMOs. They even called him a bioterrorist, as he tried to point out that the country was in real danger. He said: Were past the crisis stage. Its a water bankruptcy. Our demand and consumption are way higher than the available water. Madani, 36, returned to Iran to take up the position in September, but even upon arrival he was treated with suspicion by the Regime. He was detained and interrogated in Tehran, while the suppressive security forces confiscated several years worth of his photos and emails. Madani, a former faculty member at Imperial College London, said: I was under pressure for over 6 months, as they tried to prove I was a spy. They had copies of my Facebook account, all my emails. I never claimed to be a different person. I shave, I look differently, I speak differently. But I knew I wasnt a spy. Getting rid of me, discrediting me, was their main goal. Samsung Galaxy J2 2018 launched in Nepal South Korean electronics behemoth Samsung has introduced the Galaxy J2 2018, further strengthening its best-selling range of Galaxy J Series smartphones in Nepal. Speeches have long been an important tradition at college and university graduation ceremonies in the United States. Every spring, schools honor students who have successfully completed their study programs. As part of the ceremonies, the schools often invite well-known and well-respected people to speak about their own life experiences and offer advice to the new graduates. Leaders in the arts, business and politics are among those who are asked to speak. What they say sometimes gains national attention; their speeches often examine the problems and issues the world is facing. This springs graduation speakers were no different. Former U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson spoke at the graduation ceremony for the Virginia Military Institute in Lexington City, Virginia. He asked graduates to be thankful for all the people who helped them get to this point, including parents and teachers. He also discussed how technology helps todays college students do much more than when he was in college. Comparing todays graduates to those of years past and reminding graduates to be thankful are commonly heard subjects in commencement speeches. Yet Tillersons speech also included comments on how important truth is to democracy. Tillerson said, It is only by a fierce defense of the truth and a common set of facts that we create the conditions for a democratic free society. He continued, If our leaders seek to conceal the truth or we as people become accepting of alternative realities that are no longer grounded in facts, then we as American citizens are on a pathway to relinquishing our freedom. Some news reports took those comments as a criticism of President Donald Trump. Tillerson did not mention the president by name. But phrases like alternative facts and fake news are terms that Trump and his representatives sometimes use when news organizations are critical of him. Trump dismissed Tillerson from his position as secretary of state in March. In a graduation speech in Los Angeles at the University of Southern California, television star Oprah Winfrey also discussed problems caused by the spread of misinformation. She spoke during the ceremony of the schools Annenberg School for Communication. She called truth our saving grace. Not only are you here, USC Annenberg, to tell it, write it, to proclaim it, to speak it, but to be it. Be the truth, she said Winfrey also made note of other pressing issues in America including gun violence, climate change and economic and racial inequality. You cant go anywhere you cant stand in line at Starbucks, you cant go to a party, you cant go anywhere without everyone talking about how bad things are, she said. Chadwick Boseman, star of the hugely successful Black Panther movie, made similar comments in his speech at Howard University in Washington, D.C. Howard University is one of the top historically black colleges and universities, or HBCUs, in the country. Boseman attended Howard University himself. The school has recently had its own problems. It faced a scandal and student demonstrations after school officials were caught misusing money meant for student aid earlier this year. Boseman spoke about the scandal and the deeper problems facing students -- especially as African Americans. "Many of you will leave Howard and enter systems and institutions that have a history of discrimination and marginalization," he said. But both Boseman and Winfrey also offered hope. Boseman suggested that the problems they will have to face will only make them better people in the end. I dont know what your future is, Boseman said. But if youre willing to take the harder way the one with more failures at first than successes . . . then you will not regret it. Remember the struggles along the way are only meant to shape you for your purpose. Winfrey offered clear advice for the USC graduates. She noted the power they can have simply by voting. If they feel their leaders are not doing what they want them to, they should vote those leaders out of office, she told them. Winfrey also argued that for almost any problem, young people could find a solution. All they need to do is act. Pick a problem, any problem, and do something about it, she said. Because to somebody whos hurting, something is everything. Christine Lagarde is managing director of the International Monetary Fund. She gave the graduation speech at Claremont McKenna College in Claremont, California. She asked graduates to look into their future to consider what effects their next choices and actions may have. Lagarde also asked the graduates to think about how different the world is now compared to 10 years ago, and how different it may be in 10 more years. And she asked them how they planned on making sure the world goes in the direction they want it to. What kind of country, what kind of world, will you help build? she asked. What values will you respect? What will drive your life and the lives of others? Ten years from now, when the class of 2028 stands here and prepares to graduate, what will you have done to help them? However, not all the graduation speeches of 2018 had such a serious tone. Many speakers aim to use humor to build a connection with the graduates and make the ceremonies more enjoyable. Actor and director Michael Keaton did just that in the final part of his speech at the school he attended: Kent State University in Kent, Ohio. Ive got two words that I want you all to remember ... Im Batman, he said. Keaton played the popular character in two Hollywood films. Im Pete Musto. And Im Dorothy Gundy. Pete Musto reported this story for VOA Learning English. Ashley Thompson was the editor. We want to hear from you. What are some of your favorite graduation speeches that you have read or listened to? Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. _____________________________________________________________ QUIZ Quiz - 2018 College Graduation Speeches Discuss World Problems, Look for Solutions Start the Quiz to find out Start Quiz ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story graduation n. a ceremony at which a document which shows that a person has finished a course of study are given out commencement n. a ceremony at which a document which shows that a person has finished a course of study are given out conceal v. to keep something secret alternative adj. existing or functioning outside of the established society realities n. true situations that exist relinquish(ing) v. to give up something mention v. to talk about, write about, or refer to something or someone, especially in a brief way phrase(s) n. a group of two or more words that express a single idea but do not usually form a complete sentence saving grace idm. a good quality that makes a bad or unpleasant person or thing better or more acceptable scandal n. an occurrence in which people are shocked and upset because of behavior that is morally or legally wrong marginalization n. the act of putting or keeping someone in a powerless or unimportant position within a society or group tone n. a quality, feeling, or attitude expressed by the words that someone uses in speaking or writing character n. a person who appears in a story, book, play, movie, or television show New details about a 300-year-old sunken treasure ship were released this week with permission from groups involved in the search effort, including Colombias government. The wreck of the Spanish ship San Jose was discovered in November 2015 with the help of a robotic device, an autonomous underwater vehicle. It is based at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) in the United States. The institution reported details of the discovery on Monday. Rob Munier works for WHOI, which is a private, not-for-profit group. He said, Weve been holding this under wraps out of respect for the Colombian government. The exact place where the San Jose went down was a mystery for more than three centuries. It is sometimes called the holy grail of shipwrecks. By any measure, the sailing ship was very large in size and the treasure it held. The three-masted ship was carrying gold, silver and jewels when it sank. The San Jose had 62 large guns. But it was sunk on June 8, 1708 with 600 people in a battle with British ships in the War of Spanish Succession. The San Jose may be the largest treasure ship ever found. Some suggest all the valuables could be worth as much as $17 billion. The WHOI was invited to join the search because of its expertise in deep sea exploration. Crews used an autonomous underwater vehicle called the REMUS 6000. It helped find the wreckage of an Air France passenger airplane in 2009. The plane crashed in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, hundreds of kilometers off the coast of Brazil. The REMUS 6000 discovered the wreck of the San Jose in more than 600 meters of water in November 2015. It took sonar images of the ship. The vehicle then got within 9 meters of the wreck to take pictures. Some of these include dolphin engravings on the San Joses cannons. Mike Purcell is an engineer for the Woods Hole institution and was a leader in the search effort. He said the wreck is partly covered with sediment. But he said the images were good enough to show identifying markings. Rob Munier received a telephone call from Purcell, but was far from the shipwreck. It was a pretty strong feeling of gratification to finally find it, Munier said. It was a great moment. However, ownership of the treasure is the subject of legal battles. The Associated Press reports that there are legal cases involving nations and private companies over claims to the shipwreck. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has called on Colombia not to exploit the historic shipwreck for financial gain. Colombia has not signed the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea. The treaty requires countries to follow international rules and to inform UNESCO of what will be done with shipwrecks. For now, the San Jose remains at the sea bottom. Where it rests is a state secret for Colombia. Im Mario Ritter. Mario Ritter adapted this Associated Press story for VOA Learning English. George Grow was the editor. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story under wraps adj. something that is being withheld or hidden for a later time holy grail (literary) n. something that is greatly desired but is very hard to get mast n. a tall pole on a sailing ship that supports a sail or sails sonar n. a device that uses sound waves to find things underwater engravings n. details that are cut into the surface of wood, stone or metal cannon n. a large, heavy run sediment n. material that sinks to the bottom of water forming a layer gratification n. a feeling of being happy or satisfied with something moment n. a point in time exploit v. to use up, often in an unfair way We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page. Today anyone with a smartphone or a laptop can spread information and video around the world immediately. This new-found power can play a vital role in our understanding of events in places that have been cut off from traditional journalism. As in Syria where the effects of the violent civil war are captured by citizens who are often trapped behind the firing line. In this digital age, it is nearly impossible for tyrants to mask their cruelty and anyone can speak about oppression to a global audience. But digitalization has a dark side. Social media, like Twitter and Facebook, often release information to the public that has not been verified, or long before a legitimate news organization would release it. So, it is possible for erroneous information to spread quickly. Take the case of Veerender Jubbal. Several European news outlets named the Canadian Sikh as a possible suspect for the November 2015 Paris terror attack. They even published a photo of him wearing a suicide bomber vest. But Mr. Jubbal was completely innocent. Someone had manipulated a photo on his Facebook page and posted it on social media as a joke. It quickly spread, causing Mr. Jubbal to suffer extreme damage to his reputation and a lot of emotional distress. This is a dramatic example but think about it. How many times have you fallen for click bait -- those deceptive ads that lure you to click with gossip or untrue information? For example, those ads that imply a famous celebrity has died or suffered a terrible tragedy? Unlike traditional journalism, social media does not have an obligation to the truth. Its users are its reporters, and they are accountable to no one. A smart news consumer is always aware of this discrepancy between traditional media and social media. Exercising news literacy is a skill like any other skill. It requires thoughtful concentration and consideration. A literate news consumer uses the tools we have outlined to evaluate the mounds of information we encounter every minute of every day. This lesson is based on the News Literacy class at the Center for News Literacy at Stony Brook University. For more on how to become a news literate citizen, go to The Center for News Literacy. _______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story tyrant n. a ruler who has complete power over a country and who is cruel and unfair cruelty n. a desire to cause others to suffer : the quality or state of being cruel legitimate adj. allowed according to rules or laws erroneous adj. not correct manipulate v. to deal with or control (someone or something) in a clever and usually unfair or selfish way reputation n. the common opinion that people have about someone or something distress n. suffering that affects the mind or body lure v. to cause or persuade (a person or an animal) to go somewhere or to do something by offering some pleasure or gain gossip n. information about the behavior and personal lives of other people obligation n. something that you must do because of a law, rule, promise, etc. discrepancy n. a difference especially between things that should be the same The National Mall in Washington, DC has something new for Americas Memorial Day holiday this year. For three days, visitors can see a clear wall filled with red poppies. The flowers are to honor the men and women who died while serving the United States in conflicts since World War I. Together, more than 645,000 red poppies are on the grounds of the National Mall this weekend. John Bird is a retired vice admiral in the U.S. Navy and the vice president of military affairs at the financial business USAA. He explains the aim of the Poppy Memorial show. The purpose of this memorial is to educate Americans and everyone who have had service members die in defense of their country or the cause of freedom. Why poppies? Bird told VOA that the poppy is an important symbol in many countries. It is often connected to the memory of someone who has fallen or died in military service. The use of the poppy as a symbol dates back to a poem called In Flanders Fields, which was published in 1915. The verse was written by John McCrae of Canada. He served as a soldier in Europe during World War I. McCrae wrote about the red flowers he saw growing on a field where many soldiers had died. The poem was very popular at the time. But it took two women in the early 20th century to make the poppy a widely-recognized symbol. In the United States, a University of Georgia professor decided she would wear a red silk flower to honor the sacrifice of soldiers. Moina Michael then persuaded a military veterans group to use the poppy as an emblem of remembrance. In France, a woman named Anne Guerin urged French citizens to make and sell cloth poppies to raise money to repair the country after World War I. Then she worked to make red poppies an international symbol to honor veterans. Today, the flowers are worn in France, Belgium, Britain, Canada, Australia and New Zealand on November 11. In the United States, the flowers are more commonly worn on the last Monday in May, known as Memorial Day. Remembering veterans While Memorial Day is a U.S. federal holiday to remember the war dead, it has taken on other meanings, too. It is considered the unofficial beginning of summer. Because most schools and many businesses are closed, Americans often spend the holiday outdoors, by preparing barbecue cookouts at home or going swimming. And stores often advertise many Memorial Day sales. But Admiral John Bird says the poppy memorial on the National Mall helps people remember the true meaning of the holiday. The day is especially important for anyone who knows a soldier who died, he adds. After all, he notes, when people enter military service ultimately what theyre saying is, Im willing to put my life on the line ... to defend our country. So people who have served in uniform certainly get that, and Memorial Day is a way to remember those who had to make that ultimate sacrifice. The poppy memorial is on Washingtons National Mall from May 25 to 27. Visitors can also dedicate a virtual poppy online at poppyinmemory.com. Im Kelly Jean Kelly. Kelly Jean Kelly wrote this story from Learning English. George Grow was the editor. _____________________________________________________________ Words in this Story symbol - n. an object that expresses or represents a particular idea or quality verse - n. writing in which words are arranged in a rhythmic pattern : poetry veteran - n. someone who fought in a war as a soldier, sailor, etc. emblem - n. an object or picture used to suggest a thing that cannot be shown barbecue - n. an outdoor meal or party at which food is cooked on a barbecue ultimately - adv. at the most basic level : in the central or most important way certainly - adv. without doubt ultimate - adj. greatest or most extreme dedicate - v. to officially make (something) a place for honoring or remembering a person, event, etc. The most successful female climber of Mount Everest broke another record in reaching the top of the mountain a ninth time. The climber is Lhakpa Sherpa. She is a 44-year-old single mother who lives in the United States with her three children. She was born in Nepal and has been climbing for many years. Sherpa was guiding about 50 people up the mountain when she completed her latest climb on May 16. This broke her own record for the most climbs of Mount Everest by a woman. Her first successful attempt came in 2000, and she completed her eighth climb last spring. She told the Associated Press the ninth climb was her hardest one yet. She said severe wind and snow forced the group to wait a few days before making their final climb to the top. One member of the group was Sherpas brother, Mingma, who operates a mountaineering company in Nepal. Only two of our clients did not make it, but most of them made it to the top and were happy, Sherpa reported. Lhakpa Sherpa says she hopes her climbs will inspire women everywhere to keep reaching for their own dreams. If an uneducated woman who is a single mother can climb Everest nine times, any woman can achieve their dreams. Sherpa never got the chance to get a full education. She began working at a young age in jobs providing assistance and carrying supplies for Everest climbers. She now works as a dishwasher at a Whole Foods Market in West Hartford, Connecticut. In an interview last month with espnW, Sherpa said she never does much preparation for her Everest climbs. My training is here...washing dishes, taking out garbage. I want a hard job, she said. She told the publication that many climbers see Everest not just as a physical test, but also as a spiritual experience. "We believe Everest is a god, she said. The Earth and the mother. Mount Everest and I have a connection. I feel it talking when snow blows on the top of the mountain. Sherpa told the Associated Press she still feels healthy and fit enough to keep mountaineering for years to come. People who are 70 years old are still climbing Everest, I am no where there, she said. She plans to climb the mountain again next year. Nepalese mountaineer Kami Rita holds the record for most completed Everest climbs. The 48-year-old has reached the top of the mountain 22 times. Im Bryan Lynn. The Associated Press reported this story. Bryan Lynn adapted it for VOA Learning English. Caty Weaver was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story client n. someone who pays someone else for services or advice inspire v. to make someone want to do something or give an idea about what to do or create achieve v. to get or reach something by working hard garbage n. items that are no longer useful or wanted that have been thrown away challenge n. a difficult task or problem: something that is hard to do Bluegreen Vacations Holding Corp. is a holding company, which engages in the real estate, real estate joint ventures, and middle market operating businesses. It operates through the following segments: Bluegreen, BBX Capital Real Estate, Renin, and BBX Sweet Holdings. The Bluegreen segment markets, sells, and manages real estate-based vacation ownership interests in resorts located in popular, high-volume, and drive-to vacation destinations. The BBX Capital Real Estate segment includes acquisition, development, construction, ownership, financing, and management of real estate and investments in real estate joint ventures. The Renin segment involves in the design, manufacture, and distribution of sliding doors, door systems and hardware, and home decor products and operates. The BBX Sweet Holdings segment engages in the ownership and management of operating businesses in the confectionery industry, including IT'SUGAR, Hoffman's Chocolates, and Las Olas Confections and Snacks. The company was founded in 1978 and is headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, FL. Read More American Consumer News, LLC dba MarketBeat 2010-2021. All rights reserved. 326 E 8th St #105, Sioux Falls, SD 57103 | U.S. Based Support Team at [email protected] | (844) 978-6257 MarketBeat does not provide personalized financial advice and does not issue recommendations or offers to buy stock or sell any security. Our Accessibility Statement | Terms of Service | Do Not Sell My Information 2021 Market data provided is at least 10-minutes delayed and hosted by Barchart Solutions. Information is provided 'as-is' and solely for informational purposes, not for trading purposes or advice, and is delayed. To see all exchange delays and terms of use please see disclaimer. Fundamental company data provided by Zacks Investment Research. Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue. The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website: We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. By clicking I agree below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. You also agree to our Terms of Service. Sasol Ltd. is a holding company. The firm engages in the provision of liquid fuels, chemicals, and low-carbon electricity. It operates through following segments: Mining, Exploration and Production International, Energy, Base Chemicals, Performance Chemicals, and Group Functions. The Mining segment secures coal feedstock for the Southern African value chain, mainly for gasification, but also to generate electricity and steam. The Exploration and Production International segment develops and manages oil and gas exploration and production in Mozambique, South Africa, Canada, and Gabon. The Base Chemicals segment involves the marketing of commodity chemicals based on the group's upstream Fischer-Tropsch, ethylene, propylene and ammonia value chains. The Performance Chemicals segment markets commodity and differentiated performance chemicals. The Energy segment sells and markets liquid fuels, pipeline gas, and electricity. The Group Functions segment includes the head office and centralised treasury operations. The company was founded in 1950 and is headquartered in Johannesburg, South Africa. Read More 3 hours ago Asian shares fall as rising energy costs fan inflation fears Shares retreated in Asia on Tuesday as surging prices of oil, coal and other energy added to concerns over inflation. Benchmarks declined in Tokyo, Hong Kong and Shanghai. Oil prices advanced, having closed above $80 per barrel in New York after trading briefly above $81 per barrel on Monday for the first time in seven years. Read Article SRC Energy Inc., an oil and natural gas company, engages in the acquisition, exploration, development, and production of oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids primarily in the Denver-Julesburg Basin of Colorado. As of December 31, 2018, it had net proved oil and natural gas reserves of 88 million barrels of oil and condensate, 771.9 billion cubic feet of natural gas, and 89.1 million barrels of natural gas liquids; and operated 985 net producing wells, as well as had 95,200 gross and 86,200 net acres under lease in the Wattenberg Field. The company was founded in 2005 and is headquartered in Denver, Colorado. Read More Colony Capital, Inc. is a real estate investment trust, which engages in the acquisition and management of properties. It operates through the following segments: Digital Investment Management, Digital Operating, Digital Other, Wellness Infrastructure, and Other. The Digital Investment Management segment is composed of balance sheet equity interests in digital infrastructure and real estate; and digital infrastructure and real estate investment management business. The Digital Operating segment composed of balance sheet equity interests in digital infrastructure and real estate operating companies. The Digital other segment composed of equity interests in digital investment vehicles. The Wellness Infrastructure segment composed of a diverse portfolio of senior housing, skilled nursing facilities, medical office buildings, and hospitals. The Other segment comprised of other equity and debt investments and non-digital investment management business. The company was founded by Thomas Joseph Barrack, Jr. in 1991 and is headquartered in Boca Raton, FL. Read More New research on Google trends data presented at this year's European Congress on Obesity in Vienna, Austria (23-26 May) shows that over time, searches using the terms weight loss have increased, while those using the word obesity have decreased, potentially suggesting a normalisation of obesity in society. The study is by Dr. Aditya S. Pawar from the Mayo Clinic Department of Nephrology and Hypertension, Rochester, MN, USA, and colleagues. The global epidemic of overweight and obesity has become a major public health concern. At least 2.8 million die each year as a result of being overweight or obese. In children, according to a study by the World Health Organization, around half of boys and 40% of girls were overweight. Recent studies have shed light on the 'normalisation' of obesity in the society but there are no formal studies evaluating public interest and awareness of the topic. Dr. Pawar and colleagues studied data of awareness about obesity over the last twelve years worldwide. They used Google Trends which is based on the number of times worldwide the terms 'Obesity', 'Weight loss 'and 'Obese' were searched for using Google between 1st January 2006 and 31st December 2017. The program assigns a reference value of 100 for the point of maximum popularity among the search terms, and provides relative monthly scores for all terms, which were termed relative interest scores (RIS). The results found that the for the search term 'obesity', the mean RIS consistently decreased with each quartile. While the search term 'weight loss' RIS consistently increased with time. The term 'weight loss' appeared to be especially popular during the month of January and its median RIS for January (n=12months) as compared to other months (n=122 months) was higher during the entire study period (88 vs 72), a result which was statistically significant. The RIS for term 'obese' did not change significantly over the study period. Dr. Pawar concludes: "Despite an increase in the prevalence of obesity, its popularity on the internet continues to decrease with time as reflected by the RIS score, which may suggest 'normalisation' of obesity in our society. Reassuringly however, the frequency of the search term 'weight loss' has increased significantly overtime, with significant interest in January every year." "While this may be secondary to New Year's resolutions centred around a healthy lifestyle, the specific reasons for the increased interest in certain months should be explored and applied to awareness campaigns for better effectiveness. While formal studies are required to best characterise these phenomenon, the use of Google trends certainly provides valuable data to assess the public awareness and possibly health related campaigns, which are vital to the success of managing obesity at the global level." Explore further The obesity paradox: People hospitalized for infections are twice as likely to survive if they are overweight or obese Provided by European Association for the Study of Obesity (HealthDay)The 2017 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association hypertension guideline is associated with an increase in the proportion of adults recommended for antihypertensive treatment compared with the 2014 guideline, according to a study published online May 23 in JAMA Cardiology. Joshua D. Bundy, Ph.D., M.P.H., from the Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine in New Orleans, and colleagues estimated the proportions of U.S. adults with hypertension or recommended for antihypertensive treatment according to the 2017 and 2014 hypertension guidelines using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2013 to 2016. The researchers found that prevalence of hypertension (blood pressure [BP] level 130/80 mm Hg) was 45.4 percent according to the 2017 hypertension guideline, which was significantly higher than the 32.0 percent estimate per the 2014 hypertension guideline (BP level 140/90 mm Hg). The proportion of individuals recommended for treatment was significantly higher according to the 2017 versus 2014 guidelines: 35.9 versus 31.1 percent. Achieving the 2017 hypertension guideline systolic BP treatment goals was estimated to reduce 610,000 and 334,000 cardiovascular disease (CVD) events and total deaths, respectively, in adults age 40 years and older; the corresponding estimates for the 2014 treatment goals were 270,000 and 177,000. "Compared with the 2014 hypertension guideline, the 2017 hypertension guideline was associated with an increase in the proportion of adults recommended for antihypertensive treatment and a further reduction in major CVD events and all-cause mortality," the authors write. Explore further New blood pressure guidelines could put lives at risk, say experts Copyright 2018 HealthDay. All rights reserved. Mr. Trumps reversal drew cries of diplomatic malpractice from Democrats Senator Christopher S. Murphy of Connecticut said it was as discombobulated as everything else in this White Houses foreign policy and support from Republicans Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky said that they did exactly the right thing. But the process exposed visible differences in tone between Mr. Trump and the people working for him. While the president continued to speak of the possibility of a meeting, a senior official briefed reporters about the trail of broken promises that led to its cancellation. Mr. Trumps national security adviser, John R. Bolton, infuriated North Korean officials by proposing the voluntary disarmament of Libya in 2003 as a precedent for North Korea. Under that deal, Libya gave up its entire arsenal without receiving any incentives. Then, Mr. Pence warned that Mr. Kim could meet the same fate as Libyas leader, Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi, if he did not make a deal with the United States. Libyan rebels, aided by a NATO bombing campaign, killed Colonel Qaddafi during the Arab Spring upheavals in 2011. That prompted a North Korean official to call him a political dummy. We will neither beg the U.S. for dialogue nor take the trouble to persuade them if they do not want to sit together with us, said Choe Son Hui, a vice foreign minister. She asked whether the U.S. will meet us at a meeting room or encounter us at nuclear-to-nuclear showdown. At the time that Mr. Trump accepted Mr. Kims invitation, several officials said they believed that there was less than a 50 percent chance that the meeting would actually happen. But the president dispatched Mr. Pompeo to work out the logistics for a meeting, and he, too, expressed optimism about the encounter. In addition to blowing up the nuclear site, North Korea pledged to halt nuclear and missile tests, and it released three Korean-Americans imprisoned there which Mr. Trump acknowledged in the letter was a beautiful gesture. President Donald Trump said the U.S. would allow Chinese telecommunications-equipment maker ZTE Corp. to remain in business after paying a $1.3 billion fine, changing its management and board and providing high-level security guarantees. In a tweet Friday evening, Trump confirmed a deal that his administration had outlined for members of Congress, according to two people familiar with the matter. Lawmakers in both parties have expressed concern over his decision to soften an earlier U.S. action against ZTE over what his commerce secretary called egregious violations of sanctions on Iran and North Korea. Trump took a jab at Democrats in his tweet, saying that Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and former President Barack Obama let phone company ZTE flourish with no security checks. Under the deal for ZTE to resume operations, it will also hire American compliance officers to monitor its operations according to the people, who spoke on condition of anonymity. Once ZTE complies, the Commerce Department will lift an order under which the company had been cut off from U.S. suppliers including Qualcomm Inc., effectively shutting down its business. A deal on ZTE has broad implications beyond the woes of the company. The U.S. and China are engaged in high-stakes talks on steel trade and intellectual property rights under the looming threat of punitive tariffs. U.S.-traded shares of NXP Semiconductors NV rose 4.7 percent after the announcement, as signs of better U.S.-China relations bode well for Chinese approval of Qualcomms purchase of the Dutch chipmaker. A representative for ZTE declined to respond in a text message. Chinas Ministry of Commerce didnt immediately reply to a faxed inquiry. Trump said earlier this week he ordered a reconsideration of penalties against ZTE as a favor to Chinas President Xi Jinping, as the company estimated losses of at least $3.1 billion from the U.S. technology ban. The plan is further inflaming tensions between the White House and Congress over trade policy in a week when Republicans blasted the administration for contemplating tariffs on auto imports. Yes they have a deal in mind. It is a great deal for #ZTE & China, Senator Marco Rubio, a Florida Republican, tweeted on Friday. Schumer said that both parties in Congress should come together to stop this deal in its tracks. Congressional Approval The Senate on Thursday released a defense policy bill containing a provision requiring Trump, before making any ZTE deal, to certify with Congress that ZTE hasnt violated U.S. law for the past year and is cooperating with U.S. investigations. ZTE presents a national security threat to the United States and nothing in this reported deal addresses that fundamental fact. If President Trump wont put our security before Chinese jobs, Congress will act on a bipartisan basis to stop him, said Maryland Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen, the author of the Senate provision. Its unclear if Congress will be able to muster veto-proof majorities needed to block the president on ZTE. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross held a meeting with GOP senators on Wednesday laying out the ZTE proposal. People briefed on the meeting said lawmakers were told to give the administration room to negotiate the matter and asked them to tone down public criticism of the deal. After the briefing, John Cornyn of Texas, the No. 2 Republican in the Senate, expressed support for placing compliance officers at ZTE. That would be pretty remarkable, he told reporters. Having somebody inside the company to observe whats going on would be very valuable. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Corker of Tennessee declined to comment on the idea. On Thursday, the House passed its own defense policy bill with language banning the Pentagon from purchasing ZTE technology. Iran Violations ZTE ran into trouble in 2016 for violating U.S. laws restricting the sale of American technology to Iran. An agreement in 2017 called for the company to pay as much as $1.2 billion and penalize the workers involved, in what was the largest criminal fine for the Justice Department in an export control or sanctions case. In April, the Commerce Department said ZTE instead paid full bonuses to employees who engaged in the illegal conduct, failed to issue letters of reprimand and lied about the practices to U.S. authorities. That led to the seven-year ban. Ross plans to visit Beijing on June 2-4, and China has made saving ZTE one of its priorities. The Trump administration has pushed China to help cut the $376 billion trade surplus with the U.S, with Beijing so far making only vague commitments to buy more U.S. goods, including farm products and energy. But a hasty compromise on ZTE may expose the administration to further criticism in Congress. The ZTE move was very surprising, said Nathan Sheets, chief economist at PGIM Fixed Income and former undersecretary for international affairs at the Treasury Department under President Barack Obama. Thats a pretty big concession to the Chinese. If we move down that road, it means we should be getting something back. Fawls book, Insights in Chemistry, now in its second edition, is receiving rave reviews from chemistry educators who say Fawl is breaking new ground in a subject that has been around for approximately 24 centuries. Thats because Fawl uses his own art to explain chemistry. Likewise, Wagner calls upon his own experiences when teaching about wine. He said he tries to reach students who sit in the back of the room, like he did when he was a student. If I can keep that student in the back interested and involved, the rest of the class will be no problem, said Wagner. At NVC, what makes teaching so rewarding is that the students are actively involved in the wine industry, so I take advantage of that experience while I teach. Wagner recently retired from running Balzac Communications of Napa, but will teach the Wines of Germany class this spring at NVC, and in the fall will return to teach Wine Marketing and Sales, and A Cultural Appreciation of Wine. Wagner was nominated by a reader who raved about his book, "Wine Marketing and Sales." He is not teaching what he imagines the wine industry to be; he is teaching proven industry practice, said the nominator, adding that Wagner empowers students to function at the highest levels of the wine industry. Audience member Michael Setty also supported the use of city-owned land for lower-cost housing, and further called on Napa to ease on-site parking requirements downtown to make smaller-format housing easier to build perhaps by allowing parking to be located up to two blocks away to meet the needs of workers and others currently shut out of the residential market. Lets open up opportunities for seniors, for college students, to have some sort of housing for them, he said. City Manager Mike Parness, meanwhile pointed to the potential of two properties one already marked for temporary offices while the civic center is built outside of downtown to add to Napas housing stock in years to come. At the city corporation yard on Jackson Street and Lincoln Avenue, a pair of buildings totaling 25,000 square feet will replace existing shop buildings, serving as Napa Polices temporary home before housing Public Works staff and equipment. That project would clear enough space in the corp yard for subsidized housing to be built along its north side near Lincoln Avenue, Parness said. Another 100 dwellings or more may occupy part of the Napa Countys former Health and Human Services campus on Old Sonoma Road, which the city is attempting to buy as transitional office space, Parness told the audience. With their colorful hair, painted faces and private play area, BottleRocks Little Rockers were having just as much fun as their parents during the festivals opening on Friday. The girls are loving it its their first festival, said Richard Curtis of his two daughters Savannah, 6, and Penelope, 4. Penelope seems to be the rocker. Penelope and Savannah spent the afternoon on their parents shoulders rocking out to fellow Brits The Struts. Their mom, Sophie, said she and Richard used to go to music festivals back home in the United Kingdom all the time before they had children. BottleRock, she said, is much more civilized than those concerts. I think people are very controlled here, she said. They see kids and they know to behave. Although they were planning to stay together, Sophie Curtis said that the festivals Little Rocker helped give her peace of mind. When they first arrived, they registered the girls in the program, which allows parents to link their childs description and parent contact information to their Little Rockers wristband. If they got lost, they can contact the parents, she explained. Hopefully that wont happen, but its good to know that its there if it does. Angwin resident Paula Peterson is glad to see a work crew clearing potentially fire-spreading brush along major roads in her community in light of last years devastating Atlas, Tubbs and Nuns wildfires. The fires missed this rural area with about 3,000 residents in the forested mountains east of St. Helena. Still Peterson, who is the volunteer co-chair of the Angwin Fire Safe Council, said things could have been different with a shift of the winds. You just see all the devastation and how quickly it all happened, Peterson said. When its atypical. When the winds are at 70 mph and dry its scary. Local hills are drying out with the rainy season amid its last gasps and the weather predicted to warm. Now is the time for rural property owners to prepare for the 2018 fire season and for the next Napa County inferno that everyone hopes wont happen. Napa County Fire Chief Barry Biermann sees a heightened sense of wildfire preparation urgency this year because of last years devastating wildfires that destroyed more than 600 homes in the county. I think anytime you have this kind of event in the community, it definitely brings this to the forefront of peoples minds, he said. In the famous "Turing test," designed to determine whether a computer program can convince a human that it is also a human, skeptical humans ask hard questions and consider the output. This is our model of the enlightened person, but it scarcely resembles how we deal with computers. Rather than testing their reason, we concede our own at the outset if we are made to feel good about ourselves. Tellingly, the first computer program to perform well in a Turing test imitated a psychoanalyst. It turned the tables: We were no longer testing it; it was manipulating us. We believe that computers are trustworthy when they seem to care how we feel. We follow sites that amplify our emotions, outraging us or elating us, not asking ourselves whether they are designed to keep us online so that we see targeted ads - or, for that matter, whether they are used as weapons by foreigners to harm us. But there is much that state and local governments can do to change the standard and to better deal with the problem of excessive force by the police. Legislation pending in California, Assembly Bill 931, would permit police to use deadly force only when its necessary to prevent imminent and serious bodily injury or death. That is, under this law, lethal force would be justified if, given the totality of the circumstances, there were no reasonable alternative, including warnings, verbal persuasion or other nonlethal methods of resolution or de-escalation. Some cities have already moved, through administrative policy changes, to limit police use of force. Their experience shows that such reforms work. In New York, following a shift to minimum use-of-force policies, police went from shooting 994 people in 1972 to 79 people in 2014. The LAPD formally revised its use-of-force policy in 2017 to emphasize de-escalation; San Francisco introduced an even stricter policy in 2016. In 91 of the 100 largest U.S. police departments that were recently studied, jurisdictions with more restrictive use-of-force standards had the fewest officer-involved shootings per capita. Studies show that such policies are also associated with a decrease in the number of police officers killed in the line of duty. A 111-year-old Armenian woman had to prove to U.S. government that she was still alive, The Chronicle reported. San-Francisco resident Lucy Mirigian is 111 and very much alive, no matter what the U.S. government says. In November, the government agency that administers her federal pension decided that Mirigian was dead because she had not returned a form letter saying she wasnt. Mirigian said the letter never arrived. The result: the government stopped sending Mirigian her monthly pension of $377.26. Her health insurance was about to be cut off, too. It was a nightmare, according to Mirigian and her daughter, Sonia, and son-in-law, Jack Koujakian, who share the house near Balboa Park that Mirigian bought in 1950. Being alive is one thing. Persuading the U.S. government that you are alive when it disagrees is something else. The Koujakians wrote letters. They made calls. They left messages. Nothing worked. Once the government thinks youre dead, its not easy to change its mind. In desperation, the family walked into the San Mateo office of Democratic Rep. Jackie Speier. The office staff took one look at Mirigian and concluded that she was still very much in a condition to keep collecting the pension she was entitled to as a retired clerk at the U.S. Mint on Market Street. Speiers staff made some calls. Calls from a congresswomans aide, unlike calls from a congresswomans constituent, tend to get things straightened out lickety split. The pension was restored this week and the past-due benefits were paid. Thats a good thing, Mirigian said, because her family has booked a vacation in Calistoga next month and the hotel isnt free. As a 4-year-old, Mirigian left her home in Armenia on the back of a donkey in 1910. She crossed the Atlantic on a boat, made her way to Fresno and attended Fresno State University. In San Francisco, she raised a family, taught Sunday school, served as a PTA president and had a second career making elegant, elaborate sculptures from beads and wire. Her husband of 40 years, Ashod, died in 1998. Armenia opposition MP: PM not guaranteeing Kashatagh, Shushi regions villages will not be under Azerbaijan control Armenia ex-president Kocharyan, former deputy PM and now MP Gevorgyan criminal case court hearing resumes Pashinyan to Spains Sanchez: I appreciate your country's support for expansion of Armenia-EU partnership Armenia, India FMs to meet Wednesday 903 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia Artsakh displaced residents again protesting outside Armenia government building Armenia President in Vatican, meets with head of Pontifical Council for Culture of Holy See Russia citizen stabbed to death in Yerevan Armenia convict, 40, dies in hospital Russia peacekeepers escort Azerbaijan convoys via Karabakh Armenian Assembly of America urges US to reject Turkey request to purchase F-16 fighter jets Armenia, Russia defense ministers discuss Armenian-Azerbaijani border situation Newspaper: Mandatory coronavirus testing of unvaccinated Armenia employees to become 3 times a month instead of 2? Newspaper: Arrested Armenia ex-defense minister Tonoyan keeps silent to save PM Pashinyan Armenia ombudsman: During war Azerbaijanis incurred in border area near Tsav village of Syunik Province ECtHR denies Azerbaijan appeal on blogger Lapshins case Armenia Journalists Union issues statement on Constitutional Court declaring law on insult/defamation constitutional Aravot.am: Gyumri woman who killed her mother with psychotropic drugs, attempted suicide is arrested for 2 months Spiritual leaders of Armenia, Russia and Azerbaijan to discuss peacemaking initiative in South Caucasus Iran test-launches 'Majid' short-range and low-altitude air defense system Putin, Merkel and Macron discuss Ukraine Karabakh Prosecutor General's Office on case of murder of citizen by Azerbaijani side Court renders decision on Armenia Police's unlawful actions against Armenian citizen Argishti Kiviryan Armenia PM's Chief of Staff attends event dedicated to International Architects' Day The ARARAT Museum of the Yerevan Brandy Company hosted the Awards Ceremony of the Golden Apricot Participants of motorcade of six cars in Moscow start firing gunshots, Armenia citizens arrested Political consultations between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Armenia and Denmark Armenia ruling faction MP: Turkish textiles need to be replaced with Russian ones Armenian deputy minister: There are companies in Armenia that manufacture items for Russian military planes Armenia justice minister says government will remove unjust judges from the judiciary Karabakh President signs law on making amendments to legislation on weapons Armenia President visits St. Peter's Basilica at Vatican, lays flowers at statue of St. Gregory of Narek Armenia President meets with Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin Armenia President meets with Pope Francis Iran's Prosecutor General to arrive in Armenia at invitation of Armenian counterpart Armenia high-tech industry minister receives Sweden Ambassador Armenia Deputy PM Suren Papikyan to leave for Moscow Digest: Pashinyan and Putin scheduled to meet, more on COVID-19 in Armenia Armenia State Revenue Committee chief meets with UAE State Audit Institution president Superior command inspects engineering work at Armenia army positions Iran MFA spokesman: We have never closed our airspace to Azerbaijan Artsakh ombudsman: Occupied Hadrut undeniable proof of Azerbaijan hatred, ethnic cleansing policy against Armenians Azerbaijan, Turkey FMs confer on regional situation Armenia to host French-Armenian Scientific-Medical Conference to help those affected by the war Iran FM to visit Azerbaijan, media report One dollar falls below AMD 479 in Armenia Union of Banks of Armenia has new board chairman Russian architect: Old Yerevan is about to perish, while Gyumri is being reborn 3 Azerbaijanis cause mass deaths of residents of Russia's Orenburg Karabakh Armenian architect: It's impossible to cooperate with Azerbaijan in culture sector UAE State Audit Institution president arrives in Armenia at invitation of justice minister Mutalibov: Karabakh Armenians will have right to live there if they adopt Azerbaijan citizenship Ambassador to finance minister: Sweden ready to continue assisting in Armenia reforms Russia architect: Many monuments in Karabakh are now under threat of destruction Turkey court orders interior ministry to pay close to $112k to Hrant Dinks family Catholicos of All Armenians heading for Moscow, will meet with religious leaders of Russia and Azerbaijan Armenia prosecutor's office to be consistent in investigating Artsakh residents murder, gross violation of ceasefire Russian FM meeting with Turkish counterpart in Serbia Armenia FM, Belarus ambassador discuss regional issues Bitcoin price rises above $ 57,000 Armenia PM to pay working visit to Russia Azerbaijan State Border Service calls on Iran officials to avoid to spread false and defamatory information Gas price in Europe exceeds $ 1,100 per 1,000 cubic meters Man, 37, found half-naked on Armenia river bank 601 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia Legal team: Armenia ex-defense minister does not accept charge against him Russia peacekeepers ensure pilgrims safe visit to Karabakhs Amaras Monastery Child, 9, found dead under concrete rubble in Yerevan (PHOTOS) Artsakh historical, cultural heritage being discussed in Yerevan with participation of international specialists US embassy in Armenia to be closed Monday World gold prices drop Armenia participates in Europes largest trade fair for food within EU4Business Initiative World oil prices going up Woman kills mother with psychotropic drugs in Gyumri Borrell: EU is facing risk of turning from subject into object of world politics California law requires selling gender-neutral baby products 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 President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian, who is on a working visit to the Georgian capital city of Tbilisi, on Saturday met with his Finnish colleague, Sauli Niinisto. Stressing that last year marked the quarter century of diplomatic relations between Armenia and Finland, President Sarkissian noted that Armenian-Finnish relations have steadily developed over the course of those years. Also, he underscored the continuity of high-level political dialogue between the two countries, and invited his Finnish counterpart for an official visit to Armenia. In President Sarkissians words, Armenia and Finland have many similarities, which create a good basis for expanding cooperation. President Niinisto, for his part, said they closely followed the latest changes in Armenia, and they are happy with the civilized and pacific resolution of the situation in the country. In addition, the interlocutors reflected on the prospects for collaboration within the framework of the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement, which Armenia and the European Union have signed, and exchanged views on regional and international matters. Armenia opposition MP: PM not guaranteeing Kashatagh, Shushi regions villages will not be under Azerbaijan control London police dismisses prince Andrew sex offense case Armenia ex-president Kocharyan, former deputy PM and now MP Gevorgyan criminal case court hearing resumes Pashinyan to Spains Sanchez: I appreciate your country's support for expansion of Armenia-EU partnership Hopkins to star in Florian Zeller's new drama Armenia, India FMs to meet Wednesday 903 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia Artsakh displaced residents again protesting outside Armenia government building Chanel limits purchase of their most popular handbags Armenia President in Vatican, meets with head of Pontifical Council for Culture of Holy See Russia citizen stabbed to death in Yerevan Armenia convict, 40, dies in hospital Russia peacekeepers escort Azerbaijan convoys via Karabakh Armenian Assembly of America urges US to reject Turkey request to purchase F-16 fighter jets Armenia, Russia defense ministers discuss Armenian-Azerbaijani border situation Newspaper: Mandatory coronavirus testing of unvaccinated Armenia employees to become 3 times a month instead of 2? Newspaper: Arrested Armenia ex-defense minister Tonoyan keeps silent to save PM Pashinyan Armenia ombudsman: During war Azerbaijanis incurred in border area near Tsav village of Syunik Province Armenias world champion Malkhas Amoyan is greeted at Yerevan international airport (PHOTOS) Armenia national football team manager: We should congratulate our players for efforts made in 2nd half 2022 World Cup qualifiers: Match results of the day ECtHR denies Azerbaijan appeal on blogger Lapshins case 2022 World Cup qualifiers: Armenia lose to Romania, Germany book their spot in finals Armenia Journalists Union issues statement on Constitutional Court declaring law on insult/defamation constitutional Aravot.am: Gyumri woman who killed her mother with psychotropic drugs, attempted suicide is arrested for 2 months World Cup 2022: Armenia team losing after first half Spiritual leaders of Armenia, Russia and Azerbaijan to discuss peacemaking initiative in South Caucasus Iran test-launches 'Majid' short-range and low-altitude air defense system Raphael Varane says Paul Pogba is leading player in Man United Putin, Merkel and Macron discuss Ukraine Karabakh Prosecutor General's Office on case of murder of citizen by Azerbaijani side Court renders decision on Armenia Police's unlawful actions against Armenian citizen Argishti Kiviryan Armenia PM's Chief of Staff attends event dedicated to International Architects' Day The ARARAT Museum of the Yerevan Brandy Company hosted the Awards Ceremony of the Golden Apricot Participants of motorcade of six cars in Moscow start firing gunshots, Armenia citizens arrested Political consultations between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Armenia and Denmark Armenia ruling faction MP: Turkish textiles need to be replaced with Russian ones Armenian deputy minister: There are companies in Armenia that manufacture items for Russian military planes Armenia justice minister says government will remove unjust judges from the judiciary Karabakh President signs law on making amendments to legislation on weapons Alexandre Lacazette to quit Arsenal Armenia President visits St. Peter's Basilica at Vatican, lays flowers at statue of St. Gregory of Narek Armenia President meets with Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin Armenia President meets with Pope Francis Iran's Prosecutor General to arrive in Armenia at invitation of Armenian counterpart Armenia high-tech industry minister receives Sweden Ambassador Armenia Deputy PM Suren Papikyan to leave for Moscow Digest: Pashinyan and Putin scheduled to meet, more on COVID-19 in Armenia Armenia State Revenue Committee chief meets with UAE State Audit Institution president Manchester City's Benjamin Mendy to remain in custody until at least January Superior command inspects engineering work at Armenia army positions Iran MFA spokesman: We have never closed our airspace to Azerbaijan Artsakh ombudsman: Occupied Hadrut undeniable proof of Azerbaijan hatred, ethnic cleansing policy against Armenians Azerbaijan, Turkey FMs confer on regional situation Armenia to host French-Armenian Scientific-Medical Conference to help those affected by the war Iran FM to visit Azerbaijan, media report Armenia youth team to participate in European Youth Boxing Championships Armenia's Under-17 football team to leave for Belarus One dollar falls below AMD 479 in Armenia Research: 43% of kids, 16% of women surveyed in Armenia are subjected to violence Union of Banks of Armenia has new board chairman Russian architect: Old Yerevan is about to perish, while Gyumri is being reborn 3 Azerbaijanis cause mass deaths of residents of Russia's Orenburg Karabakh Armenian architect: It's impossible to cooperate with Azerbaijan in culture sector UAE State Audit Institution president arrives in Armenia at invitation of justice minister Mutalibov: Karabakh Armenians will have right to live there if they adopt Azerbaijan citizenship Ambassador to finance minister: Sweden ready to continue assisting in Armenia reforms Russia architect: Many monuments in Karabakh are now under threat of destruction Turkey court orders interior ministry to pay close to $112k to Hrant Dinks family Catholicos of All Armenians heading for Moscow, will meet with religious leaders of Russia and Azerbaijan FC Ararat-Armenia's captain Gouffran ends career, returns to France Armenia prosecutor's office to be consistent in investigating Artsakh residents murder, gross violation of ceasefire U-19 friendly match: Armenia-Qatar: 3-2 Russian FM meeting with Turkish counterpart in Serbia Armenia FM, Belarus ambassador discuss regional issues Bitcoin price rises above $ 57,000 Armenia PM to pay working visit to Russia Azerbaijan State Border Service calls on Iran officials to avoid to spread false and defamatory information Did you know? The Hunger Games: Catching Fire: 11 interesting facts about the movie Gas price in Europe exceeds $ 1,100 per 1,000 cubic meters How long does COVID-19 last? Omar Momani: Maybe Aymeric Laporte made the wrong decision switching from France to Spain (CARTOON) Man, 37, found half-naked on Armenia river bank Paul McCartney says John Lennon was behind Beatles' split 601 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia Legal team: Armenia ex-defense minister does not accept charge against him 2020 Referee of the Year to officiate at Romania vs. Armenia clash Jared Leto affected by police action during Rome riots Russia peacekeepers ensure pilgrims safe visit to Karabakhs Amaras Monastery Child, 9, found dead under concrete rubble in Yerevan (PHOTOS) Artsakh historical, cultural heritage being discussed in Yerevan with participation of international specialists US embassy in Armenia to be closed Monday Romania vs. Armenia: Bookmakers view World gold prices drop Armenia participates in Europes largest trade fair for food within EU4Business Initiative Messi scores 80th goal for Argentina World oil prices going up 2022 World Cup qualifiers: Argentina beat Uruguay, Brazil lose first points Woman kills mother with psychotropic drugs in Gyumri Borrell: EU is facing risk of turning from subject into object of world politics President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian, who is in the Georgian capital city of Tbilisi, on Saturday participatedtogether with several other foreign heads of statein a roundtable discussion, entitled Cooperation for Prosperity: Strategic Planning for Next Century. The cooperation for prosperity should be geared towards peaceful settlement of conflicts, and full cooperation should become the driving force and vision of the South Caucasus countries, the Armenian president noted, in particular, in his remarks at the event. He said the next century for the South Caucasus should become a period for leaving problems in the past and eliminating dividing lines. In Sarkissians view, the current realities, as well as the dynamics of the developments taking place in the South Caucasus countries, enable to hope that the processes of democratization will contribute to regional integration, establishment of a stable peace, and economic upsurge. Also, the President of Armenia expressed confidence that by joint efforts it is possible to overcome the disagreements that hinder cooperation, and establish tolerant, mutually beneficial, and good neighborly relations. Home | News | General | Osun 2018: No zoning arrangement in APC constitution - Party chieftain - The agitation by some individuals that power must shift to Osun West Senatorial District in Osun state, has been condemned - The condemnation came from a prominent chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, Honourable Akindiya Amos - Akindiya was of the opinion that power rotation is alien to the APC constitution A chieftain of the APC Osun state, Honourable Akindiya Amos who is from Olaoluwa local government area of Osun West Senatorial District has condemned the agitation by some individuals from his senatorial district insisting that they must produce the next governor of the state. Akindiya, a serving commissioner in the Osun state House of Assembly Service Commission, said the argument does not hold water as power rotation is alien to the APC constitution. He made this assertion while fielding questions from journalists on the preparation of the APC ahead of the September 22 gubernatorial election coming up this year. His words: When I hear people say it is time for the west to produce the next governor and no other zones should contest for the exalted seat with them, I dare say it is politically wrong to assume such status. It is not inside the Nigeria or APC constitution that it should be zoned to a particular area, my firm opinion is that the race should be thrown open to whoever wishes to contest, irrespective of senatorial district, the most credible and competent candidate should emerge through a free and fair primaries. He went further to explain that since the beginning of politics in this era, there has never been a time when the leaders have sat down to decide that they will zone governorship to a particular zone. The late Senator Isiaka Adeleke came in as governor from the west, though he spent little time but people from other zones contested with him, When it came to the era of Baba Akande, nobody stopped the west or east from contesting with him, he added. Also speaking about who may likely succeed Aregbesola among the 27 APC aspirants who had shown interest at the meeting with the state leadership during the week, Akindiya opined that whoever will take over from Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola must continue with the good works of the governor. He encouraged the governor's successor to leverage on the many opportunities in infrastructural amenities to boost the economic situation of the state, drive our IGR and industrialize our agricultural sector. He continued: The strength of our campaign today is continuity, continuity in good governance, continuity of welfarist policies, continuity in urbanization of our towns, continuity in good education and health programmes, and our template is Lagos state. Lagos is good today because when Tinubu started, there was continuity through Fashola and now through Governor Ambode. In his reaction to the insinuation that PDP may likely oust his party in the election, Akindiya dismissed it as a joke. He said: They are liars and are only joking; the projects we have done are physical and cannot be hidden, our people are grateful to Aregbesola and are ready to partner with APC through the ballot for another four years. Even people that are indigenes of Osogbo can attest to the simple fact that the city has undergone a complete transformation. Ask around, people in towns and villages of Osun are ready to vote for APC. Our programmes are channeled towards development and are basically for the betterment of lives for our citizens. PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigerias #1 news app Meanwhile, the convener of the group - Coalition of Osun West Youths, Akintunde Adeyemo, recently wrote an article on the Osun West Senatorial District inability to produce a governor in Osun state for almost 2 decades. Governor Rauf Aregbesola Interview: 'State of Osun' is correct (Exclusive ) | Naij.com TV [embedded content] Subscribe to watch new videos Source: Naija.ng CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM: General Home | News | General | Muslims in Oyo state protest against relocation of US embassy to Jerusalem, occupation of Palestine land by Israel - Some Nigerian Muslims in Oyo state have organised a peaceful protest against the transfer of the United States embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem - They also protested against the occupation of Palestinian land by Israel - Recall that the United States had on May 14 formally opened her embassy in Jerusalem Muslims in Oyo state on Friday, May 25, organised a peaceful protest against the continuous occupation of Palestinian land by Israel as well as the transfer of the United States embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. It would be recalled that the United States had on May 14 formally opened her embassy in Jerusalem, saying it remains the capital of Israel. READ ALSO: FG declares Tuesday May 29 as public holiday Speaking on the sidelines of the protest, Mr Atta Rasheed, the coordinator of the Al-Qudus Foundation, said Israel had been occupying portions of Palestine land unlawfully since 1948. Rasheed called on all peace loving people of the world and nations with sympathy for justice and human dignity not only to condemn the act but sanction Israel, US and their allies. He urged other nations to severe their relationship with Israel by withdrawing their ties. In his contribution, the chief Imam of Alegongo, Sheikh Ismail Bushari, said Muslims were unhappy with the wrongful occupation of Palestine land by Israel. Muslims, Nigerian government, United Nations and other countries are not in support of the US moving her embassy to Jerusalem because it is against the rights of the Palestinians, he said. PAY ATTENTION: Install our latest app for Android, read best news on Nigerias #1 news app Meanwhile, NAIJ.com reports that the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) called on the federal government and other countries to relocate their embassies from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Reverend Samson Ayokunle, CAN president, made this call in a statement signed by Pastor Adebayo Oladeji, special assistant, media and communications of CAN, on Tuesday, May 22, in Abuja. How would you feel if Donald Trump bombed Boko Haram like Syria? - on NAIJ.com TV: [embedded content] Subscribe to watch new videos Source: Naija.ng CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM: General Home | News | General | Tourism contributes about 8% to Africas GDP Derek Haneko, SA Tourism Minister South Africas newly reinstated National Minister of Tourism, Derek Hanekom has given a glowing picture of the future of tourism in Africa, backing it up with statistics that show that the industry may be the next black gold if the growth trend is sustained and Africa gets its priorities right. Derek Hanekom Speaking at the just concluded Indaba 2018 (renamed Africa Travel Indaba 2018) which held in Durban; Kwazulu Natal Province of South Africa from the 7th to the 10th of May, Hanekom says Indaba 2018 was positioned as a call to action to focus on the success of the continent as a whole, urging its people to go out and tell Africas story to the world. According to the Minister in his message at the official Welcome Networking Function, Tourism growth, and sharing the benefits of tourism, contribute to replacing poverty and despair with prosperity and hope. Africas Travel Indaba is the ideal springboard for further growth. He further spoke about Travel and Tourism being the fastest growing sector in the world Tourism already contributes about 8% to Africas Gross Domestic Product and employs 6.5% of the workforce, he says. Imagine the impact it will make on growth, jobs and livelihoods if, or rather when we double or quadruple that! We can exponentially increase the value that tourism brings by collaborating to make tourism work for everyone he added. West African Delegates with team South African Tourism (West Africa ) at the INDABA 2018. The annual event experienced a significant rise in participation from last years event with 23 African countries in attendance this year. The overall registrations saw an increase by 4% from last years figures reaching the 7000 mark. Total registered buyers increased by 14% from last year bring it to a total of 1747 registered buyers. With 200 first time exhibitors, there were over 1100 registered exhibitors, leading to a 57% increase from last year. To further strengthen existing partnership and collaboration within the continent, South African Tourisms West African hub hosted 26 delegates from Nigeria and Ghana at the Africas Travel Indaba. Among the West African tourism delegations were President of the Tour Operators Association in Nigeria, Mr Kwesi Eyison ,The President of the Tour Operators Union in Ghana, Alhaji Rabo Saleh, Federation of Tourism Association of Nigeria ,The President of The Travel Agents of Nigeria , Mr Bankole Bernard, The Chief Editor and Publisher of Africas leading Travel and Tourism Magazine ATQ, and Founder of West Africas biggest tourism expo, Akwaaba Nigeria, Weizo Accra, Mr Ikechi Uko, , CEOs of travel agencies alongside notable media partners were among the 26 West African Delegation drawn from Ghana and Nigeria. The West African trade and media delegates who arrived South Africa days earlier, were treated to an incredible, activity filled exploration of South Africa. The were treated to some of the finest luxury South Africa has to offer at the Oubaai Gold resort The delegates enjoyed a variety of experiences including, quad biking, power boating on the Kysna lagoon, and picnics at Cape St.Francis. They explored Tsitsikamma Nature reserve and the very brave went bungee jumping. Mr Sisa Ntshona, CEO of South Africa Tourism, praised the Africa delegates for cooperating to promote and integrate the continent as one destination through tourism. He also made it known to the delegates that Indabas goal is to create a platform that allows the world to do business with Africa CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM: General Home | News | General | President Ramaphosa hails Africas progress in spite challenges South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa on Friday said in spite some challenges, Africa has made significant strides in addressing economic, social and political challenges facing the continent. Ramaphosa Ramaphosa was addressing diplomatic corps in Pretoria commemorating Africa Day that marks the birth of the then Organisation for African Unity (OAU) on May 25, 1963, which was transformed into the African Union (AU) in 2002. We take this opportunity to pay tribute to our forebears, who bequeathed to us a dynamic vision of a unified and prosperous continent at peace with itself and the world. It laid the foundation for the unity of the continent and contributed immensely to the restoration of the dignity of African people, said Ramaphosa. He stated that the AU is on the right path setting norms and standards of governance and deepening the continents economic integration. Ramaphosa said South Africa won the war against imperialist because of the support from some African countries. He stated that South Africas foreign policy is anchored on the Pan-Africanist. South Africas foreign policy will always be rooted on the African continent, seeking to contribute towards Africas renaissance. As we have done since our liberation, we are determined to redouble our efforts in contributing to peace and security, development and prosperity for Africa, said the president. Ramaphosa said his country would always be grateful for the support they received from the African countries during the liberation struggle. He also pledged support to the continental blue print of African Agenda 2063. Recently, African heads of state adopted the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The AfCFTA is expected to create a market of 2.6 trillion dollars, thereby addressing poverty and unemployment. Ramaphosa said, This continental free trade area is a critical response to Africas developmental challenges. It will enable Africa to significantly boost intra-Africa trade, improve economies of scale and to establish an integrated market. It will also be a catalyst for industrial development, placing Africa on a path to exporting value-added products, improving Africas competitiveness both in its own markets and globally. The president said the continental is now experiencing decline in armed conflicts leading to economic growth. He expressed joy that some African countries like Cote dIvoire, Ghana, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Senegal and Tanzania are part of the 10 fastest growing economies. Ramaphosa expressed concern about some instability in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sahel region, Libya, Somalia and South Sudan. Ramaphosa said 20 countries in Africa will hold presidential and parliamentary elections this year which is indicative of the deepening of democracy in the continent. Abdelkader Naji, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of Morocco in South Africa, said that Africa have made progress in various places even though more work still needs to be done. Naji said there were few armed conflicts in the continent and improved economic growth. We need to improve intra-Africa trade and remove impediments which prevent trade and free movement of people in Africa. We also need to combat corruption and illicit financial outflows and governance issues, said Naji. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM: General Home | News | General | President Trump Makes U-Turn On Summit With North Korea President Trump believes the proposed meeting with Chairman Kim in Singapore could still hold on the fixed date. U.S. President Donald Trump said that the much anticipated meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un could still go ahead on June 12. Trump told reporters at the White House: Were going to see what happens. It could even be the 12th , referring to the original date set for the meeting in Singapore. Were talking to them now. They very much want to do it. Wed like to do it. Well see what happens. In a tweet later, the president welcomed North Koreas latest statement on the talks as very good news, following Trumps announcement on Thursday cancelling the meeting. Trump, also tweeted: Very good news to receive the warm and productive statement from North Korea. We will soon see where it will lead, hopefully to long and enduring prosperity and peace. Only time (and talent) will tell! Trump had cancelled the planned summit with Kim, citing the tremendous anger and open hostility in a recent statement from North Korea. It came on a day that North Korea dismantled its nuclear bomb testing site, in the presence of some invited journalists Trump said in a letter to Kim released on Thursday by the White House that based on the statement, he felt it was inappropriate, at this time, to have this long-planned meeting. The president said the North Koreans talk about their nuclear capabilities, but ours are so massive and powerful that I pray to God they will never have to be used. In a statement released by North Korean media on Thursday, Vice Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui had called U.S. Vice President Mike Pence a political dummy for comparing North Korea a nuclear weapons state to Libya, where Gaddafi gave up his unfinished nuclear development programme, only to be later killed by NATO-backed fighters. It is to be underlined, however, that in order not to follow in Libyas footstep, we paid a heavy price to build up our powerful and reliable strength that can defend ourselves and safeguard peace and security in the Korean peninsula and the region. We will neither beg the U.S. for dialogue nor take the trouble to persuade them if they do not want to sit together with us, Choe said. However, a top North Korean official issued a statement on Friday, expressing the regimes willingness to sit down for a summit with the U.S. administration. We express our willingness to sit down face-to-face with the U.S. and resolve issues anytime and in any format, North Korean Vice Foreign Minister Kim Kye-gwan said. Our commitment to doing our best for the sake of peace and stability for the world and the Korean Peninsula remains unchanged, and we are open-minded in giving time and opportunity to the U.S., he said. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM: General Home | News | General | Christian Author Slams Linda Ikeji For Getting Pregnant Before Marriage After Preaching Celibacy Popular Nigerian blogger, Linda Ikeji has been lambasted by a female Christian author for getting pregnant before marriage. A female Nigerian writer has taken on celebrity blogger, Linda Ikeji slamming her for getting pregnant before marriage after she had preached celibacy. Christian author, Funto Ibuoye described Linda as a hypocrite. According to her, it is a case of double standards on the part of Linda who preached celibacy to young girls, then not living up to the expectations of the many young girls who see her as their role model. She went further to say that Linda Ikeji is not God and God has not changed his laws to suit his generation. Funto wrote: I need to shake a particular table tonight, if not, I wont sleep well So I heard the gist about Linda Ikeji getting pregnant and all and thats really her business, I mean, in this generation of baby mamas, getting pregnant out of wedlock is now something we celebrate and even buy aso ebi for But thats not what Im here to talk about tonight.. Its really her life and at the end of it, shed stand before God not me But what is burning my soul right now is this her response that I just saw on her page. So you preach celibacy and millions of people follow you to practice celibacy, then you get pregnant and now come to say you NEVER said do not have s-x before marriage Only have s-x when you meet someone you love and loves you back. SERIOUSLY???? Im lost here! So I meet someone I love and have s-x, years down the line it doesnt work out, I meet another person I love and loves me back and we have s-x.. Six months later we break up and I meet another person I love and the cycle continues Is this what celibacy is about??? what sort of double standard preaching is that???? Following a cause only when its convenient Preaching something and not practicing it.. And then I see the comments and Im SHOCKED at people I expect to know better congratulating her and clapping for her over the rubbish shes saying, leading young girls straight to hell.. Im so vexed in my spirit right now Linda Ikeji is not God and God has not changed His laws to suit our generation, FLEEING from sexual immorality hasnt been deleted from the bible and it wont be now that Linda is pregnant! DO NOT HAVE S-X UNTIL MARRIAGE!! S-X SHOULD ONLY HAPPEN IN MARRIAGE!! I dont care how many billions Linda is worth, having billions of money does not equate success in Gods kingdom, so if she likes she should buy the entire Banana Island, good for her.. What is wrong is wrong, lets stop celebrating rubbish and nonsense because someone is successful and we clap at every rubbish she churns out while an entire generation of young ladies are being led straight to destruction. And if we Christians wont talk about these things, then whats the point of our Christianity??? Read her post on Instagram: I need to shake a particular table tonight, if not, I won't sleep well So I heard the gist about Linda Ikeji getting pregnant and all and that's really her business, I mean, in this generation of baby mamas, getting pregnant out of wedlock is now something we celebrate and even buy aso ebi for But that's not what I'm here to talk about tonight.. It's really her life and at the end of it, she'd stand before God not me But what is burning my soul right now is this her response that I just saw on her page. So you preach celibacy and millions of people follow you to practice celibacy, then you get pregnant and now come to say you "NEVER said do not have sex before marriage Only have sex when you meet someone you love and loves you back." SERIOUSLY???? I'm lost here! So I meet someone I love and have sex, years down the line it doesn't work out, I meet another person I love and loves me back and we have sex.. Six months later we break up and I meet another person I love and the cycle continues Is this what celibacy is about??? what sort of double standard preaching is that???? Following a cause only when its convenient Preaching something and not practicing it.. And then I see the comments and I'm SHOCKED at people I expect to know better congratulating her and clapping for her over the rubbish she's saying, leading young girls straight to hell.. I'm so vexed in my spirit right now Linda Ikeji is not God and God has not changed His laws to suit our generation, FLEEING from sexual immorality hasn't been deleted from the bible and it won't be now that Linda is pregnant! DO NOT HAVE SEX UNTIL MARRIAGE!! SEX SHOULD ONLY HAPPEN IN MARRIAGE!! I don't care how many billions Linda is worth, having billions of money does not equate success in God's kingdom, so if she likes she should buy the entire Banana Island, good for her.. What is wrong is wrong, let's stop celebrating rubbish and nonsense because someone is "successful" and we clap at every rubbish she churns out while an entire generation of young ladies are being led straight to destruction. And if we Christians won't talk about these things, then what's the point of our Christianity??? A post shared by Funto Ibuoye (@funtoibuoye) on May 24, 2018 at 3:13pm PDT CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM: General Home | News | General | Atiku Abubakars Wife Reveals How Wives & Children Of The Politician Suffer Private Pain There are no bastards in the house of Abubakar Atiku but it is easier for the former Vice President to have children than for his 30 children or thereabouts to have a real father. Lest you misinterpret this; there is nothing wrong with Atikus picture as a father, if you would ignore the fact that his children have to write him to book an appointment with him, every time they wish to see him or bond with him. The Capital findings revealed that Atikus children do not have easy access to their father neither do they enjoy the luxury of filial bond characteristic of model relationships between a father and his wards. But the Turaki Adamawa loves his children no doubt as the the top politician spares no expense in giving them the best that his immense wealth can afford. If he was not such a busy man, Atiku would have time for his kids and they wouldnt have to write to book an appointment or queue up to see him. Such are the travails of some silver spoon kids. But while his children learn to live with the distance between them and their father, Atikus wives may be finding it increasingly difficult to cope with his persistent absence and this is because a womans heart and body needs constant loving and care from her husband. In order words, a woman is hardly a piece of artifact; even trophy wives detest being kept away like a piece of article or household decor but the Turaki Adamawa hardly understands this fact. Little wonder he paid the ultimate price for abandoning his pretty wife, Fatima, in a tastefully furnished apartment in Lagos; he suffered a strain in their relationship and when the passion that brought them together could not hold their love anymore, he decided to divorce her. It never mattered to him that Fatima bore him six children, Atiku simply wanted to be done with her. And he is done with her. Although the couple attribute their separation to irreconcilable differences, The Capital findings revealed that there was more to their separation than meets the eye. The details are more interesting and instructive than the socially-correct excuse the Turaki Adamawa has given for divorcing his third wife. In the wake of the Turaki Adamawas divorce with Fatima, his third wife, further findings revealed that Titi, his first wife, has not been getting the best of attention from him. Atiku is reportedly unhappy with her intrusive nature, particularly how she interferes in their childrens marriages and crucial life decisions. Atiku in annoyance, now pays more attention to Jemilah, his last wife who showers him with so much care and affection. He is so besotted Jemilah that he consults with her in most of the decisions that affect his life and pursuits. Jemilah, who is of Igbo extraction is also known as Jennifer and she was formerly based in the United States, where she was a PhD student at the American University in Washington DC. But Titi remains unperturbed. She confided recently, with some of her close friends over goings-on in her marriage, stressing that she would rather invest her energy in taking care of her grandchildren than being bothered about being neglected by the Turaki Adamawa. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM: General Home | News | General | FB User, Princess Adaeze Emejuru Exposes Movie Director, Tyrone Who Nearly Exploited Her Sexually A pretty young lady on Facebook has called out a certain movie director saying the director nearly exploited her sexually in one of his auditions. A Facebook user identified as Princess Adaeze Emejuru, who is a fast-rising actress, has taken to her social media page to call out a movie director, Tyrone Dot Et, claiming that she was nearly harassed by him at an audition. The lady said that she was almost sexually exploited by Tyrone at one of his auditions he hosted in Abuja, and further warned other young actresses not to go for any audition hosted by Tyrone, saying its a way for him to lure innocent girls. She wrote: It is a moral burden on me to do this! Ladies if you live in Abuja, Do not attend this audition! For you risk being a pawn in his sexual antics. But I warn anybody going for this mans audition to know he is a psychopath ! The address I blurted is not an office , but his house ! The same office that was supposedly rented as a studio where the talk show he almost wanted to ruin my life for was to be shot ! I dont know how many girls he has deceived and taken advantage of, but I am only lucky to have escaped his stupid pranks and antics ! The story is a long harrowing one of betrayal and near sexual exploitation, but you see this person that calls himself Tyrone, i owe myself a duty to expose him bits by bits.. This is even more painful because some one I trusted introduced me to this monster and now he wants me to let go because this monster is his boss! CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM: General The Shoremi family from Ogun state has disowned Shalom Shoremi, one of its daughter, for seeking to get married to a woman. In a newspaper advertorial, the family announced that it had severed all ties with Shalom. Shalom had reportedly approached a federal marriage registry for approval to consummate her marriage to her partner. The family said the application was rejected in line with the same-sex marriage probation act of 2014 which declares the act illegal in Nigeria. Former President Goodluck Jonathan had signed the anti-gay bill into law in January 2014. The law prescribes 14 years imprisonment for those convicted of homosexuality. The attention of Shoremi Family of Ogun State has been drawn to an application for a special marriage license sought by Shalom T. Shoremi, the advertorial read. She had requested for a special marriage license at the Federal Marriage Registry on 22nd of March, 2018 to allow her consummate a same sex marriage, which was rejected as it in variance with the marriage Act of the Federal Republic Of Nigeria. The family is disassociating itself from the move and has served ties with her. We also disown her on the grounds that what she planned to do is against the law in Nigeria. She will also not be entitled to anything from the family inheritance. In April, Theresa May, Prime minister of the United Kingdom, called for an end to laws against same-sex marriages in Nigeria and all other countries within the Commonwealth. Read the piece by Reno Omokri below... Being half literate is like a piece of meat being half cooked. From the outside, the meat looks cooked. It is only when you taste it that you realize that the cook is not cooked through. This is the problem with Muhammadu Buhari. The President does not like to read. If he was a reading man, he would not have made the statement he did about $16 billion being wasted on power projects by the Obasanjo led administration. The President had said while playing host to the Buhari Support Group as follows: One of the former Heads of State between that time was bragging that he spent more than 16 billion American dollars, on power. Where is the power? Where is the power? And now we have to pay the debts. The figure of $16 billion does not exist and it is sad that a President, with records available to him can make such a reckless accusation, especially when the facts are available to him if he would only read! Since President Buhari is so enamored with Nasir El-Rufai, the manipulative Governor of Kaduna state and uber Buhari sycophant, I would like to quote from an interview that El-Rufai gave on October 17, 2009. In that interview, entitled My Grouse With Yaradua, El-Rufai said: When Yar'Adua came in, he made statements while receiving Oby Ezekwesili in her new capacity at the World Bank to the effect that he believed that the amounts spent by Obasanjo were wasted. He came up with a figure of $10 billion. When his own Senior Special Assistant (Engr. Foluseke Shomolu) wrote him a memo to the effect that the figure quoted was inaccurate, the president fired him. Very conveniently, the House of Representatives began a probe of the NIPP under Obasanjo and sensationalised it. The National Economic Council also had a committee under Governor Suswan of Benue reviewing this NIPP. After a year, both committees were not able to establish any wrongdoing against Obasanjo and in fact confirmed that the actual amount spent was not $10 billion, but actually a fraction of that amount (less than $6 billion committed and $3 billion actually disbursed - the exact amounts quoted by Engr. Shomolu). If the report of the various committees that investigated these allegations are to long for a President who prefers to read cartoons as his own spokesman admitted, then perhaps he can spare the 25 minutes it would take him to read his proteges interview. But the question that discerning Nigerians should be asking is why is Buhari bringing this up? After all he and Tinubu once begged former President Obasanjo to be their navigator. Did they not know he was a crook when they started their bromance with him? Last year on Obasanjos birthday, President Buhari called him a statesman with commitment to good governance. Today, he is hinting at probing Obasanjos alleged $16 billion power project contracts just because Obasanjo is against his reelection. This is just vindicating my stand that we have war on C?o?r?r?u?p?t?i?o?n? opposition! As long as you are on the Presidents side and praising him, all your sins are forgiven like Musiliu Obanikoro. But the minute you get a bout of conscience, your old real and imagined sins are dredged up. On this matter of Obasanjo however, President Buhari has met his match. I like Obasanjos response to Buhari. Trust Baba Iyabo. He said, inter alia that: If he (Buhari) cannot read the three-volume book (My Watch), he should detail his aides to do so and summarise the chapters in a language that he will easily understand. Buhari is an ungrateful ignoramus for saying he is paying Obasanjos debt. Obasanjo did not spend $16 billion on power. Obasanjo actually paid ALL our foreign debt and left a total reserve of $67 billion. Thank God it was an All Progressive Congress Senator that got up on live television and revealed that this administration has borrowed more money in three years than the Peoples Democratic Party borrowed in 16 years, yet what has been the impact? Imagine a man like Buhari, who has not initiated, started and completed any project in three years (beside the helipad he built for his personal use in Daura) attacking men who initiated and finished thousands of projects. The Presidents comments overshadowed an even more important issue which very few journalists appear to have picked on. The Buhari Support Group, whose visit excited the President and moved him to indict Obasanjo, is led by the Comptroller General of the Nigerian Customs Service. A serving Comptroller General of Customs heading the Buhari Support Group without resigning, a serving Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission publicly wearing a Buhari re-election lapel pin on live television is how low the Buhari administration has taken Nigeria. At that same event, the President also lavished praise on former head of state, General Sani Abacha. What type of anti-corruption crusader chooses Abacha, a proven thief, who was also a blood thirsty buffoon, as his mentor? When I schooled in England, my university had a module on Abachas thievery. This is the man Buhari aspires to be? The man who exiled Tinubu and NADECO! Abachas killer squad killed many Nigerians during his reign of terror including Kudirat Abiola, Chief Alfred Rewane, Major General Shehu Musa Yaradua (rtd) Bagauda Kaltho, Sola Omatsola amongst others, yet this is the very same man a democratically elected President like Buhari praises as his mentor. A murderous thief! Are we then surprised that there are killer squads of herdsmen going round Nigeria killing people? Like mentor like mentee! What was the point of Chief MKO and Kudirat Abiolas sacrifice if Abacha is today the hero of our President? Why stop at Abacha? President Buhari should also declare Anini and Shina Rambo as national heroes. How unfortunate for a nation when a thief is the Presidents role model. In the year 2000 Osinbajo, then the Attorney General of Lagos, prosecuted members of Abachas killer squad including Hamza Al-Mustapha, who was sentenced to death for Kudirat Abiolas murder. In the year 2018, Osinbajos boss, President Buhari, eulogizes Abacha as his hero and mentor. Can someone help me ask Osinbajo, what he is still doing in this wicked government? On the same week that the Buhari administration charged Shekarau to court for ALLEGEDLY looting ?950 million, the head of the government, was busy praising Abacha a man that has been CONVICTED for looting over $5 billion. Buhari charges small thieves and worships big thieves! This is the same Buhari, whose government brought back, reinstated and double promoted Nigerias biggest ever thieving civil servant, Abdulrasheed Maina. How can anybody in their right minds believe that Buhari still has integrity? And this is the man who wants Nigerians to re-elect him next year? A man who thinks Nigerian youths are lazy, who thinks Nigerians are criminals (as he told the Telegraph of London), who goes about telling international investors that his country is corrupt? That is why he has surrounded himself with people like Lai Mohammed and Garba Shehu. Lai Mohammed said President Buharis re-election in 2019 will be easy because the APC has kept their campaign promises. Can someone remind Lai that he is meant to be fasting during Ramadan and that fasting is not just abstaining from food, it includes abstaining from lies! Lai, fear God!!! Why should Lai Mohammed still Lie even in Ramadan when he is meant to be fasting? The name Lai is not enough for this remarkable liar! We should just add Linus, Liability, Lion, Liebaran and Lieraba to his name. Someone that lies during Ramadan that Buhari has fulfilled his campaign promise can never be trusted to ever tell truth! And as for Garba Shehu who told me to tell my friends in the PDP that they are not coming back to power, my response to him is that he should buy a mirror and what he will see is the face of PDP. Garba Shehu was Special Assistant on media for years during the Peoples Democratic Party administration of President Olusegun Obasanjo. Garba did not resign from that government. In fact, Garba Shehu was affiliated with the Peoples Democratic Party for 12 good years. He has been in the PDP for more years than he has been APC. He was in the PDP longer than I, Reno Omokri, have been associated with the PDP. Garba Shehu cannot deny this because his office was opposite mine at the Presidential villa between 2003 when I returned from the United Kingdom and 2005 when I went to the US. Garba shehu used to craft very strong anti-Buhari press releases for the PDP during his 12 year sojourn as a PDP member, which included years spent as SA media under Obasanjo. Now he crafts press releases for the same man he once attacked against the same people he once praised! Garba is the epitome of AGIP-Any Government in Power. I am the epitome of loyalty. There is no basis to compare myself with him. I follow my conscience. Garba follows his stomach. Let me stop here for now and continue to observe the unraveling of Buhari. I warned Nigerians but they never listened. Sadly, the man had to ruin the nation before my fellow countrymen and women saw him for who and what he truly is-a pretender who used subterfuge to get to power. What can separate Abacha from the love of Buhari? Certainly not the over $5 billion Abacha stole. Certainly not the people Abacha killed. Certainly not the June 12 Mandate that Abacha frustrated by throwing Abiola in jail where he died. Nothing can separate Abacha from the love of Buhari. Home | News | General | FG warns Transparency International to stop frustrating Nigerias anti-corruption war - Information minister Lai Mohammed issued the warning while receiving some executives of Transparency International on Friday, May 25 - Mohammed said TI was using the actions of few bad people to judge the entire anti-corruption war of the Buhari administration - On its part, TI executive Delia Rubio said the organisation was not Nigerian government's enemy nor an opposition The federal government of Nigeria has warned anti-corruption body Transparency International (TI) to stop frustrating the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration's anti-corruption fight. Daily Trust reports that the minister of information and culture Lai Mohammed gave the warning in Abuja on Friday, May 25 when he received a delegation from the global body led by Delia Rubio, the chairperson of its international board. READ ALSO: Lai Mohammed indicates willingness to visit TB Joshuas church Mohammed, in a statement released by his special adviser to the minister Segun Adeyemi, said TI and its local affiliates had not offered the necessary support to the Buhari administration but condemn it over the actions of a few people. He said: As a policy, this government is the most committed to fighting corruption. Nigeria has never had a more transparent, more accountable government than the Buhari Administration. Even his worst critics wont say he indulges in or encourages corruption. Speaking TIs defence, Rubio said the government should ensure more transparency and efficiency in its battle against corruption. PAY ATTENTION: Install our latest app for Android and read best news on Nigerias #1 news app We are not an opposition anywhere in the world. We are just an NGO working in over 100 countries of the world. We are not enemies. We are here to help, she said. In a related vein, NAIJ.com had reported on Thursday, May 24 that the presidency said that the recent report released by the Amnesty International on the alleged human rights violation by security agencies in Nigeria is a wild goose chase. The senior special assistant to the president on media and publicity, Garba Shehu, said the reports and allegations by the international agency is short of evidential narration. A statement released by Shehu on Thursday, May 24, said the report is short of credibility as AI failed to include factual leads that could have laid the foundation for investigative actions. Does the recent sack of Babachir Lawal confirm Buhari's fight against corruption? - on NAIJ.com TV [embedded content] Subscribe to watch new videos Source: Naija.ng CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM: General Home | News | General | She gave cancer a good fight before she died - Late actress Aisha Abimbolas husband says Ibrahim Okunola, husband of late Nollywood actress Aisha Abimbola who passed away recently, has finally spoken about the loss of his late wife. The grieving husband also addressed rumours that stated that the couple had divorced before Aisha's passing. Aisha Abimbola popularly known as Omoge Campus for her role in a popular movie had passed away after battling cancer. She had been laid to rest in Canada where she died. Friends and colleagues in the industry had also organised a candlelight and prayer session to honour the late actress who died on Tuesday, May 15. In a chat with The Punch, Okunola expressed that he would miss his late wife till he dies. He described her as a strong and virtuous woman who was always determined to achieve all her dreams and goals. He said: It is a lie that we had divorced. We had not lived together for about seven years but we were still legally married till she died. The reason we were separated is a family issue. I would miss her till I die because she was a virtuous mother and a go-getter. I gave her the nickname, Magic Aisha because she had a way of achieving her dreams and goals. She was someone that would give you her shoulder to lean on and her listening ears no matter what you are going through. Even when she was not in my house again, if I had any issue in life, I always called her. READ ALSO: Photos from the candlelight procession for late Aisha Abimbola According to him, the late actress had decided to keep her illness a secret. She revealed that he had believed that she would survive the cancer because she was fighter and a strong woman. Okunola said: "The late Aisha was my wife and her death has made me very sad. I knew she had cancer but we did not see her death coming. I thought she was going to survive the battle against cancer because she was a fighter and she really fought cancer. Though most people did not know about her ailment, she gave cancer a good fight before she died. She did not tell people that she had cancer because she did not want people to pity her neither did she want to beg the public for money. Aisha was someone that respected my opinion and vice versa. Whenever she said something, I normally agreed with her. We discussed the issue of telling the public about her illness but she refused to open up to the public and I had to respect her opinion." PAY ATTENTION: Get the Latest Nigerian News on NAIJ.com News The grieving husband also address the rumour that he and his wife were divorced. He alleged that they were separated for seven years but they never divorced. He said: The last time I saw her was a week before she travelled out of the country and if I am correct that would be December 23, 2017. She wanted to travel with our children to America and she needed some documents so she asked me to come with the documents she needed because for about seven years, we had not been together but we were still legally married. We actually met in Femi Falanas office for her to get the documents. After I had given her the required documents, I told her that she looked so lean, the next thing she did was to look at me and begin to weep. I had to comfort her and tell her that I would be with her in America the following year because I believed she was going to survive the illness being the fighter that she was. Sadly, she did not win the battle against cancer." PAY ATTENTION: Get the hottest gist on Naija Uncensored Facebook Group Okunola further thanked Omoge Campus' colleagues for holding the candlelight and prayer session in honour of his late wife. I am also very grateful for the support of The Golden Movies Ambassadors of Nigeria led by Saidi Balogun. They did not only hold a successful candle light and prayer session for my late wife in Nigeria but they stood by our family in our time of grief. What Mercy Aigbe, Fathia Balogun had to say about late Moji Olaiya - on NAIJ.com TV [embedded content] Subscribe to watch new videos Source: Naija.ng CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM: General Home | News | General | Exclusive: Whoever thinks it is easy to beat Buhari in 2019 should just go back to his village - Martins - Kenny Martins says Muhammadu Buhari chaired the meeting where it was agreed that Nigeria needed more political parties aside PDP, APP and AD - Martins reveals how Goodluck Jonathan's government was brought down by a woman in the government - He also speaks on what he thinks are the chances of Atiku Abubakar and others who want to battle Buhari in 2019 Kenny Martins, a chief, has, over the years, become a rallying point for political stakeholders and players in the country. To many, he is one of the unseen hands behind the goings on in the country. A very close ally and in-law of former president, Olusegun Obasanjo, Martins gives insight into the very deep details of the Goodluck Jonathan administration, the role Muhammadu Buhari played in the proliferation of political parties in the country today and why it would be difficult to beat the latter in 2019. He spoke with Eromosele Ebhomele, Damilare Okunola and Emma Osodi You had been a bit silent for sometime now until recently when you granted an interview. Where are you now politically? I have always been at the centre. So politically, I am still at the centre. Talking about silence, I've not been quiet. I have been contributing my beat to see how best we can struggle to create a country of our dream. I have never been known to be that partisan. For a very long time now, I have seen myself as a statesman particularly when you consider the role I played in the emergence of the major political structures we have today. If you remember, it took some of us to bring to birth the APP (defunct All Progressives Party) and the PDP. And within a year after 1999, there APP, PDP and the AD (Alliance for Democracy). Majority of us felt disenfranchised and believed that the political space was not liberal enough. And some of us, led by me, championed struggle for the creation of parties. It was a major battle between us and the PDP and President Olusegun Obasanjo and Vice President Atiku Abubakar were on top of the PDP. I felt I may have been part of the APP at the formative stage, I may have been part of the PDP and I may have been part of bringing the Afenifere together, begging and imploring and I remember what it took. I had a meeting with Abraham Adesanya, the late Bola Ige and also Olu Falae. I remember that meeting in his office just about two weeks after Abacha's death. I informed them that it would be necessary for the Yorubas, the south-west and what we then called NADECO which was a blend of the southerners and the northerners, to come into the mainstream politics, because we could see Chief Awoniyi leading what would become the PDP. With the five Abacha parties now having been proscribed, there was the need for the Afenifere to lend their weight and this gave birth to APP. After its takeoff, Afenifere pulled out. READ ALSO: Lai Mohammed indicates willingness to visit TB Joshuas church Then fast-forward to 2001, we found that PDP was still taking the advantage and APP was there as a counter-force, the AD had taken over the southwest, it was an epic battle. I remember well had to go round the six zones of the country and mobilize the leaders of the peoples of Nigeria - the likes of Adesanya, Ige and Falae in the southwest, Dafinone, Chief Horsefall and others in the south south, Paul Unongo of the middle belt and many others. When I look at it historically now, the first major meeting was held in Arewa House in Kaduna and was the first time the Afenifere would cross the Niger to the north for a meeting. Awolowo never led the Yorubas to a meeting in the north. Do you know who was the chairman of the meeting? No sir, who was the chairman? General Muhammadu Buhari. Three days to the meeting, I went to his house and said: 'Sir, the government has done everything to stop this meeting. They have put up security and all forms of hurdles. This is a meeting where we can liberalise the formation of parties. It is my right and encapsuled in the United Nations charter. Would you please chair the meeting for us?' That was the birth of the new parties. At the conclusion of that meeting, the communique was clear, direct and brief. When that had gone out as the conclusion of the meeting, the government said 'no' and we went to court and won. Then the government grudgingly asked INEC to give us three parties. They registered those parties but did not register the National Conscience Party (NCP). So I went back to Gani Fawehinmi and told him these people only registered three parties; this is not the essence of the struggle. Everybody can register a party so far you can meet the guidelines of INEC. It is my business what I want to do with the party. I may go for one single reason like the environment, I may go for the economy. I can have a reason to form a party and if the people believe in me, they will vote for me. So we went back to court. You know the government can be very mischievous, they registered 12 parties of their own and registered the rest of ours. So it finally registered 30 parties. Those parties are what all of us are running upon today. We do use it to laugh that if we didn't fight for those parties, they would not be in existence. And the reason was clear. There were only three parties and people did not find it easy to interact and it was a perfect recipe for coup planing because when you choke the people, they would find a way to liberate themselves. There have been complaints that since 1999, politicians have not met the expectations of the people. How would you react to this? Let us thank God for where we have found ourselves because it would have been far worse. If there is anything, it is that we have learnt a lot of lessons and there are still so many lessons to be learnt. At least we have made a lot of progress. When people talk about politicians delivering on their promises to the people, there will be no doubt that we are not where we should be. We have failed to realise our potentials. What Nigeria stands for today, if you measure in percentages, may not be scoring more than 40 percent in terms of potentials and capacity and it stares in the face. Security is not where is should be, the economy is not where it should be, infrastructure is not where it should be. But one thing is that in spite of all these odds, we have managed to stay together. We have also managed to keep the process going. Yes, we may be 58 years old, but democratically, we may not be that old. I believe that if you look at the states of the federation, some may have been luckier than the others depending on who they have had as their governors. In those states where you have had good governors, who have proven themselves to be above board, you can measure their progress and see that the yearnings and aspirations of the people are being met. But overall, I will say it is true. The politicians have not been able to meet the yearnings of the people. With people like you, one would wonder why Goodluck Jonathan failed in 2015. What actually happened? I still say it that beats me that Jonathan let down my generation because we considered him, when he took over, as the ambassador of this generation. He did many things right. Yes, he came to power asking for one term, there is no doubt that if he had performed, not even optimally, but to a larger degree of what you can call 'pass', he should have got a second term. READ ALSO: Lai Mohammed indicates willingness to visit TB Joshuas church Did he actually ask for one term? He was not the one asking just because he was not in a position to ask. He was a VP who was stalemated by the cabal of that time from even taking over and the nation and forces had to intervene on his behalf in order to become a substantive president and then go to the election. You know as a president, you don't win elections by yourself. To win election as somebody from the south south, you had to use some placation to the north. There has been this agreement since 1995 that power would rotate round all the zones one by one four years each. President Obasanjo having spent eight years, the rotational tenure became right years. It was clear that Yar'Adua was supposed to spend eight years from north. Yar'Adua died. That is why people are asking for the amendment of the constitution so that if the president dies, there should be a plan to pick his successor from the same zone to take care of that term. Under Goodluck Jonathan and Yar'Adua, it became a stalemate because the people wanted to complete his term but the constitution did not make room for that. So when it was time for the election after he had completed Yar'Adua's term, the month said they would take the four remaining years. It took somebody like President Obasanjo to go round saying Jonathan would do just one term. "Let him just finish this one term and go." And he was obliged. The nation obliged. That one term commitment would have been overridden by sterling performance. I don't even know whether there was a performance, not to talk of sterling. That was his problem and the reason was very simple. He only had to do one or two things.How can you leave the earnings of the country in the hands of one woman, Diezani? Everybody was crying that there was a woman more powerful than the president. Nobody will take that. There were other issues but that was the main one. We were earning so much money and it was not reported to the Central Bank or the federation account as it should. I remember the then CBN governor, now Emir, came out publicly about it. He was not the only one, foreign multinationals were all saying about the need to change that particular woman. She did not allow somebody like Okonjo-Iweala who was finance minister to perform. This and some others spelt his own doom. By the time it was election, I had so many friends who were sure that the man had won. They said they were celebrating his victory and I used to laugh. I believe in Nigeria and that is why I say we have moved a lot. When they took a decision that he should go by a universal pronouncement via votes, in the good old days, it would take the soldiers to change the government. That is why everybody is so sure now that you either perform or we check you out. You can see that the APC today is already shouting to high heavens about their performance records, bombarding us with a lot of performance evidences to tell us they are performing. But that is the decision of the people. But I always say for this, they should give Jonathan the credit. Himself and Jega will forever be heroes of democracy in that dimension. They have put in place an almost infallible electoral process. We have no option than to follow it. And once we follow it, the result would be delivered as the wish of the people is reflected. In any election you have now, if you try to cut corners, it would be quite clear that you are calling for anarchy. Jonathan saw it coming and he said he needed to go. His lieutenants who were all over for stage and calling on Jega...I remember my friend, I don't want to mention names...it was not necessary, the people had spoken. So Jonathan should be given the kudos for that, he put in place a process that even the rest of the world have come to salute. READ ALSO: Shehu Sani reacts to reports that he is set to decamp from APC Analysts argue that for the PDP, it was luck taken too far because it had the likes of Donald Duke and Peter Odili. But it decided to pick Jonathan as Yar'Adua's running mate... Those issues, to me, don't count as such. There is a Yoruba saying that I can only help you to find work, but I cannot do it for you. That they put Jonathan there, a man with PhD qualification, is not a mean achievement. We never had one of that in Nigeria. Odili is a man of the people and Donald Duke is s fine gentleman whose capacity in the area of the economy is not in doubt. But that is not to say Jonathan too...you see, to be a president is a big deal, but not the biggest deal because it is your team that matters. Abacha was a sick president. He even succumbed to the illness - let us leave the apple and the other stories - but he had the likes of Mustapha who was in charge of the security. He had the General Adisas of this world in charge of roads and they were working. And in fairness, before he had a fallout with General Diya, he had a number two man. He had General Useni in charge of FCT who was doing his job. Remember dollar was stabilized throughout the period he was in power. Let's leave the excessiveness and the NADECO and the human rights angle, we are talking to different things here. So in essence, all Jonathan needed was to listen to the experts in his government. His problem was that he did not listen to those who he picked to do the job and he succumbed so easily to governors' pressures. These are factors or qualities that nobody could read when you picked him as a VP. When you look at it, nobody is talking about coup anymore; when there were coups, they used to be in the ranks of major and above, in other countries, they were sergeants and they performed. This man, Sankara, we see a hero today, what was his rank? To be a president, just have the ideals, focus, the passion, be pushful and dedicated and concerned for the wellness of the people. Jonathan was too aloof. Well, it is not my job; like I have said, he did well, history will write the scorecard for his government. People are rising up to contest against President Buhari in 2019. How easy will the ride be? If you say this is about democracy and you say it is a democratic contest, the word 'easy' doesn't ever come in. You can ask the current president himself. Did he ever have it easy? He had battles upon battles until he finally won. So anybody who wants to contest against this president and thinks it is going to be an easy ride, the person should go back to his village, because there is nobody who is in power that would not do everything that it takes, I am sorry to say 'both the fair and the unfair' to show that he has an edge. So sometimes in politics when you say it was not a fair contest, was the contest really fair from the beginning? See the Ekiti primaries that happened recently, you could see all kinds of antics that were employed. This was the primaries of a state, I don't know what the income of Ekiti is - the IGR and FAAC - but you can see the amount of battle, money deployed, coercion and subterfuge. READ ALSO: I am ashamed international community now use Nigeria as negative example - Jonathan The thing is that for those who want to contest against a president, like those contesting in Ekiti, we should start being realistic and pragmatic. Jokers should step out of the way and line up behind one or two serious contestants, then there can be an equal contest. Otherwise, there is nothing they can do. In Ekiti, 33 people took forms; that is a joke. Now, they are accusing Fayemi. Did you not know his capacity when you went to contest against him? That is no more a contest. I am just using that as an example to show that President Buhari has thrown his hat into the ring. The contenders should go and get together and pick one or two of their bests to stand against him. And it is still not going to be easy. In his own case, they used to lose it all the time until they came together and asked: 'Of all these contenders, who has the best chance?' Let every person with good better chance line up behind the best so you can have a sure ride to power. What level of optimism do you have for Atiku Abubakar? Just pick one amongst many if they can make up their minds to adopt this strategy. But do you think Atiku can one day rule this country? I cannot say. I am not God. Even Buhari contested many times before he won. Atiku was a former VP. He has the reach, is cosmopolitan and has his networks. But like I said, the man is sitting there, you want to contest with him, you can't come with up to 14 people against him alone. Think of the matter now. How the thing go work? It won't. Atiku's chance can only be brightened if he and the rest of the contenders do an assessment of each other and form an alignment behind the best. That was what they did against Jonathan. And even at that, see what it took to beat him; upon all of them coming together, it took only two million votes to beat him. If you want to contest with him, you don't just come with about 14 against one man. The battle is lost already. I hope I am saying the truth as the right signal. It is not indicative of my support for Buhari. I am a realist. I am neither for Buhari or Atiku or any other. I am just telling you their chances. Would you say this need to united forces is part of the reasons for the creation of Obasanjo's 3rd Force? You know for President Buhari to emerge, it took the same formula. We have found out that for you to be able to unseat a governor at the state, even a senator in a district, a president, there must be the need for a coalition. It has been proven with the APC. Now that the formula has worked and Obasanjo was one of the strong pioneers of that formula, you know he started his wahala too with Jonathan much earlier, wrote his letter as always, and doesn't change, I would say that he is treading a proven path. He is applying a proven equation. The next is will the rest of the country join him? Once they do, I would say that President Buhari is in big trouble, if they don't, they have played the card that would allow President Buhari to retain his seat. Those are the two options left now. Then, there is the issue of time. That coalition is time-bound. You don't apply it too late in the day. Maybe that is why President Obasanjo started so early like the prophet in the wilderness shouting that coalition so the rest of the people would hearken to the cry and move over to it so that like the APC, thy would take control. It is not even like he would run the government for them. I believe that the coalition would have a chance if the other players rally round him. 2019: Kenny Martins speaks about Obasanjo's coalition, Buhari's chances NAIJ.COM [embedded content] Subscribe to watch new videos Source: Naija.ng CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM: General Home | World | Africa | Mliswa praises Mnangagwa for peace overtures NORTON Member of Parliament Mr Temba Mliswa has commended President Mnangagwa for ensuring that peace prevails in the country ahead of elections, saying gone are the days when people used to be afraid of voting for their preferred candidates. In a statement updating residents on development projects in his constituency, Mr Mliswa said the era of fear ended with the resignation of former President Robert Mugabe. "I can boldly express my satisfaction at the peace prevailing in the constituency and in the country at large during this election period. This is a sign of our growing maturity and a positive move by the Government of President Mnangagwa to carry out a free, fair and credible election. "This week I interacted with some aspiring MDC-T candidates and expressed my gratitude at the democratic nature of this election. I wish to commend the people of Norton and the rest of Zimbabweans for behaving in the most appropriate manner possible," said Mr Mliswa. He urged members of the public to shun fear and express themselves freely in terms of political choices. He added that the future of the nation was brighter if people worked together and prioritised development projects. "This is no longer the old order where you fear to support the candidate you want. Those who want can attend my rallies and meetings without fear of reprisal or victimisation. "Development is a long term project that can only be realised if we unite in work and vision. Let's work together for the fulfilment and realisation of the visions that we have for our constituencies," said Mr Mliswa. President Mnangagwa is on record saying the Government is putting in place measures to ensure that the country conducts free, fair and credible elections this year. He has continued to urge politicians and the electorate to campaign for political office peacefully and compete for positions in a manner that demonstrates political maturity, diversity and tolerance. To make good its pledge, President Mnangagwa's administration invited 46 countries, 15 regional and continental bodies to observe general elections. Some of the countries invited last observed elections in Zimbabwe over a decade ago. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM: Africa Diamonds found in a meteorite are the remains of a lost planet that was once part of our early solar system Ten years ago, the Almahata Sitta meteorite entered the Earths atmosphere, only to burst into flames in the skies above Sudan. But it left behind tiny diamonds that could have come from the heart of a lost planet when the solar system was being born, as stated in a report from The Guardian. The nanodiamonds contain microscopic iron-sulfur compounds that required immense pressure, much greater than the asteroid collisions that created diamonds in meteorites. They could only have formed deep inside a planet that was later destroyed. Researchers theorized that the embryonic planet from which the meteorite came from was bigger than Mercury, which measures 3,030 miles in diameter, but smaller than Mars, which has a diameter of 4,222 miles. A leading theory in astronomy suggests that many embryonic planets came into being during the violent creation of the solar system. These early bodies could be as small as the Moon or as big as Mars. They didnt last for long as they smashed into each other, shattered, and were eventually remade into Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars. The fragments of the Almahata Sitta meteorite could be the only existing evidence of these lost planets. They could be a clue into the cosmic conditions during the formation and early years of the solar system. (Related: Avoiding Armageddon: Scientists experiment with ways to destroy or redirect threats from space.) Rare meteorite contained different minerals and bigger diamonds than normal Swiss researcher Farhang Nabiei of the Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL) in Lausanne, Switzerland served as a senior author for the study on the Almahata Sitta meteorite. He said nobody on the research team expected to get their hands on actual physical evidence of the embryonic planets that preceded Earth and the other rocky planets. The Almahata Sitta meteorite was the first such body to be spotted and tracked by humans as it headed toward Earth. After it exploded over Sudan, the University of Khartoum sent an expedition to recover 480 individual pieces that weighed four kilograms in total. It was quickly determined that Almahata Sitta was an ureilite. These very rare meteorites contained a mix of minerals that didnt match those found in earlier space rocks from the moon or Mars. As they studied the meteorite fragments, EPFL researchers found nanodiamonds in the material. This was nothing new, given other recovered meteorites also contained tiny diamonds that were thought to have formed during really forceful collisions between carbon-rich space rocks. But those meteorite nanodiamonds measure only a few millionths of a millimeter across. Almahata Sittas specimens were much bigger, with the largest diamond measuring 100 micrometers. Iron-sulfur flecks trapped inside meteorite diamonds hint at lost planet origin These discoveries led Swiss researchers and their Japanese colleagues to postulate in 2015 that the diamonds in the Almahata Sitta meteorite could not have formed from mere asteroid collisions. After proposing that the meteorite might have originated from a lost planet, they looked for evidence to support their claim. In 2018, they published their newest findings in the science journal Nature Communications. The EPFL team said the diamonds contained flecks of iron-sulfur compound. This iron-sulfur compound is believed to only form when the pressure exceeds 20 gigapascals. The Swiss researchers believed the diamonds formed around the specks deep within an embryonic planet, the eventual destruction of which sent the future Almahata Sitta asteroid and its payload of precious stones into space. We are probably looking at an object that was one of the first planets to circle the sun before they collided with each other to create the actual planets we have today, concluded Phillipe Gillet, who served as co-author alongside his EPFL colleague Nabiei. Read more fascinating articles about near-Earth bodies like Almahata Sitta at Cosmic.news. Sources include: TheGuardian.com Nature.com Singapores central bank and financial regulator has warned eight crypto exchanges against facilitating the trading of digital tokens deemed as securities and futures contracts without prior approval. In an announcement today, the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) revealed it had reminded eight unnamed crypto trading platforms to seek its authorization prior to offering any trading of digital tokens that constitute securities or digital tokens. If the digital tokens constitute securities or futures contracts, the exchanges must immediately cease the trading of such digital tokens until they have been authorized as an approved exchange or recognized market operator by MAS, the countrys de-facto central bank and watchdog said in a statement. The measures come at a time when the number of exchange platforms and digital token offerings has been increasing in Singapore, MAS capital markets official Lee Bon Ngiap said. Pointedly, he stressed that the authority wasnt cracking down on the sector but moving to ensure the industry complies with relevant laws while encouraging legitimate businesses. Flouting the warnings and compliance of laws will see firm action, he warned. The central bank official said: We do not see a need to restrict them if they are bona fide businesses. But if any digital token exchange, issuer or intermediary breaches our securities laws, MAS will take firm action. The MAS has also put the brakes on an initial coin offering (ICO), cautioning the issuer for breaching the Securities and Futures Act (SFA). The central bank determined that the ICO tokens represented equity ownership of the company and hence classified as a security under law. Further, the investor offering was also conducted without a MAS-registered prospectus, a mandatory requirement. The ICO issuer has since returned all investor funds and ceased the offering to comply with regulations, the statement added. Singapore has proved to be somewhat of a safe haven for cryptocurrency exchanges and ICO issuers in the aftermath of Chinas comprehensive curbs last year. Story continues In November, the MAS notably issued its Guide to Digital Token Offerings, bringing clarity and recognition to the radical new form of fundraising powered by cryptocurrencies. More recently, a senior MAS official revealed the central bank was assessing if additional regulations are required for investor protection in the domestic cryptocurrency sector. Featured image from Shutterstock. The post Singapore Warns 8 Crypto Exchanges Against Unauthorized Securities Trading appeared first on CCN. Click the photo to write a caption and have a chance to win a free subscription to the Norfolk Daily News. It's still only on exit polls, but all the signs look great, woo! The Catholic Church did themselves no favours in the end in the way they behaved fucking abominably in that country (and I say this as a cultural Catholic.) I love Aisling Bea. Reply Thread Link I say the same as the same. Reply Parent Thread Link I'm ready for the age of women not tolerating this archaic crap anymore. Reply Thread Link Go Ireland go! Reply Thread Link Congrats to the women of Ireland! Reply Thread Link Also lmao @ the Father Ted pic. Reply Thread Link i've been following the :'))))i've been following the #repealthe8th and #hometovote hashtags and just crying. so powerful to see these women travel back to vote. Reply Thread Link omg the hometovote tag is so amazing Reply Parent Thread Link i was crying my eyes out to this shit earlier Reply Parent Thread Link I had tears. Thought of all the woman that for years were forced to travel juxtaposed with the symbolism of yesterday with all the ladies arriving at the airport! Reply Parent Thread Link The homevote pics of the airport queues are like when a battle in a film is getting tough, and then a load of supportive elves with swords suddenly emerge over a hill. Rubber Bandits (@Rubberbandits) 24. mai 2018 Reply Parent Thread Link lmao i love this Reply Parent Thread Link I haven't even looked yet but I'm crying reading about y'all crying so I'm probably good Reply Parent Thread Link Polls say 87% of voters 18-24 voted yes, the only demo who voted no was 65+ and they still had a significant minority of 40% yes :) :) :) Reply Thread Link also 70% of women voted yes, and 65% of men :) i did read a thing earlier this week saying irish women were more likely to vote no than irish men and was like ????? so glad to see that debunked as the bs it is Reply Parent Thread Link @god make this happen in amerikkka in 2020 plz Reply Parent Thread Link Mine are all dead too, but now my PARENTS are getting up there :/ Hmm... I have an idea! Iceberg panels! Reply Parent Thread Link i know people lose their shit whenever its suggested, but there's a lot to be said for an upper age limit on voting. it's not your future, why should you get to fuck it up. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Congrats, Ireland! Marian Keyes books are a guilty pleasure of mine. Reply Thread Link No need to feel guilty! She's great! Reply Parent Thread Link Marian Keyes is terrific and her stories tackle a lot of subject matters that other fiction writers dont touch. Theres no need to consider it a guilty pleasure! Reply Parent Thread Link I'm so happy for all Irish women! Congrats!!! Reply Thread Link Was she born in Ireland/has dual citizenship? Because iirc, the real Irish get real sick real fast of Americans, Australians, etc talking about how they're Irish. Reply Parent Thread Link her parents are first gen irish-americans and she visits a lot (or at least used to, i remember life on the d list eps there) so she has more cred than the average kiss me i'm irish sucker Reply Parent Thread Expand Link I don't go around calling myself spanish or italian but I remember when I first got to college "what are you?" was a really popular question and I never knew how mad it made people lol Reply Parent Thread Link This hasn't been my experience with Irish people. I have an uncommon Irish surname and people in Ireland when I go there or Irish people visiting my country often ask me about it and seem happy to claim me even though I don't say I'm Irish. They could also just be being nice, though :P Reply Parent Thread Link it's insane they had something like that in the first place. my heart hurts for all the women who were restricted access. OPs note sucked to read after learning about the victory but i hope this means the nation as a whole will continue to move forward. Reply Thread Link all the activists on twitter are like NI NEXT!!! Northern Irish women will not been forgotten! Reply Parent Thread Link Well, Northern Ireland is not the same nation, though. j/s because this is a sensitive subject. Reply Parent Thread Link And getting rid of shitty state laws that limit that. I read a post on reddit the other day about a woman in Texas who had a very wanted pregnancy, but found out in the 2nd trimester that the fetus had anecephaly and would not survive long after birth. There is a law in Texas preventing insurance companies covering abortions, so she and her husband are going to have to go into debt to pay for an abortion out of pocket. This is the update to her post which also has a link to her original post: Hopefully Americans can follow suit in protecting the right to choose.And getting rid of shitty state laws that limit that.I read a post on reddit the other day about a woman in Texas who had a very wanted pregnancy, but found out in the 2nd trimester that the fetus had anecephaly and would not survive long after birth. There is a law in Texas preventing insurance companies covering abortions, so she and her husband are going to have to go into debt to pay for an abortion out of pocket. This is the update to her post which also has a link to her original post: https://www.reddit.com/r/TwoXChromosomes/comments/8m54cp/update_to_texas_insurance_refuses_coverage_for/ Reply Thread Link It's so depressing how much this country just hates women. Reply Parent Thread Link I saw that too, so fucked up :( Reply Parent Thread Link Yeah, the U.S. is just moving backwards and I also feel like education about abortion is really fucked up here Reply Parent Thread Link what education about abortion? I think in most schools it's glossed over as "an option" with no further discussion, if it's not completely demonized. I know my high school was very liberal in most regards, but only partnered with sexual health orgs which did not condone abortion just to avoid having to deal with the one or two parents who would complain about that. Reply Parent Thread Link This is why I'm so afraid of ever getting pregnant as long as I live here in Texas. Reply Parent Thread Link America is too determined to be a dystopian hellscape. Reply Parent Thread Link B-b-b-but some crazy slut might decide in her 6th month of pregnancy that she doesn't want her perfectly healthy baby! We can't have easy access to later term abortions because of that!! Women need to know that there are consequences to having sex! Reply Parent Thread Link A U.S. Border Patrol agent in Texas. Photo: John Moore/Getty Images A U.S. Border Patrol agent shot and killed an unarmed undocumented woman in Texas Wednesday, the agency said in a statement. Identified as 20-year-old Claudia Gomez Gonzalez, the woman was with a group of undocumented immigrants in the border town Rio Bravo when an agent approached them while looking for illegal activity. The officer came under attack with blunt objects, according to the CBP statement, and fired at least one shot that hit Gonzalez in the head. The agent gave the woman CPR but she later died, the statement said. The FBI and Texas Rangers are now both investigating her killing. The aftermath of the shooting was captured on video and posted to Facebook by Marta Martinez, who told the New York Times that the immigrants did not attack the Border Patrol agent. There was no weapon. They were hiding, she said. Why do you mistreat them? Martinez can be heard shouting in Spanish in the video, according to the Los Angeles Times. Why did you shoot the woman? You killed the woman! They shot her in the head for running, she said. They killed her. Aura Bogado, a reporter for Reveal, tweeted that Gonzalez was from Guatemala and had just crossed the border. Sources tell me this is the girl who was shot in the head and killed by a Border Patrol agent today near Laredo, Texas. She was from Guatemala and had just crossed. She was unarmed. Her shooting was captured on Facebook Live. pic.twitter.com/i7L8j8tFUq Aura Bogado (@aurabogado) May 25, 2018 Gonzalezs killing has the Texas branch of the ACLU renewing calls for Border Patrol agents to be outfitted with body cameras. While we do not yet have all the facts in this case, Border Patrols history of violence against immigrants requires us to scrutinize every incident involving lethal force closely, Astrid Dominguez, director of the groups Border Rights Center, said in a statement. We demand that Border Patrol expand its use of body cameras to include each and every one of its agents in the field, she said. In response to the shooting, the Laredo Immigrant Alliance (LIA) is holding a vigil Saturday to honor the lives lost on the border. Laredo Immigrant Alliance is outraged by the actions taken by the border patrol agent that shot and killed a young undocumented woman, the group said in a statement. Wednesdays shooting comes as tensions at the border have increased following the deployment of the National Guard, which has been a colossal waste of resources according to the president of the National Border Patrol Council. President Trump wants even more boots on the ground though, and has asked Congress to provide funding for 5,000 more CBP agents in 2019. Locals dont want that and are pushing back against the further militarization of the border. Laredo is very safe we dont need a massive amount of border patrol or national guard, Karina Alvarez, a founder of Laredo Immigrant Alliance, told HuffPo. They see us as animals. And its very frightening to live in a border town now. When Ingrid Schaffner was named the curator of the 2018 Carnegie International (October 13, 2018March 25, 2019), I had a sense that she would bring a change to this venerable exhibition at Pittsburghs palace of culture. Steeped in tradition and history, the show, for the most part, has been on the conservative side of contemporary art and only recently has it moved beyond the U.S. and Europe. Schaffner is an established curator with a keen intellect and a discerning eye who has developed her curatorial practice outside the big league museums. She has a wide and eclectic range of interests and has explored an exemplary diversity of artists, mediums, and ideas, even organizing an exhibition on the use of puppets in modern and contemporary art and one that mined the history of the Institute of Contemporary Art in Philadelphia where she was chief curator. These projects provided hints for the next International. Her announcement of the artists included in the next show does not disappoint and signals a conscious jump into 21st-century culture and politics in several ways. For the first time ever, there are more women than men in the show. Lets say that again for it is a huge shift: There are more women than men in the show. She has also brought us up-to-date on gender terminology, replacing terms like male and female, men and women, with the identifying pronouns of she and he. She has continued a growing trend, including both place of birth and present residence for each artist, reflecting the mobility of people in the new global politic, conflating roots and routes. Diaspora artists take their place on this stage, expanding the idea of how place can influence an artist, whether the move was forced or by choice. And, the very definition of an artist is being stretched, expanding beyond the old-fashioned single artist with a unique vision to collectives and collaborations such as novelist Han Kang working with filmmaker IM Heung-soon or medium-bending terms such as a bookmaker working with photographs instead of photographer (Dayanita Singh). There is even an exhibition within the exhibition organized by Koyo Kouoh, an independent curator who traveled with Schaffner during her search for artists. Shows within shows have become more popular recently, frequently curated by artists, an approach Schaffner has used previously. There is also an increased emphasis on the local with the inclusion of Pittsburgh artists and a couple of projects based here. Schaffner has included the totemic sculpture of much-respected Thad Mosley, who had a Forum Gallery show in 1997, and a project by the collaborative duo Lenka Clayton and Jon Rubin, whose conceptual, political and community projects have added to the art scene here (Rubins Conflict Kitchen, for example). They are looking at the archives to think about rejected works from the history of the exhibition. In addition, Dig Where You Stand, the project headed by Koyo Kouoh, aided by students in the art history department at the University of Pittsburgh, is based on the museums collection. The latter two projects harken back to the 1991 show where many works referenced aspects of the various disciplines that comprise the Carnegie Institute with installations spread out into the Museum of Natural History and Carnegie Library. Allan McCollum, for example, recast dinosaur bones in the natural history collection and displayed them in the Hall of Sculpture, drawing attention to the practice of replicating original dinosaur finds so that more than one museum can display the specimens which, in turn, calls into question ideas of originality and the copy. The proposed projects for 2018 continue our interest in the history and practices of the components of Andrew Carnegies institution. The Teenie Harris archive will once again be trotted out to map Pittsburgh. These efforts will allow visitors to revisit the question of the local and the regional in the company of the international. In fact, Schaffner has stated that one of the ideas explored in the exhibition is what it means to be international today. The names of the artists always pique interest and criticism before we even see the work, and this years show repeats that pattern with both some of the usual suspects as well as a few surprises. Kerry James Marshall is having a banner moment, with his exalted retrospective, but his inclusion in the International allows him to revisit a project done for the 1999-2000 show. Almost 20 years later, his comic Rythm Mastr, starring black characters largely absent from the comic book tradition, has evolved in format, content, and references to race issues. The Carnegie presents a great opportunity for Marshall, though I, for one, would prefer to see some of his important paintings. Mel Bochner, a CMU grad with an important wall drawing in the museums collection, is also included, partially as a correction for past oversight. (Theres an idea for a future show: artists who should have been included in this exhibition. Or perhaps it could be a contest, reflecting the popular prize, voted upon by museum visitors, in the past.) There are those with whom Schaffner has worked previously, such as Karen Kilimnik, Joan Jonas and Bevery Semmes: artists who have had many fans over the years while remaining somewhat on the outskirts of the mainstream. The overall list, including artists at all stages of their careers, tilts toward conceptually based artists, including feminist artists. It is full of promise, but of course the final proof will be in the installation. Choosing artists, in some cases, is a leap of faith; a curator believes in their work enough to trust them to come through with strong work, but there are always surprises. Schaffner has opened the door to her way of thinking with annual lectures, ongoing programs, and travelogues and stories on the exhibitions website. It remains to be seen how these activities manifest in the show and how Schaffners own vision comes through, but certain things are already clear. This version of the International has the fewest artists ever, whether due to a tight curatorial focus or budgetary restraints. There are more shes than hes, and over half of the artists hail from the U.S., though that includes a number of diaspora artists now living here. European-based artists are few, but Africa has become a new area of interest, with the rest of the artists working in Asia, South America and the Middle East. A number of research and/or archive projects will continue the museums desire to mine its own history, attempting to put the thousands of artists involved, the numerous curators, the financial pressures, the critical and public response into perspective. Every addition to that history enlightens audiences about the importance of such a show, how it is organized, what influences are brought to bear, in other words, the reality of this project. Having worked on and/or viewed every International since 1982, I understand the ins and outs, the ups and downs, the realities and the fantasies involved. Obstacles and serendipity play a role, even with the best-laid plans, so no one can predict the final result. I also know that opinions, especially mine, are conditional and will change once the show is up and with every viewing of it. That is the luck of a Pittsburgher: We get to see the show many times over several months before coming to our informed opinion. Releasing the list initiates our response to the show, raising questions that will perhaps revolve around Schaffners query about what it means to be international at this point in time. Now we wait for answers. Chuck Albrecht is the new executive director of the Persad Center, a licensed counseling center created to serve LGBT people. A native of Portsmouth, Ohio. Albrecht comes to Pittsburgh from Florida, where for the past 17 years he was chief operating officer at the Florida Gulf Coast Chapter of the Alzheimers Association. Previously, he was executive director of the Tampa AIDS Network and executive director of the AIDS Volunteers of Cincinnati. He has a bachelors degree in zoology and an MBA in finance, both from Miami University of Ohio. Michael Kinne is vice president of strategic business development for government programs at UPMC Health Plan. A native of Winchester, Va., he comes to Pittsburgh from Chicago, where he was co-founder and president of NextLevel Health Inc., a Medicaid HMO with 80,000 members and $300 million in revenue. He also served as president of Centene Corporations IlliniCare Health Plan, as well as having key roles at VirtualHealth, Inc., Anthem, Inc., WellMed Medical Management LLC and Aetna Inc. Kinne has a bachelors in gerontology from Baylor University and a masters in gerontology and health administration at the University of Southern California. On July 1, Amy J. Wildermuth will become dean of the University of Pittsburgh School of Law. A native of Park Forest, Ill., she comes to Pittsburgh from Salt Lake City, where she has been associate vice president for faculty and academic affairs at the University of Utah. She was also the universitys first chief sustainability officer and professor in the S.J. Quinney College of Law. She has focused on areas of civil procedure, administrative law, environmental law and U.S. Supreme Court practice (she clerked for U.S. Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens). She has a law degree and a masters in environmental engineering from the University of Illinois and a bachelors in history and in engineering from Washington University in St. Louis. On July 1, William J. Behre will become president of Slippery Rock University. A native of Smithtown, N.Y., he comes to Slippery Rock from Lakewood, N.J., where he has been provost of Georgian Court University. Previously, he held a variety of positions at The College of New Jersey in Ewing, N.J., including vice provost assistant, vice president of the Division of College Advancement, dean of the School of Education, and chair of the Department of Special Education, Language and Literacy. He also spent four years in Brooklyn, N.Y., as a special education teacher. He has a bachelors degree in economics from Vassar College, a masters in education from Hunter College of the City University of New York and a Ph.D. in education with a focus on special education policy from the University of Michigan. Stephen Suroviec is the president and CEO of ACHIEVA, which helps people with disabilities. A native of Erie, he comes to Pittsburgh from Harrisburg where he was COO and division director for intellectual/developmental disabilities at the Rehabilitation and Community Providers Association. Previously, he was deputy secretary for developmental programs, executive director for the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation and Erie Countys Human Services director. He also led The Arc of Pennsylvania, a statewide advocacy organization for people with intellectual disabilities and their families. He served honorably in the U.S. Air Force. He has an undergraduate degree in business administration from National University and holds a masters degree in public and international affairs from the University of Pittsburgh. Dr. John T. Sullivan is the chief medical officer and senior vice president at St. Clair Hospital. A native of Detroit, he comes to Pittsburgh from Chicagos Northwestern Memorial Hospital, where for 17 years he served in several clinical, academic and management positions, most recently as associate chief medical officer for academic affairs and as professor of anesthesiology in the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. He has an undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan and a medical degree from the University of Michigan Medical School. He completed a residency in anesthesia at Massachusetts General Hospital. He has an MBA degree from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. Dr. Sricharan Chalikonda is chief of clinical operations and strategic initiatives at Allegheny Health Network. A native of India, he comes to Pittsburgh from Cleveland, where he was chairman of surgical operations and the Enterprise Surgical Council at the Cleveland Clinic. He also was a member of the health systems board of governors and a staff surgeon in the Cleveland Clinic Digestive Disease and Surgical Institute. At AHN, Dr. Chalikonda will lead clinical operations for the networks physician organization (Allegheny Clinic). He also will maintain his surgical practice as part of AHNs Center for Digestive Diseases and Cancer Institute. He earned his medical degree from Kasturba Medical College in Manipal, India, and a masters in healthcare administration from Ohio University. He completed his general surgery residency and a fellowship in minimally invasive and bariatric surgery at the Cleveland Clinic. His lips are moving. Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images One of Republicans favorite critiques of former President Barack Obama during his time in office was that he undermined American credibility on the world stage through his reticence to project U.S. hard power to its maximal extent. The main and most compelling case for this critique was Obamas 2013 warning to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad that he would face consequences if he used chemical weapons against his own citizens. Assad did so anyway, and Obama declined to follow through on the threat, leery of getting the U.S. embroiled in another messy Middle Eastern conflict or repeating the destabilizing consequences of our intervention in Libya. Credibility was also bandied about as a reason why it was wrong for Obama to withdraw U.S. soldiers from Iraq and attempt to draw them down in Afghanistan as well, with right-wing hawks complaining that the job was not done in these countries though of course, the ever-changing nature of the job had always been the fundamental problem these entanglements. Obama was likewise dinged by the right for not mustering a more forceful (that is, credible) response after Russia low-key invaded Ukraine, even if that threatened a direct confrontation with Russia. Less than a year and a half into his term, President Donald Trump has done more damage to U.S. foreign policy credibility than even the right-wing bogeyman version of Obama managed to do in eight years. Yet, strangely, few of these credibility hawks seem particularly perturbed by his choices. Of course, Trump is guilty of some of the exact same sins they pin on Obama, particularly in Syria, where the U.S. is still failing to hold Assad accountable for his continued brutality. Yet ,he is also undermining our credibility in another, equally important way: by diluting our allies confidence that the U.S. can be relied on to uphold its commitments. Take for example his abrupt decision on Thursday to cancel a planned summit with North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un over his countrys nuclear weapons program. The summit was the product of Trumps own misunderstanding and rash decision-making in the first place, and not in any way coordinated with our allies or other key players in East Asia (i.e., China). Trumps letter to Kim announcing the cancellation was likewise uncoordinated and came as a surprise to Seoul, Tokyo, Beijing, and even Foggy Bottom, from which Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had been touting the diplomatic progress the administration was making a mere hour before the letter was published. (Welcome to the Trump State Department, Mike. It isnt going to be any better for you than it was for Rex Tillerson.) Right-wing pundits were quick to spin the letter as an example of Trumps muscular, dominating, alpha-male approach to negotiation. Trumps (ghostwritten) book, The Art of the Deal, was referenced repeatedly. Forget that namby-pamby consensus-building crap that comrade Obama trafficked in; this is how Real Men do diplomacy. North Korea responded respectfully to the letter, saying it was still interested in talking to the U.S., and now the summit may or may not be back in the cards. (Kim Jong-un and South Korean President Moon Jae-in held a surprise meeting on Saturday, as well.) See, say the right-wing pundits: Trumps abusive style of negotiating works. Dont believe the nattering naysayers of the liberal media. Aside from the facts that the summit could still get canceled again or end in failure, that North Korea might still be playing a long game to embarrass the U.S., and that Trump probably could have achieved this turnaround without making such a dramatic gesture, theres a glaring problem with this line of argument. In business, sure, suddenly pulling out of a deal in order to scare your counterparty into meeting your terms can work, sometimes. Imagine, however, how you might feel if your business partner in a joint venture pulled such a stunt without asking, or even so much as warning, you about it. Would you ever trust or work with that partner again? Thats precisely what Trump did on Thursday to Moon, with whom he had met just two days before in Washington. The South Korean government was blindsided by the announcement that the summit was canceled, and none too pleased to be treated this way by its ally. Trumps hardball tactics have undercut Moons efforts at reconciliation, whereas what little enthusiasm China had for participating in sanctions against North Korea has waned. If Trumps strategy is to pressure Kim into making a deal, he has done a fine job of alienating the regional partners he will need to apply that pressure effectively. In the right-wing critique of Obamas foreign policy, U.S. credibility is defined rather one-dimensionally, as the willingness to follow through on threats and to back up our words with hard power. But credibility also means keeping your promises, especially to friends and partners, which the Trump administration appears unwilling or unable to do. Is the U.S. actually committed to resolving the Korean situation diplomatically or not? Right now, nobody in Seoul can really say for sure and thats a big problem, because theyre the ones who will suffer and die if the crisis spirals into war. Trump has treated our allies no better when it comes to the other item on his foreign policy agenda this year: Iran. The president withdrew the U.S. from the deal to contain Irans nuclear program effectively ensuring its demise over the objections of every other country involved in making it, including key American allies in Europe along with Russia and China. That he did so at the urging of Irans enemies Israel and Saudi Arabia does not inspire confidence in foreign capitals that the U.S. is committed to avoiding yet another catastrophic war in the Middle East. Trumps threats to U.S. credibility also include his unilateral withdrawal from the Paris climate agreement and his reluctant commitment to NATOs common defense. Needless to say, the increasingly visible web of personal and money connections between Trump and the Russian plutocracy also diminishes American credibility in obvious ways, as even the suspicion that the U.S. president might have unsavory ties to Moscow could lead other world leaders to second-guess his decisions. But to the right, none of this matters. To them, credibility means we do what we threaten to do and nothing more, keeping our promises to allied countries only as those allies pay up or kowtow. This is in keeping with the contempt for internationalism that forms a core principle of Trumps self-centered, jingoistic ideology, which the GOP has with few exceptions wholeheartedly embraced. It is certainly what youd expect in a foreign policy directed primarily by National Security Adviser John Bolton, who despises the United Nations, has no interest in what the rest of the world thinks, and openly favors military solutions in both Iran and North Korea. For decades, the free world has operated under the assumption that the United States will act as its leader, using its might to advance not only its own interests but also those of its kindred nations and the international community writ large. Under Trump, the world is finding that we can no longer be trusted to engage in consultation, deliberation, or dialogue of any kind. Instead, we do whatever we want (or whatever he wants) with no real concern for the impact our decisions have on other countries, be they allies or adversaries. When other countries behave this way, we have a word for it: We call them rogue states. How long will our allies put up with this behavior before they simply stop believing a word we say? And how long will it take to repair that damage after the Trump era is over? The following companies are subsidiares of Jabil: AOC Technologies (Wuhan) Co. Ltd. (China), AOC Technologies Inc. (US), Badger Technologies LLC (US), Celetronix, Celetronix India Private Limited (India), Celetronix USA Inc. (US), Clothing Plus Hong Kong Ltd. (Hong Kong), Clothing Plus MBU Oy (Finland), Clothing Plus Zhejiang Ltd. (China), Clothing+, Ecologic Brands, F-I Holding Company (Cayman Islands), GET Manufacturing, Green Point (Suzhou) Technology Co. Ltd. (China), Green Point (Tianjin) Precision Electronic Co. Ltd. (China), Green Point (Wuxi) Electronic Technology Co. Ltd. (China), Green Point (Yantai) Precision Electronic Co. Ltd. (China), Green Point Industrial Co. Ltd. (British Virgin Islands), Green Point Precision (M) Sdn. Bhd. (Malaysia), Green Point Technology (Shenzhen) Co. Ltd. (China), Green Point Technology (Wuxi) Co. Ltd. (China), Green Prosperity Co. Ltd. (British Virgin Islands), Greenam Electricity (Proprietary) Limited (Namibia) (Jabil indirectly owns 79% of this entity), JN Global Holdings C.V. (Netherlands), JP Danshui Holding (BVI) Inc. (British Virgin Islands), Jabil (Mauritius) Holdings Ltd. (Mauritius), Jabil AMS LLC (US), Jabil Advanced Mechanical Solutions Inc. (US), Jabil Advanced Mechanical Solutions de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V. (Mexico), Jabil C.M. S.r.l. (Italy), Jabil Canada Corporation (Canada), Jabil Chihuahua Holding S. de R.L. de C.V. (Mexico), Jabil Circuit (BVI) Inc. (British Virgin Islands), Jabil Circuit (Beijing) Ltd. (China), Jabil Circuit (Guangzhou) Ltd. (China), Jabil Circuit (Shanghai) Co. Ltd. (China), Jabil Circuit (Singapore) Pte. Ltd. (Singapore), Jabil Circuit (Wuxi) Co. Ltd. (China), Jabil Circuit Austria GmbH (Austria), Jabil Circuit Belgium N.V. (Belgium), Jabil Circuit Bermuda Ltd. (Bermuda), Jabil Circuit Cayman L.P. (Cayman Islands), Jabil Circuit China Limited (Hong Kong), Jabil Circuit Financial II Inc. (US), Jabil Circuit Holdings Limited (United Kingdom), Jabil Circuit Hong Kong Limited (Hong Kong), Jabil Circuit Hungary Contract Manufacturing Services Ltd. (Hungary), Jabil Circuit India Private Limited (India), Jabil Circuit Investment (China) Co. Ltd (China), Jabil Circuit Italia S.r.l. (Italy), Jabil Circuit Limited (United Kingdom), Jabil Circuit Luxembourg II S.a.r.l. (Luxembourg), Jabil Circuit Luxembourg S.a.r.l. (Luxembourg), Jabil Circuit Netherlands B.V. (Netherlands), Jabil Circuit SAS (France), Jabil Circuit Sdn Bhd (Malaysia), Jabil Circuit Technology LLC (Cayman Islands), Jabil Circuit Ukraine Limited (Ukraine), Jabil Circuit de Chihuahua S. de R.L. de C.V. (Mexico), Jabil Circuit de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V. (Mexico), Jabil Circuit of Michigan Inc. (US), Jabil DR S.R.L. (Dominican Republic), Jabil Defense and Aerospace Services LLC (US), Jabil Denmark Aps (Denmark), Jabil Dutch Mexico B.V. (Netherlands), Jabil Electronics (Weihai) Co. Ltd. (China), Jabil Energy (Namibia) (PTY) Ltd. (Namibia), Jabil Green Point Precision Electronics (Wuxi) Co. Ltd. (China), Jabil Green Point Technology (Huizhou) Co. Ltd. (China), Jabil Guadalajara Holding S. de R.L. de C.V. (Mexico), Jabil Holding S. de R.L. de C.V. (Mexico), Jabil Hungary LP Services Limited Liability Company (Hungary), Jabil India Manufacturing Private Limited (India), Jabil Industrial do Brasil Ltda. (Brazil), Jabil International Treasury Pte. Ltd (Singapore), Jabil Investment Pte. Ltd. (Singapore), Jabil Israel Ltd. (Israel), Jabil Japan Inc. (Japan), Jabil Korea International Limited (Republic of Korea), Jabil Limited Liability Company (Russian Federation), Jabil Luxembourg Manufacturing S.a.r.l. (Luxembourg), Jabil Mexico Holding S. de R.L. de C.V. (Mexico), Jabil Mexico Investment S. de R.L. de C.V. (Mexico), Jabil Monterrey S. de R.L. de C.V. (Mexico), Jabil Nypro Holding LLC (US), Jabil Nypro I LLC (US), Jabil Nypro II LLC (US), Jabil Nypro International B.V. (Netherlands), Jabil Optics Germany GmbH (Germany), Jabil Pension Trustees Limited (United Kingdom), Jabil Poland Sp. z.o.o. (Poland), Jabil Precision Industry (Guangzhou) Co. Ltd. (China), Jabil Science & Telecommunication Trading (Wuxi) Co. Ltd. (China), Jabil Sdn Bhd (Malaysia), Jabil Services Korea Limited (Republic of Korea), Jabil Silver Creek Inc. (US), Jabil South Africa (Pty) LTD (South Africa), Jabil Switzerland Manufacturing GmbH (Switzerland), Jabil Technology (Chengdu) Co. Ltd (China), Jabil Technology and Trading (Wuxi) Co. Ltd. (China), Jabil Torres S. de R.L. de C.V. (Mexico), Jabil Tuttlingen Manufacturing GmbH (Germany), Jabil Umkirch Manufacturing GmbH (Germany), Jabil Vietnam Company Limited (Vietnam), Jabil do Brasil Industria Eletroeletronica Ltda. (Brazil), Kasalis, Kasalis Inc. (US), Kuatro Technologies, Kuatro Ukraine LLC (Ukraine), Manna Renewable Energy Investments Two (Pty) Ltd (Namibia, NP Medical Inc. (US), NPA de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V. (Mexico), Nypro, Nypro Alabama LLC (US), Nypro Atlanta LLC (US), Nypro China Holdings Limited (Hong Kong), Nypro DR LLC (US), Nypro Deutschland GmbH (Germany), Nypro France SAS (France), Nypro Germany Holdings GmbH (Germany), Nypro Germany Verwaltungs B.V. & Co. KG (Germany), Nypro Guadalajara S.A. de C.V. (Mexico), Nypro Healthcare Baja Inc. (US), Nypro Healthcare GmbH (Germany), Nypro Healthcare LLC (US), Nypro Inc. (US), Nypro Iowa Inc. (US), Nypro JV Holdings Inc. (US), Nypro Limited (Ireland), Nypro Monterrey Management S. de R.L. de C.V. (Mexico), Nypro Plastics & Metal Products (Shenzhen) Co. Ltd. (China), Nypro Plastics & Molding Products (Suzhou) Co. Ltd. (China), Nypro Puerto Rico Inc. (US), Nypro Research and Developments Limited (Ireland), Nypro Spain Holding S.L.U. (Spain), Nypro Tool Hong Kong Limited (Hong Kong), Nypro de Amazonia (Brazil), Nypro de la Frontera S. de R.L. de C.V. (Mexico), NyproMold Chicago Inc. (US) (Jabil indirectly owns 50% of this entity), NyproMold Inc. (US) (Jabil indirectly owns 50% of this entity), NyproMold Investment Corp. (US) (Jabil indirectly owns 50% of this entity), PT Jabil Circuit Indonesia (Indonesia), Plasticast Hungary Korlatolt Felelossegu Tarsasag (Hungary), Plasticos Castella S.A.U. (Spain), Radius Chicago LLC (US), Radius Hong Kong Limited (Hong Kong), Radius Innovation and Product Development (Shanghai) Co. Ltd. (China), Radius Product Development Inc. (US), Radius Product Development and Consultation (Beijing) Co. Ltd. (China), Roosevelt Insurance Company Ltd. (Cayman Islands), S.M.R. Metal Ltd. (Israel), Shay Motion Ltd. (Israel), Shemer Group, Shemer Motion (2009) Ltd. (Israel), Taiwan Green Point Enterprises, Taiwan Green Point Enterprises Co. Ltd. (British Virgin Islands), Taiwan Green Point Enterprises Co. Ltd. (Taiwan), Telmar Network Technology, TrueTech, Westing Green (Tianjin) Plastic Co. Ltd (China), Wolfe Engineering, Wolfe Engineering (Shanghai) Co. Ltd. (China), and Yen Investments 140 (Proprietary) Limited (Namibia). Weatherford International plc, an oilfield service company, provides equipment and services for the drilling, evaluation, completion, production, and intervention of oil and natural gas wells worldwide. The company operates in two segments, Western Hemisphere and Eastern Hemisphere. It offers artificial lift systems, including reciprocating rod, progressing cavity pumping, gas, hydraulic, plunger, and hybrid lift systems, as well as related automation and control systems; pressure pumping and reservoir stimulation services, such as acidizing, fracturing and fluid systems, cementing, and coiled-tubing intervention; and drill stem test tools, and surface well testing and multiphase flow measurement services. The company also provides safety, downhole reservoir monitoring, flow control, and multistage fracturing systems, as well as sand-control technologies, and production and isolation packers; liner hangers to suspend a casing string in high-temperature and high-pressure wells; cementing products, including plugs, float and stage equipment, and torque-and-drag reduction technology for zonal isolation; and pre-job planning and installation services. In addition, it offers directional drilling services, and logging and measurement services while drilling; services related to rotary-steerable systems, high-temperature and high-pressure sensors, drilling reamers, and circulation subs; managed pressure drilling, conventional mud-logging, drilling instrumentation, gas analysis, wellsite consultancy, and open hole and cased-hole logging services; reservoir solutions and software products; and intervention and remediation services. Further, the company provides equipment and drilling tools; tubular handling, management, and connection services; equipment rental services; and onshore contract drilling and related services through a fleet of land drilling and workover rigs. Weatherford International plc was incorporated in 1972 and is headquartered in Baar, Switzerland. Read More Not big on taking responsibility for his actions. Photo: NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP/Getty Images In the past several days, several mostly local news stories have explored the steep human costs of the Trump administrations brutal policy of separating parents from their children at the U.S.-Mexico border, searing the issue further into the national consciousness. The Arizona Daily Star ran a painful story featuring reporting from the federal courthouses where the new rules are being carried out; the Houston Chronicle published one about the difficulty parents and children face in reuniting once theyre torn apart. Those accounts helped inspire the social-media resurrection of a New York Times piece from a month ago, which reported that the Department of Health and Human Services had lost track of almost 1,500 children it had placed into foster care after they had attempted to cross the border unaccompanied. The Times story quickly ricocheted around Twitter and Facebook, causing a belated-but-justified generalized furor about the desperate state of American immigration law, which encompassed the missing children, the separation policy, years-old ICE abuses revealed in an ACLU report released this week, and more. The hashtag #wherearethechildren was the number one trending topic on Twitter Saturday afternoon. Under pressure from their liberal base, several Democratic lawmakers began to speak out more forcefully about the moral catastrophe at their doorstep. On Saturday morning, the outcry caught the attention of internet denizen President Trump. His response: blame Democrats for a policy that he personally directed, then accuse them of being in thrall to a criminal gang. Put pressure on the Democrats to end the horrible law that separates children from there parents once they cross the Border into the U.S. Catch and Release, Lottery and Chain must also go with it and we MUST continue building the WALL! DEMOCRATS ARE PROTECTING MS-13 THUGS. Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 26, 2018 This weapons-grade nonsense goes well beyond the usual Trump lies. The child-separation policy was implemented by Trumps own attorney general, Jeff Sessions, who said, when he announced it, that If youre smuggling a child, then we will prosecute you and that child will be separated from you as required by law. Sessions also announced that the Trump administration would aim to prosecute 100 percent of border crossers, in an effort to end catch and release policies that freed undocumented immigrants while their cases played out in court. Both counted as dramatic changes from previous administrations, which typically allowed families either those seeking asylum or those captured crossing illegally at the border to stay together while they awaited their fates. Even before separation became official U.S. policy, the Times reported that at least 700 children had been taken from their parents since October. This draconian measure has been widely criticized by civil-rights and immigration advocates, and its far from clear that it will have any deterrent effect. But Trumps chief of staff, John Kelly, memorably brushed off concerns about the policys inhumanity by assuring NPR that children separated from their families will be taken care of put into foster care or whatever. And Trumps Department of Homeland Security head Kirstjen Nielsen downplayed the policy by comparing it to parent-child separations in criminal court, which she said happen every day. But its the president himself, not his lieutenants, who has been most zealous in ensuring that the law is carried out to inflict maximum cruelty: 6. May 10, 2018 -- This was Trump's own personal directive. He chewed out the Homeland Security Secretary for resisting the policy. https://t.co/Gtam8hK07O pic.twitter.com/RoZISya8Ix southpaw (@nycsouthpaw) May 26, 2018 The strategy Trump employed with his Saturday tweet is similar to his playbook on DACA: create a crisis, then blame his political enemies for failing to solve it. In the case of DACA, Trump attempted to end the Obama-era program altogether again enlisting Sessions to tell the press about it then complained that Democrats didnt care enough to fight for it in the context of a larger immigration deal. (In reality, Democrats offered Trump a favorable, DACA-for-border-wall deal, and he turned them down.) Though he has not previously mentioned the family-separation policy in the context of an immigration bill, the president appears to be attempting the same trick this time around: holding young people hostage and using their plight as a political bargaining chip. Theres another parallel here. When kids are involved, Trump appears to have the capacity at least momentarily to feel something approaching guilt over his actions. Trump has a history of getting squeamish when confronted with actual effects of his policies on kids. He kept reassuring DREAMers even while preparing to deport them. Now same thing with children that his WH is separating from their parents. https://t.co/FQuS0VrroA Benjy Sarlin (@BenjySarlin) May 26, 2018 But Trumps pangs of conscience, if they even rise to that level, never translate into any better treatment for the people hes hurting. Instead, his cruel, racist instincts win out over empathy every time. And the reality distortion field that is his brain convinces him that the humanitarian crisis he has created is anyones fault but his own. Education Reporter Mathew Burciaga is a Santa Maria Times reporter who covers education, agriculture and public safety. Prior to joining the Times, Mathew ran a 114-year-old community newspaper in Wyoming. He owns more than 40 pairs of crazy socks from across the globe. Lisa Bodrogi is a land-use consultant and board member of the Committee to Improve North County. She can be reached at lisa@cuvee.me or www.cuveeconnections.net. Thank you for reading! Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. If you forget to mail in your ballot, well, you can drop it off and save the postage. Photo: David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images Californias top-two primary, which will choose candidates regardless of party for the November election, is approaching on June 5. But like a growing majority of Golden State voters, my wife and I will vote by mail well before what is technically Election Day (ballots must be postmarked by June 5 and received by county election officials three days later or less, though ballots can also be dropped off at precincts or voting centers). Because we are registered as permanent vote-by-mail voters, we get ballots automatically as long as we keep eschewing the increasingly less crowded Election Day polling places. So this weekend, Dawn and I plan to sit down with our mail ballots and our handy-dandy state and county voter guides. Those reflect a wonderful California institution that provides every voter with detailed explanations of, and pro-and-con advocacy statements concerning, every state and local ballot initiative (a Golden State institution dating back to the Progressive Era, though todays special-interest-financed initiatives are frequently everything other than progressive) along with declarations from every candidate coherent enough to complete a sentence. We will have the leisure to make our way through the incredibly extensive list of statewide candidates facilitated by Californias jungle nonpartisan top-two primary (in which all candidates from every party compete for a general election spot offered to the top two finishers, regardless of party or percentage of the vote). That means there are 32 U.S. Senate candidates and 27 gubernatorial candidates on the June 5 ballot. Its really not something you want to first encounter alone, in a voting booth. As Dave Roberts, a distinguished environmental writer who is a resident of all-voting-by-mail Oregon (a system also embraced by Colorado and Washington) notes, voting by mail ought to be strongly considered as the wave of the future nationally. It has raised voter turnout every place its been used. Its cheaper than voting systems that rely on polling places and polling workers. It is attractive to all sorts of voters particularly people who may not find it easy to take off work to stand in line during working hours on a random Tuesday who value convenience. Indeed, theres not much of a downside for abandoning the old system, argues Roberts: Most of the time, for most people, voting in the U.S. is a big bunch of bullshit hassle. Its been made a hassle on purpose and not for all people equally, but, like so many things, disproportionately for the poor, minorities, young people, and students. Just the idea that in 2018, people have to schlep down to a gym or something between particular hours on a particular weekday and stand in line for hours to poke at choices on a touchscreen, all while being monitored by creepy onlookers its an insult to modernity, all of it. We can do better. Voting on something other than Election Day is a more familiar experience than ever in a country where early voting in some places in-person early voting at traditional polling places is growing as fast as hostile Republican election officials will allow. So voting-by-mail mostly violates increasingly archaic taboos, which mostly upsets political consultants who realize get-out-the-vote and persuasion strategies focused on Election Day only arent very efficient any more. Some critics think voting-by-mail facilitates voter fraud. As Roberts responds, that makes little sense: [A]bout a quarter of all votes were cast by mail in 2016. Absentee ballots have long been available in dozens of states. Since 2000, overall, about a quarter-billion votes have been cast by mail. Thus far, there have been virtually no documented incidents of coercion or abuse. As NVHC notes in a white paper on this subject, Oregon has mailed-out more than 100 million ballots since 2000, with about a dozen cases of proven fraud. Thats a 0.00000012 percent rate of fraud. Thats attributable to a combination of felony charges for voting-by-mail tampering, and the difficultly involved in rigging so decentralized a voting system. Its surely a safer system than using voting machines that are inevitably vulnerable to hacking by Russians or God knows who. Its something for election reformers especially progressive election reformers to think about seriously, if not this year (where its largely too late to change anything) then before the crucial 2020 election that will determine control not only of the White House and Congress, but of the state governments that will dictate the next decennial round of redistricting. Voting-by-mail has a lot to recommend itself, and few downsides. I am very pleased I have the opportunity to use it myself. Chile's Catholic church took another blow on Saturday as the bishop leading the charge against sex abuse stepped down following more allegations of misconduct by priests. Rancagua Bishop Alejandro Goic presented his resignation as head of the Bishops' Conference sex abuse prevention board, the latest episode in a Chilean abuse scandal which has rocked Pope Francis's papacy. The church accepted Goic's immediate resignation from the board set up in 2011 to investigate sexual abuse by clergy, following the case of Chilean priest Fernando Karadima. He was accused of child molestation in the 1980s and 1990s. Karadima was suspended for life by the Vatican, but several members of the Chilean church hierarchy are accused by victims of ignoring and covering up Karadima's abuse. Seven years later, yet another wide-ranging abuse case has emerged. Nicknamed "the Family," 13 priests and a deacon from Rancagua were accused by churchgoer Elisa Fernandez of sex abuse and lavish spending of church funds. She made her allegations on Channel 13 last week. Goic, 78, told local media he needed to resign to focus on shedding light on the charges against the fourteen, who have been defrocked. A priest said in the Channel 13 report that the group formed a sex abuse ring a decade ago, and engaged in sex acts with no regard for whether or not the victims were minors. In addition, offenders used social media to control their interactions with victims and used church money for trips abroad as well as expensive car services with young friends, the report added. Last week, 34 Chilean bishops announced their resignation over child sex abuse in the church, after Pope Francis summoned them. Argentine-born Francis has said it must not happen again on his watch, but Francis himself became caught up in the tragedies when he defended Chilean bishop Juan Barros who was accused of covering up Karadima's wrongdoing. Francis has apologized to the victims, three of whom he received at the Vatican, and admitted he had made "grave mistakes" after reading a 2,300-page report on abuses in Chile. Since 2000, about 80 Roman Catholic priests have been reported to authorities in Chile for alleged sexual abuse. Some analysts note that Chile's long tradition of having the church not subject to civilian law lent itself to impunity and cover-ups China and Burkina Faso signed an agreement to establish diplomatic relations on Saturday, days after the west African nation cut ties with Taiwan in yet another victory for Beijing in its campaign to isolate the island. A communique on establishing relations was signed in Beijing by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his counterpart Alpha Barry. Burkina Faso broke off ties with Taiwan on Thursday, becoming the second country to do so within a month and leaving the democratically ruled island with only 18 diplomatic allies around the world. Wang said in a speech after the signing that Burkina Faso acknowledged in the communique that "there is only one China in the world." "The Burkina Faso government is following the trend of the times and made the right political decision," he said. The move had been widely expected after Burkina Faso defected from Taiwan, which has steadily lost ground in a decades-long diplomatic tug-of-war with China in developing countries. Taiwan can now claim only one ally in Africa, Swaziland. "Now Africa has only one country with which we have not yet established (relations)," Wang said. "We hope this country can join the big China-Africa family of friendship as soon as possible." China and Taiwan split in 1949 after a civil war won by the Chinese Communists. The two sides often use economic support and other aid as bargaining chips for diplomatic recognition. China still considers Taiwan to be a renegade province to be reunified with the mainland, by force if necessary. Relations between Taiwan and China have worsened since President Tsai Ing-wen took over in Taipei in 2016. Beijing has raised the pressure on Tsai, whose government refuses to acknowledge that Taiwan -- whose democratic freedoms stand in stark contrast to Communist-ruled China -- is part of a "one China". Burkina Faso was the fourth country to cut ties with Taipei since Tsai took office two years ago. Calling China "the world's most important economy," Barry said he expected Burkina Faso to benefit from the relationship. Taiwan expressed its "strong disappointment, regret and anger" at the move. In a statement, the foreign ministry accused Burkina Faso of "being lured by China's dollar diplomatic offensive, ignoring the significant contributions Taiwan had made for the past 24 years towards Burkina Faso's security, social stability, economic development and people's livelihood". Tsai has also lashed out at China's "crude behaviours" after Burkina Faso broke ties. "China's crude behaviours to undermine our sovereignty have already challenged the bottom line of Taiwan's society. We will not tolerate it anymore," she said Thursday. The Dominican Republic switched recognition to Beijing earlier in May, terminating a 77-year diplomatic relationship to recognise China. The small African nation of Sao Tome switched recognition to Beijing in late 2016, followed by Panama in June last year. SHANGHAI (Reuters) - Chinese fighter pilots have carried out night landings on the country's first aircraft carrier, the official China Daily reported on Saturday, the latest demonstration of military muscle as Beijing's pushes to modernise its armed forces. Pilots flying J-15 jets landed at night on the Liaoning, the official paper said, citing a video posted by China's navy. It said this was a complex manoeuvre that marked a "huge leap towards gaining full combat capability". China has ambitious plans to overhaul its armed forces as it ramps up its presence in the disputed South China Sea and around self-ruled Taiwan, an island China considers its own. The official newspaper of the People's Liberation army also said on Saturday that Chinese fighter jets had recently carried out live-fire drills in the South China Sea. China has been ramping up naval military exercises amid growing tensions with Taiwan. Last month, President Xi Jinping presided over the navy's largest-ever military display, with 76 fighter jets and a flotilla of 48 warships and submarines. China's first domestically developed aircraft carrier set off on sea trials earlier this month. The older Liaoning, which is expected to serve more as a training vessel, was bought second-hand from Ukraine in 1998. Its navy has also been taking an increasingly prominent role in recent months, with the Liaoning sailing around Taiwan and new Chinese warships popping up in far-flung places. State media has quoted experts as saying China needs at least six carriers. The United States operates 10 and plans to build two more. Many experts agree that developing such a force would be a decades-long endeavour but that the drive to bolster its forces at sea will be crucial in the longer term as China looks to erode U.S. military prominence in the region. (Reporting by Adam Jourdan; Editing by Paul Tait and Joseph Radford) Colombia votes Sunday in the first presidential election since the government's 2016 peace deal with the former rebel movement FARC -- an agreement the campaign's conservative frontrunner is determined to upend. Opinion polls show 41-year-old senator Ivan Duque as the favorite, buoyed by support from the Democratic Center party of hardline ex-president Alvaro Uribe. The latest opinion polls show Duque with 41 percent of voter preferences, some 12 points ahead of his nearest challenger, the leftist former Bogota mayor Gustavo Petro. If the opinion polls are confirmed, neither candidate can win outright on Sunday and will face each other in a run-off on June 17. That alone would be a staggering performance for Petro, a former member of the now disbanded M-19 rebel group, making him the first leftist politician to reach a second round in conservative dominated Colombia in recent years. The vote is taking place against a background of tentative change in the Latin American country where the peace deal, in effect for little more than a year, remains fragile. The FARC has transformed into a political party which has thus far failed to win much popular support, but Colombia -- gripped by corruption and glaring inequality -- is still struggling to emerge from the longest armed conflict in the Americas. The world's leading producer of cocaine, the country remains contorted by an ongoing struggle against a slew of armed groups vying for control of lucrative narco-trafficking routes in areas once dominated by FARC guerrillas. - Step towards peace - President Juan Manuel Santos, who forged the 2016 peace deal, said the election is "very, very important for this new Colombia that we are building, a Colombia in peace." Santos announced the deployment of an extra 155,000 troops to ensure security for the election, for which the country's last active rebel group, the ELN, has announced a ceasefire. A former economist with the Washington-based Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), Duque is still something of an unknown quantity after only four years in politics as a senator. "As a politician, he is little known because he is under the wing of Uribe...Nobody knows yet whether he has his own ideas or if he will obey orders," said analyst Fabian Acuna of Javeriana University. Duque wants to rewrite the peace treaty, which he believes was too lenient on former guerrilla leaders who waged a decades-long campaign of violence against Colombians. Although the FARC polled only 0.5 percent in legislative polls, it was guaranteed 10 seats in parliament under the peace deal. "What we Colombians want is that those who have committed crimes against humanity be punished by proportional penalties, which is incompatible with political representation, so that there is no impunity," Duque told AFP. The young senator has pledged to eradicate "the cancer of corruption" and work to revive a sluggish economy, in campaign speeches which focused on the defense of traditional family values. - No more fear of the left - Petro drew bigger crowds to his rallies the longer his campaign went on, in what some analysts see as public support for the peace deal and the rehabilitation of FARC as a political party. "Society has overcome the fear of violence and terror, and what we are seeing today is the political expression of that, filling public places and drawing crowds," Petro told AFP in the final days of his campaign. "His rise can be explained by the great polarization in the country, he being one of the polar opposites," said analyst Andres Macias, of Externado University. Petro defends the peace deal with the FARC and continuing dialogue with the ELN. Duque has said he intends to suspend negotiations with the ELN. But Petro has had to push back against attempts to taint him by association with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. His critics, including Duque, have been referring to him as a "Castro-Chavista", a reference to late Cuban president Fidel Castro and late Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez, and accuse him of being likely to lead Colombia down the road to populist ruin as Maduro has in neighboring Venezuela. Hong Kongs role in a pan-Asia secret rendition programme run by US and British intelligence services should be scrutinised as part of a top-level inquiry, a former British cabinet member has said. The call from former foreign secretary Malcolm Rifkind came as it emerged a prominent human rights barrister retained to pursue legal action against the Hong Kong government over an alleged role in the CIA and MI6-led rendition programme which included cloak-and-dagger operations in Malaysia and Thailand was no longer involved in the case. The new probe became a possibility after Britain issued a full public apology earlier in May to Abdul Hakim Belhaj an opponent of Libyas then ruling regime led by the late dictator Colonel Muammar Gaddafi. In 2004, Belhaj and his wife Fatima Boudchar who was 4 months pregnant at the time were abducted in Kuala Lumpur following a tip-off from Britains Secret Intelligence Service (SIS or MI6) before being transferred to an alleged CIA black site in Thailand. The couple were taken to Libya, where they were tortured and Belhaj was sentenced to death. The couple were subsequently released. While the Belhaj ordeal has remained in the headlines, an almost identical case also in 2004 in which senior Hong Kong officials allegedly sanctioned an illegal detention and secret rendition on the say-so of US and British intelligence, has received scant coverage. It involved the 12-day detention at Hong Kong International Airport of Libyan national Sami al-Saadi, his wife and their four young children, followed by their forced repatriation also via Thailand to the Tripoli torture cells of the Gaddafi regime. This months apology to Belhaj, for what British Prime Minister Theresa May described as their appalling treatment, came six years after the UK government paid al-Saadi 2.2 million in compensation for his ordeal which began in Hong Kong. Story continues It was at this point al-Saadi launched what has been a protracted and highly secretive legal bid for compensation from the Hong Kong government. Both the government and al-Saadis legal representative John Clancey, from the law firm Ho, Tse and Wai, declined to answer questions about what both would only confirm were ongoing discussions over legal action. Almost 14 years after the only known secret rendition ever carried out in Hong Kong, new pressure could be applied after Rifkind an elder statesman of British politics and a former chairman of the intelligence and security committee (ISC) of the countrys parliament, which would almost certainly be tasked with carrying out a probe called for a new inquiry. Rifkinds primary aim was to discover how much then British prime minister Tony Blair knew of the secret rendition programme. When asked this week if the Hong Kong case should be an integral part of the probe, he told the Post: In my view, [it would be] desirable for the ISC to consider each and every case where there have been admissions or serious allegations that British intelligence agencies were involved directly, or indirectly, in the illegal rendition of individuals to Libya. Rifkind, who was foreign secretary in the government of Margaret Thatcher, added: Any such investigation by the ISC should also consider whether the prime minister, or any other minister, was aware of and gave any degree of consent to any such renditions which are considered to have taken place. It also emerged that prominent human rights barrister Paul Harris SC, who joined al-Saadis Hong Kong legal team in December 2012, was no longer part of al-Saadis Hong Kong legal team. In 2012, Harris said he was confident Sami al-Saadi had a strong case given the cache of classified papers unearthed in Tripoli, which implicate security officials in Hong Kong alongside British, American and Libyan spy agencies in the illegal extradition. The documents Ive seen show a very strong case, he said at the time. Asked about the case and the fact he was no longer involved, Harris said he could not comment on the case at present for legal reasons. This article Former British minister Malcolm Rifkind calls for probe into Hong Kong role in CIA rendition programme that sent Sami al-Saadi to be tortured in Libya first appeared on South China Morning Post For the latest news from the South China Morning Post download our mobile app. Copyright 2018. Members of the media attempt to arrest an unruly subject. The Singapore Police Force gave the media a behind-the-scenes look at some of the challenges involved in arresting people. Photo: Andre He for Yahoo News Singapore Unlike the dramatic police arrests we see in movies, the actual process of apprehending a suspect in real life is not as quick and effortless as it appears. To better help the public understand the challenges that may arise when arresting a person, the Singapore Police Force (SPF) invited members of the media to attend a special demonstration session at the Home Team Academy on 16 May, during which they were taught the basic techniques employed during an arrest. Non-compliant subjects can exhibit passive resistance, active resistance or outright violence, Superintendent Raymond Lo, commanding officer of the Frontline Policing Training Centre told the media during the event. In apprehending such subjects, police officers employ a number of defence tactics such as rear wrist locks and arm bar takedowns. As a last resort in situations involving an armed or violent person, a taser or baton may also be used. We do have a few cases where the subject can turn violent all of a sudden or is violent right at the very onset. So the message to all our officers is dont be complacent when you handle an incident, always expect the worse and be prepared for it, said Lo. To get a better understanding of what Lo said, members of the media were invited to participate in a simulated real-life scenario involving the arrest of a drunk and unruly man. It took between four to six participants to bring the man down and handcuff him. Police officers here regularly face the threat of physical violence. For instance, a 42-year-old drug abuser was jailed on Wednesday for hurting three police officers while resisting arrest. In 2016, a total of 210 police officers were physically abused while carrying out their duties. This number increased to 246 last year, said the SPF. A national serviceman practices a takedown technique during his training at the Home Team Academy. Photo: Andre He for Yahoo News Singapore The increase in abuse against Home Team officers prompted Minister for Home Affairs (MHA) K Shanmugam to say that there will be zero tolerance for those who verbally or physically abuse officers. The MHA has thus been working with the Attorney-Generals Chambers to impose heavier sentences against people who hinder officers from doing their duties. Story continues At present, anyone found guilty of using criminal force to deter a public servant from discharge of his duty can be jailed for up to four years, fined, or both. Last year, an Australian man was jailed eight and a half months for a drunken tussle with several police officers at Changi Airport. Originally sentenced to six months and two weeks jail, Jason Peter Darraghs sentence was increased on appeal by the High Court. The prosecution argued that Darragh publicly humiliated and taunted police officers who tried to arrest him. Six police officers were needed to subdue the intoxicated Australian. Lo explained that the process of arresting an uncooperative person may appear to take long because the police need time to reason with him or her. Sometimes what may seem very long (the process of arrest) is actually reasonable because we want to tell the other party to be compliant, to listen our instructions, and this takes time, said Lo. We want them to use their soft skills, engage the other party and get their agreement, their commitment to follow instructions, he added. BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) - Thousands of Argentines on Friday protested the government's bid to secure a credit line from the International Monetary Fund, which they blame for hardship during a past financial crisis. Opposition parties, unions, human rights organizations and artists took part in the march near the capital Buenos Aires' emblematic obelisk, under the banner "the country is in danger." The protest is the latest of several organized since President Mauricio Macri announced on May 8 that he had started financing negotiations with the IMF after weeks of market volatility. The unexpected move surprised investors and stoked Argentines' fears of a repeat of the nation's devastating 2001-2002 economic collapse. Many Argentines blame IMF-imposed austerity measures for worsening the crisis, which impoverished millions and turned Argentina into a global pariah after the government defaulted on a record $100 billion in debt. (Reporting By Nicolas Misculin, Writing By Mitra Taj; Editing by Susan Thomas) Essential reading, viewing, etc. Photo: Courtesy of the Vendors Spoiler alert: Sex and the City 2 is not an accurate representation of the United Arab Emirates. Read these Photo: Courtesy of the Vendor Brownbook Billed as an urban guide to the Middle East, bimonthly magazine Brownbook is a Dubai-born publication with an international reputation. It blends stunning photography and illustrations with meaty features on everything from the cultural development of the Turkish capital to Tehrans brutalist architecture. Kinfolks profile of founding twins Rashid and Ahmed Bin Shabib gives some insight into the tangible changes theyve made to the citys cultural landscape in the magazines decade of existence. Photo: Courtesy of the Vendor Arabian Sands This is Sir Wilfred Thesigers account of the five years he spent in the late 1940s exploring the Arabian Peninsulas vast Empty Quarter. Thesiger, who died in 2003 at the age of 93, is regarded as the last of the imperial explorers, and this book has been hailed as a classic of the travel-writing genre. Photo: Courtesy of the Vendor Louder Than Hearts An award-winning collection from the Dubai-based poet Zeina Hashem Beck, Louder Than Hearts offers an exploration of the Arab womans experience through verses inspired by love, motherhood, conflict, and grief. Watch this City of Life The first feature film from British-Emirati director Ali F. Mostafa not to mention the first Emirati feature film, full stop City of Life was born out of his desire to present an accurate account of the place where he grew up, having grown sick of hearing people think of it as Disneyland. An urban drama with a diverse ensemble cast is the result. Download these Kerning Cultures A homegrown podcast from two women determined to explore stories from the Middle East, beyond what you see in the newspaper headlines. Subjects jump from Muslim womens relationship with the hijab to the Christian missionaries who set up the first maternity hospital in the UAE. The Entertainer Very popular with Dubais expat population, this app offers hundreds of buy-one-get-one-free coupons for restaurants, spas, activities, and tours. A worthwhile purchase ($93) if youre planning to hit up the water parks or book a table at one of the big Friday brunches. Careem If youre in Dubai Marina or Downtown Dubai, every third car that passes will likely be a cab. But in Jumeirah or Bur Dubai, a vacant taxi can be as rare as the proverbial oasis in the desert. Download the local answer to the Uber app to avoid the risk of wilting in the heat on the side of the road. Bookmark these Whats On For up-to-the-minute event listings, the sister website of one of the UAEs first homegrown magazines (also called Whats On and founded in 1979) is your go-to. Here, youll find nightclub openings, details of upcoming gigs, and recommendations for of-the-moment restaurants. The Modist Barely a year old and already a major player on the e-commerce scene, the Modist is the Net-a-Porter of the Arab world. The edit is no less stylish or considered, but the emphasis is on modest fashion that appeals to an Islamic customer or any woman who favors demure over daring. Think Ganni maxi-dresses, printed trousers by MSGM, and Reem Acra caftans. Follow these His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Dubais Crown Prince has used Instagram to make himself about as relatable as a member of Emirati royalty gets. Fazza, as hes known to fans, shares glimpses of the rarefied world he occupies with some 6 million followers. Expect everything from candid shots of his father Dubais ruler, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to photos of himself cuddling a teeny, tiny pony. Rashed Saif Belhasa Speaking of rarefied worlds, the lifestyle of 15-year-old Rashed Saif Belhasa, scion of a billionaire construction family, is even more mind-boggling than that of the Crown Prince. Nicknamed Money Kicks thanks to his $1 million sneaker collection, he invites famous rappers over to play with his menagerie of big cats, and he owns a $280,000 Ferrari that he cant legally drive for another three years. eL Seed His career has officially gone global, but the French-Tunisian artist eL Seed calls Dubai home. He keeps fans updated on his work where traditional Arabic calligraphy meets graffiti on an often colossal scale on Instagram. His latest effort? A 98-foot sculpture that appears to float opposite the Dubai Opera House, and spells out a quote from Dubais ruler (Art in all its colors and types reflects the culture of the nations, their history and civilization) in pink stainless steel. Huda Bin Redha Sunday to Thursday, Huda Bin Redha is a lawyer. But she spends her spare hours escaping the hubbub of city life by capturing the wider landscape in spectacular aerial photographs shot with a drone. My Dubai The Dubai tourism board is behind the @mydubai Instagram account, but pretty much everyone living in the city has adopted the #mydubai hashtag. Its a badge of honor to have one of your snaps shared on its feed, which features some genuinely inspiring imagery from around the emirate (anything from a wake-surfer mid-jump on Dubai Creek to morning sunlight filtering through a latticework window in historic Al Fahidi), the best of which is flashed up on LED billboards dotted around the city. A ship unloads a cargo of wheat at the Red Sea port of Hodeida, Yemen April 1, 2018. REUTERS/Abduljabbar Zeyad/Files By Stephanie Nebehay GENEVA (Reuters) - The United Nations aid chief urged the Saudi-led military coalition that controls Yemen's ports to expedite imports of food and fuel supplies, warning that a further 10 million Yemenis could face starvation by year-end. Yemen is the world's worst humanitarian crisis, according to the United Nations, with some 8.4 million people severely short of food and at risk of starvation. For the past three years, the Yemeni government backed by Riyadh's coalition which is armed and supported by the United States and Britain has battled Houthi fighters aligned to Iran. "I am particularly concerned about the recent decline of commercial food imports through the Red Sea ports," Mark Lowcock, U.N. emergency relief coordinator, said in a statement read out to a Geneva briefing on Friday. For several weeks at the end of last year, the Saudi coalition imposed a blockade on Yemeni ports which it said was to prevent Houthis from importing weapons. This had a severe impact on Yemen, which traditionally imports 90 percent of its food. Under international pressure the coalition lifted the blockade, but tightened ship inspections. Lowcock said commercial food and fuel imports remained "well short of pre-blockade averages". "If conditions do not improve, a further 10 million people will fall into this category by the end of the year," he said. Yemen is one of world's poorest countries and the United Nations says more than 22 million people need humanitarian assistance out of a population of around 25 million. Confidence among commercial shippers has eroded due to delays, "including as a result of inspections undertaken by the Saudi-led coalition after these vessels have been cleared by UNVIM," Lowcock said, referring to a U.N. verification system. In a bid to speed up the delivery of aid to Yemen, the United Nations said last month it was beefing up its own inspections of ships. Story continues "I call on the Government of Yemen, with the support of the Coalition, to take active steps to boost commercial imports of food, fuel and humanitarian supplies through all Yemens ports," Lowcock said. Houthi forces have also increased restrictions on the work of aid agencies in the northern areas they control, and it has become more difficult to reach civilians along the western coast and in the city of Taiz, he said. Lowcock, referring to violations by Houthis in northern areas, said: "Humanitarian staff are being detained and intimidated and visas are being delayed and denied. Programmes and missions are being interfered with in ways which contradict humanitarian principles." The Saudi-led coalition is carrying out air strikes in Yemen in support of restoring the internationally-recognised government. Houthi forces have launched missiles into Saudi Arabia and the United States voiced alarm on Friday that a Houthi missile struck a Turkish vessel carrying wheat to Yemen this month. Some 10,000 have been killed in the war which has triggered a major cholera outbreak that threatens to re-emerge with the ongoing rainy season. Key supplies, including some needed to combat the deadly water-borne disease, remain on the prohibited list of imports, Lowcock said. (Editing by Matthew Mpoke Bigg) Photography by the author. Its 12.13 AM and Im seated on a red plastic stool at a creamsicle-coloured table. Above me, Lorong 9 Beef Kway Teow casts its glow out onto the busy street that is Geylang Road, drawing in hungry customers like moths to a flame. Mei nu, what you want? asks a middle-aged lady whos come over to take my order. Before I can request for a plate of their famous beef kway teow, I hear a loud noise from across the road. An Indian couple is fighting. The lady pushes the man onto the road, shouting and screaming at him. Another lady tries (in vain) to hold her back. The man, seemingly oblivious, has his eyes glued to his phone. I stare, unabashed, until I realise that neither the waitressnor anyone else in the coffee shop for that matter is paying any attention to them. This is Geylang after all, where normal doesnt exist, where rules are made to be broken and where the old and traditional has already started making way for the new and sometimes foreign. Ask anyone above the age of 50 and theyll tell you that Geylang was once a thriving place with a reputation that precedes itself, and a nightlife best described as colourful. And although much less visible now, illegal gambling dens, contraband sales, prostitution, secret societies, and drunken fights still continue to this day Online forum posts dating back to 2007 describe how Geylang Lorong 18 was infested with 369 people, a known territory of the gang. As for the sex work that takes place in Geylang, it has been covered time and time again. Exactly how these vices came to congregate in Geylang is a little known fact. Blogger Jerome Lim says that illicit activities and prostitution have been around even before the rise of Geylang, in places like Chinatown and Bugis. Hazarding a guess, he tells me that these activities probably started to spill over to Geylang due to overcrowding and increased regulations in Chinatown. It was also thanks to the steady influx of soldiers and single, migrant men from the Vietnam War (60s and 70s) when Singapore served as a supply centre to the US. Story continues These men had needs, evidenced by the boom in the number of hotels along Geylang Road. Hawkers tell me that there used to only be 2 to 4 hotels along the entire stretch. At its peak, there were 4 to 5 hotels along every Lorong. While Geylangs seedy reputation for vice has made it a less desirable area to operate a traditional business from, it has on the flip side, become an attractive location for food businesses. Not only are more hawkers drawn to the area because of the cheaper rent, the neighbourhoods vibrant nightlife means that hawkers are always guaranteed a ready clientele at all hours of the day. Even though its after midnight when I show up at the threshold of Lorong 9s Famous Beef Kway Teow, the place is far from empty. $7 and 10 minutes of waiting later, Im presented with a large plate of stir-fried kway teow, smooth and chewy, generous slices of tender beef, and a whole lot of brown, sticky, beef-infused gravy. Having been around since the 1960s, Id heard rumours that the beef kway teow was no longer as good as it once was. They were right. Although the dish looked absolutely delicious, it tasted average. The green chili that accompanied the dish was also too sour. My second stop for the night, Eminent Frog Porridge, fared much better. Eminent opened an outlet in Geylang in 2004, alongside several other frog porridge stalls that have flocked to Geylang over the years. Most of the stalls open from 3PM and close after 3AM. According to Jeffrey, who runs Eminent, this is because a dish like frog porridge is best eaten late at nightmuch like how economical beehoon is best eaten in the morning. Eminents food is cooked and served in a claypot which helps keep the porridge warm longer while bringing out the traditional aftertaste. Eaten alone, the porridge is smooth but plain, an ideal base for absorbing the flavour of the spring onions, dried chilis, and dark sauce that the frog comes cooked in. Eaten together, one ends up with a dish that is piping hot, heartwarming, and rich in flavour. The meat tastes like a cross between fish and chicken, and is fresh and tender. Open till 4.00AM, nightclub operators and their tired guests would flock to these eating spots for dinner or supper after a long night of partying. They make for a noisy, rambunctious bunch, but rarely cause trouble and are always polite. Not all troublemakers are from Geylang, says Jeffrey. Sometimes they drink at other places, get drunk, and then head to Geylang for supper. Thats when the trouble starts. As recently as March, a fight broke out in their coffeeshop which proceeded to go viral. When asked if such incidents affect business, he shakes his head. Singaporeans arent concerned. Sadly, Geylang is no longer the rebellious teenager that it once was. After the 2013 Little India riots, Parliament passed a Bill that designated both Little India and Geylang as Liquor Control Zones. This banned drinking in public places and the retail sale of alcohol from 10.30PM to 7AM. This, as everyone predicted, has cost Geylang its business and its flavour. Sex workers are less visible now, as are the gambling tables. The beer ladies have dwindled in number, along with the bars. Many coffee shops that werent good or established enough shuttered within 2 or 3 months of the Bill being passed. Hawkers tell me of a time when the coffee shops would be full of people by 5 PM. Back then, the atmosphere was merrier, with everyone talking and laughing all the time. These days, stalls like Sean Kee Duck Rice in Geylang close by 5 PM. Says Ron, part of the trio who runs Sean Kee, We used to open from 10AM to 8PM last time. But we noticed that after the alcohol ban, customers trimmed down quite a lot. Now, they run their stall from 11AM to 6PM to capture the lunch crowd. Its close to 2.30PM when I take a seat at Sin Huat Eating House where Sean Kee has been located since 1978. Despite it being so late, nearly all the tables are occupied with patrons tucking into plates of duck rice. I decide to do the opposite and order a bowl of duck porridgejust the way my father taught me to eat it. For $9, I get warm, thick porridge, a bowl of soup, a saucer of chili, and a large plate of duck meat, innards, braised peanuts, egg, tau gua, cucumbers, and bean sprouts topped with their familys secret gravya gooey, sweet braised dark sauce. Its the same sauce that their father used to make some 40 years ago. After the government clamped down on the red light district, with the raids, it gradually became quiet, Ron tells me. Even with an established business like theirs, its still been an uphill climb. Setting aside the long working hours, the rental is a killer and there is a lack of manpower, Ron adds. For some like Mr Koung Boon Kong whos been running Koungs Wantan Mee in Geylang since 1964, taking difficulties in ones stride is part and parcel of being a hawker. He apprenticed for two years at a push-cart wanton mee stall, before moving into a proper coffee shop in 1960. I was only paid 40 cents a day! he tells me in Mandarin, 40 cents! When the 1964 race riots broke out in Geylang, the Malaysian hawker that Koung was working for decided to return home. This was when Koung decided to take over the business. He was more than capable, after years of secretly observing how his boss made wanton mee. Last time no such thing as teach one. No one will help you. Thankfully, Koungs observation skills were on point. His mee is soft but springy, coated in a mixture of chili, oil, and soy sauce. The char siewfatty and tenderis homemade, marinated and barbecued by Koung every morning, while the wanton skin is slippery smooth and paper-thin. Despite being over 70 years old, Koung is quite the warrior. His daughter, Sharon, tells me that her father has had two major heart operations within the last two years. He rested 1 month cannot take it, go back to work. Its in them, they are used to working 14, 16 hours. Its hard for people whove worked all their lives to stop. That said, Geylangs hawkers arent just known for working hard. They work smart too. Take Geylang Laksa. Before the stall was taken over by Johnny Lim in the 80s, it was run by his father in the 60s. Using a trishaw, Johnnys father would roam the streets in search of business. Starting at Lorong 1 at 7AM, he would make his way to Lorong 42 and be back at Lorong 1 by late afternoon. Customers would run after him, holding their own bowls for his laksa, laughs Johnny. Staying on the move not only meant more customers for Johnnys father, it meant he could avoid the health inspectors who were there to remove and re-house itinerant hawkers from the streets into purpose-built hawker centres. Only when Johnny took over was he persuaded by the police to settle in a coffee shop along Sims Avenue just off Geylang Road. As most of the coffee shops customers visit only during the day, Johnny starts early, opening at 4.30AM and closing by 1PM. I arrive at the store and join the queue at 12.38PM, sweaty and slightly frantic. I make it in time and settle for a $3 bowl of laksa. Its 30 degrees out but still, I down it all. For $3, you get 3 half-prawns and 5 cockles. The gravy is fragrant (without relying too heavily on oil and coconut milk) and full bodied with just a bit of a spicy kick. According to food critics, its Old School. Geylangs Kwong Satay is yet another famous Old School, dish. The store has its roots in the 1960s, when Mr Wong Chee Kwongs grandfather used to peddle satay from a trishaw in Katong. 20 years later, Mr Wong continued the family tradition, only this time he opened his own satay store at Geylang, Lorong 29. They have maintained the style of the good old days by strictly adhering to their family recipe, a fusion of Hainanese, Chinese, Peranakan, and Indian influences, in both their satay marinade and peanut sauce. I order 6 sticks each of pork and chicken for $0.60 a piece. Although I like my satay with more fat and the sauce a little thicker, the meat is still incredibly tender and well marinated with a perfect charred-to-grilled ratio of 1:5. But beyond secret family recipes and tough-as-nails hawkers, theres one more reason that explains why Geylang might have some of the best food in Singapore. Three words: privately owned shophouses. Beginning from the early 1900s, Geylangs plantation farms started making way for more urban developments, fueled in part by Geylang Road which was a busy thoroughfare, linking the downtown of the Singapore River to the northeastern part of Singapore. As evidenced by the varying styles of shophouses found along Geylang Road, development wasnt a linear process. Instead, it has happened in pockets, favouring certain lorongs over others and spanning 40 years from 1910 to 1950. Lower-rise, minimally decorated 1910s early-style shophouses can be found at Lorongs 11 to 14 and 27 to 29 while 1950s modern-style shophouses are located at Lorongs 24A, 22 and 20. And it is in a 1930s-style shophouse, with its simple facade, curved windows and Chinese ornamental characters etched onto the walls, that I find Geylang Claypot Rice. Back in the 70s, one Mr Ng Kim Hock learnt from the hawkers in Chinatown how to cook sar poh fan (claypot rice). After mastering the requisite skills, he decided to move to Geylang and set up his own store in the early 80s. According to Ah Lai, whos been working there since its inception, their sar poh fan is special as its cooked the traditional way, over charcoal. A window thats built into the kitchen offers me a glimpse into the cooking process. First, the claypot is preheated using charcoal. Next, the rice is added and left to cook until it is almost ready. I watch, transfixed, as the flames from the charcoal lick the sides and lid of the claypot, cooking both the top and bottom of the rice evenly and imbuing it with a distinct smoky flavour. When the rice is about 70% done, the ingredients are added and the dish is served. With a healthy squirt of dark soy sauce, a large ladle, and a strong right forearm, I scrape all around the pot, mixing together grains of perfectly crunchy rice, pieces of succulent chicken, and tender, oily lupcheong. Goodbye no-carb diet. Now youre probably wondering, if charcoal is so great, why doesnt everyone just use it? Well, they cant. In hawker centres, the use of charcoal is prohibited as the embers pose a fire hazard. However, in Geylang where shophouses are privately owned and with the permission of landlords, places like Geylang Claypot Rice can continue to cook the old-fashioned way. The same goes for Geylangs famous Swee Guan Hokkien Meelocated in a recently renovated 1950s style shophouseyet another store that has since 1968, relied on the use of charcoal. Touted as one of Singapores best, the Hokkien Mee is painstakingly prepared. It all begins with a powerful charcoal-fueled flame and a large wok. To this, oil, a dozen eggs, and a bags worth of noodles are added. Once the noodles are cooked, all but a small portion of noodles are removed. More eggs and sauces are then added to the wok, creating a thick gravy. The noodles are re-added and stirred. Finally, everything is taken out again, save for one portions worth of Hokkien Mee. This is what they eventually scrape onto a plate, along with prawns, squids, bean sprouts, a side of sambal chili and a lime, and hand to me. The wok hei fragrance is undeniable. The prawn stock is thick, bordering on jelat, and smoky, while the noodles are soft and act as the perfect base for absorbing the gravy. Yum. Few things however, can be relied upon to stay the same. The passing of the Liquor Control Bill isnt the only change that Geylangs seen as of late. Since 2015, theres also been a steady increase in Geylangs population of foreigners. Says Ron from Sean Kee, Ever since they built a lot of these apartments, you have Hungarians, French people coming to try the food. And they arent tourists, but expats. They absolutely love it here. They say that is where the real Singapore is, says Jerome. As Im seated at L32 Kopitiam Ban Mian in Geylang, waiting the minimum required time of 15 minutes for my ban mian to arrive, I notice it too. At least 3 of the 15 or so tables are occupied by foreignerseither hungrily slurping down their noodles or patiently waiting for their orders while sipping on plastic cups of lime juice. Despite being one of the newer stalls along Geylang, having opened just 10 years ago, L32 Kopitiam Ban Mian has already made a name for itself. I never thought a dish such as Ban Mian, with its bouncy white noodles, milky, ikan-bilis infused soup (that has been cooked for over 10 hours) and tender minced pork would appeal to Western tastebuds, but it does. Besides Westerners, Geylang has also seen an influx of Chinese working class nationals. There are a few Chinese working quarters located along Geylang, says Ron. Not only is it convenient for them to get around Singapore for work, but the rent is cheap as well. To cater to this new demographic, a large number of Chinese KTVs and restaurants have sprung up along Geylang in recent years, snapping up previously empty shophouse units. In addition, mala hot pots, Chinese BBQ skewers, and Tsingtao beer can be found around every Lorong. And while this has certainly gone towards increasing Geylangs foot traffic, most hawkers perceive this change to be for the worst, believing that these businesses change the well-worn exterior of Geylang, and lend a colder, more closed off vibe to the place. To them, the flashing neon-lights, dim lighting, glass facades, and air-conditioned interiors dont blend in with Geylangs style of hot and sweaty roadside dining. Sure, its no longer the same Geylang which others remember from decades ago the shophouses are more vacant, more dilapidated, and the crowds are a little less rowdy, a little more foreignbut this is Geylang, 2018. And by the time 2020, 2025 and 2030 rolls around, a lot more of Geylangs history will surely have been lost to time. But should anyone wish to remember, all they have to do is take a look at Geylangs food, for in it one can find a story of a neighbourhood that once was, that presently is, and what it is likely to become. Congratulations, you made it to the end. What are some other neighbourhoods we should explore? Let us know at community@ricemedia.co. The post 10 Hawkers Tell Us Why Geylang Isnt What It Used to Be appeared first on RICE. 2018 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #21 Posted on 26 May 2018 by John Hartz A chronological listing of news articles posted on the Skeptical Science Facebook Page during the past week. Editor's Pick Climate change may lead to bigger atmospheric rivers In early 2017, the Western United States experienced rain and flooding from a series of storms flowing to America on multiple streams of moist air, each individually known as an atmospheric river. Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech A new NASA-led study shows that climate change is likely to intensify extreme weather events known as atmospheric rivers across most of the globe by the end of this century, while slightly reducing their number. The new study projects atmospheric rivers will be significantly longer and wider than the ones we observe today, leading to more frequent atmospheric river conditions in affected areas. "The results project that in a scenario where greenhouse gas emissions continue at the current rate, there will be about 10 percent fewer atmospheric rivers globally by the end of the 21st century," said the study's lead author, Duane Waliser, of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California. "However, because the findings project that the atmospheric rivers will be, on average, about 25 percent wider and longer, the global frequency of atmospheric river conditions like heavy rain and strong winds will actually increase by about 50 percent." The results also show that the frequency of the most intense atmospheric river storms is projected to nearly double. Atmospheric rivers are long, narrow jets of air that carry huge amounts of water vapor from the tropics to Earth's continents and polar regions. These "rivers in the sky" typically range from 250 to 375 miles (400 to 600 kilometers) wide and carry as much water in the form of water vapor as about 25 Mississippi Rivers. When an atmospheric river makes landfall, particularly against mountainous terrain (such as the Sierra Nevada and the Andes), it releases much of that water vapor in the form of rain or snow. These storm systems are common on average, there are about 11 present on Earth at any time. In many areas of the globe, they bring much-needed precipitation and are an important contribution to annual freshwater supplies. However, stronger atmospheric rivers especially those that stall at landfall or that produce rain on top of snowpack can cause disastrous flooding. Atmospheric rivers show up on satellite imagery, including in data from a series of actual atmospheric river storms that drenched the U.S. West Coast and caused severe flooding in early 2017. Climate change may lead to bigger atmospheric rivers by Esprit Smith, NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, May 24, 2018 Links posted on Facebook Sun May 20, 2018 Mon May 21, 2018 Tue May 22, 2018 Wed May 23, 2018 Thu May 24, 2018 Fri May 25, 2018 Sat May 26, 2018 moodboard/Thinkstock(RICHMOND, Va.) -- Police tased and then fatally shot a naked man after a confrontation on a Virginia highway earlier this month. Richmond police released the body camera footage of the May 14 incident today. The footage shows police approaching a car that had been driven off a highway, with an officer ordering the driver to stay in the car. The officer is heard telling someone on a radio that the person "seems to be mentally unstable." Moments later, the naked driver, later identified as Marcus-David Peters, runs out of the car towards the highway. He was struck by a car and begins rolling around the highway. The approaching officer is seen holding a yellow taser. Peters gets up from the ground and starts walking towards the officer. He is heard saying "back the f--- up... put the taser down or I'll kill you." Peters, 24, then rushes the officer, with the officer yelling for him to back up. At that point in the video, it appears the officer has the yellow taser in his left hand and a black handgun in his right. Two shots are fired, and then Peters runs away from the officer. Once the two men are separated and another law enforcement officer appears to ask the officer if he tased Peters. The officer wearing the body camera says "I tried to but it didn't work," before radioing in "shots fired." As he and the other law enforcement officer start to walk towards Peters, who had collapsed on the ground at that point, the officer shouts "f---!" Richmond police chief Alfred Durham said that the investigation is ongoing and asked the community for their patience, the Associated Press reports. A still image taken from a police body camera shows a police officer pointing his gun at Marcus-David Peters on May 14, 2018, in Richmond, Va. The AP reported that police have identified the officer wearing the body camera as Michael Nyantakyi, who has been a police officer for 10 years. Nyantakyi, like Peters, is black. Peters' sister Princess Blanding spoke to the media after the police chief released the video today, telling reporters that her brother had no known mental health issues, the AP reports. "I cannot diagnose my brother, as hes not here to be diagnosed," Blanding said, the AP reported. "However, he was clearly in distress and in need of help, and the help was not rendered." Copyright 2018, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. The fire started from the ground floor. Photo: courtesy At least five female students have been admitted at Makerere University hospital following an early morning fire that gutted the university's largest female hall of residence, Mary Stuart Hall. One of the injured students is identified as Rosette Kyokunzire who received injuries on her eye and head as she attempted to jump to save her life. Hall residents say the fire started at around 4am from a canteen on the first floor of the 14-storey building. The fire was first noticed by female students who were coming from a night club. Mark Adit, a student and resident of the neighbouring male students' hall, Lumumba was among the first people to reach the scene following loud cries by female students in the hall. He says that by the time rescue teams arrived, a number of students were jumping off the upper floors of the tower since the ground floor was already gutted. "We were the first bunch of boys, we arrived here at around 6am. We heard the noise coming from the girls. Actually, this place is locked at around midnight and they open at 6am. So there are girls who come from out earlier before 6am, so they sit and wait around here before they can open for them. It is these girls who were here who started screaming and the girls who were in their rooms started coming out and made more noise. We came over and we saw girls jumped over but good enough the fire injured no one. The only injuries we have are for those who jumped. Some jumped from third, some jumped from D, J but they are receiving immediate attention," said Adit. Adit says because the hall did not have any fire extinguishers at the time of the fire and that they rushed to St. Augustine and St. Francis chapels where prayers being conducted to secure fire extinguishers to put out the fire. "This whole place was gutted by fire, no fire extinguisher, no policeman was at the scene, no one was here. As boys, we started fetching water to stop the fire but it was too much. We had to rush to [nearby] St Francis, those people were very good. They helped us with their fire extinguisher. We found them praying but they had to hold their prayers and joined us and we started fighting the fire. Reaching the Main Building, they refused to give us the fire extinguisher claiming they have to first talk to their bosses. Good enough the Fire Brigade were later here to stop the fire." added Adit. Adit says though he neighbouring Lumumba hall has the fire extinguishers, they are usually locked up in a store. Doreen Nyanjura, the Makerere University KCCA Woman councillor says they looked for ladders to help students move out of the hall since the ground floor was already in flames. "It was really unfortunate, the fire started at around 4am, personally I was here by 5am and we tried to reach out to some other friends to come out and help. Others started bringing ladders to help the students come down because the fire started from the ground floor. There was no way those up could come down. It was really terrifying but we really appreciate the efforts by the residents who sleep around and the boys from Lumumba hall because they really played a crucial role," said Nyanjura. Christine Ainembabazi, a resident of Mary Stuart, who was in the hall at the time of fire claims the fire was sparked off by the electricity. She says police fire brigade only arrived at the scene at 7am. "We all woke up and all of a sudden we saw the fire, it was at the canteen side and then part of the TV room. It burnt down everything. It was because of the concrete they used to build that floor that saved everything on the tower. But then smoke was a lotSome people were up there and they told them to stay there. After some time police arrived and used that liquid stuff to stop the fire." AIGP Joseph Mugisa, the director fire prevention and rescue services described as ""heroic" save from police fire brigade. "This was a heroic job that was done to confine the fire to the ground floor, the point of origin. It basically started from those small canteens and it was trying to spread towards the other side... It is highly commendable to the fire fighting team that came here. There is no death and everyone is accounted for. Basically, whatever was on the upper floors has been savedbut otherwise the other side of the canteen, damage has been much. What were concerned with is, we have saved this important building and its structural integrity has remained," said Mugisa. In a statement released by the police spokesperson, SSP Emilian Kayima, seven firefighting trucks were dispatched to put off the massive fire which stated in the canteen on ground floor. According to Kayima, three female students were injured as they were escaping. "The hall is safe now save for the ground floor that is littered with debris and will need cleaning and some repairs. The investigation teams and Scenes of Crimes Officers are on ground to do that bit of the investigation," Kayima said. Mary Stuart Hall also commonly known as "box" due to its physical structure was completed in 1953 and is the largest female hall at Makerere University. It can accommodate more than 200 students when fully occupied. One of the questions emerging from this post-#MeToo reckoning is whether abusive behavior that lacks a sexual component belongs in the ongoing discussion of gender equity in the workplace. Many feel strongly that it shouldnt. Sexual harassment is bad, but who hasnt exploded at a co-worker or associate or student? the riposte goes. This is how X industry works; toughen up or get out. The distinction between sexual and verbal abuse should be preserved, but the force with which we minimize the latter is more than curious to those of us who manage not to scream at our colleagues. Still, this view is popular, so much so that Jeffrey Tambor, in denying the allegations that he sexually harassed Transparent actor Trace Lysette and his former assistant Van Barnes, admitted that though he had never been a predator, he could be volatile and ill-tempered. Its a statement whose apparent candor works as a partial defense by framing explosive rage and cruelty as comparatively minor defects. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This defense is conspicuous insofar as its the job of public relations professionals to help clients like Tambor navigate prevailing social mores. Its a measure of ours that the team advising Tambor determined that screaming at subordinates and superiors alike would be seen as unremarkable. And it almost worked. In an interview with the Hollywood Reporter, Tambor admitted that he had been mean to a female executive producer of Transparent and creator Jill Soloway (who later told him Soloway was afraid of him), and to Arrested Development colleague Jessica Walter, who felt the humiliation so keenly she broke down in tears years later. Its not a pretty record. But Tambor volunteered these incidents in the light of sexual misconduct allegations, essentially offering himself up for a lesser charge. Advertisement To label them assholes is to single them out from the crowd, but they are the crowd. That approach might have kept succeeding if Tambors Arrested Development pals hadnt gotten greedy and gone for a full exoneration. In the now-notorious New York Times interview with the cast, his male co-stars suggest that, viewed in context, even the lesser charge of verbal abuse shouldnt be seen as an infraction. Screaming at your colleagues is what families do, Jason Bateman repeatedly insists (I recommend Anne Helen Petersens analysis of who that family analogy serves). This is how artists work, Bateman adds. Its the process. Its the industry. As Batemans dogged, reasonable justifications for Tambor stack up, so do the supportive echoes from his fellow male castmates. Advertisement The result was so startling that they accidentally achieved the improbable: By downplaying the seriousness of verbal abuse, they revealed it to be a more serious (and more gendered) obstacle to workplace equality than previously acknowledged. Advertisement My fear, reading that interview and the subsequent reaction, was that the takeaway would be simply that these men are just assholes. But the point I want to arguebecause fine distinctions do matter during discussions like theseis that they are not. I dont mean that Bateman, David Cross, Tony Hale, and Tambor werent jerks in that interview. They were. I mean that their behavior is utterly ordinary. They didnt notice what they had doneand what everyone could see theyd doneuntil it was pointed out to them. To label them assholes is to single them out from the crowd, but they are the crowd. That they ignored the colleague weeping before them, comforting instead the man whod verbally abused her, isnt remarkable. In fact, it was such a natural thing for them to do that they did it in front of a journalist they were trying to impress. Advertisement Advertisement If one is feeling charitable, their intentions can even be seenfrom a certain standpointas good. Three of the four have already apologized for their part in this sorry affair, and thats noteworthy because (besides the fact that apologies were appropriate and owed) it shows they get how completely they torpedoed a crucial PR opportunity. Their goal was so clearly to please the mainstream audience they ended up horrifying. Advertisement And the reason they failed spectacularly is because the dynamic Bateman kept describing as a family is actually a boys club. I suspect this is what Jessica Walter was trying to say when she asked the Times Sopan Deb to describe the testosterone in this room.* A boys club is buoyant and profane and totally fun for those inside. It does feel like a certain kind of familyto men! (Of course Bateman has zero complaints. Hes in.) I dont doubt that Bateman, Hale, and Cross consider themselves to be good and decent men and even good allies to their female co-stars. Thats what is instructive about this case: These guys truly believed they were fixing the problem. Advertisement The trouble is that it was the wrong problem. These men thought the mission was How to Help Their Friend Jeffrey Tambor. And that this was so obviously their default assumption says all you need to know about how a boys club blinds its members to anything on the outside (women). Their fellow boys are what matters. Their concerns matter more, their humor matters more, their pain matters more, their talent matters more. Tambors behavior didnt damage their workplace and threaten its reputation; the women talking about it did. The Arrested Development men were standing up for a buddy in need. Advertisement And heres where that distinction between sexual and verbal abuse starts to get a little shakyand why a happy work environment for someone within the club can feel hostile to someone outside. Its not a coincidence that, of all the people Tambor is accused of mistreating (and he himself admits to being mean to), none are men. Advertisement Advertisement David Cross himself hints at this division in his interview with Gothamist: I dont know whether or not Jeffrey would have done that to the male members of the cast. He didnt have that relationship that he has with Jessica that he has with the male members of the cast, so thats perhaps part of the difference. Meanwhile, Walters statement that she has to get over what Tambor did to her and be his friend suggests, among other things, that even when a woman is not a part of the in-group, she is keenly aware of the warmth from which she has been excluded. The reason this story resonated as much as it didas Linda Holmes points outis that this dynamic felt immediately recognizable, not foreign. Workplaces all over America are plagued with iterations of this hard-to-describe double standard. Holmes writes that the male actors disrespect felt so benign in the delivery and so destructive in the effect. How can you have zero complaints about a workplace someone else remembers as containing the worst verbal abuse of her career? Is that not, itself, a complaint? The men perform for each other and joke and make each other feel good. They wont be stoppednot by Alia Shawkat, who admonishes them, or by the weeping colleague trying to answer the question they hadnt even let the reporter finish asking. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If were going to talk about equality in the workplace, were going to have to recognize that sexual misconduct cant be where the conversation ends. The boys clubits so-constant-you-cant-hear-it-anymore patter of mutual reassurancecan render women even in its midst all but invisible. That power can dictate who gets defended and celebrated, and who gets screamed at. The New York Times interview is cruel. But nothing in it is exceptional. Whether you blame it on participation trophies, a rotten economy, or Sir John Vanbrughs disastrous tenure as the College of Arms Clarenceux King of Arms from 1704 to 1725, the facts are indisputable: Californians, millennials, and Californian millennials have long been more interested in blazing it up than blazoning it up. But one young woman is trying to usher in a return to traditional heraldry: Suits star Meghan Markle! The 36-year-old Northwestern graduate and Duchess of Sussex has been assigned a California-inspired coat of arms designed by Mr. Thomas Woodcock (the Garter King of Arms and Senior Herald in England) and approved by the Queen of England herself. In an apparent effort to reach out to young people who might consider heraldry stuffy or old fashioned, the news went out on Kensington Palaces Twitter account, complete with a color picture: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Coat of Arms has been created for The Duchess of Sussex: https://t.co/mJb3mqZfaZ pic.twitter.com/0EgbiS29Rb Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) May 25, 2018 While baby boomers may cringe at the kind of shorthand the internet encouragesis that the coat of arms or the full heraldic achievement?the up-and-coming generation of nobility grew up with social media and can switch fluently between Twitter lingo and the euphonious Latin of Bartolus de Saxoferratos fourteenth-century treatise Tractatus de Insigniis et Armis. But every generation agrees that a blazon is worth a thousand pictures, so heres Markle, blazoning it West-Coast-style: Advertisement Azure a Feather bendwise Argent quilled between two Bendlets Or all between two like Feathers Argent quilled Or. Advertisement California knows how to herald! The azure field (blue background, for you squares in the audience) represents the waters of the Pacific Ocean, while the Bendlets Or (gold rays) stand in for the famous sunshine of Markles hometown of Los Angeles. If you think theres a lot more going on in the image than is described in the blazon, youre right. For starters, as a married woman, Markles coat of arms is displayed impaled by the arms of her husband, fellow millennial coat of arms enthusiast Prince Henry, Duke of Sussex. Henrys blazon is even more traditional than his wifes; heres just the part dealing with the escutcheon: Advertisement Advertisement Quarterly, 1st and 4th Gules three lions passant guardant in pale Or armed and langued Azure (for England), 2nd quarter Or a lion rampant within a double tressure flory-counter-flory Gules (for Scotland), 3rd quarter Azure a harp Or stringed Argent (for Ireland), with over all a label of five points Argent the first, third and fifth points charged with an Escallop Gules Vox Victorians eat your hearts out! In Markles full heraldic achievement, the escutcheon is flanked by two supporters, one representing her husband (the lion) and the other representing Markle herself, a songbird with open mouth. Like the quills on her escutcheon, the songbird represents communication, a nod to her career as an actress that also, perhaps, alludes to the way Markle and her husband are communicating to young people that heraldry is cool again. At the shields base bloom wintersweet from Kensington palace, and golden poppies, Californias state flower. West Coast represent! Advertisement Advertisement While the rest of her generation is only just beginning to learn about heraldry, with rising stars like Meghan, Duchess of Sussex publicly embracing the field, a return to the retro, James-Bondian cool of heraldrys 1960s heyday may well be on the horizon. Millennials inspired by Markle to seek out a coat of arms of their own should submit a petition to the Earl Marshal of the College of Arms outlining the honors theyve received from the Crown (along with a fee of 6,075), prove that they are members of the legitimate male line of an armigerous family, or become nobility themselves through marriage or conquest. Accused rapist and disgraced film producer Harvey Weinstein surrendered to police in lower Manhattan on Friday morning. Footage of his arrival shows Weinstein entering the precinct with three books in his armsone about Elia Kazan, another about Rodgers and Hammerstein, and a third, floppy, leather-bound volume that hasnt been identified. How many pages might a person get to read while in custody? Zero. Weinsteins books were almost certainly props, perhaps to make it seem as though hes nonchalant about his prosecution. The choice of titles might also be designed to send some kind of message: Elia Kazan was a brilliant but disgraced film director and a calculating, unfaithful womanizer; composer Richard Rodgers was known to be sexually aggressive with the women who performed his musicals. Whatever the purpose of his reading material, though, Weinstein would not have had much time to peruse it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The New York Times reports that Weinstein arrived at the precinct at 7:30 a.m., got fingerprinted, then departed in handcuffswithout his booksabout an hour later. From there he was driven to the courthouse, where he was arraigned at 9:25 a.m. and made bail on a cashiers check for $1 million. Given this timeline, and assuming that Weinstein reads at an average speed, he would have had time to get through no more than about 30 pages of Something Wonderful: Rodgers and Hammersteins Broadway Revolution. Even that might be a stretch. Some criminal defense attorneys say that cops rarely let a person keep a stack of books while in custody. Upon arrival at the precinct, all of a defendants personal property would be vouchered, either for safekeeping or as evidence against him. Others disagree, saying its not uncommon for police to allow someone to read a book or magazine while waiting to be processed, though this may vary from one officer to another. Advertisement Some distraction might be nice. Under normal circumstances, a person who surrenders to police can expect to wait 12 to 24 hours before heading off to see a judge. This includes time spent waiting to be transported to the courthouse, as officers dont tend to make this trip until they have a group of people ready for arraignment. The fact that Weinstein got the walkthrough treatmentcoming in and out in just two hourssuggests that all arrangements (including the amount of his bail) had been worked out ahead of time by his lawyer and the district attorneys office. Advertisement That means Weinstein likely brought along his stack of books while knowing in advance that hed be in the express lane, with little time to read. On the other hand, the booking process can end up dragging on, even when the cops intend to rush you through. For instance, the system used to send a persons fingerprints up to a database in Albany, New York, sometimes freezes up. A technical glitch like this could add up to half a days delay. Advertisement Advertisement Bonus Explainer: Do police have jumbo-size handcuffs for use with big guys like Weinstein? Yes, though theyll often daisy-chain a few pairs of regular handcuffs instead. Thats exactly what authorities did this morning: According to the Times, Weinstein was escorted to the courthouse in three interlinked sets of handcuffs to accommodate his girth. A regular set of cuffs is about 9 inches long, with cuffs that open out to roughly 8 inches in circumference. Manufacturers supply police departments with a longer (about 1 foot from end to end) and a larger (up to 10 inches in circumference) model, too, though officers tend not to keep these on their belts in normal situations. The jumbo cuffs are more likely to be used in courtroom settings, where a defendant might need sufficient range of motion to sign a document. Got a question about the news? Ask the Explainer. Explainer thanks criminal defense attorney Lance Fletcher and Chris Gill of Peerless Handcuff Co. As the heart-wrenching stories of babies snatched from their parents hands at the border start to be told, the outrage is growing. There is something terrible happening here that Americans would not support if they understood it, F. Scott McCown, director of the Childrens Rights Clinic at the University of Texas at Austin School of Law, told NBC News earlier this week. It seems Americans are finally starting to wake up to the reality of what is happening in their country and outrage over the practice is growing now that is becoming more commonplace thanks to new policies being implemented by the Trump administration. Advertisement Earlier this month, Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced plans to criminally prosecute 100 percent of migrants illegally crossing the border with Mexico. That essentially meant it suddenly became official U.S. policy to separate children from their parents whereas before families would usually be kept together in shelters while they underwent asylum or deportation proceedings. But when he announced his new policy Sessions outright said the separation of children and their parents would be inevitable and brushed off concerns by saying that it would send a clear message to potential migrants. If you are smuggling a child, then we will prosecute you and that child will be separated from you as required by law, Sessions said. If you dont like that, then dont smuggle children over our border. In other words, the government made it clear it was willing to traumatize children for life just to teach a lesson to their parents. Chief of Staff John Kelly seemed to put into words the administrations lack of interest on the fate of the children split from their parents in an interview with NPR: The children will be taken care of put into foster care or whatever. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All this talk about more children being snatched from parents arms at the border suddenly brought to attention a little known fact that received scant little notice when it was first revealed last month: federal officials are losing track of lots of migrant children. And in this case losing track is a polite way of saying they have absolutely no clue where they could be. Turns out that children are turned over to the Office of Refugee Resettlement, which is part of the Department of Health and Human Services and seems woefully unprepared to deal with the inflow. Between October 2016 and December 2017, the agency was unable to determine the exact location fo 1,475 of the 7,633 minors it attempted to reachor almost 20 percent, Steven Wagner, acting assistant secretary for the HHS administration for children and families, said at a Senate subcommittee testimony in April. As Voxs Dara Lind made clear in a series of tweets, there seemed to be a bit of confusion among online commenters about what this number represents because most of the children included in this misplaced count arrived in the United States as unaccompanied minors and were not actually snatched from their parents. Advertisement Advertisement This is hardly a new problem. In a scathing 2016 report, a Senate committee even accused the agency of failing to protect minors from potential traffickers and other abusers. Yet by all accounts, things have gotten a lot worse. The reason why these past experiences are important is because the agency is failing at its TRADITIONAL function, and now being asked to perform a new one, notes Lind. Yet even before the new prosecution strategy went into effect, experts on border issues said children were still being separated from their parents at alarming rates. From October 2017 to mid-April, more than 700 children were reportedly separated from their parents, according to NBC News. Advertisement NBCs Chris Hayes covered the issue in a devastating report Friday that details lots of horrifying events, including a time when a 53-week-old infant was snatched from his parents. This is unprecedented, the worst thing Ive seen in 25 plus years of doing civil rights work, said an ACLU lawyer. We may be doing permanent trauma to these kids. On Twitter Hayes shared pages of a court document about a Honduran national whose 18-month-old son was taken away from her at the border and was given no guidance as to when shed be able to reunite with him. This is a moral abomination, and a national shame, Hayes wrote. Advertisement Advertisement This is a moral abomination, and a national shame. Well be covering it tonight. pic.twitter.com/oJxREV5kA1 Chris Hayes (@chrislhayes) May 25, 2018 It is also hardly a unique case. The Houston Chronicle wrote about a 28-year-old Guatemalan who tried to cross the border illegally with his 18-month-old son. When he was deported three months later no one could tell him where his son was beyond saying he was somewhere in Texas. I cried. I begged, he said. No one could tell me anything. Advertisement What is more shameful than forcibly separating, in America, parents from infant children at the border? And then, losing track of those children? Preet Bharara (@PreetBharara) May 26, 2018 Advertisement What is more shameful than forcibly separating, in America, parents from infant children at the border? asked former U.S. attorney Preet Bharara. And then, losing track of those children? Rep. Ted Lieu of California wrote on Twitter that the policy of splitting children from their parents would shock Jesus and is evil. Advertisement There are many ways to describe the @realDonaldTrump policy of ripping children away from their parents at the border. -It violates human rights laws. -It is unAmerican. -It would shock Jesus. But I think the most appropriate way to describe it is this: -The policy is evil. https://t.co/RQ3x7ZGhUx Ted Lieu (@tedlieu) May 26, 2018 As outrage grew on Saturday, Trump somehow seemed to think he could blame Democrats for the mess his administration has created. Put pressure on the Democrats to end the horrible law that separates children from there parents once they cross the Border into the U.S. Catch and Release, Lottery and Chain must also go with it and we MUST continue building the WALL! DEMOCRATS ARE PROTECTING MS-13 THUGS, Trump wrote on Twitter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Donald Trump seems to have woken up on Saturday in the mood to tell a few lies on Twitter. The most easily disproven tweet came as part of what has become a common theme for the commander in chief: blasting the New York Times. Saturdays attack on the paper started with the president calling it Failing and Corrupt, claiming there is ZERO disagreement within the Trump administration as to how to deal with North Korea. Unlike what the Failing and Corrupt New York Times would like people to believe, there is ZERO disagreement within the Trump Administration as to how to deal with North Korea...and if there was, it wouldnt matter. The @nytimes has called me wrong right from the beginning! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 26, 2018 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A dubious statement, to be sure, but the whopper came in the following tweet: The Failing @nytimes quotes a senior White House official, who doesnt exist, as saying even if the meeting were reinstated, holding it on June 12 would be impossible, given the lack of time and the amount of planning needed. WRONG AGAIN! The president then went on to give some advice to the paper: Use real people, not phony sources. The Failing @nytimes quotes a senior White House official, who doesnt exist, as saying even if the meeting were reinstated, holding it on June 12 would be impossible, given the lack of time and the amount of planning needed. WRONG AGAIN! Use real people, not phony sources. Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 26, 2018 Advertisement As many reporters were quick to point out, the source the Times used in its story wasnt only real but he talked from a podium of the White House briefing room to dozens of reporters who were presentand even some who had joined in on the phonefor a background briefing. The ground rules for background briefings state that the name of the official must remain anonymous. I mean, every reporter on the call knows who this official was, and this official exists. And we all heard the official say it. https://t.co/iEiTEpHeyb Mike Warren (@MichaelRWarren) May 26, 2018 Advertisement Advertisement I sat in a White House briefing this week with dozens of reporters (on phone and in person), and a senior White House official said something similar. The official said holding it on 6/12 would be difficult because 6/12 might as well be "in 10 minutes," and it takes time to plan. https://t.co/BPla484NIG Sarah McCammon (@sarahmccammon) May 26, 2018 Advertisement This is extraordinary. The official said this from the podium of the White House briefing room, before dozens of reporters. https://t.co/F6xxs6qYFa Steven Portnoy (@stevenportnoy) May 26, 2018 Advertisement The president seemed to be taking issue with this sentence in a Times piece: On Thursday, for example, a senior White House official told reporters that even if the meeting were reinstated, holding it on June 12 would be impossible, given the lack of time and the amount of planning needed. Those present note that while the official didnt use the word impossible, the overarching message was just that. Theres a certain amount of actual dialogue that needs to take place at the working level with your counterparts to ensure that the agenda is clear in the minds of those two leaders when they sit down to actually meet and talk and negotiate, and hopefully make a deal. And June 12 is in 10 minutes, and its going to be you know, the official said, according to a White House transcript reported by Politico. But the President has said that he hassomeday, that he looks forward to meeting with Kim. Advertisement Advertisement One reporter who was not part of the call revealed the name of the source as Matt Pottinger, a foreign policy aide to Trump. The only reason I tweeted Matts name is because Im not a White House reporter and I was not on this call, Yashar Ali wrote explaining his decision to out the source. 2. To be clear, the only reason I tweeted Matt's name is because I'm not a White House reporter and I was not on this call. I do not believe reporters should violate off record or on background agreements under any circumstances. Not my agreement, so I can tweet. Yashar Ali (@yashar) May 26, 2018 Advertisement The decision to make it seem like the Times was lying about its sources came shortly after the president blamed Democrats for separating children and their parents at the border. Just as the decision to split up families is causing increased outrage across the country, the president seemed to want to wash his hands of the problem. And he did it with a common misspelling to boot. Put pressure on the Democrats to end the horrible law that separates children from there parents once they cross the Border into the U.S., he tweeted. Yes, the commander in chief wrote there instead of their, but more importantly wrote something that is pretty much nonsense. Advertisement Advertisement Put pressure on the Democrats to end the horrible law that separates children from there parents once they cross the Border into the U.S. Catch and Release, Lottery and Chain must also go with it and we MUST continue building the WALL! DEMOCRATS ARE PROTECTING MS-13 THUGS. Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 26, 2018 Advertisement Advertisement It is unclear exactly what Trump was referring to since there is no actual law that mandates the separation of families at the border. The Wall Street Journal, for example, speculates Trump may have been referring to the 1997 Flores settlement agreement that required migrant children not to be held in jail. Others have said Trump may have been referring to the catch and release policy the president and his administration love to hate and was signed into law in 2008 by then-president George W. Bush. Details aside, it is undoubtedly thanks to Trumps policies that children are being snatched away from their parents hands. Before Trump, minors who crossed with their parents were usually processed together but that has changed under the administrations desire to criminally prosecute all migrants who cross the border illegally. The ACLU was one of many to express surprise at Trumps tweet: No law requires thisseparating parents and children is your administrations choice. Advertisement No law requires this separating parents and children is your administrations choice. Hundreds of kids as young as 18 months are in danger of suffering lifelong trauma. We wont let you shift the blame or use families as bargaining chips for your wall. #EndFamilySeparation https://t.co/ixRFgPgCq6 ACLU (@ACLU) May 26, 2018 Many Trump tweets have enraged me since he took office. This may be the worst. He is flat-out lying about the most cruel and inhumane policy of his presidency. At least own the policy you miserable coward. https://t.co/AfeSTifBCN Jon Favreau (@jonfavs) May 26, 2018 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even though his attempt to shift blame on Democrats for his own policies may be galling, it was hardly new. Earlier this month he did the same while talking to California officials about immigration policy. I know what youre going through right now with families is very tough but those are the bad laws that the Democrats gave us, Trump told Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen. We have to break up families. The Democrats gave us that law. Its a horrible thing where you have to break up families. Factcheck.org declared that statement was false. Slovak develops chip to simulate brain This chip uses ten times less energy than conventional processors. A team under the leadership of Slovak Radoslav Danilak in the Sillicon Valley developed a chip that should be able to simulate the capacity of a human brain in real time by the year 2020. This chip consummates ten times less energy than the performance of conventional processors and it could become the first European chip. Danilaks company Tachyum introduced it at Globsec 2018. The design of the chip came from Europe, there are mainly Slovaks on the team, said Juraj Pavlovic, one of the companys managers, as quoted by the TASR newswire. Personally, he would like to produce the chip in Slovakia, however, it would not be possible for economic reasons. The chip will be produced probably in Taiwan where chips for Nvidia and Qualcomm are also produced, he said. Danilak emphasized the energetic economy of the chip. Global datacentres consume 40 percent energy more than the United Kingdom and this consummation doubles every five years, Danilak said at a press conference. The low energy demands of chips apply to other developments in the field of IT, for example, artificial intelligence. 26. May 2018 at 7:00 | TASR, Compiled by Spectator staff Days of Early Music presents unknown composers and instruments The 23rd edition of the festival offers eight concerts in a variety of period musical styles, while also presenting composers from Bratislava and forgotten instruments, including one replicated from da Vincis drawings. The annual classical music festival Days of Early Music focuses on early period music while highlighting different aspects each year. This time around, the eight concerts taking place in five Bratislava halls between May 27 and June 10 present Slovak as well as foreign ensembles, with a wide variety of styles on the menu. The dramaturgic theme of the 23rd edition of Days of Early Music is a musical bouquet, or Florilegium Musicum. In medieval Latin, a florilegium was a compilation of excerpts from different writings, meaning literally a gathering of flowers. Organisers of the Centre of Early Music and the Musical Centre say that the music, mostly in Italian, French, and German styles, will create a symbolic musical bouquet when combined. 17th century Italian sacral music will be performed by top early music troupe La Venexiana on June 10 in Klarisky hall, organisers wrote. A week earlier, June 3 also in Klarisky hall renowned French ensemble Les Folies Francoises will play French baroque music, hailing the 350th anniversary of composer Francois Couperin "Le Grand". In a unique event, the British ensemble The Rose Consort of Viols comes to play the most famous works of English lute player and composer John Dowland for old violas, rarely heard in Slovakia. Connecting the old with the new, the concert on June 5 in Klarisky will present two works of contemporary composers as well a Slovak living in Sweden, Pavol Simai, and Briton Ivan Moody. The Rose Consort of Viols (Source: Courtesy of Dni Starej Hudby) Slovak ensembles, composers at the festival Domestic ensembles include Musica Aeterna (artistic director Peter Zajicek) which will in cooperation with the Szczecin Vocal Project led by Pawe Osuchowski introduce lesser known Polish music of the 17th century to audiences on June 6 in Klarisky. This ensemble will also play in the Reduta hall of the Slovak Philharmonic on May 29 together with Italian soloist Alfredo Bernardini, performing orchestral suites of Bratislava native, Johann Sigismund Kusser, as well as Venice composer Alessandro Marcello. Another group of early music is Solamente Naturali (artistic director Milos Valent) which will bring the works of one of the most important classical Bratislava composers, Anton Zimmerman, as well as an unknown musician of this city and period, Wenzel Kallusch in a modern premiere on May 27 in the Mirror Hall of the Primates Palace. Zimmermanns sonatas will be also played by violinist Monika Toth and cimbalist Dora Petery from Hungary on May 27 in the Mirbach Palace. The third concert to hail this local musician, on June 3 in the Mirbach Palace, is that of international ensemble Schollnast Consort which includes, among others, Slovak players on period clarinets, Robert and Ronald Sebestas. The Forum Instrumentorum concert on June 8 in the Dvorana VSMU concert hall and later in Zilina (June 10, 19:00, New Synagogue) will introduce forgotten musical instruments to listeners, including Polish composer and pianist Slawomir Zubrzycki who will bring the viola organista an instrument preserved in the drawings of Leonardo da Vinci. Accompanying events Apart from the concerts, morning accompanying events in Klarisky are available to the public, particularly for students of music. There will be a masterclass on Interpreting French Baroque Music (June 4), and the open, commented rehearsal of The Rose Consort of Viols (June 5). Tickets for the concerts can be purchased via Ticketportal, the Slovak Philharmonic, in the Mirbach Palace and one hour before each concert at the door. More information can be found at the earlymusic.sk website. 26. May 2018 at 15:32 | Compiled by Zuzana Vilikovska Polyglots flock to Slovakia More than 500 polyglots from over the world are expected to come to Slovakia for the Polyglot Gathering. In the autumn, LingvaFest will enhance the list of linguistic events. We managed to bring this big and prestigious world event to Slovakia thanks to personal contacts with the initiators and original organisers of this event from Berlin, Peter Balaz, one of the two main Slovak organisers, said. As we have known them from our past activities connected to the simplest language in the world, Esperanto, it was easier to persuade them that the event will be in good hands here, he noted, adding that it helped that they co-organised the 101st World Esperanto Congress in 2016, deemed one of the best in history by participants. From there, it was within reach to bring this linguistic event to Slovakia, too." Between May 30 and June 3, Bratislava will welcome more than 500 people who speak 10, or even 20 languages, i.e. polyglots. They are self-learners and usually they are able to communicate in newly-mastered languages after just a few months, the organising body Slovak civic association Edukacia@Internet (E@I, www.ikso.net) wrote. The hyper-polyglot from the UK, Richard Simcott, speaks more than 35 languages, for example, including difficult ones such as Icelandic and Slovak. What is on offer The Polyglot Gathering will take place at the Economic University in Bratislava and will include lectures, workshops and other activities aimed at more interesting and effective ways of learning foreign languages, as well as spontaneous short talks in various languages both globally wide-spread and less typical. The event (www.polyglotbratislava.com) is an informal event that originated in Berlin. Later, its founders started cooperating with Lydia Machova of Jazykovy Mentoring (Language Mentoring) who helps people learn languages as self-learners, and Peter Balaz, coordinator of E@I. In 2017, the Polyglot Gathering was arranged in Bratislava for the first time, and with 458 participants from 52 countries, it has become the biggest meeting of polyglots in the world. This time around, organisers expect about 550 people to come. They will be offered a host of various activities, including trips around not one but three countries: Slovakia, Austria, and Hungary. In autumn 2018, the festival of languages LingvaFest will also connect people interested in this phenomenon. 26. May 2018 at 15:43 | Compiled by Zuzana Vilikovska Guyana Goldfields Inc. provides exploration and production of gold. It engages in the acquisition, exploration, development, production, and operation of gold mineral properties. The company also owns and operates gold drilling rights. The company was formerly known as Chiboug Copper Company Limited and changed its name to Guyana Goldfields Inc. in January 1995. Guyana Goldfields Inc. was incorporated in 1994 and is headquartered in Toronto, Canada. As of August 25, 2020, Guyana Goldfields Inc. operates as a subsidiary of Zijin Mining Group Company Limited. Read More Pakistan's powerful army has summoned former ISI chief Asad Durrani to seek his explaination over a book he co-authored with India's ex-spy chief AS Dulat, accusing him of 'violating' the military code of conduct. Lieutenant General (retd) Durrani, who headed the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agency from August 1990 till March 1992, along with Dulat has written "The Spy Chronicles: RAW, ISI and the Illusion of Peace". The book was released on Wednesday. The Pakistan Army in a statement said that Durrani was being called to General Headquarters (GHQ) on May 20 and "will be asked to explain his position on views attributed to him in book 'Spy Chronicles'." "Attribution taken as violation of Military Code of Conduct applicable on all serving and retired military personnel," according to the statement issued last night. Durrani was summoned after ousted Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif yesterday demanded an urgent meeting of the high-powered National Security Committee (NSC) to discuss the content of the book. Former chairman Pakistan Senate Raza Rabbani criticised the book by rival spy chiefs. "Had a politician done the same thing he would have been labelled a traitor," he said. Earn HP HPE2-E69 Certification And Stay Ahead In IT Corporate Race 26 May, 2018 Related News Imran Khan distributed loan cheques under Kamyab Jawan Programme PTI govt to face all challenges coming its way: Imran khan More on this View All Types of Casino Payment Methods Tips for Taking Incredible iPhone Travel Photos Top 2021 Accessories We Know You Will Love Are Slot Developers Important for players? Best Poker Hands ever played on a Casino Hand Wash and Toiletries in Pakistan And the Role of DUPAS in Reshaping the Industry Woke Bingo You must be well aware of the fact that Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) is one of the most renowned global provider of information technology products, services and software to organizations. The company provides two certification paths, while one is focused on the sales, the other primarily targets the technical expertise. HPE offers certifications for individuals who work with its infrastructure and storage, cloud servers and other products. 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"A little fill here and there may seem to be nothing to become excited about. But one fill, though comparatively inconsequential, may lead to another, and another, and before long a great body may be eaten away until it may no longer exist. Our navigable waters are a precious natural heritage, once gone, they disappear forever," wrote the Wisconsin Supreme Court in its 1960 opinion resolving Hixon v. PSC and buttressing The Public Trust Doctrine, Article IX of the Wisconsin State Constitution. No Vietnamese air carriers were able to make it to the worlds top 50 cheapest airlines, with industry insiders saying they have the domestic high jet fuel prices to blame for their inability to offer really reasonable tickets. Rome2rio, a leading travel planning platform, has recently published its third Global Flight Pricing report, which ranks the best value airlines for travelers based on the average cost per kilometer, after analyzing over 1.5 million economy-class prices from 200 airlines in the first two months of 2018. Tigerair from Australia led the list with an average cost per kilometer of US$0.06, followed by Malaysias AirAsiaX with $0.07, and AirAsia of Indonesia with $0.08. Jetstar, a member of Australias Qantas Group, ranked fourth with $0.09. Six carriers, including the second-largest airline of the United Arab Emirates Etihad, Indonesias Citilink, Iceland's only high performance low-cost airline WOW Air, Oman Air, Indonesian Lion Mentari Airlines and Ryanair from Ireland, closely came after with the same average cost per kilometer of $0.1. Top 50 airlines by average price (US$) per kilometer by Rome2rio In the meantime, all three major Vietnamese carriers, Vietnam Airlines, Viejet and Jetstar Pacific, failed to make it to the top 50. No-frills Vietjet charges its passengers an average of $0.14 per kilometer, compared to $0.15 of its low-cost peer Jetstar Pacific. National flag carrier Vietnam Airlines had a much higher cost per kilometer ratio, $0.3. While the three are absent from the Rome2rio list based on the average cost per kilometer ratio, Vietnam ranked 15th in terms of average ticket price by country. A representative of a Vietnamese airline said that jet fuel is much more expensive in Vietnam than in other countries, resulting in higher airfares, given the fact that fuel accounts for 30-40 percent of the total operating costs of a carrier. The jet fuel price in Vietnam is 20-30 percent higher than in other regional countries, he told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper. At its latest shareholders meeting, Vietnam Airlines announced that fuel makes up 24-38 percent of the companys expenses. Even a one-dollar rise in oil price will lift the cost of the national flag carrier by about VND230 billion ($10.12 million) a year, according to Vietnam Airlines. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Vietnams Internet connection through the Asia America Gateway (AAG) cable system is being dragged to a snails pace for some users, as the notorious submarine cable system is undergoing two straight repairs that wont complete until next month. The AAG section that connects Vietnam with Hong Kong and the U.S. is being repaired from May 22 to 27, after which the second process will start for its landing point in the southern city of Vung Tau, a Vietnamese Internet service provider confirmed on Saturday. The second repairs work will be carried out from June 1 to 6, according to the source. As in previous cases when the notorious underwater system had problems, the repairs will throttle international connectivity from the country. Local Internet service providers asserted that they have already taken measures to ensure connection quality for users, minimize the impacts of the issue. However, it could not be ruled out that users in Vietnam will experience slow connection or have trouble visiting overseas-hosted Internet websites and services. The 20,000-kilometer submarine communications cable system provides one of Vietnams lifeline Internet gateways to the world by linking it with other Southeast Asian countries and with the U.S. across the Pacific Ocean. A celebration was held on Friday in Ho Chi Minh City for the 45th founding anniversary of Vietnam-Australia diplomatic ties. The milestone has become more special when the two countries elevated their ties to strategic partnership in March this year, the southern metropolis chairman Nguyen Thanh Phong said at the ceremony. Australia and Ho Chi Minh City have reaped multiple significant achievements in their cooperation in the fields of trade, investment, education-training, culture and tourism, particularly the 180-strong Australian-invested projects, collectively worth nearly US$190 million, in the city, according to the chairman. The southern city established ties with Australias Northern Territory in 2014. The two sides universities are actively implementing a number of cooperation projects, including the training of 500 masters and doctors for Vietnams southern economic hub, according to the Vietnam News Agency. Phong underlined that the collaboration between the Vietnamese city and Australian localities will further develop in the coming time on the foundation of mutual trust and the strategic partnership between the two countries. Australian Ambassador to Vietnam Craig Chittick hailed the Ho Chi Minh City ceremony as a wonderful event to mark the 45-year-old diplomatic ties between Vietnam and Australia. The celebration demonstrated the warm friendship between the two countries over the past years and the wish of Australian people to explore Vietnamese culture, the diplomat underlined. Governor-General of Australia Peter Cosgrove (right) and Ho Chi Minh City chairman Nguyen Thanh Phong shake hand during their meeting in the southern Vietnamese city on May 25, 2018. Photo: Tuoi Tre Governor-General of Australia Peter Cosgrove, who is on a state visit to Vietnam on this occasion, also met with chairman Phong on Friday. The Governor-General then visited the level-two field hospital No. 1, based at the Military Hospital 175 in Ho Chi Minh City. In his remarks, Cosgrove underlined that Australia is proud to stand by Vietnam in preparing for and implementing the task of training military doctors, who he said will care for the health and lives of not only the UN peacekeeping force but also people in the countries they work in. He said it is honor for Australia to help Vietnam train English skills and support it with some equipment, adding that the two sides have been moving closer and closer to each other during the 20 years of defense cooperation. A newborn baby has been rescued and taken to the hospital in time, when he was discovered buried alive in the south-central province of Binh Thuan on Saturday. Nguyen Thi Thuy Truc, a local in Tan Thang Commune in Ham Tan District, was walking by a fallow near her house in the morning, when she saw a babys elbow and foot surfaced from the ground. The 31-year-old woman called her husband to the scene and had him unearth the ground. The couple was shocked to see a baby, still breathing but having several wounds on his body, lying in the dirt. They immediately cleaned the infant and brought him to an emergency medical station in the commune. The newborn appeared to be about one-day-old, weighing a mere two kilograms, with the umbilical cord still attached to his belly button, according to a doctor at the clinic. The emergency medical station gave the baby first-aid, cutting the umbilical cord, washing and sewing his wounds before transferring him to the General Hospital of La Gi town for further treatment. Do Tan Si, chairman of Tan Thang Commune People's Committee, confirmed the incident later the same day, adding that local police are investigating for clarification. According to Si, neither the mother nor any guardians of the baby has showed up. The poor newborn is now under special care of local authorities. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! 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 A GrabBike driver in Hanoi, accused of verbal sexual harassment against a preteen girl he was hired to take to school, has been slapped with a civil fine as there are not enough grounds to criminally charge him. Police in the capitals Tay Ho District said on Friday they had imposed a VND200,000 (US$8.8) fine on the tech-based motorbike taxi driver, Pham Van Hai, without elaborating on the reason for punishment. Hai, 31, was accused of verbally harassing a nine-year-old girl by her mother, who denounced the alleged lewd act on social media. On May 16, the mother, N.T.L., wrote on her Facebook that she had booked a GrabBike ride for her daughter to go from Trich Sai Street in Tay Ho District to Dai Tu Street in Hoang Mai District the same day. Hai arrived to pick up the girl, with the daughter telling her mother after the ride that the driver had harassed her with irritating questions during their trip. According to the mothers account, the driver had asked the nine-year-old such provocative questions as What is your favorite color?, What is your moms favorite color?, What is the color of the panties you are wearing?, Have you ever seen your moms breasts?, What color is your moms panties?, and Can I touch your panties? The story left social media in shock, prompting Grab Vietnam and local police to look into the issue. After investigating and taking testimonies from relevant sides, Tay Ho police said on Friday they could not criminally charge Hai for his alleged verbal sexual harassment. But the police did conclude that the driver had insulted and hurt the little girls dignity through his improper and provocative words. Officers have requested that the driver make a formal apology to the young passenger, but her family rejected the offer, saying they did not want to see their daughter mentally hurt again. A representative of Grab Vietnam has visited the girl at her house, expressing that the company acknowledged the incident with full regret and offering to provide psychological assistance and private car service for the girl until she recovers from the distress. Grab also said they had suspended Hai from using the app following the accusation. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Vietnams aviation authority has stipulated the use of a more generic term to talk about flight status, with service delay or cancelation now described as being not-on-time. While the change of term has been criticized by members of the public and experts, the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) has said using the new jargon is a suitable approach to catch up with international practices. The CAAV has stopped using flight delay and cancellation in its reports at least since the second quarter of 2017, with services now marked as either on-time flights or not-on time flights, a source with knowledge of the matter told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper. Vietnamese airlines, apparently backing the word change, now tend to inform passengers that their flights will depart later than schedule due to late arrival of aircraft, totally avoiding the word delay. A CAAV representative told Tuoi Tre that the terms flight delay and flight cancellation are no longer in use by other countries aviation watchdogs. They now use the On-Time Performance (OTP) ratio to assess the results of a carrier, he said. OTP is one of the primary competitive parameters for international airlines around the world, so employing this for Vietnam will help the country stay in line with international practices, the official said. A representative of a local airline shared this view, asserting that the on-time performance describes the status of a flight better than delay and cancelation, while giving passengers a lesser-negative impression about the carrier. The flight delay/cancellation term can be misleading for some passengers, who take it as meaning that the service is canceled, while it is only delayed, he explained. In the meantime, the term not-on-time flight is more accurate, as it covers both cases - sooner and later than scheduled, he added. However, Nguyen Thien Tong, an aviation specialist, suggested that the CAAV should return to the old terms, condemning that such a shift in word use only illustrates unprofessionalism and dishonesty. The new term is only meant to make the poor performance of airlines sound less serious to passengers, he said. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Over the next two weeks Australian Story and the ABCs Unravel podcast series will be exploring the mysterious death of teenager Mark Haines. When Marks body was found on train tracks near Tamworth 30 years ago his family were immediately suspicious- was there more to his death than met the eye? Despite the familys concerns police dismissed any idea of foul play and closed the file on the case. It was only when ABC journalist Allan Clarke embarked on a five year investigation that things started to change. Police have now reopened the case and the podcast team have discovered startling new evidence which suggests Marks death was no mere misadventure. 8pm Monday on ABC. SBS has deleted a comment by Ray Martin in its online replay of Royal Wedding coverage. SBS conducted a studio forum following the the wedding in which a multicultural audience offered their reactions to the ceremony. Some noted the inclusion of African American heritage meeting British tradition, including Royals struggling to remain composed during the lengthy speech by Rev. Curry. That prompted co-host Ray Martin to recall, I remember the headline in Prince Phillips early days when he was at his worst in Nigeria, on a Royal Tour true story. He talked in his speech about the land of the N****r. Not the land of the Niger but the land of the N****r. Anyway, those days are gone, he added. An SBS spokeswoman told Fairfax the broadcaster had not received any formal complaints, and defended Martins use of the term as presented within its reported historical context. Nevertheless, SBS made the editorial judgement to remove it from the SBS On Demand version, she said. Meanwhile Royal Correspondent Jenny Bond on ABC, suggested to Annabel Crabb and Jeremy Fernandez that the future children of Meghan and Harry could be all sorts of colours. The first Irish study of adult exposure to glyphosate, the most commonly found pesticide in Ireland, has ruled that the general population is subject to low exposure from the chemical, a range well within acceptable EU safety limits. Headed by NUI Galway (NUIG) researchers, background levels of the active ingredient in more than 750 products were assessed, including the global favourite, Roundup. The teams findings affirm the common sense of the international scientific community that the herbicide poses no threat to public health. But this publicity alone is sure to add fuel to the flames of anti-glyphosate activists regardless. Fuelling the flames Although glyphosate exposure levels are time and time again shown to be within the EUs safety limits, the issue of exposure has long been a rallying cry for activists in Europe and elsewhere. In October last year, a study tracking the urine samples of southern Californians found an increase in the number of people with traces of the herbicide in their urine from 1993 to 2016. The findings were a red rag to hardline environmentalists, despite the research team themselves admitting to having no real evidence of any negative health implications related to such traces. Even so, it appears hard evidence is far from a minimum requirement to get European Parliament members into toilet stalls. The aptly named #MEPee test in 2016, spearheaded by the Green Party, saw a number of parliamentarians proudly posing with vials of their own urine on social media in a bid to draw attention to the presence of glyphosate and the supposed need for a blanket ban on its use on European farms. Then in May this year, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) reviewed the safety of glyphosate residue levels and once again ruled exposure levels as safe, and well below maximum residue levels (MRLs). Questionable motives Sadly, the damage seems to have already been done. On the same day EFSA published its residue assessment 17 May several MEPs launched yet another investigation into the health effects of glyphosate, in addition to an inquiry into the EUs overall pesticides authorisation system. Conducted by scientists from Italys Ramazzini Institute, the study has been billed as the most comprehensive study ever on glyphosate and glyphosate-based herbicides. Claims of that kind and their corollaries should be taken with a grain of salt because the Ramazzini Institute itself has a history of declaring various substances of daily use to be carcinogenic. Its focus in recent years has been on sweeteners and glyphosate. However, its findings have frequently been scientifically debunked by major international authorities. In the case of sucralose sweeteners, for instance, EFSA wrote a scathing counter-study concluding that the available data did not support the conclusions of the authors. In that light, the enquiry is, therefore, nothing more than paper pushing from EU policymakers keen to please. After all, glyphosate was only just relicensed for another five years by the bloc in November last year, and farmers and local authorities are adamant that equally cost-effective alternatives are not readily available. In the UK, Norwich and Bristol city councils were made a laughing stock after using vinegar to control weeds in public parks as they tried to switch to alternative herbicides. The reality, as it turned out, was that using vinegar was found to be more expensive than glyphosate-based weed killers and much less effective. Evidence of widespread manipulation Worse still, the ongoing glyphosate debate is an unnecessary one, sparked only after the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), an arm of the World Health Organisation, determined the herbicide as being linked to cancer in 2015. EFSA and the rest of Europes agricultural sector were quick to respond at the time, and they have been fighting the IARCs baseless claims for years since. Amid the mudslinging, new issues emerged that have deeply tarnished IARCs reputation, centring around the fact that the organisation has failed on every count of scientific integrity: transparency, reproducibility, and overall excellence is nowhere to be found in the agencys controversial ruling. Instead, it has been revealed that IARCs glyphosate study was subject to widespread manipulation, with the removal of a number of scientists conclusions that their studies found no link between the chemical and cancer in laboratory animals. In another incident, an entirely new statistical analysis was inserted, reversing the original findings. At the same time, new data available at the time of the IARCs ruling was outright ignored by the panel, citing space constraints. Unsurprisingly, both ECHA and EFSA, as well as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the US, have reached different conclusions. IARC is thus the only major institution that is criticising glyphosate to this day. Still, with the new IARC leadership incoming, the institute is unlikely to start accepting the broad scientific consensus for the new IARC director, Dr Elisabete Weiderpass has been deeply involved in the ongoing glyphosate dispute and has had an axe to grind with EFSA in particular. In 2016, she co-authored an article, along with long-time glyphosate critic Christophe Portier and others, that sought to discredit EFSAs evaluation system of the chemical. EFSA is looking at tough times, especially now that the media exposure of the latest Irish study will likely only feed misconceptions of any real controversy and confirm the preconceived conclusions of those who are ignorant to scientific consensus. In that regard, the decision of European Parliamentarians to put glyphosate under the microscope once more is a step in the wrong direction. The never-ending battle over glyphosate is set to continue. The scandal about the Breast cancer screening errors erupted at the beginning of 2018. The computer algorithm failure had caused up to 450,000 women between the ages of 68-71 to not get an invitation to a final routine breast cancer screening and it is speculated that this error may have caused up to 270 women to die. BBC reported that Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt said that this error dated back to 2009 and apologised to the women and their families. However Prof Peter Sasieni, King's College London' cancer prevention professor, found a different conclusion after his analysis regarding the topic between the years 2004-2017 which was published in The Lancet. Sasieni found that the percentage of women aged 65-70 who got an invitation to get a screening was considerably less than the group aged 55-64. 'Error goes back to 2005' Prof Peter Sasieni found that this error was dating back to 2005 instead of 2009, adding 140,000 women to the group of 68-71-year-old women who did not get an invitation, increasing the total number to up to 502,000. He stated that the data regarding this matter was open to the public, but that "no one looked at it carefully enough." He assured women to not to worry. as well as saying that it was the right choice to research the reasons for this error. He also talked about the importance of reviewing these cancer screening programs, updating them and replacing them if it's necessary. 'Flawed' research The director of health improvement at Public Health England, Prof John Newton, stated that Sasieni's analysis is flawed since it doesn't consider some of the important information on the matter. He gave examples of the information that weren't included in his research, such as a clinical trial called Age X based at Oxford University. The trial had recruited women between 71 and 73, but not included women in their 60s. Newton also stated that they would support all the women that didn't receive an invitation for the screening and their families with compensations. The risks of breast cancer increase with age and screenings are important to detect cancer at early stages, offering the best chances of survival for the patients. Because of this screening failure, it's a high possibility that many women missed the signs of the early stages of cancer. Sara Hiom from Cancer Research UK stated that cancer lumps could be detected in other ways, such as feeling lumps in the breast, in which case the person should get checked immediately. The wreckage of the Malaysian airliner shot down over Ukraine in 2014 (Getty) NATO has backed calls for Russia to accept responsibility for the MH17 tragedy after investigators concluded the missile which downed the aircraft belonged to the countrys military. The military alliance, which brings the UK together with the US, Canada and 26 more European states, has thrown its considerable diplomatic weight behind the findings of a Dutch-led investigation into the 2014 crash which killed 298 people including 10 UK citizens. The missile launcher used to shoot down the plane in an area of Ukraine held by Russian-backed rebels originated from the 53rd anti-aircraft brigade of the Russian army, investigators revealed yesterday. Russia has consistently denied involvement in the conflict that was raging in the Donbass region at the time and has insisted that none of its rocket launchers entered Ukraine. But Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said today that the investigations findings provide irrefutable proof of the link between the missile and the Russian armed forces. The Netherlands and Australia called on Russia to accept responsibility for its part in the tragedy and they have received the formal support of NATO and the European Union. I call on Russia to accept responsibility and fully cooperate with all efforts to establish accountability, said NATO General Secretary Jens Stoltenberg. The downing of MH17 was a global tragedy, and those responsible must be held accountable. The damaged missile which grounded flight MH17 is displayed by investigators (Reuters) As a result of the findings, the Netherlands and Australia have announced they will seek compensation from Russia through an international court. Their investigation into the incident will continue in a bid to bring the individuals who fired the missile to justice. Dutch Foreign Minister Stef Blok discussed the latest findings with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov on Thursday. Blok described Lavrov as standoffish and said he repeated that Russia was not responsible. A Kremlin spokesman said on Friday that Russia could not trust the investigations findings because it had not been a full participant. Story continues Blok pointed out that Russia has refused to cooperate with the criminal investigation. A US government spokeswoman called yesterday for Russia to cease its callous disinformation campaign over the tragedy and take responsibility for its role. If you want to learn about the massive asteroid impact that triggered the extinction of dinosaurs, you might reach for dinosaur fossils. Or, it turns out, you could turn to a rather more humble form of scientific evidence: fish bones, teeth and scales each as small as a grain of sand. Thats the approach taken by the people behind a new paper published in the journal Science. In it, a team of scientists use the chemical fingerprint in whats euphemistically called fish debris to measure dramatic temperature changes caused by the massive asteroid impact about 65 million years ago. They say that the results could teach us what to expect from our own forays into the large-scale release of climate-altering gases. What happens when you crank up the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and maybe denude the landscape? co-author Ken MacLeod, a geologist at the University of Missouri, told Newsweek. This is a natural experiment for what happens when you twist the dials that hard. As to what that experiment showed, its a grim picture. Trending: Paul Bettany Says Solo Villain Dryden Vos is Really Skilled at Hurting People' MacLeod and his colleagues couldnt get a good look at the whole post-impact picture. In the immediate wake of the impacton the timescale of a few years, temperatures plummeted worldwide. That so-called global winter was caused by aerosols flung high into the atmosphere reflecting the suns light away from Earth. Because the winter was so abrupt, scientists struggle to pick up its signal in geologic records. But the asteroid impact had a second, longer-lasting consequence: it vaporized a huge amount of carbon into the atmosphere. And once the haze cleared and sunlight could reach Earths surface again, that greenhouse gas got to doing what greenhouse gas does best: turning up the heat. MacLeod and his colleagues suggest that in the location they sampled, it raised local seawater temperatures by about nine degrees Fahrenheit for 100,000 years. Story continues That climate rollercoaster shaped what species survived into the present. It must have had a severe effect, even more so when it directly follows an impact winter because its two very stressful environmental changes directly following each other, Johan Vellekoop, a geologist at KU Leuven university in Belgium, who wasnt involved in the new research, told Newsweek. It was an unpleasant time to be alive on planet Earth. Don't miss: What Is Propofol, The Drug Found in Michael Jackson's Body When He Died? In order to figure out precisely how unpleasant a time it was, MacLeod and his colleagues looked to those humble fish remains. Team members dug a trench at El Kef in Tunisia, a spot chosen because its one of the few places where scientists can all agree on precisely how layers of the Earth match up with specific years before and after the impact. 05_24_fish_debris Ken MacLeod and Page Quinton Then, they isolated the fish debris itself. We start out with a rock, we wash the rock down to just the sand-sized grains, MacLeod said. Most of those, unsurprisingly, are rock or sand. Just one in 1,000 or 100,000 particles once belonged to a fish. But those tiny flakes of calcium apatite, the same material in your bones and teeth, act like time capsules for chemical signatures of oxygen. Most popular: New Friday the 13th: The Game Update Includes Single-Player and Dizzying List of Tweaks MacLeod and his colleagues translated those signatures into temperature readings. Its not a foolproof approach for a couple of reasons. Right now, the measurements only reflect what was happening at one specific location, although MacLeod said hed like to take the technique elsewhere. And because fish are talented swimmers, theres a chance that their movement has muddied the climate record. Still, the study points to warming on a distinctly troubling scale, particularly as we face down modern anthropogenic climate change. Even though those greenhouse gases were introduced over, lets say, a couple decades, MacLeod says, versus the two centuries we have drawn our carbon emissions over, the consequence of that change to the atmosphere lasted for 100,000 years. All thats left to figure out is precisely how big the pseudo-asteroid impact were causing will be, and how long its effects will last. This article was first written by Newsweek More from Newsweek By Julie Zhu and Shu Zhang HONG KONG/BEIJING (Reuters) - China plans to use cornerstone investors to help its overseas-listed tech giants such as Alibaba and Xiaomi [IPO-XMGP.HK] to sell shares at home, on worries the size of the deals could overwhelm mainland markets, three sources said. This departure from norm by China, where equity offerings are typically sold without such strategic investors, comes at a time when the country is looking to tempt its offshore-listed tech behemoths into secondary listings using the planned Chinese depositary receipts (CDRs). Beijing could also rip up its unwritten rules on pricing caps to make way for these blockbuster deals, said the sources who have direct knowledge of the matter, adding that Alibaba and Xiaomi were furthest along the CDR planning path. Selling CDRs equivalent to say about 1 percent of Alibaba's market capitalization would mean raising $5 billion in Shanghai or Shenzhen, marking what would be China's largest share sale on the open market since 2009, according to Thomson Reuters data. While such deals would allow mainland investors to benefit from any further share price rally, the securities regulator is worried they "will take up too much liquidity in the secondary market, which may lead to a drop in the main indices", one of the sources told Reuters. Cornerstones would help ease such concerns of liquidity drain as they take a large allocation of shares in return for their holdings being locked up for a set period. CDR cornerstones will likely be subject to a lock-up period of at least one year, the source said. Smartphone maker Xiaomi declined to comment when contacted by Reuters on Friday, while the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) and Alibaba did not respond to requests for comment. BREAK AWAY FROM PRICING RULES Cornerstones are viewed as a mixed blessing in other markets including Hong Kong. Once a means of using marquee-name investors to encourage others to sign up, they have in recent years been increasingly used to support large deals that might otherwise have struggled to generate enough interest. Story continues Chinese regulators are currently testing a version of the practice with the $4.26 billion Shanghai IPO of Foxconn Industrial Internet, a unit of the world's largest contract manufacturer Foxconn. FII plans to sell 30 percent of its IPO, the biggest Chinese listing in almost three years, to a group of strategic investors whose holdings will be locked up for one-three years. Meanwhile, to attract CDRs, China could also break away from the pricing rules it applies to A-shares by dropping the unspoken, but always observed limit of pricing deals at a maximum of 23 times historical earnings. The cap will not apply to CDRs, the sources said, as some candidates trade at a hefty premium such as Alibaba at 51 times its 2017 earnings and Tencent, another potential CDR issuer, at 39 times, Reuters Eikon data shows. Exact pricing rules are still to be decided, they added. The CSRC had planned to implement CDR rules by end-June, but given disagreements between the regulator and the would-be issuers over details such as the requirement for information disclosure, the rules are subject to changes and could take longer than expected to be finalised, the sources said. (Reporting by Julie Zhu in HONG KONG and Shu Zhang in BEIJING; Additional reporting by Cate Cadell in BEIJING; Editing by Jennifer Hughes and Himani Sarkar) See Also: la catedral escobar popeye Screen grab Authorities in Colombia working with US counterparts have arrested a self-proclaimed former hitman for Pablo Escobar, underscoring how the Andean nation continues to take down key figures in Medellins criminal world with help from the United States. Jhon Jairo Velasquez Vasquez, alias Popeye, was arrested in Medellin on May 25 on charges of extortion and criminal conspiracy. Mayor Federico Gutierrez confirmed the arrest in a tweet. According to local media outlets, Popeye was arrested after appearing with his lawyer at the organized crime prosectors office in Medellin, seeking to find out if he was being investigated. In an interview last year, a source within the Oficina de Envigado the collection of Medellin crime groups that controls most of the citys underworld told InSight Crime that Popeye was blackmailing frontmen for the late Escobar who had held on to assets linked to the Medellin Cartels illicit activities. Jhon Velasquez Popeye Pablo Escobar hit man YouTube/Popeye Arrepentido Sources close to the case who spoke to Colombian news media appeared to confirm this account. He was trying to recover property [and] money that he left years ago in the hands of narcos, and that very likely was inherited or received by their relatives, who are the ones who have been pressing and are the ones who denounced him, a source told El Tiempo. The same source told El Tiempo that the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency participated in the investigation. Popeye has claimed to have been the head of Pablo Escobars network of hitmen within the Medellin Cartel. He was sentenced to 52 years in prison in 1992 and confessed to participating in around 300 murders and ordering some 3,000 others. After he was released early from prison in 2016, Popeye became a type of internet sensation and narco culture star, particularly in right-wing Colombian political circles. Story continues InSight Crime analysis The arrest of Popeye provides further evidence that US authorities have helped their Colombian counterparts secure a series of high-profile arrests of key figures in Medellins underworld, which has created a cycle of these individuals turning on one another. Medellin Pablo Escobar FARC Colombia REUTERS/Albeiro Lopera Indeed, authorities in Colombia arrested top Oficina figure Juan Carlos Mesa Vallejo, also known as Tom or Carlos Chata, with help from US authorities in December 2017. And information obtained from InSight Crimes source in the Oficina suggests this may have contributed to the takedown of Popeye. The source said that Popeye was protected by Tom, and that the two were cooperating to extort old Medellin Cartel figures who had held on to Escobars assets after his 1993 death. After Tom was arrested and threatened with extradition to the United States, its possible that he helped authorities build the case against Popeye. With help from the United States, authorities in Colombia have brought down other central figures in Medellins criminal landscape, like Diego Fernando Murillo, alias Don Berna, and Erick Vargas Cardenas, alias Sebastian. But these high-profile arrests have opened up space for the Invisibles, an emerging generation of Colombian drug traffickers who have adopted a more clandestine profile than their predecessors. NOW WATCH: Pablo Escobar: The life and death of one of the biggest cocaine kingpins in history See Also: A British national on death row in Ethiopia is understood to have been pardoned four years after he was detained. Andargachew Tsege, known as Andy, was detained in Yemen in 2014, abducted from an airport on his way to Eritrea. He was known as an outspoken critic of the Ethiopian government and had fled the country in the 1970s, seeking political asylum in Britain. The father-of-three had been sentenced to death in his absence in 2009, and after his kidnap, was held in secret detention and solitary confinement for a year. The Ethiopians regard him as a terrorist, but his family say he's simply an outspoken critic of the government. After four years of his family fighting for his release, along with charity Reprieve, the state-affiliated Fana Broadcasting Company claims he is one of about 600 people being released by the government. He could be released in the next two days. Mr Tsege's partner, Yemi Hailemariam, said: "I am so thankful that the pain and anguish my children have had to go through could now soon be coming to an end. Helawit, Yilak and Menabe have spent too long without their father and we are all hoping Andy will be free to come home to us soon." An FCO spokeswoman said: "Foreign Office staff are assisting a British man following the announcement of a formal Government pardon in Ethiopia, and are in close contact with his family." The country's new prime minister Abiy Ahmed, who came into power in April, has since secured the release of several thousands of prisoners, including high profile journalists and politicians. The charity fighting for his release claims the UK Government has refused to demand Mr Tsege's release. However, in an open letter to Mr Tsege's supporters in 2017, Boris Johnson wrote: "The British Government continues to take Mr Tsege's case very seriously and it remains a high priority for us. "I have personally raised Mr Tsege's case on numerous occasions with the Ethiopian government." Story continues Maya Foa, director of Reprieve said: "After four unbelievably hard years for on death row this is wonderful news for Andy, his partner and their children. The new Ethiopian government should be recognised for what they have done today. The most important thing now is that Andy is released from prison and able to reunite with his family as soon as possible." Reprieve says, before the announcement of his release, Mr Tsege had not had any private consular visits or been charged with a crime. More than 60,000 people have signed a petition calling for the release of the North Londoner, while last year, cosmetics company Lush set up a bath bomb campaign to raise awareness of his plight, with the tagline Buy One, Set One Free. FILE PHOTO: President of Panama, Ricardo Martinelli smiles during a session at the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland on January 23, 2014. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse/File Photo By Elida Moreno PANAMA CITY (Reuters) - Former Panama president Ricardo Martinelli, jailed in Miami on spying charges while awaiting extradition to his home country, said in a letter released Friday that the United States reneged on promises from some U.S. officials to offer him a safe-haven. "After years of friendship with this country, I did not expect to be thrown in a U.S. jail," he wrote in a letter dated May 14 and released by a spokesman. Martinelli was jailed last year in the United States after Panama requested extradition on charges that he used public money to spy on more than 150 political rivals during his 2009-2014 term. A U.S. court authorized the extradition last year, and Martinelli last month maintained his innocence but said he would stop fighting the proceedings for judgement in Panama. In the four-page letter, Martinelli says Panamanian President Juan Carlos Varela, a former ally, had sought political revenge, and that he expected the United States to offer "protection" from Varela's government. He also detailed examples of assisting the United States to curb cross-border crime, such as halting a North Korean ship travelling from Cuba with planes, missiles and radar. "When the CIA requested that I stop a North Korean ship leaving Cuba that was crossing the Panama Canal, I did not blink an eye," the letter states. Martinelli, a wealthy supermarket magnate, also said he understood that high-ranking U.S. officials had agreed to let him settle in the United States "without fear." Reuters could not immediately verify Martinelli's claims. "I was under the impression that promises made by such government officials could be relied upon. I was mistaken," he added in the letter, which was addressed to the "government and people of the United States". (Writing by Daina Beth Solomon) UPDATE: 11:40 a.m. EDT In a press briefing, Noblesville Chief of Police Kevin Jowitt confirmed that at 9:06 a.m., police received a call of an active shooter at Noblesville West Middle School and that local agencies responded immediately. The situation is contained. There are two victims, one adult teacher and one juvenile student. There is a male student who has been detained. We believe he is the involved suspect, Jowitt said. There was a secondary threat made at Noblesville High School, Jowitt said. There are officers on the scene ensuring students and staff there are safe. Trending: Russia Says U.S. Must Begin Talks, or Else 'Force' Is the Only Option UPDATE: 10:11 a.m. EDT Indiana State Police Public Information Officer Sgt. John Perrine confirmed two victims were en route to a nearby hospital after an active shooter situation at Noblesville Middle School. The families of the two victims had been notified, he said, though he did not give details regarding their conditions. The suspect in the shooting was in custody, Perrine confirmed. Students were being taken to nearby Noblesville High School, where parents were asked to pick them up. Don't miss: Fortnite Close Encounters Showed Me What True Fun Feels Like UPDATE: 9:44 a.m. EDTThe Noblesville Fire Department said on Twitter that a suspect was in custody following an active shooter situation at Noblesville West Middle School in Indiana Friday. Both the fire department and the police department were on the scene. Original story: An active shooter situation was reported at Noblesville West Middle School in Indiana Friday, according to a local fire department. The school is located some 30 miles north of Indianapolis, at 19900 Hague Road. Most popular: Should We Colonize Space? Some People Argue We Need to Decolonize It Instead The Carmel Fire Department wrote on Twitter that first responders were headed to the scene and that a suspect was in custody. Newsweek reached out to the Noblesville Police Department but had not yet heard back. Story continues It was unclear whether there were any injuries. This is a developing story and will be updated as more details become available. noblesville Google Maps This article was first written by Newsweek More from Newsweek FILE PHOTO: The Union Flag and a European Union flag fly near the Elizabeth Tower, housing the Big Ben bell, during the anti-Brexit 'People's March for Europe', in Parliament Square in central London, Britain September 9, 2017. REUTERS/Tolga Akmen Thomson Reuters By Gwladys Fouche and Alister Doyle OSLO (Reuters) - Norway hopes to open bilateral trade talks with Britain before London's transition period to leave the European Union ends in 2020, as Brussels seems willing to show some flexibility on the question, the Norwegian foreign minister said on Friday. The non-EU country is keen to start formal talks with Britain, its biggest trading partner, to which it sells gas, fish and services, so it can regularize their trade relations after Brexit. Britain is due to leave the EU in March 2019, but London and Brussels have agreed to a transition period until the end of 2020 during which Britain will have restricted powers. Brussels has often said that Britain cannot open formal bilateral trade talks with third countries, such as Norway, until after the divorce from the EU is settled. "My impression is that the EU side will try to take a flexible approach to this," Foreign Minister Ine Eriksen Soereide, who visited Brussels on Wednesday, told reporters. Norway is a member of the union's common market for goods, services, capital and labor via the European Economic Area (EEA) Agreement, but Prime Minister Theresa May has rejected this option for Britain after Brexit. "On the one hand, you can say that the formal demand is that they (the British) cannot start negotiations before ... the transition period is over. But I'm not entirely sure if that will be enforced to the same extent as you could think," she said." "So my impression as of Wednesday ... is that (there) is the potential for some added flexibility," she said, adding: "But we will have to wait and see. At least we have talks on both sides and will continue to do that with full force." Soereide also said Norway had good cooperation on many issues with President Donald Trump, despite sharp disagreements such as about the U.S. withdrawals from the Iran nuclear deal and the Paris climate agreement. Story continues And she said her biggest foreign policy concern was to preserve broad international cooperation. "The fabric is starting to become weaker," she said, saying that the lessons of two world wars in the 20th century were "we are better off with a cooperation between countries and states instead of the strongest state always winning the race." A collapse of international cooperation would be "dangerous not only for small and medium-sized states, but it would also come back and bite the stronger states ... at some point," she said. (editing by David Stamp) See Also: An American tourist on a gorilla trek in southwestern Uganda was killed when a swarm of wasps attacked, stinging her to death, according to local reports. The woman was identified by police in Ugandas Kigezi sub-region as 65-year-old Gloria Suemiller from Oklahoma City. She and a small group of tourists, including her husband, Gary Lynn White, were trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park looking for gorillas on Thursday. The group had crossed the border from Kigali, the capital of neighboring Rwanda, police said, before spending the night in the Ruhija rest camp on the edge of Bwindi. Trending: Will Boba Fett Star Wars Story Dare To Be a Return of the Jedi Sequel? "They this morning decided to go to the park, and the victim was the one in front of the others with the park guides," said Elly Matte, a Kigezi police spokesman, reported Xinhua. "The wasps just attacked her at once in big numbers as the rest escaped unhurt." gorilla STUART PRICE/AFP/Getty Images Her body has been taken for a postmortem examination, Uganda's Red Pepper reported, and police are investigating the circumstances around her death. Don't miss: Russia Says U.S. Must Begin Talks, or Else 'Force' Is the Only Option Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and the U.S. Embassy in Uganda did not respond to a request for comment. The vast park spans 79,074 acres, and its rich environment is home to around half of the worlds population of mountain gorillas, according to UNESCO. It is also home to chimpanzees and African elephants, among many other endangered species. UNESCO says the park represents a conservation front line as an isolated forest of outstanding biological richness surrounded by an agricultural landscape supporting one of the highest rural population densities in tropical Africa. Story continues Most popular: Fortnite Close Encounters Showed Me What True Fun Feels Like One TripAdvisor review of the park from 2013 mentioned wasps: When we passed by Ruhija the biggest danger were these awful biting wasps that attacked with no obvious reason. However, another reviewer wrote: "Biting wasps? I have never seen those in seven visits. It must have been a sudden invasion." This article was first written by Newsweek More from Newsweek Sixty-six million ago an asteroid crashed into the Earth, with a force one million times greater than the most powerful atomic bomb. The impact and its after-effects ushered in a great extinction event that wiped out nearly three quarters of all plant and animal life. Among the victims were the dinosaurs, but birds were also badly affected. It has long been debated how many birdswhich evolved from dinosaurssurvived the extinction. Now, a new study published in the journal Current Biology, has found that most avians were wiped out as well, save for a handful of small, specialized ground-dwelling species, which are the ancestors of all birds today. This is because the impact and its after-effects decimated the planets forests, leading to the extinction of all tree-dwelling birds, according to an international team of researchers. Trending: Trumps New Attack on Abortion Rights Could Cost Republicans Seats in Key Swing Districts "Perching birds went extinct because there were no more perches, Regan Dunn, a paleontologist at the Field Museum in Chicago and a co-author of the study, said in a statement. To make their findings, the team drew on a variety of different approaches. First, they analyzed, the plant fossil record in North America, New Zealand, Japan and Europespecifically microscopic fossils of pollen and sporeswhich helped confirm that forests around the world collapsed after the impact. Don't miss: Judge Orders Alaska Prison to Stop Serving Pork Products to Muslim Inmates During Ramadan "After a disaster like a forest fire or a volcanic eruption, the first plants to come back are the fastest colonizersespecially ferns, Dunn said. That's because ferns don't sprout from seeds, but from spores, which are much smallerjust a single cell. Spores are minuscule, the size of a grain of pollen, so they're easily dispersed. They get picked up by the wind and go further than seeds can, and all they need to grow is a wet spot." Story continues When they looked at the fossil record in the different regions, they found the charcoal remains of burnt trees around the time of the impact, followed by an abundance of fern spores. This suggests that the wildfires produced by the asteroid, in addition to the resulting climate changewhich lasted tens of thousands of yearsdevastated large plants, like trees, around the world. Secondly, the researchers traced the evolutionary relationships of living birds to understand what happened to avian species before and after the impact, finding that the common ancestors of all birds most likely lived on the ground. Before the impact there appeared to be many tree-dwelling species, but after it, evidence of them seems to disappear. Most popular: Jim Carrey Twitter: New Artwork Tackles Congressman Adam Schiff, Democrats For Not Showing 'Passion' But once the forests recovered, which took hundreds of thousands of years, birds did begin to move back into the trees. The ancestors of modern tree-dwelling birds did not move into the trees until forests had recovered from the extinction-causing asteroid, Daniel Field, lead author of the study from the University of Bath, U.K, said in a statement. "Only a handful of ancestral bird lineages succeeded in surviving the mass extinction event 66 million years ago, and all of today's amazing living bird diversity can be traced to these ancient survivors." Today, birds are the most diverse and most widespread group of terrestrial vertebrate animals, numbering approximately 11,000 species. This article was first written by Newsweek More from Newsweek Taiwan gathered its fighter jets to shadow Chinese bombers that were conducting drills around the self-governed island Friday, just hours after Burkina Faso cut diplomatic ties with Taipei. On Friday, Taiwan dispatched several fighter jets to track the movements of two H-6 bombers from Beijing that were encircling the island, Singapore's Today reported. The aircraft flew over the Bashi Islands in the early hours and then rounded Taiwan by flying through the Miyako Strait. We are fully monitoring the situation and taking efficient responsive measures to ensure defense security, the Defense Ministry said, adding that people should not be alarmed. Trending: Fortnite Close Encounters Showed Me What True Fun Feels Like RTXWTJA Reuters Beijing still views Taiwan as a wayward province and has never renounced the use of force to bring it under its control. Taipei is proudly democratic and has strongly rejected the notion that it is run by the mainland. In 2017, the Chinas People's Liberation Army executed 16 drills near the self-ruled island. Beijing said the exercises were routine but reiterated that it will not tolerate any attempts by the island to declare independence. Don't miss: Should We Colonize Space? Some People Argue We Need to Decolonize It Instead At the National Peoples Congress in March, Chinese President Xi Jinping warned Taiwan that all attempts to split with China would be doomed to fail and will invite the punishment of history. Xis speech came days after President Donald Trump signed the Taiwan Travel Act, which allows and encourages high-level official visits between Taipei and Washington. The legislation aims to deepen ties between the two lands. Story continues Earlier this week, Burkina Faso abandoned its support for Taiwan, reported CNN. It was one of Taipei's dwindling allies to do so within the past month. Although the West African country has not formally established ties with China, Beijing warmly welcomed the move. On Thursday evening, Taiwans Mainland Affairs Council retaliated by announcing that it would tighten screening for Chinese officials who wish to visit the island. The reason: [to] prevent the Chinese communists from dividing and disturbing social order in Taiwan with their unification propaganda measures, the council said in a statement. This article was first written by Newsweek More from Newsweek U.S. President Donald Trump gestures as he speaks before the signing ceremony for S. 2155 - Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act in the Roosevelt Room at the White House in Washington, U.S., May 24, 2018. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque Thomson Reuters By Karen Freifeld and Nathan Layne (Reuters) - A fundraiser for U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday added several defendants to a lawsuit claiming the Persian Gulf state of Qatar hacked his email accounts and shared the contents with news organizations. Elliott Broidy, whose access to Trump has been the subject of press coverage in the United States in recent months, sued Qatar in federal court in Los Angeles in March. On Thursday, he filed an amended complaint adding as defendants the brother of the Qatari ruler and Ahmed al-Rumaihi, a former head of investments at the Qatari sovereign wealth fund. In the complaint, Broidy said he was targeted over his vocal opposition to Qatar as part of efforts orchestrated by Mohammed bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, a younger brother of Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and al-Rumaihi to shift U.S. policy toward the Gulf nation. A lawyer for al-Rumaihi had no immediate comment. Khalifa Al Thani could not be immediately reached for comment. The United Arab Emirates, a regional rival of Qatar, has contracts with Broidy's private security businesses worth more than $200 million, Broidy disclosed in his lawsuit. Last year, Broidy sought to set up an informal meeting between Trump and senior UAE official Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Reuters has reported, citing a person familiar with the matter. In his lawsuit, Broidy said Qatar has sought to use the hacked emails to generate negative press coverage and stop him from speaking out against Qatar. Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt cut off travel and trade ties with Qatar last June, accusing it of backing their arch-rival Iran and supporting terrorism. Qatar denies the charges and says the boycott is an attempt to impinge on its sovereignty and rein in its support for reform. Broidy's lawsuit faces an uphill battle because Qatar has sovereign immunity and some of the people involved also may claim immunity, legal experts have said. Story continues Jassim Al-Thani, a spokesman at Qatar's embassy in Washington, said on Thursday the lawsuit was an attempt by Broidy to divert attention from media scrutiny of his activities. "The facts show it was Mr. Broidy who conspired in the shadows against Qatar - not the other way around," al-Thani said in an email. Earlier this month, a spokesman for Sport Trinity, a company owned by former Qatari official al-Rumaihi, confirmed that Trump's longtime personal lawyer Michael Cohen requested a $1 million fee from Qatar to advise Qatar on investments in U.S. infrastructure. Cohen, who is under investigation by federal prosecutors in New York for his business dealings, also has represented Broidy, for whom he arranged a $1.6 million payment to a Playboy model to keep secret a relationship, a person familiar with the matter told Reuters last month. In Broidy's amended complaint, he also accuses a New York-based former CIA agent, Kevin Chalker, and a former British intelligence operative, David Mark Powell, of helping to coordinate the hacks of his and his wife's emails. Chalker, the founder of Global Risk Advisors, and Powell, who runs the company's Qatar operations, did not immediately respond to emails seeking comment. (Reporting by Karen Freifeld and Nathan Layne; Editing by Anthony Lin and Grant McCool) See Also: Swedish government The Swedish government is sending a booklet called Om krisen eller kriget kommer (If Crisis or War Comes) to households all over the country, advising them on how to prepare for war. The 20-page document includes advice on what to do in the event of a terrorist attack, and how to prepare food and shelter in the event of conflict. The introduction reads: Although Sweden is safer than many other countries, there are still threats to our security and independence. Peace, freedom and democracy are values that we must protect and reinforce on a daily basis. There is even a clear message that Sweden would not surrender to attack. If Sweden is attacked by another country, the leaflet reads, we will never give up. All information to the effect that resistance is to cease is false. This is not, in fact, the first time this leaflet has been sent to homes in Sweden, but some key differences between print runs reflect the changing times and also reveal what a pointless exercise this leaflet is. Karl Marx famously compared emperor Napoleon with his nephew Louis Bonaparte by saying: History repeats itself: the first time as tragedy, the second time as farce. When the leaflet was first produced in 1943, Nazi Germany had occupied Norway and Denmark, and Finland was at war with the Soviet Union. Sweden was neutral and not at war but there was certainly tragedy in Europe. World War II was raging and the booklet stood up to the occasion. Its content appealed to the population at the time. Many saw themselves as patriots, and a substantial proportion of the men had served in the armed forces. The booklet was updated and distributed to the citizens twice more, the last time in the year 1961. At that time, the military position of Sweden was safe. Its military defence was strong. The patriotic atmosphere from the World War II period continued, reflected in school curricula and in a plethora of active civic organisations, including the Red Cross, the Lotta female paramilitary corps, the Home Guard, Scouts, and the Shooters organisation. Story continues Sweden retained comparatively strong armed forces until the end of the Cold War. But in the early 21st century, the country disarmed. For all practical purposes the so-called civilforsvaret civil defence was dismantled. In 2010, mandatory military service was abolished. By that time, most of the peacetime regiments had been disbanded. Mandatory military service was reintroduced in Sweden in 2018. One of the regiments, the P18 in Gotland, was resurrected. And now, the leaflet is being distributed to all households. But today, politics in some countries in Europe are reminiscent of a black farce. The same judgement must, unfortunately, be made concerning Om krisen eller kriget kommer. Reprinting for changing times The first iteration of this leaflet was called If War Comes Om kriget kommer. This was a handbook on how to behave, offering advice on being alert to potential spies. It described how to store food and water and hide in a shelter. Now, citizens are being told how to prepare for crisis. The leaflet includes advice on how to deal with propaganda and asks them to think about whether theyd be able to cope if the internet and cash machines stopped working. Swedish government The title change is important to note. The dilution of War into Crisis or War makes the booklet sound harmless. Crisis is very hard to define. The concept covers a variety of situations. And the word or makes the leaflet seem to be a discussion paper and not an appeal. The leaflet is also addressed to The population of Sweden, when the original was addressed to The citizens. It has been translated into the official minority languages of Sweden Finnish, Yiddish, Meankieli (a local language spoken at the Finnish border), Romani Chib and North-, South-, and Lule-Sami the latter three are for some reason labelled dialects although they are mutually unintelligible. The booklet is also translated into six other languages: Arabic, Dari, English, French, Persian and Russian, the speakers of which in some cases are much more numerous than those speaking Yiddish, Meankieli, Romani Chib or Sami. Now the booklet aims to remind not just citizens of Sweden but all who happen to live on its territory that everyone who lives in Sweden shares a collective responsibility for our countrys security and safety. The appeal to the population instead of to citizens makes the leaflet unoperative. In 1943 and in 1961, Swedish citizens were a coherent group, a historical actor. Today, the habitants of Sweden are not addressed as citizens by the Swedish government. They live under the spell of identity politics. It is certainly nice to believe that they share a collective responsibility for our countrys security and safety. But this cannot be taken for granted. Todays population of Sweden comprise people who do not identify with the state, much more so than in the 1940s and 1960s. The profound challenge for contemporary Sweden is integration, to make the population into committed citizens who identify with the country. A leaflet wont achieve that goal. This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article. The Conversation Kristian Gerner is affiliated with Kungliga Svenska Krigsvetenskapsakademien, Kungliga Orlogsmannasallskapet, Kungliga Humanistiska Vetenskapssamfundet i Lund, Vetenskapssocieteten i Lund, Finska Vetenskapssocieteten. He does not receive any funding from them.. Harvey Weinstein is one of Hollywoods best-known producers and was the co-founder of Miramax Films. He has been mentioned in the credits of several of Hollywoods most popular films. Weinstein has received multiple awards and many various accolades. Almost every Oscar winner has mentioned him by name during their acceptance speech. This week Harvey Weinstein finally decided to turn himself into the NYPD and now faces charges of rape and sexual abuse. 1. Harvey Weinstein was honored by the French Legion The French National Order of the Legon of Honor gives out their highest award to those who have given military and/or civil service to France. Among those who have received the award include Steven Spielberg, Jules Verne, and Charlie Chaplin. 2. Harvey Weinstein honored by the British Government Along with his French merit award, Queen Elizabeth II presented Weinstein with the title of Honorary Commander of the British Empire. Weinstein received the award for his work on increasing the popularity of the British film industry. As he fights the charges of rape and sexual abuse, many are left wondering whether he will be stripped of this honorary title. The only person to have been stripped of the title is Zimbabwe dictator Robert Mugabe, for his numerous human rights violations. 3. Weinstein supporting Roman Polanski Harvey Weinstein has been very vocal when it comes to defending Roman Polanski. In 1977, Hollywood director Roman Polanski, sexually assaulted a 13-year-old girl. Polanski was then arrested in 2009 and now resides in France. He still has not been extradited to the United States. Weinstein has been working at keeping Polanski from being extradited. 4. Harvey Weinstein donates to charity Harvey Weinstein is best known for being a major financial supporter of the Democratic Party and recently contributed to Hillary Clintons presidential campaign. Weinstein also contributes to a variety of charities and causes including the American Foundation for AIDS Research and the Lebron James Family Foundation. 5. Harvey Weinstein is dead serious about editing Weinstein is all about editing when the time comes. Many top filmmakers have begged Weinstein not to make numerous cuts to their films, including top Japanese filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki. Weinstein forced Miyazaki to make several cuts to his film before it could be released in the United States. Other top Hollywood directors allege that their films failed to get an Oscar nomination because of Weinsteins demands for reshoots and editing to the point where the final version is nothing like the directors original story. 6. Weinstein pressures you until you're dead Weinstein was growing frustrated with the slow progress of the film The Reader. The delay was a result of the two producers, Sydney Pollack and Anthony Minghella's, surprise deaths. In an attempt to speed up the release, Weinstein attempted to make himself part of the editorial team. Weinstein wanted the film to be released in time for Oscar consideration. However, Pollack managed to stop Weinstein, but Weinstein continued to pester Pollack until he passed away. 7. Hes never received a star on The Walk of Fame More than 2,600 Hollywood icons have been honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Producers such as Brett Ratner and Ken Corday have received a star. Many people wonder why he has not received a star. His companies have been strongly successful and movies he produced or distributed have been nominated 341 times, and have won 81 times. 8. There have been suspicions for years In 2005, Courtney Love released a video offering advice to young Hollywood starlets about Weinstein. Love warned of possible libel. The Creative Artists Agency fired back by banning her. Over the years, others have taken shots at Weinstein. One of the main reasons strong allegations have been rare is because The Weinstein Company forced employees to sign controversial NDAs. 9. Harveys brother also facing sexual harassment allegations It didn't take long for Harvey Weinstein's brother to face similar accusations. Bob has so far only faced one claim of sexual harassment. Bob's lawyer responded by denying the allegation and offered emails as proof. 10. Weinstein is also accused by Queen Cersei Along with Rose McGowan and Kate Winslet, Weinstein has faced accusations from Cersei Lannister. According to Variety, Lena Headey who plays the "Game of Thrones" character Queen Cersei, discussed her first meeting with Weinstein on Twitter, back in 2017. Headey claimed she was propositioned by Weinstein. On Friday (May 25), conservation and forestry officials in Montana virtually threw up their hands and admitted defeat. Even they could not accurately say what it is that a citizen of Denton, Montana shot and photographed recently. "We will have no idea what this is until we get a DNA report back," said Bruce Auchly of Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks. The animal appears to be some kind of canine, with brown-gray fur, pointed ears, an oversized head, and oversized claws. In sum, the animal is far too big to be a domesticated dog, and yet its legs are much shorter than a wolf's. The animal was first discovered back on May 16. At that time, a man claims that he shot the animal because it was threatening to eat his livestock. According to the Great Falls Tribune, the town of Denton, where the incident occurred, is a tiny hamlet that is not frequently mentioned in the local news. Without question, this is the biggest news story to hit Denton in quite some time. User comments When the Great Falls Tribune first reported the story, it went viral, with hundreds of comments pouring in. Some online commentators claim that the creature is a dire wolf, a species of canine that went extinct after the Late Pleistocene age. One commentator brought up the cryptid creature known as the dogman, a sort of hybrid entity that the writer claims is protected by the US government. "Cryptid" refers to mysterious beasts that are not recognized by accepted science. These creatures, many of which can be found in folklore, are studied by cryptozoologists. Famous cryptids include Bigfoot, the Loch Ness Monster, and the Yeti. One of the less fanciful explanations for this creature is that it is some kind of wolf-dog that grew up in the wild. It has also be argued that the creature is a regular dog or wolf afflicted with some kind of disease like mange. 'Something off' In response to online theories, Mr. Auchly joked that "Dire Wolf" was a song by the Grateful Dead released in 1971. However, despite finding humor in pet theories, Auchly admits that there is "something off" about the Denton creature. Currently, the state of Montana says that there are some 900 wolves in the entire state. There are many more dogs, but very few can be listed as "wild" or "feral." The Denton creature does not fit comfortably into either of these boxes. A quick Google search will inform any reader that "werewolf sightings" have been reported all across America. Arguably the most famous of these "werewolves" is the Beast of Bray Wolf, a legendary lycanthrope first reported in 1936 not far from the rural town of Elkhorn, Wisconsin. Another famous werewolf is the Rougarou of the Louisiana bayou. Wall Street analysts have given iShares MSCI Switzerland 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 Switzerland ETF wasn't one of them. MarketBeat thinks these five companies may be even better buys. View MarketBeat's top stock picks here. Update: The agenda-driven edits of Philip Cross and Wikipedia's response 26 May 2018 (updated 21 June 2018) We have published two more pieces on this story If you haven't been following the story, the first link above is a good place to start. But very briefly: Wikipedia editor Philip Cross has been active on the site for almost 15 years. He edits the Wikipedia pages of anti-war voices, who he dislikes, to remove positive information and include negatives points of view. He is openly hostile to many of them on Twitter. Many people have been digging up more and more egregious edits to Wikipedia pages made by Philip Cross. We want to highlight some of these here for those who have not been following developments closely on Twitter. Viewing edits in isolation, however, doesn't always explain the significance of the edits. Knowing the context and looking at the double standards involved should give readers a better idea of the clear bias at play. Media Lens vs. Iraq Body Count The Iraq Body Count (IBC) project maintains, according to their website, the "largest public database of violent civilian deaths since the 2003 invasion". It is controversial because many consider it to seriously under-report the deaths resulting from the war. Media Lens were probably the most vocal about this issue in 2006 and 2007. In one of their alerts they wrote: IBC is also important because its figures for civilian deaths in Iraq have been used by the British and American governments, and by the media, to attack or dismiss higher estimates in other studies. For those who did not follow Media Lens' challenges to IBC, the story was big enough at the time that it was even covered by the BBC. For anyone looking into the work of Iraq Body Count, Media Lens' work should feature prominently, and for many years it did. In 2016, however, in a number of edits, Philip Cross decided to remove all references to Media Lens' work from the Iraq Body Count Wikipedia page: His reason? "non-notable blog, rm [remove] citations to website edited by 2 men". Let's not forget that this "non-notable blog" has an entry on Wikipedia which Cross dominates. It is his second most edited entry on the site, and almost 80% of the content is from Cross himself. Cross started editing the Media Lens Wikipedia entry in 2011. Cross has called Media Lens 'goons' on Twitter. Cross knows this is disingenuous. If Media Lens are "non-notable", why do they have a Wikipedia page? And why is that page Cross' second most edited page on Wikipedia? At time of writing, there is still no mention of Media Lens on the Iraq Body Count Wikipedia page. Neil Clark Anti-war writer Neil Clark has written for The Guardian, The New Statesman, The Times, and other publications. His review of a book by Iraq war supporter and former hedge-fund manager Oliver Kamm in 2006 led Kamm to embark on a campaign of harassment and defamation, according to Clark. Kamm boasted on his blog in 2008: I can reasonably claim to have done more than anyone in destroying Clark's career as a political commentator... I am not a commentator whose work will last, but I'm effective in my own way. Needless to say Philip Cross soon takes up the cause. (As we'll see later, the Cross-Kamm connection is rather sinister.) Cross is warned in 2008 to stop editing Neil Clark's page by Wikipedia administrator Guy: I'd ask you please if you would leave his article alone now.... to avoid further distress to an article subject. Undeterred, Cross edits again less than two weeks later, to the astonishment of the admin: And after that you still edited it again on 2 April? Neil Clark describes what happened next: After I had complained to senior wikipedia editors over the repeated malicious editing of my page by an editor called Philip Cross ... Kamm popped up on the discussion page to argue for the pages deletion on the grounds that I was non-notable. Yet despite his haughty dismissal of me as a highly obscure figure, Kamm never explained why, if that was indeed the case, he devoted so much time attacking me. In an article chronicling Kamms obsessive Internet smear campaigns entitled The Oliver Kamm School of Falsification the US writers David Peterson and Edward Herman wrote A glance at a number of (Neil) Clark's writings online shows that Kamm seeks out websites where Clark's writings appear, and then posts the same allegations against Clark over and over again, no matter how off-topic these allegations are. Im not the only person to have been pursued by Kamm in such a creepy way. Peterson and Hermann have documented Kamms pathologically obsessive attacks on the US anti-war academic Noam Chomsky. One feature of the Kamm pathology is the vendetta, and in pursuit of his vendettas, Kamm displays few constraints, they added. With Clark's page gone from Wikipedia, Cross turns his attention to references to Clark on other Wikipedia pages. In 2012 he removes two links to Clark's writing published by the Guardian and the New Statesman about the author Erich Fromm: His reason? "reduced link farm". These were the only two links to articles published by mainstream news sources listed in the 'External links' section of the page. Noam Chomsky Noam Chomsky is a philosopher, linguist, and political activist. He's described by the New York Times as "arguably the most important intellectual alive today". In 2013 Cross edits Noam Chomsky's Wikipedia page to add a link to a piece attacking Chomsky published in FrontPage magazine, a far-right, Islamophobic publication (according to Wikipedia itself). In 2016 Cross edits Chomsky's Wikipedia page again to remove all references to Media Lens, who write positively of Chomsky: Reason given? "obscure book by obscure writer". Chomsky has said of Media Lens: Regular critical analysis of the media, filling crucial gaps and correcting the distortions of ideological prisms, has never been more important. Media Lens has performed a major public service by carrying out this task with energy, insight, and care. Oliver KammPhilip Cross synchronicity For many, the attacks on anti-war voices made by Iraq war supporter and former hedge-fund manager Oliver Kamm, and then the subsequent edits on Wikipedia to their pages by Philip Cross has not gone unnoticed. What's interesting about many of Cross' edits is not just that they target the same people Kamm happens to dislike, but also how well they time up with Kamm's tweets. The pattern here tends to be that Kamm will tweet something about someone he disagrees with, and shortly afterwards, Cross edits that person's Wikipedia page. See a list being maintained of edits where this pattern has been detected. Confirmed names Oliver Kamm has tweeted about on the same day Philip Cross has edited their page: Chris Hedges, Max Mosley, Mark Wadsworth, Peter Oborne, LabourLeave, David Ward, Ken Loach, Nick Timothy, Alex Salmond, Nafeez Ahmed, Owen Jones, Diane Abbott, Tim Hayward, Piers Robinson, Craig Murray, Alex Nunns, Glenn Greenwald, Media Lens, "Douma Chemical Attack", Robert Fisk (edited a day before, not the same day), George Galloway, Jeremy Corbyn, Media Lens, Seumas Milne, Edward S. Herman, Paul Flynn, Afshin Rattansi, Mo Ansar, John Pilger. If you would like to add to this list, please contact either @_jrvansant or @Reg_Left_Media. Edward S. Herman Media critic and analyst Edward Herman was co-author along with Noam Chomsky of the seminal book Manufacturing Consent: The Political Economy of the Mass Media. He died 11 November 2017. The book was mostly the work of Herman, according to Chomsky. On 14 November 2017, the section about the book on Herman's Wikipedia page starts off with a positive quote from Derek Shearer's review in the Los Angeles Times. Herman and Chomsky, Shearer writes: persuasively demonstrate that in countries where the American government is involvedeither openly or covertlythe press is frequently less than critical, and sometimes a partner in outright deception of the American public. The section then ends with some mild criticism of the book from a New York Times review. Unhappy with this reflection of the book, Cross decides to switch these reviews around: Twitter user @leftworks1 comments: not only does Cross reverse the reviews so that the more critical is on top, he reverses Shearer's review so that the more critical comment is on top. Wikipedia response Wikipedia admin Guy starts the discussion on Wikipedia's Administrators' noticeboard: There's a lot of noise about Philip Cross (PC) on the internet, with implausible claims of COI [conflict of interest] and such Notice that Guy considers the claims 'implausible' already. Notice also that this is the same administrator who warned Cross in 2008 to stop editing the page of Neil Clark, as we pointed out earlier. That call went unheeded. Another Wikipedia editor writes: ...I didn't look in the details, assumed Guy's summation was reasonable. But having read in more depth here, I agree there's a clear problem. Guy's next act, having not had things go his way, is to try and punish a Wikipedia editor who had the temerity to supply some actual evidence of Cross' conflict of interest from Twitter, along with past examples of Wikipedia editors expressing concern about Cross. Guy writes: Regardless of the merits of anything else here, I think KalHolmann should be topic banned from any further mention of user:Philip Cross, other than in the context of any potential ArbCom [arbitration committee] case. He is not helping. At this point, many Wikipedia admins and editors appear to be sensing an agenda from Guy himself: The proposal is bizarre - I see no evidence of disruption, merely the odd mistake any of us might make Needless to say, Guy's proposal to ban the helpful editor does not go through. A lot of discussion ensues, but with no sign of matters reaching a resolution. Out of nowhere, Guy jumps back in to the discussion announcing that he has started an arbitration request. The statement put forward by Guy, focuses only on Cross' dispute with George Galloway (mentioning 'Galloway' 12 times), and not the other anti-war voices who have been targeted by Cross, nor any of the egregious edits made by Cross. Guy's aim appears to be to make this out to be a dispute between one "long-standing and prolific editor" and a "divisive and marginal figure with more enemies than friends". We'd like to take this opportunity to point out Guy's own colourful past on Wikipedia. In 2006 he put himself forward for Wikipedia's Arbitration Committee. After an outpouring of opposition from other Wikipedia editors, he withdrew. Some comments opposing his election: Just in the last few weeks, he's engaged in personal attacks ("idiot","idiot"), incivility ("f_ck off", "f_ck off"), biting a new user ("pissing me off"), and revealing the identity of an anonymous user (here, then again here after the user removed it to preserve his identity). I don't care what the other editors did, should an admin and arb com candidate be calling someone an idiot and telling them to f_ck off? Can't trust him to act neutrally, sorry. Being an arbitrator requires more patience than JzG has shown in the diffs above. Doesn't assume enough good faith. Personal attacks and consistent advocacy for banned vandal prove inaptitude for the job. it is his support for a troll who came with death threats, attacks and harrassment way beyond the point of no return which is of concern to me Identify of Philip Cross Many people have speculated as to the identity of Philip Cross. According to George Galloway, Cross is a "real and vulnerable person". Our concern in highlighting all this has less to do with Cross' identify, and more to do with highlighting the ease with which a person or group can edit Wikipedia pages to paint others in a favourable or unfavourable light, and remove valuable information. Philip Cross continues to edit the pages of people he is in conflict with. Don't trust what you read on Wikipedia! Please spread the word to anyone who's unaware of the extent to which Wikipedia can be manipulated in this way. Email a friend - Share on Facebook - Tweet about it And if you'd like to see some action taken by Wikipedia, please tweet Jimmy Wales and let him know. More information Contact If you'd like to get in touch about anything here, please email fivefilters@fivefilters.org or tweet us @fivefilters. Article updates Julian Baggini in the Times Literary Supplement: Ethics today is in a curious state. There is no shortage of people telling us that Western civilization is facing a moral crisis, that the old foundation of Christianity has been removed but nothing has been put in its place. Christian writers such as Alister McGrath and Nick Spencer have warned that were running on the moral capital of a religion weve long abandoned. Its only a matter of time before, like Wile E. Coyote, we realize weve run off a moral cliff, impossibly suspended in mid-air only as long as we fail to realize theres nothing under our feet. One supposed sign of this malaise is that scepticism about morality has never been higher. University philosophy lecturers consistently report that their new undergraduates tend to arrive assuming that all thinking people are moral relativists who believe that whats right for some is wrong for others and thats all there is to be said for it. Psychology has fuelled this scepticism, with researchers like Joshua Greene arguing that most moral judgements come straight from the hot amygdala, not the cool prefrontal cortex. On this account, moral principles are post-facto rationalizations of emotional reactions. Yet for such a sickly beast, ethics is energetically at work everywhere. You may doubt the sincerity of corporate social responsibility but the very fact that every reasonably sized company feels the need to demonstrate it says something about public expectations. More here. Faulkton Area moves down in 9B in latest poll As the regular season heads into the final weeks, several teams had big enough performances to create movement in the rankings. American Federation of Teachers-New Mexico and the Albuquerque Teachers Federation filed a motion against the state Public Education Department for using its teacher evaluations to decide which educators can teach at Albuquerques lowest performing schools. The unions recently filed the motion in state District Court in Santa Fe, saying that a 2015 injunction prohibits PED from using value-added models (VAM) including PEDs teacher evals in a way that affects teacher tenure or disciplinary status until a final decision on the merits of VAM can be made, which is scheduled to happen this fall. The motion notes that Albuquerque Public Schools cant re-employ teachers, at more rigorous intervention schools Los Padillas and Whittier elementaries, who arent rated as effective or better per PEDs condition on the schools. These teachers are being removed from the school under PED order based on their VAM score, said Shane Youtz, the unions attorney. Absolutely, we want to get the best teachers to the students in need, but the notion that this is the best and accurate way to do that is not supported by any evidence. A teachers evaluation rating is based primarily on student growth measured through test scores and classroom observations. Planning, surveys and attendance are also factors. Teachers can get from ineffective, minimally effective, effective, highly effective and exemplary ratings. The PED is attempting to use the summative evaluation ratings and VAM scores to determine who is able to continue teaching and who must leave the two MRI schools, ATF said in an email to members. The motion argues that is an adverse consequence to teachers and violates the injunction. PED could not immediately be reached for comment. There are 14 teachers at Los Padillas and 21 at Whittier, according to the motion. These teachers will be subject to a teacher evaluation scheme that was otherwise enjoined for all other teachers in New Mexico, it says. Youtz told the Journal the motion asks the judge to tell PED to hold off on the condition that requires MRI schools to be staffed with effective or better teachers until a final decision from the court is made on the injunction. He was not sure when a judge will make a decision on this motion but said action is needed before the 2018-19 school year starts. The motion comes in the wake of improvement measures being placed on chronically low-perfoming schools in the state. Los Padillas earned five consecutive F grades and Whittier earned six. Since the announcement that Los Padillas and Whittier would be targeted for development, there have been months of back-and-forth between PED and APS, getting restructuring plans finalized and conditions agreed upon. According to PED letters, the state agency had previously required that the teachers be exclusively highly effective or exemplary for these schools. That was later changed to the effective or higher measure now being required. Copyright 2018 Albuquerque Journal A Las Cruces jury on Friday convicted five of seven alleged Syndicato de Nuevo Mexico prison gang members on federal racketeering charges involving violent crimes, including two brothers with lengthy rap sheets who until now had eluded prosecution in the gruesome death of a Los Lunas man in 2012. Defendants Joe Lawrence Gallegos, his younger brother Andrew Smiley Gallegos, Billy Garcia, Edward Troup and Arturo Garcia were found guilty of committing murder as part of the SNM criminal enterprise. The five defendants will remain in federal custody awaiting sentencing. They each face life imprisonment on the murder convictions. The jury acquitted defendants Allen Patterson and Christopher Chavez, who were accused of participating in the strangulation death of inmate Rolando Garza in 2001. During the seven-week racketeering trial, prosecutors with the U.S. Attorneys Office had to prove that each defendant violated federal law by committing violent crimes to gain entrance into or maintaining or increasing their status within the SNM gang, which formed after the deadly 1980 prison riot at the state prison in Santa Fe. The prosecution also presented evidence involving four murders, three inside the prison system, that had remained unsolved for years despite investigations by the New Mexico State Police. Defense attorneys contended there wasnt enough evidence for anyone to be prosecuted for the crimes. In the case of the Gallegos brothers, they were originally charged weeks after the fatal shooting of Adrian Burns, whose body was found handcuffed and on fire in November 2012. But a Socorro magistrate found insufficient evidence, and charges were dropped. State prosecutors at the time vowed to continue the investigation, but the state case went cold. In Fridays verdict: Joe Lawrence Gallegos was convicted in Burns death and in a 2001 murder of inmate Frank Castillo at the Southern New Mexico Correctional Facility outside Las Cruces. The jury acquitted him, however, of four counts involving witness tampering, assaulting a man with a dangerous weapon in 2015 and conspiring to murder the same man nearly a year later. Prosecutors contended the man was attacked with a machete in 2016 to keep him from testifying against Joe Gallegos. Both Gallegos brothers have more than a dozen prior arrests each. His brother, Andrew Smiley Gallegos, was also convicted of Burns murder. Billy Garcia, a purported SNM leader, was convicted for ordering the murder of inmates Rolando Garza and Castillo, who were strangled to death at the same time in separate areas of the southern New Mexico prison in 2001. Billy Garcia had been released from prison and was on the streets of Albuquerque when arrested in 2015 on federal racketeering charges related to the 14-year-old prison murders. Troup was convicted in Castillos 2001 murder and in the 2007 murder of Fred Sanchez at the southern New Mexico prison. Troup had been out of prison when he was arrested on the federal charges in Albuquerque in 2015. Arturo Garcia was also convicted in the 2007 murder of Fred Sanchez. During the trial, federal prosecutors relied mostly on the testimony of SNM members, some who had pleaded guilty and became cooperators for the government. More than 80 people have pleaded guilty since the FBI launched its investigation, dubbed Operation Atonement, in March 2015. Thats when evidence surfaced that SNMs leader, Anthony Ray Baca, had ordered the murder of then-state Corrections Secretary Gregg Marcantel and another top Corrections official. The tip prompted a massive FBI-led historical investigation into crimes committed by SNM, inside and outside prison walls, over the past three decades. The Marcantel murder plot was foiled, and more than 100 people with SNM ties, either as members or associates, were arrested. Baca was among three SNM members convicted at the first trial in the case in March. The man who police say stabbed a mother and her teenage daughter to death in their West Side apartment early Thursday morning has died a day after being shot by deputies in Colorado, where police say he fled after the slayings. Cmdr. Loren Sharp of the Fort Morgan Police Department said Dustin Brian Montano, 31, died at the Medical Center of the Rockies in Loveland, Colo. The shooting is still under investigation. Officer Simon Drobik, a spokesman for the Albuquerque Police Department, said detectives had been looking for Montano in the deaths of Irisa Montano, 17, and Deborah Martinez, 53, before he was shot and knew he had fled to Colorado. He said earlier that detectives cannot answer any questions about a possible motive in the slayings or whether Montano knew the mother and daughter because they didnt get a chance to interview him. Back in Albuquerque, Irisas friends say they are grappling with the deaths and the questions that remain. Destiny Baez, 19, said Dustin had been staying with Irisa and her mother recently, although she did not know how long he had been there. She said Irisa had not talked much about 31-year-old Dustin but she thinks they are related. She said she has no idea why Irisa and her mother had been killed and now she may never know. Im in my own head trying to figure that out myself, Baez said. Waking up today it was still like being hit by a train. When I found out about it all I could do was drop to the floor and cry. APD officers had found Irisa and Martinez dead in their home at the Mesa Ridge Apartments around 3:30 a.m. but it is unclear when they were killed. Dustin fled the state and was shot by the sheriff and undersheriff of Morgan County, more than 500 miles away, around 8 a.m., according to a spokesman for the Fort Morgan Police Department. He died before APD detectives could charge him in the homicides. It is not the first time Dustin has been accused of killing someone. Kristen Dark, a spokeswoman for the Travis County Sheriffs Office in Austin, Texas, said Dustin had been arrested on murder charges in 2005. An article published in the Austin American-Statesman in 2006 said Dustin, then 19, was found guilty of manslaughter for the fatal stabbing of an 18-year-old during a fight. Baez said she had been friends with Irisa for about six years and lived with her and her mother for a couple months at one point. I had moved out of my parents house and had nowhere to go, she said. They opened up their home to me. Her mom was very kind and always loved to do things with Irisa. She was a big part of her life and was very proud with her. Baez said Irisa had recently graduated from Health Leadership High School and planned on attending nursing school in the fall. She said she was the youngest of four children and had been raised by Martinez, who was a single mother. Family members did not respond to the Journal on Thursday. SANTA FE Rep. Monica Youngblood has hired former state Supreme Court Justice Paul Kennedy to represent her following her arrested on an aggravated drunken driving charge. And Kennedy has come out swinging. Just as no one is above the law, no one is below the law, Kennedy said in a written statement to the Journal. Ms. Youngblood is entitled to all due process just like every other American. He added that he is amazed at the hysteria surrounding this particular case. Legislators, judges, and even current congressional candidates have DWI arrests, and some have recent convictions on their records. Yet no one is calling for their resignations. The silence is deafening. Kennedy, who served in the Marine Corps, is a prominent Albuquerque attorney. He has repeatedly represented Republican Gov. Susana Martinez and her administration. He has served two stints on the Supreme Court, appointed once by Republican Gov. Gary Johnson and also by Martinez. Youngblood, a 41-year-old Republican from Albuquerque, was arrested at a sobriety checkpoint earlier this month. She denied drinking but refused to take a breath test. An officer said he smelled alcohol, that Youngbloods eyes were bloodshot and watery, and that Youngblood performed poorly on a field sobriety test. WASHINGTON President Donald Trumps legal team wants a briefing on the classified information shared with lawmakers about the origins of the FBI investigation into Russias meddling in the 2016 presidential election and may take it to the Justice Department as part of an effort to scuttle the ongoing special counsel probe. Rudy Giuliani, one of Trumps attorneys, told The Associated Press on Friday that the White House hopes to get a readout of the information next week, particularly about the use of a longtime government informant who approached members of Trumps campaign in a possible bid to glean intelligence on Russian efforts to sway the election. Trump has made unproven claims of FBI misconduct and political bias and has denounced the asset as a spy. If the spying was inappropriate, that means we may have an entirely illegitimate investigation, Giuliani said of special counsel Robert Muellers probe. He then invoked the material compiled by former FBI Director James Comey before he was fired. Coupled with Comeys illegally leaked memos, this means the whole thing was a mistake and should never have happened, Giuliani said. Wed urge the Justice Department to re-evaluate, to acknowledge they made a mistake. Its a waste of $20 million of the taxpayers money. The whole thing is already a waste of money. Comey has said he had the authority as a private citizen to ask a friend to share details from one of his memos with the news media, and has said he did nothing wrong. The Justice Department official who would be the one to receive any complaints from Giuliani would presumably be Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, who appointed Mueller last year in the wake of Comeys firing and was present for Thursdays briefings. Suggesting that the probe was launched on the backs of inappropriately obtained information was Giulianis latest effort to discredit the investigation by painting it as a purely political event. The FBI began a counterintelligence investigation in July 2016 to determine if Trump campaign associates were coordinating with Russia to tip the election. The investigation was opened after the hacking of Democratic emails that intelligence officials later formally attributed to Russia. The two meetings held Thursday were sought by Trumps GOP allies in Congress and arranged by the White House, as the president has tried to sow suspicions about the legitimacy of the FBI investigation. Trump and his allies have focused on the use of the informant. What motivated putting him in? What sort of information were they seeking from him? What did they get? Giuliani asked Friday. They clearly did not get incriminating information or wed have found out about it by now. And why did they hide it for so long? Theres a big concealment that went on here for over a year since the president said he had been surveilled. So far, 19 people, including Trumps former campaign chairman and former national security adviser, have been charged in Muellers investigation. Three former Trump aides have pleaded guilty and are cooperating with the investigation. Democrats emerged from the meetings saying they saw no evidence to support Republican allegations that the FBI acted inappropriately. Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina was not in the meetings but, in a radio interview Friday, broke with the president to say a confidential informant is not a spy, though he cautioned about investigations into campaigns. Initially offered only to Republicans, the briefings were the latest piece of stagecraft meant to publicize and bolster the allegations. But they also highlighted the degree to which the president and his allies have used the levers of the federal government in this case, intelligence agencies to aid in Trumps personal and political defense. The presence of a White House lawyer, Emmet Flood, and White House Chief of Staff John Kelly at the outset of the briefings raised immediate alarms from Democrats, who said they were concerned officials could use information from the meetings to the presidents legal advantage. They also said it was inappropriate for White House officials to attend any part of a meeting about a criminal investigation that directly concerns the president and his campaign. Some also questioned whether the presence of Flood and Kelly violated Justice Department policy meant to limit contacts with the White House to specific circumstances. Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats said Flood and Kelly were there to relay the Presidents desire for as much openness as possible under the law; and both left as planned_before the substantive portion of the meeting began. Giuliani said it would be appropriate for Trump to be briefed about the findings. Hes not the subject or target of that investigation. He should know what is discussed, said Giuliani, the former mayor of New York City. Moreover, I assume President Obama knew about it. And if Obama knew about it, why cant Trump? Questions would likely be raised about the appropriateness of sharing the information with the White House in light of the ongoing probe into Trumps campaign. It was unclear how much information was given to lawmakers. According to a U.S. official familiar with the broader of the two meetings, the briefers did not reveal the name of the informant. They brought documents to Capitol Hill but did not share them, and made several remarks about the importance of protecting intelligence sources and methods. The person declined to be identified because the briefing was classified. The president intensified his attacks on the probe this week, calling it spygate and tweeting Thursday that it was Starting to look like one of the biggest political scandals in U.S. history. Trump told one ally this week that he wanted to brand the informant a spy, believing the more nefarious term would resonate more in the media and with the public. It remained unclear what, if any, spying was done. The White House provided no evidence to support Trumps claim that President Barack Obamas administration was trying to spy on his 2016 campaign for political reasons. House Intelligence Committee Chairman Devin Nunes, an ardent Trump supporter, originally demanded the information on an FBI source in the Russia investigation. Giuliani said the presidents legal team would wait to see a report out of the briefings before making a decision as to whether Trump would sit for an interview with Muellers investigators. He previously had said that a decision would not be made about an interview until after Trumps summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, a meeting the president canceled Thursday but the White House is open to reviving. Well see about the future of the summit before we definitely make a decision about a timetable, Giuliani said. ___ Associated Press writer Mary Clare Jalonick contributed reporting. ___ Follow Lemire on Twitter at http://twitter.com///twitter.com/@etuckerAP Copyright 2018 Albuquerque Journal WASHINGTON Former U.S. Attorney Damon Martinez held a razor-thin lead in a six-way primary race for the Democratic nomination in the Albuquerque-based 1st Congressional District, but Debra Haaland and Antoinette Sedillo Lopez were within striking distance. And nearly a third of likely Democratic voters were still undecided. A new Journal Poll showed that 29 percent of 1st District Democrats remained undecided about the high-profile congressional contest with less than two weeks until the June 5 primary election. Three candidates have emerged at the front of the pack in this race, said Brian Sanderoff, president of Research & Polling Inc., which conducted the survey. However, given the large percentage of undecided voters, this race is still too close to call. Martinez had the support of 22 percent of likely Democratic voters in the poll, conducted May 20-24. Haaland, a former state Democratic Party chairwoman who would be the first Native American woman elected to the U.S. House, garnered 19 percent support. Sedillo Lopez, a former UNM law professor and civil rights activist, had 17 percent of Democratic support in the poll. The polls margin of error is plus or minus 4.9 percentage points. Rounding out the polls bottom three spots were Albuquerque City Councilor Pat Davis, who had the support of 5 percent of respondents, immigration lawyer Damian Lara, with 4 percent support, and Los Lunas businessman Paul Moya, who polled at 3 percent in the Journal survey. Deb Haaland and Antoinette Sedillo Lopez got an early start in this race and developed a considerable base of support, but in the last few weeks I get the sense that Damon Martinez has been gaining momentum and the other three candidates Davis, Moya and Lara are lagging behind, Sanderoff said. The pollster also noted that the candidates finishing in the top three in the Journal Poll are also winning the crucial money race. Martinez, Sedillo Lopez and Haaland have each raised more than $700,000 in the campaign. The candidates who have raised and spent the most money are leading the race, Sanderoff said. It doesnt seem like you can turn on the TV without seeing one of these three candidates campaign ads. Martinez, who has touted his experience as a former congressional staffer and federal prosecutor, polled strongest among male respondents, with 24 percent saying they support his candidacy. Haaland and Sedillo Lopez each had the support of 16 percent of the male respondents. Martinez and Haaland were favored by 21 percent of female poll respondents, while Sedillo Lopez garnered 18 percent support among women polled. Martinez was the clear favorite among Democratic Hispanics polled in the 1st District, with 25 percent of those respondents vowing to support him at the ballot box. Sedillo Lopez polled at 19 percent among Hispanic respondents in the 1st District, while Haaland had just 9 percent support among the ethnic group. But Haaland garnered strong support among Anglos, with 27 percent, followed by Martinez at 20 percent. Although Native Americans, African Americans and other races have been included in the survey, their individual sample sizes are too small to report the results in a segmented manner. Haaland polled best among the most educated likely Democratic voters, with 25 percent of those with graduate degrees saying they support her. Martinez had the support of 20 percent of Democratic voters with graduate degrees, and Sedillo Lopez had 19 percent support among those voters. Among voters with a high school diploma or less education, Martinez had 22 percent support, Sedillo Lopez garnered 13 percent and Haaland had 9 percent support. The youngest voters polled those ages 18 to 34 were the most likely to still be undecided about the congressional contest, with 40 percent of those poll respondents saying they had not made up their minds. Meanwhile, the oldest voter group seniors 65 and older was least likely to be undecided, but 22 percent of voters in that age group said they had not decided which candidate to support. The Journal Poll is based on a scientific sample of 395 registered Democratic voters in the 1st Congressional District who cast ballots in the 2014 and/or 2016 Democratic primary elections and said they were very likely to vote once again in this years June 5 primary election. The voter sample has a margin of error of plus or minus 4.9 percentage points. The margin of error grows for subsamples. All interviews were conducted by live, professional interviewers, with multiple callbacks to households that did not initially answer the phone. The poll surveyed only Democrats because candidate Janice Arnold-Jones is unopposed on the Republican side and Lloyd Princeton is unopposed as a Libertarian. Both cellphone numbers (54 percent) and landlines (46 percent) of proven Democratic primary election voters were used. CORRECTION: The subhead and excerpt for this story have been corrected to show that almost one-third 29% of voters are undecided. Coming Sunday: The Journal Poll results for the Democratic primary in the races for governor, lieutenant governor, auditor and land commissioner. We need to boil water to make chicken soup. We dont need to boil water to make energy anymore. Water is scarce in the Southwest, yet most of our electricity still comes from burning coal to boil water to drive steam turbines. Coal-fired power plants use a lot of water at every point in the lifecycle, from mining fuel to generating electricity to scrubbing pollutants from emissions. The cleaner you try to make coal-fired plants, the more water you need. In drought-prone western states, we need to triage our water usage and prioritize withdrawals to the most important societal uses. Water will always be needed as a vital input to food production. That is no longer true of energy. Newer technologies can substantially reduce the amount of water we use to power our homes, offices and factories. Sun and wind are abundant and free. Solar photovoltaic arrays and wind farms can turn these inputs into electricity, and they operate without water withdrawals, without emitting pollutants. Battery storage solutions are coming online at a scale that will increase the usability and reliability of clean energy. In the meantime, we have better options than coal for producing on-demand electricity. Natural gas is cheaper and cleaner than coal and uses less water. A study by the University of Texas at Austin found that switching from coal to natural gas could cut water usage by two-thirds. The most effective way to replace coal is to make the industry pay for the pollution it creates. Coal-fired plants emit a wide variety of toxins that dirty our air, and they produce almost 70 percent of the carbon dioxide emitted by the U.S. electricity generation sector. Congressional action to put a fee on carbon emissions would speed retirement of coal plants and incentivize clean renewables. Carbon Fee and Dividend is a minimal-government solution that puts a fee on carbon emissions at the source mine, well or port of entry returns all revenues to American households through a monthly dividend and includes a border adjustment to protect U.S. businesses. CF&D has bipartisan support and strongly favors renewables and natural gas over dirtier, thirstier coal. Many people remain skeptical about climate change projections, and thats understandable. Unless youre a scientist, the link between burning fossil fuels and the weird weather changes were seeing is not obvious. CO2 is invisible, as are the chemical qualities that make CO2 trap heat in the atmosphere. We can see water, though. We can hear it, feel it, taste it and smell it when the summer monsoon rains finally come. We can see its absence as well, in lower reservoirs and river flows, sparse snowpack, parched brown fields and tinder-dry forests and grasslands. Regardless of your level of certainty or doubt about the role of fossil fuels in driving climate change, we can all agree that drought is a chronic challenge in the Southwest. We must manage wisely for a future with less water, more people and higher demands for energy. Transitioning our electricity generation away from coal and maximizing use of wind and solar photovoltaics will free up water for other critical uses. We control the length and efficiency of that transition. If we drag our heels, continue burning coal for the next 30 years out of a misplaced sense of national pride, well pay more in the process through higher utility bills, lower crop yields in drought years and a degraded environment. Why not expend the same amount of personal and political energy on a smooth transition to a clean, reliable and less-thirsty grid? Water is rare and precious in New Mexico. Our energy decisions should reflect that fact. If you agree, please call or write your senators and congress member. Ask them to sponsor Carbon Fee and Dividend legislation. Its the right solution for New Mexico and our nation, both water-wise and climate-smart. WASHINGTON Robert S. Mueller IIIs investigation has won indictments against President Trumps former campaign chairman and 16 others and has secured guilty pleas from five people, including Trumps former national security adviser and two campaign advisers. This can mean only one thing: It is time to reopen the investigation into Hillary Clintons emails. Federal agents raided the properties of Trumps personal attorney, who was paid by corporations seeking to influence Trump and who was reimbursed by Trump for paying hush money to a porn actress. As a natural consequence of this, it is imperative to probe the dealings of the Clinton Foundation. Voluminous evidence has emerged showing that Russians and other foreign nationals met with the Trump campaign with offers to help him win the election. And this leads inevitably to the conclusion that federal prosecutors must look into the Uranium One sale during Clintons tenure as secretary of state. This, at any rate, is the peculiar view expressed by a group of House conservatives Tuesday as they introduced a 12-page resolution demanding that a special prosecutor be appointed to investigate various allegations against Clinton, the vanquished Democratic presidential nominee. They also want this new special prosecutor to look into the circumstances that started the Russia probe, though here, too, they blame Clinton, and to probe the conduct of Mueller and top officials at the Justice Department and FBI, who, as these lawmakers see it, are all hopelessly biased against Trump. We need a special prosecutor to investigate the special prosecutor, asserted Rep. Louie Gohmert, R-Tex. Rep. Paul A. Gosar, R-Ariz., joining his fellow conservatives, alleged an orchestrated campaign against a duly elected government namely, Trumps. Thats why theres nothing short of treason for those that actually participated, he added. The group of them 10 men and one woman tossed in their greatest hits from the Obama years: The Fast and Furious gun-running scheme, Anthony Weiner, political targeting at the IRS, Bill Clintons tarmac meeting with Loretta Lynch, Andrew McCabes wife getting Clinton-connected money. Its a wonder they didnt bring up Benghazi or Monica Lewinsky. Its the scandal of our time, the scandal perhaps of our lifetime, judged Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz. There are just a couple of problems with this reprise of 2016s lock her up mania: Clinton is no longer a candidate or an officeholder. Besides, if the FBI and Justice Department tipped the vote toward anybody in 16, it was toward Trump, when FBI Director James B. Comey announced shortly before the election that he had reopened the email investigation. Mueller, the other focus of the conservatives ire, is a Republican appointed by another Republican, Deputy Attorney General Rod J. Rosenstein, who was appointed by Trump. But such nuance was not on the minds of those demanding a new independent counsel to probe Mueller, Rosenstein, Clinton and, presumably, anybody Trump feels is out to get him a persecutor prosecutor, if you will. NBCs Kasie Hunt offered the conservatives an observation: Ive spoken to the more moderate members of your caucus, one of whom used the word crazy to describe all of you and this effort. Rep. Lee Zeldin, R-N.Y., who wrote the anti-Clinton resolution, argued that whats crazy about all of this is the fact that every single thing in that resolution is accurate. Thats crazy. No, whats crazy is that Zeldin believes his allegations are somehow relevant. Democrats would like nothing more than for Republicans to attack Clinton again; that would further rile the base. This, presumably, is why GOP leaders want nothing to do with the Zeldin resolution. But the conservatives, who tend to come from districts that voted heavily for Trump, dont care what anybody else thinks. Thus did Zeldin, reading from his resolution Tuesday morning, sound as if a time warp had taken him back to 2016, or to an alternate reality in which Clinton won. With regards to Secretary Clinton, federal law and State Department rules, regulations and protocol were violated with her use of a private email server in her Chappaqua, N.Y, home, Zeldin said. There are 57 whereas clauses in the resolution, and the name Clinton appears 33 times, including the Clinton Foundation allegedly getting Uranium One money and Clintons campaign backing the Fusion GPS dossier. Toward the end of this hour-long exercise in subject changing, a reporters phone went off. The ringtone was the sound of a duck. It was, quite accidentally, a perfect soundtrack: Having tried all other means of defending Trump, his allies are now practicing quackery. There has been a lot of misinformation about both getting out of the so-called Iran deal and getting into a new North Korean agreement. The two situations may be connected, but not in the way we are usually told. Getting out of the Iran deal did not destroy trust in the U.S. government. Our departure from the deal does not mean that North Korea cannot reliably negotiate with America, although negotiations were stalled this week when President Donald Trump canceled a summit meeting with Kim Jong Un that had been planned for June 12 in Singapore. In 2015, the Iran deal was not approved as either a Senate-ratified treaty or a joint congressional resolution. Had the deal been a treaty, Trump could not have walked away from it so easily and with so little downside. Former President Obama knew that he did not have majority congressional support for his initiative. Therefore, he desperately sought ways to circumvent the constitutionally directed authority of the Senate and redefine a treaty as a mere executive order. Obama got the deal approved by the Iranians in part by paying them ransom for hostages through huge nighttime cash transfers. A cynical North Korea knew only too well that in the past, President Obama either entered into agreements or avoided them based on his therapeutic notion that human nature was both changeable and essentially noble. The North Koreans now seem worried that a more unpredictable Trump has a quite different, pessimistic and tragic view that humans are predictably capable of almost anything if not strongly deterred. After Trumps rejection of the Iran deal, North Korea now concedes that it cannot cajole a flawed agreement with the current U.S. president, who is mercurial rather than scripted in his reactions. North Korea is the stealthy and illegal supplier of ballistic missile and nuclear weapons technology to Iran. Should North Korea enter into a detente with the West, Iran might lose a rogue nuclear patron one of the keys to its efforts to get a bomb. Tough international sanctions work slowly. But despite occasional cheating, they do in the end work well enough to injure economies. The tragedy of the 2015 Iran deal was that an embargoed Tehran had been brought to the brink of social and economic chaos before the deal was struck. Had the global boycotts continued, Iran might not have had either the cash or the public calm to spend vast fortunes simultaneously on nuclear proliferation, global terrorism, and proxy wars in Lebanon, Syria and Yemen. Unfortunately, the Iran deal ensured Iranian nuclear proliferation after sanctions had been inhibiting it. Iran looked at the sweetheart 2015 deal as a rescue. Before Trump canceled it, Iran had planned to use the deal for the next decade to regroup, to earn billions in foreign exchange as sanctions ended, to spread its influence throughout the Middle East and to ready itself to produce bombs in 2025. Then, when the agreement expired, Iran would have been far richer, more technologically sophisticated, far more powerful in the region and far more likely to get more advanced bombs. In both the Iran deal and a potential North Korea deal, the United States has enormous leverage and it should never forget that fact. Global sanctions can wreck the relatively small and vulnerable Iranian and North Korean economies. Even American sanctions alone and the ripples from them can injure Tehran and Pyongyang. The U.S. can also deter Iran and North Korea in a variety of other ways. New American efforts at missile defense can nullify some of their offensive capability. Regional neighbors and allies of the United States Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Saudi Arabia and Egypt have the ability to go nuclear themselves. Yet these pro-American nations stay non-nuclear only because of the restraints imposed upon them by the U.S. That is a condition that in the future can be recalibrated to fit the behavior of Iran and North Korea. Without China, neither Iran nor North Korea can obtain the diplomatic cover or the technological support needed to build a sophisticated nuclear missile arsenal. And China can be convinced not to endanger its lucrative commerce with the West for the sake of irritating the United States and Europe with rogue nuclear proxies. Finally, Russia is a regional neighbor of North Korea and Iran. It has no strategic self-interest in having two unhinged nuclear countries nearby. Before the onset of the hysteria about Russian collusion, the United States and Russia discussed areas of mutual benefit, such as limiting the number of dangerous third-party nations with nuclear weapons. For all the evil of Russian President Vladimir Putin, the potential evil of a nuclear Iran and North Korea is greater. It is time to talk about mutual strategic interests with the Russians to nullify a North Korean and Iranian nuclear threat. In sum, for all their obnoxious bluster, the rogue governments of North Korea and Iran are more vulnerable than ever. Bernalillo County reached a significant milestone this week with the long-awaited opening of its Resource Re-Entry Center near Fourth and Roma. The Resource Re-Entry Center will be a one-stop shop where those being released from jail are able to meet with people who can help them tap into temporary shelters, housing, food, medicine, drug rehabilitation and other social programs. The Downtown facility will be open 24 hours a day, and it will be where the county drops off inmates being released from the Metropolitan Detention Center. Its a dramatic improvement from the countys previous practice of dropping off inmates at a Downtown Albuquerque street corner, day or night, and expecting them to fend for themselves. About 50 to 70 people are released from the county jail each day. County officials have been talking about the center for years. The new center will help people like Robert Salazar, a former inmate-turned-advocate who struggled with mental illness and addiction and was in and out of the county jail for a period in his life. Salazar, who spoke at the opening ceremony, recounted being dropped off at a street corner in the middle of the night with no resources and no way to reach out to anyone he knew for help. Being dropped off here, the only coping I had was to give up and get high, he says. And it was easier to give up and get high than to find a ride, find shelter, find medication and find resources. He says the center represents hope for people at their most vulnerable. University of New Mexico Hospital employees will direct people to behavioral health resources. The city is providing bus and temporary housing vouchers. County Commissioner Maggie Hart Stebbins says the prior way inmates were released was particularly dangerous for women. We had women come to speak to the commission about being dropped off in the middle of the night with no resources, no safe place to stay, no phone and walking for miles to get home in the middle of the night. County Manager Julie Morgas Baca says most of the agencies and programs already exist, but the center will help former inmates learn about the ones most useful to them. Operating costs for the center are expected to be about $1 million a year. Most costs will be paid for with proceeds from a gross receipts tax that went into effect in 2015 to fund more mental and behavioral health services and to provide a safety net system that develops a continuum of care not otherwise funded in New Mexico. The tax generates around $17 million to $20 million a year. The Resource Re-Entry Center represents an opportunity to get former inmates the help they need so they dont continue to re-offend and end up in, then out, then back in jail. The former inmates get well-timed support, taxpayers save money and Albuquerque experiences fewer break-ins and stolen cars, and lower crime in general. While conventional wisdom would say this type of program will make a positive difference on recidivism rates, its important the county track whether its effective and if taxpayers are getting the best bang for their million bucks a year. Its vital county officials report to the public in a year with hard numbers to show whether the Resource Re-Entry Center is truly making a difference. But at this point, it certainly appears to be a win for all. 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. Americas fallen warriors will be honored at events in and around Albuquerque on Memorial Day. Memorial Day, formerly known as Decoration Day, commemorates those who have died while serving in Americas armed forces. The major event in Albuquerque takes place on Monday at the New Mexico Veterans Memorial, 1100 Louisiana Blvd. SE. The ceremony begins at 9 a.m. with a musical prelude by New Mexicos only official American Legion band, the Dukes of Albuquerque. Mayor Tim Keller will deliver remarks at 10 a.m., followed by an address by Col. Richard Gibbs, 377th Air Base Wing and installation commander at Kirtland Air Force Base. The ceremony is organized by the city of Albuquerque, United Veterans Council and New Mexico Veterans Memorial Foundation Board. Parking and continuous shuttle service provided by the Department of Senior Affairs will be available at Kirtland Federal Credit Union, 6440 Gibson Blvd. SE. Some places have scheduled events during the weekend as well as on Monday. Other Memorial Day events include: Albuquerque Today: The New Mexico Philharmonic presents Hooray for our Heroes! at 8 p.m. at Albuquerque Biopark Zoo, 903 10th St. SW. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are available at $25 at the gate for seating in the lawn area, $40 for seating under the canopy of trees, and $60 for VIP chair seating that includes premium placement directly in front of the band shell plus a drink coupon per person for non-alcoholic or alcoholic drinks. Roger Melone returns to conduct in a night of audience favorites. Also, a special appearance by this years Jackie McGehee Young Artists Competition winners. Angel Fire Monday: At the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Angel Fire, a flag march will begin at 9 a.m. and a special ceremony honoring all veterans in the amphitheater at 11 a.m. The memorial is located at 34 Country Club Road. Bernalillo Today: A Memorial Day ceremony will take place at 1 p.m. at the Sandoval County Vietnam Veterans Memorial, 711 Camino Del Pueblo. Monday: The town of Bernalillo will host a Memorial Day event from 10 a.m. to noon at Rotary Park, 301 Rotary Park Road. It includes hot dogs, beverages and music. Las Cruces Monday: The city of Las Cruces is holding a candlelight vigil at Veterans Memorial Park at 8 p.m. The ceremony honors 203 armed service members from Dona Ana County killed in action. The Military Order of the Purple Heart Chapter 2004 organized the vigil, which includes veterans from World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam and Operation Iraqi Freedom. After each fallen veterans name is called, family members, friends and a dozen Girl Scouts will light candles and place them at the memorial wall. Gov. Susana Martinez is scheduled to attend. Los Alamos Monday: In Los Alamos, a Memorial Day ceremony will be held at the Guaje Pines Cemetery, 901 Range Road, at 11 a.m., followed by a lunch at American Legion Post 90, 1325 Trinity Drive, at 12:30 p.m. In addition, the Los Alamos Community Winds will perform a free concert outside Fuller Lodge, 2132 Central Ave., at 1 p.m. Rio Rancho Monday: The city of Rio Rancho will recognize Memorial Day with a remembrance ceremony at Veterans Monument Park beginning at 11 a.m. Speakers will include Mayor Gregg Hull and military personnel. Immediately after the ceremony, a dedication of the Metro Area First Responders Monument will take place. The monument is inside the park at 950 Pinetree Road and includes four black granite panels surrounding the foundation to create a monolith engraved with the badges of nearly 30 agencies. The monument was recently completed as part of a Leadership Sandoval County project and was coordinated and sponsored by a number of community leaders, businesses and organizations. Santa Fe Monday : In Santa Fe, a ceremony will be held at the Santa Fe National Cemetery, 501 North Guadalupe St., beginning at 10 a.m. The event will feature patriotic music by the Santa Fe Concert Band. The list of speakers includes a keynote address from Brad Phillips, executive director of the Pacific District of the National Cemetery Administration. WASHINGTON Antoinette Sedillo Lopez, a Democratic candidate in New Mexicos 1st Congressional District race, said Friday that she will return $2,750 in campaign contributions given to her by seven lawyers who had cases pending in the court of her husband, state District Judge Victor Lopez. A spokesman for Sedillo Lopezs campaign, Jason Rodriguez, said the former University of New Mexico law professor was unaware that the donors had cases before her husband at the time they made the contributions. He said Sedillo Lopez decided to return the money immediately after the Journal raised the issue with the campaign Friday. Antoinette has received support from more than 4,000 individuals, including former students and colleagues from her time as a law professor and associate dean of the UNM Law School, who she now considers friends, Rodriguez said in an email. When made aware of this small number of contributors, the campaign immediately refunded the contributions. Antoinette is a strong believer of integrity in our elections, and that is why she supports campaign finance reform, overturning Citizens United, and that is why she has refused to accept corporate PAC money in this campaign. The New Mexico lawyers campaign contributions to Sedillo Lopez were not illegal. The Journal tried to contact all seven donors this week, but only two took calls or returned phone messages. Christopher Bauman, who donated $500 to Sedillo Lopez in June 2017, was in the middle of a bench trial before Judge Lopez at the time of his donation, according to court records. To the extent there is an insinuation of an attempt to gain some sort of influence of the judge, I can tell you the judge ruled against me, Bauman said. Mary Behm of the Hinkle Shanor law firm in Albuquerque donated $250 to Sedillo Lopezs campaign also in June 2017 when she was representing Presbyterian Healthcare Services in a lawsuit against Presbyterian Hospital. Behm said Sedillo Lopez solicited the donation but didnt pressure her for a contribution. Behm also said she is a former law student and colleague of Sedillo Lopezs at UNM and that her pending case in her husbands court didnt occur to her at the time. I didnt think anything of it, she said, adding that Lopez has made rulings in her cases that I was distinctly unhappy with. Other New Mexico attorneys with cases pending before Lopez at the time they contributed to Sedillo Lopezs campaign are Elias Barela, who contributed $500 in June 2017; Alvin Garcia, who donated $250 in September 2017; Robert St. John, who donated $500 in May 2017; Gabrielle Valdez, who contributed $500 in June 2017; and Matthew Zamora, who gave the candidate a $250 donation in May 2017. As of the last filing with the Federal Election Commission, Sedillo Lopez ranked second in the 1st District race for total contributions, with $706,954 received. Debra Haaland led all six Democratic candidates, with $836,709 in donations, while Damon Martinez was the third-highest money recipient, with $699,263. Journal staff writer Mike Gallagher contributed to this report. SANTA FE Members of the New Mexico congressional delegation are fighting back against the Trump administrations recent decision to make most of the nations plutonium pits the cores of nuclear weapons in South Carolina instead of at Los Alamos National Laboratory. This week, U.S. Sen. Tom Udall, D-N.M., successfully inserted an amendment into a Senate appropriations bill requiring a new, independent assessment of the National Nuclear Security Administrations plan to divide pit production an operation that brings with it billions of dollars in operational and facility funding between LANL and another federal lab in South Carolina. A similar measure in the House of Representatives is supported by all three U.S. representatives from New Mexico Democrat Ben Ray Lujan and gubernatorial candidates Michelle Lujan Grisham, Democrat, and Steve Pearce, Republican according to online congressional documents. The Senate Appropriations Committees approval of the amendments show there is bipartisan skepticism about DOEs plan to waste billions of dollars exploring the construction of a new facility for pit production that will likely never be completed somewhere else, Udall said in an emailed statement. LANL director Terry Wallace Jr., in an op-ed piece published in Fridays Journal, said the NNSA announcement represents a big vote of confidence in the laboratory. The governments decision not only secures Los Alamos long-term national security future, but our growing employment base and key weapons funding needs, which will translate in the immediate future to more infrastructure, more equipment and more staff. Earlier this month, the Nuclear Weapons Council certified NNSAs plan to repurpose the Savannah River Site in South Carolina to make 50 pits a year coupled with an enduring mission to make at least 30 pits per year at Los Alamos, currently the only place in the country set up to make the softball-size cores. New Mexicos congressional delegation had been lobbying fiercely to keep all of the pit work at Los Alamos. Ramping up pit production is part of a huge plan to modernize the U.S. nuclear arsenal. Thousands of pits were made during the Cold War, but none have been made since 2011, when LANL completed the last of 29 for submarine missiles. The most ever made at LANL in a year is 11. The Senate and House amendments call for NNSA a semi-autonomous wing of the Department of Energy that oversees national labs to hire a contractor to conduct an independent assessment of the decision to make pits at two sites. The report would be due seven months after the amendment becomes law, and NNSA couldnt proceed with conceptual design for its pit production plan until the review contractor is in place. Critics of LANL had different comments on the idea of revisiting the NNSAs two-site plan for pits. This amendment is not about good government, said Greg Mello of the Albuquerque-based Los Alamos Study Group. Its a desperate effort to build a bigger pit factory at LANL by second-guessing years of analysis vetted by experts in many places, not just NNSA. The U.S. has about 23,000 pits right now, he said. This is all about greed, not need. Jay Coghlan, of Nuclear Watch New Mexico, said the Senate committee did the right thing requiring independent expert review of the governments headlong rush to expand plutonium pit production at both the Los Alamos Lab and the Savannah River Site. We predict the wheels will come off once its under deeper public and congressional scrutiny, he said. WIPP involved In conjunction with its decision to move most pit production to Savannah River, NNSA pulled the plug on a troubled operation there, intended to turn excess weapons-grade plutonium into fuel rods for nuclear power plants, as part of a nonproliferation agreement with Russia. Instead, the 34 metric tons of plutonium would now end up in New Mexico, at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant in Carlsbad, after it has been diluted and mixed with inert material. Another Udall amendment orders NNSA to submit to Congress by February 2019 a plan for obtaining all necessary final state and federal permits for storing the processed plutonium at WIPP along with scientific, legal and cost reviews for the plan. The amendment puts DOE on notice that New Mexico has the final say over any proposal for our state to take on additional waste missions beyond what was originally intended and authorized by current law, Udall said. Questions have been raised about whether WIPP has space for the diluted plutonium or was intended for that kind of material. Two men were shot and injured in northeast Albuquerque Friday night, according to a police spokesman. Officer Daren DeAguero said both men were taken to the hospital and are in stable condition. He did not identify them. He said police received calls of a person being shot in the 400 block of Tennessee, near Central and Wyoming NE, around 9:30 p.m. DeAguero said responding officers found the two men injured. At this time no one is in custody, he said. We are currently investigating all avenues to piece together the events that led up to this incident. A dozen or more police vehicles lined Tennessee, between Copper and Marquette, and blocked either end of the street while officers investigated. A nearby neighbor said she heard three gunshots earlier but didnt hear any yelling or other commotion. SEOUL, South Korea North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and South Korean President Moon Jae-in met Saturday for the second time in a month, exchanging a huge bear hug and broad smiles in a surprise summit at a border village to discuss Kims potential meeting with President Donald Trump and ways to follow through on the peace initiatives of the rivals earlier summit. Following a whirlwind 24 hours that saw Trump cancel the highly anticipated June 12 meeting with Kim before saying its potentially back on, the Korean leaders took matters into their own hands. Their quickly arranged meeting Saturday appears to highlight a sense of urgency on both sides of the worlds most heavily armed border: Moon wants to secure a summit that he sees as the best way to ease animosity that had some fearing a war last year; Kim may see the sit-down with Trump as necessary to easing pressure from crushing sanctions and to winning security assurances in a region surrounded by enemies. Kim, in a telling line from a dispatch issued by the Norths state-run news service on Sunday, expressed his fixed will on the historic (North Korea)-U.S. summit talks. The two Korean leaders agreed to positively cooperate with each other as ever to improve (North Korea)-U.S. relations and establish (a) mechanism for permanent and durable peace. They agreed to have their top officials meet again June 1 and to set up separate talks between their top generals. The meeting came hours after South Korea expressed relief over revived talks for a summit between Trump and Kim. It remains unclear whether Kim will ever agree to fully abandon his nuclear arsenal in return, despite Moons insistence that Kim can be persuaded to abandon his nuclear facilities, materials and bombs in a verifiable and irreversible way in exchange for credible security and economic guarantees. Moon, who brokered the summit between Washington and Pyongyang, likely used Saturdays meeting to confirm Kims willingness to enter nuclear negotiations with Trump and clarify what steps Kim has in mind in the process of denuclearization, said Hong Min, a senior analyst at Seouls Korea Institute for National Unification. While Washington and Pyongyang have expressed their hopes for a summit through published statements, Moon has to step up as the mediator because the surest way to set the meeting in stone would be an official confirmation of intent between heads of states, Hong said. South Korean presidential spokesman Yoon Young-chan said Moon will reveal details of his meeting with Kim on Sunday. U.S. officials have talked about a comprehensive one-shot deal in which North Korea fully eliminates its nukes first and receives rewards later. But Kim, through two summits with Chinese President Xi Jinping in March and May, has called for a phased and synchronized process in which every action he takes is met with a reciprocal reward from the United States. Koh Yu-hwan, a North Korea expert at Seouls Dongguk University and a policy adviser to Moon, said the South Korean president wants Kim to accept an alternative approach advocated by Seoul, in which the Norths comprehensive commitment and credible actions toward denuclearization are followed by a phased but compressed process of declaration, inspection and verifiable dismantling. Before he canceled the summit, Trump this past week did not rule out an incremental approach that would provide incentives along the way to the North. Trump tweeted earlier Saturday that a summit with Kim, if it does happen, will likely take place on June 12 in Singapore as originally planned. Following an unusually provocative 2017 in which his engineers tested a purported thermonuclear warhead and three long-range missiles theoretically capable of striking mainland U.S. cities, Kim has engaged in a flurry of diplomatic activity in recent months. In addition to his summits with Moon and Xi, Kim also has had two meetings with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. It wasnt immediately clear how the rival Koreas organized what appeared to be an emergency summit. Ahead of their first meeting last month, Kim and Moon established a hotline that they said would enable direct communication between the leaders and would be valuable to defuse crises, but it was unclear whether it was used to set up the latest meeting. Photos released by South Koreas presidential office showed Moon arriving at the North Korean side of the Panmunjom truce village and shaking hands with Kims sister, Kim Yo Jong, before sitting down with Kim for their summit. Moon was accompanied by his spy chief, Suh Hoon, while Kim was joined by Kim Yong Chol, a former military intelligence chief who is now a vice chairman of the North Korean ruling partys Central Committee tasked with inter-Korean relations. The two leaders embraced as Moon departed. Moons office said that during their two-hour meeting, the two leaders also discussed carrying out the peace commitments they agreed to at their first summit, held at the South Korean side of Panmunjom on April 27, but didnt elaborate. At their first meeting, Kim and Moon announced vague aspirations for a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula and permanent peace, which Seoul has tried to sell as a meaningful breakthrough to set up the summit with Trump. But relations between the two Koreas chilled in recent weeks, with North Korea canceling a high-level meeting with Seoul over South Koreas participation in regular military exercises with the United States and insisting that it will not return to talks unless its grievances are resolved. South Korea was caught off guard by Trumps abrupt cancellation of his summit with Kim, with the U.S. president citing hostility in recent North Korean comments. Moon said Trumps decision left him perplexed and was very regrettable. He urged Washington and Pyongyang to resolve their differences through more direct and closer dialogue between their leaders. ___ Associated Press writer Foster Klug contributed to this report. WASHINGTON Joshua Holt, who traveled to Venezuela from Utah in 2016 to marry a Spanish-speaking Mormon woman but soon found himself jailed and later branded the CIAs top spy in Latin America, was set free by the anti-American Maduro government on Saturday, saying he was overwhelmed with gratitude. Holt and his wife, Thamara Caleno, arrived Saturday evening at Washington Dulles International Airport for a tearful reunion with his parents, Laurie and Jason Holt. A few hours later President Donald Trump welcomed them to the White House. Those two years, they were a very, very, very difficult two years, said an emotional Holt, sitting next to Trump in the Oval Office. Not really the great vacation that I was looking for Im just so grateful for what you guys have done. To Holt, Trump said: Youve gone through a lot. More than most people could endure. The Utah mans mother, Laurie Holt, thanked Trump and the lawmakers for her sons safe return, adding: I also want to say thank you to President Maduro for releasing Josh and letting him to come home. Their release came one day after Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., held a surprise meeting in Caracas with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, who the Trump administration says runs a dictatorship and just won re-election in a sham vote. Trump, in a tweet, described Holt as a hostage. The U.S. contended Holt was held on trumped up charges. Months of secret, backchannel talks between an aide to Corker, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and close allies of Maduro preceded their return. Yet Holts release had seemed unlikely even a week ago. Joining Trump in the Oval Officer were Corker, Utah Sens. Orrin Hatch and Mike Lee and Utah Rep. Mia Love. The lawmakers thanked Trump for his support. The White House learned from Corker on Friday of Holts impending release, according to a U.S. official who has closely followed Holts plight and spoke on condition of anonymity to describe the private talks. Holt and his wife were reunited at the Caracas airport with her daughter from a previous relationship, and all three boarded a chartered flight to Washington. We are on our way home, Corker tweeted. When he departed the Caracas airport earlier, Holt told The Associated Press that the ordeal had left him exhausted. Venezuelas communications minister, Jorge Rodriguez, said their release was a goodwill gesture that followed months of dialogue between the Maduro government and U.S. lawmakers. Were praying that this type of gesture will allow us to strengthen what weve always sought: dialogue, harmony, respect for our independence and respect for our sovereignty, he said. Holt, now 26, set out for the South American country in June 2016 to marry a woman he met online while looking for Spanish-speaking Mormons who could help him improve his Spanish. He had planned to spend several months in Caracas that summer with his new wife and her two daughters, to secure their visas so they could move with him to the U.S. Instead, the couple was arrested that June 30 at her familys apartment in a government housing complex on the outskirts of Caracas. Authorities accused him of stockpiling an assault rifle and grenades, and suggested that his case was linked to other unspecified U.S. attempts to undermine Maduros rule amid deep economic and political turbulence. They were held in a notorious Caracas prison, run by the secret police, that also is home to dozens of top Maduro opponents jailed during the past few years of political unrest in the country. Their trial was set to begin this month after repeated delays that led the Trump administration to question the motives for his detention. Until Trumps tweet on Saturday, the U.S. had stopped short of publicly calling Holt a hostage. Holts release looked unlikely a week ago, when he appeared in a clandestinely shot video railing against the Maduro government and saying his life was threatened in a prison riot. In retaliation, socialist party boss Diosdado Cabello, a powerful Maduro ally, said on state television that Holt was the CIAs top spy in Latin America. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., spoke to Trump at length Friday night and later said the couples release will in no way change U.S. policy toward the dictatorship in Venezuela. The White House press secretary issued a statement to that point Saturday night, saying policy was not changing even while thanking the government for releasing the Holts. The statement also called the recent elections illegitimate and urged the release of all political prisoners. The Trump administration has threatened crippling oil sanctions on Venezuela for Maduros decision to go forward with the presidential election last week. The U.S. government at first avoided ratcheting up public pressure on Venezuela in light of their already strained relations, but eventually raised Holts case with the highest levels of the Venezuelan government and decried his treatment in prison. Corker was seen live on state TV on Friday shaking hands with Maduro and being greeted by first lady Cilia Flores as he entered the presidential palace. Corker left an hour later; neither the senator nor the president made any statements. Laurie Holt worked feverishly to bring attention to her sons incarceration, hosting rallies, fundraisers and doing media interviews. She said her son has suffered numerous health problems in jail, including kidney stones and respiratory problems. He was depressed and at one point lost so much weight that he dropped several pant sizes, she said. In their statement, the Holt family said, We thank you for your collaboration during this time of anguish. We ask that you allow us to meet with our son and his wife before giving any interviews and statements. We are grateful to all who participated in this miracle. ___ Goodman reported from Bogota, Colombia. Associated Press writers Scott Smith in Caracas, Venezuela, and Brady McCombs in Salt Lake City contributed to this report. Wine has a reputation for being high societys exclusive drink of choice. New Mexico, on the other hand, is rugged and earthy, a place where a button-up shirt and bolo tie count as formal. The two are meeting head-on at this weekends 18th annual Albuquerque Wine Festival, which features wines grown with New Mexico grapes. For many of New Mexicos winegrowers, the goal has been to tone down the stuffiness often associated with the drink. The breweries have done a really good job of making it fun, said Sean Sheehan, owner of Albuquerque-based Sheehan Winery. A lot of people are intimidated by wine. Sheehan said, to change that perception, he tries to use relatable language in speaking with tasters and potential customers. I want everyone to think that wine is this fun, cool thing, Sheehan said. Perhaps no winery there has taken that idea more to heart than Ponderosa Valley Winery, which sells wines nicknamed, Hot Tub Wine, a white blend, and Get Lucky Tonight, a late harvest Riesling popular with the ladies. Cary Staeden, brother of Ponderosa Valleys owner Mary Street, wore a blue, tie-dyed shirt as he explained that, in the winerys nearly three decades in business, it has always taken a casual approach. If youre going to have a boutique winery, youve got to relate to the people, he said. Southwest Wines, which owns and makes a variety of wines, chose to bring three of its brands to the festival, hoping to snag everyone, from the connoisseur to the casual wine drinker. D.H. Lescombes represented its top tier wines, supplier representative Josh King said, while its Soleil Mimosa offered a tasty, sugary treat. For us, were all about putting New Mexico on the map, King said. Its the oldest wine-growing region in the United States; we were here 100 years before California. For Jeff and Pam Zide of Rio Rancho, who brought a small wagon along to carry their many purchases, the festival was all about what tastes good. It has nothing to do with the price, he said. If we like it, we buy it. What the Zides liked on Saturday included Noisy Water Winerys Jo Mamma Very Berry Good, a sweet red, and Jo Mammas White, a table wine. This is a good way to get to know your local vineyards, Pam Zide said. The Albuquerque Wine Festival runs through Monday. Albuquerque Wine Festival When: Noon-6 p.m. today; noon-4 p.m. Monday Where: Balloon Fiesta Park, 5500 Balloon Fiesta Parkway NE How much: $25 general admission, $10 ages 16-20 and designated drivers ages 21 and over, free admission for ages 15 and under. A transgender woman and ICE detainee died of a heart attack at an Albuquerque hospital Friday morning, according to a news release from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Authorities say 33-year-old Jeffry Hernandez, originally from Honduras, was housed in the transgender unit at the Cibola County Correctional Center in Milan, N.M., until last week when she began suffering from complications associated with HIV. The release states that Hernandez was hospitalized at Cibola General Hospital before being airlifted to Lovelace Medical Center, where she died. Although the preliminary cause of death is cardiac arrest, an autopsy is pending. Authorities say Hernandez is the sixth detainee to die in ICE custody since Oct. 2017. A spokesperson for ICE said they had no other information outside of what was in the release. Comprehensive medical care is provided from the moment detainees arrive and throughout the entirety of their stay, the release states. Authorities say detainees receive medical, dental and mental health intake screening within 12 hours of their arrival at a detention facility and a full health assessment within 14 days of entering ICE custody or arrival at a facility. The release states that ICE took Hernandez into custody in San Diego, on May 13 after she applied for admission into the U.S. at the San Ysidro Port of Entry in California. From there, Hernandez was transferred to El Paso, then Milan. Authorities say Hernandez illegally entered the country three times, between 2005 and 2014. The first two times she was granted voluntary return to Mexico, since she claimed Mexican nationality to immigration officials, but the third time she was arrested, convicted of illegal entry, and removed. The release states that Hernandez was convicted of theft in 2006 and lewd, immoral, indecent conduct and prostitution in 2009. Consistent with the agencys protocols, the appropriate state health and local law enforcement agencies have been notified about this death, the release states. Additionally, ICE has notified the Consulate of Honduras in Houston, of Hernandezs death, and Honduran consular officials will attempt to notify her next of kin. After giving their audience major travel and friendship goals last year, with a hysterical first leg of the musical and comic escapade, Abish Mathew and Kenny Sebastian are back with the Breezer Vivid A+K Tour. The two piece band will be seen in their country-wide gigs and a Europe tour - full of pranks, mischiefs and impromptu songs as they promise to show slices of their life in colour. They performed their first gig in Hyderabad on the 18th of May and will continue their journey in Bangalore, Delhi NCR and Pune. The last season of Breezer Vivid A+K Tour saw Abish and Kenny be their crazy selves in San Francisco, Vegas, Miami and New York accompanied by their friends. From exploring the American countryside, riding a carousal to trying out surfing, their enthralling journey made the nation re-think their own travel plans. Their travelogue garnered more than 16 million views on YouTube. With this seasons debut in Budapest, they are ready to make everyone roll with uncontrollable bouts of laughter. Their comical camaraderie will take the audience on a journey of colourful experiences. These adventures are filled with moments of hilarity as Abish and Kenny battle out a series of tasks pitted against each other to emerge victorious at each destination, all while ticking off their bucket list. Bombay Shaving Company, which started off with selling a world-class shaving regimen for the modern and suave male, has over the past year expanded its horizons to create a complete range of bathroom products for men. The brand is known to follow rich industrial design and use of the finest ingredients for all its products, aiming to give its customers the comforting and immersive way to manage their grooming needs. For the launch of its latest range of Beard Care essentials, Bombay Shaving Company has collaborated with Jam8 studio, a brainchild of esteemed music producer, Pritam Chakraborty. Raunak Munot, Co-founder at Bombay Shaving Company, said, Beards are omnipresent in popular culture, but no one has attempted to understand the special relationship a man shares with his beard. Growing a beard requires a lot of care and patience, but if done well can add a level of sophistication and gravitas to his personality that is unmistakeable. Bombay Beard Beat tries to celebrate this thought. Would you like to receive breaking news notifications from The Post and Courier? Sign up to receive news and updates from this site directly to your desktop. Breaking News Columbia Breaking News Greenville Breaking News Myrtle Beach Breaking News Aiken Breaking News N Augusta Breaking News Click on the bell icon to manage your notifications at any time. Success! Please click the 'Allow' button in the 'Show Notifcations' alert in your browser if one is available. Thank you for signing up! Please enable notifications in your browser and reload the page. A big-league band of Mixed Oxide Fuel Fabrication Facility supporters spoke together Friday evening in Aiken County, criticizing the U.S. Department of Energy for its plans to kill the controversial nuclear facility. U.S. Sens. Lindsey Graham and Tim Scott; U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson; S.C. Attorney General Alan Wilson; the governor's legal counsel; members of the Aiken County legislative delegation; Aiken Mayor Rick Osbon; and Aiken County Council Chairman Gary Bunker were all there, assembled neatly behind a lectern at the Aiken County Government Center. Graham, a South Carolina Republican, was the first to speak. He opened the press conference by announcing those in attendance were "team South Carolina" and "team Central Savannah River Area." The senator, though, quickly transitioned to MOX, an approximately 70-percent complete facility at the Savannah River Site designed to convert weapons-grade plutonium into fuel for commercial reactors. Graham described it as "taking a sword and turning it into a plowshare." On May 10, U.S. Secretary of Energy Rick Perry submitted a waiver to Congress, which, among other things, began the MOX termination clock and certified dilute-and-dispose as the right path forward. Dilute-and-dispose, a plan Graham and Scott vehemently believe won't work, involves mixing plutonium with inert material for storage at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant in New Mexico. "The administration has now announced that they are going to shut down MOX," Graham said. "We think that is an ill-conceived idea." "Said differently, if we want to eliminate the weapons-grade plutonium, we must use MOX," Scott, another South Carolina Republican, said. On Thursday, U.S. Sen. Tom Udall, a New Mexico Democrat, said the DOE "does not have a solid plan for what it's doing." "New Mexico has been very clear that their state is not an option," Scott said Friday. Graham said MOX more than a decade in the making, the result of an in-limbo U.S.-Russia pact, and billions over budget at this point is worth finishing. He blamed project delays on Congress "not really" weighing in and doing their part. "We want promises made to be kept, we want the MOX program to be completed more efficiently. We don't want it to be terminated to be replaced by an idea that will never come about," Graham said. On the same day Perry submitted his waiver, the National Nuclear Security Administration and the U.S. Department of Defense recommended transforming MOX into a plutonium pit production complex. Pits are nuclear weapon cores. The recommendation included working side by side with Los Alamos National Laboratory, where pits have been made most recently. A day before Friday's press conference, Graham told a U.S. Senate appropriations committee the MOX debacle is a "cluster," comparing it to "the swamp." On Friday, Graham expounded: "Well the swamp to me represents a federal government that will come up with an idea, over a long period of time, get 70 percent of the building complete and figure out, 'Hey, that costs too much.'" S.C. Attorney General Alan Wilson followed up on the senator's remarks. "I think today we're all here to say, enough, enough," he said. The attorney general also touched on legal actions, filed Friday, that were foreshadowed in a May 22 letter sent to Perry. The latest lawsuit contests the looming closure of MOX, and the May 22 letter specifically challenged Perry's waiver. "These are viable lawsuits, otherwise we wouldn't bring them," Wilson said. "Remember, I mean, we're applying the law that the federal government passed. So these are their words, not ours." Wilson has successfully sued the DOE before. A staff minister for Alabama's largest church said this morning that plans for a new urban branch in a high-crime neighborhood of Birmingham are proceeding despite criticism. "It's just going to take time" to overcome the skepticism, said the Rev. Dennis Harris, central outreach director for the Church of the Highlands, which draws more than 40,000 worshippers weekly to 16 branch campuses primarily in suburbs. "We don't have any motive except to love people." Harris gave a keynote speech to the Neighborhoods USA Conference in Birmingham on Saturday morning about the power of serving. Afterward he spoke to AL.com about the church's plan to start a new urban congregation, which has attracted criticism from some black pastors and support from others. "There is no agenda," Harris said. "We just want to serve people." Harris said he has suggested to Mayo Sowell, who will be campus pastor for the new branch, that he spend time talking with grandmothers on their front porches on what they want to see happen in their neighborhoods. "He's doing it," Harris said. "He's doing it now." Although Sowell is spearheading the effort and Harris has offered advice, it's a team effort, he said. Founding Pastor Chris Hodges announced the plan on April 29 after a meeting with Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin. "Everything we do, we do together as a team," Harris said. "The whole team will be working on it. We don't know all the steps and we don't know where we're headed, and what we're doing, we're just learning along the way. At the end of the day, we just want to do what works. If it doesn't work, we're not going to do it." The Church of the Highlands has an urban branch in Woodlawn that meets at Woodlawn High School on Sundays and a Dream Center across the street that is a focus of outreach activity there. A west Birmingham branch wouldn't necessarily follow the Woodlawn model, Harris said. "The West End neighborhood is an area that we're looking at," Harris said. "As far as what it's going to look like, we don't know. Right now we're just spending time talking to people who live there, saying, 'Hey, what do you think?'" Harris' remarks were the first response from the Church of the Highlands to outspoken criticism from pastors in the city. "There is no response," Harris said. "We really do love to stay out of the news. We like to fly under the radar. We don't like publicity. At the end of the day, we just want to serve people." In his speech, Harris spoke about his foreign mission work, including taking a team of 12 men to northern Peru to do relief work after flooding there. "Serving simply transforms communities," Harris said. "Serving is a direct antidote to the plague of selfishness," Harris said. "We're not out there trying to put our name out and say that we're better than anyone else. The reality is we know we're not. We're just normal people that have found this incredible life in serving others and moving beyond ourselves to be able to bring help and encouragement, to bring life change, to bring hope." The Church of the Highlands encourages volunteers to take part in monthly Serve Day outreach efforts, he said. "Serving, in itself, simply means love in action," Harris said. The Serve Day planned for July 14 will mobilize more than 20,000 volunteers in Alabama, he said. So far 591 churches in 44 states across the country have pledged to take part in service projects on that day, along with churches in 18 countries. "We've experienced a lot of division and strife," Harris said. "There are people who have given a lot of excuses on why not to do something. I'm here to tell you today there are no excuses." Fired Birmingham Jefferson Country Transit Authority executive director Barbara Murdock filed a lawsuit against the agency and its Board of Directors on Friday afternoon, alleging she was "discriminated against on the basis of her gender...and denied 'due process of law' in that she was discharged from her position...without receiving a pre-termination hearing." The suit also alleges Murdock "was replaced by a (sic) inexperienced and a substantially less-qualified male employee who had never served in an executive role." (Murdock was replaced on an interim basis by Christopher Ruffin, who previously served as the agency's head of operations.) Murdock, who earned $206,000, was fired on Wednesday by the BJCTA Board of Directors, nearly two months after she was suspended without pay for allegedly using the agency credit card for personal expenses, including a personal Alabama Power bill in the amount of $477.25 Additionally, AL.com revealed last month that Murdock received two checks in September 2016 totaling $20,000--one for $18,000, the other $2,000--that were requisitioned under "Relocation Expenses," according to copies of the requisition forms and checks. She had recently been named executive director after serving two years as chief of staff under predecessor, Ann August. The allegations are being investigated by the state attorney general's office. On Wednesday, the Board of Directors learned during executive session that the attorney general's office is seeking more information, sources confirm. Murdock "was entitled to oral or written notice of the charges against her," the suit states, "an explanation of her employer's evidence, and an opportunity to present her side of the story before she was suspended and/or discharged." The suit contends she never received such notices or information, which the suit alleges was "intentional, unlawful and done to inflict extreme harm to Ms. Murdock." Murdock, who was in the second year of a three year contract, is seeking "back pay (plus interest), reinstatement or front pay in lieu of," as well as unspecified "compensatory, punitive, liquidated and/or normal damages," as well as attorneys' fees and other expenses. Murdock referred all questions to her attorney, Rod Cooks, who declined to elaborate on the lawsuit. "The document speaks for itself," he wrote in an email. The suit was filed in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama, Southern Division, and was assigned to Chief Judge Karon O. Bowdre. Board chair Darryl Cunningham declined to comment on the lawsuit. Murdock was the board's seventh executive director since 1994. "Everything changes too much," J.O. Hill, the retired former president of transit union Local 725, told the board on Wednesday. "Sometimes history can help you in the future. For this kind of rollover, there has to be a problem somewhere. We got to have some consistency and people stay in place long enough, so we can all come together." Additionally, the agency has been rocked by numerous departures--some terminations, some abrupt "retirements"--among its executive team in recent months, Most prominent among them were Mike Sims, the interim director of human resources, and Ron Sweeney, the long-time head of maintenance--both of whom left of their own volition. During the committee of the whole meeting on May 16, Ruffin told the board Sweeney's resignation "caught us off guard". He was not personally informed by Sweeney, who instead shared his decision with the director of safety Dale Knutson. "Frankly he didn't need to work," Knutson said during the meeting. "He decided it was a good time to go." "Seems like every day I meet someone, they're gone the next day," said director LeDon James, who was attending only his second board meeting. "There have been too many changes too fast. We have to slow down. "Until we start acting properly as a board and get our house in order, how can we expect anyone else to have their house in order?" Earlier this month, Birmingham mayor Randall Woodfin threatened to withhold funding to the authority unless it met three conditions, one of which was to "development of a "leadership stability plan attributed to a timeline". Updated at 9:24 pm with response from board chair Darryl Cunningham. Murdock Lawsuit by Roy S. Johnson on Scribd North Alabama Congressman Mo Brooks' attempt to implicate falling rocks and erosion in rising sea levels dominated the national headlines, but there was more interesting news from last week's now-famous congressional hearing and those who took part. For starters, none of the expert witnesses called by either Republicans or Democrats dispute that global warming is real. Or that humans caused it by burning fossil fuels. Or that humans can and need to do something about it. "There was less disagreement than I expected," Dr. Philip Duffy said afterward. Duffy is the director of the Woods Hole Research Center who got into the much-viewed exchange with Brooks. Watch it below. "Both of the Republican witnesses accept not only the reality of climate change, the human cause of climate change and the need to do something," Duffy said in an interview later. "They were prepared to have a conversation from that starting point. Unfortunately, it didn't work out that way." Here are key points those witnesses made in their opening remarks. "Mitigation as well as adaptation is an important part of addressing climate change," said Oren Cass of the Manhattan Institute. If the climate changes gradually, Cass said, "it will impose real costs which we can manage." Cass also said that projecting the consequences of climate change without taking into account the possible responses by society isn't realistic. People can act and those actions will make a difference, he said. Ted Nordhaus of the Breakthrough Institute said global warming is "a well-established scientific consensus." Temperatures are rising, Nordhaus agreed, and the increase is "caused in significant part by greenhouse gases caused by internal combustion engines" It's real, the source is human activity, and the "consequences are hard to quantify but could be catastrophic," he said. "Climate change is a funny, funny problem," Duffy said in the interview several days after the hearing. "It's hard to wrap your mind around it." There are a couple of reasons for that, Duffy said. First, an increase of 2 degrees in temperature doesn't sound so bad. It happens all the time outside. "But globally, it's very, very different," he said. "Globally, a 2-degree temperature increase really is a big, big deal and very, very unusual." "That's hard to grasp," Duffy said. "And the urgency is hard to grasp." Also, "normal" environmental problems often have a "point source" like a pollutant going into water. "If you shut off the pollutant," Duffy said, "the system cleans itself up quickly." Climate change is different, he said. The main greenhouse gas, carbon dioxide, has a long life in the atmosphere. "We've done simulations that show if we were to totally and completely stop emitting greenhouse gases, which of course we're not going to do," Duffy said, "the temperature would not drop for hundreds of years. It's kind of locked in." The other big deal is "global ice," Duffy said. "Antarctica was discussed, and those ice sheets are shrinking," he said. "They're disintegrating and that disintegration is accelerating. And that drives sea level rise." That melting land ice and the thermal expansion of sea water are the major causes of sea level rise, Duffy said. Thermal expansion means water expands or increases in volume as it heats up What worries scientists like Duffy is if global warming increases enough to melt the ice covering most of Greenland. "If Greenland melts, that's like 23 feet of sea level rise," Duffy said. "Nobody thinks Greenland is going to melt in the next year or even in the next 10 years, or probably even in the next 100 years." "But what might happen is we might cross the threshold where that becomes inevitable and unstoppable," Duffy said. "So that's another reason for the urgency. We don't want that to happen. We suspect we're pretty close to that threshold of warming already." (Updated May 28, 2018 at 6:45 a.m. to correct the name of Dr. Duffy's research center, the Woods Hole Research Center.) CHILDERSBURG, Ala. (AP) -- A state inmate accused of ramming a police car and firing shots at police last year was on the loose Friday after escaping from a minimum-security facility in central Alabama. Anthony Scott Marler, 47, fled a work-release center in Childersburg early Friday, according to a statement from the Department of Corrections. He was last seen wearing a white prison uniform. Records show Marler was sentenced to 20 years in prison in 2014 after being convicted of manufacturing drugs in Clay County. Court records show the Ashland man has a long record of drug and traffic offenses. News outlets reported that on Dec. 6, police said Marler was driving a stolen pickup truck in Baldwin County when he rammed a police vehicle and fired shots at officers in Summerdale. Marler eluded capture but was arrested a week later in Jefferson County. Marler had reportedly told relatives he had cancer and planned to shoot it out with police if confronted because he was dying anyway, Jefferson County authorities said at the time. Update: Water at several Gulf Coast beaches is closed due dangerous storms. For the latest updates, go here. As of Saturday night, single red flags remain in place in Gulf Shores, Panama City, South Walton and Destin. To keep up with the latest in the storm's track, go here. The Gulf Coast is bracing for Alberto, a subtropical storm that could bring torrential rains to the area during the busy Memorial Day holiday weekend. Tropical storm watches are expected along the Gulf Coast as Alberto makes it way past the eastern part of Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula and western Cuba. The storm is expected to make landfall somewhere on the northern Gulf Coast on Monday, with rainfall totals of as much as 12 inches. Beach conditions Popular tourist spots Gulf Shores, Panama City, Destin and South Walton currently have single red flags posted, signifying high surfs and dangerous currents. If the flags are upgraded to double red, the water will be off limits to the public. Officials in Gulf Shores said they are "actively monitoring" the storm's development. Residents are asked to remove debris or items from ditches and making sure the flow of water isn't impeded. High surf, rip currents High surf of more than 5 to 9 feet are expected today, reaching 8-12 feet by Monday. Coastal flooding of 2-4 feet above ground levels along low-lying areas of the coast are predicted during periods of high tide. The National Weather Service in Mobile is also warning of the potential for dangerous rip currents. The rip current risk has been upgrades to high from today through Tuesday night for Alabama and Florida beaches. The designation means life-threatening rip currents are likely and that the surf can be dangerous for all levels of swimmers. The annual congressional battle is taking place on the funding of the Navy warships that are vital to Mobile's Austal USA plant. The U.S. House, in its passage of a $717 billion defense policy measure last week, included three new littoral combat ships (LCS) which are built in Mobile and Wisconsin. But the Senate Armed Services committee is looking for more information from the Navy before it commits to buying more ships in fiscal year 2019. "Obviously, we are working with the Senate on that and the two appropriation committees," said U.S. Rep. Bradley Byrne, R-Fairhope. "We feel we are in good shape there." Among the reasons for Byrne's optimism is that U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby, R-Tuscaloosa, is chairman of the powerful appropriations committee. "We are working very closely with Senator Shelby's office with this project," said Byrne. The House, for the second year in a row, has led efforts to add additional funding to pay for the LCS construction vital to Austal's workforce. Austal USA, with around 4,000 direct employees, is Mobile's largest private employer. Last year, the House passed a similar defense measure that included three LCS ships. But in the Senate, the LCS program has faced its critics. The most notable of those is Republican U.S. Sen. John McCain who has repeatedly said the LCS has not lived up to combat expectations. The original fiscal year 2017 Senate defense budget included only one LCS, prompting Byrne to call out then-Sen. Luther Strange, who sat on the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee at the time. Strange, last summer, was in a heated Republican primary election battle with former Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore. Strange lost to Moore during a September 2017 Republican runoff election, and Moore went on to lose to Democrat Doug Jones during the December general election. Congress ended up authorizing funding for three new LCS, and two of those contracts were issued to Austal. Austal has delivered two LCS to the Navy this year, while another five are under construction. LCS 20, the future USS Cincinnati, was introduced with an official christening ceremony at the Mobile facility earlier this month. Five LCS vessels built in Mobile are either preparing or are undergoing sea trials. Additionally, Austal has two more LCS in pre-construction phase. Austal also builds a multipurpose fast transport ship for the Navy, and has delivered nine of the 12 ordered. Meanwhile, Austal is in competition to for the Navy's 2020 award of 20 frigates called the FFG(X) class. Five designs are under consideration, and proposals are due by June 2019. Byrne said while he's confident about the LCS funding this year, he's worried about what might happen to the program in the 2019 budget. Shelby, during a May 1 visit to Mobile, said he liked Austal's chances in securing the Navy's frigate contact. "As long as the Navy doesn't make the requirements of the ship being too big or expensive to make, I think Austal is in a good place to compete and win that competition," Byrne said. "The pressure is on the Navy to get the design done and not to blow up the cost of the ship." Other competitors for the frigate contract include Lockheed-Martin, with a design based on its Freedom-class LCS built in Wisconsin; Fincantieri Marinette Marine, which is offering a version of a ship it builds for the Italian Navy and which also would be built in Wisconsin; and General Dynamics Bath Iron Works, with a design based on a European frigate that would be built in Maine. The Alabama Emergency Management Agency urged residents Friday afternoon to prepare for inland flooding, coastal surge, dangerous winds and potential tornadoes from subtropical Storm Alberto. Also Friday, the city of Mobile urged preparations and said it had taken a number of preparatory measures itself. Alberto is expected to move northward across the Gulf over the course of the Memorial Day Weekend, bringing days of heavy rain. According to the Alabama EMA a coordinating call on Friday morning brought together a range of agencies including the Alabama National Guard, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, the Alabama Department of Transportation and the Alabama Department of Public Health. Each of them "is prepared to pre-position resources and personnel," an EMA statement said. The EMA statement said that the effects of the storm likely will span the state: "According to the National Weather Service, Alberto has the potential to become a Tropical Storm with significant impacts beginning along the coast on Saturday, spreading inland on Sunday and affecting a large portion of the state into the middle of next week. Along the coast, high surf will start on Saturday with heavy rain beginning Saturday night and moving well inland Sunday into Monday. Although it will depend on the exact track of the storm, indications are that much of the state will have 3-5 inches of total rainfall through the middle of next week, with some areas exceeding 10 inches. This would lead to extremely serious flash and river flooding. In addition, tornadoes could occur well into north Alabama next week." Alabama EMA Director Brian E. Hastings said in the statement that the goal of inter-agency cooperation was to "expedite resources in a timely manner when requests for resources are received." According to information released by the office of Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson, city departments have made a variety of preparations. Actions include pre-staging equipment at fire stations, police precincts and community centers; cleaning storm drains; fueling city vehicles and tanks; and coordinated a disaster preparedness plan with first responders. The mayor's office advised residents to prepare for winds, heavy rains and possible power outages. It also encouraged people to avoid downed power lines, to avoid flooded roadways and to keep up with official reports relayed through media outlets. Local weather information and alerts are available through the National Weather Service online at the following websites: Northern Alabama counties: https://www.weather.gov/hun/ Central Alabama counties: https://www.weather.gov/bmx/ Southern Alabama counties: https://www.weather.gov/mob/ After their Netflix deal was announced, former Mexican president Vicente Fox said Barack and Michelle Obama "should dedicate themselves more to the public arena" and focus on making money later. Traditionally, former presidents do not critique their successor. But given the unique threat President Donald Trump poses to progressive values, some feel Obama hasn't done enough. Others feel Obama should be allowed to make his coin. He's not the president anymore, after all. What do you think? PERSPECTIVES After it was announced that Barack and Michelle Obama signed a multi-year production deal with Netflix, former Mexican president Vicente Fox threw some shade at the former first couple, stating "they should dedicate themselves more to the public arena" rather than focus on making money. Watch the full video below: Many conservatives feel the Obama-Netflix partnership is opportunistic and hypocritical. I wonder how much of the money Barack and Michelle Obama will be getting from Netflix will be given to the poor African Americans Obama promised to help as President. My guess is $0. Alexander Bruesewitz (@alexanderbruz) May 21, 2018 But others feel the Obamas should absolutely be allowed to make money now that they're no longer the first couple. Better than using the White House for your own self-enrichment while still in office. Since Trump was elected, Obama has been relatively muted in his criticism of the new president. With a few exceptions, Obama has remained silent throughout the Trump administration, following in the tradition that presidents shouldn't criticize their successors. But not everyone agrees with Obama's approach. Julian E. Zelizer argues in The Atlantic that Donald Trump poses a unique threat to American democracy, and therefore shouldn't be treated in the same way presidents have been treated in the past. At a time when the Democratic Party seems more fractured than ever, many feel Obama's voice is desperately needed. But others argue Trump is not Obama's problem. He tried to warn the American electorate about the dangers of Trump throughout the election, why is it his responsibility to course correct for the American people? Obama is trapped in an impossible place. If he speaks out, he will be criticized. If he doesn't speak out, he will be criticized. Might as well make that Netflix money and get out of the political arena. The Tylt is focused on debates and conversations around news, current events and pop culture. We provide our community with the opportunity to share their opinions and vote on topics that matter most to them. We actively engage the community and present meaningful data on the debates and conversations as they progress. The Tylt is a place where your opinion counts, literally. The Tylt is an Advance Digital, Inc. property. Join us on Twitter @TheTylt or on Facebook, we'd love to hear what you have to say. At 41, I'm middle-aged now, but I'm still not old enough to remember 1968. Maybe you are. That was the same year the North Vietnamese pushed southward in the Tet Offensive. That was the year assassins killed Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert Kennedy. That was the year Apollo 8 astronauts waved at the moon. Apollo 11 wouldn't set down there until the following year. And that was the year engineers working for the TVA designed the Bellefonte nuclear power plant north of Scottsboro, Alabama. It was designed, like most nuclear power plants to have a lifespan of 40 to 60 years. That was 50 years ago. In 1975, TVA began construction, and the plant was finally finished in ... Well, it never was finished. Like medieval cathedrals of Europe, this is a project that might never end, no matter how many have toiled in tireless devotion to it. It has suffered from setbacks, false starts and cost overruns. If it does reach completion, a generation will have come and gone before it's done. But none of that has stopped people from trying. Despite never generating so much as an electron, Bellefonte has cost a lot of money. An exact figure is hard to pin down. Estimates have ranged from $6 billion to $11 billion -- money that came from taxpayers and TVA ratepayers. TVA halted construction on Bellefonte in 1988, and in 2005, it began salvaging the site for spare parts, only to reverse course and try again, and then finally put it on the auction block in 2016. Last year, TVA agreed to sell the plant to a private developer, Franklin Haney, for $111 million, quite a haircut. But that shift from public to private hasn't stanched the demand for taxpayer money. Now four members of Alabama's congressional delegation want to throw even more in the Bellefonte hole. This month, Reps. Mo Brooks, Martha Roby, Bradley Byrne and Robert Aderholt wrote a letter to President Donald Trump, encouraging him to help Haney finish the Bellefonte plant with a loan from the department of energy. That loan Haney wants would be somewhere between $5 billion and $6 billion, Brooks told AL.com's Paul Gattis. And that would be on top of $2.5 billion in federal tax credits if the plant ever become operational. According to the letter, Haney's company, Nuclear Development will put more than $1 billion into the projected $11 billion project. So let's review. It's supposed to cost $11 billion to finish. Haney's company needs as much as $6 billion in government loans and $2.5 billion in tax credits. We know from the Wall Street Journal this week that Haney has hired Trump's personal lawyer and political fixer, Michael Cohen, to help raise more money from the government of Qatar. If you thought taxpayers were supposed to be clean and clear of this thing, we're not. This isn't privatization. This is what we've seen too much of in this country in the last 10 years: Private profits and public risk. When these sorts of projects go well, billionaires become multi-billionaires. When they go wrong, you and I get to pick up the tab. All for a project the TVA concluded would be too expensive to finish, to generate power the TVA has said it won't need, and to complete a nuclear power plant designed before man set foot on the moon. What could go wrong? In economics, it's called the "sunk cost fallacy," when someone can't give up on a losing proposition because doing so would mean they would have wasted all the money they'd already put into it. And folks who aren't economists have a term for that, too. Throwing good money after bad. Colombians are likely to choose between the two candidates on the opposite extremes of the political spectrum. One would think that Colombians would be excited about the prospect of going to the polls to elect their first post-war president in nearly half a century. The problem is that while the 2016 peace accord between the government and FARC rebels may have won outgoing President Juan Manuel Santos the Nobel Peace Prize, the majority of Colombians are not thrilled about it. Many say it rewards terrorists, while others believe it addresses the social inequalities that are the primary cause of violence on paper only. Such dramatically different opinions about such a vital issue probably explain why among the five candidates from the far left to the far right, Colombians are likely to choose between the two options on the extremes, if opinion polls are correct. Ivan Duque The frontrunner is Ivan Duque, from the conservative Center Democratic Party. He is widely seen as former right-wing President Alvaro Uribes stand-in. Uribe, who is still extremely popular, is the most vociferous opponent of the peace deal signed with the rebels. {articleGUID} Duque told me that he would not destroy but modify the agreement. It is unacceptable that FARC kingpins who currently have immunity for crimes against humanity not be held accountable. They must tell the truth about what they did, they must compensate the victims and they must go to prison, he said. But many believe that if he is elected, Duque would attempt to further undermine the peace accord, and eliminate term limits to allow Uribe to eventually run again. He denies that he is Uribes puppet, even though he has little administrative experience and owes his candidacy mainly to the former presidents support. If Duque wins we will find ourselves under a tyrannical regime what represents the ultra-right wing of our country. But we wont be surprised, said Carlos Antonio Lozano, the former commander of FARCs powerful Sixth Front which handed in its weapons last year. Gustavo Petro On the other extreme is Bogotas former Mayor Gustavo Petro, the first left-wing candidate to have a serious crack at winning the presidency. The former M-19 rebel would do away with forced eradication of coca even though drug production has soared in the last three years. He would could crack down on paramilitary groups and powerful landowners who oppose the peace process. He promised to put land reform on fast track. Petros opponents, and especially the business sector, are horrified that he could win and predict that he will turn Colombia into another Venezuela. On the eve of the election, Petro said that an electoral fraud is in the works in Colombia to prevent him from winning. He has presented no hard evidence. Both of the frontrunners would take Colombia off the path set by outgoing President Santos, who is far more popular abroad than at home. His approval rating is hovering at around 15 percent. The more moderate candidates include experienced politician and former peace accord negotiator Humberto de La Calle; the former mayor of Medellin, Sergio Fajardo; and former Vice President German Vargas Lleras, who broke with the president. All are trailing in the polls, although Vargas Lleras could pull off a surprise if the efficient political machine that backs him can mobilise enough votes. No candidate is likely to win in the first round. Russias gas giant got away without paying a massive fine to the EU. Did Brussels make the wrong decision? These days the European Union is going through tough times. It is being bullied by the Trump administration over trade. It is facing a revisionist Russia becoming increasingly aggressive next door. It is limping on from one internal crisis to the other, most recently bracing itself to face a populist eurosceptic government in what used to be an EU stronghold Rome. Long gone are the days when politicians and pundits across the old continent could proudly wrap themselves in the blue, star-studded flag. Pessimism, a time-honoured European trait, is en vogue again, it seems. Amid todays EU retreat, few would remember that day in late September 2011, when Brussels flexed its supranational muscle. On September 27, European Commission officials raided 20 Gazprom offices in 10 European countries, including Germany and the Czech Republic. The Commission had launched a major investigation into whether the Russian state-owned gas giant was breaking the EUs antimonopoly rules and taking unfair advantage of European consumers. That was long before Vladimir Putin came back as a president, before the Ukraine crisis, and before the sanctions and the standoff between Moscow and the West. Governments in Germany, France and other major European countries were comfortable with then Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, as was the Obama administration. Business ties thrived. Gazprom controlled one-third of the EU gas market, with its share going up to 100 percent in some former Soviet satellites. Foreign policy analysts cast it as the Kremlins ultimate geopolitical tool. Despite the warm relations, Brussels decided to move against the Russian heavy hitter anyway. It had fresh memories of the 2006 and 2009 gas crises, when Russia cut the supply of gas to Europe through Ukraine because of its pricing dispute with Kiev. Nearly seven years later, the European Commission competition authorities released their judgment on the Gazprom case. The initial reading of the decision sparked anger among some EU countries who hoped for tougher measures against Russia, but did the EU lose by going softer on Gazprom? Dependence on Russian gas The Russian company was found to have abused its dominant position overcharging consumer countries, inserting clauses preventing the re-export of its gas in the multiyear contracts signed with national utility companies, tying price discounts to EU member-states consent to join strategic ventures such as the South Stream pipeline. Yet the Commission resolved to accept the settlement offer Gazprom made in March 2017 in connection with this case. In other words, the Russians avoided paying hefty penalties which could have been as high as 10 percent of Gazproms turnover. By comparison, last year Google was handed out a record-breaking 2.4 billion-euro ($2.7bn) fine for violating the EUs anti-trust law by bundling its Android operation system used by mobile devices and its own applications. Back in 2004, Microsoft had to cough up 497 million euros ($794m) in fines for similar infringements. Not only has Gazprom gotten off the hook, but it is doing better on the European market. Last year set an all-time high for its sales 193.9 billion cubic metres after several years of contraction. Recovery in the core eurozone economies is clearly one reason for the hike, as well as robust growth in Turkey, Gazproms second-most significant customer after Germany. What is more, strategic projects such as the Nord Stream 2 pipeline running under the Baltic Sea and TurkStream crossing the Black Sea are making headway. The government in Berlin is resisting pressure from the Trump administration to walk away from Nord Stream 2. Although US liquefied natural gas (LNG) might make it to the German market, Gazprom argues that the gas its ships through pipelines will remain cheaper and more competitive. The recent trips of German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron to Russia suggest senior politicians in Europe are interested in resuscitating business ties. Frances Total just sealed a gas deal with Novatek, owned by Putins friend Gennady Timchenko, at the St Petersburg Economic Forum headlined by Macron. Why the Gazprom ruling is an important achievement Still, the European Commissions ruling is anything but a win for Russia. Gazprom has bowed to Brussels conditions. The ban on re-exporting gas is now buried in the past. Countries can choose where their gas is delivered. A volume bound for Bulgaria could be sent to Hungary. That is an extra incentive to invest into interconnectors to link national grids, a goal championed by the EU common energy policy for a decade now. Prices Gazprom charges in Central and Eastern Europe will be linked to those in the West allowing national companies to seek arbitration against Gazprom. The difference in rates has always been a sore spot for countries having Russia as a dominant or, in some cases, only supplier. Lastly, Gazprom agreed not to seek damages against Bulgaria for abandoning South Stream project back in 2014. It is worth remembering that the pipeline was cancelled because it did not comply with the EUs competition rules in the first instance. In sum, the settlement implies that sovereignty-minded Russia has accepted to be the rule-taker and recognised the EUs authority as a rule-maker. Not a small feat. It is too soon to declare victory for the EUs quest for energy security. As long as there is no or limited access to alternative suppliers of natural gas in Central and Eastern Europe, the Union will be at a disadvantage. Diversification is moving forward, to be sure. On June 12, Turkey is inaugurating the Transanatolian Pipeline which, in the next decade, will bring gas from Azerbaijan to the Balkans and Italy and establish the so-called Southern Corridor. Last year, Lithuania received its first consignment of LNG from the US. Countries like Croatia and Greece are promoting plans for LNG terminals, too. But Russias footprint is still large in terms of market share. That is why the EU matters. Without its formidable regulatory power and capacity to promote integration among previously fragmented national markets, it would be Moscow dictating the terms. What we have today is much more of a level playing field. The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial stance. Masayoshi Son, with a net worth of $21.5bn, is reputed to be Japans wealthiest person. He is also one of the worlds slickest and smartest salesmen. In September 2016, Son met then Saudi Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. By the end of the 45-minute meeting, bin Salman, MBS, as he is known, had committed $45bn from Saudi Arabias Public Investment Fund (PIF) to Sons Vision Fund. Thats nearly half the value of what has become the biggest investment fund the world has ever seen. A year later, Son was asked by Bloombergs David Rubenstein if he got the money from MBS in one hour. To which the answer was No, thats not true. I got $45bn in 45 minutes, thats $1bn per minute. When Rubenstein queried how Son had pulled off this remarkable feat surely, the most extraordinary in the history of financial salesmanship he replied that he had told MBS I am going to give you a gift, a Masa gift, a $1 trillion gift. OK, now its interesting. You invest $100bn, I give you $1 trillion. Mohammed bin Salman, in what for him was a moment of uncharacteristic caution, settled on $45bn as an initial investment in Sons fund. When it comes to the Saudi crown prince, one tends to lose sight of just how much money, his and the governments, he is eager to throw around. After all, he spent $500m on a yacht, $300m on a chateau in France and $450m on a painting which he then gave to his friend and mentor Mohammed bin Zayed, the crown prince of Abu Dhabi and de facto ruler of the UAE, allegedly in return for another yacht. But $45bn in 45 minutes? That is truly staggering. Did MBS seek any economic advice about Sons fund? Did he do any due diligence? Perhaps not. Rather, he has hitched a very large chunk of the Saudi economy to a vehicle called singularity and to the worlds greatest salesman of that vehicle, Masa Son. {articleGUID} Singularity is the point at which artificial intelligence (AI) surpasses human intelligence. Son believes that moment is a little more than two decades away. He is betting his considerable fortune and that of his investors, of which the largest by far is Saudi Arabia on a future where huge numbers of jobs being done by humans will be done by robots. And he is not just talking about service jobs. He is talking about doctors, lawyers, engineers, even, dare I say it, journalists. At the Future Investment Initiative held in Riyadh in late October of 2017, Son was given the ideal stage to make his pitch. He argued that AI will be the greatest tool in humanitys history, one that will disrupt and redefine every industry. He played his audience with affectionate ease while spinning out dazzling arrays of numbers. After reminding them that Einstein had an IQ of 200, he spoke about a future where AI measured by IQ will expand to 10,000. He talked about a world where humans would live with 10 billion robots with superintelligence, adding with a wicked grin they maybe will laugh at us. Right now, Son is the one who can afford to laugh: he is the worlds largest manufacturer of robots, the bulk of which he is selling to China. Son told his audience the chip manufacturer ARM which he purchased for $32bn in 2016 and which is part of his SoftBank Holdings empire will come to control up to 99 percent of the global market. He claimed his Vision Fund had shown a 22 percent return on investment in just a few months and he talked of a track record of 44 percent returns on his various investment projects. When he spoke about MBS, there were no jokes about $1bn a minute. Not with this audience. Instead, he lauded the crown prince as a visionary who already had the understanding, the vision which happened to meet the mind in 45 minutes. Thats how we create friendship, partnership and the bonding of minds. Precisely the sort of praise MBS wanted to hear but, frankly, words of praise flow easily indeed when you have trousered $45bn. When he wasnt talking about the vast returns awaiting investors, Son allowed that how money is not important, what is important is human happiness. The coming age of Singularity has the potential to bring happiness to all, the 8 billion humans sharing the planet with 10 billion robots possessing intelligence beyond our comprehension: I dont think they will attack us, we and they will become friends in harmony. So, we can be relieved to know that the foremost salesman of Singularity has assured us we will not need to go to war with the robots he is creating. Thank goodness for that. {articleGUID} Less reassuring is the thought that the impetuous, authoritarian de facto ruler of Saudi Arabia has thrown his countrys lot and its future in with Son. There are critics who point to the fact that Son lost his entire fortune in the dot-com bubble of 2000. Not to worry, say supporters, and Son himself, look where he is today, the result of shrewd investments in AI and the hi-tech communications sector. However, the distinguished thinker, linguist and scholar Noam Chomsky is deeply sceptical of the Singularity project. He bluntly calls it science fiction. Speaking in 2013, he described artificial intelligence as the effort to programme machines to approximate certain aspects of human behaviour. Chomsky added that 60 years of research and development of AI has not really given any insight into the nature of thought and the organisation of action. The brain is a complex place with 10 billion neurons, thats a lot of neurons and he argues to try to capture the nature of human intelligence and human choice is a colossal problem way beyond the limits of contemporary science. Such objections are not of concern to MBS. He has bought into the Son dream in a very big way, even providing the incubator in the $500bn city of the future NEOM, a place which will be powered, it is said, by artificial intelligence. No wonder Masayoshi Son is a man with a perpetual smile on his face. But back in the real world of Saudi Arabia, there remains a shortage of affordable housing that runs to more than a million; the creation of meaningful jobs for the kingdoms fast-growing youth population and the effective empowerment of the private sector are stuttering. Vision 2030, MBSs ambitious restructuring of Saudi society and the economy, has a long, long way to go before it ever comes close to reaching its lofty goals. Meantime, the risk is that the pursuit of Singularity will come at a cost to more mundane and practical considerations. For now, the song that Masa Son sings is music to the ears of the young crown prince, perhaps made all the sweeter because it has such an expensive price tag. But in the end, it may prove to be little else than a seductive, siren tune leading him and his country into deep and dangerous waters. The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial stance. How the United Arab Emirates broad definition of extremism has impacted regional politics since 2011. In March 2011, buoyed by the revolutions sweeping the region, a group of 132 Emirati intellectuals and activists petitioned President Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan to institute reforms. They were calling for the United Arab Emirates National Council be democratically elected and granted full legislative powers. Days later, the government they petitioned deployed hundreds of police officers to Bahrain, where they joined a contingent of Saudi troops to end an uprising on the island kingdom. It was the first of several Saudi-Emirati measures to rein in the advances of the Arab Spring and eliminate critical voices that questioned their rule. By most accounts, the Emiratis who signed the petition represented a cross-section of society doctors, lawyers, judges, and academics and included members of Al Islah (Reform), a social movement ideologically linked to the Muslim Brotherhood (the Brotherhood). The crackdown was severe, especially on Al Islah. Arrests began in April and soon expanded to include most Emiratis who signed the petition; they were accused of promoting terrorist ideology and plotting to overthrow the government. By the end of 2011, six Emiratis had had their citizenship revoked and dozens more were handed hefty prison sentences. {articleGUID} According to US diplomatic cables released by WikiLeaks in 2010 and 2011, UAE Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed (also known as MBZ) had a long-held antipathy towards the Brotherhood, and often spoke with US officials about his efforts to target alleged members within Emirati society. Despite the fact that Al Islah denied having links to the Brotherhood, they were viewed with suspicion by MBZ and his brothers, who rarely missed an opportunity to talk about their supposed influence. The Emirati governments crackdown on Islah, in my view, was not based on actual level of threat or even of popularity of that movement, but rather on the governments (and especially Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayeds) calculation that political Islam of any type is fundamentally threatening to government stability and security, Courtney Freer, author of Rentier Islamism: The Influence of the Muslim Brotherhood in Gulf Monarchies, told Al Jazeera. As a result, today, Islamist movements have largely moved underground, with the government eager to promote so-called moderate Islam in its place, she added. The crackdown had a chilling effect on civil society in the UAE and was a prelude to more dramatic measures to challenge Brotherhood-linked political movements, including support for a counterrevolution in the Arab worlds most populous country, Egypt. The blockade of Qatar, which is about to enter its second year, appears to be motivated in part by Abu Dhabis long-held antipathy towards individuals, institutions, and governments that appear supportive of political Islam, which the UAE government has framed as extremism. Revolution 2.0 In the elections that followed the Arab Spring, a number of Brotherhood-linked parties succeeded (to varying degrees) at the ballot box, including Ennahdha in Tunisia, the Freedom and Justice Party in Egypt, the Justice & Development Party in Morocco, Islamic Action Front in Jordan, and the Islamic Constitutional Movement in Kuwait. When a military coup was staged in 2013 to overthrow Egypts first democratically elected president, Mohamed Morsi, the UAE and Saudi Arabia supported it, opting for their version of strong-man stability over rapid democratic change. {articleGUID} As far back as 2011, the UAE and Qatar have followed policies that are in some cases near-diametric opposites, particularly as they related to the unfolding political transitions in North Africa, Kristian Ulrichsen, research fellow at Rice Universitys Baker Institute for Public Policy and author of The United Arab Emirates: Power, Politics, and Policy-Making, told Al Jazeera. It seems that the visceral reaction to Qatari Arab Spring policies in Abu Dhabi has been the trigger for both the 2014 iteration of the spat and the 2017 version, and that MBZ has worked closely with MBS (Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman) in Riyadh to try and present a united front not only on the Qatar issue but also on Yemen, as well, he added. Politicisation of terrorism There were signs of a rupture emerging between Abu Dhabi and Doha, years before the Arab Spring. Diplomatic cables sent from the US Embassy in Abu Dhabi between 2004 and 2010 recount dozens of meetings between MBZ and US officials, where they discussed politically sensitive topics he never discussed in public. US officials noted how MBZ generically uses the term Muslim Brotherhood for all extremists, ranging from armed groups like al-Qaeda, to populist movements that participate in democratic elections across the region. By 2014 though, his broad definition of extremists was more widely accepted, after Saudi Arabia designated the Brotherhood a terrorist organisation. The UAE followed suit and passed legislation that opened the way to terrorism prosecution to those expressing peaceful opposition to the government. Human Rights Watch condemned the government for passing such a violent and extreme law at the time, while claiming to be a key ally in the fight against violent extremism. More shockwaves were felt that year when the UAE released its terror list, lumping the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS) group and al-Qaeda with nonviolent organisations based in the US and Europe. At the time, Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed told US media that Abu Dhabis threshold for extremists was quite low, earning him praise from right-wing pundits for going above-and-beyond the US list of Foreign Terrorist Organizations. Since the beginning of the Gulf crisis one year ago, additions to the list have also been rejected by the UN, and even Donald Trumps State Department. Attorney general says decision for Andargachew Tsiges pardon was part of moves intended to widen political space. Ethiopia has pardoned an opposition leader with British citizenship who had been sentenced to death. Andargachew Tsige was found guilty of terrorism and sentenced in absentia in 2009 over his role in the opposition group Ginbot 7. He was the organisations secretary-general. The father of three was arrested during a stopover at a Yemen airport in June 2014 and taken to Ethiopia. Berhanu Tsegaye, Ethiopias attorney general, said on Saturday that Andargachew was pardoned under special circumstances along with 575 other inmates. The decisions were made with the intention of widening political space, the attorney general told reporters in the capital, Addis Ababa. Andargachew is expected to be released within the next two days. Yemi Hailemariam, Andargachews wife, said she hoped he would be allowed to return to Britain soon. I am so thankful that the pain and anguish my children have had to go through could now soon be coming to an end, she said in a statement issued by Reprieve, a human rights group. After 4 years on death row in Ethiopia, British citizen Andy Tsege has been pardoned today #andytsege @FreeAndargachew https://t.co/SR337tw6xG Reprieve (@Reprieve) May 26, 2018 Thousands of prisoners, including several senior opposition leaders, have been freed since January having been accused of charges such as terrorism or incitement to topple the government. The pardons are part of reforms that the government has pledged to undertake after violent unrest broke out three years ago, sparked by an urban development plan for Addis Ababa that critics said would trigger land seizures in the surrounding Oromia region. The protests broadened into rallies over political rights, leading eventually to the resignation of Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn in February. He has since been replaced by Abiy Ahmed, a former lieutenant-colonel in the army and head of Ethiopias science and technology ministry. Tigistu Awelu, chairman of the opposition Andinet party, welcomed the governments decision to free Andargachew as hugely significant for bringing about national reconciliation and healing. Last week, the government and an exiled opposition party from Oromia opened talks with the aim of enabling it to return to the political fold. The Oromo Democratic Front (ODF) was formed in 2013 by former members of the Oromo Liberation Front and seeks self-determination for ethnic Oromos, Ethiopias largest ethnic group. Its leaders have been living in exile. Activists sentenced to up to 15 years in prison as part of a crackdown on budding Anglophone secessionist movement. A court in Cameroon has sentenced seven activists from the countrys Anglophone minority, including their leader, to up to 15 years in prison for rebellion and acts of terrorism. Mancho Bibixy, a radio presenter in the English-speaking Northwest Region, and dozens of fellow activists were arrested in January 2017 as part of a crackdown on a budding Anglophone secessionist movement. The movement accuses President Paul Biyas predominantly Francophone government of marginalising Cameroons English-speaking minority. One activist was acquitted, Bibixys lawyer, Claude Assira, told the Reuter news agency, but he said the convictions would only worsen the Anglophone crisis. {articleGUID} The six convicted were also ordered to pay a joint fine of 268 million CFA francs ($48,000) and must also pay the legal fees. The decision is excessive and pointless because it will not resolve the problem of Cameroons Anglophone crisis, said Claude Assira, one of the lawyers representing the accused. He added that they would appeal the decision, according to the AFP news agency. Five other Anglophones on trial alongside the journalist received jail terms ranging from 10 to 15 years. Crackdown and violence What began as a peaceful protest movement in 2016 by teachers and lawyers against the perceived marginalisation of the English-speaking minority became an armed conflict last year following violent crackdowns by government forces. The violence helped generate support for separatist movements, including armed groups aiming to create an independent state, who have killed more than 20 soldiers and police officers. {articleGUID} The unrest has destabilised the Central African oil producer months before an election in which Biya will seek to extend his 35-year rule. Tens of thousands of Cameroonians have fled reprisals by state forces to neighbouring Nigeria, and the US ambassador to Cameroon last week accused the Yaounde government of targeted killings, arson and looting. The government denies those allegations and summoned the US ambassador earlier this week to protest against his remarks. Colombia: Former FARC fighters feel betrayed by government Former FARC members claim they are being hunted and armed paramilitary groups are once again rising in former FARC territory in Colombia. Cyclone Mekunu: Oman braced for massive storm Thousands moved away from coastal and low-lying areas as the most powerful storm to hit Oman approaches. Rights groups decry killing of Claudia Patricia Gomez Gonzales, 20, who was killed by an agent near the Mexico border. Immigrant rights groups across the United States have condemned the killing of a young unarmed Guatemalan woman who was shot by a border patrol agent in Texas. The woman, identified as 20-year-old Claudia Patricia Gomez Gonzales, was shot in the head by a Customs Border Police (CBP) agent on Wednesday in Rio Bravo, Texas, close to the border with Mexico. According to local media, quoting Gonzales family, the young woman was travelling to the US from a small village in Guatemala to find work to pay for her education. Her death has enraged immigrant rights organisations who say under US President Donald Trump, border agents like the CBP and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) are operating with impunity and a lack of accountability in their communities. Congress needs to stop this madness. They have the power to put an end to these agencies targeting our communities, Cristina Jimenez, Executive Director of United We Dream, a youth-led immigrant network based in New York, said. We have been pointing out what these agencies have been doing but it had to get so bad before people pay attention, Jimenez told Al Jazeera. Details unclear The details surrounding the incident in Rio Bravo remain unclear. {articleGUID} The CBP first said in a statement on Wednesday that a border patrol agent was responding to a report of illegal activity in Rio Bravo. Initial reports indicate that as the agent attempted to apprehend the group, he came under attack by multiple subjects using blunt objects, the statement read. On Friday, the CPB released an updated statement, saying the agent was allegedly assaulted. It did not mention the use of blunt objects. According to the new statement: The group ignored his (the agents) verbal commands and instead rushed him. Three Guatemalan men were subsequently apprehended, the statement said. A spokesperson for CBP declined to offer further comment to Al Jazeera, citing the ongoing investigation by the FBI and Texas Rangers. The agent involved in the incident has been placed on administrative leave, according to the CBP, citing its policy. According to local media in Guatemala, Gonzalez was an indigenous Maya-Mam woman who had graduated from a forensic accounting programme in 2016. Her family said she was going to the US to find work as they did not have enough money for her to continue her studies. Say her name: Claudia Patricia Gomez Gonzalez. She was somebody. She mattered. She had people who loved her on both sides of the border. She was murdered by Border Patrol on Wednesday at the Texas border. Rest in power. pic.twitter.com/BNvy7KE2dm Movimiento Cosecha (@CosechaMovement) May 25, 2018 Marta Martinez, who saw the young woman lying in a pool of blood and dirt in an empty grass verge just outside her house, said she had not heard any screaming that would have suggested a confrontation before the shooting. In the aftermath of the shooting, Martinez is heard on a video posted on Facebook telling the CBP officers at the scene: Why do you mistreat them? Why did you shoot the girl? You killed her! They killed the girl! Shes dead. Trump dehumanises immigrants Wednesdays killing comes as Trump renewed calls for tougher border security, including adding 5,000 more border agents and the deployment of the National Guard to the border. {articleGUID} Immigration reform has been a pivotal feature of Trumps election campaign. Shortly after taking office in January last year, Trump signed an executive order, giving ICE and other law enforcement agencies expanded powers to focus on most undocumented immigrants, including those with no criminal record. Trump has also repeatedly denigrated Mexicans, Central Americans and Muslims, imposed a ban on citizens of several Muslim-majority countries, described some African countries as s***hole countries, and promised to build a wall on the US-Mexico border. Earlier this month, Trump referred to some people deported from the US as animals during a roundtable on immigration. Trump has since defended his remarks, saying he was referring to members of the MS-13 gang. This administration is trying to dehumanise and criminalise immigrants to such an extent that they are publicly calling them animals, and so the rhetoric is so dangerous and dehumanising that they want to justify the actions of mass deportation, Jimenez said. ICE arrested more than 143,000 people in 2017 a 30 percent rise from 2016, according to Pew Research Center. Now, you see ICE agents targeting families, separating children from their parents, Jimenez added. They are doing things they didnt do before. You have agents today stopping people on the streets, going to places of worship and schools; youre seeing agents everywhere now. Echoing Jimenezs sentiments, the Southern Border Community Coalition released a statement, calling for accountability from those managing the border. {articleGUID} For far too long, Border Patrol agents have terrorised our communities, leaving behind a trail of death and abuse without any meaningful accountability, the group said. Karina Alvarez, the founder of Laredo Immigrant Alliance, said Trumps rhetoric on migrants had emboldened agents in border towns. He was describing us the other day as animals and look now, they shoot us like animals, Alvarez told Al Jazeera. History of abuse Wednesdays incident comes just days after Border Patrol agencies faced new allegations of abuse of undocumented migrants in towns close to the Mexico border during the administration of President Barack Obama. The report by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the International Human Rights Clinic at the University of Chicago Law School found that officials regularly use force on children when such force is not objectively reasonable. It also found that agents used tasers even when the children were not resisting and verbally abused them, including issuing death threats. {articleGUID} The report detailed complaints filed against CBP between 2009-2014. In one complaint, a 16-year-old boy described how an agent flung him down and kicked his head into the ground with his boot. In another incident, a 13-year-old boy was held and kicked in the shins. Then, there were incidents of sexual abuse. According to the report, agents forced a 16-year-old girl to spread her legs and touched her private parts. This seems to be a long-term issue with regards to lack of accountability and impunity with the agents, Claudia Flores, Director of the International Human Rights Clinic at the University of Chicago Law School, said. The CBP called the allegations in the report unfounded and baseless. Mitra Ebadolahi of the ACLU said in a statement that the reports findings showed a pattern of physical, sexual and emotional abuse by Customs and Border Protection officials against child immigrant that existed long before President Trump emboldened the agency by unleashing its officers to enforce his draconian immigration policies. She added: If the abuses were this bad under Obama when the Border Patrol described itself as constrained, imagine how it must be now under Trump, who vowed to unleash the agents to do their jobs. Kim Jong-un and Moon Jae-in meet as Donald Trump expresses willingness to reinstate talks with Pyongyang. Less than a month after their historic summit, the leaders of North and South Korea have met again at a border village amid hopes that the on-again-off-again talks between Pyongyang and Washington will actually happen. US President Donald Trump on Thursday announced the cancellation of his planned meeting with North Koreas Kim Jong-un, originally scheduled for June 12 in Singapore, citing tremendous anger and open hostility from North Korea. He has since said he is open to reinstating the talks. Kim and South Korean President Moon Jae-in met in April in what was only the third meeting between the leaders of the two states. On Saturday, they spoke for two hours on the North Korean side of Panmunjom in the demilitarised zone and discussed how to implement their declaration following their April 27 meeting, as well as the proposed talks between Kim and Trump. There is no reason why we should fight each other we are one nation, Kim said in a joint statement with Moon after that meeting. Pyongyang and Seoul also pledged to formally end the state of war between the two, which has been ongoing since a 1953 ceasefire agreement that brought to a halt large-scale hostilities. The office of the South Korean president said the outcome of Saturdays surprise meeting will be announced on Sunday. Get summit back on track Reporting from South Koreas capital, Seoul, Al Jazeeras Andrew Thomas said it was symbolically important that the talks were held on the north side of Panmunjom. This is the first time that a South Korean leader has crossed over into the North for substantial talks in 11 years, he said. In the context of the on-again-off-again-maybe-on-again US-North Korea summit, it looks as though Moon has wasted no time. Hes hit the ground running and hes doing everything he can to get that summit back on track. {articleGUID} Se-Woong Koo, publisher of the online magazine, Korea Expose, said he was astonished the surprise meeting took place. It shows very clearly that the two Koreas are committed to engaging with each other and also with the US in hopes of bringing about peace here on the peninsula, he told Al Jazeera. After Trump cancelled the summit in Singapore, there was a lot of damage here in South Korea to [Moons] political capital, because it was seen that he was actually not holding so much influence over what was happening. Hes certainly done his job to correct this perception. The meeting on Saturday is the latest chapter in a long-running diplomatic effort to end North Koreas nuclear weapons programme. Concerns grew earlier this month after North Korea responded to the US calling for the denuclearisation of the peninsula and a complete dismantling of the nuclear programme by threatening to pull out of the summit unless Washington offered something in return. Following Trumps cancellation of the summit, North Korea issued a statement declaring it was still open to talks. {articleGUID} It was a very nice statement they put out, Trump said at the White House. Were talking to them now. They very much want to do it. Wed like to do it, he added. Well see what happens it (the summit) could even be the 12th [of June]. Meanwhile, a spokeswoman for Trump said on Saturday that a White House team is still heading to Singapore this weekend to work on logistics for the Trump-Kim summit, in case the meeting is reset. Sarah Huckabee Sanders said the pre-advance team for Singapore will leave as scheduled in order to prepare should the summit take place. Israel revoking residencies of Jerusalemites over breach of loyalty is rendering them stateless, rights groups say. Ramallah, Occupied West Bank Exile is like death, Ahmad Attoun, a member of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC), told Al Jazeera. I cant explain my relationship to Jerusalem. It is part of my soul. Jerusalem is now just a few metres away from me, but I cant enter. There are no words to describe the pain we are feeling, he said. Attoun, along with PLC members Mohammad Totah, Mohammad Abu Teir and former Palestinian minister Khaled Abu Arafeh, were forcibly deported from occupied East Jerusalem in 2011 after Israels interior minister revoked their Jerusalem residencies over allegations of breaching loyalty to the Israeli state. Attouns deportation from the city put his life in disarray. He only sees his family on weekends when they travel to Ramallah, where he now resides. His eight-year-old daughter has never experienced living with her father. I wish I could see her just once in her school uniform when she comes home, Attoun said, noting that his family has continued to reside in Jerusalem despite his expulsion. Despite the suffering, in my heart I know we are right. In the natural order, I must return to Jerusalem. On April 29, Israels Interior Minister Aryeh Deri upheld the deportation of the four parliamentarians, after Israels parliament passed a law in March granting the interior minister full power to revoke the Jerusalem residencies of Palestinians over allegations of breaching allegiance or loyalty to the Israeli state. Rights groups have raised serious concerns over the new law, noting that the legislation is a clear breach of international law and threatens the basic rights of Palestinians in occupied East Jerusalem. Palestinians fear the legislation will speed up the expulsion of Palestinians from the city, and be used to target Palestinians who criticise the Israeli state. You will never return to Jerusalem Israel occupied and subsequently annexed East Jerusalem in 1967 a move which was not accepted by the international community with the exception of US President Donald Trumps decision to recognise Israeli control over the occupied city in December 2017. Palestinians residing in East Jerusalem following Israels occupation were not granted Israeli or Palestinian citizenship, but were instead issued Jerusalem residency ID cards, which can be revoked by Israel at any time. Last year, Israel revoked the residency of 35 Palestinians in occupied East Jerusalem, including 17 women and four minors, according to Israeli rights group Hamoked. Since 1967, almost 15,000 Palestinians have had their Jerusalem IDs revoked, mostly for failing to prove to Israeli authorities that Jerusalem or Israel was the centre of their life. Attoun and the other Palestinian parliamentarians were targeted by Israel in 2006, after being elected to the PLC on the list of the Hamas-affiliated Change and Reform Movement in Jerusalem. Israel considers Hamas, one of the most popular Palestinian political parties, a terrorist organisation. Abu Arafeh was appointed the Palestinian Minister of Jerusalem Affairs. Following the elections, then Israeli interior minister Roni Bar-On initiated the process of revoking their Jerusalem residencies over allegations of being disloyal to the Israeli state, owing to their membership to the PLC. The four were subsequently sentenced to prison. Attoun, Totah and Abu Teir all spent four years behind bars, while Abu Arafeh served three years. Upon their release in 2010, they received an official deportation notice from Israeli authorities, notifying them that they had just 30 days to leave Israels territory. The parliamentarians decided to fight the decision. Attoun, Totah and Abu Arafeh launched a nonviolent movement inside the headquarters of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Jerusalem, where they erected tents and lived inside the building in protest of Israels decision for a year and a half. Abu Teir was arrested by Israeli forces two days prior to the action. However, in September 2011, members of Israels special police unit, disguised as lawyers, entered the ICRC headquarters, and violently dragged Attoun out of the building. Totah and Abu Arafah were arrested in similar fashion a few months later. Attoun spent four months in Israels Al-Moscobiyeh detention in Jerusalem, before being forcibly transferred to Ramallah. On that December day, he was told by an Israeli soldier at Israels Qalandiya checkpoint, standing between him and his home: Now you are in the West Bank, and you will never return to Jerusalem. Leaving Palestinians stateless The exiled parliamentarians won an appeal against the interior ministers decision in the Israeli Supreme Court last year. However, the Israeli government was given a six-month period to formulate legislation that could uphold their decision. The new breach of loyalty legislation also applies to cases in which Palestinians provided false information to acquire their Jerusalem residences or have committed crimes. Danny Shenhar, head of the legal department at Hamoked, told Al Jazeera that there were two other cases in which Palestinians had their Jerusalem residency status revoked owing to allegations of breaching loyalty or allegiance to the state. One of the cases was Abed Dawiyat, a teenager who threw stones at an Israeli vehicle in Jerusalem in late 2015, resulting in the death of the driver. He was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 18 years in prison. The two other teens who were with Dawiyat at the time were also facing the revocation of their Jerusalem residencies after being accused of abetting the crime. However, their cases are still pending. Shenhar said that the decision to retroactively apply the breach of loyalty law to these cases that occurred years ago contravenes any idea of the rule of law. Under international humanitarian law, Israel, as an occupying power, cannot demand allegiance from an occupied population. However, this is exactly what Israel is doing, Shenhar noted. We adamantly oppose this law, he added. The decision is flawed on so many grounds. Palestinians in East Jerusalem are considered protected persons, and under international law, their forcible transfer from the city is prohibited. Through this decision, Israel is leaving Palestinians stateless, Shenhar told Al Jazeera. Israels interior ministry did not reply to Al Jazeeras request for comment on the matter. Munir Nuseibah, the director of the Community Action Center in East Jerusalem which provides legal support to Palestinians who have lost their Jerusalem residency status, said that the law also punishes the perpetrators twice for the same crime, noting that Palestinians already face heavy sentences in Israeli courts and controversial punitive policies targeting their families. Following the stone-throwing incident, Dawiyats family was displaced from their home after Israel decided to shutter the premise as a punitive measure against the family a common Israeli policy condemned by rights groups as a form of collective punishment. Far-reaching consequences Owing to the ambiguity of what exactly constitutes a breach of loyalty or allegiance to the Israeli state, Palestinians and rights groups fear that the new law will have far-reaching consequences for Palestinians in East Jerusalem. If you leave such a draconic law with this much ambiguity surrounding it, then you give the state very strong powers to erode peoples basic rights, Shenhar said. In the case of the deported parliamentarians, Shenhar said the implications were frightening to think about. If the state uses this legislation to fight the [Palestinian] population, then youre looking at a very problematic situation of mass residency revocations. The targeting of the parliamentarians has raised fears among Palestinians that the legislation could be applied to Palestinian activists in East Jerusalem, or worse, all Palestinians. Every Palestinian holds principles against the occupation and against the Israeli state, Nuseibah said. No one knows how far Israel will go with this law, but its clearly very dangerous. The legislation gives Israel more control over Palestinian politics and activism, because the possibility of being kicked out of the city scares us, he continued. It will give Israel another opportunity to displace more Palestinians from the city. According to Nuseibah, even lawyers are at a loss as to how to defend Palestinians who could be targeted with the new law. How do you defend someone who is being accused of breaching allegiance to the Israeli state? Nuseibah stated. Do we tell the judge he will kiss the Israeli flag every morning? The president of Chad, Idriss Deby, announced on Friday that Chadian troops, who are part of a larger African force fighting in northern Mali, have killed one of al-Qaedas leading commanders in that country. Debys spokesman said that he announced Abdelhamid Abou Zeids death during a ceremony on Friday for Chadian soldiers killed in fighting in Mali. Abou Zeid is the Algerian leader of al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM). His death, which could not immediately be verified, would be a major blow to the group and to its growing influence in North Africa. Officials in Mali and in France, which is leading an international military intervention in Mali against fighters linked to AQIM, could not confirm reports of Abou Zeids death. The spokesman insisted on anonymity because he was not authorised to speak ahead of an announcement on state television on the matter. He gave no further details. The French military moved into Mali on January 11 to push back al-Qaeda-linked fighters who had imposed strict Islamic rule in the north. They seized power there after a military coup last year, and had started moving south towards the capital, Bamako. France is trying to rally other African troops to help in the military campaign, since Malis military is weak and poorly-equipped. Chadian troops have offered the most robust reinforcements. For the past 10 days, French military, along with Chadian forces, have been locked in a weeklong battle against the fighters in the Adrar des Ifoghas mountains of northern Mali, fighting which has left scores dead. France refuses to comment A French presidential aide said the French government would not comment on Debys announcement. Earlier, French president Francois Hollande said: Information is circulating. It is not for me to confirm this, because we need to follow through the operation to the end. French military spokesman Thierry Burkhard said on Friday night that French and Chadian soldiers are working together in a general sense but they are not always side by side in every operation. So he could not say whether French soldiers were involved in the operation that Deby says killed Abou Zeid. Abou Zeid was thought to be 47 years old. He was believed to be holding four French nationals kidnapped two years ago at a uranium mine in Niger. The fate of those hostages, working for French company Areva, was unclear Friday night. He previously kidnapped a Frenchman, released in February 2010, and another who was executed that July. He has also been linked to the execution of a British hostage in 2009. There is uncertainty about his real name: Along with his nom de guerre, Abou Zeid had an alias, Mosab Abdelouadoud, and nicknames, the emir of the south and the little emir, due to his diminutive size. About the show earthrise is Al Jazeeras award-winning environmental show exploring the most significant threats to our planet by highlighting eco-friendly solutions from around the world. earthrise brings you the stories of those who strive to improve our quality of life and reduce our negative impact on the earth. This is graduation season. High school seniors are excited to move on from the babysitting exercise that is public education, most to the brainwashing exercise that is college. Some will enter trade jobs; some will enlist in the military. Some can even write a coherent paragraph and do mathematics. But just a few. A number of years back, my mother passed away. While I was cleaning out the attic of my boyhood home, I came across a yearbook from her senior year at Jefferson High School, 1936. What a treasure find! I remembered my mom as I paged through the book. In 1936, things were changing quickly. A picture of the principal of the school in the yearbook shows a black telephone on his desk, certainly a status symbol of the day. The Depression was wearing on, with New Deal socialism widely welcomed. Hitler was chancellor of Germany, and the Dachau concentration camp was open, both for over three years. Appeaser Neville Chamberlain was a year from becoming prime minister of the U.K. And while slavery was gone, "separate but equal" was in force, and racial division was the norm. Little did they know, but many of the young men and women pictured in my mother's yearbook would find themselves fighting Germany and Japan a short five years later. In the yearbook, I found several letters to the graduates from local leaders. Most were what you would expect: well wishes and good luck. However, one was from the pastor of a church across the street from the high school, Rev. Dr. Richard Owens. Take a look at his letter to the graduates, keeping in mind the brief sketch of 1936 I have presented. My Dear Friends: You are living now, not simply preparing to live. You can never turn back the page. The years will only provide opportunity to live more effectively. But the past can become inspiration, equipment and direction. The earth transmutes the foliage and flowers of the past into the beauty and fruit of the present. I wish for each one of you the finest that can be achieved in life, and the largest service possible to your capacity. Always be open to truth. Wherever you find it recognize it as the manifestation of God. There has never been, nor will there ever be, any conflict between science and religion. All come from the same heavenly Father. A child knows there is a difference between his father's pencil and his watch, but never doubts that both belong to his father. Never be afraid of any truth. Be sure you do more than seek truth. Find it. It is not the search for food that builds the body, but its assimilation. It is imperative that you believe some things so firmly that they become a part of you. Stability is rooted in integrity. Honor, virtue, courage and faith are eternal virtues, and without them your life will be a compromise. I believe you have as fine qualities as ever gave surety to the hopes of any generation. You face the world at a period of arresting questions, difficult problems and a restless social order. Yet, it is a period of growth, holding before you the challenge whose terms demand your best. Let that singing line from Tennyson's Idylls of the King stay with you "O Loyal to the royal in thyself." Sincerely your friend, Richard S. Owens Every time I read this letter, tears come to my eyes not just because of what we have lost, but more because my spirit sings in harmony with these principles. The young men and women pictured in the yearbook are the ones who defeated Hitler and Tojo. These are the people who put men on the Moon. These are the people who rebuilt Japan and taught them to be a world-class manufacturing giant (well, until socialism took hold). These are the people who built the United States into a superpower and ultimately defeated the Soviet Union without scorching the planet with nuclear war. These are men and women of strength and character, who had flaws but who learned and adapted in spite of them, and they achieved. But look at all that has changed since. "...the past can become inspiration..." We shun the past, ignore or revise history, all to make young minds more conformable to socialism. "...the finest that can be achieved in life..." Achievement is today considered ugly and even a form of bullying. "Always be open to truth." What is truth? Pilate asked Jesus this question. Today, truth is relative, what you want it to be. Openness to real truth is not required when a mind can shape relative truth to fit the situation. "...recognize it as the manifestation of God..." God? Another outmoded crutch of crusading oppressors. "There has never been ... any conflict between science and religion." Socialists remove this conflict today not through an understanding of both science and religion, but by simply eliminating religion. "Find it." Finding truth is of little value today. What's valued is seeking that is, bumbling through life from rock to rock, smoking a joint on a rock, taking a nap on a rock, living on someone else's rock, falling off a rock into the river and stinking like river water, all the while believing in the noble quest. Seekers don't know what they are seeking, but they seek nonetheless, not suspecting that what they seek is something their parents had but threw out. "...believe some things so firmly that they become a part of you..." Today, this is a recipe for closed-mindedness. We rather must be flexible, open to compromise, progressive, and forward thinking. "Stability is rooted in integrity. Honor, virtue, courage and faith are eternal virtues, and without them your life will be a compromise." On the contrary, the only virtue at present is compromise. These other "virtues" only oppress others. "...the challenge whose terms demand your best..." Challenge is overrated today. Wouldn't it be better to just chill and watch some videos on YouTube? And the term "best" is used only to put others down. I was born nearly 25 years after this letter was written, and already those values were being erased by the liberal news media, Hollywood, and public de-education. My generation in the '60s and '70s accepted the devaluation of intelligence and the degradation of their bodies, and I shudder to think that they are now raising grandchildren with zero moral character and no common sense. Hello, class of 2018. How easy it is to slip from year to year, sliding a few feet at a time down the slope to oblivion. And how crushing it is to look back 82 years to see in one glance the height from which we have fallen. I encourage you to get involved in the lives of several children and teach them these values mentioned by Owens. We have a lot of ground to regain, and it's not going to happen through the schools or Hollywood. You and I must influence and inspire these children, else the next Hitler will have it easy. Leftists love to claim that President Trump is the reincarnation of Hitler and that he's a Nazi, or maybe a fascist. They never supply any facts to substantiate their claims. They seem to be immune to logic. Yesterday, I visited the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp, where a million and a half Jews were murdered in a most vile demonstration of human depravity. A new picture was driven home to me in a most forceful manner. The master race theory that allowed the Germans to believe that their actions were acceptable was developed by American Democrat political philosophers. Hitler's Nazis were happy to see the theoretical constructs their American counterparts developed and astonished to see how far the American left wanted to take them. The Holocaust now had its foundation. But the master race idea was not the driving force for German conquest in the early days of the Third Reich. The annexation of the Sudetenland from Czechoslovakia and the blitzkrieg of Poland were driven by claims that these regions were historically part of Germany and that they should return to German control to be inhabited only by Germans. The name for this was "lebensraum," or "living space." There was only one problem in Poland: the Poles. As long as the Poles lived there, there wasn't room for the Germans. Master race theory gave them an excuse to eliminate the three million Jews who lived there as a step in the Final Solution. The Waffen S.S. carried this task out with a vengeance, hampered only by lack of resources. They were half done when the Russians retook Poland. Has Donald Trump considered anything that has even a vague resemblance to this? Of course not. But the leftists calling him "Hitler" actively support a group that bears an uncanny resemblance to the Nazis. They are the so-called "Palestinians" and their allied Islamic groups. And before anyone screams bloody murder, let us recall that bloody murder was central to the Waffen S.S. and is the hallmark of Islamic jihadis. The Nazi justification for conquest and extermination was "lebensraum." What do Hamas and Islamic Jihad claim? The "right of return." That's exactly the same claim made by Hitler under the term lebensraum. "It's properly my land. You have no right to it. I'm going to take it by force." Hmmmm. I wonder if there's anything more. Lebensraum required the forcible removal of the non-German inhabitants of the Sudetenland and Poland. While the Germans focused on the Jews, using master race theory, they were not going to be content with just the Jews. They murdered an equal number of Poles, Slavs, Gypsies, and Russians at Auschwitz. The Final Solution was to be complete extermination of all non-Germans in Europe. Fortunately, they didn't get the time to carry it out. Is there a parallel with the Islamists? Hmmm... Oh, yes. Now I remember. Not only do the jihadis want every Jew out of Israel; they want every Jew dead. But they aren't using master race theory. They're using "master religion theory. The Nazis got close to master religion theory with their excuses about the Jews killing Jesus. That meant that the Jews were guilty and should die. Even though the term "ethnic cleansing" wasn't used until the 1990s, that's what Hitler was doing in Poland. While Hamas and Islamic Jihad haven't been able to achieve it, ethnic cleansing of Israel is their stated goal. For anyone willing to read, it's in black and white in their founding documents. And just to drive the point home, to this day, they refuse to admit that Israel is a nation. It's referred to as the "occupying Zionist entity." Children are taught this lie in school, just as German children were taught lies about Jews. What about the method of extermination? We have to give the Nazis the nod for outright efficiency, but for brutality, little in the modern world matches the drowning, burning alive, and beheadings the Islamists choose and celebrate. What about public support? The German people, while not unanimous, overwhelmingly supported Hitler at first. They bought into master race theory and lebensraum. Any opposition was later exterminated. Islamists are also overwhelmingly supported by their public. In Gaza, all of the moderates have been similarly exterminated. Nazis are, for all political intents and purposes, indistinguishable from Islamists. Their goals and methods are nearly identical. The ruthlessness with which those goals are achieved is comparable from one to the other. In short, they are both to be thoroughly condemned. At this point, we must return to the accusations against President Trump. If he is the new Hitler, then it should be obvious that he supports Hamas and Islamic Jihad. But when we look, we discover that President Trump has acted with great favor toward the nation of Israel and against Iran, the patron of the Islamists in the Middle East. On the other hand, the left has taken up the Islamists' cause. The left, accompanied by the chorus in the Mainstream Legacy Media, takes every opportunity to accuse Israel of great crimes. Islamist atrocities are ignored. They refuse to admit that the West Bank is anything other than "occupied." Just like the Golan Heights, the west bank of the Jordan River all the way to Jerusalem is an essential part of the Jewish state. It has been since 1968. That's longer than a number of uncontested modern states have existed. Hitler claimed that Germany had been improperly ousted from Poland and Sudetenland. The Islamists claim they were improperly ousted from Israel. Do I hear more echoes? The German public supported Hitler. The American left and mainstream media support Hamas. Did I mention that the American Left were the originators of master race theory? The left created the philosophies that built the Nazi machine. The left has not changed since the Nazis were defeated. Leftists still support the master race approach in the form of the Final Solution. But this time, the Final Solution is to be administered by Islamists, not Germans. The left has not changed. Image: Karl-Ludwig Poggemann via Flickr. Unless we assume the FBI went completely rogue, it is inconceivable that the deployments of personnel to spy on the Trump campaign and make provocative contact with its lesser members could have occurred without the full knowledge and control of the occupants of the Oval Office. Obama may claim a scandal-free administration, but after Fast and Furious, the targeting of the Tea Party by the IRS, the Benghazi cover-up, Hillary's emails, to name a few, Spygate is just the latest. I use the plural "occupants" because while Barack Hussein Obama may have been nominally the president of the United States, at the heart of every one of these scandals and virtually every administration move was Valerie Jarrett, who arguably could be considered our first female president. Jarrett, born in Iran to American parents, has been with the Obamas since her days as deputy chief of staff in the office of Chicago mayor Richard Daley, the younger. She hired Michelle Obama, then Michelle Robinson, to fill an opening in the mayor's office. As WikiLeaks describes the beginning of a long relationship (citations omitted): In 1991, as deputy chief of staff to Mayor Richard Daley, Jarrett interviewed Michelle Robinson for an opening in the mayor's office, after which she immediately offered Robinson the job. Michelle Robinson asked for time to think and also asked Jarrett to meet Robinson's fiance, Barack Obama. The three ended up meeting for dinner. After the dinner, Michelle took the job with the mayor's office, and Valerie Jarrett reportedly took the couple under her wing and "introduced them to a wealthier and better-connected Chicago than their own." Jarrett later took Michelle with her when Jarrett left the mayor's office to head Chicago's Department of Planning and Development. The rest, as they say, is history. Not only did Valerie Jarrett become a mentor to the young Barack Obama, but she soon became what some have called Obama's Rasputin, someone who had more security than our personnel did in Benghazi. She receives more protection than our Libyan ambassador, calls the president by his first name, dines and vacations with the First Family and had the power to call off three strikes against Osama bin Laden. Ambassador Chris Stevens did not have a Marine detail in Benghazi, Libya. But White House senior adviser and Obama confidante Valerie Jarrett reportedly had a full Secret Service detail on vacation in Martha's Vineyard. "Jarrett seems to have a 24-hour, around-the-clock detail, with five or six agents full time," Democratic pollster Pat Caddell said in an interview recently with Breitbart news. If Stevens had a similar escort, he'd probably be alive today. Such protection isn't usually available to senior advisers, but Jarrett is no ordinary adviser[.] Indeed, she is not. She arguably has had more influence over Obama than anyone with the possible exception of Michelle Obama herself: Her influence is shown by an account in Richard Miniter's book "Leading From Behind: The Reluctant President and the Advisors Who Decide for Him." It relates that at the urging of Jarrett, Obama canceled the operation to kill Osama bin Laden on three occasions before finally approving the May 2, 2011, Navy SEAL mission. Seems she was concerned about the possible political harm to Obama if the mission failed[.] ... Edward Klein, author of the best-selling book about Obama, "The Amateur," once asked Obama if he ran every decision by Jarrett, and the president responded, "Absolutely." A former foreign editor of Newsweek and editor of the New York Times Magazine, Klein describes Jarrett as "ground zero in the Obama operation, the first couple's friend and consigliere." If Obama ran every decision past Jarrett, the decision to plant spies in the Trump campaign certainly was among the most important. Obama's legacy was important to Jarrett, perhaps even more important than to Obama himself. She had to preserve it and ensure that the fundamental transformation of America continued. If Hillary could not win, Trump must be destroyed. Former House speaker Newt Gingrich also finds it inconceivable that the spying operation was launched without Jarrett signing off on it: In a Tuesday appearance on Fox News, Newt Gingrich said that he believed former President Barack Obama and some of his top officials including Valerie Jarrett were involved in spying on Donald Trump's 2016 presidential campaign[.] ... "Presently, someone will figure out to ask what did Valerie Jarrett know and when did she know it?" Gingrich said. "What did Barack Obama know and when did he know it? Because what you're seeing happen is, on every single level and this is what happens with really big scandals they keep on folding and they keep on folding and they keep on folding." Former press secretary Ari Fleischer agrees that such an operation could have been authorized only with the full knowledge of Jarrett and Obama: Former White House Press Secretary Ari Fleischer said Thursday he believes it's highly unlikely that President Obama did not know an FBI informant was in the Trump campaign. "We need to know why did it begin, who authorized it and what role did Barack Obama have. Did he know the FBI had informants there? I'll guarantee you the answer is yes. No FBI would put informants in another presidential campaign without permission from the White House, including the president," he said on "Outnumbered." Can it be believed that, as key players in the Obama administration like Strzok and Page, as well as FBI director James Comey, Deputy Director Andrew McCabe, number four at Justice Bruce Ohr, Attorney General Loretta Lynch, and many others were linked in a vast criminal conspiracy to keep Hillary Clinton out of prison and Donald Trump out of the White House, Barack Obama was blissfully unaware of all this? Rather, it can be plausibly argued that he was orchestrating it perhaps not directly or by explicit orders, but rather by discussing the threat to his legacy Trump represented with his progressive minions and then simply saying, as crime bosses throughout history have done, "You know what needs to be done. Do it." This scandal did not occur in a vacuum any more than did the weaponizing of the IRS to target the Tea Party and other conservative groups before Obama's 2012 re-election campaign occurred in a vacuum. The agencies under Obama's control have been politicized before and used to intimidate and destroy his political opponents This fish is also rotting from the head. Back in April 2016, President Obama gave an interview in which he seemed to have foreknowledge that Hillary Clinton would be exonerated for her "carelessness" and did not "intentionally" mishandle classified emails, words that Comey would use just a few months later: President Obama said Sunday that Hillary Clinton showed "carelessness" by using a private email server, but he also strongly defended his former secretary of state, saying she did not endanger national security, while also vowing that an ongoing FBI investigation into the matter will not be tainted by politics. In an interview on "Fox News Sunday," Mr. Obama seemed to prejudge the outcome of the ongoing inquiry into Mrs. Clinton's email scandal, and he disputed the notion that any of the emails contained classified information of true importance. "She would never intentionally put America in any kind of jeopardy," he said. "What I also know is that there's classified and then there's classified. There's stuff that is really top secret top secret, and then there's stuff that is being presented to the president, the secretary of state, you may not want going out over the wire." National Review contributing editor Andrew McCarthy has long argued that Obama was the ringleader in obstructing justice in the Hillary email investigation: From the first, these columns have argued that the whitewash of the Hillary Clinton-emails caper was President Barack Obama's call not the FBI's, and not the Justice Department's[.] ... The decision was inevitable. Obama, using a pseudonymous email account, had repeatedly communicated with Secretary Clinton over her private, non-secure email account. Why would Obama use a fake email account to communicate with Hillary Clinton? Granted, classified communications between a president and a secretary of state are normal, but not via a fake email account. Were they discussing the fix that was in during her email investigation? McCarthy suggests just such a reason: If Clinton had been charged, Obama's culpable involvement would have been patent. In any prosecution of Clinton, the Clinton-Obama emails would have been in the spotlight. For the prosecution, they would be more proof of willful (or, if you prefer, grossly negligent) mishandling of intelligence. More significantly, for Clinton's defense, they would show that Obama was complicit in Clinton's conduct yet faced no criminal charges. After Trump's victory, Jarrett moved in with Obama and Michelle in their new Washington-area home with the express purpose of organizing the "resistance." Obama's D.C. home was to serve as the nerve center to the resistance to the presidency of Donald Trump. As the Daily Mail reported: Barack Obama is turning his new home in the posh Kalorama section of the nation's capital just two miles away from the White House into the nerve center of the mounting insurgency against his successor, President Donald J. Trump. Obama's goal, according to a close family friend, is to oust Trump from the presidency either by forcing his resignation or through his impeachment. And Obama is being aided in his political crusade by his longtime consigliere, Valerie Jarrett, who has moved into the 8,200-square-foot, $5.3-million Kaloroma mansion with the former president and Michelle Obama, long time best friends. Her power and influence extended from staffing the White House to virtual veto power over foreign policy decisions. Valerie Jarrett undoubtedly had significant input into President Obama's Munich-like deal with Iran, which kicked the nuclear can down the road to assured detonation over Israel, which Iran continues to threaten to wipe off the map when it is not wishing "death to America." Her influence over President Obama is legendary: The Iranian-born Jarrett (her parents were American-born expatriates) is the only staff member who regularly follows the president home from the West Wing to the residence and one of the few people allowed to call the president by his first name. Noam Scheiber, writing in the November 9, 2014 New Republic, called Jarrett "The Obama Whisperer," noting her power and influence and the fear she instilled in other staffers: Even at this late date in the Obama presidency, there is no surer way to elicit paranoid whispers or armchair psychoanalysis from Democrats than to mention the name Valerie Jarrett. Party operatives, administration officials they are shocked by her sheer longevity and marvel at her influence. When I asked a longtime source who left the Obama White House years ago for his impressions of Jarrett, he confessed that he was too fearful to speak with me, even off the record. This is not as irrational as it sounds. Obama has said he consults Jarrett on every major decision, something current and former aides corroborate. "Her role since she has been at the White House is one of the broadest and most expansive roles that I think has ever existed in the West Wing," says Anita Dunn, Obama's former communications director. Broader, even, than the role of running the West Wing. This summer, the call to send Attorney General Eric Holder on a risky visit to Ferguson, Missouri, was made by exactly three people: Holder himself, the president, and Jarrett, who were vacationing together on Martha's Vineyard[.] ... Jarrett holds a key vote on Cabinet picks (she opposed Larry Summers at Treasury and was among the first Obama aides to come around on Hillary Clinton at State) and has an outsize [sic] say on ambassadorships and judgeships[.] ... And Jarrett has been known to enjoy the perks of high office herself. When administration aides plan "bilats," the term of art for meetings of two countries' top officials, they realize that whatever size meeting they negotiate nine by nine, eight by eight, etc. our side will typically include one less foreign policy hand, because Jarrett has a standing seat at any table that includes the president. Valerie Jarrett's hold over President Obama is as mysterious as it has proven dangerous. She is Obama's Rasputin and will have great influence as the former community organizer wages guerrilla warfare from his Washington, D.C. bunker, an operation that includes Spygate. Correction: Valerie Jarret worked for Chicago Mayor Daley the younger Daniel John Sobieski is a freelance writer whose pieces have appeared in Investors Business Daily, Human Events, Reason Magazine, and the Chicago Sun-Times among other publications. In January 1981, Gore Vidal appeared on The Merv Griffin Show where he discussed, among other things, the received "mandate" of Ronald Reagan, who had just come off a historic landslide victory over President Carter two months prior. Deeply insecure a man as Mr. Vidal was, it was apropos that not a minute into the program, he began to lambaste our 40th president in ways both spitefully draconian and superficial: Merv Griffin: We have Mr. Reagan, who's received a mandate from the people. Gore Vidal: Well, he received something. It was certainly better than the old actors' home (laughter). Now, if I were he, to be really shrewd, he ought to let his hair go white, and just suddenly appear, you know, after all those years of that waxy build-up[.] MG: He denies that, and they've come up with proof, and he hasn't touched his hair[.] GV: Oh, well, maybe somebody else touches it[.] The above exchange might strike some as astonishing not only for portending, nearly forty years outward, the crass and vacuous nature of political discourse in the social media age (albeit just a bit more erudite than today's common vernacular), but also in miming the dialogue that can be routinely found on any of today's talk shows almost verbatim, merely swapping the name Reagan for Trump. In modern times, the vitriolic nature of leftist outrage may be used roughly as a gauge for the extent to which a political figure offers an antidote to the liberal status quo. President Trump, much like President Reagan, unquestionably instigates the prevailing liberal establishment, but he does so to a degree that far surpasses anything any one of his conservative (as that term is used in the everyday parlance) predecessors could have done. This is indeed in part due to the blustering character of Donald Trump the man. But there is also something extraordinary about our current president that so antagonizes the mainstream left-wing elite that makes it hard to imagine the Trump legacy undergoing a similar refashioning, which has steadily endeared Reagan, and even George W. Bush, to the mainstream political establishment, at least superficially. That's a good thing. President Trump is regularly portrayed as a knuckle-dragging philistine by his detractors, incapable of commanding the soaring oratory, they say, of Barack Obama or the alleged perspicacity of Bill Clinton. But ironically, it is perhaps because of these qualities that President Trump is the closest thing America has had to a genuine conservative statesman in a long time, if ever. This is because Trump strides in remarkable ways closer to a Buckley-Kirk-Burke embodiment of a traditionalist statesman than even the great Ronald Reagan, who ingrained his traditionalist orthodoxy into a prevailing neoliberal orthopraxy, often prioritizing the former at the expense of the latter, ultimately and especially as the Cold War drew to a close. Indeed, where Reagan had been arguably through the present day our last truly "great" president, his four immediate successors began to slowly dogmatize the globalist consensus, politicking as though such timeless lessons about virtue and human nature, a collective wisdom that sustained and revitalized Western civilization through the ages and for much of America's history, could be expended with, and rapidly. The Edenic liberal global order was postured by its advocates as something of an incontrovertible victory of democratic absolutism over ancient tyranny once and for all. What alleged uniformity and veneer of social stability that had accompanied the neoliberal age of the eighties and nineties proved sufficient to justify expanding the Leviathan which largely refers to the Washington bureaucracy as if it had been accorded a divine mandate. Leviathan's insatiable appetite should be fed almost unthinkingly, or so the reasoning went even as swaths of citizens became increasingly frustrated by such diverse maladies as skyrocketing divorce (and overall disrepair of the traditional family); rising suicide; an opioid epidemic of historic proportions; and a holistic dispensation of institutional religious affiliation that has, for the most part, largely plagued, not liberated, modern people. But the post-recession society and its accompanying symptoms multiculturalism, political correctness, feminism, and new variants of socialism, just to name a few is displaying signs of fatigue across the Western world. This is particularly true in Europe, where sclerotic birthrates and unrestrained immigration, both policy expressions informed by tired sixties ideologies that have over generations been politically and culturally institutionalized, have sown the seeds of a muscular populist movement that has metastasized from east to west. Of course, genuine renewal of civilization will not happen unless coupled with a genuine revival of Christendom that being the emergence of Christ the tiger among the all-encompassing darkness that swaddles much of the West today. Regardless of whether that can or will occur, Donald Trump's ascendancy punctuated what can turn out to be a fatal hole in the neoliberal equilibrium. His presidency, though far from the paragon of genuine Burkeanism politically realized, nevertheless represents a sort of weakness to philosophical liberalism and post-modernism. Put differently, the ideological liberal state, which traces its origins to the French Revolution as a real-time political phenomenon, but whose roots go at least as far back as Machiavelli in modern times, seems to be facing perhaps its greatest trial yet. The vagaries of liberalism have inspired a good deal of modern scholarship in regard to liberalism's character such as Patrick Deneen's recent tome, Why Liberalism Failed. Furthermore, its historical nature, character, and duration have provoked much discussion, such as whether the antecedents of post-Cold War civilizational decay were intrinsic to pre-modernist societies. More concretely, Valery Giscard d'Estaing's spoke to this idea when he said, "There is no question of returning to the pre-1968 situation, first because the pre-1968 situation included the conditions that brought about 1968." Much like Marxism, modern liberalism is essentially historic, in the sense that it is a natural process with a supra-historical vantage point. Indeed, the march of liberalism so frustrated John Quincy Adams in the mid-nineteenth century that it shook the core of his being, imprisoning him with unbridled skepticism that compromised his belief in God and, by extension, an ontological affirmation of human dignity. These realities ultimately raised the question: how could humanity progress at all if man was permanently forsaken to the moral rot that flows from liberalism? In the modern day, we are all the descendants of that rupture in human history that uprooted man from his natural moorings (that is, natural in the classical sense) and precipitated Mr. Adams's agony over his placement in the cosmos. Similarly, as the liberal order erodes around us, we are challenged with ascertaining what a fundamentally post-liberal society "is." The rise of Trump and the transformation to a (less overtly) neoliberal polity, at the very least in the minds and sensibilities of our nation's leader and people, in addition to an increasingly protectionist-nationalist pivot on such matters as trade and immigration, represents a reactionary swan song of a once dominant Pax Americana prepping itself for the inevitable thrust into the den of the dragon. It is that or, less cynically, a sort of vindication that post-liberal or reformed liberal policies (whatever that might entail) can incrementally sustain and help eventually transform the United States into a society that remains democratic, but not liberal, much like ancient Athens. Paul Ingrassia is a graduate of the Fordham University, a former White House intern for President Trump, and a contributor to National Review Online. David Hogg is back at it, doing the only thing he apparently knows, which is mau-mauing business. The youthful gun-control activist staged a "die-in" at Publix in Coral Springs, Florida to protest the grocery retailer's donation to a pro-business Republican candidate who also supports the Second Amendment. Apparently, you can't do that and must work only to elect anti-business leftists, or else Hogg will come protesting, bringing his media gaggle, at you. Hogg's do-this-or-I'll-stage-a-dramatic-protest-and-bring-the-press is nothing but "a shakedown." It doesn't matter that you might be supporting a Republican for business reasons to represent you; you must support leftists or else be declared a mass murderer, all in for the slaughter of high school children. What a bargain. And if you want to talk about divisiveness, and demonizing the opposition, this is how it's done. Sadly, Publix, wary of boycotts, has caved in, apologized for being "divisive," and declared that it has halted all corporate political donations in the service of its business interests. That pretty well ends donations to any Republicans now. Pick a target, freeze it, personalize it, and polarize it, as Saul Alinsky says in his Rules for Radicals, the textbook guide to politically motivated racketeering. Orlando Sentinel columnist David Whitley has an excellent local perspective here. What's frustrating here is that Publix didn't stand up to this little monster, whose piling-on victories have increased his power and public influence not through the force of his ideas (which have no force and which won't lead to any gun control), but through the force of his coercion. He's already shown how immature he is, unable to convey his losing ideas to the public, so now he uses Chicago-style muscle as a frontman for the sleazy left-wing groups financing him. He's not even old enough to remember the nuclear "die-ins" of the Reagan era that inspired this stunt against Publix but the moneybags backing him are. Now he's got a new battery to go pull another stunt on some new hapless business as well as make other companies think twice before giving to Republicans. Would having a one-party state premised on leftist ideas help America? Would turning it into California or Venezuela be helpful? Maybe he can ask some of his Venezuelan-American classmates or his former California classmates about that one. In the meantime, one can only pity Hogg for his ever worsening downslide, from Parkland survivor kid to awful shakedown activist, and wonder if the bad course is really the result of his rage at not being able to get into the college of his choice. Eric Hoffer used to write about such disappointed fanatics, and the result is never pretty. USA Today has a story headlined, "The feds lost yes, lost 1475 migrant children." But did they really? Rich Lowry at National Review supplies the necessary beat down: It's a piece that's a pretty good example of how "fake news" works there's some factual basis for the claim, but it's exaggerated or misunderstood, and then fed into the maw of the perpetual outrage cycle, in this case about the alleged extreme carelessness and heartlessness of the Trump administration toward migrant children. Some background: As we all know, in recent years there has been a flood of "unaccompanied children" (UAC) showing up at the border. The U.S. government attempts to unite UAC with a parent or close relative in the U.S. The HHS program to do this is longstanding and long pre-dated the Trump administration. Given the size of the migrant flow, the scale of this task is enormous. The USA Today piece cites this congressional testimony by HHS official Steven Wagner who oversees the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) as its source. Wagner relates the numbers. The truth is a lot less dramatic. The majority of illegal alien children (UACs) are released into the custody of a "sponsor" usually a relative. Some, however, are held at detention centers, most for less than two months. The ORR tries to keep track of the kids and their sponsors. And this is where USA Today got its bogus number of "lost" children." From October to December 2017, ORR attempted to reach 7,635 UAC and their sponsors. Of this number, ORR reached and received agreement to participate in the safety and well-being call from approximately 86 percent of sponsors. From these calls, ORR learned that 6,075 UAC remained with their sponsors. Twenty-eight UAC had run away, five had been removed from the United States, and 52 had relocated to live with a non-sponsor. ORR was unable to determine with certainty the whereabouts of 1,475 UAC. Based on the calls, ORR referred 792 cases, which were in need of further assistance, to the National Call Center for additional information and services. Since most of the kids end up with a parent or close relative (who may be illegal themselves and don't want to make contact with the government), the idea that they are "lost" because of an uncaring, evil Trump administration is ridiculous. Of course, all the context is left out of the USA Today piece, which at one point falsely says, "the federal government has lost yes, lost 1,475 migrant children in its custody." But these children weren't in HHS custody. They were placed with sponsors that HHS vetted. It'd obviously be better if HHS could locate all of the sponsors in its follow-up. Some of them surely moved, and perhaps others, if they or family members are illegal immigrants, may not want to be in further contact with authorities. I'm sure this program can be improved in all sort of ways, like all government programs. But the root of the problem is that unaccompanied children are showing up at our border, a situation that is fraught with peril. We should be doing all we can to stop that flow so a federal bureaucracy doesn't have responsibility for finding adults to care for them, but the same people frothing with outrage over the USA Today piece have very little interest in trying to do that. This story has nothing to do with immigration, or the treatment of illegal alien children. It has everything to do with making the administration look bad, even at the expense of context and the truth. That's the definition of "fake news." From Purdue University president Mitch Daniels's May 12 commencement address (Wall Street Journal, Notable and Quotable, May 19): The last few Mays, I've found myself issuing the same caution to each departing class. I've pointed out that ... they are now aristocrats ... a new aristocracy of a knowledge economy, with membership conferred by unusual cognitive skills, augmented by a superior education, like Purdue's. Because members of this hierarchy tend to work, dwell, and socialize with each other, marry each other, and have children just like each other's children, they unintentionally segregate from their "less blessed, less well educated fellow citizens." Daniels urges graduates to resist this tendency. "It's a shame to go through life with a narrow range of human interactions, and all one can learn from those who are different." But, he warns, there is a more worrisome dimension to this self-segregation. It's no longer just a matter of Americans not knowing and understanding each other. We've seen these clusters deepen, and harden, until separation has led to anger, misunderstanding turned into hostility. When individuals form tribes for survival and respond violently to the presence of outsiders, anthropologists call this phenomenon "tribalism." Ambrose Bierce's 1913 "Ashes of the Beacon: An Historical Monograph Written in 4930" portrays a world where self-segregation descends into tribalism and anarchy. Of the many causes that conspired to bring about the lamentable failure of "self-government" in ancient America the most general and comprehensive was, of course, the impractical nature of the system itself. To us today it is clear that the word "self-government" involves a contradiction, for government means control by something other than the thing to be controlled. When the thing governed is the same as the thing governing there is no government, though for a time there may be ... a considerable degree of forbearance, giving a misleading appearance of public order. When men perceive that nothing is restraining them but their consent to be restrained, then at last there is nothing to obstruct the free play of that selfishness which is the dominant characteristic and fundamental motive of human nature and human action respectively. Politics ... becomes a struggle of interests, and its methods are frankly serviceable to personal and class advantage. Patriotism and respect for the law pass like a tale that is told. Anarchy, no longer disguised as 'government by consent,' reveals his hidden hand. The result? In the end, "all the horrors incident to intestinal wars ... had so exhausted ... the surviving protagonists of legitimate government that they could make no further head against the inevitable, and were glad indeed ... to accept life on any terms that they could obtain" from the "gracious sovereign." Daniels references one essayist who wrote, "Tribalism is the default human experience[.] ... The notion of living alongside people who do not look like us and treating them as our fellows was meaningless for most of human history." Does today's identity politics augur an American dystopia? It's nothing we didn't know already, but an inspector general's report on Afghanistan reconstruction has found that after 15 years and $5 billion, the effort has largely failed. NBCNews: The Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) says the U.S. set unrealistic expectations for stabilizing Afghanistan on a short timeline, that the Obama administration lacked the political will to invest the necessary time and effort to stabilize the country, and that some efforts to bolster the Afghan government actually backfired. "[Our] overall assessment is that despite some heroic efforts to stabilize insecure and contested areas in Afghanistan between 2002 and 2017, the program mostly failed," said John Sopko, head of SIGAR, at a Thursday morning event announcing the report. The report examines stabilization efforts from 2002, soon after the U.S. began military operations in the country, to 2017. In 2003, the U.S. launched a counterinsurgency mission in Afghanistan that would come to include a clear-hold-build strategy. U.S. forces were instructed to clear an area, hold it and then build institutions. The report says the effort proved ineffective in stabilization because the military focused on the most dangerous districts first, where poor security made it hard to move on to the building phase. U.S. civilian agencies were compelled to conduct their stabilization programs in dangerous areas not ready for rebuilding, and once coalition troops and civilians left those districts the stabilization ended. Some efforts to introduce increased Afghan government control also produced unintended consequences, according to the report, because they created more opportunities for corruption. By 2008, the security situation in much of the country had deteriorated and insurgent attacks began to mount. Despite herculean efforts to train the Afghan army and police, the security situation is worse today than it has ever been. The Afghan government controls very little territory, with the Taliban and corrupt warlords ruling the rest. Certainly, there have been some local successes. But overall, the situation is grim. As of last October, 56% of Afghan territory was either under direct control or under the influence of the Taliban. Whole provinces have succumbed. Efforts to negotiate with the Taliban have so far been futile. Trump is not going to send 50,000 troops back to Afghanistan in order to stabilize the country. And while some units are performing well, the Afghan army as a whole is just not up to the challenge to local security posed by the Taliban. Should we face facts and withdraw the remaining troops, reduce U.S. aid, and abandon the Afghan government to the Taliban? It's something that certainly should be considered. Obviously reacting to President Trump's cancelation of the scheduled June 12 summit meeting with Kim Jong-un, President Moon Jae-in met with the North Korean leader again on the North Korean side of the Demilitarized Zone. The U.K. Guardian reports: South Korean president Moon Jae-in crossed into the north at the border village of Panmunjom, where the two met for the first time in April, according to Moon's office. The two leaders discussed the potential US-North Korea summit, which Trump cancelled on Thursday, as well as implementing the joint statement that was released at the end of their earlier summit. The surprise meeting highlighted Moon's efforts to get the historic summit back on track, and showed inter-Korea relations are in a far better state than those between Washington and Pyongyang. On Friday, Trump made a partial climbdown, saying the summit could still be held in Singapore on 12 June if conditions are right. Photos released by the South Korean presidential office showed the two leaders embracing, shaking hands amid opulent decor and holding intimate discussions, accompanied by just a single aide each. Moon is expected to announce further details of the meeting on Sunday morning. We don't know who first proposed the meeting, nor do we know any detail about what was discussed. But it seems clear that both leaders want the summit to go forward, which is probably what Trump wants. They now need to please him, after all. A foreign policy dispute is escalating between Saudi Arabia and Germany, over Germany's criticisms of the kingdom's Middle East policies aimed at confronting allies of Iran in Yemen, Lebanon, and elsewhere. Der Spiegel reports: [T]he once-positive relationship between Saudi Arabia and Germany has worsened. Six months ago, Riyadh withdrew its ambassador from Germany and he still hasn't returned. There has been little open discussion of the reasons behind the conflict[.] ... Young crown prince Mohammed bin Salman, known as MBS for short, appears to be "deeply offended" by the German government, says Daues, who adds that his information comes from confidants in Riyadh. Relations between the two countries began souring last November when then-German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel spoke of spreading "political adventurism" in the Middle East, a remark many thought was aimed at Saudi Arabia. The impression was widespread at the time that Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri was being held against his will in Riyadh and that he was being strong-armed by the rulers there to step down. ... Berlin is determined to stick with the nuclear deal despite U.S. President Donald Trump's announcement he will withdraw from it, whereas there is deep-seated distrust of the government in Tehran in Riyadh. It may be that the Saudi crown prince views Germany's conduct as criticism of his governance. Sources close to him say that a relaxed attitude toward differences of opinion is not one of the prince's strong points. Whatever the fate of German contracts with Iran, Germany's exporters have a lot to lose in Saudi Arabia. Reuters reports: Siemens last year won an order worth around $400 million to deliver five gas turbines for a combined heat and power plant being built in Saudi Arabia. Daimler soon after secured an order for 600 MercedesBenz Citaro buses from Saudi bus operator SAPTCO. A senior German businessman in Saudi Arabia, who asked to remain anonymous, told Reuters on Friday that especially the healthcare sector was currently feeling added scrutiny when applying for Saudi tenders. "They have even been asking: Where are the products coming from? Are they made in Germany? Do you have other manufacturing sites? And as soon as this is made in Germany, they have been rejecting any German applications for tender," the person said. Germany is Saudi Arabia's top trade partner in the E.U. and has enjoyed an export surplus. From Der Spiegel's account, it appears that Chancellor Merkel is attempting to de-escalate, but MBS is truly angered: German Chancellor Angela Merkel has since had a telephone conversation with the crown prince in which she assured her personal regard for the prince and said she was looking forward to future cooperation with the kingdom. Gabriel also stated repeatedly before leaving office in March that his remark about Middle East adventurism had not been specifically aimed at Riyadh. Diplomatic notes have since been exchanged and meetings between ambassadors held. But none of that has sufficed. Sources inside the palace in Riyadh say they are expecting an "apology." "The Saudis are a proud people and they are also very sensitive to criticism," says landscape architect Bieler, who has long been familiar with the country's culture. Once again, as with the crime wave engendered by allowing in a million "refugees" (mostly military-age young Muslim males), German citizens and companies are learning that there can be a heavy cost to virtue-signaling. Mouthing an old trope dating from his time in office and ever since, former President Obama declared at a Vegas conference that he had a scandal-free administration, quite unlike President Trump. Supposedly, it was now a joke. According to Newsweek: "I didn't have scandals, which seems like it shouldn't be something you brag about," Obama joked. President Donald Trump's presidency has thus far been racked with scandalous allegations, but Obama later hedged his barb. "But actually," he said, "if you look at the history of the modern presidency, coming out of the modern presidency without anybody going to jail is really good. It's a big deal." I don't see anything to joke about with that phony claim, given that he's mouthed it quite a few times before, and not as a joke. What's more, he made that mendacious claim just as he was being paid big dollars at the Las Vegas conference itself, which, as most Americans know, is typically a disguised bribe for some favors performed earlier and in itself a scandal. His fees are reportedly $400,000, which is nice money for a few minutes of speaking work. Saying his administration was scandal-free is something he says every few weeks, it seems he said it in March, here; and in February, here; in January, here; and in quite a few other instances, such as shortly after President Trump was elected, here. Even the Washington Post's fact-checker, Glenn Kessler, declines to give Obama a pass on that one, citing differences in point of view. But more to the point, his claim isn't even true: it was rife with crony business deals, described here. There were major policy scandals, such as the subordination of embassy security abroad to the need to shill a "narrative" about al-Qaeda being on the run in time for elections, as happened in Benghazi. There was the monstrous Solyndra green energy scandal where business cronies left taxpayers on the hook for hundreds of millions of dollars and made out like bandits themselves. There was the gunrunning scandal of Fast and Furious, which allowed guns to move into the hands of Mexican cartels, leading to the death of a U.S. border agent. Nobody was punished, of course. There was the scandal of the emails at the Environmental Protection Agency, where officials illegally used pseudonyms to evade Freedom of Information Act laws and got away with it. There was Hillary Clinton's illegal private server, set up to evade laws the same way, which created a vast opening for foreign hackers and espionage of top secrets, with Obama willingly participating in the communications. There was the IRS targeting of political dissidents and the lies to cover it up again, completely unpunished. There were the "lost" emails of the FBI, of the IRS, and Hillary Clinton herself while she was at the Department of State. There were the smashing of BlackBerries with hammers again, to evade transparency laws and lawmen, too. There was Clinton's pay-to-play foundation-State Department nexus, corruption of the highest variety, and an investigation squelched due to Obama's politicization of the FBI. There was Obama's politicization of intelligence reports to say what he wanted on the war front, as well as his weaponization of the intelligence agencies to spy on political opponents and reporters. It turns out some of his people did go to jail, or were headed there for leaks and he pardoned them to keep them out such as his "favorite" general here. But according to Obama, the fact that no one was ever punished is the actual justification for his claim that he never had scandals. The fact that no one was ever punished is perhaps the biggest scandal of his administration. What we are seeing here is three things. One, Obama is not embarrassed by any of his scandals, Chicago-style or otherwise. As the blogger at ThyBlackMan writes: Obama's claims always come with a subtle caveat. His administration didn't have "a scandal that embarrassed us," or they didn't have "a major scandal." But, my favorite nuance from his super-secret appearance in Boston was when he said, "Generally speaking, you didn't hear about a lot of drama inside our White House." He's right about that point. As I document in my forthcoming book, The Scandalous Presidency of Barack Obama, there were over two dozen scandals over the course of Obama's presidency, and they were all downplayed or ignored by the mainstream media. Two, Obama claims he had no scandals because he allowed no consequences, no matter what anyone ever did, no matter what laws they broke, which is not an argument to claim he had no scandals. In fact, as a leftist, he tended to let all kinds of miscreants and plagues on society off scot-free, starting with Bradley Manning and moving on to all the criminals he let out via pardons, at least some of whom have resumed their lives of crime. It was quite a pattern with him and signaled an inclination toward lawlessness, which only grew as his administration continued. Three, Obama had a pliant press covering up for him, as the Washington Times notes in an op-ed about the latest garbage from him, headlined "Not so fast Obama, your biggest scandal is unfolding before our eyes." Yet, to paraphrase the immortal words of Chelsea Clinton, he persists. Why does he keep claiming he had no scandals? It's obvious that his administration had scandals. He seems to think that by repeating a lie over and over again, he can eventually make it true, in an echo of the Nazi and Stalinist wisdom. He's all about "narratives," after all. But in laying down the marker that scandals are only scandals if someone goes to jail and he, in his Chicago-style governance, always kept his lawbreaking friends out of jail and seems to be proud of it he also lays a trap for himself. How does President Trump smack this liar down and shut down his lies? By launching prosecutions of his top miscreants, something Obama is convinced will never happen, making his claims a sort of dare. Apparently, he doesn't know Trump very well, because Trump is the kind of guy who might just do it. With the stream of lies about a scandal-free administration, the path is now clear that it's time to clean house on the continuous lawbreaking of Obama officials that hasn't been punished a whit. It's time to create consequences for those who thumb their nose at the law, justified only by a compliant press and their own left-wingery. Obama just gave President Trump the green light. Tommy Robinson, a well known political activist warning of the dangers of Islamic extremism, was arrested Friday while doing a live-feed report online about the trial of Muslim gang members accused of grooming young girls for a prostitution ring. Metro U.K. reports: The co-founder of EDL[i] livestreamed 'reports' from outside Leeds Crown Court for an hour this morning. He showed men entering the court on Facebook until he was approached by officers telling him to stop. In a separate video, the far-right activist is filmed being led away by police, arresting him for an alleged breach of the peace and incitement. He's heard asking one of his supporters: 'Can you get me a solicitor? 'This is ridiculous, I haven't said a word. I've done nothing.' He's then filmed asking the police officers if he's being arrested on 'contempt of court'. Before he's bundled into the van, he says: 'Someone laid their hand and assaulted me outside court. 'Other people have sworn at me and threatened me about my mother and here I am being arrested for saying nothing.' A tweet from Nick Monroe captures a now deleted tweet from Caolan Robertson in which he reports that Tommy Robinson was sentenced to 13 months in prison, which would imply either a ridiculously speedy trial or no trial at all. This sentence has not been confirmed in any reports that I can find, although Ezra Levant of Canada's Rebel Media references it in a video embedded at the bottom of this report. Today Tommy Robinson was arrested and sentenced to 13 months in jail for the simple act of reporting on the grooming gang situation in Britain. I wrote about the police's history of abusing their powers with Tommy Robinson here https://t.co/CxPI0OHH3g pic.twitter.com/1IKmFltzyb Nick Monroe (@nickmon1112) May 25, 2018 Katie Hopkins has tweeted her fears (shared by many others) that Robinson will be murdered in custody, as he is an object of hate by many Muslims: Tommy warned us about these rape gangs. You laughed and called him a racist Tommy will die in prison at the hands of these gangs. You will laugh and say it served him right Then you will remember YOU have a daughter #TommyRobinson https://t.co/CkT9s3UA5i Katie Hopkins (@KTHopkins) May 25, 2018 The Rotherham child exploitation scandal referenced in the call Hopkins takes in the video on her tweet was a horrific example of British police deliberately ignoring widespread exploitation of young girls by Muslim gangs. Wikipedia has a summary, and Google will reveal much more on this earlier example of official repression of those who would "disturb the peace" with truthful accounts of misbehavior by Muslims in Britain. As most people know, there is no First Amendment in the U.K. Nick Kangadis of the Media Research Center pulls no punches: The U.K. has become an authoritarian state. While everyone ridiculously fawns over royal weddings, authorities in Britain are arresting people for shedding light on atrocities that the government doesn't want people to know about. Here is Ezra Levant's commentary on the arrest: Photo credit: Facebook. [i] The English Defense League. Robinson later broke with the group. Now, here's an issue President Trump can sink his teeth in: telling lazy, shiftless, underperforming federal bureaucrats the two words that made him famous: "you're fired!" Owing the charmers of the Deep State nothing, Trump has gotten right on to that task of getting rid of these do-nothing sinecures whose lives of ease would get them thrown out of anything in the private sector except perhaps a union job. According to Bloomberg: President Donald Trump signed executive orders restricting the activities of unions that represent many of the U.S. governments 2.1 million employees, the White House said. One of the three orders signed on Friday limits the amount of official time federal employees can spend on union duties to no more than 25 percent. It also requires the federal government to start charging union members rent for using space in federal buildings, to stop paying employees for the cost of lobbying the federal government, and to more aggressively negotiate union contracts. Bloomberg reports that the executive orders represent a smorgasbord of goodies the shiftless bureaucrats and the unions that protect them will no longer be able to belly up to. These include: No more doing-nothing bureaucrats spending all their time on union business (which likely includes sleazy left-wing activism, endorsements of Democratic candidates, and thugcraft) while being paid for full-time federal salaries by taxpayers. They call it "official time." Unions represent union members and union members alone, and it's just incredible to think so many of them are getting full federal salaries with all those fat, thick, union-negotiated bennies, while giving nothing in return to the taxpayers who foot their bills while making much less money. If the bureaucrats want to have a union to represent their interests at the expense of ours, then they can at least pay for it. Actually, they shouldn't exist at all, given their mission to serve taxpayers instead of their own interests, but that is a battle for another day. There's an end to the inflated salaries of tour guides, ice cream-scoopers, and other low-skilled employees of contractors, who are otherwise required by law to pay these unskilled workers much more than the value of their work in the free market. Nice work for those who can get it. As for the rest of us, we pay that premium and get less of value than we would in the real world for such costs. Lastly, and this is the good one, there's a narrowing of the "improvement period" to 30 days of scummy lowlife federal workers who are so bad they end up on the improvement period list, and I am sure it takes a lot of bad performance to do that. In the past, they were getting as much as 120 days to clean up their acts, and of course, few ever get fired. One hopes these regulations will apply to the postal service, for one, although, as a independent agency, it's quite likely they won't. But what it will put the brakes on is do-nothing Department of Education bureaucrats who take four-hour lunches, the immigration service creeps who repeatedly lose legal immigrants' paperwork and say racist things to white applicants, and maybe the corrupt immigration officials who take bribes from illegals to get in, as well as commit other crimes. Because these people apparently can never be fired, at least, not until they are put away in the slammer and the unions can no longer defend them. The unions have ensured their jobs are always safe and their salaries are always high, convinced that Democrats will always be in power to defend their self-centered interests. Naturally, the unions are screaming bloody murder instead of cleaning up their acts and adjusting to the idea that performance at taxpayer expense actually matters. Too often they defend the worst of these sinecures due to their political loyalty and end up running government as a gang , rewarding shiftlessness and incompetence in exchange for loyalty. There's a big problem here, because unionized federal workers, especially the stupid, uneducated ones, make grossly more than average taxpayer in salary and benefits, and as an added bonus, they cannot be fired. In the past, government workers contented themselves with lower salaries and higher job security, but now they make more than normal people and provide less in value to the taxpayers. Trump's move is a welcome one that is sure to be an election point, as well as popular. Anyone who has had to deal with rude, shiftless, do-nothing, or corrupt bureaucrats is going to cheer. Taxpayers win big with this one. Evoking memories of Ronald Reagan, Donald Trump addressed the graduating class of the Naval Academy, giving a full-throated defense of U.S. history, saying, "We are not going to apologize for America." Newsweek: "Together there is nothing Americans can't do, absolutely nothing," Trump told 2018 graduates of the U.S. Naval Academy. "In recent years, and even decades, too many people have forgotten that truth. They've forgotten that our ancestors trounced an empire, tamed a continent, and triumphed over the worst evils in history." He added: "America is the greatest fighting force for peace, justice and freedom in the history of the world. We have become a lot stronger lately. We are not going to apologize for America. We are going to stand up for America." You didn't really think Newsweek would let that pass unchallenged, did you? Before Europeans arrived in what became the United States, Native Americans occupied the land but were forced to relinquish territory as the new Americans pushed westward as part of what was termed "manifest destiny." In 1830, President Andrew Jackson signed the Indian Removal Act, which led to the deaths of thousands of Native Americans. Reminds me of that scene in Airplane II where the gayish air traffic control operator was asked for an update from Robert Stack's McCroskey for "absolutely everything that's happened up till now." Jacobs: Well, let's see. First the earth cooled. And then the dinosaurs came, but they got too big and fat, so they all died and they turned into oil. And then the Arabs came and they bought Mercedes Benzes. And Prince Charles started wearing all of Lady Di's clothes. I couldn't believe it. Newsweek's analysis of U.S. history was about as sophisticated. Trump previously caused controversy when he held an event honoring Native Americans in the Oval Office last November with a portrait of Jackson in the background. Trump has regularly praised Jackson, although at times with a questionable grasp of history. He has also repeatedly referred to Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren, who has claimed Native American heritage," as "Pocahontas." "A nation must have pride in its history to have confidence in its future," Trump said Friday. The president's comments mirrored a tweet he sent out in March celebrating National Agriculture Day. "Our Nation was founded by farmers," he wrote. "Our independence was won by farmers. And our continent was tamed by farmers. Our farmers always lead the way we are PROUD of them, and we are DELIVERING for them! #NationalAgricultureDay. Well, no, the president's comments about agriculture did not "mirror" his patriotic sentiments, except in the sense that he was praising America, and that's a no-no. I get it. You simply can't talk about America this way. How about slavery? How about racism? How about genocide? How about oppressing women, child labor, anti-immigrant bias, denying workers' rights...? Did I mention racism? There is absolutely nothing wrong with celebrating America's monumental achievements and its immensely positive impact on the human race without bringing up our many and varied sins. There is absolutely nothing wrong with pointing out American exceptionalism or our contributions to peace and freedom in the world. These things are historical facts whether the left likes it or not. It speaks to the complexity of our history that these accomplishments exist side by side with our sins. But they do, and to highlight nothing but the negative without bringing up the positive is simple-minded and juvenile. Trump's Reaganesque speech is exactly what those graduates needed to hear. Android 8.0 Oreo is now hitting unlocked variants of the Moto Z and Moto Z Play in the United States, with numerous users reporting they started receiving the operating system update earlier this week. The two handsets were already upgraded to Oreo in select markets such as India and Brazil earlier this spring as part of Motorolas soak tests, with the stateside rollout being expected to take several days until its completed. Originally released in September of 2016 with Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow before being upgraded to Android 7.1.1 Nougat a year later, the Moto Z and Moto Z Play are now reaching their end-of-life in terms of software support and neither handset is expected to be officially upgraded to Android P after the next major iteration of Googles mobile OS hits the stable channel in the third quarter of the year. The Lenovo-owned tech giant has often been criticized for its software support practices, with reviewers and consumers highlighting them as the most obvious weakness of its product portfolio which is otherwise largely oriented on value-focused offerings delivering a positive features-to-price ratio. The Moto Z and Moto Z Play are both highly illustrative examples of that problem, with Motorola first promising theyll receive their Oreo upgrades last fall but taking eight months to deliver them. While announcing its first 2018 smartphones last month, the original equipment manufacturer said its also working on a new Beta Experiences program meant to provide enthusiasts with early versions of its software and possibly address some of the aforementioned criticism. The beta initiative has yet to launch and no firm details on the endeavor have yet been provided by the company. Motorola remains the fastest-selling unlocked phone brand in the U.S. where its currently attempting to mimic its Latin America business model, its newly appointed President Sergio Buniac said last month. The companys next Android smartphone is expected to launch next week as the modular Moto Z3 Play. Chinas antitrust watchdog is set to approve Qualcomms proposed acquisition of Dutch NXP Semiconductors valued at $44 billion, The Wall Street Journal reports, citing sources with knowledge of the development. Beijing is the last party required to greenlight the deal that would allow Qualcomm to diversify beyond smartphone chips in a much more aggressive manner and was initially announced in late 2016. The prolonged nature of antitrust reviews the tie-up was subjected to already annoyed Qualcomm investors to the point that many of them were prepared to sell the company to Broadcom before President Trump blocked the technology industrys largest ever proposed takeover initially valued at $121 billion. Beijing is said to have accelerated its review of the NXP deal earlier this month, possibly as a precursor to its trade negotiations with Washington. The report claiming its competition regulator is now prepared to greenlight the merger comes less than a day after ZTE reached an agreement with the Trump administration over returning to business and replacing the Commerce Departments crippling seven-year denial order preventing it from purchasing American technologies with a string of concessions, including a $1.3 billion fine due to violations of U.S. trade sanctions on Iran and Korea, as well as subsequent failure to comply with the terms of a 2017 settlement meant to put an end to the matter. Chinas State Administration for Market Regulation will be holding a meeting over the deal review on Monday after spending the weekend meeting with Qualcomms legal representatives, as per the new report. The final details regarding concessions Qualcomm will agree to in order to see the consolidation approved should be agreed by then, with Beijings official approval hence being expected to be officially announced next week. Besides the NXP acquisition, Qualcomm is planning to create additional shareholder value through new stock repurchases in the near future, the company said earlier this year. Its presently unclear whether its ousted Chairman Paul Jacobs is any closer to realizing his ambitions of taking the chipmaker private with a buyout, which is what industry insiders claimed he was seeking in March. Eric Schmidt said Elon Musks concerns over artificial intelligence (AI) are wrong. The comments were made as part of the VivaTech 2018 conference which is currently underway in Paris, France. While Schmidt might not have intended to call out Musk on the issue, the comments were made in response to a question posed to Schmidt on Musks previous comments on the potential threat of AI. The exact phase Schmidt used was Musk is exactly wrong and padded this out by explaining how Musk does not understand the benefits AI has to offer. And not just at the individual level where Schmidt argues AI will make every human smarter, but also at the humanity level with Schmidt stating AI and machine learning are so fundamentally good. Arguing it helps people to live longer and in less pain, it makes every citizen smarter, and economic and social systems more fluid. In fact, in relation to anyone that is concerned about AIs potential threat, Schmidt likened the creation and development of AI to that of the telephone (and the internet in earlier comments in the same interview), suggesting that it would have been wrong to not develop the telephone simply because it could have the potential for misuse by evil people. On this point, Schmidt made the case the concerns many have are more related to the policing of AI, than avoidance of its use in general. When talking on this, however, Schmidt did acknowledge he does have some concerns about the misuse of AI, although the overwhelming benefit he sees from the technology outweighs those concerns. As for Musk, the CEO of SpaceX CEO has made it clear that he feels AI brings with it real concerns that need to be addressed, and has even called on those in power to look to regulate its use proactively and before the threat becomes a reality. For example, one of the possible causes of the next World War. While also taking aim at some of those in the industry who are leading the AI charge including Facebooks own Mark Zuckerberg, suggesting the Facebook CEOs understanding of AI is limited. Advertisement https://youtu.be/QgeWFQVRnWk Samsung and Apples legal battle may finally be over after a jury at the U.S. Northern California District Court in San Jose decided that Samsung would need to pay $539 million for patent infringement damages. For those who may not have been following the case, the claims of patent infringement originated in 2011 and center around at least five Apple design patents. Although the case was lost for Samsung near the beginning, in 2012, court proceedings and trials have continued as the Korean tech giant fought for a reduction in damages. Those were originally set at $1 billion before a Supreme Court case ruled that Samsung would only need to pay out for the portion of profits. More directly, that portion needed to be determined based on the income derived from the components for which patents were infringed. While this isnt necessarily good news for Samsung, it isnt bad news either. Originally, Apple had sought $2.5 billion in damages. Through initial litigation and subsequent appeals processes, Samsung was able to work that number down to just under $1 billion at $930 million. From there, the figure has consistently lowered with each court case. So, although the final outcome of this case is set at $539 million in damages, thats a significantly lower number. Perhaps more important, however, is that the current general consensus is that Apple effectively proved its case. Namely, it was able to prove that an overall design can be infringed as easily as individual components. With nearly every smartphone on the planet Apple-branded devices included utilizing the same components and same basic layout for those components, this could set a relatively difficult to overcome precedent. In the shortest possible terms, it will at very least create additional strain for companies that are trying to make headway in the mobile world. Worse scenarios might include problems with consistency from device to device or a resurgence of patent wars in the technology industry. Neither of those is guaranteed but each is a concern from this ruling. Conversely, Samsung could still appeal this ruling despite that the current fees are well within its ability to pay. As unlikely as that prospect seems at this juncture, and although nobody wants to see this case dragged out for another 7 years or more, it hasnt been taken off the table. In the meantime, with any luck, the new decision concludes this case which arguably already carried on for far too long. A real-life image depicting the boot screen of a Samsung-made Android smartphone called the Galaxy A9 Star Lite appeared online on Saturday, having first emerged on Chinese social media network Weibo. The photograph that can be seen above suggests the existence of a previously unreported device from the South Korean tech giant and yet another product from the company that apparently features an Infinity Display, which is how Samsung refers to its Super AMOLED panels with an elongated 18.5:9 aspect ratio. The name of the handset is indicative of a budget-friendly offering meant to compete in the entry-level or lower mid-range segment of the market. Samsungs first Star-branded Android phone debuted in the form of the Galaxy Star (GT-S5282) announced over half a decade ago running Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean. The Seoul-based original equipment manufacturer is presently also said to be working on the Galaxy A8 Star, as suggested by a number of recent rumors and product certificates, though the newly leaked handset may be exclusive to the Chinese market. Samsung has been releasing China-only devices for many years now, having doubled down on that strategy in recent times after being pushed out to the verge of irrelevancy in the worlds largest smartphone market. The Galaxy A9 Lite features an edge-to-edge screen and relatively minimal top and bottom bezels, as well as a single front-facing camera. While the vast majority of contemporary handsets from the company ship with support for artificial intelligence assistant Bixby, not all of them have an extra physical button for activating the digital companion, and the Galaxy A9 Lite appears to be part of that group. Samsung traditionally announces new mobile products on an almost monthly basis, with the Galaxy A9 Lite being likely to debut by the end of the year, possibly as a more affordable alternative to a new lineup meant to succeed the Galaxy A8 series launched in late 2017. The companys next Android flagship is widely expected to be announced in early September or late August as the Galaxy Note 9. The most premium variant of Samsungs Galaxy Note 9 may feature 8GB of RAM and 512GB of storage space, known industry insider from China said earlier today, asserting users may see that memory configuration if theyre lucky. While the source in question has a largely positive track record with leaks related to Samsungs products, the wording of their latest statement indicates the aforementioned specs havent yet been decided on and are only being considered by the South Korean tech giant. The base model of the Galaxy Note 9 is still expected to debut with 6GB of LPDDR4 RAM and 64GB of storage space, much like its predecessor did last year. The same insider previously said Samsung will introduce at least one new smartphone color with the Galaxy Note 9 lineup, with its official name being Teddy Brown, thus indicating the Seoul-based phone maker will be delivering a brown Android flagship for the first time since 2013 and the Galaxy S4. The upcoming phablet is expected to utilize the same chips the Galaxy S9 series does, i.e. feature Qualcomms Snapdragon 845 in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and China, as well as Samsungs own Exynos 9810 in other markets. A microSD card slot should also be part of the package, supporting up to 2TB of additional storage, though consumer-ready solutions are still capped at 400GB. The Galaxy Note 9 is expected to retain the dual-camera setup of its predecessor but it remains to be seen whether Samsung delivers another variable-aperture lens like it did with the Galaxy S9 family. An in-display fingerprint reader likely wont be included, with Samsung reportedly still working on refining an ultrasonic take on such a solution and planning on commercializing it with the Galaxy S10 and Galaxy S10 Plus early next year. The companys next Android flagship should debut with a significantly improved version of its artificial intelligence assistant which its provisionally referring to as Bixby 2.0, Samsung mobile chief DJ Koh said earlier this year. No firm release dates have yet been attached to the Galaxy Note 9, though the phablet is widely expected to launch in late August or early September, most likely at this years IFA trade show, with the Galaxy Note 8 being announced at the same Berlin, Germany-based event last year. President Trump on Friday confirmed an agreement has been reached between Washington and Chinas tech giant ZTE that will allow the company to get back into business, exchanging its seven-year ban on purchasing American hardware and software with a $1.3 billion fine, board and management changes, high level [sic] security guarantees, and a pledge to buy more U.S. components moving forward. The President also criticized New York Senator Chuck Schumer and the former Obama administration for allowing ZTE to flourish with no security checks, maintaining he did more to address the situation than the previous government. The President previously related the ZTE episode to broader trade negotiations between Washington and Beijing, with the latter being the majority owner of the publicly traded company and President Xi Jinping personally pushing the United States to help return the smartphone and telecom equipment maker back to business. ZTEs main operations were halted earlier this month as its inability to continue purchasing Qualcomms Snapdragon chips and licensing an up-to-date version of Googles Android operating system, among other things, effectively crippled the entirety of its mobile division. President Trumps willingness to assist the company in having the denial order lifted drew criticism from both his political opponents and members of the Republican party, including Florida Senator Marco Rubio. Political actors opposing the lifeline deal claim the move provides little benefit to the U.S. and describe ZTE as a national security threat. The Commerce Department sanctioned ZTE due to its failure to comply with a 2017 settlement over an admitted conspiracy to violate U.S. trade sanctions imposed on Iran and North Korea where the company has been importing products using American technologies as late as 2016. The federal regulator also accused the Shenzhen-based firm of repeatedly lying to its investigators, whereas ZTE argued its inability to adhere with the terms of the settlement was unintentional and self-reported to Washington after being identified, thus concluding the initial penalty was unfair. Advertisement The current draft of the National Defense Authorization Act contains a clause that effectively requires congressional approval for the reversal on the ZTE issue to be realized, yet the lifeline deal is presently facing significant bipartisan opposition in both the House and Senate. Its presently unclear whether the White House will attempt having the provision in question removed. Earlier this month, the Pentagon issued a directive preventing retailers in and near its military bases in the country and abroad from selling ZTE and Huawei phones, citing national security risks. Critics are arguing that a monetary fine and other concessions Washington negotiated with ZTE dont protect American security in any shape or form. ZTE repeatedly dismissed the notion of being a used as a spying tool by Beijing in recent years. The Xiaomi Mi 8 will be the most cost-effective Android flagship launched in the first half of the year, a known industry insider from China said Saturday. Xiaomis next high-end offering is rumored to start at 2,799 yuan, i.e. the equivalent of $440, at least in the companys home country. That price tag will reportedly be attached to a model with 6GB of RAM and 64GB of storage space, being some $90 below the starting price of the OnePlus 6, a handset thats currently widely believed to be the best-value flagship on the market. The upcoming device is said to be advertised as the Mi 8 Anniversary Edition even though its meant to succeed the 2017 Mi 6, with the name being intended to commemorate Xiaomis eight years in business which the company celebrated in early April. The handset is expected to feature a wide display notch accommodating a 3D camera capable of depth sensing, according to a broad range of reports dating back to late 2017. The module should allow for facial recognition thats both faster and more accurate i.e. secure than what simpler face unlock mechanisms support. Support for Qualcomms Quick Charge 4.0 technology should also be part of the package, with Xiaomis next offering hence being predicted to become only the fourth Android smartphone compatible with that unprecedentedly fast charging solution after the Nubia Z17, Razer Phone, and the newly announced HTC U12 Plus. The Mi 8 is set to be powered by the Snapdragon 845, Qualcomms most powerful chip to date, with its most premium model being expected to offer 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage space. The more premium variant of the phablet is rumored to retail at $500 in China, with Xiaomi likely targeting global availability, much like it did with the Mi 6 last year. Recent teasers from the phone manufacturer are pointing to an official announcement of the Mi 8 being scheduled for Thursday, May 31. The company is also presently pursuing a market listing, having already filed for its initial public offering expected to take place in the first half of July. Textron is in the process of restructuring its Cessna Pilot Center (CPC) network, including cutting back on the number of CPCs and putting more focus on its Cessna Flight Training System digital interactive flight-training curriculum. As a part of a new strategy to expand the reach of the Cessna curriculum to student pilots, Textron told AVweb, the network of CPCs is transitioning to an exclusive group of flight schools that meet heightened qualifications. Until recently, the Cessna Flight Training System has only been available to students at Cessna Pilot Centers. This shift enables us to expand accessibility to the curriculum beyond the CPC network. Flight schools outside of the network may purchase the curriculum for their student pilot training programs. Other CPC benefits remain exclusive to the network, the company said. CPC benefits also include credits toward aircraft purchases, parts discounts and free admission to instructional seminars. In order to implement its new CPC system, Textron is ending partnerships with quite a few of its more than 160 CPCs. Several flight schools that will no longer be participating in the program, including one that has been a CPC since 1998, told AVweb that given the expense of new aircraft and parts, they are now having to look into options offered by other manufacturers. In addition, one school pointed out, they will be unable to use any CPC-branded materials, signs or advertisements they may have had for the school. The number of schools that will continue as CPCs has not yet been confirmed. Current CPCs have expressed excitement about the direction of the program, particularly when it comes to the digital interactive flight-training curriculum. The prior focus appeared to be on the marketing of the Cessna name, but that focus has since progressed to an excellent product that allows students to study on their own time, allowing the time spent with the instructor to be a reinforcement of topics, said Aaron Repp, chief flight instructor of CPC Jet Air Inc., which has facilities in Iowa and Illinois. The shift in how it handles CPCs is the latest in a series of changes to Cessnas approach to its piston aircraft. Textron announced earlier in May that it will stop producing the diesel Skyhawk JT-A. The announcement came less than a year after the aircraft was certified. The TTx high-performance single met the same fate in February. According to GAMA, Cessna sold 129 Skyhawks last year, which, although historically on the low end, still kept it as a top seller of training aircraft ahead of everyone except for Cirrus. So far in 2018, the company has sold just 13 Skyhawks compared to 20 in the first quarter of 2017. South Korean President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un held a surprise meeting at the demilitarized zone between the two nations following President Trump's cancelation of the U.S.-North Korea summit on Thursday, South Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced Saturday. Why it matters: The meeting shows the two countries are set on remedying tensions between each other, and between the North and the U.S. following Trump's surprise announcement. Per the BBC, if the U.S.-North Korea talks were to be rescheduled, they would be "focused on ways of denuclearizing the Korean peninsula and reducing tensions." Trend: Russia is working to lift restrictions from trade with Azerbaijan, Minister for Economic Development of Russia Maxim Oreshkin told the Russia for All website on the sidelines of the 22nd St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF). A concrete action plan on five directions has been proposed, and we are working as part of this plan to ensure that trade and economic cooperation between our countries grows and strengthens, he said. The flow of mutual investments between our countries doesnt stop. We have strong ties not only at the economic, but also at the human, cultural level. Many Azerbaijanis live in Russia and many Russians live in Azerbaijan. This connects our countries and allows to develop relations in all spheres of life, including in the economic sphere. Oreshkin stressed that Russia and Azerbaijan can achieve great progress in economic relations. Azerbaijans trade turnover with Russia amounted to $2.14 billion in 2017, about $1.5 billion of which accounted for the import of Russian products, according to Azerbaijans State Customs Committee. The value of trade between the two countries grew 4.3 percent compared to the previous year. By Kamila Aliyeva The Russian consulting company, Strategy Partners Group, will assist Uzbekistan in developing the draft Strategy for the Development of Agriculture until 2030. This is stipulated by the draft government decree developed by the Uzbek Agriculture Ministry and presented for public discussion on Thursday, May 24, Uzbek media outlets reported. The disparate planning in the agricultural sector and the lack of an effective mechanism for interaction of the authorized bodies led to a blurring of responsibility for the decisions made and the achievement of concrete results, according to the document. These problems have led to low efficiency in the use of production and resource potential, as well as a negative factor that hinders the diversification and modernization of the industry, the introduction of advanced innovative and resource-saving technologies. Intensive use of land and non-compliance with the principles of rational resource allocation led to a salinity of 45 percent of irrigated land. Due to a lack of focus on export development, the country has not yet developed infrastructure and a system for promoting products abroad, while the markets of individual countries are closed to Uzbek products with high added value due to protectionism policies. The difficulty in creating the necessary volumes of supply for large importers is an additional constraint. This is linked to the high fragmentation of agricultural producers in the republic. In addition, products with low added value predominate in their portfolio, while productivity is still inferior to developed foreign countries. The Agriculture Ministry together with the Strategy Partners Group company should complete the development of the draft Strategy for the Development of Agriculture until 2030 by December 31, 2018. It should contain measures for stable growth of added value of products, increase in volumes, geographical and product diversification of exports, insurance of food and environmental security, increase in the efficiency of the industry, as well as further rise of per capita income and the quality of life in the rural areas. As a result of the implementation of the strategy, according to experts, Uzbekistan should become one of the Central Asian leaders in the export of high-margin food and light industry products, which rationally uses and constantly develops labor, water and land resources. Strategy Partners Group is a Russian strategic consultant operating since 1994. The company assists its clients in carrying out transformations that promote the effective use of intellectual, material and financial resources to ensure leadership in competition and sustainable growth. --- Kamila Aliyeva is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Kami_Aliyeva Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz Canon Noel Battye, presenter for more than 30 years of the religious music request programme Sounds Sacred on BBC Radio Ulster, describes himself as a workaholic. For almost his entire working life he held two jobs - his parish ministry and his broadcasting career. But now, at the age of 75, he has finally decided that it is time he hung up his microphone - he had already retired as rector of his last parish, St Finnian's Church in Belfast's Cregagh area. While he had decided last December to end his association with Sounds Sacred this year - "anno domini had caught up with me" - it was still a wrench when the time came. The following week he virtually cut himself off from all but his closest friends and relatives - screening his phone calls and emails - as he adjusted to his new situation. A native of Waterford - although the family hailed originally from Yorkshire - he still has a home there and now looks forward to spending more time with his brother and nephews. But he ignored one piece of advice he was given by the long-time producer of the programme, Betty O'Rawe (who died in February this year). "She told me that when it came time to give up the programme I should never listen to it, as it would only drive me mad, thinking of how I would have done things or what I might have said. But I will still tune in." For a man whose broadcasting career for the BBC, both in Northern Ireland and nationally, lasted from 1972 until this year, he makes it sound almost accidental. "I never applied for any job, but just took what came my way," he says. Ordained in 1966 after graduating from Trinity College Dublin, his first ministry was at St Anne's Church in Dungannon and teaching at the town's Royal School. He then went to Edinburgh University to gain various qualifications in teaching and religious education, and on his return to Northern Ireland became curate at St Jude's Church in Ballynafeigh in Belfast. His first broadcast was on Radio 2 programme On The Way, which was presented by DJ Pete Murray, but his big breakthrough came when someone recommended him to Rev Moore Wasson, head of religious programming at Radio Ulster. He was invited to do a one-off slot and evidently impressed all concerned sufficiently to be constantly on their radar when new opportunities arose. The Seventies were to see the Rev Battye experience widely different lives. Initially he was appointed chaplain at Pembroke College in Cambridge University, but by the end of the decade he had also spent two summers as a stand-in chaplain at Crumlin Road gaol in Belfast. "I went straight from working in Pembroke for five years to serving in Crumlin Road," he recalls. "It was obviously a very difficult time in Northern Ireland, but as my role was one of holiday substitute it was not as intense for me as for those who served there full-time. I found it an excellent discipline. "When preaching, you had to have total concentration and also because of the things you were hearing. Overall, I think I was received as well by the men in the gaol as anyone. There were four different wings, which housed men who were accused of different levels of crime. Some were engaged in Bible studies and overall it was a very interesting experience." At this time he was serving in Knocknagoney Parish in east Belfast and then, in 1978, he became rector of St Finnian's, where he was to remain until his retirement in 2008. Looking back over his career in the church he has only one regret - he never served in a country parish. "I help out in some at the moment and I enjoy that. I see it as something I missed out on, but I never actively sought such an appointment. You just do what's right for you." He has the same attitude towards his broadcasting career. "I enjoyed every minute of it. I did not apply for any post in all my career. I took what came along. I had no plans to go into broadcasting. I simply responded to the invitations from Rev Moore Wasson and his successor, Fr Jim Skelly, and the rest followed. It all worked out, so I was right." However, Canon Battye is keen to stress that his clerical work was his priority at all times. "To my mind the parish - and by that I mean the individuals, not the system - was the work which had to be done. Anything else was voluntary, although I obviously got paid for my presenting jobs. "When I was approached to do broadcasts during my time at St Finnian's, I asked the vestry if they had any objections. The members encouraged me unanimously and I got nothing but support from the parish. I always felt that if any one person in the parish had objected I would have given up broadcasting the next day," he adds. His broadcasting career has certainly been varied, taking in Radio 4, the BBC World Service, Radio 2 and BBC1 television. In the latter he was the only presenter from Northern Ireland on the This Is The Day programme. From 1985 to 1996 he - along with several others - presented the Sunday Half Hour broadcast on Radio 2 from all over the UK. "None of us presented from our home regions," he says. "It was a fascinating concept. Some broadcasts were from people's homes, others from places as diverse as Heathrow Airport. Some were from the homes of UK politicians like Simon Hughes and Baroness Masham and church historians like Rosemary Cramp. We also broadcast from religious communities and travelled the length of the UK, from the Shetlands to the Scilly Isles". Canon Battye vividly remembers his first broadcast of Sunday Half Hour: "The idea was that we would go around different denominations. My first trip was to Mourne Presbyterian Church in Kilkeel. I found it easy to talk about the village and the Mournes and the church had a great choir. I was standing in that night for Trevor Williams but because of the huge positive response I got from the listeners to the programme I was hired for the next 10 years." While he was not a reluctant broadcaster he was not one to jump at the chance of being on radio or television. Perhaps it was modesty but he recalls how the BBC wrote to him after one of his first broadcasts asking him back. "I actually thought they were just writing to me out of politeness and did nothing about it. Then they wrote again and I had to reply after running the idea past members of my congregation to whom I owed my primary duty." At the same time, he was presenting - and later producing - Sounds Sacred. And then there were the twice weekly Thought for the Day slots, which went on for 15 years. Canon Battye admits he was always very nervous before every broadcast, "yet I enjoyed every minute of it. I felt a relationship with people and my enjoyment grew as I got more and more input into the programme". With such a long-running programme - he presented it for just over 33 years - tastes in religious music inevitably have evolved. He notes: "Taste is much broader now and the content of the programme now has greater variety, both culturally and theologically. "On any given Sunday, Sounds Sacred would receive requests for a couple of gospel songs, a few traditional hymns or works by Pavarotti or some of the great choirs from around the UK." So, what are his favourite pieces of religious music? It seems a simple question, but Canon Battye, in his precise way, says it is not straightforward. He replies: "A good question but impossible to answer, as my choice at any particular moment would depend on current circumstances. "For example, Pour Out Thy Spirit, and Breathe On Me Breath of God bring me back to Ordination vows, Lead Me Lord brings me to my very first service at Knocknagoney, whereas For All The Saints, with its proclamation of Resurrection, brings me to the very moving All Saints-tide services in St Finnian's. Also, I never tire of Holy Week hymns like When I Survey The Wondrous Cross. I also love Mozart's Laudate Dominum and Ave Verum." Regardless of the music, there is no doubt that he was a very popular presenter of Sounds Sacred. He recalls getting dozens and dozens of letters after it was announced he was ending his broadcasting career. "A number of the people who wrote to me said I was the constant background to their evening meals on a Sunday. I got another letter wishing me well in my second retirement - I had retired from St Finnian's in 2008 - and expressing the wish that I would follow the example of Frank Sinatra and keep coming back for yet another retirement. "I got to feel terribly close to the listeners and I don't know how much I am going to miss being involved in the programme. However, I know stopping was the right thing to do." He is grateful to the BBC for continuing with Sounds Sacred for so long. "It is encouraging to have an outlet for religious music. It is also helpful that it is a request programme so everyone can see the number of requests that come in each week. That helps to keep the programme alive." The programme has had a number of guest presenters when Canon Battye was on his annual holidays, including Fr Eugene O'Hagan of singing trio The Priests fame, and Tony Macaulay, who wrote the memoirs Paperboy, Breadboy, All Growed Up and Little House on the Peaceline. But it is the clergyman, originally from Waterford who has left the most indelible imprint on the programme. It's all happening in east Belfast. Ballyhackamore restaurant fever shows no sign of abating and, as the demographics of the area change, so new eating experiences move in, too. Not only that, but the ripple effect created by that cluster of restaurants in the centre of Ballyhackamore has now seen the arrival of General Merchant's, Oliver's further out the road and others in Strandtown. This effect is now felt back towards the city centre along the Newtownards Road, where the phenomenon of regeneration has had an additional and extraordinary effect on the area around CS Lewis Square. The completion of the Connswater Community Greenway has linked this part of the city to the bustling industrial vastness of Queen's Island, allowing workers at Bombardier, Harland & Wolff Heavy Industries and the many other businesses along Airport Road to cross the bridge into the relative calm of Victoria Park and a quick dash to the new restaurants and cafes sprouting up by the square. With this development comes the tendency towards post-industrial chic in restaurant interiors. Designers Oscar & Oscar have left a trail of beautifully manicured restaurants, ranging from the marvellous Haptic in Newtownards to Aether & Echo in Belfast's city centre, the warmth and comfort and sense of continuity generated by reclaimed furniture and objects cannot be underestimated as mood enhancers in restaurants which rely heavily on an attractive environment for their success. Now we've gone a step further and the industrial theme has moved from interiors and old buildings into more transitory spaces, including shipping containers. Containers are du moment. Slum chic was created by architect Paddy Bradley, who is credited with transforming the first containers into a breathtaking home in the Co Londonderry countryside. The accolade for first Northern Ireland restaurant in a container, I believe, goes to Pot Kettle Black. Restaurants in strange and arresting locations are not a new concept. We've seen them on river barges and suspended 100ft above the ground from a crane. One was due to be installed in the former underground public toilets at Donegall Square North, but I'm not sure what came of it. So what about our PKB? Two brothers, Chris and Gerard McQuillan, and their mate Michael McKnight, all well-versed in the culinary arts (you may know them already through their other endeavour, Gypsy Kitchen), have taken the lease on the containers and are cooking up all sorts of brunches, lunches and dinners. What they've managed to do is create a lifestyle vibe which has instant appeal with the younger, hipster set without being at all self-conscious. There are a few tattoos in the kitchen, but nothing that would ward off food-lovers from whatever background. There are brunch dishes featuring the mandatory toasted sourdough and smashed avocado, French toast and Eggs Benedict. It may look like hipster food, but it's a bit more than that. The Eggs Benedict, a vast double confection of two bagel halves, two poached eggs and plenty of Hollandaise, is graced with fine big, glistening logs of pork belly, boosted by shredded kimchi cabbage. It's all perfectly executed; the eggs bleeding dramatically beneath the blanket of Hollandaise at the touch of a fork, the pork belly, both belters of salty and fat streaky meat; the accompanying lovage taking the bad look off everything. Other unlikely combinations which work very well here are the crab BLT, with fresh chopped mango and fennel on a slab of toasted sourdough. The bacon, lettuce and tomato all feature, but don't overwhelm the generous spoonfuls of crab meat lodged within. Top dish here, however, is the braised lamb flatbread. A Middle Eastern triumph with za'atar, dukkah, yoghurt and cucumber providing all that sultry Lebanese flavour. The flatbread is light and the meat is plentiful, its kofti credentials perfectly intact. I have less to say about the desserts, but frankly, we're not here for those. The coffee is excellent, the mood and service are cool and attentive and east Belfast has never seen anything like it. The three guys deserve to succeed. There is a real passion and love for what they do. They're glad to have your business, but they're happy to show off a few skills, too. The bill Crab BLT:.............................................10 Lamb flatbread:.................................12 Crispy Pork Benny:.............................11 Thai fries::.........................................3.50 Satay broccoli:................................3.50 Creme brulee:.......................................6 Trio of brownies:..................................6 Total: ..............................................52.00 Saoirse Ronan is going on holidays. "I'm off to Greece," she tells me, "and I'm really looking forward to it - it'll be nice to slow down." She is, in fairness, due a break. Over the past 18 months or so, she's made three major films back-to-back - Lady Bird, On Chesil Beach, which is out this week, and Mary Queen of Scots, a historical drama co-starring Margot Robbie that will be released in December. Saoirse was still working on that film when Greta Gerwig called to let her know Lady Bird had gone down a storm at the American festivals, and that her services would be required for an awards campaign. It became one of the most talked-about movies of the year, winning wide acclaim and earning the actress an Oscar nomination and a Golden Globe. In the midst of the awards season madness, she also hosted America's most iconic TV comedy show, Saturday Night Live, alongside U2. You'll not be surprised to hear she's excellent in On Chesil Beach. It's based on a novel by Ian McEwan. It was adapted for the big screen by the writer himself, and he and Ronan go back a ways. She first met him on the set of Atonement, Joe Wright's 2007 film, which shot the actress to fame and earned her first Oscar nomination aged just 12. McEwan described her performance in Atonement as "remarkable - she gives us thought processes right on screen, even before she speaks, and conveys so much with her eyes". Was the writer always keen on Ronan starring in On Chesil Beach? "He says he was," she says with a laugh. "No, I think he was. I was too young when they first thought about doing it, and you know what films are like - they can take two years or they can take 10 to pull together - so I was about 16 when they first wanted to do it, and by the time it happened I was the right age. I said to Ian I was just sabotaging the film for all those years until I could do it." On Chesil Beach is set in the early 1960s. Saoirse plays Florence Ponting, an Oxford graduate and talented classical musician who's just married an amiable but intense young man called Edward Mayhew (Billy Howle). On their wedding night, the couple repair to a fusty hotel on the Dorset coast. They're virgins, and after enduring the purgatory of a 'silver service' meal doled out to them in their room by two supercilious waiters, Florence and Edward go to bed for what ought to be a magical moment. Instead, it's a nightmare. The film's most compelling scenes are those excruciating moments in the bedroom when the young couple flounder mortifyingly as they clumsily attempt to copulate. Was it hard to get inside the mind of a character from that prudish place and time? "In a way, yes, because it's something that not as many people have an aversion to now, but I do think there's still the issue of a young person walking into that situation and not having a clue what they're doing," says Ronan. "Maybe not a wedding night, but it was still her first time, you know, and I don't think the fear around that has entirely gone away. "With Billy's character, Edward, you can see that he feels emasculated and full of shame. He's embarrassed, and Ian told us that Edward goes into that wedding night expecting it to be this like big, explosive, earth-shattering night of love-making, and it's just not that and it probably isn't for most people first time. "There was this massive amount of pressure being put on them to deliver, and I don't think that's changed all that much." We love to give out about how bad foreigners are at Irish accents, but Irish actors haven't exactly covered themselves in glory any time they've attempted an English one. In On Chesil Beach, Ronan's is extraordinarily good, and Florence's stifled, careful upper-class accent seems to complement her sensual recessiveness perfectly. "It's the first thing I think about always, how a person is going to sound, because it says so much about you: how you interact with people, how forward you are, how reserved. In this film, at that time, her accent was really telling, and it gave me something to hang on to at the start." Saoirse went straight into On Chesil Beach after Lady Bird, which must have been exhausting. "They actually overlapped," she says. "I had finished most of Lady Bird on a Saturday, then I flew to London, went straight into rehearsals on Monday morning, rehearsed from Monday to Thursday, then Thursday night I flew back to New York, finished Lady Bird at like 5am on Friday morning, then I got back on a plane and I started On Chesil Beach on Monday. It was a killer for those first couple of weeks - it was brutal." Did the success of Lady Bird take her by surprise? "Oh yeah, we didn't expect it at all. Not because we didn't think the film was good enough, but I think it was just partly that you don't ever expect that from a film that you're in - a tiny little film that you made for, like, no money. "I was doing Mary Queen of Scots at the time, and they were taking Lady Bird to the Telluride Festival, but I couldn't go. They came back and said, 'We're going to do an awards campaign because everyone really loves it', and I was kind of shocked. So then I ended up going straight into Press for it and I did that for six months." Saoirse first met Lady Bird's writer and director Greta Gerwig at the Toronto Film Festival a few years back, and Gerwig asked her to read through the script with her in her hotel room. "I'm such a big fan of hers," she says. "I love her so much, so I was really excited meeting her, but I was quite nervous too. "I also didn't know if it was an audition. I was like, 'Do I have the part or do you want me to prove to you?' We read through the whole thing and she was like, 'I'll do everyone else's parts', and I read Lady Bird. As I was reading it, I was thinking, 'Is this what she wants me to do?' It's a comedy, and that's my favourite genre, so I didn't want to mess it up. She said later that she realised I was right for it there and then." Gerwig's tale of a rebellious teenage girl and her temperamental mother is based in part on her own early life in Sacramento, and Lady Bird was mainly shot in California's capital. "Her best friend's grandmother had a role in the film and everyone seemed to know Greta. We'd be shooting in the street and people would stop their cars and say, 'Hey Greta, my dad says hi'. It was such a tight community and I think she was delighted to be shooting there," says Ronan. The finished film went down a storm at the Golden Globes in January, winning Best Picture Musical or Comedy, and Best Actress for Ronan. "It was a shock," she tells me. "I'm used to just being nominated and not winning - my loser face is finely honed. When I won I was like, 'Oh no, I actually have to talk now...I have to speak'. Then, when you go up on stage, they have this huge widescreen TV directly opposite you, and it's flashing these big red numbers at you, like '45 seconds, 44 seconds!' And you're like, 'Oh God' and you forget everything." She says that "everybody knew" Frances McDormand was going to win this year's Best Actress Oscar, which nicely took the pressure off. In her acceptance speech, McDormand asked all the female nominees to stand up before memorably championing women in the film industry, and asking why they had to fight so much harder to get things done. "We got a hint the day before that she was going to do something special. My publicist had said to me, 'I just want to let you know that if Fran tells you to stand up at some stage tomorrow night, stand up', and it completely went out of my head. And then when she won she was like, 'Okay, I'm going to ask everyone to do something', and when she got everyone to share that with her, I just thought, 'What a cool move'." Although she's been acting professionally since she was nine, Saoirse's never ventured onto the stage until late 2016, when she starred in an acclaimed production of Arthur Miller's The Crucible on Broadway. What was that like? "Terrifying. I mean it was such a privilege to do that play, and it's so good and everything, but the next time I do a play I'd like to do something in a smaller theatre. The voice was the thing I worried about most - would it be big enough? - and that was the only thing I'd recommend people go and train for if they hadn't done theatre before, because it's different, it's a proper instrument." The whole business of stage acting was different. "The lens is going to pick up everything that you think, you know - if you're feeling something sincerely, it will find it. Whereas the great thing about doing theatre, and it definitely helped me going into Lady Bird and Mary Queen of Scots the following year, is that you really do have to be in touch with your body. Physicality is so important when you're on a stage and you need to know how to tell a story with movement, not in an artsy-fartsy interpretative dance kind of way, but just it's important to know how to be in your body. "I had a fear with the voice and I also had a fear of having to act big, because I really didn't want to do that. That kind of scared me. But I think the thing that can help combat that is using your body a bit more, and then you don't have to go all big." She got rave reviews, though. "Yeah," she says quietly. "That's good." Less glowing on this side of the Atlantic were reactions to her appearance on Saturday Night Live, when her participation in sketch about a pair of bumbling Aer Lingus hostesses got up certain patriotic noses. "I was surprised. One of the brilliant things about the Irish is that we can take the p*** out of ourselves. I love Aer Lingus, I've flown with them since I was a child, and one of the most emotional moments for me about going home is when I get on an Aer Lingus flight and I hear the Irish accent and I'm surrounded by people from home. So it was never done in bad taste, and you also have to remember, it's a comedy show. They poke fun at everyone and they poke fun at themselves, and we had sketches about Brooklyn as well and I wasn't offended. It was all a bit of craic." Doing Saturday Night Live was "daunting, but an amazing experience. You've got these great comic actors, like Kate McKinnon, but also all these writers, about 30 of them, who are working 'til like 5am finishing sketches. Everyone who's done it had just said to me, you have no control over what's going to happen, and you kind of just have to go with it, which was kind of a difficult thing for me because I was like, 'But we need to have a plan!'. But once you do that you're fine. The song was the only thing I was nervous about because it's so difficult, but once I got through that I was fine. And it also helped having the band there, U2, that made me feel much more relaxed." I've interviewed Saoirse before, and am always struck by her calmness, her unfussy self-possession and her quiet determination never to allow herself to be sidetracked by the nonsense of celebrity. When I spoke to her in 2013, she told me she didn't think of herself as famous, and could walk about unrecognised in New York. Is that getting harder now? "I am getting recognised much more over there now," she says. "Because of Lady Bird, I think. But I still have that thing in my head though where I think, you know, Justin Bieber is famous, and that's a level of fame that I don't feel a part of at all. So because I don't read any articles about myself - sorry Paul - and I don't look at any photos of myself or interviews, I'm kind of able to detach from it almost completely. The only thing that I have noticed now is that I do get recognised more. I've always been recognised at home, but it's happening an awful lot more when I'm away." Things don't always go swimmingly for child stars in adult life, but for Saoirse, starting young seems to have helped her stay level-headed about the job she does and the distractions it can bring. "I think the fact I started when I was so young has helped me in a way, but I'm also very, very lucky that I have parents who weren't fazed by it, in particular my mam, who had spent years supporting my dad, because he's an actor too. He started out in the theatre in New York and had ups and downs and had times where he wasn't working and where he was working a lot, she saw the pitfalls and the highs and lows of that. "Also, from the very beginning, it's only been about work, that's always been the only focus for me. That's what I do this for, that's what I care about, and when you know why you do what you do, it's makes everything much clearer. So if you do start to get recognised or whatever, it feels like it's almost not a part of what you do." She has, she says, always been encouraged to have cautious expectations about her career. "Even now, I'm of the mindset that everything's really good at the moment, so I'm going to appreciate it now, because there will be times when maybe it isn't. I hope to be working in film always, but you never know." On Chesil Beach is in cinemas now In an exclusive interview, Golden Globe winner and Oscar nominee Saoirse Ronan talks to Paul Whitington about coping with celebrity, how the success of her last film caught her by surprise and why she was terrified appearing on Broadway Tommy Banks was the youngest chef in Britain to gain a Michelin star aged 24, but that doesn't mean it's always been plain sailing in the kitchen. Head chef at the Black Swan in Oldstead, Yorkshire, Banks has just released his first cookbook, Roots - celebrating his ethos of living off the land, old fashioned preserving techniques and humble British veg. He made a name for himself in the food world with his unusual conconctions (that shouldn't work but do), and is gaining recognition on TV too, winning the Great British Menu twice and making appearances on Sunday Brunch and MasterChef. We caught up with the 29-year-old to delve a little deeper ... What's your earliest memory of food? "I was a fussy eater as a child. Growing up on a farm, it was really old fashioned. When I was a kid, 20-odd years ago, it was a very different time. My mum would make 'lowance', which you might call elevenses, or tea in the afternoon. Scones and sandwiches were always made and flasks of tea would be deployed down the fields (on the farm). "A dish that's in my book, the apple cake, is my grandma's. "She was a home economics teacher and a farm housewife, and was always cooking all the food for the men. It was such a different world, because it's not like that anymore, but that's how I remember my childhood." What's the worst thing you've ever served? "I'll tell you a straight, honest story that's hugely embarrassing. A very, very long time ago when I was about 18, I was cooking breakfast at the Black Swan and a couple wanted to leave really quickly because they had to be at a meeting. But they hadn't said anything or come down early, they just arrived and said, 'Can we just have two poached eggs on toast now? We need to be gone in 10 minutes'. "So I cracked these eggs into a pan and the white went one way and the yolk went the other way. I had this batch of eggs and I don't know where they'd come from, but they were useless. "I couldn't poach them, I kept cracking eggs into the pan and they kept separating. Some people do a vortex where they spin the water and drop it in, I tried that and it was even worse - the yolk just flew off further! "I just thought, 'Oh my god, I can't serve some cooked egg white and a yolk, this is ridiculous'. I tried to put vinegar in the pan, I tried all the techniques. "After about 10 minutes, when I knew these guys needed to leave, I just said, 'I'm really sorry but I'm really struggling to poach the eggs, can I make you some scrambled eggs?' "Which is really embarrassing - a chef who can't poach an egg. I think because I was so young they were cool about it. I totally got away with it because I was a kid. I'm still blaming the eggs though!" What's been your culinary highlight? "Winning Great British Menu was a massive thing for my self-confidence. Before that, I thought what I was doing was good, but no one else had really had it because we were this tiny restaurant and we were quite quiet, we didn't have many people coming in. (Going into the show) I was petrified, really petrified, there was a lot of anxiety, but cooking on a stage like that and everyone saying, 'Wow, this stuff is really good', that was a good moment. "Now the restaurant is busy all the time and the weird thing is, people know who I am to an extent. "It just happened one day they didn't and now they do. It used to be that I just cooked in the restaurant and that was fine, then one day, after it aired, a lot of the guests want to have a picture with you. Now it probably happens five times a day. So things like that change, but it's nice." Roots by Tommy Banks is published by Seven Dials, 25 DUP councillor Thomas Hogg arrives home on foot yesterday after he was banned from driving at Belfast Magistrates Court and fined 250 for driving with excess alcohol on April 29 The DUP last night suspended councillor Thomas Hogg after he admitted drink-driving and was disqualified for 12 months. Former Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey Thomas Hogg got behind the wheel in an "act of kindness" to help a stranded friend, his lawyer said. Hogg was also fined 250 after pleading guilty to driving with excess alcohol at his first appearance before Belfast Magistrates' Court yesterday. Speaking after Councillor Hogg appeared in court, the DUP said it had suspended him from the party. "The party is aware of the judgment. Thomas Hogg has been suspended from the party," a DUP spokesperson said. Elected as a DUP councillor in 2011, Hogg served as Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey for two consecutive years from 2014. In 2016, he was awarded an MBE for services to local government. The 30-year-old was stopped by police on Belfast's Crumlin Road on April 29 this year. A prosecution lawyer said officers had noticed his car weaving over the road. A breath sample showed he was more than two times over the legal limit. Dressed in a suit, Hogg, of Brae Hill Park in Belfast, stood head bowed in the dock as the charge was accepted. Defence solicitor Keith Gamble said his client feels "shame and remorse" over his actions. Mr Gamble told the court Hogg had been drinking at a barbecue before going to bed. "A few hours later he got a phone call from a friend in some level of distress, saying they were stranded in town, couldn't get a taxi and were concerned about their safety," the lawyer said. Hogg then decided to get into his car to pick his friend up, with the court told he initially felt groggy from sleep. Mr Gamble contended that "what had otherwise been an act of kindness" ended with the drink driving charge. He stressed that the defendant had not travelled far before coming to police attention. Mr Gamble acknowledged: "He's had to face up to this in another arena than this court. "This is not in any way within the normal scope of his character. "He's a gentleman one would have expected to have gone through life completely unfamiliar with the court process." Following submissions, District Judge Fiona Bagnall imposed the 12-month driving ban, fine and a 15 offender levy. Business leaders in the north west yesterday told Jeremy Corbyn that the lack of clarity on the border was testing their patience. The Labour leader met commercial figures in Londonderry, where he was told it was "vital" senior politicians negotiating the Brexit deal come to the frontier and see its day-to-day realities. He also visited the Tyrone/Donegal border, where he spoke to traders from Strabane and Lifford. Mr Corbyn reiterated his call for the return of the Assembly, which he said was essential for peace. He said: "The future prosperity and peace on these islands also depends on how we deal with Brexit. "I believe the British Government is making a mess of these negotiations. I said on the very first day after the referendum that we wanted a constructive and trading relationship with Europe in the future. "The idea of any kind of hard border is impossible to conceive how it will do anything other than seriously damage the economy of this area, which is an area that already has an excessive level of unemployment and desperate levels of poverty. "We do need a customs union and tariff-free access to a single market and that means trade with no regulatory divergence. "What we are arguing for is a relationship with the single market based on protecting and improving existing trade standards and rights." President of Derry Chamber of Trade Jennifer McKeever outlined why 90% of her members would prefer to stay in the EU customs union and single market. She said: "We are a city region that sits on a border spanning two counties, two countries, two jurisdictions - and we run businesses serving both. "Every day thousands of us cross the border for work, for education, for health and for trade. "The EU is not a foreign, faraway bureaucracy - it's a couple of miles from where we sit. It's where many of our staff live and where we find our customers and trading partners. "Everybody accepts that it would be unacceptable to reintroduce a hard border in Ireland. "What is infinitely more difficult to understand is how we can pull out of the customs union and single market without one." She added: "During the past two years businesses here have been hugely resilient and pragmatic and tried to anticipate the challenges and tried to make contingency plans with little or no clarity on what we were planning for. "To be honest, two years later, our patience is wearing thin." Bonnie Anley, chair of Foyle Port, said: "We, like many businesses here, feel there is still a lack of clarity in the key areas of trade, travel and customs. "As a key driver of the north west economy, we are keen that the post-Brexit arrangements are firmed up as soon as possible. "We encourage Mr Corbyn on his return to London to impress upon the Government and his own party colleagues that it is imperative a swift and positive remedy is found to the problems any sort of hard border would impose." Members of the quartet Voices For Appeal wait at Dublin Castle for the result of the referendum (Niall Carson/PA) Political leaders have reacted to the Yes vote in the Republic's abortion referendum by calling for changes to legislation in Northern Ireland. Voters in the Republic have backed repealing the Eighth Amendment of the Irish Constitution by a margin of more than two-thirds. The result has prompted calls for a change of legislation in Northern Ireland by Alliance, the SDLP and Sinn Fein, although members of the DUP have come out in opposition to the result - in keeping with the party's pro-life position. On Twitter, North Antrim MP Ian Paisley wrote: "NI should not be bullied into accepting abortion on demand. NI did not have a constitutional imperative on abortion it is governed by laws that can be changed. "The settled will of the people has been to afford protections to the unborn life and protect the life of the mother." His party colleague Jim Wells wrote on the social media platform the result had been an "absolute tragedy" and in Northern Ireland "we must redouble our efforts to prevent this happening". Many commentators and political leaders have said the focus will now shift to Northern Ireland, but noted the differences in changing legislation. Speaking to the BBC on Saturday, Alliance Party leader Naomi Long said "all eyes will focus on Northern Ireland" and she did not think it was acceptable that "women are left behind the rest of these islands". SDLP leader Colum Eastwood emphasised the need for the Northern Ireland Executive to be restored to deal with the issue. Read More Earlier this month his party - which has traditionally taken a pro-life stance - supported allowing members to have a conscience vote on abortion matters. We must commend both sides for emphatically defending their conscience in this referendum, and acknowledge many people of goodwill and integrity on both sides of the debate," he said. There will be many across our nation today who will be unnerved and uncomfortable with this outcome. People of good intent who fought this referendum on the basis of their deeply held beliefs must be met with grace and our priority must now be bringing people back together. Today also comes as a stark reminder how distinctly unfair it is for the people here in the North who cannot legislate on any issue because they are being denied a government for reasons much less insurmountable than the one being overcome in the Republic today." On Saturday afternoon, Sinn Fein's leader in Northern Ireland Michelle O'Neill appeared on stage at Dublin Castle, where supporters of the Yes vote have gathered for the official announcement. A momentous day for the women of Ireland...the atmosphere here at Dublin Castle is electric as result is expected to be officially declared shortly @MaryLouMcDonald pic.twitter.com/uSPkct9xSL Michelle ONeill (@moneillsf) May 26, 2018 "A momentous day for the women of Ireland...the atmosphere here at Dublin Castle is electric as result is expected to be officially declared shortly," she wrote Twitter, pictured alongside party leader Mary Lou McDonald. Calls from the SDLP, Sinn Fein and the SDLP reflected a wider trend on Twitter of support for a rule change in Northern Ireland, with hashtag #TogetherForNI trending on Twitter. Feminist pro-choice groups Rosa and Women on Web has announced it will bring a #Bus4Choice to Northern Ireland next week, with the purpose of flouting Northern Ireland's abortion laws. The action will see abortion pills supplied remotely to women under medical supervision, and will start at the Belfast Laganside Courts on May 31, before making its way to the constituency offices of various prominent pro-life MLAs and MPs. It will then head to Derry for a rally involving trade unionists and pro-choice activisits. A bomb scare in north Belfast has been declared a hoax by police. The incident in the Elimgrove Street area began on Saturday at around 5.30pm. After an examination by ammunition technical officers, responsible for dealing with explosives, it was declared a hoax. Inspector James Murphy said: A number of homes were evacuated yesterday afternoon as a precaution and I would like to thank residents for their patience while we worked to keep the community safe. Northern Ireland is facing a deadly heroin and crack cocaine epidemic that is claiming lives, it has been warned. An addiction support worker has said drug addicts, who have run up thousands of pounds in debt, are killing themselves rather than face the wrath of dealers. Tracy Bell, whose brother Gary Cathcart was the first registered heroin death here 20 years ago, said it was now commonplace for dealers to rape drug users who owe them money. Ms Bell, who primarily works with users living in Belfast and Antrim and is launching a charity aimed at helping addicts and people with mental ill health, also said people are having to leave the province to access lifesaving addiction services. "I have a young fella today and I'm waiting to hear if there is an inpatient bed for him in Wales because there isn't anything in Northern Ireland or in Dublin," she explained. "I have three young people in the Shankill waiting for inpatient beds but there just aren't any. "The fact is, there's a crack and heroin epidemic going on, it's a crisis and people are dying, it's as simple as that." She added: "I personally have 68 families in Antrim alone that I am helping for various drug addictions, from prescription drugs right up to crack cocaine. "There was a teenager from Antrim who killed himself the other week over debts to a drug dealer. "I regularly work with guys who have been raped by dealers over their debts. "Kids are going to buy a 20 bag of drugs and the dealers are having sex with them at the same time. "Every addict has run up a debt of about 1,500 to 2,000 and one has even run up a debt of 19,500. "I'm working with countless 14-year-olds who are addicts - I have one young boy who is injecting himself 10 times a day." Ms Bell said that the worst part was that "services for addicts just aren't good enough". "You have heroin addicts waiting seven months just to get on a methadone programme," she pointed out. "People don't become addicts for no reason, very often they have suffered some kind of trauma themselves, and we're not giving them the right kind of support. "We have so many counsellors, but without the proper support we are just opening up a can of worms by sending addicts to counsellors without all the other services that need to run alongside." Ms Bell - who is preparing to launch her GUS Health & Wellbeing charity in the coming weeks - has become so horrified by the situation that she posted a video on social media in which she called for the community to come together to help address addiction. In it she warned that teenagers in Antrim believed they were not at risk if they smoked heroin instead of injecting it. "People think heroin is dirty, but crack is just as bad, and even cannabis is dangerous because the dealers are mixing it with the likes of crack," she said. She urged parents to be aware of the warning signs that their children may be taking drugs. However, she added: "We can't blame the families, a lot of addicts come from very good families who work hard. "I was with a lady the other night whose son is an addict and he was caught in possession of some drugs recently and fined 200 by the courts. "This lady made me a cup of tea and apologised that she didn't have any biscuits to give me because she didn't get paid until the next day, yet she is paying her son's court fine simply to keep him out of prison because it is so easy for him to get drugs in there. "She's a lovely woman, she works hard and she is taking 50 from her wages a month to pay the fine. "She's all on her own and it's horrendous. "Families are going to their GPs asking for help for loved ones to be told there is a crack and heroin epidemic and they don't know what they can do. "I've been warning for years that we are going down a slippery slope. "But I think that when doctors are saying there is an epidemic, and there is nothing they can do to help, that we need action and we need it urgently." A spokeswoman for the Health and Social Care Board said: "The pressures on addiction services are in part due to an increase in referrals to services and the current funding pressures within the wider health and social care system. "This is not considered to be an acceptable position and we are working to address this situation." For further information on services visit www.drugsandalcoholni.info A grateful mum and dad have thanked medics at Daisy Hill Hospital after a pioneering health test for newborns gave an early warning that may have saved their baby's life. After a normal pregnancy and delivery on April 25, Katie Dinsmore and partner Alan were getting ready to take baby Daire home to her big sister Brooke when a final screening test showed she had a form of congenital heart disease. Daisy Hill is the only hospital in Northern Ireland to use the newborn heart screening test, pulse oximetry. Daire was rushed to Dublin to have keyhole surgery that same day at Our Lady's Children's Hospital, followed by open heart surgery 24 hours later. Katie, from Burren outside Newry, said: "It was an absolute shock to find out that our beautiful baby, who appeared so healthy, had such a serious heart complication, but we are so lucky that the paediatric team use this test. "We could have been away home, and who knows what could have happened her at a later stage. "The surgery Daire had in Dublin should stand by her now. She may need further treatment in the future but at least we now are aware of the risks and can keep a close eye on her." The paediatric team along with their maternity colleagues undertake the routine oxygen saturation test for all babies before they are discharged. Dr Bassam Aljarad, Southern Trust associate medical director for children and young people, who introduced the screening programme, said: "Congenital heart disease (CHD) is one of the most common types of birth defect, affecting up to nine in every 1,000 babies born in the UK. "Nearly 50% of babies born with a CHD appear healthy at first without any noticeable symptoms and may be discharged only for their health to deteriorate days or sometimes a few months later. "More timely detection helps us to identify more babies with CHD at a much earlier stage, ensuring that we can keep them monitored and give them the treatment they need to prevent health consequences, disability or, in the worst cases, premature death. "Along with our standard clinical examination, this additional very simple screening test, which only takes a few minutes, greatly increases the accuracy in diagnosing CHD." Irwyn McKibbin, chairman of Heartbeat NI, the charity that funded the screening equipment, has called for pulse oximetry testing to be available in all hospitals here. "It's vitally important that babies with a heart defect are diagnosed as soon as possible and treated as a matter of urgency," the charity chief said. "I would like to congratulate the staff at Daisy Hill for not only undertaking what was initially a pilot study, but for persisting with it once the trial period expired. "While CHD may only be detected in one or two babies each year through screening, the difference from screening can be life-changing. "Without such a proactive approach by the paediatric team, the outcome for baby Daire could have been very different. "I'm delighted for Katie and Alan that Daire is doing so well and that Heartbeat NI played a small part in this good news." The Southern Trust is now exploring the introduction of the test to Craigavon Area Hospital. Angry parents gathered outside the Department of Education headquarters in Bangor yesterday to convey their frustration over the failure to allocate post-primary school places to their children. More than 50 parents protested outside Rathgael House after learning their children had been left without a school place after the conclusion of the admissions process. Around 300 P7 children were still left without a confirmed place at a post primary school last Friday. The parents said their children were convinced no-one wanted them. A total of 22,371 (98.62%) children were given school places, but 1.38% were not. The next stage of the admissions process is under way and the Education Authority has published a list of schools across Northern Ireland at which places remain. One of the protesters was Bangor mother Lynsey Johnston, whose son Cameron did not get a place at any of his choices of Strangford College, Priory College or St Columbanus' College. She said: "We want these children to have somewhere to go. My son asked me 'why does nobody want me'? Every day he asks 'do I have a school to go to'? This is why we are standing outside this building today." As the parents protested, a number of DUP politicians were meeting with the department. DUP MLA Peter Weir said later: "At the meeting, we vigorously conveyed both our own concerns and those of local families. The department has received a further temporary variations application, which whilst not fully solving the problem, would at least greatly ease pressures. While we appreciate the constraints of departmental policy, the department has an even greater duty to meet the needs of parents and children." The Department of Education said: "It is important parents continue to engage with the Education Authority and identify additional preferences. "The number of unplaced children has dropped and will continue to as parents submit additional preferences. We appreciate the uncertainty and disappointment for those impacted and want to reassure pupils and parents that at the end of this process all children will have access to a school place." Northern Ireland's high-profile stars, politicians and institutions did not shy away from revealing what side of the debate they supported in the lead-up to yesterday's abortion referendum in the Republic. The result of the historic vote to remove the Eighth Amendment to the Irish Constitution will be known today, but in the months, weeks and days leading up to the decision, many public figures were vocal on whether they were in the #Savethe8th or the #Together4Yes camp. Backing the former, one of the campaign's most vocal supporters has been Tyrone GAA manager, Mickey Harte, who helped launch the GAA Athletes for a No Vote campaign in the run-up to yesterday's vote. That campaign was joined in the anti-abortion lobby by the Orange Order - perhaps not the most natural of bedfellows. The Order voiced its opposition to abortion reform, calling on all of its "members, supporters and friends" to vote No, adding in an official statement: "All those voting on this sensitive issue reflect on what abortion is and read what God says about the sanctity of human life". However, the Yes campaign had some significant backers as well, with Ballymena-born Hollywood actor Liam Neeson urging Irish men to vote Yes to repeal the Eighth. In a powerful article written for The Irish Independent, the action movie star said: "There are times when we must stand for what is right. When the obvious injustice of a situation demands that we do so. For me, the upcoming referendum on the Eighth Amendment is one of those times. A time to stand up and be counted." He was joined by fellow actor James Nesbitt and BBC Radio Ulster presenter Lynette Faye. They both used social media to urge voters to back abortion reform. Green Party MLA Clare Bailey had been busy tweeting and retweeting messages in support of repealing the Eighth Amendment up until polling stations closed at 10pm, using Twitter to thank campaigners. On the opposite end of the political spectrum, the DUP's Jim Wells threw his weight behind the pro-life movement by attending a 'Save the Eighth' rally in Dublin in March. "I was proud to take part in it," he said at the time. "If I was in the Irish Republic I would be the first person in the queue to defend the Eighth Amendment. "If it is lost it will have a profound impact on Northern Ireland." Sophie Lionnet was tortured and murdered by the pair (Scotland Yard/PA) A founding member of Boyzone has described being haunted by the thought a French nanny was tortured and murdered by a couple because of their bizarre obsession with him. Sabrina Kouider and Ouissem Medouni imprisoned and tortured 21-year-old Sophie Lionnet before burning her body on a bonfire over their warped fantasy that she was in league with music mogul Mark Walton. Kouider, 35, and Medouni, 40, were convicted at the Old Bailey of murdering the woman, whose remains were found at their home near Wimbledon, south-west London. Expand Close Sabrina Kouider had constructed a bizarre fantasy (Scotland Yard/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Sabrina Kouider had constructed a bizarre fantasy (Scotland Yard/PA) Speaking to the Mail on Sunday from his Hollywood home, Walton described his anguish at the fate of the victim he never met. When I saw that picture of Sophie and how scared and vulnerable and haunted she looks, and to think she was tortured because of me, that haunts me. The poor girl was telling the truth. She never met me. And yet she paid with her life because of those psychopaths, he said. I think of her every day. I want them to know I carry their daughters picture with me everywhere. I will never forget her. We never met but I will always pray for her and her parents. Fashion designer Kouider and her banker husband Medouni denied murder but were found guilty on Thursday of what was described as a folie a deux, a shared psychosis. Expand Close Ouissem Medouni and Kouider had a shared psychosis (Scotland Yard/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Ouissem Medouni and Kouider had a shared psychosis (Scotland Yard/PA) Mother-of-two Kouider previously had a relationship with Walton and dragged Medouni into her obsession. She reported the wealthy musician to police more than 30 times over five years and was cautioned for wrongly calling him a paedophile on a fake Facebook account. Kouider teamed up with her on-off husband to interrogate Miss Lionnet, who she incorrectly claimed had been seduced by Waltons promises of fame. Medouni told firefighters responding to reports of pungent smoke in September last year that he was burning a sheep. Police discovered the charred remains were of Miss Lionnet. Kouider and Medouni will be sentenced at the Old Bailey on June 26. Hollywood star Chris ODowd has said Ireland is experiencing a wave of social progress as his home country voted by a landslide vote to reform its strict abortion laws. The actor joined dozens of Irish celebrities in reacting to the two-to-one margin in Fridays referendum, with the vast majority of constituencies returned. Dara O Briain, author Marian Keyes and Mrs Browns Boys star Rory Cowan were among those welcoming the outcome. A warm wave of social progress is washing over Ireland. Roscommon just got its feet wet and it feels glorious. https://t.co/IZ1ujUX1GT chris o'dowd (@BigBoyler) May 26, 2018 ODowd wrote on Twitter: A warm wave of social progress is washing over Ireland, as he praised and congratulated campaigners. O Briain said it was a glorious, proud day for the country, in a post. He added: Well done Ireland, and well done the women of Ireland. Special congratulations to those in Ireland who stood up and told their stories,and pushed back shame and silence, and banished it from this debate. Such a brave thing to do. @TaraFlynn @glinner and @hellycake, @roisiningle and so many more Dara O Briain (@daraobriain) May 26, 2018 Special congratulations to those in Ireland who stood up and told their stories,and pushed back shame and silence, and banished it from this debate. Such a brave thing to do. @TaraFlynn @glinner and @hellycake, @roisiningle and so many more. Citizens had essentially been asked to decide whether to retain or repeal the Eighth Amendment of the states constitution, which prohibits terminations unless a mothers life is in danger. Cowan posted: Great news. And hopefully we wont see pickets and demonstrations etc etc at hospitals that will perform terminations. We dont want to see anti-choice vandalism in action. Writer Keyes was among the first celebrities to react on Twitter. Welcoming the exit polls findings, she wrote: Oh my god Lads! Exit poll shows 68% voted YES! Can exit polls be trusted? If so, THIS IS GREAT THANK YOU, EVERYONE!!! Irelands historic abortion referendum looks to have delivered a landslide win for those advocating liberalisation, after two major exit polls recorded huge victory margins. One poll by national broadcaster RTE suggested almost 70% of the electorate have voted to end the countrys all but blanket ban on terminations, with another, by The Irish Times, recording 68% in favour of reform. Counting does not begin until Saturday morning, with a formal result not due until later in the day, but the data suggests Ireland is on the cusp of a defining moment in its social history. Reacting to the exit polls, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, a vocal proponent of liberalisation, tweeted: Thank you to everyone who voted today. Democracy in action. Its looking like we will make history tomorrow. Meanwhile prominent No campaigner Cora Sherlock expressed disappointment at the polls. Exit polls, if accurate, paint a very sad state of affairs tonight, she tweeted late on Friday. But those who voted No should take heart. Abortion on demand would deal Ireland a tragic blow but the pro-life movement will rise to any challenge it faces. Lets go into tomorrow with this in mind. #8thref Thousands of Irish citizens living overseas travelled home in droves to exercise their democratic right on the emotive issue. The vote saw citizens effectively opt to either retain or repeal the Eighth Amendment of the states constitution, which prohibits terminations unless a mothers life is in danger. Thank you to everyone who voted today. Democracy in action. Its looking like we will make history tomorrow.... #Together4Yes Leo Varadkar (@LeoVaradkar) May 25, 2018 The specific question people were asked was whether they wanted to see the Eighth Amendment replaced with wording in the constitution that would hand politicians the responsibility to set future laws on abortion, unhindered by constitutional strictures. If the Yes vote is confirmed, the Irish Government intends to legislate by the end of the year to make it relatively easy for a woman to obtain the procedure in early pregnancy. Ministers have promised to allow terminations within the first 12 weeks, subject to medical advice and a cooling-off period, and between 12 and 24 weeks in exceptional circumstances. The Behaviour & Attitudes poll for RTE surveyed 3,800 people at 175 polling stations across the country. With a margin of error of +/- 1.6%, 69.4% voted to repeal the Eight Amendment of the constitution while 30.6% voted No. The exit poll conducted for The Irish Times indicated a 68% to 32% Yes vote. That poll saw 4,000 voters interviewed by Ipsos/MRBI as they left 160 polling stations on Friday. The margin of error is estimated at +/- 1.5%, the newspaper said. The polling data suggests a huge gulf in views held by Irelands youngest and oldest generations. Both exit surveys recorded support for the Yes camp at approaching 90% among 18 to 24-year-olds. By contrast, the over-65 group was the only age bracket to vote No, with around 60% wanting to retain the Eighth Amendment. Thank you to everybody who voted today - democracy can be so powerful on days like today - looks like a stunning result that will bring about a fundamental change for the better. Proud to be Irish tonight. Thank u to all at @Together4yes Simon Coveney (@simoncoveney) May 25, 2018 Irelands deputy premier, Tanaiste Simon Coveney, another Yes campaigner, said the referendum had made him proud to be Irish. Thank you to everybody who voted today democracy can be so powerful on days like today looks like a stunning result that will bring about a fundamental change for the better, he tweeted late of Friday night. Proud to be Irish tonight. will sleep tonight in the hope of waking up to a country that is more compassionate, more caring and more respectful. It has been an honour to be on this journey with you and to work #togetherforyes . See you all tomorrow! Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) May 25, 2018 Health minister Simon Harris, whose proposed new abortion laws were subjected to intense scrutiny during the campaign, tweeted: Will sleep tonight in the hope of waking up to a country that is more compassionate, more caring and more respectful. As predicted, urban areas appear to have been more strongly in favour of repeal, at just over 70%. But according to the polls, rural areas also voted Yes, with around 60 to 63% in favour. A total of 3.3 million citizens were registered to vote in Fridays referendum. The Catholic Church was among influential voices calling for a No vote, arguing that the life of the unborn should be sacrosanct. The Yes camp, which portrayed itself as modernising and in step with international opinion, said repeal would demonstrate Irelands compassion for thousands of Irish women forced to travel to England for the procedure. The debate during eight weeks of campaigning was emotive and divisive. While the leaders of all the main political parties backed change, there were also many vocal and high profile advocates for the retention of the Eighth. The amendment is a clause in the Irish constitution which was written after a previous referendum on the issue in 1983 recognised the right to life of the unborn child. It protects the equal right to life of the mother and the unborn and effectively prohibits abortion in most cases. In 1992, women in Ireland were officially given the right to travel abroad, mostly to the UK, to obtain terminations. Pro-repeal campaigners say almost 170,000 have done so. Based on the exit poll, a historic & great day for Ireland, & a hopeful one for Northern Ireland. That hope must be met. #HomeToVote stories are a powerful and moving testimony as to why this had to happen and that understanding & empathy exists between generations. #trustwomen Penny Mordaunt (@PennyMordaunt) May 25, 2018 The liberalisation campaign gathered momentum in 2012 after an Indian dentist, Savita Halappanavar, died in hospital in Galway aged 31 when she was refused an abortion during a miscarriage. Her husband, Praveen Halappanavar, said she repeatedly asked for a termination but was refused because there was a foetal heartbeat. In 2013, following an outcry over Mrs Halappanavars death, legislation was amended to allow terminations under certain tightly restricted circumstances the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Act. When doctors felt a womans life was at risk due to complications from the pregnancy, or from suicide, they were permitted to carry out an abortion. Under pressure from the UN about alleged degrading treatment of women who travelled to England for terminations, the Irish Government began exploring the possibility of further reform, culminating in the calling of Fridays referendum and the promise to legislate. A woman kneels in front of a mural of Savita Halappanavar in Dublin (Niall Carson/PA) A major No campaign group has conceded defeat in Irelands historic abortion referendum after exit polls reported a landslide win for those advocating liberalisation. Reformers said it was a moment of profound change, when the nation had collectively stood up for women and their healthcare. Polling data suggesting seven out of 10 voters backed reform meant advocates for change were celebrating long before the first ballot boxes were opened at 9am on Saturday at count centres across the country. The vote saw citizens effectively opt to either retain or repeal the Eighth Amendment of the states constitution, which prohibits terminations unless a mothers life is in danger. The Save the Eighth group said: What Irish voters did yesterday is a tragedy of historic proportions. However, a wrong does not become right simply because a majority support it. People have been leaving flowers and notes by a mural of Savita Halappanavar in Dublin as an exit poll suggests Ireland has voted to liberalise the law on abortion pic.twitter.com/EY3YYDb4ef Aisling Ennis (@aislingrosennis) May 26, 2018 One poll by national broadcaster RTE suggested around 70% of the electorate have voted to end the countrys all but blanket ban on terminations, with another, by The Irish Times, recording 68% in favour of ditching the prohibition. While the official result is not due until later on Saturday, it appears Ireland is on the cusp of a defining moment in its social history. The Together For Yes organisation said: This is a vote for dignity and decency. If exit polls are reflected in the official vote count later today, this will be a moment of profound change in Irelands social history, a moment when the nation collectively stood up for women and for their healthcare, and voted for constitutional change. Reacting to the exit polls on Friday night, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, a vocal proponent of liberalisation, tweeted: Its looking like we will make history tomorrow. Thank you to everyone who voted today. Democracy in action. Its looking like we will make history tomorrow.... #Together4Yes Leo Varadkar (@LeoVaradkar) May 25, 2018 Thousands of Irish citizens living overseas travelled home in droves to exercise their democratic right on the emotive issue. The specific question people were asked was whether they wanted to see the Eighth Amendment replaced with wording in the constitution that would hand politicians the responsibility to set future laws on abortion, unhindered by constitutional strictures. If the Yes vote is confirmed, the Irish Government intends to legislate by the end of the year to make it relatively easy for a woman to obtain the procedure in early pregnancy. Expand Close Repeal supporters at Dublins RDS (Brian Lawless/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Repeal supporters at Dublins RDS (Brian Lawless/PA) Ministers have promised to allow terminations within the first 12 weeks, subject to medical advice and a cooling-off period, and between 12 and 24 weeks in exceptional circumstances. A total of 3.3 million citizens were registered to vote in Fridays referendum. The Catholic Church was among influential voices calling for a No vote, arguing that the life of the unborn should be sacrosanct. But the Yes camp, which portrayed itself as modernising and in step with international opinion, insisted repeal would demonstrate Irelands compassion for thousands of Irish women forced to travel to England for the procedure. A decade after the Eighth Amendment was approved, women in Ireland were officially given the right to travel abroad, mostly to the UK, to obtain terminations. Pro-repeal campaigners say almost 170,000 have done so. Expand Close A tally keeper at work as votes are counted (Brian Lawless/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp A tally keeper at work as votes are counted (Brian Lawless/PA) The liberalisation campaign gathered momentum in 2012 after an Indian dentist, Savita Halappanavar, died in hospital in Galway aged 31 when she was refused an abortion during a miscarriage. Her husband, Praveen Halappanavar, said she repeatedly asked for a termination but was refused because there was a foetal heartbeat. In 2013, following an outcry over Mrs Halappanavars death, legislation was amended to allow terminations under certain tightly restricted circumstances. When doctors felt a womans life was at risk due to complications from the pregnancy, or from suicide, they were permitted to carry out an abortion. That did not sate the demand of pro-choice advocates. Under pressure from the UN about alleged degrading treatment of women who travelled to England for terminations, the Irish Government began exploring the possibility of further reform, culminating in the calling of Fridays referendum and the promise to legislate. Ireland has voted overwhelmingly to liberalise some of the most restrictive abortion laws in Europe. Here are some questions answered about where we go from here. So what happens now? The constitutional provision which prohibits abortion in all cases except where a mothers life is endangered has been overturned. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said his Government aims to pass new laws by the end of the year. Draft measures would allow relatively free access to abortions, subject to consultation with a medical professional and after a short waiting period, up to 12 weeks after gestation and up to 24 weeks with restrictions. If, after 12 weeks, a womans life is threatened or there could be serious harm to her health, two doctors will consider whether to allow the procedure. Terminations will not be carried out after the foetus becomes viable, following 24 weeks of pregnancy. Expand Close A Yes campaigner celebrates at Dublin Castle (Niall Carson/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp A Yes campaigner celebrates at Dublin Castle (Niall Carson/PA) So new laws are a certainty? The leader of the Opposition, Micheal Martin, has said his No-supporting Fianna Fail parliamentarians will not block the change. Those who campaigned against the measure have said they respect the democratic decision. The law will be subject to debate inside and outside the Dail parliament, and judging by the partisan nature of that before the referendum it could be passionate. There is likely to be renewed emphasis on crisis pregnancy prevention and care which has seen the number of cases dramatically decrease in Ireland in recent years. Thank you to everybody who voted today - democracy can be so powerful on days like today - looks like a stunning result that will bring about a fundamental change for the better. Proud to be Irish tonight. Thank u to all at @Together4yes Simon Coveney (@simoncoveney) May 25, 2018 How does the proposed regime in Ireland compare with the UK? The UK is covered by the 1967 Abortion Act after a private members bill was brought by David Steel MP. Abortions can legally be performed if continuing with the pregnancy involves a greater risk to the mental or physical health of the woman than having a termination. An abortion must be agreed by two doctors and carried out by a doctor in a hospital or clinic. Expand Close Leo Varadkar hailed the result as Ireland overwhelmingly voted to repeal the Eighth Amendment (Niall Carson/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Leo Varadkar hailed the result as Ireland overwhelmingly voted to repeal the Eighth Amendment (Niall Carson/PA) Is Ireland ready to provide abortions? The Irish Family Planning Association (IFPA) said it was committed to offering the procedures. Chief executive Niall Behan said it would support women with crisis pregnancies through whatever decision they make. The Yes vote places the imperative squarely on the Government to ensure that the legislation is enacted and services put in place without delay, he said. The IFPA stands ready to provide high quality abortion services In Ireland. A woman takes part in an abortion pill protest outside Belfast High Court in 2016 A group of pro-choice activists are set to break the law next week by driving a bus around Northern Ireland to distribute abortion pills. Some of the women will swallow the tablets before they set out from Belfast in defiance of what they say is "our archaic abortion legislation". They will then travel to the offices of MLAs from Northern Ireland's four main political parties where they will stage a protest. The bus will stop at Lisburn, Cookstown and Londonderry during their journey. They are accusing the DUP, Sinn Fein, the Ulster Unionists and SDLP of "failing the women of Northern Ireland". The 'abortion bus' is being run by the feminist group ROSA (Reproductive rights, against Oppression, Sexism and Austerity) which has held many similar actions in the Republic. As votes are counted today in the Republic's referendum on the repeal of the Eighth Amendment, ROSA said "the campaign to give women reproductive rights" must become much more active on this side of the border. Eleanor Crossey Malone of ROSA said: "We work with Women on Web, a doctor-run organisation that prescribes safe abortion pills to women in countries where abortion is banned or inaccessible. "About 20 of our members will travel on the bus on Thursday and some will take abortion pills. "We will do so in defiance of the archaic abortion law here. "If the Republic votes to repeal the Eighth Amendment, Northern Ireland will be the last jurisdiction in Europe - apart from Malta - with an almost blanket ban on abortion and where women are criminalised." Ms Crossey Malone was critical of all local political parties on the issue. "The DUP are outspokenly anti-choice but the SDLP is also very conservative," she said. "Sinn Fein may change their policy soon at a special ard fheis but they have very much been playing catch-up with public opinion. The Ulster Unionists and Alliance have decided abortion is a matter of conscience for their individual politicians but that is not the same as clearly and unambiguously supporting a woman's right to choose." Dutch doctor, Rebecca Gompert, will travel on the bus with the women and address meetings in Belfast and Derry next week. Ms Crossey Malone said: "We are doing this in solidarity with the thousands of Northern Ireland women who have taken abortion pills over the past decade here. "They do so in fear of the police knocking on their door. "In cases where there are medical complications, they fear going to their GP in case they are reported to the authorities. "A woman was reported to police by her flatmates two years ago. "This is no way for young women to live. "Abortion pills are on the World Health Organisation's list of essential medicines." Ms Crossey Malone said the idea for an 'abortion bus' came from the famous 1971 contraceptive train, where feminists travelled from Dublin to Belfast to buy condoms as a symbolic act of defiance against the Republic's law preventing their importation and sale. Asked about the proposed 'abortion bus', a PSNI spokeswoman said; "This is not a policing matter at this time." Ms Crossey Malone said the PSNI had contacted the group before when it had announced it was flying abortion pills into Northern Ireland by drone from Omeath in Co Louth. "The PSNI were present at the event near Narrow Water Castle but they did not take action," she said. The Duke of Cambridge was taking part in a charity polo match (Steve Parsons/PA) The Duke of Cambridge took part in a polo match to raise money for for charity. Expand Close The Duke of Cambridge, right, about to take a shot (Steve Parsons/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The Duke of Cambridge, right, about to take a shot (Steve Parsons/PA) He was playing in the Jerudong Park Polo Day at Cirencester Park Polo Club. Expand Close The duke is a keen player (Steve Parsons/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The duke is a keen player (Steve Parsons/PA) Watching from the sidelines was Williams cousin, Olympic medal winning equestrian rider Zara Tindall. Expand Close Zara Tindall watches her cousin (Steve Parsons/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Zara Tindall watches her cousin (Steve Parsons/PA) William appeared to be putting in plenty of effort Expand Close William appeared to be putting in plenty of effort (Steve Parsons/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp William appeared to be putting in plenty of effort (Steve Parsons/PA) But the heavily pregnant former athlete appeared less than enthralled. Expand Close Zara Tindall spectating (Steve Parsons/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Zara Tindall spectating (Steve Parsons/PA) And, at one point, seemed more interested in her mobile phone. Expand Close Zara Tindall reads her phone (Steve Parsons/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Zara Tindall reads her phone (Steve Parsons/PA) Though she did appear to give the duke some words of encouragement. Expand Close Zara Tindall, left, with the Duke of Cambridge (Steve Parsons/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Zara Tindall, left, with the Duke of Cambridge (Steve Parsons/PA) And he seemed to be enjoying himself. Expand Close William shares a joke as he hops off his horse (Steve Parsons/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp William shares a joke as he hops off his horse (Steve Parsons/PA) It has been a busy week for the duke who last week was best man as his brother Harry married Meghan Markle. Expand Close The duke lunges for the ball (Steve Parsons/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The duke lunges for the ball (Steve Parsons/PA) William and the Duke of Sussex will be playing in a number of polo matches over the summer to raise money and awareness for the charities they are patrons of. Celebrations at Dublin Castle after the results of the referendum (Niall Carson/PA) Ireland has voted by 66.4% to 33.6% in favour of changing its strict abortion laws. The public decided by a two-to-one landslide to repeal part of the states constitution which effectively prohibits terminations unless a mothers life is endangered. A referendum was held on Friday and produced overwhelming consensus for reform amongst men and women, nearly all classes and age groups, and across most counties in Ireland. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar hailed the culmination of a quiet revolution and said a new law could be in place before the end of the year. Expand Close (PA Graphics) Press Association Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp (PA Graphics) Referendum returning officer Barry Ryan said a majority of more than 700,000 voted Yes to repeal. About two million people voted and results showed urban dwellers and a significant proportion of rural voters backed repeal of the Eighth Amendment of the constitution. Fantastic crowds at Dublin Castle. Remarkable day. A quiet revolution has taken place, a great act of democracy. pic.twitter.com/MLtzkSkdLw Leo Varadkar (@LeoVaradkar) May 26, 2018 In parts of Dublin almost 80% favoured liberalising restrictions on abortion in early pregnancy. About 170,000 Irish women have travelled to the UK and other places for the procedure since 1980. Pollsters suggested the stories of women forced to travel or take illegal pills obtained on the internet helped sway public opinion, as well as the death of an Indian dentist denied the procedure while she miscarried. Expand Close Pro-choice campaigners and supporters celebrate at the count centre in Dublins RDS (Brian Lawless/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Pro-choice campaigners and supporters celebrate at the count centre in Dublins RDS (Brian Lawless/PA) Ministers have promised to allow terminations within the first 12 weeks, subject to medical advice and a cooling-off period, and between 12 and 24 weeks in exceptional circumstances. Mr Varadkar said the result represented the culmination of a quiet revolution, one that had been taking place in Ireland for the past 10 to 20 years. Crowds gathered in the courtyard at Dublin Castle to hear the result began chanting Savita, Savita, in reference to dentist Savita Halappanavar, 31, who died in an Irish hospital after she was refused a termination while she miscarried. Others shouted Yes We Did in a version of former US president Barack Obamas famous campaigning slogan. Champagne was sprayed and one woman handed out After Eight chocolates in a reference to the eighth amendment. Mr Varadkar said the result was a once-in-a-generation act. Expand Close Emotions run high as the official results are announced (Brian Lawless/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Emotions run high as the official results are announced (Brian Lawless/PA) We voted to look reality in the eye and we did not blink and voted to provide compassion where there was once a cold shoulder. Thousands were in the castle courtyard by the time the official results were announced shortly after about 6.15pm on Saturday. Some supporters dressed as angels, while hundreds wore jumpers and T-shirts with campaign slogans. Maeve Conway, 21, had decorated her dog Babys harness with Yes badges. She said: Theres an array of emotions today. Happy, sad that it had to happen. For 35 years we were waiting for this. Its a huge change for Irish women. Businesses in the Maltings area of Salisbury are preparing to reopen as the city takes a massive step in its recovery from the nerve agent attack. Wiltshire Council said the thoroughfare would be open from 8am on Saturday, nearly 11 weeks after the incident that thrust the cathedral city into the centre of a global diplomatic crisis. Defra announced it had handed back the area from Government control on Monday after an extensive clean-up. Alistair Cunningham, head of the councils recovery effort, said the reopening of the shopping precinct represents a massive step the recovery for this beautiful city. It has always been a priority to reopen this main economic thoroughfare, which takes visitors and shoppers from the main car parks to the city centre past the shops in the Maltings that have been directly affected, he said. The Maltings site has undergone thorough testing and clean-up work by world-class specialists, and the public can be reassured that any traces of nerve agent that may have been present have been removed and the site presents no risk to public health. I would urge people to visit and support the businesses in the Maltings, and the rest of Salisbury as the city recovers and gets back to normal. Businesses in the Maltings and around Salisbury have been adversely affected by the incident as some shoppers avoided the area over health and safety concerns. Expand Close Yulia Skripal the daughter of Russian spy Sergei Skripal (Dylan Martinez/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Yulia Skripal the daughter of Russian spy Sergei Skripal (Dylan Martinez/PA) Former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia were found unconscious from the effects of the military nerve agent Novichok on a bench in area on March 4. Swathes of the city were sealed off as investigators moved in before a massive decontamination operation began. Last week, ministers praised the resilience of Salisbury residents in the face of disruption, which they blamed on Russias reckless actions. Prime Minister Theresa Mays official spokesman said police had released all sites for decontamination, except for the Skripal house, and the priority was making the sites safe so Salisbury can get back to normal. Moscow has repeatedly denied responsibility for the attack on the Skripals, and on Friday Vladimir Putin questioned the UKs explanation around their poisoning. The Russian president said the version of events is not possible as victims of a military grade agent would have died immediately. Celebrities have reacted to an exit poll that suggests Ireland has voted in favour of abortion reform in a historic referendum. Citizens had essentially been asked to decide whether to retain or repeal the Eighth Amendment of the states constitution, which prohibits terminations unless a mothers life is in danger. According to the poll, conducted for The Irish Times, the country chose to liberalise its laws by 68% to 32%. Irish author Marian Keyes was among the first celebrities to react on Twitter. Welcoming the exit polls findings, she wrote: Oh my god Lads! Exit poll shows 68% voted YES! Can exit polls be trusted? If so, THIS IS GREAT THANK YOU, EVERYONE!!! Irish comedian and television presenter Dara O Briain expressed his surprise, tweeting simply Janey mac, having earlier tweeted: Gwan Ireland. This is a big day, and were all thinking of you. #yesyesIsaidyes Father Ted Writer Graham Linehan, who changed his Twitter name to Graham YES Linehan, tweeted a doctored image showing a famous scene from Father Ted. The image showing the priest representing Ireland kicking a bishop representing the Eighth Amendment. Irish comedian Ed Byrne tweeted: I really wish I had it in me to simply rejoice in a victory for Irish women, but I cant help but delight in this being a defeat some of the most despicable people in Ireland. Comedian David Schneider also reacted positively to the result. He said: Come on, Ireland! Let the exit poll be right! Go on! Repeal it! #RepealThe8th. Come on, Ireland! Let the exit poll be right! Go on! Repeal it! #RepealThe8th pic.twitter.com/DYvWYvLo6M David Schneider (@davidschneider) May 25, 2018 Call The Midwife star Stephen McGann revealed he was brought to tears by the exit poll. He tweeted: Tearing up in work at reports of the exit poll. Those silent legions of poor, scared, lonely women. All of that coldness and shame. Please let it end now with a single, strong, healing heart. x. Tearing up in work at reports of the exit poll. Those silent legions of poor, scared, lonely women. All of that coldness and shame. Please let it end now with a single, strong, healing heart. x Stephen McGann (@StephenMcGann) May 25, 2018 For the exit poll, 4,000 voters were questioned by Ipsos/MRBI as they left polling stations on Friday. Sampling began at 7am and was conducted at 160 locations across every constituency throughout the day. Polls closed at 10pm. Counting will begin on Saturday morning, with the result expected later in the day. The bank holiday could be stormy for some (Philip Toscano/PA) Thunderstorms and torrential rain will take over from bursts of sunshine across England and Wales during the bank holiday weekend, while Scotland is expected to be spared. Much of the south of England and Wales are subject to a yellow weather warning throughout Saturday and Sunday, with a small chance of flooding and damage from lightning strikes, hail and strong winds. The north of England may only be struck later on Sunday, but Scotland is predicted to bask in sunshine through until Monday, according to Met Office meteorologist Sarah Kent. Expand Close Weather warning for rain Sat 26/Sun 27 May Press Association Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Weather warning for rain Sat 26/Sun 27 May She said: It is going to be a warm weekend and I think nearly everybody will see some sunshine, but the big caveat is that because its been quite humid, particularly southern parts are at risk of seeing some quite heavy showers. It could possibly develop into some heavy thundery outbreaks over the next 48 hours. Despite the quite torrential showers, Ms Kent said temperatures are set to reach 24C (75F) in the south while Glasgow could be as high as 22C (72F) on Sunday. Scotland looks as though theyre going to hang on to the best of the sunshine certainly all the way through until the end of Sunday, however by Bank Holiday Monday there may be one or two lighter showers, Ms Kent said. Good morning, Heavy thundery showers for some. Increasingly warm. Keep up to date here: https://t.co/jtrhUzUBdR ^Louise pic.twitter.com/rtgTWMwoZh Met Office (@metoffice) May 26, 2018 Northern Ireland is also predicted to be spared, with highs of 20C (68F) expected in Belfast. Ms Kent warned the rain could affect drivers over the holiday weekend, which would add to the disruption from engineering works and industrial action. Reduced timetables are in effect on services by operator Northern on Saturday, with the RMT union striking over the role of train guards. Network Rail issued a warning over services to and from Birmingham New Street, no trains stopping at Swindon and bus replacements between Oxenholme and Glasgow Central and Edinburgh due to rail improvements. Donald Trump said the first lady was 'doing great' (Andrew Harnik/AP) US president Donald Trump has said his wife is doing great nearly two weeks after kidney treatment. Mr Trump answered a reporters question about the first lady as he left the White House on Friday for a trip to the US Naval Academy graduation in Annapolis, Maryland. Asked about her health, Mr Trump said Shes doing great. He then pointed to the second floor of the White House and said she was watching. The White House announced on May 14 that Melania Trump underwent a procedure that morning to treat an unspecified kidney condition. She spent five nights at a nearby military hospital before returning to the White House last Saturday. A spokeswoman said the first lady met with staff several times this week. The first lady has not been seen in public since early May. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and South Korean President Moon Jae-in have met for the second time in a month to discuss carrying out the peace commitments they reached in their first summit. The pair also talked about Mr Kims potential meeting with President Donald Trump next month. South Korean presidential spokesman Yoon Young-chan said Mr Moon will reveal the outcome of his surprise meeting with Mr Kim on Sunday. The presidential Blue House did not immediately provide more details. The meeting at a border truce village came hours after South Korea expressed relief over revived talks for a summit between President Trump and Mr Kim following a whirlwind 24 hours that saw the US leader cancel the highly anticipated meeting, before saying it is potentially back on. President Trump later tweeted that the summit, if it does happen, will likely take place on June 12 in Singapore as originally planned. In their first summit in April, Mr Kim and Mr Moon announced vague aspirations for a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula and permanent peace, which Seoul has tried to sell as a meaningful breakthrough to set up the summit with President Trump. But relations between the rival Koreas have chilled in recent weeks, with North Korea cancelling a high-level meeting with Seoul over South Koreas participation in regular military exercises with the United States and insisting that it will not return to talks unless its grievances are resolved. South Korea, which brokered the talks between Washington and Pyongyang, was caught off guard by President Trumps abrupt cancellation of the summit in which he cited hostility in recent North Korean comments. Mr Moon said President Trumps decision left him perplexed and was very regrettable. He urged Washington and Pyongyang to resolve their differences through more direct and closer dialogue between their leaders. President Trumps back-and-forth over his summit plans with Mr Kim has exposed the fragility of Seoul as an intermediary. It fanned fears in South Korea that the country may lose its voice between a rival intent on driving a wedge between Washington and Seoul and an American president who thinks less of the traditional alliance with Seoul than his predecessors. On May 24, @SecPompeo spoke by phone with #ROK Foreign Minister Kang. The Secretary & Foreign Minister reaffirmed their shared commitment to the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula and to the ironclad alliance between the US & the Republic of #Korea. https://t.co/ZsrUNXrf7F Ned Price (@StateDeptSpox) May 25, 2018 President Trumps decision to pull out of the summit with Mr Kim came just days after he hosted Mr Moon in a White House meeting where he openly cast doubts on the Singapore meeting but offered no support for continued inter-Korean progress, essentially ignoring the Norths recent attempts to coerce the South. In his letter to Mr Kim, President Trump objected specifically to a statement from senior North Korean diplomat Choe Son Hui. She referred to Vice President Mike Pence as a political dummy for his earlier comments on North Korea and said it was up to the Americans whether they would meet us at a meeting room or encounter us at nuclear-to-nuclear showdown. North Korea issued an unusually restrained and diplomatic response to President Trump, saying it is still willing to sit for talks with the United States at any time, [in] any format. The first meeting would not solve all, but solving even one at a time in a phased way would make the relations get better rather than making them get worse, North Korean Vice Foreign Minister Kim Kye Gwan said in a statement carried by Pyongyangs official Korean Central News Agency, which mainly targets external audience. Notably, the statement did not appear in Saturdays edition of Rodong Sinmun, the official mouthpiece of the Norths ruling party thats widely read by North Koreans. Harvey Weinstein is to face trial after being charged with rape. The disgraced film producer, in his first public appearance since October, spoke only to confirm he understood the charges, which involve two women. Yesterday morning, Weinstein had turned himself over to police in New York to face the charges. It is the first time he has faced criminal charges since an avalanche of accusations - including from some of Hollywood's biggest stars - emerged last year, sparking the international MeToo and Time's Up movements. Wearing a black suit, white shirt and blue jumper and appearing to stumble slightly, he clutched two books, Something Wonderful: Rodgers And Hammerstein's Broadway Revolution, by Todd S Purdum, and Richard Schickel's biography of producer, director and writer Elia Kazan. Around 90 minutes later, he left the NYPD's First Precinct handcuffed and smiling as he was escorted to Manhattan Criminal Court. He was charged with two counts of rape - one in the first degree and another in the third degree - and one count of a criminal sexual act for alleged incidents involving two separate women. Weinstein has repeatedly denied any allegations of non-consensual sex and intends to plead not guilty, his lawyer Benjamin Brafman said outside court. Inside, the former Hollywood mogul raised his eyebrows as Manhattan Assistant Attorney Joan Illuzzi-Orbon said: "This defendant used his position, money and power to lure young women into situations where he was able to violate them sexually." Weinstein posted a million dollar (751,060) cash bail and will wear an electronic monitor which tracks his movements 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The 66-year-old also surrendered his passport and agreed to stay within the states of New York and Connecticut. After the hearing, Brafman took a swipe at the MeToo and Time's Up movements as he pledged to "move very quickly to dismiss these charges". "We believe that they are constitutionally flawed, we believe that they are not factually supported by the evidence and we believe that by the end of the process, Mr Weinstein will be exonerated." He said Weinstein is doing "as well as can be expected when you are accused of a crime that you vehemently deny having committed". Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R Vance Jr praised the "brave survivors who have come forward" as he urged people with relevant information to come forward. Weinstein is also facing criminal investigations in Los Angeles and London. The Oscar-winning producer and his brother Bob Weinstein founded production company Miramax in 1979, building it into a major Hollywood player before selling it to Disney in 1993. They set up the Weinstein Company in 2005, which spawned hits including The King's Speech, Django Unchained and Silver Linings Playbook. Irish President Michael D Higgins, accompanied by his wife Sabina, cast their votes in Dublin Voters in the Republic look set to deliver an overwhelming Yes vote in the abortion referendum Voters in the Republic look set to deliver an overwhelming Yes vote in the abortion referendum. A high turnout across the country led to a growing confidence among those in favour of repealing the Eighth Amendment. According to an exit poll for The Irish Times, the Yes vote passed comprehensively in both urban and rural areas alike, with the result expected to be 68% to 32%. The highest Yes vote was in Dublin, with 77% backing change. In rural areas, though, where the No vote was expected to be stronger, the Yes vote still hit 70%. Young people were the biggest supporters for repeal of the Eighth Amendment with 87% of 18-24 year olds voting Yes. However, those over 65 voted against the change. Seventy per cent of women were in favour and 65% of men, according to the exit poll of 4,000 voters by Ipsos-MRBI. The eyes of the world's media were on the Republic as people went to the polls in one of the most divisive referendums ever. Staff at polling stations suggested turnout was equal to or better than during the marriage equality referendum in 2015. All day the signals were that around 60% of voters - 1.9 million people - had made their way to the ballot box. But it was reports of significant numbers of young people showing up to cast their votes that led Yes supporters to believe they would win the day. More than 118,000 got their name added to the register of electors in the weeks leading up to referendum. Almost 20,000 of these were in Dublin alone, which is expected to carry a very strong Yes result. As evidence of how this referendum has engaged the public, queues were reported at some polling stations before they opened at 7am yesterday. Polling stations reported busier than usual traffic in the early hours - but there were fears that the good weather would keep many workers away from the polling stations after they'd clocked off. Casting his "big Yes" vote at Castleknock yesterday morning, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said: "The upside of a sunny day in Dublin is that people will turn out to vote. The bad thing is that they might not turn out after work." Mr Varadkar did admit he was "quietly confident". Health Minister Simon Harris said he was "encouraged by the significant number of people who registered to vote". However, some nerves set in as the numbers showing up at polling stations slowed. The 'Together for Yes' group ran a social media campaign throughout the late evening urging people to continue voting in large numbers. It sent out alerts warning that turnout was "comparatively much lower" in some key constituencies, including Dublin Central, where Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald and Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe ran pro-choice campaigns. Sources heavily involved in the No camp were far from conceding the referendum last night, however. They told the Irish Independent that turnout was also high in the regions and the fine weather meant many older voters had no problems getting to the polls. A rural-urban divide is expected, but Tanaiste Simon Coveney claimed it might not be as pronounced as polls suggested. "Up until around 10 days ago there wasn't the same level of intensity to the campaign outside Dublin as there was in Dublin," he said. "I suspect that many rural constituencies may yet surprise people." Mr Coveney said his position had effectively changed once he started listening to the stories of people impacted by the law as it currently stands. Ballot boxes from all 40 constituencies will be opened at 9am today. A result is expected in mid-to-late afternoon - but the likelihood is that the result will become obvious by mid-morning. The official announcement will be made in Dublin Castle this evening. Mr Varadkar is expected to make a public address in which he will call for the country to reunite after the result. If the referendum is passed, Mr Harris is expected to begin the process of formulating legislation for abortion in the coming days. However, sources have described the chances of getting it passed through the Dail by the end of the year as optimistic. Great inspiration: Bishop Michael Curry speaking at the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle What in God's name took place in St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle last Saturday afternoon? Well, a pretty and successful American actress, who is also a divorcee from a mixed-race background, married a prince and became a duchess. On the same afternoon, a black American preacher, Bishop Michael Curry, blew the cobwebs off decades of formal English church history in that bastion of privilege and duty, and delivered a magnificent sermon on the power of love. How dare he do that! The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh remained stony-faced, and the other members of the royal family looked bemused or startled, like the rest of the congregation. Bishop Curry, from Chicago and the first African-American to be the Presiding Bishop of the American Episcopal Church, showed tremendous courage, charisma and scholarship in delivering his sermon. It was right for the occasion, despite the fact that some stuffy Anglican clergy think it was wrong. Such nonsense. Happily, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, said afterwards: "We saw that preaching is not a past art. The use of language to communicate the good news of Jesus Christ just blew the place open." Bishop Curry, with a worldwide live audience of two billion people, gave an urgency, freshness and power to the Christian message which we in our Western so-called sophistication have lost. How many sermons have you heard recently that bored you out of your mind? Did you have the courage to tell the preacher that he or she was totally forgettable? Quite a few of my friends and readers of this column have told me how they despair about standards of modern preaching. I am even told that some ministers deliver sermons of up to 35 minutes. This is ridiculous. A sermon of 35 minutes is an exercise in self-indulgence. It also shows a remarkable lack of planning and discipline. A sermon of seven minutes, on the other hand, is probably too short. The norm should be 15 minutes, or 20 minutes in exceptional circumstances. Anything more than that is wandering into the realms of incompetence and egoism, which is many ministers' greatest downfall. Bishop Curry spent only 14 minutes speaking at St George's chapel, which is short for a Gospel sermon of that kind. When I travel in America, including last year to Chicago and St Louis, I often hear sermons much longer than that, but nevertheless spellbinding. However, there was a much deeper dimension to Bishop Curry's sermon in that he really made people sit up and think. Like him or loathe him, you could not ignore him. He challenged everyone with a message about the power of love which they could not escape. Those who doubt the power of love might also note that earlier this week Prince William read that searing statement about love by St Paul in the New Testament. He read the lesson at a memorial service for the victims of the Manchester terrorist atrocity. St Paul's lesson about "faith, hope and love" speaks to everyone. As my late mother-in-law used to say, St Paul did not "make that up", he simply "wrote it down". I have been thinking a great deal about St Paul since I visited Malta two weeks ago. Several times I was driven past the island where he was shipwrecked off Malta, and it seemed hardly bigger than our own Copeland Islands. Yet despite such humble beginnings, St Paul and all the other Apostles and missionaries spread the Gospel and helped make Christianity the world's greatest religion. Last Saturday, Bishop Curry captured some of the fire and passion of that deep message of Christian love and redemption which people can accept or reject but not totally ignore. So thank God for preachers such as Bishop Curry who wake us up spiritually and make us ask ourselves, "Is this man mad, or is he telling us something which we know deep down is right?". One way or another, it was quite a memorable royal wedding last weekend. Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina asked Indian counterpart Narendra Modi on Friday to press Myanmar to take back hundreds of thousands of Rohingya refugees sheltering in southeastern Bangladesh. The plea came as the pair kicked off a series of bilateral engagements in West Bengal, India, with the Indian prime minister reportedly praising current ties between the neighboring countries as being in a golden chapter. Put pressure on Myanmar so the government takes them back, Hasina told Modi during the dedication ceremony for a Bangladeshi cultural center at Visva Bharati University and at a private meeting later in the day. She was referring to nearly 700,000 Rohingya refugees who had fled to Bangladesh from a brutal military crackdown in Myanmars Rakhine state since August 2017. Last November, officials from Myanmar and Bangladesh signed a bilateral agreement for the voluntary repatriation of those refugees, but the two countries have yet to start the physical process of sending Rohingya back to their home state of Rakhine. Hasinas plea to Modi came the same day that a Bangladesh official announced that a plan to move about 100,000 Rohingya from refugee camps in and around Coxs Bazar district to Bhashan Char, a low-lying flood-prone island in the Bay of Bengal, would be delayed by two to three months. Since the unprecedented influx began nine months ago, Bangladesh has been widely praised for taking in the huge number of Rohingya refugees, which has brought the total refugee population in southeastern Bangladesh to around 1 million. But a report this week by an NGO, Refugees International (RI), took both the Bangladeshi government and the United Nations to task for not being better prepared to protect the sheltering population from potential natural disasters that could be unleashed by upcoming monsoonal rains, which run from June to September. The humanitarian response, including preparation for the monsoon season, has been significant and substantial but it has also been hamstrung by a number of obstacles and lack of effective management and coordination by the Government of Bangladesh and the United Nations system, RI said in the report released Wednesday. Failure to overcome these challenges is unnecessarily putting lives at risk. The report called for removing bureaucratic barriers hindering humanitarian activities by NGOs, streamlining the governments humanitarian response structure through the appointment of a single senior official to oversee efforts; providing safe and suitable land for Rohingya while establishing smaller, less crowed camps; and not moving refugees to Bhashan Char. RIs recommendations for the U.N. included urging the government to remove barriers for NGOs and to stop refugees from being moved to Bhashan Char. Refugees International also urged the U.N. to pursue repatriation as the ultimate goal. The world should learn from us On Friday, a Bangladeshi official overseeing Rohingya shot back at NGOs findings. We totally disagree with the observation of Refugee International. Their allegations are simply sweeping comments without knowing what herculean tasks we are doing here at the grassroots, Habibul Kabir Chowdhury, chief of the Rohingya section at the ministry of disaster management, told BenarNews. All of Europe could not handle 100,000 refugees in one year, but we handled 1 million people in three months, he said. He praised efforts to care for the refugees. Many forecast that thousands of people would die of disease, hunger and malnutrition. But it has not happened. No one died of hunger and disease, Chowdhury said. The world should learn from us how to handle humanitarian crisis. We live with monsoon rains, floods and other disasters we know how to face a crisis. In its own report updated on Friday, the U.N.s refugee agency (UNHCR) said the priority in Bangladesh was to prevent an emergency within an emergency. The single greatest challenge to refugee protection is the physical environment of the settlements themselves, notably the congestion, access challenges due to a lack of roads and pathways, the high rates of water contamination and the significant risk of epidemics, UNHCR said. The agency said the monsoon season could further deteriorate an already dire situation. Bhashan Char Meanwhile, a top official in Bangladeshs Ministry of Disaster Management said the relocation, which was scheduled to begin in June, could occur in August or September because preparations to build infrastructure to accommodate the refugees on the island were still under way. According to a report, about 80 percent of Bhashan Char has been completed, Additional Secretary Md. Mohsin, said, adding that the Bangladesh Navy was responsible for the project. An 11-member committee, consisting of six from the Bangladesh government and five from UNHCR and other aid agencies has been formed to look into this matter, he said. The committee would visit the island next week to check on progress and to determine when the refugees could be moved, he added. A Rohingya leader who lives in the Balukhali refugee camp in Coxs Bazar, said refugees would move to the island if told to do so. We do not know how that place is set up and we do not know whats there, Mahmud Badar told BenarNews. We are here under the supervision of the United Nations. We will do whatever the U.N. says. Malaysian investigators fill up a truck with boxes of documents and items that were removed during a search at an upscale Kuala Lumpur condominium, where former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak has a residence, May 18, 2018. Updated at 5:47 p.m. ET on 2018-05-21 Malaysian police have hauled jewelry, handbags, cash and documents out of residences and offices linked to ex-Prime Minister Najib Razak as part of investigations into a financial scandal tied to state fund 1MDB, a senior Malaysian official said early Friday (local time). After a whirlwind of police activity that began more than 24 hours earlier and saw locksmiths sent in to crack open a safe inside Najibs large house, the head of the Malaysian polices Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) held an early morning news conference outside a posh condominium building in Kuala Lumpur, where officers had seized boxes full of valuable items. We seized 72 luggage bags, carriers of various sizes containing jewelry, watches, cash of various currencies and other valuables which values we have yet to determine, Amar Singh Ishar Singh, the head of the unit, told reporters at the Pavilion residences. We are investigating the 1MDB case and the searches conducted at all six premises since yesterday are linked to this case, he said. During the checks, we also seized 284 boxes of branded handbags. Among them were Hermes Birkins, the police official said, referring to the fashionable bag that retails from U.S. $12,000 to U.S. $300,000. The searches began Wednesday night, and included one where police officers and vehicles were seen swarming around Najibs main residence, soon after the former prime minister had returned home after taking part in prayers at a local mosque on the eve of start of Ramadan in Malaysia. Exactly a week earlier, Najib fell from power after his ruling coalition, which had controlled Malaysian government for 61 years, lost a general election for the first time. Days later, Najib and his wife were barred by immigration authorities from leaving the country as the couple reportedly was planning to board a private jet bound for Indonesia. Soon after, he resigned as chief of the Barisan Nasional coalition and its anchor party, the United Malays National Organization (UMNO). The searches took place at six locations in Kuala Lumpur and nearby Putrajaya Malaysias administrative capital. These included the official Prime Ministers Office and Najibs former official residence as prime minister. Four others were his residence, Singh said. Going into the election Najib was shadowed by allegations of corruption linked to 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), a state investment fund which he started in 2009 during his first term as prime minister. He has denied allegations of criminal wrongdoing over the deposit of nearly U.S. $700 million of 1MDB-linked money into his bank accounts, saying the money was donated by a member of the Saudi royal family. Police cars are seen outside the home of former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, at Jalan Langgak Duta in Kuala Lumpur, May 17, 2018. [S.Mahfuz/BenarNews] Najib: Key lost When asked whether the locksmiths had managed to crack open the safe in Najibs main residence, Singh replied, We are still working on it. According to Malaysian news reports, the locksmiths arrived at the house in the early afternoon on Thursday, after the authorities had discovered the safe. It was an old safe but Najib, in a statement to media, said it had remained locked for two decades because the key to it had been misplaced. According to a lawyer representing the ex-PM, it took six hours for the police to search the house after they first arrived on Wednesday evening. No documents were seized, but police took some personal possessions, including handbags and presents, attorney Harpal Singh Grewal told BenarNews. Later on Thursday, after authorities had been on the premises for as many as 18 hours, and as people were still drilling away at the safe located on the houses first floor, the lawyer complained that the police were harassing Najib and his family and causing them distress. The family is very stressed and tired with the noise and the long duration of the whole thing, Grewal told Benar. The continued presence of police officers in his residence and the drilling of the old safe suggests unwarranted harassment on my client, he added, saying the items seized from the house were of insignificant value. At a press conference on Thursday in Petaling Jaya, Mahathir Mohamad, the new prime minister, said the searches were conducted at the discretion of the Royal Malaysia Police. During the electoral campaign, Mahathir had vowed to recover for the Malaysian people billions of dollars that were allegedly stolen from 1MDB and to prosecute any officials who were complicit in the scandal. Mahathir, 92, led the opposition Pakatan Harapan coalition to a shock upset against Barisan. The police have their standard operating procedure, Mahathir told reporters. I suppose the police have enough reason for a raid. I dont have any information, this is a police matter. On Thursday, Pakatan was formally registered as a political coalition and a Council of Eminent Persons, which had been set up by Mahathir, announced the establishment of a six-member committee dedicated to looking into matters related to 1MDB. In a press release, the council said it recognized the importance of having a separate committee to look into matters relating to 1MDB. Until and unless the issue of 1MDB is resolved, there will be questions that undermine public confidence in the Government and its Institutions, the statement said. Anwars daughter slams police actions In leading Pakatan to victory in the election, Mahathir formed an alliance with a former foe Anwar Ibrahim, the founder of the Peoples Justice Party (PKR) who was released from prison on Wednesday, after he had served three years on a sodomy conviction, which critics said was politically motivated. On Thursday, there was some criticism from within Pakatans ranks against the police actions. Anwars daughter, MP Nurul Izzah, questioned the timing and the manner of the raids targeting Najibs residences. On her Twitter account, she said that as a former victim of early dawn police raids, I must stress my disagreement in ransacking any home at such an ungodly hour. Elections are over and now is the time for nation building and to reflect on our actions, Nurul Izzah added. In 2015, Nurul Izzah was arrested under the Sedition Act and was remanded for a night in police lockup over comments she made in parliament that were deemed seditious. Reacting to her comments, the spokesman for UMNOs youth wing issued a statement expressing appreciation at the gesture made by one of the key figures of the new ruling coalition. Najib is a former prime minister who had given a lot to the country since becoming a member of parliament at the age of 23, Shahril Hamdan said. He has not been charged in court therefore he should be accorded the fair treatment under the principle of innocent until proven guilty. Enough evidence to charge Najib: Anwar Meanwhile, the newly freed Anwar, who walked out of custody after receiving a full pardon from Malaysias king, said Thursday he believed the former prime minister could be arrested and booked on criminal charges. Do I believe there is enough evidence to prosecute Najib? I do. Based on the notes I received, it is strong enough but can I instruct him to be prosecuted? No. It has to follow all the process of a prima facie case, Anwar said after taking part Thursday night in a prayer at his house in Bukit Segambut. And, in a stunning revelation, Anwar told the Reuters that a totally shattered Najib had telephoned him twice in his jail cell to seek his advice on the night of the election, as Najibs tenure as a titan of Malaysian politics began to crumble. When he called on the night of the election, I advised him as a friend to concede and move on, Anwar told the news service Thursday. He was just very evasive ... he refused to concede early, Anwar said. An earlier version misspelled the name for Najib's lawyer. Amar Singh Ishar Singh, the director of the Malaysian polices Commercial Crime Investigation Department, speaks to the reporters at CCID headquarters in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia , May 25, 2018. Malaysian police said Friday they found close to U.S. $29 million in cash in suitcases confiscated during raids last week on Kuala Lumpur residences linked to former Prime Minister Najib Razak. The searches of at least six properties connected to Najibs family in and around the Malaysian capital were done as part of an investigation into a massive financial scandal around a state fund known as 1MDB, officials said at the time. Also on Friday, the countrys new finance minister said he asked tax officials to probe whether Malaysian tycoon Low Taek Jho better known as Jho Low was holding assets or profits linked to the sovereign wealth fund, 1Malaysia Development Berhad. Najib, the ex-PM whose ruling coalition lost a general election on May 9, has denied allegations that he took money from 1MDB. The huge amount of cash in 26 currencies was found in 35 suitcases seized from an unoccupied unit in the Pavilion Residences, a luxury condominium building in Kuala Lumpur, during a raid on May 18, the chief of the national polices Commercial Crime Investigation Division told reporters Friday. I can confirm since 21 May to 23 May 2018, with the assistance of 21 officers from Bank Negara (Central Bank) and one officer from the Islamic Bank, we sat down and counted the money in the 35 bags out of 72 bags, CCID Director Amar Singh Ishar Singh said. The bulk of the cash was in Malaysian ringgit and Singaporean dollars. The total amount of this as of yesterday, 24 May, is RM 114 million [U.S. $28.75 million], Singh said. The other confiscated bags contained jewelry and luxury watches, which the police were planning to authenticate starting Monday with help from experts, Singh said. During the 28-hour raid at the Pavilion Residences, CCID officers also seized 284 boxes containing handbags, mostly from the high-end Hermes Birkin line, the senior police official said. We have had discussions with Hermes, and we will take pictures and send them to Paris to verify their authenticity and their value, he said. Doesnt my daughter deserve wedding gifts? The May 18 raid targeted three apartments in the condo building, two of which were occupied by Najibs son and daughter, Norashman and Nooryana. Police found the 72 suitcases and 284 boxes in the unoccupied third unit, officials said. The raids were among searches conducted by police with warrants at various locations, including Najibs former office as prime minister and his main home, Singh said. But he declined to reveal the names of the owners of the three condo units. Najib has criticized the police raids on his and his childrens residence as being illegal. The luxury items were gifts from friends and the packets of cash were donations for his Barisan Nasional coalitions election campaign, media reports quoted him as saying. During their search of his daughters apartment, police said they had confiscated another 150 luxury handbags. They also seized luxury watches and at least 50 more handbags, as well as 500,000 ringgit ($125,620) in cash, during their search of Najibs main house. What has 1MDB got to do with wedding gifts? Najib said Sunday while addressing a crowd of his supporters in Pekan, his parliamentary constituency, referring to items seized from his daughters house, which included wedding gifts and baby shoes for his grandson. Doesnt my daughter deserve wedding gifts? She is married to someone who can afford it in Kazakhstan, the former PM said. Najibs daughter is married to Daniyar Kessikbayev, nephew of the president of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev. If they want to take items, they must have proof. There must be a prima facie case against me that the items were illegally obtained, Najib told the crowd. The people of Pekan know me. I am not a thief. I am not a rogue, he said. To topple the party, they had to target the president. They would do anything as long as my brand was destroyed. Police said the confiscated cash was being kept at the Central Bank while all of the seized jewelry and luxury items were under lock and key at police headquarters in Bukit Aman. In addition, police said they were holding onto documents related to 1MDB that were confiscated during searches at a host of sites in Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya, Malaysias administrative capital. UMNO wants money back After Barisan Nasional lost the election two weeks ago, Najib and his wife were barred from leaving the country as the new government launched an investigation into the 1MDB corruption scandal. He has since also resigned as president of both Barisan and its anchor party, the United Malays National Organization (UMNO). On Thursday, UMNO, which dominated Malaysian politics for 61 years until its May 9 defeat, issued a statement implying that the money confiscated by police during the raids on Najib-linked properties was in fact the partys money. As UMNOs president, Najib was responsible for obtaining and managing such funds, including money that was supposed to be used for the general election, the statement said. UMNO asked the police to return the money. It is sad to say that the balance of campaign and party funds has been seized by the police while it is in a process to be transferred to UMNOs new leadership after Dato Sri Najibs resignation as president of UMNO and BN, the party said. UMNO is currently in the process of rebuilding the party and the return of the partys fund will assist in the process, it added. Probe ordered against Jho Low Meanwhile, Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng said in a tweet Friday that he had asked the Internal Revenue Board to investigate Jho Low and his family in relation to any of his [tax] returns or anything received in the 1MDB scandal. Jho Low is at the center of investigations by the U.S. Justice Department (DOJ) into the alleged laundering of billions of dollars that, it says, were looted from 1MDB and used to purchase high-priced real estate, art pieces and other valuable items. DOJ has been trying to seize a $250 million yacht, which it alleges was purchased by Jho Low with laundered 1MDB money. But last month, an Indonesian judge agreed to release the ship, the Equanimity, after Indonesian police and FBI agents had seized it off Bali in late February. Jho Low has denied any criminal role in the 1MDB affair, but his whereabouts are unknown. The DOJ has described the affair as the worst kleptocracy scandal in recent times, pointing out that more than $4.5 billion (17.9 billion ringgit) was stolen from the fund since its inception in 2009. When U.S. prosecutors filed a civil forfeiture case related to 1MDB in July 2016, they described a breathtaking level of fraud in which more than $730 million of what seemed to be 1MDB money was rerouted in a maze of transactions before ultimately landing in the personal bank accounts of Malaysia Official 1, a veiled reference to Najib. Najib has denied any criminal wrongdoing, saying the money deposited into his bank accounts was a donation from a Saudi prince. When Nafla Al-Mousa saw the smoke wafting into the open windows of her familys first-floor corner apartment in Massey Manor, her first instinct was to close them. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 26/5/2018 (1235 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Advertisement Advertise With Us When Nafla Al-Mousa saw the smoke wafting into the open windows of her familys first-floor corner apartment in Massey Manor, her first instinct was to close them. She was almost in shock, she said, unable to believe this was happening to her again. Nafla and her husband, Abdul Salam Al-Mousa, are no strangers to hardship. The couple fled Syria in 2012 under the cloak of night with their three boys, Imran, Noor and Kamal, heading to Jordan to escape the civil war. They travelled from area to area, ultimately having to walk three hours on foot just before arriving in Jordan, Abdul Salam recalled, carrying bags, suitcases, backpacks and their youngest son. The last year they were living in Jordan, the familys two-bedroom house burned to the ground due to an electrical fire, Nafla said. It was during the month of Ramadan around the same time of year it is now. "The feeling was so odd," Nafla said through Arabic interpreter Ed Zreim. "It was the last thing ever we thought we would see here, because thats exactly what happened back when we were in Jordan. I started crying." Abdul Salam wasnt home at the time the fire started at Christies Office Plus, he said, but got a phone call from his oldest son telling him there was a fire and theyd been evacuated. By the time Abdul Salam got onto Pacific Avenue, police had blocked all access to the area. "I couldnt go through, so I was just standing there watching the fire take place," Abdul Salam said through Zreim. "I was conversing with (my family) on the phone, but I wanted to take them someplace safe, but the smoke was so heavy we decided to stay where we were. It was such a difficult moment. We were there for four hours, but didnt feel the time go by because we were staring at the (Christies) building, with the anticipation of when the fire was going to reach the apartment." Being closer to the Christies building, Nafla said she could hear small explosions coming from inside as it burned. "It brought back ugly memories of the explosions of the civil war back home," Nafla said. "I was screaming uncontrollably once and a while." Out of all their experiences, watching Massey Manor catch fire is the worst, the couple said. "The whole trip between Syria and Jordan, how long and awful it was, this experience was more painful," Nafla said. "The anxiety there was hope and then there was none," Abdul Salam added. "When I saw the firemen trying to put the fire out I felt like I wanted to be there to help, but it was impossible." Abdul Salam said he is very thankful for everyone who has helped out during his familys time of need. "The support weve been getting from the community has been overwhelming. Overall, (the fire) affected all parts of the community," he said. "Looking at everyone around here, its almost like a large extended family. Theyre all going through the same thing." The couple is most thankful to have their daughters hearing aides back, Abdul Salam said. An employee from the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corp. retrieved them after the family were told they werent allowed back inside. "It was one of the most valuable pieces in the house for us because when (our daughter) cant hear she gets disillusioned and doesnt know whats going on, it gets her ungrounded," Abdul Salam said. After a week, the family is eager to return to some sort of normalcy. The boys have returned to school, Abdul Salam said, adding how grateful he is the school bus picks them up at the hotel they are now living. The kids are still upset about the fire, Nafla said, but having access to the swimming pool has been a welcome distraction. "The most important thing is that no one was injured. Belongings can be replaced, life goes on," Abdul Salam said. "When we left Syria, we were safe. When we left Jordan, we were safe. Its the same in Canada, were safe." edebooy@brandonsun.com Twitter: @erindebooy Its a situation no parent ever wants to find themselves in: having their child go missing. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 26/5/2018 (1235 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Advertisement Advertise With Us Its a situation no parent ever wants to find themselves in: having their child go missing. Thats why Friday marked International Missing Childrens Day to bring awareness to missing children across Canada and beyond. According to a tweet from Manitoba RCMP, "Every year, more than 50,000 reports of missing children are made to police in Canada and while abductions are rare in Canada, no parent should ever have to say the words, My child is missing." Unfortunately, some parents do, and thats why one Brandon resident who has a 19-year-old daughter said its an important day everyone should recognize. "Even if I didnt have kids, no doubt it would be important," Cyril Blanchard said. Its an important day to the Brandon Police Service as well, because it concerns the more vulnerable members of society. "Were concerned when theyre out and not where they belong and with nobody taking care of them," said Brandon Police Service Staff Sgt. Bill Brown. Although they do deal with runaway kids frequently, fortunately police in Brandon dont have to conduct investigations into missing children on a regular basis. "An actual true missing younger child, it doesnt happen very often," Brown said. Still, Blanchard believes that more safety measures should be put into place around parks and schools to deter a potential kidnapper, ensuring that abductions dont take place at all. "You cant tell (whos bad) he said. The Brandon Sun By Eamon Quinn Davy Stockbrokers has upped the stakes for new Bank of Ireland chief Francesca McDonagh, saying the lenders investor day next month in which it will spell out its plans to analysts and investors will be a key catalyst for the stock. At 7.40, Bank of Ireland shares are little changed from a year ago and value the bank at little over 7.94bn, despite it commanding a near duopoly over lending and pricing of loans in the rapidly growing economy in the Republic. The shares of its only big rival, AIB, have however also underperformed for investors in the past year. But Davy highlighted Bank of Irelands material transformation programme to invest 1bn between 2016 and 2020 for the the lender to become a digital-led bank. The brokers said that the investor day, on June 13, will help the bank allay current concerns of investors. A key element of the programme is the replacement of its legacy core banking system with a suite of Temenos products and the delivery of a digital-led bank. Successful implementation of the programme will be a key driver, the broker said for for the lender to achieve its costs targets. Last month, Ms McDonagh and her fellow directors faced a barrage of criticism at its agm from shareholders over branches and unfriendly technology. Davy said that the investor day was a key catalyst for the stock and reiterate our outperform rating and 8.90 price target. The broker noted Bank of Irelands plans are set around a three-point strategy of transforming the bank; serving customers brilliantly; and on growing sustainable profits. We expect the investor day to elaborate further on these three priorities and, crucially, the financial targets to position Bank of Ireland in the coming years, the broker said. One of the uncertainties the lender will address next month is its plans for its UK operations, where competition and the cost of deposits weigh on the bank, said Davy. By Sean McCarthaigh The energy regulator has expressed its concern about the plans of ESB to transfer senior executives into its retail business which may give the conglomerate an advantage over its retail energy rivals. The Commission for the Regulation of Utilities (CRU) has warned there is potential risk of market distortion and customer harm over the proposed reassignment of four executives. The transfers account for almost half of the ESBs nine executive team. The regulator said there was a risk of a senior executive transferring from ESB Networks to its retail business, who may have had access to information which could give Electric Ireland or other parts of its retail operations a competitive advantage over rival firms in areas such as smart metering. Some transfers at the most senior level are subject to review by the CRU. It said there was also a risk with executives switching from the retail side of ESB to the fully regulated and ring-fenced networks business as they might be able to make or influence decisions that could favour their former employer. It has ordered the four individuals to stop using their existing IT accounts, including e-mails, with access to computer files being granted to their new IT accounts only as required for the new roles. It has also required the ESB to maintain a register of all communications by the four executives with their previous division for a period of six months after taking up their new jobs. The ESB approved a number of changes at senior management level in March as a result of an organisational effectiveness review. The moves involved Marguerite Sayers, managing director of ESB Networks; Jim Dollard, executive director of Electric Ireland and Business Service Centre; Paddy Hayes, executive director of generation and wholesale Markets; and Paul Mulvaney, executive director of innovation. Ms Sayers is being appointed executive director of customer solutions, while Mr Dollard will become executive director of generation and trading. As part of the reshuffle, Mr Hayes will become managing director of ESB Networks Assets, with Paul Mulvaney becoming executive director of networks customer delivery. Although the ESB has proposed a number of additional measures to allay the CRUs concerns the regulator, said further measures were still necessary. Exit polling data suggested many voters in Ireland had made up their minds on abortion before the official campaign began eight weeks ago, academics have said. Only a minority were swayed by the divisive and emotive public debate around the issue over recent days. Pollsters said people were more affected by the stories of women who have suffered due to Ireland's tight restrictions, travelling to England for the procedure or taking abortion pills obtained on the internet without supervision. Here are some of the other trends that have appeared from polls carried out for the Irish Times and RTE: (PA Graphics) The polling data suggests a huge gulf in views held by Irelands youngest and oldest generations. Both exit surveys recorded support for the Yes camp at approaching 90% among 18 to 24-year-olds. By contrast, the over-65 group was the only age bracket to vote No, with around 60% wanting to retain the Eighth Amendment. Some extraordinary (extra-extraordinary) stuff in the detail of the Exit Poll: - 77% Yes in Dublin - 66% Yes in Munster - 59% Yes in Connacht - Majority in all age groups under 65 Richard Chambers (@newschambers) May 25, 2018 Urban versus rural As predicted, urban areas appear to have been more strongly in favour of repeal, at just over 70%. But according to the polls, rural areas also voted Yes, with around 60 to 63% in favour. Region by region In keeping with the urban/rural trend, Dublin had the highest Yes vote of around 78%. In Leinster, just under two-thirds of voters (66%) backed liberalisation, with a similar figure in Munster. In Connacht/Ulster, the figure was slightly lower at around 61%. More than a year ago a public advisory body to the Irish Government voted in favour of having no restrictions on early pregnancy by a margin similar to the predicted outcome of Friday's referendum. The Citizens' Assembly decided by 64% to 36% in favour of the momentous step. The body is made up of 99 members chosen at random to represent the views of the Irish electorate. It was established by the Oireachtas parliament to consider some of the most important issues facing Ireland in the future and began its meetings in 2016. Its most controversial task was deciding whether to repeal the Eighth Amendment of the Irish Constitution - which gives an equal right to life to a pregnant woman and an unborn child, and prohibits abortion unless a woman's life is in danger. When the Assembly returned its verdict the Government quickly promised a referendum and announced the date earlier this year, as well as its proposals for reform. They drew on the Assembly's recommendations and draft provisions include that terminations would be freely available, subject to medical advice and a cooling-off period, up to 12 weeks, with more restricted provision from 12-24 weeks. - Digital Desk and Press Association Taoiseach Leo Varadaker has spoken at Dublin Castle following the declaration of results, after the referendum to appeal the 8th Amendment was passed by a margin of more than 700,000 votes. The result was 66.4% Yes and 33.6% No. Mr Varadkar said it was a great day for Ireland. He said: "A quiet revolution has taken place and a great act of democracy, 100 years since women got the right to vote. "Today, we as a people have spoken. And we say that we trust women and we respect women and their decisions." He continued: "For me it is also the day when we said No More. "No more doctors telling their patients there is nothing that can be done for them in their own country. "No more lonely journeys across the Irish Sea. "No more stigma. The veil of secrecy is lifted. "No more isolation. The burden of shame is gone." Mr Varadkar said that this "resounding result"' gives his Government a mandate to "bring forward legislation and secure its passage by the end of the year". He spoke to reassure those who voted No, saying: "I know today is not welcome (for you). "You may feel that the country has taken the wrong turn, is no longer a country you recognise. "I would like to reassure you that Ireland is still the same country today as it was before, just a little more tolerant, open and respectful." Going forward, Mr Varadkar said the he wants Ireland to become a "better place to raise a family." "We all want to ensure that there are fewer crisis pregnancies and fewer abortions. "Thanks to sex education, wider availability of contraceptives and emergency contraception, abortion rates are already falling and teenage pregnancy is at its lowest since the 1960s. "We will continue to improve access to sexual health and education to reduce crisis pregnancies and abortions further in the year ahead." Meanwhile, Doctors for Choice have also welcomed the overwhelming Yes result. Co-founder and spokesperson for DfC Dr Mary Favier said: After years of witnessing the harms of the Eighth Amendment and campaigning to have it removed, we are delighted to see this momentous result for Ireland and Irish women. "A Yes result may go some way to repair the hurt and suffering the Eighth Amendment has caused for the estimated 170,000 Irish women and girls that have had to travel for abortions since 1980, and the uncountable number who have taken illegal medication abortion pills bought online; women who the state abandoned: legally, morally and when they most needed healthcare. Dr Marion Dyer, spokesperson for DfC continued: Doctors will continue to care for and support all pregnant women in their surgeries and clinics whatever their circumstances and whatever their decisions. DfC will also continue to advocate for them. More than 1,642 doctors have declared their respect and support for pregnant women and their decisions. Ireland has voted to care for all pregnant women equally. Members of the quartet Voices For Appeal embrace, as they wait at Dublin Castle for the result of the referendum. Pic: Niall Carson/PA Wire. The Irish College of General Practitioners has welcomed the "clarity" brought by the referendum outcome, and said it must be accompanied by other measures to minimise crisis pregnancies, including comprehensive contraceptive services and sexual health education programmes. In a statement, the College said: "More detailed information will need to be gathered to inform legislators, and to enable the Department of Health, together with the post-graduate training bodies and the representative bodies, to comprehensively draw up the detail and resourcing of services for those with crisis pregnancies." Meanwhile, The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission also welcomed the referendum result. Chief Commissioner of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Emily Logan said: "Todays emphatic vote to repeal the Eighth Amendment paves the way for the development of a new legislative and regulatory framework for access to abortion services in Ireland. "Ireland has an obligation, under international human rights law, to vindicate the human rights of women and girls in accessing healthcare that is safe, appropriate and respects their right to privacy. The Oireachtas now has an obligation to legislate to make those rights a reality. Update:One of the Donegal pro-life campaigners who returned Ireland's only 'No' vote has spoken of his disappointment but has said all those who voted 'No' should hold their heads high in the knowledge that they did the right thing. Cathal Quinn from Donegal Pro-Life said he could, however, no longer have the same pride in his flag. "Now when I look at the tricolour, what does it represent any longer? It used to represent all my ideals. It represented a constitution that was fair and decent. "Now our constitution has been devalued, it has been so much devalued by what has happened today. "How can I have the same pride in the tricolour that I used to have?" He continued: "It is a sad day, but at least we can hold our heads up here in Donegal, and everybody who voted No throughout the whole country can hold their heads up that they did the right thing, that they know they did the right thing. "We may be defeated, we may be down, but by heaven, we're not out. We may have lost the battle but the war goes on." Update: 'The people have spoken, they're looking for a change' says Michael Healy-Rae Independent TD for Kerry Michael Healy-Rae, who voted No, says the people have spoken and their decision has to be respected. He said he will not obstruct legislation passing through the Dail. "The Taoiseach did say that they would be mindful, that the legislation that would be brought before the Dail, that it would not be like a free for all, and it would be considerate of the views of everybody. "There is no way in my mind that it should be obstructed, held up or delayed. "The people have spoken, they're looking for a change, they're looking for legislation and the legislators should now give them what they're looking for." Update: Unborn stripped of their rights but campaign to protect them will continue Unborn Irish children have been stripped of their dignity and protections but the fight to protect the live of the unborn will continue, the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC) and the European Life Network Ireland have said this evening. Liam Gibson, a spokeman for SPUC, said today's vote was a "mark of shame" for those Irish voters who "with knowledge of what has happened elsewhere, chose to dishonour new human life and the place of the child in his or her mother's womb. Pat Buckley of the European Life Network Ireland went on to suggest that while the 'Yes' campaign will celebrate tonight the Irish pro-life movement should be proud of fighting a vigorous and imaginative campaign. He went on: "There can never be social progress if we allow in a mentality which says that we are gods who decide, on our own personal criteria, who lives and who dies. We will not be giving in to despair. We are starting again now and we will make this vote a wake-up call to all of us to renew our efforts consistently and compassionately to protect innocent lives, he concluded. Update: A dark day in which a protection for both women and unborn has been lost A vital protection and declaration of dignity for both women and their unborn children has been removed from the Irish constitution on a dark day for Ireland, according to the 'The Both Lives Matter' campaign group. Dawn McAvoy, a co-founder of the Northern Ireland based group, went on to suggest that the suggestion that women "have won today" because they now might have the choice to end their unborn child's life was a "sad" vision of our future. "This has been a difficult campaign and we commend all those who advocated for both lives. We also acknowledge there are very strong feelings on all sides and many well-intentioned people voted yes. "While many across these islands see the result today as the most compassionate and progressive path that the Irish people could have chosen, many others will see things from entirely the opposite perspective. "Already eyes are turning to Northern Ireland. Democracy and devolution must be respected and the people of Northern Ireland must not have legislation imposed upon them, from either Westminster or Dublin." Ms McAvoy went on to suggest a conversation was now needed on how we best support women and unborn children in pregnancy crisis on the island of Ireland. "In the Republic now is the time for the government and the Yes campaign to match the energy and resource they put into their campaign for abortion with providing real choices for women in pregnancy crisis. "Politicians on both sides of the border must address the structural and systemic inequalities which lead women to believe that abortion is their only choice. With humility, we can all now come together around this common goal. Always and especially now, we continue to advocate that both lives matter." Thank you to all of our incredible #Savethe8th volunteers! You are incredible! #8thref pic.twitter.com/QRcZmFGOST Save Lives. Stop Abortion (@SaveLivesAlways) May 25, 2018 Update: Activists for a NO vote say their campaign against abortion is not over. Katie Ascough of Love Both has said today is a "sad day", but not the end. "To everyone who voted No, there is plenty of reason for hope. This campaign as uncovered a dynamic grassroots and a new generation of Irish people prepared to stand up and fight for the right to life," she said. "We commit ourselves to working towards the day when the lives of mothers and children are fully supported and protected in Ireland." She declined to accept questions after reading out her statement. Katie Ascough of @loveboth8 thanks canvassers and says campaign does not end here. Acknowledges big decision and says its a sad day for Ireland.#8thRef pic.twitter.com/TUw2DxAq6n Richard Chambers (@newschambers) May 26, 2018 Update: Pro-life TDs say they will not block abortion legislation Cork SouthCentral TD Michael McGrath, who campaigned for a No vote, has said he will not block the forthcoming bill on abortion. Deputy McGrath (pictured below) added that he believed the majority of Oireachtas members would accept the will of the people. "I don't intend to oppose or block the legislation," he said. "The people have spoken emphatically. It's now going to have to be given effect in the Oireachtas." He would not be drawn on whether he would abstain or vote for the legislation. "While it may not have been a vote directly on the Government's Bill, people voted in full knowledge of what the bill contains. I think in effect it is an endorsement of the Government's bill," he added. Update: 'Darkest day in history' Pro-life campaigner Tim Jackson (who heckled Minister Simon Harris earlier this week) has called today the darkest day in Irish history. "Considering the hundreds of thousands of children who will not see the light of day (as a result of this referendum)... it's a very, very dark day - the darkest in Irish history," he said. "I don't think we can look at the flag or Proclamation and consider ourselves as having stood up for the people who gave us a bit of freedom. We've thrown it back in their faces." He said he was ashamed to call himself Irish. "For those who find themselves in crisis over the coming years, please know that we're here to help you, and we're here to help your child," he said, adding the No campaign would have to "pick up the pieces" and focus on over-turning this "totally unjust law" in the years ahead. He said politicans and the media had "conspired to bring about a situation in which Irish children will die for generations to come...It's horrendous". He said he was thankful Donegal had "seen sense and rejected this Government's proposals" (based on tallies), but that it was not much consolation given the national vote for Yes. Our campaign does not end with the referendum, but when the Government properly supports the mother and child.#LoveBoth pic.twitter.com/GN9Mt05G1X LoveBoth (Official) (@lovebothireland) May 26, 2018 Update: ' There's no victory when what's happening amounts to killing' Long-time pro-life campaigner Fintan Joseph Power has said he thinks the Yes landslide is a sad day for Waterford, where he is based, and for the country. Mr Power has been involved in the pro-life campaign for about 40 years. He said: "We now have a group of people in this society who are quite happy to see unborn children being killed. I think that's very sad. There is no victory when what's happening amounts to killing. "We're asking our doctors and nurses to save one life in one bed and to kill another life in another bed." Update: Pro-choice Senator Ronan Mullen has said: "The pro-life movement has grown through this campaign and will become very busy now in lots of ways." Speaking in the Roscommon count centre, whoich is following the national trend of a strong Yes vote, he said he will "absolutely not" support legislation allowing unrestricted abortion to 12 weeks when it comes before the Dail. "My job is to promote a just society, care for mothers and for their unborn children." Looking back over the pro-life campaign, he said it had been a "brilliant" one, run and supported by a "very vibrant minority". Update: Fianna Fail's Mary Butler, who camapaigned for a No vote and took part in the Claire Byrne Live debate on that platform said: "I have no regrets...This is something I fundamentally believe in." She acknowledged that it seemed the historically strong urban-rural divide did not appear to hold true in this referendum, and said it was clear a fundamental change had taken place in the country. She said she would not attempt to halt the upcoming legislation, but stopped short of saying she would vote in support of it. "I reserve judgement on that," she said. Fianna Fail TD Bobby Aylward (Carlow Kilkenny) said: "It looks like a landslide, or a rout - whatever way you want to put it. I was expecting this from some time out now - of course I didn't say that. "Let the people decide. It looks like the people of Ireland want change and I as a democrat have to accept that. "From a personal point of view, you just have to accept the will of the people and go along with that. I have my personal, pro-life views," he said. "We move on now. (Abortion) is not the only issue (we have to deal with); I stood by my personal point of view and I'm glad I did, but again I accept the will of the people." Vote No campaigners being addressed by Maeve O'Hanlon in the Cork count centre. She urged volunteers to stick with the campaign saying their efforts would be needed in the future given the coming legislation. #8thref pic.twitter.com/9Jf9x3ajWw Alan Healy (@AlanHealy) May 26, 2018 Earlier: Yes landslide 'a tragedy of historic proportions' Save the 8th, which was campaigning for a No vote in the referendum, has said the apparent landslide vote in favour of repealing the 8th Amendment is "a tragedy of historic proportions". An Irish Times/Ipsos exit poll of 4,000 voters last night has predicted a 68-32% victory for the yes side to repeal the eighth amendment. A second RTE/Behaviour and Attitudes exit poll of 3,000 voters has also predicted a 69.4-30.6% victory for the yes side. Tallies as boxes are opened around the country are confirming the strong Yes vote, so far. In a statement, Save the 8th said: "A wrong does not become right simply because a majority support it." Save the 8th said it would oppose up-coming legislation to allow abortions up to 12 weeks, and in certain circumstances thereafter, and warned the Government's plans for a GP-led service were doomed to fail. "If and when abortion clinics are opened in Ireland, because of the inability of the Government to keep their promise about a GP-led service, we will oppose that as well," the statement reads, concluding: Every time an unborn child has his or her life ended in Ireland, we will oppose that, and make our voices known. Abortion was wrong yesterday. It remains wrong today. The constitution has changed, but the facts have not. Spokesman John McGuirk (pictured below) said he did not think there would be many people on the No side who did not accept the referendum result, but that they were entitled to continue to think abortion was wrong. In a statement this morning, the pro-life Love Both group said the result "paints a bleak picture" for modern Ireland. Group member Dr Ruth Cullen said: If the exit polls are borne out today, it will represent a sea-change on abortion in Ireland and sadly pave the way for an abortion regime that has nothing to do with healthcare and everything to do with abortion on demand. As a group, we stand over all the claims we made during the campaign about what repeal would mean. Its most regrettable the Taoiseach, Minister for Health and some leading medics received a free pass from scrutiny in pushing for abortion, thereby depriving the public the opportunity to hear them defend their pro-abortion positions. We will hold the Taoiseach to his promise that repeal would only lead to abortion in very restrictive circumstances. He gave his word on this, now he must deliver on it. No doubt many people voted for repeal based on the Taoiseachs promises in this regard. Similarly, Love Both member Cora Sherlock wrote on Twitter last night: "Exit polls, if accurate, paint a very sad state of affairs. But those who voted No should take heart. Abortion on demand would deal Ireland a tragic blow but the pro-life movement will rise to any challenge it faces. Let's go into tomorrow with this in mind," she said. By Juno McEnroe, Political Correspondent *At the national count centre in Dublin Castle* The Government have pledged to introduce legislation to reform Ireland's abortion laws by the end of the year, saying a "quiet revolution" brought about the landslide Yes vote. A final count is expected by the late afternoon, but tallies and some details from around the country coupled with exit polls suggest the Yes vote will be as high as 68%. It is likely to be higher in urban areas, with some tallies for parts of Dublin putting the Yes vote even at around 80%. Fianna Fail have been damaged with the huge Yes result, after 31 of their TDs and senators backed the No campaign. Other No campaigners are also laying out markers for the next political battle, pledging to block or stall any government legislation to liberalise the abortion laws. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said that the resounding Yes vote to repeal the Eighth Amendment is a culmination of a quiet revolution over the last 10 or 20 years. Waiting to speak to @rtenews from Citywest. So many campaigners here who worked so hard over the last number of weeks and months to achieve todays result. pic.twitter.com/ehF9P34n8R Leo Varadkar (@LeoVaradkar) May 26, 2018 He also praised the brave women and men of Ireland who he said had told their stories and had the most influence on the vote. Speaking as counting continued across the country, Mr Varadkar said that the large Yes vote had given the Government a mandate now to change the laws. He said he hoped the Government could reform the abortion laws now before the end of the year. Many brave women and men who told their personal stories on how the Eighth Amendment impacted on them, he said. Speaking at the RDS count centre in Dublin city centre, a relieved Health Minister Simon Harris said he intended to, as early as next week, make a request to Cabinet to begin the process of implementing the government's plan to allow terminations up to 12 weeks of pregnancy. He told crowds applauding and praising him: Today is a hugely significant day for our country, the people of Ireland have clearly thought about this issue at great length and for a significant period of time and now they have answered that question and they have answered it in a resounding manner. They have said they want to live in a country that treats women with compassion. The Fine Gael minister added: Under the Eighth Amendment women in crisis pregnancy have been told - take the plane, take the boat. Today we tell them - take our hand. Leading opposition figures have also pledged to row in behind the abortion reform proposals. Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald believes that the legislation could be passed immediately after the summer. "Can I say given the fact the people have now spoken, those who wished not to see a referendum happen at all, I think now need to just reconcile themselves with the considered and decided position of the people, and we need to legislate and we need to do so not in haste but certainly not (with) any delay. "I personally think there is no reason why we can't move quite speedily," she said when asked about an October deadline. "This legislation framework must be the most scrutinised in Irish history... There's been an entire eight weeks in around the parameters of it, so I see no reason for a delay, I see no reason (not) to act, particularly as this issue is one that has been marked historically by horrific delay and cowardice frankly by the Irish political class," Ms McDonald said. Leading No campaigner Senator Ronan Mullen said that he would oppose the legislation passing through the Oireachtas. Independent TD Mattie McGrath also said he had problems with it. Nonetheless, a lot of focus has also turned to Fianna Fail, many of whose TDs and senators opposed the referendum. While leader Micheal Martin has been praised for backing the Yes side, a number of leading party TDs have now conceded that they will support any legislation on the reforms. Cork South Central's Michael McGrath told RTE that people had voted in full knowledge of the legislation and 12-week proposal. He said he woud not oppose the Bill, indicating that he and other Fianna Fail TDs may abstain in any Oireachtas vote. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar is expected at Dublin Castle shortly as attention turns to the official count results as they come in. A final vote could be announced around 4pm. The referendum to appeal the 8th Amendment has been passed, by a margin of more than 700,000 votes. The result was 66.4% Yes and 33.6% No. Update:ARC 'overjoyed' with result The Abortion Rights Campaign (ARC) has said it is "overjoyed" with today's result. ARC spokesperson Linda Kavanagh said: "We couldnt have asked for a more definitive mandate for access to abortion care at home in Ireland. She added: This result is bigger than Ireland: we know the world watches us as abortion access is being eroded in other places. Ireland now has the opportunity to be a beacon to the world in terms of respect for people who can get pregnant. Update: 'Legislators must now act quickly' Labour Senator Ivana Bacik says the people have spoken, and the country's legislators now have a duty to act - and act quickly. She said: "It's a long time coming. This is very emotional day for all of us who have been involved over many years. "It's quite overwhelming to see this incredible support here for repealing the 8th Amendment. "The incredible turn-out and the high proportion of people who voted Yes today...None of us expected such a resounding success for the Yes campaign. "It shows I think the extent to which Ireland has changed as a society and it shows that we have become a more equal, more compassionate and more caring society." Update: Comedian Tara Flynn was at the heart of the Together for Yes campaign. She said it has been an emotional few weeks in the run-up to the referendum. She said: "So there's a moment of relief and release today. "It's just so good to know that reality is being faced now and we're welcoming people home." Update 5pm: Savita's family have 'no words' after Yes vote Savita Halappanavar's father has said he has "no words" to express his gratitude for today's Yes vote. Andanappa Yalagi told the Hindustan Times today that he was "very happy" to hear of the emphatic trend towards an overall Yes vote. "I am very happy today," Mr Yalagi said. "Weve got justice for Savita. What happened to her will not happen to any other family. I have no words to express my gratitude to the people of Ireland at this historic moment." Update: Catherine McGuinness 'surprised' by margin of Yes win Retired Supreme Court Judge Catherine McGuinness, who campaigned against the 8th amendment in 1983 says she is not surprised that the Yes vote pulled ahead - but she is surprised by how much. She said: "I didn't think we'd win by this much, I mean this is absolutely amazing." Minister for Health Simon Harris is greeted by retired Supreme Court judge Catherine McGuinness on arrival at the count centre in Dublin's RDS. Pic: Brian Lawless/PA Wire. Update: Resounding Yes vote 'a comprehensive victory for women', say campaigners Deirdre Flynn from Limerick Together for Yes says the victory is the result of years of hard work. She said: "We are absolutely delighted. "The people of Limerick spoke, they told their stories and we listened we trusted them, we believed them and we respected them. "I think today is a comprehensive victory for the women of Ireland who for 35 years have had to live underneath this law." Members of Voices for choice during the Abortion referendum count at Dublin Castle. Photo Gareth Chaney Collins Tim Spalding, campaign manager of Donegal Together For Yes, explains why he feels the referendum was so tightly contested in his county. He said: "Well we had a formidable force against us, particularly Donegal Pro-Life who are not registered with SIPO and have been placing an enormous amount of advertising right throughout the campaign and since well before it. "We've asked them to come clean about that, where their funding is coming from, we don't know - you can see the scale of the machine that's here. "I think that was up against us really, we're a small voluntary group and we're doing it just on small donations we've got here." An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar (centre), Minister for Health Simon Harris (second left) and Minister for Culture Josepha Madigan arrive at Dublin Castle for the results of the referendum on the 8th Amendment. Pic: Brian Lawless/PA Wire SIPTU deputy general secretary, Ethel Buckley, said that union members warmly welcome the resounding vote to repeal the 8th Amendment. She said: Having called and campaigned for repeal with the Together for Yes coalition, SIPTU members warmly welcome the massive turnout for the vote to repeal. "The result places the issue of womens health at the forefront of the political agenda." Update: Resounding Yes vote 'a roar for decency and dignity', say campaigners Pro-choice campaigners have hailed the Yes vote as a resounding roar for "dignity and decency". Politicians and supporters of repealing the 8th Amendment said it was a huge step forward. They made the comments as final tallies at count centres across Ireland indicate almost 70% of the electorate have voted to liberalise the abortion laws. Yes campaigners celebrate at the count centre in Dublin's RDS. Pic: Brian Lawless/PA Wire Together for Yes co-director Orla O'Connor said the exit poll results showed "a resounding roar from the Irish people" for repealing the Eighth Amendment. "Our campaign and we will be forever indebted to those women and couples whose own bravery and dignity have moved hearts and changed minds - and given the scale of the victory, changed the country," Ms O'Connor said. Co-director Ailbhe Smyth said: "This will be a moment of profound change in Ireland's social history, a moment when the nation collectively stood up for women and for their healthcare, and voted for constitutional change. "Together For Yes always knew that Ireland was ready for this change, because of the evidence and facts showing the harm and the pain of the Eighth Amendment." Amnesty Ireland executive director Colm O'Gorman said the outcome would be a huge milestone for women's rights. Mr O'Gorman said, by voting resoundingly to end the constitutional ban on abortion, Ireland was sending a powerful message to women and girls in Ireland and across the globe. "This is such an important vote for women's dignity and bodily autonomy," Mr O'Gorman said. Vocal Yes campaigner Dr Peter Boylan described the result as a "watershed moment". The Institute of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists chairman said he was "very relieved" and felt "vindicated". "It's a wonderful day for Irish women," Dr Boylan said. He paid tribute to the women who "told their stories so bravely". Dr Boylan also thanked his the consultants at the coalface, who he said witnessed at first hand the reality the Eighth Amendment made. Update: Resounding Yes vote 'a roar for decency and dignity', say campaigners Pro-choice campaigners have hailed the Yes vote as a resounding roar for "dignity and decency". Politicians and supporters of repealing the 8th Amendment said it was a huge step forward. They made the comments as final tallies at count centres across Ireland indicate almost 70% of Irish people have voted to liberalise the country's abortion laws. Together for Yes co-director Orla O'Connor said the exit poll results showed "a resounding roar from the Irish people" for repealing the Eighth Amendment. "Our campaign and we will be forever indebted to those women and couples whose own bravery and dignity have moved hearts and changed minds - and given the scale of the victory, changed the country," Ms O'Connor said. Co-director Ailbhe Smyth said: "This will be a moment of profound change in Ireland's social history, a moment when the nation collectively stood up for women and for their healthcare, and voted for constitutional change. "Together For Yes always knew that Ireland was ready for this change, because of the evidence and facts showing the harm and the pain of the Eighth Amendment." Richard Boyd Barrett (Dun Laoghaire Rathdown) has said today's landslide for Yes represents a "people's revolution". "It's a people's revolution saying we want to leave behind decades of shaming, stigma and a denial of rights," he said. "It's a demand for a more equal Ireland where women are going to be given choice." He added there was now an overwhelming mandate to bring in the legislation immediately. He added the result sends a message about the need to separate Church and State completely. "There's no reason or mandate now for the Church to be running or schools or hospitals. We want publicly and democratically-run services in this country," he said. The @Angels4Yes campaigners have arrived at Dublin Castle to warm applause #8thRef pic.twitter.com/jcrYJXAKZB Philip Bromwell (@philipbromwell) May 26, 2018 Update: Luke Ming Flanagan: 'We were never conservative. We're just complicated' MEP for the Midlands North West constituency Luke Ming Flanagan has commended the local women who canvassed for Yes, and welcomed Roscommon's apparent strong Yes vote, based on tallies. "I'm absolutely delighted with the people of Roscommon," he said. "We were put down as conservative. We were never conservative. We're just complicated." "But today, after an awful lot of work by a massive amount of women I'd never met before - the result is stunning. I'm so, so proud. It was probably the hardest place you could go out an look for a Yes vote. It's inspiring." He called on the Yes canvassers to stay involved in local politics, and to unseat sitting councillors. "To those ladies and girls who campaigned for Yes - you're a bloody inspiration. Fair, fair dues to you; I am so happy today." Meanwhile, Labour's Joan Burton has said the sheer numbers who voted in the referendum was one of the best aspects of the campaign. Speaking in Dublin West, she said it's roughly 75% in favour of Repeal, like much of Dublin. Deputy Burton added she believed many of those on the No side "really failed to show compassion about the real-life, lived experiences of an awful lot of families and particularly of women". She welcomed the removal of posters showing foetuses, which has already begun. Women are going to go on making lots of babies, but now they have choices...The person I would salute today is Mary Robinson - she was a leading campaigner in 1983 against inserting the 8th Amendment in the Constitution. "I don't know where she is today, but she set a tone for change which we have seen now develop...It's a great day for Ireland." Update: McDonald and Howlin call for abortion legislation before autumn Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald and Labour counterpart Brendan Howlin have insisted there is no reason for the Government to delay planned post-referendum abortion laws any longer and to introduce the new rules by the end of summer, writes Fiachra O Cionnaith and Elaine Loughlin. The two opposition leaders said the legislation should be fast-tracked due to the scale of public support for the yes campaign in the referendum and in order to avoid a general election being called before the new law is passed. Health Minister Simon Harris told reporters at the RDS count centre today that he will bring the 12 week unrestricted abortion access legislation to cabinet on Tuesday, before drafting the law over the summer months and bringing it to the Dail and Seanad in the autumn. However, speaking to the Irish Examiner at the same count centre, Ms McDonald and Mr Howlin said there is no reason for any delay. "Can I say given the fact the people have now spoken, those who wished not to see a referendum happen at all, I think now need to just reconcile themselves with the considered and decided position of the people, and we need to legislate and we need to do so not in haste but certainly not any delay. "I personally think there is no reason why we can't move quite speedily," she said when asked about an October deadline. "This legislation framework must be the most scrutinised in Irish history, there's been an entire eight weeks in around the parameters of it, so I see no reason for a delay, I see no reason to act. "Particularly as this issue is one that has been marked historically by horrific delay and cowardice frankly by the Irish political class," Ms McDonald said. Mr Howlin separately said he also wants to see the abortion law passed before the end of the summer due to the "fragility" of the confidence and supply minority Government. "Everybody voted with a very clear view of what was going to be enacted, we now have an obligation as speedily as we can to make sure it is enacted. "This should not be rowed into any General Election campaign and we now have an obligation as legislators to make this the law of the land," he said. Thanks to medical experts like @drboylan for everything. We have matured as a country and we are saying to our women that we cherish you, we dont want to banish you. As a State we have stepped out of the shadows. #repealedthe8th pic.twitter.com/QPBDzGu4nU BrendanHowlin (@BrendanHowlin) May 26, 2018 Update: Micheal Martin calls for abortion Bill to be drafted as soon as possible Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin has called for the abortion Bill to be drafted and published as quickly as possible, "certainly before the summer recess". He added he would like to see Dail debate start before the recess, if possible, "and to have the legislation passed as quickly as possible after that". "There is momentum coming out of the debate," he said "We should honour what the people have said; that's very fundamental to a parliamentary democracy." Micheal Martin: overwhelming Yes means legislature duty-bound to reflect peoples will & pass law in line with bill outline before voters during #8thRef campaign. But @fiannafailparty parliamentary party will still be allowed free vote, in line with position since 2013 #iestaff pic.twitter.com/mwAB7Y9bVh Niall Murray (@niallmurray1) May 26, 2018 12.45: Leo Varadkar says referendum marks culmination of 'a quiet revolution' Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said that the resounding yes vote to repeal the Eighth Amendment is a culmination of a quiet revolution over the last ten or twenty years, writes Juno McEnroe. He also praised the brave women and men of Ireland who he said had told their stories and had the most influence on the vote. Speaking as counting continued across the country, Mr Varadkar said that the large yes vote, estimated at over 68% by exit polls, had given the government a mandate now to change the laws. He said he hoped the government could reform the abortion laws now before the end of the year Many brave women and men who told their personal stories on how the Eighth Amendment impacted on them. The Taoiseach thanked the citizens assembly for its work on the constitutional assessment over long weekends as well as the Oireachtas Committee and is members who worked on the reforms proposals. He added that events over the last few years had resulted in the change backed by voters. It has allowed us a nation to come of age, Mr Varadkar told RTE from his constituency count centre in Dublin West. He also said that the majority yes vote would not have happened without the drawn out political process and work of the two groups. The result shows that the process and politics can work. The culmination of a quiet revolution says @campaignforleo of #8thRef pic.twitter.com/ZFMo0h8APc Juliette Gash (@JulietteGash) May 26, 2018 Meanwhile, Labour leader Brendan Howlin has called on people to celebrate the result of the referendum which he said has liberated Ireland, writes Elaine Loughlin. "People were determined to make a difference and I think it's truly historic," he said arriving into Dublin's RDS count centre. I know that people said that we shouldn't be celebrating but I think we should celebrate today because after 30 years we have taken this burden off women, we have made them full citizens in this Republic so that their needs are catered for here, we don't export them any more. "That really is a joyous time," said Mr Howlin who voted against the eighth amendment as a senator in 1983. He said he didn't believe that he would see such a "resounding change" in this lifetime. Mr Howlin "Everybody felt in the last couple of weeks in particular that there was a very strong momentum, I said that I wouldn't be definateve until I test the most conservative parts of my own constituency, a week before polling I did that and I was very confident then. "This is a liberation for Ireland and I think it sends a signal to everybody and excitement for everybody in this country." He said the view expressed by the people is now so clear that no TD or senator should be obstructive in legislating for the people's will. 'Take our hand': Simon Harris reaches out to women in crisis pregnancy Reflecting on an apparent landslide Yes vote, Health Minister Simon Harris said this afternoon: "Today is a hugely significant day for our country", writes Elaine Loughlin. "The people of Ireland have clearly thought about this issue at great length and for a significant period of time. And now they have answered that question, in a resounding manner," he said. "They have said they want to live in a country that treats women with compassion. "Under the 8th Amendment, women in crisis pregnancy have been told to take the plane or take the boat. Today we tell them - 'Take our hand'." Arriving at the RDS count centre Health Minister @SimonHarrisTD says he will bring a memo to Cabinet on Tuesday to draft legislation on abortion #iestaff via @Elaine_Loughlin pic.twitter.com/vFe2OIJEuQ Irish Examiner (@irishexaminer) May 26, 2018 As tallies show a massive landslide win in the referendum to repeal the eighth the Health Minister said he will now bring a memo to Cabinet on Tuesday to allow him press ahead with drafting new legislation on abortion. Mr Harris said he has always believed that Irish people are "innately decadent and compassionate" and they obviously voted with those traits to the fore in referendum. There were emotional scenes as Together for Yes organisers arrived at the RDS this morning. Sinn Fein leader Mary-Lou McDonald, Minister Katherine Zappone and Mr Harris as well as a number of other politicians from across the political divide have also made their way to the count. Arriving at the count Mr Harris said: "Today is a hugely significant day for our country, the people of Ireland have clearly thought about this issue at great lengths and for a significant period of time and now they have answered that question and they have answered it in a resounding manner. "They have said that they want to live in a country that treats women with compassion." The official result is due to be announced in Dublin Castle this afternoon, however, strong turnout which is expected to see the yes side win by a considerable margin means Mr Harris is confident he can now get legislation across the line in the coming months. "I think the people have voted in such significant numbers, huge turnouts right across this country, across the political spectrum, across societal spectrum people have voted to say yes and I believe that gives me a mandate now to introduce the legislation, which I published in advance of this referendum. "It's not government legislation, it's legislation that a huge amount of people, including my colleague Kate O'Connell put a huge amount of work into on a cross party basis. "It's one that has had legal and medical input and we have had a campaign where civil society and Together for Yes have been to the fore. "Of course people in the Oireachtas have the right to have their views knowns but I certainly think that those of in the Oireachtas, and those bosses are the people of Ireland and they have spoken very, very quickly. "I hope on Tuesday to go to government and ask the government for permission to draft legislation. As you know I have published the heads of the bill and they have been well debated by both sides of this campaign and people knew about them when they voted on this issue. "So I hope to ask the government on Tuesday to provide permission for me to draft. I hope the drafting could take place over the summer months with a view to trying to introduce legislation in the Oireachtas in the autumn session," he said. Update: Social Protection Minister Regina Doherty said: "The huge challenge for us now is to recognise the fears that people who voted No have, and to ensure those fears never, ever get realised." She referred to "the supports we need to put in for people who are in crisis pregnancy - the prevention measures we need to put in (including) education in our schools and free contraception to ensure we reduce the need for women to have terminations." She said she was "looking forward" to getting the legislation published. Update: 'Tears last night, tears this morning...an overwhelming result' Counting of votes in the abortion referendum has begun across the country this morning after two exit polls predicted a landslide majority in favour of repealing the Eighth Amendment. Tanaiste Simon Coveney says Ireland has made a "very powerful" decision for change. Speaking from City Hall in Cork, Mr Coveney said: "Sometimes democracy is powerful and yesterday was one of those days. He said it was a "huge step forward" and will now ensure that a "compassionate and appropriate policy" will be in place. "I think there will be very few people in the Dail who will try to frustrate what is the clear will of the vast majority of the people in Ireland who want to see the Government following through on its commitment." Tanaiste @simoncoveney: Yes vote on #8thRef huge step forward... all of #Ireland voted to change things for the better. pic.twitter.com/UXop72eqrR Jon Williams (@WilliamsJon) May 26, 2018 Mr Coveney said that by the time the Dail breaks for the summer (around the end of the second week in July), the clear heads of the legislation should be ready. With the cooperation of opposition parties, he said the Government could "hopefully" have the legislation passed by the end of the year. "It takes time to move through the different phases to make sure we get it right. It's important we do that...We are talking about lives here and supporting women and recognising the magnitude of the decision to terminate a pregnancy in Ireland. These are really serious issues" There was a big fear amongst some people that we would see Dublin make one decision, and the rest of the country make another, and that we would see a really divisive debate, even after it had passed. We haven't seen that. "What we've seen is a huge amount of undecided people knowing they could no longer accept the status quo because they have heard the stories that resulted from the status quo...We have consensus across the country, and we don't have an urban-rural divide and this will allow politicians to put together really comprehensive legislation that protects women properly for the first time in Ireland." Tanaiste Simon Coveney says Ireland has made a "powerful decision" for change and there's been a strong Yes vote in urban and rural areas #8thRef pic.twitter.com/TR9g8gBdvs Stephen Murphy (@StephenMNews) May 26, 2018 Minister for Housing Eoghan Murphy (Dublin Bay South) said: "I'm overwhelmed a bit to be honest. It was a phenomenal result. "I wasn't expecting it to be such a convincing yes result as what it looks like from the tallies in my own constituency here in Dublin Bay South. Some are looking like 80% in favour of repealing the 8th Amendment." Counting continues in Dublins RDS, In Dublin Bay South the yes vote is on 78% with 55% of boxes tallied #iestaff via @Elaine_Loughlin pic.twitter.com/nXLWBvSAKM Irish Examiner (@irishexaminer) May 26, 2018 At the count centre in the RDS, he said: "We were very clear in putting this to the country, on what we wanted to come after that if there was a Yes vote, in terms of the legislation. We have to move forward now expeditiously with that legislation, but we have to take the necessary care wit hit to make sure we get it right becuase this will be the new law of the land. He said there should now be no unnecessary delays in bringing the legislation forward. Fine Gael's Helen McEntee (Meath East) agreed it was "overwhelming...I couldn't be prouder. There were tears last night, tears this morning and I'm finding it hard to hold them back right now doing the tallying. It's a day for us to be proud. "I'm shocked at the overall result. While canvassing, I always thought it would be 60%-40% for Yes, but I wasn't sure that would transpire in the result. But it has." Campaigners and politicians in favour of removing the ban on abortion in Ireland have been welcoming the RTE and Irish Times exit polls which indicated a 69-31% and 68-32% vote in favour of repealing the 8th. Yes voters Niamh Brennan and Catriona O'Rourke, both from Finglas, during the abortion referendum count in the RDS, Dublin. Picture: Collins. The three Co-Directors of the Together For Yes campaign have said today that dignity and decency have won out. Ailbhe Smyth, Co-Director said: If exit polls are reflected in the official vote count later today, this will be a moment of profound change in Irelands social history, a moment when the nation collectively stood up for women and for their healthcare, and voted for constitutional change." "Ours was an evidence-led campaign", said campaign Co-Director Grainne Griffin. "Every step we took, every campaign action, every single initiative we undertook was informed by the fact that we were listening to people at the doors, and in local communities, had access to research about where the people where at and what they wanted. Ireland has woken to a new dawn today and we are now a country that is a little more compassionate, more caring and more kind. Dr Peter Boylan during the Abortion Referendum count in the RDS, Dublin. Photo Gareth Chaney Collins. Arriving at the RDS count centre in Dublin, vocal Yes campaigner Dr Peter Boylan said he was "very relieved" and felt "vindicated". "It's a wonderful day for Irish women," he said. The chairman of the Institute of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists said he wanted to thank and pay particular tribute to the women who "told their stories so bravely" and said it was a "watershed moment" for Ireland. Peter Boylan: This is a watershed moment for Ireland. #8thRef pic.twitter.com/6NQCfHdmPS Richard Chambers (@newschambers) May 26, 2018 Earlier, Amnesty International director Colm O'Gorman said the "scale of the result is phenomenal", thanked pro-choice politicians including Health Minister Simon Harris and said Ireland has now decided to "wrap" women in crisis situations "in compassion". Taoiseach Leo Varadkar last night said history will be made on Saturday after it was predicted Ireland will vote emphatically to remove the eighth amendment 35 years after the divisive abortion ban was introduced. "Thank you to everyone who voted today. Democracy in action. Its looking like we will make history tomorrow," he wrote on social media website Twitter. Thank you to everyone who voted today. Democracy in action. Its looking like we will make history tomorrow.... #Together4Yes Leo Varadkar (@LeoVaradkar) May 25, 2018 In a similar statement on the same website, Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin threw down the gauntlet to pro-life opponents within his own party who have sought to undermine Mr Martin's decision to publicly and consistently back the yes campaign. Saying the Government should now move quickly to introduce the planned 12 weeks unrestricted abortion laws in the event of a yes vote, Mr Martin said: "With exit polls published, it looks like #8thRef has been emphatically passed. "Important though that we respect and count every vote. If the exit polls are accurate, the view of our Republic is clear and we as an Oireachtas should move efficiently to enact the will of our people." With exit polls published, it looks like #8thRef has been emphatically passed. Important though that we respect and count every vote. If the exit polls are accurate, the view of our Republic is clear and we as an Oireachtas should move efficiently to enact the will of our people. Micheal Martin (@MichealMartinTD) May 25, 2018 Meanwhile, in another statement last night, Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald said simply "Ireland is changing". I want to thank Sinn Fein members from across Ireland and all those who campaigned for a Yes vote and for the leadership of the Together for Yes Group. This campaign was marked by the woman who came forward to share their personal stories of dealing with tragic circumstances. The campaign created a space for Ireland, North and South, to look at the experiences of women and I believe that we are all better for that. The voices of these women have been heard and can no longer be silenced by guilt or neglected by Government. Ireland is changing and this is evident in the vibrant Yes campaign headed up by women and young people. I want to thank each and every one who voted and campaigned for Yes," Ms McDonald said. Reacting to tonight's @IrishTimes exit poll, @MaryLouMcDonald wanted thank the people who hoped, who dreamed, and "thank you all of you who voted. I think we're about to prove we can change it for the better."#Together4Yes #8thref #TrustWomen pic.twitter.com/mBHDKgU9vP Sinn Fein (@sinnfeinireland) May 25, 2018 Reacting to the exit poll results, a director at the British Pregnancy Advisory Service (Bpas) said Irish voters have shown that denying women the right to abortion services in their own country in 2018 is not acceptable. External affairs director Clare Murphy said: "This is a momentous step forward that is long overdue. "For decades, Irish women have been forced to travel hundreds of miles to our clinics in England, often alone, at a huge personal and emotional cost. "The result, once confirmed, means that the Irish government can bring an end to this suffering, and legislate to provide the care women need at home." - Digital Desk Florida's Governor Rick Scott has declared a state of emergency for all 67 counties ahead of Subtropical Storm Alberto. A briefing was held this morning at the state emergency operations centre in Tallahassee. Authorities urged residents to take the storm seriously. The Governor said the move was intended to "keep families safe and prepare for the torrential rain and severe flooding this storm will bring". Escambia County declared a local state of emergency yesterday "in an abundance of caution". - Digital desk Love, Actually star Hugh Grant is a married man for the first time at 57. The British star tied the knot with his Swedish television producer girlfriend Anna Eberstein, 39, in a low-key civil ceremony on Friday, People magazine and Reuters reported. Hugh Grant with his new wife, Anna Eberstein. Credit:Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP Photos show Grant and Eberstein, who have three young children together, leaving London's Chelsea Register Office in London. Beaming, they posed for pictures on the steps outside with a small group of family and friends. The happy couple were casually dressed. Grant wore a dark blue suit and tie while showing off a noticeably large wedding ring that featured three red stones. Eberstein was dressed in a blue shirt, that matched her husband's, and white skirt while donning a simple gold wedding band. A Fraser woman has been remanded in custody after she allegedly threatened David Jones' security staff with a syringe before holding a woman hostage on Friday afternoon. Katalina Ruth Lotiola Kaihea, 28, was charged with trespass, theft and making threats to endanger health. She is expected to reappear in court next month. The ACT Magistrates Court heard as the woman was being arrested, she asked police if she could have a hit of heroin before being taken into the Watch House. The ordeal allegedly began when the woman was stopped by security at David Jones in Civic at 3.40pm on Friday after they believed she was carrying stolen items. Ms Kaihea returned the items, valued at $767.75, before she was asked to wait inside for police. She then allegedly threatened the two security guards with an uncapped syringe, claiming she had HIV. She allegedly fled the store to the Braddon 7-Eleven, stopped a woman's car and jumped into the passenger's seat, claiming she was being followed and needed help. A Canberra man has been remanded in custody after he allegedly assaulted and stalked his ex-partner, attacked her in front of her young child and drove a car through her front door. The ACT Magistrates Court on Saturday heard Rohan Leigh Coppin, 35, was an employee of the Australian Border Force. Court documents show that on Thursday the woman was at home with her child when she allegedly saw Coppin at her door, sliding his finger across his throat. He demanded to be let in before he entered through the garage, approached the woman and ripped off her necklace in front of the child. She tried to flee but court documents allege Coppin threatened to suicide, blocked her from leaving in her car and said he would follow her all day. A former Queensland Liberal senator has joined Cory Bernardi's Australian Conservatives party and will feature on the state's Senate ticket. Joanna Lindgren - the great-niece of the first indigenous member of Australia's Parliament, Neville Bonner - served as a senator from May 2015 to July 2016 and was also the first LNP Queensland indigenous woman in the Senate. LNP Senator Joanna Lindgren's time in the Senate barely lasted a year. Credit:Andrew Meares Ms Lindgren, who has identified as coming from the Mununjarlli and Jaggera peoples, is also a former high school teacher. Mr Bernardi also announced on Saturday that former Australian Christian Lobby managing director and prominent opponent of same-sex marriage Lyle Shelton would lead the party's Queensland Senate ticket. A man has been charged after allegedly breaking into a Gold Coast home and masturbating in front of a woman on Friday. Police will allege the 27-year-old man walked into a Scarborough Street unit at about 3pm and removed his clothes. Police charged a 27-year-old man with performing 'indecent acts with intent to insult or offend'. Credit:Glenn Hunt He then allegedly began masturbating in front of a 27-year-old female resident, who did not know the man. Police said he ran from the scene partially naked when the woman called 000. Victorias public housing authority is failing its duty of care and pushing family violence victims and other vulnerable people into homelessness, tenancy advocates warn. Legal services want a radical overhaul of the Department of Health and Human Services process for evicting public housing tenants, as figures obtained by Fairfax Media reveal more than 2000 Victorians have been evicted from public housing since mid-2010 - with 363 evictions in 2013/14 alone, virtually one per day. There were 275 evictions in 2016/17. Victoria's Department of Housing operates residential accommodation including Melbourne's high-rise commission flats. Credit:Julian Kingma Thousands more have been threatened with the boot for falling behind in rent, damage caused in family violence incidents or the general state of their property. The Labor party are upset with date, because it clashes with their national conference. They said the timeline was "deliberately designed" to disadvantage Labor. Labor's candidate for Fremantle, Josh Wilson, speaks during a press conference as Perth candidate Patrick Gorman looks on. Credit:AAP Image/Richard Wainwright But House of Representative Speaker Tony Smith said the Australian Electoral Commission needed time to put in place new regulations for candidates to ensure their citizenship status is in order. Voters in Perth and Fremantle (and the party workers who will be hassling them at polling booths) will probably be more interested to know both the West Coast Eagles and the Fremantle Dockers play on Sunday, July 29 - the day after Super Saturday. WA's Andrew Hastie drops parliamentary bombshell On Tuesday Canning MP Andrew Hastie, who is also chairman of the Federal Parliament's joint intelligence and security committee, used parliamentary privilege to identify billionaire businessman Chau Chak Wing as an unindicted co-conspirator in an FBI bribery case concerning a senior United Nations official. Mr Chau is one of the country's most generous political donors and, according to Mr Hastie's parliamentary revelations, closely associated with the lobbying arm of the Chinese Communist Party. "It's time we applied sunlight to our political system and a person who has featured prominently in Australian politics," Mr Hastie said. Mr Hastie said he spoke out under privilege partly because of Mr Chaus decision to launch multiple defamation actions against publishers. He said such legal attacks "can have a chilling effect on our free press". Talked-about Tweets After Health Minister Roger Cook surrendered a $600 fountain pen he was given in breach of the government's strict Ministerial Code of Conduct, opposition front-bencher Zak Kirkup served up a bit of sass on Twitter. The pen was among $30,000 in gifts given to WA ministers since Labor took office in 2017. (N.b. Those who appreciate "fine writing instruments" have some sympathy for Mr Cook and are horrified by this tweet.) United Airlines has settled with the owners of a French bulldog puppy that died after a flight attendant insisted that the carrier containing the dog be stowed in an overhead bin for a three-hour flight. The dog's death in March prompted animal rights groups to call for the flight attendant to be fired and United to change its rules for transporting pets. The furore even led to the introduction of federal legislation. United Airlines declined to discuss the terms of the settlement but said, "We are deeply sorry for this tragic accident." New York attorney Evan Oshan, who represents the dog's owners, the Robledo family of Queens, said the airline and the family reached an "amicable settlement" but declined to discuss the terms. "We hope the death of Kokito won't be in vain," he said, referring to the bulldog. "We hope all airlines will be moving in the direction of adopting the best safe transport policies." The tax department today exempted angel investors from income tax on their investments in start-ups with effect from April 11. The tax concessions are subject to certain conditions laid down by the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion last month, which said that the share capital and share premium of the start-up should not exceed Rs 10 crore after such investments. Also the angel investor who plans to subscribe the shares in the start-up will have to fulfil prescribed criteria and the start-up will have to procure a report from a merchant banker, specifying the fair market value of the shares in accordance with income tax rules. The Income Tax Department, on May 24, issued a notification, superseding its June 2016 notification. "...The Central Government, hereby notifies that the provisions of clause (viib) of sub-section (2) of section 56 of the said Act shall not apply to consideration received by a company for issue of shares that exceeds the face value of such shares, if the consideration has been received for issue of shares from an investor in accordance with the approval granted by the Inter-Ministerial Board of Certification," the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) said in the May 24 notification. This notification comes into effect retrospectively from April 11, 2018, it said. The CBDT has also amended Rule 11 UA (2)(b) of I-T Act, thereby making merchant banker valuation compulsory for the purpose of determining fair market value of unquoted equity shares, and omitted the word 'accountant'. Nangia & Co Partner Amit Agarwal said the notification states that 'angel tax' shall not be levied, where the business is an approved start-up and has obtained valuation from a merchant banker. "The notification is a welcome move in allaying fears of start-ups in relation to angel tax and providing the much-needed clarity with respect to non-applicability of angel tax. "Another key takeaway from the notification, is withdrawal of power from chartered accountants to issue valuation reports for purposes of angel tax. This is perhaps designed to bring in more sanctity to issuance of valuation report," Agarwal said. The decision to give investors in start-ups exemption from income tax was aimed at addressing a key issue faced by angel investors who put money during early growth stage, and would also provide level-playing field for all investors. The Commerce and Industry Ministry had on April 11 said that a start-up can seek tax concession under the section 56 of I-T act. The section 56 provides for taxation of funds received by an entity. According to the notification, an angel investor with a minimum net worth of Rs 2 crore or an average returned income of over Rs 25 lakh in the preceding three financial years would be eligible for 100 per cent tax exemption on investments made into start-ups above fair market value. Several start-ups had raised concerns over taxation of angel funds under Section 56 of the Income Tax Act, which provides for taxation of funds received by an entity. As many as 18 start-ups had received notices from tax authorities. This section provided that where a closely held company issues its shares at a price more than its fair market value, the amount received in excess of the fair market value will be charged to tax the company as income from other sources. Start-ups incorporated before April 2016 can seek exemptions from section 56 of the Income Tax Act. However, the three-year income tax concession would be available to only those that are incorporated after April 1, 2016, and before April 2021. Start-ups also enjoy income tax benefit for three out of seven consecutive assessment years under section 80-IAC of the Act. The government has so far extended tax benefits to just 88 start ups out of 8,765 that have been recognised by DIPP since January 2016. To avail both the concessions (under section 56 and 80 IAC of the Income Tax Act), start-ups would have to approach an eight-member inter-ministerial board of certification. An angel investor is the one who put funds in a startup when it is taking baby steps to establish itself in the competitive market. Normally about 300-400 start-ups get angel funding in an year. Their investment in a unit ranges between Rs 15 lakh to Rs 4 crore. The government launched the Start-up India' initiative on January 16, 2016, to build a strong ecosystem for nurturing innovation and entrepreneurship. Kurukshetra, May 25 (PTI) Israels Ambassador to India Daniel Carmon today said beekeeping is a tool to ensure food security and sustainable development. "It (beekeeping) not only empowers farmers but also boosts local and national economies," he said at an event here. "We are very proud to have cooperation with Haryana on beekeeping which can provide support for farmers across India in this integral field," he said. MASHAV, Israels Agency for international development cooperation, held a seminar at the Indo-Israeli centre of excellence for beekeeping here. Lectures and discussions were held on importance of maintaining healthy bee colonies and empowering beekeeping farmers. Over 110 beekeepers took part in the seminar. This year MASHAV chose to participate in marking the World Bee Day in order to raise awareness of the need for bee populations conservation and its importance for the entire ecosystem, an official release said here. The integrated beekeeping development centre in Haryana, established under the Indo-Israel agricultural project (IIAP), is the first of its kind in India. It implements and demonstrates innovative technology and know-how, thus benefiting the local farmers. MASHAV is providing the knowledge and agro-technical support. The centre conducts training programmes for local farmers and generates beekeeping protocols for key practices, the release said. The centre was inaugurated on November 10, 2017. PTI VSD MKJ MKJ (Eds: Correcting portfolio of Piyush Goyal in 2nd para) New Delhi, May 25 (PTI) Coal stock at some power stations in the national capital region has dipped to an "alarming" level and if it is not replenished at the earliest, Delhi could be staring at "black-out" situations, citys Power Minister Satyendar Jain said today. Jain said that he has already written to Union Minister of Railways and Coal Piyush Goyal apprising him of the situation and sought his intervention into the matter. "It has been brought to my notice that coal-based generating stations of NCR i.e. Dadri I & II and BTPS (Badarpur Thermal Power Station) are facing coal shortage and at present some of them have coal stock availability for only one or two days," he said in the letter. Interacting with reporters at his office at the Delhi Secretariat, he said there is a shortage of coal stock at Jhajjar power station too. "There is no surplus coal at these stations and if the stocks are not replenished, there could be a black-out situation in Delhi," Jain said, adding, "This could become a serious problem, if not addressed timely." According to sources, the situation was brought to the notice of the Delhi government by power distribution companies. In his letter to the Union minister on May 17, Jain also said, "It has also been gathered that this coal shortage is due to non-availability of transportation rakes/wagons with Indian Railways." The minister has requested Goyal to "intervene and resolve this crisis-like situation at the earliest" in the interest if consumers of Delhi, and the power sector. "As you are aware that peak summer season has started and during summer season Delhi experiences very high power demand, this year the peak demand of Delhi is expected to touch 7,000 MW. With the rising temperatures and increasing power demand, this coal stock position is very alarming and needs immediate attention in order to avoid load shedding or any major grid incidents," Jain said in the letter. He urged Goyal to issue necessary instructions to the ministries/offices concerned to not only resolve the current situation at the earliest, but also to take steps to avoid such situations in the future. PTI KND NSD NSD By Abhishek Sonkar Hamburg (Germany), May 26 (PTI) The first edition of the Global Wind Summit will be held here from September 25-28, 2018. The organisers of the four-day event are expecting speakers from about 100 countries, including India, China, the US, Spain and Denmark. "A number of Indian companies would be participating in the global event. We are also in touch with the Indian government," Anja Holinsky, project director, WindEnergy Hamburg, Hamburg Messe and Congress GmbH, told PTI here. The conference on wind is the largest and most important meeting of the wind industry worldwide. The event combines two conferences, WindEnergy Hamburg and WindEurope, Holinsky said, adding both the events together will witness about 1,400 exhibitors and 250 speakers from all over the world. The event will provide a platform for experts from across the globe to discuss innovative and green technologies for harnessing wind energy making, S Gnanasekharan, Secretary General, Indian Wind Power Association, said. "The focus of the conferences would be on three major subjects. Dynamic markets, cost efficiency and smart energy. How to develop new markets, make product competitive in auctions and use wind power for all energy applications (will be discussed)," he said. India is fourth largest country -- after China, the US and Germany -- in terms of wind energy installation capacity at around 33 GW, Gnanasekharan said, adding the government has set a target of achieving 60 GW by 2022. "I am sure India has potential to meet the target in the given time. India is also a huge market for this sector. Today many companies are eyeing India," said Steve Sawyer, Secretary General, Global World Energy Council. PTI ABI MKJ MKJ Oh, I cant believe its gone, its so sad, laments Anne Forrest, pointing to the location where a wooden railway bridge once spanned the end of Arnott Street in Hume. For many years the road under the recently demolished bridge, which Forrest refers to as Petrovs Bridge, was the only road access to her familys Tralee property. In the early 1950s, as a child, Forrest recalls, Wed occasional see a dark-coloured car with tinted windows parked under the bridge and my father would tell us, Dont look!'" When I got older I was told it was between the slats of wood under this very bridge where Soviet diplomat-come-double agent Vladimir Petrov would hide secret papers he was handing to ASIO, prior to his defection to Australia in April 1954. While I dont recall seeing any parcels concealed under the bridge, we did often see lizards between the sleepers, laughs Forrest, who believes the car her family regularly saw parked near the bridge either belonged to Petrov or that of an ASIO operative. A spokesperson for Transport NSW, unaware of the bridges link to Cold War espionage, said the decision to remove the structure was taken on public safety grounds, following consultation with Queanbeyan Palerang Council. According to my Transport NSW insider, the underbridge had been struck by vehicles on multiple occasions and blue metal from the track was falling onto the road below. Removal of the bridge gives council the option to construct a wider road, improving access and safety for motorists, pedestrians and cyclists. Another Canberran just as disappointed as Forrest by the removal of the landmark bridge is historian Dr Peter Dowling. A few years ago, when I was writing a booklet on border walks for the National Trust, I drove and walked under the bridge a few times and gave a thought or two to poor old Petrov, reflects Dowling, who also recalls driving under the bridge many times in the 1970s when it was an access point to the Fraser Park Speedway. Petrov was being used by ASIO [the Australian Secret Intelligence Organisation] to supply documents from the Soviet Embassy in Canberra and one of the hiding places was this bridge, confirms Dowling. In the 1950s there wasnt much out there, it was a fairly remote spot, making it an ideal location to leave secret documents and for covert drop-offs. As to the contents of documents wedged into the timber work of the bridge, thats something we may never know, Dowling says. By its very nature, details surrounding espionage can be murky, but thats what makes it so fascinating. While this column wont question demolishing the bridge on safety grounds, it would, however, be a pity if future generations were unaware of the former bridges historical significance. Perhaps the folk at ACT Heritage could erect a sign (maybe in secret code!) on the ACT side of the railway track detailing its colourful history. Or even better, perhaps the Queanbeyan Palerang Regional Council could rename the section of road leading to the site of the demolished bridge Petrovs Pass? Just an idea. While the fate of Petrovs Bridge has already been sealed, the fate of another tangible link to the tumultuous events leading up to Petrovs defection, his beloved car, a dark green 1951 Skoda, which he crashed near Royalla in the early hours of Christmas Eve 1953, remains a mystery. Petrov, who was bruised and cut, knew he had been lucky to escape with his life, reports Robert Manne in The Petrov Affair: politics and espionage (Pergamon Press, 1987). He claimed he had been forced off the road by a truck and, not unnaturally given his present state of mind, wondered whether his Soviet colleagues were behind some attempt on his life. Not surprisingly, there was much speculation surrounding the circumstances of the crash. On April 23, 1954, The Canberra Times reported neither the Canberra nor the Cooma police have any record of the accident, nor has the hit-run truck been located. When Petrov returned to see if the car could be salvaged the next day, it had been stripped of its engine and gear-box, and all that remained was the charred frame and chassis. Manne further reports that when he [Petrov] eventually emerged from the Soviet Embassy to speak to the Canberra police about the incident, he misled them on a number of points, at least partly because he wished to conceal from them the purpose of his trip to Cooma a conspiratorial rendezvous with Madam Ollier of the French Embassy. While a dig through records of ArchivesACT reveals that the number plates (DC 290) of his Skoda were eventually returned to the Registrar for Motor Vehicles, what became of the car wreck is less certain. The Skodas whereabouts is something that has bugged Ian Williams of Calwell since the early 1980s when his dad, a car buff, showed him a rusting wreck of a 1950s vehicle near Royalla which he thought may have been Petrovs car. A farmer came along and was curious what we were looking at so my father told him about Petrovs crash, recalls Williams. Unfortunately, next time we drove along the road, the car wreck had disappeared! The cars sudden disappearance led Williams to theorise perhaps after realising its historic value, the farmer towed it into a nearby shed. If you know the whereabouts of the wreck of Petrovs Skoda, Williams would love to know. The bridge: The now-demolished railway bridge is at the eastern end of Arnott Street, in Hume. Did You Know? In 1956, the Petrovs became Australian citizens, settling in Melbourne under the pseudonyms Sven and Maria Allyson. However, Vladimirs life after defection was not the utopia he had imagined and fearing assassination, he rarely left his safe house. A tale of two bridges: Last year, this column featured a photo of the Monaro Highway bridge which spans the disused Queanbeyan to Bombala railway line at Ingelara, about 70km south of Canberra. According to Ruth McFaddens The Road South: a picturesque and romantic history of a well-travelled track (RNK Publications, 2005), under this bridge was where Petrov managed to stash his parcels of secrets. While it is possible that the Ingelara Bridge was yet another of Petrovs drop points, two factors point to this being unlikely. Firstly, as Anne Forrest points out, why drive that far when there were so many other hiding spots closer to Canberra? and secondly, the only bridge mentioned by Petrov while giving evidence before the Royal Commission on Espionage (1954-55) which followed his defection, was a railway bridge, located on the Queanbeyan to Bombala line six-and-a-half miles [about 10.5 km] from Canberra. That is the exact distance from the old Canberra GPO to the Hume bridge. Spooks and spies: Later this week, on May 31, Professor John Blaxland, lead author of three volumes of The Official History of ASIO (Allen and Unwin, 2014, 2015, 2016) will open Spy: Espionage in Australia, a National Archives of Australia-curated exhibition at the Museum of the Riverina in Wagga Wagga, where it will remain on show until August 12. If you are an espionage aficionado and dont fancy the three-hour drive to Wagga Wagga, then dont fret, for the exhibition which reveals the personal experiences of secret agents and the curious history of espionage and counter-espionage in Australia, from federation through to the present day, is expected to be on show in Canberra next year once renovations at the NAAs headquarters at East Block in the Parliamentary Triangle are complete. Watch this space for details. Another reader who followed the Petrov affair with great interest was Peter Welch, now of Kaleen, but who in the early 1950s lived in Griffith, not far from the Soviet Embassy. Just a lad at the time, apart from the location of the Hume bridge, Welch especially remembers the Petrovs beloved pet dog. After the Petrovs defected and went into hiding, their dog, a German Shepherd, a breed rarely seen in Canberra in those days, was left behind and wandered the inner south for some time, recalls Welch. It was eventually taken into temporary care by the Stacey family who lived across the park from me in Flinders Way. According to the Museum of Australian Democracys online expose on the Petrov affair, the dog, called Jock, was eventually returned to Petrov, but had to be given away again after it bit Evdokia [Petrovs wife]. The attack on his wife wasnt the first time Jacks behaviour had landed Petrov in hot water. According to Michael Thwaites in Truth Will Out: ASIO and the Petrovs (HarperCollins Publishers Australia, 1980), prior to his defection, Jacks unruly behaviour inside the Soviet embassy was the overt cause of Petrov being reported to his superiors in Moscow. Contact Tim: Email: timtheyowieman@bigpond.com or Twitter: @TimYowie or write c/- The Canberra Times, 9 Pirie St, Fyshwick. You can see a selection of past columns online. Clue: Celebrating 50 years this year.Degree of difficulty: Medium Last week: Congratulations to June McKenzie of Fisher, who was the first reader to correctly identify last weeks photo, above, as the Front Room at the National Film and Sound Archive in Acton. McKenzie just beat Russell Nankervis and Lesley Cioccarelli to the prize. The Front Room is a place where visitors can interact with the archives extensive collection, particularly through sound. My archives insiders inform me they are currently putting the finishing touches on a blockbuster exhibition about one of Australias most famous actors. Can you guess who? Expect an announcement soon. How to enter: Email your guess along with your name and address to timtheyowieman@bigpond.com. The first email sent after 10am, Saturday May 26, 2018, will win a double pass to Dendy. /images/transform/v1/crop/frm/silverstone-ct-migration/db51029f-063b-4506-b4e7-593ae5f507ff/r0_450_4608_3054_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg news, crime An off-duty police officer who bashed a man unconscious early one morning has shown no remorse for the harm he caused and had tried to falsely downplay his actions, a judge said Friday. The sentencing judge also said the now former officer had exploited the victim's submission to authority and later minimised his criminal conduct in a police report. A jury found Wade Joseph Howell, 36, guilty last month of intentionally or recklessly inflicting actual bodily harm after he bashed the victim in Veterans Park early on April 2, 2016. Howell, who was in Canberra for police training on close personal protection, was out drinking at Civic nightspot Mooseheads when he followed a woman heading back to her hotel at the Medina Apartments. The off-duty police officer from Melbourne was sitting on a park bench with the woman when her boyfriend came hurrying up to them. The woman warned her boyfriend not to hit Howell because he was an officer. The trial heard Howell pushed the man away, to which the man replied: "What the f--k?" Howell then punched him in the head several times. When the man fell to the ground, Howell continued to land blows on the man's head. The jury rejected Howell's claim that his actions were justified by self-defence. The victim in the assault suffered a broken cheekbone and a swollen face, as well as ongoing nerve damage that caused numbness and a lost sense of taste. After the assault Howell followed the victim back to the apartment, where Howell called police, and where he tried to persuade the woman that she did not want her boyfriend to stay that night. Howell was found guilty of the assault, but was acquitted of a separate charge of choking, and a charge of perverting the course of justice by his actions later that night. The former police officer appeared in the ACT Supreme Court on Friday to be sentenced. During the sentence, Justice David Mossop said Howell's actions after the bashing were relevant to his level of remorse. He said Howell had gone back to the couple's apartment and tried to persuade the woman she did not want the victim to stay that night. He had tried to direct the authorities' attention away from what had happened. Howell had exploited the victim's submissiveness to authority, and tried to falsely downplay his own actions, the judge said. The former officer had also minimised his criminal conduct in a later police report, he said. There was a complete absence of remorse or contrition for the harm he had caused, the judge said. And false versions of the assault had been put to the witnesses during the trial. But the judge commended the two police officers who had seen what had happened in the fall out of that night and ensured the assault was reported. The court heard Howell had since left his job with the federal police. He had been first suspended with partial pay, then suspended without pay, and then during his trial was given notice to show cause why he should continue in the job. Howell resigned, and was now working as a driver, the court heard. His barrister said the loss of his "cherished" career was already a significant penalty. The court also heard Howell had no criminal history. Justice Mossop noted the assault had had "catastrophic" consequences on Howell's career. There were multiple accounts before the court that he had been a dedicated and competent police officer. The assault was out of character, the court heard, and Howell was not usually an aggressive man when drinking. The judge sentenced Howell to six months jail but suspended the whole sentence. He put the former police officer on a good behaviour order for 30 months. /images/transform/v1/crop/frm/silverstone-ct-migration/ff9360b4-85b2-4915-91a2-637de56f1277/r0_118_306_291_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg news, latest-news The Tradies Club may have saved as much as $2.1 million on a pay-out to the ACT government to "deconcessionalise" its main Dickson block, calculated on a comparatively low estimate of the lands market value. The club was allowed to pay just $545,625 to deconcessionalise the 10,234 square metre block in 2016, based on a valuation from the club claiming the land was worth only $4 million at the time. But that figure was as much as $215 a square metre less than what the club agreed to pay the government for the adjoining carpark block that was at the centre of the controversial Dickson land swap in 2014. When a lease is deconcessionalised, it is changed from a concessional lease for community uses such as clubs to a straight commercial lease, to allow for profitable redevelopment. Clubs across the ACT were granted concessional leases and have been "deconcessionalising" the leases for redevelopment; but they must pay taxpayers the difference between the original value of the land and the current market value to do so. The system for deconcessionalising such leases has also faced criticism by the ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal, which in 2014 characterised it as formulaic, during a controversial case involving the Raiders Club's Braddon site. Several inner south residents' groups also recently questioned a valuation of a Canberra Services Club-owned block next to Manuka Oval, claiming it has vastly undervalued the potential market price of that block. While a government spokeswoman said the ACT valuation offices 2016 review of the Tradies Clubs valuation was independent and rigorous, it has refused to detail what factors were included in the review. The government has also refused to release a copy of the valuation from the club, which claimed the land was worth $4 million, citing a club request at the time that the information was commercial in confidence. The clubs valuation of the main block housing the Dickson club, Block 28, Section 34, also came to the same figure reached by the government at least two years earlier. While the club had applied in 2013 to deconcessionalise the block, claiming the land was worth $2.75 million, the government review of the lands value at the time also came to $4 million. But that application lapsed before the club made the pay out, as the club was in talks with the government to include the deconcessionalisation as part of the wider Dickson land deal. An ACT Auditor-Generals report into the land swap found the club secured concessions worth at least $2.6 million in that deal, but it also shows the economic development directorate ultimately refused to include the deconcessionalisation in the wider deal. When the club again applied in 2016 to deconcessionalise its main block, the governments review of the clubs valuation confirmed the land as valued at $4 million. As the club had already paid some $3.44 million in what the government spokeswoman said were a series of payments for varied uses over time, likely to allow the hotel on the block, it only owed the government $545,625. That figure was the same as the pay out agreed, but not finalised, about two years earlier during the clubs first tilt at deconcessionalising the block. On the basis of the $4 million valuation, the clubs main block was estimated as worth only $390 per square metre, some $215 a square metre cheaper than the governments reserve price on the adjacent carpark, at $3.18 million for that block, or $605 a square metre. That was despite the clubs main block being more than twice the size of the carpark block, with the same zoning and height limits at the time. Even the $3.18 million reserve price on the carpark was, the audit report found, based on a valuation that itself may have underestimated the value of the carpark block by at least $1.5 million, under the final terms of the deal. Had the clubs main block been valued at the same per square metre figure as the carpark next door, it would have been worth about $6.19 million, leaving the club facing a potential pay-out of about $2.7 million, some $2.19 million more than what the club ultimately paid in September 2016. While clubs must submit a valuation of their land when applying to deconcessionalise it, in the 2014 Raiders Club case, the tribunal heard that no attention seems to be paid to it by government assessors. In that case, an appeal against the deconcessionalisation of a Canberra Raiders-owned block in Braddon, the tribunal heard planning authority staff gave little weight to club valuations, as the authority would seek its own valuation. In that case, the tribunal concluded the authority seems to have adopted a formulaic approach in assessing 13 such applications, since all the ministers reasons are couched in roughly similar terms, based no doubt on drafts provided by the authority. Among the successful applications were the Brumbies, which paid $270,000 to deconcessionalise its Griffith site in 2011-12, the Raiders Club in Braddon, which paid out $620,000 in 2014-15 and the Tradies Club, which paid $1.2 million to deconcessionalise the Woden club site, since sold to Geocon for $16 million. The planning authority spokeswoman said the ACT Valuation Office was a non-statutory, independent unit that sat within the Commissioner for Revenues office for organisational purposes. She said the critical assessment of applicants valuations was a thorough and robust process that, similar to a valuation, yields a before and after value for the purposes of calculating a payout figure. While the planning minister must decide if it is in the public interest to consider a deconcessionalisation application, final approval can be given by the minister or the planning authority. Comment was sought from the Tradies Club. Do you know more? Email: daniel.burdon@fairfaxmedia.com.au /images/transform/v1/crop/frm/silverstone-ct-migration/f1727e42-29ea-4134-ad81-8e807c2aa907/r0_308_2000_1438_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg Our Promise: Welcome to Care2, the world's largest community for good. Here, you'll find over 45 million like-minded people working towards progress, kindness, and lasting impact. Care2 Stands Against: bigots, racists, bullies, science deniers, misogynists, gun lobbyists, xenophobes, the willfully ignorant, animal abusers, frackers, and other mean people. If you find yourself aligning with any of those folks, you can move along, nothing to see here. Care2 Stands With: humanitarians, animal lovers, feminists, rabble-rousers, nature-buffs, creatives, the naturally curious, and people who really love to do the right thing. You are our people. You Care. We Care2. People have lots of reasons for giving up a pet they love. Most of them involve some pretty tough decisions. Meghan Markle recently learned that the hard way: She had to give up her dog to marry Prince Harry. In fact, Markle could only take one of her dogs with her when she moved to London to marry her prince. Ahead, get all the details on why she had to give up one of her dogs including the reason the dog who got left behind isnt royal enough (page 7). 1. Meghan Markle only took 1 of her dogs when she moved The Mercury News reports that when she moved to the United Kingdom, Meghan Markle only took one of her dogs with her. The other dog stayed behind to live in North America permanently with some of Markles friends. A spokesman for Kensington Palace explained, This is a permanent decision that Meghan made on her own not an easy one at that. According to The Evening Standard, Markle once said the dogs mean the absolute world to her. She also referred to them as my boys and my loves. Next: Meghan Markle has two dogs. 2. Her dogs are named Guy and Bogart The Mercury News explains Markle had two rescue dogs: a beagle named Guy and a Labrador-shepherd mix named Bogart. She regularly posted photos of both Guy and Bogart before she deleted her social media profiles. And she encouraged her fans to adopt dogs. In fact, she often used the hashtag #adoptdontshop. When she moved to the United Kingdom to live with Prince Harry, Markle took Guy with her and left Bogart behind. Bogart was her first pet, so just makes the situation even more heartbreaking. Next: She adopted Bogart because of this celebrity. 3. Markle adopted Bogart because of Ellen DeGeneres According to The Mercury News, Markle adopted Bogart at the urging of Ellen DeGeneres. (DeGeneres herself is a major fan of animals.) The two bumped into each other at an animal shelter. And as Markle tells the story, She turns around and comes and taps on the window glass and she yells take the dog! And so I brought him home. Because Ellen told me to. Next: She may have run into trouble with this red tape. 4. Getting approval for a dog to move to the U.K. can be difficult People sometimes run into trouble with their passport or visa. And it can prove difficult to get approval for your dog to move, too. The Kensington Palace spokesman seemed to hint at some potential issues with Bogarts paperwork when he said, It takes a toll on an animal to travel so far across Atlantic combined with the hard, long process of getting approval. The Mercury News notes pet owners have to meet a lengthy list of requirements under Britains Pet Travel Scheme to bring their dogs into the country. Some of those requirements can be hard on dogs, especially older dogs. Next: Bogart would have had to do all of these things to go with Markle. 5. Bogart would have had to be microchipped and fly in the planes cargo hold The Mercury News reports under the requirements of Britains Pet Travel Scheme, Bogart would have needed a microchip. As a Labrador-shepherd mix, hes also too large to fly in the cabin of a plane and would need to travel in the cargo hold instead. (That has proven very dangerous for some pets.) Markle would have also had to obtain documents showing Bogart had all his vaccinations and that he had been tested and treated for various infectious diseases. If he didnt meet those requirements, he would have to be quarantined for up to six months. Next: Markle probably also considered this when deciding whether to take him along. 6. His age was probably a factor Express reports that Bogarts age was probably a factor in Markles tough decision to leave him behind. It was reported that Bogart was considered too old to adapt to the big move from Toronto to London, and that is would be kinder to let him continue to live in Canada, the publication noted. The Guardian seemed to confirm that theory. The publication reported that Bogart is believed to be too old to make the journey across the Atlantic and is staying with Markles close friends instead of moving to the United Kingdom. Next: An etiquette expert says Bogart isnt royal enough anyway. 7. Only 1 of Meghan Markles dogs is royal enough It seems highly unlikely this factored into Meghan Markles decision. But according to Travel + Leisure, an etiquette expert revealed only one of her dogs is royal enough. Etiquette expert William Hanson says, The finest breeds are Labradors and of course the Queens beloved corgis, but other types of dogs will put you surprisingly low on the social scale. Working dogs, such as beagles, rank at the top of the social hierarchy. So Meghan Markles beagle, Guy, will be a good and appropriate addition to the canine cognoscenti, Hanson explains. But Bogart doesnt make the cut because hes a mixed breed. Next: Markle got along well with the dogs owned by this member of the royal family. 8. Markle got along well with Queen Elizabeth IIs corgis Back in November 2017, when news first broke that Markle had to leave one of her dogs behind, Prince Harry noted that his then-fiancee was getting along well with his grandmothers dogs: the legendary Pembroke Welsh corgis of Buckingham Palace. The dogs reportedly liked Markle right away even though theyd spent years barking at Prince Harry. But sadly, the royal corgi lineage has drawn to a close after eight decades. So Markle can no longer fill the Bogart-sized hole in her heart with the queens corgis. Next: Royal dogs live a charmed life. 9. The queen is a huge dog fan Its no surprise that Markle and the queen are bonding over dogs. Queen Elizabeth II received her first corgi at age 7, and at one point she had 13 corgis. And her dogs definitely receive the royal treatment. They eat catered food, and each menu is dog-specific, including an array of homeopathic and herbal remedies. They also enjoy their meals from silver and porcelain dishes. In fact, the queens dogs even get handmade Christmas stockings. Next: The queen has taken to Markles dog. 10. The queen seems to like Guy, Meghan Markles beagle As fellow dog lovers, Meghan Markle and Queen Elizabeth II seem to have banded together. W Magazine reports that when the queen departed for Windsor Castle the day before the royal wedding, she seemed to have Guy with her in the back of her Range Rover. The two traveling together formed a pretty adorable picture. And Guy seemed to be adapting just fine to his new life alongside the royal family. As W Magazine reports, Its a long way to come for Guy, a plucky, wide-eyed orphan from Kentucky. Next: The two dogs have an adorable backstory. 11. Guy and Bogart may miss each other Some dogs get along well with other dogs, while others only tolerate each other. But it sounds like Guy and Bogart may miss each other, given that they now live on opposite sides of the Atlantic. When Markle was filming Suits, she reportedly corresponded with the founder of an Ontario rescue to find a friend for Bogart. Bogart did not click with one intended beagle, but it was apparently love at first sight for him and Guy, W Magazine reports. We hope theyre not too old to make new friends. Read more: Queen Elizabeths Corgis and Other Breeds the Royal Family Loves Most Check out The Cheat Sheet on Facebook! When it comes to planning a vacation, putting the state or national parks on the list is usually a good idea. Notice we said usually, but not always. Dont even bother adding these parks to your wish list, because theyre a total waste of time, according to the people whove been there. They say these are the worst parks, the most boring parks, or just plain old wastes of time. 1. Arches Location: Utah Utah has tons of national parks, national forests, monuments, and conservation areas, including an underrated one, but not all of them are great. One visitor gives Arches a low rating because all the other parks in southern Utah are so great. Next: According to one visitor, this park lives up to its name. 2. Badlands Location: South Dakota They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but not everyone sees a dream setting at Badlands National Park. As one person put it, Badlands is basically washed out hills of 50,000-year-old mud. Next: Even park enthusiasts dont like it. 3. Canyonlands Location: Utah Utah houses a couple of the most boring parks. We discussed Arches a minute ago, and now were visiting Canyonlands. You know its one of the worst parks when even park enthusiasts dont like it. As one visitor writes, [My wife] and I found this place to be a little boring. Ive been to the Grand Canyon (too many times), Death Valley, Yosemite, Bryce, Zion, Arches etc. etc. Places where I liked the atmosphere a lot better. Next: Most people should expect an unrewarding visit. 4. Congaree Location: South Carolina What someone calls one of the most boring parks someone else calls a treasure, but thats probably not Congaree. The mosquitos, venomous snakes, poison ivy, and flat landscape dont provide the same kind of breathtaking views other parks have. Or as one reviewer puts it, Congaree is very unrewarding. Next: We can see how this might be one of the worst parks. 5. Death Valley Location: California You know Death Valley as the lowest point in North America, and while that excites some people, others call it a waste of time and money. A California visitor who loves the desert feels $20 is too much money to look at rocks and salt flats all day. Next: How you feel about cold weather probably affects how you feel about this park. 6. Denali Location: Alaska Whether or not you call Denali one of the boring parks probably depends on how you feel about exploring the wilderness and cold weather. One visitor says theres not much adventure, and while there are some breathtaking parts, Denali amounts to a long drive to see tundra. Next: This state again? 7. Gates of the Arctic Location: Alaska Gates of the Arctic is another Alaska park whose appeal depends on how in touch with nature you want to get. True to its name the park is entirely north of the arctic circle, but as Fox News writes, no roads lead to the park and there arent any trails to hike. In winter youll be freezing cold in the dark, and in summer youll be swarmed by biting bugs and probably getting too close to dangerous grizzly bears. Next: Haters are gonna hate. 8. Grand Canyon Location: Arizona We say the Grand Canyon is an awe-inspiring testament to natures power, but of course, some people say this is one of the most boring parks. As one visitor writes, Youll go ooh and ahh for 30 seconds [at] a very, very large hole. Next: Maybe size does matter 9. Hot Springs Location: Arkansas The smallest national park makes a case for being one of the most boring parks in the U.S. For one thing, its not even close to being a wild retreat deep in nature since the town of Hot Springs goes right up to the edge of the park. Plus, as one reviewer writes, the park is the bargain basement national park. Next: An underwhelming experience. 10. Joshua Tree Location: California If you visit Joshua Tree, youd expect to see some actual Joshua trees, right? Well, one visitor saw more trees outside the park than inside, which made for the most underwhelming national park visit ever. Next: So many things that make this one of the worst parks. 11. Mount Rainier Location: Washington Yes, its a short drive from Seattle, so you can have the best of the city and nature in one day, but Mount Rainier is one of the worst parks out there. One person writes the rude rangers, the terrible traffic, and poor behavior of other visitors make for a disappointing experience. Next: Another Washington pit stop. 12. Olympic Location: Washington If youve never seen the mountains before, you probably wont call Olympic one of the most boring parks. However, some visitors from the west coast say theyve seen a lot better. Next: An A+ for the scenery, an F for the employees. 13. Rocky Mountain Location: Colorado As you can imagine, Rocky Mountain National Park is surrounded by soaring peaks, and the natural beauty is hard to match. As one 2017 visitor writes, the scenery is great, but the rude park employees ruin the experience. Next: With a name like this, you know what youre getting into. 14. Wind Cave Location: South Dakota With a name like Wind Cave, you know what to expect, but this joins Badlands another skippable and boring South Dakota park. Its a cave system. Buffeted by the wind. Surrounded by great plains scrubland. As one visitor points out, the caves are boring, and so are the tour guides. Next: Its not all its cracked up to be. 15. Yellowstone Location: Wyoming Located mostly in Wyoming but spilling over into Idaho and Montana, Yellowstone is supposed to be one of the best national parks around. Yet its not all its cracked up to be. One reviewer writes about the cramped visitor center, disgusting bathrooms, rude rangers, and clueless fellow visitors. When you put it like that, maybe Yellowstone *is* one of the worst parks out there. Read more: 15 Surprising Foods You Should Never Put in the Freezer, Revealed Whether its a money-making giant like Amazon or a mom and pop store, having a good reputation and keeping customers happy are keys to success. A new Harris Poll survey reveals the countrys 10 least popular companies in 2018. Amazon and loved grocery chain Wegmans are doing fine, but the least liked companies have a lot of work to do. All of these least liked companies have a lot of work to do, including one paying the price for its role in the Great Recession (page 8), but only one is in critical condition (page 11). How Harris tallies Reputation Quotient Six components factor into the final RQ score. Harris polled more than 25,000 American adults between Dec. 11, 2017, and Jan. 12, 2018, and asked each to list two companies with the best reputations and two with the worst reputations. Then, the 100 most visible companies are given average scores on a 0-100 scale based on six components: Emotional appeal: Trust, admiration, and respect. Trust, admiration, and respect. Financial performance: Sustained profitability, does better than competitors, has room to grow. Sustained profitability, does better than competitors, has room to grow. Products and services: Quality, innovation, and value. Quality, innovation, and value. Social responsibility: Community and environmental responsibility; supports good causes. Community and environmental responsibility; supports good causes. Vision and leadership: Strong leadership and a clear vision for the future. Strong leadership and a clear vision for the future. Workplace environment: Good employees, rewards employees fairly, is a good place to work. Any score of 80 or above is excellent, which is where Amazon, Wegmans, and Tesla, despite its negative Autopilot news, ended up. Scores between 55-64 are poor, 50-54 is very poor, and under 50 is awful. Next: A number of controversies put this company on the list. 10. Halliburton RQ score: 61.96 Several controversies since 2000 arent helping Houston-based Halliburtons reputation. A $7 billion, one-bid contract from the government before the second Iraq war, its role in the Deepwater Horizon disaster, and corruption allegations in Nigeria arent winning over the average American. Next: The average American hasnt forgotten what this company did years ago. 9. Goldman Sachs RQ score: 61.44 Ten years later, people havent forgotten how Americas biggest banks triggered the Great Recession. Former Goldman Sachs CEO Hank Paulson was a major proponent of the $1 trillion government bailout of the big banks, and thats enough to make it one of the least liked companies in America. Next: Its not shocking at all seeing this company on our list. 8. Experian RQ score: 60.66 Credit reporting bureau Experian is always one of the financial companies Americans complain about the most, so its not shocking seeing it make the list. Being fined $3 million in 2017 for giving customers inaccurate scores is one reason Experian shows up as one of the least liked companies in the Harris Poll survey. Next: Unbelievable screw-ups before and after a major fiasco. 7. British Petroleum RQ score: 60.05 How tarnished it BPs reputation? How long have you got? The Deepwater Horizon disaster in 2010 was a massive screw-up that cost the company an estimated $53.8 billion. Its almost unbelievable, but there might be a bigger reason BP is one of the least liked companies out there. The company reportedly silenced whistleblowers before and after the Deepwater Horizon fiasco. So, yeah, BP doesnt have a lot of fans in the U.S. Next: So many reasons consumers hate this company. 6. Monsanto RQ score: 59.71 There are lots of reasons consumers think Monsanto is one of the worst corporations out there, but we dont want to take up all your time so well just highlight a few of the big ones: Manufacturing Agent Orange for the Army during the Vietnam War even though it knew about the negative health effects. Using contaminated Agent Orange that caused various cancers. Creating and using genetically modified seeds and fertilizer. Making a growth hormone for cows that is linked to breast cancer in humans. Next: People think the man and his company are one in the same. 5. Trump Organization RQ score: 57.94 While its true President Donald Trump is losing support in some places, were chalking this one up to people not being able to separate the man from his company. However, the Trump Organization is helping him profit during his presidency, which is shady enough that the private entity is among the least liked companies in the U.S. Next: A company that excels at ripping you off. 4. Wells Fargo RQ score: 57.78 You probably remember Wells Fargo for setting up fake accounts in customers names in order to rake in account fees. As it turns out, the company excels at ripping off people with several dubious scams. One scam was a foreclosure hustle during the Great Recession that forced thousands of people out of their homes. Wells Fargo is paying the price now by being named one of the least liked companies in America. Next: There are two reasons this company makes the list. 3. Equifax RQ score: 55.56 When you get down to the basics, there are two reasons Equifax shows up on our list of the least liked companies: A data breach that affected 143 million Americans. Most of the executives didnt lose their jobs because of the blunder. Two executives stepped down, but Gizmodo reports most of the companys board members kept their jobs. Next: This is not the kind of spotlight this company is used to. 2. Weinstein Company RQ score: 52.48 The Weinstein Company is in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons, and were guessing you know why. In case you dont, well lay it out for you. Its due to Harvey Weinsteins sexual misconduct scandal, the grotesque details, and the companys descent into bankruptcy because of it all. Next: The one company in critical condition. 1. Takata RQ score: 45.17 It takes a lot of work to outdo Monsanto and the Weinstein Company, but Takata is up to the task. In addition to knowingly manufacturing millions of faulty airbags from 2000 to 2008, leaked emails show executives encouraged manipulation to hide it all. Oh, and when the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration demanded Takata recall the faulty airbags, it refused. So, its easy to see why it tops the list of the least liked companies. Check out The Cheat Sheet on Facebook! Email Whatsapp Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment During each academic year for nearly two decades, I've urged my Christian undergraduates to read C. S. Lewis critically. His narrative gifts and spiritual insights are many, and with good reason Christians today appreciate his continuing influence. At times, though, appreciation of a writer can raise intriguing and important but extraneous questions. How so for C. S. Lewis? Within his lucid prose and practical wisdom lie a marvelous range and depth of scholarship in medieval literature (which to Lewis included what we call the Renaissance) and a thorough integration of literary texts and Anglicanism. Some of his most enduring work is, of course, fantasy (Narnia, the Space Trilogy), but how theologically should such fantasies be read? Can authentic personal commitment to theological purity tweak a fantastic story into a supposed theological disclosure that the author did not intend? I ask in response to a recent Voices article in CP ("CS Lewis on Purgatory and George MacDonald: What Does This Mean for Protestants?" 19 May 2018). According to that article, The Great Divorce leaves the impression that Purgatory is real and that Lewis's view of the afterlife is more Catholic than Protestant. On the contrary, Lewis was doctrinally as Protestant as any Anglican ever was. In particular, his depiction of life after death in Divorce and other fantasies does not comment on the idea of Purgatory but reflects his literary use of Homer, Vigil, Dante, and Milton. This brief article offers three notes about the Divorce as a fantasy and a few observations about Lewis and the American church today. First and perhaps most important, The Great Divorce (1945) is not, as the earlier article claims, "an allegory." The Preface to the bookwritten by Lewis himselfstates clearly: "I beg the reader to remember that this is a fantasy." Space here does not permit a full definition of what fantasy meant to Lewis but it has been discussed at length in quite accessible sources (e.g. Lewis's On Stories, The Cambridge Companion to C. S. Lewis, etc.). In short, fantasy was Lewis's portal to re-insert the reality of the supernatural into a twentieth-century England enthralled by naturalistic philosophy and scientific research. Much of Lewis's literary context for his fantasies is ancient and medieval poetry--the epic and the dream vision, to cite two examples. The Divorce is not an allegory but a fantasy and a dream vision as well, the latter explaining the final sentences of the book. There the narrator realizes that he has fallen asleep and imagined the entire story. Dreams and visions appear in George MacDonald as well (Phantastes, for example), and Lewis did indeed acknowledge MacDonald as his master. What did he mean? A theological expert? Hardly. In 1946, Lewis published a collection of MacDonald's works and noted in his introduction: "Most myths were made in prehistorical times . . . But every now and then there occurs in the modern world a genius--a Kafka or a Novalis--who can make such a story. MacDonald is the greatest genius of this kind whom I know." A few lines later, Lewis adds that Phantastes had "baptized" his imagination: "The quality which had enchanted me in his imaginative works turned out to be the quality of the real universe, the divine, magical, terrifying and ecstatic reality in which we all live." Here, then, is MacDonald masterful display of what truly exists, and Lewis is humbly grateful for it. Second, and still in Lewis's Preface to Divorce, he wrote the book not to assert that Purgatory was real but to refute eighteenth-century writer William Blake's notion of The Marriage of Heaven and Hell (a long work finished around 1790). Blake essentially rejects the cosmic separation of the two realms, instead proposing a dreamy unity of all religious faiths (for context, see his "All Religions Are One"). Lewis would have none of it. The title is especially telling. It corrects Blake's heresy by way of an imaginary bus ride by residents of Hell (the "Grey Town") journeying to Heaven. Before long, sadly, the riders express their self-absorbed animus of Heaven with its many solid natural elements that make it a place of substance, not image. The visitors, one by one, come to voice their desires to return to Hell, shocking readers with the truth that the doomed (the "ghosts") and the blessed (the "spirits") exist in two places worlds apart. Third, readers may understandably perceive Divorce to present Purgatory as an actual place. After all, the story requires a setting: the characters have to be somewhere, spiritually anyway. Where are they? Literally, they are in Heaven, for the most part. Literarily, they are on an adventure, a voyage. The unifying feature of Lewis's story is less a place than a motif, the medieval journey taken by one or more pilgrims. Again, the classical literary greats, wove their stories around wayfarers on long trips. Thus, and perhaps tongue in cheek, the Lewis and MacDonald characters in Divorce do not stand for the two actual men. They are no more real in the story than the bus riders are in a kind of limbo. The book as fantasy is all the more true, as ironic as that sounds, because it defines reality not simply as nature, the physical world, but as nature and supernature. The Final Judgment of the redeemed and the unredeemed (see ch. 9) dramatizes the great divorce and the most pointed rebuke of Blake. There the MacDonald character explains the situation to the Lewis in the story, a comment with allusions to Matthew's Gospel [Authorized Version]): "There are only two kinds of people in the end: those who say to God, 'Thy will be done,' and those to whom God says, in the end, 'Thy will be done.' All that are in Hell choose it. Without that self-choice there could be no Hell. No soul that seriously and constantly desires joy will ever miss it. Those who seek find. To those who knock it is opened." I cite this passage to add that ch. 9, read in Lewis's context (not ours), to show that The Great Divorce is theologically about separation, not about the afterlife. Roman Catholic teaching about Purgatory is simply not there. * * * What, then, does Lewis offer to the American church today? Plenty but an important qualification is in order: Lewis's intended primary readers were not American Christians but unsaved Brits. He was hoping to engage them in a lively, practical description of how biblical truths challenge a culture that exalted science. This targeted audience of his, in turn, reminds readers of the important differences between a writer's purpose and a reader's desire. Readers haveand should havetheir own motivations for reading a story, but that interest must also defer to the guidance of the writer's intent. A story does not mean simply what readers want it to mean, regardless of how esteemed a given writer may be. After all, as Lewis noted in An Experiment in Criticism, readers must engage a writer's text first as that writer wanted it to be read. Such is why his thin volume A Preface to "Paradise Lost" lays out Milton's literary context of the epic before Lewis discusses theological dimensions of it. Through this other "Preface" by Lewis, readers are taught to meet Milton on his own ground first. Doing so with The Great Divorce is demanding, more so than is apparent in its intriguing plot and fluid style. Nevertheless, reading Lewis-like is reading biblically (Philippians 2), i.e. emptying oneself in order to experience things (to the fullest extent) as the author experienced them. The process does not stop there, of course, but it must begin there. More broadly, starting in the right place points back to Lewis's defense of the supernatural in On Miracles. He encourages readers to begin in the right place. Starting with the question "Are miracles possible?" leads to dreadfully unproductive efforts ending in a mix of unhelpful opinions. But beginning with the proper first question, "Is there a God?" leads to a much more useful, logical, and (most importantly) true response. Ultimately, Lewis's call to prioritize beginnings, whether in reading a book or in tackling the difficult issues of life, can help to bring life to the dry bones of American culture today. Branson Woodard is an English professor at Liberty University, where he offers courses in English literature, fantasy, and literary criticism. His work has appeared in the Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society, The Dictionary of Biblical Imagery, and The Complete Literary Guide to the Bible. He and his wife live in Lynchburg, VA. Email Whatsapp Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment The Baptist Press reported Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary's trustees reassigned Paige Patterson to president emeritus after a 13-hour executive session to determine his fate at the school. Jeffrey Bingham, dean of the seminary's school of theology, was elected to replace Patterson as acting president. The executive session was seemingly prompted by Patterson's resurfaced comments regarding domestic abuse and a teenage girl's figure. According to Baptist Press: [T]rustees adopted a motion stating "evidence exists" that Patterson has complied with reporting laws on assault and abuse. Trustees also found "no evidence of misconduct" in the employment file of Nathan Montgomery, a Southwestern student who was fired from his employment in campus dining services after he tweeted an article critical of Patterson. While trustees were still in session, the Washington Post's Sarah Pulliam Bailey reported a woman who was raped alleges Patterson encouraged her not to tell law enforcement and to forgive her attacker. For fear of adding speculation to the messiness to this unfolding story over the past few weeks, I've been hesitant to comment. But this morning when I reached out to Mark Tooley, President of the Institute on Religion and Democracy, he gave sound advice: "Share your honest thoughts." So that is what I will do here. I will share my honest thoughts not about Patterson specifically, but about the broader discussion of the value of women within the Southern Baptist Convention and men who offer a healthy example. Behind closed doors, I've had countless discussions with young Southern Baptist women I know who are tired of the "boy's club" mentality they encounter within the convention. No, we do not wish to be pastors. Nor are we radical feminists. The women I'm talking about, including myself, are mainly complementarians. We are advocates, authors, and fellow Southern Baptist congregants who simply wish for our thoughts and conclusions to be considered and appreciated by Southern Baptist men in the same way they do their male colleagues. And we want to be acknowledged when riding an elevator, as Beth Moore so aptly shared, or while sitting at a lunch or dinner meeting. By the way, if my husband Eric ever ignored a woman while riding an elevator or sitting next to her at a lunch meeting, I wouldn't think he is acting out of respect for me. I'd call him out for being plain rude. A reporter recently asked me if I feel appreciated and respected by my male colleagues at the IRD. Absolutely! In fact, I believe it is because I work alongside faithful Methodist, Anglican, and Presbyterian men that my senses are heightened to the lacking treatment from some Southern Baptists in leadership positions. My IRD male colleagues value my input, trust my judgments, and they give me grace and direction when I get things wrong. They acknowledge me with respect, and I hope the feeling is mutual. All this is not a judgment against all Southern Baptist men. There are many respectful, professional Southern Baptist men I've working alongside who welcome my perspectives and leadership. My sweet Southern Baptist husband has a servant leader's heart. My local Southern Baptist church's pastor, Sunday school teachers, and deacons constantly recognize the value the wives, unmarried women, mothers, and daughters of the congregation add to the universal body of Christ. If they didn't, honestly I would not affiliate with the Southern Baptist Convention. Still, the boy's club mentality among some Southern Baptistsyoung and oldin leadership positions needs to be addressed and quashed. Many of us Southern Baptist women have shared our feelings among ourselves, but we are starting to speak our frustrations out loud. I pray Southern Baptist men listen. Originally posted at IRD's blog. Chelsen Vicari serves as the Evangelical Program Director for the Institute on Religion and Democracy. She earned her Masters of Arts in Government from Regent University and frequently contributes to conservative outlets. Follow her on twitter @ChelsenVicari. Sometimes sharing the gospel looks really different to how we envision it to be or have experienced it in the past. One of my all-time favourite quotes is from St Francis of Assisi and he says that we are to preach the gospel always and if necessary use words. When I first heard this quote I remember Ii was in the midst of working out how to go about sharing the gospel in a situation where I couldnt openly share and there was a language barrier. You might think that Im talking about a cross cultural experience or being a missionary in another country, but the reality was that this was my experience in working at a warehouse in Adelaide while studying at Bible College in 2003. When I was going through Bible College I had deep thoughts about how effective the Church was in making Jesus, the real Jesus, known to the hearts of the common Australian workers. My context was that of the factory workers I was with each week. What I discovered was that there was a language barrier in the sense of a whole bunch of Christian words that meant nothing to these guys. Secondly I wasnt able to freely share this amazing Gospel of love, hope and restoration because I would be persecuted by both staff and management, for it was against company policy to share religious beliefs. Learning to Love as He does This presented me with a challenge because I knew of people in that workplace that absolutely needed the love of God to restore their broken hearts and lives. How was I going to be able to share the gospel? I remember at the time God challenged me with this question Do you really love them? They werent my family, they werent my friends, but God had challenged me to love them as only He does. As I delved into the meaning of this God challenge I discovered that my heart wasnt as pure as Id thought. My motivation was about building up the tally of salvations to my name. How wrong is that? As a result, I did some deep searching of my own heart and asked God to teach me how to love as He loved. What I discovered was that to love as He loves starts not in proclamation, but rather in demonstration. I recently read another great quote and that is the great commandment always comes before the great commission. This makes a lot of sense because as we demonstrate the love of God we will only then open up an opportunity to proclaim the love of God and the Gospel of Jesus. Learning to love can take all sorts of forms: the listening ear to a broken soul, buying that stranger you just met in the airport a cup of coffee, just journeying with a colleague, fellow student or family member for years and years. There is no simple answer about how to love like God does, other than to make loving your neighbour your priority. In that factory all those years ago I was constantly asking God how to love my neighbour, because there were about 30 different types of neighbours in that workplace. In that journey I discovered that the only one who truly knew the hearts of these people was God and if I was to grow in my intimacy with the Father, He would reveal the keys to unlock those hearts to me. So what started in the prayer closet ultimately was the key to seeing these hearts become open to the Gospel. Eventually, I was able to experience the profound love of God both in my heart and into the hearts that I worked with. God gave me countless opportunities to demonstrate his love. These ranged from counselling through relationship problems to practical gifts that only God could have known were going to be so impactful. The result was the birthing of a gathering of people that would meet together, eat together, pray and learn about the real Jesus in a community that came to known as BBQ Church. This community crossed the language barrier and delved into the real Jesus behind the Australian Church. Im pretty sure I was one of the very few Bible College students who were blessed with a full fridge of beer as the members of the community shared their gratitude in response to how I had shown love to them. That was 2003. Now we live in a world where society's response to anything related to Christianity is frowned upon and deemed to be bigotry. The challenge to share His love and the Gospel is now even more important in a world that is confused about identity and what real love is and with the imminent return of Christ. Nothing can stop the demonstration of love I think the answer lies in the same thing I applied back in 2003 and that is showing Gods love. We see Christians constantly being persecuted in our country for proclaiming the truth of the Gospel. Christians who are only standing up for their values are being denigrated on social media platforms. One example is the recent persecution that Israel Folau has faced as a result of being a believer and living in the convictions of his beliefs. Despite this not being right we still have a commandment to love our neighbour, our work colleagues and even our enemies in order to genuinely share the good news. After all out of the three great Godly ideologies of hope, faith and Love, the Father considers the most important one is Love. (1 Corinthians Chapter 13) So while we as Christians face the challenge of being able to freely speak about our faith, nothing will be able to stop us in demonstrating the Father's love. I can assure you when we pour out the Father's love through our lives and in everything we do it will open up the doors of those hearts that will be responsive to the Good News of the Jesus. This is the pattern of the Father. The quote preach the gospel always and if necessary use words is just as relevant to us today to transform a world of brokenness. . Justin Monaghan is currently launching as a professional prophetic artist under the label JR Faith Creations and works as corporate team builder all over Australia. He is married to Liana and lives at the beautiful beach of Port Willunga. They journey with the creatives in their lives to see them rise up to their full potential for the Kingdom of God. Justin Monaghan's previous articles may be viewed at http://www.pressserviceinternational.org/justin-monaghan.html Arkansas priest competes in 'American Ninja Warrior' after the Papal Ninja encourage him to join The 10th season of NBC's "American Ninja Warrior" features the most unexpected contestant. Father Stephen Gadberry, a Catholic priest from Arkansas, stands to win a million dollars if he can get through the physical challenges and obstacles with agility, skill and strength. Gadberry, 32, sent his application to "American Ninja Warriors" last December after Sean Bryan encouraged him. The latter, a proud Catholic, joined the contest two times and earned the nickname the Papal Ninja. "[Evangelizing] is the primary reason for me doing this," Gadberry told the press. "The Lord tells us to go out and make disciples of all nations," he added. "As this platform has stumbled into my lap I can further deliver the message of the Gospel that I am supposed to as a priest." In February, NBC called Gadberry to confirm that he got on to the show. In April, crewmembers visited him in his hometown to film his daily routines. Gadberry serves at St. Cecilia Church and St. Mary Church. He's not adverse to physical endurance challenges because he former military and still exercises at least two hours a day. Church members and students at St. Mary have nicknamed him Father Flex. "Father Flex is not just muscles," Gadberry told the Arkansas Catholic Org."With all this stuff I want to invite people to take it to the next level, go to the spiritual level." Father Flex doesn't want to become a reality TV star but with the program's six million viewers a week, he hopes to show America that physicality is just as important as spirituality, and vice versa. "American Ninja Warriors" will begin its new season on May 30. Competitors who make it through the final rounds will head to Las Vegas for the grand competition. Oldest living American at 113 years old believes God wills for her to live long The oldest living American is 113 years old and she's a woman from Ohio who believes that she's still around because it's the will of God. The Gerontology Research Group in Georgia declared Friday that Lessie Brown became the oldest American alive after 114-year-old Delphine Gibson from Pennsylvania died in early May. Brown, who was born in Georgia in 1904, is now bedridden and spends most of her time sleeping but she's still responsive to her visitors at Cleveland Heights. She has five children with her husband, who died in 1991, and she has 29 grandchildren and over 50 great grandchildren and great great grandchildren. In her more active years, Brown frequented services at the Emmanuel Baptist Church. Her family said that there's no secret to Brown's longevity because everyone knows it's her strong devotion to God. "Her love of everyone and her belief in God -- she just loves everyone -- and I believe that has a lot to do with her longevity," Brown's daughter, 90-year-old Vivian Hatcher, told the press. Her other daughter, Verline Wilson, 88, also said that their mother strongly believes God meant for her to live long so she could still watch over her family. "She did tell me that once," Verline revealed. "She said, 'I'm supposed to be here for a while to see about you.'" When Brown learned that she's now the oldest living American, she simply remarked, "That's good," and went back to sleep. Hatcher, however, told Fox News that while she loves her mother deeply, she feels sorry for the fact that Brown can no longer move about. These days, a minister from her church visits her apartment regularly and gives her communion at least once a month. Brown told the Heights Observer when she celebrated her 110th birthday that she mostly spends her time reading the Bible. Meanwhile, friends of Gibson, who preceded Brown as the oldest living American, said that she was also a faithful follower of God until her final days on earth. She used to sing praise songs, much to the delight of her companions and therapists at the Huntingdon Hills home care. Philippine government extends deadline for Australian nun's leave order The Philippine Justice Department has extended the deadline for the leave order against an Australian nun, who is facing expulsion from the country over her alleged participation in political demonstrations. The Bureau of Immigration had initially given Australian missionary Patricia Fox until May 25 to leave the country, but Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra announced on Friday that the nun has until June 18 to comply with the leave order. UCA News reports that Fox had refused to leave the country voluntarily on the day of the initial deadline, saying she had not been given due process when the government issued the leave order. "If I do not contest the government's order, it could become a bad precedent," Fox told UCA News, expressing concern that other missionaries coming to the Philippines could face the same situation. Guevarra explained that the deadline was extended because the nun had filed a motion for reconsideration after the immigration bureau issued the leave order. According to GMA News, the order was issued on April 23 and Fox received it on April 25. The nun filed an appeal on April 30, but it was rejected by the immigration bureau on May 17. "Upon denial of said Motion for Reconsideration, petitioner had a remaining period of 25 days from May 24, 2018, the date when she was served a copy of the order denying her motion for reconsideration, or until 18 June 2018 within which to leave the country," Guevarra explained, as reported by Rappler. Guevarra had reportedly instructed the immigration bureau to comment on Fox's appeal within 10 days. After the bureau issues a statement, Fox will be given five days to reply. The Bureau of Immigration had downgraded Fox's missionary visa to a temporary visitor's pass and "deactivated" her alien certificate of registration. On Friday, Fox reportedly went to the Justice Department to ask for the reinstatement of her missionary visa. Fox, who serves as the regional superior of the the international congregation Sisters of Our Lady of Sion in the Philippines, maintained that the photos showing her participation in political rallies are not sufficient grounds for revoking her visa. "I was supposed to be given the chance to answer the accusations, but the government abused its power and created its own interpretation of the church's mandate," she told UCA News earlier this week. The immigration bureau had previously warned the nun that she would face a new deportation complaint if she does not leave the country by May 25. The agency further said that Fox would need a decision from the Department of Justice to reverse the leave order. The nun will be allowed to return to the Philippines on a tourist visa, the bureau stated, as reported by Rappler. Prayers are keeping Ebby Steppach's family strong as police finds her remains in drain three years after she went missing For three years, Ebby Steppach's family and friends have wondered and worried about her whereabouts. They reported her missing on October 2015 with the Little Rock, Arkansas police but her case remained a mystery. But on Tuesday, police found the remains of the 18-year-old in a pipe drain at the nearby Chalamont Park. The confirmation of her death has left a community in mourning. Authorities have shifted their focus from a missing person case to a homicide. Steppach's parents issued a statement as police confirmed that further investigations are underway. "It has been through your support, many prayers and God's strength that they have been able to make this journey," the family's statement read. "God hears and answers all prayers," parents Laurie and Michael Steppach said. The family were to hold a funeral for the teenager at the Christ Community Church in the Little Rock Christian Academy on Saturday. Earlier in the week, residents gathered at a memorial made by her friends in the park three years ago. "I come down here every once in awhile to just pray," Steppach's friend Emily Hester told reporters. "I said a few prayers and I have a lucky dollar coin that I put down there." Another friend of Steppach's, however, questioned whether the police properly handled the teenager's case. Kailey Foley told reporters that days after her best friend went missing, she and her mother, Margie Foley, told authorities that they smelled something odd at the park. She alleges that their suspicions were not investigated. Margie did not hide her anger to the press. She said that suspecting Steppach's remains were in the area all this time made her sick because there could have still been time to find out what really happened to her in 2015. The changing faces of Chinese figure painting Our auctions of classical, modern and contemporary Chinese painting on 28 and 29 May include exceptional works that reveal evolutions in style over more than five centuries. Sophia Zhou, Associate Specialist in Chinese Paintings, is our guide Figures from ancient myths and songs One of Chinas most famous 20th-century painters, Fu Baoshi (1904-65), is known for his revolutionary depiction of classical Chinese figures. A fervent devotee of classical Chinese literature, he often painted heroes and figures from the ancient myths and songs. The work below, Playing Flute in Dongshan, depicts the historical figure Xie An, explains Sophia Zhou, Associate Specialist in Chinese Paintings. He was a talented scholar from a noble family, during the Eastern Jin period [265-420 AD]. Frustrated and disappointed by political corruption, he spent years resisting the courts requests for him to enter into imperial service. Instead of joining the court, Xie An chose to live in seclusion in the Eastern Mountains where he indulged his love for music, song and dance. Fu Baoshi once said a painting should be like a song, says Zhou. It should have the ability to move the viewer. The human figure as a pictorial device The human figure in Chinese painting is often dwarfed by the majesty of the landscape, as with Shen Zhous Planting Bamboo, below, which dates to the Ming dynasty (1368-1644). In classical paintings, the human figure often functions as a pictorial device, explains Zhou. The viewer is meant to identify with the figure to journey through the mountains and rivers of the landscape. For me, the specialist continues, the aim of the Chinese painter is to encapsulate not only the outer appearance, but also the inner essence of the individual, his or her character, spirit and psyche. Artist self-portraits Chinese figure painting has a strong tradition of artist self-portraits. In China, its believed that painting is not only a record of sensory experience, but also a reflection of the artists mind, says Zhou. Twentieth-century artist Zhang Daqian often painted himself in a floor-length robe with a flowing beard in order to appear as a lofty scholar. In the above work, painted in 1982 when the artist was already in his eighties, Zhou depict himself as a younger figure, albeit one with the wealth of experience behind him, radiating ease, composure and vitality. Lofty Scholar by Lush Trees, says Zhou, shows its central figure deep in thought, as if gazing pensively into the past. Li Jin (B. 1958), Cultivating Interest (scroll 1). A set of two scrolls, mounted and framed, ink and colour on paper. 40.5 x 45 cm (16 x 17 in) / 37.5 x 43 cm (14 x 16 in). Estimate: HK$90,000-120,000. Offered in Chinese Contemporary Ink on 28 May at Christies in Hong Kong Li Jin (B. 1958), Cultivating Interest (scroll 2). A set of two scrolls, mounted and framed, ink and colour on paper. 40.5 x 45 cm (16 x 17 in) / 37.5 x 43 cm (14 x 16 in). Estimate: HK$90,000-120,000. Offered in Chinese Contemporary Ink on 28 May at Christies in Hong Kong WASHINGTON The Trump administration has told Congress that its reached a deal that would allow Chinese telecommunications giant ZTE Corp. to stay in business, a source familiar with the talks who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss a confidential matter said Friday. A resolution of the ZTE case could clear the way for the United States to make progress in its high-stakes trade talks with China. But news of the agreement drew immediate fire on Capitol Hill. Under the agreement, ZTE would oust its management team, hire American compliance officers and pay a fine. The fine would come on top of the roughly $1 billion ZTE has already paid for selling equipment to North Korea and Iran in violation of U.S. sanctions. In return, the Commerce Department would lift a seven-year ban on ZTEs purchase of components that the Chinese firm depends on from U.S. companies. The ban, imposed earlier this month, threatened to put ZTE out of business. This is a law enforcement action being handled by Commerce, said Lindsay Walters, the deputy White House press secretary. We are making sure ZTE is held accountable for violating U.S. sanctions, pays a big price and that we are protecting our security infrastructure and U.S. jobs. The Commerce Department did not immediately respond to a call seeking further details about the agreement. On Capitol Hill, one senior congressional source said leaders have not yet received formal notification. Lawmakers have warned the administration not to go easy on a company that brazenly violated U.S. sanctions against two rogue nations that were pursuing nuclear weapons production. If the administration goes through with this reported deal, President Trump would be helping make China great again, said Democratic Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York. Schumer added: Both parties in Congress should come together to stop this deal in its tracks. Republican Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida tweeted: It is a great deal for #ZTE & China Many hoped this time would be different. Congress, Rubio said, will need to act. PROVIDENCE, R.I. Military veterans who were discharged for relatively minor offenses say they often cant get jobs, and they hope a recent warning to employers by the state of Connecticut will change that. The states human rights commission told employers last month they could be breaking the law if they discriminate against veterans with some types of less-than-honorable discharges. Blanket policies against hiring such veterans could be discriminatory, the commission said, because the military has issued them disproportionately to black, Latino, gay and disabled veterans. At least one other state, Illinois, already prohibits hiring discrimination based on a veterans discharge status, advocates say, but Connecticut appears to be the first to base its decision on what it deems discrimination by the military. Regardless of the states reasons, veterans say, the attention there could at least educate employers. You may as well be a felon when youre looking for a job, said Iraq War veteran Kristofer Goldsmith, who said the Army gave him a general discharge in 2007 because he attempted suicide. An honorable discharge is the only type that entails full benefits. A dishonorable discharge is given after a court-martial for serious offenses, which can include felonies. Other types of discharges in between known by veterans as bad paper are issued administratively, with no court case, and can stem from behavior including talking back, tardiness, drug use or fighting. The commission says its guidance focused on that middle class of discharges. Sometimes such discharges are given to veterans whose violations stemmed from post-traumatic stress disorder, like Goldsmiths, or brain injuries. Many private employers may not be aware of those extenuating circumstances or understand the differences between discharges, critics say. And they either wont hire bad-paper veterans or wont give them preferences an honorably discharged veteran would get, the Veterans Legal Services Clinic at Yale Law School told the Connecticut commission. The clinic, acting on behalf of the Connecticut chapter of the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, showed the commission job postings that require applicants who have served in the military to have been honorably discharged. It also cited a 2017 report by the advocacy organization Protect Our Defenders that found black service members were more likely to be disciplined than white members. And the commissions guidance to employers notes thousands of service members have been discharged for their sexual orientation. Employers might require an honorable discharge as an easy way to narrow the pool and get strong applicants, said Amanda Ljubicic, vice president of the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut. At face value it seems like a simple, logical cutoff to make as an employer, she said. Certainly this new policy forces employers to think about it differently and to think about the complexities. The Vietnam Veterans of America asked for a presidential pardon for bad-paper veterans. President Barack Obama didnt respond as he was leaving office, nor did President Donald Trump as he was entering, said John Rowan, the organizations president. He was unsure whether activists would ask Trump again. More than 13,000 service members received a type of discharge for misconduct, known as other than honorable, between 2011 and 2015, despite being diagnosed with PTSD, a traumatic brain injury or another condition associated with misconduct, the U.S. Government Accountability Office found. The Department of Veterans Affairs, under an order from Congress, expanded emergency mental health coverage to those veterans for the first time last year. Passing new laws to address the effects of bad paper is probably not the best solution, said Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., who pushed for the changes; rather, he said, the military should stop issuing bad-paper discharges to injured veterans. Goldsmith, 32, said he developed PTSD after his first deployment to Iraq. He was set to leave the military and go to college when the Army extended his active-duty service and ordered him back in 2007. Goldsmith said he attempted suicide shortly before he was due to deploy. Because of his general discharge, Goldsmith lost his GI Bill benefits. He didnt know how hed find a job. If he didnt mention his military service, he would have a four-year gap on his resume. But if he did, he would have to disclose medical information to explain why he left. A friend eventually hired him to work at a photo-booth company, and Goldsmith began contacting members of Congress to press for health care for veterans with bad paper. Things like addressing employment discrimination on the national level are so far from possible, he said, I dont think any of us in the advocacy community has put enough pressure on Congress to handle it. Oil prices fell the most in 11 months in New York as Saudi Arabia said it expects OPEC and its partners to boost supplies later this year, easing restraints intact since early 2017. U.S. futures dove 4 percent, the biggest drop since July 5, after Saudi Arabia Energy Minister Khalid Al-Falih said the supply caps may be scaled back, though he added that no decision has been made. The $2.83 decline pushed the price below $70 at the close of trading for the first time since May 8. The potential for an OPEC policy change, following U.S. President Donald Trumps tweet complaining about high prices, scrambled the outlook for oil markets and undercut the stock prices of producers. The S&P 500 Energy index dropped 2.7 percent. Were starting to see growing concerns that producers could cut back on their output cuts, said Gene McGillian, market research manager at Tradition Energy. Taking that into consideration along with record U.S. production levels, its triggered a nice amount of profit taking. Explorers in the U.S. shale patch, meanwhile, were seen resuming their expansion plans this week as they continue to find a home for their crude around the world. U.S. working oil rigs rose by 15 this week to 859, the highest level since March 2015 and the biggest weekly boost since February, according to data from Baker Hughes. Despite the possibility of new supplies coming on the market and oil prices halting their recent climb, U.S. oil production should continue to surge, said Jamie Webster, senior director at Boston Consulting Groups Center for Energy Impact in Washington. Many U.S. oil producers have signed contracts, known as hedge, to supply oil at healthy oil prices. The U.S. growth still has a lot of running room, Webster said. The Saudi oil minister made his pronouncement on the supply cuts at a meeting in St. Petersburg with his Russia counterpart, Alexander Novak, who echoed the comments. The two ministers plan to meet at least twice more before an OPEC gathering in Vienna next month, the Saudi minister said. Oil has traded near a 3 -year high on concern about supply disruptions from Venezuela and Iran. The rally has sparked worries that demand may falter, and the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies appear to be reacting to that idea with the first offer to boost output since January 2017. Oil has climbed in recent weeks on concerns that supplies could grow short as new U.S. sanctions tank hundreds of thousands of barrels of Iranian oil off the market and production in Venezuela, mired in a political and economic crisis, continues to slide. The prices were reflecting fears of disruption rather than actual disruptions, said Roger Diwan, IHS Markit vice president of financial services. This announcement (by Saudi and Russian oil ministers) removes that fear. Crude settled at $67.88 a barrel in New York Friday. the New York Mercantile Exchange. Brent crude, the international benchmark, fell $2.35 to $76.44 a barrel in London, contributing to the first weekly drop in seven weeks. Policy makers and economists had begun to raise concerns that rising energy prices would begin to squeeze consumers and slow economic growth. Heading into the Memorial Day weekend, gasoline prices were averaging nearly $3 a gallon nationally, the highest in four years. Bloomberg News and Jordan Blum of the Houston Chronicle contributed. Hundreds of friends and family members trickled into the large hall at Abundant Life Christian Center in La Marque on Saturday morning to mourn the loss and celebrate the life of 16-year-old Shana Lorraine Fisher, as the words of the country song "If I Die Young" by The Band Perry fill the room: "If I die young, bury me in satin. Lay me down in a bed of roses ..." In the front of the room, Shana's hands grasp a rosary and a bouquet of flowers, as she lies like an angel in winged eyeliner, tucked away in a too-small, too-soon coffin. " ... Sink me in a river at dawn. Send me away with the words of a love song ..." Red-nosed teenagers in tired black dresses file into their seats. They pause and go through the motions they've learned well this week: Offer a hand. A hug. Whisper "I'm so sorry," and try not to cry harder than the person you're consoling. " ... Life ain't always what you think it's gonna be. Ain't even gray, but she buries her baby." Shana's mother, Sadie, sits with Shana's siblings, Shawn and Kaylenn, surrounded by aunts and cousins. Men and women alike come to meet them, offering hugs that linger so long they begin swaying in a slow, sad dance. " ... I'll be wearing white, when I come into your kingdom. I'm as green as the ring on my little, cold finger." Some push forward, pausing in front of Shana's open casket, searching for the last dry millimeter on crumpled-up Kleenex as they see their friend and classmate, wearing an ethereal, white headband and a jean jacket. " ... The sharp knife of a short life. Well, I've had just enough time." In the back of the room, an elderly gentleman wearing a checked shirt and slacks, folds his hands in prayer, revealing a green-and-yellow "Santa Fe Strong" bracelet. His eyes focus on the digital display several rows in front of him, as the lyrics of the song roll through like a teleprompter. "A penny for my thoughts. Oh no, I'll sell them for a dollar. They're worth so much more, after I'm a goner." "That's so true," the old man whispers to the woman on his left, as he listens thoughtfully to the lyrics. She grabs his hand, and he takes a gulp of air, holding back the tears for now just one more speechless loved one in a room packed full of head-shakers, murmuring "I don't understand." Pastor Walter Hallam stands at the front of the congregation, remembering the first time Shana's family first brought her to this church when she was "just a little bitty girl." Her hair was still blond back then, when she joined the children's ministry. But if you knew her well enough, you'd see glimpses of the artsy, red-haired teenager building up inside of her. "She had a passion for drawing anime, and her attention to detail made each piece she drew a true work of art," Brother Buddy Herring says, as he takes the lectern to read from her obituary. Many mourners read along, from the copy of the program they clutched in their hands, where a pencil-sketched self-portrait of a big-eyed girl looked back at them. "She enjoyed doing her makeup and dressing up for the Renaissance festival each year," continues Herring, who, like many in the audience, is paying homage to the Santa Fe community through his wardrobe: wears a green Santa Fe Strong shirt beneath a black jacket, with a blue-and-green lapel ribbon. "But her favorite pastime was playing with her pup, Callie." Slowly, he winds through a passage from the Book of Isaiah, until he has to pause for the falling of his first tear. "Was Jesus telling the truth when he said that whoever believes in him shall never die?" he asked the congregation. "Absolutely," he says through a wobbly voice. "He meant what he said. You see, Shana's body has died. We are aware of that. But Shana's not a body. Shana's a spirit. And Shana's spirit is alive. And in fact she's more alive today than she's ever been before. And she will live in heaven forever." "Amen," a few mourners call out. Some raise their hands to the sky. Others place their hands on their neighbor's shoulders in support. Some even smile. For a moment. And as Pastor Joshua Rudolph takes over the lectern, he seeks to build upon that small moment of hope. "Shana's life was taken from us too early. She was taken too early. It wasn't her time to go. It wasn't God taking her because he didn't have enough angels in heaven. That's not the way it works," Rudolph tells the crowd. "Some of you knew Shana very intimately. You knew her very well. Some of you knew her in passing. Some of you are just here to support and love the families," he continues. "But you know, every one of us can be her legacy. Every one of us living our life tomorrow better than we lived it yesterday. That's how we can take her legacy, and that's how we rise above." A chorus of "amens" booms through the room, as heads that had been shaking earlier begin nodding. "We will be better people for who she was," he says. " ... Gather up your tears, keep 'em in your pocket. Save 'em for a time when you're really gonna need 'em." A photo slideshow begins playing on the digital screens at the front of the room. It starts with a picture of Sadie Fisher-Baze, smiling wide as she shows off the baby bump that will soon bring Shana into the world. Then come the pictures of a giggling girl, playing peekaboo beneath a pink blanket. A tow-headed baby sitting before a pink-and-white cake with one pink candle. A toddler hugging her stuffed animal tight, tight, tight to her chest. The missing-tooth smiles of elementary school. The kitty-cat ears from a Snapchat filter. Teenage Shana sticking out her tongue and being silly like life had a million tomorrows in store. "... The sharp knife of a short life. Well, I've had just enough time." A Houston man's prison sentence was reduced from 50 years to 20 years for crimes involving cruelty to animals that he documented in a series of what prosecutors describe as "crush" fetish videos. In 2016, Brent Justice, 56, was convicted of cruelty to non-livestock animals with the use of a deadly weapon enhancement, according to county prosecutors. He recorded the torture in a series of videos that show women crushing and killing small animals. 1. The 17th Suspect by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro. The latest installment in the Womens Murder Club series. Detective Lindsay Boxer searches for a killer in San Francisco. 2. The Fallen by David Baldacci. Amos Decker, known as the Memory Man, puts his talents toward solving a string of murders in a Rust Belt town. 3. The High Tide Club by Mary Kay Andrews. An eccentric millionaire enlists attorney Brooke Trappnell to fix old wrongs, which sets up a potential scandal and murder. 4. Twisted Prey by John Sandford. The 28th book in the Prey series. A federal marshal looks into the actions of a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee. 5. The Crooked Staircase by Dean Koontz. Rogue FBI agent Jane Hawk is on the lam from the government and a secret group causing a rash of murder-suicides. 6. Warlight by Michael Ondaatje. In Britain after World War II, two teenage siblings are taken under the tutelage of a mysterious man and his cronies who served during the war. 7. Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate. A South Carolina lawyer learns about the questionable practices of a Tennessee orphanage. 8. Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng. An artist upends a quiet town outside Cleveland. 9. The Hellfire Club by Jake Tapper. Charlie Marder, a World War II veteran and unlikely congressman, gets entangled in a dangerous series of events in 1950s Washington, D.C. 10. The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah. A former prisoner of war returns from Vietnam and moves his family to Alaska, where they face tough conditions. Nonfiction 1. The Soul of America by Jon Meacham. The Pulitzer Prize-winning biographer contextualizes the present political climate through the lens of difficult moments in American history. 2. Barracoon by Zora Neale Hurston. A previously unpublished, first-person account of Cudjo Lewis, a man who was transported and enslaved 50 years after the slave trade was banned. 3. A Higher Loyalty by James Comey. The former FBI director recounts cases and personal events that shaped his outlook on justice, and analyzes the leadership styles of three presidents. 4. Ill Be Gone in the Dark by Michelle McNamara. The late true-crime journalists search for the serial murderer and rapist known as the Golden State Killer. 5. Educated by Tara Westover. The daughter of survivalists, who is kept out of school, educates herself enough to leave home for university. 6. War on Peace by Ronan Farrow. The Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist chronicles the deterioration of U.S. diplomacy. 7. Measure What Matters by John Doerr. How a goal-setting system helped large tech companies succeed. 8. The Light Within Me by Ainsley Earhardt with Mark Tabb. A memoir by one of the hosts of Fox & Friends. 9. Fascism: A Warning by Madeleine Albright with Bill Woodward. The former secretary of state examines the legacy of fascism in the 20th century and its potential revival. 10. Obama by Pete Souza. More than 300 pictures of the former president by his White House photographer, with behind-the-scenes stories. New York Times The city of Sugar Land has a new assistant city manager and he should be a familiar face to many area residents. City Manager Allen Bogard announced the promotion of Police Chief Doug Brinkley to the position of assistant city manager, effective June 6. Chief Brinkleys promotion reflects the citys record of consistently developing and internally promoting employees who are ready to take on critically important leadership roles, Bogard said. Brinkley now oversees the police and fire departments, areas currently assigned to First Assistant City Manager Steve Griffith who plans to retire in January 2019. Brinkley will work closely with Griffith prior to his departure to ensure a smooth transition of leadership in both departments. Internal candidates are being considered for the position of police chief; an extensive assessment and selection process is ongoing thats expected to result in a final decision in June. Internal candidates are also being evaluated to replace Fire Chief Juan J.J. Adame who also plans to retire in January 2019. The decision on the next fire chief is expected in November after candidates are provided an opportunity to lead the department on an interim basis. Brinkley was promoted to police chief in 2009 after serving as an assistant chief since 2005. Under his watch, the city achieved the lowest crime rate on record. He achieved this through the creation of a strong police presence, enhanced community partnerships, expansion of public education, a commitment to expanded implementation of technology such as cameras, rigorous training and leadership development. In Sugar Lands most recent Citizen Satisfaction Survey, police, fire and ambulance service received the highest level of satisfaction from residents at 94 percent. Prior to joining SLPD in 2005, Brinkley spent 15 years in law enforcement in Michigan, where he worked for the Detroit Police Department and the Grand Rapids Police Department. Brinkley has worked in all areas of law enforcement, including narcotics, patrol, special events coordination, traffic, various supervisory positions and vice. He has also served eight years in the United States Army Reserve. Brinkley earned a masters degree in criminal justice from Boston University and is currently a doctoral candidate in executive leadership studies at the University of Charleston. He is a graduate of the Senior Management Institute for Police and the FBI National Academy. Brinkley is a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives and the Texas Police Chiefs Association. As part of Brinkleys promotion, Bogard also announced the reassignment of Assistant City Manager Jim Callaway to the position of director of special projects, also effective June 6. Callaways new position will entail providing leadership to some of the citys most complex priority projects - including redistricting and the resolution of the development plans for Tract 2, an area adjacent to the former Central Prison Unit envisioned by the city to be developed as a second business park. Callaways most recent interim assignment as an assistant city manager was necessary to ensure citywide leadership for the annexation of Greatwood and New Territory last year. As a result of ongoing organizational leadership succession planning efforts, Sugar Land will again have three assistant city managers reporting to Bogard beginning in January 2019. Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist Lisa Falkenberg has been appointed vice president and editor of opinion for the Houston Chronicle, Publisher John McKeon and Executive Editor Nancy Barnes announced Friday. Falkenberg, who will take over opinion for online and print on June 4, succeeds Jeff Cohen, who retired earlier this year. "Falkenberg is a master of her craft, blending deep reporting with a strong, original voice as she calls out injustice in our community and in our state, and thoughtfully outlines her views for change," McKeon and Barnes wrote in the statement. "The best editorial leadership in the country often begins with deep original reporting, which informs powerful opinion," they wrote. "Falkenberg is supremely qualified to lead that charge at the Houston Chronicle." Falkenberg will no longer write a metro column but will write a periodic column for the opinion section. Evan Mintz, a Pulitzer Prize finalist in editorial writing along with Joe Holley last year, will serve as deputy opinion editor. Mintz stepped in to run the editorial pages after Cohen's retirement earlier this year. Harold Jackson, editorial page editor of the Philadelphia Inquirer since 2007, will also join the Chronicle's editorial board in the next month in a role still to be determined, Barnes said. Jackson won the Pulitzer Prize for Editorial Writing in 1991 and was a finalist in 1994. A native of Seguin west of Houston, Falkenberg has been a metro columnist for the Chronicle since 2007 after working as a reporter and writer. A graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, she joined The Associated Press' Dallas bureau in 2001 and eventually became a regional writer covering Dallas and East Texas. She covered the Columbia shuttle disaster in 2003 and the deadly BP refinery explosion in Texas City in 2005, and anchored national congressional and Senate races. In 2004, she was named Texas AP Writer of the Year. She joined the Chronicle's Austin bureau that year as a state correspondent, covering legislative politics and hurricanes Katrina and Rita before being named a columnist. Read the full announcement Here is the full statement from Houston Chronicle Publisher John McKeon and Executive Editor Nancy Barnes: We are delighted to announce that Lisa Falkenberg, our Pulitzer Prize-winning metro columnist, has been promoted to Vice President and Editor of Opinion, effective June 4. Lisa succeeds Jeff Cohen, who retired earlier this year. Falkenberg is a master of her craft, blending deep reporting with a strong, original voice as she calls out injustice in our community and in our state, and thoughtfully outlines her views for change. These skills are essential in leading our opinion writing on all platforms. The best editorial leadership in the country often begins with deep original reporting, which informs powerful opinion. Falkenberg is supremely qualified to lead that charge at the Houston Chronicle. Joining Falkenberg on the Opinion leadership team is Evan Mintz, who will serve as Deputy Opinion Editor. We owe Mintz our immense gratitude for stepping in these last few months. He took ownership of the editorial pages, juiced our digital work, and provided superb leadership during this time of transition. Mintz and Joe Holley were finalists for the Pulitzer Prize in Editorial Writing just last year. We feel extremely fortunate to have such a deep pool of talent at the Chronicle, leading opinion and commentary during a time of resurgence for this form of journalism. Finally, Harold Jackson, Editorial Page Editor of the Philadelphia Inquirer since 2007, will be joining our board in the next month in a role still to be determined. Harold won the Pulitzer Prize for Editorial Writing in 1991 and was a finalist again in 1994. He has held just about every job in American newsrooms, starting as a reporter for the Birmingham Post-Herald in 1975. Jackson has also received the Philadelphia Association of Black Journalists Trailblazer Award, the Journalist of the Year award from the National Association of Black Journalists, and other journalism awards from the Associated Press, UPI, the Society of Professional Journalists, the Maryland-Delaware-DC Press Association, and the Alabama Press Association. While we know Falkenberg best as a columnist, a position she has held since 2007, she has strong daily reporting and writing experience. A graduate of the University of Texas, she joined the Associated Press' Dallas bureau in 2001, eventually becoming a regional writer covering Dallas and East Texas. She covered the Columbia shuttle disaster, the deadly BP refinery explosion in Texas City and anchored national congressional and senate races. In 2004, Falkenberg was named Texas AP Writer of the Year. That same year, Falkenberg joined the Houston Chronicle's Austin bureau as a state correspondent covering everything from legislative politics to hurricanes Katrina and Rita, before being named a columnist. She has earned numerous national, state and local journalism awards for her column-writing. She was a finalist in the Pulitzer commentary category in 2014. In 2015, Falkenberg was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for commentary, as well as the American Society of News Editors' Mike Royko Award for Commentary/Column Writing. Please join us in congratulating Falkenberg and Mintz on their roles, and please welcome Jackson to the Chronicle. It's going to be a fantastic team. John McKeon and Nancy Barnes See More Collapse She was a Pulitzer finalist in 2014. In 2015, she received the Pulitzer Prize for commentary. That same year she received the American Society of News Editors' Mike Royko Award for Commentary/Column Writing. Mintz, a member of the Chronicle's editorial board, was a finalist in 2017 with Holley for editorial writing about gun laws, gun culture and gun tragedies. He first joined the Chronicle as a freelance writer after leaving the Harris County District Attorney's Office in 2011 and became full-time in 2012. A licensed attorney in Texas, he attended Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law in New York City and served as an editorial board editor of the Cardozo Jurist. He received a bachelor's degree from Rice University. Jackson started as a reporter at the Birmingham Post-Herald in 1975 and has won numerous awards, including Journalist of the Year from the National Association of Black Journalists and the Trailblazer Award from the Philadelphia Association of Black Journalists. He has also won awards from the AP, UPI, the Society of Professional Journalists, the Maryland-Delaware-DC Press Association and the Alabama Press Association. A Houston police officer shot a man who authorities say tried to run over a woman late Friday night. Officers were dispatched just before midnight to a gas station at 9421 Cullen for a trespassing call. While interviewing a woman there, a male driver "appeared to intentionally" hit her and a patrol car, Executive Assistant Chief Troy Finner said. The officer then pursued the car on foot, after which the driver reversed and tried to hit the officer, Finner said. Fearing for his life, the officer fired several times, hitting the driver once or twice, Finner said. The woman hit by the car was hospitalized with a broken leg, and the driver was in surgery Saturday morning, Finner said. The officer is a two-year veteran on the night shift of the department's southeast patrol division, Finner said. HPD Internal Affairs and the District Attorney will also investigate. Beto O'Rourke is ruffling some big feathers. The El Paso congressman and Democratic candidate for Texas Senator recently caught the attention of one of the nation's most influential right-wing organizations. Americans for Prosperity, the political arm of the billionaire Koch brothers, announced Thursday a six-figure ad campaign targetting lawmakers who voted for a $1.3 trillion spending package earlier this year. "It's time to take a hard look at what lawmakers say, and what they actually do when it comes to reining in overspending," said AFP spokesman Bill Riggs. "The $1.3 trillion omnibus spending bill passed by Congress in March showed a complete disregard for fiscal responsibility. Both parties are responsible for putting the country on an unsustainable fiscal path, which is why AFP is committed to holding both parties accountable." The spending package, which passed with bipartisan majorities in Congress, averted a government shutdown by providing funding for border security, NASA and measures to prevent mass shootings. BY THE NUMBERS: She could be Texas' first Latina lesbian governor - but can she win? Starting Memorial Day weekend, AFP's campaign will negatively target lawmakers who voted for the package with radio, print, digital, and direct mail ads. An example of one of the ads set to run against O'Rourke shows a picture of the congressman with the words: "What are you waiting for, Beto?" AFP Aside from O'Rourke, the Koch brothers will also take aim at John Carter (R) of Round Rock and Henry Cuellar (D) of Laredo. While the ads may seem relatively harmless, AFP's track record for influencing politics in the U.S. is no joke. Started by David Koch in 2004, the rightwing organization is widely credited with organizing and funding the Tea Party movement. SANTA FE: Ted Cruz says injured students told him 'don't take our guns' In 2010, Barrack Obama criticized the group following the Supreme Court's decision on Citizen United, a landmark case that allowed corporations to write checks to influence elections. "Right now all around this country there are groups with harmless-sounding names like Americans for Prosperity, who are running millions of dollars of ads against Democratic candidates all across the country," Obama said. "And they don't have to say who exactly the Americans for Prosperity are." "You don't know if it's a foreign-controlled corporation," he said. "You don't know if it's a big oil company, or a big bank." One of the group's biggest feats: turning Republicans off to climate change science. "The vast majority of people who are involved in the [Republican] nominating processthe conventions and the primariesare suspect of the science. And that's our influence," Tim Phillips, president of AFP, boasted in 2011. "Groups like Americans for Prosperity have done it." TWITTER FEUD: Why the NRA's spokesperson thinks Houston police are watching her In a race that's too close to call, there's no doubt that every penny counts especially in a closely-watched contest that symbolizes a turning point for the Lone Star State. "That race is emblematic of the way things have changed in Texas, where we're finally seeing some serious political talent challenge the current order," wrote the Houston Chronicle Editorial Board on Thursday. "That alone gives voters across the political spectrum good reason not only to sit up and pay attention, but also to register and vote." Fernando Ramirez is a reporter for Chron.com and the Houston Chronicle. You can follow him on Twitter at @fernramirez93. District 22 U.S. Rep. Pete Olson, R-Sugar Land, recently congratulated the TX-22 winners of this years Congressional Art Competition. The first-place winner is Hannah Li from William D. Clements High School in Sugar Land. Her piece, In the Moment, will be on display in the U.S. Capitol for an entire year. The second-, third- and fourth-place winners will have their artwork on display in Olsons Texas and Washington offices. Congratulations to Hannah Li and all of the talented students who submitted their artwork for this competition, said Olson. The Congressional Art Competition showcases the unique experiences and perspectives of talented artists from across the nation. Im thrilled to have Hannahs work to represent the 22 District of Texas for the millions of people who visit the Capitol each year. I would also like to congratulate Mya Stalnaker, Chelsea Tang and Phuongthy Tran for placing in the top four, and tank all of the incredible students who participated in this years competition. The Congressional Art Competition began in 1982 for members of Congress to encourage and recognize the artistic talents of their young constituents. The winner from each district will have his or her artwork displayed in the U.S. Capitol for one year. Like many other seniors across the Greater Houston region, Oak Ridge High School seniors are eager to walk across the stage this week at their graduation. Hundreds of family members and friends will be on hand to celebrate with the Class of 2018 as they mark off an important milestone in their young lives. Preston Bomchill, valedictorian of ORHS, said he is excited to be done with high school and is ready, albeit a bit nervous, for the next phase of his life. During high school, Bomchill participated in numerous organizations, including National Honor Society, Science National Honor Society and Mu Alpha Theta (math honor society) of which he was president. He also was historian for the Next Generation Leadership program through the Education for Tomorrow Alliance and a certified therapy dog handler who visited Ronald McDonald houses and assisted living centers. According to Bomchill, being named valedictorian was his greatest achievement in high school because all of his hard work had finally paid off. Ive been working for that for four years. It really has been a lot of hard work and a lot of sacrifices that Ive had to make and dedication. But its all coming together. Its all worth it, Bomchill said. Bomchill will be attending the University of Texas at Austin in the fall and plans to major in chemical engineering. Upon graduation, he said he wants to join a global company that will provide him the opportunity of working overseas. I knew for a while that Ive always wanted to do engineering. Ive had a passion for math and science so I knew engineering was a good fit. To narrow it down to chemical, though, I did a lot of research online about job descriptions and typical work experiences, Bomchill said. But I had to interview a petroleum engineer and a chemical engineer a year ago because I really could not decide between the two. They both sounded really interesting because I want to go into the oil field so both of them go into that. After interviewing both of them, the chemical engineer his day-to-day job sounded a little more exciting than the petroleum engineer. When recalling his high school experience and looming graduation, Bomchill said he will miss his friends the most. Thats what really makes school fun for me. Im going home and doing my homework. I dont enjoy that at all. Some people are like, you dont like doing homework? You do it all the time. How can you not like it? But its really going to school and being able to talk with your friends in class, Bomchill said. Thats what makes the day go by fast. Thats what makes it fun so Ill really miss just being able to talk to them and have those relationships that weve built. Elena Adams, the Oak Ridge HSsalutatorian, played euphonium in the ORHS marching band for four years as well as participated in Mu Alpha Theta, National English Honor Society, National Honor Society, Science National Honor Society and the BioTech Club. Adams said one of her greatest achievements involved teamwork at the Bands of America (BOA) competition in Houston. I would say my greatest achievement is when our marching band made finals for the first time at BOA Houston because Ive done a lot of stuff by myself but even though working with a group like that is a lot harder it was a lot more gratifying to reach our goal, Adams explained. The aspect shell miss the most about high school, she said, is the plethora of available opportunities. A lot of people talk bad about high school but really theres a lot of opportunities in high school that are really easy to get into because the education is free, for one. Learn all you can while you dont have to pay for it, Adams said. And theres so many different organizations and clubs and activities that you can do while youre in school that you can still do in college but theyre a little bit less accessible. So Im going to miss the ease of the opportunities, but Im hopefully still going to be able to do that stuff in college. Adams, who owns three chickens, will also attend the University of Texas at Austin and plans on obtaining a biology degree with a specialization in ecology, evolution and behavior. I always felt like I wanted to do some kind of biology because my family has always been really outdoors oriented and Ive raised animals my whole life and thats what really interests me, Adams explained. So I hope that I can use my major to work with the environment somehow. I want to be a wildlife researcher or an environmental scientist. Adams added that she is both nervous and excited about stepping into her role as a university student. Its exciting, but its something that Ive never really experienced before, obviously. Ive never been that independent. Its a big change, she said. The Oak Ridge High School graduation is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 30, at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion. Seniors are required to attend a mandatory graduation rehearsal on the same date at 8:45 a.m. They will meet at the old gym on campus and travel by bus to The Pavilion. Ninety-seven. Thats how many green dragons marched across the stage in The Woodlands on Friday afternoon at The John Cooper School, spreading their wings and soaring to new heights as they accepted their high school diplomas. In her valedictorian speech, Obielumani Amudo addressed the hundreds of family members and friends gathered in the Dunlap Gymnasium with a message of both pride and humor. When I think about having the privilege of delaying 96 other seniors desperate for a diploma just a couple more teensy minutes, Im struck by the fact that I never could have imagined this moment, she opened. Growing up, I lived in seven different countries, and I never would have thought Id end up in America. To me, America was this big, vaguely powerful blob that took up the top colored half of the globe. When I told my Australian friends I was moving to Texas, they were most excited for me to see squirrels and become a cowgirl. On a more serious note, Amudo addressed the many reasons she loved her classmates and attending The John Cooper School. I love the way our class relates to each other. If I was studying for an exam in the middle of the night, I knew at least five other people I could ask for help, she said. I love the way we support each other, complimenting each others outfits in the hallway, praising each other for breaking records in sports, making records in music and just excelling in all the many ways that we do, both individually and collectively. In conclusion, Amudo expressed her gratitude and wished her classmates the best as they move off to various places. To the Class of 2018, thanks for leaving a mark on me Ill never forget and I hope you go out and leave even larger marks on the people and places you encounter in your very bright futures, Amudo said. Class speaker Gurtej T.J. Gill followed Amudo with a speech of his own, and graduate Sreya Nalluri presented the senior class giftbooks for the Lower Schoolbefore the seniors were finally able to graduate with the official document placed into their hands. After the ceremony, faculty, administrators and trustees formed a receiving line to congratulate each of the 97 members of The John Cooper School Class of 2018. According to school officials, the traditional receiving line symbolizes the transition from high school to college and from curiosity to wisdom. Some seniors commented on their future goals and shared memories at the school. Gill said he plans to attend Columbia University in New York and double majoring in economics and English. He said wants to go into academics, become a professor and publish a book. Gill said his fondest memory of The John Cooper School was during a fourth grade class project. In the fourth grade, we worked on this thing called the Celebration Market and we made a song: The celebration market is coming to town. Everybodys talking bout it, kids from all around. I just remember having a lot of fun doing that, Gill said. Fellow graduating senior Mallory Bechtel, who wrote the jingle Gill referred to, said the Celebration Market was one of her best memories as well. That was a big deal for me because it was just our class and we made all of these goodies that were Spain themed and we sold it to the elementary school, she explained. I wrote a jingle for it that we performed, and theres this thing in elementary school where you get a Dragon Deed if you do good things, and that was the one time I got a Dragon Deed was for writing the jingle for the Celebration Market. It was a true highlight. Bechtel said will be attending the New York Tisch School of the Arts in the fall and said she is thrilled to have graduated. Im going to New York after this, which has been a dream for a very long time so Im very happy, Bechtel said. Summarizing the mood of her gathered classmates regarding the future Vechtel added, Its bittersweet but its very exciting. by Mathias Hariyadi Over the past two days, eight homes, four motorcycles and a shop have been destroyed. The attacks were based on similar reasons: hatred and intolerance, said a spokesperson for the Ahmadiyah Indonesia Congregation. Its not the first and definitely wont be the last attack. Its been years and the Ahmadi community continues to live under threats. Since they do not acknowledge Muhammad as the last prophet, the Ahmadis have been attacked by the most radical Islamic groups. Jakarta (AsiaNews) A series of attacks on the island of East Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara province, has shaken Indonesias Ahmadi community. Considered heretical by most Muslims, they have often been the victims of persecution. On Saturday afternoon, a mob tried to expel Ahmadis from the village of Grepek Tanak Eat, near Greneng. Seven families for a total of 24 people were forced to leave their homes as attackers torched at least eight houses, four motorcycles and a shop. The Ahmadis found refuge at the local police station. Overnight, the home of another Ahmadi family was also set on fire. A third attack took place the following morning, when unknown people attacked another Ahmadi-owned building. "People have left their farms. Some others [whose houses were not destroyed] fled and are staying with their relatives elsewhere," Ahmadi community spokesman Saleh told the media. Ahmadiyah Indonesia Congregation (JAI) secretary Yendra Budiana said the incident followed a series of attacks on the Ahmadi community in another residential area last March and on 9 May. The attacks were based on similar reasons: hatred and intolerance, he explained. Its not the first and definitely wont be the last attack. Its been years and the Ahmadi community continues to live under threats. The Ahmadiyah movement was founded in 1889 by Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, in the Indian village of Qadian (Punjab, British India). Since they do not acknowledge Muhammad as the last prophet, Ahmadis have been attacked by the most radical Islamic groups. In some parts of the country, they are not allowed to pray in public places or even in their homes. According to various independent estimates, the number of Ahmadis in Indonesia ranges from 200,000 to 500,000 members, in 542 communities across the country with 289 mosques and 110 mission centres. Indonesias Ministry of Religious Affairs puts the number at about 80,000 members. * * Its a well-known fact that Israel possesses quite a number of nuclear weapons (150-200) and believes itself to be entitled, alone in the Middle East, to possess such weapons. Israelalongside India and Pakistanhas never signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), and alone among nuclear-weapons states, it has never publicly acknowledged its nuclear arsenal nor openly demonstrated its nuclear capability. As Avner Cohen writes in The Worst-Kept Secret: Israels Bargain with the Bomb (2010), In Israel, to this day, the gap between nuclear conduct and basic democratic norms of open debate, the publics right to know, public accountability, oversight, and transparency remains vast. Furthermore, Israels possession of nuclear weapons has not led to a viable or successful deterrence strategy and policy. For example, it has not deter[red] Arabs from attacking it; nor is there evidence that it imposed limitations on Arab operational planning. (In fact, Arab states in the region have never had anything remotely close to a coordinated strategy and policy with regard to Israel, whatever the historical pan-Arab rhetoric of annihilation.) Among the adverse side effects of its nuclear weapons arsenal and related policy, Zeev Maoz notes that it was a major factor in accelerating a conventional arms race and in igniting a nonconventional arms race in the Middle East. While Israel was developing its nuclear potential (1957-67), inter-Arab relations were characterized by political and military discord, its decision to develop nuclear weapons coming at a time when the actual investment in military manpower and hardware by the key Arab states was marginal, to say the least. Maoz convincingly argues that each time Israel actually invoked its nuclear policy in a context of international crisis or war, its implied or explicit threats failed to achieve their intended aim. In short, the logic of last-resort deterrence that served as the strategic foundation of the nuclear project is logically self-defeating, because it renders incredible the threat of nuclear retaliation in any other circumstances. See Maozs very important book, Defending the Holy Land: A Critical Analysis of Israels Security and Foreign Policy (University of Michigan Press, 2006). Our countrys penchant for self-righteous posturing, its overt messianic and missionary, big stick and bombs foreign policy, combined with its covert secret and not-so-secret wars (e.g., the large laundry list that makes for the CIAs bag of dirty tricks, from regime overthrow to targeted killings and torture), have rendered the finealbeit ambiguouspolitical art of diplomacy a mere dark shadow of its former self. All of this was embodied with bombast and bluster in Secretary of State Mike Pompeos recent speech at the aptly named Heritage Foundation that proclaimed in predictably pompous rhetoric a new Iran strategy, although in historical terms, there was precious little that was truly new, much like resurrected fashions that attract those devoid of historical knowledge and a dispositional and feckless taste for fads of any kind. For example, Pompeo announced, without a trace of irony or satire:No more wealth creation for Iranian kleptocrats. No more acceptance of missiles landing in Riyadh and in the Golan Heights. No more cost-free expansions of Iranian power. No more.Never mind the fact that the U.S. government, at the pinnacle of its pyramid of power, and today more than ever, models a kleptocracy, albeit one draped in neoliberal capitalist dress produced in sweatshops furiously affixing labels of democratic legitimacy.Never mind the fact that the U.S. government, which is the worlds biggest exporter of arms, is fighting a devastating proxy war in Yemen (the poorest state in the region), providing the Saudis with the weaponry essential to its illegal military intervention in the country (causing mass civilian casualties and a humanitarian crisis on several fronts). Indeed, the U.S. and European states remain the main arms exporters to the region [i.e., the Middle East] [having] supplied over 98% of [the] weapons imported by Saudi Arabia.Compare this to Iran (with admittedly geopolitical and religious interests for propping up Bashar al-Assads brutal Syrian regime), which did not even make the list of the 40 largest importers only accounting for 1% of arms imports to the region. In fact, Iran, which is under an international arms embargo, spends a fraction of what its Arab neighbours spend on weapons, instead relying on proxies and soft power to advance its policies.Only the U.S. and Israel are free to takes sides (which comes with their inordinate military prowess) in external and internal Middle Eastern conflicts, the Arab regimes or Iran located in this part of the world, forbidden from doing so (they apparently lack our altruistic motives), any actions by them invariably characterized as threats to the national security of the U.S. and Israel, or serving as ready-made explanations for terrorism, and so forth and so on.Never mind the fact that the immense military aid the U.S. provides to Israel (a country with well over 100 nuclear weapons), more than it provides any other state, has been used to further Zionist (colonialist settler) territorial ambitions, facilitated by a long-standing occupation of Palestinian territories (70 years!) that has systematically and ruthlessly denied the international legal right of self-determination to the Palestinians (in Gaza and the West Bank and East Jerusalem).In a future post I will introduce the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) or the Iran Deal, and speak to the Presidents decision to pull the U.S. out of the agreement (which was not legally binding inasmuch as this was not a treaty but more on that anon). For now, and in preparation for our next installment, should anyone want to begin to historically and politically contextualize the recent hawkish, deceptive, and irresponsible rhetoric coming from both Trump and Netanyahu, Ill recommend two titles: Haggai Rams(Stanford University Press, 2009), and Daniel H. Joyners,(Oxford University Press, 2016). Just as the Millennium Falcon took Luke Skywalker away from his desert home of Tatooine, it also provided Deric Peveto passage out of his career as a trauma nurse. Admittedly Pevetos escape didnt involve blasting his way out of Mos Eisley, but the Falcon still changed his life dramatically when he envisioned the Corellian freighter as a chip-and-dip bowl hand carved out of a mix of domestic and exotic wood. Hurricane Rita turned Peveto into a woodworker when it cleaved his Beaumont home in half. "There were a lot of repairs and no one to do them," he said. "So I learned to do the repairs myself." Now a Nacogdoches resident, Peveto's hobby grew into his Wood By Hand company, which was selling Falcon chip/dip vessels and other carved pieces at Comicpalooza this weekend. The Falcon really started it all, he said. Somebody took a picture of it, and I didnt think anything of it. Then a friend told me it was on the front page of Reddit. I asked, Is that a bad thing? Orders for the bowls began to pour in. Pevetos Comicpalooza booth has some Falcons, and other pieces like a triangular wooden door stop for Game of Thrones fans that reads Hodor. Pevetos story isnt terribly uncommon at events like Comicpalooza. While mass-produced shirts and toys are readily available, there remains demand for creative, hand-made items by people whose hobbies sometimes reveal a second act in ones professional life. I never envisioned myself being in this pop-culture world, Peveto says. But I really love being part of it. Comicpalooza kicked off quietly Friday, as it often does with fans old and young at work or in school. Saturday brings the true wave of costume-clad fans. Once on site at the George R. Brown Convention Center, theyre faced with all manner of stimuli: artists and vendors selling wares; actors and writers discussing their work; and beloved stars from all corners of the fantasy, superhero, science-fiction, speculative fiction worlds doing photo-ops and signing autographs. The very tall Peter Mayhew Chewbacca from Star Wars pulled a consistently robust crowd, as always. And Orlando Jones from American Gods looked genuinely thrilled to meet and greet fans at his booth, offering laughs and high gives to early arrivals. Young talent from the Marvel world pulled particularly well. The line for a Q&A with "Jessica Jones" star Krysten Ritter filled a large conference room. Once it cleared, it filled again instantly with teenagers lined up for "Spider-Man" star Tom Holland three hours before his own Q&A. A popular draw among the artists was Joel Adams, whose booth bore the title The Sexy, the Cute and the Ugly Art of Joel Adams. Adams is a second- generation artist, whose father Neal is beloved in the comic book veteran whose 1970s Batman work was influential. The younger Adams has a strong following in Texas thanks to his character development for TVs King of the Hill. "Texas really treats me well," Adams said. "In five years of doing these shows this was my best Friday." The convention center space was alive with art and new permutations on old ideas. Nate Jones prints were particularly eye-catching. Like Peveto, Jones prototype was an accidental success. He created a tribute to his father, a representation of his dad that focused on his prominent mustache other with facial features eliminated in favor of a prominent quote. I tried to turn it into a commission-based business, but it really didnt go anywhere, he said. Then I did one after David Bowie died . . . Suddenly Jones had a thing. Other things evolve over time. The McDougal Sewing Center has operated in the region since 1940, these days based in JOANN Fabric and Craft Store. They have a cosplay session scheduled in August. Cheryl Sleboda of McDougal had various costume materials available. We do costume triage for people in need, she said. Thats one of my favorite things about this convention. Anybody can go out and buy a costume, but you dont see many of those. This place is just full of creative people who have created their own costumes. Which makes some of the events nerdier undertakings the most enjoyable. Like "The Empire Striketh Back," during which six actors from the Classical Theatre Company read a Shakespeare-inflected reinterpretation of "Star Wars: Episode V," the series' most Shakespearean entry. With lines like "I trust not Lando" and "Chewie, fear thou not," along with narration and sound effects, it was a charming exercise in fan culture. Relatives of a young female immigrant fatally shot by a U.S. Border Patrol agent are demanding justice. Her mother, Nidia Gonzalez, could barely speak to the media in Guatemala, as she was overtaken by grief. She told the media that her daughter, Claudia Patricia Gomez Gonzalez, left the country about two weeks ago to find work in hopes of a better future. Mom, were going to be alright. Im going to make my own money, the woman recalled her daughter telling her. My daughter did not go over there to steal anything. Right now, I just want my daughters body, quick. A man identified on Facebook as Gomez Gonzalezs fiance uploaded a video on Facebook to demand justice. Good night everyone. Its with great sorrow that I find out about what happened to my (fiance) in the border in Rio Bravo. I am terribly sorry. Maybe you can provide some support so justice can be done. I ask you in all of these communities that live there for your support so we can have justice, said the man identified as Morales Yosimar. He continued. saying he had hopes of reuniting with Gomez Gonzalez. Today I ask you, everyone watching this video, that you help me get justice for the person that did this to my wife. Its a very difficult situation to lose a love one. And I ask for your support so justice can be done, he stated. The Border Patrol said Friday that the 15-year veteran agent who used deadly force has been placed on administrative leave. Texas Rangers and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the U.S. Customs and Border Protections Office of Professional Responsibility, continue to investigate the incident. The shooting occurred at about 12:22 p.m. Wednesday near a culvert on Centeno Lane in Rio Bravo. The agent had responded to an illegal activity report. He then discovered a group of suspected illegal immigrants and ordered them to get on the ground. According to the agent, the group ignored his verbal commands and instead rushed him, the Border Patrol said. Thats when authorities say he discharged one round from his service-issued firearm and fatally wounded Gomez Gonzalez. The rest of the group fled the scene. Responding agents detained three people who were allegedly linked to the case. At 7:32 p.m. Thursday, Border Patrol sent out an e-mail informing media about a press availability slated for 1 p.m. Friday. But one hour and 15 minutes before the news conference, the agency sent out another e-mail with red letters saying, Press event scheduled for today has been cancelled. Please see our updated statement on incident. A group of people went to Border Patrol headquarters on Del Mar Boulevard on Friday afternoon. They stood across the street with banners and demanded justice. An attorney representing the agent has previously told Laredo Morning Times that the evidence will prove his clients innocence. Laredo Immigrant Alliance released a statement saying they are outraged by the actions the agent took. We urge our community leaders, FBI and Texas Rangers to thoroughly investigate the case and hold those people responsible accountable for what is clearly excessive use of force as such behavior is now being normalized by Border Patrol agents throughout out border communities, the alliance said in a statement. The Laredo Immigrant Alliance would like to extend our deepest condolences to the families involved. The alliance is inviting community leaders and the neighboring cities of Rio Bravo and El Cenizo to come together to honor the lives lost at the border with a vigil. The event is slated for 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Tres Laredos Park, next to The Outlet Shoppes of Laredo. A man who police say barricaded himself inside a south Houston home with two children was arrested after a standoff Saturday morning, police said. Houston police officers were dispatched for a domestic violence call at a home in the 6600 block of New York Street around 2 a.m. A grand jury will review the case of a man who died while fighting with several men in Chinatown late Friday after he allegedly attempted to rob them, Houston police said. Investigators said it appears the man was trying to rob an apartment near the intersection of Ranchester and Clarewood just before midnight Friday. Work the way you want from anywhere Keep your organization connected with seamless collaboration across distributed teams. No matter where employees are located, organizations are seeking stronger employee engagement and customer experiences to enable more productivity and greater business agility. More effective collaboration helps organizations work smarter. DANBURY TOWNSHIP, Ohio -- A Garfield Heights woman was killed after her SUV caught fire Friday afternoon, authorities say. Jo Ann Svihlik, 65, was killed in the incident that happened about 4:15 p.m. on Ohio 2 just west of the Ohio 269 Lakeside-Marblehead exit, according to a news release from the State Highway Patrol. Svihlik's 71-year-old husband suffered life-threatening injuries, authorities said. Svihlik was driving west on Ohio 2 when the 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer began to smoke and caught fire, the release says. Seconds later, the SUV became engulfed in flames. Svihlik's husband got out of the SUV while it was still moving and fell onto the road, the release says. Svihlik could not get out and was pronounced dead at the scene, the release says. Her husband was taken to MetroHeath. His current condition was not immediately available. State Highway Patrol was assisted by the Port Clinton Fire Department, Ottawa County Sheriff's Office, Danbury Township Fire Department, Danbury Police Department, U.S. Border Patrol, Ohio Department of Transportation, North Central EMS, ProMedica, Ohio State Fire Marshal's Office, Ottawa County Coroner, Robinson-Walker Funeral Home, Don's Automotive/Towing, Highway Patrol's crash reconstruction unit and Highway Patrol's aviation unit. The incident is under investigation. If you'd like to comment on this story, visit Saturday's crime and courts comments section. STRONGSVILLE, Ohio -- The city of Brook Park will receive emergency dispatch service from Southwest Emergency Dispatch Center in Strongsville starting Nov. 1, under an agreement Strongsville City Council unanimously approved Monday (May 21). Southwest Dispatch, established in 2014 on Pearl Road just north of Ohio 82, will serve five communities once Brook Park joins. The others are Berea, North Royalton, Olmsted Falls and Strongsville. "We are always open to our neighboring communities and therefore have talked to Brook Park on several occasions over the past several years," Charles Goss, Strongsville safety director, told cleveland.com in an email. "However, more specific talks were renewed this past April." Municipalities all over Cuyahoga County and Ohio are merging dispatch centers. The state has mandated that counties significantly reduce the number of dispatch centers by this year or face cuts in their 911 funding, which pays for upgrades to dispatch systems. Brook Park joined the Parma Regional Dispatch Center in 2015, but in May, Brook Park Mayor Michael Gammella announced to his council that the city was considering leaving Parma Regional Dispatch. Brook Park City Council voted unanimously to join Southwest Emergency Dispatch on May 15. "Parma did a very good job for us, but when we looked at it, Strongsville is the better fit," Gammella told cleveland.com on Friday (May 25). Among other factors, Gammella said, both Brook Park and Strongsville take ambulance patients to the same hospital -- Southwest General Health Center in Middleburg Heights -- and both cities are in the Berea Municipal Court district. In addition, Strongsville and Brook Park first responders use the same radio frequency. Brook Park will pay more as part of the Strongsville dispatch system. Its annual fee to Parma Regional Dispatch was $375,000. The amount will rise to $520,000 in Strongsville. However, Gammella said he expects dispatcher costs will rise at Parma Regional Dispatch over the next few years. "I think in the long run it will be a wash, but in the first year, we will pay a little more," Gammella said. The annual fee is based on the number or estimated number of emergency calls from each community. In 2018, Berea, North Royalton and Olmsted Falls are paying Strongsville $351,600, $534,435 and $243,804, respectively, according to Goss. The agreement between Strongsville and Brook Park, which initially will last 14 months, starts in November, because that's when Brook Park's contract with Parma ends. Goss said Southeast Emergency Dispatch will hire and train four additional dispatchers to handle the increased call load. "We are able to operate within our current facility floor plan with Brook Park and perhaps one more community," Goss said. "After that, it is likely that some facility renovation or expansion would have to take place." WESTLAKE, Ohio -- Impaired driving, Interstate 90: Police received several calls about 4 a.m. May 23 about a reckless driver who nearly caused several accidents, first on I-90 and then on Columbia and Detroit roads. Officers stopped the Chevrolet Impala on Clague Road and learned that the 31-year-old Brook Park man who was driving said he was returning from a day at Cedar Point and was tired. However, the driver almost fell over several times when he got out of the car, according to police. Officers reported that they also found evidence of drug use and an open container of beer in the vehicle. Officers administered a field sobriety test, then arrested the man for operating a vehicle while impaired, having an open container and possession of drug paraphrenia for a pill grinder found in the car. The suspect submitted to a urine test, and officers are awaiting the results. OVI, Forest Lake Drive: Several residents called police about 9:30 p.m. May 24 to report that their brick mailboxes had been struck by an SUV. The callers told officers that they believed that the woman driving the SUV was intoxicated. Officers arrived to find two mailboxes destroyed. The driver could not explain what happened. Her airbags had deployed, and her SUV sustained disabling damage. She showed signs that she was impaired, according to police. Officers administered a field sobriety test, then arrested the 41-year-old Avon woman for operating a vehicle while impaired. She refused to take a breath test. Trespassing, Detroit Road: A property manager for an apartment building called police about 9 a.m. May 18 to report that a man on the property caused damage to the lawn and was asked to leave, but now was back. Officers responded, but could not locate the man. The manager called back at 11:25 a.m. to report that the man had returned and was causing problems outside the building. Officers located the suspect and his brother. Both had outstanding warrants from Westlake police. Officers arrested the men and took them to jail. Police advised them not to trespass again at the apartments. Suspicious incident, Augusta Court: A resident called police about 10 p.m. May 18 to report hearing a loud explosion and discovering a rear house window broken out. Police could not determine the source of the loud noise or why the window broke. Suspected drug overdose, Dover Center Road: Police were sent about 5 a.m. May 20 to a home regarding a 911 call from someone requesting an ambulance for a 17-year-old boy with an unknown illness. No one answered the door when police arrived, but they found an open door to the house and an unconscious boy inside. Officers suspected an opioid overdose and administered the antidote drug Narcan. The boy responded, and he was taken to the hospital. Officers found the house was empty of everyone except the patient, but they found evidence that a party and drug use had taken place, according to police. Officers notified the boy's parents, and detectives are investigating. Unsafe vehicle, Center Ridge Road: Westlake police about 6 p.m. May 22 responded to a call about a woman hanging out of a truck as she drove down Center Ridge Road. Officers stopped the vehicle near King James Parkway, as it appeared the woman was about to fall out of the driver's side door, according to police. The officer soon learned that the door was broken and was only being held closed by bungee cords and the driver's own hand. There were also bald tires and bad brakes on the vehicle. Police cited the woman for operating an unsafe vehicle, and they impounded the truck. If you'd like to comment on this story, visit Friday's crime and courts comments section. Ehrenreich was the very the first person to audition but still managed to make himself stand out. "Solo" follows the early days of on one of the Star Wars' most iconic characters, Han Solo, first played by Harrison Ford in 1977. The new film's original directors, Phil Lord and Chris Miller (the pair were fired mid-production), considered over 3,000 actors for the titular role, but none could beat Alden Ehrenreich. As of May 2018, the Star Wars franchise has grossed over $8 billion worldwide, making it one of the most lucrative franchises in movie history. Now with "Solo: A Star Wars Story," that total is poised to continue to grow. To find the perfect man for the job, Lord and Miller worked with multiple casting agencies and toured acting schools across the U.S. and U.K., and even checked out some cowboy bars. "We wanted to make sure we turned over every rock to find someone who has the sort of charisma and the sort of maverick sort of swagger," explained Miller. "Turns out that, that was a total waste of money," Lord interjected. "Because the person who got the part was the first person to audition." Ehrenreich, 28, performed a total of six auditions for the role which were designed to test his understanding of the character, his chemistry with other actors and his improvisational skills. "My second [audition] I did with a dog puppet," Ehrenreich told USA Today at the "Solo" premiere. "So they would have a little machine [that would bark] and I would talk to the dog." Another audition required that Ehrenreich perform scenes with a stand-in for Chewbacca, for which he had to learn to speak the Wookiee language, Shyriiwook. The rising star also demonstrated a thoughtful understanding of Han Solo's complex, rebellious and charismatic persona and his unique blend of optimism and cynicism earning himself a nod of approval from Harrison Ford. Here's a round-up of the most important deals in venture capital from the past two weeks. Exits PayPal announced plans to acquire iZettle for $2.2 billion last Friday. The Swedish company makes mobile credit card readers and other payment technology for small businesses. The merger should catapult PayPal into hundreds of thousands of brick-and-mortar storefronts globally and into greater competition with companies like Square. Investors in iZettle included Intel, MasterCard, American Express, Index Ventures and Victory Park Capital. It had raised about $235 million in venture funding. Source: Walmart Kroger is buying Home Chef as online meal kit companies continue moving into grocery stores. The deal is valued at $200 million but could go up to $700 million over the next five years in exchange for Home Chef meeting certain milestones around growth of in-store and online meal kit sales, the companies said. Home Chef generated $250 million in revenue last year and posted two profitable quarters. It had raised around $55 million in venture funding from firms including L Catterton, Guild Capital and others. Former Grail CEO Jeff Huber, who stepped down in August 2017. Source: Business Wire Grail, a company trying to make early cancer detection faster and more accurate, has raised $300 million in a series C funding round led by Ally Bridge Group and including health investors Sequoia Capital China and genomics database company WuXi NextCODE. Grail spun out of Illumina, a genomic sequencing company, in 2016. The new round brings Grail's total capital raised to $1.5 billion. Rover, a site for booking pet sitters and dog walkers, has raised $125 million in a new round of equity funding led by T. Rowe Price, the companies announced on Thursday. Rover also attained a $30 million credit facility from Silicon Valley Bank. In the U.S. pet care market, Rover primarily competes with the dog-walking app Wag, which is backed by SoftBank. Honor has raised $50 million in a series C round led by Naspers Ventures to expand its network of home-care providers for seniors. Honor aims to help older adults live at home in good health and comfort as long as they possibly can. Honor has raised a total of $115 million from investors including Thrive Capital, 8VC, Andreessen Horowitz and Syno Capital. ICEYE engineers test hardware on one of the company's satellites in an anechoic chamber ICEYE Finnish space-tech venture ICEYE raised $34 million in a series B funding round led by True Ventures along with Draper Nexus, Space Angels and other advanced tech funds. The company develops micro-satellites for earth observation. Its satellites employ synthetic aperture radar (or SAR) tech, which can generate imagery almost any time it's wanted, even at night or through cloud cover. Valimail raised $25 million for tech that helps different organizations prevent email "spoofing" or impersonation. Tenaya Capital led the round, joining Shasta Ventures, Flybridge Capital and Bloomberg Beta as Valimail backers. The company's early customers include Uber, Yelp and Fannie Mae among others. Boston health-tech startup OM1 raised $21 million in a series B funding round. The company uses health data and machine learning algorithms to help doctors and patients compare potential treatments and predict the health outcomes resulting from each. Polaris Partners led the round joined by General Catalyst and 7wire Ventures. Funds and firms pressure@ (Removes reference in paragraphs 1 and 4 to OPEC discussions being triggered by Trumps tweet) * Move would mean output cuts won't exceed agreed levels * Oil price up almost 20 percent since end of last year * Talks among Saudi Arabia, Russia, UAE in St. Petersburg ST PETERSBURG/DUBAI, May 25 (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia and Russia are discussing raising OPEC and non-OPEC oil production by some 1 million barrels a day, sources said, weeks after U.S. President Donald Trump complained about artificially high prices. Riyadh and Moscow are prepared to ease output cuts to calm consumer worries about supply adequacy, their energy ministers said on Friday, with Saudi Arabias Khalid al-Falih adding that any such move would be gradual so as not to shock the market. Raising production would ease 17 months of strict supply curbs amid concerns that a price rally has gone too far, with oil having hit its highest since late 2014 at $80.50 a barrel this month. Trump tweeted last month that OPEC had "artificially" boosted oil prices. "We were in the meeting in Jeddah, when we read the tweet," OPEC Secretary General Mohammad Barkindo said, referring to a meeting in Saudi Arabia on April 20. "I think I was prodded by his excellency Khalid Al-Falih that probably there was a need for us to respond. We in OPEC always pride ourselves as friends of the United States, Barkindo told a panel with the Saudi and Russian energy ministers in St. Petersburg at Russias main economic forum. OPEC officials said by "the need to respond" Barkindo was referring to a tweet he sent the same day, rather than the need to act. The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and allies led by Russia have agreed to curb output by about 1.8 million barrels per day (bpd) through 2018 to reduce global stocks, but the inventory overhang is now near OPECs target. In April, pact participants cut production by 52 percent more than required, with falling output from crisis-hit Venezuela helping OPEC deliver a bigger reduction than intended. Sources familiar with the matter said an increase of about 1 million bpd would lower compliance to 100 percent of the agreed level. Barkindo also said it was not unusual for the United States to put pressure on OPEC as some U.S. energy secretaries had asked the producer group to help lower prices in the past. Oil prices fell more than 2 percent towards $77 a barrel on Friday as Saudi Arabia and Russia said they were ready to ease supply curbs. NEAR TARGET Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak said current cuts were in reality 2.7 million bpd due to a drop in Venezuelan production - somewhere around 1 million bpd higher than the initially agreed reductions. Novak declined to say, however, whether OPEC and Russia would decide to boost output by 1 million bpd at their next meeting in June. The moment is coming when we should consider assessing ways to exit the deal very seriously and gradually ease quotas on output cuts, Novak said in televised comments. Initial talks are being led by the energy ministers of OPEC kingpin Saudi Arabia and Russia at St. Petersburg this week along with their counterpart from the United Arab Emirates, which holds the OPEC presidency this year, the sources said. OPEC and non-OPEC ministers meet in Vienna on June 22-23, and the final decision will be taken there. Current discussions are aimed at relaxing record-high compliance with the production cuts, the sources said, in an effort to cool the market after oil hit $80 a barrel on concerns over a supply shortage. China has also raised concerns about whether enough oil is being pumped, according to a Saudi statement issued after Energy Minister Falih called Chinas energy chief on Friday to discuss cooperation between their countries and to review the oil market. Nur Bekri, administrator of Chinas National Energy Administration, told Falih he hopes Saudi Arabia can take further substantial actions to guarantee adequate supply in the crude oil market, the Saudi Energy Ministry statement said. While Russia and OPEC benefit from higher oil prices, up almost 20 percent since the end of last year, their voluntary output cuts have opened the door to other producers, such as the U.S. shale sector, to ramp up production and gain market share. The final production number is not set yet as dividing up the extra barrels among deal participants could be tricky, the sources said. The talks now are to bring compliance down to the 100 percent level, more for OPEC rather than for non-OPEC, one source said. RALLY CONCERNS OPEC may decide to raise oil output as soon as June due to worries over Iranian and Venezuelan supply and after Washington raised concerns the oil rally was going too far, OPEC and oil industry sources told Reuters on Tuesday. However, it is unclear which countries have the capacity to raise output and fill any supply gap other than Gulf oil producers, led by Saudi Arabia, and Russia, the sources said. Only a few members have the capability to increase production, so implementation will be complicated, one OPEC source said. So far, OPEC had said it saw no need to ease output restrictions despite concerns among consuming nations that the price rally could undermine demand. The rapid decline in oil inventories and worries about supplies after the U.S. decision to withdraw from the international nuclear deal with Iran, as well as Venezuelas collapsing output, were behind the change in OPECs thinking. (Additional reporting by Olesya Astakhova, Alex Lawler, Vladimir Soldatkin and Katie Paul Writing by Dale Hudson Editing by Adrian Croft and Edmund Blair) (Adds source on easing options, background) MOSCOW, May 26 (Reuters) - A return to the oil production levels that were in place prior to the 2016 deal to cut output is one of the options for easing curbs, Russia's energy minister said. Sources said this week that Saudi Arabia and Russia were discussing raising OPEC and non-OPEC oil production to ease 17 months of strict supply curbs amid concerns that a price rally has gone too far. "We have agreed that within a month we will additionally study this issue ... I can say that one of the options which could be considered is attaining the levels which were in place at the time of the signing of the agreement," RIA news agency on Saturday quoted the minister, Alexander Novak, as saying. OPEC and non-OPEC ministers meet in Vienna on June 22-23, and a final decision will be taken there. The existing deal came into force on January 1, 2017, and envisaged that global oil producers would cut their combined output by 1.8 million barrels per day (bpd) to cut bloated stockpiles and prop up oil prices. An industry source told Reuters that one of the options under discussion was to cap oil production in Russia at the level of October 2016, the baseline level for the current agreement. In October 2016, Russia's oil output reached a 30-year high of 11.247 million bpd. Russia had pledged to cut oil production by 300,000 bpd to 10.947 mln. But in March and in April this year it failed to fully comply with the deal, pumping at the pace of 10.97 million bpd, a 11-month high. OPEC's semi-annual meeting in Vienna on June 22 will be followed by a meeting with non-OPEC producers including Russia the following day. Oil prices have risen to $80 per barrel, the levels unseen since late 2014. Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that the price of $60 "suits Russia." Novak was also quoted as saying on Saturday he expected Iran to reduce its output by no more than 10 percent as a result of the move by the United States to withdraw from a nuclear deal and reinstate sanctions against Tehran. "I think the output reduction will not be as significant as many expect. Some 10 percent is probably the maximum level," he said when asked if he agreed with an estimate that the sanctions could remove as much as 800,000 barrels a day from the market. Novak also estimated that the "geopolitical risk" premium to the oil price was around $5-$7 per barrel. (Reporting by Vladimir Soldatkin, Oksana Kobzeva and Maria Kiselyova Editing by Richard Balmforth and Helen Popper) Ezequiel Pereira got his first computer when he was 10, took an initial programming class when he was 11 and then spent years teaching himself different coding languages and techniques. In 2016, Google flew him to its California headquarters after he won a coding contest. Pereira was about a month shy of 17 when he first got paid for exposing a Google security flaw through its bug bounty program. "I found something almost immediately that was worth $500 and it just felt so amazing," Pereira told CNBC. "So I decided to just keep trying ever since then." His sporadic poking around has finally paid off in a big way: Google just awarded the Uruguayan teenager $36,337 for finding a vulnerability that would have allowed him to make changes to internal company systems. Although Pereira found the bug earlier this year, he only just got permission to write about how he discovered it this week, after Google confirmed that it had fixed the issue. It marks Pereira's fifth accepted bug, but it's by far his most lucrative. "It feels really good I'm glad that I found something that was so important," he said. In February, Pereira started college for computer engineering in his hometown of Montevideo. When he's finished with his homework and doesn't feel like hanging out with friends or watching videos, he'll whip out his computer and start hunting. Here we go again. President Donald Trump surprised the markets this week by instructing the U.S. Department of Commerce to start an investigation into automobile imports. The government is looking into whether the imports "threaten to impair the national security" of the US. It will be carried out under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, it said in a statement on Wednesday. Trump has discussed plans for auto import tariffs with industry officials, The Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday, citing sources. The report said the tariffs could be up to 25 percent, potentially hurting key US allies such as Mexico, Canada, Japan and Germany. But investors may want to look Trump's previous pattern of behavior before overreacting to the latest announcement: When things get difficult he tends to back down, or water down his policies. One Wall Street analyst believes Trump's move is just a ploy to get attention off the sputtering China trade negotiations. "We view this as an attempt to jumpstart NAFTA negotiations and deflect any headlines that Trump is easing up on China as he seeks a trade deal," Raymond James analyst Ed Mills said Wednesday in a note to clients. "This follows the Trump trade playbook make the other side feel as if they have something significant to lose if they do not come to deal ... We think this could be a catalyst for a final NAFTA deal, potentially struck in the coming months, which would result in these tariffs not being imposed." The administration's backpedaling in its trade conflict with China is further evidence every seemingly hostile pronouncement shouldn't be taken literally. In a prescient note last month Citi Research downplayed the initial tariff rhetoric between the US and China, which spurred a selloff in the stock market earlier this year. On the "trade war rhetoric [the] bark is louder than the bite," Eric Ollom, head of emerging markets corporate debt strategy at Citi Research, said in a note to clients entitled "Trade War or Trade Bore?" on Apr. 5. "We find the latest salvoes in US-China trade latest twist in a now familiar pattern of the Trump Administration regarding trade: speak harshly but carry a small stick." At the time the market was near its lows for the year after weeks of increasingly hostile trade developments. The Dow dropped 724 points on Mar. 22 after Trump signed an executive memorandum that would impose tariffs on up to $60 billion in Chinese imports. The action sparked several back and forth retaliatory rounds between the two countries including China's announcement of tariffs on 106 U.S. products, such as soybeans, cars, aerospace and defense. The move was followed by Trump's instruction of the U.S. trade representative to consider $100 billion in additional tariffs against China. But the bluster proved transient as last weekend the U.S. and China decided to lower trade tensions after days of negotiations. "We are putting the trade war on hold," Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said on "Fox News Sunday." The two sides backed off on threatened tariffs over dozens of products, which was noteworthy as the Trump administration failed to get the Asian country to commit to reducing the U.S. trade deficit with China by $200 billion, a key US demand in the process, according to The Wall Street Journal. The rise and fall in the trade conflict between China and U.S. is also similar to what happened earlier this year with Trump's tariff plan on aluminum and steel imports. After the Trump administration implied there would be no exemptions it later granted several countries exemptions from the aluminum and steel tariffs, watering down the initial protectionist policy. Perhaps investors should listen to sage wisdom from Warren Buffett and focus on the incentives of countries involved when predicting outcomes. Earlier this month the Oracle of Omaha said he was optimistic the U.S. and China will avoid a serious trade conflict because countries eventually do what it is in their best economic interest. "I don't think either country will dig themselves into something that precipitates and continues any kind of real trade war," he said at the Berkshire Hathaway 2018 annual shareholder meeting on May 5. "There will be some back and forth, but in the end I don't think we'll come out with a terrible answer on it [Trade] benefits are huge and the world's dependent on it in a major way for its progress that two intelligent countries will do something extremely foolish." The White House said on Saturday its pre-advance team for the U.S.-North Korea summit will head to Singapore as scheduled, signaling that the high-stakes meeting President Donald Trump abruptly cancelled just days ago could be back on track. On Thursday, Trump called off the meeting, even as North Korea made a show of dismantling a nuclear test site. In a letter to North Korea's leader, Trump cited sharp words used by the North Korean officials about America denuclearization demands. Yet on Saturday, White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said that the team will "prepare should the summit take place." The prep team departs amid diplomatic whiplash over the fate of a historic summit between the president and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un as part of a high stakes gambit to encourage Pyongyang to give up its nuclear arsenal. If it takes place, the summit would be the first time a U.S. president met with a North Korean leader. The two men had been scheduled to meet face-to-face on June 12 in Singapore. But on Thursday, the president canceled the meeting. Just a day later, Trump said that his administration had restarted dialogue with North Korea. Stocks fell after news of the cancellation broke, although equities rebounded from lows somewhat later in the day. The U.S. and its allies have tried to pressure North Korea into abandoning its nuclear ambitions through crushing sanctions and economic isolation. Doubts about whether the meeting would actually take place swelled as tensions increased between Pyongyang and Washington. Earlier in the week, North Korea took offense when Vice President Mike Pence said that the communist country could end up like Libya if it doesn't make a nuclear deal with Washington. North Korea also protested South Korea's routine joint military exercises with the U.S. Geopolitical experts have said that the back and forth over this meeting indicates that the Trump administration doesn't have a clear strategy on how to deal with Pyongyang, something Trump himself sharply rejected on Saturday. The Wall Street Journal, citing a White House official, reported that Trump ordered his letter to Kim canceling the meeting released without first telling U.S. allies. The newspaper said that the move was intended to avoid leaks. Allies blindsided by the move include South Korea, which played a pivotal role in bringing both sides to the table. Trump's letter left Seoul scrambling to decipher its meaning and intent. But in a Saturday tweet, the president pushed back on the notion that his administration lacked a coherent North Korea strategy. @realDonaldTrump: Unlike what the Failing and Corrupt New York Times would like people to believe, there is ZERO disagreement within the Trump Administration as to how to deal with North Korea...and if there was, it wouldn't matter. The @nytimes has called me wrong right from the beginning! CNBC's Jacob Pramuk contributed to this report. CommLawCenter readers may recall that the FCC adopted a rule in 2013 requiring broadcasters to present aurally on a secondary audio stream (SAS) all emergency information provided visually during programming other than during regularly-scheduled newscasts and newscasts that interrupt regular programming. This Audible Crawl Rule went into effect on May 26, 2015, with a few exceptions. Following a request from the National Association of Broadcasters, the FCC (1) temporarily waived the requirement to aurally convey information regarding school closings via the SAS pending further consideration in a Second Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and (2) extended the deadline to begin aurally describing inherently visual graphics, like Doppler Radar maps. Consideration of the school closings requirement continues, and the FCC has twice extended the compliance deadline for inherently visual graphics. In todays Order, the FCC acknowledged that its aspirational reach continues to exceed the grasp of current technology, granting a joint petition from the American Council of the Blind, the American Foundation for the Blind, and the NAB for a five-year extension of the current waiver until May 26, 2023. To monitor progress on achieving the desired visual-to-aural capabilities, the FCC also required that the NAB file a report with the Commission by November 25, 2020, the midpoint of the five-year extension period. The report must detail the extent to which broadcasters have made progress in finding accessible solutions or alternatives to providing critical emergency details generally delivered in a graphic format, as well as the extent to which this waiver continues to be necessary. The Media Bureau first granted an 18-month waiver of this requirement in May 2015, in response to an NAB request for a six-month waiver of the compliance deadline. In 2016, the same coalition of organizations seeking this latest extension requested an additional 18 months to implement an automated approach for compliance with this part of the rule. That extension would have expired tomorrow, May 26, 2018. The FCC enacted the Audible Crawl Rule pursuant to the Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010, which requires broadcasters to make emergency information available to blind or visually impaired individuals. Originally adopted in April 2013, Section 79.2(b)(2)(ii) of the FCCs Rules requires all visual emergency information presented outside of newscasts to be made available via SAS. The rule applies to visual content that is textual (such as on-screen crawls) and non-textual (graphic displays). According to the FCC, the aural description of visual but non-textual information must be intelligible and must accurately and effectively convey the critical details regarding the emergency and how to respond to the emergency. In obtaining this latest extension, the proponents noted that an automated method of generating an aural equivalent of inherently visual moving graphics remains out of reach at this time. The software used to generate these images does not contain text files that can be converted into speech, and the alternative would be to attempt to manually describe the graphics, which the proponents acknowledged is unduly burdensome and impractical. The extension request indicated that, despite the efforts of broadcasters and outside vendors, a viable solution has yet to be achieved. The extension proponents reiterated concerns raised in prior waiver requests. For example, absent a waiver or a feasible technical solution, broadcasters would be forced to remove useful graphical information altogether to avoid FCC enforcement actions. The proponents also noted that a further extension would not significantly reduce the amount of available emergency information because the inherently visual information in question is generally duplicative of accompanying textual crawls, which are currently subject to the Audible Crawl Rule and thus are already being aurally conveyed. While broadcasters will obviously appreciate the extra time as technology vendors wrestle with the seemingly impossible task of automatically converting graphical information like a Doppler Radar map into aural speech, they should not assume the deadline will continue to be extended until that breakthrough occurs. Todays Order states that [a]lthough we continue to believe that an automated solution is preferable to a manual approach that requires station personnel to describe every graphic, compliance with the Audible Crawl Rule is not predicated on the advent of such technology. In making this statement, the FCC is obviously seeking to keep the pressure on broadcasters to accomplish what is currently impossible. Broadcasters must now prove they are up to that task. Amazon has confirmed a report that one of its Echo devices recorded a family's conversation and then messaged it to a random person on the family's contact list, who is an employee of a family member. But Amazon, in a statement emailed to Computerworld, confirmed every privacy advocate's worst nightmare with its explanation: Echo woke up due to a word in background conversation sounding like 'Alexa.' Then, the subsequent conversation was heard as a 'send message' request. At which point, Alexa said out loud 'To whom?' At which point, the background conversation was interpreted as a name in the customers contact list. Alexa then asked out loud, '[contact name], right?' Alexa then interpreted background conversation as 'right.' As unlikely as this string of events is, we are evaluating options to make this case even less likely. For the record, the family says they didn't hear the Echo saying anything. Both versions may be correct. If the family was in a heated discussion and had no reason to focus their attention on the Echo device they might not have heard or noticed the Echo speaking. Personally, as disturbing as this incident is, I find it all too likely. In communicating with Siri, I have heard it often "mishear" a word as a command and then act on it. Once I was preparing to text someone and my landline phone (yes, I still have one) rang. When I was done, I was amused that Siri's voice recognition had transcribed my end of that phone conversation and was about to text it to my contact. If it interpreted any word I spoke as being close to "send," it would have done it. Amazon did not respond to a request for an interview by deadline. Had it done so, I would have asked what words the family spoke that Echo interpreted as commands and confirmation words. Had the family actually said those command words in their conversation at the exact right points this situation would be different. And it would then merely be an issue of Echo's verification commands needing to be more particular. After all, someone saying the word "right" in a sentence shouldn't be enough of a verification. Or something rhyming with right? Let's take this up a level, with a reference to every IT person's favorite acronym this week (GDPR) and how far we allow software to function autonomously (I'm looking at you, machine learning). One of the provisions of GDPR, which kicked in on Friday (May 25), is that companies must report germane data breaches within 72 hours. But 72 hours from what? That's where things get interesting. Here's the way GDPR phrases it: "In the case of a personal data breach, the controller shall, without undue delay, and where feasible, not later than 72 hours after having become aware of it, notify the personal data breach to the supervisory authority competent in accordance with Article 55, unless the personal data breach is unlikely to result in a risk to the rights and freedoms of natural persons." In this context, the controller is the breached company. We have to ask: When does a company become "aware of" something? Is it when a human employee of that company becomes aware of it? If so, which human employee? The CIO? The CISO? The CEO? And for a breach, is someone aware of a breach when they first hear of the initial preliminary indication that something may or may not have happened? Or is it only when that person becomes truly convinced that a breach did indeed happen which can be months later? But let's go back to that initial question: Is it in fact when a human employee becomes aware? What if a server perhaps owned by an antivirus package used by the company sends a message to a company-controlled server and shares an alert that a virus has been detected? And what if the company server takes action on its own to negate that threat? Do those actions constitute that company knowing? With artificial intelligence's machine learning capabilities soaring through enterprise IT these days, how many system actions will soon go way beyond what any programmer had intended? Machine learning is designed to look for patterns and to extrapolate from that information and recommend actions. As speed becomes ever more critical, especially with security decisions, many companies will program the systems to act on the machine-learning extrapolations without waiting for human confirmation. This gets us back to the Echo situation. Amazon's A.I. efforts here allow the system to take actions based on what it thinks it hears, with no human confirmation or, at best, an insufficiently stringent human confirmation mechanism. Was the fault here poor voice recognition or faulty interpretation of that voice recognition? Amazon, in its efforts to be seamless and magical, is letting its systems do quite a bit, on the premise that it is usually accurate. And what happens when it's wrong? This Washington state family just found out. Note to IT: Machine-learning systems pose the exact same type of danger. When IT lets systems make decisions without verifiable human confirmation, unhappiness is a certainty. In this Echo incident, it just happened to be a relatively innocuous conversation about hardwood-floor choices. With machine-learning security systems, it might be something far more dangerous. What if machine learning and voice recognition thinks it hears someone in IT saying, "Send our customer contact file to our direct rival"? And it then mumbles a confirmation request and it waits for someone in the room to say, "Right." Echo, thank you. You may have awakened a lot of people this week to some scary realities. Hammond threatens that Britain will go it alone on sat nav scheme Britains MEPs could be forced to stay in Strasbourg after Brexit The Sun Weak economic growth The Times Toughen up now, Mrs May you have two weeks to save Brexit and your Government The Sun Says UK should not be afraid to walk away from the EU Leader, Daily Telegraph Majority of EU27 favour simple approach on Britons residency The Guardian The EU should stop posturing says Davis Daily Express Oborne: The biggest threat to the EU is from Italy Philip Hammond has warned the EU the UK will go it alone and build a new satellite navigation system if shut out of the Galileo project after Brexit. The chancellor said the UK wanted to remain a core member of the EU-wide scheme, which it has helped pay for. But if this was not possible, he said the UK would develop a rival scheme as access to the data satellites provided was vital for national security. The issue has become an emerging dividing line in the Brexit talks. The UK has demanded 1bn back from the EU if the bloc carries through on its plan to exclude Britain from Galileo, which was developed by the European Commission and the European Space Agency. BBC While Brussels negotiators continue to stymie Brexit, European politicians are facing a much bigger threat to the European Union. I refer to events of the past few days in Italy, which will be Europes third largest economy after Britain leaves the European Union. This week, a new government was formed Italys 66th since the end of World War II. The new prime minister, Guiseppe Conte, heads a rag-bag coalition of the anti-Establishment Five Star Movement and the far-right League. They agree on very little but there is one policy on which they are in harmony: a hatred of Brussels. It is no exaggeration to say that Mr Conte, a former law professor at Florence University, has the power to bring about the collapse of the EU. Peter Oborne, Daily Mail New Italian Finance Minister wants to quit the Euro The Sun Irish Euro MP says EU tax harmonisation plans not working Daily Express Plot for Gove to be PM followed by Davidson Jury takes less than an hour to clear Holden to sexual assault charges Tory grandees are hatching a dream plan for Michael Gove to serve as caretaker Prime Minister and step down for Ruth Davidson in 2021. The plot comes as a consensus emerges among frustrated Tory MPs that Theresa May will be forced out in a years time as soon as Brexit is delivered next March. As many as 30 ambitious Tory MPs have already begun canvassing for support to replace her as party boss. But several senior figures have now settled on a master plan, dubbed the Gove-Davidson succession. Under the plot, Environment Secretary and leading Brexiteer Mr Gove would take the keys to No 10 for two years to finish the Brexit negotiations and transition period. Ms Davidson, 39, has vowed to fight the Holyrood Parliament elections in 2021 in a bid to oust SNP boss Nicola Sturgeon. The Sun A former special adviser to Sir Michael Fallon who was acquitted of sexual assault has said he was cruelly and publicly shamed during a trial that he claims should never have come to court. Richard Holden said it was a travesty that the case against him had been pursued and it added to concerns about the actions of the police and Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). He had been accused of groping a woman under her skirt at a party in London in 2016. The jury of eight men and four women returned unanimous verdicts after deliberating for less than an hourMr Holden said: This case was not about consent. What was alleged did not happen. This allegation was supposed to have taken place in a room of 15 to 20 people, none of whom corroborated the claim. Todays unanimous verdict, delivered by the jury in such a short space of time, attests to my innocence, which I have maintained throughout. That this case has been pursued at all is a travesty. It has been a cruel public shaming and an utter waste of time and resources. Daily Telegraph There are too many people in prison declares Gauke Short custodial sentences clog up prisons Leader, The Times David Gauke is not afraid to challenge the traditionalists. In his measured, slightly metronomic tone, he delivers the radical message that there are now too many people in jail. Twenty five years ago the [prison] population was 44,000. Today its 84,000. I would like it to fall. He adds: I dont think we should have an arbitrary number and say were going to get it to 60,000 or 70,000 because I think it depends on how successfully we can build confidence in non-custodial sentences and how effective we can be in reducing reoffending. But he does want a concerted effort to drastically reduce the number of people who are being locked up every year, pointing out that crime has fallen while the prison population has almost doubled. What has driven [the rise] is longer and tougher sentences for serious crimes. There is an issue about public protection but I think we need to look at the efficacy of short sentences. Interview with David Gauke, The Times >Yesterday: ToryDiary: Gauke makes a start on prison rehabilitation the neglected conservative mission Gove urges the British to eat more lamb British diners should relish the lamb produced by the nations farmers, Michael Gove said yesterday. The environment secretary said that he did not understand why every second sandwich in shops was chicken or tuna, never lamb. Mr Gove said he wanted to encourage people to value the high-quality food that we produce here, much like the French valued local food production and terroir and provenance. He was answering a question at the Hay Festival about the export of 94 per cent of lamb produced in Wales, while 50 per cent of New Zealands European Union lamb quota came to Britain. The Times Exit polls indicate a big majority in Ireland voted to legalise abortion Public backs a hostile environment for illegal immigrants Exit polls published after Irelands referendum on abortion suggest a large vote in favour of liberalising the law. Polls by The Irish Times and RTE suggest about 69% voted to repeal a part of the constitution that effectively bans terminations. Taoiseach (prime minister) Leo Varadkar, who supported the reforms, said it looked as if the country was about to make history. Official counting of votes will begin at 09:00 local time. Those taking part in Fridays referendum were asked whether they wanted to repeal or retain a part of the constitution known as the Eighth Amendment, which says an unborn child has the same right to life as a pregnant woman. BBC Three in five people want the Governments immigration policy to make it as difficult as possible for illegal immigrants to remain in the UK, according to a new poll. But the Ipsos MORI research also shows that, in the wake of the Windrush scandal, three in five of us believe that priority should be given to ensuring that people who do have the legal right to remain are not wrongly forced to leave.The research makes it clear that, despite opposing illegal migration, the majority of the British public believe those with the legal right to live in the UK should be prioritised even if this means some illegal immigrants are not deported. Daily Telegraph Number of Windrush cases passes 5,000 The Guardian Utter failure of scheme to resettle Afghan interpreters into the UK An independent Scotland would keep the pound A scheme aimed at helping Afghan civilians who worked as interpreters for the Army has proved an utter failure, MPs have said. The Commons Defence Committee said not a single person potentially at risk of Taliban reprisals had been resettled in the UK so far via the initiative. It had gone to considerable lengths to stop their relocation, it argued. Campaigners warned of false hopes but ministers said the aim was to enable people to live safely in their country. The cross-party report said the Intimidation Schemes shortcomings were in marked contrast to another initiative, known as the Redundancy Scheme, which has seen 1,150 Afghans re-homed in Britain. BBC An independent Scotland would keep the pound for at least 10 years under proposals set out by the SNPs Growth Commission. The country could potentially then move towards introducing its own currency if six economic tests were met. The commission was set up two years ago to build a new economic case for independence following the Brexit vote. Opposition parties say the SNPs pursuit of independence is doing nothing for Scotlands economy. BBC 5 billion a year would be paid to the UK as a contribution to National Debt The Herald Macron close to victory in battle with the rail unions Moore: Dont modernise the Coronation Oath When Emmanuel Macron pinned the future of his presidency on a revamp of Frances state railways, the political scientist Dominique Andolfatto declared it supreme combat on which our collective future depended. Today, the French president appears closer to winning his reform of Frances railways after moderate unions signalled a possible end to strikes that have disrupted the country for seven weeks.Despite 22 days of chaos on the railways since early April, Mr Macron has yielded no ground to the unions on the key points: turning the SNCF into a viable enterprise; opening the system to competition and ending the special privileges of railway workers for future recruits. The strike turnout has fallen to 14 per cent of the SNCF work force and the reform legislation is on track through parliament to become law next month. The Times Once you start inventing new forms of words, you invite disagreement. If theres something in it for, say, Muslims, what about Sikhs or Hindus? Everyone chips in. It becomes like those initials that started as LGBT and have now become (I promise you) LGBTQQIPS2AA. As a Roman Catholic, I am not offended that my Sovereign swears to govern and uphold a Church different from my own, but if he widens his oaths to defend faith more generally, I might become more demanding. Dont lets go there. Charles Moore, Daily Telegraph Forsyth: Voters dont want tax increases Payne: Reinventing themselves while in Government is a huge challenge for the Conservatives At political Cabinet on Tuesday, ministers were shown polling that neatly highlights the Tory dilemma. When voters are asked what is the most important issue facing the country, they reply Brexit and the NHS.But when they are asked what the most pressing issue is for them, they say the cost of living. And whats the most popular Tory policy since the election? The stamp duty cut for first-time buyers. The political implications of all this is clear: Voters, who are most worried about the cost of living, wont thank politicians who hike their taxesIt is also hard to see how any tax increase could get through the Commons. James Forsyth, The Sun Warm plonk. Sweat dripping down foreheads. Boisterous men trying to outdo each other. After-hours gatherings like this have been a regular occurrence in Westminster lately as Britains centre right plots its future.Onward, the latest ginger group to launch this week, favours a mix of social liberalism with a dollop of market interventionism. It is the most interesting of the new outfits and starts from two key insights: first, that younger people (my generation) have little faith in capitalism because they have no capital; and second, that the centre ground is ripe for the taking. Forget a new centrist party, this group wants to annex that territory from the inside. Former prime minister David Cameron partly succeeded with his modernisation programme a decade ago. Onward believes it can be done again. But reinvention while in government is a gruelling, if not impossible, task. Sebastian Payne, Financial Times Parris: A ringfenced NHS tax would be dishonest Every time politicians ringfence this or that, or hypothecate a named source of revenue to a named expenditure (the sugar tax, for instance, is supposed to be invested in schools projects), a cheap, populist cheer is enjoyed at the expense of administrative logic, and the bits of public policy that do not have ringfencing or an earmarked source of tax revenue tremble. If it is right to tax sugary drinks, they should be taxed irrespective of where this particular money ends up. If school projects need an extra billion they should get it, regardless of whether or not sugar is taxed. If the public reject higher taxes, responsible politicians should not defer to imaginary ropes tying some taxes to some purposes, or fencing off others from cuts; they should make their own judgments where the axe should fall. Matthew Parris, The Times >Yesterday: ToryDiary: We cant just tax our way to a better NHS News in brief Matt Rhoades was Mitt Romneys 2012 presidential campaign manager, and founded America Rising, Definers Public Affairs, and UK Policy Group. Before the next general election, Conservatives will rightly be thinking about policies, messages, communications, digital campaigning, and how to best to demonstrate that Jeremy Corbyns Labour Party are not fit to run the country. All vital but its increasingly clear that that list of priorities will need to include cyber security as well. There is a near hundred per cent chance that someone whether foreign or domestic will attempt to use cyberattacks to cause chaos and disruption to the campaign. I experienced this at first hand running Mitt Romneys presidential campaign in 2012, and anyone who has paid attention to politics in my country will have noticed that hacking became a live issue in 2016 as well. Its been an unusual learning curve for many of us in the US over the last few years. I certainly didnt start working in Republican politics with the idea that I would one day have sleepless nights over Chinese hackers and Russian bots. But that is the world that we now live and run political campaigns in. This is why I have teamed up with Robby Mook, who managed Hillary Clintons 2016 campaign, to co-lead the Defending Digital Democracy project. The initiative is sponsored by the Belfer Center at Harvard University and co-led by Eric Rosenbach, former chief of staff to Barack Obamas last Secretary of Defence, Ash Carter. The initiative brings together experts in the politics, national-security and the tech world to develop strategies and technology to protect campaigns from cyberattacks. We may not have much in common politically, but we do believe in the moral necessity of ensuring that elections are decided by American voters, not by hackers. And the UK should be no different. Robby Mook and I are speaking in Brussels about cybersecurity, and the vital role it will play in election campaigns on a panel jointly organised by the International Republican Institute and the National Democratic Institute. We want to share our experience from running US campaigns, so that parties and campaigners in the UK and Europe can be prepared for what they will face over the next few years. And lets be clear its not just foreign governments that are a threat to the integrity of elections in Britain. It could just as easily come from an extreme anti-capitalist group, or technologically savvy neo-fascists, whose only goal is to cause chaos and undermine the democratic process. Call for cross-party consensus on certain issues are not new, and often become cliched. But when it comes to ensuring that elections are contested on a level playing field, it is vital for political parties to engage with each other on a level above the day-to-day fight. There is no one-size-fits-all solution to these problems- though there are some basic security steps that we would advise any campaign to take. Dealing with the systemic and technical challenges is however far beyond the capability of any party. The tech world that underpins nearly every aspect of our daily lives is governed by a few huge companies all of whom have a responsibility to work constructively with national governments to ensure that the democratic process is safe from interference. ConservativeHome readers are more likely than most to give up hours of their precious free time to knock on doors, deliver leaflets, and campaign for Conservative candidates in local and national elections. It would be a tragedy if that hard work was undermined because the technology that we rely on to fight elections wasnt properly protected. Holden is cleared of sexual assault charges. But why did the case ever get to court? Yesterday a jury at Southwark Crown Court took less than an hour to acquit Richard Holden of sexual assault. Holden, a former Special Advisor to Sir Michael Fallon, had been accused of groping a woman under her skirt at a party in London in 2016. Holden has issued the following statement: When anyone walks into a police station to make an allegation they have the right to be treated with sympathy and respect. But the police also have a greater duty to pursue the evidence wherever it leads. This case was not about consent. What was alleged did not happen. This allegation was supposed to have taken place in a room of fifteen to twenty people, none of whom corroborated the claim. Todays unanimous verdict, delivered by the jury in such as short space of time, attests to my innocence, which I have maintained throughout, as do the Judges closing remarks in this case that: Mr Holden leaves this court without a stain on his character and I hope that he is able to pick up his career where it left off. That this case has been pursued at all is a travesty. It has been a cruel public shaming and an utter waste of time and resources. The police and CPS have created a victim of me, and victims of my close friends and family who have suffered this ordeal at my side for a year and a half. And, most importantly, it has let down the real victims of awful crimes, as the state spent tens, if not hundreds, of thousands of pounds in pursuing a case so readily dismissed by a jury. Those of us who work in politics and public life, and who see it as our vocation, do it out of a deeply ingrained sense of duty. A duty to our communities, and to our country, to help others and help square some of the injustices we see. I also hope that the serious issues raised concerning disclosure and police investigations into alleged sexual crimes by this and many other recent cases will ensure that the police and CPS reflect and instead use the significant resources at their disposal to get justice rather than pursuing spurious allegations. I desperately hope that the assurances I received that following the outcome of this case, that I would again be able to serve the country I love, and the party of which I have been a member for almost twenty years, will be made good on. I would like to thank both Eleanor Laws QC, my barrister, and Mark Troman, my solicitor, who are both true credits to their professions. As to my friends and family, their love and support, through the darkest of days, often at significant personal sacrifice, has not only maintained my faith in humanity, but has kept me going through the toughest ordeal of my life. I hope that the police, CPS and others in authority listen to what I have said, and change their policies accordingly, to ensure that in future, in the pursuit of justice, they dont create more victims but instead get real victims of terrible crimes the justice they deserve. What an extraordinary scandal. There but for the grace of God go any of us. Someone goes to a party and then faces a false allegation. It could have been me. It could have been you. It happened to be Holden. Despite the groundless nature of the allegation the authorities pursued the matter with vigour and persistence. Holden has been acquitted, but he can hardly be said to have been unpunished. The ordeal has lasted 18 months. His career and reputation have been trashed. The judge hopes Holden can pick up his career where it left off. So do I. But it is by no means obvious that it will. The Times this morning reports: The Metropolitan Police declined to comment on Mr Holdens criticism of its handling of the case and allegations over disclosure. The Times has exposed widespread disclosure failings in a series of rape trials that collapsed because crucial evidence had been withheld from the defence until the last minute. The Met Police and Crown Prosecution Service are reviewing all rape and serious sexual offence cases in England and Wales. Richard Foster, chairman of the Criminal Cases Review Commission, said in February that dozens of innocent people were very likely to be in jail because of disclosure failures. The CPS is responsible for assessing the likelihood of a successful prosecution. The speed with which the jury concluded its deliberations means it is baffling on what basis they decided to pursue this case. Was it looked at on its merits and showed sheer incompetence? Or was there a political motive? There could have been a wish to embarrass the Conservatives. Or it could have a kind of subconscious overcompensation a wish to avoid any perception of being lenient to someone well connected. I am not quite sure which explanation politicisation or general impartial uselessness is worse. Either way, this is the latest case to erode public confidence in the CPS and the police. Greater transparency and accountability is required. Subway Restaurants, facing a deepening sales slump and historic retrenchment, has another task ahead of it: finding a new leader. Chief Executive Officer Suzanne Greco stepped down and will officially retire on June 30, the company said earlier this month. While there's an interim CEO in place, the franchising giant is likely to -- for the first time in its history -- choose someone who's not a member of the DeLuca family. But enticing an outsider to lead the beleaguered chain won't be easy. "In terms of getting a Cadillac CEO, I personally don't think that will happen until the family ownership recedes," said John Gordon, principal at Pacific Management Consulting Group, an adviser to restaurants and franchisees. "The ownership is the key issue." The Milford, Connecticut-based company is famously private, and has mostly kept quiet over the years. Co-founder and longtime leader Fred DeLuca made Subway largely into a family business. Greco, his sister, took the reins when DeLuca died in 2015. Its board is insular with most directors either related to DeLuca or Peter Buck, Subway's other co-founder. Board members without a Buck or DeLuca name have served for 20 years or longer, according to the company's latest franchise disclosure document. DeLuca opened the first Subway in Bridgeport, Connecticut, in 1965 with a loan from Buck. By 1974, they had expanded to 16 shops, and DeLuca started franchising. Now, all locations are owned and operated by franchisees, some of whom would like a change. "If people have only grown up at the company they have the blinders on," said Keith Miller, who owns three Subways in the Sacramento, California, area. "Franchisees want to see someone who can engage with them and listen to them because they have so much risk." Subway has begun bringing in outsiders. Last year, it named former consultant Len Van Popering, who worked for Arby's and Logan's Roadhouse, as vice president of global brand management and innovation. Changes are already afoot with Trevor Haynes serving as interim CEO. He recently promoted James Walker, previously from the hamburger chain Johnny Rockets, to vice president of North America. And Ian Martin, another outsider who joined in December, was promoted this month to lead Subway's international efforts. Martin had led closely held Asian Restaurant Concepts in Australia. "The search is underway for a new CEO," Haynes said May 10 in an internal memo obtained by Bloomberg News. "Until then, I look forward to working with you to deliver results for both the brand and our franchisees." The company hasn't released details about how it's carrying out the search or when it may conclude. Times have been tough for franchisees, who own and operate all of Subway's 43,600 restaurants around the world. Last month, Greco told Bloomberg News in an interview that the company expects about 500 U.S. closings this year as it faces more competition and heavy discounting by fast-food chains such as McDonald's and Burger King. Recently, Subway has turned to price cuts, too, with $4.99 foot-long subs. It's also touting a new rewards program, revamped stores and new wrap-style sandwiches. But sales remain under pressure, falling 4.4 percent in the U.S. last year, according to researcher Technomic. Anyone seeking to lead the brand forward will be carefully scrutinized by Subway's franchisees, who are under pressure to either bring in more diners or shutter more stores. "Store economics are always very important," said Gordon at Pacific Management. "It would be great to get someone with brand experience, but you also have to have somebody that understands franchising -- you really have to have both." WASHINGTON Rep. Jim Himes has developed thick skin in nine years on Capitol Hill, but the one thing guaranteed to get under it is any suggestion that his House vote last week contributed to the gutting of the historic Dodd-Frank banking law he helped to create. Ive spent nine years fending off attacks by Republicans on Dodd-Frank, said Himes, a Connecticut Democrat. But once in a blue moon, Im in favor of modifications. It is universally accepted that any piece of legislation is not a holy writ. When it was approved by a Democratic Congress and enacted in 2010, Dodd-Frank brought unprecedented scrutiny to banks in the wake of the 2007-2008 Great Recession. One of the co-authors was Sen. Chris Dodd, D-Conn., who announced his Senate retirement that same year. Himes was one of just 33 Democrats (out of 193) to vote last Tuesday in favor of the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act. The states four other House members all Democrats voted against the measure. The bill was promoted by conservative House Republicans who are frank in their desire to see Dodd-Frank gutted, if not repealed in its entirety. But one prominent Republican, Rep. Jeb Hensarling, R-Texas, bemoaned the lack of teeth in the bill approved last week. I wish it did gut Dodd-Frank, he said. It didnt. Hensarling is chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, of which Himes is a member. The small-bank argument The new laws main feature is exempting banks with $10 billion in assets or less from many of Dodd-Franks regulatory provisions. But it also lifts the asset threshold for determining if a bank poses a threat to the financial system if it fails. The new level enacted last week is a five-fold increase to $250 billion exempting some major players such as American Express, Sun Trust and BB&T. But its backers, including Himes, insist the bill was written to answer the prayers of small and medium banks and credit unions that were subjected to the same regulatory regimen as the too-big-to-fail banks. The amount of time and paperwork required to comply with the law was out sync with their minimal impact on the nations overall financial health, they argued. Dodd-Frank was designed to curb the abuses taking place on Wall Street, said Jill Nowacki, president and CEO of the Meriden-based Credit Union League of Connecticut, which represents about 100 credit unions statewide, including 25 in Himes Fairfield County district. It was never intended to trickle down and impact credit unions. However, it did. Connecticuts member-owned, nonprofit credit unions hold $8.5 billion in assets and serve about 875,00 consumers. They range from small Faith Tabernacle Baptist Church Federal Credit Union in Stamford, with $165,000 in assets to large Shelton-based Sikorsky Credit Union, with just under $800 million. Nowacki said that under previous Dodd-Frank rules, bank examinations diverted thinly staffed credit unions away from customers standing in line, and forced many out of the mortgage-lending business because of complicated regulatory and technology requirements. About 2,000 of 8,000 credit unions have closed nationwide since Dodd-Frank became law. Connecticut has lost about five credit unions a year since 2014, Nowacki said, adding that its not only Dodd-Frank, but thats a large part of it. Financial perspective Some of the now-alleviated requirements imposed by Dodd-Frank were granular, but they added up to a burdensome nightmare, Nowacki said. For instance, mortgages for purchases of duplexes were deemed business rather than commercial requiring much extra paperwork. The switch back to classifying them as residential could help unlock about $4 billion that credit unions can lend to small businesses, helping expand the total economic capacity of our communities, she said in an op-ed. Himes is no stranger to controversy surrounding Dodd-Frank. As a veteran of Goldman Sachs long before coming to Congress, Himes arguably understood the American financial-services sector better than any other lawmaker in Washington. The bill, which was signed into law by President Trump last week, is almost entirely relief for small institutions, Himes said. And I would say as one of the original authors of Dodd-Frank, Id never participate in any effort to gut it. Himes co-wrote the section of the original Dodd-Frank reining in trade in high-flying derivatives. But he disappointed fellow Democrats in 2014 when he supported modifications. Now Himes finds himself in opposition to the vast majority of members of his own party over yet another such series of revisions. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., called the legislation a bad bill under the guise of helping community banks. She said it would take the U.S. back to the days of unchecked recklessness. Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., was skeptical of the claim that the new $10 billion threshold would free small banks of an undue regulatory burden. Despite being sold as a bill focused on helping community banks, in reality, it puts our financial system at a greater risk of another systemic failure, she said. These protections were put in place for a good reason: to prevent another Great Recession. This new law is nothing less than a systematic attack on those safeguards. And fellow Connecticut Rep. Elizabeth Esty argued the new law also would undermine protections against discrimination in housing and mortgage lending. When affordable housing is such a critical issue in Connecticut and in light of ongoing evidence of racial discrimination in mortgage lending practices, I am concerned that the bill would lead to a retreat in our efforts to ensure fair housing and lending policies, she said. Anticipating a storm, Himes has built a line of defenses. One of them is a letter from the original sponsors, Dodd and former Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., who was chairman of the House Financial Services Committee. Key protections designed to prevent another financial crisis, like regulations on derivatives and risky mortgages, are still firmly in place, the two wrote. The bill helps credit unions and community banks that are in danger of vanishing. Frankly, these banks havent been the problem. Voices of Connecticuts progressive-liberal-activist community have, for the most part, been muted. Regulation is a tricky thing, and I think (Himes is) trying to find middle ground here, said Douglas Sutherland, Chairman of Democracy for America Fairfield County. Small banks have been screaming a long time, so lets see if this helps them. I dont see it as gutting. dan@hearstdc.com John G. Rowland is a free man again after serving his second prison sentence. The disgraced former governor once a young, rising star among Connecticut Republicans was was released from federal custody on Friday, according to the Federal Bureau of Prisons website. Federal prison officials had said earlier that Sunday was Rowlands anticipated release date. He had been staying at a halfway house in his hometown of Waterbury since being discharged from a federal prison camp in January. Rowland, who turned 61 the day before his release, was convicted in 2014 of election fraud and obstruction of justice for hiding his political consulting roles in two campaigns. He began serving a 30-month sentence in fall 2016, at a minimum security prison camp in Pennsylvania. It was his second stay in federal prison. Rowlands 2004 federal corruption conviction also led to his incarceration, and to the states landmark public campaign financing program. His release Friday came without an announcement or explanation from the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Prison officials have also refused to explain why Rowland was being released before serving his full 30 months, but inmates can get time off their sentences for good conduct and participating in a drug treatment program. Rowland could not be reached for comment Saturday. Calls made to a phone number listed for his wife, Patty Rowland, went unanswered, and John Rowland did not respond to an email request for comment. His sentence was the result of a jury trial in 2014 that yielded seven guilty verdicts for his behind-the-scenes role in the losing Republican congressional campaign of Lisa Wilson-Foley, whose husband, Brian Foley, paid Rowland $35,000 in consulting fees. Rowland had also served as a congressman, and had been an afternoon drive-time personality for the conservative WTIC-AM radio station in Farmington. In July 2004, he resigned less than halfway through his third term as governor rather than testify before a special House Committee of Inquiry, after a ruling by the state Supreme Court. Rowland pleaded guilty in December 2004 as part of a pay-to-play scheme that included $90,000 in luxury flights from Key Air of Oxford to Las Vegas and Florida. He served 10 months in federal prison and several months of house arrest in that case. M. Jodi Rell, Rowlands lieutenant governor, succeeded Rowland and led state lawmakers to ratify the states 2005 campaign-finance reforms. Staff writer Ken Dixon and The Associated Press contributed to this report. NORWALK Maritime Aquarium visitors looking for a bigger and better theater experience after the IMAX is replaced should be at least half pleased. It will be a 4D theater experience, said Maritime Aquarium President & CEO Brian Davis. The screen and things wont be as large as the IMAX Theater, but it will much more of an immersive experience, so theres potential for some wind and water. The Maritime Aquarium is moving forward with plans to build a two-story, 11,939-square-foot addition east of the existing main entrance. The addition would house a 4-D, 178-seat theater, entrance lobby, ticket area and other space. It will be different, said Maritime Aquarium board Chairman Michael Widland. Its a different technology, 4D combines 3D with other visual things so it will snow on you, it will rain on you, the seats will move. Youll get smells. Its a different technology. Its much more up to date. Architects have prepared conceptual drawings, which will be finalized in July or August, he said. The existing IMAX Theater, a 310-seat facility located on the south side of the aquarium and described by aquarium officials as outdated, will be razed to create staging area for the Connecticut Department of Transportation to replace the Walk Bridge over the Norwalk River. The 122-year-old rail bridge bisects the aquarium. The DOT plans to begin the roughly $1 billion bridge replacement in 2019. Wind, sounds, smells On Friday afternoon, a group of school children, parents and teachers from New Jersey attended an early afternoon showing of Backyard Wilderness at the IMAX Theater. Jane Randazzo, who was with the group, liked the show I thought it was excellent, fascinating, I loved all the images and welcomed the prospect of a 4D theater. The 4D would be really cool. I know its like wind and sounds and smells and your seat moves, said Randazzo, who doesnt have any issues with the future theater being smaller. I mean, we filled one row in the whole place. So I dont know if they have capacity issues, but I think small is nice. While Maritime Aquarium officials say they dont yet know exactly what the new 4D theater will look like, they have many examples from which to draw. Davis cited the National Aquarium (Baltimore) as well as the Georgia Aquarium (Atlanta), where he once worked and will be returning, as inspirations. Georgia Aquariums 4D Funbelievable Theater allows visitors to see thousands of aquatic animals from their point of view by combining the highest-quality 3D high definition projection with special effects, according to its website. The 4D Theater has interactive seats, a state-of-the-art sound system and unique special effects that are built into the theater itself, said Lindsey Ford, public relations coordinator at the Georgia Aquarium. The theater opened in 2005 when Georgia Aquarium opened to the public and was renovated in 2016 to enhance the gallery and guest experience. The facility holds up to 240 guests, with multiple shows per day. As in Norwalk, admission is complimentary with general admission to the aquarium. IMAX Theater dated When it opened in 1988, The Maritime Aquariums IMAX Theater was the largest in Connecticut. Decades later, it retains its spaciousness but not its state-of-art nature. Sigworth has described the facility as limited given its reliance upon 70-millimeter film rather than digitally produced movies. Davis likely wont see the new 4D theater open. Hell step down as Maritime Aquarium president May 25 to return to the Georgia Aquarium, where he will become executive vice president of operations. But he expressed optimism about the new theater. I think its going to be a great improvement, Davis said. Were all here to try and improve the city of Norwalk and the aquarium, so its going to be spectacular. Maritime Aquarium officials learned in 2016 that the DOT planned to raze the IMAX Theater to rebuild the Walk Bridge and quickly developed a replacement plan. The plan also calls for a new two-story, 8,748-square-foot addition on the east side of the existing building to house the aquariums seals. In a perfect world, the new spaces will be open by the time the DOT tears down the IMAX Theater. It is our hope that whatever the lag time is its super minimal, Davis said. Wed love for it (the 4D theater) to be open before the IMAX comes down but if thats not the case, we want there to be minimal time between them. Indonesian ride-hailing app Go-Jek will spend 500 million USD to expand its operation to Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore and the Philippines in the next few months, it said on May 24. Go-Jek operates a fleet of motorcycle taxis and private cars and other services, from massage and house cleaning to grocery shopping and food delivery. With such services, Go-Jek will directly compete with Singapores Grab, which is dominating Southeast Asia. Both of them are also trying to extract more revenues from their ride-hailing customers in Indonesia. Southeast Asia's ride-hailing market is expected to reach 20 billion USD by 2025, according to a research done by Google and Temasek./. VNS More than two thirds of people over the age of 35 are using their side hustle as a way to build their retirement savings. Almost 40% of respondents in a recent Betterment survey said they feel unprepared to save enough to maintain their lifestyle during retirement. As a result, they have become members of the growing gig economy by either supplementing their full-time job or relying solely on their independent work/temporary contracts. According to The Gig Economy and Future of Retirement survey, 76% of those 55 and older were using earnings from a second job to save for retirement, as were 65% of people 35 to 54. In addition, 42% of gig workers under 35 say theyre moonlighting to help save for retirement. There dont seem to be any plans to give up gigs in retirement. Sixteen percent of those surveyed said they intended to keep a gig economy job in their golden years, and 12% say it will be their main source of retirement income. Online lender Earnest gathereddata from tens of thousands of loan applicants to learn just how much people are actually earning from their gig. They found 85% of people take home an average of $500 per month from their side hustles. So whichgigs are worth the hustle? According to Earnest, heres how the five more popular side-gigs stack up: AirBnb: Short-term vacation rental hosts bring in the most earnings, an average of $924 a month, with a monthly median of $440. They make nearly three times as much as other workers. TaskRabbit: The marketplace for various to-do list tasks averages $380 a month with a monthly median of $110. Popular tasks include research and office administration, organizing closets, waiting in line for concert tickets or assembling furniture. Lyft: Ridesharing service gigs average $377 a month with a monthly median of $110. Uber: Uber drivers make slightly less than Lyft drivers, earning an average of $364 a month with a monthly median of $155. Doordash: The on-demand restaurant delivery workers earnings average $229 a month with a monthly median of $100. Democrat AG Josh Shapiro set to announce for Pa. governor His resume and fundraising ability make him a frontrunner in the eyes of several party leaders, as he enters the Democratic field unchallenged. The summer of 2018 has brought back the memories of that searing hot May of 1996. Back in that year, the United Front government led by the-then Karnataka CM, HD Deve Gowda, had replaced Atal Bihari Vajpayee's BJP government at the Centre, with outside support from the Congress. This May, it was HD Kumaraswamy's turn to capture the hotseat in Karnataka, again with Congress support. The political drama that played out in Karnataka has made two things clear. Firstly, the BJP's march into the south of Vindhyas has been thwarted for now. Secondly, it also showed that the formidable Modi-Shah juggernaut can be stopped, but only if the Opposition parties are willing to come together, putting aside differences and work as one. Congress president Rahul Gandhi may have been relishing the outcome in Karnataka, but his lack of initiative in stitching up a pre-poll alliance with the JD(S) has exposed his political immaturity. Added to that, in the run-up to the elections, the Congress president kept accusing the JD(S) of being the B team of BJP. From baba to big neta To her credit, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, has already called for a pre-poll tie-up of all Opposition (read regional) parties to stall the BJP in 2019. The usually reticent Left too has joined in. So is Karnataka a sign of the things to come? Are we going to see a replay of 1996 in 2019? The year 1996 though brought with it days of political uncertainty, days of governments with limited mandate and shrinking terms. The united Opposition and each of its constituents will do good to take into consideration these aspects. Because if it fails to get united, the Modi wave, in all likelihood, will end up sweeping the elections in 2019. But do you think a united Opposition look like? Will the Congress be a part of it? Or will it extend outside support? In 1996, the Congress and some Left parties had extended outside support to the United Front government. But the "outside" support from Congress was uncertain from the very beginning. The tension led to then PM Deve Gowda stepping down as PM within 10 months of taking charge. Then came IK Gujral. But almost 11 months after that, the Congress withdrew support when its demand for sacking DMK ministers was rejected. The demand came after a Jain Commission report on the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi had held that the DMK had tacitly supported the LTTE. So after being in power for just over 20 months the United Front experiment failed. United we stand This was not the first instance, in 1979 Chaudhary Charan Singh banked on the Congress for support to form a new government. It lasted around five-and-a-half months. Then the Chandrasekhar-led government in 1990 survived for about seven months, courtesy "outside" support from the Congress. However, the situation then and now is very different. Older ideas and leaders have largely been replaced. Moreover, the non-Congress Opposition parties have grown by leaps and bounds both in stature and seats. They would be keenly watching the Congress in Karnataka. Karnataka is much more than a test for the Congress ahead of the real battle in 2019. It will also decide if the united Opposition still considers the grand old party trustworthy. And make no mistakes, it will be a combination of strong regional leaders. And then there are the voters they would be watching too if the Congress slips up, voters would see the Karnataka experiment as nothing more than an opportunistic ploy to grab power. Also read: A New Yorker explains why no city should be called strong in the wake of an attack This month marks two decades since India crossed the nuclear rubicon in 1998 and declared itself as a de facto nuclear weapon state. It has been a long journey since then and the US-India civil nuclear deal was the culmination, making India part of the global nuclear architecture and its integration into the global nuclear order. But as New Delhi works towards entering the Nuclear Suppliers Group and recalibrates its deterrence vis-a- vis China and Pakistan, debates continue about the future of India as a nuclear power. Strategic stability A crude nuclear stability has emerged in South Asia as Indias calibrated responses to the three major region crises since May 1998 demonstrate. Nuclear weapons have contributed to regional strategic stability by reducing the risk of full-scale war in the region. Despite repeated provocations by Pakistan in 1999, 2001-02 and 2008 and a resentful Indian public that wanted its government to retaliate, the Indian policymakers demonstrated an extraordinary measure of restraint in the aftermath of all three crises, refusing to launch even small-scale limited attacks against Pakistan. The Indian government forbade the military to cross the Line of Control despite the Indian military officials clearly wanting to pursue such a posture. In 2016, the Modi government changed that when the Indian Armys special forces took out several suspected terror camps across the volatile Line of Control in Kashmir in response to an attack on an Indian Army post in Kashmir by Pakistan-based terrorists that killed 20 soldiers. The Indian response came almost 11 days after the initial attack and reflected an attempt by the Modi government to pressurise Pakistan on multiple fronts, thereby gaining leverage over an adversary that had long used terrorism and proxies to challenge India. The Modi government decided to use the instrumentality of military power a tool which New Delhi had avoided for long. What was new was not that cross-border raids took place, but that India decided to publicise them to the extent it did. Pakistans reaction was contradictory. While the nations military issued a flat denial of Indian claims and insisted that only cross-LoC firing had taken place, Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif decried Indias naked aggression, and suggested that the move had exacerbated the civil-military divide in the country. With its move, India did not discard strategic restraint, contrary to what many have suggested, but managed to reset the terms of military engagement with Pakistan. For years now, Pakistan had raised the bogey of nuclear weapons to put India in a state of strategic limbo. After the Uri attacks, Pakistans defence minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif had waved the nuclear sabre and threatened to annihilate India if attacked. But with its strikes, India has managed to convey to Pakistan and to other external stakeholders that Pakistans nuclear blackmail has no legs to stand on and that India has military room to operate below the threshold that would trigger major conventional, or even nuclear, escalation. India is also trying to shape a counter narrative about the ability of India to inflict pain on Pakistan. By constantly deciding not to react militarily to Pakistani provocations, New Delhi was losing its deterrence credibility, further fuelling Pakistans adventurism. Policy change Indian policymakers cutting across the ideological spectrum have been trying to grapple with Pakistans adventurous foreign policy for years now. In fact, former National Security Advisor Shiv Shankar Menons book talks of Pakistans nuclear shield permitting it to undertake terrorist attacks on India without fear of retaliation, a key variable that is resulting in new ways of looking at Indias posture. Though the BJP-led government has so far not proposed any change in the doctrine or the "no first use" on which Indias declaratory nuclear doctrine is based, it had promised in its 2014 election manifesto to study in detail Indias nuclear doctrine, and revise and update it, to make it relevant to challenges of current times. Manohar Parrikar, Indias defence minister till early 2017, questioned Indias NFU policy on nuclear weapons, asking, Why a lot of people say that India has no first use policy I should say I am a responsible nuclear power and I will not use it irresponsibly And as an individual, I get a feeling sometime why do I say that I am not going to use it first. I am not saying that you have to use it first just because you dont decide that you dont use it first. The hoax can be called off. Seismic shift But what really set the cat among the pigeons is a passage in a recent book by Indias former national security advisor, Shiv Shankar Menon, wherein he writes: There is a potential grey area as to when India would use nuclear weapons first against another NWS (nuclear weapons state). Circumstances are conceivable in which India might find it useful to strike first, for instance, against an NWS that had declared it would certainly use its weapons, and if India were certain that adversarys launch was imminent. This has led some to argue that there is a major doctrinal shift happening in India whereby New Delhi may abandon its NFU nuclear policy and launch a preemptive strike against Pakistan if it feared that Islamabad was likely to use the weapons first. This is being viewed by many in the West as a seismic shift in Indias nuclear posture, one which may have significant consequences for South Asian strategic stability. But as we complete 20 years since Pokhran II, it is time to reassess Indian nuclear policy and posture. Indian nuclear doctrine was articulated in 1999 and it certainly needs to be reviewed. All doctrines require regular reappraisals and Indian nuclear doctrine will inevitably have to respond to contemporary challenges. New Delhi should not shy away from this debate. (Courtesy of Mail Today) Also read: 20 years on, how I imagine the world looks to Harry Potter Speaking at the Meet Europe 2018 conference in Hanoi on May 25, PM Phuc said Vietnam is striving to rank in ASEANs top group and achieve high standards in the business environment, while strictly implementing commitments in intellectual property protection. The country has also been encouraging renovation ideas and giving priority to high and environmental-friendly technologies, climate change adaptation, and State-owned enterprise restructuring, he said, adding that reform measures have been implemented in all 63 cities and provinces where European investors and businesses have been or will be running investment projects. The Vietnamese governments efforts and effective cooperation from international partners, including those from Europe, have been blowing a breath of air and giving a new facelift to Vietnams economy, making it more dynamic and helping the country involve deeper in the regional and global value chains, said PM Phuc. The Government leader said that European partners are leading foreign investors in Vietnam with total investment of nearly 25 billion USD, and the countrys biggest provider of non-refundable aid, while two-way trade rose five times in the 2006-2017 period, exceeding 50 billion USD last year. PM Phuc held that Vietnam and Europe, with supplementary relations, are pinning high hope on stronger and more extensive partnership. The 93-million strong market of Vietnam, with 13 percent them being middle-class people, has seen increasing purchase power and strong startup movement, he said. The PM stressed that Vietnam always highly values investment and business operations of more than 2,000 European firms in Vietnam, especially in areas where Vietnam has demand and European firms have advantages such as infrastructure development, seaport, airport, airport, urban transport, energy, electricity, oil and gas, agriculture, tourism and health. Social organisations and European partners have shown their strong capacity in environmental protection, sustainable development, renewable energy, response to climate change, smart city development, smart agriculture, sustainable tourism and high-quality human resource training, PM Phuc said. He asked leaders of ministries, sectors and localities to create more favourable conditions for and tackle difficulties facing European partners and enterprises in Vietnam. The government leader also expressed his hope that European partners will design long-term investment and business strategies in Vietnam, thus reinforcing connectivity with their Vietnamese firms. Miriam Garcia Ferrer, Head of the Economic and Trade Section of the European Union Delegation to Vietnam, showed her optimism about the prospect of the Vietnam-EU trade partnership amidst complicating trade protectionism in the globe. The EU is the second biggest export market of Vietnam, especially for its telephones, coffee, garments, and consumer goods, she said, adding that the EU is the fifth biggest investor in Vietnam. She noted that Vietnam is a leading ASEAN partner and one of the most important markets of the EU, stressing that the European Union-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) will contribute to the enhancement of bilateral trade relations. Meanwhile, Co-Chair of the European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (EuroCham) Nicolas Audier said that the Meet Europe 2018 is a special event showing unceasing efforts of EuroCham in Vietnam in legal consultancy that has been recognised by the Vietnamese Government. Meanwhile, Denis Brunetti, another Co-Chair of EuroCham, said that the EU has acknowledged the Vietnamese Governments efforts in improving legal institutions and business environment and re-shaping the management of enterprises. Vietnam is moving forwards and needs partners supporting it in the development path, he said, pledging that European businesses will play the role as Vietnams important partners through their investment in the Vietnamese market. Co-organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Peoples Committee of Hanoi, the EU Delegation to Vietnam and EuroCham in Vietnam, the conference is among the largest business-to-government events of the year. Vietnamplus Is the Donald Trump-Kim Jong-un bromance over? Is this the end of the road for the worlds two most unpredictable leaders? Will this escalate tension in the Korean Peninsula and lead to a US military strike on North Korea? What would be Chinas reaction? What would China, Russia and Japan do? The White House has been hinting at Chinas role in the hardening of Pyongyangs position. More fissures in the region will open up and lead to further instability in Asia. The worst-affected would be South Korea and its President Moon Jae-in. Though nothing of this sort has happened yet, if the situation is not salvaged quickly the possibility of war cannot be ruled out. But that will not happen immediately. For developing countries like India, already hit by rising oil prices following the US walking out of the Iran nuclear deal, tension in the Korean Peninsula will makes matters worse. It's not over yet? Of course, the situation could well be salvaged. This could also be just pressure and posturing on both sides and the talks may eventually happen at a later date, when both sides have a better understanding of each other's position. North Koreas reaction to Trump has been sober. That is an indication that Kim is playing hardball and would not like to let go of this opportunity to be a major player in the world stage. North Korea had already begun the process of dismantling its nuclear test site ahead of the summit. It had said it would dismantle the Punggye-ri facility completely. That process would now be halted unless there is some clarity on the talks. The scrapping of the June 12 meeting in Singapore was not unexpected, considering the angry rhetoric flowing from both sides last week. The summit was called off by Trump, though he left the door open for the future, asking Kim to call or write to him if the latter changed his mind. Life goes on Many hard-nosed diplomats are not surprised, considering such meetings take months and months of preparations. But with Trump, who had turned the rules of international diplomacy on its head, the swiftness with which the meeting was arranged, without adequate preparations, was just the way the new administration works. Such meetings take months of backroom discussions, claim seasoned diplomats. But with the new business approach, Trump rushed through the arrangements thinking he had a good business deal to cut with North Korea. He also had an eye on winning the Nobel Peace Prize, for which his supporters were drumming up support even before the two leaders met. Many are sniggering at Trumps amateur antics at peace-making. So what happens now? The hopes of peace in the Korean Peninsula, which for a few weeks following Kim Jong-uns visit to the South seemed bright, has now receded. For the divided families in Korea, this would be a terrible let-down. Their hopes had risen following the meeting between Kim and Moon Jae-in. He was surprised at the turn of events. Moon is the man who went out of his way to arrange the summit. The political fallout for him would be a heavy blow. He had come to power with the promise of breaking the deadlock with the North. He naturally urged Kim and Trump not to abandon their ambitious plans and said they should talk directly to each other. "Denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula and the establishment of permanent peace are historic tasks that can neither be abandoned nor delayed," Moon was quoted as saying by the South Korean press. Much of the blame for the no-show is with the US. It all began with Americas new hardliner national security adviser John Bolton, suggesting that North Korea should follow the "Libyan model" of nuclear disarmament. If Bolton had any sense, he would have known that North Korea always believed that Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi had made a major mistake by believing the West. For Pyongyang, keeping its nuclear programme going was the one insurance against regime change and American invasion of their country. The minute Libya was mentioned, North Korea was unnerved. Pyongyang dubbed the remarks as "sinister". Boltons remarks were repeated by vice-president Mike Pence. This time the response from Pyongyang was hard-hitting. Choe Son Hui, vice-foreign minister, said that North Korea could "make the US taste an appalling tragedy it has neither experienced nor even imagined". Another North Korean official called Pence both "ignorant and stupid". Luckily better sense may yet prevail. For Trump beset with troubles at home, a peace deal with North Korea would be just what the doctor prescribed. It would be a legacy moment for Trump if he can still pull off a deal with Kim. Perhaps both sides are already working behind the scenes to get things moving. One can only wait and watch the situation unfold. Also read: Gagandeep Singh, cop who saved Muslim boy from lynching, is a hero. But we need to look beyond Among all of Delhis vintage restaurants, the United Coffee House (UCH) in Connaught Place has stood out with its art deco interiors, 23-ft-high ceiling, Harry Winston tapestry and the sprawling Viennese chandelier, which, I feared as a child, would fall on my head! No other restaurant in Delhi has had exuded such class and for so long. This is the 75th year of UCH, which was opened by Lala Hans Raj Kalra at a spot where there stood a grocery store catering to the families of the men who presided over the steel frame of the British Raj. A manufacturer of country liquor and owner of a classy booze shop in Chandni Chowk, Lala Hans Raj had opened a 24-hour restaurant named Esplanade, in honour of the central promenade of the Old City, in 1938-39. Esplanade mainly served the American GIs stationed at Red Fort. The restaurant featured live music the GIs danced the nights away with their Indian girlfriends before heading to the most difficult battlefields in the world in Burma and China -- and it was famous for its hot dogs, crab cakes, chicken in the basket, and buttermilk biscuits in gravy. As it was then said, anyone visiting Delhi in those days could not have imagined that the world was at war. Pan to the year 1942, when Delhis calm was shattered by the Quit India Movement heralded by Mahatma Gandhi, and you have the entrepreneurial Lala Hans Raj zipping across the new Connaught Place, the envy of Delhi, in his Pontiac. He had been informed that some of the Connaught Place traders were thinking of selling their shops maybe because of the uncertainty brought about by the Quit India Movement and with India being sucked into American-Japanese hostilities as a result of America and Britain being Allies. Lala Hans Raj stopped at a grocery store up for sale. Impressed by its high ceiling, he decided to buy the place and open Delhis first cafe where people from different walks of life would be united by their love for good food and beverages of all kinds. It was this vision of togetherness that led to the restaurant being named United Coffee House. Soon, the 3,500sqft cafe became famous for its cheese balls, keema samosa, nargisi koftas and railway mutton curry, and it attracted an eclectic crowd, from artists, journalists and writers, to film stars on premiere nights (Connaught Place, after all, had the two leading cinemas of the city). But the most visible among them all were the match-making families it used to be said at one time that marriages were not made in heaven, but at United Coffee House, over cups of tea made with the United Blend, a 75-year-old legacy created by Lala Hans Raj. As Akash Kalra, who has been running the restaurant since his father's death at a young age in 1989 (seven years after the passing of Lala Hans Raj in 1982), brought me up-to date on his grandfathers legacy, he repeatedly emphasised that UCH was the first restaurant to use air-conditioning and deep freezing equipment at a considerable cost in the early 1950s. We now take these technologies for granted, but these were luxuries then. Restaurants still used wall fans; air-conditioning became de rigueur much later. With the arrival of the 1960s, which saw Akashs father, Gandharv Kumar, who had gone to Britain for higher studies, take over the reins of his family business, the menu got a distinctively "Continental" thrust. It was Gandharv Kumar who introduced the restaurant's all time classic Chicken Pepper Steak. Sizzlers at that time were the rage and UCH knew how to serve them in style. It continues to be the only restaurant that gets it consomme unfailingly right and it never goes wrong with its chicken a la Kiev. Sadly, Gandharv Kumar passed away when Akash, then a student of Modern School, Barakhamba Road, was only 17. His parents had planned for him to go to Salzburg, Austria, to study hospitality management, but he had to report for work at UCH. Since then, each day for Akash begins with the opening of the restaurants and ends when they shut down. Yet, he has no regrets, for he eats, breathes and lives his business. And he does it single-handed. His biggest reward is that he doesnt have a PE fund breathing down his neck, nor does he owe any money to any bank. To keep the legacy going, Akash Kalra has rolled out the United Coffee House Rewind brand at the DLF Mall of India, Noida, Sector 18, and the Cyber Hub in Gurugram. His next stop is Epicuria at the Nehru Place Metro Station, followed by four or five more in as many years so that he can deliver the UCH experience to the old faithfuls scattered across Delhi-NCR and their children and grandchildren. Hes in no tearing hurry to expand, its his game and he chooses to play it on his own. (Courtesy of Mail Today) Also read: Blaming RSS for Tuticorin killings is a cheap shot by Rahul Gandhi "Mazhab nahin sikhata aapas mein bair rakhna (Religion doesnt preach ill-will against each other)." Allama Iqbal On its maiden visit to the Northeast in the first week of May, the joint parliamentary committee (JPC) examining the proposed Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016 witnessed extreme reactions to the Bill in Assam, as it was vehemently opposed in the Brahmaputra valley while the Bengali-dominated Barak valley voiced its approval. In Meghalaya, stiff opposition to the bill by both the civil society and political class was seen by the JPC. The proposed Bill seeks to grant citizenship to religious minorities from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh. The JPC is expected to submit its report in the last week of the monsoon session of Parliament. The Bill proposes to amend the Citizenship Act, 1955 to allow Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians from Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Pakistan to apply for Indian citizenship. The Act, as it stands presently, allows an immigrant to apply for citizenship if the person has lived in India for 12 months immediately before the application, and for 11 of the last 14 years. The government has introduced the amendment bill with the objective to shorten the 11-year cut-off to six years out of 14, for immigrants of the six religions from the three countries. Creating religious divide? [Credit: Reuters file photo | representational] Earlier in 2015 and 2016, the central government issued two notifications exempting Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan, who arrived in India on or before December 31, 2014 from deportation or imprisonment for entering India without valid documents. The protests in the Northeast arise out of concerns of indigenous people who fear loss of their distinct identity and culture. They also harbour an apprehension that if the proposed Bill is passed, as it stands today, then the region would see an influx of Hindu migrants from Bangladesh, which would affect the voter demographics in the region. The proposed Bill does not cover illegal migrants who are Muslim, or who belong to other minority communities such as Jews and Bahais from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan. This Bill, in its present form, appears to be in contravention to Article 14 of the Indian Constitution, which guarantees equality to all citizens and residents. Article 14 only allows law to treat groups of people differently if there is a reasonable rationale for doing so as held in case of State of West Bengal versus Anwar Ali Sarkar (in 1952) by the Supreme Court. The Bill in its present form does not provide any clear rationale for making illegal migrants belonging to only some specific minority communities eligible for citizenship, and is therefore, in violation of Article 14. The central government reasoning that the religious community mentioned in the Bill correspond to minorities in neighbouring countries who have faced religious persecution in their countries does not appear to be reasonable. If that was the case, then persons belonging to Ahmadiyya, Shia and Sufi minority groups who have also been facing prosecution for their religious beliefs in Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan along with Rohingyas refugees should have been included in the ambit of the Bill. The Bill also doesnt define or lay down any guidelines, parameters to establish religious persecution and distinguish between persons who faced genuine religious persecution and economic refugees belonging to the minority communities. The Bill is in contrast to the secular nature of state as enshrined in the preamble to the Constitution. Some reliance and direction can be taken from the Asylum Bill, 2015, a private member Bill moved by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, in which he proposed laying down principles of refugee protection, codify the process of citizenship for refugees and suggested establishment of a commission as a specialised agency to administer refugee affairs. With Indias growing stature in the region and the world, it's high time the government formulates a refugee citizenship policy, which operates and grants citizenship on case-to-case basis after taking into account all facts and circumstances. The proposed citizenship amendments are therefore both unreasonable and disregard the fact that India is a secular state, which doesnt discriminate between religious denominations. 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Allegations of vote tampering and fraud hover over Iraqs elections following an intelligence investigation of the electronic machines used in voting. Several candidates have filed appeals. Multi-ethnic (and oil-rich) Kirkuk is among the disputed areas. An electoral commission is set to examine reports and documents related to the electoral process. Baghdad (AsiaNews/Agencies) The Iraqi authorities said that they are prepared to re-examine the whole electoral process that led, on 12 May, to the victory of radical Shia leader Moqtada al-Sadr and his populist anti-regime movement. The decision follows allegations of fraud, irregularities and tampering with the electronic voting machines that might have changed the final results. Two weeks after the polls, the outgoing government of Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi backed by the international community held a special cabinet ministers to analyse the elections outcome and claims of electoral fraud. The Iraqi Supreme Court has not yet formally ratified the election results and some lawmakers have called for the dissolution of the Independent High Electoral Commission. There is a broad view that the vote was manipulated, especially in Kurdistan, where some local parties have threatened to boycott the political process if the vote is not cancelled. In Parliament, a government representative said that the intelligence services tested some of the electronic voting machine, raising questions about possible manipulation in favour or against various parties. On the basis of early findings, the cabinet met with the top officials in the ministries of justice and security. They also decided to set up a commission of investigation to examine reports, documents and information related to the election, Prime Minister al-Abadi said. At the end of the inquiry, the Commission will present its conclusions "to the Government, the Supreme Judicial Council, the Supreme Court and the Electoral Administrative Court who will be tasked with "taking the necessary measures while respecting each one's skills and fields". However, it is unclear how soon the newly-created body will complete its work. Overall, the impact could range from changes to local results to (worst case scenario) the cancellation of the election itself. So far, only a few checks have been carried out at a local level, in particular, in the oil-rich multi-ethnic area of Kirkuk, which has been claimed by both Arabs and Kurds, and where most complaints have been filed. Interethnic clashes have led to the imposition of a curfew The electoral commission now has to examine each appeal, but this will not prevent negotiations for the formation of the new government. In short, the various factions are working behind the scenes to form a new government, which will be burdened by accusations and appeals that might invalidate the whole process. He told Chansy Phosikham, head of the Lao Peoples Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committees Organisation Commission, in Hanoi on May 25 that the Vietnamese Party and State always require all-level Party Committees, ministries, agencies and localities to assist Laos in national development, considering this as Vietnams responsibility. The Vietnamese and Lao Prime Ministers have regularly met and discussed ways to enhance the bilateral ties, Phuc added, stressing that Vietnam is willing to provide the best possible support for its neighbouring country. The Vietnamese government leader highly valued outcomes of the talks between the Lao Party Central Committees Organisation Commission and the Organisation Commission of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee, which was held during Chansy Phosikhams visit and focused on exchanging experience in Party building and personnel work. He urged the two sides to tighten their coordination in implementing Vietnam-Laos joint statements, agreements reached by Party leaders of the two countries and Governments, the agreement signed at the 40th meeting of the Vietnam-Laos Intergovernmental Committee and other cooperation programmes. For his part, Chansy Phosikham said his visit aims to learn from Vietnams experience in organisation and personnel work. He highlighted the firm stance of the Lao Party, State and people on the fruitful cooperation and traditional friendship with Vietnam. Laos is actively implementing infrastructure projects, especially those in the transport sector, to bring the two countries closer, he said. Vietnamplus Anadarko Petroleum Corporation engages in the exploration, development, production, and marketing of oil and gas properties. It operates through three segments: Exploration and Production, WES Midstream, and Other Midstream. The company explores for and produces oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids (NGLs). It is also involved in gathering, processing, treating, and transporting oil, natural-gas, and NGLs production, as well as the gathering and disposal of produced water. The company's oil and natural gas properties are located in the United States onshore and deepwater Gulf of Mexico; and Algeria, Ghana, Mozambique, Colombia, Peru, and other countries. As of December 31, 2018, it had approximately 1.5 billion barrels of oil equivalent of proved reserves. The company was founded in 1959 and is headquartered in The Woodlands, Texas. Read More The following companies are subsidiares of Lloyds Banking Group: A G Finance Ltd, A.C.L. Ltd, ACL Autolease Holdings Ltd, ADF No.1 Pty Ltd, Addison Social Housing Holdings Ltd, Alex Lawrie Factors Ltd, Alex. 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Group) Nominees Ltd, Lotus Finance Ltd, MBNA, MBNA Direct Ltd, MBNA Europe Finance Ltd, MBNA Europe Holdings Ltd, MBNA General Foundation, MBNA Global Services Ltd, MBNA Indian Services Private Ltd, MBNA Ltd, MBNA R & L S.A.R.L., MBNA Receivables Ltd, Mainsearch Company Ltd, Maritime Leasing (No. 19) Ltd, Membership Services Finance Ltd, Mitre Street Funding S.A.R.L., Molineux RMBS 2016-1 plc, Molineux RMBS Holdings Ltd, Moor Lane Holdings Ltd, NFU Mutual Finance Ltd, NWS Trust Ltd, Nominees (Jersey) Ltd, Nordic Leasing Ltd, Ocean Leasing (July) Ltd, Oystercatcher Nominees Ltd, Oystercatcher Residential Ltd, PIPS Asset Investments Ltd, Pacific Leasing Ltd, Penarth Asset Securitisation Holdings Ltd, Penarth Funding 1 Ltd, Penarth Funding 2 Ltd, Penarth Master Issuer plc, Penarth Receivables Trustee Ltd, Pensions Management (S.W.F.) Ltd, Peony Eastern Leasing Ltd, Peony Leasing Ltd, Peony Western Leasing Ltd, Permanent Funding (No. 1) Ltd, Permanent Funding (No. 2) Ltd, Permanent Holdings Ltd, Permanent Master Issuer plc, Permanent Mortgages Trustee Ltd, Permanent PECOH Holdings Ltd, Permanent PECOH Ltd, Perry Nominees Ltd, Prestonfield Investments Ltd, Proton Finance Ltd, R.F. Spencer And Company Ltd, Ranelagh Nominees Ltd, Retail Revival (Burgess Hill) Investments Ltd, SARL Coliseum, SARL Hiram, SAS Compagnie Fonciere De France, SCI Astoria Invest, SCI De LHorloge, SCI Equinoxe, SCI Rambuteau CFF, SW Funding plc, SW No.1 Ltd, SWAMF (GP) Ltd, SWAMF Nominee (1) Ltd, SWAMF Nominee (2) Ltd, Saint Michel Holding Company No1, Saint Michel Investment Property, Saint Witz 2 Holding Company No1, Saint Witz 2 Investment Property, Salisbury II Securities 2016 Ltd, Salisbury II-A Securities 2017 Ltd, Salisbury III Securities 2019 DAC, Salisbury Securities 2015 Ltd, Sandown 2012-2 Holdings Ltd, Sandown 2012-2 plc, Sandown Gold 2012-1 Holdings Ltd, Sandown Gold 2012-1 plc, Savban Leasing Ltd, Scotland International Finance B.V., Scottish Widows Administration Services (Nominees) Ltd, Scottish Widows Administration Services Ltd, Scottish Widows Annuities Ltd, Scottish Widows Auto Enrolment Services Ltd, Scottish Widows Europe, Scottish Widows Financial Services Holdings, Scottish Widows Group Ltd, Scottish Widows Industrial Properties Europe B.V., Scottish Widows Ltd, Scottish Widows Pension Trustees Ltd, Scottish Widows Property Management Ltd, Scottish Widows Schroder Personal Wealth (ACD) Ltd, Scottish Widows Schroder Personal Wealth Ltd, Scottish Widows Schroder Wealth Holdings Ltd, Scottish Widows Services Ltd, Scottish Widows Trustees Ltd, Scottish Widows Unit Funds Ltd, Scottish Widows Unit Trust Managers Ltd, Scottish Widows Fund and Life Assurance Society, Seabreeze Leasing Ltd, Seaspirit Leasing Ltd, Share Dealing Nominees Ltd, Shogun Finance Ltd, Silentdale Ltd, St Andrews Group Ltd, St Andrews Insurance plc, St Andrews Life Assurance plc, St. Marys Court Investments, Standard Property Investment (1987) Ltd, Standard Property Investment Ltd, Sussex County Homes Ltd, Suzuki Financial Services Ltd, Swan Funding 2 Ltd, Syon Securities 2019 DAC, The Agricultural Mortgage Corporation Plc, The British Linen Company Ltd, The Halifax Foundation for Northern Ireland, The Mortgage Business plc, Thistle Financing Holdings Ltd, Thistle Investments (AMC) Ltd, Thistle Investments (ERM) Ltd, Thistle Leasing, Three Copthall Avenue Ltd, Tower Hill Property Investments (10) Ltd, Tower Hill Property Investments (7) Ltd, Tranquility Leasing Ltd, Trinity Financing plc, UDT Budget Leasing Ltd, UDT Sales Finance Ltd, Uberior (Moorfield) Ltd, Uberior Co-Investments Ltd, Uberior ENA Ltd, Uberior Equity Ltd, Uberior Europe Ltd, Uberior Fund Investments Ltd, Uberior Infrastructure Investments (No.2) Ltd, Uberior Infrastructure Investments Ltd, Uberior Investments Ltd, Uberior Nominees Ltd, Uberior Trading Ltd, Uberior Trustees Ltd, Uberior Ventures Australia Pty Ltd, Uberior Ventures Ltd, United Dominions Leasing Ltd, United Dominions Trust Ltd, Universe The CMI Global Network Fund, Upsaala Ltd, Vine Street IX LP, WCS Ltd, Ward Nominees (Abingdon) Ltd, Ward Nominees (Birmingham) Ltd 1, Ward Nominees (Bristol) Ltd 1, Ward Nominees Ltd 1, Waverley Fund II Investor LLC, Waverley Fund III Investor LLC, Waymark Asset Investments Ltd, West Craigs Ltd, Wetherby II Securities 2018 DAC, Wetherby III Securities 2019 DAC, Wetherby Securities 2017 Ltd, Wood Street Leasing Ltd, and Zurich Insurance Group - UK Workplace Pensions and Savings Business. Tallgrass Energy GP, LP, through its interests in Tallgrass Equity, LLC, provides crude oil transportation services to customers in Wyoming, Colorado, and the surrounding regions of the United States. The company operates through three segments: Natural Gas Transportation; Crude Oil Transportation; and Gathering, Processing & Terminalling. It also provides natural gas transportation and storage services for customers in the Rocky Mountain, Midwest, and Appalachian regions; natural gas and crude oil gathering and processing services for customers in Wyoming; and natural gas liquids (NGLs) transportation services in Northeast Colorado and Wyoming. In addition, the company offers water business services, including freshwater transportation, and produced water gathering and disposal in Colorado, Texas, and Wyoming; crude oil storage and terminalling services in Colorado; and marketing services for NGLs and crude oil. Tallgrass Energy GP, LP was founded in 2013 and is based in Leawood, Kansas. Read More Key Energy Services, Inc. operates as an onshore rig-based well servicing contractor in the United States. It operates through Rig Services, Fishing and Rental Services, Coiled Tubing Services, and Fluid Management Services segments. The Rig Services segment is involved in the completion of newly drilled wells; workover and recompletion of existing oil and natural gas wells; well maintenance activities; and plugging and abandonment of wells at the end of their useful lives, as well as provision of specialty drilling services to oil and natural gas producers. The Fishing and Rental Services segment provides fishing services that involve recovering lost or stuck equipment in the wellbore utilizing fishing tools; and rents drill pipes, tubulars, handling tools, pressure-control equipment, pumps, power swivels, reversing units, and foam air units. The Coiled Tubing Services segment offers services for wellbore clean-outs, nitrogen jet lifts, through-tubing fishing, and formation stimulations; mills temporary isolation plugs that separate frac zones; and other pre- and post-hydraulic fracturing well preparation services. The Fluid Management Services segment offers transportation and well-site storage services for fluids utilized in drilling, completions, workover, and maintenance activities; and disposal services for fluids produced subsequent to well completion. It also operates a fleet of hot oilers used to clear soluble restrictions in a wellbore. The company was formerly known as Key Energy Group, Inc. and changed its name to Key Energy Services, Inc. in December 1998. Key Energy Services, Inc. was founded in 1977 and is based in Houston, Texas. Read More 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, Read More Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, a diversified financial institution, provides various financial products and services to personal, business, public sector, and institutional clients in Canada, the United States, and internationally. The company operates through four strategic business units: Canadian Personal and Business Banking; Canadian Commercial Banking and Wealth Management; U.S. Commercial Banking and Wealth Management; and Capital Markets. The company offers chequing, savings, and business accounts; mortgages; loans, lines of credit, student lines of credit, and business and agriculture loans; investment and insurance services; and credit cards, as well as overdraft protection services. It also provides day-to-day banking, borrowing and credit, investing and wealth, specialty, and international services; correspondent banking and online foreign exchange services; and cash management services. The company serves its customers through its banking centers, as well as direct, mobile, and remote channels. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce was founded in 1867 and is headquartered in Toronto, Canada. Read More Domtar Corporation designs, manufactures, markets, and distributes communication papers, specialty and packaging papers, and absorbent hygiene products in the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia, and internationally. It operates through two segments, Pulp and Paper, and Personal Care. The company provides business papers, including copy and electronic imaging papers used in inkjet and laser printers, photocopiers, and plain-paper fax machines, as well as computer papers, preprinted forms, and digital papers for office and home use. It also offers commercial printing and publishing papers, such as offset papers and opaques used in sheet and roll fed offset presses; publishing papers, which include tradebook and lightweight uncoated papers for publishing textbooks, dictionaries, catalogs, magazines, hard cover novels, and financial documents; and converting papers for envelopes, tablets, business forms, and data processing/computer forms. In addition, the company provides papers for thermal printing, flexible packaging, food packaging, medical packaging, medical gowns and drapes, sandpaper backing, carbonless printing, labels and other coating, and laminating applications; and papers for industrial and specialty applications, such as carrier papers, treated papers, security papers, and specialized printing and converting applications. Further, it offers absorbent hygiene products, including absorbent briefs, protective underwear, underpads, pads, washcloths, and body patches under the Attends, Indasec, IndasSlip, and Reassure brands; and baby diapers, training and youth pants, and bed mats under the Comfees, Chelino, Nene, and Bambino brand names. The company serves merchants, retail outlets, stationers, printers, publishers, converters, and end-users. Domtar Corporation was founded in 1848 and is based in Fort Mill, South Carolina. Read More The following companies are subsidiares of Hewlett Packard Enterprise: 3Com International Inc., 3PAR Inc., Apogee, Aruba Networks Inc., Aruba Networks International Cayman, Aruba Networks International Limited, BlueData Software, Cloud Cruiser, Cloud Technology Partners, Cloud Technology Partners Inc., Compaq Computer (Mauritius), Compaq Trademark B.V., Cray, Cray Inc., EDS World Corporation (Far East) LLC, EYP Mission Critical Facilities Inc., H3C Holdings Limited, HP Enterprise Services Australia Pty Ltd, HP Financial Services (Australia) Pty Limited, HP Financial Services (Chile) Limitada, HP Financial Services (Japan) K.K., HP Financial Services Arrendamento Mercantil S.A., HP Financial Services Company (Korea), HP Financial Services International Holdings Company, HPE Government LLC, HPFS Global Holdings I LLC, HPFS Global Holdings II LLC, HPFS Rental S.R.L., Hangzhou H3C Technologies Co. Ltd, Hewlett Packard Caribe BV LLC, Hewlett Packard Colombia Ltda., Hewlett Packard Enterprise (China) Co. Ltd., Hewlett Packard Enterprise B.V., Hewlett Packard Enterprise B.V. Amstelveen Meyrin Branch, Hewlett Packard Enterprise Canada Co., Hewlett Packard Enterprise Canada Co. Hewlett Packard Enterprise Canada Cie, Hewlett Packard Enterprise Costa Rica Limitada, Hewlett Packard Enterprise GlobalSoft Private Limited, Hewlett Packard Enterprise India Private Limited, Hewlett Packard Enterprise Ireland Limited, Hewlett Packard Enterprise Luxembourg SCA, Hewlett Packard Enterprise Polska sp. z o.o., Hewlett Packard Pathfinder LLC, Hewlett Packard Taiwan Ltd., Hewlett-Packard (Israel) Ltd., Hewlett-Packard (M) Sdn. Bhd., Hewlett-Packard (Nigeria) Limited, Hewlett-Packard (Schweiz) GmbH, Hewlett-Packard (Tanzania) Limited, Hewlett-Packard (Thailand) Limited, Hewlett-Packard ApS, Hewlett-Packard Argentina S.R.L., Hewlett-Packard Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd., Hewlett-Packard Australia Pty Ltd, Hewlett-Packard Belgium SPRL/BVBA, Hewlett-Packard Bermuda Enterprises LLC, Hewlett-Packard Brasil Ltda., Hewlett-Packard Bulgaria EOOD, Hewlett-Packard Caribe B.V., Hewlett-Packard Caribe Y Andina B.V. LLC, Hewlett-Packard Chile Comercial Limitada, Hewlett-Packard Cyprus Ltd, Hewlett-Packard Ecuador Cia. Ltda., Hewlett-Packard Egypt Ltd., Hewlett-Packard Financial Services (India) Private Limited, Hewlett-Packard Financial Services Canada Company, Hewlett-Packard Financial Services Company, Hewlett-Packard France SAS, Hewlett-Packard G1 SPV (Cayman) Company, Hewlett-Packard Gesellschaft mbH, Hewlett-Packard Ghana Limited, Hewlett-Packard GmbH, Hewlett-Packard Guatemala Limitada, Hewlett-Packard HK SAR Ltd., Hewlett-Packard Hellas EPE, Hewlett-Packard Holdings Ltd., Hewlett-Packard International Bank Designated Activity Company, Hewlett-Packard International Bank Public Limited Company, Hewlett-Packard International Sarl, Hewlett-Packard Italiana S.r.l., Hewlett-Packard Japan Ltd., Hewlett-Packard Korea Ltd., Hewlett-Packard Leasing Limited, Hewlett-Packard Limited, Hewlett-Packard Luxembourg Enterprises LLC, Hewlett-Packard Macau Limited, Hewlett-Packard Manufacturing Ltd, Hewlett-Packard Marigalante Ltd., Hewlett-Packard Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Hewlett-Packard Middle East FZ-LLC, Hewlett-Packard Mocambique Limitada - Sociedada em Liquidacao, Hewlett-Packard Nederland B.V., Hewlett-Packard New Zealand, Hewlett-Packard Norge AS, Hewlett-Packard OY, Hewlett-Packard Operations Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Hewlett-Packard Peru S.R.L., Hewlett-Packard Philippines Corporation, Hewlett-Packard Portugal Lda., Hewlett-Packard SARL, Hewlett-Packard SIA, Hewlett-Packard Servicios Espana S.L., Hewlett-Packard Singapore (Sales) Pte. Ltd., Hewlett-Packard South Africa (Proprietary) Limited, Hewlett-Packard Sverige AB, Hewlett-Packard Technology Center Inc., Hewlett-Packard Teknoloji Cozumleri Limited Sirketi, Hewlett-Packard The Hague B.V., Hewlett-Packard Venezuela S.R.L., Hewlett-Packard Vision Limited, Hewlett-Packard d.o.o., Hewlett-Packard s.r.o., Limited Liability Company Hewlett Packard Enterprise, MapR Technologies, New H3C Technologies Co. Ltd., Niara Inc., Nimble Storage, Nimble Storage Inc., Nimble Storage Israel Ltd, Nimble Storage Japan GK, Nimble Storage UK Limited, Plexxi, RedPixie, SGI (Silicon Graphics), Sapphire Holding Co, Scytale, Shanghai Hewlett-Packard Co. Ltd., Silver Peak, SimpliVity, Sinope Holding B.V., Trilead, UAB ES Hague Lietuva, and Unis Huashan Technologies Co. Limited. Worldpay, Inc., through its subsidiary, Worldpay Holding, LLC, provides electronic payment processing services in the United States, Europe, Asia, and Australasia. It operates in two segments, Technology Solutions, Merchant Solutions, and Issuer Solutions. The company offers merchant acquiring and payment processing services, such as authorization and settlement, customer service, chargeback and retrieval processing, and interchange management. It also provides value-added services, such data analytics and information management solutions, foreign currency management, and various funding options; and security solutions, including point-to-point encryption and tokenization at the point of sale and for e-commerce transactions. In addition, the company offers card issuer processing, payment network processing, fraud protection, card production, prepaid program management, automated teller machine driving, portfolio optimization, data analytics, and card program marketing, as well as network gateway and switching services. Further, it provides card and statement production, and collections and inbound/outbound call centers. The company serves merchants and financial institutions comprising regional banks, community banks, credit unions, and regional personal identification number networks through direct sales forces and referral partners. The company was formerly known as Vantiv, Inc. and changed its name to Worldpay, Inc. in January 2018. Worldpay, Inc. was incorporated in 2009 and is headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio. Read More Medtronic Plc is a medical technology company, which engages in the development, manufacture, distribution, and sale of device-based medical therapies and services. It operates through the following segments: Cardiac and Vascular Group; Minimally Invasive Technologies Group; Restorative Therapies Group; and Diabetes Group. The Cardiac and Vascular Group segment consists of products for the diagnosis, treatment, and management of cardiac rhythm disorders and cardiovascular disease. The Minimally Invasive Technologies Group segment focuses on respiratory system, gastrointestinal tract, renal system, lungs, pelvic region, kidneys, and obesity diseases. The Restorative Therapies Group segment comprises of neurostimulation therapies and drug delivery systems for the treatment of chronic pain, as well as areas of the spine and brain, along with pelvic health and conditions of the ear, nose, and throat. The Diabetes Group segment offers insulin pumps, coninuous glucose monitoring systems, and insulin pump consumables. The company was founded in 1949 and is headquartered in Dublin, Ireland. Read More Allergan plc, a pharmaceutical company, develops, manufactures, and commercializes branded pharmaceutical, device, biologic, surgical, and regenerative medicine products worldwide. The company operates in three segments: US Specialized Therapeutics, US General Medicine, and International. It offers a portfolio of products in various therapeutic areas, including medical aesthetics and dermatology, eye care, neuroscience, urology, gastrointestinal, women's health, and anti-infective therapeutic products. The company also offers breast implants and tissue expanders; and RM-131 (relamorelin), a peptide ghrelin agonist for the treatment of diabetic gastroparesis. In addition, it develops medical and cosmetic treatments; therapies for non-alcoholic steatohepatitis and other liver diseases; inhibitor for the treatment of psoriasis and other autoimmune disorders; atopic dermatitis drug candidate; peri-ocular rings for extended drug delivery and reducing elevated intraocular pressure in glaucoma patients; and treatments for neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer's disease. Further, the company develops RST-001, a novel gene therapy for the treatment of retinitis pigmentosa; small molecule therapeutics for inflammatory and fibrotic diseases; topical medicines for fat reduction; and delivery system and botulinum toxin-based prescription products. It has collaboration, option, and license agreement with Lyndra, Inc.; and strategic alliance and option agreement with Editas Medicine, Inc. Allergan plc also has licensing agreements with Assembly Biosciences, Inc.; MedImmune; and Heptares Therapeutics, Ltd. The company was formerly known as Actavis plc and changed its name to Allergan plc in June 2015. Allergan plc was founded in 1983 and is headquartered in Dublin, Ireland. Read More Wall Street analysts have given Pioneer Floating Rate Fund a "N/A" rating, but there may be better buying opportunities in the stock market. Some of MarketBeat's past winning trading ideas have resulted in 5-15% weekly gains. MarketBeat just released five new stock ideas, but Pioneer Floating Rate Fund wasn't one of them. MarketBeat thinks these five companies may be even better buys. View MarketBeat's top stock picks here. Bank of America Corp. is a bank and financial holding company, which engages in the provision of banking and nonbank financial services. It operates through the following segments: Consumer Banking, Global Wealth and Investment Management, Global Banking, Global Markets, and All Other. The Consumer Banking segment offers credit, banking, and investment products and services to consumers and small businesses. The Global Wealth and Investment Management provides client experience through a network of financial advisors focused on to meet their needs through a full set of investment management, brokerage, banking, and retirement products. The Global Banking segment deals with lending-related products and services, integrated working capital management and treasury solutions to clients, and underwriting and advisory services. The Global Markets segment includes sales and trading services, as well as research, to institutional clients across fixed-income, credit, currency, commodity, and equity businesses. The All Other segment consists of asset and liability management activities, equity investments, non-core mortgage loans and servicing activities, the net impact of periodic revisions Read More Wells Fargo & Co. is a diversified, community-based financial services company. It is engaged in the provision of banking, insurance, investments, mortgage, and consumer and commercial finance. It firm operates through the following segments: Community Banking, Wholesale Banking, Wealth & Investment Management, and Other. The Community Banking segment offers complete line of diversified financial products and services for consumers and small businesses including checking and savings accounts, credit and debit cards, and automobile, student, and small business lending. The Wholesale Banking segment provides financial solutions to businesses across the United States and globally. The Wealth and Investment Management segment includes personalized wealth management, investment and retirement products and services to clients across U.S. based businesses. The Other segment refers to the products of WIM customers served through community banking distribution channels. The company was founded by Henry Wells and William G. Fargo on March 18, 1852 and is headquartered in San Francisco, CA. Read More The following companies are subsidiares of Quest Diagnostics: AmeriPath, AmeriPath Cincinnati Inc. (OH), AmeriPath Cleveland Inc. (OH), AmeriPath Consolidated Labs Inc. (FL), AmeriPath Florida LLC (DE), AmeriPath Hospital Services Florida LLC (DE), AmeriPath Inc. (DE), AmeriPath Indianapolis PC (IN), AmeriPath Kentucky Inc. (KY), AmeriPath Lubbock 5.01(A) Corporation (TX), AmeriPath New York LLC (DE), AmeriPath Texas Inc. (DE), AmeriPath Tucson Inc. (AZ), American Medical Laboratories, American Medical Laboratories Incorporated (DE), Associated Clinical Laboratories L.P. (PA), Associated Clinical Laboratories of Pennsylvania L.L.C. (PA), Athena Diagnostics, Athena Diagnostics Inc. (DE), Blueprint Genetics, Blueprint Genetics FZ-LLC (UAE), Blueprint Genetics Inc. (DE), Blueprint Genetics Oy (Finland), California Laboratory Associates, Cape Cod Healthcare - Business, Celera, ClearPoint Diagnostic, Clearpoint Diagnostic Laboratories LLC (TX), Cleveland HeartLab, Cleveland HeartLab Inc. (DE), Clinical Laboratory Partners, Colorado Pathology Consultants P.C. (CO), ConVerge Diagnostic Services, Consolidated DermPath Inc. (DE), DFW 5.01(a) Corporation (TX), DGXWMT JV LLC (DE), Dermatopathology of Wisconsin S.C. (WI), Diagnostic Laboratory of Oklahoma LLC (OK), Diagnostic Pathology Services Inc. (OK), Diagnostic Reference Services Inc. (MD), ExamOne Canada Inc. (New Brunswick), ExamOne LLC (DE), ExamOne World Wide Inc. (PA), ExamOne World Wide of NJ Inc. (NJ), Focus Diagnostics, HemoCue, Hoffman M.D. Associated Pathologists Chartered (NV), Institute for Dermatopathology Inc. (PA), Isabella Street Urban Renewal LLC (NJ), Kailash B. Sharma M.D. Inc. (GA), Kilpatrick Pathology P.A. (NC), LabOne, LabOne LLC (MO), LabOne of Ohio Inc. (DE), Laboratorio de Analisis Biomedicos S.A. (Mexico), Lancet Labs, MACL, Med Fusion LLC (TX), Med fusion, MedPlus, Mid America Clinical Laboratories LLC (IN), Nomad Massachusetts Inc. (MA), Nuclear Medicine and Pathology Associates (GA), Ocmulgee Medical Pathology Association Inc. (GA), Pathology Building Partnership (MD) (gen. ptnrshp.), PeaceHealth Laboratories, PhenoPath Laboratories, PhenoPath Laboratories PLLC (WA), Q Squared Solutions Holdings LLC (DE), Q Squared Solutions Holdings Limited (UK), Quest Diagnostics (Shanghai) Co. Ltd. (China), Quest Diagnostics Brasil Holdings Ltd. (UK), Quest Diagnostics Clinical Laboratories, Quest Diagnostics Clinical Laboratories Inc. (DE), Quest Diagnostics Domestic Holder LLC (DE), Quest Diagnostics HTAS India Private Limited (India), Quest Diagnostics Health & Wellness LLC (DE), Quest Diagnostics Holdings Incorporated (DE), Quest Diagnostics Holdings Ltd. (UK), Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (MD), Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (NV), Quest Diagnostics India Private Limited (India), Quest Diagnostics Infectious Disease Inc. (DE), Quest Diagnostics International Holdings Limited (UK), Quest Diagnostics International LLC (DE), Quest Diagnostics Investments LLC (DE), Quest Diagnostics Ireland Limited (Ireland), Quest Diagnostics LLC (CT), Quest Diagnostics LLC (IL), Quest Diagnostics LLC (MA), Quest Diagnostics Massachusetts LLC (MA), Quest Diagnostics Mexico Holding Company Trust (Mexico), Quest Diagnostics Mexico S de RL de CV (Mexico), Quest Diagnostics Nichols Institute (CA), Quest Diagnostics Nichols Institute Inc. (VA), Quest Diagnostics Receivables Inc. (DE), Quest Diagnostics Subsidiary Holdings Ltd. (UK), Quest Diagnostics TB LLC (DE), Quest Diagnostics Terracotta LLC (DE), Quest Diagnostics Venture LLC (PA), Quest Diagnostics Ventures LLC (DE), Quest Diagnostics do Brasil Ltda. (Brazil), Quest Diagnostics of Pennsylvania Inc. (DE), Quest Diagnostics of Puerto Rico Inc. (PR), Quest HealthConnect LLC (CA), ReproSource, Reprosource Fertility Diagnostics Inc. (MA), Solstas Lab Partners, Sonora Quest Laboratories LLC (AZ), Specialty Laboratories Inc. (CA), Summit Health, UMass Memorial Medical Center - Anatomic Pathology Outreach Laboratory Business, Unilab Corporation, and Unilab Corporation (DE). New Delhi: The cabinet on Wednesday approved the home ministrys proposal to set up 4,072 mobile towers to improve the telecom network in 96 districts of the 10 Naxal-affected states at a cost of Rs 7,330 crore. The network would be used by the security personnel deployed in areas affected by left wing extremism (LWE). Project will also provide mobile services in unconnected villages and help improve economic activities. It will boost e-governance in backward and LWE-affected areas, said an official statement. The Rs 4,080.78 crore phase I of the project for providing mobile services using 2G technology in LWE areas is in the completion stage. As on date 2,335 mobile sites have been set up. For the second phase, the home ministry has identified 4,072 tower sites in consultation with states. Upgraded from 2G to 4G, the network will help meet communication needs of security personnel deployed in 10 states. Of the 4,072 mobile towers, 1,054 will be set up in Jharkhand, 1,028 in Chhattisgarh, 483 in Odisha, 429 in Andhra Pradesh, 412 in Bihar, 207 in Bengal, 179 in Uttar Pradesh, 136 in Maharashtra, 118 in Telangana and 26 in Madhya Pradesh. All the expenses are to be borne by the universal service obligation fund (USOF) of the telecommunication department. The cabinet also approved installation of 2G and 4G mobile towers in uncovered parts of Meghalaya for Rs 3,911 crore, while raising total fund limit for telecom project in the northeast region to Rs 8,120.81 crore from Rs 5,336.18 crore, approved on September 10, 2014. It will also be funded by USOF. The project has provision of 2G and 4G mobile coverage in identified uncovered areas of Meghalaya and seamless mobile coverage along the national highways in the northeastern state. The cabinet also approved the enhanced cost of the project for the northeast region for an amount of Rs 8,120.81 crore. The cabinet had already approved Rs 5,336.18 crore on September 10, 2014 for the project. The objective of the USOF is to provide widespread and non-discriminatory access to quality information and communications technology (ICT) services at affordable prices to people in the rural and remote areas. Besides, the fund is aimed at providing effective and powerful linkage to the hinterland thereby mainstreaming the population of rural and remote parts of the country. Priyanka Chopra, who is also the Goodwill Ambassador of United Nations Childrens Emergency Funds (UNICEF) for child rights apart from an actress, visited the Rohingya refugee camps in Bangladeshs Coxs Bazaar one of the largest refugee camps in the world. The Quantico star shared many pictures from her visit on her social media and even asked her fans to support children who have no future in sight. However, seems like all didnt turn out the way the former Miss World wanted it to. Priyanka was, in fact, mercilessly trolled for visiting the Rohingya camps. One of the Twitter users, Ahmed Raza(@KingAhmedRaza) wrote, This visit should be aimed at helping refugees and not just a selfie stunt (sic). While another user, Shivam Srivastava (@shivam_D12), tweeted, Another Useful Idiot working for a elite-nexus, who turn BLIND-EYE TO GAZA, SYRIA. where worst killing happened few days back, since 2014 (sic). Other tweets abhishek kamble (@abhi_kya): Hello lage hath kashmiri pandito ke camps bhi dekh lo wo apne hi desh me refugee bane baithe hai,ya aapki or unisef ke liye hi humanity reserved hai rohingya ke liye ;bloody double standard bollytard srinivasam (@subramaniumsri): Remember you doesnt represent 1.2 billion people sentiments. If you have no sympathy for indians then give your land and money to rohingyas and settle in Bangladesh permanently. From now onwards no more your movies for me and my family. Shame shame not expected from you. Somit Gope (@imSomit): Sorry for saying big thing.. but I just want to ask .. we have d same problem in India , forget India .. in Mumbai itself how many time did u visit n went there n thing about their problem n needs ??? Will appriciate if spare some time also at least nearby of our places. Thanks Tamil actor Vishals films usually do well in Telugu too. His latest film Abhimanyudu, the Tamil version of Irumbu Thirai, is releasing here on June 1. Tamil actor Vishals films usually do well in Telugu too. His latest film Abhimanyudu, the Tamil version of Irumbu Thirai, is releasing here on June 1. When the Tamil film released in Chennai, many people protested as they felt the film was against Digital India and the Aadhar card. Some shows were cancelled too, but thanks to police protection, the film was screened and it turned out to be a big success for me, as an actor and producer, says Vishal. After watching my film, I am sure people will handle their phone well. On social media everyone gives their opinion openly, but at times it can get them into some trouble. Also, the Aadhar card is linked to your bank accounts and we give all our personal information to an unknown person! We are showing some of these problems in my film, says Vishal, explaining that cinema is a powerful media and it shows facts along with some fiction too. Vishal Sometimes wrong transactions happen to our bank accounts. We dont know how it happened, but it does. Many people experience this. We have shown it in my film. I am sure everyone connects to these scenes, he says. The actor says the film projects ATM machine frauds, bank loans and how a military officer doesnt have a passbook. My film is not against the government. In our film we show how people are facing problems after the Aadhar and Digital India. Its realistic, says Vishal. He added that the Censor Board has cleared his film and he isnt afraid of anyone. When my film is cleared by the censor officials, why should I be afraid of anyone. I dont understand why people want to protest even after I got the certificate, asks Vishal. This films success also helps Samantha to break that married actresses dont do films. This film gives confidence to the directors and producers that they can approach married actresses to act in their films. Samantha has proved it and definitely inspires many other actresses, says Vishal. The researchers found that restricting exercise lowers the amount of oxygen in the body, which creates an anaerobic environment and alters metabolism. London: Regularly moving your legs, especially when bearing weight, is essential for the production of healthy neural cells, essential for the brain and nervous system, a study has found. The research published in the journal Frontiers in Neuroscience, shows that neurological health depends as much on signals sent by the body's large, leg muscles to the brain as it does on directives from the brain to the muscles. The study alters brain and nervous system medicine - giving doctors new clues as to why patients with motor neuron disease, multiple sclerosis, spinal muscular atrophy and other neurological diseases often rapidly decline when their movement becomes limited. "Our study supports the notion that people who are unable to do load-bearing exercises - such as patients who are bed-ridden, or even astronauts on extended travel - not only lose muscle mass, but their body chemistry is altered at the cellular level and even their nervous system is adversely impacted," said Raffaella Adami from the Universita degli Studi di Milano, Italy. The study involved restricting mice from using their hind legs, but not their front legs, over a period of 28 days. The mice continued to eat and groom normally and did not exhibit stress. At the end of the trial, the researchers examined an area of the brain called the sub-ventricular zone, which in many mammals has the role of maintaining nerve cell health. It is also the area where neural stem cells produce new neurons. Limiting physical activity decreased the number of neural stem cells by 70 per cent compared to a control group of mice, which were allowed to roam. Both neurons and oligodendrocytes - specialised cells that support and insulate nerve cells - did not fully mature when exercise was severely reduced. The research shows that using the legs, particularly in weight-bearing exercise, sends signals to the brain that are vital for the production of healthy neural cells, essential for the brain and nervous system. Cutting back on exercise makes it difficult for the body to produce new nerve cells - some of the very building blocks that allow us to handle stress and adapt to challenge in our lives. "It is no accident that we are meant to be active: to walk, run, crouch to sit, and use our leg muscles to lift things," said Adami. "Neurological health is not a one-way street with the brain telling the muscles 'lift,' 'walk,' and so on," said Adami. The researchers found that restricting exercise lowers the amount of oxygen in the body, which creates an anaerobic environment and alters metabolism. Reducing exercise also seems to impact two genes, one of which, CDK5Rap1, is very important for the health of mitochondria - the cellular powerhouse that releases energy the body can then use. Bengaluru: Kaluram's body will be flown home to his tiny village this morning, something he could not have dared to dream about while he was alive and hunting for odd jobs in this IT capital to fill his stomach and that of his younger brother Ramesh alias Sonu back home. The 26-year old mason from Nimaj village in Pali district in Rajasthan was dragged and beaten to death in broad daylight on the streets of Chamrajpet after people mistook him for a child lifter. He was poor, defenceless, his looks and language were alien to the people, who killed him. He was a victim of xenophobia. Why did the people in your City kill him? What had he done to deserve this kind of end? Was he killed because he was a Dalit and an outsider? There was nationwide protest against the flogging of Dalit boys in Una in Gujarat last year because the incident happened close to the Assembly elections. There is no anger happened to Kaluram in Bengaluru because Karnataka elections are over, said Harjit Singh, the president of the Village Education Committee, Nimaj, while speaking to Deccan Chronicle over phone. Nimaj is a small village of not more than 20,000 people. We have neither heard nor witnessed this kind of violence here. People should have complained to the police if they found Kaluram stealing or indulging in any crime. He could not even defend himself, said Singh. Kaluram was a Dalit and belonged to the Meghwal (Scheduled Caste) community. He used to fit tiles. His parents died long ago," he added. Last year, his elder brother died in a road accident. He is survived by his younger brother Ramesh, who depended upon Kaluram and villagers to feed him. "He is scared and in shock and is refusing to leave his house, he said. He said that Ramesh reportedly told neighbours that two days before Kaluram was killed he received a call from him in which he is believed to have said his life was in danger. When asked if Kaluram was being threatened to donate his kidneys according to some media reports, Singh denied the information and said that Ramesh did not mention any such conversation with his brother. Kaluram will be brought home today (Saturday). The Kumawat Samaj members of Nimaj in Bengaluru have arranged to bring his body to Jaipur by an early morning flight. We will bring his body to the village by road for his final rites, added Singh. Hyderabad: Karanam Naidu, principal of Karanam Naidu Vishwabharati Institute of Technology & Sciences at Nadergul was arrested by the Narsingi police for cheating students with promises of securing them admission at CBIT Engineering college at Gandipet. While no student has approached the police so far, CBIT College president Malakonda Reddy lodged a complaint stating that Naidu was claiming that he could arrange seats in CBIT and MGIT colleges. Naidu had also erected boards as CBIT Institute and CBIT Academy at Chaitanyapuri to attract students. A cheating case was registered based on Mr Malakonda Reddys complaint and Naidu was arrested after investigations. Narsingi inspector G.V. Ramana Goud, quoting the accused, said that Naidu had started the business three months ago and had been spreading word about obtaining seats by paying money. Naidu told the police that he had not collected money from any student. He claimed that a CBIT staffer had assured him help in procuring seats for a commission. Investigation is on to identify the staffer, the inspector said. Police also arrested Niradi Arun's girlfriend and mother for helping him. (Representational Image) Hyderabad: The North Zone police arrested caretaker Niradi Arun who had killed an elderly woman at her home and made away with jewellery. Police also arrested his girlfriend and mother for helping him. Arun had been sent by Sudha Home Care Centre to Sulochana Ranis house in Jupiter Colony to care for her bed-ridden husband. He killed Sulochana Rani and made off with 60 grams of gold jewllery, 10 gram silver and mobiles. His girlfriend Macharla Saraswathi, 30, and mother Niradi Rajamani, 56. Hyderabad police commissioner Anjani Kumar said Saraswathi had helped Arun in the murder. Mr Anjani Kumar said the duo reached Sulochani Ranis house at about 7.30 pm on May 19. Saraswathi went upstairs and waited on the rooftop. At about 10.30 pm, when Sulochana was asleep, Arun called in Saraswathi, and the two together smothered her, he said. Saraswathi got a knife from the kitchen and gave it to Arun who slit Sulochanas throat, he said. The incident came to light when the couples son who stays at another house came to see them in the morning. The Trimulgherry police booked a case of murder and took up investigations. The dog squad and CLUES team could not get enough clues. On Saturday, acting on a tip off, sleuths of Commissioner's Task Force, North Zone team, apprehended the three while they were trying to dispose of the stolen property. PM Modi on Saturday hailed good governance as an all-round development for the country on the occasion of the fourth anniversary of the BJP-led government at the Centre. (Photo: ANI/Twitter) Bhubaneshwar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday hailed good governance as an all-round development for the country on the occasion of the fourth anniversary of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government at the Centre. Speaking at a public rally in Odisha's Cuttack, PM Narendra Modi greeted the people and said, "It is my good fortune that I get the opportunity to greet my 125 crore countrymen from the land of great Lord Jagannath." On the BJP-led NDA government's fourth anniversary, PM Modi said, "In these four years, the 125 crore Indians have come to believe that our India can change. Today, the nation is going from 'Kala Dhan to 'Jan Dhan', from bad governance to good governance." He further added, "Your aspirations, dreams and hopes is what keeps me going." On Congress' decade-long rule, the prime minister said, "It is important to remember the issues which the nation was facing four years ago, the atmosphere that prevailed back then. It is important to remember how much did the family, which ruled the nation for 48 years, cared for it." PM Modi touched upon decisions taken by the Centre such as surgical strikes. He said, "Decisions like surgical strikes are only taken when there is a committed, not confused, government at the Centre. A decade-old issue like 'One Rank One Pension' was only cleared when a committed government took the right measures." The BJP came to power on this day with a brute majority in 2014. Prior to the 2014 general elections, Prime Minister Modi in his campaign speeches had made a slew of promises for spurring India's development and appealed to voters to end the 10-year rule of the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA). However, the Congress on Saturday observed 'Vishwasghat Diwas' (the day of betrayal) accusing the ruling party of not fulfilling the voters' promises. (With ANI inputs) Confirming the incident, an Air India spokesperson said it was a 'rare occurrence' and that only two passengers were affected. (Representational Image) New Delhi: Some passengers of an Air India Delhi-Rajkot flight were left aggrieved on Friday at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi after the airline denied boarding to them on the ground that the flight was overbooked. The airlines did not allow some passengers to board the Rajkot-bound flight scheduled for around 5 pm from Delhi. Confirming the incident, an Air India spokesperson said it was a "rare occurrence" and that only two passengers were affected. They are being send to their destinations through an alternative flight. The passengers are believed to have protested the incident at the airport terminal, the spokesperson said. The spokesperson said usually up to 10 per cent extra booking is allowed to ensure optimum capacity utilisation and keeping in mind the last minute cancellations. "In this particular sector, 2-3 per cent extra booking was allowed and in this particular flight all the passengers reported for the journey, thus leading to this incident," the spokesperson said. The victim is a migrant labourer, who was on his way to Kaliachak in Malda district from Howrah on May 14. (Representational Image) Malda (West Bengal): A man was allegedly assaulted by four persons in a moving train in West Bengal, after he failed to reply to their queries on the prime minister and the national anthem, police said on Friday. The victim, a migrant labourer, was on his way to Kaliachak in Malda district from Howrah on May 14, when the four persons got into the train and sat next to his seat after he had briefly deboarded at a station, a police officer said. Upon his arrival, they suddenly started asking him questions about Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the national anthem and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, he said, adding, the man was roughed up when he could not reply to the queries. The group later got down at Bandel station. A local NGO - Bangla Sankriti Mancha - lodged an FIR on Thursday against the accused, based on videos taken by co-passengers, Kaliachak Police Station Inspector-in-Charge Suman Chatterjee said. An investigation into the matter is underway, Chatterjee said. Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti in a statement described the Home Ministers assertion as a welcome step to initiate dialogue and reconciliation in the Valley. (Photo: File) Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Saturday welcomed Home Minister Rajnath Singhs statement that the government is ready to talk to Hurriyat Conference and also Pakistan if they are open for dialogue. She said that a peaceful engagement is needed urgently to pull J&K out of the cycle of violence. She appealed to the Hurriyat Conference to "display maturity and show responsibility towards people. While speaking during a programme held in the national capital to mark four years of the Narendra Modi government, the Home Minister said, There is no problem in any dialogue with Pakistan, it is our neighbour but Pakistan has to stop promoting terrorism first. He added, If Hurriyat is ready to talk, we have no problem, we are ready to talk to anyone. Even if Pakistan comes for a dialogue, we are ready for it." He refuted reports of confusion in the central government over its Kashmir policy. There is no confusion about our Kashmir policy, he said, adding that they want to end the cycle of violence. But we believe that Kashmir and Kashmiris both are our own. We want to win their hearts. Suspension of operations was one of the measures taken to achieve that, he said. Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti in a statement described the Home Ministers assertion as a welcome step to initiate dialogue and reconciliation in the Valley. She said, Given the positive outcome of the ceasefire during the month of Ramzan, the peace constituency in the country and the state should feel encouraged to start the much-needed process of peaceful engagement with all." The Chief Minister hoped that parties and groups like the Hurriyat Conference will seize the opportunity and show their responsibility towards the people of the state. She said that she has reiterated time and again that dialogue is the only way forward for resolving issues. Even arch-rival nations like the US and North Korea as well as North and South Korea have ultimately taken a step forward to address their issues and concerns. The separatist parties or their leaders have not reacted to the Home Ministers statement, so far. However, a senior separatist leader and former chairman of Hurriyat Conference alliance, Professor Abdul Gani Butt, while addressing a rally in Handwara area of the Valley on May 22, said that there was no alternative to dialogue to resolve the issue of Kashmir. The samples were obtained from the well at a house in Kerala's Kozhikode where four members of the family succumbed to the virus. (Photo: File) Kozhikode: The deadly Nipah virus that has claimed 12 lives so far may not be related to fruit bats at all, claim medical lab reports. Officials on Friday evening ruled out the possibility of the virus spreading through fruit bats or pigs as lab reports from Bhopal turned out to be negative. The samples were obtained from the well at a house in Kerala's Kozhikode where four members of the family succumbed to the virus. Medical officials investigating the matter had found many dead bats in the well. The blood and serum samples of 21 bats were then sent to the National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases in Bhopal, reported NDTV. However, more tests are being conducted as officials say that these are just the initial findings. The family of four was treated by nurse Lini Puthussery who also came in contact with the deadly virus and died last week. The Kerala High Court on Thursday asked the state government to submit the measures it took to prevent rumours with regard to Nipah virus. Tourism in the state, too, has suffered a setback as many tourists cancelled their bookings last minute due to the outbreak of the virus. Rajesh Pillai, a Kochi-based tour operator, said cancellations have been a daily affair since the rare virus claimed 12 lives in the two districts of Kozhikode and Malappuram. Businesses worth Rs 30-40 lakh has been affected for the months of May and June, he said. Kerala government has announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh to the victims of Nipah virus. The victim said that the attackers claimed that they were members of a right-wing organisation and he did not file a complaint as he was afraid. (Representational image) Kanpur: A 22-year-old Muslim youth was assaulted at Shivrajpur railway station by a group of men, allegedly belonging to a right-wing organisation, for befriending a girl belonging to Hindu community. A video of the incident in which the youth is seen being slapped repeatedly and voices are heard of inquiries about his relationship with the girl has gone viral on social media, following which the police has identified the victim and is examining him. According to police, no compliant has been filed so far by the youth about the incident which occurred Saturday. The victim told PTI over phone that the attackers claimed that they were members of a right-wing organisation and he did not file a complaint as he was afraid. Superintendent of Police, Rural, Pradyumna Singh, said the youth had gone to Shivrajpur railway station to meet his friend, belonging to another community, when about half a dozen youngsters living in the same locality questioned him about his relationship. In the video, suspected to be made by the attackers, they question the youth, slapping him repeatedly on his face, the SP said, adding that one of the attackers is also heard warning him that he "will have to pay for what he did". "Tumhari zindagi agar barbaad nahin kar dee to ham apna naam badal denge (we will change our names if we failed to destroy you)," one of the attackers is heard saying in the video. Police said they took note of the video and have approached the victim. A similar incident of a youth being targeted had come to light after a video showing a Sikh policeman saving him from a mob near Ramnagar in Nainital district of Uttarakhand went viral. The Muslim youth was allegedly found in a compromising position with a Hindu girl at a temple on Tuesday. KOZHIKODE: Giving a breather from the Nipah scare, all 21 samples of suspected cases sent for detailed examination to the National Virology Institute at Pune, proved negative, reducing the confirmed patients who are still alive to just three, health minister K.K. Shylaja said. Among the 15 persons confirmed with Nipah, two died. Briefing the all party meeting about the latest updates on the disease here on Friday, Ms Shylaja said that the signs are good and the disease is not at all spreading. All the 21 suspected samples sent for detailed examination on Thursday and Friday have proved negative, she said. With this the total number of Nipah confirmed cases left in the state are only three, she added. Even the WHO has congratulated the state for identifying the disease at the second death itself which is very rare. The state would start research on developing indigenous medicine for Nipah with the help of Keralite scientists abroad, she said. On the treatment front Ms Shylaja said the department has ensured the best available safety systems globally for the doctors and nurses. Fifty doses of human monoclonal antibodies, a medicine from Australia will arrive soon which will help in the treatment of Nipah confirmed persons, she said. On a doubt raised at the all party meeting over the reports in social media that Muhammed Sabith, the first victim of Nipah virus, had returned to the state from Malaysia one month back with some illness, Ms Shylaja said that the government will inquire into the travel history of Sabith and also whether he was contracted with any illness and sought treatment earlier. Sabith, a native of Perambra was working abroad for quite long time and returned home with the illness, according to the social media report. He was suspected of having gastro intestine problems. His health worsened only after cleaning the well at home which had a bat population, leading to death. Meanwhile the health of the nursing student of Kozhikode infected with Nipah continues to be critical, according to health officials. Director of Health Services Dr R.L. Saritha told reporters that proper training has been given to all the health care staff. We have told them that we are fighting the disease like soldiers guarding the border of our country. The fight is still on, she added. The scheme was announced after Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao was informed about the delay in executing the bank-linked schemes as it involved official procedures. Hyderabad: It is almost eight months since the state government announced the 100 per cent subsidy scheme for loans for minorities, but no guidelines have been issued for the disbursal of the amount. As a result, thousands of applicants are waiting for the financial assistance after submitting the applications. The government, in October last year announced the subsidised loans for unemployed youth from the minority communities. The scheme was announced after Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao was informed about the delay in executing the bank-linked schemes as it involved official procedures. Earlier, the Telangana State Minorities Finance Corporation along with banks offered loans to applicants from below poverty line families. While the TSMFC paid a percentage of the amount as subsidy, the remaining component was given as loan by the banks which was to be repaid in a stipulated time. The TSMFC has not invited fresh applications for the subsidised loans but selected the candidates based on the applications received in 2015-16. A total of 1.54 lakh applications were received by the corporation for the subsidised bank loan schemes at that time. About 8,400 candidates were selected for receiving loans under the scheme. However, the banks were not coming forward to provide the loan component. Hence, the loans were put on hold, said a senior official of the corporation. The government, after studying the difficulties in extending the loans decided to provide 100 per cent subsidy loans. Then again, a decision on the numbers and category of the loan applicants is yet to be taken. Social activist S.Q. Masood said people spent between `1,000 and `2000 to submit the applications at the minority welfare offices across the state three years ago. "All of them hoped to get some financial assistance. In fact, the date of submission of the applications was extended twice for the benefit of the applicants taking the total to 1.54 lakh. Three years have passed and there is no word about the financial assistance, he said. As of now we are prioritising about 8,400 candidates who were selected earlier. The guidelines from the government are awaited and as soon as we get them we will take up the case with the finance department and the beneficiaries will be provided financial assistance, said Mr M.A. Waheed, vice-chairman and managing director of the Minorities Finance Corporation. The lands that lie fallow are located in Tamsi, Talamadugu, Bela, Adilabad and Jainad mandals in Adilabad. ADILABAD: Some land owners with political patronage have been milking the Rythu Bandhu Scheme, taking the Rs 4,000 per acre per season assistance for barren land which they had purchased at low prices from farmers. These lands lie without any cultivation. Sources said one landlord with political backing had got the government assistance for his 2,000-acre benami land parcel in Adilabad district. Similar instances were reported in Mancherial and Kumarambheem Asifabad districts. Also, the landlords who enjoy political patronage got hundreds of crores as loans from the banks by mortgaging these valuable lands after getting their prices hiked in the books. The lands that lie fallow are located in Tamsi, Talamadugu, Bela, Adilabad and Jainad mandals in the Adilabad district. Most of these barren lands were purchased a year ago for Rs 30,000 to Rs 50,000 per acre. Sources said the lands were registered on benami names with the help of the land registration staff. In another instance, the district revenue and agriculture officials couldnt do anything even though they knew that barren land was recently purchased by a contractor who happens to be a relative of a minister of the old Adilabad district. The same contractor is doing irrigation project works in Adilabad district and had earlier got Godavari Pushakaralu contracts worth hundreds of crores. Before the scheme was announced, locals could not understand why such large extents of barren land was being purchased. A farmer of Tamsi mandal who sold his 10-acre barren land to the landlord last year said he never thought of the land would earn the huge investment offered by the Rythu Bandhu Scheme. Hyderabad: The VII Nizam, Mir Osman Ali Khan, led a very simple life, loved simple food and clothes, smoked 555 cigarettes one pack a day and read Deccan Chronicle daily. Sarkar used to wake up at about 6 am, have a cup of tea and smoke one 555 while relaxing on his aaram kursi (easy chair) in the King Koti Palace. He never had nashta (breakfast) and preferred lunch, says Mr Mansoor Ali, a Khanazad of the Nizam. All the Khanazads attached to the Nizam used call on him at about 8 am or 9 am and offer salaam. Around 10 am, the Nizam held official meetings for half-an-hour to one hour before retiring to his room, a lonely man. The Nizam VII, who was well versed with English, Urdu and Farsi, regularly read newspapers. He used to read Deccan Chronicle, Nizam Gazette, and Shiraz weekly which contained his firmans. He was a poet and read out couplets on occasions, recalls Mr Mansoor Ali. The Nizam often ate Basmati rice with kateki kadi, sweet dal made of milk with four anjir, sometimes chicken soup, Mr Mansoor Ali said. Even during banquets in honour of dignitaries, the Nizam ate simple food. He used to have lunch at about noon and a similar dinner at about 8 pm and went to sleep at between 8.30 pm and 9 pm. Those of us assigned to the duty used to massage the Nizams feet and he used to fall asleep. My duty was from 9 pm to 10 pm for massage, the Khanazad said. According to Mr Mansoor Ali, the Nizam was sick a year before his death and suffered from flu, cold and cough. The Nizam never used wardrobes and hung his sherwani to a nail on the wall, slept on an old bed and pillow. We were provided with new blankets and pillows but Sarkar used to sleep on an old mattress. He led a fakirs zindagi. None will believe that the richest man in the world led such a simple life, he says. The Nizam, according to him, was a stickler for punctuality and protocol. One day Mrs Indira Gandhi came to the King Koti palace without an appointment and sat in the portico. The Nizam was immediately informed about it, Mr Mansoor Ali said. Standing at a distance, he says he heard the Nizam ask Mrs Gandhi, Beti kaise aye achanak (Daughter, how come you made a surprise visit?). Mrs Gandhi replied with a smile, Beti baap ke ghar me puch ke ati hai (Should a daughter seek fathers permission to meet him)? Sarkar laughed and welcomed her. Sarkar also gave 5,000 kg gold to Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri when he appealed for donations (during the war effort), Mr Mansoor Ali says. Citing the secular credentials of the Nizam, he says all his trusted doctors were Hindus, Dr Bali (husband of actor Vyjayanti Mala), Col. Waghrey, Dr Ramaiah and others. He held them in high esteem, Mr Mansoor Ali said. Srinagar: Separatist leader Shabir Ahmed Shahs daughter Sama Shabir has topped in Jammu and Kashmir in the CBSE-2018 results by security 97.8 percent marks and Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti, was among the first to congratulate her. She said Sama was an inspiration for the youth of the State. The Chief Minister wrote on micro-blogging site Twitter.com Congratulations to Sama Shabir Shah for securing 97.8% marks in the class 12th class examination. Her hard work & determination has helped her overcome all odds & she is truly an inspiration for the youth of our state. Samas father is presently lodged in Delhis Tihar jail. He was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate last year in connection with an alleged money-laundering case. She is a student of Srinagars Delhi Public School (DPS) which has topped among all the CSBE affiliated schools of the state in the 12th class results declared on Saturday. Its Pro-Vice Chairman Vijay Kumar Dhar said, It is a proud moment for all of us, the teachers, the non-teaching staff, students and their parents. He said the school has got 99.5 percent overall results in the exams and that around 160 students from the school have secured above eighty percent marks. The Hayat Bakshi mosque is a beautiful example of Qutb Shahi architecture and is located on the old route to Machilipatnam. (Image: Deepak Deshpande) Hyderabad: The history of Hyderabad is well documented. Romance, beauty, architecture, treachery, dungeons and tunnels form part of this old and historic city. But this tale has a twist to it because it is truly about a Hyderabadi queen and ever so local. The city was founded and designed by the fifth ruler of Golconda, the poet and lover Sultan Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah. Legend has it that he built Hyderabad where the village of Chichlam had stood, where he had met his beloved wife Bhagmati. Because of that, there had been talk of calling the city Bhagyanagar. The couple had a baby girl whom they named Hayat Bakshi, or, as the name suggests, the giver of life. Forward thinking, they brought her up like a prince and her birth celebrations were the talk of town for days on end. The young Hayat Bakshi grew up to be beautiful and smart. Though the Nizams younger brother had a son, Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah wanted Hayat Bakshi to succeed him. So, he did the next best thing and married Hayat Bakshi to Sultan Mohammad, the young man who went on to become the next ruler of Golconda. The historian Ferishta in describing her marriage ceremony writes that the king gave his exceedingly beautiful daughter to Prince Muhammad, the son of Prince Mohammad Amin. Sultan Mohammad was religious, loving and artistic, and heeded his wifes advice in the affairs of the kingdom. Unfortunately, when a son was born to them, it was under an inauspicious star and the father and son could not meet each other for 12 years according to the royal astrologers. The Sultan passed on before the stipulated time, and the next ruler was his 12-year-old son Sultan Abdullah Qutb Shah. Hayat Bakshi, in her twenties then, became the Queen Mother, or Ma Saheba, as she is known to this day. The Masab Tank, a huge water body in those times, got its name from her. Now, it is a crowded locality, with no sign of water anywhere. Since the young Sultan was just a boy when he came to the throne, it was Ma Saheba who took charge of ruling the kingdom until he was about 18. The reign was peaceful, and she spent her years practically in retirement till the day when the Mughal prince Aurangzeb turned up with his troops. Ma Saheba was a wise queen and sought an audience with Aurangzeb on behalf of the kingdom of Hyderabad and struck a deal with him. The deal was simple: The Sultans daughter would marry Aurangzebs son. This ensured that Golconda would go to the Mughals after the Sultans death. Aurangzeb found the deal satisfying and did not return to Hyderabad for another 30 years. Thanks to this smart ruse of Ma Saheba, Qutb Shahi rule in Golconda got a new lease of life. As per history books written on her, Hayat Bakshi Begam, better known as Hayat Ma Saheba, took a prominent part during the reigns of three Qutb Shahi Kings daughter of Sultan Muhammad Quli, wife of Sultan Muhammad Qutb Shah and mother of Sultan Abdullah Qutb Shah. Darling daughter, intelligent wife and wise mother this amazing woman, who meant the world to three successive rulers of Golconda is buried under an imposing tomb along with the rest of her family in the Qutb Shahi Tomb complex. Its size and elevation of tomb speaks of her importance. Her mausoleum is said to be a replica of the tomb of her husband Mohammad Qutb Shah. She proved that she was the daughter of her father and thus was keen on art and culture and good buildings. She commissioned a beautiful mosque and a huge sarai or inn in Hayatnagar, an area named after her. Hussaini Alam, Bibi ka chasma, Bibi ka Alam and Langar Houz, make us think of Ma Saheba. The Hayat Bakshi mosque is a beautiful example of Qutb Shahi architecture and is located on the old route to Machilipatnam. A grand mosque on a terrace is situated in this huge compound, the caravan serai built around it with close to 130 rooms. These rooms were for weary travellers to rest in, since this was a route to Machilipatnam. This was also known as the sarai of Ma Saheba. There are three lofty entrance gates of the sarai to the north, east and south. Now, only the eastern gate is in use. To the northeast of the mosque is a huge step well called the Hathi KI Baoli which lies in ruins. A beautiful structure presumably for the animals of the tired travellers. This step well has no life now, but otherwise it is beautifully constructed. It has arches inside with bird motifs built into the walls. There are tall structures, shaded with arches. Old historical books say that the mosque is composed of five double arches of massive majority and is flanked by two lofty minarets. The prayer niche is made of plaster and bears no inscription. The Hayat Bakshi mosque was constructed in 1672 during the reign of Ma Sahebas son Abdullah Qutb Shah, the fifth Sultan of Golconda. Built on nearly five acres of land, the sarai is on a 150-metre by 130-metre courtyard. The Hayatnagar mosque complex apparently was constructed as a thanksgiving for saving Abdullah Qutb Shah from a freak accident involving a rogue elephant. Hayat Bakshi Begum took a vow that she would construct a mosque on the spot where the elephant came to rest. While the inside of the mosque has been kept in its old glory, the land abutting mosque has been completely occupied. The beauty of the 348-year-old mosque has been marred by buildings adjoining the premises and there is no safe perimeter left either. Apparently permission was sought by the archaeology and museums department from the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) to tear down structures so close to the mosque, since they were in violation of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act of 1960. Those living in the structures of course say that no authority ever stopped them and so they now live there. Why should they be there in the first place, asks an angry and frustrated Anuradha Reddy, convener, Intach, Hyderabad. She says it should the norm for the state archaeology department to protect such monuments. There has to be backing by the state government, the police, the revenue department and the municipality. Right from the village pachayat, officials have to be sensitised and made responsible of protecting such ancient structures. This is valuable heritage and the department of archaeology must wake up, says Ms Anuradha Reddy. There is information that Rs 45 crore was sanctioned by 13th Finance Commission and the department took up renovation of not only the mosque but also several other structures under its control in the state. Out of the 133 sarais, restoration works have been completed in 45 rooms and work is continuing. The Hayatnagar mosque was awarded the Intach heritage award in 2003. I thought those nicknames were pretty smart until I met some people in the commercial world. The manager of Mandated Airlines at Lae in the early 1950s, Harold Hindwood, knew and enjoyed his nickname of Timber Arse. Next door, the old timersthe kiaps down from New Guinea to attend the first Long Course toiled in the other and called their youngest member Thrasher. John Gibson epitomised youthful exuberance. ASOPA was no Ivy League college. We had no hallowed halls of learning but took our lectures in two refurbished mechanical workshops. We learned in one. He found Michael Joseph Cockburn's name was too formal and renamed him Sizzledick. Not content with that travesty, a few days later he truncated it to Sizzle, a diminutive that we used with affection for more than 25 years. SYDNEY - A fellow cadet patrol officer, Vince Smith, introduced me to kiap nicknames during my first week at the Australian School of Pacific Administration (ASOPA) in June 1949. The boss of Burns Philp in Kieta in 1971, an Englishman, was not so sure about his moniker. Mr Breathings parents had given him the incongruous first name of Hartley. In Kieta, and throughout Bougainville, they called him Hardly Breathing, and they called his wife Scarcely. Papua New Guinean members of the police detachment often gave nicknames to kiaps based on a physical characteristic. A kiap who hobbled, or who had a poor gait, was often referred to as Scru i-lus; Kokomo had a prominent nose; Muruk had long, muscular legs; Kela was bald; those with a moustache or beard were inevitably called Mausgras. Some of the nicknames were relevant only to one government station, but at least four transcended the bounds of every district. Keith (JK) McCarthy was Makarti and Jimmy Hodgekiss was Masta Wiski. Ralph (RG) Ormsby was Big Bel for all his later years. The last of the four, Joe Nombri, relished his Mausgras sobriquet in 1964 but was still using it in 1978 in Tokyo when he was Papua New Guineas ambassador to Japan. There were other enduring nicknames. District Officer George (GWL) Townsend acquired one when he worked behind the cashiers counter in Rabaul in 1925, and he answered to the German title, Kassa, for the rest of his life. Medical Assistant, Patrol Officer, District Officer, World War II coastwatcher, hotelier and finally sub-district office clerk, Eric D Robinson MC, pronounced his surname Wobbinson. He had a speech impediment and would have been known as Wobbie or Robbie when he enlisted and went to France with the 38th Battalion, AIF in 1915. He was known as Sepik Robbie when he was District Officer at Ambunti in 1932; Robbie when he was the clerk at Angoram; and Sepik Robbie again when he died in 1961. The origin of District Officer, later District Commissioner, Rigbys nickname, Reckless Reg, was obscure even though it endured. Rigby was said to be ultra-conservative. Certainly in 1953 he kept the Sepik Districts only case of nails under the marital bed and dispensed them one at a time to outstation supplicants. Kiaps tended to identify their confreres by their surnames, sometimes adding a diminutive. Corbett William Kimmorley was always known as Kim, but the logic ended there. Some diminutives were confusing: Bernard Raphael Corrigan was Brian; Virgil Baden Counsel was Bert or Bertie; William Andrew Lalor was Peter; and Fulton Clyde Driver and Herbert Percy Seale were both known as Bill. There were at least three kiaps of very short stature. Two of them: Arthur (AT) Carey and John (JJ) Jordan answered to Shortie, but Dick Name-Withheld was not a Richard. His nickname was said to be related to the adage Big man, big dick. Little man, all dick! In the expatriate community, JK McCarthy was often identified by his initials pronounced phonetically, Jay Kay. District Officer John (JJ) Murphy was Jay Jay; and Tom (TWE) Ellis was a severe Twee. Ellis had other nicknames. In the Sepik, but never to his face, he was Laughing Boy because he seldom cracked a smile. And on the ex kiap website, Frank Martin noted: Rather than his well-known nickname of 'God' I prefer to remember him as 'Uncle Tom' which we called him on the 1956 Long Course. In the 1950s, Bobby Gibbes labelled a sedate, gentlemanly kiap at Goroka in the Eastern Highlands, with the not too subtle nickname Morphia. Gibbes, a wartime RAAF Spitfire pilot with DSO DFC and bar, had a wicked turn of phrase. When one of his heart valves was replaced by a substitute from a pig, he maintained that his friends asked, Do you grunt when you root? And in his later years, when they asked, How are you getting on? he replied, Infrequently! A handful of kiaps gained friendly, jocular nicknames. Algernon Brontislavus Besisparis was the Beast from Paris. Des (D) Clifton-Basset was Junket Bum. Jack (EJ) John Emanuel was Sloppy Chops. Allan (AF) Gow was Ghostie. Ted (EG) Hicks was Pretty Boy. Doug (DJ) Parrish was The Black Prince. Bill (WT) Tomasetti was Commo Tommo. And John Williams was Screaming Johnnie. Derisive nicknames like Argus the Boy Wonder, Bonehead, the Little Fuhrer, and Unfriendly Neighbour were self-explanatory but some others were obscure. Harpic (from the name of a product used to clean toilet bowls) was around the bend; Orbit was in space or another world; Pissed-on was a corruption of one of John Preston Whites given names. Common nicknames were also in play. Several Boots, Jocks, the prosaic Buck (Rogers), Chips, Doggy, Darkie, Dusty, and Swampy. Basher (OConnell) and Fensep (Fenton) needed some explaining. Are there stories behind those more recent nicknames: Cockroach, Pretzel Legs and Tutu? What other kiap nicknames are out there? Who can add to the list? Hyderabad: A 39-year-old man was found dead in a lodge at Saifabad. Police said the man committed suicide two days ago and the foul smell from his room made the others alert the management, who then called the cops. The deceased was identified as Ambika Pavan, 39, of Kurnool, presently residing at Srinivasa lodge in Lakdi ka pool. According to the police, the man committed suicide by hanging at the lodges room two days back. Upon noticing the foul smell of his decomposing body, the other inmates told the management said the Police, who reached the spot with clues team and shifted the body to Osmania Hospital for postmortem examination. A case was booked. THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The state BJP is reeling under the 'shock treatment' it received in the form of state president Kummanam Rajasekharan's appointment as Mizoram Governor. Party sources feel that Mr Kummanam was given a 'clean exit' before the outcome of the Chengannur by-election is known, which may be unfavourable to the party. Local leaders said the decision was ill-timed. A BJP leader told DC that the announcement came as a shock just before the Chengannur poll. "At a time when Kummanam and other leaders were working for the success of NDA candidate P.S. Sreeharan Pillai, his virtual transfer was unfair towards Pillai as the focus was diverted," he said. However, the fact is that factionalism in the state unit had prevented Mr Kummanam from implementing national president Amit Shah's 'South mission' properly. Two days after Karnataka went to the polls, Mr Amit Shah had held a meeting of state presidents and organising general secretaries in New Delhi to prepare a plan for the next Lok Sabha elections. Mr Kummanam and organising general secretary M. Ganesh had attended it. Mr Amit Shah had reportedly asked Mr Kummanam to win two Lok Sabha seats, but he explained the hurdles towards achieving the goal. Mr Amit Shah was not happy and planned some drastic action. It may be recalled that three years ago when the BJP held its national executive meeting in Kozhikode, Mr Kummanam was entrusted with the task of winning 11 Lok Sabha seats. This was scaled down later. The BJP campaign in Chengannur had become lacklustre earlier. Thereafter, B.L. Santhosh, joint organising general secretary, took charge of the campaign along with Mr Ganesh and they hope to wrest a sizable number of votes from the CPM. Mr Kummanam was made the state president when groupism was at its worst. Though he could not bring in drastic changes, he managed to steer the party well, though the medical college scam dented the image of some leaders. On Saturday, Mr Kummanam spent most of the time at his sister's house at Thalavady in Alappuzha. Doctors and other staff in the casuality wing of the Ernakulam General Hospital wearing protective devices as a precautionary step in the wake of detection of Nipah virus in Kerala, on Tuesday. (Photo: SUNOJ NINAN MATHEW) KOZHIKODE: Mohammed Sabith of Perambra, the first victim of Nipah virus, had not visited Malaysia as alleged by some media reports which said that he had contracted the virus from Malaysia. His relatives have denied the rumours about his visit to Malaysia. The district collector had asked the Kozhikode rural police chief to probe the veracity of the reports. We are on it. Its not about Malaysia alone, but the different places Sabith had visited recently. No Malaysian link has been established till now, said SP G. Jaidev. But the police are yet to go through the passport of Sabith. Sabiths relatives produced his passport claiming that he had not visited Malaysia. Sabith along with his elder brother Salith had gone to Dubai in search of a job and returned six months back. They did not go to Malaysia and baseless charges are being spread about a family which lost four of its members, lamented K. Mohammadali, a relative. Police are also inquiring about the migrant labourers who helped Sabith and Salith to clean the wells of their house. Irrigation minister T. Harish Rao visits one of the survivors at the hospital on Saturday. Hyderabad: Irrigation minister T. Harish Rao, who was in Siddipet to attend official programmes, rushed to the accident spot and met the injured persons in the hospital, before they were shifted to Hyderabad. He announced Rs 5 lakh compensation for the families of each of the deceased. This is a very sad incident. I pray for the peace of the deceased persons and strength for their families. the minister said. Health minister Dr C. Laxma Reddy directed the health department to make arrangements to treat the injured persons. He ordered that the victims be shifted to Gandhi and Osmania hospitals and treatment provided. The Siddipet district medical and health officer personally escorted at least 20 persons to hospitals in the city, Additional beds and special teams were pressed into service to attend them at the hospital. Speaking to mediapersons Gandhi Hospital superintendent Dr Sravan said 17 persons including four kids are admitted at the hospital, of which two children and four others were in a critical condition. Staff and specialist doctors are on job and will monitor their condition during the night and necessary measures will be taken. said Dr Sravan. New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has ended the politics of appeasement and dynasty and casteism, and ushered in politics of development, BJP president Amit Shah said on Saturday as the BJP-led NDA government is celebrating its 4th anniversary. Addressing a press conference, Shah, lauded PM Modi and called him the most hardworking Prime Minister. BJP provided the most hardworking Prime Minister & the most popular leader in the world to the country, a PM who works for 15-18 hours a day. We are proud that this Prime Minister is a leader of BJP, Amit Shah said. Read: 4 yrs of BJP-led govt: Development has become mass movement, says PM The BJP president further listed the achievements of the NDA government. He said that with the 2016 surgical strikes conducted across the LoC, the government exhibited its political willingness to take on the country's adversaries. BJP considers war the last option. However, we have zero tolerance regarding safety of our borders. The most number of terrorists have been killed in BJP government, Shah added. Shah further said that the government has also resolved the long-pending issue of One Rank One Pension within a year of coming to power. Reacting to Congress president Rahul Gandhi's scorecard, Amit Shah said, 'What else do you expect from Rahul Gandhi? He is in the opposition, he has to do this. Wo thodi na hamare bakhan karenge (He wont praise us). We have presented facts and figures and anyone can challenge that. Also Read: Grade F for work, A+ for self promotion: Rahul Gandhi's report card for Modi govt When asked about the growing insecurities among partys allies and TDP breaking away from it, BJP chief said the family of ND is increasing TDP left but Nitish Ji came. 11 more parties became part of NDA after 2014. Family of NDA has increased, not decreased. Only Chandrababu Ji (Andhra Pradesh CM) left, he said. On question of severing ties between BJP and Shiv Sena in Maharashtra, Amit Shah said that the party wants to fight together in 2019 Lok Sabha polls "I repeat this, that we want Shivsena and BJP to fight together in 2019 elections," he said. However, when it was said that Shiv Sena doesnt want to contest together, he said "you should ask them" adding that still they are together in both centre and Maharashtra governments. In the recent days, Modi government is facing a major backlash from the opposition over rising fuel prices. However, Amit Shah assured that the government will find a long-term solution soon. He said, The current prices of petrol and diesel were the same during three years of Congress government. But they are fed up of these raised prices in only three days in our government. Government is thinking about that & will form a long-term solution for it. Shah also said that several measures such as the constitution of an SIT to curb black money were taken by the government. The black money issue was one of the main poll planks of the BJP during the 2014 election campaign. "Modi dispensation is sensitive and committed towards development of villages," he said, noting that while focusing on the rural areas, due emphasis was also given to urban areas. (With PTI inputs) Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy and Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara greet each other after their coalition government won the trust vote. (Photo: File/PTI) Bengaluru: Soon after Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy proved his three-day-old government's majority on the floor of the assembly, parleys began between coalition partners Congress and JD(S) on cabinet expansion in Karnataka. Within hours after the trust vote, Congress and JD(S) leaders, including Kumaraswamy, met at former Chief Minister and Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Siddaramaiah's residence on cabinet expansion, sources said. Among those who attended the meeting were Deputy Chief Minister and KPCC chief G Parameshwara, Congress General Secretary in-charge of Karnataka K C Venugopal and JD(S) leader H D Revanna. Both the coalition partners had earlier decided to discuss the cabinet expansion, after the trust vote. According to sources, Congress leaders are likely to fly to Delhi soon to discuss with the high-command the cabinet expansion and allocation of portfolios. Parameshwara had on Thursday said the coalition partners are yet to discuss the modalities on sharing of portfolios between both the parties, as also about Kumaraswamy continuing as chief minister for a full five year term. It has already been decided that Congress will have 22 ministers and JD(S) 12, in the new cabinet. With a growing number of aspirants for ministers posts in both parties, especially Congress, the leaders are up for a tough task. Senior Congress leader D K Shivakumar, who emerged as a key figure in keeping party MLAs together before the trust vote of BJP's Yeddyurappa government, is reportedly upset over not getting the Deputy Chief Minister's post. He is reportedly seeking a major portfolio along with the KPCC chief post, which Parameshwara is expected to vacate following his appointment as Deputy Chief Minister. Leaders of the coalition parties are also likely to decide on a coordination committee soon, and will form an empanelled group to formulate a common minimum programme for the smooth functioning of the government. Hyderabad: IT minister K.T. Rama Rao on Saturday said that people in Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra were asking for the benefits that Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao was extending to farmers in the state. He was speaking at a meeting where scores of ZPTCs, MPTC, sarpanches, councillors, ward members of other parties from Nalgonda district joined the Telangana Rashtra Samiti. Mr Rama Rao said, People in Maharashtra villages bordering Telangana state have submitted letters to our MPs and MLAs seeking merger with TS. Today I came to know that sarpanches of 40 villages in Maharashtra passed a unanimous resolution seeking merger and submitted it to their collectors and RDOs. Villagers say they are getting nothing from the Maharashtra government while farmers in TS are getting 24x7 free power supply, Rs 8,000 per acre per year, Rs 5 lakh free life insurance among others. He said the party was getting representations from farmers in some areas in AP requesting the TRS to start a unit there and promise all the sops being implemented in TS. They are offering to contest on behalf of the TRS and are confident of winning. This shows how the TRS governments schemes designed and implemented by KCR are attracting others. TPCC president Uttam Kumar Reddy listens to expelled MLA Komatireddy Venkata Reddy after a party meet at CLP leader K. Jana Reddys residence in Hyderabad on Tuesday. Congress leader Revanth Reddy too could be seen. (Photo: File/DC) Hyderabad: A possible electoral alliance between the Congress and the Telugu Desam in Telangana state is being opposed by the AP Congress, who say it will be suicidal of the party. AP Telugu Desam, too, is divided over the prospect of a Congress-TD tie-up in TS. Regarding an alliance with the TD in the state, TPCC president Uttam Kumar Reddy had recently said, Is there any hard and fast rule that the Congress should not forge an alliance with the TD? Telangana state TD president L. Ramana said there are no permanent enemies or friends in politics. Mr Ramana also spoke of an coalition government, strengthening speculation of a tie-up. Adding to this was TD president and AP Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu sharing the dais with UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and shaking hands with AICC president Rahul Gandhi in Bengaluru. Mr Naidu generally avoids sharing the dais with Congress leaders but made an exception during the swearing in ceremony of Mr H.D. Kumaraswamy as Karnataka Chief Minister. The Congress needs an alliance to defeat the TRS. The sentiments of local leaders apart, the Congress leadership will take a decision on electoral alliance. In AP, the TD requires a partner to take on the YSRC, and the BJP has become a rival. Here, the Congress is not in favour of tying up the TD. A senior AP Congress leader said if the high command asks them, they would oppose any alliance with the Telugu Desam. He said that the alliance with the TD would be like committing harakiri for the Congress in Andhra Pradesh. He said, "the chemistry of the TD and Congress alliance will not work in AP". Even in the Telugu Desam, not all leaders support an alliance with the Congress. Shabbir Ali, Leader of Opposition in the Council Hyderabad: AICC secretary R.C. Khuntia said that the Congress was the only alternative to the Telangana Rashtra Samiti in the state. He said the Congress would certainly come to power in the 2019 elections. Mr Shabbir Ali, Opposition leader in the Legislative Council, speaking to mediapersons, questioned Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao for his plan to float a Federal Front. When all political parties are coming together to protect secularism in the country, where has KCRs secular policy gone, Mr Shabbir Ali asked. He alleged that Mr Chandrasekhar Rao was a pseudo secular leader. He said that Mr Chandrasekhar Rao had not attended oath-taking ceremony of Janata Dal (Secular) leader H.D. Kumaraswamy as Karnataka Chief Minister last week because he had no guts to meet UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi. He said that Mr Chandrasekhar Rao sh-ivers in front of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP national president Amit Shah. Mr Shabbir Ali claimed that nationwide Mr Modi's graph was coming down. The Congress earlier in the day held a rally to protest the alleged failures of the Modi government. AICC Telangana state incharge R.C. Khuntia, TPCC president N. Uttam Kumar Reddy, CLP leader K. Jana Reddy, Leader of the Opposition in TS Legislative Council Mohammed Ali Shabbir and former TPCC president Ponnala Lakshmaiah releasing a booklet on India Betrayed against the Narendra Modi government at Gandhi Bhavan in the city on Saturday. (Photo: DC) Hyderabad: AICC secretary and Telangana state Congress incharge R.C. Khuntia alleged that the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre had failed on all fronts in the last four years. He alleged that the Modi government has betrayed the youth, students and farmers and all sections of society. Mr Khuntia was participating in a Viswas-ghaat Diwas programme conducted by the state Congress on the directions of the All India Congress Committee on the alleged failures of the Modi government. Mr Khuntia said the BJP must answer the questions posed by the Congress. He said that Mr Modi should reply on the suicide of farmers across the nation. He asked about Mr Modis 2014 election campaign promise of depositing Rs 15 lakh in the bank accounts of every poor person in the country. He asked why petrol and diesel were not included in the GST, and wanted to know why fuel prices were rising when crude oil prices had come down in the international market. He said Mr Modi had diluted social justice and betrayed all sections. He said that there was no protection to Dalits, women, tribals and minorities. He said the Congress would end Mr Modis rule under AICC president Rahul Gandhis leadership. Earlier Mr Khuntia participated in a rally conducted by the TPCC from Gandhi Bhavan to Nampally Chowrasta, where an effigy of Mr Modi was burnt. Mr Khuntia took a serious view of some party leaders who stayed back at Gandhi Bhavan and did not participate in the rally. Hyderabad Congress committee president Anjan Kumar Yadav, TS Youth Congress president Anil Kumar Yadav and others participated. Yesterday the Narendra Modi government completed four years in office. Over the past four years, in these very columns, I have assessed the performance of the NDA/BJP government every anniversary using the same set of benchmarks namely social cohesion, economic development, internal security, foreign policy and political stability. The time has now come to do a holistic assessment of the past 1,460 days. Social cohesion has undoubtedly been the single biggest casualty of this governments tenure. The collective ideological DNA of the Indian right wing has never been able to reconcile itself to the fact as to why the religious partition didnt reach its logical culmination. If an Islamic Pakistan was born out of that blood stained spectre, why not a Hindu Hindustan? In 2014, riding on the thinnest electoral base that any majority government has had since 1952, the right wingers set about attempting to rewrite the fundamental compact that underpins the Indian republic, that is, of a progressive, pluralist, inclusive and a liberal nation. Deploying a toxic cocktail of hyper-nationalism and totalitarianism reminiscent of the Nacht der langen Messer (night of the long knives) and Kristallnacht (night of the broken glass) and of the Nazi era, a spectre of terror and trepidation was unleashed on an ill-fated nation. A new language was invented whereby critiquing the BJP is tantamount to treason, criticising the government is equivalent to sedition and questioning the establishment is downright blasphemous. Prestigious institutions were labelled anti-national because some moronic students allegedly shouted imbecile slogans that earlier were never ever dignified with a response. Lynchings in the name of cow protection, for allegedly possessing beef, an oxymoron called love jihad, a faith reconversion programme labelled ghar wapsi, killings of inconvenient and progressive journalists, constriction of liberal spaces are instruments that have been clinically employed to send a straight message to all minorities and liberal recalcitrants among the majority that a de-facto majoritarian state is in existence. Fawning corporate media, especially North Korean elements of the broadcast media, gleefully lent their full-throated support to implement this noxious enterprise. The principal casualty of this ill-conceived communal polarisation has been economic development. What Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not realise is that social conflict and economic development are an anathema to each other. The real GDP growth over the past four years discounting the statistical jugglery brought about by the change of base year from 2004-05 to 2010-11 has averaged at a measly five per cent. The past three years have been the worst in terms of investments by domestic corporates into the Indian economy. There has been a flight of capital with thousands of high net worth individuals opting to become non-residents. Agrarian distress is at an all time high with peasant movements and agitations sweeping across most Indian states. The Tughlaqi demonetisation coupled with an irrational GST has wiped out the informal sector of the Indian economy. There has been no job creation. A government that promised eight crore new jobs in four years has not even created eight lakh new employment opportunities, forget jobs. According to the International Labour Organisation about 823,000 jobs had been created in the country till October 2017, most of it classified as vulnerable employment. Pakora economics has become the order of the day. The NDA/BJP government has enjoyed an unprecedented four years of very low crude oil prices. Despite that the government did not feel it appropriate to pass the benefit onto the common consumers but filled its coffers. Now with the crude oil prices hardening a wee bit but still in the low 70s ($72 for a barrel of crude oil), the government has jacked up petrol and diesel prices to extraordinary levels. The track record of the government on internal security is hardly inspiring. Nothing characterises it better than the mishandling of the Jammu and Kashmir situation. The inability of the Election Commission to even hold a parliamentary byelection in Anantnag now for over a year after postponing it indefinitely on May 12, 2017 is the most poignant admission of the inaptitude of the Indian security establishment. The blatant communalisation of the brutal rape and murder of an eight-year-old girl belonging to the nomadic Bakarwal community of Gujur Muslims has further undermined communal amity in the state. Perhaps sensitive to the reality that the Bakarwals have been Indias first line of defence even an otherwise obdurate Gen. V.K. Singh was constrained to tweet asking for justice for the little child. Elsewhere across the country the Naxal challenge has only intensified. The mythical Naga accord is yet to see the light of the day despite a highly secretive framework agreement signed by the Prime Minister and representatives of the largest insurgent group NSCN(IM) in August 2015. The ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan that came in effect on November 26, 2003 bringing relief to thousands of innocent villagers along the Line of Control, International Border and the Actual Ground Position Line has virtually been a dead letter since September 2014. Insofar as international relations are concerned, despite the Prime Minister touring the world incessantly making as many as 36 foreign trips and visiting 54 countries in four years, foreign policy is no better off. He unfortunately disrupted the equilibrium deftly and dexterously maintained by his predecessors between the great powers. As a consequence you saw a warming of Russia to Pakistan even at the height of the alleged surgical strikes and the worst stand off, in recent years, with China at Doklam. Even the United States has hardened its position on trade and visa issues. Europe has fallen off the map and Africa and South America do not seem to exist for this government. The neighbourhood is bending to the Chinese wind and Indias hegemony in its near abroad seems to be a thing of the past. The past four years have seen unprecedented assaults on federalism in the quest for an Opposition-mukt Bharat. As the run up to 2019 intensifies, the only question that India should ask itself is: Is this what we voted for in 2014? It now appears that Jammu & Kashmir chief secretary B.B. Vyas may get a third six-month extension. Mr Vyas was scheduled to retire in November last year but he has since been given an extension twice, each of three months. His extended term is scheduled to end this month-end. According to sources, based on J&K chief minister Mehbooba Muftis recommendation, the state government is consulting the Centre on keeping Mr Vyas, a 1986-batch Rajasthan cadre officer, in the saddle. Earlier, he served as principal secretary to governor N.N. Vohra, as well as three successive chief ministers Omar Abdullah, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed and Mehbooba Mufti. If Mr Vyas indeed gets to stay on, it would put paid to the claims of two IAS officers, B.R. Sharma and K.B. Agarwal, who are senior to him. Mr Sharma actually enjoyed a brief spell as chief secretary but was dramatically replaced by Mr Vyas, following which he proceeded on Central deputation. Mr Agarwal was recalled last year from Delhi where he served as principal resident commissioner of J&K government. Contrary to tradition, he agreed to a posting in the civil secretariat despite being senior to chief secretary Vyas. SC agrees with Centre The Supreme Court has upheld the decision taken by the Central government to scrap the limited competitive examination (LCE) recruitment for making appointments to the Indian Police Service (IPS). In 2012, the UPSC had invited applications for filling up posts in the IPS through LCE, and written tests and interviews were conducted but the results have not been announced till date. The amendment of the Indian Police Service (Recruitment) Amended Rules, 2011 introducing LCE in addition to the normal modes of recruitment, was challenged in a multitude of petitions filed in different high courts. The court agreed that if the Centre was compelled to make the appointments, it will lead to a plethora of litigations where those recruited to the IPS between 2013 and 2018 will claim seniority over the persons who appeared in the LCE. In January this year, the Central government stated before the court that it had taken a decision to scrap the LCE held in the year 2012, which was objected to by candidates who had appeared in the LCE. The three-judge bench comprising justice Madan, justice Kurian Joseph and justice Deepak Gupta then proceeded to decide whether the decision to scrap the LCE recruitment was justified. Babus fan out to villages The thin line between government and party often gets blurred in the nitty-gritty of politics. What was initially meant to be a work for the BJP workers is now the task of some 1,000 class 1 Central government officers who have been told to visit over 20,000 villages spread across 509 districts in 28 states by the government to spread the message about the work done by it on seven Central schemes, including the Gram Swaraj Abhiyan programme. The project kicked off last week, though the when and why of the switch in responsibility for spreading the message from party cadre to government babus has not been explained. Though their involvement may appear unwarranted, for these senior Central government officials there is no getting away from the programme as it would be closely monitored. According to a ministry note, daily targets would be set by every ministry and department. There would also be a dashboard/ portal for monitoring if these targets are met. Apparently, the plan was outlined in a letter sent by secretary, rural development, Amarjeet Sinha, addressed to chief secretaries of all states and Union territories and secretaries in the government of India among others. What does the gathering of the Opposition leaders in Bengaluru to celebrate the alliance of the Janata Dal(S) with the Congress signify? What is driving them to this unity and will this last for another 12 months when India goes to elections? Lets examine this. First take a look at the leaders who decided not to come to Bengaluru. Naveen Patnaik has his own faction of the Janata Dal in Odisha. In the 2014 Assembly elections, his party had got 43 per cent voteshare. The BJPs voteshare was 18 per cent and the Congress was 25 per cent. This explains why Mr Patnaik was not present. For him, the Congress is an equal threat as the BJP, if not bigger. This equation may change in future and it is easy to see why by next year, it will be the BJP that will be at Mr Patnaiks heels. But there is no need for him to close his options at the moment and hes doing the smart thing in waiting. He has allied with the BJP before. It makes no sense for him to link up with Rahul Gandhi now before the issue of 2019 is decided. In Telangana, the leader of the Opposition is a Congressman. It is likely that this will continue into the general election. The BJP is not the force in the state that the Congress is, and to some extent continues to be. Telangana Rashtra Samithi chief minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao did come to Bengaluru to meet the Gowdas but he did not join the unity rally for this reason. Now lets take a look at those people who came for unity rally. The electorate of Bihar is quite fragmented. In their defeat of the BJP in 2015, the former mahagathbandhan of Lalu Yadav, Nitish Kumar and the Congress secured over 40 per cent of the votes. The two Janata Dals, the main components of the alliance, got about the same voteshare. Nitishs Janata Dal(U) later went with the BJP while Lalus Janata Dal stayed with the Congress. No party can dominate Bihar on its own and so it makes sense for the two Janata Dals to stay inside alliances. The Nitish-BJP alliance is stronger on paper and there is no option for the Lalu Yadav family but to look for help elsewhere. This explains their enthusiasm for nationwide unity against the BJP. In Uttar Pradesh, in the last Assembly elections, the votes were split in the following way. The BJP had 41 per cent voteshare, SP 28 per cent and BSP 22 per cent voteshare. The SP won a majority in 2012 with 29 per cent voteshare and so it has held on to it. Its just that after Narendra Modi moved to the Centre, the BJP has become much bigger in the state. Mayawati and the Yadavs compete mainly for power in the state. They are lucky that there is no Assembly election in 2019. This makes it easier for them to attempt unity against the BJP, a unity that will most likely collapse when it comes to sharing power in the state. But for now their OBC-Muslim-dalit alliance looks powerful. Vote transfers, of course, do not work in such a simple fashion. Psephologist Dorab Sopariwala has long said that coalitions in India work because coalitions are also coalitions of caste. But many of these parties have become desperate and do not want to spend decades in the Opposition. In Bengal, which has 42 Lok Sabha seats, the Left has collapsed and the Congress has been made irrelevant. The BJP has become the Opposition and TMC leader Mamata Banerjee has no problem joining an alliance that opposes Mr Modi. In Maharashtra, like in Bengal, the Congress split but NCP leader Sharad Pawar has not been able to dominate the party entirely as Ms Banerjee has. The coming together of the NCP and the Congress could be problematic for the BJP. The BJP votebank is not as solid in Maharashtra as it is in northern India. The party got only 27 per cent of the total votes in the last Assembly (it did not contest all seats) but came close to a majority. The other three parties, including the Shiv Sena, all got about 18 per cent each. After two decades of uneasy partnerships, produced mainly because ideologically they are almost identical, the NCP and the Congress are likely to fight 2019 together without a problem. In Andhra Pradesh, the principal Opposition is YSR Congress Party led by Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy. Like in Bengal, the Congress has been taken over by a charismatic local leader and its infrastructure and leadership has been captured. For TDP leader chief minister Chandrababu Naidu it makes sense to keep his options open because his local threat is not only from the BJP. The BJP strategy will be to make sure it does not antagonise those parties that are not a part of this alliance, like the Tamilian parties especially, who will be open to a post-poll alliance. For the Congress, it has become necessary to make alliances but this is not easy to deliver at the local level. A recent poll showed that the Congress was ahead of the BJP in Rajasthan and, more surprisingly, Madhya Pradesh, a state the BJP has governed for 15 straight years. In MP, the BSP won only four seats in 2013 (down 3) but it held on to over 6 per cent of the votes. An alliance with that party will not be easy to drive for the Congress central leadership here because the state leaders will be reluctant to concede too much in a time when they sense victory. But an alliance with the BSP in MP could stop the BJPs unbeaten run before it touches two full decades. It will take great maturity from the Gandhis to be able to pull such alliances off. But if they do it, 2019 will be a very interesting election for all of us to observe, no matter which party we support. Croatia is by no means a large country but it has so much to offer that it is only fair to explore it as slowly as one can. Roughly divided between continental Croatia and the Adriatic Coast, the most spectacular parts of the country are on Dalmatia. Dalmatia is a narrow belt of the east shore of the Adriatic Sea, stretching from island of Rab in the north to the Bay of Kotor in the south. Seventy-nine islands (and about 500 islets) run parallel to the coast, the largest is in Dalmatia, Pag and Hvar. The largest city is Split, followed by Zadar, Dubrovnik and Sibenik. Bound by the stunning Adriatic Sea on one side, and the Dinaric mountains on the other, this area has everything you can possibly ask for on a holiday: gorgeous beaches, towns with a very rich history going back to the Roman times, great nightlife, and stunning fresh seafood. Krka National Park. It is hard to talk about the Adriatic Coast in Croatia and not start with Dubrovnik or Ragusa as it was called in antiquity. The city was a long standing rival of Venice when City States ruled the roost in Medieval and pre-Renaissance Europe. The Pile Gate is the traditional entry point to this city that retains its heritage. If you happen to be a fan of the TV adaption of George R.R. Martins Game of Thrones, you would know that Kings Landing is Dubrovnik with just a few cosmetic changes. Walking the walls of Dubrovnik is the essential activity when in the city. If you like physical activity, I would advise you to go for a sea kayaking tour in a three-hour journey around Lokrum island. Its a great way to workout while exploring your destination from a totally different perspective. You can drive up the coast from Dubrovnik and stop by Makarska. Makarska Street. Travellers often overlook Makarska, and head straight for the islands, but the Makarska Riviera on the mainland coast, between Split and Dubrovnik, is home to some of the countrys loveliest beaches. Running from Brela in the north to Gradac in the south, the Riviera is 38 miles long and centres on Makarska. Makarska itself is built around a deep sheltered bay, and backed by the dramatic rocky heights of Mount Biokovo. Biokovos sea-facing slopes are crisscrossed by well-marked trails, so besides swimming in the deep turquoise Adriatic, its possible to get in some hiking or mountain biking as well. Sibenik Cathedral. Up the coast from Makarska is Split the second-largest city of Croatia and the largest city of the region of Dalmatia. Home to Diocletians Palace, built for the Roman emperor in 305 CE, the city was founded as the Greek colony of Aspalathos. It became a prominent settlement around 650 CE when it succeeded the ancient capital of the Roman province of Dalmatia, Salona. While the Old Town is not huge, the Diocletians Palace itself is impressive and the streets around it seem straight out a medieval movie. Well, to be clear, the whole old town is part of the Palace, so were technically talking about a huge fortress here. If possible, allow yourself to sit on the staircase in the Peristil (the main square) and take it all in. Where else can you have a drink or a meal completely surrounded by Roman ruins?! Sibenik Market Place No trip to Croatia is complete without exploring one of its 1,000 islands, offering a wide range of experiences. Choosing which island to visit, highly depends on your travel goals: if you seek clubbing and drinking, head to Hvar, known as the fashionable and party island. If you are more interested in watersports, Brac is a great choice for parasailing and windsurfing. You will not want to miss the Zlatni Rat beach, as well as other stunning coves and bays in the island. For organic food and drinks (including wines), head to Vis or Korcula. The Kornati or Mljet archipelagos are best known for their unspoiled nature. If you keep traveling up the coast from Split after visiting the islands, you will get to Sibenik. While Dubrovnik and Split have become well-known tourism destinations, other pearls of Croatias beautiful Dalmatian Coast remain off all but the most-intrepid travellers radars. One such secret is Sibenik. How many cities do you know of that boast not one but two UNESCO World Heritage Sites, The Cathedral of St. James and the fortress of St. Nicholas, both Game of Thrones locations. Diocletian Palace Northern Wall Less than 15 km away from Sibenik is the Krka National Park. It is one of the major national parks in Croatia. It hosts unchanged natural views, lots of hiking trails and an impressive set of waterfalls. Krka is also more interactive: you can actually swim in the (cold) waters near the main waterfalls! For us the last stop on this coastal journey was Zadar. It is a city on Croatias Dalmatian coast, is known for the Roman and Venetian ruins of its peninsular old town. There are several Venetian gates in the city walls. Surrounding the Roman-era Forum is 11th-century St. Marys Convent, with art dating to the 8th century. Theres also the 12th-century St. Anastasias Cathedral and the round, 9th-century pre-Romanesque Church of St. Donatus. On the western end of the coastline of Zadar (Riva), youll find the Sea Organ (Morske orgulje). Its an unusual seaside audio installation shaped into the form of several marble steps that descend into the Adriatic. Just a few steps away, the Sun Salutation installation is a circle of LEDs and photovoltaic cells that come alive at night to create the most colorful sunset. These two experiences make Zadar worth a visit like the rest of Dalmatia. Transporting equipment for a production line by air is costly and hardly ever done in the automotive industry. Tesla Inc has flown six planes full of robots and equipment from Europe to California in an unusual, high-stakes effort to speed up battery production for its Model 3 electric sedan, people familiar with the matter told Reuters this week. Transporting equipment for a production line by air is costly and hardly ever done in the automotive industry, and the move underscores Tesla Chief Executive Elon Musks urgency to get a grip on manufacturing problems that have hobbled the launch of the high-volume Model 3 and pushed Teslas finances deep into the red. As usual with Tesla, everything is being done in a massive hurry and money seems to be no obstacle, said one of the two sources. Tesla on Friday declined to comment on whether it has shipped in any new production equipment from Europe. Investors are closely watching Tesla and its high-profile, often brash CEO to see if the upstart electric vehicle maker can pull off high-volume production of the Model 3, a car with the potential to catapult the niche automaker to a mass producer and assure its financial stability. But manufacturing missteps have led Tesla to repeatedly miss production targets for the sedan, and raised doubts about Musks promises that the company will stop burning cash by the third quarter of this year. Tesla had free cash flow of negative $1 billion in the first quarter, and earlier this month disclosed that it could offer its Fremont, California, vehicle assembly plant as collateral for debt. Engineers from Teslas German engineering arm, Grohmann, are now reworking the battery production line at the Gigafactory near Reno, Nevada, in a bid to free up bottlenecks, the person said. The line will become more automated gradually over time, added the source, who was not authorized to speak for attribution. Musk first disclosed plans for this line on a conference call with analysts in November, after complaining of problems with an original line built by a subcontractor. Musk has told investors the new battery production line will help the carmaker achieve a quantum leap in productivity. The company has noted, however, that it will still be able to reach its target of building 5,000 Model 3s per week by June without the addition of the new line. But Teslas lack of consistency in its factories has undercut Musks production promises in the past. Under time pressure to fix problems, Musk has now insisted the new production line should be a no-expenses-spared effort, the source said. That led to the decision to airlift the new production equipment to the United States from Europe, a step carmakers usually avoid by planning production equipment installations months or years ahead of a production launch. The shipments of new equipment began arriving in Reno this week, the two sources told Reuters. It is not clear when the new production system will be ready to start running. Robots frequently need to be recalibrated to adjust for minimal differences in the quality of raw materials they are working with or temperature and humidity differences. Steps to test the quality of materials and recalibrate robots have proven to be a bottleneck that Tesla managers had underestimated, the first source said. Musk has repeatedly complained of manufacturing hell trying to ramp up the Model 3, which began production, albeit slowly, last July. In February, Musk said the main bottleneck was still its battery module production, saying Tesla had become a little overconfident, a little complacent in its ability to execute. The Gigafactorys battery production is divided into four zones, two of which have experienced problems. Responsibility for two of these zones was originally delegated to subcontractors specialized in integrating complex systems, Musk said. We were promised they would work, and it just didnt work, Musk said during a February conference call. A new design for an automated system for those zones was nearing completion, Musk said in November, adding that Grohmann was working on the issue and making very rapid progress. One of the problems, both at the Gigafactory and at Teslas Fremont vehicle manufacturing factory, has been the interface between Tesla and the subcontractors it hires. Sources have told Reuters of communication problems and high managerial turnover, which complicate the execution of big projects. Musk said in early May he planned to rid the company of barnacles contractors and subcontractors saying Teslas reliance on them had become out of control. Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter. With the 2018 midterm elections on the horizon, Trump has gone out of his way to poke Democrats. (Photo: File | AP) Washington: President Donald Trump on Friday accused Democrats of "rooting against" upcoming nuclear talks with North Korea, and said his political opponents were trying to coddle gang members. With the 2018 midterm elections on the horizon, Trump has gone out of his way to poke Democrats. On Friday, he lumped his grievances against them into a tweet: "Democrats are so obviously rooting against us in our negotiations with North Korea. Just like they are coming to the defense of MS 13 thugs, saying that they are individuals & must be nurtured, or asking to end your big Tax Cuts & raise your taxes instead. Dems have lost touch!" The final results of Friday's referendum showed 66.4 percent voted for removing the constitutional ban, while 33.6 voted against. (Photo: AFP) DUBLIN: Ireland voted by a landslide to ditch its strict abortion laws in a landmark referendum hailed by Prime Minister Leo Varadkar on Saturday as a "quiet revolution", triggering scenes of jubilation in Dublin. Final results showed more than 66 percent of voters in what has been a traditionally staunchly Catholic country backed repealing the constitutional ban on terminations. Hugging, celebrating, singing and cheering wildly, thousands crammed into the courtyard of Dublin Castle, where the official result was declared, chanting "Yes! Yes! Yes!" "Wonderful, wonderful, today is wonderful!" said Eileen Shields, wearing a sticker reading "We made history". She said she was ostracised by her friends and the Church when she got pregnant outside of marriage as a teenager 46 years ago. "I'm here because I'm 65 and in 1972 Ireland wasn't a nice place to be when you were 18 and pregnant and on your own," she told AFP. Wearing "Repeal" tops and "Yes" badges, the crowds celebrated as the verdict was announced, waving Irish flags and placards reading "Thank you", with love hearts on. At Dublin's RDS count centre, 40-year-old nurse Ruth Bowie wept at the results. She told AFP: "I had to leave my country to get the healthcare that I needed when I was told that my baby wouldn't survive outside the womb and I've told my story over and over again just in the hope that this day would come -- and it's finally come." The final results of Friday's referendum showed 66.4 percent voted for removing the constitutional ban, while 33.6 voted against. The turnout was 64 percent. Among the 40 constituencies, the pro-choice vote peaked at 78 percent in Dublin Bay South, while rural Donegal was the only one to vote against abortion, by 52 percent. "A quiet revolution has taken place, a great act of democracy," Varadkar tweeted. He told cheering crowds at Dublin Castle: "The people have spoken. "They are saying this is a country where we trust women and respect their choices. "Thank you so much for making today possible." His government proposes allowing abortion in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy and between 12 and 24 weeks in exceptional circumstances. Varadkar said he wanted the law in force by the end of the year and Health Minister Simon Harris told AFP that the cabinet would meet on Tuesday to approve the drafting of legislation. - Crumbling church influence - The referendum comes three months before a visit to Ireland by Pope Francis for the World Meeting of Families. The result is another hammer blow to the Roman Catholic Church's authority in Ireland, coming three years after referendum voters backed legalising same-sex marriage by 62 percent. Roscommon-Galway, the only constituency to reject same-sex marriage, voted for change this time by 57 percent. The Church's influence has crumbled in recent years, triggered by a series of child sex abuse scandals. An exit poll for The Irish Times newspaper suggested 70 percent of women and 65 percent of men voted to overturn the ban. People over 65 voted 60 percent against. However, all other age groups backed the proposal, with support at 87 percent among voters aged 18 to 24. Ailbhe Smyth, 71, co-director of the official Together for Yes campaign, said real-life testimonies from women affected by the law had helped swing the vote. "The stories, the experiences, women's voices, women's and couples, it was a central part of our strategy," she told reporters. The Love Both official pro-life campaign said regardless of the result, "our work will continue to protect unborn babies and their mothers". "Our campaign does not end with the referendum, but when the government properly supports the mother and child," it said. Abortion is still banned in some 20 countries worldwide, while others have highly restrictive laws in place. In the European Union, predominantly Catholic Malta is the only country with a total ban. 170,000 terminations abroad Ireland introduced a constitutional ban on abortion following a 1983 referendum. Terminating a pregnancy carries a 14-year maximum jail term. The law was tweaked in 2013 to allow terminations if the mother's life is at risk. The ban has led to thousands of women travelling each year to neighbouring Britain, where terminations are legal, or increasingly turning to abortion pills sold online. Since 1983, around 170,000 Irish women have gone abroad for terminations. "It's mad that there would have been people flying in to vote and a number of women in that airport waiting to leave to go and have an abortion," said art director Aoife Murray, 27, who said the referendum outcome left her in tears of relief. In the UK, abortion is legal on the British mainland, but remains outlawed in Northern Ireland. Sinn Fein's party leaders from both sides of the border held up a placard at Dublin Castle reading: "The North is next". With Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy winning the floor test in the Legislative Assembly on Friday, the ministry formation exercise gained momentum as the coalition partners parleyed on the distribution of key portfolios. Kumaraswamy, his brother-JD(S) leader H D Revanna, former chief minister Siddaramaiah, AICC general secretary in-charge of Karnataka K C Venugopal and Deputy Chief Minister and KPCC president G Parameshwara huddled after the alliance partners won the floor test. Sources in the JD(S) said the party leaders have sought five key portfolios - Finance, Revenue, Water Resources, PWD and Energy. But Congress leaders did not affirm anything in this regard. Kumaraswamy is also said to have told the Congress delegation that the list of probable JD(S) ministers was ready and that the expansion of the council of ministers could be done on Monday. On their part, Congress leaders told him that they would discuss with the high command before taking the final decision on the distribution of portfolios and the date of ministry expansion. Congress leaders are unlikely to go to Delhi to meet the party top brass on Saturday. They may go either on Sunday or after the Rajarajeshwari Nagar constituency poll scheduled on May 28. H D Revanna, G T Deve Gowda, Basavaraj Horatti, C S Puttaraju, Bandeppa Kashempur, A H Vishwanath are among JD(S) leaders who are tipped to make into the council of ministers. R V Deshpande, Shamnur Shivashankarappa, Ramalinga Reddy, K J George, S R Patil, H K Patil, Priyank Kharge, Laxmi Hebbalkar and Roopa Shashidhar are among the prominent Congress leaders whose names are making rounds. The alliance partners have already decided to share the ministerial berths at a 22: 12 ratio. The council of ministers comprises 34 members, including the chief minister. The plan is to expand the council of ministers sometime next week. While the Congress wants to strike a balance between old and young leaders, the party is said to be struggling to decide on accommodating Muslims in the council of ministers. While UT Khader is the only Congress MLA left in the Dakshina Kannada region, other Muslim leaders such as R Roshan Baig, Rahim Khan, Tanveer Sait and Zameer Ahmed Khan are seeking berths. Brisk campaigning at the Rajarajeshwari Nagar constituency came to an end on Saturday, with the polling scheduled for Monday. Top leaders of all political parties campaigned in the constituency in support of their candidates. Senior Congress leader D K Shivakumar had asked the leadership of ally JD(S) to ask its workers to support Congress candidate Munirathna. "The Congress party has made a big sacrifice in forming the coalition government (in the state) and the JD(S) should acknowledge that by supporting our candidate," Shivakumar said. The request is made since the JD(S), which already fielded its candidate in the constituency, cannot withdraw his name at the late stage, Shivakumar explained. But JD(S) supremo H D Deve Gowda clarified that the coalition is limited only to the government formation in the state. On the campaign trail, Gowda said it is his responsibility to ensure a victory for the JD(S) candidate and refused to support Munirathna. On the discovery of voter IDs in an apartment in RR Nagar in which the police have named Munirathna as an accused Gowda said the Election Commission is well aware of what the Congress candidate has done. Prajwal Revanna, who accompanied his grandfather on the campaign trail, said: "If he (Gowda) speaks here, they will all say that it is a party of grandfather and grandson." Sources said talks between the two parties broke down after the Congress shot down the JD(S)' request to let its candidate win the Rajarajeshwari Nagar constituency and, in turn, it would help the Congress win Jayanagar. Opposition leader B S Yeddyurappa held two roadshows in RR Nagar in support of the BJP candidate, Tulasi Muniraju Gowda P M, while Union minister D V Sadananda Gowda also campaigned for the candidate. Election to the RR Nagar constituency was deferred when Election Commission officials raided an apartment and confiscated more than 10,000 voter ID cards. Munirathna was named as one of the accused in a case filed on the incident. He was later granted bail. The Jalahalli police, who are handling the case, said it is up to the Election Commission to decide if the ongoing investigations will have a bearing on the elections. "Election-related offences will invite Rs 250 or, at the most, Rs 25,000 penalty (if convicted). There is no imprisonment for these offences," the police said. BU postpones exams The Bangalore University has postponed the exams scheduled on May 28 and June 11 due to the byelections to the Rajarajeshwarinagar and Jayanagar Assembly constituencies, respectively, on the two days. The varsity's second and sixth semester exams, scheduled on May 28, has been pushed, respectively, to June 13 and June 7. The second semester exam, scheduled for June 11, has been deferred to June 14. Six Indian Navy women, all in their 20s, travelled around the world in 254 days in a sail boat to become the worlds first military womans team to achieve the feat. They sailed for 199 days on the sea and spent the remaining days at five ports Fremantle (Australia), Lyttleton (New Zealand), Port Stanley (Falklands), Cape Town (South Africa) and Mauritius. INSV Tarini sailed over 21,600 nautical miles across four continents and three oceans, passed three Great Capes and crossed the Equator twice in eight months. Talking to Kalyan Ray of DH, Team Tarini comprising Lieutenant Commander Vartika Joshi (skipper), Pratibha Jamwal and Swati P and Lt. Aishwarya Boddapati, S Vijaya Devi and Payal Gupta shared its experience. Excerpts: Tell us about the training that you undertook before the voyage Vartika: Training started three years ago. As our normal duties are on the shore, we learnt about basic boat handling, seamanship, communication, navigation and weather prediction in naval schools at Kochi. We had hands-on training on INSV Madhei (another Indian Navy sail boat). We learnt the specifics when we took the boat around the Indian peninsula, to Mauritius and Cape Town. We did extensive trial sorties in Mauritius and Porbandar. Aishwarya: We were also trained by Capt. Dilip Dhonde, the first Indian Navy officer to circumnavigate the globe. We had a collective experience of sailing 20,000 nautical miles before this voyage. You started off in September 2017, and the first milestone came on November 10 when you sailed past Cape Leeuwin. How did you feel? Vartika: It felt fantastic as it was first of the three Great Capes to cross. We baked a cake to celebrate the milestone. Did you encounter storms in the Pacific? Vartika: We faced one storm in the southern Pacific after crossing the Cape Horn. We knew almost seven days in advance that the storm was coming. It had a wind speed of around 120 kmph with waves 8-10 metres high. What is generally seen in the movies, we experienced live. The temperature fell below zero degree Celsius and there was hailstorm. The storm lasted for 18-19 hours. We somehow managed to steer the boat towards safety. Vijaya: The giant waves were breaking on the deck. The person behind the wheel would have been swept off had she not been tied to the boat by a harness. Aishwarya: I had cold burns and couldnt feel my fingers. It was Dhonde sir, who told me to put my fingers in hot water in the morning and before going to bed. He told me if I didnt follow his advice, I would be sent back home from the next port. How did you manage the rations and the water? Aishwarya: From the ports, we stocked fresh rations in such a way that they would last longer, such as buying half-ripe fruits. The longest leg at sea was 43 days and vegetables wouldnt last for more than 20 days. For the rest, we were dependent on dried and canned food. We also had multivitamins and supplements. Swati: For drinking water, we had a 600-litre tank. We also had a reverse osmosis plant that converted sea water into fresh water. We used that for cleaning and cooking. How big was the resting cabin? Swati: It is a 5m by 5m space in which we had two bunk beds, but most of the time only one was usable as the boat mostly tilted to one side. So, some of us slept on the floor. We had a small galley with the gas oven, a navigation table and another table that served as our workshop. While sleeping, we had to tie ourselves with a lee-cloth (a strap). We could manage 3-4 hours of sleep in a day. How did you cook in the boat? Swati: While cooking, I had to strap myself to a harness. Also, the cooking utensils had to be clamped on either side. You had one accident during the voyage. Vartika: Yes, that happened in the last leg. We were 300 km from Mauritius and 4,000 km from India when our steering system failed. The lower portion of the radar was displaced and all the equipment attached to it went down. As a result, we didnt have any steerage and could not move the boat forward. It was a tough situation. We reached Mauritius three days behind schedule and had to undertake an emergency repair. Did you feel scared at any point of time? Aishwarya: In the ocean, if you are not scared, you will feel overconfident and then you stop learning and stop improving. The sea is so unpredictable that you always have some amount of fear. It helps you prepare mentally. How did you spend your time on the boat? Aishwarya: Our day was divided into watches. Two people would took care of the boat every four hours on rotation. When I was on watch outside, my job was to look for approaching clouds and adjust the sails. If the force of the wind was increasing, I reduced the area of sail so that the wind did not overpower the boat. The four people inside the boat would take care of routine jobs like maintenance, plumbing, cleaning, cooking, mechanical and electrical works. Is there a book coming up? Aishwarya: A book is in the pipeline. We have started collating data. It will take us some time to recollect the voyage, bring it all together and put it up in a written format. But we will certainly come up with a book. A day after Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy won the trust vote in the state Assembly, Karnataka Congress leaders on Saturday left for Delhi to discuss with the party high command the issues of Cabinet expansion and allocation of portfolios. The leaders, including Deputy Chief Minister and KPCC chief G Parameshwara, former chief minister Siddaramaiah and D K Shivakumar, are expected to hold discussions with Congress president Rahul Gandhi and his mother Sonia Gandhi. "All discussions will happen in Delhi... Cabinet expansion, who has to be taken, who has to be given priority...the criteria will be decided by the high command," Parameshwara told reporters here before leaving for Delhi by a special flight. Soon after Kumaraswamy, heading the Congress-JDS government, proved majority in the Assembly, parleys began between the coalition partners regarding Cabinet expansion. According to party sources, another round of meeting took place on the issue at a private hotel here today. Among those who attended the meeting included Kumaraswamy, Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Siddaramaiah, Parameshwara and Congress general secretary in-charge of Karnataka K C Venugopal. It has already been decided that the Congress would have 22 ministers and JDS 12. Senior state Congress leader D K Shivakumar, who emerged as a key figure in keeping the party MLAs together before the trust vote of the B S Yeddyurappa government, is reportedly upset over not getting the Deputy chief minister's post. Yeddyurappa, who was sworn in as the chief minister on May 17, had stepped down two days later in the face of impending defeat without going through the floor test. Indicating that he will step down as the state party chief, Parameshwara said there are many capable leaders in the Congress for the post. "As I have become a minister, naturally I will have to give up the state party chief's post. I have held the post for about eight years now. There are many leaders in the party who are more efficient than me...They may organise the party even better if given an opportunity," he said. Discussions are also likely on a coordination committee for formulating a common minimum programme for the smooth functioning of the government, Congress sources said. The Kumaraswamy government had yesterday won the vote of confidence in the Assembly amid a walkout by BJP MLAs. Memorial Day weekend can lead to an interesting intersection of the past, present and future. Visiting cemeteries and reflecting on the lives of heroic military or family members who have died leads to the question, How did they do that? Our questions of how should lead us to the more compelling and instructive question, Why did they do that? Understanding the why is key to learning from the past, living purposefully in the present and preparing for a bright future. Years ago I was on the island of Penang in Malaysia to speak to a group of banking executives. With part of the following day to myself, I decided to climb a nearby hill early in the morning, hoping to be on the summit in time to watch the sunrise. I began my climb in the dark and slowly made my way up the trail. I was soon joined by two monkeys who seemed happy to lead the way. Eventually, after a long hike in the darkness, I arrived at the top of the mountain just as the sun began to emerge. It was a spectacular view. The island and blue ocean gleaming in the morning rays were a singular and stunning sight that is still vivid in my mind. After enjoying the majestic scene, I reluctantly made my way back down the mountain to the work that needed to be done. While some of my colleagues questioned my getting up that early to climb the mountain, nothing could erase the memory of what I saw higher up. When I went into my hotel room later that night, I found that the hotel staff had left a note, along with a chocolate, on my pillow. The note included this poem, "Why Climb?" What is above knows what is below What is below does not know what is above One climbs One sees One may descend and see no longer But one has seen! There is an art to conducting ones self in the lower regions of life, by the memory of what one saw Higher Up! The individuals we celebrate each Memorial Day understood why it is always worth it to climb and do hard things, to sacrifice and serve, to defend and protect, to lift others and live heroically. Why work so hard? Why give so much? Why pursue such lofty dreams? Why sacrifice so much for family or community? To the person who has seen the view from higher up, there is no question as to why. When we understand the why, the effort and commitment to climb to higher heights becomes a simple choice. Another mountaintop, Matterhorn, has summoned hikers from around the globe to attempt to reach the peak. It is a difficult climb, and many have perished in their attempt over the years. Author Becky Thomas described a visit to the stunning village of Zermatt, which is nestled high in the mountain. No cars are allowed in the village, so you either hike or helicopter in. Thomas told of the old custom that hikers attempting to scale the Matterhorn had to sign a release stating that if they died in their climb, they agreed to be buried in the mountain village of Zermatt. Later, walking through the tiny Zermatt cemetery, she came upon the headstones of some of the unfortunate climbers who had perished in their pursuit of the legendary peak. There wasnt a sadness, but a confident, energetic power there. One headstone captured the feeling best as the words chiseled in granite boldly stated, I Chose to Climb! Far too many live their lives just straggling in the foothills and off of the peaks and mountaintops in the adventure of individual excellence and meaningful service. Choosing to climb makes all the difference in life. Whether the way looks easy or difficult choose to climb! Whether your goal seems near or far choose to climb! Whether the path becomes rocky or rugged choose to climb! Whether you become weary and discouraged choose to climb! Whether you lose all hope and wonder if it will be worth it choose to climb! Whether you have to stand up, stand apart or even stand alone choose to climb! As we celebrate and honor those great souls of the past who chose to climb and had a clear vision from higher up, we should also commit to pursue the opportunities of our day with such passion and zeal that when our final chapters are written, we too will be able to boldly declare, I chose to climb! The view from higher up is always worth the climb. When Avon Middle School North in Avon, Indiana, held a fundraiser for a local food pantry, seventh-grade student Brecken Hayes decided to donate $450 from his savings to the cause, WTHR reported. Thursday morning, Brecken and a classmate presented a check for a little over $1,000 in student donations to the Mary Lee Maier Community Pantry, which provides food to struggling students in the area and their families. Brecken told WTHR the things he would spend the money on for himself are wants, not needs. People need food and water to live, and they dont have that, Brecken said. I already have it, so I dont want to be greedy. Avon Middle School Norths donation is not the first gesture of support the community has offered the food pantry. Last year, the pantrys shelves were left bare just before fall break, but after a call for donations they were helped with more than seven pallets of food and supplies. Read or watch the full story here. SALT LAKE CITY Many memorable moments happen during a person's senior year. But for Quinci Wyatt, what happened right before that has forever changed her life. The now-18-year-old was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in August and had to let go of a lot of her high school dreams. Despite not being able to attend classes, she was determined, however, to graduate on time and with her class. "She's fought very hard," said Liz Felt, a teacher at Primary Children's Hospital School Zone who is assigned to help cancer patients. "There were a lot of times I knew she didn't feel well enough to do the work and she did it. She pushed through." Quinci Wyatt sees graduation as a normal thing teenagers do, and, with a new zest for life, she's excited to be able to do it. "My advice to other high schoolers would be to not make such a big deal about little, trivial things. You don't realize how little they matter until you have to go through something like this," she said, adding that she was grateful to have the energy to complete her coursework required for graduation and would have given anything just to be able to go to class. "I feel like I got all the high school without the fun because of cancer," she said. Kids with cancer definitely don't live a normal life, Felt said, including being taken away from normal school environments depending on their treatment plan. And because chemotherapy can compromise a person's immune system, students with cancer sometimes have to be home-schooled. Treatment plans and various appointments can also mess with a typical school schedule. Felt coordinates with the patient's teachers at school and then spends time with students each week to help them accomplish assignments and stay on track with their peers. "I think education is one of the most important tools we can give anybody," she said. "It gives them the opportunity to continue in their school work and still fulfill their role as a student." Of course, focusing on health is a priority at the hospital, but it's also good to help keep patients' brains active and remind them of life outside of the hospital, Felt said. Home schooling hasn't been a bad thing, though, especially for Quinci Wyatt's mom. "I can't say I haven't enjoyed it," Marni Wyatt said. "Usually when your child is a senior in high school, they're just getting ready to be away from you. It hasn't been that way this time." She said that while it is "every parent's worst nightmare," cancer has brought them closer. "She's a really strong girl, a lot stronger than she'd ever guess she was," Marni Wyatt said. "There's nothing in the future that can come up that can stop her. She'll always be able to look back and say, 'I can handle that.'" Soon after the diagnosis, Quinci Wyatt had a pulmonary embolism and had part of a lung removed in surgery. Then she dealt with some adverse reactions to some of the heavy-hitting cancer medications she was taking. It was about four months of feeling awful. "The worst," she said. "It was terrible." The intensive chemotherapy resulted in nerve damage in her feet. She also walks on her toes to avoid the pain of really tight muscles in her legs. And, she has fond memories of her once very long, blond hair. "I'm just ready to move forward and not let it consume my whole life," Quinci Wyatt said. Her mother would say that she is "better off" having gone through it all, though, because it taught her what she is capable of. "Cancer sucks. Cancer is brutal," Felt said. "It has the potential to take a lot away physically and mentally. It's a disease that doesn't play favorites, either." But just like with Quinci Wyatt, Felt said a lot can be gained from the experience as well. "She just has this perspective on life that is really unique," Felt said about Quinci Wyatt. "She has the ability to laugh at herself and to roll with the punches. She's resilient. She's just warm. She's someone you want to spend time with." Felt spends about an hour each week with cancer patients at Primary Children's. Sometimes she needs additional help with certain subjects and is able to enlist the help of volunteer tutors. "Some things are hard to do without a teacher," said Kristi McMurtrey, a math teacher at Olympus and Granger high schools in the Granite School District. She has been volunteering her tutor services at the hospital for about three years and said she will continue to do so as long as time allows. "Just knowing that I'm helping somebody in a way that I know they can't help themselves, even if they wanted to, is satisfying," McMurtrey said. Helping patients focus on their goals and on the future, she said, helps to normalize their experience. "No matter what, they're just a kid working on their math," she said. "It puts them back in the same arena as every other kid." Marni Wyatt said Quinci wouldn't have had the motivation to graduate without help from the hospital's School Zone program. It kept her going during the times she had to stay in the hospital for more than a month at the beginning of her treatment. The relationship formed with the young cancer patients also symbiotically helps the teachers. "I often run into kids there who are looking on the bright side no matter what they're dealing with," McMurtrey said. She enjoys seeing kids work hard to do hard things. A year ago, Quinci Wyatt might have thought her senior year would have been the hardest thing she had yet to accomplish. Never would she have believed she would conquer her cancer in the same amount of time and still graduate. "I'm so proud of her for the work and persistence and for not giving up," Felt said. "She had every reason to." And while she's there to be the teacher, Felt said she also does a fair amount of learning as she watches young patients and their families deal with such difficult circumstances. "So many of them are so accepting of what they have to deal with and trusting of the process, I think, which is something I admire in kids, is their ability to handle what they need to handle," Felt said. "It was super hard and not how I expected to spend my senior year," Quinci Wyatt said. "But it was good because I got to see how much people cared about me." The experience, which she hopes she doesn't have to endure again via relapse, she said, was "absolutely a faith-building thing." Thursday was her last intensive chemotherapy treatment after 10 months of weekly infusions. "It proved to me that I have hope," she said. Quinci Wyatt felt good enough to go to her senior prom and will indeed walk with her beloved East High School senior class on June 6 at the Jon M. Huntsman Center at the neighboring University of Utah. And she will gladly wear a white cap and gown, as it is much better than the hospital gown she's donned one too many times in the last year. "I'm so excited," she said. "It's like I never thought this would happen and here I am. I hope I can go about my life not having the constant reminder that I can't do things because of cancer." SOUTH SALT LAKE Amid monthlong delays that have stalled the groundbreaking of the South Salt Lake homeless shelter and a looming deadline that would cause the facility to fall into state hands city officials say they've overcome issues and expect the project to move forward next week. "I think everything's on track," South Salt Lake Mayor Cherie Wood said Friday. After a tense meeting earlier this month between city and state officials called to sort out technical problems delaying permitting for the 300-bed men's shelter at 3380 S. 1000 West, Wood said she had a plan to get the delayed shelter back on track. The needed planning materials were submitted on time, Wood said, which cleared the way for the South Salt Lake Planning Commission to have two work meetings this week ahead of two special public hearings planned for Tuesday and Thursday. If all goes smoothly, the planning commission is expected to approve the site's subdivision plat and conditional use permit at the end of those two public hearings, Wood said. "I believe we are headed in the right direction within the time frame," she said. Some council members worried if South Salt Lake didn't solve the technical issues holding up the permitting including uncertainty with the 1000 West right-of-way boundaries because old county records of the property had been lost the city could lose any say in the project. Due to a reverter clause in the site's purchase agreement, ownership of the site could revert from Shelter the Homeless, the nonprofit building the shelter, to the state if it doesn't break ground before June 30. Councilman Mark Kindred, who had been initially skeptical South Salt Lake could sort out the problems in time, said he's he's now optimistic the city will meet the deadline. "It sounds like things have shaken loose," he said. "I'm crossing my fingers." But meanwhile, state officials are moving on a "parallel track" to step in if it appears South Salt Lake leaders don't approve the needed permits in time for groundbreaking, said Jonathan Hardy, director of Housing and Community Development in the state's Department of Workforce Services. Hardy, as he has indicated previously, said "the proof will be in the pudding." "I'll be pleasantly surprised if we can get it accomplished with South Salt Lake next week, but I think we have the means to meet our timeline either way," Hardy said. The same state law that allocated $20 million in state funding for construction of the South Salt Lake shelter and two others in Salt Lake City also mandates the Road Home's downtown homeless shelter shutter by June 30, 2019 so officials have said all three shelters must be up and running by then, and delay is not an option. In this week's Shelter the Homeless board meeting, contractors said they hope to start the project by the first week of June. Though the South Salt Lake site's official deadline is June 30, the state can step in "a little sooner" if need be, Hardy said. South Salt Lake's first public hearing Tuesday at 220 E. Morris Avenue will address the site's subdivision plat application. Thursday's hearing will address the facility's conditional use permit application. EPHRAIM Snow College President Gary L. Carlston has announced his plans to retire but will remain in the position until his successor is named, likely in early 2019. Carlston and his wife, Janet, have a connection to Snow College that dates back to the 1960s, when they both attended the two-year residential college as students. Carlston has led the college since January 2014. We love Snow College. It has been both an honor and a privilege for us to be here and to observe firsthand the teaching and care for our students from faculty and staff. Because of the work and support of so many, including key legislators, regents, trustees, faculty, staff, our leadership team and other stakeholders, the college has seen success. We have proudly told the Snow College story, and we will miss our colleagues, the students, and this wonderful college, the Carlstons said in a prepared statement. Utah Commissioner of Higher Education David Buhler described Gary Carlston as "a warm and thoughtful leader of Snow College, always focused on the success of his students and heavily involved in the communities served by the college." Carlston was instrumental in securing funding for the Robert M. and Joyce S. Graham Science Center in Ephraim and working to improve facilities at the Richfield campus, Buhler said. The Utah State Board of Regents will assemble a committee in the coming months to begin the search for the 17th president of the college, Buhler said. "We appreciate that Dr. Carlston will stay on as president of Snow College until the search has concluded, Buhler said. Carlston was born and raised in Fairview, Sanpete County, and spent his entire career in public and higher education. After graduating from Snow College with an associate degree, Carlston earned bachelor's and master's degrees at Utah State University. He later earned a doctorate in educational administration from Brigham Young University. He has been a junior high school teacher, elementary and secondary principal, district curriculum director and superintendent of the Logan City School District. Carlston was a tenured faculty member at USU, associate dean in the College of Education and worked in the Center for the Improvement of Teacher Education and Schooling at BYU. He also has served as deputy state superintendent and as Gov. Mike Leavitts education deputy. Carlston served more than a decade on Snow College's Institutional Council/board of trustees and was its chairman most of that time. He has also served as an education policy adviser for Prosperity 2020. SALT LAKE CITY A group attempting to stop a citizens initiative aimed at maintaining a controversial candidate nomination process filed a lawsuit against Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox in 3rd District Court late Friday. The group, Keep My Voice, along with the Constitution Party of Utah, seeks an order from the court requiring Cox, whose office oversees elections, to recuse himself from "all matters" related to the initiative. The lawsuit cites as grounds Cox's "personal and partisan conflict of interest pertaining to this initiative" as well as what is termed his failure to abide by state elections law. State Elections Director Justin Lee said Friday the office had no comment Friday on the lawsuit. Opponents of another initiative, to legalize medical marijuana, have also sued Cox to keep that initiative off the ballot. The initiative attempts to strengthen the 2014 legislative compromise with Count My Vote that allows candidates to bypass traditional caucus and convention nomination process and instead gather voter signatures to get on a primary ballot. Then, Count My Vote had been circulating an initiative to move the state to a direct primary. The compromise is the subject of an ongoing legal battle between the Utah Republican Party and the state. Earlier this year, Keep My Voice launched its own initiative to eliminate the dual path to the ballot but ended that effort in favor of using the signature-removal process to stop the initiative backed by Count My Vote. Confusion over the deadline for turning in the forms needed for voters to take their names off an initiative sparked the friction with the lieutenant governor's office that led to the lawsuit, said Keep My Voice director and co-founder, Brendon Beckham. "Everything changed. They have delayed talking to us, delayed getting us information," Beckham said. He said there has been "no accountability" for the forms turned in from specifically targeted areas of the state. Beckham said enough signature-removal forms have been collected to keep the initiative off the ballot. Initiatives must not only be signed by more than 113,000 voters, they must meet specific thresholds in 26 of Utah's 29 state Senate districts. The lawsuit also asks the court to order that signature-removal forms may be submitted until June 1. The forms listed the deadline as by May 15 while the law states that it is before that date. And the lawsuit seeks to stop any further activity to verify the signature-removal forms until a pair of election monitors selected by the plaintiffs are in place as observers. Immediate action by the court is being requested because the state has only until June 1 to certify initiatives for the November ballot. "It's pretty straightforward. The facts are there," Beckham said of the 29-page lawsuit. He said Keep My Voice had "invested a lot of time and energy and resources" in trying to stop the initiative. SALT LAKE CITY Sitting in the White House Saturday night next to President Donald Trump after a long day of travel, Josh Holt was "overwhelmed with gratitude" for the efforts of all the people that brought him home to U.S. soil. "I'm just so grateful (for) what you guys have done and for thinking about me and caring about me a normal person," the 26-year-old Riverton man said, tearing up. "It really touches me. Thank you!" Thus ended a two-year ordeal for the Holt family, after the former LDS Church missionary and his wife were released early Saturday morning from a Venezuelan prison and flown to Washington, D.C. Holt and his wife, Thamy, landed in the nations capital accompanied by Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Corker, who traveled to Caracas to negotiate their freedom. Corker, R-Tenn., met with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Friday in Caracas, where he pushed for Holt's release. They were met by his parents, Laurie and Jason Holt, as well as Sen. Orrin Hatch and his wife, Elaine. Holt's imprisonment had also caught the attention of the Trump administration, which had called for his release several times in the past year. "You were a tough one I have to tell you. That was a tough situation," the president said to Holt as the family gathered in the Oval Office. "You've gone through a lot. More than most people could endure." Josh Holt joked at one point: "It was not really the great vacation that I was looking for." That "vacation" began in 2016, when Venezuelan authorities claimed Holt was keeping guns in the home of the woman he went to the country to marry. Holt denies the charges. His family has said he was in the wrong place at the wrong time of a raid in the Caracas neighborhood of his wife, whom he met through online Spanish lessons after returning from an LDS mission. At Saturday's reunion, Laurie Holt praised Trump as well as Hatch and Rep. Mia Love for their efforts to help get her son freed from his captivity. "I've grown to love Sen. Hatch and Mia so much," she said. "Not everybody gets to talk to Sen. Hatch and Mia Love and when everything happened last week, Mia was the one that answered her phone and was the one who got things rolling, with Sen. Hatch, to save Josh." She also thanked the Venezuelan president for "releasing Josh and letting him come home." Before dawn on Saturday, the Holts received word in their Riverton home that their son would be released. They flew to Washington for the long-awaited reunion. Years of work Corker said in a statement that he started discussions with the Venezuelan government about securing Holt's release at Hatch's request earlier this year. Corker said he met with Venezuelan Gov. Rafael Lacava in March and with Maduro on Friday at his request. Shortly after Corkers meeting with Maduro, social media in Venezuela lit up with speculation that Holt and his wife would be released as a goodwill gesture to improve relations, much as North Korean leader Kim Jong Un did by freeing three American detainees, the Washington Post reported. Corker and Hatch also credited the efforts of Caleb McCarry for playing an instrumental role in Holt's release. McCarry is a Corker aide who was involved in back channel talks earlier this year with people close to Maduro. Hatch said it took two years of hard work to secure Holt's freedom. Read: Timeline of how Utahn Josh Holt went from being jailed in Venezuela to an emotional D.C. reunion with family "Over the last two years Ive worked with two presidential administrations, countless diplomatic contacts, ambassadors from all over the world, a network of contacts in Venezuela, and President Maduro himself, and I could not be more honored to be able to reunite Josh with his sweet, long-suffering family in Riverton," the senator said. Love said she was thrilled to hear in a phone call from Trump that Holt was returning to the U.S. "We're so excited. So many times we thought it was going to be impossible. I cant tell you how proud I am of the work thats been put into this. It seriously was a big team effort," Love said before heading to Washington to meet Holt. U.S. officials told the socialist Venezuelan government Holt's release would be a "last-ditch effort to show that you're willing to work with the United States. We were able to get members of Congress and a whole bunch of other people to specifically focus on Joshua because Joshua is a U.S. citizen." Love, who has fostered a friendship with Laurie Holt, teared up while talking about the family. "I have always maintained and told the family that I was going to do everything I can, as if it were my son that was in Venezuela," she said. "This is just kind of an emotional release for me because I've been so incredibly stressed and worried about Joshua." Neighbors await At the Holt home in Riverton, Holt's brother, Derek Holt, washed the newly freed man's car that has sat in the driveway for two years. He referred reporters to the family statement. Neighbors were elated that Holt would be coming home and excited to see him. "We actually heard it from the Holts before it broke on the news. We were overwhelmed and excited," said Crystal Watts, who along with her husband Corby, lives across the street from the Holts. Watts, who has grown close to Laurie Holt the past couple years, said the family endured many ups and downs, "really a lot of downs, I should say. But Laurie is a warrior. She's done everything possible that she can to get him home." Laurie Holt often needed a smile or moment to breathe, "but there wasn't a lot of those," Watts said. "I just felt so bad for this family." Roger and Adrienne Shulze have lived a few doors down from the Holts for 14 years. Josh Holt would drop by their house to help or for advice. "I just thought it was the greatest thing for some teenage boy to help his neighbor out pulling weeds," Adrienne Shulze said, adding she also saw Holt doing Scout projects in the neighborhood. Roger Shulze, who served in the military, remembers Holt asking him questions about becoming a pilot in the Army. "He's a great dude," Roger Shulze said. "It's good to finally see him come home." Other members of Utah's congressional delegation and the governor also expressed joy about Holt's release. "Like so many in Utah, Im so relieved and pleased that, after two nightmarish years being unlawfully detained, Josh and his wife Thamy will be coming home safely, Rep. John Curtis, R-Utah, said. This past week, Curtis questioned Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in a House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing about efforts to free Holt, but his answer wasn't optimistic. Pompeo told the panel that he worried that Maduro expelling the top U.S. diplomat in the country would hinder efforts to free Holt. Gov. Gary Herbert said he was "overjoyed" to hear the news. "Joshs return comes in answer to many prayers," he said. "The people of Utah look forward to welcoming him home." Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, who attended the White House gathering Saturday night, said earlier in the day he was excited about the news. "We have long fought and prayed for his release from the Venezuelan government and are thrilled for his family," Lee said. Over the past decade, the elected officials of Eagle Mountain City have developed a master plan to bring data centers to Cedar Valley to build its tax base and spur focused economic development. Executing on this strategic vision has taken more than a year of dedicated effort, working together with the Governors Office of Economic Development, members of the state Legislature, the Economic Development Corporation of Utah and Utah County officials. Now, with the approval of official taxing entities and the enthusiastic support of local and state leaders, Eagle Mountain's first data center is on its way. Eagle Mountain has been competing for this project with locations in other states, so the company behind it has not been disclosed. We have read phrases in the media like "details are sketchy" and "secretive business deal," but, to be clear, it is only the companys name that is unknown at this time. All the other pertinent details of the deal, from the construction to the infrastructure upgrades to the offered tax benefits on the state and local level, are known and have been shared. In other words, everything about this project that representatives and officials needed to make an informed decision was a known quantity this was not a deal done in secret. Important conversations about this project are happening in public forums and media outlets, so we feel it is vital to set the record straight about key points where we have seen some misunderstanding: The deal offers significant positive financial impact with a minimum of strain on the system Eagle Mountain officials had many elements to balance as they studied the various industries the city could potentially attract to its high-growth area. For this young, tech-savvy community, they wanted to encourage industries that would experience future growth. But without a direct connection to freeways, and being in a somewhat rural area of the county, the city would not be competitive for very employee-heavy options, officials also knew. They ultimately determined that data centers were ideal for the citys needs. A third-party study commissioned by the city confirmed their findings. Project Steeplechase's data center is expected to employ 30-50 people full time, with potential for more contract workers. It is a very modest increase in employee head count that will not significantly impact local resources. Even with proposed tax incentives, Project Steeplechase will provide a net tax base of over $800,000 annually to entities like Eagle Mountain City including over $500,000 annually to Alpine School District with minimal increases to housing or student burdens. As it stands, the 490-acre parcel proposed for Project Steeplechase contributes just $66 in annual taxes. With this development, the taxing entities would see a 12,000-time increase in revenue without any significant strain on local services like schools, fire and police. The project provides needed infrastructure for the area Eagle Mountain City and the entire Cedar Valley need infrastructure to grow their tax base and employment prospects. There are opportunities to be found, as evidenced by Project Steeplechase's interest, but to bring in companies that can positively impact the tax base, hundreds of millions of dollars in development must first take place in the form of power, water, sewer and communications lines to the area. Project Steeplechase has committed to shouldering the burden of these improvements by investing tens of millions of dollars to upgrade the local infrastructure, which will then be turned over to the city and the public utilities. Otherwise, the burden for those necessary upgrades will fall upon the citizens or upgrades will never be built. The deal will help shape Eagle Mountains growth Another concern is that Project Steeplechase will spur additional economic development, which will eventually overwhelm the resources and infrastructure of Eagle Mountain City. To be clear, everyone on all sides of this issue wants stable, sustainable growth and financial benefit for the area. But Eagle Mountain is growing already and will continue to do so. The problem is the residents are the only current source of a tax base, and there is no economic center, with no feasible way to pay for that growth. The citizens are shouldering the burden for all the taxes to run the city. Bringing in Project Steeplechase and empowering Eagle Mountain to continue executing its master plan will assure that engaged, informed people are directing that growth. Eagle Mountain chose data centers because they have a low load on services but contribute significantly to the tax base. As other companies are attracted to the area by Project Steeplechase and the profile growth of Utah County, having the infrastructure already in place will give Eagle Mountain City much greater leverage in crucial future negotiations. Many concerned citizens and public officials are asking why Eagle Mountain City isnt inviting companies that dont require tax breaks to occupy its valuable land. The concept sounds good all benefit to the local taxing entities, giving nothing in exchange to the company but is unrealistic. It presupposes that there is a long list of high-profile corporations that are willing to shell out hundreds of millions of dollars to move to semirural communities with no incentives at all. This deal benefits both sides, which is the fair and right thing to do. Without such a deal, the parcel in Eagle Mountain City will continue to contribute just $66 per year to the tax base. Overall, Project Steeplechase is perhaps one of the most deliberate and well-researched economic development opportunities the state has seen in recent years. We applaud Eagle Mountain officials for having the vision to attract opportunities that will provide meaningful benefit to its residents and the entire state. Google is expected to announce its next flagship smartphone, the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3XL in October 2018. Details of what the smartphone could look like have emerged online. The placeholder image found in Android P has appeared on SlashLeaks showcasing a bezel less design. The images show that the smartphone does not have a notch and has very slim bezels on all sides. Ever since the launch of the iPhone X we have seen Android smartphone makers embrace the notch so much so that even the upcoming version of Android, Android P, officially supports it. The iPhone Xs notch houses all the hardware required for the smartphones Face ID. However, other smartphone makers havent been able to justify the notch apart from saying that it gives a higher screen to body ratio. Samsung is the only smartphone maker that has launched its 2018 flagship without the notch. Even the recently launched OnePlus 6 and Honor 10 house a notch. Whether this placeholder image found within the Android P Developer Beta holds any ground is something we will know when Google officially announces the Pixel 3 smartphone. Other information circulating the Internet about the Google Pixel 3 suggests that the device will have Dual-Band simultaneous Wi-Fi. A tweet by Mishaal Rahman reads, So the Google Pixel 3 (2018) will have a Wi-Fi chip capable of Dual Band Simultaneous (DBS) connection (as seen in the integrated chip on sdm845 and Broadcom's bcm4359 found on phones like the LG G6). I'm not sure if Android actually supported DBS before, though. Dual band simultaneous or DBS means that a smartphone can use both the bands - 2.4GHz and 5GHz at the same time. The use of both the bands at the same time will make the Wi-Fi connection a lot faster. Apart from increasing the speed and efficiency of the Wi-Fi connectivity, DBS will also let users use the Pixel 3 as a Wi-Fi hub. This means that users will be able to create a hub to extend the Wi-Fi connection, just like an extender. The hardware configurations for DBS are present in the Snapdragon 845 and the Snapdragon 660 SoC. It is possible that the feature will make its way on Android P and will be supported by devices running on Android P powered by the SD 845 and SD 660 platform. Walmart will kill India's domestic retail trade, warns CAIT The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) today wrote to commerce minister Suresh Prabhu expressing concern over the entry of Walmart into the domestic market through its acquisition of Flipkart, saying that it might adopt predatory pricing and deep discounting that would kill off retail trade in the country. In its second letter to Prabhu, the traders' body referred to Walmart as "the US version of The East India Company", and sought a thorough investigation into the Walmart-Flipkart deal. "Walmart is nothing but a US version of The East India Company which conquered the country," CAIT said in the letter, adding, "It is highly regretted that some of the people for just merely earning the profit have sold major chunk of e-commerce to Walmart." Walmart will penetrate the retail trade through e-commerce, and indulge in predatory pricing, and deep discounting, thereby creating an uneven playing field for others, CAIT said. The Walmart-Flipkart merger will make the country a dumping ground for the cheapest material sources across the globe and wipe out competition, thereby closing the local market for domestic manufacturers, the traders body pointed out. CAIT said there is no law at present that restricts such practices by any company, the letter said. The deal is bound to circumvent established laws and FDI policy of the government, the body said, and called for a thorough investigation into the matter. "The ultimate object of Walmart is to enter the retail trade of the country," it said, adding, "In the absence of any policy on e-commerce or retail trade, it would be easy for the Walmart to reach out to retail market, which otherwise it cannot enter due to FDI policy." Further, CAIT said the matter also relates to data security, controlling entire chain from inventory to end-consumer which will turn it into a monopoly, a peculiar situation that could be disadvantageous to brick and mortar shops and the economy as a whole. The world's biggest brick-and-mortar retailer, Walmart, has agreed to purchase around 77-per cent stake in India's largest e-tailer, Flipkart, for $16 billion. NIA arrests JeM plotter behind Nagrota army camp attack: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) today arrested Muneer-ul-Hassan Qadri, a Jaish-e-Mohammed operative, in connection with the 2016 terror attack on an Army camp in Nagrota in which seven soldiers, including two officers, were killed. Qadri, who is a resident of Lolab in north Kashmir, was arrested for his alleged involvement in the 29 November 2016 terror attack on the Nagrota Army camp. While the JeM operative was arrested with the help of the Jammu and Kashmir Police, the Army also felled three Pakistani terrorists in the ensuing operation that resulted in a huge quantity of firearms, ammunition, explosives and other articles being recovered from them. The JeM operative was arrested in a joint operation with Jammu and Kashmir Police. During his interrogation, Qadri, a Nepal returnee, who was in custody of the J&K Police for some time, admitted to his role in various terror modules, including the group involved in the Nagrota attack. "Qadri has revealed that he along with other Valley-based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) operatives were in touch with its leadership in Pakistan and had received a freshly-infiltrated group of three Pakistani terrorists from the Samba sector a day before the attack (on November 29, 2016)," an NIA spokesperson said. Preliminary interrogation of the accused revealed that the attack was carried out by the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), a banned terror group, as part of a well-planned conspiracy from Pakistan, the spokesman said. Qadri also reportedly told the interrogators that he along with other Valley-based JeM operatives were in touch with the JeM leadership in Pakistan and had received a freshly infiltrated group of three Pakistani terrorists from the Samba sector a day before the attack. ''They subsequently stayed at a hotel in Jammu and then left the attackers outside the army camp in Nagrota late at night, and proceeded to the Kashmir Valley,'' the spokesman said. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) had registered a case into the incident in December 2016 for offences under sections 120B, 121, 307 of the Ranbir Penal Code (RPC),a criminal code applicable in Jammu and Kashmir in lieu of the Indian Penal Code, and sections seven and 27 of the Arms Act, 1958. Global trade: simple, swift and effective, thanks to blockchain T-shirts from Bangladesh, coffee from Columbia, computers from China: the global trade in goods has grown rapidly, particularly during the last three decades. But transactions across national borders are still astonishingly complex and associated with considerable paperwork. Blockchain technology could make foreign trade significantly simpler and faster. As a rule, when a German company orders tablets from China, the transaction is safeguarded with a so-called letter of credit two banks, one on the exporter side and one on the importer's, monitor the trade as neutral bodies. They guarantee that the exporter receives its money when the goods are delivered in compliance with the contract and that the importer does not have to pay until the goods are underway within the specified time and in the ordered quantity and quality. The exporter must produce numerous documents, such as diverse cargo and transport papers and the packing list, to verify that the transaction process is as stipulated in the contract. Today these documents are still sent by mail because banks and trading partners refuse e-mail exchanges due to the susceptibility to manipulation. "In many cases, the paperwork causes higher costs than the actual delivery of goods," says Prof. Dr. Gilbert Fridgen from the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Information Technology FIT, which familiarises representatives of trade and industry with blockchain technology. Together with experts from the Norddeutsche Landesbank, Fridgen and his team from the Fraunhofer Blockchain Lab have developed a prototype for processing the global trade in goods without paper. Because with help from blockchain, each step in the international transaction can be documented reliably, transparently and traceably, from the time the order is placed until the goods are delivered. Decentralised database A blockchain is a type of decentralised database. Each blockchain user stores the complete data set in the form of blocks that are linked to one another using cryptography. When new data is added, a coordination process updates the blockchain for all users. "Combined with the cryptographic block linking, this decentralised coordination procedure ensures that the data in a blockchain cannot be manipulated," explains Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Prinz, deputy director of the Fraunhofer FIT. If someone were to attempt to change the blockchain contents, all other users would detect it immediately. Every step of a process, with all the associated data and documents, can be securely and irreversibly captured in a blockchain. This is ideal for the international trade in goods, but also for numerous other applications, such as a company's internal documentation. "Conducting audits can be considerably faster, simpler and more economical if all relevant documents have been entered into a blockchain," Fridgen reports, because such a blockchain would unequivocally show who did what and when and how they did it. "All our workshop participants listened attentively to this part. Particularly in tightly regulated sectors, the expense for audits frequently reaches millions." In general, blockchain is particularly interesting for companies whose business models are based on positions of trust. "Blockchain cannot replace banks, notaries or CPAs yet. But the technology shows great potential in these areas," says Prinz. Many business models would have to be rethought and repositioned. Blockchain can make work sequences simpler, faster, more secure and more efficient. It can be profitably used for foreign trade transactions, as well as for other delivery versus payment transactions, where today the contracting parties still have to fill out and print forms and then wait for collateral securities. Another of blockchain's strengths: In combination with specially programmed software mechanisms, so-called Smart Contracts, contract conditions can be automatically executed as soon as the stored conditions are satisfied. For example, the leased car's door could open or remain closed, depending on whether or not the payment of the agreed installment has been recorded and verified in the blockchain. This automated delivery and performance would eliminate the need for courts to enforce claims because a breach of contract would be technically impossible. Blockchain is also a challenge for providers of online trading platforms. Because the new technology allows more secure transactions to be processed directly between the seller and buyer, without additional protection from the platform operator. "Blockchain technology could be used to establish a new generation of the Internet. Joining the Internet of Things, which is the current topic of discussion, would be an Internet of Trust and Values," Prinz believes. Reliable proof of origin For the logistics sector, blockchain is less threatening than it is attractive: A transport chain could be documented without any gaps and the genuineness of the shipped object could be guaranteed. "There is already a blockchain solution for diamond transports", adds Prinz. Blockchain could also provide reliable verification of the origin of medicines or foodstuffs, and, for example, check if the cooling was guaranteed throughout the entire transport. In the Fraunhofer Blockchain Lab, Prinz and Fridgen work with their colleagues Prof Dr Thomas Rose, Prof. Dr. Nils Urbach and their teams on a very wide range of applications. For example, they developed a music box that uses blockchain to implement the coordination of the music requests within a group, an entertaining entry into the blockchain world that is also introducing interested parties from trade and industry to the technology's basic functions. In another project, the BSCW groupware platform developed by FIT and OrbiTeam is programmed as a blockchain solution that allows documents and cooperation processes to be registered. This allows irreversible recording of their status and subsequent checking. "Working with our workshop participants, we have already identified numerous possible applications. We are currently still working with prototypes, but the development can be very swift. This is why it is important to act now, to adapt business models to the new technology, and to optimize processes with its help," Fridgen emphasises. Central team says Nipah virus confined to Kerala, neighbours cautious Officials in Telangana were checking on Friday if two people had been infected with the brain-damaging Nipah virus that has killed 12 in southern Kerala, although the central government described the outbreak as minor. A multi-disciplinary central team led by the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) , reviewing the cases of patients died of the Nipah Virus Disease in Kerala, is of the view that the Nipah virus disease is not a major outbreak and is only a local occurrence. The team, however, further fine-tuned the draft guidelines, case definitions, advisory for healthcare workers, information to the general public, advisories for sample collection and transportation accordingly. The virus has not spread beyond Kerala, the government said after investigation by health officials linked the initial deaths to a well colonised by bats whose water the victims had been using. The Nipah virus disease is not a major outbreak and is only a local occurrence, the government said in a statement, adding that a team of experts continued to monitor the situation. Meanwhile, in Telangana, blood samples from two men who showed flu-like symptoms of the virus were sent for testing, a health official in Telangana said. We just sent them as a precaution, said K Shankar, medical superintendent of the Sir Ronald Ross Institute of Tropical and Communicable Diseases in Hyderabad. Two suspect cases in Karnataka, a state bordering Kerala, proved negative, said a medical official there. The state government has advised students from Kerala studying in various institutions of the state not to vist Kerala for now to avoid chances of contacting the virus. All the confirmed infections so far involved people who contacted it from the first victim while he was being treated, said microbiologist G Arun Kumarat the Manipal Centre for Virus Research. Hospital-acquired infections are a major path of human to human transmission, added Kumar, who heads the Manipal Centre for Virus Research that is testing virus samples. The virus, spread through contact with bodily fluids, has a mortality rate of about 70 per cent. Arun Jaitley laments ideological flexibility of anti-BJP combination Union minister of finance and corporate affairs Arun Jaitley has lamented the ideological flexibility of anti-BJP parties that are teaming up against the Narendra Modi-led government, saying that the political agenda for the debate this year appropriately will be (prime minister) Modi versus an anarchist combination. Jaitley, who is recovering from a kidney transplant surgery, expressed his views on the completion of four years of Modi government through his blog on Facebook. On the convergence of diverse opposition parties in Bengaluru on the occasion of swearing-in ceremony of Congress-JD(S) government, he termed such a union as fictional alternative. He said that a group of disparate political parties are promising to come together. He said the NDA government at the centre at its fifth year in power will focus on consolidation of the policies and programmes which it has implemented, even an alliance of ideologically diverse parties threatened to reverse fortunes of the BJP-lead government in the elections due next year. Leader of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) Sitaram Yechuri, a hard-core opponent of the Narendra Modi-led government, said while there will be no pan-India alliance against BJP, the opposition parties will adopt tactics suitable for each state. Some of their leaders are temperamental, the others occasionally change ideological positions. With many of them, such as TMC, DMK, TDP, BSP and the JD(S), the BJP has had an opportunity to share power. They frequently change political positions. They have supported the BJP claiming that it is in larger national interest and then turned turtle and oppose it in the name of secularism, he wrote. He termed these parties as ideologically flexible political groups. Stable politics is far from their political track record. Some amongst this disparate group have an extremely dubious track record of governance. Some leaders are maverick and others include those who are either convicted or charged with serious allegations of corruption. There are many whose political support base is confined to either a few districts or to a particular caste, he said. Jaitley said a coalition government at the centre is possible but the nucleus of a coalition has to be stable. It must have a large size, an ideologically defined position and a vested interest in honest governance. A federal front is a failed idea. It was experimented under Shri Charan Singh, Shri Chandrasekhar and by the United Front Government between 1996-98. Such a front with its contradictions, sooner or later, loses its balance and equilibrium. Remembering 1996-98 as perhaps one of the worst period of governance, the aspirational India which today occupies the high table in the world shall never accept an idea which has repeatedly failed. History teaches us this lesson. Aspirational societies with vibrant democracies do not invite anarchy, he said. He felt that a strong nation and the requirements of good governance abhor anarchy. The political agenda for the debate this year appropriately will be Prime Minister Modi versus an anarchist combination. The 2014 election conclusively established that in the New India chemistry will score over arithmetic when it comes to deciding the countrys destiny, he wrote. Talking about changes on economic front, he claimed that the prime minister created transparent systems through legislative and institutional changes which have given this country a scam-free governance. Unlike the UPA, the prime minister is the natural leader of both his party and the nation. We have witnessed a journey from indecisiveness to clarity and decisiveness. India has transformed from being a part of the fragile five to the bright spot on the global economic scene. A regime of policy paralysis has been transformed into one of decisions and actions, he said. He wrote further that India, which was on the verge of becoming a basket case has today been transformed into the fastest growing major economy in the world and is likely to hold that position in the years to come. The countrys mood from despair has transformed into hope and aspirations. Good governance and good economics have been blended with good politics. The finance minister said that the Prime Minister has institutionalised a system where discretions have been eliminated. Discretions lead to abuse of power because they can be misused. Allocations of contracts, natural resources, spectrum and other Government largesse which were being distributed through discretions, are now allocated through a market mechanism. Laws have been changed. Leaders of the industry are no longer seen repeatedly visiting the South Block, the North Block or the Udyog Bhawan. Environmental clearance files dont pile up. FIPB has been abolished, he said. Sebi serves notice on ICICI Bank and CEO Chanda Kochhar over Videocon loans Market regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) on Thursday served notice on ICICI Bank Ltd and its chief executive and managing director Chanda Kochhar seeking response over alleged non-compliance with certain lending norms. The notice relates to the banks dealings with Videocon Group and NuPower, an entity in which Chanda Kochhars husband Deepak Kochhar has economic interests. ICICI Bank said it would respond to the Sebi notice, adding that the notice was in response to information given by the bank and its CEO on earlier queries over the dealings with Videocon. Appropriate response would be submitted to Sebi, the country's largest private bank said in a stock exchange filing. ICICI, Indias third-biggest lender by assets, is battling allegations that Kochhar allegedly favoured Videocon Group in its lending in return for Videocons founders investment in NuPower Renewables, a renewable energy company founded by her husband. The CBI launched a preliminary investigation into the Rs3,250 crore loan ICICI Bank had extended to Videocon in 2012 and the possible role of Kochhar's husband, Deepak Kochhar. Reports have alleged that Videocon chairman Venugopal Dhoot invested Rs64 crore in Nu Power Renewables, a firm owned by Deepak Kochhar after Videocon secured a loan from a consortium of banks, including ICICI. ICICI denied any wrongdoing in lending to Videocon, saying it was part of a consortium of lenders that extended the facility to Videocon. The bank also backed Kochhar, calling the rumours malicious and unfounded. "The MD & CEO and the Bank received a Notice from SEBI on May 24, 2018 ... requiring responses on matters relating to alleged non-compliance with certain provisions of the erstwhile Listing Agreement and the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015," the bank said in the filing. The notice, it further said has been issued based on information furnished by the Bank / its MD & CEO to diverse queries made by Sebi concerning dealings between the bank and Videocon Group and certain dealings allegedly between Videocon Group and Nupower, an entity in which Deepak Kochhar, husband od MD and CEO of the bank, has economic interests. "Appropriate responses would be submitted to Sebi by the bank in accordance with regulation," ICICI Bank added . Last month, ICICI Bank chairman M K Sharma had said the board has full confidence in Chanda Kochhar and ruled out any quid pro quo as alleged with regard to certain loan given to Videocon group. Hey Alexa: Amazon's virtual assistant becomes a personal assistant to software developers University of British Columbia, (UBC) computer scientists have turned Amazon Alexa into a tool for software engineers, tasking the virtual assistant to take care of mundane programming tasks, helping increase productivity and speed up workflow. Software engineers use many different tools for any one project. They work with millions of lines of computer code and run their code through various independent tools to help edit, build and test systems and for project management to get their programs running smoothly. "It can be quite complicated to switch between the different tools because they each use a unique syntax and you have to understand how to put them together," says Nick Bradley, who led this work during his master's research in computer science at UBC. "The idea to use Alexa came out of my frustration from using these different tools and having to spend so much time looking up how to do it and use those tools together." Bradley and computer science professors Reid Holmes and Thomas Fritz decided to test whether Amazon's virtual assistant could help with this process. They wanted software engineers to use simple, conversational language to ask Alexa to complete some of their tasks, the same way we ask it to give us the weather forecast or play our favourite songs. Researchers said it was more than just a matter of teaching Alexa some key phrases and mapping different commands to the work, they also had to figure out common multi-step tasks engineers were performing and build a system that could automate those tasks. They then asked 21 engineers from local Vancouver software companies to test out their system and evaluate it. While the engineers found the tool useful and provided lots of positive feedback, there was one challenge. "The biggest problem was using voice commands in an office environment they found it distracting to their neighbours," says Bradley. The computer scientists' next development will be to create a chat bot to fulfill a similar function so engineers can type minimal requests and have the system perform their multi-step tasks so they can focus on the more important parts of their jobs. Holmes says this research is part of a larger effort to understand how software engineers do their jobs. "The pace of change in the software field is so fast that engineers don't have time to be introspective and think about the way they work," he says. "Our job in academia is to step back and really think about how we can better support engineers to quickly and correctly build the kinds of software we depend upon in our modern society. Systems keep getting larger and more complex and using personal assistants could be one way to help developers be more effective within this fast-paced environment." The researchers also recognise that these virtual assistants could be programmed for a variety of occupations including medicine, law, or accounting. "You can imagine a situation where a lawyer is reading a legal brief and asks Alexa to find relevant cases on similar topics to help with research," said Holmes. The study will be presented next week at the International Conference on Software Engineering (ICSE) in Gothenburg, Sweden: https://www.cs.ubc.ca/~rtholmes/papers/icse_2018_bradley.pdf The counting of votes is underway in the Referendum on the Thirty-Sixth Amendment of the Constitution Bill. A total electorate of 124,929 was entitled to vote in Donegal - 117,930 in the Donegal constituency and 6,999 in the Sligo-Leitrim constituency. Counting in the Donegal constituency has started at the Aura Leisure Centre in Letterkenny while counting in the Sligo-Leitrim constituency, which includes parts of south Donegal including Ballyshannon and Bundoran, is underway at the Clarion Hotel in Sligo. A strong turnout was reported across the country last night with the excellent weather seen as a factor in helping to get the electorate out. The final result is expected to be declared from Dublin Castle in the late afternoon. Polls Two exit polls conducted for the Irish Times and RTE both suggested that the Yes side in the Eighth Referendum is set to win comfortably. The Irish Times poll suggests that the result of the referendum is 68% in favour of yes to 32% for no. An RTE exit poll has projected a Yes vote of 69.4% with a No vote of 30.6%. Donegal student Jack McBride is the winner of the Ulster Provincial Spelling Bee 2018. The final took place in Eason Donegall Place in Belfast yesterday and Jack from Kilmacrennan National School came out on top, taking first place against a number of talented young Bees with the word, Hippopotamus. Jack will now move forward to compete in the All-Ireland Eason Spelling Bee final in The Helix in Dublin on Thursday, 14th June. The 12-year-old gained victory over his rivals from schools in Armagh, Down, Derry, Tyrone, Fermanagh, Cavan and Monaghan. Speaking about his win, the 6th class student said; I am delighted I won and I am looking forward to the final!. The Eason Spelling Bee encourages kids throughout the country to practice their spelling, to read more and strives to instil greater confidence when it comes to literacy and spelling, from a young age. The winning school will receive a collection of books for their library to the value of 7,500. The Spelling Bee winner will be awarded books worth 500 and the prestigious title of the 2018 Eason Spelling Bee champion. Keep up-to-date with all the 2018 Spelling Bee news on www.easons.com/spellingbee and @easons #EasonSpellingBee Two exit polls conducted for the Irish Times and RTE both suggest that the Yes side in the Eighth Referendum is set to win comfortably. The Irish Times poll suggests that the result of the referendum is 68% in favour of yes to 32% for no. The Irish Times exit poll was conducted by Ipsos/MRBI on 4,000 respondents at 160 polling stations in every constituency. The margin for error is estimated at +/- 1%. The highest yes vote was in Dublin, according to the exit poll, with 77% of people voting yes. Support among women was 70% in favour of repealing the Eighth, while it suggests that 87% of 18-24-year-olds voted for a repeal. An RTE exit poll has projected a Yes vote of 69.4% with a No vote of 30.6%. The sample size was 3,800 with a margin of error of +/- 1.6%. The exit poll was conducted by RTE in conjunction with a number of Irish universities and was carried out by Behaviour & Attitudes. The regional breakdown shows that 79% of people in Dublin voted for repeal, with 67.2% in Leinster, 66.3% in Munster, and 62% in Connacht/Ulster. Counting begins at 9am, Donegal votes will be counted in Letterkenny and Sligo. Currently, Volkswagen has given the responsibility of developing a low-cost platform to Skoda. The new MQB A0 platform might be used to produce only sedan and compact SUVs in the country. The stiff competition in the hatchback segment could also be a reason behind the decision. One of the executives from Volkswagen said that the small car market in India is crowded. So, Volkswagen and Skoda might stick to its strength of manufacturing sedans and SUVs. So, both companies will be in profit by selling quality products in the sedan and SUV segment. Volkswagen is unlikely to introduce the next-gen Polo until 2020. After 2020, Volkswagen might revisit its decision by analysing the small car market in the country. But for now, Volkswagen and Skoda will continue with its sedan and SUV approach as both the companies will introduce a sedan and compact SUV. The new sedans from Volkswagen and Skoda will be based on the MQB A0 platform and will replace the Volkswagen Vento and the Skoda Rapid. The compact SUVs from both the brands will be all-new products which are likely to rival the likes of Hyundai Creta. CEO of Skoda Auto, Bernhard Maier said that the Czech automaker was commissioned by the Volkswagen Group to develop a platform for cars for emerging markets with a prime focus on India. He also said that the Volkswagen Group will come to a final decision by the middle of this year. Volkswagen Group's Chakan plant will be the central hub for all the upcoming plans for the Indian market. The new products will be manufactured at Chakan plant and both the Volkswagen and Skoda will also concentrate on export markets as well. The company will also set up a new assembly line for the MQB A0 platform. Thoughts On The Next-Gen Polo Not Coming To India The Volkswagen Polo has been a popular hatchback in the Indian market and it was one of the most anticipated cars in the country. But now Volkswagen has made a smart move by concentrating on sedan and compact SUV segment. However, Volkswagen might still introduce the new Polo by 2020. What's your take on Volkswagen not launching the new Polo in India? Do let us know in the comments section below. Dundalk Town Centre will bloom this summer more than ever thanks to a new Shop Front Floral Scheme introduced by Dundalk Business Improvement District Scheme (BIDS). In a greenhouse in Collon, seedlings have been growing into blossoming flowers for vibrant hanging baskets that will soon be seen throughout the towns main thoroughfare. Its a greenhouse that Martin McElligott and his team in Dundalk BIDS Fiona and Sinead - have been keeping a close eye on as this year as they introduce a trial Floral Scheme for town centre businesses with an overwhelmingly response. Martin explains: Its a very simple idea that has had an amazing response. We have ordered these plants, which have been grown for us in a designated area in the greenhouse. Its quite interesting because we know where the plants are being grown and we have been keeping an eye on their progress! 'As these plants matured they have been transferred into Hanging Baskets and will shortly be delivered to businesses who have paid into this initial scheme. As the scheme continues next year we will recycle this years baskets and add more floral displays, creating a bigger floral scheme for 2019. Dundalk BIDS works closely with Dundalk Tidy Towns, taking part in a number of Town Centre clean ups and planting projects so this new floral scheme ties in greatly with these existing projects. When Dundalk BIDS came up with the initial idea they had no idea of just how much interest there would be in the Scheme. Martin said Our goal is to help businesses introduce flowers to their shopfronts, and the more businesses that get involved, the more impact it will have on the visual landscape of the retail area, demonstrating a collective approach in the Town Centre and creating a spectacle of flowering retail magic. 'There has been very positive response to the scheme and the hanging baskets have been quickly snapped up by retailers. Unfortunately some retailers were unable to be included this year, but our plan is to double the number of baskets next year and make Dundalk bloom bigger and brighter with each year. We are calling it BLOOM TOWN Everything going to plan, Dundalk Shoppers can look forward to seeing the new hanging baskets in place around the town centre from in the run up to the June Bank Holiday weekend. By Nexus Media, with William F. Laurance Humans are ravaging tropical forests by hunting, logging and building roads and the threats are mounting by the day. China is planning a series of massive infrastructure projects across four continents, an initiative that conservation biologist William Laurance described as "environmentally, the riskiest venture ever undertaken." In a commentary published in the journal Nature Sustainability, he and an international team of researchers urge China to weigh the possibly disastrous consequences of its Belt and Road Initiative. Laurance, a research professor at James Cook University in Cairns, Australia, recently spoke with Nexus Media about the potential dangers, including the impact on climate change. This interview has been edited for length and clarity. You used some strong language to describe this project's potential impact on the environment. Why do you feel so strongly about it? The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) simply blows out of the water anything else that's been attempted in human history. As currently planned, it will involve some 7,000 separate infrastructure or extractive industry projects scattered across 70-odd nations, with a total price-tag of $8 trillion. It'll span half the planetfrom Asia to Africa, Europe and the South Pacific. It'll affect every facet of human endeavor, in one way or another. In biodiversity and environmental terms, again, it's the worst thing we've seen anywhereand in the past forty years, I and my colleagues have seen some pretty horrific stuff in the Amazon, Africa, Southeast Asia and the South Pacific. I actually think the BRI will have a greater net impact on ecosystems than it does global warming, at least for the duration of this century. [But it] will also be a major contributor to global warming, by promoting massive land-use changes, deforestation, industrial and transport emissions, and emissions from project construction. It'll use more concretea major source of greenhouse gas emissionsthan all pre-existing infrastructure projects on the planet. Why is China investing this heavily in infrastructure? For the Chinese, this is a part of a long-term gambit to broaden their geopolitical influence and economic might. They see it as a means to influenceboth via friendly and, if necessary, more coercive meansother nations to align with their views and support their very ambitious international agendas for Chinese trade, political expansionism and economic dominance. The BRI will be one of the main means by which China attempts to supplant the U.S. dollar and other major international currencies with the Yuan as the primary currency of global trade. Sites of planned infrastructure projects under the Belt and Road Initiative. Nature Sustainability Can you further describe its effects on climate change? In terms of climate change, one of the biggest impacts will be all the habitat loss and degradation that will occur as a result of so much infrastructurenew roads and other projects that will open up vast new frontiers for land-clearing, logging, mining, fires, land speculation and other human pressures. We know that forests and other native habitats store billions of tons of carbon in their biomass, and they also pump out great quantities of water vapor. This vegetation vapor promotes local precipitation, crucial for vegetation growth and limiting fires, and it creates much of the Earth's clouds, which in turn reflect a great deal of solar energy back into space, reducing global warming. And the BRI projects will be slashing across many of the most carbon-rich forests and ecosystems on Earth, especially in the vast tropical and subtropical regions across southern, central, and southeast Asia, the South Pacific and equatorial Africa. The construction of the avalanche of projects themselves will be a major source of greenhouse gases. Enormous quantities of concrete, metal, minerals and other raw materials will be consumed for project construction. Concrete is one of the most energy and carbon-expensive products that humans create. The lime in concrete, for example, has to be baked at high temperatures, which is very energy consuming. The BRI projects are so massive that people are even worrying about them consuming enormous quantities of sandmostly for concretewhich will have major impacts on coastal and river systems. This is the first time I've ever heard people worrying about sand, per seand it is an indication of just what a massive venture this will be. Deforestation in Thailand's Chiang Mai Province, 2013. Takeaway How does this project square with China's climate goals? In the utter climate-policy vacuum created by the Trump administration, China is stepping up belatedly to take some leadership on climate. But remember how much China's emissions have grownthey've completely blown past the United States, historically the biggest emitterand now produce more than twice as much greenhouse-gas emissions than the United States. And that's only considering China's domestic carbon footprint. If you also consider everything China is doing or promoting overseas in terms of extractive industries and large-scale infrastructure, they utterly overwhelm any other nation as climate changers. In real termsdigging through a great deal of greenwashingI don't see anything in the BRI that squares with China's stated climate goals. They certainly won't take any blame for the emissions being produced by their activities in other nationseven if it will be their hand on the axe and cement mixer. What will it mean for biodiversity? The World Wildlife Fund, in an extremely conservative analysis that only considers the backbone BRI projects, estimates that it will directly impact 265 threatened species, including endangered Saiga antelopes, tigers, giant pandas, gorillas and orangutans. The major BRI corridors, ignoring all their side-projects, will cut through or broadly overlap with 1,739 Important Bird Areas or Key Biodiversity Areas, as well as 46 biodiversity hotspots or Global 200 Ecoregions. To a biologist, this is a staggering listessentially the biologically richest real-estate on the planet. There are way too many notable places to list, but to mention just a fewthere are the endangered Central Spine forests of peninsular Malaysia, the enormously rich forests of Myanmar, the species-rich ecosystems of the Himalayas, the vanishing rainforests of Borneo and Sumatra, and the megafauna of the greater Congo Basin. And that's just making a tiny scratch in the surface. Dongying in China's Shandong Province was the site of a major afforestation effort from 2011 to 2016. The World Bank You also say that China's doing a better job environmentally on its own turf than outside its borders. Please elaborate. China deserves credit for implementing the largest afforestation program in human history, replanting denuded lands with exotic, not-native tree species, and they've put on hold plans to build another 150 coal-fired generating plants, because they already have an excess of domestic energy production. China is a world-leader in technologies around solar energy, batteries and wind energy, and it has invested hugely in science generally. Their growth as a scientific superpower is nothing short of amazing. China is also making a few high-profile efforts to conserve wildlife, such as expanding the panda reserves in southwest China and outlawing its huge domestic trade of ivoryalthough China still has a great deal of blood on its hands from the trade of ivory, not to mention its massive consumption of Pangolins, shark fins, jaguar teeth, tiger pelts and body parts, wild birds and myriad other wildlife products. This interview was conducted by Marlene Cimons, who writes for Nexus Media, a syndicated newswire covering climate, energy, politics, art and culture. Reposted with permission from our media associate Nexus Media. Food, as we know, is a terrible thing to waste. Roughly one third of the food produced in the world for human consumption gets lost or wasted every year. But what if we could use food waste to create more food? That's the elegantly full-circle idea behind Indie Ecology, a West Sussex food waste farm that collects leftovers from some of London's best restaurants and turns it into compost. The nutrient-rich matter is then used to grow high quality produce for the chefs to cook with. Call it table-to-farm-to-tableand again and again. "I wanted to help chefs understand the true impact they can have on nature and the environment," Igor Vaintraub, who founded Indie Ecology in 2011, touts his website. According to the Evening Standard, the farm's gourmet compost is made from 80 top restaurants, including Michelin-starred establishments like The Ledbury and La Gavroche. Vaintraub told the publication, "Other than the bins and some delivery plastic the whole process is plastic free We recycle seven tonnes per day, seven days each week, and we are a tiny operation. We are trying to do something different. Waste was looked at as something that people take away and forget about, but we wanted to educate chefs especially as they generate a lot of this commodity [waste]." The farm uses a Japanese anaerobic method called "bokashi," which uses a cocktail of fermented molasses and naturally occurring microorganisms to turn food scraps into compost. The advantage of this process is that there is little smell and it does not attract pests. Unlike traditional composting, this method can handle meat, fish and dairy. Vaintraub told EcoWatch got the idea for his business four years ago from Vandra Thorburn of Brooklyn-based Vokashi, which counts a number of sustainable businesses, caterers and even actress Lucy Liu as clients. "At first I think chefs were a bit dubious about coming on board with us, as there was a cost involved and it was not something they had ever done before," Tom Morphew, an Indie Ecology business partner, told the Evening Standard. "But once they started the produce, it is 100 times better than what they buy from wholesalers that is force-grown in greenhouses." Wildfire warning issued following drier weather The Manx public is being urged to take care in the countryside due to the heightened risk of wildfire. The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture and the Isle of Man Fire and Rescue Service warns that warmer drier weather means vegetation could easily catch fire and spread quickly. DEFA is appealing for those taking to the countryside to make sure cigarettes are discarded carefully and fires extinguished properly. The public is advised not to light bonfire, camp fires or barbecues near combustible vegetation, not to release Chinese Lanterns and take glass bottles home as discarded bottles can ignite fires. Youve probably read a lot about the EUs General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the enormous fines organizations could face for violations of the data protection and privacy law, which takes effect today. What you probably havent heard enough is how thoroughly the law could change IT security and data management practices, so Ill go out on a limb here: GDPR could finally be the precipitating factor that changes the way companies think about security and protect our personal information. First, some background. GDPR addresses data protection and privacy for all individuals within the European Union and the law also addresses the export of personal data outside the EU. Thats a pretty broad mandate. The primary goal is to have common regulations within the EU for data privacy and to allow EU residents to control their personal data. It replaces the 1995 Data Protection Directive, and is a regulation, not a directive, so countries within the EU do not have to pass any enabling legislation. The GDPR extends the current EU data protection regulations to all foreign companies processing data of EU residents, and it synchronizes data protection regulations throughout the EU to make it easier for non-European entities to comply with EU regulations. The law defines personal data as any information relating to an individual, whether it relates to his or her private, professional or public life. It can be anything from a name, a home address, a photo, an email address, bank details, posts on social networking websites, medical information, or a computers IP address. In short, the law covers just about any and every bit of data for anyone residing in the EU. Why GDPR matters to everyone outside the EU Some companies are trying to address GDPR compliance by segregating the data of their EU customers from everything else. Let me edge a little farther out onto that limb: It aint gonna work. Lets start with a simple fact of international law: EU citizens arent covered by EU law when traveling outside the EU. Here are two examples of how the messy nature of global commerce could create problems for companies: 1. An EU citizen travels to the U.S. for a conference and posts personal things on social media. Does that information stay in the U.S., with different laws, or is that data stored in the U.S. and accessed elsewhere? What if the data is cached in the U.S. and migrates back to the EU later and thus has dual residency? Lets say that EU citizen travels back home and there is a data breach in the U.S. and potentially exposes that persons data. Proving that the data is no longer cached in the U.S. is going to be a big deal for that company and a huge liability, as that citizen is back in the EU and the data need to be wiped in the U.S. Tracking EU citizens wherever they go and somehow segregating that data could prove so difficult and expensive that total global compliance might be a cheaper and safer option. 2. An EU citizen contacts a Japanese company about a new medical device. The citizen is unaware that the sensitive medical questions are being logged as part of a marketing rollout plan for the EU. All details of the exchange are stored on servers in Japan for the EU citizens, but copies are made and moved to the EU to help marketing plans. This happens routinely in large companies trying to market new products. Now a data breach occurs in Japan but all of the data is mirrored to the EU. The same answer may apply here: global compliance may be the best option. The bottom line is that given the worldwide nature of business and worldwide travel of people knowing where your data is and how it is going to be used, it is virtually impossible to have different data policies in different locations. From a cost perspective, it makes the most sense to have a single inclusive policy for the company to follow around the world instead of lots of local polices that will be confusing to those charged with implementing them. A workforce that implements a single policy is much more cost-effective. These are just two examples, but social media and medical pharmaceutical and device companies that depend so completely on their data are likely going to have to apply GDPR security, or at least most of its critical components, not just to the EU but worldwide as well. Why develop an architecture that only works for one region of the world? Microsoft acknowledged the problem this week when it announced it would follow GDPR mandates globally for all customers. Expect others to follow. And on the first day of GDPR compliance, Facebook and Google are already under pressure, with Austrian privacy advocate Max Schrems accusing the two in multi-billion Euro lawsuits of coercing users into accepting their privacy policies, as the debate begins over what GDPR compliance means. GDPRs likely changes I think there will be a number of big changes that will impact the hardware and software stack because of GDPR. Common Criteria First and foremost, the Common Criteria, known by its acronym CC, will become required for almost all systems. It has been common in the U.S. and other government bodies for at least a decade, but my bet is this certification is going to be required not just for operating systems but for all components of a system. This has broad implications for things like CentOS and Debian, as they are not CC certified. When I say all components, I believe appliances, services, network adaptors and storage will all be required to be CC certified. CC doesnt solve all security problems and vulnerabilities, but it does address known attacks vectors, and it provides a support framework and critical updates when vulnerabilities are found. Encryption Dealing with encryption on a file- and user-level basis is difficult because of the complexity of key management. You have to generate keys, ensure they are safe, and re-key files based on policy. This is all very hard and complex and it is likely that the key manager will need to be CC certified, as it is the attack vector. The most likely scenario in the short term is to have certified data encryption at rest and certified media sanitization. The U.S. National Institute of Standards (NIST) has certifications for both encryption and media sanitization. For encryption, the standard is FIPS-140v2, and detailed requirements for meeting the FIPS-140v2 standard and certified products can be found here. The standard for media sanitization standard is called NIST 800-88. This is not say that everyone is going to use FIPS-140v2 compliant storage, but I believe that encryption at rest with standard encrypted drives is going to become SOP, and just having encrypted storage without some kind of certification will be viewed as a vulnerability. Security standards for all GDPR is going to change everything about IT security and data management by standardizing certifications worldwide, if not for the right reason of data privacy, then to reduce liability and stave off attacks from attorneys after a data breach. It is much easier to argue in court that you have followed all the standards of the EU, U.S. and others and have certified hardware and software than to argue that having that certified hardware and software would not have prevented the problem. As we all know, security is about having multiple layers of protection, and GDPR I believe is going to up the requirements for certified products and improve standards and testing for products around the world, as data does not stay in a single place. This will require hackers to up their game, but as I have said before, security is the arms race of our time. For more on GDPR compliance, see GDPR Enforcement Priorities: What Will Regulators Be Looking For? Henry Newman has worked in high-performance environments for more than 35 years. The outspoken Mr. Newman initially went to school to become a diplomat, but was firmly told during his first year that he might be better suited for a career that didnt require diplomatic skills. Diplomacys loss was HPCs gain. Two faculty members in the School of Urban and Enviornmental Engineering at UNIST are being honored with prestigious awards from the Korean government for research and teaching on meteorological research. The Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) annually presents government awards to those who have made an outstanding contribution to the fields of urban meteorology and climatology. This year's award ceremony took place in the Korea Meteorological Administration, as part of the 2018 World Meteorological Day on March 23, 2018. About 122 individuals have been recognized and among them, only 12 were presented with government awards. Professor Myong-In Lee is an acknowledged expert on climate change and metrological disaster. Professor Lee was presented with the Presidential Commendation, the highest honor awarded by the South Korean governmnet to the most outstanding scholars making a positive contribution to society. This honor has been given to him in recognition of his consistent hard work. Professor Lee received the B.S. degree in Atmospheric Sciences and the Ph.D. degree in Atmospheric Sciences from Seoul National University, Korea. He joined the School of Urban and Environmental Engineering at UNIST in 2010. Prior to joining UNIST, Professor Lee worked as a Research Associate at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, United States. His current research interests include climate phenomena, like the Arctic Oscillation, used in seasonal climate predictions. Professor Lee was also elected as a member of American Meteorological Society since 2008 and served on the international organizing committee for the Asian Conference on Meteorology 2017. Besides, he has contributed greatly to strengthening the global positioning of South Korean atmospheric science by organizing the 'International Conference on Meteorological-Ocean-Cryosphere MOCA-21 in 2021?. ### Professor Dong Hyun Cha was presented with the Prime Minister's Commendation in recognition of his exemplary contributions for developing the national standard climate change scenario based on the Korean climate change assessment in collaboration with the Korea Meteorological Administration. He has also developed the regional climate modeling for East Asia and the Korean peninsula region and is currently pursuing a research on climate-related disasters, health, and agriculture that utilizes research findings in climate change. Professor Lee received the B.S. degree in Atmospheric Sciences and the Ph.D. degree in Atmospheric Sciences from Seoul National University, Korea. He joined the School of Urban and Environmental Engineering at UNIST in 2012. Prior to joining UNIST, Professor Lee worked as a Postdoctoral Fellow at University of Hawaii, United States. His current research interests include the areas of real-time tropical cyclone forecasting, regional climate modeling, ocean-land-atmosphere moels coupling, high impact weather, as well as the development and improvement of numerical climate models. Paolo Savona, who was rejected as Italy's economy minister by the president due to his hostility to the euro, was instead sworn in Friday as European affairs minister in the country's new populist government. Savona was at the centre of a stand-off between Sergio Mattarella and the populists now in power after the president refused to give his blessing to the coalitions government line-up because it included the 81-year-old eurosceptic. The impasse saw anti-establishment Five Star Movement leader Luigi Di Maio and nationalist leader Matteo Salvini dig in their heels and refuse to go ahead. But when the populist parties reached a new coalition deal Thursday reviving their plans to take power with Giuseppe Conte at the helm, the role of economy minister was given to the less controversial Giovanni Tria leaving Savona to take on the role of overseeing Europe. A fierce critic of the Maastricht Treaty and the euro, Savona has a career in finance and economics that stretches back to the 1960s, and was Minister of Trade and Industry during fellow banker Carlo Ciampis short-lived technocrat government in the early 1990s. In his latest book, Like a Nightmare and a Dream, Savona calls the single currency a German cage, and his hostility to the euro provoked a flurry of warnings from Brussels as Mattarella hesitated over his appointment. Salvini defended the coalitions economy minister pick, saying on Thursday: When you have the best available you go for the best. He is the guarantee that Italy can sit at table as a key player. But Savona in his book strikes a decidedly more hardline tone, writing that we need to prepare a plan B to get out of the euro if necessary the other alternative is to end up like (bailed-out) Greece. In the book he attacks Italian officials who decided to take Italy into the euro which he claims has halved Italians purchasing power the European Central Bank (ECB) and its Italian president Mario Draghi, and in particular Germany. Germany didnt change its idea on its role in Europe after the end of Nazism, even if it abandoned the idea of imposing itself militarily, he charges. However he defends himself against charges of being Europhobic, saying that he is simply criticising institutions that are failing the European people. Im passed off as one of those rare anti-European institutional economists but it is not true. I would be in favour of a united Europe in principle, and thats why I talk about the worst of what I see today in Brussels, Catholic daily Avvenire quote him as saying. Europes difficulties are down to the elites who run it: they say they take care of the people but they only take care of themselves. Anti-German Born in the Sardinian capital Cagliari in October 1936, Paolo Savona began his career at the Bank of Italy after gaining a masters degree in economics and commerce in 1961. He then specialised in monetary economics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and in 1976 he returned to Sardinia, leaving the Bank of Italy to become Professor of Economic Policy at the University of Cagliari. He was director general of business association Confindustria, president of a small Sardinian bank and then head of the Banca Nazionale del Lavoro (BNL), a major Italian bank. He has also been a member and sometimes chairman of a number of boards, including of Aeroporti di Roma and Telecom Italia. On Wednesday he resigned as chair of London-based investment fund Euklid. Vincenzo Visco, current head of the Bank of Italy and a former finance minister in leftist governments between 1996 and 2000, told the Corriere della Sera that Savona has all the capacity and credibility to fill the post but came with two big problems. The first, Visco says, would be applying an anti-austerity programme negotiated by Five Star and the League, which he knows to be completely inapplicable given Italys 2.3 trillion euro public debt. The second, would be that his political positions are radically and suicidally anti-German that could create problems both for him and for us. ljm/fcc/td/je/ach/aph/ceb/bmm The heads of the British and French air forces warned Friday that Western dominance in the skies is increasingly under threat as rival powers develop new defence capabilities. Head of the Royal Air Force, Stephen Hillier, referred to the development of new sophisticated surface-to-air missiles and fifth-generation fighter jets by Russia that challenge Western technological superiority. The global situation has changed, and fast, and we need to wake up to the fact that the control of air space too is being contested to a degree we have not witnessed in the post Cold War years, he said in Paris. As well as Russia, China is investing heavily in new stealth fighter jet technology as part of a vast overhaul of its armed forces. French air force chief Andre Lanata pointed to the loss of an Israeli F16 fighter jet over Syria in February, which was hit by Syrian anti-aircraft fire, as an illustration of the dangers. Our adversaries, our rivals have understood the advantage we have from our aerial power today they are developing increasingly robust strategies to keep us out of the air, he said. He urged policymakers to really understand that control of air space in the future will be contested to an unprecedented degree. Its a major issue for our defence, he added. Hillier was in Paris for a ceremony to mark the 100th anniversary of the RAF which was officially formed at the end of the First World War. He was also highly critical of Russia. It is now clear that the threat posed to our societies and their national interests by state actors and their proxies has grown to proportions we have not seen since the fall of the Soviet Union, he said. Russia provides the most telling and pressing example. Privacy Settings This site uses functional cookies and external scripts to improve your experience. Which cookies and scripts are used and how they impact your visit is specified on the left. You may change your settings at any time. Your choices will not impact your visit. NOTE: These settings will only apply to the browser and device you are currently using. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Saturday took part in a ceremony to present a Japanese Akita dog to Russia's Olympic figure skating champion Alina Zagitova during a visit to Moscow. Zagitova, the 16-year-old who won gold at this years Pyeongchang Olympics, proclaimed her love for Akitas after spotting them while training in Japan, and local officials pledged to find one for her. The head of the Akita preservation society, Takashi Endo, gifted her a puppy called Masura in the ceremony in a central Moscow hotel. Abe, who spoke at Saint Petersburgs Economic Forum this week and will hold talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday, took part in the presentation. In 2016, the governor of Japans Akita region gifted an Akita puppy named Yume dream in Japanese to Putin. In recent years, foreign ownership of Japans most famous indigenous breeds has skyrocketed, with celebrities like Hollywood actor Richard Gere and French film star Alain Delon owning the breed. Other famous Akita admirers include deaf-blind political activist Helen Keller who brought one back to America. Originally a hunting breed, Akitas emerged from the northern Japanese region of the same name. They are large, around 60 to 70 centimetres (24 to 28 inches) tall and between 40 to 50 kilogrammes (88 to 110 pounds), with prominent ears that stand straight up, deep-set eyes and almost bear-like faces. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Saturday pledged to move forward on a peace treaty to solve a territorial dispute over the Kuril Islands. The Soviet takeover of the islands in the closing days of world war II has poisoned relations between the two countries for 70 years. We believe it is important to patiently continue the search for a solution that would satisfy the interests of Russia and Japan and that would be accepted by the nations of both countries, Putin said at a news conference following the talks. He added that Russia would assist in allowing Japanese citizens to visit the Kuril islands. Solving (the dispute) is not easy but we would like to end it within the lifetime of our generation, Abe said. He added that Tokyo was thankful to Moscow for allowing Japanese citizens to visit the graves of relatives on the islands. Earlier, Abe said he hoped for a new breakthrough in settling the territorial dispute over the Kuril Islands and that he was ready to reinforce cooperation in a calm but energetic manner. The summit is the latest attempt to draw a line under World War II since Japan and the Soviet Union began discussions in 1956. Abes late father Shintaro took the lead in negotiations with Moscow as a foreign minister but died in 1991 after pushing for talks while suffering from cancer. Japan has been careful to avoid criticising Russia, particularly its role in Syria that has drawn condemnation by Western countries, as it seeks to resolve the territorial dispute. North Korea The two leaders also discussed the North Korea crisis. Putin called on countries participating in regulating the North Korea crisis to show restraint in order not to allow a new spike in confrontation and to keep the situation in the political and diplomatic field. The most important (thing) is for North Korea to carry out full and irreversible denuclearisation, Abe said for his part. Russia has retained close ties with its Soviet ally North Korea, while Pyongyang has test fired ballistic missiles over Japan. Japan and Russia were both members of six-party talks on regulating the North Korea crisis, which also involved China, the US and both Koreas. The talks were designed to offer the North security and economic benefits in exchange for denuclearisation but broke down in 2009 when Pyongyang abandoned them. Putin and Abe pledged to reinforce cooperation at a time of tension with the West. I am very pleased to have the opportunity to talk in detail on our bilateral relations and political cooperation, Putin said as he greeted Abe in the Kremlin. The two leaders already met this week on the sidelines of the Saint Petersburg Economic Forum where Abe was present as a guest of honour. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Saturday spoke to astronauts on board the ISS via a live video link from the Kremlin. Russian astronaut Anton Shklaperov and his Japanese colleague Norishige Kanai, on board the International Space Station (ISS), appeared on a giant screen in the Kremlin after the two leaders held bilateral talks. We have been cooperating with Japan in space for over ten years, Putin told the astronauts, stressing Japans important contribution to the functioning of the ISS. Allow me to express my joy to the fact that you work in such unity in space, Abe said, according to Russian interpreters. Our cooperation leads to important results, Japans Kanai told the two leaders. Shklaperov said it was particularly pleasant that the ISS celebrates the 20th anniversary of its founding in 2018, which has been declared the year of Japan in Russia and the year of Russia in Japan. Both astronauts arrived on the ISS in December. Putin and Abe held talks on Saturday, pledging to reinforce cooperation at a time of tension with the West. Friday, May 25, 2018 The next Albuquerque Death Cafe will take place on Sunday, June 24 from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. in the Fifth Floor Lounge at Manzano del Sol Village, 5201 Roma NE, Albuquerque, NM. If you want to attend, let host Gail Rubin know by sending an email to Gail [at] AGoodGoodbye.com or join the Albuquerque Death Cafe MeetUp group. Just what is a Death Cafe, you may ask? The Death Cafe movement started in September, 2011, when Londoner Jon Underwood and psychologist Sue Barsky Reid, his mother, held the first such event at Jons home. Based on the work of Swiss sociologist Bernard Crettaz, the Death Cafe objective is to increase awareness of death with a view to helping people make the most of their (finite) lives.." The sessions offer a group-directed discussion of death with no agenda, objectives or themes. This is a discussion group rather than a grief support or counseling session. Death Cafes are a social franchise,." where those who want to hold such events agree to follow the guidelines of holding a Death Cafe. The guidelines include presenting Death Cafes on a not for profit basis in an accessible, respectful and confidential space, with no intention of leading people to any conclusion, product, or course of action. Most events are free or donation-based. Hosts always offer drinks and food, such as tea and cake or coffee and cookies. Since the first event in 2011, more than 6,400 Death Cafes have been held in 53 countries around the world. The first two U.S. Death Cafes were held in 2012 by Lizzy Miles in Columbus, Ohio and Gail Rubin in Albuquerque, New Mexico. To learn more about the Death Cafe movement, visit this page at AGoodGoodbye.com or visit www.DeathCafe.com. Share this: The NCAA Mens Final Four tournament and the Easter holiday weekend fueled double-digit passenger growth at San Antonio International Airport in April, according to figures released Friday. More than 836,000 travelers passed through the San Antonio airport last month, city aviation officials said nearly a 14 percent jump from the 737,000 that did so in April 2017. This is the 22nd consecutive month of record passenger growth, and obviously we view this as a positive trend, Aviation Director Russ Handy said in a statement. It provides momentum to continue our progress and record-breaking passenger growth well into the future. Most of those travelers in April came from the U.S. Domestic air travel to and from San Antonio jumped 13.1 percent from about 710,000 passengers in April 2017 to more than 803,000 last month, figures released by the San Antonio Airport System show. San Antonio runways also saw more visitors from Mexico and Canada last month. Nearly 30,000 international travelers passed through San Antonio International in April, up 18.2 percent from 25,000 during the same month last year. More travelers chartered private jets out of San Antonio last month about 3,800, a 60 percent gain over 2,400 in April 2017. San Antonio aviation officials and airliners have been adding more routes and flights to the airport this month. Last week, low-cost carrier Frontier Airlines announced the addition of nine nonstop routes out of San Antonio International Airport to U.S. destinations including Albuquerque, New Mexico; Charlotte, North Carolina; and Memphis, Tennessee. That announcement came days after United Airlines said it plans to add more daily nonstop flights on its already-existing route from San Antonio to Newark Liberty International Airport in Newark, New Jersey. Joshua Fechter is a San Antonio Express-News staff writer. Read more of his stories here. | jfechter@express-news.net | Twitter: @JFReports Ballet San Antonio announced in a letter to subscribers Friday that artistic director Willy Shives is no longer with the company. We thank him for his service of the past two and a half years and wish him all the best in his future endeavors, the letter states. The letter did not say if Shives resigned or left the company involuntarily. The announcement comes in the wake of complaints from former company members. Jenna Stamm, a former dancer with Ballet San Antonio, alleged on Facebook and in several blog posts that she was verbally and mentally abused before she left the company in April. Every dancer in Ballet San Antonio is so incredibly talented, hard working, professional, and passionate, Stamm wrote on April 14. All of us have been a witness and/or victim of verbal and mental abuse, and this cannot go on any longer. Eventually unappreciated dancing, mind games, along with the lack of funding will take a toll on the psychological state of a person, she wrote. Two days later, at least 19 former dancers at Ballet San Antonio sent a letter to the companys board of directors detailing a culture of verbal abuse, body-shaming, manipulation and bullying, according to the Rivard Report. That letter prompted an internal investigation by the companys board of directors, the website reported. Board Chairwoman Lisa Galo Westmoreland could not be reached for comment Friday. The companys marketing coordinator said there would be no further statement from the company. Shives, who joined Ballet San Antonio in December 2015, did not respond to multiple phone and email messages requesting comment. Shives previously was with the Joffrey Ballet, where he served as community engagement coordinator. He also was a leading dancer and ballet master with the famed Chicago company. A search is underway for a new artistic director, according to Fridays letter, though guest choreographers will be hired for Ballet San Antonios 2018-19 productions. The upcoming season schedule includes Beauty and the Beast, The Nutcracker and Carmen. Ballet San Antonio is the resident professional ballet company at the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts. Emilie Eaton is a San Antonio Express-News staff writer. Read more of her stories here. | eeaton@express-news.net | @emilieeaton Authorities this week found 86 undocumented immigrants in a tractor-trailer near Raymondville and charged the driver and another man with federal smuggling charges. A tip from a concerned citizen led the Texas Department of Public Safety to pull over the rig driven by Jorge Alfredo Rodriguez, a Cuban national, on a traffic infraction Tuesday near Raymondville, according to a criminal complaint affidavit filed in federal court in Brownsville. Rodriguez, 34, gave officers permission to search the trailer, and they found several people trying to hide, the affidavit said. Some of the immigrants made their way out through the roof of the trailer and were taken into custody. Multiple law enforcement agencies assisted, including a U.S. Customs and Border Protection aircraft. Emergency medical services personnel also responded to provide medical assistance to some of the 86 immigrants found in all, CBP and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcements Homeland Securities Investigations said in a news release. Rodriguez was arrested, along with Danay Rego Placencia, another Cuban national that had been seen driving another vehicle. Rego, the affidavit said, had been seen meeting Rodriguez at a Stripes gas station near Highway 77 and FM 186 before the rig was pulled over, the affidavit said. The immigrants were from Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador, Mexico and Nicaragua, according to the news releases. Four of the immigrants were held as material witnesses, while the rest were to be deported, according to officials. Rodriguez and Rego are being held in federal custody without bond, records show. Homeland Security is investigating. Guillermo Contreras is a San Antonio Express-News staff writer. Read more of his stories here. | gcontreras@express-news.net | @gmaninfedland William Luther, Staff / San Antonio Express-News A conspiracy theorist who claims the November mass shooting in which 26 people were killed at First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs never took place was ordered held Thursday pending a bail hearing next week. Robert Mikell Ussery, who refers to himself as Side Thorn Journalist, and his girlfriend, Jodi Mann, known as Conspiracy Granny, were arrested March 5 on state charges of resisting arrest, trespassing and other counts. Theyre accused of walking onto the church lawn and telling Pastor Frank Pomeroy that he was perpetrating a government hoax and that his daughter who was killed in the massacre never even existed, according to a criminal complaint affidavit. Animal Care Services officers Jennifer Fried and Justine Sanchez were cautious as they approached a North Side residence, looking for a black-and-white dog that a man reported had bitten him as he jogged down the street. At the home, they discovered the owner had three pit bulls. The officers explained they would have to quarantine the stocky dog accused of breaking out of the backyard and attacking the jogger. The owner was cooperative, putting a leash on the dogs collar and leading him over to the ACS truck. Suddenly, the leash broke and the dog ran toward the strangers. Within seconds, Sanchez had secured the dog with a catch pole and the owners help. The situation ended safely, but it showcases how risky the officers work can be. The two investigators who handle all of the citys dangerous dog cases never know whether the animal or the owner might attack. Since October, Animal Care Services has gone to court with 37 dangerous dog cases and nine cases of serious bodily injury involving people who were hospitalized after they were attacked by a dog. More Information Animal bites and scratches that have broken skin 2014: 3,886 2015: 3,789 2016: 3,497 2017: 3,526 (For the fiscal years, October-September) Source: Animal Care Services See More Collapse Overall, there have been 2,335 reports of animal bites and scratches that break the skin. ACS has 40 officers who investigate those reports, but the two dangerous dog investigators are tasked with the most serious cases. Its called one of the toughest, most mentally and emotionally exhaustive jobs at ACS. One woman who reported a dangerous dog in a North Central subdivision said a neighbors Staffordshire terrier repeatedly chewed through her backyard wooden fence for a year and made her feel like a hostage in her own home. She often was confronted by the dog in her backyard. She said she called her councilman and reported the incidents to ACS, along with videos of the canine in her yard. The agency deemed the dog dangerous and made the owners comply with new rules to protect the public. I feared it was going to eventually attack me, said the woman, who asked to remain anonymous out of fear of retaliation from her neighbor. Animal Care Services only comes once a year and can only do so much. Theres no criminal laws, they issue a fine or citations and thats it. The law is what needs to change so there will be a stop to it. ACS spokeswoman Lisa Norwood said the agency has tried to strengthen laws to protect the public from such vicious dogs. One of the biggest problems was owners of dogs were acting aggressively and werent held responsible for their animals, she said. The law was not allowing us to address the symptoms of what had become a disease in our community. Now, a dog can be deemed dangerous if it causes bodily injury in an unprovoked attack outside its enclosure. Owners of a dog deemed dangerous must meet 10 requirements if they want to keep the animal, including posting signs, paying $100 every year for a dangerous dog permit and obtaining a $100,000 liability insurance policy. In January, Alphonso McCloud, 29, was sentenced to four years in prison after a jury found him guilty of serious bodily injury for his dogs attack on neighbor Doris Mixon Smith in 2017. McClouds dog, Bully, charged and mauled Smith in her own yard, severing her arm below the elbow and scarring her face from chin to eyebrow. His wife, Stanyelle Miles-McCloud, 31, was sentenced to 10 years probation and told she could never own a dog again. After the initial attack, Fried went to the McCloud home when it was reported they had another dog. There were actually two dogs, a pitbull and a Rhodesian ridgeback in the McClouds backyard. The ridgeback was deemed dangerous and was later euthanized. Norwood said the common denominator in dog attack cases is a lack of responsibility on a dog owners part and a lack of education about the need to report incidents to ACS. Theres real value in having knowledge of an animals bite history, she said. But what if its the first bite? Thats why its so important for our community, pet owners and non-pet owners to learn the basics of dog behavior. Because even the sweetest dog in the world can and will bite given the right circumstances. Neither Fried nor Sanchez have been bitten but they have been charged countless times. They frequently hear the animal theyre investigating before they actually see it. At a recent stop, when Fried knocked on the door, a dog inside the house barked wildly as it threw itself against a front window over and over again, threatening to break it. The owner wasnt home and the investigators left. They would return another day. Fried and Sanchez said they have had to develop a thick skin. Some dog owners are combative and even abusive when confronted with allegations. At barely 5 feet tall, Sanchez said she quickly learned to stand her ground. During her one year as an investigator, shes been berated by angry residents whose dogs have threatened neighbors and the surrounding community. I had to toughen myself up to talk to different kinds of people, Sanchez said. As for the emotional part, Sanchez said at first she felt guilty at not being able to give a dog back to an owner or having to walk a dog to be euthanized because of a court ruling. But I had to really change the way that I thought, she said, and let myself know its not my fault, but the fact that that an owner could not be responsible and give a dog what it deserved. Fried said its hard when theres a case where an animal or person is maimed or killed because a dog wasnt properly trained or secured. If this dog wasnt owned by this person it probably would have turned out to be a good dog, said Fried, who has been working with dangerous dog cases for three and a half years. Responsibility extends to the community as well as to dog owners, officials said. Manuel Flores, an ACS field supervisor, said that first-hand knowledge and details from neighbors help ACS investigators determine if theyre dealing with an aggressive or dangerous animal. We can understand the fear from the citizen, Flores said, which sparks the investigation from our dangerous dog investigators to proceed further. If there are violations by the owner and it (meets) the definition of a dangerous dog, then they can place those restrictions on the animals so that the citizen can be at peace. Flores said residents have to be willing to testify if needed, but he understands there is often a concern about possible retaliation. Still, that help is needed to help make the community safer for everyone. ACS mission is to protect public safety, Norwood said, and not just because that is the law in San Antonio, its because San Antonio demands it. Our citizens deserve to be protected from dangerous dogs. ACS Advisory Board President Rita Braeutigam said the issue calls for a proactive approach of enforcement and education. It is unrealistic to believe that we can prevent every dog bite before it occurs, Braeutigam said, but San Antonio can address a huge number of them starting right now. If you are aware of a vicious dog living in your neighborhood, work with Animal Care Services and the legal process to hold the owner accountable. Fried thinks theres room for improvement in the existing ordinance. It would be nice if the law would be ramped up for repeat offenders, she said. Back on the North Side, Fried and Sanchez stopped for an annual inspection at the home of Natalie McCallum, owner of a mastiff-boxer mix named Mugs, short for Mug Ruith, a powerful druid of Irish mythology. On McCallums front yard fence hangs a cautionary sign that bears an image of a dog with wide-opened jaws that reads, Warning: Dangerous Dog. Its one of two required signs; the second hangs on a kennel made of chain-link fencing anchored in sand in the back yard. McCallum, 50, said it was just bad circumstances that led to Mugs being declared a dangerous dog. According to an affidavit, a child from McCallums family was walking the 4-year-old mastiff on a leash, when he broke away and bit an 11-year-old boy on his right calf and backside. If the family hadnt agreed to the required safety measures, Mugs would have been put down. I didnt want to lose my dog, McCallum said. We learned a valuable and expensive lesson. Fried and Sanchez found McCallum had met most of the requirements, but she was cited for not fixing a crooked kennel gate and not having a copy of the required liability insurance policy. Well give you a time limit to get the fence fixed, Fried told McCallum. You need to call the insurance company and get a declaration page. The officers made plans to be back within a month to see if McCallum had complied. Afterward, the dangerous dog investigators returned to the office for the last appointment of their day, with a pet owner who wanted to retrieve his two dogs. They had been quarantined after they were found roaming loose, scaring neighbors. Sanchez pushed her sunglasses back on her head and looked up at Paul Lerma as she explained the terms for getting his dogs back. He agreed, then paid a $900 fee and was escorted to the quarantine kennels, where the dogs jumped excitedly when they saw him. As required, he latched a muzzle over each dogs snout and led them one at a time to his vehicle. Lerma said usually a neighbor would call him if his dogs got loose. The whole scene was a misunderstanding, he said, and hes not sure if he supports the city ordinance. Its fair up to a point, Lerma, 47, said. Im not sure if its fair with all that is involved. Once Lerma was gone, the two officers wrapped up their paperwork and took stock of the long day. Both said they feel a sense of satisfaction about their work overall. Its gratifying, Fried said. Were able to get some justice for victims. vtdavis@express-news.net Hes been out of office for a year, but the political hits keep coming for former District 2 City Councilman Alan Warrick, whos been slapped with a $5,000 fine by the Texas Ethics Commission for improperly lending his nonprofit business $15,000 while he was in office. Infamous for passing out on a park bench at City Hall after a night of binge drinking downtown, the former councilman admitted Friday that he shouldnt have loaned World Technical Services the campaign funds. According to a resolution posted by the commission, Warrick was accused of converting political contributions for personal use and improperly disclosing contributions, reimbursements and a payment to a business in which he had an interest. Warrick, the CEO of World Technical Services, loaned his business $15,000 on Oct. 19, 2015. He subsequently repaid the funds in three $5,000 payments Oct. 25, 2015; Jan. 1, 2016; and May 4, 2016. The former councilman acknowledged Friday that hed erred. Im going to start making payments on the fine as of (June) 1, he said. I was probably more careless than I needed to be. Allegations about improper use of campaign funds came during the 2017 campaign, when he and William Cruz Shaw, who went on to oust Warrick from office, traded political punches. Warrick first accused Shaw, whom he had appointed to the citys Zoning Commission, of violating the city charter by preparing for a campaign while serving on the commission. Shaw then accused Warrick of violating campaign finance laws. At the time, Warricks campaign manager told San Antonio Express-News columnist Brian Chasnoff that Warrick hadnt converted the contributions for personal use and that it was bridge funding for a nonprofit with cash-flow issues. He didnt receive any of it, consultant Colin Strother said in February 2017. The nonprofit has since satisfied the loan and paid it back. Shaw, the current councilman, said Friday that he was sorry to hear that Warrick is facing a hefty financial penalty. Still, he said, the rules are in place for a reason. I do feel bad for him, Shaw said. But officials are held to a higher standard, and rules and regulations are to be followed. We need to make sure we stay on the right side of those regulations. Among other things, the Ethics Commission found that Warrick had, in fact, converted the funds for personal interests. Personal use means a use that primarily furthers individual or family purposes not connected with the performance of duties or activities as a candidate for or holder of a public office, the commission reported. The findings illuminate myriad mistakes Warrick made in the accounting of the improper transactions, and the commission concludes that the violations are neither technical nor de minimis (lacking importance). Often, those sorts of violations are met with a fine not exceeding $500. I thought that because I was going to pay the loan back that I wasnt hurting anything, Warrick said. So I assumed that it wasnt a problem, but I probably should have checked with someone. So Im upset that I didnt think to check with someone beforehand. Checking with someone specifically, an attorney is exactly what he should have done, said Buck Wood, an elections lawyer and Texas ethics expert based in Austin. Lending your nonprofit $15,000 is something you should have asked your lawyer about, he said. Thats hard for me to understand. Wood said its not uncommon for clients to sit on the other side of his desk, explaining things theyve done. A lot of trouble and heartache could have been avoided had they consulted with him first. Wood said hes seen the TEC issue fines as high as $50,000, but the vast majority are for $500. A fine of $5,000 is notable, he said. $5,000 is intended to get everybodys attention, he said. Its unclear how much money is left in Warricks campaign coffers. Hes yet to officially close his campaign account, but he failed to file a required semi-annual campaign finance report in January. His last filing, from June 7, 2017, shows $2,448 on hand and $7,000 in outstanding loans. Even if Warrick has campaign cash on hand, Wood warned against using it. Doing so would likely bring another penalty from the TEC for converting political funds for personal use. Josh Baugh is a San Antonio Express-News staff writer. Read more of his stories here. | jbaugh@express-news.net | @jbaugh During her successful recent campaign for Bexar County GOP chair, Cynthia Brehm defined herself as a retired Army wife. She ran as a family values conservative and touted the military connection she shares with her husband, retired Army Lt. Col. Norman Brehm. What she didnt talk about either this year or during her 2015 mayoral campaign or her 2017 race for City Council was the scandal underlying that military connection. Norman Brehm pleaded guilty to indecent liberties with a child in 1999, according to military court records. The child was Cynthia Brehms 14-year-old daughter from a previous marriage. FROM GILBERT GARCIA: Brehm would lead local GOP further to the fringe Sadly, he got into pornography, and did something absolutely stupid, Cynthia Brehm said Friday in an email response to questions from the San Antonio Express-News. He flashed my 14-year-old daughter. Norman escaped prosecution on the indecency charge because the charge sheet for his case was not forwarded until October 2006, which provided him with a statute-of-limitations defense. On May 13, 2009, the U.S. Army Court of Criminal Appeals set aside both the guilty findings and the sentence for his indecency charge. At that time, Norman served as a Plans and Operations officer for the Army at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. A year later, he retired from the military and took a job with General Dynamics Corporation in Afghanistan. Over the past seven years, he and Cynthia have maintained a long-distance marriage, with Cynthia living in the $674,000 Dominion home they co-own and Norman only occasionally finding time to visit her. On March 28, Cynthia posted a photo on her Facebook page of Norman posing with one of her campaign signs. All the way from Afghanistan, my husband is rooting for me, she wrote. Isnt this the cutest thing? Oh my gosh, he made me laugh so hard.... I absolutely love it. ELECTION ANALYSIS: Maps: Breaking down primary runoffs in Congressional Districts 21 and 23 Cynthia easily won her runoff battle for the party chairmanship last Tuesday, drawing nearly 70 percent of the vote against Jo Ann Ponce Gonzalez, a former professor and administrator at Texas A&M University-San Antonio. The story of Norman Brehms flashing incident, however, started filtering out among local Republicans as the runoff election approached. Less than a week after Cynthias victory, there are signs of a budding mutiny within the party organization. Patty Gibbons, like Brehm, is part of the hard-line conservative wing of the local GOP. This group drove the effort last December to censure outgoing Texas House Speaker Joe Straus, presumably because of Strauss opposition to social wedge-issue legislation, such as a 2017 bill requiring transgender individuals to use public restrooms that conform to their birth sex. Gibbons worked for Brehms campaign early in the primary race, but said she was appalled to learn last Monday about the Norman Brehm indecency case. Most of us who hear this are still trying to stomach it, Gibbons said, adding that Brehms refusal to reveal the information to her supporters amounts to a betrayal of their trust. Gibbons said party members and general-election candidates noticeably stayed away from the newly elected GOP chair at a party barbecue on Thursday night. Shes pretty isolated right now, Gibbons said. Brehm brushed back any suggestion that its hypocritical for her to espouse Christian values and personal morality, while remaining married to someone who admitted to predatory behavior with a child. READ ALSO: S.A. congressional races set for November, and the money is pouring in As Republicans, we take our commitments and platform seriously and strive to live them out and to help others do the same including our spouses, she said. It would have been easy and selfish of me to walk away and destroy my family with these feelings, but I hung tough through prayer and Gods Grace to preserve my family. I don't like what happened. I stood up against the bad behavior, but I chose to take the high road and keep my vow to God for better, for worse, in sickness and in health, till death do we part. Gibbons and other party activists worry, however, that Brehms presence will alienate GOP donors and damage the campaigns of down-ballot Republicans in November. This doesnt represent who we are, Gibbons said. But were all left with a scandal that no one asked for. Tylden Shaeffer, the Republican nominee for Bexar County district attorney, released a statement Saturday afternoon saying he was extremely troubled by the revelations about Norman Brehm. He called on Cynthia to step down as party chair. This is a clear-cut issue, Shaeffer said. She needs to go. Today. @gilgamesh470 Gilbert Garcia is a San Antonio Express-News columnist. Read more of his stories here. | ggarcia@express-news.net | @gilgamesh470 San Antonio Bishop Michael Boulette may have best captured how fellow movie-goers were feeling right after watching director Wim Wenders new documentary, Pope Francis: A Man of His Word. Gathered by the Archdiocese of San Antonio at a local Santikos theater for a special screening ahead of the feature-length films May 18 opening, the largely Catholic audience was probably already primed to be a generous one. Boulette seemed to gauge the experience when he hailed Man of His Word as a spectacular evening retreat. Thats certainly one way to see a movie released in time for the fifth anniversary of Francis papacy and on the same weekend as Deadpool 2. Movie critics have described Man of His Word as frustrating (The New York Times), dynamic and intimate (Seattle Times) and rewatchable (Roger Ebert). The Guardian called it the Vaticans ultra-glossy promotional video. It did co-produce the movie and approached Wenders, a German-born Roman Catholic, winner of a Cannes Palme dOr award for Paris, Texas and Oscar nominee, to direct. But he has said he had no restrictions, and that officials gave him unprecedented access to its film archives. That must have included what Boulette called rare footage of Francis speaking to an assembly of uneasy-looking cardinals as he criticized the evils of wealth, including their own. Other critiques about Man of His Word have centered on what the film isnt a biopic of a man before he became pope. Instead, Man of His Word gives viewers longer, tighter closeups in which the pope speaks directly to the camera about his concerns (world hunger and environmental degradation chief among them) and calls for empathy and action. Wenders (Buena Vista Social Club, Pina) gives viewers breaktaking images of papal visits across the globe, allowing them to witness intense poverty, desperate and dying migrants and people of the Third World digging through mountains of rubbish created by the first. Mostly in Spanish, but also in Italian, German and English with English subtitles, Man of His Word reiterates what we know: That a rock star pope is also the first pope from the Americas, the first Jesuit and the first to take the name of St. Francis of Assisi. Jesuits, members of the Society of Jesus founded by St. Ignatius Loyola in 1534, are today best known for founding and running universities, their intellectual rigor and range and their tolerance of other faiths. Their thinking on social justice has underpinned the theory and practice of liberation theology. At one time, the Vatican suppressed the order. Pope Francis went to a Jesuit university in Buenos Aires and took the name of St. Francis of Assisi, whos associated with peace and poverty. Man of His Word contains a black-and-white movie within it about the 12th-century saint, and that silent-picture treatment also has been the target of criticism. The rest is a journey with Francis as he sits down for interviews with Wenders, travels the world, interacts with ordinary people and world leaders and addresses governing bodies such as the United Nations and the U.S. Congress. Arturo Lozano, a deacon at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church, called the movie impactful. You could see the Holy Spirit just coming through his words, he said. It was pretty powerful. Lozano said he has been recommending the movie to everyone. It speaks to the state of world and us not taking care of it, the deacon said. Were so caught up with this material world, were letting things fall by the wayside, especially the poor. That was a clear message. He even said we need to be a bit poorer ourselves, Lozano said. Pope Francis stressed living by the Golden Rule and admonished against the building of walls, denounced sexual abuses perpetrated by priests, and called out the minority of people on the planet that control most of its wealth. He stressed the three Ts in Spanish: trabajo (work), tierra (earth) and techo (a roof over ones head), and asked parents, Did you play with your children today? Some have criticized Wenders for not better using his time with the pope by challenging him or asking tougher questions. Viewers like Alma L. Garza, a dentist who attends Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, didnt feel that way. This pope is very open, honest and speaks his word, she said. It felt like the movie allowed us to see how globally people perceive this pope. And she intends to spread the word to get more people in theaters to see it. Elaine Ayala is a San Antonio Express-News staff writer. Read more of her stories here. | eayala@express-news.net | @ElaineAyala Re: Grim Santa Fe details emerging; Still unknown is what led to rampage, front page, Sunday: Gun proliferation and violence are rampant and evil. In 2017, there were 346 mass shootings (according to Gun Violence Archive, a non-profit organization that tracks gun-related deaths) and 101 mass shootings so far in 2018. This week, students and teachers were slaughtered in Santa Fe. The Texas Legislature and the U.S. Congress have done nothing to address gun violence. Its time for citizens to support repeal of the 2nd Amendment to the Constitution. We have no right to drive vehicles on public roads. We have permission to do so with proper licensing and safety measures as granted by our elected representatives. I believe we should have no automatic right to carry deadly weapons in public. Lets repeal the 2nd Amendment. Leslie E. Ellison, retired Presbyterian minister No outrage? Im sure the letters will soon call for stricter gun laws, and blame for the NRA. For the sake of our children. According to the CDC, 652,639 abortions were performed last year, which averages to 1,788 children killed per day. Where is the outrage? Richard A. Olivarez Self-defense There seem to be differing thoughts regarding the 2nd amendment. Is it for hunters, for self-defense, or is it necessary at all? Are assault rifles allowed under the amendment? I think most of the answers lie in understanding the times in which the amendment was written. Freshly freed from British tyranny, Americans leaders wanted to ensure that never again would Americans be left defenseless from either its own government or invading forces. Brought to its natural conclusion, any weapons necessary to protect ourselves from such dangers were surely meant to be included. Should we suddenly be attacked by internal or external forces, defending ourselves with revolvers or shotguns, in the face of modern weaponry, would be fruitless, leading to a slow, agonizing death. Like it or not, right or wrong, only a shallow reading of the 2nd amendment would leave one to believe otherwise. David Saenz BRIDGEPORT City police charged one woman after an assault involving two women, a baby and knife near the Bridgeport train station recently, an incident report said. Tyquashaya Hairston, 20, of Hartford, was charged with third-degree assault, second-degree breach of peace, second-degree threatening, carrying a dangerous weapon and risk of injury. On May 4, officers patrolling in the area of the train station, at 710 Water St., saw two people arguing in the middle of Water Street across from the train station. The officers saw the suspect, later identified as Hairston, start to hit the victim with her hands and feet, the incident report said. Officers quickly separated the two women and detained them for questioning. One witness, a Greater Bridgeport Transit employee, told officers he saw Hairston harass another woman in the bus terminal. He told police he heard Hairston say, she was going to stab (the victim) and then displayed what he believed to be a knife, the incident report said. Another witness and the victim reiterated what the GBT employee told police. The victim admitted she used pepper spray, which did not hit Hairston. She told police Hairston threatened to stab her and her baby. She said her and Hairston, have long-standing issues and they have fought in the past, the incident report said. Hairston told police the victim was the aggressor. She admitting brandishing a knife in an effort to get the other woman to leave her alone. The victim was released from custody. Police arrested Hairston. Two knives were taken from Hairstons purse and logged as evidence. She was held on a $10,000 bond and appeared in court on May 7. Court records showed she was released on a promise to appear after her May 7 court date. She was scheduled to be arraigned on May 16., but no further updated court records were immediately available. John G. Rowland is a free man again after serving his second prison sentence. The disgraced former governor once a young, rising star among Connecticut Republicans was was released from federal custody on Friday, according to the Federal Bureau of Prisons website. Federal prison officials had said earlier that Sunday was Rowlands anticipated release date. He had been staying at a halfway house in his hometown of Waterbury since being discharged from a federal prison camp in January. Rowland, who turned 61 the day before his release, was convicted in 2014 of election fraud and obstruction of justice for hiding his political consulting roles in two campaigns. He began serving a 30-month sentence in fall 2016, at a minimum security prison camp in Pennsylvania. It was his second stay in federal prison. Rowlands 2004 federal corruption conviction also led to his incarceration, and to the states landmark public campaign financing program. His release Friday came without an announcement or explanation from the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Prison officials have also refused to explain why Rowland was being released before serving his full 30 months, but inmates can get time off their sentences for good conduct and participating in a drug treatment program. Rowland could not be reached for comment Saturday. Calls made to a phone number listed for his wife, Patty Rowland, went unanswered, and John Rowland did not respond to an email request for comment. His sentence was the result of a jury trial in 2014 that yielded seven guilty verdicts for his behind-the-scenes role in the losing Republican congressional campaign of Lisa Wilson-Foley, whose husband, Brian Foley, paid Rowland $35,000 in consulting fees. Rowland had also served as a congressman, and had been an afternoon drive-time personality for the conservative WTIC-AM radio station in Farmington. In July 2004, he resigned less than halfway through his third term as governor rather than testify before a special House Committee of Inquiry, after a ruling by the state Supreme Court. Rowland pleaded guilty in December 2004 as part of a pay-to-play scheme that included $90,000 in luxury flights from Key Air of Oxford to Las Vegas and Florida. He served 10 months in federal prison and several months of house arrest in that case. M. Jodi Rell, Rowlands lieutenant governor, succeeded Rowland and led state lawmakers to ratify the states 2005 campaign-finance reforms. More Information Rowland timeline May 24, 1957: John G. Rowland born in Waterbury 1981: Elected to the Connecticut General Assembly at the age of 23 1985: Elected to the U.S. Congress representing the 5th Congressional District 1994: Elected governor, the state's youngest at age 37 1998: Re-elected, second term as governor 2002: Re-elected, third term as governor January 2004: Admits to 'unethical behavior' after being accused of accepting vacations and home renovations from state contractors. Impeachment committee formed. June 2004: Resigns as governor December 2004: Pleads guilty in federal court to conspiracy and fraud February 2006: Released after serving 10 months in prison April 2014: Indicted on election fraud charges, after serving as an off-the-books consultant to a congressional campaign. September: Found guilty of campaign fraud and other charges March 2015: Sentenced to 30 months in prison June 2015: Enters Otisville Federal Correctional Institution in New York January 2018: Transferred to a halfway house to complete term. May 25: Leaves halfway house. Free, again. See More Collapse Staff writer Ken Dixon and The Associated Press contributed to this report. Robert V. Stefanowski, a former corporate executive who is seeking the Republican nomination for governor without paying the usual respects to the party hierarchy, is leading in one way so far advertising. Stefanowski, of Madison, has spent a half-million dollars on television ads in the state. David Stemerman, of Greenwich, who closed his multibillion-dollar hedge fund to make a similar run for Connecticut governor, has also made a six-figure commitment to television ads. Political scientists say outsider Republicans like Stefanowski and Stemerman, with no name recognition or public record, have to work harder and spend their cash earlier. First of all, they have to get on the ballot, said Gary L. Rose, chairman of the Department of Government, Politics and Global Studies at Sacred Heart University. Neither candidate participated in the GOP nominating convention at Foxwoods Resort & Casino, but both were there, luring conventioneers with lavishly catered parties. Now they are spending on canvassers who can collect the 9,000 or so signatures each needs to petition onto the August primary ballot, as is Shelton Mayor Mark Lauretti. Danbury Mayor Mark Boughton, former Trumbull first selectman Tim Herbst and Steve Obsitnik, a tech entrepreneur from Westport, earned spots on the ballot at the Republican convention and are waiting for their $1.25 million public-financing grants to be awarded before taking to TV. Spending early and often Stefanowski has been getting his name out since the end of January, according to public filing documents on the states major TV-station websites. A former General Electric and UBS executive, he is making a concerted effort on Connecticut television and radio with help from a Virginia consultant with ties to President Donald Trumps 2016 victory. Stemerman, at this point, is depending less on traditional broadcast-TV outlets and more on cable TV and digital ads. His campaign has purchased time for at least 963 ads on Connecticuts top three TV affiliates, at a cost of $475,225, Hearst Connecticut Media has found. You will be able to view his 30-second spot, in which he brags about his business prowess, on CBS Sunday Morning, on Channel 3, WFSB in Hartford. The one ad cost $975, along with 327 other spots totaling $270,550 that the political newcomer has contracted with WFSB in an effort to build the kind of name recognition traditional state politicians take years to accumulate. During the week leading up to the Aug. 14 primary, Stefanowski will have 93 TV spots on WTNH News 8, at a cost of $25,800. In all, he has contracted 578 ads there, for $197,900. His 57 spots on Fox 61 have cost $6,775. Voters like my plan to cut taxes and create jobs, spreading that message as the only candidate on broadcast TV has placed our campaign firmly in the lead by a four-to-one margin, Stefanowski said Friday. For Stemerman, public filings with various state cable providers indicate contracts totaling about $138,000. Were investing seriously in this race and are excited about giving voters a choice in August, a Stemerman spokesman said on Friday, adding there has also been a traditional-broadcast TV presence, but declining to confirm the campaigns advertising investment. Documents on file with the State Elections Enforcement Commission indicate about $300,000 in media-related expenditures for the Stemerman campaign, including a $12,000 photo shoot and $13,600 for media training. The cost of name recognition These hundreds of thousands of dollars may be the least unknowns can do to get their names out before the public. It might also be a waste of money. Stefanowskis certainly a first-mover in this race, but whether it translates into victory remains to be seen, said Richard Hanley, associate professor of journalism at Quinnipiac University. Hanley said Stefanowskis monetary commitment running outside the states voluntary public-financing program allows him to purchase his own brand and tailor his message on traditional TV. The ads are going wall-to-wall on local news, Hanley said. But at some point it becomes noise. He might be better off spending money on Uber rides to get voters to the polls. Only about 120,000 voters, a quarter of the states registered Republicans, are likely to vote in the primary to determine the candidate for governor. So far, Hanley said, he doesnt see any candidate, Democrat or Republican, generating much excitement, or interest. I think it is very ordinary for an extraordinary time, with the state in fiscal crisis after fiscal crisis; the uncertainty of local property taxes, Hanley said. The candidates dont reflect energy. Theres nothing to grab peoples attention. The ads are ordinary and the issues are similar to those Republicans have been using to persuade people for generations. Running outside the normal Republican realm, without acknowledging old-time party stalwarts, doesnt really give Stefanowski or Stemerman an advantage, Rose said. Because of the states dire straits, people with concrete experience will have the edge, he said. Meanwhile, the Republican Governors Association, anticipating that Connecticut will be in play this year, has booked $430,450 in TV ads for the three broadcast stations in late September, October and November. They feel they can get a blue state into the red column, at least in the governors race, Hanley said. Thats part of their strategy of Statehouse to White House. kdixon@ctpost.com Twitter: @KenDixonCT STAMFORD Despite his misgivings, a Norwalk man was sentenced to four years in jail for assaulting a mother, and her two children, who came from San Diego to live with him after meeting him on the internet. While sentencing Pedro Salinas, 33, to four years in jail and 20 years probation on Friday at the Stamford courthouse, Judge John Blawie said he had left a 2-year-old girl nearly blind. Last fall, Salinas pleaded guilty to attempted first-degree assault, risk of injury to a child, fourth-degree sexual assault and illegal sexual contact with a child and had a plea agreement that would keep him in jail for four years on the charges. But even though he risked being sent to jail for over 40 years, Salinas told his public defender Barry Butler he wanted to take his guilty pleas back. During his sentencing Friday, Salinas said no one wanted to look at the evidence he had to prove his innocence, including a letter from the San Diego woman saying she never saw Salinas do anything to her children. But Butler told Blawie that the woman told state prosecutors she offered the statement only because she had been told she would not be able to get her possessions out of Salinas house unless she signed the statement. Butler said considering the number of years that Salinas was looking at in jail and the evidence the state had against him, he believed the plea agreement was very beneficial to his client even though during those 20 years of probation he could be sent back to jail for as many as eight years if he violates the conditions of his release. He is not allowed to have any unsupervised contact with minors during his probation. Blawie agreed with Butler, and told Salinas that in past court hearings he had said he was given a chance to talk over the plea bargain with Butler and said he understood what he was doing when he made the guilty pleas. Blawie said he also looked through the transcripts of the hearings and saw Salinas had been warned he would not be able to take his pleas back just because he changed his mind. Salinas was arrested in July 2016 after the girl and her mother moved into his Lincoln Avenue home. The girl was injured and taken to Norwalk Hospital in June before being diagnosed by doctors at Yale-New Haven Childrens hospital with bleeding on the brain, multiple bruises and retinal hemorrhaging behind and around both eyes that have left her blind in her right eye and with only limited vision in her left. Several days before bringing her daughter to the hospital, the woman said Salinas, who in 2005 had been convicted of second-degree sexual assault and sentenced to nine months in prison, had asked her to leave her kids at home and get him some beer. When she returned, she said her daughter was unconscious on a bed next to Salinas and he was yelling at the child to wake up and was violently shaking her head. jnickerson@stamfordadvocate.com Montreal, Quebec--(Newsfile Corp. - May 25, 2018) - Peak Positioning Technologies Inc. (CSE: PKK) ("Peak" or the "Company") today announced its financial results and reviewed highlights for the first quarter ended March 31, 2018. All amounts expressed are in Canadian dollars. Financial Highlights: Total Revenues of $5,147 $250,000 in private placement financing Elimination of $1M worth of debt through surrender of 8% secured debentures to exercise common share purchase warrants Net loss of $1.06M Operating Highlights: Creation of new holding subsidiary in China to be direct parent company of ASFC Setup of ASFC offices in anticipation of creation of the company Arrival of new CFO About First Quarter Financial Results Summary: The first quarter of 2018 is expected to be the last quarter during which only one of the Company's subsidiaries was active. After having temporarily suspended activities on the Gold River product procurement and financing platform, managed by Asia Synergy Technologies ("AST"), until the arrival of Asia Synergy Financial Capital ("ASFC"), the Company's Asia Synergy Data Solutions ("ASDS") subsidiary launched pilot versions of a series of financial services in the second half of 2017 in anticipation of the eventual arrival of ASFC. Interest revenue earned by ASDS related to those pilot service offerings, including the GoldLegal service, which amounted to three months' worth of interest and fees for the services sold, accounted for all of the Company's revenue during the quarter. With the arrival of ASFC, those services, along with new services related to the Company's Cubeler platform, are expected to be offered on a large-scale basis, and activity to resume on the Gold River platform. This means that all three of the Company's operational subsidiaries are expected to make contributions to its revenue numbers in the quarters to follow. In summary, the Company generated revenues of $5,147 for the quarter ended March 31, 2018 compared to $7.3M for the same period in 2017. Expenses for the quarter amounted to $1,060,915, compared to $8,010,814 for the same period in 2017. The decrease in expenses is mainly due to the fact that no cost of the materials was incurred to generate revenue during the quarter. The net loss for the three-month period ending March 31, 2018 was $1,055,768 compared to $661,123 for the same period of 2017. Full details of the Company's 2018 financial results can be found in the Interim Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements and Management's Discussion and Analysis (MD&A) for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, which are available at www.sedar.com. About Peak Positioning Technologies Inc.: Peak Positioning Technologies Inc. is an IT portfolio management company whose mission is to assemble, finance and manage a portfolio of promising companies and assets in some of the fastest-growing tech sectors in China, including fintech, e-commerce and cloud-computing. Peak provides a bridge for North American investors who wish to participate in the continued digitization of China's industrial sectors through the latest advancements in technology. For more information: http://www.peakpositioning.com Contact information: Cathy Hume CEO CHF Capital Markets Phone: 416-868-1079 ext.: 231 Email: cathy@chfir.com Or Johnson Joseph President and CEO Peak Positioning Technologies Inc. Phone: 514-340-7775 ext.: 501 Email: investors@peakpositioning.com Forward-Looking Statements / Information: This news release may include certain forward-looking information, including statements relating to business and operating strategies, plans and prospects for revenue growth, using words including "anticipate", "believe", "could", "expect", "intend", "may", "plan", "potential", "project", "seek", "should", "will", "would" and similar expressions, which are intended to identify a number of these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking information reflects current views with respect to current events and is not a guarantee of future performance and is subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or review any forward-looking information contained in this news release, except as may be required by applicable laws, rules and regulations. Readers are urged to consider these factors carefully in evaluating any forward-looking information. The CBI charge sheet reviewed by Firstpost gave cursory details of Modis modus operandi, however, the investigators said they have penetrated Modis cobweb. New Delhi: Just a day before the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) filed an First Information Report (FIR) in the Rs 14,000 crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) scam on 31 January, 2018 the diamantaire Nirav Modi renewed his subscription for Spotify, digital music service that provides millions of songs for every moment. Modi, sources said, was in New York. The very next day the scam triggered a massive storm across the globe, and Modi allegedly moved to California. But, the scandal did not deter him from buying a digital subscription for New York Times and Financial Times, London to keep a track of all the news. Modi also kept in touch with his close aides using his AT&T mobile. A week after the CBI filed an FIR against his uncle Mehul Choksi on 15 February, Modi was still in California sending and receiving mails and fax related to his business activities. And, while the agencies were raiding his offices back in India during the last week of February, he did find time to unwind himself watching his favourite programmes and movies on Netflix. It couldnt just be a coincidence that his Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Ajay Gandhi was also in California around the same time. It is learnt that Tatyana Waldman, who works as a Business and Brand development specialist with Nirav Modi in New York, also made a trip to California on 26 February. The investigators tracking Nirav Modis pug mark said he might have stayed in the US till early March and might have traveled to Canada briefly to sort out his business activities and to safeguard the alleged ill-gotten wealth. He used a web of companies for round tripping of funds. In the meantime he also disassociated himself from some companies and installed dummies to carry out business activities with impunity, investigators from the Central probe agencies told Firstpost. On 30 May, Modis company will showcase the bridal, designer and diamond jewelry at an exhibition in Las Vegas, a favorite destination of wealthy travelers. Modi may skip the event for which he has spent approximately Rs 10 lakh but he would be represented by his man Friday, Sam Sandberg aka Samuel Sandberg and Sumoy Bhansali, closely linked to the fugitive diamond merchants extended family. This company A Jaffe has been named in the recent charge sheet filed by the CBI as one of the 17 companies used for round tripping of huge sums in the Rs 14,000 crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) scam. These companies, the CBI has alleged are directly or indirectly controlled by Modi and were used as a vehicle to show bogus purchases and launder the money. The CBI charge sheet reviewed by Firstpost gave cursory details of Modis modus operandi, however, the investigators said they have penetrated Modis cobweb. The evidence gathered clearly establishes the round tripping of funds in the guise of legitimate business activities. Details are likely to appear in the supplementary charge sheet against Modi and Choksi. These details will probably figure in the supplementary charge sheets that the agency will file in due course. The fund transfer between various groups companies is suspected to have been carried out on the pretext of business activities but it appears to be clear case of money laundering. Sometime in mid-March, Modi was suspected to have moved to Hong Kong but it was not yet known whether he stayed at his residence New Henry House at 10 Ice House Street in Central Hong Kong or lived in a hotel till April, investigators said. Maze of companies to clean-up funds Details reviewed by Firspost reveals that approximately Rs 100 crore was moved from the US to India within a year (January 2017 to February 2018) and subsequently to another country through shell companies floated by Modi. Sources said large amounts were transferred to Firestar International Private Limited, FIPL Majors, Firestar International Private Limited, Surat----all owned by the diamond merchant in the guise of purchase of jewelery. The details of transactions reveal that just two days after the CBIs first FIR, Modis firm Firestar International Private Limited with head office in Opera House, Mumbai received four money transfers of small amounts to the tune of $0.78 million. Before the FIR was filed, fund transfers under the pretext of business deals were quite frequent and at least three to four transactions were carried out every month. He used another shell company for round tripping of money and more than Rs 164 crore were transferred from one account to another between January 2017 to January 2018. The entire money trail was camouflaged as a legitimate business activity between the group companies controlled by Modi. The cobweb is very intriguing and seems to have been painstakingly woven to dodge agencies and authorities while carrying out insider transfer of funds without any legitimate business activities. Modi owns all these companies. For example, a Delaware-based Fantasy Inc used for such transactions is a wholly owned subsidiary of Firestar Diamond Inc. Firestar Diamond Inc is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Firestar Group Inc. Interestingly, the Firestar Group Inc is a wholly owned subsidiary of Synergies Corporation. Further, Synergies Corporation is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Firestar Holdings Limited, Hong Kong. This Hong Kong-based company is, in turn, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Firestar International Limited, India. A large chunk of Modis wealth was also transferred to Firestar Diamond BVBA, which is based in Antwerp, Belgium. On 23 March 2017, Firestar Diamond made a payment of $19 million to Firestar International. The transfer papers claims it was meant for purchase of goods. In March 2017, at least 20 transfers were made to the Indian account of Firestar. What is unusual is on just one day -- 24 March 2017, at least six transfers to the tune of several million dollars were made. The transactions indicate the accounts were used for round tripping. Around $70 million was transferred within few days of March 2017. The banks involved in the transactions were told that money was a payment for purchase of diamonds. We have zeroed in on these accounts and funds transfers and [are] taking help of other agencies to find out whether these amounts eventually landed. Details may emerge in the charge sheet filed in the future, sources said, further adding that documents related to tracking movement of goods was not available, raising suspicion over the entire import-export claims. The books of accounts of Modis companies have been retrieved from the computers of his office and were examined by the agencies including the CBI and Income Tax. The tax officials have also shared a note of August 2016 with the other agencies highlighting the fact that top officials of the PNB were aware about vulnerabilities of SWIFT system at the bank. During the course of investigations it came to light that a similar fraud was detected in 2016 in respect of SWIFT transaction. In this instance, the sanctity of the SWIFT message, which was used to transmit the fraudulent LoU was in question. The accused PNB officials MD and CEO Usha Ananthsubramanian, executive directors K V Brahmji Rao and Sanjiv Sharan and general manager Nehal Ahad were aware of this fraud involving PNB DFIC, Dubai and Indian Overseas Bank, Chandigarh and yet they did not take any corrective action and remained silent spectators and thereby facilitated continuance of the fraud by other accused public servants resulting in wrongful loss to Punjab National Bank, the CBI charge sheet observed. Sources said the overseas branch of Indian banks have not yet provided the entire documents related to Modi's and Choksi's firms. The PNB had requested all buyers credit-funding bank to provide communication with the Modi and Choksi firms but has not yielded any results yet. It appears, sources claimed, the beneficiary bank discounted the documents based on SWIFT messages transmitted fraudulently and there is no paper trail held for these import transactions. Read Part 2: In unravelling Nirav Modi's PNB moves, fresh evidence shows lender is playing the victim card If global trade is impacted negatively due to trade tensions in the near future, 'India is in a good position to navigate it,' Sebastian Vergara, the United Nations Economic Affairs Officer, said United Nations: India is in a "good position" to deal with any fallout from global trade tensions and with right policies can reach an 8 percent-plus growth rate and hold it, according to a UN economist monitoring the country. If global trade is impacted negatively due to trade tensions in the near future, "India is in a good position to navigate it," Sebastian Vergara, the United Nations Economic Affairs Officer, told IANS in an interview. Asked about the projection of a worst case scenario of global growth falling to 1.8 percent if the trade wars got out of control, he said, "India will, of course, be affected, but the effect will not be very strong, because of the productive structure of the Indian economy and because its driver of the growth nowadays is private consumption." Last week, Dawn Holland, the head of the UN Global Economic Monitoring Branch, warned that if the trade war initiated by US President Donald Trump were to spiral out of control with retaliatory measures spreading to other sectors and to countries, the global economic growth next year could plunge to as low as 1.8 percent next year. But she also told IANS, "India is slightly sheltered from the spillovers" because it is "not nearly as open to trade as many of the other East Asian economies are." However, the UN projection for global growth next year under current conditions is 3.2 percent. Vergara said India's service sector exports - which includes back office operations software and technology services - are not vulnerable to the protectionist trends in the medium term. India's services sector exports remain globally competitive and have a huge potential, he added. "For India, despite the short-term tensions, the prospects in the medium term for the export of services are excellent, so India needs to take advantage of that competitiveness," he said. Vergara said the economic situation in India is improving, with, growth predicted to increase faster this year at 7.5 percent and 7.6 percent next year. But that is below its potential. "The Indian economy can grow at least at 8 percent, not just for a year or two, but for 15 years," he said. "India has to have that growth rate as its target and it can then really achieve a big jump in its development and become an engine of (global) economic growth in the medium term," he added. One of the key steps needed to boost India's growth is improving the productive capacities through innovation, he said. The others were further reforms in the financial sector, promotion of foreign direct investments, and developing new policies and programmes for growth, he said. He noted that investment has been subdued for a long time now, and new reforms and targeted measures have to be introduced to revive it. "The government has already introduced some policies last year, for example the recapitalisation of public banks, and definitely they are going in the right direction.," he said. "And I would say that further reforms are needed in order to completely unleash the investment potential in the economy and the growth potential," he added. The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has declared the results of the Class XII examinations today. The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has declared the results of the Class 12 examinations today. Students who appeared for the exams can visit the official website to check their results. About 11.86 lakh students had registered for the Class 12 or All India Senior School Certificate Examination (AISSCE), which were held at 4,138 centres in India and 71 centres abroad, according to an NDTV report. Education secretary Anil Swarup had earlier announced that the results would be announced on Saturday in a tweet. CBSE Class 12 results for Academic Session 2017-18 to be declared on 26th of May. Anil Swarup (@swarup58) May 25, 2018 Students can check the CBSE Class 12 result 2018 from the official website cbse.nic.in. However, knowing that the official website often crashes due to high traffic, students can use other modes like Google and Bing Search engines as SMS to check their results. As for those without Internet connections or facing poor data speed can check their results offline via downloading Microsoft's Android mobile application, SMS Organizer App, availabel for free download on the Google Play Store. Steps to check result on cbse.nic.nic - Visit the board's official website: cbse.nic.in. - Click on the 'Central Board of Secondary Education CBSE Class 12th Result 2018' in the 'Recent Announcements' section. - Enter the required details such as roll number and hit 'Submit'. - Take a print of the results or download it for future reference. On Google: This year, the results of the CBSE Class X and Class XII examinations will directly be available on Google search for the first time, according to media reports. Follow these steps to check your result on Google - Log on to the website, google.com - Type CBSE 12, 10 Results 2018 in the space provided - On selecting CBSE 12 result 2018 or CBSE 10 result 2018, a window would open - Enter your roll number and date of birth - Click on 'Check Exam Results' - Results will be displayed on the screen Meghna Srivastava, student of Step By Step school in Noida has scored 499 out of 500 marks in CBSE Class 12. With just one mark away from a perfect 10 on 10, Meghna Srivastava, from Noida is "thrilled beyond words" at becoming the all India topper in CBSE Class 12 results. A student of Step By Step School in Noida, Srivastava scored 499 out of 500 marks in CBSE Class 12 exams. A humanities student, Srivastava scored a clean hundred in History, Geography, Psychology, and Economics but lost out one mark in English Core subject, according to NDTV. With an aggregate score of 99.8 percent, Srivastava outperformed last year's topper Raksha Gopal, who had got 99.6 percent in CBSE exam. She never expected to top the CBSE Class 12 results, but said that she always maintained consistency in the hard work she put in. "I never stressed about the exams. In fact, I didn't take any tution classes. I just maintained consistency," she told NDTV. Srivastava aspires to be a psychologist and has plans to study abroad. She told IANS that she has already enrolled in the University of British Columbia in Canada, and would be starting there in August. Speaking to India Today, Srivastava advised future aspirants to keep away from the temptation of cramming up as many lessons as they can in the last minute study plan. She said the reason for her success could be that she dedicated equal time to every subject throughout the year and solved a lot of sample papers, carefully examining her weak points while boosting her speed. The 17-year-old also said that she was thrilled to do well in the exam but never really expected to top all India rankings. "I am overwhelmed to see the results. I never expected that I will score 499 marks. Actually, nobody expects to score these many marks," she told India Today. She credited her exemplary performance to her parents and teachers and said that the recipe for her success was sheer hard work. She said that she never counted the number of hours she studied and working hard throughout the year was the only way to ace exams. "I had no particular style of studying and I never counted the number of hours I studied, but I must have studied around seven-eight hours a day," said Srivastava stressing that she was consistent, stable and relaxed. #WATCH: Meghna Srivastava, #CBSE class 12 topper who scored 499 out of 500 marks, shares her success story, says 'There is no secret, you just have to work hard throughout the year'. #CBSEResult2018pic.twitter.com/YKaZzqxs7W ANI (@ANI) May 26, 2018 Speaking to reporters, she also revealed that she is an avid reader and likes to do community service. Recounting a field trip to Uttarakhand, Srivastava described the experience as "gratifying" and satisfying. She is also a movie buff and enjoys cooking in her free time, India TV reported. "I like baking and I used to watch a lot of TV," said the student from Noida's Step By Step School. "I used to watch mostly English shows -- 'The Office', 'Breaking Bad'... Anything on TV", she added, terming Netflix "one of her favourite pastimes". She also liked to listen to music and read non-fiction, but her hobbies did not mean that she was not serious about her studies. She was born on 18 August 2000. The Central Board for Secondary Education (CBSE) declared results for Class 12 or the All India Senior School Certificate Examination (AISSCE) and once again girls have outperformed boys. Seven out of top nine scorers are girls, while the pass percentage for female students (88.31 percent) is once again higher than that of male candidates (78.99 percent). The top two slots in all India rankings were also occupied by girls. Anoushka Chandra, who came a close second, studied at SAJ School, Sector 14, in Ghaziabad's Vasundhara area. Chahat Bodhraj from Jaipur's Neerja Modi School secured the third position in the examination along with four other girls Tanuja Kapri, Supriya Kaushik, Astha Bamba, and Ananya Singh and two boys Nakul Gupta, Kshitij Anand. CBSE will declare the results for Class 10 Board exams today at 4 pm on its official website cbse.nic.in. Students can get their Class 10 and 12 results delivered directly to their Android smartphones even if they are not connected to the Internet on that day using Microsoft's 'SMS Organizer', an Android app available for free download on Google Play Store. CBSE will declare the results for Class 10 Board exams today at 4 pm on its official website cbse.nic.in. Students can get their Class 10 and 12 results delivered directly to their Android smartphones even if they are not connected to the Internet on that day using Microsoft's "SMS Organizer", an Android app available for free download on Google Play Store. Microsoft also released a video explaining the process to check results without internet on Twitter. Anxiously refreshing your browser to get your CBSE Class 10 or Class 12 results? Stop! Get your results delivered to your SMS Organizer inbox as soon as they are announced, even when you are offline. https://t.co/UxGkXVHSHY pic.twitter.com/c4zhOolMry Microsoft India (@MicrosoftIndia) May 24, 2018 To get CBSE Class 10 and 12 results on SMS Organizer, users first need to download the app from Google Play Store and then register for CBSE results. On the result day, the pre-registered users will receive a notification for the result, clicking on which their scorecard will appear. Since the scorecard data is sent via SMS, users will be able to see it even if they do not have Internet connectivity on result day, the post said. The results will also be available on Bing search engine for parents, teachers and students to easily search and get the scorecards. "Over the last few months, we have been working with multiple education boards in India to deliver the results of the various exams they conduct, on Bing apart from their own websites," the company's blogpost revealed. Since 2016, Microsoft has partnered with the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) to display the board examination results on www.bing.com. So far exam results for Class 10 - Andhra Pradesh SSC board, Class 10 - Telangana SSC Board and Class 10 and Class 12 - Uttar Pradesh Madhyamik Shiksha Parishad are available on Bing. Earlier, Google had also partnered with CBSE for the JEE Main exam results and other exam-related information. Students could now quickly, securely and seamlessly locate their score on smartphone or desktop using Google Search. Senior Public Relations Officer, CBSE, Rama Sharma said, "We are collaborating with Google for smooth dissemination of results through an easy and secure platform." The tech giant has also introduced an improved Search experience for other popular exams like GATE, SSC CGL, CAT. Also, students searching for these competitive exams will find information such as test dates, registration dates, important links, and other key information right within Google Search. With inputs from IANS In an exclusive interview with the Firstpost, retired Kerala High Court judge Kemal Pasa questioned government intervention in the appointment of judges and other issues plaguing the Indian judicial system Justice Kemal B Pasha had ruffled several feathers with his bold and ruthless application of laws inside the courtroom and sharp and scathing comments on social issues outside the court while he served as a judge in the Kerala high court. After he retired on 24 May, he has started rattling the power centres by exposing the rot in the judicial system. He has set the ball rolling in the full court reference held on the eve of his retirement itself by raising pertinent questions about the appointment of judges, which has triggered a nationwide debate after four senior judges of the Supreme Court took their concerns to the public. Kamal Pasha was provoked by the recent move to appoint kin of incumbent judges to the Kerala high court. In an exclusive interview to the Firstpost, he dwells on issues plaguing the judicial system. Edited excerpts: Some of the issues you have raised after your retirement were also brought up before the public by four Supreme Court judges led by Justice J Chelameshwar. Do you think the controversy regarding the appointment of judges is a serious problem faced by the judiciary? First of all, I do not approve the action of the four judges in taking the issue to the public. I strongly believe that sitting judges should not conduct press conference or give interviews to the media. I was concerned about the issues I have raised following my retirement even when I was holding the office, but I did not speak about them as I believed it was improper for a sitting judge to do so. Now that I have retired, I am free to speak what I consider right. Do you agree with the issues raised by the senior Supreme Court judges? In fact, I am not aware of it. They were aware of something and they talked something about it. Even though I heard it from the media I do not know anything about its merits. Therefore, I cannot speak anything about it. They raised a pertinent question on the allocation of cases to the judges. They had alleged that senior judges were ignored while assigning cases. Do you find merit in their allegation? I believe that the Chief Justice is always the master of the roster. He can decide. He can constitute the benches. But there should not be any untimely or mid-term shift in the benches. It should be based on the conventions if there are any. If these conventions are violated they will give room for public criticism. This should be avoided. Was their such a violation in the decision of the Kerala Chief Justice in shifting you from hearing criminal matters after you ordered a CBI inquiry into the murder of Youth Congress leader Suhaib and registration of a criminal case against the head of a church in a land case? It was untimely. It triggered a public outcry. I feel that should not have been done. It was not a matured decision. It is not illegal because the Chief Justice has the prerogative to decide the bench. But if his action violates conventions and if it is untimely people may think there is something fishy. In my case, the Chief Justice may not have been influenced by other considerations but it did not appear like that. Thats why there were strong reactions against the decision from the public. The four Supreme Court judges had also expressed the same concern you have raised about the appointment of judges. Do you think the government is trying to induct judges loyal to them in the courts? I do not know any such attempts. A judge should be a capable man. He should be knowledgeable. He should be upright. He should be honest and sincere and he should be bold. If such persons are appointed it's ok. If the government is given the authority they will try to implement their agenda. This should not happen. The Supreme Court collegium recommendation to appoint Uttarakhand chief justice KM Joseph was returned by the government. Do you think it is due to political reasons? I do not know anything about it. But I learnt that the government has assigned some other reasons. I do not know how far they are correct. Then why do you think the collegium is delaying his re-recommendation to the government? I do not know why they have not done it and what is the present stage. I have never tried to find out what is happening in the Supreme Court as I was not an aspirant for a position there. Joseph is a very good judge. Nobody can question his integrity. He should have been elevated to the apex court. He is eminently qualified to be elevated. I am also equally frustrated by the developments in the case. The government returned the recommendation for Joseph's elevation to the Supreme Court citing his lower rank in seniority and the need for giving equal representation to all regions, SC/STs etc. Do you think judges should be appointed on the basis of these criteria? Never. The only criteria for the appointment of judges should be their calibre. It should not be partitioned on the basis of region, caste, religion, and sub-caste. If the government has denied elevation to Joseph on the ground that his home state of Kerala already has enough representation in the Supreme Court, it should explain why there are more judges in the apex court from Delhi. As regards to seniority, there are many instances when juniors were elevated. Therefore, there is no meaning in the government argument. Do you see these as signs of politicisation of the judiciary? There is such an allegation. Let us wait and see whether it is true or not. The government should not interfere in such matters. Who should be judges and who should not be judges is something to be decided by an independent authority and not by the government or any other interested persons. There should not be any role for the government in the appointment of judges. There have been allegations that the BJP government is saffronising various institutions. Do you find any attempt by the BJP to capture the judiciary too? There have been such allegations against all the governments. Take the issue of Justice Khanna. He was a great judge. He was overlooked in the appointment of CJI. This forced him to resign, and he resigned. The present government may be taking it as a precedent and trying to put their people in the courts. But this should not be the attitude. The government should not interfere in such matters. Do you think the collegium is strong enough to resist political interference in the functioning of the judiciary? The Collegium is the best system for appointing judges. It should be strong. If the government brings in a system and persons nominated by it are included in it, it will reflect in the selection of judges and may affect its independence. The system should have no relationship with the executive. You said in your recent speech that judges in the Kerala High Court are being appointed on the basis of caste, religion, and sub-caste. Is it because of the influence of the government? The state governments have no role in the appointment of judges in the high courts. They act only as a postman. The judges appointments in the high court are made by the collegium. I spoke about the appointment of judges in Kerala after seeing certain names recommended by the collegium in the media. Most judges, including me, have not seen many of them in the court. This is why I said that judges are not to be partitioned like family property. We have been seeing governments in Kerala partitioning several posts like vice-chancellors in universities based on religion, caste and political criteria. Do you think it is right? If it is done it is wrong. The government also have a responsibility to ensure justice in its actions. There is a common belief that there should be communal representation everywhere. Of course, it is well and good as far as other departments are concerned. But imparting justice cannot be done by anybody and everybody. Only persons with calibre can do it. Whether they belong to a particular caste or not should not be criteria to select such persons. Merit alone should be the consideration for the appointment of judges. Dispensing justice is a divine function. When persons who have to perform divine functions are to be selected, the appointing authorities should ensure that they have the capacity for it. You spoke about post-retirement appointments of judges. Do you mean that the government is using this option to influence judges? The faith of the people in the judiciary is paramount. If some aspersions are cast against that faith and if there is deterioration of that faith, the judiciary will fail. If I take up a job immediately after my retirement people may doubt my integrity. If persons have doubt about the integrity of the judges that will sound the death knell of the judiciary. The chances for people to doubt the integrity of the judges are high in Kerala because the government is at one side in a majority of the cases dealt by the high court. Thats why I said there should be a cooling period of at least three years for judges to take up salaried jobs under the government. This was the idea given by justices SH Kapadia and TS Thakur. They were great judges. Do you see a dilution of the authority of the judiciary in the recent times? No. Not at all. So long as I was there, I feel that I had proper authority and I have used it while dealing with cases. That authority has not eroded. This is your personal experience. Concerns are being expressed about its dilution from various quarters. The opposition had even moved an impeachment notice against the present CJI. Is this not an indication that everything is not well at least in the Supreme Court? See, I should not speak anything about it. I must keep my decorum. Even though I am a retired judge now, I should not forget that I was a judge. It is not proper for me to comment on the conduct of another judge. What are your concerns about the judiciary? The issues I have raised in my speech about judges appointments is my biggest concern. Judges should be appointed only on the basis of merit. There should not be any other considerations. Apart from this, the escalating pendency of cases is also a matter of great concern. This is because of a dearth of judges. The government should appoint more judges to solve this problem. We also need more courts. Popular floating restaurant 'Ark Deck Bar', off the coast near Bandra in Mumbai, capsized and sank partially on Friday evening under the possible impact of huge tidal waves trigged by the Mekunu Cyclone Mumbai: Popular floating restaurant 'Ark Deck Bar', off the coast near Bandra in Mumbai, capsized and sank partially on Friday evening under the possible impact of huge tidal waves trigged by the Mekunu Cyclone, police said. At least 15 people on board, mostly crew, were immediately rescued as the vessel tilted dangerously on Friday evening and were taken ashore in small motorboats, according to an official of Bandra Police station. The 'Ark Deck Bar' floatel, a luxurious offshore dining and party attraction, has a capacity of around 150 people and was anchored some distance off the Bandra Jetty, offering a magnificent view of the Mumbai skyline and the Rajiv Gandhi Bandra Worli Sea Link nearby. Meanwhile, the owner of Mumbai's first floatel, 'AB Celestial', Aishwarya Bhende said her vessel was shifted to and anchored off the Ferry Wharf in south Mumbai a couple of days ago after the Mekuni Cycone warning was issued by the maritime authorities. "Our floatel is absolutely safe and is in anchor at the Ferry Wharfa There is some speculation that it had met with a tragedy, but that is not correct," Bhende told IANS. Besides 'AB Celestial' and 'Ark Deck Bar', Mumbai has another half a few more big and small such floatels around the shores as part of the centre's policy to encourage tourism. He said the conspiracy for lobbing grenades in the city was hatched in the Central Jail, Srinagar by one of the inmates when Basit was detained under the Public Safety Act (PSA) there. Srinagar: Two youths were arrested on Saturday for their alleged involvement in two grenade throwing incidents in the city, a police spokesman said. He said the duo was involved in the two recent grenade throwing incidents which took place at Chattabal and Baripora Safakadal. "Pursuing credible leads, police arrested two people for their involvement in grenade lobbing incidents in Srinagar," he said. The two have been identified as Basit Ahmad Malik, a resident of Nowpora Safakadal and Adil Qayoom Najar, a resident of Gulshanabad Noorbagh. During the investigation, explosive material, including 1.1 kg RDX, detonators, Chinese grenade and flags of Tehreek-ul-Mujahideen (TuM) were recovered from their possession, the spokesman said. He said the conspiracy for lobbing grenades in the city was hatched in the Central Jail, Srinagar by one of the inmates when Basit was detained under the Public Safety Act (PSA) there. "The investigation further revealed that the said inmate had given Pakistan-based contacts to Basit for carrying out these nefarious activities. Basit was allured by Pak-based TuM handlers as they promised him monetary benefits and one motorcycle for successfully lobbing grenade on security forces," the spokesman said. "The accused also disclosed that there were directions from Pakistan-based handlers of the TuM outfit that some grenades were to be lobbed at some sensitive places especially after Friday prayers in the city, including at Jamia Masjid, Nowhatta," he added. The Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (MSBSHSE) result for the Maharashtra Board HSC Class 12th was released on 30 May at 1 pm. The Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (MSBSHSE) result for the Maharashtra Board HSC Class 12th was released on 30 May at 1 pm. The MSBSHSE put up the Maharashtra HSC Class 12th result on its official website mahresult.nic.in The result is also available on result.mkcl.org, examresults.net, and results.gov.in The examination was conducted between 21 February and 20 March through nine divisional boards, that are primarily located at Mumbai, Pune, Nasik, Aurangabad, Kolhapur, Latur, Nagpur, Amravati and Ratnagiri. Around 14,85,132 students registered to appear for the exams conducted in 9,486 junior colleges and 2,822 centres across the state of Maharashtra, The Times of India reported. Of the total students registered, 5,80,820 students were for Science, 4,79,863 students for Arts, 3,66,756 students for Commerce, and the 57,693 students for the vocational stream, according to The Free Press Journal. In 2017 also, the Maharashtra Board had declared the result for Class 12th exam on 30 May. Steps to check HSC 2018 exam results: - Visit the Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (MSBSHSE)'s official website mahresult.nic.in - Click on the link which says Maharashtra Board Class 12th Results OR Maharashtra HSC Result 2018 - Enter your roll number and other required details - Download the MSBSHSE Maharashtra HSC Class 12th Results 2018 and take a print out for future reference - Students can also request their Maharashtra Board Result 2018, Maharashtra HSC Result 2018 through SMS. To receive results via SMS, type MHHSCSEAT NO and send it to 57766. As has been observed over the course of the past few weeks, the dates and times of result announcements have been frequently changed around. The information above has not been independently verified. However, this article will continue to be updated to reflect official updates as and when they come in. Major Leetul Gogoi is in fresh trouble as the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) Srinagar on Saturday directed the police to submit a report. Major Leetul Gogoi is in fresh trouble as the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) in Srinagar on Saturday directed the police to submit a report with respect to him being caught in a Srinagar hotel with a Kashmiri girl. An application was filed before the court alleging that he had the intention to 'carry out an immoral act' with her. The CJM has directed that a status report should be filed by the police by 30 May in the case. The Station House Officer (SHO) of Khanyar police station has been directed to submit the report through the Chief Prosecution Officer (CPO). Gogoi was caught with the girl and another army man, Sameer Ahmad Mala, from a Srinagar hotel. This was after the staff informed the police about an altercation which took place as they did not allow the girl to check into the hotel. The trio were detained for a while and later set free. Senior police officers have taken over the investigation of the case. Police officials said that Sameer was also posted in the armys Beerwah camp and lives in Khag. The girls family members said that both Sameer and Gogoi visited them before she was caught in a Srinagar hotel. The order by the CJM came even as the army has ordered a Court of Inquiry (CoI) against Major Gogoi with respect to the misconduct which he resorted to while discharging the duties in Kashmir. The CoI will be carried out by a Colonel rank officer. A senior army official said that Major Gogoi is guilty of not keeping his seniors informed while moving from his operational jurisdiction in Beerwah in Budgam to Srinagar. The CJM's directions were in response to an application moved by human rights activist and chairperson of International Forum for Justice and Human Rights (IFJHR), Mohammad Ahsan Untoo. The application has alleged that even as the police claims to have ordered a probe in the matter, it has tried to hush up the case. The application has questioned why the police let off Major Gogoi and Sameer without following "due procedure of law." On Friday, army chief Bipin Rawat promised exemplary punishment if Major Gogoi is found guilty of misconduct. A senior official said that army officers need to maintain a standard operating procedure (SOP) while carrying out duties in militancy affected areas. It was not admissible for the Major to meet the girl in the hotel, said a senior officer. The CoI will look into the violation of Section 63 of the Army Act 1950, which states that a person who is guilty of any act or omission which is prejudicial to good order and military discipline shall, on conviction by court- martial, be liable to suffer imprisonment for a term which may extend to seven years. The Act also specifies that an officer who behaves in a manner unbecoming his position and the character expected of him shall, on conviction by court martial, if he is an officer, be liable to be cashiered or to suffer such less punishment as is in this Act mentioned; and, if he is a junior commissioned officer or a warrant officer, be liable to be dismissed or to suffer such less punishment as is in this Act mentioned. Advocate Tasveer Shujat, who represented Untoo, said that the application was moved under Section 156 (3) of Criminal Procedure Code (RPC). She said the application contends that the police should have taken the army officer into custody and a proper investigation should have been initiated, which was not done. The police should have detained the army officer. Further, they should have registered an FIR in the case, she added. 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 NIA took the custody of alleged JeM operative Muneer-ul-Hassan Qadri in connection with the 2016 terror attack on an army camp in Nagrota. New Delhi: The NIA on Saturday took the custody of alleged Jaish-e-Mohammed operative Muneer-ul-Hassan Qadri from the Jammu and Kashmir Police in connection with the 2016 terror attack on an army camp in Nagrota in which seven soldiers, including two officers, were killed. Qadri, a Nepal returnee who was in custody of the police for sometime, had told his interrogators about his role in various terror modules, including the group involved in the Nagrota attack. An NIA spokesman, while appreciating the role of the Jammu and Kashmir Police, said, Qadri, a resident of Lolab in north Kashmir, was arrested for his alleged involvement in the terrorist attack on the army camp on 29 November, 2016, in which seven army personnel were killed and three others injured. Three Pakistani terrorists were killed in the operation and a huge quantity of firearms, ammunition, explosives and other articles were seized from them, he said. Preliminary interrogation of the accused revealed that the attack was carried out by the Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), a banned terror group, in furtherance of a well-planned conspiracy from Pakistan, the spokesman said. The accused is claimed to have told the interrogators that he, along with other Valley-based JeM operatives, was in touch with the JeM leadership in Pakistan and had received a freshly infiltrated group of three Pakistani terrorists from the Samba sector a day before the attack. They subsequently stayed at a hotel in Jammu and then left the attackers outside the army camp in Nagrota late at night, and proceeded to the Kashmir Valley, the spokesman said. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) had registered a case into the incident in December 2016 for offences under sections 120B, 121, 307 of the Ranbir Penal Code (RPC) and sections seven and 27 of the Arms Act, 1958. Modi attacked the Opposition unity, saying the corrupt leaders were coming together 'not to save the country but to save themselves', making an apparent attack on Congress President Rahul Gandhi and his mother Sonia Gandhi Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday gave a thumbs up to his government in a speech meant to celebrate the completion of four years of the NDA government at the Centre. Claiming that the NDA government is on a correct path, he said that the BJP is in power in 20 states, which shows that the people have endorsed NDA's performance in the last four years. He said that the NDA government is committed to fight corruption. "Today, things have begun to change in India. Our India is steadily moving forward, from kala dhan to Jandhan, from stagnancy to progress," he said, outlining the four years of NDA's governance. Speaking in Odisha's Cuttack, the prime minister hit out at the much touted Opposition unity, the Congress party, Odisha government and the Nehru-Gandhi family, while at the same time recounted his government's achievements in a multi-pronged speech. Opposition unity a sham, arch enemies uniting to save themselves Modi attacked the Opposition unity, saying the corrupt leaders were coming together "not to save the country but to save themselves", making an apparent attack on Congress President Rahul Gandhi and his mother Sonia Gandhi's bid to bring together a Bihar-style Mahagathbandhan of all regional and non-NDA parties. "Due to the committment of this government against the black money and corruption, those people who are out on bail in the Rs 5,000 corruption case and many others also involved in corruption cases have come together on the same platform," Modi said. He was apparently referring to Gandhis taking bail in the National Herald case and Opposition leaders coming together in Bengaluru during the Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy's swearing-in ceremony. "As we promised four years ago about zero tolerance towards corruption, four former Chief Ministers are behind the bars," Modi said. "It was not only impossible, but unimaginable to touch the high and mighty during the previous governments," he added. "The way in which our government is committed against corruption, this has made the enemies good friends," he said. "The people of the country are watching them." "These leaders have not come together for the country but they have come together to save themselves and their families." He alleged that the opposition leaders want to destabilise the current government. "But people know everything," Modi said. NDA committed to anti-corruption The prime minister also said that this is a committed government instead of the confused government. He also said that in the last four years, the investigating agencies have carried out searches at over 3,000 locations and unearthed over Rs 53,000 crore of the undisclosed money. "It was the committment of the government that passed the Benami Properties Bill, instead of the confused government which delayed it for over 30 years," he added. In the last year, the central agencies have conducted 3,000 raids and discovered over 35,000 crore worth of undisclosed income. The government has created special CBI teams to probe corruption and benami properties. He said that the unwavering commintment to probe cases of corruption have brought together many unlikely allies. "And the nation knows all this, the people can understand their conspiracy," Modi said. He claimed that his government has actually reduced the number of companies swindling money in India. "Central agencies have discovered many fake companies and our government has canceled the registration of 22,6000 bogus companies," Modi claimed. Attack on Congress, Nehru-Gandhi family The prime minister, without taking any names, made subtle references to Congress president and his mother throughout his speech. While pointing out his government's achievements, Modi said that it is important to remember how much the one family, which ruled India for 48 years, cared for India. "It is important to remember how a party which bows down before one family, was only intent on grabbing power." He urged the people to remember how until four years ago the many corruption scandals were a matter of shame for India and Indians abroad. "We must all remember the remote control prime minister and the decisions taken outside Parliament and Cabinet ministries." He also added that these people had maligned the image of India. Coming down heavily on the Nehru-Gandhi family, Modi said that the family did not do anything for the poor and the basic amenities and growth were stuck at a mere 50 percent. "Half the population was bereft of an electric connection, proper roads, bank accounts, and even basic infrastructure," Modi claimed. He then asked the people who they thought were the marginalised 50 percent people. "The poor, the adivasis, and farmers of the country," Modi answered. He said that it was the vote bank politics of the dynast party that has kept these people backward. He claimed that the governments used to calculate the most influential voter banks ahead of drafting policies and worked only for them. "They never could have imagined about sabka sath, sabka vikas. They used to announce schemes and forget about it. They never even included Northeast India in the nation's growth plan," Modi said. "Atkane, latkane, bhatkane wali karya sanskriti se sath aisa haal tha ki ek shatabdi ke baad bhi aam aadmi in mulbhut suvidhaon ka bhugtan nahi kar sakta tha. (Governments that are hesitant, mislead people, and like to keep projects in limbo had spoilt the work culture in our country such that the people wouldn't have gotten basic amenities even after 100 years of Independence.)" Modi calls NDA a govt of the poor, highlights humble background of leaders The prime minister's speech was also rich on promises to poor. In a bid to reach out to the masses, Modi said, "The people sitting in this government have reached here after living through poverty. That is why, even the sweat of poor is pious for us. And that is why they make it their prime responsibility to serve the poor." He said that the president, vice-president and the prime servant (Narendra Modi) all of them are from such a background that they value every pence. He said that on one hand some people have been fed with a single and golden spoon, but people in NDA have not even seen a spoon in their childhood. "We have seen the days of poverty. And we were not born with silver spoon. In fact we did not see the spoon in our initial days," Modi said, in an apparent jibe at Rahul. 10 out of 10 to NDA government Modi said that it is because of their outreach programs and various welfare schemes that the NDA has been able to form government in 20 states with the peoples blessings. He said that the NDA has now truly become a large party from Panchayat to Parliament. Modi also claimed that the victories of NDA government aren't a win for any particular leader or party, "but it is the blessing of those mothers who have been uplifted from a life of chocking on smoke through the Ujjwala Yojna." He said his victories are the "smile of the beneficiaries of Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme and the prayers of farmers who got the fruits of Kisan Bima Yojna." He said that the way his government is working has increased the prestige of India manifold across the world. Commending his government's commitment, he said "we are neither hesitant in taking strong decisions, nor are we scared of making bold strides." Pointing out key legislation enacted by his government, Modi said that this is what happens when there is a government that works with commitment. In an apparent attack at the previous UPA government, he compared his 'commitment-oriented' government to a 'confused' government run on remote control. He said that it was due to his committed government that they have managed to limit the fiscal deficit. On the other hand, a confused government cannot free India from corruption or bring in tough laws. Highlighting his government's welfare schemes Modi claimed: - that 10 crore new LPG connections were given to rural households under Ujjwala Yojna - that 60 crore LED bulbs were distributed which has directly reduced the electricity bills by Rs 40,000 crore - that his government distributed over 13 lakh soil health cards to farmers - that his dream to electrify every rural household is nearing fulfilment - that the number of Naxalism-hit districts has come down from 126 to 90. - that 25 crore Jandhan accounts have been opened. Modi also claimed that the government is undertaking a special project to take development to even the remotest islands of India. He said the first phase of the scheme covering 16 islands under the Andaman and Nicobar island group and 10 islands under the Lakshadweep islands has already started. He urged the people to remember the time before 2014 and asked them to continue working for journey for a new India. Here is a compilation of all foreign trips Modi has officially travelled on since 2014, and the corresponding expenditure incurred on chartered flights On Saturday, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led BJP government in the Centre completed four years in power. During the four years, Modi led the government through several key decisions on foreign policy. India's foreign policy was pushed through multiple personal visits by the prime minister to countries around the world, from Pakistan and Bhutan to the United States and Israel. "Under Modi, India redefined its approach to maintaining relationships with other countries. We have achieved new heights in bilateral relationships while keeping our focus on national interest intact," BJP president said in a press conference on Saturday. Here is a compilation of all the foreign trips that Modi has officially taken since taking office on 26 May, 2014, and the corresponding expenditure incurred on chartered flights on each tour. Nitish expressed resentment over the 'lack of cooperation from banks' despite the Bihar government's offer of a guarantee of Rs 160 for every Rs 100 borrowed for the state students' credit card scheme. Patna: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Saturday alleged that banks did not implement demonetisation in a proper manner, and said people could not receive benefits to the desired extent owing to it. Addressing a quarterly review meeting of state-level bankers' committee here, Kumar also made an indirect reference to recent scams like the PNB fraud, stating that big defaulters were able to obtain huge loans and escape from the country, while the poor had to face stringent recovery steps. "Banks are so strict in recovering amounts lent to small-scale borrowers. Why the same strictness is not shown in the case of big defaulters?" he wondered. Kumar, the JD(U) national president, had come out in support of the demonetisation measure, when he was in the Grand Alliance comprising the RJD and the Congress. "I had supported note ban. But because of the role played by banks, people could not be benefited to the extent they should have. People deposited huge amounts in scrapped currency and the money was laundered," he said. Kumar expressed resentment over the "lack of cooperation from banks" despite the Bihar government's offer of a guarantee of Rs 160 for every Rs 100 borrowed for the state students' credit card scheme. "You (bankers) should understand that banks have the responsibility of helping governments to ensure that pro-poor measures bring desired benefits to the people. Your role does not get over with borrowing, lending and recovering," the CM said. "You must also pay some attention to the abysmally low, 50 percent, credit deposit ratio in Bihar," he said. Speaking to reporters later, Deputy Chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi dismissed suggestions that Kumar's comments was tantamount to saying that demonetisation had failed in achieving its objective. "That is a completely wrong interpretation. The chief minister did not say that demonetisation has failed. Rather he said that the role of some of the bankers was not right during its implementation phase... there had been reports of irregular deposits of demonetised currency in banks," Sushil Modi said. The deputy CM, however, lauded banks' for achieving 91 percent of the target of Annual Credit Plan (ACP) of Rs 1.10 lakh crore in 2017-18. "Of the total Annual Credit Plan of Rs 1.10 lakh crore in 2017-18, banks distributed loans of Rs 99,934 crore which is 90.85 per cent of its target. It was 87.9 per cent in the fiscal 2016-17," he said. Sushil Modi, who also holds finance and commercial taxes departments, said that banks have been given the target of disbursing loans to the tune of Rs 1.30 lakh crore in the current fiscal. Banks have been asked to review those districts which have achieved less than 80 percent of their ACP target, he said. A total of 3.04 crore bank accounts have been opened in the state so far, including 63.26 lakh in 2017-18 under the Prime Minister Jan Dhan Yojana, Sushil Modi said, adding, Rs 10,559 crore has been deposited in these accounts. Talking about the MUDRA scheme, the deputy CM said that Rs 9,598 crore has been distributed among 11 lakh beneficiaries in the state, which is almost double the target of Rs 5,375 crore. Referring to people facing difficulties in depositing coins at banks, Sushil Modi said that RBI Regional Director, Patna, NP Topno has clarified that there is no limit or restrictions in depositing coins. No less than 63 percent forest rangers have faced life-threatening situations, according to a 2016 survey by the Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF) and Rangers Foundation Asia (RFA), both NGOs. By Prerna Singh Bindra Dharamjaigarh (Chhattisgarh)/New Delhi: On 20 February, 2017, range forest officer (RFO) Daulat Ram Lader was having his ritual after-dinner tea with wife Pushpa when there was a knock at the door. Lader was posted at Lailunga, Dharamjaigarh forest division, in Chhattisgarhs Raigarh district. Lader opened the door and stepped out to speak with the visitors. An hour later, his body, hacked to death, was found some 40 yards from his home, just across the local police thana (outpost). A month before, Lader had seized a tractor carrying illegally mined stones from the Kelo river, a tributary of Mahanadi that flows through the Lailunga reserve forest. It belonged to one Dilo Kumar. "Kumar had repeatedly threatened Lader over the past month," said sub-divisional officer Chakrapani Sharma. "(But) Lader dabang type ka tha (he was fearless)." He was known to be an upright officer who never bent to political pressure. Laders murder was not an isolated incident. India is currently the most dangerous country in the world for forest rangers. In 2017, 29 rangers were killed on duty in India; the Democratic Republic of Congo (17) and Thailand (8) made for a distant second and third, as per a report of the the International Ranger Federation. Between 2012-17, India accounted for nearly 31 percent 162 of 526 ranger deaths, according to the federation. Besides being the highest globally, this is just one less than the sum of deaths of the next five countries on the list Congo, Thailand, Kenya, USA and South Africa. Lader's murder was not an isolated incident. India is currently the most dangerous country in the world for forest rangers. In 2017, 29 rangers were killed on duty in India; the Democratic Republic of Congo (17) and Thailand (8) made for a distant second and third, as per a report of the the International Ranger Federation. Between 2012-17, India accounted for nearly 31 percent 162 of 526 ranger deaths, according to the federation. Besides being the highest globally, this is just one less than the sum of deaths of the next five countries on the listCongo, Thailand, Kenya, USA and South Africa. India recorded most deaths (34) in 2012 and 2016, and the least (19) in 2013. Frontline forest staff in India are increasingly targeted by poachers, illegal miners, timber smugglers and encroachers while protecting forests, wildlife, rivers, wetlands and other natural ecosystems and resources. Why the work that rangers do is critical The work that rangers do is critical to India's ecological and economic security. The forests they protect, for instance, absorb 11.25 percent of India's greenhouse gases, according to a Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) report. The value of what is technically called an "ecosystem service" would amount to Rs 6 lakh crore ($120 billion). Yet, our investigations across India showed, rangers work with outdated equipment, no emergency medical assistance, few support or safety systems and little recognition of the hazards they face everyday. As recently as 15 May, 2018, forest guards were manhandled and injured when they tried to stop illegal fishing in Kaziranga National Park. The period between 2011-2014 saw the death of 72 forest rangers in India. "India has one of the highest rates of ranger deaths in the world," Sean Willmore, president, International Ranger Federation and founder-director, The Thin Green Line Foundation, told IndiaSpend over email. Rangers includes the uniformed service, or the frontline staff of the forest department, the authority mandated to protect India's forests and wildlife. One of the hazards of working in forests is accidental death by wild animals. A recent example was S Manikandan, field director at the Nagarahole Tiger Reserve, who was accidentally killed by an elephant while trying to douse forest fires on 3 March, 2018, World Wildlife Day. The number of deaths is conservative because they rely on regional ranger associations for reporting deaths. It is unlikely to include daily wagers who form the bulk of the frontline staff but are not on any official employee list. Why are rangers singled out for attack? The answer lies in the fact that they protect India's forest which covers about 20 percent the figures are disputed of its terrestrial area and the natural resources they contain: Wildlife, wood, timber, minerals, sand, stones and boulders. All these are becoming increasingly rare and precious. The rocks seized by Lader were not worth much no more than Rs 20,000 but they feed an illegal multi-crore trade in minor minerals. Rocks are crushed into gravel chips or gitti for use in the construction industry and road building. Conservationist Meetu Gupta, who has been working in Chhattisgarh for 18 years, said that hundreds of illegal stone crushers operate in and around Dharamjaigarh and Raigarh. They are backed by the local mafia and politicians, she alleged. "Though the extraction of 'minor minerals' like sand and gravel/boulders is regulated by central and state laws as well as court judgments, illegal extraction and markets thrive," said Gupta. "The region is seeing massive road and railway expansion to transport coal, and the contractors prefer to buy 'black' as it's cheaper." 'Our forests are an open treasury, open to loot' Ravindra Singh Jachpele of the Maharashtra forest department is another forgotten hero. He paid with his life for protecting the Gondia forests that form a critical corridor between Navegaon-Nagzira (Maharashtra) and Kanha (Madhya Pradesh) tiger reserves. It is also one of the last remaining tracts of original teak forests of the central Indian highlands. While on routine patrol on 20 May, 2017, Jachpele noticed illegal felling of trees in the corridor and booked the offenders. He was murdered a few days later. The men who cut the trees are now murder suspects. "Our forests are an open treasury, easy to loot, said Bittu Sahgal, Sanctuary Asia Editor and founder of Sanctuary Nature Foundation. "While we love our tigers, few realise the effort, and sacrifice that goes into protecting them." Safeguarding the endangered red sanders tree is another risky task. Valued as basic material for musical instruments crafted in southeast and west Asia, it can fetch over Rs 2 crore ($293,900) a tonne in the black market. Three forest staffers were stoned and hacked to death for trying to stop the smuggling in the erstwhile Andhra Pradesh in 2013. In Kalwa forest division, Navi Mumbai, encroachment cost forest guard Budhaji Jadhav his life on 14 July, 2014. Illegal encroachment, including for real estate, industry and agriculture, is the single biggest driver of forest destruction: 1.89 million hectares of forest land that's 18,900 square kilometres or roughly five times the size of Goa have been encroached upon, according to data revealed by former environment minister Prakash Javadekar in Parliament in April 2016. If encroachment is destroying forests, illegal wildlife trade is driving species to extinction. Wildlife crimes are ranked alongside trafficking in arms and drugs in terms of profits, and fetch between $8-10 billion annually, as per the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. Nandini Velho, a researcher who has put in many years in Pakke Tiger reserve, Arunachal Pradesh, narrated the story of forest guard PD Majhi: "He was instrumental in starting off anti-poaching efforts in Pakke, and was shot dead in an encounter with poachers in April 2007. In park director Tana Tapi's words, 'It was like we lost a colonel, only he died battling for Pakke.'" In Odisha, attacks by armed poachers in Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary on 2 May, 2018, prompted divisional forest officer Biswaraj Panda to seek police protection for his personnel. This wasn't the first time, Panda told IndiaSpend: "Over the past month, nine forest staff have been injured in two separate incidents." Kuldiha is an important wildlife area abutting the Similipal Tiger Reserve. The dangers of challenging sand miners The war over sand is particularly ruthless worldwide, but nowhere is it "more ferocious than in India", said this March 2015 report in Wired. To feed its construction boom, India digs 500 million metric tons of sand the main ingredient of concrete every year, and that's only what is legally recorded. There are no official figures for the amount of sand mined illegally, but in 2015-16 more than 19,000 cases of illegal mining of minor minerals, which includes sand, gravel and stones, were registered. The cost of this demand for sand is felt by those who try to stop illegal sand mining from rivers nationwide. During a visit to the National Chambal Wildlife Sanctuary in March 2016, news came in that forest guard Narendra Sharma was mowed down by sand miners illegally operating in the sanctuary in Gwalior district, Madhya Pradesh. In February 2018, Indian Forest Service officer Abhishek Tomar was attacked by the sand mafia in Madhya Pradeshs Chhattarpur district, The Times of India reported on 9 February, 2018. When Tomar intercepted a tractor trolley carrying sand, they tried to run him over and shoot him, the report said. Fortunately, he survived. "Sand mining could turn out to be one of the biggest ecological disasters in recent times," said Kanchi Kohli, researcher, Centre for Policy Research, a think tank. "The environment ministry's 2016 guidelines to regulate sand mining clearly acknowledge that excessive extraction is having a major impact on rivers, deltas, coastal and marine systems, resulting in loss of land, coastal erosion and lowering of groundwater tables, all of which are hazardous to the riverine ecosystem." The extraction of sand also leads to collapse of river banks and beaches which is particularly fatal to species that nest here. The loss of such nesting sites is leading to extinction of the gharial, an ancient crocodilian species, of which fewer than 1,000 survive in the wild. Most rangers have faced life-threatening situations Those on the frontline of the forest wars live a tense life. Threats are constant. The staff at Deori chowki, Morena (Madhya Pradesh), manning the Chambal river banks, talked about the terror of the sand mafia. Retaliation is inevitable when there is an attempt to stop dumpers from ravaging the sand bank. Lader was a "soft target as he had fearlessly cracked down on the illegal smuggling of wood, coal, sand and stones under his watch", his colleagues said. Records accessed from the Chhattisgarh government show that seizures done by Lader yielded a revenue of Rs 9.65 crore ($1.41 million) to the state between 2012-17. "Threats in the course of work are not uncommon, but we tend not to let these weigh us down," said Sunil Bachchan, Laders batchmate and RFO in the adjoining Bilaspur district. But he admitted to be being shaken by Lader's murder. No less than 63 percent rangers have faced life-threatening situations, according to a 2016 survey by the Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF) and Rangers Foundation Asia (RFA), both NGOs. The survey also revealed that more than 20 percent rangers felt threatened by local communities. Protected areas are restricted for anthropogenic activities such as grazing, wood-cutting and collection of minor forest produce which can lead to confrontations with criminal elements engaged in commercial extraction and local residents who live off the land. These confrontations often mean that the staff are at odds with their own community. Members of the Human-Elephant Conflict Mitigation Squad tasked with tracking elephants in Athgarh (Odisha), for instance, talked of dealing with the resentment of villagers, sometimes even their own families, for protecting animals that damaged crops. In instances of human-wildlife conflict like these, traumatised villagers sometimes turn on the forest staff and the animals. One such incident was reported from Kalagarh part in the Corbett Tiger Reserve, where villagers set a caged leopard aflame in March 2011. Though the cat had been captured, it was doused with kerosene and set ablaze. Kerosene was also poured on the staff to prevent them from rescuing the leopard. Globally, 2-3 rangers die on duty every week Around the world, the number and intensity of environmental conflict is growing. The murder of environment defenderslocal people, journalists, conservationists, scientistsby those seeking to exploit natural resources is also becoming a global trend. Rangers are on the frontlines of this battle. Two to three rangers lose their lives every week on frontline duty, over 1,000 have been killed in the last decade, Sean Willmore wrote in The Guardian in December 2016. Nearly 70 percent were murdered by poachers, prompting the International Union for Conservation of Nature to call for tough measures against wildlife crime. Rangers are especially vulnerable in Africa, where the slaughter of wildlife is relentless. Virunga National Park, the finest habitat for the last of the world's 800 mountain gorillas in the Democratic Republic of Congo, is ranked one of the most dangerous conservation projects in the world. A number of armed rebel groups operate in and around the park. It also faces serious threats from poachers and illegal timber smugglers. Over the past two decades, 175 rangers have been killed in Virunga National Park. Most recently, on May 11, 2018, ranger Rachel Katumwa was killed by gunmen when she tried to shield British tourists who were kidnapped. In tropical forests across Asiaparticularly Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Cambodiaillegal logging and clearing of forests for palm oil are lethal businesses. In Pakistan, forester Mohamad Akram was decapitated by illegal loggers when he refused to accept a bribe to let them continue their "job". Little recognition of the dangers rangers face Though they are constantly targeted and killed, forest rangers operate in a void: Field investigations over the years show that there is little recognition and no honour accorded to the job. There isnt even provision for essential equipment or training. Three in four staff surveyed across Asia by the Rangers Federation said they were not supplied with proper equipment and amenities to ensure their safety. Nearly half 48 percent had not received adequate training for the job. Conversations with forest staff and officials show that in India too they are poorly equipped and not empowered to deal with the threats they face every day. They are rarely armed and when they are, their antique .12 bores and .303 rifles are neither reliable nor useful. If there are vehicles and boats for patrolling, for instance, there isnt enough fuel to run them. Often, contract workers do not get their wages on time. Funds are delayed or not appropriately allocated. As a member of the National Board for Wildlife, this writer had submitted an agenda for staff welfare to the MoEF during a meeting on 6 June, 2013. It highlighted the challenges routinely faced by rangers: Working in remote, isolated areas with poor communication facilities and no immediate medical assistance in case of an emergency. In this meeting, it was also stated that staff shortages average about 30 percent across India. In some reserves like Palamu in Jharkhand, it has hovered around 90 percent over the last decade and improved only recently. The consequences of such shortages can be catastrophic. In Lalgarh, south Bengal, in March 2017, two employees monitoring a tiger fell asleep in their vehicle and suffocated to death. With only 40 percent manpower and a tiger in an inhabited area, "many put in long hours of work, leading to such a horrific tragedy", Ravi Kant Sinha, the chief wildlife warden of West Bengal, told IndiaSpend. "We lost our best men." Little state support, but that can change India does not stand by its forest rangers even in death. In case of an injury or death, forest authorities usually pitch in to help the family or provide medical assistance. They are assisted by contributions from Ranger Associations, NGOs and individuals. NGOs, such as the WWF-India and Wildlife Trust of India, provide insurance schemes and assistance for frontline forest staff. Some parksKaziranga (Assam), Periyar (Kerala), Kanha (MP) and Annamalai in Tamil Naduhave taken life and medical insurance initiatives for their staff. Tiger reserves offer a small incentive for field staff. But there is no institutional pan-India life or health insurance schemes for frontline forest staff", admitted Sanjay Pathak, deputy inspector general with the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA). Tiger reserves are encouraged to make such provisions in their annual plans, which can be financed by NTCA, he said. Recognising these threats, the MoEF had constituted a committee for the welfare of frontline forest staff, at the suggestion of the National Board for Wildlife in September 2013. In a meeting on December 2013in which this correspondent participateda policy was proposed to govern ranger recruitment, posting and promotion and consider welfare measures, such as housing and medical facilities, insurance schemes, rationalisation of duty hours and hardship allowance. Four years since, officials admitted there had been "no movement forward". There is another important element missing: Motivation, support and appreciation from society. Some park managements, usually aided by NGOs, have stepped up to motivate their staffwith awards for courage, exemplary dedication etc. Pakke Tiger Reserve has taken this a step further with a public voting contest for "best camera trap images" to help motivate field staff. In the most awaited evening in the Pakke calendar, senior officials, staff, researchers and locals get together, dine and play sports. Awards are handed out to deserving staffa small step in making rangers forget their deadly reality. IndiaSpend Solutions Create a formal framework to keep frontline staff well-equipped and motivated. This would include provision of protective gear, rationalisation of duty hours and hardship allowance for staff working in remote forest areas. Have a separated family welfare policy to provide for housing, education and medical facilities when the rangers family is living apart. Organise life and medical insurance for forest staff up to the level of range forest officers. Ensure adequate accommodation and protection within forest areas/area of duty. Draft a policy to govern recruitment, posting, promotion, training and capacity-building for frontline forest staff. This would address the issues of staff shortages and lack of motivation due to delayed promotions. Boost the morale of frontline staff by recognising their work through incentives and awards. Bindra is a former member of the National Board for Wildlife and the author of The Vanishing: Indias Wildlife Crisis. Indiaspend.org is a data-driven, public-interest journalism non-profit/FactChecker.in is fact-checking initiative, scrutinising for veracity and context statements made by individuals and organisations in public life BJP's campaign machinery that slipped into a lull at Chengannur following the party's failure to gain power in Karnataka sprung to life suddenly. BJP's campaign machinery that slipped into a lull at Chengannur following the party's failure to gain power in Karnataka sprung to life suddenly after the announcement of the appointment of the partys Kerala state president Kummanam Rajasekharan as Governor of Mizoram. Party workers celebrated the elevation of the leader to the constitutional position, citing it as a mark of the importance the party-led government attaches to Kerala. They exuded hope that it will swing the chances in the by-election to the state Assembly in favour of partys candidate PS Sreedharan Pillai. Pillai claimed that he will win the Chengannur seat with a five-digit victory margin. Actor-turned-politician Suresh Gopi, who accompanied the candidate in the final day of the campaigning on Saturday, said Chengannur will spring a surprise this time. Political analysts do not share the optimism. Sunnykutty Abraham, a senior political commentator based at Thiruvananthapuram, said people in the politically conscious state cannot be influenced by such token representations. What they really need is relief from the miseries caused by the policies of the government. The outcome of the Vengara by-election in October last year gives a clear indication of the thinking of the electorate in the state. Though BJP had gone to the poll a month after the induction of Alphonse Kannanthanam into the Narendra Modi ministry, the party candidate at Vengara did not get any benefit from it. On the contrary, the partys position slided from third to fourth with the vote share coming down from 7,015 in 2016 to 5,728 in 2017, he said. Sunnykutty told Firstpost that the BJP could also not make any such gain from the elevation of senior leader O Rajagopal as minister in the Vajpayee ministry in 2003. Though he could increase his vote share in the 2004 Lok Sabha election, the party drew a blank not only in the parliamentary poll but also in the subsequent Assembly elections in 2006. Sunnykutty, therefore, does not believe that the partys national leadership expects any dividend from the appointment of Rajasekharan as the Mizoram governor in the by-election. He, therefore, views the appointment two days before the poll as an admission of defeat in Chengannur. Rajasekharan, who was a full-time RSS pracharak, was made the party president as a nominee of partys national chief Amit Shah. Clamour for his removal from the post may grow if the party loses Chengannur. It would be difficult for BJP to rehabilitate a failed leader in such a situation. Amit Shah has avoided such an unpleasant situation by packing him off from the state before the election, said Sunnykutty. BJP leaders in the state view the development as part of a strategy drawn up by their party chief to equip the party to face the 2019 challenge. A senior leader said that the national leadership would undertake a massive restructuring of the party ahead of the Lok Sabha election. The BJP leader, who did not want to be identified, said that the top leadership was not happy with the way Rajasekharan handled the party affairs and also its allies. He failed to check the inter-party and intra-party feuds in the NDA. He could not assert even when some of the allies raised a banner of revolt. The party leadership considers the rebellion led by Bharath Dharma Jana Sena (BDJS), its principal ally in the NDA, most damaging. The party has been able to increase its vote share in the Assembly election from a mere 6.03 percent in 2011 to 10.58 percent in 2016 only after BDJS joined the NDA. Party leaders believe that the BDJS decision not to cooperate with the BJP in the by-election will affect its prospects. Rajasekharans detractors in the party feel that the BDJS and some other allies have been drifting away from the party because of his failure to take the alliance along as a cohesive unit. They believe that the party can be rejuvenated only by a strong leader. Sadly, the BJP has no such leaders in the state. Most of the senior leaders of the party have already completed their stint as party president. None of them could give the party any headway in the state. The new crop of leaders like K Surendran and MT Ramesh, who are the front runners for the post, are also mired in factional politics. Left-leaning political analyst NM Pearson said that the biggest problem that BJP faces in the state is lack of able leaders to turn the power they hold at the Centre into their advantage. The party was able to capture power in several states by poaching leaders and members from other parties with the help of the power. The situation in Kerala is different. All top leaders are well entrenched in the two dominant fronts led by the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and the Congress. They will not upset the equation unless there is a change in the perception that BJP can come to power in the state, Pearson told Firstpost. He said that the task would be extremely difficult after the electoral setback the BJP has suffered in Karnataka. If the alliance forged by the Congress and the Janata Dal(S) in Karnataka leads to a Mahagatbhandan at the national level, it will make the BJPs position shaky in the coming Lok Sabha election. Amit Shah is counting 12 seats from Kerala in the Lok Sabha. The party may not be able to win even one seat if the Opposition parties put up a united fight against the BJP in the coming election. The show of Opposition strength at the swearing-in-ceremony of JD(S) leader HD Kumaraswamy signals such a fight, Pearson said. BJP was playing politics outside the court in Kerala. It is not likely to enter the court in the immediate future, said Pearson. Asserting that BJP's return to power in 2019 is 'not a challenge but a certainty,' its president Amit Shah on Saturday projected the next Lok Sabha polls as a contest between Prime Minister Narendra Modi's efforts to 'remove corruption and poverty' and the Opposition's single-point agenda of 'Modi Hatao'. New Delhi: Asserting that BJP's return to power in 2019 is "not a challenge but a certainty," its president Amit Shah on Saturday projected the next Lok Sabha polls as a contest between Prime Minister Narendra Modi's efforts to "remove corruption and poverty" and the Opposition's single-point agenda of 'Modi Hatao'. On the Modi government's fourth anniversary, Shah listed details of its "successes" and heaped scorn on the likely challenge from Rahul Gandhi-led Congress, saying he may have declared himself a prime ministerial candidate but his bid has not got support from even his party colleagues, let alone other Opposition leaders. Projecting Modi as the "most popular and most hardworking prime minister with unending energy," Shah said he replaced the UPA's policy paralysis with a policy-driven government working for the poor and improved economy while also raising the country's esteem in the world. Asked about the 'achche din' (good days) promised by the BJP-led ruling alliance when it came to power, Shah said the government has "done a lot to fulfil its promises in four years and one year is still left. The BJP president came down heavily on the Opposition saying a shocking change has happened in the country's politics with those against the prime minister resorting to lies and speaking it loudly all the time. "This is something new I am seeing and the Opposition seems to have decided to continue with this tactic till the 2019 polls... Its one-point agenda is 'Modi hatao' (replace Modi) while the BJP and Modi want to remove disorder, corruption and poverty to usher in stability and development," Shah said at a press conference. Playing down the challenge from a united Opposition, he said people are standing by Modi like a rock and the prime minister's politics of performance will prevail over those promoting politics of dynasty, casteism and appeasement. Taking on the Congress, which has accused the government of peddling lies and Modi of harming the dignity of his chair, Shah said the BJP is ready for a debate over facts and figures about the Centre's achievements. Countering the charges, the BJP president said the honour of the prime minister's chair had hit rock bottom under the Congress-led UPA, as he took a dig at former prime minister Manmohan Singh, remarking that Modi does not need to seek anybody's permission before taking a decision. Singh was often accused by critics of being guided by the then Congress president Sonia Gandhi in his decisions. "The Congress will not decide about the dignity of the prime minister's chair. People have done it. They have replaced its 14 state governments (with BJP)," he said. Asked if he saw a challenge from a united Opposition or Rahul Gandhi in 2019, Shah said there is no challenge and its return to power is a certainty. Referring to Gandhi's comments during the Karnataka Assembly polls that he may be prime minister if his party gets the required numbers, Shah said no Congress leader came out in support of his statement, nor did Opposition leaders like Sharad Pawar, Mamata Banerjee or Akhilesh Yadav. Asked if the government has delivered on its promises, he said it has made successful efforts to change the lives of 22 crore families, referring to welfare schemes like providing LPG cylinder, houses, electricity and toilets among others to the poor, as also efforts to improve the country's economy and security of its borders. Whatever be the Opposition's lies, those who have befitted from the government schemes will remember it, he said, underlining his party's welfare plank. To a question about the Telugu Desam Party leaving the NDA and the saffron party's turbulent relations with another key ally Shiv Sena, Shah said he wants its alliance with Sena to continue and added that 11 new parties, including Nitish Kumar-led JD(U), have joined the ruling bloc. He also discounted the likely challenge from SP-BSP alliance in Uttar Pradesh, saying the media had declared the grouping of "two boys", a reference to Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and Gandhi, a winner in the state Assembly poll before the results came, but it was the BJP that swept the election. Shah also said that the BJP's win in 104 seats in Karnataka is a good sign of its expansion in south India. Asked about Pakistan's continued support to terrorism in Kashmir despite Indian Army's operations, including surgical strike, and if war was an option, he said, "war is the last resort. It is not an option. Maximum number of terrorists have been killed in the last four years." Shah also said the government is also working on long-term policy to deal with soaring petroleum prices. He claimed that in three years of the UPA rule, petrol and diesel prices were as high as they are now. He also maintained the BJP's position on the Ram temple issue, saying it wants the issue to be resolved either through courts or dialogue. Stating that no village is without power now, Shah said the government recently covered 16800 villages, which had over 50 percent Dalit population, with its seven welfare schemes, Jan Dhan bank account, toilets and LPG cylinder for all homes, and will cover 65000 villages by 15 August. The Modi government ended an era of instability and has delivered on its two key promises, that it will work for the poor, Dalits, tribals, backwards, farmers and village, and that it will raise India's esteem in the world. It has fulfilled both, he said. HD Kumaraswamy on Saturday said there are some 'issues' on portfolio allocation with his party's coalition partner Congress but it is not something that will pull down the government. Bengaluru: Karnataka chief minister HD Kumaraswamy on Saturday said there are some "issues" on portfolio allocation with his party's coalition partner Congress but, it is not something that will pull down the government. He also said the expansion of his Cabinet would take place once state Congress leaders get an approval from their high command. "...Portfolios have not been allocated. There are some issues regarding portfolios, but it is not an issue that will pull down the government," Kumaraswamy told reporters. Responding to questions on portfolio allocation and demand for a farm loan waiver, he said, "I will try not to take up an issue as a prestige issue and try to solve a problem... Otherwise I will see. I will not stick to this post, leaving my self-esteem." Parleys began between the Congress and the JD(S) on the issue of Cabinet expansion soon after Kumaraswamy proved his three-day-old government's majority on the floor of the Assembly on Friday. Karnataka Congress leaders on Saturday left for New Delhi by a chartered plane to discuss with the high command the issues relating to Cabinet expansion and portfolio allocation. According to sources, Kumaraswamy had met former chief minister and Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Siddaramaiah, Deputy chief minister Parameshwara and Congress general secretary in-charge of Karnataka KC Venugopal before they left for Delhi. The chief minister also clarified that he would not be going to Delhi to meet Congress president Rahul Gandhi and his mother Sonia Gandhi. "State Congress leaders have to get approval from their central leadership, that's the reason they are going to Delhi on Saturday. Once they come back, Cabinet expansion will happen smoothly," he said. It has already been decided that Congress would have 22 ministers and JD(S) 12 in the new Cabinet. Kumaraswamy hit out at state BJP leader BS Yeddyurappa for his call to support the party's state-wide bandh call on Monday for alleged failure of the government in announcing farm loan waiver as promised by him earlier. "I'm with you (people). I don't have any personal wish. I have become the chief minister not with a selfish motive," he said, noting that there was "no question" of going back on his announcement earlier on farm loan waiver. He said he had already spoken to Congress leaders on the issue of farm loan waiver as he had to take them into confidence. "I should also understand the financial situation before taking the decision. I cannot do it alone," he added. Karnataka chief minister HD Kumaraswamy on Saturday congratulated the BJP-led NDA government on completing four years in office. Bengaluru: Karnataka chief minister HD Kumaraswamy on Saturday congratulated the BJP-led NDA government on completing four years in office. Asked whether Modi and his government had fulfilled the people's expectations, Kumaraswamy said, "Let's see, it is for the people to decide." "They have made several promises through speeches, they have discussed about big things, but they have not been able to implement is the opinion expressed by many political analysts," he told reporters in Bengaluru. Kumaraswamy also said he has sought an appointment with the prime minister for a meeting. "I may get an appointment.. probably tomorrow or day after tomorrow. Once I get it, I will meet him and other central ministers," he added. Meanwhile, official sources said Kumaraswamy will be meeting the prime minister in New Delhi on Monday at 11.30 am. tech2 News Staff Motorola is expected to launch the Moto G6 and Moto G6 Play in India on 4 June but simultaneously it's mid-range offering, the Moto Z3 Play has also seen a number of leaks in recent days and it seems like the company finally has a launch date decided. According to a report by GSMArena, Motorola has begun sending out press invited for a product launch event scheduled for 6 June in Brazil. Looking at the invite, we do know for sure that Motorola will be launching a smartphone on the said date, but the company was careful enough to not blatantly show us the Moto Z3 Play. But since Motorola has already launched its entry-level E series smartphones, as well as its budget-oriented G series lineup, it is not too difficult to speculate that it is the Moto Z3 Play that Motorola is talking about here. As per an internal document found by XDADevelopers in a recent report, a whole lot of features and specifications of the Moto Z3 Play have apparently been outed. Prior to that, popular tipster Evan Blass took to Twitter to reveal the design of the phone in all its entirety. The Moto Z3 Play is expected to sport an aluminum body with a 2.5D curved Gorilla Glass up front. The smartphone will feature a 6-inch 18:9 "Max Vision" FullHD+ AMOLED display. Under the hood, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 636 chipset is expected, which is accompanied with 4 GB of RAM and either 32 GB or 64 GB of built-in memory, which will be expandable through microSD cards. In terms of optics, the Moto Z3 Play will apparently come with a dual camera setup at the back, in which a 12 MP sensor would be primary. Up front, the smartphone will reportedly sport an 8 MP camera. The phone is also supposed to pack a 3,000 mAh battery. Motorola is also expected to bundle a choice of Moto Mods which can be slapped on to the back of the phone, like the battery mod, a gamepad mod, a projector mod and a style shell. Egypts Education Minister Tarek Shawki announced in April the implementation of new reforms to improve education in Egypt. The reforms, which are in part funded by the World Bank with a $500 million loan for five years, will cost a total of $2 billion and are expected to replace the existing education system with a new one to better equip Egyptian youth for the current job market. Starting in September this year, the reforms will be implemented for kindergarten and primary school students, and for secondary students the following academic year. September 2018 marks the start of the journey to make our students ready for life, and we are pleased to have this partnership with the World Bank to accompany us on that journey. Our goal is to provide our children with the competencies they need to create a society that learns, thinks and innovates, said Shawki in his statement to the World Bank in April. The reforms include introducing a new curriculum that focuses on character building and critical thinking skills, improving teachers working conditions and development through training and workshops, changing secondary assessment systems and introducing electronic learning platforms, such as tablets, to students and teachers. So far, the reforms have been well received by educators and families. I think the new reforms are a great initiative, said Hanadi Fawzi, Early Years educator who has been teaching in Egypt and abroad for 17 years. Changing the education sector should have taken place decades ago. However, change takes time. It is therefore important that the reforms are implemented thoroughly and consistently to see the desired results that the ministry is seeking. It is no secret that Egypt suffers from a poor education system. The World Economic Forum Global Competitiveness Report of 2013-14 placed Egypt last in terms of quality of primary education offered in public schools. Al-Watani newspaper reported that although Egypts public education is free, it is currently under significant pressure to operate efficiently given the large number of students entering schools each year, and that the education budget falls short in providing state schools with adequately trained teachers. The current system also relies on memorization and fierce competition among students to score high grades on exams and secure a university education. As a result, many parents resort to costly private lessons to supplement their childrens education. A big chunk of my salary goes to private lessons, said a father of four who sends his children to state schools. The curriculum focuses on memorization, and teachers do not teach in classrooms so that they can be hired as private tutors. Changing the curriculum to do away with memorization and costly private lessons is welcomed by many families whose children attend public schools. I think the new reforms are very much needed and will greatly benefit children. It will also be a relief for parents. Im personally happy about the changes, the father, who asked to remain anonymous, told Al-Monitor. But changing the curriculum alone will not solve problems inherent in public schools. For the new education system to succeed, teachers must undergo training and professional development. Therefore, the ministry aims to train about 500,000 teachers across all governorates through Teachers First, a development program for teacher training. To date, more than 30,000 teachers have undergone the training and many more are expected to complete the training in the next few months. According to Teachers First, educators are taught to use specific applications to learn new teaching approaches in the classroom, track their development and even award themselves and their peers for completing milestones. This approach helps teachers embrace the idea of continuous development as well as create a supportive environment where experiences are shared. Professional development of teachers is vital, said Azza Radwan Sedky, an academic who is also trained in pedagogy and has taught teachers for more than four decades in the Middle East and Canada. Teachers learn from one another especially if they are good at what they do. But there is more to it than professional development. An improved environment, compensation in salary and benefits, and an opportunity to grow go hand in hand with professional development. Another aspect of the reform is introducing tablets to high school students. As part of the Education Ministrys goal to encourage learning in the 21st century, it will distribute 1.5 million tablets to students and teachers for free, which they can keep. Although this move has been welcomed by some educators and families, it is not without controversy. It is absolutely important for students to learn to use information communication technologies such as computers, tablets and mobile technology in this day and age, said Fawzi. However, I would recommend for the tablets to stay at school with the teachers so that they aren't stolen, lost or damaged. If the students have homework, they can stay after school and complete their assignments on the tablets or use their own devices at home if they have them. It seems, however, that giving away the tablets was decided in order to support the national high school exams going digital. The electronic exams will consist of multiple-choice questions and will be based on a cumulative grading system of three high school years instead of a single standardized test. In August 2017, Egypt Independent reported that according to Shawki, this "new system aims to reduce the importance of rote memorization." Im happy with these high school reforms and know that using electronic devices for learning is important today, said a mother of three boys who attend state schools. Im just concerned that my boys will be playing games instead of doing their homework. However, at home I will ensure that they will use their devices for schoolwork only. More important than having a tablet is the information provided, said Sedky. If a tablet mirrors the archaic information in textbooks, then we havent changed much. But if a tablet opens up the learning experience, allows the students minds to expand and explore untrodden places, and takes them to another level, then its worth it. Alongside these technological developments, the high school curriculum is also expected to receive a face-lift. However, according to Reda Hegazy, head of the general education sector at the Ministry of Education, this will be implemented later, as textbooks for next year have already been printed. While these reforms are the latest to be introduced by the Ministry of Education, they are not the first. There have been several attempts in the last few years to improve education in the country, but they have been met with limited success. These reforms, however, seem to be far more comprehensive and elaborate than previous ones. Will they succeed? Time will tell, but Egyptians are hoping that they will bring about real change to better the lives and increase the contributions of the next generation. I have hope that the education system in Egypt will change for the better, and hence give us better human beings across the board, said Sedky. 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. Reuters Tesla Inc has flown six planes full of robots and equipment from Europe to California in an unusual, high-stakes effort to speed up battery production for its Model 3 electric sedan, people familiar with the matter told Reuters this week. Transporting equipment for a production line by air is costly and hardly ever done in the automotive industry, and the move underscores Tesla Chief Executive Elon Musks urgency to get a grip on manufacturing problems that have hobbled the launch of the high-volume Model 3 and pushed Teslas finances deep into the red. As usual with Tesla, everything is being done in a massive hurry and money seems to be no obstacle, said one of the two sources. Tesla on Friday declined to comment on whether it has shipped in any new production equipment from Europe. Investors are closely watching Tesla and its high-profile, often brash CEO to see if the upstart electric vehicle maker can pull off high-volume production of the Model 3, a car with the potential to catapult the niche automaker to a mass producer and assure its financial stability. But manufacturing missteps have led Tesla to repeatedly miss production targets for the sedan, and raised doubts about Musks promises that the company will stop burning cash by the third quarter of this year. Tesla had free cash flow of negative $1 billion in the first quarter, and earlier this month disclosed that it could offer its Fremont, California, vehicle assembly plant as collateral for debt. Engineers from Teslas German engineering arm, Grohmann, are now reworking the battery production line at the Gigafactory near Reno, Nevada, in a bid to free up bottlenecks, the person said. The line will become more automated gradually over time, added the source, who was not authorized to speak for attribution. Musk first disclosed plans for this line on a conference call with analysts in November, after complaining of problems with an original line built by a subcontractor. Musk has told investors the new battery production line will help the carmaker achieve a quantum leap in productivity. The company has noted, however, that it will still be able to reach its target of building 5,000 Model 3s per week by June without the addition of the new line. But Teslas lack of consistency in its factories has undercut Musks production promises in the past. Under time pressure to fix problems, Musk has now insisted the new production line should be a no-expenses-spared effort, the source said. That led to the decision to airlift the new production equipment to the United States from Europe, a step carmakers usually avoid by planning production equipment installations months or years ahead of a production launch. The shipments of new equipment began arriving in Reno this week, the two sources told Reuters. It is not clear when the new production system will be ready to start running. Robots frequently need to be recalibrated to adjust for minimal differences in the quality of raw materials they are working with or temperature and humidity differences. Steps to test the quality of materials and recalibrate robots have proven to be a bottleneck that Tesla managers had underestimated, the first source said. Musk has repeatedly complained of manufacturing hell trying to ramp up the Model 3, which began production, albeit slowly, last July. In February, Musk said the main bottleneck was still its battery module production, saying Tesla had become a little overconfident, a little complacent in its ability to execute. The Gigafactorys battery production is divided into four zones, two of which have experienced problems. Responsibility for two of these zones was originally delegated to subcontractors specialised in integrating complex systems, Musk said. We were promised they would work, and it just didnt work, Musk said during a February conference call. A new design for an automated system for those zones was nearing completion, Musk said in November, adding that Grohmann was working on the issue and making very rapid progress. One of the problems, both at the Gigafactory and at Teslas Fremont vehicle manufacturing factory, has been the interface between Tesla and the subcontractors it hires. Sources have told Reuters of communication problems and high managerial turnover, which complicate the execution of big projects. Musk said in early May he planned to rid the company of barnacles contractors and subcontractors saying Teslas reliance on them had become out of control. TRIPOLI (Reuters) - About 140 East African migrants escaped from smugglers holding them captive near the Libyan town of Bani Walid earlier this week, according to a local source and a U.N. report TRIPOLI (Reuters) - About 140 East African migrants escaped from smugglers holding them captive near the Libyan town of Bani Walid earlier this week, according to a local source and a U.N. report. The migrants, numbering about 140 and of Eritrean, Ethiopian and Somali nationality, were being held by "notorious trafficker Mousa Diab", according to a statement by the U.N. migration and refugee agencies. Most sought refuge in a local mosque but about two dozen were brought to Bani Walid's hospital with severe injuries, either from torture during captivity or efforts by smugglers to recapture them, the agencies said. A Libyan source in Bani Walid said the smugglers opened fire on the migrants to try to prevent their escape. About 10 of them were injured, the source said, asking not to be named for fear of retribution. The U.N. agencies said hundreds more were reportedly still being held by smugglers in the area. Bani Walid, about 145 km (90 miles) south of Tripoli, has become a major hub for the smuggling and trafficking of migrants who arrive from sub-Saharan African countries trying to reach Libya's Mediterranean coast. From there, many seek to travel on towards Italy by boat, though crossings have been sharply reduced since last July when a major smuggling group in the Libyan coastal city of Sabratha struck a deal to halt departures under Italian pressure and was then forced out in clashes. Libya's EU-backed coastguard has also returned more migrants to Libya after intercepting them at sea. Migrant community representatives have said smugglers are now operating further inland, especially around Bani Walid, and that migrants who are frequently tortured or raped in order to extort money from them or their families are being held for longer. (Reporting by Ahmed Elumami and Aidan Lewis; Editing by Raissa Kasolowsky) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. Residents of Chikanchari in the Rakine state of Myanmar had a miraculous escape from Rohingya militants who had butchered inhabitants of neighbouring villages. Coxs Bazar (Bangladesh): Residents of Chikanchari in the troubled Rakine state of Myanmar had a miraculous escape from a killer squad of Rohingya militants who had butchered inhabitants of neighbouring villages. After a long march from their village, they arrived at Bangladeshs Coxs Bazar where thousands of Hindus and Rohingya refugees had already migrated from the neighbouring country after the violence that was unleashed on 25 August last year. The tales narrated by the inhabitants of Chikanchari have been corroborated by a report released by Amnesty International which names the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) or Harakah al-Yakin as having carried out the carnage resulting in the death of 99 persons from Hindu villages in Myanmars Rakhine state. Niranjan Ujjal who was in the group from Chikanchari recalled that it was around 4 pm when the kala (black) party arrived. They came to our village and started threatening us not to come out of our homes. Then they moved to Fakira Bazar and butchered 86 Hindus. They returned to our village in the evening and surrounded us. Around 6 pm we were able to escape with our families and hit the trail to Bangladesh. Who was the kala party? Alekin (Harakah al-Yakin), Niranjan said. They speak Bengali. They were not from Bangladesh but there were people from the Rohingya camps in Bangladesh. This group of refugees, who are currently putting up at a camp at Kutupalong in Coxs Bazar, were among the 600-800 Hindu refugees uprooted from their homes in Rakhine state. Another migrant in his early twenties said that there were rumours in the village of an impending attack by the rebels since Alekin had already stepped up its activities in the region from the past couple of years. He further said that nobody in the village had envisaged that the raid would be so swift and devastating. There were about 100 people in the group armed with guns, bombs and knives. They attacked Murung (Buddhist) villages as well. Now, there is nobody left in our village. But this group did not attack Muslim villages, recounted Surodhan Pal. The camp inmates at Kutupalong also said they are keen to return to Myanmar and settle at any place except in their village, since they are certain that it would be difficult to restore cordial ties with their Rohingya neighbours. What is ARSA? According to one version, the origin of ARSA can be traced to a meeting in Saudi Arabia convened at the fag end of 2010. In this meeting, Rohingya expatriates decided to set up a new organisation that would be different from the previous groups like the Rohingya Solidarity Organisation (RSO) that had fallen into disrepute for inaction and sleaze. In the meeting, it was decided to appoint a cleric named Ataullah Abu Ammar Jununi alias Hafiz Tohar as the leader of the new outfit. This group soon underwent training at a camp of Lashkar-e-Toiba in Pakistan. Harakah al-Yakin (as ARSA was known earlier) began organising training camps in the Rohingya-inhabited territory in Rakhine state in 2016. A majority of informers from all communities were systematically executed to deprive the Myanmar military of information on its activities and future plans. The outfit was flush with funds but suffered from a dearth of weapons, which explains the crude bombs and country-made guns used in the attack on police outposts on 25 August last year. According to reliable sources, several ARSA cadres have landed up at the refugee camps in Bangladeshs Coxs Bazar and especially at Shamlapur where earlier batches of Rohingya migrants have been accommodated. The Myanmar government has already handed over a list of over 1,300 ARSA rebels to Bangladesh who have supposedly taken refuge in the camps and the surrounding region. Why were Hindus targeted? Most of the residents of Chikanchari this correspondent spoke to said that they had cordial relations with their Rohingya neighbours in Myanmars Rakhine state. However, they were at a loss to understand the reason that drove the ARSA to attack the Hindu villages. Surodhan Pal claimed that the ARSA carried out a campaign in the Rohingya villages to drum up support for their plan to attack the Hindu and Murung (Buddhist) villages. Unlike the Rohingya, whose movements were severely restricted, the Hindus were holders of the green card in Rakhine state, which has given them access to jobs, education and health facilities. According to a reliable source, the Hindu villages came under attack after a few senior residents of some villages rejected ARSAs offer to join hands in operations against the Myanmarese security forces. They came under the suspicion of being close to the military and collaborating with the local Buddhists. Unlike Rohingya outfits of the past, ARSA was founded in a foreign country and some of its top functionaries are based in West Asia and South East Asia. In a statement in last September, ARSA has not only denied links with al-Qaeda and Islamic State, but also warned foreign fighters against entering the conflict zone. However, there are inputs and reports indicating the presence of foreign trainers in the outfit and a section of the intelligence communities in India and Bangladesh believes that it has links with foreign terrorist groups as well. Some analysts are of the view that ARSA had also firmed up plans to implement an Islamist agenda, which, however, remains uncertain in the existing circumstances in Rakhine state. ARSA has been unable to sustain its armed campaign against the Myanmar military after the attack on 25 August last year. An elderly Rohingya migrant at one of the camps in Nayapara claimed that ARSAs campaign was coloured with religion from the outset. He was of the view that the training modules, which were mostly held under the cover of darkness in Rakhine state, also aimed at fomenting hatred and distrust against other communities like the Hindus and Buddhists. (Bhattacharyya is a senior journalist in Guwahati and author of Rendezvous With Rebels: Journey To Meet Indias Most Wanted Men) BEIRUT (Reuters) - The leader of Lebanon's Hezbollah urged supporters on Friday to stand firm in the face of U.S. sanctions targeting the Iran-backed Shi'ite movement and brace for more pressure. Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah also vowed to mount a campaign against corruption in the Lebanese state and warned it would face financial collapse if it did not tackle waste. BEIRUT (Reuters) - The leader of Lebanon's Hezbollah urged supporters on Friday to stand firm in the face of U.S. sanctions targeting the Iran-backed Shi'ite movement and brace for more pressure. Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah also vowed to mount a campaign against corruption in the Lebanese state and warned it would face financial collapse if it did not tackle waste. In elections this month, Hezbollah along with parties and politicians that endorse its possession of arms gained sway in parliament. Western-backed Sunni leader Saad al-Hariri will now form Lebanon's next coalition government to contain the main parties including Hezbollah. Washington has sought to choke off Hezbollah funding, with sanctions among a slew of fresh measures against Tehran since U.S. President Donald Trump withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal. The United States imposed sanctions last week on Hezbollah's representative to Iran, as well as a financier and five companies in Europe, West Africa and the Middle East. Washington and Gulf partners also announced more sanctions on Hezbollah leadership, including its top two officials, Nasrallah and Naim Qassem. Nasrallah called the sanctions "part of the battle" and said they would not impact its leadership but could harm its backers. "When they (sanction) Lebanese companies or organizations ... of course, this is very harmful, and so nobody should underestimate it," Nasrallah said in a televised speech marking the anniversary of Israel's withdrawal from occupied parts of south Lebanon in 2000. He said the Lebanese government was responsible for citizens hit by the sanctions and must not turn its back on them. Nasrallah warned of the United States and its allies ramping up pressure in the future, but said such steps would yield no result. He described harm that supporters and financiers may face as "a sacrifice". He said the sanctions would not affect the formation of a new government set to start next week. After Lebanon's first legislative vote in nine years, the dire economic situation and unsustainable public debt levels are top priorities for the next government. Lebanon is the world's third-most indebted nation with a debt-to-GDP ratio of more than 150 percent. Nasrallah pledged that Hezbollah would launch a "serious, strategic, and major" campaign to fight corruption. "We did not offer blood and liberate lands...for our country to go bankrupt and collapse." (Reporting by Ellen Francis and Laila Bassam; editing by Raissa Kasolowsky) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. Pakistan and India were on the path of peace and reconciliation under his regime, former Pakistani dictator Pervez Musharraf has said. Islamabad: Pakistan and India were on the path of peace and reconciliation under his regime, former Pakistani dictator Pervez Musharraf has said while claiming that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was not an "advocate of peace talks". The former president and chief of All Pakistan Muslim League (APML) in an interview with Voice of America claimed that when he was in power, India and Pakistan were on the "path of reconciliation", but that is not the case anymore, the Express Tribune reported. "At the time, I spoke to both the prime ministers, Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Manmohan Singh, they were both from different political parties but we wanted to move forward from the disputes, he said. The 74-year-old retired general, who is facing high treason charges, has been living in Dubai since last year when he was allowed to leave Pakistan for medical treatment. Musharraf claimed that a four-point initiation of peace was strategised by the former president and was put in implementation by the leadership of both countries. The four points of contention included Siachen and Kashmir as well, he said. "We were working on my strategy because both sides wanted to have peace. This is not the case anymore. They want to undo us," he claimed. "Incumbent Prime Minister Narendra Modi wants to enforce supremacy in India and isn't an advocate of peace talks," he alleged. He alleged that there exists an "inherent bias" towards India's treatment as both possess nuclear arms, but no questions are raised on India. "Nobody asks India to control their assets. Pakistan became a nuclear state because India posed an undeniable existential threat, he said. "The US should have stopped them, we have been loyal to them throughout, he said. He said that Pak-US relations have suffered quite a blow and are currently at "the lowest ebb". Answering a question as to why there are strenuous relations between the two countries, Musharraf said, "US has supported India very openly from the Cold War era. And now again, the US is aligning itself with India against Pakistan, this affects us directly. We would like the UN to examine India's role in Afghanistan. A one-sided approach to the problem is negative. Pakistan's powerful army has summoned former ISI chief Asad Durrani to seek his explanation over a book he co-authored with India's ex-spy chief AS Dulat Islamabad: Pakistan's powerful army has summoned former ISI chief Asad Durrani to seek his explanation over a book he co-authored with India's ex-spy chief AS Dulat, accusing him of 'violating' the military code of conduct. Lieutenant General (retd) Durrani, who headed the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agency from August 1990 till March 1992, along with Dulat has written "The Spy Chronicles: RAW, ISI and the Illusion of Peace". The book was released on Wednesday. The Pakistan Army in a statement said that Durrani was being called to General Headquarters (GHQ) on 28 May and "will be asked to explain his position on views attributed to him in book 'Spy Chronicles'." "Attribution taken as violation of Military Code of Conduct applicable on all serving and retired military personnel," according to the statement issued on Friday. Durrani was summoned after ousted Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Friday demanded an urgent meeting of the high-powered National Security Committee (NSC) to discuss the content of the book. Former chairman of Pakistan Senate Raza Rabbani criticised the book by rival spy chiefs. "Had a politician done the same thing he would have been labelled a traitor," he said. Putin bemoaned troubled relations with the United States, saying Russia wants to improve them but is held hostage by the disputes surrounding Trump St Petersburg: Russian president Vladimir Putin on Friday bemoaned troubled relations with the United States, saying Russia wants to improve them but is effectively held hostage by the disputes surrounding President Donald Trump. Putin's comments in a meeting with top editors of international news agencies underlined how Russia's once-high hopes for improved relations under Trump have eroded. Although the Trump administration has imposed sanctions on Russia and expelled scores of its diplomats, Russian politicians generally portray Trump as blocked by domestic opposition from fulfilling his campaign promises of improving relations with Moscow. Earlier in the day, speaking at an annual economic forum, Putin sharply criticised Trump's decision to pull out of the Iranian nuclear deal, saying it could trigger dangerous instability. The Russian leader said the US withdrawal from the 2015 agreement came even as the international nuclear watchdog confirmed that Tehran was fulfilling its obligations. "What should it be punished for, then?" Putin asked. Trump's administration has demanded that Iran stop the enrichment of uranium and end its involvement in Syria, Yemen, Lebanon and Afghanistan in order to negotiate a new deal. "If international agreements are revised every four years it would offer zero horizon for planning," Putin said. "It will create the atmosphere of nervousness and lack of trust." In the meeting with editors, Putin declined to assess relations between Trump and North Korea's Kim Jong-un, but said the United States should not try to take a hard line with the country. "In order to talk about a full denuclearisation of North Korea, I believe we should give North Korea a guarantee of their sovereignty and inviolability," the Russian president said. "I am deeply convinced that if you do impose anything, if you don't behave aggressively and if you don't corner North Korea, the result that we need will be achieved faster than many would think, and at less cost." Putin also expressed frustration at having little contact with Trump and faulted the investigation into whether there was collusion between Trump's campaign and Russia and whether Russia tried to interfere with the 2016 US election. "We are hostages to this internal strife in the United States," Putin said. "I hope that it will end some day and the objective need for the development of Russian-American relationships will prevail." At the economic forum, Putin also engaged in a tongue-in-cheek exchange with French President Emmanuel Macron, saying with a smile that Russia could help protect Europe if its rift with the US widens over Iran. "Don't you worry, we will help ensure your security," Putin said. Macron responded on a serious note that France and its allies could stand for themselves. In his speech at the forum and during talks with Putin on Thursday, Macron called for closer ties between France and Russia despite their differences. Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe also spoke at the forum and called for closer cooperation with Russia. The decision comes in the wake of a string of military gains around the capital Damascus and in the central province of Homs. Damascus: Syria's army has issued orders to return home for men conscripted for compulsory service in 2010, the year before war broke out, fighters and local media said on Saturday. The decision ends the drawn-out deployment of thousands of Syrians who enlisted for the mandatory 18 months of military service in 2010, but who ended up serving for eight years because of the war. Al-Watan, a Syrian daily close to the government, reported that the army had "issued a decision to demobilise the officers and reservists of Recruitment Class 102 as of 1 June, 2018". The decision comes in the wake of a string of military gains around the capital Damascus and in the central province of Homs. Mohammad, 27, has been serving for eight consecutive years after enlisting in 2010, but will finally go home next month. "I feel like I just won a huge battle," said Mohammad, who hails from Syria's second city Aleppo. "I called my family this morning and told my mom to congratulate me as I'd been discharged. She was surprised and didn't know what to say," he told AFP from Damascus, where he is now deployed. Before Syria's conflict erupted in 2011, men 18 and older had to serve between 18 months and two years in the armed forces, after which they remained part of the reserves. But when war broke out, anyone enlisted remained deployed on active duty. The regime initially lost swathes of territory and its 300,000-strong army was nearly halved by deaths, injuries and defections. Russian air strikes, local militiamen and fighters from Iran, Iraq, Lebanon and elsewhere have helped it recapture much of the territory it lost. Mohammad was expecting to serve until 2012, but ended up fighting for years longer along several fronts, including the Eastern Ghouta rebel bastion outside Damascus. "We've been dreaming of this moment for a long time, and now the dream has become reality," he said. Syrian state media did not report the decision, while local outlets did not specify how many troops it would impact. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor estimated that nearly 15,000 soldiers and reservists would be affected. By Richard Cowan and Susan Cornwell WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. House of Representatives broke on Thursday for an 11-day recess with majority Republicans deadlocked over legislation to protect 'Dreamer' immigrants from deportation while President Donald Trump insisted that Congress meet all his hard-line immigration demands. Republicans have been deeply divided for years over immigration By Richard Cowan and Susan Cornwell WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. House of Representatives broke on Thursday for an 11-day recess with majority Republicans deadlocked over legislation to protect "Dreamer" immigrants from deportation while President Donald Trump insisted that Congress meet all his hard-line immigration demands. Republicans have been deeply divided for years over immigration. The conservative base has been pushing to tighten the borders even as the party, hoping to keep its majority in Congress in November's election, has been trying to reach out to Hispanic voters who are a growing force in American politics. The issue has House Speaker Paul Ryan in one of the toughest struggles of his career. On one side, Trump and conservatives in Congress insist on construction of a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border and a clampdown on both legal and illegal immigration. Centrist Republicans, meanwhile, are pressing for permanent protections that could lead to citizenship for the "Dreamers," immigrants who were brought illegally as children to the United States. Trump has signaled he would favor some steps to protect Dreamers, but has not specified how, and he also insists on a border wall. Ryan has said he is working with the White House on a plan that Trump would sign into law, but after weeks of intense negotiations, he has not yet forged a deal. He told reporters on Thursday that members were still seeking a consensus but gave no timeline for action. "Its in complete flux," said Republican Representative Patrick McHenry, a member of his party's House leadership team. Representative Carlos Curbelo, one centrist trying to force Republican leaders to hold votes on a bipartisan Dreamer bill along with more conservative immigration legislation, told reporters: "For us, a permanent fair solution, a bridge into the legal immigration system, is critical. He added that he did not know whether conservatives in his party would move his way. Trump has rejected a push by Curbelo and other moderate Republicans for a "Dreamer" deal, saying he would only back sweeping immigration legislation that met all his demands, including a border wall. "Unless it includes a wall, and I mean a wall, a real wall, and unless it includes very strong border security, therell be no approvals from me," Trump told Fox News. Any bill would also have to end a visa lottery program and curb visas for legal immigrants' relatives, he added. Ryan, who plans to retire from Congress at the end of this year, has so far avoided pressure from both sides of his caucus to take up the contentious issue ahead of the November election. As of Thursday, 23 House Republicans had signed a petition to force a wide-ranging debate and votes as soon as next month on a series of immigration bills. Signatures from two more Republicans along with support from most or all House Democrats would be enough to bring legislation to the House floor. "What's not going to happen is we're not going to just spend time talking with no results. We have some deadlines," said Republican Representative Mario Diaz-Balart, an early signer of the petition. Democratic Representative Pete Aguilar, also a leader in the fight for a bipartisan Dreamer bill, said Republicans are arguing over whether Dreamers should win a pathway to citizenship, a key demand of Democrats and centrist Republicans. "It doesn't seem like they're (Republicans) ever going to get to a bill in their caucus that gets to 218" votes needed for passage, Aguilar told reporters. (Reporting by Susan Cornwell, Susan Heavey and Richard Cowan; additional reporting by Lisa Lambert; editing by Jeffrey Benkoe, Jonathan Oatis and David Gregorio) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. The UK's Opposition, Labour Party, has called for Vedanta to be delisted from the London Stock Exchange following the death of 13 people in Tuticorin. London: The UK's Opposition, Labour Party, has called for Vedanta to be delisted from the London Stock Exchange following the death of 13 people during violent protests against the mining giant in Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu. John McDonnell, the UK's Shadow Chancellor, said removing Vedanta Resources from the London financial markets would prevent reputational damage from the "rogue" company which has been operating "illegal" mining concerns for years. "After the massacre of the protestors this week, regulators must now take action. Vedanta must be immediately delisted from the London Stock Exchange to remove its cloak of respectability, restore confidence in the governance of the Stock Exchange, and prevent further reputational damage to London's financial markets from this rogue corporation, McDonnell said in a statement on Friday. Violent protests had erupted in Tuticorin on Tuesday as locals took to the streets demanding closure of a copper factory of the Vedanta group over pollution concerns. "The news from Tamil Nadu that 13 protestors against Vedanta have been killed is shocking and demands action. This is a major multinational company that for years has operated illegal mining concerns, trashing the environment and forcibly evicting local people, he said. The statement from the senior Labour MP, who highlighted that campaigners and international NGOs like Amnesty International have accused Vedanta of a string of human rights and environmental abuses in India, Zambia and across the globe, came as protesters are preparing to stage a major protest against Vedanta outside the Indian High Commission in London on Saturday afternoon. Hundreds of protesters mobilised by groups such as Foil Vedanta, Tamil People in the UK, Periyar Ambedkar Study Circle, South Asia Solidarity Group, Tamil Solidarity, Parai Voice of Freedom and Veera Tamilar Munnani will stage protests alongside worldwide action to condemn the Tamil Nadu state government's "collusion" in what they have termed as corporate massacre. Samarendra Das from Foil Vedanta also called on the UK government to investigate and delist this company. "For 15 years since Vedanta's London listing, we have been warning the British government that this criminal company is undermining democracy across India and in Zambia whilst gaining a 'cloak of respectability' from London. This corporate massacre on a peaceful environmental movement must be the last straw, he said. Karthik Kamalakannan from Tamil People in UK added: It is disgusting to learn that a British company has put its profits above human cries for safe air to breathe and water to drink. "The leaders of this peaceful environmental movement have been targeted by snipers, which is no surprise knowing the reputation of Vedanta against any uprising against them. The internet blackout in Tuticorin destroys all semblance of democracy. This is a sad time for Tamil people." The groups are calling on the British government to launch an inquiry into the "multiple legal, environmental and human rights violations" by Vedanta Resources. Vedanta Resources' subsidiary Sterlite Copper has begun construction of a new 4-million tonne/year smelter on the edge of the town of Tuticorin, almost doubling their capacity, but residents argue the existing smelter has continuously polluted their water and air since it was established in 1996. They claim it has led to respiratory and skin problems, fainting and other illness, especially among children. Activists also claim that Sterlite obtained its environmental clearance illegally by falsifying information to statutory authorities, while the existing plant is regularly found to be dumping toxic waste in the town, and operating without proper licenses. The plant releases its waste into the sensitive Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve, an area of coral reefs and mangrove forests, the protesters claim. Sterlite was the first company set up by Agarwal in India before he launched Vedanta Resources on the London Stock Exchange in 2003, which is now a multinational FTSE 250 company with operations across India and Africa. Vedanta has previously denied that the smelter has been responsible for air and water pollution. The company said it is working with authorities to restore power to the plant, which has been offline since late March. "I assure you that I am committed to the environment, the people of Tuticorin and Tamil Nadu, and we will abide by the law of the land. It is with your wish that we would like to continue this business, Agarwal said in a video message. Investors didn't seem to like Best Buy's (NYSE:BBY) latest quarterly report. The stock sank on Thursday despite the consumer electronics retailer beating analyst expectations across the board. Comparable sales surged, driven by strong demand for mobile phones, appliances, computing, and smart-home products. And the bottom line rocketed higher, aided by a lower tax rate. To be fair, Best Buy's report wasn't all peaches and cream. Online sales growth slowed down, and the company's margins took a hit. Best Buy also left its full-year guidance unchanged despite the stronger-than-expected first quarter. Best Buy tends to be conservative with its guidance, but investors were clearly looking for more. What went right Best Buy produced $9.1 billion of revenue in the first quarter, up 6.8% year over year. Comparable sales surged 7.1% overall, with 7.1% growth in the domestic business and 6.4% growth in the international business. The company managed just 1.6% comparable sales growth in the first quarter of last year. CEO Hubert Joly pointed to healthy consumer confidence, product innovation, and the company's unique value proposition as the main drivers of the robust sales growth. Best Buy is operating in "an opportunity-rich environment," the result of technology innovation and customers' need for help. The company is capitalizing by increasingly offering solutions, not just products. In the domestic business, which accounts for the vast majority of revenue, most product categories produced growth in the quarter. Appliances were the standout, with computing and mobile phones not too far behind. Product Category Comparable-Sales Growth Consumer electronics 2.9% Computing and mobile phones 10.2% Entertainment (0.8%) Appliances 13% Services 7.3% The bottom line grew even faster than revenue, with non-GAAP earnings per share surging 37% to $0.82. Best Buy's effective tax rate was just 19.2% during the quarter, down from 35.6% in the prior-year period. That tax cut, courtesy of the U.S. tax reform bill passed late last year, was responsible for Best Buy's earnings growth. Share buybacks boosted per-share earnings even further. What went wrong The lower tax rate allowed Best Buy to report solid earnings growth despite a slump in its gross margin. Gross margin dropped 0.4 percentage points to 23.3% during the first quarter, the result of rate pressure in the mobile phones business as well as prior-year legal settlement proceeds related to the services business. This gross margin decline was enough to send GAAP operating income down 11.7% year over year. Another issue with Best Buy's report was its online business. Domestic online sales grew by just 12% year over year, accounting for 13.6% of total revenue. That's down from 22.5% growth in the prior-year period. Higher average order values and higher conversion rates pushed up online sales, but not enough to match last year's performance. The good news is that Best Buy believes this slowdown was mostly due to the timing of product launches. Both the Nintendo Switch and Samsung Galaxy S8 launched in the first quarter of last year, so Best Buy lapped those launches in the first quarter of this year. Best Buy is still gaining online market share, according to CFO Corie Barry, and the number of customers ordering online and picking up in store is on the rise. Lastly, Best Buy maintained its full-year guidance, calling for comparable-sales growth between 0% and 2%, and non-GAAP EPS growth between 9% and 13%. With such a strong first quarter, Best Buy is either being conservative, or a significant slowdown is coming in the second half of the year. More good than bad There's no reason to panic over Best Buy's report. Margins were down, but the company expects its adjusted operating margin to be essentially flat this year, even as it makes investments in its services business. Revenue growth will almost certainly slow down later this year, but the company has long-term growth opportunities in services, smart home products, appliances, and its international business. Another reason to not worry: Best Buy's balance sheet remains rock-solid, with about $1.3 billion of net cash. This gives Best Buy the resources to make growth investments and the ability to weather any downturns in the future. Best Buy is one of the few large retailers that isn't saddled with a ton of debt. While the market wasn't thrilled with Best Buy's numbers, shareholders should be mostly happy with the results. While it's not a pleasant thought, many Americans are not prepared for retirement. In fact, 46% of baby boomers have nothing at all saved for retirement, according to a study from the Insured Retirement Institute. Despite so many soon-to-be retirees falling short on their savings, only 36% of Americans say that Social Security will be a major source of income during retirement, according to the 2018 Retirement Confidence Survey by the Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI). Herein lies the problem. Although only 36% of people say they expect to depend on Social Security as a major source of income, 67% of retirees actually end up depending on it, according to the EBRI survey. Combined with the fact that many aren't saving enough on their own, this means a lot of retirees are stepping into retirement unprepared. Why Social Security shouldn't be a safety net It's OK to have some reliance on Social Security during retirement -- after all, you earned it after a lifetime of working. But you shouldn't be depending on it to make ends meet. While Social Security benefits do bring regular paychecks, they may not be quite as dependable in the future. With so many baby boomers retiring (roughly 10,000 each day, according to the Pew Research Center) and life expectancies continuing to increase, benefit cuts are a real possibility. By 2035, according to the Social Security Administration Board of Trustees, the excess cash reserves within the system will be depleted. While this doesn't mean that the program will collapse (since Social Security is funded through taxes), it could result in benefit cuts. Of course, Congress could come up with a solution before 2035, but it's wise not to trust your retirement to a government fix that may or may not happen. The best way to make sure you don't rely entirely on Social Security to make ends meet is to bulk up your own savings. While that's easier said than done, there are two things you can do: 1. Take full advantage of your 401(k) If you're lucky enough to work for an employer that offers matching 401(k) contributions, take full advantage -- it could double your retirement savings. In an ideal situation, you'd contribute enough to earn the full match. But even if you can't save that much, every little bit counts. For example, say you're earning $45,000 a year and your employer will match 100% of your 401(k) contributions up to 3% of your salary (or up to $1,350 per year). Let's also say that you're contributing $50 per month, or $600 per year. Your employer matches that, making your total contributions $1,200 per year. But if you began contributing $75 per month (or $900 per year) which would bump your total yearly contributions to $1,800, including the employer match, here's what your total savings would look like in comparison after 20, 30, and 40 years, assuming a 7% annual rate of return on your investments: Years Total Savings Contributing $1,200/year Total Savings Contributing $1,800/year 20 $52,638 $78,957 30 $121,288 $181,931 40 $256,332 $384,497 So while an extra $25 per month may not seem like much, when your employer doubles it, the difference can be more than $100,000 over the long run. 2. Delay taking Social Security benefits While you shouldn't rely on Social Security benefits as a major source of income during retirement, that doesn't mean you can't factor them into your retirement plan. And if your own savings are falling short, it's a good idea to squeeze every penny out of your benefits. You're able to claim benefits as early as age 62, but you won't receive the full amount you're entitled to until you reach your full retirement age (FRA), which is 65 to 67, depending on the year you were born. And if you delay benefits beyond FRA (up to age 70), you'll receive bigger checks to make up for the years you weren't receiving them. Also, if you continue to work up until age 70, that gives you a few more years to contribute to your retirement fund and build up your own savings. And those few years can make a major difference in your total savings. For example, let's say you're considering retiring and claiming benefits at age 62, and you currently have $100,000 in your retirement fund. Let's also say your FRA is 67, and you would be receiving $1,400 per month in Social Security benefits if you wait until that age to claim. By claiming at 62, your benefits will be cut by 30%, leaving you with $980 per month. If, on the other hand, you wait until age 70 to retire and claim Social Security, you'd receive a 24% boost in benefits, giving you $1,736 per month. Also, let's say you were contributing $100 per month to your retirement fund while you were working. If you continued working another eight years to retire at age 70, assuming a 7% rate of return on your investments, that's another $184,592 you could have saved. So not only are you nearly doubling your Social Security benefits each month by waiting a few years to claim, but you're also nearly tripling your own retirement fund rather than draining it. Social Security is a great asset to help fund your retirement, but it shouldn't be the only tool in your toolbox. By bulking up your own savings, you can make the most of your retirement by ensuring you're not relying too heavily on Social Security. Driver Doug McNair celebrated his 3,000th career driving win with a dramatic finish in Friday night's finale at Woodbine Mohawk Park. McNair moved within one win of the milestone mark after guiding even-money favourite E R Rhonda to victory in the ninth race then joined the 3,000-win club courtesy of his winning drive aboard four-year-old pacer Jdcyril in the 11th race. McNair swept three-wide on the backstretch aboard the Randy Van Meer-trained pacer and got up in the final strides for a 26-1 upset over closers Now What Hanover (Jason Ryan) and I C True Grit (James MacDonald). The 28-year-old resident of Guelph, Ont. is coming off a career-year in which he was named Canada's Driver of the Year. He was the 2017 leading money-winning driver in the nation with more than $5.9 million in earnings on Canadian soil. In total, his mounts won 325 races and earned more than $6.5 million in North America last year. McNair was the regular driver for OBrien winners Stay Hungry, Bettors Up, and Sandbetweenurtoes, who he drove to a fourth-place finish earlier on Friday night in the weekly Fillies & Mares Preferred Pace, which was won by his father's trainee The Joy Luck Club. The Joy Luck Club pulled off a 22-1 upset while notching the first win of her four-year-old campaign in the $30,000 feature. Favourite Clear Idea (Trevor Henry) was first to the front from post six landing ahead of last week's surprise winner P L Hurricane (Sylvain Filion), with Sandbetweenurtoes (Doug McNair) marching up from the seven-hole as they raced into the turn. Sandbetweenurtoes took over at the :26.3 quarter mark, but Clear Idea quickly moved back to the top. Meanwhile, Ontario Sires Stakes graduate The Joy Luck Club followed from fifth and tipped first-up nearing the :55.3 middle mark in rein to Chris Christoforou. She kicked into action with a big third quarter move, rushing to command and reaching the next pole in 1:23 before opening up almost three lengths down the lane. The Joy Luck Club equalled her career mark of 1:50.3 that she set in an OSS Gold division last August. Clear Idea edged out P L Hurricane in a photo for place, with Sandbetweenurtoes settling for fourth-place. The Joy Luck Club, who was an O'Brien Award finalist last year after winning 14 of her 22 sophomore starts while banking $333,807, is owned by trainer Gregg McNair, Mark Horner and R A W Equine Inc. After finishing out of the money in the Sam 'Chip' Noble Memorial at Miami Valley Raceway and last Friday's Preferred at Mohawk Park, The Joy Luck Club returned $46.50 to win. The field was scratched down to nine starters with Ms Mac N Cheese sick. Wagers on Forever Liza were refunded after she broke stride behind the starting gate. Judges' ruled she did not receive a fair start resulting in the pari-mutuel refund. To view complete results from Friday's harness racing card, click on the following link: Friday Results - Mohawk Park. The National Sheep Association (NSA) has called for a wider cull of ravens in Scotland, after Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) came under fire for sanctioning a limited cull. The latest licence was granted by SNH to a conservation group in Strathbraan, Perthshire, which requested permission to cull ravens to see if that would help a recovery in curlew, lapwing and oystercatcher numbers. See also: Farmer uses alpacas to guard sheep flock The group blamed ravens for predation and was awarded a licence to cull 69 ravens this year, with more to come over the next five years. But the decision led to a backlash, with SNH chairman Mike Cantlay even receiving death threats following public complaints by BBC Springwatch presenter Chris Packham. Justification SNH issued a strong justification for licencing the cull, pointing out that the habitat around Strathbraan is good for breeding waders, but raven numbers are increasing, adding it was just a trial. But it has since been revealed the culling of ravens is more widespread than first thought. Following a parliamentary question, the Scottish government confirmed that more than 400 licences for the killing of 3,334 birds have been issued by SNH over the past three years. This has triggered further condemnation from animal rights groups. Director of OneKind, Harry Huyton, said he was shocked to find so many ravens were being routinely killed across Scotland. Ravens are supposedly a protected species, recovering from a long history of persecution, he said. High lamb losses However, the NSA has offered its support for the culls, and says licences to reduce raven numbers should be more readily available in other parts of the country. With lambing now finished across the UK, the NSA has received reports of very high losses to ravens this year, including flocks in Scotland where 50-100 lambs have been killed, said NSA chief executive Phil Stocker. Ravens target lambs in vulnerable moments, even striking the very moment they are born. NSA Scottish regional chairman John Fyall acknowledged it was an emotive issue for campaigners, but there is nothing as emotive as seeing a newborn lamb trying to find a teat to feed from its mother with no tongue and no eyes. Legislation Legislation allows the culling of ravens under licence to prevent serious damage to livestock. But the NSA believes raven numbers are getting out of control and more licences to cull are needed to counter the knock-on effects on other species. OneKind, however, says other, non-lethal methods of deterring raven predation should be pursued instead. My name is Ozymandias, king of kings; Look on my works, ye mighty, and despair! Shelleys poem Ozymandias is a reflection on hubris an excess of confidence or arrogance, which ultimately leads to the individuals downfall. Its an apt metaphor for what many see as the hubris of the modern agrochemical industry and conventional farming. It reflects a strand of environmentalist thought that believes society shall look back in a generation with regret that it allowed the use of plant protection products (PPPs) at all. Which is, of course, nonsense. PPPs are vital to the task of feeding a growing global population, and EU regulatory standards are probably the most risk-averse in the world. See also: Can sugar beet survive a future without neonicotinoids? Yet the recent EU vote, supported by the UK, to ban all outdoor use of neonicotinoids is merely the latest in a regrettable pattern of wilfully anti-scientific and politically-motivated agitation against productive, sustainable food production. And the lobbyists have no intention of stopping at neonics. From glyphosate to methaldehyde, chlorothalonil to pyrethroids; nothing is safe from their covetous gaze. Joe Stanley is an arable and beef farmer on a third-generation Leicestershire family farm Joe Stanley is an arable and beef farmer on a third-generation Leicestershire family farm Our reactive strategy isnt working. We stumble between crises, defending the next active ingredient seized upon by activists as the object of their self-righteous ire. That glyphosate, perhaps the most benign of all our PPPs, was only temporarily reprieved by the very narrowest of margins in 2017 is sobering. Who can be confident of its re-approval in 2022? The fact that we have right on our side is not enough. No, we need to be proactive on this issue, or face death by a thousand cuts. Grand bargain What if farming bodies were to propose a grand bargain with government and the multifarious environmental lobby groups? In return for agreeing to a demonstrable decrease in the volume of PPPs used nationwide, we could be guaranteed a significant breathing space, with no new threat of product removal, in order to provide an element of stability for farmers, and time for agrochemical firms to develop new actives with even more inoffensive characteristics. Government could burnish its green credentials; the environmentalists could trumpet a victory. To be clear; this isnt an admission of guilt. Its a ridiculous situation whereby, in the 21st century, farming is being corralled into rolling back safe, proven scientific progress. And l wont even start on the potential benefits of GM crops. But standing on our current defensive platform of facts, truth and common sense is getting us nowhere; governments of all colours are too easily seduced by the electoral expediency of green votes delivered by lobbyists fomenting hysteria. We must act, or face a steady erosion of our ability to feed those same voters. Some might say that I propose to capitulate to bullies; and those bullies will only come back for more. Perhaps. But we find ourselves in the unenviable position whereby the teacher is siding with the bullies, and we must change our calculus accordingly. The words of another ancient king, Pyrrhus of Epirus, stand as a cautionary tale for those who seek to eliminate PPPs entirely. After a close, costly victory, Pyrrhus is said to have observed: If we are victorious in one more battle, we shall be utterly ruined. Those who look to return farming to the conditions of the 19th century will struggle to feed the population of the 21st. Welcome to my genealogy blog. Genea-Musings features genealogy research tips and techniques, genealogy news items and commentary, genealogy humor, San Diego genealogy society news, family history research and some family history stories from the keyboard of Randy Seaver (of Chula Vista CA), who thinks that Genealogy Research Is really FUN! Copyright (c) Randall J. Seaver, 2006-2021. Samsung to make all its smart devices AI-ready by 2020 News oi-Vishal Kawadkar Samsung bets big on its Artificial Intelligence ecosystem. Samsung is planning to make all its appliances artificial intelligence capable by 2020. The company's new consumer electronics CEO Kim Hyun-suk told The Wall Street Journal, "I wonder why everyone is talking about speakers," remarked Kim in reference to smart speaker segment. Smart speaker segment is the fastest-growing category of consumer electronics, according to many industry trackers. While the South Korean giant is already working on its first Bixby-powered smart speaker, it will see the light of day in the second half of the year. But the company has bigger plans for all of its products by making them AI-ready. Samsung currently sells half a billion consumer-grade electronic products every year and Kim sees all those products to be potential smart speakers. However, it's unlikely that the products launched before 2020 will have AI capabilities. The company sees Bixby and AI is the major selling point of its connected home ecosystem. A full-fledged AI ecosystem allowing smart devices to communicate with each other would also help the company compete with Amazon and Google in the smart speaker segment. Mr. Kim also said that while Samsung's smart home push will be focused on Bixby, the company remains open to collaboration with Google, Apple, and other tech giants with digital assistants of their own. Besides, Samsung seems to be exploring an uncharted territory with its new content-dependent somatosensory output. At least that's what the new patent filing suggests. Basically, the idea here is to develop a wearable that could simulate a wearer's somatic senses like pressure, wind, and temperature. Samsung plans to achieve this with a special device which appears to be a tablet. This device can generate ultrasonic frequency templates that are thought to activate somatosensory activity. The device will create those templates based on what content the user is engaging with. The templates will then be sent to an external wearable which looks like a pair of headphones. This will allow the wearer to feel whatever's happening in the content. The drawings that the company has included in the patent explain how it expects the system to work. The headphones will have an array of ultrasonic speakers along the length of a headband. The headband targets different region of the brain. Best Mobiles in India Facebook, To stay updated with latest technology news & gadget reviews, follow GizBot on Twitter YouTube and also subscribe to our notification. Allow Notifications Donal Trump orders ZTE to pay $1.3 billion to lift the ban News oi-Karan The United States Government has banned the smartphone maker ZTE back in April for violating the terms of a sanctions settlement. ZTE was caught for shipping good to Iran illegally. The United States Government has banned the smartphone maker ZTE back in April for violating the terms of a sanctions settlement. ZTE was caught for shipping good to Iran illegally. But the company has responded and said that the verdict is unfair and threatens the survival. Earlier this month the US president Donal Trump has tweeted and pledged to reverse course saying that President Xi of China and him are working together to give ZTE a way to get back into the business, fast. Now Donal Trump has again tweeted on May 25 saying, "Senator Schumer and Obama Administration let phone company ZTE flourish with no security checks. I closed it down then let it reopen with high-level security guarantees, change of management and board, must purchase U.S. parts and pay a $1.3 Billion fine. Dems do nothing.......but complain and obstruct. They made only bad deals (Iran) and their so-called Trade Deals are the laughing stock of the world!" With this tweet from President Trump has drawn a lot of criticism from many government officials, because this was the second time when ZTE broked another US law. In a series of tweets, Trump has announced a course of action for ZTE to get the ban lifted. To get rid of the ban ZTE needs to purchase U.S parts, this move is quite confusing because the company already purchase several US-made components, which includes Qualcomm processors and Intel-made modems. Moreover, ZTE needs to pay a$1.3 Billion fine and a change of management and board. The company is accused by the US government for spying on the user's personal data and recently it was discovered a malware on some of the company's devices. On the other hand, Congress might potentially block Trump's decision by making a new law and the Senate's pending National Defense Authorization Act includes a provision that would make rolling back the ZTE ban difficult. Let's see what Donal Trump is going to do with the ZTE ban. Source Best Mobiles in India Facebook, To stay updated with latest technology news & gadget reviews, follow GizBot on Twitter YouTube and also subscribe to our notification. Allow Notifications Lenovo Z5 to offer 30 minutes talk time even at 0% battery life; more camera samples emerge News oi-Abhinaya Prabhu Lenovo Z5 to arrive with numerous optimizations to ensure low power consumption and optimum battery performance. If the teasers are to be believed, the Lenovo Z5 could be a battery life maverick. The smartphone is slated to be announced on June 14 in China. The company's VP Chang Cheng has been the major source of all the leaks regarding the device so far. He has been revealing many details such as the alleged design, whopping storage capacity, and more. The latest teaser, which has been shared by Cheng on his Weibo handle shows that the Lenovo Z5's battery can provide up to 30 minutes of talk time even when the battery life is 0%. Unbelievable isn't it? Well, it is likely that the battery might be accompanied by impressive power management, which might make this possible. The battery capacity of the smartphone is yet to be announced but one of the previous teasers tipped at a whopping 45 days of standby time. Now, this teaser adds to the uniqueness of the device. We can expect the smartphone to have numerous optimizations to ensure low power consumption and optimum performance. More camera samples Via the same Weibo account, the Lenovo VP shared a set of new camera samples shot with the Z5's dual rear cameras. These shots are said to be shot in the US. The clarity of the shots is vivid in bright daylight. The scenery has been captured with a great depth and attention to the details. These samples hint that the camera is quite powerful. Previously, he had shared camera samples of the upcoming Lenovo flagship smartphone. One set of samples showed the natural-looking photos even under low-light conditions. The other set of camera samples revealed the portrait shots clicked by the dual rear camera module of the Z5. Lenovo Z5 specs As of now, the teasers have revealed that the smartphone will have a bezel-less design and a notch-less display. A leaked sketch showed that the device will have thin bezels on all four sides and a high screen-to-body ratio of 95%. The other unbelievable aspect is that this smartphone is teased to arrive with 4TB of UFS 2.1 internal storage capacity. There should be enough space to store 150,000 loss-less music, 1 million photos and 2000 HD movies. For more details, we need to wait for further teasers to be revealed. Given that the smartphone could be announced on June 14, we can expect more details to surface online in the coming days. If all these teasers turn out to be authentic, then the Lenovo Z5 will be a unique phone with impressive specs and features never seen before in the smartphone world. Best Mobiles in India Facebook, To stay updated with latest technology news & gadget reviews, follow GizBot on Twitter YouTube and also subscribe to our notification. Allow Notifications A sampling of top Hambletonian and Hambletonian Oaks prospects will lead the charge to Mondays $500,000 Empire Breeders Classic (EBC) trotting finals at Vernon Downs as part of the Memorial Day matinee card beginning at 1:05 p.m. The route to the $238,613 Empire Breeders Classic filly final (race 9) winner's circle appears to go through Atlanta; not the city, but Rick Zerons wicked fast Chapter Seven filly. She absolutely cruised to victory in 1:53.1, fastest of three elimination divisions for driver Scott Zeron and appeared to have plenty left. Atlanta will leave from Post 4 as she carries the hopes of Howard Taylor, Holland Racing and Brad Grant who own her in partnership with trainer Rick Zeron. Ake Svanstedt manages the other two elim winners in Natalie Hanover and Plunge Blue Chip (Svanstedt) who start from the inside most posts respectively on Monday. Plunge Blue Chip was the states top freshman filly trotter last season and also won the Grand Circuit stake Goldsmith Maid final, earning more than $400,000 at two for the trainer and his partners Blue Chip Bloodstock and Tomas Andersson. Natalie Hanover (Mark MacDonald) took a lifetime mark with her 1:54.1 score last week and seeks her biggest payday for Van Camp Trotting Corp, Anders Olsson, Lars Berg and Bjorn Nasstrom. The imposing Muscle Mass colt Six Pack (PP2) equaled Market Shares track record of 1:52.1 in last weeks elimination race and needed every bit of that strong effort to get past Helpisontheway by just a half-length on the wire for the win. Hes won both of his seasonal starts at Vernon and heads into the $223,673 final (race 8) in top form for trainer/driver Svanstedt, who owns the colt in partnership with Jeff Gurals Little E, LLC, Stall Kalmar and Lars Berg. Trainer Linda Toscano sends out a pair of leading contenders, both sired by her 2012 Horse of the Year Chapter Seven. The aforementioned Helpisontheway (PP3, Tim Tetrick) did much of the work before succumbing very late to Six Pack. Hes owned by the trainer (as Camelot Stables) and The Bays Stable. Local owner Ken Jacobs will watch his colt Seven Iron (PP4, David Miller) who won the second EBC elimination. Hes a rock-solid trotter who gives an honest effort every time he puts his nose on the gate, was a Grand Circuit winner at The Red Mile and second in the Kindergarten final last season. The supporting card includes consolations for both EBC finals and a $120,000 New York Sires stake divided into three divisions; it's the first battle of the year for the state-bred three-year-old colt pacers and features a number of colts eligible to the Grand Circuit's most lucrative races. Vernon and the USTA Strategic Wagering Initiative have joined to offer a $3,000 guaranteed pool on a Pick 4 wager on races 6-9 that includes both EBC finals. (with files from Vernon) Nokia X6, Nokia 3.1 and Nokia 5.1 smartphones to launch on May 29 News oi-Vivek Nokia might launch the Nokia 3.1, Nokia 5.1, and the Nokia X6 on the 29th of May. Nokia has sent a press-invite for an upcoming smartphone launch happening on the 29th of May 2018 in Moscow. The company has started a new hashtag #ChargedUP, which suggests that the expected smartphone might support fast charging or a have a bigger battery or both at the same time. As of now, there are no details regarding the smartphone that Nokia might launch on the event. However, here is the list of the smartphones that Nokia might launch on this event in Moscow. Nokia X6 The Nokia X6 is the latest smartphone from the Finnish smartphone brand, which has sold out for two times in a successive flash sale. The company is most likely to launch the same for the global market. The Nokia X6 is the first smartphone from the house of HMD Global with a notched display. Under the hood, the smartphone is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 636 Octa-core chipset with 4/6 GB RAM and 32/64 GB storage with a dedicated micro SD card slot. The smartphone has a dual camera setup with a 16 MP primary camera with a 5 MP secondary depth sensor to offer photos with bokeh effect. There is an 8 MP front-facing camera which might also support Face Unlock. The smartphone is likely to be priced at $250 (Rs 15,000) price mark. Nokia 5.1 The original Nokia 5 was a great entry-level smartphone from Nokia with a premium design and build quality. In fact, the Nokia 5 had a similar design language as of the flagship Nokia 8. The Nokia 5.1 or the Nokia 5 (2018) is expected to have the same design language with upgraded internals. Ex: the Nokia 5.1 is likely to be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 450 Octa-core chipset, which replaces the Snapdragon 430 Octa-core SoC. The smartphone is expected to have a 720p display with a 16:9 aspect ratio. The Nokia 5.1 is likely to be priced under $200 (Rs 13,000) price mark. Nokia 3.1 The Nokia 3.1 is also expected to launch on the 29th of May in Moscow, which will be the successor to the Nokia 3. The smartphone is likely to be powered by the MediaTek Helio P22 chipset with either 2/3 GB RAM and 16/32 of storage with a micro SD card slot for storage expansion. The Nokia 3.1 will be priced under $100 (Rs 7000) price mark. Best Mobiles in India Facebook, To stay updated with latest technology news & gadget reviews, follow GizBot on Twitter YouTube and also subscribe to our notification. Allow Notifications Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 and the Redmi Note 5 Pro Now available for Rs 999 on Flipkart News oi-Vivek How to get the Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 and the Redmi Note 5 Pro for Rs 999? The Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 and the Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro are the two smartphones that are selling like a hot cake in India. In fact, whenever the Redmi Note 5 Pro goes on sale, it becomes out of stock within few minutes and the company even increased the price of the Redmi Note 5 Pro by Rs 1,000 as the company wanted to ramp up the manufacturing, which made the company to import PCB ports from China. How to get these smartphones for Rs 999? Flipkart has come up with an amazing offer for the Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 and the Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro in India, which are almost irresistible. As of now, eligible users can get these awesome smartphones for just Rs 999. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 retails in India for Rs 14,999 (4 GB RAM and 64 GB of storage) and the company is offering a cashback of Rs 14,000, which brings down the price of the smartphone to just Rs 999. Similarly, the Redmi Note 5 retails in India for Rs 9,999 and Rs 11,999 for the 3 GB and the 4 GB RAM respectively. These smartphones are also on sale and Flipkart is offering a cashback of Rs 9,000 and 11,000, respectively. Which brings down the price of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 to Rs 999. FYI, not all smartphones can fetch the complete cashback, and it depends on the smartphones and its conditions. If you are in possession of an older smartphone, then go to Flipkart and buy the Redmi Note 5 and the Redmi Note 5 Pro at an amazing price tag. Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 specs bestows a 5.99-inch FHD+ display with 18:9 aspect ratio display. The smartphone makes use of a Snapdragon 625 SoC and runs Android 7.0 Nougat topped with MIUI 9. The device comes with a 12MP rear camera with LED flash and a 5MP front-facing selfie camera also with flash. The other aspects of the device include 4G VoLTE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and a 4000mAh battery. Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro specs Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro is also fitted with a similar display as the Redmi Note 5. Under its hood, there is a Snapdragon 636 SoC paired with a similar 4000mAh battery. The connectivity features are the same as the ones on the Redmi Note 5. On the imaging front, the camera flaunts a dual camera setup at its rear with 12MP and 5MP sensors with LED flash. At the front, there is a 20MP selfie camera with LED flash as well. Best Mobiles in India Facebook, To stay updated with latest technology news & gadget reviews, follow GizBot on Twitter YouTube and also subscribe to our notification. Allow Notifications Huawei patents for a water-resistant MediaPad M5 News oi-Vishal Kawadkar Huawei has new device in the making. Huawei seems to be working on a new tablet with model number d-02k. A new patent has been spotted with the equipment name "Huawei Mediapad M5 wp." The new patent also suggests that the device might be a water-resistant variant of the MediaPad M5. According to a newly sighted FCC approval and recent reports speculating that the "wp" stands for "WaterPlay" branded device. For people who aren't aware, WaterPlay is a designation that the company places on its water-resistant products. While there isn't much known about the device, it would be interesting to see what the new device brings to the table. If the speculations are to be believed, the device is expected to sport an 8-inch display. It is said to run the latest Android and will be powered by a Kirin 960 SoC. The smaller of the two Huawei MediaPad M5 devices ships with 4GB of RAM and three different storage sizes - 32GB, 64GB, and 128GB. It wouldn't make sense if the WaterPlay edition would ship with a smaller range of options and less RAM. We can expect minimum 3GB of RAM and 32GB storage. Apart from that, the MediaPad M5 is backed by a 5100mAh battery. So the WaterPlay edition could have the same battery reservoir. As noted in previous reports, the tablet is shown with a Harman/Kardon branding at the back and a dual-camera setup, too. The feature is seen on the original MediaPad M5 as well. Well, this goes without saying but not all patents make it to production. So, we request you to take this piece of information with a pinch of salt. Huawei has also reportedly started developing its own alternative to Android, reports South China Morning Post. Huawei hasn't lost its license to use Android, but another Chinese smartphone maker ZTE has almost lost it. This is forcing other firms in China to come forward and built something of their own, considering the growing tension between China and the US. Android is currently the most used mobile platform in the world, but other companies have been working to develop their own operating systems for the past few years. Samsung has shelled out a good amount of cash and R&D on its Tizen platform, though it hasn't appeared on all Samsung phones, and now reports suggest Huawei is on a similar path. Best Mobiles in India Facebook, To stay updated with latest technology news & gadget reviews, follow GizBot on Twitter YouTube and also subscribe to our notification. Allow Notifications Joining informal, communal musical gatherings with like-minded musicians drew David Benedict to bluegrass and to Mile Twelve, an award-winning, Boston-based bluegrass band performing in Ridgefield next week. I met the band through some various workshops and festivals around the bluegrass scene, said Benedict, an acclaimed mandolin player. Thats one thing thats kind of nice about bluegrass. Its very familial-based. Its all about making friends in the scene, and its small enough, so that you get to know just about everyone whos truly doing it full time. The community around the music is just very humble, very honest and very genuine. Besides Benedict, who joined the group in 2016, Mile Twelve consists of Evan Murphy on vocals and guitar, Bronwyn Keith-Hynes on violin, Nate Sabat on bass, and Catherine BB Bowness on banjo. The acoustic ensemble originated in Boston in 2014 and has already made an impressive impact on the international acoustic music scene. Last year, it received the 2017 Band Momentum Award from the prestigious International Bluegrass Music Association, and it regularly headlines at major festivals, appearing throughout the United States, Ireland, Canada, and most recently in New Zealand and Australia. The group is currently touring in support of its debut album, Onwards, an original project funded by a successful Kickstarter campaign. That tour brings the quintet into Fairfield County at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 29, for the kick-off performance of the popular CHIRP series at Ballard Park in Ridgefield. CHIRP, which stands for Concert Happenings In Ridgefield Parks, is a series of weekly and sometimes twice-weekly free concerts at Ballard Park that runs through Aug. 30. There are a variety of back-up rain venues throughout the series. Tuesdays will be St. Stephens Episcopal Church in Ridgefield. For parking, concert-goers are urged to follow directions on signs and from parking attendants. Visit chirpct.org for details on the series. As Benedict explained, Mile Twelves internal structure combines strength with determination. The band started out with this stubbornness, that we want to make it work no matter what happened. I think thats been present throughout the whole history of the band, even before I joined, he said. It feels like this onward journey. Thats a lot of what the record we just released is about, finding our voice and establishing ourselves more in the bluegrass scene and the acoustic music scene at large. The disc has a dozen tracks. Ten of those are originals the band has composed together and arranged specifically for Mile Twelve. The music is a very personal thing to us. We want to make sure its of the caliber that we want it to be. We have our own personal standards for songwriting and musicianship, always shooting to be better and trying to improve our craft. But its a very group-oriented process, he added. Usually one member will bring a seed of a song to the group, and during our rehearsals well kind of flesh it out and bounce ideas off of one another until weve reached a point where we all feel satisfied with it. Before joining Mile Twelve, Benedict had already had an established career on the acoustic scene. He grew up in South Carolina, earned a degree in mandolin music performance from Bryan College in Chattanooga, Tennessee, then moved to Nashville. It seemed like Nashville was the next logical step, said Benedict, who performed for two years as a member of the Nashville band Missy Raines & The New Hip, which was a very progressive sounding band that had some deep roots in bluegrass. He also recorded a solo album, Into the True Country, in 2014, and appeared at a TEDx conference in his home state after graduating college. Someone nominated me to come play some of my original music and to present what the mandolin was, and how it was starting to be perceived in more academic music cultures, since I went to school and studied mandolin, which was a novelty at the time, and still is, said Benedict, of his TEDx experience. It was a big honor to be included, for sure. For information on the band, visit miletwelvebluegrass.com. Mike Horyczuns Sound Surfing column appears every Saturday in The Hour. Mike can be reached at news2mh@gmail.com. Halloween is almost here, and while visiting a haunted house or telling scary stories or legends can be fun, it is even more exciting to see and experience ghost stories in real life. Once booming areas all over the world now sit abandoned and decaying, making for the perfect eerie Halloween escape. Europe's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) came to life yesterday, and a couple of US tech giants are already being accused of breaking the law. Non-profit noyb.eu has filed a complaint against Google, Facebook, as well as WhatsApp and Instragram, accusing them of engaging in "forced consent", which is basically a 'take it or leave it' approach where-in users are barred from using a service completely if they do not agree to the terms set by the company. Here's an excerpt from the complaint: Facebook has even blocked accounts of users who have not given consent. In the end users only had the choice to delete the account or hit the agree - button thats not a free choice, it more reminds of a North Korean election process The basis of the complaint is an article under the GDPR law that says companies cannot bundle a service with requirement to consent. "Consequently, access to services can no longer depend on whether a user gives consent to the use of data," the complaint says. However, the complaint does acknowledge the fact that doing away with forced consent doesn't mean companies can no longer use customer data - GDPR allows data collection that's absolutely necessary for the service, just that data collected solely for advertisement or other commercial purposes needs users' explicit consent. Of course, it's not an open and shut case, so it will be interesting to see how the matter shapes up. If found guilty, the combined fine these companies may have to pay could be to the tune of $7 billion. Source | Via These are the best offers from our affiliate partners. We may get a commission from qualifying sales. Teaser for Nokia's May 29 event says 'it's time get ChargedUp' We already know Nokia (HMD) is holding a product launch event on May 29. The company has in fact already sent out press invites for the event. And now, the official social media channels have started teasing the event. What's next in the #Nokiamobile story? Find out on Tuesday 29th May. It's time to get #ChargedUp. pic.twitter.com/UUwVeBM3Pj Nokia Mobile (@Nokiamobile) May 25, 2018 The hashtag #ChargedUp clearly suggests the selling point of the star of the event would be its battery (either in terms of capacity or charging speed). HMD CPO Juho Sarvikas also jumped on the tease bandwagon saying they have "some new stuff to share." We have some new stuff to share. This will be fun, please do join us https://t.co/pUPQbxd9ye Juho Sarvikas (@sarvikas) May 25, 2018 For what it's worth, three new Nokia-branded phones - carrying model numbers TA-1075, TA-1105, and TA-1116 - received regulatory approval in Russia this month. More recently, HMD effectively confirmed the Nokia X6 will be made available outside of China as well. Source 1 2 A new report from Reuters says that ZTE and the US government have reached a deal to get ZTE back in business in the US, according to a senior congressional aide. The proposal goes against Congress, the majority of which believes that the Trump administration should not give into the pressure of easing up on ZTE since the company broke sanctions against North Korea and Iran. The ban would bar ZTE from conducting business with American companies and would ban all sales within the US for seven years. Trump has negotiated a $1.3 billion fine with the Chinese President over a phone call, as per Fox News. In addition, the US will install US compliance officers within ZTE to make sure things remain as they should. Finally, ZTE must move its management team around. This is a law enforcement action being handled by Commerce. We are making sure ZTE is held accountable for violating U.S. sanctions, pays a big price, and that we are protecting our security infrastructure and U.S. jobs. White House spokeswoman The company lost an estimated $3.1 billion since the ban went into effect on April 15, according to the report. With this news, ZTEs State-side suppliers traded a bit higher. Acacia (optical networking equipment manufacturer) had its stocks rise 4.4% today while Oclaro (optical component maker) rose 2.7%. Source By Vasia Orion | Published on 2018/05/25 Say hello to a legal drama with a major dramatic twist, as Yoon Si-yoon, Lee Yoo-young and Kwon Nara have joined "Your Honor", a series where Yoon Si-yoon will play a double role as characters with a mysterious and complicated backstory. Should I be expecting courtroom makjang here? Advertisement "Your Honor" is a drama that sympathetically explores the differences between the meaning of justice in the courtroom, and the people's definition of it. The premise sounds realistic, but enter the character descriptions. Yoon Si-yoon plays the roles of twin brothers. The older, Han Soo-ho, is a computer-like judge who never steps outside of sentencing standards. His younger brother, Han Gang-ho, will take on his brother's place when the former disappears. Well, there goes the normalcy. Lee Yoo-young plays a student at the Judicial Research Training Institute who believes that human dignity is more important than the dignity of the law. She will form a connection with Soo-ho when they meet in his office in the criminal division. Kwon Nara plays an anchor and Soo-ho's lover. She will also form a connection with his brother, Gang-ho. The premise sounds almost slice-of-life, but the disappearance and the element of twins sound very dramatic. Multiple roles are here to stay, I suppose. For now, I won't indulge in assumptions on what we're going to get, but I'll be keeping an eye on the drama. Writing is Cheon Seong-il ("The Package", "The Long Way Home") and directing is Boo Seong-cheol ("My Gap-soon", "Mask"). The drama is scheduled for July on SBS. Written by: Orion from 'Orion's Ramblings' Sources (1) (2) (3) Commissioners, School Board at impasse on HHS future Architect Chad Roberson answers questions about the HHS project at a joint meeting of the Board of Commissioners and School Board [PHOTO BY JOHN PANNELL] Two hours of talking by Henderson County commissioners and School Board members about Hendersonville High School construction produced contentious exchanges, threats to kill the $52 million project and close the high school, calls for starting over on design and renewed calls for renovating the existing classroom building. The joint meeting of the two boards failed to produce consensus between the two boards, and the Board of Commissioners itself could only muster a 3-2 vote to table the question for a couple of months and work toward a solution. The joint meeting limped to a close with nothing decided and left nothing in its wake but renewed ill will between the two boards on what has been an emotional and fraught debate for three years. At issue is a gap in the project that School Board members say they were promised when they voted for the all-new construction option in December 2016 and what commissioners say that project included. The School Board was told early last week that price had gone up by $11 million if the board wants a second gym and a 900-seat auditorium instead of a 400-seat auditorium that meets state standards. Commissioner Bill Lapsleys motion to move ahead with the originally approved $52 million plan and add the second gym failed on a 4-1 vote. Then Chairman Michael Edneys motion to add the auxiliary gym and larger auditorium at a total cost of $66.8 million failed on another 4-1 vote. Charlie Messers saved the project for now with a motion to delay decision until July or August. Commissioners Charlie Messer and Bill Lapsley supported the motion; Edney and Hawkins voted no. Itll give you guys a chance, I guess were saying start over. Messer said to the School Board members. Try to get something that will work for everybody. Were kicking the can down the road." School Board members pointed to minutes of meetings, including a joint meeting with the Board of Commissioners in 2016, and sessions with architect Chad Roberson, showing that the $52.3 million pricetag did include an auxiliary gym and larger auditorium. But commissioners said those minutes could be erroneous and didnt change the fact that the county would have to spend $11 million more for those facilities. The larger auditorium is the main sticking point between the two boards. Lapsley, Thompson and Hawkins all argued that the original Erle Stillwell-designed auditorium would work fine for the high school, especially with upgrades that the county has already tentatively agreed to make. School Board members said the walk from the new classroom building to the auditorium would be too far and would be unsafe, exposing students to potential harm from outsiders. I cant in good conscience support kids having to walk to the Stillwell building without some kind of cover, said Lisa Edwards. I dont think anybody would support children having to walk from another building to the Stillwell building without some kind of cover. To me it would be very hard to explain the extension of the auditorium with the Stillwell building over there," Hawkins said. "If we say we need to spend $11 million so you dont have to walk to the auditorium I think is a bit of a hard sell for us. School Board member Blair Craven said after the meeting broke up that the two boards could reach a compromise. "I do think it's constructive," he said. "No matter how it happened we were misled at some point about what would be included in the $52.6 million price. That was in several minutes." The School Board and commissioners could use the weeks ahead to look at a more compressed campus and possibly revive the idea of renovating the historic classroom building. County honors teacher of the year Rugby Middle School teacher Katie McCrary was honored as Henderson County's 2018 teacher of the year on Friday. [PHOTO BY MITSY JONES] Growing up in Henderson County, Katie McCrary didnt dream of being a teacher. She loved the theatre and hoped to be a director. After graduating with a B.A. in theatre from Greensboro College and earning an M.F.A. in directing from the University of Southern Mississippi, she worked in the education departments at regional theatre companies from Massachusetts to Mississippi. But teaching came organically to McCrary, whose mother and father are both retired Henderson County public school teachers. By all accounts, she made the right decision. On Friday, at a luncheon sponsored by Park Ridge Health, McCrary was honored as the countys 2018 Teacher of the Year. After receiving her teacher certification from Western Carolina University, McCrary began her teaching career as a teachers assistant in 2011. In 2013, she became a teacher. She teaches seventh grade Language Arts at Rugby Middle School. School system Superintendent Bo Caldwell shared a quote from a fellow administrator regarding McCrary: There is a passion for every student in the classroom, high expectations that every student has the ability to achieve and the guidance to help them reach their achievements. The Teacher of the Year communicates with students respectively, building positive relationships that are based on genuine interest and care. As she received her award she thanked her fellow educators. I love being a part of Henderson County," she said. "I grew up here and I see some of my former teachers from Flat Rock and East Henderson at the luncheon today. Im in the right place, the right town. I wouldnt want to be anywhere else. It is just a privilege to represent you. Scott Moore, Rugby Middle School Principal, stood by proudly as McCrary received congratulations from her fellow nominees. Ms. McCrary exemplifies everything that teaching is about, Moore said. She loves her students and works very hard to challenge them all regardless of where they are in the learning process. The student body and faculty of Rugby Middle School greeted McCrary with flowers, balloons and a congratulatory sign when she returned to campus. Ms. McCrary was incredible. She was like a second mom to me, said Amanda Jane Whiting, an 8th grade student who had McCrary for honors English last year. I call her my school mom. She was so inspiring and excited to teach. She will always be one of my favorite teachers. Another former student, Megan Broome, added: Ms. McCrary meant a lot to me. She was very special and everything she did she put a lot of effort and pride into it. McCrary received a $1,000 check from Park Ridge Health and an all-expense-paid North Carolina education conference of her choosing. She will also receive a ring from Jostens. Henderson County Early College Student Body President Lisa Scarduzio was the luncheons keynote speaker. There is nothing I would love more than to go back in time and say thank you to my former teachers, she said. Teachers are the foundation for life. You are the reason we can be everything we want to be. McCrary was selected from among 23 teachers representing each public school in Henderson County. Other nominees were: Deborah Y. Lee, Apple Valley Middle; Glenda C. Spicer, Atkinson Elementary; Haley A. Parent, Bruce Drysdale Elementary; Jennifer L. Wright, Career Academy; Leila D. Giesenschlag, Clear Creek Elementary; Kathleen R. Crosby, Dana Elementary; Matthew E. Witt, Early College; Laurie A. Gaitskill, East Henderson High; Lindsay M. Dutton, Edneyville Elementary; Megan M. Cockman, Etowah Elementary; Suzanne M. Riddle, Flat Rock Middle; Cassady R. Dillin, Fletcher Elementary; Candace A. Young, Glenn C. Marlow Elementary; Kimberly E. Heery, Hendersonville Elementary; David A. Cain, Hendersonville High; Nicole M. Parris, Hendersonville Middle; Mary Beth Johnson, Hillandale Elementary; Kelly R. Lamb, Mills River Elementary; Gary L. Blackwell, Jr., North Henderson High; Michelle M. Miller, Sugarloaf Elementary; Darrell D. Rogers, Upward Elementary; and Matthew E. Parent, West Henderson High. A boy of 13 has been charged with the murder of schoolgirl Anastasia 'Ana' Kriegel. The accused - one of the youngest people in modern Irish history to be charged with the offence - cannot be identified because of his age. He was yesterday accompanied to the special sitting of Dublin Children's Court by his parents and grandfather. He was charged with the murder of Ana on May 14 at Glenwood House, Clonee Road, Lucan. It is alleged he killed the 14-year-old, who lived in the Newtown Park Estate, Leixlip, on the day she was reported missing by her parents. Three days later after a massive search operation, her body was discovered at the derelict property where the murder is alleged to have occurred. The boy only spoke briefly during the in-camera hearing of less than 10 minutes. His mother sat beside him, with his father sitting at the side of the defence counsel and his grandfather behind. Limp When asked by Judge John O'Connor if this was his first time in court, the accused nodded and replied "Yeah". Detective Inspector Mark O'Neill, of Lucan Garda Station, said that he arrested the youth at 4.01pm yesterday at Clondalkin Garda Station. "He was charged by the member in charge, Sergeant Maeve Ward," he said. "His father was present." He added that the youth made no reply when the charge of murder was put to him. Wearing a black jumper, blue jeans and black runners, the boy had a slight limp as he walked into court. Judge O'Connor said he did not have jurisdiction to grant bail due to the nature of the charge. After it was confirmed there was a place available at the Oberstown Detention Centre, he remanded the boy in custody to appear again on June 1. He cited the reporting restrictions in juvenile cases. "No report shall be published or included in a broadcast which reveals the name, address or school of any child concerned in the proceedings or includes any particulars likely to lead to the identification of any child concerned in the proceedings, and no picture shall be published or included in a broadcast as being or including a picture of any child concerned in the proceedings or which is likely to lead to his or her identification," he said. Three reporters were present in the tiny courtroom for the hearing while other journalists waited outside. The judge stressed that reporting restrictions were essential for a fair trial. He warned that he wanted to make it clear that if the boy's name, school or address or a picture of him was reproduced, it would result in a prosecution for the publisher. He said he was aware the journalists present understood this. "I am doing this from the point of view of general social media," the judge said. Legal aid was granted after the judge noted from defence counsel Donagh Molloy that the boy was "a schoolchild, 13 years of age". As it was the boy's first court appearance, he could not be remanded in custody for longer than a week. Judge O'Connor asked his solicitor if an order for medical attention was required. Mr Molloy replied: "I will liaise with Oberstown in that regard." The suspect was then remanded in custody and escorted from the courtroom. The judge allowed the solicitor to speak with his client and his parents before the boy was taken to the detention centre. A second juvenile arrested on Thursday morning in relation to the investigation was released without charge yesterday. Relaxed Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp joking around with Jordan Henderson on the pitch last night. Photo: Reuters Liverpool fan Sean Cox remains in a critical condition, with friends of the tragic assault victim saying tonight's Champions League final is another chance to think of him. The dad-of-three remains in hospital at Walton Neurological Centre in Liverpool, with his wife Martina at his bedside. The avid Liverpool supporter - who is also heavily involved in Dunboyne GAA as secretary - was left seriously injured following an attack outside Anfield. Recovery Mr Cox was due to attend the Champions League semi-final first leg against AS Roma with his brother. He was attacked on April 24, outside The Albert pub near the stadium. Dunboyne GAA president Fergus McNulty said the recovery process was long, but locals were giving Mr Cox's family some space. He said Mr Cox's condition was unchanged. The fan was still in a serious condition but the local community is "certainly not giving up on him". Mr Cox's love for Liverpool ensures that he will tonight come to the forefront of the minds of many friends and thousands of Liverpool supporters, who have rallied behind him in his recovery. "It's another opportunity to think of Sean during the match," Mr McNulty said. A number of Liverpool supporters have called for a Champions League medal to be presented to Mr Cox by the club, if they are to win tonight's match. Overwhelming support flooded in for the fan when he underwent an operation last month. A Dunboyne GAA jersey was hung inside the Anfield dressing room for the team's match against Stoke City following the incident. Guilty On Thursday, an Italian man pleaded guilty in relation to the violent incident before the Champions League semi-final match on April 24. Daniele Sciusco (29) admitted violent disorder ahead of the match at Liverpool Crown Court. Filippo Lombardi (21) has pleaded not guilty to the same charge and another of inflicting grievous bodily harm on Mr Cox. Mr Lombardi was remanded in custody and will face trial at Preston Crown Court in October. Sister Victor, a Dominician nun, casts her vote on the Eighth Amendment at Drumcondra National School in Dublin Nicola Faherty, with baby Freya Molloy, from Greystones, casting her vote at Delgany National School, Co Wicklow. Photo: Stephen Collins/Collins Photos Ireland has voted by a massive majority to repeal the Eighth Amendment. The State is on course to legalise abortion after a swell of young people turned out to vote. "It looks like we could be on the cusp of a historic day where our country can enact laws that are a bit more compassionate for our women," Health Minister Simon Harris told the Herald. The eyes of the world's media are on the country after exit polls predicted a landslide Yes victory in the referendum. The referendum was passed by significant margins in Dublin and rural areas, with an estimated overall outcome of between 68pc and 70pc in favour of Yes. Queues As evidence of how this referendum has engaged the public, queues were reported at some polling stations before they opened at 7am yesterday. Staff at polling stations around the country suggested that turnout was equal to or better than during the marriage equality referendum in 2015. All the signals were that more than 60pc of voters - around two million people - made their way to the ballot box. An Irish Times poll by Ipsos/MRBI asked 4,000 people at 160 locations around the country how they voted as they left polling stations. RTE quizzed 3,800 people. And the two exit polls found very similar results. They found that more than three out of every four voters in Dublin (77pc) backed Yes. The majority was smaller in rural Ireland - but still much larger than even the most optimistic Yes campaigners would have predicted. Overall the exit poll found that 60pc of rural dwellers were satisfied to allow the Government to legislate for abortion up to 12 weeks into a pregnancy. In Leinster, excluding Dublin, the expected result is in the region of 66pc Yes compared to 34pc No. Munster will also bring in a similar result. Connacht-Ulster, which is regarded as the most socially conservative part of the country, voted in favour of the constitutional change by 59pc to 41pc. Women are thought to have voted in favour of change by a margin of 70pc to 30pc. And men were not far behind, with 65pc believed to say Yes. One of the biggest stories emerging from Referendum Day is the enormous numbers of young people who turned out to vote. The exit poll found that 87pc of those aged between 18-24 voted for repeal. It was reports of significant numbers of young people showing up to cast their vote that led Yes supporters to believe they will win the day. More than 118,000 got their name added to the Register of Electors in the weeks leading up to the referendum. Almost 20,000 of these were in Dublin alone, which is predicted to carry a very strong Yes result. Polling stations reported busier than usual traffic in the early hours - but there were fears that many workers would not return home to vote in the evening due to the fine weather. There were some nerves setting in as the numbers showing up at polling stations slowed. The Together for Yes group ran a social media campaign throughout the late evening urging people to continue voting in large numbers. They sent out alerts warning that turnout was "comparatively much lower" in some key constituencies. Key Tanaiste Simon Coveney said he believed a key element of the campaign was the number of voters who did not want to voice a preference - the so-called "silent vote". Late last night, Children's Minister Katherine Zappone said the exit polls "are a confidence boost that Irish voters have once again responded with compassion and solidarity". "I remain very hopeful that count centres across the country will turn these predictions into an official result." She predicted that today will be "an emotional, busy and historic day." Ballot boxes from all 40 constituencies will be opened at 9am today. A result is expected in mid-afternoon. The official announcement will be made at Dublin Castle. It is understood members of the public will be allowed into the famous courtyard, but Government figures said they are keen to avoid any triumphalism, regardless of the outcome. Mr Varadkar is expected to make a public address in which he will call for the country to unite after the result. Mr Harris is expected to begin the process of formulating legislation for abortion in the coming days. However, sources have described the chances of getting it passed through the Dail by the end of the year as optimistic. More than 350 journalists, camera people and technicians have accreditation for the official count at Dublin Castle today. A list of outlets, seen by the Herald, shows the interest stretches from the US across Europe and even into Asia. Among the broadcasters present in Dublin are CNN, China Global Television Network, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and Al Jazeera. The temporary dining decks, installed last year to help restaurants keep business during the coronavirus pandemic, will by next month be removed or reconstructed to stretch only along the length of respective eateries' storefronts. One of Ireland's wealthiest families is giving 25m to Trinity College Dublin - in the single largest donation from Irish philanthropists in the history of the State. Leading industrialist Dr Martin Naughton and his wife, Carmel, are providing the funding for the new E3 Institute in Engineering, Energy and Environment. The donation, by the Naughton Foundation, is meeting almost half the 60m cost, with a further 15m committed by the Department of Education. Other private funding is also forthcoming. The institute will cater for 1,800 additional students of science, technology, engineering and maths (Stem) - a 50pc increase in places in these disciplines in Trinity over 10 years. Work on E3 - which will be located at the eastern end of the Trinity campus - is expected to be completed by 2022. The schools of engineering, computer science and statistics, and natural sciences will share the building. Dr Naughton described it as the first global centre of its kind, integrating engineering, technology and scientific expertise at scale in addressing some of the major challenges facing Ireland and the world. New interdisciplinary programmes will be developed in areas such as smart cities, data science, sustainable energy, climate change, sustainable development and spatial data. Dr Naughton, founder of the Glen Dimplex Group, said E3 represented a real step change in education, which would benefit future generations. Trinity provost Dr Patrick Prendergast said it would introduce a new Stem curriculum, involving a seamless integration of teaching, project work and research. He said it would produce scientists and engineers who, during their studies, would learn from each other and who would be equipped to change the way society solves its challenges. Talent Education Minister Richard Bruton said that if Ireland was to be at the forefront of the global technological revolution, it must be a leader in nurturing, developing and deploying Stem talent, and the 60m investment in E3 "will make an important contribution towards achieving our goal". The Naughton Foundation is a private family foundation established in 1994 to support worthwhile causes in the arts and education. Provo seeks hole-in-one with city's first economic summit Provos newly redesigned Timpanogos Golf Course, formerly East Bay Golf Course, was the backdrop for the citys first Provo Advantage Economic Summit. More than 150 economic development professionals were on hand to golf their way through the economic advantages of Provo. Each of the 18 holes on the golf course showcased a host highlighting the Provo Advantage. Developing Provos best future requires a competitive and collaborative approach, said Mayor Michelle Kaufusi. Our economic summit represents both as we take 18 holes to share what sets Provo apart with ... COVID deaths in Tri-State top 30, but new cases leveling off The Tri-State area saw 30 deaths tied to COVID-19 last week, Johns Hopkins University data show. But the number of new coronavirus cases is falling. The verb "hail" in the headline seems a bit farfetched. Can MB member or ex members really go against their clan and call for the Brotherhoods demise? I doubt it. Egypt Today, by Nawal Sayed Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry. (AFP) CAIRO 26 May 2018: Amid frequent calls to accomplish reconciliation with the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood group, Egypts Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry confirmed that there is no single chance of reconciling with the MB group. President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi repeatedly reaffirms that Egypt belongs to all Egyptians, so long as they abide by the law, Shoukry said in remarks given to state television on Friday. The Brotherhood was outlawed in Egypt after the ouster of MB-affiliated President Mohamed Morsi. Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates followed Egypts footsteps and also banned the group. Recently, MB leaders have proposed initiatives to reconcile with the Egyptian authorities, but they were met with failure. Leading MB figure Ibrahim Mounir called for negotiations with the Egyptian authorities on condition that the government releases Brotherhood prisoners, most notably Morsi. In response, Egypts Grand Mufti Shawki Allam issued a statement condemning the MB. These terrorist groups must be eradicated, Allam noted to Asharq Awsaat newspaper on Saturday. Former MB leader Ibrahim Rabee told Egypt Today that Shoukrys statements pull out any hope for possible reconciliation with the group. Shoukrys statement, which asserted there will never be reconciliation with the MB, is like killing the groups hope for being rebuilt one day, Rabee said. Egyptians sentenced the MB to death on June 30, 2013 [in reference to the Egyptians revolution against the group and ouster of Mohamed Morsi], Rabee added. Rabee asserted that the MB must accept Egyptians desires and aspirations if the Brotherhood members seek to live peacefully in Egypt. The groups domestic cells must be dismantled and hand over their distribution map to the concerned authorities, he said. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs preserves the countrys political and diplomatic security, said former MB leader Tarek al-Beshbeshy. He pointed out that Shoukrys statements seemed firm, in addition to statements given by Shoukry on Qatar and Turkey, stating, These two countries waged an uncovered campaign against Egypt by embracing terrorists. As the Narendra Modi government celebrates its fourth anniversary, one of the economic achievements cited by the prime minister is the governments success in boosting inward foreign direct investment (FDI). Modi recently said that FDI is at its highest level ever in India. While this is factually correct, it begs the question as to whether the level of FDI with no other adjustment is the right way to judge success or failure in attracting FDI. As a matter of economics, to make meaningful comparisons over time and across countries, macroeconomic variables such as FDI have to be benchmarked against any given countrys gross domestic product (GDP). Other things equal, larger countries will attract more FDI, making such an adjustment necessary. The chart presents data on inward FDI as a percentage of GDP from fiscal year 2000-01 to 2016-17. This paints an entirely different picture than the story that FDI is at its highest level under the Modi government. In fact, when adjusted as it must be by the level of GDP, the percentage of inward FDI reached a peak in 2008-2009, right at the midpoint of the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA)s 10-year rule. Further, FDIs share of GDP was steadily rising under the UPA till it reached its peak and began tapering off as the economy began to sputter. It is true that FDI share of GDP has improved since the Modi government came to power but it is nowhere near the rate achieved under the UPA at its peak. Indeed, FDIs share of GDP actually dipped in 2016-2017, the last fiscal year for which we have full year data. Faced with these uncomfortable facts, some point to reports such as the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development annual investment report. The most recent edition places India in a distant third after the United States and China as the top prospective host economy as identified by executives of multi-national enterprises. The US scores 40%, China at 36% and India at 20%. It sounds great, until you realise that these rankings are not based on hard economic data but on responses to a survey. As the old saying goes, talk is cheap: its easy for an executive to say India is their preferred destination for new investment but this is only meaningful if an investment actually takes place. Indeed, that India does relatively well in such survey-based reports but is still way behind some other countries in actually attracting large quantities of FDI reveals the huge gaps between the intentions to invest, which may be genuine and the frustration and pitfalls of actually investing in India. Thus, inward FDI and GDP peaked at a little over 3% in 2008-09 under the UPA but still well below that of other emerging economies such as Vietnam at 6%. Today India is at a little over 2% but is still well below the world average of more than 3%. The most charitable interpretation of the reality against the rhetoric is that the PM is doing a good job of talking up India as an investment destination but so far, this is not translating into a large increase in actual investments. But, as it turns out, India routinely places in the top three in previous editions of the UNCTAD report as preferred host destination for FDI, even as late as in 2013 when the economy was already in a downturn. The open question is why FDI performed so well under a government, which according to the orthodox narrative was socialist in its mindset and did not pursue economic reforms whereas it has languished somewhat under a successor government widely touted as pro-business and reform minded. Rupa Subramanya is an independent economist and researcher based in Mumbai The views expressed are personal Reclusive pop artist Robert Indiana didnt open his island home to many strangers. Thats going to change with his death. Indianas will calls for his Main Street home and studio, which he dubbed the Star of Hope, to be transformed into a museum and for his entire art collection to be preserved and open to the public. Indiana, whose LOVE series is instantly recognisable around the world, died on May 19 at his Vinalhaven Island home 15 miles (24 kilometers) off the mainland. His attorney, James Brannan, filed the will in probate court on Friday in Rockland. The will, dated in 2016, stipulates the creation of a non-profit organisation that will receive royalties from his artwork. Brannan declined to place a figure on the artists estate but acknowledged most of the value is in the artists collection. Based on the court filing fee, the value of the estate is estimated to be upward of $28 million. The attorney said it will take time and money to accomplish the late artists goal because the Victorian-style building has fallen into disrepair. The building is on the National Register of Historic Places. Also complicating the late artists plans is a lawsuit filed in federal court in New York City. The lawsuit accuses two men of insinuating themselves into Indianas life and taking advantage of him in the final years of his life. One of those men, Jamie Thomas, has served as Indianas power of attorney for two years, and was tapped to be director of the museum, Brannan said. The Morgan Art Foundation, which filed the lawsuit on May 18, plans to contest the will and Thomas appointment to direct the museum. The foundation holds a copyright for the LOVE series and accuses Thomas in the lawsuit of mistreating Indiana. We will fight to protect Indianas legacy and will be vigorously challenging this appointment with the Maine attorney general and in court, Luke Nikas, the foundations attorney. Thomas couldnt be reached for comment Friday. Kathleen Rogers, a friend and former publicist, said she agrees that Thomas, a former studio assistant, isnt qualified to be in charge of Indianas legacy. But she said she loves the idea of a museum. Thats what weve been hoping for that the studio would be preserved and turned into a museum, she said. Follow @htlifeandstyle for more Two years ago, 19-year-old Rakesh Lodhi took admission in the undergraduate engineering course in Hindi at Bhopals Atal Bihari Vajpayee Hindi University, hoping that English would no longer be a hurdle in his dream of becoming an engineer. Lodhi pursued his course in chaste Hindi with help from a few contractual teachers in the university and completed the first year of his bachelors of technology (BTech) course. However, the state government-run university has now decided to discontinue the course from the next academic year in the absence of adequate faculty, translated syllabus, books and few students for the course. The tuition fee for the undergraduate engineering course was Rs 11,000, less than half of what one has to pay in a private college. As many as 70 other courses, for which there were no takers in the past six years, have also been discontinued. These 70 courses include para-medical, diploma in foreign languages, masters in computer science and others. An administrative officer of the university said the decision was taken due to poor response from candidates as people are unsure of opportunities after studying in Hindi. At present, the university has a strength of about 800 students, most of whom are pursing courses such as yoga, naturopathy, ayurveda panchkarm, Masters in Hindi and bachelor of library sciences. The Madhya Pradesh government introduced the concept of teaching engineering in Hindi for students who could not comprehend English. Despite the poor response, ruling party leaders still believe that there was no problem with the governments concept. Instead, they blame the mismanagement of the university administration for the present state of affairs. State Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) communication cell in-charge Anil Soumitra, who is campaigning to save the university, said: The BJP government came up with the novel idea of studies in our mother tongue to break the myth that one cannot become an engineer through Hindi medium courses. However, the university failed to implement it properly. They dont have any inclination towards promoting Hindi. They failed to attract students due to dearth of basic facilities. The university, in turn, said lack of infrastructure and fund crunch were responsible for the decision. Vice chancellor Ramdev Bhardwaj said, Before introducing any course, we need proper infrastructure, qualified teachers and books and this is possible only with funds. We get Rs 3.75 crore per year which is not enough to provide all facilities. The decision, however, has hit the students hard. Nine engineering students were compelled to shift to a private college of which seven have decided to discontinue their studies. Lodhi said, I cant go back home without the degree. After the death of my parents, my brother is taking care of me and I cant start studying all over again. Kareena Kapoor is on a promotional spree these days with her film, Veere Di Wedding set for release this Friday. However, along with posers about the female buddy film starring Sonam Kapoor, Shikha Talsania and Swara Bhasker, what Kareena is often asked is questions about son Taimur Ali Khan. During a recent interview at Red FM, Kareena was asked whom does the tiny tot resemble. While co-star Sonam Kapoor insisted Taimur looks like Kareena, the Chameli actor herself thought that he resembles dad Saif Ali Khan. , Kareena said, I think Taimur looks like his father. He is looking more and more like his father now. His eyes look like a Japanese samurai. Earlier, Saif Ali Khan had said in an interview that he could not make up his mind whom Taimur resembles more. Some days he looks like her, some days he looks like me. He looks like a Chinese version of her. Lets say Mongol. Kareena also said in an interview to DNA that she is uncomfortable with the media attention Taimur gets. We just want him to lead as normal a life as possible. Thats the most important thing for him. Id like the paparazzi to not shoot pictures of him every moment. I dont want his life to be documented. He is only 17 months old, once or twice is enough, but not the constant badgering, she said. Veteran actor Geeta Kapoor died on Saturday morning at a Mumbai hospital; she was 57. The actor was abandoned by her children last year and film personalities Ashoke Pandit and Ramesh Taurani were paying for her care. The actor worked in over 100 films including classics such as Pakeezah. Speaking to Indian Express, Pandit confirmed that the actor passed away on Saturday morning at SRV Hospital in Mumbai. Geeta ji finally passed away, we tried our level best to care for her, but she finally gave up. She kept waiting for her children for last one full year, but no one came to meet her, the former CBFC member said. Standing besides the dead body of Actress #GeetaKapoor 57 who was abandoned by her kids in #SRVHospital a year back breathed her last at a suburban Old age home today morning. We tried our best to keep her healthy but her wait for her Son&daughter made her weaker day by day. #RIP pic.twitter.com/yCChdzeSEt Ashoke Pandit (@ashokepandit) May 26, 2018 #LateActressGeetaKapoors friends at the Old Age Home bidding her final Good bye. They all were in tears and under shock. Better than her own kids who abandoned her. An unforgettable & heart wrenching experience of mine. #RIP. pic.twitter.com/Spi14ikJBk Ashoke Pandit (@ashokepandit) May 26, 2018 He also tweeted about the actors death, Standing besides the dead body of Actress #GeetaKapoor 57 who was abandoned by her kids in #SRVHospital a year back breathed her last at a suburban Old age home today morning. We tried our best to keep her healthy but her wait for her Son&daughter made her weaker day by day. #RIP. The filmmaker thanked producer Taurani and said the actors body will be kept at a hospital for two days so that the actors family will come and do her last rites. He wrote, Her body will be kept at Cooper Hospital Vileparle for two days hoping her Children to come and atleast do the last rites Otherwise We wl do our best to bid her a dignified good bye.. Thank U #DrTripathi SRV Hospital @MumbaiPolice #JivanAshaoldHome for being a great help. #RIP. A Times of India report revealed in May last year that Kapoor was brought to SRV Hospital in an unconscious state in April and was suffering from low blood pressure. Geetas son Raja, who is a choreographer, left the hospital claiming he would return with cash (deposit for Geetas admission at the hospital) but he never showed up. Kapoors son, Raja, is said to be a choreographer. Her daughter, Pooja, is an air hostess. Its been a life-long quest, my search for the perfect pizza. Dont get me wrong, its not that I cannot live without pizza. I just find the history, its immensely global popularity and the varieties fascinating and a phenomenon to reckon with. Royally delicious This summer on the way to the stunning Amalfi coast of Italy, we stopped at Naples, the birthplace of the pizza, to find out more. The original flat round cake which looks like a foccacia produced in the 19th century is still sold in Naples in pastry shops or displayed in the front windows of snack bars. These are snacks on the go and are thickish with cheese and ham. Breakfast pizza is thinner, with just tomato and no cheese. In Naples, the pizza has been valued as a tasty low-cost snack for over 200 years. It was baked in the narrow streets of the old city around Via dei Tribunali, in wood-fired ovens and seasoned with herbs, olive oil and maybe a few salted anchovies. Pizza was accepted at court on June 1, 1899, when King Umberto and his queen Margherita visited Naples. To appear close to the common man, the couple ordered pizza. The baker garnished the flat bread with Mozzarella made from buffalo milk, red tomatoes and bright green basil leaves, the colours of the Italian flag, which he named after the queen. So pizza in Naples and indeed everywhere in Italy is considered almost street food and pizzerias are almost like dhabas, places for a short, quick inexpensive meal. You will never find pizza in a traditional restaurant where you find pasta, main courses etc., and pizzerias by and large only sell pizzas nothing else. Naples has another version which is the fried pizza or pizza fritta, where the dough is folded over and deep fried till crisp. It has mozzarella cheese. They also have something called pizza scugnizzielli which is fried strips of pizza dough topped with fresh mozzarella, salad and tomatoes. It is similar to a bhajiya in texture. A chef from Belmond Hotel Caruso preparing the perfect pizza We visited two of Naples famous pizzerias. One called Di Rosa Capasso on a tiny street in the middle of the old city amidst churches and monasteries, and a branch of the famous Sorbillo. The former made a great fried pizza but Sorbillos was disappointing! The pizza was doughy, undercooked and the edges elastic and inedible. Technically perfect The next day we drove to Amalfi and then the village of Ravello, a village perched on top of the town of Amalfi, and stayed at the stunning hotel Caruso in Ravello. It is a picture perfect setting on a medieval town square. On arrival, we were taken for lunch to the poolside and walked under a pergola of trellised spring flowers. Magic. They have a splendid salad bar for lunch and I spotted a wood fired pizza oven in the same area. The smell of freshly baked pizza was almost as intoxicating as the scent of orange blossom and jasmine as we walked in. We ordered a simple Margherita pizza for lunch which was quite frankly the best pizza I have tasted in a long, long time. My Italian friends agreed. I had to find out more and asked if I could do an informal pizza class the next day. Marco, the young chef, had already kneaded the dough which had been proofed for 48 hours. Karen enjoying a simple pizza in Naples Its clearly the technical details which make all the difference to a perfect pizza. After the first 24 hour rising, the dough is then divided into balls of 250 gms each which are then kneaded and left to rise again in reasonably cool conditions (three to four degrees). The dough is worked with the hands alone and flipped over a couple of times to stretch it. No rolling pins or theatrical throwing is involved! Once it is stretched with the finger tips to about 12 inches diameter, you spread about two large serving spoons of tomato puree on it in a circular motion. Less is more here. You dont want a soggy pizza. This is simply a puree of Italian tinned tomatoes with salt and a little bit of olive oil, and then bits of torn fior di latte mozzarella on top. This mozzarella is made from cow milk and not buffalo. The pizza is then put with a large metal spatula into the wood fired stone oven. It is imperative that the oven is at 400 degree C. The pizza is turned around by the pizzaiolo so that it gets evenly browned. Finally, he raises it above the stone so that the mozzarella melts evenly. The pizza is in the oven for no longer than three minutes. The result is a perfectly crisp pillowy edge and a thin crispy base which does not flop when you cut a slice. Everything you need I spoke with chef Mimmo, executive chef of Belmond Hotel Caruso, to see if by any chance I could replicate this in India. He was very happy to share his recipe. Contrary to what Ive learned in the past about pizza flour having to be 00 flour, chef Mimmo uses 0 which is even stronger, with higher gluten flour, which therefore retains the structure and air inside the dough, making it light. The yeast is simple, fresh beer yeast. The only other ingredients are salt and water. Italian peeled canned tomatoes are available anywhere. This bit is not rocket science and fior di latte produces a cheesy topping which is stretchy but not over creamy. The resulting dough is not pure white but has a slightly healthy glow to it. Chef Mimmo, executive chef of Belmond Hotel Caruso shares the recipe of pizza Ingredients: 1 kg 0 flour (high gluten 280 320 W) 5g fresh yeast litre water 25g salt 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil 500g San Marzano plum tomatoes (canned) 500g fior di latte (mozzarella) Fresh basil leaves Method Combine flour, water and yeast. Knead for three minutes. Then add salt and a little olive oil. Knead for a further couple of minutes. Put the dough in the fridge. Cover with a damp cloth and allow to rise for 30 minutes. Then cut the dough into four balls of 250g each, cover with a damp cloth or cling film and allow to rise for a further 48 hours. Refrigerate. Take the dough bases out of the fridge and stretch with your finger tips till they are about 12 inches diameter and round, leaving a thick rim of 1-inch on the edges. Puree the tomatoes, adding salt and remaining olive oil. Spread a couple of serving spoons of the sauce on to the base of the pizza. Tear the mozzarella into pieces and spread evenly over the tomato sauce. Cook in the hottest oven possible until the crust is golden brown. In a hot pizza oven this should take no more than a few minutes. Remove and top with some basil leaves. From HT Brunch, May 27, 2018 Follow us on twitter.com/HTBrunch Connect with us on facebook.com/hindustantimesbrunch The last time I was in Hyderabad, it was to stay at the Falaknuma Palace hotel and eat food cooked by Srijith Gopinath, one of the worlds great modern Indian chefs on one of the most unusual dining tables ever created. This time around, I checked out the brand new ITC Kohenur (I know: it sounds like a hotel in search of spell-check but this is apparently a more phonetically correct rendering of the word than the British spelling: Kohinoor) on the grounds that this was a food trip and that the Kohenur is Hyderabads foodie hotel. It was a different kind of luxury from Falaknuma; this was a state of the art, modern, sleek hotel with the largest, smartest rooms in Hyderabad. I have written about my authentically Hyderabadi meals in The Taste, my other column in hindustantimes.com so Ill give the cuisine of the Nizams a miss here and focus on some of the other things I ate. There was a time in the 1980s and early 1990s when I was convinced that Andhra food would be the next big thing. Till then, I had always thought of Hyderabad in terms of the Nizami cuisine and had been taken by surprise to discover that there was a complex spice-filled cuisine that was every bit as delicious (if not, even better) than the rich gravies of the nawabi cuisine. Others shared my view. Throughout the 1980s and early 1990s as such Andhra chains as Amaravathi, RR and Nagarjuna opened braches all over South India, their food became a rage. I didnt go to Hyderabad all that much but each time I went to Bangalore and Madras (as it then was), I would give the local cuisine a miss and head for an Andhra restaurant. I was wrong, of course. Andhra cuisine never did become the next big thing. The boom in Andhra places slowly faded away and two years ago when I went to Hyderabad and tried RR, I was disappointed by how ordinary the food had become. Instead, North India remained largely immune to the charms of South Indian food. In Mumbai, it was Malvani or coastal food that took off (to the extent that Crab in Butter-Pepper-Garlic Sauce can be regarded as a coastal dish) and at Indian restaurants abroad, it was Kerala that became the most favoured source of dishes. Venchina mamsam by chef Sundar is part of the Andhra cuisine But I remain an Andhra food fan. Only, the more I learn about it, the less I seem to know. This time, at the Kohenur, Vijay Nagpal, who is ITCs top chef, said he would show me the difference between the food of Andhra and the food of Telangana. I was aware that the two states had recently separated and that each claimed to have a culture of its own but I hadnt worked out how the cuisines were different. Why is the cuisine of Andhra/Telangana still not as well known as it should be? Given a choice, I would prefer it to the Nizami cuisine of Hyderabad which is world famous At the end of what were effectively two meals served simultaneously by two chefs, I have to admit I still wasnt clear what the differences were. Vijay got chef Sankara from Telangana to make the local Mutton Sukha and curd rice and compared it to Andhra Sukha and the Andhra curd rice. I had to choose which I preferred. But heres the thing: I liked all of it! The standout dishes for me were a lamb and yellow curry and a spicy dosa-type pancake from Andhra. From the Telangana menu, I liked the curry of Potel Lamb with achari spices and a wonderful keema pulao. Why is the cuisine of Andhra/Telangana still not as well known as it should be? Given a choice, I would prefer it to the Nizami cuisine of Hyderabad which is world famous. Vijay Nagpals fried chicken made using a home-style Kerala masala is easily the best It is hard to get a table at Shadab, an extremely popular local restaurant. But the Kohenur, like all ITC hotels, is big on what the chain calls Local Love, a pet project of the hotel companys boss Nakul Anand. Anand has designated Food Sherpas at all ITC hotels who specialise in locating the best restaurants in each city for hotel guests. Because they are well connected, these Sherpas can get you a table pretty much anywhere. One of the most interesting dishes at Shadab is Pakistan Curry The Sherpa found me six top restaurants, one of which was Shadab. The famous biryani there was as good as advertised though the kababs were disappointing. The most interesting dish on the menu for me, however, was something called Pakistan Curry. What was it? I asked. Mutton, they said shortly. So I decided to order it to investigate. It turned out to be tender meat in a thick green gravy. I thought I tasted palak and began to wonder if this was just saag gosht where the saag had been pulverised. I asked how it was made. We cant give you the recipe, they said sternly. Did I look like I was going to run off with the recipe and open a rival restaurant opposite them? I asked. They were unmoved. Finally, they provided a little information. Yes, it did have spinach. But it also had pudina and Marwari methi. What is Marwari Methi? I asked. They wouldnt say. If you know how the dish is made, do tweet to me! The brand new ITC Kohenur is Hyderabads foodie hotel In the foodie imagination, Hyderabad and haleem go together. But actually, they dont make haleem in Hyderabad all the year round. They make it only for Ramzan. Nearly everywhere I went, I was told things like Come in four days or We will start next week. This became such a big deal that finally people started tweeting to me: Cafe 555 has started haleem. Or stay for another three days till haleem begins. Finally, I took the cheats way out. Kulsum Begum, the great Hyderabadi chef, was at the Kohenur to set up the new Dum Pukht. We persuaded her to make her famous haleem for me. And of course it was divine. In Hyderabad, as in many other cities, food is often an indicator of wealth. I was told that in noble households, the balance of meat to rice in a biryani is five parts meat to one part rice. And a rich mans haleem often has large quantities of animal fat which form a lake around the meat. But Kulsums haleem was delicious and light making this possibly the only time the words haleem and light have been used in the same sentence. While I understand the desire to pack lots of meat into everything, the biryani becomes more of a meat dish rather than a rice dish. Personally, I think this is a perversion of a glorious biryani tradition, which is about rice. Biryani at Shadab, Hyderabads super popular local restaurant But they are big on meat in Hyderabad. My friend Mohit Balachandran (Chowder Singh on social media) messaged me to say everyone outside Hyderabad talks about biryani. But the new scene in Hyderabad is Mandi. The way Mohit explained it, mandi is an Arab dish where the rice is cooked in an earthen pit while the meat is kept on a wire mesh on top of the vessel. As the meat cooks over many hours, its juices drip into the rice and flavour it. This sounded good and though Hyderabads famous Shah Ghouse offered mandi too, I sent off for it to the places recommended by Mohit in the Barkas area. When it did arrive, I wasnt overly impressed by the rice but the meat was, as Mohit had promised, truly spectacular: big chunks of juicy slow-cooked goat. This has nothing to do with Hyderabad but it was there that I finally reached a resolution in my search for the perfect Indian Fried Chicken. We have chicken pakoras at Delhis Punjabi restaurants but Indian chefs seem unwilling to create an Indian Fried Chicken (a sort of Kentucky Fried Chicken with our masalas) even though I am convinced that it will be a huge hit. Last year, I noticed that Indian restaurants in London were creating their own versions: Kricket had a Keralan Fried Chicken and Flavour Bastard had its own Tandoori Fried Chicken. Surely we could do better in India? I put the challenge to Vijay Nagpal who experimented with various versions (including a riff on the Kricket chicken) before going back to basics and using a home-style Kerala masala. He served it at lunch at the coffee shop of the Kohenur and it was easily the best, crispiest, tangiest, tenderest fried chicken I have ever eaten. Vijays recipes are his secret. But if he doesnt put this chicken on a menu soon I will launch a social media campaign demanding that he produce the chicken on a plate right away! So is Hyderabad the foodie capital of South India? I am beginning to think it might be. Where else in India do you have two outstanding cuisines Andhra and Hyderabadi jostling for space? And if you treat Andhra food and Telangana cuisine as distinct (which I guess we must) then there are three cuisines. There are many reasons for going to Hyderabad.But only one of them is really important: to eat! From HT Brunch, May 27, 2018 Follow us on twitter.com/HTBrunch Connect with us on facebook.com/hindustantimesbrunch Princess Nafiza looked out of the window of the fort in Stone Town, Zanzibar. Born to a concubine, she was the favourite daughter of the Sultan of Zanzibar, active, intelligent and popular in the royal household. The sunny morning, the beautiful silver sands and blue waters of the Arabian Sea beckoned her. Lets go riding, she called out to her companions as she left the fort on her favourite horse. Island of forts and palaces Zanzibar is the main island in the Arabian Sea close to the African mainland in Tanzania. It has endless silver sand beaches, calm blue seas, historic architecture, friendly people and a past associated with wealth, greed, cruelty, sultans, princes and princesses. Inhabited for around 20,000 years, it has been ruled down the ages by outsiders in the 7th century BC by Sabeans of the Semitic civilisation of Sheba of Yemen, and then successively by the Persians, Portuguese, Arab and the British. As the main port of East Africa, it traded in gold, ivory, frankincense, ebony, turtle shells, silks, spices, corals, weapons and slaves. A view of the Old Fort, also known as Ngome Kongwe, in Stone Town, Zanzibar (iStock) The Persians arrived in the 12th century. They brought with them their thoughts and culture and built the Zoroastrian fire temples of Zanzibar, the first in Africa. The Portuguese replaced the Persians and ruled from 1498. When the Portuguese could not be tolerated any longer, the Zanzibari Africans took the help of the Sultan of Oman and overthrew them in 1698. Zanzibar then became an Omani sultanate. The old fort of Zanzibar was built. Plantations of cloves, ginger, pepper, cardamom and vanilla were set up and Zanzibar became known as the Spice Island. Business boomed and a new Arab-African culture grew up, and from it a new language the Kiswahili, which is today a major language of East Africa. The Omani sultans liked their life so much that they abandoned Muscat to settle in Zanzibar. The stone town The Stone Town is a cluster of buildings, roads and alleyways in the older part of Zanzibar. The name originates from the use of reddish coral stone as the main construction material for houses. With narrow alleys lined by houses, shops, bazaars and mosques, its architecture is a combination of Arab, Persian, Indian, European and African styles. It is a little like Dariba Kalan of old Delhi, or parts of old Jerusalem. The roofscape of Stone Town at sunset (iStock) To keep their interiors breezy and their appearance majestic, the houses have extensive balconies, embellishments, windows with shutter work and magnificently carved wooden entrance doors. Also, they often have a baraza, or a long stone bench running along the outside walls of the houses, which is used as an elevated sidewalk if heavy rains waterlog the alleys. At other times the barazas can be used as benches to sit down, smoke and socialise. When Persians arrived in the 12th century, they built the Zoroastrian fire temples of Zanzibar, the first in Africa The Stone Town of Zanzibar is a Unesco World Heritage Site. The majestic wooden entrance doors of stately houses for which Zanzibar is famous, have elaborate carvings and reliefs sometimes with big brass studs like in Mombasa, Muscat or Kutch. The carvings on the doors often feature verses from the Quran, or occasionally lotus flowers, betraying Zanzibars ancient connection with India. Sometimes one comes across a door where cultures meet; these doors have arches that are Indian and carvings in Arabic. The House of Wonders, the landmark building in Stone Town, is striking in appearance (Shutterstock) When the old was new Zanzibar was extremely modern in its heyday. It was the commercial capital of East Africa and the main gateway to the interior of the African continent. The House of Wonders, the landmark building in Stone Town with extensive balconies, is striking in appearance. Built in 1883, it was the first multistory building erected in much of Africa, with running water, electricity and a lift. The building has been restored by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture and it houses the last Sultans furniture, artefacts and his motor car. The majestic wooden entrance doors of stately houses for which Zanzibar is famous, have elaborate carvings (iStock) There are many other magnificent buildings in Stone Town, some have been restored and turned into boutique hotels, upscale shops and restaurants. They remind the visitor of the original glory of Zanzibar, with their polished woodwork, brass inlay and stone and mortar walls. Some old buildings still carry the names of their past owners, like the one with the name Currimbhoy, who was perhaps a trader from India. The old forts on the beach are equally impressive with elaborate pillars and outhouses. There were hammams in the outhouses, where the Sultans had steam baths using huge copper vessels to generate steam. To facilitate public transportation in Stone Town, the Sultan had set up a 12km railway line in 1879, which ran parallel to the beach and the town. After a few years, it was dismantled and another was built by the Americans. By 1906, long before even London had them, Stone Town had electric street lights. A brief period of socialism after the British left in 1964 resulted in the only major modification to Stone Town, when an apartment complex was built in a style reminiscent of Russian apartment complexes in East Europe or Central Asia. The old prison courtyard on the Prison Island (iStock) At the height of Zanzibars glory, it had German, French and American trading houses, and hosted any European or Arab of any importance to Africa. Major expeditions to Africas heartland like those of David Livingstone were financed by the Sultan. Much of East Africa was indirectly controlled by him and his wealth. Princess Nafiza Princess Nafiza returned to the fort, a little hot and breathless. She was accustomed to the life of royalty, but of late it bored her. Surely life must have something more to satisfy the soul, she thought. As she neared the fort she remembered that she would have to rest and dress up for the moonlit barbecue to be held that night on the beach. At the barbecue that evening, Princess Nafiza sat with her companions languidly looking at the guests among them an assortment of mostly young men from Europe. The royal women were served food inside the fort. The men and guests ate outside and discussed spices and the schedule of ships expected to call at the port. The Stone Town is a cluster of buildings, roads and alleyways in the older part of Zanzibar (iStock) One young man seemed familiar and Nafiza learnt that he was Karl, the representative of a German trading house from Hamburg. Nafiza asked her companions to find out if it was him she had seen riding on the beach. If it was, he was indeed a very good horseman. By coincidence she saw Karl again the next morning, when she looked out of the window of the west wing of the fort. Karl was standing at a balcony of the hotel opposite the fort. They waved and spoke across the buildings and met briefly on the beach a few days later when they went riding. Thereafter they continued to see each other. Punishment and exile It was forbidden by the Sultan for a member of the royal household to have such contacts. Princess Nafiza received 10 days to cut all relations with Karl or face the prospect of exile to Prison Island five kilometres offshore. Karl would have to leave Zanzibar immediately. Today, Stone Town is crowded: one of the forts on the beach is an open air art gallery and hosts a film festival The only alternative for the couple was Aden which was under the control of the British. Princess Nafiza and Karl left Zanzibar quietly for Aden where they married and embarked for Hamburg. An Arabian princess, she chose to live in Germany with a German name. She had no choice: the Sultan had sent word that she would never be allowed to set foot in Zanzibar. The narrow streets of Stone Town (iStock) The history of Zanzibar changed completely soon after Nafiza left. The Sultan died in 1896, and the new Sultan, Khalid bin Barghash, was seen by the British to be hostile to their interests. To bring Barghash to his knees, the British started shelling Zanzibar from the sea on August 27, 1896, in what became known as the Anglo-Zanzibar War. The Sultan capitulated within 38 minutes. The victorious British formally occupied Zanzibar. In 1964, Tanganyika in mainland Africa and the Zanzibar island secured independence from Britain, joined hands and named the new territory the nation of Tanzania with Dar es Salaam as its capital. The sacred tree and ancient turtles Today, Stone Town is crowded with people. One of the forts on the beach is an open air art gallery and holds the annual Zanzibar International Film Festival. The post office has fast Internet facilities. The African Grey Parrot at the entrance to the restaurant next to the post office cries out to guests who enter Hello, welcome! Do come in and sit down. The silver sand beach and the calm blue sea are unchanged. But there is nothing living today from the 1890s, when Princess Nafiza met Karl, except the sacred 1,000 year old giant baobab tree on the outskirts of Stone Town where people go to make a wish, and the dignified 150-year-old turtles that live quietly on the Prison Island where Princess Nafiza was to be exiled for falling in love with Karl. Dr Amitava Chaudhuri is the former UN and World Bank Adviser to Africa From HT Brunch, May 27, 2018 Follow us on twitter.com/HTBrunch Connect with us on facebook.com/hindustantimesbrunch Data released by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has revealed that big-ticket frauds against banks have been rising consistently in the last decade. In 2008-09, the average amount involved in advances (loan) related fraud, where amount involved was more than Rs 1 lakh, was Rs75 lakh. This increased to Rs9 crore in 2017-18. These numbers are based on RBIs response to a Right to Information query, which has been seen by HT. According to statistics given in the RTI query filed by economist Prasenjit Bose, total value of bank frauds in this given category has increased from Rs1,542.8 crore in 2008-09 to Rs22,469.6 crore in 2017-18. In seven out of these ten years nationalised banks have accounted for more than two-third of the total amount involved in these frauds. To be sure, it is entirely likely that the total amount of fraud declared in a given year corresponds to loans which were given out much earlier. What is worth noting is the fact that the total amount in these frauds continues to be a small proportion of the outstanding Non-Performing Assets (NPAs) of the banks. In fact, the share of amount involving frauds in total NPAs reversed its increasing trend in the period after 2014-15. This could be a result of an increase in NPA amount after the RBI forced banks to recognise them by mandating the process of Asset Quality Review in 2015. A sharp rise in average amount involving bank frauds shows rising unscrupulous behaviour among big borrowers. This also raises serious questions about complicity of senior management within the banks. The small share of amount involving fraud in overall NPAs suggests that bulk of Indias bad debt problem is due to cyclical and other economic setbacks to businesses rather than corruption. To be sure, these numbers could increase in the days to come. This is because even a non-fraud category NPA could shift to the category of fraud in case fresh information is discovered during resolution process. At the same time the rising trend in total frauds call for an overhaul of corporate governance and vigilance mechanism in banks, especially the government owned ones. If there was one political image this past week, it was that of the opposition leaders congregating to celebrate the swearing-in of Janata Dal (Secular) leader, H D Kumaraswamy, as Karnatakas chief minister or more precisely, to celebrate the fact that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) could not acquire power in one more state. Indeed, it was the common enemy which had brought the most unlikely of leaders together. Akhilesh Yadav and Mayawati waved together to the crowds. Those with even a fleeting familiarity with the politics of Uttar Pradesh know the deep enmity, not just rivalry, the Samajwadi Party (SP) and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) have for each other. Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief and West Bengal Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee, shook hands with the leader of the party she has fought all her life, Sitaram Yechury, the general secretary of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), which, in turn, believes it is at the receiving end of Trinamool violence. The Rashtriya Janata Dals (RJD) contemporary face, Tejaswi Yadav, touched Sonia Gandhis feet, perhaps in deference to the high regard his father, Lalu Prasad, has always had for her. And Sonia stole the moment with her affectionate knock on the forehead with Mayawati, with Congress president, Rahul Gandhi,looking on. Even Arvind Kejriwal, who rose to power by branding the entire political class as corrupt, was in the medley. The image has energised the opposition. And there is reason for it. But it would be prudent not to get carried away, for there is a hard political challenge they face. First, the possibilities, which rest on a mix of motivations, strategy and hopes. The BJP, we know well, won 31% of the vote with 282 seats nationally in 2014. This makes it the highest vote to seat conversion in Indian electoral history. The opposition has realised that the fragmentation of the anti-BJP votes enabled the Narendra Modi-Amit machine to convert their robust but less than majority vote share into a majority of seats. Plain arithmetic thus suggests that if all major non-BJP forces come together, the Modi machine will halt. But logic and arithmetic alone would not have brought the leaders together. There appears to be deep fear that their personal and political survival is at stake as the BJP expands state by state to become a hegemonic force. This fear of survival, coupled with a sense that their ideological framework may be rendered irrelevant and their idea of India is genuinely under threat, has brought the opposition together. This is important because fear overwhelms the contradictions which emerge out of egos and competing ambitions. To think that the Congress, with 78 seats, would concede chief ministership to JD(S) with less than half that number would have been unthinkable in the past. If arithmetic and fear are the motivating factors, the opposition has also evolved a strategy. Given the difficulties in carving out a national coalition, the non-BJP camp wants to focus on a state-specific strategy and ensure that pre- poll alliances happen at this level; everyone rallies together against the primary challenger to the BJP in that state which could be the Congress or a regional party; it becomes not one, but 543 different elections; and once the numbers come in, they form an all-India coalition. And finally, the opposition camp is hopeful because of recent electoral trends: the slim victory of the BJP in Gujarat and the defeat in the bypolls in Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. They believe that anti-incumbency is finally setting in; that disillusionment because of economic factors is growing and if they can mount a campaign based on Modis failures, they have a powerful narrative. But there are clear limitations of this plan too. That is what the BJP is banking on. For one, the fact is that the Congress the only party with the pan India presence to take on the BJP remains electorally vulnerable. The Karnataka post-poll victory cannot take away from the electoral setback the party received. It remains organisationally weak; it is not a major player in the entire belt from UP to Bengal; and in the states where it is in direct competition with BJP, it is still not clear if it can take on the saffron machine. Without the Congress making a significant leap from its current tally, the front halts in its tracks. Two, there remain major contradictions within the parties who may constitute this front. Mamata and the Left in Bengal, or the Left and the Congress in Kerala, or the Biju Janata Dal (which was not present in Bengaluru) and the Congress in Odisha cant come together easily. Even the SP-BSP alliance is fragile. Whether a common adversary is enough to paper over these differences is to be seen. The third problem is leadership. For now, the anti-BJP camp appears to have postponed the problem to post-elections. But here is the rub. Narendra Modi converted 2014 into a presidential-style election. He remains the BJPs biggest brand and all surveys and election results indicate his popularity is intact. Can an opposition front without a leader take an electoral machine with a clear and popular face? And finally, the opposition has not yet been able to relay a common narrative and assure that they can provide a stable government. The 1977 Janata Party and 1989 National Front experiments against the Congress and the 1996 United Front experiment against the BJP collapsed within a few years. The electorate does not like frequent disruptions and yearns for stability. If the sense is that the opposition cannot provide five years of coherent government, it stands at a disadvantage. As 2019 approaches, Indias political space has opened up. With the opposition coming together, a compelling battle can be expected. But whether they can paper over real contradictions, and assure India they can provide a better government, remains to be seen. letters@hindustantimes.com After recent developments in Karnataka, are we in a better position to assess when the national elections might be? Does the Karnataka experience offer a few clear hints? Or has it made the question more difficult to answer? Two outcomes of the Karnataka elections seem undeniable despite the fact the BJP failed to form the government, and the Congress-JD(S) combine did. First, Narendra Modi has shown that as a campaigner hes not just indefatigable but incomparable. Hes also proven that his appeal stretches from the north and Northeast to the west, the centre of India and, now, down into the south. Only the east is yet to succumb. The second is that with the exception of little Mizoram, the Congress came perilously close to fulfilling Modis jibe of PPP. Even though it will remain in power in Karnataka, Rahul Gandhi is no match for Modi. Few would disagree. Now, against this background, is there a convincing case for Modi to bring forward the national elections to December ? I would say yes for three reasons. First, if Congress is likely to win Rajasthan and, possibly, Madhya Pradesh, and national elections are not held till May 2019, the BJP would go into them debilitated by its losses in Rajasthan and MP. Surely this is something the PM would want to avoid? Holding the national elections alongside the December state elections is an effective way of doing so. Second, and connected to the earlier argument, is the belief that Congress at the moment, despite the fact it remains in power in Karnataka, is a demoralised party. But after winning Rajasthan and MP it is bound to revive and, certainly, its workers will feel cheered up. Isnt it, therefore, wiser to hold the national elections whilst the Congress is still feeling downbeat rather than when it feels strong and optimistic? Third, Modi is a risk-taker and his energetic blitzkrieg-like campaigning in both Gujarat and Karnataka has shown that these gambles, which at the time many thought of as needless risks, can yield very credible results. Now, with his prime ministership at stake, will he be willing to risk an early election? So firm is his belief in himself that its hard to say no. What then are the factors that might restrain Modi and suggest that an early election is an impetuous and bad decision? I can only think of two. First, when Atal Bihari Vajpayee called early elections in 2004, the result was a surprise defeat for the BJP. For the next 10 years, the party was stuck in Opposition. Does that decision still cast a shadow over the BJP? Could it make Modi once bitten twice shy? We just dont know. The second constraint emerges out of the belief that Karnataka has taught the Opposition the need to unite to defeat the BJP. But if Congress behaves differently in December, Rajasthan and MP could fracture this budding sentiment. In that event Modi would gain by holding elections in May. Ultimately Modi is renowned for his bold decisions. That is unlikely to change. So might he concur with Brutus who said: There is a tide in the affairs of men, which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune; omitted, all the voyage of their life is bound in shallows and in miseries. On such a full sea are we now afloat, and we must take the current when it serves, or lose our ventures.? I suspect the temptation of a December election could prove irresistible. The views expressed are personal A well grown up female leopard that is suspected to have killed a man was caged on Friday night in Pauri districts Sundrai village, an official said on Saturday. The forest department set up a cage in a bus stop shed in Kolkhandi where the leopard had attacked and killed Virendra Kumar, 68, on Friday afternoon. Villagers spotted badly mutilated and half-eaten body of Kumar at the shed and informed the forest officials in Damdeval. The people of the area are gripped with a sense of fear and complained that wild animals were lurking near the villages due to the forest fire and posing threat to their lives and domestic animals. The caged leopard is about 8 years old and on prima facie, it appears that it had killed the man on Friday afternoon because it came exactly to the same spot at night where it made a kill in the afternoon, said Laxman Singh, DFO Garhwal forest division. The caged leopard is being sent to Chiryapur leopard rescue centre at Haridwar, he said. Uttarakhand is one state which has a high prevalence of man-leopard conflict. The last survey in 2008 reported over 2,600 leopards in the mountain state. Forest statistics suggests nearly 300 humans killed in leopard attacks since the states formation in 2000. A power crisis owing to alleged coal shortage looms over Delhi at a time when the citys daily consumption is clocking a high of 6,000 MW for the past four days. Warning of a blackout in Delhi, power minister Satyendar Jain said on Friday that thermal power stations in Uttar Pradeshs Dadri and Jhajjar and in Delhis Badarpur are not generating enough electricity because of shortage of coal. For the past 15 days, thermal power plants in Delhi-NCR are operating below their capacity as wagons to transport coal to the stations are not available with the Indian Railways. I wrote to Union railways minister Piyush Goyal on May 17, but till date no reply has come, Jain said. In his letter to Goyal, Jain sought the Union ministers intervention and wrote that some of these power stations have coal stocks that would last only for a day or two, whereas, the usual norm is to keep at least 14 days of supply in stock. A railway spokesperson denied the allegation saying there was no wagon shortage with the Indian Railways. On May 18, Goyal held a meeting where railway officials were directed to improve the turn-around time of rakes by better scheduling of trains and optimum utilisation of traffic blocks. He also stressed on reducing terminal detention of wagons (carrying coal) inside power plants and coal sidings to generate extra capacity, the official said. Delhis daily allocation from the three coal-based power plants is 2,325 MW, but at present, it is getting only 1,355 MW, according to government data. To add to the problem, two main lines which supply power to Delhi from the national grid are also temporarily shut, officials said. Government officials and discoms said the deficit in electricity has forced power utilities to buy expensive power through inter-state exchanges. Due to insufficient power coming from coal-based plants, discoms are procuring power through alternate arrangements such as bi-laterals and exchange. But, the problem is it is very expensive with the cost going up to Rs 10 per unit, said an official privy to the development. On Friday, Delhis power demand was 6,008 MW. It is for the first time that the city has seen the peak power demand jump over 6,000 MW four times in May. In May 2017 and 2016, the demand crossed the mark only twice. This year, the highest consumption, so far, was on May 22 when the demand reached 6,122 MW. On June 6 last year, the citys power demand touched 6,526 MW, breaking records. Though not widespread and prolonged, several parts of the city are facing power outages either due to planned shutdowns or local faults. In a possible case of road rage, a retired army captain and his family members were allegedly thrashed by five men in Dwarka, the police said on Friday. He had gone to the Dwarka City Centre mall to have dinner along with his wife, sister, brother-in-law and their children. We came out of the mall after dinner around midnight on May 13. As our vehicle was parked some distance away from the gate of the mall, I asked my wife, sister and the children to stay while my brother-in-law and I went to get the car, he said in a complaint. He alleged that some men sitting in a car parked nearby started passing lewd comments at the women and when he reached there with his car, the men attacked them. One of the accused was held at the spot by the retired army officer, while the rest were nabbed on May 15, the police said. Thousands of students across the country are waiting with bated breath for the results of the Class 12 board examination, which will be declared by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) on Saturday. The exam this year was mired in controversy after the Class 12 economics and Class 10 mathematics papers were allegedly leaked, triggering criticism against the board over the way the exams were conducted. A re-test was held for Class 12 economics students but the board decided against one for Class 10 mathematics paper. Students of GD Goenka Public School in Lucknow were hoping for the best as their principal and psychology teacher tried to lift their spirits. To apply for Delhi University colleges, I need a great percentage. So, Im hoping a lot from the results as my college destination depends on it, Aishwarya Sharma, who wants to pursue a degree in commerce, said. I have applied in other colleges too as an alternative, she added. Ive applied for colleges in the UK which demand a certain percentage. So, getting a good percentage for me is very important, Aadhya Aron, another student, said. Students who appeared for JEE Advanced seemed comparatively indifferent about the CBSE Class 12 results as their main focus continued to be the IITs. To some extent, it doesnt bother. Of course, there is some pressure about the result. Balancing the two was quite a task for me. A good percentage will give a boost, Prakhar Maurya, an IIT aspirant, said. The students are also trying to de-stress themselves by watching television and going out with friends. Netflix and chill mainly. My parents have been extremely supportive and caring which is a big relief to my mind, Aishwarya Sharma said. Ive taken to swimming these days to relax and energise myself. We also have counselling sessions in our school which are very helpful, Suramya Ahuja, another IIT aspirant, said. We finally have the time to go out with our friends and wander. Im watching all the movies I put on pause for a year, Vatsalya Vaibhav said. They are leaving no stone unturned as they marched to the temples to seek blessing for the best possible results. In Uttar Pradeshs Allahabad, some students experienced anxiety pangs and others tried their best to remain calm, saying the matter was now beyond their control. I became anxious after I came to know that the results would be declared on Saturday. So I went to the Bade Hanuman temple at Sangam and offered prayers for a good result, Rupam Shukla, a student of Gangagurukulam School in Allahabad, said. Shikha Singh, also from the same school, is spending her summer vacations with her grandparents. I studied hard and did well in my examinations, but its getting difficult to sleep. Tomorrow morning, I will go to Nagvasuki temple and offer prayers, she said. But Shivansh of Maharishi Patanjali Vidya Mandir is confident and even relaxed. I have been enjoying my holidays and am not even a little nervous. I overcome anxiety pangs by interacting with friends on social networking sites, playing games on my cell phone or just watching a movie, he said. There were 160,000 students from 60 districts of Uttar Pradesh under the Allahabad region. Of all the students who took the exam at 1,110 schools in the region, 1,45,000 are regular and 14,500 appeared as private candidates. Last year, the overall Class 12 results in the Allahabad region was pegged at 75.06% as 75.10% girls and 71.10% boys cleared the exam. Manroop Ahluwalia, a student of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Collegiate Public School in Chandigarh is tensed not only because of the Class 12 results but also because she will appear for the entrance exam for All India Institute Of Medical Sciences as well. Result and an important exam on the same day is like a real test of life to be patient and keep calm. After the board exams, I had almost forgotten about the results amid preparations of NEET, AIIMS and other medical entrance exams here and there, she said. My mother is more worried than me and at present, it is more important for me to score well in AIIMS entrance exam than to score in the board result. I can hope for the best, she added. Akash Jain of Government Model Senior Secondary School said the sudden announcement for the date of the results gave him goosebumps. I am confident to score above 90% but worried at the same time to score as required by the Delhi University colleges, where the highest pass percentage is always high. I wish to pursue my bachelors in commerce from Delhi University, preferably St Stephens College. Hope all goes well, Jain said. Though I have no tension regarding the result, I hope Ill get good marks, he added. More than 11,86,300 students registered for the Class 12 exams held at 4,138 centres in India and 71 centres outside the country. Students can check their results on the official websites of the board: www.cbseresults.nic.in, www.cbse.nic.in and www.results.nic.in after they are released. (With inputs from Rajeev Mullick in Lucknow, Kenneth John in Allahabad and Sunder Sharma in Mohali) The results of the intermediate (Class 12) and matriculation (Class 10) board examinations conducted by Bihar School Examination Board (BSEB) will be announced on June 7 and June 20, respectively, the BSEB chairman, Anand Kishore, said on May 26. Students can check their results by clicking here. Students can also check their results by visiting the official website of BSEB at biharboard.ac.in This year, 17,70,042 students filled the forms for matric exam and 12,80,000 students for the intermediate exams. To stop students from cheating this year, the Bihar School Examination Board (BSEB), which conducts the exams, asked students not to wear shoes or socks and enforced several other measures. Candidates were frisked at the entry gate of the exam venue and again after they sat in their allotted seats. They were monitored by video while writing the exam at all centres where extra force and home guards had been deployed. The pass percentage of matric exam in 2017 was 50.12 as 861,000 candidates out of 17,23,911 had failed. In the intermediate exam, 30.11% science students passed, 32.13% humanities and 73.76% commerce cleared the exam. The result of the Class 12th Board examination 2018 were declared by the Central Board of Secondary Education on Saturday. The pass percentage this year is 83.01% (nearly 1 percentage point increase than 2017s 82.02%). Here is the direct link to check. Meghna Srivastava is the all-India topper with 499 marks out of 500, followed by Anoushka Chandra with 498 out of 500 marks. Seven students with 497 out of 500 marks secured the third position. The first and second all-India toppers for the CBSE class 12 examination are from the humanities stream, said CBSE officials. Meghna Srivastava scored 99 in English core, 100 in history and geography, and 100 in psychology and economics. Girls have done better than boys by 9.32 percentage points. Pass percentage for girls is 88.31 and for boys it is 78.99. Trivandrum topped with 97.32% followed by Chennai (93.87%), and Delhi (89%). This year, 72,599 candidates scored 90% and above marks, while 12,737 students have scored 95% and above. Students can check their results on the official websites of the board: www.cbseresults.nic.in, www.cbse.nic.in and www.results.nic.in after they are released. You should keep your roll number, school number, date of birth ready before the results are out. Around 28 lakh students registered to appear for the CBSE Class 10 and Class 12 examinations this year. More than 16,38,420 candidates registered for the Class 10 exam conducted at 4,453 centres across India and 78 centres abroad. For Class 12, 11,86,306 candidates registered and the exams were held at 4,138 centres in India and 71 centres outside the country. CBSE 12th exam results 2018: Steps to check 1) Visit CBSE results website at cbseresults.nic.in 1) Click on the link for result 2018 2) Key in the details as required on the login page that opens 3) Click submit 4) Result will be displayed on the screen 5) Download the result and take a print out of the same Last year, around 82% students cleared the Class 12 board examination conducted by CBSE. This was lower than the pass percentage of 2016, which was 83%. The pass percentage for Delhi region at 86.45 was higher than the national pass percentage. Last year, 87.01% student cleared the exam in the region. Girls performed better than boys by 9.5% as out of 4,60,026 girls 87.50% passed and 78% of 6,38,865 boys cleared the exam. The pass percentage of disabled students was 86.69, with 2,123 out of 2,449 passing the exams. The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) on Saturday declared the results of Class 12 board examinations. A total of 11,86,306 candidates registered for the Class 12 examination that were held at 4,138 centres in India and 71 centres outside the country. Students can check their results on the official websites of the board: www.cbseresults.nic.in, www.cbse.nic.in and www.results.nic.in after they are released. CBSE Class 12 result: Here is the direct link to check CBSE Class 12 result 2018: Highlights 3.40pm: Topper Meghna Srivastava said, I never expected myself to be the All India Topper though I had expected good marks. I was elated when I knew that I had emerged not only as the school topper but national as well. The 17-year-old girl credited her success to her parents Gautam Srivastava and Alpana Srivastava and her teachers for consistently encouraging her. 3.18pm: Sanjana of Notre Dame Academy scored 96.4% and emerged as the commerce topper in Patna zone. From Patna zone, a total of 93,376 had appeared for the Class 12 CBSE examination out of which 87 were specially abled candidate. 2.03pm: 83.7% clear CBSE Class 12 exam from Bhubaneswar region. Girls pass percentage 87%, boys 81.2% 1.06pm: Anoushka Chandra marks: English core-98, History-100, Political Science-100, Economics-100, Psychology-100 1.05pm: Meghna Srivastava marks: English core-99, History-100, Geography-100, Psychology-100, Economics-100 12.49: Girls have done better than boys by 9.32 percentage points. Pass percentage for girls is 88.31 and for boys it is 78.99 12.40: Trivandrum region tops with 97.32 pass percentage followed by Chennai region with 93.87 and Delhi region with 89 12.339: 72,599 candidates scored 90% and above marks 12.38: 12,737 students have scored 95% and above marks 12.37: First and second all India toppers for CBSE class 12 results are from Humanities stream: CBSE officials 12.36: Anoushka Chandra with 498 out of 500 marks is the second all India topper 12.36: Seven students with 497 out of 500 marks are in third place 12.33pm: Meghna Srivastava is all India topper with 499 marks out of 500 12.31: CBSE Class 12 pass percentage this year is 83.01%, nearly 1 percentage point up from 82.02% in 2017 12.21pm: CBSE Class 12 board exam results 2018 declared Ludhiana girl Astha Bamba a student of BCM Arya Model Shastri Nagar celebrates her performance in CBSE Class 12 examination. She scored 497/500 and shares AIR 3 with six other students. (Gurpreet/HT photo) List of Toppers 2018 (TOP 3 POSITIONS) - ALL OVER Candidates Name Name of School Total Marks Meghna Srivastava Step by Step School, Sec-132 Taj Expressway GB 499 Anoushka Chandra SAJ School, Sec-14C Vasundhra Ghaziabad UP 498 Chahat Bodhraj Neeraj Modi School, Mansarovar Jaipur RAJ 497 Astha Bamba BCM Arya Model School, Shastri Ngr Ludhiana PB 497 Tanuja Kapri Gayatri Vidyapeeth, Shanti Kunj Haridwar UK 497 Supriya Kaushik Cambridge School, Sec 27 Noida GB Nagar 497 Nakul Gupta Delhi Public School, Rajnagar NH-58 Ghaziabad 497 Kshitij Anand SAJ School, Sec 14C Vasundhra Ghaziabad UP 497 Ananya Singh Meerut Pub Girls School, Shastri Nagar Meerut 497 * Students in Dehradun are already at their schools, accompanied by their friends and family. Chhaya Khanna, principal Scholars Home School in Dehradun, said many students wish to be with their teachers when the CBSE result is declared. * The board exams were marred by controversy this year with incidents of leak of class 10 Mathematics paper and Class 12 Economics paper over social media being reported from different parts of the country, including the national Capital. The board then decided to conduct a retest for Class 12 Economics paper on April 25 and put in place a special strategy to ensure there was no possibility of a paper leak * Anil Swarup, secretary (school education and literacy) human resource development ministry tweeted, All the best to the students who appeared in Class 12 CBSE exams. However, treat the result with equanimity. These exams are not the end of the world. Pat yourself on the back if you have done well. Any perceived failure should make you even more determined to succeed in future. * CBSE officials said students can also send a text message on 7738299899 to get their results on their phones. Students from Delhi can call 011-24300699 and students from rest of the country can call 011-24300699 to know the results. *This year, students will also be able to check their results on Google by searching for CBSE Class 12 result. They will have to key in the required details to login and check their results. * Around 82% students cleared the Class 12 board examination conducted by CBSE last year. Last year, girls performed better than boys by 9.5% as out of 4,60,026 girls 87.50% passed and 78% of 6,38,865 boys cleared the exam. *The pass percentage of disabled students was 86.69, with 2,123 out of 2,449 passing the exams in 2017. * A Noida girl was the topper in the Class 12 exam and students from Chandigarh were ranked second and third across India. *Raksha Gopal, who pursued humanities at Amity International School, scored 99.6% marks. *Science student Bhumi Sawant of DAV School in Chandigarhs Sector 8 emerged the second topper with 99.4%. Commerce students Aditya Jain and Mannat Luthra of Bhawan Vidyalaya in Chandigarh both bagged 99.2% to become the third topper. CBSE 12th exam results 2018: Steps to check 1) Visit CBSE results website at http://cbseresults.nic.in/# 1) Click on the link for result 2018 2) Key in the details as required on the login page that opens 3) Submit 4) Result will be displayed on the screen 5) Download the result and take a print out of the same Having achieved the second rank in the Class 12 CBSE results, Anoushka Chandra aims to study political science honours in a good Delhi University College. She says she wants to be an IAS officer. A student of Seth Anandram Jaipuria School, Ghaziabad, Chandra scored 498 out of 500 second only to Meghna Srivastava who scored 499 out of 500. The 17-year-old humanities student said she was expecting a good result but never thought that her name would be on the list of national achievers. Anoushka scored cent per cent marks in four of her subjects (Economics, Political Science, History and Psychology) and 98 in English. She said consistency was the key to her success. If you work hard from the beginning, you will never have it hard in the end, said Chandra, a resident of Sector 16, Vasundhara. She gives equal credit to her parents and teachers for her success. My parents have been patient with me. They have never put any undue pressure on me. Two years back, when I had to choose my stream and I opted for humanities, my parents didnt say anything. They supported me in all my endeavours, she said. She lives with her parents and younger sister, a student of Class 5 . Her father is a deputy director in the ministry of defence while her mother is a homemaker. Her parents said their daughter was focussed and hardworking. She is very laborious. If she decides to achieve some thing, she does it, said Ranjita Srivastava, Chandras mother. For the school principal, Manju Rana, its a proud moment. Anoushka has done us proud by bagging the second position, another student Kshitij Anand got the third rank. I feel on top of the world, she said. The pass percentage in the Class XII board examination rose by 1 percentage point and the number of students scoring above 95% increased sharply, according to results declared by Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) on Saturday, an outcome that will mean tougher competition for seats in Delhi University (DU) colleges. The overall pass percentage at the national level increased from last years 82.02% to 83.01%, And 12,737 students scored above 95%, 2,646 more than last year. A total of 1.18 million students sat for the Class 12 examinations that were held in 4,138 centres in India and 71 centres outside the country. The higher scores among the toppers of the exam conducted by Indias largest education board will translate into steeper eligibility cut-offs for applying to DU colleges compared to recent years; the cut-off lists will be published starting in June. Cut-offs in DU are dictated by CBSE result trends since the board is the source of the majority of applicants. Of course cut-offs will increase. But by how much we can only tell after all the applications are received, said a DU official on condition of anonymity. Students have complained in the past about unrealistically high cut-offs depriving them of admission to a college or course of their choice. Cut-offs last year were as high as 99.66%. The Delhi region itself posted its best Class 12 performance in many years. The regions pass percentage increased to 89% from 88.37% last year, making it the best performance since 2011. Pass percentages in Delhi and the nation hit 80% and above for the first time in 2007, although they had been rising steadily since at least 1992. Part of the reason for the increase are changes introduced in the marking of exam papers, including the award of grace marks. The topper, Noidas Meghna Srivastava, scored 499 out of 500, in the humanities stream. The only mark she lost out on was in the English exam The Trivandrum region recorded the best pass percentage at 97.32%, followed by the Chennai and Delhi regions, according to data released by the board. In the national capital, government schools improved their success rate, going from 88.27% last year to 90.69% this year. The pass percentage in private schools was 88.35%. This years CBSE examinations were mired in controversy after question papers, including Class 12s Economics, were found to have leaked prior to the test. For this first time in its history, the board held a nationwide retest in a subject. CBSE officials said that the economics result this year was better than the previous years. The pass percentage in the subject increased to 83.4% from last years 80.24% I congratulate all those who succeeded. Those who did not succeed, I give them my best wishes because they should not lose heart. This is a temporary setback and they will put in more effort and succeed, Prakash Javadekar, the minister of human resource development, said after the results were declared. As has been the norm, more girls (88.31%) cleared the exam than boys (78.99%). Six of the nine top scorers this year were recorded by female students. In addition to topper Srivastava, four of the top 10 are also from the national capital region centred on Delhi: Anoushka Chandra, Nakul Gupta and Kshitij Anand from Ghaziabad, and Supriya Kaushik from Noida. Chandra stood second with 498 and the other three were tied at 497 marks. I never expected myself to be the all India topper though I had expected good marks, said Srivastava. I was elated when I came to know that I had emerged not only as the school topper but also the national topper. The Central Board of Secondary Education on Saturday operationalised a helpline for students to battle post-result stress. (Live Updates) The CBSE announced its Class 12 results on Saturday with an overall pass percentage of 83.01 per cent as against last years 82.02 per cent. The CBSE has also set up special counselling facility for dealing with post-result anxiety. There are 69 counsellors, principals and special educators, who will be assisting the caller on any issue pertaining to post-exam anxiety, said Rama Sharma, senior public relations officer, CBSE. Out of the 69 counsellors, 49 are in India, including two special educators, while 20 experts are located in Nepal, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (Al-Khobar, Jeddah), Oman, the UAE (Dubai, Sharjah, RasAl-Khaimah), Kuwait, Singapore and Qatar. The helpline will be functional from 8 AM to 10 PM on all days till June 9. The CBSE will be providing counselling services to students and parents to overcome common psychological problems and general queries related to Class 10 and 12 results, the board said. A tweet from the official Twitter handle of the board said, Be Positive #CBSE Exam Results Result is not the ultimate decisive factor. Explore and choose the next option. Being positive is always the first step to success. There were other messages too which asked the students to not indulge in criticism or comparison. #CBSE Exam Results: Good news is that many students do better after school because of maturity and greater focus, increased awareness level and exposure to options. Avoid criticising or comparing with others. Be realistic. Remember, exams are not the end of the world, the board tweeted. In another message, the board asked the students to be positive and look forward to the future. #Be Positive #CBSE Exam Results Counselling: Examination Results are a spring board to future achievements, better prospects and scope for improvement. Whatever be the result, you have done your best. Now prepare for your future, another tweet said. English (Hons) is the most popular course among Delhi University undergraduate applicants followed by Political Science (Hons) and Economics (Hons), as per the registrations done this year on the university online portal till May 25. The university had received over 1,97,305 registrations till Friday evening. The online registration for admission to its undergraduate courses started on May 15 and aspirants will be able to complete their application forms till June 7. Officials said that English (hons), which is offered at 46 colleges, usually tops the charts when it comes to number of applications. This year the course has so far received 52,254 applications. The course is popular but what contributes to such high number of application is the fact that students from any stream can apply for the course without facing any disadvantage, a DU official said. However, the official advised students to only opt for the course if they are really interested in studying literature. Students should opt for courses they want to study and not just because they have the marks to get admission in a course, the official said. Economics (hons), which is offered by 38 colleges, has received 40,492 applications and Political Science (hons) has received 40,509 applications till now. The university will announce the first cutoff on June 19 and admissions under it will happen till June 21. This year, DU will announce only five cutoffs and conduct central counselling for remaining seats in the undergraduate seats. The official said students will be able to edit their forms till they make the payment. This year the university will provide a single portal for applications for both merit-based and entrance-based admissions to undergraduate courses. Till last year, the registration process for entrance-based admission was separate. The online registration for postgraduate and research courses started start from May 18 and May 20, respectively. The university will conduct online computer-based entrance test for selected undergraduate, all postgraduate, MPhil and PhD courses from this session in 18 cities. The university will conduct open day session regarding admission to postgraduate and MPhil/PhD courses on June 1 from 10 am to 11.30 am and noon to 1.30 pm, an official said. A Netflix binge watcher, an avid reader and choir singer that is Meghna Srivastavas description of herself. Srivastava, 17, scored 499 marks out of 500 to emerge as the national topper in the CBSEs Class 12 board examination for which the results were declared on Saturday. With a score like that, one would have expected Srivastava to be devoted to her text books with no distractions whatsoever. She quickly dispelled that impression. I watch Netflix a lot, often continuously finishing all the seasons... I am also part of the school choir team, she said. Srivastava, a student of Step by Step School, scored a perfect 100 in history, geography, economics and psychology and 99 in English Core. She said she never felt the need to study for 10-12 hours during her board exams. I had always maintained a consistency regarding my academic preparation and I never felt the need to slog hard. I would like to advise my juniors to not to take too much stress, added Srivastava. Her parents Gautam Srivastava and Alpana Srivastava and her teachers, she said, consistently encouraged her and helped her do well in academics. My parents always supported me in whatever I did and they never pressurised me for studies. It is because of their moral support that I achieved such a feat, Srivastava said. Her father is an assistant professor at Manav Rachna University and her mother heads the human resource department of a multinational company in Gurgaon. Srivastava is their only child. All we did was to ensure that our house has a positive environment and our daughter gets the best resources for her studies. She is a consistent student and we never felt the need to ask her to study, her father said. An enthusiast of psychology, Srivastava intends to pursue the subject in college. I have not decided on what I wish to become post my studies but I wish to study psychology in my graduation from a foreign university, said Srivastava. Anoushka Chandra, who studies in Ghaziabads SAJ School, scored 498 marks to come second in the CBSE Class 12 exams. Seven students, including five girls, shared the third spot, scoring 497 marks. The overall pass percentage this year is 83.01, up one percentage point since last year. Officials said 12,737 candidates scored 95% or above and 72,599 candidates scored 90% and above in the exam. A conservation agency has constructed what is believed to be the worlds longest cat-proof fence in central Australia to save native wildlife and vegetation ravaged by the feline predators. Australia has the highest extinction rate in the world, while declining populations are affected by habitat loss as well as introduced creatures such as cats, foxes and rabbits going feral and killing native species across the vast continent. The Australian Wildlife Conservancy this month finished building and electrifying the 44-kilometre long fence to create a predator-free area of almost 23,200 acre, some 350 kilometres northwest of Alice Springs. Australia does not have an effective strategy for controlling cats, AWC chief Attius Fleming told AFP. The only way we can save Australias most endangered animals is by establishing these massive feral cat-free areas using conservation fencing. Fleming said as part of the project -- which is funded by public and government donations -- cats and other feral animals were being removed from the area, with threatened native mammals to be reintroduced next year. The mammals set to be reintroduced in the area, which is owned by the AWC, include the western quoll, the numbat, the bilby and the central rock-rat. A quoll takes its first steps into the wild during a translocation in Jervis Bay in northern New South Wales. A species of quoll devastated by foxes had been returned to the wild in mainland Australia in a rare conservation success story. (AFP File Photo) The project will be extended in 2020 to cover a larger area of around 100,000 hectares, Fleming added. Feral cats are believed to number between 10 and 20 million across Australia. Cats were first introduced to Australia by British immigrants in the late 1700s as domestic pets, but some went wild and spread across the continent over the next 100 years. Other causes of native species population declines and extinctions include feral foxes, climate change, fire and habitat destruction. A 40-year-old man was on Saturday crushed to death after coming in-between an on-coming Delhi Metro train and its platform in Gurgaon, police said. The deceased, identified as Bhura Singh, was native of a village in Kanpur district of Uttar Pradesh. According to the police, Singh was living with his son Ashwin in Kasan village near Manesar. Both were manual labourers. Singh had gone to his village in Kanpur and returned on Saturday. He (deceased Singh) boarded the Metro from Delhi and got down at HUDA City Centre Metro Station on Platform No. 1. In a hurry to get out of the station fast, instead of using the stairs or escalator, he tried crossing the tracks to reach Platform No. 2, said a police officer. But as he was about to jump on to the other platform, he saw a train coming towards him and became nervous. A woman on the platform also tried to pull him up from the tracks, but it was too late. He came in-between the train and the platform, was dragged for a few meters and died on the spot, the officer said. The deceased was identified by his son. Hollywod star Hugh Grant, best known for playing bumbling Britons in romantic comedies like Four Weddings and a Funeral, has married Swedish television producer Anna Eberstein, British media reported on Friday. This is the first time Hugh Grant got married. Grant, 57, who has played a string of commitment-phobic characters, married the 39-year-old producer at a low-key civil ceremony in Londons Chelsea district, photos of the pair printed in British newspapers showed. The 57-year-old actor was wearing a dark blue suit, while Eberstein, 39, was dressed in a blue shirt and white skirt, and sported gold wedding band. Eberstein is the mother of three of Grants young children. The Love, Actually star has two other children with former partner Tinglan Hong. The photos showed Grant and Eberstein leaving the Chelsea register office in London on Friday and posing for pictures on the steps outside with a small group of family members. Grant wore a dark blue suit, while Eberstein was dressed in a blue shirt and white miniskirt and wearing a simple gold wedding band. Grants publicist did not return a Reuters request for comment. Grant, one of Britains best-known comic actors, is also famous for his own reluctance to marry. He split up in 2000 with his actress girlfriend Elizabeth Hurley after 13 years together. Im not really a believer in marriage, he told People magazine in 2015. Ive seen very few good examples, maybe five, in my life, but I think otherwise its a recipe for mutual misery. Grant, the star of twoBridget Jones comedies, also made headlines when he was arrested in Los Angeles in 1995 with a prostitute. (This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed.) Follow @htshowbiz for more Commitment and clarity have replaced confusion and anarchy in governance in the last four years, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday in a speech to mark the anniversary of his government ahead of elections in 2019. In these four years, 125 crore Indian have come to believe that India can change. Today the nation is going from kala dhan (black money) to jan dhan (peoples wealth). It has moved from anarchy to good governance, said Modi at a public rally in Cuttack city of Odisha. The goverment doesnt fear taking big decisions and it doesnt miss taking big decisions. When a government is not confused but is committed, it can take hard decisions, said Modi. Modi said it was his goverments clarity and commitment that led to economic reforms like the Goods and Services Tax and bank accounts for the poor. The governments determination had led to a robust foreign policy and the Indian Army conducting surgical strikes against Pakistan. This land is special. It is the place of a million aspirations, he said about Odisha, a state the BJP is working to wrest from the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD). Its my honour to mark the fourth anniversary of my government in Cuttack, the birthplace of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose and the land of great people, he said. Odisha was among the few states that remained largely untouched when the Modi-led BJP swept the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaiks BJD party won 20 Lok Sabha seats and the BJP picked up the remaining seats in the state. Netizens hunting for online information on the BJPs Assam unit have come in for a nasty surprise, and with good reason. An Internet domain formerly owned by the Assam BJP is now being used to host a pornographic website, the state party leadership has stated in separate complaints to the cyber crime cell of the police and a US-based portal creation company. As things stand, anybody accessing the website will come across objectionable images and videos instead of the partys vision for the state in the years to come. In its complaint to Register.com, the Assam BJP has requested that the website be blocked or deleted because it is portraying a respectable political party in a negative light. Sources said the website is currently being operated from Russia, and denied the possible involvement of rival parties or hackers. The domain was previously owned by our organisation. But when it expired last time, the present owner registered it to launch a pornographic website, BJP state executive committee member Shantanu Kalita said in the complaint to the US company. The state BJP leadership is still awaiting a response to its complaint, which was filed on Friday. The current official domain name of the partys state unit is www.assam.bjp.org. Police were unavailable for comment. The national executive committee meeting of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) on Saturday is likely to project Mayawati as the partys prime ministerial candidate in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections and also evaluate pre-poll alliances with the Congress in upcoming assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chattisgarh. Apart from giving approval to a pre-poll alliance (in 2019) , the executive committee is likely to pass a resolution announcing Mayawati as prime ministerial candidate, a senior BSP leader said, asking not to be identified. On Friday, a day before the meeting, BSP leaders and workers launched a campaign on social media demanding the announcement of the BSP chief as the PM candidate in the 2019 general elections. She is the tallest Dalit leader with a pan-India appeal. Though BSP suffered crushing electoral defeats in the 2012 assembly, 2014 Lok Sabha and 2017 assembly elections, its support base is still intact, the BSP leader said. To be sure, the party has no representatives in the Lok Sabha, but the leader says there is enough reason to back Mayawati for PM. The BSP has an organisation in over a dozen states and has won seats in the assembly election in these states as well. Her projection as the PM candidate will mobilize the Dalit community in support of the alliance, the BSP leader added, asking not to be identified. In the 2009 Lok Sabha elections too, the BSP had projected Mayawati as its prime ministerial candidate. Back then, a cutout of Parliament was placed on a dais in the state units office and the slogan Haathi Dilli jaiga (elephant will march to Delhi) was engraved on the walls of the city. The elephant is the BSPs electoral symbol. That wasnt to be. The scenario has changed in the run-up to the 2019 election. The BSP has announced a pre-poll alliance with the SP to defeat the BJP, which is trying to make inroad into its Dalit vote bank, said Anant Rao Akela, founder-member, BSP. The executive committee will also discuss the pre-poll alliances of the party with the SP in Uttar Pradesh, the Indian National Lok Dal in Haryana, and the Janata Dal (Secular) in Karnataka. Members of the executive committee will also mull over the proposal for a pre-poll alliance with the Congress in MP, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh where assembly polls are due at the year-end. Mayawati was not keen to join hands with the Congress, but her meeting in Bengaluru this week with United Progressive Alliance chairperson Sonia Gandhi and the obvious warmth on display there is likely to cut the ice and pave the way for an alliance, the first BSP leader said. As part of its nation-wide programme, the Congress in Tripura held protest rallies in different parts of Tripura on Saturday to observe the Vishwasghat Diwas on the 4th anniversary of the Narendra Modi-led BJP government. Congress leader Gopal Roy said that the Vishwasghat Diwas (betrayal day) was observed to highlight the failure of pre-poll promises and miss-governance of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) led government at the Centre. Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not fulfil any of his pre-poll tall promises including providing two crore jobs per year to the youths, Roy told the media after a protest rally here. He said that the party, as part of observance of Vishwasghat Diwas, held protests, rallies and dharna in every district of the country on Saturday. After the BJP government came to power four years ago, people in general living in much suffering and the masses, specially the minority people are passing their days with a great fear and panic as series of attacks unleashed on them, the Congress leader said. Roy, a three-time former Congress MLA, said that in Tripura, without following legal and democratic process, the BJP government in the state autocratically bulldozed a large number of party offices of the Congress and its frontal organisations. Some of the Congress offices are 70 years old and have valid official documents. Even the West Tripura District Magistrate and Collector did not follow the court orders against the demolitions, said Roy, adding the BJP-led alliance governments functioning in Tripura is worse than the British rule. Officials said the district administrations since May 7 demolished some party offices of the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) and the Congress as these were built on government land. The Congress on Saturday termed the four years of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government as a period of treachery, trickery, revenge and lies and said the people now know that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah were harmful to the country. The principal opposition party also released a booklet titled India Betrayed on the completion of four years of the NDA government. It was on May 26 four years ago that Modi was sworn in as the Prime Minister, replacing Manmohan Singh who remained at the helm for 10 years from 2004 to 2014. In the booklet released in English and Hindi, the Congress has asked 40 questions to the Prime Minister on issues such as agriculture and rural distress, farmers suicides, growing unemployment, the alleged Punjab National Bank scam, Rafale aircraft deal, allegations of corruption against senior BJP leaders and rising fuel prices. Addressing a news conference at the party headquarters in Delhi, Congress leaders Ghulam Nabi Azad, Ashok Gehlot and Randeep Singh Surjewala said an atmosphere of fear and hatred had been created under the NDA regime. Referring to alleged atrocities on Dalits, tribals, minorities and women, Azad alleged, Nobody is safe in India under the BJP government. Everyone is getting sleepless nights. Modi and Shah should have shared the formula of converting Rs 50,000 into Rs 80 crore. This is called khaane nahi denge, par khud khayenge, said Azad, who is also the Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha. The Congress observed the fourth anniversary of the NDA government as Vishwasghat Diwas (betrayal day). Apart from holding demonstrations across the country, party leaders also held news conferences in 20 different cities. These four years can be defined in four terms treachery, trickery, revenge and lies. Hence, India Betrayed, Surjewala told reporters. Surjewala, who is the Congress partys chief spokesperson, alleged that the government has incurred 4600 crore on insurmountable advertisements. Modi is on a perpetual campaign but refuses to understand peoples pain. In these four years, he accumulated publicity but India only accumulated pain, he said. Modi ji would have been successful if the country could be run on jumlas and speeches. There is a huge difference between his words and action. For his part, Gehlot said that an atmosphere of fear, hatred and violence was created in the past four years of the Modi government. No other prime minister has ever reduced the dignity of the post like Modi ji, he alleged. The Congress leaders said the BJP should officially name itself as the Betrayal Janata Party. As Congress went hard at the BJP leaders, Shah said under the UPA government, scams worth Rs 12 lakh crores made headlines while during the Modi dispensation, development works have done so. The BJP chief also took a dig at the Congress, saying that those who imposed the Emergency, imprisoned more than a lakh people and silenced the media are now talking of an atmosphere of fear and the freedom of media. On the occasion, the Congress also released and showed a short film on the present situation in the country. (With PTI inputs) Union minister Arun Jaitley on Saturday slammed the prospect of coming together of various opposition parties a year before the general elections, calling the federal front a failed idea. He also said that the political agenda for the debate this year would be Modi versus an anarchist combination. In a write-up on the fourth anniversary of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government, Jaitley said the last few days have witnessed a discussion about a fictional alternative, and a group of disparate political parties are promising to come together. Some of their leaders are temperamental, the others occasionally change ideological positions, he wrote in a Facebook post on Saturday. Some leaders are maverick and others include those who are either convicted or charged with serious allegations of corruption. Jaitley named parties such as the Trinamool Congress (TMC), Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), Telugu Desam Party, Janata Dal (Secular) and the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), with whom the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has shared power in the past, and said they frequently change political positions by supporting the BJP in the name of national interest and opposing it in the name of secularism. These are ideologically flexible political groups. Stable politics is far from their political track record. Some amongst this disparate group have an extremely dubious track record of governance, he said. The senior BJP leader said the political support base of many of the opposition parties is confined to either a few districts or to a particular caste. Jaitley argued that ruling a large country like India was possible through coalition, but that the nucleus of such a coalition has to be stable. It must have a large size, an ideologically defined position and a vested interest in honest governance. He referred to the 1996-1998 period to argue that such a front with its contradictions, sooner or later, loses its balance and equilibrium. ...the aspirational India which today occupies the high table in the world shall never accept an idea which has repeatedly failed. History teaches us this lesson. Aspirational societies with vibrant democracies do not invite anarchy, he wrote. The 2014 polls, he said, conclusively established that in the New India chemistry will score over arithmetic when it comes to deciding the countrys destiny. The minister said the fifth year of the Modi government will be the year of consolidation of the policies and programmes which we have implemented. He called the PM a strong leader with a mass appeal, and argued that his insistence on integrity, his infatigable capacity to work, his clarity of policy and direction, his boldness in taking steps in larger national interest gives the NDA a natural political advantage. Clarity and credibility are hallmarks of the NDA Government. Good governance and good economics have been blended with good politics. The result of this has been that the BJP is more confident, its geographical base has become much bigger, its social base has expanded and its winnability has hugely increased, he said. Attacking the Congress, Jaitley said the party is in desperation without the perks of office. From the dominant party of Indian politics, it is moving towards the fringe, its political positions are not of a mainstream party but one usually adopted by fringe organisations. Fringe organisations can never hope to come in power, he added. Its best hope lies in becoming a supporter of regional political parties. State level regional political parties have realised that the marginalised Congress can at best be either a junior partner or a marginal supporter, he said. Four militants were killed as the Indian army foiled an infiltration bid in north Kashmirs Tanghdar sector on Saturday morning. Officials said more militants could be involved as the operation was still on. An infiltration bid was foiled in Tangdhar sector early this morning. Four terrorists were killed while attempting to cross the border into India. The operation is in progress, said defence spokesperson Colonel Rajesh Kalia. Although ANI later reported the death of a fifth militant, it is yet to be confirmed. Further information is awaited. This is the first infiltration bid to be foiled near the line of control (LoC) with Pakistan since the Union government declared a unilateral ceasefire in view of Ramzan recently. Although Army personnel had spotted a few militants near the LoC two days ago, the potential infiltrators fled back after a brief exchange of fire. Army has not ruled out the possibility of more infiltration attempts in the coming days, especially since snow in the upper ridges of north Kashmir has started melting. (With ANI inputs) The Modi governments health-for-all scheme finally took shape in the fourth year of its rule with the announcement of the Ayushman Bharat programme, which assures a health insurance cover of up to Rs 5 lakh per family per year to 500 million poor and vulnerable persons. Once it takes off, Ayushman Bharat will be the worlds largest public-funded health insurance programme, and if implemented successfully, would be the biggest achievement of the Modi government across sectors. It will make treatment affordable and accessible for poor as it covers practically everything in secondary and tertiary care. Close to 40% of our population will have access to hospitalisation after this scheme is implemented, said Dr VK Paul, member, Niti Ayog. Each year, 7-8 million people, who are not poor, become poor because of expenses incurred during medical treatment. This scheme will change that, he said. While the financing model is partly dependant on the states, and the scheme will subsume all existing public health insurance schemes, its effectiveness and reach will depend on the availability of quality healthcare services, which varies widely across states. To meet the shortage of doctors, nurses and other trained health professionals, the NDA announced the setting up of 14 new All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) institutes since 2014 even though as many as six AIIMS announced by the previous government are going through severe birthing pangs because of a shortage of faculty and medical staff. New AIIMS dont seem at all productive as they lack staff; it is more of a grand plan rather than serving any utility, says Dr K Srinath Reddy, founder, public health foundation of India. Muddying the water is the National Health Policy 2017. There is lack of clarity in the policy, especially when it comes to describing strategic partnerships with the private sector. The problem with this government is that most of their initiatives have been marred by delays, says Dr Reddy. There is a direction towards health overall but with considerable delays. Reforms in medical education in the form of National Medical Commission (NMC) Bill have come in almost the fifth year. The delay has reduced their impact considerably, said Dr Reddy. Child immunization has gone up, to about 80% from 65% in 2013, with the number of diseases for which vaccines are being given free under the universal immunisation programme going up from six to 12. The goal is to reach 90% full immunization coverage by December 2018. The shortcomings cant go overnight, but with this government, health has taken centre stage. It can now only get better from here, said Dr Paul. In the defence sector, the Modi government has held up its end of the bargain in some areas but its efforts have fallen short of expectations in others during the last four years. The government has delivered on a raft of bold promises such as the implementation of the one-rank one-pension (OROP) scheme, initiating military reforms, dealing with cross-border terrorism with an iron fist, and prioritising the modernisation of the armed forces. However, budgetary constraints have slowed down its efforts to scale up the militarys capabilities although India still remains the worlds largest importer of weapons. Meanwhile, several Make in India projects are on the drawing board as a key policy that is supposed to serve as the template for cooperation between Indian and foreign firms to build high-tech weapons is yet to be finalised. The government deserves credit for implementation of the OROP scheme in 2015 though some issues are still being resolved. Nearly three million ex-servicemen and widows have benefitted from the scheme. On the modernisation front, the main projects concluded were a $8.7 billion deal for 36 Rafales, a $3.1-billion order for 22 Boeing AH-64E Apache Longbow attack helicopters and 15 Chinook heavy-lift choppers, a $2 billion deal for advanced surface-to-air missile systems from Israel, a $750-million deal for 145 ultra-light howitzers (M777) from the US, and a $720-million contract for 100 K9 VAJRA-T artillery guns. NDAs 2014 manifesto promises Implement one rank, one pension: Largely delivered. Build a war memorial to honour soldiers: Being implemented. Modernise armed forces: Progressing, but at slow pace. Deal with cross border terrorism with a firm hand: Demonstrated muscular approach. Technology transfer in defence manufacturing: Make in India projects struggling. The government inked a $100-million contract with an Indian firm this year for supplying 1.86 lakh bulletproof jackets to the army, a key battlefield requirement that should have been fulfilled years ago. Projects that havent taken off as the Strategic Partnership model is still being fine-tuned include local production of next generation submarines, fighter planes, and helicopters. The military is facing a funds crunch and it will be a challenge for the government to make sure adequate resources are available. The army, for instance, is facing a shortage of Rs 12,296 crore under the capital expenditure head. India not only carried out surgical strikes in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in 2016 but also claimed political ownership of the targeted operations. The strikes demonstrated Indias hardened military resolve to the world. In 2016, the government signed the long-pending logistics exchange memorandum of agreement (LEMOA) with the US. It sets down the guidelines for the armed forces of India and the US to share each others assets and facilities for repairs, maintenance, supplies and training on an equal-value exchange basis. The government brought out its Defence Production Policy-2018 in March, visualising India as one of the top five countries in the aerospace and defence sectors in the coming years, with defence goods and services accounting for a turnover of Rs 1.7 lakh crore by 2025. Another goal is to clock exports worth Rs 35,000 crore by 2025. While a lot has happened during the last four years, a lot more needs to be done, said Lieutenant General Subrata Saha (retd), director general, Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers, and Principal Adviser, CII. The Defence Procurement Policy-2016 is quite forward looking and its provisions seek to boost indigenisation. A new Defence Production Policy is in the works and has set clear and precise goals, he said. It is vital to have mechanisms in place to monitor what progress is being made on different fronts. The governments security challenges began three days before it took office. On May 23, 2014, the Indian consulate in Afghanistans Herat, bordering Iran, was attacked by four gunmen. One attacker jumped into the compound but was neutralised by the Indo Tibetan Border Police personnel. The other three entered nearby buildings and fired on the compound. After a 10-hour gun battle, they too were neutralised. Officials concluded the plan was to occupy the consulate and take staff hostage and make a spectacle coinciding with Modis oath-taking. India officially stopped short of blaming Pakistan but many in the security establishment suspected the hand of Pakistani elements. With Modis ascendance, the security environment changed. The Jaish-e-Mohammad became active and targeted security camps along with Lashkar-e-Taiba , first in Jammu and Kashmir, and later in Punjab. Each attack raised questions about the governments preparedness and sharpened Opposition criticism. Militancy in Kashmir turned another page with the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in July, 2016 with mass protests and stone pelting as law and order become a priority of the state and central government. In October last year, the government appointed former Intelligence Bureau chief Dineshwar Sharma as an interlocutor. But as Kashmir continues to be a problem and not strictly an internal one, given the involvement of Pakistan the National Democratic Alliance managed to tackle left-wing Maoist insurgents successfully, across several parts of central India, and also benefited from the fact that the Indian Mujahideen (IM) terror outfit, involved in several bomb attacks in India, is more or less extinct. In December 2014, Maoists killed 14 CRPF personnel in Chhattisgarhs Sukma. In 2016, they killed 10 CRPF commandos belonging to the forces elite anti-Maoist force, the Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA), in Bihars Aurangabad district. The deadliest Maoist attack till date came on April 24 last year, when armed rebels killed 25 CRPF personnel and injured seven in Sukma district. Yet, since May 2014, security forces have killed 544 Maoists. Intensive operations, coupled with development programmes and schemes to deprive Maoists opportunities to exploit local populations, helped. Incidents of violence came down to a three-figure number in 2017 for the first time this decade. The government had different plans altogether for the Northeast. Multiple home ministry officials HT spoke to agreed that militancy is on the decline in the region. Government data supports this fact. From 1,024-odd insurgency-related incidents across the region in 2012, the number came down to 308 in 2017. Former CRPF chief Dilip Trivedi who retired in 2014 acknowledged improvements in NE and in Maoist-affected areas. The real challenge remains Kashmir where militancy has shown no sign of waning. Furthermore stone pelting has emerged as a major security concern, Trivedi said. (With inputs from Azaan Javaid) Barring ties with two neighbours, the Maldives and Pakistan, four years of NDA governments foreign policy has avoided needless ideological positioning; managed to successfully de-hyphenate ties with countries ideologically opposed to each other; and increased Indias heft and influence, at least some of which can be attributed to Prime Minister Narendra Modis personalised style of diplomacy. The past three months have seen significant strides in reinvigorating ties with China and Russia. Indeed, after the stand-off at Doklam last year, India and China havent put a foot wrong and relations between the two are probably the best they have been in decades. Simultaneously, the government has sought to build the Quad grouping, of India, the US, Japan, and Australia, as a sort of counter to Chinas growing influence in the Indo-Pacific region, and also strengthened its ties with the ASEAN grouping, which fits in with its Act East policy. The most remarkable progress was made in ties with the UAE, Japan and Bangladesh (where the Modi government built on efforts of the previous government), and Iran. The biggest example of de-hyphenating foreign policy came when Modi became the first Indian PM to visit both Israel and Palestine. Both were stand-alone trips. Modi is willing to lead from the front and isnt risk-averse. The policy at the end of the day is driven by the political will and the vision of the leader, said an official who asked not to be identified. Agrees strategic affairs expert Brahma Chellany. It is a fact that Modi has used his personal touch with some effect in diplomacy. He kept his personalised stamp on diplomacy, and relied heavily on bilateral summits to try and open new avenues for cooperation. India exists in a challenging neighbourhood. The threat of cross border terrorism from Pakistan continues. For better part of four years ties with Nepal remained chilly, although there are signs of a significant thaw now. But at the end of four years, the neighbourhood first policy remains a mixed bag. PM Modi had invited all South Asian heads of states for his swearing-in ceremony in 2014. He believed in SAARC but then had to shift his focus towards Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) and Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, India (BBIN) groupings. Line of Credits of worth more than $8 billion have been sanctioned by Indian government over the last 4 years towards various development projects, apart from close to 2000 training slots and various hydroelectric power buy back agreements with our neighbouring countries, explained Prof Sachin Chaturvedi, director general of Delhi-based think tank, the Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS). Getting membership to export control regimes such as Wassenaar Arrangement, Australia Group and Missile Technology Control Regime , stepping up ties with Africa, boosting cooperation in Indian Ocean, leading the solar alliance initiative , and further simplification of the passport process are other key achievements. When a network of good roads is created then the economy of the country also picks the pace, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in August 2017 at a ceremony to lay the foundation stone for a national highway project in Udaipur. Like the golden quadrilateral of NDA-I (which governed India between 1999 and 2004), an ambitious project that connected four major cities in the country with a highway network, the NDA-II government too had sets its eyes on roads, setting the bar high for a sector that has been hit post-2007 with over 400 stalled projects and delays in meeting deadlines. And the sector did make considerable strides in the past four years of Modi government. In 2014, seven kilometres of roads were getting built per day; this number rose to 28km per day in 2017-18. This is still way below the 41km per day target set by the Union road transport and highways ministry but this has not stopped the government from setting a more ambitious target of constructing 45km per day this fiscal. If National Highways Development Project the largest government initiative to date to expand and upgrade the capacity of the Indias shambolic highway network was the highlight of the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government, the Modi government wants to leave its mark with Bharat Mala, the ambitious program to build 24,800km of highways running through economic corridors, border and coastal areas and expressways. The Rs 6.92 lakh crore programme is expected to give a big push to the economy by generating a huge number of jobs apart from stoking demand for a variety of products (including steel and cement). Though highway development is back on track for now, experts said the real challenge is to raise money to fund the ambitious expansion programmes and getting private players back in the fold. The focus pre-2014 starting with UPA-I was also on highway development but they were primarily dependent on PPP (Public Private Partnership) model. The impact of economic downturn saw private players withdrawing from the sector. Projects got stuck, banks were reluctant to lend. This government revisited the sector to address the bottleneck. It moved from the PPP model to EPC (Engineering Procurement Contract) where 100% of the project is public funded, said Vishwas Udgirkar, partner, Deloitte India. It also came up with two new models, the hybrid annuity one, where the government gives 40% of the construction cost, while the developer invests the remaining 60% and Toll Operate Transfer where the concessionaire pays a one-time concession fee upfront to operate and toll the project for a 30-year concession period. This has kept the sector going for the time being and highway development is back on track, Udgirkar added. But experts concede that raising resources to implement the ambitious highway expansion programme is going to be the biggest challenge before the government. The government managed to fix the projects but the revenue side did not get fixed. With oil prices hitting the roof, the governments headroom to pay for EPC projects will become more difficult. Lenders will be more cautious because they dont know what will happen in the 2019 elections, said Pravesh Minocha, group managing director, Feedback Infra, an infrastructure consulting firm. He added, If the sector has to flourish in the medium term, private players will have to be lured back to the sector. The government will have to fix issues on the revenue side. But highways minister Nitin Gadkari is upbeat and said funds will not be a constraint. We have the capacity to implement the massive highway expansion programme that we have planned. The initiatives that we took in the last three years to revive the sector are showing results now, Gadkari told HT in an interview. Realising that road construction is vital for creating jobs and raising incomes, Gadkaris ministry has drawn up a list of 200 road projects worth about Rs 1.5 lakh crore likely to be completed by mid-2019 which it wants to showcase ahead of next years Lok Sabha elections. In all, the road ministry plans to complete 416 projects worth Rs 3.26 lakh crore by 2020. On April 2, violent protests swept northern India when Dalit protesters took to the streets against the Supreme Courts order banning automatic arrests under the Scheduled Castes (SC)and Scheduled Tribes (ST) Prevention of Atrocities Act, 1989. Ten people died. This manifestation was the latest crisis the National Democratic Alliance government has had to handle concerning Dalits, who comprise about 16% of the countrys population. Even as many SC-ST communities and the Opposition blamed the government, the ministry of social justice and empowerment filed a review petition in the apex court. The government also hinted at an ordinance to nullify the verdict and proposed a bill to put the Act in the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution and thus insulate it from judicial scrutiny. The 2016 campus unrest that started with the suicide of PhD scholar Rohith Vemula and the flogging of a Dalit family in Gujarats Una by cow vigilantes the same year, has meant that the BJP government has been accused of failing to ensure equal rights for the SC and STs. But the government rejects the charge, underlining the benefits the communities received from social schemes such as Ujjwala (free gas cylinders to below-poverty-line women), Mudra loans and even toilet construction under the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. The government has moved to celebrate the legacy of BR Ambedkar, and open a number of institutions and programmes in his name, a move the Opposition has termed as an attempt to appropriate the Dalit icon. The government has also underscored that it has been trying to get Parliaments sanction to set up a national commission for the Backwards Classes (NCBC). Though the bill to grant constitutional status to the NCBC was passed in the Lok Sabha, it failed to get the necessary support in the Rajya Sabha. This delay has been leveraged by the Bharatiya Janata Party as a point to prove the Oppositions alleged obstructionist politics and anti-backward class bias. While Prime Minister Narendra Modi, himself an OBC, and his cabinet colleagues have often affirmed their commitment to protecting the rights of the OBCs, during the recently concluded Karnataka assembly polls, party president Amit Shah blamed the Opposition for stalling the passage of the bill. While analysts see the commissions appointment as a move by the BJP to woo the OBCs, the government says the commissions mandate is to examine the sub-categorisation for a more equitable distribution of quota benefits. A BJP functionary says the move is in line with the partys assurance to bridge the gap between communities. The government is also examining the recommendations of the National Commission for De-Notified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes, to offer reservation in jobs and education to these communities, and bring them under the ambit of the PoA Act. Activist and author Anand Teltumbde, however, thinks the condition of SCs and STs has not improved. It has been calamitous for the lower Dalits. Atrocities increased, attempts to curb reservations, persistent decline in budget provisions, intrigues in naming special component plans to welfare schemes, repression of Dalit students etc. are the hallmark of Modi rule, he said. It appears the ruling BJP and the joint opposition are playing tactical games to corner each other in the by-election to Kairana Lok Sabha and Noorpur assembly seats of Uttar Pradesh. The by-polls are being seen as important for the BJP and the opposition combine alike ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. The by-elections are slated for May 28 and campaigning will come to a close on Saturday. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav will not campaign for Tabassum Hasan, the joint opposition candidate fielded in Kairana on the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) ticket. Top leaders of other opposition parties, including the Congress, will also not seek votes for her. Yes, SP chief Akhilesh Yadav will not campaign in the by-elections to Kairana Lok Sabha and Noorpur assembly seats. People know his style of work and he has appealed to people to vote for the opposition candidates, said Samajwadi Party spokesman Rajendra Chaudhary. Questions are, however, being raised over unity in the opposition ranks as RLD chief Ajit Singh and his son Jayant Chaudhary are the only ones leading the joint opposition campaign. Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati has stuck to her policy of not campaigning in by-polls. So, what keeps Akhilesh Yadav away from campaigning? Its yet another strategic move, the first one being the decision to field a SP leader on an RLD ticket in Kairana. The BJP wants focus on the Muzaffarnagar riots to get votes. Chief minister Yogi Adityanath, who has been leading the BJPs campaign, has targeted the Tabassum Hasan for her roots in the Samajawadi Party that he says was responsible for the Muzaffarnagar riots. Yadavs visit may have brought the focus on the Muzaffarnagar riots. The RLD candidate has been an SP leader and so there is no question of any differences, said an SP leader on condition of anonymity, adding, The SP also decided not to send its firebrand leaders like Azam Khan to campaign in the region. Political observers feel the leaders of all the political parties should have campaigned for the opposition candidate to show unity. I feel senior leaders of all the parties, including SP chief Akhilesh Yadav and Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee (UPCC) president Raj Babbar, should have campaigned there to give a message of unity to the people. Although second rung leaders may be campaigning, absence of senior leaders becomes significant as they adhere to different ideologies, says SK Dwivedi, former head of department of political science, Lucknow University. In another tactical move, SP MLA Nahid Hasan and senior Congress leader Imran Masood, two arch rivals, have joined hands though other senior party leaders have stayed away. Babbar, however, points out that his party decided to support the RLD candidate for the cause of opposition unity and so Masood has been campaigning actively for the RLD candidate. We have a considerable base in the area. We are ready to campaign if a public meeting for leaders of all the parties is organised there, said Babbar. Chastened by the defeat in by-election to Gorakhpur and Phulpur Lok Sabha seats, the BJP has deployed many senior leaders, including half-a-dozen ministers, to camp and reach out to people in Kairana and Noorpur. In what is being considered a master stroke, the BJP is also banking on Prime Minister Narendra Modis public rally in nearby Baghpat on the occasion of inauguration of Eastern Peripheral Expressway on May 27, the day before the by-poll. The RLD has urged the Election Commission to restrain the PM from holding the function. Gold biscuits weighing nearly three kilograms were seized from alleged smugglers in Manipur over the last two days, customs officials said on Saturday. In the first incident, two people were arrested from Imphals Kanglapat area on Friday evening for allegedly trying to smuggle 12 gold biscuits worth Rs 62 lakh in their rectums, said officials of the Imphal customs divisions anti-smuggling unit. The accused planned to travel to Dimapur in Nagaland by bus before boarding a train to Delhi, they said, adding that the gold biscuits appeared to be of foreign origin. The two identified as Rajinder Singh (34) from Amritsar and Saroj Kumar Yadav (23) from Khajuri in Bihar were arrested on the basis of specific information, said assistant commissioner (Imphal customs division) RK Darendrajit Singh, adding that both had concealed six gold biscuits each in their rectums. The collective weight of the precious metal came up to nearly two kilograms. We have registered a case under the Customs Act-1962, and are investigating the matter, said Darendrajit Singh. In the second instance, officials of the customs preventive force stationed at Pallel along the Imphal-Moreh highway seized five gold biscuits of foreign origin from Gopal Sarkar, a 30-year-old resident of Udham Singh Nagar in Uttarakhand, at Thamnapokpi village under Chandel district on Saturday morning. The gold weighing 830 grams was found to be worth Rs 26 lakh, customs officials said. There have been at least two more instances of law-enforcement agencies recovering smuggled gold in the recent past. Thirty gold biscuits, weighing around five kg, were seized by the anti-smuggling unit of the Imphal customs division on April 24. That seizure, which resulted in the recovery of precious metal worth Rs 1.5 crore, was also made on the basis of a tip-off, the customs official said. A single arrest was carried out in that connection. On March 9, 12 Assam Rifles personnel seized 97 gold bars amounting to Rs 4.8 crore from a Maruti van that was plying from Moreh in Tengnoupal district to the state capital. The Congress on Saturday lodged a case against Meghalaya home minister James K Sangama and his MLA-sister Agatha K Sangama, both of the ruling National Peoples Party (NPP), for allegedly offering bribe to voters two days before the bypoll to Ampati assembly seat. In the FIR filed at Ampati police station, Congress candidate Miani D Shira accused the siblings of violation of election code of conduct and misuse of power. In her complaint, she said they tried to enter peoples home and bribe them with money in favour of votes for their National Peoples Party (NPP) candidate (Clement G Momin). Chief minister Conrad Sangma, who heads the NPP, was not available for comments. HT tried to reach James and Agatha, a former Union minister, but their phones were switched off. Conrads PRO said he cannot comment on the matter. According to Miani, someone from the house alerted Congress workers who immediately reached there and along with village elders, tried to prevent the wrongdoing. However, the security personnel of the home minister came to his rescue and instead, took the Congress workers and a few vehicles captive. She also said that the escort party of the minister searched the Congress workers vehicles twice but did not find anything. Later on they placed sharp weapons from their own vehicles and clicked a picture, she claimed. Miani said she filed the FIR at 2 am as repeated calls to the official poll complaint number failed to get any response. A just investigation and inquiry is required immediately for free and fair bye-election to take place at Ampati, she demanded. When contacted, South West Garo Hills SP, Bobby S W Momin said the case has been lodged as per rules and regulations. He added that since it was a non-cognisable offence, the FIR will be forwarded to the returning officer, D D Shira to take a call on further acton. This is a poll related case and hence the Election Commission of India comes into the picture and we will do as directed, Momin assured. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has blamed terrorists of Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) for the attack on Nagrota army camp in 2016. It has also arrested Syed Muneer-ul-Hassan Qadri, a resident of Kupwara in Jammu and Kashmir, for allegedly facilitating the attack. Seven army personnel were killed and three others were injured in the November 29, 2016 attack, that also left three Pakistani militants dead. A huge quantity of fire arms, ammunition, explosives and other articles were recovered from the slain terrorists. According to a statement released by NIA on Saturday, Qadri has revealed that he, along with other Valley-based JeM operatives, were in touch with the JeM leadership in Pakistan and had received a freshly infiltrated group of three Pakistani terrorists from Samba sector a day before the attack. They subsequently stayed at a hotel in Jammu and then left the attackers at Nagrota outside the army camp late at night and proceeded to the Kashmir Valley, the NIA statement said. The attack began early on November 29, 2016. The tussle between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Shiv Sena over the Lok Sabha bypoll in Palghar has now turned into a full-blown battle between the ruling parties with Uddhav Thackeray and chief minister Devendra Fadnavis trading charges. A day after the Sena chief released an audio clip, in which Fadnavis is heard exhorting BJP workers to use all means to win the bypoll, the chief minister released a longer version of the same clip on Saturday and alleged the Sena had edited parts of the clip and highlighted only those. Fadnavis, while admitting that it was his voice on the audio clip released by Sena, said they had twisted and played out a selectively edited audio clip. The Sena released the clip at a public rally in Palghar on Friday evening and demanded that the Election Commission (EC) should act against the chief minister. Speaking to BJP workers in Vasai, Fadnavis released the entire 14-minute audio clip. The Shiv Sena can see it is going to be defeated and thus, it has stooped to such levels, said the chief minister. The Sena twisted my audio clip and presented it before the people to misguide them. The entire audio clip is 14 minutes long. I will myself submit this audio clip to the Election Commission. My last sentence in the clip, which was, that we are in power, but we will never misuse it, was conveniently left out Had they played it, their claims would have fallen flat. Listen to the whole clip and if there is anything wrong that I have said, I am ready to face action, Fadnavis said. The CM also hit out at Thackeray, who had dared the BJP leadership to battle it out without involving the law-and-order machinery. Only after I became the CM, I had to take security. It is for the CM, not for Devendra Fadnavis. I used to roam around without guards. You call me to provide security and guards for your leaders. If you dislike it, then why do you ask for security cover, Fadnavis said. Hours after the chief ministers clarification, Sena demanded his resignation. Sena spokespersons Anil Parab and Neelam Gorhe addressed the media in Palghar and said the EC should take action on the complaint, before the election is held on May 28. The CM has accepted it is his voice, and if it is proved that the party [Sena] doctored the clip, we are ready to face any punishment. However, if the clip is found genuine and if it is not edited, as the CM claims, will he resign over the issue today evening? Parab said. The move by the Sena to corner the BJP, days before the district goes to polls, seems to have backfired after Fadnavis clarification. However, the Sena leaders said it would not impact the party adversely. Whatever clip was available with Uddhavji, he played it out and put it in front of the people. We have complained to the EC, now let the authority make a decision, said Manisha Kayande, Sena spokesperson. Meanwhile, the opposition demanded action against Fadnavis for violation of the model code of conduct and resorting to the unethical practices. Congress state unit chief Ashok Chavan demanded the CMs resignation for encouraging practices which are against the democratic process of polls. By calling it part of election strategy, the CM has admitted to having asked his party workers to resort to all means to win the elections, said Chavan. This is very serious and action needs to be taken against him. We expect an immediate intervention by the Election Commission of India (ECI). The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), too, has demanded action against Fadnavis. The clip released by the Shiv Sena has the CM using objectionable language. It is criminal intimidation, for which the CM should be booked under Section 506 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). The ECI should take action against the CM by getting a forensic lab to scrutinise the veracity of the tape, said NCP spokesperson Nawab Malik. (With inputs from Surendra P Gangan) Prime Minister Narendra Modi will unveil a plaque at the Clifford Pier in Singapore next week to commemorate the immersion of Mahatma Gandhis ashes in the countrys waters. Modi will arrive here on May 31 on a three-day visit. In 1948, Gandhis ashes were sent to various parts of India and the world, including Singapore. Clifford Pier was Singapores sea front landmark under the colonial government. It had since been renovated and currently serves as a restaurant under the same namesake The Clifford Pier, offering a selection of local, Asian and Western dishes under the operations of The Fullerton Bay Hotel. The plaque to be unveiled on June 2 will underline the strongly growing ties between the two countries. The prime minister will also interact with the local representatives after the plaque unveiling. He will visit three temples on South Bridge Road to highlight the old links between India and Singapore. These temples were built by early Indian settlers in Singapore as community projects over a century ago and now regarded as national monuments. Modi will also visit the Indian Heritage Centre in Little India to see the exhibit and inaugurate a permanent platform for Indian craftsmen to visit Singapore from India for short durations to exhibit their work. Little India is a precinct of Indian-origin small businesses. The poultry farm owner arrested from a village near Bangladesh border on Wednesday night allegedly sold all his dead chicken to eateries on the outskirts of Kolkata, according to police. Police suspect that using a large network of middlemen, Kaushar Ali Dhali also procured dead chicken from other poultry owners at throwaway prices. Dhali owned two farms and his business flourished over the last two years. Police came to know about Dhali after a meat supplier was arrested near the airport on April 27. A huge quantity of chicken that had started to rot was seized from him. He used to sell healthy and live chicken to retailers in markets. But birds that died of disease or other causes were dressed and sold to eatery owners, said a North 24 Parganas district police officer who did not want to be named. Dhali was arrested from Hingalgunj in the North 24 Parganas on Wednesday night where he was hiding at a relatives home. Officers of the airport police station, where a case against Dhali was registered, suspect that he was trying to escape to Bangladesh. Police, however, have not found any connection between Dhali and the racket that used to collect carcasses of cows, pigs and other dead animals from dumping grounds in five districts and sold their meat. The carcass meat racket was first detected on April 20 at Budge Budge, about 28 km from Kolkata. Thirteen people, including Manik Mukherjee, a former CPI(M) leader who was expelled by the party in 2010, Sharafat Ali, a meat supplier and Biswanath Ghorui, one of the key players in the operation, were arrested by police. The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) on May 10 banned sale of frozen meat or chicken that not dressed in front of the customer at its markets. A committee set up by chief minister Mamata Banerjee has instructed civic bodies across Bengal to conduct surprise inspections at eateries and shops. Banerjee had then said that the carcass meat racket has been operating in other states as well. Before leaving for the Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage, Congress president Rahul Gandhi will set up two key panels in his party with an eye on the 2019 Lok Sabha polls and to revive the organisations fortune in the national capital. The Congress will constitute a coordination panel for the upcoming elections with Jairam Ramesh as its chairperson. The other panel, also headed by Ramesh, will reach out to intellectuals and cerebrals of the city to earn support for the party. The coordination panel is also likely to have the partys Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad, deputy leader in Rajya Sabha Anand Sharma and Gandhis close aide K Raju among others. Ramesh, however, said: I have no idea about this panel. The coordination panel will look into all aspects of preparations for elections and keep close contact with the Congress president as well as UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhis office. A senior Congress functionary added, Gandhi and Ramesh have held at least two meetings in the recent past on the formation of the panel and the preparations for the 2019 polls. Last week, due to the Karnataka situation, no further talks were held. A formal decision is expected soon. The main aim of the other panel, to be constituted with mo- stly Delhi leaders and a few intellectuals, is to open new channels of communication with civil society and intellectuals of the city. This will be the first time the Congress will form such a panel to create a new ground of free interaction for activists, civil society and intellectuals and use their inputs for the improvement of the party. The move comes years after Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) founder Arvind Kejriwal was able to attract several apolitical intellectuals and professionals to his party. The Congress has suffered a big blow in Delhiwhere it ruled for three consecutive terms after the AAP launched its outfit and swept public emotions and votes. The new panel will also be formed in sync with Gandhis vision to attract more professionals and intellectuals to the party and involve them in different activities of the Congress. Differences between Rajasthan chief minister Vasundhara Raje and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief Amit Shah have delayed the appointment of a new president of the partys state unit by more than a month now, two BJP leaders familiar with the matter said. Ashok Parnami a Raje loyalist resigned as Rajasthan BJP chief on April 18, as the party swung into damage control mode after losses in the by-elections to two Lok Sabha and one assembly constituencies and ahead of state elections later this year. Shah wants to appoint Jodhpur MP, Gajendra Shekhawat, who is also a Union minister, as the new chief, a move that hasnt elicited much support from Raje, one of the party leaders cited above said on condition of anonymity. She had earlier red-flagged a proposal to appoint Arjun Meghjwal, also a union minister, as a replacement for Parnami, he said. The CM feels a president who does not belong to her camp could be trouble closer to the election, he said. Raje, according to the second leader cited above, wants her loyalist, Srichand Kriplani, a minister in the state government, to be the Rasthan head of the BJP, which would help her control the state unit. Kriplanis name hasnt evoked much enthusiasm among the partys central leadership, the second leader said, requesting not to be named. An announcement will be made soon, BJPs incharge for Rajasthan, Avinash Rai Khanna, said. It has been delayed as party seniors were busy with Karnataka elections. Shah is expected to travel to Rajasthan soon. The BJPs state unit chiefs in Madhya Pradesh, which is also due for assembly polls, and Andhra Pradesh also resigned this year. Their replacements have already been named. A decision about Rajasthan got delayed because of a tug-of-war between Jaipur and Delhi, the second leader said. We expect Delhi to have the last laugh. People familiar with the issue said Raje had demanded that V Satish, the BJPs joint organisational secretary looking after Rajasthan matters, be replaced by his contemporary Saudan Singh, with whom she has a better working relationship. Both Satish and Singh are Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) volunteers loaned to the BJP, and have been active in the party for more than a decade now. The central leadership is unlikely to cede this demand as well, because Shah shares a good rapport with Satish, the second leader said. A proposal to deploy UP BJPs organisational secretary Sunil Bansal in Rajasthan until after the polls is also being discussed in Delhi. Bansal, a protege of Shah, is from Rajasthan and credited with building a strong party network in Uttar Pradesh. Rajasthan BJPs organisational secretary Chandrashekhar, who uses only one name, too, is close to Bansal. Winning Rajasthan is crucial for the BJP in many ways, and a series of electoral reverses in the desert state had set the alarm bells ringing in party headquarters in Delhi. First, the December assembly election in Rajasthan will come months ahead of the April-May general election to the Lok Sabha. The BJP had won all 25 Lok Sabha seats from the state in 2014 and its tally in 2019 will also depend on how it performs in Rajasthan. Second, the Congress is the BJPs main rival in Rajasthan and won the recent by-elections. If it manages to the defeat the BJP in Rajasthan, it would be the Congresss first victory over the BJP since 2014, and a shot in the arm for the principal opposition party ahead of the parliamentary elections. Eight minutes and 20 seconds. Thats how long it takes for sunlight to travel to Earth. And India has never been better prepared to receive it. As part of the worlds largest renewable-energy expansion plan, India is banking heavily on sunshine to meet an ambitious target. In four years, it expects to have 175 gigawatts (GW) of energy coming from renewable sources with 100 GW of this to be solar power. Twelve years from now, the plan is for 40% of all the power we use to come from renewable energy, up from 18% today. Meeting the 2022 deadline is expected to cost Rs 125 billion (Rs 8.5 trillion), but if we make it, India will be the biggest solar energy generator after China and the US, a daring, expensive dream for a nation whose solar programme started much after those two nations. Its also a goal India can no longer put off. Electricity consumption has skyrocketed in the last two decades we now use twice as much energy as we did in 2000, and eight times as much as in the 1970s. The estimated fuel costs to power India are enormous, and its devastating for the environment, says Divya Charen, a senior analyst specialising in power companies at the credit-rating agency India Ratings and Research. More than half our power currently comes from burning coal and natural gas they heat up the planet, they pollute, theyll eventually run out. India is well placed to harness solar energy. Most regions receive plenty of sunshine, and arid land can be given over to installing solar panels. Large-scale parks are the most feasible way to generate electricity, given the large populations and growing demand. (Satyabrata Tripathy / HT Photo) BRIGHT SPARKS When China started its solar journey a decade ago, the goals were size, speed and efficiency. Unlike the US and Germany, which encouraged rooftop panels to harness sunlight piecemeal, it introduced solar-friendly subsidies, began manufacturing photovoltaic cells on an industrial scale, and covered massive swathes of land and water in gleaming solar parks. China is now the worlds largest solar power generator. Last year alone, it added 53 GW more than half of all new global solar capacity in that year. Its also home to the worlds largest solar park, the 1.5 GW project in the Tengger Desert. The numbers might look different in the coming years. Falling government subsidies suggest Chinas solar power growth will be slower in 2018. Of the worlds 10 largest solar parks under construction, only 1 is in China. But five are being built in India, two of which (see box) are bigger than Chinas biggest. In fact, theres even a 5 GW park on the cards, in Gujarats Dholera Special Investment Region. By 2022, India expects to have 38 solar parks selling power to state-owned companies to supply to end-users. Unlike dams for hydroelectricity, a solar park is easy to build and there are fewer problems with geological sensitivity, losing forest cover and displacing people, Charen says. India has already achieved a key step in promoting the use of clean energy. In 2017, solar power became cheaper than grid power for most commercial and industrial customers. China, which gets proportionally less of its total power from solar, hopes to achieve the same only by 2022. SPACE BAR Indias biggest parks are being built in Karnataka, Telangana, Rajasthan, Gujarat... essentially, sunny regions where there is vacant, arid land. But across the country, farms, airports, hospitals, campuses, malls and office complexes are setting up their own solar power systems. Panels are getting less expensive, making the suns energy more viable to use, says Rahul Jigjinni, director of Gruntech Projects, which sets up rooftop and ground-level solar power systems in India. Urban homes and residential societies, however, havent been as enthusiastic. Institutional projects are easier, there are few decision makers, Jigjinni explains. Its harder to get 150 homeowners to agree to invest Rs 60 to 80 lakh in an electrical system that takes 10 years to break even. GRID VIEW: Heres what it takes to harness the suns energy A solar park with a capacity of 1MW would need 5 to 6 acres of land covered in solar panels This would cost about Rs 7.5 crore to set up (not including the cost of the land) 25 sq km is the amount of land that would be needed to solar power Delhi 19 sq km is the amount of land that would be needed to solar power Mumbai Just to put that in perspective, the area of Panaji city, the capital of Goa, is 21 sq km To solar power all of India, we need panels covering an area 2-3 times the size of Goa 0.2 sq km is the area Diu has covered in solar panels to power its 42-sq-km city of 52,074 residents during the day About 1,000 sq ft is the amount of land needed to solar power a 3-bedroom home for an urban family of four This is why rooftop panels can only be part of the solution. Gigantic swathes of land or water, covered in solar panels, is the most feasible way of harnessing the suns power. The electricity generated is sold to state government grids, who then supply it to consumers Even if they were enthusiastic, space is an issue. In vertical cities such as Mumbai or Gurugram, there often isnt enough sky-facing space to generate power for all residents. Also, battery packs to store solar power are expensive and need regular replacing. Institutional projects, however, are growing in scale and number. In Amritsar, Punjab, a 19 MW project across the 82-acre campus of the RSSB Educational and Environmental Society is the largest rooftop solar project anywhere in the world. In Kochi, the international airport is Indias first fully solar-powered one, with a 12 MW plant. CLOUD CONTROL In the solar industry, size matters, but so does technique. The industry is new, so grandiose central government plans fumble at the state level. Often, power grids are unable to access, transmit or cope with the intermittent power supply from the new parks. Power distribution companies have not been guided on the mix of coal and power use for their grids, Charen says. The industry essentially needs systems that allow power to be evacuated from areas of concentration. In regions where excess power is being generated via the sun, there arent enough ways to store it. A series of Green Energy Corridors, with high-voltage lines and renewable energy management centres, are being planned to address these concerns. Both are running behind schedule. A central government committee on the matter has said we need to install five times more transmission lines in 2018-19 than we did in the previous year, to keep the power flowing. A major concern is Indias scattered state policies for rooftop systems that are connected to the electricity grid. An office complex or mall may use much of its power in the day, while homes tend to use more electricity after sunset, when everyones home but the sun isnt shining, says Jigjinni. Institutions with rooftop panels also harness solar power on holidays. Net-metering systems which offset units contributed to the grid against units drawn from it are a good way to promote rooftop solar use. Customers pay lower bills and recover the cost for their panels faster. But states have varied polices about this. Some limit the amount of energy you can send to the grid, some companies dont want to buy from small-scale rooftop systems at all. This prevents widespread use, Jigjinni says. In addition, there are environmental concerns associated with solar parks. The panels need weekly cleaning for peak efficiency and while larger parks can afford robotic systems to dry brush, smaller ones use water lots of it. Charen believes its going to be hard to meet the 2022 target. The total land required to power all of India by the sun isnt much an area two to three times the size of Goa, she says. Everyone agrees that solar energy is necessary and a good investment. But its not clear whether well be able to raise those trillions for our growth ambitions. And theres too much left to do. In a strategic move ahead of 2019 Lok Sabha election, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) president Mayawati on Saturday declared that her party was open to alliance if it was given respectable seats in the pre-election pact. otherwise, the BSP will contest the election on its own strength, said Mayawati. She also announced that her brother Anand Kumar will be removed from the post of the national vice-president to send a message to the cadre that she was not promoting dynasty in the party. Promotion of Kumar a year back had led to the resentment in the party with senior leaders such as Naseemuddin Siddiqui, Swami Prasad Maurya, Indrajit Saroj and Jugul Kishore quitting the party. To quell any further problems, Mayawati announced that family members of the national president will not be appointed office-bearer in the party organisation. Moreover, to check infighting among senior leaders for the top post, Mayawati said she will be active in politics for another 20-22 years and no one will be projected as her successor. Rather than dreaming for the top post, the leaders should use their energy in strengthening the party, she said. To send a message to the Dalit community, she appointed two senior Dalit leaders Vir Singh and Jai Prakash Singh as national coordinators. Vir has also been made national general secretary, while Jai Prakash is the national vice-president. Both of them will review the working of the state units across the country. State president Ramachal Rajbhar was made the national general secretary and RS Kushwaha was made the state president. Insiders said the rebellion by Swami Prasad Maurya, who was considered the backward face of the BSP, has cut the channel among the backward community and Kushwaha had been promoted with an intent to fill up the void created by Mauryas exit. The decisions were taken at the BSP national executive meeting held under the chairmanship of Mayawati at state unit office. BSP leaders and workers from various states attended the meet. While many raised slogans in support of Mayawati, some of them demanded that she be projected as prime ministerial candidate by the non-BJP alliance. Addressing party leaders, Mayawati said the BSP will not confine itself to northern states but will opt for pan India standing and will field candidates in South and West Indian states too. She appointed close aide Ashok Siddharth as the in charge of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala. Senior leader Gauri Prasad has been made the in charge of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. She said talks were going on with like-minded political parties for pre-poll alliance in various states but the alliance will be finalised only after the BSP is assured of respectable seats. Mayawati directed the party leaders to gear up for the Lok Sabha election as well as assembly elections in three states, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh. After setback in Karnataka, the BJP might go for early Lok Sabha election, she said. Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday surprised the audience at Kazi Nazual University in Bengals Burdwan district by asking Indian youths to rise above communal barriers. Many of you will enter professional life after completing your studies. I have only one request to all of you. Value humanity above everything else. Always treat human beings with respect. Rise above narrow self interest and communal barriers, Hasina said at the universitys special convocation where she received an honorary DLitt. The Bangladesh Awami League president frequently speaks against radical Muslim groups in her country but she never spoke on communalism during her recent visits to India. It is our duty to stop youths from getting swayed by global terrorism. I seek cooperation from all my neighbours in the combat against terrorism in the region, she said on Saturday. The special convocation coincided with the third convocation at KNU in Asansol town. On Saturday, 416 students from 19 departments received post-graduation certificates. Hasina also asked the students to follow the example of legendary poet Kazi Nazrul Islam, the national poet of Bangladesh, in promoting communal harmony. In his works, Kazi Nazrul has always spoken of communal harmony. That is why he lives in the hearts of Indians and Bengalis. Similarly, Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore belongs to both the countries, Hasina said. She raised the Rohingya issue and sought cooperation of India and other neighbouring countries to solve the refugee crisis P Chidambaram, former Union Minister, Rajya Sabha MP and senior Congress leader, is a strong critic of PM Narendra Modis government. He spoke to Prashant Jha about its track record. Edited excerpts: Q: What are the governments biggest successes and failures in four years? They will beat the drums on the successes. I dont wish to spoil their celebration. Let me concede and assume they have built roads, completed infrastructure projects, built toilets, extended the coverage of electricity, but any government will do that. Any government in office for five years can only build more roads, infrastructure projects, toilets. The real questions are what has the government done to make this countrys economy more competitive, efficient, and productive and raise the rank of this country across parameters. On that, they have failed. There is a more serious issue. What they have done to damage the social fabric of this country, to polarise people along religious lines, and divide communities completely wipes out whatever good work they may have done in the things I mentioned. Q: The government argues it has instituted a formal, rule based economy with legislations like Goods and Services Tax, Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, Benami Transactions Act. Do you agree? I dont agree. There are more important laws which they have not implemented. The National Food Security Act has not been implemented. The Right to Education has not been implemented. The Right of Forest Dwellers Act has been diluted and practically defiled. The new Land Acquisition Act has been completely diluted by allowing states to make their own amendments and giving presidential assent to those amendments. I think these are more fundamental laws. Take the laws you have mentioned. The Benami Act is a draconian act. It arms the Income Tax Department with draconian powers, and you will see the consequences as it is being implemented. Never before have officers been armed with so much power be it CBI, IT, ED. These are erosions of personal liberty. This is a reflection of the BJP and PMs belief that we must have a muscular government. We had cautioned them on the GST. They refused to listen and had to make a series of changes and amendments to bring it back on rail. We still caution them on RERA. We cautioned them on IBC (Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code); they brought an ordinance this week. Their approach seems to be leap and then look. You should look before you leap. Q: On the jobs debate, the government argues that through road construction and MUDRA in particular, they have created jobs. The MUDRA claim is a joke. The average loan in MUDRA is Rs 43,000. How do you create a job with Rs 43,000 additional capital? I have no objection if you give away Rs 43,000 crore, and create one crore jobs. But with Rs 43,000, a shoe-repairer can get a few tools; a tailor can get a few instruments; a guy who runs an ice-cream parlour can get an ice-box; someone can install a fan. In the formal sector, it costs Rs one crore to create a formal job. If someone invests Rs 3000 crore in a power plant of 5000 MWs, direct and indirect employment will not cross 3000. Road construction creates jobs. I am not denying that. Question is has it created additional jobs? If you construct a five-km road, jobs are created. By that argument, when the construction is complete, those jobs are over. Then you construct another five-kms, the same people move there to build those roads. It does not add to the total number of jobs. Thirdly, what we are talking about is formal jobs. ILO defines a job as regular, certain and with a reasonable degree of security. Other jobs will be created. You tell me how many formal, regular jobs have been created. That is the true measure, the only measure on which you can compare it to a previous government or a succeeding government. And the only data we have is the Labour Bureau Survey. The Labour Bureaus Quarterly Survey has given us for three quarters jobs in the thousands. The highest has been 136,000 in a quarter. It is in the thousands, not in millions. Q: Have you been surprised with the governments turn towards the rhetoric of welfare from growth and development? There is really no conflict between development and welfare. Many welfare programmes are indeed development programmes. What they did well was take UPA programmes and fast forwarded it. Take electrification. Now it is absolutely clear that 97% of all villages had been electrified till May 2014. They took the last 12,000 or 15,000 villages; it is like putting an icing on the cake. I dont complain. Good you have completed it, but remember 97% was electrified. It is similar with the gas connections; they took an existing programme and fast forwarded it. Q: The Congress has alleged the government has undermined institutions. How? I wrote a column where I pointed out the huge number of vacancies in key institutions, beginning with the Supreme Court. That is one way to diminish an institutions importance and performance. In the SC today, with the retirement of Justice Chelameswar, there are eight vacancies; three or four more will occur this year. The system is paralysed. In the High Courts today, there are over 400 vacancies. The strength of our High Courts taken together is much less than what is required to dispose of cases which are pending and cases which are instituted every day. That number itself is insufficient and even in that sanctioned number, you have 400 vacancies. In the teaching posts of central universities, over 5000 are vacant what kind of teaching takes place in those central universities? I think they have cut back on the number of Information Commissioners sharply; they are proposing to cut back the size of the Competition Commission; they have combined tribunals and practically eliminated some regulatory tribunals. In a large country like India, not all problems can be attended to by the elected government and ministers. That is why we create institutions and put men and women there passionately devoted to the subject, who can then pay special attention to those problems. If all those institutions are either diminished or eliminated or downsized or kept vacant, how do you think that a democracy can function? Q: If there is such a governance deficit across spheres, how does BJP keep winning elections? This is another myth which the media propagates, including your paper. Where have they won? We had five elections on the same day. They won in UP and Uttarakhand. They lost Punjab. In Manipur and Goa, BJP lost to the Congress in the elections but with the help of Governor and by putting together a post-poll coalition, buying MLAs, they formed the government. I dont grudge them. But the fact is electorally, in three of the five states, BJP was defeated by the popular vote. Gujarat was no victory for the BJP. It was a defeat for them. Technically, they won. But if you ask the BJP leaders, as I do sometimes, they admit they lost and say we aimed for 150, and came down to 99. After that, we have had by-elections, in which their record is dismal. In Karnataka, the Congress was the number one party in terms of popular votes, a good two percent ahead of the BJP, but because of the way the votes were distributed, they got more seats. The real test will now come in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh where fortunately, the choice is a binary one Congress or BJP. Direct fight let us see. Q: The opposition is coming together against the BJP, but does the need for allies itself reflect the Congress vulnerability? We are not vulnerable. We are just realistic. In 11 or 12 states, the Congress is the number 1 party and the challenger to the BJP. In eight states, we are not the number one party and not the prime challenger. I am not counting the smaller states. Realistically, Congress should do what the other opposition parties did in the 1960s. Where you are the leader, take the lead. Where you are not the leader, follow the leader, as long as you can agree there is a common adversary. What the Congress is doing now is the correct approach. Q: You were a key leader of the United Front. It is contradictions on the question of leadership which hobble such an experiment. The United Front was not led by a national party. At the head was a regional party, with footprints in Karnataka and Bihar. I think a coalition government under one of the two parties with a national footprint can promote development, and at the same time, provide checks and balances against arbitrary exercise of power and authoritarianism. What has happened today, since 2014, is an authoritarian model of government which does not work for India and which will not work for India. Police detained two people on Saturday for allegedly throwing crude bombs at Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) office in Bhubaneswar, less than an hour after Prime Minister Narendra Modis public rally in Cuttack to mark the fourth year of his government. No one was injured in the incident. Police said two people came to the party office in the state capital in the evening but were stopped by the security personnel. After an altercation, with the personnel, the two allegedly hurled a crude bomb that contained iron nails some of which hit a party worker. They reportedly hurled another bomb at the office. Police said they were interrogating the two identified as Biswajit Mallik and Pinaki Mohanty, who had earlier brandished a toy gun at state BJP president Basant Panda. The party office was deserted due to the Modi rally at Cuttack except for a couple of workers. The Punjab and Haryana high court will examine whether trials in criminal cases registered in incidents of violence reported across Haryana after the conviction of Dera Sacha Sauda head Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh in August 2017, can be conducted at one place. As many as 240 FIRs were registered in Haryana and in nearly 200 cases challans have been filed. A total of 2,669 were arrested in these cases registered mainly in Panchkula, Sirsa, Hisar, Karnal and Fatehabad. Ram Rahim was convicted on August 25 for raping two disciples in 2002 on dera premises. His conviction resulted in widespread violence in Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh. In Panchkula alone, more than 35 persons died. The high court full bench presided over by justice Surya Kant asked lawyers assisting the court in public interest litigation (PIL) related to the violence to examine legal provisions in the matter and accordingly, the court can decide on the next date of hearing in July. It (common place of trial) will help in courts not passing contradictory orders and will also help in speedy trial, the high court bench observed. Panel to oversee Dera health institutes The court also sought details about the qualification of the doctors and paramedics employed at the three health institutes run by Shah Satnam Singh Development and Research Foundation at the dera premises in Sirsa. The dera runs an allopathic hospital, one aurvedic hospital and a naturopathy hospital, besides an eye bank, blood bank etc. The allopathic hospital has 19 doctors, 96 paramedics. Three doctors work at the ayurvedic hospital and one doctor runs the naturopathy hospital. As many as 131 persons are employed as support staff. Around 160 persons are visiting the hospital daily, the government report said. The high court approved an ad hoc committee, to be headed by civil surgeon, Sirsa, which will oversee day-to-day functioning of these health institutes. The government has already constituted a similar committee to oversee functioning of educational institutes. Defence counsel in Aarushi Talwar murder case to defend Ram Rahim Tanveer Ahmed Mir, a Delhi lawyer, who has successfully defended dentist couple Rajesh Talwar and Nupur Talwar in the 2008 Aarushi Talwar murder case, will now be appearing for Gurmeet Ram Rahim and Honeypreet in different courts. Ahmed is also defending a class-11 student who was accused of murder of his classmate in a Gurgaon school in 2017. Someone will have to come forward and defend him (Ram Rahim), he told reporters after Fridays hearing before the high court. However, high court senior advocate SK Garg Narwana, who has defended Ram Rahim in different courts, will also continue to defend him, according to his office. The Congress plays politics of dynasty, casteism and appeasement, while the BJP does politics of development, Rajasthan social justice and empowerment minister Arun Chaturvedi said on Saturday. Addressing a press conference at the BJP headquarters on Saturday on the completion of four years of Prime Minsiter Narendra Modis government at the Centre, he said the Congress and other opposition parties had ruined the country by creating a negative atmosphere with their focus on dynasty, appeasement and vote bank politics. But the Narendra Modi government in the last 48 months, compared to 48 years of governments of the Congress and other parties, started a new era of politics of performance, Chaturvedi said. Many governments in 50 years did one or two historical works, but the Modi government in four years has done 50 works that made history. Former chief minister Ashok Gehlot at a press conference in Delhi supported dynastic lineage, casteism and appeasement, which showed ideological bankruptcy of the Congress, Chaturvedi said. Giving priority to Antyodaya based on the principle of Sabka Saath-Sabka Vikas, the Modi government for the first time after independence reached out to villages, the poor, farmers, dalits, tribals, backward classes, the youth and women, he said. Under Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, 26.78 lakh free gas connections were given to poor families in Rajasthan, and 41.11 lakh people got loans of Rs 57575 crore under Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana, the minister said. 4.89 lakh houses were approved and more than 3 lakh built under PM Gramin Awas Yojana; 91 lakh soil health cards were distributed to farmers from 2015-17, and 16 lakh in 2017-18 under the scheme that the PM launched from Sriganganagar in Rajasthan, he added. 2.43 crore bank accounts were opened in Jan Dhan Yojana; other schemes, such as PM Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana, PM Suraksha Bima Yojana, Atal Pension Yojana, StandUp India, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, and Make in India, have made records in Rajasthan. Chaturvedi said the Goods and Services Tax was the biggest tax reform after independence, which improved the business atmosphere. Member of Parliament from Jaipur Ram Charan Bohra said the Centre has contributed to Dravyawati river project, ring road and the Smart City project. By August, the ring road work will be completed. Under the Skill India scheme, youths are being trained at 110 centres in the state. And a lot of works in railways have been done in Jaipur. Extending wishes to the PM Modi, chief minister Vasundhara Raje said India has become a global growth engine under his efficient leadership. India has gained goodwill and influence in the world. India is emerging as a prosperous, peaceful and strong country with the Centres welfare schemes, policies and programmes, she said in a statement. Raje said development has become a vibrant mass movement during Modis rule. After introducing Quinoa as a new cash crop in Rajasthan due to its high commercial value, the state government has so far purchased 150 quintals of the crop from farmers. Quinoa, whose seeds mini kit, were distributed to farmers of 13 districts of Rajasthan in the financial year 2017-18, with the intension of promoting this crop among farmers to boost their income, is now being bought back from the farmers on Minimum Support Price (MSP) of Rs 5,000 per quintals. Farmers had trouble selling the crop even after its cultivation, so now Rajasthan State Seeds Corporation would buy back Quinoa raw seeds from those farmers who had taken the mini kits. As per official figures of agriculture department, Quinoa has been cultivated in 13 districts of Rajasthan including Chittor, Udaipur, Banswara, Bhilwara, Pratapgarh, Tonk, Bundi, Kota, Jhalawar, Baran, Sirohi and Jalore. Agriculture minister, Rajasthan, Prabhulal Saini said that Quinoa has been cultivated across 3,000 hectare of area and the total production is around 30,000 quintals. Either maximum of two quintals of quinoa raw seeds or the entire raw seeds produced from the mini kit, whichever is lesser, is being purchased from the farmers, Saini said. So far, the government purchase of around 150 quintals of Quinoa has been made from Sirohi, Chittorgarh and Udaipur district, he said. He said that the government purchase of Quinoa from the remaining districts will continue till June 30 and a total of 580 quintals will be bought under government purchase. Once 580 quintals are bought, another 500 quintals will be bought in the next phases as per the Memorandum of Understanding with a private company, he said. Cultivators of Hadauti region and other districts have been asked to bring their raw seeds to the nearest purchase centres of Rajasthan State Seeds Corporation Limited, Saini said. The list of farmers who had taken mini kits of quinoa is being taken from the agriculture department. Quinoa is a South American variety, which is a diabetic friendly and anti-oxidant rich crop. A casual employee with the Bengal forest department was accidentally shot dead by a security guard while they were trying to escape a wild elephant at the Jaldapara National Park in Alipurduar district on Friday, officials said. State forest minister Binoy Krishna Burman has ordered an inquiry into the death of the victim, identified as 24-year-old Marcos Oraon from Balalguri village. Officials said four employees two casual workers and two full-time forest guards were patrolling the Hallapara zone of the national park that day when an elephant suddenly appeared in front of them. One of the forest guards, identified as Kabi Rava, opened fire in panic and fatally injured Oraon. The victim was rushed to the Madarihat block hospital, and later shifted to the Alipurduar district hospital. He succumbed to his injuries there. Forest department officials said none of Oraons colleagues could give an accurate account of the circumstances leading to the shooting because they were scrambling away in panic. We will launch an inquiry after the post-mortem examination report comes through, said Bimal Debnath, assistant wildlife warden of the national park. However, an official said on the condition of anonymity that the forest guard had fired at the elephant to save Oraon but shot him instead. While the deceased was still pursuing his studies, Rava had been employed in the forest department since 1986. With Kairana by-election scheduled on Monday, political parties went all out to woo voters on Saturday -- the last day of campaigning. Leaders and workers of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the united opposition campaigned in different villages, trying to garner support for their candidates. BJPs Mriganka Singh will take on Rashtriya Lok Dals Tabassum Hasan, who also has the backing of Samajwadi Party, Congress, Bahujan Samaj Party and Aam Aadmi Party. Taking lessons from the Gorakhpur and Phoolpur bypolls where it had to eat the humble pie, BJP has thrown in its full might in Kairana. Chief minister Yogi Adityanath, deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya, and many ministers, former ministers, MPs and MLAs have been addressing rallies and gatherings. There is also a lot of stress on door-to-door campaigning. On the other side, RLD chief Ajit Singh and his son Jayant Chaudhary have been spearheading Hasans campaign. They have been reaching out to voters through small meetings. Jayant Chaudhary has addressed meetings in over 150 villages so far. Door-to-door campaigning has helped us inform the voters about our agenda as well as expose the rival ahead of the polls, said RLD spokesperson Sunil Rohta. SP leaders have also extended support to Hasan, although without any direct campaigning. On Saturday, leaders and workers of the rival camps were seen taking steps to strengthen their booth-level organisation. Social media was also used extensively to reach out to voters. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to inaugurate the eastern peripheral expressway and address a rally in the neighbouring Baghpat district on Sunday -- a day before Kairana goes to polls. BJPs western UP president Ashwani Tyagi said, This will further enhance our partys pro-development image. Party leaders have also been highlighting Modi governments achievements over the past four years to woo voters. Extreme summer is not only taking its toll on humans and animals but national river Ganga is also facing the heat. Patches of sand are visible in long stretches of Ganga in midstream as the water is drying up. This has raised concern among zoologists, environmentalists and Ganga activists who feel if the situation continues for long then it may lead to serious threat to flora and fauna of the national river. Head of department chemical engineering at IIT-BHU, Prof PK Mishra: Emergence of dry patches in midstream of river Ganga is due to lack of water due to which concentration of pollutants has to increase. It will eventually lead to serious threat to bacteriophages, the reason behind self-purification ability of Ganga and its other aquatic animals, said Prof Mishra. He laid emphasis on the need for releasing additional water in order to maintain at least minimum natural river flow in Varanasi. Currently three cities, including Kanpur (600MLD), Allahabad (400 MLD) and Varanasi (400MLD), generate 1,400 MLD of effluence daily. It comprises industrial and domestic effluents. Of that, only 500 MLD is being treated and the remaining 900 mld of effluence goes untreated into River Ganga, Prof Mishra added. He further said that the situation of Ganga from Kanpur to Varanasi was very alarming. He urged the state and Central government to start construction of rainwater harvesting system in every building. Simultaneously, it should be ensured that each new multi-storey building, mall and hotel must set up a bio-digester to ensure treatment of effluence they generate, he said. Development authorities should sanction the maps of new hotels, malls and other buildings with a condition to set up the bio-digester system, Prof Mishra suggests. Time has come to make serious efforts for saving the river. Meanwhile, professor at department of zoology, BHU, Dr Benchan Lal also expressed concerned over scarcity of water in the river. Dry patches, in fact, show that Ganga needs to replenished. Dearth of water is a serious threat to its flora and fauna. Similarly, Swati Pandey, a local who studied environmental science, also expressed concerned over the situation. If there is dearth of water in River Ganga for long time then it adversely affects environment. We need to stop indiscriminate exploitation of groundwater. In addition, we should plant more trees along the river, she advises. Social activist Vallabhacharya Pandey also expressed concern and appealed to the locals to make efforts for saving the river. It is the responsibility of one and all to contribute towards Ganga cleaning and take a resolution not to dump any waste into the national river, he said. According to Central Water Commission, the minimum water level of River Ganga was recorded 58.27 metre on June 29, 2017, while on Friday Gangas water level in Varanasi was recorded at 57.79 metres. District magistrate Yogeshwar Ram Mishra has recently written to the state government authorities for releasing water into the national river Ganga from Naraura or other dams. A Muslim man was assaulted at Shivrajpur railway station in Kanpur allegedly by workers of Bajrang Dal for his friendship with a girl belonging to the Hindu community. The youth, aged around 24 years, runs a shop nearby and had gone to the railway station to see a friend. A video of the incident in which the man is being beaten by people asking him about his relationship with the girl surfaced on Saturday and went viral on social media. Kanpur SSP Akhilesh Kumar said the video was about a week old and people involved in the assault have been identified. The local police were assisting the GRP Farrukhabad who had registered a case. Apart from this, another video of a youth being beaten up allegedly by Bajrang Dal workers too had gone viral. But police found that the video was more than two months old and the assailants were booked for violence. The victim of the railway station assault said he has given a complaint after the police approached him. Those who beat him are from nearby locality and followed him to the railway station where he was slapped and questioned about his relationship with a girl, he said. In the video, one man could be heard saying how he could do this when the BJP was in power. Another warned that he would have to pay the price for what he did. We will change our names if we dont ruin you, one of the attackers said. Central and UP investigation agencies have found on Saturday that over Rs 8 lakh was transferred and withdrawn from a cryptocurrency (bitcoin) account in which more than a dozen UP BJP MLAs were asked to deposit money demanded from them as extortion. The UP Special Task Force (STF), Anti-Terror Squad (ATS) as well as central intelligence agencies had swung into action after chief minister Yogi Adityanath took cognizance of the case and ordered a detailed probe. The UP police had also, on May 23, constituted a special investigation team, under supervision of IG STF Amitabh Yash and SSP STF Abhishek Singh, to investigate the matter. Transactions of 1.60368338 bitcoins, which is equal to Rs 8.19 lakh, were done in the extortionists account that he had mentioned in the threat messages sent to the MLAs. And the entire amount was later transferred to some other account, said a person associated with the case of extortion demand from the UP MLAs. He said a total of six transactions, between 6. 46 pm on May 2 and 4 am on May 18, were done in the cryptocurrency e-wallet during which bitcoin was received and sent through different e-wallets. He said one transaction each were done on May 2, 3, 4, and 18 and two transactions on May 17. Person familiar with the matter said the BJP MLAs and some other eminent persons in UP, as well as other states, had started receiving threat messages demanding as extortion Rs 10 lakh each through bitcoins during the same period. He said it is, however, yet not clear who all have had done these transactions. The source said the extortionist had used mobile phone devices, using a mobile service provider, to send the extortion messages. Over a dozen BJP MLAs in UP and some former MLAs and officer-bearers had received WhatsApp messages asking them to pay Rs 10 lakh on different dates this month. The extortionist had posed as Ali Bhai Budesh, a notorious Indian extortionist based in Bahrain, but investigation agencies have yet to confirm whether the same person is behind it or somebody else is using his name. Initial probe has hinted involvement of some professional hacker or a group of hackers in the entire matter. With the arrest of three Pratapgarh residents, the UP Special Task Force (STF) on Friday claimed to have worked out the sensational murder of lawyer Rajesh Srivastava in Allahabad on May 10. Police said the lawyers murder was fallout of a dispute over illegal construction on a drain by owner of Crown Plaza hotel Pradeep Jaiswal. Stolen motorcycle used in the crime. LAWYERS HAIL COPS FOR SWIFT ARRESTS District Bar Association, Allahabad hailed the police for cracking the lawyers murder and arrest of the shooters and conspirators. In a statement Zila Adhivakta Sangh general secretary Krishna Chandra Mishra alias Bau Mishra congratulated the Special Task Force and Allahabad police for arrest of the accused. Mishra also hailed the High Court chief justice and other senior judges of High court and district court for their quick intervention into the incident. Jaiswal was earlier arrested and is the main conspirator in the crime. Additional director general (ADG) of police, Anand Kumar and inspector general (IG) of police of STF, Amitabh Yash said three shooters, Shamshad, Mohd Raees and Vishal Vishwakarma, all from Pratapgarh, have been arrested. ADG Kumar said a portion of the hotel was illegally constructed over a drain and the lawyer was raising objection to it. He said Jaiswal feared major loss if the portion would have to be demolished. Jaiswal hatched the murder conspiracy with help of his close friend Ghanshyam Agrahari of Rambagh, the ADG stated. He said it was Agrahari, who arranged shooters from Pratapgarh through his close friend Anjani Srivastava, has a criminal background. He further said Anjani roped in Shamshad, Raees and Vishal to kill the lawyer. The deal was settled for Rs 3 lakh. He added that the lawyers photograph was shared with the shooters by Agrahari on WhatsApp. The shooters were in touch with Agrahari since April 22 and made two previous attempts to eliminate the lawyer before finally executing the crime on May 10. Narrating the sequence of incident, ADG Kumar said, On May 10 morning, Shamshad and two aides reached Allahabad in a hired taxi and arranged a stolen motorcycle there for execution of the crime. Shamshad stayed outside the lawyers house and informed the two other shooters when the lawyer left for court. Weapons and phones recovered from the shooters. He said the shooters chased the lawyer on a motorcycle and shot him dead near the busy Manmohan Park crossing under Colonelganj police station area. While Raees was driving, Vishal shot the lawyer in his head from close range. He said the duo thereafter left the stolen motorcycle near Vikas Bhawan and returned to Pratapgarh along with Shamshad after collecting 2 lakh from Agrahari and Srivastava. He said Agrahari and Srivastava are still at large and efforts are on to arrest them. The incident had led to violent protest by a group of lawyers in Allahabad. ENCROACHMENT WAS REMOVED AFTER MURDER Taking action against the illegal construction on the drain, anti-encroachment team of Nagar Nigam demolished the illegal portion three days after the lawyer Rajesh Srivastava was murdered. Besides, the encroachment on the drain, the team also razed some of the front portion of the hotel. Lawyer Rajesh Srivastavas brother Brajesh informed the encroachment resulted in overflow in the drain and caused water logging in the colony behind the hotel during rainy season. Lawyer Rajesh Srivastava made a complaint to Nagar Nigam officials against the encroachment on the drain and even sent a letter to President, Prime Minister and other senior officials of the state. AL set to replicate Khulna model in Gazipur BNP at a loss how to overcome election engineering: Goyeshwar Noman Mosharef : Buoyed by victory in Khuln City Corporation election, Awami League (AL) is at work to repeat the KCC election model to win the Gazipur city election scheduled for June 26. Election monitors said winning such lection ahead of national election has special bearing for the ruling party. BNP unders on the other hand believe it has no better alternative to face AL mayoral candidate in Gazipur as the ruling party has the backing of police and local administration behind unruly party cadres who won Khulna election by rigging, intimidation and capturing polling booths. Meanwhile the decision of the Election Commission (EC) to allow ruling party MPs to take part in election campaign for Awami League mayoral candidate advocate Jahangir Alam is seen as a major factor against BNP candidate Hasan Uddin Sarkar in the field. City Corporations elections for Rajshahi, Sylhet and Barisal are also likely to be held in July; although the schedules of those election yet to be announced. It is important for the ruling party to win all such elections before the parliament election to show its popularity to the nation. The permission of ruling party MPs to take part in the campaign in all those city elections appears to be a highly calculated move. Facing a strong Awami League team in election campaign on the other hand will be visibly difficult for BNP leaders to counter because most of them risk arrest as they have many police cases against them on political consideration. BNP workers are also at big risk to join electioneering campaign. Many were arrested before recent postponement of the polls. KCC election has set the example of a 'Khulna model' for city polls in which Awami League controls the polling centers and staffed ballots largely keeping BNP men out of the scene. The victory of ruling party candidate Talukder Abdul Khalek in the city polls has come as a big boost and many believe Awami League will necessarily use its Khulna model to win Gazipur city polls. BNP standing committee member Gayeshwar Chandra Roy told The New Nation yesterday, "Awami League has the police and the administration on its side. So what can be expected in Gazipur?" "People can see what is going on in the name of elections. Winning city elections in such a way does not prove AL's popularity," he said. AL is determined not to give opportunity to BNP candidates at this time to win elections. AL aspirant of Gazipur city polls, Jahangir Alam said, victory in KCC polls has been a boost for the party. Gazipur has long been a stronghold of Awami League, he said. Meanwhile AL has taken all measures for party unity to win Gazipur election. Eight groups headed by central leaders are working to resolve differences among local leaders. Influential party leaders including ministers and MPs have also decided to take part in the campaign to start official campaign on 18 June. Prime minister Sheikh Hasina has already cautioned party leaders saying "I don't want any trouble in Gazipur. Everyone should remember that the 'boat' is our party symbol." Internal clashes in AL had increased before the postponement of the Gazipur election. Party candidate Jahangir Alam was campaigning on his own. The other leaders of the party were not behind Jahangir. A tiger crouching in a tree, peacocks strutting along the walls, exotic birds peeking around the pillars. Its no wonder that the stations leading to Maharashtras Tadoba national park Ballarshah and Chandrapur tied for first place. For the first time, the Indian Railways annual cleanliness contest included an award for beautification, and the 62 entries from across 11 of the 17 railway zones were stunning examples of what is possible when regional governments work with local artists. Madhubani station features intricate Ramayana-themed work by over 140 local artists, most of them women. Madhubani in Bihar and Tamil Nadus Madurai were tied in second place. The first station features intricate Ramayana-themed work by over 140 artists. The latter is covered in vibrant temple art. Three stations Gandhidham in Gujarat, Kota in Rajasthan and Secunderabad in Telangana won third place. The paintings at Gandhidham focused on the Kutch festival, Kota was covered in Kota-Bundi art and Secunderabad showcased the states Cheriyal form. The results were announced on May 2. Prizes ranged from 10 lakh to 3 lakh. At Chandrapur, sculptures of deer cluster in corners, amid real greenery. This is a fantastic effort by the Railways, says Umashankar Kumar, chief public relations officer for South Central Railways, which manages Secunderabad station. The chance that local artists got all over the country to showcase their art to the world makes it even more special. Its a wonderful way of helping local art reach the public through public spaces, adds Radhi Parekh, who works to promote regional arts and is founder-director of the Mumbai craft gallery, Artisans. A fake monkey perched on a lamp post, murals on every wall, peacocks at the water fountains Ballarshah has a serious sense of fun. Madhubani is what we have done all our lives, says Manju Mishra, 46, who was among the artists responsible for that award-winning station. So when the railway ministry announced in the papers that they were looking for artists to paint on the station walls, we volunteered. Now we have also received a share of the prize. HERE ARE THE PRIZE WINNERS CHANDRAPUR: It took 10 months for 60 students of the Government College of Art & Design, Nagpur, to produce the paintings, murals and sculptures that won Chandrapur and Ballarshah the tie for first place. We brought the Tadoba national park to both railway stations, says Vinod Mankar, who teaches at the art institute and headed the committee that oversaw the project. All the art is about the fascinating wildlife here birds, monkeys, deer, and of course the tiger. Ballarshah: Within the station premises, leopards leap out of trees and monkeys perch on walls. The toilets and station offices are covered in forest-themed murals and tiger stripes. Some walls feature pastel forest scenes; others have dramatic blow-ups of peacock photographs. Even the platforms have artificial trees propping up the ceiling. MADHUBANI: Scenes from the Ramayana are recreated in intricate detail along the walls of the 7,000-sq-ft Madhubani station, which tied for second place. Most of the 140 artists behind these gorgeous paintings are women from nearby villages. We painted scenes from the Ramayana and also scenes from village life. The passengers love our artwork, says Manju Mishra, 46, a Madhubani artist. MADURAI: This painting on an escalator wall by artist A Kannan depicts a scene from rural Tamil Nadu, and helped win Madurai a spot in second place. The soothing blues and expansive view became instantly popular with passengers. The station also features a mural by temple artist GK Ramesh. I come from a family of temple artists and learnt the art from my father, Ramesh says. I used acrylic paint and my style is inspired by Indian art before the period of Raja Ravi Varma, characterised by flat, two-dimensional figures. KOTA: Mohammad Lukman, 59, is one of the last surviving Kota-Bundi artists. So when it came to painting the Kota railway station, he and his 15-member team were the clear choice for railway authorities. Im a painter of miniatures and the type of painting we do dates back to the 16th century. When I got the opportunity to paint at the railway station, it was a great honour, says Lukman. The colourful paintings showcase hunting scenes, royal processions, the grand lifestyle of the royals, and wildlife from the nearby forests. They took a month and a half to complete. SECUNDERABAD: In 2017, Secunderabad was adjudged Indias second-cleanest railway station. It is now also one of the most beautiful. When the question of beautification came up, we wanted Cheriyal scroll paintings, a specialty of Telangana, to be highlighted. This is a dying art form. We are glad that we could make it more accessible to everyone, says Umashankar Kumar, chief public relations officer for the South Central Railways. The artwork was done by 15 artists from Cheriyal village, over 20 days. The paintings depict the vibrant Bathukamma festival celebrated in Telangana for nine days during Durga Navratri, a Telugu wedding scene, a harvest festival and more. GANDHIDHAM: All the art on the walls of Gandhidham station are spray paintings. We didnt use brushes at all, says Vimal Patel, one of the three artists responsible. The paintings highlight the Kutch festival, the salt-making process that is a specialty of that state, and Rogan art. We worked for a whole month. The best feeling was when passengers passing by or stopping at the platform for tea praised the paintings and said they would look come back to see them, Patel says. Mahesh Solanki used to pay about Rs 1.8 lakh a month for power. Last year, it dropped by about Rs 15,000; last month by Rs 15,000 again. With electricity costs rising everywhere, this was a pleasant surprise, says Solanki, who owns a 36-room beach resort and two ice factories in the scenic beach town. In September 2016, Diu became the first city in India to run completely on solar energy during the day. The power comes from its two solar parks spread over of 0.2 sq km and the rooftop panels on 112 government establishments. In all, the two parks have a capacity of 10.27 MW, and operate for about 12 hours a day. Demand in this 42-sq-km city of 52,074 residents ranges from 5 MW to 7 MW. Which means that through the day, the sun is powering all homes, the resorts with central air-conditioning, Dius 60-bed hospital, government buildings, air-conditioned office buildings, and the ice factories and fish warehouses that are its main power-consuming industries. Until the first park became operational, Diu did not generate any power and bought power from the Gujarat grid, says Diu collector Hemant Kumar. Now, we actually contribute to the grid during the day. When we first heard about the solar power project, we didnt think it made sense, says Mahesh Solanki, who owns a 36-room beach resort and two ice factories in Diu. But now we are seeing how it has actually helped. My fully AC hotel with pool and lifts runs all day as normal, and Im paying less for the power. (Satyabrata Tripathy / HT Photo) WHY DIU? The effort to turn Diu towards the sun began in 2013, when the first of its two solar parks was sanctioned by the Central Electricity Authority of India. It became operational by 2015; the second phase by 2016, though it was officially inaugurated by the prime minister in February this year. There are a couple of factors that make this Union Territory district ideal for a solar project. The island has vast swathes of barren and rocky government land, coupled with a low population density and good solar exposure, with only about two months of cloudy weather a year, Kumar says. Even during these two months, all through 2017, we have found that we are able to meet daytime demand. Being a Union Territory also means Diu is under central government control, which made it easier to plan, fund, find land for and execute the solar parks project. The entire effort has cost Rs 62 crore; maintenance and running costs are minimal. We need to hose down the panels regularly and make sure the connecting wires have not got loose. The cleaning bit is important because blurring of the glass surface can lower capacity, says Paresh Patel, a junior engineer with the Daman & Diu electricity department. The parks are managed by two companies, the public sector Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited and the private sector renewable power company Ujaas Energy. Being a Union Territory means Diu is under central government control, which made it easier to plan, fund, find land for and execute the solar parks project. (Satyabrata Tripathy / HT Photo) At the control centres at each park, company employees can track the graph of power production through the day. At 6 am, the panels start to hum; they peak around noon, and begin to ebb at 6 pm. Through the day, the excess power generated goes to the Gujarat grid; after dark, the district draws from the grid. There are plans to plug this gap too, switching from solar to wind after sundown. We hope to have four windmills sanctioned by the end of the year, which would have a capacity of about 6 MW, says Kumar. MONEY SAVER In Fudam village, the sun shines bright over acres of thousands of solar panels laid out on a rocky hilltop overlooking the sea. Because of these rows and rows of panels, which have essentially eliminated raw material and production costs, the Diu electricity department has been able to reduce power tariffs by about 12%, says Milind Ingle, executive engineer with the Daman & Diu electricity department. When we first heard about the project, we didnt think it made sense. How can you run a fully air-conditioned resort with lifts and a pool on solar energy, says Solanki. But now we are seeing how solar power has actually improved things for the island. At the two-year-old Diu government hospital, panels covering the roof have a capacity of 120 KW, with the power going to the grid. At the control centres at each park, company employees can track the graph of power production through the day. At 6 am, the panels start to hum; they peak around noon, and begin to ebb at 6 pm. (Satyabrata Tripathy / HT Photo) Since its a government building, the net metering system doesnt apply, but hospitals are usually huge spaces with major electricity consumption. Using open terraces for solar panels can cut this expenditure which could also make healthcare cheaper, says senior surgeon and hospital head Sanjay Verma. A MODEL CITY? How can Dius success be emulated for a bigger city? Well, for starters, the administration is finding it tricky to replicate even for Daman. Though they are twin territories, the same policy cannot be applied because Daman is a heavily industrialised area with very little free space, says Milind Ingle, executive engineer with the Daman & Diu electricity department. What can be done is to replicate the centralised generation model used to thermal energy production. Mumbai, for instance, gets most of its power from a coal-fired plants in Chhattisgarh; Delhi, from multiple plants in Uttar Pradesh. Since solar energy needs a lot of space, it would make sense to use barren land in non-prime rural areas, says Ingle. It would also make sense to learn from the Diu model and start with the smaller territories. As Ingle puts it, A village can be lit with just 5-6 acre of land and at a cost of about Rs 3 crore. Armed with domain knowledge, trademark witty comebacks and self-deprecating humour, Smriti Irani can be a force to reckon with. The Union Minister for Textiles speaks candidly to us about the potential and the challenges for both Indian fashion, and herself. Q: The textiles ministrys mandate seems like a dichotomy the urban audience is focusing on fashion and apparel, and the rural on weavers and craftsmen. Which one is priority? We prioritise every segment. One segment doesnt grow at the cost of the other. The complexity of the textiles industry is such that everyone looks at it through their personal lens. So you may look at it as simply apparel, but one of biggest segments in the industry right now is made-ups, or the home textiles, and the future is technical textiles. There are so many pieces in this jigsaw. When it comes together, it fits. One of my most blissful moments of being the textiles minister is to see all the silos of the textiles industry sit together on policy issues and put up a united front, which is very positive. Read more: Celebrating Indian craftsmen: This is why #CottonIsCool is trending on Twitter Q:What changes have you witnessed in the fashion and textiles scene in India? Everyone today wants to sell their wares to India. And magnificently, most of the big brands source their stuff also from India. So they are rather sheepish when it comes to disclosing the origin of their product, especially if it is from India. Because they are getting a product made here, and then bringing it back to sell it here with a mark-up! And they know that Indians will look at it and say, Arre, yeh toh ghar mein bana hai. Why should I pay more for it? That awareness is a big change. Also, more and more people in India today are experimenting with their clothes. Gone are the days when a person would say I have a good suit. Itll last me two or three years. In fact, I see more and more men in India becoming fashion conscious. It has been presumed that experimenting with textiles is primarily a womans domain. But men are catching up! An aspiring India is aspiring for better textiles. Q: How is the textiles ministry contributing to that change? You know, it was supposedly a dead ministry. People felt ki kya hota hoga textiles mein. Not realising that a huge potential of employment, of imagery, of cultural legacy of India, lies in textiles. Textiles as a sector has an industrial facet to it, a design facet to it, and a cultural facet to it. One of my first experiments in my ministry was to start the #iwearhandloom hashtag. Who would have thought that wearing handloom could be turned into a movement on social media? And it became one of the largest trends, not just in India, but in the world. And then we started #CottonIsCool. Now people keep asking me, When is your next hashtag coming? Q: And have you thought of the next hashtag? I actually have! Just the timing has to be right. Because you see, its not something superficial. As we saw with #iwearhandloom, the minute that collective activity happened, the sales actually went up. We had people understanding the legacy of handloom, right at home. Q: Was the Prime Minister involved with the movement? Well, the Prime Minister actually started the India Handloom brand. Can you imagine the foresight? I mean, here were those la-di-das who, for 50-60 years, never thought of positioning handloom as a brand. And here comes a gentleman who said, Make it into a brand and be clear about what it stands for. We figured that there were mainly two issues: handloom clothes had colour that ran, and kapda that shrinks. So quality hallmarks were created under the India Handloom brand. A conscious push was given to using natural colours, organic dyes. And we connected the simple weaver to the bigger market. Even brands got involved I remember, Allen Solly did handloom shirts with mother-of-pearl buttons for men. Biba took out a special collection... every player in the industry did their bit. Then we managed to put together the Textiles India show (in Gandhinagar, Gujarat) in just over a month. Just imagine, 100 countries participated, 1,200 buyers came, and the entire fraternity got together. Sone pe suhaga was that the minute the Prime Minister heard of it, he said, I am coming for it. Read more: One for the weavers: #iwearhandloom is trending Q: Whats your take on the fashion weeks in India? I think the tragedy of Indian fashion is that it is treated as fluff, and not given the respect that it deserves. Because when fashion weeks are held, they are done after a lot of research to give a platform to genuine talent. The organising bodies of fashion weeks know that if they pick someone who is not good, it would spell doom not just for the designer, but also for the platform. Thats why I feel those who do not take these platforms with seriousness are doing a great disservice to Indian fashion. Q: But politicians in India never associate themselves openly with fashion. Isnt that a paradox? I dont think so. In India, politicians generally do not like to talk about personal choices in the public domain. Nobody beats a drum in the middle of the road about their likes or dislikes; you get to know about their choices only when you get to know them personally. Despite being the minister, even I dont talk about it. Only if someone would tell you would you know that I attended international fairs such as Heimtextil or the Maison et Objet. It is for the business and the administrative side of my sector to know about my involvement and knowledge. Q: Do you have an eye on elections while announcing big plans for the sector? Evolution of the industry is not connected to one election. The Prime Minister announced a 6,000-crore package for textiles. Its benefits will go way beyond the 2019 elections. It has already got 27,000-crore worth of investment. Take skilling, as another example. Between 2011 and 2014, one lakh people were trained. Between 2014 and 2018, we have already skilled over 6 lakh people. Six times the number! PM says that the biggest disservice you can do to a sector is to look at it through the political lens. It should always be looked at through the lens of what the country needs. The textiles sector has tremendous potential. Par hum yeh sab kaam jo kar rahein hain us pe logo ka dhyaan tab jayega jab unka dhyan mere flip-flops se hatega (laughs). Q: You are alluding to a recent opinion piece in Mumbai Mirror, questioning your dressing sensibilities and weight gain...? I recently put up an old photo of me and my kids on Instagram, and captioned it as Throwback to a time when kids and weight were under control (laughs). To answer your question, I have always believed in one thing, especially as a woman, and an actor always be judged on your talent, on your capacity to make a difference, and never for anything else. Gender, looks, weight that should not matter. You can gain fashion sense, you can lose it, or have no fashion sense at all what you can never artificially gain is your capacity, which you build yourself. Talent is not something you wear, talent is something you have. Interact with the author on Twitter/ @sonalkalra Three youngsters drowned at Nagaon beach, near Alibaug, on Friday evening. While the bodies of two victims Ashish Mishra, 20, and Fahad Siddiqui, 21 were recovered, the body of the third victim, Chaitanya Sule, 20, is yet to be found. According to police, the victims, along with 10 other friends, were visiting Alibaug and had booked two rooms in cottages. Around 7.30pm, when they were at Nagaon beach, six of them decided to take a swim in the sea. Of the six boys who went for a swim, four ventured into the deep sea. After a while, one of them noticed the other three drowning and raised an alarm, said an official from the Alibaug police station. After the friends attempts to rescue them proved unsuccessful, they informed the local boatmen, he said. Mishra and Siddiquis bodies were found stuck in rocks near Agrao jetty and Korlei village, respectively. Our officials and the coast guard are searching for Sule, said the officer. The bodies have been sent to a government hospital for post mortem, after which they will be handed over to the victims families, police said. The Revdanda police have registered an accidental death case.Riyaz Siddiqui, father of Fahad, said, Fahad had told us that he was going to Alibaug with his friends. He left the house on Friday and had made a call to his sister around 5.30pm. Everything appeared to be fine till then. The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), the apex body regulating technical education, last month barred seven colleges in Karjat from admitting students for the upcoming academic year. The colleges, run by Saraswati Education Society (SES), were being probed for non-payment of salary dues to more than 15,000 teaching and non-teaching staff for the past 20 months. Hundreds of teachers and staff of these institutes were on a strike to protest the delay. The SESs campus on Bhivpuri Road in Karjat has engineering, management and pharmacy colleges. Nandkumar Tasgaonkar, chairman, SES couldnt be reached for a comment. After receiving a complaint from teachers, AICTE officials visited the SES campus to look into the allegations. A show-cause notice was issued to the management, asking it to explain the reason for non-payment of dues. The management representatives appeared before an AICTE committee to explain its position. The University of Mumbai (MU), too, had launched a probe into the matter. With most staff members of the seven colleges on strike, the varsity had shifted the on-going semester examination to a nearby college. While the teachers have welcomed the AICTEs decision, they are not satisfied with MUs actions. Why is the university, which grants affiliation to these institutes, silent? There has been no action from the university despite the probe, said Vaibhav Narawade, president, Mumbai University and College Teachers Association (MUCTA), which is leading the strike. Earlier this year, the apex body had also put 22 colleges run by Sinhgad Technical Education Society (STES) in the no admission category. Facing a financial crisis, the management was unable to pay the salaries of 5,000 teaching and 3,000 non-teaching staff for 17 months. However, the Bombay high court in February issued a stay on the order. The Thane district disaster management cell has declared 84 villages in the district that are prone to flooding this monsoon. The villages are located near the Bhatsa lake and the Ulhas river in the Kalyan, Murbad and Shahpur talukas. While many of these villages are in Shahpur taluka, the list also includes city-based areas of Kalyan, Ambernath, Badlapur, Mohane, Shahad, Waldhuni and Ulhasnagar. The district disaster management department has geared up to deal with different monsoon-related challenges such as flooding, bridge collapses, house collapses, trees getting blown over and so on. A meeting with various governing bodies in the district was held recently to plan a mode of action for the monsoon this year. Thane district receives an average annual rainfall of 2,567 mm. More than 13% of the areas in the district are known as flood-sensitive areas. An officer from the district disaster management cell said, There are 84 villages in the district that are affected by floods owing to heavy rains, high tides in the sea and the water released from the various dams. All these villages are around the Bhatsa dam and Ulhas river in the district, which might be susceptible to flooding this year. The list was compiled based on the flood situation after a heavy monsoon spell last year. Over 51 of these villages are near the Bhatsa dam, out of which 17 are in Shahpur. The list also has city areas of Kalyan taluka that are near the Ulhas river. The cell has planned to be in constant contact with these villages during the monsoon. In case of heavy monsoon, the villages are cut off and so we cannot reach out to the authorities or people there, nor can they contact us. We have asked the irrigation department to intimate us immediately in case of rise in dam or river levels, so we can give flood warning in advance to these villages. We have also ensured that all the rain gauges are in working condition, the officer added. As per the collectors guidelines, the water levels and overflows in dams will be monitored. The irrigation department will send a daily report on water levels in dams and the rainfall in these regions to the district control room. The control room will also be informed if the water level in any dam exceeds the normal level. The control room will then relay the information at taluka and corporation level. The people that will be affected by the floods will be transferred to alternative locations such as schools, colleges, temples and community halls. These temporary accommodations will have prior storage of food and water. The official said loss of life during monsoon is also seen at picnic or trekking spots. Last year, two people drowned in the Mahuli waterfall, while many people also drown in the Khadavli river at Titwala. We have asked the local police at these popular picnic spots to discourage revelers in case of heavy rains or any flood warnings. We have requested the National Disaster Response Force to station one of its teams in the district, while an army battalion will also be at standby in case of flood-like situation, he said. As blood banks in the city reel under a shortage of blood stock, officials have attributed the shortage to people moving out of the city during summers. As more people move out, there are lesser number of people who are able to donate to blood camps, said officials. Omkar Mahtre, a resident of Sion, who sought blood for his cousins leg operations, said he had contacted at least 22 blood banks but had no luck. On Thursday, my cousin met with an accident on his bike in Chembur and injured his thighs. Doctors at Lokmanya Tilak Municipal General Hospital in Sion asked me to arrange for a bottle of B positive blood, as the hospitals stock was over, said Mahtre. Ultimately, he found a bottle ten hours later at Breach Candy hospital . Vinay Shetty, founder of Think Foundation, which organises blood donation drives, said that he gets at least ten calls from patients family members every day. The shortage this year is probably not as bad as last summer. But, there is a need to organise more camps to overcome the shortage, Shetty said. A technician at Sir JJ Hospitals blood bank has been directing patients and relatives to get blood from other banks. He said the blood that goes unused from planned surgeries is being used in emergency procedures. There are not enough number of donors at the camps. We face a shortage every year during this time. At present we have no blood groups available, he added. Dr Arun Thorat, who heads the State Blood Transfusion Council, said that they had envisaged the summer blood shortage. Due to this they set up, in February, a 20-member voluntary blood donation committee to ensure that an adequate number of blood camps are conducted in summer.We are conducting camps at railway stations and religious places. We have also sent letters to all blood banks directing them to organise more camps during April, May and June to overcome the shortage, Thorat said. A day after a seven-year-old boy went missing in Dombivli, the police found his body in a water tank near an under-construction building on Friday afternoon. Atharva Atmaram Varang was playing near the building in the afternoon, but after he did not return home till late night, his parents approached the Manpada police. His father is an auto-rickshaw driver. The police registered a kidnapping case against an unidentified person. However, after the body was found, they have registered an accidental death report. Suresh Raut, police inspector from Manpada police station, said, Fire brigade and civic officials were searching for the boy in the drainage lane all night. The body was found on Friday afternoon in a water tank near the under-construction building. He said that the body has been sent for post mortem, and they are investigating if the boy was kidnapped. The police have taken the parents statement, after which an ADR was registered. Despite being forced to conduct a re-examination for their Class 12 Economics paper, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) announced results as per schedule. No student from Mumbai has made it to the top ranks nationally for the fourth consecutive year. However, the overall performance of students across India improved by 1% this year compared to 2017. In Mumbai, all three toppers from the science, commerce and humanities stream belong to Delhi Public School, in Nerul. The top position was bagged by Arpit Singh who scored 98.6% in the board exam. Ive spent the last two years focusing more on the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) and that helped me cover the entire Class 12 syllabus as well, said Singh. Our school made sure that regular mock tests were conducted which gave us the confidence to appear for the board exams. Singh plans to pursue electrical engineering at a leading Indian Institute of Technology (IIT). Students from the Chennai region (which includes Maharashtra) along with Thiruvananthapuram and Delhi regions took the top three spots. While the all-India pass percentage of CBSE Class 12 students increased by only 1%, the total number of students who scored above 90% shot up this year. A total of 72,599 students cleared the 90% mark and of them, 12,737 students scored between 95-100%. The number of students scoring above 90% this year is much higher than 2017, so students had more reason to celebrate the results this year, said Nikita Bajaj, from R N Podar School, Santacruz. The overall scores in most subjects also seem to be better than last year, she added. While principals were happy with the overall scores, many pointed at the mathematics scores as the sour point of 2018s result. Students have overall done very well in the exams but in many cases, the mathematics score has pulled down individual scores of students, said Raj Aloni, principal of Ramsheth Thakur Public School, Kharghar. Police investigations revealed that in March 2018, some students in Delhi had received the Economics question paper almost 40 minutes before the examination. The exam which was originally scheduled for March 26 had to be re-conducted on April 25 across the country. Students were initially worried about the level of difficulty of the re-exam, but on the day of the exam, most were happy with the outcome. In fact, the scores are also much better than what students had expected. Many thought that if the paper was easy, the assessment would be difficult but the board has been generous with marks, said principal Rakesh Joshi of Apeejay School in Nerul. A 35-year-old office bearer of Achalpur MLA Bacchu Kadu was arrested by the Thane anti-extortion cell for accepting a bribe of 2 lakh from a city-based doctor. According to police, Sunil Laxman Shirishkumar, the accused, used to constantly threaten the doctor Anudurg Dhoni, 38, who lives in Kalyan, saying the latters hospital would be demolished over some legalities. Shirishkumar, who lives in Navi Mumbai, demanded 10 lakh from Dhoni earlier this year and in March had accepted 40,000 as donation for a religious function. Shirishkumar, after getting caught, was removed from his post in the MLAs office, according to the police. Senior police inspector Pradeep Sharma from Thane anti-extortion cell, said, Shirishkumar had met Dhoni a few months back and had threatened to demolish his private hospital. He would frequently call him and verbally abuse him as well. It was found that Shirishkumar had shot videos of Dhonis hospital, sending them to the latters phone and threatening he would forward a complaint to the Kalyan Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC). Shirishkumar told Dhoni that if he was not able to pay 3.5 lakh in one go, then he would have to pay him 50,000 per month. He also said he would kill Dhoni if he didnt stick to these conditions, said Sharma. On Wednesday, Dhoni approached the anti-extortion cell for help, following which the police laid a trap outside Kalyan station. Shrishkumar was caught accepting 2 lakh and a case under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code was registered with the Mahatma Phule police station. Taiwan diplomacy harder than ever in US-China tug of war China is showing insecurity over \'more substantial developments\' in US-Taiwan ties, the island\'s president Tsai Ing-wen says. AFP, Taipei : Diplomacy has never been easy for Taiwan and is becoming ever more complex as it is caught between the United States under an unpredictable leader and an increasingly assertive China, which claims the self-ruling island as its own. In her strongest statement yet over pressure from China, Taiwan's president Tsai Ing-wen blamed Beijing after Burkina Faso severed ties Thursday with Taipei. Tsai said China was showing insecurity over "more substantial developments in relations between Taiwan and the US, and other like-minded countries". The US remains democratic Taiwan's most powerful ally and leading arms supplier, although it gave up official diplomatic ties in 1979 to recognise Beijing. In recent months, it has made a series of new overtures-President Donald Trump signed a symbolic bill paving the way for mutual visits by high-level officials and Washington gave long-awaited approval for a licence necessary to sell submarine technology to Taiwan. Yet while Taiwan's relationship with the US is essential to its security, it must also guard against riling China, its biggest military threat but also the dominant market for the island's export-driven economy. Beijing officials have described ramped-up Chinese military drills near Taiwan as a warning against asserting its sovereignty. Analysts say they are also a message to Washington. Foreign minister Joseph Wu-whose resignation over Burkina Faso was rejected by Tsai-said earlier this month that furthering Taiwan-US relations must be done "in a very cautious manner". He described the government as seeking to "advance bilateral interests without creating any kind of trouble for anyone else". While Taiwan calls itself a sovereign country, the island has never formally declared a split from the mainland and China sees reunification as its eventual goal. Since Tsai came to power two years ago, Beijing has become increasingly hostile and is highly suspicious of her traditionally pro-independence party. China is using its clout to shut Taiwan out of international meetings and to pressure companies to list the island as a Chinese province on their websites. To mitigate against Beijing's suppression, Taipei is making a concerted effort to win more international backing. Tsai is pursuing new business and cooperation with other nations, including through her "southbound policy", which targets 16 south and southeast Asian countries, as well as Australia and New Zealand. More countries than ever had voiced support for Taiwan after Beijing blocked it from a major meeting of the World Health Organization (WHO) earlier this month, said Tsai, who cast it as a sign the island was gaining global recognition. "Taiwan needs to form a broader coalition of willing friends to supplement the support it gets from the US," said Jonathan Sullivan, director of the China Policy Institute at Nottingham University, although he added the US remains the island's top foreign relations priority because of its influence. Observers say growing frustration with Beijing has prompted the latest supportive gestures from the US towards Taiwan as trade tensions between the world's two largest economies escalate and concerns mount over China's assertiveness in the region. Relations with China are "no longer serving US interests", said William Stanton, who headed the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) -- the US de-facto embassy in Taipei-from 2009 to 2012. Arguably the most liberal place in Asia, Taiwan stands in stark contrast to Communist China's authoritarian one-party state and is a strategic Pacific ally for Washington to counter Beijing's territorial ambitions. All eyes will be on which US official is sent to the opening of AIT's newly built office complex next month, which cost $250 million. However, some observers point to Trump's erratic approach to foreign policy and fear Taiwan could be used as a pawn in his negotiations with China. "It may appear the situation in the US bodes well for Taiwan. But so far, we haven't seen what kind of benefits it is bringing us," said Teng Chung-chian, a diplomacy professor at Taipei's National Chengchi University. The US has not granted special trade protections to Taiwan, such as relief from steel and aluminium tariffs, he added. Any US support highlighting Taiwan's claim to sovereignty could also risk a "harsh response" from Beijing, said Kharis Templeman, a political scientist at Stanford University. But foreign minister Wu dismissed the possibility of Taiwan being used as a bargaining chip by the US, saying the island has "good friends" in the Trump administration. "Taiwan by itself is also an actor," he added. "We can also try to judge what is in Taiwan's best interest, and try to find the right policy for Taiwan." Sixteen months after 68 women were rescued at Nandurbar, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) formed by the Maharashtra director general of police Satish Mathur has arrested 16 middlemen and women who allegedly lured the parents of the women with money and then sold them to brothels in Nandurbar. The 16 accused were arrested at different instances throughout the month of May. They hail from Maharashtra, Bihar, Rajasthan, West Bengal and Odisha. On January 10, 2017, 68 women were rescued in a joint raid carried out by Rescue Foundation and Shahada police, after which the police had arrested two brothel owners in Nandurbar. The SIT was formed after the Supreme Court came down heavily on Shahada police when they informed the SC that they had no clue how 68 women, including those from Rajasthan, ended up at brothels in Maharashtra. The court had then suggested that there could be an inter-state trafficking network , and ordered the DG to probe the case. Rescue Foundation had filed a petition in the Aurangabad high court stating that since January 10, 2017, the police had made little progress in tracking down the main criminals who had trafficked the girls, many of whom are minors, to Shahada from across the country. The petition stated that the police were not interested in digging deep into the inter-state and cross-border trafficking racket. The Supreme Court bench comprising Justice J Chelameswar and Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul was informed of the formation of the SIT by Mathur on April 3, 2018. Mathur also nominated inspector general Krishna Prakash (Prevention of Atrocities Against Women and Children) to head the SIT, which was being headed by an additional superintendent of police at Nandurbar. The SIT, with the assistance of Rescue Foundation and statements of the parents of the rescued persons, found out that they had been lured by middlemen in their respective states with money on the promise of securing for them the job of a domestic help in Maharashtra. The SIT also found that these middlemen or pimps sold them to brothels in Shahada. We investigated the call data records, mobile locations and bank statements of these accused and confirmed that they had sold the girls for a profit to the brothel owners, said the officer. The arrested persons have been identified as Pundalik Gorakh Marathe, 47, Javed Fakir, 32, Sunil Thackrey, 26, Kiran Sonawane, 28, Gokul Chavan, 20, Puja Thackrey, 37, Kalambai Mahire, 60 and Babybai Sonwane, 45, from Maharashtra, Renu Paswan, 32, from Bihar, Jagmohan Ishwarlal Chadi, 49, Ramansingh Karmawat, 27, Pradhan Karmawat, 40 and Mumtaz Karmawat, 42, from Rajasthan, Shivlibibi Shaikh, 35 and Lakshmi Patel, 42, from West Bengal and Mamta Yadav, 50, from Odisha. SIT seized a car which was used to transport the women to the clients and to brothels, mobile phones and bank statements of the accused. The SIT has also sent a proposal to the district Legal Aids Authority for compensation to four minor girls from 12 years to 17 years under the Manodhairya scheme. The DG of Maharashtra spoke to the Rajasthan DG and discussed the issue of human trafficking between the two states. The DG stated that among other areas the Kota range, Bundi and Tonk are prominent where the crime is committed. Freedom at last On January 10, 2017, 68 women were rescued in a joint raid at Nandurbar carried out by Rescue Foundation and Shahada police, after which the police had arrested two brothel owners Of these, seven were found to be minors and sent to rehabilitation homes. The remaining 61 women were also later sent to rehabilitation homes Out of the remaining 61 women, 18 were found to be minors A week later, people claiming to be the parents of rescued persons came forward to claim their custody. In February 2017 the justice magistrate ordered the release of the girls who were in the care of Rescue Foundation. The foundation then approached the Aurangabad bench of Mumbai high court to oppose this order as it said many of the girls were sent by the parents to the brothels through middlemen The foundation argued that after the orders by the magistrate, 25 women, which included 16 minors, were released by rehabilitation homes in Nandurbar. They refused to give up the remaining 40-odd women in their custody. We argued that they feared that the girls claimed by people claiming to be their parents would wind up again in the flesh trade business, said Triveni Acharya, founder of Rescue Foundation Later, 11 girls who were being made to stay in a shelter in Nandurbar escaped on April 25, 2017 We are in constant touch with the SIT in rehabilitation of the victims and are planning to hold a discussion with the Ministry of External Affairs to discuss the cross border trafficking. We are also studying the economic and social backgrounds of the areas from where these 68 persons were trafficked to Nandurbar, said Vijaya Rahatkar, chairperson of Maharashtra State Commission for Women. States role The state government has constituted special cells in 12 vulnerable districts and set up special courts for speedy trial of trafficking cases. The conviction rate in such cases is 50% (in Maharashtra) Maharashtra CM and home minister Devendra Fadnavis said 10,000 children were rescued by police under a special initiative called Operation Muskan since 2015 Human trafficking cases registered in Maharashtra 2014 --- 733 2015 --- 1027 2016 --- 918 In 2016, top three states in terms of women trafficked from each state West Bengal --- 2,064 Maharashtra ---- 1,379 Rajasthan --- 909 (Source: National Crime Records Bureau) The Government Railway Police (GRP) at Dadar arrested a 28-year-old man for allegedly kidnapping the two-year-old daughter of a commuter at Dadar railway station. Police said they nabbed the Babu Ramkishan, the accused, and rescued the child within three hours of the girls kidnapping. According to the GRP, the complainant Sunil Surya Singh approached them on Friday morning alleging that his daughter was missing. The complainant stated that he had arrived at Dadar station along with his wife and daughter from Madgaon at 12.30 am on Friday. The family, which had no place to stay, decided to stay over at the station premises. The family slept on the new foot overbridge. Singh said that when he woke up at 3am, he found his daughter missing. Singh promptly informed the patrolling staff. GRP officers said they relayed the information to all the stations in Mumbai with the description of the child. Singh then registered a complaint at GRP, Dadar. They registered a case under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Protection of Children Against Sexual Offences Act (POSCO). During a search carried out by GRP and Railway Protection Force (RPF) officers, a taxi driver near Dadar flower market informed them that he had seen a person carrying the child matching the description given by police. The officers then circulated information of the description of the alleged kidnapper across Mumbai railway stations. We assumed that the accused might have taken the child anywhere in the three hours since the girl was kidnapped from the time her parents fell asleep, said an officer from the Dadar GRP. We later searched through all the railway stations activating our informers and scanning through the CCTV recordings, the officer said. Officials then received a tip-off that the accused was seen with the child at Marine Lines Railway station. Police officials searched the Marine Lines station premises and nabbed Ramkishan, who is a footpath dweller. We reunited the girl with her parents within three hours of the kidnapping, the officer said. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has said that Hindmata in central Mumbai is likely to see flooding during this monsoon because it has not been able to complete repair work on the British era box drain in this area, which is prone to waterlogging. The BMC is replacing underground British-era drains in Hindmata to double their water-carrying capacity from 25mm to 50mm. The work includes widening of the 800 meter-long storm water drain at Hindmata from 1.5x1.2 meters to into 3x1.5 meters. The cost of the widening of the drain is Rs 11.20 crore. The project is part of the BMCs larger plan to replace British-era drains in several low-lying areas include Byculla, Mumbai Central, Currey Road, Elphinstone, Mahalaxmi, and Worli. While explaining the ongoing work at Hindmata to the civic bodys standing committee on Friday, the BMC said that the existing box drain was blocked and would be replaced by a bigger one to increase the water receding time. The existing box drain is between 70 and 80 years old, and blocked by roots of trees that have entered the drain. Theres only 5-10 percent of space for water to be flushed out. Chief Engineer (storm water drains) VH Khandkar told councillors that widening box drains would allow water to recede quicker. The flooding situation has improved from waist deep water to below knee length during monsoons. The widening of the box drain at the spot is very important as it will help increase the water receding time, he said. Leader of Opposition Ravi Raja said, The work on the box drain was started in January this year. Had the administration initiated the work post-monsoon (in October last year), it would have been completed by now. Why did the administration take so long to decide on repairing the box drain? Rais Shaikh, Samajwadi Party councillor, said, How can the administration ask citizens to adjust during monsoons? This clearly means that they will not complete the work on time and the ones most affected by it will be the citizens. A 27-year-old man who allegedly killed a 70-year-old woman at her residence in Turbhe last week was arrested by the APMC police on Saturday. The police also recovered gold jewellery worth Rs3 lakh that the accused Vijay Bonsode had stolen from her residence. The deceased Suman Hande was found dead under mysterious circumstance on May 19. Her room was locked since May 17 and an odd smell was emanating from it after which, her neighbours called her relatives. On opening the door, they found her decomposed body on the bed, said a police officer. Around 7.30 pm on May 19, her relatives reached the spot. They opened the door with an extra key and found her dead on the bed. The body was decomposed, said a police officer. The police had registered a case of trespassing and theft, but not of murder due to lack of concrete evidence. There were also no injury marks on the body. Even though we did not register a murder case, we were investigating the case on that line, said a police officer. Acting on a tip off, police finally arrested Bonsode from Jalgaon, who is originally a resident of Turbhe MIDC. The police said the accused is into making documents like PAN card and Aadhaar card. The victim had approached him for transferring names in her property for which, she had also paid him. Bonsode was delaying the work which had made her angry. On May 17, when he visited her residence, Hande scolded him for not doing the work, which then led to a quarrel between them, the officer said. The accused later killed her by pressing her face with a pillow and fled with the gold jewellery. After the murder, Bonsode had first been to Surat and then to Jalgaon. Based on technical analysis of the existing evidence, we sent a team to Jalgaon and arrested him, the officer said. Sudhakar Pathare, deputy commissioner of police (zone 1) said, We have arrested a man from Jalgaon in connection with the crime. Further investigations are on, he said. About the case The charges in the case were not framed against the accused for over two and a half years. In June 2013, Pappu Dokhare was released on bail by the High Court. Subsequently in the same month, Ismail Sayyed was also released on bail by the sessions court. The High Court had made the matter time bound and had ordered to complete trial by October 2015. In July 2015, following the application of Kunchikurve brothers, they were shifted to Thane central prisons from Taloja jail where they were previously lodged. The trio alleged that the hardcore criminals at Taloja jail were beating them up. By January 2018, 12 witnesses were examined by the prosecution. In March 2018, the court had also issued a non-bailable warrant against inspector Bhagwat Garande, who was then attached to MHB police station. Garande had sent a letter to the court showing displeasure that the prosecution has not examined some witnesses, the court order shows. Away from the buzz surrounding the Palghar Lok Sabha bypolls (May 28), Meena Sutar, 57, a resident of Hanuman Nagar in the taluka, is a worried woman. Her concern? Getting displaced again, this time for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project. In the late 1970s, Sutars family was shifted out of Jawhar for the Surya dam project. I was a little girl then, but I still remember how we were shifted overnight to Hanuman Nagar. They want to leave us homeless again, said Sutar, who sells vegetables in the village. According to sarpanch Bandhu Umbarsada, villagers from Hanuman Nagar, which will lose large chunks of land to the ambitious project, have another cause for concern. The land titles are not in our name. We have been toiling for decades to reach a point where we could sustain ourselves. We are determined. We will not spare an inch for the project, Umbarsada said, adding the villagers have made their intent clear through the banner put up at the entrance of the village. INFRA HUB A slew of Centre-backed infrastructure projects pass through the constituency, which has a majority of tribal population. Apart from the bullet train, the proposed Vadhwan port and Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC), too, pass through Palghar, and thus will need the farm land. Umbarsada said even ahead of the elections, there is no empathy towards the cause of the people. The previous ruling party got DMIC to pass through the region. Now this party [in power] has got bullet train. Where should we go, asked Umbarsada. We are not against development, but we are not being made a part of it. We lack basic facilities such as roads, water, and sanitation. But the authorities only want to give us displacement in the name of development. In Uplaat village in Talasari taluka, roughly 50km north-east of Vadhwan, Shriram Bhangade and Yashwant Bhangade are looking for alternative jobs as they will lose their fields to the bullet train project. In Vadhwan village in Dahanu taluka, 25km from Hanuman Nagar, another set of anxious villagers are protesting the shipping ministrys project to reclaim 5,000 acres in the sea for a port. Damodar Patil, 65, a fisherman, said the port would take away their livelihood. THE POLITICS Like its topography, which includes forests, hills and a sea strip, the political allegiance in the Palghar Lok Sabha constituency, too, is distinct and divided. The constituency, which faces a bypoll necessitated by the death of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Chintaman Wanga, has a mix of rural and urban population. While it has a considerable tribal population in Talasari, Vikramgad, Jawhar and Mokhada, it also includes urban areas namely Vasai, Nalasopara, Virar and Boisar. The election took an interesting turn after the Shiv Sena decided to field a candidate against the BJP its ally in the Centre and state. Apart from Palghar, two other constituencies Bhandara-Gondia (Maharashtra) and Kairana (Uttar Pradesh) will face bypolls. The bypolls are crucial for the BJP to maintain its majority in Parliament, where it currently has 274 seats. The Palghar bypoll is a four-cornered battle between Senas Srinivas Wanga, BJPs Congress turncoat Rajendra Gavit, Congresss Damodar Shingda, a tribal leader and former MP; and Bahujan Vikas Aghadis Baliram Jadhav, a former MP. Politically, the tribal population of Talasari, Vikramgad and Jawhar is divided between the Congress, Communist Party of India (M) and BJP. In 2009 and 2014 polls, the CPM candidates got the fourth and third spot, respectively. One of the Bhangade brothers from Uplaat said the village is wary of the BJP and Sena. This belt, which goes up to Jawhar, is loyal to the CPM. There is no vote division here. We support the CPM because they work for us. They dont switch parties for money, said Yashwant, who recently got a job as a primary school teacher in Talasari. The resentment is growing in the BJP cadre, which faced embarrassment after the Sena fielded their former MPs son, for not giving a ticket to one amongst them. Deepak Pawar, political analyst, said, Hitendra Thakurs BVA will play the spoilsport in this by-election. Of the six assembly segments in the region, BVA holds three and is strong in the non-tribal belt of the Lok Sabha constituency. Thakur and his team control the real estate, and effectively the political economy. SENA VS BJP Both the Sena and BJP are staking claim to the legacy of Chintaman Wanga, seeking votes to honour the work done by the tribal leader in the region. The power tussle saw them break the unwritten rule between allies not to contest on a seat held by the other. A Sena leader said they are contesting the election to take on the arrogance of the BJP. The party is also contesting the by-poll to gauge its strength in the region before the next assembly and Lok Sabha polls. Pawar said the election is primarily a Sena-BJP contest. The BJP has been really aggressive in campaigning. It got MPs, chief ministers and central ministers to campaign for a bypoll. It wants to send a strong message to the Sena that the seat belongs to them, Pawar said. The driver of a container truck was killed after his vehicle crashed into a parked dumper at Kharegaon toll naka in Kalwa in the early hours of Saturday. Kalwa is part of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, and is located around 26km from Mumbai city. The incident took place around at 2am. The driver of the container truck was speeding towards the toll naka when he lost control. The truck was going so fast that when it crashed into the parked dumper, the impact completely damaged its cabin, said an official from Kalwa police station, requesting anonymity. READ: 1 dead, 1 hurt after container truck crashes into vehicle on Thanes Ghodbunder Road The driver was seriously injured and officials who reached the spot found him unconscious. He was rushed to a hospital close by, but was declared dead on arrival. Police officials said they are trying to identify the driver as they have not been able to locate any of his documents or even a mobile phone. The dumper was also damaged, but fortunately, there was nobody in it when the accident took place, the official said. The accident spot was cleared within an hour to prevent traffic jams, he added. A 35-year-old Thane resident was on Friday sentenced to seven years of imprisonment and fined 1,000 for the rape of a minor in 2015. The accused, Jaypal Pardesh, worked as a home security guard. His wife is a constable attached with the thane police commisionerate. He was convicted by the bench of justice A S Bhaisare for raping the 14-year-old girl he had hired to do household work. Sangeeta Phad, the district government pleader (DGP), said, The rape took place on October 24 and 26 at the residence of the accused. He threatened to kill the girl is she revealed the incident to anybody else. A total of 10 witnessess statements have been recorded. The girls medical test has also proved that she had been raped. Earlier, Pardeshis bail application had also been rejected. According to the police, Pardeshi had convinced the survivors parents to let him hire by promising to bear the expenses of her education. Mandar Dharmadhikari, senior police inspector, Thane Nagar police station, said, The girl had been living at Pardeshis house for around six months. Pardeshi had been in jail for the duration of the hearing. The case was investigated by Shraddha Waydande, assistant police inspector, Thane Nagar police station. The case had been registered under section 376 (punishment for rape) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and relevant sections of the Prevention of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO) 2012. A 27-year-old constable of the Navi Mumbai traffic unit suffered injuries on her right leg after she was hit by a sport utility vehicle (SUV) on the Sion-Panvel highway on Friday. The constable, AS Rahane, was trying to stop the SUV to check if the driver was drunk. When she asked the driver to park the vehicle, he hit her and then sped away, a senior police officer said. Rahane and some other traffic officials had been deployed near the Kalamboli junction, where the Mumbai-Pune expressway starts. They were checking vehicles going towards Panvel and Pune from the Mumbai side, said police naik Sudhir Kadam from the Kalamboli police station. The SUV was overcrowded with passengers and was moving in a zigzag fashion. Rahane suspected that the driver might be drunk and hence signalled him to stop. However, the driver hit her on the right leg, and sped away, he said. Rahane was taken to the MGM hospital and is now stable, Kadam said. An FIR was registered under sections 279, 337, 338 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and sections 134, 184 and 174 of the Motor Vehicle (MV) Act. Rahane did not remember the registration number of the vehicle. We are now trying to get it by examining the CCTV footage. We hope to make a breakthrough soon, another police official said. Rajendra Mane, deputy commissioner of police (Zone II) said, We have taken the matter seriously. Our first priority is to identify the owner by finding out its registration number. If need be, ask for help from the RTO. Shiv Pratap Shukla, minister of state for finance, has said that the central government would positively consider proposals by state governments to bring petrol and diesel under the purview of goods and services tax (GST). Shukla, while speaking in Pune on Friday, clarified that bringing fuel under GST would not facilitate uniform fuel prices across the country. He further added that the prices will most likely be reduced, if the move goes through. His remarks come against the backdrop of Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnaviss statement that petrol and diesel prices will come down once the Centre builds a consensus to bring them under the goods and services tax (GST). Shukla shared his views during an interaction with the media, organised at Mahratta Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture (MCCIA), on Friday. He spoke about recent developments in GST and income tax during the programme. Speaking on the occasion Shukla said, State governments have been informed that the government will react positively if they wish to bring petrol and diesel under GST. We had taken up the issue with all state governments at GST council, encouraging them to consider it. However, it should be understood that bringing fuel under GST would not make the rates of petrol and diesel uniform as several other taxes get added to it in every state." On the occasion, Vinodanand Jha, principal chief commissioner, income tax department, Pune, said that in 2017-2018, Pune, for the first time, crossed the Rs 50,000 crore mark in direct tax collection. He informed that in 2017-18, the direct tax collection was Rs 51, 609 crore and that Pune ranks fifth in terms of revenue in cities across the state. Jha said that tax collection has increased by 20 percent when compared to the previous financial year. Also present on the occasion were Pramod Chaudhari, president of MCCIA; Amar Sable, MP, Rajya Sabha; Anil Shirole, MP Lok Sabha and AK Pandey, principal chief commissioner of GST. Barbados elects first female PM Reuters, Bridgetown : Barbados elected its first female prime minister as the opposition inflicted a crushing defeat on the ruling Democratic Labour Party (DLP), winning all the seats in the Caribbean island's parliament, election results showed on Friday. Mia Mottley's victory in Thursday's elections returns the Barbados Labour Party (BLP) to power on the island of some 285,000 people for the first time in a decade. The Electoral and Boundaries Commission said the BLP had elected all 30 members of the parliament, delivering the first clean sweep in the history of the legislature. The DLP had previously held a slim majority with 16 seats. "This victory is the people of Barbados' victory," Mottley, 52, told supporters outside the BLP's Bridgetown headquarters early on Friday, calling the result a vote for a more inclusive and transparent kind of leadership for Barbados. "This must be our legacy to the people of Barbados: to give you back your government and your governance," said Mottley, a former minister and attorney general who was sworn in later on Friday. The result means the Barbadian House of Assembly is without an official opposition, despite the fact that an unprecedented 135 candidates ran for office across nine parties. In a major decision that will affect around 25,000 allottees, UT administrator VP Singh Badnore has overturned the decisions regarding need-based changes taken by former Chandigarh Housing Board (CHB) chairman Maninder Singh Bains in 2017. Changes allowed last year Covering 70% area in independent houses: CHB had allowed covering 70% area instead of 60%. Independent CHB houses are in Sectors 40, 41, and from 43 to 47. Earlier, the covered area on the ground floor was 60%, 40% on the first floor and 20% on the second floor. 70% area can be covered on all three floors. The allottees paid Rs 200 per square feet for additional coverage that was done without prior approval subject to a minimum fee of Rs 20,000. Balcony construction : Balconies projecting 914mm (3 feet) along the length of the apartment on the front and rear were allowed when all apartment owners in a building agreed to execute these together. Car porch within boundary wall: A car porch with steel pipe frame and polycarbonate sheeting with 70% transparency was allowed up to and within the boundary wall. Shutter/sliding grilles: Shutters and sliding grilles were allowed to be installed in the verandahs for safety. The board had also allowed use of grilles of standard design in balconies and verandas for all types of its units. For uniformity, allottees even downloaded the standard design from the website on payment. Bains, whose three-year tenure ended in March this year, had taken several decisions regarding need-based changes last year, bringing huge relief to allottees. But, Badnore in his order stated that the decisions had been revoked as they were issued without the approval of UT administration, and were not in accordance with the prevalent development regulations, including the Chandigarh Master Plan 2031. Meanwhile, current CHB chairman AK Sinha said, We have already constituted a committee to deal with the need-based changes. The committee, formed in April, will present a report, following which we will take a final call on whether to allow the changes. As far as the changes allowed last year, the committee is studying those also. The committee so far has found that around 55,000 of the total 62,000 dwelling units have various kinds of violations. These include additional rooms and toilets, conversion of balconies into rooms, covering of the courtyard and even construction of stairs on government land. Over the years, house owners have constructed these structures against the rules, and have now been demanding their regularisation. In October 2016, UT chief architect Kapil Setia, who is also a member of the CHB governing body, strongly objected to allowing grilles in balconies and verandahs of houses of all categories under CHB. But the board went ahead and allowed the grilles. In a written objection, Setia stated that this will have wide ramifications by adversely affecting the urban design of group housing units. He also stated that a similar demand could be raised by private group housing societies in southern sectors where the floor area ratio (FAR) had been exhausted. Nirmal Dutt, chairman of Chandigarh Residents Welfare Federation said, We will hold a meeting in Sector 47 on May 27, and study the implications of the administrators orders. With the campaign in the Shahkot assembly segment reaching its last leg as only two days are left for the polls, the ruling Congress and opposition Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) eying the airport belt which is notorious for bootlegging and illegal sand mining. The area comprising around 40 villages is situated on the banks of the Sutlej and has earned the sobriquet airport belt because the people of the area are generally high on country-made liquor. Its funny but true. In local parlance, they say, Eh daru peeke banda jahaaz (aeroplane) ban janda hai (A man becomes a plane after consuming this liquor), said a former deputy superintendent of police (DSP) who has served in Shahkot. As why police and the excise department fail to act against the illegal trade, a former Jalandhar SSP said, When a raid is conducted, the geography of the area is that any outsider can be located easily from far. People involved in bootlegging flee towards the Sutlej and cross over to Ludhiana district on the other side. In the past one decade, many of the bootleggers have switched over to illegal sand mining. How this area is a deciding factor? When it comes to elections, people of the area vote keeping in mind who will provide shelter to their illegal trade. In the past five terms, late Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) MLA Ajit Singh Kohar, whose death necessitated the bypoll, would get support from people of the area. Kohar used to get full support in villages dominated by Jat Sikhs and often lost in the towns of Mehatpur, Malsian, Shahkot and Lohian, said Satnam Singh, a SAD functionary from Mandeyala village in Lohian block. This is why the Congress strategists have been focussing on the area and have deployed young ministers like Vijay Inder Singla and Bharat Bhushan Ashu there. I have 14 villages with me and in past polls Kohar won from 10. This time, we will win all 14. But we will win with the promise of development not anything else, said Singla. SAD has also put its leaders Prem Singh Chandumajra and Sikander Maluka to oversee poll-preparedness in the area. Ghar Ghar Naukri: Majithia takes dig at Sidhu, says Congress gave jobs to none except his wife, son Money plays big role in area Since the belt is dominated by Rai Sikhs and the Balmikis who are not financially strong, political experts say money plays a big role in the run-up to the poll here. In last three days, political activities suddenly hit a crescendo in the area and money and liquor dominate the scene, said a senior Congress leader. Punjabs rivers are in a bad shape, with large stretches contaminated by toxic waste and sewage; and require a comprehensive clean-up plan without any further delay. On this, five leading stakeholders agreed at a roundtable organised by Hindustan Times on Friday. Kahan Singh Pannu, chairman of Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB); Sachit Jain, chairman of CII (northern region); Baba Balbir Singh Seechewal, environmentalist; and IS Paul, chairman of Drish Shoes; and Birinderjit Singh, environment engineer who worked in the PPCB, participated in the 80-minute discussion moderated by Executive Editor Ramesh Vinayak. They dissected the grave problem that has come under the spotlight after spill of tonnes of molasses from a sugar mill killed thousands of fish in the Beas. (To Pannu) As head of the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB), can you tell us how serious river water pollution is in Punjab? Pannu: As Ravis major part is not in Punjab, we mainly have three rivers Beas, Sutlej and Ghaggar. Beas is by and large OK, except last weeks incident. In Sutlej, we get B-grade water at Nangal. When it crosses Kiratpur Sahib, water becomes C-grade. When it cross Ludhiana, it becomes E-grade, and thats the last grade. So is the case with Ghaggar. We get D-grade water from Haryana, and by the time it crosses Patiala, particularly Khanauri, it becomes E-grade. So the water in our water bodies is polluted. As there is no grade below E-grade, all the rivers are in a bad shape. We have to accept that, and work out methods to clean them. (To Seechewal) There are two reasons for pollution, one is industrial pollution, second is untreated sewage or urban waste that flows into rivers. You did a lot of work on it and cleaned the Kali Bein. You have played a big role in projecting environment issues on to the centre stage. When you started your efforts, President APJ Abdul Kalam also visited you in 2006. Do you think there are any positive changes? Seechewal: Abdul Kalam took river water pollution very seriously and raised the issue world over. Since 2008, we examined water in different rivers (water channels) Kali Bein, Chitti Bein, Kala Sanghian drain and the Sutlej river. More than Kali Bein, the Chitti Bein and Sutlej are dangerously polluted. We raised a bundh on Kala Sanghain drain for not allowing polluted water to fall in it. Before the 2009 general elections, we took all candidates to the drain and I visited a cancer hospital in Rajasthan to know the causes. Through Budha Nullah and Kala Sanghian drain, toxic water of Ludhianas electroplating industry and of leather industry in Jalandhar, which uses cyanide, is flowing for decades. Then, through Chitti Bein, it falls into Sutlej and further flows through the bird sanctuary. Then this water mixes with Beas, and the quality of Beas being good it is used for drinking in Malwa belt of Punjab and Rajasthan. Because, subsoil water of Malwa belt has sulphur content, and in Rajasthan the water is saline and not fit for drinking. We are sitting for discussion today because molasses from Kiri Afgana mill have flown into Beas, large number of fish got killed; but what about industry dumping chemicals into the rivers? Have you ever heard of fish getting killed in Sutlej? No, because here they are extinct! There was a time when fish died in the Sutlej, people noticed too; but after that the fish never survived in the river. Now people are getting killed due to cancer. Imagine, people are drinking water that flows from Kala Sanghian drain and Budha Nullah, same water is used in gurdwaras and places of pilgrimage! People in Rajasthan dont know what is mixed in the water that they drink; we are sending them industrial waste. With the death of fish, the focus is again in the river water. There was a time when A-grade water used to flow into Sutlej and Beas from Himachal Pradesh, now both rivers receive B-grade water. Earlier (polluted) water of Sutlej used to get diluted when Beas water mixed with it. What now when water from Beas is also polluted? As a member of PPCB, I used to take samples of polluted water, but I was not heard. We raised the issue at all levels, even before the previous CM. We are fed up with political leaders. We now pray before God so that better sense prevails on the government. (To Jain) I have data from PPCB that about 13,000 industrial units have dysfunctional effluent treatment plants, or do not have any. Why can these anti-pollution measures not be implemented? What are the practical difficulties from the industrys point of view? Jain: There are three main sources of pollution industry, municipal waste which is huge, and the third is excessive use of pesticides in the farms that reaches this water. It is a serious problem, and entire society is to be made aware. The problem happens when industry is attacked straightaway and then industry tries to put up a defensive mechanism. There are pollution norms here that are nowhere else in the world. At CII, we dont support any company violating the norms. Spill of molasses is a serious case of negligence and should be investigated. Can you please elaborate on norms which are not practical? Jain: Like, zero liquid discharge norm discussed here are nowhere in the world. You make these norms applicable, and large companies will close down and smaller companies, which are anyway not complying with the norms even today, will not comply. Better compliance needs to be enforced first. Move out industry from a location where installation of effluent treatment plants is not possible. Shift them to big industrial parks. For example, electroplating industry should be shifted to one place and an environment treatment plant should be installed. (To Paul) You belong to an industry (leather) seen as the villain of the piece. As Baba Seechewal also said, Kali Bein and Chitti Bein are polluted due to effluents from tanneries. What is your perspective? Paul: Contribution of pollution by leather industry is very small in Kali Bein, 50-55 MLD water comes from 14 kilometers, and the leather complex is at the end, contributing 3.5. The model of leather industry followed everywhere else is that there is one outlet for effluents, after treatment by the CTP. I want to make 3-4 points polluting industry should itself be made responsible for treatment; if solutions are imported they will not work; make industry accountable as its the biggest stakeholder. Make sure land allotted to industrial units has sufficient place to install treatment plants. Solid waste management is also a big problem to which we need to give attention. Water quality in Punjabs rivers: Status check Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) monitors four rivers Sutlej, Beas, Ravi and Ghaggar under National Water Quality Monitoring Programme (NWMP) at 38 points on monthly basis. Based on analysis results for March, heres the status: Sutlej: Quality at upstream Nangal conforms to Class B, that is, the water can be used for outdoor bathing. It becomes Class C at Kiratpur Sahib; or drinking after conventional treatment. Hundred metres downstream of confluence of Buddha Nullah, it deteriorates to Class E, which can be used for irrigation, but not for drinking. Then East Bein brings along sewage and industrial effluent from Nawanshahr, Phagwara and Jalandhar. By the time it reaches Harike, quality improves a little, and downstream from Harike in the canals after confluence of Sutlej with Beas it conforms to Class C. Beas: Water quality at Talwara conforms to Class B, that is, the water can be used even for outdoor bathing. And this quality remains same throughout the stretch of the river until it reaches Harike and meets Sutlej. Ravi: The water in the river is comparatively clean along its entire length since there is little human activity around it and it remains Class B. There is only one sampling station on this river, at Madhopur headworks. Ghaggar: It has bad quality of water due to meagre flow; carries sewage from various drains and cities. Quality at all sampling points conforms to Class D or E. Seechewal: No doubt, 90% of pollutant in Kali Bein is municipal waste. Jain: Sewage if properly treated can be used for irrigation, hence less load on groundwater. Treated water can also be used in industry. We need to diversify away from paddy in Punjab so as to reduce water consumption. I think free power to agriculture sector though a political compulsion should also go, because it leads to misuse of power and groundwater. (To Birinderjit) What went wrong with CTPs and ETPs in Punjab? Birinderjit: Major issue is: Why is sewage entering water bodies? All sewage grids were laid with water bodies as final outlets; instead, sewage should have been collected at one place and used for irrigation. We should cut off all sewage systems from water bodies. Industry says sewage is also coming into drains. But sewage doesnt contain toxic material, we can easily treat it. No natural compound will treat chromium and nickel from electroplating and dying units! I had refused the NOC to Tajpur Road on the banks of Buddha Nullah, but now its an industrial zone. What is the present position of CTPs in Punjab? Birinderjit: The local bodies department is to be blamed. They dont have the expertise to operate these plants. Three plants were installed in Ludhiana by the water supply and sewage board and handed over to the local bodies department. So untreated water is still flowing beyond the treatment plants? Birinderjit: Yes, not all but some part of it. We have spent huge money on plants; they should work. (To Pannu) PPCB has an important role of enforcement. It is generally believed that it is reeking of corruption which is coming in way of strict compliance of water and air pollution norms. What are your views? Pannu: No, it is not that the PPCB is a big institution. We are a team of 100 engineers, with lakhs of industries. In the past four years, for four months the engineers are busy in checking stubble burning. Of 166 cities in Punjab, only 66 have effluent treatment plants; 100 engineers cant solve the entire problem. We have told the CM that we need sewage treatment plants in all our cities and towns. Dont talk of environment alone; talk of education, policing and governance we need to spread awareness and should not shift the onus onto others. What about norms that are unrealistic? Jain: There are times when suggestions that are not realistic are given. PPCB officials are scientific people. They know what is possible and what is not. If someone who may not understand the issue but gives them directions anyway, they are forced to carry out orders. The idea of zero liquid discharge, for example, was considered in the US in the 1970s in the Congress, and they realised it was not practical. The consciousness of every citizen has to be raised. Just imagine Swachh Bharat; the impact it has started having on people. There is new awareness. If leaders through their communication start creating awareness, things will change. Where people are digressing, action has to be there. As an industry body, we will support it fully. If you want to close companies which are blatantly violating rules the norms, we dont support such companies. Buddha Nullah in Ludhiana is a test case of water pollution. Crores have been spent on the plans of cleaning, but nothing has changed. Pannu: I dont think crores have been spent. The kind of investment it needs was not made. If money had been spent, things would have been better. Ludhiana has a population of 30 lakh. As per norms, water discharge should be 400 MLD. We have STPs to treat 450 MLD, but total water discharge is 750 MLD. Both power and water are free, so people just use water as per their free will. We need to stop that. When we go to the World Bank or other agencies for funds for STPs, they say you have adequate capacity. We need to check water consumption as per norms. It is the same situation is Jalandhar and other cities. Paul: The political class also has to show conscientiousness. Wherever an STP is to be set up, they start opposing. There have been such instances in Amritsar, Jalandhar and other places. People say STPs lead to a stink in the area. Birinderjit: The state has been divided into 7 ones. A pilot city has been decided which also takes care of waste of adjoining cities. Biodegradable waste putrefies and produces a fetid smell if it lies there for two or more days. In some seasons, it putrefies faster. It depends on how efficiently the system is run. Pannu: We look for solutions abroad and try to get technologies that are expensive. There is talk of use of waste to generate electricity at, lets say, Rs 8 per unit. When you can get electricity at Rs 2 to 2.50 per unit, why go for power that costs Rs 8 a unit. Punjab has 166 municipal committees that generate huge amount of solid waste daily, posing a huge problem. We need local solutions to solve our problems. If we look for solutions from abroad that cost a lot, these problems cannot be solved. For instance, we are focusing on water conservation in industry and doing water audit. Five paper industries in Punjab are using 100 KLD water. When they told me that they reduced it to 50 KLD, I asked them to try and bring it to 30 or so. We are working on it. Similarly, Punjab has 3,100 brick kilns with a huge amount of smoke billowing out of them. They have been told to use new zigzag high-draft technology from next season. It will cost them about Rs 30 lakh per kiln, but will ensure substantial reduction in pollution. In leather industry complex also, we got a pre-settler tank and solved 50% of the problem. If we can import technology that suits us, it is okay. But it is our problem, and we have to find the solution. (To Seechewal) You have been running a campaign for clean environment for a long time. Do you notice any change in awareness or a proactive approach among people and governments? Also, why have we not been able to produce another Seechewal? Seechewal: When we started, bureaucrats and politician had their own different views. Politicians saw no harm in waste water from homes flowing into rivers. We said that we want to stop polluted water from polluting our rivers. Now, Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) speaks on the subject and addresses the nation. How the issue of dead fish in Beas became international headlines reflects more awareness among the people. As for another Seechewal, we all have to start from our homes, streets and towns. We need to work together for a better environment. Everyone should take responsibility and take the lead. Sewa Singh ji is working it. SGPC is distributing saplings. In 100 villages, NRIs spent their money to lay sewerage. Wherever STPs have been set up, they should be run efficiently. Crores spent on them from taxpayers money are being wasted. Municipal committees, PPCB and other departments have to have accountability. What is an overall solution for ensuring that our water bodies are not polluted? Jain: Its difficult to give an overall solution. Awareness is important, and this has to start from our leaders, because they are the ones whose voices are heard the most. Also, each person has to start from within. We need to focus on water conservation in our homes, industry and farms. Each company has to see to it that it has pollution control equipment and is operating them. It has to be understood as a crime if you are not treating your water. We have to have public ostracisation of people who are not treating their water. Just like black money has now become a bad word. Earlier, everybody said, Why should I pay tax?, and it was considered a norm. That has become (a reason for) ostracisation today. Not treating your water and air has to be seen as bad. Pannu: As a society, it seems we are on the verge of extinction. What we are doing with water is unpardonable. There are vested interests that say, Allow me, but stop others! We tried to get strict with the dyeing industry in Ludhiana. They downed their shutters and went to politicians to complain. When we stop farmers, they lock up our teams. The Captain government is serious and wants to take efforts to check water pollution to the next level. A committee has been set up under environment minister OP Soni plan for the cleaning of rivers. The Beas disaster was due to reaction in a tank storing molasses. PPCB has no control on that. Our role is with regard to effluents. But the department dealing with this (molasses) is not willing to take its responsibility. We cannot shirk our responsibility and have taken strictest action. Such action has not be taken anywhere in the country. Government has also said that enough is enough. Paul: Role of the press is also important in creating consciousness. Also, cropping pattern needs to change. Underground water is available at 22 metres, but we are still insistent on paddy and sugarcane, ignoring the associated problems. What about political interference? Birinderjit: When you are in the state services and an appointee of the government, it will have control over you. Like IAS and IPS, an environment service was also thought of, but was not allowed to be successful. Politicians intervene, but they often do not know the gravity of the issue. (To Pannu) You said awareness has increased, but the quality of river water has not seen any change. Pannu: Awareness has improved, but investment has not. This can be achieved with investment. We have been only talking about crores and not spending. Piecemeal efforts are not going to work. We need a comprehensive plan. In his meeting, the chief minister asked the departments not to make individual efforts but collaborate for a solution in a timebound manner. The chief secretary has been told to arrange funds. However, Buddha Nullah is the biggest challenge for bureaucrats of our generation. For 35 years, governments have been talking about cleaning it without any success, because what is required has not been done. (To Seechewal) You are in touch with NRIs. Are they willing to help as the government does not have funds? Seechewal: How can NRIs take care of the problem of solid waste in areas of municipal bodies? MCs are a huge problem. They take taxes, but dont do enough. Polluted water comes from industry, but PPCB gets blamed. Why not prosecute them (offenders)? Those responsible should be made accountable. (To Pannu) What deterring action is being taken? Pannu: There is provision for criminal prosecution under the law, and hundreds of prosecutions have been launched. But there is a problem. I have 100 engineers, and prosecution means they have to go for hearings in courts. Cases have been pending for 10 years without any decision, and hearing dates are given. There are 250 cases. I am not sure if anyone has been prosecuted so far. Conviction rate is negligible. It is time-consuming. We shut down factories and forfeit security. Birinderjit: The spill in Beas has posed a serious problem. Beas water has reached Harike wetland which also gets water from Buddha Nullah that has nitrogen and phosphorous. These two constituents will lead to algae bloom, and interfere with the drinking water system. There is a need to do something to oxidize the molasses and take precautionary steps on priority. Watch the discussion here: Actor Dhanushs Vada Chennai directed by Vetrimaaran is expected to release in August followed by Rajinikanths Kaala in June. Both the films are produced by Dhanushs Wunderbar Films. The first part of the three-part series is one of the anticipated releases this year as the director-actor duo has collaborated after hits like Polladhavan and Aadukalam. Dhanush in March this year unveiled the first look of the film and shared two posters. He wrote that he plays a character called Anbu, whose name goes beyond the character. Going by the two posters, we see two different sides to Dhanushs character. In a poster that features other actors too, we see Dhanush stepping out of a police van, smiling at Aishwarya Rajesh in distance. In the second poster, we see him with a knife in his mouth and climbing what appears to be a rope. While it was speculated that Dhanush plays a gangster in the film, Vetrimaaran, in his interview to Tamil magazine revealed that the actor plays an aspiring carom player in the film. Earlier, the film was expected to release in June, however, according to the latest updates, the first part is being planned for August release. An official update from the makers is expected very soon. The first part of the film captures the life of Dhanushs character from age 15 to 30. Vetrimaaran said Dhanushs effort for the film is unparalleled, and that he had to do two commercial films to raise funds for this project. Apparently, Dhanush had set aside 200 days to shoot three parts of the film. Produced on a lavish budget of Rs 60 crore, Vetrimaaran said that despite knowing that his market value as a director is around Rs 45 crore, Dhanush had no qualms producing the film on a high budget. The film also stars Andrea, Aishwarya Rajesh, Daniel Balaji and Ameer in pivotal roles. Having recently wrapped up the shoot of the first part in the trilogy, Dhanush is currently busy shooting for Maari 2. From September, hes expected to commence work on his second directorial which is rumoured to also star Akkineni Nagarjuna. Follow @htshowbiz for more ott:10:ht-entertainment_listing-desktop The Karnataka-based father of dentist Savita Halappanavar, who died in 2012 expressed delight as a referendum on repealing Irelands strict abortion laws headed for a resounding Yes vote and the No campaign conceded defeat. The official announcement is expected on Saturday evening local time, but initial results and exit polls pointed to a strong Yes vote after a heavy turnout that saw Irish citizens based in India and elsewhere travelling to the country to cast their vote in the intensely debated campaign. Andanappa Yalagi, father of Savita who died of sepsis in Galway in 2012 after being denied an abortion during a protracted miscarriage, told the media he was very happy today. Weve got justice for Savita. What happened to her will not happen to any other family. I have no words to express my gratitude to the people of Ireland at this historic moment. Savitas smiling image on a poster was one of the prominent ones in the Yes campaign, with the words, Savita Matters, Women Matter. A memorial to her in central Dublin attracted several flowers and tributes, reflecting the fact that her passing away galvanised the Yes campaign over the years. After the Yes vote is confirmed in official results, the eighth amendment of Irelands constitution will be repealed. Article 40.3.3 would be removed and be replaced with an enabling provision: Provision may be made by law for the regulation of termination of pregnancy. The Yes campaign was backed by Irelands Indian origin Prime Minister Leo Varadkar. He said: The people have spoken. They have said we need a modern constitution for a modern country. What weve seen is the culmination of a quiet revolution thats been taking place in Ireland over the past 20 years. He hoped to have a new abortion law enacted by the end of this year. Under current laws, abortion is banned in most cases, forcing thousands of Irish women to travel to Britain and elsewhere for termination of pregnancies. The laws prohibit abortion while the foetus is live, even if there is a threat to the mothers life. Conceding defeat, the No campaign said: What Irish voters did yesterday is a tragedy of historic proportions. However, a wrong does not become right simply because a majority support itThe unborn child no longer has a right to life recognised by the Irish state. Shortly, legislation will be introduced that will allow babies to be killed in our country. We will oppose that legislation. If and when abortion clinics are opened in Ireland, because of the inability of the Government to keep their promise about a GP led service, we will oppose that as well. Abortion was wrong yesterday. It remains wrong today. The constitution has changed, but the facts have not, it added. Chinas ruling Communist Party has ordered local governments to better regulate the construction of large outdoor religious statues amid increasing restrictions on religious expression of all kinds. The directive from the United Front Work Department viewed on its website Saturday appears targeted mainly at followers of Buddhism and Taoism, two of Chinas five officially recognised religions. The meeting required all localities to take up the regulation of large outdoor religious statues as their top priority in preventing the further commercialisation of Buddhism and Toaism, the directive said. Thousands of Buddhist and Taoist temples and shrines, along with mosques and churches, were damaged or destroyed under communism, especially during the violent 1966-76 Cultural Revolution. Although many have been restored and reopened since then, new regulations and a bureaucratic overhaul earlier this year have put the day-to-day running of religious affairs directly under the officially atheistic party. Thats been accompanied by a renewed campaign promoting atheism and loyalty to the party, along with a push to study the works of one of communisms founding fathers, Karl Marx, who famously wrote that religion is the opium of the people. Catholic clergy arrive for mass at the government sanctioned South Cathedral in Beijing. (AFP Photo) The anti-religion drive overlaps with campaigns to promote patriotism and party loyalty, oppose separatism among ethnic minorities and fight Western liberal values. That has complicated efforts toward reconciliation with the Vatican and led to thousands of Muslims being subjected to anti-Islamic indoctrination in re-education camps, churches being demolished and students and monks removed from a famed Tibetan Buddhist seminary. Chinas top social media app WeChat has banned the SeekingArrangement dating website, popularly known as the sugar daddy app, following criticism from state media that said it was a front for prostitution. It became one of the most downloaded applications in three days earlier this week following which it came under critical scrutiny from state media. Authorities in Shanghai have launched a probe into a company registered in the city that developed a mobile application providing dating services which allegedly sexualize and exploit women, the nationalistic Global Times tabloid carried a report on it under the headline Mobile app under investigation for providing shady dating service. On Monday, the Global Times revealed that a company received a licence in the Shanghai Free Trade Zone and launched an app called SeekingArrangement on both iOS and Android platforms in China. Infamous for connecting wealthy older men with young women online and sometimes referred to as a sugar daddy app, SeekingArrangement entered the country in 2015 with a Chinese language site and apps, the newspaper reported. The app asks its male members to list their financial status during registration annual income starting from 300,000 yuan ($47,350), and net assets from 600,000 yuan, though the company said it doesnt require any bank documents for verification. Yi Shenghua, a criminal lawyer, told the state media that services provided by such websites, though disguised as dating or matchmaking can be classified as organising or sheltering prostitution, and the websites founder and operator could face criminal charges, depending on the amount of cash traded and the number of people involved. A Reuters report said the app, launched in the United States in 2006, puts young women in touch with rich older men. At SA, we pride ourselves on helping you find the ultimate generous Sugar Daddy. Bills paid, gifts galore, and top-shelf fun, the report quoted its US website as saying. Our Chinese product is exclusively developed for the local market and would definitely abide by the law here, an unnamed employee at SeekingArrangement told China Daily. He said that the Chinese website and applications are designed as a premium platform that functions like any other legal dating site in China. The only difference would be that it targets successful men of high quality and fine taste. Two former French spies have been arrested and face treason charges after being accused of passing sensitive information to China, Frances defence minister and security sources said Friday. The two suspected double-agents were charged last December, but the incident only came to light late on Thursday following French media reports and a statement from Defence Minister Florence Parly. Two French agents in our service and probably one of the spouses of these agents are accused of serious acts likely to be considered acts of treason, on suspicions of delivering information to a foreign power, Parly told CNews television. I cant say much else, she added. France has partners but we live in a dangerous world, and unfortunately these types of things can happen. A security source, speaking to AFP on condition of anonymity, said that the men were suspected of working for China. At least one of them had been posted in the country, French television show Quotidien on the TMC channel reported, adding that the conspiracy had been uncovered by French counter-intelligence. The revelations came just a few weeks after US authorities said they had indicted a former CIA operative on charges of spying for China, following his arrest in January. Concerns about Chinese spying in Australia led to reforms to espionage and foreign interference legislation last year which singled out Beijing as a focus of attention. The country has long been accused of commercial spying to capture valuable intellectual property, but its national security operations are also thought to have grown in step with its expanding foreign activity. Asked Friday about the arrests in France, Chinas foreign ministry said it was unaware of the situation. Extremely vigilant The arrested French agents are now retired but Parly said they were quite likely still in service at the time. Investigators were still determining how long they had been passing along intelligence, she said. She also declined to specify the nature of the compromised information, nor to reveal if the two agents were working together. A judicial source told AFP late Thursday that two of the three suspects are being prosecuted for delivering to a foreign power information that undermines the fundamental interests of the nation and compromising the secrecy of national defence. One of them has also been charged for direct incitement to the crime of treason, the source added. The third person -- believed to be the wife -- has been indicted for concealment of treasonable crimes and placed under judicial control, meaning they are subject to constraints pending trial, according to the same source. In a statement, the DGSE -- similar to Britains MI6 or the United Statess CIA -- said the revelations are a major area of focus for the DGSE as well all French counter-intelligence services. We are being extremely vigilant in this matter, Parly told CNews. The three people were charged on December 22, 2017, and two have been detained since then, the judicial source told AFP. Disgraced producer Harvey Weinstein has been released on $1 million bail after being charged with rape and sexual abuse. Weinstein, 66, also agreed to wear a GPS tracker and to surrender his passport after turning himself in to police on Friday, reports bbc.com. He pleaded not guilty to charges of first- and third-degree rape and committing a criminal sexual act in the first degree at his arraignment. More than 70 women have accused Weinstein of sexual misconduct although the charges relate to only two of them. Some allegations date back decades. Prosecutors said on Friday that Weinstein had been charged with two counts of rape and one count of a criminal sexual act involving two women, who were not identified. Witnesses said Weinstein appeared pale and stared into space while prosecutors outlined the bail agreement. The case was adjourned until July 30. Outside the court, Weinsteins lawyer, Ben Brafman, told reporters his client would enter a not guilty plea. We intend to move very quickly to dismiss these charges. We believe that they are constitutionally flawed. We believe that they are not factually supported by the evidence, he said. The New York Police Department issued a statement thanking these brave survivors for their courage to come forward and seek justice. The identity of one of the women whose accusations prompted the charges was confirmed by her lawyer on Friday. Former actress Lucia Evans had already publicly accused Weinstein of forcing her into oral sex in 2004. --IANS ks/nv/vm MAY 25, 2018 / 9:50 AM / UPDATED 10 MINUTES AGO U.S. reaches deal to keep China's ZTE in business: congressional aide David Shepardson, Karen Freifeld WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Trump administration told lawmakers the U.S. government has reached a deal to put Chinese telecommunications company ZTE Corp back in business, a senior congressional aide said on Friday. As with a similar announcement earlier in the week, the proposed deal ran into immediate resistance in Congress, where Democrats and Trumps fellow Republicans accused him of bending to pressure from Beijing to ease up on a company that allegedly poses a significant risk to U.S. national security. ZTE was banned in April from buying U.S. technology components for seven years for breaking an agreement reached after it violated U.S. sanctions against Iran and North Korea. It would now be allowed to resume business with U.S. companies, including chipmaker Qualcomm Inc. The deal, communicated to officials on Capitol Hill by the Commerce Department, requires ZTE to pay a substantial fine, place U.S. compliance officers at the company and change its management team, the aide said. The Commerce Department would then lift an order preventing ZTE from buying U.S. products. U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday floated a plan to fine ZTE up to $1.3 billion and shake up its management as his administration considered rolling back more severe penalties that have crippled the company. The White House did not immediately confirm reports of the latest deal, but a spokeswoman said, This is a law enforcement action being handled by Commerce. We are making sure ZTE is held accountable for violating U.S. sanctions, pays a big price, and that we are protecting our security infrastructure and U.S. jobs. Fox News said Trump told them on Thursday that he had negotiated the $1.3 billion fine with Chinese President Xi Jinping in a phone call. ZTE, which is publicly traded but whose largest shareholder is a Chinese state-owned enterprise, agreed last year to pay a nearly $900 million penalty and open its books to a U.S. monitor for breaking a 2017 agreement after it was caught illegally shipping U.S. goods to Iran and North Korea, in an investigation dating to the Obama administration. The company has lost over $3 billion since the April 15th ban on doing business with U.S. suppliers, according to a source familiar with the matter. Responding to news of the administrations proposed settlement with ZTE, Republican Senator Marco Rubio tweeted: Yes they have a deal in mind. It is a great deal ... for #ZTE & China. #China crushes U.S. companies with no mercy & they use these telecomm companies to spy & steal from us. Rubio, as well as Democratic Senators Chuck Schumer and Chris Van Hollen, said Congress should act to stop Trump from letting ZTE get back into business. U.S. intelligence and U.S. law enforcement agencies have serious concerns that ZTE and other Chinese telecommunications firms use their equipment to gather intelligence on U.S. citizens. William Evanina, the acting director of the National Counterintelligence and Security Center, said at his May 15 confirmation hearing that he would not use a ZTE phone nor recommend that anyone in a sensitive position in government use one. Chinese officials sought a pullback on ZTE as part of any broader deal to prevent a trade war between the worlds two biggest economies. U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross is scheduled to visit China next week for another round of talks. ZTE needs U.S. components for its mobile phones and network equipment. U.S. companies provide an estimated 25 percent to 30 percent of components in ZTEs equipment. As part of the agreements ZTE made last year it dismissed four senior employees. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trade-china-zte/u-s-reaches-deal-to-keep-chinas-zte-in-business-congressional-aide-idUSKCN1IQ2JY A story to tell from Turkey Nahid Sultana : All our dreams come true if we have the courage to pursue them. Many of our dreams at first seem impossible, then they seem improbable, and then, when we summon the will, they soon become inevitable. I'm a Nahid Sultana, student of Department of Business Administration of Daffodil International University. From the very first of my university I was concerned about my studies, academic results, extracurricular activities, and clubbing. It was my childhood dream to study in abroad. I have heard that there are a lot of opportunities and exchange program in Daffodil International University (DIU). One of my friends from DIU Business and Education club suddenly informed me about Mevlana Scholarship Exchange Program circular of 2017-2018 in Turkey. Immediately I contacted with International Affairs office. After getting selected, they sent my reports to turkey government and finally, I along with 4 other students of DIU got the scholarship to study in Karabuk University, Turkey. I'm very thankful to my friend who supported me to grab this opportunity. It was my first experience to go outside of the country. I was very excited about it. Finally, the day of my departure had come. Everyone was so rueful because I was leaving them. After 10 hours of the journey, I reached in Istanbul. I was just amazed seeing the beautiful country. We took a bus and we reached there. In the morning we wake up and started a new day in Karabuk University. International Relations of KU welcomed us like we are family and fortunately I met them in Bangladesh before coming to Turkey. Karabuk University is so beautiful because it's surrounded by the mountains and beautiful mosque. Sometimes, to realize if all of these were in my dream or real, I pinched myself while walking in the beautiful street of Karabuk, while watching the most beautiful sunrise in Karabuk and listening to the Azan from the beautiful mosque. I have visited many cities and historical places in Turkey, for instance, Safranbulo, Amasra, Zonguldag and I have also visited Bulent University. The interesting part is that in this semester Dr. Md. Sabur Khan, Chairman, Board of Trustees, Daffodil International University, Bangladesh visited KBU. It's a great achievement for me as he told us "You're the future of our country, make us proud". Mr. Mohammad Emran Hossain, Director (Administration) and Mr. Syed Raihan-Ul-Islam, Senior Administrative Officer of International Affairs of Daffodil International University (DIU) visited KBU as well. However, after some days later our academic lesson started. A major problem is that in Turkey there is a language barrier, most of the faculties do not know English well. So in the classroom, we faced some difficulties. But the teachers were so kind that they give us some extra time for that. I can introduce myself in Turkish language and I can count 1 to 100 in Turkish for example bir, eki, uch and I can talk to the shopkeepers and bargain with them as well. I have made a lot of friends from Romania, Pakistan, India, Kazakhstan, Egypt, Jordan. I am learning their culture. We celebrated Easter Lunch together as it is a religion thing of Romania and we also celebrated our Bengali new year in Turkey with a lot of different country's people. No doubt it's a new experience, because we wear our traditional dress Sari as well and the people were so surprised to see us in our traditional dresses. Turkish people are very good when it comes to hospitality. I never thought that I would fall in love with this place to such an extent that I won't be willing to go back. I learned many things here. Receiving foreign people's love, living on my own independently, exposed to larger extents of foreign exposure - these experience is letting me know my unique strengths and power more clearly. Recently I have participated in Ulke tanitmak or Kulbiss festive organized by all foreign students of KBU. More than 4000 students from 53 different countries at the University of Karabuk , introduced their culture, traditional attire and foods. It really feels great when I represent my country in front of different countries people. We cooked Biriyani and the fun moments is that when Rector Prof. Dr Refik Polat and others came to our stall they liked our Biriyani and some of the teacher give their cards and told us that if we cooked it again we should inform them and I invited them to Bangladesh. Another best moment for me is that when I wear our traditional dress Sari and everyone came to me and wanted to take pictures with me. One of the members of Education Ministry of Safranbulo took picture with me. After that he told one of our teachers that he wanted to do a meeting with Bangladeshi students. It feels really great when everyone likes our dresses and foods and culture. I think this is the meaning of exchange program. I chose Daffodil International University because Daffodil gives a lot of opportunities and scopes to the students. For this I will be always owed to Daffodil. I'm exploring myself and knowing the cultural differences between different countries and exploring different foods, meeting with new peoples. Here we are sharing our emotion with each other despite missing my country Bangladesh, my university, parents, teachers, and friends. In my opinion, Daffodil International University and Karabuk University are like a family. I hope we can keep this relationship in future. I'm really thankful to my university and my parents for this opportunity. I'm also thankful to the international Affairs of DIU who believed in me and helped me in staying positive but most of all I'm really thankful to Allah for making me strong enough and letting me to explore the world. (The writer is a Mevlana Scholarship holder of Turkish Government for Year 2018 at Karabuk University, Turkey). Ireland on voted overwhelmingly to overturn the abortion ban by 66.4 per cent to 33.6 per cent, according to a media report. A referendum held resulted in a landslide win for the repeal side. Currently, abortion is only allowed when a womans life is at risk, but not in cases of rape, incest or fatal foetal abnormality, BBC reported. The Eighth Amendment, which grants an equal right to life to the mother and unborn will be replaced. One of the key cases influencing the debate on abortion in Ireland was that of Indian dentist Savita Halappanavar, who died of sepsis in a hospital in Galway after being denied an abortion during a protracted miscarriage in 2012. Her husband Praveen had told her inquest she requested a termination but was refused because the babys heart was still beating. A midwife manager at Galway University Hospital confirmed that she told Halappanavar that a termination could not be carried out because Ireland was a Catholic country. The inquest into her death returned a verdict of medical misadventure. People celebrate the result of the referendum on liberalizing abortion law, in Dublin, Ireland, May 26, 2018. (REUTERS) Her death had triggered a massive debate in the country over the issue of life-saving abortions and resulted in a new law that allows abortions under extreme circumstances. The Irish Parliament voted to legalise abortion in cases of medical emergencies as well as the risk of suicide in July, 2013. With a win for the Yes vote, the existing article of the Constitution which was inserted in 1983 - and the 1992 additions - will be replaced with this text: Provision may be made by law for the regulation of termination of pregnancy, the report said. The Catholic church had strongly opposed repealing the amendment and Irish bishops warned in a joint statement, We believe that the deletion or amendment of this article can have no other effect than to expose unborn children to greater risk and that it would not bring about any benefit for the life or health of women in Ireland. A date for the trial against Jaspal Atwal, the man at the centre of a controversy that crippled Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus visit to India in February, for allegedly making threats against a radio host, will be set on June 7, even as his lawyer asserted Atwals innocence. Atwal was taken into custody in April by the Surrey unit of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and held overnight but released after making an appearance before a judge. The charges against him relate to one count of uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm. Atwals legal representative Marvin Stern told the Hindustan Times, We dont think the case has any substance at all and we will be fighting it in court. The person who filed the complaint against Atwal is believed to be a local radio host and the charges appear to be related to an altercation between him and Atwal last month, according to a source. That person is also believed to have complained to the police about Atwal nearly eight months ago, prior to the ruckus created by Atwals presence at an official event in honour of Trudeau in Mumbai. Atwal, who was convicted of an attempt to assassinate a visiting Minister from Punjab in the mid-1980s, was photographed at that event with the PMs wife Sophie Gregoire Trudeau as well as cabinet ministers Navdeep Bains, Harjit Sajjan and Amarjeet Sohi. He had also been invited to an official reception at the Canadian High Commissioners residence in New Delhi but that was rescinded after Canadian media reported on Atwals presence at the Mumbai do. Subsequently, Canadas then national security advisor Daniel Jean, who retired earlier this month, had briefed select members of the media on the matter giving rise to the theory that rogue elements in the Indian establishment had planted Atwal in India to sabotage Trudeaus trip. That allegation continues to hamper ties between India and Canada. A former chief of Pakistans intelligence agency has been summoned by its army for allegedly violating the military code of conduct, in the wake of his comments appearing in a book co-authored with Indias ex-spy chief. Lieutenant General (retd) Asad Durrani, who headed the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agency from August 1990 till March 1992, and former Research and Analysis Wing chief AS Dulat had written The Spy Chronicles: RAW, ISI and the Illusion of Peace. The book was released on Wednesday. Durrani was being called to General Headquarters (GHQ) on May 28 and will be asked to explain his position on views attributed to him in book Spy Chronicles, the army said in a statement. It said the attribution of statements in the book to the former ISI chief is being taken as a violation of Military Code of Conduct applicable on all serving and retired military personnel. Durrani was summoned after ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif on Friday demanded an urgent meeting of the high-powered National Security Committee (NSC) to discuss the contents of the book. Sharif said he believed Durrani, through this book, has made public some serious information and that it is now necessary to call an emergency NSC meeting to discuss the matter. A noisy, two-hour protest was held outside India House by campaign groups on Saturday, seeking an inquiry by the Theresa May government into alleged violations by Vedanta Resources, while the opposition Labour sought its delisting from the London stock exchange. The protest was called by groups such as Foil Vedanta, Tamil People in UK, Periyar Ambedkar Study Circle, South Asia Solidarity Group, Tamil Solidarity, Parai Voice of Freedom and Veera Tamilar Munnani, who previously held protests in London against the company. Calling for the delisting of the company termed rogue from the stock exchange, shadow chancellor John McDonnell said: The news from Tamil Nadu that 13 people protesting against Vedanta have been killed is shocking and demands action. This is a major multinational company that for years has operated illegal mining concerns, trashing the environment and forcibly evicting local people. Campaigners and international NGOs like Amnesty International have accused Vedanta of a string of human rights and environmental abuses in India, Zambia and across the globe. After the massacre of the protestors this week, regulators must now take action. Vedanta must be immediately delisted from the London Stock Exchange, and prevent further reputational damage to Londons financial markets from this rogue corporation, he added. The groups had protested with traditional Parai drummers on May 23 outside India House against the incidents in Tamil Nadu, calling on the May government to launch an inquiry into the alleged multiple legal, environmental and human rights violations by Vedanta Resources. Samarendra Das from Foil Vedanta said: For 15 years since Vedanta's London listing we have been warning the British government that this criminal company is undermining democracy across India and in Zambia whilst gaining a 'cloak of respectability' from London. This corporate massacre on a peaceful environmental movement must be the last straw. The UK government must now investigate and de-list this company. Karthik Kamalakannan from Tamil People in UK added: It is disgusting to learn that a British company has put its profits above human cries for safe air to breathe and water to drink. We are hugely shocked that sniper style shooters were employed to save this criminal company. The groups said in a statement that Sterlite was the first company set up by British Indian billionaire Anil Agarwal in India before he launched Vedanta Resources on the London Stock Exchange in 2003, where it is now a multi-national FTSE 250 company with operations across India and Africa. Australias spy chief has issued a new warning that foreign interference and espionage in the country had reached unprecedented levels that could cause catastrophic harm to Canberras interests. Duncan Lewis, head of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO), did not single out any specific country but his remarks coincided with a sharp escalation of concerns over Chinese interference in domestic politics. Lewis, in remarks in parliament late Thursday, said the current scale of foreign intelligence activity ... is unprecedented. He said foreign actors were targeting privileged and classified information on Australias alliances, partnerships and positions on diplomatic, economic and military issues. Information on energy, mineral resources and science and technology innovations was also of interest, he added. Espionage, interference, sabotage and malicious insider activities can inflict catastrophic harm on our countrys interests, Lewis told a parliamentary hearing in Canberra. It undermines potentially our sovereignty, our security and our prosperity... The grim reality is there are more foreign intelligence officers today than during the Cold War, and they have more ways of attacking us. Lewis backed efforts by the government to pass wide-ranging reforms to strengthen and modernise laws when investigating and prosecuting alleged political meddling. Under the proposed laws, a transparency scheme would also require people to declare which foreign actors they are working for. Lewis remarks follow allegations raised by senior politician Andrew Hastie on Tuesday that a billionaire Chinese-Australian businessman, a major political donor, had been identified by the US Federal Bureau of Investigation as a co-conspirator in a plot to bribe a top UN official. Beijing criticised the disclosure, made under parliamentary privilege, and has also reacted angrily to the foreign interference laws, which came in the wake of fears about Chinese efforts to shape policy and opinion in democracies. A White House team will leave as scheduled for Singapore this weekend to prepare for a possible summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, a White House spokeswoman said on Saturday. Politico magazine reported earlier that an advance team of 30 White House and State Department officials were preparing to depart later this weekend. Deepika, Ranveer are likely to marry on Nov 19 After Sonam Kapoor and Anand Ahuja's big fat Punjabi wedding, looks like another popular couple is ready to tie the knot soon. Ever since the beginning of 2018, rumors of Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone tying the knot have been sending fans into a tizzy. We've been hearing news of guests lists, fancy wedding venues abroad, and shortlisted wedding dates. If a report in SpotBoyE is to be believed, Ranveer and Deepika have zeroed in on November 19, for the wedding date. And just like Sonam, the wedding will most probably be in Mumbai too. Apparently, Ranveer and Deepika were considering July to seal the deal, but owing to their work commitments, they had to push it back to November. According to whispers, Deepika has been busy with wedding shopping. Her parents had flown down from Mumbai to Bangalore to zero in on the wedding date for the daughter. There has been no official confirmation from Ranveer and Deepika as yet. Ranveer admitted to India Today that "marriage is on his mind". However, he later said in different interviews that the wedding rumours was all speculation, and that he will "shout from the rooftops" if he does plan to marry this year. Ranveer and Deepika started seeing each other after their film, Goliyon Ke Rasleela Ram Leela.Talking about her equation with Ranveer, Deepika had once told Filmfare, "When we're with each other, we don't need anything or anyone else. We're comfortable in each other's presence. Sometimes it's intelligent conversation, sometimes just silence, sometimes there's a childlike innocence. We keep each other grounded. We are good in that sense." The decision to seal off BD-ASSAM border is political THE India-Bangladesh border in Assam will be sealed by December. The Assam Chief Minister said the move was a part of the state's initiative to curb cross-border infiltration and smuggling. The excuse for combating smuggling and cross - border infiltration may not be the actual causes. There are more efficient and strategic techniques for deterring smuggling; however, sealing the border is no excuse. In order to get rid of headache we take medicines--- we don't chop-off our heads. Similarly strict monitoring over the borders and enforcing the law can easily stop smuggling and illegal immigration. What's highly objectionable is that referring to a Times of India report the CM said that the government would be taking effective measures to make the state 'economically vibrant' and free from ' the scourge of illegal migration and insurgency'. The former surely smacks of racial prejudice. Moreover, infiltration or insurgency from Bangladesh, however you try to brand and market it - is a pure myth. A big coincidence is that the announcement to seal-off the border comes right in the wake of our PM's visit to West Bengal - how strange to have selected such a sensitive time. Nevertheless, the first 'smart fence' pilot project to plug vulnerable gaps along India's borders has been already rolled out in Assam. The project is a part of the Modi government's ambitious plan to completely seal the India-Pakistan and the India-Bangladesh borders in the next few years. It is called the comprehensive integrated border management system (CIBMS). The system should benefit India to the maximum but must simultaneously contribute in stopping rampant killings occurring at our borders. The killing of Bangladeshi nationals along the border with India has been a contentious bilateral issue. Despite Delhi's assurance to bring down border deaths to zero, the situation has improved very little over the years. That said - cattle smuggling, intrusion and cutting down of barbed-wire border fence are some of the key reasons behind the continuation of border killings. In recent times it is contraband drugs which have become the lead item for smugglers. It is right on this point where Indian BSF authorities must focus more to stop smuggling out of drugs into Bangladesh. According to a number of news reports, most of the Indian drugs are entering the country through Benapole and Haridashpur points in Jashore, Kalaroa and Tala in Satkhira, Godagari and Poradah in Rajshahi, Sona Masjid in Chapainawabganj, Jibannagar in Kushtia, Akhaura in Cumilla, Kasba in Brahmanbaria, Hili in Dinajpur, Bhurungamari in Kurigram and Jaflong in Sylhet. Instead of fearing smuggling and illegal migration from Bangladesh, the Indian BSF should become more alert to monitor and locate the routes and seal them first. Throughout his career, Kanye West has always placed his hometown of Chicago at the forefront of his music. Even now, as he's slipped into his most controversial phase yet, he's still considering the kids growing up in the city, and trying to do what he thinks makes sense to help them, even if it doesn't in reality. According to Chicago rapper and politician, Rhymefest, this is not only not the case, but Kanye has actually expressed his contempt for the kids in his hometown. In a bizarre continuation of the Drake and Pusha T beef from last night, Rhymefest has reached out to Drake on Twitter, asking him to consider donating the 100K he invoiced from G.O.O.D. Music to go to his Donda's House charity, and claiming that Kanye told him "Fuck the youth of Chicago" when asked for money to help convert his mother's old home into a recording studio. The Donda's House charity was started in 2011, when Rhymefest worked with Kanye to start the non-profit in order to help foster artistic talent and opportunities for Chicago youth. While Kanye helped with legal fees and securing donations initially, the non-profit's website no longer lists Kanye on the board of directors, and claims that he has completely refused to donate any more to the organization. In their statement on their website, they ask for people not to discount the work their doing, just because of Kanye's controversial statements. Rhymefest hasn't provided any actual proof that Kanye said the things that he claims he did, but Kanye is seemingly capable of saying anything nowadays. That being said, Kanye has already announced his plans to try and improve conditions in his hometown, so it's still unclear as to who is telling the truth. Nicki Minaj and Ariana Grande now have matching Chanel chokers. Nicki shared a photo of a very special gift she received from her "Side To Side" collaborator on Instagram. "Both my fans AND I would cut a btch for my little sissy @arianagrande," she captioned the photo of the flashy jewelry piece. "She bought me this lovely Chanel choker to match hers. Ugh! Her mind!" It's unclear if the choker is a simple gift or a hint at a musical collaboration between the two. Ariana recently had to tell fans that not everything she tweets should be analyzed under a microscope after they assumed an interaction between herself and Nicki contained lyrics to an upcoming song. "warning : sometimes i am going to tweet things that arent lyrics or tea is that ok im sry ily," she wrote. Still, it hasn't stopped fans from hypothesizing that the Chanel piece could have some significance to a future collab between the two artists, who have worked together on a few occasions. Nicki and Ariana's collaborations have done some numbers on the charts. Jessie J's "Bang Bang," which both Ariana and Nicki guested on, reached No. 3 on the Hot 100, while "Side To Side," a cut from Ariana's Dangerous Woman album that featured Nicki hit No. 4. Ariana's fourth studio album Sweetener is expected to be released this year. Nicki Minaj's Queen, also her fourth abum, was recently delayed and will be released August 10th. Given their history and recent interplay on social media, it seems likely that a collaboration between the two will appear on at least one if not both projects. View a screencap from Nicki's Instagram story above. Mia Mottley has become the first woman elected head of state on the island of Barbados since it was handed sovereign status in 1966. What better way to ring the bell, than to receive words of encouragement from the most important figure in the history of the island. Rihanna jumped on Instagram penning a short paragraph alongside a photo of the new PM with her fist raised. Mia Mottley's Barbados Labour Party (BLP) completely obliterated the opposing Democratic Labour Party (DLP) at the polls. Mottley is a 52 year old lawyer, who once told her teacher in secondary school that she was destined to lead the nation. Lo and behold, Mottley has made good on her promise. Rihanna's message was one of utmost positivity. She posted, "Say hello to my new prime minister and most importantly the first female prime minister of Barbados... the honorable Prime Minister, well deserved and about time! breaking barriers and making history in so many ways!!!" Rihanna has kept a foothold in her nation of birth, and spends a significant amount of time with her family who share her $22 million estate. Not to mention she creates a great amount of exposure for the tiny island, which continues to be a destination for tourists around the globe. SeaLand is the Intra-Americas regional ocean carrier of the Maersk Group, a Fortune 500 company and the world's largest container ship and supply vessel operator. In April, SeaLand launched a new service called the Gulf Ocean Express (GOEX) connecting the Port of Houston with Central America, Panama and Colombia. Craig Mygatt, CEO of SeaLand, spoke recently with the Houston Chronicle about the shipping business and GOEX. Edited excerpts: Q. Could you briefly explain SeaLand's business? A. SeaLand oversees activities between North America, Central America, South America and the Caribbean for our parent company, Maersk Line. We offer shipping services using container ships, trucks and rail between different geographies. We do business in 43 different countries within the Western Hemisphere and have 27 offices within our network right now. We also buy, sell and trade with other carriers. To put our business in context, there are thousands of container ships that are sailing around the world each day, in motion or at ports, servicing industry. RELATED: Q&A: How Comcast is bridging the civilian-military divide Q. How does GOEX complement your other services? A. We have a service that goes to the East Coast out of Central America, and one that goes to the West Coast, and we were using another carrier that services the Gulf. GOEX is our own service going up to the Gulf area, so now we have all the geographies in the US covered out of the Central America area. GOEX connects every country in Latin America through direct or connecting services and connects to major US markets and Canada through Houston and New Orleans. Q. What does GOEX offer to Houston? A. GOEX connects Houston, New Orleans, Central America, Panama, and Colombia. A big hub port of ours is in Panama, so we can now connect all our global services for Maersk Line in Panama, which connects up into Houston. This allows our customers to plan much tighter supply chains using GOEX and improves our reliability. Another element of the service involves using the Canadian National Railroad all the way up to the Midwest and Canada, extending GOEX's reach well beyond Houston and New Orleans. Q. What types of products are being shipped by GOEX in general? A. We ship large amounts of chemicals, resins, paper, oil, metals and frozen meats out of Houston and New Orleans. From Latin America, we import agricultural goods, such as fresh fruits, vegetables and coffee, forestry, apparel, automotive/transportation and chemicals into the US. Agricultural goods make up about 50% of the market going out of Latin America. There's also a huge auto segment from Mexico going into Houston. Q. Is the shipping industry growing? A. We follow global GDP to some extent, and we have a multiplier over GDP, which is around 3 to 4 percent. Normally we grow 4 to 5 percent. Our growth used to be almost double GDP, but product sizes have compressed, and our growth is now closer to the actual GDP. Q. Is the new GOEX service doing well? A. Yes. Demand is very strong, especially for shipping resin products out of Houston. The US market is primarily imports, but in its trade with Latin America, the US ships more product out. The balance is better in US-Latin America trade than it is with China, for example. With China, there's much more product coming into the US than going out. RELATED: Q&A: Houston sportscaster Lindsay McCormick gets down to business Q. Are you seeing an impact from President Donald Trump's trade policies? A. Regarding Latin America, I think the Trump administration has been supportive. A few weeks ago, I attended a CEO and government conference and there seemed to be a lot of support for Latin America. Policy-wise, I think Trump's focus is on China. Latin America is not problematic. Q. Do you worry about people stealing shipments? A. There's a vulnerability that trucking containers inside Latin American countries could be stolen. It's not huge, but it happens. We use convoys with 10 or more trucks moving together to a particular location. And we provide security for the trucks. There's GPS in the containers, so if anything gets stolen, we should be able to find it quickly. But then everyone knows we have GPS on our containers. Q. What is SeaLand doing in the area of digitalization? A. SeaLand offers customers an online suite of features to simplify the shipping process. With our online tools, customers can make a booking, track their cargo, manage invoices and submit shipping documents. Our Remote Container Management tool allows customers to monitor the conditions inside a container from the moment their goods are locked in until delivery. The tool MyFinance allows customers to access their accounts, pay invoices online and make account inquires. Q. Do you hedge against increasing oil prices? A. We don't hedge; it's too risky. However, rising oil prices are a big operational cost, not only in shipping, but in any portion of the logistical chain. Each quarter, we change a component of pricing to reflect fuel costs, and our customers understand this. Q. Is SeaLand trying to reduce its carbon footprint? A. Yes. Developing and implementing environmentally safe practices in pursuit of sustainability is vital to our organization. For example, our refrigerated equipment features some unique and environmentally friendly technologies that reduce CO2 emissions by 65% during transit while maintaining cargo quality. Ilene Bassler is a freelance writer. Oil prices fell the most in 11 months in New York as Saudi Arabia said it expects OPEC and its partners to boost supplies later this year, easing restraints intact since early 2017. U.S. futures were down 4 percent, the biggest drop since July 5, after Saudi Arabia Energy Minister Khalid Al-Falih said the supply caps may be scaled back, though he added that no decision has been made. The $2.83 decline pushed the price below $70 at the close of trading for the first time since May 8. The potential for an OPEC policy change, following U.S. President Donald Trump's tweet complaining about high prices, scrambled the outlook for oil markets and undercut the stock prices of producers. The S&P 500 Energy index dropped 2.7 percent. "We're starting to see growing concerns that producers could cut back on their output cuts," said Gene McGillian, market research manager at Tradition Energy, in a telephone interview. "Taking that into consideration along with record U.S. production levels, it's triggered a nice amount of profit taking." Explorers in the U.S. shale patch, meanwhile, were seen resuming their expansion plans this week as they continue to find a home for their crude around the world. U.S. working oil rigs rose by 15 this week to 859, the highest level since March 2015 and the biggest weekly boost since February, according to data from Baker Hughes. "We've been having plenty of exports to kind of alleviate any sort of glut here," said Ashley Petersen, lead oil analyst at Stratas Advisors in New York. "There seems to be just enough crude and it's all finding a home to go to." The Saudi oil minister made his pronouncement on the supply cuts at a meeting in St. Petersburg with his Russia counterpart, Alexander Novak, who echoed the comments. The two ministers plan to meet at least twice more before an OPEC gathering in Vienna next month, the Saudi minister said. Oil has traded near a 3 1/2-year high on concern about supply disruptions from Venezuela and Iran. The rally has sparked worries that demand may falter, and the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies appear to be reacting to that idea with the first offer to boost output since January 2017. West Texas Intermediate for July delivery fell $2.83 to settle at $67.88 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The contract lost 1.6 percent to $70.71 on Thursday. Total volume traded was about 35 percent above the 100-day average. Brent futures for July settlement fell $2.35 to $76.44 a barrel on the London-based ICE Futures Europe exchange, the first weekly drop in seven weeks. The global benchmark crude traded $8.55 above WTI for the same month, the biggest premium in more than three years. Futures for September delivery fell 1.6 percent to 477.4 yuan a barrel in afternoon trading on the Shanghai International Energy Exchange. Prices are down 1.9 percent this week. The contract rose 0.1 percent to 485 yuan on Thursday. Trump's April 20 gave voice to a concern held widely in the U.S. and other consuming countries that oil's rally from less than $30 in early 2016 to more than $70 in New York risked becoming a threat to global economic growth. It also came ahead of the U.S. Memorial Day holiday weekend, when high gasoline prices will be at issue. Other oil-market news: The world's top oil trader, Vitol Group, said it will be near impossible to avoid U.S. sanctions on Iran, suggesting U.S. President Donald Trump's attack on OPEC's third-largest producer may have a bigger impact on the global crude market than many anticipate. The rise in oil prices to $80 a barrel is starting to cause concern across boardrooms, with some big industrial consumers, including airlines and shipping companies, starting to buy more insurance against rising energy prices. Andurand's oil hedge fund to turn investors away from June The world's largest oil exporter just made a policy swerve, moving from advocating higher prices to trying to stop the rally Gasoline futures in New York were set for the first weekly decline since early May, and traded at $2.1917 a gallon. --With assistance from Tsuyoshi Inajima, Grant Smith, Sharon Cho and Robert Tuttle. 2018 Bloomberg L.P. DUBLIN Ireland voted decisively to repeal one of the worlds more restrictive abortion bans, the prime minister said Saturday, sweeping aside generations of conservative patriarchy and dealing the latest in a series of stinging rebukes to the Roman Catholic Church. The surprising landslide cemented the nations liberal shift at a time when right-wing populism is on the rise in Europe and the Trump administration is imposing curbs on abortion rights in the United States. In the past three years alone, Ireland has installed a gay man as prime minister and has voted in another referendum to allow same-sex marriage. But this was a particularly wrenching issue for Irish voters, even for supporters of the measure. And it was not clear until the end that the momentum toward socially liberal policies would be powerful enough to sweep away the deeply ingrained opposition to abortion. Now Playing: Ireland Votes to Repeal Abortion Ban in Landmark Decision About 4,000 Irish voters want the Eighth Amendment of their constitution to be repealed, according to an exit poll on Friday's referendum. Thousands of Irish citizens flew to their home country to vote, a turnout that could surpass Ireland's referendum on same-sex marriage in 2015. Official results of the referendum will be evaluated on Saturday, May 26, and could pave the way for legislators to allow for terminations in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. Ireland currently bans abortions unless the mother's life is at risk. Video: Wibbitz What we have seen today really is a culmination of a quiet revolution thats been taking place in Ireland for the past 10 or 20 years, Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said at a counting center in Dublin hours before the results of Fridays vote were fully tallied. This has been a great exercise in democracy, Varadkar said, and the people have spoken and the people have said: We want a modern constitution for a modern country, and that we trust women and that we respect them to make the right decisions and the right choices about their own health care. With 80 percent of the vote counted, the yes camp had 67.6 percent of the vote, according to RTE, the national public broadcaster. The deputy chairwoman of one of Irelands biggest anti-abortion groups, Cora Sherlock, called it a sad day for Ireland and rejected the argument that abortion was primarily a health care issue. The vote repeals the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution a 1983 measure that conferred equal rights on the fetus and the mother and banned abortion under almost all circumstances. Before the referendum, the government had pledged to pass legislation by the end of the year to allow unrestricted terminations up to 12 weeks if the amendment was set aside. The outcome signaled the end of an era in which thousands of women each year had been forced either to travel abroad or to buy pills illegally online to terminate their pregnancies, risking a 14-year jail sentence. The government has said that general practitioners doctors who are the first port of call for patients will be asked to provide abortions, although they will still be allowed to conscientiously object to terminations at their clinics. The vote now means I can do my job without the fear of going to jail, said Grainne McDermott, a doctor who works in intensive care in a Dublin hospital. McDermott described one case in which a mother whose life was in danger first had to follow a complex procedure involving hospital lawyers and other medical experts before obtaining abortion pills. This was the absolute reality, she said. I used to think: This cannot go on. The vote followed months of soul-searching in a country where the legacy of the Catholic Church remains powerful. It was the latest, and harshest, in a string of rejections of the churchs authority in recent years. The church lost much of its credibility in the wake of scandals involving pedophile priests and thousands of unwed mothers who were placed into servitude in so-called Magdalene laundries or mental asylums as recently as the mid-1990s. The church was, in fact, largely absent from the referendum campaign. Anti-abortion campaigners actively discouraged its participation, preferring to emphasize moral values and human rights rather than religion, possibly to avoid being tarnished by the church-related scandals. During the campaign, the Association of Catholic Priests urged its members not to preach politics from the pulpit. The guidance came after some priests had threatened their congregations that they would not be able to receive Communion if they voted yes, according to people who attended the Masses. This is devastating for the Roman Catholic hierarchy, said Gail McElroy, professor of politics at Trinity College Dublin. It is the final nail in the coffin for them. Theyre no longer the pillar of society, and their hopes of re-establishing themselves are gone. Globally, the Catholic Churchs center of gravity continues to shift away from Europe to Africa and Latin America. Pope Francis, the first pontiff from the New World, has sought to realign the churchs priorities in political discourse, and has often prioritized economic and environmental issues over divisive cultural ones such as abortion and same-sex marriage. In August, Francis will visit Ireland for the World Meeting of Families, a gathering held in a different country every three years, to promote Catholic family values. The result caught most observers and voters off guard. In the final weeks leading up to the referendum, observers and pollsters had said that the gap between yes and no voters had narrowed significantly. Im very surprised, said Theresa Reidy, a professor of politics at the University College Cork who researches referendums. Advocates for legalizing abortion had campaigned heavily on so-called hard cases faced by women, such as rape or fetal abnormalities. The referendum result showed that many Irish voters agreed that women in those circumstances should be allowed a choice. That shift in attitude was driven in part by prominent cases, such as the 2012 death of Savita Halappanavar, who had asked for a termination of her pregnancy but later died of complications from a septic miscarriage. Halappanavars face was printed on placards supporting abortion, and on Saturday morning people placed flowers in front of a mural of her face in Dublin. People started realizing that compassion didnt fit just one side, Reidy said. The campaign over abortion many years ago was initially portrayed in very black-and-white terms, crude and simplistic terms like murder, Reidy said. But in more recent years, she added, the whole issue has broken apart. Women have talked more openly about abortion, too, tearing down what for a long time had been considered taboo. Activists on both sides campaigned relentlessly for months in a debate that set family members at odds over the rights of an unborn child versus a womans right to control her own body. There were more philosophical questions, as well: When does life start? When is a fetus a human? Should a victim of rape or incest be forced to carry out a pregnancy? Both campaigns came under fire for using womens personal tragedies in an effort to try to sway the vote, and the nation was virtually plastered with signs showing women or embryos, and, in some instances, grisly pictures of babies being cut out of wombs. For many opponents, abortion amounts to murder, while others worry Ireland is losing its identity as a Catholic country. But for many supporters of legalizing abortion, the result was an affirmation of their respect and acceptance by society. Ireland is taking the proper steps to separate church and state and to move forward as a more progressive country, said Conor Flynn, a 22-year-old student. Una Mullally, a prominent campaigner for abortion rights, said the issue was more than just a medical procedure, but was about how women have been oppressed. All of us have underestimated our country, she said before breaking down in tears. I dreamed for people to think like this, but didnt believe it. Still, many who voted in favor of same-sex marriage and laws easing rules around abortion such as allowing women to travel abroad to get it found the latest measure a step too far. Abortion is still a highly personal issue for many voters, shaped by personal experiences such as miscarriages or fetal abnormalities. Were a Roman Catholic nation. We dont believe in taking a life, said Michael Eustace, 55. Go over to England and get it done there, not here. Still, just before slipping his vote into the ballot box, he said, he whispered a prayer for victims of rape and incest, who, had the yes vote been rejected, would be barred from having an abortion. This article originally appeared in The New York Times. LOS ANGELES - Just before Christmas, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. pulled up to the massive Richard J. Donovan Correctional Center, a California state prison complex in the desert outside San Diego that holds nearly 4,000 inmates. Kennedy was there to visit Sirhan B. Sirhan, the man convicted of killing his father, Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, nearly 50 years ago. While his wife, actress Cheryl Hines, waited in the car, Robert Kennedy Jr. met with Sirhan for three hours, he revealed to The Washington Post last week. It was the culmination of months of research by Kennedy into the assassination, including speaking with witnesses and reading the autopsy and police reports. "I got to a place where I had to see Sirhan," Kennedy said. He would not discuss the specifics of their conversation. But when it was over, Kennedy had joined those who believe there was a second gunman, and that it was not Sirhan who killed his father. PHOTOS: Wild Instagram escapades of Kyra Kennedy, RFK Jr.'s daughter "I went there because I was curious and disturbed by what I had seen in the evidence," said Kennedy, an environmental lawyer and the third oldest of his father's 11 children. "I was disturbed that the wrong person might have been convicted of killing my father. My father was the chief law enforcement officer in this country. I think it would have disturbed him if somebody was put in jail for a crime they didn't commit." Kennedy, 64, said he doesn't know if his involvement in the case will change anything. But he now supports the call for a re-investigation of the assassination led by Paul Schrade, who also was shot in the head as he walked behind Kennedy in the pantry of the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles but survived. MORE CRIME MYSTERIES: Infamous Bay Area cold cases that remain unsolved Kennedy was just 14 when he lost his father. Even now, people tell him how much Bobby Kennedy meant to them. RFK's death - five years after his brother, President John F. Kennedy, was gunned down in Dallas and two months after civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. was killed in Memphis - devastated a country already beset by chaos. In 1968, the Vietnam War raged, American cities had erupted in riots after MLK's assassination and tensions between war protesters and supporters were growing uglier. Robert Kennedy's newly launched presidential bid had raised hopes that the New York Democrat and former attorney general could somehow unite a divided nation. The gunshots fired that June night changed all that. Though Sirhan admitted at his trial in 1969 that he shot Kennedy, he claimed from the start that he had no memory of doing so. And midway through Sirhan's trial, prosecutors provided his lawyers with an autopsy report that launched five decades of controversy: Kennedy was shot four times at point-blank range from behind, including the fatal shot behind his ear. But Sirhan, a 24-year-old Palestinian immigrant, was standing in front of him. Was there a second gunman? The debate rages to this day. ALSO: Why Trump delayed release of secret JFK files But the legal system has not entertained doubts. A jury convicted Sirhan of first-degree murder and sentenced him to death in 1969, which was commuted to a life term in 1972. Sirhan's appeals have been rejected at every level, as recently as 2016, even with the courts considering new evidence that has emerged over the years that as many as 13 shots were fired - Sirhan's gun held only eight bullets - and that Sirhan may have been subjected to coercive hypnosis, a real life "Manchurian candidate." His case is closed. His lawyers are now launching a longshot bid to have the Inter-American Court of Human Rights hold an evidentiary hearing, while Schrade is hoping for a group such as the Innocence Project to take on the case. A spokesman for the Innocence Project said they do not discuss cases at the consideration stage. In the final court rejection of Sirhan's appeals, U.S. Magistrate Judge Andrew Wistrich ruled, "Even if the second shooter's bullet was the one that killed Senator Kennedy, [Sirhan] would be liable [for murder] as an aider and abettor." And if Sirhan was unaware of the second shooter, Wistrich wrote that the scenario of a second gunman who shot Kennedy "at close range with the same type of gun and ammunition as [Sirhan] was using, but managed to escape the crowded room without notice of almost any of the roomful of witnesses, lacks any evidentiary support." - - - On June 5, 1968, Kennedy had just won the California Democratic presidential primary and delivered a victory speech to a delirious crowd. At 12:15 a.m., the 42-year-old candidate and Schrade left the celebration, walking through the hotel pantry en route to a news conference. Schrade was a regional director of the United Auto Workers who had helped Kennedy round up labor support, and Kennedy had singled him out for thanks in his victory speech moments earlier. Schrade, now 93, still recalls the scene in the pantry vividly. "He immediately started shaking hands" with kitchen workers, Schrade said of Kennedy. "The TV lights went on. I got hit. I didn't know I was hit. I was shaking violently, and I fell. Then Bob fell. I saw flashes and heard crackling. The crackling actually was all the other bullets being fired." Witnesses reported that Kennedy said, "Is everybody OK? Is Paul all right?" Kennedy was still conscious as his wife, Ethel, pregnant with their 11th child, rushed to his side. He lived for another day and died at 1:44 a.m. June 6, 1968. Schrade was shot above the forehead but the bullet bounced off his skull. Four other people, including ABC news producer William Weisel, were also wounded. All survived. Sirhan was captured immediately; he had a .22-caliber revolver in his hand. Karl Uecker, an Ambassador Hotel maitre d' who was escorting Kennedy through the pantry, testified that he grabbed Sirhan's wrist and pinned it down after two shots and that Sirhan continued to fire wildly while being held down, never getting close to Kennedy. An Ambassador waiter and a Kennedy aide also said they tackled Sirhan after two or three shots. Several other witnesses also said he was not close enough to place the gun against Kennedy's back, where famed Los Angeles coroner Thomas Noguchi found powder burns on the senator's jacket and on his hair, indicating shots fired at close contact. These witnesses provided more proof for those who insist a second gunman was involved. Both the Los Angeles District Attorney's office and the Los Angeles Police Department declined interviews on what they consider a closed case. Schrade believes Sirhan shot him and the others who were wounded but that he did not kill Kennedy. Since 1974, Schrade has led the crusade to try to persuade authorities - the police, prosecutors, the feds, anyone - to reinvestigate the case and identify the second gunman. "Yes, he did shoot me. Yes, he shot four other people and aimed at Kennedy," Schrade, said in an interview at his Laurel Canyon home. "The important thing is he did not shoot Robert Kennedy. Why didn't they go after the second gunman? They knew about him right away. They didn't want to know who it was. They wanted a quickie." - - - At trial, defense lawyer Grant Cooper made the decision not to contest the charge that Sirhan fired the fatal shot and instead tried to persuade the jury not to impose the death penalty by arguing Sirhan had "diminished capacity" and didn't know what he was doing. It is a standard tactic by attorneys in death penalty cases, but Cooper, who died in 1990, was widely criticized for not investigating the case before conceding guilt. Sirhan is now 74 and approaching 50 years behind bars. After California's courts abolished the death penalty in 1972, he was first made eligible for parole in 1986 but has been rejected repeatedly. In 2016, Schrade spoke on Sirhan's behalf at his parole hearing and apologized for not coming forward sooner to advocate for Sirhan's release and exoneration. California inmates are not permitted to give media interviews, and Sirhan did not respond to a letter from The Post. But his brother, Munir Sirhan, said Sirhan still holds out hope of being released and that his defense team probably hurt his case more than helped it. There's plenty of damning evidence against Sirhan. He confessed to the killing at trial, though he claims this was done on his attorney's instruction. He took hours of target practice with his pistol earlier in the day, and he took the gun into the Ambassador that night. He had been seen at a Kennedy speech at the Ambassador two days earlier. He had a newspaper clipping critical of Kennedy in his pocket and had written "RFK must die" in notebooks at home, though he said he didn't remember doing that. And he waited in the pantry for about 30 minutes, according to witnesses who said he asked if Kennedy would be coming through there. But questions about the case arose almost immediately in Los Angeles, resulting in hearings and reinvestigations as early as 1971 by the district attorney, the police chief, the county board of supervisors and the county superior court. Many of them focused on the ballistics of the case, starting with Noguchi's finding that Kennedy had been shot from behind, which Sirhan's lawyer didn't raise in his defense. In addition, lead crime scene investigator DeWayne Wolfer testified at trial that a bullet taken from Kennedy's body and bullets from two of the wounded victims all matched Sirhan's gun. But other experts who examined the three bullets said they had markings from different guns and different bullet manufacturers. An internal police document concluded that "Kennedy and Weisel bullets not fired from same gun," (Weisel was the wounded ABC news producer) and "Kennedy bullet not fired from Sirhan's revolver." This prompted a Los Angeles judge in 1975 to convene a panel of seven forensic experts, who examined the three bullets and refired Sirhan's gun. The panel said no match could be made between the three bullets, which appeared to be fired from the same gun, and Sirhan's revolver. They found Wolfer had done a sloppy job with the ballistics evidence and urged further investigation. In addition, witnesses said bullet holes were found in the door frames of the Ambassador pantry, and photos showed investigators examining the holes in the hours after the shooting. Between the three bullets that hit Kennedy and the bullets that hit the five wounded victims, Wolfer had accounted for all eight of Sirhan's shots. Bullets in the doors would indicate a second gun. Wolfer later said the holes and the metal inside were not bullets, and the door frames were destroyed after trial. Though Los Angeles authorities had promised transparency in the case, the police and prosecutors refused to release their files until 1988, producing a flood of new evidence for researchers. Among the material was an audiotape, first unearthed by CNN journalist Brad Johnson, which had been inadvertently made by Polish journalist Stanislaw Pruszynski in the Ambassador ballroom, and turned over to police in 1969. Pruszynski's microphone had been on the podium where Kennedy spoke, and TV footage shows him detaching it and moving toward the pantry as the shooting happens. In 2005, audio engineer Philip Van Praag said the tape revealed that about 13 shots had been fired. He said he used technology similar to the ShotSpotter technology used by police to alert them to gunshots, and which differentiates gunshots from firecrackers or other loud bangs. Van Praag said recently that different guns create different resonances and that he was able to establish that two guns were fired, that they fired in different directions, and that some of the shot "impulses" were so close together they couldn't have been fired by the same gun. He said he could not say "precisely" 13 shots but certainly more than the eight contained by Sirhan's gun. "There were too many bullets," Robert Kennedy Jr. said. "You can't fire 13 shots out of an eight-shot gun." British author Mel Ayton wrote "The Forgotten Terrorist," which posits that Sirhan killed Kennedy because he supported sending military firepower to Israel - the Sirhans were Christian Palestinians forced from their Jerusalem home by Israel in 1948. He said Van Praag had misinterpreted the Pruszynski tape and that other experts who examined it show only eight "spikes," one for each gunshot. Ayton also cited numerous eyewitnesses who said they heard at most eight shots. Ayton and investigative reporter Dan Moldea, who also wrote a book about the assassination, argue that Sirhan's gun could have reached Kennedy's back. No witnesses saw the actual shots fired in the chaos of the pantry, and Moldea noted that Kennedy almost certainly turned and tried to protect himself after the first shot, which some said was preceded by Sirhan yelling, "Kennedy, you son of a bitch!" "What were Kennedy's last words?" Moldea asked during an interview. "'How's Paul?' How would Kennedy know Paul had been injured if he had not been turned around. He turned around when Sirhan rushes towards him, yelling 'you son of a bitch Kennedy.' Kennedy's not going to just stand there. He turns his back defensively." Moldea theorized that Schrade fell forward into Kennedy, pinning him against a table and pushing him into the muzzle of Sirhan's gun, enabling him to fire four contact shots into Kennedy. One shot went through his jacket without hitting Kennedy, one went into his back and stopped below his neck, one went through his armpit and one went into his brain. But Robert F. Kennedy Jr. doesn't find those theories persuasive. "It's not only that nobody saw that," Kennedy said. "The people that were closest to [Sirhan], the people that disarmed him all said he never got near my father." Schrade used an expletive to describe Moldea's explanation and said he fell backward when he was shot above his forehead. Both Ayton and Moldea assisted the California attorney general's office in contesting Sirhan's final appeal, and the government's legal briefs cited the investigative work of both men. Moldea had initially been a believer in the second-gunman theory, but after interviewing numerous police officers, witnesses and Sirhan, he concluded in his 1995 book, "The Killing of Robert F. Kennedy," that Sirhan acted alone. He cited as additional proof a comment Sirhan reportedly made to a defense investigator about Kennedy turning his head before Sirhan shot him, a comment Sirhan strongly denied making. More recently, Sirhan's lawyers have explored whether he was hypnotized to begin shooting his gun when given a certain cue, even hiring a renowned expert in hypnosis from Harvard to meet with Sirhan. Judge Wistrich was completely dismissive of any suggestion of hypnosis. Schrade said the various theories of conspiracy and hypnotic programming are of little interest to him. "I'm interested in finding out how the prosecutor convicted Sirhan with no evidence, knowing there was a second gunman," Schrade said. It was Schrade who persuaded Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to examine the evidence. "Once Schrade showed me the autopsy report," Kennedy said, "then I didn't feel like it was something I could just dismiss. Which is what I wanted to do." Kennedy called Sirhan's trial "really a penalty hearing. It wasn't a real trial. At a full trial, they would have litigated his guilt or innocence. I think it's unfortunate that the case never went to a full trial because that would have compelled the press and prosecutors to focus on the glaring discrepancies in the narrative that Sirhan fired the shots that killed my father." - - - Kennedy is not afraid to express controversial views. Last year, he and actor Robert DeNiro held a press conference to argue that certain vaccines containing mercury are unsafe for some children. He said he is not opposed to all vaccines, but wants to make them safer. Three of his sisters - former Maryland lieutenant governor Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, human rights activist Kerry Kennedy and filmmaker Rory Kennedy - declined to discuss the assassination or the case against Sirhan. Kennedy understands why. "I think that, for most of my family members," he said, "this is an issue that is still too painful to even talk about." It's painful for him, too. Kennedy was asleep in his dorm at Georgetown Preparatory School in Bethesda, Maryland, on June 5, 1968, when a priest woke him and told there was a car waiting outside to take him to the family home, Hickory Hill, in McLean, Virginia. The priest didn't say why. In his new memoir, "American Values: Lessons I Learned from My Family," Kennedy said his mother's secretary was waiting for him. "Jinx Hack told me my father had been shot, but I was still thinking he'd be okay. He was, after all, indestructible." Robert F. Kennedy Jr., his older sister Kathleen and brother Joe flew to Los Angeles on Vice President Hubert Humphrey's plane, Air Force Two. At Good Samaritan Hospital, Kennedy wrote, his father's head was bandaged and his face was bruised. A priest had already delivered last rites. His mother was there. "I sat down across the bed from her and took hold of his big wrestler's hand," he wrote. "I prayed and said goodbye to him, listening to the pumps that kept him breathing. Each of us children took turns sitting with him and praying opposite my mom. "My dad died at 1:44 a.m., a few minutes after doctors removed his life support. My brother Joe came into the ward where all the children were lying down and told us, 'He's gone.' " - - - Part of a continuing series about events of the past that remain relevant. --- Video Embed Code Video: Sen. Robert Francis Kennedy (D-N.Y.) was shot and killed in 1968, while running for President. A convicted man is serving life in prison for the assassination, but 50 years later, doubts remain on who pulled the trigger.(Joyce Koh/The Washington Post) Embed code: Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo has a well-documented commitment to serving and protecting the general public, rather than special-interest groups like the National Rifle Association. And he isnt easily intimidated by bullies like their spokeswoman, Dana Loesch. Thats probably why he took a moment, last Friday, to deliver a message, via his Facebook page, about that days mass shooting at Santa Fe High School. Today I spent the day dealing with another mass shooting of children and a responding police officer who is clinging to life, wrote Acevedo in his post, which was shared more than 20,000 times. 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 continued. Read more: Chief Art Acevedo battles NRA in heated exchanges after Santa Fe massacre His perspective is a well-informed one, and it doesnt hurt for community leaders like the police chief to give voice to the sorrow and frustration many Texans were feeling after the days events. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn, wrote Paul, in his epistle to the Romans, about 2,000 years ago. Thats good advice, even now. And on a day like May 18, obviously, first responders like Acevedo have no shortage of important things to do. But since he made time to sharing his thoughts, I was interested in hearing them. And I shared his post with my Facebook friends too, because his message was important. 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 wrote. Read more: Santa Fe shooting reminds us to say our prayers and then get to work There was nothing controversial about this conclusion. It was essentially the same opinion I expressed in the column I had filed Friday evening, after visiting Santa Fe. For that matter, Gov. Greg Abbott had offered similar sentiments during his own visit to the town. We need to do more than just pray for the victims and their families, Abbott said at a press conference, calling for a three-day roundtable discussion that started Tuesday. But Abbott is, of course, one of the elected officials Acevedo was calling out in his post. Read more: A generation of students has lived with school shootings Acevedo has the right to express his opinion; theres no question about that. His point, in this case, was that prayers dont stop bullets, and arent a substitute for any of the other actions we might have taken since the Columbine massacre in 1999. A reasonable person would be hard-pressed to disagree with him about that or to take offense at his tone, particularly under the circumstances. Acevedo is, after all, the Houston police chief. It had been a long day. He had also attended a memorial honoring HPD officers who had been killed in the line of duty. Yet Acevedos post nonetheless drew fire from the NRAs Loesch. And he had, apparently, anticipated that risk. Here we go, he tweeted on Monday, after Loeschs opening salvo against him, on NRATV. Acevedo is perfectly capable of defending himself from belligerent right-wing extremists. We know that already, because some of them have berated him for his perspective on, for example, the sanctuary cities ban the state passed last year. The elected officials he was criticizing in this case, like Abbott, havent been foolish enough to second any of Loeschs inane personal attacks, which have continued over the course of the week and metastasized as a result of the chiefs decision to publicly object to her baseless claims about his motives and character. Read more: Can we have a serious conversation after Sutherland Springs But Texass elected officials may not realize how revealing their silence is, given the context. As the chief of police in Americas fourth-largest city, Acevedo is one of the stakeholders the governor should want to hear from and hes happy to give his thoughts on the subject, clearly. Since then, Loesch and the NRA have effectively taken the stance that someone like Acevedo should have no role in such debates, and that the opinions he expressed in his Facebook post are in and of themselves an assault on our Second Amendment rights. They arent, of course. Acevedo was just calling for the kind of action that should have been taken long ago, and predicting that the elected officials who had called for action that afternoon would ultimately do nothing, because those who call for change, like him, risk incurring the displeasure of bullies like Loesch. erica.grieder twitter.com/ericagrieder Leaders of two Koreas hold surprise meeting as Trump revives hopes of summit with North South Korean President Moon Jae-in bids farewell to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un as he leaves after their summit at the truce village of Panmunjom, North Korea, in this handout picture provided by the Presidential Blue House on May 26, 2018. SEOUL/WASHINGTON Reuters : South Korean President Moon Jae-in held a surprise meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on Saturday to ensure the upcoming high-stakes summit between Kim and U.S. President Donald Trump is a success, South Korean officials said. The unannounced meeting is the latest dramatic turn in a week of diplomatic flip-flops surrounding an unprecedented summit between the United States and North Korea, and the strongest sign yet that the two Korean leaders are trying to keep the on-again off-again summit on track. Their two-hour talks at the Panmunjom border village came a month after they held the first inter-Korean summit in more than a decade at the same venue on April 27 and declared they would work toward a nuclear-free Korean peninsula and formally ending the 1950-53 Korean War."The two leaders candidly exchanged views about making the North Korea-U.S. summit a successful one and about implementing the Panmunjom Declaration," South Korea's presidential spokesman said in a statement. He did not confirm how the secret meeting was arranged or which side asked for it. Moon, who returned to Seoul on Thursday morning after meeting Trump in Washington earlier this week in a bid to keep the summit on track as initially planned, for June 12 in Singapore, was due to announce details of the meeting with Kim early on Sunday. One of the photos released by the presidential Blue House on Saturday showed Moon and Kim hugging each other after their meeting at Tongilgak, the North's building in the truce village. The previous summit was held at the southern side of the border. They were accompanied by South Korean intelligence chief Suh Hoon and his North Korean counterpart Kim Yong Chol, who is in charge of inter-Korean affairs. Another photo showed Moon shaking hands with Kim Jong Un's sister, Kim Yo Jong. South Korean President Moon Jae-in bids farewell to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un as he leaves after their summit at the truce village of Panmunjom, North Korea, in this Trump said on Friday that Washington was having "productive talks" with Pyongyang about reinstating the June 12 meeting, just a day after cancelling it. Politico magazine reported that an advance team of 30 White House and State Department officials was preparing to leave for Singapore later this weekend. Reuters reported earlier this week the team was scheduled to discuss the agenda and logistics for the summit with North Korean officials. The delegation was to include White House Deputy Chief of Staff Joseph Hagin and deputy national security adviser Mira Ricardel, U.S. officials said, speaking on condition of anonymity. Trump said in a Twitter post late on Friday: "We are having very productive talks about reinstating the Summit which, if it does happen, will likely remain in Singapore on the same date, June 12th., and, if necessary, will be extended beyond that date." Trump had earlier indicated the summit could be salvaged after welcoming a conciliatory statement from North Korea saying it remained open to talks. "It was a very nice statement they put out," Trump told reporters at the White House. "We'll see what happens - it could even be the 12th." "We're talking to them now. They very much want to do it. We'd like to do it," he said. The comments came just a day after Trump cited Pyongyang's "open hostility" in canceling the meeting. After years of tension over Pyongyang's nuclear weapons program, Kim and Trump agreed this month to hold what would be the first meeting between a serving U.S. president and a North Korean leader. The plan followed months of war threats and insults between the leaders over North Korea's development of missiles capable of reaching the United States. Trump scrapped the meeting in a letter to Kim on Thursday after repeated threats by North Korea to pull out over what it saw as confrontational remarks by U.S. officials demanding unilateral disarmament. Trump cited North Korean hostility in cancelling the summit. In Pyongyang, North Korean Vice Foreign Minister Kim Kye Gwan said North Korea's criticisms had been a reaction to American rhetoric and that current antagonism showed "the urgent necessity" for the summit. Cynthia Tisdale spent her life caring for others. She raised three children and a stepdaughter and had 11 grandchildren. After her husband of 46 years was diagnosed with a fatal lung disease a few years ago, she returned to work as a substitute teacher and at times a waitress. She helped one granddaughter after a horrific accident. Had she not been in the art room at Santa Fe High School a week ago helping to shelter students from a gunman, her family said, she would have turned 64 Friday. Instead her loved ones bid her farewell during a service at League City's Bay Area Church and buried her at the Mount Olivet Catholic Cemetery in Dickinson. "To know my mom was to know a person who lived to help those in need," her son, League City Police Detective Recie Tisdale, said in a statement this week. Hundreds packed the sprawling church, which fits around 1,000 congregants, for the private service. Law enforcement made up about a quarter of the attendees and police cars lined the large parking lot. Several family members paid tribute to Tisdale, according to attendees, including her stepdaughter's husband. He recalled how she completely outfitted their apartment when they moved to Santa Fe years ago with little money. League City Police Detective John Griffith. who works with Recie Tisdale, read letters from the family. His voice cracked when he read what his colleague wrote: "I wish I could have been there the day you needed me." After the service, her casket, adorned with pink and yellow roses and lilies, was taken to the cemetery for a private burial. Ribbons in green, for the school color, adorned the pine trees. Cynthia Tisdale was born in Thibodaux, Louisiana, marrying William Recie Tisdale Sr. when she was 17, according to a family obituary. She stayed home and raised her children while her husband worked and ministered at a local Baptist church. Deeply religious, she attended First Baptist Church in Webster. Later, she worked various jobs until her husband started his own pest control business. Throughout her life, Tisdale labored in love. She cared for a granddaughter during a troublesome time, taking over "the role of mom," the woman said on Twitter. "She has been my everything since I was a baby... I love you grammy." After Tisdale's husband was diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a degenerative condition that scars the lungs, she returned to work, both in the Santa Fe Independent School District and at an Italian restaurant. "Since my brother has been very ill the last couple of years, she was a very excellent caregiver and she worked two jobs for extra income to help," her brother-in-law, John Tisdale, a pastor at a Baptist church in Pharr, told the McAllen Monitor. "She worked at the school and a second job as a server at night at an Italian restaurant chain." He said she and her husband had planned to retire in the Rio Grande Valley, and that she was looking forward to it and "just being a fulltime granny." Recie Tisdale said she did not have to work, but that she did it "for the love of teaching and helping others." He said she always found time for those she cared about. After a granddaughter was injured in an accident, she took her to weekly physical therapy appointments. "Her support, love, and encouragement are part of the reason her granddaughter is walking again," her family said in their obituary. She loved teaching as much as students adored her. "You impacted my life," one said on Twitter. "My light and favorite person to talk to. I felt safe with you and I cannot explain how much I am going to miss your presence." Another said she always gave him "candy and gum and food and answers and ... talked us through everything." She often visited her granddaughter in Lacy Glover's classroom and always had a smile on her face. "She was such a beautiful and selfless person," Glover wrote in an online tribute. Santa Fe ISD was a big part of Cynthia Tisdale's life. A daughter-in-law worked there and it's where four grandchildren went to school. Last Friday, her son was off-duty when officers told him about the shooting. He rushed to the school, joining dozens of emergency responders from across the area. His mother and daughter were inside. He found his teenager safe. But no one knew where his mother was. As the painful hours ticked by, and more details emerged, the detective began to realize she was probably one of the dead. "It was very hard to go from assisting others to being horribly affected by this tragic event," he wrote in a statement. Even in her death, Cynthia Tisdale's life served to care for others. In December, a doctor gave her husband 18 months to live and denied him a lung transplant. The family found an experimental stem cell treatment and set up a GoFundMe campaign. It was a long shot. But it was something. "I have been able to find some more hope again," the elder Tisdale wrote, according to the GoFundMe site. "My life right now is nothing more than being connected and dependent on a 50-foot hose for oxygen." With the procedure, he said, he would have the chance of more time with his wife, children and grandchildren, "who I so much want to see grow up as much as possible." Donations trickled in. Far from enough. Then, as news spread of the shooting, strangers from across the nation and even the world wanted to help. "Your story brought tears to my eyes," wrote Shayna Desjarlais. "Praying for your family and all affected by this tragedy." As they mourned, the family watched, stunned, as the GoFundMe account grew and grew. By Friday, nearly $144,600 had been raised. Not only was it enough for the stem cell treatment, but perhaps a lung transplant with another doctor, Recie Tisdale wrote on the site. "We are still in such disbelief that anything good can come out of such a horrific event," he said. "My mom always made good come out of bad situations though and this is no different for her." In her death, Tisdale looked after her husband, just like she always had. "Our mother's main priority was to make sure our father was taken care of," her family wrote. AUSTIN -- He was Albert growing up on the wrong side of the tracks in Longview during the Depression, but once Albert Race Sample made it to Burnin Hell - the inmates name for the notorious Retrieve Prison Farm near Angleton - he became Ol Racehoss. Prison guards bestowed that name in grudging recognition of his cotton-picking prowess. From dawn until past dusk, summer after summer, the guards on horseback, shotguns at the ready, watched him surge through endless rows in vast fields, picking bolls under a burning sun with the quick hands of the slickest crap shooter in East Texas. No one else on the prison farm could keep up with the wiry, light-skinned black man. As a young man, Ol Racehoss was in and out of Retrieve and other Texas prisons for more than 17 years. Once he got out - and stayed out - he wrote a book about his experiences. Published in 1984 and reissued this week, Racehoss: Big Emmas Boy is one of the most affecting memoirs Ive ever read. The late Studs Terkel got it right when he called it an outcasts eloquent testament to life. READ MORE: Six months after 'the incident,' a little Texas town copes Life was cheap where Sample grew up. His father, a white man, was a prominent Longview cotton broker who acknowledged his son but wouldnt take him in. (This was deep East Texas in the 30s, of course.) His mother, the formidable Big Emma, was a professional gambler, a bootlegger and a prostitute, busy tricking seven days a week. Although she physically abused her little boy when she drank, he was her houseman, beginning at age 4. I sat on the case of bootlegged whiskey bottled in half-pints until somebody wanted one, Sample recalled. I collected the money and gave each customer a dipperful of water with which to wash it down, if it was bought by the shot. Between sales, I kept a sharp lookout for the police and a keen eye on the dice when they rolled off the blanket so nobody could switch in some crooked ones. When Emma was shooting, I watched the cigar box she kept her loose change in so nobody would clip her. He was on his own by 6, hopping freights and roaming the country by 12 and serving a 20-year sentence for armed robbery by the time he was 22 (to be served concurrently with the 30-year sentence he had for robbery by assault.) His fellow inmates in the segregated facility were the most incorrigible black convicts in the Texas prison system. He quickly learned it was called Burning Hell for a reason. The Retrieve Unit, now known as the Wayne Scott Unit, had been an actual plantation. A South Carolinian named Abner Jackson got it going in 1839, and according to the Handbook of Texas, constructed a two-story mansion, slave quarters, a sugar house and ovens. Around 1842, Jackson sold half his interest to James Hamilton, a former governor of South Carolina and an emissary to Europe for the Republic of Texas. By 1860, the Retrieve slaves were producing more sugar than almost any plantation in the state; its owners were the second-largest slaveholders in Texas. In the early 1900s, the slave-bereft plantation leased convicts from the state to work the cotton, corn and sugar-cane fields. The state bought the 7,424-acre plantation in 1918 for $320,829.60 and continued to use the property as a prison farm into the 1990s, its 700 hardworking inmates making it one of the most productive in the state. READ MORE: An early serial killer may have brought 'eternal moonlight' to Austin Life in Burnin Hell during the 1950s and 60s would have been familiar to the slaves who worked the land more than a century earlier. Sample and his fellow inmates, some 400 in all, ran the daily risk of being worked to death or shot to death by sadistic, racist prison guards, most of them ignorant and uneducated. Both the guards and their prison-system bosses would have sneered at any thought of rehabilitation. Samples description of the brutality, the insanity and the grinding racism of prison life in the mid-20th century is as powerful as anything Ive read in years. He had an ear for dialogue, particularly African-American dialect, and the stories he tells - sad and enraging, to be sure, but just as often funny are unforgettable. Its an unbelievable story, David Dow, professor at the University of Houston Law Center, told me this week. I dont think I got out of my chair until I finished it. More Information Racehoss: Big Emma's Boy, by Albert Race Sample (Simon & Schuster, 2018). To hear Diane Rehm's 1986 interview with Sample, rebroadcast in 2016 as one of the most memorable interviews of her long career, go to https://dianerehm.org/shows/2016-12-27/albert-race-hoss-sample-rebroadcast. See More Collapse Dow, founder of the Texas Innocence Project, wrote the foreword to the new edition. The story is still a very contemporary story, he said. Hes writing about an era thats superficially very different, but theres still racism. Its of a different nature. Sample survived, the result in large part to a mysterious spiritual moment he experienced during a brutal 28-day stint in solitary. Released from prison in 1972 at age 42, he became the first ex-con in Texas to serve as a probation officer. He received a full pardon and restoration of all civil rights in 1976. In 1982, Sample and his wife Carol - they met in Houston in 1975 and married the next year - quit their jobs, sold their car and moved into a rent house in Dripping Springs. Sample, who had worked for a couple of years at the Forward Times newspaper in Houston, sat down at a typewriter and began writing his book, with Carol editing at her own typewriter across the room. It took them nine months. READ MORE: "Hurricane Season: The Unforgettable Story of the 2017 Houston Astros and the Resilience of the City" He just sat down and cranked it out, Carol Sample told me Thursday morning as we sat in her kitchen in far East Austin. It was something he had to do. And now theres something she has to do. Her beloved Race died of cancer in 2005, leaving her with 30 years of funny, poignant, incredible stories still to tell. She finished her sequel to Racehoss a couple of months ago. I promised her not to tell too many of the stories she shared with me, but one I cant resist. Young Albert, she said, taught himself to tap dance by watching Bo Jangles teach Shirley Temple in movies he saw at Longviews Rembert Theater (admission nine pennies). Soon, he was tap-dancing for spare change on downtown streets and not long afterward made his way to Dallas where he danced two shows nightly at a nightclub. He made $5 a show, although the aunt he was staying with usually stole it while he slept. One night, the little boy met his idol, the former wife of the club owner, a man named Jack Pepper. The beautiful, blond-haired young woman asked him to dance with her, and after rehearsing for about an hour, they performed a number together. Ginger Rogers called him Lil Bubba. djholley10@gmail.com Twitter: holleynews AUSTIN In the aftermath of the mass shooting at Santa Fe High School, Gov. Greg Abbott has repeatedly stressed the vital role school counselors and mental health professionals play in identifying troubled students. Texas law, though, does not require schools to hire counselors, psychologists or social workers, and there is no cap on how many students they can serve. In Houston, there is one counselor for every 1,100 students, one of the highest caseloads in the state. On average, there are 430 students to every counselor in Texas, well above the American School Counselor Associations recommended caseload of one counselor per 250 students. For psychologists and social workers, the caseloads are in the thousands. After each tragedy in American schools including Santa Fe and Parkland, Fla. politicians and educators call on districts to do everything from adding metal detectors, banning backpacks to increasing police officers in schools. Hiring more mental health professionals on campuses consistently makes the list, and Abbott has suggested hiring more counselors. School experts say if the governor and lawmakers want to make meaningful reforms, the state must require counselors on every campus, set manageable caseloads and limit how much time they can spend on non-counseling duties. All of these proposals will cost money, which educators say must come from the state because cash-strapped school districts often have to choose between hiring a counselor or a teacher. I do appreciate the governor looking at mental illness, metal detectors, social media checks which is wonderful, said Tammi Mackeben, a counselor in El Paso and president of Lone Star State School Counselor Association. We want mental health screenings, but who is going to pay for them? And then when students do need services, where are we going to send them to meet their needs? No mandate, high ratios Most states mandate schools to have at least one counselor not Texas. Most high schools in the state have at least one counselor, but there are many elementary schools that do not have someone full-time. Some elementary schools share counselors, which leads to higher caseloads. If counselors have to work with hundreds or thousands of students, they often spend less time with students and cant fully address their academic or emotional needs, experts say. Then theres the question of how schools use their counselors. While state law requires that counselors have a masters degree in mental health, Mackeben said many schools use counselors to perform tasks that have little to do with helping students. In middle and high schools, counselors also set class schedules, ensure students are on track to graduate and have a career or college plan. In many districts, the counselors are the testing coordinators. They also serve as parent liaisons, so their time spent on social emotional and mental health issues is limited, Mackeben said. Some schools have psychologists and social workers who should be able to focus on social emotional learning and behavioral health, but their time is also often spent on other tasks, mainly serving special education students. On average, each school psychologist serves more than 2,700 students in Texas schools. The recommended caseload is no more than 700, according to the National Association of School Psychologists. There needs to be a collective rethinking of school psychologists and social workers, beyond serving just those students with significant mental distress of in special education, said Eric Rossen, the director of professional development and standards at the National Association of School Psychologists. Lawmakers in Texas have tried to require schools to hire behavioral health professionals in the past, but their efforts have failed. In 2017, state Sen. Sylvia Garcia, D-Houston, wrote a bill that would require schools to alert parents if their childs school does not have a full-time counselor, nurse or librarian on staff for more than 30 consecutive days. State Sen. Eddie Lucio, D-Brownsville, proposed two bills that would have lowered the student-to-counselor ratio to no more than 300-to-1 and would have set a 10 percent limit on non-counseling duties. The measures never became law. Counseling a priority After the Santa Fe shooting, Gov. Greg Abbott hosted roundtable discussions for three days that included parents, students, education and law enforcement officials. At the end of each day, Abbott said the need for more mental health professionals in schools came up. On Thursday, several parents and students told Abbott that it can often take weeks to see a counselor. We talked about increasing school counselors at all levels of schools and with these counselors, Abbott said. Theyd focus not on academics and not on other types of programs, but theyd focus solely on interventions which is a type of behavior which could lead to your school shooting or other conduct by a student that can harm another. At Cypress-Fairbanks ISD, the Houston areas second-largest school district, each counselor serves on average 526 students. Each psychologist has 4,000 students and there is no social worker employed by the district, according to state records. Franklin D. Sampson, the director of guidance and counseling, said counselors in the district would be able to get to know their students better if they could work with about 300 students. Still, he said dealing with a students mental health is a schoolwide effort. If teachers see something disturbing in a classroom, they need to alert counselors or other staff. From the front receptionist to the cafeteria workers, I think its going to take everyone to come together to try to avoid something like this happening again, Sampson said. Yes, the counselors play an important role. But do I feel its the counselors sole responsibility? Absolutely not. Jacob Carpenter and Andrea Zelinski contributed to this report. alejandra.matos@chron.com twitter.com/amatos12 In a Republican Party in desperate need of younger, more vibrant voices, Dan Crenshaw might be exactly what the GOP is looking for. When the 34-year-old who nearly died on a battlefield in Afghanistan six years ago surged to a stunning victory on Tuesday night, he didnt just win the partys nomination in a Republican Primary battle for Congress that few thought he could win. He became a potential star on the national stage because of his war-hero story and a charisma that is drawing younger voters. Its so exciting to have fresh faces emerging like Dan who will lead the Republican Party forward into the next generation, said Jack Pandol, a spokesman for the National Republican Congressional Committee. Wise political observers will start keeping an eye on Dan right now, because he has a bright future. REPUBLICAN FACE-OFF: Crenshaw wins 2nd Congressional District runoff as Roberts concedes Conservative radio host Michael Berry has seen countless Republican Party candidates come and go, but said he saw something special about Crenshaw before most people. Berry said when you hear about Crenshaws war injuries and stint as a Navy SEAL, you expect a big burly dude. But while Crenshaw is fit and strong, he comes across as a cerebral guy and oozes authenticity. Berry said the GOP needs an authentic, young conservative voice with real world experience and not just another suit who was student body president in college. I have seen the face of the future of the Republican Party and the leadership of America, Berry told Crenshaws supporters at an election night party at the Cadillac Bar. And its wearing an eye patch. Crenshaws distinctive eye patch covers the right eye he lost in 2012 when a roadside bomb killed his Afghan interpreter and nearly killed him. Crenshaw said at first he couldnt see at all and credits his doctors with pulling off a miracle to keep him alive and restore vision in his left eye. OPINION: At long last, Texans have real contests in real elections At the Cadillac Bar, voters in their 30s or younger gushed about Crenshaw breaking the mold of what they have come to expect from a Republican running for Congress. Its nice to see hes not just another lawyer going to Congress, Gus Smythe said as he spoke to fellow millennials Jimmy Kim and Tyler Granato. Granato said Crenshaws background makes him hard not to like. Hes the American comeback story, Granato said. If Crenshaw wins in November, at 34 years-old hed enter Congress as the youngest member from Texas and would be one of the youngest in Congress. He would be four months older than the current youngest representative, Elise Stefanik. MONEY TRAIL: $1.2M flows from Super PACs into Houston congressional race The presence of dozens of people under 40 at Crenshaws party was a welcome sight for Republicans. A poll by Tufts University showed that only one-third of young adults hold a favorable view of the Republican Party. President Donald Trump carried just 37 percent of the millennial electorate, the same percentage that then-Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney drew. Early in Crenshaws campaign he made his potential appeal to younger voters a central part of his campaign messages. I know the importance of carrying the conservative movement through to the next generation, he said. After his victory on Tuesday, Crenshaw said it was important to have a campaign that excites young people, gets them involved and passes constitutionalism to the next generation. He credits his younger supporters and volunteers for helping spread his campaign when it looked like he was in trouble. As absentee ballots started to arrive in March, his campaigns internal data that showed Crenshaw was in big trouble in the first round of the primary - something official results later would confirm. With almost 7,000 absentee votes cast, the data showed Crenshaw was a whopping 28 percentage points behind experienced political candidate Kevin Roberts in the 9-way primary to replace retiring U.S. Rep. Ted Poe, R-Atascocita. Crenshaw didnt know the exact numbers, but the campaign knew they were way behind. Results released later showed Crenshaw was more than 20 percentage points behind second place candidate Kathleen Wall, a longtime GOP donor had spent $6 million of her own money on her campaign. Crenshaw reorganized his campaign for early voting. With an army of supporters blanketing polling stations, Crenshaw dominated voting on March 6 and slipped into second place by just 155 votes in an election where 46,000 ballots were counted. He made it into a second round runoff because no candidate was able to get at least 50 percent of the vote. The margin became known in the Crenshaw campaign as Mission 155. That put Crenshaw against Roberts, who had the most votes in the primary and a network of Republican support. Crenshaw crushed Roberts on Tuesday, sending him to the general election, where he is favored to defeat Democrat Todd Litton and Libertarian Patrick Gunnels. If anybody had done any less work, went to bed a little earlier, Crenshaw told his supporters as his wife Tara stood next to him. We wouldnt be here. Crenshaw, who graduated from Tufts University and has a masters degree from Harvard University is deeply invested in public policy. He wrote all of his own position papers, something many candidates outsource to campaign staffers. That pedigree has national political campaign strategists like Dan Conston itching to get Crenshaw into the U.S. Capitol Building. Conston is a veteran of U.S. Sen. John McCains 2008 presidential campaign and helped get U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio elected to the Senate in 2010. Rubio and McCain are two of Congresss go-to voices on foreign policy. Crenshaw has the potential to be a national security star almost immediately, has the profile of a next-generation Republican leader, and has policy depth far beyond most politicians, said Conston, who helped organize a Super PAC called American Patriots that spent more than $500,000 to help Crenshaw. Crenshaws star potential has made him a regular on Fox News Channel. Just this week, Crenshaw was booked for two appearance on the popular Fox & Friends morning program, including the day before the election. And before early voting he was featured on Fox News Sunday. Crenshaw has appeared on Fox programs at least 6 times since January. Fox never invited Roberts or Wall. jeremy.wallace@chron.com Twitter.com/JeremySWallace For a God-and-guns politician who in 2013 posted a Facebook image of a semi-automatic pistol nuzzled up against a Bible, Gov. Greg Abbotts gun violence gatherings at the Capitol last week represent progress. At least, we hope so. In three separate roundtable meetings, the governor heard from survivors and victims of the most recent mass shooting (as of this writing); from teachers, administrators and students; from police officers, security experts and mental health professionals; from gun-safety advocates and, in Abbotts words, those who hold our Second Amendment right in high esteem. All of them doubtless want this deadly scourge to end. Theres no question that Abbott shares that devoutly-to-be-wished objective, but until last week, he has been the typical thoughts and prayers and nothing else kind of politician. Could it be that listening to the pain and anguish in the voices of his fellow Texans last week actually made a difference? Again, we hope so. EDITORIAL: Santa Fe shooter's dad didn't keep his guns secure We need to do more than just pray for the victims and their families, Abbott declared at a press conference, just hours after a teenager wielding a pistol and a shotgun burst into a Santa Fe High School art class and began firing, ultimately killing 10 people, eight of whom were his classmates. A week later, in the wake of last weeks discussions, the governor said he and his staff would compile recommendations and craft a prioritized action plan. The challenge is to hold the governor, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and other elected officials to their public safety obligations. The task is to remind them daily that talk is no substitute for meaningful action. Instead of ideologues and Second Amendment absolutists, maybe theyve begun to listen to those who really have something to say about gun violence, including Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo. There are things that can be done. Everyone knows it, the chief told Texas Monthly last week. And I think therein lies the frustration with a lot of people, including a lot of my friends that are salt-of-the-earth conservatives, great people, NRA members, and wound up giving me feedback that say this is not what we signed up for; this is not why were supportive of the NRA. Its not a zero-sum proposition. MORE: Now a school shooting has happened here Acevedo, who has no compunction about speaking hard truth to the NRA and to craven politicians in its thrall, calls for universal background checks, including checks for those who buy from private sellers at gun shows. According to a recent study, 22 percent of guns are obtained in this country without a background check. Who can say whether their owners are felons or whether they pose a threat to others? Requiring background checks is just one of several sensible measures we can take, measures that shouldnt be controversial at all. In the wake of the Santa Fe High School shooting, in which the shooter used his fathers legally owned firearms, shouldnt we require safe storage of guns? Is that somehow Second Amendment sacrilege? Guns that arent securely stored are just waiting to be found by curious kids, by troubled teenagers contemplating suicide, by burglars wholl break in and steal them. Texans should insist on so-called red flag laws that allow a judge to order the temporary removal of a gun from those who are a threat to themselves or others. Connecticut, Indiana, California, Washington, Oregon and Florida have enacted red flag laws. Why not Texas? Texas should make sure that domestic abusers dont have access to guns. Nearly half of women murdered in America are killed by a present or past lover, yet its still too easy for these people to acquire firearms. OPINION: Ted Cruz wouldn't talk to kids in March, but he was willing to mourn them in May To reduce gun trafficking, we should limit buyers in most cases to one or two gun purchases a month. We also should invest in gun buybacks to reduce the number of guns in this nation, which added 100 million since 1994. We should ban private ownership of military-style assault weapons. No other developed nation on earth tolerates the pervasive gun violence that has become commonplace in America. No other nation accepts the killing of children as collateral damage. Texas, of course, yields to no other state in its Second Amendment fealty which means, ironically, that our elected officials are ideally situated to show the way toward reverence for life, respect for the Constitution and gun-rights common sense. Maybe, just maybe, the governor took the first step down that life-saving path last week. We hope so. If the Trump administration is committed to punishing the Venezuelan government and alleviating the suffering of the countrys citizens, part of the solution lies close to home. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley, speaking at the University of Houston this week, aimed tough talk at the South American nation weeks after the United States placed new sanctions on 23 Venezuelan citizens and firms. All have close ties to the government headed by President Nicolas Maduro, which has fantastically mismanaged Venezuelas economy, squandered its vast natural resources and left millions of its citizens hungry, impoverished and without a democratic government. The Trump administration is right to take a hard line against the oligarchs who have ruined Venezuela, but if we are serious about helping the Venezuelan people, we must prosecute or expel the hundreds of corrupt Venezuelans living in the United States many of whom are in Texas. EDITORIAL: Unlike our Cuba policy, America should chart a reasonable course toward Venezuela Graft has been widespread in Venezuelas energy industry, especially since Hugo Chavez, Maduros predecessor, became president in 1999. Scholars and law enforcement officials believe hundreds of Venezuelans who made fortunes by scamming the government and its state-owned oil company, PDVSA, have settled quietly in American cities like Houston and Miami. Yet only recently has the Department of Justice begun to bring cases against them. In 2015, federal prosecutors scored their biggest victory to date the indictment of The Woodlands businessman Robert Rincon, who the feds say led a $1 billion scheme to defraud PDVSA. That ongoing case has netted 14 more prosecutions of Venezuelans, including an additional five in February. Many live in the large expatriate community in Katy. Around 11,000 Venezuelan immigrants call the Houston area home. The vast majority are uninvolved with the corrupt oligarchs who hide among them, and many fled Venezuela to escape the Chavez/Maduro regime or help support desperate family members there. They are understandably frustrated to see corrupt countrymen move into their neighborhoods. MORE: It will take more than Trump's threats to end Venezuela's crisis While American sanctions against the Maduro regime are warranted, they do have collateral consequences. Limiting the ability of Venezuelas oil industry to do business with U.S. firms hurts the countrys main source of revenue, which helps feed a country where all but the wealthiest citizens experience food shortages. Indicting more corrupt Venezuelans in the United States would do no such harm and also could deter more oligarchs from settling here. We can no longer turn a blind eye to those who have looted their country and seek the safety of America as Venezuela descends into chaos. We should have zero tolerance for money launderers. RELATED: Broad, regional approach may be best to keep Maduro at bay American firms should also re-evaluate relationships with PDVSA and Citgo, its U.S.-based subsidiary. Were especially perplexed that the city of Houston since 2017 has sold the chief sponsorship of its Independence Day celebration, Freedom Over Texas, to Citgo. By holding a sham presidential election, pledging to rewrite the constitution and cracking down on protests last year, which killed 165 people, the values of the Maduro government clearly clash with those of our Founding Fathers. American intervention in Latin America has too often aided anti-democratic governments, and though the Trump administration is right to call out the Venezuelan government for how it has failed its own people, our options are limited. We must refuse to allow corrupt Venezuelans to take refuge in our financial system and in our safe suburbs. For the thousands of Venezuelan-Americans who watch in horror as their native country teeters on the brink of collapse, it is the least we can do. The state of Texas is on the verge of doing what the Germans and the Japanese could not: Sink the Battleship Texas. She survived extensive tours in World War I and World War II, but Mother Nature has proved to be a much more worthy opponent. As has the Texas government. Growing up, I always looked forward to visiting the Battleship Texas. My best friend and I would climb from top to bottom, firing every gun and squeezing down every port hole along the way. The USS Texas is the last of the great dreadnought battleships. She participated in the most important battles of the first half of the 20th century. When commissioned on March 12, 1914, she was the most powerful war ship the world had ever seen. The Texas was the first of her kind to mount anti-aircraft guns, to use commercial radar, to launch an aircraft and lays claim to the First Marine Division in 1941. EDITORIAL: Save the USS Texas! Her most notable contributions came in World War II, when she participated in the invasions of North Africa, Normandy, Iwo Jima and Okinawa. As the flagship of the U.S. fleet, she battered the Nazi defenses during the D-Day invasion at Normandy. Then, at the end of the war, she made three trips to bring American servicemen back home. But, in 1948, the Battleship Texas was decommissioned. School children across Texas saved their nickels to help pay to sail the ship to Texas and dry dock it at the site of the battlegrounds on the San Jacinto River. Then her place in history took root right here in our own backyard, and in 1948 she was designated a National Historic Landmark. Today, the Battleship Texas serves as a museum and a reminder of wars long past. Major restoration projects and the efforts of thousands of volunteers have kept this old battleship alive for thousands of visitors every year. In fact, even during my tenure as a felony court judge in Houston, the Texas continued to find her way into my life, as well as the lives of offenders I ordered to be enlisted in the Texas Navy. I ordered probationers who were skilled welders, painters, plumbers and electricians to help in the restoration efforts of the ship. LETTER WRITER: I still remember battleship field trip And nearly 70 years after her arrival to her namesake state, she still floats. But maybe not for long. Despite ongoing repairs that will tentatively be completed in a little over a year, the ship is in a dire state. Without a dry-berth, she will sink. Early estimates suggest a dry-berth would cost approximately $51 million no small chunk of change. However, scrapping the ship would cost upward of $30 million and likely much more than that. The Texas Legislature actually approved and appropriated funds for a dry-berth of the ship back in 2008 but that plan never came to fruition. This puts the state of Texas in a precarious position. It could spend $51 million to save the ship or upward of $30 million to permanently destroy it. There are even private entities and individuals that would be willing to chip in funds, meaning that the full $51 million would not all come out of Texas wallet, driving the cost similarities of a dry-berth and a demolition even closer. CONCERNED READER: Texas should be ashamed for letting USS Texas rust The Texas Department of Parks and Wildlife has jurisdiction of the battle wagon, but funding over the years has been sporadic and nonexistent. We as Americans should never be okay with destroying such a vital part of our countrys history because it is the easy thing to do. We owe it to the Texans who served in the Navy, the Marines, the Air Force, the Coast Guard and Merchant Marines to save the Battleship Texas. This battleship, like so many battlefields and sacred, historical landmarks across our country, is consecrated with the blood of Americans. Without the Texas, things might have gone a little bit differently for us at D-Day or in the Pacific Theater. It is time that the state of Texas do the right thing, and save the ship that fought to preserve our country in the two biggest wars in history. Moments of clarity were easily found in the May 18 tragedy in Santa Fe. They were evident in the shock, horror and repulsion at yet another school shooting this one in our neighborhood and the desire that such an atrocity never happen again. What is not clear is how to accomplish the latter. The solutions do not lie in easy answers. Neither do they lie in our politicians, no matter how skilled they might normally be with a lie. EDITORIAL: Santa Fe shooter's dad didn't keep his guns secure In fact, there may be no real solution to stopping a determined person with the intent to slaughter large numbers of people. After such cataclysmic events, the standard utterances of sympathy have become so trite they have moved beyond cliche and become weapons of their own. Many voices called out after Santa Fe and Parkland, Fla., just to name two debasing those who offered thoughts and prayers. The standard response became enough with the thoughts and prayers, we need some action. Yes, thoughts and prayer are easy, nay, mindless. Action, though, cannot and should not be thought of in the short term. Braised with emotion and frustration, the first thoughts of doing something are often misguided. And sometimes just dumb. OPINION: The least Texans can do is vote for safer schools Take Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick. Speaking in the afternoon gaggle of state leaders at the school the afternoon of the shooting (and on a variety of TV news shows afterward), Patrick suggested schools needed fewer entrances to stave off attacks. "We need to get down to one or two entrances into our schools, he said. You have the necessary exits for fire, of course, but we have to funnel our students into our schools so we can put eyes on them. More ludicrous than this Holland Tunnel theory of ingress was Patricks suggestion that teachers should be armed. Even the most loyal adherent to Second Amendment rights and those are inalienable rights doesnt necessarily believe the solution to gun violence is putting more guns in play. But then, neither is taking guns away. After each mass shooting, the discourse of gun control rises to a fever pitch, lately couched in the vernacular of reasonable gun control. You could almost sense the sigh of relief from some gun nuts when early reports that Dimitrious Pagoutzis used an AR-15 turned out to be incorrect. You could almost feel the related frustration of opponents of such weapons at the same moment. Assault rifles (in the current parlance, military-style weapons) are the white whale for proponents of gun control. Despite the fact that they may just be hunting rifles adorned with black cladding and a pistol grip (neither of which are admittedly offer much advantage in shooting deer). And despite the fact that assault weapons are used far less than pistols in incidents of gun violence. And they are irrelevant to Santa Fe, where Pagoutzis used a shotgun and pistol from his fathers legal stash. In fact, none of the typical reasonable gun control measures would have stopped Pagoutzis. The focus on military-style weapons and background checks would have accomplished nothing. RELATED: Now, a school shooting has happened here But in the aftermath of a mass shooting, remaining an absolutist in regards to the Second Amendment becomes very difficult. You can be on the right side of history, yet still wrong in the present day. And the fanatics who eke into the public space after tragedy are far from representative of the normal gun owner (and certainly not the normal Texan). Amid the chaos in the dread afternoon in Santa Fe, a halfwit seeking a TV camera strolled onto the scene with an American flag tilted on his shoulder and a handgun strapped to the side of his cargo shorts. He told willing TV crews he was there to show support, the methods of which were obviously disconnected from reality. Luckily, as one camera pulled away, it settled on a man who, despite his justified anger and vitriol, presented a more reasoned line of thinking, calling the gun-toting interloper an idiot. We dont need this crap, the second man said. I believe in the Second Amendment, I believe in everything this is an embarrassment. The biggest obstacle to reasoned debate on any subject (and from any side of the argument) are the zealots who misrepresent normal thinking. This would include the entreaties by Patrick and many, many others that the absence of prayer in school is at least partly to blame for this latest tragedy. These misguided missionaries insist that students should be washed in the blood of such invocation, no matter what beliefs they may or may not hold. Perhaps they need to take a closer look at Matthew 6:6 and keep their prayers and their pleas private. Theres some irony here, in that Santa Fe High School was on the losing side of a 2000 Supreme Court case about student-led prayer at school events, a case that led to further limitation of proselytizing in schools. We should slot zealots of all flavors (pro-gun and anti-gun; pro-abortion and anti-abortion; pro-Trump and anti-Trump) into their proper, extremist, places. And stop listening so intently. Those who spoke with the loudest voices on May 18 likely do not have a solution. Neither do the politicians who dutifully made their appearance to express their dismay. Certainly not the misguided fool who brought a handgun to a crime scene. Frankly, there simply may not be a solution at all. Reynolds is a writer living in Houston. 128 held in 4 districts Law enforcers arrested a total of 128 people during the ongoing anti-narcotics drives in Rajshahi, Bagerhat, Jhalokati and Sherpur districts in last 24 hours till 4 pm Saturday. In Rajshahi, police arrested 59 people from different areas of the district. Among the arrestees, 19 were accused in several cases, 19 were held for drug dealing while 21 on other charges. In Bagerhat, 43 people were arrested from different areas. Among those, 13 people were held for drug trading and police recovered 75 Yaba pills and 200 gm hemp from their possession, said police control room. In Jhalokati, police detained two people along with hemp from Beribad area and another with 11 Yaba pills from Kistakati area on Friday night. The detainees were identified as Md Zahid Mridha, Md Khalilur Rahman and Hakim Rahman. In Sherpur, a total of 23 including drug traders and peddlers were arrested from different areas in the upazila, said Md Aminul Islam, additional superintendent of police. Later, the local court sent them to jail, he added. [Note: This story originated via the Washington Post's Cybersecurity 202 newsletter. For me, the lead is buried in the last paragraph, urging owners of consumer grade routers to reboot them in order to prevent a second-stage attack. When you have finished reading this story, go reboot your router. It's important. - Dwight Silverman] U.S. law enforcement is trying to seize control of a network of hundreds of thousands of wireless routers and other devices infected by malicious software and under the control of a Russian hacking group that typically targets government, military and security organizations. In a statement issued late Wednesday, the Justice Department said the FBI had received a court order to seize a domain at the core of the massive botnet, which would allow the government to protect victims by redirecting the malware to an FBI-controlled server. The DOJ attributed the hacking campaign to the group known as Sofacy, also known as Fancy Bear. While the statement did not explicitly name Russia, Fancy Bear is the Russian military-linked group that breached the Democratic National Committee in the presidential election. How to: Update your router's firmware and improve its security "This operation is the first step in the disruption of a botnet that provides the Sofacy actors with an array of capabilities that could be used for a variety of malicious purposes, including intelligence gathering, theft of valuable information, destructive or disruptive attacks, and the misattribution of such activities," said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers. And FBI Special Agent in Charge Bob Johnson said: "These hackers are exploiting vulnerabilities and putting every American's privacy and network security at risk." Johnson encouraged people and businesses to update their network equipment and change their passwords -- though he cautioned "there is still much to be learned about how this particular threat initially compromises infected routers and other devices." The announcement of law enforcement's salvo came just hours after cybersecurity researchers from Cisco's intelligence unit Talos warned that sophisticated hackers had infected at least 500,000 devices in at least 54 countries with the malware dubbed "VPN Filter." Much of the attention at first focused on the apparently imminent threat in Ukraine: The malware showed up in devices there at such "an alarming rate" in recent weeks that the researchers believed hackers linked to a state government were preparing an extensive cyberattack on the country, the researchers said. While the researchers themselves did not name Russia, they did say the "potentially descrutive malware" had some of the same hallmarks of recent Russian government-backed hacking campaigns that took out parts of the country's power grid. "The code of this malware overlaps with versions of the BlackEnergy malware which was responsible for multiple large-scale attacks that targeted devices in Ukraine," Talos said in its blog post. The U.S. government and security experts have attributed those attacks to Russia. The latest campaign fits a pattern of influence operations the Russian government has used in recent years to upend life in Ukraine as part of a strategy to exert influence on the digital stage, said Nina Jankowicz, a fellow at the Wilson Center. Insecurities: These hackers warned Congress the internet was not secure. It still isn't. "Ukraine has always been a proving ground for Russian cyberactivity," she told me. "Russia is asserting its cyber prowess. It wants the United States and the West to know what it's capable of without having to launch an attack on a Western government, which would draw retribution." Yet in this case, it's not surprising that the threat was a priority for U.S. law enforcement -- and not just because Russia has been in the spotlight for its interference campaign in the 2016 election. Earlier this year, the White House publicly blamed Russia for the NotPetya cyberattack in June 2017, when Russian military hackers shut down networks across Ukraine and wiped data from financial firms, government offices and other institutions around the world. The White House said it was the "most destructive and costly cyberattack in history" and vowed that it would "be met with international consequences." Craig Williams, the head of Talos's security team, told me that under a worst-case scenario, the mass of infected devices was powerful enough to be used to carry out a "potential sequel" to the NotPetya attack. "We're rolling right up on the anniversary of that attack," Williams said. If hundreds of thousands of routers get knocked out simultaneously, he said, "that will have a very similar impact to NotPetya." Williams called VPN Filter the "Swiss army knife for malware." In addition to using it for espionage purposes, the malware has the potential to intercept communications on industrial control systems used throughout the energy sector and by manufacturers, water treatment facilities and other critical infrastructure operators. It also has a destructive capability known as "bricking" that allows the malware to permanently disable any device infected with it. Energy industry: Energy cybersecurity projects went 'to the bottom of the pile' By infecting consumer wireless routers, hackers were targeting an especially weak link in computer networking, said Michael Daniel, president of the Cyber Threat Alliance, of which Cisco is a member. It's "particularly pernicious because it targets the kind of device that's difficult to defend," he told me. "They sit on the edge of the network or on the outside of the firewall. They don't really have antivirus for routers." The FBI and the Department of Homeland Security have notified trusted internet service providers of the malware, according to the DOJ. Cisco said users can disable the malware beyond its first stage by rebooting their routers. On Friday, the FBI also asked owners of consumer routers to reboot them. Get more tasty tech news at TechBurger. And follow us on Twitter and Facebook. Subscribe to the Chronicle for regular access to TechBurger stories and to be able to comment. BBC News recently reported on a pretty rad story out of Cornwall, UK. Way back in 1997 a shipping container carrying 4.8 million Lego pieces fell into the sea, roughly 20 miles from Lands End. 17 years later the tide is still washing loads of Lego onto beaches around Cornwall. There have also been discoveries of Lego in Devon, Ireland and Wales. Advertisement The container ship carrying the Lego, the Tokio Express, was hit by a wave described by its captain as a once in a 100-year phenomenon, tilting the ship 60 degrees one way, then 40 degrees back. Ironically, many of the Lego pieces were nautical-themed, from the Aquazone line. For years, children and adults have been combing the Cornwall coasts in search of the little plastic bricks. Local Tracey Williams has even created a Facebook page that chronicles her findings, its super-cutely called Lego Lost at Sea. Since 1997, those pieces could have drifted 62,000 miles, he says. It's 24,000 miles around the equator, meaning they could be on any beach on earth. Theoretically, the pieces of Lego could keep going around the ocean for centuries. Advertisement The Lego Lost At Sea facebook page was created by British writer and intrepdi beachcomber, Tracey Williams, "who first started to discover pieces of sea themed Lego on beaches around her family home in South Devon, England in the late 1990s." Currently, she lives in Cornwall, "near where the shipwrecked Lego still washes up daily." Tracey is also invovled in the beach-cleaning group Newquay Beach Care. These Lego dragons are just two of 33,941 Lego dragons. They washed up in Bigbury on Sea, South Devon, England in the late-90s. This epic Lego shipwreck is also providing a lot of insight into the movement of ocean currents and the tides. Advertisement "The most profound lesson I've learned from the Lego story is that things that go to the bottom of the sea don't always stay there. Tracking currents is like tracking ghosts - you can't see them. You can only see where flotsam started and where it ended up. -US oceanographer Curtis Ebbesmeyer Williams even wonders whether the "Lego armada" could have even been swept as far as Australia: Patricia sent us this picture of a Lego flipper she found washed up in Port Phillip Bay, Melbourne sometime in the last five years. We don't know for certain whether this is from the Tokio Express or not but according to oceanographer Dr Curtis Ebbesmeyer 'it's possible that after 17 years, a Lego flipper could have made it to Australia'. According to the Beachcombers Alert, (2,2 1997) The Lost Lego Pieces Cargo included: Toy kits - Divers, Aquazone, Aquanauts, Police, FrightKnights, WildWest, RoboForce TimeCruisers, Outback, Pirates Spear guns (red and yellow) - 13,000 items Black octopus - 4,200 Yellow life preserver - 26,600 Diver flippers (in pairs: black, blue, red) - 418,000 Dragons (black and green) - 33,941 Brown ship rigging net - 26,400 Daisy flowers (in fours - white, red, yellow) - 353,264 Scuba and breathing apparatus (grey) - 97,500 Total of 4,756,940 Lego pieces lost overboard in a single container Estimated 3,178,807 may be light enough to have floated Here's Williams' Lego ID guide for the pieces she's found thus far: While its pretty cool that theres tons of Lego washing up on beaches to the delight of children and adults who love finding little plastic treasure, there are some major environmental concerns with over 4 million pieces of plastic floating around the ocean and washing ashore. Shooting spree on 10 more killed Staff Reporter : Ten more suspected drug peddlers were killed in separate incidents of gunfights with the members of police and Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) early Saturday as the anti-narcotics crackdown continues across the country. With this, a total of 80 people were killed in 'gunfights' across the country since May 12. In Cumilla, two suspected drug traders Babul, son of Malek, a resident of Ashabri area, and Almas, son of Afaz Uddin, a resident of Tetebhumi area, were killed in a shootout with police in Bagra Ramchandapur area of Brahmanpara upazila around 2:00am. Police said that Babul was accused in 16 cases while Almas in eight. They recovered a pistol, 40 kgs of hemp from the spot. Three policemen were said to have been injured in the gunfight. In Mymensingh, a suspected drug trader, Shahjahan Miah, 30, son of Jasimuddin from Bongaon village in Ishwarganj upazila, was killed in a gunfight with Detective Branch of police at Athabari around1:30am. The DB team also recovered 200 grams of heroine, five bullet shells and some other locals arms from the scene. In Joypurhat, drug trader, Rintu, son of Abdul Jalil of Uttar Gopalpur village in Panchbibi upazila, was killed in a an alleged gun-battle with the members of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) at Bhimpur village around 12:30am. Shamim Hossain, Additional Superintendent of Police and camp commander of RAB-5, said that a team of RAB recovered a one-barrel pistol, some bullets and a sack of Phensidyl. Two RAB members were reportedly injured in the gunfight. In Chandpur, a suspected drug trader, Bablu Ahmed, 42, son of late Sultan Ahmed from Bolora village, was killed in a so-called gunfight with police at Paragaon around 2:55am. Police also recovered 120 Yaba pills from the spot. In Pabna, a listed drug trader, Abdur Rahman, son of late Aser Uddin Sheikh, from Mahedrapur area in Sadar upazila, was killed in a shootout with police around 2am. Gautam Kumar Biswas, Additional Superintendent of Police of Pabna, said police recovered a contry made shutter gun, three bullets, four bullet shells and 200 Yaba tablets from the spot. In Dinajpur, two suspected drug traders namely Saddarul, son of Majibur Rahman from Nandail village, and Abdus Salam, son of Abdus Samad of Mohorarpur area of Sadar upazila were killed in two gunfights with police and RAB personnel. Major Talukder Najmus Sakib, Commanding Officer of CPC Camp-1 of RAB-13, said Saddarul was killed in the gunfight with them in Basudebpur area. The RAB team recovered two bags of hemp, 95 bottles of Phensidyl, a foreign pistol and four bullets. Two elite force members were injured in the incident. Besides, an unidentified drug trader was killed in a gunfight with a team of police at Paschimpara in Sadar upazila, said Redwanur Rahim, officer in-Charge of Kotwali Police Station. Locals identified the 'drug trader' as Abdus Salam. Police recovered 200 bottles of Phensidyl, a sharp weapon, some crude bombs, one pistol and bullets. In Thakurgaon, a suspected drug trader, Mobarak Hossain Kutti, 45, son of late Safir Uddin from Chitchilarong village in Sadar upazila and an accused in 15 drug cases, was killed in a reported gunfight with police in Paschim Begunbari union. Abdul Latif Miah, officer-in-charge of Sadar Police Station, said that three policemen were injured in the gunfight. Besides, five crude bombs, a cartridge of a pistol and several local arms were recovered from the spot. In Kurigram, Ibrahim Ali, 34, son of late Insaf Ali of Banshjani village from Bhurungamari upazila, and an accused in four drug cases, was killed in reported gunfight with police, said Imtiaj Kabir, OC of Bhurungamari Police Station. In Barguna, Police recovered a bullet-hit body of suspected drug trader Sagir Khan from Jakirtobok area in Sadar upazila around 5am. Masuduzzaman, OC of Sadar Police Station, said that Sagir, the listed drug trader was killed in a gunfight between two groups of drug traders. Police also recovered a pipe gun, five round bullets and 100 Yaba tablets from the spot. Imperial Valley News Center Calling Russia To Account for Malaysia Airlines Flight MH-17 Washington, DC - We strongly support the decisions by the Netherlands and Australia to call Russia to account for its role in the July 2014 downing of Malaysia Flight #17 (MH-17) over eastern Ukraine and the horrific deaths of 298 civilians. It is time for Russia to acknowledge its role in the shooting down of MH-17 and to cease its callous disinformation campaign. As the findings of the Joint Investigative Team made clear, the BUK missile launcher used to bring down the passenger aircraft is owned by the Russian Federation and was assigned to the Russian 53rd anti-aircraft brigade near Kursk. It was brought into sovereign Ukrainian territory from Russia, was fired from territory controlled by Russia and Russia-led forces in eastern Ukraine, and was then returned to Russian territory. We urge Russia to adhere to UNSCR 2166 and respond to Australias and the Netherlands legitimate requests. Russias aggression in Ukraine since 2014 has led to more than 10,300 conflict-related deaths, including those lost in the MH-17 tragedy. It is more than time for Russia to end this violence. Imperial Valley News Center Assad Regime Intentions in the Southwest De-escalation Zone Washington, DC - The United States is concerned by reports of an impending Assad regime operation in southwest Syria within the boundaries of the de-escalation zone negotiated between the United States, Jordan, and the Russian Federation last year and reaffirmed between Presidents Trump and Putin in Da Nang, Vietnam in November. The United States remains committed to maintaining the stability of the southwest de-escalation zone and to the ceasefire underpinning it. We also caution the Syrian regime against any actions that risk broadening the conflict or jeopardize the ceasefire. As a guarantor of this de-escalation area with Russia and Jordan, the United States will take firm and appropriate measures in response to Assad regime violations. The Presidents of the United States and Russia agreed in Da Nang to de-escalate the conflict. This agreement must be enforced and respected. Russia has declared to the world and to the UNSC that it will guarantee ceasefires in its self-declared de-escalation zones. Unfortunately, the Assad regime, with the support of Russia and Iran, has repeatedly violated these de-escalation zones, most recently in its brutal assault on East Ghouta. The Assad regime and its allies continue to prolong the conflict by ignoring their own de-escalation agreements and stonewalling the Geneva process. Russia is duly responsible as a permanent member of the UN Security Council to use its diplomatic and military advantage over the Assad regime to stop attacks and compel the Assad regime to cease further military offensives. Russia has blocked UN Security Council actions that would have held Assad accountable for the use of chemical weapons and possibly saved innocent lives in Syria 11 times so far in this conflict. Six of those vetoes related to the use of chemical weapons, and others were providing humanitarian access and aid, and ceasing attacks against civilians. Russia should live up to its self-professed commitments in accordance with UNSCR 2254 and the southwest ceasefire, embodied in the Da Nang Statement issued by Presidents Trump and Putin. Governor Brown Issues Proclamation Declaring Memorial Day Sacramento, California - Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today issued a proclamation declaring Monday, May 28, 2018 as Memorial Day in the State of California. PROCLAMATION On Memorial Day, we pay tribute to Americans who have suffered and died in war. The custom of marking this day originated just after the Civil War. To help heal the wounds of war, Americans in all parts of the country began decorating the graves of the dead with flowers, a universal symbol of the renewal of life. As a small step in the lengthy task of reuniting a nation divided, we chose to honor all the dead, Union and Confederate, regardless of our own allegiances during that terrible struggle. After the First World War, we expanded our observance to honor all Americans who have fought and died in any of our nations wars. In 1971, the United States Congress declared Memorial Day to be a national holiday observed on the last Monday in May. Today, I ask all Californians to pay tribute to our fallen military heroes. In their memory, I have ordered that flags be flown at half-staff on all state buildings and grounds throughout the state. In addition, I would ask you to participate in the National Moment of Remembrance, and pause at 3:00 p.m. on Memorial Day for a moment of silence to honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. NOW THEREFORE I, EDMUND G. BROWN JR., Governor of the State of California, do hereby proclaim May 28, 2018, as Memorial Day. IN WITNESS WHEREOF I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of California to be affixed this 22nd day of May 2018. ___________________________________ EDMUND G. BROWN JR. Governor of California ATTEST: __________________________________ ALEX PADILLA Secretary of State Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's Call With Republic of Korea Foreign Minister Kang Washington, DC - Friday, Secretary Pompeo spoke by telephone with Republic of Korea Foreign Minister Kang. Secretary Pompeo and Foreign Minister Kang reaffirmed their shared commitment to the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula and to the ironclad alliance between the United States and the Republic of Korea. They committed to remaining closely coordinated in all of their efforts to create conditions for dialogue with North Korea and agreed that must continue until North Korea embraces denuclearization. This is Why You Need the Right Mattress to Get Good Sleep Employee retention is tough to pull off. Throwing money at people does surprisingly little good. There are some crazy-sounding strategies out there. But one of the oddest, and yet, on reflection, smartest approaches is the obvious conclusion of a recent poll sponsored by CareerBuilder. A timely one given the coming summer season. CareerBuilder had The Harris Poll speak with 1,012 employees across different industries and employer sizes. The people asked questions about office temperature. Almost half -- 46 percent -- of employees said their office was either too hot or too cold. Just over half said that being cold affected their productivity; 67 percent said being too hot had a similar effect. And 15 percent had gotten into fights with over employees over temperature while 19 percent secretly changed thermostat settings. Maybe you've seen this in action. I have. A manager at one company I worked at years ago suffered from hot flashes and kept turning down the thermostat in her office. People around her piled on sweaters and didn't dare say anything. We all know what it's like to feel too hot or cold and try to concentrate on work. No wonder people don't like it. So, here's the idea: Do something about it. If you have people in individual offices, you could add thermostats, as there are ways to retrofit more heating and cooling control. If not, then find people's preferences, break them into associated groups, and settle each in a different area with a common control set for their general liking. Or you could distribute fans, small space heaters, or let people adjust their work day to start and end later, after the building had warmed up, or earlier, if they liked it colder. Encourage people to walk away from their desks for a bit if they are getting sleepy. Yes, you'll have to check power restrictions, but, really, is that so hard? Business owners and executives frequently complain about the ability to hold onto help. Don't complain, do something. And that starts with basic issues. The more comfortable people are in their environments, the more they will like where they are. There is no need to allow readily solved problems to continue. You also don't have to overthink them. Try fans and heaters in one part of the building and see how that works. You can opt for retrofitting additional temperature controls if the easier and cheaper solutions don't work. Hasina, Mamata hold meeting ANI | Kolkata : Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday evening arrived here at the Taj Bengal Hotel" Taj Bengal Hotel for a meeting. Earlier in the day, the Bangladesh Prime Minister, was conferred the honourary Doctor of Literature (DLitt) at a special convocation at the Kazi Nazrul University at Asansol. On receiving the degree, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said that she dedicated it to the Bengalis, adding that her honour was also being cherished by the people of Bangladesh. The convocation also assumes significance since it marks the occasion of 119th birth anniversary of Kazi Nazrul, who was also born in Asansol. While the West Bengal government celebrates it on Saturday, Bangladesh celebrated the affair on Friday. Prime Minister Hasina said, "Right from the Language Movement to the Liberation War, Kazi Nazrul's songs and poems acted as both inspiration and arms and ultimately sowed the seeds of our Independence." She also added that Kazi Nazrul's compositions inspired the people to fight for justice, not only against the British rule but also against Pakistan in the pre-Liberation War era between the 1950s and 1960s. The Bangladesh Prime Minister was not short on her praises for Kazi Nazrul and Rabindranath Tagore, saying, "The Bengalis are blessed to have two great poets. Not only they have contributed to our language, our literature and our culture, they have also had a positive impact on our value and lifestyle." Earlier on Friday, the Bangladesh Prime Minister told a gathering at the newly-inaugurated Bangladesh Bhavan in Santiniketan saying that India should play an important role in ensuring the safe repatriation of the Rohingya refugees back to Myanmar. Recalling the Liberation War of 1971, Prime Minister Hasina invoked former prime minister Indira Gandhi, who was instrumental in securing the complete independence of Bangladesh (then called East Pakistan) from then West Pakistan (present-day Pakistan). She lambasted the erstwhile West Pakistan's "oppressive" rule over Bangladesh claiming that its forces had suppressed the cultural heritage of the Bengalis and Rabindra Sangeet (Tagore Songs) was banned in the country. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Prime Minister Hasina also inaugurated the Bangladesh Bhavan in Santiniketan on Friday to symbolically highlight the warm bilateral cultural ties between the two countries. The inauguration of Bangladesh Bhavan inside the Vishwa Bharti University complex took place in the presence of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. The Bangladesh Bhavan features a museum that showcases renowned poet Rabindranath Tagore's association with the country and the Liberation War of Bangladesh and Indo-Bangla relations. It has been built at a cost of Rs. 25 crores, which was provided by the Bangladesh government. A fund of Rs. 10 crores would be given to help maintain the museum premises. After this, she travelled to Kolkata, where she visited Tagore's birthplace - Jorasanko Thakur Bari and met various political leaders and businesspersons in the city later, as per reports. Prime Minister Hasina, who is on a two-day visit to India, on the invitation of Prime Minister Modi, was received by Banerjee. I recently returned from a long visit to Iceland, where I have been consulting and mentoring businesses, entrepreneurs, and students for the past three years. It is worth reflecting on the exciting developments in a country very few people know about. Located in the northernmost part of the Atlantic and tucked away just below the northern Arctic Circle, Iceland is strategically located between the U.S. and the European Union. Until 2006, it was home to a critical U.S. Navy and air base and more recently played a significant role on the business world stage. Iceland was completely wrapped up in the financial crisis a decade ago. According to The Economist, relative to its size, the systemic collapse of the Icelandic banking system was the largest by any county in economic history. The impact was felt across the globe, and after the dust settled, Iceland went through a significant economic depression and political upheaval. The country has recovered nicely, however, and has experienced considerable growth over the past few years. Gross domestic product (GDP), a measure of economic growth, reached an impressive 3.6 percent in 2017, which is only disappointing when you consider that it's down from 7.5 percent in 2016. Iceland's primary economic driver for years was the fishing industry, which is globally renowned for its sustainability. In fact, a network of companies utilizes close to 100 percent of its most valuable resource, cod, including the meat, fish oil, bones (which are dried, pulverized into powder, and sold), and even the skins (fish-leather ties, anyone?). Moreover, the industry has strict controls to avoid over-fishing, and according to the Icelandic Marine Institute, even as its primary economic driver for years, Iceland's seas have more fish than any time since 1985. Tourism While fishing continues to be important, the main driver of the country's recent growth nowadays is tourism. Iceland welcomed more than 2 million visitors in 2017, the most in its history according to the Icelandic Tourist Board. This is significant considering Iceland has a population of just over 350,000 residents, two-thirds of whom reside in the capital, Reykjavik (RAKE-yah-vik). Moreover, in total, Iceland hosted just 300,000 visitors in 2000. The boom in tourism is not because of new attractions. Reykjavik has an exciting nightlife, especially in the summer when the evenings are never dark, and the island is full of beautiful natural landscapes and adventures for outdoor enthusiasts. Instead, inexpensive flights to Reykjavik by the national airline, Icelandic Air, and U.S. and European budget airlines have made the locale an affordable and attractive destination. Some carriers offer up to a seven-day layover in Iceland as a stop-over option on your U.S.-European holiday. Also, a booming hotel industry and the recent growth of the sharing economy has made accommodations plentiful and easy to find. Be cautioned, however, as the rebound and current strength of Iceland's currency, the krona, has made getting around and living in Iceland a very costly endeavor for visitors and expats right now. Entrepreneurship What has impressed me most about Iceland is the healthy business and entrepreneurial environment. It might be difficult to believe that this isolated and quiet country has a robust business environment, but any examination and visit will reveal that it is teeming with new opportunities. In addition to the tourism and fishing industries, a number of important tech startups are appearing all over Reykjavik, and for good reason. Iceland is rich in affordable and renewable energy. According to Icelandic Energy Portal, 85 percent of the island's energy is renewable due to its access to geothermal resources. Also, due to the Gulf Stream, the climate is rather mild considering its location and has a consistent cool environment--annual average temperatures of 7C or 45F. All of this makes it an ideal location for technology companies that rely on physical space for equipment. Also, the general culture in Iceland is welcoming to businesses. Although the country's resident population lacks diversity (93 percent are Icelanders), it is well-educated, open, and globally aware, and places a strong emphasis on family and work-life balance. Residents largely derive from and associate with Nordic countries and are similar in many ways to Americans. The country is also very safe and has a well-organized and convenient (albeit expensive) public transportation system. Of course, Iceland--like any country--is not without drawbacks. In addition to the currency strength and associated cost of living challenges, there is also the extreme sunlight conditions resulting from its location near the Arctic Circle. During winter months, residents see an average of only four hours of effective sunlight per day. During the summer, it never gets dark, with four hours of "sunset" before the sun rises again. All of this can wreak havoc on anyone not accustomed to the dramatic changes. Also, while I am bullish on Iceland, colleagues have warned me about the rapid economic growth, tourism boom, and housing spike as reasons for pause, given the similarities to those conditions prior to the last economic crisis. As all savvy investors know, if you are looking to Iceland for opportunities, due diligence is required. With all of this said, after visiting for the past three years and working with a variety of Icelandic entrepreneurs and organizations, I have found that the island country is ripe for business. Residents understand that the potential for growth in Iceland is limited because of its size and consumption culture, so they are targeting global partners. Additionally, because Iceland's entrepreneurs and business leaders are educated, talented, and ambitious, they provide a great opportunity for foreign companies looking for a rich talent pool. So while the Iceland winters and cost of living may be a hurdle, it may be worth looking into partnering with any number of the exciting and young companies currently making a dent there. If nothing else, a quick holiday to explore the gorgeous island just might be the recharge you need. Transformation is a powerful word, and I don't take it lightly. But, when it comes to the change that we've all seen from the impact of digital, transformation is a term that entrepreneurs have embraced and bigger companies are just starting to plan for. For many entrepreneurs, leadership is still a skill that we learn on the go. I wanted to learn transformative leadership from a leader who has transformed companies before, so I reached out to Todd Unger, Chief Experience Officer for American Medical Association to learn more about how leaders can transform companies. Unger has led digital transformations at AOL, Time Inc. and the Daily Racing Form. Here's what entrepreneurs can learn about leadership from Unger. 1. Build multiple skill sets. The term, "Jack of all trades, master of none" is misleading. I think it's important to be great at one thing but to lead a transformation; you have to have strengths in multiple areas. "The best tip I can give entrepreneurs is to master multiple skill-sets. Don't wait around for a company to teach you them, " says Unger. "I operate at the nexus of digital technology, content, product development, marketing and business development and that combination of skills is really what allows me to operate as a CXO today. Master multiple skill sets, and you'll see a big change in the way you lead." For me, my writing became more powerful when I combined writing, marketing and my ten years experience leading IT projects for massive companies. Being a good writer wasn't good enough to get my content read. I needed to combine all three areas. Unger is no different. Don't underestimate the multiple skills you have. Combine all of them to create a super talent. 2. Transformation starts and ends with the customer. When I started as an entrepreneur, I was so obsessed with the product, I often forgot about the customer. The one trend I've learned from interviewing Chief Digital Officers and marketing leaders is that our conversation tends to focus on creating an experience that customers love. It didn't matter what type of business it was either. B2B or B2C, the answer was always the same: focus on the customer experience. "My approach to digital transformation is grounded in a decade of consumer product marketing and advertising, so I never forget that it's always, always about the customer, " says Unger If Toys 'R' Us focused on the customer from day one, they might be in a different stage right now. If you're an entrepreneur growing a company, spend a majority of your energy on the customer. Once I focused on my customers and getting feedback about the products I built, that feedback was the foundation of building a product that they loved. 3. Don't be afraid, and keep a leg on the horse. "Fix it forward" is a favorite quote from Unger's horseback riding instructor. "It sounds counter-intuitive, but when things get challenging or are heading in the wrong direction when jumping, you have to fix it while it is in motion, with even more speed," says Unger. The same applies when it comes to transformation. Either you embrace the change, or the change will swallow you. "When you see your horseback instructor literally raise the bar, it can be a little daunting, and your horse can sense the fear, " says Unger. "I've learned to set aside the fear, keep a leg on the horse (the rider's equivalent of a "gas pedal"), and also power through the challenge head-on. You and the horse are in this together." The bar is always changing. And now, it's changing faster than ever before. My time as a consultant allowed me to embrace change faster. Through this experience, I learned how to adapt to a new client with a new manager in a new city often. I had no choice but to open myself up to new opportunities. KFC is relaunching its Colonel Sanders mascot in a bid to refresh its brand over the bank holiday weekend, following a disastrous delivery failure earlier this year. In February, the fried chicken chain was forced to close more than two thirds of its 900 UK stores after it ran out of chicken, with some restaurants shut for weeks. The fast food group said the shortage was due to teething problems with a new delivery partner DHL in partnership with QSL and eventually went back to previous supplier Bidvest Logistics. In its announcement of the new television advert, the company made a tongue in cheek reference to its problems earlier this year: February was supposed to be the month of love. But not this year instead, a dark, swirling wind of sadness and heartbreak descended. A sorrowful shadow was cast across our nation. With such desolation and desperation, many wondered whether it was the beginning of the end. Some even considered going to Burger King. However, KFC added that the colonels return in a glorious blaze of herbs and spices is a symbol of a return to full strength after the nations favourite chicken restaurant ran out of chicken. Recommended Police release audio of caller who dialled 999 because KFC was closed Meghan Farren, chief marketing officer for KFC UK and Ireland, said: The colonels back, and its about time too. We went through a tricky spell earlier this year but his values, his philosophy and ultimately his recipe got us all through it. Were glad to be back. When the supply shortage hit the company in February, it took out a full page ad on the back of the Metro newspaper to apologise to customers. Meanwhile, police were forced to tell people to stop calling them about the problems. The force in Tower Hamlets, London, tweeted: Please do not contact us about the #KFCCrisis it is not a police matter if your favourite eatery is not serving the menu that you desire. The number of people in England, Wales and Scotland diagnosed with morbid obesity is expected to double by 2035, according to a new study that warns widening social inequality poses a major health risk. Close to 5 million people are expected to be diagnosed with morbid obesity in Great Britain over the next two decades, an increase on the 1.9 million recorded as of 2015. The condition, defined as having a body mass index (BMI) greater than 40, significantly increases the risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, strokes and cancer. This risk, and the cost to the NHS, increases with every point of BMI and could result in a major economic toll as well as the health cost if governments fail to get to grips with it, the researchers from the UK and Ireland said. While Scotland currently has fractionally higher rates of morbid obesity, 4 per cent in 2015 compared with 3 per cent in England and Wales, this is due to reverse. Under current trends it is predicted that 11 per cent of the population in Wales will be morbidly obese in 2035, roughly 340,000 adults, while Scotland is likely to plateau at about 5 per cent and England will rise to about 8 per cent. Wales have a greater portion of the population deprived per capita than England, this may be a potential reason, Laura Webber, an honorary assistant professor at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and a director of public health modelling at the UK Health Forum, told The Independent. In terms of morbid obesity specifically, Wales only have one obesity clinic, which could also impact. In England, where close to 4.4 million adults will be affected, 16 per cent of men between the age of 55 and 64 are predicted to be morbidly obese the highest prevalence of any group. The morbidly obese group are particularly vulnerable to diseases, which is of course very costly to the NHS, Ms Webber added. Morbid obesity is already a huge burden on the economy and health services, accounting for around a third of all obesity-related costs. While overweight and obesity trends for Great Britain have been projected to 2035, until now there have been no trend estimates for morbid obesity. BMI is a widely accepted measure of obesity, calculated as a persons weight divided by their height squared, to be morbidly obese it must exceed 40kg/m2. Other metrics look at whether a person is suffering obesity related diseases before age 35. The latest findings on morbid obesity are being presented at the European Obesity Congress in Vienna on Saturday. Webber and her co-author, Laura Keaver from the Sligo Institute of Technology in the Republic of Ireland, said measures to reverse these trends and the underlying social causes must be an important public health priority. Health news in pictures Show all 40 1 /40 Health news in pictures Health news in pictures Coronavirus outbreak The coronavirus Covid-19 has hit the UK leading to the deaths of two people so far and prompting warnings from the Department of Health AFP via Getty Health news in pictures Thousands of emergency patients told to take taxi to hospital Thousands of 999 patients in England are being told to get a taxi to hospital, figures have showed. The number of patients outside London who were refused an ambulance rose by 83 per cent in the past year as demand for services grows Getty Health news in pictures Vape related deaths spike A vaping-related lung disease has claimed the lives of 11 people in the US in recent weeks. The US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has more than 100 officials investigating the cause of the mystery illness, and has warned citizens against smoking e-cigarette products until more is known, particularly if modified or bought off the street Getty Health news in pictures Baldness cure looks to be a step closer Researchers in the US claim to have overcome one of the major hurdles to cultivating human follicles from stem cells. The new system allows cells to grow in a structured tuft and emerge from the skin Sanford Burnham Preybs Health news in pictures Two hours a week spent in nature can improve health A study in the journal Scientific Reports suggests that a dose of nature of just two hours a week is associated with better health and psychological wellbeing Shutterstock Health news in pictures Air pollution linked to fertility issues in women Exposure to air from traffic-clogged streets could leave women with fewer years to have children, a study has found. Italian researchers found women living in the most polluted areas were three times more likely to show signs they were running low on eggs than those who lived in cleaner surroundings, potentially triggering an earlier menopause Getty/iStock Health news in pictures Junk food ads could be banned before watershed Junk food adverts on TV and online could be banned before 9pm as part of Government plans to fight the "epidemic" of childhood obesity. Plans for the new watershed have been put out for public consultation in a bid to combat the growing crisis, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) said PA Health news in pictures Breeding with neanderthals helped humans fight diseases On migrating from Africa around 70,000 years ago, humans bumped into the neanderthals of Eurasia. While humans were weak to the diseases of the new lands, breeding with the resident neanderthals made for a better equipped immune system PA Health news in pictures Cancer breath test to be trialled in Britain The breath biopsy device is designed to detect cancer hallmarks in molecules exhaled by patients Getty Health news in pictures Average 10 year old has consumed the recommended amount of sugar for an adult By their 10th birthdy, children have on average already eaten more sugar than the recommended amount for an 18 year old. The average 10 year old consumes the equivalent to 13 sugar cubes a day, 8 more than is recommended PA Health news in pictures Child health experts advise switching off screens an hour before bed While there is not enough evidence of harm to recommend UK-wide limits on screen use, the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health have advised that children should avoid screens for an hour before bed time to avoid disrupting their sleep Getty Health news in pictures Daily aspirin is unnecessary for older people in good health, study finds A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine has found that many elderly people are taking daily aspirin to little or no avail Getty Health news in pictures Vaping could lead to cancer, US study finds A study by the University of Minnesota's Masonic Cancer Centre has found that the carcinogenic chemicals formaldehyde, acrolein, and methylglyoxal are present in the saliva of E-cigarette users Reuters Health news in pictures More children are obese and diabetic There has been a 41% increase in children with type 2 diabetes since 2014, the National Paediatric Diabetes Audit has found. Obesity is a leading cause Reuters Health news in pictures Most child antidepressants are ineffective and can lead to suicidal thoughts The majority of antidepressants are ineffective and may be unsafe, for children and teenager with major depression, experts have warned. In what is the most comprehensive comparison of 14 commonly prescribed antidepressant drugs to date, researchers found that only one brand was more effective at relieving symptoms of depression than a placebo. Another popular drug, venlafaxine, was shown increase the risk users engaging in suicidal thoughts and attempts at suicide Getty Health news in pictures Gay, lesbian and bisexual adults at higher risk of heart disease, study claims Researchers at the Baptist Health South Florida Clinic in Miami focused on seven areas of controllable heart health and found these minority groups were particularly likely to be smokers and to have poorly controlled blood sugar iStock Health news in pictures Breakfast cereals targeted at children contain 'steadily high' sugar levels since 1992 despite producer claims A major pressure group has issued a fresh warning about perilously high amounts of sugar in breakfast cereals, specifically those designed for children, and has said that levels have barely been cut at all in the last two and a half decades Getty Health news in pictures Potholes are making us fat, NHS watchdog warns New guidance by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), the body which determines what treatment the NHS should fund, said lax road repairs and car-dominated streets were contributing to the obesity epidemic by preventing members of the public from keeping active PA Health news in pictures New menopause drugs offer women relief from 'debilitating' hot flushes A new class of treatments for women going through the menopause is able to reduce numbers of debilitating hot flushes by as much as three quarters in a matter of days, a trial has found. The drug used in the trial belongs to a group known as NKB antagonists (blockers), which were developed as a treatment for schizophrenia but have been sitting on a shelf unused, according to Professor Waljit Dhillo, a professor of endocrinology and metabolism REX Health news in pictures Doctors should prescribe more antidepressants for people with mental health problems, study finds Research from Oxford University found that more than one million extra people suffering from mental health problems would benefit from being prescribed drugs and criticised ideological reasons doctors use to avoid doing so. Getty Health news in pictures Student dies of flu after NHS advice to stay at home and avoid A&E The family of a teenager who died from flu has urged people not to delay going to A&E if they are worried about their symptoms. Melissa Whiteley, an 18-year-old engineering student from Hanford in Stoke-on-Trent, fell ill at Christmas and died in hospital a month later. Just Giving Health news in pictures Government to review thousands of harmful vaginal mesh implants The Government has pledged to review tens of thousands of cases where women have been given harmful vaginal mesh implants. Getty Health news in pictures Jeremy Hunt announces 'zero suicides ambition' for the NHS The NHS will be asked to go further to prevent the deaths of patients in its care as part of a zero suicide ambition being launched today Getty Health news in pictures Human trials start with cancer treatment that primes immune system to kill off tumours Human trials have begun with a new cancer therapy that can prime the immune system to eradicate tumours. The treatment, that works similarly to a vaccine, is a combination of two existing drugs, of which tiny amounts are injected into the solid bulk of a tumour. Nephron Health news in pictures Babies' health suffers from being born near fracking sites, finds major study Mothers living within a kilometre of a fracking site were 25 per cent more likely to have a child born at low birth weight, which increase their chances of asthma, ADHD and other issues Getty Health news in pictures NHS reviewing thousands of cervical cancer smear tests after women wrongly given all-clear Thousands of cervical cancer screening results are under review after failings at a laboratory meant some women were incorrectly given the all-clear. A number of women have already been told to contact their doctors following the identification of procedural issues in the service provided by Pathology First Laboratory. Rex Health news in pictures Potential key to halting breast cancer's spread discovered by scientists Most breast cancer patients do not die from their initial tumour, but from secondary malignant growths (metastases), where cancer cells are able to enter the blood and survive to invade new sites. Asparagine, a molecule named after asparagus where it was first identified in high quantities, has now been shown to be an essential ingredient for tumour cells to gain these migratory properties. Getty Health news in pictures NHS nursing vacancies at record high with more than 34,000 roles advertised A record number of nursing and midwifery positions are currently being advertised by the NHS, with more than 34,000 positions currently vacant, according to the latest data. Demand for nurses was 19 per cent higher between July and September 2017 than the same period two years ago. REX Health news in pictures Cannabis extract could provide new class of treatment for psychosis CBD has a broadly opposite effect to delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main active component in cannabis and the substance that causes paranoia and anxiety. Getty Health news in pictures Over 75,000 sign petition calling for Richard Branson's Virgin Care to hand settlement money back to NHS Mr Bransons company sued the NHS last year after it lost out on an 82m contract to provide childrens health services across Surrey, citing concerns over serious flaws in the way the contract was awarded PA Health news in pictures More than 700 fewer nurses training in England in first year after NHS bursary scrapped The numbers of people accepted to study nursing in England fell 3 per cent in 2017, while the numbers accepted in Wales and Scotland, where the bursaries were kept, increased 8.4 per cent and 8 per cent respectively Getty Health news in pictures Landmark study links Tory austerity to 120,000 deaths The paper found that there were 45,000 more deaths in the first four years of Tory-led efficiencies than would have been expected if funding had stayed at pre-election levels. On this trajectory that could rise to nearly 200,000 excess deaths by the end of 2020, even with the extra funding that has been earmarked for public sector services this year. Reuters Health news in pictures Long commutes carry health risks Hours of commuting may be mind-numbingly dull, but new research shows that it might also be having an adverse effect on both your health and performance at work. Longer commutes also appear to have a significant impact on mental wellbeing, with those commuting longer 33 per cent more likely to suffer from depression Shutterstock Health news in pictures You cannot be fit and fat It is not possible to be overweight and healthy, a major new study has concluded. The study of 3.5 million Britons found that even metabolically healthy obese people are still at a higher risk of heart disease or a stroke than those with a normal weight range Getty Health news in pictures Sleep deprivation When you feel particularly exhausted, it can definitely feel like you are also lacking in brain capacity. Now, a new study has suggested this could be because chronic sleep deprivation can actually cause the brain to eat itself Shutterstock Health news in pictures Exercise classes offering 45 minute naps launch David Lloyd Gyms have launched a new health and fitness class which is essentially a bunch of people taking a nap for 45 minutes. The fitness group was spurred to launch the napercise class after research revealed 86 per cent of parents said they were fatigued. The class is therefore predominantly aimed at parents but you actually do not have to have children to take part Getty Health news in pictures 'Fundamental right to health' to be axed after Brexit, lawyers warn Tobacco and alcohol companies could win more easily in court cases such as the recent battle over plain cigarette packaging if the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights is abandoned, a barrister and public health professor have said Getty Health news in pictures 'Thousands dying' due to fear over non-existent statin side-effects A major new study into the side effects of the cholesterol-lowering medicine suggests common symptoms such as muscle pain and weakness are not caused by the drugs themselves Getty Health news in pictures Babies born to fathers aged under 25 have higher risk of autism New research has found that babies born to fathers under the age of 25 or over 51 are at higher risk of developing autism and other social disorders. The study, conducted by the Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment at Mount Sinai, found that these children are actually more advanced than their peers as infants, but then fall behind by the time they hit their teenage years Getty Health news in pictures Cycling to work could halve risk of cancer and heart disease Commuters who swap their car or bus pass for a bike could cut their risk of developing heart disease and cancer by almost half, new research suggests but campaigners have warned there is still an urgent need to improve road conditions for cyclists. Cycling to work is linked to a lower risk of developing cancer by 45 per cent and cardiovascular disease by 46 per cent, according to a study of a quarter of a million people. Walking to work also brought health benefits, the University of Glasgow researchers found, but not to the same degree as cycling. Getty Growth in obesity is predicted from annual health reports from each country there was insufficient data for Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland coupled with employment and education data socioeconomic factors that have been shown to be important predictors of BMI. In Scotland, the significantly slower rate of growth can be attributed to work carried out by the Scottish government in addressing inequality, the researchers said. The government put a massive push on developing a route map for how we can actually combat this, said Ms Keaver. They put together resources from the NHS that were proving to be effective. They did put a lot of work into it. Meanwhile in England a tax on sugary drinks has helped many producers reformulate their products, but a voluntary levy on sugary foods has not resulted in manufacturers making significant reductions. For Wales, where the inequality between people in managerial-level jobs and routine or manual professions is expected to become more significant, the pair say health interventions should be targeted at these groups. A spokesperson for Public Health Wales told The Independent: Health trends and future predictions are complex, and predictions should not be taken as facts they provide us with a picture of where past trends may take us if nothing changes, and give us great motivation to try and change those trends for a better future. While tackling obesity, especially in early years, is a priority and a new obesity strategy is under development to be published in the autumn they added we have a significant challenge to overcome. Brexit wrecks it? Lets forget for a moment about 23 June 2016. Suppose we were to enter a time-machine and have ourselves transported back 2,500 years to ancient Athens. There we would find ourselves in the Greek city that invented democracy, both the word and the thing government by mass meeting. There, a plebiscitary referendum style of government was the norm, not a desperate, abnormal expedient. It happened regularly, once a month, even as frequently as every 10 days. For there and then the demos (people) of the Athenians really did hold and exercise the kratos (power) over the public organs of governance, and the right to decide, by majority vote, what the laws and policy of the Athenian state should be. Flash-forward to 1863, Gettysberg, Pennsylvania. In his great address President Lincoln hailed his own states political system as a form of democracy: government of the people, by the people, for the people. But what a difference a millennium or two had made. From the originary, Athenian meaning of democracy to the Civil War-torn Americans etiolated, watered-down version of indirect, representative parliamentary democracy was a very long stretch indeed. Since then, democracy in its various Western forms has taken a few mighty steps forward, not least the move to full adult suffrage regardless (in theory) of gender, race or creed, as well as economic status. It has also, alas, taken several steps back. Learning nothing and forgetting nothing from the ghastly 20th century experience in the ugly shape of more or less authoritarian, even totalitarian, dictatorships of various stripes we seem to have entered, in the 21st century, a proto- or possibly even pre-fascist state of political being. Democracy currently suffers from fake appropriations flying under the banner of populism. Genuine democracy is under covert assault from the low-intensity, digital operations of the dark web and Cambridge Analytica: a monstrous abduction, surely. Its these vicissitudes of democracy, its twists and turns from antiquity to modernity, its radical transformations, that my 2016 book Democracy: A Life and its new (2018) afterword seek to chart. A 19th century Philipp Foltz painting depicting the Athenian politician Pericles delivering his funeral oration There were many political entities in ancient Greece and several different forms of democracy. The ancient Athenians alone had over a period of almost 200 years at least three significantly different versions of Project Democracy. After the revolution of 508/7BC that brought an early form of democracy into fledgling being, a further flurry of reforms in 462/1BC gave political access to ever-widening layers of the qualified Athenian people: that is, free and legitimate adult males over the age of 18. That applied to, at most 50,000 to 60,000 out of a total population including citizen females and children, resident foreigners and slaves of 250,000 or so, all confined to a space the size of Derbyshire or Luxembourg today. Thomas Paine became deeply involved in both the American and French revolutions A very long inter-Greek war saw Athens heavily defeated and its democracy replaced briefly by a brutal dictatorship, but within a year a democratic restoration ushered in a less extreme and therefore more stable governmental form that lasted for almost 80 years. Towards the end of that period, Aristotle, the giant thinker, classified and analysed all the main Greek forms of governance monarchic and oligarchic as well as democratic. Most of the thousand or so existing Greek communities then enjoyed, or at least experienced, some version of either democracy or oligarchy (the rule of the few rich citizens). But most oligarchs in most cities virulently hated democracy the rule of the many poor over their few rich social superiors as they saw it, an early form of the dictatorship of the proletariat. From the end of the fourth century BC and for the rest of Graeco-Roman antiquity, direct mass democracy of the classical Athenian type was suppressed, often violently, in favour of variously moderate or extreme forms of oligarchy. In direct consequence, the meanings of the Greek word demokratia modulated accordingly. Instead of people-power, it came to have the force of our (Latin-derived) word republic: that is, not monarchy, and in practice rule by the rich or richer minority. The Romans who conquered the Greek world between the third and first centuries BC had their own peculiar version of republicanism at home. Abroad, they abhorred Greek-style primary demokratia and stamped out any remaining vestiges. When the Roman Republic transitioned into a disguised monarchy, fawning Greek intellectuals committed the linguistic crime of describing the Roman imperial system as itself a form of demokratia under one man. But worse was yet to come. From the 330BCs and the Christian revolution of Constantine onwards, absolute monarchy was buttressed by theocracy, leaving no place whatsoever for the people as a recognised political force of any description. Within the reign of Byzantine emperor Justinian (AD527-565) demokratia, the word, plunged to its nadir: making literal the implicit negativity of demos as the unwashed masses of the people, a pietistic chronicler used it to mean riot a particularly unacceptable form of mob rule. Thereafter the word existed in its Latin transliteration as democratia, but had no real content or application outside scholarly or pious treatises. It took the antiquity-worshipping Renaissance to rediscover some virtue in the notion of popular political presence, the 17th century in England to put republican, parliamentary flesh on that skeleton an evolution symbolised by the regicide of Charles I in 1649. But modern democracy or rather democracies owe their origin more specially to the American and French Revolutions and their respective aftermaths. The remarkable English-born Thomas Paine straddled both Revolutions like a populist colossus and gave, in outline, both secular reason and uncommon sense to the ideas of representative and even social democracy. Future US President George Washington was a military commander during the American Revolutionary War (Getty) In fits and starts the idea of universal suffrage took hold and gained currency in the UK, alongside and sometimes in formal contradiction of the ideas of parliamentary sovereignty and constitutional monarchy. But in 2015, following the Tories victory in the May general election, Parliament, of its own free will, set aside temporarily, in strictly legal principle its sovereignty in favour of a direct plebiscite on EU membership: not the normal first-past-the-post election, and with no campaign manifestos to exert even a minimum constraint on demagogic fantasy. Crucially too there was no education of the voters in the many key differences in both process and outcome between a general election and a referendum. There was no insistence on a super-majority, although such is the case and the norm even for such relatively trivial matters as changing the statutes of an Oxbridge college. The result? Predictably, an almighty mess. There followed the US presidential election of November 2016, the French presidential election of May 2017, and the snap UK General Election of June 2017. That period of 12 to 15 months is politically speaking, and on a global scale the most extraordinary in my adult lifetime as an actively participant citizen. I was born in London in 1947, and so came of voting age in 1968. That year, exactly fifty years ago, was itself an annus mirabilis: a year of major global political upheaval. But it lacked what I take to be the chief immediate and continuing consequence of the 2016-2017 turmoil, namely a deep and widespread questioning of the very validity and future viability of democracy in any traditionally recognisable shape or form. In 68, indeed, the universal political slogan was We are all Democrats now the Western, more or less liberal democracies confronting the so-called peoples democracies of the Soviet and Chinese blocs. Today we ask ourselves how democracy dies. If its too soon (according to a dictum attributed to Zhou Enlai) to assess the impact of the French Revolution, whether of 1789 or 1968, its far too soon to be able to predict with any confidence the eventual fallout from this upheaval. The runes though are not, to say the least, promising, either in the United States or in Europe (think of Poland, Hungary, Austria, Turkey Russia), except possibly in France. The global picture isn't promising either, at least not to my possibly jaundiced eye. Whats to be done? The French Revolution: is the labelling of modern-day Western 'democracy' misleading? (Getty) My Democracy: A Life was published on both sides of the Atlantic in 2016. It was based on undergraduate lectures given to final-year classics and history students at Cambridge University, but aimed at a wider, not necessarily university-based readership. It had three main aims: to document and try to explain the origins of democracy ancient Greek-style; to trace the evolution and eventual extinction of the ancient forms of democratic politics; and then, finally, to narrate and account for the re-emergence and resurgence of democracy in its different modern forms, from the 17th century to the present. I have since found myself invited to reflect, in a wide variety of contexts and modes, on democracy ancient and modern. Or rather, on ancient as distinct from and indeed as opposed to modern. I have tried to broadcast and inculcate this historically grounded message: that direct democracy, as invented by the ancient Greeks of Athens, and indirect representative/parliamentary democracy, as invented cumulatively in England, the USA, and France between about 1650 and 1830, are two quite different, often opposed modes of political self-governance. They merely happen to share a name, which is itself a coincidence of considerable historical interest and impact, but also potentially grossly misleading. Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton face-off during a televised debate during the 2016 US presidential campaign (Getty) Thus, to take the most salient instance for a UK citizen of 2018, referendums or plebiscites (direct democracy) are potentially a disaster waiting to happen in most of our current Western systems of democracy. That is, unless they are properly prepared for by a deep education of voters, are thoroughly debated in principle as well as in detail by our elected or appointed parliamentary representatives (indirect democracy), and their results are correctly interpreted and acted upon by both politicians/legislators and voters alike. A mere 52 per cent of the actual voting electorate, or palpably less than 40 per cent of the total potential UK electorate, voted a crude Yes to the massively complicated question of leaving or remaining in the EU in the June 2016 referendum. This sad factoid that led to a borderline, knife-edge outcomes being taken to equate to the unalloyed, unambiguous, undivided will of (all) the miraculously unified people is probably the most egregious, and potentially disastrous, illustration of the current dysfunctionality of UK democracy. That leads to the second most important contemporary message I would wish Democracy: A Life to convey: that democracy, especially in its evolved Western modes, is a tender plant requiring constant nurturing. Instead, to quote Waller Newell (author of Tyrants), it is under assault. And not only from the creeping crypto-oligarchy rightly identified by Roslyn Fuller (author of Beasts and Gods: How Democracy Changed Its Meaning and Lost Its Purpose), but also and more insidiously still from populism, an unholy privileging of non-rational emotion, especially anger, above fact-based analysis, and a crude appeal to the basest nationalistic instincts of the nativist tribe. With alarming rapidity, aggravated by the all-too-discreet charms of electronic-digital (anti-)social media, this has become the order of the day in practical demagogic politics, whether on the left (such as those of the UK Labour Party leader and his Momentum backers) or on the right (above all those of Mr Populism himself, the uber-tweeting Donald J. Trump). The impact of these assaults is surely reflected in the 2017 Freedom House report on Democracy. Declining democracy in the United States, it emphasises, is having a negative ripple effect on the wider world. On the other side, there have been, it is true, some positive developments, including timely and suggestively plausible pleas for instance, by David Van Reybrouck for making much more use of the lottery in appointment to political office and allocation of public funds. But, as I conclude the final chapter of Democracy: A Life: What price, now, the eternal vigilance upon which our too-fragile democratic liberties all depend? The Athenians, who knew a thing or two about direct democracy and about what they called stasis (a standing-apart, at the limit civil war), and had in place many sorts of measures and resources to counteract such possibly divided and divisive outcomes, could have warned us in advance. Brexit does indeed wreck it. Alas. Paul Cartledge is emeritus professor of Greek culture at the University of Cambridge. He is the author of Democracy: A Life (OUP), recently published in paperback This article is a result of the 'Independent Thinking' collaboration between The Independent and the University of Cambridge South Africa has the biggest HIV epidemic in the world, with 7.1 million people living with the virus. There is a huge gender disparity in infection rates, with nearly four times the number of young women infected than men their age. Not only are women disproportionately infected, but there is another burden tying them to this life-changing illness. (Tom Ford) Many women have been unknowingly infected with HIV, then unknowingly passed it on to their children. Guilt, shame and responsibility are words that swirl around this heartbreaking effect of the virus, and the aftermath of such a diagnosis lasts a lifetime. This is Sylvia, a woman that lives and breathes these statistics. And a woman fighting to make history. *** A person who brims with energy and love, Sylvia Mdlulis pride in her daughter is palpable. Oh when Shameen was born I was the happiest mother on earth! Shes here with me now say hello Shameen she just turned 17. Fourteen years ago Shameen fell gravely ill and was referred for medical tests. My husband was with me when we discovered our daughter was HIV positive. The way he reacted, that I will never forget. It was like I came with HIV and gave it to our daughter knowingly. At the time Sylvia was pregnant antenatal care visits in South Africa did not test for HIV. This meant not only was she not diagnosed, but she knew nothing about the virus, an issue that Sylvia repeatedly stressed. I had so many questions in terms of what went wrong, I had no idea that I was HIV positive and didnt know anything about it. I now think my daughter got infected through me breastfeeding her. I wont lie, I was emotionally hurt, I couldnt help but blame myself, I really battled with the news of knowing that I made my daughter sick. As well as seeking medical answers, the inevitable question of how plagued Sylvia. I was faithful to my partner and never cheated on him; however once we found out that my daughter was HIV positive my husband blamed me and said Im the one who came with the virus. It was only later on that we find out that he had another girlfriend who a close friend of his told me was HIV positive. I dont want to blame anyone, but now when I look back I can see where things might have gone wrong. Reeling from both the diagnosis and her husbands reaction, Sylvia realised she needed to take back the control she had unwittingly lost. mothers2mothers helping to educate families dealing with HIV diagnosis Show all 9 1 /9 mothers2mothers helping to educate families dealing with HIV diagnosis mothers2mothers helping to educate families dealing with HIV diagnosis mothers2mothers (m2m) Mentor Motherincluding Sylvia Mdluli (45)lead a group play session with children aged 0-5 years as part of m2m's Early Childhood Household Stimulation (ECHS) Project in Phola Township, Mpumalanga Province, South Africa. These playgroups are designed to improve children's cognitive, social, emotional, motor and language development, and physical growth through drawing, toy-making sessions and playing mentally stimulating games. Hazel Thompson mothers2mothers helping to educate families dealing with HIV diagnosis Mother and baby from Dark City Clinic in GautengSouth Africa. mothers2mothers mothers2mothers helping to educate families dealing with HIV diagnosis Mentor MotherMartha, with her adolescent clientChancy Magumbo and his grandmother, after a follow-up visit to Chancys home. Chancy was diagnosed with HIV after his circumcision wound did not heal and his health deteriorated. Martha suggested he gets tested and after his diagnosis, Chancy started treatment and his health has since improved. Keli Van Der Weijde mothers2mothers helping to educate families dealing with HIV diagnosis A baby from Malamulo Hospital in Thyolo DistrictMalawi happily sits on his mothers lap while his mother has her middle-upper arm circumference (MUAC) measured to check for signs of malnutrition. Keli Van Der Weijde mothers2mothers helping to educate families dealing with HIV diagnosis Former m2m client and current Mentor Mother, Femia, with her mother, father, and son outside her home in Malawi. Keli Van Der Weijde mothers2mothers helping to educate families dealing with HIV diagnosis Mentor Mother from Nkhaba Clinic at The Kingdom of Eswatini (formerly known as Swaziland) educated adolescent girls on the importance of practicing safer sex and how to use condoms. Karin Schembrucker mothers2mothers helping to educate families dealing with HIV diagnosis Mentor Mother, Dolcar Henwood, with pregnant client at Siphofaneni Clinic in The Kingdom of Eswatini (formerly known as Swaziland). Karin Schembrucker mothers2mothers helping to educate families dealing with HIV diagnosis Peer Mentors from Soshanguve Community Health Centre lead a health education session for young mothers. Peer Mentors are young women between, aged between 18 24, employed by mothers2mothers to provide HIV education and support to adolescent girls and young women (AGYM) in their communities. Karin Schembrucker mothers2mothers helping to educate families dealing with HIV diagnosis Sylvia Mdluli. Hazel Thompson I read everything I could find to get as much information as possible. I just wanted to know more so that I could raise my daughter and live a long life together. My doctor told me to tell Shameen when she was 12, to avoid her blaming me but also to ensure that when she starts engaging in sexual activities she is fully knowledgeable. When I first told her about her HIV she didnt understand, she thought she was going to die. For a young girl to be so aware of their sexuality, and have their relationship with their parent put in that situation, it is difficult for everyone. After an initial period of monitoring, in 2006 Sylvias CD4 count dropped and she began taking ARV medication. But it wasnt just medicine that Sylvia credits for saving her life. Recommended How one woman is fighting against brutal land grabs She was referred to a local support group attempting to eradicate mother-to-child transmitted HIV. Programmes like this are credited for the impressive drop in new infection rates among South African children, with the rate of transmission reaching a record low of 1.3 per cent in 2017. Sylvia now works for the charity mothers2mothers, helping educate other mothers and children. The hard work of groups like this are making total elimination of mother-to-child transmission less a dream and more a reality. But there is a dangerous undercurrent stopping this goal from being achieved. As increasing numbers of people get tested for HIV, including sex workers and other high risk groups, there are still some reluctant to come forward: victims of abuse. Sylvia now leads household visits in Mpumalanga, where she assesses families, caregivers and children, and then provides essential services and advice (mothers2mothers) Both Sylvia and a wealth of research behind the gender disparity in HIV infection rates cite violence against women as a reason mother-to-child transmission still exists. Most women I talk to when they are abused, they dont come forward and talk about it. When I go into homes and ask the mother, oh, what happened to your face?, the mother will just come up with an excuse. This culture of silence among abused women extends to their health, meaning they are less likely to come forward and get tested. Victims of domestic abuse may also be unable to negotiate safe sex practices with their partner, putting them at higher risk of infection. The clear intersection between domestic abuse, rape and HIV infection rates appears to be the new battle in fighting mother-to-child transmission. We need to fight gender violence to improve everything else for women, so women can stand up and do positive things, because if they keep on being abused it wont just harm women, but the whole family, so they must come forward. Women need to know their rights, because most women I visit dont seem to, and they dont know where to look to to use these rights. In a life focused on her daughter and helping other women, Sylvia is determined to keep fighting this clearly gendered virus. Along with the other women she works with in South Africa some infected, some not they are fighting to stop any more babies being infected with HIV. Over the years Ive learnt a lot and Im so armed with knowledge; learning about HIV, and stigma and how it affects our daily lives has given me the willpower to live. Im not shy about my status anymore. After visiting countless other women, and facing her own personal battles, Sylvias message is clear. I want women to take care of themselves and to be independent. If you are a woman, you do not need to be dependent to anyone other than yourself. I think life becomes much easier when you realise that. You can find out more about the organisation Sylvia works for, mothers2mothers, here A 95-year-old man has been arrested over the death of a woman who was working as a carer in north London. The 61-year-old woman was taken to hospital on Thursday morning with head injuries, but died just before 11am on Friday. Scotland Yard said detectives believe she was injured at a residential address in Islington, where she was working as a carer. The 95-year-old suspect has been taken to hospital as a precaution due to a pre-existing condition, the Metropolitan Police said The force said he has been granted bail, but will remain in hospital until he is moved to somewhere his complex health and care needs can be managed. Detectives are not looking for any other suspects. The London Ambulance Service was called to the address at 4.15am on Thursday and sent two ambulance crews, a spokesman said. We treated one person at the scene and took them to hospital as a priority, he added. A neighbour who has been living in the 95-year-olds block of flats in Holloway for 10 years said he was rarely seen outside his home since he and his wife fell ill. The woman, who did not want to be named, said another neighbour told her of hearing a scream in the early hours of Thursday morning. She said the elderly man would normally have a carer looking after him and he was occasionally visited by family members. UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures 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 UK news in pictures 18 August 2021 Former Afghan interpreters and veterans hold a demonstration outside Downing Street, calling for support and protection for Afghan interpreters and their families PA UK news in pictures 17 August 2021 Military personnel board the RAF Airbus A400M at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, where evacuation flights from Afghanistan have been landing Reuters Its a surprise. They are a very good family, she said. I dont know whats happened. I was coming home from work and saw police upstairs. Another neighbour heard a scream at about 4am, but I didnt. Councillor Richard Watts, leader of Islington Council, said: We are devastated to hear of the death of a carer in Islington. Our thoughts are with her family and friends at this desperately sad time. Press Association Afghan interpreters who risked their lives while serving for the British Army have been dismally failed by the UK government, MPs have warned, as it emerges a scheme designed to offer them protection has not brought a single one to safety in Britain. A report by the Defence Committee said the Intimidation scheme designed to help local interpreters at risk of reprisals from the Taliban had not offered any interpreters refuge in Britain, despite reports of threats and intimidation. During the UKs involvement in Afghanistan, British forces were supported by some 7,000 locally employed civilians (LECs), about half of whom fulfilled vital roles as interpreters, who were often exposed to extremely dangerous situations. But despite the government stating the UK owes these individuals debt and gratitude for their work in the army, it appears to go to considerable lengths to prevent interpreters and other locally employed civilians from being relocated in Britain, MPs said. A separate programme, known as the Redundancy Scheme, has provided financial support within Afghanistan for former employees who lost their jobs and has enabled some 1,150 LECs and dependents to settle in the UK but it was available only to staff who were in post on 19 December 2017. The report states that the governments scheme to safeguard Afghan interpreters threatened with reprisals for working with the British Army had dismally failed to give any meaningful assurance of protection from the Taliban. Given our governments own stark assessment of the perilous Afghan security situation, the idea that no interpreters or other former LECs have faced threats and intimidation warranting their relocation to the UK is totally implausible, it continued. Dr Julian Lewis MP, chairman of the Defence Committee, warned that such treatment could make it more difficult to employ local interpreters in future military campaigns. How we treat our former interpreters and local employees, many of whom served with great bravery, will send a message to the people we would want to employ in future military campaigns about whether we can be trusted to protect them from revenge and reprisals at the hands of our enemies, he said. The Committee recommended a more sympathetic approach and a looser application of the Intimidation Scheme, saying the government should abandon its relocation only in extremis policy in favour of a more needs-based approach to those facing intimidation for sharing frontline dangers with British troops Recommended Afghan man who worked for British Army faces deportation in days It comes after an announcement by home secretary Sajid Javid that Afghan interpreters who came on a separate five-year visa scheme would be allowed to stay in the UK for free but this only applied to those who worked during a set period of time. Hafizzulah Husseinkhel, an interpreter who was not eligible for this package, was issued a deportation notice from the UK in December, but had his removal halted by the High Court after The Independent highlighted his plight. He is currently still in limbo waiting for the Home Office to confirm whether he can stay. Former troop leader Toby Mossop, who served alongside Mr Husseinkhel in the region told The Independent it was unfair and unjust that people who had been exposed to dangers for the British Army were not allowed to come to the UK. My own interpreter stopped working for UK forces in mid-2012, but he had spent well over 12 months working with us exposed to all the same dangers as interpreters who were still working with UK forces in late 2012. In fact, by late 2012, the security situation had improved and UK forces were being exposed to enemy threats rather less than earlier in the campaign, he said. I would urge the government to give this issue their full attention and come to a fair and just decision it is quite simply a case of doing the right thing and we should not be creating barriers to accepting those people who truly deserve a place here. It is quite clear what the right thing to do is and unacceptable the Home Office is taking so long to deliberate over individual cases, let alone an overarching final decision. I would echo the comments of others, in suggesting that the way in which we act now may influence our ability to hire local civilians in any future campaigns. UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 9 October 2021 People walk past a life-size sculpture of British singer John Lennon entitled "Imagine", by sculptor Lawrence Holofcener, displayed to mark what would have been the 81st birthday for the former member of the Beatles in Carnaby Street Reuters UK news in pictures 8 October 2021 WW II veteran, 96-year-old Lorna Cockayne, who served in the Women's Royal Naval Service (WRNS), popularly and officially known as the Wrens, as a Bletchley Park codebreaker, poses for a photograph with the Legion d'honneur after receiving it during a ceremony at the Pear at Parley in Ferndown, Bournemouth PA 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 The Ministry of Defence spokesperson said: We recognise the vital role interpreters and local staff played in operations in Afghanistan and we are the only nation with a permanent expert team based in Kabul to investigate intimidation claims. Our intimidation policy is designed to ensure that former Afghan local staff are safe to live their lives in the country and we provide tailored security advice and support to individuals. We thank the committee for their report, which notes that more than 400 interpreters and local staff have relocated to the UK with their families under another scheme, and we will now review the report and its recommendations. A nine-year-old girl has given an emotional tribute to relatives who died in the Grenfell Tower fire, as a public inquiry commemorated two entire families who perished in the blaze. Sara Chebiouni spoke of her sadness that her cousin Mehdi El-Wahabi, eight, would never be able to play with us ever again. Mehdi lived on the 21st floor of the tower block with her mother Faouzia, 42, father Abdulaziz, 52, brother Yasin, 20, and sister Nur Huda, 16. All five died in the fire. Several hours were dedicated to their memory on an emotional fifth day of the inquiry, which seesawed from joyful memories to harrowing pain. Later in the day a woman collapsed in the auditorium during tributes for another family who lived in the 22nd floor. Hashim Kedir, 44, died alongside his wife Nura Jemal, 35, daughter Firdaws Hashim, 12, and sons Yahya Hashim, 13, and Yaqub Hashim, six. Mr Kedirs sister, Assema Kedir Habib, said the family originally from Ethiopia had been cremated unwillingly. She asked why more was not done to save people trapped as the high-rise building burned like a torch. It felt like the attempt to save them, to save what was left of them, stopped too early, Ms Habib said in a statement read out by solicitor Mark Scott. She added: I still have a problem accepting the fact that the UK one of the most powerful countries in the world could not do anything more in the year 2017 to save them. To save what was left of them. Why wasnt more done to save our loved ones? Why didnt the UK as a government try to do more that night? Why wasnt more done to at least save their dead bodies? Was it because the lives of the victims of Grenfell Tower didnt matter? Was it because our pain doesnt matter? Was the cost of trying to do more higher than the lives of our loved ones? Ms Habib told the inquiry the fire had also stolen her elderly father, who died 12 days after hearing the news of his familys deaths. Earlier in the day, relatives of the El-Wahabis told the inquiry of their lasting grief. I will be forever waiting for my daughter and beautiful grandchildren to walk through the door, said Ms El-Wahabis mother, Menana Jabari. Living in Morocco, she was forced to be a distant witness to her familys final moments. In a video message, her niece Aicha Jaiah said: I remember saying to my aunt Auntie, be strong, be strong. She said to me Shes dead, isnt she? and I think I said to her Yes, they all are. And that was it, she collapsed. Mr El-Wahabis brother, Hamed, fought back tears as he paid tribute to his kind, loyal sibling. He had an infectious and caring personality, he told the inquiry.He left a mark on many peoples hearts, and its evident by the endless love and support given to us by his friends and colleagues. Ms El-Wahabis sister-in-law Hanan Wahabi, who also lived in Grenfell Tower, said she had been anchor of our family. She had a real presence in the community and was loved by many, she added. The cousins of each sibling also gave their own personal tribute. Nine-year-old Sara, wearing a Grenfell jumper as spoke into the microphone, said she had enjoyed playing Lego and Minecraft with her cousin Mehdi. It is difficult knowing that Mehdi will never be able to play with us ever again, she said. Had he lived until adulthood I think he would have liked to have been a comedian, although I do think he had some work to do on his jokes, she added with faultless delivery. At the end of Saras presentation, counsel to the inquiry Bernard Richmond QC told her she had done a beautiful, beautiful job. UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures 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 UK news in pictures 18 August 2021 Former Afghan interpreters and veterans hold a demonstration outside Downing Street, calling for support and protection for Afghan interpreters and their families PA Twelve-year-old Jessica Urbano Ramirez, Vincent Chiejina, 60, Ligaya Moore, 78, Khadija Khaloufi, 52, and Steve Power, 63, were also remembered at the end of the inquirys gruelling first week. Mr Power, a father-of-five, died with his dogs wrapped around him after being advised to stay put in his 15th floor flat, his daughter told Fridays hearing. He was a keen fisherman and dance music DJ, whose boisterous style behind the decks meant he came across like a West Indies man trapped in an Irish mans body, Sherrie Power said. She told the hearing: Our dad lived in that block for so long that he would have experienced more than one fire there. I dont know if that was why he was reluctant to leave that night and unfortunately we will never know. I do know that my dad wasnt in the tower when the fire started, but he came back to wake me up out of my sleep. The commemorations, overseen by inquiry chair Sir Martin Moore-Bick, are expected to continue until next Wednesday. Additional reporting by PA A 13-year-old girl who went missing on her way to school has since left the country probably in the company of an older person, police have said. Serena Alexander-Benson is known to have boarded a Eurotunnel train at Folkestone on Friday morning. Officers say they are concerned for her welfare and have widened their search. The youngster was last seen by her father leaving home in Wimbledon, south-west London, at around 7.50am the same day. He reported her missing after she never arrived at school. UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures 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 UK news in pictures 18 August 2021 Former Afghan interpreters and veterans hold a demonstration outside Downing Street, calling for support and protection for Afghan interpreters and their families PA UK news in pictures 17 August 2021 Military personnel board the RAF Airbus A400M at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, where evacuation flights from Afghanistan have been landing Reuters UK news in pictures 16 August 2021 Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer takes part in a minute's silence at Wolverhampton police station for the victims of the Plymouth mass shooting last week PA UK news in pictures 15 August 2021 2Storm, a ten-metre tall puppet of a mythical goddess of the sea created by Edinburgh-based visual theatre company Vision Mechanics, makes its way alongside the seafront at North Berwick, East Lothian, during a performance at the Fringe By The Sea festival PA UK news in pictures 14 August 2021 A woman and two young girls look at floral tributes in Plymouth where six people, including the offender, died of gunshot wounds in a firearms incident PA UK news in pictures 13 August 2021 Forensic officers in the Keyham area of Plymouth where six people, including the shooter, died of gunshot wounds in a firearms incident on Thursday evening PA Police say she was wearing a green blazer and uniform with her dark brown hair tied up. They appealed for anyone with information or who may have seen her travelling through Folkestone to contact them. She is understood to have gone through passport control there. She has not been reported missing before, and, while she lives with her father, her mother is based in Poland. A statement released by the Met Police on Saturday said: Police are concerned for the welfare of Serena Alexander-Benson, a 13-year-girl who is missing from home in Wimbledon. CID officers based at Wandsworth are investigating. Serena has not been missing before. It added: Police enquiries have established that Serena left the UK at Folkestone on the morning of 25 May on a Eurotunnel train. Active lines of inquiry are being pursued to locate her. Anyone who may know Serena's whereabouts or who may have seen her as she travelled through Folkestone - probably in the company of an older person - should call officers at Wandsworth CID. Looking for the vulture assist with Neolithic burials 1 year ago Sainsburys customers are complaining about creepy CCTV screens being placed above self-service checkouts at hundreds of the companys stores. The supermarket giant insisted the screens, which show people a live feed of themselves as they pay for their produce, were in place to keep customers and colleagues safe. But shoppers said they were intrusive and Orwellian, with some claiming key pads were clearly exposed if they were to enter their pin numbers. Civil liberties campaigners called on Sainsburys to ditch the surveillance screens, which were branded a gross intrusion of privacy and a blatant attempt to intimidate customers. One Sainsburys regular, who did not want to be named, told The Independent she had been a customer for decades but was shocked to find herself being filmed while purchasing her groceries at a branch in central London. Not only does it feel like there is mistrust and that you are potentially guilty of something, but theres also the fear they will be storing your data. She added: I shant be using their self-service machines ever again. I felt violated. Sainsbury's CEO sings 'We're in the Money' before ITV News segment about 12 billion merger with Asda Another shopper said he encountered the screens at an outlet in Fitzrovia, London. He said: It struck me as bizarre really. I dont want to seem all tinfoil hat, but it just seemed a little bit Orwellian. Its a bit bizarre just to be looking at your face while youre doing something, because it really feels like someone is over your shoulder while youre just getting a packet of crisps and a coke. It just felt a little bit strange. After asking Sainsburys about the cameras, he was told they were to help facilitate a better customer journey. Other customers complained on social media to the supermarket. One said a screen clearly showed the pin machine, while another posted an image showing a Sainsburys monitor displaying a keypad. Whats up with recording customers entering their PINs at the self-checkout? Gabriel Currie asked. One Twitter user said the CCTV meant "you could see down my top and this image was displayed on the screen". Complaining to Sainsburys, Chloe Heatlie said: Its pretty creepy to be frank with you. Certainly didnt benefit my customer experience. Multiple social media users vowed to boycott the machines, and even Sainsburys itself, until the screens were removed. A Sainsburys spokesperson said the cameras were part of a security measure to increase safety at its stores. UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures 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 UK news in pictures 18 August 2021 Former Afghan interpreters and veterans hold a demonstration outside Downing Street, calling for support and protection for Afghan interpreters and their families PA UK news in pictures 17 August 2021 Military personnel board the RAF Airbus A400M at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, where evacuation flights from Afghanistan have been landing Reuters UK news in pictures 16 August 2021 Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer takes part in a minute's silence at Wolverhampton police station for the victims of the Plymouth mass shooting last week PA UK news in pictures 15 August 2021 2Storm, a ten-metre tall puppet of a mythical goddess of the sea created by Edinburgh-based visual theatre company Vision Mechanics, makes its way alongside the seafront at North Berwick, East Lothian, during a performance at the Fringe By The Sea festival PA UK news in pictures 14 August 2021 A woman and two young girls look at floral tributes in Plymouth where six people, including the offender, died of gunshot wounds in a firearms incident PA UK news in pictures 13 August 2021 Forensic officers in the Keyham area of Plymouth where six people, including the shooter, died of gunshot wounds in a firearms incident on Thursday evening PA The safety of our customers and colleagues is really important to us so we have invested in a range of measures to keep everyone safe, and this is essentially an example of that, she said. When asked how the move would benefit customer safety, Sainsburys said it could not go into specifics. But it is understood one reason for the installation of the CCTV cameras is to crack down on the number of shoppers stealing low-value items. The screens act as a deterrent to customers by making them more aware they are being watched. Silkie Carlo, director of civil liberties watchdog Big Brother Watch, said: Sainsburys new self-surveillance screens are a gross intrusion of shoppers privacy, broadcasting the contents of our wallets and baskets. These new cameras are a blatant attempt to intimidate customers and make us feel more closely watched than ever. It is absolutely disgusting for Sainsburys to treat its loyal customers like criminals, especially as it is now nigh on impossible to get a human checkout. Big Brother Watch calls on Sainsburys to remove these surveillance screens urgently. Sainsburys said it had installed the cameras at more than 300 stores, but refused to say if they would be rolled out to its remaining 1,100 outlets or whether the monitors were proving an effective deterrent. The supermarket said footage from its self-facing cameras, some of which were installed last year, were kept for 31 days before being overridden. According to a recent study, 3.2bn worth of goods is stolen from UK self-service tills every year. Britain needs to face the reality of Brexit, the EUs chief negotiator has said, as he warned Theresa May a withdrawal deal will not be possible unless she backs down over the future jurisdiction of European courts. Michel Barnier said Britain should not play a blame game and try to claim Brussels is responsible for the negative consequences of leaving the European Union. He urged government ministers to come forward with more realistic proposals, warning: A negotiation cannot be a game of hide and seek. Mr Barnier said there would be no withdrawal agreement or transition period unless the UK agrees to a continued role for the European Court of Justice in determining disputes involving the UK after Brexit something Ms May has repeatedly ruled out. The barbed comments follow a row over the future of British involvement in the EUs Galileo satellite project. Brussels decision to kick the UK out of the scheme was angrily denounced by ministers, with Philip Hammond, the chancellor, vowing to launch a separate satellite initiative if the EU refuses to back down. Tensions were already running high following days of strained negotiations in Brussels, during which one senior EU source described the UKs demands as fantasy. Mr Hammond dismissed that remark as not helpful. Speaking at a legal conference in Lisbon, Mr Barnier noted the importance of agreeing how the relationship between the UK and the EU will be governed once Britain leaves the bloc. He said: We have probably made a lot of progress on the substance of the withdrawal agreement, but without effective governance, these gains will be of limited value. Because without agreement on governance, and without an agreement on Ireland and Northern Ireland, there will be no withdrawal agreement, and therefore no transition period. The United Kingdom is well aware that our citizens and businesses, on both sides of the Channel, need legal certainty. 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 Hinting at continued frustration in Brussels over a perceived lack of detail in the UKs negotiating demands, Mr Barnier urged ministers to be more realistic and warned them against playing a blame game with the EU. He said: We also want an ambitious partnership with the United Kingdom in the long term. But to achieve this, we need realistic proposals from the UK proposals that respect the institutional architecture and the integrity of the European Union. I can see the temptation of the blame game to bring the negative consequences of Brexit on the European Union. But we will not be impressed. I will not be impressed. He added: For the economy, for foreign policy, the best way to influence the decisions of the European Union is to be in the European Union. The United Kingdom wants to leave. Its its decision. Not ours. And that has consequences. The United Kingdom must look at the reality of the European Union in the face. It must also face the reality of Brexit. Michel Barnier says a solution must be found to avoid a hard border in Northern Ireland The EU and the UK are at loggerheads over how disputes will be settled after Brexit. Britain wants to establish a joint committee, with members appointed by political leaders, to resolve any issues that arise, but European leaders have insisted the ECJ must be given the final say. Ms May has previously insisted: The jurisdiction of the ECJ in the UK must end. In a sign of the continued distance between the two negotiating teams, Mr Barnier said: We cannot accept that a jurisdiction other that the Court of Justice of the European Union determines the law and imposes its interpretation on the institutions of the Union. The former French minister said the EU was open to the UK changing its stance, but that time was running out. He said: If the United Kingdom would like to change its own red lines, it must tell us. The sooner the better. We are asking for clarity. A negotiation cannot be a game of hide and seek. Leaked emails relating to alleged sexual harassment at Save the Children indicate a formal grievance procedure was launched against its ex-chief executive Justin Forsyth. The messages passed to The Independent cast doubt on claims that no official complaint was ever made about him in the wake of a series of allegations dating back to 2012. The emails show that a woman who says she was targeted by Mr Forsyth, demanded the start of the complaints process including a specific investigation into his alleged repeated harassment of female staff, and that officials acknowledged it had begun. Recommended Sir Alan Parker resigns as chairman of Save the Children It raises serious questions about evidence given to MPs only last week, when the charitys ex-chair Sir Alan Parker also said no formal complaint was ever made specifically about Mr Forsyths behaviour. The Independent can also reveal that Sir Alan has now written to MPs informing them that a previously unmentioned formal grievance procedure was initiated at the charity, but was later dropped. It is the latest development in the saga that has sparked a Charity Commission investigation, seen the aid agency accused of trying to suppress negative stories and seen both Mr Forsyth and Brendan Cox, another former executive, apologise for mistakes they made. Sir Alan, a close friend of David Cameron and Gordon Brown, told MPs at the International Development Committee last Tuesday that no formal complaint had been made about Mr Forsyth, who once worked for the Labour prime minister, on the back of allegations of sexual harassment. Save the Children: leaked emails involving ex-chief executive Show all 6 1 /6 Save the Children: leaked emails involving ex-chief executive Save the Children: leaked emails involving ex-chief executive Email from Sir Alan Parker, to female complainant, dated 16 August 2015 Save the Children: leaked emails involving ex-chief executive Email from lawyer commissioned to lead review for Save the Children, to female complainant, dated 6 September 2015 Save the Children: leaked emails involving ex-chief executive Email from female complainant to senior Save the Children executives, dated 9 September 2015 Save the Children: leaked emails involving ex-chief executive Email from Save the Children executive to female complainant, dated 24 September 2015 Save the Children: leaked emails involving ex-chief executive Letter from Alan Parker Save the Children: leaked emails involving ex-chief executive Letter from Alan Parker According to Sir Alans evidence, when allegations emerged in 2012 they were settled through an informal process of mediation. He went on to explain that while a formal complaint was later made, it was a complaint about the handling of Justin Forsyth by Save the Children as opposed to a complaint about new misbehaviours or workplace issues on Justin. But the series of emails passed to The Independent suggest the complainant believed workplace issues were at the centre of her grievance. The woman involved first raised concerns about Mr Forsyth in 2012, which were not formally taken forward at the time, apparently because she believed Mr Forsyth had given a written commitment to learn lessons. But she returned to the matter in 2015, attempting to take forward a formal grievance, after she says she learnt of further complaints made against Mr Forsyth. In an email written to her from Sir Alan on 16 August 2015, he acknowledged that she had made formal complaint, and says that, as a result, an independent investigation into any widespread cultural failings and endemic issues would be launched. UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures 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 UK news in pictures 18 August 2021 Former Afghan interpreters and veterans hold a demonstration outside Downing Street, calling for support and protection for Afghan interpreters and their families PA UK news in pictures 17 August 2021 Military personnel board the RAF Airbus A400M at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, where evacuation flights from Afghanistan have been landing Reuters Sir Alan also told the complainant: The scope of this investigation will include concerns raised, relating to any individual executives. But three weeks later on 6 September, the complainant received confirmation from the lead lawyer from the firm tasked to undertake the review that his remit does not include giving my opinion on the facts of your (or any other) case. Recommended Charity boss resigns from Unicef over claims of inappropriate texts As a result, the complainant then wrote to two other senior executives at Save the Children on 9 September saying the situation is deeply concerning and at odds with Alans email. She pointed out that she had believed she had started a formal grievance ... of an extremely serious nature relating to Justin Forsyth and will need to seek resolution for my complaint of harassment outside of [the lawyers] current process. She said: It is disappointing and inconceivable that a specific investigation into Justins behaviour has not yet been initiated alongside the current process. In a disturbing passage, the woman then explained the impact on her working life, saying she has inevitably bumped into Justin in the office. Save the Children presents a collection of refugee children's stories of fleeing the Syrian conflict She wrote: Whilst I have always acted professionally towards Justin including after his harassment of me, this makes for an incredibly stressful working environment and I am sure this is not the intention of the review. She said she expected a formal specific investigation is urgently initiated into Justins repeated harassment of women. For the avoidance of doubt, please would you treat my email of 14 August, together with this email, as a formal grievance under the grievance policy and/or a formal complaint under the harassment policy Female complainant from Save the Children Making the situation absolutely clear, she then wrote: For the avoidance of doubt, please would you treat my email of 14 August, together with this email, as a formal grievance under the grievance policy and/or a formal complaint under the harassment policy. An email then received on 24 September from a senior officer at Save the Children confirmed the charity would now formally acknowledge your grievance. The Independent understands that the complainant later agreed to put her grievance on hold while the wider review was completed, and then withdrew it as she was informed that Mr Forsyth would be leaving the organisation. Save the Children campaign targets UK's weapons trade Meanwhile, insiders at Save the Children claim legal advice was that the law would not allow for the reopening of a disciplinary matter which had been concluded in 2012, regardless of whether the complainant felt aggrieved. It was the absence of a standing formal complaint or a live investigation into Mr Forsyth that allowed the charity to give him a clean reference which, in turn, paved the way to him gaining a senior job at Unicef. In his evidence to the committee, Sir Alan who left the charity in April admitted that there were things he wishes he and other senior executives at the charity had done better. 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 Save the Children declined to comment further on the case this weekend, while Mr Forsyth had not responded to a request for comment by the time of publication. Pauline Latham MP, who sits on the International Development Committee, said the evidence brought forward by The Independent amounted to a discrepancy with the oral testimony given by Sir Alan, who also founded PR firm Brunswick. A spokesperson for Sir Alan Parker responded Any suggestion that Sir Alan Parker misled the select committee is wrong. As he made clear to the committee in his evidence, there was a formal complaint. This was received in August 2015 and referred to previous incidents relating to Justin Forsyth which had been informally addressed, but did not allege new incidents. It was acknowledged as formal, reviewed by the board and external legal advice sought. The advice was that it should be taken seriously and treated as a complaint about the organisations handling of the historic allegations and about institutional culture, and because there was no new evidence or new alleged misbehaviour it was not appropriate to reopen previous investigations into Justin Forsyth's behaviour that at the time had been resolved with the agreement of the complainants. As a result, two reviews were launched. External legal advisers were appointed to undertake the review of how past incidents had been handled and a second review into the culture of the organisation. Some weeks later the complainant wrote that she wished her complaint to be treated as a formal grievance about Justins historic behaviour and a grievance panel was appointed. However, it was then agreed with her to suspend the grievance process whilst the review of the organisations handling of previous complaints continued. The board considered the outcome of the review and in light of legal advice unanimously decided not to reopen the historic complaints and to implement the findings of the culture review when concluded. The grievance was subsequently withdrawn and as a result no grievance process was ultimately pursued. She went on: Sexual harassment is such a serious matter that we cant afford to have any confusion about what happened in this case. Misleading parliament is also a serious matter and so Im sure Sir Alan will want to leave no room for doubt, and will want to return and clarify his previous answers in the light of this new evidence. At previous hearings of the committee Sir Alan has been forced to deny wasting money trying to suppress negative media coverage, and has claimed he was instead trying to ensure untruthful stories did not damage the charitys reputation. It is still is being investigated by the Charity Commission over its handling of allegations and has stopped bidding for government funds while it continues. After learning of the leaks to The Independent, international development secretary Penny Mordaunt said: Following the launch of a statutory inquiry by the Charity Commission, Save the Children UK has decided to withdraw from bidding for new UK government funding. I am committed to driving up standards across the aid sector and I expect every organisation that we work with to have rigorous reporting and complaints mechanisms in place to protect beneficiaries and employees alike. The fourth man to walk on the moon has died at the age of 86. Alan Bean passed away at Houston Methodist Hospital on Saturday after a short illness. His wife Leslie Bean said: Alan was the strongest and kindest man I ever knew. He was the love of my life and I miss him dearly. A native Texan, Alan died peacefully in Houston surrounded by those who loved him. Alan Bean flew twice into space, first as the lunar module pilot on Apollo 12, the second moon landing mission, in November 1969. In July 1973 he was commander of the second crewed flight to the United States first space station, Skylab. Bean retired from the Navy in 1975 and NASA in 1981 before devoting his time to his Apollo-themed artworks using small pieces of his moon dust-stained mission patches. Alan Bean was the most extraordinary person I ever met, said astronaut Mike Massimino, who flew on two space shuttle missions to service the Hubble Space Telescope. He was a one of a kind combination of technical achievement as an astronaut and artistic achievement as a painter. Alan Bean was the most extraordinary person I ever met, said astronaut Mike Massimino, who flew on two space shuttle missions to service the Hubble Space Telescope. He was a one of a kind combination of technical achievement as an astronaut and artistic achievement as a painter. Born March 15, 1932, in Wheeler, Texas, Bean received a Bachelor of Science degree in aeronautical engineering from the University of Texas in 1955. He attended the Navy Test Pilot School and accumulated more than 5,500 hours of flying time in 27 different types of aircraft. In October 1963 he was one of 14 trainees selected by NASA for its third group of astronauts in October 1963. On November 19, 1969, Bean and Apollo 12 commander Charles Pete Conrad landed on the Ocean of Storms. During two moonwalks Bean helped deploy several surface experiments and installed the first nuclear-powered generator station on the moon. Astronaut Alan Bean photographed by Commander Charles Conrad walking on the moon (NASA) He and Conrad also collected 75 pounds (34 kilograms) of rocks and lunar soil for study back on Earth and famously described bright green concentrations of olivine as "ginger ale bottle glass". Alan and Pete were extremely engaged in the planning for their exploration of the Surveyor III landing site in the Ocean of Storms," said Harrison Schmitt, Apollo 17 lunar module pilot. "This commitment paid off with Alan's and Pete's collection of a fantastic suite of lunar samples, a scientific gift that keeps on giving today and in the future." Mr Schmitt described Alan Bean as "one of the great renaissance men of his generation engineer, fighter pilot, astronaut and artist." Four years later Bean commanded the second crew to live and work on board the Skylab orbital workshop. During what was then a record 59-day, 24.4 million-mile flight, Bean and his two crewmates generated 76,000 photographs of the Sun to help scientists better understand its effects on the solar system. In total, Bean logged 69 days, 15 hours and 45 minutes in space, including 31 hours and 31 minutes on the moons surface. Alan and I have been best friends for 55 years ever since the day we became astronauts, said Walt Cunningham, who flew on Apollo 7. When I became head of the Skylab Branch of the Astronaut Office, we worked together and Alan eventually commanded the second Skylab mission. We have never lived more than a couple of miles apart, even after we left NASA. "And for years, Alan and I never missed a month where we did not have a cheeseburger together at Millers Cafe in Houston. We are accustomed to losing friends in our business but this is a tough one." Moon pictures show traces left by astronauts Show all 11 1 /11 Moon pictures show traces left by astronauts Moon pictures show traces left by astronauts 644421.bin Reuters Moon pictures show traces left by astronauts 644383.bin Reuters Moon pictures show traces left by astronauts 644380.bin Reuters Moon pictures show traces left by astronauts 644379.bin Getty Images Moon pictures show traces left by astronauts 644378.bin Getty Images Moon pictures show traces left by astronauts 644377.bin AFP/Getty Images Moon pictures show traces left by astronauts 644384.bin Reuters Moon pictures show traces left by astronauts 644385.bin Reuters Moon pictures show traces left by astronauts 644386.bin Reuters Moon pictures show traces left by astronauts 644387.bin Reuters Moon pictures show traces left by astronauts 644374.bin AP Two weeks before his death Alan Bean suddenly fell ill while visiting Fort Wayne, Indiana. He is survived by his wife Leslie, a sister Paula Stott, and two children from a prior marriage, a daughter Amy Sue and son Clay. A Republican congressman has faced backlash after saying it is acceptable to refuse to sell homes to LGBT+ people. Dana Rohrabacher, a California representative, was reported to have told a meeting of property developers in Orange County: Every homeowner should be able to make a decision not to sell their home to someone [if] they dont agree with their lifestyle. Mr Rohrabacher later confirmed those sentiments in an interview with the Orange County Register, saying people should have the right to choose who they do business with". A homeowner should not be required to be in business with someone they think is doing something that is immoral, he said. His comments, branded shocking and retrograde by the International Lesbian Gay Bisexual Trans and Intersex Association (Ilga), have caused the National Association of Realtors to pull all endorsement and funding from the congressman, who is running for re-election in Novembers mid-term elections. World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. Firefighters have brought the fire under control but they expected to keep working through the day EPA World news in pictures 15 September 2020 Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny posing for a selfie with his family at Berlin's Charite hospital. In an Instagram post he said he could now breathe independently following his suspected poisoning last month Alexei Navalny/Instagram/AFP World news in pictures 14 September 2020 Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida celebrate after Suga was elected as new head of the ruling party at the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election in Tokyo Reuters World news in pictures 13 September 2020 A man stands behind a burning barricade during the fifth straight day of protests against police brutality in Bogota AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 September 2020 Police officers block and detain protesters during an opposition rally to protest the official presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus. Daily protests calling for the authoritarian president's resignation are now in their second month AP World news in pictures 11 September 2020 Members of 'Omnium Cultural' celebrate the 20th 'Festa per la llibertat' ('Fiesta for the freedom') to mark the Day of Catalonia in Barcelona. Omnion Cultural fights for the independence of Catalonia EPA World news in pictures 10 September 2020 The Moria refugee camp, two days after Greece's biggest migrant camp, was destroyed by fire. Thousands of asylum seekers on the island of Lesbos are now homeless AFP via Getty World news in pictures 9 September 2020 Pope Francis takes off his face mask as he arrives by car to hold a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 8 September 2020 A home is engulfed in flames during the "Creek Fire" in the Tollhouse area of California AFP via Getty World news in pictures 7 September 2020 A couple take photos along a sea wall of the waves brought by Typhoon Haishen in the eastern port city of Sokcho AFP via Getty World news in pictures 6 September 2020 Novak Djokovic and a tournament official tends to a linesperson who was struck with a ball by Djokovic during his match against Pablo Carreno Busta at the US Open USA Today Sports/Reuters World news in pictures 5 September 2020 Protesters confront police at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Australia, during an anti-lockdown rally AFP via Getty World news in pictures 4 September 2020 A woman looks on from a rooftop as rescue workers dig through the rubble of a damaged building in Beirut. A search began for possible survivors after a scanner detected a pulse one month after the mega-blast at the adjacent port AFP via Getty World news in pictures 3 September 2020 A full moon next to the Virgen del Panecillo statue in Quito, Ecuador EPA World news in pictures 2 September 2020 A Palestinian woman reacts as Israeli forces demolish her animal shed near Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank Reuters World news in pictures 1 September 2020 Students protest against presidential elections results in Minsk TUT.BY/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 31 August 2020 The pack rides during the 3rd stage of the Tour de France between Nice and Sisteron AFP via Getty World news in pictures 30 August 2020 Law enforcement officers block a street during a rally of opposition supporters protesting against presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus Reuters World news in pictures 29 August 2020 A woman holding a placard reading "Stop Censorship - Yes to the Freedom of Expression" shouts in a megaphone during a protest against the mandatory wearing of face masks in Paris. Masks, which were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in Paris in certain high-congestion areas around tourist sites, were made mandatory outdoors citywide on August 28 to fight the rising coronavirus infections AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 August 2020 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to the national flag at the start of a press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo. Abe announced he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 27 August 2020 Residents take cover behind a tree trunk from rubber bullets fired by South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, near Johannesburg, during a protest by community members after a 16-year old boy was reported dead AFP via Getty World news in pictures 26 August 2020 People scatter rose petals on a statue of Mother Teresa marking her 110th birth anniversary in Ahmedabad AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 August 2020 An aerial view shows beach-goers standing on salt formations in the Dead Sea near Ein Bokeq, Israel Reuters World news in pictures 24 August 2020 Health workers use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the body temperature of a fisherwoman inside the Dharavi slum during a door-to-door Covid-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 August 2020 People carry an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, to immerse it off the coast of the Arabian sea during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India Reuters World news in pictures 22 August 2020 Firefighters watch as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires approach a home in Napa County, California AP World news in pictures 21 August 2020 Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a rally to protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank AFP via Getty World news in pictures 20 August 2020 A man pushes his bicycle through a deserted road after prohibitory orders were imposed by district officials for a week to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu AFP via Getty World news in pictures 19 August 2020 A car burns while parked at a residence in Vacaville, California. Dozens of fires are burning out of control throughout Northern California as fire resources are spread thin AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 August 2020 Students use their mobile phones as flashlights at an anti-government rally at Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom. Thailand has seen near-daily protests in recent weeks by students demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha AFP via Getty World news in pictures 17 August 2020 Members of the Kayapo tribe block the BR163 highway during a protest outside Novo Progresso in Para state, Brazil. Indigenous protesters blocked a major transamazonian highway to protest against the lack of governmental support during the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic and illegal deforestation in and around their territories AFP via Getty World news in pictures 16 August 2020 Lightning forks over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as a storm passes over Oakland AP World news in pictures 15 August 2020 Belarus opposition supporters gather near the Pushkinskaya metro station where Alexander Taraikovsky, a 34-year-old protester died on August 10, during their protest rally in central Minsk AFP via Getty World news in pictures 14 August 2020 AlphaTauri's driver Daniil Kvyat takes part in the second practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo near Barcelona ahead of the Spanish F1 Grand Prix AFP via Getty World news in pictures 13 August 2020 Soldiers of the Brazilian Armed Forces during a disinfection of the Christ The Redeemer statue at the Corcovado mountain prior to the opening of the touristic attraction in Rio AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 August 2020 Young elephant bulls tussle playfully on World Elephant Day at the Amboseli National Park in Kenya AFP via Getty Mr Rohrabacher was invited to the delegation to speak on a proposal to extend the Fair Housing Act 1968, which currently does not protect LGBT+ people against discrimination when buying a house. As it stands, the Act outlaws discrimination based on race, sex, religion or national origin, but not sexual orientation or gender. Weve drawn a line on racism, but I dont think we should extend that line, Mr Rohrabacher said. In a statement, the National Association of Realtors said: It was determined that Rep Rohrabacher will no longer receive support from NARs Presidents Circle. It stated that his views were not in line with its moral code, which prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. Recommended Republican candidate films herself lashing out at transgender woman Previously the politician held the title of a Realtor Champion, which meant he received support from top donors linked to the property group. Finance reports show that he also received $5,000 (3,750) towards his re-election campaign in December and January from the Realtors Political Action Committee. However in the upcoming election all support from the organisation will be dropped. Its sad to see (the associations) priority is standing in solidarity with making sure a stamp of approval is put on somebodys private lifestyle, Mr Rohrabacher said. Representatives from Ilga North America said they were disheartened and disgusted by his comments. His idea that homeowners should be allowed not to sell their homes to queer people represents discrimination in its purest form, they told The Independent. We urge Rohrabacher to retract his statement and apologise. All Americans deserve to be treated with the same respect and decency and Rohrabachers position has already created a thunder of backlash for him and its not showing signs of slowing down. Donald Trump has said a meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un was likely to go ahead, a day after he announced the summit was cancelled. The president said in a tweet that Washington was having productive talks with Pyongyang about reinstating the meeting on 12 June in Singapore. Mr Trumps back-and-forth over the plan has given ammunition to critics who argue the administration is in chaos and caused anxiety to South Korea, which brokered the talks between Washington and North Korea. Recommended PR coup for Pyongyang as chaotic Trump administration cancels summit A report by Politico claimed an advance team of 30 White House and State Department officials was preparing to leave for Singapore later this weekend. Mr Trump said in a Twitter post late on Friday: We are having very productive talks about reinstating the summit which, if it does happen, will likely remain in Singapore on the same date, June 12th, and, if necessary, will be extended beyond that date. The leader had earlier indicated the summit could be salvaged after welcoming a conciliatory statement from North Korea saying it remained open to discussions. It was a very nice statement they put out, Mr Trump told reporters at the White House. Well see what happens it could even be the 12th. Were talking to them now. They very much want to do it. Wed like to do it." Fridays tweet, which further brightened prospects of the US-North Korean meeting, came just a day after Mr Trump cancelled it, citing Pyongyangs open hostility. Seoul was apparently caught off-guard by Mr Trumps decision to cancel the Singapore meeting, with President Moon Jae-in saying the decision was very regrettable". He urged the two nations to resolve their differences through more direct and closer dialogue between their leaders. The nation expressed cautious relief about indications the meeting could go ahead. We see it as fortunate that the embers of dialogue between North Korea and the United States werent fully extinguished and are coming alive again, Seouls presidential spokesman Kim Eui-kyeom said in a statement. We are carefully watching the developments. 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 If the meeting takes place, it will be the first between a serving US president and a North Korean leader after years of tension over Pyongyangs nuclear weapons program. Announcement of the meeting this month followed months of war threats and insults between the leaders over North Koreas development of missiles capable of reaching the US. Reuters and the Associated Press contributed to this report John Jay Smith kept muttering to police "they killed my son," but really all that the five young men had done was eat some food in a McDonald's parking lot. It was sometime past 1:30 a.m. Wednesday. The five friends were having a mini tailgate, finishing their burgers and fries while standing outside their two cars in a Saint Augustine, Florida, McDonald's lot, when Smith started eyeing them from his truck, the men would soon tell police. The man was on the phone, but once he hung up he had a question for the five men. "Are you American boys?" he asked, according to a St. Johns County Sheriff's Office arrest report. They were not American boys. They were international students from Egypt, all between the ages of 19 and 23, Omar Abdelmoaty told The Washington Post. But they didn't tell that to Smith. "The truth is, we didn't even look at him," 23-year-old Abdelmoaty said. "We didn't respond. We didn't say anything. And then he said some stuff to us. . . . Do you really want to know?" According to the arrest report, Smith flashed his pocket knife, flicking it open and closed, and then he shouted, "Get the . . . out of my country!", using the F-word, and "You don't deserve American food!" "At this point," Abdelmoaty told The Post, "we thought we were going to die." "We said, 'OK, sir, we are leaving,'" 20-year-old Mohamed Galal recounted in a sworn affidavit. They were apparently not leaving fast enough. According to the police report, Smith grabbed a stun gun from his truck to "make this quicker," as he put it, according to the affidavit. As the men scrambled to get back into their cars, Smith allegedly charged towards them with the stun gun drawn, pulling the trigger just to "show us that his electric shocker is working," Abdelmoaty told police. One of them, 19-year-old Gasser Elkady, swung open the door to the backseat of the red Nissan while Smith "put the [stun gun] behind my back." Elkady was so frightened that he nearly slammed the door on Smith's leg. Smith did not relent. Police say he then stuck his hand through the window and tried, unsuccessfully, to use the stun gun on Elkady again as Elkady retreated farther back into the car. Then Smith moved on to the driver's side, allegedly sticking his hand through the open driver's side window and sticking his stun gun in Galal's face. Galal was so spooked that he hit the gas with the car in reverse and struck a pole. Then he and the others peeled out of the lot and called 911. "Upon my arrival," Deputy Kristin Pamies wrote in her report, "I made contact with John Smith. John had the smell of an alcoholic beverage emitting from his person and he was slurring his words. John made spontaneous statements advising 'I am an American and the guys by the vehicles were making ruckus so I told them to get out of here and one of them pulled a gun and they left in a red vehicle.'" The red Nissan returned to the scene. No gun was recovered, and in his formal recorded statement to police Smith did not mention a gun again, Pamies noted. He did, however, tell police he went up to the window and initiated a shock with his "zapper." His attorney did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Once in the back of the police car, an officer reported that Smith made the "spontaneous utterance" that "they killed my son." His son, he said, was a Marine who died in combat in Afghanistan. Smith was arrested and booked Wednesday on charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, burglary with assault, and armed trespassing. He is out on an $8,500 bond. World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. Firefighters have brought the fire under control but they expected to keep working through the day EPA World news in pictures 15 September 2020 Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny posing for a selfie with his family at Berlin's Charite hospital. In an Instagram post he said he could now breathe independently following his suspected poisoning last month Alexei Navalny/Instagram/AFP World news in pictures 14 September 2020 Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida celebrate after Suga was elected as new head of the ruling party at the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election in Tokyo Reuters World news in pictures 13 September 2020 A man stands behind a burning barricade during the fifth straight day of protests against police brutality in Bogota AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 September 2020 Police officers block and detain protesters during an opposition rally to protest the official presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus. Daily protests calling for the authoritarian president's resignation are now in their second month AP World news in pictures 11 September 2020 Members of 'Omnium Cultural' celebrate the 20th 'Festa per la llibertat' ('Fiesta for the freedom') to mark the Day of Catalonia in Barcelona. Omnion Cultural fights for the independence of Catalonia EPA World news in pictures 10 September 2020 The Moria refugee camp, two days after Greece's biggest migrant camp, was destroyed by fire. Thousands of asylum seekers on the island of Lesbos are now homeless AFP via Getty World news in pictures 9 September 2020 Pope Francis takes off his face mask as he arrives by car to hold a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 8 September 2020 A home is engulfed in flames during the "Creek Fire" in the Tollhouse area of California AFP via Getty World news in pictures 7 September 2020 A couple take photos along a sea wall of the waves brought by Typhoon Haishen in the eastern port city of Sokcho AFP via Getty World news in pictures 6 September 2020 Novak Djokovic and a tournament official tends to a linesperson who was struck with a ball by Djokovic during his match against Pablo Carreno Busta at the US Open USA Today Sports/Reuters World news in pictures 5 September 2020 Protesters confront police at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Australia, during an anti-lockdown rally AFP via Getty World news in pictures 4 September 2020 A woman looks on from a rooftop as rescue workers dig through the rubble of a damaged building in Beirut. A search began for possible survivors after a scanner detected a pulse one month after the mega-blast at the adjacent port AFP via Getty World news in pictures 3 September 2020 A full moon next to the Virgen del Panecillo statue in Quito, Ecuador EPA World news in pictures 2 September 2020 A Palestinian woman reacts as Israeli forces demolish her animal shed near Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank Reuters World news in pictures 1 September 2020 Students protest against presidential elections results in Minsk TUT.BY/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 31 August 2020 The pack rides during the 3rd stage of the Tour de France between Nice and Sisteron AFP via Getty World news in pictures 30 August 2020 Law enforcement officers block a street during a rally of opposition supporters protesting against presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus Reuters World news in pictures 29 August 2020 A woman holding a placard reading "Stop Censorship - Yes to the Freedom of Expression" shouts in a megaphone during a protest against the mandatory wearing of face masks in Paris. Masks, which were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in Paris in certain high-congestion areas around tourist sites, were made mandatory outdoors citywide on August 28 to fight the rising coronavirus infections AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 August 2020 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to the national flag at the start of a press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo. Abe announced he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 27 August 2020 Residents take cover behind a tree trunk from rubber bullets fired by South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, near Johannesburg, during a protest by community members after a 16-year old boy was reported dead AFP via Getty World news in pictures 26 August 2020 People scatter rose petals on a statue of Mother Teresa marking her 110th birth anniversary in Ahmedabad AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 August 2020 An aerial view shows beach-goers standing on salt formations in the Dead Sea near Ein Bokeq, Israel Reuters World news in pictures 24 August 2020 Health workers use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the body temperature of a fisherwoman inside the Dharavi slum during a door-to-door Covid-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 August 2020 People carry an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, to immerse it off the coast of the Arabian sea during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India Reuters World news in pictures 22 August 2020 Firefighters watch as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires approach a home in Napa County, California AP World news in pictures 21 August 2020 Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a rally to protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank AFP via Getty World news in pictures 20 August 2020 A man pushes his bicycle through a deserted road after prohibitory orders were imposed by district officials for a week to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu AFP via Getty World news in pictures 19 August 2020 A car burns while parked at a residence in Vacaville, California. Dozens of fires are burning out of control throughout Northern California as fire resources are spread thin AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 August 2020 Students use their mobile phones as flashlights at an anti-government rally at Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom. Thailand has seen near-daily protests in recent weeks by students demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha AFP via Getty World news in pictures 17 August 2020 Members of the Kayapo tribe block the BR163 highway during a protest outside Novo Progresso in Para state, Brazil. Indigenous protesters blocked a major transamazonian highway to protest against the lack of governmental support during the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic and illegal deforestation in and around their territories AFP via Getty World news in pictures 16 August 2020 Lightning forks over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as a storm passes over Oakland AP World news in pictures 15 August 2020 Belarus opposition supporters gather near the Pushkinskaya metro station where Alexander Taraikovsky, a 34-year-old protester died on August 10, during their protest rally in central Minsk AFP via Getty World news in pictures 14 August 2020 AlphaTauri's driver Daniil Kvyat takes part in the second practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo near Barcelona ahead of the Spanish F1 Grand Prix AFP via Getty World news in pictures 13 August 2020 Soldiers of the Brazilian Armed Forces during a disinfection of the Christ The Redeemer statue at the Corcovado mountain prior to the opening of the touristic attraction in Rio AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 August 2020 Young elephant bulls tussle playfully on World Elephant Day at the Amboseli National Park in Kenya AFP via Getty Police selected the "hate crime" enhancement on the report, noting that the "statements made by the defendant to the victims showed that he only committed the acts due to the victim's religion [sic]," but it is not clear if prosecutors will charge him with a hate crime in court. Abdelmoaty said he and his friends are Muslims. In the interview early Thursday morning, Abdelmoaty told The Washington Post that he and his friends have not been sleeping since the attack, that they have been trying to get back to studying but that this incident has consumed them, making it difficult to even go out in public to go on with their daily lives. "We're in a state of fear," he said. They have been in the United States for seven to ten months, and Abdelmoaty said they have never experienced anything like this before. Asked why they believe they were targeted, Abedelmoaty says it seems obvious to him, but that it's hard to say it out loud, because that makes it real. "This is the land of the free, so we didn't think one day that we would encounter something like this," he said. "We didn't do anything to anybody. We're just students. The basic idea that he charged us and attacked us for this, for our religion, for our home country and background, it's kind of scary. In the first place, we're just human beings - names and descriptions came afterward. "We don't hate him for what he did," he said. "We're just sad." In the police report, deputies noted that evidence at the scene corroborated the five men's version of events. The McDonald's manager told police she saw Smith get out of his truck with a stun gun and threaten the men through the car windows. The police found damage to the Nissan's back bumper, its red paint still on the pole it backed into. They found the knife in Smith's pocket. They found the burgers and fries and milkshakes scattered in the parking lot. Washington Post For years, Rachel Dolezal led a secret life in the Pacific north-west. Her friends believed she was a black woman with a passion for African-American issues. Others saw her as a vocal civil rights leader who later became the local NAACP president in Spokane, Washington. She was also a liar, her parents said. Estranged from their daughter, her parents came forward in June 2015 to out her as a white woman who had carried on a giant ruse, exposing her in what quickly morphed from a local story into an international sensation. Two months later, authorities claimed in court documents this week, she started another scheme. From August 2015 until last November, Ms Dolezal received nearly $8,850 (6,650) in public assistance from Washington state after she had falsely claimed she had little income and needed financial help, according to court documents. Prosecutors charged Ms Dolezal, 40, who legally changed her name in 2016 to Nkechi Amare Diallo, with theft by welfare fraud, perjury and falsifying records for public assistance all felonies. During the more than two years she received public aid, Ms Dolezal reported a single source of income: $300 per month in gifts from friends. But investigators with the states Department of Social and Health Services found that she had deposited nearly $84,000 into her bank account during that same period, according to court documents. She was advised on numerous occasions she could be criminally prosecuted if she willfully provided false information or failed to accurately report her circumstances, the departments investigators wrote in court records. After investigators started to question Ms Dolezal, she reported a change of circumstance to the state agency in November 2017, saying she completed a job the previous month for $20,000 (15,300), according to court documents. She told them she had fully disclosed her information. An arraignment hearing has been scheduled for 6 June in Spokane County Superior Court. Ms Dolezal could not be reached for comment on Friday. Her parents declined to comment. Rachel Ms Dolezal was a part-time professor at Eastern Washington University as well as president of her local NAACP chapter (Young Kwak/The Inlander) Ms Dolezals public downfall erupted over a 24-hour period in June 2015. There had been whispers and mysterious online comments that she was a white woman with white parents and had misrepresented her race on job applications and other documents for years. Her parents outed her in an 11 June article in the Coeur dAlene Press in Idaho. It is very disturbing that she has become so dishonest, her mother, Ruthanne Ms Dolezal, told the newspaper. Later that day, a Spokane news station published part of an interview it had conducted with Ms Dolezal that had not been broadcast. I was wondering whether your dad was really an African-American man, a reporter asked Ms Dolezal, who looked perplexed and flustered. Are you African-American? I dont understand the question, she responded before trailing off and walking away from the interview. Those stories broke on a Thursday and by the next Monday, Ms Dolezal was sitting in a Manhattan television studio for an interview on NBCs Today show. Her story received international attention, stirring a debate about racial identity and fabrication, and cost her her job as an instructor in the Africana Studies program at Eastern Washington University and her position with the NAACP. World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. Firefighters have brought the fire under control but they expected to keep working through the day EPA World news in pictures 15 September 2020 Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny posing for a selfie with his family at Berlin's Charite hospital. In an Instagram post he said he could now breathe independently following his suspected poisoning last month Alexei Navalny/Instagram/AFP World news in pictures 14 September 2020 Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida celebrate after Suga was elected as new head of the ruling party at the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election in Tokyo Reuters World news in pictures 13 September 2020 A man stands behind a burning barricade during the fifth straight day of protests against police brutality in Bogota AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 September 2020 Police officers block and detain protesters during an opposition rally to protest the official presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus. Daily protests calling for the authoritarian president's resignation are now in their second month AP World news in pictures 11 September 2020 Members of 'Omnium Cultural' celebrate the 20th 'Festa per la llibertat' ('Fiesta for the freedom') to mark the Day of Catalonia in Barcelona. Omnion Cultural fights for the independence of Catalonia EPA World news in pictures 10 September 2020 The Moria refugee camp, two days after Greece's biggest migrant camp, was destroyed by fire. Thousands of asylum seekers on the island of Lesbos are now homeless AFP via Getty World news in pictures 9 September 2020 Pope Francis takes off his face mask as he arrives by car to hold a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 8 September 2020 A home is engulfed in flames during the "Creek Fire" in the Tollhouse area of California AFP via Getty World news in pictures 7 September 2020 A couple take photos along a sea wall of the waves brought by Typhoon Haishen in the eastern port city of Sokcho AFP via Getty World news in pictures 6 September 2020 Novak Djokovic and a tournament official tends to a linesperson who was struck with a ball by Djokovic during his match against Pablo Carreno Busta at the US Open USA Today Sports/Reuters World news in pictures 5 September 2020 Protesters confront police at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Australia, during an anti-lockdown rally AFP via Getty World news in pictures 4 September 2020 A woman looks on from a rooftop as rescue workers dig through the rubble of a damaged building in Beirut. A search began for possible survivors after a scanner detected a pulse one month after the mega-blast at the adjacent port AFP via Getty World news in pictures 3 September 2020 A full moon next to the Virgen del Panecillo statue in Quito, Ecuador EPA World news in pictures 2 September 2020 A Palestinian woman reacts as Israeli forces demolish her animal shed near Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank Reuters World news in pictures 1 September 2020 Students protest against presidential elections results in Minsk TUT.BY/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 31 August 2020 The pack rides during the 3rd stage of the Tour de France between Nice and Sisteron AFP via Getty World news in pictures 30 August 2020 Law enforcement officers block a street during a rally of opposition supporters protesting against presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus Reuters World news in pictures 29 August 2020 A woman holding a placard reading "Stop Censorship - Yes to the Freedom of Expression" shouts in a megaphone during a protest against the mandatory wearing of face masks in Paris. Masks, which were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in Paris in certain high-congestion areas around tourist sites, were made mandatory outdoors citywide on August 28 to fight the rising coronavirus infections AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 August 2020 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to the national flag at the start of a press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo. Abe announced he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 27 August 2020 Residents take cover behind a tree trunk from rubber bullets fired by South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, near Johannesburg, during a protest by community members after a 16-year old boy was reported dead AFP via Getty World news in pictures 26 August 2020 People scatter rose petals on a statue of Mother Teresa marking her 110th birth anniversary in Ahmedabad AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 August 2020 An aerial view shows beach-goers standing on salt formations in the Dead Sea near Ein Bokeq, Israel Reuters World news in pictures 24 August 2020 Health workers use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the body temperature of a fisherwoman inside the Dharavi slum during a door-to-door Covid-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 August 2020 People carry an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, to immerse it off the coast of the Arabian sea during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India Reuters World news in pictures 22 August 2020 Firefighters watch as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires approach a home in Napa County, California AP World news in pictures 21 August 2020 Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a rally to protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank AFP via Getty World news in pictures 20 August 2020 A man pushes his bicycle through a deserted road after prohibitory orders were imposed by district officials for a week to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu AFP via Getty World news in pictures 19 August 2020 A car burns while parked at a residence in Vacaville, California. Dozens of fires are burning out of control throughout Northern California as fire resources are spread thin AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 August 2020 Students use their mobile phones as flashlights at an anti-government rally at Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom. Thailand has seen near-daily protests in recent weeks by students demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha AFP via Getty World news in pictures 17 August 2020 Members of the Kayapo tribe block the BR163 highway during a protest outside Novo Progresso in Para state, Brazil. Indigenous protesters blocked a major transamazonian highway to protest against the lack of governmental support during the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic and illegal deforestation in and around their territories AFP via Getty World news in pictures 16 August 2020 Lightning forks over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as a storm passes over Oakland AP World news in pictures 15 August 2020 Belarus opposition supporters gather near the Pushkinskaya metro station where Alexander Taraikovsky, a 34-year-old protester died on August 10, during their protest rally in central Minsk AFP via Getty World news in pictures 14 August 2020 AlphaTauri's driver Daniil Kvyat takes part in the second practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo near Barcelona ahead of the Spanish F1 Grand Prix AFP via Getty World news in pictures 13 August 2020 Soldiers of the Brazilian Armed Forces during a disinfection of the Christ The Redeemer statue at the Corcovado mountain prior to the opening of the touristic attraction in Rio AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 August 2020 Young elephant bulls tussle playfully on World Elephant Day at the Amboseli National Park in Kenya AFP via Getty In March 2017, Ms Dolezal published a memoir called In Full Colour: Finding My Place in a Black and White World. A state investigator read news stories about the book, found that her publisher had paid between $10,000 and $20,000 to past authors and then looked at her public assistance files. If she had received a book advance, she did not report it to the state, the investigator found. In addition to her book, Ms Dolezal had also created a line of artwork, soaps and handmade dolls which she also did not disclose to the state, according to court documents. AP The historic nuclear disarmament summit between President Donald Trump and North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un the one that Mr Trump thought might earn him the Nobel Peace Prize crumbled nearly as quickly as it came together, in a sudden and startling decision on Thursday morning by the American president. Inside the White House residence, the first alarm sounded about 10 pm on Wednesday when National Security Adviser John Bolton told Mr Trump about North Korea's public statement threatening a nuclear-to-nuclear showdown and mocking Vice President Mike Pence as a political dummy. Mr Trump was dismayed by Pyongyang's warmongering rhetoric, the same theatrics Mr Trump often deploys against his adversaries. Mr Bolton advised that the threatening language was a very bad sign, and the president told advisers he was concerned Mr Kim was manoeuvring to back out of the summit and make Americans look like desperate suitors, according to a person familiar with the conversations. So Mr Trump called it off first. The result was a crushing disappointment for a president eager to achieve a peace accord with North Korea that his recent predecessors had failed to reach. In a snap decision in early March, Mr Trump had agreed to face-to-face talks with Mr Kim, and in the weeks that followed, he was optimistic even boastful about what would happen when the two men met on 12 June in Singapore. It was a legitimate disappointment for him, even though he's been half-warned it was not going to happen, said Rudy Giuliani, Mr Trump's personal attorney, who visited with the president Wednesday in New York. Mr Trump debated summit locations and seriously considered meeting Mr Kim along the demilitarised zone between North and South Korea. He imagined the pageantry. The White House Communications Agency manufactured a limited run of red, white and blue challenge coins embossed with Mr Trump's silver visage facing off against Mr Kim's. He even mused about winning the Nobel Peace Prize. This was to be the ultimate Trump production. But the president's imagination collided with the reality of negotiations with a rogue and mistrusted regime. Though Mr Trump is hardly the first president to have sensitive diplomatic entreaties fall short, his played out in full public view, like a soap opera narrated daily from the Oval Office. Tony Schwartz, who co-authored The Art of the Deal with Mr Trump, said the president put an end to the summit to save his ego. Trump has a morbid fear of being humiliated and shamed, Schwartz said. This is showing who's the biggest and the strongest, so he is exquisitely sensitive to the possibility that he would end up looking weak and small. There is nothing more unacceptable to Trump than that. As dawn broke on Thursday, senior US officials congregated in the West Wing, and by 7 am, they were discussing options over the phone with Mr Trump, who was still in his private chambers. The president arrived at a swift decision to cancel the summit. A cadre of advisers including Mr Bolton, Chief of Staff John Kelly, press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders, vice presidential Chief of Staff Nick Ayers, Deputy Chief of Staff Joe Hagin and deputy national security adviser Mira Ricardel scurried between Mr Ayers', Mr Kelly's and Mr Bolton's offices, finalising their plan to break Mr Trump's news. Mr Trump dictated a stern yet wistful personal letter to Mr Kim blaming him for the tremendous anger and open hostility displayed in your most recent statement. The note bore Trumpian hallmarks, including flattering the recipient (he addressed a dictator who has kidnapped Americans and killed his own citizens as His Excellency) and boasting about the size of his arsenal. You talk about your nuclear capabilities, but ours are so massive and powerful that I pray to God they will never have to be used, Mr Trump wrote. This behind-the-scenes account of Mr Trump's decision to cancel the Singapore summit is based on interviews with seven administration officials, many of whom spoke on the condition of anonymity to candidly discuss a sensitive matter. Mr Trump's move caught South Korea and other allies off guard in part by design, aides said. The president feared the news would leak out if foreign counterparts were alerted, though some in the White House were concerned about insulting allies. Foreign diplomats got word that the summit was off at the same time as the general public, shortly before 10 am, when the White House sent a copy of Mr Trump's letter to reporters. At South Korea's presidential Blue House, officials were blindsided. President Moon Jae-in had just returned home from Washington, where he met with Mr Trump on Tuesday, and Mr Moon's national security adviser recently put the chance of the summit happening at 99.9 percent. Reached shortly after Mr Trump's letter was released, Blue House spokesman Kim Eui-kyeom said, We are attempting to make sense of what, precisely, President Trump means. Mr Trump made his announcement while several American journalists were in North Korea at the invitation of Mr Kim's government to witness the apparent destruction of a nuclear test site. In 2009, North Korean soldiers detained two American journalists, Euna Lee and Laura Ling, who were charged with illegal entry and held prisoner for five months. CNN correspondent Will Ripley, who was reporting from the test site this week, recalled being the one to read Mr Trump's letter to North Korean officials. There was just a real sense of shock, Mr Ripley reported on Thursday. Immediately they got up and left and are now on the phone kind of relaying the news up to the top. The moment, Mr Ripley added, was very awkward and uncomfortable. Mr Trump's final decision was abrupt, but doubts had been growing for several days, with indications all week that the North Koreans were operating in bad faith. The president's tone turned somewhat sceptical. We're going to see what happens, he told reporters on Wednesday. It could very well happen. But whatever it is, it is. Mr Kim and his deputies had blasted Mr Bolton for comments he made 29 April on CBS News in which he said the administration would try to emulate the Libya model from 2003 and 2004, in which Moammar Gadhafi relinquished his regime's nuclear weapons program. The North Koreans believe that agreement led to Gaddafi's downfall and death in 2011, and a top Kim aide blasted Mr Bolton, whom they generally considered antagonistic from his many years as a foreign policy hawk. Mr Trump last week sought to reassure Mr Kim that he would remain in power under any nuclear deal with the United States, contradicting Mr Bolton by saying, "The Libya model isn't the model that we have. But on Monday, Mr Pence said in an interview with Fox News that the Libyan model will apply to North Korea if Mr Kim does not agree to denuclearize. Aides said Mr Pence's comments were not an effort to sabotage the deal, saying that he and Mr Trump spoke before the Fox interview and that the vice president reiterated points Mr Trump had previously made. Still, Mr Pence's Libya analogy struck a nerve in Pyongyang. When North Korea's government unleashed its Wednesday torrent of invective against the Mr Trump administration, an aide close to Mr Kim called Mr Pence a "political dummy who made ignorant and stupid remarks. Meanwhile, US officials had grown concerned that Mr Kim's deputies had gone silent on preparations for the summit. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo who travelled twice to North Korea and was regarded inside the Trump administration as the good cop to Mr Bolton's enforcer blamed Pyongyang for the breakdown in communication in recent days. The United States received no response to our inquiries from them, Mr Pompeo told a Senate panel on Thursday. We got a lot of dial tones. 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 US officials were further frustrated last week when a senior North Korean delegation failed to show up for a planning meeting in Singapore, leaving a team led by Mr Hagin in the island country with little to do. They waited, and they waited, a senior White House official said. The North Koreans never showed up. The North Koreans didn't tell us anything. They simply stood us up. Mr Trump suspected that Chinese President Xi Jinping may have had something to do with Mr Kim's turnabout, musing this week about their meeting this month. When Kim Jong Un had the meeting with President Xi, in China, the second meeting ... I think there was a little change in attitude from Kim Jong Un, Mr Trump said on Tuesday, with Mr Jae-In at his side. I don't like that. I don't like it from the standpoint of China. Now, I hope that's not true, because I have a great relationship with President Xi. He's a friend of mine. He likes me. I like him. Evelyn Farkas, a former Obama administration national security official who has worked on North Korea issues, said Mr Trump was naive. He fails to understand that while he might have a good rapport with a head of state, that head of state will act based on his national interests and not based on his personal feelings, she said. Some Trump administration officials worried about losing the upper hand if Mr Kim strung Mr Trump along and bailed on the meeting, according to a second senior White House official. Aides began telling Mr Trump last week that he should be prepared for the summit not to happen and that it might take several tries before he actually meets Mr Kim face to face. Tempering the president's enthusiasm was partially driven by Mr Bolton, as well as by some congressional allies. Donald Trump's international Presidential trips Show all 22 1 /22 Donald Trump's international Presidential trips Donald Trump's international Presidential trips French President Emmanuel Macron and US President Donald Trump AFP/Getty Images Donald Trump's international Presidential trips French President Emmanuel Macron and US President Donald Trump talk as they leave the Army Museum at Les Invalides in Paris AFP/Getty Images Donald Trump's international Presidential trips German Chancellor Angela Merkel and US President Donald Trump arrive for the group photo at the G7 Taormina summit on the island of Sicily in May 2017 Getty Images Donald Trump's international Presidential trips Mr Trump was pressed on the subject at the G7 summit in Italy Getty Donald Trump's international Presidential trips US President Donald Trump gives a speeech at the Warsaw Uprising Monument on Krasinski Square Getty Donald Trump's international Presidential trips US President Donald Trump and Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May during a ceremony at the NATO headquarters before the start of a summit in Brussels, Belgium Reuters Donald Trump's international Presidential trips Montenegro's Prime Minister Dusko Markovic is seen to the right of Donald Trump at a Nato summit in Brussels REUTERS Donald Trump's international Presidential trips Pope Francis meeting with US President Donald J. Trump EPA Donald Trump's international Presidential trips Pope Francis poses with US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump AFP/Getty Images Donald Trump's international Presidential trips US President Donald Trump arrives at Palazzo del Quirinale ahead of the meeting with Italian President Sergio Mattarella Ufficio Stampa Presidenza della via Getty Donald Trump's international Presidential trips US President Donald Trump is seen during a joint press conference with the Palestinian leader at the presidential palace in the West Bank city of Bethlehem AFP/Getty Images Donald Trump's international Presidential trips Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas meets US President Donald Trump PPO via Getty Donald Trump's international Presidential trips Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks with US President Donald Trump prior to the President's departure GPO via Getty Images Donald Trump's international Presidential trips US President Donald Trump and Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu shake hands after delivering a speech at the Israel Museum AFP/Getty Images Donald Trump's international Presidential trips US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump lay a wreath in the Hall of Remembrance as White House senior advisor Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump watch on during a visit to the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial museum AFP/Getty Images Donald Trump's international Presidential trips US President Donald Trump visit to Yad Vashem Holocaust museum in Jerusalem accompanied by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu GPO via Getty Images Donald Trump's international Presidential trips US President Donald Trump takes his seat before his speech to the Arab Islamic American Summit in Riyadh in Saudi Arabia Reuters Donald Trump's international Presidential trips Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud, US President Donald Trump and US First Lady Melania Trump look at a display of Saudi modern art at the Saudi Royal Court in Riyadh AFP/Getty Images Donald Trump's international Presidential trips US President Donald Trump and Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud take part in a signing ceremony at the Saudi Royal Court in Riyadh AFP/Getty Images Donald Trump's international Presidential trips King Salman presents Donald Trump with The Collar of Abdulaziz al-Saud Medal at the Royal Court Palace on 20 May AP Donald Trump's international Presidential trips US President Donald Trump is welcomed by Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud upon arrival at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh AFP/Getty Images Donald Trump's international Presidential trips U.S. President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump walk on the South Lawn prior to their first foreign trip Getty Images Here's what I told the president: North Koreans are going to try to wait you out, Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said. They're going to nickel and dime you. They're going to delay. They're going to obfuscate. They are going to make commitments and pull them back. Despite the warning signs, Mr Trump remained hopeful that the summit would go on as he had imagined. Aboard Air Force One on Wednesday, Mr Trump told passengers that he believed Mr Kim was ready to make a deal and that enough screws had been put on him to bring him to the negotiating table in Singapore, according to Rep. Peter King, R-N.Y., who flew with Mr Trump. If I had to bet right now, he had no intention of calling it off, Mr King said. "He was throwing out different ideas nothing dramatic, but obviously thinking through what they were going to be doing over the next few days to get ready and make plans for the summit. For Mr Trump, the cancellation brings one silver lining at least in the eyes of his lawyer. Mr Giuliani said the president would now be free to focus on whether to sit for an interview with Special Counsel Robert Mueller's team in the Russia investigation. Still, Mr Giuliani added, he believes Mr Trump is more likely to eventually sit down across from Mr Kim than Mr Mueller. I think it is more inevitable than a Mueller interview, Mr Giuliani said. At least they're not going to try to trap him into Korean perjury. The Washington Post. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and South Korean president Moon Jae-in have held a surprise meeting at a border village amid efforts to salvage the high-stakes summit with US president Donald Trump. The two-hour talks, which were not announced ahead of time, marked the latest twist in a dramatic week of back-and-forth surrounding the unprecedented talks between Mr Trump and Mr Kim, which had been set for 12 June in Singapore. On Thursday, Washington said it was pulling out of the summit, with Mr Trump citing the open hostility of recent comments out of Pyongyang. The president seemingly took exception to a statement by North Korean diplomat Choe Son Hui, who referred to Vice President Mike Pence as a political dummy and said it was up to the Americans whether they would meet us at a meeting room or encounter us at a nuclear-to-nuclear showdown. North Korea responded that it was still willing to meet at any time and in any format, a pronouncement that Mr Trump called very nice before tweeting on Friday afternoon that his administration was having very productive talks with Pyongyang to reinstate the summit. A statement from North Korea's state news agency KCNA said Kim expressed "his fixed will" on the possibility of meeting with Mr Trump. In a tweet on Saturday Mr Trump hit out at a report from The New York Times quoting a Senior White House official saying that if the summit is reinstated it would be impossible to hold it on 12 June given the planning required at such short notice. WRONG the president wrote, offering no evidence to back up his claim. Given the nature of the interactions between the Trump administration and North Korea which have veered from threats of fire and fury by the US president and responses in kind from Pyongyang, to suggestions the two nations could work together the key could be Mr Moon. The South Korean president was voted into office on a policy platform of seeking to engage with the North, and he has followed that through. From the participation of Pyongyang in the Winter Olympics in South Korea earlier this year to the latest meeting, Mr Moon has sought to make himself the mediator in trying to solve the crisis. He has flattered Mr Trump by praising his strong leadership and maximum pressure campaign through sanctions as reasons Mr Kim has been brought to the negotiating table, but it is obvious that North-South relations are on a surer footing than North Korea-US relations. The meeting between Mr Moon and Mr Kim on Saturday was the second between the two leaders, with both having taken place in the last few weeks. The first inter-Korean summit in more than a decade took place at Panmunjom border village on 27 April, when both sides declared an aspiration to work towards a nuclear-free Korean peninsula and formally end the 1950-53 Korean War. It is the Norths nuclear programme that has been the focus of the US administration, with more than 20 missile tests from Pyongyang in 2017 highlighting the progress the nation has been making towards a nuclear warhead-tipped rocket that could reach the US. Indeed, amid months of escalating rhetoric between Mr Trump and Mr Kims regime last month, Pyongyang threatened to fire missiles at the US territory of Guam. Donald Trump says North Korea summit 'could still happen' Saturdays talks again took place in Panmunjom, although it is not yet known how long the meeting lasted or who had asked for it. The two leaders candidly exchanged views about making the North Korea-US summit a successful one and about implementing the Panmunjom Declaration, South Koreas presidential spokesman said in a statement. Mr Moon, who returned to Seoul on Thursday morning after meeting Mr Trump in Washington earlier in the week in a bid to keep the US-North summit on track, is due to announce details of the meeting with Mr Kim early on Sunday. North Korea South Korea relations: in pictures Show all 21 1 /21 North Korea South Korea relations: in pictures North Korea South Korea relations: in pictures Pukguksong-2 missile - 2 May 2017 A solid-fuel "Pukguksong-2" missile lifts off during its launch test in North Korea on May 22, 2017. They said that it was examining operational plans for attacking Guam, an angry reaction to UN punishment for previous North Korean intercontinental ballistic missile tests and a US suggestion about preparations for possible preventive attacks to stop the North's nuclear weapons program. Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP North Korea South Korea relations: in pictures Hwasong-12 -16 September 2017 North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un inspecting a launching drill of the medium-and-long range strategic ballistic rocket Hwasong-12 at an undisclosed location. Kim vowed to complete North Korea's nuclear force despite sanctions, saying the final goal of his country's weapons development is "equilibrium of real force" with the United States, state media reported on September 16, 2017. AFP/Getty Images North Korea South Korea relations: in pictures Donald Trump address South Korean assembly - 7 November 2017 President Donald Trump talks with South Korean President Moon Jae-In during their joint press conference at the presidential Blue House on November 7, 2017 in Seoul.Trump was the first US President to address the South Korean National Assembly since President Clinton in 1993. He addressed Kim Jong Un warning him to not underestimate the US and that for talks to materialize then Pyongyang would need to take steps into denuclearization. Getty North Korea South Korea relations: in pictures Demilitarized Zone Haean-Myeon, is a small military town near the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) and border between North and South Korea, in Gangwon province. The zone is a strip of land running across the Korean Peninsula and was created after the 'Korean Armistice Agreement'. Any negotiations between the two countries tend to take place in this zone. AFP/Getty Images North Korea South Korea relations: in pictures Declared state sponsor of terrorism by Trump - 20 November 2017 President Donald Trump speaks to the media during a cabinet meeting at the White House on November 20, 2017, where he officially designated North Korea as a state sponsor of terrorism. North Korea had previously been on the list, however was removed in 2008. Getty North Korea South Korea relations: in pictures Hwasong-15 intercontinental ballistic missile - 29 November 2017 The North Korean government launches it's Hwasong-15 intercontinental ballistic missile at an undisclosed location in North Korea on November 29, 2017. It is supposedly capable of reaching all parts of the US. Korean Central News Agency via AP North Korea South Korea relations: in pictures Hwasong-15 intercontinental ballistic missile - 29 November 2017 North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un celebrating the launch of the Hwasong-15 missile on November 29, 2017. AFP/Getty North Korea South Korea relations: in pictures Kim Jong-Un New Year's speech - 1 January 2018 North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un delivering his New Year's speech. He vowed North Korea would mass-produce nuclear warheads and missiles in a defiant New Year message on January 1 suggesting he would continue to accelerate a rogue weapons programme that has stoked international tensions. Korean Central News Agency via AFP/Getty North Korea South Korea relations: in pictures Intercontinental ballistic missile ice sculpture - 1 January 2018 Fireworks are seen above the Taedong River during New Year celebrations as visitors pose for a photo in front of an ice sculpture of an intercontinental ballistic missile at the Pyongyang Ice Sculpture Festival in Kim Il Sung Square in North Korea on 1 January, 2018. REUTERS North Korea South Korea relations: in pictures US-South Korean military drills postponed - 4 January 2018 South Korean President Moon Jae-in talks with US President Donald Trump on January 4, 2018 in Seoul. South Korea and US agreed to delay the annual "Foal Eagle" military drills until after the PyeongChang Winter Olympic Games in an effort to "de-conflict" the Games and "focus on ensuring the security" of the event. South Korean Presidential Blue House via Getty North Korea South Korea relations: in pictures North and South Korea have first official talks in over two years - 9 January 2018 Vehicles transporting the South Korean delegation, led by South Korean Unification Ministrer Cho Myoung-Gyon, drive past a checkpoint on the road connecting South and North Korea at the Unification Bridge, near the Demilitarized zone (DMZ) separating them both on January 9, 2018 in Paju. They began their first official face-to-face talks in two years. Getty North Korea South Korea relations: in pictures North and South Korea have first official talks in over two years - 9 January 2018 Members of the South Korea delegation (R) shake hands with members of the North Korean delegation (L) during their meeting at the border truce village of Panmunjom in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) dividing the two Koreas on January 9, 2018. They focused on the forthcoming Winter Olympics after months of tensions over Pyongyang's nuclear weapons programme. AFP/Getty North Korea South Korea relations: in pictures Foreign Ministers Meeting on Security and Stability on the Korean Peninsula - 16 January 2018 Foreign Ministers from twenty countries from North and South America, Asia, and Europe pose for a photo at the Vancouver Foreign Ministers Meeting on Security and Stability on the Korean Peninsula, in Vancouver on January 16, 2018. The US urged an escalation in pressure on North Korea over its nuclear missile program, despite a more cautious tone from key US ally South Korea. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, co-hosted the event with Canada's foreign minister Chrystia Freeland, and called for North Korean ships to be intercepted and for new punitive measures to be implemented every time Pyongyang tests new weapons. AFP/Getty North Korea South Korea relations: in pictures North Korea and South Korea to march together at Winter Olympics - 20 January 2018 PyeongChang 2018 Olympics President Lee Hee-beom, North Korea's Sports Minister and Olympic Committee president Kim Il Guk, International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach, South Korean Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Do Jong-hwan and South Korea's National Olympic Committee President Lee Kee-heung join their hands as they pose during a signing ceremony at the Olympic Museum on January 20, 2018 in Lausanne. North Korea will send 22 athletes to the Winter Games in the South. The two nations will also march together at the opening ceremony. AFP/Getty North Korea South Korea relations: in pictures Anti-North Korea activists protest delegation arrival - 22 January 2018 Anti-North Korea activists burn a portrait of leader Kim Jong-Un during a rally Seoul Station as a North Korean delegation arrived to check out performance venues for the Winter Olympics on January 22, 2018. Protesters led by the Korean Patriots Party gathered and complained that the talks to encourage North Korea's participation is stealing the spotlight from their country to the benefit of the regime. Donga Daily via Getty North Korea South Korea relations: in pictures Panmunjom - 7 February 2018 South Korean soldiers stand guard at the border village of Panmunjom in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) between South and North Korea on February 7, 2018. In a sign of thawing bilateral ties, North Korea today announced that Kim Yo-jong, the sister of North Korean leader, Kim Jong-un, will attend the opening ceremony of the PyeongChang Winter Olympic Games. Getty Images North Korea South Korea relations: in pictures North Korean ferry arrives in South Korea - 6 February 2018 North Korean ferry Mangyongbong-92 carrying a 140-strong orchestra approaches a port in Donghae, South Korea, February 6, 2018. REUTERS North Korea South Korea relations: in pictures Anti-North Korea protest - 6 February 2018 A member of a conservative civic group tears a portrait of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during an anti-North Korea protest as the North Korean ferry Mangyongbong-92 carrying a 140-strong orchestra approached. REUTERS North Korea South Korea relations: in pictures North Korea at the athletes village - 8 February 2018 A North Korean flag is seen hanging on a building at the Winter Olympics athletes village in Gangneung, South Korea. REUTERS North Korea South Korea relations: in pictures Olympic Welcome ceremony - 8 February 2018 Democratic People's Republic of Korea Vice Sports Minister Won Gil-woo receives a gift from mayor of the Olympic Village Kim Ki-hoon during the welcome ceremony ahead of the PyeongChang 2018 Games at the Olympic Village on 8 February, 2018 in South Korea. Getty Images North Korea South Korea relations: in pictures Mike Pence meets Moon Jae-in - 8 February 2018 US Vice President Mike Pence shakes hands with South Korean President Moon Jae-in before their meeting at the presidential office in Seoul, South Korea on 8 February, 2018. REUTERS One of the photos released by the presidential Blue House on Saturday showed Mr Moon and Mr Kim hugging each other after their meeting at Tongilgak, the Norths building in the truce village. The previous summit was held at the southern side of the border. They were accompanied by South Korean intelligence chief Suh Hoon and his North Korean counterpart Kim Yong Chol, who is in charge of inter-Korean affairs. Another photo showed Moon shaking hands with Kim Jong-uns sister, Kim Yo-jong. Mr Moon is walking a political tightrope, with decades of difficult diplomacy between world powers and the North littered with examples that show the situation can change very quickly even without the often impulsive input of Mr Trump. South Korea was caught off guard by Mr Trumps abrupt cancellation of the Singapore summit. Mr Moon said the US presidents decision left him perplexed and was very regrettable. Mr Moons push to keep the 12 June summit on track may also be driven at least in part by the worry of a US president who thinks less of the traditional alliance with Seoul than his White House predecessors. A number of analysts have highlighted what they see as the risky nature of Mr Trumps cancellation of the Singapore meeting and how it could play into Mr Kims hands in terms of propaganda value. Adam Mount, a senior fellow at the Federation of American Scientists and director of its Defense Posture Project, which looks at deterrence and the use of nuclear weapons, said that Mr Moons latest meeting with Mr Kim was a clear demonstration of how dangerous Trumps temper tantrum was. When Kim Jong-un was allowed to split the negotiations into separate tracks with Trump and Moon, he gained leverage over both, Mr Mount tweeted. Moon was sitting too alone at the table today, without the full weight of the United States. However, the White House sought on Saturday to make clear it was still preparing for the summit, with reports of an advance team of around 30 White House and State Department staff preparing to leave for Singapore over the weekend. In a statement, White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said: The White House pre-advance team for Singapore will leave as scheduled in order to prepare should the summit take place. On Friday, Mr Trump was asked if North Korea was playing games with the US over the status of the summit, and he replied that everyone plays games. But for Mr Moon the stakes are much higher. Moon Jae-in is not playing a game: he must keep his people safe from war, said Mr Mount. Each of Trumps whims shakes the walls of the Blue House. Richwood, TX (77531) Today Sunshine and clouds mixed. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 89F. Winds SSE at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies during the evening will give way to cloudy skies overnight. Low 78F. Winds SE at 10 to 15 mph. The deal of the day in relation to the US and North Korea was widely publicised by the White House. It was not a forecast of a vital breakthrough in the summit between Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un, however, but a coin produced to commemorate the historic moment. The President Trump United States and Korea Summit Coin was put on sale at the White House gift shop just a few hours before the US president pulled out of the summit a small example of the overall confusion which had marked the US administrations position over the talks with Pyongyang. The price dropped with news of the cancellation, from $34.96 to $26.30 and then $19.95 relatively cheap for what is becoming a collectors item, albeit not for the reasons Mr Trump, who apparently believes he would win the Nobel Peace Prize for achieving a nuclear deal, would have wanted. North Koreas reaction to the US presidents decision was to express great regret, stressing that it was open to talks at any time and would wait to offer the US side time and opportunity. There was massaging of Mr Trumps ego with praise for his bold original decision to hold the negotiations and the ingratiating we even inwardly hoped that what is called Trump formula would be a wise way of settling the issue. The fact remains that Kim Jong-un has won on the public relations front in this round. The US will be widely viewed as the side which is throwing away the opportunity to settle a combustible problem, while the North Koreans take a reasonable position. And Mr Trumps words, threatening military action while at the same time saying nobody should be anxious and that he was open to future negotiations will, not for the first time, raise questions about the coherence of his strategy. The manner in which the US president pulled out of the summit, which was due to be held in Singapore next month, has created rifts with allies. The leader of South Korea, who had been instrumental in getting Kim Jong-un to the negotiating table, while agreeing to let Mr Trump take the credit for it, was not informed about the decision. President Moon Jae-in said he was very perplexed by what had happened and it was very regrettable that the meeting was not going ahead, adding denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula and the establishment of permanent peace are historic tasks that can neither be abandoned nor delayed. The US president had blindsided the Japanese when he first agreed to meet Kim Jong-un, breaking a pledge of consultation he is supposed to have made to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Tokyo was kept in the dark this time around as well. Foreign Minister Taro Kono was on a visit to Washington, but he, too, wasnt told about the decision beforehand. Mr Abe is in Russia to meet Vladimir Putin, part of a deepening of relationships which has come about partly in reaction to the unpredictability of the Trump administrations foreign policy. He said It is unfortunate that the summit has been cancelled but we fully respect and support President Trumps decision. Donald Trump says North Korea summit 'could still happen' China is the one country whose support the US needs in tackling North Korea and there has been acknowledgement from American officials that Beijings stricter enforcement of sanctions has been a major factor in making Pyongyang negotiate. Yet Mr Trump chose to lay blame on China for the summit not taking place, claiming it may have instigated Pyongyang to be less cooperative. There was a difference when Kim Jong-un left China for the second time, I cant say I am happy about it, he complained. In reality the prospect of the Singapore meeting being a success began to disappear when Mr Trumps new national security adviser, John Bolton, declared that Kim Jong-un must take the Libya model one under which Muammar Gaddafi gave up his nuclear programme only to be overthrown a few years later by US and Nato bombing, hunted down and lynched in the street. The White House distanced itself from Mr Boltons remarks. But Mr Trump, who appeared not to know that the term Libya model was used for Gaddafi disarmament, and not the bombing by the West which followed, declared that devastating military action was indeed what North Korea would face unless it came to an agreement. There was also a third evocation of Libya by Vice President Mike Pence who said that North Korea would end like the Libya model ended if Mr Kim backed out of the meeting. Asked if that was a threat, Mr Pence responded: I think its more a fact. All this would have looked alarming from Pyongyang and there is likely to have been further consternation when Mr Trumps new secretary of state and national security adviser contradicted each other about what may happen in North Korea in the future. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who had travelled to North Korea to arrange the summit, said in a TV interview that the US would help rebuild the countrys shattered economy after a lasting agreement, only for Mr Bolton to slap it down with: I wouldnt look for economic aid from us. North Korea reacted by calling Mr Bolton repugnant and Mr Pence stupid and a dummy. It also stated that a nuclear to nuclear showdown was a possibility if talks fail, a threat Mr Bolton was quick to bring to Mr Trumps attention. Cancelling the meeting, the US president pointed to Pyongyangs tremendous anger and open hostility and boasted of Americas massive and powerful nuclear capabilities. Backdoor channels will be kept open for talks, say both Washington and Pyongyang, and the South Koreans have stated they will help rebuild contacts. But the prospect of a successful summit and agreement, and with that a Nobel Peace Prize for Mr Trump, now seems a very long way away. The artillery barrage was so intense that the US commandos dived into foxholes for protection, emerging covered in flying dirt and debris to fire back at a column of tanks advancing under the heavy shelling. It was the opening salvo in a nearly four-hour assault in February by around 500 pro-Syrian government forces including Russian mercenaries that threatened to inflame already simmering tensions between Washington and Moscow. In the end, 200 to 300 of the attacking fighters were killed. The others retreated under merciless air strikes from the US, returning later to retrieve their battlefield dead. None of the Americans at the small outpost in eastern Syria about 40 by the end of the firefight were harmed. The details of the 7 February firefight were gleaned from interviews and documents newly obtained by The New York Times. They provide the Pentagons first public on-the-ground accounting of one of the single bloodiest battles the US military has faced in Syria since deploying to fight the Isis. Recommended Culprits behind chemical weapons attacks could be named by watchdog The firefight was described by the Pentagon as an act of self-defence against a unit of pro-Syrian government forces. In interviews, US military officials said they had watched with dread hundreds of approaching rival troops, vehicles and artillery pieces in the week leading up to the attack. The prospect of Russian military forces and US troops colliding has long been feared as the Cold War adversaries take opposing sides in Syrias seven-year civil war. At worst, officials and experts have said, it could plunge both countries into bloody conflict. And at a minimum, squaring off in crowded battlefields has added to heightened tensions between Russia and the US as they each seek to exert influence in the Middle East. Commanders of the rival militaries had long steered clear of the other by speaking through often-used deconfliction telephone lines. In the days leading up to the attack, and on opposite sides of the Euphrates River, Russia and the US were backing separate offensives against the Isis in Syrias oil-rich Deir el-Zour province, which borders Iraq. US military officials repeatedly warned about the growing mass of troops. But Russian military officials said they had no control over the fighters assembling near the river even though US surveillance equipment monitoring radio transmissions had revealed the ground force was speaking in Russian. The documents described the fighters as a pro-regime force, loyal to President Bashar al-Assad of Syria. It included some Syrian government soldiers and militias, but US military and intelligence officials have said a majority were private Russian paramilitary mercenaries and most likely a part of the Wagner Group, a company often used by the Kremlin to carry out objectives that officials do not want to be connected to the Russian government. The Russian high command in Syria assured us it was not their people, defence secretary Jim Mattis told senators in testimony last month. He said he directed Gen Joseph F Dunford Jr, chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, for the force, then, to be annihilated. And it was. The day began with little hint of the battle that was about to unfold. A team of about 30 Delta Force soldiers and Rangers from the Joint Special Operations Command were working alongside Kurdish and Arab forces at a small dusty outpost next to a Conoco gas plant, near the city of Deir el-Zour. Roughly 20 miles away, at a base known as a mission support site, a team of Green Berets and a platoon of infantry Marines stared at their computer screens, watching drone feeds and passing information to the Americans at the gas plant about the gathering fighters. At 3pm the Syrian force began edging towards the Conoco plant. By early evening, more than 500 troops and 27 vehicles including tanks and armoured personnel carriers had amassed. In the US air operations centre at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, and at the Pentagon, confounded military officers and intelligence analysts watched the scene unfold. Commanders briefed pilots and ground crews. Aircraft across the region were placed on alert, military officials said. Back at the mission support site, the Green Berets and Marines were preparing a small reaction force roughly 16 troops in four mine-resistant vehicles in case they were needed at the Conoco plant. They inspected their weapons and ensured the trucks were loaded with anti-tank missiles, thermal optics and food and water. Syria bombings: US, UK and French military air strikes wreckage Show all 13 1 /13 Syria bombings: US, UK and French military air strikes wreckage Syria bombings: US, UK and French military air strikes wreckage The wreckage of the Scientific Studies and Research Centre in the Barzeh district, north of Damascus, which was targeted by the US, UK and France air strikes. AFP/Getty Syria bombings: US, UK and French military air strikes wreckage A Syrian soldier films the damage of the Syrian Scientific Research Center surrounded by papers and rubble. AP Syria bombings: US, UK and French military air strikes wreckage Firefighrers extinguish smoke that rises from the damage. The Pentagon says none of the missiles filed by the U.S. and its allies was deflected by Syrian air defenses, rebutting claims by the Russian and Syrian governments. AP Syria bombings: US, UK and French military air strikes wreckage The wreckage of part of the Scientific Studies and Research Centre compound . AFP/Getty Syria bombings: US, UK and French military air strikes wreckage Part of a building collapsing, surrounded by the wreckage. AFP/Getty Syria bombings: US, UK and French military air strikes wreckage Further damaged to the Scientific Studies and Research Centre compound. AFP/Getty Syria bombings: US, UK and French military air strikes wreckage Lt. Gen. Kenneth McKenzie, the director of the Joint Staff at the Pentagon, also says there also is no indication that Russian air defense systems were employed early Saturday in Syria. AP Syria bombings: US, UK and French military air strikes wreckage A Syrian soldier sprays water on the wreckage. AFP/Getty Syria bombings: US, UK and French military air strikes wreckage Syrian state news agency SANA reported several missiles hit a research centre in Barzeh, north of Damascus, "destroying a building that included scientific labs and a training centre". AFP/Getty Syria bombings: US, UK and French military air strikes wreckage A Syrian soldier films the damage. AP Syria bombings: US, UK and French military air strikes wreckage Damage to the Scientific Research Center building that was hit by the strikes. EPA Syria bombings: US, UK and French military air strikes wreckage The Scientific Studies and Research Centre was one of the targeted buildings by the US, UK and France. AFP/Getty Syria bombings: US, UK and French military air strikes wreckage Further damage to the centre. EPA At 8:30pm, three Russian-made T-72 tanks vehicles weighing nearly 50 tons and armed with 125-millimeter guns moved within a mile of the Conoco plant. Bracing for an attack, the Green Berets prepared to launch the reaction force. At the outpost, US soldiers watched a column of tanks and other armoured vehicles turn and drive towards them around 10pm, emerging from a neighbourhood of houses where they had tried to gather undetected. Half an hour later, the Russian mercenaries and Syrian forces struck. The Conoco outpost was hit with a mixture of tank fire, large artillery and mortar rounds, the documents show. The air was filled with dust and shrapnel. The US commandos took cover, then ran behind dirt berms to fire anti-tank missiles and machine guns at the advancing column of armoured vehicles. For the first 15 minutes, US military officials called their Russian counterparts and urged them to stop the attack. When that failed, US troops fired warning shots at a group of vehicles and a howitzer. Still the troops advanced. US warplanes arrived in waves, including Reaper drones, F-22 stealth fighter jets, F-15E Strike Fighters, B-52 bombers, AC-130 gunships and AH-64 Apache helicopters. For the next three hours, US officials said, scores of strikes pummelled enemy troops, tanks and other vehicles. Marine rocket artillery was fired from the ground. The reaction team sped towards the fight. It was dark, according to the documents, and the roads were littered with felled power lines and shell craters. The 20-mile drive was made all the more difficult since the trucks did not turn on their headlights, relying solely on thermal-imaging cameras to navigate. As the Green Berets and Marines neared the Conoco plant at about 11:30pm, they were forced to stop. The barrage of artillery was too dangerous to drive through until air strikes silenced the enemys howitzers and tanks. At the plant, the commandos were pinned down by enemy artillery and burning through ammunition. Flashes from tank muzzles, anti-aircraft weapons and machine guns lit up the air. At 1am, with the artillery fire dwindling, the team of Marines and Green Berets pulled up to the Conoco outpost and began firing. By then, some of the US warplanes had returned to base, low on either fuel or ammunition. The US troops on the ground, now roughly 40 in all, braced their defences as the mercenaries left their vehicles and headed towards the outpost on foot. A handful of Marines ran ammunition to machine guns and Javelin missile launchers scattered along the berms and wedged among the trucks. Some of the Green Berets and Marines took aim from exposed hatches. Others remained in their trucks, using a combination of thermal screens and joysticks to control and fire the heavy machine guns affixed on their roofs. A few of the commandos, including Air Force combat controllers, worked the radios to direct the next fleet of bombers flying towards the battlefield. At least one Marine exposed himself to incoming fire as he used a missile guidance computer to find targets locations and pass them on to the commandos calling in the air strikes. An hour later, the enemy fighters had started to retreat and the US troops stopped firing. From their outpost, the commandos watched the mercenaries and Syrian fighters return to collect their dead. The small team of US troops was not harmed. One allied Syrian fighter was wounded. The number of casualties from the 7 February fight is in dispute. 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 Initially, Russian officials said only four Russian citizens but perhaps dozens more were killed; a Syrian officer said around 100 Syrian soldiers had died. The documents obtained by the Times estimated 200 to 300 of the pro-regime force were killed. The outcome of the battle, and much of its mechanics, suggest that the Russian mercenaries and their Syrian allies were in the wrong part of the world to try a simple, massed assault on a US military position. Since the 2003 invasion of Iraq, the US Central Command has refined the amount of equipment, logistics, coordination and tactics required to mix weapons fired from both the air and ground. Questions remain about exactly who the Russian mercenaries were, and why they attacked. US intelligence officials say that the Wagner Group, known by the nickname of the retired Russian officer who leads it, is in Syria to seize oil and gas fields and protect them on behalf of the Assad government. The mercenaries earn of a share of the production proceeds from the oil fields they reclaim, officials said. The mercenaries loosely coordinate with the Russian military in Syria, although Wagners leaders have reportedly received awards in the Kremlin, and its mercenaries are trained at the Russian Defence Ministrys bases. Russian government forces in Syria maintain they were not involved in the battle. But in recent weeks, according to US military officials, they have jammed the communications of smaller US drones and gunships such as the type used in the attack. Right now in Syria, were in the most aggressive EW environment on the planet from our adversaries, Gen Tony Thomas, head of US Special Operations Command, said recently, referring to electronic warfare. Theyre testing us every day. The New York Times Ireland has voted by a landslide margin to repeal the eighth amendment to its constitution, opening the door to a change in the countrys restrictive abortion laws, exit polls suggest. If the emphatic results are correct, the Irish government will be able to legislate on allowing terminations. The historic referendum vote will be decided by a margin of 68 per cent to 32 per cent in favour of Yes, an Ipsos/MRBI survey predicted. An RTE exit poll put the Yes campaigns lead even higher, at 69.4 per cent. Counting of votes will begin at 9am on Saturday, with an official result expected to be announced in the afternoon. However, the size of the Yes campaigns predicted lead leaves little doubt that Ireland has voted to repeal the eighth amendment 35 years after it was introduced. Its looking like we will make history tomorrow, said Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, who supported the campaign to liberalise Irelands abortion laws. Its amazing, one young woman in Dublins Temple Bar told The Independent after the first exit poll emerged. Its everything that we ever wanted, just to be able to have ownership over our own bodies and feel respected and loved and wanted. I hope this poll is correct and tomorrow we wake up to a new day for women in Ireland. Four thousand voters were interviewed for the Ipsos/MRBI survey, carried out for the Irish Times at 160 polling stations. The newspaper said the margin of error in previous surveys was 1.5 per cent. The result of the exit poll was announced minutes after voting closed at 10pm on an emotive day which saw thousands of Irish citizens living overseas travel home to exercise their democratic right. Among the throngs of hen nights and pub drinkers in the Irish capitals centre, people wearing Yes stickers spoke of their delight. I think the Yes vote really came out this time, said 54-year-old Dave Seacy. People were coming in from New York and back on the same day just to vote. It was the right thing to be done. The No campaign got it wrong. The vote was for choice. Sophie Hughes, 28, said: Im happy that a load of young people voted this seems to be the year young people finally got out there. I believe the exit poll. The closer it got to the vote, the more people started talking about it. This is a new day for Ireland. Seventy-seven per cent of voters in the Irish capital backed Yes, the highest proportion anywhere in the country, according to the Ipsos/MRBI poll. The survey suggested the vast majority of young people voted for repeal, including 87 per cent of 18- to 25-year-olds and 83 per cent of 25- to 34-year olds. RTE surveyed 3,800 people at 175 polling stations across the country and has a margin of error of 1.6 per cent. If the exit polls are correct, the Irish government will be able to go ahead with plans to legislate by the end of the year to make it relatively easy for women to obtain an abortion early in pregnancy. In 2015, Ireland voted for same-sex marriage equality with a majority of 62 per cent, but it was widely expected that this vote would be much closer. Mr Varadkar had predicted earlier on Friday that a high turnout would be good for those campaigning for change. The eighth amendment of the Irish constitution was inserted in 1983 to ban abortion, and at that time it was backed by 67 per cent of the population. If this exit poll is correct, there will be a powerful symmetry between the two historic referendums, which would both have been passed by a two-thirds majority. Photographs on social media showed campaigners hugging and in tears at the Together For Yes umbrella groups headquarters shortly after the first exit poll was published. Irelands health minister, Simon Harris, tweeted: Will sleep tonight in the hope of waking up to a country that is more compassionate, more caring and more respectful. It has been an honour to be on this journey with you and to work #togetherforyes. Justice minister Charlie Flanagan said the vote was another big step out of our dark past, while minister for children Katherine Zappone, an early advocate for holding the referendum, said an emotional, historic day lay ahead. Irelands deputy premier, Simon Coveney, another Yes campaigner, said he was proud to be Irish tonight. John McGuirk, communications director for Save the 8th, which fought against repeal, conceded the tide of public opinion had turned against his campaign. He said: The eighth did not create an unborn childs right to life it merely acknowledged it. The right exists, independent of what a majority says. That said, with a result of that magnitude, clearly there was very little to be done. 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 Prominent No campaigner Cora Sherlock expressed disappointment at the polls. Exit polls, if accurate, paint a very sad state of affairs tonight, she tweeted late on Friday. But those who voted No should take heart. Abortion on demand would deal Ireland a tragic blow but the pro-life movement will rise to any challenge it faces. Lets go into tomorrow with this in mind. #8thref In Britain, news of the amendments likely repeal gave hope to pro-choice campaigners for Northern Ireland, where abortion remains illegal. UK minister for women and equalities, Penny Mordaunt, said it was a historic and great day for Ireland, and a hopeful one for Northern Ireland. She tweeted: That hope must be met. Labour MP Owen Smith, former shadow Northern Ireland secretary, tweeted: Wonderful news, if true. And a powerful message to Northern Ireland. We need change across the whole island of Ireland. Labour MP Stella Creasy said she would fight to make sure Northern Ireland women arent left behind. The leader of the Alliance Party in Northern Ireland, Naomi Long, said it appeared to be an incredible result for #together4yes #repealthe8th. She tweeted: Eyes will now turn to us: yet again a place apart. Behind GB. Behind Ireland. Ireland has voted to repeal the eighth amendment effectively ending its longstanding ban on abortion by a margin of two to one, official results have confirmed. The Yes campaign won with more than 1.4 million votes, it has now been announced. Returning officer Barry Ryan said the repeal effort had triumphed with a majority of 706,349. The final tally was 1,429,981 Yes votes to 723,632 No votes. Donegal was the only constituency to vote No overall, with 51.87 per cent of people there saying they wanted to retain the eight amendment. The result opens the door for the Irish government to introduce legislation allowing abortions and ministers have promised to do so by the end of the year. Before it was announced, prime minister Leo Varadkar had hailed the expected result as a quiet revolution. For more than three decades women requiring a termination have been forced to travel abroad, or to carry their pregnancies to term, including in cases where it was believed their foetuses would not survive after birth. Celebrations in Dublin were already underway with chants of we made history heard in the city centre. As the final result was announced, the crowd at Dublin Castle began chanting "Savita, Savita", a reference to Savita Hallappanavar, who tragically died in 2012 after doctors refused a termination. Eighty-one-year-old campaigner Frank Crummey was marking the occasion with his wife Evelyn and their children and grandchildren. He said: "It means everything to me, because while I knew this day would come I honestly didn't think it would come in my lifetime, and now that it has I'm just elated. "I've been campaigning for women's rights all my life and this is another step in the emancipation of women. "This is obviously my last campaign, my last crack, and I can die happy now." 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 His daughter, Liz Crummey, 56, said: "I'm here for all of the women in my life and in my family because this is just such a ground-breaking moment for Irish women. "I was here in 1983 when the Eighth Amendment was put into the constitution and it's been a shocking time to live through." Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said the referendum result marked "the day Ireland stepped out from under the last of our shadows and into the light". It was "the day we came of age as a country" and "the day we took our place among the nations of the world", he added. He said: "When we went to the polls yesterday, many people voted yes with enthusiasm and pride, but also many others voted yes in sorrowful acceptance, with heavy hearts. "The X marked on the ballot paper represented much more than an individual vote. "In 1983, 841,000 people voted to insert the eighth amendment into our constitution. In 2018, 1.4 million voted to remove it. "We are not a divided country, the result is resounding and it gives us as a government the mandate that we need now to bring forward the legislation as soon as possible and to secure its passage." Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn MP welcomed the result as "great news". Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon also tweeted her congratulations: "Compassion, justice and trust in women win the day. "Joyful moment - but also one to remember the heartbreak for many along the way." Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald, speaking from Dublin Castle, said it was "a momentous day for all the people of Ireland". "Ireland is changing. The old certainties being challenged, and a new and better Ireland is emerging," she said. "It is a day when those who had been silenced demanded to be heard. A day when we decisively broke from the past, a day when the people said: 'This is our time, this is our Ireland."' Together for Yes co-founder Ailbhe Smyth said she is "so proud'' of the people of Ireland. Ireland's pro-life 'Save The 8th' campaign has been defeated by the Yes vote in the country's historic referendum on ending the abortion ban, its spokesman has conceded. The campaign's spokesman John McGuirk told national broadcaster RTE the people of Ireland had "weighed it in the balance and it came down on one side." :: Follow latest updates from Ireland with hours until result of historic abortion referendum announced "I obviously would have preferred if they had come down on the other," he said. He added: "There is no prospect of the (abortion rights) legislation not being passed". Irish Times reporter Sarah Bardon said the spokesman told her he had "made peace" with the exit polls. His concession comes after Irelands 3.2 million voters were asked whether to scrap the eighth amendment of the Irish constitution which places the life of a mother and her baby on equal footing and effectively bans abortion. The amendment was introduced via a referendum in 1983. Exit polls suggested the country had voted by a landslide margin to repeal the eighth amendment - ushering open the door to a change in the countrys restrictive abortion law. The Irish government will be able to legislate on allowing terminations if the results are found to be correct. The historic referendum vote will be decided by a margin of 68 per cent to 32 per cent in favour of Yes, an Ipsos/MRBI survey predicted. An RTE exit poll put the Yes campaigns lead even higher, at 69.4 per cent. "The unborn child no longer has a right to life recognised by the Irish state. Shortly, legislation will be introduced that will allow babies to be killed in our country. We will oppose that legislation," Mr McGuirk said in a statement. Ireland celebrates historic Yes vote on abortion referendum Show all 20 1 /20 Ireland celebrates historic Yes vote on abortion referendum Ireland celebrates historic Yes vote on abortion referendum Women in Dublin celebrate the result of yesterday's referendum on abortion law Reuters Ireland celebrates historic Yes vote on abortion referendum A woman in Dublin celebrates the result of yesterday's referendum Reuters Ireland celebrates historic Yes vote on abortion referendum Activists react at the count centre as votes are tallied folowing yesterday's referendum Reuters Ireland celebrates historic Yes vote on abortion referendum Co-Director of Together For Yes Ailbhe Smyth speaking to the media at the count in Dublin PA Ireland celebrates historic Yes vote on abortion referendum Yes voters react, as the results of the votes begin to come in PA Ireland celebrates historic Yes vote on abortion referendum Long time campaigner Annette Forde, from Drumcondra, at the count centre in Dublin's RDS as votes are counted PA Ireland celebrates historic Yes vote on abortion referendum Minister for Health Simon Harris (centre) with Fine Gael's Kate O'Connell and Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy (left) speaks to the media on arrival at the count centre PA Ireland celebrates historic Yes vote on abortion referendum Yes voters celebrate at the count centre in Dublin as official results for constituencies are announced PA Ireland celebrates historic Yes vote on abortion referendum Yes campaigners celebrate at the count in Dublin PA Ireland celebrates historic Yes vote on abortion referendum A woman writes a message on a mural to Savita Halappanava, a woman who died of pregnancy complications AFP/Getty Ireland celebrates historic Yes vote on abortion referendum Activists react at the count centre as votes are tallied folowing yesterday's referendum Reuters Ireland celebrates historic Yes vote on abortion referendum Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald reacts with a member of the Yes campaign PA Ireland celebrates historic Yes vote on abortion referendum Yes campaigners celebrate at the count in Dublin PA Ireland celebrates historic Yes vote on abortion referendum Yes campaigners react, as the results of the votes begin to come in Reuters Ireland celebrates historic Yes vote on abortion referendum Senator David Norris at the count centre in Dublin as votes are counted PA Ireland celebrates historic Yes vote on abortion referendum A woman sits in front of the Dublin mural of Savita Halappanavar, a woman who died of pregnancy complications PA Ireland celebrates historic Yes vote on abortion referendum Repeal supporters at Dublin's RDS await the start of the count last night PA Ireland celebrates historic Yes vote on abortion referendum Minister for Health Simon Harris is greeted by retired Supreme Court judge Catherine McGuinness at the count in Dublin PA Ireland celebrates historic Yes vote on abortion referendum Yes campaigners react, as the results of the votes begin to come in AP Ireland celebrates historic Yes vote on abortion referendum A Yes voter poses with a badge as votes are counted AFP/Getty "If and when abortion clinics are opened in Ireland, because of the inability of the Government to keep their promise about a GP led service, we will oppose that as well. "Every time an unborn child has his or her life ended in Ireland, we will oppose that, and make our voices known." Vote counting started at 9am on Saturday and an official result is expected to be announced in the late afternoon. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, who supported the campaign to liberalise Irelands abortion, said: Its looking like we will make history tomorrow". Vladimir Putin has said he will abide by a rule banning the Russian president from serving two consecutive terms, indicating he will step down from his post in 2024 when his term expires. But his remarks, made to reporters at an economic forum in St Petersburg and broadcast on state TV, do not necessarily mean he will relinquish power in six years time. Mr Putin stepped down as president in 2008 after serving two successive terms. He then returned in 2012 after a spell as prime minister a manoeuvre he would be legally able to complete again. Asked if and when he would be leaving office, he said: I have always strictly abided by and abide by the constitution of the Russian Federation. In the constitution its clearly written that nobody can serve more than two terms in a row ... I intend to abide by this rule. Mr Putin won a landslide victory in elections in March that extended his tenure by six years. If Mr Putin remains in power until 2024, he will have been either in direct or indirect control of Russia for 24 years, making him Moscows longest-serving leader since Josef Stalin. The St Petersburg International Economic Forum was also used by the Russian president to warn the US exit from the Iran nuclear deal could trigger dangerous instability. We cant sort things out with North Korea. Do we want another problem on the same scale? he asked. The 65-year-old also attacked the harsh sanctions levied at Russia, which are starting to cut deep into the economy, saying they were a result of protectionism, arbitrariness and connivance by Russias enemies. Mr Putin said Russia understood the need to move away from confrontation with the West, adding officials certainly cant be happy with current Russia-US relations and Moscow was ready for dialogue. Vladimir Putin's Photo ops Russia's Man of Steel? Show all 20 1 /20 Vladimir Putin's Photo ops Russia's Man of Steel? Vladimir Putin's Photo ops Russia's Man of Steel? Vladimir Putin is pictured with a horse during his vacation outside the town of Kyzyl in Southern Siberia on August 3, 2009. Getty Vladimir Putin's Photo ops Russia's Man of Steel? Vladimir Putin aims at a whale with an arbalest to take a piece of its skin for analysis on the Olga Bay, some 240 kilometres north-east of Nakhodka on August 25, 2010. Getty Vladimir Putin's Photo ops Russia's Man of Steel? Vladimir Putin plunges into the icy waters of lake Seliger during the celebration of the Epiphany holiday in Russia's Tver region AFP/Getty Vladimir Putin's Photo ops Russia's Man of Steel? Vladimir Putin (top) takes part in a judo training session at the "Moscow" sports complex in St. Petersburg, on December 22, 2010. Getty Vladimir Putin's Photo ops Russia's Man of Steel? Vladimir Putin works out at a gym at the Bocharov Ruchei state residence in Sochi on August 30, 2015. Getty Vladimir Putin's Photo ops Russia's Man of Steel? Vladimir Putin fishes in the remote Tuva region in southern Siberia. The picture taken between August 1 and 3, 2017. Getty Vladimir Putin's Photo ops Russia's Man of Steel? Vladimir Putin (L) and the leader of the Night Wolves biker group, Alexander Zaldostanov (R), also known as the Surgeon, ride motorcycles on August 29, 2011 at a bikers' festival in the Black Sea port of Novorossiysk, Russia. Putin described leather-clad bikers as brothers and boasted of the "indivisible Russian nation" after roaring into a biking rally on a Harley Davidson. Getty Vladimir Putin's Photo ops Russia's Man of Steel? Vladimir Putin wears glasses as he visits the Technology Park of the Novosibirsk Academic Town in Novosibirsk on February 17, 2012. Getty Vladimir Putin's Photo ops Russia's Man of Steel? Vladimir Putin rides a horse during his vacation outside the town of Kyzyl in Southern Siberia on August 3, 2009. Getty Vladimir Putin's Photo ops Russia's Man of Steel? Vladimir Putin holds a pistol during his visit to a newly-built headquarters of the Russian General Staff's Main Intelligence Department (GRU) in Moscow, 08 November 2006. ?Some countries are seeking to untie their hands in order to take weapons to outer space, including nuclear weapons,? Putin said at the Chief Military Intelligence Department on Wednesday. Getty Vladimir Putin's Photo ops Russia's Man of Steel? Vladimir Putin sits inside a T-90AM tank during a visit to an arms exhibition in the Urals town of Nizhny Tagil on September 9, 2011 Getty Vladimir Putin's Photo ops Russia's Man of Steel? Vladimir Putin wears a helmet and the uniform of the Renault Formula One team before driving a F1 race car on a special track in Leningrad region outside St. Petersburg on November 7, 2010. Getty Vladimir Putin's Photo ops Russia's Man of Steel? Vladimir Putin guides a boat during his vacation in the remote Tuva region in southern Siberia. The picture taken between August 1 and 3, 2017. Getty Vladimir Putin's Photo ops Russia's Man of Steel? Vladimir Putin hunts fish underwater in the remote Tuva region in southern Siberia. The picture taken between August 1 and 3, 2017. Getty Vladimir Putin's Photo ops Russia's Man of Steel? Vladimir Putin is seen at the Russian boxing team training club after casting his vote for the Russian Presidential election, 14 March 2004 in Moscow. Putin coasted to a landslide victory with 69.0 percent of the vote in Sunday's election, according to the first exit poll aired on Russian television moments after voting ended across the country's 11 time zones. AFP/Getty Images Vladimir Putin's Photo ops Russia's Man of Steel? Russian President Vladimir Putin poses for a picture inside the Tupolev-160 strategic bomber jet at the Moscow's Chkalovsky military airport, 16 August 2005. President Vladimir Putin took off from Moscow for a supersonic flight in a cruise-missile carrying Tupolev-160 bomber jet, the latest in the Russian leader's action-packed public appearances. After a health check, Putin donned a flight suit and took the commander's position in the strategic bomber, which was piloted by Major General Anatoly Zhikharev, with a colonel and a lieutenant colonel in charge of navigation, Russian media reported. Getty Vladimir Putin's Photo ops Russia's Man of Steel? A picture released on March 6, 2010 shows Vladimir Putin look through binoculars in the Karatash area, near the town of Abakan, during his working trip to Khakassia, on February 25, 2010. Getty Vladimir Putin's Photo ops Russia's Man of Steel? Vladimir Putin measuring a polar bear on the island Alexandra Land, part of the Franz Josef Land archipalego in the Arctic Ocean. Putin, better known in the West for his tough-guy image, expressed concern for the fate of Arctic polar bears threatened by climate change. "The polar bear is under threat. Their population is currently only 25,000 individuals," Putin was quoted by Russian news agencies as saying Getty Vladimir Putin's Photo ops Russia's Man of Steel? Vladimir Putin carries a hunting rifle during his trip in Ubsunur Hollow Biosphere Reserve in Tuva Republic in this undated picture released on October 30, 2010 by RIA Novosti news agency. Getty Vladimir Putin's Photo ops Russia's Man of Steel? Russian President Vladimir Putin pilots a motorized hang glider while flying with cranes as he takes part in a scientific experiment as part of the "Flight of Hope", which aims to preserve a rare species of - cranes on September 5, 2012. At the helm of a motorized hang glider that the birds have taken as their leader, Putin made three flights - the first to get familiar with the process, and two others with the birds. AFP/Getty But he also said Russia would always choose what it considered the greater good over immediate financial hardship. Every nation has national interests and priorities, he said. But if we have a choice of sovereign state or restrictions, we will always go for the first one. Reuters contributed to this report A British-Iranian aid worker who has spent more than two years in an Iranian jail is to face a second trial on new charges, the head of Irans Revolutionary Court has reportedly said. Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe was arrested in 2016 and jailed for five years for spying against the regime. A report by the semi-official Tasnim news agency on Saturday said the courts head Musa Ghazanfarabadi told it the new charges also related to Irans security. Ghazanfarabadi said the charge against (Nazanin) Zaghari (-Ratcliffe) in the new case is security-related but did not say whether it was espionage or another charge, the report said. It comes after Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffes supporters said she had been told by a judge to expect to be reconvicted and re-sentenced on a resurrected charge of spreading propaganda against the regime. Her husband has claimed she was shown evidence against her last weekend that appeared to be the same material used to convict her in 2016. The judge briefly showed her the file against her. While she was not allowed to read it in detail, from that quick view she understood she was being prosecuted again with the same material that had been exaggerated and used to justify her first trial, he said. The judge told Nazanin to expect that likely there will be another conviction and sentence against her. Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffes case became widely known six months ago when a gaffe by Boris Johnson appeared to have significantly worsened her situation. The foreign secretary was widely condemned when he told a committee of MPs the mother-of-one was teaching journalists in Iran when she was arrested. In fact, the charity worker had gone to Tehran on holiday, hoping to visit her parents and other family members with her 21-month-old daughter Gabriella. Iranian state media portrayed Mr Johnsons words as an accidental confession that Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe was a spy. Eventually, the foreign secretary apologised and promised to leave absolutely no stone unturned in his efforts to secure her release. World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. Firefighters have brought the fire under control but they expected to keep working through the day EPA World news in pictures 15 September 2020 Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny posing for a selfie with his family at Berlin's Charite hospital. In an Instagram post he said he could now breathe independently following his suspected poisoning last month Alexei Navalny/Instagram/AFP World news in pictures 14 September 2020 Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida celebrate after Suga was elected as new head of the ruling party at the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election in Tokyo Reuters World news in pictures 13 September 2020 A man stands behind a burning barricade during the fifth straight day of protests against police brutality in Bogota AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 September 2020 Police officers block and detain protesters during an opposition rally to protest the official presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus. Daily protests calling for the authoritarian president's resignation are now in their second month AP World news in pictures 11 September 2020 Members of 'Omnium Cultural' celebrate the 20th 'Festa per la llibertat' ('Fiesta for the freedom') to mark the Day of Catalonia in Barcelona. Omnion Cultural fights for the independence of Catalonia EPA World news in pictures 10 September 2020 The Moria refugee camp, two days after Greece's biggest migrant camp, was destroyed by fire. Thousands of asylum seekers on the island of Lesbos are now homeless AFP via Getty World news in pictures 9 September 2020 Pope Francis takes off his face mask as he arrives by car to hold a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 8 September 2020 A home is engulfed in flames during the "Creek Fire" in the Tollhouse area of California AFP via Getty World news in pictures 7 September 2020 A couple take photos along a sea wall of the waves brought by Typhoon Haishen in the eastern port city of Sokcho AFP via Getty World news in pictures 6 September 2020 Novak Djokovic and a tournament official tends to a linesperson who was struck with a ball by Djokovic during his match against Pablo Carreno Busta at the US Open USA Today Sports/Reuters World news in pictures 5 September 2020 Protesters confront police at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Australia, during an anti-lockdown rally AFP via Getty World news in pictures 4 September 2020 A woman looks on from a rooftop as rescue workers dig through the rubble of a damaged building in Beirut. A search began for possible survivors after a scanner detected a pulse one month after the mega-blast at the adjacent port AFP via Getty World news in pictures 3 September 2020 A full moon next to the Virgen del Panecillo statue in Quito, Ecuador EPA World news in pictures 2 September 2020 A Palestinian woman reacts as Israeli forces demolish her animal shed near Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank Reuters World news in pictures 1 September 2020 Students protest against presidential elections results in Minsk TUT.BY/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 31 August 2020 The pack rides during the 3rd stage of the Tour de France between Nice and Sisteron AFP via Getty World news in pictures 30 August 2020 Law enforcement officers block a street during a rally of opposition supporters protesting against presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus Reuters World news in pictures 29 August 2020 A woman holding a placard reading "Stop Censorship - Yes to the Freedom of Expression" shouts in a megaphone during a protest against the mandatory wearing of face masks in Paris. Masks, which were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in Paris in certain high-congestion areas around tourist sites, were made mandatory outdoors citywide on August 28 to fight the rising coronavirus infections AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 August 2020 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to the national flag at the start of a press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo. Abe announced he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 27 August 2020 Residents take cover behind a tree trunk from rubber bullets fired by South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, near Johannesburg, during a protest by community members after a 16-year old boy was reported dead AFP via Getty World news in pictures 26 August 2020 People scatter rose petals on a statue of Mother Teresa marking her 110th birth anniversary in Ahmedabad AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 August 2020 An aerial view shows beach-goers standing on salt formations in the Dead Sea near Ein Bokeq, Israel Reuters World news in pictures 24 August 2020 Health workers use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the body temperature of a fisherwoman inside the Dharavi slum during a door-to-door Covid-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 August 2020 People carry an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, to immerse it off the coast of the Arabian sea during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India Reuters World news in pictures 22 August 2020 Firefighters watch as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires approach a home in Napa County, California AP World news in pictures 21 August 2020 Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a rally to protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank AFP via Getty World news in pictures 20 August 2020 A man pushes his bicycle through a deserted road after prohibitory orders were imposed by district officials for a week to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu AFP via Getty World news in pictures 19 August 2020 A car burns while parked at a residence in Vacaville, California. Dozens of fires are burning out of control throughout Northern California as fire resources are spread thin AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 August 2020 Students use their mobile phones as flashlights at an anti-government rally at Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom. Thailand has seen near-daily protests in recent weeks by students demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha AFP via Getty World news in pictures 17 August 2020 Members of the Kayapo tribe block the BR163 highway during a protest outside Novo Progresso in Para state, Brazil. Indigenous protesters blocked a major transamazonian highway to protest against the lack of governmental support during the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic and illegal deforestation in and around their territories AFP via Getty World news in pictures 16 August 2020 Lightning forks over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as a storm passes over Oakland AP World news in pictures 15 August 2020 Belarus opposition supporters gather near the Pushkinskaya metro station where Alexander Taraikovsky, a 34-year-old protester died on August 10, during their protest rally in central Minsk AFP via Getty World news in pictures 14 August 2020 AlphaTauri's driver Daniil Kvyat takes part in the second practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo near Barcelona ahead of the Spanish F1 Grand Prix AFP via Getty World news in pictures 13 August 2020 Soldiers of the Brazilian Armed Forces during a disinfection of the Christ The Redeemer statue at the Corcovado mountain prior to the opening of the touristic attraction in Rio AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 August 2020 Young elephant bulls tussle playfully on World Elephant Day at the Amboseli National Park in Kenya AFP via Getty Mr Ratcliffe has said he suspects his wife remains in jail because Britain and Iran insist on haggling over the precise interest rate to be paid by the UK to settle a 450m debt from a 1970s arms deal. The Iranian government has said Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe has always been fairly treated according to due judicial process after being detained due to illegal acts. Innocent until proven guilty, yes. But the perp walks of Harvey Weinstein to a police station for arrest and thereafter into a court, his hands manacled behind his back, to face charges that included rape marked a giant moment in the revolution that goes by the name #MeToo. We got you, Harvey Weinstein, we got you, Rose McGowan, an actress and one of the first survivors publicly to accuse him, said on her Twitter feed. On ABC TV, she went a little further, explaining her sense of vindication: I have to admit I didnt think I would see the day that he would have handcuffs on him. I have a visceral need for him to have handcuffs on. Recommended PR coup for Pyongyang as chaotic Trump administration cancels summit When Matt Lauer, the anchor of Today on NBC, was fired last November for abusive relations with female colleagues at his network, the country was stunned. A national treasure had become a national scumbag. Theres a long list of other household names brought down in similar fashion. Kevin Spacey, Louis CK, former CBS This Morning host Charlie Rose. But Weinstein was the first. Historians will identify two halves of this national reckoning. The pre-Weinstein and the post-Weinstein eras. The separating moment was about 4pm on 5 October 2017. That was the hour that The New York Times posted the first article on its website, written by Megan Twohey and Jodi Kantor, detailing the chilling canvas of the movie moguls predations on women over decades. The wobbly gait of Weinstein on the cop-house steps showed a man whod aged a decade since then. A reporter from the BBC yelled out asking if he was feeling the humiliation. Shock more like. In 2015, prosecutors in New York had a first opportunity to bring charges against him after model Ambra Battilana Gutierrez accused him of assaulting her. They shied away and doubtless he thought as he always had: I am untouchable; I will always get away with it. The allegation is that Weinstein had for years enforced a code of silence on his victims; that he paid them to keep quiet or threatened to unstitch their careers. He has always denied it. His accusers say he was enabled by those who thought such behaviour was business as usual. Boys will be boys. Doesnt it seem pathetic, now, evil even? Yet some still think that way. Donald Trump said this when asked about Weinsteins arrest: I dont know anything about it, Im not familiar with the case, but its really too bad. Really too bad. Too bad was the reaction of Weinsteins lawyer, Benjamin Brafman, too. He tried a variation on something I have heard from other men who still feel compelled to come to the defence of those whove been disgraced. #MeToo is out of control, run amok. Brafman said that Weinstein, who has denied engaging in nonconsensual sex with anyone, will be found innocent at trial so long as the jurors are, not consumed by the movement that seems to have consumed this case. But Brafman is out of date. He is playing by the old, pre-October rules, when lawyers like him who were paid to defend male abusers would instinctively deploy the sluts and nuts strategy. The accusers were either unhinged or wanton or both. Brafmans version is to say that the entire #MeToo movement is unhinged and is addling all our brains. We know to ignore him. Brafman was the lawyer who helped Dominque Strauss-Khan, the French politician and former director of the International Monetary Fund, escape legal trouble after being charged with forcing himself on a maid in a New York hotel room in 2011. His DNA was found on her clothing, yet such doubt was cast on her testimony by the defence that prosecutors dropped the case. They balked as they did with Weinstein in 2015. Both the DSK case and the first consideration of charges against Weinstein in 2015 were part of what brought us to where we are now. So too the first trial of Bill Cosby trial that ended in jury deadlock in June 2017. All helped to loosen the bricks of the wall that finally came tumbling down on that day last October. Cosby of course has been tried again since then. And convicted. The New York Times and the two reporters who wrote the first Weinstein story now have a Pulitzer Prize in their trophy cabinets. They shared the award, journalisms most prestigious, with Ronan Farrow, who wrote his own detailed and, at at the time, astonishing expose of Weinstein, in The New Yorker. The magazine is a co-winner too. In conversation recently with David Remnick, its editor, Farrow explained why the downfall of Weinstein matters so much. Very rapidly, as we were reporting this, he said, it became apparent that this was not just a story about Harvey Weinstein or a story about Hollywood. This was about a set of systems used to silence survivors of sexual abuse. Farrow would be the first to say credit must go first to the women who had the courage to come forward. The victims of Weinstein, but also all the others. Even the women who have not been raped or mauled necessarily, but who for years have suffered the endless humiliations of objectification, of lower pay, of diminished respect compared with the men around them. But in an era of unprecedented hostility to the press, its worth recognising that without the work of Twohey, Kantor and Farrow and many other journalists, we would be still in the pre-W era. Its very good that we are not. The seismic change in last weeks election reflects deep structural shifts in Iraqi society. Muqtada al-Sadrs party won the most MPs, although not a majority and he himself did not stand. But his apparent transformation from a sectarian anti-Western, pro-Iranian cleric to an anti-Iranian, anti-corruption nationalist, is part of a wider picture of change in the country and across the whole region. As Iraq recovers from a crippling conflict with jihadi insurgency, and gives fresh thought to its place in the region including re-evaluating its relationship with an increasingly ostracised Iran, the likely formation of a coalition between al-Sadr, the nationalist cleric, and Haider al-Abadi, the incumbent prime minister, might seem incongruous. But there is considerable alignment in Abadi and Sadrs priorities. Their alliance will be a critical moment for Iraq, the Middle East and Western policy-making in the region, as the faultline in regional politics shifts away from zero-sum sectarianism and towards a choice between modernisation and extremism. Sadrs volte-face Sadrs ascension from a wildcard rebel to a champion of the people has been the main story of these elections. Hailing from a revered clerical family, and an Islamist ideologue of the same persuasion as Irans Shia revolutionaries, Sadr garnered international infamy for his command of the sectarian Mahdi Army militia. But, accompanying the reboot of his private army as the anti-Isis peace companies, Sadr has undergone a political transformation especially in his thinking about Iraqs alliances, culminating in high-profile meetings with the Saudi leadership. The clerics transformation is itself indicative of a wider shift in the Iraqi electorate, away from ideological and identity-based voting towards pragmatism and a desire for effective governance. Opinion polling by the Centre for Strategic and International Studies suggests that voters are increasingly leaving behind religious sectarian identifications and sub-identities, shifting instead towards a nationalism that seeks to cast off the shackles of outside influences and international interests. Iraqi Christians celebrate liberation from Isis Show all 10 1 /10 Iraqi Christians celebrate liberation from Isis Iraqi Christians celebrate liberation from Isis Iraqi Christians celebrate liberation from Isis An Iraqi Christian prepares for the first Sunday Mass at the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Qaraqosh Reuters Iraqi Christians celebrate liberation from Isis Iraqi Christians celebrate liberation from Isis Iraqi priests hold the first Sunday mass Reuters Iraqi Christians celebrate liberation from Isis Iraqi Christians celebrate liberation from Isis Iraqi Christian soldiers attend the first Sunday mass at the Grand Immaculate Church since it was recaptured from Islamic State in Qaraqosh Reuters Iraqi Christians celebrate liberation from Isis Iraqi Christians celebrate liberation from Isis An Iraqi Christian soldier holds his weapon during the first Sunday mass Reuters Iraqi Christians celebrate liberation from Isis Iraqi Christians celebrate liberation from Isis An Iraqi Christian soldier lights a candle Reuters Iraqi Christians celebrate liberation from Isis Iraqi Christians celebrate liberation from Isis Iraqi priests hold the first Sunday mass at the Grand Immaculate Church since it was recaptured from Islamic State Reuters Iraqi Christians celebrate liberation from Isis Iraqi Christians celebrate liberation from Isis Iraqi priests hold the first Sunday mass Reuters Iraqi Christians celebrate liberation from Isis Iraqi Christians celebrate liberation from Isis Reuters Iraqi Christians celebrate liberation from Isis Iraqi Christians celebrate liberation from Isis Reuters Iraqi Christians celebrate liberation from Isis Iraqi Christians celebrate liberation from Isis Reuters The Isis insurgency that ravaged northern and western Iraq for three and a half years seems to have had the effect of bringing the embattled country together, rather than, as many expected, driving further sectarian division. But despite Iraqs eventual success in tackling the scourge of Isis militancy, the new leadership must not rest on its laurels. Unless the underlying drivers of Salafi-jihadi militancy are addressed sectarian grievance, the politicisation of religion, and poor governance the country risks the re-emergence of the threat. A fresh start Despite optimistic signs from the election, big challenges face the next administration. A priority for the new government will be tackling corruption and rebuilding Iraqs economy. These campaign pledges, and an Iraq first message, meant Sadr was able to reach out beyond sectarian divides with polling finding his biggest areas of support were in mixed communities. Equally, Sadrs about-face on Irans role in Iraq is of considerable significance, commonly ascribed to his realisation that Tehran had a destabilising influence in the country. According to his political ally Dhiaa al-Asadi, Sadr visited Saudi Arabia last summer to tell them that the Shiite of Iraq are not going to be an extension of the Iranian revolution his visit was to ask them to be more present in Iraq. Sadrs recent meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is part of a wider realignment across the Middle East, away from competing sectarian interests, and towards a faultline of modernisers and secular reformists on the one hand, and those fomenting sectarian division and extremist violence on the other. While Sadr has been viewed as anti-West, the reality appears more complex. It is believed he favours US troops remaining in Iraq, given their stabilising effect, and, in light of his clear preference to work with Abadi, who has been a critical partner in the global coalitions fight against Islamic State, he appears to be open to building bridges with the West. Sadr has also condemned the internationalisation of Shia militancy, saying in a recent interview that the US government was right to designate Iranian-backed Iraqi militias fighting in Syria as terrorists. The challenge for the West is to calibrate its stance towards the country. Iraq should be a key power and critical partner. Sadr will likely choreograph his relationship with Western powers, using Abadi as cover, but he will clearly need Western support not least for reconstructing a country devastated by extremist violence. A clean political slate is a good starting point. Sadr has a chequered past but embodies a changing Iraq. Milo Comerford is an analyst and Daniel Sleat a special adviser at Tony Blairs Institute for Global Change This is probably one of the happiest days of my life. Ive been waiting in Dublin Castle for the final results after the exit poll was announced last night, which showed a 68 per cent majority in favour of repealing the eighth amendment of the Irish constitution. Its been emotional to be back, interviewing people and filming the lead-up to this result, seeing the Yes campaign take over the streets. Growing up here, all I remember was pro-life posters in OConnell Street, so seeing women, and men, being vocal about legalising abortion to this extent has been quite a change in the landscape of Ireland. If you want cultural change, this is it. Contraceptives were illegal until the late Eighties; divorce became legal in the Nineties; the equality marriage referendum passed three years ago, giving a big push towards the progressive stance of the Irish people. It seems that Ireland is on the trajectory of separating church from state, after centuries of intertwined decision-making. Aside from a clear emotional response to the result, which is likely to be confirmed this afternoon, there is a lot to take in. Canvassing has been incredible. A pro-choice campaigner in Leitrim said she was surprised at how much people just wanted to talk, get advice, share their experience. People want to talk and the Irish are not always well known to talk about their feelings. This campaign was full of misinformation with advertising made possible by foreign funding, so what does the result of the vote actually mean? It means that the people made their mind up a while ago and that this referendum was long overdue. But also that the Irish believe their vote matters. Young campaigners celebrate exit poll suggesting victory for campaign to legalise abortion in Ireland (Guen Murroni) It also means that there has been a great effort to maintain transparency and to talk about paid online advertising. As Irish Times columnist Fintan OToole tweeted, Another reason to be cheerful is that Ireland is the first Anglophone country to face the full panoply of Trump/Brexit/Bannon tactics and withstand that onslaught. Organisations like the Transparent Referendum Initiative an impartial analysis of the campaign have an online database of all published ads, collected by a plugin called Who Targets Me that anyone can download to keep track of targeted ads and share them with the database. Can we learn from Ireland? Yes (another yes). How much work is there to do if the Yes vote is confirmed and we move to legislation? Loads. Our medical staff have to be trained, and safe spaces have to be created for an issue that has so far been met by stigma. The Irish constitution still states that a womans place is in the home. Campaigners celebrate victory in Irish referendum to legalise abortion (Guen Murroni) A line I will never forget from a pro-life male campaigner was this: If women dont want a child, we should offer them 10,000 to continue the pregnancy and give that baby to the many couples who want children and cant adopt. Irish women are still prone to discrimination, as a percentage of their kinsmen believe they are killing a human. Women have had to put themselves in a vulnerable position for this to happen. There is clearly still a lot to fight for to change a culture of misogyny. Lastly, what does this mean for Northern Ireland and can the South help? This result will definitely shake things up in the North too. Northern Ireland is part of the UK but it does not have the same abortion laws as the rest of the UK. Terminations there are illegal unless conditions of the pregnancy are extreme, so pretty much the same as what the South has been. Its a great time in history to start this conversation, so lets do it. The official result will be out this afternoon, and everyone: have a Guinness for Ireland no matter what. The Trump administrations decision to withdraw from talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is an act of great diplomatic deceit. To be clear about what preceded this decision: Vice President Mike Pence made reference to the USs neoconservative actions in Libya which led to the death of Muammar Gaddafi at the hands of a militia, who filmed themselves sodomising their former President with a bayonet before they killed him by saying that North Korea could be subject to the Libya option. North Korea reacted in an alarmed way at such an association, and then Trump has accused Pyongyang of anger and hostility. This is, quite frankly, absurd. We now have to think that these talks were a set-up, a set-up to discredit the North Koreans, and a set-up that the North Koreans, and we as keen international observers, moved towards with cautious optimism. However, it may be that the only party to be discredited is Washington with the last vestige of the Trump administrations foreign policy credibility just evaporating out the Oval Office window and they did it to themselves; no one else exposed them. A degree of trust had developed between the two sides and this had led to Mike Pompeo's visit to Pyongyang in April, as well as a generally more positive mood to the negotiations. Now we are faced with a North Korean regime that may feel it has had its fingers burnt from opening itself up just a little. Trust in diplomacy takes time to build and even more time to rebuild once lost. For example, rightly or wrongly, suspicion is still the overwhelming diplomatic position when dealing with Russia, and the Cold War ended almost 30 years ago. So perhaps Washington didnt intend for there to be this level of trust. Trump: North Korea summit might take place at a later date The situation reminds me of 1914 when Austria-Hungary sent a list of demands to Serbia following the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand a list that Serbia was not meant to be able to accept only for Belgrade to accept the demands. Austria-Hungary was left perplexed about what to do. The rest is history. Although its important to point out that I dont think the North Korea scenario is even close to another world war. North Korea may have been correct when it said that Mike Pences comments associating the North Korean situation to Libya and Gaddafi were simply stupid. But this was probably a gracious response from Pyongyang that offered an olive branch to others within the Trump administration so that the negotiations wouldnt disintegrate. Pyongyang has since issued another statement saying that it is prepared to talk in the future. This is positive as they could quite easily have returned to the aggressive rhetoric of old. However, the likelihood is that Pences comments were not stupid but part of a strategy, however ill-founded that strategy may be. All in all, though, North Korea is fast becoming the reasonable and more credible party in all this. I looked upon these talks with cautious optimism but I've said for a long time now in various articles and interviews that the fundamental causes of Korean peninsula tensions with the US Western access to natural resources within North Korean territory and US-led global capitalism's irresistible desire to find new markets have not been openly acknowledged enough. The aspects of (de)nuclearisation and reunification of the peninsula secondary concerns to the primary capitalist dynamic were thrust forward as low-hanging fruit but the real substance remained hidden. However, the cancellation of the summit meeting in Singapore between Trump and Kim likely tells us that no progress had been made with regard to the opening up of North Korea to global market forces and that Pences shot across the bows may have been motivated by this concern. Korea Summit: Kim Jong-un crosses border for historic meeting Show all 25 1 /25 Korea Summit: Kim Jong-un crosses border for historic meeting Korea Summit: Kim Jong-un crosses border for historic meeting North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and South Korean President Moon Jae-in raise their hands after signing on a joint statement Korea Summit Press Pool via AP Korea Summit: Kim Jong-un crosses border for historic meeting Kim Jong-un heads towards Moon Jae-in to shake his hand between the military demarcation line, at the Joint Security Area on the Demilitarized Zone in the border village of Panmunjom in Paju EPA Korea Summit: Kim Jong-un crosses border for historic meeting South Korean President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un hold hands as they cross the military demarcation line EPA Korea Summit: Kim Jong-un crosses border for historic meeting South Koreans react while watching a screen reporting the Inter Korean Summit Getty Korea Summit: Kim Jong-un crosses border for historic meeting South Korean President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un chat as they arrive at the Peace House Reuters Korea Summit: Kim Jong-un crosses border for historic meeting North Koreas leader Kim Jong-un was escorted by bodyguards from the North to the Military Demarcation Line that divides the two Koreas to meet with his South Korean counterpart at the truce village AFP/Getty Korea Summit: Kim Jong-un crosses border for historic meeting North Korean leader Kim Jong-un crosses the military demarcation line to meet with South Korean President Moon Jae-in AP Korea Summit: Kim Jong-un crosses border for historic meeting Kim Jong-un and Moon Jae-in shake hands Getty Korea Summit: Kim Jong-un crosses border for historic meeting North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and South Korean President Moon Jae-in shake hands after Kim crossing the military demarcation line Getty Korea Summit: Kim Jong-un crosses border for historic meeting South Korean President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un at the Joint Security Area EPA Korea Summit: Kim Jong-un crosses border for historic meeting South Korean President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un speak with two South Korean children who presented Kim Jong-un with a bouquet of flowers EPA Korea Summit: Kim Jong-un crosses border for historic meeting Moon Jae-in Kim Jong-un pose for photographers at the Joint Security Area (JSA) EPA Korea Summit: Kim Jong-un crosses border for historic meeting North Korean leader Kim Jong-un signs the guest book as South Korean President Moon Jae-in looks on Getty Images Korea Summit: Kim Jong-un crosses border for historic meeting North Korean leader Kim Jong-uns entry in the guestbook. The writing reads A new history starts now. An age of peace, from the starting point of history Korea Summit Press Pool/Pool via Reuters Korea Summit: Kim Jong-un crosses border for historic meeting South Korean President Moon Jae-In and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un talk during their summit meeting at the Peace House EPA Korea Summit: Kim Jong-un crosses border for historic meeting North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un smiles AFP/Getty Korea Summit: Kim Jong-un crosses border for historic meeting North Korean leader Kim Jong-un poses with South Korean President Moon Jae-in for a photo inside the Peace House AP Korea Summit: Kim Jong-un crosses border for historic meeting North Koreas leader Kim Jong-un talks with South Koreas President Moon Jae-in AFP/Getty Korea Summit: Kim Jong-un crosses border for historic meeting North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and South Korean President Moon Jae-in prepare to plant a pine tree near the military demarcation line AP Korea Summit: Kim Jong-un crosses border for historic meeting South Korean President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un applaud after planting a tree at the truce village Korea Summit Press Pool/Pool via Reuters Korea Summit: Kim Jong-un crosses border for historic meeting North Koreas leader Kim Jong-un and South Koreas President Moon Jae-in take a walk after they planted a tree AFP/Getty Korea Summit: Kim Jong-un crosses border for historic meeting North Koreas leader Kim Jong-un talks with South Koreas President Moon Jae-in at a bench on a bridge next to the military demarcation line at the truce village of Panmunjom AFP/Getty Korea Summit: Kim Jong-un crosses border for historic meeting North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and South Korean President Moon Jae-in sign on a joint statement Korea Broadcasting System via AP Korea Summit: Kim Jong-un crosses border for historic meeting North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and South Korean President Moon Jae-in embrace each other after signing on a joint statement Korea Summit Press Pool via AP Korea Summit: Kim Jong-un crosses border for historic meeting North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, left, and South Korean President Moon Jae-in shake hands after their joint announcement AP It is the Republican Party that primarily represents the political interests and aspirations of US multinational corporations and we should remember that many of these industries and interests benefit from tensions with North Korea. If the North Korea threat reduces, then the buoyancy of these industries can be threatened. Indeed, after a prominent television news interview across the BBC World network in July last year, in which I downplayed the threat of nuclear war and North Koreas military capability, I myself received some flak in the form of aggressive emails from political PR firms in the US with strong links to the Republican party. So what does the future hold for US-North Korea relations? Certainly North Korea has learned a lesson about the disingenuousness and lack of trustworthiness of the Trump administration. However, perhaps this shouldnt be all that surprising, as Trumps tendency towards xenophobia Mexicans are rapists et al during his election campaign was more likely a vehicle for his political power than his actual thoughts on the subject. What Trumps retreat may also do though is create an opening within international news media circles where North Korea can fill the void that has been created by the further discrediting of the Trump administration with Pyongyang's own narrative. That narrative may not be met with widespread sympathy just yet but certainly North Korea now has an emerging international platform to speak to the world that it didnt have before. Colin Alexander is a lecturer in political communications at Nottingham Trent University Goodbody Stockbrokers is set to conclude buyout negotiations with its Chinese Government-backed suitor, Zhong Ze Culture Investment Holdings, by the end of June leaving regulatory approvals the sole remaining hurdle to the deal's completion. The Chinese firm has been locked in advanced negotiations to acquire Ireland's second-largest stockbroker since the start of the year. Zhong Ze's interest emerged during a period of renewed activity in the sector, as stock market transactions surge amid a wider economic recovery. Earlier this month the Irish arm of Cantor Fitzgerald consummated a long-awaited union with Merrion Capital in a near-18m deal, while AIB approached, and then retreated, from takeover discussions with Investec Ireland, the local unit of the South African bank. In March, the pan-European bourse Euronext completed a 137m takeover of the Irish Stock exchange, triggering a hefty windfall for its five stockbroker stakeholder. Goodbody reportedly netted close to 50m from the sale. It is understood Goodbody and the Chinese investment consortium, which is a subsidiary of China's state-owned aerospace, defence and electronics company AVIC, are due to exchange legally binding contracts, known as a heads of agreement, by the start of June. The buyout is then expected to conclude by the end of that month at which point regulators in Ireland and China will assess the deal. Goodbody's management are predicted to make about 60m in cash and earn-outs from the takeover. This latest change in ownership opens a radical new chapter for the local broker, which was offloaded by AIB at the peak of the financial crisis to the Kerry-based financial services group, Fexco for the paltry sum of 24m. Roy Barrett, who has led Goodbody since 1996, informed staff in February that the merger would not result in job cuts or a strategy change. However it is understood the broker, which traces its roots to 1877, may attempt to strengthen its private wealth arm by tapping into the rapidly burgeoning Asian markets. Independent News & Media (INM) has confirmed the appointment of Richard McClean in the newly created senior role of Managing Director of Publishing for Ireland, with responsibility for the media group's commercial and editorial teams. He was previously Managing Director of INM in Northern Ireland, responsible for the group's Northern titles including the 'Belfast Telegraph' as well as digital products. The appointment was confirmed in a memo to staff yesterday. The appointment had been well flagged following the departure earlier this week of INM's Group Editor in Chief Stephen Rae after five years in the role. The editor in chief role has been discontinued. The change is in line with a new group strategy, that structures INM's main operations under divisions headed by senior executives - including the publishing arm to be headed by Mr McClean. One of those divisions will be headed by the newly hired Transformation Director, Richard Morgan, who has joined INM after 11 years with the Telegraph Media Group in the UK. In his new role he will work with the executive team in developing the change programme to realise INM's strategic aims, according to the staff memo. The other members of the senior team named in the new structure are Celine Doyle. As Chief People Officer, she will continue to head the group's human resources functions. Ryan Preston will continue in his role as Chief Financial Officer. INM's distribution business Newspread will become the core of a rebranded Reach Group, that will continue to be headed by Ian Keogh. In addition, recruitment is under way for a Chief Customer Officer and Chief Information Officer to complete the senior team. Two Irish dancers give a pretty impressive performance on tonight's Britain's Got Talent - while dressed as a dog. When 'Dudley' takes to the stage expectations are low but the judges appear to be impressed, or at least surprised, by his moves. Meanwhile, a primary school choir from Northern Ireland give an adorable performance of Pure Imagination from the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory movie. St Lawrence's choir, from Fintona near Omagh jetted in to Blackpool for their audition and one of the children reveals that many of them had never been on a plane before. Expand Close St Lawrence's primary school choir on Britain's Got Talent, TV3 / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp St Lawrence's primary school choir on Britain's Got Talent, TV3 "It's the kind of place, if someone's electricity went off that's front page news," she jokes. After their performance Aleesha said they were "so cute". Find out whether or not Dudley and the choir make it through the final live auditions on Britain's Got Talent tonight, 8pm on TV3. Long time campaigner Annette Forde, from Drumcondra, at the count centre in Dublin's RDS as votes are counted. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA Wire TAOISEACH Leo Varadkar has said that the landside 'Yes' vote to repeal the Eighth Amendment is the "culmination of a quiet revolution that has taking place in Ireland over the last couple of decades". Mr Varadkar said: "The public have spoken. The result appears to be resounding in favour of repealing the Eighth Amendment. "Its possible even that we could carry every constituency in the country," he added. Mr Varadkar said that men and women, almost every age group, and every social class have voted 'Yes' to repeal. He said:"that demonstrates to me that we are a country that is not divided but a country that is united, a country that says that we respect women, that we trust women and that we support them in the choices and decisions they make." Mr Varadkar was speaking as he arrived at the count centre in Citywest, Dublin this lunchtime. The final tally of his own constituency, Dublin West, showed a 'Yes' vote of almost 74pc in favour of liberalising Ireland's abortion laws. On a wider scale, Ireland is set to repeal the controversial Eighth Amendment in a landslide vote, as the wind of social change that has swept over the country in recent years turns into a gale. How Did Your Constituency Vote? Final Results Ireland Dublin Map Key Yes 55% 50% 55% No With 30 of the 40 constituencies counted, the Yes vote stands at 68.3pc If confirmed in the official result later today, the suggested margin of victory for campaigners to liberalise the abortion regime represents a seismic shift in attitude in little over a generation. The contentious Eighth Amendment that effectively bans terminations - a constitutional provision now destined for the history books - was voted into the state's legal framework in 1983. It is remarkable that the winning margin for anti-abortion activists 35 years ago - 67pc to 33pc - appears to have been turned on its head on Friday, and then some. Also of significant interest is the answers given when voters were asked how they decided to vote on Friday. Some 75pc said they always knew; 8pc said following the Savita Halappanavar case; 1pc said following the Citizens' Assembly; 1pc said following the Oireacthas committee; and 12pc said during the Referendum campaign. And it seems that very few changed their minds - the exit poll also showed that the vast majority of voters had not changed their minds over the last five years, or during the campaign itself. Ailbhe Smyth of the Together For Yes campaign said: "This is a vote for dignity and decency. If exit polls are reflected in the official vote count later today, this will be a moment of profound change in Irelands social history, a moment when the nation collectively stood up for women and for their healthcare, and voted for constitutional change." Simon Harris also reacted to the anticipated result: "I think the people of Ireland have voted with compassion to the fore of their mind, I'm so humbled to be their Health Minster today. "We have faced up to reality that women are leaving our country every day to access terminations. "As long as it remained in our constitution we were saying to woman 'take the plane of take the boat', now we're saying 'take our hand'." Solidarity TD Paul Murphy has said todays expected result is because of a youth-quake and a gender-quake. The Dublin South-West TD said the victory was been driven by young people and women. The likely result will be delivered three years after the country voted to legalise same-sex marriage - another landmark moment in Ireland's tectonic drift from "social conservatism" to "progressive liberalism". Expand Close Count staff start counting the referendum ballot papers at the Dublin County Count Centre in Citywest.Picture Credit:Frank Mc Grath / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Count staff start counting the referendum ballot papers at the Dublin County Count Centre in Citywest.Picture Credit:Frank Mc Grath While the margin in 2015 was emphatic - 62pc to 38pc - the Yes vote in 2018 looks like being even larger. Counting began at 9am on Saturday morning, with a final result predicted for sometime this afternoon. But the RTE exit poll suggests 70pc of citizens voted to ditch an amendment that was so resoundingly endorsed by the public three-and-a-half decades earlier. The dramatic reversal in opinion seems to have been driven by the younger generations. People under the age of 53 would not have had the chance to vote in 1983. In this year's referendum the support of those age groups for reform seems to have been overwhelming. Almost 90pc of voters under 25 appear to have voted Yes. Those aged 35-49 endorsed repeal by around 73pc, the exit polls indicate. The only age group to vote No was the over-65s, indicating that those who backed the amendment in 1983 largely retain their opposition to abortion - they are now just outnumbered by younger generations committed to reform. The diminishing role of the Catholic Church in the social fabric of Ireland is undoubtedly a factor in the changes being wrought. It has called for a No vote, arguing that the life of the unborn should be sacrosanct. Damaged by a welter of child abuse scandals in recent decades, during the abortion referendum campaign the church was reduced to just one voice among many in the campaign, rather than the all-powerful institution of authority it once was. Just one in eight cited religion as a significant factor in deciding their vote. Expand Close Activists react at the count centre as votes are tallied following yesterday's referendum, in Dublin, Ireland, May 26, 2018. REUTERS/Max Rossi / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Activists react at the count centre as votes are tallied following yesterday's referendum, in Dublin, Ireland, May 26, 2018. REUTERS/Max Rossi And the Yes camp, which portrayed itself as modernising and in step with international opinion, insisted repeal would demonstrate Ireland's compassion for thousands of Irish women forced to travel to England for the procedure. A decade after the Eighth Amendment was approved, women in Ireland were officially given the right to travel abroad, mostly to the UK, to obtain terminations. Pro-repeal campaigners say almost 170,000 have done so. The liberalisation campaign gathered momentum in 2012 after an Indian dentist, Savita Halappanavar, died in hospital in Galway aged 31 when she was refused an abortion during a miscarriage. Her husband, Praveen Halappanavar, said she repeatedly asked for a termination but was refused because there was a foetal heartbeat. In 2013, following an outcry over Mrs Halappanavar's death, legislation was amended to allow terminations under certain tightly restricted circumstances. When doctors felt a woman's life was at risk due to complications from the pregnancy, or from suicide, they were permitted to carry out an abortion. That did not sate the demand of pro-choice advocates. Under pressure from the UN about alleged degrading treatment of women who travelled to England for terminations, the Government began exploring the possibility of further reform, culminating in the calling of Friday's referendum and the promise to legislate. Mr Varadkar said today the government has been given a mandate to legislate for abortion and that the plan is to have a new law enacted by the end of the year. The government's proposal is to allow abortions without restriction as to the reason up to 12 weeks into a pregnancy. Terminations would only be allowed after that in cases of fatal foetal abnormality or where the life or health of the mother is at risk. Mr Varadkar said getting the legislation passed is "not as straightforward as it may seem. "We have to get into the detail. Theres always the risk of legal challenges and of course it has to pass through both houses of the Oireachtas, the Dail and Seanad." But he added: "the fact that the result is so clear, that it is more than 2:1 in favour I think means it will make it much easier to get the legislation through the Dail and Seanad than we might have thought a couple of days ago." Mr Varadkar also said: "Ive heard already a number of No campaigners, people who honestly and decently opposed this referendum for their own reasons now saying that they accept the will of the people and will allow the legislation to pass. "People really have given us the mandate that we asked for and the mandate that we needed to make this change. "Today we have at long last a modern constitution for a modern country." RTE's exit poll was carried out in conjunction with a number of Irish universities and was carried out by Behaviour & Attitudes, while the Irish Times also published an exit poll in today's newspaper. Expand Close Repeal supporters at Dublin's RDS wait for the start of the count in the referendum on the 8th Amendment of the Irish Constitution which prohibits abortions unless a mother's life is in danger: Brian Lawless/PA Wire / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Repeal supporters at Dublin's RDS wait for the start of the count in the referendum on the 8th Amendment of the Irish Constitution which prohibits abortions unless a mother's life is in danger: Brian Lawless/PA Wire Both contain some further significant insights into the reasons behind the overwhelming Yes - a insight into a potentially 'new' Ireland. Some standout information from the exit polls includes - Young versus old The polling data suggests a huge gulf in views held by Ireland's youngest and oldest generations. Both exit surveys recorded support for the Yes camp at approaching 90pc among 18 to 24-year-olds. By contrast, the over-65 group was the only age bracket to vote No, with around 60% wanting to retain the Eighth Amendment. - Urban versus rural As predicted, urban areas appear to have been more strongly in favour of repeal, at just over 70pc But according to the polls, rural areas also voted Yes, with around 60 to 63pc in favour. - Region by region In keeping with the urban/rural trend, Dublin had the highest Yes vote of around 78%. In Leinster, just under two-thirds of voters (66pc) backed liberalisation, with a similar figure in Munster. In Connacht/Ulster, the figure was slightly lower at around 61pc - Party politics The only major party whose voters rejected the referendum was Fianna Fail, Fianna Fail had 50.3pc No voters and 49.7pc Yes. In contrast, almost 75pc of both Fine Gael and Sinn Fein voters said Yes - Factors influencing the vote Some 43pc said people's personal stories as covered in the media; Just 10pc said campaign posters and 7pc direct contact with campaigners Expand Close An activists shows off her campaign badges and T-shirt at the count centre as votes are tallied folowing yesterday's referendum on liberalising abortion law, in Dublin, Ireland, May 26, 2018. REUTERS/Max Rossi / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp An activists shows off her campaign badges and T-shirt at the count centre as votes are tallied folowing yesterday's referendum on liberalising abortion law, in Dublin, Ireland, May 26, 2018. REUTERS/Max Rossi - Important factors for your vote Almost two in three cited women's right to choose Just 12pc looked to religious views John McGuirk of the Save the 8th campaign said that abortion remains wrong. The 8th amendment did not create a right to life for the unborn child it merely acknowledged that such a right exists, has always existed, and will always exist," he said. "What Irish voters did yesterday is a tragedy of historic proportions. However, a wrong does not become right simply because a majority support it." Independent TD Michael Healy-Rae, who was advocating for a No vote, said he did so because of very firmly held beliefs. Speaking on RTE Radio One, Mr Healy-Rae said: "I'm even taken with the massive amount of people that voted Yes." He added: "We live in a democracy, people voted as they did, now it's over to the legislators." The Kerry TD said parliamentarians would now have to debate the draft legislation. "The will of the people has spoken and that's it," he said. Thousands of Irish citizens living overseas travelled home in droves to exercise their democratic right on the emotive issue. The vote saw citizens effectively opt to either retain or repeal the Eighth Amendment of the state's constitution, which prohibits terminations unless a mother's life is in danger. The specific question people were asked was whether they wanted to see the Eighth Amendment replaced with wording in the constitution that would hand politicians the responsibility to set future laws on abortion, unhindered by constitutional strictures. If the Yes vote is confirmed, the Government intends to legislate by the end of the year to make it relatively easy for a woman to obtain the procedure in early pregnancy. Ministers have promised to allow terminations within the first 12 weeks, subject to medical advice and a cooling-off period, and between 12 and 24 weeks in exceptional circumstances. (L-R) Patrick and Josiah Lauser have said they may leave Ireland unless the people they claim 'rigged' the referendum 'get caught' Two young American men, whose family moved from Washington State about a decade ago because they wanted to live in a country without abortion, have expressed their deep sadness at the emphatic yes vote. Patrick Lauser (24) and his brother Josiah (19) who live near Cork Airport hail from a family of eight. Patrick, who is now an Irish citizen, said he was shocked by the election result which he insisted was "rigged." "People had their names taken off the register in the polling stations. And non Irish citizens were getting voter cards. What we have seen on the doors and from talking to people it doesn't match up. We have seen evidence of illegal dealing and rigging of the votes." Speaking at the Ballincollig Count Centre in Co Cork, Patrick said he was passionate about the No vote on the basis that "people are people from conception on." "People inside the womb should be protected as much as people outside the womb. Their rights should be defended. Generally people had a more predominant No from the doors. We are looking forward to the people in charge of the corruption being exposed." Josiah said that he didn't know whether they would stay in Ireland and that it depends on whether the Yes side "get caught or not." He insisted that there was a group of Italians in Ireland who were not citizens who received voting cards "out of the blue." Josiah, who is being home-schooled in Cork, said he had heard of No voters who had gone to the polling booth to find they were "off register." There comments come as Ireland voted overwhelmingly to repeal the controversial Eight Amendment. Expand Close Campaigners celebrated with champagne and After Eight mints (Brian Lawless/PA) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Campaigners celebrated with champagne and After Eight mints (Brian Lawless/PA) Following a divisive campaign, the Yes campaign won the historic referendum with a landslide 66.4pc victory. The Eight Amendment was introduced in 1983 and gave equal rights to the mother and the foetus - Donegal was the only constituency that yesterday voted against repealing it. Turnout was around 65pc and the Yes campaign secured a stunning majority in several constituencies - including 78pc in Dublin Bay South- and among all age groups under the age of 65. There was no urban-rural divide as had been predicted in some quarters. Instead, an incredible 39 out of 40 constituencies right across the State voted Yes. Expand Close Taoiseach Leo Varadkar at Dublin Castle as the results are announced in the referendum on the 8th Amendment of the Irish Constitution which prohibits abortions unless a mother's life is in danger. / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Taoiseach Leo Varadkar at Dublin Castle as the results are announced in the referendum on the 8th Amendment of the Irish Constitution which prohibits abortions unless a mother's life is in danger. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said that the "veil of secrecy has been lifted." Speaking at Dublin Castle this evening, the Fine Gael leader said: "We have voted to look reality in the eye and we did not blink." For those who voted No, he said: I would like to reassure you that Ireland is still be the same country today as it was before, just a little more tolerant, open and respectful. Mr Varadkar said for 35 years we had hidden our conscience behind the Constitution but voters had said no more. No more doctors telling their patients there is nothing that can be done for them in their own country. No more lonely journeys across the Irish Sea. No more stigma. The veil of secrecy is lifted. No more isolation. The burden of shame is gone. Donegal looks set to be the only county in Ireland to vote no to the repeal of the 8th Amendment. In contrast with a resounding Yes from the majority of the country, tally figures are showing a 52pc of voters are opposed to repeal while 48pc are in favour. Of 59,869 votes tallied, 28,703 voted Yes and 31,166 voted no. Early tallies had suggested Co Monaghan could have been on course for a no - however yes is now running at around 52pc. Roscommon - the only county in Ireland to vote against equal marriage in 2015 - looks set to vote in favour of repeal by 57pc. Early tallies in Co Longford also suggested the county could have been heading for a 'no' vote - however final tallies suggest repeal will be backed by a margin of 54pc. In Westmeath end of the constituency, 58pc of voters opted to repeal the Eighth Amendment while 42pc voted for its retention. Some rural parts of Co Kerry only marginally passed repeal, the county overall looks to vote for repeal in a 60:40 margin. How Did Your Constituency Vote? Final Results Ireland Dublin Map Key Yes 55% 50% 55% No For the country as a whole, a Yes vote is set to win on perhaps a 70:30 split. A woman casts her vote in the abortion referendum at Scoil Thomas Lodge polling station in Dublin yesterday. Photo: Jeff J Mitchell The world's media has descended on Ireland for what they are reporting is a "multifaceted crystal ball of a vote". More than 350 journalists, camera people and technicians have been accredited for the official count in Dublin Castle today. A list of outlets, seen by the Irish Independent, shows the interest stretches from the US, across Europe and even into Asia. Among the broadcasters present in Dublin are CNN, China Global Television Network, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and Al Jazeera. Well-known newspaper titles including the 'New York Times', 'Los Angeles Times' and the 'Guardian' have flown over reporters. The international view of the referendum is very much one of a Catholic country grappling with a most divisive social issue. The 'New Yorker' magazine carries a detailed feature article which says the result will "help expose, for starters, how much the Catholic Church's hold in Ireland has weakened". "It is also a distinctively post-Brexit, post-Trump vote, shadowed by the sorts of concerns about fear-stoking ads and democracy-sabotaging bots that have emerged since 2016. "But, most of all, [the] vote will be a test of whether women in Ireland will continue to be coerced and shamed if they do not want to carry their pregnancies to term," it says. Al Jazeera says the result is expected to be close after "a polarising campaign". "Currently, 78pc of the Irish population is Catholic, and members of the Church are hoping their members will vote No. "Thousands of people living abroad returned home to vote. Ireland is one of the few countries in the European Union that does not allow those abroad to vote via post or in embassies," it notes. German national broadcaster Deutsche Welle reports: "While the 2018 debate has not repeated the caustic tone of the 1983 original, it has nonetheless reopened some old scars. "Almost every section of society is divided; every time a leading doctor or lawyer declares support for Yes, another will emerge to lobby for No. "Though only Irish citizens have a vote, the sensitive nature of abortion has inevitably attracted foreign attention, and each side accuses the other of befitting from foreign funding." In Australia, the 'Sydney Morning Herald' commissioned a human rights' lawyer to draw parallels between the situation in there and in Ireland. She stated: "The Irish referendum is an important moment to reflect upon the harm caused by one of the many forms of discrimination lived everyday by women around the world and in Australia. It is a critical time for those Australian governments with outdated abortion laws to reflect on why their laws continue to defy community values, modern clinic practice and women's rights." The 'Atlantic' told its readers "there wasn't a street pole in Dublin without a sign on it about the referendum". "The Church was a main driver in the push to implement the constitutional ban on abortion when the Eighth Amendment first passed 35 years ago. But faith isn't the primary reason people are still unresolved on the issue. In fact, it hasn't played much of a role at all," the magazine says. The 'Guardian' newspaper in the UK ran a hard-hitting editorial on the referendum, saying: "The world will take heed when voters decide whether to repeal the constitutional clause that ensures terminating pregnancies is illegal in almost all circumstances." The paper attacked the No side, saying it was "not only insulting but flagrantly untrue to suggest that women will seek abortion on a whim". But concluded: "A righteous, shining anger at centuries of misogyny has burned in this campaign." Facebook has reported adverts campaigning for a No vote in yesterday's referendum to a State watchdog and senior Government officials because it is concerned about foreign interference. In a letter, seen by the Irish Independent, the social media firm wrote to the Standards in Public Office Commission (Sipo) last month expressing concerns about foreign adverts. Its concerns arose after an Irish campaign group had its content reshared and 'boosted' by another Facebook page based in the US. Boosting allows advertisers to pay a fee to quickly create a Facebook ad using a post on the website. The post will then appear higher up on an audience's news feed. The advertiser can show it to a targeted audience on the website based on the information Facebook holds on each individual user. Facebook was concerned posts made by campaigners in Ireland and then promoted by an American-owned page could be considered a foreign donation. The Electoral Act, enforced by Sipo, bans political donations by foreign individuals and organisations. Facebook raised this issue during a meeting with officials at the Department of Communications on April 16, the same day it wrote to Sipo. A Sipo investigation was then launched to examine the advert and the content shared on Facebook. Niamh Sweeney, Facebook's head of public policy, told Sipo the company was concerned that 'boosting' of content amounted to a foreign donation because it was an American organisation who paid for the advert. In the letter, obtained under the Freedom of Information Act, Ms Sweeney wrote she was concerned laws in this area were "opaque" and she was seeking the watchdog's advice. She told Sipo the advert in question was reported to the website and it was later removed. Facebook declined to comment or state what groups were involved in sharing the posts and adverts in question. Health Minister Simon Harris speaks to the media at the Together for Yes billboard launch in Dublin (Niall Carson/PA) Ireland has voted with a resounding 'Yes' to repeal the Eighth Amendment. Within the last 35 years, we've been asked a total of five questions and it is worth doing a quick look back to see how we managed through. 1983 So we are back at the start of all this in the autumn of 1983. Abortion had always been illegal but it was not cited in the 1937 Constitution in the same way as a prohibition on divorce was. A number of anti-abortion activists wanted a constitutional prohibition to make future abortion legislation more difficult. They persuaded both big political leaders Charlie Haughey, of Fianna Fail, and Dr Garret FitzGerald, of Fine Gael to go with the idea of a referendum. This eventually happened on September 7, 1983, after a national debate which historian Diarmaid Ferriter has described as one of the most poisonous witnessed in 20th century Ireland. On the day, just 54pc of the people turned out to vote. The prohibition was carried by a vote of 2:1. The 35-year journey of political and legal contention had begun. It would repeatedly take us through the national courts and international tribunals like the EU Court of Justice and the European Court of Human Rights. The past referendums have been characterised by sometimes poor and abusive debate. They have had limited appeal beyond the people who hold strong convictions on either side of the argument. Expand Close Taoiseach Charles Haughey. Stock picture / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Taoiseach Charles Haughey. Stock picture 1986 The High Court rules that the availability of information on abortions outside the state to women in Ireland is in breach of Constitution, as under the 1983 amendment it "undermines right of the child to life". This decision was affirmed by the Supreme Court two years later. 1992 The previous referendum, in November 1992, had put three propositions to the voters: should Ireland guarantee the right to abortion information; should it afford the right to travel for an abortion; should it restrict the grounds for abortion, removing the danger of suicide as a threat to the mothers life. This one was very fraught indeed, caused by the heart-rending case of a 14-year-old girl, pregnant as a result of rape, who was prevented from leaving the country to have an abortion. A legal appeal on behalf of the girl, known as X, led to the Supreme Court ruling that the mothers life had to take precedence in cases such as this, and that the teenage mothers life was at risk due to threat of suicide. Later that same year, voters upheld the right to travel outside the jurisdiction for an abortion and to get abortion information. A third amendment, which would have removed suicide as grounds for allowing abortion, was defeated. Turnout that day, in November 1992, was 68.2pc. But it was boosted because the referendum was held the same day as a general election. It took more than 20 years to get some clarity on the issue via legislation. 2002 Many people even keen students of current affairs do not remember the last referendum which was on March 6, 2002. It was the product of years of careful consultation by then Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and his health minister, one Micheal Martin. It was the first attempt to address a 10-year-old demand by the Supreme Court to regularise things. It arose from the notorious X case which had convulsed the nation in 1992. It is remembered by some as a retrograde move, since it included a proposal to remove a threat of suicide as grounds for permitting an abortion due to a risk to the mothers life. Expand Close Former taoiseach Bertie Ahern. Photo: INM / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Former taoiseach Bertie Ahern. Photo: INM But at the time it was acknowledged that Ahern and Martin had built a deal of consensus around it in civil society. The Catholic bishops gave guarded approval as did many leading obstetricians. Fine Gael and Labour in opposition opposed that referendum. On the day, turnout was poor at 43pc, and bad weather in the western half of the country, set against a dry day in Dublin, was seen by some as a factor in the outcome. It was defeated by 0.8pc, or just 10,000 votes. Mr Ahern, who swept to a general election victory weeks later, made it clear he would not engage with the issue any time soon thereafter. That political neglect of the topic would persist until July 2013 when Fine Gael Taoiseach Enda Kenny brought in the Protection of Life in Pregnancy Act, losing eight of his parliamentary party in the process. 2010 Three women take a case against Ireland in the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR). The ECHR ruled that the State failed to provide clarity on the legal availability of abortion when the mother's life is at risk. 2013 President Michael D Higgins signs the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill into law. Eight Fine Gael TFs were removed from the party because of their vote against the bill. The act, which came about under Taoiseach Enda Kenny, gives a woman access to an abortion where there is a "real and substantial risk to life, including risk of suicide." In June 2015, the Department of Health confirmed that 26 terminations were carried out under the act in 2014. Expand Close Enda Kenny and James Reilly / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Enda Kenny and James Reilly 2015 The UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights reported its concerns at Ireland's "highly restrictive legislation on abortion" and calls for a referendum to repeal the Eighth Amendment. 2016 The Citizens' Assembly meet for the first of five weekends to consider the Eighth Amendment. Expand Close Specially-convened Citizens' Assembly (stock photo) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Specially-convened Citizens' Assembly (stock photo) 2018 Ireland votes an overwhelming 'Yes' to repealing the Eighth Amendment, removing Article 40.3.3 from the constitution; "The states acknowledges the right to life of the unborn and, with due regard to the equal right to life of the mother, guarantees in its laws to respect, and as far as practicable, by its laws to defend and vindicate that right." Activists react at the count centre as votes are tallied following yesterday's referendum, in Dublin, Ireland, May 26, 2018. REUTERS/Max Rossi Repeal the 8th campaigners celebrate the return of a Yes for the Dublin Central constituency in the RDS. Picture; Gerry Mooney Members of the public celebrate at Dublin Castle after the results of the referendum on the 8th Amendment. Photo: Niall Carson/PA Wire ON A day that will long be remembered as significant in our social history, Ireland has voted to reform its highly-restrictive abortion laws - and has done so emphatically. Yes campaigners are tonight taking in a stunning victory after the results were confirmed at Dublin Castle, with a huge majority of voters - some 66.4pc- casting their ballot in favour of repealing the hugely-controversial Eighth Amendment. Donegal was the only constituency that voted against repeal, and it was only a narrow victory for the No side there. But elsewhere it was a stunning victory for the Yes campaign, with a huge majority in a number of constituencies - including 78pc in Dublin Bay South- and among all age groups under the age of 65. While the result may have not have been entirely unexpected, the emphatic nature of it certainly is - and is likely to have major short- and medium-term implications for the Irish political system. There was no urban-rural divide as had been predicted in some quarters. Instead, an incredible 39 out of 40 constituencies right across the State voted Yes. And Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said the consensus included men and women and nearly all social classes. Turnout was approximately 65pc. How Did Your Constituency Vote? Final Results Ireland Dublin Map Key Yes 55% 50% 55% No The question on the ballot asked citizens to opt to either retain or repeal the Eighth Amendment of the state's constitution, which prohibits terminations unless a mother's life is in danger. Pollsters suggested the stories of women forced to travel to the UK for terminations or take illegal pills obtained on the internet helped sway public opinion, as well as the death of an Indian dentist denied the procedure while she miscarried. With 66pc of voters backing the Government's proposal to allow abortions in Ireland, Mr Varadkar called the result a quiet revolution. He said: We have voted to look reality in the eye and we did not blink. For those who voted No, he said: I would like to reassure you that Ireland is still be the same country today as it was before, just a little more tolerant, open and respectful. Mr Varadkar said for 35 years we had hidden our conscience behind the Constitution but voters had said no more. No more doctors telling their patients there is nothing that can be done for them in their own country. No more lonely journeys across the Irish Sea. No more stigma. The veil of secrecy is lifted. No more isolation. The burden of shame is gone. Expand Close An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar (left), Minister for Health Simon Harris and Senator Catherine Noone wave to the crowd at Dublin Castle. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA Wire / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar (left), Minister for Health Simon Harris and Senator Catherine Noone wave to the crowd at Dublin Castle. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA Wire The father of the late Savita Halappanavar said he has "no words to express his gratitude to the people of Ireland" as the country repealed the Eighth Amendment. Indian dentist Savita (31) died of sepsis in a hospital in Galway in 2012 after she was denied an abortion during miscarriage. Her husband Praveen Halappanavar claimed she requested a termination but was refused because the baby's heart was still beating. A midwife manager at Galway University Hospital confirmed that she told Mrs Halappanavar a termination could not be carried out because Ireland was a "Catholic country". Expand Close The mural of Savita Halappanavar in Dublin (Niall Carson/PA) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The mural of Savita Halappanavar in Dublin (Niall Carson/PA) Speaking to the Hindustan Times today, her father Andanappa Yalagi said he was "very happy" to hear the exit poll results of the abortion referendum as Ireland heads towards a resounding "Yes" vote. "I am very happy today," Mr Yalagi said. "Weve got justice for Savita. What happened to her will not happen to any other family. I have no words to express my gratitude to the people of Ireland at this historic moment." According to the RTE exit poll, a total of 8pc of voters surveyed said their 'Yes' vote was influenced by Savita's story alone. Ministers have promised to allow terminations within the first 12 weeks, subject to medical advice and a cooling-off period, and between 12 and 24 weeks in exceptional circumstances. Mr Varadkar said the results represented "the culmination of a quiet revolution", one that had been taking place in Ireland for the past 10 to 20 years. "We are a country that is not divided, a country that says that we respect women, that we trust women and we support them." He said the result was a mandate to bring forward legislation enabling the procedure and the Government is expected to pass laws by the end of the year. "The people have said that we want a modern constitution for a modern country, that we trust women and we respect them to make the right decision and the right choices about their healthcare." A vocal anti-repeal movement conceded defeat, calling the the result "a tragedy of historic proportions." Expand Close Cora Sherlock / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Cora Sherlock Anti-repeal activist Cora Sherlock said that what we voted on today is the ending of human life. Ms Sherlock said she is personally very, very upset at the exit polls but that the pro-life movement will continue in its pursuit to keep Ireland abortion-free. "I will accept the will of the Irish people, at the same time I will make it very clear what I feel of the campaign that has taken place. We will now regroup and find out what our next move is," says Ms Sherlock. Head of Save the 8th John McGuirk said that "the constitution has changed but the facts have not". "The 8th Amendment did not create a right to life for the unborn child- it merely acknowledged that such a right exists, has always existed, and will always exist," Mr McGuirk said. "hat Irish voters did yesterday is a tragedy of historic proportions. However, a wrong does not become right simply because a majority support it." The contentious Eighth Amendment that effectively bans terminations - a constitutional provision now destined for the history books - was voted into the state's legal framework in 1983. It is remarkable that the winning margin for anti-abortion activists 35 years ago - 67pc to 33pc - has been turned on its head. Ailbhe Smyth of the Together For Yes campaign said: "This is a vote for dignity and decency. If exit polls are reflected in the official vote count later today, this will be a moment of profound change in Irelands social history, a moment when the nation collectively stood up for women and for their healthcare, and voted for constitutional change." Simon Harris also reacted to the historic result, saying: "I think the people of Ireland have voted with compassion to the fore of their mind, I'm so humbled to be their Health Minister today. "We have faced up to reality that women are leaving our country every day to access terminations. "As long as it remained in our constitution we were saying to woman 'take the plane of take the boat', now we're saying 'take our hand'." A woman looks at a new mural of Savita Halappanavar with flowers placed beneath it put up on the day of the Abortion Referendum. REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyne A MASSIVE moment in Ireland's social history is set to emerge today with the Yes vote expected to pass overwhelmingly in the abortion referendum. The country is on course to legalise abortion after a huge number of young people turned out to repeal the Eighth Amendment. The eyes of the world's media are on the country after exit polls predicted a landslide Yes victory in the referendum. Exit polls predict the Yes vote passed comprehensively in urban and rural areas alike with the result expected to be in the region of 69.4pc to 30.6pc. As expected, Dublin carried the strongest repeal vote at 79pc. In Leinster the Yes vote is expected to be 67.2pc. Munster came in at 66.3pc. Even the normally conservative Connacht/Ulster voted 62pc in favour. One of the biggest stories emerging from referendum day is the enormous numbers of young people who turned out to vote. However, many of those over 65 also voted for change. More than 72pc of women were in favour and 66pc of men, according to an exit poll carried out by Behaviour & Attitudes for RTE. How Did Your Constituency Vote? Final Results Ireland Dublin Map Key Yes 55% 50% 55% No Around two million people cast their vote. Late last night, Health Minister Simon Harris told Independent.ie: "It looks like we could be on the cusp of a historic day where our country can enact laws that are a bit more compassionate for our women." Counting does not begin until 9am Saturday, with a formal result not due until later in the day, but the data suggests Ireland is on the cusp of a defining moment in its social history. Reacting to the exit polls, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, a vocal proponent of liberalisation, tweeted: "Thank you to everyone who voted today. Democracy in action. It's looking like we will make history tomorrow." Meanwhile prominent No campaigner Cora Sherlock expressed disappointment at the polls. "Exit polls, if accurate, paint a very sad state of affairs tonight," she tweeted late on Friday. "But those who voted No should take heart. Abortion on demand would deal Ireland a tragic blow but the pro-life movement will rise to any challenge it faces. Let's go into tomorrow with this in mind. #8thref" Thousands of Irish citizens living overseas travelled home in droves to exercise their democratic right on the emotive issue. The vote saw citizens effectively opt to either retain or repeal the Eighth Amendment of the state's constitution, which prohibits terminations unless a mother's life is in danger. The specific question people were asked was whether they wanted to see the Eighth Amendment replaced with wording in the constitution that would hand politicians the responsibility to set future laws on abortion, unhindered by constitutional strictures. If the Yes vote is confirmed, the Government intends to legislate by the end of the year to make it relatively easy for a woman to obtain the procedure in early pregnancy. Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Previous Next Close President Michael D Higgins and his wife Sabina cast their votes at the polling station in St Marys Hospital, Phoenix Park, Dublin (Niall Carson/PA) Sister Victor a Dominican nun casts her vote in the referendum on the 8th amendment of the Irish constitution at Drumcondra national school in Dublin. Picture credit; Damien Eagers Taoiseach Leo Varadkar casting his vote at Scoil Thomas, Castleknock, Dublin 15. Pic: Mark Condren A dog looks on as Minister for Health Simon Harris speaks to media briefly after voting at Delgany National School Polling Station. Pic: Steve Humphreys Minister for Health Simon Harris voting at Delgany National School Polling Station. Pic Steve Humphreys A mother holding her baby arrives to cast her vote in the referendum on the 8th amendment of the Irish constitution at St Josephs school on the Navan Road in Dublin. Picture credit; Damien Eagers Minister for Health Simon Harris voting at Delgany National School Polling Station.Pic Steve Humphreys Sinn Fein President, Mary Lou McDonald casts her vote in the referendum on the 8th amendment of the Irish constitution at St Josephs school on the Navan Road in Dublin. Picture credit; Damien Eagers Bronwen Connor, with help from her daughters, Eadaoin, 6, left and Eithne, 9 vote in the referendum on the 8th amendment of the Irish constitution at Drumcondra national school in Dublin. Picture credit; Damien Eagers Sister Victor a Dominican nun prepares to vote in the referendum on the 8th amendment of the Irish constitution at Drumcondra national school in Dublin. Picture credit; Damien Eagers A Vote is dropped in the ballot box in the referendum on the 8th amendment of the Irish constitution at St Mary's Hospital in the Phoenix Park. Picture credit; Damien Eagers 25/5/2018 / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp President Michael D Higgins and his wife Sabina cast their votes at the polling station in St Marys Hospital, Phoenix Park, Dublin (Niall Carson/PA) Ministers have promised to allow terminations within the first 12 weeks, subject to medical advice and a cooling-off period, and between 12 and 24 weeks in exceptional circumstances. Here are some of the trends that have appeared from polls carried out for the Irish Times and RTE: - Young versus old The polling data suggests a huge gulf in views held by Ireland's youngest and oldest generations. Both exit surveys recorded support for the Yes camp at approaching 90% among 18 to 24-year-olds. By contrast, the over-65 group was the only age bracket to vote No, with around 60% wanting to retain the Eighth Amendment. - Urban versus rural As predicted, urban areas appear to have been more strongly in favour of repeal, at just over 70%. But according to the polls, rural areas also voted Yes, with around 60 to 63% in favour. - Region by region In keeping with the urban/rural trend, Dublin had the highest Yes vote of around 78%. In Leinster, just under two-thirds of voters (66%) backed liberalisation, with a similar figure in Munster. In Connacht/Ulster, the figure was slightly lower at around 61%. More to follow Leo Varadkar during a commuter canvass in Dublin by Fine Gael members supporting repeal of the 8th Amendment (Brian Lawless/PA) AS the count gets underway at centres nationwide, Independent.ie take a look back at the key moments in the campaign. 1. 'Repeal and replace' Last December an all-party Oireachtas committee which examined abortion recommended the repeal of the Eighth Amendment of the constitution. The report - which also recommended a repeal and replace' approach - formed the basis for the Governments proposals for legislation in advance of a Yes vote. A provision to allow terminations up to 12 weeks was recommended by the committee, which was chaired by Fine Gael Senator Catherine Noone. That proposal - deemed by the committee as the best scenario to ensure the so-called hard cases of rape, incest and fatal fetal abnormality - would go on to become among the most contentious issues of the campaign. With the launch of the report the starting gun was fired and the Government began work on legislation which would allow the landmark legislation to take place. Expand Close Catherine Noone. Photo: Gareth Chaney Collins / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Catherine Noone. Photo: Gareth Chaney Collins 2. Fianna Fail leader Michael Martins u-turn after his 'long period of reflection' During a considered Dail speech in January Mr Martin set out his position on abortion - which was a significant distance from his long-held pro-life views. The Fianna Fail leader took to the floor and spoke about his own journey to supporting repeal which he said followed a "long period of reflection". He outlined plans to vote Yes and his support for a 12-week time limit. His speech came against a backdrop of the partys Ard Fheis earlier voting to retain the Eighth Amendment and a significant number of parliamentary party members opposing the abolition of the amendment. In the meantime the pro-life cohort of the party have made their stance known - with many taking part in Vote No photocalls. Expand Close Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin. Photo: Gerry Mooney / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin. Photo: Gerry Mooney 3. Leo Varadkar finally declaring his support for 'repeal' Later in January Taoiseach Leo Varadkar outlined his intent to campaign for the liberalisation of Irelands abortion laws. The Fine Gael leader had batted away months of questioning on the issue up to that point. He has since said he did not wish to state his views, and the fact that he supported abortion up to 12 weeks, as he did not wish to influence the outcome of the Oireachtas committee. His support for repeal and a change to Irelands abortion laws marked a significant turnaround for the Dublin west TD since his early career when he held a firm pro-life stance. Mr Varadkar said it was during his tenure as Minister for Health that he came to believe that the Constitution was not the place to deal with the issue of abortion. In the meantime Mr Varadkar has canvassed for a Yes vote in both his constituency and at Fine Gael events around the country. He opted not to take part in head-to-head televised debates ahead of the vote but has done a number of broadcast interviews on the issue. Expand Close Taoiseach Leo Varadkar / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Taoiseach Leo Varadkar 4. Is he, isn't he? Simon Coveneys back and forth Tanaiste Simon Coveneys initial reticence in backing the Taoiseachs stance on repeal and allowing unrestricted access to abortion up to 12 weeks opened him up to accusations of confusing the issue at a crucial time. Mr Coveney struggled with the idea of 12 weeks and the idea of unrestricted access to terminations but said he worked with his colleagues to ensure the draft legislation included as many safeguards as possible. Writing in the Irish Independent in March he clarified his position and said: "I believe if people vote Yes in this Referendum and allow the Government to legislate we will get that balance right and protect women in the appropriate way." Expand Close Tanaiste Simon Coveney. Photo: Niall Carson/PA Wire / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Tanaiste Simon Coveney. Photo: Niall Carson/PA Wire 5. 'That' studio debate on Claire Byrne Live The first televised head-to-head debate of the campaign saw three contributors on each side of the debate and a live studio audience. The debate, for numerous reasons, sparked a national conversation about the referendum that seemed to be more heightened than anything that had happened to date. Viewers of the debate seemed to largely agree that the 'No' side won the debate - led by The Iona Institutes Maria Steen. The clapping from audience members was something that also stirred up conversations - with many commenting that it was inappropriate given the topic up for discussion. In total 650,000 viewers tuned in at some point during the programme on Monday night and the programme received a number of complaints from viewers. Expand Close RTE star Claire Byrne hosted the programme which has drawn complaints. Photo: Fergal Phillips / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp RTE star Claire Byrne hosted the programme which has drawn complaints. Photo: Fergal Phillips 6. The 'Mexican stand-off' NO campaigners accused RTE of interfering in the referendum debate by attempting to "rig" Tuesday nights Prime Time debate in favour of the 'Yes' side. Independent.ie first revealed how a massive row erupted behind the scene when the No campaign said it wanted to replace Love Boths Cora Sherlock with Ms Steen. RTE refused the substitution on the grounds that the Iona Institute representative took part in the Claire Byrne Live debate the week before. A Mexican stand-off ensued as both sides refused to back down, with the programme instead hosting a one-a-side debate, both of whom were men. Save The 8th spokesperson John McGuirk claimed RTE was trying "to do to us in this referendum what they did to Sean Gallagher". RTE said it was "disappointed" Ms Sherlock didnt show up for the debate "despite confirming her participation last week". The broadcaster released figures showing that 738,000 viewers tuned into Prime Time at some stage. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar speaks at the launch of Fine Gaels Vote Yes campaign in Dublin. Photo: Fergal Phillips Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has reacted to the results of two exit polls ahead of the official referendum count, saying; "It's looking like we will make history." The Taoiseach tweeted a brief message after the results of both the Irish Times and RTE exit polls were revealed late on Friday night. According to the polls, Ireland voted overwhelmingly in favour of changing the constitution so that abortion can be legalised. The first poll, conducted for The Irish Times by Ipsos/MRBI, suggests that the margin of victory for the 'Yes' side will be 68pc to 32pc. Meanwhile, according to the RTE Behaviour and Attitudes poll, a total of 69.4pc of voters ticked the 'Yes' box. Polling stations closed at 10pm on Friday evening and a voter turnout of up to 70pc was recorded in some parts of the country. Writing online, Varadkar said expressed his thanks to those who voted; "Thank you to everyone who voted today. Democracy in action. Its looking like we will make history tomorrow...." Meanwhile, Health Minister Simon Harris said he will "sleep tonight in the hope of waking up to a country that is more compassionate, more caring and more respectful". He wrote online; "It has been an honour to be on this journey with you and to work #togetherforyes. See you all tomorrow!" A woman carries her baby as she arrives to vote as Ireland holds a referendum on liberalizing its law on abortion, in Dublin. REUTERS/Max Rossi Yes. It's a Yes. It is a Yes for Women. It is a Yes for better support in times of crisis. It is a Yes for better healthcare. It is a Yes for trusting in our judgment. The landslide vote in support of repealing the Eighth is so much more than that. Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Previous Next Close President Michael D Higgins and his wife Sabina cast their votes at the polling station in St Marys Hospital, Phoenix Park, Dublin (Niall Carson/PA) Sister Victor a Dominican nun casts her vote in the referendum on the 8th amendment of the Irish constitution at Drumcondra national school in Dublin. Picture credit; Damien Eagers Taoiseach Leo Varadkar casting his vote at Scoil Thomas, Castleknock, Dublin 15. Pic: Mark Condren A dog looks on as Minister for Health Simon Harris speaks to media briefly after voting at Delgany National School Polling Station. Pic: Steve Humphreys Minister for Health Simon Harris voting at Delgany National School Polling Station. Pic Steve Humphreys A mother holding her baby arrives to cast her vote in the referendum on the 8th amendment of the Irish constitution at St Josephs school on the Navan Road in Dublin. Picture credit; Damien Eagers Minister for Health Simon Harris voting at Delgany National School Polling Station.Pic Steve Humphreys Sinn Fein President, Mary Lou McDonald casts her vote in the referendum on the 8th amendment of the Irish constitution at St Josephs school on the Navan Road in Dublin. Picture credit; Damien Eagers Bronwen Connor, with help from her daughters, Eadaoin, 6, left and Eithne, 9 vote in the referendum on the 8th amendment of the Irish constitution at Drumcondra national school in Dublin. Picture credit; Damien Eagers Sister Victor a Dominican nun prepares to vote in the referendum on the 8th amendment of the Irish constitution at Drumcondra national school in Dublin. Picture credit; Damien Eagers A Vote is dropped in the ballot box in the referendum on the 8th amendment of the Irish constitution at St Mary's Hospital in the Phoenix Park. Picture credit; Damien Eagers 25/5/2018 / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp President Michael D Higgins and his wife Sabina cast their votes at the polling station in St Marys Hospital, Phoenix Park, Dublin (Niall Carson/PA) No more shall our country turn its back on the thousands of women who travel to another country for a termination. No more shall the parents of a child with a fatal foetal abnormality have to get the remains of their child couriered home from abroad. No more shall our country turn a blind eye to the women who take their lives into their own hands as they take abortion pills ordered online.. No more shall a woman fear going to a doctor for urgent medical assistance after such a procedure or taking of pills, feeling they have to lie out of fear they will get into trouble for breaking the law. No more - it is over, it is done, it has all changed. The Eighth is gone. The Irish electorate have delivered a resounding result - they want to embrace those of us that are in crisis. . It is optimistic at best that legislation for this will be passed by the end of the year, as proposed by Health Minister Simon Harris. We will probably witness filibustering in the Dail like never before. There will be more heated, passionate debate about the 12 weeks proposal. But the people have spoken - and more than two-thirds of the electorate have voted for change. And the elected members of Dail Eireann cannot subvert the democratic will of the people. This result will be unpalatable to so many people - but this is how democracy works. Overall the debate surrounding this referendum has been respectful - of course there have been some moments, most notably the 'Claire Byrne Live' debate and Senator Ronan Mullen's comments to a young woman on TV3's 'Pat Kenny Show'. Debate on this issue was always going to be robust and emotional. There is no common ground. Going forward, we need to put these differences behind us, focus on the best way forward for women and be respectful of the result delivered at the ballot box. And let's remember the other promises made by Simon Harris - a better schools sex education programme for our children, and better supports for those in crisis pregnancies. These cannot fall by the wayside. Many will feel (on both sides of the campaign) that today is not a day for feverish celebration - but we would do well to reflect upon where our country is now. It took 35 years and four referendums to get us to this point - let's be thankful that we have had activists such as Nell McCafferty to fight for women's rights for decades. A fight that wasn't always popular. The 68pc vote in favour of repeal does not mean 68pc of the Irish people favour abortions. They favour women getting treatment at home. They favour love, care and compassion to be shown to our mothers, our sisters, our daughters, our friends in a time of crisis. It's a Ta For Mna - and everything has changed. All for the better. The polling booths are closed. Boxes sealed. But Article 40.3.3 rows will endure for many more years - irrespective of the result. Like the Brexit vote campaigning in Britain, what the result's consequences mean will continue to dominate our politics - either with attempts to rerun the vote if defeated or stymie liberal legalised abortion regime if passed. The debate this time was more informed, reasoned, and civilised than in 1983. Then it became a proxy vote on loyalty to the Catholic Church. If you adhered to that institution, had that faith, you blindly supported the religious rationale that Ireland should be a bastion against global liberalism that legalised abortion by pre-empting legislative change through permanent constitutional prohibition. Irish society has transformed, modernised, and pluralised in the intervening 35 years. Awareness of the outside world is much less ignorant. The original, absolutist blanket ban on Irish women procuring abortions has been significantly diluted. Subsequent referendums and legislation, in 1992 and 1995, freely facilitate pregnant women obtaining terminations abroad. Protection of Life During Pregnancy Act (2013) provided for legalising abortions here where there was a real/substantial risk to the life of the mother. Read More Yesterday's choice was whether to retain the status quo by continuing with British or internet solutions to terminate unwanted Irish crisis pregnancies or legalise a regime within the State. Key arguments ran on parallel tracks - rights of women to take control of childbirth versus the human rights of unborn babies to life. A head versus heart confrontation. The logic of trusting clinicians to safeguard expectant mothers' health risks; terminating unviable babies, not carried to full term; preventing babies from being born from incidents of rape and incest. Set against: the emotion of saving human life of an unborn child after conception by graphically revealing gestational milestones, even within the first trimester, of developing organs, features and functions. "Care and Compassion" versus "Love Both" are slick slogans, with significant fine print of terms and conditions. I even-handedly, respectfully moderated broadcast debates on radio and television. Passionate commitment on both sides was sincerely motivated to respectively liberate women or save lives. Arguments were better absorbed by legal and medical points rather than personalised abuse. Retain campaigners performed more effectively than repealers. They acknowledged those that can afford terminations can readily and legally do so by clicking on the internet or making an appointment at a UK clinic. They honed their arguments to say that Irish restrictions lead women to reflect longer before individually deciding to terminate - hence saving a total 100,000 lives over four decades, if nominally comparing international abortion rates relative to Irish statistics. They painted screening scenarios of abortion selection for parents on grounds of detectable non-fatal disability, resulting in abortion where there is a diagnosis of Down syndrome or cleft palate. They argued victimising the unborn baby in cases of rape is unfair. They blurred fatal foetal abnormality foreign horrors by outlining hospice care here and disputing certainty of diagnoses. These contentions succeeded in closing the gap from a perennial polling Yes majority of almost 2:1 towards a single digit percentage margin between both sides. The likelihood of older rural conservatives having cast their vote over younger urbanised millennials on a sunny Friday evening puts prospects as unpredictable. Default positions of the Irish electorate on referendums tends to be negative. If in doubt, confused; vote No. Notionally large majorities in favour of abolishing the Seanad and giving Oireachtas committees more powers to investigate serious scandals evaporated. Despite political establishment advocacy, voters were spooked at the last minute and retained the status quo. A cocktail of confusion and vested interests procured ill-considered results. I'm not an advocate for either side and never sought to influence the outcome. But, being an opinion columnist compels me to clarify that I voted Yes, while respecting a No result. My top reason was because I believe in the primacy of parliament. Despite constantly railing against politicians and body politic, ongoing legislative amendment is the optimal way to govern our daily lives. Constitutional provisions can't cope with complexities of clinical protocols, harrowing human circumstances. Binary choices are blunt instruments for complex cases that aren't black and white. The US constitution, as far back as 1791, gave citizens under the Second Amendment the right to "keep and bear arms". That might have been justifiable for an uncivilised era, but prevents today's generation of legislators from introducing sensible gun-control laws. On the central question of "trusting the politicians", I believe the answer always has to be Yes. They can be fired. They're ultimately democratically accountable to the people. The likelihood is that we'll have a series of health ministers, governments and Dails that'll deliberate and fine tune the healthcare regime if terminations may be legalised here. I was persuaded by the arguments, testimony and expertise advanced and deliberated upon at the Citizens' Assembly and special Oireachtas committee hearings. All other EU states faced the same human dilemma of crisis pregnancies. The international norm across Europe is to facilitate legalised terminations during the first trimester. This varies between mostly 10/12 weeks; exceptionally up to 22 weeks in the Netherlands and 24 weeks in Britain. Only Malta and Poland are outliers. Ireland uniquely bans terminations. The Oireachtas game changer has been internet access of abortifacient pills for 90 on demand. These postal deliveries provide desired outcomes for women who either don't want to have parental responsibility for a baby at that time in their life or in those conception circumstances. However it's dangerous, leading to serious secretive health complications of haemorrhage bleeding and infections. Legalising represents safer woman's healthcare. Trusting vulnerable Irish women seems a civilised reasonable proposition rather than adding to their isolation, alienation and stigmatisation. My abiding enduring compass on public social policy issues is to place the axis on what outcome makes Ireland a more modern, pluralist, inclusive society. Yes ticked that box yesterday. Repeal supporters at Dublin's RDS wait for the start of the count in the referendum on the 8th Amendment of the Irish Constitution which prohibits abortions unless a mother's life is in danger: Brian Lawless/PA Wire IRELAND is on the verge of repealing the Eighth Amendment but the country is still some distance from the point where abortion up to 12 weeks into a pregnancy is actually legal. Even though President Michael D Higgins will be able to sign the relevant order to repeal the Eighth Amendment in the coming days, the Dail has to pass the much-talked about abortion legislation. Health Minister Simon Harris has already produced the General Scheme of the Bill but No campaigners have indicated this morning that they intend to carefully scrutinise every word of the legislation. The Government plans to introduce the legislation before July and have a target of getting it passed by the end of the year. However, some opposing politicians have already indicated they will attempt to delay its progression through the Dail and Seanad. Until then the existing Protection of Life During Pregnancy Act will continue to be the law of the land. How Did Your Constituency Vote? Final Results Ireland Dublin Map Key Yes 55% 50% 55% No So have we voted for abortion on demand? The Health Minister argued during the campaign that the legislation will allow safe, regulated and medically supervised termination of pregnancy. * Termination will be available where a GP has certified that the pregnancy has not exceeded 12 weeks; that is 10 weeks after conception. A woman will not have to give a reason for why she wants an abortion at this stage. * A period of 72 hours will have to elapse between the certification and the termination being carried out. This is to allow for a woman to make a considered decision after discussing all the options with her doctor. It would also allow a doctor to refer the woman for a scan if it is clinically determined to be necessary. * It is envisaged that the medical practitioner would provide any follow up care that is required. What happens after 12 weeks? * The Government's proposed legislation will permit termination of pregnancy in cases where there is a risk to the life, or of serious harm to the health of, the pregnant woman, without a distinction between risk from physical or mental health. Such serious harm must go well beyond the expected and common complications of pregnancy, and other common chronic conditions that may be exacerbated by pregnancy. * Two medical practitioners will have to certify that in their reasonable opinion (a) there is a risk to the life or of serious harm to the health of the pregnant woman, (b) the foetus has not reached viability and (c) the termination of pregnancy is appropriate to avert the risk. One of the medical practitioners would have to be obstetrician and the other a medical practitioner appropriate to the clinical circumstances of the case. The procedure would have to be carried out by an obstetrician. * Once foetus reaches viability there will be an onus on doctors to deliver the baby. The definition of viability proposed is the point in a pregnancy at which, in the reasonable opinion of a medical practitioner, the foetus is capable of sustained survival outside the uterus. *Simon Harris has said the requirement to certify that the foetus has not reached viability is an effective ban on later term abortions. If viability is established and the pregnancy is ended on health grounds then it will be done through early delivery, with a full medical team on hand. What about emergencies? * The Government's proposed legislation also makes provision for access to termination of pregnancy on an emergency basis, in line with the process in the existing Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill. That will cover situations in which the risk to the life or of serious harm to the health of the pregnant woman is immediate. What about fatal foetal abnormalities? * The legislation proposes to permit termination of pregnancy on the grounds of a condition which is likely to lead to the death of the foetus before or shortly after birth. In these cases, two appropriate medical practitioners will be involved in the assessment. Will abortion be free? It is envisaged abortion will be made available in the public health service. This will mean that women will still have to pay in order to visit a doctor, or a clinic, outside the public hospital setting, unless they have a medical card. They will also have to pay for medical abortion pills unless they have a medical card. It is envisaged that women getting later abortions, due to health problems or because they are carrying babies with fatal foetal abnormalities, will already be in receipt of care from our public maternity services and so will be able to access public hospitals. Niamh Gavin casts her vote in Athlone as she holds her daughter Fiadh (five months). Picture: Getty For a moment in the sanctity of the polling booth we were all equal. Every man and woman was given one piece of paper and directed towards a little box with the once mocked but now much cherished pencil. It didn't matter whether you were rich or poor, young or old, rural or urban. Your decision was as valuable as anybody else's. And it turned out that we had more in common than we realised. The debate over recent weeks has at times been hostile, plagued by half-truths and on occasion downright lies. But it was educational too. As a nation we discussed sex. We talked about right and wrong. We reflected on how we have treated women. And we looked at the society we want for the next generation. Abortion is a topic that Ireland has always struggled with long before the Eighth Amendment was introduced in 1983. Depending on your viewpoint it is something to be abhorred, the lesser of two evils, or a fundamental human right. But what's clear now is that above all it is reality. People accepted that an Irish solution to an Irish problem was no longer enough. Exporting our troubled and heartbroken women is not the way of 'modern Ireland'. As 'Time' magazine suggested in recent days: "The debate is no longer framed in terms of black-and-white morality, and has instead been pushed into the realm of human rights, healthcare and the tangible effects of the law." How Did Your Constituency Vote? Final Results Ireland Dublin Map Key Yes 55% 50% 55% No Think back over all the arguments, the TV meltdowns, newspaper columns and political journeys we've witnessed since the Citizens' Assembly reported in June 2017. And when we finally found ourselves with a pencil and a piece of paper, we were asked a question that in no way reflected the debates we've heard over the past months and years. Did you even read it? It queried whether you wanted to change the Constitution to reflect the "Thirty-sixth Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2018". But people knew what it meant - because, for all our flaws, Irish people know how to handle referendums. Once in that little cubicle it was time to push aside the views of the 'experts', the journalists and the politicians. We all had an equal say in how we shape our society. And what the people said will have stunned all the 'experts', the journalists and the politicians. Exit polls suggest 69.4pc now accept that abortion should be legislated for. One of the biggest stories emerging from referendum day is the enormous numbers of young people who wanted a say in shaping their country. A massive 87pc of those aged 18-24 voted for repeal. More than 118,000 got their names added to the Register of Electors in the weeks leading up to polling. In the era of Trump and Brexit, it gives hope that the future of Ireland is in good hands. But they were not alone. The thousands who flew 'Home To Vote' were joined by older family members who might once have considered themselves part of 'Catholic Ireland'. All the signals were that more than 60pc of voters - around two million people - made their way to the ballot box. An RTE poll in conjunction with Behaviour & Attitudes asked 3,800 people how they voted as they left polling stations. They found that 79pc of voters in Dublin backed repeal. The majority was smaller in rural Ireland - but still much larger than even the most optimistic Yes campaigners would have predicted. Overall, the exit poll found that 63.3pc of rural dwellers trust our TDs and senators to resolve a problem that has plagued this country for decades. In Leinster, excluding Dublin, the expected result is in the region of 67.2pc Yes compared to 32.8pc No. Munster will bring in a similar result. And Connacht-Ulster, which is always regarded as the most socially conservative part of the country, voted in favour of the constitutional change by 62pc to 38pc. Women are thought to have voted in favour of change by a margin of 72.1pc to 27.9pc. And men were not far behind, with 66pc believed to say Yes. As the figures emerged, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar tweeted: "Thank you to everyone who voted today. Democracy in action. It's looking like we will make history tomorrow..." The implications of the vote will be far-reaching, both politically and socially. This was, after all, touted as a "once-in-a-generation" opportunity. But of course, we can't forget that nearly one in three people voted No. This is a historic day - but it is not a day for triumphalism. If we learned one thing during the campaign, it is that every abortion is a hard case and a private tragedy for a family. For three years Roscommon has taken a good deal of flack. In 2015, Roscommon-South Leitrim gained notoriety when it became the only constituency to vote No in the same-sex marriage referendum. This led some to write it off as Ireland's ultimate rural, Catholic backwater. Some of this is founded - it is a religious county, and it does have the highest density of over 65s in the country as younger generations have flocked to cities for third-level education and secure jobs. This doesn't mean, however, the county is backward looking. Or, as Roscommon for Yes campaigners have argued, that a No Vote on the Eighth Amendment is a given. School teacher Natalie Barrow (27) is quick to point out it was never the county of Roscommon that voted against same-sex marriage in 2015. It was the Roscommon-South Leitrim constituency. A constituency that has since been replaced by Roscommon-Galway. "We have been portrayed very unfairly," Natalie said. "There were other counties who did vote a majority against but the border of a neighbouring county pulled them over. "We have been the butt of jokes for three years." Natalie sits in her family kitchen in Strokestown along with her sister Triona, her mother Georgina and her grandmother Teresa. They are three generations of Yes voters, and have been canvassing for votes since April. "We have become comrades in arms," Natalie said. "Not just mothers and daughters. It was a once-in-a-generational vote - we just couldn't sit by and do nothing." On the wooden table badges with Ta and Repeal lay scattered. Youngest daughter Triona, who studies and works in Dublin, travelled home to vote on Thursday night. Triona, who identifies as bisexual, hopes people in the county will find the issue of women's health more relatable than same-sex marriage. "I think people could distance themselves from the marriage referendum by saying 'I don't know anyone who is gay. This doesn't affect me'. "But everyone knows a woman," she explained. "This time I think it's more personal." The family say the people they have encountered on door steps have been overwhelmingly positive. "Many, from men in their 70s and 80s, who are so pro-repeal," Natalie said. "They are asking us for stickers for their cars." But old habits can die hard. Along with Mayo, Roscommon had the highest proportion of Yes votes backing the introduction of the Eighth Amendment in 1983 with 83.8pc casting a ballot in favour. In the town, some seem happy to keep things as they stand. Dennis Caulfield (76), a fruit and vegetable seller from Athlone, was going to head to the polling station in the late afternoon. "And I'll be voting No," he said. "There's too much hype for the Yes. If abortion comes in a lot of people will be going for it." It's a concern other voters who wish to remain anonymous share. "There will be no end to it," one young mother muttered while cradling a child. "People will be getting it done without a second thought." Bernadette Brudell said she was voting No because new legislation would allow "young girls in distress to make a momentary decision that they will surely live to regret". Opinions are strong whichever way you cut it. In some families the intensity of debate has led to division and fall out. I find Bridget Brannigan (21) on a street corner holding a placard advising No voters to 'feck off'. "My mother and my family disagrees with me and I've lost a good few friends but I had to stand up for it," she said as a passing lorry honked it's horn in support. Strokestown resident Caroline Greene (64) described herself as "an enthusiastic Yes voter" as she made her way from the local butchers to her car. "This was not a hard decision for me because it is a basic healthcare issue - no more and no less," she said. But for others the issue was more complicated. Joan Harkness (45) and her husband Howard both voted No. "We don't have the right to say who lives or dies," she said. "I have looked up abortions on the internet and it is the stuff of nightmares. "The one place a baby deserves to be protected is in the womb - if we don't have that than what do we have." Most anti-repeal politicians who have spoken despairingly about 'hard cases' have also been eager to shirk and shy away from circumstances of rape and incest. "You would feel compassion for those people," Joan said. "But I believe that rape is an act of violence, if a woman gets an abortion that too is an act of violence against a baby." It's a close call - with all sides passionately caught up. "Whatever the outcome," Natalie Barrow said before casting her Yes. "The people of Roscommon have really thought about this. "These are considered votes, I hope they are compassionate ones too." A FORMER employee has been charged with the theft of more than 400,000 from an Irish credit union. Moira Coughlan appeared before Fermoy District Court in respect of 592 charges in respect of Synergy/Fermoy Credit Union in North Cork. Judge Brian Sheridan was told that the defendant made no reply to Detective Garda James O'Shea when the charges were formally put to her at Fermoy Garda Station. Inspector Tony O'Sullivan said that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had ruled that the matter be dealt with on indictment by judge and jury before Cork Circuit Criminal Court. He told the court that the defendant has indicated she will go forward to the Circuit Court on a signed plea of guilty to all 592 charges. The 592 charges involve a total amount of 407,441.94. Defence counsel, Joe Cuddigan, confirmed that his client would be signing guilty pleas to all charges. He pointed out that his client is currently awaiting surgery on her shoulder and has nerve problems with her hand. In light of that, he asked that she be allowed to sign by marking her initials on the 500 plus charge sheets rather than having to sign each one individually. The judge allowed her to do so. Such were the number of charges sheets that a room was provided beside the courtroom for the defendant to sign the pleas while attended by Det Garda O'Shea. The judge granted a State application for the defendant to be remanded on continuing bail to appear before the next sessions of Cork Circuit Criminal Court which commence on June 6 next. Judge Sheridan said that the issue of legal aid would have to be resolved by the Circuit Court. Mr Cuddigan had submitted a sworn affidavit in support of a legal aid application to both the court and the Gardai. The defendant of The Stables, Mineville, Knocknahorgan, Sallybrook, Glanmire, Co Cork did not speak during the brief court hearing - she simply stood in court to identify herself to Judge Sheridan. She faces a total of 592 charges with the counts involving various dates from 2009 to 2015. All involve funds from Synergy/Fermoy Credit Union where the defendant used to work. The counts include 251 charges of theft contrary to Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Theft and Fraud Offences Act, 2001. The counts include 300 charges of the unlawful use of a computer contrary to Section 9 of the same Act. There are a further 41 counts of false accounting contrary to Section 10 of the Act Progress has been made in actions brought by three women affected by the CervicalCheck controversy, including Kerry woman Emma Mhic Mhathuna, the High Court has heard. Their cases all arise out of the alleged misreading of cervical tests and involve patients who are terminally ill. They are all seeking early trial dates in their proceedings against parties including the HSE. As part of their actions lawyers representing the three women, two of whom cannot be named for legal reasons, went before the High Court on Thursday seeking the production of documentation and cervical smear slides which they say they urgently require as part of their claims. The women sought the production of cervical smear slides taken from them so that appropriate pathologists and clinicians could study and report on them. The case was adjourned by Mr Justice Michael McGrath, then yesterday morning when the application returned before the court Patrick Treacy SC, instructed by solicitor Cian O'Carroll, for the three women, said progress had been made in each of the three cases. Counsel said that the slides, including ones which are in the US, are to be transferred today to their representatives. Counsel said all three cases could be adjourned until next Wednesday's sitting of the High Court when other matters arising out of the case are due to be raised. Mr Justice McGrath welcomed the fact progress had been made overnight and agreed to put the matter back to Wednesday. On Thursday Mr Treacy told the court that his clients needed the slides straight away. He said negotiations with regards the putting in place of a protocol for the handing over of slides by Medlab Pathology Limited Ireland and a New Jersey laboratory, Quest, had led to the loss of a vital six days in dealing with the legal proceedings. Lawyers for Medlab, and for Quest, told the court their clients were prepared to immediately hand over slides subject to directions of the HSE and the protocol agreed between the HSE and the plaintiffs. A warm but cloudy weekend is on the way, according to Met Eireann Photo Gareth Chaney Collins IRELAND is set for a hot and humid weekend, with temperatures in the low 20s in many areas but thunder and heavy rain also on the horizon for some. There will a lot of cloud today, but some hazy sunshine also, according to Met Eireann. On Saturday, the Met Eireann forecaster said: There will be a few showers at first up along the Atlantic coasts. It will be hazy and humid for the majority of the day, although some showers off the Irish Sea again through the evening with the potential to turn thundery. Saturday temperatures will be best in the west with highs reaching between 17 and 22 degrees, although there is potential for spot flooding in the evening. Mist and fog is predicted to set in locally with temperatures dropping to around 13 degrees. Sunday forecasts predict more warm and humid weather with highs ranging between 18 and 23 degrees, warmest in the central and northern counties. There will be some scattered showers early on, but spells of sunshine should break through during the day, said the Met Eireann forecaster. Thundery showers may return across eastern counties during the evening though. Met Eireann predicts warm temperatures in the low to mid-twenties paired with off and on thundery showers will continue into Monday and Tuesday, and carry on into the rest of next week. While many will be using this weekends soaring temperatures to bask in the sun and enjoy the outdoors, the Department of Agriculture has warned forest owners, farmers and rural dwellers to be extremely vigilant in relation to fire activity. A status orange high fire risk has been put in place until May 30. The department said in a statement: An increased ignition risk is associated with increased human activity in high risk areas owing to fine weather, particularly areas associated with turf cutting activities and areas adjacent to urban centres. Recently increased live growth in upland vegetation, low to moderate wind speed and localised high humidity may moderate fire behaviour where conditions permit. Danillo Valdez, father of murder victim Jastine Valdez, leaves Thomas Murphy & Sons Funeral Home in Bray where she is reposing. Photo: Colin Keegan The best friend of tragic Jastine Valdez has described the young woman as like a sister to her, in an emotional tribute. Jill Ordonez told the Irish Independent that she had known Jastine (24) for 12 years and said shell always have great memories of her good friend. Ms Ordonez who lives in the Philippines said I love her so much when speaking about Jastine, who was murdered last weekend. The two friends had been inseparable back in the Philippines, before Jastine moved to Ireland around three years ago. This is hard for me since Jastine is not just a best friend to me but a sister. I just want to thank her for the 12 years of laughter, sisterly love and true friendship. Im sorry for not being there when this painful tragedy happened to her, I wasnt able to help her. Jastines home town of Aritao in the Philippines has been rocked by the news of her murder. After the reposal of Jastines remains in Bray, Co Wicklow, it is expected that a repatriation process will begin at the start of next week, as she returns to the Philippines to be laid to rest in the company of her friends and family. Almost 130,000 has been raised in order to support her family on a GoFundMe page over the past five days. Meanwhile, the circumstances of killer Mark Hennessys death are being investigated. The Garda Siochana Ombudsman Commission has appointed a Cork-based team of investigators to look into the circumstances of Hennessys death. As both Hennessy and his victim Ms Valdez are dead there will be no criminal inquiry. Instead, the Garda investigation will inform the inquests. Tourists and locals were greeted by the faces of Michael D Higgins and Father Ted character Mrs Doyle (Photo: Instagram/SubsetDublin) Last month, the face of the president of Ireland painted in shades of grey appeared on a shop-front in Dublin. In the popular area of Temple Bar, tourists and locals were greeted by the faces of Michael D Higgins and Father Ted character Mrs Doyle. But after a mere few weeks, both murals were removed by Dublin City Council. The paintings were covered with grey paint last week. These pieces of street art were created by SUBSET, a collective made up of some of Ireland's most-talented street artists. They began the 'grey area project' this year to tackle the council's reaction to public art forms. The project was inspired by the cover up the painting of rapper Stormzy last year. As part of the 'grey area project', SUBSET brought Mr Higgins and Mrs Doyle to the front of a designer consignment store on Cecelia Street, Siopaella. Taking to Instagram, CEO of Siopaella Ella de Guzman said it was with "sadness and frustration" that the street art outside their shop walls was removed. "We received a letter from Dublin City Council that stated: 'it is alleged that a mural and awnings have been provided on the above premises without the relevant grant of planning permission' and that 'a person who is guilty of an offence under section 151 and or 154 shall be liable to a fine or term of imprisonment or both'. "Basically, the planning laws in Ireland make it incredibly difficult for artists and small businesses alike and this is just an example of how these laws ruined what was both a great tourist draw in Dublins Temple Bar, and a deterrent for unwanted vomiting, defecating, urination, and illegal graffiti work." According to de Guzman, before the murals were installed, their shop front was home to many unwanted behaviour on a regular basis. "It was only when SUBSET installed art work that the other issues we had nearly disappeared and were greatly minimised. Yes, can you believe that by having our Presidents portrait deterred people from using our wall as a toilet? We couldnt either! "No doubt we will again need to deal with the inherent problems any small business owner in Temple Bar faces as our walls again will attract illegal unwanted activity instead of being respected - this is precisely the goodness that SUBSET created. "Respect. Beautiful artwork creates respect - that is what we learned in this short month." According to SUBSET, the murals were removed due to "unauthorised development". "It is nothing new to us that it was removed, no surprise there," a spokesperson told Independent.ie. The laws around what differentiates street art from graffiti remain blurred. When asked which walls are allowed to be painted on, a spokesperson for DCC said that "murals on a building constitute development and as such require planning permission through the usual planning application process". The first removal of one of SUBSET's 'grey area project' pieces has received backlash from the public online. When another SUBSET painting of The Rubberbandits' Blindboy Boatclub was removed in March, he described the removal as "fierce disappointing". Labour councillor Rebecca Moynihan is among a group of Dublin councillors advocating for change on the Dublin street art scene. "I've been working on this with the arts committee in Dublin City Council, and I'd like to see where we develop a set of guidelines and consult with the artist community about street art and street murals," she told Independent.ie. "I think it brings huge vibrancy to the public realm within Dublin city and I think it's something that people admire in other cities." For SUBSET, this isnt the end for the 'grey area project' in a bid to make Dublin more colourful. "Our reaction to this removal? On to the next one." Fine Gael TDs have been briefed on how to retaliate to suggestions the party is cosying up to Sinn Fein ahead of the next general election. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has had to dismiss the idea on a number of occasions in recent days after the parties did a deal on new legislation relating to the vetting of judges. The move has led to deep discomfort within the party, mainly due to Sinn Fein's track record for criticising the judiciary. Just this week the party's chief whip said some judges in the Special Criminal Court had shown an "anti-Republican bias". The Irish Independent understands Fine Gael TDs have been advised to totally rule out the possibility of an ongoing political arrangement with Sinn Fein. They have been told that the current situation is making news because it's so rare for Sinn Fein to back the Government. Sources noted that there have been 55 Dail votes since the start of the year. On 22 occasions Fianna Fail and Sinn Fein have voted together, compared with just 10 times when Fine Gael has been backed by Mary Lou McDonald. Seven of those votes have been in the past week when Sinn Fein supported the Judicial Appointments Bill. Its safe passage through the Dail is a red-line issue for Transport Minister Shane Ross if he is to stay in Government. In return for its backing, Sinn Fein has received the assurance of Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan that he will bring forward sentencing guidelines for judges in the near future. Ireland's leading Catholic prelate has expressed frustration that priests increasingly face derision when they preach about the family - and are dismissed as "grey-haired celibate males who don't know what they are talking about". Archbishop Eamon Martin told the Irish Independent priests were finding if they stray into a matter concerning the family, or marriage difficulties, they were liable to get a reaction of "what would you know?" Defending priests' contribution, he said "a good priest is a listening priest". He admitted that "when it comes to family, we are cautious about telling families how to live their lives". But Dr Martin said people open up to him about their marital and family difficulties "not for the parenting advice I can offer; they turn to me for spiritual advice and solidarity". Speaking after he addressed an ecumenical gathering on the family at Clonliffe College in Dublin along with the Church of Ireland Archbishop of Dublin Dr Michael Jackson, he welcomed the news that Pope Francis will grant a plenary indulgence to those who participate in World Meeting of Families events in Dublin in August. According to the Catholic Church, a plenary indulgence can reduce the amount of punishment a person is due for their sins. The selling of indulgences was one of the major factors in the Reformation. Acknowledging that "a plenary indulgence is very much a Catholic spiritual devotion" that goes back centuries, the Archbishop said it reminded people that the World Meeting of Families is "a moment for personal conversation - to go to confession, to receive Holy Communion, to pray for the intentions of Pope Francis and to empty hearts of selfishness". "It gives me an opportunity to explain to people that they can participate in the World Meeting of the Families and be united with the wonderful blanket of prayer that will surround the World Meeting of Families," said Dr Martin. He urged people not to look for the plenary indulgence for personal benefit but for the "benefit of a relative or a friend who has gone to their rest who may be in need of God's mercy". He also expressed delight the World Meeting of Family organisers are planning a 'Pray-a-Thon', an initiative aimed at getting people to pray within the family home. The 'Pray-a-Thon' will bring people from all over the world together in prayer, "imploring God's mercy on those who may be in need of forgiveness". One-in-three renters is being evicted from their homes because the landlord is selling the property. National housing charity Threshold has called for domestic tenants to be given the same rights as those in commercial buildings, where they are allowed to remain living in the property until the sale has been completed. Chief executive John-Mark McCafferty said that some landlords are "abusing the legislation" to hike up their rental yields by using a "fake sale", falsely claiming they needed the property for a family member, or falsely saying they were planning to carry out substantial renovation. "Even though this behaviour is illegal under the Residential Tenancies Act, we regularly receive complaints from tenants who have been told to leave their homes on these grounds, only for the property to be then re-advertised at a higher rate of rent," he said. He added that where a property was being sold as a buy-to-let, existing tenants should be allowed to remain in their homes, and their tenancy transferred to the new owner who would become their landlord. The call comes as figures for the first three months of the year show the charity's housing advisers helped 3,640 clients facing "tenancy insecurity", handling more than 19,000 calls. The top three reasons for terminations by a landlord were the property was being sold (36pc), the landlord or a family member was moving in (16pc) or the house or apartment was undergoing renovation (10pc). Just by clever design, being a little bit clever about how you use a space, you can get a lot of functionality in. David Farrell from Michael Farrell Kitchen and Furniture Design is exhibiting for the third year at house2018. This year he visited Europes major kitchen trade show EuroCucina 2018 in Milan to research the biggest trends in kitchen design around the world. Inside the RDS, David and his team have constructed a striking classical, green hand-painted kitchen with an old English-style pantry thats catching the eye of many visitors. The pantry is a big trend. Its a harp back to older houses where they had a separate walk-in pantry, the Georgian houses and so on its more and more important we feel in modern houses because kitchens are getting so pared back that things like toasters and kettles and breadbins, they have to be catered for somewhere in a kitchen. So by having them in a pantry, it leaves you that room that you can leave all of that stuff and then have your very stylish kitchen that youre living in. By having that pantry system, you can have that back kitchen area but it mightnt necessarily be a pantry. It could be foldaway doors. Farrell is meeting potential customers all weekend, along with other kitchen companies like Kube Kitchens, Konstruct kitchens, Patterson kitchens, and the Victorian kitchen company. Rhatigan and Hick, a bespoke kitchen maker in Aughrim, Co Wicklow, featured a pantry with foldaway doors in their kitchen at house2018. The trend, kitchen makers agree, has moved in recent years towards functionality rather than size. Its about making the kitchen easy to use. Its not about making it bigger, explains David. Weve all drawer systems at lower area. Weve dovetailed drawers in this particular kitchen, so theyre all hand made into the space. Very functional drawers with internal drawers. Beside our range system here, we have a large pantry system with pull-out drawers. This is probably our most classic style kitchen that weve done but it is also contemporary in terms of the finishes and sharp lines. house 2018, Ireland's only trend-led and style-focused interiors event, is taking place in Dublin's RDS, this weekend from May 25-27, showcasing world-class design and the cream of Irish interiors talent. Buy your tickets now at house-event.ie/tickets. Under-12s go free Road trip! But are you getting the best value on your car rental? Photo: Deposit Preparation before you go on holidays can save you a lot on car hire insurance Over 40pc of people who have rented a car abroad have felt ripped off by the car hire company. That's according to research by Irish insurance provider, CarHireExcess.com, which also found that more than one in four of us (25.3pc) plan to rent a car on our main holiday this year. As crunch time for peak season car hire approaches, Ciaran Mulligan, Managing Director of Blue Insurance and CarHireExcess.com, shares his top ten tips for avoiding car hire rip-offs. 1. Know your car hire company Expand Close Road trip! But are you getting the best value on your car rental? Photo: Deposit / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Road trip! But are you getting the best value on your car rental? Photo: Deposit A quick online search will tell you if the car hire company you are thinking of choosing has long queues at collection, is known for renting out poor quality vehicles, or takes ages at drop off when you have a flight to catch. Check whether you need to allow extra time. 2. Cover the excess before you travel Most car rental companies make you liable for the first portion of the repair or replacement costs to your car rental if you have an accident - this portion is known as the Excess, and it can cost anything up to 2,000, even for a small scratch on your rental car. Dont wait until you arrive at the car hire desk abroad to cover theeExcess. You will get ripped off! Rental companies will try to charge you up to 25 a day, but you can buy car hire excess insurance policies from as little as 2.99 a day before you fly. 3. What if the car hire company refuses my excess policy? It is a sales tactic of some car hire companies to try to force you to take out their excess policy by saying your Car Hire Excess policy is not valid or will not cover things like Undercarriage or Loss of use. This is incorrect. Tell the car hire company you have your own policy and they will then take pre-authorisation of your card. If they make a claim on your card, submit it to your insurance company - e.g. CarHireExcess.com - and they will reimburse you. If the car hire company refuse your excess waiver policy, do not accept this and ask for management. 4. Check the car before you leave Expand Close On the road - car hire tips / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp On the road - car hire tips When you pick up the car, have a good look round and make sure you get an employee of the rental company to confirm, in writing, any damage which may have been on the car before you drive it. Test functions such as reclining roofs. This especially applies at night; make sure you fully check the car including the roof with a rep and always take photos of the car, including any damage, before you leave the rental company. Read More 5. Always check the fuel policy Some car hire companies give you a full tank of petrol and want it returned full; others give you a full tank without the requirement to refill on return. Car hire companies can charge up to three times the cost of petrol to refill if you do not comply with their fuel policy on return. 6. Do a full check of the car before you return it Be sure to complete a full inspection of the vehicle (including the roof and bumpers) with a staff member of the rental company when you return the car, so as to agree any charges with the car hire company before you return home. Take photos of the car, including any damage caused during your rental, for reference. 7. Check Sat Nav and car seat charges Expand Close Preparation before you go on holidays can save you a lot on car hire insurance / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Preparation before you go on holidays can save you a lot on car hire insurance Most car hire companies offer navigation systems as an extra charge - however a significant number of cars already have this feature built in. Check if the car already has this installed before paying the extra. You can also save money by using your own car seat or booster - check out bubblebum.co/ie for one good travel solution. Promoted: See the latest Europcar offers and deals on Independent Discounts 8. Do you need supplemental liability insurance? If your trip takes you through the USA, Canada, Caribbean or south Central America you may need to add this cover, as some countries (or states in the USA) only require a minimum level of liability from the car hire company. Our supplemental liability insurance (SLI), for example, covers you up to the amounts stated in the policy against costs which you become legally liable to pay in respect of bodily injury and damage to material property as a result of an accident whilst using the rental vehicle. Cover ranges from 7.99 per day or 65 on an annual policy. Read More 9. Check the rules of the road! You should always familiarise yourself with the rules of the road of the countries you intend on driving in. Make sure you are familiar with the side of the road they drive on and how road layouts differ to your home country. Forewarned is forearmed! 10. Compare your quotes based on the final hire cost Online lead-in offers can look very enticing - but they are just starting prices. Additional drivers, collision damage waivers, excess charges, airport pick-ups, children's car seats, Sat Navs and the like can all come as extra charges. Every customer is different, and there are many types of holiday, so be sure to factor in additional services and compare like with like for your needs. Read more: On Saturday night I headed for the Greenore Bar where the presentation night for the Cross Cooley Challenge was taking place. The night was organised to present cheques to both North Louth Hospice and Maria Goretti Children's Respite Centre from the 6th annual walk organised by Errol and Ciara Boyle from Greenwood Drive, Seamus Gormley from Lower Point Road, Brian Watters from Riverside Drive and Fergus McArdle from Shore Road. A staggering 453 people took part in the walk between the Lumpers and Carlingford a distance of 15.2 km on April 21st and by all accounts it turned out to be a beautiful day (probably the only one that month). The entire walk raised a staggering 38,068 which was divided equally between the two groups. I was only in the door when I met up with Errol who wanted to thank everyone for their participation on the walk and everyone for donating. He also wanted a big shout out for Leeds United's biggest fan Fergus McArdle from Shore Road who was missing the presentation night because he was over in London for the weekend, he just wasn't sure whether it was for the Chelsea V Man Utd cup final or the royal wedding? I then headed over for a quick word with Deirdre Quinn the manager of the Maria Goretti Respite Centre who wanted to thank the organisers and everyone who took part and those who donated too. The money will really help the needs of the centre which currently caters for 80 special needs kids. After this I got talking to Jacqui McArdle from Seatown Place and Shirley McDonnell from Oaklawns who had successfully completed the walk and had done it in one piece and really enjoyed it and were delighted t be there to meet up with some of their fellow walkers. I then headed for a table where I got talking to the ladies representing the North Louth Hospice and they included Geraldine Crotty from Dromiskin, Catherine White from Blackrock, Delma Leahy from Priorland Road and Mary Mulholland from Blackrock who told me it was a fantastic night and they were delighted to be receiving the cheque from the group. After this I headed over for a chat with Maurice and Denise McElroy from Ashbrook who told me that Maurice works in the Maria Goretti Centre and was there to lend their support to the night. At an adjacent table I then got a word with Eddie Farrell from Anne Street, Derek Quigley from Faughart and David Conyard from Newry Road who were all there to support such a good cause and David wanted a big shout out for his mum Maura Conyard from Newry Road and the message is get well soon after her accident. I then met up with Mickey O'Connor from Aghameen Park and Kevin Ward from Avenue Road who hadn't taken part, but were up for making a good night of it with all the fundraisers there. Seated close by was Dee O'Malley from Armagh Road who had successfully completed the walk and was looking forward to the night with all her walking friends. Making my way over to another table I then had the pleasure of talking to the lovely Brigid Hoey from Springfield Manor who was there on the night with the one and only Dave Mackin who was making sure the night was running smoothly. They were with Liam and Pauline Caffrey from Ballymakellett who wanted to wish the organisers all the best and told me that the walk actually starts at the back of their house and they are delighted to be part of it. Not too far away I met up with Jennifer Hynes from Park Drive, Helen Grant from Bellewsbridge Road and Ciara Boyle from Greenwood Drive who told me they'd all taken part in the walk and loved it and wanted to wish all the best to Helen who set a personal best time and was the first into PJs on the day! Beside them were Helen Jackson from Beacon Curt and Gemma Bull from Tipperary who hadn't taken part but were definitely going to support the night. Finally, before I departed I got talking to Leon Baillie from Seatown with her husband Mark, she told me it's always a great walk, she has only missed one since it started and they can't wait for April 27th next year when they'd be getting the walking boots out once again for the Cross Cooley Challenge. The 8th annual Cooley Coast Run, sponsored once again by Open Hydro, took place on Friday evening last. A large field of almost 400 competitors took to the starting lines. Two great courses of 5k and 10k lay ahead. There was a seventy year age gap between our youngest and most senior runners. Great credit to them and all the other participants in between. The races began with a rocket blast and it set the tone for the speed of some of the elite runners. Darragh Green, Brian McCluskey and Shane Toner battled it out for much of the 10k race, with Darragh pulling away strongly in the latter stages. Not only did Darragh win but he won in style, setting a new course record of 31:28. Well done Darragh on a brilliant run. A custom designed medal, bananas and water awaited the finishers. Thankfully the medals proved to be a hit! The Cooley Coast Run could not take place without a big effort from a lot of volunteers. Our road safety marshals were out in force and ensured a safe run. The local Gardai were of great assistance in keeping the main road crossings safe and calming the traffic. Thanks to the local Red Cross for being super efficient as usual. Thanks to Carlingford tidy towns for supplying the reusable cups and water tanks. They are available for any event that is trying to cut down on waste, a necessity really in these times of "disposable everything". Thanks to John for helping set up the course and stewarding, our water station helpers, those who helped with car parking, our photographers Collette, Veronica and Bernard and our MC, Derek, who kept everybody well informed and up to speed of events. Thanks to David who gave us bananas and Andy and Brian for working in the bar. Once again thanks to Open Hydro who kindly sponsor the event and who were represented for the prize presentations by CFO Andrew Meyrick. Thanks to Mary for the use of the hall and Niall Keenan for the donation from KTF. Thanks also to the county council for the cones. From the committee of Ciaran, Kevin, Pauline, Ann and Andrew, a huge thanks to all the competitors for supporting the event again. We hope you enjoyed it and will come back next year. Congratulations to the winners and to all competitors in the 8th annual Cooley Coast Run. This years winners are as follows; 10k Men: 1. Darragh Greene; 2. Brian McCluskey; 3. Shane Toner. 10k Ladies: 1. Laura Matthews; 2. Una O'Callaghan; 3. Rebecca Carolan. 5k Men: 1. Peter Noone; 2. Gerard White; 3. Tony Ashby. 5k Ladies: 1. Melanie Hearty; 2. Mary Byrne; 3. Ursula Noone. 10k Over 40's Men: 1. Ciaran Walsh; 2. Oran Finnegan; 3. George Duffy. 10k Over 40's Ladies: 1. Orla Finnegan; 2. Emma Reilly; 3. Arlene McArdle. 10k Over 45 Men: 1. Joe Pawlish; 2. Colm Hearty; 3. Ken Farnon; 10k Over 45 Ladies: 1. Brenda Logan; 2. Bernadette Matthews; 3. Carmel Keenan. 10k Over 50 Men: 1. Tony Mulligan; 2. Daithi Murphy; 3. Gerard Kenny. 10k Over 50 Women: 1. Attracta Magennis; 2. Angela Baird; 3. Maura McParland. As part of the commemoration of the closure of the Great Northern Railway (GNR) Works on September 30, 1958 the Dundalk Railway Heritage Society have arranged a lecture on the architecture of the GNR to be held in the County Museum, Jocelyn Street on Thursday May 24 next at 7pm. The lecture will be delivered by Ms Siobhan Osgood, a scholarship student at Trinity College Dublin, a widely recognised authority on the history of the GNR. Ms Osgood is writing a doctoral thesis on the architecture of the GNR and her MPhil dissertation on the GNR at Dundalk won the dissertation prize of the Association of Industrial Archaeology Journal in 2017. All are welcome and voluntary contributions will be appreciated. Light refreshments will be served after the lecture. Iseult, Siobhra, Eileen and Frank Aiken at the launch of the book The Men Will Talk to Me held in the Oriel Centre, Dundalk Gaol. Siobhra Aiken and Dr. Rory OHanlon at the launch of the book The Men Will Talk to Me held in the Oriel Centre, Dundalk Gaol. Picture: Ken Finegan The Oriel Centre in the old Dundalk Gaol proved a fitting venue for the launch of 'The Men Will Talk to Me', a book comprising interviews by the legendary Republican Ernie O'Malley with members of the Northern Division about their involvement in the War of Independence and Civil War. One of the authors of the book is historian Siobhra Aiken, whose great grandfather Frank Aiken was once held prisoner in gaol during the Civil War. He was among the 105 men who escaped when a hole was blown in the wall on the Ardee Road side of the prison by members of the 4th Northern Division who detonated explosives in a daring escape. Siobhra, a former Fulbright scholar, spoke about her work researching the book at the behest of Ernie O'Malley's son Cormac. As she read through the interviews which O'Malley had conducted with members of the Northern Divisions, she learned about previously unknown aspects of family history, as her great grandfather, who later became one of Ireland's leading statesmen, had been reluctant to speak about his involvement in that turbulent period of history. This volume, covering the four Northern Divisions in Co. Donegal, Derry, Down, Antrim, Armagh, Tyrone, Louth and Monaghan, features interviews with Michael O'Hanlon from Mullaghbawn, Michael Donnelly,from Lower Creegan, John McCoy, from Mullaghbawn Michael Murney, from Killowen, Co Down, Patrick McLogan, from Clady, and as well Frank Aiken. Former Fianna Fail TD and Ceann Comhairle Dr Rory O'Hanlon, whose father had been a member of the 4th North Division, also spoke at the well-attended launch. Karen McArdle and Martin McLoughlin, taking part in last years building programme in South Africa. Dundalk businesswoman Karen McArdle will take part in her 16th building programme in the poorest parts of South Africa later this year. Owner of Chaplin's hair salon, Karen has been volunteering with the Mellon Educate charity, which has been building homes and schools for communities in South Africa for over 16 years. Inspired by the work of the charity set up by Irish businessman Niall Mellon, Karen's partner Martin joined her a number of years ago, and will later this year take part in his third building week. Karen confirmed they will be hosting a pop up shop in the Longwalk shopping Centre from Tuesday next, May 29th to Saturday, June 2nd. 'All monies raised will go towards building schools in South Africa this November,' Karen told the Argus. 'It will be my 16th building blitz and Martin's third.' Karen and Martin were part of a large contingent who last year took part in an ambitious building programme in Khayelitsha in the Western Cape area of South Africa. Karen added 'We hope to beat last year's target!' First founded by Irish man Niall Mellon to build homes for people living in squalor in African townships, the charity has in recent years been focusing on creating schools for children. 'It is an incredibly life changing experience to take part in, and we are still appealing for volunteers to join the 2018 blitz,' said Karen. To join the blitz volunteers must fundraise 4,500. Check out www.mellonedeucate.com An aerial view of the ongoing construction work in the church grounds. Photo, Ken Finegan. There is still no completion date for the major redevelopment project at St Joseph's Monastery, two years after work first started. While good progress has been made on the project, which includes the refurbishment of the monastery, a new hall, an archive, central library and communications office, Fr Michael Cusack refused to be drawn on speculating when the work will be completed. 'It's a massive project which involved the complete refurbishment of the monastery which is a listed building.' He said that works, which are being funded by the Redemptorist Order, are continuing with the large single storey extension to the rear of the building now visible from the Ramparts Road. 'This includes new offices, the archives of the Redemptorists order in Ireland as well as the regional communication offices which produces Reality magazine, prayer booklets, missals.' The existing St Gerard's Hall will be knocked and replaced with a 120 seater hall. He confirmed that there had been a delay in relation to work on the provision of a new car park to accommodate 130 cars due to planning permission issues. Cor Mhagh Ealla (Mallow Community Choir), will play their inaugural outdoor concert in the grounds of Mallow Castle on Saturday night Following on from their successful performance at the 2018 Cork International Choral Festival, members of Cor Mhagh Ealla (Mallow Community Choir) have now turned their attention to their next gala performance on home turf. For the first time it 17-year history the choir will perform an open-air headline concert in the stately grounds of Mallow Castle next Saturday evening at 7.30pm. The almost 50-strong ensemble have been busy perfecting their extensive repertoire ahead of the aptly titled 'Classics in the Castle', which will feature a set-list of popular tunes from stage and screen. The concert, the first of its kind to be held in the grounds of the castle, will also feature performances by special guests internationally acclaimed Cork soprano Linda Kenny and baritone Eoin Leahy. The concert is supported by the Mallow Arts Alliance, the local business community and Cork County Council, which has set aside a grant of 4,000 from its coffers to help fund the event. Choir spokesperson Jude Corroon thanked all inv9olved in helping to stage the concert, saying it would be impossible to hold and event on this scale without their support. She said all the members of the choir were exited at the thought of performing at the majestic venue in their home town. "This promises to be a wonderful evening of music in a magical setting and we are putting together a selection of classic songs that will wow the audience," said Jude. A small number of tickets for the concert, priced at 15, are available from Katie's Newsagents in Mallow and choir members. "We would advise people to get their tickets now to avoid missing out on what will be a very special evening," said Jude. This week is National Biodiversity Week and there are over 50 free, family-friendly events taking place around the country to celebrate the special week. Biodiversity is very much the flavour of the month as Monday, May 21, was European Natura 2000 Day and Tuesday, May 22, was International Day for Biological Diversity. Biological diversity explains itself; it is the diversity or variety of life found in a particular place. The diversity may be very high in a wood or on the seashore and low in a farmer's well-managed field of Oilseed Rape. A field of Oilseed Rape is a monoculture, a stand of just one species of plant. The crop may look and smell lovely when the plants are in full flower, but as far as biological diversity goes, a field of Oilseed Rape supports few life forms with the notable exception of the honeybees that visit the bright yellow flowers to collect pollen. The two words 'biological diversity' are often combined, blended and contracted to give the single word 'biodiversity'. The blended word, or portmanteau, was coined in 1968 by wildlife scientist and conservationist Raymond Dasmann in his book 'A Different Kind of Country' advocating conservation, but it didn't come into common usage until Thomas Lovejoy popularised it in the 1980s. Biodiversity is the variety of life found in a particular place, the particular place being known as a habitat. Many habitats both globally and throughout the European Union are under threat and the situation here in Ireland is bleak. In Ireland, we have 58 habitats of European Community importance. Every six years, the government is obliged to report to the European Commission on the conservation status of these habitats. The last report was made in 2013. That report found that of the 58 habitats only 9 per cent achieved 'Favourable' status; the other 91 percent scored 'Inadequate' or 'Bad' status. So, there is a way to go in looking after our natural heritage. National Biodiversity Week is all about connecting people with nature. It's about communicating the importance of biodiversity and motivating people to play their part in protecting it. It's also about entertaining them; showing the fun and wonder that can be found in nature, and inspiring people to learn more, see more, and do more. There are over 50 free, family-friendly events taking place around Ireland to celebrate National Biodiversity Week. To find out about events in your area check out www.biodiversityweek.ie/events/. The Mallow Integration Forum has issued an open invitation to join them for their third annual 'Africa Day' celebration, which will take place at the Mercy Centre on Fair Street from 1pm on Saturday. Billed as a 'celebration of the diversity of Africa', the event will showcase the many different cultures and traditions of the vibrant African community now living in the wider Mallow area. It is just one of a number of events taking place across Ireland and the globe during the week to mark Africa Day, which falls on Friday. Designated by the African Union as an annual celebration of unity, Africa Day is an opportunity for communities across the globe to celebrate the continent's rich and diverse cultures. Africa Day has been celebrated in Ireland since 2008, with events taking place at various locations. Following on from the success of the previous two Mallow events, the 2018 Africa Day celebrations will feature slide shows about each of the countries represented, and live music with visitors also invited to taste some sumptuous African cuisine. Admission to the Africa Day event in Mallow is free and all are welcome to attend. More than 80 people attended an informative business breakfast briefing last Wednesday morning at Mallow's Springfort Hall Hotel hosted by AIB. A trio of keynote speakers addressed the gathering, delivering addresses covering a number of key issues of relevance to the local business community. These included AIB chief economist Oliver Mangan whose presentation entitled 'The Economic Outlook in Uncertain Times', gave an update on the future outlook for business from both an Irish and global perspective. Paul Ward, senior manager AIB Treasury, delivered a talk entitled 'Managing Currency and Interest Risk', offering useful advice on the importance of having a strategy when it come to managing currency and business risk. The final speaker, Mark Flynn who is the AIB's head of business banking for County Cork, spoke about the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI) Brexit fund, which will soon be available to businesses potentially impacted by Brexit. Sinead O'Connor, branch manager AIB Mallow, said the event proved to be a great success. "On an ongoing basis we back business, providing financial support and advice, so we were delighted to host this event for local businesses," said Sinead. She said the issue of Brexit was a "key concern" for businesses and AIB was keen to ensure that its customers were Brexit-ready. "I hope this event provided further guidance to SMEs and that they found it informative in helping them move forward with their businesses," said Sinead. "Supporting SMEs is a key priority for AIB. Currently, AIB Mallow houses a Business Hub out of which a number of business advisors operate and we are available to support SME's across the North Cork area," she added. Further progress on plans to refurbish Kanturk and Millstreet Community Hospitals has been warmly welcomed by local Fine Gael county councillor John Paul O'Shea. As far back as August 2015, reports by the Health and Information Authority (HIQA) highlighted major flaws in operating procedures and conditions at both HSE administered facilities. In the case of Millstreet, HIQA found the accommodation provided was not always adequate for end-of-life care, pointing out that one resident who was dying was located in an 11-bed ward. The report said "significant requirements" were required most notably in the design and layout of the hospital, which dates back to 1932, noting that it was in poor repair with damp walls and damaged tiles. Additional required improvements also included: addressing restraint practices, staff training, medication management and staffing levels. In relation to Kanturk Community Hospital, HIQA found that the layout of the premises, which was built in 1927, compromised the privacy and dignity of residents. Inspectors wrote they were unhappy with the "inadequate communal conditions" and were critical of certain aspects including the lack of wardrobe space and the absence of a plan for responding to emergencies. However, the 40-bed facility was described as "bright, clean and in a good state of repair". In March of last year it was confirmed to members of Cork County Council's northern committee by HSE regional chief officer Ger Reaney that 9.7 million had been set aside for works at both hospitals under the government's Capital Investment Plan. He also confirmed that the planned works would not result in a reduction of beds at either hospital. While he did not give a timetable for the works, Mr Reaney said there was an "indicative completion date" of the end of 2018 for the works to be completed. Cllr O'Shea this week confirmed that a full design team has now been appointed for the Kanturk project and is due to seek planning permission for the refurbishment works by the end of this year. He said the first phase of the Millstreet works were nearing completion and the design team was reviewing existing layouts and accommodation with a view to seeking planning permission for phase two of the project in early 2019. Welcoming the latest update, Cllr O'Shea said both hospitals play "an integral role" in the care of elderly people in their respective communities. "The design and layout of the hospitals for the future care of the elderly of the area is a critical part of this process. Both hospitals currently play an integral role in the care of the elderly in their respective communities and the HSE must ensure that both these refurbishments proceed as soon as is practically possible," he said. Cllr O'Shea said that he, his council colleague Cllr Gerard Murphy and Minister Michael Creed would be keeping a close eye on progress to ensure further progress is made on both projects over the coming months. "I would also like to take this opportunity to commend the work of the staff and management of both hospitals, whose work provides a vital service to the patients, families and communities across north Cork," he said. As any Macroom resident and many people who drive through the town on a regular basis will tell you, the town has a bridge that has caused many a sigh over the years. Now Macroom is featuring in a fascinating architecture exhibition currently taking place at the Irish National Pavilion in Venice, home to the original and world famous 'Bridge of Sighs'. The exhibition is part of the 2018 Venice Architecture Biennale (La Biennale di Venezia) one of the most prestigious global events of its kind, which attracts more than 250,000 visitors annually. Macroom is one of 10 Irish towns featured in the 'Free Market' exhibition which, in addition to exploring their stories, examines the challenges each town faces and their potential as sustainable and resilient communities. This is the first time Irish towns have featured in the Biennale, which will run for six months until the end of November. The Biennale alternates each year between art and architecture exhibitions, with 65 countries hosting national pavilions. In terms of the event, 2018 is a ground-breaking year for Ireland as for the first time the overall curators of the Biennale are Irish - Yvonne Farrell and Shelly McNamara of Dublin-based Grafton Architects. They set the theme of 'Free Space', which in their own words "describes a generosity of spirit and a sense of humanity at the core of architecture's agenda, focussing on the quality of space itself." Each participating country was asked to respond to the theme and, following an open call, a team of six young Irish architects and designers - Jo Anne Butler, Jeffrey Bolhuis, Miriam Delaney, Tara Kennedy, Laurence Lord and Orla Murphy - was selected to commission and curate the Irish National Pavilion. Orla said the reason they chose the 'Free Market' concept was because the future of small market towns, and in particular the small town market place, "has a very pertinent national interest, combined with an international resonance". "The challenges and potential of small towns address global issues such as mass-urbanisation, emigration, changes in retail and housing supply." Orla said 'Free Market' presented a remarkable opportunity to highlight Macroom and all it has to offer to a huge global audience. "Using sound, photography, stunning drone images and literature, 'Free Market' charts the history and development of the urban forms of the Irish market place. It also examines the challenges faced by towns like Macroom and highlights their potential," she added. This process went as far as the group mapping the Government departments involved in the local decision-making process and producing a dedicated newspaper with contributions from more than 40 experts. "Free Market will return to Ireland next year and will tour some of the selected towns, continuing to gather participants and stories. It will close with a major symposium in late 2019, which will gather architects, historians, representatives, policy makers and stakeholders from all of the participating towns," said Orla. "It is hoped that the exhibition and the subsequent tour and symposium will become a catalyst in the way that policy decisions relating to small towns are made and implemented. We also hope to start conversations within the local communities featured about what the futures of their respective towns may be," she added. For more about La Biennale di Venezia and Ireland's involvement visit www.free-market.ie. The Fianna Fail TD for Cork East, Kevin O'Keeffe, has launched a stinging broadside at Fine Gael and Sinn Fein for "scuppering" his party's 10 billion affordable housing scheme. Earlier this month, Fianna Fail unveiled details of the plan, which the party said would provide 50,000 homes over a five-year term for people, pointing out that many people were now shelling out more than a third of their income on rent or mortgage payments. Under the Fianna Fail proposal, some 2 billion per year, drawn from an "investment vehicle" that would raise funds off the Exchequer balance sheet, would be channelled towards building houses on State and local authority owned lands. Deputy O'Keeffe reacted furiously after a Fianna Fail Private Members Business motion in relation to the scheme was defeated in the Dail, prompting him to slam Fine Gael and Sinn Fein, saying it was "a disgrace" they voted against it. "The last affordable housing scheme was shut down by the Fine Gael/Labour Government in 2011, now this latest proposal has been scuppered by a new Fine Gael/Sinn Fein alliance," said Deputy O'Keeffe. He went on to say the current Government had "categorically failed" to deliver a single affordable home since then. "In fact, houses prices have soared by 90 per cent over the past seven years," said Deputy O'Keeffe. He said that with house prices rising beyond all reasonable affordability, the onus was on the Government to make "immediate moves" to follow through on its commitment to speed up the delivery of affordable homes. Deputy O'Keeffe said an affordable housing scheme should be used to kick-start housing in areas where "supply is weakest and prices are highest". He said such a scheme must involve an initial capital investment by the State and the investment of proceeds from sales into the construction of more new homes. "Working families are priced out of the market and face house price over six times the average household income. I am deeply concerned that will only continue to be the case for more and more people unless we see a substantive change to policy and the introduction of a scheme for affordable homes in Cork," said Deputy O'Keeffe. "Fine Gael and Sinn Fein public representatives should be ashamed of what their TD's did in the Dail this week. They are playing party politics with the lives of young people and families in Cork," he concluded. A talented Fermoy schoolgirl has hit the jackpot, scooping top spot in a nationwide competition to design a special coin to mark the 75th anniversary of the Central Bank of Ireland. Sarah Murphy, a fifth-year pupil at Colaiste an Chraoibhin, won overall senior section of the competition, which attracted more than 500 entries from primary and secondary schools across the country. Their design brief was to design a coin, taking inspiration from people and/or events that have had make a significant and lasting impact on Irish society over the past three-quarters-of-a-century. Not content with using just a single theme, the Rathcormac teenager's stunning design managed to incorporate a variety of core combinations, with its central character of a honey bee representing our natural environment. Drawing further inspiration from Seamus Heaney's poem 'Digging', Sarah incorporated a pen and spade into her design, with joined hands around the border of the coin representing the solidarity of the Irish people - epitomised through the Yes vote in the 2015 marriage equality referendum. A replica of Sarah's coin will now go on public display in the Central Bank Visitor Centre for the summer, before taking pride of place on a display board at the Fermoy school. Her art teacher Noel Sheehan and Colaiste principal Christy Healy travelled to Dublin on Tuesday to see Sarah presented with her winning prize of a 500 voucher by Central Bank governor Philip Lane. Mr Sheehan said Sarah was a worthy winner of the competition, given the sheer amount of planning and hard work that went into her design. "Her design was particularly complex and detailed and it is notoriously difficult to control working within a circular format. I was speaking to one of the competition judges and he said the panel was very impressed with Sarah's design as it ticked all the boxes in terms of Irish society," said Mr Sheehan. "This is an incredible achievement for Sarah and the school. She is a talented artist with a great work ethic and we are all incredibly proud of what she has achieved," he added. Two thousand people took part in Ardee's 'Darkness Into Light' 5K walk to raise funds for Pieta House. Among them was Mairead McGuinness, MEP and first Vice-President of the European Parliament, who praised the turnout and commended Pieta House on its contribution to de-stigmatising mental health issues. "While we have a long way to go, great progress is being made in recognising that as the 'Schools Go Orange' programme acknowledges, it's okay to not feel okay at times," she said. "Humans of their nature are fragile, and modern life in these disruptive times, is throwing up ever more challenges. Therefore we need to be more mindful and try and look out for each other," she said. She said Ardee saw a fantastic turnout and it was a credit to the community. "It was a terrific event with a wonderful community spirit. "Great credit is due to Michael Hughes, Chairman of the local organising committee and his colleagues." And she said Pieta House in its 12 short years of existence has done a huge amount in providing professional services to those who are suicidal, those bereaved by suicide and those battling with self-harm and mental health issues. SIX groups of second-level students from right around the country - including St Ita's - gathered to meet the Irish Angus calves which they will rear for 18 months as part of a unique competition. The Certified Irish Angus Beef Schools Competition, run by Irish Angus Producer Group in association with ABP and Kepak, aims to encourage second level students to gain an understanding about the care and attention that is required to produce and market the highest quality beef for consumers. Following a competitive application process, qualifiers came from St Ita's, Roscommon; St. Josephs Mercy Secondary School, Navan; Cavan; Lisdoonvarna and Kanturk. The teams will each receive five Irish Angus Cross calves in September, which they will be required to rear for 18 months until their slaughter in 2020. In addition to rearing the calves, the schools will complete a project focussing on a different aspect of farming and the food chain. The Quality and Flavour of Irish Angus Beef is the subject to be tackled by St. Ita's Special School, Drogheda students Conor Belton, Alisha Crosbie and Michael McQuillan. They will look into what makes Certified Irish Angus Beef superior and the farming activities which can impact the quality of the meat The winning students also receive an additional grant of 2,000 for their further education. After Michael Darby (24), Harmony Heights, made a 300 donation to charity to have a drugs charge struck out, the judge remarked it was a 'very expensive smoke'. The defendant pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of drugs at Ramparts, Drogheda, on 23 November last. Darby received legal aid. Credit unions are delighted with ranking Credit Unions were ranked number one out of 100 companies surveyed for the 2018 RepTrak report. With a score of 82, Credit Unions not only emerged in first place, but were also well ahead of the average score of 57.5 amongst other financial services organisations. Tom Kiely, CEO of Drogheda Credit Union Ltd said "We are delighted to get this award for our role in providing trusted financial services to our local communities and it is great recognition of the selfless work and tireless commitment of Credit Unions to their communities." Charles Murphy, President of the Irish League of Credit Unions said credit unions are a cornerstone of local communities. "The trust that members place in their local Credit Union has been earned, and enhanced, by consistent actions that demonstrate a caring, understanding, people-focused approach. Credit Union personnel take time to get to know their members and to understand their needs," he said. "Decisions are made at local level, in the best interest of the members of the Credit Union. Above all else, people feel valued and respected". Ardee headquartered ABP has secured an exclusive three-year agreement valued at 50 million, with Asian restaurant chain Wowprime Corporation, to supply beef to its restaurants across China. The announcement was made at an event hosted by the company in Shanghai, attended by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed TD; Mr Stanley Lin, General Manager of Wowprime China and Mark Goodman, Managing Director of ABP's International Division. Wowprime is a publically listed company and has 151 restaurants in China. It offers customers a mix of traditional Asian and Western cuisine across 18 restaurant brands. ABP beef will be available in two of Wowprime's premium restaurant brands: Wang Steak and Tasty. Michael Creed TD, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine said: "I hope it will be the first of many such transactions for Irish companies. Partnering with large Chinese restaurant companies such as Wowprime is the ideal manner to bring quality Irish beef to Chinese consumers. I commend Wowprime and wish them and ABP every deserved success in this venture." Mark Goodman, Managing Director of ABP's International Division said: "ABP Food Group is delighted to sign this initial and exclusive agreement with Wowprime. It is a tangible endorsement of the quality beef that Ireland and ABP has to offer, and it is another significant step in developing new market opportunities for our products against the uncertain backdrop of Brexit. We look forward to working with Wowprime, who are crucial in helping us bring Irish beef to the plates of Chinese consumers." The company also exports Irish beef to the Philippines and Japan. A man who was asleep in his parked car along Tierney Street, Ardee was violently pulled from the vehicle before another man drove it to Carrickmacross where it was crashed, Dundalk Circuit Court heard this week. Jordan Flood (21), with an address at Corduff, Carrickmacross, Co. Monaghan was before the court charged with the unauthorised use of the Skoda Fabia on February 7th,2017. The court was told that the victim was asleep in his car parked along Tierney Street when two males approached the vehicle. One man, the co-accused was responsible for physically removing the owner from the drivers seat of the car. The second man, who it later emerged was the accused, drove off in the car, which later crashed into a kerb in Carrickmacross. The court was told gardai arrived at the scene, and noted the car was extensively damaged, beyond repair. The cost of the damage was 8,500 It also that the car had earlier been stolen in Ardee. The accused was also arrested on suspicion of drunk driving. He alter admitted to taking part in 'removing the vehicle' but said he 'didn't lay a hand on' the victim. He accepted the vehicle had been taken without the owner's consent. Barrister for the accused said he had been instructed to offer his genuine apology for the incident to the victim. He said the accused was a person who was in the 'throes of addiction.' A victim impact statement was read from the car owner, who said he was now afraid to go out at night because he was afraid of being assaulted. He also faced extensive medical costs after the incident. Judge Michael O'Shea acknowledged the trauma and shock experienced by the victim. He imposed a two and a half year sentence, but suspended the final nine months on condition that he enter into his bond. Eugene Conlon and Elizabeth Kearney of the Dunleer Energy Team were in the European Parliament in Brussels last week with Mairead McGuinness MEP and first Vice-President of the European Parliament The team works to encourage and mobilise homeowners and communities to take ownership for reducing their energy use and using more renewable energy, through the delivery of a programme of education on energy and renewables and encouraging homeowners and communities to become energy ambassadors in their homes, places of work and towns and villages. They met with MEPs, representatives from the energy industry and the European Commission. Ms McGuinness commended the work of the Dunleer Energy team saying they were doing excellent work and were a model for other communities to follow. "The Energy Team is putting into practice many of the policy decisions and discussions taking place in the European Parliament on climate and energy actions," she said. "I look forward to continuing to work with the team as they roll out their programme of practical action to assist in reducing energy bills, addressing energy poverty and contributing to the all important task of reducing emissions from buildings as we try to achieve our climate change targets," she added. 'We went over for 10 meetings arranged by Mairead's office to meet MEPs, Commission directorate in Energy and consumer groups, to discuss the Energy Programmes we are leading in Dunleer, understand policy in this area and build relationships with different players. The meetings were very valuable and all of what we are doing in Louth and beyond on education through the Energy Ambassadors programme and retrofitting of homes, is very much aligned with EU policy and a ground up approach of communites working with and educating other communities,' Eugene remarked. There was a celebration of difference at VTOS Bunclody recently as they hosted a Multicultural Open Day at their facility on Ryland Road. This year, the open day coincided with Europe Day - an annual celebration of peace and unity in Europe - further adding to the powerful message of the day. VTOS Bunclody prides itself of being a real multicultural learning centre with students from all kinds of different cultural backgrounds attending. Understanding Interculturalism is one of the modules that students undertake during their time at VTOS Bunclody and it focuses on studying both cultural diversity in Ireland and cultures from all over the world. This was achieved through artwork, which was on display on the day, and through reading and written projects. This year's artwork was based on the Totem Pole and consisted of animals that represent the different cultural backgrounds of those attending VTOS Bunclody. As well as this, the day saw students from the Digital Photography Course exhibit some of their work from throughout the year and a short film produced by those undertaking the Digital Media module was also shown. To round the day off, those in attendance had the opportunity to sample some delicious delicacies from different cultures across the globe. All in all, the event was said to have been a huge success and organisers congratulated the students on their efforts. Enniscorthy Vocational College Orchestra members with their certificates presented for participation in the recent In Harmony Concert in the National Opera House The Enniscorthy Vocational College orchestra bid a fond farewell to a valued member recently as she departed for NUI Maynooth. Tributes were paid to PLC Business student, flautist and leading member of the orchestra's woodwind section Serena Casey who is leaving to study music and business at University. Orchestra Director Bridin Kelly paid tribute to Serena's work and commitment over the last six years with a reception in the parents' room at their rehearsal. Serena's flute and piano teacher Ms Philippa Callery stated how proud she is of her student's achievements and wished her all the very best for the future. Apart from being a high-achieving academic student, Serena is also a talented Irish dancer at international level. She began her flute studies in St Aidan's Primary School with Louise Malone before continuing on from Grade 2 with Ms Callery in EVC. From there, she played at Co Wexford Youth Orchestra Festivals in the National Opera House with composer Brian Irvine in 2015 and Gearoid Grant earlier this year. As well as honouring Serena, all of her fellow musicians from the orchestra were also presented with certificates to mark their participation at the most recent Harmony Concert. All of teachers and fellow orchestra members wished Serena all the very best for the future as she embarks on a new adventure at NUIM. Students who conduct themselves in an excellent fashion within the school environment were rewarded last week as Enniscorthy Vocational College hosted its first ever Respect Awards. A group of sixth year students were addressed by Principal Dr Iain Wickham, Deputy Principal Ms Kay Kennedy and Year Head Ms Majella Stafford, all of whom congratulated them on their selection. The Respect Awards seek to emphasise the importance of self-respect, fairness, equality, self-discipline and social responsibility within the school. Those selected were said to be 'exemplary role models' for the younger students in the school, displaying 'excellent leadership skills' and 'engaging constructively with their learning'. The students who received the prestigious engraved 'Respect' pen were Niamh O'Neill, Daniel Leech, Brona Flynn, Conor Wickham, Nikita Buckley, Mark Delahunty, Natalie Sherlock, Daniel Nolan Buckley, Ciera Sharpe and Jack Finucane. Finally, the Principal also took the opportunity to wish all the students the very best of luck in their upcoming exams and their future careers. The sluggish pace of social house building in the county was criticised as being ridiculous at last week's meeting of Wexford County Council. Cllr John Fleming said it takes over two years for houses to be approved to be built. 'This is way too long to get approval from the department. Have there been any moves on the part of the department to speed this up?' Senior Housing Officer Padraig O'Gorman said the Department of Housing has made improvements so now there is a 59 week period from when an estate is announced to when it is built. 'We are into that process now. We won't know exactly for a year or so if there has been an improvement.' Director of Services for Economic Development Tony Larkin praised Mr O'Gorman and John Carley for delivering on their pledge to develop the housing programme. Mr Carley said the council will be paid for any houses they apply for once the paperwork is correct. 'We are getting better and better at the streamlining of our paperwork,' he said. Cllr David Hynes criticised the Government for abandoning its social housing programme. '25 years ago they decided they weren't going to build social houses and now they are trying to play catch up.' He said people are forced into flats where they have no security of tenure and can be evicted if they complain about the conditions. 'We don't have enough emergency accommodation to deal with it and the mental health problems this is causing and now to get a lecture from someone in the department about policies inherited from Thatcher and Reagan. The joke is on the unfortunate people who get a letter or a text message telling them to get out of here.' Cllr Michael Sheehan said there is an over-reliance on leasing while Cllr Fionntain O Suilleabhain said the planning process is far too cumbersome and protracted. Cllr Willie Kavanagh praised the council on opening new state-of-the-art houses in Oylegate to children with special needs. Cllr Johnny Mythen said HAP and RAS have failed people who, he said, have no security of tenure. 'They don't know what school to send thier child to. We are dealing with Irish families, all sorts of families here.' Mr O'Gorman said the department is placing less emphasis on leasing. Last year the local authority bought 121 houses to leases, compared to 80 this year and Mr O'Gorman said next year the number of houses bought will fall to around 20. Chairman Cllr John Hegarty said the councillors attended a special meeting on the housing crisis six months ago. 'The overriding message that came from Padraig and John was that they had a plan and to give them time and they have exceeded their targets,' he said. CEO Tom Enright praised the housing management team and staff on their initiative. He said there is no greater satisfaction for a council official than to see people being housed as happened disabled children who have been accommodated in purpose built houses in Oylegate. Mr Enright said there is a new system whereby the council can deliver turnkey houses quicker. 'We are going to exceed our target this year.' Mick Wallace TD, Dr. Catriona Logan (Doctors for Choice), Clare Daly TD, Emma Shannon (Terminations for Medical Reasons) and Vincent Browne at the Meeting on 8th. Amendment in the IFA Centre on Tuesday night Veteran journalist and broadcaster Vincent Browne was in town last week to campaign for a 'Yes' vote in the upcoming referendum alongside TDs Mick Wallace and Clare Daly. There was a big attendance at the IFA Centre with guest speakers including Emma Shannon of TFMR (Terminations for Medical Reasons) and Dr Caitriona Logan of Doctors for Choice. Also present at the meeting was local parish priest Fr Billy Swan who discussed his own views with Browne, Wallace and Daly. 'We're not asking whether we should have abortion or no abortion because we already have abortion,' Deputy Wallace said, addressing the crowd. 'The debate is about whether we have legal abortion in Ireland or whether people are forced to travel and being able to find pills on the Internet. You have people who are engaging in unsafe abortion.' Vincent Browne spoke about how he had initially been against abortion, but, having listened to women, he now believes that it is unfair not to allow them to choose. 'Society is cruel,' he said. 'Society would oblige us to continue the sustenance irrespective of the effect on ourselves. That women are forced under pain of law to be in that situation, is just unfair.' Speaking from the floor, Fr Swan said he was impressed with the honest of the speakers, particularly Emma Shannon. He said that if the proposed legislation addressed what people like Emma had been through, it would create a moral dilemma. 'The real difficulty I still have if we change is it will have a significant change in our culture in how life is valued,' he said. Deputy Daly said that she agreed with many of the points that Fr Swan made, but disagreed with his description of a yes vote as a 'slippery slope', pointing out that this was not the case in other countries. 'It's about educating people,' she said. The meeting provided a great platform for the exchanging of views from both sides, as people make their minds up before hitting the polling stations this Friday on what has been an extremely divisive topic. There will be a little bit of Hollywood magic in the air when a magnificently restored 1949 Packard Deluxe Sedan, used in a movie starring Meryl Streep and Hugh Grant, takes pride of place at the upcoming Malahide Classic and Vintage Motor Show. The car, owned by Declan Connolly, featured in the 2016 film 'Florence Foster Jenkins' and in the hit TV series 'Outlander'and will be one of the main attractions at the Show which will have 100 beautiful old cars on display. Malahide Classic and Vintage Motor Show is a charity fundraiser organised by Malahide Lions Club and will take place at the Grand Hotel in Malahide on Sunday (May 27), opening to the public at 11am. This is the seventh running of the event which now attracts car lovers and families from all across Dublin and Leinster. Entrance to the event will cost 5 per adult or 15 for the whole family with the entire proceeds going to Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association. There will be motoring nostalgia for mum and dad. For the kids there's ice cream, a play area and face painting. It promises to be a great value event for families and motor enthusiasts alike and all in support of a great cause. Irish Lions Clubs are members of Lions Clubs International, a community service organisation dedicated to the idea that the men and women who live in a community are in the best position to know who needs help and why. Clubs around the island of Ireland organise events throughout the year to provide funds to support local people and national and international projects providing practical help where and when it is needed in our local communities. 'The English did terrible things in Ireland in 1649 and the 1650s and it is wrong to blame Cromwell for all of them - that lets other Englishmen much more to blame than him, off the hook.' Those are the words of John Morrill, Emeritus Professor of British and Irish History at the University of Cambridge and they appear in the beginning of a new book on Cromwell aimed at children written by a Fingal author who found that 'the most hated man in Irish history' was a more nuanced figure than his Drogheda childhood had painted him. Rod Smith lives in Malahide but was born in Drogheda where the name of Cromwell carries considerable weight thanks to the bloody encounter the town had with Cromwell and his New Model Army. It was that 'blacker than black' image of Cromwell that Rod Smith held in his memory as he began the exhaustive research process that resulted in this historical novel for children. To his surprise, he found himself softening towards Cromwell as the research went on. Rod explained: 'When I was doing the research, I found Lord Longford's daughter did a biography of Cromwell in the 70s and she said she went to Drogheda and was looking for directions to Laurence's Gate. She stopped this priest for directions and she told he she was researching Cromwell and he blessed himself and walked away. The curse of Cromwell was a big thing in Drogheda and it came from all the stories about him.' But the bile reserved for Cromwell was not always a prominent part of the Irish psyche, according to Rod. He said that it was a combination of Victorian England rediscovering Cromwell as a hero and the Irish cultural revolution's eagerness to find a figure of hate, that began to seal Cromwell's fate as enemy number one in the Irish mind. Rod said he was aware of the work of Drogheda local historian and author, Tom Reilly who presents a radically different picture of Cromwell and while the Malahide author said he did not go as far as Reilly in re-interpreting Cromwell's time in Ireland, he could now see where the Louth author was coming from. Rod said: 'I do know about Tom Reilly's work. I read his books and got in touch with a few professors in the UK and Ireland and they gave me a few papers they were working on. I asked them about Tom Reilly, and they said he was choosing to interpret events in a particular way. 'I can see the point he was making but I didn't necessarily agree with all the conclusions he came to. I think he was right in saying that Cromwell wasn't all bad and my opinion of him changed completely.' Rod has written nine other children's books and many of them have also centred around the lives of important figures from Irish history like Charles Steward Parnell and Padraig Pearse but this is the first time, he has taken on the longer form of a novel. Because the book is pitched around the 10-year-old and above reading level, Rod had a find a palatable way of guiding children through this often very dark story that is Cromwell's bloody nine months in Ireland. He chose to put two children at the heart of the story and all the events of the novel are witnessed through their young eyes. While all the historical facts presented in the novel have been painstakingly researched by the author, he's used a little creative licence in inventing a number of characters to plug into the story and witness the very real events that are happening around them. Rod explained: 'All the facts in it, I've researched as much as I can and then I've added a story about two kids who meet Cromwell and they are running around towns telling people he's coming and telling them they need to either surrender or getting yourselves ready. 'It's set in the present day first of all and a boy goes on a school trip to Drogheda to look at a re-enactment of the invasion and he gets a knock on the head and wakes up in 1649 when Cromwell is invading. So from then it's all about keeping one step ahead of Cromwell and figuring out how he's going to get back to the present time.' When his publishers, Poolbeg presented Rod with the idea of writing an historical novel, they began to discuss what events or figure from history the book would centre on. One of the names up for discussion was Cromwell and it was a name that jumped out at Rod, because Cromwell's exploits in Drogheda had featured so heavily in his upbringing and his early education. In the acknowledgements section of the book, Rod gives a nod to two of his former teachers who gave him a love of English and history that fuels his creative work today. In the book's acknowledgements, the author writes: 'A special word of thanks to Cyril Gillen, an inspirational English teacher, who encouraged a love of literature in me, and Brother Claude Hamill (RIP), who introduced me to the wonders of history.' The novel has been 10 months in the making and is in all good book shops now and is getting a great response from readers, which is testament to Rod's now well practiced skill of making history accessible to young readers. In his research for the book, Rod talked to a number of academics in Ireland and the UK about Cromwell and found most of them were amazed that someone wanted to write a children's book about this very complex and often very dark historical figure. Rod said: 'I think they were amazed someone wanted to write a children's book about Cromwell. It is a dark project and there's a lot of death in it. Boys will love it because there's lots of killing in it but I wanted to have a girl in it too and for her to be a strong character as well. 'I got in trouble before when I was doing the very first book because there's no women in it. I went to a girl's school with it and asked them what they thought of the book and they said there's no girls in it. There was a mum in it at the very start but not for very long and it hadn't occurred to me at all. So, when I wrote the second one, it was a mixed team and the captain was a girl. So for the Cromwell book I wanted to have a strong female character.' Without giving too much of the story away, the book centres around young Liam O'Malley who we have already learned has found himself transported to 1649 to the middle of the Siege of Drogheda. With the help of a mysterious girl called Aoife and a horse called Ferdia, he manages to escape the slaughter. After enlisting the help of Seamus, a pirate , and Phelim, a grumpy dockworker, Liam and Aoife set out to travel around Ireland, to warn other towns about the dangers of Cromwell and the Ne Model Army but can they reach the towns on Cromwell's hit list in time to warn them? It is an indication of how seriously the author took the research for the book that even the names use in the book were researched to see if they were common names in the Ireland of the late 1640s. Writing for children brings Rod around the country visiting schools and libraries, and holding workshops and question and answer sessions with his readers. It is one of the great pleasures of the job, according to the local author who enjoys the double life his writing brings, from the solitary pursuit of researching and writing the novel to then, going out into the world and sharing his work with hundreds and thousands of children, around the country. He said: 'I love the writing. It is a very lonely profession. I do most of my writing late at night because if I'm in it and then someone walks in, it's gone. So I'll wait until everyone is gone to bed and write between about 10pm and 3am. Once a book is done it's gone but then I love getting out and going to the schools. I never go in with the idea to sell books, I just want to encourage kids to read and write and be creative.' What are his hopes for this book? He said: 'I think because Cromwell is one of the major figures in Irish history, I hope it would encourage them to find out a little more about him after they read this and discover that maybe he wasn't all bad.' Over a thousand people descended on a North County Dublin farm to enjoy a wonderful day out as part of Agri Aware's National Open Farm Day. Four farms across the country, ,including Padraic and Brid McMahon's farm in Killsallaghan, simultaneously opened their gates the public to help educate consumers about what happens on a working farm and to encourage families to learn more about where our food comes from. This was be the first time in Ireland that farms from across the country opened their gates to the public on one day to help educate consumers about what happens on a working farm and to encourage families to learn more about where our food comes from. The McMahon's farm sits right on the border between North County Dublin and Meath, with the Broadmeadow and Whitestown rivers running through its fields. Fieldstown Farm has a rich history and has been in the same family for over 400 years, on Padraic's mother's side. Padraic grew up on the farm, eventually taking it over as the eldest son, and his mother also still lives here in the house where he was reared. Brid is originally from Galway but is also from a farming family and so the way of life was nothing new to her. The couple have one son, Lorcan (15), who helps out on the farm on weekends and school holidays The historic boathouse structure under the viaduct in Balbriggan should be put to a 'more appropriate community use', according to a local councillor. The boat house is currently being used as a store house by the operations department of Fingal County Council but Cllr Tony Murphy (IA) said he believes it should be put to better use. Cllr Murphy proposed a motion at the latest meeting of the Balbriggan/Swords Area Committee where he called ont eh council to 'consider a more appropriate community use for the boathouse located under the viaduct in Balbriggan i.e. artist studio, exhibition space, considering its proximity to the beach, harbour and public space'. Cllr Murphy cited the example of the Loughshinny Boathouse which has recently been refurbished by Fingal County Council and turned into an artist's studio. Cllr Murphy said this or any number of possible community uses would be more appropriate for the historic boathouse. He said there were many local community groups and clubs who would welcome the use of a refurbished boathouse for anything from an exhibition or meeting place to a rehearsal space. Cllr Grainne Maguire (NP) agreed that the boathouse should be turned over to the community for the benefit of local groups. The potential stumbling block in achieving what the Balbriggan councillors want from the building is that it is not in the ownership of the council. A council report on the issue, explained: 'The Boathouse in Balbriggan is currently in the ownership of Irish Rail and is used as a storage facility by the council. The feasibility of allowing an alternate use of the boathouse will be examined in conjunction with the Council's Arts Officer subject to the agreement of the property owners.' A young man who chipped in with friends to purchase nearly 3,000 worth of cocaine locked his car doors and told a garda to 'f**k off' when the garda attempted to search the car. Zach Parker (22) claimed he turned to drugs as he was 'going through a bad patch'. When he was stopped he assaulted Garda David Smith during a violent struggle after Gda Smith managed to get him to open the car door, Swords District Court heard. The defendant then tried to discard the cocaine but after he was arrested he made full admissions. Parker, of Jugback Lane in Swords pleaded guilty to being in possession of 2,950 worth of cocaine for sale or supply at the Malahide Roundabout in north Dublin on February 4, 2017. He also pleaded guilty to being in simple possession of the drugs, contrary to Section 3 of the Misuse of Drugs Act on the same date. He has two previous convictions for road traffic offences. Gda Smith told the court he observed Parker driving a car in an erratic manner near the Malahide Roundabout at 7.45pm. He signalled the defendant to stop but he drove for a further 20 metres before stopping. He then locked the car doors and told Gda Smith to 'f**k off.' A violent struggle ensued and the defendant assaulted Gda Smith. Gda Smith said he had "no lasting injuries" as a result of the assault. Defence barrister Annette Kealy said the defendant had arranged with friends that he would pick up the drugs package. 'A number of mates contributed to the cost of the drugs and the struggle ensued as he panicked,' she said. 'He apologised and made admissions," she said. Ms Kealy explained the defendant turned to drugs as a coping mechanism after his grandmother became terminally ill. 'He cared for her and relied on her. He began to take drugs as a coping mechanism and got into a drug habit,' she said. She said the defendant, who worked as a barber for seven years, lost his job as a result. 'He is regretful and is now free of drugs,# she said, adding he has 1,000 in court as a charitable contribution if the court sees fit. "He is fundamentally a person of good character and was going through a bad patch at the time." Judge Dermot Dempsey ordered a Probation Report to see if the defendant is suitable for 240 hours community service work in lieu of three months in prison. He adjourned the case until July and ordered the 1,000 be paid over to the Merchant's Quay A man who harassed RTE newsreader Sharon Ni Bheolain has been jailed for three years for this and three counts of possessing child pornography. Conor O'Hora (41) of Heather Walk, Portmarnock, Dblin pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to harassing Ms Ni Bheolain between March 27, 2013 and January 7, 2014. He further pleaded guilty to three counts of knowingly possessing child pornography on a mobile phone and on a computer hard drive at Station Road, Portmarnock on February 18, 2014. The court heard that the harassment involved posting over 30 modified photos of Ms Ni Bheolain on a website which was reachable through a Google search of her name. The pornography charges involved the possession of roughly 100 images of children involved in knowingly possessing child pornography on a mobile phone and on a computer hard drive at Station Road, Portmarnock on February 18, 2014. The court heard that the harassment involved posting over 30 modified sexually explicit activity, and 40 sexually explicit and violent online conversations between O'Hora and a co-accused. Some of the online discussions related to Ms Ni Bheolain, while others related to three identified children. Passing sentence, Judge Martin Nolan condemned O'Hora's 'insidious form of harassment' and 'debasing behaviour' and handed down a four-and-a-half year sentence with the final 18 months suspended. 'The information on her will be out there forever,' said the judge, who also ordered O'Hora not to seek to contact Ms Ni Bheolain in any way. 'I've no doubt it caused considerable distress to the complainant and her family. He (O'Hora) must have known that. It was reprehensible and he should be thoroughly ashamed,' said Judge Nolan. The judge described the pornographic images and conversations as 'sordid and pretty disgusting'. The final 18 months of the sentence were suspended on the basis of O'Hora's mitigation, including the hope for his reform and the steps he has already taken towards rehabilitation. Detective Garda Padraig Hanley told Kerida Naidoo SC, prosecuting, that gardai were alerted after modified images of Ms Ni Bheolain were found online when her name was put into Google. Using the account name 'whoresluttramp', O'Hora had uploaded 32 images to the website imagefap.com. The images were active from March 27, 2013 until the account was closed at the request of gardai on January 17, 2014. The court heard they comprised photos of Ms Ni Bheolain's head taken from newspaper and RTE guide cuttings which were then superimposed onto pornographic images. O'Hora's home was searched, his computer and mobile phone were seized and he was arrested by gardai. Over 40 images of explicit child porn in the most serious category were found on O'Hora's HP Pavilion laptop with a further 53 images on his iPhone, depicting children from the ages of eight to 17. Many of the pictures were of three identified children and had been taken from Facebook accounts and doctored to form pornographic images. The court heard the final offence related to 39 online conversations between O'Hora and a co-accused man, via Yahoo private messenger. Det Gda Hanley said these discussions were 'extremely sexually explicit and violent' and included talk of rape, gang rape, sexual assault, torture, threat of extreme sexual violence and murder. Some of the conversations referred to Ms Ni Bheolain while others referred to the three identified children. O'Hora cooperated fully with gardai, gave them his various account passwords and voluntarily agreed to be interviewed after the images had been analysed. He has one minor previous conviction for a road traffic offence. Det Gda Hanley told Judge Nolan that O'Hora had 'no particular malice, just a fixation' towards Ms Ni Bheolain. Pieter Le Vert BL, defending, said O'Hora told gardai that he didn't wish Ms Ni Bheolain any harm and that the images and conversations were just 'really bad fantasies'. O'Hora told gardai: 'It's not something I'm proud of, it's a fantasy thing. It's ridiculous to think she would have any interest in me'. He said that he had put the images online just so that other people around the world could 'get a jolly out of her'. 'I had a seriously sick mind at the time; I got a power trip from looking at little girls' pictures and it got out of control,' said O'Hora. He told gardai he had been smoking 12 to 15 joints of cannabis a day at the time as well as drinking and using cocaine when he could afford it. Mr Le Vert said his client was now clean of drugs having gone cold turkey and had engaged almost 500 hours of group therapy and psychiatric therapy. He said O'Hora, who had worked previously for Irish Ferries and An Post, was studying maths and statistics with the Open University and had completed an introductory course with distinction. A letter of apology from O'Hora to Ms Ni Bheolain was handed in to court along with testimonials from O'Hora's mother, uncle and neighbours. Mr Le Vert said O'Hora had repeatedly expressed his remorse and had a supportive family Judge Nolan said he accepted that O'Hora was at low risk of re-offending and that he had taken constructive steps to reform himself and 'engage with his demons'. O'Hora was ordered to keep the peace and be of good behaviour for 18 months on his release from prison, and to abide by the supervision of the Probation Services for that period. The court heard that the co-accused man received an 18-month suspended sentence earlier this year at Cork Circuit Criminal Court, which is being appealed by the DPP for undue leniency. A Swords aid worker is urging local people to remember those forced to flee their homes by war or natural disaster. The appeal was made by Christian Aid, which works with people living in some of the poorest places in the world. This year the organisation is highlighting the plight of people who have been uprooted within their own countries because of war or natural disasters. Today, more than 40 million people have been forced to flee by conflict, accounting for approximately two thirds of those who have had to abandon their homes. A further 24 million were forced to flee by disasters in 2016 alone. Yet, because they haven't crossed a border, the public rarely hears about them. Swords woman and Christian Aid worker, Meabh Smith said: 'Vast numbers of people have fled to other parts of their home countries to escape violence or disasters. They leave in fear for their lives, not knowing what lies ahead. They are frightened, traumatised and have lost all of their possessions 'Yet, despite the huge number of people affected, as they haven't crossed a border, these people are forgotten, receiving almost no political attention, funding or support. They are among the most vulnerable to poverty and exploitation in the world.' As part of its Christian Aid Week, it focused on Haiti, where thousands of people regularly experience some of the worst natural disasters on earth. More than seven years on from the devastating earthquake in Port-au-Prince in 2010, an estimated 38,000 people are still uprooted from their homes. And in November 2016, Hurricane Matthew wreaked yet more havoc across the southern coast of the country, killing 546 people and destroying homes, businesses and infrastructure. Ahead of Hurricane Matthew, Christian Aid and its Haitian partner, were able to warn people, helping to evacuate 5,000 families and saving many lives. In the immediate aftermath the organisation supported urgently-needed shelter materials, hygiene products such as soap, food, seeds and emergency funds, so people could buy items that they desperately needed. Disaster-resistant homes were built, giving people safe, secure places to live. Meabh said: 'We're incredibly grateful for the goodwill of our supporters in North Dublin, including churches, communities and volunteers, each Christian Aid Week and beyond. 'Their tremendous support through collections, Big Brekkies and coffee mornings will raise vital funds for life-changing work with people who are trying to rebuild their lives.' To help to change lives this Christian Aid Week donate online at www.christianaid.ie or call 01 4967040. Three Fingal bathing waters were among just seven recorded as 'poor' in an Environmental Protection Agency report measuring water quality results for last year. The 2017 EPA report, which was published last week, said that almost three quarters of bathing waters in the country were classified as 'excellent' but seven beaches were classified as 'poor' and three of those are in Fingal. Beaches at Loughshinny, Portrane and Rush South were all classified as 'poor' in the 2017 report. It should be noted that the performance of the three Fingal beaches was judged on results taken before a major source of pollutant along the Fingal coast had been dealt with. The Irish Water project to finally end the flow of raw sewage into the sea off Rush was completed this year, and Irish Water and Fingal County Council will hope that giant project will have a positive impact on water quality in the beaches that have been failing the standards. Local Labour TD, Brendan Ryan said that that the apparently poor results, hid a more positive story of improvement. He said: 'The Bathing Water Quality reports for North Dublin are based over a four year period and whilst the results for Loughshinny, Rush South and Portrane were classified as poor, each beach scored very well for 2017 with Loughshinny scoring eight excellent ratings and one poor, Rush South scoring eight excellents and one poor and Portrane scoring seven excellents and two goods. 'It is when aggregated over four years that the overall score is rated as ppor however, if the beaches continue in the next year or two with so many excellent ratings, allied with the works on the Rush Waste Water Treatment, I am sure the overall rating will be excellent in the years to come. Portmarnock is the only beach in Fingal to score an excellent rating and sets the standard which I am sure the rest of the beaches will reach in the next few years. Our beaches are a great amenity and i look forward to further improvements in the coming years.' I stopped at traffic lights on Dublin's Dame Street last week I had a fleeting chat with another cyclist. I thought he was Chinese but no, he was from Mongolia. I quickly said to him 'ah Ulan Bator is the capital of Mongolia'. His response was an immediate smile. We exchanged a few kind words. The lights changed to green, we bad adieu and off we went. A fleeting moment of pleasantness. Two people from different parts of the world engaging in friendly talk. A life-enhancing experience. That same day newspapers in Ireland and around the world carried photographs of Ivanka Trump with her husband Jared Kushner at the opening ceremony of the United States embassy in Jerusalem. Side by side with these pictures were photos of demonstrating Palestinians being fired on with plastic bullets, water-cannon and live ammunition. The previous day the Israeli army killed 60 people and wounded large numbers of demonstrators. Not one Israeli was killed. The splendour and wealth of the occasion at the US embassy was in stark contrast to the Palestinians protesting at the fence dividing Palestine from Israel. They looked poor, beaten, angry and frustrated. And why not when one considers the lives they lead. Approximately two million people are locked into a small area of land where the basic necessities of life are in short supply. In many ways the problems of the Israel-Palestine conflict tell in graphic detail what happens when people hate one another, when societies are incapable of living in peace and harmony. Opposing sides will always try to claim that truth and right is on their side. At the opening of the US embassy in Jerusalem, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the world truth was on the side of Israel. He used the word truth many times while at the same time his army was using live ammunition against poverty-stricken people. What is it about humans that sees us in various degrees of conflict? It happens at all sorts of levels, in families, among friends, within countries. Since Easter Sunday the liturgy in Christian churches has been emphasising different aspects of the Trinity. For most people it is probably true to say the Trinity is some obtuse mystery they have heard mentioned in church. Since the foundations of Christianity the Trinity has afforded theologians the possibility of infinite discussions and mental gymnastics trying to get their heads around the greatest and most challenging Christian mystery. These days the Trinity seems to be out of fashion. And yet it is centre stage in Christian theology. It's about how perfect unity exists in God. It is a fabulous reminder or example to us how people have been called to live in unity and harmony, respecting in justice and truth one other's differences. Christianity offers the world amazing gems. What a shame we don't try to live out the Trinity in our families, in our country, on the world stage. Instead the world spent 1.7 trillion last year on armaments. We can do better. We have to do better. My fellow cyclist from Mongolia and I deserve better, demand it too. Principal Linda Dunne, school bank manager Alanna Davidson, Dervilia Beirne from Our Ladys Childrens Hospital and teacher Marie Hughes. Back: Molly Rose McDermott, Kate McConnell, Killian Byrne, Marie Doyle and Aishling Winterbotham Students at Colaiste Bhride, Carnew, presented a cheque of 1,000 to Our Lady's Children's Hospital in Crumlin on Monday morning. The team of Alanna Davidson, Aishling Winterbotham, Killian Byrne, Molly Rose McDermott, Marie Doyle, James Doyle and Kate McConnel were part of the CBC All Stars Bank in school. The Bank of Ireland school bank was a great success and this year the team managed to open more than 100 new accounts and raised money for Our Lady's Children's Hospital Crumlin along the way. 'I want to say thank so much to all involved in what was a very successful school bank,' said deputy principal Anna Gahan. The 1,000 was raised through a jersey day. It was held in November and staff and students wore a jersey of their choice and donated money to Our Lady's Hospital. Nurse Dervillia Berine from Our Lady's Children's Hospital received a great big welcome to the school on Monday and the CBC All Stars Bank team presented the cheque. Ms Gahan said Dervillia accepted the cheque on behalf of the hospital and thanked everyone for their generous donations. Gorey Chamber CEO Diarmuid Devereux and Chamber vice president Sinead O Sullivan present two laptops to Dr Joe Gallagher and Dr. Peter Harrington for Malawi hospitals The Gorey Chamber of Commerce has made a generous donation to the Gorey-Malawi Health Partnership last week. CEO of Gorey Chamber Diarmuid Devereux presented two new laptops and a power point projector to Dr Joe Gallagher and Dr Peter Harrington, who will travel to Malawi later this year. The laptops and projector will provide an essential training programme to staff at a hospital in Malawi. Mr Harrington and Mr Gallagher work in The Palms Surgery in Gorey on a regular basis, but often travel to Malawi. The Gorey-Malawi Health Partnership was formed in May 2016 and is the clinical partner of the gHealth Research Group. 'We joined forces with the organisation recently,' said Diarmuid. 'The Chamber wanted to donate the laptops and projector so as to provide some vital training programmes.' The Palms GP Surgery, with its academic partners in Europe and clinical partners in Malawi, has been developing research and practical implementation strategies over the past 12 months. The Malawian partners have identified asthma as a priority need and The Palms GP Surgery has agreed to this as their initial working project. They focus on two areas in Northern Malawi - Mzuzu, which is the major city of Northern Malawi, and Livingstonia which is in a remote rural area. The entrance to Lorcan Allens home with a smoked-damaged wall on the right A former Minster of State is outraged by the vandalism incident that happened outside his home. Lorcan Allen, who lives on the Courtown Road, woke up on Tuesday morning to burnt Eighth Amendment plastic posters at the entrance of his driveway. 'Never in my 60 years of being involved with elections did I see something like this. Politics has hit a low level,' said Mr Allen. 'They have destroyed my wall and it can't be fixed.' He said another Eighth Amendment Poster had been torched on an ESB pole on the Courtown Road, which is highly dangerous. With only a few days until the Eighth Amendment Referendum, tensions are high between yes and no voters. Mr Allen, a former Gorey councillor, said anyone with information about the incident should go to the guards. 'I would never condone in taken down posters or I would never damage posters,' said Mr Allen. 'There has been a lot more damaged and taken down, because there was more on the Courtown Road before.' Mr Allen's wall is beyond repairable. He said he can't get the melted plastic off it nor the smoke damage. 'This is the lowest I have ever seen in politics,' added Mr Allen. 'You won't win elections with that carry on.' Contemporary artist Shane OMalley with Seamus McDonald from Monaseed and John Stack, who both live with haemophilia A young Gorey man is helping the Irish Haemophilia Society celebrate their 50th anniversary this year by raising much-needed awareness around Ireland about the blood disorder. Seamus McDonald (27) from Monaseed was born with the genetic disorder haemophilia. His uncle suffered from the condition, which made Seamus' mother a carrier of the disorder. Speaking to this newspaper, Seamus said the general public do not know much about haemophilia. He said it is a lifelong defect in the clotting mechanism of the blood. Blood contains many proteins called clotting factors and these work to stop bleeding. The lack of clotting factor causes people with haemophilia to bleed for longer periods of time. The most common types of bleeding in relation to haemophilia is internal bleeding into the joints or muscles and bleeding may occur without any obvious cause. Repeated or untreated bleeding into joints and muscles can cause permanent damage such as arthritis, chronic pain and joint damage requiring surgery. 'I usually treat myself at home if I have a bleed on a joint, but if it is serious I would go to hospital,' said Seamus. 'I would see a swelling or the area becomes painful.' Because of the advances in treatment and medication through out the years, the life expectancy of someone with haemophilia is normal. 'The blood disorder is not curable yet,' said Seamus. 'There is ongoing trials at the moment, one being the Gene Therapy where we would we amend the gene responsible for the blood disorder.' There are only two Centres of Excellence in Ireland with a team of specialists who deal with haemophilia patients - St James Hospital, Dublin and Cork University Hospital. Seamus did not let his condition stop him from doing the things he liked during his childhood. Learning to deal with the treatment of this condition, and making sure to rest, is something that has become second nature to Seamus. He believes that a good routine and managing his condition has been the secret to remaining well and active 'It did have a slight impact on my childhood, but not as much as the previous generation before me,' said Seamus. 'The previous generation had to get numerous blood transfusions to help with their condition.' Seamus takes medication two to three days per week for his condition, but when he was younger he was in and out of hospital every two to three weeks before they let him medicate himself at home. 'If I have children, there is a 50/50 chance my daughters would be carriers due to the X chromosome, if I had sons they would be fine,' added Seamus. Seamus and his family from Wexford joined the Irish Haemophilia Society when he was young. When he turned 21 he began volunteering and eventually joined the Executive Board three years ago. Seamus attends a lot of events, conferences and takes part in a lot of advocacy workshops with the Irish Haemophilia Society. 'We have numerous initiatives taking place throughout the year to celebrate the 50th anniversary,' said Seamus. 'Last week, we unveiled a mural in St James' Hospital designed by street artist Shane O'Malley to represent the experience of patients suffering with haemophilia and their relationship with health professionals.' Seamus attended Monaseed Primary School, and completed his Leaving Certificate in Colaiste Bhride Carnew. 'I completed my Bachelor of Honours Degree in Biomedical Science in Maynooth University,' added Seamus. 'From there, I went on and completed my Masters in Biomedical Diagnostics in Dublin City University.' Seamus currently lives in Dublin, where he works as a Laboratory Technician in the research Department of Royal College of Surgeons Ireland. Two Ennsicorthy schools are to benefit from thousands of euros after a hugely successful monster raffle fundraiser in the Ash Tree bar in Ballywilliam recently. Hundreds of people attended the night which was organised by parents of children who attend St Patrick's Special School and St Senan's Autism Unit. Everyone enjoyed traditional music performed by a group of local musicians. One of the organisers said: 'It went very well. There was a great variety of local talent who performed. We are very much appreciative of that and to everyone who bought tickets. The top prize was a shopping trip and hotel night in Dublin, complete with 1,000 in spending money. There was also an Irish rugby shirt signed by Jamie Heaslip and another jersey signed by the Leinster rugby team.' One of the most popular items of the night was a top signed by Conor McGregor, while a box of luxury chocolates was also won. 'We were gobsmacked by the turn out. We'd like to thank everybody who volunteered their time and contributed prizes. All the money will go directly to the schools. We raised a substantial amount so that will be of great benefit to both schools. We also want to thank the Ash Tree for the fabulous food provided on the night.' Our Lady of Lourdes students receiving certificates having completed their mock interviews. Photo; Mary Browne Four County Wexford students were award winners in the 2018 National Careers Skills competition for their forays into work experience in various fields. Sinead Lanigan from Our Lady of Lourdes Secondary School was highly commended in the LCE/LCA/LCVP category for her submission on her experience as a primary school teacher. Therese Redmond, who also attends Our Lady of Lourdes Secondary School, was commended in the Transition Year category for her submission on her experience as a physiotherapist. Also commended in the Transition Year Category was Our Lady of Lourdes student Aobhin McGrath, who learned about Pharmacy, while Conor De Ruit of Meanscoil Gharman was awarded a certificate in the Irish Category for his work experience as a parliamentary assistant. The National Career Skill Awards, run by www.careersportal.ie and sponsored by McDonald's Ireland, recognise students who complete a career investigation in their chosen area of interest. Each student had to demonstrate their understanding of a career, the educational pathways that lead to it, the most relevant knowledge requirements needed, and the most important career skills/transferable skills needed to be successful in this career. They also had to explain which skills they developed during their work experience and indicate how their work experience has influenced their career and educational choices. Presentations were made by Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills with special responsibility for Higher Education, Mary Mitchell O'Connor TD at a ceremony at the Clock Tower at the Department of Education. New Ross has received the lowest garda allocation in the county, leading to severe pressure on members and a lack of manpower on the ground. This is according to Fianna Fail Councillor John Fleming who said additional gardai are needed in the New Ross Garda district to help tackle crime and safeguard communities. Cllr Fleming made the comments after receiving new information which shows that the number of newly attested gardai assigned to New Ross falls well short of the allocations in other garda districts. Cllr Fleming said: 'Fianna Fail has been pushing for increased investment in An Garda Siochana, as highlighted under the Confidence and Supply Arrangement. This has led to increased investment in not only better vehicles and equipment for gardai already on the beat, but it has also allowed the Garda Commissioner to bring new blood into the organisation and bolster the police presence on the ground across Ireland.' Cllr Fleming claims that new figures he received show that a total of 64 newly attested gardai have been assigned to Wexford since 2015. 'This is a welcome start, but more gardai are needed in the months ahead and the Government must ensure that Wexford is getting its fair share when it comes to the deployment of new gardai. One thing which I am concerned about is the fact that New Ross has received just ten new gardai since 2015, compared to 31 in Wexford and 23 in Enniscorthy. All of these figures need to be higher, but we can't have a situation whereby New Ross is being left behind. I want to see additional gardai being deployed to the New Ross district to ensure there is a strong emphasis on community based policing.' Cllr Fleming said he will be pushing for more Gardai to be assigned to the New Ross district. Wexford County Council CEO Tom Enright is meeting with CIE management about the rail service to Dublin and Rosslare Europort in the coming weeks. During a discussion on a response by CIE at a Wexford County Council meeting last week, Cllr Malcolm Byrne said the company doesn't 'give a damn' about County Wexford. 'It's very clear that there are no long term plans regarding the Rosslare to Dublin line.' He said the council should call on a representative of Iarnrod Eireann to discuss its plans with the councillors. Cllr Pip Breen said he attended a meeting with Irish Rail officials the previous Friday, adding that no plans for Rosslare to Dublin line were outlined. Cllr Larry O'Brien, chairman of the Southern Assembly, said Iarnrod Eireann has plans for every other part of the country. Mr Enright said he was given an assurance by the previous CEO that the line was being looked at. 'We were asked to put a submission in and we did that.' He suggested that the frequency of the trains be increased and the quality of the rail stock should be improved. 'The rail line problem is that there are only four trains a day. That is not convenient for people who need to get to Dublin. We suggested separating the Dart from the mainline service so it skips smaller stations at peak times. We were told some of the new rolling stock would be put into Wexford but that hasn't happened.' Mr Enright said he is meeting with senior officials from Iarnrod Eireann in the coming weeks and will also discuss Rosslare Europort with them. A major Cultural and Creative Conference, pop-up shops, musical commission and new signs are among some of the proposals being put forward in a draft of the Sligo Culture and Creativity Strategy 2018-2022. Members were shown the draft at the May Council meeting - the Council has been tasked by Creative Ireland to enable creativity in every community as part of national policy. Sligo County Council's Creative Ireland Co-Ordinator and County Librarian Donal Tinney told members they had received almost 97,000 to fund the Strategy. "We will have no difficulty in delivering a programme that will fulfil this role (Sligo's) as the cultural capital of the North West," he said. An open call will go out this month for artists to work in collaborative settings with communities/places of interest/latest technologies for projects to take place from July to December 2018. The projects may be fully realised in 2018 or may be Research and Development towards a longer-term project to start in 2019. Councillor Sinead Maguire welcomed the funding news, even if it was "late in the year". "The fact that we have such a rich cultural heritage in Sligo it's wonderful we're going to get an opportunity to showcase that," she told the meeting. A careworker told the High Court in Sligo how she fell on a kitchen floor in a HSE community house breaking her right hip. Mary McLoughlin (63) of 5 Gort Na Si, Coolaney sued the HSE as a result of the fall at the house at Steeple View, Collooney on February 18th 2015. The plaintiff was represented by Mr Peter Bland SC and Mr Keith O'Grady BL instructed by Mr Gerard McGovern, solicitor. The court was told that the plaintiff was a careworker in a HSE rented house where four people were living who were previous service users of the Cloonamahon. Another four people were living next door. The plaintiff fell in the kitchen while trying to summon help from a nurse next door after a patient was having a seizure. She had gone downstairs at 2.30am with the intention of opening a rear patio door when she fell on the tiled floor. Ms McLoughlin told the court last Wednesday she fell sideways on to her right side after stubbing her foot on the floor. She had been reaching for the handle of the door. She said she ended up in a foetal position. She subsequently underwent total right hip replacement surgery at Sligo Regional Hospital. She was out of work for a year as a result and was unable to go back to her previous job. She would not have been able to cook for the service users as before or shower them or drive the bus as she would be unable to help them on and off. She also had difficulty in bending down and took a decision to retire in February 2016. The accident had a huge impact on her life. She couldn't clean the oven in her house because she could not bend down and she could also not go up a ladder. She also had a fear of falling or jarring her hip. "It feels my hip will lock if I go down on my knee and that I'd need something to grip to get back up. I have to be careful how I hoover," she said. If she jars her hip she gets a searing pain. She has got better and does a lot of walking. She does not do any hillwalking anymore like she used to. She also doesn't wear high heels any longer because of a fear of losing her balance and falling over. She can drive but nor for long distances. At home she sits on a cushioned chair and has to get up and move around. The plaintiff told Mr Bland that prior to the accident she was conscious of the floor because of the shape of the tiles. "They were raised and were bumpy," she said. She had slipped on the kitchen floor before in 2007 when it was wet and had sustained a injured to her brow. No claim was made in respect of that injury. In 206, a housekeeper had also slipped and fallen on the floor. Staff were complaining to each other over the floor and would described it "as lethal." "When it was wet we couldn't walk on it at all and when it was dry your foot would stub the tiles," she said. It was put to the plaintiff that she told her solicitor that she slipped and fell on the tiles. "I can't recall all I said. I told him I slipped, tripped or stumbled, they all mean the same to me," she said. She responded that she told him the flooring was dangerous and provided photographs of same. It was put to the plaintiff that on admission to hospital she had told a doctor in the Emergency Department that she was running down a corridor when she had a fall. "I never said I ran. Things can be lost in translation and they don't half listen at times," she said. The plaintiff said she was wearing shoes with rubber soles and would only slip if the tiles were wet. She had stubbed her foot. Dr Mark Jordan, consulting engineer, told the court he carried out an inspection of the floor and described the tiles as cushioned and imperfectly level. The plateau descends towards the edge so that when two tiles meet there were various hollows. Witness said the plaintiff had hit the floor so hard she bounced off it and this was entirely consistent with a sudden stop. "She told me she wasn't running but walking briskly to the door with a phone in her hand and reaching for the door," he said. Dr Jordan said it was clear her foot got stuck to the floor rather than there being insufficient grip. He had a look at the shoes the plaintiff was wearing on the day. Witness insisted that the tiles were a trip hazard. In reply to Mr Justice Bernard Barton, Dr Jordan said stubbing was the toe actually stopping dead. The plaintiff had used the word stuck to him,. "Her foot stopping dead on the floor is what she described to me and she just capsized on the floor. "It was a combination of a very good grip and the undulations in the tiled floor," he said. Witness also told Judge Barton that the house was not purpose built. It was a dwelling house not built as a healthcare facility. "It was a standard dwelling house of fairly modern construction," said Dr Jordan. Mary Watters, a Clinical Nurse Manager with the HSE said she was looking after five houses in the community with 45 staff and 33 service users. The move of service users from Cloonamahon to Steeple View in Collooney had worked out successfully she said. It wasn't a clinical situation. There was 24 hour nursing care there but it was not strictly a clinical area, she said. She was manager since 2006. Questioned in relation to the floor, the witness said it would be slippy if it was wet. "That was always recognised and we had a mat at the back door," she said. She didn't recall an issue with the floor if it wasn't wet. Witness agreed with Mr Bland that the plaintiff was an excellent, truthful employee. Witness understood the plaintiff was going for the phone in order to call the house next door to get a nurse as she needed assistance. Ms Watters said the HSE did not do anything with the floor when they began renting the house. "Yes, we took it as we found it," she said. She wasn't aware of a safety risk assessment having been carried out on the house by the HSE. Witness said she also wasn't aware of deviations in the floor. At the conclusion of the witness's evidence, Mr Justice Barton said he was unable to sit last Thursday or Friday to hear the remainder of the case but that he would ensure an early resumption date in Dublin on a Monday and the parties would be notified. The case was then adjourned. A leading coffee chain group has opened its second outlet in Sligo. Insomnia Coffee Company opened its second Sligo store in O'Connell Street last Tuesday, complimenting its existing store in Quayside Shopping Centre. Harry O'Kelly, CEO of Insomnia, who was a boarder in Summerhill College said: "I am delighted to open a second shop in Sligo. It's such a great town, I'm sure this new shop in O'Connell Street will be very popular in Sligo and hope the store will become a local hub." Insomnia Coffee Company has become an iconic Irish brand and is well known to coffee lovers across the country. The company which started in 1997 has grown rapidly and now has over 150 stores including eighteen stores in the UK. "The store design reflects Insomnia's coffee heritage whilst also taking and combining inspiration from vintage tea shops and industrial urban lofts. "Wall features including tea cup clocks with cups bought from 2nd hand shops in the Liberties, Dublin. "Alongside this is wall branding with coffee inspired messages, wall galleries and book shelves that operate a popular book swap system. "The store will also provide employment for five new members of staff and Alina, our Store Manager in Quayside has been promoted and will now look after both stores. "The full Insomnia menu will be available including Insomnia Voyager coffee." Insomnia is Ireland's leading independent coffee shop chain and the 15th largest in Europe. It has grown from a single location in a Galway Bookstore in 1997 to over 150 stores, both on the high street and in partnership with retailers such as SPAR, EUROSPAR, Primark, Debenhams, Eason, An Post, Meadows & Byrne and Maxol. The company also has 400 self-service machines in operation in Ireland and the UK. Members and supporters of the Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign in Sligo gathered outside the G.P.O. on Thursday (17th May) to participate in a vigil to show solidarity with the people of Palestine and to protest against the killing of over 60 unarmed Palestinians and the wounding of thousands by Israeli military snipers earlier last week. The protesters displayed Palestinian Flags and carried placards which read: 'End U.S. aid to Israel,' 'Boycott Israeli Goods', 'Freedom and Peace in Palestine.' Local elected representatives including Cllr Declan Bree, Cllr Chris MacManus and Cllr Gino O'Boyle were among those who participated in the protest. Speaking to "The Sligo Champion", Cllr Declan Bree said "Firing live ammunition at unarmed protesters is immoral, illegal and indicative of the disregard that Israel has for the lives of ordinary Palestinians. "The decision of the Irish Government to condemn the shootings and to summon the Israeli Ambassador to Iveagh House is welcome. "However, words are not enough. Action is now required. "Israel needs to be isolated: economically, politically, culturally, diplomatically and militarily. "The government should break off all diplomatic ties and actively pursue a campaign to establish an international boycott of Israel." he said. "Israel can only be described as a rogue state." said Cllr Chris MacManus. It presides over an apartheid system and imposes punitive collective punishment on the entire Palestinian population for simply standing up for their rights. This week's massacre does not come as a shock nor even as a surprise to anyone familiar with Israeli policies. Israel does not want peace. "It certainly does not want a two-state solution. The only policy that seems to drive Israel is the ethnic cleansing of the entire Palestinian population." The U.S. decision to transfer its embassy to Jerusalem showed flagrant disregard for international law and certainly inflamed tensions in Gaza and Palestine, said Cllr Gino O'Boyle. "As Governments have failed to hold Israel accountable, it is up to people of conscience in every community worldwide to heed Palestinian calls for justice and the right to self determination. "In this context civil society in Ireland has an important role to play by supporting the call for an international campaign of boycott, divestment and sanctions against Israel similar to that which helped bring an end to the apartheid regime in South Africa." Cllr O'Boyle said. Thirty years ago this week Vera Dwyer had a single lung transplant thanks to the fundraising efforts of her close knit community in Keash. Today the 77-year-old who is the longest living single lung transplant patient in the world wants to say a heartfelt thanks to each and every person in Sligo and beyond who helped to keep her alive. Mother of four Vera has even featured in the Guinness Book of World Records as she says: "I have my certificate framed on the wall." She enjoys a full life with seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren but back in May 1987 things looked extremely bleak. Speaking from her home near Keash yesterday (Monday) Vera told the Sligo Champion: "It was a life or death situation. It was either travel to the UK for the transplant or die." Vera developed breathing difficulties after the birth of her youngest son. For years doctors were treating her for suspected TB and in the end she was advised that a lung transplant was the only option for survival. At the time these operations were not done in Ireland and Vera had to travel to London. Efforts were then made to fundraise for Vera and her young family and as Vera says, if it was not for the generosity of people, and indeed her donors, she would not be alive today. "When I got to London, I was taken by ambulance at Heathrow to the hospital," Vera recalls, "The consultant who assessed me said I was so ill, I only had days to live. Fortunately a donor came in that was suitable for me, another girl and a young boy. I got one lung, the other patients got a lung and a heart, but I was the only patient that survived." The operation was the first ever split lung transplant in the world, says Vera who still finds it 'so unbelievable that she has got 30 years out of the transplant lung.' Everyday Vera is grateful for having had the chance to see her children grow up, and to meet her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. "Only for the donors, I would long be gone. I would ask everyone to carry a donor card," says Vera. The spirited woman who has always had a positive disposition has a word of encouragement too for all those awaiting transplant operations: "Think positive, look how good I am. I have had a full life. I've just wanted to live to see my grand-kids. I've more on the way. I'm always asking God for something. Now I'm running out of things to ask for." Thankfully, Vera says he seems to listen: "Every day I pray for my donors and their families. I'm so lucky to be alive." This Sligo Grandmother has even confounded the medics: "One of my consultants brings me up still at conferences!" Vera adds: "I want to say a special word of thanks for all of the people who have helped me come this far, all of those who fundraised to get me there and back." As for getting a second chance at life, Vera stresses: "You have to be positive. You have to be happy. I've travelled - even to the White House in Washington, I look at life, at nature and I'm happy. I stopped taking things for granted." Wicklow County Council has been ranked joint 19th in a national integrity list of the country's local authorities carried out by Transparency International Ireland (TI). TI carried out research into local government in Ireland from July 2017 to February 2018. The majority of the information for the study was found on council websites while phone calls to local authority and freedom of information requests were also used. An email was sent to each council containing questions. Wicklow ranked joint 19th out of 31 counties with an overall score of 12 out of 20. Also achieving 40 per cent were Sligo, Louth, Cavan and Mayo County Councils. Each Local Authority was marked on Transparency, Accountability and Ethics. Wicklow scored a total of four in the Transparency category after being rated on a number of different indicators. One of these was that council minutes from meetings weren't provided online in a timely fashion. As of January 25, 2018, the latest meeting minutes were from May 2017. There was also no annual budget or budget commentary for 2017 available online. Researchers also examined whether Wicklow County Council publishes online a searchable database of past and current planning applications, with complete documentation for each application. They found multiple applications in which the planning application states that pre-planning consultations took place, but there are no corresponding reports included in the file. No written motions submitted by Councillors on development plans were found on the council's website. Regarding the publication of comprehensive information on Wicklow County Council's procurement process, as of December 11, 2017, there was no online information for users or contracts awarded. Reports on Councillor expenses and payments failed to include their attendance at meetings. Councillors donation statements weren't found on the council website, while the Chief Executive's diary also wasn't published. Wicklow County Council received a point apiece for publishing information online on the Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015, including a complete list of its designated public officials; the publication of reports on councillor expenses and payments online; the publication of all purchase orders raised for goods and services over 20,000, on a quarterly basis and for placing written submissions and observations submitted by the public development plans on the local authority's website. The Local Authority scored six for Accountability. Scores were provided for providing confirmation of Freedom of Information (FOI) requests after two weeks and for providing a decision on FOI requests within four weeks. Scores were also awarded for publishing a comprehensive protected disclosures policy and procedures and for publishing online the annual report on protected disclosures. Further scores were achieved for allowing the internal audit unit full operational independence and for allowing members of the public to attend monthly meetings. The council lost points for not publishing online audited financial statements, for not sharing the procedures in place to investigate alleged contraventions of Part 15 of the Local Government Act 2001 by councillors and relevant employees and for failing to publish the 2016 report online. The council was also found not to be fully responsive to requests from TI Ireland. Wicklow County Council only achieved two scores out of eight in the Ethics category, with these points achieved for its Ethics Registrar pro-actively reviewing the completeness of ethics declarations filed in accordance with the Local Government Act 2001 and for providing online the 2016 Registers of Interests for council members, though it was noted that two declarations were missing two pages. The remaining points were lost for a number of reasons. As of August 2, 2017, Wicklow County Council didn't have a comprehensive up-to-date page within its website dedicated to ethics and governance. The council also doesn't maintain and publish summary data on reports received by the Ethics Registrar and Chief Executive. The council's risk management or alert plan, addressing corruption and fraud risks is from 2005 and isn't considered up-to-date. There also was no sign of the report online. No points were awarded for the council's role in preventing employees from taking on certain positions in the private sector, whether during or following employment. In response to the report, a council spokesperson said: 'Wicklow County Council is committed to good communications and providing accurate up-to-date information to the public. In this regard, the council communicates with its customers through a variety of means, including Twitter and Facebook as well as by telephone, in person, written correspondence and through our website. The council would welcome more resources for communications, but we have to be responsible in how we manage public funds, and that means prioritising delivery of essential services.' Cllr Edward Timmins is calling on Irish Water to do something as a 'Do Not Consume' notice remains in place for customers supplied by the Kiltegan Water Supply Scheme over three weeks after it was first issued. 'This is a very serious issue. Residents have been notified of nitrates in the water and that it can't be boiled for use, so this is clearly a very major problem. People are getting very frustrated. The notice has been in place for three weeks now, which is an awful long time to do without a proper water supply, especially for families with young children. I have contacted Irish water about the seriousness of the problem and asked that they invest in equipment to clear out and filter this nitrate problem so it doesn't arise again in the future,' said Cllr Timmins. The notice was put in place by Irish Water in consultation with Wicklow County Council and the HSE on Tuesday, May 1, after elevated levels of nitrates were found in the water supply. The notice applies to 269 customers supplied by the scheme. A water tanker has been situated outside Katie Lowes Pub, while bottled water has also been provided. While tests show the levels of nitrate in the supply are dropping, the do not consume ntoice remains in place. Meanwhile, a boil water notice remains in place in Aughrim and Annacurra three weeks after it was issued. The notice was issued to customers of the Aughrim Annacurra Public Water Supply on May 2. A spokesperson for Irish Water said they are working with Wicklow County Council as a matter of priority to resolve the issue. 'We are continuing to carry out investigations including sampling and testing of the water in the network and are liaising with the Health Service Executive and the EPA with a view to lifting the Boil Water Notice as soon as practicable, subject to the recommendation of the HSE.' The Boil Water Notice was issued following testing of the public water supply which indicated the presence of Enterococci in the supply. In the interest of public health, it is recommended that all users on the Aughrim Annacurra Water Supply Scheme continue to boil their water before use. Deirdre Burke with her Sole Practitioner/Sole Principal of the Year Award. A Wicklow solicitor was one of the big winners at the 2018 Clinch Wealth Management Irish Law Awards. Deirdre Burke from DM Burke & Co in Wicklow town was the recipient of the Sole Practitioner/Sole Principal Of The Year at the awards event in the Clayton Hotel, Burlington Road in Dublin on Friday, May 11. The awards set out to identify, commend and publicise excellence and outstanding achievements in Irish law and recognise exemplary practices of leading law firms and teams right throughout the country. The Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan was the guest of honour on the evening and gave the welcome address while the event was hosted by Miriam O'Callaghan. Rose Leslie and Kit Harington are due to get married in Scotland next month (Chris J Ratclife/PA) Game Of Thrones stars Kit Harington and Rose Leslie are set to get married in Scotland next month. A date of June 23 has been posted at Aberdeenshires Huntly registration office. The couple who met while filming the fantasy saga in 2012 played on-screen lovers Jon Snow and Ygritte and announced their engagement in The Times newspaper last year. Expand Close Game Of Thrones stars Kit Harington and Rose Leslie are set to get married in Scotland today (Ian West/PA Wire) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Game Of Thrones stars Kit Harington and Rose Leslie are set to get married in Scotland today (Ian West/PA Wire) Two years after they met, Leslie, 31, left the show while Harington, also 31, has become one of Game Of Thrones most popular stars and has appeared in every episode. Speaking to LUomo Vogue, Harington told how it was easy to fall in love with Leslie and his best memory of the show was meeting his future partner while filming in Iceland in 2012. He said: Because the country is beautiful, because the Northern Lights are magical, and because it was there that I fell in love. Expand Close The announcement in The Times newspaper of the engagement between Game Of Thrones stars Kit Harington and Rose Leslie (PA Wire) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The announcement in The Times newspaper of the engagement between Game Of Thrones stars Kit Harington and Rose Leslie (PA Wire) If youre already attracted to someone, and then they play your love interest in the show, it becomes very easy to fall in love. Leslie previously told how she had been too busy to plan the wedding. Video of the Day She told Town And Country magazine: I havent tackled it. Theres just too much to do. The Good Fight actress said she was trying to fit in my wedding amid her screen roles. In this 2014 file photo, people walk among the debris at the crash site of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17. Image: AP Photo/Dmitry Lovetsky. The Netherlands and Australia have announced they are holding Russia legally responsible for its role in the downing of a Malaysian passenger jet over Ukraine nearly four years ago. The move puts further strain on already tense relations between Moscow and the West and opens a new legal front in the long-running process of apportioning blame for the July 17, 2014, missile strike that blew Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 out of the sky and killed all 298 people on board. "State responsibility comes into play when states fail to uphold provisions of international law and that's clearly the case," Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte told reporters, a day after international prosecutors said they had unequivocal evidence of Russian involvement. On Thursday, a Dutch-led international team of investigators said it had strong evidence that the Buk missile system that brought down the Amsterdam-Kuala Lumpur flight came from a Russia-based military unit, the 53rd anti-aircraft missile brigade based in the Russian city of Kursk. It was the most explicit link yet published by the investigators between Moscow and the downing of Flight MH17. Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop called for international support for the Dutch-Australian legal initiative. "If military weapons can be deployed and then used to bring down civilian aircraft in what was essentially a war zone, then international security is at risk and we call on all countries to inform the Russian Federation that its conduct is unacceptable," she said. The two nations quickly got support from allies including the US and the EU. "It is time for Russia to acknowledge its role in the shooting down of MH17 and to cease its callous disinformation campaign," US State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said. British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson called Russia's involvement "an egregious example of the Kremlin's disregard for innocent life" and called on Moscow to co-operate fully with the investigation. Russia denies involvement in the downing of the Boeing 777 that was flying 33,000ft over war-ravaged eastern Ukraine when it was torn apart by a missile fired from territory controlled by pro-Russian rebels. Bodies, debris and burning wreckage rained out of the sky into a field of sunflowers near the rebel-held village of Hrabove in the Donetsk region, about 40km from the Russian border, where fighting had been raging for months. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told reporters that Moscow has co-operated with the criminal probe and sent data including radar images from the day the plane was shot down. "The foreign minister of the Netherlands called me to say they have no doubts that the Buk came from Russia," Mr Lavrov said. "I asked him about the facts that would prove it, but he failed to offer any." An American couple found their Amazon Alexa voice assistant system had recorded their conversations and sent them to a contact. The couple, from Portland, Oregon, had been joking about Alexa listening in on them. Then the woman took a call from one of her husband's employees, saying that they were being hacked and should unplug their devices. Danielle, who did not want to give her last name, said: "He proceeded to tell us that he had received audio files of recordings from inside our house. At first, my husband was, like, 'No you didn't!' He said, 'You sat there talking about hardwood floors.' And we said, 'Oh gosh, you really did hear us.'" Although the conversation was not highly personal, Danielle said she still felt "invaded". She unplugged all of her devices and contacted Amazon, who sent engineers to her house. Danielle said they apologised to her profusely. However, she says that the device did not audibly advise her it was preparing to send the recording, which it is programmed to do. Amazon has blamed an "unlikely" series of events for the behaviour of the Alexa, which is installed in every room of the couple's house to control heat, lighting and security. The company insists the devices are not always listening and only "wake up" when the word "Alexa" is spoken. A spokesman said, in this case, a word in background conversation must have sounded like "Alexa". Other conversation and noises were heard as requests to send messages and confirmation. Amazon has aroused suspicion in the past by encouraging customers to place listening devices in every room. It has filed patent applications for more invasive listening devices, which record all of the time. One included an algorithm that would analyse when people say they "love" or "bought" something. This patent included a diagram in which two people talking on the telephone were given separate targeted advertisements after they hung up. There were also worries in 2016 when scientists found that voice assistants such as Alexa could be woken up by sounds unintelligible to humans. The group found that commands could be hidden in white noise, with the device switching on and going to websites without being asked to do so. In May, these findings went further, with researchers claiming they could embed commands directly into recordings of music or spoken text. This could mean that as you listen to music, the voice assistant may hear an instruction to send a message. ( Daily Telegraph, London) North Korea said it is still willing to sit down for talks with the United States at any time, at any format (Ahn Young-joon/AP) US President Donald Trump late on Friday said the United States was having "productive talks" about reinstating a June 12 summit with North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un, just a day after he cancelled the meeting citing Pyongyang's "open hostility." "We are having very productive talks about reinstating the Summit which, if it does happen, will likely remain in Singapore on the same date, June 12th., and, if necessary, will be extended beyond that date," Trump said in a Twitter post. South Korea's presidential spokesman said in response: "We are cautiously optimistic that hope is still alive for US-North Korea dialogue. We are continuing to watch developments carefully." Trump had earlier indicated the summit could be salvaged after welcoming a conciliatory statement from North Korea saying it remained open to talks. "It was a very nice statement they put out," Trump told reporters at the White House. "We'll see what happens - it could even be the 12th. "We're talking to them now. They very much want to do it. We'd like to do it." Expand Close Protesters with a portrait of US President Donald Trump stage a rally against the United States policies near the US embassy in Seoul, South Korea, yesterday. Photo: AP / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Protesters with a portrait of US President Donald Trump stage a rally against the United States policies near the US embassy in Seoul, South Korea, yesterday. Photo: AP After years of tension over Pyongyang's nuclear weapons program, Kim and Trump agreed this month to hold what would be the first meeting between a serving U.S. president and a North Korean leader. The plan followed months of war threats and insults between the leaders over North Korea's development of missiles capable of reaching the United States. Trump scrapped the meeting, planned for Singapore, in a letter to Kim on Thursday after repeated threats by North Korea to pull out over what it saw as confrontational remarks by U.S. officials demanding unilateral disarmament. Trump cited North Korean hostility in canceling the summit. In Pyongyang, North Korean Vice Foreign Minister Kim Kye Gwan said North Korea's criticisms had been a reaction to American rhetoric and that current antagonism showed "the urgent necessity" for the summit. He said North Korea regretted Trump's decision to cancel and remained open to resolving issues "regardless of ways, at any time." Kim Kye Gwan said North Korea had appreciated Trump having made the bold decision to work toward a summit. "We even inwardly hoped that what is called 'Trump formula' would help clear both sides of their worries and comply with the requirements of our side and would be a wise way of substantial effect for settling the issue," he said. DIPLOMATS AT WORK Trump's latest about-face sent officials scrambling in Washington. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis told reporters diplomats were "still at work" and said Trump had just sent a note out on the summit, which could be back on "if our diplomats can pull it off." U.S. State Department spokeswoman Katina Adams declined to give details of any diplomatic contacts but said: "As the president said in his letter to Chairman Kim, dialogue between the two is the only dialogue that matters. If North Korea is serious, then we look forward hearing from them at the highest levels." White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders told reporters Trump did not want a meeting that was "just a political stunt." "He wants to get something thats a long-lasting and an actual real solution. And if they are they are ready to do that then ... were certainly ready to have those conversations," she said. North Korea had sharply criticised suggestions by Trump's national security adviser, John Bolton, and Vice President Mike Pence that it could share the fate of Libya if it did not swiftly surrender its nuclear arsenal. Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi was deposed and killed by NATO-backed militants after halting his nascent nuclear program. Trump had initially sought to placate North Korea, saying he was not pursuing the "Libya model" and Sanders said he was following "the President Trump model." U.S. regional allies Japan and South Korea, as well as North Korea's main ally, China, urged the two countries to salvage the summit on Friday. At an economic forum in St. Petersburg, Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan said it was necessary to ensure security on the Korean peninsula, which touched on China's core interests. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, at the same forum, regretted the cancellation and said the world should keep doing its bit to make the summit happen. South Korea also would continue efforts to improve ties with the North, the office of President Moon Jae-in said after Moon's top security advisers met for the second time on Friday. Some analysts worried that canceling the summit could prompt a resumption in hostilities, including renewed shorter-range missile tests or stepped-up cyber attacks by Pyongyang and increased sanctions or deployment of new military assets by Washington. In his letter, Trump warned Kim of the United States' greater nuclear might, reminiscent of his tweet last year asserting that he had a "much bigger" nuclear button than Kim. While the Trump administration had insisted on North Korea's complete, verifiable and irreversible dismantling of its nuclear program, Pyongyang had always couched its language in terms of denuclearization of the Korean peninsula. It has said in previous, failed talks that it could consider giving up its arsenal if the United States provided security guarantees by removing its troops from South Korea and withdrawing its so-called nuclear umbrella of deterrence from South Korea and Japan. Donald Trump performed yet another about-turn on North Korea yesterday, suggesting the June 12 meeting with its leader Kim Jong-un could be back on. The US president praised the "warm and productive" statement issued by North Korea following his abrupt decision on Thursday to pull the plug on the Singapore summit. Expand Close Protesters with a portrait of US President Donald Trump stage a rally against the United States policies near the US embassy in Seoul, South Korea, yesterday. Photo: AP / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Protesters with a portrait of US President Donald Trump stage a rally against the United States policies near the US embassy in Seoul, South Korea, yesterday. Photo: AP His reaction came after a senior North Korean official expressed "great regret" at America's withdrawal and insisted the regime remained open to talks "at any time". US Defence Secretary James Mattis also said yesterday that the meeting could take place as planned, provided "our diplomats can pull it off". But whether logistics and policy planning can take place in the time remaining is in doubt. A senior White House official cited North Korea's failure to attend a planning meeting in Singapore and lack of communication when explaining Mr Trump's initial decision to cancel the summit. But yesterday, North Korea appeared to have reopened diplomatic channels. It also issued an even-toned message that raised hopes the original meeting could take place. Kim Kye Gwan, North Korea's vice-foreign minister, said in state media: "We have inwardly highly appreciated President Trump for having made the bold decision, which any other US president dared not, and made efforts for such a crucial event as the summit. "We even inwardly hoped that what is called the 'Trump formula' would help clear both sides of their worries and comply with the requirements of our side and would be a wise way of substantial effect for settling the issue. "We would like to make known to the US side once again that we have the intent to sit with the US side to solve problem(s), regardless of ways at any time." Mr Trump welcomed the comments, tweeting: "Very good news to receive the warm and productive statement from North Korea. We will soon see where it will lead, hopefully to long and enduring prosperity and peace. Only time (and talent) will tell!" Asked later about the summit, Mr Trump said: "We'll see what happens. "It could even be the 12th. We're talking to them now. They very much want to do it. We'd like to do it." The US and North Korea still appear far apart in what they want out of the meeting. The Trump administration has insisted on denuclearisation before any economic sanctions are lifted. But North Korea has rejected calls for it to "unilaterally" denuclearise and appears to favour a tit-for-tat approach of sanctions being lifted alongside any curbing of its nuclear programme. However, North Korea released images and video footage of what it said was the demolition of its Punggye-ri nuclear test site yesterday, a move intended to show its good intentions. US regional allies Japan and South Korea, as well as North Korea's main ally, China, urged the two countries to salvage the summit yesterday. China, which Mr Trump has blamed for Mr Kim's more critical tone on talks in recent weeks, urged both America and North Korea to "show goodwill". Lu Kang, the Chinese foreign ministry spokesman, said: "The recent easing situation on the peninsula is hard won, the political settlement process is faced with a rare historic opportunity. "We believe as the parties directly engaged on the issue, the summit of North Korea and US can play a crucial role for promoting the denuclearisation of the peninsula. "We hope both North Korea and the US can cherish the recent positive progress, stay patient, show goodwill [and] move in the same direction." At an economic forum in St Petersburg, Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan said it was necessary to ensure security on the Korean peninsula, which touched on China's core interests. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, at the same forum, regretted the cancellation and said the world should keep doing its bit to make the summit happen. South Korea also would continue efforts to improve ties with the North, the office of President Moon Jae-in said after his top security advisers met for the second time yesterday. Some analysts worried that cancelling the summit could prompt a resumption in hostilities, including renewed shorter-range missile tests or stepped-up cyber attacks by Pyongyang and increased sanctions or deployment of new military assets by Washington. (Daily Telegraph, London) President Donald Trump said the summit might be getting back on track (Evan Vucci/AP) Donald Trump has said very productive talks are ongoing with North Korea over reinstating a summit with leader Kim Jong Un, adding that if successful it will likely take place in Singapore on June 12. The US president left open the possibility that the meeting could be put off to another date if negotiations do not make sufficient progress. He tweeted: We are having very productive talks with North Korea about reinstating the Summit which, if it does happen, will likely remain in Singapore on the same date, June 12th., and, if necessary, will be extended beyond that date. Mr Trump shocked the international community on Thursday when he pulled out of the historic summit after talks deteriorated. On Thursday, White House officials had noted that Mr Trump had left the door open with a letter to Mr Kim that blamed tremendous anger and open hostility by Pyongyang but also urged Mr Kim to call him. By Friday, North Korea issued a statement saying it was still willing to give the US time and opportunities to reconsider talks at any time, at any format. Mr Trump rapidly tweeted that the statement was very good news and told reporters that were talking to them now. Confident in his negotiating skills, Mr Trump made a quick decision to accept the sit-down in March, over the concerns of many top aides, and has remained committed, even amid rising concerns about the challenges he faces in scoring a positive agreement. Asked on Friday if the North Koreans were playing games with their communications, Mr Trump responded: Everybody plays games. You know that better than anybody. While the president did not detail the nature of the new US communication with the North on Friday, Defence Secretary Jim Mattis said at the Pentagon, The diplomats are still at work on the summit, possibility of a summit, so that is very good news. He characterised the recent back-and-forth as the usual give and take. A previously planned trip by White House aides to Singapore this weekend to work on logistics for the trip remained on schedule, said two White House officials. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo spoke on Friday with a top official from South Korea, whose leaders had appeared to be taken aback when Mr Trump withdrew from the summit. Spokeswoman Heather Nauert said Pompeo and South Korean foreign minister Kang Kyung-wha reaffirmed their shared commitment to the denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula and pledged to coordinate in all of their efforts to create conditions for dialogue with North Korea. South Koreas government said in a statement released on Saturday that it was relieved about the revived talks for a summit. Expand Close North Korea said it is still willing to sit down for talks with the United States at any time, at any format (Ahn Young-joon/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp North Korea said it is still willing to sit down for talks with the United States at any time, at any format (Ahn Young-joon/AP) Mr Trumps comments on Friday came after days of mixed messages on the summit. Mr Trump, in his letter to Mr Kim on Thursday, objected specifically to a statement from a top North Korean Foreign Ministry official. That statement referred to vice president Mike Pence as a political dummy for his comments on the North and said it was up to the Americans whether they would meet us at a meeting room or encounter us at nuclear-to-nuclear showdown. The president then said from the White House that a maximum pressure campaign of economic sanctions and diplomatic isolation would continue against North Korea with which the US is technically still at war though he added that it was possible the summit could still take place at some point. A senior White House official said the North had reneged on its promises ahead of the summit, including a pledge to allow international inspectors to monitor its explosive destruction of its nuclear test site. Mr Trumps aides had warned that merely agreeing to the summit had provided Mr Kim with long-sought international legitimacy and, if Mr Trump ultimately backed out, he risked fostering the perception that the president was insufficiently committed to diplomatic solutions to the nuclear question. US defence and intelligence officials have repeatedly assessed the North to be on the threshold of having the capability to strike anywhere in the continental US with a nuclear-tipped missile a capacity that Mr Trump and other US officials have said they would not tolerate. Russian president Vladimir Putin said from St Petersburg: If you dont behave aggressively and if you dont corner North Korea, the result that we need will be achieved faster than many would think, and at less cost. The US government says it will take firm and appropriate measures to protect a ceasefire in southern Syria if President Bashar Assads forces attack rebels there. In a statement released on Friday, the State Department said it was concerned by reports that Assads forces were preparing for an operation near the Jordanian and Israeli borders. The US, Russia, and Jordan agreed last year on a de-escalation zone in southwestern Syria to freeze the lines of conflict. The U.S. is concerned by reports of an impending Assad regime operation in southwest #Syria within the boundaries of the de-escalation zone negotiated between the U.S., #Jordan, and #Russia last year and reaffirmed between Presidents Trump and Putin... https://t.co/DKfdS0Zylw pic.twitter.com/0By1odA2Lc Ned Price (@StateDeptSpox) May 26, 2018 The State Department warned the Syrian government against any actions that risk broadening the conflict. The US and Israel are growing increasingly concerned about Iranian military activities in Syria in support of Assad. Israel says it does not want Iranian forces massing close to the nearby occupied Golan Heights. New Delhi, May 26 (IBNS) : The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) on Saturday released the Class 12 results on the official website with the pass percentage improving to 83.01- almost one percent up as compared to that in the last year. According to the available data, girls performed much better than boys securing a pass percentage of 88.31, while 78..99 percent of the boys passed. Trivandrum recorded highest pass percentage of 97.32, Cehnnai came second with 93.87 percent followed by Delhi at 89 percent. New Delhi/Srinagar, May 26 (IBNS): Five terrorists were killed after the Indian Army foiled an infiltration bid in the Tangdar sector of Kupwara district of Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday morning, according to media reports. According to latest reports, operations are still under way. With the commencement of the Ramadan month, the Indian government had declared a unilaters cease fire in the region, according to media reports. However, an increase in the number of cease fire violations from the Pakistani side compelled Indian Army chief, General Bipin Rawat, to review the situation, and he was on a two-day visit to the state on Thursday and Friday. New Delhi, May 26 (IBNS): CPI-M General Secretary Sitaram Yechury has launched an unsparing attack on the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as it completed its four years in office on Saturday. Hitting out at the BJP-led central government, Yechury tweeted, "Four Years of BJP Central Government: These four years have seen an unprecedented assault on India as a country and the livelihood of our people. There has been a four-pronged attack that continues to intensify by the day during these four years." Four Years of BJP Central Government: These four years have seen an unprecedented assault on India as a country and the livelihood of our people. There has been a four-pronged attack that continues to intensify by the day during these four years. https://t.co/k6hGkYUc1t Sitaram Yechury (@SitaramYechury) May 26, 2018 Yechury has also referred to four-pronged attack by the central government in the last four years. The four pronged attacks are the aggressive pursuit of neo-liberal economic reforms, sharpening communal polarisation, an all-round attack on parliamentary democracy and constitutional authorities and institutions and surrendering foreign policy of the country. In 2014, the BJP had stormed into power by winning 282 Lok Sabha seats to form a full-majority government at the Centre after 30 years. The BJP had ended a 10-year rule of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA)- led by the Congress- at the Centre in 2014. Though the BJP had lost a few Lok Sabha seats in the recent by-polls, the saffron outfit is still the most dominant political party in the country. However, Narendra Modi and the BJP are likely to face a united Opposition in the next General Elections, scheduled to be held in 2019. Several disparate opposition forces are teaming up with an aim to defeat the BJP in the next Lok Sabha polls. Image: Official Facebook page of Sitaram Yechury Mumbai, May 27 (IBNS): A Mumbai-based floating restaurant capsized in the Arabian Sea on Friday evening, according to media reports. However, no loss of lives were reported. Believed to be a converted yacht, the Ark Deck Bar was sailing near the Bandra Worli Sea Link in Mahim when it was hit by strong winds, reports said. According to media reports, the Fire Brigade got a call from a person who noticed the boat floundering in the turbulent sea, on Friday evening. Bandra police and coastal police rescued 15 people after being informed of the disaster. Later the Art deck Bar said on its Facebook page, "Thank you for all the concern to all our patrons friends and family. We would like to inform you all that we are shattered by the unfortunate storm that hit the Ark Deck Bar on the last day of this beautiful season that we have had with you all. The ark was moving towards dry dock but no one can fight nature . Thank God there were no casualties at all. The ship was shut at the point and all the ship crew got to the jetty safely." Image: Ark Deck Bar/Facebook (for representational purpose only) Guwahati, May 26 (IBNS) : A hardcore militant belonging to NSCN-IM was killed during a fierce gun fight with the troops of Assam Rifles in Arunachal Pradesh on Friday evening, officials said on Saturday. According to the reports, based on intelligence inputs about the presence of militants at Nignu village in Longding district, the troops of Assam Rifles launched an operation in a remote area. Kohima-based Defence PRO Colonel Chiranjeet Konwer said when the troops reached, the militants started heavy firing leading to an exchange of fire. "The columns, while approaching a hut where the militants were staying, came under fire. A militant, who was standing outside the hut, fired the shots and shouted to warn the others. A second militant came out from the hut and started firing on the Security Forces column, which also retaliated and eliminated one of the ultras.. The other militants, however, managed to escape taking advantage of the dense forest," Colonel Konwer said. The slain militant was identified as Self Styled Sergeant Pangang Gangsa. The Defence PRO said that, the militant was previously part of banned outfit NSCN-K. He was also involved in an ambush against security forces on December 3, 2016 in Nignu where two security personnel were martyred. Security personnel have recovered one pistol, ammunition, grenades and other incriminating evidence from the possession of the slain militant. Security personnel have launched operation to nab the militants. ( Reportinbh by Hemanta Kumar Nath, Guwahati) Image: twitter.com/RahulGandhi New Delhi, May 26 (IBNS): Congress president Rahul Gandhi has given a thumps down to Narendra Modi government, which completed four years in office on Saturday. Rahul took to Twitter to give a report card of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led central government. The Congress chief has given poor grades in all categories except in "slogan creation" and "self-promotion". 4 Yr. Report Card Agriculture: F Foreign Policy: F Fuel Prices: F Job Creation: F Slogan Creation: A+ Self Promotion: A+ Yoga: B- Remarks: Master communicator; struggles with complex issues; short attention span. Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) May 26, 2018 Interestingly, Rahul took a dig at Modi government by giving a B- grade in yoga category. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has emphasised on yoga after assumption of power. The central government used to widely celebrate International Yoga Day on Jun 21. Rahul's tweet reads, "4 Yr. Report Card Agriculture: F Foreign Policy: F Fuel Prices: F Job Creation: F Slogan Creation: A+ Self Promotion: A+ Yoga: B- Remarks: Master communicator; struggles with complex issues; short attention span." In 2014, the BJP had stormed to power by winning 282 Lok Sabha seats to form a full-majority government at the Centre after 30 years. The BJP had ended a 10-year rule of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA)- led by the Congress- at the Centre in 2014. The Congress was reduced to 44 seats in the country four years ago. Though the BJP had lost a few Lok Sabha seats in the recent by-polls, the saffron outfit is still the most dominant political party in the country. However, Narendra Modi and the BJP are likely to face a united Opposition in the next General Elections, scheduled to be held in 2019. Several disparate opposition forces are teaming up with an aim to defeat the BJP in the next Lok Sabha polls. Singapore, May 26 (IBNS) Bollywood star Kajol has joined the IIFA Awards party at Madame Tussauds Singapore. Her figure is the newest addition to the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Awards Experience, an interactive zone where you can surround yourself with A-list Bollywood stars and experience stardom. The Bollywood legend herself came to Singapore for a live side-by-side, where she unveiled her wax figure. It is truly an honour to have my own wax figure here at Madame Tussauds Singapore. The entire experience from my sitting to the actual unveiling of the figure has been surreal. When I heard I would get my own figure in Madame Tussauds I was really thrilled. Now, seeing the figure in real life, the details are incredible, its like looking into a mirror, said Kajol. Acclaimed for detailed and lifelike creations, this process took 5 months for Madame Tussauds professional artists and sculptors to create a true-to-life representation of the Bollywood star. The dress Kajols figure is wearing is donated by Prabal Gurung, the stunning dark blue gown that put her on the best-dressed list across Indian publications during a red carpet walk in 2017. Alex Ward, General Manager, Madame Tussauds Singapore. said: It is an honour to welcome Kajol personally to our attraction for the unveiling of her wax figure. With so many of our visitors coming from India, we want to make the Bollywood experience one of the highlights when visiting Singapore. We received lots of requests for Kajols figure and we look forward to offering her fans the chance to share the stage with her. Kajols figure joins other Bollywood stars including Shah Rukh Khan, Amitabh Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai, Madhuri Dixit and Ranbir Kapoor in the IIFA Awards Experience where you can re-live the glamour of the Bollywood awards ceremony. New York, May 26 (IBNS): Praising efforts by African countries to alleviate poverty and build more stable societies, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres pledged his on-going support for ending conflict and building peace across the continent. Peace and sustainable development are two sides of the same coin one cannot be achieved without the other, said Mr. Guterres marking Africa Day. To promote peace, the UN will continue to support prevention, he added. Commemorated annually on 25 May, Africa Day marks the founding in 1963 of the Organization of African Unity, now known as the African Union (AU). In his message, the UN chief applauded the continents leaders for reaching agreement on the African Continental Free Trade Area just a few months ago, thereby creating one of the worlds largest trading blocs, comprising more than 50 countries. He also noted the trend towards general economic and social progress across the continent as well as the greater participation of women in national parliaments and decision-making. The Secretary-General also called for strengthening capacity to address crises before they escalate as well as the ability to detect and defuse them.Representing one of the largest markets in the world, with 1.2 billion consumers, the Free Trade Area can boost regional integration, drive economic growth, generate jobs for young Africans, alleviate poverty and lead to more stable and peaceful societies, said Guterres. The UN will also work to support the African Unions commitment to Silence the Guns by 2020 and promote the indispensable role of women and youth in conflict prevention and peace building, he added. Guterres also highlighted growing links between the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development adopted by UN Member States almost three years ago, and the African Union Agenda 2063; and said that they can provide a foundation for resilience and social and economic progress for the entire continent. The Secretary-General also recalled the framework signed between the UN and the AU on implementing Agenda 2063 and the 2030 Agenda more coherently, and a similar pledge to work together to improve peace and security. That framework, signed in April 2017, strengthens partnership between the two organizations to meet the evolving challenges of peace operations. World Bank/John Hogg New York, May 26 (IBNS): While commending efforts by the French government to combat terrorism, a United Nations rights expert has raised concerns about the effect recent counter-terrorism laws are having on fundamental human rights there, including freedom of movement, religion and association. Fionnuala Ni Aolain, the UN Special Rapporteur on the protection of human rights said she was particularly concerned that tough new security laws passed last November, may disproportionately stigmatize and further marginalize Muslim citizens. She said it was clear that Muslims in France have been the community primarily subject to exceptional measures both during the state of emergency and the new law, in tandem with other counter-terrorism measures, Ni Aolain said, highlighting the example of mosque closures as an encroachment on religious freedom. There is no doubt that the State may lawfully engage in restrictions to protect public order, but a clear tipping point to exceptionality arises when counter-terrorism measures engage profound, sustained and potentially disproportionate effects on the enjoyment of fundamental human rights and civil liberties, she added. At the Governments invitation, Ni Aolain visited France from 14 to 23 May where she took account of the serious security challenges faced by French authorities. But she said the on-going threat of terror attacks and pressure on security services, did not excuse how laws were being implemented. It is deeply concerning that the Muslim minority community is being constructed as a per se suspect community through the sustained and broad application of a counter-terrorism law, she said at the end of the visit. The new counter-terror measures came into force last November, formally ending a nearly two-year state of emergency after the 2015 terrorist attacks in Paris. According to the Special Rapporteurs assessment, the continuing effect of these measures constitutes a de factostate of qualified emergency in ordinary French law.Ni Aolain expressed concerns during the emergency period, that there were insufficient checks and balances to protect against administrative measures, including freedoms of movement, privacy, religious belief and practice. She was particularly mindful of the effects these laws had on the of rights by French Muslim citizens and recommended that the Government create an independent body to oversee counter-terrorism and exceptional national security powers. France must continue to work in genuine partnership with all its citizens and take specific steps to prevent this conflation, which includes best practice on independent oversight, community consultation, prevention, and remedy when violations of human rights are established through legal and administrative action, underscored the UN expert. Special Rapporteurs and independent experts are appointed by the Geneva-based UN Human Rights Council, on an honorary basis, to examine and report back on a specific human rights theme or country situation. UNESCO/C. Darmouni Dublin, May 26 (IBNS): Exit polls in the recent Ireland polls over abortion have suggested that the majority of the population have voted for the repeal of the Eighth Amendment. According to said amendment, an unborn child has the same right to life as a pregnant woman. Reports published by the local The Irish Times have suggested that around 70 percent of the eligible voters have voted in favour of abortion, while an estimated 30 percent wants to go unchanged. The pro campaign has received a huge shot in the arm after Taoiseach (prime minister) Leo Varadkar openly backed the reform. "Thank you to everyone who voted today. Democracy in action. Its looking like we will make history tomorrow.... #Together4Yes," Varadkar tweeted on Friday. Counting of the votes will begin today at 9 am local time. Reacting to the prediction, Penny Mordaunt, the British Women and Equalities Minister said: "...historic and great day for Ireland and a hopeful one for Northern Ireland." The present scenario Being a strict Roman Catholic nation, Ireland's view about abortions are very conservative. Abortions pertaining to cases of rape and incest are not permitted. Earlier, even travelling abroad for termination wasn't allowed. However, that rule was changed 1992 after the Irish Supreme Court overturned the travel ban. According to UK Department of Health, more than 3000 Irish women had abortions in clinics across the UK and Wales. Image: twitter.com Kabul, May 26 (IBNS): A gun attack by unknown assailants has killed at least two soldiers near a voter registration booth in Afghanistan's Khost province, reports said. The incident took place in Mandozayi district at around 11 am on Saturday. The two deceased have been identied as members of the local police and Afghan National Army respectively. They were fatally shot by two men who approached the site wearing burqas. An investigation has been initiated to nab the gunmen. No group has so far claimed the attack. Washington/Pyongyang, May 26 (IBNS): A day after calling off the Singapore meeting, US President Donald Trump has announced that the proposed dialogue between America and North Korea can still take place. Trump stated via a tweet that he has held productive talks with Pyongyang regarding the meeting and it can go as planned, on June 12 in Singapore, or can extend beyond that date. "We are having very productive talks with North Korea about reinstating the Summit which, if it does happen, will likely remain in Singapore on the same date, June 12th., and, if necessary, will be extended beyond that date," Trump's tweet read. Earlier this week, the US President had cancelled the meeting stating 'hostility' from North Korea. Trump, who made the announcement through a open letter directed towards Kim Jong-un, said he looks very much forward to meeting the North Korean leader. "I felt a wonderful dialogue was building up between you and me, and ultimately, it is only the dialogue that matters. Some day, I look very much forward to meeting you," he said. The US President also thanked his North Korea counterpart for the release of the three American hostages. "In the meantime, I want to thank you for the release of the hostages who are now home with their families. That was a beautiful gesture and was very much appreciated," Trump wrote. Reacting to North Korean Vice Foreign Minister and longtime nuclear negotiator, Choe Son Hui's statement about a nuclear showdown, Trump said that the US possess much bigger weapons and he prays to God that they will never have to be used. "You talk about your nuclear capabilities, but ours are so massive and powerful that I pray to God they will never have to be used," Trump said. Calling it a sad moment in history and a lost opportunity for North Korea, the US President has urged Kim Jong-un to write or call if the latter changes his mind about the meeting. "If you change your mind having to do with this most important summit, please do not hesitate to call me or write. The world, and North Korea in particular, has lost a great opportunity for latest peace and great prosperity and wealth. This missed opportunity is a truly sad moment in history," he said. Tensions heightened between the two nations after US Vice President Mike Pence warned North Korea not to play Trump, during an interview with Fox News. "It would be a great mistake for Kim Jong-un to think he could play Donald Trump," Pence said. Following Pence's warning, US National Security Adviser John Bolton reportedly told media that America would follow the 'Libya model' of denuclearisation in the Korea Peninsula. In Libya, the late dictator Muammar Gaddafi shook hands with Western powers in 2003, to allow the latter to come to his nation and dismantle his nuclear programme, in exchange of lenient sanctions. Gadaffi was killed eight years later by the same allies-backed rebels. The US came under fire from Choe Son Hui, who in a scathing statement said: "At an interview with Fox News on May 21, US Vice-President Pence made unbridled and impudent remarks that North Korea might end like Libya, military option for North Korea never came off the table, the US needs complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearisation, and so on." "As a person involved in the US affairs, I cannot suppress my surprise at such ignorant and stupid remarks gushing out from the mouth of the US vice-president. "If he is vice-president of "single superpower" as is in name, it will be proper for him to know even a little bit about the current state of global affairs and to sense to a certain degree the trends in dialogue and the climate of detente. "We could surmise more than enough what a political dummy he is as he is trying to compare the DPRK, a nuclear weapon state, to Libya that had simply installed a few items of equipment and fiddled around with them. "Soon after the White House National Security Adviser Bolton made the reckless remarks, Vice-President Pence has again spat out nonsense that the DPRK would follow in Libya's footstep. "It is to be underlined, however, that in order not to follow in Libya's footstep, we paid a heavy price to build up our powerful and reliable strength that can defend ourselves and safeguard peace and security in the Korean peninsula and the region," she added. If the summit does take place between Trump and Kim, it will be the first time a sitting US President will meet a North Korea leader in person. Priyanka Chopra is an inspiration for each one of us and for reasons more than one. It would be an understatement to call her one of the most influential global icons. She's making the most of her influential star power to make a change. Be it through her motivational speeches or associations with various social responsibility initiatives, PC is phenomenal in everything she picks up. A few days ago, she shared, Im in Coxs Bazar, Bangladesh today for a field visit with UNICEF, to one of the largest refugee camps in the world. In the second half of 2017, the world saw horrific images of ethnic cleansing from the Rakhine State of Myanmar(Burma). This violence drove nearly 700,000 Rohingya across the border into Bangladesh - 60% are children! These children are at the forefront of this humanitarian crisis, and they desperately need our help. The world needs to care. We need to care. These kids are our future. Even though when the actress received a lot of flak for extending support to them, she's proud of her choices. While interacting with an international media portal, PC made a heartfelt confession on why she's supporting the social cause attached to Rohingya crisis. She said, "I have a gentle heart. I feel very emotional and sensitive towards especially children because theyre innocent. The solution would be that they have citizenship of their own country. But Im not a political figure. I cant make laws or shift lawmakers." Wrapping up her four-day visit at different Rohingya refugee camps in Cox's Bazar, Priyanka was sad to see how there is no space for the Rohingya people. She added, "Open your hearts with compassion. Please be sympathetic and treat these children as your own." "The world will have to take the responsibility of the Rohingya children," she urged the global community. "I found one kind of healing inside the Rohingya children," PC explained while giving an example of her experience of visiting the Rohingya camps last year. She added,"Earlier, when I visited the Rohingya camps I asked the children to draw a picture, and they responded with drawing pictures of arms, gunfire and mortar shells from roving helicopters. But this time when I told them to do the same, they drew pictures of sun, animals and nature." Talking about the changes that could be implemented, PeeCee explained how the only solution would be that they have citizenship of their own country. She concluded the event by saying how important it is for all of us right now for everyone to be able to recognize that there are so many children in a situation where they have nothing. She added how these kids don't have an access to clean water and that should be a worry for us. In a shocking incident that raises some serious questions about the safety of tourists visiting Goa, a woman holidaying was gangraped by three men. The incident happened at the Sernabatim beach, 50 km from Panaji on Thursday night. According to the police, the woman in her 20's was at the beach with her boyfriend when they were assaulted by three men. BCCL/ Representational Image They had traveled on the scooter to the beach in the evening, parked the scooter at the entrance of the beach and walked to the seashore. While they were at the beach, at around 11 pm three youngsters, with their faces covered came to the beach, walking towards the couple. They stripped the couple, clicked their photographs and demanded money, a police officer said. Later, the three men gang-raped the woman in front of her boyfriend. Police said, the woman has been sent for medical examination and an investigation is on to nab the culprits. Police also said that they are yet to identify the accused, but are questioning several suspects. BCCL/Representational Image On the outset it appears as if it's the act of local gangs that are active in Goa, especially near the beaches, selling stuff like drugs to tourists. BCCL/ Representational Image Earlier this month, Goa Urban Development Minister Francis DSouza had admitted that the state lacked basic facilities for tourists,We lack basic facilities. After mining, tourism is the highest revenue-generating industry yet efforts to attract high-end tourists are missing. The safety aspect has also not been taken up seriously, he had said. Goa is one of the country's top beach tourism destinations and attracts more than six million tourists every year. The deadly Nipah Virus outbreak in Kerala which has claimed 12 lives so far many not have been caused by fruit bats, experts have said. After the blood and serum samples of 21 bats was tested at the National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases in Bhopal, this claim has turned out to be negative. Read More 2. Goa Shocker! Woman Tourist Stripped, Gangraped In Front Of Boyfriend At Sernabatim Beach In a shocking incident that raises some serious questions about the safety of tourists visiting Goa, a woman holidaying was gangraped by three men. The incident happened at the Sernabatim beach, 50 km from Panaji on Thursday night. Read More 3. Nirav Modi Saga: NiMo's Brother Fled With 50kg Gold Jewellery After PNB Bank Fraud Nirav Modis US-based stepbrother Nehal disappeared with 50kg gold jewellery from a Dubai safe house as soon as he learned that the CBI had registered a cheating case against the diamond trader for defrauding Punjab National Bank (PNB), according to investigators. Read More 4. Lord Hanuman Was The World's First Tribal Leader, Says Rajasthan MLA Amid all the controversy there was a MLA from Rajasthan who had claimed that JNU students dance naked and that 50,000 pieces of bones, 3,000 used condoms, 500 used abortion injections, 10,000 cigarette pieces, aluminium foils among other things, are found in the campus every day. Read More 5. After Cigarette Packets, Alcohol Bottles To Have Labels Warning People About Drunk Driving In an attempt to solve the problem of drink-and-drive, a first move has been made. The customers will now see a statutory warning on the labels of alcoholic beverages across the country. According to the ministry of road transport and highways report 2015, 6,777 individuals were killed because of drunk driving. Read More 6. Woman At Kashmir Hotel Calls Herself Major Gogoi's 'Facebook Friend', Went To Meet Him Of Her Own Free Will The Kashmiri woman whom Major Nitin Leetul Gogoi went to check in with at a downtown hotel on Wednesday has told a judicial magistrate that she was his Facebook friend and had gone to see him of her own free will, even as her mother disputed it. Read More Earlier in April this year, hackers managed to break into a number of Vevo accounts on YouTube (which hosts the official videos of music artists) and defaced them, including videos by Katy Perry, Taylor Swift, Drake, and Shakira, as well as the record-setting Despacito by Luis Fonsi. Now, theyre finally paying for their actions. At the time, the hackers swapped out the thumbnails of the accounts and their titles with offensive and controversial content, before the site regained control hours later. Today, two French teenagers were arrested in connection with the incident, and have been charged with several counts of criminal activity each. The Paris Prosecutors Office has been working with the Manhattan district attorneys office (where Vevo is based) to round up the perpetrators, a Gabriel KAB and Nasim B. theyve been hit with five and six criminal counts respectively. Yesterday was officially the first day the new GDPR guidelines came into effect in Europe. The new law looks to protect the data of consumers in the EU from manipulation by companies. And it looks like Facebook and Google were not nearly as prepared as they hoped they were. GDPR insists that companies openly declare to consumers how they harvest and use their data, ask their permission before gathering it, and allow them to delete their data from the companys servers at any time. Failing any of this, the EU has said it will impose stiff fines, but it also opens up the offending companies to lawsuits. And thats exactly what happened to two of the largest tech companies in the world. On the very first day of the new law, Facebook and Google were hit with a truckful of lawsuits, accusing the companies of coercing users into sharing personal data. Facebook is looking at damages of $4.5 billion being claimed, while the lawsuit against Google demands $4.3 billion. The lawsuits were filed by Austrian privacy activist Max Schrems, someone who has been a longtime critic of the data collection policies of the two companies. GDPR requires companies to rework their privacy policies, something both Facebook and Google have done. However, its still unclear what level of change EU regulators will hold them to. Schrems for one is of the opinion that their policies dont do enough. In fact, he points out that withholding services unless a consumer agrees to the entirety of the privacy policy is a violation of the variable levels of consent GDPR is trying to introduce. They totally know that its going to be a violation, Schrems told Financial Times. They dont even try to hide it. While the entirety of the fine sought from Google comes from one case against Android, the Facebook case has been broken up among three products; the main platform, as well as one each against Instagram and WhatsApp. Both companies are disputing the charges at the moment, insisting theyre in compliance with the new code. How the EU courts will handle this however is anyones guess. Elon Musk has a lot of opinions about artificial intelligence, both its uses and its dangers. Apparently not everyone agrees with some of his statements regarding the latter. Just ask Alphabet CEO Eric Schmidt. Reuters I think Elon is exactly wrong about artificial intelligence, Schmidt said at the VivaTech conference in Paris yesterday. He is concerned about the possible misuse of this technology and I am too, Schmidt said, but he clarified that he believes the overwhelming benefit outweighs the risks. Schmidt looks to AI to improve our education, health, economy, and social systems. He believes artificial intelligence will be a net gain, which is part of why hes investing in it. On the other hand, Musk is one of the few advocating restraint. In fact, he has constantly warned that AI could become a problem if were not careful enough to build restrictions into it. After all, machines have no morals. Yet, despite the tech industry general consensus that AI is good, tech companies are at least aware of the biggest problem with the technology today, that of bias. You see, it doesnt matter that a machine has no biases and predispositions. If its AI is created by someone biased and trained on biased information, it will only have biased outcomes. For example, if you created an algorithm to identify criminal tendencies from certain facial features, and the training pool was mostly African-American, you automatically get biased answers. However, despite Schmidts own vociferous denouncement of Musk, when Mark Zuckerberg was asked the same question at the event he had a more supportive response. Ive heard Elon making a lot of the same points, I've been making for a long time, he said. But Zuckerberg still maintained he was optimistic about AI. We need to make sure that we dont get too negative on this stuff, he said. Its too easy for people to point to one failure in technology and use that to slow down progress. Fundamentally, I think AI is going to unlock so much good. Manga release schedules: Nothing right now. Other Events Coming Up: Nothing right now. Update Saturday, 12.01pm: Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said history will be made on Saturday after it was predicted Ireland will vote emphatically to remove the Eighth Amendment 35 years after the divisive abortion ban was introduced. In a short statement last night after the RTE and Irish Times exit polls predicted a 69-31% and 68-32% victory for the Yes campaign respectively, Mr Varadkar said he believes change is now coming to this country. The @RTE @banda_ie Exit Poll result projects a 69.4% Yes vote and 30.6% No in #Referendum2018. Full demo breakdowns will be available on @morningireland from 8am. pic.twitter.com/NNLXP4NCjo The Late Late Show (@RTELateLateShow) May 25, 2018 "Thank you to everyone who voted today. Democracy in action. Its looking like we will make history tomorrow," he wrote on Twitter. In a similar statement on the same website, Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin threw down the gauntlet to pro-life opponents within his own party who have sought to undermine Mr Martin's decision to publicly and consistently back the yes campaign. Saying the Government should now move quickly to introduce the planned 12 weeks unrestricted abortion laws in the event of a yes vote, Mr Martin said: "With exit polls published, it looks like #8thRef has been emphatically passed. "Important though that we respect and count every vote. If the exit polls are accurate, the view of our Republic is clear and we as an Oireachtas should move efficiently to enact the will of our people." The comment is likely to come into sharp focus in the coming days as Mr Martin seeks to reclaim complete control of his party after more than half of his TDs publicly opposed his decision to support repealing the Eighth Amendment. Meanwhile, in another statement last night, Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald said simply "Ireland is changing". I want to thank Sinn Fein members from across Ireland and all those who campaigned for a Yes vote and for the leadership of the Together for Yes Group. This campaign was marked by the woman who came forward to share their personal stories of dealing with tragic circumstances. "The campaign created a space for Ireland, North and South, to look at the experiences of women and I believe that we are all better for that. The voices of these women have been heard and can no longer be silenced by guilt or neglected by Government." Ireland is changing and this is evident in the vibrant Yes campaign headed up by women and young people. I want to thank each and every one who voted and campaigned for Yes," Ms McDonald said. Reacting to tonight's @IrishTimes exit poll, @MaryLouMcDonald wanted thank the people who hoped, who dreamed, and "thank you all of you who voted. I think we're about to prove we can change it for the better."#Together4Yes #8thref #TrustWomen pic.twitter.com/mBHDKgU9vP Sinn Fein (@sinnfeinireland) May 25, 2018 Health Minister Simon Harris - who was among the most high-profile frontline political campaigners for a yes vote - said he hopes he will be "waking up to a country that is more compassionate, careful and respectful" after a landslide exit poll prediction victory for the yes campaign. "I will sleep tonight in the hope of waking up to a country that is more compassionate, more caring and more respectful. "It has been an honour to be on this journey with you and to work #togetherforyes . See you all tomorrow!", he wrote on Twitter. Children's Minister Katherine Zappone - who was one of the main Government champions of an abortion referendum - said she believes the exit poll landslide yes victory tonight will be repeated in Saturday's official counts. The unaligned Independent TD warned against presuming the exit polls are 100% accurate. However, two years on from demanded a citizens assembly and Oireachtas cross-party committee examine the abortion question before a referendum was held - a move designed to give people space to assess the issue but which was criticised as a delaying tactic by others - Ms Zappone said she is "hopeful" change has finally arrived. "Exit polls from RTE and the Irish Times are a confidence boost that Irish voters have once again responded with compassion and solidarity. I remain very hopeful that count centres across the country will turn these predictions into an official result. "I will spend the day with fellow campaigners at the Dublin South West count in City west, the Dublin City count at the RDS and will attend the declaration of the official national result at Dublin Castle. "It will be an emotional, busy and historic day." Labour leader Brendan Howlin said "there seems to be little doubt that people across the country have voted to meet the needs of women with care and compassion, at home", adding: "After 35 long years, it seems Ireland has finally turned the page on a shameful chapter in its history." A number of other parties also publicly welcomed the exit poll predictions, with the Social Democrats' co-leader Catherine Murphy saying the potential result show Ireland has "taken on board the clear message that the eighth amendment harms women and must be removed from our constitution". "While we await the counting of votes tomorrow, we are very encouraged by these early signals showing Irish people have understood the need to vote yes so that we can provide women with the healthcare they need in a compassionate, caring and medically safe system. "Significant and positive change is within our grasp," she said. Update 11.32pm: Exit polls predict landslide victory for Yes campaign A second exit poll, carried out for RTE, has tonight projected a Yes vote of 69.4% with a No Vote of 30.6% in today's referendum on the 8th Amendment. The size of the margin has confounded many in the campaigns, who thought the gap was much narrower. The sample size for the RTE vote was 3,800 with a margin of error of +/- 1.6%. The exit poll was conducted by RTE in conjunction with a number of Irish universities and was carried out by Behaviour & Attitudes. A breakdown of the poll projected that 65.9% of men voted Yes, with 72.1% women voting in favour of repeal. Some details on the RTE exit poll pic.twitter.com/FnyO38e4Uf Jackie Fox (@jackiefox_) May 25, 2018 Among the 18-24 age group, the Yes vote is projected at 87.6%, while for 25-34 year-olds it is 84.6%. Further results and demographic breakdowns to be released at 8am tomorrow. A separate exit poll, published by the Irish Times earlier this evening, suggested that the margin of victory for the Yes side in todays referendum will be 68% to 32%. Earlier: First exit poll predicts 'landslide' victory for Yes campaign By Juno McEnroe, Elaine Loughlin and Daniel McConnell The country has decided by a stunning majority to repeal the controversial Constitutional ban on abortion, an exit poll has predicted. Leading members of the No campaign conceded defeat in the country's abortion referendum before polls even closed at 10pm, amid stronger than expected voter turnout. As counting of ballots commences at 9am this morning, the high turnout meant the proposal to remove the controversial Eighth Amendment from the Constitution looks set to be passed. The country has decided by a stunning majority to repeal the controversial Constitutional ban on abortion, an exit poll has predicted. One of two exit polls published tonight suggested the country voted by a stunning majority to Repeal the Eighth. The poll, published by the Irish Times, suggested that the margin of victory for the Yes side in todays referendum will be 68% to 32%. It found the highest Yes vote was in Dublin, where 77% of voters backed the proposals, the poll predicted. The poll suggested that the margin of victory in the rest of Leinster outside Dublin will be 66% to 34%, while Munster will also break 66-34 in favour of repeal. Women in Cork turn out to vote earlier today. Even Connacht-Ulster, expected to be the bulwark of the anti-repeal vote, voted in favour of the constitutional change by 59% to 41%, the poll finds. The poll also finds that women voted in favour of the proposal by a massve margin, with 70% voting in favour and 30% voting against. Support amongst men was weaker, though still convincing, at 65% to 35%. Admitting they were outgunned during the campaign, No campaigners have warned however they will fight the proposal to legalise abortions as proposed when the legislation goes through the Oireachtas. Huge turnouts in Dublin, Cork and other urban areas, helped by glorious sunshine today from early morning gave a distinct advantage to the Yes campaign. Health Minister Simon Harris said he hope he will be "waking up to a country that is more compassionate, careful and respectful" after a landslide exit poll prediction victory for the Yes campaign. In a message on social media website Twitter just before 11pm tonight, Mr Harris made no direct mention of the Irish Times/Ipsos poll which has predicted a massive 68-32% vote in favour of repealing the Eighth Amendment. However, in a clear indication of his hope the exit poll result will be mirrored in the official count on Saturday, Mr Harris said he will go to sleep tonight confident that 35 years after the Eighth Amendment was introduced, a victory for the yes campaign is within reach. "I will sleep tonight in the hope of waking up to a country that is more compassionate, more caring and more respectful. "It has been an honour to be on this journey with you and to work #togetherforyes . See you all tomorrow!", he wrote. Leading No campaigner, NUI Senator Ronan Mullen, said that it was likely the Yes side would win, and quite strongly in urban areas. However, there were pockets of rural areas that would oppose the removal of the Eighth Amendment, he believed. Speaking to the Irish Examiner, he said: This has united the [pro-life] movement. Because we know what is next, the legislation. That will be our focus now. And that states 'may' as opposed to 'shall'. So we will try and persuade them [the government] and work on that. Mr Mullen did say that the battleground will now be on trying to reduce the 12-week limit for abortions . The Senator made his comments mid-afternoon, half way through polling. He also noted that momentum had been with the Yes side in the closing week of the campaign, particularly during the TV debates. Fianna Fail TD Eamon O'Cuiv also conceded the Yes would comfortably win. "I'd imagine that the Yes side is going win. I'd expect them to win handsomely," he told the Irish Examiner. He said his own constituency's result would equate to the rest of the country as it as the perfect mix of rural and urban. Asked why the Yes side were likely to win, he answered: "They have had more firepower, more political leaders, he said. The former minister predicted the Yes side would get around 58%. Asked if he would accept the will of the people, the former deputy Fianna Fail leader said: "The will of the people will b e that they may ring in legislation. Just voted Yes for a more compassionate & caring Ireland with the stories & experiences of all those I have met and chatted with to the fore of my mind. Please keep working to get out the vote #togetherforyes #together2vote #hometovote pic.twitter.com/C6TYESHXMS Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) May 25, 2018 Health Minister Simon Harris said he was encouraged by the high turnout from early on in the day and also the fact that so many people had made the journey home to vote. Speaking in Cork, Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin, who advocated for a Yes vote against the wishes of many in his party, said he was confident of winning. I get the feeling that the Dont knows will break down in favour of Yes, so I think the Yes will win it. But that said, I have to acknowledge there are reluctant yeses and reluctant nos, he said. I think the people in the current debate have a far greater sense of the complexity of life itself. Just before polls closed at 10pm, turnout was reported to be high across much of the country, with some areas in Dublin exceeding 70%, well ahead of recent referendums. One of the great strengths of Bunreacht na hEireann is its capacity for change through the will of the people.I have just voted to bring about a more compassionate and humane response for women in crisis pregnancies.#8thRef #Together4Yes pic.twitter.com/bfpnf3JJ5Z Micheal Martin (@MichealMartinTD) May 25, 2018 - Digital Desk With counting of votes in the historic eighth amendment referendum beginning across the country, two landslide exit polls predict it is a near certainty the public has chosen to scrap the abortion ban, writes political correspondent Fiachra O Cionnaith. Here is a re-cap of a momentous night and morning for Ireland that has reverberated around the world: an Irish Times/Ipsos exit poll of 4,000 voters last night has predicted a 68-32% victory for the yes side to repeal the eighth amendment a second RTE/Behaviour and Attitudes exit poll of 3,000 voters has also predicted a 69.4-30.6% victory for the yes side the RTE poll found 72.1% of women and 65.9% of men voted yes it also found all age groups except for those over 65 voted yes, including: 18-24 age group (87.6%); 25-34 age group (84.6%); 35-49 age group (72.8%); and 50-64 age group (63.7%) the only age group to vote no was those aged over 65, where the split was 58.7% no and 41.3% yes the RTE poll also found 79.8% of people in Dublin; 67.2% in Leinster; 63.3% in Munster; 62% in Connacht/Ulster 72.3% of urban voters and 63.3% of rural voters backed a yes vote among class breakdowns, 76% of middle class voters backed a yes vote, 65% of working class voters and - crucially - 52.5% of farmers and, of huge interest and implication for Ireland's political parties, among party voters 74.9% of Fine Gael supporters backed yes; 74.5% of Sinn Fein; 80.3% of Labour; 88.9% of Green; and 82.1% of Solidarity-People Before Profit voted yes In a fresh headache for Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin, who despite staunch internal party opposition strongly backed a yes vote, 50.3% of Fianna Fail supporters backed a no vote and 49.7% said yes Renua supporters surveyed all rejected any suggestion of changing the eighth amendment 76% of those surveyed in the RTE poll said they were always going to vote yes; 8% said Savita Halappanavar's death in 2012 convinced them; 1% said it was following last year's citizens' assembly; 1% said after last year's cross-party Oireachtas committee on the eighth amendment; and 12% said it was during the eight week referendum campaign Importantly, 43% said people's personal stories in the media convinced them; 34% said experiences of people they knew; 10% said campaign posters; 7% said direct contact with campaigners; and 24% said 'other' factors Reacting to the landslide exit poll victory prediction on a special edition of Morning Ireland on RTE Radio, Together For Yes campaign co-ordinator Orla O'Connor said the result shows "the people have spoken and this is a resounding roar" by the country to repeal the eighth amendment. Amnesty International director Colm O'Gorman said the "scale of the result is phenomenal", thanked pro-choice politicians including Health Minister Simon Harris and said Ireland has now decided to "wrap" women in crisis situations "in compassion". Taoiseach Leo Varadkar last night said history will be made on Saturday after it was predicted Ireland will vote emphatically to remove the eighth amendment 35 years after the divisive abortion ban was introduced. In a short statement on Friday night after the RTE and Irish Times exit polls predicted a 69-31% and 68-32% victory for the yes campaign respectively, Mr Varadkar said he believes change is now coming to this country. "Thank you to everyone who voted today. Democracy in action. Its looking like we will make history tomorrow," he wrote on social media website Twitter. Thank you to everyone who voted today. Democracy in action. Its looking like we will make history tomorrow.... #Together4Yes Leo Varadkar (@LeoVaradkar) May 25, 2018 In a similar statement on the same website, Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin threw down the gauntlet to pro-life opponents within his own party who have sought to undermine Mr Martin's decision to publicly and consistently back the yes campaign. Saying the Government should now move quickly to introduce the planned 12 weeks unrestricted abortion laws in the event of a yes vote, Mr Martin said: "With exit polls published, it looks like #8thRef has been emphatically passed. "Important though that we respect and count every vote. If the exit polls are accurate, the view of our Republic is clear and we as an Oireachtas should move efficiently to enact the will of our people." With exit polls published, it looks like #8thRef has been emphatically passed. Important though that we respect and count every vote. If the exit polls are accurate, the view of our Republic is clear and we as an Oireachtas should move efficiently to enact the will of our people. Micheal Martin (@MichealMartinTD) May 25, 2018 The comment is likely to come into sharp focus in the coming days as Mr Martin seeks to reclaim complete control of his party after more than half of his TDs publicly opposed his decision to support repealing the eighth amendment. Social Protection Minister Regina Doherty has said the referendum vote means "we have woken up in a country where no longer will couples facing a crisis" will be forced to travel abroad for help. Speaking after two exit polls predicted a landslide victory for the yes campaign, Ms Doherty said "we have a very clear and resounding mandate from the Irish public" and that "our role is to make sure" 12 weeks abortion legislation is now passed. "The thing I'm probably most grateful for is the size of the mandate now to pass legislation," she said. Meanwhile, in another statement last night, Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald said simply "Ireland is changing". I want to thank Sinn Fein members from across Ireland and all those who campaigned for a Yes vote and for the leadership of the Together for Yes Group. This campaign was marked by the woman who came forward to share their personal stories of dealing with tragic circumstances. The campaign created a space for Ireland, North and South, to look at the experiences of women and I believe that we are all better for that. The voices of these women have been heard and can no longer be silenced by guilt or neglected by Government. Ireland is changing and this is evident in the vibrant Yes campaign headed up by women and young people. I want to thank each and every one who voted and campaigned for Yes," Ms McDonald said. Reacting to tonight's @IrishTimes exit poll, @MaryLouMcDonald wanted thank the people who hoped, who dreamed, and "thank you all of you who voted. I think we're about to prove we can change it for the better."#Together4Yes #8thref #TrustWomen pic.twitter.com/mBHDKgU9vP Sinn Fein (@sinnfeinireland) May 25, 2018 In a statement this morning, the pro-life Love Both group said the result "paints a bleak picture" for modern Ireland. Group member Dr Ruth Cullen said: If the exit polls are borne out today, it will represent a sea-change on abortion in Ireland and sadly pave the way for an abortion regime that has nothing to do with healthcare and everything to do with abortion on demand. As a group, we stand over all the claims we made during the campaign about what repeal would mean. Its most regrettable the Taoiseach, Minister for Health and some leading medics received a free pass from scrutiny in pushing for abortion, thereby depriving the public the opportunity to hear them defend their pro-abortion positions. We will hold the Taoiseach to his promise that repeal would only lead to abortion in very restrictive circumstances. He gave his word on this, now he must deliver on it. No doubt many people voted for repeal based on the Taoiseachs promises in this regard. Similarly, Love Both member Cora Sherlock - who pulled out of RTE's live TV debate on Tuesday night and has not spoken publicly since - wrote on Twitter: "Exit polls, if accurate, paint a very sad state of affairs. "But those who voted No should take heart. Abortion on demand would deal Ireland a tragic blow but the pro-life movement will rise to any challenge it faces. Let's go into tomorrow with this in mind," she said. Today, we all wake up in a very different country from the one we knew yesterday. Yesterday, our nation voted on whether or not to repeal the Eighth Amendment. Today, it will be known if Irishwomen, once and for all, have the right to better and compassionate healthcare. Today, it will be known if I have the right to bodily autonomy. Today, I will know if my body is mine and mine alone. Today. To say it has been an exhausting and emotive time for those so invested in securing a move for change, is an understatement. Over the last number of weeks, I have spoken with many, my voice echoing theirs. Below are some of their voices and the reason they voted Yes. Their voices. Their words. For every woman who has felt fear and shame surrounding their pregnancies both wanted and in crisis. Because nobody, church or state, should have any power over what I decide to do with my body. Yes, because I do not want another girl to face a trip alone like I did. I voted Yes for the nine women a day who travel. I want my Ireland to be a place that sees me as an equal citizen with no impediment to my basic human rights. I want my Ireland to be one where my boys grow up knowing that we are all treated equally. Im voting Yes because I dont want to cry anymore tears because of how women are treated here. Because I understand how lucky I am that my high-risk pregnancy due to my health condition, didnt force me to travel. Because I need to be here for my two girls. I need to speak for them and stand up for our rights as women both now and in the future. I would hope that if there was anything that would put my health at risk or leave my children without a mother, I would be offered a choice. Thats all Im asking for a choice. I voted Yes because my sister suffered in silence in a hotel room in London. I lived 30 minutes away. She felt she couldnt tell me because she was so ashamed. Because I believe in choice. I trust women to make the best decision for themselves should they find they have to. I want to protect the future of my students. Students who may find themselves as young adults faced with a crisis pregnancy but because of their socio-economic status and the ongoing cycle of disadvantage, are not in a position to overcome their situation. To alleviate the stigma on those who went before and those that will inevitably go after. To allow our healthcare professionals to provide the appropriate care and treatment to those who request or require it. For compassion. Because I trust women. Because I matter. I am a wife, a mother, I am educated and I am a taxpayer. I refuse to be treated as a second-class citizen. I refuse to let anyone treat my daughter as a second-class citizen. At first, I was voting Yes because I thought of all the possible reasons for having a termination and realised how unfair the system is towards women. Now, I am voting Yes because Im sick of talking about those reasons. Nobody should have to explain themselves when it comes to taking control of their body and their life. Nobody should have to teach grown people how to empathise with all of the possible scenarios and to realise that life is a different journey for everyone. Because too many people that I know have found themselves in a crisis position. They have gotten the first flight out in the morning and the last flight back that same day. Those girls will never be the same, they never speak about it. They feel ashamed. Not because they did something wrong. No, ashamed because the country they live in made an incredibly difficult situation a million times worse. For my two daughters and my unborn baby. So, they can grow up in an Ireland that loves and respects women. Because women are equal citizens and its high time that simple fact was supported by our justice system. I can say that both of my babies were planned, very much wanted, and created from love. That was my situation but Im not naive enough to think its everyones. I want my daughter to have control over her body. To have a choice. Their voices. I stood alongside them. I still stand alongside them. Today, it will be known if I have the right to bodily autonomy. Today, I will know if my body is mine and mine alone. Today Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of General Dynamics, said it will bring its comprehensive fleet of aircraft including the G280, G500, G550 and G650ER to Geneva for the 2018 European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (Ebace). Demonstrating its maturity and capability, the all-new, fully outfitted Gulfstream G600 has landed in Geneva marking its European debut, said a statement from Gulfstream. The aircraft flew from Savannah, Georgia in US to Geneva on Gulfstream's dedicated supply of a renewable-fuel blend and set a city-pair record, connecting the two cities in just seven hours and 49 minutes at an average speed of Mach 0.90, it stated. A major player in the global aviation sector, the US-based Gulfstream designs, develops, manufactures, markets, services and supports the worlds most technologically advanced business-jet aircraft. The company has produced more than 2,800 aircraft for customers around the world since 1958.-TradeArabia News Service Rachel Marie Walsh unpeels moisturising masks in search of a truly instant facial. These are five of the best. Patience is a high virtue, perhaps, but it will not fix a dull, dry face when you have a fun night planned. Air conditioning and cold-brew coffee are blessed things, true, but as moisture-greedy as they are refreshing. No wonder, then, that instant-replenishing masks are now veritable accessories, doing more to extend the South Korean beauty trend than any other products. Surgical chic, with its Hannibal Lecter-white meshes and rainbow-coloured jellies, greet followers of Gigi Hadid, Kendall Jenner and Diane Kruger almost as often duck pouts. Genetically-blessed, those ladies, but if we are influenced by celebrity plugs at all surely the instantly judicable is nicer than growing slowly disillusioned with a luxury moisturiser. The latters promises are so often based on trials that took at least a months application, for which you may not even have enough product in a single jar to compare. So sheets it is this summer. I have been trying them, to see which are worth buying if you left your patience in an Apple store or just need to get out the door of an evening. Extra-dry skin may not get the same instant result from great sheets (which tend to be inconclusive) as other types so I include two fast-acting creams in my top five masks. Glossier Moisturising Moon Mask, 2 Glossiers e-commerce site began shipping to Ireland this month. on the 15th. Founded by Into The Gloss blogger Emily Weiss in 2014, its pretty makeup and skincare were an instant hit with American millennials (the brow gel once generated a 10,000-strong waiting list). The comparative title sums up the brands subtle, you-but-better, products. Most are sheer, water-based and finger-applicable so that fans are never lacquered, just a little glossier. Glossiers skincare is quite more-ish, all the better for producing the fast results its base craves. Moon is the most intensely hydrating treatment we could make, and it does feel a bit dreamy. Sweet almond oil, plant-based squalane and hyaluronic acid deeply hydrate skins surface layers and plump it up, helping to smooth the appearance of fine lines. Liquorice root and lemon fruit extract work to brighten the complexion, while honey and aloe act as soothing agents. This one takes 20 minutes. Kiehls Instant Renewal Sheet Mask, 49 This is a jelly-sheet mask coloured with Simpsons yellow, which makes everyone you encounter smile. Each sachet contains separate eye and mouth-area masks, for optimal adherence to each feature. They feel like lychee and are a little slimy, it seems like they might split before you can settle them. You cannot do much in them, which I suppose forces relaxation. The slime is a nourishing blend of Amazonian plant extracts. These include andiroba and pracaxi, both of which protect and restore their carriers in harsh conditions. The mask feels thoroughly steeped in its skincare and the residue blends to a non-greasy finish. All this is worth it for the result, which is noticeably calmer and brighter skin. Instant Renewal is fussier than the competition but you will feel refreshed and look well-slept after just 10 minutes. No7 Instant Results Nourishing Hydration Mask, 18 No7 scores a hat trick with this comparatively basic-looking mask. The gel formula is loaded with non-greasy hydrators and reparative antioxidants and pump-bottled to keep these air-sensitive goodies clean and stable. The texture is too thick to make it a substitute moisturiser and best favours dry types (I layer it over Avene Thermal Water Spray, 3.99, as it is rich enough to really bind the stuff). It also covers a lot of skin with relatively little product, so lasts for several applications. This mask is mildly fragranced, which may bother sensitive skin. As for the instant results, well there is plenty or cocoa butter and ceramides in the mix to plump things up. Vitamin E and carbomer leave skin feeling soothed and refreshed. No7 recommends waiting 10 minutes before removal. Seoulista Super Hydration Instant Facial, 8.99 at Dunnes Stores and independent pharmacies. Seoulista is an English company named to capitalise on the Korean beauty trend (which was itself co-pioneered by a Korean brand called Innisfree, because the grass is always greener). Their mask selection is purse-friendly and offers pretty terrific results for normal and combination types. This gel-serum sheet is infused with coconut extract and lots of hyaluronic acid. The formula suits all skin-types, including sensitive, though extra-dry types may find it a little lightweight. Peel the sheet off to reveal a dewy, brighter complexion with the aforementioned, hyaluronic-prompted plumpness. Pat the residue in and this mask becomes hydrating primer. It works over twenty minutes. Cailyn Ireland Silk Stretch Microfiber Mask + Silk Refine Dual Toner Pad, 12.50 at cailynireland.ie. Multi-tasking in a face mask is not as easy as it looks. Ventriloquism is an advantage, yes, and you can keep a straw handy, but the mesh is often heavy with serum and too big, resulting in slippage if you move around too much. Keeping your chin up when you could be manicuring is especially tedious, so this stretchy, gravity-defying sheet is ideal. It wraps around the face, locking in 35ml of treatment without losing a drop. This 30-minute mask is both hydrating and reparative. Key ingredients include silk proteins, goats milk, green tea, niacinamide, and lashings of hyaluronic acid. Cailyn also provides a toner pad with which to smooth and prepare the skin. It works over 30 minutes and you can pat in the excess quite quickly, so nothing is wasted. Colombia will become Nato's first partner in Latin America in recognition of the country's battle-tested military. President Juan Manuel Santos said on Friday that the country's entry into the military alliance's global partnership programme would take place next week in Brussels. Twas plain out of character too, she said, that Irish citizens might actually vote to finally permit abortion on Irish soil, but sure, you couldnt rely on them when they went to the polls. Didnt they vote in favour of same-sex marriage three years ago, and did anyone see that coming? Taking herself and her stream of consciousness into the polling booth at St Anthonys Boys National School in Ballinlough, Cork city, the elderly woman was among the high early voter turnout replicated in polling stations around the country. Hot on her heels was Micheal Martin, Fianna Fail party leader, to cast his Yes vote at 9.15am. One of the great strengths of Bunreacht na hEireann is its capacity for change through the will of the people.I have just voted to bring about a more compassionate and humane response for women in crisis pregnancies.#8thRef #Together4Yes pic.twitter.com/bfpnf3JJ5Z Micheal Martin (@MichealMartinTD) May 25, 2018 He predicted regional differences, generational differences, a degree of gender difference, and ultimately, a vote in favour of repealing the Eighth. I get the feeling that the dont knows will break down in favour of Yes, so I think the Yes will win it, said Mr Martin, who went against the majority mood of his party to support a Yes vote. But that said, I have to acknowledge there are reluctant Yeses and reluctant Nos. So there are known Nos and known unNos or unknown Nos, or whatever you are having yourself. The overwhelming majority accept that the status quo is not sustainable and they dont want the status quo to remain, said Mr Martin. Asked how this campaign compares to the 1983 referendum that led to the constitutional amendment prohibiting abortion, that the current vote may or may not repeal, Mr Martin said this time around, there was far less aggression, far less intensity, far less absolutism about the question. I think the people in the current debate have a far greater sense of the complexity of life itself, he said. People get the nuances and the fact that life isnt simple, life isnt straightforward. Cork Together for Yes chair Kathy DArcy, and Luke Field, deputy chair, vote at Sundays Well NS. Picture: Larry Cummins Life wasnt straightforward for the nephew of a woman who wanted Mr Martin to know why a No vote was the right way to go. She had with her a framed photograph of her nephew, who had Down syndrome, and a flyer urging a No vote. Clearly upset, she had voted for Mr Martin all her life, and she wanted him to know how much her beloved nephew, now deceased, had meant to her and to all of his family. I have 27 nieces and nephews, girls and boys, and he was the one that gave us all the love when the others went their own way, she said. He was so full of love and he deserved to live and the way I look at it is they say it wont happen [abortion of Down Syndrome babies] but I know it will. Voting in the referendum on the Eighth Amendment in St Anthonys NS in Douglas, Cork. Picture: Daragh Mc Sweeney/Provision At the polling station in Blackpool, Cork City, the presiding officer said turnout was edging towards 20%-25% by lunchtime, with no lull throughout the morning. Elderly voters featured strongly, he said, but that could reflect their proximity to Blackpool Church, where many had attended morning Mass, perhaps seeking divine inspiration. The boy, who cannot be named because he is a juvenile, was remanded in custody for a week after he appeared before Judge John OConnor at a special late sitting of the Dublin Childrens Court last evening. He was neatly dressed in blue jeans, a black and white hoodie, and runners. The judge warned that any attempt to identify the boy on social media will result in prosecution. There was no indication of how the boy will plead. The teen was charged with the murder of Anastasia Kriegel, aged 14, at Glenwood House, Laraghcon, Clonee Road, Lucan on May 14. The teens mother sat beside him during the brief hearing, while his father sat to his right on the lawyers desk, beside defence solicitor Donough Molloy. His grandfather was also allowed to attend the in-camera hearing and sat at the back of the courtroom. They remained silent during proceedings. Evidence of arrest, charge, and caution was given by Garda Inspector Mark ONeill. Insp ONeill told the court the boy was arrested at 4.01pm yesterday at Clondalkin Garda station and charged at 4.39pm. In reply to that charge after caution, he had nothing to say, Insp ONeill said. The boys father was present at the station, the court heard. Judge OConnor said he did not have jurisdiction to grant bail, due to the nature of the charge. After it was confirmed there was a place available at the Oberstown Detention Centre, he remanded the boy in custody to appear again on June 1. He was granted free legal aid. Three reporters were present in the tiny courtroom for the hearing, while other journalists had to wait outside. The judge cited the reporting restrictions in juvenile cases and said they were essential for a fair trial. He warned that he wanted to make it clear that if the boys name, school, or address was reported , or a picture of him reproduced, it would result in prosecution. He said he was aware the journalists present understood and added: I am doing this from the point of view of general social media. Because it was the boys first court appearance, he could not be remanded in custody for longer than a week. Newly released image of 14-year-old Anastasia Kriegel. Picture: Austin Crowe The teen quietly greeted Judge OConnor at the start of the hearing and spoke again briefly towards the end when the judge asked him: Is it your first time in here? The teen nodded and quietly said: Yes. Judge OConnor asked his solicitor if an order for medical attention was required. Mr Molloy said: I will liaise with Oberstown in that regard. The teen was then remanded in custody and escorted from the courtroom. The judge allowed his solicitor to speak with his client and his parents before the boy was transferred to the detention centre. A second boy, also aged 13, was released without charge after questioning and a file is being prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions. Special measures were taken to prepare for the detention of the two boys because of their age. They were taken to separate Garda stations following their arrest and were accompanied throughout their detention and questioning by their parents, who were accommodated on campbeds with their sons overnight. Both boys were taken to stations where they could be accommodated without being held in cells, and precautions were taken to ensure they did not come into contact with adult suspects being detained in the station at the same time. The facility was installed at Nealons Quay in Youghal last month but the gangway to the platform has since remained locked. The pontoon, which replaced a smaller version used in recent years, was touted as a major boost for river activities and tourism and ultimately, the possible provision of a full-scale marina for Youghal. However, an alternative access point from a nearby narrow stairway is not wheelchair accessible and operators also maintain that a link step added by Cork County Council in recent years left a dangerous gap between the steps and the boats. Tony Gallagher, who runs river trips on the Maeve Og says he has recently turned away more than 30 customers on safety grounds. In the latest incident yesterday, he said an English family of three holidaying in Garryvoe lodged a complaint with the nearby tourist office after an elderly member was unable to board the boat. They were quite angry and cancelled their trip, Mr Gallagher said. The family had pre-booked on foot of an advertisement in an east Cork tourism brochure launched earlier in the week, attended by Cork County Council personnel. I told them on the phone I couldnt offer guarantees and wed have to access the situation when they arrived, Mr Gallagher said. Its a ludicrous situation. And having to ask people on the phone if they are agile enough is highly embarrassing. The boat owner says he cant risk bringing anyone frail, overweight, or with a health condition down those steps, noting also that, for many, it could be their first time boarding a boat or descending steps over water and they can be quite nervous. Last week, the cruise operator declined to take more than 20 members of a local cardiac support group after experiencing difficulties guiding a first party of 12 on board. The cardiac groups chairman, Tom Quirke, said there was great disappointment but acknowledged access to the boat was very dangerous. We felt sorry for the boat owner who depends on cruises for his livelihood, he said. Meanwhile, a deep sea angling provider, preferring to remain anonymous, said he has also cancelled bookings, due to no safe access for customers, no wheelchair access and, if it came to it, no easy access for emergency personnel either if needed. Its madness to have that fine facility sitting there idle especially in this fine weather, said the anonymous angler. The boats operators say they have been unable to get information from the county council on any opening date for the pontoon and have submitted a Freedom of Information request for the terms of contract with the local authority. Cork County Council yesterday said: Youghal Pontoon is with the contractor for minor changes which will take approximately two weeks, after which time it will be under the control of East Cork Municipal District and ready for use. The pontoon will comply with current access requirements for wheelchair users. The four 10.5m ferns which he has worked on over the past two years are headed for the city of Gold Coast over the coming weeks. Final polishing of the Urban Oasis work was done over the last few months by Alex Pentek and assistants at the National Sculpture Factory in Cork. They are now ready for the sea journey through Rotterdam, Singapore, and Brisbane. The Bantry-born artists Kindred Spirits sculpture was commissioned by the former Midleton Town Council as a tribute to the generosity of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma for money sent to the people of Ireland during the Great Famine of the late 1840s. The beauty and symbolism of the bowl created by nine stainless-steel upright feathers attracted media attention at home and abroad, something even Pentek had not expected. It really was a pleasant surprise to see how well it was adopted both locally and internationally, he said. Members of the 21st- century Choctaw Nation attended last years dedication ceremony in Midleton. Despite the acclaim for Penteks work, direct commissions are rare, and the public realm projects he specialises in are usually the result of a competitive process. It was through such a process that his Urban Oasis design was picked in June 2016 following an international call for design on behalf of the city of Gold Coast in Queensland. It seeks to reflect the areas history as one of the most diverse coastal rainforests, until being cleared to try growing western crops in the early 20th century. Nothing grew because the land was incompatible with these crops, and all the farm buildings and houses were abandoned, he said. But the rainforest was so heavily rooted in the soil, that parts of it started to grow back. I got excited about the idea of these plants growing up through the floorboards and I reflected that history with the ferns. Each of his four shield ferns, a plant which grew heavily on the rainforest floor, is at a different stage of growth. The frond or leaf of one is curled up, the next is beginning to open, the third is fully open, and the last curling into itself like it has dried. The artist had to make around 20,000 welds in the creation of the Kindred Spirits piece, but he believes Urban Oasis required four times as much welding. Intended to mark a gateway to the citys Surfers Paradise district, it will be seen by the areas two million annual visitors. Part of the AUS$300,000 (190,000) budget assigned to the project has been used by Pentek to engage the engineering expertise of Arup in Cork and Berlin, whose reduced-fee assistance was vital to the design process. A lot of internal structural design work was needed to take account of wind loading and other considerations, he said. Amendments had to made last year when the planned location was changed to a plaza area nearer the ocean due to technical problems discovered at four-street intersection originally intended to host the sculpture. As well as a number of works at recently-completed new school buildings, Penteks public realm work includes three stainless steel orchids in Burlington, in Canada. He will also feature in a group exhibition at Corks Crawford Art Gallery in November with new origami-inspired work. Councillors believe that if the weir is not replaced then valuable tourism revenue, especially from coarse and game fishing, will be lost to the Fermoy area and it could also have an impact on water sports. Assistant county manager, James Fogarty, said the council cannot afford to fund repairs on its own and unfortunately to date appeals to government agencies for financial support had fallen on deaf ears. Members of the councils northern committee are concerned about the loss of tourist revenue from salmon fishing in the area and the impact the weir damage is having on the local rowing club. Scores of people turned up at a recent public demonstration in the town demanding that the structure is fixed before it is completely washed away and asking that a new fish pass be installed there to help salmon get upriver to spawn. Debris washed down the river during major floods in recent years has caused the damage. Councillors held a special meeting to explore the best affordable option to bring the weir back to its former glory. It is a protected structure which is more than 200 years old. Their officials are to ascertain the scope of the works required; the permissions needed from various bodies to carry out such works, the procurement procedure to be followed, and most importantly the funding needed for these works. In the meantime the council is seeking an urgent meeting with relevant agencies such as Inland Fisheries Ireland and the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment. Council officials are also seeking consultations with the Office of Public Works (OPW) in order to establish the impact any proposed works on the weir may have on the towns newly installed flood defences. Mr Fogarty said the weir will have to be completely replaced and not just patched up in certain places. He said he is anxious to seek financial support from other government agencies to ensure the project can be carried out. Cllr Frank OFlynn said the town benefits significantly from fishing tourism and this could be lost if the weir is not replaced. Councillors have agreed to hold a special meeting in early July to discuss any progress which has been made in the interim. Mr Crowley is concerned about the significant challenge posed to freedom of expression by Irelands defamation regime and is urging the Government to complete its review of the 2009 Defamation Act, which is long overdue. Speaking ahead of the Defamation Nation conference that takes place in Malaga, Spain, this weekend, he said good defamation policy is not about giving journalists a free rein to write what they liked. It is about setting the right balance in order to protect peoples reputations and the need to defend and promote freedom of expression and the medias ability to freely report on matters in the public interest, said Mr Crowley. However, that necessary balance is not being achieved in Ireland under the current defamation regime. It is time for Irelands defamation laws to be brought into line with the rest of Europe, said Mr Crowley. The 2009 Defamation Act was supposed to be reviewed within five years of its passage and former justice minister Frances Fitzgerald announced a review in November 2016. The Department of Justice received 35 submissions, including one from NewsBrands, but the report has yet to be published. NewsBrands, the industry body for Irelands 17 national newspaper titles, both print and online, wants juries to be abolished in defamation cases and a cap placed on damages, as is the case in Britain. Non-jury trials are the default position in defamation trials in Britain. Juries are only used when both parties and the judge agree it is in the interest of justice. It also wants the introduction of a serious harm test similar to the test introduced in Britain five years ago that has reduced defamation actions by a third. Under the test, the person claiming defamation must show that serious harm had been done to their reputation before proceeding with a case. Despite being confident of their position, newspapers often feel forced economically to settle a claim to avoid excessive legal costs. Mr Crowley says important stories are not being told for fear of litigation and that the law has had a chilling effect on democracy and a free press. Contrary to popular opinion, our members do not have endless finances and insurance cover, he said. In an open casket and dressed in a white blazer and dusky pink scarf, Jastine lay in repose in Bray, Co Wicklow yesterday afternoon, where members of the public was invited to express their condolences. On a blistering hot day, the Irish Filipino community travelled from far and wide to pay their respects to the young student who was abducted and murdered this day last week. Several books of condolence greeted those paying their respects, with addresses from all around the country. There was no music, just vases of lilies and bunches of flowers left around her coffin, as candles lit the passageway towards her remains. There was no sniffling, no sobbing, just silence, as up to 40 people at a time sat in the funeral home alongside Jastines remains. A single photo of her was placed next to her coffin. It was of her dressed in yellow, her face beaming with a smile. While her casket was open, a net veil gently covered her face and body as people approached her coffin to bear witness to a life cut devastatingly short. Many members of the Filipino community that visited the funeral home had never met before, nor did they know her family. She was one of our own, we must be here, said one woman, who has been working in Ireland as a nurse for almost 20 years. Her friend, who also wished not to be named, said she was devastated for Jastines parents, who had come to Ireland to prepare a good life for their daughter. The funeral home, on a long and busy road the Boghall sits directly across from Woodbrook Lawn, where Jastines killer Mark Hennessy had lived. Groups of Filipino people walked the length of the road, some carrying white roses and others boxes of cakes for Jastines family, who arrived at 6pm for a private service. Up until yesterday her parents, Teresita and Danilo Valdez, had not made any public comment. However, yesterday afternoon, they did release a statement about their beautiful daughter, through the Consulate of the Republic of the Philippines. They described her hopes of a new life and said that their only child was full of fun and love. Our daughters plans were to settle in Ireland, buy a house here and make a new life, the statement read. She is a fun-loving, wonderful, caring daughter and friend. She is always in our hearts and in the hearts of the people of Ireland. Her parents thanked the emergency services, gardai, and especially the family liaison officer. They also acknowledged the support of the Filipino community and Mark Congdon, Consul for the Philippines, during this traumatic time. Almost 130,000 has been raised for the Valdez family through a public GoFundMe page. I am so sorry that our country let you down in your fresh start for you and your beautiful daughter. Wishing you strength and lots of kindness to help get you through this terrible time, read a comment from one of the donors to the page. Nothing can take your horrendous pain away. No words can express my sorrow on your behalf. My wish is that these offerings reduce any extra burden for you to carry. My heart is with you, read another comment. Almost every comment apologised to the Valdez family that such a crime had happened in Ireland. Jastine will lie in repose again today, with the public invited to pay their respects until 6pm. It is understood that she will be repatriated in the coming weeks to the Philippines, where she will finally be laid to rest. The 24-year-old student, who was abducted and murdered in Wicklow by Mark Hennessy last Saturday, had recently followed her parents over to Ireland. Our daughters plans were to settle in Ireland, buy a house here, and make a new life, her parents Teresita and Danilo Valdez said in a statement yesterday. Leading members of the no campaign conceded defeat in the countrys abortion referendum before polls even closed yesterday, amid stronger-than-expected voter turnout. As counting of ballots commences at 9am this morning, the high turnout meant the proposal to remove the Eighth Amendment from the Constitution looks set to be passed. One of two exit polls, published late last night, suggested the country voted by a huge majority to Repeal the Eighth. The poll, published by the Irish Times, suggested that the margin of victory for the Yes side in yesterdays referendum will be 68& to 32%. It found the highest Yes vote was in Dublin, where 77% of voters backed the proposals, the poll predicted. The poll suggested that the margin of victory in the rest of Leinster outside Dublin will be 66% to 34%, while Munster will also break 66-34 in favour of repeal. Even Connacht-Ulster, expected to be the bulwark of the anti-repeal vote, voted in favour of the constitutional change by 59% to 41%, the poll finds. The poll also finds that women voted in favour of the proposal by a massive margin, with 70% voting in favour and 30% voting against. Support amongst men was weaker, though still convincing, at 65% to 35%. Admitting they were outgunned during the campaign, No campaigners have warned however they will fight the proposal to legalise abortions as proposed when the legislation goes through the Oireachtas. Huge turnouts in Dublin, Cork, and other urban areas, helped by glorious sunshine yesterday from early morning, gave a distinct advantage to the yes campaign, as good weather increases young voter turnout, with younger voters more likely to support a yes vote. Leading no campaigner Ronan Mullen said it was likely the yes side would win, and quite strongly in urban areas. However, there were pockets of rural areas that would oppose the removal of the Eighth Amendment, he believed. Speaking to the Irish Examiner, he said: This has united the [pro-life] movement. Because we know what is next, the legislation. That will be our focus now. And that states may as opposed to shall. So we will try and persuade them [the government] and work on that. Mr Mullen did say that the battleground will now be on trying to reduce the 12-week limit for for unrestricted access to abortion. The senator made his comments mid-afternoon, half way through polling. He also noted that momentum had been with the yes side in the closing week of the campaign, particularly during the TV debates. Fianna Fail TD Eamon O Cuiv also conceded that the yes side would comfortably win. Id imagine that the yes side is going win. Id expect them to win handsomely, he told the Irish Examiner. He said his own constituencys result would equate to the rest of the country as it as the perfect mix of rural and urban. Asked why the yes side were likely to win, he answered: They have had more firepower, more political leaders. The former minister predicted the yes side would get around 58%. Asked if he would accept the will of the people, the former deputy Fianna Fail leader said: The will of the people will be that they may ring in legislation. Health Minister Simon Harris said he was encouraged by the high turnout from early on in the day and also the fact that so many people had made the journey home to vote. Speaking in Cork, Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin, who advocated for a yes vote against the wishes of many in his party, said he was confident of winning. I get the feeling that the dont knows will break down in favour of yes, so I think the yes will win it. But that said, I have to acknowledge there are reluctant yeses and reluctant nos, he said. I think the people in the current debate have a far greater sense of the complexity of life itself. Just before polls closed at 10pm, turnout was reported to be high across much of the country, with some areas in Dublin exceeding 70%, well ahead of recent referendums. A team of 25 international election observers attended over 250 polling stations across Ireland in yesterdays referendum. The team was made up of observers from Britain, Canada, the US, France, and Greece. They worked in teams of two, being accredited by the national returning officer, Barry Ryan. From early morning yesterday, polling stations across the country experienced brisk and better than usual turnout as the nation cast their votes on the referendum to repeal the Eighth Amendment. At 12pm, voter turnout across Cork was at 16.2%. This compared to 13.3% at the same time of day for the general election in 2016, which is unusual for a referendum. By 5pm, the overall figure for Cork County had increased to 33.6% and this had again jumped to 51.76% by 8pm. One Dublin station in Glasnevin had recorded 24% by 12pm and had increased to 62.5% by 8pm last night. President Michael D Higgins, along with his wife, Sabina, voted in Phoenix Park yesterday morning. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, Tanaiste Simon Coveney, and other party leaders have been casting their ballots in centres across the country. After casting his ballot in Dublins Castleknock, Mr Varadkar said: I always get a little buzz from voting, it just feels like it is democracy in action. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar cast his vote at the polling station in Dublin. Pic: Niall Carson/PA Wire Health Minister Simon Harris who cast his vote in Delgany, Co Wicklow, said he was encouraged by the high turnout from early on in the day and also the fact that so many people had travelled home to vote. It really is all to play for now we are in 24 hours where punditry becomes irrelevant because it is in the hands of the people, he said. I hope the people will vote for a compassionate and caring Ireland. Just voted Yes for a more compassionate & caring Ireland with the stories & experiences of all those I have met and chatted with to the fore of my mind. Please keep working to get out the vote #togetherforyes #together2vote #hometovote pic.twitter.com/C6TYESHXMS Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) May 25, 2018 Large numbers of people had travelled from all over the world including as far as Australia, South America, and Asia, to cast their vote in the referendum using the #hometovote tag on Twitter. If you haven't voted yet. This girl left work yesterday got a train t Schipol airport flew to Dublin went to Sligo had a nap VOTED went to Sligo got the train to Dublin walked to the bus stop got to the airport and flew back to Amsterdam and is already back at her desk https://t.co/RO6zhGrC5p Annie West (@anniewestdotcom) May 25, 2018 Casting his vote in Ballinlough, Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin said: I think people in the current debate have a far greater sense of the complexity of life itself and the complexity that this question opens up, and I think people get the nuances that life isnt simple, it isnt straightforward, whereas back that in the 1980s it was almost a battle between two absolutes. Theres a been a significant focus on this debate in the last three weeks I think the momentum really grew from the May Bank Holiday weekend onwards the increased registration is a telling sign and I think thats more towards the yes side. Micheal Martin TD and his wife Mary at the polling station at St. Anthonys Boys NS, Ballinlough, Cork. Pic: Jim Coughlan Ballot boxes from more than 6,500 stations across the country will be opened this morning and it is expected the count will be complete by this afternoon before the official result is announced in Dublin Castle. As voters continued to make their way to polling stations yesterday, Sinn Fein TD Peadar Toibin, who went against the views of his party, took to Twitter to encourage a no vote. The measure of a people is how they treat the weakest and most vulnerable amongst them. There are none more vulnerable than an unborn child. Life, human rights and equality are not some ones choices. Cherish All the Mothers and Children of the Nation Equally and #VoteNo pic.twitter.com/8WM1aysFY1 Peadar Toibin (@Toibin1) May 24, 2018 The irony that the referendum on abortion is being held on International Missing Childrens Day will not be lost on many Irish people, he said. Those on the margins of society suffer most from abortion. Orla OConnor, co-chair of Together for Yes, said she had heard of high turnout among a younger cohort in areas such as Sligo and Donegal. It means that young people are claiming ownership of their decisions and rightly so, they feel that they have a real say in things, said Ms OConnor. With two hours still to go in voting, returning officers had recorded 51% turnout in Cork East, 54% Cork North-West and 50% Cork South-West. While the vast majority of people voted yesterday, those living on some of the islands off the coast voted on Thursday. Voter turnout only reached 50% on Inis Meain and Inis Oirr while it was 45% on Inis Mor. However, Inishbofin, had a turnout of 72%. Dr Nicola Cochrane, a member of the Irish College of General Practitioners womens health programme, said staff at the treatment units will do an assessment of the victim and store sample material. Dr Cochrane, who works in the sexual assault treatment unit in the Rotunda Hospital, Dublin, said many victims of rape and sexual assault delay reporting the crime by a year or more: Sometimes there can be delayed reporting by more than a year and sometimes by a number of years. We want them to know that they have an opportunity to have an assessment without making a commitment to report the crime to the gardai. It gives us an opportunity to collect very valuable forensic evidence that can then be used if the person decides months later to make a report, she explained. Dr Cochrane said the evidence could be held for 12 months or even longer, if necessary. The unit will contact the person after 12 months to ask whether or not the evidence should be disposed of. If they still want more time, we can keep it for a further 12 months, said Dr Cochrane when she spoke at the annual general meeting of the ICGP in Dublin yesterday. She was also anxious to clarify that doctors can provide contraception to sexually active teenagers in the absence of a parent or guardian. The Irish Medical Council states that if a young person refuses to involve a parent or guardian, a doctor should consider the young persons rights and best interests. Dr Cochrane said the Childrens First Act was amended last December so it is quite reasonable for doctors to provide contraceptives to a child under the age of 16 who does not want their parents to know. Where a teenager is aged between 15 and 17, is engaged in consensual sexual activity with a person within 24 months of the same age and understands the nature of the activity, the treating doctor is not obliged to report it. We know that between 27 and 31% of 15 to 17-year-olds are sexually active in Ireland with teenagers who are within 24 months of the same age, said Dr Cochrane. I wanted to clarify the matter because a lot of doctors felt conflicted and confused. It is good medical practice for doctors to provide contraceptive services to a teenager who is sexually active regardless of whether they involve their parents and regardless of what other actions the doctor may take to safeguard the teenager. Meanwhile, the ICGP the countrys training body for GPs has predicted a widespread shortages of GPs. More than 660 GPs are due to retire over the next seven years at a time when significant numbers of younger doctors are emigrating. It says the situation has been exacerbated by the HSEs serious underestimate of the extra demand created by free GP care for under-sixes since July 2015. The visit rate of under-sixes has increased to 28%, well ahead of the 3.3% increase anticipated by the HSE. Incoming ICGP president, Dr John OBrien, said the system is in crisis, with a growing number of GP teams closing their practices to new patients and the HSE unable to find doctors to take on medical card lists. Dateline Assessing the Governments Stepped-up Fight Against Corruption The Irrawaddy discusses the main challenges in the ruling partys battle against Myanmars entrenched culture of graft. Kyaw Zwa Moe: Welcome to Dateline Irrawaddy! This week we discuss corruption, which is one of the most serious concerns facing our country. A country can only ensure clean government and good governance, attract more foreign investment and enhance its image when free of corruption. But corruption is deeply rooted in our country. The newly elected president [U Win Myint] has vowed to put greater efforts into fighting corruption. What are the challenges and how far has the government come in tackling corruption in Myanmar? Political analyst Dr. Yan Myo Thein and Ko Ye Ni, editor of The Irrawaddy Burmese Edition join me to discuss this. Im Kyaw Zwa Moe, editor of The Irrawaddy English Edition. Assessing the Governments Stepped-up Fight Against Corruption DATELINE IRRAWADDYAssessing the Governments Stepped-up Fight Against CorruptionThe Irrawaddy discusses the main challenges in the ruling partys battle against Myanmars entrenched culture of graft. Posted by The Irrawaddy English Edition on Friday, May 25, 2018 As you know, the new president has focused on combating corruption since he took office. The first government agency he met with as president was the Anti-Corruption Commission. And he talked about taking a tougher stance on corruption at the meeting. The commission said it is investigating 18 cases including some involving high-ranking government officials. They seem to be walking the walk. Ko Yan Myo Thein, what is your assessment of the commission? Do you think it will be successful? Yan Myo Thein: Corruption is an enormous challenge to the democratization of our country. It continues to take place in countries like China, where the death penalty is being imposed for bribery. Only when we make an all-out effort to fight corruption will we be able to bring about clean government and good governance in our country, which is regarded as one of the most corrupt in the world. When we speak of fighting corruption, it is not enough to discipline and dismiss the fliesthe lower-level staff. There is also a need to investigate and take action against the tigersthe high-ranking officials in the government, Parliament, the Tatmadaw [Myanmars military] and the ruling party. If strong action can be taken against corrupt officials on a wide scale, the government will become cleaner and better administered, and win greater trust and support from the people. KZM: Generally speaking, it is necessary for every country. Ko Ye Ni, the president said in his speech that decisive action would be taken against corrupt officials of any rank, without favor. The Anti-Corruption Commission said it had received over 1,700 complaints in the three months since January, and most of them were filed against the Home Affairs Ministry, followed by judicial staff. Judicial staff in fact must be clean and upright, but it is just the reverse in Myanmar. Ko Ye Ni, to what extent do you think the government will be able to handle corruption among civil servants? What else would you like to point out? Ye Ni: Corruption is entrenched in our country. It is fair to say that it is rooted like cancer. It has spread to every department. No matter which government is in office, it has a responsibility to fight corruption. Any government, whether it was elected or seized power, operates a civil service that functions with tax or public funds. So, it is obliged to fight corruption. As Ko Yan Myo Thein has pointed out, the Anti-Corruption Commission has only been able to take action against lower-level staff and not higher-level ones. It has hardly caught any big fish, to put it in the words of [economist] U Myint. KZM: This is a huge challenge not only for the government, but also for the people. The Anti-Corruption Law was enacted in 2013, but retrospective complaints cant be filed under that law. Lately, weve heard about a high-profile case in which Food and Drug Administration Director General Dr. Than Htut was arrested and sued. This came as a warning bell to many civil servants, especially corrupt officials. According to Transparency International, our country is ranked at around 130th out of 180 countries. So, corruption is rife here. Ko Yan Myo Thein, you said China imposes harsh penalties for corruption. But harsh penalties dont always serve as a deterrent. How tough should the penalties imposed in our country be? YMT: There is a need to expand education programs on corruption, I think. The government should educate, warn and punish step by step. At the national level, there is a need to educate people about corruption starting at primary school. The government should conduct anti-corruption campaigns as a national movement with public participation. In particular, it should focus on educating civil servants. Civil servants need to know clearly which actions amount to corruption. And we should study the living expenses of civil servants. The government should think about how it can reduce their household expenses burden. The government has recently increased salaries for civil servants. But what about giving them other allowances and annual bonuses, rather than increasing their pay, in order to reduce this burden? Firstly, fighting corruption requires public participation. Secondly, it requires educating civil servants on a wide scale. KZM: After the new government took office, a company paid graft to an official in the Presidents Office. The money was given back to the company. Ko Ye Ni, what do you want to say about those who pay bribes? Some businessmen, even the majority of businessmen, have had to bribe authorities to win contracts for business projects in the past. Does that practice still exist? YN: Not only in Myanmar, but also in countries across the world, businessmen try to curry favor with concerned authorities to win contracts. This has led to an argument over business ethics. Before we argue over the morality of that practice, the majority of businessmen do not hesitate to pay grease money. KZM: It is not ethical. That practice still exists in Myanmar. YMT: My view is that action should be taken against both the giver and receiver of a bribe. As you have mentioned, a company gave graft to an official soon after the new government took office. And the government returned the money and announced this in a press release. Giving back the money is not enough; I think the government should investigate. Again, when ministers and high-ranking officials of the government step down from their positions, government press releases always say that they are resigning of their own volition. But I think the government should investigate and make public the reasons behind their resignations, and so should the Anti-Corruption Commission. As Ko Ye Ni has said, civil servantsin the government, Parliament or Tatmadawoperate with public funds, so it is important that people have access to all the information. YN: I would like to point out an important point here. Whistle-blowers and insiders are important in exposing corruption. In a recent seizure of smuggled teak in Kyaukse [in Mandalay Region], police exposed the case with the help of colleagues who came forward with a sense of duty. The government should provide legal protection for such people. YMT: And the government should also honor them. YN: Yes, it should. KZM: Both the president and the Anti-Commission Corruption have said that greater cooperation with the media is required in fighting corruption, and that investigations should be made when media reports about corruption appear. Lawmaker U Aung Kyi Nyunt of the ruling National League for Democracy once said that the party faced three dangers. One is the risk of party officials being bought by businessmen. It is important that senior party officials and senior government officials are not bought by businessmen, he said. Have you noticed any official being bought? We dont see media reports about such cases; the media is not supposed to make such reports without confirmation. YMT: Yes, it is difficult for the media to report on such cases. But according to rumors and reports on social media, for example, lawmakers are always attending opening ceremonies [like road and bridge opening ceremonies and companies product-launching ceremonies]. It is important that lawmakers stay close to the people. They need to stay close to the people on the ground who voted for them. But [instead] they stay close to businessmen and attend their functions, and eat their lunches and dinners, and it becomes a weakness that people may find fault with. The ruling party should impose strict rules to control this, and take strict action against those who break the rule. The party should also inform the public about its punitive actions against law-breaking members. Again, I think the ruling party should set an example by exercising iron discipline among its members. Then, other parts of the [state] mechanism will pay greater heed to fighting corruption. KZM: We are witnessing the NLD-led government take steps to fight corruption two years after taking office. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi jokingly said after her government took office that she would visit her cabinet members in prison if they were corrupt. So members of her party need to be careful. The Anti-Corruption Commission said it is investigating 18 cases. We will wait and see what happens and how effectively the commission can tackle corruption. Thank you for your contributions! News Deputy Home Affairs Minister Leaves Post to Return to Top Military Job Deputy Home Affairs Minister Maj. Gen. Aung Soe, was promoted and appointed to head the Bureau of Special Operations. / Htet Naing Zaw / The Irrawaddy NAYPYITAW The deputy minister of home affairs, Maj. Gen. Aung Soe, was promoted on Friday to the rank of lieutenant general and is expected to leave the cabinet to take over as commander of the Bureau of Special Operations. The BSO oversees the regional military commands and reports directly to Amy chief Sen. Gen. Min Aung Hlaing. Among his new duties, Lt. Gen. Aung Soe will reportedly oversee BSO No.6, after its current commander, Lt-Gen Aung Kyaw Zaw, was removed from the post earlier this week. Lt. Gen. Aung Soe is from the Defense Service Academy (DSA) No. 26 intake and formerly served as commander of the Armys Division 33 as well as head of the Northeast Regional Command. He was also deputy minister of home affairs in the previous Thein Sein administration. It is rare that a general appointed to the cabinet is brought back to the military and given a promotion, said former general Hla Htay Win, who was joint chief of staff of the army, navy and air force. He [Aung Soe] is kind of the first person, he told The Irrawaddy. Under the constitution, the military has the right to appoint the ministers of home affairs, defense and security and border affairs. Lt. Gen. Aung Soes position in the cabinet will be filled by the current head of the Defense Service Academy, Maj. Gen. Aung Thu. Ko Ye Myo Hein, the executive director of the Tagaung Institute of Political Studies said that the reshuffle appeared to be related to several controversies in Rakhine State. Another military affairs analyst in Yangon told The Irrawaddy that Lt. Gen. Aung Kyaw Zaw had to take responsibility for the actions of the Western commander, Maj. Gen. Maung Maung Soe. Before he was removed from the position and transferred to BSO No. 6 in Naypyitaw last year, Lt Gen Aung Kyaw Zaw headed BSO No. 3, which is responsible for the Southwestern, Southern and Western Military Commands. In his posting at BSO No. 3, Lt. Gen. Aung Kyaw Zaw was a member of the Joint Ceasefire Monitoring Committee (JMC-U) and participated in the peace negotiations. Under his command, the Rohingya crisis erupted, which resulted in nearly 700,000 Rohingya fleeing to Bangladesh. Lt. Gen. Aung Kyaw Zaw was part of the DSA 24 intake, and commanded Division No. 33. In 2010, he was appointed to command the Northeast Region Command and then later the Southern Region Command. He was promoted to the rank of lieutenant general and to head BSO No. 3 in August 2015. In a series of reshuffles within the Home Affairs Ministry last month, police of different ranks were either suspended or transferred. On Sunday, Maj. Gen. Nyi Nyi Swe, head of the Southwestern Command and former head of the Northern Command; and Brig. Gen. Maung Maung Zan, the commander of Division 101, based in Hpakant were investigated for taking bribes, and suspended from their positions. They were later transferred to auxiliary units. Further reshuffles are expected, said Ko Ye Myo Hein, adding that it shows Amy chief Sen. Gen. Min Aung Hlaing is taking responsibility and holding officers accountable for their actions, as he had promised the United Nations, including the UN Security Council delegation that visited the country last month, and the international community. Lt-Gen Aung Soe had good relationships with other parliamentarians as a cabinet member and lawmakers described his move back to the military as a loss for the executive. U Nay Myo Tun, a lower house lawmaker from Yangons Htantapin constituency said, He is kind and is ready to help others. It is sad to lose him [from the position]. He said the deputy home affairs minister resolved the shortage of police officers and other administrative problems in his Htantapin constituency when he asked him for help once. Nyein Nyein contributed to this report. News This Week in Parliament (May 21-25) A stack of 1,000 kyat banknotes is seen as employees count money at a Yoma Bank branch in Yangon. The Upper House passed amendments to the Anti-Corruption Law granting the countrys anti-graft agency more authority to combat bribery. / Reuters Monday (May 21) In the Lower House, lawmaker U Zone Tein of Chipwe Township asked if the Union government would grant special funds for the rapid development of impoverished regions. Deputy Minister for Border Affairs Maj-Gen. Than Htut replied that the Union government has adopted and is implementing long-range regional development plans, and has therefore no plans to grant special funds. The Lower House approved the Waw Township lawmaker U Tin Htwes proposal for the Union government to enact by-laws in a timely manner after a particular law is enacted. The lawmaker cited long delays in the enactment of by-laws after the Union Parliament promulgated certain legislation. In the Upper House, U Tun Tun of Mandalay Region Constituency 2 asked if the Union government would restrict misleading advertising of cosmetics, medicines, foods and other products by some business owners on various media. Deputy Information Minister U Aung Hla Tun said that his ministry would make sure advertisers strictly followed public service media advertising rules. Tuesday (May 22) Deputy Minister for Finance and Planning U Maung Maung Win sought the approval of the Union Parliament to receive a loan of 641.029 billion kyats from the Central Bank of Myanmar to cover the budget deficit of the Union government. Lawmakers will discuss the proposal next week. The deputy minister also submitted a tax governance bill that prescribes up to seven years imprisonment for tax evasion. Wednesday (March 23) In the Lower House, U Ba Shein, a lawmaker representing Kyaukphyu Township, submitted a proposed amendment to Article 37(b) of the Myanmar Human Rights Commission Law that bars the commission from investigating cases for which final verdicts have been delivered by concerned courts. The Lower House voted down his proposal. The Upper House passed amendments to the Anti-Corruption Law granting the countrys anti-graft agency more authority to combat bribery. The amendments allow the Anti-Corruption Commission to investigate at its own initiative any civil servants who are seen to be unusually wealthy. Thursday (May 24) Military representative Lt-Col Myo Htet Win raised an objection to Daw Nan Moe of Mong Ton Township as she talked about the torture of civilians by Tatmadaw soldiers in her constituency, while discussing the annual report of the Myanmar Human Rights Commission for 2017. The Lower House speaker said that as action had been taken against the perpetrators, he would remove that part of the discussion from the parliamentary record. Friday (May 25) In the Lower House, Dr. May Win Myint of Mayangone Township asked the government to clarify what plans it has to reduce child rape, and also urged it to introduce harsh penalties as a deterrent. Deputy Minister for Home Affairs Maj-Gen Soe Nwe replied that amendments are being made to laws covering child rights protection and prevention of violence against women to address the sexual abuse of children. Saturday, May 26th, 2018 (12:01 am) - Score 5,625 The co-founder and CEO of UK ISP Truespeed Communications, Evan Wienburg, has told ISPreview.co.uk as part of our new interview that their full fibre (FTTP) broadband network in South West England has already covered 3,000 rural premises and they aspire to hit 200,000 by 2025. According to Evan, the motivation for setting up Truespeed in 2015 came from seeing the opportunity to build a lasting and vitally important broadband infrastructure in rural parts of South West England, which he says is an area that has become infamous for being poorly served. Indeed the regional state aid supported Connecting Devon and Somerset programme has certainly had plenty of challenges (example). One of the reasons for this is due to the rural nature of the region, where building any kind of Gigabit capable Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) network tends to be very slow and expensive. Nevertheless Truespeeds demand-driven model (i.e. 30% of a community must commit before they build) appears to have taken a leaf out of Gigaclears book. As a result they were initially able to create enough commercial interest to fund deployments to several villages in the Chew Valley (e.g. Priston, Compton Dando, Stanton Drew and Stanton Wick). The effort clearly worked because last year the ISP secured a huge investment of 75 million from Aviva Investors to help expand their network (here), which is a considerable sum for such a young provider and helps to demonstrate how much appetite there is for putting money into optical fibre. As it stands Truespeeds network has already reached 3,000 premises and they expect to cover over 12,000 by the end of this summer 2018. Money can no longer be cited when building business cases against the delivery of ultrafast networks. The demand is there and the appetite for investment is too. The best thing the government can do is to encourage private investors to build these networks, and ensure that regulatory practices are in place to allow investment to flourish, said Evan. Going forward Evan said their goal is to have 75,000 properties connected by 2021, so were looking to have around 1,800 properties passed every month for the next 5 or 6 years. Come 2025, wed like to see 200,000 properties connected. Naturally we were keen to know more and Evan has kindly agreed to answer some of our questions. The TrueSpeed Interview 1. Truespeed is one of the most recent entrants into the countrys growing market for full fibre (FTTP/H) alternative network providers. On top of that youre also one of the few commercial operators that seem to be making a business model out of connecting up rural villages (mostly in South West England), which are usually some of the most expensive areas to tackle. All of this work was underlined by last years announcement of a significant 75m investment into the ISP. How have you managed to attract so much investment so quickly toward such a challenging delivery area, whats the secret? ANSWER: Theres huge demand from businesses and consumers across the UK for essential future-proofed internet infrastructure and services, which has boosted investors confidence. Key to attracting the investment was to identify ways of making the delivery areas less challenging, and finding a business model that supports infrastructure delivery in a way that doesnt make the resultant service cost-prohibitive for customers. Weve solved this by changing traditional building methodologies and management to be able to consistently deliver to cost and on spec. Investors can see a business model that results in a service that is faster, more effective and lower cost, without impacting on profitability. The only missing ingredient is guaranteeing that the demand will be there from day one, and weve solved this reassuring our investors in the process by creating a demand-driven model. If 30% of a community wants our service and signs up, then well move in and deliver the infrastructure. 2. Last year we initially heard it stated that Truespeed were aiming to deliver 75,000 premises passed with FTTP and later in that same year I saw one of your INCA slides put the aspiration at a very specific 103,000 premises. Can you tell us roughly how many premises you reach today and what do you aspire to reach in the future (ideally mentioning over what sort of timescale)? ANSWER: Our stated aim is to pass 75,000 households and businesses within South West England by 2021. There are more properties that weve identified as viable targets and so if theres an opportunity to go faster, than well look to take it. But if we deliver 75,000 properties then both ourselves and our investors will be very happy, not to mention the hundreds of thousands of people whose lives will be transformed by access to full-fibre broadband. Currently we have passed 3k properties and by the end of the summer we will have passed over 12k properties which are in build now. Were working on an additional 120 communities and will continue to add then to the delivery. Government initiatives like the Gigabit Voucher Scheme can make a massive difference to accelerating the process too, which is why were so happy to be one of the core delivery partners to the scheme, and the only provider that has been able to deliver the scheme for both businesses and residential properties. 3. Your fibre optic network appears to be building into some rural areas that can already access a hybrid fibre FTTC (VDSL2) broadband service, such as via Openreachs platform. Does doing this make it harder to attract customers in those areas to your network? ANSWER: No, for two reasons. Firstly, in these rural areas we tend to come in at a fraction of the cost of Openreach, and with a commitment to roll out the service faster. Secondly, we deliver a far superior full fibre infrastructure that can future-proof local economies for many years to come. Once customers understand that not all fibre connectivity is created equal, its an easy sell. There is, however, a difficulty in educating customers about the differences, given that so many fibre broadband providers are able to get away with making dubious or inaccurate advertising claims. 4. Another ISP that follows a similar model to your one, Gigaclear, has recently secured a number of large state aid supported contracts to help expand FTTP into rural communities around various counties in England. Do Truespeed have any serious plans to bid on similar contracts in the future and if not, why not? ANSWER: Were proud of the fact that weve been able to achieve such strong progress in delivering FTTP to the South West without Government subsidies, because it demonstrates the viability of our business model. However thats not to say that we wouldnt bid for contracts in the future that aligned with our stated rollout aims. Whats important is that BDUK and local bodies ensure they are clear on the differences in product quality when setting up these tenders, so that theyre evaluating bids based on the ability to serve long-term community needs. 5. Earlier we touched briefly on the challenging costs of deploying into rural communities. What sort of payback period (years) do you envisage for your own deployments and how much take-up in each area do you usually target? ANSWER: If we get 30% of the community signed up then we move in and start delivering the infrastructure. What weve found is that as word gets around, this figure tends to increase significantly and well often end up serving the majority of the community. Our customers sign up to an initial 18 month contract with us. After that we aim to keep every last one of them happy with our service so that theres no reason for them to look elsewhere. 6. From 23rd May 2018 the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) will be requiring all broadband ISPs to advertise average speeds (the median measured at peak time) for their headline packages. Are you adopting this change and what are your thoughts on it (i.e. is their method a good approach)? ANSWER: No. We dont have an average speed as we dont need one. The speed we advertise is the speed that we deliver. We dont suffer from network contention issues: our Active Ethernet network provides a full fibre service that guarantees our customers a minimum speed of 200Mbps at any time, just like what some might know as a leased line, but for a fraction of the cost. For the wider market, though, this is certainly a step in the right direction in terms of transparency. For too long, some ISPs have bamboozled customers with glossy ads promoting their fibre broadband services, without ever having to provide clarity, or educate on what average speed really means. Its crucial that customers have the tools and information at their disposal to make more informed choices about broadband providers and packages, and arent left with a sub-standard service because of unrealistic promotional promises. Continued on page 2.. Reddit Email 286 Shares Washington, D.C. (Otherwords.org) No words can describe the anger and anguish I feel as a Palestinian in America watching this unfold. On May 14, Ivanka Trump, Jared Kushner, and Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin smiled for pictures in front of the new U.S. embassy in Jerusalem with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Big day for Israel, Donald Trump tweeted. Congratulations! Meanwhile, just miles away in Gaza, Yazan Ibraheem Mohammed Al-Tubassi lay dying after repeatedly being shot by Israeli troops during protests at the Gaza border fence. Elsewhere, relatives of Taher Ahmed Madi another shooting victim carried his body home from the hospital to prepare for his funeral. No words can describe the anger and anguish I feel as a Palestinian in America watching this unfold. Along the Gaza fence, Israeli troops have gunned down thousands of unarmed Palestinian protesters, killing 60 and injuring over 2,700 in a matter of days. Many were teenagers, women, and children. The protests werent about the relocation of the U.S. embassy. They began several weeks ago to mark the anniversary of the Nakba, or catastrophe the mass exodus and ethnic cleansing of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians since Israels founding in 1948. Every year, while Israelis celebrate the establishment of their state, millions of Palestinians mourn the end to their existence as they knew it. For the Trump administration to choose this day for the relocation of the embassy while Palestinians were being murdered just 60 miles away is horrendously cruel. The United States has proven that it isnt only indifferent toward Israels treatment of Palestinians, but has actively green lit the violence of the past few weeks. In 1948, my grandparents, whose families had lived in Palestine for hundreds of years, were forced out of the only home they ever knew. Practically overnight, they were made into refugees and forced to make the almost 200-mile journey to Jordan on foot. Leaving behind their belongings, family, and memories, they settled in Jordan, hoping the international community would help them one day return to their homes. My grandparents, who never stopped talking about their life in Palestine, never saw it again. They passed away in Jordan, leaving the key to their house in Palestine with my family. We still have it today, serving as a reminder of our roots and of the abuse my family and so many others have suffered under Israel. Still, Im reminded that my grandparents were fortunate enough to make it out alive. The millions who have been forced into Gaza cannot say the same. They arent free to come and go as they choose, but remain locked in the worlds largest open air prison cut down if they so much as approach the border fence with Israel. Inside they suffer unimaginable conditions. Only 10 percent of Gazans have access to safe drinking water, almost half of the population is unemployed, and over 70 percent live in poverty. They get only a few hours of electricity a day. Not to mention the psychological effects of living under siege, and the daily fear of attacks by Israel. Now, politicians across the U.S. are voicing their support for the embassy relocation, while other countries announce their decision to follow Americas lead. Its infuriating to see my own country actively condoning brutal violence against my people while other countries sit back and watch. How can Palestinians ever trust a peace process led by an administration that degrades them this way? I keep hearing people say that Gazans need to protest peacefully as Israeli snipers gun them down methodically. Theyre being given two options: Either suffer inhumane treatment or get killed protesting it. Its not much of a choice. No one would passively accept a life like this. Why should Gazans? Via Otherwords.org Reddit Email 297 Shares College Park, Md. (Qantara.de) Some are suggesting that Muslims are bringing anti-Semitism to Europe. However, it was in fact Europeans who took anti-Semitism to the Arab world in the first place. Diplomats in particular played an contemptible role. Holy books are what people make of them: after all, even the word of God needs to be understood and interpreted. The same applies to anti-Jewish statements in the Koran. Today, it isnt just so-called critics of Islam who describe them as anti-Semitic; Muslim hate-preachers too like to quote them. In the field of traditional Koranic exegesis, this is a new kind of misuse. For over a thousand years, Muslims have worked hard to make their word of God applicable as a moral and legal doctrine. Scholars claimed the exclusive right to interpret it. While this process wasnt democratic, it guaranteed that extreme, isolated interpretations stood little chance. Verses calling for violence against Jews, for example, are embedded in reports about historical events. When the Prophet emigrated from Mecca to Medina in 622, he formed an alliance with the local population, which included some Jewish tribes. It is said that when these tribes broke the contract, Mohammed and his followers took revenge. Hatred of Jews in the early Islamic tradition sprang from the precarious position of the Muslim community, which was in competition with social adversaries. When seen this way, it was clearly associated with a specific situation. Islamic scholars have always seen it more or less like this. Over the centuries, Jewish life, culture, economy and scholarship thrived under Islamic rule. Historians are agreed that Jews had a much better life under Islam than under European Christianity. While there was, of course, violence against people of other faiths in the Islamic world too, Islamic scholars had more problems with Christians and the doctrine of the Holy Trinity, which to them smacked of polytheism. No anti-Semitism founded on race or religion The current debate in Germany about anti-Semitism among Muslim migrants must be viewed against this historical backdrop. There is no tradition of anti-Semitism in Islam founded either on race or religion. And yet these days, it is widespread in majority-Muslim countries. Neither racism nor the violence that results from it can be justified. However, the acceptance of anti-Semitic prejudices among Muslims should be attributed to political and social rather than religious factors. Without the colonial subjugation of the Arab world in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, the spread of anti-Semitic thought, both there and in other Islamic countries, is almost unthinkable. The first truly anti-Semitic incident in the Middle East occurred in Damascus in 1840 among Catholic missionaries. An Italian-born monk had disappeared, and several statements extracted under torture ascribed his disappearance to the Jews, who allegedly wanted the victims blood to bake matzos an anti-Semitic trope familiar from the Middle Ages in Europe, which the French consul brought into play. Most European citizens were legally under diplomatic protection, which is why the French consul was able to have a direct influence on the investigations. A few Christians played along, hoping for economic advantages over Jewish competitors. The Islamic governor of Syria, on the other hand, refused to agree to the death penalty being applied. The affair attracted much attention in Europe and resulted in a campaign by international Jewish dignitaries. This may have succeeded in securing the release of the convicts, but it also damaged relations between the two religious groups. In North Africa too, the Jews had more to fear from European settlers under French colonisation than they did from their Muslim neighbours. A decree issued by the French justice minister, Adolphe Cremieux, drove a wedge between the religious groups from 1870 onwards. With the stroke of a pen, Cremieux made all Algerian Jews French citizens, without them having asked for this. By contrast, it was almost impossible for Muslims to obtain full citizenship, even though Algeria was French territory. Cremieux also helped to found the Alliance Israelite Universelle, an influential organisation headquartered in Paris, which ran schools first in North Africa and then in the Ottoman Empire, to civilise the Jewish population, whom they regarded as backward, to European standards. In so doing, the Jews were alienated from their neighbours in terms of language, habits and qualifications. Adolphe Cremieux was the son of a Jewish silk merchant from Nimes. He qualified as a lawyer and was later made Frances minister of justice. According to Peter Wien, a decree he issued in 1780 drove a wedge between Muslims and Jews in Algeria: With the stroke of a pen, Cremieux made all Algerian Jews French citizens, without them having asked for this. By contrast, it was almost impossible for Muslims to obtain full citizenship, even though Algeria was French territory Loyal patriots Until the fall of the empire, most Ottoman Jews remained loyal patriots. In the fields of economics, politics and culture, Jews, Christians and Muslims were closely linked, living side by side in modern residential areas and meeting in schools, chambers of commerce and freemasons lodges. After the First World War, the younger generation fought in political parties for a socialist order without religious barriers or for the liberation of the Arab nation from imperialism. The number of anti-Jewish attacks in Arab countries increased during the 1930s with resistance to Zionism in Palestine. The idea of having to cede to Jews land that had been under Muslim rule for more than a thousand years seemed absurd. Whats more, the Zionist project was also under the protection of the hated British colonisers. When Lord Balfour made his famous declaration in 1917, expressing the British governments support for the establishment of a Jewish homeland in Palestine, the British foreign minister himself probably didnt believe it was something that could be achieved. However, it took the Zionists only two decades to develop a complex and powerful organisation in Palestine. The growth in population size as a result of immigration raised the pressure from the Jewish community on Palestinians until the outbreak of the Palestinian Revolt in 1936, which made the Palestine question a pan-Arab issue. By the time British soldiers had put down the uprising shortly before the Second World War, Palestinian society was shattered and its ruling elite broken, imprisoned or in exile. The Palestinians have never recovered from the failure of the revolt. One of the exiles was the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem, Amin al-Husseini. Even though it was the British who put him in this influential office in 1921, he still became one of their fiercest opponents. It was his propaganda in the 1930s that made the Temple Mount, with the Dome of the Rock and the al-Aqsa mosque, into a symbol of the Zionist threat to Islams holy sites for Muslims worldwide. For its part, Zionism stood for the Wests neo-imperialistic aspirations for power over the Islamic world a message that could be used by religious militants, secular radicals and nationalists alike. While still in Palestine, Amin al-Husseini was already in contact with German diplomats. In 1941, they finally brought him to Berlin, where he offered his services to the Nazis until the end of the war. And although his radio speeches were broadcast in Arabic to the Middle East and attracted much attention, they didnt trigger the anti-British uprisings that the Germans were hoping for. The openly anti-Semitic speeches and Nazi propaganda texts contained the same readings of the Koran that Islamic fundamentalists use today. Isolated anti-Jewish verses were taken out of context and combined with European anti-Semitic slogans to provocative effect. It is questionable, however, whether the mufti actually wrote his radio speeches himself. German specialists, some of whom were Orientalists and were familiar with the Koran, manufactured the anti-Semitic connections themselves. This anti-Semitic interpretation of certain Koranic verses taken out of context was still unknown in the Middle East at that time. Grand Mufti of Jerusalem Amin al-Husseini. A fierce opponent of the British in Palestine, al-Husseini arrived in Berlin in 1941. From there, he broadcast openly anti-Semitic radio speeches in Arabic to the Middle East with the support of the Nazis until the end of the war. Although they attracted much attention, the speeches didnt trigger the anti-British uprisings that the Germans were hoping for Most Arab thinkers were opponents of the Nazis There is every indication that the mufti became an unscrupulous anti-Semite during his time in Berlin. He used his connections with Himmler to try to prevent Jewish children from Bulgaria, Romania and Hungary emigrating to Palestine. He knew about Auschwitz, even if there is no proof that he ever went there himself. After the war, he was used in Egypt as a figurehead for the Palestinian national movement, but he had little influence. He never set foot in his homeland again. Most of the Arab worlds intellectuals remained opposed to the Nazis until the end of the Second World War. Although Germany was fighting the detested colonial powers of Great Britain and France, few people were under the illusion that a victory of the Axis powers would bring advantages for the Arabs in the Middle East. The only outbreak of extensive anti-Jewish violence by Arabs occurred in Baghdad in 1941. After the defeat of a pro-German coup in a short war, a mob used the power vacuum left by the British occupation and ran amok in the streets of the deprived Jewish quarter, murdering, raping and looting. Members of a youth organisation influenced by the Mufti and German propaganda were involved. Up to 200 Jews died. Many Muslims opened their doors to their Jewish compatriots. In places where Muslims and Jews knew each other, help was given. It was strangers who looted and committed the murders. From the end of the Second World War onwards, however, when the conflict in Palestine began to intensify, things began to change. The Arab public began to accept Western anti-Semitic agitation indiscriminately. The wars between Jews and Palestinians, and later between Jews and other Arabs, brought the trauma of expulsion to a majority of the new Israeli states Palestinian population. This trauma became a symbol of two hundred years of Western hegemony over the Islamic world and not just for Arabs. These things do not excuse anti-Semitism or justify violence against Jews, but nor do they originate in the history of Islam. Suddeutsche Zeitung 2018 Translated from the German by Ruth Martin Reprinted with authors permission from Qantara.de VANCOUVER, B.C., May 25, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Mundoro Capital Inc. (the Company), is pleased to announce the voting results of the Annual General Meeting held on May 23, 2018 (the Meeting). Shareholders voted as follows on the matters before the meeting: Board Members Shareholders elected the following 4 board members with shareholders represented at the meeting voting in favour of individual directors as follows: Director Nominee Percentage of Votes John Hoey 91.48% Teo Dechev 94.30% Michael Calyniuk 94.30% Graham Brown 90.17% Appointment of Auditors Shareholders approved the re-appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as auditors of the Company for the ensuing year at the remuneration to be fixed by the directors. The Company's shareholders voted in favor of all matters brought before the meeting. The results of voting will be filed at www.sedar.com. Furthermore, the Company issued 1,300,000 stock options to its employees, consultants, officers and directors on May 23, 2018. The stock options were issued in accordance with Mundoros Stock Option Plan, are exercisable into common shares of Mundoro at $0.11 (being the closing price on the TSX Venture Exchange on May 22, 2018) over a five-year term. On behalf of the Board, Teo Dechev Chief Executive Officer, President and Director About Mundoro Capital Inc. Mundoro is a Canadian mineral exploration and development public company focused on building value for its shareholders through directly investing in mineral projects that have the ability to generate future returns for shareholders. The Company currently holds a diverse portfolio of projects in two European countries as well as an investment in a producing gold mine in Bulgaria and a feasibility stage gold project in China. The Company holds eight 100% owned projects in Serbia, the four Timok North Projects are in option to JOGMEC, and the four Timok South Projects are being advanced by Mundoro. Mundoros common shares trade on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol MUN. For further information please contact: Teo Dechev, CEO, President and Director of Mundoro Capital Inc. at +1-604-669-8055. Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements This News Release contains forward-looking information and statements (forward-looking statements) under applicable securities laws. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included or incorporated by reference in this News Release are forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, the completion of exploration work on any Projects and licenses and results of that exploration work, the prospect of one or more joint ventures on the Timok South Projects and other statements regarding activities, events or developments that the Company expects or anticipates may occur in the future. These forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as "will", "expect", "intend", "plan", "estimate", "anticipate", "believe", promising, encouraging or "continue" or similar words or the negative thereof. The material assumptions that were applied in making the forward looking statements in this News Release include expectations as to the Company's future strategy and business plan and execution of the Company's existing plans. There can be no assurance that the plans, intentions or expectations upon which these forward-looking statements are based will occur. We caution readers of this News Release not to place undue reliance on forward looking statements contained in this News Release, which are not a guarantee of performance and are subject to a number of uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These factors include general economic and market conditions, changes in law, regulatory processes, the status of Mundoro's assets and financial condition, actions of competitors and the ability to implement business strategies and pursue business opportunities. The forward-looking statements contained in this News Release are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements included in this News Release are made as of the date of this News Release and Mundoro undertakes no obligation to publicly update such forward-looking statements to reflect new information, subsequent events or otherwise, except as required by law. Shareholders are cautioned that all forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties and for a more detailed discussion of such risks and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, refer to the Company's filings with the Canadian securities regulators available on www.sedar.com. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Families of victims of the 2005 massacre of some 50 migrants in The Gambia, along with Ghanaian human rights organizations, launched a new push for the extradition of former Gambian dictator Yahya Jammeh in Accra, Ghana, on Wednesday May 16. Senior Adviser to Human Rights Watch Reed Brody, who helped bring former Chadian dictator Hissene Habre to justice, was also there to support them. Brody thinks that if the socio-political and security situation in The Gambia is not ready for a trial of the former dictator, the political conditions now exist for his extradition to Ghana. Jammeh has been living since his fall from power in Equatorial Guinea. He is accused not only of killing and torturing his own compatriots but also of being behind the 2005 massacre of migrants in his country. In this video interview with us at the Accra conference, Reed Brody explains why Equatorial Guinea may not be an eternal paradise for Yahya Jammeh, and analyses the chances of success of the request for his extradition to Ghana, with reference to the Chadian case 47 Shares Share Strong letters of recommendation are essential for supporting your residency application and matching well. This article details how to ensure you get great letters of recommendation. Knowing what constitutes a great letter of recommendation is crucial to obtaining outstanding letters. A strong letter of recommendation clearly conveys knowledge of the medical student, how that student performed and qualities that predict excellent performance in residency. Strong letters of recommendation include the following: A statement about how the attending knows the student and his/her ability to evaluate the students performance An overall summary of the students abilities A specific evaluation of the students performance, often presented using the ACGMEs six core competencies A discussion of the students attributes that demonstrate why the student will make an excellent resident Highlights and characteristics of the student such as work ethic and extracurricular activities such as research or volunteer work. This discussion may include traits that make the student unique or attributes that have enabled the student to overcome hurdles A closing paragraph summarizing the students performance, including discussion of the students strengths Waive your right to view your letters You will be asked by your school to sign a Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) statement choosing whether to waive your right to view your letters. You should always waive that right because programs view it as a red flag when an applicant does not waive this right and wonder why the applicant wanted to see the letter or what was omitted. You dont want any skepticism about your residency application. Your letter writers Consider several factors when considering whom to ask for a letter of recommendation. The first involves the specialty to which you are applying. Some specialties such as dermatology or urology will expect that your letters come from physicians in those specialties with whom you have performed clinical work or research. Primary care residencies, such as internal medicine or family medicine, want to see letters from physicians in their specialty but often are open to a letter or two from physicians in another specialty, especially for a rigorous rotation on which you worked closely with that attending. The second factor to consider is how well an attending knows you. Though its nice to have a letter from a department chair, if that person does not know you and your work well, this may come through in the letter. Sometimes an individual will even say something like: I cant speak to his/her clinical work, but members of my department were impressed. A comment like that devalues the letter of recommendation. Find a physician with whom you have worked closely for a reasonable duration of time. This person should be able to provide specific commentary on your clinical skills, work ethic, teamwork and other factors that may predict your performance as a resident. Consider how a potential letter writer views you and the clinical work you have done. Have you developed a collegial relationship? Has the letter writer directly supervised your clinical work? Has the letter writer provided feedback about how they view your knowledge base and clinical skills? You want to evaluate the situation carefully to get the strongest letters possible. If an attending ever gives unsolicited offer to write you a letter, that is usually a sign youll get a strong endorsement. Evaluate the experience of a potential letter writer. You may have developed a great relationship with an attending who thinks you are great, but if that person is not an experienced letter writer, the letter might not be as strong as it could be or could omit important information. This does not mean you should not approach this individual with a request for a letter, but one useful strategy is to provide guidelines about how to write a strong letter of recommendation. Some medical schools recommend that students do this for every attending. Heres an example. Plan ahead Start thinking about your letters of recommendation early. Make sure that your CV and personal statement are well-developed so that you can provide these to your potential letter writers. To ensure that your letters are written in a timely fashion, start asking for letters around July of your fourth year of medical school. Schedule a meeting and arrive prepared When approaching an attending to ask for a letter of recommendation, ask to schedule a short meeting to discuss a letter of recommendation so this important discussion does not occur during a busy day. Having the meeting scheduled allows the attending to consider your performance in advance of the actual request to write the letter. Provide your CV, personal statement, a signed FERPA statement and instructions for uploading the letter to ERAS. Some medical schools provide specific information or recommendations to give to letter writers. Being prepared demonstrates that you are organized and expedites the completion of your letter of recommendation. Frame the conversation When asking for a letter, explain why you enjoyed the rotation, what you learned from the attending and why you are requesting a letter from this individual. Be clear about your specialty choice. Having the wrong specialty on a letter of recommendation can adversely affect your application. Ask the attending if he/she had enough clinical time with you to assess your performance according to the six ACGME core competencies. The most important question to ask is Do you feel that you can write me a strong letter of recommendation? You want to do everything you can to ensure that you will be getting a great letter of recommendation while providing the attending the opportunity to honestly tell you if he/she cannot write you a strong letter. Thank you notes The attendings who wrote your letters took time out of their busy lives to help you get to the next step in your career. After you match, consider sending thank you notes and let them know where you matched. Its a nice touch and is a gracious thing to do. These letter writers will be happy to know how you did and perhaps even keep in touch. Paths frequently cross in medicine, so this helps develop your professional relationships. Ted OConnell is a family physician and a medical director of a family medicine residency program. Image credit: Shutterstock.com 97 Shares Share In the long weeks since Valentines Day 2018, when those 17 students were killed in a mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, justified outrage has flowed from all corners of society. In New York, high school students have marched through Manhattan streets. On Capitol Hill, others have protested for tighter gun legislation. Recently, at Stanford University, our medical community held a community health panel, titled Gun Violence and Public Health: What We Know. There, for nearly two hours, a crowded lecture room listened as pediatricians, emergency physicians, a trauma surgeon, a medical student and one lawyer discussed the problem of gun violence. By the end, I came away with two main conclusions. First, that gun violence is a real community health issue but much more nuanced than indicated by most public discourse. Second, that most public discourse must change drastically if it is to be of any use at all. Yet before ever arriving at these conclusions, I saw that cultural leanings and political interest had bogged down gun violence research. This is particularly true of the 1996 Dickey Amendment, which was passed by Congress to declare that none of the funds made available [by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention] may be used to advocate or promote gun control. The amendment was backed heavily by the National Rifle Association, after a 1993 federally-funded study suggested that having a gun in the home actually increased ones risk of suffering gun violence. As a result, empirical studies surrounding U.S. gun violence are scarce. There are some numbers surrounding U.S. gun violence, though, and this will lead to our first point that this is a genuine public health problem, but a nuanced one nonetheless. For instance, of the nearly 34,000 lives lost to gun violence in 2014, only 14 were due to mass shootings. About 11,000 were lost to gun-related homicide, and 1,200 to accidents or undetermined causes. That leaves over 21,000 deaths nearly two-thirds of total due to suicide. While most know that men have perpetrated the vast majority of U.S. mass shootings, we might be surprised to learn that they comprise 85 percent of gun-related suicides as well. When it comes to homicides, young black men are disproportionately affected among males, and young women are at highest risk among females. As one group summarizes, The common element in all these deaths is a gun. But as the data show, The causes are very different, and that means the solutions must be, too. Indeed, the panelists agreed: this issue is far from simple, and likely far from its resolution. Medical professionals need to hold more conversations like this, to inform public opinion on this community health issue. However, as the panels lone lawyer noted, empirical data are scarce drops in the cultural bucket of U.S. gun culture. For the lawyer, equally important was messaging the ability to package our ideas about gun violence and make them relevant to outside communities. When tobacco and cigarette laws became more common, for example, this was due in large part to shifting attitudes on smoking and pollution. That brings me to my second point. I was born and raised next to Stanford, California and have largely absorbed its political leanings when it comes to gun control. But I also attended Kenyon College in rural Ohio and befriended numerous gun-toting citizens in my four years. During that time I visited the home of one individual who lived near my college, I perused his collection of twenty-odd rifles, pistols and shotguns kept securely in what resembled a miniature bank vault. When I asked this individual why he was so opposed to gun control, his response was simple: Its just a part of our culture around here. Im a self-sufficient, law-abiding citizen. Why should my cultures history be tied in with sick and deranged people, who are neither law-abiding nor in their right mind? A tidal wave of liberal talking points rushed into my head. My social media echo chamber practically bellowed from my phone. But this was in 2017, well before Stanfords School of Medicine panel, and I had little empirical data on hand. More importantly, I didnt have the foresight to give our conversation its due respect. I certainly was able to treat this person as if he were a political stance rolling my eyes, lecturing him and shaking my head until to the point of whiplash. But if clear and compassionate discourse is needed to change minds, I was useless. I was simply not interested in changing his mind; I only wanted to prove I was right. This second point the necessity for humble dialogue toward those with whom we disagree was my central takeaway from the Stanford panel. I kept asking myself: How can I take all these insights, all this data, and make it relevant to my friend in rural Ohio? As one panelist noted, facts are often insufficient for changing someones mind; cognitive dissonance and personal interest are far too powerful for that. If medical professionals are to truly change minds, to truly change gun laws, we must first gain the trust of people quite unlike ourselves. That is why the Stanford panel inspired me. With such a vibrant community of medical professionals, we have immense potential to inform the U.S. gun debate. But to do so in a meaningful way requires compassionate outreach, especially toward those with whom we disagree. Our discussions must attract dissonant voices. My focus, when it comes to gun control, is no longer on guns. My focus is squarely centered on people, on cultures and on compassionately changing the minds of my fellow citizens. I would love to see more panels like this and more medical professionals discussing the public health implications of gun violence. Medicine has a critical opportunity to move beyond isolated echo chambers and into a respectful disagreement with those beyond them. Medical communities have the opportunity to come together setting the example for compassionate, sincere dialogue on this public health issue. Aldis Petriceks is an anatomy scholar and research assistant. Image credit: Shutterstock.com The final tally results for the Carlow/Kilkenny constituency has recorded a 67% Yes vote with 37% of the electorate. Cathaoirleach of Kilkenny County Council, Cllr David Fitzgerald said that it was a watermark moment. People have faced the reality of what is a very difficult decision and have put their daughters and women of Ireland first on this occasion, he said. Nicole Storck of Kilkenny/Carlow Together for Yes said that she was beyond thrilled. We are so happy that the people of Ireland have spoken, that they have seen that this is a time of change. We want a different Ireland where family planning and parenthood is something that is planned and wanted and not a test of endurance, she said. According to the tallies in the north of the county 60% voted Yes and 40% voted No while in the south of the county 64% voted Yes and 36% voted No. In Kilkenny City tally results from two boxes at the Scouts Den on the Bennettsbridge Road indicated a 67% Yes vote, with 63% of voters saying Yes at St Patrick's National School and 62% of voters at the CBS National School on Stephen Street voted to repeal the amendment. In the Butts there was a low turnout and voters bucked the trend with tallies showing a split vote of 50% Yes and No. The count is ongoing with results expected in the early afternoon. Supporters from both sides attended the count centre at Cilin Hill. Hamish Rutherford writes: When the Government signalled plans to introduce a special fuel tax in Auckland, transport officials warned Transport Minister Phil Twyford that such a measure had been tried before and failed. At least twice. For all the good intention that motorists benefiting from major transport projects pay their share there is little that can be done to prevent the impact of the tax increase spreading across the country. This is key. The petrol companies may well treat the 11.5 cents a litre extra tax in Auckland as a sunk cost and charge four cents a litre more nationwide. But there are signs that rather than spilling over when the tax comes into force, that the sharp price increase in recent weeks could be price spreading in anticipation of the price increase. Yep once a future cost is known, it is often factored in early. This has all happened before, suggesting Governments never learn. During the early 1990s, New Zealand had a regional fuel tax, but it was abandoned as the impact spread across New Zealand. The Government passed legislation for another regional tax in 2008, but never introduced it because of fears of price spreading. We know this because it is contained in a very clear warning to Twyford about what could happen to his increase. So this is known, but the Government ignores it. Motorists in Invercargill, Napier and Palmerston North will be paying more for their driving, in order to fund light rail in Auckland. But given how stark the warnings were, the regional fuel tax simply looks dishonest. The Government should admit it will not work, replace the regional tax with a smaller nationwide one and drop the charade. Will they listen? Share this: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn More Reddit Pinterest Print Tumblr Islamic terror attacks in the West are far less common since 2017 The Herald reports: Tech giant Google is under fire for thumbing its nose at the courts by refusing to take down online content which breaches court orders. In high-profile cases covered by the Herald in recent months, Google NZ along with New Zealands major media outlets have been served with orders which suppress details and require the removal of content that infringes on privacy or fair trial rights. However, Google says its not in the business of censoring news and wont comply because its search engine is bound by the laws enforced at its home, the Googleplex, in Californias Silicon Valley. The result means some information suppressed by New Zealands courts can be revealed in a Google search. Yaound, May 27 (AFP) Twenty-two people were killed in a clash with the army in Cameroon's restive Northwest anglophone region, an opposition MP told AFP today. "Twenty-two people were killed Friday in Menka during a confrontation... (between the army and) a group of people that were presented as criminals," said Nji Tumasang, a member of the anglophone opposition Social Democratic Front in Santa, the area in which the town of Menka is located. Violence between armed anglophone separatists and government forces occurs almost daily in the Northwest Region and the Southwest Region, following an escalation of the crisis in late 2016. An army official confirmed the incident, speaking of "several neutralised terrorists". "A group of terrorists was reported in Menka" and the army intervened to "encircle the hotel" where they were, army spokesman Colonel Didier Badjeck said on Facebook. But he added that a "watchman alerted (the occupants of the hotel) which gave rise to long exchanges of fire lasting several minutes". "Several weapons and ammunition had been seized," he added. Earlier this month, the US ambassador to Cameroon accused government forces of carrying out "targeted killings" and other abuses in the fight against independence-seeking militants. The presence of a large English-speaking minority -- about a fifth of Cameroon's population of 22 million -- dates back to the colonial period. It was once a German colony that after World War I was divided between Britain and France. In 1960, the French colony gained independence, becoming Cameroon, and the following year, the British-ruled Southern Cameroons was amalgamated into it, becoming the Northwest and Southwest Regions. For years, resentment built among anglophones, fostered by perceived marginalisation in education, the judiciary and the economy at the hands of the French majority. Demands for greater autonomy were rejected by 85-year-old President Paul Biya, in power for more than 35 years, leading to an escalation that saw the declaration of the self-described "Republic of Ambazonia" in October last year. (AFP) AQS (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Baghdad, May 25 (AFP) Two bombs exploded today close to the Baghdad headquarters of the Iraqi Communist Party, said a spokesman for the political alliance which alongside populist cleric Moqtada Sadr triumphed in elections earlier this month. Three people were injured in the twin explosions, a police official told AFP on condition of anonymity. The attack is the first time a political party has been targeted in the Iraqi capital since the electoral campaign started in mid-April. (AFP) MRJ (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) A grassroots movement born on social media and developed over coffee by two young Laois women played a big part in the convincing an 'overwhelming' yes vote in Laois. The Laois Together for Yes campaign group celebrated a historic victory at the St Mary's Hall count centre in Portlaoise on Saturday. Just over 60% of Laois people voted yes. It was set up after the abortion referendum was called when Elaine O'Neill from Portlaoise and Gearoidin McEvoy from Timahoe met on twitter. Soon afterwards the group was founded over coffee by the two young women. "It is very overwhelming," Elaine told the Leinster Express in St Mary's Hall. "We've had mixed reactions during our campaign so I am just delighted that Laois trusts women and that Ireland trusts women finally, and we are given the right to choose," she said. Elaine said the Laois campaign was 'friendly, open and honest' in the face of sometimes hostile reaction. "There have been a lot of hostile reactions towards us. I know that the no side has been saying it has been a clean debate. It hasn't been at times. We've witnessed that as we have been canvassing. We never lowered oursleves once and stayed gracious through the whole fight," she said. She said the women's experiences told on the campaign were surprising. "When we founded this campaign people told us stories that we weren't prepared for. They found solidarity with us," she said. The campaigners said the response in rural areas was as strong in favour of a yes vote as in towns. They believe this is due to a strong feeling among ordinary people. "This is grassroots movement with local people in Laois feeling strongly about this," she said. Ms O'Neill was critical of Laois politicians and TDs of all parties for not giving more support to the campaign. They agreed that politicians are out of touch. "Absolutely," said Jean Dermody. Elaine agreed. "I just don't think they know what their constituents want and they weren't listening. The people of Laois were listening and we were listening. We told the truth and fought really hard for this - for the 42 women who were forced to go to England in 2016," she said. Aisling O'Rourke also played a big part in the campaign. She believes conversations won the day. "It was conversations on doorsteps, over pints, over tea. People sharing their stories who did not have to but did it to make Ireland a better place. We are so indebted to the bravery of everyone who told their stories," she said. Elaine said more work has to be done by the politicians. "I don't think they can ignore this high volume of yes votes. The legislation has to go through and we are going to keep at them until it goes through as quickly as possible. Nothing can change until the legislation goes through. This referendum is just the first step," she said. More below picture Above The Laois Together for Yes Campaign group in St Mary's Hall. - Picture Tom Cullen Aisling and Elaine said the result also showed the power of young voters whom they believe were dismissed. "We are told all the time we don't care about politics. We clearly do. We care about women and we care about how this country treats its people," she said. They said the views of older people were also discounted. "I think older generations were taken for grantite. People cared about their grandchildren and their children and they came out in solidarity with us even though it might not affect them anymore," she said Elaine and Jeanne agreed that every age group backed change. Aisling said the result has mobilised people who have never been involved in political campaigns heretofore. Elaine said she was also motivated by a lack of balance in the media. "The no side had an advantage in the media here. There was noone questioning what they are saying so I felt I had to say something," she said. They said the vote can be a catalyst for more change. "I think this has shown that the church does not have the same hold over people anymore. From the marriage referendum to this, it has shown that Ireland is a more liberal society," said Elaine. Aisling agreed saying: "They can't scare people anymore. Ireland is compassionate and loving. I have never been so proud of Laois. I am so proud". They believe that the campaign amounted to public support to a private mission. There is no connection between the abortion Referendum outcome and the calling of a General Election and the result does not mean a coalition with Sinn Fein is on the cards, according to Laois TD Charlie Flanagan Minister for Justice. Mnister Flanagan responded to the outcome at the Laois count center in Portlaoise where he also praised the Taoiseach for making repeal an priority. "This was a nettle that successive governments down the years refused to grasp. This Government has done it. Leo Varadkar showed leadership. It is less than a year since he was elected Taoiseach and he prioritised this as one of his earliest policies. I acknowledge his leadership and determination and am pleased that the people have gone with him," he said. He said, however, that the campaign was not driven by political parties and would not lead to a snap election. "I don't see any need for an election. What we have seen here is an act of democracy. The people voted. The campaign was not really party political. It was not in your face political because many people made up their minds in the privacy of their own home, time and space," he said. As to whether the outcome would impact a future Government he said: "There will not be a Fine Gael Sinn Fein Government". He expected that the legislation would have a smoother passage given the clarity of the result. "The fact that the result is so clear nationally should mean there is no impediment to the passing of legislation nationally which I would expect would be by the end of the year," he said. He said the decision in his own Laois constituency was clear. "The patterns were mixed but it is clear that a strong decision was made in Laois to vote yes. In 1983 Laois voted 77% in favour of the eigth amendment. That shows a significant changes which is not surprising given the change in Irish society over 35 years. "I was really struck by the enthusiasm and determination of young women in this campaign. The together for yes campaign in Laois was led by young women most of whom have no party political affiliation and were never involved in politics before," he said. Minister Flanangan said the decisions on whether Portlaoise hospital's maternity unit would be designated for terminations would be decided during the legislative process. He said the key issue is that Laois and other Irish women would be allowed to make decisions and have their care handled at home that their predecessors could not make at home. "Hundreds of Laois women, many of whom were vulnerable, isolated, upset, traumatised, took the lonely journey to London, Liverpoool and Manchester. They can now have their health issues dealt with by their own doctors in their own communities with their own family with their own people," he said. He accepted the view of Laois no campaigners that the outcome was a sad day. "I acknowledge that there was a sharp differance of opinion. This is a very sensitive and difficult issue. Many of my friends and supporters voted no. I would expected that the will of the people will now be acknowledged. That is direct democracy," he said. Minister Flanagan said Government and he would continue at work. He looked forward to two referendums in October to change the constitutional status of the women's place within the home and also delete the offence of blasphemy. No campaigner, Noel O'Rourke said that the outcome of the Referendum was "a very sad day for Ireland." "The unborn child now has no protection up to 12 weeks and this can be used for whatever reasons," he said. "We have to trust in God now, look to the future, and if there are those hard cases, we have to find ways to solve them." He said that politicians should vote with their conscience on legislation and not on party political grounds. "If legislation goes through they should honour what is in it, and never change it again," he stated. He expressed no views on the content of that legislation, emphasizing that the retention of the 8th Amendment had been the priority. Mr O'Rourke said that the No campaign had given it their best. "I want to thank the people who volunteered with us and those who helped us in any way." THE town of Kilmallock is one of 10 Irish towns to feature in the foremost global architecture exhibition, the Venice Architecture Biennale 2018 which attracts over a quarter of a million visitors. La Biennale di Venezia alternates every second year between art and architecture exhibitions, with 65 countries hosting national pavilions. This year represents a remarkable year for Irish architecture, as, for the first time, the overall curators of the Biennale are Irish: Yvonne Farrell and Shelley McNamara of Grafton Architects. They set an overall theme of FreeSpace with Freespace describing a generosity of spirit and a sense of humanity at the core of architectures agenda, focusing on the quality of space itself. Each participating country was asked to respond to this theme, and following an open call, the Free Market group was selected to commission and curate the Irish National Pavilion. The Free Market exhibition explores the story of Irish rural towns and examines the challenges they face as well as their potential as sustainable and resilient communities. The Venice Biennale attracts over 260,000 visitors over a six-month period from May 26 to November 25. The launch of the Irish Pavilion will take place on 24 May. Kilmallock will be represented in Venice (known as The Floating City) in photography, drone images and drawings of the town and a specially commissioned sound piece by Grey Heron Media based in Kilfinane. This event presents a remarkable opportunity to highlight Kilmallock to a global audience, said architect Miriam Delaney of Dublin School of Architecture. This is the first time that small towns and their market places have been the subject of the Irish pavilion, and it is also the first time the exhibition will return to tour small towns of Ireland. Free Market will return to Ireland in Summer 2019 and will be exhibited in Kilmallock. The tour will close with a major symposium in late 2019, which will gather architects, historians, representatives, policy makers, and stakeholders involved in towns. It is hoped that this exhibition and subsequent tour and symposium will become a catalyst in the way policy decisions regarding small towns are made and implemented. The six curators want the exhibition to start conversations within the local communities themselves about what the futures of their towns might be, Ms Delaney added. The Irish National Pavilion at the Venice Architecture Biennale is an initiative of Culture Ireland in partnership with the Arts Council. The Free Market team is grateful for the support of Limerick County Council. The other nine Irish towns selected for particular focus are, Athenry, County Galway; Ballinrobe, County Mayo; Ballyshannon, County Donegal; Bunclody, County Wexford; Castleblayney, County Monaghan; Kilrush, County Clare; Macroom, County Cork; Mountmellick, County Laois and Templemore, County Tipperary. The six young architects and designers who proposed an exploration of the market places of small Irish towns include Jo Anne Butler, Jeffrey Bolhuis, Miriam Delaney, Tara Kennedy, Laurence Lord, and Orla Murphy. A YOUNG man who violently slashed a drug dealer across his legs and body leaving him with a permanent disfigurement has been jailed for three years. Shane ODonnell, aged 19, of Clarina Avenue, Ballincurra Weston pleaded guilty to assaulting the victim at Caledonian Place, Edward Street at around 2pm on September 12, last. Garda Kieran Curtin said after the defendant met the 33-year-old with the intention buying illicit tablets from him a row erupted over payment. He said ODonnell refused to pay and attacked the victim with a small kitchen knife when he attempted to get out of his car. The victim, he said, sustained a number of serious wounds to his legs and chest and will be permanently disfigured as a result. Garda Curtin agreed with John OSullivan BL, prosecuting, who said the defendant was lucky not to be facing more serious charges. Following the incident the victim was treated at University Hospital Limerick where he underwent surgery and was detained for two days afterwards. Judge Tom ODonnell was told the man is known to the criminal courts as is Mr ODonnell who has a propensity for violence. Barrister Pat Whyms said his client co-operated with gardai following his arrest two days later. He apologised and told them he was horrified when shown photographs of the injuries he inflicted. He added that ODonnell comes from a difficult family background and was in a paranoid and irrational state as he had taken a concoction of tablets, cannabis and cocaine. Imposing sentence, Judge ODonnell described the incident as a savage assault which could have had more serious consequences. He said the defendants previous history was an aggravating factor but noted his admissions and early guilty plea. He imposed a three year prison sentence which was backdated to last September. SIXTEEN public officials were lobbied by senior figures at Aughinish Alumina, after US sanctions plunged the company into crisis in April. The company lobbied local and national politicians, with the ultimate aim of pressuring the US to ease the sanctions it imposed against the owner of Rusal, which owns Aughinish, Oleg Deripaska. The sanctions, which were laid on companies owned by Russian oligarchs with the aim of punishing Russia for malign activities around the globe, caused panic both in West Limerick and at government level. Up to 450 direct jobs were threatened, along with another 500 in indirect employment. Among those who met or had phone calls with Aughinish management since the April 6 sanctions were Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, former Finance Minister Michael Noonan and Minister of State in the Department of Finance, Patrick ODonovan. Limerick TD Niall Collins, who is Fianna Fails spokesperson for foreign affairs, was also contacted to help the plant. Two councillors, Glin-based Cllr John Sheahan and Ballybrickens Cllr Brigid Teefy, are also named on the lobbying register as having liaised with the company to try and help the situation. None of the Adare Rathkeale councillors involved in official lobbying for the Askeaton plant, although some have been vocal about the industrys importance in the area. TDs and Ministers from outside Limerick were also named, including Tanaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Simon Coveney, Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Heather Humphreys, TD Alan Kelly, TD Michael Healy-Rae and Pat Breen, Minister of State at the department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation. Denis Naughten, Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, and TDs John Brassil and Martin Ferris were also lobbied, as well as two Government assistant secretaries. Some of the people on the list were contacted directly by the plant, while others took it upon themselves to make contact with management and pledge support. Between 21 and 30 official phone calls are registered to have taken place between Aughinish and these public officials, while between two and five meetings were noted. This Friday, Rusal announced that Oleg Deripaska has resigned from his role as non-executive director at the company. He also previously stepped down from a similar role at his holding company, EN+, through which he owns Rusal. On Thursday, the company's CEO and seven of its other directors also resigned. However, the sanctions will remain to hang over Rusal and Aughinish if Deripaska does not shed his shares down below a controlling 50 percent. The Limerick plant is trading mostly as normal, with major bauxite supplier Rio Tinto having come back on board for the time being. The supplier jumped ship after the initial sanctions were announced, fearing secondary sanctions by association, but the US has extended the deadline to wind down dealings with Rusal until October 23. The sanctions could be evaded altogether if Deripaska agrees to loosen his control of the empire, which would involve at least a partial change in ownership. In several statements this week, Rusal reiterated that, according to its current assessment, it is still highly likely that the impact may be materially adverse to the business and prospects of the group. A WOMAN who stole around 50,000 from the dental clinic in Limerick where she worked has avoided a prison sentence. Bridget O'Connell, aged 43, who has an address at Willowbrook, Kilknockan, Adare, had pleaded guilty to 15 sample charges of theft relating to offences which took place between on dates between January 2013 and March 2014. Each of the individual charges related to the theft of small amounts of money typically around 150. During a sentencing hearing last month, Limerick Circuit Court was told the defendant was a trusted employee at Bowe Dental Clinic, Roxboro, when she committed the offences. The owner of the business Robert Bowe made a complaint to gardai during the summer of 2014 after he became aware of a discrepancy between the amount of money which had been logged on the clinics lodgment system and the balance in the bank account. After a staff meeting, Bridget OConnell admitted stealing the money and following a further meeting, she pleaded with him not to report the matter to gardai. At the time the dental clinic had 16 employees and around 5,000 patients on its books Garda Stephen Kelleher said the defendant a family friend of Mr Bowe for over 20 years was a trusted employee who had a key for the post box in which all cash, cheques and credit card slips were put into. Judge Tom ODonnell was told her modus operandi was to divert some of the cash (from customers) before it was lodged for her own benefit. The defendant initially told gardai she had taken the money to repay a money lender as she and her husband felt under some type of threat. However, Judge ODonnell noted she subsequently told the Probation Service that he had used the money to finance her day-to-day existence. In a victim impact statement, Robert Bowe said he and his family were very hurt by the defendant who has not made any meaningful effort to pay the money back. Defence counsel Eimear Carey said her client "found herself in a black hole and that she saw no way out. She said the defendant has paid back just over 9,200 but that she doesn't have the financial wherewithal to come up with any more. She submitted her Ms OConnells admissions and guilty plea were important given the complex nature of the offences. Judge ODonnell said there had been a clear breach of trust and he noted the actions of the defendant had a personal impact on Robert Bowe and had affected staff morale at the dental practice. He said the pre-meditated nature of the offending was an aggravating factor as was the systematic and deliberate way she had stolen the money. However, he said her cooperation, her remorse, her personal circumstances and the absence of previous convictions were all mitigating factors. The judge noted she had lost her job, had lost her friendship and that her reputation has also suffered as a result of her offending. A probation report which was prepared for the court in advance of the sentencing hearing placed the defendant at a low risk of re-offending. Judge ODonnell said while some might consider a custodial sentence to be appropriate, he was willing to give the defendant a chance. He imposed a three year prison sentence, suspending it in its entirety. The judge was previously informed Ms OConnell had raised around 10,000 in compensation and he directed that it be handed over as soon as possible. Fifty years ago, 19 young boys at a Limerick city school were sexually abused by their teacher. Almost nine years after their abuser was convicted, the Creagh Lane survivors are still fighting to be compensated by the State. The former students did not expect the State to become the biggest obstacle facing them when they first came forward with allegations of sexual abuse against their former teacher. But now, 14 years later, thats how they see it. Ex-Christian Brother Sean Drummond was jailed in 2009 for indecently assaulting 19 boys, between the ages of seven and nine, at the primary school on Bridge Street between 1967 and 1968. Applause rang out in the courtroom as he was led away, applause so loud the Judge gently reminded those clapping they were in danger of being held in contempt of court. It was a small victory in a fight they did not think they would win, according to John Boland, Christy Rainbow and Thomas (Tom) Hogan, who are among the students he abused. The Judge told us that we are now survivors, John tells the Leader. Nine years later, John, Christy and Tom are still fighting for the group of 19 men - 17 now as two have since passed away - to be compensated by the State. They have put us through the mill, Tom said. Its abuse all over again. Hailing from St Marys, John, Christy and Tom are proud of where they are from. We came from a working class area, John explains. You fought your battles outside on the green and you left them there. You shook hands afterwards and that was it, Tom adds. Our parents brought us up to respect the clergy. It was our first time arriving in the school, our first year, John explains. Just after coming from the Convent and on the first day we met this Brother Drummond. At the time he looked to us like he was 40 years of age, a tall man with the collar, the whole lot. But it turned out he was only 18, 19 years of age at the time. Within two days of that schooling, each and everyone of us (the 19 students) were being abused. Within a week, he had most of the class abused and that was our introduction to schooling. Between July 1967 and July 31 1968, Drummond indecently assaulted more than one third of the pupils in the class of 54 students. He had a tall slim countertop and a stool in underneath it with a little bench, Christy explains. He would tell you to put your heads down and it was a lucky dip. Thats the way he was. He would take you from the classroom, from your seat and take you up behind so that nobody could see what he was doing. He would put his hands into your pants or, another favourite, he would bend you over where you could feel that he had an erection. Although abuse was being carried out extensively throughout the class, each student believed they were the only one targeted by their teacher. It played in their heads but each and everyone of them locked it out of their heads at the same time, John said. The students carried on after that year. Some went on to leave the area, some moved away. But some stayed friends for years; Best men who stood shoulder to shoulder with each other at their weddings, friends who celebrated the births of each others children and went through all of lifes ups and downs together, John explained. But we had never mentioned it to each other. It was another part of our life that we blanked out, we passed by, Christy said. The abuse inflicted on them affected them each in different ways. Some struggled with addiction, some developed problems with alcohol. Some of the men say the abuse profoundly affected their education and caused emotional difficulties. Some attempted to take their own lives. A formal complaint was made to gardai in 2004, by a member of the group who feared Drummond may still be offending. They were fortunate and lucky to find the records of that classroom and they knocked on every door of the boys in that classroom, Christy explained. Some of the class didnt want to speak about their experiences, he adds. Some went to the guards and told lies to their families, said they witnessed an accident, just to go to the station and when they got there then, they froze. Because every one of us was involved with clubs, with sports, past and present and would know a lot of people. To come out and say I was abused as a child - you are frightened and ashamed. You think I must have done something wrong but how can a child do something wrong at eight years of age? Think of this - believing in Santy. We were children who believed in Santy. The hardest part of the process was telling their loved ones, the men agree. I am lucky that my parents died before I could tell them, Christy said. I only told my wife and family a few years ago, I had to build up the moral courage. It was the hardest thing in my life to tell them, and to hide it from them. To hide it from my wife, the mother of my children. I dont want to talk about what happened us because it upsets me. It completely upsets me because I will break down, he says. Ex-Brother Drummond was sentenced to two years in prison. He was given a further two year suspended sentence in 2013, for indecently assaulting another pupil between 1968 and 1969 at Sexton Street primary school, where he was transferred after his year at Creagh Lane. He left the Christian Brothers in 1970. Painful as it was coming forward, telling their families what happened them, and facing their abuser in court, the years that have followed have been just as hard, if not worse, the men believe. I think when the court case was over we thought we had closure but Jesus like, Tom said, quietly. Its turned full circle. An ex-gratia scheme was set up for victims of sexual abuse in schools following a 20-year legal battle by Cork woman Louise OKeeffe, who won her case against the State in the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) in 2014. In her case, it was decided that the Irish Government had failed in its duties to protect Irish children in school, John explains, adding that the ECHR ruled that the State was liable to pay victims compensation. However, Creagh Lane students find themselves excluded from this ex-gratia scheme, due to what legal experts believe is a misinterpretation of the OKeeffe ruling. In order to qualify for the scheme, number one you have to had dropped your case against the State, John explains. You have not got to be statute barred and you have to have a prior complaint. And it is with the prior complaint, that the former students find their problem. A prior complaint means that your abuser has to have abused, John said. He has to have had a previous record and the Government has to have known about it and not acted on it. We can not have that because we just arrived in the school on literally the same day (our abuser) did. It was his first teaching post. When our abuser was charged in court, he said he had never abused before. The actual court script proves that we cant have a prior complaint. So by the criteria of the scheme alone, we cant qualify. Christy gives an example: Take Child A and Child B. Child A is abused. Nothing happens. Child B gets abused, then we can act. Forget about Child A, were giving the perpetrator the first bite of learning his experience. They give grace to sexual abusers. John, Christy and Tom all firmly believe the Carrigan report, which informed the Government of evidence of child abuse in schools almost 90 years ago, in itself is a prior complaint. The Department of Education gave the congregation a dispensation, John explains. He was not a qualified teacher, he does not have a qualified teaching certificate from the State and he was our teacher. And now they come along and tell us that they had no responsibility. First of all they gave them the dispensation to go in and now they are telling us that they had no responsibility to us. The group is frustrated; tired of being told they have a very unique case. They have lobbied countless deputies, MEPS and councillors, staged numerous protests. In December they took their case to Brussels to highlight their treatment in the European Parliament. We have representatives in this city and there are only two so far (Willie ODea and Maurice Quinlivan) who have stood up for us, Christy said. I dont know where we can go from here, John said. A localised campaign targeting general election candidates is the groups next step, he adds. Our next step has to be protesting Government. Two or three years ago, I would have settled this for pennies. I would have walked away out the door. The manner in which they are behaving, I dont want money at all. I want an apology. This is principle. I want them to stand up not only in court but in the Dail and say they are sorry, that they were wrong. Were not gone away yet you know and were not going away," Tom adds. Im in it for the long haul. Im not going away." Were a band of brothers. I went to school with these lads and they will stand with you through thick and thin, Christy added. A NUMBER of Limerick motorists fell afoul of the national garda crackdown on speeding that took place over a 24-hour period on Friday. The National Slow Down Day was held between 7am Friday and 7am Saturday and the national total saw An Garda Siochana and GoSafe check 132,188 vehicles, detecting 211 vehicles travelling in excess of the applicable speed limit. Some of the notable incidents and detections in Limerick included: - 116km/h in a 80km/h Zone on the R513 Ballynamona Hospital - 114km/h in a 100km/h Zone on the N20 Ballygeale Patrickswell - 69km/h in a 50km/h Zone on the R527 Ballysimon Road - 66km/h in a 50km/h Zone on the R522 Appletown Feohanagh - 63km/h in a 50km/h Zone on O'Connell Avenue Limerick City The gardai and the Road Safety Authority thanked those drivers who were found to be compliant and drove within the speed limit and would encourage all drivers to drive safely, comply with and respect speed limits. "On behalf of An Garda Siochana and the Road Safety Authority I wish to thank all the road users who were involved in and supported this campaign," said Chief Superintendent Finbarr Murphy, Roads Policing Bureau. "Drivers, please, think about the consequences of speeding the next time you get behind the wheel and reduce your speed accordingly," he added. VOTERS in Limerick have been thanked for their support as the referendum on removing the eighth amendment looks set to pass. Nationally, 66.4% have voted in favour of removing the eighth amendment from the Constitution. Limerick voted by a significant majority to repeal the eighth amendment, with the abortion referendum carrying across the city and county with 66.8% of voters in favour of repeal. Sinn Fein Deputy and member of Limerick Together For Yes Maurice Quinlivan has thanks Limerick voters for showing their support at the ballot box. Id like to start out by thanking everyone on the campaign, especially people I met on the canvas, people who spoke about their own private tragedies, the people who were brave enough to come forward, Deputy Quinlivan said. Id like to thank the people of Limerick, theyve showed great compassion. The numbers came out and surprised everyone, including myself. I think its a historic day for women, a significant step forward for Ireland, he added. I just want to commend everybody who came out and voted, whether they voted yes or no, its very important that people voted. I think we, as legislators, need to move forward and legislate for healthcare for women and we need to do it as soon as possible. Apr 28, 2021, 7 AM The Colopex stamp show will take place June 15 and 16 in Columbus, Ohio. By Linns Staff The Columbus Philatelic Club will present the Colopex stamp show June 15-16 at the St. Andrew-Nugent Parish Hall, 1899 McCoy Road in Columbus, Ohio. New collectors, noncollectors and experienced philatelists are welcome. Show hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. Admission and parking are free. The show will feature a bourse of approximately 25 dealers. An American Philatelic Society World Series of Philately show, Colopex will host numerous single-frame and multiframe exhibits, which will judged by APS-accredited judges. The multiframe grand-award winner will be eligible to compete in the Champion of Champions competition at APS Stampshow 2018, also being held in Columbus this year, on Aug. 9-12. Colopex will recognize exhibitors at an awards breakfast Saturday morning. For details on tickets, available in advance for $16, visit the show website (address below). Connect with Linns Stamp News: Sign up for our Newsletter Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter The show hotel, offering a special rate of $134 per night, is the Hampton Inn and Suites, 3160 Oletangy Road, Columbus. For more information on Colopex, visit the show website. You are a Microraptor a carnivorous, crow-size dinosaur that lived 120 million years ago. You have wings on all four limbs, a body covered in iridescent black feathers and a penchant for swallowing birds whole. You are, to summarize, totally awesome and yet, you will be remembered primarily for your dandruff. At least you are not alone. In a new study published May 25 in the journal Nature Communications, researchers detected tiny flakes of fossilized skin on the bones of three feathered dinosaurs Beipiaosaurus, Sinornithosaurus and the aforementioned Microraptor as well as a primitive bird called Confuciusornis. All four creatures date to the Jurassic period (about 56 million to 200 million years ago), and all four had dandruff, the study found. "This is the only fossil dandruff known," lead study author Maria McNamara, a paleobiologist at University College Cork in Ireland, told The Guardian. "Until now, we've had no evidence for how dinosaurs shed their skin." [This Rainbow Dinosaur Sparkled With Iridescence] Of these four specimens, the Microraptor fossil which dates to about 125 million years ago represents the earliest known evidence of dandruff ever detected, according to The Guardian. Prehistoric dandruff flecks the skin of a 125-million-year-old dinosaur, but we aren't judging. (Image credit: Maria McNamara) For the study, McNamara and her colleagues borrowed four fossils from the Institute for Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology in Beijing, China. The team removed small chips of soft-tissue samples from what would have once been densely feathered regions of the animals' bodies, then scanned the samples under an electron microscope so the fossils could be compared in detail to similar flakes taken from modern birds. Like human dandruff, the fossilized skin flakes contained tough cells called corneocytesand were loaded with a protein called keratin. The researchers wrote that this fossilized dandruff was almost identical to that of modern birds and indicatedthat dinosaurs clearly shed their skin in flakes, rather than in one continuous chunk like a modern snake or lizard might. Gross as it sounds, this dino dandruff reveals some key details about the mysterious period in Earth's history when animals first grew feathers, the authors wrote. The fossilized flakes indicate that as birds and dinosaurs first evolved feathers millions of years ago, their skin also evolved to cope with the feature. "There was a burst of evolution of feathered dinosaurs and birds at this time [the Jurassic], and it's exciting to see evidence that the skin of early birds and dinosaurs was evolving rapidly in response to bearing feathers," McNamara said in a statement. One crucial difference between the old dandruff and the modern stuff: In today's birds, corneocytes are distributed loosely among lots of intracellular fat, which helps facilitate cooling when a bird's body temperature rises during flight. The dino dandruff was much more densely packed with corneocytes, suggesting that dino skin needed less cooling and maybe that Microraptors never fully adapted to flight. Further study (and lots more dandruff) is needed to find out for sure. Originally published on Live Science. Watch as a camera set up by NASA photographer Bill Ingalls melts in a grass fire after a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launch from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California on May 22, 2018. When a SpaceX rocket launches, it's awesome. But when a SpaceX rocket launch sparks a brush fire that melts a NASA photographer's camera, it goes viral. And that's just what happened to NASA photographer Bill Ingalls this week when he shared a photo of his charred camera after it met a fiery doom. Now, you can see exactly how Ingalls' camera got roasted, in an animated NASA clip using images from the camera itself. The clip shows SpaceX's Falcon 9 launching two NASA satellites and five commercial satellites from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California on Tuesday (May 22). The next day, Ingalls shared photos of the melted camera, known as a remote, on Facebook. One showed a launch photo taken by the camera; in the next image, flames lick at the lens, and finally, you see the charred, bubbled remains of the camera. Not surprisingly, the photos went viral across Twitter and other social media platforms. [See more awesome photos of SpaceX's launch] NASA photographer Bill Ingalls posted this photo of his melted Canon camera after it was destroyed by a brush fire sparked by a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launch at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California on May 22, 2018. The Falcon 9 launched NASA's twin GRACE-FO satellites and five Iridium Next communications satellites. (Image credit: Bill Ingalls/NASA) But many folks got it wrong, suggesting that like the mythical Icarus flying too close to the sun Ingalls must have placed his camera too close to the rocket and got burned. But that's not what happened. As Ingalls told Space.com Wednesday, the camera was a quarter mile from the launchpad and outside a safety perimeter. It was a grass fire sparked by the Falcon 9's launch that burned the camera. Its memory card survived, and today NASA unveiled a short video animation of the fire's ominous approach. "I had six remotes: two outside the launch pad safety perimeter and four inside," Ingalls said in a NASA statement accompanying the new clip. "Unfortunately, the launch started a grass fire that toasted one of the cameras outside the perimeter." Ingalls also shared a photo of the camera as it was set up. The camera's view looked across uneven terrain covered in vegetation and was mounted on a tripod secured in the ground by spikes. "Once the fire reached the camera, it was quickly engulfed. The body started to melt," NASA officials wrote in the statement. "When Ingalls returned to the site, firefighters were waiting to greet him. Recognizing the camera was destroyed, Ingalls forced open the body to see if its memory card could be salvaged. It could, which is how we can see the fire approaching the camera." One weird fact: Of the cameras Ingalls set up, the melted camera was the farthest from SpaceX's launchpad. Four other remote cameras photographed the launch from inside the safety perimeter, and one more captured the view outside it. All five were undamaged. Ingalls has been snapping photos for NASA for nearly 30 years. He told Space.com that, in all that time, this was the first camera he's ever had melted by a launch. NASA officials said the "toasty" camera (as Ingalls calls it) will eventually be placed on display at the agency's headquarters in Washington, D.C. As for Ingalls, he's headed to Kazakhstan soon to photograph the June 3 landing of the International Space Station's Expedition 55 crew. "He expects that will be a completely normal assignment," NASA officials said. Email Tariq Malik at tmalik@space.com or follow him @tariqjmalik. Follow us @Spacedotcom, Facebook and Google+. Original article on Space.com. Troy The Veterans of Lansingburgh, Inc.'s 22nd annual Memorial Day Parade, "Honoring Those Who Paid the Ultimate Sacrifice," will step off at 11 a.m. Monday, May 28. Grand marshal is Command Sgt. Maj. John Willsey, ret., an Army Iraq War veteran; honorary grand marshal is David Clum, a Navy Seabee and Vietnam veteran. Willsey retired in 2011 as an active Guard/Reserve soldier after a 33-year career ranging from finance clerk to Command Sergeant Major. A native of Troy, Willsey entered the Army in 1978, attended basic training at Fort Knox, Ky. and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Benjamin Harrison, Ind., where he earned his military occupational specialty as a finance specialist. Throughout his career, he has served as finance clerk, squad leader, supply sergeant, platoon sergeant, Unit Ministry Team NCO, PSNCO, AGR Human Resources NCO, Chief Human Resources NCO G1, and ultimately Command Sergeant Major. Willsey mobilized to Fort Drum in 2004 and returned from Operation Iraqi Freedom III, in Tikrit, Iraq in November 2005. Throughout his career, he received numerous honors, including the Legion of Merit and the Bronze Star Medal, and he is a member of various military-related organizations. He is married to the former Halina Hunzcak, has two children and is currently director of New York National Guard Family Programs at the Division of Military and Naval Affairs. Also a Troy native, Clum joined the Navy in 1966 and was deployed for two combat tours in Vietnam, the first in DaNang and the second in Phu Bai. Discharged from the Navy in 1972 with the rank of CM2 E-5, Clum worked at the Watervliet Arsenal until retirement. He received numerous military awards including the National Defense Service Medal and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. Several military/veteran groups are slated to march in the parade including: 2nd Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division color guard, "The Rakkasans"; 42nd Infantry Division, New York Army National Guard, color guard and vehicles; New Army National Guard Recruiting; Troy Detachment Marine Corps League; 1 Canadian Army Veterans Motorcycle Unit, Niagara Falls, Canada; Navy Seabee Veterans of America, Island X10; Lincoln & Welland Regiment, Canadian Army Reserves, St. Catherine's, Canada; Rensselaer County Honor A Deceased Veteran Committee; U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps (Mahan Division); Rensselaer County Veterans Service Agency; Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 8; Disabled American Veterans, Chapter 38; Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association Chapter 19-1; Veterans of Lansingburgh color guard, members, Veterans, Auxiliary and Sons of the Veterans of Lansingburgh floats. Racing City Chorus, Troy High School marching band, Avant Garde Alumni Drumline, Capital District Youth Pipe Band, The Uncle Sam Chorus, New York State Corrections Emerald Society Pipe Band and Excelsior Drum Corps; will provide the music. The Troy Police and Fire Departments, Speigletown District Volunteer Fire Company, Rensselaer County Sheriff's Office, and the Tri-State Emergency Team from Waterford will march. Participating youth and civil groups are Lansingburgh Boys & Girls Club, 2018 Veterans of Lansingburgh Scholarship Winner Brian Gregware, a Lansingburgh High senior; Lansingburgh Girl Scouts; Troy Central Little League; Callanan Industries; Tri-City Valleycats and Brunswick Baptist Church. At noon on Sunday, May 27, the Veterans will dedicate a granite marker at the Troy Housing Authority's veterans apartments on 115th Street and Second Avenue in honor of Specialist 4th Class Peter Guenette, a Troy native and Medal of Honor winner who died in Vietnam. Fort Campbell in Kentucky is sending a color guard from Guenette's unit, the 2nd Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, to participate in the ceremony. ALTON In a yearly, solemn Memorial Day tradition, Alton VFW Post 1308 Ritual Team once again will perform brief ceremonies Monday honoring veterans interred in five cemeteries in Alton. Ive been doing this for 20 years, said David Stout, commander of the team, and a decorated, U.S. Air Force Vietnam War veteran. It is a tradition with us. Almost all of us know someone who didnt return from military service. It is a special day for us. Early in the morning, the team and member of the Marine Corps League will post the colors at the Avenue of Flags at the VFW, 4445 N. Alby St., and then at Upper Alton Cemetery. The Ritual Team then will return to the post for a brief, 7 a.m. ceremony, where seven members will fire a volley of three shots each, with a bugler playing taps by the Doughboy statue. The 10-member Ritual Team then will make its round of cemeteries, offering brief statements and prayers, fire a 21- shot salute and play taps at Confederate Cemetery, St. Josephs Cemetery and Alton National Cemetery. At about 8 a.m., VFW Auxiliary members and the Ritual Team will head to the Clark Bridge with a police escort, have a similar ceremony on the bridge and toss a wreath about 2 feet in diameter to float down the Mississippi River. The wreath is to honor those who lost their lives at sea, Stout said. The last stop in the circuit is to fire off the volley of shots and play taps at Milton Cemetery, and then return to the Post to prepare to march in the citys 151st annual Memorial Day Parade. The parade steps off from Alton Middle School, 2200 College Avenue, at 10 a.m., winds through Upper Alton, then concludes at Upper Alton Cemetery. A memorial service will begin at the cemetery at about 11:30 a.m., in which the Ritual Team will participate. Its a pretty full morning for us, we will be busy from dawn to early afternoon, Stout said. Three members of the VFW Ritual Team, Billy Hammon, Glenn Wilson and Royal Ward, created a float for the first time that they believe reflects the real meaning of Memorial Day. The float, on a black metal trailer lined with black bunting, has a flag-draped, walnut casket sitting on a wooden pedestal that Wilson constructed. The words, Some Gave All, are painted along the sides of the trailer in stark white. Gent Funeral Home lent the casket to the men. People need to know the cost of freedom is not free, said Wilson, of Godfrey. Hammon, 85, of Godfrey, called the float a tear jerker. It is a remembrance, a memorial to the fallen, Hammon said. He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1951-55 and has been a member of the Ritual Team for 10 years. Reach Linda N. Weller at 618-208-6450 or on Twitter @Linda_Weller A federal appeals court has upheld a Pennsylvania high school's policy of allowing transgender students to use bathrooms and locker rooms consistent with their gender identities, marking a victory for transgender students who say it is critical for their well-being. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit ruled Thursday in favor of the Boyertown Area School District, which two years ago enacted the policy on restroom and locker room use. The three-judge panel ruled unanimously for the school system the same day oral arguments concluded, making their decision with unusual speed. The judges are expected to issue a full court opinion in the coming weeks. The decision was a relief to transgender students and their advocates, who say that policies such as the one in Boyertown are important to their safety and for their transition. But critics, such as the students who sued the Boyertown Area School District, say the policies violate the privacy of students who are not transgender. Transgender students have celebrated major court victories in the last couple of years, even as the Trump administration moves to curtail their rights. Shortly after she was confirmed as education secretary, Betsy DeVos and Attorney General Jeff Sessions rescinded Obama-era guidance that directed schools to accommodate transgender students in bathrooms and locker rooms according to their gender identities. Tuesday, a federal judge ruled that a Virginia school board violated the rights of a transgender student, Gavin Grimm, when it barred him from the boys' bathroom. But groups and students opposed to such policies, such as the Alliance Defending Freedom, have challenged policies similar to the one in Boyertown in lawsuits across the country, including in a small town in Oregon and a Chicago suburb. A half-dozen high school students sued the Boyertown Area School District last year after they encountered transgender classmates in bathrooms and locker rooms. They argued that allowing transgender classmates to change alongside them in locker rooms violated the privacy of students who are not transgender. One boy, identified as Joel Doe in court documents, said he learned of the policy only while undressing in the locker room and saw a transgender classmate doing the same. "The [school] administration has a duty to all of its students to protect their privacy and their safety," said Christiana Holcomb, an attorney with the conservative Alliance Defending Freedom who is representing the students. Holcomb said the school should accommodate transgender students in other ways, perhaps directing them to use other facilities. "What they cannot do is violate every student's right to bodily privacy," she said. The American Civil Liberties Union, which intervened in the case to represent a transgender student and the school district, argued the policy is constitutional. And it went further, saying that removing transgender students' right to use facilities aligned with their gender identities is unconstitutional sex discrimination. "Not only is the school's policy constitutional, but striking it down would affirmatively violate the rights of transgender students," said Joshua Block, an ACLU attorney. "Traditionally, privacy claims have always been about being forced to undress or have your body exposed to others. That's not happening to anyone under any circumstances." A Fred man was shot and killed by a Silsbee Police Officer and Hardin County Sheriff's Deputy after allegedly threatening them with a handgun early Saturday morning, HCSO and SPD said. The Texas Rangers are investigating, DPS said in a statement. Homer Woodroe Tyler, 51, was "reported to be armed with a firearm and driving a pickup en route to a family member's home in Hardin County," the Sheriff's Office and Silsbee Police said in a joint statement. HCSO was told at 2:17 a.m. that he "had made threats to harm his family and law enforcement." He was stopped by officers from Silsbee Police and the Sheriff's Office around 3 a.m. Saturday morning on FM 92 in Silsbee. "The suspect exited his vehicle and immediately threatened officers with a handgun," the statement said. "One Silsbee Police Officer and one Sheriff's Deputy discharged their service weapons in response to the threat. The suspect was struck at least once by gunfire and died at the scene." Officials have not released the names of the officers involved. Texas Rangers are investigating, DPS Sgt. Stephanie Davis said. "This is an active investigation and additional details cannot be released at this time." Its a perfect match. Habitat for Humanity has houses to build but lacks the labor. The Greater Michigan Construction Academy has the labor, but lacks projects. So, the two organizations have joined forces to build homes for Habitat. Collaboration is the root of what we do at Habitat, said Jennifer Chappel, Habitat executive director. Our mission is to build homes, community and hope. GMCA is the perfect partner in that the students are getting hands-on experience in building and constructing a house. The houses built by the two organizations will help low-income Midland County families. The collaboration produced its first home in 2017. It was an off-the-cuff remark by GMCA Vice President Stephanie Davis that motivated the joint build. Stephanie flippantly said, Oh, we got plenty of land. You should build a house out here. That was three years ago, said Jimmy Greene, GMCA president. Last year the project became a reality as Julie Raymond became the first recipient of a Habitat/GMCA house. Its life changing. Its a lifetime opportunity, Raymond said. We were stuck in an apartment for seven years with no hopes of ever buying a house because I didnt make enough money. After three years of applications, Raymond and her daughter, Luci, moved into their three-bedroom ranch on Sept. 30, 2017. I had to put in 100 sweat equity hours. Then 200 additional hours I had to complete on our home, said Raymond with a huge smile. Even though I had to complete 300 hours, I think I put in 500 hours. I didnt waste any time, I really wanted it. I was here every day. Not only were Julie and Luci excited, but also Greene. This is one of my favorite things, he said. We tell the students that for the rest of their lives, they will go by a place and say, They built that. Its somebodys home. Thats personal. The kids resonate with that. House relocation This years house will go to Mr. and Mrs. Harrison. Their house will be located in Coleman and the relocation will take place at the end of June. But, before they move in, the house must relocate from GMCA to its permanent lot. Last year, the move of the Raymonds' house became quite the spectacle down Saginaw Road. Its pretty amazing. Not many houses get moved from one end to the other. It was like a big deal with police escorts, Raymond said. Last years move was done at 7 a.m. on a Sunday. As the truck moved through town, side streets were closed, and stoplights were turned flashing yellow. This years house currently sits behind the GMCA offices, 7730 W. Wackerly, resting upon steel beams on a flatbed truck. Weve never gotten more social media attention than when we moved that house through town, Chappel said. We had people actually stopping along the road like it was a parade. How fun is that? GMCA A cool, spring morning, saw three GMCA students installing the electrical system inside this years 1,000 square foot, three-bedroom house. All three are high school seniors and are just about ready to wrap up their second year at GMCA. The trio plan to become electricians upon graduation from GMCA. Im grateful for this opportunity because I have learned a lot about the trade and it has taught me what I want to do, which is be an electrician, said Connor Shankel, of Bullock Creek. I think more kids should start going here. Fellow Lancer Dylan Wentz mentioned the financial benefits of attending GMCA. I love it. Its new experiences and Im meeting new people, he said. Others that go to a four-year school and graduate will have a ton of student loans. When I graduate, Ill be working without any loans. Students who attend GMCA spend 25 percent on book learning and 75 percent gaining hands-on experience. I love getting out of that classroom and doing hands-on, Wentz said. Today, as soon as we got to class, we signed in and came right out here. This school is a great school with great opportunities. I think more kids would benefit from it. GMCA offers students training in 11 skilled trades. Its fantastic out here. There are so many programs, and dedicated teachers and students, said Dow Highs Leif Carlson. I love it. Its given me a chance to learn something that I wouldnt have had the chance to learn anywhere else. Before becoming a residential electrician, Carlsons path will take him into the U.S. Air Force. Ill become a technical sergeant, Carlson said. It counts towards your apprenticeship, journeyman and masters while youre in the military. Overseeing the three students was instructor Dave Dumont. "They will have a 90 percent placement rate, he said. They have people that teach them and care for them. Most of the contractors will pick them up and then pay for their schooling. Habitat for Humanity By using volunteer labor, Midland County Habitat for Humanity began in 1988. This year, the group will celebrate its 30th anniversary on Sept. 20. Partner families secure a mortgage from Habitat to be eligible for a home. We look at credit and how someone has managed the debt that they carry, Chappel said. There are three main criteria: your needs, ability to pay and your willingness to partner. By paying your mortgage payment you are enabling other families to have a mortgage. Most families have never owned a home before, so Habitat teaches them about home maintenance, being a good neighbor and other issues related to home ownership. Once theyre approved they begin to do sweat-equity hours and financial management classes. We help them clean up their credit, or even establish credit, Chappel said. The principle portion of the mortgage payment is used to support our housing. To contact GMCA, call 989-832-8879 or visit http://www.gmcacademy.org. For Habitat, call 989-496-0900 or visit http://midlandhabitat.org. DUBLIN, Ireland - The Irish have swept aside one of the most restrictive abortion bans in the developed world in a landslide vote that reflects Ireland's emergence as a socially liberal country no longer obedient to Catholic dictates. With all ballots counted and turnout at a near-historic high, election officials reported Saturday that 66.4 percent voted to overturn Ireland's abortion prohibition and 33.6 percent opposed the measure. The outcome of the referendum Friday was a decisive win for the campaign to repeal the Eighth Amendment to the Irish Constitution. The 1983 amendment enshrined an "equal right to life" for mothers and "the unborn" and outlawed almost all abortions - even in cases of rape, incest, fatal fetal abnormality or non-life-threatening risk to maternal health. "What we have seen today is a culmination of a quiet revolution that has been taking place in Ireland for the past 10 or 20 years," Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said. The turnout was 64.1 percent - the third highest for a referendum vote since the adoption of the constitution in 1937 and decision to join the European Economic Community in 1972. By comparison, turnout was just over 60 percent when Ireland voted to legalize same-sex marriage in 2015. Ireland's political leadership promised that Parliament will quickly pass a new law guaranteeing unrestricted abortion up to 12 weeks and beyond that in cases of fatal fetal abnormalities or serious risks to a mother's health. That would bring Ireland's access to abortion in line with the other 27 members of the European Union. In Ireland, seeking or providing an abortion has been punishable by up to 14 years in prison. Since 2013, there has been an exception for when a mother's life is at risk. Varadkar, who is gay and whose right to marry was only accepted in Ireland three years ago, called the vote a turning point. "It's also a day when we say no more," the Irish prime minister said. "No more to doctors telling their patients there's nothing can be done for them in their own country, no more lonely journeys across the Irish Sea, no more stigma as the veil of secrecy is lifted and no more isolation as the burden of shame is gone." Simon Harris, Ireland's minister of health, said a bill would be written this summer and passed by year's end. "The people of Ireland have told us to get on with it," he said. Harris said he was as surprised as anyone with the high turnout and outsize vote for repeal. "If you can find anybody today who said they were expecting this majority, I'd love to meet them. I don't think anybody was expecting this margin," he said. Campaigners for repeal, watching the votes being counted in auditoriums around Ireland, were giddy with news of a landslide. In Dublin constituencies, the vote topped 75 percent for repeal. In elderly, traditionally conservative Roscommon-Galway, the only constituency to reject same-sex marriage in the 2015 referendum, the "Yes" vote for overturning the abortion ban was 57 percent. Exit polls released by Irish broadcaster RTE and from the Irish Times found women outpolled men, but men still supported the yes side. So did farmers and rural counties. Support was largest among the young and urban. Of the Republic of Ireland's 26 counties, only Donegal in the far northwest voted down the repeal. Irish Times columnist Finan O'Toole tweeted: "For all the attempts to divide us into tribes, the exit poll shows that every part of Ireland has voted in broadly the same way, which is to trust women and make them fully equal citizens." Katherine Zappone, Ireland's minister for children and youth affairs, said the result made her very emotional. "I'm especially grateful to the women of Ireland who came forward to provide their personal testimony about the hard times that they endured, the stress and the trauma that they experienced because of the Eighth Amendment," she said. But John McGuirk, a leader of prominent antiabortion group Save the 8th, called the vote "a tragedy of historic proportions." On Facebook, McGuirk's organization posted, "Abortion was wrong yesterday. It remains wrong today." The group said it would fight the legislation. Cora Sherlock, another prominent antiabortion campaigner, vowed in a tweet: "The struggle to defend the most vulnerable has not ended today, it's just changed." Although Ireland bans abortion, it does not restrict travel for it. Researchers estimate that about 3,500 women make the trip to Britain each year and that another 2,000 end their pregnancies with pills they buy over the Internet and smuggle into Ireland. A central figure in Ireland's abortion debate has been Amanda Mellet. In 2011, Mellet was forced to choose between carrying a dying fetus to term in Ireland or to travel abroad for an abortion. In June 2016, the United Nations Human Rights Committee found Ireland subjected Mellet to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, while also violating her right to privacy. The U.N. decision required Ireland, for the first time, to compensate a woman for the expenses and emotional distress tied to an abortion. Many saw the vote as a blunt rebuttal to the Catholic hierarchy, which has been beset by scandals over sexual abuse, financial crimes and its historic treatment of women. "I'm so happy, I'm feeling ecstatic, and to be honest, I didn't think it would happen like this, not in such a big way," said Amy Dwyer, 31, a Dublin writer. She was standing in the drizzle at Dublin Castle alongside a thousand others waiting for the last few ballot boxes to be counted. Social change in Ireland has been profound. In the 1990s, homosexual activity was criminal here. Divorce was forbidden. It was still difficult to buy a condom, the sale of which was outlawed until 1985. Within a generation, all of that has changed. In 2015, the majority-Catholic nation of about 4.8 million people was the first country to legalize same-sex marriage by referendum. "I've gone from being a criminal to being able to marry a man," said David Norris, a scholar of James Joyce credited with leading the campaign to overturn Ireland's anti-gay sex statute in 1993. Beginning with the issue of contraception in the 1960s, public opinion began to veer from the teachings of the Catholic Church - as the pope reaffirmed the prohibition on birth control against the recommendations of a commission composed of theologians, physicians and others. "That affected people's real sexual and reproductive lives," Norris said. "The majority of people just ignored the teachings of the church." But "the nail in the coffin," he added, was "the succession of really appalling scandals about mistreatment of women and molestation of children." Outrage over clerical abuse compounded doubts about religious authority, said Gladys Ganiel, a political sociologist at Queen's University Belfast. People did not cease identifying as Catholic, or believing in God, but became more comfortable following their own conscience over church dictates. The European Values Study found in 2008 that 92 percent of Irish people believed in God, representing a drop of only 5 percent since 1981. Still, the share of the population identifying as Catholic has diminished markedly, from 92 percent in 1991 to 78 percent in 2016, according to census data. Ganiel said economic changes, combined with eventual loosening of laws on the sale of contraceptives, undermined an alliance between priests and mothers that was central in maintaining Irish conservatism. "This begins in the 1960s, but somebody stood on the accelerator in the 1990s when things started coming out about church abuse," Ganiel said. "The 1990s are also when Ireland becomes economically prosperous for the first time. It's a perfect storm. Religious authority declines in Ireland from a much higher peak than the rest of the world. It's quite dramatic, but with hindsight, it's not as unexpected." Daithi O Corrain, a historian at Dublin City University, said familiar patterns have transformed the role of religion in Irish society - including urbanization, greater education and generational differences. "Ireland is just a very different country now than it was in 1983," he said, referring to the year in which the Eighth Amendment was endorsed by 67 percent of voters. "I suppose after contraception, after divorce, after marriage equality, this - legal abortion - really is the last bastion." Montgomery County school leaders abandoned plans to launch a multimillion-dollar overhaul of classroom curriculum after it became clear that two senior administrators intended to accept jobs with a company bidding on the project. The choice of curriculum is one of the most important decisions school leaders make because it is the road map teachers use to shape how and what students will learn. The decision to defer the K-8 curriculum remake - it won't happen till January at the earliest - has left teachers and parents frustrated, with some suggesting adoption of tougher rules governing employees involved in making key financial decisions. "Certainly, this whole episode will raise some questions about whether we need to be clearer in our policy and regulations and instructions to employees," school board member Patricia O'Neill said. Derek Turner, a school system spokesman, said the district has no evidence of improper activity between the employees, who are retiring, and the vendor, Discovery Education. But he said the district believed that the process might be viewed as tainted, and Superintendent Jack Smith thought it was best to start over. The two school system administrators have denied wrongdoing. Discovery Education withdrew its bid May 18, Turner said, when company leaders realized that the administrators the company is hiring - Erick Lang, an associate superintendent, and James Fliakas, the English supervisor for grades six through 12 - were involved in the bidding process on the school system's side. "We wanted to be sure that parents and community members could trust the integrity of the process," Turner said. The school system - with more than 161,000 students, the largest in Maryland - notified employees Monday and sent parents a letter the next day. That letter mentioned the delay but not the potential conflict of interest. Plans were underway for summer training for teachers and a rollout to roughly 80 schools in the fall. Thirty elementary schools were slated to get the math curriculum, and30 were tapped for English. About 20 middle schools were also involved. "The situation was unfortunate, but I think what is positive is that we will have more time to roll this out and get this right so it is effective for our students and teachers," said school board member Jeanette Dixon, who expressed disappointment about staff actions. "Our staff should not be applying for jobs with vendors who are seeking to get a contract at the same time," she said. Almost a decade ago, Montgomery created its Curriculum 2.0, reflecting rigorous Common Core standards that were intended to set a high bar for what students should learn in states throughout the nation. But teachers have long complained that the curriculum is not in sync with a variety of tests that students must take and that it lacked supporting materials that teachers need. The district asked experts from Johns Hopkins University in August to audit the long-standing curriculum, and the school board in March embraced a recommendation to acquire a new curriculum developed by an outside firm. While there were few high-quality curriculums on the market 10 years ago, now there are many highly developed, regularly updated options with digital components and other important benefits, officials said. Bids were due May 11. Twenty-six proposals came in - some for English, others for math - for the $4 million to $5 million project. A team of about 50 educators and central office staff - including Fliakas - began to review material May 15, school system officials said. Fliakas said in an email that he had worked only with English-related material, and that Discovery Education's bid was for math. He did not say when he began discussing jobs with the company but said the job offer from Discovery came May 17, and he "immediately informed my supervisor on Friday morning, May 18, and recused myself from the curriculum review process." Montgomery schools officials said Lang played a significant role in developing the bid solicitation. Lang did not describe his work the same way, saying he was not involved in writing the bid solicitation or answering questions from vendors. He said he was approached about a possible job at Discovery Education in March and learned he was a candidate in late April, telling his supervisor a day later, on April 30, and mentioning the need for recusal. When Discovery Education submitted a proposal May 11, he immediately asked to be recused, he said. He provided an internal memo from a supervisor reflecting many of those actions in April and May. "I did this out of an abundance of caution, in order to avoid any real or perceived conflicts regardless of whether I pursued this career opportunity," he wrote in an email. Lang said if his supervisors or the legal counsel had voiced concern, he would not have pursued the Discovery Education job. Christopher Lloyd, president of the county teachers union, said the announcement shelving the curriculum overhaul came as a shock. Teachers have been looking forward to change, he said, even as some worried the process was being rushed. "This is one of the biggest purchases we make that has a direct impact on kids and teachers," he said. Lloyd said that although he has concerns about the integrity of the process, "this is a good time to stop, reset, be thoughtful and deliberate, and develop a process that is airtight." Stephen Wakefield, a spokesman for Discovery Education, said in an email that the company has "the utmost respect" for the school system. He said that when Discovery Education leaders learned that the job candidates had ties to the district's request for proposals, the company withdrew immediately from consideration, in "an abundance of caution." Wakefield declined to provide details about job discussions with the two men, saying the company does not comment on personnel matters. At least one other former Montgomery County school administrator works for Discovery Education: Martin Creel, who was hired in 2015 as vice president of curriculum and instruction. The company employs former educators from throughout the country, Wakefield said, and its Montgomery County location makes it "a natural place" for educators looking to work in education technology. The district will start the bidding process anew in the fall, officials said. Interested companies must bid again. Board President Michael Durso said the system is hoping to do a curriculum rollout in some schools in January, for the second semester of the academic year. A letter went out to staff Friday saying the rollout would be no later than the 2019-2020 school year. Parent reaction has been mixed, said Cynthia Simonson, a vice president for the countywide council of PTAs. Some had recently learned that their schools were being tapped for the new curriculum, only to discover Tuesday it was being postponed. "That was a little disconcerting," she said. Other parents asked why employees involved in procurement did not sign agreements not to solicit or accept employment with vendors for a set time period, as often happens in government agencies, she said. But some viewed the curriculum process as too rushed. "The pause is a relief on one side," she said. Simonson said she thinks Smith made the right decision in urging that the bidding process be stopped. She does not think there was ill intent, she said, but hopes the school board will examine whether district policies need to be changed. Joanne Tanner of Midland had a brother killed while pursuing snipers in the jungle. Allan Bierlein of Coleman saw some of his fellow Marines die in battle. Both have a unique perspective on war and Memorial Day. Both agreed to be interviewed in a documentary about local veterans of the Vietnam War, produced by Q-TV, Delta College Quality Public Broadcasting. The program premiered in early May and will be broadcast again in September. On May 14, 1968, just over 50 years ago, Joannes brother, Rich Kuchek, was killed in Vietnam while serving in the U.S. Army. He was 21 years old. Joanne and her six brothers were raised in Midland. She still lives here with her husband, Terry. Allan survived 20 months in country, as he calls it, as a member of the Marine Corps 3rd Force Reconnaissance Company from 1967 to 1969. Allan enlisted in 1966 before he graduated from Reese High School. Hes lived in Coleman for the past 20 years. Rich, one of Joannes younger brothers, graduated from Midland High School in 1965. He was drafted while he was working in construction. Rich landed in Vietnam in October 1967, shortly after he was married in Midland to Laura Sandow. After six months on duty, he got to spend time with his new bride in Hawaii during April 1968 when the Army gave him some R & R (rest and recuperation). Joanne said the last time the family heard his voice was when they spoke to him on the phone while he was in Hawaii. He was killed the following month. His parents, Joe and Helen, were notified by Laura and her Dad, Don, after she received word from the Army. Joanne, who was 23 at the time, will always remember that she was watching TV when Laura and her Dad came to the back door of their home. Richs funeral was held at Blessed Sacrament Church. Joanne said she thinks that the construction of Blessed Sacrament was the last project her brother worked on before going to basic training. To this day, when she attends church there, Joanne looks at the wooden beams up above in the round church wondering if her brothers handprints are on one of them. Every May 14, on the anniversary of his death, Joanne said, I take a wreath or bouquet of my making with his name on it and I take it up to the memorial on Main Street. She also connects with her younger brother, Jerry, who was close to Rich. On Memorial Day, she sometimes attends the special Mass held at New Calvary Cemetery, where her brother is buried, north of Midland. Joanne recalled when the funeral procession, traveling from the church to the cemetery, paused in front of her parents home on whats now called Jefferson Avenue. She said, Rich came home again. That moment sometimes appears in her dreams. Joanne has been motivated to speak publicly about her brother after hearing Bishop Joseph Cistone say at last years memorial Mass, You are their voice. You are their witness. Bierlein enlisted in the buddy plan offered by the Marine Corps with two of his classmates from Reese. They attended boot camp together and then separated when they were given different assignments. One friend, Ron Barcalow, died on July 21, 1967, after being wounded on July 4 by an American bomb during Operation Buffalo in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). Allan started out as a grunt, private first class, serving in the infantry during his first two months in Vietnam. He then was moved to the mission he was trained for, Force Recon. They worked in teams of just four Marines, mostly along the DMZ. Most missions lasted four to five days. Allan said, None of them were easy. You never knew what was going to happen. Their job was to find them (the enemy). When they made contact with the enemy, that meant being involved in a firefight. Allan often served as the team leader where he said, You were responsible for everything. He rose to the rank of sergeant where he rotated as the leader of three separate teams and was also responsible for their training. In the spring of 1969, during his second tour, Bierlein recalled one of his senior commanding officers telling him, Youve ran enough missions. Get the hell out of here. He served another month in Vietnam and then ended his military service in 1970. Bierlein, 69, has been retired for 11 years from a job as an account executive with a non-profit company that provides insurance services to school districts. On Memorial Day, he plans to attend the parade in Coleman, which will be followed by a ceremony at the Veterans Memorial. Its a day, he said, To remember the people who lost their lives. He added he also thinks about, Why are people being killed today in Afghanistan, Syria, and Iraq? Why are we getting involved in other peoples civil wars? My question is why? Joanne Tanner attended a rally protesting the start of the war in Iraq which followed the terrorist attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001. At that protest, she was asked by a reporter why she was there. Im here because I wasnt here for Vietnam. Tanner reflected, I know the sacrifice (of war). We need to examine this closely. WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump moved Friday to roll back civil-service protections that federal employees have enjoyed for a generation, making it easier to fire poor performers, curtailing time employees can be paid for union work and directing agencies to negotiate tougher union contracts. In three executive orders the president signed before the holiday weekend, Trump took his first significant steps toward fulfilling a campaign promise made to overhaul a federal bureaucracy he told voters was awash in "waste, fraud and abuse." The changes have been championed by Republicans who have sought to rein in the size and reach of the federal bureaucracy of 2 million, which under Trump has been gradually shrinking through hiring freezes and unfilled vacancies. The trio of executive orders - which can be undone by the next president - could have a much more dramatic impact. Trump's move immediately drew polarized reactions, with public employee unions casting it as an attack on civil servants and conservatives praising the overhaul as a win for accountability. The orders limit federal employees to spending no more than a quarter of their workday on "official time" - paid time to do union business, a benefit Congress approved for federal unions four decades ago. Administration officials said the change could save $100 million a year. They require agencies to negotiate union contracts in less than a year. And they direct managers to move more aggressively to fire poor performers or employees involved in misconduct, limiting to one month a last-chance grace period for improvement that now can last up to 120 days. Agencies must also disclose details about an employee's record to other federal offices considering hiring someone who has been fired or disciplined. In addition, the orders upend a long tradition of basing layoffs on seniority. Agencies can now take performance into consideration, as well. The orders also require agencies to begin charging unions for space in federal buildings they now use for free. White House officials said their goal is to make the federal workforce more efficient and responsive to the public and to improve morale for employees who play by the rules. In a briefing with reporters, Andrew Bremberg, the White House director of the domestic policy council, said surveys of federal employees have repeatedly found that few trust their managers to adequately address poor performers. "These executive orders make it easier for agencies to remove poor performing employees and ensure that taxpayer dollars are more efficiently used," Bremberg said. The president, he noted, called on Congress during his State of the Union address "to empower every Cabinet secretary with the authority to reward good workers and to remove those that undermine the public trust or fail the American people." Public employee unions said Trump's orders amounted to an attack on federal workers and said they were contemplating legal action to halt them. "President Trump is attempting to silence the voice of veterans, law enforcement officers, and other frontline federal workers through a series of executive orders intended to strip federal employees of their decades-old right to representation at the worksite," the American Federation of Government Employees, the largest federal employee union, said in a statement. For their part, conservatives praised the changes as long overdue - particularly the order that will limit how much federal employees can be paid for doing union work on the job. "There is nothing more galling to limited government advocates than public employee unions being largely subsidized by taxpayer dollars while using their dues payments to support politicians in favor of expanding government," Rick Manning, who served on Trump's transition team and leads the advocacy group Americans for Limited Government, said in a statement. Trump has repeatedly referred to federal workers as part of the Washington "swamp" he has promised to drain. But he did not publicly champion the executive orders Friday, signing them quietly behind closed doors. The details were released to reporters late in the afternoon before the holiday weekend. The new orders expand on a policy Congress enacted last year that made it easier for the Department of Veterans Affairs to fire poor performers or employees involved in misconduct, as well as a tough new union contract imposed by management this year at the Department of Education. Civil service experts said there is widespread consensus across the political spectrum on the need to overhaul the federal civil service. But they noted that Trump's orders build on an effort conservatives have used in Indiana, Wisconsin and other states to weaken public employee unions. "It's very clear this is part of a broad strategy to undermine the power and position of federal unions," said Donald Kettl, a public affairs professor at the University of Texas in Austin. Still, some experts noted that Friday's orders will not immediately ban unions from the federal workplace and could be reversed by the next administration absent congressional action, which is viewed as unlikely. Some of the changes Trump ordered could be slow to implement. The amount of time federal employees are paid for "official time" must be negotiated through collective bargaining, and that change and others could hinge on agencies reopening existing contracts with rank-and-file employees or renegotiating new ones, experts said. "There are laws that govern all of these things they are trying to do," said Jeffrey Neal, former personnel chief at the Department of Homeland Security and now a senior vice president at the consulting firm ICF. "There's only so much you can do when Congress hasn't changed the law." Nevertheless, the public employee unions sounded the alarm. The National Treasury Employees Union, the second-largest federal labor organization, said the orders amount to an "assault on federal employees, the nation's civil service laws and federal unions." "This would begin the process of dismantling the merit system that governs our civil service," NTEU said in a statement. That message was echoed by Democratic lawmakers on Capitol Hill, who said the order will hurt federal workers and government services. "The Trump Administration's so-called 'reforms' will harm middle class workers who dedicate their lives to public service, impair our ability to recruit and retain the best and brightest, and degrade the services that our government delivers to the American people every single day," Rep. Elijah Cummings, Md., the top Democrat on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, said in a statement. One of the biggest impacts Trump's move could have is on the ability of agencies to fire employees. A tiny fraction of federal employees are fired for misconduct or poor performance each year, in part because federal workers have strong appeal rights. Even those who have committed felonies can sometimes stay on the job, administration officials said Friday. One of Friday's orders directs managers to move faster to discipline workers and to report such information to other agencies, a practice that's now hidden from other prospective federal employers. However, agencies still have considerable flexibility to decide on penalties for misconduct. - - - The Washington Post's Joe Davidson contributed to this report. WASHINGTON - Josh Holt, a U.S. citizen who had traveled to Venezuela to marry a woman he met online, was released on Saturday after two years in a Caracas jail and has returned to the United States. Holt, a Utah native, was released along with his wife, Thamy, according to a statement from Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, on Saturday. Holt had been accused by Venezuelan officials of stockpiling weapons and grenades in public housing, a charge that he denies, and his incarceration had become a major flash point in relations between Caracas and Washington. "Over the last two years I've worked with two presidential administrations, countless diplomatic contacts, ambassadors from all over the world, a network of contacts in Venezuela, and President [Nicolas] Maduro himself," Hatch said in a statement. "I could not be more honored to be able to reunite Josh with his sweet, long-suffering family in Riverton." The Holts were reunited with their family in a room at Dulles International Airport at about 7:10 p.m., according to Hatch's office, which posted a video of the gathering on Twitter. President Donald Trump, who announced the release Saturday morning, welcomed Josh and Thamy Holt back to the United States in an impromptu gathering inside the Oval Office, telling him they "came back from a very tough ordeal." "You were a tough one, I have to tell you. That was a tough situation," Trump told Josh Holt, who sat to his right. "But we've had 17 [people jailed] released and we're very proud of that record. Very proud. And we have others coming. We're in the midst of some very big negotiations to get others out." Josh Holt's parents praised Trump, other administration officials and lawmakers involved in securing his and his wife's release. Josh Holt said he was "overwhelmed with gratitude" after the "very, very, very difficult two years" he spent in Caracas. The release comes amid a shaky period in U.S.-Venezuela relations and just days after Maduro won reelection in a vote that has been widely denounced as illegitimate. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Corker, R-Tenn., traveled to Caracas on Friday and was shown on state television shaking hands with the president. On Saturday, Venezuelan Information Minister Jorge Rodriguez told journalists in Caracas that Holt's release was the product of "months" of "fruitful meetings" between Maduro and U.S. lawmakers. A day earlier, he described the encounter between Maduro and Corker as "a very good meeting; it is good news for the Venezuelan people." Corker said he was "honored to play a small role" in bringing the Holts back to the United States, and Hatch thanked him for his "pivotal efforts," as well as that of Caleb McCarry, a Corker foreign policy aide who accompanied Corker on the trip. Hatch was officially notified Friday that Holt's release was being finalized, according to an official familiar with the events, and Corker had kept in close contact with Hatch, who had spoken several times with Maduro about Holt's situation. "In the end, Corker was the closer," the official said. Analysts suggested Holt's release was part of a bid to ease the fast-eroding bilateral relations between Washington and Caracas. U.S. financial sanctions have sharply contributed to the Venezuelan economy's nose dive, and fears have built that the United States - the largest cash buyer of Venezuelan oil - would impose a potentially crippling embargo. "As part of . . . the peace and reconciliation being presented by President Maduro, he ordered the liberation of the American Joshua Holt and his wife," Rodriguez said at a Saturday news conference at the presidential palace. He added, "we hope this is read by sectors that permanently promote the attack of Venezuela as a profound intention to seek peace between Venezuelans and the people of the world." Holt's release came as Maduro appears to be on a public relations offensive following the widely condemned elections last week, seeking to make gestures toward his international and domestic critics. On Friday, the government freed 20 political prisoners in the interior state of Zulia. Yet the Venezuelan human rights group Foro Penal called the effort simply part of a new "revolving door policy" in which some prisoners were being released even as others were being detained. One of the directors of the group said at least 14 dissidents had been jailed this week. The move additionally comes as Maduro is seeking to boost his legitimacy in the wake of last week's election, in which he won a new six-year term after a vote condemned internationally as a fraudulent power grab. Maduro is "trying to see if his isolation can partially be reversed," said Mariano de Alba, a Venezuelan lawyer specializing in international law. "It's a measure meant to somehow lower tensions." A Mormon missionary from Utah, Holt - called the "Gringo Agent" in Venezuela - became the ultimate example of an American in the wrong place at the wrong time. He was arrested by Venezuelan security forces in June 2016, days after he married Venezuelan resident Thamara Caleno. Holt was thrown into Venezuela's notorious Helicoide prison, a compound filled with political prisoners who claim to have been subjected to torture and held without fair trials. Both Holt and U.S. officials have denied all charges. On May 16, Holt issued dramatic videos from his prison cell following a riot. His pleas sparked high-level diplomatic maneuvering. Restatements of demands for his release were issued by senior U.S. politicians, and Todd Robinson, then the chief of mission at the U.S. Embassy in Caracas, showed up at Venezuela's Foreign Affairs Ministry in Caracas to demand information about his safety. At the time, Venezuelan authorities declined to receive him. On May 22 - two days after Maduro won reelection - Robinson and the U.S. deputy chief of mission, Brian Naranjo, were expelled from the country in a sharp escalation of diplomatic tensions. - - - The Washington Post's Rachelle Krygier in Caracas, Venezuela, contributed to this report. New York In a milestone for the #MeToo movement, disgraced movie mogul Harvey Weinstein turned himself in to New York authorities Friday morning, and prosecutors filed criminal charges against him, including rape. Weinstein was charged with rape in the first degree, rape in the third degree and committing a criminal sexual act in the first degree for alleged forcible sexual acts against two women in 2013 and 2004, Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance Jr. said in a statement. Authorities have withheld the alleged victim's names, although one is believed to be a woman who went public with allegations against Weinstein in a magazine article last year. On Friday morning, Weinstein was led into a courtroom with his hands cuffed behind his back. He did not speak during the brief appearance. The judge set his bond at $10 million, with $1 million cash to post bail, and restricted his movements to New York and Connecticut. Weinstein consented to 24-hour-a-day GPS monitoring and a temporary restraining order requested by one accuser. Manhattan Assistant District Attorney Joan Illuzzi said in court that Weinstein "used his position and power" to sexually exploit his victims. She said he was being prosecuted for "two separate forcible sexual assaults against two separate women." Speaking to reporters after the court appearance, Weinstein's attorney, Benjamin Brafman, said the former producer will enter a plea of not guilty and continues to "vehemently deny" any criminal acts. Weinstein, he said, maintains that any sexual acts with the women were consensual and that the charges are "constitutionally flawed." Brafman said that if the women are cross-examined before a jury, "the charges will not be believed by 12 people, assuming we will get 12 fair people who are not consumed by the movement that seems to have overtaken this case." "Mr. Weinstein did not invent the casting couch in Hollywood," Brafman said. "And to the extent that there is bad behavior in that industry, that is not what this is about. Bad behavior is not on trial in this case. It's only if you intentionally committed a criminal act, and Mr. Weinstein vigorously denies that." The charges are the first to result from months of investigations in New York, California and London. Before his arrival Friday morning, at least 100 reporters and photographers waited outside the New York Police Department's 1st Precinct station in downtown Manhattan. Police set up barricades along the intersection of Varick and Beach streets, drawing bemused stares of passing motorists, who repeatedly rolled down their windows to ask what was happening. Police blocked off traffic around 7:25 a.m., and Weinstein exited a truck that pulled up near the precinct headquarters entrance. He was sporting a light blue sweater under a dark blazer and carrying two books "Something Wonderful: Rodgers and Hammerstein's Broadway Revolution" by Todd S. Purdum and "Elia Kazan" by Richard Schickel, a biography of the legendary director and former member of the Communist Party who named names of other party members during a wave of U.S. anti-communist hysteria. Weinstein ignored a din of shouted questions from reporters. Sources with knowledge of the case who spoke on condition of anonymity said one of the women involved in the case is a once-aspiring actress who has alleged that Weinstein assaulted her during a meeting at his Miramax office in 2004. Lucia Evans told The New Yorker magazine last year that Weinstein said during a meeting that she'd "be great in 'Project Runway'" before allegedly forcing her to perform oral sex. The second alleged victim's identity has not been reported. According to the New Yorker story, Evans said she met with Weinstein in one of his offices when she was a student at Middlebury College. "He immediately was simultaneously flattering me and demeaning me and making me feel bad about myself," she told the magazine. Weinstein told her that she'd be perfect for "Project Runway" the show, which Weinstein helped produce, premiered later in 2004 but that she needed to lose weight. She also said he told her about two scripts, a horror movie and a teen love story. "At that point, after that, is when he assaulted me," Evans said. She said she objected, but that Weinstein exposed his penis and pulled her head down toward it. "I said, over and over, 'I don't want to do this, stop, don't,'" Evans told The New Yorker. "I tried to get away, but maybe I didn't try hard enough. I didn't want to kick him or fight him." In the end, she said, "he's a big guy. He overpowered me." She added: "I just sort of gave up. That's the most horrible part of it, and that's why he's been able to do this for so long to so many women: People give up, and then they feel like it's their fault." Weinstein has been accused by more than 80 women of misconduct that includes sexual harassment and rape. Police in Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, New York and London have conducted investigations into more than 20 allegations. Los Angeles County District Attorney Jackie Lacey's team has been reviewing two investigations into Weinstein by Beverly Hills police, as well as three Los Angeles Police Department investigations including an Italian actress' allegation of rape in 2013. According to law enforcement sources, detectives believe that case is promising for prosecution because the woman told her story to three people, including a priest, relatively soon after the alleged attack. In his 1970 book, Deschooling Society, author Ivan Illich advocated a peer-matching network to share information and exchange services on a global scale. The emergence of the internet in later decades made his dream a reality. Today, many of us walk around with mobile phones that are really hand-held computers with global internet access and dozens of accessible social media websites. Facebook is the social media application that dominates the market with 2.2 billion users worldwide, while Google commands the market of internet search engines. What Illich didnt anticipate was the nightmare that would evolve from unethical, if not illegal, attacks on our countrys democracy using those same social media applications and the reach of the internet. Social media applications such as Facebook are free to the user, or so we are led to believe. The right to privacy is forfeited in exchange for some new and improved tools to communicate like Messenger, Instagram and WhatsApp. There was no outrage that the goods we preferred were being peddled online, as long as we had free access to this amazing technology. Facebook has been openly selling access to its users likes and friends since 2007. Several toolscalled scraperswere developed to harvest the data on Facebook users. But Facebook did not inform users that their personal likes and searching habits were being harvested, a potential violation of privacy laws in Great Britain and some American states. Social media was soon used to drive winning electoral campaigns. (Complete disclosure: I participated in the ground game to elect Barack Obama in 2008 and 2012.) After Obamas re-election victory in 2012 in which campaign workers were recruited via a direct link to Facebook, voter-outreach software programs called apps were used frequently in campaigns. Enter the enemies of democracy Our old enemies of democracy are now manipulating U.S. elections in a blatant attack by Russia on our country. We know that at least as early as 2015, Russian troll farms created fake personas to flood Facebook and other social media websites with false information designed to sow discord and manipulate election outcomes. U.S. intelligence agencies the FBI, the CIA and NSA have all agreed that the Russians spread fake information via social media to create chaos, sow divisions and influence the 2016 election in favor of then-presidential candidate Donald Trump. While President Trump still contends Russians had no effect on election outcomes, he at least admits some Russian interference occurred. In February, special prosecutor Robert Mueller obtained indictments against 13 Russians posing online as legitimate interest groups to disrupt the presidential elections. How some Texans became Russias dupes The Russian Internet Research Agency spread false claims prior to the election by alt-right media about a U.S. Army Special Operations Command exercise called Jade Helm 15 involving 1,200 troops in Texas and six other states. The fake claim that spread via Facebook and extreme right wing media was that Jade Helm was an attempt by President Obama to round up his political opponents, using abandoned Walmart stores as detention camps. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott took the Russian bait and sent the State Guard to monitor the operation. He has not admitted being duped. Democrats from the House Intelligence Committee this month released more than 3,500 Facebook ads by the same Russian agency from 2015 to 2017 aimed at creating racial and political division. Many of the ads were in support of Donald Trump or to discredit candidate Hillary Clinton. Since most African-Americans traditionally vote for Democrats over Republicans, some Facebook pages built by Russians were directed at black voters to discourage them from voting. Texas was one of several states where Russians directly hacked into election systems. A Russian-invented Heart of Texas site incited a real protest in Houston. Bannons Culture War Facebook again led headlines in March when the the New York Times revealed the harvesting of data from Facebook users by Cambridge Analytica a company formed in 2014 by extreme right wing Trump supporters Stephen Bannon and billionaire Robert Mercer. Mercer contributed $15 million to fund the enterprise as an off-shoot of the SCL Group of Great Britton. Researchers at Cambridge Universitys Psychometrics Center had been building personality profiles based on peoples like clicks on Facebook. Cambridge Analytica sought their assistance, but the university center refused to work with them. Undeterred, the political research firm hired a psychology professor at the university, Aleksandr Kogan, to develop a multivariate model that would predict political attitudes and behavior. Kogan surveyed 270,000 Facebook users with detailed questions about their personality, preferences and political ideology. He then built an app that would scrape the likes of Facebook users and their friends. The number of Facebook users whose private information was breached without their permission is reported to be at least as high as 87 million. Former Cambridge Analytica employee Christopher Wylie told a U.S. congressional committee this spring that Bannon, who served as the companys vice president from June 2014 through August 2016, wanted to discourage specific groups (read: likely Democratic Party voters) from voting and to capitalize on the discontent of conservative white voters by focusing on themes such as drain the swamp and illegal immigration. Whether there was collusion between the Trump campaign and the Russians is still under investigation by Mueller. But the Cambridge Analytica investigation has revealed that both Bannon and the Russians were engaged in the same culture war, fomenting voter anger. The Texan at the center of it is Brad Parscale. Facebook staff, Cambridge Analytica staff and Parscale, Trumps digital media director, all came together in San Antonio to target voters for the 2016 election. President Trump has chosen Parscale to head his 2020 re-election campaign. U.S. intelligence agencies agree that Russians will continue to manipulate social media platforms again this year. Facebook has banned hundreds of Russian troll accounts. Regulating the internet monopolies If there is some good that results from the Facebook scandal, it is that a conversation has begun about how giant corporations like Facebook and Google amass wealth and maintain monopolistic control over data to dominate the advertising market. Antitrust laws have not been seriously applied by our federal government to internet companies. The internet is global, as are the companies that service it. If Congress does not enforce antitrust laws, regulation of these monopolies will come from other countries and the states. Already, on Friday, a new privacy law was scheduled to go into effect in the 28 European Union countries, allowing EU citizens the right to remove their personal information from the internet. Because it relies on advertising to pay salaries, journalism has always been vulnerable to the loss of ad dollars to digital media. According to Bureau of Labor Statistics, there has been a 50 percent drop in journalism jobs over the past 15 years. Without journalists, who will perform the essential public service of fact-checking and in-depth investigations of truth manipulators like Cambridge Analytica and the Russian Internet Research Agency? What President Trump repeatedly decries as fake news is the very investigative journalism that has uncovered many of the threats that are still undermining our democracy. Robert Brischetto of Lakehills was a sociology professor at Trinity University and executive director of the San Antonio-based Southwest Voter Research Institute. Its the year 2100, and a storm similar to Hurricane Ike slams into the Texas coast. By this later date, sea levels are projected to rise by more than 2 feet due to a warming climate, and such a rise would mean significantly more devastation along the Texas coast. More than 650,000 people would be displaced by such a storm. Some 80,000 buildings would be damaged. These are the projections of a recent study from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christis Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies. Like other studies, it warns about rising sea levels and the vulnerabilities for communities along the Gulf Coast. The study was recently presented to county officials from Texas and other Gulf Coast states, the Houston Chronicles Alex Stuckey reported. No doubt, its the kind of forecast U.S. Rep. Lamar Smith, R-San Antonio, would dismiss. As Smith wrote in a recent op-ed in this paper, the thought of anyone accurately predicting the climate landscape for 50 or 500 years from now is laughable. Thats a luxury local and state officials cannot afford to take. They have a duty and a responsibility to accept the best information known at the present time. Smith might be retiring, but he shares that duty, too. The A&M-Corpus Christi study is hardly an outlier. In 2017, the Union of Concerned Scientists released a report, When Rising Seas Hit Home about the issue of chronic flooding, meaning there are floods every two weeks. This is different than a big storm slamming into the coast. At present, about 90 communities across America are affected by chronic flooding. By 2100, as sea levels continue to rise due to warming, more than 500 coastal communities will be affected. This includes Corpus Christi, Port Arthur, Galveston and the Bolivar Peninsula. The economic and civic repercussions could be extreme. In late 2017, Moodys issued a report warning of credit downgrades for cities and states that might be prone to more severe weather, another product of climate change. Texas would, naturally, be front and center. The gist of the Moodys report was that more frequent severe weather would damage infrastructure, lower property values, increase insurance rates and make it increasingly difficult for cities and states to generate the revenue to rebuild. Or as Moodys said: Climate shocks or extreme weather events have sharp, immediate and observable impacts on an issuers infrastructure, economy and revenue base and environment. As such, we factor these impacts into our analysis of an issuers economy, fiscal position and capital infrastructure, as well as managements ability to marshal resources and implement strategies to drive recovery. Smith has repeatedly said he accepts that the climate is changing, and that humans are having some sort of impact on that change. But he espouses uncertainty as to how much impact humans are having, and he cautions against perceived harmful and overzealous regulations around carbon emissions, the leading contributor to climate change. He would prefer to focus on the saving grace of technology development. Climate change is one field that needs more attention, and we should look to technology to solve legitimate challenges, he wrote. We share his enthusiasm in the development of technology to ease or mitigate a warming climate, but to solely focus on technology is an incomplete response, if not disingenuous. Regulations that reduce emissions could slow or mitigate warming, and they could also spur that development in technology that Smith touts. Perhaps Smith will be proven right that climate models such as the one out of A&M-Corpus Christi are inaccurate. But if he is wrong, no one can say he and, we were not warned. Then we can try to explain our inaction to our grandchildren and great-grandchildren. A little piece of nostalgia has been unleashed on Longford town this week with the arrival of an historic ambulance built at Hanlons Ambulance Factory in the late 1960s. The ambulance, discovered in a Dublin scrapyard has been brought back to its hometown where she will be restored to her former glory and is currently on display at the Gala/Applegreen forecourt on the Dublin Road. Patrick Hanlon, whose father Noel ran the ambulance factory in Longford town until its demise in 1988, told the Leader that his friend Joey Fahy from Ballymahon rang him to say that he had seen the ambulance in the yard in Dublin and wondered if the Longford businessman would be interested in buying it. So, just for a piece of family history, I said I would buy it and restore it, he smiled before pointing to what the next step will be. Restoration Works Patrick says that it is impossible to tell at this stage what the extent of the work involved will be until those in the know get the chance to examine it! Its in reasonable condition inside and because the exterior is fiberglass it should be easily cleaned up, he continued. We will have to see what kind of condition the engine is in and I suppose we wont know that until we get a look at it. The local businessman says it was for nostalgic reasons that he bought the ambulance. My dad is coming home in July and we are planning on giving him a bit of a surprise with it, he continued. The ambulance was made in Longford; I think it was one of the first ones made and it went to Waterford. Hanlon's Ambulance Factory Meanwhile, Tommy Lyons, one of the original foremen at Hanlons Ambulance Factory said that the manufacturing of the vehicles at the plant began way back in 1967. The very first commer chassis to arrive in the factory was driven down from Dublin on a milk crate, he smiled before pointing out that the chassis included just the windscreen - there was no seats or anything else for that matter, within. That was built out in a workshop belonging to Jim Reynolds, before the factory was ever built at all - it started out with one guy and myself building the very first ambulance and then it all progressed on to the factory being built. We specialised in ambulances only and by the time I left we were exporting eight to 10 vehicles a week to England. Orders Tommy also recalled the very first order at the factory. The very first order I remember, Noel went down to demonstrate one that was built in George Duffys in Dundalk - it wasnt built here in Longford at all and that was before he started manufacturing on his own. He demonstrated to Waterford Health Authority. He said that he got an order for 10 ambulances and he was going to build them himself. I was building his house at the time and from there then I went to work for Noel and we started to build the ambulances ourselves then. Nostalgic Look Back Tommy Lyons, meanwhile, worked at the ambulance factory for 17 years and as he says himself by the time he left in the mid 1980s, there was over 300 people on the shop floor. By that stage, he added, we were making our own fiberglass moulds and in actual fact we produced the first all fiberglass vehicle here in Ireland. Everything was built here, we even did the upholstery here in Longford as well. It was a fantastic operation - we had our own wood machine shop; we machined our own timber for the main frame of the ambulance and our own metal shop to make the back steps for the vehicles and all of that - all fabricated in the metal shop. Fire Meanwhile, a fire devastated the factory in the 1970s and the whole machine shaft was lost. After the fire we rebuilt the factory much bigger than it was; we extended the workshop and the factory itself was much bigger and we had a thriving business after that, said Tommy. We had a very busy shop because business was growing in England at the time. Larry Wyse also worked at the factory, but he remembers a field with one cow on it long before the ambulance factory was built. There was a low ditch along the road and chain-linked fences going up along to Teffia, smiled Larry. Noel Hanlon bulldozed all that out and leveled the field - he was selling cars before he ever laid a block; Hillman cars. Its 1988 since Hanlons Ambulance Factory closed in Longford town. From the late 1960s it became an important fabric of both the town and county and there was widespread shock and dismay left in the aftermath of the closure for many years thereafter. Read Also: A glimpse of 1970s Longford Please allow ads as they help fund our trusted local news content. Kindly add us to your ad blocker whitelist. If you want further access to Ireland's best local journalism, consider subscribing to our ePaper and/or free daily Newsletter . Support our mission and join our community now. Longford Westmeath voters have rowed in behind the country's overwhelming decision to remove the Eighth Amendment from Ireland's Constitution, with 58 per cent voting YES in yesterday's referendum. By the numbers... Electorate: 89,665 Total Poll: 53,172 (59.3% turnout) Valid Poll: 52,989 YES: 30,876 (58.26%) NO: 22,113 (41.73%) SPOILT: 183 (0.01%) The announcement of the official Longford/Westmeath constituency result was made by Returning Officer Imelda Brannigan at St Dominic's Community Centre in Kenagh this afternoon in what is being hailed as a major milestone in Irish history. Both ends of the constituency voted in favour of repealing the Eighth Amendment, pouring cold water on suggestions from earlier in the day which indicated that Longford might buck the national trend and return a No vote. As it transpired, an estimated 54 per cent of the electorate voted in favour of repeal with 46 per cent opting against. The margin was more clear cut in Westmeath as a projected 58 per cent of voters giving their backing to the Eighth Amendment's repeal and just 42 per cent signalling their desire for its retention. Also read: Referendum 2018: Longford Together for Yes commended for running respectful campaign and trusting Longford to say YES Also read: Referendum 2018: From nerves to elation as Longford says Yes Its hard to believe its been a year since the Essential phone was first teased, heralding an avalanche of unbridled enthusiam as pundits pointedly predicted its iPhone-killing ability. The Verge called it an incredibly audacious and ambitious project before it even launched. And, to be fair, it launched almost two months late so The Verge was right because over-ambitious is a kind of ambitious. Anyway, howd that all turn out? Surely everyone has tossed their iPhones into the lake and is using the Essential phone now with its amazing thing it was going to have that no iPhone had whatever that turned out to be. Android Creator Puts Essential Up for Sale, Cancels Next Phone. Huh. Well, that was anticlimactic. And entirely predictable. At least weve learned our lesson about making predictions about smartphones we havent even seen yet and how theyre going to dominate the iPhooohhhhhh noooooo Pixel 3: Googles 2018 flagship could finally win over some Apple loyalists. Just checking and, nope, apparently we have not. Writing for The International Business Times, Sami Khan is shoving us back on the punditry merry-go-round despite the fact that we think were going to boot from having ridden it too many times already. OK, but youre cleaning up the congealed mixture of chewed-up elephant ear stuck together with cotton candy goo, Sami. Thats on you. Successor to the current-gen Pixel phones will arrive later this year, and noted designer Ben Geskin has illustrated the potential design of the Pixel 3 (or Pixel 2018) based on an Android P card depicting an unseen smartphone. This drawing of this thing that might be the thing that ships later looks awesome and I say a lot of people are going to want it instead of the thing currently shipping from the other company. It doesnt get any more rock-solid than that, folks. There havent been any substantial leaks about the Pixel 3 so far, but this reimagined render looks plausible But were the ones who are religious fanatics, say the people who run around looking for the miraculous images of iPhone-killers in operating system betas. Does this image a Guatemalan man found burned into his toast depict an upcoming iPhone killer? STORY. The main feature of this holy relic is it has a very small bezel and no notch. Khan insinuates that this might be thanks to the same fingerprint-reader-under-screen technology found in a Vivo concept phone. Got that? From unidentified image in an operating system beta to unshipped technology to iPhone killer. If you hold up these images in just this fashion under the light of a midnight moon while standing in a spruce forest, you can clearly see the Apple doom. This time itll happen for sure. Finally. SPRINGFIELD -- For local residents suffering from chronic illnesses, the long wait is over for a medical marijuana dispensary in Hampden County intended to provide some relief. INSA Inc., opened for business on Friday at its new location on Cottage Street in East Springfield, receiving well wishes and applause from the first gathered patients and local and state officials. "We feel great about today, finally being open after all these years," said Mark Zatyrka, INSA's chief executive officer. "Springfield is my home city so it feels wonderful to be able to give back to the city. To finally be open feels wonderful that patients no longer have to travel long distances to get their medication." INSA employs approximately 70 people at its dispensaries in Easthampton and Springfield, including about 20 employees at the Cottage Street site, Zatyrka said. Christopher Higgins, a resident of Springfield, was among the first patients waiting for the dispensary to open. "I'm actually really excited that they are opening up," Higgins said. "I've been to their Easthampton dispensary. It's a very good place, nice people. They're all about the patients. I think it's an excellent thing what we're doing here." Those present for the grand opening included Mayor Domenic J. Sarno, Health and Human Services Commissioner Helen R. Caulton Harris, and state Reps. Brian Ashe and Thomas M. Petrolati. The Springfield dispensary officially opened at 11 a.m., and is open seven days a week. In November of 2012, Massachusetts voters approved a law to allow medical marijuana facilities, permitting no more than five facilities in each county. The review and approval of the Springfield dispensary began more than two years ago, with City Council approval in November of 2016 after a host community agreement was reached between the company, then known as Hampden Care Facility, and Sarno. In Western Massachusetts, other dispensaries are open in Easthampton, Northampton, and Great Barrington. Sarno, during the ribbon cutting ceremony, praised INSA for its efforts, and said he wishes the patients and their families well. The dispensary offers a wide array of marijuana products and accessories, with members of the staff trained to discuss the options with patients, Zatyrka said. Kathleen Brown, president of the East Springfield Neighborhood Council, said she is impressed with the newly renovated facility at 506 Cottage St., including its security system. There are an array of security cameras both inside and outside the facility including its parking lot area. "The law permits it so we're pleased there is an opportunity for people in the area who need to take advantage of this to have a local location," Brown said. The regular daily hours for INSA begin Saturday, open to patients from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. INSA's Easthampton dispensary opened in February. Marijuana products are grown and packaged in Easthampton and transported to Springfield. There is double-door entry way for products, in which one door opens for the van, and closes behind it, before the other door opens. Under its agreement in Springfield, INSA will pay the city 1.5 percent of its gross sales revenue in 2018, and 2 percent of its revenues in 2019, and 2.5 percent of its revenues in each successive year, according to provisions. by Wendy Davis @wendyndavis, May 25, 2018 Facebook is asking a federal appellate court to issue an "emergency" stay in proceedings in a battle over whether the company's alleged creation of "faceprints" violates an Illinois privacy law. "The Court should stay the case so that it may address the fundamental issues presented in the petition before Facebook and tens of millions of its users are irreparably harmed," Facebook writes in an "emergency motion" filed Friday with the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. The dispute dates to 2015, when several Illinois residents sued the company for allegedly violating an Illinois biometrics privacy law by collecting "faceprints." That law, passed 10 years ago, requires companies to obtain written releases from people before collecting face geometry and other biometric data. U.S. District Court Judge James Donato in the Northern District of California recently allowed the case to proceed as a class-action on behalf of all Facebook users in Illinois who had their faceprints stored by the company since 2011. Earlier this month, Facebook asked the 9th Circuit to review Donato's decision to allow the case to proceed as a class-action. As of Friday afternoon, the appeals court hadn't ruled on that request. advertisement advertisement This week, Donato directed Facebook to notify all potential class members about the case via email and also by News Feed insertions and "jewel" notifications, which turn the "notification" icon at the top of users' home pages red. Facebook says it asked Donato to stay his order regarding notifications to the class, but that he hasn't yet responded. "Unless this Court intervenes immediately, tens of millions of Facebook users will receive class notice," Facebook says in its new motion to the 9th Circuit. "The reputational and economic costs to Facebook will be irreparable, particularly because the court has ordered Facebook to use its own service to notify people about a lawsuit against it." Facebook also argues that staying Donato's order won't harm Illinois residents, and will avoid future confusion if it prevails in the appeal over Donato's decision to allow the case to proceed as a class action. "If the Court does not grant a stay by May 30, over 20 million people will receive class notice that may need to be retracted or modified substantially," the company writes. "If class members receive a notice that appears to be from Facebook notifying them of an ongoing class action against Facebook, only to then receive another notice appearing to be from Facebook telling them that the class action no longer exists (or some variant thereof), they will be understandably confused and uncertain as to whether they can trust those mixed messages." New research reveals how the pesticides paraquat and maneb alter gene expression and may lead to Parkinsons disease in people who are genetically predisposed to the illness. Share on Pinterest Some people working in agriculture are at a higher risk of developing Parkinsons disease due to their contact with pesticides. Estimates show that around 50,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with Parkinsons disease every year. Although it is not exactly known what causes the disease, both genetic and environmental factors are thought to play a critical role. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) note that environmental exposure to pesticides, for example, might increase the risk of developing Parkinsons. Older studies have suggested that the pesticides paraquat and maneb , in particular, may increase vulnerability to Parkinsons in people who are already genetically prone to developing the illness. More recent studies have sought to unpack the neuronal mechanisms that are at play in this link between pesticides and the neurodegenerative condition. For instance, some studies have shown that pesticides interfere with neurogenesis the process wherein the brain creates new neurons in the hippocampus, which is a key brain region for memory and information processing. Pesticides have this effect by causing genetic alterations. Now, a new study by researchers at the University of Guelph (U of G) in Ontario, Canada, unravels some of the ways in which pesticides cause genetic mutations, leading to neurodegeneration. Senior study author Scott Ryan, a professor of molecular and cellular biology at U of G, explains the motivation behind the research. He notes, People exposed to these chemicals are at about a 250 percent higher risk of developing Parkinsons disease than the rest of the population. We wanted to investigate what is happening in this susceptible population that results in some people developing the disease, Prof. Ryan adds. The findings were published in the journal Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology. Advertisement But many physicians were skeptical about the evidence for the third required action--measuring lactate levels in the blood somewhere between six hours before and three hours after evidence of sepsis. One systematic review of the SEP-1 bundle, for example, concluded that "no credible evidence supports a beneficial effect on survival of mandated use [of lactate levels] for all septic patients." Editorials by several sepsis experts argued that the serial lactate measurements and fluid infusions required by SEP-1 "may not benefit septic patients and may sometimes be harmful."Once these lactate measurements were mandated, "we felt that the potential impact of this recommendation on our patients deserved a closer look," said Matthew Churpek, MD, MPH, PhD, assistant professor of medicine at the University of Chicago and senior author of a new study: "Implications of CMS SEP-1 and initial lactate measurement on the management of sepsis," published inThe study by Churpek and colleagues was designed to evaluate both the frequency of urgent lactate measurements and their association with clinician interventions and mortality. An elevated lactate level means that a patient's cells are not getting enough oxygen, sometimes as a result of inadequate blood flow.Septic patients who develop high lactate levels would benefit from urgent therapies, such as antibiotics, the study authors agreed. But they worried that the SEP-1 bundle could greatly increase the number of lactates checked on patients and that the association between delays in initial lactate measurement and mortality "had not been adequately examined," Churpek said."Sepsis continues to be a major public health problem in the US, one with persistently high mortality despite continued efforts to improve care," said co-author Xuan Han, MD, a pulmonary critical care fellow at the University of Chicago Medicine. "Our goal was to understand, on a more granular level, how sepsis bundles affect the patients we apply them to."So the research team decided to look back at thousands of sepsis cases diagnosed and cared for at the hospital. They combed through medical records from October 2008 to January 2016 looking for cases of sepsis treated in the seven years prior to SEP-1. Their goal was to determine whether early lactate measurements were associated with improved patient survival. Did patients who received early lactate measurements, they wondered, also receive intravenous fluids and antibiotics earlier than their counterparts?The researchers examined the charts of 5,762 patients who had been admitted to the hospital and met SEP-1 criteria for severe sepsis, as defined by a combination of two out of four systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) criteria, organ dysfunction and clinical suspicion for infection based on blood-culture orders.Forty-seven percent of these patients (2,697) entered the hospital through the emergency room, 27 percent (1,575) developed sepsis in an intensive care unit, and 26 percent (1,490) were cared for on the wards.Next, they looked for differences between sepsis patients who met a key SEP-1 criterion--timely serum lactate levels during the designated time frame--and those who did not. Overall, 60 percent of patients had initial lactate draw within the specified time window. Forty-one percent of those patients had normal lactate levels, defined as less than or equal to 2 millimoles per liter. The other 40 percent of patients did not have their lactates measured during the time window established by SEP-1.Patients who presented with severe sepsis in the emergency department were most likely to receive a timely lactate test; 79 percent of emergency room patients were tested within the recommended time frame. These patients had the lowest mortality (18%) of any group of sepsis-related patients.Meanwhile, patients on the wards who developed severe sepsis had the lowest rate of timely lactate measurements; only 32 percent were tested within the recommended time. Many patients who did not receive timely lactate measurements also experienced delayed IV-fluid administration and antibiotic treatment--one of the few well-tested interventions that improve survival in sepsis."There was an associated increase in mortality, about two percent for each hour of delay, in patients with an abnormal lactate value," Churpek said. "It took nearly twice as long for those patients to receive antibiotics, and more than three times as long for them to receive needed fluids, compared to patients who had lactates drawn within the SEP-1 window.""Our results suggest that abnormal lactate values likely prompt rapid interventions, such as antibiotic therapy, leading to better outcomes for patients with sepsis," he said. Although SEP-1 has been controversial, "our study adds weight to the belief that systematic early lactate measurements in appropriate patients can make a big difference," Churpek said.Source: Eurekalert GREENLEAF TOWNSHIP Plenty of Native American history and a chance to return to nature await summertime visitors at the Sanilac Petroglyphs Historic State Park. Along the trail past the park entrance sits ancient Native American rock carvings known as petroglyphs, which are etched in sandstone. The park covers 240 acres along the Cass River, and includes the remains of a logging camp, as well as a 110-year-old white pine. Were currently building two new bridges, said Jodi Niescheulz, park supervisor. One has been out for a couple years now. We hope to have both in place to complete the loop of the hiking trail. The petroglyphs, located at 8251 Germania Road in Cass City, are open Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Memorial Day to Labor Day. That includes Monday, as well as Wednesday, July 4 and Monday, Sept. 3 (Labor Day) from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. History guides are present during park hours to give interpretive tours of the rocks, Niescheulz said. When guides are present, the gates of the fenced-in rocks will be open so that tourists can view the petroglyphs. A wooden barrier then separates visitors from the rocks by a few feet. You can see them. You just cant walk on the rocks, Niescheulz said. From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 23, representatives from the Ziibiwing Center Saginaw Chippewa Tribe in Mount Pleasant will be on hand for community cultural teaching. They will explain the significance of the rocks and host a feast. There are educational signs located throughout the park to provide historical context and archeological insights. Park officials recommend reserving up to two hours for a visit. The tour lasts about a half hour, and the walking tour takes more than an hour. Niescheulz encourages visitors to have bug spray on hand, as both mosquitos and biting flies can be prevalent. Admission is free, and a Michigan Recreation Passport is required. For more information, call Niescheulz at 989-856-4411. UPPER THUMB -- Hundreds of seniors and advocates for seniors recently gathered on the lawn of the capitol in Lansing. The goal: Show support for Michigan's aging population. Older Michiganian's Day is an annual rally that takes place in Lansing. The event brings together hundreds of seniors, aging service providers and senior advocates with their legislators and key state officials. Staff and volunteers from Human Development Commission's Foster Grandparent Program (FGP) and Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) joined others from across the state to support senior volunteers. "The slogan on the T-shirts is two-fold, the health benefits of volunteers in the later years of life are remarkable, but what the volunteers do for others in the community also saves lives," said FGP/RSVP Manager, Kristy Sutherland. The programs recently adopted the slogan and took the lead on ensuring participants from across the state matched when everyone gathered at Older Michiganian's Day. Along with seniors and senior advocates, many legislators joined in and participated showing their support. Lt. Gov. Brian Calley, addressed the group and showed his support for older adults and programming for Michigan to be a "No Wait State." Other issues addressed by legislators were the prevention of elder abuse, support of the direct care workforce, and the preservation of the MI Choice Waiver program. "While senior volunteers were not addressed directly, our volunteers touch each of the platforms that were mentioned," Sutherland noted. Human Development Commission sponsors the Foster Grandparent Program and the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program in Huron, Sanilac and Tuscola counties. Combined, the programs have nearly 150 volunteers. For more information on the Foster Grandparent or the Retired and Senior Volunteer Programs in Huron, Sanilac and Tuscola counties, contact HDC at 1-800-843-6394. CASEVILLE A life-long Christian, Reverend Linda Fuller, of Caseville, was a reluctant pastor. Her path to the ministry was decades long. She met her husband, Gale, when they were in eighth grade band class at Croswell-Lexington Schools. They realized they were meant for each other, and have been together ever since. Following a June graduation from high school, the pair married in October of 1968. This year, well celebrate our 50th wedding anniversary, Fuller said. While her husband entered the business world, Fuller became a stay-at-home mom. Sixteen years later, when the kids were teenagers, she decided to pursue a teaching degree. I had two years at St. Clair County Community College in Port Huron, Fuller said. Then I went to Eastern Michigan University and got a bachelors from there ... in education. That wasnt the end of her schooling. I continued, Fuller said. I graduated from Marygrove College in Detroit in 1997. Armed with a masters degree in education, she was still not finished with school. Fuller ultimately attended the Methodist Theological Seminary in Ohio. I graduated from there in 2013, Fuller said. In the interim, she taught fourth and fifth graders for 22 years. Fuller was also a part-time pastor for 11 of those years, and for the last eight years she has been the pastor of the United Methodist Church in Caseville. She has enjoyed her time in Caseville, but has been away from her family, only seeing them periodically. Her husbands business in Croswell grew and prospered. It kept him busy throughout the years, and will eventually be turned over to their daughter. Home and hearth were calling. My husband has had cancer once, but hes through that now, Fuller said. Weve worked so hard all our lives, and havent really gone anywhere or done anything. Its time to have some time together. With that in mind, Linda Fuller will retire in June. The congregation is planning an open house on Saturday, June 9. The following day will be Fullers final day in the pulpit. It will be a bittersweet day for her. Im absolutely going to miss it ... with a passion, Fuller said. But I feel its time to go home to my family, to be with them. Our youngest granddaughter just turned 11, and I thought it would be nice to participate with her a little. In August, Gale and I are going on a Disney cruise with her. In September, were going to spend two weeks with our grandson, who is going to Michigan Tech. In addition, Fuller plans to take up a hobby, something she hasnt had time for during her teaching and preaching careers. I promised myself a reward, Fuller said. After I got through seminary, I started taking quilting classes. I wanted to be just like my grandma, and my grandmother quilted. I also just started Swedish weaving. Being a teacher was her chosen career. Becoming a pastor was another matter. She was not really open to the idea. She resisted what she now realizes was a calling from God. This sounds incredible, Fuller said, But for two years, seriously, at 2 oclock in the morning, I would be awakened with a voice telling me, I want you to go into the ministry. I said, Theres no way. I kept fighting it and fighting it. So, I got this bright idea that maybe God was telling me that my husband should go into the ministry. I kept telling Gale that Id be a good pastors wife. I could teach Sunday School, and I could do this and do that." "One day, he said to me, Linda, if you want to marry a pastor, Ill divorce you and you can marry one. I thought to myself, God, this isnt working. His answer was, I know. So, at 2 oclock in the morning, it kept happening and happening," she added. She decided to find out if it was truly God calling her by implementing a method referred to in Judges 6:36-40throwing out a fleece. The concept is to determine if something is Gods will by asking for something specific to happen. I told God, If you really want me in the ministry, then Ill do it, but I will sleep and not be awakened at 2 oclock in the morning. Fuller said. Yes, I know it sounds silly. Silly or not, Fuller began sleeping through the night from that time on. So, the decision was made. She began studying to become a minister. Over the next 11 years, Fuller worked anywhere from 14 to 16 hours a day, teaching and preaching. She became exhausted. I was getting so tired working both jobs, she said. I had no family time whatsoever. I finally told my husband that I couldnt do that anymore. Her decision was helped along by a change in the schools financial rules regarding teachers. If you were eligible to retire, and didnt retire from teaching, they were going to take away benefits, Fuller said. So she retired and concentrated on becoming a full-time pastor. When a call came from the Caseville United Methodist Church, Fuller accepted it. She has enjoyed her time in Caseville, but being unable to see her family regularly has weighed heavily on her. After eight years, at the age of 68, she felt it was time to retire. Fuller is content with the belief that her time in Caseville was beneficial to both the congregation and the community. Some of the accomplishments I think I was able to achieve were the relationships, Fuller said. When I first came here, this church didnt have a very good reputation in the community. Ive been out in the community, trying to build that up. I belong to the Kiwanis Club ... Im one of their main pie bakers for their pie auction." "Its through those little things that have helped build relationships. I think it has helped the church. One of the other things Ive done is make sure that through the earnings at the thrift store weve helped this community, the state in some ways, and other countries, like Haiti," she added. "Thats one of the things Ive been able to do, because they werent doing that before ... they werent paying their apportionments. They were just to themselves a little bit. Her leadership has led to the Caseville United Methodist Church and the Helping Hands Thrift Shop being able to provide over $50,000 in apportionments over the last few years. That leadership has also led to more people from the congregation becoming involved in the business of running the church. Ive turned the church, and the business of the church, over to the people, Fuller said. I sit on all the boards, but I dont vote. I make them vote on what they think the church needs. There were only two or three in charge. Now, those that sit on the boards are making decisions, not me. I know a lot of them have been happy. Another way she has helped the congregation is by making Biblical teaching easy to understand. I try not to make it really complicated, with my sermons, Fuller said. I try to make it so they can use it in their everyday life ... so theyre not going away wondering what in the world I said. I try to give them a theme every week, so they go away thinking about that. In addition to the thrift shop, the churchs 501c3 status also includes a food pantry. Weve renamed it the Caseville Community Food Pantry, so it belongs to everybody, Fuller said. We keep separate accounting and separate checkbooks for that. The monies are never co-mingled. It was all revamped. We have real good direction with that, because instead of just our church running it, its the whole community. We get contributions from all the churches and several businesses in the town to help run that food pantry. It is accomplishments such as these that have made Fullers ministry a success. Although her path to the ministry was delayed by raising a family and a distinguished teaching career, Pastor Linda Fuller has fulfilled her mission by following Gods calling. Her life-long Christian training and commitment have touched many lives. Now its time to spend more time with her family. She earned it. HURON COUNTY -- Sydney Gainforth, a 2018 graduate of Unionville-Sebewaing Area High School, was recently named one of 14 winners for the 2018 Ferrellgas Scholarships. She will be awarded $4,000 for the 2018-2019 academic year. At Unionville-Sebewaing Area High School, Gainforth was a member of National Honor Society, student council, Future Farmers of America and played on the softball team. Gainforth was also selected as the 2017-18 Homecoming Queen. Ferrellgas has been awarding scholarships annually since 1992. The program is designed to provide financial assistance to children of Ferrellgas employees who are furthering their education at degree-granting, post-secondary educational institutions. Each year the scholarship committee carefully reviews each student's application, and after much deliberation, determines winners on the basis of academic excellence and financial need. Ferrellgas Customer Service Manager Sonya Grezeszak believes the scholarship program is a worthwhile investment into the children of the company's employees. "Ferrellgas is committed to serving the community and extends that commitment to the children of our employees through the Ferrellgas Scholarship Program," Grezeszak said. "I'm thrilled that we're able to reward Sydney for the hard work she's put in throughout her time in high school." Gainforth, the daughter of Kathryn Gainforth, looks forward to attending Saginaw Valley State University this fall to study biology. An Australian farmer who is accused of killing a man who ran over his dog is blaming an eggplant for the incident, according to reports. Australian outlet 9News reports that Angelo Russo is accused of fatally shooting David Calandro with a shotgun in 2017 after Calandro allegedly ran over Russo's dog with his car. On Wednesday, Russo's lawyer, Patrick Tehan, admitted that Russo pointed a shotgun at Calandro, but claims that Russo tripped on an eggplant that was on the ground, causing the weapon fire. "As he approached [Calandro]'s side, he tripped and fell forward," Tehan said. "[The shotgun] then went off without the trigger having been pressed." During a police interview, Russo allegedly stated, "There was an eggplant on the ground there and my foot must have rolled on it... It happened in a split second ... it was like I was falling and it went 'bang.'" Russo claims that Calandro ran over his dog while driving away from Russo's farm after picking up chiles. Mutual friend Vince Vigliaturo told the court that he and Calandro went to the farm together along with Calandro's two sons. Vigliaturo said that as they were leaving, Calandro accidentally ran over Russo's dog Harry after "swerving towards" the dog in an attempt to "spook" it, according to 9News. Vigliaturo told the court that after the dog was run over, Calandro simply turned to him and said, "Oops." The dog was severely injured, leading Russo to call Vigliaturo and demand that Calandro return to the farm. Eventually, Calandro did return to Russo's farm, where he was shot in the head. Both of his sons were in the car when it happened. Russo has pleaded guilty to manslaughter, and the prosecution has pulled the murder charge after they were unable to prove that Russo intentionally shot Calandro. "Because this is such a serious case I won't make any jokes about it, but it will loom large, this eggplant," prosecutor Nicholas Papas told The Age. "We cannot say that he deliberately discharged the weapon. We have accepted that we cannot prove that." Mayor to present awards at annual ball MIDDLETOWN Mayor Daniel T. Drew will host the 13th annual Mayors Ball on Saturday, June 2, at 6 p.m. at the Wadsworth Mansion in Middletown. The invitation is open to all members of the public and businesses. This years ball will benefit Martin Luther King Scholarship Fund, Unified Theater and Amazing Grace Food Pantry (a division of St. Vincent DePaul). The Mayors Ball will be catered by the Aqua Turf, and music for dancing by Mike Connolly, Sound Productions. Dress code for the event is formal attire. Perceptions Photography will be on site to capture images of the evening that will be available for purchase after the event. There are also many levels of sponsorships available beginning at $50 and up to $2,000. Mayor Daniel T. Drew will present the citys humanitarian, corporate citizen and community service awards at the ball The following recipients will be receiving the awards: Larry Riley, Mayors Humanitarian award.; Karen Nocera, Mayors Community Service award; and Vinnie Scileppi, Mayors Corporate Citizenship Award Tickets for the ball are $100 per person and can be purchased in the Mayors Office, 245 deKoven Drive, Middletown. For more information on tickets and sponsorships, contact the Mayors Office at 860-638-4801. Buttonwood Tree receives grant MIDDLETOWN The Buttonwood Tree Performing Arts & Cultural Center (NEAR, Inc) has been awarded $500 by the Community Foundation of Middlesex County to support a new program, Teen Open Mic. This grant is made possible by the generosity of the Live Local Give Local Fund. The funds will help support efforts to provide young musicians and poets with a place to grow their artistic abilities by performing among other youths and a public audience. The new monthly program meets on third Saturdays at The Buttonwood Tree, 605 Main Street and welcomes new participants and program volunteers. The Community Foundation of Middlesex County is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life in Middlesex County, and to help Good People Do Great Things. Its two-fold mission is: (1) to work with charitably-minded individuals and organizations to build permanent endowments and other charitable funds; and (2) to support local nonprofit organizations through effective grant making, in order to address community needs, as well as Let Good Grow. Since its founding in 1997, the Community Foundation has provided 2,068 grants, totaling more than $6 million, to organizations for the arts, cultural and heritage programs, educational activities, animal welfare, environmental improvements, and for health and human services. Tassy Walden Awards winners, finalists named BRANFORD Shoreline Arts Alliance will celebrate the 18th annual New Voices in Childrens Literature competition and bestow the 2018 Tassy Walden awards at the Blackstone Library, 758 Main St, Branford, May 30 at 7 p.m.. The event is open to the public and free to attend and will feature presentations of winners work for the very first time. All are invited to join the winners and finalists at a reception following the awards presentation. An annual juried competition, the Tassys were established in 2001 to encourage and nurture the creation and publication of exceptional quality books for children by unpublished Connecticut writers and illustrators. Board books, picture books, chapter books and novels are many of the works submitted by authors and illustrators in Connecticut for review by a panel of experts in the field of childrens literature. Editors, publishers and art directors from major childrens publishing houses have selected the following recipients for this years awards: Picture Book Text: Winner: Deborah Kascak (You and I Wash the Dog); Honorable Mention: Deborah Lucibello (To Grannys House); Finalists: Deborah Lucibello (The Ladybug Rule) ; Jodi Kelly (Perfectly Penelope) ; Karen Mae Adams (Winter Birds) Illustrator Portfolio: Winner: Sarah Walsh ; Honorable Mention: Abi Cushman; Finalist: Denise Dunham Illustrated Picture Book Writer-Illustrators: Winner: Charlice Culvert (Clam); Finalists: Debra Paulson-Deep River (What Iris Saw); Debra Paulson (The Prunes) Middle Grade Novel: Winner: Kimberly Mach (Present, Still Missing); Finalists: Heather Jessen (Leo Is Allergic to Lies); Kimberly Mach (Ekimmu); Krista Suprenant (Remember Where Youre From) Young Adult Novel: Winner: Ginger Merante (Of Pine, Rose, and Wing); Honorable Mention: K.B. Lindeborg (North Star); Finalists: Rachel Horsting (De-Coding Fear); Katherine A. Owens (Werks, Queens, and Other Dangerous Things) New Voices in Childrens Literature is produced in part with support from dedicated volunteers and generous funding from The Walden Family and the CT Department of Economic and Community Development, Office of the Arts. Additional support was received from:Mary-Kelly Busch and Daniel Picchioni, Deborah Freedman and Ben Ledbetter, Thea and John Guidone, Lorraine Jay, and Meira Rosenberg. The group thanked the Blackstone Library for the use of their facility for the awards presentation and reception and to the members of the Tassy Walden Awards committee for all the dedication in coordinating and overseeing this program each year. Appetite for Life benefits cancer center MIDDLETOWN Appetite for Life, a month-long fundraiser that benefits Middlesex Hospital Cancer Center, will kick off May 30 with a party from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Tuscany Grill, 120 College Street in Middletown. A second party will be held June 6 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at The Essex, 30 Main Street in Centerbrook. Each party will feature beer, wine and spirit tastings, music and a chance to win great prizes. Party tickets are $20 per person. All proceeds directly support Middlesex Hospital Cancer Center patients. Since 2010, Appetite for Life has raised more than $145,000 for cancer patient support services at the Cancer Center, which has locations in Middletown and Westbrook. These services include nurse navigation, social work, clinical trials and integrative medicine therapy. Many restaurants throughout Middlesex County participate in Appetite for Life, which is in its ninth year. As a patron, a percentage of the bill will be donated to the Cancer Center if people dine at a participating restaurant during the month of June. Company announces top producers NORTH HAVEN Barbara L. Pearce, CEO and president of Pearce Real Estate, recently announced the companys top producers. Rob Curry of the Guilford Pearce Real Estate residential office has been named to the Top Producers for Q1 2018, and is also the Top Producing Residential agent in the Guilford office. Tony Bialecki has been named to the Top Producers for Q1 2018, and is also the Top Producing agent in the North Haven Pearce Real Estate Commercial office. Brenda Evarts Davenport of Pearce Real Estate has been named the Top Producing Agent in the Clinton residential office for Q1 2018. MaryBeth Canavan has been named the top agent in the Branford Pearce Real Estate Residential office for Q1 2018. Edgehill Realtors, LLC (comprised of founder and principals Ray Baldelli and Wojtek Borowski, and agents Cecilia Jaoude, Fran DeToro, Gil Marshak, Jorge Gil, Gail Kuziel, Judith Normandin, Liisa Lindholm, and Victoria Hugh-Scholl) has been named the #1 Team company-wide for the period Q1 2018. The Popplewell Team (comprised of Sue Popplewell, Amanda Popplewell, and Carlos Pena) of the Guilford Pearce Real Estate residential office is the #2 Team company-wide for Q1 2018. Eileen Smith has been named a Top Producer for Q1 2018 and is the #1 Agent in the Wallingford/North Haven Pearce Real Estate Residential office. Jamie Cuzzocreo has been named the top producing residential agent company-wide for Q1 2018. DeForest Frosty Smith has been named #1 Agent company-wide for Q1 2018. Company named Real Estate Brand of the Year WALLINGFORD Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New England, New York and Westchester Properties was recognized as the Real Estate Brand of the Year and the Most Trusted Real Estate Brand, according to results from the 30th annual Harris Poll Equitrend Study. More than 77,000 U.S. consumers rated 3,000 brands in about 300 categories in the online study earlier this year. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New England, New York and Westchester Properties received the highest ranking in the Real Estate Agency category based on consumers perception of it brand familiarity, quality and purchasing consideration, among other qualifying factors. I couldnt be more proud of our sales associates and staff who work tirelessly to adhere to our core values and vision; to be the most highly respected real estate firm, committed to providing exceptional service, said Candace Adams, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New England, New York and Westchester Properties CEO and president, in a written statement. We are so excited to be recognized with this prestigious award. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices has momentum in eyes of consumers. The brand was also recognized for Highest Overall Satisfaction for Repeat Home Sellers Among National Full Service Real Estate Firms in J.D. Powers 2017 Home Buyer/Seller Satisfaction Study. The 2018 Harris Poll EquiTrend study measures and compares the brand health of companies. Respondents offer their perceptions of brands, gauging their emotional connection to them plus brand awareness, influence and familiarity. For more information, visit www.bhhsNEproperties.com. Real estate company committed to hiring veterans Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New England, New York and Westchester Properties is committed to hiring veterans and their spouses through the companys Veterans to REALTORS program. This initiative helps former men and service women (and their spouses) get started in an exciting new career as a REALTOR by covering their startup fees and offering a variety of professional development courses and one-on-one support throughout the first year, at no cost to the new agent. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New England Properties has been great to me. My office leader (Chuck Scalese) has been very supportive in helping me get started in this new career, said Kenny Chitacapa, an Army veteran and REALTOR from the North Haven office. Without the Vets to REALTORS program I would have not been able to get into the real estate business; it really is a differentiator. They provide agents plenty of resources to be successful and develop your business. According to data published by the U.S. Department of Defense, approximately 1,300 new veterans and their families return to civilian life every day. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New England, New York and Westchester Properties recognizes that our nation's veterans possess valuable skills that makes them highly sought after job candidates and can serve them well as they transition into successful REALTORS. We value the combination of work ethic, service and the exemplary leadership skills they bring to the company. Their unmistakable drive to succeed sets them apart from the rest, said Candace Adams, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New England, New York and Westchester Properties CEO and President. Its truly an honor for us to have former members of the U.S. Armed Forces become part of our company. Email careers@bhhsne.com or call (860)571-7065 for more information on the program. The Army has identified a soldier who died while supporting an ongoing NATO mission in Kosovo. Staff Sgt. Conrad Robinson, 36, of Los Angeles, died at Camp Bondsteel in Kosovo in what officials say was a "non-combat related incident." Officials said in a Pentagon press release that the incident remains under investigation. According to the release, Robinson belonged to the 155th Medical Detachment, 261st Medical Battalion, 44th Medical Brigade, out of Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He was a preventative medicine specialist, Army spokesman Maj. Ellis Gales Jr. told Military.com. Among Robinson's awards were five Army Commendation Medals and six Army Achievement Medals, Gales said. "We're extremely saddened by the death of Staff Sgt. Conrad Robinson," Lt. Col. Kevin Kelly, commander of the 261st Medical Battalion, 44th Medical Brigade, said in a statement. "Staff Sgt. Robinson was known around the battalion for his infectious smile, humor and kind heart. He was the definition of selfless service and took the time every day to listen and mentor Soldiers. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends during this difficult time." This is the second time this year that a soldier has died while deployed to Kosovo. In January, Spc. Robert Jones, a military dog handler, died at Camp Bondsteel under unspecified circumstances. Operation Joint Guardian, the NATO mission in Kosovo, began in 1999 amid a humanitarian crisis in the Balkan nation. Though the number of troops who support the peacekeeping mission each year has been steeply reduced, several hundred U.S. soldiers still contribute to the mission. -- Hope Hodge Seck can be reached at hope.seck@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @HopeSeck. HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. -- In another milestone for women in the military, Air Force Special Operations Command will soon have its first female air commando brigadier general, who will become the command's director of operations, according to Lt. Gen. Brad Webb, commander of AFSOC. Col. Brenda Cartier, currently commander of the 58th Special Operations Wing at Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico, will transition to Hurlburt in the summer. "We have a vice wing commander who's female now, several group commanders. I can't tell you how many squadron commanders -- that should tell you something -- there's a lot. We're in the double digits of chief master sergeants and first sergeants on the enlisted side in AFSOC," Webb said. None of this was in the Air Force's vision even 20 years ago, he said. Related content: During a trip to AFSOC earlier this month, Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson and other service leaders spoke to Military.com about the strides the service has made in opening roles and career fields fully to women. Wilson said she could recall exactly where she was when she saw a woman wearing pilot wings for the first time. "I was a cadet. I was at the base of the ramp at the Air Force Academy. I walked by, saluted her -- I was on my way to the cadet clinic -- and said, 'Ma'am, can I ask you a question?' It was something completely stupid like, 'Where'd you get those?' " Wilson said. "But I had been in the Air Force six years before I saw a full colonel who was a woman. I didn't feel limited in what I could be. But the fact that I noticed that when I saw it told me that young people need role models," she told Military.com during an interview here May 4. It's a moment that's stuck with her not only in her Air Force career, but throughout her journey as a leader, serving in Congress and as president of a science and engineering university in South Dakota. In recent months, Wilson has often said it is natural to think of women as protectors. That outlook may speak to why serving in the military is a natural fit. But the message may not be enough, she said. "People have heard that from me. I'm not sure that will change things significantly in any short-term time in the way we recruit, but [there are] tremendously talented young women, girls who can make huge contributions," Wilson said. If being seen as a protector doesn't speak to young girls, perhaps another viewpoint can. For months, the service has touted its stance on innovation, that breaking technological barriers will help the Air Force advance in the next high-end fight. For women contemplating the service or those who wish to challenge themselves in a new career field, a similar message resonates: You can break barriers too. "Twenty percent of the Air Force is women, which is still the highest of any service, although probably still too low for the talent that's available," Wilson said. Wilson herself graduated from the Air Force Academy in 1982, part of the third class to include women. She is the third woman to serve as Air Force secretary. "What matters is the ability to do the mission," she said. Wilson said women moving up the ranks matters to future generations looking to lead. For example, in 1967, women were allowed to hold rank above lieutenant colonel outside administrative support jobs. In 1973, ROTC opened to women. Three years later, the Air Force Academy granted admission to women, and pilot training was extended to those who wanted to fly. Still, women could not fly combat aircraft until 1991. "There was a group of women, including me, who went to Congress to help change that law," Wilson said. "The change to that law really meant 99.9 percent of positions were open to women." Fast forward to 2015 when then-Defense Secretary Ash Carter announced that all military occupational specialties would open to women, including battlefield airman specialties. And while the service to date has not been able to graduate a female airman in a special tactics or battlefield airman role, it is weighing how it can better "target those likely to pass in addition to those already coming forward," Webb said. If the service readily recognizes potential, progression will become more natural, he said. "[Let's] talk about it. There's some preparation that has to have been done mentally as well as physically to get [into the battlefield pipeline], but it can certainly be done, and it will, and it will be naturalized," Webb said. The Air Force knows new potential female recruits and future leaders are out there. It's just a matter of time before they come forward, Wilson added. "Are we changing the way in which we recruit? We know there are highly talented women who may have not thought of themselves as airmen" yet, she said. "I think that sometimes some of our recruiting material appeals more to boys that to girls. If you ask an aircrew, 'When did you first think of flying?' Most boys [will answer] it's in elementary school or middle school. Most girls and also minorities? It's in college." She continued, "They get enamored with this idea later. And it may be who's talking to them about what it's OK to be, what it's OK to dream. "We need to recognize that this decision happens later. And some of that is seeing women in those roles," Wilson said. -- Oriana Pawlyk can be reached at oriana.pawlyk@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @Oriana0214. 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. Key Select Mineral List Type Standard Detailed Gallery Strunz Dana Chemical Elements Gallery: Sort by Year (asc) Year (desc) Author (A-Z) Author (Z-A) This page contains all mineral locality references listed on mindat.org. This does not claim to be a complete list. If you know of more minerals from this site, please register so you can add to our database. This locality information is for reference purposes only. You should never attempt to visit any sites listed in mindat.org without first ensuring that you have the permission of the land and/or mineral rights holders for access and that you are aware of all safety precautions necessary. 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. Several layouts are supported: slider and side by-side comparison with up to 6 photos shown synchronously on the screen. On each of the compared photos a view selector is placed, e.g.: Longwave UV . It shows the name of currently selected view and allows to select a view for each placeholder. Summary of all keyboard shortcuts May 26, 2018 / 07:49 PM IST No achievements, unprecedented assault on India's social fabric in 4 years of Modi: Left The Left today claimed that the BJP government has nothing to show for its four years at the centre except "failures and rhetoric" and should be ousted from power. The CPI (M) alleged that these four years had seen an "unprecedented assault" on India's social fabric and the livelihood of the people. The future of the country and the people can only be safeguarded and improved with the ouster of this government, party general secretary Sitaram Yechury said. live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More Quarterly losses reported by large public sector banks, including country's largest lender State Bank of India, have been lauded by investors this past week in the hope that these banks have now identified all their problems and may start improving from here on. This is despite the banking sector being embroiled in a series of frauds and recognition of non-performing assets (NPAs) as a result of the Reserve Bank of Indias circular on the framework for resolution of stressed assets, released on February 12. The Nifty Bank has jumped over 7 percent in the last one month, despite a total of 13 banks (excluding Bank of Baroda and IDBI Bank) reporting a collective loss of Rs 44,250 crore, over four times the profits reported by the sector for the reporting quarter, which stood at Rs 10,869 crore. On Friday, Bank of Baroda reported a net loss of Rs 3,102 crore, while IDBI Bank's loss widened to Rs 5,663 crore, taking the cumulative loss of 15 banks to Rs 53,015 crore. Private banks score over government banks A large number of private banks, led by HDFC Bank, are now more expensively valued than their public sector peers, given the sheer sizes of their market capitalisation. For instance, SBIs market cap, at Rs 2.38 lakh crore as on May 25, is less than half of HDFC Banks market cap at Rs 5.22 lakh crore, despite the former being the largest lender in the country. For the quarter ended March, HDFC Bank topped the profitability charts with a net profit of Rs 4,799 crore. Meanwhile, Punjab National Bank's quarterly loss of Rs 13,417 crore was over 2.7 times HDFC Banks profit. SBI reported a net loss of Rs 7,718 crore for the quarter under review as its provisions for bad loans and mark-to-market losses more than doubled in size. The strain on the bank's bottom line, however, seems to have been overlooked by the stock market. Investors cheer in hope Shares of SBI have risen over 10.7 percent since Tuesday, the day it announced its results, while those of PNB have shot up by over 11 percent since the fraud-hit bank declared its quarterly numbers on May 18. Also Read: SBI to hire 10,300 employees this year as workforce reduced by 15,700 in FY18 This is primarily because a lot of bank chiefs, including SBI Chairman Rajnish Kumar called FY19 'a year of hope', given that most of the recognition of bad loans has already been completed and there is a higher focus on the growing retail segment and high-quality corporate assets. The market expects government reforms to provide the much-needed support on the capital front. Banks are now focusing on being risk-averse by diversifying their lending from troubled sectors such as infrastructure, power, textiles, etc. and targeting better-managed companies in growing sectors like roads, renewable energy and other government-backed projects. For now, investors seem content with Rajnish Kumar's words, "If the last year was the year of disappointment, this year is the year of hope and then FY20 will be the year of happiness." The Trump administration has told Congress it's reached a deal that would allow Chinese telecommunications giant ZTE Corp. to stay in business, said a source familiar with the talks who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss a confidential matter. Under the agreement, ZTE will oust its management team, hire American compliance officers and pay a fine on top of USD 1 billion it's already paid for selling equipment to North Korea and Iran in violation of US sanctions. In return, the U.S. Commerce Department will lift a seven-year ban on ZTE buying components from U.S. companies. The ban, imposed earlier this month, threatened to put ZTE out of business. Democratic Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York criticized the reported deal: "President Trump would be helping make China great again. A bird flies by the Vedanta office building in Mumbai August 16, 2010. India-focused miner Vedanta Resources said it will buy 51-60 percent of Cairn India for about $8.5-9.6 billion in cash to be funded via debt and cash resources, a move that would represent Vedanta's first foray into oil and gas, and help Edinburgh-based Cairn Energy fund an expensive drilling programme in Greenland. REUTERS/Danish Siddiqui (INDIA - Tags: BUSINESS ENERGY) - RTXSAAV The UK's Opposition, Labour Party, has called for Vedanta to be delisted from the London Stock Exchange following the death of 13 people during violent protests against the mining giant in Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu. John McDonnell, the UK's Shadow Chancellor, said removing Vedanta Resources from the London financial markets would prevent reputational damage from the "rogue" company which has been operating "illegal" mining concerns for years. "After the massacre of the protestors this week, regulators must now take action. Vedanta must be immediately delisted from the London Stock Exchange to remove its cloak of respectability, restore confidence in the governance of the Stock Exchange, and prevent further reputational damage to London's financial markets from this rogue corporation, McDonnell said in a statement on Friday. Violent protests had erupted in Tuticorin on Tuesday as locals took to the streets demanding closure of a copper factory of the Vedanta group over pollution concerns. "The news from Tamil Nadu that 13 protestors against Vedanta have been killed is shocking and demands action. This is a major multinational company that for years has operated illegal mining concerns, trashing the environment and forcibly evicting local people, he said. The statement from the senior Labour MP, who highlighted that campaigners and international NGOs like Amnesty International have accused Vedanta of a string of human rights and environmental abuses in India, Zambia and across the globe, came as protesters are preparing to stage a major protest against Vedanta outside the Indian High Commission in London on Saturday afternoon. Hundreds of protesters mobilised by groups such as Foil Vedanta, Tamil People in the UK, Periyar Ambedkar Study Circle, South Asia Solidarity Group, Tamil Solidarity, Parai Voice of Freedom and Veera Tamilar Munnani will stage protests alongside worldwide action to condemn the Tamil Nadu state government's "collusion" in what they have termed as corporate massacre. Samarendra Das from Foil Vedanta also called on the UK government to investigate and delist this company. "For 15 years since Vedanta's London listing we have been warning the British government that this criminal company is undermining democracy across India and in Zambia whilst gaining a 'cloak of respectability' from London. This corporate massacre on a peaceful environmental movement must be the last straw, he said. Karthik Kamalakannan from Tamil People in UK added: It is disgusting to learn that a British company has put its profits above human cries for safe air to breathe and water to drink. "The leaders of this peaceful environmental movement have been targeted by snipers, which is no surprise knowing reputation of Vedanta against any uprising against them. The Internet blackout in Tuticorin destroys all semblance of democracy. This is a sad time for Tamil people." The groups are calling on the British government to launch an inquiry into the "multiple legal, environmental and human rights violations" by Vedanta Resources. Vedanta Resources' subsidiary Sterlite Copper has begun construction of a new 4-million tonne/year smelter on the edge of the town of Tuticorin, almost doubling their capacity, but residents argue the existing smelter has continuously polluted their water and air since it was established in 1996. They claim it has led to respiratory and skin problems, fainting and other illness, especially among children. Activists also claim that Sterlite obtained its environmental clearance illegally by falsifying information to statutory authorities, while the existing plant is regularly found to be dumping toxic waste in the town, and operating without proper licenses. The plant releases its waste into the sensitive Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve, an area of coral reefs and mangrove forests, the protesters claim. Sterlite was the first company set up by Agarwal in India before he launched Vedanta Resources on the London Stock Exchange in 2003, which is now a multinational FTSE 250 company with operations across India and Africa. Vedanta has previously denied that the smelter has been responsible for air and water pollution. The company said it is working with authorities to restore power to the plant, which has been offline since late March. "I assure you that I am committed to the environment, the people of Tuticorin and Tamil Nadu, and we will abide by the law of the land. It is with your wish that we would like to continue this business, Agarwal said in a video message. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP national president Amit Shah Four years of the Modi government have come to a close and its that time of the year when citizens of this nation decide to look back and analyse major reforms brought by the NDA government so as to decide which party to vote for in the next general assembly elections. While the NDA government has diligently filled in their KRAs (Key Result Areas) hoping for an appraisal next year, the Opposition led by the Congress has announced that they will observe Vishwasghat Divas or Betrayal Day across the country to highlight the failure of pre-poll promises and misgovernance of the BJP-led government. Lets take a look at the major reforms brought in by the NDA government: Demonetisation: On November 8, 2016, Prime Minister Narendra Modi decided to address the nation and announced that all Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes in circulation have been declared illegal, a measure to curb black money. The rollout of the policy created nationwide chaos with serpentine queues outside ATM vestibules becoming commonplace and ATMs running dry in no time. Also read: One year after demonetisation, the government has data to show it worked On a larger scale, demonetization affected businesses, slowed growth due to reduced demand and adversely hit the manufacturing and real estate sector. The cherry on the cake was when about 10 months later, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) released data which suggested that 98.96 percent of withdrawn currency was deposited with the banks rendering the exercise almost futile. However, the BJP government claimed that the policy did help in checking the circulation of counterfeit currency and cross border terror funding. They also attributed the decrease in stone pelting incidences in Jammu and Kashmir to Modis demonetisaion. Goods and Services Tax (GST): In a flamboyant rollout during a special midnight parliament session, the Modi government implemented the tax reform which paved the way for a uniform tax regime in India. GST saw the light of day 17 long years after VP Singh first proposed it in 1986. Also read: GST mop-up for April Rs 1.03 lakh crore, says Finance Ministry GST was excessively criticized by the UPA for straying from the very idea of being uniform. The NDA government had introduced at least four categories 5%, 12%, 18% and 28%, and four Central Laws were enacted for its implementation. In addition, fuel and consumable alcohol were kept out of the ambit of GST. Even though GST replaces eight central taxes and nine state taxes, MSMEs complained that it was too complex to follow. In the subsequent GST Council meetings, the government amended many clauses after compliance issues were reported from various sectors. Earlier this year, it was reported that gross GST revenue stood at Rs 1 lakh crore in April which the Finance Ministry construed as an encouraging sign. Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY): A policy that the Prime Minister consistently boasts of in all his electoral campaigns, the policy was designed to include all households in the country into the formal financial sector. The scheme also channelizes all government benefits to the beneficiaries through Jan Dhan accounts and encourages the use digital transactions through RuPay Debit cards. The progress report of PMJDY can be summarized in the following table: Aadhaar: The brainchild of the UPA government, Aadhaar was reinforced by the NDA and is now one of the most credible ID cards especially for government beneficiaries to claim subsidies and benefits. Implemented by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), Aadhaar has now become an inevitable tool to claim gas subsidies, for opening bank accounts, claiming benefits through the Public Distribution System. Also read: Supreme Court extends Aadhaar linking deadline indefinitely However, it became controversial after questions were raised about the safety of an individuals biometric information which includes finger prints and retina scan. After the Supreme Court announced Right to Privacy as a fundamental right in August last year, certain government mandates such as linking of bank account numbers and mobile phone numbers with Aadhaar were extended indefinitely by the top court earlier this year, especially after theft of personal information was reported. The issue is still subjudice. Modis 'Digital India' was a visionary project which is being realized gradually. The NDA government has laid about 2.7 lakh kilometres of optical fibre which has connected 1.15 lakh gram panchayats under BharatNet, The Times of India reported . It has also boosted entrepreneurship and skilled development. The launch of 2.91 lakh Common Services Centre (CSC) has amplified digital transactions ranging from banking to insurance to pension to Bharat bill payments. CSCs carried out digital transactions worth Rs 20,000 crore in FY 2017-18. The Bhim App also recorded mammoth success when it carried out digital transactions worth Rs 24,100 crore as of March 2018. The only hurdle that the government faces is cybersecurity, though the future looks promising. E-governance is easy governance, effective governance, and also economic governance. E-governance paves the way for good governance. (Image: Reuters) Indias global presence is said to have become stronger ever since Prime Minister Narendra Modi came into power after 2014 general elections. At one point, he was also criticised for his international trips. However, it has been said that in the four years of Modi as PM, Indias bilateral ties with major economies have improved. Modis international trips have always generated a buzz. In the past four years, the prime minister has travelled six continents: 36 foreign trips visiting 54 countries on diplomatic visits. India and the big economies The country most frequented by PM Modi was the United States, where he made five visits including the UN General Assembly meeting in 2014. Indo-US relations were tensed under the second UPA regime, but has certainly improved since the entry of Modi. Defence, economic and political ties between India and the US have improved a lot since Modi. The two countries signed Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA), the defence agreement pending since 2004. Pakistan remains a major policy discussion between the countries. Trumps tough talk on Pakistan has aligned the US with Indias old frustration with the country. On his trips to the United Kingdom, PM Modi met Queen Elizabeth twice, once in 2015 and recently in April this year as well as his British counterpart Theresa May. India is the third largest investor in UK, making their ties crucial. Modi recently signed memorandums for National Clean Ganga Mission, skill development and vocational programmes and an agreement between NITI Aayog and UK's Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. Modi also visited China, Germany and Russia four times in the past four years. Relations between India and China have been strained since the Doklam issue arose and these meetings have defined the two countries relationships with each other. Modi was one of the first to congratulate Xi Jinping when he was re-elected as the president of China. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Modi met recently in an informal summit in Sochi, where PM Modi said India-Russia ties have stood the test of time. Germany is Indias biggest trade partner in the European Union, and ties have strengthened with each visit Modi paid Chancellor Angela Merkel. PM Modi also made three visits of strategic importance to France in his four years. Indias neighbours Narendra Modi has stressed on relations with neighbouring countries ever since he took office. The prime minister paid three visits to Nepal since 2014. Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Bangladesh and Bhutan are also on the list. Modi had stressed a lot on how South Asian countries must work together for better individual economic standings. Before relations went south, Modi had also visited Pakistan and held talks with then PM Nawaz Sharif. Ties with the Middle East Indias relations with Middle Eastern countries have soared since Modi came to power. Summits with leaders of Israel, Jordan, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Iran, Palestine and Afghanistan were held. Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu and PM Modi showcased a fast friendship during the formers visit to India in January 2018. Modi asked Israeli companies to take advantage of the liberalized FDI regime to make more in India. Moreover, Netanyahu had described Israel's relations with India as a marriage made in heaven! The Middle Eastern economies have been a priority of the Modi government since India is dependent on them for two-third of the oil imports. Many Indians migrate to the Middle East for jobs too. Other countries PM Modi visited include Japan, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Fiji, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Mozambique, Netherlands, South Africa, South Korea, Spain and Sweden. The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance government has increased its electoral presence from just eight states in 2014 to 20 under four years of Modi government to come out as perhaps the strongest political party. Before the electoral defeat in Karnataka where the BJP won over a 100 seats, the party ventured into an uncharted territory, winning elections in Left bastion Tripura and forming governments in Meghalaya and Nagaland along with its allies. Here's the journey of the BJP in the past 48 months under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi: The 'Modi Tsunami' The saffron party and its allies have been on a roll since the Narendra Modi-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) came to power in May 2014. As a result, the political map of India is now splashed with saffron. Prior to the win in the 2014 Lok Sabha election, the BJP was already in power in just five states Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Nagaland. The year 2014 heralded a change for the BJP. The party came to power in the Centre with its largest mandate, in what many described as a "Modi Tsunami". The saffron party won 282 seats, while its allies won 54 seats, taking the NDA's tally to 336. Effects of the 'Modi Tsunami' continued to be felt as a "Modi Wave" in the state elections that followed. BJP's ally, the Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF), retained the state of Sikkim in an election that was held simultaneously with the Lok Sabha polls. Another BJP ally (now former), the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), also formed bifurcated Andhra Pradesh's first government. The Modi juggernaut Five months after the general election in 2014, the BJP won 122 seats in the 288-member Maharashtra Assembly. They formed the government in Maharashtra following a post-poll alliance with NDA ally Shiv Sena. The party also came to power in the northern state of Haryana after winning 47 seats in a 90-member assembly. BJP, along with its allies, secured a majority in the Jharkhand Assembly election shortly after. The party was the second-best performer in the state of Jammu and Kashmir, behind Mehbooba Mufti-led People's Democratic Party (PDP). A post-poll alliance with the PDP helped BJP come to power in the state. By the end of the year, BJP had extended its reach to 11 states across the country. In 2015, BJP's growth story witnessed two major hiccups when they faced crushing defeats in Delhi and Bihar, in spite of extensive campaigning by the prime minister. While BJP ended a 15-year Congress rule in Assam in 2016, the party failed to make a mark in the other three major state elections West Bengal, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. However, BJP supporters were quick to point out that the saffron party did not have adequate reach in those states. In September 2016, Arunachal Pradesh's 47 Members of Legislature (MLAs) from the ruling Congress defected to BJP. The lawmakers were able to prove majority on the floor of the house, helping BJP form a government in the hill state. In 2017, BJP bagged Uttarakhand and won a large mandate in the state of Uttar Pradesh. The party lost in Punjab after two terms of rule along with ally Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD). In Goa and Manipur, the BJP won lesser seats than main rival Congress. But, the party was quick to stitch together an alliance with regional parties and Independents to form a government in both states. The Coup in Bihar In July 2017, Nitish Kumar, Chief Minister of Bihar, resigned from his post and broke his party's 'Grand Alliance' with Lalu Prasad Yadav's Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Congress. Nitish was sworn in as the new Chief Minister less than 24 hours after he resigned, but this time with the support of the BJP. The following day, Nitish and his new government, formed with the BJP, won the crucial trust vote in the Bihar State Assembly, with 131 legislators voting in favour and 108 voting against. In December 2017, the BJP sprang to power in Himachal Pradesh, riding on a wave of anti-incumbency. Jai Ram Thakur was sworn in as the states chief minister days after the election as their CM candidate, Prem Kumar Dhumal, suffered a shock defeat. After months of bitter campaigning, the saffron party managed to retain PM Modi and party president Amit Shahs home state of Gujarat with a close margin. Congress made serious gains in the state, especially in the rural areas, in what was interpreted by many as sounding of the bugle for state elections to be held in 2018. Wins in Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat extended BJPs winning run to 19 states in the country. The close win in Gujarat was followed by a convincing triumph in Tripura in March this year. The saffron party also formed governments in Meghalaya and Nagaland, along with its allies. While the BJP won just two out of 60 Assembly seats in Meghalaya, the party was quick to negotiate an alliance with the National Peoples Party (NPP) who bagged 19 seats to keep out Congress who had won 21 seats. The biggest surprise, however, came from Tripura where the BJP breached the Left bastion convincingly. BJPs tally rose from zero Assembly seats in 2013 to 36 in 2018, out of 60. The CPI (M), led by Manik Sarkar, ended up with just 16 seats. In Nagaland, the party secured 12 seats and dumped its partner Nagaland Peoples Front (NPF) to join hands with the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP). The road ahead Having lost in Karnataka, the BJP will now have to counter anti-incumbency in states such as Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh later in the year along with the north-eastern state of Mizoram, where it will be hoping to make a mark. The Gujarat government today indicated that it has no immediate plans to reduce the Value Added tax (VAT) on petrol and diesel, claiming that such tax revenue is the key source of income. Talking to reporters here today, Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel said that the state government had already provided a relief to the people by reducing VAT on fuel last year. "Fuel prices change as per the international crude prices. There are many states where VAT is higher than what it is in Gujarat today. VAT on fuel is the main source of income for us," Patel said in response to a query. Presently, the state government charges 20 percent VAT and 4 percent cess on both petrol and diesel. "Gujarat is the only state which had reduced VAT some time back to give relief to the citizens. Though VAT on fuel in many states is higher than Gujarat, these states have not reduced this tax like we had done," Patel, who also handles Finance portfolio, said. He added that although the prices are increasing, the use of petrol and diesel is not decreasing. Putting the onus on the Centre, he said, "Let's hope that something fruitful in this regard transpires in today's meeting between Union Petroleum minister Dharmendra Pradhan and oil companies". In October last year, the state government had reduced the VAT on petrol and diesel by 4 percent. Prior to that, the state government used to charge 24 percent VAT on petrol and diesel. OPEC and its allies are likely to gradually boost oil output in the second half of the year to ease consumer anxiety as prices trade near $80 a barrel, said Saudi Energy Minister Khalid Al-Falih. The comments illustrate how the surge in crude to a three-year high has flipped the oil market on its head. The period where major exporters banded together to claw their way back from a deep slump by cutting output is ending. Its being replaced by renewed fears about the impact of high prices on the global economy and rising political pressure from major consumers including the U.S. "I think in the near future there will be time to release supply" smoothly to avoid shocking the market, Al-Falih said at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum in Russia on Friday. When OPEC, Russia and other major producers meet in June we will do what is necessary to reassure consumers, he said. Oil fell sharply following the comments, with Brent crude losing as much as 2.5 percent to $76.84 a barrel as of 10:53 a.m. in London. The international benchmark is still up 15 percent this year. At current levels, crude prices are starting to affect demand, said Daniel Yergin, vice chairman of consultant IHS Markit Ltd. He was echoing concerns voiced last week by the International Energy Agency, which advises the major oil-consuming nations. Excessive Cuts The Saudi Minister spoke after talks with his Russian counterpart Alexander Novak in the Russian city. The group is discussing a plan to boost production for the first time since 2016 by ending a period where they made significantly deeper output reductions than specified in their original agreement, said people familiar with the matter. They are still debating whether resuming normal compliance with the accord would mean nations individually moving back in line their targets, or whether the group as a whole would aim to fulfill no more than the specified 1.8 million-barrel daily reduction, the people said, asking not to be identified because the talks are private. The first case would return only a limited amount of supply to oil markets, mainly from Saudi Arabia. The second could allow the group to boost output more significantly, as other members offset losses from the collapse in Venezuelas oil industry. Oil producers are debating an increase ranging from 300,000 barrels a day at the low end, backed by Gulf producers including Saudi Arabia, and a larger increase of about 800,000 barrels a day favored by Russia, one person said. The size of the supply boost will be finalized at the next meeting of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries in late June. Typically the group operates by consensus, meaning members that have little prospect of boosting production -- Venezuela, Iran and Angola -- would have to agree to the proposal. Whether the size of the supply increase is ultimately "a million, more, or less, well have to wait until June," Al-Falih said. Novak echoed that, saying its too early now to talk about some specific figure, we need to calculate it thoroughly. --With assistance from Grant Smith and Javier Blas. 2018 Bloomberg L.P. Texas City Police Department A Texas City teacher's aide who allegedly had an intimate relationship with a student has been arrested, according to the Texas City Police Department report Crystal Nicole Alaniz, 26, of Texas City, is charged with having an improper relationship with an 18-year-old male student while she was working at the Woodrow Wilson Alternative Learning School. CNN comment attributed to me is ... Border Patrol agents stationed in Harlingen seized more than 2,700 pounds of marijuana after a car chase on Thursday, according to a news release. Agents found several people loading bundles of drugs into a pickup near Los Indios, according to the release. On this date in ... 1918: Charged with "trading with the enemy," Vincenzo Raspo was taken into custody by a U.S. Marshal in Valley Falls and then transported to the Troy jail until authorities from Boston could reach the city and take custody of the prisoner. Local lawmen had no idea what actions led to the warrant and subsequent arrest; they had only received a telegram from officials in Boston asking that Raspo be held for them. 1968: A list of 67 demands for Albany ranging from more black police officers and firefighters to vigorous enforcement of the housing code was presented to Mayor Erastus Corning by Joseph Cohen, president of the Albany chapter of the NAACP. The letter said Cohen would contact the mayor "in one week to learn what progress had been made in that time." Cohen said about 50 NAACP members had approved the list of demands. Total membership was more than 700 in the organization. 1993: Albany County Republicans began reviewing a Democratic proposal that could keep the 8 percent sales tax rate alive until February 1995 if acceptable to enough lawmakers. The Democrats' plan, which was a counteroffer to an earlier GOP proposal, gave Republicans most but not all of what they had wanted in exchange for supporting the extension. The sales tax rate was scheduled to roll back to 7 percent Aug. 31 and County Executive Michael Hoblock promised to veto any attempt to extend the 8 percent rate. Want to read more about the Capital Region's past? Have any memories or thoughts about how our history relates to today's events? See http://blog.timesunion.com/history/ Raleigh, N.C. On a hot Monday morning in May, 200 activists gathered to revive the 40-day Poor People's Campaign, the civil disobedience movement founded 50 years ago by the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Though that campaign foundered after King's assassination in 1968, the relaunch on May 14 in three dozen state capitals and Washington, D.C., aimed to draw attention to the ways the government has neglected its moral obligation to the country's poor. In Raleigh, the group led by the Rev. Nancy Petty of Pullen Memorial Baptist Church made a list of demands. They pushed for a repeal of the tax law passed last year that primarily benefits the wealthy along with other issues, including equal pay for women, paid maternity leave, an end to job discrimination against LGBTQ people and better access to quality education for poor children. "Somebody is hurting our people, and it's gone on far too long," was the refrain shouted by a dozen speakers. They focused on four groups: women, children, LGBTQ people and the disabled. At the end of the hourlong protest, 50 people linked hands in the middle of Jones Street singing "We shall not be moved." Most were cited by police for impeding traffic by standing in the street. In Albany that day, 200 New Yorkers as part of the state-by-state campaign rallied at the Capitol, many with signs that pointed to the intersections of racism, poverty and voter suppression. Protesters assembled at doors on both sides of the Capitol, blocking access to the main entrances on Washington Avenue and State Street. Twenty-seven people were arrested. This coming week of Memorial Day will target militarism, the war economy and gun violence. On Tuesday, New York's activists will gather at the Capitol as their counterparts do the same at statehouses around the country. In North Carolina, nonviolent disruption is a familiar rite. Beginning in 2013, the Moral Monday movement, led by the Rev. William J. Barber II, forged the blueprint for weekly demonstrations followed by civil disobedience. Those protests were intended to oppose the Republican-dominated legislature's agenda, its cuts in unemployment benefits, opposition to expanding Medicaid, and restrictive voting rights laws. The Moral Monday movement is credited, in part, with helping defeat Republican Gov. Pat McCrory, who was succeeded by Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper in the 2016 election. This time, Barber has teamed up with the Rev. Liz Theoharis, a Presbyterian minister and co-director of the Kairos Center for Religions, Rights and Social Justice at Union Theological Seminary in New York, to take the protests national. On May 14, Barber, the former president of the state's NAACP chapter and the pastor of Greenleaf Christian Church in Goldsboro, was not in Raleigh, but in Washington, D.C., leading a similar protest in front of Congress. Barber and Theoharis were taken into custody outside the U.S. Capitol. The campaign is intended to create a network of people and organizations willing to nonviolently confront government and its policies regarding the poor. Over the next 40 days, in cities across the nation, protesters will conduct teach-ins, knock on tens of thousands of doors to mobilize voters, and conduct other forms of civil disobedience. Barber and Theoharis take their inspiration from the biblical prophets who admonished leaders for policies that harmed the poor at the expense of the wealthy. The 40-day duration echoes a typical biblical period of preparation, such as Jesus' 40 days of fasting in the desert before his ministry began. The alliance formed by Barber and Theoharis is made up of Christians, Jews, Muslims, nonbelievers, and a broad cross section of African-Americans, Hispanics, LGBT people feminists, environmentalists and others. At its heart, it is made up of clergy mostly on the liberal left. The 40-day campaign will include nonviolent action and voter mobilization. It ends June 23. CHESHIRE Since the 1990s, William Petit said, Cheshire Academy was a safe place for his family. His two daughters would play on the campus fields and his wife, Jennifer, served as co-director of the schools Richmond Health Center for 10 years. More than 10 years after Petits wife and two daughters were infamously killed in Cheshire during a 2007 home invasion, Petit, a former doctor who now serves as a Republican state representative in Plainville, delivered the commencement address to about 112 graduates at Cheshire Academys 224th graduation ceremony Saturday. Bowden Hall, the oldest building at the boarding school, features eight pillars representing the character traits expected on campus. For the future, Petit advised the graduates to keep in mind three pillars that had supported him through the aftermath of the tragedy: kindness, hope and perseverance. The world is vastly different today than it was when I was your age, he said. Be an active participant in that change. Your lives should not be a spectator sport. Petit recalled that, in the aftermath of losing his family to violence, the community supported him; they visited his parents home at all hours to be with him, even when he said he was spending up to 20 hours in bed each day. As president of the Petit Family Foundation, Petit said, he remembers operating in a waking daze, with the board members gently guiding him along to run the foundations business. When a friend is in need, do not say, Call me when you need me, he said. It is imperative actually to show up for those you love in times of need, he said. I persevered because of the kindness of others. In his first term as a legislator, Petit sponsored legislation that would give tax credits to corporations for donating to scholarship funds that help low-income students attend nonpublic schools. Salutatorian Fengshuo Yang, who received three senior academic awards, told students about the ancient Chinese philosopher and founder of Taoism, Lao-Tzu, reminding his fellow graduates that good and bad are not binary concepts, but in fact exist simultaneously in everything. The only thing changing is change itself, he said, quoting the philosopher. Ones attitude has the ability to shape his or her entire perspective, Yang said. Class President Jemimah Frempong said, nine months earlier, the class of 2018 could not wait to graduate. On Saturday, she said the class was left with many memories. Cheshire Academy provided us with our firsts, and not all of our experiences were good, but we grew as individuals, she said. Like caterpillars, it is time to leave our cocoons and fly. WINCHESTER Fifty high school seniors turned their tassels at the same time on Friday night at Winchester High School and, just like that, it was over. But the members of the Winchester High School class of 2018 wont forget the lifelong friendships they have made among their fellow classmates. Weve been around each other ever since kindergarten and I just really love each and every one of my classmates and I really hope they do well in the future, said Chaney Parker, who will attend the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign to study animal science and become a veterinarian. Ive heard a lot this week that we wont ever see our whole class together again, and that really stinks, but well all get together I guess at class reunions so, hopefully, we will be able to meet up again. Parker hopes to return to Scott County to open up her own veterinary clinic. Her classmate Camden Cockerill plans a career in heating and air conditioning after attending Lincoln Land Community College. I think we will all go to a lot of different colleges and grow apart, even though we dont want to, Cockerill said. I like growing up so close with everybody. I know everybody and I have all of their numbers in my phone, and I like that Ive been able to hang out with them all. Graduating senior Sydni Wingler plans to see some of her high school friends at Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville when she goes there to major in nursing with a minor in Spanish. Im not too worried about going to a bigger college. There are three other students that are going there with me, so I will at least know a couple of people around campus, Wingler said. Ive made a lot of friends along the way, here in Winchester, a lot that will definitely last past college. Dalton Schoenfelder is in a workforce program but wants to pursue a career in diesel mechanics or 3-D design. Schoenfelder came to the Winchester school system in seventh grade, but feels he has known his classmates all of his life. Everybody knows everybody. You can talk to anyone, Schoenfelder said. Everybody is your friend. A total of 25 scholarships from area residents and businesses were awarded to the graduates during Fridays commencement. Thats just another way that Winchester is backing a student body that supported the community. Its a fun class and a class that gave back a lot to the community, said Winchester High School Principal Dennis Vortman. They were a big part of our leadership group and they gave back to so many groups that gave to us. I hope the tradition carries on with other students following behind them. Vortman said graduation is like saying goodbye to family. Any time you are in a small community, its very much like family. Our student speakers talked about the bond that they had with the community and how much the community supported them, Vortman said. Each class brings something unique, something special, different talents. So its always bittersweet to watch a group like this go. Washington A federal judge on Friday rejected former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort's attempt to have some of the criminal charges against him thrown out. It was the latest setback for Manafort, who has seen U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson toss out his civil suit challenging the authority of special counsel Robert Mueller and dismiss a similar move in his criminal case. He faces charges of acting as an unregistered foreign agent and money-laundering conspiracy and also two false-statement charges related to information he shared with the Justice Department about his Ukrainian political work. In a motion, Manafort had argued that the false-statement charges amounted to double jeopardy, charging him twice for the same offense of lying to the government. He also argued that the piling up of the charges could prejudice a jury against him. But in a seven-page ruling dismissing the motion, Jackson said any harm to Manafort at this stage in his criminal case could be handled by "proper" jury instructions. She said he could revisit the double jeopardy matter after his trial. WASHINGTON - For more than a decade, District of Columbia officials have celebrated the city's economic renaissance, touting reinvigorated neighborhoods and glittering new attractions as evidence of Washington's emergence as a world-class metropolis. But a new federal lawsuit alleges that the policies that officials initiated to attract younger, more affluent professionals discriminated against poor and working-class African-Americans who have lived here for generations. The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court by lawyer Aristotle Theresa on behalf of several African-American residents, claims that the residential buildings springing up throughout the city - many of them with studio and one-bedroom apartments - catered to what urban theorist Richard Florida famously identified as the "creative class" and ignored the needs of poor and working-class families. The lawsuit says the "New Communities" program initiated by the District to turn aging public housing complexes into mixed-income developments was meant to "lighten" African American neighborhoods and break up long-established communities. District policies that were intended to "economically integrate" neighborhoods, Theresa argues in the lawsuit, "are classist, racist and ageist" and "lead to widespread gentrification and displacement." "Every city planning agency . . . conspired to make D.C. very welcoming for preferred residents and sought to displace residents inimical to the creative economy," Theresa wrote in the 82-page complaint. The plaintiffs - Paulette Matthews and Greta Fuller of Southeast Washington and Shanifinne Ball of Northeast - are seeking in excess of $1 billion in damages. Robert Marus, a spokesman for the District's Office of the Attorney General, said the city would not comment on the lawsuit until it files its response, which is due June 25. Mayor Muriel Bowser, D, who is approaching the end of her first term, has focused on growing the city's stock of affordable housing while celebrating the opening of new attractions such as the Wharf, a $2.5 billionmix of luxury housing, hotels and fine dining along the Southwest Waterfront. As the District gentrified over the past two decades, income and wealth disparities between whites and blacks deepened. But Derek Hyra, an American University professor who has written about gentrification in Washington, said Theresa would have to produce evidence that District officials were targeting a certain race to prove discrimination. "Developers are looking at areas in the city where they can buy low and sell high," Hyra said, pointing to traditionally working-class black neighborhoods such as Shaw and Petworth, which have drawn more affluent residents in recent years. "Developers want to maximize their return. This is not a conspiracy. This is capitalism." At the same time, he said, the District government encouraged development, sometimes providing subsidies, "to maximize value and bring in greater revenue." Even if the District hasn't explicitly favored anyone, the development has "had a different impact" on whites and blacks, he said. Theresa, a civil rights attorney, has in recent years represented a number of community groups opposing massive redevelopment projects in neighborhoods. In 14 cases, he has asked the District Court of Appeals to overturn city approvals of projects, twice successfully. The rulings forced District officials to review the projects, causing costly delays and widespread consternation among developers who worry that their projects will be slowed by legal challenges. As a result of appeals filed by Theresa and others, the Bowser administration has proposed changes to the city's land-use policies to block avenues for what it considers nuisance lawsuits. Theresa, in an interview, said the federal lawsuit was an outgrowth of the work he has done representing communities fighting development projects. To accommodate more affluent newcomers, Theresa said, District officials and developers over the past decade identified working-class black "communities that aren't that sophisticated about the zoning process or politics. They slapped it on these communities and took advantage of people." He traces the District's initiatives to the early 2000s, when, as the Internet proliferated and the technology sector flourished nationwide, Florida popularized the idea that cities could become newly prosperous by appealing to a "creative class," an amalgam of entrepreneurs, tech specialists, artists and other purveyors of creativity. In the District, according to Theresa's complaint, which was filed April 13, it was the administration of Mayor Adrian Fenty, D, that embraced Florida's view as it set out to broaden the city's identity from government town to a magnet for technology entrepreneurs and others who were part of the "creative economy." Developers and business owners descended on neighborhoods, constructing apartment towers, renovating rowhouses and opening restaurants, coffeehouses and bars that catered to new Washingtonians, younger and more affluent than previous generations. To Theresa, the Fenty administration's promotion of a "Creative Action Agenda" in 2007 represented a "paradigm shift" for District government. Instead of prioritizing what was best for the land, it was focusing "on the predilections of a certain class of individual," he says. Fenty's successor, Mayor Vincent Gray, D, also championed the creative economy by changing zoning regulations to "increase affordable space for creative businesses," Theresa says. By targeting businesses that "produce innovative goods" or "use innovative processes," the District offered tax breaks and other incentives that favored a "discrete class" and discriminated against more traditional modes of business, according to the lawsuit. "District government has a clear preference for millennial creatives, making it somewhat harder for those residents that aren't notable assets," Theresa says in the lawsuit. That focus on millennials had a greater impact on African-Americans, he adds, because "they were disproportionately missing from the identified class District was seeking to grow." As evidence, Theresa cites census statistics for several gentrifying neighborhoods, where the overall population grew by 1,000 from 2009 to 2016 but the number of African-Americans fell. The population along a significant corridor grew from 6,700 to 9,400 over a decade, as the number of whites increased by 1,300 and the African-American population declined by nearly 400, the lawsuit claims. Theresa also cites the neighborhood around the Navy Yard, which has exploded with growth over the past decade. As its population soared from 625 to 4,664, the percentage of whites - once 22 percent - rose to 66 percent. At the same time, the percentage of African-Americans fell from 73 percent to 22 percent. For projects larger than what the District's zoning code allows, developers must seek approval from the Zoning Commission, which Theresa says has sought to "head off any dissent" by refusing to grant party status to neighbors opposing the projects at hearings. He also argues that District officials have routinely failed to produce required reports that analyze whether proposed projects would drive gentrification. "Such disregard for current residents' concerns was calculated to re-segregate black communities into white upper class and creative class communities," he writes in the complaint. Theresa concludes his complaint by focusing on Anacostia, which he describes as "the newest close-knit black community slated for destruction." A number of residential and commercial developments are planned for the area, including the opening of a Busboys and Poets restaurant and a Starbucks franchise. Theresa characterizes the projects as delivering "housing that is for singles in an area that has a great need for family housing not kept in slum conditions." "Such development," Theresa predicts, "will also bring retail out of step with the vast majority of local residents, displacing local, non-creative businesses." NEW HAVEN Desmond James was uncomfortable with the idea of dropping his trousers in the courtroom and showing jurors his penis. But he agreed to do it after his attorneys convinced him it was the only option for disproving the description of his penis by the complainant in James sexual assault trial. The unusual strategy worked. On Friday, after about three hours of deliberations, the jury found James not guilty on all three counts of first-degree sexual assault. The complainant told police that her assailant was a black man whose penis was not as black as the rest of his body. Defense attorneys Todd Bussert and Erica Barber said there was direct evidence that this was untrue. It became clear the only option we had was to just have him stand up and show this to the jury, Bussert said after court adjourned Friday. It was not something he wanted to do. It was humiliating, to have an African American stand up in court and show himself. It had racial issues. But he understood why we made the request. It allowed the jury to see the evidence. Bussert added, One of the things they taught us in law school is to use the best evidence you have. It is what it is. Obviously it was a very unusual situation. But we felt it was the most persuasive evidence we had. Bussert said of James, I think it really shook him up. But I think he realizes, having taken that step, that it helped win the day. Before the dramatic display occurred Wednesday, Superior Court Judge Elpedio N. Vitale tried to prepare the jurors by telling them they were about to see some evidence of a highly sensitive nature. Were all adults here, Vitale noted. Approximately one hour beforehand, Bussert said, I personally checked to be certain the complainant was wrong about the color of his clients penis versus the rest of him. I had to make 100 percent sure, he said of his private meeting with James. Bussert said that when James showed his penis to the jurors, It was for only three to five seconds, tops. I was timing it. I didnt want it to go on any longer than it needed to go. I didnt want to humiliate him any more. The judge left it up to me. I said, OK, were done. Bussert said he was too preoccupied with keeping track of the time to notice the jurors reactions. But Barber recalled, One of the women looked away. One of the male alternate jurors looked as if he was trying not to have an outburst. Im sure they were shocked but they did a good job of not showing it. A person who works in the courthouse said word quickly spread about what was about to unfold in the courtroom. The room became packed. It was mostly court employees. A judicial marshal said he has worked in the courts for decades and Ive never seen that happen before. Bussert noted that in his closing argument, I argued that his penis is actually darker than the rest of his body: the exact opposite of what the complainant said. Bussert told the jurors: For that reason alone, you must acquit. In his remarks after court adjourned, Bussert noted the complainant reported she was forced to engage in sexual intercourse and oral sex in a backyard in Meriden on March 22, 2012. She reportedto police that day that she believed her assailant was Hispanic because he spoke Spanish to her and told her he was from Puerto Rico. Two years later, in November 2014, the complainant saw James photo in a newspaper story about another crime in which he was a suspect. She claimed she immediately recognized him as the man who had attacked her in 2012. Bussert and Barber argued during James pretrial proceedings that the identification was unreliable because two years had passed and basing her identification on a single newspaper photo was insufficient and suggestive. Senior Assistant States Attorney Stacey Miranda, who prosecuted James, could not be reached for comment Friday. James did not walk out of the courthouse as a free man Friday, despite the not-guilty verdict. He is serving a 65-year prison sentence for a home invasion in Meriden in October 2014 during which he sexually assaulted a 10-year-old girl. A New Haven Superior Court jury in December 2016 convicted James, then 25, of Waterbury, on three counts of first-degree sexual assault, risk of injury to a minor and home invasion. Police said he climbed through a window and attacked the girl in her bed. When James, also known as Jose Diego Gonzalez, was sentenced by Superior Court Judge Jon C. Blue in February 2017, Miranda called the defendant a monster who makes children and their families forever fearful. randall.beach@hearstmediact.com Hearst Connecticut Media file photo NEW HAVEN A Mexican citizen was sentenced Friday to three years in prison by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Alker Meyer for drug trafficking and immigration offenses. According to court documents and statements made in court, on Oct. 12, 2017, the DEA agents received information that Jesus Gomez-Valdivia was couriering narcotics on a flight that had departed Los Angeles International Airport and would be arriving at Tweed New Haven Airport later that day. ST. PETERSBURG - Sharing the floor with Russian President Vladimir Putin can test one's patience. Especially if you're a woman. International Monetary Fund chief Christine Lagarde was last to speak at the plenary session of Russia's glitzy economic forum, the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, on Friday afternoon, bearing a responsibility she compared to being married to Liz Taylor. "At this wonderful moment, I am the fifth, and incidentally, the only woman," Lagarde told the large audience of mostly men. Her signature silver locks flicked across her brow, Lagarde said she felt like the actor Richard Burton, who, as Taylor's fifth husband, "knew what was expected, but wasn't sure how to be original." This invited guffaws from Russia's political and business elite - and a sideways smirk from Putin. French President Emmanuel Macron, squirming in his chair, seemed hardly capable of suppressing his laughter. After hours of onstage camaraderie by Putin, Macron, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and China's Vice President Wang Qishan, the managing director of the IMF finally got her turn. Lagarde was one of the few women to speak at the event, ostensibly Russia's answer to Davos, where all but a sprinkling of the 100 or so summits and sessions had an exclusively male lineup. At one panel, entitled "The future of journalism," the two women scheduled to speak didn't show up at all (One of them was Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, who wrote on her Facebook page that she had taken ill). A single session at the forum was dedicated to women leaders in the Eurasian community. This is not to say that other global investment forums are espousing the values of gender equality (Davos is notorious for its so-called 'manels,' panels of all men). And this is also not to discount the large numbers of women working at the St. Petersburg forum. In fact, wherever there was a flashy display for a Russian company, such as the national postal services, or top lender Sberbank, nearby stood a cohort of young women, smiling in unison and waving their manicured hands at the streams of middle-age executives passing by. Each company in the convention center had a different look for their group of women, which came with identical outfits, high heels, hairstyle, makeup and even earrings. This led one observer to remark that the women resembled "Stepford Wives" One Russian government-run newspaper, the popular Argumenty i Fakty, even published a photo essay of the "Most beautiful girls of the St. Petersburg Economic Forum 2018," featuring Aeroflot flight attendants in their trademark orange uniform and women in fierce poses at the various parties around the city. Controversy has tainted Russian business at international forums before. In 2012, a Russian telecoms company was booted out of the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona for promising "champagne, caviar and a beautiful girl" to visitors who attended their business meetings. That Lagarde spoke last and that each Russian firm had its crew of women on show is not surprising in Putin's Russia. After all, this is the leader who bragged to Donald Trump that Russia had "the most beautiful prostitutes in the world," according to former FBI director James Comey - a sentiment Putin also shared with reporters a few weeks earlier. Washington "Everybody plays games," President Donald Trump declared Friday as he suggested the potentially historic North Korean summit he had suddenly called off might be getting back on track. His sights set on a meeting that has raised hopes for a halt in North Korea's nuclear weapons development, Trump welcomed the North's conciliatory response to his Thursday letter withdrawing from the Singapore summit with Kim Jong Un. Rekindling hopes as quickly as he had doused them, Trump said it was even possible the meeting could take place on the originally planned June 12 date. "They very much want to do it; we'd like to do it," he said. The sweetening tone was just the latest change in a roller-coaster game of brinkmanship talks about talks with two unpredictable world leaders trading threats and blandishments. On Thursday, White House officials noted that Trump had left the door open with a letter to Kim that blamed "tremendous anger and open hostility" by Pyongyang but also urged Kim to call him. By Friday, North Korea issued a statement saying it was still "willing to give the U.S. time and opportunities" to reconsider talks "at any time, at any format." Trump rapidly tweeted that the statement was "very good news" and told reporters that "we're talking to them now." Confident in his negotiating skills, Trump views the meeting as a legacy-defining opportunity and has relished the attention and the speculation about a possible Nobel Peace Prize. He made a quick decision to accept the sit-down in March, over the concerns of many top aides, and has remained committed, even amid rising concerns about the challenges he faces in scoring an agreement. Asked on Friday if the North Koreans were playing games, Trump responded, "Everybody plays games. You know that better than anybody." While the president did not detail the nature of the new U.S. communication with the North on Friday, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said at the Pentagon: "The diplomats are still at work on the summit, possibility of a summit, so that is very good news." He characterized the recent back-and-forth as the "usual give and take." Asked if White House aides will still travel to Singapore this weekend to work on logistics for the trip, White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders said, "We'll see" and "We'll be ready, one way or the other." Secretary of State Mike Pompeo spoke Friday with a top official from South Korea, whose leaders had appeared to be taken aback when Trump withdrew from the summit. Spokeswoman Heather Nauert said Pompeo and South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha reaffirmed their "shared commitment to the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula" and pledged to coordinate "in all of their efforts to create conditions for dialogue with North Korea." The president of the University of Southern California agreed to step down, the school's board of trustees announced Friday night, amid growing outrage over allegations that the school's former gynecologist had molested students for many years. C.L. Max Nikias has led USC since 2010, pushing the private research university to more global ambitions, higher academic prestige and considerable fundraising prowess. But in the past year, scandals - and the way the administration handled them - came to overshadow his successes, and led to a torrent of calls for his resignation. Last week, the Los Angeles Times reported that the university had let a gynecologist at the school's health clinic continue to treat students for years despite complaints about his behavior. Within days, hundreds of women said that they had been victimized by George Tyndall, who had been a physician there for more than 30 years. Multiple lawsuits were filed, claiming that Tyndall repeatedly sexually abused patients and that the university did not act on complaints. Tyndall could not be reached for comment, but he defended his exams as medically appropriate in an interview with the Los Angeles Times last week. He was placed on administrative leave in 2016 and later reached a separation agreement with the university, according to USC officials. John Manly, an attorney who is representing more than 80 women in lawsuits against USC, has compared the university's response to complaints about Tyndall to the way Michigan State University leaders responded to women saying they had been molested by Larry Nassar, who had been a doctor there. Manly was the lead attorney in a $500 million settlement reached with Michigan State last week. Having been involved in many mass sexual assault cases since the 1990s, the volume of calls - 90 in five days - "is almost hard to believe, and the stories are just so troubling . . . The only thing that even comes close is Larry Nassar," he said. And Manly believes it is because so many of Nassar's victims had the courage to speak out, that former USC students feel they, too, must tell the truth. The university's Academic Senate formally asked for Nikias' resignation Wednesday, more than 8,000 people signed an online petition of alumni demanding USC "hold administrators responsible for supporting sexual predators," more than 4,000 people signed another online petition calling for his resignation, and student leaders demanded answers. Many were upset not only by the allegations involving Tyndall. In 2017, the Los Angeles Times reported that the former dean of the Keck School of Medicine was abusing illegal drugs even in his office at USC. Just months later, the dean who replaced him resigned after allegations of sexual harassment. In repeated instances, according to a letter signed by 200 senior faculty members, the university had chosen to make financial settlements and cover up wrongdoing. They called on Nikias to resign and the board to "restore moral leadership to the university." The board's chairman expressed strong support for Nikias' presidency earlier this week. But on Friday, trustees responded to the outpouring of anger. "We have heard the message that something is broken and that urgent and profound actions are needed," Rick Caruso, chairman of the subcommittee of the executive committee of the USC board of trustees, wrote to the campus community Friday. "Today, President Nikias and the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees have agreed to begin an orderly transition and commence the process of selecting a new president." The board pledged to "rebuild our culture to reflect an environment in which safety and transparency are of paramount importance, and to institute systemic change that will prevent this from occurring in the future. There is nothing more sacred to this board than the wellbeing of our students. We will be guided solely by what is in the best interest of this great university." It's a good first step, Manly said, "but anybody that thinks that's solving the problem here is naive." He said there were complaints for decades about Tyndall, and there should be a thorough outside investigation that ends with recommendations for changes of personnel, policies and other institutional changes to protect young women at the university. From the first day at the school, Manly, an alumnus, said, students are told they're part of the Trojan family. "If this is a family, these are our daughters. And they've been subjected to horrors." Kris Coombs, the outgoing president of USC Graduate Student Government, wrote in an email that "for a large number of students, this was the right and only move." Since the summer, almost every meeting they held with top administrators included urging them to be as transparent as possible about anything that might have a negative impact on students. Coombs said the university needs a leader who will "vigorously tackle issues of sexual assault and misconduct on our campus, and include students in this journey every step of the way. "The most important thing for many students now is that we have leadership we can trust, leadership we know will act with the moral and ethical integrity expected of any and all Trojans, and, above all else, who will prioritize our safety." Paul Rosenbloom, president of the academic senate, wrote to faculty Friday that he welcomed the trustees' announcement and the prospect of a transition that could begin the healing process for a community that is in pain. ". . . the Senate recognized that throughout the past year there has been an increasing breakdown of trust between the President and the academic community." Their conclusion, after having listened to many voices, was that this break in trust was irreparable, he wrote, and the only way forward was a change in the presidency. "This decision was not intended to denigrate the major accomplishments of President Nikias' tenure for which he can rightly take credit," he wrote, but was one they concluded was for the best of the university. "With this change, we have cause to be optimistic." Hilary Schor, a professor of English and law at USC and an author of the letter sent by faculty, said Saturday she was thrilled the board listened to the voices of concern about Nikias. "I think that he really failed to understand the depth of the charges," the horror felt by many in the campus community and the pervasive sense that their trust in the university had been betrayed, she said. Schor praised Nikias' achievements in fundraising; building new programs; taking the university onto the global stage; encouraging entrepreneurial vision; holding the values of the arts, humanities and sciences in high esteem; and committing the university to combat social problems. "That kind of vision is rare. His skill in telling the story of USC and attracting donors and faculty is remarkable," Schor said. ". . . But I fear the university, in its quest for rankings and its quest for prestige has left behind some of its moral values - and this is a wake-up call for all of us. You cannot be a great teaching and research university without being a place of morality and justice for all." Federal authorities on Friday walked back a claim that a U.S. Border Patrol agent who fatally shot a 19-year-old immigrant woman earlier this week opened fire because a group of immigrants had started to hit him with blunt objects. Friday, a news release issued by Border Patrol dropped the reference to an attack with blunt objects in the deadly encounter that occurred Wednesday afternoon in Rio Bravo, a small town just south of Laredo. According to the agent, the group ignored his verbal commands and instead rushed him, states the news release. When asked about the difference in reporting what happened, a Border Patrol spokesman declined to comment, citing the open investigation. A witness had already disputed the original report that the immigrants had attacked, saying Thursday that the group was hiding when the Border Patrol agent found them and that no one in the group had a weapon. The attorney for the agent, a 15-year Border Patrol veteran whose name has not been released, said his client had not committed any wrongdoing. This matter is being investigated, and rightfully so, by every three-letter acronym under the sun, including the Texas Rangers, said attorney George Altgelt. We welcome their investigation and are confident that the evidence will prove my client's innocence. It is common knowledge and common sense that being a Border Patrol agent is a dangerous job. Every day the men and women in green put their lives on the line so that we can sleep and live safely here in Laredo. The case unfolded at about 12:20 p.m. Wednesday, when the agent responded to a report of illegal activity near a culvert in Rio Bravo. He discovered a group of immigrants who had entered the country illegally, the federal agency said. He fired one round from his service-issued weapon, fatally striking the woman. Federal authorities havent released the womans name, but the Guatemala Foreign Ministry has confirmed the victim was Claudia Patricia Gomez Gonzalez of Guatemala and condemned the death. Dominga Vicente, the victims aunt, said Gomez had graduated as a forensic accountant but was unable to find a job, so she left Guatemala. The Laredo Immigrant Alliance, whose leaders said they were outraged by Gomezs death, planned to hold a vigil Saturday night at Tres Laredos Park in Laredo to honor Gomez and others who have lost their lives on the border. The American Civil Liberties Unions Border Rights Center also was concerned about the details surrounding Gomezs death and cited a recent analysis conducted by The Guardian showing that Border Patrol agents have been involved in nearly 100 fatal encounters since 2003 and have paid out roughly $60 million in wrongful death settlements. ACLU officials have called for Border Patrol to expand its use of body cameras to every agent in the field; the federal agency is testing the use of body cameras in nine areas but Laredo is not one of them. Staff Writer Jerilynn Thorpe and The Associated Press contributed to this report. A driver is in critical condition after slamming into the back of a car stopped at a red light Friday night, according to San Antonio police. Police said the man, who they say was intoxicated, was driving a pickup on the West Side near Callaghan Road and Viva Max Drive around 11:45 p.m. The Southside of San Antonio has always been and will always be my home. The challenges my son and I have faced during his educational journey have inspired me to advocate and promote positive changes in our communitys schools. And in our community, it is not a secret that we have been failing our children who attend P.F. Stewart Elementary. In 2017, 73 of our Stewart children took the third grade STAAR reading exam, only 4 performed at grade level. That means 69 of our children, 95 percent, performed below grade level. Similarly, 82 of our fifth-graders took the STAAR reading exam, and 72, or 88 percent, performed below grade level. Are these acceptable results? Studies show third-grade reading scores are a solid indicator of later academic success, including high school graduation. A study by Hunter College professor Donald J. Hernandez shows that those who do not read proficiently by third grade are four times more likely to leave school without a diploma than proficient readers. Because so few of our children are performing at grade level in reading and math, Stewart has been listed as improvement required for the last five years. This means hundreds of our children have not received an adequate education. Is this acceptable? The San Antonio ISD board and Superintendent Pedro Martinez are taking decisive steps to better ensure our children learn to read. To carry out this mission, they have turned to New York-based Democracy Prep, a charter school operator with a strong track record of turning around failing schools. And now our teachers union is suing the very same district that allowed them space to self-correct to prevent this desperately needed help to our students. Their complaint is once Democracy Prep comes, Stewarts current teachers may have to work elsewhere in the district. The teachers union is suing even though our teachers still have jobs elsewhere in the district and have the ability to apply for positions with Democracy Prep. It is outrageous that our teachers are implicitly blaming our children for their lack of success, citing our neighborhoods demographics; The campus serves a primarily low-income and high-needs community, the lawsuit states. Although it is in an economically-disadvantaged community, Stewart is fortunate to have a core of dedicated parents, faculty and staff. There are schools serving low-income neighborhoods with superior results to Stewart. For example, Stewart is similar to Blanton Elementary in Dallas ISD; Stewart is 96 percent low-income and 95 percent minority, while Blanton Elementary is 92 percent low-income and 96 percent minority. Yet, after adopting dramatic turnaround efforts, Blanton has experienced double-digit reading gains each year for the last three years. In fact, currently, 56 percent of Blantons fifth-graders read at grade level, and 82 percent perform math at grade level. What happens if the unions lawsuit wins? One possibility is Stewart will be closed and shuttered. That would be a tragedy, because in our fast-paced and disconnected world, Stewart is a beacon of our community. In spite of the failures of those charged to carry out its mission, Stewart is still a symbol of hope. That hope is that in their classrooms, our children will be treasured and inspired to learn and grow. Another possible outcome would be horrifying we preserve Stewart in its current form. Stewart opens its doors for a new school year in August, and we ignore our obligation to advocate for our children. We turn away help. We accept a system and culture that do not serve our children well. Is the preservation of an institution that has repeatedly failed to educate our children acceptable? Why have we not been swift about dismantling then rebuilding Stewart into a place that will allow our sons and daughters to fulfill their academic promise? We must stand shoulder to shoulder with our board and our leader, Superintendent Pedro Martinez, and be champions for bold and innovative change in our schools. Denise Ojeda is a lifelong resident of the Southside of San Antonio and an advocate. She is an SAISD alum and parent who also serves on the districts Bond Oversight Committee for District 3, where Stewart Elementary is located. Re: Wade, dont swim? A muddy message, Editorial, May 17: Your editorial is on the mark. I cant understand a city designing a park with water features not taking health and safety into consideration. If the water is more than 2 inches deep, that is enough to drown. Given that San Pedro Creek at that point is an urban drainage ditch, well, ugh! I like the water features at Main Plaza. Perhaps using metal grating over water features, the city of San Antonio could create a similar extremely shallow splash pool. Unfortunately, that doesnt eliminate the ugh factor. By the way, I attended the opening. The redesign is nice, and the folks in charge provided plenty of fresh iced water and made announcements about hydration. I heard there were no incidents related to lack of hydration. Very smart! Francille Radmann Benefits of slavery Re: Teacher linked to positives of slavery is reinstated; Great Hearts school found no harmful intent, Metro, May 11: The teacher gave students a worksheet that asked them to chart the positives and negatives of slavery. Of course, there were positives. Slavery made the rich plantation owners richer, just as the Trump-GOP tax cuts are making our corporations and the rich richer. Louise G. Raphael Science is real Re: Innovation a solution to climate change, Lamar Smith, Another View, May 7: This commentary on global warming sprinkled a few truths among a lot of false statements popular with those who dismiss the science, leading to a do-nothing policy. The chairman of the House Science Committee should know better. Climate science is very clear about global warming: It is real. Multiple lines of evidence objectively show that. Its us. Natural drivers alone would create a slight cooling; the current warming is due to increasing greenhouse gases, mostly from burning fossil fuels. Its serious. Rising sea levels, more frequent extreme weather events, food sources threatened and more. Technology can help some of us adapt to a new climate at a cost, but isnt prevention a better path than relying solely on technology? We must act, and act now. The longer we wait, the greater the irreversible changes, the costs to society and the likelihood that major government intervention will be required. I agree with Rep. Smith on one point: Dont get your scientific information from politicians. For that, look to scientists. And dont vote for any politician who claims to know more about science than the scientists. John Fehlauer Obama flew solo Re: Ripping up Iran deal is a bad deal, Editorial, May 18: Your editorial insists withdrawing from the Iran deal will cause other nations to distrust us. Who is us? President Barack Obama never submitted the Iran deal for congressional approval because he knew the result would have been a bipartisan rejection. It was that bad! There was no us in this deal. It was President Obama going it alone, with his pen and his phone. J. David Trawick Fooling the people Re: The right is foolish to fall for Kanyes hype, Ross Douthat, Other Views, May 17: More fake news. The Republican Party has not become the working-class party as envisioned by Ross Douthat. The Republican Party is still the party of the rich and powerful. The Republicans have learned to manipulate the public and make the public think that the Republican Party is their party. Any competent psychologist can figure out how to fool the people, and they have been fooled. The Democratic Party is and always has been the party of the people. Richard Wallish Accuracy, please Re: Trump: Immigrants animals, not people, Nation & World, May 17: Both the headline and the syndicated New York Times article are inaccurate, irresponsible and ignoble. I heard the White House illegal immigrant roundtable. Trump described illegal immigrant M-13 members and similar criminals as animals, a description that might also fit the Bandidos, whose murderous misdeeds are mentioned in the Bandidos trial judge lets jurors deliberate on the same day in the same section. I would like to be able to trust my newspapers accuracy, objectivity and honesty. Please, dear editor, give us such a newspaper. Pat McMillan Dont libel animals Re: Trump: Immigrants animals, not people, Nation & World, May 17: The president is incorrect in labeling MS-13 members animals. Animals are more advanced than MS-13 members. Mike Colley, Universal City Help for the poor Re: Rent hikes for the poor unworkable, Editorial, May 17: When I read the headline of the editorial, I thought it was about the San Antonio renters whose apartments are being renovated and whose rents are being increased substantially. The opinion piece described them as well. So what can be done about it? Gay Z. Wright Follow the money Alamo Trust, Alamo Endowment, Alamo Bait and Switch. For the sake of our holy site, give operational and physical control back to the blue-haired ladies! How could we have let the flim-flam artists fool us? Prediction: Everything around the Alamo will be moved or demolished. It will be discovered that there is now extra room downtown. The City Hall-favored developers will save us by giving us a plan. Follow the money. Penelope Talley MILFORD Kristina Ukanowicz, 63, formerly of Ansonia, was sentenced Friday to 12 years in prison, suspended after she serves 4 years, for ruining the home and finances of her mother, Karin King of Ansonia. Its the lowest of the low to do that to a parent, Superior Court Judge Frank A. Iannotti said. Im almost speechless. She died of a broken heart, said Iannotti. In some ways ... youre going to be in jail the rest of your life. I hope you live a very, very long life because itll give you more time to think of it. Ukanowiczs son, Joseph A. Ukanowicz, 30, who lived in the Ansonia home with King and his mother, has been charged with first-degree larceny in the same case and faces sentencing in June. Before the sentencing, Ukanowiczs brother, Karl King, told the judge he has no sympathy for his sister. Kristina was his mothers favorite child. It broke her heart, he said. This is 3 years of frustration, King said. I dont want any leniency. Ukanowiczs attorney, Peter Tsimbidaros of Bridgeport, said she is deeply regretful but could not get help. When handing down the sentence for first-degree larceny, Iannotti cited Ukanowiczs age and lack of criminal record, and said she also must serve five years of probation. Its elder abuse, pure and simple, by you and your son. ... We have an obligation to our parents, Iannotti said. Eventually in life, the children become the parents. You destroyed your family and you destroyed your relationship with your family and you only have yourself to blame. You didnt do the right thing. There are certain times in life when you have to ... do the right thing, the judge said. Iannotti said there are millions of people in America taking care of parents, and probably 99 percent of them make the choice not to steal from their elderly parents. Kristina Ukanowicz has been held at York Correctional Institution since 2017 in lieu of $35,000 bail. Joseph A. Ukanowicz is being held in lieu of $50,000 bail at Bridgeport Correctional Center. Assistant States Attorney Amy Bepko laid out the states case: The money and home of Karin King were decimated by mother and son. The victim called police, Bepko said. They effectively took over the mothers house without her consent, Bepko said. King died at age 84 in June 2015. Mother and son were arrested in 2017. Investigators found the house without power or running water, copper pipes were removed and the furniture was sold off. They came in and destroyed everything, Bepko said. King never gave the children permission to use her money as their own, Bepko said. In three years and four months, her bank account of $221,301 went to a zero balance, Bepko said. What happened? Tsimbidaros said it was Ukanowiczs passivity, poor judgment and inability to get help. Ukanowicz was an LPN, and cared for her mother and sick husband, Tsimbidaros said. Tsimbidaros said his client did not personally benefit from the theft: no lavish vacation, fur coat, fancy dinner or car, he said. She was actually walking to work, he said. Knives have been drawn out against deputy Finance minister Terrence Mukupe after he made remarks live on radio that exposed the stigmatisation that still runs deep in the officialdom towards people living with HIV and Aids. Although Mukupe is not a medical doctor and has no knowledge of former Finance minister Tendai Bitis medical history, the Harare East legislator claimed on Thursday that his political rival was taking anti-retroviral drugs during a heated exchange aired on a local radio station. Biti is one of the candidates challenging Mukupe for the Harare East constituency at the forthcoming harmonised polls to be held in July. The Peoples Democratic Party leader, who does not take prisoners, drew the ire of the former banker when he said the radio station should not invite him to debate a clown and drunkard. He also took umbrage at Mukupe for his repeated interjections while he spoke. They were deafening calls yesterday for the junior minister to be fired from government with critics trending under hashtag #MukupeMustFall to drive the point home. United Kingdom-based law professor, Alex Magaisa, said it boggles the mind how President Emmerson Mnangagwa ended up with someone like Mukupe as a minister. Mr President, how did this chap become a minister in your government? What kind of behaviour is this reversing all the gains that have been made to de-stigmatise HIV/Aids by making such stupid and cheap comments? This chap is a liability. Cant someone take that pick from his hands? Mukupe just keeps on digging the hole. First he says the military will not respect the will of the people. When challenged he draws the race card and accuses his critic of racism. Now he deals the HIV card. Real cheap. Utter disgrace, said Magaisa. In an unprecedented move, even the Zanu PF youth league joined in by calling for action against the minister. We are fighting towards eradicating the stigma attached to HIV/Aids. Statements that seem to use ones HIV status as a way of humiliating them directly sabotage government and the partys efforts in fighting this stigma. We unreservedly condemn the deplorable utterances by Mukupe, the youth league said in a statement issued on its Twitter handle. Lawyer and aspiring independent candidate for Mt Pleasant constituency, Fadzai Mahere, said government must take action against Mukupe. I hope the government issues a press statement condemning Mukupes utterances as reckless and most unfortunate. Theres no honour in mocking/stigmatising HIV. Its a matter of regret that he weaponised an issue the nation has made so much progress on. Politics aside, this is sad, said Mahere. Thokozani Khupe-led MDC vice president, Obert Gutu, said it was a well-documented fact that almost every family in Zimbabwe had been affected by the Aids pandemic in one way or another. We have got friends and relatives who have been infected with the HIV virus and indeed, millions of dollars have been pumped into the global fight against Aids. Its a total shame for anyone, more so a public figure and government minister to stigmatise people living with HIV, said Gutu. Assuming he has got a sense of responsibility (which doesnt appear likely from his numerous public gaffes), Mukupe should just proceed to do the honourable thing and immediately resign as a government minister and Member of Parliament. Gutu said if Mukupe does not resign voluntarily, Mnangagwa should give him the boot forthwith. Surely, if Webster Shamu could be sacked for attempting to rig a primary election, why should Mukupe remain in government after committing an even more serious and catastrophic transgression? Is Mukupe untouchable and if so, why? The secretary-general of the Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe, Raymond Majongwe, said government, particularly the National Aids Council (Nac), should deal with Mukupe for reversing the gains that have been made against the once feared disease. Stigmatisation of people living with HIV is reaching alarming levels. The reckless statement by Mukupe cannot go unchallenged. How can we progress as a nation with such a leadership? The nation expects Nac to act, said Majongwe. Reacting to Mukupes statements, political activist Grace Kwinje, said the lawmaker was exposing Mnangagwa for the liar and hypocrite he is. Action Aid director Joy Mabenge described Mukupe as a disaster of monumental proportions. Stigmatising HIV/Aids on national radio was very low, extremely low!! Be professional Mukupe. You are a typical minister Zimbabweans do not need, said Mabenge. With an adult prevalence rate of 13,7 percent, Zimbabwe is one of the five countries hardest hit by the HIV and Aids scourge globally. An estimated 1 102 864 million people one in five Zimbabwean adults were living with HIV and Aids in 2009 while approximately 66 073 people died of Aids related causes. In southern Africa, Zimbabwe has the greatest access to antiretroviral treatment (ART), with 75 percent of people living with HIV on treatment, equivalent to over a million people. In 2016, the country adopted a treat all policy towards ART, meaning all people should be started on treatment immediately, regardless of their CD4 count. DailyNews Breaking News via Email Loading... Related Zimbabwe Latest News - A Nigerian family has disowned one of their own after they found out that she wants to marry another woman - The daughter who was disowned had approached a marriage registry to seek approval for a marriage with another woman - She was denied and her family shared a public notice to announce that she has been disowned for her decision Despite Nigeria's law against same-sex marriages, many couples have come out to announce that they are in a same-sex relationship, but it is not common for same-sex couples to request for marriage. A young lady identified as Shalom Shoremi from Ogun state has been disowned by her family after she approached a federal marriage registry to request approval for a marriage with her partner. The family severed all ties with her and released a newspaper advert to announce their decision. Nigerian family disowns daughter seeking to marry another woman Photo source: Thecable.ng READ ALSO: Man divorces his new wife 15 minutes after being tied together in marriage According to the advert, the young lady was rejected by the marriage registry with reasons that her request is against the same-sex marriage probation act of 2014. The act declares that same-sex marriage is an illegal act in Nigeria. The law also states that 14 years imprisonment would be given to those accused of same-sex relationships. PAY ATTENTION: Get the Latest Nigerian News on Legit.ng News Shalom's family had stated that all ties have been severed, adding that she would also not be entitled to the family's inheritance. The advert read: The attention of Shoremi Family of Ogun State has been drawn to an application for a special marriage license sought by Shalom T. Shoremi. PAY ATTENTION: Get the hottest gist on Naija Uncensored Facebook Group She had requested for a special marriage license at the Federal Marriage Registry on 22nd of March, 2018 to allow her consummate a same sex marriage, which was rejected as it in variance with the marriage Act of the Federal Republic Of Nigeria. The family is disassociating itself from the move and has served ties with her. We also disown her on the grounds that what she planned to do is against the law in Nigeria. She will also not be entitled to anything from the family inheritance. Legit.ng TV had earlier reported that Theresa May, the prime minister of the United Kingdom, had urged Nigeria to end laws against same-sex marriages. She also asked all other countries within the Commonwealth to do the same. Nigeria News: The UK Urges Nigeria To Allow Same-Sex Marriages | Legit.ng TV Source: Legit Newspaper - President Buhari had joked that Osinbajo's VP job was under threat after some female parliamentarians paid him a visit - The parliamentarians had demanded for the VP position and other legislative slots - Osinbajo's aide Akande refused to comment on the president's statement, wondering why he was being asked to react to the joke The office of the Vice President of Nigeria has refused to comment on a statement jokingly made by the president Muhammadu Buhari about a threat to his deputy Yemi Osinbajos job. Tribune reports on Saturday, May 26 that Osinbajos spokesperson Laolu Akande declined comment but instead queried why he should be asked to comment on what the president said. The president has spoken (so) why are you asking me to comment, Akande said when contacted by phone on Friday afternoon. READ ALSO: Mama, I finally got my freedom - Leah Sharibu tells mum in dream Legit.ng had earlier reported on Friday, May 25 that President Buhari joked that Osinbajos position as vice president was under threat. The president made this joke at the Presidential Villa in Abuja while hosting a delegation of the Conference of Nigerian Female Parliamentarians, who were calling for a woman vice president among other demands. He said:"It is a pity the VP is not here, but I believe the Secretary to the Government of the Federation will brief him that his position is threatened. It is only the vice president who is threatened. And if we win the next election, he may lose his election." PAY ATTENTION: Install our latest app for Android and read best news on Nigerias #1 news app President Buhari has expressed interest in running for office in 2019 but has not formally confirmed if he will be returning with Osinbajo. Buhari to Contest for Presidency in 2019! Legit.ng TV - on Legit.ng TV Source: Legit.ng Yves here. Author Roy Poses is under no illusion about past cost of doing businesses settlements in Pharma land having much deterrent effect. However, they at least served to make bad conduct visible and help counter regular drug company efforts to present themselves as public spirited, as opposed to profit driven. Note that Poses doesnt indulge the idea that drug companies might be behaving better. By Roy Poses, MD, Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine at Brown University, and the President of FIRM the Foundation for Integrity and Responsibility in Medicine. Originally published at Health Care Renewal Introduction We have long been discussing the legal settlementsmade by health care organizations of alllegations like fraud, bribery, and kickbacks. Despite the unsavory nature of the behaviors revealed by most settlements, which often appeared to risk patient harms, the companies involved usually have had to pay fines that were tiny relative to their multi-billion dollar revenues. They companies only seldom have had to admit responsibility, and almost never did a settlement cause company managers and leaders to suffer any negative consequences for enabling, authorizing, directing or implementing the bad behavior. So these settlements also provided a window onto the impunityof top leaders of health care organizations. Lack of deterrence caused by such impunity appears to be a major cause of the epidemic of continuing unethical behavior, crimeand corruptionon the part of large health care organizations. However, at least these settlements seemed to be useful markers of the such bad behavior apparently sanctioned by the leadership of these organizations. But now even these markers seem to be fading away. We had an ongoing enterprise trying to discuss what appeared to be the most interesting and significant legal settlements by major health organizations. This year, however, things have seemed slow. Our last major wrap-up of recent legal settlements appeared on October 1, 2017. On December 3, 2017, we did comment on a significant but barely noticed settlement by Pfizer of allegations of fraud done to prevent generic competition. But since then it has seemed very quiet. A new settlement by Pfizer was just announced yesterday. This inspired me to review the files I had lying around, which did include a few US settlements by pharmaceutical companies from 2017 which I had not discussed. However, I found nothing from 2018. Fortuitously while I considered all this, I found a new article that corroborates my perception that things are changing, probably not for the better. That I will discuss below. But first I will review the latest single entry in the march of legal settlements, (Note that the missed 2017 cases appear at the end of this post in an Appendix.) Pfizer Settled Charges of Giving Kickbacks to Patients Through Disease Advocacy Organization to Mask the Prices of Its Drugs On May 24, 2018, Bloomberg reporteda rather unusual case involving a company that has often provided grist for our mill, Pfizer Inc. used a purportedly independent charity to help it sharply raise the price of a heart drug, shielding patients from the increase while Medicare picked up the higher costs, the U.S. Justice Department said Thursday in a civil settlement announcement. Pfizer will pay about $24 million in the anti-kickback settlement,the government said in a statement. Its the latest agreement in a long-running U.S. investigation into drugmaker ties to patient charities. Pfizer will also enter into a five-year monitoring agreement with the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General. In particular, The Pfizer settlement is focused on three drugs: Sutent and Inlyta for kidney cancer, and the heart-rhythm drug Tikosyn. Sutent had U.S. sales of $374 million last year, while Inlyta sold $126 million. Tikosyn sold $153 million in 2016, according to the company. In the case of the heart rhythm drug, Pfizer worked with the Patient Access Network Foundation to finance a fund for heart patients at the same time it was taking a huge price increase.The drugmaker raised the price of Tikosyn by 44 percent during the last three months of 2015, according to the government. Pfizer coordinated the timing of the opening of the fund for these patients with the implementation of a Tikosyn price increase, the government said. For the next nine months, patients on the drug accounted for virtually all the beneficiaries of the charitable fund, the Justice Department said. In 2015, Pfizer gave more than $10 million to the Patient Access Network Foundation, according to a summary by the drugmaker. It doesnt specify how much of that went to the heart drug fund. In the case of the kidney cancer drugs, the New York-based drugmaker worked with a third-party pharmacy company to steer patients to the foundation for financial help, instead of giving out free drug. It tracked data from the pharmacy to confirm that some that Pfizers donations were going to patients on its products, according to the Justice Department. As is usual in legal settlements made by big health care organizations, Pfizer said the settlement isnt an admission of liability. None of the companys executives were charged or fined. So the company got to say This resolution reflects the companys desire to put this legal matter behind it and focus on the needs of patients, And the impunity of managers of big health organizations continues. Also, the amount of money involved in the settlement, $24 million, seems to be a drop in the bucket compared to the money Pfizer was making from the drugs involved, thus making it unlikely to deter future bad behavior by Pfizer or other organizations. The settlement doesnt mention price increases for the cancer drugs, which can cost tens of thousands of dollars a year. Inlyta currently costs about $239 per 5-milligram tablet, or more $14,000 a month, according to data compiled by Bloomberg Intelligence. Sutent costs more than $600 for a 50-milligram capsule, or more than $17,000 for a six-week treatment cycle that includes four weeks on the drug and two off. It also is an even tinier drop in the bucket compared to Pfizers revenues,which were $52.5 billion in 2017, according to Pfizer. Finally, the settlement did not seem informed by Pfizers long track record of bad behavior, including settlements almost too numerous to count, and involving billions in fines. For our most recent summary of this, look here. But the settlement at least provided some insight into the clever, if likely unethical ways pharmaceutical companies are now using to maintain the extremely high prices of drugs, an important reason US health care is the most expensive, if not the best in the world. But why have there been so few settlements in 2018 besides this one? Drop in Law Enforcement Targeting White Collar Crime Under the Trump Administration Today, I also noticed the report of a study that provides a bit of evidence that my perception of recent diminution of the march of legal settlements was not far off. It suggests that there has been a recent drop-off not just in settlements, but in law enforcement efforts targeting white-collar crime in general. Asreported by Bloomberg, with the headline, White-Collar Prosecutions Fall to 20-Year Low Under Trump, on May 25, 2018, The number of white-collar prosecutions is on track to hit a 20-year low under President Donald Trump, after reaching a high in 2011 during the Barack Obama administration, according to a nonprofit research center that analyzes government data. A total of 3,249 cases were brought during the first seven months of the U.S. governments 2018 fiscal year, which runs from October 2017 to April 2018, according to a case-by-case analysis of government data by Syracuse Universitys Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse, or TRAC. Thats a 4.4 percent drop from the same period in 2017, a decline of 33.5 percent from five years ago, and 40.8 percent fewer cases than in 1998, according to the report. The analysis is of data obtained by TRAC under the Freedom of Information Act. Discussion So my perceptions that the number of the sorts of legal settlements of interest to us has likely been diminishing was accurate. Unfortunately, rather than the decrease being due to better behavior, decresed reporting, or my laxity in case-finding, it now looks that US government efforts to combat bad behavior by big health care corporations and to hold top leaders of these organizations accountable is getting even more lax. So once again, with feeling We seem to be sliding backwards in efforts to make the leaders of large health care organizations accountable, and particularly to combat the worse manifestation of their lack of accountability, impunity. The system appears to be rigged to favor of leadership and management of large companies, as opposed to health professionals, and particularly as opposed to patients. For years now we have discussed stories like this, which include allegations of severe misbehavior by large health care companies affirmed by legal settlements, but which only involve paltry financial penalties to the companies, and almost never any negative consequences to any humans. Furthermore, as in this case, these stories are often relatively anechoic, noted often only briefly in the media, and have inspired no real action by the US government. This adds to the evidence suggesting that US health care, at least, is rigged to benefit its top insiders and cronies, and as such, is part of a larger rigged system. We have previously discussed how market fundamentalism (or neoliberalism ) led to deregulation, which enabled deception , fraud, bribery , and intimidation to become standard business practices, and allowed increasing concentration of power by large corporations. Managerialism allowed the top leaders of these corporations and their insider cronies to amass increasing power and money. Everyone else, other employees, stockholders of public corporations, customers, vendors and suppliers, and the public at large lost out. In health care, these changes led to an increasingly costly system which produced increasingly bad results for patients and the public. We have called for years for what we sometimes term true health care reform to derig the system. Unfortunately, despite our hopes, perceptions of a rigged system may not always inspire honest reform. Instead, they can enable the rise of demagogues and would be dictators who promise only they can solve the problem. Donald Trump cried out that only he could fix our problems and drain our swamps. However, at least in terms of policing white-collar crime, particularly in health care, he seems to be letting the swamp waters rise. While we thus have bigger problems to solve than the impunity of health care leaders, let us remember the need for wholesale, real health care reform that would make health care leaders accountable for what their organizations do, particularly when these organizations misbehave. Appendix For the Record, Previously Missed US Settlements from 2017 (January) Shire paid $350 million to settle allegations that it gave kick-backs to physicians and clinics to promote Dermagraft, and promoted it for unapproved uses (per the Wall Street Journal) . One unusual aspect of this case was that three executives of a Shire subsidiary which sold this product were also convicted. (April) Sanofi agreed to pay $19.8 million to settle allegations it overcharged the US Department of Veterans Affairs (per Modern Healthcare). (May) Merck and Upsher-Smith Laboratories agreed to pay $60.2 million to settle an anti-trust class action lawsuit alleging they conspired to delay a generic version of a potassium product. Note that the FTC had sued the companies over this matter, but lost their case. (per Reuters). (June) Allergan agreed to pay $13 million to settle allegations that it paid kick-backs to promote sales of various opthalmic preparations (per thePhiladelphia Inquirer). Yves here. It is pretty astonishing that a full ten years after the crisis, the G20 has decided that it might want to understand why the economics profession got it so wrong. This article focuses on the role of research and publication in reinforcing orthodoxy (although since the piece is meant for Very Serious People, it has to say so in a coded manner). By Rob Johnson, Institute for New Economic Thinking President, Senior Fellow and Director, Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt Institute and Thomas Ferguson, Director of Research, Institute for New Economic Thinking. Originally published at the Institute for New Economic Thinking website In a memo for the G20, INET calls for changes to the evaluation of economic research to ensure that economic theoryand policyis more rigorous, innovative, and in service to society. The findings in this memo, Research Evaluation in Economic Theory and Policy: Identifying and Overcoming Institutional Dysfunctions, will also be presented by INET at the G20 Global Solutions SummitBerlin on Tuesday, May 29. The problem this essay addresses can be framed in terms of two quotations from Alexis de Tocqueville. The first comes from his famous speech in the French Chamber of Deputies just prior to the outbreak of the Revolution of 1848: We are sleeping on a volcano.do you not see that the earth is beginning to tremble. The wind of revolt rises; the tempest is on the horizon. The second is from Democracy in America: When the past no longer illuminates the future, the spirit walks in darkness. In 2018, the darkness is all too palpable: A chain of economic reverses that no prominent economists, central bankers, or policymakers anticipated has combined with other shocks from technology, wars, and migrations to produce the political equivalent of the perfect storm. The world financial meltdown of 2008 set the cyclone spinning. As citizens watched helplessly while their livelihoods, savings, and hopes shriveled, states and central banks stepped in to rescue the big financial institutions most responsible for the disaster. But recovery for average citizens arrived only slowly and in some places barely at all, despite a wide variety of policy experiments, especially from central banks. The cycle of austerity and policy failure has now reached a critical point. Dramatic changes in public opinion and voting behavior are battering long entrenched political parties in many countries. In many of the worlds richest countries, more and more citizens are losing faith in the very ideas of science, expertise, and dispassionate judgment even in medicine, as witness the battles over vaccines in Italy, the US, and elsewhere. The failure of widely heralded predictions of immediate economic disaster when the UK voted to leave the European Union and Donald Trump became President of the United States has only fanned the skepticism. Placing entire responsibility for this set of plagues on bad economic theory or deficient policy evaluation does not make sense. Power politics, contending interests, ideologies, and other influences all shaped events. But from the earliest days of the financial collapse, reflective economists and policymakers nourished some of the same suspicions as the general public. Like the Queen of England, they asked plaintively, Why did no one see it coming? Answers were not long in arriving. Critics, including more than a few Nobel laureates in economics, pointed to a series of propositions and attitudes that had crystallized in economic theory in the years before the crisis hit.[1]Economists had closed ranks as though in a phalanx, but the crisis showed how fragile these tenets were. They included: A resolute unwillingness to recognize that fundamental uncertainty shadows economic life in the real world. Neglect of the roles played by money, credit, and financial systems in actual economies and the inherent potential for instability they create. A fixation on economic models emphasizing full or nearly complete information and tendencies for economies either to be always in equilibrium or heading there, not just in the present but far into the indefinite future. A focus on supply as the key to economic growth and, increasingly after 1980, denials that economies could even in theory suffer from a deficiency of aggregate demand. Supreme confidence in the price system as the critical ordering device in economies and the conviction that getting governments and artificial barriers to their working out of the way was the royal road to economic success both domestically and internationally. Initially, debates over this interlocking system of beliefs mostly sparked arguments about the usefulness of particular tools and analytical simplifications that embodied the conventional wisdom: Dynamic stochastic general equilibrium models; notions of a representative agent in macroeconomics and the long run neutrality of money; icy silence about interactions between monetary rates of interest and ruling rates of profit, or the failure of labor markets to clear. Increasingly, however, skeptics wondered if the real problems with economics did not run deeper than that. They began to ask if something was not radically wrong with the structure of the discipline itself that conduced to the maintenance of a narrow belief system by imposing orthodoxies and throwing up barriers to better arguments and dissenting evidence. The empirical evidence now seems conclusive: Yes. Top 5 Dominance for Promotion and Tenure Studies by James Heckman demonstrate the critical gatekeeping role of five so-called top journals in recruitment and promotions within economics as a field.[2]Four of the journals the American Economic Review, the Journal of Political Economy, the Quarterly Journal of Economics, and the Review of Economic Studies are Anglo-American centered and published in the US or the UK as is the fifth, Econometrica, though it is sponsored by the Econometric Society, which has long involved scholars from Scandinavia and other countries. Heckmans research shows that the number of Top 5 (T5) articles published by candidates plays a crucial role in the evaluation of candidates for promotion and tenure. This is true not only in leading departments but more generally in the field, though the influence of the count weakens in lower ranked institutions. The Great Disjunction Heckman compares citations in Top 5 journals with articles frequently cited by leading specialists in various fields and with publication histories of Nobel laureates and winners of the Clark Medal. He is crystal clear that many important articles appear in non-T5 journals a finding supported by other studies.[3]This evidence, he argues, highlights a fundamental contradiction within the whole field: Specialists who themselves publish primarily in field journals defer to generalist journals to screen quality of their colleagues in specialty fields. Citations as Pernicious Measures of Quality in Economics Heckman draws attention to the increase in the number of economists over time and the relative stability of the T5. He argues that his findings imply that the disciplines reluctance to distribute gatekeeping responsibility to high quality non-T5 Journals is inefficient in the face of increasing growth of numbers of people in the profession and the stagnant number of T5 publications. Other scholars who have scrutinized what citations actually measure underscore this conclusion. Like Heckman, they know that citation indices originated from efforts by libraries to decide what journals to buy. They agree that transforming journalimpact factors into measures of the quality of individual articlesis a grotesque mistake, if only because of quality variation within journals and overlaps in average quality among them. Counts of journal articles also typically miss or undercount books and monographs, with likely serious effects on both individual promotion cases and overall publication trends in the discipline. As Heckman observes, the notion that books are not important vehicles for communication in economics is seriously mistaken. Analytical efforts to explain who gets cited and why are especially thought provoking. All serious studies converge on the conclusion that raw counts can hardly be taken at face value.[4]They distort because they are hopelessly affected by the size of fields (articles in bigger fields get more citations) and bounced around by self-citations, varying numbers of co-authors, halo effects leading to over-citation of well-known scholars, and simple failures to distinguish between approving and critical references, etc. One inventory of such problems, not surprisingly by accounting professors, tabulates more than thirty such flaws.[5] But cleaning up raw counts only scratches the surface. Heckmans study raised pointed questions about editorial control at top journals and related cronyism issues. Editorial control of many journals turns over only very slowly and those sponsored by major university departments accept disproportionately more papers from their own graduates.[6]Interlocking boards are also fairly common, especially among leading journals.[7]Carlo DIppolitis study of empirical citation patterns in Italy also indicates that social factors within academia figure importantly: economists are prone to cite other economists who are their colleagues in the same institutions, independently of the contents of their work, but they are even more likely to cite economists closer to their ideological and political positions.[8]Other research confirms that Italy is not exceptional and that, for example, the same pattern shows up in the debates over macroeconomics in the US and the UK after 1975.[9] Other work by Jakob Kapeller, et al., and DIppoliti documents how counting citations triggers a broad set of pathologies that produces major distortions.[10]Investing counts with such weighty significance, for example, affects how both authors and journal editors behave. Something uncomfortably close to the blockbuster syndrome characteristic of Hollywood movies takes root: Rather than writing one major article that would be harder to assimilate, individual authors have strong incentives to slice and dice along fashionable lines. They mostly strive to produce creative variations on familiar themes. Risk-averse gatekeepers know they can safely wave these products through, while the authors run up their counts. Journal editors have equally powerful incentives: They can drive up their impact factors by snapping up guaranteed blockbusters produced by brand names and articles that embellish conventional themes. Kapeller, et al. suggest that this and several other negative feedback loops they discuss lead to a form of crowding out, which has particularly pernicious effects on potential major contributions since those are placed at a disadvantage by comparison with articles employing safer, more familiar tropes.[11]The result is a strong impetus to conformism, producing a marked convergence of views and methods. These papers, and George Akerlof in several presentations, also show that counting schemes acutely disadvantage out-of-favor fields, heterodox scholars, and anyone interested in issues and questions that the dominant Anglo-Saxon journals are not.[12]This holds true even though, as Kapeller et al. observe, articles that reference some contrary viewpoints actually attract more attention, conditioning on appearance in the same journal an indication that policing the field, not simply quality control, is an important consideration in editorial judgment. One consequence of this narrowing is its weirdly skewed international impact. Reliance on the current citations system originated in the US and UK, but has now spread to the rest of Europe and even parts of Asia, including China. But T5 journals concentrate on articles that deal with problems that economists in advanced Anglo-Saxon lands perceive to be important; studies of smaller countries or those at different stages of development face higher publication hurdles. The result is a special case of the colonial mind in action: economics departments outside the US and UK that rely on international standards advantage scholars who focus their work on issues relevant to other countries rather than their own. Citation Counting and Women Economists The long, dismal history of womens engagement with economics as a field has finally attracted anguished attention. The kernel of that history is easy to summarize: until recently, talk of glass ceilings was a stretch, because so few women could be found anywhere on the floor. This peculiar history means that sifting out the role citations play in the bigger picture is inevitably complicated, especially as women enter the field in larger numbers. Giulia Zacchia has compared the publication records and citation patterns of men and women economists. Her conclusion is stark: economics is an environment in which to reach top academic rolesor sometimes any academic positionwomen economists are increasingly forcedto conform to research activities and publishing habits of their male colleaguesThe tendency to assess research quality based on standardized bibliometrics reveals a dual path of convergence and conformity: i) a progressive reduction in the variety of research interests of women and men economists; ii) a tendency to converge to international standards of perceived research excellenceThese phenomena reveal a consistent reduction in diversity in economics, and more broadly the pluralism of research.[13]Her work and other research by Marcella Corsi and Carlo DIppoliti suggest that the T5 system puts up barriers to distinctively feminist expression in economics.[14]As a result, a significant number of women economists, especially at the top, have react by copying the males as they make their way in the discipline: Gender homologation was stronger for full and associate professors than it was for Ph.D. students demonstrating how institutional changes can produce indirect discrimination effects.[15] What Can Be Done? All talk of remedies needs to begin by acknowledging two sovereign facts. Firstly, as Alberto Baccini and other analysts have emphasized, systems of evaluation trigger many sorts of schemes to game the system.[16]The situation is exactly like bank regulation as summarized in Goodharts Law: Actions by regulators to rein in banks quickly induce innovations to take advantage of the rules. This does not mean that regulation is hopeless, but that proposed remedies need careful scrutiny and should never be viewed as once and for all fixes. Secondly, any idea that some formula can completely supplant discussions and assessments of individual work is delusory. The point is powerfully driven home by Kapeller and Steinerberger. They set up an agent-based model of what a perfect refereeing process look likes in a hierarchical system of publication outlets. Then they ask how acknowledging that referees sometimes make mistakes changes things. Their conclusion is eye opening: even small amounts of refereeing error in the system lead to more sweeping changes in the system as a whole than anyone likely suspected. First-rate papers end up at the bottom of the pile; top journals accept substantial numbers of dogs and good papers scatter all around. Their results amount to a yellow caution flag against the idea of taking pecking orders in journals too seriously for any important decisions. But given the clear evidence that the volcanoes are steaming, it would be foolhardy not to try to do better. We are convinced that economics as a discipline still has much to offer the world and that restoring its standing in public life is much to be desired. But this will be something of an uphill climb. Things cannot go on as they have. The ground beneath our feet is shifting, just as in de Tocquevilles time. Another five years of more of the same is likely to produce far more serious reactions that will make current controversies about expertise look quaint. Remediation is required at three different levels: The first concerns the way economics as a discipline proceeds; the second relates to how economic theories feed into economic policymaking; and the third concerns the role of women and diversity. Regarding the progress of the discipline, an obvious first step is required: The G20 should insist that individual national academies of science place the problem of evaluation of research and personnel high on their respective agendas. The problems highlighted here are not necessarily limited to economics, and some national academies have become concerned with methods used in research evaluation. But within economics the issues appear especially clear cut and pressing, because of the link with policymaking and ultimately the wellbeing of the population. National academies should be adjured to hold publichearings and conferences on what went wrong, with both theory and policymaking. They should solicit comments from a wide range of experts, scholars, and even the general public. The results of these assessments should be made public and exchanged among the academies. The end product should be convergence of agreement on specific policy failures and clear inventories of the (mistaken) economic theories that were enlisted to support them. The national academies should take the lead in communicating these results to the media and large funders of research in each country. If these constituencies better understood how shaky the evidence about citations is and the relatively low effectiveness of existing professional screening protocols, pressure for improvement would intensify. As it becomes clear that methods of evaluation can be improved relatively easily, the will to improve the system would intensify. Possible reforms of economics have stimulated widespread discussion, but produced a wide dispersion of views. What to do about journals poses an especially thorny problem. The T5 system bears an uncomfortable likeness to a classic cartel system, which several US and UK university graduate departments quite obviously support to their own advantage and which provide convenient places for outside interests to wield influence. More discussions of the best way to open up the system are needed. Some analysts are impressed with the success of the open source publication movement in some of the physical sciences. They aspire to replace the T5 system with a broad set of open access journals on the internet. In some proposals, comments and reactions to articles would be published alongside original contributions in real time. Not everyone regards this as feasible or desirable nor is it clear how much would materially change were it implemented. Some analysts take the ability of a few mathematicians to display their prowess by solving publicly posted problems on the internet with no journal intervention at all as evidence that journals could be downgraded tout court. But the number of scholars who succeed in solving these problems is few and all of them together are insufficient to structure the kinds of real life scientific communities required for modern countries to flourish. In practice, these open challenge schemes thrive inside a larger ecology of expertise that maintains itself in universities, government laboratories, research institutes, etc. Skeptics also shudder to recall Thomas Hobbes famous comment that 2+2=4 would be disputed if it affected someones interest. They see no reason why on line mobbing of the type now familiar in socially contentious discussions on the internet would not occur within science practiced along such lines. At the turn of the twentieth century, national rivalries in medicine, physics, and even mathematics were sometimes intense. Today, though, the number of interested private actors has likely increased. The global warming debate might be considered a kind of warning. That under pressure macroeconomics tends to dissolve into extensively solipsistic communities that cite communicants relatively heavily hardly dampens such fears. By contrast, practical improvements to personnel review are perhaps easier to imagine and might effectively go more quickly to the roots of the problem. One reason for the popularity of the T5 system is that it requires review committees and deans to make little more than a pretense of reading candidates research. One simply totes up the number of articles, weights each by journal impact figures, and arrives at a formal or informal total score. End of discussion. Fearful defenders of the status quo cite the bulge in candidates and streaming proliferation of articles as reasons to stick with this procedure, despite its obvious lack of intellectual merit. An approach that is viable even with relatively large numbers of candidates might be one based on the system used for many years in the MIT Economics Department. Likely rooted in an old aphorism of Paul Samuelsons that in science one honors peak, not average, performance, this approach functions by having candidates put forward their three best publications for evaluation. Members of departments who would never be able to review the entire oeuvre of candidates can fully participate. The process could be improved by contriving some auxiliary safeguards for special circumstances. Such processes could also employ a set of different citation indices, sifted to remove obvious foolishness (such as the failure to control for field size), as one form of evidence among others. Another easy improvement could be a flat ban on the use of point scales or scorecard tallies of minimum numbers of articles in journals of different types as conditions for promotion. A number of countries now require something like this, despite the evidence brought forward by Heckman, Baccini, Corsi, et al., and others. Some reforms are similarly easy to envisage with respect to the application of economic theories in economic policy. The case for more pluralism is compelling. There is no reason why the US defense establishment should be the only organization that sets up formally constituted Team Bs that deliver alternative, officially reported assessments. It is obvious that since 2008 both governments and international organizations have been carried away with a mania for secrecy about their operating economic projections and the economic theories they are trying to implement. These should be opened up to formal discussions, similar to what used to happen in testimony in the U.S. Congress and regulatory commissions.[17] We venture to suggest that a close reading of the debates over financial regulation in the run up to the 2008 collapse will readily reveal the lengths to which authorities and collaborating economists went to stifle public debate. The guiding idea of efforts to reverse this state of affairs would not be to say that particular economic theories are right and or wrong but to assess whether the economic theories being applied are biased because they have never seriously been questioned. To win back public confidence, economists need to justify and support their ideas. That can happen only if we guarantee pluralism, so that they all are forced to argue with one another, instead of retreating to silos. Making economics safe for diversity, of course, also implies improving the situation of women in economics. Many of the most relevant reforms, however, concern the structure of the discipline as a whole, not better uses of citations per se. It is obviously fanciful to imagine that much can be done without substantially increasing the number of women at all levels of the profession and securing their representation on all journal boards and committees that pass on research. That seems patent. It would also help if the discipline routinely calculated indices of gender equity in the economics profession (e.g., a glass ceiling index) to monitor and ensure gender-neutrality of research institutions by looking at hiring procedures, research assessments, and other strategic venues for the advancement of women, and increasing awareness of unconscious bias. All this, of course, presupposes workplaces in which sexual harassment is not tolerated and in which not simply talk, but action occurs to remedy the problems as they come to light. _________________________ Footnotes [1]Nobel Prize winning economists who have recently appeared on panels critical of the way work in economics is now evaluated include George Akerlof, Angus Deaton, Lars Hansen, and James Heckman. See, e.g., Taking the Con Out of Economics: The Limits of Negative Darwinism, Panel Presented at the Institute for New Economic Thinking Conference in Edinburgh, Scotland, October 2017, available on the web at https://www.ineteconomics.org/conference-session/taking-the-con-out-of-economics-the-limits-of-negative-darwinismand Publishing and Promotion in Economics: The Curse of the Top 5, Panel Presented at the American Economic Association Annual Meeting, Philadelphia, January 2017; on the web at https://www.aeaweb.org/webcasts/2017/curse [2]James J. Heckman and Sidharth Moktan, Publishing and Promotion in Economics: The Curse of the Top 5, Paper Presented at the Institute for New Economic Thinking Plenary Conference in Edinburgh, Scotland, October, 2017; on the web at https://www.ineteconomics.org/uploads/downloads/Heckman-Presentation-Publishing.pdf See also the discussion of concentration over time in Florentin Glotzel and Ernest Aigner, Six Dimensions of Concentration in Economics: Scientometric Evidence from a Large Scale Data Set, Institute for Ecological Economics, Vienna University of Economics and Business, Working Paper No. 15, Year 3, 2017; on the web at http://epub.wu.ac.at/5488/1/EcolEcon_WorkingPaper_2017_15.pdf [3]We are grateful to Alberto Baccini, who shared with us some counts from his own data for the period 2009 to 20018; the less than commanding position of the T5 is apparent. [4]See, e.g., Todeschini, R. and A. Baccini, Handbook of Bibliometric Indicators. Quantitative Tools for Studying and Evaluating Research.(Weinheim, Germany: Wiley-VCH, 2016). [5]Alan Reinstein, James R. Hasselback, Mark E. Riley, David H. Sinason, Pitfalls of Using Citation Indices for Making Academic Accounting Promotion, Tenure, Teaching Load, and Merit Pay Decisions, Issues in Accounting Education26, No. 1, pp. 99-131. Studies also show low rates of agreement between citation counts and the judgments of the relevance of papers by peer reviewers. See the discussion in Wouters, P. et al. (2015), The Metric Tide: Literature Review (Supplementary Report I to the Independent Review of the Role of Metrics in Research Assessment and Management), HEFCE. DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.1.5066.3520; on the web at http://www.dcscience.net/2015_metrictideS1.pdf [6]Cf. also Colussi T., Social Ties in Academia: A Friend is a Treasure, The Review of Economics and Statistics,Vol 100, Issue 1 (2017), pp. 45-50. [7]Alberto Baccini and Lucio Barabesi, Gatekeepers of Economics: the Network of Editorial Boards in Economic Journals, in Lanteri, A. Vromen, J. eds., The Economics of Economists(Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2014), pp. 104-150. [8]Carlo dIppoliti, Many Citedness: Citations Measure More Than Just Scientific Impact, Institute for New Economic Thinking Working Paper No. 57, Revised April 6, 2018; on the web at https://www.ineteconomics.org/research/research-papers/many-citedness [9]See Lasse Folke Henricksen, Leonard Seabrooke, and Kevin Young, Fathers of Neoliberalism: The Academic and Professional Performance of the Chicago School, 1960-85, Paper Presented at Institute for New Economic Thinking Conference, Edinburgh, Scotland, October , 2017; on the web at https://www.ineteconomics.org/research/research-papers/fathers-of-neoliberalism [10]Jakob Kapeller and Stefan Steinerberger, Emergent Phenomena in Scientific Publishing: A Simulation Exercise, Research Policy45 (2016), pp. 1945-52; Christian Grimm, Stephan Puhringer and Jakob Kapeller, Paradigms and Policies: The State of Economics in the German-Speaking Countries, Institute for Comprehensive Analysis of the Economy, University Linz, ICAE Working Paper Series, No. 77 March 2018; but especially Matthias Aistleitner, Jakob Kapeller, and Stefan Steinerberger, The Power of Scientometrics and the Development of Economics, Institute for Comprehensive Analysis of the Economy, University Linz, ICAE Working Paper Series, No. 46 March 2016 (Updated: August 2017). [11]See the papers cited supra. [12]See, e.g., Akerlofs Sins of Omission, Paper Presented at the Institute for New Economic Thinking Plenary Conference, Edinburgh, Scotland, on the web at https://www.ineteconomics.org/uploads/downloads/AKERLOF-Presentation.pdfand Lee, F. S., X. Pham and G. Gu, The UK Research Assessment Exercise and the Narrowing of UK Economics. Cambridge Journal of Economics37, 4 (2013) : 693-717. [13]Giulia Zacchia, The Dark Side of Discrimination in the Economics Profession, Institute for New Economic Thinking Blog, November 3, 2017; available on the web at https://www.ineteconomics.org/perspectives/blog/the-dark-side-of-discrimination-in-the-economics-professionSee also her Diversity in Economics: A Gender Analysis of Italian Economic Production, Institute for New Economic Thinking, Working Paper No. 61; available on the web at https://www.ineteconomics.org/research/research-papers/diversity-in-economicsFor a study strongly suggesting that different standards are applied by reviewers and editors to publications by women economists, see Erin Hengel, Evidence From Peer Review That Women Are Held to Higher Standards, Vox,December 22, 2017; on the web at http://www.dcscience.net/2015_metrictideS1.pdf [14]Marcella Corsi, Diversity and the Evaluation of Economic Research: the Case of Italian Economics, Paper presented at the Institute for New Economic Thinking Conference, Edinburgh, Scotland, October 2017; available on the web at https://www.ineteconomics.org/uploads/papers/CORSI-Diversity-and-the-Evaluation-of-Economic-Research.pdf Marcella Corsi, Carlo dIppoliti, and Giulia Zacchia, How Academic Conformity Punishes Women and Restricts the Diversity of Economic Ideas, Institute for New Economic Thinking Blog, December 14, 2017, available on the web at https://www.ineteconomics.org/perspectives/blog/how-academic-conformity-punishes-women-and-restricts-the-diversity-of-economic-ideas [15]Zacchia, The Dark Side. [16]See, e.g., Edwards, M. A. and S. Roy, Academic Research in the 21st Century: Maintaining Scientific Integrity in a Climate of Perverse Incentives and Hypercompetition, Environmental Engineering Science34, 1 (2017) : 51-61; and Smaldino, P. E. and R. McElreath, The Natural Selection of Bad Science, Royal Society Open Science3, 9 (2016). [17]Those continue to happen, but they now play little role in most policy formation; the end of official support for many legislative caucuses is a related factor. Mysterious wolf-like animal shot in Montana, officials stumped DW Delphic priestesses were the worlds first political risk consultants Aeon (Chuck L) Doctor Featured In Videos Dancing to Hip Hop In Surgeries Accused Of Leaving Patient With Permanent Brain Damage Jonathan Turley. This was too surreal to pass up, despite the consequences. New theory finds traffic jams in jet stream cause abnormal weather patterns Science Daily (Kevin W) This Has Got to Be One of The Most Beautiful And Powerful Climate Change Visuals Weve Ever Seen Science Alert (David L) Researchers think theyve found the oldest continuous Antarctic ice cores ever Quartz (Kevin W) Depression speeds up brain aging, find psychologists: Psychologists have found a link between depression and an acceleration of the rate at which the brain ages ScienceDaily (furzy). I dunno. My uncle suffered from terrible depression (hed sleep as much as 22 hours a day, was put on every med combination imaginable, to find they either didnt work at all or only worked for a while, and even sought out electroshock) and he still got a PhD at the age of 74. So even if this new factoid may be generally true, that does not necessarily mean it is always true. North Korea Looking for Modi: Incomplete houses, broken toilets, Adivasi anger in one district of Madhya Pradesh The Scroll. J-LS: Interesting detail especially at the end, re lack of rural banking capacity. Vietnam, the unlikely poster child for a sustainable lifestyle South China Morning Post (furzy) Italian government bond volatility doing its best impression of the eurozone crisis. pic.twitter.com/Yv8BKVnaj0 Tracy Alloway (@tracyalloway) May 25, 2018 Irish abortion referendum: Exit polls suggest landslide for repeal BBC Sweden Scares Population with War Pamphlets amid Push to Join NATO Real News Network (UserFriendly) Brexit GEORGE SOROS: My love for Britain is why I hate Brexit Daily Mail. UserFriendly: If anyone can turn around those Brexit Hardlines its the man who broke the pound.. sigh. New Cold War Russia Tightens Grip on Europes Gas With Gazprom Deal Bloomberg (Kevin W) MH17 downed by Russian military missile system, say investigators Guardian (furzy). Im curious to see John Helmers take on this. The Dutch prosecutors have been criticized by Australian prosecutors in court filings, and IIRC the disputed points were consequential. Syraqistan Big Brother is Watching You Watch Tariff Tantrum Trump to let Chinas ZTE reopen after it pays $1.3bn fine Financial Times Donald Trump proves trade wars with China are good and easy to win South China Morning Post (furzy). The obligations to perform are all on the Chinese side and none happen quickly. Pray tell, why should anyone think China will comply to a meaningful degree, particularly if the Republicans lose the House (an outcome that seems less likely than it did a few weeks ago). However, Trump and the Republicans do get a nice talking point for the campaign trail. Trump Transition Justice Delayed Is Justice: Mueller Fights To Delay Russian Collusion Trial Jonathan Turley, Key sentence: Thus far the defense is doing an excellent job in setting Muellers team back on its heels. Michael Cohen Is Still Deputy Finance Chair of RNC While Under Serious Criminal Investigation Alternet (furzy) John McCains Last Fight Politico. UserFriendy: McCain the dove. just shoot me. Why Democrats Cant Win Without Bernie Newsweek (furzy) Which scenario do you believe is more likely for the future of American politics? RRH Elections (UserFriendly) Election fears recede for House Republicans The Hill New York Democratic Party Isnt Embracing Progressive Wave New York Magazine. UserFriendly: I see her bubble is as strong as ever. Hillary Clinton Dons Heavy Coat and Scarf in Sweltering 90 Boston Heat Gateway Pundit. J-LS: If she is wearing a back brace for some reason, why nt just come clean about it? I guess thats never the first response in Clintonworld. Report: Up to 110 Million Americans Could Have PFAS-Contaminated Drinking Water EWG (furzy) Gunz Behind the Scenes of Harvey Weinsteins Arrest New Yorker Fake News Backlash after Facebook says it plans to lump news stories in with political ads Columbia Journalism Review OPEC Sends Oil Prices Crashing OilPrice (furzy) Tesla agrees to settle class action over Autopilot billed as safer Reuters Corporate Privilege: Premeditated Murders, Civil Fines and Miscarriages of Justice Ghion Journal. Important. I had no idea re the asbestos angle. Class Warfare Antidote du jour (Tracie H): See yesterdays Links and Antidote du Jour here. Weve all seen the movie A River Runs Through It with Brad Pitt looking rugged and handsome as he skillfully casts his line into the clear and icy waters of Montana. If you are interested in learning how to fly fish like a pro in Northern California, youll want to go on a guided fishing trip with The Fly Shop in Redding, California. Why should you consider a guided fishing trip? A local guide knows the river like the back of his (or her) hand. He knows where to fish and where to target the fly line. A professional guide knows what fishing tackle and gear to use and, most important, how to tie a fly. A local guide also comes with his own boat; a key piece of equipment, unless you intend to fish from the river bank. Why visit Redding Within an hour of Redding, California we are lucky to have literally hundreds of miles of trout streams and many lakes to choose from. These streams are some of the most beautiful places you could fish. A lot of these streams are open year round, while some of the more storied locations such as The McCloud River and Hat Creek are open from the last Saturday in April until November 15. On this fishing trip, we stayed at The Sheraton Redding Hotel at the Sundial Bridge, right next to the Sacramento River. An easy 15 minute drive to The Fly Shop, the store is the largest retail fly fishing business in the world and the staff is friendly and professional. We bought our California fishing licenses at The Fly Shop (for an additional fee), met our guide Shane Kohlbeck and followed him with our truck to the Bonnyview boat launch. We would float the Lower Sacramento River at our leisure, eventually taking out at Anderson River Park in the afternoon. The art of fly fishing In spending a day on the Sacramento River with Shane, I learned that slack in your line is critical for a natural presentation. I learned that its easy to catch trout on nymphs and that dry fly fishing is a real challenge. On our particular day on the water, the fish were rising to PMD (pale morning dun mayflies.) I now understand that the whole point of fly fishing is to match the hatch. In fly fishing, a straight, lose line is much preferred over a taught fly line. I learned how to mend the line and strip line off like a pro although Shane might not agree with my assessment of my fishing abilities. I also learned the difference between sport fishing and fishing for meat. This is not the place to fill your fish box, notes guide Shane Kohlbeck. Its all catch and release. We want everyone to enjoy the experience of catching a beautiful 17-20 inch native trout. A trout can lay 1,000 eggs each spring, adds Kohlbeck. We want them to keep coming back. Think like a trout We had an opportunity to witness the fish rising to dry flies; this is a rare occurrence on the Lower Sacramento River. Wed been catching and releasing 20 inch trout all morning long. I had a huge trout on the end of four pound test line, but I pulled too hard, reeling it in and broke off Shanes line. He was polite about my rookie mistake, adding if you were my fishing buddy, I would have made you take me to dinner. Instead, he shrugged it off and tied another fly on the line. This is not the place to fill your fish box. Its all catch and release. We want everyone to enjoy the experience of catching a beautiful 17-20 inch native trout. Guide Shane Kohlbeck The Fly Shop fly fishing resource for anglers The Fly Shop also has many private ranches with exclusive access to streams and lakes. Id be keen to visit Antelope Creek Lodge, where you can stay in comfort, eat home cooked meals and enjoy private access to two miles of trout filled creek and two trophy trout lakes. Other locations like Battle Creek Ranch are rugged, wild places chock full of native trout that rarely see a fly their entire lives. They also offer formal fly fishing schools and fish camps for kids and families. These are typically held at Antelope Creek Ranch another reason I need to go there. Rumor has it that many of their Fish Camp kids have gone on to become champion fly casters (Maxine McCormick) and guides/fly shop owners like George Revell, to name a few. At The Fly Shop they pride themselves on their ability to outfit anyone with anything they need to be successful on the water. The Redding company excels in arranging guided fishing trips and fly fishing instruction that cater to every skill level from beginner (that would be me) to advanced. Need to know: For a half day, one or two anglers, the price is $320, which includes 4 5 hours of fishing. For a full day, one or two anglers, anywhere The Fly Shop guides is $450, which includes 8 hours of fishing and lunch. For anglers who dont have gear (that would be me) The Fly Shop offers the Package Deal for an additional $50, thats per couple, NOT per person. The guide provides all gear including fly rod, tippet, sinkers and flies, in addition to a comfortable boat. Its as simple as showing up, purchasing a California fishing license (one day or multi-day) and getting out on the water. Insider Tip: If you are used to spincasting, youll want to abandon your casting techniques and listen to your guide on the subtle art of fly casting. For additional insider tips follow luxury travel writer @Nancydbrown on Twitter or Instagram @Nancydbrown and The Fly Shop on Instagram and @TheFlyShopTFS on Twitter. If You Go: The Fly Shop (800) 669-3474 4140 Churn Creek Road Redding, California 96002 How to fly fish on the Sacramento River review, video and all photography by travel writer Nancy D. Brown. I was a guest of Visit Redding while on assignment for another publication. All opinions on how to fly fish like a pro are my own. No fish were harmed in the making of this blog post. (Natural News) Trying really, really hard not to be perceived as racist, corporate coffee giant Starbucks has officially announced that every single one of its stores will now be open to anyone who wants to use the facilities, including people who dont plan on purchasing anything and who simply want to squat for the day. The announcement was made in response to a controversial situation that occurred last month, in which two black men were arrested at a Starbucks store in Philadelphias Rittenhouse Square. After being denied access to the bathrooms, the two casually-dressed men, who claimed they were waiting for a friend to have a business meeting, occupied tables inside the store until employees decided to call the police. The men were taken away in handcuffs, much to the chagrin of other customers in the store who were heard in a viral video stating that they didnt do anything. The incident sparked almost immediate outrage by social justice warriors (SJWs), who complained online that the non-paying customers were targeted simply for being black. In typical Starbucks form, company CEO Howard Schultz was also quick to condemn the decision by the employees, as he then proceeded to bend over backwards to pacify the Black Lives Matter element of his customer base. Even though the actual circumstances surrounding the incident remain unclear, Schultz decided it was best to play the race card against his own company and has now basically turned his chain of stores into homeless camps for anyone who wants to occupy them at any given time. We dont want to become a public bathroom, but were going to make the right decision 100% of the time and give people the key, because we dont want anyone at Starbucks to feel as if we are not giving access to use the bathroom, Schultz stated in his announcement, failing to clarify how the move wont, in practicality, turn all Starbucks stores into public bathrooms. Political correctness will eventually destroy Starbucks If it turns out that the two black men who were arrested were targeted simply for being black, then this is definitely an issue that Schultz should address. But changing the companys policies to allow anyone, including homeless people, junkies, and others, to use all Starbucks stores as shelter without requiring them to purchase anything, is just about the worst business move that Schultz could make. It wont be long before every Starbucks store and especially those located in urban areas with large homeless populations becomes an indoor tent city, filled with every type of degenerate who has nowhere else to go. And as these non-customers take up all the tables in the stores, actual paying customers will be driven away in droves, eventually putting the company out of business. Its just sheer stupidity, in other words, to make this drastic change when doing so stands to completely eliminate all paying customers from Starbucks stores. Professionals and others who are willing to fork over $5 for a latte surely wont want to deal with the presence and stench of homeless Joe over in the corner hiding under a urine-soaked blanket as he has a conversation with the voices inside his head. But this is exactly what Schultz is inviting into his stores with his new open-door policy which Starbucks shareholders, by the way, are sure to disapprove of. Its almost as if Schultz wants the Starbucks company to fold, as no business owner in his right mind would ever want to turn an otherwise successful enterprise into a chain of revenue-killing homeless shelters. This decisions by Starbucks represents the epitome of liberal insanity. For more similar news, visit Libtards.news. Sources for this article include: CBSLocal.com NaturalNews.com (Natural News) Theres no question that people love their dogs: We share our homes and our lives with our furry companions, and in turn, our pets give us their undivided love and affection. But are all those puppy kisses putting your health at risk? New research has shown that humans may want to be a bit more cautious when it comes to letting their dogs give them a lick especially for those of us with weakened immune systems. While to many people, this may sound like a no brainer after witnessing some of the stuff their dog is willing to put in its mouth, it turns out the gross factor isnt the only thing youve got to worry about. Some of our furry friends may unwittingly be harboring infection-causing bacteria in their mouths particularly the kind related to causing urinary tract infections (UTIs). And if youve ever had one of those before, you know you dont ever want to have one again. Research finds link between dogs and UTIs Hailing from the University of Copenhagen, Dr. Peter Damborg and his team investigated what kind of risk dogs pose in the development of a UTI. To conduct their research, the scientists examined 119 patients at Hvidovre Hospital in Copenhagen. All of their patients were being treated for a UTI, but only 19 of them reported living with a dog or cat. Patients were asked to swab their pets feces on two occasions, once at the beginning of the study and a second time ten months later. What they found was that two of the patients dogs were carrying the same strain of bacteria that caused their UTI. In one case, the dog feces was still carrying the same disease-causing bacteria nearly a year later indicating that the family pet may be a permanent carrier. Though his owner recovered, Damborg cautions that the risk remains. I think that people in general should take precautions when in contact with their pets, Dr. Damborg contended. If someone has a compromised immune system, then this point is even more important as they are more at risk for infections, he added. While no patients appeared to have acquired an infection from their cats, Damborg notes that it is possible to catch an illness from feline friends as well. Cats, for example, are known to carry Toxoplasma gondii, a parasitic bacteria that causes the disease toxoplasmosis. A strong immune system is essential As Damborg notes, people with a weakened immune system will be at an increased risk of infection. Keeping the immune system strong and healthy is an essential part of well-being for everyone though. There are many steps you can take to keep your immune system functioning at its best and minimize your risk of infection. Hand washing, of course, is an integral part of regular hygiene. Washing your hands is perhaps the single most important step you can take to prevent infection, but making sure youre washing long enough is key. Studies suggest that you need to lather up for at least 20 seconds to really get the most out of your efforts and keep illness at bay. Beyond that though, there are many natural ways you can support your bodys defense system. For example, acupressure points can actually be used to help build immunity. There are, of course, also a wide array of foods and nutrients that support a strong immune system and help prevent infection. Garlic, carrots, ginger and leafy greens are just a few things that come to mind. Stay up-to-date on the latest news on what heals and what harms at Health.news. Sources for this article include: DailyMail.co.uk CDC.gov NASA photographer Bill Ingalls found himself one camera short when a bushfire burnt his remote camera to a crisp during a SpaceX rocket launch. Surprisingly, the toasted equipment still managed to capture a great still of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket's takeoff on Tuesday, May 22. It even managed to record its own demise. A Toasty Camera The veteran photographer took to social media to share a photo of the damaged camera as well as two other shots of the images it managed to take before getting completely toasted. "This was result of a small brush fire, which is not unheard of from launches, and was extinguished by fireman, albeit, after my cam was baked," Ingalls wrote on the caption. According to a report from Space.com, the camera was a Canon DSLR that was positioned roughly a quarter mile from the SpaceX launch pad at the Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. It's only one of Ingalls' six remote cameras set up around the perimeter to document the important flight. Four of these cameras were placed much closer to the launch pad. "I had six remotes, two outside the launch pad safety perimeter and four inside," Ingalls says in a statement from NASA. Luckily, despite the bushfire accident, even the burnt camera managed to do its job, capturing a stunning frame of the rocket's takeoff. The national opioid epidemic is officially on another level as mussels in Seattle were found with traces of the drug in its system. Opioid addiction in the United States is a major problem, and now even marine life is getting contaminated. Opioids In Washington Waters While monitoring the pollution levels of Seattle's Puget Sound, researchers discovered oxycodone in the tissues of native bay mussels, according to a report from the Puget Sound Institute earlier in May. The mussels were from the harbors of the Seattle and Bremerton area. Mussels are an excellent indicator of the environment since they concentrate contaminants into their tissues. While the amount of oxycodone found in the mussels are thousands of times lower than a human dose, it's still a worrying development due to the drugs' potential effects on local fish. After all, a previous study has found that zebrafish are able to learn dosing themselves with opioids and other fish might have the tendency to do the same. Other Drugs In Mussels CNN reports that a number of other pharmaceuticals were found in the mussels' tissue including seven types of antibiotics, five antidepressants, more than one antidiabetic drug, and a chemotherapy agent. There were also four kinds of synthetic surfactants, which are chemicals that make up detergents and other cleaning products. The surfactants could be particularly problematic. Jennifer Lanksbury, a biologist from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, explains that surfactants have been found to affect the hormones of fish in "an estrogenic way" including feminizing males. The chemotherapy agent, Melphalan, was found in high levels, which could be cause for concern as well. Andy James of PSI says the level is at a point that researchers may want to examine the biological impact. Source Of The Drugs The presence of opioids in the Puget Sound mussels indicate that a high number of people in the area must be taking the drug. "A lot of the pharmaceuticals are probably coming out of our wastewater treatment plants," Lanksbury says in CNN. "They receive the water that comes from our toilets and our houses and our hospitals, and so these drugs, we're taking them, and then we're excreting them in our urine so it gets to the wastewater treatment plant in that way." She adds that people flushing their drugs down the toilet may also be a source of the pharmaceuticals. Lanksbury also specifies that the contamination is limited to the urban areas of the Puget Sound, while most of the other shorelines of the sound are shown to be clean. A South Bay doctor promoting a controversial medical remedy for numerous ailments is getting nothing but ill will from the California Medical Board. That remedy is a "hissing" sound, which the doctor says is designed to utilize a body's own energy to heal itself. The doctor in Los Gatos on Friday was still seeing patients. But the new invention that involves the different hissing sounds can be purchased online, and that's what started his legal problems. The sound of a homeopathic remedy longtime Los Gatos doctor Bill Gray makes a hissing sound. Gray sells the remedy on his website for $5, which he has done for years. Gray, a Stanford medical school graduate, said that mobile access has made his method a worldwide remedy. But the remedy is causing legal pain. The California Medical Board, in conjunction with the state attorney general, filed a compliment of "gross negligence" saying the method has no scientific basis and criticized Gray for not performing actual exams. The board is considering suspending or revoking his license. Pacific Gas and Electric is firing back in the legal war over the North Bay firestorm, filing legal claims blaming Sonoma County, Santa Rosa and at least three other North Bay agencies for actions and inactions in responding to the disaster. Cal Fire officials are due to release findings later this month about the cause of the most devastating firestorm in state history, which claimed 44 lives. Meanwhile, PG&E is already being sued by the Wine Country counties which claim its equipment sparked the blazes. In a claim filed last month against Sonoma County, PG&E cites actions and inactions both before and during the Sonoma fires by county officials as evidence of the inadequacy of their fire response effort. The claim points to possible breakdowns in everything from urban planning to water supply infrastructure to vegetation clearance enforcement allegations one lawyer suing the utility considered insulting. Its shocking to me that PG&E would try to blame the tax payers and the local governments for the fire that they caused, said John Fisk, the attorney representing the targeted counties. They are trying to put the blame on the governmental entities, the tax payers, and the brave men and women who are doing their very best and who did their very best to react to one of the most devastating wildfires that struck in the middle of the night. In its April claim against Sonoma County, PG&E says even though the Cal Fire probe is ongoing, it had to outline a case against relevant government agencies so as to preserve our (its) rights under state law. PG&E recently got a boost in making the case against Sonoma based on a governors Office of Emergency Services report that found major gaps in the countys alert system. Overlapping systems led to duplication, inconsistency and some confusion in messages transmitted to the public, the report said. It did show flaws in the system, and we have to own that, said James Gore, chairman of Sonoma County Board of Supervisors. He said the claim is not surprising, given the findings of the report the county had asked for. When we did that independent report, I did think that by doing it, it might open us to litigation, Gore said. But as a responsible public servant, I want to know whats real and not hide from anything. Still, Santa Rosa Fire Chief Tony Gossner says the allegations in the claim do sting. I dont have a good answer for why PG&E would do that. Thats a question for PG&E, he said. But clearly, he said, we dont like it. But its going to go where its going to go and itll play out the way it plays out. Fiske, the attorney for the agencies in the claims, which include Mendocino County and the areas Potter Valley Irrigation District, sees the actions as part of a larger campaign by the utility to limit its potential multibillion dollar fire liability, including a push for relief from the state legislature. In a statement, the utility said the claims speak for themselves. In the claims, PG&E stresses the urgency of working together with local and state agencies to respond to the unprecedented challenge of global warming as the new normal in California. San Francisco International Airports U.S. Customs and Border Protection offered a glimpse into their daily operations after a passenger claimed he was tortured by officials in April, which the department denied. Director of Field Operations, Brian Humphrey, explained the process for international travelers, refuting claims of a human rights advocate from the Philippines Jerome Aba. "When those accusations include false information involving an individual, we will respond to correct the record," Humphrey said. In April, Aba said he underwent a secondary screening at SFO, an ordeal he said lasted 25 hours, and included him having to strip down in front of a cold fan and being left in a room with a gun and grenade. Humphrey said interview video suggests otherwise: "If we were issued this equipment we would never lock a passenger in a room with a device that could be used to harm our own officers or other passengers in that area." Officials said Aba was deemed inadmissible, denied entry and spent part of his time in a waiting lounge with food, water and blankets. Humphrey added Aba was not even subjected to a pat-down search and returned home. "It's clear they're trying to cover their tracks and we don't believe what they're saying," said Terrence Valen from the National Alliance for Filipino Concerns. He claims he waited for Aba at the airport for hours and described him as "highly credible." "We want to make sure this never happens again and expose if these kinds of things are happening in back rooms," Valen said. He believes the airports actions were politically motivated. What to Know Joshua Holt, who traveled to Venezuela in 2016 and was later jailed, was released Saturday by the anti-American Maduro government Months of secret talks between Sen. Bob Corker's aide and Maduro allies led up to Holt's release, which seemed unlikely even a week ago President Donald Trump said 17 prisoners have been freed from overseas captivity since he's been president and that others would be coming Joshua Holt, a Utah man who traveled to Venezuela in 2016 to marry a woman he met online but soon found himself jailed and later branded the CIA's top spy in Latin America, has been set free by the anti-American Maduro government. He says he was "overwhelmed with gratitude." Holt and his wife, Thamara Caleno, arrived Saturday evening at Washington Dulles International Airport for a tearful reunion with his parents, Laurie and Jason Holt. A few hours later, President Donald Trump welcomed them to the White House. "Those two years, they were a very, very, very difficult two years," said an emotional Joshua Holt, sitting next to Trump in the Oval Office. "Not really the great vacation that I was looking for. ... I'm just so grateful for what you guys have done." To Holt, Trump said: "You've gone through a lot. More than most people could endure." The Utah man's mother, Laurie Holt, thanked Trump and the lawmakers for her son's safe return, adding: "I also want to say thank you to President Maduro for releasing Josh and letting him come home." Their release came one day after Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., held a surprise meeting in Caracas with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, who the Trump administration says runs a "dictatorship" and just won re-election in a "sham" vote. Trump, in a tweet, described Holt as a "hostage." The U.S. contended Holt was held on trumped-up charges. Months of secret, backchannel talks between an aide to Corker, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and close allies of Maduro preceded their return. Yet Holt's release had seemed unlikely even a week ago. Joining Trump in the Oval Office were Corker, Utah Sens. Orrin Hatch and Mike Lee, and Utah Rep. Mia Love, all Republicans. The lawmakers thanked Trump for his support. The White House learned from Corker on Friday of Holt's impending release, according to a U.S. official who has closely followed Holt's plight and spoke on condition of anonymity to describe the private talks. Holt and his wife were reunited at the Caracas airport with her daughter from a previous relationship, and all three boarded a chartered flight to Washington. "We are on our way home," Corker tweeted. When he departed the Caracas airport earlier, Holt told The Associated Press that the ordeal had left him "exhausted." Venezuela's communications minister, Jorge Rodriguez, said their release was a goodwill gesture that followed months of dialogue between the Maduro government and U.S. lawmakers. "We're praying that this type of gesture ... will allow us to strengthen what we've always sought: dialogue, harmony, respect for our independence and respect for our sovereignty," he said. Holt, now 26, set out for the South American country in June 2016 to marry a woman he met online while looking for Spanish-speaking Mormons who could help him improve his Spanish. He had planned to spend several months in Caracas that summer with his new wife and her two daughters, to secure their visas so they could move with him to the U.S. Instead, the couple was arrested that June 30 at her family's apartment in a government housing complex on the outskirts of Caracas. Authorities accused him of stockpiling an assault rifle and grenades and suggested that his case was linked to other unspecified U.S. attempts to undermine Maduro's rule amid deep economic and political turbulence. They were held in a notorious Caracas prison, run by the secret police, that also is home to dozens of top Maduro opponents jailed during the past few years of political unrest in the country. Their trial was set to begin this month after repeated delays that led the Trump administration to question the motives for his detention. Until Trump's tweet on Saturday, the U.S. had stopped short of publicly calling Holt a "hostage." Holt's release looked unlikely a week ago, when he appeared in a clandestinely shot video railing against the Maduro government and saying his life was threatened in a prison riot. In retaliation, socialist party boss Diosdado Cabello, a powerful Maduro ally, said on state television that Holt was the CIA's top spy in Latin America. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., spoke to Trump at length Friday night and later said the couple's release "will in no way change U.S. policy toward the dictatorship in Venezuela." The White House press secretary issued a statement to that point Saturday night, saying policy was not changing even while thanking the government for releasing the Holts. The statement also called the recent elections "illegitimate" and urged the release of all political prisoners. The Trump administration has threatened crippling oil sanctions on Venezuela for Maduro's decision to go forward with the presidential election last week. The U.S. government at first avoided ratcheting up public pressure on Venezuela in light of their already strained relations, but eventually raised Holt's case with the highest levels of the Venezuelan government and decried his treatment in prison. Corker was seen live on state TV on Friday shaking hands with Maduro and being greeted by first lady Cilia Flores as he entered the presidential palace. Corker left an hour later; neither the senator nor the president made any statements. Laurie Holt worked feverishly to bring attention to her son's incarceration, hosting rallies and fundraisers and doing media interviews. She said her son has suffered numerous health problems in jail, including kidney stones and respiratory problems. He was depressed and lost so much weight that he dropped several pant sizes, she said. In their statement, the Holt family said, "We thank you for your collaboration during this time of anguish. We ask that you allow us to meet with our son and his wife before giving any interviews and statements. We are grateful to all who participated in this miracle." ___ Goodman reported from Bogota, Colombia. Associated Press writers Scott Smith in Caracas, Venezuela, and Brady McCombs in Salt Lake City contributed to this report. A suburban Chicago man who fled to Mexico two years ago before he was charged with federal drug crimes has been captured and returned to the United States. Federal prosecutors say 42-year-old Rolando Estrada of Elmwood Park is suspected of importing a fentanyl analogue from China. He's charged with distributing, controlling and possessing drugs. [NATL] Top News Photos: Pope Visits Japan, and More Estrada fled the U.S. amid an investigation in which authorities seized two packages at his home containing about 4 kilograms of furanyl fentanyl and 5 kilograms of cocaine. The government accuses Estrada of coordinating shipments of fentanyl to Chicago while in Mexico. Ahead of what is historically a violent holiday weekend, President Donald Trump once again put the city of Chicago in his social media crosshairs. Chicago Police have every right to legally protest against the mayor and an administration that just wont let them do their job, Trump tweeted Friday afternoon. The killings are at a record pace and tough police work, which Chicago will not allow, would bring things back to order fast...the killings must stop! [[483750391, C]] The police union spent the early morning Wednesday setting up transportation to bring officers to City Hall by the busload because they believe the mayor has turned his back on police, NBC 5 reported. Chicago Police Department spokesman Anthony Guglielmi offered a succinct response to the president's tweet. Twenty-one percent reduction in shootings this year and 28 percent reductions in shootings last year, he said in an email, apparently refuting the presidents continued characterization of Chicago as a lawless warzone. Adam Collins, communications director for Mayor Rahm Emanuel, also cited those numbers--but with some additional color. [[483750351, C]] "As POTUS flails from Asia to the Middle East and puts allies on edge, he still has time to get it wrong on Chicago and police reform," he tweeted. "Chicago is a Trump-free zone, not a fact-free zone, and we had a 21 percent drop in gun violence in 2017 and a 21 percent drop in 2018. Have a nice weekend!" The citys police force cast a wide net ahead of the Memorial Day holiday weekend in a series of raids that aimed at stemming bloodshed by targeting gang-affiliated suspects, it announced Friday. The police say dozens of people were arrested in a joint operation with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms Thursday morning. Seventy-one people were arrested and have been charged with crimes ranging from weapons violations to prostitution and drugs, police said. An extra 1,000 cops are deployed for the weekend, many along the citys lakefront and beaches, in a show of force aimed at deterring violent crimes. At least six people were killed and more than 40 wounded in shootings across the city last year during Memorial Day weekend. A criminal investigator from Mississippi has headed to Chicago hoping to solve a murder, and this crime is personal to her, because the victim was her only son. Pamela Dortch is in Chicagos Back of the Yards neighborhood, going door to door and searching for answers in the murder of her son, which occurred earlier this year. An eight-year veteran investigator from Mississippi, shes leaving no stone unturned as she searches for answers in the death of her son. Her son, 23-year-old LaDell Barnett, was fatally shot in the 1900 block of West 52nd Street on March 25. According to Dortch, her son was shot execution-style, suffering a fatal gunshot wound behind his left ear. I found blood. I found my sons hair, a patch of hair right here, she said. That was devastating to see the remains of my son still here. (It was) very sloppy clean-up work. Dissatisfied with the police investigation, Dortch is canvassing the area where her son was murdered, and using her unique set of skills. Until I get closure and get answers I will never stop. Never stop, she said. What to Know An Amber Alert was issued Friday for Owen Hidalgo-Calderon, who was abducted from Sodus, New York, nine days ago He was taken "under circumstances that lead police to believe that he is in imminent danger of serious physical harm and or death" The boy's mother, who had been missing a week, was found dead on an NY farm Thursday where she is thought to have worked Police in western New York are searching for a 14-month-old boy after his mother's body was found in a bag hidden in the woods a week after she had been reported missing. An Amber Alert was issued Friday for Owen Hidalgo-Calderon, who was abducted from Sodus, New York, nine days ago "under circumstances that lead police to believe that he is in imminent danger of serious physical harm and or death," according to the New York State Police bulletin. The Wayne County Sheriff's office said 18-year-old Selena Hidalgo-Calderon's body was found Thursday at a farm in Sodus where she and her boyfriend, 25-year-old Edward Reyes, worked. The body was between two logs and covered with soil and branches. She had been missing for a week. Reyes, was arrested Wednesday night on charges of tampering with physical evidence. State Police say the child may have been last seen with Reyes. Reyes, caught on a hunter's trail camera going in and out of the woods with a shovel. He has admitted to burying the woman but not killing her, Wayne County Sheriff Barry Virts said. Reyes was being held on $25,000 bail in the Wayne County Jail pending a court appearance May 29. Virts said he is working with authorities in Mexico, where Reyes is from, to learn more about him and if he has a criminal record. He is not the missing child's father. Attorney information for Reyes was not immediately available. Rebecca Fuentes of the Workers' Center of Central New York told the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle that Hidalgo-Calderon was from Guatemala and was being deported. She says the mother was in the process of applying for asylum and had been in the U.S. since November 2016. At one point while the mother and child were missing, relatives indicated that Hidalgo-Calderon and Reyes, who lived together, may have run off because of their immigration status, the sheriff's office said, but checks of surrounding train and bus stations had turned up nothing. "My daughter and my grandson were my life," Hidalgo-Calderon's mother, Estela Calderon, said in a statement issued by the center. "She was my first born and I feel like a piece of my heart is gone." Meanwhile, police are continuing to search the area east of Rochester for little Hidalgo-Calderon. He has short, brown hair and brown eyes. He is about 2 feet tall and weighs about 30 pounds; he also needs asthma medication. Anyone with information is asked to call the Wayne County Sheriffs Department at 866-NYS-AMBER or 911. Former Connecticut Gov. John Rowland is a free man. Rowland was released from federal custody on Friday, according to the Federal Bureau of Prisons. He had been in a halfway house in New York since January after being released early from a federal prison in Pennsylvania. The former governor resigned from office in 2004 and served 10 months in prison following a corruption scandal. Rowland was sentenced to prison again in September 2014 after he was convicted of campaign fraud, conspiracy and obstruction of justice. He began to serve his second sentence in September 2016. Dallas city leaders this week heard a new plan to prevent teenage pregnancy, which is considered by experts to be a big contributor to growing Dallas poverty. The city-wide program will focus especially on three adjacent zip code areas with exceptionally high teen birth rates in Southern Dallas and Oak Cliff. In the 75215 zip code area near Fair Park, the teen pregnancy rate of 123 per thousand women 15 to 19-years-old is more than five times the national average of 22. In 75203 the rate is 105. In 75216 the rate is 77. The figures are startling and weve got to figure out how we can better address it, Dallas City Council Member Dwaine Caraway said. His community district office is in the 75203 zip code area. It has to be with the parents, Caraway said. It is about the parents. He supports the plan presented to a City Council Committee this week to use $300,000 already earmarked for teen pregnancy prevention in this years budget. The group called NTARUPT, short for North Texas Alliance for the Prevention of Teenage Pregnancy, was chosen to partner with the city on the program after a request for proposals. The program will urge parents to talk with their kids and inquire about what's happening about reproductive education in schools. It will also highlight the cost of teen pregnancy for taxpayers and make a direct appeal to teens. We need to raise awareness about that issue. A lot of people in Dallas may not realize the teen birthrate is so high, said NTARUPT External Affairs Director Diana Ayala. The campaign will be disruptive, perhaps a bit controversial, but that is what teens need. We need to meet teens where they are. The program does not include birth control but will include referrals to other agencies. Visiting a doctor Friday with her boys, now 12 and 13 years old, one time teen mother Jessica Chester said she would make different choices if she had the chance again. Theyre here now so I wouldnt change a thing, but going back, I would tell my younger self to wait, Chester said. Unlike many teen Moms, Chester did finish high school and college but she said it was very difficult. Theres a lot of sacrifice involved. The things your friends are doing, youre not able to do anymore. Its a lot of putting your thoughts, your dreams, everything you thought you could do in life, kind of have to go on hold, she said. As an adult, Chester had two more children with the boys father. Its such a different experience as an adult, she said. Texas is 5th in the nation for teen pregnancy. Only 38% of Dallas teen mothers complete high school, according to NTARUPT. The group's report said teen mothers are less likely to find good jobs and more likely to rely on social programs. "We want these teens to make better, healthier decisions, so they can have a better future," Ayala said. A Dallas City Council Committee endorsed the program this week. A final vote of the full City Council is scheduled next month. A male student opened fire in a classroom at a middle school in Noblesville, Indiana, injuring a teacher and fellow student before being taken into custody, authorities said. Authorities responded to Noblesville West Middle School shortly after 9 a.m. for reports of an "active shooter" at the suburban school roughly 20 miles north of Indianapolis. The injured teacher, identified as Jason Seaman, and the student, Ella Whistler, were taken to local hospitals with gunshot wounds, officials said at a news conference Friday. Whistler's family said in a statement she was in critical but stable condidition and was doing well. "We will spend the next days and weeks processing what happened and why," the Whistler family statement said. According to seventh-grader Ethan Stonebraker, the injured teacher had tackled the student firing shots inside the classroom. Stonebraker said the class had been taking a test when the student walked in and started firing. The teacher "immediately ran at him, swatted a gun out of his hand and tackled him to the ground." "If it weren't for him, more of us would have been injured for sure," Stonebraker said. Stonebraker told ABC News that Seaman threw a basketball at the shooter and ran toward the bullets as screaming students sought cover behind a table. Authorities confirmed the shooter, who has not been identified, left class and returned armed with two handguns. The suspected male student was detained at the scene and was not injured in the shooting, according to police. A motive was not immediately known, and it was not clear where the guns came from. Stonebraker also said he knew the suspected gunman, whom he described as "a nice kid most of the times" and said he often joked with the classmates. "It's just a shock he would do something like that," Stonebraker said. Officials noted that a threat was later made at nearby Noblesville High School, roughly four miles from the middle school in the same district and the location where students were being taken to be picked up by their parents. Multiple law enforcement agencies responded to the high school and were sweeping the area, officials said, adding that police had not received any information other than the communicated threat. Erica Higgins, who was among the worried parents who rushed to get their kids, told WTHR-TV that she learned of the shooting from a relative who called her at home. "I just want to get my arms around my boy," she said. Higgins said her son was shaken up but knew little about what happened. "I got a 'Mom, I'm scared' text message and other than that, it was 'come get me at the high school,'" Higgins said. Another mother was so shaken up that she had to be driven to the school. Jennifer Morris appeared slightly dazed as she arrived at the high school gymnasium to pick up her 14-year-old son Noah. She said she was at work Friday morning when her son sent a text message about the shooting, stunning her with the message, "I'm OK, please come get me." Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb issued a statement following the shooting saying he and leaders of the legislature were monitoring the situation as they traveled back from a trip to Europe. "Approximately 100 state police officers have been made available to work with local responders and will offer all assistance needed," Holcomb said. "Our thoughts are with all those affected by this horrible situation. "Karen and I are praying for the victims of the terrible shooting in Indiana," Vice President Mike Pence, the state's previous governor, tweeted Friday morning. "To everyone in the Noblesville community you are on our hearts and in our prayers. Thanks for the swift response by Hoosier law enforcement and first responders." Friday's shooting came one week after a police said a student opened fire at a high school in Santa Fe, Texas, killing 10 people and wounding 13 more. Embattled California Assemblywoman Cristina Garcia returned to the Assembly floor Friday for the first time since an investigation found allegations she groped a male staffer unsubstantiated. The Los Angeles-area Democrat was hugged by a few Democratic lawmakers after she entered the chamber, including Assemblyman Rob Bonta, D-Alameda, and Assemblywoman Eloise Gomez Reyes, D-Grand Terrace. She was also greeted by other members of the Assembly, including Republican Leader Brian Dahle, who represents a rural Northern California district. Meanwhile in the gallery overlooking the chamber where members of the public sit, some women affiliated with an effort to oust Garcia wore shirts that spelled "RESIGN." Garcia took a three-month leave of absence after the groping allegation and other claims of inappropriate behavior surfaced. Outside investigators cleared her of the groping claim but found she used vulgar language in violation of the Assembly's sexual harassment policy. Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon, a Los Angeles-area Democrat, has stripped Garcia of her committee assignments and is requiring Garcia to attend sensitivity training and a session about sexual harassment policy. She is running for re-election in the June 5 primary, where she faces multiple Democratic challengers. The State Building and Construction Trades Council is leading an effort to oust her, which includes television ads highlighting the misconduct claims. Various unions have contributed more than $500,000. The protest was organized by the building trades group. What to Know Six former USC students accused ex-campus gynecologist Dr. George Tyndall of molesting patients Some 200 USC professors have signed a petition demanding the resignation of USC President C. L. Max Nikias Nikias apologized in writing to women who claim they were abused by Tyndall The USC president has agreed to step down in the wake of sexual assault allegations against a campus doctor, according to the school. USC President Max Nikias will step down. He faced pressure to resign following accusations of sexual misconduct against former gynecologist George Tyndall at the school's student health center. In a statement, the university's trustees, which govern the college, said they would move quickly on finding a new president, but gave no timeline. "We appreciate the voices of the many members of the university community who have expressed indignation from the harm inflicted on our students by Dr. Tyndall," the statement said. "We recognize the need for change and are committed to a stable transition. Please know that our actions will be swift and thorough, but we ask for your patience as we manage a complex process with due diligence." The move comes after four former University of Southern California students sued the school and Tyndall who they accuse of molesting patients over decades as a "serial sexual predator," according to a court filing Monday. Tyndall routinely made crude comments, took inappropriate photographs and forced the plaintiffs to strip naked and groped them under the guise of medical treatment for his "sexual gratification," the lawsuit said. Tyndall, who worked at a USC clinic for 30 years, denied wrongdoing in interviews with The Los Angeles Times. John Manly, an attorney for the victims, said in a statement that the resignation is "the first step in a long process of healing for the victims of Dr. Tyndall." "It occurred because students faculty and alumni pressured Board of Trustees to do the right thing," the statement said. "It is our hope that their pressure will continue until the University reforms the culture which has enabled sexual abuse and holds all of the enablers accountable so this will never happen again." In the end, it wasn't even close. Irish voters young and old, male and female, farming types and city-bred folk endorsed expunging an abortion ban from their largely Catholic country's constitution by a two-to-one margin, referendum results compiled Saturday showed. The decisive outcome of the landmark referendum held Friday exceeded expectations and was cast as a historic victory for women's rights. Polls had given the pro-repeal "yes" side a small lead, but suggested the contest would be close. Since 1983, the now-repealed Eighth Amendment had forced women seeking to terminate pregnancies to go abroad for abortions, bear children conceived through rape or incest or take illegal measures at home. As the final tally was announced showing over 66 percent of voters supported lifting the ban, crowds in the ancient courtyard of Dublin Castle began chanting "Savita! Savita!" in honor of Savita Halappanavar, a 31-year-old dentist who died of sepsis during a protracted miscarriage after being denied an abortion at a Galway hospital in 2012. With exit polls showing a win for abortion rights campaigners, Prime Minister Leo Varadkar called the apparent victory the "culmination of a quiet revolution." Later, he hailed the momentous outcome as a victory for Ireland's future. "I said in recent days that this was a once in a generation vote. Today I believe we have voted for the next generation," said Varadkar, who is Ireland's first openly gay leader as well as its first prime minister from an ethnic minority group. The next battleground is likely to be Ireland's parliament, where the government led by Varadkar hopes to capitalize on the fresh momentum and enact legislation spelling out the conditions under which abortions will be legal for the first time by the end of this year. The plan is to allow abortions during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy and in special cases after the first trimester, likely ending the trail of Irish women who go elsewhere mostly to neighboring Britain by the thousands each year for abortions they can't get at home. "Under the Eighth Amendment, the only thing we could say to women in this country was 'Take a flight or take a boat,'" Health Minister Simon Harris told Irish broadcaster RTE. "And now the country is saying, 'No, take our hands, we want to support you.'" Some called for the new abortion legislation to be named, "Savita's law." Her father, Andanappa Yalagi, said he has "no words" to express his gratitude for Ireland's "yes" vote. "We've got justice for Savita," he told the Hindustan Times. "What happened to her will not happen to any other family." It is not yet clear how hard the soundly defeated "no" forces will fight for restrictive laws in parliament in light of the overwhelming appetite for reform. Opponents of the repeal movement conceded defeat Saturday morning after exit polls from the night before suggested they had no hope of victory. John McGuirk, spokesman for the Save the 8th group, told RTE that many Irish citizens would not recognize the country in which they were waking up. The group said on its website that the referendum was a "tragedy of historic proportions," but McGuirk said the vote must still be respected. "You can still passionately believe that the decision of the people is wrong, as I happen to do, and accept it," he said. The final tally showed that just over 66 percent of voters who cast valid ballots wanted the Eighth Amendment abolished. Exit polls indicated that both men and women strongly opposed the abortion ban, and that opposition to it was strong in rural areas, not just cosmopolitan Dublin. The support for lifting the ban highlights the liberalization of traditionally Catholic Ireland, marking the diminishing influence of the Church hierarchy and a desire to align Irish secular laws with the other countries of Europe. First it was same-sex marriage, approved here in 2015, and now it will be the consignment to history of the Eighth Amendment, which banned nearly all abortions and turned women seeking them into pariahs. "This is a monumental day for women in Ireland," Orla O'Connor, co-director of the Together for Yes group, said. "This is about women taking their rightful place in Irish society, finally." The vote is a "rejection of an Ireland that treated women as second-class citizens," she said, adding: "This is about women's equality and this day brings massive change, monumental change for women in Ireland, and there is no going back." The mood was jubilant at Dublin's Intercontinental Hotel, where supporters of the Together For Yes group spent hours watching the vote tally come in from the country's 40 districts. In the end, 39 voted for repeal. Some supporters had tears of joy running down their cheeks, and many women hugged each other. Cheers erupted every time partial results were shown on two big screens transmitting the latest television news. When the final count was announced at Dublin Castle, more than 1,000 people were gathered outside singing, chanting and toasting each other with champagne despite an intermittent light rain. They cheered when leaders of the "yes" campaign surfaced and they cheered for the prime minister when he arrived. For many, the victory was vindication after years of opposing the abortion ban, which required Irish authorities to defend the lives of a woman and a fetus as equals under the law from the moment of conception. In practical terms, the amendment outlawed all abortions until 2014, when terminations in rare cases when a woman's life was at risk started being allowed. Irish Minister for Children and Youth Affairs Katherine Zappone said she was deeply moved by the vote. "I'm especially grateful to the women of Ireland who came forward to provide their personal testimony about the hard times that they endured, the stress and the trauma that they experienced because of the Eighth Amendment," she said. The vote in the Republic of Ireland may increase pressure on Northern Ireland to follow suit. When abortion becomes legal in the Republic of Ireland, it will become the only part of Britain and Ireland to ban the procedure. There were roars of approval Saturday when two women leaders of the Sinn Fein party raised a sign that read, "The North is next." Abortions approved by doctors are allowed in the rest of Britain until the 24th week of pregnancy, but not in Northern Ireland, where the procedure is limited to cases when a woman's life is at risk. Ireland's prime minister noted that Saturday's win for legalizing abortion could not right past wrongs, but could prevent future ones. "The wrenching pain of decades of mistreatment of Irish women cannot be unlived," Varadkar, who backed repeal, said. "However, today we have ensured that it does not have to be lived again." Florida's ban that prevents medical marijuana patients from smoking their cannabis has gone up in smoke. Leon County Circuit Court Judge Karen Gievers on Friday ruled that a state's ban on smokable cannabis is unconstitutional. Florida's Department of Health said in a statement it has appealed the ruling, which will impose an automatic stay. Gievers wrote in her 22-page ruling that Floridians "have the right to use the form of medical marijuana for treatment of their debilitating medical conditions as recommended by their certified physicians, including the use of smokable marijuana in private places." Ben Pollara, who runs the nonprofit medical marijuana advocacy group Florida for Care, said the ruling is a big victory for patients and voters. Taylor Patrick Biehl of the Medical Marijuana Business Association of Florida added that "despite legislative pushback over interpretation and ideologies, justice has been served." Voters approved a constitutional amendment in 2016 allowing the use of medical marijuana. The only mention of smoking in the amendment's language and in an intent document during the 2016 campaign was that the Legislature and local governments could restrict it in public places. The Legislature last year passed enacting laws that banned the sale of smoking products, citing a health risk. The laws, signed by Florida Gov. Rick Scott in June, say patients can use cannabis through vaping and in food, oils, sprays and tinctures. John Morgan, who led the push to legalize medical marijuana Florida, filed a lawsuit challenging the ban two weeks after Scott signed the bill. He was joined in the suit by two patients with terminal illnesses who benefit from smokable medical pot. Cathy Jordan, who has had ALS since 1986, says smoking the plant dries her excess saliva, increases her appetite and works as a muscle relaxer. Diana Dodson, who has had HIV since 1991, testified May 16 that vaping is 50 percent less effective than smoking and that smoking allows her to get the proper dosage. Jordan said that when she was diagnosed with ALS amyotrophic lateral sclerosis doctors thought she would live only three to five more years. She credits smoking with helping to prolong her life, and has been supported by her physicians. "So many people won't smoke due to the stigma and it being against the law. This is legitimate medicine," she said by phone from her Manatee County home after the ruling. "This ruling is not just for me but for many other people." Bob Jordan, Cathy's husband, said he was still in shock after getting the call about the ruling. "A little woman with ALS took on the state and won. That's an amazing thing. It is kind of surreal," he said. He tweeted after the ruling that "truth prevails." Florida Department of Health spokesman Devin Galetta said in a statement that the ruling "goes against what the legislature outlined when they wrote and approved the law to implement the constitutional amendment that was approved." The next stop will be the state's 1st District Court of Appeal in Tallahassee. It will be the second medical marijuana case that court will be taking up after Gievers ruled last month that a Tampa man Joseph Redner is entitled under state law to possess, grow and use marijuana for juicing. Redner was prescribed juicing treatments from his doctor to prevent a relapse of stage 4 lung cancer. The chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee is meeting with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro two days after the embattled socialist leader kicked out the top U.S. diplomat in the country. There was no immediate comment from Republican Sen. Bob Corker's office about the nature of the surprise visit. Maduro was re-elected Sunday to a second term in a vote condemned by the U.S. as rigged. In the wake of his victory, he threw out American charge d'affaires Todd Robinson for allegedly conspiring to sabotage the vote. Accompanying Corker in Caracas was his aide Caleb McCarry, who was behind backchannel talks earlier this year aimed at securing the release of imprisoned American Joshua Holt. Holt has been held for two years without a trial on what he considers trumped-up charges. What to Know Kenny Chow, a yellow cab driver who had been missing since May 11, has been found dead, according to the New York Taxi Workers Alliance Chow's body was found in the East River, the NYTWA said Chow owed $700,000 on the loan for his medallion, and his wife was recently diagnosed with cancer, his brother said A yellow cab driver who had been missing since May 11 committed suicide amid increasing desperation over his finances and his wifes illness, the New York Taxi Workers Alliance said. A body found in the East River has been identified as missing driver Kenny Chow, NYTWA said in a release. Chow is the fifth yellow cab driver to have committed suicide in recent months, according to its Executive Director Bhairavi Desai. We are sending strength and love to Kenny Chows family and friends as they face the heartbreak of his death, she said in a statement. The cabbie owed $700,000 on the loan for his medallion and often worked 14-hour shifts, his brother told NBC New York earlier this week. His wife also recently learned she had stage four colon cancer, according to his brother. Make no mistake: the crisis that took Kennys life and the lives of four other drives pushed to suicide in recent months was entirely preventable, Desai said. City Hall allowed Uber and Lyft to expand unchecked, devastating the lives and livelihoods of New York Citys professional drivers. There are real human consequences to a business model predicated on destroying labor standards and treating workers as expendable, she added. In March, a yellow cab driver named Nicanor Ochisor took his own life as the value of his taxi medallion plummeted and financial strains mounted, the New York Times reported. Mayor Bill de Blasio told the paper he was mulling the possibility of a cap on for-hire vehicles. The mayor has been clear about the need to re-evaluate our options in the face of explosive growth were seeing in the industry, the mayors spokesman added. NYTWA plans to hold a vigil for Chow at 86th Street and East End Avenue in Manhattan on Sunday at 1 p.m., according to its release. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 provides people in distress, or those around them, with 24-hour support. The Crisis Text Line allows people to text 741-741 to connect with crisis counselors. Police identified a suspect Saturday in the death of a Brooklyn rapper who was killed in December. James Oliver, 39, is wanted in connection with the Dec. 2 homicide of Darnell Pettway, the NYPD said. Pettway, 30, was a rapper who performed under the name Mooks Mula, The New York Daily News reported. The paper reported that he was killed during a gambling dispute in his apartment lobby. Oliver is described as about 5 feet, 11 inches tall and 170 pounds. Anyone with information in regards to this incident is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477). Top Tri-State News Photos The man suspected of shooting three people inside an Oklahoma City restaurant before being fatally shot by bystanders had no obvious connection to the victims or the restaurant, and was legally authorized to carry a firearm, authorities said. Investigators are trying to determine a motive behind the Thursday night attack that wounded four people, according to Oklahoma City Police Capt. Bo Mathews. He said the only interaction police had with the suspected gunman, 28-year-old Alexander Tilghman, was during a domestic assault and battery call when Tilghman was 13. A police report from that 2003 incident indicates Tilghman was arrested after his mother told police he punched her several times during a dispute over a vacuum cleaner. Mathews said Thursday's shooting appeared to be random but noted that Tilghman drove to the restaurant and wore protective gear for his ears and eyes. "It looked like his mind was made up that he was going to discharge his firearm once he got there," Mathews said during a Friday news conference. Mathews stressed that the investigation was ongoing and confirmed that Tilghman's mental health was being looked into. On a Facebook page that police said belonged to Tilghman, the man posts a video in which he claims his television is possessed by the devil. The page uses the same profile photo as a YouTube channel where a man that appears to be Tilghman also describes demons possessing his TV and being surrounded by computers. He calmly begs for help from "a real human," saying he's suicidal, lonely and "really losing it." The director of the LGBT rights group Freedom Oklahoma, Troy Stevenson, said Tilghman is the same man who distributed flyers across Oklahoma City earlier this year warning of demons taking over people's bodies. And a reporter with the LGBT publication The Gayly conducted an interview in January with Tilghman, who warned of "demons in cloned transexual (sic) bodies." Flyers with similar messages were plastered all over a vehicle that Tilghman drove, said Ryan Beaulac, who said he frequently saw Tilghman at his apartment complex in northwest Oklahoma City. Beaulac said he saw Tilghman acting strangely Wednesday night. "He was twitchy, grabbing his hair and acting weird," the 35-year-old Beaulac said. "I was uncomfortable and definitely wanted to get away from him." A man who identified himself as Tilghman's brother told television station KOCO that Tilghman needed mental health treatment, saying: "Nobody reached out to him, you know. He was crying for help." Tilghman was licensed as an armed security guard, which authorized him to carry a firearm, said Gerald Konkler, general counsel for the Oklahoma Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training. The council certifies law enforcement officers and other armed personnel across the state. Obtaining such a license requires a background check and at least 72 hours of training. A woman who answered the phone at the home believed to belong to Tilghman's mother declined to comment when contacted by The Associated Press. Police said Tilghman was armed with a pistol when he opened fire inside Louie's On The Lake around 6:30 p.m. on Thursday. A 39-year-old woman and two girls were shot and wounded, while an unarmed man broke his arm while trying to flee. All four victims were in good condition Friday, according to police. Mathews, the police spokesman, praised the two citizens who retrieved firearms from their vehicles and shot Tilghman outside the restaurant. "They were able to shoot the suspect and put an end to a very dangerous situation," Mathews said. Mathews said it's unlikely either of the men, Juan Carlos Nazario and Bryan Whittle, will face criminal charges. Telephone and text messages left by The Associated Press seeking comment from the two men were not immediately returned Friday. The Hal Smith Restaurant Group, which owns the restaurant, said the restaurant was closed Friday and counselors were available to employees and customers. "We are extremely thankful the situation didn't escalate further, and that injuries were not more widespread. However, our hearts are with the wounded during this incident," the statement read. The National Rifle Association said in a tweet Friday that the shooting was an example of "how the best way to stop a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun." In April, a restaurant patron wrestled an assault-style rifle away from a gunman at a Waffle House in Nashville, Tennessee. Four people were killed in that shooting. Police have said there would have been far more casualties if it weren't for the patron's quick thinking. A body found in the Delaware River is believed to be of a boater who went missing after falling into the water several days ago. On Saturday, shortly before noon, a passing vessel reported a body floating in the river near Beverly, New Jersey. The New Jersey State Police Marine Services Bureau responded and recovered the body. Officials believe the body is of a man who went missing after his boat overturned. They are waiting for a positive identification from the Burlington County Medical Examiner's Office to confirm. The unidentified man was one of five people aboard a 16-foot recreational vessel Monday. The boat hit a wake around 5:40 p.m. and all five people fell into the water. The Coast Guard arrived at the scene and rescued four of the boaters who were all taken to area hospitals. After crews were unable to find the fifth boater, a man in his 20s, the search effort became a recovery effort. The Marine Corps is now on standby to potentially help residents threatened by the Kilauea volcano. At least 1,000 residents are still holding ground despite continued lava flows, a plume of ash that is now 10,000 feet high and the threat of methane gas explosions. Friday afternoon, a Hawaii based CH-53 Sea Stallion arrived at Hilo International Airport to assist the Hawaii National Guard. The Sea Stallion can hold up to 50-passengers. Meanwhile, in San Diego, local first responders say residents can learn a lesson from whats happening in Hawaii: evacuate when told. There is a persistent concern that residents who refuse to follow evacuation orders are not only putting themselves in danger but also first responders who may be called in to rescue them. Theres always a certain level of frustration when the warnings arent heeded, Cal Fire Capt. Issac Sanchez said. Sanchez says as the fire season begins to peak, now is the time to have an evacuation plan. And remember to heed warnings to evacuate. Its affecting us, its affecting them and its affecting other firefighters and the rest of the community. When you take resources away from a fire, now were talking about the fire spreading even further and becoming more out of control affecting the wider community, Sanchez said. Meanwhile, the mayor of Hawaii County is posting emergency updates on social media. Locals who have refused to evacuate are being warned of possible methane explosions. Theyre also being offered masks because of dangerous air quality. A man has been charged with murder after a deadly fire at a Bethesda home under which officials found a network of tunnels. Askia Khafra, 21, died last September of smoke inhalation and burns after a fire in the 5200 block of Danbury Road. Montgomery County police said Friday they arrested Daniel Beckwitt, 27, and charged him with second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter in Khafra's death. Beckwitt was arrested about 6:30 p.m. Friday in Burke, Virginia. After the fire, explosives teams and bomb technicians spent hours at the house combing through evidence. They found unexplained tunnels under the yard and chemicals stored on the property, which is about a mile northwest of Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. Investigators also found electrical wiring and hoarding conditions. A piece of heavy earth-moving equipment sat in the backyard. Officials still have not released information on the cause of the fire or the purpose of the tunnels. A lawsuit filed by Montgomery County states Daniel Beckwitt was the creator of the tunnels and David Beckwitt, his father, is the owner of the home, WTOP reports. The lawsuit called for the property to be restored and said the excavations extend beyond the home into the public right of way in front of the house and possibly to at least another property. The Beckwitts responded in court documents Friday and denied that the residential building and tunnels are unsafe and/or require corrective action, WTOP reports. Khafra was a young entrepreneur who dreamed of success in the business world, his mother previously told News4 on a brief phone call. "He had a lot of people that cared about him," said Brandon Cobb, who described himself as Khafra's best friend. The two grew up together. Cobb said he never met Daniel Beckwitt, but said he understood that Khafra was working for him. "The only thing he mentioned is he was doing some sort of renovation," Cobb said. First responders received a call about the fire about 4 p.m. Sept. 10. Beckwitt was able to escape and yell for help, but Khafra was trapped in the basement. Beckwitt suffered minor injuries. He was taken to a hospital and later released. Khafra was pronounced dead. Neighbors said they want answers. "I want to know whether there was anything wrong with the house itself or whether it was a gas line or whether there was something strange going on there -- and we just don't know," one neighbor said. "I think the main question is, where is this gentleman [Khafra] was working for?" Khafra's friend, Cobb, said. "I think everyone just wants closure." Beckwitt appeared in Fairfax County court Tuesday morning. Flash floods ripped through Ellicott City, Maryland, Sunday as more than 8 inches of rain dumped down in the span of about five hours. Powerful flood waters turned the city's Main Street into a river and swept away cars like they were toys. The same street was devastated by deadly floods nearly two years ago. Parts of Howard County remained under a flood warning early Monday, but Storm Team4 says the threat for more heavy rain has passed, and the likelihood of more flash flooding is decreasing. Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan declared a state of emergency and visited Ellicott City late Sunday. Hogan told the news media the city had recently received $1 million for flood control as a result of the 2016 floods. [NATL-DC] Dramatic Images: Floods Crush Cars, Destroy Streets in Ellicott City "It took two years to get the money and it's ironic that we just got it this month," Hogan said. "Nobody expected another storm of this magnitude to come two years later because, as I said, they're only supposed to happen every 1,000 years." Howard County Fire & EMS responded to multiple water rescues and fire officials told residents at one point not to call 911 if they were in a safe place. "If you are trapped, we are coming," Howard County Fire & EMS tweeted. Crews as far away as Northern Virginia helped with rescues. The fire department said it also responded to reports of buildings collapsing. Dangerous flash floods pounded Ellicott City, Maryland, on Sunday. News4's Darcy Spencer reports. Howard County Executive Allan Kittleman said authorities aren't aware of any fatalities or missing people. Kittleman said at an outdoor news conference he toured the historic county seat after the flash flood receded and was "heartbroken" it was so severely damaged again. As he spoke, Maryland Lt. Gov. Boyd Rutherford put a comforting hand on Kittleman's back. Kittleman says he considers the damage worse than the flooding two summers ago that claimed two lives. Hayden Brown scored 14 points with 14 rebounds and his driving layup down the middle of the lane with 0.8 seconds led The Citadel past VMI 75-74 Of the city's residents and business owners, Kittleman says "they are faced with the same daunting task again.'' But he says: "We will be there for them as we were in 2016." A flash flood warning is in effect for parts of Howard, Frederick, Carroll, Baltimore and Anne Arundel counties in Maryland. Flood warnings are also in effect for that region. See the list of all weather alerts here. Fire officials advised not to try to drive through or cross roads with standing water. People who need shelter can go to the Roger Carter Community Center at 3000 Milltowne Drive, Howard County Recreation and Parks tweeted. Walking through downtown Ellicott City surveying the damage with Lt. Governor @BoydKRutherford, County Executive Kittleman, and emergency management personnel from the county and state. We stand in solidarity with Ellicott City and Howard County. We are #EllicottCityStrong. pic.twitter.com/tlbU5b3wYQ Governor Larry Hogan (@GovLarryHogan) May 28, 2018 Videos posted to Twitter show massive floods sweeping through Main Street in Ellicott City, which was closed for months after the floods on July 30, 2016. Jessica Ur, a server at a cafe on the city's Main Street, told The Baltimore Sun she saw the gushing brown waters carry three or four parked cars down the street. The newspaper reports that the swirling waters reached the second floor of one building at its height. But by about 7:30 p.m. Sunday, the newspaper reports, much of the water had subsided and rescue officials were walking around the downtown area while making sure people evacuated. Storm Team4's Somara Theodore has the evening forecast as heavy rains and floods struck Ellicott City, Maryland. Spokeswoman Karen Spicer in Howard County says she has no immediate information of any deaths after the flash floods. Information still is preliminary, however, and authorities say they are still checking flooded buildings and streets. Storm Team4 declared Sunday a Weather Alert Day. A flash flood watch has expired for the entire D.C. metro area. Residents should take extra precautions and remember to never drive through a flooded road. A man described how raging flood waters trapped him and his coworkers at a restaurant in Ellicott City, Maryland, on Sunday. News4's Erika Gonzalez reports. Hurricane season officially begins in just one week, but across Massachusetts, hundreds of families are still picking up the pieces from last year. Crystal DAbbraccio, her husband, and two kids are doing just that. To have it just all be blown away is just heart wrenching. Its hard to swallow. The DAbbraccio family lost everything on St. John eight months ago in Hurricane Irma. Today, they are still waiting to move home. The biggest problem right now is housing, she says. The apartments that are available now are taken. Theres just so much devastation that everything needs to be rebuilt. Since the fall, the Lexington native and her family have been living with her parents in Concord. They rented in the Virgin Islands before Irma, carrying no insurance. How do you even begin to afford to buy all the stuff to fill a house for a family of four again? Like, how do you do that? Pots, pans, dishes, towel, sheets. Its hard to think how we could even make that happen, she explains. Puerto Ricans living in Massachusetts after Hurricane Maria are facing similar challenges. They are probably now the single largest driver of demographic growth in the Commonwealth in 2018, says Juan Carlos Morales, the Chairman of Massachusetts United for Puerto Rico, a fund that has raised $4 million for storm victims moving to the Bay State. So far, Morales estimates five to ten thousand Puerto Ricans have moved to Massachusetts after Maria, but that number could double this year as the island continues to struggle. It is more likely than not that itll collapse again in the next 6-12 months in the middle of hurricane season and that will further increase the number of self-evacuees that come to the Commonwealth, he says of the situation in Puerto Rico. Many of the Puerto Rican evacuees have moved to parts of Western and Central Massachusetts, including Holyoke. The Holyoke school district says after the storm it enrolled 245 new Puerto Rican students. As the new hurricane season starts, 174 remain enrolled. A handful of students have gone back to the island, only to then return to Western Massachusetts after learning the situation back home had not improved. Holyoke has hired some teachers to deal with the influx of students, including some also displaced from Puerto Rico. Its hard to know how many more students may show up for the start of the next school year, but officials say they are used to students arriving from the island even without hurricanes causing damage. Its part of whats described as circular migration between family in Western Massachusetts and the island itself. Still, through the uncertainty for these students and families comes determination. Every three months I go back Im blown away by the progress every single time, DAbbraccio says of the gradual improvements in the U.S. Virgin Islands. DAbbraccio wants to contribute to St. Johns progress. She has been making plans to re-open her storm battered business on the island later this year, even if she cant yet move back. With hurricane season on its way, were going to ride out the summer and see how things go," she says. "We are in a safe place here, we know the kids are kind of adjusting to the school system, theyre kind of making peace with it. The African-born son of former missionary parents has been appointed as the new Assistant Leader at Oak Grove Community Church in Norwich. Keith Morris reports. The African-born son of former missionary parents has been appointed as the new Assistant Leader at Oak Grove Community Church in Norwich. Keith Morris reports. Norwich talk on climate and food security How can we feed ten billion people? Professor Cristobal Uauy from John Innes Centre Norwich will speak at St Peter Mancroft church on October 12, organised by Science and Faith in Norfolk group. Read more People with sight loss welcome in Norfolk churches The Torch Trust will be running a series of taster sessions to help churches welcome blind and partially sighted people. Read more King's Lynn church relaunches the Welcome Inn A family atmosphere with free drinks and cakes once again awaits lonely people in Kings Lynn as the Welcome Inn reopens its doors. Read more Do we really understand who Jesus is? Nigel Fox asks if we have an adequate view of Jesus as He is, and challenges some of our pre-conceptions. Read more Norwich audience hears plea to politicians after Covid Politicians need to rediscover the importance of family, of faith and of place in politics after the Covid pandemic has sparked a change in community and what is possible, argued former Labour minister Ruth Kelly at the latest Newman Lecture in Norwich. Read more Bishop of Norwich welcomes refugees with picnic The Bishop of Norwich has held a picnic for refugees from Syria and Afghanistan in the garden of his home near Norwich Cathedral. Read more Ring the bells at N Norfolk Christmas fayre Visitors to Upper Sheringham Christmas Fayre next month will get the opportunity to ring the newly restored church bells. Read more Eaton quilt of kindness displays bright things from darks times When the pandemic hit last year, community groups were unable to meet in person, but the Quilt Crafters Group from Eaton came up with an idea. Vivien Humber explains. Read more Norwich Cathedral hosts Benedictine study day All are welcome to join a Benedictine Study Day at Norwich Cathedral on October 16 when Fr Luigi Gioia, an award-winning author and international lecturer on Benedictine spirituality, will speak on Benedicts Rule of Life. Read more Norfolk charity vacancies for youth team If you have a passion for serving the community and meeting the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of children and young people, ENYP could have the job for you. Read more Norwich Bishop gives Norfolk honey to Pope Francis Pope Francis has been presented with a jar of honey and a bee facemask from Norfolk by the Anglican Bishop of Norwich, who met him at the Vatican in Rome during a private audience alongside the Archbishop of Canterbury. Read more Thanksgiving service for brave Norwich preacher A funeral and thanksgiving service for courageous Norwich Methodist preacher Colin Gillett, who died recently in Pakistan, is to be held in Norfolk after his body was repatriated to the UK. Read more Norwich foodbank braced for winter demand spike Norwich foodbank is bracing itself for a spike in demand this winter as households face a perfect storm of financial pressures with soaring energy costs, the cut in Universal Credit and the end of furlough. Read more I shall pray for you whether you like it or not! Ian Boughton has been wondering whether or not we should tell people we are praying for them. Read more Monthly teaching mornings resume online The Way of The Spirit Norwich begins a new cycle of monthly teaching mornings, starting on zoom on Saturday October 9, packed with the Bible and life! Read more Learn to write creatively at North Norfolk retreat Norfolk writer Jane Walters, who writes a regular column for Network Norfolk, is running a creative writing retreat at the Pleasaunce in Overstrand next month and bookings are now being taken. Read more Dinosaurs, evolution and religion lecture Beneath the skeleton of a fossilised Diplodocus from the Natural History Museum, Dr Nick Spencer gave a fascinating lecture in Norwich Cathedral about dinosaurs, evolution and religion. Read more Views on human age need to be revisited. The value of adulthood as a period of certainty has declined for many, which means that this period is being delayed. The processes of personality development vary, and adults are preserving signs of infantilism. HSE University experts, Elena Sabelnikova and Natalia Khmeleva, suggest a new way of looking at the phenomenon of infantilism in their paper Infantilism: Theoretical Construct and Operationalization which avoids a 'judgemental' approach. The traditional life periodization by age 'child - young person - adult' is not quite relevant today. Too many things have changed: the pace of life, approaches to education, social roles and institutions, marriage, and professional identity. People's life courses have become less predictable. The beginning of adult life has changed. Finally, the value of adulthood is being questioned, and infantilism is becoming a common phenomenon. Delayed Self-identity From a psychological perspective, adulthood implies self-regulation, emotional maturity (rationality, self-control, lack of impulsivity, etc.), responsibility, ability to self-reflect, and the need to work and have stable relationships. Adults strive for success in their professions and in family life. Some psychologists emphasize the importance of the motives of affiliation and achievement. It is important for a person to define his or her civil and social position, lifestyle, etc. According to Sabelnikova and Khmeleva, infantile personality, on the contrary, is characterized by immature feelings ('childish' reactions, lack of willpower, lack of confidence), external locus of control (other people are blamed), inflated self-concept, low demands on self (accompanied by high demands on society), and egocentrism. 'An infantile person seeks to escape the need to adequately assess objective social reality', the paper's authors added. In other words, maturity is associated with successful mastering of the key social roles: professional, spousal, and parental. But more and more people are delaying this choice, and valuing it differently. People are spending more time in search of themselves and are taking longer to get an education and choose a partner. As a result, the process of professional and personal identification is taking longer. Age Boundaries Are Relative Demographic data show that the age of separation from the parents' family has shifted from 18-20 in older generations (for example, among Russians born in the 1950s) to 23-25 for those born during the 1980s baby boom. Almost one-third of the generation born between 1980 and 1986 believe that they rushed into independence too early. 'On the one hand, we can assume that 70% of the younger respondents had made a well thought out decision since they are sure they started off on their own at the right time for them', said demographers Alina Dolgova and Ekaterina Mitrofanova. 'However, a fairly large and growing proportion had apparently taken the decision lightly and later regretted it'. Periodization of ages has varied in different studies. Adulthood has different names: maturity, personal agency stage, middle age, etc. Some researchers, including American psychologists Grace Craig and Don Baucum, suggest talking about 'early adulthood' between 18 and 40. Other scholars, such as American psychologist Virginia Quinn, define the same period as 'young age'. According to Sabelnikova and Khmeleva, this is the main period of self-realization. Infantilism Factors Delaying adulthood is a response to the new reality, many scholars believe. Everything is changing, from the set of competencies and jobs (some of them are disappearing while the others are evolving), to relationships. A number of new 'ways to live' have been discovered. Alternative models of adulthood have evolved. People's life courses have become unpredictable. For example, people earn a degree, work, and then study again and change their profession. People can leave their parents' home, but then come back and extend their 'childhood'. Meanwhile, the range of life opportunities is too wide, which can be disorienting and make it difficult to make a choice. Educational choices have an 'unknown expiration date' (due to the unclear future of professions) and, according to psychologist Alexandra Bochaver, cause lack of confidence. As a result, young people tend to become escapist and delay important decisions. Instead of choosing a strategy, they limit themselves to tactical solutions in various spheres of life and delay their final ('adult') choices. Conditions for socialization have changed. Communication has largely gone online, and is mediated by digital technology and devices: gadgets, mobile apps, social media, messengers, etc. But such contacts are superficial, Sabelnikova and Khmeleva believe. Some studies have shown that when live communication is replaced with digital communication, empathy decreases and 'autistic-like behaviour' grows (self-absorption, escaping reality). This leads to emotional immaturity. The sociocultural environment has also changed, and traditional roles are being devalued. 'The goal "to be happy" is being replaced with the goal "to be successful"', Sabelnikova and Khmeleva write. 'Many values are getting a "not" prefix: not to get married, not to have children, since the old patriarchal values will be an obstacle for contemporary young people who are willing to become successful by all means'. With all these powerful changes of environment, infantilization looks like a logical phenomenon. In addition, some types of activities also impact the coming-of-age process. For example, according to Virginia Quinn, long studies (Master's, doctoral, continuing education) somewhat slow the process of growing up. Such people often live with their parents and are not willing to get a job and earn an income. Peter Pan, Prince, Eternal Boy Psychologists have studied the signs of infantilism from various perspectives. Jeffrey Arnett, author of the Emerging Adulthood theory (2000), outlined a special age period from 18 to 25. Young people of this age are no longer teenagers, but they are not adults yet. They are only partly independent, since they usually live with parents. Such young people have a lot of opportunities and few responsibilities. Before choosing a partner or a vocation, they can try different options several times. Carl Gustav Jung provided a psychoanalytical analysis of this phenomenon. Speaking about the 'eternal boy' archetype (puer aeternus), he meant people avoiding adult responsibility. Jung's peer Marie-Louise von Franz developed these ideas in her book 'Eternal Boy. Puer Aeternus'. She looked at a particular form of neurosis in such people: a 'provisional life'. A man suffering this neurosis feels that he doesn't exist yet in real life. In his search for a partner, a job, or a vocation he constantly feels that this is not what he wants. The state of 'provisional life' may linger on: an 'eternal boy' starts avoiding living in the present. As a result, he may acquire addictions, anger attacks, and phobias. A similar phenomenon is kidults (kid+adult), a term that first appeared in The New York Times in an article by journalist Peter Martin during a burst of arcade machine popularity. Kidults are people who preserve their teenage likings (from video games, anime and fantasy, to a responsibility-free lifestyle) until they are 30-35 and older. Psychologists illustrate this type with such characters as Peter Pan and the Little Prince. Legitimation of Infantilism Some scholars argue that adulthood is no longer an unconditional value. For example, a study on attitudes among 5th-graders today revealed that they are not willing to grow up. They associate adulthood not only with independence, but also with a lot of responsibilities. Young adults are in a similar situation. 'The contradictory image of the future... frightens a young person and encourages them to stay 'in childhood', where there were no problems and the life was stable and safe', Sabelnikova and Khmeleva write. It turns out that infantilism in this case is almost a conscious choice. The researchers believe that infantilism should not be judged. To a certain degree, it can be considered a sign of time diversity in personal development. Lev Vygotsky used to write about similar processes. 'The personality's path to maturity is not homogeneous by type', say Sabelnikov and Khmeleva. Due to time diversity, in infantile people, the emotional and willpower area 'falls behind the general development rates, and intelligence and cognition develop faster than the average in this period'. 'Legitimation' of infantilism can also be related to its assessment as a protective mechanism, a way to overcome the difficulties in life. Nancy McWilliams, a psychoanalyst from the U.S., emphasized that the term 'infantile personality' is disappearing from the official list, which is logical; in modern terms, it's just an alternative life course. Gurgaon: A 23-year-old pregnant woman was allegedly raped by an auto driver and his two accomplices in Manesar, police said on Saturday. The incident occurred on May 21 when the victim, who is six month's pregnant, was going for a routine check-up at a hospital in Manesar with her husband on a bicycle, they said. While the couple was returning home, the woman complained that she was uncomfortable on the bicycle, a senior police officer. "The woman's husband told her to take a shared auto to reach home in the nearby village. But she did not return until very late," he said. The victim and her husband filed a complaint on Friday at the Woman Police Station, four days after the incident, police said. The woman, in her police complaint, alleged that she boarded an auto and was offered some water by the auto driver, following which she got unconscious and was later raped by three persons, the officer added. The victim hails from Bihar and stays in Manesar with her husband and her minor son. "A case of gang rape was registered at the Women Police Station, Manesar, against unknown persons. Doctors, however, said the foetus is stable," the officer added. Panaji: Goa Police on Saturday arrested three persons in connection with a gang-rape at the popular Colva beach late on Friday night, even as a Goa Minister has bemoaned the quality of tourists visiting the coastal state. The three accused-tourists from Indore have been charged with robbing and gang-raping a 20-year-old girl late on Friday, while she was visiting Colva beach along with her 22-year-old boyfriend. "All three accused have been arrested. Two accused Sanjiv Dhananjay Pal, 23, and Ram Santosh Bhariya, 19, both from Indore were arrested early on Saturday morning. The third accused Vishwas Makrana, 24, also from Indore was picked up from a railway station in South Goa later today," Superintendent of Police (South Goa) Arvind Gawas told reporters. The victim, who hails from a nearby village, had also claimed that the sexual assault was filmed by the alleged rapists and she was warned by them against informing the police. Police have said that medical examination of the victim has confirmed rape. An FIR was filed late on Friday at Colva police station under sections 376 (rape) and 394 (robbery) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Following the arrest of the third accused, Town and Country Planning Minister Vijai Sardesai in a tweet complimented police for the swift investigation, while also bemoaning the quality of tourists coming to Goa. "A case of blackmail, rape and robbery by 'tourists'! I have always stressed that quality of tourists should be our focus! Only then can #Goa be safe and forward!" Sardesai said. Some months ago, Sardesai had courted controversy after he said that a majority of the domestic tourists coming to Goa were "scum of the earth". Goa, a top beach and lifestyle tourism designation in the country, attracts more than seven million tourists every year, out of which half a million are foreigners. New Delhi: Samples collected from bats in Kerala's Kozhikode and Malappuram districts, where 12 people have died of Nipah infection, have tested negative for the virus, according to a report submitted by a central medical team to the Health Ministry on Monday. The report has ruled out bats and pigs as the primary source of the Nipah outbreak, a Health Ministry official said. The medical team is now looking into other possible reasons behind the outbreak following the report findings. A total of 21 samples, including that from seven species of bats, two species of pigs, one bovine and one caprine, were sent to the National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases in Bhopal and the National Institute of Virology in Pune. "These included the samples of the bats which were found in the well in a house in Kerala's Perambra from where the initial death was reported. They have tested negative for the Nipah virus," the official said. Samples from humans suspected of contracting Nipah virus have tested negative. "Which means there are only 15 confirmed cases which include 12 deaths. Three persons are undergoing treatment," he said. The samples from bats found dead in Himachal Pradesh, which were sent to the Pune institute, have been found negative and the two samples of suspected cases from Hyderabad were also negative. The Health Ministry has urged people not to panic, asserting that the outbreak is "localised" to Kerala. It has issued advisories to the general public and healthcare providers to adopt preventive measures. The multi-disciplinary central team led by the National Centre for Disease Control director is constantly reviewing the situation in Kerala. The team has fine-tuned the draft guidelines, case definitions, advisory for healthcare workers, information to the general public, advisories for sample collection and transportation accordingly. The contact-tracing strategy has been successful, the health ministry said, adding that it has been found that all the reported cases including the suspected cases had a direct or indirect contact with the first casualty or his family prior to contracting the disease. The central medical team has put Kozhikode and Malappuram on "high alert" and has advised authorities to set up facilities to screen suspected cases at exit and entry points of the districts. The local administration in the two districts has set up a taskforce with a designated control room and a nodal officer has been appointed to collect data to ensure preventive measures. Nipah virus (NiV) infection is a newly-emerging zoonosis that causes severe disease in animals and humans. The natural host of the virus are fruit bats of the Pteropodidae Family, Pteropus genus. At present, there is no vaccine or drug to treat NiV infection in humans or animals. The primary treatment for human cases is intensive supportive care. The virus spreads through close contact with people's secretions and excretions. Eating food that may have droplets of saliva and urine of infected bats can lead to transmission of the virus. Nipah virus cases were previously reported from West Bengal's Siliguri in 2001 and Nadia district in 2007. A total of 47 deaths were reported from the two districts. The CBSE 12th Result 2018, CBSE Result 2018 releasing today by 12:19 pm. The Central Board of Secondary Education declared the CBSE 12th Result, CBSE Class 12 exam Result 2018 on its official website cbse.nic.in. The Central Board of Secondary Education is responsible for conducting the CBSE Class 12 examinations. This year the board conducted the CBSE Class 12 Board examination from 5 March - 13th April 2018. The CBSE 12th result 2018 and CBSE Result 2018 will also be available on cbse.examresults.net results.nic.in/index cbseresults.nic.in, results.gov.in FACTS YOU CAN'T MISS: *Noida student Meghna Srivastava bags top position with 99.8%. *Ghaziabad's Anoushka Chandra Holds 2nd Position with 498 marks *The Pass percentage for girls is 88.31. The Pass percentage for boys 78.99%. Girls have outshined boys with a margin of 9.32% *The CBSE Board Will release the CBSE 12th Result 2018 on its official website cbse.nic.in *In 2018, the CBSE board allowed students with special needs concessions and facilities like use of computers for answering their exams. *The board also gave relaxation in attendance up to 50% for students with special needs. *Permission for the provision of a reader in case the student does not want a writer was provided. *In what has been considered a serious transgression of CBSE bylaws, it came to light that some schools were withholding admit cards from some students or charging a fee to give out the admit cards, depending on students' performance in prelims. *On 28th March 2018, CBSE announced the re-examination for two papers, the Economics paper for class XII and the Math paper for class X. This announcement came in the midst of rumours of paper leaks. *in 2017, the CBSE declared the Class 10 results on June 3 last year. The results were delayed because of assembly elections in five states and court cases filed after the board's decision on marks moderation. *The pass percentage last year in CBSE Class 10 exam fell to 90.95 per cent from 96.21 per cent previous year, registering dip of over 5 per cent. CBSE Class 12 results 2017 were declared on Sunday, May 28. Steps to check CBSE Class 12th Result 2018 and CBSE 12th Result 2018: Step 1: Click on official website link cbse.nic.in Step 2: Look for the tab which says CBSE 12th Result 2018 or CBSE Result 2018 Step 3: Click on CBSE 12th Board Exam result 2018 Step 4: Enter your admit card details Step 5: Download your CBSE Result 2018 for future reference Mumbai: Tourists planning a lavish getaway from Mumbai to Goa can now board a cruise directly to the beach gate away. With the sea trials of a new cruise underway, the service is expected to begin by September, 2018. The ticket will start from Rs 7,500. During the first sea trial, cruise ship 'Angriya' reached Panjim in Goa on May 24. It had set sail from Mumbai on May 23. With this service, Mumbaikars holidays will begin as soon as they board the cruise. We are happy that this cruise service has been launched. This will add to Mumbais charm as a tourist destination. Both Goa and Mumbai are great attractions for tourists. People will be able to have a unique experience. Mumbai Port Trust is happy to be a part of this initiative, Yashodhan Wanage, Deputy Chairperson of Mumbai Port Trust, told News18. Angriya was built in 1997 in Japan. It can accommodate 400 passengers and will be operated on alternate days from either Mumbai or Goa. Angriya is named after Admiral Kanhoj Angre, the first notable admiral of the Maratha naval fleet and the great coral reef - the Angria bank. The cruise will depart on every alternate day at 5 pm from Mumbai or Goa and reach the destination at 9 am. En route, the ship will not halt at any place. There are seven categories of bookings, with the minimum fare starting at Rs 7,500 per person, which includes two meals and brunch onboard. Apart from a swimming pool, a lounge and recreation room, the vessel has round-the-clock restaurants and coffee shops. Passengers onboard will also be able to enjoy the views along the coastal lines of Konkan and Goa as the ship will sail along the 5 nautical miles of coastline. The cruise services will operate depending on the weather conditions, which means the service will operate only between October and May. The Mumbai Port Trust already has the infrastructure to commence the service from the domestic cruise terminal at Victoria Dock in Mazgaon. The last passenger sail service between Mumbai and Goa took 24 hours to reach its destination and operated 26 years ago in 1991. Malda (West Bengal): A man was allegedly thrashed by four persons in a moving train in West Bengal, after he failed to name the prime minister and the West Bengal chief minister, police said on Friday. The victim was identified as Jamal Momin, a migrant labourer. Momin was on his way to Kaliachak in Malda district from Howrah on May 14, when the four accused got into the train and sat next to his seat after he had briefly deboarded at a station, a police officer said. When Momin arrived, the four men tried to oust him from the seat and heckled him with questions about Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the national anthem and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. When he failed to answer, the men allegedly roughed him up. Momin reportedly replied that he wasnt educated when the accused fired a question on Nawaz Sharif at him. According to a report in Times of India, the men also asked Momin if he offered namaz every day and when he replied that he did, they reportedly said, Shame on you. You offer namaz every day at a mosque but you dont know the national anthem. The group also allegedly forced him to say Bharat Mata ki Jai and later got down at Bandel station. A local NGO named Bangla Sankriti Mancha lodged an FIR against the accused, based on videos taken by co-passengers, Kaliachak Police Station Inspector-in-Charge Suman Chatterjee said. An investigation into the matter is underway, Chatterjee said. (With PTI inputs) New Delhi: Which destination would be best for a sojourn? A question which corporate employees begin to ponder during summers sweltering heat, now dominates conversations of senior IAS officers. Thanks to Modi government, the bureaucrats are longing for a holiday. Deadlines becoming sacrosanct, files getting cleared faster and exponentially increasing work pressure are some of the bold changes that senior bureaucrats across ministries noticed after four years of Modi government. This, in-turn, has increased the stress level among senior IAS officers, making them yearn for a vacation to reboot from the burgeoning pressure. Under PM Modi, there is tremendous work pressure. The typical sarkaari offices have changed in definition, at least at the ministerial level. The pressure is so much that I am planning a trip to Mauritius, a top bureaucrat laughingly said. Other officials News18 spoke to informally revealed their plans to visit Sri Lanka and other tourist spots in order to take a break from the routine. Senior officers in the Niti Aayog recall an incident where a deadline made them stay in office for more than 48 hours. This is unprecedented in my decade-long civil service career. We had to file a not-so-important report two days later and most of the work was pending because people were on leave, including me. We all stayed for more than two days in office because there were strict instructions over the mail that the report should not be delayed. Things were not so strict before. This is almost private corporate culture, said an official from Niti Aayog on condition of anonymity. In a first, the government has also introduced secretary level panels for better implementation of policies. Multiple secretaries shared that most of the policies find execution once the panel green flags it. Junior officials send ideas to the PM through MyGov app, an online portal which led to some hesitation among senior officers during initiation. However, they also claimed that now they are witnessing positive results of it. There have been cases when junior officers have pitched ideas through the portal and have been taken up for discussions at top level offices, said an official requesting anonymity. According to multiple officers across ministries, IAS officers are no more the go-to option when it comes to deployment. When it came to the post of Central Vigilance Commissioner -- monopolised by retired IAS officers -- the government opted for K V Chowdary, a former income tax chief. While the bureaucracy at large claims that they are satisfied with the current government, 129 officers have also been terminated from jobs in 2017. New Delhi: When Prime Minister Narendra Modi came to power in 2014 there was an inherent belief that one of the primary reasons for the snail-paced judiciary was either the presence of too many laws or the lack of some much-needed ones. Flashback to 2014 and Modi armed with 336 seats in the Lok Sabha, the road ahead was still a bumpy ride for the NDA in the legislative arena. Astutely utilising BJP's lack of majority in the Rajya Sabha, the opportune opposition alliance of the Congress, Trinamool, Left, SP and BSP meticulously steered the bills passed by Lok Sabha to Select Committees. Eventually with its calculating negotiations and parliamentary stratagem at their best, the NDA manoeuvred its path. Legislations like Aadhaar were pushed ahead as money bills. Post Delhi and Bihar losses in 2015, the party revived its lost glory with victories in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Goa, Manipur and others which helped it fortify its presence in the Upper House. Legislations with canny implications that would gradually change not only business conduct but political practice started being brought into existence. Even Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad laid out figures in last years press conference about the number of old laws that were done away with in the Modi regime. "The Modi government is determined to relegate several archaic Acts to history. Laws need to be consonant with the times. 1,200 redundant Acts have been scrapped. 1,824 more have been identified for repeal," said law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad. Since 2014, the NDA government has brought a few key legislation into force which will only help draw up its report card on how well it has been able to stick to its poll promise. First was the Juvenile Justice Amendment Act: Amidst heavy protests by NGOs, lawyers, activists and individuals working for child rights for being unconstitutional, the Juvenile Justice Amendment bill was passed allowing for children in the 16-18 age group to be tried as adults if found committing a heinous crime. Then came the much debated and mired in controversies, Goods and Services Tax Act. This act defines time for the Modi government. Finance Minister, Arun Jaitely introduced it as the comprehensive, multi-stage, destination-based tax levied on every value addition, it is an indirect tax levied on supply of goods and services. It was said to have removed the cascading effect as tax is calculated only on value addition at each transfer of ownership. To improve its understanding and acceptability in the public, Chartered accountants held classes in mandis and bazaar to make the shop owners aware of how the tax worked. One of the other laws which were hailed from every quarter was the Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act, 2017. This legislation which brought an amendment to the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961 increased the period of maternity period, with different provisions like creche facilities, option of work from home etc. However, even this piece of legislation was not away from criticism. Industry insiders had pointed out that this extended maternity leave might result in firms opting for more men or women who already have been mothers as an employee. Next came the law which ushered in transparency in dealings and confidence among home buyers. With thousands of home buyers still in the lurch with some builders still to give possession or cough up the refund amount, Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act 2016, was a much needed consumer arm. With passage of this act developers have been given until the end of July 2017, to register their projects under RERA. Several states still need to notify the rules under the Act and most importantly for buyers, developers/promoters need to register their projects under RERA. This act has main objective of protecting the interests of home buyers and also boost investments in the real estate sector. However, one of the crucial turning point in Modi regime was the Kathua rape case where an eight-year-old was alleged to have been gang raped over several days and later killed. With the Prime Minister on an overseas trip, criticism to tackle sternly with such cases of child rapes was only mounting on the government and soon an ordinance was passed which amended the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012 to introduce the death penalty for rape of children younger than 12 years. The decision was taken a meeting at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's residence in 7 Lok Kalyan Marg in New Delhi. The government also in a letter submitted to the Supreme Court, said that it has started the process to amend the POCSO Act to ensure maximum punishment of death penalty in child rape cases where the victim is under 12 years of age. Lastly, in the face of Nirav Modis scam, the government had also approved the Fugitive Economic Offenders ordinance, 2018 which provides for confiscating properties of corporate escapes. The Act arms the Indian authorities to attach and confiscate proceeds of crime associated with economics offenders and the properties of the economic offenders and there by deter economic offenders from evading the process of Indian law by remaining outside the jurisdiction of Indian courts. The Fugitive Economic Offenders Bill, 2018 was introduced in Lok Sabha on the 12th March, 2018 and was listed for consideration and passing in Lok Sabha. Another major boost to Modi governments attempt to fast track judiciary was the push for labour law reforms. With BJP in over 22 out of 29 states, important law labour reforms have been brought in based on the central governments orders. In Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Haryana, minimum number of workers in a factory for employer to be obliged to seek permission from the government to retrench workers increased from 100 to 300. Amendments were passed in Rajasthan to increase compensation awarded to workers, in case of retrenchment. However, enforcement of labour law provisions by battling out it in the court has always been an exploited zone and thus needs to be seen how well it is implemented. In Gujarat, too, amendments were passed that pressed for "out of court settlement of disputes between workers and management ostensibly to reduce "endless litigation". However, in spite of all these legislations, there still hangs two legislative swords over the Modi government, in the form of the triple talaq bill and the uniform civil code. Heedless of nationwide protests, PM Modi after having failed to pass the Muslim empowerment bill in the Rajya Sabha openly lamented that outgoing Rajya Sabha MPs failed to deliberate crucial matters, specifically the triple talaq Bill the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, 2017, clearly demonstrating the Centres inordinate yearning to pass the legislation. The law which mandated a three year jail term for a husband pronouncing unilateral divorce to his wife was critiqued to be harsh and detrimental for a family system. Even organisations who were the petitioners in the original case of triple talaq in the apex court had later approached the government to ease certain provisions. But the present government looks at the legislation as an opportunity to appeal to the Muslim women in the country and would again push it to be passed in the Monsoon session of Parliament. The next sword that hangs over the head of the Modi government is that of the Uniform Civil Code. Out of various promises made by the BJP in almost every poll manifesto since the time of its inception, the Modi governmentonce again at the threshold of the 2019 General Electionshas reiterated its resolute devotion to the implementation of a nation-wide uniform civil code, eradicating personal laws based on religion. Taking a giant leap in this direction, in 2016, the Modi government instructed the Law Commission to examine the implementation of the UCC. Now with the Commission denying a possibility of UCC last year in an interview to News18 has again started the process of consultation with stakeholders as the chairmans tenure comes close to an end by August 30. BJP leader and Supreme Court advocate, Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay, vehemently vouched for a uniform civil code before the law commission on May 18. However, now with matters like Nikah Misyar, polygamy and others again before the apex court it is yet to be seen how the Modi government treads the delicate path of balancing personal laws and uniform set of legislations. New Delhi: Union Minister Arun Jaitley on Saturday said the Modi government has provided a 'scam-free' governance during the last four years, and the country has transformed from being a part of the fragile five' to the "bright spot" on global stage. The focus of the government will now be on consolidation of the initiatives taken in the past, Jaitley said in his Facebook post on completion of four years of the NDA government. In a post titled 'My Reflections on the NDA Government after Completion of Four Years in Power', Jaitley said the preceding ten years of the UPA rule had unquestionably witnessed the most corrupt government since Independence. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi created transparent systems through legislative and institutional changes which have given this country a scam-free governance. Unlike the UPA, the Prime Minister is the natural leader of both his party and the nation," wrote Jaitley, who had undergone a renal transplant earlier this month. He said the country has witnessed a journey from indecisiveness to clarity and decisiveness. "India has transformed from being a part of the "fragile five" to the "bright spot" on the global economic scene. A regime of policy paralysis has been transformed into one of decisions and actions. "India, which was on the verge of becoming a "basket case" has today been transformed into the fastest growing major economy in the world and is likely to hold that position in the years to come," he said. The minister said the country's mood from despair has transformed into hope and aspirations. "Good governance and good economics have been blended with good politics. The result of this has been that the BJP is more confident, its geographical base has become much bigger, its social base has expanded and its winnability has hugely increased. The Congress is in desperation without the perks of office," Jaitley said. He said Modi has institutionalised a system where discretions have been eliminated. "Discretions lead to abuse of power because they can be misused. Allocations of contracts, natural resources, spectrum and other Government largesse which were being distributed through discretions, are now allocated through a market mechanism. "Laws have been changed. Leaders of the industry are no longer seen repeatedly visiting the South Block, the North Block or the Udyog Bhawan. Environmental clearance files don't pile up. FIPB has been abolished," he said. Jaitley said India has to transform from a tax non-compliant society to a tax-compliant society. "The enactment and implementation of the Goods and Services Tax, the impact of demonetisation, effective tax compliance are all steps against black money, steps which are formalising the Indian economy. The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code has changed the lender-creditor relationship. The creditors no longer have to chase the debtors. If you cannot pay your creditors, you have to exit through a statutory mechanism," he said. The minister further said India had fallen off the global radar under the UPA regime. In its initial years, when the world economy was booming, India grew on the strength of global tailwinds. "When the global situation became challenging, the UPA's decisiveness and performance collapsed. The last two years of the UPA had witnessed substantially lower growth rates. From the very first year of NDA, India is the world's fastest growing major economy with the highest GDP growth rates. This is also the global projection for the next few years," Jaitley added. The "unprecedented" CAD and "alarmingly high" fiscal deficit showed poor economic management by the UPA. "Having inherited the mess, the NDA, year after year, has brought it down to 3.5 per cent and shall, this year, try and deliver a 3.3 per cent fiscal deficit. The UPA's economic management was such that even when fiscal deficits were high, expenditure cuts of over rupees one lakh crores were done in order to make fiscal deficit optically look slightly better," he said. The NDA government has increased infrastructure expenditure by 134 per cent while that in the road sector programmes has witnessed a 189 per cent increase between the last year of the UPA and the current year of the present government, the minister noted. "The Congress President must remember that taxes don't go into the pocket of the Government. They go back to the people for better infrastructure, better social sector expenditure and poverty reduction programmes. The social sector expenditure has seen a substantial increase by both the Central and the State Governments," Jaitley said. He said resources are transferred to the states with 42 per cent devolution of taxes, Finance Commission grants and assistance through the CSS schemes. "Notwithstanding the perpetual grumbling, last year of the UPA witnessed Rs 5,15,302 crore being transferred to the states. This year the proposed transfer is 145 per cent higher and will be at Rs 12,62,935 crores. This is over and above what the States earn from the GST where they have been constitutionally protected with a 14 per cent annual increase. The States independently levy their own taxes. "Institutional changes thus being enacted and implemented are putting the Indian economy on a far stronger wicket," Jaitley wrote. New Delhi: The NIA on Saturday took the custody of alleged Jaish-e-Mohammed operative Muneer-ul-Hassan Qadri from the Jammu and Kashmir Police in connection with the 2016 terror attack on an Army camp in Nagrota in which seven soldiers, including two officers, were killed. Qadri, a Nepal returnee who was in custody of the police for sometime, had told his interrogators about his role in various terror modules, including the group involved in the Nagrota attack. An NIA spokesman, while appreciating the role of the Jammu and Kashmir Police, said, Qadri, a resident of Lolab in north Kashmir, was arrested for his alleged involvement in the terrorist attack on the Army camp on November 29, 2016, in which seven Army personnel were killed and three others injured. Three Pakistani terrorists were killed in the operation and a huge quantity of firearms, ammunition, explosives and other articles were seized from them, he said. Preliminary interrogation of the accused revealed that the attack was carried out by the Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), a banned terror group, in furtherance of a well planned conspiracy from Pakistan, the spokesman said. The accused is claimed to have told the interrogators that he along with other Valley-based JeM operatives were in touch with the JeM leadership in Pakistan and had received a freshly infiltrated group of three Pakistani terrorists from the Samba sector a day before the attack. They subsequently stayed at a hotel in Jammu and then left the attackers outside the army camp in Nagrota late at night, and proceeded to the Kashmir Valley, the spokesman said. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) had registered a case into the incident in December 2016 for offences under sections 120B, 121, 307 of the Ranbir Penal Code (RPC) and sections seven and 27 of the Arms Act, 1958. Kozhikode: Tests have ruled out bats being behind the spread of the Nipah virus that took 12 lives in Kerala's Kozhikode and Malappuram districts, officials said on Friday. A total of 21 samples from bats and pigs were sent to the High Security Animal Diseases laboratory at Bhopal but all turned out negative according to the results, obtained late Friday evening, said officials. Early this week, a team led by Central Animal Husbandry Commissioner S.P. Suresh, after examination of animals in the affected areas near here, said no incidence of Nipah virus had been identified in animals and it was the humans who had been affected. The samples sent to Bhopal included those taken from bats found in the house of disease victim Moosa in the worse-affected Perambara village. His two sons and another relative also succumbed. All the 21 samples were collected from in and nearby Perambara. Transmission of NiV takes place through direct contact with infected bats, pigs or from other NiV-infected people. With the results showing that this virus has not come from bats, the authorities have now decided to conduct more tests to locate its source. New Delhi: Two days after the release of his book The Spy Chronicles: RAW, ISI and the Illusion of Peace, former ISI chief Asad Durrani has been summoned at the Pakistani army headquarters. Durrani, who co-authored the book with former RAW chief AS Dulat, has been accused of violating the military code of conduct. Pakistani army spokesperson Major General Asif Ghafoor said on Friday that Durrani had been summoned to the General Headquarters (GHQ) on May 28, where he "will be asked to explain his position on views attributed to him in the book Spy Chronicles. Lt Gen Asad Durrani, Retired being called in GHQ on 28th May 18. Will be asked to explain his position on views attributed to him in book Spy Chronicles. Attribution taken as violation of Military Code of Conduct applicable on all serving and retired military personnel, said a statement released on Twitter by Major General Ghafoor, who is the chief of the Inter-Services Public Relations, the publicity wing of Pakistans military establishment. Lt Gen Asad Durrani, Retired being called in GHQ on 28th May 18. Will be asked to explain his position on views attributed to him in book Spy Chronicles. Attribution taken as violation of Military Code of Conduct applicable on all serving and retired military personnel. Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor (@OfficialDGISPR) May 25, 2018 Durrani, whom AS Dulat fondly refers to as General Sahab in the book, has remarked several times that the unprecedented joint effort between the former spymasters of the two hostile neighbours, is an attempt to cool down tempers and call for a dialogue between the India and Pakistan. The book is a compendium of discussions between the former ISI and RAW chiefs on various subjects like Afghanistan, Pervez Musharraf, Nawaz Sharif, Ajit Doval, Kulbhushan Jadhav, Kashmir and Narendra Modi. Durrani had admitted in the book that Pakistan was fully aware of the US-launched operation to nab Osama Bin Laden, and the fact that his country has mismanaged the Kulbhushan Jadhav episode. He had also, in his discussions with Dulat and senior journalist Aditya Sinha, admitted that Hurriyat was a creation of Pakistan. In an interview with News18 three days ago, the retired ISI chief had also hinted that Pakistan is actively involved in the current unrest in Kashmir. Some in Pakistan may have reasons to watch India lose its grip over the Kashmiris with expectancy. One indeed could not be playing fiddle while Kashmir burns and bleeds, he said. On Friday, when the orders to summon Durrani were issued, former Pakistan prime minister Nawaz Sharif drew parallels between the statements he had made on Pakistans role in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks for which he was severely criticised, and those made by Durrani. Sharif had asked for the National Security Council (NSC) of Pakistan to sit down and discuss the issues raised by him and by Durrani in his book. Sharif had also alleged that the former director of ISI had disclosed some classified information. New Delhi: In a possible case of road rage, a retired Army Captain and his family members were allegedly thrashed by five men in Dwarka, the police said on Friday. He went to Dwarka City Centre mall to have dinner along with his wife, sister, brother-in-law and their children. "We came out of the mall after dinner around midnight on May 13. As our vehicle was parked some distance away from the gate of the mall, I asked my wife, sister and the children to stay while my brother-in-law and I went to get the car," he said in a complaint. He alleged that some men sitting in a car parked nearby started passing lewd comments at the women and when he reached there with his car, the men attacked them. One of the accused was held at the spot by the retired Army officer, while the rest were nabbed on May 15, the police said. New Delhi: The daughter of separatist leader Shabbir Shah has topped the CBSE results in Jammu and Kashmir. Sama Shabir, a student of Delhi Public School, Athwajan, has topped among all affiliated schools in the valley by securing 97.8 per cent marks, on Saturday. Last year, Sama's father and the Jammu Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party (JKDFP) chief - Shabbir Shah was imprisoned in Tihar Jail by the National Investigation Agency, in a decade-old case of terror funding. The Enforcement Directorate had also filed a charge sheet against Shah, accusing him of being in touch with the Pakistan-based global terrorist- Hafiz Saeed. The separatist leader in September, 2017 had reportedly confessed to links with hawala operators in Pakistan for laundering money to fuel militancy in Jammu and Kashmir. The Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti congratulated Sama Shabir on her success and said she was truly an inspiration for the youth of our state. Congratulations to Sama Shabir Shah for securing 97.8% marks in the class 12th class examination. Her hard work & determination has helped her overcome all odds & she is truly an inspiration for the youth of our state. Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) May 26, 2018 "Congratulations to Sama Shabir Shah for securing 97.8% marks in the class 12th class examination. Her hard work and determination has helped her overcome all odds and she is truly an inspiration for the youth of our state," Mehbooba said on Twitter. Meanwhile, the official of DPS Athwajan said the school has topped among all CSBE affiliated schools of the state. The school has got 99.5 per cent overall results in the exams and around 160 students from the school have secured above 80 per cent marks in the class 12th exams. The CBSE class 12 results were declared on Saturday with the overall pass percentage at 83.01 per cent as against last year's 82.02 per cent. Over 11 lakh students had registered for the Class 12 examination, which was marred with controversy over the paper leak issue. (With agency inputs) Islamabad: The US treats Pakistan according to its needs and "ditches" when it does not require Islamabad, former military ruler Pervez Musharraf has said as he accused America of aligning with India against his country. The former president and chief of All Pakistan Muslim League (APML) in an interview with Voice of America said that Pak-US relations have suffered quite a blow and are currently at "the lowest ebb", the Express Tribune reported. The 74-year-old retired general, who is facing high treason charges, has been living in Dubai since last year when he was allowed to leave Pakistan for medical treatment. He said that there is an absolute requirement to sit with the US and resolve whatever tiff the countries are facing. "This connects to Afghanistan. There are allegations against Pakistan, and both the countries have their grievances," he said. Answering a question as to why there are strenuous relations between the two countries, Musharraf said, "US has supported India very openly from the Cold War era. And now again, the US is aligning itself with India against Pakistan, this affects us directly. We would like the UN to examine India's role in Afghanistan. A one-sided approach to the problem is negative. The former army chief said that the people of Pakistan do not understand "why the US ditches us and then comes back to us". "The people also know this that US comes to us when they need us, and they ditch us when they don't it should not be this way, he said. The relations between Washington and Islamabad have been strained since US President Donald Trump accused Pakistan of "lies and deceit" and criticised Islamabad for providing safe havens to terror groups. New Delhi: The World Health Assembly adopted a resolution against snakebites paving the way for India to address its deadly, highly prevalent but ignored problem. Notably, of the 1,00,000 people who die every year from snakebites, one of the worlds most neglected tropical diseases (NTD), atleast 46,000 are in India. The Assemblys resolution, adopted by 194 countries on Thursday, mentioned a landmark study in India conducted from 2001 to 2003, which estimated that 1.4 million to 2.8 million snakebites a year occurred in India, resulting in at least 46,000 fatalities. India has been consistently recognised as one of the countries with highest mortality rate from snakebites, largely because of poor access to healthcare. A 2015 Atlas of Rural Health by Jan Swasthya Sahyog (JSS), Chhattisgarh details how untrained village doctors step in with traditional herbal medicines immediately after snakebites, wasting crucial time. Since most people never reach a hospital, snakebite deaths are 30-fold higher than the numbers declared by official hospital returns, said the Atlas. The estimation of 46,000 annual deaths comes from the Centre for Global Health Research, while the Indian Central Bureau of Health Intelligence reported only 1,350 deaths a year from 2004 to 2009, according to the JSS. This flies in the face of most non-government efforts to determine the prevalence of this menace in India, including the seminal Million Death Study (1998-2014), that called snakebite an underestimated cause of accidental death in India. The study shows that most of these deaths occurred in 13 states, led by Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and Bihar. The international health organisation Meidecins Sans FrontieIres (MSF) (Doctors without Borders) has called for the government to be engaged in combating this NTD, and arming states adequately with antivenom which is already produced in India. According to the JSS, India has 13 known species of venomous snakes, of which four cause the most damage common cobra (Naja Naja), Russells viper (Daboia Russelii), saw-scaled viper (Echis Carinatus) and the common krait (Bungarus Caeruleus). Snake bites arent just responsible for preventable deaths, but disability and lasting trauma, according to the Assembly resolution. It noted, An estimated 4,00,000 people a year face permanent disabilities, including blindness, extensive scarring and contractures, restricted mobility and amputation following snakebite envenoming. The psychological effects of snakebite envenoming are underrecognised. There is evidence from Sri Lanka that snakebite envenoming causes long-term psychological sequelae (a pathological condition), and that the prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder in people who had had systemic envenoming following a snakebite was comparable to the levels of post-traumatic stress disorder observed following the tsunami that affected Sri Lanka in 2004 or after major road-traffic crashes. Cast: Alden Ehrenreich, Donald Glover, Emilia Clarke, Woody Harrelson, Paul Bettany, Thandie Newton, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Joonas Suotamo Director: Ron Howard I can think of many words to describe the new standalone Han Solo movie, but lets just go with colossally disappointing for now. Set up to reveal how our favorite scoundrel got his name, where he met Chewbacca, and how he came upon the Millennium Falcon, Solo: A Star Wars Story is a busy yet unmistakably underwhelming entry in the beloved sci-fi franchise. A big part of the problem is the films decidedly safe approach. Lately blockbusters like Thor: Ragnarok, Wonder Woman, and most recently Avengers: Infinity War benefited greatly from raising the stakes or even just going down a new, unpredictable path. Solo is a linear, traditional affair robust perhaps, but far from daring. Which is especially ironic, given that its the origin story of the roguish rebel celebrated for breaking all the rules. The other hiccup is Alden Ehrenreich, the 28-year-old actor trusted with embodying the young Solo. Ehrenreich dutifully attempts to channel the wry wit and the cocky swagger Harrison Ford brought to the iconic swashbuckling hero, but he comes up short. Han, as immortalized by Ford in four films over nearly 40 years, was arrogant, sardonic, and likeable all at once. Ehrenreich mostly just smirks. We first meet a young Han on the planet Corelia where he and his girlfriend Qira (Emilia Clarke) are tragically separated. Three years later, working for the Empire, he falls in with a tough crew of hustlers led by Tobias Beckett (Woody Harrelson). A mission goes wrong and they end up indebted to criminal boss Dryden Vos (Paul Bettany), even as, along the way, Han makes new acquaintances and reconnects with old contacts. Densely plotted, by veteran Star Wars screenwriter Lawrence Kasdan and his son Jonathan, the film ticks every box to include elements from across genres: science-fiction, western, romance, comedy, thriller, buddy movie you name it! As a result, the film often feels over-packed and overcomplicated. Another problem is how dark the film isand I mean literally. From an opening speeder chase through a dingy tunnel, to several key moments including the first time we lay eyes on the Millennium Falcon much of Solo is shot in such low lighting, I found myself wiping my 3D glasses repeatedly to make sure they werent covered in a coat of dust. But to be fair, its not like the film gives you no joy at all. The movie finds its sweet spot once Chewbacca is in the picture, and were reunited with the Falcon. Theres also genuine pleasure to be had watching Hans encounters with the slippery Lando Calrissian, played by a terrific Donald Glover. There are more than a few callbacks to the previous films, and expectedly, nostalgia plays a significant role in keeping you invested. Ron Howard, who replaced original directors Phil Lord and Chris Miller several months into the shoot, stages a number of impressive set pieces, with a raid on a speeding train through snowy mountains being the piece de resistance. Solo: A Star Wars Story never skimps on spectacle, yet fails to genuinely surprise you with anything bold or original. At 2 hours and 15 minutes its a trudge at best, not the exhilarating flight worthy of the best pilot in the galaxy. Im going with two out of five. Rating: 2 / 5 Write your review Four years. 21 elections. 15 victories. 19 states. Electorally, NDA II has notched up outstanding numbers. On all other fronts, the picture appears dim as compared to 2014. In assessing four years of the Narendra Modi-led government, let's acknowledge that analysts and voters evaluate ruling parties differently. Analysts focus on specific policy issues with regard to the economy, health, education, diplomacy, legislation etc. Voters rely on a more general appraisal of government performance, that is, the value both material and emotional it brings to their lives. The first is largely objective and the second, largely subjective. Objectively, demonestisation was horribly implemented and adversely impacted farmers, small businesses and jobs. Subjectively, individual suffering was trumped by emotional well-being, engendered by a sense of participation in a larger national cause (curbing black money). Conversely, while GDP figures may be inching up, the 'hope factor' is sliding and 'achhe din' is a standing WhatsApp joke. Analysts employ different yardsticks in weighing government achievements. Easing FDI norms in defence, aviation and retail (resulting in higher inflows) or extending fixed-term employment to all sectors of the economy may meet with unqualified approval from some, but be seen as a sell-out by others. In assaying NDA II's big bang economic reforms, the glass is either half-full or half-empty. Diesel prices have been de-regulated, but kerosene hasn't. GST has been introduced but excludes critical products like fuel and real estate. The much-needed Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) is in place but took all of two years to achieve its first real success (with Bhushan Steel, one of India's biggest loan defaulters). Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) of subsidies has been introduced but subsidy reforms are nowhere in sight. Direct tax collection has improved but tax terrorism is rampant. It is generally accepted that NDA II's biggest failures have been in reforming public sector banking, addressing the farm crisis and jobless growth. While the Modi government can boast of introducing transformative measures like auctioning of natural resources, Jan Dhan accounts and UPI and mobile-based transactions, as well as lesser known but equally impactful measures like mandatory neem-coating of urea, energy-saving appliances, the online reservation system in e-hospitals and democratisation of the national awards these have been overshadowed by the failure to substantively improve public delivery systems and, therefore, good governance. The new crop insurance scheme, Ujjwala (for universalising access to cooking gas), e-procurement (GeM), unique identification number (UID) for the disabled, the venture capital fund for Dalits, the smart cities project, Swachh Bharat etc all ran aground in the face of bureaucratic apathy. In the absence of administrative reforms, accountability is nil, even as government servants are rewarded for non-performance by the 7th Pay Commission. Health spending is down, farm incomes have shrunk, the rupee is in free fall, fiscal deficit targets exceeded, education is just about beginning to recover under Prakash Javadekar, and the Ganga is not much cleaner. So, how will voters perceive the government's performance? There's no gainsaying the widespread disappointment and unmet expectations of even committed BJP supporters. How effective will the anti-incumbency factor be, given that the Opposition has no powerful counter-narrative to offer? Anti-incumbency generally arises from a perceived abuse of power, as in UPA II, rather than a failure on the public policy front. So scams, if they are big enough, can oust a government. Retail corruption is a fact of life and the incumbent government rarely gets the blame. But scams involving identifiable players are not easily forgiven. NDA II, unlike its predecessor, has the advantage of being relatively scam-free so far. Its credibility, however, has suffered from the lack of quantifiable results from the war on black money. And while investigations are underway, the wrong-doers the BJP had promised to bring to book are still thriving. The 'escape' of white collar offenders like Vijay Mallya and Nirav Modi is laid at the government's door, even though their scams may be seen as a legacy issue. Failures on the law and order front can also fuel anti-incumbency and the last four years have been eventful in this respect. Gau rakshaks ran wild, Dalits and minorities were attacked, activists killed and child rapes were reported every other day. Law and order is a state subject, so it's not clear whether the blowback will be felt in the general elections, or how much traction the Opposition narrative of intolerance and divisiveness will have. It all depends on the relative efficacy of spin doctors. On the plus side, the NDA took baby steps towards a Uniform Civil Code and aggressively promoted the Beti Bachao campaign. Its attempts at outreach and participatory governance, through such platforms as MyGov and events like the Smart Indian Hackathon, are commendable. Politically, the BJP is in trouble, as the cracks in the NDA seem irreparable and the Opposition is ganging up. The Modi-centricism of NDA II is not in tune with coalition dharma and has also furthered Opposition unity, to the point where the general election promises to be a 'BJP versus the rest' contest. The party could have done with a Pramod Mahajan and the RSS with a Balasaheb Deoras, to 'manage' the allies and engage with the Opposition. Its not just the allies who are upset; within the RSS-BJP ranks, the authoritarianism of the Modi-Shah duo is much censured. Even Cabinet ministers are uncomfortable in the PMO-centric dispensation, which has proved a big bottleneck in the business of government. What the NDA could have done without is hubris. The dubious adventures in government formation, the undermining of the Supreme Court's power over judicial appointments, the exit of the popular RBI governor Raghuram Rajan, the abortive Ordinance on land acquisition and the failure to take the Opposition or the Cabinet into confidence on matters of national importance are prime examples. Yet, in election after election, Brand Modi, as distinct from the NDA, has triumphed. The PM continues to be seen as pro-poor and pro-development and a veritable icon of nationalism. And the more the Opposition attacks him, the stronger he gets. To borrow from a popular country music number, he must be doing something right: Don't know what (he) did to earn a love like this, but baby (he)/Must be doin' something right. (The author is a senior journalist. Views are personal) Prime Minister's Office has sought suggestions from all the heads of different government departments belonging to the civil services viz.. to examine if service allocation/cadre allocation to probationers selected on the basis of the Civil Services Examination be made after the foundation course. Examine feasibility of giving due weightage to the performance in the Foundation course..." It is a welcome move as there is always a need to review and assess institutions. Review and assessment would not necessarily mean that there is going to be a drastic change. Civil services across the world have seen an evolutionary change as a response to the changing character and objectives of the state. From Max Weber's bureaucracy in late 19th century to New Public Management (NPM) proposed by David Osborne and Ted Gaebler in their book Reinventing Government in the late 1980s. Digital era governance has followed NPM, which focuses on reintegrating government responsibilities, needs-based approach, digitalization (exploiting the transformational capabilities of modern IT and digital storage). There are more than 20 services. The selection is through exams conducted by UPSC. It is a grueling exam with three stages and it takes around one year to complete. The services are allocated as per the merit and the preference of the candidates. As per the serial number of UPSC the top five services are IAS, IFS, IPS, IP&TAFS and IRS. So, the total marks obtained by the candidates in written and interview determine the overall rank of the candidate. Thus, the moot question is whether the marks obtained in a single exam should determine service of a candidate, without testing his or her skill sets? It is obvious that the skill sets required by a Finance service, would be different than the police or Foreign Service. Each service requires different skill sets. IAS, IPS, IRS, Finance Services like mine require different skill sets. I did history (honours) in college and according to the ranking, was allotted a Finance Service (IP&TAFS). I struggled with debit and credit for few years before mastering it. A glaring example of mismatch of skill sets and the service is the Tuticorin firing on protesters. Tuticorin firing shows that the DM and SP did not have the temperament and skill sets to handle protests. The situation would have been different if they had a dialogue; if they had spoken to the protesters, negotiated and kept the channels of communications open. Why would the citizens attack collectorate in the first place? It is basically a reflection of citizen's complete distrust in the district administration and it is likely that they saw district administration as protectors of Sterlite. Judicial inquiry ordered on the firing will bring out the real reasons. If we agree with the proposition that different services require different skill sets, then the next question is that what should be selection process for the different services. In Army all the selected cadets have to undergo rigorous training for two years in IMA. There is a robust and continuous evaluation of cadets. At the end of the training, each cadet is allotted the arm/regiment as per their overall assessment. But do the training Institutes/Academies of civil services have the requisite and robust evaluation systems in place. The answer is no. Most of these academies are manned by officers of respective services, hence they could be subject to pulls and pressures. One solution could be to send all the selected candidates to autonomous and fairly independent institutions like IIMs. This could be followed by attaching the candidates in Blocks/Tehsils across the country for six months. Their assessment could be a combination of assessment by district officers, sarpanches and a percentage of citizens. Candidates could be subjected to psychometric/aptitude tests, especially for selection to uniformed services like IPS, CISF and RPF. On a macro level, civil services needs a comprehensive reform with main objectives of making it citizen centric, focus on domain expertise, encouragement of lateral entry , promotion based on quantifiable achievements rather than subjective assessments and review of performance every 10 years of service. As a part of civil services, one area which needs immediate attention is police reforms. Recent cases of Unnao and Khatua highlights the need to insulate police from political interference. It is a matter of concern that the directions given by Supreme Court in 2006 for police reforms are yet to be implemented by states. On December 22, 2006, the Supreme Court of India delivered a historic judgement in Prakash Singh Vs Union of India, instructing the central and state governments to comply with a set of seven directives that laid down practical mechanism to kick-start police reforms. The seven directions of SC are as under: 1. Limit political control: Constitute a State Security Commission to ensure that the state government does not exercise unwarranted influence or pressure on the police, lay down broad policy guidelines and evaluate the performance of the state police. 2. Appoint based on merit: Ensure that the Director General of Police is appointed through a merit-based, transparent process, and secures a minimum tenure of two years. 3. Fix minimum tenure: Ensure that other police officers on operational duties (including Superintendents of Police in charge of a district and Station House Officers in charge of a police station) are also provided a minimum tenure of two years. 4. Separate police functions: Separate the functions of investigation and maintaining law and order. 5. Set up fair and transparent systems: Set up a Police Establishment Board to decide and make recommendations on transfers, postings, promotions and other service-related matters of police officers of and below the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police. 6. Establish a Police Complaints Authority in each state: to look into public complaints against police officers of and above the rank of Superintendent of Police in cases of serious misconduct, including custodial death, grievous hurt or rape in police custody. 7. Set up a Selection Commission: A National Security Commission needs to be set up at the union level to prepare a panel for selection and placement of chiefs of the Central Police Organizations with a minimum tenure of 2 years. There is also a need to take decision on the recommendations of second Administrative Reforms Commission. The reports of 2nd ARC are very comprehensive and cover the entire gamut of areas concerning civil services and reforms. Civil services are the steel frame of the constitution. They are the implementors of government policies for the welfare of citizens. And the effective implementation would finally depend on the effectiveness & efficiency of the civil services on the whole. It would be pertinent to mention, what Sardar Patel said on 10th October 1949 in the Constituent Assembly of India regarding civil services. If you want an efficient all-India service, I advise you to allow the service to open their mouth freely. If you are a Premier, it would be your duty to allow your Secretary, or Chief Secretary, or other services working under you, to express their opinion without fear or favour. But I see a tendency today that in several provinces, the services are set upon and told, No, you, are servicemen, you must carry out our orders. The Union will go, you will not have a united India, if you do not have a good all-India service which has the independence to speak out its mind, which has a sense of security that you will stand by your word and that after all, there is the Parliament, of which we can be proud, where their rights and privileges are secure. If you do not adopt this course, then do not follow the present Constitution. The Services recruited through Civil Services Examination: All India Services & Central Civil Services - Group A Indian Administrative Service (IAS) Indian Foreign Service (IFS) Indian Police Service (IPS) Indian Post & Telecommunication Accounts and Finance Service (IP&TAFS) Indian Revenue Service (IRS) - Income Tax Indian Revenue Service (IRS) - Customs & Central Excise Indian Audits & Accounts Service (IA&AS) Indian Railway Traffic Service (IRTS) Indian Railway Accounts Service (IRAS) Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) Indian Defence Accounts Service (IDAS) Indian Defence Estate Service (IDES) Indian Information Service (IIS) Indian Railway Personnel Service (IRPS) Railways Protection Force (RPF) Indian Information Service (IIS) Indian Civil Accounts Service (ICAS) Central Civil Services - Group B Union Territories Administrative Service Union Territorries Police Service Central Secretariat Service Defence Secretariat Service (Ashish Joshi, is a civil servant. He was the nodal officer for implementation for the recommendation for Sachar Committee Report and PM's new 15 Point Programme for welfare of the Minorities, Ministry of Minority Affairs (2006-2011). He is a post-graduate from St Stephens College and an alumnus of Indian Institute of Public Administration and National Institute of Financial Management. Views are personal.) New Delhi: Union Minister Arun Jaitley on Saturday termed the idea of a non-BJP front for 2019 elections as fictional alternative, saying aspirational India will reject the "anarchist" formation of "disparate political parties". In a Facebook post on the fourth anniversary of the Narendra Modi government, Jaitley said the political agenda for debate would Modi versus an "anarchist combination" of such parties. "A group of disparate political parties are promising to come together. Some of their leaders are temperamental, the others occasionally change ideological positions. With many of them, such as TMC, DMK, TDP, BSP and the JD(S), the BJP has had an opportunity to share power. They frequently change political positions," Jaitley said. Aspirational societies with vibrant democracies do not invite anarchy, the minister said, adding that a strong nation and the requirements of good governance abhor anarchy. Several opposition parties, including the Congress, are trying to forge an alliance to take on the BJP in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Prime Minister Modi has given 'scam-free' government and his fifth year will focus on consolidation of policies and programmes, he wrote. Jaitley, who had a renal transplant earlier this month and has yesterday been shifted out of ICU, said the country's mood has transformed from despair to hope and aspirations in last four years. "Good governance and good economics have been blended with good politics. The result of this has been that the BJP is more confident, its geographical base has become much bigger, its social base has expanded and its winnability has hugely increased," he said. Attacking Congress, Jaitley said the party "is in desperation without the perks of office". "From the dominant party of Indian politics, it is moving towards the 'fringe', its political positions are not of a mainstream party but one usually adopted by 'fringe' organisations. Fringe organisations can never hope to come in power," the minister's Facebook post noted. "Its best hope lies in becoming a supporter of regional political parties. State level regional political parties have realised that the marginalised Congress can at best be either a junior partner or a marginal supporter," he said. Lucknow: Claiming that countdown to Modi government's ouster has begun, BSP chief Mayawati slammed BJP-led central government on Saturday for splurging public money to celebrate their four years in power. The party supremo also appointed RS Kushwaha as BSPs new state president. Launching a scathing attack, Mayawati said, The Modi government has no right to indulge in such kind of celebration. Today the petrol and diesel prices are sky rocketing and still the government is only for working for the interest of big businessmen. The countdown of Modi government has begun. Addressing media at BSPs Mall Avenue office, the party chief claimed that today people are not at peace despite keeping their money in bank accounts. She alleged that there was anarchy in all walks of life, which proved that the BJP's rule meant jungle raj. The Modi government has failed badly in all sectors. The government, which boasts of women safety, also tried to save the culprits of Kathua and Unnao rape cases, Mayawati added. This kind of exploitation of the poor, labourers, common people and women under the central government has never been seen before...their chori aur seena jori has also been unheard of in the past, the BSP chief said. Mayawati also held the National Executive meet of BSP earlier in the day, where former BSP MLC RS Kushwaha was made partys new state president, while Ramachal Rajbhar was appointed as the national general secretary. Sources said that strategy for the Kairana and Noorpur bypolls may have been discussed in the meeting, and a decision to support the SP-RLD joint candidate in the byelections could be announced soon. The rumours come after SP president Akhilesh Yadav, Mayawati, RLD chief Ajit Singh and former Congress Party president Sonia Gandhi shared the stage and projected a united front at Karnataka CM HD Kumaraswamys swearing-in on Wednesday in Bengaluru. New Delhi: Asserting that BJP's return to power in 2019 is "not a challenge but a certainty", its president Amit Shah on Saturday projected the next Lok Sabha polls as a contest between Prime Minister Narendra Modi's efforts to "remove corruption and poverty" and the Opposition's single-point agenda of 'Modi Hatao'. On the Modi government's fourth anniversary, Shah listed details of its "successes" and heaped scorn on the likely challenge from Rahul Gandhi-led Congress, saying he may have declared himself a prime ministerial candidate but his bid has not got support from even his party colleagues, let alone other opposition leaders. Projecting Modi as the "most popular and most hardworking prime minister with unending energy", Shah said he replaced the UPA's policy paralysis with a policy-driven government working for the poor and improved economy while also raising the country's esteem in the world. Asked about the 'achche din' (good days) promised by the BJP-led ruling alliance when it came to power, Shah said the government has "done a lot to fulfil its promises in four years and one year is still left. The BJP president came down heavily on the Opposition saying a shocking change has happened in the country's politics with those against the prime minister resorting to lies and speaking it loudly all the time. "This is something new I am seeing and the Opposition seems to have decided to continue with this tactic till the 2019 polls... Its one-point agenda is 'Modi hatao' (replace Modi) while the BJP and Modi want to remove disorder, corruption and poverty to usher in stability and development," Shah said at a press conference. Playing down the challenge from a united opposition, he said people are standing by Modi like a rock and the prime minister's politics of performance will prevail over those promoting politics of dynasty, casteism and appeasement. Taking on the Congress, which has accused the government of peddling lies and Modi of harming the dignity of his chair, Shah said the BJP is ready for a debate over facts and figures about the Centre's achievements. Countering the charges, the BJP president said the honour of the prime minister's chair had hit rock bottom under the Congress-led UPA, as he took a dig at former prime minister Manmohan Singh, remarking that Modi does not need to seek anybody's permission before taking a decision. Singh was often accused by critics of being guided by the then Congress president Sonia Gandhi in his decisions. "The Congress will not decide about the dignity of the prime minister's chair. People have done it. They have replaced its 14 state governments (with BJP)," he said. Asked if he saw a challenge from a united opposition or Rahul Gandhi in 2019, Shah said there is no challenge and its return to power is a certainty. Referring to Gandhi's comments during the Karnataka assembly polls that he may be prime minister if his party gets the required numbers, Shah said no Congress leader came out in support of his statement, nor did opposition leaders like Sharad Pawar, Mamata Banerjee or Akhilesh Yadav. Asked if the government has delivered on its promises, he said it has made successful efforts to change the lives of 22 crore families, referring to welfare schemes like providing LPG cylinder, houses, electricity and toilets among others to the poor, as also efforts to improve the country's economy and security of its borders. Whatever be the opposition's lies, those who have befitted from the government schemes will remember it, he said, underlining his party's welfare plank. To a question about the Telugu Desam Party leaving the NDA and the saffron party's turbulent relations with another key ally Shiv Sena, Shah said he wants its alliance with Sena to continue and added that 11 new parties, including Nitish Kumar-led JD(U), have joined the ruling bloc. He also discounted the likely challenge from SP-BSP alliance in UP, saying the media had declared the grouping of "two boys", a reference to SP chief Akhilesh Yadav and Gandhi, a winner in the state assembly poll before the results came, but it was the BJP that swept the election. Shah also said that the BJP's win in 104 seats in Karnataka is a good sign of its expansion in south India. Asked about Pakistan's continued support to terrorism in Kashmir despite Indian Army's operations, including surgical strike, and if war was an option, he said, "War is the last resort. It is not an option. Maximum number of terrorists have been killed in the last four years." Shah also said the government is also working on long-term policy to deal with soaring petroleum prices. He claimed that in three years of the UPA rule, petrol and diesel prices were as high as they are now. He also maintained the BJP's position on the Ram temple issue, saying it wants the issue to be resolved either through courts or dialogue. Stating that no village is without power now, Shah said the government recently covered 16800 villages, which had over 50 per cent Dalit population, with its seven welfare schemes, Jan Dhan bank account, toilets and LPG cylinder for all homes, and will cover 65000 villages by August 15. The Modi government ended an era of instability and has delivered on its two key promises, that it will work for the poor, Dalits, tribals, backwards, farmers and village, and that it will raise India's esteem in the world. It has fulfilled both, he said. New Delhi/Cuttack: The top two of BJP, PM Narendra Modi and party president Amit Shah, went all out on Saturday to highlight the NDA governments achievements during its fourth-anniversary celebrations. The opposition, meanwhile, played its role in coming up with scathing attacks which included a booklet by the Congress named 'India Betrayed', alleging that Modi and Shah were harmful for the country. PM Modi said people have put a seal of approval on the NDAs performance while Amit Shah asserted that its return to power in 2019 is not a challenge but a certainty. Modi, who was addressing a rally, chose Odisha to address the crowds. The state is high on his party's agenda for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. He said his government's fight against corruption has sent "shivers down the spines of many who have come on one platform", a reference to opposition parties which have been in talks to put up a united fight against the ruling alliance. At the rally in Cuttack, the Prime Minister said his government is moving on the correct path and people have put their seal of approval on it as he noted that his party is in power in 20 states. It shows that people have endorsed the NDA's performance in the last four years, he said. The country is moving towards "susashan" (good governance) from "kusashan" (bad governance) and towards "jandhan" (public money) from "kaladhan" (black money), he said and claiming that the Congress is always driven by power. Shah addressed a press conference in the national capital to reel out figures to highlight the government's achievements. He claimed that Modi has been working to remove corruption and poverty while accusing the opposition of having a single-point 'Modi hatao (remove Modi)' agenda. He listed details of its "successes" and heaped scorn on the likely challenge from Rahul Gandhi-led Congress, saying he may have declared himself a prime ministerial candidate but his bid has not got the support from even his party colleagues, let alone other opposition leaders. Projecting Modi as the "most popular and most hardworking prime minister with unending energy", Shah said he replaced the UPA's "policy paralysis" with a "policy-driven" government working for the poor and an improved economy. The Prime Minister has also raised the country's esteem in the world, he said. As Shah went hard at them, Congress leaders hit back with Ghulam Nabi Azad, Ashok Gehlot and Randeep Surjewala claiming that an atmosphere of fear and hatred has been created under the BJP-led NDA rule. "People now know that Modi-Amit Shah duo is harmful for the country. Four years of the Modi government can be defined in four terms treachery, trickery, revenge and lies," AICC communication's in-charge Surjewala said. Referring to alleged atrocities on Dalits, tribals, minorities and women, Azad, the Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, said, "Nobody is safe in India under the BJP government. Everyone is getting sleepless nights." The Congress released the 'India betrayed' booklet on the four years of the BJP's "misrule", both in English and Hindi, and asked a set of 40 questions to the prime minister. Modi and Shah are "harmful" for the country after four years of the NDA rule, it said, describing its tenure as a period of "treachery, trickery, revenge and lies". BJP leader and Union minister Arun Jaitley launched a blistering attack on the Congress and "maverick and temperamental" leaders of regional parties like the TMC, DMK and BSP, and said the debate till the 2019 polls would be "Modi versus an anarchist combination". In a Facebook post, Jaitley, who is recuperating in AIIMS after a kidney transplant, said that the electoral prospects of the Congress are narrowing with the party is shrinking to a fringe. Attacking the Congress, Shah said under the UPA government, scams worth Rs 12 lakh crores made headlines while during the Modi dispensation, development works have done so. He also took a dig at the Congress, saying that those who imposed the Emergency, imprisoned more than a lakh people and silenced the media are now talking of an atmosphere of fear and the freedom of media. Asked about the 'achhe din' (good days) promised by the BJP-led ruling alliance when it came to power, Shah said the government has "done a lot to fulfil its promises in four years and one year is still left". Playing down the challenge from a united opposition, he said people are standing by Modi like a rock and the Prime Minister's politics of performance will prevail over those promoting politics of dynasty, casteism and appeasement. The BJP president said the honour of the Prime Minister's chair had hit rock bottom under the Congress-led UPA, as he took a dig at former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, remarking that Modi does not need to seek anybody's permission before taking a decision. Singh was often accused by critics of being guided by then Congress president Sonia Gandhi in his decisions. "The Congress will not decide about the dignity of the prime minister's chair. People have done it. They have replaced its 14 state governments (with the BJP)," he said. Asked if he saw a challenge from a united opposition or Rahul Gandhi in 2019, Shah said there is no challenge and the government's return to power is a certainty. (With Agency Inputs) New Delhi: On a cold winter morning in January 2004, Congress chief Sonia Gandhi walked out of the gates of 10 Janpath with her SPG guards and into the gates of 12 Janpath, much to the surprise of Ram Vilas Paswan. With that short walk, Sonia leaped to power and stitched a rainbow coalition of regional parties to oust the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government and keep the BJP out of power for 10 years. Fast-forward to 2018, a similar gesture by Sonia at the swearing-in ceremony of HD Kumaraswamy may again reshape Indias electoral politics. Standing on the steps of the Vidhan Soudha in Bengaluru, the former Congress president held an elated Mayawati in a warm embrace. Later in a show of strength by opposition leaders, Sonia raised the BSP chiefs arm high. Congress leader Sonia Gandhi holds up BSP chief Mayawatis arm during an opposition photo-op at HD Kumaraswamys swearing-in ceremony.(PTI) Exactly a year before general elections, the bonhomie is telling. It signals Mayawatis emergence out of political hibernation to become a reckoning force in 2019, both in the opposition ranks and on the national stage. Dalit, woman and with administrative experience, Mayawati ticks all the boxes to be Narendra Modis challenger in 2019 elections, which is shaping up to be a battle between communal and caste polarisations. Ironically, Sonias last pre-poll overture to Mayawati was met with an ice cold response. It was before the 2004 elections that Sonia had driven to Mayawatis Delhi home on her birthday with a bouquet of flowers. Days later, the Dalit leader launched a direct attack on Sonia, accusing her of neglecting Dalits. But 2018 is not 2004. Reduced to zero seats in the Lok Sabha, Mayawati shed her distrust of pre-poll alliances to team up with rival Akhilesh Yadavs Samajwadi Party against the BJP. The Dalit-Yadav-Muslim pitch paid off with wins in the prestigious Phulpur and Gorakhpur Lok Sabha bypolls. Another test awaits in Kairana and Noorpur by-elections on May 28. In partnering with Akhilesh a year after acrimonious Assembly elections, Mayawati reminded pundits that she is the protege of Kanshi Ram, the BSP founder for whom no party was untouchable. He had famously prevented the BJP from coming to power in Uttar Pradesh in 1993, months after the Mandir-Mandal churning in the heartland. His alliance with Mulayam Singh Yadav-led Samajwadi Party gave rise to the slogan Mile Mulayam-Kanshiram, hawa mein ud gaye Jai Shree Ram. The slogan has been revived 25 years later for their political successors Behanji aur Akhilesh judey, Modi-Yogi ke hosh udey. The Dalit Consolidation Kanshi Ram had once famously remarked, We (BSP) are neither secularists not Leftists. We are opportunists. And opportunity calls now, say observers. There is an anti-BJP mood in the country among Dalits and even tribal communities. For the first time, I saw Dalit youths coming together on April 2. The atrocities in western Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan have brought all Dalits together and created a huge pressure on Dalit leadership to join hands with groups that can defeat BJP, says researcher and author Chandrabhan Prasad. According to a Mood of the Nation survey published by think-tank Centre for the Study of Developing Societies (CSDS), the image of the BJP among Dalits has taken a beating in the last five months, especially in the wake of a violent crackdown on Dalit protesters, and the dilution of the SC/ST Act by the Supreme Court. The survey found 22% of Dalits in support of the BJP, which is two percentage points less than the saffron partys Dalit vote share in 2014 elections. Worryingly for the ruling party, it is lower than the 23% Dalits found to be favouring the Congress. As per the survey, three in five Dalits were dissatisfied by the governments response to acts of atrocities against Dalits. Source: Lokniti-ABP News Mood of the Nation Survey Perhaps mindful of its dipping popularity in a key vote bank, the Modi government has been trying to appropriate Babasaheb Ambedkars legacy from the BSP, naming initiatives such as the BHIM app after the Dalit icon and holding grand celebrations on Ambedkar Jayanti. In Uttar Pradesh, BJP leaders were dispatched to homes of Dalit families, but ended up exposing and widening the caste divide. Instead of sharing a meal with the Dalits, they made a mockery of the outreach with catered food, compared themselves to Lord Ram and complained of mosquitoes at a Dalit home. The resentment among Dalits has been building up within the BJP too. At least five of 40 Dalit MPs in the BJP have either written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi or vented on social media over the perceived indifference on the plight of Dalits. Among them was BJP MP Udit Raj. Asked if the Dalit anger could hoist Mayawati on the Lutyens throne, he cryptically remarked that anything can happen in politics. Analysts say that to capitalise on this anger, the opposition would need a Dalit leader like Mayawati. There may be a Jignesh Mevani in Gujarat and Prakash Ambedkar in Maharashtra, but no Dalit leader enjoys a pan-India presence like Mayawati, says social scientist Badri Narayan. According to CSDS director Sanjay Kumar, this pan-India presence may help in consolidation of Dalit votes through pre-poll alliances. If there is no pre-poll alliance, then there wont be any seat sharing and the parties would be contesting against each other. It has to be a pre-poll alliance to consolidate votes against any party. In the current political context, that party would be the BJP. And if Mayawati were to emerge as the face of such a front, the saffron party would have to tweak its strategy at the 11th hour. The BJP has been gearing up for a Modi vs Rahul fight in 2019 and has stuck to the naamdaar v kaamdaar and chaiwala vs shehzada narrative in recent Assembly elections. None of this would work to challenge Mayawati. She would be pitched as a Dalit woman who broke free of casteist and sexist shackles to challenge masculine Hindutva. It will be hard for the BJP to counter this narrative, says Badri Narayan. Interestingly, Mayawati emerged as the third choice for prime ministership behind Modi and Rahul Gandhi in the CSDS survey. Source: Lokniti-ABP News Mood of the Nation Survey Teaming Up With Maya The upcoming Assembly elections in Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh, three states with sizeable Dalit voters, offer the perfect beta tests for 2019 alliances. Not wanting to enter general elections with the baggage of three losses, the Congress is making an all-out attempt to unseat the BJP in these states. An alliance with the BSP, say analysts, could take some pressure off the grand old party. 2013 was a particularly bad election for the Congress, both in Rajasthan and in Madhya Pradesh. (In MP, the Congress got 58 seats and BJP bagged 165. In Rajasthan, the Congress won 21 while the BJP got 163). If the BSP had formed an alliance with the Congress, things would have been very different, says Sanjay Kumar. Vote share in the last three Assembly elections shows a Congress-BSP alliance could dent the BJPs prospects. In Chhattisgarh, the combined vote share of the Congress and the BSP in the 2003, 2008 and 2013 Assembly elections was more than that of the BJP. Similar was the case in Madhya Pradesh in 2008, while the BJP vote share was marginally more than Congress+BSP in 2013. In Rajasthan, too, the Congress+BSP commanded more vote share in 2008, but fell short in 2013. The BSP has not been able to get sizeable votes in these states to be able to pull seats. But a support base of seven or eight percent in these states can actually help any party that ties up with the BSP to win additional seats, says Kumar. Unpredictable Maya But the Dalit leader does come with her share of baggage. Charges of corruption and nepotism continue to haunt her. Her brother Anand Kumar has been accused of amassing abnormal profits, while she herself is the subject of CBI investigations into the National Rural Health Mission scam, the Taj Heritage Corridor and disproportionate assets cases. Electorally, her bane lies in not being able to pull in Muslim votes. Her Dalit-Muslim pitch in the 2016 Assembly elections didnt reap the same results as her Dalit-Brahmin masterstroke in 2007. She may have to depend on Mullah Mulayam and the Congress here. Mayawatis biggest drawback, however, lies in her unpredictability. The Dalit leader has been known to strike surprising friendships and sudden break-ups. The 1993 bonhomie between the BSP and the Samajwadi Party lasted only two years. In 1995, when Kanshiram withdrew support to Mulayam, SP workers allegedly held Mayawati captive in what became infamous as the guesthouse scandal. She was subjected to sexist and casteist slurs and had to be rescued by BJP MLA Brahm Dutt Dwivedi. Mayawati claimed it was a plot to murder her. In the chaos that followed the fall of the Mulayam government, she seized her moment and became the first Dalit woman CM in India with BJP support. Then prime minister Narasimha Rao called it the miracle of democracy. This friendship, too, didnt last long and the alliance broke down in four months with the BJP withdrawing support. It took Mayawati 23 years after the guest house humiliation to enter a pre-poll alliance again. She is yet to spell out her support for the SP-RLD candidates in Kairana and Noorpur or respond to Congress feelers on pre-poll alliances in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. In a Facebook post on Modi governments fourth anniversary on Saturday, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley dismissed the idea of a non-BJP front as fictional alternative and recalled how some of these parties had partnered BJP and then turned turtle. He counted the BSP among those parties. Mayawatis prime ministerial ambition is no secret. Its one of the things that prompted her to rebuff Sonia in 2004. So will 2019 be her year? If the decision is taken purely on the basis of seats, then it is ruled out because I dont see BSP winning the largest number of seats among potential alliance partners. But if the decision is based on other considerations like women and Dalit empowerment, then she is in the race, says Sanjay Kumar. Dalit Woman as PM? The Congress has swallowed the humble pie in Karnataka and made second runner-up HD Kumaraswamy the Chief Minister, sending the message that it is ready to play second fiddle to halt the Modi juggernaut. But when the time comes, will it do the same at the national level? Will Rahul Gandhi emulate his mother and sacrifice the PMs chair in favour of a Dalit woman? According to Badri Narayan, that would depend on the number of seats the Congress bags in 2019. The Congress can have a claim if it bags 100 seats in 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Fewer than that, it would have to compromise, he says. In that compromise, Mayawati could script another miracle of democracy. Mumbai: Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray has released an audio clip purportedly of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, days before the Palghar Lok Sabha bypoll, accusing the CM of asking BJP workers to use all possible means to win the by-election. Fadnavis soon hit back with another audio clip claiming it to be the "full version" of the "twisted clip" released by Sena. Thackeray released the audio clip while addressing a rally on Friday night in Palghar where the bypoll will be held on May 28. The BJP alleged that the Sena had tampered with the audio clip and that it would release its complete version soon. The party said it would also complain to the EC about the "misuse of technology". Fadnavis was purportedly heard saying in the clip, "If somebody is challenging our existence in Palghar and has betrayed our trust, back-stabbed us while calling itself our ally, then they should be taught a lesson. We should not be sitting quietly now. We should launch a big attack and show them what the BJP is." "If we want to win this election, then an answer has to be given in the same measure.... Give an answer by using 'saam, daam, dand, bhed' (negotiation, money, punishment and division). Do not tolerate anybody's bullying. On the contrary, bully them...I will stand behind you," he purportedly said. After releasing the audio, Thackeray demanded that the Election Commission act against Fadnavis. Opposition Congress and NCP also demanded an EC probe into the clip. Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut said use of such language against an opponent does not befit a chief minister. Fadnavis said he was ready to face action if what he said in the clip was found to be inappropriate. He also released a 14-minute audio clip, claiming that it was the complete version of the "twisted" clip that was released by Thackeray. "The Shiv Sena can see it is losing and has, thus, stooped to such levels. The Sena twisted my audio clip and presented it before the people to misguide them. The full audio clip is 14 minutes long. I will myself submit this audio clip to the Election Commission," Fadnavis said while addressing a poll rally in suburban Vasai. The chief minister alleged that the Sena had edited the clip. "My last sentence in the clip was that we are in power, but we will never misuse it. This line they never released. Had they shown it, their claims would have fallen flat," he said. Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) chief Ashok Chavan sought Fadnavis' clarification on the audio clip. "The CM should issue clarification about the clip. We demand that a probe by the Election Commission into it and appropriate action," he said. "If the clip is authentic, then the chief minister should immediately resign, but if it is fake, then Fadnavis should take action against Uddhav Thackeray," Chavan said in a tweet. NCP spokesperson Nawab Malik demanded a probe by EC and a complaint against the chief minister under section 506 of IPC . "If the chief minister is threatening people in such a manner, then it amounts to vitiating the election atmosphere," he said. "The chief minister and ordinary citizens are all equal before law when it comes to following the election code of conduct. The Shiv Sena should make a written complaint to the EC instead of resorting to such tactics," he said. Responding to the clip and the allegations, BJP spokesperson Madhav Bhandari said, "The Sena is showing an incomplete and edited audio clip, because it is shaken foreseeing its imminent defeat." "We will complain to the Election Commission about the condemnable misuse of technology and also release the full clip," he said. (With PTI inputs) New Delhi: Union minister Nitin Gadkari believes a weak opposition like that of Congress is not a good sign for democracy. Speaking to News18s Ashpreet Sethi, Gadkari also referred to Congress President Rahul Gandhi as immature. From his statements, Rahul Gandhi still comes across as a baby. Unfortunately what Rahul Gandhi speaks is baseless. It is time for Rahul Gandhi to act in a mature way and portray himself as leader of a strong opposition party It is not a good sign for democracy to have a weak opposition party like Congress, Gadkari told News18. Rahul Gandhi is not mature like Jawaharlal Nehru or Sonia Gandhi. Congress is losing its support base because of immature talks by Rahul Gandhi, he added. Gadkari also voiced his confidence on BJP that it will come back to power in the 2019 General Elections and said that he is 100% confident. Speaking on the recent show of unity by the opposition parties, Gadkari said the parties should credit BJP for bringing them together. He said, BJP's strength has created a fear among the opposition. BJP and Modi Ji are the architects of this unity among the opposition. All parties are uniting due to the fear of Modi and BJP. Touching upon BJPs relations with its allies like Shiv Sena, Akali Dal and JD(U), Gadkari observed that in politics there are no permanent friends or enemies. He said, Politics is a game of compositions, conflicts and contradictions. There are no permanent friends or enemies in politics. BJP is stronger than a weak opposition. Opposition is uniting due to fear of a strong BJP party. We have faced opposition unity for years and BJP doesn't believe in political untouchability BJP doesnt want to play politics on the basis of caste, creed or sex. We are committed towards social, economic justice and equality, Gadkari added. The Union road transport ministry also believes that the Congress party has no major state to itself except for Punjab. Congress and JD(S) formed a coalition government in Karnataka two days ago. Gadkari said, Congress rules India across states but where is the Congress party now? How can Congress win elections with majority with no states in hand? BJP is the biggest party in Karnataka, Congress is secondary in the state. As fuel prices continue to soar and pinch the ruling NDA government at the Centre, Gadkari reiterated his opinion that fuel should be brought under the ambit of GST. Its 100% time to bring fuel under GST. Maharashtra CM has also agreed to get fuel under GST. We are hoping to get a political consensus on bringing fuel under the Goods and Services Tax, Gadkari said. Experts believe if fuel is brought under the GST bracket, the raging prices would significantly go down. The Centre has been at the receiving end of a lot of flak from the opposition recently over fuel prices continuing to peak. New Delhi: Faced with a likely SP-BSP alliance in Uttar Pradesh, BJP president Amit Shah on Monday said his party is working to get 50 percent vote share in the state in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. He also played down the BJP's loss to the alliance in two bypolls of Gorakhpur and Phulpur, saying they cannot be compared with the general election when people will vote to decide if Narendra Modi will be their Prime Minister again or somebody else. Asked about the challenge for his party in the likelihood of an SP-BSP alliance in the politically most important state, he said wryly that the media had given the SP-Congress alliance in the UP assembly election last year 242 seats while the BJP ended up winning 325 of the total 403 seats. "You people had put together the vote share of the SP and the Congress to give them 242 seats when the two boys had joined hands," he said at a press conference held to mark the fourth anniversary of the Modi government. The SP-Congress alliance was projected by many as coming together of 'do ladke' (two boys), a reference to Akhilesh Yadav and Rahul Gandhi. The alliance won only 54 seats. "In UP, we will prepare ourselves to get 50 percent votes in the elections. There is still one year left for the polls," Shah said. On the bypoll results, he said, "There is a different parameter for voters when they vote to form a government, to decide whether Modi will be prime minister or somebody else. They cannot be compared." The BJP-led NDA had fetched more than 42 percent votes in Uttar Pradesh in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls and almost repeated its show in the 2017 assembly elections by winning close to that vote share. UP elects 80 members, more than any other state, for the Lok Sabha and the BJP had won 71 in 2014. Colombo: At least 21 people have died and two were missing due to rain related incidents and lightening strikes in Sri Lanka, as bad weather hit more than 150,000 across the country over a week, the government said on Saturday. Most of the deaths were caused by lightning, while nine people had drowned, Disaster Relief Minister Duminda Dissanayake said, putting out the casualty figures. "We have housed over 45,000 people now in temporary relief camps," he said, adding that 21 out of the 25 administrative districts in the country were hit by the bad weather. There was heavy rain fall from May 16 at the onset of the North-Eastern monsoon rains with many places going underwater, as landslide warnings were issued in the hill districts. Spill gates were opened in several reservoirs in the country. The minister said over 100 houses have been completely destroyed in the rains and winds, even as the Army was deployed for rescue and relief operations. Sri Lanka's Disaster Management Centre said flooding and subsequent potential landslides threat has forced the evacuation of people in low-lying areas in parts of the country. Five districts Kegalle, Kalutara, Galle, Ratnapura and Nuwara Eliya are on "red alert" for possible landslides, according to the disaster management centre. As many as 123 people from 36 families, who were stranded after opening of all spill gates of the Thabbowa reservoir, have been rescued in Puttalam in the North Western Province, the Army said. The Army said these families were relocated to safe locations by its troops. According to a media report, the South-West Monsoon is still suppressed by the persisting wind circulations and is expected to settle by end of this week. The weather department has predicted that the prevailing showery condition may continue to next 72 hours in South-western area. Heavy rainfall of around 100-150 mm is expected in the Sabaragamu, Western, Central and North-Western areas and while evening showers are expected in other areas, especially in North due to current wind disturbance. Sri Lanka, which has been heavily deforested for cash crops, often witnesses landslides during the monsoon season. Last year, heavy floods and landslides triggered by the worst rainfall killed at around 100 people and left 110 missing. SEOUL/WASHINGTON: South Korean President Moon Jae-in held a surprise meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on Saturday to ensure a summit between Kim and U.S. President Donald Trump goes off successfully, South Korean officials said. It was the clearest sign yet that the on-again off-again summit between Trump and Kim is likely to be held as initially agreed, in Singapore on June 12. The unannounced meeting at the Panmunjom border village between Moon and Kim came a month after they held the first inter-Korean summit in more than a decade at the same venue and declared they would toward a nuclear-free Korean peninsula. "The two leaders candidly exchanged views about making the North Korea-U.S. summit a successful one and about implementing the Panmunjom Declaration," South Korea's presidential spokesman said in a statement. Moon, who returned to Seoul earlier this week after a meeting with Trump, will announce details of the meeting with Kim on Sunday morning. Trump said on Friday that Washington was having "productive talks" with Pyongyang about reinstating the June 12 meeting, just a day after cancelling it. Politico magazine reported that an advance team of 30 White House and State Department officials was preparing to leave for Singapore later this weekend. Reuters reported earlier this week the team was scheduled to discuss the agenda and logistics for the summit with North Korean officials. The delegation was to include White House Deputy Chief of Staff Joseph Hagin and deputy national security adviser Mira Ricardel, U.S. officials said, speaking on condition of anonymity. Trump said in a Twitter post late on Friday: "We are having very productive talks about reinstating the Summit which, if it does happen, will likely remain in Singapore on the same date, June 12th., and, if necessary, will be extended beyond that date." Trump had earlier indicated the summit could be salvaged after welcoming a conciliatory statement from North Korea saying it remained open to talks. "It was a very nice statement they put out," Trump told reporters at the White House. "We'll see what happens - it could even be the 12th." "We're talking to them now. They very much want to do it. We'd like to do it," he said. The comments came just a day after Trump cancelled the meeting, citing Pyongyang's "open hostility." THREATS, INSULTS After years of tension over Pyongyang's nuclear weapons programme, Kim and Trump agreed this month to hold what would be the first meeting between a serving U.S. president and a North Korean leader. The plan followed months of war threats and insults between the leaders over North Korea's development of missiles capable of reaching the United States. Trump scrapped the meeting in a letter to Kim on Thursday after repeated threats by North Korea to pull out over what it saw as confrontational remarks by U.S. officials demanding unilateral disarmament. Trump cited North Korean hostility in cancelling the summit. In Pyongyang, North Korean Vice Foreign Minister Kim Kye Gwan said North Korea's criticisms had been a reaction to American rhetoric and that current antagonism showed "the urgent necessity" for the summit. He said North Korea regretted Trump's decision to cancel and remained open to resolving issues "regardless of ways, at any time." Kim Kye Gwan said North Korea had appreciated Trump having made the bold decision to work toward a summit. "We even inwardly hoped that what is called 'Trump formula' would help clear both sides of their worries and comply with the requirements of our side and would be a wise way of substantial effect for settling the issue," he said. North Korea also went ahead with a plan to destroy its only known nuclear site on Thursday, the most concrete action yet since pledging to cease all nuclear and long-range missile tests last month. Dozens of international journalists left North Korea on Saturday after observing the demolition of the underground tunnels in Punggye-ri, where all of the North's six nuclear tests were conducted including its latest and largest in September. DIPLOMATS AT WORK Trump's latest about-face sent officials scrambling in Washington. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis told reporters diplomats were "still at work" and said Trump had just sent a note out on the summit, which could be back on "if our diplomats can pull it off." U.S. State Department spokeswoman Katina Adams declined to give details of any diplomatic contacts but said: "As the president said in his letter to Chairman Kim, dialogue between the two is the only dialogue that matters. If North Korea is serious, then we look forward to hearing from them at the highest levels." White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders told reporters Trump did not want a meeting that was "just a political stunt." "He wants to get something that's a long-lasting and an actual real solution. And if they are ready to do that then ... we're certainly ready to have those conversations," she said. Yangon: A Rohingya Muslim armed group on Friday denied a report that its members killed scores of Hindu civilians in August last year, amid a surge in violence in Myanmar's troubled Rakhine State. In a report this week, rights group Amnesty International documented in detail alleged atrocities by the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) near a remote village in Rakhine State. The report, citing witnesses, including Hindu women who said they were abducted by ARSA insurgents, said fighters from the group killed as many as 99 Hindus near Kha Maung Seik after launching the raids on security posts on August 25. "We categorically deny all of these unjustifiable and careless serious criminal accusations mentioned in the said report," ARSA said in a statement signed by its leader Ata Ullah and posted on social media network Twitter late on Friday. A military response to the Rohingya insurgent attacks pushed nearly 700,000 Rohingya Muslims to flee from northern Rakhine to neighbouring Bangladesh, which the United Nations and aid agencies called "a textbook example of ethnic cleansing". Myanmar rejected the accusation of ethnic cleansing, as well as most of the accounts of killings and rape recounted by many of the refugees arriving in Bangladesh. 404 We're sorry! The page you were looking for couldn't be found. Iran more confident to save nuke deal: Official Tehran : Following a meeting in the Austrian capital of Vienna on Friday, a senior Iranian Foreign Ministry official expressed hope about saving the landmark Iranian nuclear deal after the US' recent exit, media reports said. Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that he is "more confident about preserving the nuclear deal" after the talks with five other parties to the deal on Friday, Xinhua reported. "In the meeting all the member states in JCPOA unanimously expressed their commitments to the deal," Araqchi was quoted as saying. They also regretted the US withdrawal from the deal and announced their determination to adopt measures to preserve Iran's interests as well as normalizing economic ties with Iran, he said. Iran is waiting for the measures by Europe, Russia and China to safeguard his country's interests under the historic deal after the US withdrawal, Araqchi was quoted as saying. Over the next weeks, the negotiations will continue at different levels, and the Islamic republic will then decide whether to stay in the 2015 nuclear deal, said the Iranian diplomat. On Friday, Araqchi met his counterparts from Europe, Russia and China to discuss the future of nuclear deal, also known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). New Superman comes out as bisexual in forthcoming comic It comes as other comic books are embracing diversity. Judge set to rule today on Maj.-Gen. Fortin's reinstatement to vaccine campaign A Federal Court judge is set to rule today on Maj.-Gen. Dany Fortin's request for reinstatement as the head of Canada's vaccine distribution campaign. Wisconsin parents file lawsuits against school districts over their children's Covid-19 infections Ongoing conflict between parents and schools over virus mitigation for children in the classroom has gone to court in Wisconsin, where... Texas governor bars all Covid-19 vaccine mandates in state Republican Texas Governor Greg Abbott, responding to what he called "bullying" by the Biden Administration, on Monday barred all Covid-19 vaccine mandates in the... Virtual learning and at-home assignments may change the way kids see snow days in Connecticut. Danbury-area students have spent nearly two weeks or more out of the classroom this year due to snow and storm school closures. Ridgefield, for example, has requested a waiver from the state to end the year with 179 days one day short of the required 180 due to a record-breaking 14 school closures caused by three March snowstorms and the recent macroburst that left thousands without power for days. Other local districts have also requested state waivers. But a proposal being considered by superintendents may help prevent a similar problem in the future. Connecticut officials are exploring the possibility of joining several other states who use preplanned activities students can complete outside of the classroom called e-Days, blizzard bags or virtual days to recoup school time lost to severe weather. Robert Miller, acting superintendent in Ridgefield, said even in years with half the number of closures, using virtual days are a viable alternative to adding more time to the end of the year. I think we all agree these days get quite hot, theres a burden on energy in the building and students have other external commitments, so you dont want to go to the end of June if you dont have to, Miller said. If (e-Days) are a means to mitigate extending the school year further into June, its a worthwhile effort to try and get that accomplished. What those e-Days will look like for Connecticut is yet to be determined, though, Miller said. At least two regional committees are looking into the idea, including the Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents technology committee. New Milford Superintendent Joshua Smith and Region 9 Superintendent Thomas McMorran, who serve on the committee, said the group is likely a few months away from nailing down a proposal to send to the state Board of Education, which will need to approve the idea. The options in states that already use e-Days like New Hampshire, Rhode Island and New Jersey vary from holding virtual classes, sending home hard copy blizzard bags to complete on the snow day itself or completing online work during spring break. Smith and Miller both said the e-Days in Connecticut will likely consist of a mix of both online and physical assignments. Miller said work could also include packets or projects that the student completes on a long-term basis, which can even include things like going to museums or other learning opportunities. Strictly online work could make the days difficult when families lose power or have multiple children who need the computer, they said. Last week is a perfect example, Smith said. How many students didnt have power or internet, or had parents trying to balance work in crisis? That real-time online work isnt really applicable in situations like that. The amount of online work will also need to be age appropriate, Smith said. Kearsarge, a district in New Hampshire that started using blizzard bags in 2009, uses different models for its elementary, middle and high schools. Students at the elementary level receive a physical blizzard bag for each day that includes activities created by teachers in different subjects. Middle schoolers receive an online grade-specific assignment that either ties to or is an add-on to the curriculum. The high school students join in an online class based on their regularly-scheduled lesson plans. Superintendent Winfried Feneberg said these models have been refined as the district figured out what worked best at each school. The first few years are probably going to be bumpy, Feneberg said. There are multiple ways of doing this and having done it repeatedly you get better after a while. Feneberg added that the district has also come up with a system of loaning devices so families do not encounter problems with getting online, though most in the district are well-connected. He added that storms with large power outages would not qualify as a blizzard bag day. Another concern Connecticut officials brought up is how the e-Days will fit into personnel contracts. Feneberg said for most staff, blizzard bag days count as a full work day because teachers are required to be online and available during normal school hours. The issue does get tricky for certain staff members, such as paraeducators, he said. McMorran added that this concern could extend to teachers with classes that dont transfer as easily to an out-of-classroom setting. A high school English teacher could hold an online session with her students, but an elementary physical educator probably could not, McMorran said. Finding what constitutes an equitable work day will pose a challenge. Another benefit of using the e-Days, Feneberg said, has been that it avoids interrupting the flow of learning during the school year. He added that he does try to mix blizzard bag days with good old fashioned snow days when he can sense students tiring of the at-home work. Danbury Superintendent Sal Pascarella said this benefit can also be true if e-Days are used for other purposes beyond making up snow days, like when students have extended leaves of absence. Danbury plans to participate in a regional discussion of e-Days as part of an effort to blend online and in-school learning, Pascarella said. Theres a number of circumstances where that can be beneficial, he said. For a student with a broken leg who cant attend school, theres a real potential to use technology in a really meaningful way for a short period of time. Both in these situations and to recoup snow days, officials agreed that e-Days should only be in conjunction with time in the classroom. They also said they are a tool for reducing snow days, not a means to replace them completely. Districts in New Hampshire can use up to five blizzard bag days per year and schools in Rhode Island, which started allowing them this year, can use up to three. Nobody is under the premise that this is truly a replacement of all (in-school) learning, so I think thats the kind of balance we want to find, Smith said. But, certainly in a year like this one, having one or two of these days would be a good option. aquinn@newstimes.com HAMDEN Town students had the chance to learn first-hand from veterans Friday morning at Quinnipiac University, as the annual Veterans Awareness Day event was held. Hamden Middle School Principal Dan Levy, a veteran of the Coast Guard, said the event started with his team at the school in 2001, when he was a civics teacher. The Hamden Veterans Commission later took over the effort, and organized Fridays affair, which brought students from Hamden Middle School and East Haven High School and veterans from throughout the region together. Levy said he hoped the students took away an appreciation for service, especially as the Memorial Day holiday draws near. Town residents and officials have always been respectful of veterans in Hamden, he said. This weekend is ... not just about the barbecues and the beach. Its about the freedoms that enable us to be able to do that, and those freedoms were bought and paid for by veterans who gave their lives in service to the country, said Levy. I want students to be able to see that, to be able to understand that, to feel a little bit of the weight of that, so even if, just for a moment during this wonderful weekend, they have an opportunity to just give a thought to all of those that made this possible. Veterans in attendance said they hoped students took away a sense of service and of the military. There were a series of exhibits set up to educate the students, each detailing an aspect of the Armed Forces and history. (Its) a perfect opportunity just to be able to meet the children and share our stories, said Angela Hudson Davis, a member of the Hamden Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10321 and 20-year Army veteran. I want the young people to know there is a military (that) we honorably served. It was a milestone in our lives something we carried with us all our lives, said Needle, a member of Jewish War Veterans Post 51, who served from 1958 to 1960. Were proud to be Americans. Young people in attendance acknowledged the virtue and importance of the veterans efforts. Samantha DiMartino, an eighth-grader, said the experience led her to respect veterans more. You can basically feel what they lived through (when) talking to them. You can relive what they went through, said DiMartino. (Im) very, very grateful because these men, gave their everything ... for our freedoms. And I respect that I respect that a lot, said Michael Brandi, also a Hamden eighth-grader. These men gave ... their lives, their families, their everything, to give us our future, said Ivan Jimenez Flores, an eighth-grader from Hamden as well. william.lambert@hearstmediact.com HAMDEN Sacred Heart Academy was founded in the Roman Catholic tradition by the Apostles of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in 1946, a tradition it continued to celebrate at its commencement ceremony Saturday. For many of the schools graduates in the last two decades, the schools newfound tradition of biological sciences has been transformative as well. Chemical engineer Tara Cocchiarella Barreira, a Sacred Heart alumna who has worked in the biopharmaceutical field for more than 10 years, delivered a commencement address to the largest class in the schools history 133 graduates but she acknowledged that one persons absence was felt at our core. Sister Mary Jane Paolella, an alumna and faculty member who is credited with bringing curriculum on gene sequencing to the school about 20 years ago, died in March. Paolella was a catalyst for many Sacred Heart Academy graduates to enter the biomedical field, Cocchiarella Barreira said. She said she now enjoys deploying the fact that she learned how to sequence DNA before she learned how to drive a car in company. When Cocchiarella Barreira graduated in 2002, she said the idea of altering DNA to eradicate genetic disorders was merely an idea they had discussed as a possibility in Paolellas class. Now, it is a healthy field with some successes already. The ideas you have today will be the progress of tomorrow, Cocchiarella Barreira said. The schools interest in scientific progress could also be observed in graduates future plans. The top four students from the Class of 2018 all state their desire to continue studying science from veterinary science to biomedical engineering in some fashion. Cocchiarella Barreira also encouraged the graduates to participate in current events. The womens movement of today is the biggest since the 1920s, she argued. During the womens suffrage movement under first-wave feminism, the 19th Amendment was ratified in 1920, giving women the right to vote, although barriers remained for many nonwhite women. Todays movement combats sexism in the workplace and institutionalized sexism in our culture, she said. Valedictorian Eunji Lee of Trumbull tried to quantify her time at Sacred Heart Academy. She estimated that 22.2 percent of the graduates lives had been spent as Sacred Heart Academy students; 0.08 percent of their lives was spent sitting in calculus, she said. Percentages are reassuring, in a way, she said. They can quantify the unquantifiable and give you a justification in making a decision for which theres no right answer. On Saturday, as the graduating class stares down the reality of starting over in a new school environment in a few months, Lee said she is different than she was four years ago: shes not afraid anymore. It took courage to make it this far, and it takes courage to start all over again next year as tiny freshmen, she said. But were doing it anyway, arent we? And that speaks volumes. Salutatorian Amy Ziobron of Watertown spoke about what it meant for students to make the most of their time at Sacred Heart Academy. It could be reaching maximum value, she said, or creating the best outcome of a bad situation. When we mourned the loss of Sister Mary Jane, we didnt stop making her proud as the determined, hard-working and curious women of science she taught us to be, she said. Create lasting relationships with the people around you and dont forget to enjoy your experiences as much as possible as we make the most of all that lies ahead. brian.zahn@hearstmediact.com Two-thirds of American millennials cannot identify what Auschwitz is, according to a study released on Holocaust Memorial Day that found that knowledge of the genocide that killed 6 million Jews during World War II is rapidly fading among American adults, especially those ages 18 to 34. Twenty-two percent of millennials said they haven't heard of the Holocaust or are not sure whether they've heard of it - twice the percentage of U.S. adults as a whole who said the same. The study, conducted by the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany, interviewed 1,350 American adults in February. RELATED VIDEO: Remembering the End of the Holocaust Asked to identify what Auschwitz is, 41 percent of American adults as a whole and 66 percent of millennials could not come up with a correct response identifying it as a concentration camp or extermination camp. The U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum says that at least 1.3 million people were deported to the camp, run by Nazi Germany in occupied Poland, from 1940 to 1945, and 1.1 million of them were killed. It was the largest concentration camp among many built by the Nazis during their campaign to wipe out the Jews and other groups. The survey found a low awareness of nations other than Germany where the Holocaust occurred: Just 5 to 6 percent of U.S. adults knew that Jews were killed in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, where 90 percent of the local Jewish populations were murdered. Just 37 percent of U.S. adults knew that Jews from Poland were killed; Poland was home to 3.5 million Jewish Holocaust victims. Respondents indicated much more awareness of modern-day bias against Jews, with 68 percent saying anti-Semitism is present in America today, and 51 percent saying there are "many" or "a great deal of" neo-Nazis in the United States today. Despite the lack of historical knowledge, the survey found a desire for Holocaust education - 93 percent said in response to a question toward the end of the survey that all students should learn about the Holocaust in school. Perhaps because respondents feel that lack of knowledge is a real threat to the future: 58 percent said they believe something like the Holocaust could happen again. The poll has a margin of sampling error of plus or minus three percentage points. NEW HAVEN Gordon Mac Kay Ambach, the long-serving director of the board of the New Haven Symphony Orchestra, is being remembered as a passionate believer in music education, especially for young people. Ambach died Friday at the age of 83. Although Ambach graduated from Yale University in 1956, he spent many years outside Connecticut as a respected and innovative education administrator. His early work was with the U.S. Office of Education in Washington, D.C. and the Boston School Committee but most of his career was spent in New York state. In 1977, the New York state Board of Regents appointed him as the states commissioner of education. After 10 years in that position he served as executive director for the Council of Chief State School Officers until he retired in 2001. Ambach and his wife, Lucy, returned to New Haven to be with their children and grandchildren. In 2009 he became director of the New Haven Symphony Orchestra board and led the Education Committee. He was passionate about the arts and the impact of the arts on education particularly the education of young people, said William Boughton, the NHSOs music director and conductor. Childrens education through music was his passion. Boughton said Ambach was a leader in planning and implementing the NHSOs extensive program for youths, including developing young musicians, performing concerts for young audiences throughout Connecticut and reaching out to schools, especially those in New Haven. Boughton recalled Ambach always showing his enthusiasm at our performances and afterward. He would always call the next day and congratulate me on the performance. He was an incredibly generous and warm person. Its a great loss, Boughton said,. as a human being and as a supporter for the arts in New Haven, particularly the New Haven Symphony Orchestra. Paul Hermes, the NHSOs board president, described Ambach as a very gentle and wise man. But Hermes added, He would not let any of us off the hook if we strayed from our mission. Hermes noted, The symphony has a mission to promote music education in the schools. Hermes remembered, Gordon and Lucy attended all of our concerts. Gordon loved the music but what stuck with me the most was his passion for education. Hermes said Ambach orchestrated a comprehensive strategic plan for the organization. He was one of the prime architects of that plan. It promotes our education and our outreach to people in and outside of New Haven. We will miss him terribly, Hermes said. A memorial service is being planned for June 16. Further details have not yet been announced. randall.beach@hearstmediact.com NEW HAVEN Following several conferences and help from the court, the city Wednesday was ordered to have the exterior of a Westville home abated of lead paint with the costs of the work and an expert to review it ultimately paid for by the landlord. Superior Court Judge Sheila Ozalis on Monday had ordered that the five-member Guaman family be moved out until the abatement of 1323 Whalley Ave., a two-family home, is completed. The agreement signed by the parties indicated that the exterior will be covered with vinyl siding and the interior of the second-floor apartment will be checked again by the city, as well as a consultant from Eagle Environmental, and abated if needed, as well as the soil on the property. The order estimates that the work should be finished and the family moved back in by Dec. 22. While there was agreement on the specifics of the abatement of the Guamans home, the attorney for landlord Jong Hee Heo generally questioned the thrust of the lead laws which he felt should better protect children. Attorney Helen Li, who worked with the New Haven Legal Assistance Association, counsel for the family, said they were content with the results, but it also had lingering concerns. (W)e think there may be a systemic issue in New Haven with the way that the city deals with lead inspections abatement and we dont want this (settlement) to stop them from doing an interim review to make sure everything else is going OK (with lead abatements) in the city, Li said. Li said she doesnt want the city to continue the status quo as far as these policies are concerned. If there is anything else like this (the Guaman case) happening, she said New Haven should not view this case as unique. Kevin Casini, Heos attorney, said his client will pay for the consultant, while the city will cover the cost of the abatement with Heos property liened. New Haven will be paid back when the home is sold, if not sooner, Cassini said. The cost of relocating the Guamans into a unit at the New Haven Village Suites is being covered by the city, to be reimbiursed by Heo. Casini said Heo is still working on a federal Housing and Urban Development loan to help pay for the work, but the attorney was not sure whether that resource was applicable in this case. Casini wanted Ozalis order to include a check of the first-floor apartment as to whether it also should be abated. But because the NHLAA suit only represented the Guamans, who lived on the second floor, the city argued this. Jason Guaman at age 2 in 2015 was found to have blood lead levels seven times the reading associated with permanent brain injuries and was the main party represented in the suit against New Haven for allegedly not following state and city lead laws. Im kind of ambivalent right now because the work is not really done. We need some type of long-term global solution, not only for the tenants on the second floor, ... but the tenants on the first floor too, Casini said. A family with at least one child under age six lives in that apartment. An attorney for the city and Casini were shouting at each other in the hallway of the court after the morning session about a review of the first-floor apartment, with the city asserting that Heo is free to order testing himself. Casini said his client expects to do that. This is outside of the bounds of the legalities of it, I guess, but it doesnt make a whole lot of sense to me that we wait for a child to demonstrate that there are elevated lead numbers in his or her blood for the municipalities to get involved, Casini said after the settlement was signed. I know they are not obligated to do anything until that happens. It just seems to me that logic should dictate that if we know something has already happened on the second floor, we prevent that from happening on the first floor. But that is not the way they (the city) sees it, Casini said. He would have preferred that the judge include all the tenants in the building in the order, which possibly could help with the HUD loan. Action is triggered, according to the law, after a child under age six has been poisoned by lead ingestion, Li said. The Centers for Disease Control puts the danger level over 5 micrograms of lead per deciliter (ug/dl) of blood. At age 2, Jacobs blood lead level was 36 ug/dl. Recently it had dropped to 17. The state measurement reference is higher than the CDC guidelines. Asked how Ozalis ruling affects the Guaman family, Li said the damage to Jacob is permanent. She said there is nothing that will reverse the damage, although it is a condition that qualifies a child for special education. Li said there is solace that anybody else who rents the apartment will be living in one that is lead-free. The citys Department of Health lists lead-free apartments on its website, but a recent check found that it had included the second floor of 1323 Whalley Ave. Shelley White, litigation director for NHLAA, said it is extremely important that the list be accurate as families depend on it. A request seeking a response from the department as to why it was listed as lead-free was not answered. Two requests submitted to the states attorneys office for a warrant for the landlords arrest were both rejected. Ozalis said getting the property abated made more sense than arresting Heo. Li, who was sworn in as an attorney on Monday, was brought into the case by NHLAA after it found out that her area of study as a fellow at Connecticut Legal Services was lead poisoning cases. Li said she chose Eagle Environmental because they do risk assessment and project planning, as well as abatement. They work closely with the Connecticut Childrens Medical Center Healthy Homes program, she said. White said in a case brought on behalf of Junita Sumler in May of this year, her agency sued the landlord, Mt. Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, for not abating lead. She said at that time Housing Judge Anthony Avallone questioned why the city itself had not forced compliance earlier, White said. We are really going to make a push in the coming months to identify other families who have children who may have been lead poisoned and whether or not they are getting the correct compliance, White said. She said she wants to make sure an abatement plan is being enforced in a timely manner and made part of the land record. A 2008 abatement plan for 1323 Whitney Ave. was not filed with the city clerk for eight years and the copy was not signed. White said another big issue is relocating families when necessary. Ozalis was repeatedly concerned at how long it was taking to resolve the lead issue at 1323 Whalley Ave. after the landlord was ordered to correct it in August. No abatement plan was issued in 2015, when Jason Guamans high blood lead levels were discovered. Nor was one issued in 2016, according to testimony and none this year, but the judges order will change that. TORONTO - Standing before lawmakers in Canada's Parliament this month, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that he would be making an official apology on behalf of all Canadians for an event for which no living Canadian is responsible. In May 1939, four months before the outbreak of war in Europe, the M.S. St. Louis - a transatlantic luxury liner carrying more than 900 Jewish refugees - left Germany in search of a country that would take in its passengers. Canada, which had what an immigration official described at the time as a "none is too many" Jewish immigration policy, turned the ship away. And after several other countries followed suit, the St. Louis was forced to return to Europe, where an estimated 254 of its passengers would die in the Holocaust. "We failed not only those passengers but their descendants and community," Trudeau told Parliament, adding that he hoped the apology, for which a date has not yet been determined, would compel Canadians "to acknowledge this difficult truth, learn from this story and continue to fight against anti-Semitism every day." The government's apology for turning away the St. Louis will mark the fifth time since being sworn in as prime minister in 2015 that Trudeau has issued an official apology for one of Canada's historical misdeeds. And its announcement has provoked a strange debate in a country known for its propensity to apologize: Is the prime minister saying "sorry" too often? "I think it's worth apologizing for it, but you can have dilution in recognition when you start apologizing, apologizing, apologizing," Marilyn Gladu, a Conservative lawmaker, told The Canadian Press. "It makes it less special." She said that she feared the prime minister's apologies were becoming a "show" and that her constituents were growing suspicious and skeptical of the sincerity of this wave of national self-flagellation. Other Conservative lawmakers have expressed concern that Trudeau's apologies are tarnishing the country's image and unnecessarily denigrating its achievements. Last year, after Trudeau delivered a speech before the United Nations in which he spoke of Canada's history of "humiliation, neglect and abuse" of its indigenous peoples, the Conservative Party emailed its supporters to ask, "Are you tired of people apologizing for our country's rich history?" The email went on to say that the Liberals "only see blemishes in our past, and not the great country that is constantly bettering itself for future generations," according to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Even the Globe and Mail, Canada's national newspaper, weighed in after the announcement of the planned St. Louis apology, arguing in an editorial that while the apology is warranted, "most of us know from personal experience that someone who says 'sorry' too often usually is not." It advised Trudeau to space out his apologies at more "thoughtful" intervals "so that their spotlight falls more squarely on their subjects, and less on him." Trudeau's first official apology for a historical injustice came six months into his term in May 2016, when he said sorry for a 1914 incident in which the Canadian government turned away a ship carrying mostly Sikhs from India. Since then, he has apologized for abuse at residential schools in Newfoundland and Labrador, decades of government-authorized discrimination against LGBTQ public servants, and the hanging in 1864 of six Tsilhqot'in tribal chiefs in British Columbia who were convicted of murder after seeking to stop the incursion of settlers into their traditional territory. With his commitments to diversity, open borders and repairing the country's relationship with its indigenous population, Trudeau's apologies appear well aligned with his party's modern-day policies. But ever since political apologies became more commonplace in the latter decades of the 20th century, they have been subjected to criticism. Jean Bethke Elshtain, a scholar and ethicist, in a 2011 journal article wondered how to distinguish between serious, meaningful acts of public forgiveness and instances of "contrition chic" - situations where world leaders apologize for the sins of their predecessors as "a bargain-basement way to gain publicity, sympathy and even absolution by trafficking in one's status as victim or victimizer." Other critics argue that once a government starts repenting for historical injustices, it could find itself on a slippery slope with no end in sight to apologies or, in some cases, monetary compensation. In Canada, one of the most notable critics of such apologies was Trudeau's father, Pierre Trudeau, who steadfastly rejected calls to apologize to Japanese-Canadians for their internment during the Second World War when he was prime minister. "I do not think the purpose of a government is to right the past," he said during a parliamentary debate on the issue in 1984. "It cannot rewrite history. It is our purpose to be just in our time." Trudeau has addressed these diverging approaches to righting historical wrongs, telling the Canadian Press that while his father "came at it as an academic, as a constitutionalist, I come at it as a teacher, as someone who's worked a lot in communities." Several Canadian lawmakers and Jewish groups have for years lobbied the government to officially apologize for turning away the St. Louis and have welcomed Trudeau's announcement. Others are less enthusiastic. Sally Zerker, an emeritus professor at York University in Toronto whose family members were among those turned away on the St. Louis, wrote in the Canadian Jewish News that an apology so many decades later will constitute "nothing but a shallow, empty, meaningless act." It would not offer her "solace," she wrote, and would instead "whitewash a government that did nothing to help the Jews who were fleeing the Nazis and ignored the type of anti-Semitism that was endemic in Canada until the 1970s." Tucked away in far corners of continents and buried at the bottoms of oceans, an average of 18,000 new plant and animal species are discovered every year. To raise awareness of the new finds, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (EFS) in Syracuse, N.Y., puts together a list of the top 10 new species in the previous year. The 2018 list released Tuesday includes everything from a rare great ape identified on Indonesia's island of Sumatra to an ant no bigger than a grain of rice living in Costa Rica to the deepest-dwellingfishever discovered in thedarkabyssoftheMarianaTrenchinthewesternPacific. (See all 10 in the gallery above.) Dr. Quentin Wheeler, who has overseen the list since founding it in 2008, says he can't name which species is most notable on this year's list. "It's like saying which of my children I like best," explains Wheeler, an entomologist and president of tEFS "Each one has its special aspect." He will say the discovery of a new tree in Brazil's Amazon demonstrates the list's purpose in pointing out that there is still a world out there to be discovered. "The fact that we're still discovering species of 150-foot tall trees has to make you wonder what else we don't know," he says. "All of them are reminders that we have so far to go and discover what species are out there." More than two million species have been identified over the last two and a half centuries, and scientists estimate as many eight million are awaiting discovery. Since the 1940s, the number has remained flat at 18,000 a year. "Think of all the technological advances that have been made since then," he says. "It should be happening at a faster speed if we made it more of a priority." He adds: "Wethinkatleast20,000peryeararegoing extinct. ... Somanyofthesespecies ifwedon'tfindthem,namethemanddescribe themnow willbelostforever.Andyettheycanteachussomuchaboutthe intricaciesofecosystemsandthedetailsofevolutionaryhistory.Eachofthem has foundawaytosurviveagainsttheoddsofchangingcompetition,climateand environmentalconditions.Soeachcanteachus somethingreallyworthknowingaswe faceanuncertainenvironmentalfutureourselves." Developing the list is an imperfect science and graduate students help Wheeler comb through journals and papers describing new species. "We're looking for something that's strikingly beautiful or very weird or things of record... whether the smallest of record or the largest anything that might catch a casual reader's eye," he says. Tripp Girardeau is the crime and courts reporter with the Aiken Standard. Follow him on Twitter at @trippgirardeau. May 25, 2018 Amy Genke , 601-856-7321 RIDGELAND, MS The Natchez Trace Parkway and the Craftsmens Guild of Mississippi will host Joseph Wolf from the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma on Friday, June 1, 2018, at 11:00 am at the Mississippi Craft Center. Wolf, community liaison with the historic preservation department of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, will present a 30-minute program about Choctaw history and culture, including the history of Chisha Foka. Chisha Foka, which roughly translates to among the post oaks, was the Choctaw settlement that once stood where the City of Jackson is today. We are honored to host Mr. Wolf and look forward to hearing more about the culture that thrived along the Old Natchez Trace, and continues to prosper today, said Superintendent Mary Risser. In addition to promoting Choctaw heritage and culture through presentations, Wolf documents historic sites in the Mississippi homelands and within the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. A resident of Durant, Oklahoma, he is also a registered artist with the Choctaw Nation. For additional information on this event, call (662) 680-4027 or visit the parks Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ NatchezTraceParkwayNPS. The Mississippi Craft Center is located at 950 Rice Road in Ridgeland, Mississippi. For additional information about the Craftsmens Guild of Mississippi visit www.craftsmensguildofms.org. www.nps.gov About the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for Americas 417 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov. Roseburg, OR (97470) Today A mix of clouds and sun early followed by cloudy skies this afternoon. High near 60F. Winds light and variable.. Tonight A steady rain this evening. Showers continuing overnight. Low 44F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 80%. Cooke unearths old beliefs and debunks modern-day myths with humor and panache. Pandas, we learn, are not bumbling fluff balls too busy being cute to breed in captivity. Elaborate matchmaking efforts at zoos say more about us and our obsessive meddling than the bears, which are known to mate more than 40 times in a single afternoon in the wild. And bats popularly believed to be blind, bloodsucking, disease-bearing rats with wings are more Buddha than Beelzebub. They see perfectly well, are very rarely rabid and share more DNA with us than they do with rodents, and only three species are vampiric. They are also among the few animals to engage in oral sex, a fact Cooke presents as one of their porn-star credentials. The book is big on bawdy humor, and while its not that weird mating habits and giant genitalia arent funny, Cooke describes the ins and outs of animal sex with a glee normally found among middle schoolers. (Gonads inspire some of the most blindingly painful puns and rhymes; a debate over beaver testicles becomes the fluster over the beavers cluster.) Cookes appetite for the salacious sometimes overwhelms her sensitivity, as it does in her account of Maurice K. Temerlin, an American psychology professor who reared a chimpanzee named Lucy in his suburban home. At first Lucy is a model daughter who uses silverware and raises a kitten. Temerlin, disturbingly, then begins to fix her cocktails. Soon Lucy is fixing herself cocktails. When she takes to masturbating with the vacuum cleaner, Temerlin responds by buying her Playgirl and even participating in one of these sessions to see what would happen. (Nothing, mercifully.) When Lucy eventually grows too unruly, Temerlin offloads her in Gambia, where she is flayed and butchered by poachers. A story like this is worth analyzing for what it might reveal about anthropomorphism at the edge. Cooke, however, plays it for laughs. The fraught history of humans and animals has lately been the focus of expanding scholarship, insightful meditations such as John Bergers influential essay Why Look at Animals? and environmentalist critiques. Cooke, however, attempts neither to probe its complexities nor to sound apocalyptic alarms (though she does, dutifully, note the impact of human carelessness and mass consumption on other species). She is not plumbing the depths; she is riding the thermals. Her pace is quick, her touch is light, and through her wealth of research we can reach new heights of wonder. Judith Godreche, a French actress who lives in Los Angeles, said she worried about Mr. Weinsteins sway for years after she rebuffed his advances at the Cannes film festival in 1996. There are some things you cant repair: womens souls and bodies and memories and traumas that are going to be there forever, careers that have been damaged, she said. You cant get that back. Even for those who spoke out about other men, the spectacle of Mr. Weinsteins arrest proved triggering. I started shaking, said Drew Dixon, who was one of three women who accused the music mogul Russell Simmons of rape in a December article in The New York Times. I was stunned that it had escalated to something with real legal consequences for him. Those consequences, of course, may not result in a conviction. But among the legions of men who have been professionally and socially toppled by the #MeToo movement since the first articles about Mr. Weinstein were published in October, very few have faced criminal charges. (Mr. Simmons has also been the subject of investigations by the New York police; he, too, has denied nonconsensual sex.) Laura Madden, one of the first women to come forward against Mr. Weinstein, said that for social change to happen, its important to recognize his criminal behavior. Sometimes that gets lost in cultural contexts. Still, Ms. Madden, who alleged that Mr. Weinstein continually asked her for massages while she was his employee, did not view his fall as a celebration, she wrote in a text message on Friday, because hes a father. (Mr. Weinstein has four daughters.) She was among several women who took a broader view of his circumstances. As a Christian, I have felt compelled to pray for him, said Ms. Burr, and also that everybody, myself included, will find some resolution and peace. Ms. Godreche said she was most affected as she was driving her 13-year-old daughter to school on Friday morning. As she watched her child, who knew what her mother went through, my heart was exploding with a feeling of joy and hope, Ms. Godreche said. I was feeling that it was such an important day for all of us. I basically did this for her. Angelo Falcon, a political analyst known for wielding data as a weapon to force elected officials into taking action on behalf of New Yorks Latino community, died on Thursday at Woodhull Hospital in Brooklyn. He was 66. He died after having a heart attack in front of his home in Brooklyn while waiting for a ride to dialysis treatment, said Marta Garcia, who worked alongside him as leaders of the National Hispanic Media Coalition. Mr. Falcon had diabetes and was losing his sight. Mr. Falcon was the founder of the National Institute for Latino Policy, in recent years a one-man operation run out of his Brooklyn apartment. His institute was known for fastidious research and for a weekly newsletter in which he directed scathing criticism at those he felt were falling short on their commitment to Latinos. I guess its just in my blood to be a pain, Mr. Falcon told The New York Times in a 2001 profile in which he described himself as a guerrilla researcher. Im always busting chops. Not long ago, an acquaintance mentioned that her dad wears wife beaters. She was referring to the sleeveless, ribbed undershirt also known as an A-shirt. I myself have used the term before and Ive worn the shirt plenty but this time it stopped me cold. Given the torrent of revelations of abuse against women in the #MeToo era, the name suddenly seemed grossly inappropriate. We dont call our pants child molesters or our hats cat mutilators. We immediately recognize such descriptions as violent and abhorrent. And yet, we somehow overlook the same when we call our shirts wife beaters. How did such a graphically violent term insinuate itself into American slang? Many cite Marlon Brandos portrayal of Stanley Kowalski in the movie A Streetcar Named Desire as inspiration for the term. He wears a sleeveless shirt and rages, yells, rapes his sister-in-law and hits his wife, Stella. (In Britain, the Belgian beer Stella Artois is sometimes called a wife beater, not the shirt.) Another theory thats popular in the blogosphere is that wife beater comes from a case, in 1947, of a Detroit man who beat his wife to death. Photos from the time supposedly showed the man wearing a stained A-shirt. But I could find no evidence of this in news archives. He may be a myth. Ill leave it to market analysts to figure out whether that can happen (some actually think it can), though the solution will not come from finding the next John Sculley to discipline Musks Steve Jobs. The Apple of the 1980s was a brilliant idea with a terrible leader. Tesla, by contrast, today is a terrible idea with a brilliant leader. The terrible idea is that electric cars are the wave of the future, at least for the mass market. Gasoline has advantages in energy density, cost, infrastructure and transportability that electricity doesnt and wont for decades. The brilliance is Musks Trump-like ability to get people to believe in him and his preposterous promises. Tesla without Musk would be Oz without the Wizard. Much of the blame for the Tesla fiasco goes to government, which, in the name of green virtue, decided to subsidize the hobbies of millionaires to the tune of a $7,500 federal tax credit per car sold, along with additional state-based rebates. Would Tesla be a viable company without the subsidies? Doubtful. When Hong Kong got rid of subsidies last year, Tesla sales fell from 2,939 to zero. It may be unfair to describe Tesla as Solyndra on wheels, but only slightly. But the Tesla story isnt just about the perils of misdirected government-led development and clever rent-seeking entrepreneurs. And it isnt about the virtue signaling of those who like their environmentalist bona fides to come with vegan-friendly upholstery. Its about hubris and credulity the hubris of the few to pretend they know the future and the credulity of the many to follow them there. Electric vehicles were supposed to be the car of the future because we were running out of oil until we werent. And Musk was supposed to be a visionary because he spoke in visions, for which there will always be a large receptive audience. Casting about for a cause and a savior to believe in is what too many Americans do these days, perhaps as a result of casting off the causes and saviors we used to believe in. Donald Trump long ago figured out that truth is whatever he thinks he can get away with, a cynical kind of wisdom he rode all the way to the White House and whose consequences we live with every day. With Musk the consequences are hardly as serious, but the essential pattern is the same. Maybe hell next try to sell us on a time machine and promise rides to anyone willing to make a $10,000 deposit. Tesla could surely use the cash. Dont think Pruitts relatives can match this one. Most of DeVoss own personal bad behavior is on the policy front. She guts the funding for after-school programs and uses it to fund private school vouchers, said Representative Nita Lowey, the top ranking Democrat on the committee that tracks education budget proposals. During her trip to New York, DeVos gave a talk to a Catholic group, in which she seemed to suggest there was absolutely nothing whatsoever good to be said about public schools. The system, she assured Cardinal Timothy Dolan and other distinguished guests, was failing too many students. DeVos is an expert on the subject of failing too many students, having worked on a school reform program in Michigan that funneled a lot of state money into minimally supervised charter schools and made everything worse. Issue-wise, DeVos might have the terribleness edge, although Pruitt has been working on a wide range of awful initiatives that could endanger everything from clean air to the sockeye salmon. However, he really does seem to spend most of his personal time building a mountain of stupid, seamy scandals. For instance, during a recent appearance before a Senate committee, Pruitt was asked whether he had compensated an aide who worked off-hours looking for an apartment for her boss. Since we have probably not seen a public official more desperate for freebies since the Teapot Dome scandal, I think you can guess that the answer was no. Then thats a gift, said Senator Tom Udall of New Mexico. Thats in violation of federal law. The aide in question, Millan Hupp, picked out an apartment for Pruitt that was a huge bargain, its stellar qualities only slightly marred by the fact that it was owned by the spouse of a lobbyist who works on environmental issues. Ariela Gross, a law professor who spearheaded the faculty petition said she was thrilled with the announcement and was hopeful it would bring meaningful change. Were at a real crossroads for the university and this is the first step in starting over, she said. Our voices were heard and respected and that is tremendous. The next step is how are we going to choose new leadership? Rather than send it out to a corporate search firm, are we going to respect strong academic values? We need to have a serious national search for someone who will take us to the next stage. Mr. Nikias had promised a full investigation of the scandal involving the medical school dean by an independent law firm last year, but faculty and staff members grew impatient when the results were not publicly released. Many said the handling of the allegations against Dr. Tyndall was the final straw. Critics were especially angered by the universitys failure to report the internal investigation to state authorities, former patients or the public, saying it amounted to protecting the image of the school at the expense of putting students in danger. The trustees are mostly alumni who donate millions of dollars to the university. The chairman of the board, John Mork, an energy executive in Colorado, issued a brief statement Tuesday indicating full confidence in President Nikiass leadership, ethics, and values, adding that the executive committee is certain that he will successfully guide our community forward. I have to hand it to Kim Jong-un, said Jon Wolfsthal, a scholar in the nuclear policy program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and a former senior director for arms control and nonproliferation in the National Security Council under President Barack Obama. He has played this extremely well in terms of appearing to be the reasonable conciliator and the source of stability, whereas Donald Trump is the wild card. But Mr. Trumps flip-flopping and disregard for how it might affect allies could unnerve regional partners that count on the United States to play a leadership role as a protector in the region not only against North Korea, but also as a bulwark against a rising China. In recent weeks, Mr. Trump has not only threatened a trade war with China but has announced policies that would hit allies as well. Despite a close relationship with Mr. Abe, Mr. Trumps administration did not grant Japan an exemption from steel and aluminum tariffs, and earlier this week it announced a trade investigation that could set off auto tariffs against allies, including Japan and South Korea. Such aggressive actions on trade raise the potential that Asias leaders may drift toward China, even if they do not entirely trust the administration of Xi Jinping, the countrys autocratic president. The dilemma lies in the fact that most Asian allies depend on the U.S. for their countries security while they depend on China for their economic prosperity, said Yang Moo-jin, a professor of Korean studies at Kyungnam University in Changwon, South Korea. If the United States pulls back in the region, American allies worry China may exploit the vacuum, becoming more aggressive in pursuing territory in the South China Sea and using economic incentives to exert control over smaller countries in Southeast Asia. Cyrel Troster and Sylvia Lassam of the neighborhoods historical society showed us Kensingtons historic buildings and new bohemian gentrification. Kensington has certainly transformed since the days of the CBCs King of Kensington television series. For those of you who dont know the area, its been the landing place for different waves of immigrants: Jewish, then Portuguese, Asian, and, most recently according to storefront signs, Vegan. Large brick towers along Spadina Avenue, the thoroughfare that forms the neighborhoods eastern boundary, were once home to Torontos clothing industry the sweat shops where many of those immigrants worked. The area has often been a center of radical politics and labor movements. And, historically, its small, inexpensive houses attracted artists, musicians and writers, though Ms. Lassam, a University of Toronto archivist who has lived there for 15 years, told us that Torontos soaring real estate prices may be jeopardizing that. Ive got a couple favorites for the Golden Trailer Awards. Yes, these are awards for movie trailers. The nominees were announced in Hollywood earlier this month. They come after the Golden Globes and the Oscars and all the rest, which feels historically accurate, since trailers used to follow movies. Im not going to make an argument here for trailers as high art. But Im at the stage of life where I rarely go out to the movies. What I do actually get to see in the theater is mostly not even my choice, since Im just being deployed as a chauffeur and chaperone. Not that I mind. I do some of my best and deepest sleeping at the superhero movies. (Im looking at you, Avengers.) So you can understand why I feel more invested in trailers as an end in themselves. Theyve certainly become a cottage industry, with specialty trailer houses and an important movie metric in the number of downloads in the first 24 hours. Right now, trailers for Avengers: Infinity War yes, Ive seen it hold two of the top three spots, with more than 400 million downloads combined, according to IMDB. Im paying particular attention this year to the documentary category. My heavy favorite is the recently released spot for the forthcoming movie about Fred Rogers. You know, Fred Rogers, from Mister Rogers Neighborhood? Harveen K. Gill and Rajinder Singh Dhaliwal were married May 26 in Yuba City, Calif. Baltej S. Dhillon, a Sikh priest, performed the ceremony at Tierra Buena Sikh Temple. The bride, 28, will take her husbands name. She is a deputy city attorney, specializing in labor and employment cases, in Oakland, Calif. She graduated cum laude from Pepperdine, and received a law degree from the University of California, Davis. She is a daughter of Neena Gill and Kash S. Gill of Yuba City. The brides father is a senior vice president and oversees agricultural lending in California for Banner Bank, a commercial bank with headquarters in Walla Walla, Wash.; his office is in Yuba City. He is also a former mayor of Yuba City. Her mother is an academic counselor at Yuba College, a community college in Marysville, Calif. The groom, 34, is a manager for crediting and compensation at Salesforce, a San Francisco company that provides cloud-based business platforms. He graduated with first-class honors from Coventry University in England and received a masters degree in international money and banking from Birmingham University in England. Alan Bean, who became the fourth man to walk on the moon and turned to painting years later to tell the story of NASAs Apollo missions as they began receding into history, died on Saturday at Houston Methodist Hospital. He was 86. His death was announced by his family in a statement released by NASA. Mr. Bean stepped onto the lunar surface preceded by Pete Conrad, the mission commander of their Apollo 12 flight, in November 1969, four months after Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin became the first lunar explorers. The flight of Apollo 12, while thrilling in its own right, was not nearly as dramatic as the pioneering mission of Apollo 11, but it resulted in a more extensive exploration of the moon. Mr. Bean returned to space in July 1973, when he commanded a three-man flight to the orbiting space research station Skylab, the forerunner of the International Space Station. The astronauts on that mission spent 59 days in space, a record at the time. Herman D. Farrell Jr., a perennial New York State Democratic assemblyman from Manhattan and one of the last survivors of Harlems political Old Guard, died on Saturday in a Manhattan hospital. He was 86. The cause was heart failure, his son, Herman D. Farrell III, said. Mr. Farrell, who was known as Denny, was first elected in 1974 and retired when his term ended in 2017. He was also the chairman of the New York State Democratic Committee from 2001 to 2006, the first black person to hold that post, and headed the fractious Manhattan party confederacy from 1981 to 2009, longer than any of his predecessors. From the beginning of his public career, Mr. Farrell distinguished himself from most politicians. Towering over his colleagues at 6 feet 4 inches, he dressed impeccably, comported himself like a gentleman, was both candid and trustworthy, was endowed with a wry wit and, untainted, he survived the corruption and sexual scandals that doomed so many city and state officials. Mr. Farrell had no illusions about the waning power of New Yorks political bosses. Nor did he wonder why contemporary political leaders were no longer denigrated as latter day versions of William M. Tweed or Frank Hague; they had become, in his view, more like referees. Give blood, go skateboarding. So read the motto on the deck I bought after returning from Iraq in 2004. It was easier to risk skinned knees and sprained wrists than mull over my time in the desert. Though the dead and wounded had come through our large air base, Id only helped carry one. I returned with survivors guilt for not doing more. Skateboarding had long helped me navigate transitions. Senior year at M.I.T., a few months after Sept. 11 the semester, of course, in which it was most dangerous for me to risk losing my R.O.T.C. scholarship through injury I bought a board from a skate shop in Harvard Square. I jumped off foot-high ledges and startled bleary-eyed grad students in the campuss underground tunnels. My service obligation loomed, but I felt free. That summer, a newly minted Marine lieutenant, I drove my piled-high station wagon to Quanticos Basic School. The gate guard raised his eyebrows at my deck sticking up from piles in the back seat. Learning rifle and pistol shooting, squad tactics and sword drill soon occupied my weeks. In those six months, nothing but skateboarding so consistently released the pressure of full-time military life. Saturdays, I drove to a local mall, traded khakis and polo shirt for baggy clothes, and skated ramps and concrete bowls soon overrun by frenetic children. With them, I forgot I was government property. One weekend during communications officer school, a 14-year-old boy taught me how to ollie. Braces glinting, he showed me how to stabilize the boards back wheels in a sidewalk crack, slam its tail with my back foot, and drag my front foot forward to make the board jump with me. It took longer to learn how to ollie than to finish the communications school curriculum, which speaks not to any special gift with communications equipment but to my truly awful skateboarding. History is on the ebb. Philosophy is on the ropes. And comparative literature? Please. Its an intellectual heirloom: cherished by those who can afford such baubles but disposable in the eyes of others. Im talking about college majors, and talk about college majors is loud and contentious these days. Theres concern about whether schools are offering the right ones. There are questions about whether colleges should be emphasizing them at all. How does a deep dive into the classics abet a successful leap into the contemporary job market? Should an ambitious examination of English literature come at the cost of acquiring fluency in coding, digital marketing and the like? Last Sunday The Chronicle of Higher Education published a special report that delved into this debate. One of the stories described what was happening at the flagship campus of the University of Illinois and at Assumption College in Worcester, Mass., casting these developments as different harbingers for higher education. Illinois is pairing certain majors in the liberal arts for example, anthropology and linguistics with computer science. Assumption is doing away with a host of traditional majors in favor of new ones geared to practical skills. Goodbye, art history, geography and, yes, classics. Hello, data analytics, actuarial science and concentrations in physical and occupational therapy. In recent years, you may have noticed some unfamiliar names on wine lists alongside your usual chardonnays and pinot noirs strange, hard-to-pronounce grapes from places where, until recently, many people didnt even realize wine was made. The trend has been around long enough that some of the names, like albarino from Spain or gruner veltliner from Austria, are considered old hat by serious wine enthusiasts. Nowadays, the trendy names include juhfark, from Hungary; obaideh, from Lebanon; chasselas, from Switzerland; and saperavi, from the republic of Georgia. Some of this newfound love for obscure grapes can be overbearing, a way for wine geeks to draw a line between those who drink pinot grigio book club wine, Ive heard it called and the true connoisseur. Still, whether they mean to or not, the snobs may be onto something. In seeking out the rare and arcane, wine geekery may actually be leading us toward richer biodiversity and sustainability, and perhaps even a more enjoyable drinking experience. For years, the global wine industry had been devolving toward a monoculture, with local grape varieties ripped out in favor of more immediately profitable, mass-market types. There are 1,368 known wine grape varieties, but nearly 80 percent of the worlds wine is made from just 20 kinds of grapes. Many of the rest face extinction. She is now paralyzed from the waist down. But to some, Ms. Askin is considered lucky she is still alive. While the problem of physical violence has long plagued Turkish women, until recently there has been a lack of reliable statistics. In the first seven months of 2009, for example, the Justice Ministry said that 953 women were slain, while the Ministry of Family and Social Policy reported 171 women killed. Womens rights organizations like We Will Stop Femicide and The Femicide Map have begun to keep more accurate records. According to We Will Stop Femicide, the number of women murdered by a partner or relative in Turkey increased from 237 in 2013 to 409 in 2017. The group logged 130 deaths from January through April of this year. The Femicide Map, which has been tracking violence against Turkish women since 2010, reported that nearly 2,000 women have been killed across the country in the last eight years. Many blame the increase on the current president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and his Islamic-rooted Justice and Development Party. In recent years he and others in power have made public statements that degrade women. In July 2014 Bulent Arinc, then a deputy prime minister, said that a woman should not laugh in public to preserve her decency. In 2016 Mr. Erdogan called women without children deficient. During the bloodiest years of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, I represented the State Department in the battleground regions of Falluja and Helmand Province. Like many of the service members I served alongside, I had courageous American friends die in combat. But those troops are not the only dead I remember each Memorial Day. This year I will also think of Abbas Ali Hussein, a rotund Iraqi English teacher fond of Dickens who translated American novels like John Irvings A Prayer for Owen Meany into Arabic for his high school students. He was shot dead in front of his home by Qaeda-linked terrorists in 2007. His crime? While serving as secretary on the Falluja City Council, he worked with Americans to rebuild mosques and houses after the bloody battle of Falluja had leveled much of the city. He was one of hundreds of local political, religious, military and tribal leaders assassinated throughout Anbar Province because of their ties to the United States. I will also think of Gov. Arsala Jamal of Logar Province. As the former top Afghan official in Khost Province, the governor said what visiting American senators, cabinet secretaries and diplomats needed to hear: that hasty night raids by United States forces into Afghan family compounds guaranteed new Taliban recruits. In Khost, he had worked closely with American soldiers to bring rival tribes together even as he challenged our detention policies, including that of Guantanamo. Governor Jamal, a father of six, also won support from the central government in Kabul for programs to build schools and reintegrate former Taliban fighters into their communities. He was killed while speaking in a Logar Province mosque by a bomb hidden in the podium. In the last 17 years, hundreds of thousands of Iraqis and Afghans have died in the wars. Many were killed by American bombs, and many more in attacks by the Islamic State, Al Qaeda or the Taliban. Most were innocent civilians. But some died purely because they had cooperated with the United States with people like me in trying to rebuild communities destroyed after we arrived in their countries. As we memorialize our fallen troops on Monday, these Iraqis and Afghans, too, deserve to be honored. The restaurant industry relies on female labor but for far too long it has done too little to protect that work force. A representative from the Restaurant Opportunities Centers United, a nonprofit worker advocacy group, told me that the industry was made up mostly of women. The groups 2014 study found that 80 percent of the female restaurant workers surveyed reported that theyd been sexually harassed by co-workers, two-thirds of them by managers. In the wake of the revelations about Mr. Batali, the industry appears to be trying to change. On Monday, Food & Wine magazine announced its Best New Chefs, and for the first time it featured more women than men. On the path to change, the industry must reckon not just with the famous men who behaved badly, but with the invisible category of women who were sidelined or pushed out of the business altogether. Beth Lieberman committed to a career in restaurants after she started working as a server at Momofuku Ko, David Changs Michelin-starred restaurant in the East Village, in 2009. She climbed the ranks to become the restaurants beverage director and, in October 2012, she was promoted to Momofuku beverage director, overseeing the drink menus at the companys then four New York restaurants. Though shed wanted the position, Ms. Lieberman was surprised by the timing because when the offer came she was in her third trimester and planning to go on leave she would be Momofukus first employee to do so. In mid-December, about seven weeks before her baby was born, Ms. Lieberman was in the Momofuku office with a colleague when, she said, Mr. Chang interrupted. He comes in and says something like, Its not going to matter what you guys are talking about because pregnant women never come back to work, she said. And I said, Well, I dont really have a choice or I wont eat. Mr. Chang, through a representative, said that he did not recall making that statement. Ms. Lieberman said that after that meeting, Mr. Chang went to California for work. Upon his return, she heard rumors that in California he had discussed the position of Momofuku beverage director with another woman, Jordan Salcito, who had deep roots in the wine world. When Ms. Lieberman asked management about her concern that she was being replaced, I was told I was being paranoid, she said. Because the fighting is so ritualized, predictable and low-profile, civilian life is returning near the front lines, where war and peace coexist bizarrely and uneasily. Ive seen a school that operates 500 feet from the front. Children are bused there along a narrow road through minefields. Ive heard that another school was shelled earlier this month. The windows were blown out while 370 children were inside. Four days later, the glass was fixed and the classes resumed. War is war, but youve got to go to school. Ive seen people fishing and picnicking close to the front line, taking short breaks if shelling starts if it becomes loud, as they say. One man I met lives in his bathroom because its the only part of his house that has survived the shelling, which was most intense early in the war, in 2014 and 2015. Another man is rebuilding his house a mile from the Donetsk airport, where fighting reignites now and then. His house has taken five hits, but the foundation is O.K. and the owner is optimistic. Why are you doing it? I asked. Well, he said, I am an old man, and I have two daughters. I want to leave the house for them in good condition, but if I wait for the war to end I might not live that long. When I tell these stories, people ask if I still have family there. Yes, my family remains in Donetsk. Whats life like? Its hard to explain. But I try: When you think of war, you imagine terror, action and panicked people enduring bombings and shootings. There, its different. In downtown Donetsk, life looks pretty normal: hipster coffee shops, mothers pushing strollers, and in spring blossoming lilacs and roses. But life is hard for other reasons. Ukraines breakaway territory is the size of New York State, with about four million inhabitants facing impossible choices. Held hostage by opportunistic separatist authorities, they are simultaneously cast as outlaws by the Ukrainian government as separatist sympathizers and disloyal citizens, whose sin was having been taken hostage. Even when they leave, as I did, accusations of treason and collaboration follow them. To climb any higher, the water needs help. Thats where the pump comes in, pushing water to the top of the building, where it sits in a reservoir, the familiar wooden water tank. Turn on the faucet and the water travels back down to you. The physics dont change, even for skyscrapers. People living in 50-story buildings get their water the exact same way the old buildings do, said David Hochhauser, who, with his brother and sister, owns Isseks Brothers, one of the citys oldest water tank manufacturers. Newer towers tend to hide their reservoirs inside and often use multiple tanks housed throughout the building so water can be pumped to the top in smaller increments. The new One World Trade Center has 16 water tanks, according to Mr. Hochhauser, whose company installed the tanks. At another Isseks installation, 217 West 57th, which will be the citys tallest residential tower when it opens, 11 stainless-steel tanks will hold water. New buildings arent the only ones with aesthetic reservations. Some of the citys prewar gems, like the 27-story San Remo on the Upper West Side, built ornate structures to keep tanks out of view. The aunt of the woman shot and killed by a Border Patrol agent last week after crossing the border illegally near Laredo, Tex., has a message for the United States: Dont treat us like animals. The aunt, Dominga Vicente, spoke at a news conference on Friday, the same day the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Guatemala identified her niece, Claudia Patricia Gomez Gonzalez, 19, of San Juan Ostuncalco, Guatemala, as the victim of the shooting. This is not the first person dying in the United States, Ms. Vicente said at the news conference in Guatemala City. There are many people that have been treated like animals and that isnt what we should do as people. Ms. Vicente said her niece had left Guatemala out of necessity to try to earn money in the United States. Ms. Gomez had studied accounting but was unable to find a job in Guatemala, according to the Guatemalan television station Guatevision. In his meeting on the floor with senators including Mr. Durbin, Mr. Grassley and John Cornyn of Texas, the No. 2 Senate Republican and a chief sponsor of the prison bill, Mr. McConnell was noncommittal but left open the prospect of moving ahead with a bill if an agreement could be reached. I said, Look, guys, if you all can get your act together and come up with something that youre comfortable with, that the president will sign, Id be willing to take a look at it, Mr. McConnell said in an interview with The New York Times. But he said he was not interested in wasting the Senates time. What Im not willing to do, just to refresh your memory from a couple of months ago, is have a freewheeling debate like we did on immigration for a whole week, Mr. McConnell said. We squandered a week and nothing happened. So Im in the business of trying to make a law, not make a point. Mr. Durbin and other Senate backers of the sentencing changes believe they can make some relatively modest additions to the prison legislation to achieve some but not all of their goals. They are focused on narrowing the definition of crimes that can prompt long mandatory minimum sentences for nonviolent drug crimes and on cutting the length of some of the required sentences. They say that such changes would have a much more consequential effect on easing the United States mass incarceration than solely focusing on recidivism. We might not get everything we want, but there is some sentencing reform we can achieve with this bill, said Senator Mike Lee, Republican of Utah. WASHINGTON At a White House meeting last winter, leaders of the F.B.I. and the Justice Department made an urgent appeal to John F. Kelly, the White House chief of staff, to side with them against Republicans in Congress who were pressing for information about the Russia investigation that would compromise confidential sources. Mr. Kelly seemed to agree. But not long after Rod J. Rosenstein, the deputy attorney general, and Christopher A. Wray, the F.B.I. director, returned to their offices, Mr. Kelly called and reversed himself, according to a former law enforcement official. They would have to hand over the information after all. What changed? Mr. Kellys answer: the president. For more than a year, President Trump has been at war with law enforcement agencies that answer to him, interjecting himself into an investigation in which he himself is a subject. And he has escalated the conflict drastically in recent days by accusing the F.B.I. of placing a spy inside his 2016 campaign, pressuring the agencies to reveal secret information and demanding an investigation of his investigators. The confrontation has no precedent in the modern era and holds great stakes not just for the president but for the relative autonomy for law enforcement investigations established after Watergate. Mr. Trumps allies argue that he has every right to manage the executive branch and every reason to be outraged at possible misconduct aimed at his campaign. But many law enforcement veterans say he is wreaking untold damage on institutions that form the bulwark of a democratic society. Ron Daniels, the president of the Institute of the Black World 21st Century, a group that supports reparations, said they would be necessary for America to fully heal itself. Any efforts to bring attention to the idea, including a happy hour bearing that name in Portland, could help people organize around the issue, he said. Hopefully out of that experience theres some education that takes place, Mr. Daniels said. There was enough interest in the concept to fund occasional happy hours for the rest of the year, though they will be renamed to Reparations Power Hour out of concern that the happy hour label was unwelcoming to people who do not drink, Mr. Whitten said. Anticipating some criticism, he noted that it was not meant to diminish the seriousness of reparations. Should anyone question why white people were not invited, he said, They show up by donating to make sure the event happens. More than 100 people, not all of them white, donated, he said. White people, we have love for you, and were going to see you. We cant not see you, he said. Once a month were going to have these two special hours that we cannot get anywhere else. WASHINGTON President Trump hosted an American citizen in the Oval Office on Saturday night just hours after a delegation led by one of Utahs senators succeeded in freeing the 26-year-old man from a Venezuelan prison where he had been held for two years without a trial. The man, Joshua Holt, who had traveled in 2016 to Venezuela to marry a woman he had met online, sat in a yellow chair next to Mr. Trump as the president welcomed him home from what he called a tough situation. Mr. Trump praised Mr. Holt for his bravery and bragged that Mr. Holt was among 17 prisoners in foreign countries that his administration had succeeded in getting released. You were a tough one, I have to tell you. That was a tough situation, I have to tell you, the president said to Mr. Holt, his family and lawmakers from Utah during brief remarks shortly before 9 p.m. KABUL, Afghanistan Khadija is 18 now, just a year older than the Afghan war itself, and she has already been married three times to three brothers. One was a Taliban insurgent, killed fighting the United States Marines. One was a policeman, killed fighting the Taliban. One was an interpreter for the Marines who is now hunted by the Taliban, who have threatened to kill him and his infant son. The story of Khadija and the three brothers she married is an account of war and tradition that is tragically Afghan. It encompasses the bitter arc of the Afghan war in its most violent place, Helmand Province in the south, the Taliban stronghold where many families have been torn apart by loyalties divided between the government and the insurgents. It is also the story of women in a traditional society struggling against the lack of choice their culture gives them in their own lives. Their Pashtun society considers it the duty of brothers to marry their brothers widows and leaves those widows with little choice but to obey, or lose their children and their homes. BEIJING Burkina Faso and China formally established diplomatic ties on Saturday, days after the West African nation broke off relations with Taiwan, the self-governing island that Beijing has been trying to isolate on the global stage. Burkina Fasos decision was the latest blow to Taiwan, which Beijing considers part of its territory. The island is now left with 18 diplomatic allies many of them poor nations in Central America and the Pacific, like Belize and Nauru; only one is in Africa, the tiny kingdom of Swaziland. It was the second ally to break with Taiwan in less than a month, as Chinas economic clout and geopolitical influence have made it difficult for countries to maintain alliances. The Dominican Republic established diplomatic relations with Beijing this month, citing hopes for improved commercial ties. The Chinese Foreign Ministry said a document establishing diplomatic ties was signed on Saturday in Beijing between Wang Yi, the state councilor and foreign minister, and Burkina Fasos foreign minister, Alpha Barry. No matter how painful sanctions may be, analysts say, Mr. Kim would be unwilling to give up his nuclear weapons unless an accord left him feeling completely safe without them. The security of his family-run regime is a nonnegotiable priority. North Korea has emphasized that it wants security guarantees and will not trade its nuclear arsenal for economic benefits alone. It has also rejected assertions that it has been pressured into talks because of the pain of sanctions, adding that it does not expect help from the United States in pursuing economic development. Indeed, the North Korean economy has been growing as much as 1 to 5 percent annually under Mr. Kims rule, because of a limited embrace of market forces by his government and, until late last year, loopholes in the multiple rounds of sanctions adopted by the United Nations Security Council. Still, his apparent willingness to continue diplomatic efforts does suggest that Mr. Kim, 34, may be under pressure to satisfy rising expectations in North Korea for economic gains and shake off the painful grip of sanctions. While largely depicted as a nuclear provocateur in the outside world, Mr. Kim is determined to be the face of a modern and more open North Korea at home. He has erected new buildings and repainted old ones in Pyongyang, the capital, attended a concert by a South Korean girl band and let a state orchestra play American pop music. Mr. Kim has also sent party officials to China to learn its economic policies, and has even admitted to other failures during his supposedly faultless leadership, like a botched satellite launch in 2012. When he met with South Koreas president, Moon Jae-in, last month and invited him to Pyongyang, he asked Mr. Moon to fly there because North Koreas roads and trains were in such embarrassing condition. The official noted that theres really not a lot of time weve lost quite a bit of time that we would need to prepare for the summit meeting. June 12 is in 10 minutes, the official said. On Friday, White House officials took pains to demonstrate that it was still possible to hold the meeting. Mr. Trump himself said Friday morning that he was hopeful again that there might still be a meeting on June 12 with the North Koreans. They very much want to do it, the president told reporters. Wed like to do it. Well see what happens. A recording of the key part of the Thursday briefing, discussing the timing issues of the summit meeting, appeared on Twitter after Mr. Trumps tweet on Saturday. At the end of the briefing, reporters asked the official to put comments on the record, but the official said that both Mr. Trump and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had spoken publicly, and that their comments could stand by themselves. Mr. Trumps attack on The Times was only the latest of many efforts by the president to discredit reporting by news organizations by questioning the validity of their sources. On May 4, he attacked NBC News, saying in a tweet, They cite sources which are constantly wrong. Problem is, like so many others, the sources probably dont exist, they are fabricated, fiction! On April 21, he attacked The Times for an article on Michael D. Cohen, the presidents personal lawyer, saying that the newspaper used non-existent sources and a drunk/drugged up loser who hates Michael. Supporters of the yes vote erupted in celebration in the Irish capital of Dublin on Saturday, when results of the referendum on legalizing abortion showed that it had passed by a surprising landslide. Excited crowds of smiling yes voters clapped, cheered and burst into song as they filled the courtyard outside Dublin Castle, a government complex, to await the release of the final tally. As evening approached, officials announced that the measure had been approved by more than 66 percent of voters. No supporters lamented what they saw as a devastating loss for the country. The vote repeals the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution a 1983 measure that gave equal rights to a fetus and a woman and banned abortion under almost all circumstances. The government has announced plans to pass legislation by the end of the year to allow for unrestricted terminations for pregnancies up to 12 weeks. DUBLIN Ireland voted decisively to repeal one of the worlds more restrictive abortion bans, sweeping aside generations of conservative patriarchy and dealing the latest in a series of stinging rebukes to the Roman Catholic Church. The surprising landslide, reflected in the results announced on Saturday, cemented the nations liberal shift at a time when right-wing populism is on the rise in Europe and the Trump administration is imposing curbs on abortion rights in the United States. In the past three years alone, Ireland has installed a gay man as prime minister and has voted in another referendum to allow same-sex marriage. But this was a particularly wrenching issue for Irish voters, even for supporters of the measure. And it was not clear until the end that the momentum toward socially liberal policies would be powerful enough to sweep away deeply ingrained opposition to abortion. What we have seen today really is a culmination of a quiet revolution thats been taking place in Ireland for the past 10 or 20 years, Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said at a counting center in Dublin before the results of Fridays vote were released, giving an early indication of the final outcome. STOCKHOLM, Sweden First, the Swedish Academy, which awards the Nobel Prize in Literature, was rocked by a sexual abuse and harassment scandal, spurring some members to say they would quit the institution. Then, the first woman to lead the academy, Sara Danius, a literary scholar, was forced out over the mushrooming scandal. This month, faced with accusations of financial wrongdoing and hints of a cover-up, the academy announced that it would postpone awarding the literature prize for the first time in 69 years, and instead name two winners in 2019. Now, Lars Heikensten, director of the Nobel Foundation, said in a radio interview on Saturday that there might not be a Nobel Prize in Literature awarded in 2019, either, deepening the crisis at the 232-year-old cultural organization. Indian nurses rescued from Iraq With the rise of ISIL in northern Iraq, where hundreds of thousands of Indian migrant workers live, the security of those overseas Indian came under threat. On 16 June, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) set up a 24-hour helpline at the Indian embassy in Baghdad for assistance of Indian nationals stranded in the conflict cities. It has been reported that 46 Indian nurses were abducted from the Iraqi town of Mosul who were later freed and flown back to India. However, doubts persisted about the all the 39 Indian workers from mainly from Punjab. Finally, External Affairs Minister, Sushma Swaraj, told parliament that Indian workers kidnapped by Islamic State in Iraq in 2014 have been confirmed dead as tests had shown a match with the construction workers. Rescue ops in Libya A similar situation occurred in Libya where many Indian nationals are stranded because of the armed conflict in Benghazi. A chartered flight from Djerba, Tunisia brought over 200 nationals back to India. A further 216 nationals left on 8 August in 2014, with a total of another 1,500 nationals having been evacuated. About 3,000 more nationals registered with the embassy in Tripoli in order to return. On 5 August, 44 nurses returned to India on a special Air India flight; they were predominantly from Kerala with some from Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. Operation Raahat in Yemen Government of India launched a massive rescue operation called Operation Raahat to save hundreds of non-residential Indians located in Yemen. After the outbreak of aerial attacks by the Saudi led coalition following the coup by the Houthi rebels in Yemen, Minister of State for External Affairs General V K Singh himself oversaw the entire rescue operation right from the battle ground towns of Sana'a and Aden in Yemen and the Indian base of operation in Djibouti. The operation was highly successful and received huge acclamation from across the globe as it rescued not only Indians but thousands of foreigners stranded in the war torn country too. Rescue of Father Father Uzhunnalil Father Tom Uzhunnalil, a Catholic priest from Kerala, was rescued in Yemen, 18 months after he was abducted by Islamist militants during a deadly attack on a care home in the port city of Aden in the war-ravaged country. Father Uzhunnalil, was working with the Missionaries of Charity in Aden, Yemen, was abducted in 2016 and was released after over a year in captivity following massive efforts launched by India. 4 years of Modi govt: Family of NDA has increased, not decreased, says Amit Shah India oi-Chennabasaveshwar By Chennabasaveshwar Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Amit Shah hailed Narendra Modi as the most hardworking Prime Minister and the most popular leader in the world. Amit Shah was addressing media person on the occasion of completion of four years of the BJP government. Amit Shah said, "BJP provided the most hardworking Prime Minister and the most popular leader in the world to the country, a PM who works for 15-18 hours a day. We are proud that this Prime Minister is a leader of BJP." On the status of NDA coalition, Shah said, "TDP left but Nitish Ji came. 11 more parties became part of NDA after 2014. The family of NDA has increased, not decreased. Only Chandrababu Ji (Andhra Pradesh CM) left." When asked that 'Shiv Sena doesn't want to fight together', Shah said, "I repeat this, that we want Shivsena and BJP to fight together in 2019 elections," says Amit Shah. About government's response to cross-border attacks, "BJP considers war the last option. However, we have zero tolerance regarding the safety of our borders. The most number of terrorists have been killed in BJP government," the party chief. He further said that the government will form a long-term solution for rising prices of fuel. He said, "The current prices of petrol and diesel were the same during three years of Congress government. But they are fed up with these raised prices in only three days in our government? Government is thinking about that and will form a long-term solution for it." Shah claimed that there is no village in India without electricity and achieved this target way before the deadline. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Saturday, May 26, 2018, 14:19 [IST] Abu Salem convicted in 2002 extortion case India oi-Vikas By Vikas A Delhi court on Saturday convicted gangster Abu Salem in the 2002 extortion case. Salem was convicted by Delhi's Patiala House court. He is one of the six convicts in the 1993 Mumbai blasts case. Salem had earlier claimed that the prosecution did not have enough evidence against him in the case after a fresh production warrant was issued against him in February. Through his lawyer, the gangster had also claimed that his trial in the case violated an order by which he was extradited to India from Portugal in 2005. Salem, who was extradited from Portugal in November 2005, was granted bail in the present case in 2013. However, he is currently in jail in connection with various other cases, including those related to the 1993 Mumbai blasts. No one will accept if MGR is misrepresented: G K Vasan Anti-Sterlite violence: Tamil Nadu film fraternity stages protest India oi-Chennabasaveshwar By Chennabasaveshwar Writers, journalists, and members of Tamil Nadu film fraternity on Saturday staged a protest in Chennai's Chepauk against the death of 13 people in police firing during Anti-Sterlite protests in Thoothukudi. Meanwhile, according to reports, film award ceremony function 'Vijay Awards' scheduled for today in Chennai has been cancelled. Media persons on assignment also had to face the hardship as the town was on lockdown. All journalist gathered at Tuticorin have been literally surviving on water. Entire town on lockdown. No food supply, and fast depleting water supply as well. All journalist gathered at Tuticorin have been literally surviving on water. Entire town in lockdown. No food supply, and fast depleting water supply as well. #SterliteIssue #SterliteProtestshootout Akshaya Nath (@Akshayanath) May 23, 2018 According to reports, the law and order situation in Tuticorin is fast returning to normal even as miscreants torched a state government bus after intercepting it in a bridge on Friday evening. Three passengers suffered injuries in the incidents and were taken to the hospital. Thirteen people were killed in police firing over three days in Thoothukudiand over 80 people remain injured and 16 had to undergo critical operations to survive due to the violence. The victims were part of the group of protesters who were demanding permanent closure of the Vedanta-owned Sterlite copper plant. Even dog considers himself a tiger when in power': Shiv Sena's jibe at Fadnavis India oi-Vikas By Vikas With the audio clip released by Uddhav Thackeray sending political temperatures soaring in Maharashtra, Shiv Sena's Sanjay Raut has said that Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is "full of arrogance". Ahead of the Palghar Lok Sabha by-poll on May 28, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray released an audio clip, purportedly of Devendra Fadnavis, in which he can be heard asking BJP workers to use all possible means to win the by-election. "Chief Minister is full of arrogance. We have all seen that in politics, even a dog starts considering himself a tiger after coming to power," Shiv Sena's Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut told news agency ANI today (May 26) when asked about the audio clip. Thackeray released the audio clip while addressing a rally last night (May 25) in Palghar. The BJP alleged that the Sena had tampered with the audio clip and that it would release its complete version soon. The party said it would also complain to the EC about the "misuse of technology. Fadnavis was purportedly heard saying in the clip, "If somebody is challenging our existence in Palghar and has betrayed our trust, back-stabbed us while calling itself our ally, then they should be taught a lesson. We should not be sitting quietly now. We should launch a big attack and show them what the BJP is." "If we want to win this election, then an answer has to be given in the same measure...Give an answer by using 'saam, daam, dand, bhed' (negotiation, money, punishment and division). Do not tolerate anybody's bullying. On the contrary, bully them...I will stand behind you," he purportedly said. [Uddhav releases audio of Fadnavis purportedly asking BJP workers to use all means to win] After releasing the audio, Thackeray demanded action against Fadnavis by the Election Commission (EC). Opposition Congress and NCP also demanded an EC probe into the clip. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Saturday, May 26, 2018, 16:39 [IST] Four years of Modi govt: Congress to observe 'Vishwasghat Diwas' India oi-Oneindia Staff By Oneindia Staff New Delhi, May 26: On Saturday, the Narendra Modi government will complete its fourth year in power at the Centre. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is all set to celebrate the day in a grand manner by showcasing its achievements in the last four years. To oppose the BJP on its big day, the Congress is all set to observe Vishwasghat Diwas (betrayal day) on Saturday. While protesting against the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance government at the Centre, the Congress will hold at least 20 press conferences in different cities of the country, including the national capital. Some of the top leaders of the Congress, including Ghulam Nabi Azad, Ashok Gehlot, Rajdeep Surjewala, Kapil Sibal and Abhishek Manu Singhvi, to name a few, will present their views about the BJP government in front of reporters during the press meets. Talking about the decision to hold Vishwasghat Diwas by the Congress, a senior leader of the party said that the BJP should not celebrate as the country is neck-deep in troubles. "Why the government is increasing prices of petrol and diesel every day? Why there are no jobs for educated youths in the country? Why women and girls in India are not safe? There are several such unanswered questions the Modi government is not ready to face. The government should first address people's problems instead of hosting such expensive events. The BJP government has cheated the voters," he added. On the big day, the BJP is also planning to formally launch its campaign for the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, most likely to take place in April-May next year. There are also reports that the General elections 2019 might be preponed and will be held in December this year. This time, the BJP's main election slogan will be "2019 Mein Phir Ek Baar Modi Sarkar" (In 2019, Modi Government Yet Again), according to various media reports. In 2014, the BJP came to power with its famous slogan-- "Abki Baar Modi Sarkar" (This Time, Modi's Government). The Modi government is celebrating its fourth year at a time when the entire nation is reeling under various problems. Four years since the BJP government came to power at the Centre, Modi's big promises of "Achhe Din" (Good Days) or "Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas" (Collective Efforts Inclusive Growth) remained mere slogans as the country is currently reeling under various problems, said a political analyst. Right from prices of fuels reaching an all-time high, lack of job opportunities, rise in the numbers of rapes and murders of women/girls, mob lynching of Muslims and Dalits, saffronisation of educational institutions and subversion of judiciary by the ruling regime at the Centre, to name a few, the Modi government has come under severe attack from various quarters for its manifold failures. How Shah brought the best minds together and restored peace in North East Four years of Modi govt: Mera bhashan hi mera prashasan hai, says Congress India oi-Staff By Oneindia Staff Writer Sharpening its attacks against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance government at the Centre, the Congress on Saturday directly targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The BJP government at the Centre celebrated its fourth anniversary in power on Saturday. Congress spokesperson, Manish Tewari, told ANI that the "essence of the last four years is mera bhashan hi mera prashasan hai (my rhetoric is my governance)", when asked to judge the government on various parameters. The statement of Tewari was a direct attack on Modi and his speeches. PM Modi is famous for his oratory skills and Tewari took a dig at it. Tewari added that "the Modi government has been an absolute catastrophe". The essence of the last 4 years is 'mera bhashan hi mera prashasan hai,' 'only my rhetoric is my governance' & on all parameters the Narendra Modi govt has been an absolute catastrophe: Manish Tewari, Congress on 4 years of Modi govt pic.twitter.com/Gj1evkhhQC ANI (@ANI) May 26, 2018 Babhujan Samaj Party supremo Mayawati also criticised the Modi government on its big day on Saturday. "This government has failed on all fronts. PM Modi terms everything he does as historic, I think that is why fuel prices are at a historic high during his government," she said to highlight the plight of commoners over daily increase of fuel prices in the last few days. The BJP has lined up a series of big events to celebrate its fourth anniversary. The Modi government is celebrating its fourth year at a time when the entire nation is reeling under various problems. Four years since the BJP government came to power at the Centre, Modi's big promises of "Achhe Din" (Good Days) or "Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas" (Collective Efforts Inclusive Growth) remained mere slogans as the country is currently reeling under various problems, said a political analyst. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Saturday, May 26, 2018, 12:03 [IST] J&K: Terrorists fire at an Army camp in Kulgam India oi-Vikas By Vikas The terrorists on Saturday evening fired at the camp of army's Rashtriya Rifles unit in Jammu and Kashmir's Kulgam area. The area has been cordoned off after the incident which took place in Khudwani area. On Friday (May 25), terrorists hurled grenade at a camp of 34 Rashtriya Rifles in Kulgam's Nihama. On May 7, one CRPF personnel was injured after terrorists hurled a grenade at Tahab Chowk in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district. The grenade was lobbed at police and CRPF personnel who were deployed at Tahab Chowk to maintain law and order. On May 4, terrorists hurled a grenade at a police station in Pulwama. The grenade exploded outside the police station and no one was injured in the incident. On April 12, terrorists had lobbed a grenade at a police station in Pulwama in which two policemen were left injured. Following the incident, the security forces cordoned off the area and launched a hunt to nab the attackers. Jammu and Kashmir witnessed 166 per cent more civilian fatalities due to militancy while there was a 42 per cent rise in the number of terrorists neutralised in 2017 compared to the previous year, the Home Ministry said in April. The annual report of the Ministry of Home Affairs for 2017-18, released in April, said that since the advent of militancy in Jammu and Kashmir in 1990, a total of 13,976 civilians and 5,123 security personnel have lost their lives till December 31, 2017. In 2017, there were 342 violent incidents in Jammu and Kashmir in which 80 security personnel, 40 civilians and 213 terrorists were killed. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Saturday, May 26, 2018, 22:14 [IST] JeM attacked Nagrota army camp, says arrested Kupwara man India oi-Chennabasaveshwar By Chennabasaveshwar NIA arrested Syed Muneer -Ul-Hassan Qadri, a resident of Kupwara on Saturday in connection with the terrorist attack at Army camp at Nagrota on 29 November 2016 in which 7 army jawans lost their lives and 3 others were injured. The arrested militant revealed that the attack was carried out by Jaish-e-Mohammad. Preliminary interrogation of the accused revealed that the attack was carried out by the Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), a banned terror group, in furtherance of a well-planned conspiracy from Pakistan, an NIA spokesman said. The accused is claimed to have told the interrogators that he along with other Valley-based JeM operatives were in touch with the JeM leadership in Pakistan and had received a freshly infiltrated group of three Pakistani terrorists from the Samba sector a day before the attack. The Indian Army base in Nagrota, Jammu and Kashmir was attacked on 29 November 2016 by a group of militants. During the ensuing gun battle, seven Indian soldiers, including two officers and all three militants were killed. The militants then divided themselves into two groups, entered the living quarters of the base and opened fire with AK-47s and grenades. They took a hostage at least two infants, two women and over a dozen soldiers. A stand-off then ensued with the security forces. (With PTI inputs) Rajasthan: Man beaten up by mob on suspicion of child molester in Jaipur, dies in hospital Shame on us for letting mob beat, police register case against mentally-challenged man in UP Showed immense restraint says CRPF after its vehicle mowed down youth in Srinagar Kudos to Uttarakhand Sikh police officer, who risked his life, to save Muslim man from mob fury India oi-Oneindia Staff By Oneindia Staff Dehradun, May 26: These days, it is hard to meet real-life heroes (although books and movies are full of them, including superheroes), but they do exist, even if in a miniscule number and that should keep our belief in humanity intact. On Friday, India saw how a "brave" police officer from Uttarakhand, who without caring about his own safety, rescued a man from the clutches of an infuriated mob and saved him from getting lynched. In a viral video, Gagandeep Singh, a Sikh policeman, was seen shielding a Muslim man, who was repeatedly assaulted by a huge group of Hindu men, as he was seen with a Hindu girl in Uttarakhand's Ramnagar. In spite of the presence of several police personnel, the angry mob continued verbally and physically abusing the Muslim man. That is when in the middle of all these frantic activities, Singh came and held the man with his arms giving him enough protection from being beaten up. Singh too was hit by the mob as he was trying to save the victim. He did not care an iota and in a scene resembling a Bollywood movie, the sub-inspector in a black turban, walked away with the victim to a safer place. The entire episode of mob vigilantism against the Muslim man was filmed and shared on YouTube, and it immediately went viral. Social media hailed Singh as a hero and rightly so at a time when cops are either busy firing on unarmed protesters (as we have seen in Tamil Nadu's Tuticorin) or simply stand and watch such violent episodes. If Singh was not there, probably the Muslim man would have been lynched and killed by the mob, as India has witnessed several such cases in the recent times. Here we bring you some of the tweets praising Singh, who did more than his duty, as he restored our faith in the system, even if it might last for a short period of time. Singh is truly a king. It was heartening to see on Youtube the videos of a brave young Sikh police officer, Gagandeep Singh, saving the life of a Muslim youth who may have been lynched by a frenzied Hindutva mob had it not been for the courageous intervention of Gagandeep. Markandey Katju (@mkatju) May 25, 2018 Sikh cop in Dehradun saves a Muslim man from a rabid violent mob https://t.co/Hi5UlNwX67 This is doing duty. Instead of letting mob be NoToSilence (@akdwaaz) May 24, 2018 Bravo!! Sikh cop confronted a whole Hindutva swarm to save a Muslim from being lynched. https://t.co/HqYnSkHPeG Sanam Sutirath Wazir (@sanamwazir) May 24, 2018 Here you can watch the video of Singh rescuing the Muslim man: For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Saturday, May 26, 2018, 7:06 [IST] Maharashtra: Cops first sex change surgery successful India oi-Staff By Oneindia Staff Writer The sex change surgery of a 29 year old Maharashtra police constable has been sucesssful. The first of the two surgeries has been successful and the same was conducted at the St George's Hospital in Mumbai. The constable Lalita Salve, who now prefers to be called Lalit, had met Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in March and sought permission for a sex change. She had also sent an application to the state Director General of Police (DGP), requesting permission to undergo the surgery. "I met Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on March 21 in connection with my case. He assured me that the matter will be resolved on an urgent basis," Salve, who is posted at the Majalgaon Police Station in Beed, said. Salve had earlier approached the state police department to allow her leave to undergo the sex-change surgery. The department had then turned down her plea as the eligibility criteria for men and women constables are different, including height and weight. In November last year, she had moved the Bombay High Court seeking a direction to the DGP to grant her leave to undergo the surgery. She had sought leave for a month to undergo the sex reassignment surgery, but the request was refused by Beed police authorities, following which she approached the High Court. However, the high court had directed her to approach the Maharashtra Administrative Tribunal since it was a service matter. "I sought permission for the sex-change surgery, leave for the procedure and expressed my desire to be in the service as a male police constable after the surgery," she had said. She had also consulted doctors at the state-run J J hospital in Mumbai for the sex reassignment surgery. Salve, born in June 1988, noticed changes in her body about four years ago and underwent medical tests, which confirmed the presence of Y chromosome in her body, according to her petition filed in the high court. While men have X and Y sex chromosomes, women have two X chromosomes. Doctors had said she had gender dysphoria and advised her to undergo a sex reassignment surgery. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Saturday, May 26, 2018, 6:42 [IST] Man who jumped from death from Safdarjung hospital tests negative for coronavirus Man deported from Australia arrested for making bomb hoax call India oi-Staff By Oneindia Staff Writer A 36-year-old man, who had earlier been deported from Australia, has been arrested for allegedly making hoax calls about a bomb in the passport office at ITO here, the police said. The man, identified as Rukhsar Ahmed, made a call to the Police Control Room on May 20 threatening that a bomb had been planted at the passport office. He made another call from Seelampur a couple of days later with the same threat, they said. During investigation, it was found that Ahmed had made both the calls and he was nabbed. During investigation, it was found that he had gone to Singapore in 2007 and then to Australia. He was caught for holding illegal visa and was deported, the police said. He wanted to go abroad but his father had taken away his passport fearing that he might be getting involved in criminal activities abroad, they added. Out of anger, he made the hoax calls, they added. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Saturday, May 26, 2018, 9:50 [IST] Nipah Virus: Will get a report on possible impact and take action to control- Karnataka CM Nipah virus mystery: Tests rule out bats as prime cause of infection India oi-Deepika By Deepika Tests have ruled out bats being behind the spread of the Nipah virus (NiV) that has claimed 12 lives in Kerala's Kozhikode and Malappuram districts, officials said on Friday. This has been confirmed in the tests conducted at the National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD), Bhopal, of the blood samples of bats caught from the well. The blood and serum samples of 21 bats tested at the National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases in Bhopal returned negative results for the virus, officials said. With the results showing that this virus has not come from bats, the authorities have now decided to conduct more tests to locate its source. The Union health ministry has said the virus has not spread beyond Kerala. "The Nipah virus disease is not a major outbreak and is only a local occurrence," the government said in a statement, adding that a team of experts continued to monitor the situation. The WHO has named Nipah as one of the eight priority diseases that could cause a global epidemic, alongside the likes of Ebola and Zika. The health body, however, has not issued any specific advice to countries that have not been affected by the Nipah but has asked them to enhance the level of preparedness. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Saturday, May 26, 2018, 9:35 [IST] Retired Army officer thrashed in Delhi India oi-Staff By Oneindia Staff Writer In a possible case of road rage, a retired Army Captain and his family members were allegedly thrashed by five men in Dwarka, the police said. He went to Dwarka City Centre mall to have dinner along with his wife, sister, brother-in-law and their children. "We came out of the mall after dinner around midnight on May 13. As our vehicle was parked some distance away from the gate of the mall, I asked my wife, sister and the children to stay while my brother-in-law and I went to get the car," he said in a complaint. He alleged that some men sitting in a car parked nearby started passing lewd comments at the women and when he reached there with his car, the men attacked them. One of the accused was held at the spot by the retired Army officer, while the rest were nabbed on May 15, the police said. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Saturday, May 26, 2018, 9:24 [IST] Kannada actor Satyajith passes away at Bowring and Lady Curzon Hospital in Bengaluru Bengaluru to face power cuts today: Full list of areas likely to be affected More rain in store as IMD puts Bengaluru on yellow alert RR Nagar voter ID scam: Court orders cases to be filed against Congress' Muniratna Naidu India oi-Vikas By Vikas The ACMM court has ordered cases to be filed against Congress' Muniratna Naidu in connection with the seizure of over 9,000 voter ID cards in an apartment in Bengaluru's RR Nagar. The election in RR Nagar was postponed to May 28 because of this matter which emerged days before May 12 Karnataka Assembly elections. Muniratna is the sitting MLA from RR Nagar and set to contest polls on May 28. The 6th ACMM court ordered the filing of cases based on the complaint filed by BJP worker Rakesh, said reports. Cases would be filed under IPC sections 471 and 171 F, reported News 9. Earlier this month, 9,746 voter cards were seized from a house in SLV Park View Apartments in RR Nagar. Later, a delegation of the BJP had met top Election Commission officials in Delhi and demanded to countermand the elections in Rajarajeshwari Nagar assembly seat. The polling in RR Nagar is scheduled to be held on May 28 and the counting would take place on May 31. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Saturday, May 26, 2018, 21:01 [IST] Never has India had a more decisive government says PM Modi Saaf Niyat Sahi Vikas: Theme for Modi sarkar which completes 4 years India oi-Vicky Nanjappa The slogan for the Modi government which completes four years in office is 'Saaf Niyat, Sahi Vikas' (Clean intent, right development). As the government completes four years in office, it is also making a poll pitch for 2019 with the slogan 'Manzil Aa Rahi Hai Paas, Desh Ka Badhta Jaata Vishwas; Saaf Niyat, Sahi Vikas.' There would also be a close focus on the upcoming elections at Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chattisgarh. The BJP will showcase Modi's clean image and pro-development agenda. The government would also hold a series of media events in a bid to publicise its achievements in the past four years in office. Four Union Ministers would hold press conferences in Delhi and highlight the key policy initiatives of the government. The ministers may also interact with Op-Ed columnists separately to give its side of narrative ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. There would also be press meets at the regional level in 40 different cities. The theme of the celebration would focus on the pro-poor initiatives of the government. The government would also reach out to the people through the social media and blogs. India ought to be one of USs closest partners: Pompeo International oi-Shubham By Shubham US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Friday, May 25, said India needed to play a central role in what the Donald Trump administration does in South and Central Asia and that it "ought to be" one of America's closest partners, PTI reported. Pompeo said this to the members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. "For scores of reasons, India needs to be central to what we do. Specific issues - South Central Asia issues, Southeast Asia issues. They ought to be one of our closest partners and we ought to do everything we can to make sure that we achieve that," the PTI report quoted Pompeo, who took over in April, as saying. Pompeo, who was the director of the Central Intelligence Agency before taking over as the secretary of state, expressed his views while answering Delaware Senator Chris Coons on how to improve the US's relations with India. "Mr. Secretary, if you would like to say anything about how we can work with this most populous democracy, a potential strategic partner to strengthen that relationship, I'll make that my last question," Coons asked, according to the report. To this, Pompeo said that he and US Defence Secretary James Mattis will jointly meet with their Indian counterparts over a dialogue although he could not confirm whether the date for that occasion was finalised. "...we're looking to do it. I think it's set this summer, very important," the report quoted Pompeo as saying. Pompeo and Mattis are likely to host their respective Indian counterparts - External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman - some time this summer for the maiden 2+2 dialogue. The decision on this was taken during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's first meeting with President Trump in Washington on June 26 last year. The Trump administration has shown interest in getting close to India on strategic regional issues concerning Afghanistan and Asia-Pacific although there have also been occasions of worry in other realms of bilateral relations between them - be it trade or immigration. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Saturday, May 26, 2018, 13:16 [IST] India, US have 'one mind, one approach: US Deputy State Secretary on Afghanistan Hope India, US will be able to resolve differences over S-400 deal: Sherman Mike Pompeo seeks CAATSA waiver to help countries like India: What is CAATSA? International oi-Shubham By Shubham US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has requested the US Congress to grant the necessary waiver so that its sanctions imposed on Russia under the CAATSA law doesn't impact other countries that are not under its purview. He said it to ensure that America's allies like India were not affected by the law, especially in view of Russia's close military ties with India. Now, what is CAATSA law and what it says? The provisions of CAATSA or Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) is an American federal law which imposed sanctions on countries like Iran, North Korea and Russia and also features sanctions against those states that significantly engage with Russia in defence and intelligence. Enacted in July 2017, The CAATSA law came into effect after US President Donald Trump signed the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act, which was passed with an overwhelming support in the Congress, on August 2. Trump himself was not happy with the law saying it was "significantly flawed" and accused the Congress of including a number of unconstitutional provisions in a haste the pass the law. He had also asked the Congress not to use the law to hurt the USA's efforts to resolve the Ukrainian crisis with its European allies, reports said. The Congress was frustrated with Trump's reluctance to act tough with Russia and the suspicion became stronger when the White House missed a crucial CAATSA deadline in October last year to name Russian defence and intelligence entities set to be slapped with new sanctions, a CNBC report said. The three sections of the CAATSA law on Iran, North Korea and Russia are: Countering Iran's Destabilizing Activities Act of 2017 Countering Russian Influence in Europe and Eurasia Act of 2017 and Korean Interdiction and Modernization of Sanctions Act As per experts, the Russia section of the CAATSA law broadens the scope of the US sanctions and requires review by both American and non-American companies. The North Korea and Iran sections, on the other hand, do not materially affect US companies that face broad restrictions in those countries. The North Korea section, however, includes additional secondary sanctions that create risks for non-American firms. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Saturday, May 26, 2018, 14:00 [IST] Summit with Kim Jong-un could still go ahead on June 12: Trump International oi-PTI US President Donald Trump today said that his administration is now talking with the North Koreans and hinted that the summit with Kim Jong-un could still go ahead on June 12, a day after he cancelled it. "We'll see what happens. We are talking to them now," Trump said at the White House before boarding Marine One for a commencement address in Annapolis. "They very much want to do it. We'd like to do it. We will see what happens," he said. Trump appeared to be optimistic even about the cancelled June 12 summit in Singapore. "It could be even on 12th June, he said in response to a question. "We will see what happens," said the US President. A day earlier, Trump in a letter to Kim announced to cancel their June 12 summit meeting in Singapore. He blamed Pyongyang's "tremendous anger" and "open hostility" for his decision. Later the White House said a "trail of broken promises" by the North Koreans, including keeping a team of US officials waiting in Singapore for a preparatory meeting, left Trump with no choice but to cancel his proposed summit with Kim. In a statement, North Korea regretted the cancellation of the summit and said that it was willing to meet anytime in any way. Trump described it as a very good news. "It was a very nice statement they put out. We will see what happens," he told reporters in response to another question. PTI For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Saturday, May 26, 2018, 12:03 [IST] Would you like to know how many people have read this article? Or how reputable the author is? Simply sign up for a Advocate premium membership and you'll automatically see this data on every article. Plus a lot more, too. From Common Dreams In the heart of the world's financial capital, the Public Bank NYC coalition is pushing for a municipal public city bank -- one owned and operated in the public interest You've heard of Brexit, but how about Blexit? Brexit's what the British public voted to do when they felt the European Union wasn't serving their best interests. Blexit's what some Black residents of the Twin Cities have decided to do to free themselves from the city's white dominated financial institutions. A week after Philando Castile was murdered by a police officer, residents formed the Association for Black Economic Power. At the time, Minneapolis had no black-led banks or financial institutions, even though it had plenty of black residents. Instead, the banks they had took money out of the black community in charges and fees but put little back, even after a criminal history of redlining, foreclosure, and predatory lending. Now the Village Trust Financial Cooperative, a Black-led credit union, is due to open its doors next year to do things differently. Meanwhile, a coalition of grassroots and advocacy groups in New York is campaigning for their own sort of exit: from Wall St. In the heart of the world's financial capital, The Public Bank NYC coalition is pushing for a municipal public city bank -- one owned and operated in the public interest. They figured out that the pensions of teachers, firefighters, and other government workers amount to a hefty sum -- $194 billion -- yet only two percent of all that is invested in the economically strapped places where many of those workers live, and only one percent is invested in the public infrastructure on which they depend. The rest goes to private funds, managed by private money managers, who, over a decade, pocketed more than $2 billion in fees. This June 5, 2018 -- the day the city council is scheduled to adopt its $85 billion budget -- the Public Bank NYC coalition will be on Wall Street asking the question: what if those billions were deposited in a public bank that served the public interest instead of the private ones like Chase, Citibank, and Bank of America, which serve their far-flung shareholders? It's an idea whose time seems to have come: #BankBlack #BankPublic. After years of being told how poor they are, all sorts of people are wising up to the fact that they might be richer than they think, especially if they put their money where their lives are. You can read more about Blexit at NextCity.org, and learn about Banking For Justice at neweconomynyc.org; or you can listen to or watch an upcoming discussion on the Laura Flanders Show. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 License From Philly.com The year 1968 -- whose blood-splattered, baton-swinging 50th anniversary party is about to peak this Memorial Day weekend with the 4-hour 1968documentary on CNN -- was truly a season for the good, the bad and the ugly. I mean that literally -- Hugh Montenegro's version of the theme song to the hit spaghetti-Western, The Good, the Bad and the Ugly was all over the AM radio that spring, with its unforgettable ocarina opening and its "rep rup rep rup" chorus. But figuratively, the Ugly walloped both the Good and the Bad in the wider world of 1968 by a big margin. It's easy to forget that. Those round, tinted spectacles that the likes of John Lennon were wearing in 1968 were the ultimate rose-colored glasses, after all. And so the purple haze of nostalgia can cling to glib Time-Life-infomercial-style memories of the halcyon daze of the decade that changed America -- bright tie-dyed colors illuminated by a strobe light and pulsating to the fuzzy guitar riffs of Jimi Hendrix and Cream. "I think it's so groovy now," an act called Friend & Lover sang in the summer of 1968, "that people are finally getting together." The song was pure wishful thinking. Ask anyone who lived through 1968 -- even those of us who were bright-eyed grade-schoolers then -- and we can tell you that the year was experienced in real time mostly as hell on earth. No, you really didn't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows, not when these things were in the air: The Tet Offensive, with planeloads of American-flag-draped caskets flying home from Vietnam every week. The assassinations of Robert F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr. -- the latter followed by days of urban rioting that claimed dozens of lives. And student and youthful uprisings that were put down with violent force -- from Columbia University and Chicago here at home to the streets of Mexico City and even Czechoslovakia, where Soviet troops crushed Prague's spring awakening. Click Here to Read Whole Article If you didn't experience 1968 as a sentient human being, or if you were looking out the window that day in 10th-grade history class, you would probably be shocked by the CNN documentary. It was shocking. It felt like the End Times. Such a momentous year would have sparked a flurry of anniversary books, articles, and TV specials under any circumstance. But 1968's 50th birthday bash has arrived with unexpected resonance, because in 2018 it seems to many people like the world is crashing down all over again. Indeed, America's blend of paranoia and angst seems remarkably similar to the late 1960s, albeit without the great musical soundtrack, and a different storyline -- a corrupt and autocratic government, but minus war and bloodshed in the streets"so far. The irony is that you can draw a straight line and see how the war for America that essentially began in 1968 brought us to the current battlefield that is 2018. The legacy of 1968 is complicated. It was the start of many good things -- a freer spirit of expression in the arts and fashion, a movement for female empowerment, gradual (albeit too gradual) gains for African-Americans for other non-whites, and for the LGBTQ community. But politically, the legacy of 1968 is largely backlash (highlighted by that year's election of Richard Nixon on a "law and order" platform) and repressive moves such as "the war on drugs" and a regime of mass incarceration. And here's the ultimate irony: Two things happened in so-groovy-now daze of 1968 that paved the way for the authoritarian presidency of Donald Trump. Bummer, man. No one would have been more surprised than the 22-year-old Donald Trump who roamed the streets of Philadelphia in the spring of 1968. A mediocre transfer student at the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School, Trump's only noteworthy achievement of his late-'60s stint in Philly was convincing his classmate, the glamorous future Hollywood star Candice Bergen, to go out on a date with him (don't worry"nothing happened). The 20-something, bone-spur-plagued Trump was bound not for 'Nam but for New York, where he and his dad would be devoted to violating the one landmark liberal law of 1968, the Fair Housing Act. It's doubtful that The Young Donald had any inkling of the changes in the political landscape that set the stage for a demagogue to rule America -- let alone that the demagogue would be him. The paradox of 1968 and Donald Trump comes into focus if you read the defining political book, so far, of 2018: How Democracies Die, by Harvard professors Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt. The book makes the case that in the 21st Century democracy is less likely to collapse through a dramatic coup than through a slow erosion of established norms such as a free press, voting rights or an independent judiciary -- something that's happened with elected governments from Venezuela to Hungary and is happening right now in the United States. In America, the chaos of 1968 hacked at our democratic norms and traditions in a couple of ways. One of the changes was very specific but critical. In August 1968, thousands of antiwar demonstrators who were in the streets protesting the Democratic National Convention as it voted down an anti-Vietnam-War-plank were clubbed and bloodied by cops in what an investigative panel later called a "police riot." The mayhem was captured by the newfangled medium of live TV (as memorialized by the protesters' famous chant, "The whole world is watching!") and was largely blamed for nominee Hubert Humphrey's narrow loss to Nixon that November. Next Page 1 | 2 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). Would you like to know how many people have read this article? Or how reputable the author is? Simply sign up for a Advocate premium membership and you'll automatically see this data on every article. Plus a lot more, too. In 1976 white voters comprised 88% of the electorate. Today it has fallen to 71%. Yet, in every election in the past 40 years the majority of whites have voted for the Republican Party. Coincidentally or not, the percentage of white voters have increasingly gravitated toward the Republican Party which has become more overtly xenophobic and racist. Hillary Clinton received only 37% of the white vote to Donald Trump's 58%. Barack Obama got 39% of the white vote in the 2012 election. Voter suppression laws have increased as has gerrymandering strategies in congressional districts which have given the metastasizing Apartheid Republicans 60% control of all the states' governors and legislatures. In 2016 every single demographic including age, gender, college educated white people got the white supremacist who they wanted into the white White House. Even the white millennials (18-29 years old) voted for Donald Trump 47% to Hillary Clinton's 43%. Immigration was the number one issue in the 2016 election and the main driver of the nativist support for the 6-time bankruptcy con man Donald who never ran for public office, received 5 military deferments and never served a lick wearing the uniform of the U.S. military with which he now surrounds himself. His "bravery," during the Vietnam War, according to his own words, was avoiding sexually transmitted diseases. But, Trump arrived on the political stage as a Perfect Storm riding on the crest of a 5-year insidious lie that Barack Obama did not have a legitimate U.S. birth certificate, therefore, was not the legitimate President of the United States. That mendacious claim was Trump's launch pad which he exploited to the hilt, tapping into the paranoia and white people fearful that they were losing their Anglo-European heritage to those of nonwhite color. But, that claim, repeated enough times, stuck with those who were seething with hatred for the black man who had the audacity to occupy their White House, the edifice built on the backs of black slavery. One of the often-repeated themes during the 2016 campaign revealed this sentiment and view: "I feel like a stranger in my own country." White Trump voters thought they faced more discrimination than blacks and many rust belt white, blue collar workers said they felt "left out." Our own country means our own white country like the way it used to be in the idyllic world of Norman Rockwell depicted on the covers of The Saturday Evening Post or Thornton Wilder's fictitious Our Town. The country that former Senate leader Trent Lott waxed nostalgic for when he declared on Strom Thurmond's 100th birthday, "'I want to say this about my state: When Strom Thurmond ran for president, we voted for him. We're proud of it. And if the rest of the country had followed our lead, we wouldn't have had all these problems over all these years, either.'' It was never MAGA. It was always MAWA: Make America White Again. The biggest question we need to answer in the next few years is, are we ready to subsume and sacrifice the integrity and principles of equal protections for all burnished into the U.S. Constitution or are we content to just be the smug alabaster nation that reveres our military might by using our awesome "fire and fury" power to kick ass on shithole countries (any country whose origins are nonwhite) so that we can prove our superior Anglo-European (white) ancestry? But, "All these problems over all these years" will not evaporate in a wisp of white vapor. The universe, I believe, in time, bends toward justice. As Reuters writes in an article "On again? Trump says still chance of June 12 North Korea", U.S. President Donald Trump late on Friday said the United States was having productive talks about reinstating a June 12 summit with North Koreas leader Kim Jong Un, just a day after he canceled the meeting citing Pyongyangs open hostility. We are having very productive talks about reinstating the Summit which, if it does happen, will likely remain in Singapore on the same date, June 12th., and, if necessary, will be extended beyond that date, Trump said in a Twitter post. After years of tension over Pyongyangs nuclear weapons program, Kim and Trump agreed this month to hold what would be the first meeting between a serving U.S. president and a North Korean leader. The plan followed months of war threats and insults between the leaders over North Koreas development of missiles capable of reaching the United States. Trump scrapped the meeting, planned for Singapore, in a letter to Kim on Thursday after repeated threats by North Korea to pull out over what it saw as confrontational remarks by U.S. officials demanding unilateral disarmament. Trump cited North Korean hostility in canceling the summit. In Pyongyang, North Korean Vice Foreign Minister Kim Kye Gwan said North Koreas criticisms had been a reaction to American rhetoric and that current antagonism showed the urgent necessity for the summit. He said North Korea regretted Trumps decision to cancel and remained open to resolving issues regardless of ways, at any time. Trumps latest about-face sent officials scrambling in Washington. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis told reporters diplomats were still at work and said Trump had just sent a note out on the summit, which could be back on if our diplomats can pull it off. U.S. State Department spokeswoman Katina Adams declined to give details of any diplomatic contacts but said: As the president said in his letter to Chairman Kim, dialogue between the two is the only dialogue that matters. If North Korea is serious, then we look forward hearing from them at the highest levels. North Korea had sharply criticized suggestions by Trumps national security adviser, John Bolton, and Vice President Mike Pence that it could share the fate of Libya if it did not swiftly surrender its nuclear arsenal. Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi was deposed and killed by NATO-backed militants after halting his nascent nuclear program. Trump's model Trump had initially sought to placate North Korea, saying he was not pursuing the Libya model and Sanders said he was following the President Trump model. U.S. regional allies Japan and South Korea, as well as North Koreas main ally, China, urged the two countries to salvage the summit on Friday. At an economic forum in St. Petersburg, Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan said it was necessary to ensure security on the Korean peninsula, which touched on Chinas core interests. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, at the same forum, regretted the cancellation and said the world should keep doing its bit to make the summit happen. South Korea also would continue efforts to improve ties with the North, the office of President Moon Jae-in said after Moons top security advisers met for the second time on Friday. Some analysts worried that canceling the summit could prompt a resumption in hostilities, including renewed shorter-range missile tests or stepped-up cyber attacks by Pyongyang and increased sanctions or deployment of new military assets by Washington. In his letter, Trump warned Kim of the United States greater nuclear might, reminiscent of his tweet last year asserting that he had a much bigger nuclear button than Kim. While the Trump administration had insisted on North Koreas complete, verifiable and irreversible dismantling of its nuclear program, Pyongyang had always couched its language in terms of denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula. It has said in previous, failed talks that it could consider giving up its arsenal if the United States provided security guarantees by removing its troops from South Korea and withdrawing its so-called nuclear umbrella of deterrence from South Korea and Japan. Would you like to know how many people have read this article? Or how reputable the author is? Simply sign up for a Advocate premium membership and you'll automatically see this data on every article. Plus a lot more, too. 'From Share Blue The Most Rev. Michael Curry, presiding bishop Michael Curry, went to the White House to protest "a dangerous crisis of moral and political leadership." After delivering a stirring sermon at last weekend's Royal Wedding in London that turned him into an international media star, Episcopal Presiding Bishop Michael Curry was back home in the United States on Thursday night -- leading a march to the gates outside the White House to protest "a dangerous crisis of moral and political leadership." Adding his voice to the progressive Christian movement in the age of Trump, Curry and an array of clergy members preached defiance against hate, while addressing an overflow crowd of more than 1,000 people at the National City Christian Church. "It's like somebody woke up Jim Crow," Curry told CNN just prior to the Thursday service, "and said let's not just segregate Americans over race, let's separate people along religious and political and class lines, too." The event was dubbed non-partisan, but Trump was clearly the target of concern. "Racial bigotry is a brutal denial of the image of God," said Barbara Williams-Skinner, one of the speakers at the service. "White nationalism and racism are in our nation on many fronts, including at the highest levels." Curry, a Chicago native, made international headlines when he spoke at the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, where he talked passionately about the redemptive power of love. "Imagine our homes and families when this way of love is the way. Imagine our neighborhoods and communities when love is the way," he stressed. "Imagine our governments and countries when love is the way." Curry has a long history of social justice. While a bishop in North Carolina, he supported the Moral Mondays campaign, which featured weekly statehouse protests against GOP-led inequality. The "Reclaiming Jesus" movement, which led the march, is trying to undo the damage that right-wing, white evangelicals are doing through their unblinking support of a racist demagogue like Trump. Click Here to Read Whole Article Would you like to know how many people have read this article? Or how reputable the author is? Simply sign up for a Advocate premium membership and you'll automatically see this data on every article. Plus a lot more, too. From Common Dreams The nation's entrenched fossil-nuclear corporate elites are more focused on propping up the industries of the past than embracing the technologies of the future. 'The U.S. wind business now employs more than 100,000 people.' (Image by (Photo: Jurgen from Sandesneben, Germany/Licensed under CC BY 2.0)) Details DMCA Some 360,000 Americans now work in the solar industry, more than in nukes and coal combined. In fact, more Americans are now working in California's solar industry than are digging coal nationwide. And the U.S. wind business now employs more than 100,000 people. But President Donald Trump wants to change that. He has already slammed the solar industry's growth by slapping a 30 percent tariff on imported Chinese panels, slowing installations nationwide. He's also contemplating using an obscure Korean War-era "emergency" ordinance that would let the government bail out money-losing coal and nuclear plants at the expense of renewables. The idea was presented to Trump while he dined with a lobbyist from the infamous Akron-based FirstEnergy, whose bad business decisions have hung it with four crumbling, money-losing nuclear power reactors and some eighty obsolete coal burners. More than half the nation's 99 licensed commercial reactors are now losing money. FirstEnergy's Davis-Besse, near Toledo, Ohio; Perry, east of Cleveland, Ohio, and Beaver Valley 1 & 2, outside Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, are bleeding radioactive red ink. One might expect "free market" corporate executives to cut their losses and let competition determine how our energy will be generated. But FirstEnergy CEO Chuck Jones (annual salary: $8.7 million) has begged Ohio's legislature and regulators to slap consumers with billions in higher electric rates. So far he's failed, which is why he sent his lobbyist to dine with Trump. Already, governments are doing what they can to prop up the nuclear power and fossil-fuel industries and damage the cause of renewable power. Three nuclear reactors in Illinois have been granted a $200 million annual handout for the next decade. Pennsylvania and Connecticut may soon get soaked with massive rate hikes to keep reactors running there. The New Jersey legislature has just approved spending $430 million over the next decade to run three more uneconomical reactors there, two at Salem and one at Hope Creek. Activists including actor Alec Baldwin have urged that state's new Democratic governor to veto that proposal. Throughout the United States, owners of even those few reactors that are still making money are poised to scam their way into compliant legislatures to see how much they can grab. But the biggest nuke scam of all has been rammed through state regulatory agencies by New York's "liberal" Governor Andrew Cuomo. Cuomo backs the 2021 shutdown of two decrepit reactors at Indian Point, saying they are too close to Manhattan to be considered safe. But Cuomo wants ratepayers statewide to cough up a staggering $7.6 billion for four upstate reactors whose owners had them slated for decommissioning. To the astonishment of economists, ecologists, business and ratepayer groups, Cuomo's hand-picked regulators approved the rip-off last year. Nuclear opponents have gone to court to stop it. They argue that while less than four thousand jobs are tied to the reactors, many thousands more would be created by replacement wind and solar projects. Next Page 1 | 2 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). Quicklink Not Found Sometimes, authors delete their quicklinks after publishing them. To see if the quicklink was renamed or re-published, please click here. Progressive Content Not Found Sometimes, authors delete their progressive content after publishing. To see if the progressive content was renamed or re-published, please click here. Concept of innovative medical cluster in the Caucasian Mineral Waters was presented at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum. This cluster may become one of the largest medical and scientific centers in Russia. In addition, its creation may lead to development of production of medical equipment in the North Caucasus. According to Mikhail Afanasov, member of the Federation Council from Stavropol Territory, the Caucasian Mineral Waters are changing for the better: "I can say as a resident of this region, I love my country, I love my homeland, and I see that the Caucasian Mineral Waters are getting better and better There are many beautiful new buildings, private hotels, and so on. A lot of things have changed in terms of infrastructure. Kislovodsk has one of the best parks. Pyatigorsk, Kislovodsk, Essentuki have many places where our great poets spent their free time, all famous people visited this region. We want the entire Russia to see how beautiful and peaceful our region is. Believe me, we have no problems with the law. People come here for vacations, people are having fun. We have a very beautiful infrastructure, great air, great people. We're waiting for you and we will be very glad if you visit. You'll like it here." According to the Ministry for North Caucasus Affairs, project of improvement of famous resort region, the Caucasian Mineral Waters, envisages creation of medical tourism center, based on best achievements of balneological potential of the region, as well as latest medical practices of international level. Medical tourism became one of the fastest growing and highly profitable spheres in the world. It's developed both in countries with historical specialization, such as Germany, Austria, and in regions where it's a new direction, like Israel, Eastern Europe. United Arab Emirates, which invest in creation of powerful medical clusters. Russia basically didn't view medical tourism as an industry. Over one billion US dollars are spent annually by Russians on treatment and rehabilitation abroad. The Caucasian Mineral Waters' medical cluster will help to resolve several tasks at the federal level. In particular, it will help to deal with deficit of high-tech medical care in the North Caucasus. Today, out of 25,000 high-tech surgeries, residents of the North Caucasus are going through 20,000 of them outside of the district. This cluster will help to create new modern rehabilitation facilities. Would you like to know how many people have read this article? Or how reputable the author is? Simply sign up for a Advocate premium membership and you'll automatically see this data on every article. Plus a lot more, too. Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru (the title of Pandit is a little incongruous for a sworn secularist) passed away on this day (May 27), 54 years ago in 1964. His larger than life image though has only lately begun to be put in perspective. A lot of it has to do with social media for it loosened the grip of mainstream media and academics in controlling the narrative, hiding the ugly and sprucing up the good. This revisit on Nehru's early years, his rise in Congress echelon, manipulation at the time of independence to PM's seat, his shaping of Hindu Civil Code etc are now being fiercely ripped out in open. I would presently concentrate on two of his actions which have put India 's eastern and western borders in permanent strife. I am of course referring to Pt. Nehru's conduct during the incursion of Pakistani raiders in Kashmir in 1947; and the disastrous China War of 1962. Pak Raiders in Kashmir in 1947 Within a month of India 's independence, Maharaja Hari Singh of Kashmir offered his state's accession to India in September 1947. Nehru refused for his "blood brother" Sheikh Abdullah was in jail. It was thus a deadlock. By next month, Pakistan 's raiders from North West Frontier Province had penetrated up till the outskirts of Srinagar , looting, pillaging, killing and raping along the way. On October 26, Hari Singh had agreed to sign the Instrument of Accession to Indian Union. On the same day, Lord Mountbatten, the governor general, called an urgent meeting in Delhi . Nehru was his typical ambivalent self. Sardar Patel, the home minister, lost his cool. Sam Manekshaw, then an army colonel, was to later recall: "As usual Nehru talked about the United Nations, Russia , Africa , God Almighty, everybody, until Sardar Patel lost his temper. He said 'Jawaharlal, do you want Kashmir or do you want to give it away?'." Nehru was thus pinned into taking an action and thanks to Sardar Patel, troops were flown to Srinagar and the airport, the only link with New Delhi , was saved. In just a few weeks, in December 1947, Nehru had committed his grave blunder for which successive generations of India are still paying the price. He referred the matter to United Nations--there was no need for Kashmir was literally India 's "internal matter" since Maharaja Hari Singh had already acceded the state to Indian Union. Why did Nehru go to United Nations? There are two explanations forwarded: one, he wanted Sardar Patel out of Kashmir for the latter fed up by Nehru's antics had offered to resign just a few days before in December 1947; two, Nehru walked into a trap laid by Mountbatten who wanted UN to mediate. (The truth is, India didn't need Mountbatten as its Governor General. Pakistan never considered a similar option for itself. Mountbatten then maneuvered himself as head of India 's defence council). Nehru then approached United Nations for arbitration. In the first few months of 1948, the folly had begun to hit Nehru in the face. The British stance in front of UN was completely opposite to what Mountbatten had led Nehru to believe. The Indian complaint was ignored; instead UN Security Council began adopting anti-India resolutions. The cat was out of the bag. Despite India 's protestations, Pakistan was firmly in control of "Azad Kashmir." India had to lose Gilgit-Baltistan region. UN and its plans for a plebiscite went kaput. India 's next generations had been condemned with the festering wound of Kashmir . Terrorism and internal security, if not secession, are everyday issues emanating from the Valley. India 's China War of 1962 This refers to India 's political and military humiliation at the hands of China during the 1962 War. The impression successfully perpetuated all these years is that it was all China 's aggression which didn't respond to Nehru's brotherly overtures. The truth is more nuanced. Britain didn't leave India with any boundaries. India were left to settle matters with Pakistan , Nepal and China . While the first two nations didn't cause any problem, China was a different matter altogether. They were not prepared to let Nehru get away with his "forward policy" of aggression. India inherited the McMahon line on its eastern border with China which British had created in mid-1930s by seizing the Tibetan territory, renaming it NEFA. The Chinese government's plea for renegotiation was turned down by Nehru who latched on to London 's fake claim of Simla Conference (1945), legitimatizing the McMahon Line. Nehru topped it with his fake claim on Aksai Chin--a claim which even the British hadn't made on a territory China had termed its own for over a hundred years. Then on its Western (Ladakh) border, Nehru's "forward policy" in September 1962 tried to force the Chinese out of territory it claimed as its own. Nehru announced on October 11 that the army had been ordered to "free our territory." That's how the war began with China reacting to the situation. Next Page 1 | 2 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). Would you like to know how many people have read this article? Or how reputable the author is? Simply sign up for a Advocate premium membership and you'll automatically see this data on every article. Plus a lot more, too. From Mike Malloy Website Another school shooting today in Indiana. Nobody died this time. Geezus, when is school out? Then we just have to worry about them getting shot at camp. So, is the mean tangerine headed to a summit with Kim Jong Crazy or not? The back and forth is ridiculous and only makes the US look foolish -- yet again -- on the world stage. Nobel Prize, gimme a f'n break. If the summit happens it won't be because these two freakish haircuts decided to further the cause of denuclearization and world peace. It will be a stand-off to measure penis missile size in person. Borrowing a page from Dubya's script, The Don found a group of soldiers to use as a backdrop for another staged show of phony patriotism. Trump visited the Naval Academy today where he told recent graduates that America is "respected again." What, now that the black guy is outta there? Is that the unspoken message? "We are witnessing the great reawakening of the American spirit and of American might. We have rediscovered our identity, regained our stride and we are proud again." Proud. No, that's not exactly the adjective I'd use to describe this feeling. More like nausea. During the speech on Friday, Trump bragged about boosting the size of the military and said that a more powerful army, navy and air force would better protect America. "The best way to prevent war is to be fully prepared for war," Trump told the graduates. But "if a fight must come, there is no other alternative -- victory, winning, beautiful words, but that is what it is all about." So much winning. Would you like to know how many people have read this article? Or how reputable the author is? Simply sign up for a Advocate premium membership and you'll automatically see this data on every article. Plus a lot more, too. From Our Future President Donald Trump dealt himself a strong hand before negotiating with China. He held three aces. He'd placed tariffs on imported aluminum and steel in response to unrelenting Chinese overproduction. He'd threatened tariffs on $150 billion in Chinese imports in retaliation for theft and forced transfer of American intellectual property. And for trade violations, he forbade U.S. companies to sell parts to Chinese cell phone giant ZTE, forcing it out of business. And then, inexplicably, his lead negotiator, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, quickly folded in talks in Washington, D.C., last week. He left two days of negotiations with top Chinese officials with what amounts of an unenforceable letter of intent. This "joint statement" says the Chinese will buy some more American made stuff, improve its protections for American intellectual property and patents, and remove some barriers preventing U.S. companies from operating in China. But there are no specifics and no enforcement. Vague Promises In exchange for these vague promises, Mnuchin suspended the tariffs. In addition, on Tuesday, the Wall Street Journal reported that the United States and China had reached a tentative deal to save ZTE, despite the fact that ZTE failed to honor an earlier agreement made after it violated trade embargoes against Iran and North Korea. Now China holds all the aces. It is bragging that it trounced the United States in trade talks. The stock market shot up 350 points Monday on Mnuchin's assertion that he'd stopped a trade war between China and the United States. And maybe certainty for investors was all Mnuchin, a former Wall Street banker, wanted. But steel stocks slumped Monday. And that's not what President Trump promised on the campaign trail. It's not what tough negotiators would have achieved for the United States when it had the upper hand. No potent negotiator would have surrendered that hand for vague promises, especially considering China's long history of disregarding its trade pledges. Violating Trade Donald Trump won the presidency in part by connecting with working people who'd been hurt by Chinese trade violations. That includes tens of thousands of members of the union I lead, the United Steelworkers (USW). China improperly subsidizes its industries, enabling them to charge prices that often are below production cost. Beijing requires U.S. companies to transfer intellectual property in exchange for operating in China. It has engaged in cyber theft of U.S. trade secrets, including from American steel companies. It commits other violations, including currency manipulation and trans-shipping to circumvent tariffs. As a general case, it flouts international trade rules and regulations so that it can dominate markets. American manufacturers and their workers wanted Donald Trump to stop all of that. And, for a while, it looked like he might. Bringing It All Back After a year-long investigation to determine whether imports of steel and aluminum had so diminished the U.S. capacity that national security was threatened, the Trump administration on March 1 placed 25 percent tariffs on imported steel and 10 percent on imported aluminum. The intent was to preserve enough of the U.S. industry that filling defense needs domestically would not be at risk. These sanctions followed a decade of the United States and Western Europe trusting China to keep repeated promises to stop overproducing, only to watch the Asian giant ramp up production even more. In 2001, China produced only slightly more steel than the United States, about 150 million metric tonnes. By 2017, China produced 831.73 metric tonnes, half the steel forged in the world that year. It dumps an average of 90 million metric tonnes on the international market annually, suppressing prices and threatening the viability of mills worldwide. In announcing the tariffs, President Trump said, "People have no idea how badly our country has been treated by other countries. They've destroyed the steel industry; they've destroyed the aluminum industry, and other industries, frankly. We're bringing it all back." U.S. industries did begin to gear up, restarting cold furnaces and recalling some 4,000 laid-off workers. Tech Traffic A month after the tariff announcement, the Commerce Department forbade U.S. companies from selling components to ZTE for seven years. This crippled the Chinese telecom equipment maker, which depended on the U.S. for as much as 30 percent of its parts. Commerce punished ZTE for violating a previous agreement concerning sales to Iran and North Korea. Also in April, the Trump administration imposed 25 percent tariffs on $50 billion worth of Chinese technology imports. This followed an investigation by U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer's office that determined improper practices by the Chinese government, including cyber theft and forced technology transfer, were costing the U.S. economy $50 billion a year. China retaliated within days. Complaining about the aluminum, steel and technology sanctions, it slapped tariffs on U.S. exports, including agricultural products such as soybeans, meat and fruit and on high-tech products such as Boeing aircraft. Hitting back, President Trump ordered the U.S. Trade Representative to consider tariffs on an additional $100 billion in Chinese imports. That's where the dispute stood when U.S. officials went to Beijing in May to begin negotiations. There, a feud within the Trump administration over trade policy erupted in public as Treasury Secretary Mnuchin and White House trade adviser Peter Navarro engaged in an expletive-punctuated confrontation. Freewheeling Free Trade Mnuchin and National Economic Council Director Larry Kudlow are freewheeling free traders. Navarro and Lighthizer are demanding fair trade -- that is international trade respecting trade regulations. Mnuchin is responsible for the weak-kneed joint statement on trade last week after talks in Washington, D.C. Because Navarro's name is not on the statement, it appears Mnuchin succeeded in excluding him from the meetings. The joint statement does not require China to reduce its $375 billion trade deficit with the United States by $200 billion, a figure U.S. negotiators demanded at the outset. In fact, experts say China's promise to import additional agricultural and energy products from the U.S. would not even get close to $200 billion, and that China was likely to increase these imports because it needs them, not because of any concession to the United States. The statement does not require China to reduce its overproduction and overcapacity in aluminum and steel. And it contains no specifics on China's forced technology transfer and cyber theft. Smoke and Mirrors Mnuchin gave up the tariffs in exchange for smoke and mirrors. Maybe he was great on Wall Street. He certainly wasn't on Pennsylvania Avenue. It's not clear, though, where President Trump stands. Just before the negotiations last week, the president tweeted that he'd instructed the Commerce Department to ensure that the penalties imposed on ZTE, which employed 75,000, didn't kill the company. "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," he wrote. The first concern of a U.S. president should be the millions of jobs Americans lost because of China's predatory trade practices. On the campaign trail, candidate Trump told workers he cared and that he alone could fix it. Mnuchin did not fix it. He made matters worse by relinquishing America's leverage in exchange for nothing. U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, who is aligned with the tough-on-trade faction in the administration, is scheduled to go to Beijing next week. Podcast Not Found Sometimes, authors delete their podcasts after publishing them. To see if the podcast was renamed or re-published, please click here. In-depth Assessment of Wet Shave Market along with Key Players like P&G, Edgewell Personal Care, Beiersdorf AG, L'Oreal, Unilever, Dr. Harris & Co. Ltd., Edwin Jagger, Godrej, Johnson & Johnson https://www.researchnreports.com/request_sample.php?id=8136 https://www.researchnreports.com/ask_for_discount.php?id=8136 https://www.researchnreports.com/enquiry_before_buying.php?id=8136 The wet shave is the traditional method of shaving where there is usage of water, shaving creams, gels, and lotions. Wet shaving is generally done using razors, but electric razors are also new in the market. Shaving lotions are used mostly after shaving to ensure that the skin remains free from irritation, to prevent infection of cuts, to moisturize the skin, and to make the skin glow.Wet Shave Market offers an assessment of this market on the basis of its past as well as the current performance, emphasizing on each of the geographical segments. The predominant driving forces, limitations, restraining factors, key trends, opportunities, and future prospects of the Global Wet Shave Market have also been taken into consideration in this market study. This detailed study of important factors assists the market participants in understanding the issues they will be facing while functioning in this market over a long period of time.Get Sample copy of this report @:Companies Profiled in this report includes, P&G, Edgewell Personal Care, Beiersdorf AG, L'Oreal, Unilever, Dr. Harris & Co. Ltd., Edwin Jagger, Godrej, Johnson & Johnson, Perio, Proraso, Raymond Group, Super-Max, Taylor of Old Bond Street, Vi-John.According to the report, growth in the wet shave market is highly dependent on product innovations that distinguish a company's products from those of numerous others players. Innovations in wet shaving are done to make the shave clean and smooth and give a close shave and also to help ensure that the skin is free from any irritation and cuts.The surging awareness of men about personal grooming and their looks is one of the key factors driving the growth of the market. Currently, men are getting more inclined towards fashion and exploring new and innovative shaving products in the market. Moreover, events like national men's grooming day encourage men to change their grooming style.Avail 20% Discount on this report @:One of the current trends emerging in the global wet shave market is the availability and demand for battery-operated razors. Battery-operated razors offer the dual advantage of a shaving and grooming device. It has a disposable blade and a battery-operated trimmer, which can be used to trim the beard. This razor can be employed for styling as well as clean shaving. The introductions of hybrid razors with dual advantages are expected to have a positive impact on the market, thereby contributing to the market growth during the forecast period.Further, the research report has analyzed the global market on the basis of type of product, their application, and the geographical presence of this market. North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific (APAC), Middle East & Africa and Latin America have been identified as the main regional markets across the world.To know more about this report @:Significant Highlights of the Report: A pure assessment of the orbit of the market Studies on the evolving Global Wet Shave market segments regions Market shares and strategies of leading players that are involved in the market Market segmentation up to the last level A point-to-point assessment of the market development Historical, present, and future size of the market from the perspective of both value and volume Suggestions to the companies to establish their foothold in the marketTable of ContentsGlobal Wet Shave Market Research ReportChapter 1 Wet Shave Market OverviewChapter 2 Global Economic Impact on IndustryChapter 3 Global Market Competition by ManufacturersChapter 4 Global Production, Revenue (Value) by RegionChapter 5 Global Supply (Production), Consumption, Export, Import by RegionsChapter 6 Global Production, Revenue (Value), Price Trend by TypeChapter 7 Global Market Analysis by ApplicationChapter 8 Manufacturing Cost AnalysisChapter 9 Industrial Chain, Sourcing Strategy and Downstream BuyersChapter 10 Marketing Strategy Analysis, Distributors/TradersChapter 11 Market Effect Factors AnalysisChapter 12 Global Wet Shave Market ForecastResearch N Reports helps clients harness the power of innovation to thrive on change. We have successfully guided businesses throughout the world with our market research reports. We are uniquely positioned to lead digital transformations, thus creating greater value for clients by presenting growth opportunities in the global market.Our profound experience provides a clear and confident vision to help clients navigate the future. Research N Reports techniques encompasses both qualitative and quantitative modes to provide customized and highly flexible tailored research studies so that you get information that is just the best-fit to make informed strategic organizational decisions. Research N Reports helps clients decode the future to be more successful and innovative.Sunny Denis(Sales Manager)10916, Gold Point, Dr,Houston, TX - 77064E-mail: sales@researchnreports.comPhone: +1 888-631-6977 Retail Market in Saudi Arabia Trends,Size,Status and Forecast 2020 https://www.researchbeam.com/retail-in-saudi-arabia-2016-2020-market/request-sample https://www.researchbeam.com/retail-in-saudi-arabia-2016-2020-market/purchase-enquiry https://www.researchbeam.com/retail-in-saudi-arabia-2016-2020-market The increase in oil prices between 2003 and 2013 brought prosperity in Saudi Arabia and it became the world's 90-largest economy. The hike in oil prices brought growth across sectors, and the GDP; household income; employment levels; and government investments in health, infrastructure, and education increased. However, the government cannot rely solely on revenue from fuel since the global energy market dynamics is changing and demographics of the country is expected to transition with an increasing number of working-age Saudi Arabians by 2030.Get Sample@Covered in this reportThe report covers the present scenario and the growth prospects of the retail market in Saudi Arabia for 2016-2020. To calculate the market size, the report has taken into account the revenue generated from retail sales of the products offered.The market is divided into the following segments based on products: Home improvement Apparel and footwear Grocery Consumer electronics Beauty and personal care (BPC)Retail Market in Saudi Arabia 2016-2020, has been prepared based on an in-depth market analysis with inputs from industry experts. The report covers the market landscape and its growth prospects over the coming years. The report also includes a discussion of the operating in this market.Get 15% Discount@Key vendors Alhokair Fashion Retail Al Othaim Jarir Savola Saudi Marketing Company (FARM Superstore) United Electronics (eXtra)Other prominent vendors Anwal United Trading AlJammaz Azizia Panda BinDawood Carrefour Saudi Arabia Etre Fawaz Al Hokair Landmark Group Lulu Hypermarket UmarkMarket driver Rising disposable income and higher consumer confidence index For a full, detailed list, view our reportMarket challenge Unstable economic and political scenario For a full, detailed list, view our reportMarket trend Demand for luxury products For a full, detailed list, view our reportCheck Full Report With TOC@About Us:Research Beams uniqueness lies in its highly ethical reports at economical rates because we value your relationship and growth more than money. Your growth is our aim. With the arsenal of different search reports, we help you here to look and buy research reports that will be helpful to you and your organization. Our research reports have the capability and authenticity to support your organization for growth and consistency.Contact Us:Global Head Quarters5933 NE Win Sivers Drive,#205, Portland, OR 97220United Statesphone+1 (800) 910-6452help@researchbeam.com Face Shield Screen Market Trends,Size,Status , Application and Forecast 2021 https://www.researchbeam.com/global-face-shield-screen-2017-2021-market/request-sample https://www.researchbeam.com/global-face-shield-screen-2017-2021-market/purchase-enquiry https://www.researchbeam.com/global-face-shield-screen-2017-2021-market The global market for the face shield screen is expected to be driven by the increasing demand from key end-user industries such as manufacturing and construction. The increasing demand for polycarbonate face shield screen and application specific face shield screen are also factors that are driving the growth of the market. Stringent regulations and on-site free consultation on the use of personal protective equipment, including face shield screen, have resulted in increased consumption from North America and Western Europe.Get Sample@Covered in this reportThe report covers the present scenario and the growth prospects of the global face shield screen market for 2017-2021. To calculate the market size, the report considers the revenue generated from the sales of face shield screen at the manufacturer level.The market is divided into the following segments based on geography: APAC Europe North America ROWGlobal Face Shield Screen Market 2017-2021, has been prepared based on an in-depth market analysis with inputs from industry experts. The report covers the market landscape and its growth prospects over the coming years. The report also includes a discussion of the key vendors operating in this market.Get 15% Discount on this Report@Key vendors 3M Honeywell MSA Kimberley ClarkOther prominent vendors Bullard Centurion Safety Products ERB Industries Encon Safety Products Gateway Safety MCR Safety Oberon Company SellstromMarket driver Increasing use of polycarbonate face shield screen. For a full, detailed list, view our reportMarket challenge Need for regular maintenance. For a full, detailed list, view our reportMarket trend Increasing demand for mesh face shield screen. For a full, detailed list, view our reportCheck Full Report With TOC@About Us:Research Beams uniqueness lies in its highly ethical reports at economical rates because we value your relationship and growth more than money. Your growth is our aim. With the arsenal of different search reports, we help you here to look and buy research reports that will be helpful to you and your organization. Our research reports have the capability and authenticity to support your organization for growth and consistency.Contact Us:Global Head Quarters5933 NE Win Sivers Drive,#205, Portland, OR 97220United Statesphone+1 (800) 910-6452help@researchbeam.com Dairy Alternative Market, Current Status And Growth Prospects Of The Industry, 2022 http://bit.ly/2iRBLUc http://bit.ly/2yWCsq6 http://bit.ly/2zTovcO http://bit.ly/2jlNgHr Dairy alternative based food and beverages are prepared from dairy-free milk, extracted from various plant based sources. These are increasingly being consumed by lactose intolerant and vegan individuals. A wide variety of food and beverages are available in the market, which are prepared from milk derived from sources such as almond, soy, rice, coconut and others. Popularly consumed dairy alternative based products are milk, ice-cream, cheese, butter and others.For More Info, Get Sample :Increasing awareness about the benefits of dairy alternative products and growing vegan population are the major factors boosting the demand these products. Moreover, increasing health consciousness, rise in disposable income and awareness towards chemical free products are some of the other factors fueling the market growth. However, higher cost compared to conventional milk/milk based products and prominence of low-cholesterol, and low-fat conventional milk/milk based products have emerged to be major challenges for the players operating in the market. The market is anticipated to offer attractive business opportunities owing to rising lactose intolerance and increasing demand for soy, rice, and almond milk proteins in the global market. Moreover, innovation in sources and flavors of dairy alternative based food & beverages is expected to unfold opportunity for the players operating in the market.The world dairy alternative market is segmented on the basis of source, application, distribution channel and geography. By source, the market is categorized into four segments which include soy milk, almond milk, rice milk, and other sources. By application, the market is segmented as food and beverages. Food is further categorized into spread, creamer, yogurt, tofu and others. Large retail, small retail, specialty store and online are the segmentations by distribution channel. Geographically, the market is classified into North America (U.S., Canada and Mexico), Europe (UK, Germany, France and rest of Europe), Asia-Pacific (China, Japan and rest of Asia-Pacific), and LAMEA (Latin America and Rest of LAMEA).Enquire About Report :The companies profiled in the report are WhiteWave Foods Company (U.S.), Blue Diamond Growers (U.S.), SunOpta Inc.(Canada), Earths Own Food Company Inc.(Canada), Living Harvest Foods Inc. (U.S.), Hain Celestial Group, Inc.(U.S.), Organic Valley Family of Farms (U.S.), Panos Brands LLC (U.S.), Pascual Group (Spain), and Eden Foods Inc.(U.S.).KEY BENEFITS The report provides a comprehensive analysis of current and future market trends in the world dairy alternative market to identify the potential investment pockets. The report provides information regarding key drivers, restraints, and opportunities with impact analysis. Quantitative analysis of the current trends and forecasts from 2016 to 2022 are provided to showcase the financial appetency of the market. Porters Five Force model of the industry and SWOT analysis illustrates the potency of the buyers & suppliers participating in the market. Value chain analysis in the report provides a clear understanding of the roles of stakeholders involved in the value chain.Also Get Discount :Table Of Contents CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTIONo Report Descriptiono Key Benefitso Key Market Segmentso Research Methodology Secondary research Primary research Analyst tools and models CHAPTER 2 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 2.1 Executive Summary 2.2 CXO Perspective CHAPTER 3 MARKET OVERVIEW 3.1 Market Definition and Scope 3.2 Key Findings 3.2.1 Top impacting factors of the Dairy alternative market 3.2.2 Top winning strategies in Dairy alternative market, 2010-2015 3.2.3 Top investment pockets 3.3 Value Chain Analysis 3.3.1 Raw material suppliers 3.3.2 Dairy alternative producers 3.3.3 Distribution platforms 3.3.4 End Users 3.4 Porters Five Forces Analysis 3.4.1 High bargaining power of buyers due to similarity in offerings 3.4.2 Moderate bargaining power of suppliers due to easy availability of ingredients 3.4.3 High threat of substitute due to innovation in conventional milk/milk products 3.4.4 High threat of new entrants due to attractive industry growth 3.4.5 High rivalry among competitors due to similarity in offeringsGet Full OF TOC :About UsWe have a large database of quality and precise market research reports that will be very beneficial for your organization. Reports that we sell our authentic in nature and from reputed publishers, hence it can definitely help you with your growth opportunities. Research Beam will always make sure to bring most ethical and high quality reports. We value your relationship with us and look forward for a long term relation.Contact UsGlobal Head Quarters5933 NE Win Sivers Drive,#205, Portland, OR 97220United States+1 (800) 910-6452help@researchbeam.com Global Dialysis Water Treatment System Market by 2022: Analysis by Application, End User, Industry Verticals and Regional Outlook https://www.healthcareintelligencemarkets.com/request_sample.php?id=14889 https://www.healthcareintelligencemarkets.com/enquiry_before_buying.php?id=14889 https://www.healthcareintelligencemarkets.com/ask_for_discount.php?id=14889 Global Dialysis Water Treatment System Market Professional Survey Report to 2022 Purchase This Report by calling Healthcareintelligencemarkets.com.Dialysis Water Treatment System research report is made up of an in-depth analysis of current state of the global Market and the factors that will be responsible for the progression in the future. The Key word market report also inspects price, revenue, Shipment, gross profit, interview record, business distribution etc.This research report provides an in-depth analysis of the global Dialysis Water Treatment System Market based on enterprise size, services, solution, end-use industry, and geography. The report also provides an analysis of the factors that drive and restrain the growth of the Dialysis Water Treatment System market. It discusses the prevailing market trends, prospective growth opportunities, and major strategies increasing the popularity of the global market. It provides market estimates and forecasts for all the segments in terms of revenue.The report covers all the major trends and technologies playing a major role in the market growth over the forecast period. The competition in the global market for Dialysis Water Treatment System will likely heat up in the next couple of years on the back of entry of a substantial number of solution providers. This statistical surveying report presents an all-inclusive assessment of the worldwide market for Dialysis Water Treatment System, taking several market verticals, such as the production capacity, product pricing, the dynamics of demand and supply, sales volume, revenue, and the growth rate of this market into consideration.Download PDF Sample Copy:Company Profiled: The Key Players operating in the Dialysis Water Treatment System Market includes Fresenius Medical Care, Gambro, DWA, Lauer Membran Wassertechnik, Japan Water System, Milliin, Mar Cor Purification, Rightleder, AmeriWater, Nigale, Isopure Corp, Super Water Purlfcation Equipment, Culligan, E-ROTEK WATER SYSTEMS, Europe-Asia Fluid, Wetico, Hangzhou Tianchuang, KangDeWei Medical Equipment, Wanjie Water Treatment Equipment, Better Water, Scwoter Water Treatment Equipment, Bionics Advanced Filtration Systems, KangHui Water.The report provides competitive landscape of the Dialysis Water Treatment System market, thereby listing out all the major players according to their geographic presence, market attractiveness and recent key developments. The competitive landscape section of the report gives an overview about the market share of several key players for the year 2017. Moreover, key takeaways section provided at the end of competitive landscape section would help the operating companies to make the best move in the market.These market estimates have been analyzed by taking into account the impact of different political, social, economic, technological, and legal factors along with the current market dynamics affecting the market growth. Factors including market position, offerings and R&D focus are attributed to company's capabilities. This section also identifies and includes various recent developments carried out by the leading players.For More Information:The regional analysis of the Global Market splits the global market into key regions that include both continents as well as specific countries that are currently shining in terms of either demand, volume or overall growth. Users of the report can focus on these regions if they are looking to expand their business borders.The stages of development of Dialysis Water Treatment System market with respect to many geographic regions have also been presented thoroughly. This information which is provided helps the emerging players gain up-to-date information which can help them take perfect business decisions. In similar way, many other segments and sub segments are mentioned in this market helping in conveying impeccable data to the users.To Get Reasonable Discount:Table of ContentsGlobal Dialysis Water Treatment System Market Research Report 2017Chapter 1 Dialysis Water Treatment System Market OverviewChapter 2 Global Economic Impact on IndustryChapter 3 Global Market Competition by ManufacturersChapter 4 Global Production, Revenue (Value) by RegionChapter 5 Global Supply (Production), Consumption, Export, Import by RegionsChapter 6 Global Production, Revenue (Value), Price Trend by TypeChapter 7 Global Market Analysis by ApplicationChapter 8 Manufacturing Cost AnalysisChapter 9 Industrial Chain, Sourcing Strategy and Downstream BuyersChapter 10 Marketing Strategy Analysis, Distributors/TradersChapter 11 Market Effect Factors AnalysisChapter 12 Global Dialysis Water Treatment System Market ForecastAbout Healthcare Intelligence MarketsHealthCare Intelligence Markets supply market intelligence reports in the domain of personalized drugs & diagnostics after going through a rigorous research process. The healthcare and pharma industry is constantly evolving as trends are getting replaced at a rapid pace.Contact:Shreyas TannaHealthcare Intelligence MarketsKoregaon Park, Pune, 411001+91 7400242424sales@healthcareintelligencemarkets.com President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian, who is on a working visit to the Georgian capital city of Tbilisi, on Saturday met with his Finnish colleague, Sauli Niinisto, News.am reported. Stressing that last year marked the quarter century of diplomatic relations between Armenia and Finland, President Sarkissian noted that Armenian-Finnish relations have steadily developed over the course of those years. Also, he underscored the continuity of high-level political dialogue between the two countries, and invited his Finnish counterpart for an official visit to Armenia. In President Sarkissians words, Armenia and Finland have many similarities, which create a good basis for expanding cooperation. President Niinisto, for his part, said they closely followed the latest changes in Armenia, and they are happy with the civilized and pacific resolution of the situation in the country. Clinical Laboratory Services Market Outlook, Opportunities, Challenges, Trends, Size and Growth Rate by 2023 https://www.psmarketresearch.com/market-analysis/clinical-laboratory-services-market https://www.psmarketresearch.com/market-analysis/clinical-laboratory-services-market/report-sample https://www.psmarketresearch.com/send-enquiry?enquiry-url=clinical-laboratory-services-market https://www.psmarketresearch.com The global clinical laboratory services market is growing significantly due to the advances in diagnostic techniques, increasing incidences of chronic diseases, and increasing geriatric population. Healthcare providers compliance for clinical diagnostic services is increasing due to the increasing demand for reducing hospitalization time and hospital readmission rates. This in turn propels the growth of the global clinical laboratory services market.Access Detailed Report Summary:Some of the factors driving the growth of the global clinical laboratory services market are advances in diagnostic techniques, increasing geriatric population, increasing healthcare providers compliance for diagnostic test and services, and increasing investment by big biopharmaceutical companies in the clinical laboratory services market.Request to Get the Sample Report:Geographically, North America leads the global clinical laboratory services market due to high healthcare expenditure, high proportion of geriatric population, and high healthcare providers compliance for clinical laboratory services instruments. The high prevalence of chronic diseases also fuels the growth of the global clinical laboratory services market.Asia-Pacific is the fastest growing region in the global clinical laboratory services market. The major reasons for the fastest growth in the region are increasing healthcare expenditure, increasing geriatric population, and improving healthcare infrastructure. Moreover, the clinical laboratory services market is growing rapidly due to the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases and increasing investment by pharmaceutical companies in clinical laboratory services market in emerging economies, such as India and China.Make Enquiry Before Buying the Report:Some of the major players operating in the global clinical laboratory services market are ARUP Laboratories, Abbott Laboratories, Bio-Reference Laboratories, Charles River Laboratories, Bioscientia Healthcare, Genoptix Medical Laboratory, Healthscope Ltd, Laboratory Corporation Of America Holdings, Labco S.A., Quest Diagnostics Inc., Spectra Laboratories, Sonic Healthcare Limited, and Genoptix Medical Laboratory.About P&S Market ResearchP&S Market Research is a global market research and consulting company. We provide market research reports, industry reports, business intelligence and research-based consulting services across a range of industries.With the help of our professional corporate relations with various companies, our market research offers the most accurate market forecasting. Our analysts and consultants interact with leading companies of the concerned domain to substantiate every single data presented in our publication. Our research assists our client in identifying new and different windows of opportunity and frame informed and customized strategies for expansion in different regions.Contact:P&S Market Research347, 5th Ave. #1402New York City, NY - 10016Toll-free: +1-888-778-7886 (USA/Canada)Email: enquiry@psmarketresearch.comWeb: Future Scope of Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) Market | Top Key Players (Indorama Ventures, DAK Americas, M&G, JBF, Lotte, SABIC, KoKsan, EIPET | Global Foreseen till 2025 Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) Market https://www.businessindustryreports.com/sample-request/79963 https://www.businessindustryreports.com/buy-now/79963/single https://www.businessindustryreports.com/check-discount/79963 Global Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) Market Research Report 2018 report provides the newest industry data and industry future trends, allowing you to identify the products and end users driving Revenue growth and profitability. The industry report lists the leading competitors and provides the insights strategic industry Analysis of the key factors influencing the market.Global Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) Market Overview:The report spread across 123 pages is an overview of the Global Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) Market Research Report 2018. The Global Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) Market is projected to grow at a healthy growth rate from 2018 to 2025 according to new research. The study focuses on market trends, leading players, supply chain trends, technological innovations, key developments, and future strategies.Available Exclusive Sample Copy of this Report @The Global Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) Market is expected to grow at an impressive Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) from 2018 to 2025.Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) is produced by the Polymerization of Ethylene Glycol and Terephthalic Acid and is globally recognized as a Non-Toxic, Safe, Lightweight, Strong and Flexible Material, which is 100% recyclable. It is used in various applications, such as Beverage Packaging, Consumer Goods, Sheets & Films, Food Packaging, Automotive and Construction. Rise in demand for PET containers especially from Food & Beverage sector and increase in demand for Frozen & processed Food are some major factors driving the growth of the global market.The Global Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) Market is segmented based on Application, End-Use Industry and Geography. The Application segment is categorized into Beverages, Sheet & Films, Consumer Goods, Food Packaging and others. On the basis of End-Use Industry, the market is classified into Packaging, Electrical & Electronics, Automotive, Construction and others. The Packaging segment is anticipated to register a significant CAGR during the forecast period.Purchase this report online with 123 Pages, List of Tables & Figures and in-depth Table of Contents on Global Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) Market Research Report 2018 @A complete analysis of the competitive landscape of the Global Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) Market is provided in the report. This section includes company profiles of market key players. The profiles include contact information, gross, capacity, product details of each firm, price, and cost. This report investigates new project feasibility with a purpose of enlightening new entrants about the possibilities in this market. In this report, thorough SWOT analysis & investment analysis is provided which forecasts imminent opportunities for the Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) Market players.Major Key Players:1 Indorama Ventures(TH)2 DAK Americas(US)3 M&G Chemicals(CA)4 Far Eastern New Century(TW)5 JBF(IN)6 OCTAL Petrochemicals(OM)7 Dhunseri Petrochem & Tea(IN)8 Lotte Chemical(KR)9 SABIC(SA)10 Nan Ya Plastics(TW)11 Petroquimica Suape(BR)On the basis of product, this report displays the production, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, primarily split into -1 Fiber Grade2 Bottle Grade3 Film GradeGeographically, this report studies the top producers and consumers, focuses on product capacity, production, value, consumption, market share and growth opportunity in these key regions, covering: North America, Europe, China, Japan and Other Regions (India, Southeast Asia, Central & South America and Middle East & Africa).Grab Your Report at an Impressive Discount @What Information does this report contain?1 A detailed analysis of regulatory trends, drivers, industry pitfalls, challenges and growth opportunities for participants2 Which are the leading market products, applications & regions and how will they perform by 2025?3 What are the technologies & innovation trends, how will they evolve by 2025?4 Which companies lead the industry, how are they positioned in the market in terms of sustainability, competency, production capacity and strategic outlook?In the end, this report covers data and information on capacity and production overview, production, market share analysis, sales overview, supply, sales, and shortage, import, export and consumption as well as cost, price, revenue and gross margin of Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) Market.Major Points in Table of Contents:Global Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) Market Report 20181 Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) Market Overview2 Global Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) Market Competition by Manufacturers3 Global Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) Capacity, Production, Revenue (Value) by Region (2013-2018)4 Global Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) Supply (Production), Consumption, Export, Import by Region (2013-2018)5 Global Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) Production, Revenue (Value), Price Trend by Type6 Global Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) Market Analysis by Application7 Global Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) Manufacturers Profiles/Analysis8 Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) Manufacturing Cost Analysis9 Industrial Chain, Sourcing Strategy and Downstream Buyers10 Marketing Strategy Analysis, Distributors/Traders11 Market Effect Factors Analysis12 Global Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) Market Forecast (2018-2025)13 Research Findings and Conclusion14 AppendixAbout usBusinessindustryReports.com is digital database of comprehensive market reports for global industries. As a market research company, we take pride in equipping our clients with insights and data that holds the power to truly make a difference to their business. Our mission is singular and well-defined we want to help our clients envisage their business environment so that they are able to make informed, strategic and therefore successful decisions for themselves.Media ContactBusiness Industry ReportsPune Indiasales@businessindustryreports.com+19376349940 Exclusive Report on Translation Software Market CAGR of +12% by 2023: Market Demand, Global Scope, Deep Analysis, & Industry Size. http://qyreports.com/request-sample?report-id=65054 http://qyreports.com/ask-for-discount?report-id=65054 http://qyreports.com/enquiry-before-buying?report-id=65054 Language translation is the process of changing the language that is written or spoken to another language. Translation encourages global interaction; it permits interactive relationships in different fields such as trade, education, technology, finance, etc. It becomes very easy to communicate in any language due to the development of language translation software. In order to expand business, a company has to spread out in different regions. Language translation software helps to interact with consumers in different localities. Companies use language translation software to derive information and opinions about their products from social media, which can then be used in decision-making.The study presents a qualitative and quantitative analysis of the market, its key segments, regulatory landscape, and competitive scenario, and recent developments. A detailed analysis of factors expected to drive and challenge the growth of the market as well as the trends that decide consumer inclination are highlighted. The report utilizes a variety of primary and secondary research methodologies for gathering quantitative as well as qualitative data on global as well as regional fronts. With the help of a number of industry-best analytical methods, the vast amount of market data thus gathered is filtered and narrowed down to the details that matter the most to companies operating in the global Translation Software market or aspiring to enter it.Get Sample copy of this Report @:Top Players Profiled in this Report: SDL, MemoQ, Atril, LEC, Flitto, Prompt, Babylon, LinguaTech, IdiomaX, AuthorSoft, WordMagic, NeuroTran, Kingsoft, YouDao, OmegaT.The regional analysis of the global Translation Software market studies the key regions that include both continents as well as specific countries that are currently shining in terms of either demand volume or growth in demand volume. Users of the report can focus on these regions if they are looking to expand the borders of their business. The key regions explained in the report include North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific (APAC), Middle East & Africa and Latin America. As mentioned before, emerging economies are demonstrating promising rates of increase in demand volume and are expected to be grounds for current players to expand their business as well as for new players to start off.The report finds that the global Translation Software market is highly fragmented on account of the presence of a copious number of small and large vendors. In order to stay ahead of the curve, savvy players in the market are competing with one another on the basis of price and product features. They are spending money of innovation and are also focusing on service and support.Get Discount on This Premium Report @:The research report profiles the key players and offers a detailed report about the competitive landscape present in the global Translation Software market. Additionally, the report also includes a Porters five forces analysis, which examines the threat of new entrants, bargaining power of buyers and suppliers, and the intensity of the competitive rivalry.The main objective of this research study is to provide a clear understanding of the global Translation Software market to the participants and assist them in creating crucial strategies to gain an edge over their competitors.Get More Information @:Table of ContentsGlobal Translation Software Market Research Report 2018Chapter 1 Translation Software Market OverviewChapter 2 Global Economic Impact on IndustryChapter 3 Global Market Competition by ManufacturersChapter 4 Global Production, Revenue (Value) by RegionChapter 5 Global Supply (Production), Consumption, Export, Import by RegionsChapter 6 Global Production, Revenue (Value), Price Trend by TypeChapter 7 Global Market Analysis by ApplicationChapter 8 Manufacturing Cost AnalysisChapter 9 Industrial Chain, Sourcing Strategy and Downstream BuyersChapter 10 Marketing Strategy Analysis, Distributors/TradersChapter 11 Market Effect Factors AnalysisChapter 12 Global Translation Software Market ForecastWe at QYResearch(qyreports.com), a leading market research report publisher cater to more than 4,000 prestigious clients worldwide meeting their customized research requirements in terms of market data size and its application. Our list of customers include renouned Chinese companies multinational companies, SMEs and private equity firms. our business study covers a market size of over 30 industries offering you accurate, in depth and reliable market insight, industry analysis and structure. QYResearchs specialize in forecasts needed for investing in an and execution of a new project globally and in Chinese markets.The Work Lab,FC Road, Pune, MH, India411016 Rachel Macy, one of the 53 people on the same light rail car as Jeremy Christian, pictured at Portland Community College (Beth Nakamura/Staff) BY ANDREW THEEN AND SHANE DIXON KAVANAUGH One year ago, a brazen attack shook this city to its core. Horror played out aboard a rush hour MAX train as it pulled into the Hollywood Transit Center. It was TriMets worst day, and one of Portlands darkest. The immediate aftermath prompted soul searching from a shaken community. Most of the story is well-known. There were the three strangers brutally stabbed. There were the two teenage girls they sought to shield from one mans racist rant. There was the suspected killer who had spewed hate before he began to slash. But some 113 people were on the train that day. Others waited on the platform. Few have shared their stories and struggles. The single mom, who gave up a baby blanket to help stanch survivor Micah Fletchers bleeding. The former paramedic, who desperately tried to save Ricky Bests life and was with him as he died. And the grandmother who could only apologize to Taliesin Myrddin Namkai-Meche as she held the dying Reed College alum in her arms. The world is so cruel, she told him. Eleven transit riders or passersby sat down for interviews with The Oregonian/OregonLive about the lasting impacts of the tragedy. They include a student being treated for post-traumatic stress disorder who still clutches at his neck the very spot where all three stab victims were wounded, two mortally. And they include a light-rail passenger who says every time he gets on the MAX he can still smell blood, like cold metal. Here are their stories. Don't Edit Beth Nakamura/Staff Michael Kennedy Michael Kennedy watched Ricky Best bleed to death despite his efforts to keep him alive. Hes since watched men with ties to neo-Nazi groups and the white nationalist movement run for elected office in California, Massachusetts and even Oregon. In March, an avowed white supremacist captured the Republican nomination for a congressional seat in Illinois. Its been bewildering, and it makes me so angry, Kennedy said. A self-described refugee from the deep South, Kennedy said theres a clear line that runs between rising political extremism and the person suspected of fatally stabbing Best and Taliesin Myrddin Namkai-Meche and wounding Micah Fletcher. Jeremy Christian, Kennedy said, was an angry white man and outspoken racist. His bigotry, Kennedy believes, blossomed into violence. I think it does a lot of disservice if we dont have the broader conversation about whats happening, he said. That behaviors becoming normalized. Kennedy, 41, was riding the train home to Lents when the attack occurred. A former paramedic, he rushed into train car and saw Best on the ground. He cleared the dying mans airway. He performed chest compressions. The father of four didnt survive. Ive seen people killed in accidents, tornadoes, car crashes, Kennedy said. None were ever killed by hatred. Hes reminded of the episode often. Each time he hears someone speaking a foreign language on the MAX. Each time hes at a crowded concert or shopping at Clackamas Town Center. Kennedy said hes always watching for the angry white guy. Im not running away if something happens, Ill tell you that much, he said. Its not in my nature. -- Shane Dixon Kavanaugh Don't Edit Beth Nakamura/Staff Chase Robinson: When the MAX doors opened, Chase Robinson couldnt decide what to do. He could chase after Jeremy Christian or stay on the train and help three people stabbed during an 11-second explosion of violence moments earlier. The 26-year-old had no medical training, so he ran after the knife-wielding man hed begun moving to confront seconds earlier. I distinctly remember this thought that Im never, ever going to be able to sleep at night if I just watch this guy get away, Robinson said. He ended up not sleeping much that week anyway. Every time he blinked, he saw people die with knives in their necks. Robinson had removed his headphones after hearing Christian shouting at Shawn Forde, a black man and passenger who Robinson said was trying to defuse a simmering situation. He started toward Christian when Taliesin Myrddin Namkai-Meche pushed past, filming with a cell phone. Soon after, Christian stabbed Namkai-Meche and two other men. Robinson said Christian then looked at him, knife aloft. Robinson backed up. Christian got off the train. It was a lot to take in, he said. The U.S. Bank worker, who spent much of his childhood in Sandy and moved to Portland in November 2016, is frustrated by what he hears, or doesnt hear, coming out of the White House. When we cant just go ahead and say neo-Nazis are bad, that gives them the blanket endorsement theyre looking for, he said. When he thinks of that day, Robinson thinks about the people taking off clothes, kneeling in a pool of blood to help a stranger. A lot of people got off the train that day and went home, but a lot stayed. There was one bad guy, he said. But there were 50 good people. -- Andrew Theen Don't Edit Shane Dixon Kavanaugh/Staff Katie Currin She had a diaper in one hand. Aaden, her 6-month-old, squirmed near the bus depot at the Hollywood Transit Center. Thats when Katie Currin heard the screams from an arriving MAX train. Next came the cries for someone to call 911. At first, I freaked out, Currin, 22, recalled. For my sake. For my sons sake. But she felt drawn to the commotion. On the train platform, she saw Micah Fletcher as he struggled to stop blood oozing from his neck. Without thinking, she pulled a baby blanket from Aadens stroller. She handed it to someone who had started providing first aid to the wounded young man. Currin had a startling realization: She and Fletcher had met downtown two years before shortly after she moved to Portland from central Oregon. I couldnt believe it was him on the platform, she said. A lot has happened in the year since. Aaden, now a toddler, was removed from Currins custody. Shes fighting to get him back. She recently moved from a sobriety home into her own place near the Moda Center. She got engaged. Currin hates the MAX, she said. By necessity she must ride it every day. To buy groceries. To visit her son. To get to and from appointments. She worries about her safety. Its just a feeling, you know? Currin said. I always have a knife on me. She paused. I havent used it. Yet. -- Shane Dixon Kavanaugh Don't Edit Beth Nakamura/Staff Jason Falquist Jason Falquist is not much of a crier. He didnt cry much when his father died in 2016. He didnt shed a tear when his familys dog died last May. The 35-year-old doubts his wife, Lindsay, had ever seen him cry. But Falquist, who works at Liberty Mutual Insurance in the Lloyd District, had never experienced anything like May 26, 2017. The next day, he sat on the couch in his southeast Portland home, his three-month-old son asleep nearby, and lost it. He thought about Ricky Best and his family grieving nearby. He thought about Taliesin Myrddin Namkai-Meche and the life he wouldnt get to live. But while others jumped to help, Falquist didnt take off his shirt or do something to stop the victims bleeding. Instead, he jumped on his 10-speed Schwinn and rode home as cops sped toward the Hollywood Transit Station. I had time to do it, and I could have done it, he said, but I didnt do it. Conversations with friends and family later assured him he wouldnt have been able to save them. But the fact that I paused, and I didnt help him when I could have, that was weighing on me a lot. What does that say about me as a person, that I would just sit there? Some what-ifs still bother him. But in retrospect, the Portland native says he wouldnt have done anything differently with respect to Christian. His motto is to stay out of such conflicts and let the police handle it. Falquist said hes always been amused by people like Jeremy Christian who rant and rave on the MAX. He kind of reminded me of the Comic Bookstore Guy from The Simpsons, he said. Pony tail. Baggy jean shorts. He dressed like a high school loser. Until he pulled out a knife, Falquist didnt take Christian seriously. The incident hasnt changed his view of his hometown at all. Its not all hipsters riding around zoo bombing or whatever, he said. Theres real problems, and theres always been a certain level of violence. But Falquist is much more aware of his surroundings. Before, he didnt pay attention. Now, he is more on edge around strangers or on transit. Nobody gets the benefit of the doubt he gave Christian that day. Everybody is a threat. -- Andrew Theen Don't Edit Don't Edit Andrew Theen/Staff Charlie Button Charlie Button still avoids the MAX if he can. For months, the 22-year-old Portland State University student rode the bus instead. Now, he drives from Gresham to his chemistry classes downtown. Button was one of the passengers with Ricky Best when he died. Button supported Bests neck. He cleared blood from his airway. Sometimes, he feels a physical manifestation of the trauma. He holds his neck. He still gets anxiety attacks. I used to be fine walking around at night, Button, a former high school football player at Centennial High School, said of his 162nd and Southeast Stark Street neighborhood, and offering people money if they needed any help. Now I get really anxious being cornered. Button, a longtime lifeguard at the East Portland Community Center, has always wanted to work in medicine. His mother is a nurse at Randall Childrens Hospital in North Portland. His father is an ultrasound technician. Id really love to be a pediatrician, Button said. Thats if theyd want me. Hes trained in advanced life support at the hospital and is CPR-trained thanks to his lifeguarding days. But little can prepare you for trying to save a life while in a pool of blood, one eye still wondering if the attacker is still on the train. Button has undergone Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, a type of psychotherapy used to help treat those with post-traumatic stress disorder. Hes had some breakthroughs at therapy. At least I was able to be there for Ricky, he said. But the trauma kept coming. Two months after the stabbings, his father was diagnosed with brain cancer. Last September, his younger brother, Henry, was in a car wreck. Henry suffered a traumatic brain injury and a shattered pelvis, and he has multiple steel rods in his left leg. His brothers friend and passenger died. Charlie dropped down to one class and moved back in with his mother to help out. He hopes to go back to school full-time in the fall to finish up. Then hell apply to an internship at Oregon Health & Science University to study viruses. Button has a takeaway. Just be kind to one another. Then he asked a question. Has everyone else on there been getting help? -- Andrew Theen Don't Edit Beth Nakamura/Staff Rachel Macy When she made it to her Southeast Portland apartment, Rachel Macy still had a bloody handprint on her face, a memento of what she called the soul-to-soul connection she felt hours earlier as she comforted one of three men stabbed on the MAX. Some sick part of me didnt want to take them off, Macy said of her bloody clothes. I didnt want to wash him away. Earlier, the 46-year-old mother of five, and grandmother to two, held Taliesin Myrddin Namkai-Meche in her arms and apologized to the 23-year-old Reed College alum. The world is so cruel, she said. Youre a beautiful man. Namkai-Meche's last words to Macy: "Tell everyone on this train I love them." Macy wasnt in Portland of her own accord that day. She was arrested and charged with robbery for walking into the Shell gas station on U.S. 26 in Warm Springs Dec. 19, 2016 with a BB gun. She walked out with roughly $1,700 and a lifetime of regret. Shes forbidden from going to the reservation. In an interview, Macy said shed snapped under financial pressure and the strain of enduring decades of an abusive relationship. She confessed to the crime the day after and expressed remorse for her actions and said she had acted out of desperation, Chad Lapp, an FBI special agent wrote in the affidavit describing the crime on the Warm Springs Reservation. Macy said shes always admitted she did it. I have to pay the consequences. I know what I did was wrong. She signed a plea agreement Jan. 11 and is awaiting a sentencing hearing with U.S. District Court Judge Anna Brown on June 26. It is as scary as that day on the train, she said of the hearing. (Click to read the rest of the story) Don't Edit Beth Nakamura/Staff Amee Pacheco (did not wish to be photographed) Amee Pacheco doesnt like to talk about what happened on the train. When Jeremy Christian got on the Green Line, he sat next to the 37-year-old mother of two. He ranted, then a group of passengers confronted him. Pacheco pleaded for calm, but to no avail. Instead, she had a front-row seat to horror. The North Tabor resident struggled in the aftermath, but for her, an essential truth emerged: Its not an isolated event, she said of Christians anti-Muslim and racist outburst. Its what happens when we allow whiteness to go unchecked. Pacheco is white, but now everyone in her life gets the race talk. Its not something that should surprise anyone when it happens, she said, adding that she gave Christian the benefit of the doubt that day because he was white. Its a byproduct of our white supremacist and racist society. All of those things led to Jeremy Christian. Pacheco said shes long known the basics -- Portlands racist history, Oregon outlawing people of color, the rapidly gentrifying neighborhoods, and the people of color who called attention to the systemic woes. She knows, too, she benefited from it all. But after watching Christian spew hate that day, simply knowing was no longer enough. I think a lot of my innocence is gone, said Pacheco, a grant writer for a nonprofit salmon conservation group. Ive confronted some truths about myself that I wouldnt have otherwise. Pacheco joined two Facebook groups where she pays monthly dues what she described as reparations -- to benefit black women and people of color. Shes called out white friends or family on social media for being oblivious, racist or not acknowledging their privilege. Shes made sure her 19-month-old has toys and books that dont only feature white kids to decrease the whiteness is default mentality. Its all her way, she said, of dismantling a system she said creates people like Christian. Pacheco has ridden light rail for more than 20 years, and aside from a few sketchy moments hasnt felt afraid. How much of that history is because shes white? All of it. Riding unafraid is one of the privileges of being white. You get to move around the space, she said, and not be bothered. -- Andrew Theen Don't Edit Shane Dixon Kavanaugh Wesley Smith Jr. A change in plans had left Wesley Smith Jr., 43, with a canceled studio session. So the hip-hop artist stepped onto a MAX train at the Northeast 7th Avenue Station and into the middle of Jeremy Christians bigoted rant. Racism, I dont deal with it well, said Smith, whose stage name is Craze MC. Neither, Smith said, did the bearded young man whom he found himself beside near the back of the train. The two talked. They were both upset. Smith fumed loudly. As Christian continued to seethe and spew threats at two teenage girls, the young man approached him with his camera phone. Thirty seconds later, Taliesin Myrddin Namkai-Meche had a knife plunged into his neck. Maybe it was my expression, my words that got Taliesin to go up to him, said Smith, a Fairview resident. I feel like he took my place on that train. Ive lived with that guilt for nearly a year. Looking back, he wonders why so few passengers stood up or spoke out before the attack. Smith grew up in Portlands Piedmont neighborhood. He recalled being a white kid in what was then a predominately black area. But he never felt out of place. The city seemed like it had more unity back then than it does now, he said. Smith believes a lesson he learned from his friends and neighbors in North Portland was lost that day on the MAX. Youre human first. Were all the same. Smith sighed. People still dont get that. -- Shane Dixon Kavanaugh Don't Edit Shane Dixon Kavanaugh Larry Blackwood Larry Blackwood can still smell the blood that gathered in pools near the front of the train. Like cold metal, he said. Disgusting. Blackwood, 28, had finished his shift as a Portland City Grill line cook and was riding the MAX to his second job as a Chevron station attendant when the attack unfolded. Amid the confusion, he jumped out of the second car, only to discover a pair of bodies on the ground and a third person bleeding on the platform. He heard a woman scream that a man was getting away. Blackwood took off up the platform stairs. He pursued Jeremy Christian across the overpass above Interstate 84. Terrified but unable to stop, he called his mom in Florida. She was like, Dont do anything stupid, Blackwood recalled. I said, Its kind of late, Mom. Im already going after the guy. Shirtless and still wielding a knife, Christian barked threats at Blackwood from a distance, he said. But he and two strangers continued after Christian as police cruisers caught up with the suspect. Using the phone on his camera, Blackwood began filming Christians encounter with police. The clip would go viral. Hours later, Blackwood found himself sobbing. His body shook. He didnt show up to work at Chevron that night. Instead, he walked more than 7 miles to his apartment in Milwaukie. Blackwoods got a new second job now, one as a cook at Shut Up and Eat in the Creston-Kenilworth neighborhood. Its a good job, but theres catch: To get there, he has to take the No. 75 bus from the Hollywood Transit Center. The smell of cold metal hits him as he arrives. Its like some cruel joke from the universe, he said. -- Shane Dixon Kavanaugh Don't Edit Don't Edit Andrew Theen Andrew Theen Alvin Hall Alvin Hall heard screaming from the other car as the train pulled to Hollywood Transit Station. He stepped off and saw Micah Fletcher clutching his neck. Hall, a 43-year-old former Marine nuclear biological chemical defense specialist who works at Liberty Mutual insurance, saw passengers tending to victims inside a bloody train car. All he could think: Whered he go?" Passengers pointed to the bridge spanning Interstate 84. Hall and fellow MAX rider Chase Robinson were trying to keep an eye on Jeremy Christian, but Hall worried the suspect would escape. So the burly, bearded father of 13- and 7-year-old boys sprinted to within spitting distance as Christian hid behind Providence Portland Medical Center. Hall said Christian stood behind a tree with a knife in one hand and a bottle of soda in the other. He was pouring the brown cola on his bloody arm when he spotted Hall. What are you going to narc, you (expletive) snitch, Hall recalled Christian said. You want some of this? Christian yelled, then ran at Hall with the knife. Hall turned and ran. I realized he was tiring, and so I turned around and started taunting him, Hall recalled. Not a great idea. Hall didnt witness the attack, but he still thinks about it often. It creeps into his mind, but it hasnt tainted his view of the city or region. For the most part, were really good people here, he said. In other parts of the country, he said, you might see a local church holding a garage sale in support of the local KKK chapter. I dont approve of it whatsoever, but it doesnt shock me that it exists, he said of hateful views. It shouldnt, but it does. Hall wishes Christians trial, scheduled for next year, could happen sooner. I hate that its kind of made him the celebrity, he said. Hall doesnt consider himself a hero, but his oldest son disagrees. At a barbecue last summer, a friend teased Hall and asked why he didnt disarm the suspect when he encountered him Did you forget your training? the man asked. Halls son stood up and yelled, My dads a hero. You didnt do anything. -- Andrew Theen Don't Edit Beth Nakamura/Staff Marcus Knipe A cop at the scene of the crime that day called him a hero. Marcus Knipe insists hes not. I work with heroes every day, he said during a recent break from his job at the Portland VA Medical Center. The Fairview husband and father believes he happened to be at the right place at the right time waiting with his family for a downtown MAX to the Rose Festival. Chaos on the platform suddenly cut through the quiet calm of the afternoon. Knipe, 34, watched as Micah Fletcher staggered out of an eastbound train clutching his throat. His instincts, sharpened by a military tour in Iraq, kicked in. Knipe knew he had to grab the injured man and get him to the ground. He had to calm Fletcher quickly in order to slow the bleeding. A woman handed Knipe her daughters pink hoodie. Another a gave him a baby blanket from her stroller. It was the best we could do until we got a sterile dressing on Micahs wound, said Knipe, who joined the Army after growing up in Southeast Portland and Gresham. He asked the frightened man in his arms to match his long, slow breaths. The two held hands. Relaxed, Fletcher was able to call his mother and ask her to notify his work he would not be coming in that evening, Knipe recalled. Paramedics arrived shortly after. Knipe and Fletcher have stayed in touch sporadically. Otherwise, he thinks little about the attack that brought them together. It was a situation that really sucked, and I did what I could, Knipe said. I now need to move on and support my family. -- Shane Dixon Kavanaugh Jamie Hale/The Oregonian We here at The Oregonian/OregonLive are gearing up to release a beautiful new book this summer, "Oregon's Natural Treasures," that will showcase the natural wonder of our state. In advance of publication, we're posting previews of each of the chapters online. But be sure to pre-order a copy of the full book before it's released on July 27. As you follow the Columbia River upstream to the east, past the Cascade Mountains and into the desert, the landscape in the northeast corner of the state starts to shift. A small, flatter plateau most famously home to the cowboys of Pendleton soon gives way to long stretches of smaller mountain ranges, once barriers to westward pioneers that remain largely uninhabited today. The rolling folds of the Blue Mountains come first, giving way to two smaller ranges: the Elkhorns and Greenhorns. Just beyond, in the far northeastern corner of Oregon, the majestic Wallowa Mountains rise tall, forming a snow-capped horseshoe around the small towns of Joseph and Enterprise. At the eastern border of the state, the mighty Snake River flows along the bottom of Hells Canyon, the deepest river gorge in North America at 7,913 feet from top to bottom. Unlike Oregons more well-trafficked regions, the northeast corner of the state isnt defined by any one specific landform. No singular mountain range or river gorge steals the show, allowing visitors to find their own special spots, their own tucked-away corners of natural beauty. Don't Edit Jamie Hale/The Oregonian 1. Blue Mountains The western foothills of the Blue Mountains, seen from the Deadman Pass Lookout Area near Pendleton. The rolling, wrinkled mountain range separates the flatter Umatilla Plateau, to the west, from the larger mountains to the south and east. The origin of the rangeOs name is unclear, though one early explorer attributed it to the Oazure-like appearanceO of the mountains. Don't Edit Terry Richard/The Oregonian 2. Snake River The Snake River flows through Hells Canyon, forming the northeast border of the state the Oregon side of the border is seen here in the light, with Idaho in shadow. The riverOs headwaters lie in Yellowstone National Park, from which it runs 1,078 miles through the Teton Mountains, southern Idaho and Hells Canyon, before meeting the Columbia River at Tri-Cities, Washington. Don't Edit Richard Cockle/The Oregonian 3. Wallowa Lake Geese fly over the north end of Wallowa Lake, seen from Wallowa County Park in late fall. The 51-square-mile lake is surrounded on both sides by high moraines ridges of rocks and sediment pushed aside as a massive glacier slowly advanced from the slopes of the mountains. When the glacier melted, it formed the lake, today a popular destination for boaters and campers at Wallowa Lake State Park. Don't Edit Jamie Hale/The Oregonian 4. Cottonwood Canyon A northern checkerspot butterfly rests on a shrub alongside a trail in Cottonwood Canyon State Park and opens its wings to the sun after a morning storm. Northern checkerspot caterpillars feed on goldenrod and rabbitbrush, two hardy plant species that thrive on the dry side of the Cascades, while butterflies tend to fly north to more mountainous regions in late spring and summer. Don't Edit Don't Edit Jamie Francis/The Oregonian 5. Mount Howard Lupines bloom at the top of Mount Howard in the Wallowa Mountains. From May through October, the Wallowa Lake Tramway, a 1970s-era Swiss gondola, carries visitors 3,700 feet up to a viewpoint atop the peak. Mount Howard and neighboring East Peak were collectively designated a National Natural Landmark in 2016 to protect the rare montane grasslands on their slopes. Don't Edit Jamie Hale/The Oregonian 6. Eagle Cap Wilderness The sun rises over a ridge of the Wallowa Mountains on the south side of Ice Lake in the Eagle Cap Wilderness. The sprawling wilderness area is known for its alpine lakes and flower-strewn meadows, as well as bald granite ridges and U-shaped, glacier-cut valleys. Unlike the volcanoes of the Cascade Mountains, the Wallowas were formed by an uplifting of rock from what was once a tropical ocean. Don't Edit Jamie Hale/The Oregonian 7. Hells Canyon The sun sets over Hells Canyon, seen through a stand of dead trees at the Hat Point Overlook. The deepest river gorge in North America, Hells Canyon plunges more than 7,900 feet nearly 2,000 feet deeper than the Grand Canyon. Several parties of 19th-century pioneers tried to explore the canyon but turned back after suffering from starvation and extreme winter conditions. Don't Edit Jamie Hale/The Oregonian 8. Imnaha Canyon Prairie grass and hardy plant life fill Imnaha Canyon, seen from the Buckhorn Overlook. The massive canyon was carved by the Imnaha River, a tributary of the Snake River that flows through Hells Canyon to the north. Both canyons are part of the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area, more than 650,000 acres of rugged terrain that straddles the Oregon-Idaho border. Don't Edit Terry Richard/The Oregonian 9. Elkhorn Mountains Cross-country skiers hit the trails at Anthony Lakes Mountain Resort in the Elkhorn Mountains. The 1,100-acre resortOs base elevation of 7,100 feet is the highest in Oregon, though its vertical drop of 900 feet is the smallest in the state. Nordic skiing is popular at the resort, which features more than 18 miles of groomed trails in the shadow of the jagged Elkhorn peaks. Don't Edit Don't Edit Richard Cockle/The Oregonian 10. Grand Ronde River Canyon Fog enshrouds a canyon near the northern Oregon border, where a portion of highway known as the Rattlesnake Grade twists and turns along the high-sloping walls. The road is popular among bicyclists, motorcyclists and drivers, who endure long, straight stretches to reach the grade. The canyon feeds into the Grande Ronde River to the north. Goose Creek, SC (29445) Today Partly cloudy. High 78F. Winds light and variable.. Tonight Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low near 60F. Winds light and variable. In recent days, as artists worked on restoring and detailing Beaverton's World War I memorial, "The Survivor," people have stopped to watch, some commenting they didn't even know it was there. "I thought it was a washed-up slab of cement," said one resident riding by on his bicycle Thursday. "I had no clue its historical value." Artists Chris Moran of South Boardman and Erick Forshee of Midland are working diligently on the tribute. Moran is working on the front of the monument while Forshee is employing the sides and back of the monument, which was erected in 1925. Those involved hope that Memorial Day service-goers will get a more palpable sence of the sacrifices made to garner freedom as they see the memorial in its new attire. The World War I monument depicts a dead soldier, an injured soldier leaning against a cannon and a soldier standing tall with a rifle in hand as bombs explode. The statue was the first of its kind in Michigan and was originally presented on June 14, 1925. It was reported that an estimated 3,000 people attended its unveiling. The American Legion Post 171 and residents' generosity made the statue possible. According to the World War I Commission, it's unknown if there are other statues like it in the state. The statue originally stood in front of Brown Machine and was later moved near the entrance to Ross Lake Park in 1986. Moran said the statue was in rough condition following years of neglect. He said he and employees had to re-carve the structure to restore the detail, but said they were very careful not to damage the integrity or vision of the monument's original artist, Helmuth VonZengen. "It's way ahead of schedule and it's going to look great during the service on Monday," said Beaverton Police Chief Brad Davis. "It's great to see a small community come together for this," said Davis regarding the support, time and donations the monument received. Veteran Ed Rachwitz, who spearheaded the restoration endeavor, said the detail of the monument has really "popped out" with the work the artists have done so far. Plaques honoring the many local fallen military will line the back of the monument when completed. Among those helping raise funds are Jeff Pitts of Gladwin, who served in the Navy in Vietnam, and Richard Roehrs of Beaverton, who served in the Air Force in World War II. Both say it is a privilege to help preserve the memorial. Rachwitz said the artists expect to be complete with the memorial for a tentative June 30 ceremony. He said the date is dependent on the U.S. World War I Centennial Commission. Rachwitz said they are still raising funds for the project, including a $5,000 maintenance endowment fund to help prevent the monument from returning to poor condition. Aiding in the fundraising, The American Legion Department of Michigan approved a $2,000 donation for the project last week. In addition, Rachwitz said Beaverton City, Gladwin County American Legion Post 171 and hundreds of donations large and small from throughout the area and beyond have assisted the rebirth of the monument. Memorial Day services are scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. in Beaverton and 11 a.m. in Gladwin. To make donations to preserve the World War I statue or learn more about it, contact Rachwitz at appleed@hotmail.com and put World War I memorial in the subject line. An international scientific and practical conference entitled New facets of the Russian-Azerbaijani cooperation: perspectives of youth and regional interaction was held in Baku in the Azerbaijan University of Languages. The organizers of the event are the Azerbaijan University of Languages, the Representation of the Political Center North-South in Baku, the Russian-Azerbaijani Youth Initiative with the information support of the Commonwealth Press Club. The issues of intensification of humanitarian interaction between universities, youth organizations, expert centers of Russia and Azerbaijan were discussed during the conference. ITC will be conducting its semi-annual aerial patrols of high-voltage transmission towers and lines in east Michigan from about May 31 to June 8, weather permitting. The helicopter patrols are conducted to provide an overall status of the overhead transmission system that is operated by ITC's Michigan operating entities, ITCTransmission and Michigan Electric Transmission Company. The aerial inspections will cover the eastern part of the state, including all or parts of Midland, Clinton, Genesee, Gratiot, Huron, Ingham, Lapeer, Livingston, Macomb, Oakland, Sanilac, Shiawassee, St. Clair, and Tuscola counties. A high-tech industrial park could be become part of Midlands downtown landscape in the next five years. The City of Midland Planning Commission supported a proposal Tuesday night from the Economic Development Corp. of the County of Midland to acquire 11.077 acres of the Fisher Sand and Gravel property located off Jefferson Avenue. The Fisher company plans to move its operation to 3401 Contractor Drive, near the intersection of Waldo Avenue and Bay City Road. Four different entities came to the Economic Development Corp. asking the body to pull the project together, said Midland Tomorrow President Becky Church, who also serves on the Economic Development Corp. The land will be sold off "aggressively" over the next five years, Church said. Midland County commissioners gave unanimous support on March 20 for the corporation to issue $4 million in bonds to acquire the property. Acquiring the 11 acres along with adjacent vacant land owned by Midland Tomorrow will result in 25 acres of shovel-ready developable land. Right now that is one of our biggest barriers in economic development, is our space for industrial property, Church said. Creating the 25 acre parcel of shovel ready land will attract different companies that can grow the tax base and create jobs for our community, Church said. In terms of future developments in the area, Church said there is one buyer currently interested in a portion of the acreage. Possible tenants for the land could include high-tech industrial manufacturers, spin offs from the Midland Tomorrow Innovation Center, or a single company generating hundreds of jobs, Church said. Its the perfect stepping stone to creating jobs or even retaining them from an existing company that would like to expand, Church said. Church said they are not looking to attract what they are taking out of the area, it will instead be a lighter-industrial use. The Economic Development Corp. of the County of Midland was created by the county board of commissioners in 1979 under public act 338 to prevent unemployment, assist and retain local industrial and commercial enterprises, strengthen the economy, encourage assistance of industrial and commercial enterprises. The body has the power to issue bonds for private industrial development, which is why they are the group initiating the proposal. Fisher Sand and Gravel still has commitments they will adhere to on the site, Church said. The Fisher properties didnt come to us, the community approached them to sell, Church said. Fisher Sand and Gravel plans to add a second access point to its future location at 3401 Contractor Drive, which is expected to come to the planning commission at its next meeting on June 12. The additional access point from its new site will help Fisher redirect its 32,000 average truck trips in a year from impacting Waldo Avenue, Church said. The proposal still must go through Midland City Council and is expected to be considered at the next council meeting on June 11. The plan will hopefully get necessary support from all constituents by September, Church said, before it comes back to the Midland County commissioners. Robert Muellers special counsel released some documents this week that are too wonky for this non-lawyer to cogently explain, but they contained a handy appendix which should serve to rebuke the 59% of Americans who do not believe the former FBI Director has uncovered any crimes. This is a troubling development proving that Trumps broadsides against the special counsel are working. In reality, the investigation has returned 17 indictments and five guilty pleas, as laid out in Appendix A, titled Criminal Charges Brought By the Special Counsels Office As of May 23, 2018. The famed coffee boy according to the Trump camp was one of the first to step in it, as he was caught deactivating his Facebook after the FBI questioned him about communications he had over Facebook. All of this sketchy Russian stuff emerged as Manafort took over the reigns of the Trump campaign, and there have been various reports saying that Mueller is trying to flip Manafort. Getting his deputy, Rick Gates, can only help that cause. Like Papadopoulos, Rick Gates lied to the FBI and they used that as leverage against him, filing superseding indictments against both Gates and Manafort. Remember him? The former general kicked off this whole spate of madness by becoming the shortest serving National Security Adviser in this nations history. This one is a bit strange, as its not clear how Pinedo factors into this whole mess, but he pleaded guilty to identity theft, claiming to be an unwitting accomplice in whatever he admitted to doing. This was the collection of Russian nationals and entities indicted by the special counsel for propagating the kind of stuff that emerged in the Cambridge Analytica scandal. They likely will never face trial, but the indictments are important in order to connect any potential co-conspirators within Americas jurisdiction to the crime. Alex van der Zwaan is a Belgian attorney who was the first person imprisoned in this saga. He served 30 days for lying to investigators, and he was the one who told the special counsel that Manafort was in direct communication with a member of Russian Military Intelligence. So the next time you hear a skeptic wonder if there really is something to this entire mess, just point to the 17 indictments and five guilty pleas in less than a years time on one of the most wide-ranging and consequential investigations in Americas history. If you think that Robert Mueller hasnt uncovered any instances of criminality, then you simply havent been paying close enough attention. Jacob Weindling is a staff writer for Paste politics. Follow him on Twitter at @Jakeweindling. Opinion: God calls on us to unite The rev. Ian MacInees-Green shares his thoughts on God and unity. The Kremlin has been having a bad week, in terms of global public relations. On May 24, the Dutch Joint Investigation Team (JIT) presented its findings on the Buk TELAR surface-to-air missile system that shot down Malaysian Airlines flight MH-17 over eastern Ukraine on July 17, 2014. The investigators revealed they were able not only to determine that the system was provided from Russia, but to identify the military unit it belonged to -- the 53rd anti-aircraft missile brigade of the Russian armed forces. The next day, the governments of Australia and the Netherlands officially declared that they hold Russia responsible for the incident, which claimed many Dutch and Australian nationals among the victims. A few days earlier, on May 22, the independent Russian newspaper Novaya Gazeta published an open letter to the Russian people from the families of MH-17 victims stressing that they do not blame the Russian people for the actions of their government and military. However, it also included a paragraph on the Russian governments deliberate campaign of disinformation surrounding the event. In the first months some of us were troubled by the multiple, often contradictory stories about what happened to MH-17 coming out of Russia, the letter reads. The letter cites examples of these alternative explanations: MH-17 was shot down by a Ukrainian jet. It was blown up by a missile intended for the Russian Presidents plane. It was already full of dead bodies and deliberately crashed. It was shot down by a BUK missile but not one of Russias. Indeed, the Kremlin and its media have put forward a number of contradictory and highly implausible alternative theories on MH-17, and with the JITs recent revelations it is worth remembering some of the most infamous ones. Taking a shot at Putin One early version of the crash which the Russian state media tried peddle was that the Malaysian Airlines Boeing-777 was shot down by Ukrainian forces who had mistaken it for Russian President Vladimir Putins plane. RT posted a story about the report, but also cited other Russia media contradicting the claim that Putins plane had overflown Ukrainian territory. This story would soon be dropped. A Ukrainian Buk While the Russian media didnt stick with the Putin assassination attempt theory for very long, they did initially run with the Russian Defense Ministrys claim that the passenger airline had indeed been shot down by a Buk SAM system, but a Ukrainian one. On July 18, 2014, only one day after the crash, RT published a story in which the Russian Defense Ministry claimed a Ukrainian Buk SAM system had been detected in the vicinity of the crash site. A Ukrainian jet There were also claims that a Ukrainian military jet downed the airliner, often identifying the aircraft responsible as a Su-25, a Soviet-designed ground attack aircraft possessed by both Ukraine and Russia. In one now-infamous story, Russian state media cited a man identified as Carlos, who claimed to be a Spanish air traffic controller who had for some reason been on duty in the tower of Kyivs Boryspil International Airport. Carlos, known only by his Twitter account, tweeted that he had seen two Ukrainian military jets near flight MH-17 on his radar screen. Shortly thereafter, Carlos disappeared for several years until RFE/RL finally caught up with the man behind the account. Perhaps the most offensive version of the airplane theory was that of Odnako (However), a political program on Russian state televisions Channel One.On November 14, 2014, the shows host claimed he had received an American satellite photo from an MIT graduate engineer named George Bilt. The photograph depicted a Boeing-777 in flight, with a MiG-29 fighter jet attacking it at an almost perpendicular angle. Streaks coming from the Mig-29 appeared to indicate a missile or possibly cannon fire. The photograph was not only quickly debunked as a crude forgery, but its actual origin was discovered to be a Russian internet forum, not an engineer from MIT. Another popular Su-25 theory revolves around a now-deceased Ukrainian Air Force captain, Vladislav Voloshyn. In late 2014, Russias Investigative Committee announced that it had an anonymous witness who served as a member of the ground crew at the air base where Voloshyn was stationed. This witness allegedly told Russian investigators that he saw Voloshyns plane return to base with an air-to-air missile missing from its mount and that Voloshyn was extremely nervous when he exited his plane. This story was revived once more in 2018, after Voloshyn committed suicide. A Ukrainian Buk, again On June 2, 2015, Almaz-Antey, the Russian arms manufacturer which produces the Buk TELAR SAM system held a press conference at which it denied any responsibility shooting down MH-17. Almaz-Anteys investigation confirmed that MH-17 had indeed been shot down by a Buk SAM, but that the particular missile used was only in use by Ukraine and not Russia at the time. Furthermore, Almaz-Antey claimed that the launch site was near the village of Zaroshchenske, which it claimed was under Ukrainian military control at the time the airliner was shot down. Both claims were debunked. First, it was determined that the missile Almaz-Antey claimed was no longer used by the Russian armed forces actually is still being used by that military. Secondly, Zaroshchenske is not only disputed as a potential launch site, but was under the control of Russian forces when MH-17 was shot down, rendering this claim moot. A hint of truth While Russian state media continue to spin alternative theories of what happened on July 17, 2014, sometimes they hint at what really happened. Shortly before the crash of MH-17 was reported, a social media account associated with Igor Strelkov Girkin, a Russian citizen and commander of rebel forces in the Donbas, bragged about downing a Ukrainian military An-26 cargo plane in the vicinity of MH-17s crash site. The post showed photos of a rising column of smoke and a warning to the Ukrainian military to stay out of our sky. Once it became clear that it was MH-17 and not an An-26 which had been shot down, the post disappeared, and the alternative theories began. However, Russian state media cited the post in initial stories about the downing of a Ukrainian An-26, and some of those pieces are still online today. For those readers who would like to explore the wide variety of alternate MH17 scenarios from Russian state and private media as well as pro-Kremlin sites, EU vs Disinfo has compiled a list of 57 different cases. Arkansas-based retail giant Walmart is No 1 in at least two categories: It's at the top of the Fortune 500 rankings again, and it's also the largest private-sector employer in South Carolina. File/AP Get the SC business stories that matter. Our newsletter catches you up with all the business stories that are shaping Charleston and South Carolina every Monday and Thursday at noon. Get ahead with us - it's free. You have permission to edit this collection. Edit Close by Karen Laurie MUMBAI, MAY 26, 2018: On the feast of Mary Help of Christians, May 24, three Brothers - Chris Ferreira, Joyston Machado and Sheldon Dias - of the Salesian province of Mumbai, have dedicated their lives totally to God by making their final profession at the Shrine of Don Bosco's Madonna in Matunga. They have spent almost seven years in formation, preparing themselves through study, prayer, community living and apostolic experience, to attain the maturity needed to make this definitive commitment, to God, of obedience, poverty and chastity. "Pope Francis said to religious, 'Wake up the world. Be witnesses of a different kind'. The vows are impossible without a heart full of joy. By the commitement of your lives, you are telling young people that it is possible to live differently in this world," Father Godfrey D'Souza, the Provincial of the Salesian province of Mumbai, said in his homily during holy Mass. The brothers made their perpetual profession before God, in the presence of over 25 priests, their family and well-wishers. For Brother Chris Ferreira, who has been in formation for eight years, his perpetual profession has been the best moment of his Salesian life thus far. During his practical training with young tribal boys in the Salesian-run boarding in Chottaudepur, Gujarat, he expereinced many fullfiling moments that strengethened his religious committement. " With the tribal boys, I went thinking I have a lot to offer them, but instead they taught me so much. They were so loving," Brother Ferreira, said. While with the Salesian novices in Nashik, Brother Ferreira expereinced deep spiritual growth. "I could pray much better with the novices. Like Don Bosco says: 'Pray, well done with the boys is more than enough'," he said. Brother Ferreira's journey has been at times smooth and at times turbulent. Especially trying were the times, when he could not get along with some confrers. He blessed them and was convinced that it was all taking place for his good. A change in his perspective though, changed his prospects. Brother Ferreira joined the Salesians in standard 11 and his love for teaching and scouting is imbibed from them. Like the early Salesians, who traversed unknown places in missionary zeal, Brother Ferriera feels drawn to this way of life, but has resigned his fate to the will of God. His 'yes' to embarking on a spiritual vocation, is in gratitude to his hardworking parents and the endearing Salesians he encountered at Don Bosco Lonavla. Brother Joyston Machado has been in-formation for almost seven years. His tryst with the Salesians began at the Don Bosco Lonavla boarding in standard 11. He was put there because 'I was very mischevious," Brother Machado, said. "Despite that the Salesians helped me thrive." He secured 80% in standard 12 in arts. It was to his disbelief but the complete confidence of the late Brother P M Thomas, who had secured a promise from Brother Machado, had he to get that score. Brother Thomas asked him: to continue with the Salesians. The rest, as they say, is history. "Making perpetual vows is a big challenge. It is telling everyone that from now on, I take personal responsibility of my formation," Brother Machado, said. He now proceeds to three and a half years of Theology at Jnana- Deepa Vidyapeeth, the Pontifical Institute in Pune. At the end of each year, he will be endowed with a ministry like acolyte, who are charged to assist priests and deacons at the altar and the ministry of lector, who are entrusted with reading from the Scriptures during liturgies. Looking back, he says there were trying times, especially when youth- boys and girls- would dissuade him from pursuing a priestly vocation. Brother Machado is grateful to God, that he sailed against the tide. His time at the Dominic Savio boarding in Andheri, Mumbai grounded him to reality. The michevous Brother Machado thought he could easily handle mini-versions of himself. Each day, the more he gave of himself to the little lads, the more he received from them in love and kindness. "As I continue in my Salesian mission, there is something to hope for: to work with tribal youth; something to live for: live my Salesianity with joy; something to die for: Christ," Brother Machado, said. Brother Sheldon Dias is a man on a mission. After his perpetual vows, he has opted for the Salesian missions and entrused his future in the hands of the Rector Major of the Salesians, Father Angel Fernandez Artime, the 10th successor of Don Bosco. Brother Dias leaves for Rome, where he will first learn Italian, then after a prepartory course, he will be given the missionary Cross, and will be sent to a Salesian mission station, far away from home. He will learn the language and culture of the people he is placed amongst and will serve them in true Salesian spirit. He will later go on to complete his theological studies. When his parents enrolled him at the Don Bosco Lonavla boarding in standard nine, they never envisioned this future for their son, yet they have been very supportive of giving their only son to God. "I have always been in a Salesian school, so I am very enthused by the Salesians. I met and spoke to a Salesian priest who went on a mission to Papa New Guinea and I felt very inspired, " Brother Dias, said. His attraction to serve in unchartered terrotories, began with his training in the missions in Gujarat, where he handled tribal boys. He lived their lifestyle and felt his contribution to their growth as the most enriching experience. Working with poor youth in a technical set up was also very satifying. As the brothers continue to strive to priesthood, they request all to support them through prayers. In the giving of themselves to God, they can be rest assured of the prayers of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Help of Christians, Principal Patroness of the Salesian Family. Russia may create an electronic database that will, like Booking.com, include all information about holidays in the North Caucasus regions and as well as have function to book hotels, cars, restaurants, deputy head of the Ministry of North Caucasus Affairs Olga Rukhullaeva said at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF). "We plan to create electronic platform that will become a unified database similar to Booking.com, where people will be able to obtain objective information about quality of the service, where they can book everything they need. We want this to be a convenient instrument for everyone," RIA Novosti quoted her as saying. She also pointed out that such information center could include a system that will help tourists to rent cars in North Caucasus. The idea to limit online booking service Booking.com is not supported by either Rosturizm or the Ministry of Culture of Russia. Ministries stated this on Wednesday, after media reported that such idea is currently discussed. Earlier one of Russian tourist operators proposed an initiative to restrict the work of Booking.com in Russia as a response to anti-Russian sanctions. Rosturizm and the Ministry of Culture made statements in which they spoke against this idea. Syndicated and guest columns represent the personal views of the writers, not necessarily those of the editorial staff. The editorial department operates entirely independently of the news department and is not involved in newsroom operations. Editorials represent the institutional view of the newspaper. They are written and edited by the editorial staff, which operates separately from the news department. Editorial writers are not involved in newsroom operations. Archie Parnell makes phone calls in December to voters on behalf of Alabama Democrat Doug Jones. After divorce records came out revealing that Parnell abused his ex-wife, he apologized to Sumter Democrats at a breakfast meeting Saturday. Provided You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC) on Friday confirmed four leak points on its Trans Ramos Pipeline in Delta State. A statement released by the company on Friday said as soon as the leaks were noticed on April 24, SPDC immediately shut down production. It said the company also deployed containment booms and mobilised its oil spill response teams to clean the sites. These measures, which are according to SPDCs standard operating procedures, successfully stopped and contained the spill, the statement said. In line with Nigerian oil and gas industry regulations, a Joint Investigation Visit (JIV) team comprising security and regulatory agencies as well as community representatives and SPDC personnel was constituted and deployed to the sites, the statement added. The JIV team confirmed four leak points on the pipeline and identified the impacted areas in Odimodi community of the state. The company noted, however, that the cause of the leaks is yet to be determined as it is working on further site preparation and mobilisation of specialised equipment to the swamps for safe excavation of the pipeline for inspection. The JIV team is expected to return to the sites as soon as possible to complete the investigation process , the statement said. The oil major had last week declared force majeure on exports of Bonny Light crude. The Force majeure, a legal clause that allows companies to cancel or delay deliveries due to unforeseen circumstances, followed the shutdown of the Nembe Creek Trunk Line. The force majeure declared on Bonny Light exports came after a leak on the 200,000 to 240,000 bpd Trans-Forcados pipeline had also forced a shutdown. The developments are expected to reduce Nigerias oil export. In todays Nigeria, the line between Nollywood flicks and real life happenings in the political space is becoming blurred by the day. Lately, it is quite difficult to separate facts from fiction just as one can hardly tell the difference, if any, between stage-managed theatrics and natural happenstances. News items in the polity now appear in the dailies like synopses of Nollywood scriptsif they do not take the shape of comedy of the most farcical variant, they come in form of macabre dance. Suspected herdsmen attacks. Boko Haram. Apprehensive Transmission theatrical speech. More attacks. Doctored Apprehension. Mace Kidnap. Senator Melayes Jet Li-esque stunts. Intra-party violence at congresses. More attacks. In other words, it is as though there are no excluded middle as far as occurrences in the polity go these days: they are either of the comic variant or the tragically sad dimension. Sometimes, the comicsoften occasioned by a slip on the part of a public office holderoffer Nigerians the opportunity to take their own pound of flesh from the ruling elites; other times the tragic, which always affect the ordinary Nigerian, sends cold shivers down peoples spines. On Monday, former spokesperson of the then ruling (some, especially the Hailing hailers, would say ruining) Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Olisah Metu, collapsed at the continuation of his trial for alleged fraud in the court. Mr Metuh is facing trial on a seven-count charge for alleged diversion of N400 million. He is said to have received the money from the office of the former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, according to anti-graft agency EFCC. Report said shortly after appearances were announced, Mr Metuh was called to the dock. But while he was walking towards the dock, the former PDP spokesperson fell, creating an abrupt chaos in the court room. Mr Metuh is said to be suffering from spinal cord injuries and has appeared in court on a stretcher several times. But days after the news item went viral online, the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court said the former PDP spokesman stage-managed his own fall. The court even ruled for the continuation of the trial, describing Mr Metuhs collapse as planned or calculated. To be frank, it is difficult to sympathise with the average Nigerian politician especially if his/her (often shady) deals are put in the context of the ripple effects it has on the ordinary Nigerians. But it is equally important that the rule of law is respected just as it is binding on democratic institutions to be fair and just irrespective of the people involved. This gives a little bit of legitimacy to peoples skepticism about this governments anti-corruption campaign, particularly as it appears to be targeted at opposition politicians. But then, the court has in its own wisdom given its verdict and it would be preposterous to interrogate such in an ongoing trial. What SATIRE SATURDAY however finds amusing is the shortsightedness of the average Nigerian politician, his cocky and loud persona notwithstanding. In other words, who flexes muscle with an opposing side when you can simply join them, drop a portion of your alleged loot and live in peace afterwards? Since 2015, theres virtually no state in Nigeria where an opposition PDP bigwig has not been dragged before anti-graft agencies over the 2015 general elections campaign funds. From Jigawa to Kano, Oyo to Osun, Taraba to Bauchi, we have had many PDP stalwarts questioned and made to face the music. (Meanwhile, the biggest mystery in the land remains how the then opposition APC funded its own campaign, but thats by the way). Interestingly, a few smart Alecs among the ex-PDP chiefs have foresight and have since ported into the APC. Largely, like whited sepulcher, they have become born again and now live in peace, with some even muting the idea of running for offices in the next electionon the platform of the APC! Others have taken it upon themselves to preach the gospel of the presidents incorruptibility to every part of Nigeria, junketing from Umuahia to Ado-ekiti, screaming Change! Of course, there are a few ex-PDP chiefs who report said are among a host of suspects to be tried by the anti-graft agencies, months after they decamped to the APC. But then, those cases are few and far between and, on the flipside, in these days of parallel congresses, it is even unclear whether they do not belong to the anti-establishment faction of the party. So the haunting question pops up: rather than the theatrics of the court room, when will Chief Olisa Metuh finally collapse into the APC and, like whited sepulcher, become born again and possibly be left to sin no more? Rather than collapse on the bare floor of the court room with his bare head kissing the bare floor without getting any succor, why not simply collapse into the haven of saints that is the ruling party? ON A SERIOUS NOTE: The pains, sorrows of JOHESU Strike In the last few weeks, many Nigerians have had to go through severe pains in our hospitals following the strike action embarked upon by members of the Joint Health Sector Union, JOHESU. Newspaper reports reek of heart-shattering accounts of how poor Nigerians are in pain, with some dying slowly, due to the crisis. The paradox here is that the strike action has no effect on the ruling elitesthe nations president inclusivewho have the resources to seek medical services abroad. The poor and wretched have been most affected by the strike. One is only hopeful that the government would find lasting solutions to the underlining issues behind the crisis. Meanwhile, it is quite unsettling that during the week, across social media platforms, many Nigerians were less concerned about the effect of the strike. Many were busy taking sides in the spat between two over-fed generalswho have in one way or the other contributed to the poor state of Nigerias health sector. Pathetic. The cracks within Nigerias ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) became pronounced during the local government congress of the party held nationwide penultimate Saturday. Apart from reports of how the congresses were marred by violence in many states of the federation, at least two persons were killed in Lagos and Gombe states. The crisis and infighting reached its crescendo last Saturday when the party held its state congresses across the country. The congresses, staged to elect new leaders for the party in Nigerias 36 states and Abuja, revealed that the ruling party has been unable to resolve its differences as parallel congresses were held in many states. The split of the party in many states governed by APC and others showed that there is unsettled rift among top leaders of the party, including those holding sensitive elective and appointive positions in the federal government. While the state congresses revealed non-cohesive party structures across the states, the developments are fallouts of supremacy wars that had been raging within the party among the power brokers, long before the congresses were held. Here is a look into the intrigues and conspiracies that snowballed into what was witnessed during the congresses in three of the affected statesKwara, Lagos and Oyo. 1. KWARA In Kwara, the battle for the soul of the party since its creation on February 6, 2013, has been between the scion of the Saraki dynasty who is also Nigerias Senate President, Bukola Saraki, and Nigerias Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed. Mr Saraki is the son of Olusola Saraki, a former Nigerian Senate Leader and formidable political leader in Kwara State. Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed [Photo: Daily Trust] Shortly before the death of the older (Olusola) Saraki, Mr (Bukola) Saraki has strategically positioned himself as the leader of Kwara politics. His candidate, the incumbent Abdulfatah Ahmed, had defeated his fathers preferred candidate and his (Bukolas) own sister, Gbemisola Saraki, to emerge the state governor in 2011. The victory validated Mr Sarakis emergence, fetching him the title Leader among political stalwarts in the state. Former Senate President, Bukola Saraki His late fathers popular house located in the old GRA part of Ilorin, known as Ile Arugbo, is a political Mecca of sorts for the hoi polloi and other appendages of power in the state. Mr Saraki has been in charge of the house since his death. He is effectively the new godfather of Kwara politics while Mr Mohammed on the other hand, although considered influential in national politics, is believed not to possess such a clout in the state. Majority Town Vs. Minority Town A significant part of the politics of the state is defined by religion, culture and the perceived strength of a politicians place of birth. Mr Saraki is scion of Olusola Saraki with links to Agbaji area of central Ilorin, the state capital. Mr Mohammed, on the other hand, hails from Oro in Irepodun Local Government Area of the state. While Ilorin, the state capital with huge voting population, is considered an influential voting bloc in the state, Oro cannot boast of such equal political influence. These dynamics, inconsequential as they appear on the surface, determine the power politicians from the respective places can exert in the party. The nPDP Debacle The APC was formed in 2013 as a merger of different political blocs. It was the result of an alliance of Nigerias three biggest opposition parties the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and a faction of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), which merged to tackle then ruling Peoples Democratic Party. In November 2013, five serving governors from the governing PDP defected to the APC. The governors, who formed what was known as the nPDP (New PDP), included Chibuike Amaechi (Rivers), Abdulfatah Ahmed (Kwara), Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano), Murtala Nyako (Adamawa), and Aliyu Wamakko (Sokoto). At the time of the defection, analysts believed the structure of the APC in Kwara State was effectively in the hands of some old ACN stalwarts among whom is Mr Mohammed, who had acted as the publicity secretary of the ACN and was retained in the same position in the APC. But the defection of Governor Ahmed, a political sidekick of Mr Saraki, changed the dynamics of power in the party. The power game was shifted with the influx of numerous serving nPDP lawmakers, both at the state and the federal levels, including Mr Saraki himself, who was at the time a senator. But the party managed to maintain its fragile structure prior to the 2015 elections, winning a number of elective positions. The incompatibility of interests, however, remained. The conflicts resurfaced a few weeks before the state congress when members of the old nPDP alleged that they were not given a sense of belonging in the party. On Saturday, factions in the state chapter of the party held parallel congresses in the state. While the faction loyal to the Senate President held its congress at the Banquet Hall opposite the Government House, Mr Mohammeds faction held its own at Arca Santa Event Hall. Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed; APC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi; a senator, Shaaba Lafiaji; and lawmakers representing the state at the National Assembly and state House of Assembly were present at the congress held at the Banquet Hall. On the other hand, some former loyalists of Mr Saraki joined the other faction led by Mr Mohammed. They include Moshood Mustapha, a former Special Assistant to the Senate President on Special Duties and Inter-Parliamentary Affairs; Raheem Adedoyin, a former Commissioner for Information under the Saraki administration; and a former Secretary to the State Government under the Saraki administration, Ganiyu Cook-Olododo. The composition of members at the parallel congresses shows that the crack within the party is deeper and it would need serious reconciliation efforts to get things right in the state. Also, Mr Mohammed is a known loyalist of ex-Lagos governor Bola Tinubu, who vehemently opposed Mr Sarakis emergence as senate president. Mr Tinubu eventually accepted Mr Sarakis emergence after reconciliation efforts, but both men are still believed to be political adversaries. Observers believe the Kwara APC crisis might be Mr Tinubus way of taking the APC structure in the state away from Mr Saraki. OYO In Oyo state, the battle for supremacy is between the state governor, Abiola Ajimobi, and the Minister of Communication, Adebayo Shittu. Former Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi There are other interests on the sideline, particularly among aggrieved federal lawmakers in the state, who rallied together under the umbrella of what they called Unity Forum. But the conflict dates back to the years of the ACN, before the formation of the All Progressives Congress. The ACN, before the 2011 elections in the state, had two distinct camps: those loyal to a former governor of the state and leader of the party, Lam Adesina, and those in support of the gubernatorial candidate of the party, Mr Ajimobi. The late Mr Adesinas camp were known as Lamists while those loyal to Mr Ajimobi were tagged SENACO a name purportedly derived from the governors campaign sloganeering. Lamists Vs. SENACO Shortly before the death of Mr Adesina, there had been insinuations in the party (ACN) that the Lamists were being sidelined in the scheme of things. But the animosity was not pronounced until the death of the late politician and the formation of the APC. The cracks became visible in December 2016 when some members of the Lamist group alleged that the governor was planning to impose candidates on party members in the then scheduled local government election fixed for February 2017. The conflict later degenerated into sharp division in the party, snowballing into the full scale controversy that tore it apart in the violent ward congress held penultimate Saturday and the just concluded state congress. Old ACN Vs CPC debacle Mr Shittu, the minister, is believed to be a loyalist of President Muhammadu Buhari from their days in the CPC. Mr Shittu was the gubernatorial candidate of the party in 2011, when Mr Buhari contested as president. Since the formation of the APC, Messrs Shittu and Ajimobi have been at loggerheads in their struggle for the control of the party. Mr Shittu, reportedly banking on federal support has been wrestling the structure with the governor, after he was reportedly denied the governorship ticket in 2015. In 2016, Mr Ajimobi, reports said, stood against Mr Shittus selection as the minister from the state on the ground that he didnt work for the success of the party in the elections. The battle for supremacy is also being fought by old members of the CPC loyal to Mr Shittu and those of the ACN, loyal to Mr Ajimobi. Factional Congresses Meanwhile, events of the past few weeks have shown that Mr Shittu found worthy allies in other aggrieved elected lawmakers in the party, together with whom he has been wrestling the structure with Mr Ajimobi. Collectively, they are known as Unity Forum. The Minister of Communication, Adebayo Shittu, [Photo credit: THISDAYLIVE] Based on the composition of the Unity Forum faction, those against the governor include son of the late Mr Adesina, Dapo Lam-Adesina; members of the House of Representatives including Sunbo Olugbemi (Oluyole), Taiwo Akintola (Egbeda/Ona Ara), Sunday Adepoju (Ido/Ibarapa East), Abiodun Olasupo(Iseyin/Itesiwaju/Iwajowa), Segun Ogunwuyi (Ogbomoso North/Ogbomoso South/ Orire), Bosun Oladele (Irepo/Olorunsogo/Orelope), Gbenga Ojoawo (Ibarapa North/Ibarapa Central). There is also a senator representing Oyo Central, Monsurat Sunmonu; Adeolu Akande, a gubernatorial hopeful, among others. On the other hand, Mr Ajimobi has been able to mend fences with a former governor of the state, Adebayo Alao-Akala. LAGOS Until recently, the APC in Lagos is believed to be a cohesive whole under the leadership of a former governor of the state and national leader of the party, Bola Tinubu. Even though Mr Tinubus preferred candidates including incumbent state governor, AKinwunmi Ambode, had been challenged in party primaries in the past, the party still appeared indivisible under Mr Tinubus leadership. APC Chieftain, Bola Tinubu But trouble began when Fouad Oki, a former loyalist of Mr Tinubu, rebelled against the mainstream leadership, splitting the party. Earlier in February, Mr Oki launched a movement in opposition to the party leadership, stating that the movement was out to correct the partys lack of internal democracy and wanton imposition of candidates. The movement was called the Broom United Movement. Broom United faction At the launch of the group in Lagos, Mr Oki, said the group is a coalition of all members in one big and united enclave that will accommodate all shades of opinion, views and aspirations in a collective and healthy competitive atmosphere. Our party suffers from low organisational capacity and lack of internal democracy, Mr. Oki said. The resultant effect of this has been its incapacity to support our democracy as expected. Its inability to serve many important functions, including citizen mobilisation, interest aggregation, public policy formulation, leadership recruitment and government organisation. This apparent weakness underscores the need for reform and institutionalisation of a process whereby professionals become more central to the running of our party. A History of Imposition of Candidates Mr Okis accusation of imposition of candidates on the party is not the first one. In 2014, dozens of party members marched to the office of the then governor, Babatunde Fashola, to protest against the imposition of candidates for elective positions. In an interview with PREMIUM TIMES a few months later, the partys National Legal Adviser and a former commissioner in the state, Muiz Banire, also spoke out strongly against the tendency of imposition on the people in the party. Mr Banire has since been at loggerheads with the party leadership in the state. Muiz Banire as Opposition Within? Last year, Mr Banire threatened to sue the immediate past chairman of the party in the state, Henry Ajomale, for alleged defamation. Muiz Banire. [Photo credit: THEWILL] The threat came after Mr. Ajomale, while reacting to a court ruling ordering a fresh primary election in Odi-Olowo local council, accused Mr. Banire of misleading the judge. Earlier, some party members had approached a Lagos High Court seeking the cancellation of the party primaries which ended in violence. Mr Ajomale accused Mr Banire of sabotaging the court processes, thus exposing the party to ridicule, a charge to which Mr Banire threatened a lawsuit and N500 million compensation. The controversy within the party also snowballed into the dispute over the reported demolition of Mr Banires mothers property in Lagos last November. The plan prompted the official to sue Mr Ambode, whom he said was persecuting him. Factional Congress On Saturday, Mr Banire was not present at either of the parallel congresses held in the state, a move political watchers described as strategic in the context of the animosity between him and the party leadership. Apart from Mr Banire, another pointer to a possible weakness in the structure of the party in the state was the absence of Mr Fashola (who is now a minister) in the scheme of things. Mr Fasholas input has been conspicuously absent in the affairs of the party in the state, a pointer to the fact that all may not be well between him and the party leadership. Although Messrs Fashola and Banire were absent at the factional state congress held by Mr Oki, their stance on happenings in the party in the state are similar to Mr Okis who is believed to enjoyed their tacit support. Analysts React Maruf Asudemade, a public affairs analyst, noted that the way forward is for the national leadership of the APC to rework the constitution of the party to take the leadership of the party away from the governors and engender party supremacy. The challenges of factional division threatening to tear state chapters of APC are not peculiar to the party alone, Mr Asudemade said in an interview with PREMIUM TIMES Monday afternoon. Other parties also have same factional divisions. However, as a party whose mantra is built on change, one expects a deviation from the norms of putting parties at the whims and caprices of state governors who are using the opportunity of being the leaders of the party in the state to curry every political favour to their side. As it stands now, some governors stand to lose (their) party structures to the majority faction who seems to have the ears of the presidency. Parallel congresses have been conducted and what was surprising is that INEC officials and committee on congresses from the national headquarters of the party were on hand to coordinate the parallel congresses. After the partys national convention, one foresees an intervention from the national leadership by way of harmonising the results of the parallel congresses to pacify the factions at war. Yet, some governors stand to lose their relevance in the scheme of things, especially now that most of them are winding down their second tenure in office. One surmises that the challenges of factional division will persist unless APC returns to the sanity of party supremacy. It is high time parties stopped empowering individuals at the expense of institutions, he said. Strong individuals and weak institutions will continue to weaken Nigerias democracy and the masses because of whom democracy is being practised will always be at the receiving end, he added. For Akinola Sikiru, a political analyst, there is need for those identified by the mainstream APC establishment in the states where there were parallel congresses to bury their differences and mend fences with aggrieved party members. Speaking specifically about the case of Oyo State, he opined that the governor needs to extend the olive branch if he truly wants genuine reconciliation. These people have had to stomach many things, he said of the aggrieved factional leaders. It was when they were pushed to the wall that they voiced out their grievances. Imagine a governor choosing 68 chairmanship candidates and 602 councillorship candidates all by himself. This was after many aspirants had purchased forms. Some even borrowed money. For the past six years, the governor has not deemed it fit to meet members of the National Assembly from Oyo State. Unknown to the governor, his enemies keep increasing on daily basis. The Unity Forum is not a Lamists thing alone. Its only populated by majority of the late governors loyalists. They are people who have, one way or the other, helped the governor. As a leader and somebody who has many things to lose, he needs to meet the aggrieved party men, talk to them assure them of their places in the party. Party Speaks Speaking in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital at the weekend, Bolaji Abdullahi, the spokesperson of the party said the APC would not recognise parallel congresses organised in places the party had no representative in. He said, I have only one message; you may have heard that some people are gathered somewhere, saying that they are organising another congress. I was to reaffirm that the only congress that is recognised by our party, is the congress organised by the committee that the party has sent; any other congress is an exercise in futility, he said. How much Mr Abdullahis statement will hold sway in the final decision on the parallel congresses is yet unclear, especially as the current national leadership of the party, of which Mr Abdullahi is a member, is expected to leave office in June. As the party prepares for its national convention in June, it is unclear whether the various disgruntled elements across the states would agree to reconcile. Yet, however the pendulum swings, what is crystal clear is that, like it happened to the then ruling PDP, the divisions, ultimately, would have an effect on the fortunes of the APC ahead of the 2019 general elections. After talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said the current generation must see a conclusion of a Russian-Japanese peace treaty. "The issue of a peace treaty that was not signed for more than 70 years is not easy to solve, but our generation wants to put an end to this problem," he said, stressing that this is one of the priority areas for the Japanese diplomacy. Four African countries have been slated to host the 2018 African Students for Liberty (ASFL) regional conferences. The conference, an annual event, is aimed at bringing together students and young leaders in the continent, a statement by ASFL noted. It will hold in Nigeria, Kenya, Tanzania and Burundi between July and December. A host of international speakers are expected to grace the event between this period. ASFL Regional Conferences are events held to introduce new students to the ideas of freedom and provide a forum in which students already dedicated to liberty can become effective leaders. They serve as a combination of pep rally, debate forum, lecture hall, strategy room, and networking session for students interested in the principles of human and economic freedom. And its a weekend of fun and meeting with young leaders from all walks of life and as well as making new friends, the statement said. ASFL noted that the conference in each country will touch on topical issues affecting the host nation or region. We have privacy issues and affront on the press in Kenya; Codeine ban, rice imports ban, death penalty for hate speech offenders all by Nigerian government; Continental Free Trade agreement signed recently in Kigali by African nations; Industrialization agenda and leadership crisis in Tanzania and many more shall make up the discussions at this years conferences. Application for the conference is free and available at the organisations website. Nigeria and other African countries at the Africa Day 2018 in New York renewed their commitment to win the fight against corruption so as to advance sustainable development on the continent. Nigerias Permanent Representative to the UN, Tijjani Bande, and other African envoys, made the pledge at the celebration of Africa Day, hosted by the AU Mission to the UN. On Africa Day, Africans on the continent and in the Diaspora converge to recommit to the mission of the AU, and to celebrate the diversity and progress of Africa. Mr Bande represented President Muhammadu Buhari, who was recognised in his capacity as the Champion of AUs anti-corruption crusade. The theme for this year is: Winning the Fight against Corruption: A Sustainable Path to Africas Transformation. He noted the laudable vision of the defunct Organisation of African Unity, now AU, but said it would not be achieved if the continent did not deal with corruption. Mr Bande said: The Thabo Mbeki Report indicated that Africa loses at least 50 billion dollars to corruption yearly and it receives less as aid. Talking about corruption, which is not calculated but happens every day, the conclusion is clear: theres no way well achieve our ambition if we do not tackle corruption. The President of Nigeria has been showing clear resolve to fight corruption Treasury Single Account, Whistle Blowers Policy and no one will be allowed to go scot-free with corrupt practices. And almost every day, millions of Naira are being uncovered that could not be used even by individuals who have stolen them. Mr Bande conveyed Buharis gratitude for the recognition that he should lead as champion against corruption but reminded the gathering that corruption fights back. He said corruption had fought back and is fighting back, not only in Nigeria but all over the continent, stressing the need for resilience in the fight against the scourge. According to him, every institution judiciary, executive, legislature is implicated, adding that fighting corruption involves all of us; the citizens must be on board or there would be no victory. The Nigerian envoy said political will, individual efforts, institutional reforms, among others, were needed, stressing that there is the need to forge stronger partnership to ensure stolen funds are returned. Chairperson of African Union Commission, Moussa Mahamat, said the launch of AU was a testimony to the determination of African leaders to expedite the achievement of continental unity and to find home-grown solutions to the regions challenges. Represented by Fatima Kyari-Mohammed, Permanent Representative of AU to the UN, Mr Mahamat said central to the work ahead of AU is the fight against corruption in all its forms. Corruption destroys the lives of ordinary people and undermines their trust in their leaders and public institutions. Resources that are needed for development and the delivery of services such as electricity, education, healthcare, sanitation and clean water are diverted by a few, thus depriving the majority of the people from access to these critical services. The AU Commission chief said African leaders had declared the July 11 yearly as African Anti-Corruption Day, 2018 as Year for Combating Corruption and adopted a Call to Action to fight against corruption and eradicate it. I want to challenge all of us, leaders and Africans from all walks of life, to firmly deal with this scourge, the AU chief said. Mr Mahamat said 2018 witnessed the launch of the Single African Air Transport Market, as well as the signing of the African Continental Free Trade Area and the Protocol on Free Movement of Persons, and the African Passport. Other speakers at the event, which also honoured the centenary birthday of late Nelson Mandela, included Rwandan Ambassador to the UN Valentine Rugwabiza and President of the UN General Assembly Miroslav Lajcak. Others were Vice President of Universal Peace Federation International, Tageldin Hamad; Wife of Cape Verde Ambassador to the UN, Yamile Rocha and South Africas Ambassador to the UN, Jerry Matjila. Mr Matjila formally presented South Africas candidacy for the Non-Permanent Seat of the UN Security Council, representing Africa for the 2019 to 2020 term. The election comes up on June 8. Former President Goodluck Jonathan has advised Nigerian leaders to make personal sacrifices in the bid to strengthen the nations democracy and make the country great. The former president also said gave reasons why his party, the Peoples Democratic Party, cannot be defeated in a transparent election in Ekiti State Mr. Jonathan, who stated this Friday night at the inauguration of a flyover built by the administration of Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose in Ado Ekiti, urged leaders to always strive to resist the pressure from unpatriotic elements wishing to subjugate democracy to attain selfish ends. He spoke against the backdrop of the coming Ekiti governorship elections where the oppositions frenzied bid to unseat the ruling PDP in the state is attracting nationwide interest. He said: Since I came in I have been going round the state with the Governor. I have seen the support the Governor still has, I have seen the support the Peoples Democratic Party enjoys in the State. I have also seen the enthusiasm of our people. I dont believe anybody can defeat the PDP in Ekiti, if real election is going to be conducted. On the need for free and fair elections in the country, Mr. Jonathan said: I use this opportunity to call on Mr. President because I was there before, and I know that when you are there, there is so much pressure on you to use all the powers at your disposal to subjugate democracy. Dont do that because what you go with, at the end of the day, is the good name you leave behind. If you use your powers negatively, posterity will haunt you. I call on Mr. President to use his power to strengthen democracy because all the great democracies we see in the world today were built by people. People make sacrifices to make their country great. Making a case for good leadership, the former President stated further that he always felt sad each time people said negative things about Nigeria, noting that it has got to a stage where the nations neighbours cite the country as a bad example. He said: A President of a neighbouring country, Ghana, recently made two negative remarks about Nigeria. First, the current Ghanaian President was addressing Ghanaians about the movement of cattle within their shores and he said openly that Ghana is not like Nigeria where cattle roam freely. That was quite uncomplimentary. He added that recently the same President was speaking in the United Kingdom when he made disparaging remarks about Nigerias currency. If it has got to a level when the Presidents of neighbouring countries will cite Nigeria as a negative example, then we must know as leaders of this country that certain things are not going well, and we must change the way we do things. He described Governor Fayose as a man who has the courage to lead his people, noting that he never compromised anything that had to do with the interest of the people of Ekiti State. He (Fayose) has done well and has defended and protected the interest of the people of Ekiti State. We are here for infrastructural development. While here, I have inspected the High Court complex that was commissioned yesterday (Thursday). I have inspected the market being constructed. I was a part of commissioning of the new Governors Office and I have inspected the office. This night I am commissioning the Flyover. Everybody is talking about this flyover which is not just the first in Ekiti State but the first flyover of its kind in Nigeria. The resources of Ekiti State is small compared to many other states. It is a feat to have this kind of projects done here. We have to thank the vision of such a dynamic man Ayodele Fayose who is the Governor of the State. Mr. Jonathan also commended Fayose in the area of education, stressing that any leader who wanted to develop and liberate his people would first treat education as a priority. Anybody who does not encourage education wants to imprison the minds of the people so that he will continue to subjugate them and exploit them, said. He described Ekiti people as a population that places high value on education. Not too long ago we were surprised when Ekiti records in national examinations dropped so low. I was quite pleased when the records improved through the efforts of Governor Ayodele Fayose, of course supported by the Deputy Governor, a university professor that supervised the educational sector. So, anybody who can enhance education and improve the infrastructure of the state within the limits of the limited resources available to the state has a good vision for the state. The Borno State government on Saturday, inducted a total of 2,900 youth volunteer force as members of a newly created Neighbourhood Watch, whose role includes sniffing out drug abusers and perpetrators of other related crimes. The Neighbourhood Watch (N-Watch) is a replica of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) that came into force in 2013 as a volunteer group helping the military to combat Boko Haram. Borno State governor, Kashim Shettima, said the N-Watch will also compliment the existing synergy between the CJTF and the military in guarding communities against infiltration of Boko Haram and also in combating societal vices like drugs abuses. Mr Shettima, who spoke during the launching of the new security outfit said the 2,900 youths would be deployed to the 27 wards within the two local government areas of Maiduguri and Jere, forms the state capital. The governor said the formation of N-Watch is part of his community policing initiatives which he said has yielded positive result in the past when it was tested with the Civilian-JTF. Since the establishment of the Civilian-JTF there has been a tremendous improvement in the relationship between the civilian populace and the armed forces which use to be very frosty, the governor said. I want to pay tribute to all our gallant officers and men who have paid the supreme sacrifices for us to have peace in this part of the world he said, adding that the tribute also was for CJTF, many of whom have died, paying the far reaching sacrifice for the state to have peace. The current set of Neighbourhood Watchers are backed by the law and we will deploy them to their immediate neighbourhoods to safeguard lives and properties and also to ensure the issues of drugs abuse are addressed frontally. He called on the youth to exercise utmost caution and avoid taking laws into their hands while discharging their responsibility. Any perpetrator arrested by the N-Watchers are to be handed over to the nearest police station for onward prosecution, he said. Earlier, the Attorney General and commissioner for Justice, Kaka Shehu, a Barrister, whose office coordinates the activities of all volunteer security outfits in the state, said the N-Watch is duly backed by a legislation from the state House of Assembly. He said the roles of the neighbourhood watch isnt that different from that of the existing Civilian-JTF. The Neighbourhood Watch is more or less the baby of the Civilian-JTF, the Attorney General said. The members of the N-Watch were drawn from the 15 wards of the Maiduguri metropolitan council and 12-wards of Jere local government area. They are also members of the Civilian JTF that are untrained. We feel training them will add value, and that informed the decision of this government to train them and form the neighbourhood watch. The Neighbourhood Watch is backed by Vigilante and Youth Empowerment Law of Borno State. The law came into force after the advent of the Civilian-JTF which then, (was) a spontaneous reaction as a defence mechanism. As a responsible government, an all-inclusive security council meeting was called to checkmate the new baby that was born. After a robust meeting with the new Civilian-JTF, we assisted them to form their command structures, and then designed their method of reporting, screening and that gave birth to the Borno Youth Empowerment Scheme. Later we transmitted a proposed bill to the State Assembly, which was passed and then gave birth to the vigilante and Youth Empowerment Agency Law. He said the 2,900 members of the Neighbourhood Watch represents 100 person from each of the 27 combined wards of Maiduguri and Jere, even larger wards like Lamisila-Jabarmari and Maisandari got 200 volunteers. Mr Shehu said the Neighbourhood Watch has the powers to arrest but not to prosecute or mete any form of punitive or disciplinary measures on any arrested offender. He said the Maiduguri and Jere local government areas launch is a pilot scheme that will be replicated later in other local government areas. Highlight of the event was the distribution of patrol vehicles to each of the 27 wards. Some Muslims in Enugu State on Friday endorsed Governor Ifeanyi Ugwunayi for a second term in office for promoting peace, security, national unity and good governance in the state. Rising from the Jumat prayers commemorating this years Democracy Day held at the Central Mosque, Owerri Road, Enugu, which was attended by Mr Ugwuanyi in company of his deputy, Cecilia Ezeilo; Leader, Enugu State House of Assembly, Ikechukwu Ezeugwu; among other top government functionaries, the Muslim faithful said they are pleased with the governor for his special love for the Muslim community. The Muslins, who offered special prayers for Mr Ugwuanyi, Enugu State and the country at large, added that they were impressed with the governors humble disposition towards them and the entire people of the state. They told Mr Ugwuanyi that no governor loves Muslims more than you, stressing that they are solidly behind his re-election in 2019 and will vote for him massively. Speaking, the Sarki Hausawa, Enugu State, Yusuf Sambo, who is also a member of the states Security and Peace Committee, informed Mr Ugwuanyi that we have cause to thank Allah for the fact that you have established the most essential aspect of governance that is security of lives and property. Mr Sambo stressed that the Muslim community in the state has every reason to celebrate, saying Allah has given us a man with humility, with love for all residents of Enugu State and a special love for the Muslim community. He disclosed that the Jumat prayers call for celebration in appreciation of 19 years of uninterrupted democracy in Nigeria and three years of sustained peace and good governance in Enugu State. He thanked the governor for the food items for the breaking of fast, saying: You have handed Enugu State to the hands of Almighty Allah, and He says whoever entrusts in Him, he will lead his way and Insha Allah, Allah will lead your way, he said. Responding, Mr Ugwuanyi thanked the Muslims for their prayers for his administration and the country, reassuring that the state will remain peaceful and secure for every resident irrespective of tribe or religious differences. The Commissioner of Police, Enugu State, Danmallam Mohammed, was also at the event. The Director-General of the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF), Muhtari Aminu-Kano, raised an alarm on Saturday that erosion may soon wipe off the Lekki Conservation Centre in Lagos. Mr Aminu-Kano told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that sand filling, dredging and land reclamation activities in various communities in the area had directly threatened the existence of the park. According to him, the development has endangered various animal and plant species in the reserve, requiring urgent intervention of the Lagos and Federal Government to save the reserve. Our problem is that with recent developments, we have become an island. This is one of the only few places where you have dense population of trees and animals and what that means is that all the buildings around us have raised the land above us so, we are now in a depression. When the rains come, all the water drains into this reserve. So we have a lot of flooding and areas that are not normally flooded are now flooded. We have, however, done a study and we are trying to improve the drainage without disturbing the natural ecosystem. But another problem we have is that of shoreline erosion. He noted that with the ongoing protection of the Bar Beach shoreline and land reclamation activities around Maroko and Lekki, water was finding its level back on the conservation area. It means this reserve is under threat. The erosion is now eating up the area. What used to be Bar Beach erosion before is now coming to our part of Lagos. That is why we are asking the authorities, both Lagos State and the federal government, especially the Ecological Funds Office, to do something urgently. Our appeal is not just for us alone but all the communities around us living or deriving their livelihoods from this area. He said that the NCF was also speaking to researchers and other interests on ways to explore the bio-diversity of the reserve. Mr Aminu-Kano, however, lauded Akinwunmi Ambode, the governor of Lagos State, for providing some facilities and constructing a major perimeter road to facilitate access to the park. He appealed for more support to boost tourism at the park, lamenting that forests and game reserves in the country were facing deforestation, due to human activities. A NAN correspondent, who visited the park reports that some portions of the reserve, having low fence have collapsed while some other facilities have dilapidated. (NAN) Contact Brittney Brueggeman ***@consumer51.com Brittney Brueggeman End -- Consumer51, an international consumer-experience company with business operations in Pennsylvania, New Mexico, and Indiana, announced that Boonville-Warrick County Public Library has selected the firm to design and develop its new mobile-friendly website."We're excited to launch our new website and share it with the community. Visitors will finally be able to access our site from their mobile devicesmaking it easier for them to enjoy our programming and offerings." said Brooke Bolton, Director of Boonville-Warrick County Public Library.The goal of the new website is to create a contemporary look and feel and provide mobile friendly access to its users. The website will continue to provide access to the library's comprehensive catalog and shed light on its daily programs and events.Toby Sapusek, Consumer51's Lead Web Developer based in Wabash, IN commented on the project, saying "The new website design will be a major improvement for the library. The website will have enhanced digital infrastructure and a modern design, which provides users a better experience as they are navigating through the site. It's been a fun project for our team and we hope it attracts more community members".The project has been underway for a few months and is expected to launch this Summer. The library plans to release more information about the launch through its Facebook page this Summer.Boonville-Warrick County Public Library is dedicated to providing public information and knowledge to its local community for 50 years. The library promotes public health by providing information, education, resources, materials, programs, and services. The Boonville Warrick County Public Library is the main branch of the Warrick County Library system. Other branches include Lynnville, Tennyson, and Elberfeld.Consumer51 LLC is a privately held consumer-experience company, providing marketing and technology solutions for today's connected world. The company provides a wide range of services including web design, web development, web hosting, domain registration, email management, user experience design, mobile application development, brand identity design, inbound marketing, creative services and consulting to clients ranging from startups to Fortune 50 brands. For more information about Consumer51, visit http://www.consumer51.com Business Council for Peace (Bpeace) Aims for a More Peaceful World Through Jobs By: Business Council for Peace Guatemalan restaurateurs with Daiquiri Deck co-owner Russell Matthes Contact Thomas & Brannan Communications ***@thomasbrannan.com Thomas & Brannan Communications End -- A group of women restaurateurs from Antigua, Guatemala, participated in a six-day apprenticeship at Daiquiri Deck Raw Bar restaurants on the Florida Suncoast. The apprenticeship was part of the Business Council for Peace (Bpeace) mission to create jobs in the world's challenged economies."More jobs means less violence," said Bpeace co-founder Toni Maloney, CEO of the nonprofit organization. Bpeace is an international network of business professionals who volunteer to help women entrepreneurs in conflict-affected countries to expand their businesses, create employment, and build a more peaceful future for their communities.Maggie Mondragon, Lola Aycinena, Tatiana Palomo and Victoria Gonzalez, owners of Fridas restaurant in Antigua, participated in workshops and activities custom-designed for their business, including menu design, staff training, operations, marketing strategies, and a business plan review, among other topics. They also toured Daiquiri Deck Sarasota-area locations in Siesta Key Village, South Siesta Key, St. Armands and Venice.Founders Mondragon and Aycinena moved from Mexico to Antigua in 1995 and opened a taqueria with only three tables. Named after the great Mexican artist Frida Kahlo, the restaurant now seats 135 diners and attracts a steady flow of international tourists as well as a growing number of locals. The apprenticeship will help Fridas achieve its goal of creating a franchisable concept, opening two smaller taquerias within the year, and expanding its catering service."This was a great opportunity to share our business knowledge with a hard-working small group of entrepreneurs looking to expand their company in a challenging region of the world," said Daiquiri Deck co-owner Russell Matthes, who developed the apprenticeship program.Bpeace reaches out to small-business entrepreneurs in challenged economies and connects them with volunteers (Skillanthropists). Through long-distance mentoring or in-country visits, Bpeace Skillanthropists share their expertise in HR, finance, strategy, marketing and manufacturing, and provide technical advice for industries ranging from food processing to technology to professional services.Bpeace was founded in 2002, the year after 9/11, when Maloney and four other business women decided to help make the world a better place. "When people have hope for a better economic tomorrow, they are not so susceptible to recruitment by the Taliban, gangs, or other threats to peaceful communities."One of four entrepreneurs who apply are accepted to the Bpeace Fast Runner program. Bpeace advises between 60-75 entrepreneurs at any one time, working with more than 300 experts from companies such as Amazon, Morgan Stanley, PwC, Salesforce and Spotify. In 2017, 135 Skillanthropists provided pro-bono services valued at $1.4 million. The organization is currently mentoring businesses in Lebanon, El Salvador and Guatemala. To make a donation or become a volunteer Skillanthropist, please visit https://www.bpeace.org NEW ORLEANS, May 25, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Former Attorney General of Louisiana, Charles C. Foti, Jr., Esq., a partner at the law firm of Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC ("KSF"), announces that KSF has commenced an investigation into CBS Corporation (NYSE: CBS). Beginning in November 2017, a series of news reports revealed claims of widespread and long-term acts of sexual harassment and lewd conduct by veteran CBS anchor Charlie Rose toward numerous female co-workers, dating as far back as 1976 to 2017. Along with those revelations were reports that CBS executives had received complaints, or had otherwise known, of Rose's behavior over the many years and failed to respond or take adequate remedial measures. A lawsuit recently filed by three former CBS employees against Rose for sexual harassment and other misconduct also named as defendants the Company's subsidiaries, CBS News Communications Inc. and CBS News Inc., based on the role of CBS executives in the alleged acts of discrimination, retaliation, failing to investigate and remediate complaints of misconduct, and failing to warn the plaintiffs of Rose's history of sexual misconduct, among other things. KSF's investigation is focusing on whether CBS officers and/or directors breached their fiduciary duties to CBS shareholders or otherwise violated state or federal laws. If you have information that would assist KSF in its investigation, or have been a long-term holder of CBS shares and would like to discuss your legal rights, you may, without obligation or cost to you, call toll-free at 1-877-515-1850 or email KSF Managing Partner Lewis Kahn ([email protected]), or visit https://www.ksfcounsel.com/cases/nyse-cbs/ to learn more. About Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC KSF, whose partners include the Former Louisiana Attorney General Charles C. Foti, Jr., is a law firm focused on securities, antitrust and consumer class actions, along with merger & acquisition and breach of fiduciary litigation against publicly traded companies on behalf of shareholders. The firm has offices in New York, California and Louisiana. To learn more about KSF, you may visit www.ksfcounsel.com. Contact: Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC Lewis Kahn, Managing Partner [email protected] 1-877-515-1850 206 Covington St. Madisonville, LA 70447 SOURCE Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC Related Links http://www.ksfcounsel.com LOS ANGELES and BALTIMORE, May 25, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Janet, Janet and Suggs, LLC managing partner Howard A. Janet, one of the lawyers who spearheaded the $190,000,000 settlement of the class action against The Johns Hopkins Hospital on behalf of approximately 8,000 women who alleged they were sexually abused and illicitly photographed by OB/GYN Dr. Nikita Levy, and founding and managing partner Mike Arias of Arias Sanguinetti Wang & Torrijos, LLP have filed a class action against the University of Southern California. The lawsuits are the first class actions to be filed in California state court on behalf of thousands of female students who were allegedly sexually abused and illicitly photographed by a USC OB/GYN. "The conduct alleged to have been committed by USC OB/GYN Dr. George Tyndall is eerily similar to that of Dr. Levy. As with the Hopkins case, this case centers on allegations of grossly improper pelvic exams that involved improper probing, at times without gloves, sexually charged remarks and illicit photographing of genitalia," said Mr. Janet. "It appears that Dr. Tyndall, like Dr. Levy at Hopkins, violated the sacred trust between physicians and patients specifically the trust between male OB/GYNs and patients in a methodical and disturbing fashion by preying on young, unsuspecting women." Dr. Tyndall practiced at USC's Engemann Student Health Center from 1987 until he was suspended in 2016. He claimed in a recent article to have provided care to "thousands and thousands of Trojan women" during his time at USC. The lawsuits allege that USC received repeated complaints from students and co-workers, but failed to take appropriate steps to investigate those complaints. Finally, in 2016, USC hired an outside firm to investigate Dr. Tyndall's conduct, according to media reports. The firm, MDReview, is the nation's only physician-led peer review medical consulting firm. The investigation found that Dr. Tyndall "exhibited unprofessional and inappropriate behavior" and that his pelvic exams were outside "current standards of care." "Shockingly, it appears USC agreed to enter a 'no finding' conclusion related to the investigation, characterize Tyndall's departure as a resignation, and actually provide him severance pay despite the findings from MDReview's investigation," said Mr. Janet. USC, in a recent press statement, took the position that it should have reported Dr. Tyndall to the Medical Board of California eight months earlier than it did. Mr. Janet said, "Given the multitude of complaints lodged to the University during much of Dr. Tyndall's tenure, there is a reasonable basis to conclude that USC should have reported him years, if not decades, earlier." The lead plaintiffs for the classes are not identified because of the sensitive nature of the lawsuits. The lead plaintiff in each class is referred to as Jane Doe. "USC students treated by Dr. Tyndall had every right to expect that the University had thoroughly vetted him so as to be confident that he'd be practicing ethically and not violate the trust placed in him by students," said Mike Arias. "It is simply unfathomable that a world-renowned institution like USC would ignore repeated red flags reported to them and allow this man to remain in a position where he could continue his abuse of students." The lawsuits also allege that many of the women targeted by Dr. Tyndall were of Chinese or other Asian descent. Also participating in the representation from ASWT is partner Arnold C. Wang, who was born in Taiwan, Republic of China and is fluent in Mandarin, along with Kate Harvey-Lee, a Senior Trial Lawyer at ASWT with extensive experience in complex litigation and class action matters. For additional information or to join the class, please visit the case information page at www.jjsjustice.com/lp/dr-george-tyndall-case. Those interested may also contact JJS toll-free at 1-877-692-3862 or Mike Arias and ASWT at 1-855-481-1020. ABOUT ARIAS SANGUINETTI WANG & TORRIJOS, LLP (http://aswtlawyers.com/) Mr. Arias currently serves as President of the Consumer Attorneys of Los Angeles and is President-Elect of the Consumer Attorneys of California. His firm has handled hundreds of class action cases across the country, represented millions of class participants and recovered hundreds of millions in damages. In fact, ASWT is one of the few law firms that has actually tried numerous class action cases. Taking such cases to trial is not a common occurrence with most class action attorneys. The firm does not take on a class action unless it is prepared to take it to trial. Arias, Sanguinetti, Wang & Torrijos, LLP has the manpower and resources necessary to confront the most complex legal challenges of class action litigation. Knowing that the firm will take such cases to trial is often the most effective way to obtain fair compensation and to ensure that the wrongful conduct of the defendant does not continue. ABOUT JANET, JANET & SUGGS, LCC (www.jjsjustice.com) JJS represents plaintiffs in complex, high stakes litigation in the areas of medical malpractice, sexual abuse, fraudulent business practices, pharmaceutical and medical device product liability, qui tam litigation, Federal Tort Claims Act and environmental litigation. The firm has successfully litigated against some the nation's largest and most prestigious organizations, including the Johns Hopkins Hospital, Penn State University, DuPont, Dow Corning, Baxter Healthcare, Bayer, Wyeth and the Mayo Clinic, among others. The firm's practice is national in scope. Whether working solely or hand-in-hand with other law firms, JJS has won verdicts and negotiated settlements exceeding $1 billion. Unlike many firms, the attorneys at Janet, Janet & Suggs, LLC actually try cases and have notched record-setting verdicts across the country. This provides JJS the leverage necessary to negotiate record-setting settlements. JJS's extraordinary in-house medical experts, including a board-certified OB/GYN, RN and former medical corpsman, give the firm an edge in high-stakes cases involving medical malpractice and misconduct by OB/GYNs, as well as enable them to uncover errors other firms may have missed. Contact: Joe Marchelewski 626-356-3006 [email protected] SOURCE ARIAS SANGUINETTI WANG & TORRIJOS, LLP Related Links http://www.aswtlawyers.com The new government faces the most difficult tasks, from the solution of which the future of the country depends, Russian President Vladimir Putin said addressing the new members of the Russian government. In this regard, the Russian leader demanded from the cabinet to work out the mechanisms for implementing the tasks and find the sources of funding. In addition, Putin called on the government to establish close cooperation with regions, parties, public figures and the All-Russia Peoples Front, TASS reports. TORONTO and SPOKANE, WA, May 25, 2018 /PRNewswire/ - Hydro One Limited ("Hydro One") (TSX: H) and Avista Corporation ("Avista") (NYSE: AVA) today announced the achievement of an important milestone in the regulatory approval process of their proposed merger. The companies have filed an all-parties, all-issues settlement agreement in the merger proceeding before the Public Utility Commission of Oregon ("OPUC"). This represents a full settlement which all parties have agreed is consistent with the public interest and will provide net benefits to Avista's Oregon customers. The settlement agreement is subject to review and approval by the OPUC. "This is yet another key milestone as we navigate the path toward completing this transaction," said Mayo Schmidt, President and CEO, Hydro One. "Once complete, this merger of two leading institutions will generate tremendous value for our organization, as well as our shareholders, employees and customers. We are very pleased by the progress we have been able to achieve in cooperation with all parties involved." "This settlement agreement is a positive next step in the process to finalize our partnership with Hydro One, for the benefit of our customers in Oregon and all of our stakeholders," Avista Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Scott L. Morris said. "With the broad support of all of the parties in Oregon, we believe the settlement agreement meets the standard for approval in Oregon and affirms the commitments we've made to continue to operate as we do today, with local decision-making and increased community support." The settlement agreement in Oregon includes financial and non-financial commitments, and confirms Avista's commitment to its customers and the communities it serves. Under the settlement agreement, customers in Oregon would receive immediate financial benefits in the form of rate credits that would become effective at the close of the transaction, along with additional safeguards to assure the continued financial well-being of Avista. As a result of this settlement agreement in Oregon, settlement agreements in Washington, Idaho and Alaska and commitments in Montana, the total financial commitment across all states, if approved, would be approximately $78.6 million. No costs associated with the transaction will be recovered from Avista or Hydro One customers. Please refer to www.puc.state.or.us for the joint application and settlement agreement (which includes the complete list of commitments). In addition to Hydro One and Avista, the parties to the merger proceeding in Oregon include the OPUC staff, Oregon Citizens' Utility Board, Alliance of Western Energy Consumers and the Oregon and Southern Oregon District Council of Laborers. Applications for regulatory approval of the transaction are still pending with utility commissions in Washington, Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Montana. An all-parties, all-issues settlement agreement was filed with the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission on March 27, 2018. An all-parties, all-issues settlement agreement was filed with the Regulatory Commission of Alaska on April 3, 2018. An all-parties, all-issues settlement agreement was filed with the Idaho Public Utilities Commission on April 13, 2018. A settlement agreement with the City of Colstrip was filed with the Montana Public Service Commission on May 15, 2018. Hydro One and Avista received the Federal Communications Commission's consent on May 4, 2018 to close their merger and antitrust clearance on April 5, 2018 after the expiration of the waiting period under the U.S. Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended. The transaction received approval from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on January 16, 2018 and from Avista shareholders on November 21, 2017. The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States completed its review of the proposed merger on May 18, 2018, and has concluded that there are no unresolved national security concerns with respect to the transaction. Also required is the satisfaction of other customary closing conditions. Hydro One and Avista continue to anticipate closing the transaction in the second half of 2018. About Hydro One Limited We are Ontario's largest electricity transmission and distribution provider with more than 1.3 million valued customers, over C$25 billion in assets and 2017 annual revenues of nearly C$6 billion. Our team of over 7,400 skilled and dedicated regular and non-regular employees proudly and safely serves suburban, rural and remote communities across Ontario through our 30,000 circuit km of high-voltage transmission and 123,000 circuit km of primary distribution networks. Hydro One is committed to the communities we serve, and has been rated as the top utility in Canada for its corporate citizenship, sustainability, and diversity initiatives. We are one of only five utility companies in Canada to achieve the Sustainable Electricity Company designation from the Canadian Electricity Association. We also provide advanced broadband telecommunications services on a wholesale basis utilizing our extensive fibre optic network through Hydro One Telecom Inc. Hydro One Limited's common shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: H). Forward-Looking Statements and Information This press release and the joint application and settlement agreement to which it refers may contain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Words such as "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "attempt," "may," "plan," "will", "can", "believe," "seek," "estimate," and variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking information. These statements are not guarantees of future performance or actions and involve assumptions and risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed, implied or forecasted in such forward-looking information. Some of the factors that could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from the results expressed, implied or forecasted by such forward-looking information, including some of the assumptions used in making such statements, are discussed more fully in Hydro One's filings with the securities regulatory authorities in Canada, which are available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com . Hydro One does not intend, and it disclaims any obligation, to update any forward-looking information, except as required by law. About Avista Corporation Avista Corporation is an energy company involved in the production, transmission and distribution of energy as well as other energy-related businesses. Avista Utilities is our operating division that provides electric service to 385,000 customers and natural gas to 350,000 customers. Its service territory covers 30,000 square miles in eastern Washington, northern Idaho and parts of southern and eastern Oregon, with a population of 1.6 million. Alaska Energy and Resources Company is an Avista subsidiary that provides retail electric service in the city and borough of Juneau, Alaska, through its subsidiary Alaska Electric Light and Power Company . Avista stock is traded under the ticker symbol "AVA." For more information about Avista, please visit www.myAvista.com . This news release contains forward-looking statements regarding the company's current expectations. Forward-looking statements are all statements other than historical facts. Such statements speak only as of the date of the news release and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the company's control, which could cause actual results to differ materially from the expectations. These risks and uncertainties include, in addition to those discussed herein, all of the factors discussed in the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2017 and the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2018. SOURCE Hydro One Limited MONTREAL, May 25, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Klik by PixMob, an advanced event engagement solution with smart wearables from Canada, today announced at C2 Montreal its partnership with the U.K.'s largest full-service event technology company, Crystal Interactive. The agreement gives Crystal Interactive the exclusive rights to sell and deploy klik in the U.K. and to support clients with Crystal's renowned full-service package at events in the U.K. and overseas. From left to right: Vincent Leclerc, Co-founder and CTO of PixMob; Chris Elmitt, Managing Director at Crystal Interactive; Jean-Olivier Dalphond, Partner at PixMob; Rob Curtis, Head of Innovation at Crystal Interactive; and David Parent, Co-founder and CEO of PixMob Klik's purpose is to transform event experiences for attendees, while providing event owners with powerful data collection and location intelligence capabilities, to help them better understand their events and audiences. Chris Elmitt, Managing Director at Crystal Interactive, said, "We are extremely excited to bring klik to U.K. event organisers for the first time. We have been actively looking for new technology partnerships for the last 12 months, but none of us expected to find something as transformative for live events as klik. Just as important as adding a technology solution that really resonates with our client base, in klik, we've found a team whose commitment to innovation and service excellence mirrors our own." David Parent, CEO of PixMob, said, "We're very proud of this new partnership. Crystal Interactive's stellar reputation will help us to break into the European market on solid footing. This is also a pivotal moment for our klik brand, which is currently experiencing phenomenal growth in the event planning market." The all-in-one solution enables event organisers to better plan, engage with and measure their events through registration, event programming, networking, location services, on-site staff management, and comprehensive live data and analytics. The wearable devices allow for truer attendee interaction and networking using state-of-the-art technology for more face-to-face and less face-to-phone, while at the same time gathering useful ROI data without impacting on the attendee's experience. About klik by PixMob Founded in 2006, PixMob is a Canadian company that developed a patented interactive wireless LED technology used to create stunning light effects on crowds. After 10 years of engaging crowds, PixMob noticed that many event technologies drew people deeper into smartphones and social networks, creating a digital wall that discourages human connection. To respond to this new reality, they created klik, with the purpose of fostering connections between attendees at live events, while collecting better data for event organizers in order to improve future events. About Crystal Interactive Audience engagement specialist Crystal Interactive has supported every type of conference, meeting, event forum, seminar and symposium, working with many of the FTSE100 and Fortune 500 companies. Established in 1990, the company has pioneered and developed text-based communication systems that allow delegates and participants to share ideas and provide real-time feedback and comment; enabling organisations to achieve more from their meetings and events. Media contacts: Myriam Dumortier Lisa Twidell Mzuri Tel: +44 1428 722 990 Mobile: + 44 7775 711967 Email: [email protected] Twitter: @_mzuri Katherine Bolton Mzuri Tel: +44 1428 722 990 Mobile: +44 7968 566385 Email: [email protected] Related Files Press Kit_klik by PixMob.pdf SOURCE PixMob LOS ANGELES, May 25, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Marinela, in partnership with The Boardr, have announced an exciting initiative to perform a complete overhaul of the famed #BoardrBus! For the third-year in a row, Marinela is proudly sponsoring a series of The Boardr skateboarding events in which the bus is being used as a mobile work space for the team of riders as they travel across the country executing their series of action-packed skateboarding events. "We are truly excited to partner with Ryan and the team at West Coast Customs to redesign our bus," said Paula Judith Flores, Brand Manager at Marinela. "We look forward to revealing the new and improved bus at each of our event stops this year and we thank Ryan and the talented team at West Coast Customs who are helping us to create what will be a true, mobile piece of art." West Coast Customs Founder and CEO Ryan Friedlinghaus had this to say about the exciting project: "We are happy to be doing a build like this for a top multinational company like Marinela. Growing up in So Cal, I love anything to do with skateboarding so we are thrilled to be doing this bus for The Boardr!" "The goal of this makeover is to transform our bus - from the inside out - into a complete and fully-customized mobile work zone," said Ryan Clements, Founder of The Boardr. "We're stoked to work with West Coast Customs to help bring this renovation to life and to wow our fans as we make our stops at the events across the country!" Find out where Marinela - The Boardr bus and crew will be by visiting the events section of The Boardr website. Marinela is a brand owned by Bimbo Bakeries USA (BBU) who is a leader in the baking industry, known for its category leading brands, innovative products, freshness and quality. The Boardr hosts and organizes skateboarding's top events like Vans Park Series, the current path to the 2020 Olympics. West Coast Customs is a premiere vehicle modification shop. #DownWithMarinela @gansitomarinelausa @theboardr @westcoastcustoms SOURCE West Coast Customs Related Links http://westcoastcustoms.com NEW YORK, May 26, 2018 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ -- Out for Undergrad (O4U), founder of the nation's most prestigious LGBTQ+ undergraduate leadership training conferences, has again named Goldman Sachs (NYSE: GS) in New York as its Business Conference Host Sponsor for the fourth consecutive year. Founded in 1869, the Goldman Sachs Group is headquartered in New York, maintains offices in all major financial centers around the world, and has received a rating of 100% on the annual Human Rights Campaign's Corporate Equality Index (CEI) since 2004. This index rigorously examines corporate response to the changing landscape of legal protections for LGBTQ+ employees and their families (both federally and from state to state) and emerging best practices to meet the needs of LGBTQ+ employees and to ensure that LGBTQ+ employees are treated fairly in the workplace. https://www.hrc.org/resources/corporate-equality-index-2019-criteria-updates O4U Executive Director, Cindi Love, said: "We are very excited and honored to again welcome Goldman Sachs as the host sponsor of our Business Conference. We connect deeply with their values about fostering inclusion as a priority by 'sustaining a work environment where people feel comfortable bringing their full selves to work and are empowered to reach their full potential. Students tell us that these weekend immersions change their lives, inspiring them to live authentically, bring their full and best selves to the workplace and pursue challenging, ambitious and purposeful careers.'" Founded in 2004, O4U offers four leadership conferences in Business Tech, Marketing and Engineering hosted by more than 130 of America's leading corporations and universities. These sponsors, alongside O4U volunteers, co-create dynamic weekend-long learning communities for LGBTQ+ professionals, mentors and students. http://outforundergrad.org Dane E. Holmes, Global Head of Human Capital Management of Goldman Sachs says: "At Goldman Sachs, we know two things to be true when it comes to talent: first, the health and success of our business depends on the quality of our people, and second, talent is not bound by factors such as race, gender, age or sexual orientation. For that reason, we are thrilled to continue our partnership with Out for Undergrad, an organization committed to the important work of connecting LGBTQ+ students with career opportunities and promoting diversity and inclusion in the workplace." The cost of O4U attendance for students is fully underwritten by sponsors who also send their leaders to mentor and train the best and brightest LGBTQ+ students in the nation about job opportunities in their highly competitive industries. http://outforundergrad.org/for-employers Media Contact: Goldman Sachs Jake Siewert Tel: +1 212 902 5400 Out for Undergrad (O4U) Cindi Love [email protected] 866-648-9727 SOURCE Out for Undergrad (O4U) Related Links http://www.outforundergrad.org BOCA RATON, Fla., May 26, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing (RLL) announced today that Seeman Holtz Property & Casualty, Inc., a leading distributor of insurance, will be an associate sponsor on the No. 30 Mi-Jack / Panasonic entry for reigning Indianapolis 500 champion Takuma Sato for the 102nd Indianapolis 500 on Sunday, May 27. Sato aims to become the first back-to-back winner of the Indy 500 since Helio Castroneves accomplished the feat in 2001-2002. "It's great to have Seeman Holtz Property & Casualty Inc. join our team for the Indy 500," said Bobby Rahal, co-owner of Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing with David Letterman and Michael Lanigan. Seeman Holtz branding will appear on Sato's race car that will start 16th in the 33-car field as well as on the sleeve of his race suit and in view on the in-car camera. "We are excited to partner with Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing to continue to expand our business, raise awareness of our services and deliver on consumer-focused strategies," said Marshal Seeman, President of Seeman Holtz Property & Casualty. "We have a history of connecting top professionals and their clients with leading insurance solutions. We look forward to building a long-term business with RLL and delivering on the services the team needs." Sato, a native of Tokyo, Japan, has made 140 starts in the IndyCar Series since his rookie season in 2010. His Indy car highlights include wins in the 2017 Indianapolis 500 and the 2013 Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach two of the premier races in the series -- and a total of six podium finishes. Also, he has earned seven Indy car poles and led a total of 471 laps. Before joining the IndyCar Series, he competed in 90 Formula One races between 2002-2008 with his highest finish of third at the 2003 United States Grand Prix. The 102nd Indianapolis 500 will be televised live on ABC beginning at 11 AM ET on Sunday, May 27. For more details about the Series, please visit www.indycar.com. About Seeman Holtz The Seeman Holtz family of companies provides comprehensive insurance services to clients across the country. Seeman Holtz Property & Casualty, Inc. continues to target high-quality independent agencies for strategic expansion and continued growth throughout the United States. The company offers homeowner's policies, automobile insurance, renter's policies, umbrella coverage, commercial and employee coverage, personal liability coverage, employee benefits and human resources. Contact: Eric Holtz Seeman Holtz Property & Casualty 844.255.6639 [email protected] SOURCE Seeman Holtz Property & Casualty, Inc. Back in 2002, when Allison Pearsons bestselling debut, I Dont Know How She Does It, was making women laugh with recognition at the sharp observations of her heroine Kate Reddy, a London investment manager with young children, a woman came up to Pearson at an event. You think shes got problems now? she said to Pearson with a sly smile. Wait til shes got a teenager. I literally didnt know what she was talking about, says Pearson, speaking from London, where she lives. I thought, Surely its going to get easier. At the time, Pearson had cast aside the pressure to do a sequel, feeling that shed said everything she had to say about being a working mom with little kids. But something about that womans smile always stayed with her. I guess my family got older, and I was seeing my friends and the different issues they were facing, Pearson says. I just felt this was a really different story to tell. Equally resonant, equally relevant, a story of aging plus having responsibilities upward and responsibilities downward. In How Hard Can It Be? (St. Martins, June), Pearson returns with a new chapter for Kate: now facing her 50th birthday, shes trying to relaunch her career after years as a stay-at-home mom. Shes also trying to help her teenage daughter, Emily, navigate the pitfalls of adolescence while facing her own life changes. I thought the idea that you would have a teenage girl who was going through puberty while the mother was going through menopause was one of Gods better jokes, really, Pearson says. Though Kates hormones are diving off a cliff, her trademark wit remains intact. She advises early on in the book, If youre thinking of [googling perimenopause], one word of advice. Dont. Struggling with lapses in recall, another symptom in a long and annotated list, she calls her memory a dusty provincial library. Pearson doesnt shy away from describing menopause in its sometimes-gory detail, a choice she made when she realized there was virtually no literature about this huge phase. I thought I would become the Quentin Tarantino of menopause, she says. Get out there and spill some blood. In her usual fashion, Pearson uses humor to get at the kind of common experiences that women share but rarely feel comfortable discussing openly. And she notes that a lot of women are misdiagnosed as being depressed and take antidepressants when their symptoms are just the result of hormones kicking in. Its not the same, Pearson says. So I thought it would be good to get a kind of conversation going about this taboo. It made you laugh a bit, right? Kates efforts to get back in the workforce are played for laughs with a similar underlying seriousness. She edits her resume, dropping details that would reveal her age and her time out from active employment. Its like, why dont the skills that women acquire have any currency in the world? Pearson asks. To me it seems absolutely ridiculous and it feels wrong. And yet, theres no denying that it happens all the time. A friend, whom Pearson tapped for details about Kates job in investments for the original novel, recounted that she met with a headhunter when she was planning a return and he told her, Nothing youve done in the last seven years would be of any interest to any of my clients. She rang up Pearson crying, just devastated. It went in the book. In How Hard Can It Be?, Kate eventually finds a position back at her old firm and the fund that she createdthough following the passage of time and a financial crisis, there is no one at the firm who remembers her. Pearson also calls on her experience as a journalist (she was a longtime columnist for the Daily Mail) for her source material. Parts of the novel began life as a column called Sandwich Woman for the Daily Telegraph. So Im just a cannibal, she jokes. I store away anecdotes that are either very poignant or very funny, and I gather them all up in a file and I make sure I put them in a book. Although Pearson is inclined to make people laugh, she says, In literature you get marks deducted if you make people laughbut if we dont laugh about it, we cry. I think its not so much that, as that this stuff happens to everybody and can we just share this experience a little bit more? Pearson believes that laughter opens people up and that the experience of a comic novel is a generative experience. They say, Oh boy, you think thats bad. You should hear what happened to me, she notes. Everybody sharesso it feels like were not alone. Sometimes Pearson writes things without realizing shes hit a nerve. Two close girlfriends read the manuscript, and afterward they both told Pearson they were lying about their age at work. I had no ideano idea, Pearson says. Revisiting Kate at this stage in her life also allows Pearson to explore issues facing the next generation of women. A side plot in the book involves Kates daughter and a belfie ( a bottom selfie; it features the buttocks) that goes viral at her school. Pearson is making a point about the impact of social media on young girls. She recognizes the huge challenges of parenting in the age of social media and a possible connection to the epidemics of anxiety and self-harm among young girls. In How Hard Can It Be? Kate attempts to protect her daughter and at the same time discovers that her new position comes with plenty of pitfalls: she has to fend off pervy clients and put harassing coworkers in their place. I know women who have had to put up with outrageous behavior, Pearson says. One very senior banker told me that men in the office would buy her vibrators. Very provocative, rude stuff. These episodes may face a different kind of scrutiny in the #MeToo era, but the book considers women like Kate who, Pearson says, tough it out as they come up through Wall Street and similar environments. She acknowledges that these situations exist in the workplace. It feels like the book is arriving at a moment when these issues are really surging to the surface, she says. The zeitgeist agrees: Made Up Stories, the company of Bruna Papandrea (the producer of Big Little Lies), has optioned the book for television. It feels like a really good time to bring Kate out into the world, Pearson says. Its a hint to the incredible strength and resourcefulness of the middle-aged woman. By the novels end, Pearson has brought Kate from a place of dread and self-loathing to empowerment, to a place where she can say, I didnt succeed despite being 50. I succeeded because I brought everything I am and everything I know from being a parent and a child and an employee to the journey. Deborah Bander is a lawyer and freelance writer living in Brooklyn. We all know publishing is a tough business. But if Ive learned one thing from writing this column, its that the people working in it have an unmatched capacity for taking chances and expecting surpriseswhich is my segue to Samantha Downings debut novel, My Lovely Wife, about an unusual serial killer couple living and operating in Florida. Downing ignored the business side of writing and just wrote her novels12 in 20 yearsbut never submitted them. Jen Monroe had been an assistant editor at Berkley for only seven months when she preempted My Lovely Wife, her first major acquisition; and Barbara Poelle, Downings agent at Irene Goodman, took a chance on a very young editor and gave her an exclusive. Until now, Downing tells me, she always thought of her writing as a hobby. Her job (which she plans to keep) is as a corporate secretary for a manufacturing company. The perk is that it involves travel, and she loves to write in airports. Downing says she always wrote novels, in all genressome she finished and some she didnt. Early on, she attended a writing conference in New Orleans (where she lives now, a transplant from the Bay Area). It was, she says, a lot about the publishing industry; that just made me give up. But two years ago, Downing joined a local writing group that was very encouraging. The group was especially taken with Downings Millicent character, a suburban wife and mother who harbors and indulges some extremely terrifying impulses. The inspiration? I saw this documentary about a couple who kidnapped a woman and held her captive for years, Downing says. Ultimately, the wife let her go and ended up testifying against her husband. This got Downing thinking about gender reversal. Its always the men who are the instigators in these crimes, she says. What if the woman was the instigator? And if it were a woman, who would that woman be? Shed be Millicent, married 15 years, the mother of two teenage children, a boy and a girl. Her husband, the unnamed narrator, is clearly complicit in the crimes and is also clearly a follower with his own set of skills. Early in the book, we meet him seducing a victim while masquerading as a deaf man named Tobias. One passage that gives a sense of his and Millicents relationship: after telling her they have to wait before taking their next victim, he narrates, I want to ask her if she understands but I know she does. She just doesnt like it. She is upset Lindsey has been found now, right when we were planning another. Its like she has become addicted. She is not the only one. My Lovely Wife is a knockout. Its not just a novel about serial killers. Its family drama, about a marriage, about kids out of control, about infidelity, and about the news media; and its also about the folks next door. Its an effortless page-turner, which is exactly why Monroe, after getting the manuscript on a Wednesday afternoon, stayed up all night reading. Monroe is 25 years old and had been on the business side at HarperCollins for two years when she heard about an opening at Berkley. Print editorial was the dream, and Berkley does the kind of books I want to do, she says. And at Berkley, she knew everyone had the opportunity to buy a bookbut as a newbie, she also knew that the challenge was getting an agent to send her a manuscript. Then, at a BookExpo party last year, Monroe met Poelle, who was impressed enough with her that when Monroe followed up, Poelle invited her to the Irene Goodman agency offices for coffee and to meet everyone. The coffee turned into wine, and all the agents adored her, Poelle says. Publishing is so subjective. When you find someone who shares your taste, its special. So when My Lovely Wife came across Poelles desk in summer 2017, she remembered Monroe and their connection. I thought I would give her a shot, a head start, and sent the manuscript to her with a 48-hour exclusive, Poelle says. Monroe ran it up the flagpole. I couldnt believe the hustle on this woman. My style is 99% passion, 1% intelligence, and I chose the feeling I had with Jen. Monroe says she was blown away by My Lovely Wife and sent it to her boss, Amanda Bergeron. She asked Bergeron, Am I crazy or is this really this good? Bergeron thought it was, and Monroe went back to Poelle and asked to speak with Downing (We vibed immediately, Monroe tells me) and take the next steps. She got the weekend added to her exclusive, and the book was preempted the following Monday, in July 2017, in a two-book six-figure deal. Berkley took world rights, which Poelle says she doesnt usually do, but she wanted the house to have the chance to sell the rights. So far, My Lovely Wife has sold in three territories: in the U.K./Commonwealth to Penguin UKs Michael Joseph imprint; in Germany to Random House Germanys Wilhelm Goldmann Verlag; and in Hungary to Agave Konyvek. The group I work with is so supportive, says Monroe of the deal. The book was a team project and in line with Berkleys vision of investing in authors. It went through a few rounds of revisions and was done in December 2017. The one thing Downing was emphatic about was that Millicent not have a tragic history or sympathetic backstory to explain her murderous compulsions. I just wanted her to be this way, the author says. The route the manuscript took to Poelle was not so direct; Poelle calls it beautifully organic. She was walking out of an event with Farley Chase, an agent and a friend, and he told her about a manuscript from a friend of his, Dave Hart, whom he knew from school. Hart got the manuscript from one of his friends, who was in Downings writing group and one of the early fans. Farley thought it might be something more suited for me, Poelle says. It was a domestic thriller; he focuses more on nonfiction. It all happened in such a wonderful way. We all wanted the manuscript to have the best chance, to find an advocate; no one was hoarding. Downing had finished her original manuscript in April 2017. I wrote one draft, revised it, and sent it off, she says. Chase received it in June 2017. Downing and Chase spoke a few times, and Chase explained that it wasnt for him but that she should send it to Poelle. The manuscript had just turned up in his email, Downing laughs. He suggested that I might add a cover letter. When Poelle called Downing about the manuscript, they had a great first conversation. She asked me where I got the idea, and I told her I was sick and disturbed, and that was it, Downing says. We really clicked. And the excitement continues. My Lovely Wife pubs Mar. 26, 2019, with a first printing of 75,000 copies. Early publicity plans include a tour and appearances at regional trade shows. Downing says she will seem like the classic overnight successthe writer everyone hates, as her friend put it (translation: a writer with a book contract). Meanwhile, Downing says, Its been 20 years. I just kept plugging away. After 11 years as an agent, Poelle says she has the greatest job on the planet. And Monroe? When I got the deal, I ran laps around the officelike Rocky Balboa. The high of negotiating, talking to the author... I understand gambling addiction. Einhorn Grabs Dirt for Seven Figures After a nine-house auction spanning three days, Flatiron Books Amy Einhorn won American Dirt, a novel by Jeanine Cummins. Einhorn paid seven figures for the book, which Doug Stewart at Sterling Lord Literistic sold. The novel follows a mother and her young son as they try to cross the border into the U.S., fleeing their Mexican city, which has been taken over by a drug cartel. The publisher described American Dirt as a rare work that is both a page-turner and a literary triumph. Its also timely, according to the Macmillan imprint; the publisher noted that in 2017, someone died trying to cross the U.S.-Mexico border every 21 hours. American Dirt tells the untold stories of why everyday people would risk everything, including their very lives, to have a chance at a new beginning. The author, who was born in Spain and lives in Maryland, spent 10 years working in the publishing industry before becoming a full-time writer. She has published three paperback originals with NAL, including the bestselling 2004 memoir A Rip in Heaven and the 2010 novel The Outside Boy. Instagram Poet Re-ups at Atria In a six-figure acquisition, Sarah Cantin at Atria bought world rights to a new collection by Instagram poet Atticus titled The Dark Between Stars. The anonymous author, who writes under a nom de plume and dons a mask at publicity events and in photos, has more than 600,000 followers on Instagram. His debut collection, Love Her Wild, was released by Atria in 2017; that book has gone on to become a bestseller and, Cantin noted, rights sold in 13 territories. The Dark Between Stars, Cantin said, will feature heartfelt, whimsical, and romantic poems. Atticus was represented by Andrea Barzvi at Empire Literary. Lake Union Re-signs Sullivan Mark Sullivan has inked a world English rights agreement with Danielle Marshall at Amazons Lake Union imprint for his new novel, The Last Green Valley. Sullivans bestselling Beneath a Scarlet Sky was released by Lake Union last year and, according to the publisher, spent over 40 weeks on Amazons Most Sold and Most Read charts. Beneath a Scarlet Sky is also being adapted into a TV movie starring Tom Holland (Spider-Man: Homecoming). Sullivans new book, sold by Meg Ruley at the Jane Rotrosen Agency, is about the true story of the Martel family, who fled Ukraine in the dying months of World War II and headed for Montana. The book, which is set for 2021, chronicles, the publisher said, an extraordinary exodus as the clan was caught in a dangerous, fluid no-mans-land between advancing and retreating armies. Jazzerciser Bounces to McGraw-Hill The founder of Jazzercise, Judi Sheppard Missett, sold Building a Business with a Beat to Cheryl Ringer at McGraw-Hill Professional. Jill Marr at the Sandra Dijkstra Literary Agency, who represented Missett, said the book is part memoir, part practical business guide in which the author, who in 1969 created one of the first major exercise crazes, addresses topics like the difficulties of being a female entrepreneur and the challenges of building a business in what Marr called a fad-based industry. The book, subtitled Leadership Lessons from JazzerciseAn Empire Built on Passion, Purpose, and Heart, is set for a summer 2019 release, timed to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the creation of the business. Missett is writing the book with Susan Carol McCarthy. Ringer took world English rights in the agreement. Easton Takes Protestors to Crown Kids For Crown Books for Young Readers, Phoebe Yeh took world rights to Emily Eastons picture book, Enough! 20 Protestors Who Changed America. The title, illustrated by Ziyue Chen, will, Crown said, give young readers an introduction to some of our nations most influential dissidents, including Martin Luther King Jr. and Jazz Jennings. Ryan Deitscha survivor of the Parkland, Fla., school shootingwill provide a foreword. The book is slated for fall. Easton represented herself in the deal; Chen was represented by Mela Bolinao at MB Artists. Europa Buys Azars Tree Michael Reynolds at Europa Editions acquired North American and U.K. rights to Shokoofeh Azars novel, The Enlightenment of the Greenage Tree. The book, which is set for a 2019 release, was shortlisted for the Stella Prize (which celebrates the work of Australian women writers) and is set in 1980s Iran. Its story of a family fleeing Tehran after it is taken over by the Revolutionary Guards, Europa said, recasts the real horrors wrought on one family by war and national conflict in the frame of mythology and magical realism. Natasha Solomon at the Rights Hive represented the Iranian-Australian author. For more childrens and YA book deals, see our latest Rights Report. With industry sales largely flat, one way publishers have maintained their profit margins in recent years is by operating more efficiently and taking costs out of the supply chain. But publishers ability to contain costs could be put to the test this year as the price of paper rises. As one publisher noted, because of an overall decline in demand, paper prices have been good for several years. In early 2018, however, a number of events have led to a decline in the paper supply and an increase in prices. A recent report by printer Quad Graphics noted that the cost of uncoated groundwork paper rose $35 per ton on February 1 and rose another $25 per ton March 1. Costs have risen in part because of a reduction in supply, as a number of Canadian mills have either closed or, in search of better margins, switched from producing paper to manufacturing other products, such as packaging, explained Matt Baehr, executive director of the Book Manufacturers Institute; the institute recently held its annual meeting, which focused on paper issues. Supply has also been reduced by an environmental crackdown in China, which has reduced the amount of imports from there, said John Maine, v-p for global graphic paper at RISI (a company that analyzes the forest product market) and a speaker at the BMI conference. Another factor driving up prices, Maine noted, is that the cost of pulp has increased by 25% over the past 18 months. Also adding to the cost is higher transportation charges, as trucking companies cope with driver shortages and higher fuel costs. In the near future, Maine told BMI attendees, tight markets due to supply cuts, rising costs, and a weaker dollar will push up the cost of paper. Complicating the longer-term outlook for paper pricing and supply are tariffs that have been imposed on paper produced in Canada. The tariffs came after the Washington Statebased North Pacific Paper Corp. (Norpac) asked the Department of Commerce and the International Trade Commission to investigate imports of uncoated groundwood, which it believed were being subsidized by the Canadian government and/or being dumped in the U.S. at reduced prices. The DoC agreed in its initial ruling, and duties and antidumping penalties ranging up to 32% have already been imposed on Canadian paper imports ahead of a final hearing by the ITC later this year. Though the ITC may lower the charges, no one PW spoke with expects them to be totally eliminated. (The tariffs and penalties are currently being collected; if they are lowered, companies will be reimbursed.) Another wrinkle in the tariff issue came in mid-May, when legislation was introduced in the Senate that would put a pause on the duties on uncoated groundwood paper until the DoC studies its impact on the printing and publishing industry. A House companion bill is expected to be introduced in early June. Publishers contacted by PW, all of whom spoke on condition of anonymity, said that they are monitoring the situation, but, as one executive noted, they are not pressing the panic button. Another executive expressed frustration with Norpacs action, noting that American publishers have few American companies to turn to for paper other than Norpac. RISIs Maine suggested that publishers need to look for alternative sources of supply and think about using different grades of paper. One possible source of supply is Europe, but that will take time to set up, he added. Maine also recommended that publishers plan for longer lead times when ordering paper. At present, publishers said their publishing schedules have not been affected by rising costs and supply shortages, but they are keeping an eye on what the ITC will do. We need to be patient and see how things unfold, one executive said. What is not on the table, he added, is passing the higher costs on to consumers: Raising book prices is the last thing we want to do. Companies in various industries host LGBTQ employee resource groups, and publishing is no exception. We spoke with representatives of such groups at four houses; all have related goals but each has a different way of organizing. Some are grassroots affairs spearheaded by passionate advocates. Others work closely with human resources and company executives. Regardless of structure, members and allies alike have discovered how queer employee groups can enrich workplaces and publishers relationships with readers. DIY Community Nora Alice Demick, who works in marketing at Riverhead, Viking, and Penguin Books, cochairs the Penguin Random House LGBTQ Network with Tan Chan, a designer. They inherited the group from founder Emanuel Xavier, a poet, author, and activist who works in special markets at PRH. Xavier launched the network in 2011 on the heels of the company creating a video for the It Gets Better project, which supports bullied LGBTQ youths. Demick and Chan took the lead in 2017, and one of their first changes was to add the Q to the groups name. We thought this would better represent the different orientations and gender identities that we have here at PRH, and we wanted people to know that we acknowledged their existence, Demick says. We want people, LGBTQ or otherwise, to know that were here. That was one of the biggest issuesno one knew that there was an LGBTQ network at PRH. In the past year, the network has expanded from brown bag lunches and happy hours to fundraising and volunteering. We did a huge, successful bake sale for the Trinity Place Shelter, a homeless shelter for LGBTQ youth in Manhattan, Demick says. We sold out in an hour and had to go scrounge up croissants because we didnt have anything else left to sell. About 150 employees have signed up for the groups mailing list. The network will participate in New Yorks Pride March again this year and is organizing book giveaways and panel discussions throughout June. Activities come to a head during Pride Month, but the group also pursues long-term projects, such as its crowdsourced bibliography of LGBTQ literature. To look back and see that we have all these titles by LGBTQ individualsas a queer person, its empowering, Demick says. It makes me confident every single day walking into work. Leading by Example At Macmillan, after the 2014 launch of the We Need Diverse Books campaign, several employees realized the company wasnt doing enough. The discussion sort of arose like a volcano, says Angus Killick, associate publisher at Macmillan Childrens. He and Monique Patterson (editorial director, romance, and executive editor at St. Martins Press) cochair the diversity and inclusion council, which was created in 2015. Were trying to infuse the organization with multiple touch points on diversity, so that people are more aware during their daily lives at work, Killick says. To that end, the diversity council offers programming and workshops on bringing books with diverse perspectives to market, where editors, marketers, and publicists come together over lunch to discuss past strategies and hear new ideas. Killick says the childrens divisions Reading Without Walls program, started by former National Ambassador for Young Peoples Literature and First Second graphic novelist Gene Luen Yang, has been a big inspiration for the council. The idea is to get people reading books that they wouldnt normally pick up, Killick says, whether in topic, voice, or genre. For Pride Month in June, well ask divisions to suggest books, and then well pile them up in the lobby. Employees will be invited to choose a title, spend some time with it, and pass it along to a friend. Actively promoting diversity within the publishers output has driven a big change in how Killick, for one, sees the overall Macmillan catalogue. Nowadays, you can promote an LGBTQ book alongside any other book that were publishing, he says. Were not siloing the publishing of those books any longer. Its about the quality of the book more than it is the topic. Simon & Schusters 10-member Diversity Council, founded in 2001, has a deep history of outreach and partnerships. In order to reach as culturally a diverse community as we can with all of our books, we have to be represented by as culturally diverse people as we can be, says Joy Bertan, director of talent acquisition and diversity initiatives at S&S. The council, which focuses on programs and volunteer opportunities, can be a serious time commitment, she says: This isnt something you just say youre a part of. Bimonthly author events have been a hit with employees, Bertan says, such as the recent q&a with transgender activist Janet Mock, whose Surpassing Certainty (Atria) was recently released in paperback. Laurent Linn, art director at S&S Books for Young Readers, presented his debut YA novel, Draw the Line (McElderry), when it pubbed in 2016. Amanda Armstrong, who has led the S&S Diversity Council for 12 years, is especially proud of the way the group has facilitated volunteer work at the company; employees have donated their time to LGBTQ-oriented nonprofits including the Trevor Project, Housing Works, and the Ali Forney Center as part of the companywide community outreach day. She sees the encounters as enriching to S&S as a publisher and an employer because they raise questions that extend beyond that day of service. How do we define what we did, and incorporate what weve learned? she asks. How does that help us to look for the next book, to look for the next author, to look for the next person were looking to hire? Filling a Need In August 2017, academic and professional publisher Elsevier had thriving pride groups in its offices in Amsterdam, Philadelphia, and in Iloilo and Manila in the Philippines, as well as a newly established chapter in Chennai, India. David Parsons, publisher of the Elsevier journal Data in Brief, recalls saying to himself, New York is one of our biggest officesits a shame that were in the birthplace of the gay rights movement and we have nothing to show for it. Three months later, Elsevier Pride N.Y.C. held its first meeting. After just four hour-long get-togethers, the groupnow called RELX Pride N.Y.C., thanks to the increasing interest its drawn from employees throughout the companys parent organizationhas begun to find its voice. In the beginning, we had no idea what our purpose was, except that we were all gay, Parsons says. It was like, okay, this cant just be gay club. We felt like there was a good opportunity for us. The group has had some early successes, including fundraising $1,350 for AIDS Walk New York 2018, which the company will match. Parsons is particularly excited about one plan for fall, when group members will go into New York City high schools to show queer students that its possible to come out and have a great, stable life. The group is also organizing an in-house workshop about pronoun usage and advocating for a gender-neutral bathroom. Because of the pride group, Parsons has also found a community at work that he hadnt thought was available to him. I feel like theres a palpable improvement just in general communication within my office, he says. Its the first time Ive ever interacted with people from different silos. Were not all super like-minded, so Im glad we came together. Reaching Out Publishers LGBTQ groups are having an influence not just on employees, but also on their authors. Some editors have mentioned that there is an active LGBTQ network to queer authors that theyre considering acquiring, as an incentive, PRHs Demick says; the groups presence may serve as evidence of extra consideration in supporting an authors book. Marketers and editors contact Chan and Demick for advice on targeting potential booksellers and readers. Thats my dream, to be able to help this process along, Demick says. More people are joining these efforts. At Macmillan, Killick estimates between 35 and 40 employees from across the company make time for the Diversity and Inclusion Council and its committees, including the head of human resources and the houses employment lawyer. A full-time consultant joined in February as a project manager. Parsons counts between 10 and 20 active members of the N.Y.C. Elsevier/RELX Pride chapter, with 40 on its mailing list. Simon & Schusters Armstrong notes the difference efforts such as pronoun education have made in the hiring process. You can see when people come in and interview with us, that they felt that they can actually work here, like everyone else, she says. Demick has a big vision for PRHs network going forward. I want every single person [at PRH] to come to us and let us know that theyre publishing an LGBTQ-oriented book, she says. I want to increase everything that were doing so that we can have more time and more space for all the people that should be involved with this. As Demick is quick to point out, that includes allies, too. Anyone who wants to come and be supportive is totally welcome, she says. Theyre probably just going to have to watch RuPauls Drag Race or something. Esther Bergdahl is a freelance journalist in Brooklyn who writes about creativity and culture. Below, more on the subject of LGBTQ publishing. Rainbow Connection: LGBTQ Publishing 2018 LGBTQ community building takes many forms, including literary festivals, writers retreats, and online outreach. LGBTQ Publishing 2018 Select 2018 books with LGBTQ themes. Pan-Slavism is a concept crystallized in the 19th century when the topic of the political unification of the Slavic-speaking peoples on the basis of common culture, history, language and blood relationship was prevailing. That time the First Pan-Slav Congress was held, the first Pan-Slav flag and anthem were created, the analyst of Vestnik Kavkaza, Nikita Vlasov, said today in the National Question program on Vesti.FM, talking about the main problems of the Russian national policy. These ideas were extremely in demand by Nicholas I and Alexander III with their craving for official Slavophilism since they created the basis for Russia's most important geopolitical project - unification of all Slavic peoples under the scepter of the Russian Tsar. A significant part of the Slavic peoples that time was under the rule of the Ottoman Empire or Austria-Hungary, " the analyst said. According to the expert, since then, the idea of Pan-Slavism has largely lost its political relevance, having turned more into a humanitarian, social and cultural project. "Although I would like to note that the Slav Congresses are still held, mainly they discuss scientific and educational projects, for example, the activities of the International Association of Slavic Universities, the activities of the Slavic Committee and holding of the joint Slav holidays. Special public projects are mainly of a bilateral, but not a multilateral nature, for example, between Russia and Serbia, "the analyst of Vestnik Kavkaza said. "But this does not mean that the topic of the mutual interest and attraction of the Slavic peoples was completely left in the past or dusted in the shadow of the university's lecture rooms and scientific offices. On the contrary, in connection with the situation in Ukraine, the search for ways to preserve the public dialogue between Russians, Ukrainians, Ruthenians, Byelorussians, Poles is as important as it was never before, Nikita Vlasov pointed out. Dan Lopez and his friends had arrived early at the comedy reading, and it was already standing room only, at the back of the house. Lopez saw this as a plus: hed helped organize the event as part of 2017s inaugural Lambda LitFest Los Angeles, which tapped into an appetite for a queer literary community in L.A. LitFest L.A. is one of many spaces where LGBTQ authors, readers, and publishers find one another. Whether its at a fully costumed extravaganza like New Yorks annual Flame Con queer comics convention or via a hashtag like #OwnVoices, book lovers are bringing the full force of their identities to the stories they love, in person and online. For the next LitFest, which opens Sept. 29, Lopez will serve as event producer, helping to organize a weeks worth of community-driven and professional programming. The goal is to celebrate the diversity of LGBTQ voices in the L.A. metro area, he says, and to be an event on par with AWP or Saints and Sinners, an annual LGBTQ literary festival founded in New Orleans in 2003. That mission has attracted varied participants, including Bryan Fuller, executive producer and co-showrunner on Neil Gaimans American Gods; poet Richard Blanco, who read at Barack Obamas second inauguration; and the writers who presented at a reading and q&a called We Are Chicanx: A Brown Queer Revolution. One of the most successful events, Lopez says, was the Queers Who Submit workshop, produced in collaboration with the Women Who Submit collective and aimed at guiding new writers through the submission and publication process. Such practical skills are especially valuable, he says, to marginalized writers who dont know how and where to submit their work. An older woman who had been writing but had never really been publishing, when she submitted her first thing during the workshop, she was in tears of joy, Lopez says. Everybody was celebrating it. It was a really positive and encouraging space. Ruth Sternglantz, editorial and marketing consultant at LGBTQ publishers Bold Strokes Books, recognizes the importance of that sense of community. Queer activism and queer publishing have always been inextricable, she says. Bold Strokes Books releases some 120 titles annually, and actively focuses on developing new authors. One major Bold Strokes project is its semiannual authors retreat. The ninth one just wrapped up in Nottingham, U.K., in conjunction with the publishers annual book festival. Some 30 authors joined editors and the publisher for large group sessions, small writing workshops, and social events. One new author had attended the Bold Strokes U.K. Book Festival many times as a reader and was overjoyed to finally participate in the publishers retreat as a writer; another got to see her book in person for the first time at the festival. Sternglantz emphasizes the importance representation for LGBTQ writers and readers. If you dont see yourself, at least in fiction, having experiences, how do you know you exist beyond the four walls of your brain? she says. Everyone deserves to see themselves in stories. And while queer books belong everywhere, Sternglantz says, there remains a place for LGBTQ-specific publishers. A lot of the works that a queer press is going to publish will not have the kind of mainstream appeal that a mainstream press needs for their business model. Thats why we still have a role and a place thats distinct. The Picture of Diversity For writers and others trying to break into the industry, discoverability can be one hurdle to getting published. MariNaomi, a comics artist in Los Angeles, learned this in 2014 while researching an article about creating comics whose characters are of a different ethnicity than ones own. The fact that she couldnt find a directory of cartoonists of color surprised her. I didnt grow up with the internet, really, she says, but I took it for granted that everythings online, and thats absolutely not the case. MariNaomi understood the need for a publicly available database and soon after launched Cartoonists of Color and a second database, Queer Cartoonists. CoC was a no-brainer, whereas I wanted to be more careful with the latter, she says. I didnt want to out anyone, and I tried to figure out how to gather information respectfully. Ultimately, it made more sense for QC to be opt-in per the creator, whereas anyone could submit any creators info to CoC. MariNaomi got the word out on social media, and via her website and Patreon platform. As of May, Queer Cartoonists has 775 entries; its searchable by identifiers such as pronouns, ethnicity, location, genre, and production role, and its already helping creators find work. Theres strength in numbers, MariNaomi says. When you realize how many people crave these stories, it makes you a lot bolder to actually tell the story you want to tell. Ive heard from a lot of people, particularly the younger cartoonists, whove gotten their first gig off there. Thats one of the main points of having the databaseto help people. The project is important to MariNaomi personally as well as professionally. It was a while before I figured out my sexuality, so its exciting to see super-young people who not only identify very strongly as queer, but think hard about it, she says. It gives me a lot of hope for the future. Return to the main feature. "Between 2001 and 2017, U.S. government efforts to stabilize insecure and contested areas in Afghanistan mostly failed. That's the main conclusion in the latest lessons learned report to Congress from the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR). After 16 years, nearly 2,400 U.S. service members killed, and untold billions spent, the U.S. government is no closer to achieving the peace and freedom that President George W. Bush promised would prevail in Afghanistan when he announced combat operations there in October 2001. The reason? The United States basically made the same mistakes it made in Iraq, according to SIGAR chief John F. Sopko: the government greatly overestimated its ability to build and reform government institutions, mainly because the U.S. programs for rebuilding Afghan civil society were not properly tailored to the Afghan context, and successes in stabilizing Afghan districts rarely lasted longer than the physical presence of coalition troops and civilians. When the U.S.-led coalition handed over control to the Afghan government in 2014, he added, the services and protection provided by Afghan forces and civil servants often could not compete with a resurgent Taliban as it filled the void in newly vacated territory. Just as ISIS filled the void left by the U.S. withdrawal from Iraq (and the ongoing civil war in Syria), the Taliban and other militant groups easily returned to Afghanistan. Now, nearly 17 years after the U.S. invasions, nearly half of country's districts are contested. As part of its ongoing expansion of operations in and around Africa, the U.S. military has recently begun operating drones from a Greek airfield. MQ-9 Reapers, the more advanced replacement for the venerable Predator drone, deployed last month to Larissa air base in eastern Greece near the Aegean Sea on a temporary basis as they transition to a different location, according to Auburn Davis, the chief of media operations for U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa, who noted that the remotely piloted aircraft, or RPA, are unarmed and engaged in intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions known as ISR. This is the first time that ISR capabilities have been temporarily deployed to Greece, Davis told The Intercept. Due to operational security considerations, the Air Force declined to release details about the missions for which they'll be used beyond referencing foreign policy security objectives in the region, specifically to address threats emanating from the south. The Reaper drones are ordinarily based in Africa, according to Pentagon spokesperson Eric Pahon. So President Trump cancelled his meeting with Kim Jong-un, scheduled for June 12 in Singapore. A diplomatic disaster? No. Diplomacy, Trump-style. We'll now see what Kim's made of. TROY, N.Y. Raolik Walls checked into Hudson Mohawk Recovery Center's Supportive Living for Men on Nov. 30 last year, but he never checked out. The 27-year-old father and aspiring rapper from New Jersey was trying to turn his life around after struggling for years with an addiction to marijuana and the drug Molly, a supposedly pure form of MDMA that's often cut with other drugs, his mother Yvonne Ketter-Walls said. When he decided last spring that he was ready to get clean, his extended family in Schenectady helped him enroll at the St. Peter's Addiction Recovery Center in Troy to detox, then got him into a halfway house in Troy, and finally into supportive living at the Hudson Mohawk center, which has a men's living facility, in Troy. It was supposed to be his last stop before returning home to his daughter. But four days after Walls entered the facility no one ever heard from him again. Wondering why he hadn't called, his aunt visited the center on Dec. 9 to see him in person and was told he had packed all his stuff and left five days earlier, said Ketter-Walls. Surprised and worried, his family and friends began asking around town for him. Did he relapse and was hiding out? Did he overdose and die? They called morgues and hospitals. They checked local drug hangouts. They visited a Burger King he frequented and showed his picture to staff. Nothing. On Jan. 11, 39 days after the family last spoke to Walls, a pest control worker entered his room at the Hudson Mohawk center and found a badly decomposed body on the bed. It was Walls. He had been there the whole time. How exactly that could have happened is now under investigation by the Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs, as first reported this week by television station WRGB. The state agency investigates reports of abuse and neglect at state-operated, certified or licensed facilities. Hudson Mohawk Recovery Center, though privately run, is certified through the state Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS). Its executive director, director of residential services and board president did not respond to requests for comment Friday. The Justice Center confirmed that an "open and active" investigation is under way, but declined further comment. OASAS said Friday it was "cooperating fully" with the investigation, and has been monitoring the program since they were notified of Walls' death, including conducting unannounced site visits. "Due to patient confidentiality laws, we cannot comment further on the details," spokesman Evan Frost wrote in an email. A medical examiner informed the family this month that Walls likely died of a cardiac arrhythmia the night of Dec. 3, and did not find any drugs in his system beyond legal prescriptions, his mother said. That her son with the infectious laugh and big dreams is dead is hard enough, she said. That he was left to rot hurts all the more. How is it possible that no one could have checked on his room for that long, she wonders? The facility is designed to offer a supportive environment for men looking to re-enter society after battling drug or alcohol addiction. It's supervised, and has strict rules in place for residents. "They said he stormed out of a meeting because they told him about the rules and he didn't like them," Ketter-Walls said. "You would think if somebody is upset, especially if they're a new person and this is their first house meeting, you would go check on them to make sure they're OK. Apparently nobody cared because nobody checked on him for more than a month." The family also wants to know why a staff member would tell them he had left when he clearly hadn't. His body was discovered in his assigned room, surrounded by his belongings. It's unclear if Troy police ever visited the facility after the family reported him missing Dec. 9. Assistant Chief Daniel DeWolf confirmed a missing person's report for Walls was filed that day, and said one of their detectives was informed by staff that Walls had checked out of the facility on Dec. 2. "I'm not sure if the detective personally visited the facility or spoke with someone on the phone," he said. A source with knowledge of the matter confirmed Friday that the case is also under investigation by the Office of the Inspector General, which investigates Medicaid fraud, corruption, criminal activity and conflicts of interest, among other things. Ketter-Walls said her family met this winter with a local Department of Social Services employee, who said they were surprised to hear Walls had died since the center was still receiving state reimbursement for his stay into the month of February nearly two months after he died. "I miss him to death," his mother said. "He was just a good person. Even though he had his challenges he always meant the best and was always trying to help everybody around him. He never wanted to see anybody hurt. That's why we never gave up on him. As long as he wanted to help himself, we wanted to help him." WINSTED Longtime mayor Candy Perez has entered the race for the state representative seat in the 63rd District. She is challenging incumbent Jay Case, R-Winsted, who is seeking his fourth term in the November general election. Perez was unanimously nominated by the Democratic Town Committee last week. It is her first entry into a state race, after serving as the mayor of Winsted for five non-consecutive years starting in 2009. She has also served on the Board of Selectmen since 2002. Perez retired in 2016 as the principal of Northwestern Regional School District No. 7. I had thought about (running), but I had a full-time job, she said. Perez grew up in Torrington and attended Torrington High School, and has lived in Winsted since 1993. Case was unanimously nominated on May 15 by the Winsted Republican Town Committee. He is a ranking member of the legislatures Human Services Committee. He also serves on Appropriations and Environment committees. Candy was approached multiple times to run, said Audrey Blondin, a member of Democratic State Central Committee. But, Blondin said, it wasnt possible to be both a school principal and a legislator. Case said one of the goals of his campaign includes a way to eliminate unfunded mandates and help pass a budget that works. Perez said she will focus on economics and the effects of a graying population in northwest Connecticut. She also said she would work to bring high-speed internet service to the region. Neither candidate has decided whether they will participate in the states Citizens Election Program, which, if they qualify, would provide a House of Representative candidate with $10,000 in campaign funds. Frances Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Yves Le Drian will visit Azerbaijan May 27. In Azerbaijan, the minister will have meetings with Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov, Finance Minister Samir Sharifov and other officials, said a message from French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs. Le Drian will review current international issues and discuss bilateral relations. At economic level, our cooperation will be strengthened by the signature of agreements between manufacturers from both countries and by the possible prospect of training tailored to market needs, said the ministry, AzerNews reported. Moreover, Jean-Yves Le Drian will visit the French-Azerbaijani University, opened in 2016 and rapidly developing. On its premises, built by the Azerbaijani government, Jean-Yves Le Drian will open an exhibition of French archives devoted to Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, said the message. Russian President Vladimir Putin says his hopes for improved relations with the US under President Donald Trump are all but dashed, Business Insider reported. Putin blamed political firestorms that are currently engulfing the Trump administration, and offered up a veiled criticism of the ongoing Russia investigation, which he said prevents Trump from pursuing stronger ties with Russia. A European media watchdog has criticized Ukraine for putting Russian state news agency RIA Novosti on a sanctions list that bars the news outlet from operating in Ukraine. Harlem Desir, the media freedom representative for the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), said late on May 25 that foreign media outlets and representatives "should not be included on sanctions lists." Freedom of expression and freedom of the media are fundamental commitments of the OSCE participating states. Any limitations imposed on these rights should be limited in scope, proportional, and provide for adequate safeguards against abuse, Desir said in a statement. Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko cited "national security" reasons for putting RIA Novosti Ukraine and its parent company, Rossia Segodnya, on the sanctions list on May 24. They are barred from operating in Ukraine for three years. Russia accused Ukraine of "political censorship" of the media and called on the OSCE to censure the move. Desir in his statement called on Ukraine to "respect and fulfill the OSCE commitments aimed at improving conditions under which journalists...practice their profession." Desir noted that the OSCE has called out Ukraine previously for restricting media, once in September 2015 when Kyiv barred several dozen foreign journalists from entering the country, and another time in August 2014, when Ukraine's parliament approved restrictions on media in its sanctions law. Ukraine also recently jailed an RIA Novosti reporter on charges of high treason for allegedly participating in "hybrid information warfare," in a case that drew angry criticism from Moscow and concern from Western governments and media watchdogs. Ukraine has been locked in a conflict with Russia-backed separatists in the east of the country since 2014, the same year that Russia illegally annexed Ukraine's Crimea Peninsula. More than 10,300 people have been killed in the conflict. A university professor has been detained in Iran for insulting Sunni Muslims, Iranian media reported. Zahedans Prosecutor Ali Movahedirad was quoted by domestic media as saying that a professor of Persian Literature at Azad University in the southeastern province of Sistan and Baluchistan was detained on May 25 over a video clip that he said was against "unity" in the country. "Since the video clip had created differences among people in Sistan and Baluchistan, this person was arrested last night," Movahedirad told the judiciary affiliated Mizanonline news agency on May 26. A video posted online where the professor was reportedly insulting Sunnis had led to anger and a protest by a group of students at Zahedan University. Though the majority of Iranians are Shi'a, Sistan and Baluchistan is home to a big population of Iranian Baluchis and Sunni Muslims. Zahedan, the provincial capital of Sistan and Baluchistan, has been the scene of occasional clashes between Iranian security forces and Baluch separatists. With reporting by IRNA, Mizanonline, and AP Pakistan will hold general elections on July 25, officials said on May 26. "President Mamnoon Hussain has approved the date for the elections," a spokesman for the Election Commission of Pakistan, Altaf Khan, told Reuters. "We haven't yet received the summary signed by the president, but we hope to get it anytime," he said. The Election Commission had proposed July 25 to July 27 as dates to hold polls. Elections for the national parliament and four provincial assemblies will be held on the same day, according to domestic media. Pakistans government and parliament is due to be dissolved on May 31, when a new interim prime minister and an interim administration is meant to take over. Political wrangling between the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party and the opposition in parliament had delayed the announcement of the new interim premier. Based on reporting by AFP, Reuters, and Geo TV A famous work by Russian realist painter Ilya Repin was vandalized by a visitor at Moscow's Tretyakov Gallery on May 25. Ivan The Terrible And His Son Ivan On November 16th, 1581, a painting dating from 1885, was seriously damaged in the attack, in which the man used a metal fence post to smash the protection glass and rip the canvas. "The painting is badly damaged, the canvas is ripped in three places in the central part.... The falling glass also damaged the frame," the gallery said in a statement. "Luckily, the most valuable images, those of the faces and hands of the tsar and prince were not damaged," the statement said. The attacker was detained and a criminal case was brought against him, the Interior Ministry reported, without revealing his identity. Russian news agency TASS quoted an unnamed law-enforcement official as saying the perpetrator was a 37-year-old man from Voronezh, a city some 525 kilometers south of Moscow, who attacked the painting because of the "falsehood of the historical facts depicted on the canvas." The painting depicts Ivan the Terrible mortally wounding his son Ivan in a fit of rage, and it is considered the most psychologically intense of Repins paintings -- an expression of the artist's revolt against violence and bloodshed. The painting was subjected to vandalism for the first time in 1913, when Abram Balashov, a mentally ill man, cut it with a knife in three places. Repin himself participated then in the restoration of the painting, the gallery said in its statement. With reporting by Current TIme, TASS, and Interfax Russian President Vladimir Putin and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe are due to meet in Moscow on May 26 to hold talks that are expected to focus on North Korea, the disputed Kurile Islands, and economic cooperation. The meeting comes amid uncertainty about a summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un initially scheduled to take place in Singapore next month. On May 25, the two leaders attended the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum 2018 and held talks with members of the Russian-Japanese business council. In a speech at the forum, Abe underlined the importance of cooperation between Moscow and Tokyo in the denuclearization of North Korea. Abe and Putin are also expected to decide on accelerating preparations for joint economic projects on the Russian-administered Kurile Islands, an archipelago also claimed by Japan, which calls them the Northern Territories. The two leaders agreed in December 2016 to start consultations on joint projects on the islands, but little progress has been made in the mean time. The Soviet Union occupied the islands at the end of World War II, forcing 17,000 Japanese inhabitants to leave. Because of the territorial dispute, a formal peace treaty has yet to be signed between the two countries. Based on reporting by dpa and TASS Saudi Arabia and Russia are likely to agree to raise oil production next month in a bid to ease consumer worries about higher energy prices, their energy ministers have said. Saudi Arabian Energy Minister Khalid al-Faleh and his Russian counterpart, Aleksandr Novak, both said at an economic forum in St. Petersburg on May 25 that they are prepared to roll back a landmark production freeze they put in place in 2016. The energy ministers said any easing of the production freeze, which marked the first time in decades that Russia had worked with the oil cartel to limit production, would be gradual and occur in the second half of the year. The joint production freeze was put in place to arrest a plunge in premium crude prices to below $30 a barrel in early 2016, and analysts said it largely succeeded in stabilizing prices in the $40 to $50 range. But recently, largely as a result of U.S. moves to impose sanctions on major producers Iran and Venezuela, prices have soared back to levels not seen since 2014, rising as high as $80.50 a barrel in London trading earlier this month. Prices fell more than 3 percent to $76.44 a barrel in London trading on May 25 after Saudi Arabia and Russia said they were ready to raise production to calm prices. The sharp rise in crude prices has translated into significantly higher prices at the gas pump and prompted complaints from energy consumers, including U.S. President Donald Trump, who tweeted last month that the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries was "artificially" boosting prices with its production curbs. It was because of Trump's tweet that OPEC, which is dominated by Saudi Arabia, began discussing an easing of the curbs with Russia, OPEC's Secretary-General Muhammad Barkindo told the St. Petersburg economic forum. "We pride ourselves as friends of the United States," Barkindo said. He added that it is not unusual for Washington to put pressure on OPEC to help lower prices. China, the world's largest energy consumer, has also raised concerns about whether enough oil is being pumped, the Saudi energy ministry said. Saudi Arabia and Russia are currently the world's two largest oil producers and are believed to have the most capacity to raise production. The production cuts of about 1.8 mllion barrels a day agreed to jointly by Russia, OPEC, Kazakhstan, and other major producers in 2016 currently are scheduled to run through 2018. Reuters reported that the ministers are considering rolling back about half the production curbs or 1 million barrels a day. Novak said a production increase is called for because OPEC member Venezuela has fallen far short of its production targetby nearly 1 million barrels a day recently. He said he will meet with OPEC ministers in June to discussion a production increase, which he said was likely and -- just like earlier production cuts -- should be "proportionate, for the sake of fairness" so that all producers can benefit from the increase. "Different options will be put forward. But, it is likely that this will be a gradual easing," Novak said in comments published on the Russian Energy Ministry website. Novak is due to meet with OPEC ministers in Vienna on June 22 and 23. Besides responding to complaints from energy consumers about higher prices, Russia and OPEC producers also have been concerned about how the nearly 20 percent spike in crude prices this year has prompted shale oil producers in the United States to ramp up production. With reporting by AP, AFP, Reuters, and RIA Novosti A Russian billionaire with links to the Kremlin met with U.S. President Donald Trump's lawyer Michael Cohen at the Trump Tower in New York City less than two weeks before Trump's inauguration, media are reporting. During a discussion in Cohen's office, located on the skyscraper's 26th floor eleven days before the inauguration, Cohen and Russian businessman Viktor Vekselberg talked about improving relations between Moscow and Washington and arranged to meet again at the inauguration, The New York Times, Reuters, and AP reported on May 25. Vekselberg, who heads the Russian conglomerate Renova Group, attended Trump's inauguration ceremony in January 2017 as a guest. Vekselberg was among seven Kremlin-linked oligarchs whom the Trump administration targeted with sanctions last month. He built his fortune, currently estimated by Forbes at $14.6 billion, by investing in Russia's aluminum and oil industries. The Times report about Vekselberg's meeting with Trump's lawyer cited video footage and an interview with Andrew Intrater, a Russian-American who attended the meeting and manages investments for Vekselberg. Reuters and AP said their anonymous sources confirmed the Times' account. The Times reported that days after Trump's inauguration, Intrater's private equity firm, Columbus Nova, gave Cohen a $1 million consulting contract, which is now under investigation by U.S. authorities. Special Counsel Robert Mueller is conducting an extensive investigation into alleged contacts and dealings between Russia, Trump, and his associates before and after the 2016 U.S. presidential election. Prosecutors at the U.S. Attorney's office in Manhattan, meanwhile, are conducting a separate investigation into financial and business dealings by Cohen. Intrater told The New York Times that Vekselberg, his cousin and biggest client, did not instruct Columbus Nova to hire Cohen as a consultant. Earlier this year, Vekselberg himself was questioned by FBI agents working on Mueller's inquiry, and was asked about Columbus Nova payments to Cohen as well as more than $300,000 in donations that Intrater made to the Republican National Committee and Trump's inauguration, CNN reported on May 25. Cohen, Vekselberg, and a lawyer for Intrater could not immediately be reached for comment. With reporting by The New York Times, AP, and Reuters A U.S. judge has rejected a bid by President Donald Trump's former campaign chairman Paul Manafort to have some of the criminal charges against him thrown out. The ruling in Washington on May 25 was the latest setback for Manafort, whose lawsuit challenging the authority of Special Counsel Robert Mueller to bring the case against him was also dismissed last week. He faces charges of acting as an unregistered foreign agent as well as money-laundering and false-statement charges in connection with information he provided to the Justice Department about his political work for Viktor Yanukovych, the former pro-Russia president of Ukraine. In a motion, Manafort argued that the false-statement charges amounted to double jeopardy, charging him twice for the same offense of lying to the government. He also argued that the piling up of charges could prejudice a jury against him. But in a seven-page ruling dismissing Manafort's motion on May 25, U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson said any harm to Manafort at this stage in his criminal case could be handled by "proper" jury instructions. She said he could revisit the double jeopardy matter after his trial, which is scheduled for September. Manafort spokesman Jason Maloni declined comment on the ruling. Also on May 25, the U.S. judge in a separate criminal case in Virginia delayed Manafort's trial there. U.S. District Judge T.S. Ellis III said in an order that he's pushing back the trial on tax evasion and bank fraud charges because of a medical procedure involving a member of Ellis' family. Manafort's trial is now scheduled to begin July 24. Manafort has pleaded not guilty in both cases. Based on reporting by AP and Reuters The U.S. government has reached a deal to put Chinese telecommunications giant ZTE Corp back in business after penalties imposed over Iran sanctions violations forced the company to shut down operations, U.S. officials and congressional aides said. President Donald Trump confirmed the deal in a tweet late on May 25. "I closed it down then let it reopen with high level security guarantees, change of management and board," Trump wrote, adding that the company "must purchase U.S. parts and pay a $1.3 billion fine" under the deal. Trump earlier in the week suggested that he might fine ZTE up to $1.3 billion and shake up its management while rolling back earlier penalties that crippled the company's business under a deal with Beijing connected with broader trade negotiations. The reported deal ran into immediate resistance in Congress, where Democrats and Republicans alike accused Trump of bending to pressure from Beijing to ease up on a company that U.S. intelligence officials have suggested poses a significant risk to U.S. national security. ZTE was banned in April from buying U.S. technology components for seven years after allegedly breaking an agreement reached over charges that it violated U.S. sanctions by selling banned equipment to Iran and North Korea. Under the new agreement, after ZTE makes a series of changes in its management, it would be allowed to resume business with U.S. companies, including a key supplier, chipmaker Qualcomm. ZTE purchases an estimated 25 percent to 30 percent of the components in its mobile phones and network equipment from U.S. suppliers. The deal, as described by congressional aides and U.S. officials, also requires ZTE to pay a substantial fine and hire U.S. compliance officers tasked with ensuring it adheres to the deal. The U.S. Commerce Department would then lift an order issued in April preventing ZTE from buying U.S. products. ZTE shut down most of its production after the ruling was announced, and warned it would drive the company bankrupt. Fox News reported that Trump negotiated the $1.3 billion fine with Chinese President Xi Jinping in a phone call. ZTE, whose largest shareholder is a Chinese state-owned enterprise, already agreed last year to pay a nearly $900 million penalty and open its books to a U.S. monitor. The new penalty is to remedy allegations that it broke the previous agreement by illegally shipping U.S. goods to Iran and North Korea. The case against ZTE was started during the administration of former President Barack Obama. 'Dramatic Retreat' Responding to news of the deal with ZTE, Republican Senator Marco Rubio tweeted: "Yes they have a deal in mind. It is a great deal...for #ZTE & China. #China crushes U.S. companies with no mercy & they use these telecomm companies to spy & steal from us." Rubio, along with Democratic Senators Chuck Schumer and Chris Van Hollen, has said Congress should stop Trump from letting ZTE get back into business. "If the administration goes through with this reported deal, President Trump would be helping make China great again," Schumer said on Twitter. "Would be a huge victory for President Xi, and a dramatic retreat by Pres Trump. Both parties in Congress should come together to stop this deal in its tracks." U.S. security agencies have raised concerns about ZTE and other Chinese telecommunications firms allegedly using their equipment to gather intelligence in the United States. The U.S. Department of Defense has stopped selling ZTEs mobile phones and modems in stores on military bases, citing potential security risks. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross is scheduled to travel to Beijing on June 2 for further trade talks and discussions over China's aggressive push to challenge U.S. technological dominance. Beijing has indicated that resolving the situation concerning ZTE -- a company that employs more than 70,000 Chinese -- could make the talks go more smoothly. With reporting by AP, Reuters, and AFP South Korean President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un held an unannounced meeting on May 26 to discuss a possible upcoming summit between Kim and U.S. President Donald Trump, the South said. It was the second inter-Korean summit in as many months. The two met in the "truce village" of Panmunjom just north of the heavily militarized border, South Korea's presidential office said. "The two leaders candidly exchanged views about making the North Korea-U.S. summit a successful one and about implementing the Panmunjom Declaration," South Korea's presidential spokesman said in a statement, referring to an April 2018 announcement in which both men pledged to work toward achieving peaceful and prosperous inter-Korean relations. He did not confirm how the secret meeting was arranged. Moon was due to announce details of the meeting with Kim early on May 27. The surprise meeting came after U.S. President Donald Trump said the United States is having "productive talks" about reinstating a summit with Kim. Trump's announcement came one day after he announced he was canceling the meeting. Trump said in a Twitter post late on May 25 that the summit, if it does occur, will be on June 12 in Singapore as originally planned. South Korea's presidential spokesman responded that "we are cautiously optimistic that hope is still alive for U.S.-North Korea dialogue." Trump set off efforts to reschedule the summit after his decision to cancel on May 24, citing Pyongyang's "open hostility," prompted a conciliatory and contrite response from North Korea, which said it remained open to talks. "It was a very nice statement they put out," Trump said at the White House. "They very much want to do it. We'd like to do it." The White House said on May 26 that an advance team would leave for Singapore this weekend, as originally scheduled, to prepare for a possible summit there. "The White House pre-advance team for Singapore will leave as scheduled in order to prepare should the summit take place," White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said. The summit was originally scheduled in a surprise development after months of escalating threats and insults between the two leaders after North Korea's multiple tests last year of nuclear bombs and intercontinental ballistic missiles which it claimed were capable of reaching the U.S. mainland. Just before Trump had called off the meeting, Pyongyang, in a carefully choreographed publicity effort, declared that it "completely" dismantled its only nuclear test site. However, only a small group of international journalists handpicked by Pyongyang were invited to attend the demolition at the Punggye-ri site. U.S. State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said on May 25 that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha reaffirmed their "shared commitment to the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula" and pledged to coordinate "in all of their efforts to create conditions for dialogue with North Korea." U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said on May 25 that there was "possibly some good news" on the summit, while Sanders told reporters at the White House: "If the meeting takes place on June 12, we will be ready." With reporting by AFP and Reuters State corporation Rostec expects to receive up to 30% in the authorized capital of power company Rosseti through an additional issue of shares. The format of Rostecs entry into the capital of the company is still being discussed, several joint ventures can be created, Head of the state corporation Sergei Chemezov told reporters on the sidelines of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, TASS reported. "As for the signed agreement with Rosseti on joint work on the network digitalization project, the share might be lower than 30%. The format and the parameters are under discussion, several joint ventures could be created. The measures will make it possible to increase the efficiency of electricity consumption and avoid 20-25% of losses. This is a significant saving for budgets, including for Rosseti. In this case, our desire to have a share in an efficient and promising company is logical," Chemezov said. Rostec intends to begin the process of entering the capital of Rosseti in the Q3, it will take about two years, Chemezov added. "We will come up with a proposal for an additional share issue. Ideally we will start the process in the Q3 2018, and probably a couple of years will be needed to carry out this work," Chemezov said. Turkmen journalist and RFE/RL contributor Saparmamed Nepeskuliev has been released after serving a three-year prison term on drug charges that human rights groups and a UN panel denounced as politically motivated. RFE/RL's Turkmen Service said Nepeskuliev was released on May 19. Nepeskuliev disappeared on July 7, 2015 and was held incommunicado for weeks before a court in tightly controlled Turkmenistan found him guilty of narcotics charges that rights groups said were fabricated in retaliation for his reporting. The UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention designated Nepeskulievs detention as "arbitrary" in December 2015, saying that the journalist had been "deprived of liberty for having peacefully exercised his right to freedom of expression." In July 2016, seven U.S. lawmakers sent a letter to Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov calling Nepeskulievs imprisonment "unlawful" and urging his immediate release. In video reports for RFE/RL, Nepeskuliev documented decaying infrastructure and economic inequality in western Turkmenistan. Other RFE/RL reporters and contributors in Turkmenistan have faced physical attacks, threats, and prosecution on charges that critics say are groundless. A detained British-Iranian aid worker jailed in Iran is to face a second trial on new security charges, the Tehran Revolutionary Court's head Musa Ghazanfarabadi was quoted as saying on May 26. Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, a project manager with the Thomson Reuters Foundation, the charitable arm of the parent company of Reuters, is serving a five-year jail sentence in Iran after being convicted of plotting against the government, a charge denied by her family and the foundation. Zaghari-Ratcliffe was in Iran visiting relatives when she was arrested at Tehran airport in April 2016 while travelling home with her daughter. Ghazanfarabadi said the charge against Zaghari in the new case is security-related without providing more details. "Zaghari is to present an attorney and then the court will convene," Ghazanfarabadi was quoted as saying by the hard-line Tasnim news agency. Earlier this week, Zaghari-Ratcliffe's huband said his wife is facing a new charge. Richard Ratcliffe said on May 21 that his wife learned of the new allegation of "spreading propaganda against the regime" at a hearing before a judge at Tehran's hard-line Revolutionary Court. He said the judge told her to expect that "there will likely be another conviction and sentence" against her. The Thomson Reuters Foundation said on May 21 that it totally rejected "the renewed accusations that Nazanin is guilty of spreading propaganda" and said it continued to assert her full innocence. British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson has said he urged Iran to release detained dual nationals like Zaghari-Ratcliffe during a December visit to Tehran. Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) have arrested at least 30 dual nationals since 2015, mostly on spying charges, according to Reuters. With reporting by Reuters, AFP, and Tasnim Swift Air begins new Cincinnati to Cozumel route Cozumel, Q.R. A new flight from the United States to Cozumel has opened, bringing American tourists to the island several times a week. On Friday, the arrival of the new Swift Air flight landed at the Cozumel International Airport with more than 150 on board. The first flight arrived at 11:45 a.m. where tourist were greeted on the tarmac by live mariachi. Miguel Gonzalez Castellan, general director of BeTravel, explained that the new Swift Air flight had been planned for Bermuda, but they were successful in their negotiations in having the flight arrive at Cozumel instead. The new Swift Air flight will arrive every other day from Cincinnati from May to September. The new flight departs from Cincinnati Northern Kentucky International Airport, direct to the island of Cozumel. If exit polls will be confirmed, a radical change must occur. Exit polls result suggests huge majority of younger people votes Yes. Its looking like we will make history tomorrow, Prime Minister Leo Varadkar, who was in favour of change, said on Twitter. Vote counting begins early Saturday morning, with the first indication of results expected within a few hours. Voters were asked if they wish to scrap a 1983 amendment to the constitution that gives an unborn child and its mother equal rights to life. The consequent prohibition on abortion was partly lifted in 2013 for cases in which the mothers life is in danger. The RTE poll suggested now the highest Yes vote to allow abortion was in Dublin, where 80 per cent were in favour. Yes campaigners argued that abortion is already a reality in Ireland because thousands women travel to Britain each year for terminations. Some Yes politicians were already calling on the government to pass the legislation without delay following the publication of the exit polls. Ireland does not allow expatriates to vote via mail or in embassies, so voters were arriving home at Irish airports on Friday from abroad. An example was noticed as relevant: Ciara Cremin, a Galway woman, has interrupted a four-month trekking holiday in southeast Asia to cast her Yes vote in the abortion referendum. She paid 1,000 travel cost traveling 13,000 km and people helped her to raise the money by crowd-funding. Karnataka drama ends as Kumaraswamy wins trust vote without contest The three-day-old Kumaraswamy government in Karnataka today won a vote of confidence without a contest, with the BJP MLAs walking out of the Assembly before the floor test, in an unexciting end to the 10-day high-voltage political drama after the polls yielded a hung House. It turned out to be a smooth sailing for the 58-year- old H D Kumaraswamy, as BJP members trooped out of the House after Leader of the Opposition B S Yeddyurappa's blistering attack on the "unholy" JD(S)-Congress coalition. BS Yeddyurappa Advertisement Kumaraswamy's motion seeking the confidence vote was declared passed by voice vote by Speaker K R Ramesh Kumar in the absence of the BJP MLAs. Kumaraswamy described the BJP walkout as "escapism". The first signs of the BJP conceding defeat in the numbers game were visible when it pulled out its candidate Suresh Kumar from the race for the Speaker's post, saying it had decided to honor the parliamentary tradition that the presiding officer should be chosen unanimously. Congress' Ramesh Kumar was elected the Speaker unopposed. The JD(S)-Congress coalition had claimed the support of 117 MLAs in the 224-member House with an effective strength of 221. While the Congress has 78 MLAs, Kumaraswamy's JD(S) has 36, and BSP 1. The alliance also claimed support of the lone KPJP MLA and an independent. As Kumaraswamy had won from two constituencies, the 104-member BJP needed seven more MLAs to defeat the motion. Congress' Ramesh Kumar Advertisement But like on May 19, when Yeddyurappa failed to muster the support of as many lawmakers required to anchor his government's ship safely and stepped down, the BJP did not go for a showdown. Seeking the trust vote, Kumaraswamy asserted the Congress-JD(S) coalition government would complete its five- year term while maintaining he was conscious that his party JD(S) does not have a majority on its own. "I am pained that people have not placed their trust in me," he said, as he moved the motion seeking the vote of confidence of the Assembly in his government. He, however, said the coalition government will be "stable for five years"."We will work for the people. We are not here to fulfill our personal interests," he said, adding neither he nor the members of his family ever hankered after power, and spent most of their time in politics seated in opposition benches. The chief minister said there was a "blot" on JD(S) supremo and former prime minister H D Deve Gowda after he (Kumaraswamy) joined hands with the BJP to form a coalition government in 2006. H D Deve Gowda Advertisement Kumaraswamy said he was now relieved as that "blot" on his father's reputation caused by his act of aligning with the BJP has been removed (with the formation of a secular government). Deve Gowda had strongly opposed Kumaraswamy's decision to form a coalition government with the BJP. He also said the government was committed to waiving farm loans, as promised during the elections. Kumaraswamy accused the BJP-led government at the Centre of using its agencies like the Income Tax department and the Enforcement Directorate against its political rivals. He alleged that "fake documents" had been created to claim he had floated a company in Malaysia and had "huge" properties there. "An ED fellow asked me about it. I am ready to face any inquiry," Kumaraswamy said, asserting he would not be cowed down by such bullying tactics. Before staging a walkout, Yeddyurappa launched a stinging attack on Kumaraswamy, saying the chief minister was known for his acts of "betrayal". The BJP under Yeddyurappa had propped up the JD(S)-led government in 2006 as part of a power-sharing arrangement of rotational chief ministership. After Kumaraswamy had completed his 20-month term and Yeddyurappa's turn came to become the chief minister, the JD(S) withdrew support in seven days. Yeddyurappa told the Congress members that Kumaraswamy and Deve Gowda would "finish" their party. "The father (Deve Gowda) and sons will finish the Congress," Yeddyurappa said, adding he had no problem "if you want to be onboard the sinking ship of Kumaraswamy". Dubbing the JD(S)-Congress alliance as "unholy", he said the two parties had defied the popular mandate which was in BJP's favor. Advertisement JD(S)-Congress alliance "The JD(S) lost security deposit in 121 constituencies and did not win even a single seat in 16 districts," he said, adding the coalition dispensation was a "government on daily wages". Today's confidence vote was the second in less than a week, and on both occasions, the BJP balked at the prospect of losing the numbers game and chose to avoid voting. Yeddyurappa, who was sworn in as the chief minister on May 17, had stepped down two days later in the face of impending defeat without going through the motions of a floor test. Kumaraswamy had taken oath on Wednesday in a grand ceremony where a galaxy of top leaders of anti-BJP national and regional parties was in attendance, in a rare show of unity ahead of the Lok Sabha polls next year. The JD(S) leader's real challenge will now be the expansion of his ministry, with leaders in the alliance already jockeying for Cabinet berths and plum portfolios. The trust vote over, the MLAs of the ruling coalition, kept in a luxury hotel and a resort over fears of poaching by the BJP, would walk to freedom. The Russian Defense Ministry said that no new anti-aircraft missiles crossed the border to Ukraine since 1991, refuting the accusation that Russia was responsible for the crash of Malaysian Airlines Flight 17 (MH17) in 2014, Xinhua reported citing Russian media. The Dutch-led five-nation joint investigation team announced on Thursday that the installation of the Buk missile that shot down the MH17 came from the 53rd anti-aircraft missile brigade of the Russian army in Kursk. It presented the remains of the missile at a press conference. The Russian ministry said in a statement that its experts had analyzed video materials of the press conference and discovered that the serial number of the missile's engine clearly indicated that it was produced in 1986 in the former Soviet Union. Russia has destroyed all its Buk missiles, the warranty period of which expired in 2011, the statement said. New facial recognition software and app invented at Michigan State University can help protect endangered primates -- more than 60 percent of which face extinction. Golden monkeys have lost so much habitat, they are only found in a handful of national parks in Africa; farming and illegal hardwood trade in Madagascar is gobbling up the island's forests and displacing native lemurs; in a recent six-year span, more than 22,200 great apes have been lost due to illegal trade, and yet there have been only 27 arrests. "Intervention is necessary to halt and reverse these population declines," said Anil Jain, MSU Distinguished Professor of computer science and engineering and senior author on the study. "Automated facial recognition is one way we can help combat these loses." Jain and his doctoral student Debayan Deb harnessed the prowess of his world-renowned biometrics lab -- which has helped solve high-profile crimes -- to create PrimNet. The program uses convolutional neural networks, artificial-intelligence inspired technology that allows everything from self-driving cars to robots to observe and understand our world. The results, published online on the e-print service arXiv, show that in head-to-head comparisons, PrimNet outperformed state-of-the-art face recognition systems, including SphereFace, FaceNet and LemurFaceID (a predecessor of PrimNet that Jain's lab also invented). Along with improved accuracy, PrimNet represents a more cost-effective as well as a far less invasive approach to primate tracking. Traditional tracking devices can be expensive, ranging between $400 and $4,000. Capturing and tagging animals can be time-consuming and can adversely affect the animals. The process can disrupt social behavior, and it can cause stress, injury and sometimes even death. To complement PrimNet, the team of scientists created an Android app, PrimID. Researchers in the field can now snap a photo of a golden monkey, drop it into the app and identify the primate in question with a high degree of confidence. In many cases, PrimID will produce a match that's greater than 90 percent accurate. (With lemurs, PrimID scored an impressive 93.75 percent accuracy.) If it's not an "exact" match, the app will offer up to five potential candidates from the dataset, corresponding to the top five confidence ratings. "We compared PrimID to our own benchmark primate recognition system and two, open-source human face recognition systems, and the performance of PrimNet was superior in verification one-to-one comparison and identification, or one-to-many comparisons, scenarios. Moving forward, we plan to enlarge our primate datasets, develop a primate face detector and share our efforts through open-source websites." This invention, along with sharing it open sourced, provides another tool to offset wildlife trafficking. For example, if a captured great ape can be photographed and identified, knowing its origin can offer insights to its capture and help improve efforts to deter future crimes. Additional MSU scientists who helped with this research, include: Debayan Deb, Sixue Gong, Yichun Shi and Cori Tymoszek. Susan Wiper, University of Chester (Great Britain), and Alexandra Russo, conservation biologist, also contributed to this study. The scientists would like to thank the Duke Lemur Center, the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International and the Rwanda Development Board for their support. Brain activity and structure in transgender adolescents more closely resembles the typical activation patterns of their desired gender, according to findings to be presented in Barcelona, at the European Society of Endocrinology annual meeting, ECE 2018. These findings suggest that differences in brain function may occur early in development and that brain imaging may be a useful tool for earlier identification of transgenderism in young people. Transgenderism is the experience, or identification with, a gender different to the assigned biological sex, whilst gender dysphoria (GD) is the distress experienced by transgender people, and may be present from a very young age. Although GD incidence is rare, gender identity is an essential part of psychological health, and if unaddressed can lead to serious psychological issues. Current strategies for addressing GD in younger people involve psychotherapy, or delaying puberty with hormones, so that decisions on transgender therapy can be made at an older age. Genetics and hormones contribute to sex differences in brain development and function that lead to more male- or female-typical characteristics; however, these processes are not well established. Furthermore, little is known on how early in life, or to what extent, the gender-typical characteristics of transgender people become established. Earlier diagnosis or better understanding of transgenderism could help to improve quality of life for young transgender people, and help families to make more informed decisions on treatment. In this study, Dr. Julie Bakker from the University of Liege, Belgium, and her colleagues from the Center of Expertise on Gender Dysphoria at the VU University Medical Center, the Netherlands, examined sex differences in the brain activation patterns of young transgender people. The study included both adolescent boys and girls with gender dysphoria and used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans to assess brain activation patterns in response to a pheromone known to produce gender-specific activity. The pattern of brain activation in both transgender adolescent boys and girls more closely resembled that of non-transgender boys and girls of their desired gender. In addition, GD adolescent girls showed a male-typical brain activation pattern during a visual/spatial memory exercise. Finally, some brain structural changes were detected that were also more similar, but not identical, to those typical of the desired gender of GD boys and girls. Dr Bakker says, "Although more research is needed, we now have evidence that sexual differentiation of the brain differs in young people with GD, as they show functional brain characteristics that are typical of their desired gender." Dr Bakker's research will now investigate the role of hormones during puberty on brain development and transgender differences, to help guide and improve future diagnosis and therapy for GD adolescents. Dr Bakker comments, "We will then be better equipped to support these young people, instead of just sending them to a psychiatrist and hoping that their distress will disappear spontaneously." Scientists from the universities of Bristol and Cambridge have found a way to create polymeric semiconductor nanostructures that absorb light and transport its energy further than previously observed. This could pave the way for more flexible and more efficient solar cells and photodetectors. The researchers, whose work appears in the journal Science, say their findings could be a "game changer" by allowing the energy from sunlight absorbed in these materials to be captured and used more efficiently. Lightweight semiconducting plastics are now widely used in mass market electronic displays such those found in phones, tablets and flat screen televisions. However, using these materials to convert sunlight into electricity, to make solar cells, is far more complex. The photo-excited states -- which is when photons of light are absorbed by the semiconducting material -- need to move so that they can be "harvested" before they lose their energy in less useful ways. These excitations typically only travel ca. 10 nanometres in polymeric semiconductors, thus requiring the construction of structures patterned on this length-scale to maximise the "harvest." In the chemistry labs of the University of Bristol, Dr Xu-Hui Jin and colleagues developed a novel way to make highly ordered crystalline semiconducting structures using polymers. While in the Cavendish Laboratory in Cambridge, Dr Michael Price measured the distance that the photo-exited states can travel, which reached distances of 200 nanometres -- 20 times further than was previously possible. 200 nanometres is especially significant because it is greater than the thickness of material needed to completely absorb ambient light thus making these polymers more suitable as "light harvesters" for solar cells and photodetectors. Dr George Whittell from Bristol's School of Chemistry, explains: "The gain in efficiency would actually be for two reasons: first, because the energetic particles travel further, they are easier to "harvest," and second, we could now incorporate layers ca. 100 nanometres thick, which is the minimum thickness needed to absorb all the energy from light -- the so-called optical absorption depth. Previously, in layers this thick, the particles were unable to travel far enough to reach the surfaces." Co-researcher Professor Richard Friend, from Cambridge, added: "The distance that energy can be moved in these materials comes as a big surprise and points to the role of unexpected quantum coherent transport processes." The research team now plans to prepare structures thicker than those in the current study and greater than the optical absorption depth, with a view to building prototype solar cells based on this technology. They are also preparing other structures capable of using light to perform chemical reactions, such as the splitting of water into hydrogen and oxygen. Iridescence is a form of structural colour which uses regular repeating nanostructures to reflect light at slightly different angles, causing a colour-change effect. It is common in nature, from the dazzling blues of peacock's feathers, to the gem-like appearance of insects. Although using bright flashy colours as camouflage may seem counterintuitive, researchers at the Bristol Camo Lab found that intense iridescence obstructs the bumblebee's ability to identify shape. The eyes of bumblebees have been extensively studied by scientists and are very similar to those of other insects. They can be used as a visual model for predatory insects such as wasps and hornets. When presented with different types of artificial flower targets rewarded with sugar water, the bees learned to recognise which shapes contained the sweet reward. However, they found it much more difficult to discriminate between flower shape when the targets were iridescent. This current study using bumblebees as a model for (predatory) insect vision and cognition is the first to show that iridescence indeed has the potential to deceive predators and make them overlook the prey, the same way disruptive camouflage would work to break up the otherwise recognisable outline of a prey. advertisement The changing colours make the outline of the prey look completely different to the shape the predators are searching for. The researchers concluded that iridescence produces visual signals which can confuse potential predators, and this may explain its widespread occurrence in nature. Lead author Dr Karin Kjernsmo of the University of Bristol's School of Biological Sciences, said: "It's the first solid evidence we have that this type of colouration can be used in this way. "Thus, if you are a visual predator searching for the specific shape of a beetle (or other prey animal), iridescence makes it difficult for predators to identify them as something edible. We are currently studying this effect using other visual predators, such as birds as well. This because birds are likely to be the most important predators of iridescent insects." The first links between iridescence and camouflage were first made over one hundred years ago by an American naturalist named Abbott Thayer, who is often referred to as "the father of camouflage." He published a famous book on different types of camouflage such as mimicry, shape disruption and dazzle, which is thought to have inspired the "Razzle Dazzle" painting of battleships during the first World War. However, iridescence has been rather overlooked for the past century, as it is often assumed to be purely for attracting mates and displaying to other individuals. The UK has several species of iridescent beetle, the largest of which being the Rose Chafer, whose superb green and gold colour-changing wing cases can commonly be spotted on flowers in grasslands during the summer. Dr Kjernsmo added: "This study has wider implications for how we understand animal vision and camouflage -- now when we see these shiny beetles we can know that their amazing colours have many more functions than previously thought." When the American comb jelly Mnemiopsis leidyi, also known as sea walnut, conquered the Black Sea as a new habitat 35 years ago, the ecosystem there changed sustainably. The economically important anchovy stocks collapsed since the fish had to compete with the jellyfish for food. Against this background, scientists, fisheries associations and environmental authorities were alarmed when, in 2005, the sea walnut also appeared in northern European waters. Although effects similar to those in the Black Sea have not been observed in the Baltic and in the North Sea yet, scientists are still closely monitoring the development -- particularly since many questions on invasion pathways are still largely unclear. A total of 47 scientists from 19 countries have now published the first comprehensive inventory of Mnemiopsis leidyi in European waters in the international journal Global Ecology and Biogeography. With this data, the interdisciplinary team of authors shows that ocean currents as pathways of invasive jellyfish and other drifting organisms in the seas have been significantly underestimated so far. "To explain the invasion of alien species in marine ecosystems, everybody is focused on transport in or on ships. That is important, but does not explain the whole phenomenon," says lead author Dr. Cornelia Jaspers, Biological Oceanographer at the GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel and at the Technical University of Denmark in Lyngby. As basis for their study, the participants have collected all reliable data on the occurrence of the American comb jelly in European waters since 1990 -- a total of more than 12,000 geo-referenced data points. "Even this inventory is new, because so far there were only regional studies on the distribution," explains Dr. Jaspers. In cooperation with oceanographers and ocean modelers, the team linked data on the occurrence of Mnemiopsis leidyi to prevailing currents in European waters. The analysis included not only the flow directions and their strength, but also their stability. The models showed that the steady flow pattern of the southern North Sea closely links the region with much of northwestern Europe, including the Norwegian coast and even the Baltic Sea. Due to this close connection, not only invasive jellyfish but generally non-native species floating in the sea can be spread over long distances within a very short time. "Using the imported sea walnut as example, we were able to show that these species can travel up to 2000 kilometers within three months," says Hans-Harald Hinrichsen, physical Oceanographer at GEOMAR. Species that arrive in ports in the southwestern North Sea, such as Antwerp or Rotterdam, reach Norway and the Baltic Sea very quickly. To confirm this connection, the authors used a natural experiment. After a very cold winter season in early 2010, the jellyfish disappeared from the Baltic Sea and large parts of northwestern Europe in 2011 and stayed away until 2013. But after the warm winter of 2013/14, a new population of Mnemiopsis established itself in the Baltic very fast. "This new population was of another genotype than the first invaders. Thus, within a short time, a new immigration took place, driven by the prevailing ocean currents," says Dr. Jaspers. Perhaps the new arrivals from the second invasion wave are even better adapted to the local conditions. Therefore, the authors plead not only to keep an eye on the transport routes across oceans, but also to better investigate the possibilities of spreading within a region. "The study shows that a single gateway, a single port for example, in which ships with invasive species arrive, is enough, to redistribute non-native species across entire regions," she concludes. Genuinely 'deforestation-free' palm oil products are problematic to guarantee, according to a new study. Palm oil is a vegetable oil that is used in thousands of products worldwide, including an estimated 50% of all products on supermarkets shelves, from food to detergents to cosmetics. Although growing palm trees requires less land and resources than traditional vegetable oils, the cultivation of palm oil is a major cause of tropical deforestation, particularly in Malaysia and Indonesia. Oil palm plantations replaced 2.7 million hectares of tropical forest in these two countries between 1990 and 2005, leading to a loss of biodiversity and an increase in greenhouse gas emissions. Pressure from non-governmental organisations (NGOs) such as Greenpeace has led many companies to commit to only using "deforestation-free" palm oil products -- those made exclusively using palm oil from plantations that have not cleared forests. However, environmentalists have criticised the action so far as taking too long and not following sufficiently strict guidelines. Now, a study by researchers from Imperial College London has revealed some of the challenges faced by companies in guaranteeing that products labelled as "deforestation-free" have really been produced without causing deforestation. The results are published this week in the journal Global Environmental Change. 'Challenging to guarantee' They identify the major barriers to success as highly complex supply chains, insufficient support from governments, a lack of consensus over what counts as 'deforestation', and growing markets in India and China that prefer low cost to sustainably produced goods. advertisement However, the researchers point to some existing schemes and suggestions for tackling several of the issues that could lead to truly sustainable palm oil production. Lead author Joss Lyons-White, from the Grantham Institute -- Climate Change and the Environment and the Department of Life Sciences at Imperial, said: "Deforestation-free palm oil is possible, but our study found it is very challenging for companies to guarantee at present. "For example, supply chains are so complex that tracing palm oil back to source is very difficult -- lots of trade may occur between different parties before manufacturing, where the palm oil is used in many different products for different purposes. This makes it hard to know exactly where the original oil was from -- and whether it was linked to deforestation or not. "However, simply banning palm oil is unlikely to be the answer. Instead, we need to find ways to ensure commitments can be implemented more effectively." Defining the issues Certification can help to overcome the problem of complex supply chains, and the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) does currently operate a certification system, which has been shown to reduce the loss of virgin forests. However, RSPO certification does not currently guarantee palm oil is completely deforestation-free. advertisement For example, RSPO certification aims to protect virgin forest and forest of 'high conservation value', but does not cover other forests that have been logged or regrown following clearance. These forests may still make valuable contributions towards nature conservation targets, but the existing standard does not protect them from conversion to palm oil plantations. To identify areas that posed problems for companies trying to be deforestation-free, the research team interviewed people across the palm oil sector, from growers and processors through to traders, manufacturers and retailers. They found the complexity of a typical supply chain means there are many organisations with different functions, connected in different ways for different purposes. These organisations find it difficult to engage with one another about policies and procedures, and misunderstanding was rife between parties. Cost is also a factor, with emerging markets in China and India demanding more palm oil at the most competitive prices, rather than paying more for deforestation-free, sustainably produced oil. This means there is often little incentive for producing deforestation-free palm oil. Solutions beyond public shaming Creating a market for sustainable products in these countries is one key direction for positive change, say the researchers, but there are other areas where progress is already being made. For example, there has recently been a multi-party agreement on a working definition of 'deforestation', expanding it beyond purely virgin forests, and the RSPO is considering a proposal to update its standard with this definition in late 2018. There are also initiatives to promote collaboration between supply chain members, designed to improve coordination and reduce misunderstanding. These measures may be more likely to produce more sustainable products than external pressure placed on companies by NGOs, for example, in cases where companies lack direct control over their supply chains. Co-author Dr Andrew Knight, from the Department of Life Sciences at Imperial, said: "NGOs have used public shaming to compel companies to make commitments to deforestation-free palm oil. This tactic was effective in the past to obtain commitments from companies, but the context surrounding commitment implementation is problematic. Shaming may not continue to achieve positive outcomes in terms of reduced deforestation if the complex issues impeding implementation are not worked out. "A more collaborative and supportive approach to understanding supply chains and the people and companies that comprise them is required. Based on this common understanding, more effective strategies can be developed, founded upon thoughtfully constructed certification and stronger government regulation, which will be more likely to ensure the rate of deforestation of these vulnerable and important ecosystems slows." A reliable functioning of technical infrastructure networks is essential for our modern, high-tech society. Cascading failures, i.e. chain reactions of failures of different infrastructures, are the cause of many failures of entire networks, e.g. large parts of the European power grids. Although cascading failures are usually influenced by network-wide nonlinear dynamics between the individual failures, their modelling has so far concentrated primarily on the analysis of sequences of failure events of individual infrastructures -- however, the dynamics between these events have not been taken into account. In an article now published by Nature Communications, an analysis scheme is presented which takes into account the event-based character of the chain reaction as well as the specific network dynamic influences. The international team of scientists from the Center for Advancing Electronics Dresden (cfaed) at TU Dresden and the Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization in Gottingen (Prof. Marc Timme, Dr. Benjamin Schafer), the Forschungszentrum Julich (Jun.-Prof. Dr. Dirk Witthaut) and the Queen Mary University of London (Prof. Vito Latora) was able to find out that some transition processes between different states of the power grid take place on a time scale of a few seconds. "These can play a decisive role in the development of collective reactions, which can eventually lead to a 'blackout.' In our study we propose a prediction method to identify potentially endangered lines and network components already at the planning stage and, if appropriate, also during the operation of power networks. Such dynamic effects could be integrated into network operators' risk assessments and system planning. Overall, our results underline the importance of dynamically induced failures for the adjustment processes of the national power grids of various European countries," says Prof. Marc Timme from the Strategic Chair of Network Dynamics at TU Dresden. Major power outages, which often affect millions of people, are caused by complex and often non-local interactions between many components. In Europe, for example, the planned shutdown of a line in 2006 led to the failure of large parts of the European grid and affected up to 120 million people. Such unfavorable chain reactions can already build up by switching off a single line in the network. In an advanced stage, a fast dynamic develops, that is based, in particular, on the automatic switch-off devices, which are actually supposed to ensure the safety of the network. This rapid dynamic was the focus of the research of the team of scientists. Professor Dirk Witthaut from Forschungszentrum Julich explains the reasons: "In recent years, the trend in the electricity sector has continued towards strong networking, the countries are very closely integrated into the European grid. Since such failures anywhere in this network could affect us at any time, we must understand the causes. That's why we were concerned with these questions: Can we understand how these fast processes work? Can we predict which lines could cause a large-scale power outage?" "The basic idea behind the security architecture of the power grids is this: If any part of the grid fails, then the power grid should continue to function. The network then takes on a new stable state in order to compensate for the defect. The question of what this state looks like when the network has enough time to find it has already been investigated many times. For the relatively short time scale of the error cascades in power grids, however, our current study is virtually pioneering," says Vito Latora, Professor of Applied Mathematics and Head of the Complex Systems and Networks Group at Queen Mary University of London. The scientists investigated the error cascades using a combination of computer simulations and mathematical analyses of simple network models. The static approach was compared with the new dynamic approach using a simulated network in which specific connections are interrupted. Often the broader dynamic view shows that the network can become completely unstable, even if the static approach still predicts stability. Overall, more potential failures are detected and the potential extent of a failure is more accurately predicted. In order to compare the processes found on the model with reality, power line networks with real connection structures were examined, specifically the Spanish, British and French topology. The new analysis method was successfully applied to complex and more realistic networks. In addition, statistical studies on failures were carried out using the dynamic approach. How many lines fail if a random line is affected? "In many cases the effects are small, i.e. hardly any other lines fail. At the same time, there are a few critical lines that lead to major failures. Taking into consideration possible attacks (physical or virtual, e.g. by hackers) it is extremely important to identify and relieve such critical lines. Therefore, using the dynamic approach, we have developed a tool that predicts which lines are critical," describes Dr. Benjamin Schafer from cfaed at TU Dresden. Finally, initial investigations on the spread of cascades in the network were carried out. "Instead of purely geographical distances between different locations, we consider the so-called 'effective distance,' which takes into account how strongly different parts of the power grid can influence each other. However, in order to gain a better understanding, further research is necessary to examine the possibility of stopping such cascades," explains Schafer. Fetuses with a so-called new balanced chromosomal aberration have a higher risk of developing brain disorders such as autism and mental retardation than previously anticipated. The risk is 20 per cent for foetuses with these types of aberrations according to a new study from the University of Copenhagen. These chromosomal aberrations are seen in the fetus in one out of 2,000 pregnant women. Until now, when such an aberration has been found, the medical doctors have told the pregnant woman that the fetus' risk of developing congenital malformations is 6-9 per cent. 'We have identified all the people who, as foetuses, were diagnosed with such a chromosomal aberration in Denmark, and we can see that they more often have developed a disease. The previous study, which found a risk of 6-9 per cent, mainly looked at congenital malformations and did not include neurocognitive diseases such as autism and mental retardation, which often emerge at a later stage. We have therefore been unaware of the extent of the total risk', says one of the authors of the study, Iben Bache, who is associate professor at the Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine at the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences and medical doctor at the Department of Clinical Genetics at Rigshospitalet. Chromosomal Material that Has been Exchanged 'We call these aberrations balanced chromosomal rearrangements, because all the genetic material is still there. There is neither a loss nor a gain of genetic material. The problem is that parts of the genetic material have been exchanged, and that might have caused disruption of an important gene', says Iben Bache. The study is the largest systematic survey of these rare chromosomal aberrations in foetuses, and it also evaluates the methods that can be used for examining them. These chromosomal abnormalities are diagnosed through chorionic villus sampling or amniocentesis by classical chromosomal analysis, where the genetic material is examined in a microscope. This method has been used for the last 40 years, and it is still the method used in most pregnancies globally. However, in Danish hospitals the method is increasingly being replaced with another method, chromosomal microarray, which exclusively tests for loss and gain of the genetic material. Chromosomal microarray therefore cannot discover the rare balanced aberrations studied here. In contrast, the study reveals that modern genome sequencing in most cases will be able not only to detect these balanced chromosomal aberrations but also show whether genes have been damaged. The study is a collaboration between researchers at the University of Copenhagen doing basic research, all clinical genetic departments in Denmark and the Department of Epidemiological Research at Statens Serum Institut. The researchers carefully examined the Danish health records to find everyone born with a de novo balanced chromosomal aberration since 1975. Each time they found a person with the aberration, they established a control group of five individuals with normal chromosomes, who had been born more or less at the same time by a mother of the same age. The researchers then visited the majority of the persons to do a health examination and collect blood samples for modern genetic analyses. By comparing the health data of the group with the chromosomal aberrations and the control group, the researchers found two-three times higher risk of developing a neurocognitive disorder in the group with the chromosomal aberrations. In addition, the researchers found that the new whole genome sequencing techniques are much better than any other techniques at assessing the health effect of a balanced chromosomal aberration. This is the conclusion after almost identical assessments made by two independent research groups, including a group from the Harvard Medical School. 'We have not known which analyses to use to discriminate the foetuses that will be healthy from those that will eventually develop disorders. Our study shows that by using the new sequencing technologies we can in fact discriminate in a number of cases. This may greatly affect the diagnosing and counselling of pregnant women carrying foetuses with this specific type of chromosomal aberration in the future', says Iben Bache. President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko and President of the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan Republic (SOCAR) Rovnag Abdullayev held a meeting in Kiev, within the framework of which they discussed the prospects of expanding cooperation in the sphere of supplying high-quality aviation fuel and its possible production in Ukraine, the press service of the head of the Ukrainian state reported. The Turkish projects of the company, the involvement of Ukraine in them and the prospects for the further development of the oil refining complex of the Ukrainian state were also discussed during the meeting. The delegation from the US administration will go to Singapore, where President Donald Trump was expected to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, to prepare for the summit in case it does take place, White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said, Sputnik reports. "The White House pre-advance team for Singapore will leave as scheduled in order to prepare should the summit take place," White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said. US President Donald Trump announced on Twitter on May 25 that despite his earlier announcement that his meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un had been canceled, the US was still negotiating with Pyongyang. The summit, set for June 12, was jeopardized when, on May 11, the US and South Korea started a two-week annual air combat regional exercise, viewed by Pyongyang as a threat to its security. Donald Trump said that he was calling the much-anticipated meeting off, citing "tremendous anger and open hostility." Michael Short / Special to The Chronicle BART trains will not run through Pleasant Hill and Concord stations over Memorial Day weekend to allow for various track and maintenance projects, according to BART officials. The trains will be replaced by County Connection buses. From Saturday through Monday, commuters traveling through Pleasant Hill or Concord stations will be required to leave the train and board a bus in their direction of travel. BART officials said customers traveling in this area should allow for an extra 20 minutes of commuting time. Four of the blazes that ravaged Northern California last October during what became the deadliest series of wildfires in state history were caused by power lines, state officials said Friday. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection completed investigations into four small fires in Butte and Nevada counties, about 100 miles northeast of the lethal flames that overtook the North Bay, revealing the first official sources of ignition in the extraordinary firestorm that involved dozens of burns. As was widely suspected, Pacific Gas and Electric Co. equipment was behind the wind-driven fires in the Sierra foothills that began on Oct. 8 and 9 when electric lines came into contact with trees or branches, CalFire concluded. In three of the four cases, PG&E had not properly cleared vegetation as required by state law, investigators said. PG&E officials said Friday they had not seen the basis for CalFires findings and declined to comment immediately on the results of the investigations. We look forward to the opportunity to carefully review the CalFire reports to understand the agencys perspectives, the company said in a prepared statement. Based on the information we have so far, we believe our overall programs met our states high standards. The investigations will be sent to the district attorneys of the two counties, who have the power to prosecute. The four fires with completed probes are: the La Porte Fire in Butte County, which burned 8,417 acres and destroyed 74 structures; the McCourtney Fire in Nevada County, which burned 76 acres and destroyed 13 structures; the Lobo Fire in Nevada County, which burned 821 acres and destroyed 47 structures; and the Honey Fire in Butte County, which burned 76 acres. We owe it to the public to do this job and get them answers, said Scott McLean, CalFire spokesman. No fatalities were reported in any of the blazes, unlike elsewhere in October, when fires killed 45 people. CalFire officials did not say when investigations for the other fires would be completed, only that they would release their findings as soon as theyre done. Because of the large number of fires and strong Diablo winds, experts have suspected that downed trees striking power lines or toppled electric equipment may have been responsible. The series of fires that broke out in October consumed more than 240,000 acres across Northern California and destroyed nearly 9,000 homes. Gusts of up to 70 mph lifted flames through vineyard-covered valleys and forested hills into rural towns and small cities. The Santa Rosa area, where the deadly Tubbs Fire blew in from outside Calistoga, was hardest hit. Schools, shopping strips and whole subdivisions were lost. Only recently have residents begun to rebuild. Many have moved away. Even as the October blazes still roared, state officials began narrowing their investigation to many locations with power lines. Finger-pointing toward PG&E began right away. The utility already faces dozens of lawsuits seeking compensation for wrongful death, personal injury and property damage. California law allows utilities to be held responsible for the costs of a fire if their equipment is to blame, even when theyre not in violation of safety codes. Damage estimates for the firestorm have soared above $10 billion. PG&E, which is a privately held company but heavily regulated, has acknowledged its growing liability, with officials saying privately that the cost of mounting legal claims could prove unaffordable. The utilitys parent, PG&E Corp, reported a $1.66 billion profit last year, but that could fall well short of the bill. The company has hoped to pass along some of the expected expense to ratepayers, but state law limits what the utility can recoup, and customer advocates and lawmakers have been resistant to rate hikes. Gov. Jerry Brown and state legislators have been discussing stronger regulations for utilities since the October fires. Legislation proposed by state Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, for example, would force the utilities to deactivate power lines during high-risk periods. 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. PG&E officials also say theyve taken measures to improve safety, including increasing inspections of power lines. Last year, the company removed 140,000 trees, and 236,000 trees a year earlier, officials said. This month, the utility opened a wildfire prediction and response center in San Francisco with plans to staff the facility 24/7 during the height of fire season. Downed and damaged power lines are one of the top sources of human-caused fires in California. Along with runaway campfires, faulty electric equipment is the most common human source of ignition among the states 20 biggest-ever blazes. More than 80 percent of Western wildfires are started by people. The 2007 Witch Fire in San Diego County, which grew into one of the states largest burns at 198,000 acres, was ignited by power lines managed by San Diego Gas & Electric Co., which fell during strong Santa Ana winds. The fire, which killed two people and destroyed hundreds of homes, was among several that autumn caused by downed electric lines. PG&E equipment was responsible for the 2015 Butte Fire in Amador and Calaveras counties, which killed two people and blackened nearly 71,000 acres. Investigators found that a power line came into contact with a pine tree. Regulators fined PG&E $8.3 million for failing to keep up equipment before the Butte Fire. In addition, several lawsuits were filed against the utility by homeowners and government agencies, which PG&E officials are now estimating will cost them $1.1 billion. Chronicle staff writer Catherine Ho contributed to this report. Kurtis Alexander is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: kalexander@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @kurtisalexander The most haunting war memorial in San Francisco stands near Point Lobos, above the Lands End trail overlooking the Pacific. On either side of a flagpole are set two large sheets of gray-painted metal, twisted and punctured. Those scarred flanges are the bridge wings of the heavy cruiser San Francisco. They speak more eloquently than any words can of that ship and its crews exploits in one of the most ferocious fights in modern naval history, what war historians call the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal. The San Francisco was built at the Mare Island naval shipyard and was launched in 1934. It was 588 feet long, displaced a little less than 10,000 tons and had a top speed of 32.7 knots, or about 37 mph. It was heavily armored and armed with nine 8-inch guns, which could fire 260-pound shells almost 18 miles, and dozens of smaller-bore guns. It carried a crew of about 1,000. World Wide Photos Escaping Pearl Harbor almost unscathed, the cruiser sailed west after the attack and took part in several operations. But it was during Operation Watchtower, the Guadalcanal campaign, that the San Francisco earned its place in the honor roll of the U.S. Navy. The Guadalcanal campaign in 1942 was a critical moment in the Pacific war. Although U.S. carrier-based planes had decisively defeated the Japanese navy at Midway two months earlier, Guadalcanal represented the first time the U.S. had gone on the offensive. It was the beginning of the island-hopping tactic that would ultimately allow U.S. bombers to strike Japan itself. The Guadalcanal offensive began Aug. 7, when 14,000 Marines landed on the Japanese-held island and three smaller ones. The Japanese were initially routed, but they fought back hard to try to regain control of the strategically located island, with its all-important airstrip, Henderson Field. Rear Adm. Daniel Uncle Dan Callaghan, a San Francisco native who had gone to St. Ignatius High School, was the commander of the cruiser task force charged with preventing the Japanese navy from bombarding the airstrip and landing thousands of troops to assail the Marines. The San Francisco, under the command of Capt. Cassin Young, was Callaghans flagship. Callaghan, Young and their command staffs would be on the bridge during the battle. On Nov. 11, U.S. code breakers reported that the Japanese were about to launch a Tokyo Express, the name Allied forces gave to the nighttime convoys that delivered troops and materiel. This would be the biggest Tokyo Express ever, and its purpose was not just to resupply Japanese troops on the island, but to annihilate the U.S. forces on Guadalcanal. A carrier, four battleships, 10 light and heavy cruisers and about 30 destroyers would escort 11 transports carrying 7,000 Japanese troops, supported by a heavy air presence. Paul Chinn / The Chronicle 2017 To counter this armada, the U.S. had only Callaghans task force, with two heavy cruisers, three light cruisers and eight destroyers. Callaghan and Young both understood the odds. Only in desperation would a heavy cruiser such as the San Francisco engage with a battleship, whose 14-inch guns had five times the throw weight of the U.S. ships. The San Franciscos 8-inch shells would be useless against a Japanese battleships thick armor, except at point-blank range. As James Hornfischer writes in his 2011 book, Neptunes Inferno: The U.S. Navy at Guadalcanal, an officer overheard a charged conversation between Callaghan and Young. They were discussing the unannounced fact that there were battleships in the Tokyo Express. ... Captain Young ... was in an understandably agitated state, sometimes waving his arms, as he remarked, This is suicide. Admiral Dan Callaghan replied, Yes, I know, but we have to do it. Word quickly spread through the ship that they were on a suicide mission. We all were prepared to die. There was just no doubt about it, said seaman Joseph Whitt. We could not survive against those battleships. The Japanese struck the first blow on Nov. 12. Twenty-one Bettys, Mitsubishi torpedo bombers, dropped out of the clouds and came in 50 feet above the water, straight into a wall of fire from the San Francisco and another cruiser, the Helena. Marine Wildcats from Henderson Field tore into the lumbering Bettys. One Wildcat pilot, apparently out of ammunition, used his planes wheels as a battering ram, repeatedly smashing into a Betty from above until the Japanese bomber crashed into the sea. Plane after Japanese plane was destroyed. But one Betty made it through the antiaircraft fire, its starboard engine smoking, and flew straight toward the San Francisco and a platform on the stern where a crew of 20mm gunners was blasting away at it. To those watching helplessly from other stations, the ships antiaircraft gunners, in their final moments, were an inspiration: eyes focused through iron sights on the plane as it sped at them, weapons hot, going cyclic, hunched down and never flinching until the Betty struck high on the mainmast, killing them all, Hornfischer writes. Eleven men on the platform were killed instantly; 11 more died elsewhere on the ship in the attack. Twenty-nine were wounded. The 11 men on the platform each received a posthumous Navy Cross, the U.S. militarys second-highest decoration, for maintaining fire on the enemy plane until it crashed into their position. As Eric Rivet notes in Eleven sailors, 11 destroyer escorts and the U.S.S. San Francisco, an article on a website about the U.S. destroyer the Slater, these men also received an additional honor: Each had a destroyer escort named after him. Paul Chinn / The Chronicle 2017 Their names were William F. Cates, George R. Eisele, George I. Falgout, Andrew J. Gandy, Eugene F. George, Albert T. Harris, Harry J. Lowe, Jackson K. Loy, William T. Powell, Frank O. Slater and John L. Williamson. Although his flagship had been hit, Callaghans task force was largely unscathed. But as the Americans sailed through the waters of Ironbottom Sound north of Guadalcanal so called because it was the graveyard of so many ships the mighty Tokyo Express was thundering toward them. 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. On the hot, moonless night of Friday, Nov. 13, at 1:45 a.m., the outnumbered and outgunned U.S. ships would collide with the enemy. The story of that savage battle, fought in the dark at point-blank range, will be the subject of the next Portals. Note: At 11:30 a.m. Sunday, the annual ceremony commemorating the 107 men aboard the San Francisco who gave their lives during the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal will be held at the ships memorial site at Lands End. The keynote speaker will be Chris Oldfield, the consul general of Australia. Gary Kamiya is the author of the best-selling book Cool Gray City of Love: 49 Views of San Francisco, awarded the Northern California Book Award in creative nonfiction. All the material in Portals of the Past is original for The San Francisco Chronicle. Email: metro@sfchronicle.com Trivia time The previous trivia question: Which San Francisco street was nicknamed Dago Alley? Answer: Oakwood Street, so named because so many Italians, many of them garbage collectors, lived there in the 1930s and 40s. This weeks trivia question: What San Francisco tragedy is associated with a mechanical piano? Editors note Every corner in San Francisco has an astonishing story to tell. Gary Kamiyas Portals of the Past tells those lost stories, using a specific location to illuminate San Franciscos extraordinary history from the days when giant mammoths wandered through what is now North Beach to the Gold Rush delirium, the dot-com madness and beyond. His column appears every other Saturday, alternating with Peter Hartlaubs OurSF. In the 1970s, coalitions of Bay Area women started the first feminist credit unions, domestic violence shelters and holistic health centers. Some of these pioneering womens stories and the role they played in shaping the Bay Areas progressive identity are household tales. But an equal number of them are stuck in boxes that have yet to be dusted off. That mission is at the core of the Bay Area Lesbian Archives, a project founded by Lenn Keller, a photographer and filmmaker who moved to Oakland in 1975. As women of her generation grew older, Keller saw that the history of Bay Area lesbians of the 1970s and 80s was in danger of being lost. In 2014, she and several other women took on the task of saving it. Marginalized histories are often not documented, Keller said. This means that all of us have a distorted sense of who we are and our history as a country. This history is very important, not just for posterity, but its important for us now. It helps us understand how we got to where we are, and helps us understand how to deal with the challenges. In December, the Bay Area Lesbian Archives was granted nonprofit status. That put Keller and her fellow archivists, Rebecca Silverstein and Sharon Davenport, in a better position to raise money through grants and other sources. Theyve already begun digitizing their collections, and want the archives to be available online for anyone to use. With limited resources, the group has focused on emergency collections, consisting of material from women who contributed to the Bay Areas lesbian renaissance and are near the end of their lives, as well as contributions from women now deceased. Photos by Brittany Hosea-Small / Special to The Chronicle The Bay Area already has the GLBT Historical Society, which began in 1985 in San Francisco and grew in part out of the desire to preserve gay mens history as AIDS devastated the community. Like the lesbian archives, the GLBT Historical Society had humble beginnings: Its first collections were stored in the living room of co-founder Willie Walkers Castro apartment. Now, the GLBT Historical Society archive holds 800 collections of photographs, audiovisual recordings, photographs and personal papers. The San Francisco Public Library has an LGBT archival collection as well. The Lesbian Archives collection ranges from the personal to the culturally eclectic, and its already outgrowing its storage space in Oakland. Keller and her colleagues hope to open a public space for their archives this year. Among the items awaiting digitization are a large number of flyers, a medium lesbian activists used to scare up a crowd in the pre-internet days. One, from 1978, promotes an event against Proposition 6, a state initiative that would have banned gays and lesbians from working in California public schools. Another, from 1979, advertises a consciousness-raising group called the 3rd World Lesbian Feminist Support Alliance. Such groups were informal gatherings for women to connect their personal experiences anything from displays of femininity to the battle against sexual assault to broader political systems they felt were oppressing them. There are unearthed photographs of lesbian and feminist activists in all kinds of scenes at protests, in the arms of lovers. There are art postcards that were sent to and from lesbians throughout the world, and diaries that detail the musings and plans of the eras activists. Posters make up a large portion of the archives. Many were staples of communal homes back in the day theres a promotional poster for High Risk, a 7-inch disc issued in 1974 by Sister Love Productions, a lesbian record label inspired by the poetry of black lesbian poets Audre Lorde and Pat Parker. The single, long out of press, is a mix of cosmic jazz with the spoken word of Judy Grahn, a prolific Bay Area lesbian poet. Lorde and Parker are not alive to tell the tale, but Grahn is. Now in her late 70s and a professor at the California Institute of Integral Studies, Grahn lives on a quiet street in Palo Alto, miles from her original post of literary activism: In 1969, she co-founded the Womens Press Collective on Valencia Street in San Francisco. Many consider it to be one of the first feminist presses in the world. Brittany Hosea-Small / Special to The Chronicle Eight years into its existence, after it moved to Oakland and evolved into Diana Press, someone broke into the collectives building, vandalized 5,000 unbound copies of a Rita Mae Brown book and wrecked several machines. The culprit was never found. There was no capacity to recover, Grahn said, and the collective closed in 1978. Im still waiting for somebodys deathbed confession. In the meantime, she plans to donate some of her press collective writings to the Lesbian Archives, including Woman to Woman, an early collection of feminist poems and drawings. When the press was in its heyday, its members taught offset printing classes to other feminists and lesbians. Silverstein, who moved to San Francisco in 1976 from Brooklyn, took a class herself. Self-reliance was something shed never felt before coming to the Bay Area. She was still calling herself bisexual when she moved to San Francisco at age 27, but soon came out as a lesbian. She craved a context for her newfound identity. We were hungry for history, Silverstein said. We were hungry for knowing what and who came before us. Because if you just think youre this weird anomaly, youve got no roots under you. 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. She added, We were coming out of a time where women were trapped. We couldnt get our own bank accounts or cars you had to be married. Now these things are taken for granted. We were the people who were bringing all this stuff in. The archive is a way to add more voices to the lesbian legacy in the Bay Area and capture a comprehensive history of the Bay Areas radical roots. It is also, in some ways, a chance for the women of Silverstein and Keller and Grahns generation to reconnect with one another. The lesbian community, Grahn said, has become more segmented, and most of the places where her generation gathered the bookstores, bars and cafes no longer exist. Some lost their specialness, as lesbianism merged with San Franciscos mainstream. I think there needs to be pressing social reasons why people congregate together in a particular group, Grahn said. To just get together because youre lesbians is not a compelling reason. There is no overarching social imperative. The social imperative her generation put in place has faded in intensity. Many older lesbians are also reluctant to revisit the past, Grahn said. Some are still dealing with the emotions spun out of that era. Others have simply moved on to the next stage. I think we were still absorbing it, Grahn said. There was so much conflict. Its like going through a forest fire; youre setting the forest fire, but youre also in it. It was a grand adventure, Ill say. It really was. Annie Vainshtein is a producer at SFGate.com. Email: AVainshtein@sfchronicle.com Saving history The Bay Area Lesbian Archives hosts regular events featuring authors, filmmakers and other central figures of the lesbian community. More information is available on its website: www.bayarealesbianarchives.org No issue has been bigger in the San Francisco mayors race than money whos giving it, whos getting it, and how much is coming from donors operating independently of the candidates campaigns. More than the differences among the four main candidates over such areas as housing, homelessness and public transit differences that are mostly narrow London Breed, Jane Kim, Mark Leno and Angela Alioto have made the campaign largely about allegations of influence-buying, especially by the independent expenditure groups known as super PACs. The question: How much do voters care? And do they care more about the influence that money might be buying than they care to hear candidates talk about dirty streets, car break-ins, soaring rents and other issues? Some voters will care about it a lot, but for others, its a distraction, or an attempt to change the narrative of an election away from issues and policies and make it more about, Who do you trust? said Jason McDaniel, an associate political science professor at San Francisco State University. Voters are very clear about what they care about in this election, and its homelessness, affordability and getting the streets of the city clean, said John Whitehurst, a Democratic consultant who isnt involved with any of the candidates, but previously handled Lenos campaigns for the Legislature. None of the voters Ive talked to and none of the polls Ive seen and Ive seen a lot point to campaign finance as an important issue in this election. I dont believe anyone will be elected mayor based on proving who has the least amount of independent expenditure money spent on them. Thats not stopping the candidates from firing away, mostly at Breed. In the most recent reporting period, from April 22 to May 19, she brought in $258,853 in contributions from individuals nearly twice as much as Kim, better than double Lenos total and more than 10 times as much as Alioto, according to reports filed with the city Ethics Commission. But its the super PAC money that is drawing the most attention. Outside groups that by law cannot coordinate their activities with a candidate but can spend as much as they like have now shelled out nearly $1 million on ads, mailers and other efforts to support Breed. Thats compared with the $385,593 spent on behalf of Kim and $137,327 spent supporting Leno. No outside groups have been formed to support Alioto. Additionally, outside groups have spent $179,133 attacking Kim and $101,891 opposing Leno, records filed with the Ethics Commission show. Most of the outside money spent supporting Breed $658,149 of the $962,000 total has come from a committee formed by San Francisco Firefighters Local 798. The unions committee has raised thousands from tech moguls including Evan Williams, a co-founder and former CEO of Twitter. Kims biggest outside benefactors include Service Employees International Union Local 1021 Candidate PAC, which has spent $218,980. A committee called San Francisco for All of Us, Supporting Mark Leno for Mayor has spent $54,575 on ads. Its chief donors are Equality California, a statewide LGBTQ-rights group that endorsed Lenos campaign in March, and Unite Here Local 2, a union representing hotel and restaurant employees. Kim and Leno have each benefited from $25,148 from the San Francisco Democratic County Central Committee. Campaign finance has been an issue in the race since the start. Back in January, Alioto sued Lenos campaign to block it from accessing hundreds of thousands of dollars in public financing money, which is provided to candidates to offset the costs of campaigning. A San Francisco judge ruled against her. Alioto herself failed to qualify for the citys public financing program. She threatened to sue the city this month after a final appeal was denied, arguing that glitches in the Ethics Commissions computer system caused discrepancies in her paperwork. On the day that Leno officially became a candidate, he challenged other contenders to publicly denounce, renounce and reject all super PAC money a symbolic gesture. Kim and Alioto signed the pledge but Breed did not. Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts. In whats become a cornerstone of his campaign, Leno paints Breeds popularity with outside groups as evidence that shes controlled by monied special interests, particularly those of tech investor Ron Conway. Kim and Leno even put out a joint campaign ad warning voters that wealthy special interests are trying to buy this election. Breed has aggressively defended her independence. And her campaign has fired back, calling Leno and Kim hypocrites for benefiting from the thousands spent on their behalf by outside groups while criticizing Breed for doing the same thing. Claiming to reject the influence of outside spending doesnt stop the money from flowing, Breeds camp contends. Leno and Kim know that no candidate can control outside spending, Breed spokeswoman Tara Moriarty said. Its time they drop the hypocrisy and spend the final weeks of this campaign focusing on the critical issues. Lenos campaign spokeswoman Zoe Kleinfeld countered, We believe that housing and homelessness are two of the most important issues facing San Francisco. ... But we also believe that campaign funding matters, and were taking that issue to voters. McDaniel, the San Francisco State professor, said focusing on spending by special interest groups could help drive votes to Leno and Kim by uniting the citys progressive factions around a common cause. No one disagrees that money in politics is a problem, McDaniel said. The message unites the different groups that Leno and Kim are trying to appeal to. Whether it will work or not is a whole other matter. Dominic Fracassa is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: dfracassa@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @dominicfracassa It was a cold start for BottleRock Napa Valley, which kicked off Wine Countrys premier outdoor music festival on Friday, May 25. Those expecting to escape the Bay Areas gloomy weather had no such luck. Temperatures never got close to 65 degrees, and the threat of rain hovered overhead (fortunately for the more scantily clad festivalgoers, it was just light sprinkles and mist during parts of the day). Its a little of a bummer. Its Memorial Day weekend, which is basically the beginning of summer, and its so cold, said Jenny Boffy of Santa Cruz, who is attending her first BottleRock with a group of friends. But it seems everywhere the weather is off. Standing at his station in the dimly lit Candlestick Barber Shop on Third Street in San Franciscos Bayview neighborhood, Jules Slim Stewart turned off his clippers, dusted off the back of his clients neck and looked out the window. Two and a half years ago, police cars were ripping down the same street and, minutes later, gunfire. Stewart later learned that five police officers had shot and killed stabbing suspect Mario Woods as the 26-year-old African American man shuffled along a wall half a block away. The shooting, captured on video, spurred wide outrage and police reform efforts that continue today. Saying its upsetting, thats an understatement, Stewart, 49, said Friday, overcome by a mix of sorrow and anger. We all witnessed it. We heard the shots. The initial shock and sadness that followed Woods killing in the Bayview, where roughly one-third of the population is black, has faded after more than two years. The police chief resigned. The mayor died. Talk of reform began in San Franciscos new Mission Bay Police Station and at City Hall. But on Thursday, District Attorney George Gascon announced he would not charge the five officers in the Dec. 2, 2015, shooting, reopening emotional wounds for many like Stewart who work and live near the infamous corner where Woods was killed. We keep hearing that word accountability, but no one is being held accountable, Stewart said. No one is going to jail. At the nearby B&J 1/4 Lb Burgers, across Third Street from where Woods was shot, customers ate their lunches and expressed resentment Friday as they spoke about the charging decision. This kind of thing has been going on for far too long, said 50-year-old Derek Tillman, who was on his way to a construction job. I dont know if things are ever going to change, but I hope we can get a dialogue going. Gascon said he would not charge the officers who shot Woods, as well as the two officers who shot and killed Luis Gongora Pat four months later in the Mission District, citing insufficient evidence to prove crimes had occurred. At the same time, Gascon said he was disturbed by the shootings. That explanation didnt satisfy many who had watched videos of the shooting that showed nearly a dozen officers surrounding Woods in a semicircle. The officers first shot Woods with beanbag and foam rounds in an attempt to get him to drop his knife, but he refused, prosecutors said. As Woods moved to the right, Officer Charles August cut him off. August told investigators he sought to prevent Woods from getting close to bystanders behind him. Woods advanced within 10 feet of August before the officer and four others opened fire. Woods died at the scene from 20 gunshot wounds. It was excessive force, and something should have been done, said Tillman, who knew Woods and his family from the neighborhood. Why do you need so many cops? One guy would have been able to control the situation with one gun not five. The Woods killing prompted significant changes in the Police Department, including a tightened use-of-force policy and efforts to engage communities with historically strained relationships with law enforcement. The U.S. Department of Justice entered into a collaborative reform effort with the city police force in 2016, issuing 272 recommendations. Former Chief Greg Suhr was forced to resign after other controversial police shootings. Chief Bill Scott was hired from the Los Angeles Police Department to oversee the reforms before former Mayor Ed Lee died of a heart attack in December. In the time I have in the department, we are formalizing community policing more than ever before, said Cmdr. David Lazar, who as head of the departments community engagement division oversees the community policing plans recommended by the Justice Department. Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts. The reforms include creating police advisory boards that give feedback to the department, youth engagement efforts, and police engagement with citizens in the Bayview at parks and at the district station. The department changed its use-of-force policy to focus on de-escalation, emphasizing that officers create time and distance from a suspect. Officers are also set to get Tasers this year, giving police another tool they say will reduce deadly incidents. Weve made great strides under Chief Scott in building relationships, said Lazar, a 27-year veteran of the force. Weve made a lot of great progress but we have more work to do. Business owners such as Tima, who owns a Thai restaurant called Simply Delish on Third Street, said they appreciate the police in the neighborhood. The police do a really good job, said Tima, who did not want to give her last name. This neighborhood is a little bit scary. As for the Woods shooting, she said, you have to look at both sides. I cannot judge anyone. But many residents, like Stewart at the Candlestick Barber Shop, want to see more effort by the police before their attitudes change. The relationship is soured its poisoned, he said. People of color are being killed and charges are not being filed. Im offended. Im insulted. Evan Sernoffsky is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: esernoffsky@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @EvanSernoffsky Orange County Rep. Dana Rohrabacher is doing his best to boost Democrats chances of grabbing the congressional seat the Costa Mesa Republican has held since 1988. The Orange County Register reported Thursday that Rohrabacher told a Realtors group earlier this month that theres nothing wrong with homeowners refusing to sell their homes to a gay or a lesbian if they dont agree with that lifestyle. He doubled down on that sentiment in an interview when he argued that homeowners should be able to decide whom they want to do business with. Weve drawn a line on racism, but I dont think we should extend that line, Rohrabacher said. A homeowner should not be required to be in business with someone they think is doing something that is immoral. Rohrabacher, a former White House speechwriter for President Ronald Reagan, has a long and much-prized reputation for speaking his mind about legalizing marijuana, his ties to Russian President Vladamir Putin and a variety of conspiracy theories. But the new anti-gay rant could cost him. The National Association of Realtors already has pulled its endorsement, arguing that its code of ethics bans discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. It also gives his Democratic challengers an easy point of attack, with Harley Rouda the first to take advantage, but probably not the last. Discrimination is discrimination, and its simply wrong, Rouda said in a combination news release/fundraising pitch Friday. Im proud to be endorsed by Equality CA and, in Congress, I will sponsor the Equality Act and the Fair and Equal Housing Act. Still, though, in the twisty world of the top-two primary, Rohrabachers comments could benefit the GOP. While there are plenty of Republicans who cant stomach anti-gay remarks, that doesnt mean theyre ready to vote for a Democrat. The solution? Scott Baugh, a Republican and former assemblyman, is also taking on Rohrabacher, arguing that its time for the veteran congressman to go. Every vote that Baugh pulls from Rohrabacher brings him closer to a second-place finish in the June 5 primary that would leave the Democrats locked out of the fall campaign. National Democratic leaders already are working to block a disastrous shutout in the 48th District and a pair of neighboring GOP-held Southern California districts where large fields of Democrats could split the vote and clear the way for a GOP sweep. John Wildermuth is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jwildermuth@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @jfwildermuth If you cant beat em, sue em seems to be the strategy in the waning days of the primary for governor. Both Democrat Antonio Villaraigosa and Republican John Cox have filed complaints with the states Fair Political Practices Commission, arguing that other candidates in the race arent, well, playing fair. Villaraigosas complaint is the more interesting, since hes arguing that an independent expenditure group backing Gavin Newsom is breaking state campaign rules by attacking Cox. This convoluted reasoning could only take place in the wonderfully wacky world of top-two primaries, where second place is as good as first, but no one wants to be third. The complaint is over an ad that starts out saying, Two of the candidates for governor have very different visions for California, then spends 15 seconds talking about Coxs backing for President Trump and his policies. As a result, Villaraigosas complaint says, the ad should be listed as supporting the San Diego-area businessman. Even though the last 15 seconds of the ad are essentially about how Newsom opposes all that Cox stands for. Democrat Gavin Newsom will combat climate change and expand renewable energy. Hell defend a womans right to choose. And Newsom will stand up to Trump to protect Californias interests. Gavin Newsom, Democrat for governor. Villaraigosas people say the very mention of Cox and his beliefs is a boon to Republicans, since it gets his name out there for GOP voters who then might be inclined to vote for him instead of, say, Villaraigosa. To be fair, Newsom has been aiming plenty of these Cox comparison ads at Republicans, and he probably wouldnt be upset if they helped boost Cox into second place and left Villaraigosa watching the fall campaign from his living room. Villaraigosa and fellow Democratic candidates John Chiang and Delaine Eastin gripe that Newsom is hurting the partys chances of flipping GOP-held California congressional seats by trying to pull Cox into the runoff. The logic behind that one is the belief that Republican turnout in those districts will improve if GOP voters have a candidate in the governors race. Politicians running for office, however, arent known for their eagerness to make sacrifices for other politicians running for office. And for what its worth, Newsoms GOP support rose from 4 percent to 7 percent in the latest Public Policy Institute of California poll, after he began targeting Republicans with the ads. Cox had his own complaints about a spoiler candidate, but this one was about Villaraigosa supporters sending out mailers to Republicans that backed GOP Assemblyman Travis Allen for governor. The pro-Villaraigosa committee is actively promoting the floundering candidacy of ... Travis Allen, said Matt Shupe, a spokesman for Cox. It is a blatant attempt to split the Republican vote and get two Democrat candidates into the November election. To which the Villaraigosa supporters will probably answer, Sure, followed by a quick, So what? Late-in-the-campaign ethics complaints like the one Villaraigosa is making against Team Newsom and Cox is making against Villaraigosas backers are often less about the charges and more about the headlines. You have to connect a lot of dots to make (Villaraigosas) case, and Im not sure you can do that, said Jessica Levinson, chair of the Los Angeles City Ethics Commission. But thats probably not the reason it was filed. Any complaint that goes to the FPPC a week or so before the election is unlikely even to be look at before election day, she said. And if its eventually upheld, the penalty probably is only a fine, which in politics is the cost of doing business. A lot of times complaints made right before the election have a couple of purposes, Levinson said. People may feel their legal rights are harmed, but what you also want is the headline, to let voters know youre still fighting. John Wildermuth is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jwildermuth@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @jfwildermuth Harvard Universitys Roland G. Fryer Jr., an economist and education researcher known for his work in tracing the causes and fallout of achievement gaps for minority students, is under investigation for sexual harassment and has been barred from entering the laboratory that he leads. According to the Harvard Crimson, Fryer is the target of two investigations : one by the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination and the other by Harvards Office for Dispute Resolution, which investigates complaints of gender-based and sexual harassment under Title IX. The Harvard office is investigating claims that Fryer engaged in egregious acts of verbal and sexual harassment by talking about sex in the workplace, making sexually inappropriate comments, and objectifying and sexualizing women, according to the Crimson. Among the 47 people Crimson reporters spoke to for the report were lawyers for one of the women who filed a complaint, and at least 23 current or former employees at the Education Innovation Laboratory, known as EdLabs, the think tank Fryer founded in 2008. It focuses on economics and the roots of racial inequality. Education Week couldnt reach Fryer for comment. But in a statement supplied by his lawyer, George J. Leontire, he denied wrongdoing. Let me state unequivocally that I have notand would notengage in any discrimination or harassment of any form, Fryer said in the statement. Any claim to the contrary is patently false. He said that he recognizes the seriousness of any form of discrimination and has worked diligently to foster a deeply inclusive environment at EdLabs. In his own statement sent to EdWeek, Leontire said the allegations against Fryer are outrageous, and that the professor looks forward to a full and impartial forum to address these outrageous allegations. In a phone conversation, he declined to confirm the investigations, but noted that the accusations in the Crimson report allege a hostile work environment, not any physical contact. Several of Fryers colleagues are quoted in the Crimson story as saying they never saw him engage in inappropriate conduct. The Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination confirmed in a phone call with EdWeek that it is investigating one complaint against Fryer, filed on April 6. MCAD spokesman H. Harrison said his office cannot disclose the nature of the complaint. Harvards press office declined to confirm or deny a university investigation of Fryer, and issued a statement saying that it is deeply committed to providing a civil and inclusive work environment for everyone who works at the university, and that it reviews any complaint brought to its attention about a hostile work environment. We are aware of and take seriously concerns raised about the treatment of staff in the Education Innovation Laboratory at Harvard University (EdLabs), including whether staff members have been treated with the dignity and respect they deserve, spokeswoman Rachael Dane said in the statement. The Crimson reported that in March, the University barred Fryer and his chief of staff, Bradley M. Allan, from entering EdLabs. Fryer won a MacArthur genius grant in 2011 for his work on the achievement gap. He also made a splash with research that found that there was no benefit to using financial incentives to get children to perform well in school. Fryer also served as the chief equality officer in the New York City school from 2007 to 2008. Photo: Roland Fryer, a Harvard University economics professor who studies causes and consequences of economic disparity due to race and inequality, was one of 22 recipients of the 2011 MacArthur Foundation genius grants. (Jodi Hilton/John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation/AP) HCM CITY Masan Consumer Corporation, a subsidiary of Masan Group, has been named the second-most chosen consumer company in Viet Nam with 345 million consumer reach points (CRPs), according to a report released by Kantar World-panel Brand Footprint 2018, a global expert in shopping behaviour. Masan Consumer has 39 million CRPs in four cities (Ha Noi, HCM City, a Nang and Can Tho), and 306 million CRPs in rural areas, based on an innovative metric which provides a true representation of shoppers choices. The company currently owns six brands ranked on the top 10 food and beverage lists. Its products were chosen more than 130 million times by nearly 80 per cent of rural households and 16 million times by over two-thirds of urban households. Among them, Nam Ngu, a fish sauce brand, remains the most chosen food brand in rural areas and is second in the urban ranking. In the first quarter of the year, Masan Consumers net revenue reached VN3.5 trillion (US$154 million), a year-on-year increase of nearly 75 per cent. It expects to reach net revenue of around VN7.4 trillion ($525 million) in the first half of this year, with a growth of 35 per cent compared to the same period last year. The Kantar World-Panel Brand Footprint Ranking measures the strength of more than 18,000 brands in 43 countries on five continents based on actual consumption in terms of both penetration and frequency. The annual report highlights several products in their rankings of top brands in the beverages, food, dairy, health and beauty, and homecare sectors around the world. VNS This is Chronicle restaurant critic Michael Bauers Between Meals column, an update of the restaurants he visits as he searches for the next Top 100 Restaurants. His main dining reviews, which include a ratings box, are written only after three or more visits. If you want a restaurant that is environmentally correct, then the Perennial checks all the boxes. Founders Anthony Myint and Karen Leibowitz are cooking activists, and at their restaurant they promote techniques and food production that is meant to reverse climate change. An example: the bread, which is baked daily, is made from Kernza, a type of wheatgrass that has a carbon-capturing root system thats good for the environment. They bring this focus to every dish on the menu with actions such as an in-house butcher shop and their aquaponic greenhouse to utilize food waste. The building and equipment also are designed to lower the carbon footprint. When I originally reviewed the restaurant soon after it opened more than two years ago, Chris Kiyuna was in the kitchen. Since September it has been Myint and Michael Andreatta, who returned to San Francisco after stints at the Publican and Boka in Chicago. All this high-minded purpose only works if the food can compete favorably with other restaurants. Fortunately it does. Andreatta says his goal is to be sustainable, but also to inject a little fun into the process. The restaurant has joined the ever-expanding list of fixed-priced menus, although diners also order a la carte items. Id recommend the three- or four-course option ($45 or $55), which is a good deal and allows diners to have the run of the 17-item menu. The chefs show that diners dont have to give up pleasure to help reverse climate change, although the silken tofu panna cotta ($9) might have weakened that argument if other items werent so strong. Michael Bauer/The Chronicle In this case, the tofu and buttermilk combined for a chalky texture and the raw ribbons of rhubarb became more like dental floss with each chew. It was a contrast to the beef tartare ($14), which was intense with smoked onions and horseradish, covered with a green mat of herblike grasses. Lardons of smoked pork belly boosted charred cabbage ($12) moistened in a ham hock broth with sea beans, tapioca and succulents to lend a crunchy texture. The restaurant has become known for its vegetable barbecue ($19), which will make vegetarians rejoice. Meat eaters will be just as excited for the thick medallions of pork ($28) with leeks, lentils and fava leaves; and trout ($25) nestled next to Little Gems, avocado and broccoli in a buttermilk dressing. Food Guide Top 25 Restaurants Where to eat in the Bay Area. Find spots near you, create a dining wishlist, and more. Few desserts are as refreshing as the viola and rue sorbet with its pale lavender color and its garnish of sunflower butter, candied kumquats and granola. Michael Bauer/The Chronicle What was immediately evident on my check-in visit is that the Perennial has remained consistent and grown from what seemed almost like self-conscious activism to a confident approach to food where flavor is equally important as the issues the Perennial addresses. 59 Ninth St., San Francisco; 4125-500-7788. www.theperennialsf.com. Dinner Tuesday-Saturday. Michael Bauer is The San Francisco Chronicle restaurant critic and editor at large. Email: mbauer@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @michaelbauer1 Instagram: @michaelbauer1 A sign of rejuvenation has sprung up in Coffey Park. It is brown and green and new, with gleaming windows and freshly polished doorknobs. It is the first home to be rebuilt after the North Bay fires devastated the Santa Rosa neighborhood last year. The city of Santa Rosa celebrated the completed Kerry Lane house with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday. Its owner, Dan Bradford, moved in that morning. More than 2,000 homes and structures were destroyed across the North Bay when wildfires broke out in early October. Coffey Park was particularly hard hit, and aerial images of the destroyed neighborhood became a national symbol of the devastation wrought by the firestorm. Sonoma County suffered by far the greatest destruction from the fires: 3,963 homes were destroyed and 7,766 suffered damage, which together accounted for $2.6 billion in property losses. Rebuilding has been a slow, arduous process for those who lost their homes in the tragedy. "Little did I know when I left here on October 9, it would take me eight months to get back in," Bradford told ABC7. He lived in a small rental while awaiting the completion of his house and the securing of funds needed for construction, which began in December. Bradford was luckier than some. The fires did not contaminate his home's original foundation, whereupon his new house sits. Everything else is brand new. State Assemblymember Marc Levine, who represents Marin and southern Sonoma counties and attended the Friday celebration, said Bradford's house "is among many milestones we will celebrate as a community in the coming years." More than 160 homes are currently under construction in Santa Rosa. Kathleen Pender, a San Francisco Chronicle columnist, contributed to this report. Michelle Robertson is an SFGATE staff writer. Email her at mrobertson@sfchronicle.com or find her on Twitter at @mrobertsonsf. About 50 people protesting fatal shootings by police blocked the street in front of the Mission District police station Friday night. The protesters, standing in a circle at 17th and Valencia streets, chanted slogans and prevented cars from getting through the intersection. The police station was surrounded by metal barricades and about 20 officers stood outside the station, watching the crowd. The crowd protested the decision by District Attorney George Gascon on Thursday not to file charges against officers involved in the fatal 2015 shooting of Mario Woods and the fatal 2016 shooting of Luis Gongora Pat, two men who were carrying knives. Gascon said there was insufficient evidence to prove the officers acted unreasonably in defending themselves and others. Cops have been killing for a long time with impunity. They always get away with it. The families never get justice. But that doesnt mean we are going to stop fighting, protester Julianna Cheng, 32, of San Francisco said. This is not OK. Its unjust. Other protesters addressed the crowd through a megaphone and inscribed on the sidewalk with colored chalk the names of people shot by police. Shortly before 10 p.m., the crowd walked a block north, to 16th Street, and about a dozen more officers turned up. How do you spell murder, S-F-P-D, the crowd chanted. Mimi Klausner, 64, of San Francisco, said she opposed but was not surprised by Gascons decision. You always keep that little bit of hope in you that people will do the right thing, Klausner said. Protesters carried signs that said, In the name of God charge the killer cops with murder and White silence is violence. Jeremy Miller, 37, of San Francisco, read aloud the names of people who had been shot and killed by San Francisco police, then led the crowd in chanting, Get up. Get down. Run Gascon out of town. Gascon is part of the problem, Miller said. This was an intentional decision by a biased former chief of the San Francisco police department. And it was a slap in the face of the people of San Francisco. Sarah Ravani and Steve Rubenstein are San Francisco Chronicle staff writers. Email: sravani@sfchronicle.com and srubenstein@sfchronicle.com OFALLON, Mo. In a windowless bunker here, a wall of monitors tracked incoming attacks 267,322 in the last 24 hours, according to one hovering dial, or about three every second as a dozen analysts stared at screens filled with snippets of computer code. Pacing around, overseeing the stream of warnings, was a former Delta Force soldier who fought in Iraq and Afghanistan before shifting to a new enemy: cyberthieves. This is not that different from terrorists and drug cartels, Matt Nyman, the command centers creator, said as he surveyed his squadron of Mastercard employees. Fundamentally, threat networks operate in similar ways. Cybercrime is one of the worlds fastest-growing and most lucrative industries. At least $445 billion was lost last year, up around 30 percent from just three years earlier, a global economic study found, and the Treasury Department recently designated cyberattacks as one of the greatest risks to the U.S. financial sector. For banks and payment companies, the fight feels like a war and they are responding with an increasingly militarized approach. Former government cyberspies, soldiers and counterintelligence officials now dominate the top ranks of banks security teams. They have brought to their new jobs the tools and techniques used for national defense: combat exercises, intelligence hubs modeled on those used in counterterrorism work and threat analysts who monitor the internets shadowy corners. At Mastercard, Nyman oversees the companys new fusion center, a term borrowed from the Department of Homeland Security. After the attacks of Sept. 11, the agency set up scores of fusion centers to coordinate federal, state and local intelligence-gathering. The approach spread throughout the government, with the centers used to fight disease outbreaks, wildfires and sex trafficking. Then banks grabbed the playbook. At least a dozen of them, from giants like Citigroup and Wells Fargo to regional ones such as Bank of the West, have opened fusion centers in recent years, and more are in the works. Fifth Third Bank is building one in its Cincinnati headquarters, and Visa, which created its first two years ago in Virginia, is developing two more, in Britain and Singapore. Having their own intelligence hives, the banks hope, will help them better detect patterns in all the data they amass. The centers also have a symbolic purpose. Having a literal war room reinforces the new reality. Fending off thieves has always been a priority it is why banks build vaults but the arms race has escalated rapidly. Cybersecurity has, for many financial company chiefs, become their biggest fear, eclipsing issues like regulation and the economy. Visa CEO Alfred F. Kelly Jr. is completely paranoid about the subject, he told investors at a conference in March. Bank of Americas Brian 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 in 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, it is 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 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. There was a recognition that we needed to add an additional layer of resilience, said John Carlson, the chief of staff for the Financial Services Information Sharing and Analysis Center, the industrys main cybersecurity coordination group. Soon after, the group began building a new fail-safe, called Sheltered Harbor, which went into operation last year. If one member of the network has its data compromised or destroyed, others can step in, retrieve its archived records and restore basic customer account access within a day or two. It has not yet been needed, but nearly 70 percent of Americas deposit accounts are now covered by it. The largest banks run dozens of their own, internal attack simulations each year, to smoke out their vulnerabilities and keep their first responders sharp. Its the idea of muscle memory, said Thomas Harrington, Citigroups chief information security officer, who spent 28 years with the FBI. Growing interest among its corporate customers in cybersecurity war games inspired IBM to build a digital range in Cambridge, Mass., where it stages data breaches for customers and prospects to practice on. One recent morning, a fictional bank called Bane & Ox was under attack on IBMs range, and two dozen real-life executives from a variety of financial companies gathered to defend it. In the training scenario, an unidentified attacker had dumped 6 million customer records on Pastebin, a site often used by hackers to publish stolen data caches. As the hours ticked by, the assault grew worse. The lost data included financial records and personally identifying details. One of the customers was Colin Powell, the former secretary of state. Phones in the room kept ringing with calls from reporters, irate executives and, eventually, regulators, wanting details about what had occurred. When the group figured out what computer system had been used in the leak, a heated argument broke out: Should they cut off its network access immediately? Or set up surveillance and monitor any further transmissions? At the urging of a Navy veteran who runs the cyberattack response group at a large New York bank, the group left the system connected. Those are the decisions you dont want to be making for the first time during a real attack, said Bob Stasio, IBMs cyber range operations manager and a former operations chief for the National Security Agencys cyber center. One financial companys executive team did such a poor job of talking to its technical team during a past IBM training drill, Stasio said, that he went home and canceled his credit card with them. Like many cybersecurity bunkers, IBMs foxhole has deliberately theatrical touches. Whiteboards and giant monitors fill nearly every wall, with graphics that can be manipulated by touch. You cant have a fusion center unless you have really cool TVs, quipped Lawrence Zelvin, a former Homeland Security official who is now Citigroups global cybersecurity head, at a recent cybercrime conference. Its even better if they do something when you touch them. It doesnt matter what they do. Just something. Security pros mockingly refer to such eye candy as pew pew maps, an onomatopoeia for the noise of laser guns in 1980s movies and video arcades. They are especially useful, executives concede, to put on display when VIPs or board members stop by for a tour. Two popular pew pew maps are from FireEye and defunct security vendor Norse, whose video-game-like maps show laser beams zapping across the globe. Norse went out of business two years ago, and no one is sure what data the map is based on, but everyone agrees that it looks cool. Jason Witty, the chief information security officer at U.S. Bank, admits that the blinking map he breaks out for customer briefings is mostly for show. But it serves a serious purpose, he said: making the command centers high-stakes work more tangible. If you show customers the scripts youre actually running, its just digits on a screen, Witty said. A big, colorful map is easier to grasp. What everyone in the finance industry is afraid of is a repeat on an even larger scale of the data breach that hit Equifax last year. Hackers stole personal information, including Social Security numbers, of more than 146 million people. The attack cost the companys chief executive and four other top managers their jobs. Who stole the data, and what they did with it, is still not publicly known. The credit bureau has spent $243 million so far cleaning up the mess. It is Nymans job to make sure that does not happen at Mastercard. Walking around the companys fusion center, he describes the teams work using military slang. Its focus is left of boom, he said referring to the moments before a bomb explodes. By detecting vulnerabilities and attempted hacks, the analysts aim to head off an Equifax-like explosion. But the attacks keep coming. As he spoke, the dial displayed over his shoulder registered another few assaults on Mastercards systems. The total so far this year exceeds 20 million. Stacy Cowley is a New York Times writer. The geeks in Best Buys Geek Squad have long taken on one-time tasks for customers, such as fixing a broken laptop or installing a TV. But as consumers fill their homes with more connected gadgets and as the Minnesota retailer looks to develop revenue beyond transactions Best Buy is expanding Geek Squad services to all tech products and appliances. The company piloted various pricing and selling strategies for Total Tech Support in the past year and decided to make a subscription-type option available nationwide. The service, which costs $200 a year, gives customers unlimited phone, online and in-store support on certain services such as removing viruses or troubleshooting setting up a home network. In-home visits cost $50, a discounted rate in many cases, to do things such as setting up smart home devices or mounting a TV. It also includes discounts for repairs and extended warranty plans. This is a big transition for Best Buy and Geek Squad, said Matt Bonin, the retailers vice president of services. Were transitioning from a transactional business to having more of a support relationship supporting all of the technology in a customers home. The challenge for the company will be to maintain the profitability of the broadened service offering. Executives told investors this year that the service expansion will create some high costs initially, likely pressuring the companys gross profit margin. But Best Buy leaders aim to reap financial benefits over time. Best Buy came up with Total Tech Support after it began seeing a shift in surveys a couple of years ago of consumers expressing an interest in having a broader array of support, especially as they add more smart gadgets in their homes, he said. As it looks to be become more full-service tech experts, Best Buy has also been expanding an in-home adviser program in which consumers can sign up for a free in-home consultation with a Best Buy expert to get advice on how to better use technology in their homes. Best Buy, which offers a monthly version of Total Tech Support in Canada, began piloting the service in the U.S. about a year ago in about 60 stores. In September, it expanded it to about 200 stores, or about 20 percent of the U.S. population in more than a dozen states. After testing a monthly and an annual subscription model, Best Buy decided to go with the latter version as it now rolls it out nationwide. In the last year, about 230,000 people have signed up for the service and have used it more than 400,000 times, the company says. While some customers may decide to get this service instead of extended warranties, Bonin said most still feel a need to get warranties, too. He added that Total Tech Support hasnt taken away from Best Buys warranty sales, which have been growing. Service-related sales at Best Buy had been sliding until last year, when they rose 4 percent because of growth in warranties, installation and delivery services. While services account for only about 4 percent of Best Buys overall revenue, the segment is seen by many analysts as an important differentiator for Best Buy since many of its competitors sell gadgets often without providing additional support. However, Amazon has been dabbling in this space, too, and now offers in-home consultation and smart home installation services in select markets. As more consumers sign up for Total Tech Support, Bonin said Best Buy will likely hire more people. The company already employs more than 20,000 people in its Geek Squad nationwide. PepsiCo buys Bare Foods Continuing to bet that consumers want to crunch on healthier snack items, PepsiCo announced Friday that it is acquiring Bare Foods, a San Francisco maker of baked fruit and vegetable snacks. For PepsiCo, which did not make public the financial terms of the deal, the purchase of a company that makes products like salt-and-vinegar beet chips and Granny Smith apple chips is its latest effort to diversify its food and beverage portfolio and move toward the more natural, less-processed foods that are now in favor by an increasingly health-conscious public. Number of the day 58 percent Thats how much Pinterest sales jumped last year reaching $473 million after marketers spent more on its digital ads, people familiar with the matter said. The San Francisco image search company missed internal revenue goals for the first half of 2017, but exceeded expectations in the second half, one of the people said. Its on track to meet or beat targets for the first half of this year, the person added. The people asked not to be identified discussing private company details. Unexpected guest at Airbnb A screaming crowd of alleged hooky-players greeted former President Barack Obama outside Airbnb headquarters in San Francisco. Arent you all supposed to be at work right now? Obama quipped, according to Demarris Evans, an attorney with the San Francisco Public Defenders office, who happened to be walking by and captured a video of the ex-president. Obama was visiting CEO Brian Chesky on Thursday. Cheskys connection with Obama goes way back: The entrepreneur sold promotional boxes of Obama Os breakfast cereal to help fund his startup. Daily Briefing is compiled from San Francisco Chronicle staff and news services. See more items and links at www.sfgate.com. Twitter: @techchronicle The world is full of tropical paradises and other exotic places where a couple can live comfortably on $2,000 a month or less. Plus, good health care abroad can cost a fraction of what it does in the U.S. If living more cheaply is the only reason youd retire to another country, though, youre likely to be unhappy. Expatriate Dan Prescher says hes seen such economic refugees suffer when they discover how different daily life can be in other places. No matter what else the United States is, it is probably the most convenient country on the planet, says Prescher, a senior editor at International Living who currently lives in Ecuador. You can get almost anything you want, almost any time you want with a phone call or the click of a mouse. The rest of the world is just not like that. Another longtime expat, Kathleen Peddicord, says people who successfully retire abroad leave their expectations at the border and learn what questions not to ask. Questions like, Why is the sales clerk answering her phone in the middle of checking out a customer? or How can it take four months to install a new kitchen countertop? Real control freaks struggle, says Peddicord, publisher of Live and Invest Overseas, who lives in Paris. I speak from firsthand experience. People who do well living abroad tend to have some things in common, Peddicord and Prescher say. Those include: They have a sense of adventure and humor. The best candidates are open-minded, unafraid of change and ready to embrace the new and unexpected, Peddicord says. You need to be able to laugh it off when the repairman stands you up for the fourth time in a row, Peddicord says. Their spouses are on board. Often one member of a couple is more enthusiastic than the other, and it may take a vacation in the proposed location to win over the uncertain spouse. But Prescher warns that dragging a truly reluctant spouse abroad is likely to backfire. You see one spouse just suffering through it hoping that in a year or two it will be out of the other spouses system, and they can go back home and live the way they want to, Prescher says. They have a re-entry plan. Many expat retirees intend to return to the U.S. someday, and even those who expect to live abroad indefinitely can change their minds. At some point, theyre going to be 80 years old and they might not want to be away from their family and friends anymore, Prescher says. A re-entry plan could mean renting the family home instead of selling it, or setting aside enough money to fund a return. Prescher and Peddicord also recommend signing up for Medicare at 65, even though that government health care program can only be used in the U.S. The reason: The part of Medicare that pays for doctors visits and other costs, Part B, has a hefty penalty for not signing up when youre eligible. Monthly Part B premium increase 10 percent for each year someone could have had Medicare Part B but did not. They have a purpose. We all need a reason to get out of bed in the morning. It can be challenging to find that purpose when youre struggling with language and cultural differences, Peddicord says. After 20 years of living abroad, however, shes convinced having purpose is key to a positive experience in a new place. Every unhappy retiree shes known failed to find motivation and devolved into what she calls the complaining expat. You find these folks holding court on barstools across the world, she says. The happy ones may take up a long-deferred hobby, learn a new language or start a business, but many expat retirees find their purpose by volunteering. I know dozens of expat-retirees in different places who are volunteering as teachers, in orphanages, in single-mother facilities, Peddicord says. This can be the best way to become a real part of your new community. Liz Weston is a columnist at NerdWallet. In airline route news this week, Delta will return to India, and it kicks off some summer Europe routes as well as new transcon service; El Al delays its new San Francisco flights; Alaska will eliminate some Horizon routes; United will boost ski service to Vail from San Francisco and elsewhere, and added more summer Europe service; four European carriers introduce a new fare type on U.S. routes; Air Canada enters four U.S. markets; and Frontier adds more routes. According to The Times of Israel, El Al has decided to push back its launch of new service between Tel Aviv and San Francisco. Originally slated to debut in November of this year using a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, it has now been rescheduled to begin in May 2019, the newspaper said. El Al had already start to sell tickets on the route but said it will rebook passengers slated to travel during the delay period. The Israeli airline plans to fly the route three times a week; United already offers daily service between SFO-TLV. Delta said it plans to get back into the U.S.-India market next year after stopping its last service there three years ago. The airline said it will inaugurate non-stop flights from the U.S. to Mumbai, but it didnt say when or from which U.S. gateway; those details will come later this year, a spokesperson said. Delta gave up on India service in the face of tough competition from Middle Eastern carriers, which Delta, American and United charged were benefiting from government subsidies, but that issue was recently addressed by agreements between the U.S. and the governments of the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, clearing the way for Deltas return to India, the company said. The airline said it will also expand its code-sharing pact with Indias Jet Airways for domestic connections within India. Delta has also been ramping up its seasonal summer service to Europe. It recently started daily summer flights from Atlanta to Milan and Venice and added a second daily Atlanta-Rome frequency. (Delta recently moved its Rome operation from Terminal 1 to Terminal 3 at Leonardo da Vinci Airport.) And over Memorial Day weekend, Delta is starting more summer routes to Europe -- some new and some returning -- including Atlanta-Lisbon, New York JFK to the Azores, Indianapolis to Paris, Pittsburgh-Paris, Minneapolis/St. Paul-Reykjavik, JFK-Glasgow, JFK-Copenhagen, JFK-Malaga, Atlanta-Barcelona, Atlanta-Dublin and Boston-Dublin. In June, Delta is due to begin new service from Los Angeles to both Paris and Amsterdam. On the domestic side, Delta announced plans to begin non-stop service on October 15 between New York JFK and Orange County's John Wayne Airport. And its not an eastbound red-eye: The new Delta flight will leave SNA at 12:30 p.m., arriving in JFK at 9 p.m.; the westbound leg will operate in the morning. Delta will use a 737-700 on the route and fly it every day except Saturdays. As part of a network readjustment later this year, Alaska Airlines plans to eliminate some regional routes operated mostly by its Horizon Air affiliate. A daily flight from San Jose to Eugene, Oregon will end August 25; service from Portland to Pasco and Bellingham, Washington will end on the same date; Los Angeles-Sun Valley, Idaho flights will stop October 14, and LAX-Mammoth Lakes, California will terminate November 30. The usual winter service from San Diego to Mammoth Lakes will not be offered this year. Elsewhere, Alaska will end its three daily flights between Dallas Love Field and Washington Reagan National on October 27. Meanwhile, Alaska has started to upgrade equipment at Santa Rosa, California in Sonoma County. The airline has started using a two-class, 76-seat Embraer 175 on its daily Santa Rosa-San Diego service and will use the same aircraft for Santa Rosa-Portland starting in mid-July, replacing smaller Q400 turboprops. United Airlines plans to boost winter capacity to Vail/Eagle, Colorado, from its hubs for the coming ski season. From mid-December through March, United will increase San Francisco-Vail non-stop seasonal service from once a week to daily, using an E175. The airline will also boost Washington Dulles-Vail frequencies from weekly to daily, using a mainline 737-700. New Vail service from Los Angeles will operate once a week with an E175, and United will continue to offer daily Vail service from Chicago, Houston and Newark, as well as three daily flights from its Denver hub. Meanwhile, United also started flying some summer seasonal routes to Europe this week, including Newark-Athens, Newark-Reykjavik, Washington Dulles-Barcelona and Dulles-Edinburgh. The Lufthansa Group is the latest international airline company to introduce a new Basic Economy-type air fare. Called Economy Light, the new Lufthansa Group pricing will be available starting this summer on all North American routes of Lufthansa, SWISS, Brussels Airlines and Austrian Airlines. At the basic rate, the new fare is the least expensive option for price-conscious passengers traveling with carry-on luggage and who do not require ticket flexibility, Lufthansa said. For an additional fee, passengers will be allowed to add one piece of luggage or request a seat reservation on an individual basis. Meals and drinks will continue to be served to passengers on board, free-of-charge. Air Canada this month launched new service on four transborder routes, including daily CRJ-900 flights linking Sacramento with Vancouver. Other new routes include Montreal-Baltimore/Washington, Montreal-Pittsburgh and Toronto-Providence, all operated with regional jets. Air Canada offers the only non-stop service in all four markets. Frontier Airlines continues to adjust its network. In the latest changes, Frontier returned to Fresno this week, inaugurating A321 service three days a week to Denver International. The ultra-low-cost airline also announced plans for a big expansion at San Antonio starting in mid-August, adding new service from that Texas airport to Albuquerque, Charlotte, Cleveland, Columbus, Jacksonville, Memphis, Oklahoma City, Omaha and Tulsa, offering two or three flights a week in each market. Read all recent TravelSkills posts here Get twice-per-week updates from TravelSkills via email! Sign up here Chris McGinnis is the founder of TravelSkills.com. The author is solely responsible for the content above, and it is used here by permission. You can reach Chris at chris@travelskills.com or on Twitter @cjmcginnis. Sarah Ravani A man was hospitalized Friday afternoon after being shot on the 2600 block of California Street in Lower Pacific Heights, according to San Francisco police. The shooting was reported at 1:36 p.m., and the victim was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, said Officer Robert Rueca, a department spokesman. For companies in Viet Nam, only 31 per cent said the EU policy environment has had a positive impact on their business, while 66 per cent saw no impact. Photo tinnhanhchungkhoan.vn HCM CITY Firms are potentially missing out on key opportunities available beyond their immediate borders by focusing on trade policy developments on a regional scale, and showing lack of awareness when it comes to the broader global trade policy environment, according to an HSBC report. According to the report, Navigator: Now, Next and How for Business, a majority of businesses appear to be ignoring or undermining the impact of important policies on their operations. For companies in Viet Nam, only 31 per cent said the EU policy environment has had a positive impact on their business, while 66 per cent saw no impact. The data was similar for the US policy environment (31 per cent for the EU and 60 per cent for the US), the two major markets for Viet Nams exporters. Similarly, 74 per cent of respondents said the North-American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) has had no impact on their business. A broad lack of awareness from businesses that have major trade and policy initiatives has put them at risk of missing out on significant international growth opportunities, according to the report. Although many firms, especially in the services sector, would consider expanding to new markets to grow their business, many could end up losing their competitive advantage if they do not recognise how trade policy is re-shaping the worlds supply chains, and where the best opportunities lie for them in the next few years, according to the HSBC report. The positive impact of initiatives that are closer to home, however, were more broadly recognised by the surveys respondents. Chinas Belt and Road Initiative and ASEAN 2025 policies received the greatest vote of confidence from business leaders, 59 per cent and 56 per cent, respectively, in the Asia-Pacific region. Seventy-four per cent of companies in Viet Nam said that ASEAN 2025 would have a positive impact on their business and 26 per cent saw no impact. In addition, 50 per cent of survey participants in Viet Nam said the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) was relevant to their business. Sixty-three per cent of Vietnamese companies cited CPTPP as having a positive impact on their business, while 35 per cent said there had been no impact. Meanwhile, 46 per cent of firms in Asia-Pacific said the CPTPP trade deal was relevant for them and 48 per cent expected it to have a positive impact on their business. Vu Tien Loc, chairman of the Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), said at a recent meeting that the CPTPP would be the backbone of international economic and trade commitments for Vietnamese businesses, despite some changes from its predecessor, the now-defunct Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement. The CPTPP is considered a better option for Viet Nam and 10 other partner countries, after the US departure from the TPP, he noted. Conducted by HSBC Commercial Banking, the report examined sentiment and expectations towards international trade in 26 countries and territories, including Viet Nam, China, Hong Kong, India, the UAE, the UK and the US, among others. VNS When a smattering of applause rippled through Davies Hall on Friday, May 25, after the first movement of Haydns Symphony No. 102, San Francisco Symphony guest conductor David Robertson had an answer. Wheeling around to face the audience, he deadpanned, in reference to the movements still to come, We have three encores. Robertson, the outgoing music director of the St. Louis Symphony and a longtime visitor to the Davies podium, had a lot more than witty ad libs to offer. Through an absorbing, wide-ranging and emotionally consequential reading of the Haydn, one of the composers late great London symphonies, he and the players made everything count. In the long and eventful first movement, the conductor and his adopted San Francisco players mustered a premonitory pressure in the slow opening bars. When the valve was released, in the quickening second subject, the driving impetus kicked in. Robertson turned the angular shifts and whirling development into an urgent musical argument, punctuated by hairpin-turn dynamics and dramatically sudden rests. The encores lived up in full. A suave Adagio featured associate principal cellist Peter Wyricks effectively characterized, slightly raw-boned arpeggios as a backdrop. The Menuet came on with a bracing tread, emphatically underlined phrases and false cadences and a woodwind-enriched tart-sweet trio section. Robertson, whose highly physical conducting bordered on dance at times, as he bounced and swerved, his head whipping from side to side to signal entrances, took his act public in the fleet Finale. Twice he turned to the audience with mock astonishment on his face as Haydn tucked several fake-out melodic and rhythmic surprises into a prestissimo race to the finish line. The humor, like everything else in this fully engaged reading, was at once refreshing and right on point. Brett Deans 2013 Engelsflugel (Wings of Angels) opened the concert. The 10-minute work, receiving a U.S. premiere in its fully orchestrated form, has roots in the composers affection for both Brahms solo piano music and wind ensembles. Those trace elements could be felt in this impressionistic, appealingly textured work. From the tentative, half-formed woodwind mutterings and softly scrabbling strings at the outset, Dean compelled a kind of lean-in attention. His delicate writing cohered into fleeting lyrical fragments and an overall sense of breathing naturalness. The music inflated, powered through percussive outbursts and scale-spanning string figures and gradually deflated. The prominence of the flutes heightened the sense of airy exchanges the piece induced. Played with consummate attention to detail and design, the piece made an evocative imprint on first hearing. As the angels of Deans title came to mind, they werent so much airborne as they were drawing in the precious breath theyd need for their heavenly callings. The second half of the evening was devoted to Brahms Piano Concerto No. 1, with Kirill Gerstein as soloist. It was a brash, often harshly unyielding performance in the more-is-more school of thought. After Robertson laid down a solid but lean sound in the Maestoso opening, Gerstein entered with a tightly reined, drily percussive approach. Soon enough, he was pounding through chordal passagework. Contouring and interpretive nuance were sacrificed to tempestuous keyboard pyrotechnics. The orchestra and soloist were largely in accord on tempos and entrances, but they didnt seem to be communicating very deeply, especially in a rather vacant Adagio. Gersteins take worked best in the closing Rondo. The pulse-quickening pace showcased his wizardly command of everything from deeply sonorous chords and harmonic complexities to blurring trills. In a curtain call, Robertson hoisted his soloists arm, as he might have for a prizefighter who had battled hard through all 10 rounds. Steven Winn is The San Francisco Chronicles former arts and culture critic. San Francisco Symphony: 8 p.m. Saturday, May 26. $15-$159. Davies Symphony Hall, 201 Van Ness Ave., S.F. 415-864-6000. www.sfsymphony.org Michael Brown / Fotolia A 69-year-old Berkeley child psychologist was sentenced on Friday to 6 years in prison for possessing child pornography and violating a court order to stop looking at child porn while awaiting trial, officials said. Kenneth Allen Breslin, who practiced in an Orinda office called A Childs Point of View, pleaded guilty to possessing hundreds of child pornography images on several electronic devices. HCM CITY There are huge opportunities across ASEAN for mergers and acquisitions in almost every sector, particularly in Viet Nam, though challenges remain like regulatory hassles and how to add value to companies after inking an deal, experts told a seminar on M&A in HCM City on Friday. M&A activities are increasing across Southeast Asia, capitalising on the investment boom in the emerging markets in the region, Theng Bee Han, president of the Malaysia Business Chamber Viet Nam, said. There were a lot of M&A activities in Viet Nam last year, particularly in the real estate sector where transactions amounted to nearly US$1.5 billion, he said. The deals involved major players from Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore and mainland China, he added. Viet Nam, Malaysia and [generally] ASEANs wider integration with the global economy offers many new opportunities for M&A. Ralf Pilarczyk, head of M&A for ASEAN, Standard Chartered Bank, said last year there were over 4,200 global cross-border M&A transactions valued at over $100 million and they were totally worth $5.1 trillion. North America and Europe accounted for 76 per cent of the global deals (by value) and the Asia Pacific for 18 per cent, driven by China. ASEAN accounts for 9 per cent of the worlds population and 2 per cent of global M&A. The bloc saw 116 deals worth $78 billion last year, including four deals in Viet Nam valued at $6 billion. Research by Pilarczyk and Tina Tejwaney, an M&A expert from his bank, found that some of the main drivers for Viet Nams M&A deals are its market size with more than 90 million people, strong growth prospects and the Governments strong efforts to push for State firms equitisation. Privatisation is an extraordinary programme, Pilarczyk said. It provides tremendous opportunities for foreign investors to buy into the Vietnamese economy across various sectors, and Viet Nam would have huge opportunities to develop its capital market and attract foreign investment, he said. But the country needs to adjust its regulatory framework in the next few years to engage foreign investors better in accessing information and negotiating deals before they invest. "Bridging ASEAN" was hosted by Standard Chartered Bank in collaboration with the Malaysian Business Chamber Viet Nam and Singapore Business Group. The seminar attracted more than 100 business executives from Viet Nam and other countries. The bank held a bridging event last May. VNS HCM CITY Kaspersky Lab said in the first quarter of 2018 its anti-phishing technologies prevented more than 3.6 million attempts to visit fraudulent social network pages, 60 per cent fake Facebook pages. It shows that cybercriminals are still doing what they can to get their hands on personal data, the company said in a report on spam and phishing. Social network phishing is a form of cybercrime that involves the theft of personal data from a victims social network account. The fraudster creates a copy of a social networking website such as a fake Facebook page and tries to lure unsuspecting victims to it, forcing them to give up personal data such as their name, password, credit card number, PIN code, and more. Nadezhda Demidova, lead web content analyst at Kaspersky Lab, said: The continuous increase in phishing attacks, targeting both social networks and financial organisations, shows us that users need to pay more serious attention to their online activities. Despite the recent global scandals, people continue to click on unsafe links and allow unknown apps access to their personal data. Due to this lack of user vigilance, the data on a huge number of accounts gets lost or extorted from users. This can then lead to destructive attacks and a constant flow of money for the cybercriminals. To protect themselves from phishing, Kaspersky Lab experts advise users to always check the link address and the senders email before clicking on anything. But even better is to not click on the link but instead type it into the browser address line, they said. Before clicking on any link, people should check if the link address shown is the same as the actual hyperlink, and this can be checked by hovering the mouse over the link, they said. Users should only use a secure connection, especially when they visit sensitive websites, and check the HTTPS connection and domain name before opening a webpage, they said. VNS Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc speaks at the Meet Europe 2018 conference in Ha Noi on Friday. VNA/VNS Photo Thong Nhat HA NOI Viet Nam is working hard to build a constructive and upright Government to serve people and businesses, while focusing on developing innstitutions, improving governance capacity and bringing more opportunities to all enterprises, including investors from Europe , said Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc at the Meet Europe 2018 conference in Ha Noi on Friday. PM Phuc said Viet Nam is striving to rank as a top ASEAN country and achieve high standards in the business environment, while strictly implementing commitments to intellectual property protection. The country has also been encouraging environment-friendly technologies, climate change adaptation and State-owned enterprise restructuring, he said, adding that reform measures have been implemented in all 63 cities and provinces where European investors and businesses have been or will be running investment projects. The Vietnamese Governments efforts and effective co-operation with international partners, including those from Europe, have given a facelift to Viet Nams economy, making it more dynamic and helping the country involve itself more deeply in the regional and global value chains, he said. He said that European partners are the leading foreign investors in Viet Nam with total investment of nearly US$25 billion, and the countrys biggest provider of non-refundable aid, while two-way trade rose five times in the 2006-17 period, exceeding $50 billion last year. The PM held that Viet Nam and Europe are pinning high hopes on a stronger extensive partnership. The 93-million-people strong market of Viet Nam , 13 per cent of which is middle-class, has seen increasing purchasing power and strong start-up movement, he said. He stressed that Viet Nam always highly values the investment of more than 2,000 European firms in the country, especially in areas where they have advantages such as infrastructure development, seaports, airports, urban transport, energy, electricity, oil and gas, agriculture, tourism and health. Social organisations and European partners have shown their strong capacity in environmental protection, sustainable development, renewable energy, response to climate change, smart city development, smart agriculture, sustainable tourism and high-quality human resource training, he said. He asked leaders of ministries, sectors and localities to tackle difficulties facing European partners and enterprises in Viet Nam . He also expressed his hope that European partners will design long-term investment and business strategies in Viet Nam , thus reinforcing connectivity with their Vietnamese firms. Miriam Garcia Ferrer, head of the Economic and Trade Section of the European Union Delegation to Viet Nam , showed her optimism about the prospect of the Viet Nam-EU trade partnership amidst increasing trade protectionism around the globe. The EU is the second-biggest export market of Viet Nam , especially for its telephones, coffee, garments and consumer goods, she said, adding that the EU is the fifth-biggest investor in Viet Nam . Meanwhile, Co-Chair of the European Chamber of Commerce in Viet Nam (EuroCham) Nicolas Audier said that the Meet Europe 2018 is a special event showing the unceasing efforts of EuroCham in Viet Nam in legal consultancy that have been recognised by the Vietnamese Government. Denis Brunetti, another Co-Chair of EuroCham, said that the EU has acknowledged the Vietnamese Governments efforts in improving legal institutions and the business environment and re-shaping the management of enterprises. Viet Nam is moving forward and needs partners supporting it in the development path, he said, pledging that European businesses will remain Viet Nams important partners through their investment in the Vietnamese market. Ambassador Bruno Angelet, head of the EU Delegation to Viet Nam , said that the free trade agreement between Viet Nam and the EU will be signed later this year. "I am strongly convinced that the FTA between the EU and Viet Nam has an enormous potential to enhance trade and investment exchanges between us and generate growth and prosperity both in the EU and in Viet Nam . This potential should be used by all companies, not only big multinationals but also small and medium enterprises, and it should bring benefits to all EU Member States and to all provinces of Viet Nam . Our first challenge is to inform everyone about the potential of the FTA, he added. He said that the two sides should make reforms and adjustments to seek proper measures to ensure the effective implementation of the deal. HA NOI Volatility on Viet Nam s stock market in the past two months has dragged down the performance of foreign investment funds here. Viet Nam s benchmark VN-Index on the HCM Stock Exchange has declined about 18 per cent in the last two months, eating away most of its gains of over 19 per cent in the first quarter of 2018. Since its highest record of 1,204 points on April 9 this year, the VN-Index lost 20 per cent by May 25, closing this week at 963.9 points. In line with the market downtrend, Pyn Elite Fund, the Finland fund which focused on Vietnamese shares, lost all of its gains since the beginning of this year. The net asset value (NAV) of Pyn Elite Fund as of May 15 decreased 0.2 per cent against last month, reaching 315.82 euros. Its assets under management were 436 million euros (US$510 million). In April, it also witnessed a monthly decrease of 1.5 per cent. Investments causing the biggest losses for the fund included mobile retailer Mobile World Group (MWG) with a loss of 11.4 million euros; HCM City Infrastructure Investment JSC (CII), 4 million euros; Tasco JSC (HUT), 3.81 million euros; and Hoa Binh Construction Group JSC (HBC), 3.2 million euros. Meanwhile, profitable shares were PAN Group (PAN), which earned the fund 10.1 million euros since the beginning of this year, followed by TPBank and Khang ien House Trading and Investment JSC (KDH), each gaining over six million euros. According to Pyn Elite Fund, Vietnamese shares are trading at low prices compared to other ASEAN countries, with the average price-to-book (PB) ratio of 1.4 and the price-earnings (P/E) ratio of 17. The story is much the same at other funds of leading investment management companies such as Dragon Capital and VinaCapital. Vietnam Enterprise Investment Limited (VEIL), the biggest fund under the management of Dragon Capital, recorded its yearly profit of just 6.94 per cent with NAV of over $1.66 billion as of May 17. This number was much lower than the 19 per cent growth seen on April 5, which meant the fund lost over 12 per cent of its profit since the start of the year. VEILs investments focused on large-cap stocks such as Military Bank (MBB), Asia Commercial Bank (ACB), Mobile World Group, Vinamilk (VNM), PV Gas (GAS), Hoa Phat Group (HPG) and FPT Corp (FPT), which have all plunged in the recent downtrend. ACB and MBB, two of the three stocks which made up the highest proportion of the funds portfolio, slumped 14.9 per cent and 17.1 per cent, respectively in the past month. MWG decreased only 4 per cent in one month but has lost 21 per cent since the beginning of the year. Meanwhile, VinaCapital Vietnam Opportunity Fund (VOF) witnessed a monthly decrease of 5.7 per cent by the end of April, reaching more than $1.12 billion. It was a bad result compared with a three-month profit of 11.2 per cent by March-end. According to VinaCapital, the market downtrend in the past months may stem from profit taking led by institutional investors, after the VN-Index gained 22 per cent in the first quarter and peaked at 1,204 in early April. Nevertheless, market fundamentals remain solid with strong earnings growth and long-term economic growth driven by resilient consumer confidence the current market correction poses an opportunity for selective buying, the fund wrote in a market commentary this week. It also noted the possible impact of US-China trade war, general outflow from emerging markets by global investors due to the stronger US dollar and higher long-term rates on the Vietnamese securities market. VNS RICHMOND (BCN) One of Richmond's most beloved restaurants, Salute E Vita, run by a black woman immigrant known for her charitable activities, is closing because of a landlord-tenant dispute. The waterfront restaurant, which has been open 25 years, is slated to close July 6. On July 5 and 6, proprietor Menbere Aklilu is offering a free meal at Salute in exchange for donations to benefit the 40 employees left jobless by the closure. BOTTLEROCK: 4 delicious food and wine pairings at BottleRock 2018 "I will miss my loyal employees. I am successful because of them," Aklilu said in a telephone interview today. "It's about all of us." She added, "I am confident it will all work out for the best." Since taking over the restaurant 15 years ago, Aklilu provided more than 30,000 meals to homeless people and others in need, through annual Thanksgiving dinners and other events. Salute became a community hub, hosting the 2014 wedding reception of then-Police Chief Chris Magnus. Richmond Mayor Tom Butt announced the closing in his email newsletter, heaping praise on Aklilu, who goes by the nickname Menbe. "Menbe has not only become Richmond's best-known restaurateur but is also Richmond's best-known philanthropist, raising and donating hundreds of thousands (maybe millions) of dollars and services to homeless youth, and a shelter for girls in her native Ethiopia, to name a few beneficiaries," Butt said. In 2016, Aklilu was served a 30-day notice to vacate. LUNCH DEBUT: Besharam makes its lunch debut in Dogpatch "The community saved me," she said. "The people came to rally for me." More than 100 people, including Butt, showed up at a rally at the restaurant, and the Penterra Company under the leadership of Richard Poe rescinded the eviction notice. However, Aklilu has been running on a month-to-month lease for 11 years, she said. In his widely circulated newsletter, the mayor said the rent Aklilu was charged was "twice, or more, the comparable local market rent," leading to her giving up on the restaurant after running it for 15 years. In a phone interview, Poe said, "We tried to negotiate a lower-than-market rate rent with her (Aklilu)." He said the kitchen needed repairs and had outdated equipment, that the landlord agreed to replace the kitchen floor and that rent would go "up a little bit to cover the cost of repairs." Poe said Aklilu was unwilling to bear the cost of replacing the kitchen equipment. In a story familiar in the annals of immigrants, Aklilu, a native of Ethiopia, moved to the United States from Italy 23 years ago, a single mother and domestic violence survivor. BOOZY BRUNCH: Wooden Spoon opens as a boozy brunch option for the Castro crowd "I was homeless. I lost my mother when I was 11 years old," Aklilu said. "My brother raised me. I gave birth to my son in the womens' shelter when I was in Rome. I came to America in 1995 with a young boy." Living in the Oakland projects, she got a job at Salute at $7 an hour. Aklilu worked at Salute under the previous owners as a hostess, working her way up to supervisor and manager. She bought the restaurant in 2002. "A lot of people didn't believe in me. 'Oh my God, Menbere Aklilu? A black woman and immigrant, and she wants to run this beautiful restaurant? She can't do it,'" Aklilu said. "But I did it," she said. "And I am proud of it." She added, "I am blessed, and there is no doubt in my mind I will be blessed again." Copyright 2018 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. ANTIOCH (BCN) BART's 10.1-mile Antioch extension, the transit agency's first route to use trains other than the familiar third-rail-powered cars, will formally open Saturday morning after a ribbon-cutting ceremony today at the new Antioch station. Local officials and prospective riders said today they hope the extension will help ease crowding on state Highway 4, which has frequent stop-and-go congestion between East Contra Costa County and Concord despite a major highway widening project that started in 2010. The extension will be serviced by eight DMU (diesel multiple unit) cars, built by the Swiss firm Stadler. Each can accommodate up to 200 passengers -- 104 seated and 96 standing. That's about twice the capacity of a traditional BART car. Trains on the Antioch extension will range from one to three cars each, and BART officials say they will carry up to 2,400 riders per hour. It's a 17-minute trip between Antioch and Pittsburg-Bay Point, including a stop at the new Pittsburg Center (Railroad Avenue) station. Construction of the eBART line began in the spring of 2011, and testing of the cars and tracks has been going on for several weeks. More than 1,000 people attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house today at the new Antioch BART station, and the mood among officials gathered there was celebratory. "This will offer needed relief to commuters on Highway 4 -- 10.1 miles of relief," BART director Joel Keller said. The new line to Antioch, entirely within the median of Highway 4, is not electrified, one reason the extension's $525 million price tag was less than half of what it would have cost to extend the third-rail-equipped tracks to Antioch, BART spokesman Jim Allison said. Standard eastbound BART trains arriving from North Concord will load and unload passengers at the Pittsburg-Bay Point station, and then head several hundred feet further east to another platform. There, passengers headed either to the new Pittsburg Center station at Railroad Avenue or to the Antioch station at Hillcrest Avenue will then leave the standard train and board a diesel-powered train. On a public test run today, the DMUs were surprisingly quiet, especially given there's a large Cummins engine on each unit. The new diesel cars, which burn fuel made from hydrogenated vegetable oil, have a top speed of 75 mph, but will generally keep to 60 mph -- much faster than Highway 4 traffic goes during a typical commute. Jeanne Krieg, CEO of Tri-Delta Transit, East Contra Costa's bus operator, said BART to Antioch will be a boon to local travelers, including bus riders. The agency has reworked its entire schedule to mesh with the new eBART service. "It's all going to change the way people move around in East County," she said. Mario Vasquez of Antioch brought his grandson Logan and granddaughter Kaylee to the grand opening. He was a youth when he rode the first BART train to Concord in 1972. "We're finally seeing our tax money working or us" here in East County, Vasquez said. "It isn't a bullet train, but we'll take what we can get for now." And the various officials said today they hope the new Antioch and Pittsburg Center stations aren't eBART's last. "It's BART to Brentwood next," Antioch Mayor Sean Wright told the ceremony crowd. "This isn't the end." Copyright 2018 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. George Rose/Getty Images SAN FRANCISCO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (BCN) U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials today refuted claims of torture made by a Filipino human rights activist, who said he was detained at San Francisco International Airport in April. During a tour of their facility at the airport this morning, CBP Director of Field Operations Brian Humphrey said today's event was to show the department's transparency. "CPB takes all of those accusations very seriously and when those accusations include false information involving an individual, we will respond to correct the record, set it straight, and that's what we've done," Humphrey said. Jerome Aladdin Aba, a human rights activist from the Philippines, traveled to SFO from Manila on April 17 with a visa, but was denied entry to the U.S. During what he said was a 28-hour detainment at the airport's CBP office, Aba said he was forced to strip naked in front of an industrial fan during a lengthy interrogation, in which he said he was questioned about his political beliefs. At one point, Aba said he was left alone with a gun and later a hand grenade in an apparent attempt to tempt him into using the weapons. Additionally, Aba said he was not given food until 24 hours into his detainment. He also said that, although he told CBP officers that he was Muslim, they still offered him a ham sandwich. "We certainly would never place an individual in a locked room by themselves with a loaded firearm that could be used to harm our own officers or other passengers in the airport. So that accusation is clearly false, supported by the video evidence we have from our camera systems," Humphrey said. "There was an accusation that he was locked in a room on a second occasion with a hand grenade, and I would like to reassure that CBP does not issue, or equip itself with or train with hand grenades. And if we're issued that equipment, we would never lock a passenger in a room with a device that could be used to harm our own officers or others in that area," he said. "There were accusations that we knowingly and willingly fed him food items that were contrary to religious beliefs, which I can also assure you, based on a review of all the evidence, all reports, the video footage, and personal knowledge of the food processing agreement that we have with vendors here at the airport, that that was also false," Humphrey said. Humphrey added that Aba was fed breakfast, an egg and cheese sandwich, but declined lunch and then chose a turkey and cheddar cheese sandwich along with a cup of coffee for dinner. During this morning's tour, Humphrey gave reporters access to the areas where Aba said he had spent his detainment, which included two waiting areas, a conference room where he was searched and questioned, and a lounge, equipped with chairs and reclining couches. As he was in detention, customs officials determined that Aba was inadmissible into the U.S. and sent him on a flight back to Manila. According to the Humphrey, Aba's detainment lasted about 28 hours, in part, because of flight schedules, with no planes that were heading back to Manila. "There are a number of reasons that an individual can be determined inadmissible," Humphrey said. "As far as the inspection process... we begin that far before arrival. As soon as we start receiving manifest information from carriers, which is required under law, we begin our vetting process of passengers, we run them through our automated system, we run them through our various databases, we communicate with other agencies, we collect all of that information and start making determinations on who is and who is not admissible to this country," he said. "He (Aba) was an individual that we knew, based on the information we had pre-arrival, that it was someone we needed to further inquire about," Humphrey said. Because Aba's detainment was an administrative matter and not a criminal one, Humphrey said, Aba was not entitled to any legal representation. When asked why Aba would make up claims of mistreatment, Humphrey said he didn't know, but said that a large amount of evidence from an internal investigation, including officer statements and video surveillance footage, proves that Aba's claims never happened. Humphrey said the video footage is currently in the hands of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Office of the Inspector General, which is currently conducting its own investigation into the incident. Aba had arrived from the Philippines to be a guest speaker in the Stop the Killings Speaking Tour, which was meant to bring awareness about repressive conditions under Philippines president Rodrigo Duterte. According to Terry Valens with the International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines, which helped organize the speaking tour that Aba was to be a part of, CBP officials have been less than forthcoming with them. "From the day he landed, we asked for access to the facility, and they denied it. We think they're really trying to cover up and backpedal," he said. "It's been more than a month now since we called for clear answers and accountability about what happened... This is the San Francisco Bay Area, we can't have torture happening where there are sanctuary laws," he said. Valens said Aba is still traumatized by the ordeal and has trouble sleeping because of it. Earlier this month, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors unanimously passed a resolution condemning inhumane treatment of foreign nationals detained at San Francisco International Airport by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. They've also called on federal officials to open an investigation into Aba's allegations. OAKLAND (BCN) A Richmond man was sentenced today to 12 years in state prison for his role in a man's death during a wild shootout during a marijuana robbery in Oakland's Fruitvale district in 2015. Clarence Choice, 23, originally was charged with murder for the shooting death of 35-year-old Oakland resident Carlos Lopez in the 3200 block of East 16th Street at about 11 p.m. on Oct. 23, 2015, but last month he pleaded no contest to the lesser charge of voluntary manslaughter. Oakland police said Lopez, Daniel Revels, 31, of Alameda, and another man were sitting in a parked car when Choice, Marchon King and Melvin Lee Stewart attempted to rob them. King and Stewart are also 23-year-old Richmond men. When Choice pointed a gun at the victims, Revels produced a gun and more than 40 shots were exchanged, authorities said. Lopez was the only person hit by the gunfire and he died at a hospital a short time later. Police said Choice thought he had been shot and went to a hospital, where he and Stewart were arrested. But it turned out that Choice's injury resulted from falling while running to the alleged getaway car. Authorities aren't sure whose bullet killed Lopez but Choice and King were charged with murder under the legal theory that their actions in initiating the robbery led to the shootout that left Lopez dead. Choice, King and Stewart were all charged with robbery. Police said Revels was acting in self-defense when he shot at the robbers, but he was charged with unlawful firearm activity because he had a prior conviction as a juvenile and wasn't supposed to have a gun. King previously pleaded no contest to robbery and using a weapon and was sentenced to 9 years in state prison. Stewart and Revels are scheduled to return to court on Tuesday to try to have their cases resolved. The National Payment Corporation of Viet Nam (NAPAS) recently completed the building of a standard set for domestic cards, according to State Bank of Viet Nam (SBV). Photo vneconomy.vn HA NOI The National Payment Corporation of Viet Nam (NAPAS) recently completed the building of a standard set for domestic cards, according to State Bank of Viet Nam (SBV). The new set is compatible with EMV standards as well as standards of international card organisations such as Visa, MasterCard, JCB and UnionPay. NAPAS has handed over technical manuals to banks, point of sale (POS) terminal suppliers and card-issuing institutions so that they can adjust their systems in line with the new standards. With the new set, SBV expects 70 million bank cards in Viet Nam, which are magnetic stripe ATM cards and can be easily hacked due to weak security features, to be replaced by chip cards with EMV standards by 2020 as planned. Earlier, international card-issuing organisations had recommended Vietnamese banks to use chip cards meeting EMV standards to increase safety amidst growing card information thefts. Security experts, meanwhile, have warned that Viet Nams delayed transition to chip technology can put the country at risk of becoming a haven for card criminals from around the world as it is among the few countries where the use of magnetic swipe cards is still prevalent. As a chip card costs some US$1.5-2.5, Viet Nams leading card-issuing banks, such as Vietcombank with 14 million cards, VietinBank (13.7 million cards), Agribank (11 million cards) and BIDV (10.4 million cards), will have to spend nearly $50 million to shift to chip cards. VNS OAKLAND (BCN) A 20-year-old reputed gang member was sentenced today to 25 years in state prison for an apparently retaliatory gang-related shooting at a gas station in East Oakland in 2016 that left a young woman permanently unable to walk or run. Jasiri Katari of Oakland pleaded no contest last month to two counts of attempted murder and gun and gang enhancements for firing nine shots into a parked car at the Valero gas station at Bancroft and 73rd avenues shortly after 1:30 a.m. on Dec. 17, 2016. Prosecutors said in court documents that Kasari is a known member of the Case Boys Gang in East Oakland and was targeting a member of the rival FE/ENT gang. Prosecutors said the shooting at the gas station appears to have been in retaliation for the fatal shooting of 16-year-old Dwan "Redd" Taylor, a reputed Case Boys member, in the 8800 block of Hillside Street in Oakland about eight hours earlier, at about 5:30 p.m. on Dec. 16, 2016. Authorities said Katari and other Case Boys members were in a Dodge Journey crossover vehicle and planned to go to the Valero station to buy a tobacco product and roll marijuana joints. But prosecutors said that when they arrived at the station Katari saw a member of the FE/ENT gang who was in the driver's seat of a red Jeep Compass with two female passengers who were getting gas at the Valero station. Prosecutors said Katari got out of the Dodge's right rear passenger door, took a shooting stance and fired at least nine rounds from a 9mm semi-automatic firearm into the Jeep Compass. Prosecutors said one of the women was shot multiple times in both of her legs and the bullets shattered her bones. The reputed gang member who was driving the Jeep then drove out of the station erratically with the gas pump still attached to his vehicle and collided with a BMW, police said. Police said Katari initially denied being involved in the shooting when he was arrested on Feb. 27, 2017, but later admitted to being the shooter to investigators and in jail calls to his sister and his girlfriend. An Alameda County probation officer wrote in a report to the court that, "The victims are fortunate to have escaped with their lives as the defendant fired nine rounds into the stationary target." The probation officer said, "Given the gravity of the offense, the level of violence exhibited and the blatant disregard for public safety, the negotiated plea of 25 years in state prison appears to be an appropriate sentence in this matter." Authorities said the primary activities of Case Boys Gang members include robbery, unlawful possession of firearms, murder and attempted murder. Katari told the probation officer in an interview, "I am sorry for the innocent person I hurt. I feel bad about that. I did not know there were girls in the car." Katari, who survived being shot in both 2013 and 2015, also claimed, "This was not a gang thing. I am not in a gang." OAKLAND (BCN) A San Leandro businessman has been sentenced to 12 months in prison for filing false tax claims, Acting United States Attorney Alex G. Tse announced Thursday. Eric Oase, 53, of Las Vegas, had previously pleaded guilty to two counts of filing false claims with the United States, prosecutors said. In addition to being sentenced to 12 months and one day in prison, Oase was also ordered to pay $357,531.76 in restitution. Prosecutors said Oase owned and operated E&K Tax Solutions in San Leandro, and he prepared and filed false tax returns through the business. In 2012, Oase prepared false tax returns for clients covering several years between 2008 and 2011. The returns reported false wages and false education expenses. Oase often filed returns on behalf of his clients or he caused returns to be filed that were preprinted and completed with income and expenses before the taxpayer provided the information, prosecutors said. He would then keep approximately 20 percent of the fraudulent refunds as a fee, prosecutors said. Copyright 2018 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. PLEASANT HILL (BCN) A man was hospitalized after he was shot late Friday morning in Pleasant Hill, police said. Officers responded at 11:32 a.m. to the area near Santa Monica Drive and Sunvalley Boulevard after reports that gunshots were heard and a person was on the ground waving for help. Police said that when they got to the area, they found a 27-year-old man in the front yard of a home where he was suffering from a bullet wound to his lower body. The victim was conscious and he was taken to a hospital. Police said a preliminary investigation indicates that the shooting was related to the purchase of marijuana. Police said evidence suggests that the suspect(s) were from outside the neighborhood where the shooting occurred. The suspects were there because it's close to public areas and a freeway, police said. Anyone with more information about the case is asked to call the Pleasant Hill Police Department's investigations division at (925) 288-4630. Copyright 2018 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. SAN FRANCISCO (BCN) Police are seeking an assailant armed with a gun, who allegedly shot one person this afternoon in San Francisco's Pacific Heights neighborhood, sending the victim to the hospital. Officer Robert Rueca said the shooting occurred around 1:35 p.m. in the 2600 block of California Street. There, responding officers found a person suffering from a gunshot wound. The person was taken to a hospital with injuries not considered life-threatening, Rueca said. The suspect apparently fled the scene and a description was not immediately available. Copyright 2018 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. SAN BRUNO (BCN) San Bruno officers are looking for a suspect who robbed a victim with a semi-automatic firearm in the parking lot of the city's Tanforan Mall Tuesday, police said. The robbery took place around 10 p.m., according to police. The suspect fled the area with the firearm and has yet to be located or identified. During the course of the investigation at the mall, officers found a loaded semi-automatic handgun in the possession of Isaiah Lim, 26, of San Francisco, police said. Upon checking the records, officers discovered that the handgun had been reported stolen in another jurisdiction, police said. Lim was arrested and booked into the San Mateo County Jail on suspicion of crimes related to possession of a stolen firearm, according to police. While Lim is in custody, the perpetrator of the robbery has not been apprehended, and police are asking anyone with information to contact San Bruno police at (650) 616-7100. Copyright 2018 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. The family of a San Francisco woman is offering a $12,000 reward for information about a fatal hit-and-run vehicle collision in March, the California Highway Patrol said. Marie Noelle Siegenthaler, 29, was riding a 2012 Yamaha south on U.S. Highway 101 near Tiburon around 10 p.m. on March 26 when her motorcycle was struck from behind, the CHP said. Siegenthaler was ejected and landed on the highway where she was struck 30 to 60 seconds later by a Volkswagen Tiguan that remained at the scene, the CHP said. Siegenthaler died there. Evidence indicates the hit-and-run vehicle is either a 1999 to 2002 Chevrolet Silverado pickup or a 2000 to 2006 Chevrolet Tahoe, CHP Officer Andrew Barclay said. The collision would have caused moderate to major damage to the front right side of the vehicle, and the vehicle's turn signal light and day-time running light/parking light lens would have been shattered out along with part of the right front fender, Barclay said. The $12,000 reward is for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the individual who fled from the scene. Anyone with information about the hit-and-run collision is asked to contact CHP Officer Kevin Giannone at (415) 924-1100 or call (800) 835-5247. Copyright 2018 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. OAKLAND (BCN) Fireworks at the end of an A's game might have set off the large fire that blazed in a roofing materials yard near the Oakland Coliseum BART station Friday night, though the cause is undetermined and still under investigation, a battalion chief said this morning. The fire raged just as tens of thousands of people were leaving a concert and an A's game at the Coliseum complex Friday night. Five Oakland Fire Department engines responded to the blaze around 10:40 p.m., the fire department said on social media. The cause is undetermined and under investigation, though sparks from fireworks set off at the end of the A's game might have ignited the pallets and roofing materials that burned at the ABC Supply Company at 7217 San Leandro St., Oakland Fire Battalion Chief Ian McWhorter said. "The bridge from the stadium and the arena to the (BART) station was closed and people were trying to scramble up the dirt embankment to get to the station until police ordered them to turn back," said Sam Delson of Sacramento, who attended the concert by 1960s icon Paul Simon at the Oracle Arena. He posted the comment on social media. The bridge closure was only temporary, according to the battalion chief. "Before I left, everyone was crossing the bridge," said McWhorter. About five fire engines responded to the blaze, using fire-extinguishing agents and finishing off with foam to blanket the material to prevent the fire from rekindling, McWhorter said. There should be no effect on the A's game today, the battalion chief said. Copyright 2018 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. BERKELEY (BCN) Two men have been arrested and charged for two shootings ten minutes apart in Berkeley last month that appear to have been gang-related, police said. Grayson Gordon, 18, of Richmond, and Amed Arabzai, 20, of Berkeley were arrested on May 17 and were charged on May 21 for the shootings on the night of April 12, according to police. The first shooting occurred at 9:39 p.m. that night in the 1600 block of Russell Street and the second occurred about 10 minutes later in the 2900 block of Mabel Street, police said. Officers who searched Gordon's home on Carlson Boulevard in Richmond found a firearm, according to police. Officers who searched Arabzai's home in the 1300 block of 66th Street in Berkeley allegedly found a .40-caliber pistol with an altered serial number, about $15,000 in cash, and about 30 pounds of marijuana. The Alameda County District Attorney's Office charged Grayson with shooting at an occupied dwelling, assault with a semiautomatic firearm, using and carrying a loaded and concealed firearm in public and an enhancement of using a firearm while attempting to commit a felony. Grayson is being held in lieu of $465,000 bail at the Santa Rita Jail in Dublin and is set to enter a plea next Wednesday at the Rene C. Davidson Courthouse in Oakland. Prosecutors charged Arabzai with misdemeanor possession of marijuana for sale and felony alteration of a firearm's identification. Arabzai pleaded not guilty on May 21 and was released on his own recognizance. He's scheduled to return to court in June for a pretrial hearing. Copyright 2018 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. HA NOI National Assembly (NA) deputies on Friday noted that the country had recorded impressive socio-economic growth, but the government should continue to take action to address long-existing shortcomings. They were discussing a report on the implementation of socio-economic development and State budget plans for 2017 and the first months of 2018, as well as the ratification of the 2016 State budget balance during the ongoing fifth session of the 14th NA session in Ha Noi. The country recorded a GDP growth rate of 6.8 per cent in 2017, and the figure reached 7.38 per cent in the first quarter of this year. Some 12 of the 13 socio-economic targets for 2017 were fulfilled. The fight against corruption and wastefulness also achieved encouraging results, satisfying people across the country, said Deputy Nguyen Hua Cau from central Nghe An Province. However, many deputies raised concerns about the shortcomings in 2017s socio-economic development, particularly with regard to outstanding debts incurred by infrastructure construction projects, wastefulness in public investment and obstacles in implementing the Law on Public Investment. According to the State Audit report, outstanding debts in infrastructure construction reached more than VN14.6 trillion (US$648 million) in 2017. As a result, the deputies proposed that the Government review and adjust relevant regulations to prevent further debts. The deputies also pointed out that according to the Law on Public Investment, surpassing approved total investment capital is not allowed. However, the supervision found that the survey, design and consultant capacity of many projects was limited, leading to an increase in invested capital. Therefore, the Government should review the public projects and take measures to prevent the problem. Deputy Vu Thi Luu Mai from Ha Noi said regarding Official Development Assistance (ODA) mobilisation, the VN300 trillion ($13.1 billion) upper limit for ODA loan disbursements in the 2016-2020 medium-term pubic investment plan was breached. According to the Ministry of Finance, the figure was exceeded by close to VN173 billion. It is likely to exceed the permitted level and will affect the safety of public debt. Therefore, we propose the Government report this isusue to the NA, so as to adjust the medium-term public investment plan as soon as possible, she said. Regarding the slow disbursement of public capital for infrastructure construction in 2017 and the first months of 2018, deputy Nguyen Thanh Xuan from the Mekong Delta province of Can Tho said the disbursement of capital from the State budget and government bonds reached 86.8 per cent and 45 per cent, respectively, in 2017. This will definitely affect key national projects such as Long Thanh International Airport, the North-South Expressway and the Trung Luong-My Thuan-Can Tho Expressway, he said. As a result, it can cause cost overruns and impact the socio-economic development, he added. He proposed the Government analyse the core reasons for the slow disbursement and seek reasonable solutions to speed up capital disbursement to prevent similar problems in the future and help complete investment projects as scheduled. NA deputies in the afternoon session expressed concerns over the stagnant agriculture sector, saying farmers no longer hold the fields dear to their heart. Deputy Nguyen Quoc Han from the southernmost Ca Mau Province made the comment as he attempted to question the Government on their responsibility in making good market forecasts for agricultural products, which repeatedly saw farmers stuck with excessive crop yields, without the ability to sell to anyone. The Governments policies on agriculture are ineffective, he said, citing the policy of four-actor linkages which encourages the Government, scientists, enterprises, and farmers to collaborate, and has been largely ignored up until this point. Han also urged the Government to help the farmers tackle climate change, which cost his province alone some 4,000 ha of coastal land in 2005, and an additional 400ha of protection forest every year, all due to rising sea levels. HCM City deputy Tran Hoang Ngan, meanwhile, wanted the Government to cut intermediary expenses in agriculture businesses that are eating away at farmers profits. Agriculture and rural development minister Nguyen Xuan Cuong admitted that the countrys agriculture sector is facing many challenges, and time is needed to ensure an efficient and thorough restructuring. Viet Nam still has a lax production chain where connections between agricultural producers in national, provincial, and local levels are weak, Cuong said. The minister also acknowledged Viet Nams weakness in the processing stage, and even in supposedly strong industries such as aquaculture, despite the countrys sizeable production potentials. Governmental management also proved to be an issue, Cuong said, admitting failure in eliminating sub par and fake fertilisers and pesticides, as well as controlling the use of chemical substances in production, has reduced the publics trust in food suppliers. VNS HA NOI Minister of Finance inh Tien Dung said the ministry would not raise VAT tax to 11-12 per cent, adjust environmental tax, and assured the public that the proposed property tax is meant to prevent corruption, State budget collection is important but not the primary purpose [of the proposal.] The statements were made as he was reporting to the National Assembly today morning on the progress of restructuring State budget collection-expenditure and financial discipline in recent times, as part of the ongoing 5th plenary meeting of the legislative body. The head of the finance ministry said in the coming time, the ministry would continue integrating public and expert feedback on several tax codes. Specifically, the ministry would keep value-added tax at 10 per cent instead of going up to 11-12 per cent as per a recent proposal; restructuring its list of untaxed goods or goods subject to 0%, 5% to maintain fairness; and especially no integration of social security policies in its tax codes to prevent undermining of the independence of the tax structure. Minister Dung asserted that the Government is implementing synchronous measures to restructure the State budget and public debt towards a more sustainable model. Specifically, State budget revenues in the two years 2016-17 all reached higher than original estimates 9.3 per cent and 6.3 per cent, respectively. Tax collection and fee collection, equal to 21.3 per cent of national GDP, has helped to achieve expenditure goals. The Government, however, has been active in efforts to cut tax, for example, corporate income tax has been reduced from 23 per cent to 20 per cent in 2016, finance minister said. Dung admitted that the contribution of central budget in State budget has been on a downward trend lately from the average of 61.3 per cent in previous years down to 56-57 per cent in 2016-17 period due to decreased revenues from oil and import-export activities. On State expenditure, the finance minister claimed the Government has tightened control on spending and debt within the economys capacity. Spending on development has actually exceeded the target of 25-26 per cent by two percentage points. Regular expenditure in 2016-17 hovers around 62-63 per cent and is set to reach 61.7 per cent in 2018, while keeping true to the Governments goal of raising basic salary (for public employees) by 7 per cent a year. Financial disciplines Finance minister said that untruthful tax declaration, trade fraud, pricing transfer, tax evasion are still common issues, due to tax payers low legal awareness and loopholes in the legal framework. The Government has been pushing for self-declaration and electronic tax declaration, which reduce interaction between customs and tax officials and businesses. This change in management method is in line with international practice, helps to improve investment climate in the country, but it also presents legal loopholes that could be exploited, finance minister Dung, adding that [going online] is a step in the right direction but its weaknesses must be fixed. The finance ministry is also preparing a proposal in which it would ask National Assembly to let the ministry to erase uncollectable tax debts as high as VN31.5 trillion (US$1.4 billion) to better reflect the actual tax debt and tax transparency. Regarding the rampant over-spending and wastefulness in several projects, the finance ministry said the causes are due to outdated regulations and low awareness on the part of organisations and individuals regarding State budget management, at both central and local levels, leading to corruption and misappropriation of State money. VNS NEW YORK Viet Nam was selected as the only candidate of the Asia-Pacific region for a non-permanent seat at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for 2020-21 tenure at a monthly meeting of the Asia-Pacific Group at the UN on May 25. Under the chair of head of the Samoa Mission to the United Nations Ambassador Aliioaiga Feturi Elsaia, who is the groups chairman in May, the 54-member group agreed to nominate Viet Nam as its only candidate for the position. The voting will be held by the UN General Assembly in June, 2019. At the meeting, Ambassador Nguyen Phuong Nga, head of Viet Nams Permanent Mission to the United Nations, thanked the Asian-Pacific countries for approving Viet Nams nomination. She affirmed that Viet Nam will do its utmost to deserve the trust from international friends, expressing her hope that Viet Nam will receive further supports from the countries. The nomination is a vivid illustration of Viet Nams reputation among regional nations and it will create favourable conditions for Viet Nam to mobilise support from countries in the other regions. The Asia-Pacific Group is among five regional groups at the UN. VNS Immigration rights advocates slammed Education Secretary Betsy DeVos for suggesting that schools can decide whether to report undocumented students and their families to immigration authorities. While DeVos has since clarified the statements she made before the U.S. House education committee on Tuesday, its still not entirely clear how much schools can do to actually protect the students. In their critiques of DeVos, civil rights groups and educators have cited Plyler v. Doe, the 1982 U.S. Supreme Court decision that declared that children are entitled to receive a free public K-12 education in the United States regardless of their immigration status. Under federal guidance, K-12 public schools cannot ask about a childs immigration status and, even if they do know, staff must treat them no differently than U.S. citizen students. That rule, however, does not apply to preschool programs . While schools must protect the rights and privacy of students, officials also must cooperate with federal officials in some instances. How schools balance those obligations has dogged educators amid concerns about more agressive immigration enforcement during the Trump administration. In the Los Angeles Unified school system, a so-called sanctuary school district, a school board resolution designates school grounds as safe spaces and sets clear limits on immigration authorities access to campuses. But that same resolution also makes clear that campus police will assist federal agents as required by law. Thats where things can get fuzzy. While student records are protected under federal student privacy laws, Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents could still access that information, especially if they obtain a court order or have access to local law enforcement records that identify students. In questioning DeVos at the committee hearing, U.S. Rep. Adriano Espaillat, a New York Democrat, asked about a fight in a Boston school that landed a student in ICE custody, and possibly facing deportation. Immigration advocates suspect that a report from the nonviolent incident tipped off Boston police and federal authorities to the students immigration status. Do you subscribe to that kind of action? Espaillat asked DeVos. A 2012 Immigration and Customs Enforcement memorandumknown as the sensitive locations memoprohibits agents from conducting enforcement activities on school campuses unless high-ranking federal authorities give prior approval. But the memo also allows for agents to make a case that they need urgent access to a school, but oftentimes school officials have standing to push back, Alyson Sincavage, a lawyer with the American Immigration Lawyers Association, told Education Week last spring. There are times when agents dont need access to a campus to strike fear into immigrant students and families. In a much publicized case, ICE detained a California father in January, moments after he dropped his daugther off at school. In New Jersey, agents made at least two similar arrests this year, the Star-Ledger reported . In 2017, amid student and family fears about immigration raids that took place in neighborhoods near schools, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg district in North Carolina sought to assure families that schools and bus stops are considered to be safe from enforcement activities involving students, but reminded them that the district has no power to control or direct the work of any law enforcement agency. Related Stories on Undocumented Students Teachers Rally Around Undocumented Students How Much Can Schools Protected Undocumented Students? The Struggles Undocumented Students Face at High School Graduation In U.S. Schools, Undocumented Youths Strive to Adjust HA NOI Advertising beer could soon be a thing of the past after the Ministry of Health proposed calling time on commercials. The plans were revealed yesterday at a conference held to come up with ideas to complete the draft law in an attempt to curb alcohol problems. Tran Thi Trang, deputy director of the Department of Legal Affairs under the MOH, said the draft law proposed a ban on beer and liquor promotion to customers, using beer and liquor as prizes in competitions, advertising beer on social networks and supplying beer and liquor free of charge. Trang said the demand for beer and liquor increased quickly, especially beer. On average, each Vietnamese person consumes 6.6 litres of pure alcohol per year whereas the number was 3.8 litres five years ago. It is forecast that by 2025, each Vietnamese person will drink seven litres of pure alcohol per year. In the world its around 6.1 litres and has been stable in the past 15 years. The number of over-15-year-old male and female people using beer and liquor increase from 70 per cent and six per cent in 2010 to 80 per cent and nearly 12 per cent in 2015, respectively. Young people drinking beer and alcohol also increased, by nearly 10 per cent after five years. Thus Trang said that a management on beer advertisement was needed. Viet Nam is considered an attractive market for beer and liquor firms, only after Mexico. The country does not have any regulations on beer limit for adolescents, thus any adolescents can access to beer advertisement, she said. Studies of the MOH showed that a person drinking no more than 330ml of beer per day can be hit by seven kinds of cancer such as breast, liver, stomach and large intestine. The cost of treatment for six common kinds of cancer in Viet Nam was more than VN25 trillion (US$1.1 billion) in 2012, making up 0.22 per cent of the total gross domestic product (GDP). About 15 per cent of beds in mental hospitals are for patients suffering mental diseases because of beer and liquor. Economic losses caused by traffic accidents related to beer and liquor were nearly US$1 billion in 2010. The draft law shows three options for restricting times people are allowed to buy alcohol. The first option is that beer and liquor can be sold from 11am to 2pm, and from 5pm to 10pm daily, except at international airports and streets specialising in food, drink and tourism. The second option is that beer and liquor can be sold from 6am to 10pm daily. And the last option is that the limit time will be conducted based on the Governments plans. VNS HA NOI Experts say construction violations are still rampant in the capital city of Ha Noi , despite a new regime to create district-level inspection task forces. ao Ngoc Nghiem, vice chairman of the Ha Noi Association for Urban Planning and Development, said local authorities were to blame for violations ranging from building without permission or not complying with permits to illegal construction on farm land. An official from the Ha Noi Construction Inspectorate told the Kinh te va o thi (Economic and Urban Affairs) newspaper that there has been a tendency to tranfer construction inspectors from the municipal level to district, ward and commune levels. In 2016, the Ha Noi Peoples Committee issued a decision asking district peoples committees to directly oversee construction inspectors in their localities. The arrangement was meant to help inspectors work more effectively. Under the new arrangement, the Ha Noi Department of Construction (DoC) will ISSUE guidance while district peoples committees will manage and assign construction inspectors duties. Construction inspectors at ward and commune levels have the responsibilities to detect violations and report to the district peoples committees to issue punishments. After the new management method was applied, the number of staff in the municipal inspectorate was reduced from 200 to 70. But the number of violations recorded by inspectors has also decreased since September 2016, the official said, adding that only two or three out of 10 violations were reported. Some inspectors at the ward level have colluded with local authorities to turn a blind eye on violations, he said. As a result, they were only brought to light and addressed after being uncovered by the media. Illegal residential construction on farm land took place in a number of localities but wasnt handled for a long time. In the latest case, the chairman of My inh 2 Peoples Committee in Nam Tu Liem District was suspended from work for mishandling of construction related violations. The My inh 2 Peoples Committee reported two projects which did not comply with permits, but the citys inspectors found up to five projects in violation of the rules. Similar violations relating to illegal construction on farm land were also recorded in Thanh Tri, ong Anh and Ba Vi districts. Local residents said that to get permission for such construction, they just pay an unofficial fee ranging from dozens to hundreds of millions of Vietnamese ong. Tran Ngoc Hung, chairman of Viet Nam Construction Association, attributed construction violations to lax management and irresolute handlings of violations by local government. The fact that some investors and residents deliberately defied the law and then sought ways to rationalise their violations, opting to pay fines and enjoy the huge profits of their projects, was also to blame for the problem, he said. He suggested the city authorities strictly deal with violations. The head of district or ward peoples committee would be held accountable for settling violations. They might face criminal charges in some serious cases, he said. In the coming time, the citys inspectors will conduct inspection at a number of districts, wards and communes where lax management has been reported by newspapers, said the official from Ha Noi Construction Inspectorate. Due punishment would be imposed on chairmen of the ward peoples committees if loose management were found to have helped violators, he said. VNS HCM CITY Another medical centre will be built on Phan Vinh island (Pearson Reefs) in the island district of Truong Sa (Spratly), the central province of Khanh Hoa. The information was given by Director of the Military Hospital 175 Major General Nguyen Hong Son on Thursday. The current health facility, the only one in Truong Sa town at the moment, was built on May 25, 2017, at a total cost of VN41 billion (US$1.82 million) thanks to donations from people nationwide. With 12 permanent medical staff and modern equipment, the centre is capable of basic medical needs and handling emergency medical incidents. Over the past year, the centre has conducted 3,000 health check-ups and 200 inpatient treatments, up nearly 10-fold compared to before. It also conducted 396 surgeries. Son said it marked a positive signal in health care for officers and soldiers on Truong Sa archipelago and fishermen on Truong Sa fishing ground. However, the new medical centre would require tremendous efforts in bringing equipment from inland, as well as a voluntary spirit from mainland doctors who would not mind working on remote islands with harsher living conditions. He expressed his hope that medical centres will be built on all islands on Truong Sa archipelago to serve officers, soldiers and foreign vessels in need of medical support. VNS A man traveling on a American Airlines flight from St Croix (US Virgin Islands) to Miami started a brawl after a flight attendant refused to give him more beer. A series of videos uploaded to YouTube by user Bill Bolduc on May 23 show the man fighting with several fellow passengers attempting to subdue him. One video, titled "Before the blows on AA from St. Croix to Miami," shows what precipitated the conflict. A flight attendant can be seen talking to the man, later identified by local media outlets as Jason Felix. "You need to please sit down, I'm not bringing you more beers," the flight attendant says. "We will be there in an hour. Why do you have this attitude? You had a couple beers." Felix can be seen arguing with the flight attendant, and at one point in time asks, "you're my bartender?" to which the flight attendant replies, "yes, I'm your bartender." RELATED: Plane passenger allegedly punches pregnant woman, service dog The flight attendant ultimately refuses to give Felix more alcohol, since federal law prohibits airlines from serving alcohol to passengers who appear to be intoxicated. In another video, Felix can be seen fighting multiple passengers who tried to calm him down. According to a criminal complaint obtained by the Miami Herald, Felix allegedly started shouting and banging on the overhead compartments once the flight attendant refused to serve him beer. Multiple passengers then tried to calm the man down, but Felix allegedly threatened to kill one of the passengers, and "spit blood" on the same passenger during the brawl. ALSO: Man misses flight, runs onto tarmac and tries to pry open plane doors in rampage Felix was eventually subdued and the flight landed in Miami as scheduled. Four Miami-Dade County police officers boarded the plane and apprehended Felix without incident. The Miami Herald reports that the officers handed Felix over to the FBI. BAGHDAD Iraqs prime minister has ordered the creation of a commission to examine alleged irregularities in the parliamentary elections held May 12, the first sign that authorities are taking seriously complaints about the vote. An official statement said an emergency Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi named the countrys anti-graft chief as the commissions leader. Assisting him will be the heads of five security and oversight agencies. There have been complaints of irregularities in the balloting earlier this month in which an electronic voting system was used for the first time. A manual recount of votes in some areas has been called for, a request that has been rejected by the election commission as illegal. The Cabinet statement suggested hackers may have manipulated the results. It said the government agency tasked with fighting cybercrime believes the electronic voting system was not impregnable. Al-Abadi, according to the statement, ordered the elections commission to fully cooperate with the probe, making available all relevant documents. The probes findings will be presented to the prime minister as well as the Supreme Judicial Council and the Federal Supreme Court, it added. The elections earlier this month saw the lowest turnout in the 15 years since the late ruler Saddam Hussein was toppled by the 2003 U.S. invasion. Surprisingly, supporters of a populist Shiite cleric, Muqtada al-Sadr, whose fighters attacked American troops in the years that followed the invasion, emerged with the largest number of seats won by a single bloc, 54. A coalition of paramilitary forces came in second with 47 of the chambers 329 seats. Al-Abadis Victory bloc took 42 seats. Negotiations to assemble a coalition with a majority in the house that can form the next government are under way. The number of students to sit the entrance exam in Ha Noi this year has reached 105,000, an increase of 22,000 over last years figure. Photo vov.vn HA NOI In just two weeks, 9th grade students all over the country will take part in the high school entrance exam, which is considered by many to be as important as the university entrance exam. The number of students to sit the entrance exam in Ha Noi this year has reached 105,000, an increase of 22,000 over last years figure. It means that students in the city will have to try even harder to compete with each other. For Vu Thi Hoa, a resident in Thanh Xuan District, studying at a public high school is the only option for her son. She said if her child failed the exam she will have to send him to vocational study, as her family cant afford to send him to a private school. Upon hearing the news that this years minimum admission score will be significantly higher than previous years, Hoa sent her son to extra classes in private centres to prepare him for the exam. At the centre my son can review his classes, and there are teachers there to support him, she said. In addition to parents worries about their childrens ability to pass the exam, the cost of applications to high schools only adds to the burden. With a cost of VN 300,000 (US$13) for a set of application documents, which includes a personal profile of the candidate and their related academic information. On top of private classes, the total cost of a high school exam can reach extortionate amounts. Its too wasteful for the education system, said Nguyen Thi Thu, mother of a 9th grade student, who lives in ong a District. Another mother said she had paid close to VN1 million (US$44) to purchase a set of application documents for her son. When I came to register my child the queue was in the hundreds. Ive heard some schools recorded 3,000 applications. Its an unbelievably high number, she told Lao ong (Labour) newspaper. Some schools dont limit the number of application forms sold, even once they surpass the target number of students, she said. She questioned what the schools will do with the money after they sell out the dossiers. The mother cited some schools which announced they could only admit a few hundred students, but have sold thousands of dossiers. Such schools include those for gifted students such as the high schools for gifted students under the Ha Noi Foreign Language College and the Ha Noi University of Science. Its too expensive to pay VN300,000 for a dossier. Is it just a way to make more money? Hoa questioned. Meanwhile, many other schools set up mock high school exams which cost between VN60,000-120,000 for each subject. Tran Tu Khanh, from the Planning and Finance Department under the Ministry of Education and Training noted that there is currently no regulations on fee collection for schools which enjoy financial autonomy. However, they are required to publicise the cost before collecting fees. A management official from a university said that the cost of a set of dossiers, plus exam fees, should stand at just VN200,000. This would cover all expenditure for the exam supervisors and administration work. The cost of VN300,000-450,000 per a set of application documents is too high, considering that the higher the number of applications, the cheaper the cost of the process. VNS SEOUL The leader of North Korea, Kim Jong Un, said during a surprise summit meeting that he is determined to meet President Trump and discuss a complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, South Korean President Moon Jae-in said Sunday. Kim met unexpectedly with Moon on Saturday to discuss salvaging a canceled summit meeting between Kim and Trump, a new twist in the whirlwind of diplomacy over the fate of the Norths nuclear arsenal. The leaders of the two Koreas met for two hours on the North Korean side of Panmunjom, a truce village inside the Demilitarized Zone that separates the two Koreas. Moon gave the first details of Saturdays meeting in a news conference held Sunday morning in Seoul, the South Korean capital. He said that during the meeting, Kim expressed a desire to end a history of war and confrontation on the peninsula. Kim also said he was willing to talk about getting rid of North Koreas nuclear weapons, a topic the Trump administration has said was a precondition for a meeting. Moon said Kim told him he wanted to go though with his planned summit meeting with Trump, and to make it a success. The Trump-Kim meeting, which would be the first between the heads of state of the United States and North Korea, had been scheduled for June 12 in Singapore, but was abruptly canceled Thursday by Trump. Trump said he was pulling out of the meeting, citing tremendous anger and open hostility from North Korea. But a day later, the U.S. president said he was reconsidering and that it may still take place as scheduled. During their time together, Moon said he briefed Kim on his meeting with Trump in Washington last week, telling the North Korean leader that the United States was willing to end hostile relations and provide economic cooperation with North Korea should it completely denuclearize. It was the second meeting in a month by Moon and Kim, who held their first summit meeting on the South Korean side of Panmunjom on April 27. The second meeting, held in secret and announced only after it took place, came amid doubts about the future of Kims planned summit meeting with Trump. Moons government has worked for months to help set up the first meeting between the leaders of North Korea and the United States, where it hoped Kim and Trump would resolve a decades-old dispute over the Norths nuclear weapons program. On Saturday, the White House announced that an advance team would go as scheduled to Singapore in order to prepare should the summit take place, according to Sarah Huckabee Sanders, the White House press secretary. Choe Sang-Hun is a New York Times writer. DUBLIN Irish voters cleared the way for abortions to be legal in their country for the first time by repealing a constitutional ban on the procedure and giving pregnant women a choice, results from a landmark referendum showed Saturday. Voters in Fridays referendum supported rescinding the ban, adopted in 1983 as the Eighth Amendment to the Irish Constitution, by 66.4 percent to 33.6 percent, the final count showed. The size of the win for abortion rights exceeded expectations and was cast as a historic victory for womens rights. Prime Minister Leo Varadkar, speaking after the official tally was announced at crowded Dublin Castle, hailed the momentous outcome as a once in a generation vote that showed the electorates concern for the next generation. The wrenching pain of decades of mistreatment of Irish women cannot be unlived, said Varadkar, who backed repeal. However, today we have ensured that it does not have to be lived again. Opponents of the repeal movement conceded defeat. John McGuirk, spokesman for the Save the 8th group, told Irish television that many citizens would not recognize the country in which they were waking up. The group said on its website that the referendums outcome was a tragedy of historic proportions, but McGuirk said the vote must be respected. The referendum will remove the Eighth Amendment, which required Irish authorities to defend the lives of a woman and a fetus as equals under the law from the moment of conception. In practical terms, the amendment outlawed all abortions until 2014, when terminations in rare cases when a womans life was at risk started being allowed. Campaigners who have fought for more than three decades to overturn the amendment celebrated the referendum vote as a major breakthrough for largely Catholic Ireland. This is a monumental day for women in Ireland, said Orla OConnor, co-director of the Together for Yes group. This is about women taking their rightful place in Irish society, finally. The referendum will probbly end the need for thousands of Irish women to travel abroad mostly to neighboring Britain for abortions they cant get at home. The prime minister said the large vote favoring repeal will give his government a greater mandate when drafting abortion legislation that will be submitted for parliamentary approval in a matter of months. In a conciliatory gesture to Irish voters with strong anti-abortion views, Varadkar said abortion and teenage pregnancy rates already are falling and that his government will take steps to assure there are fewer crisis pregnancies and better sex education in schools going forward. Gregory Katz and Renata Brito are Associated Press writers. 1 Uganda crash: A speeding passenger bus struck a tractor and then a beer truck on its way to Ugandas capital, killing 22 people, police said Saturday. Fourteen others were injured in the crash Friday evening near Kiryandongo town, said police spokesman Emilian Kayima. Vehicle accidents are common in the east African nation where roads are often in poor condition. 2 Kashmir violence: At least four suspected militants were killed in a gunbattle with government troops Saturday after crossing into the Indian-controlled part of Kashmir from the Pakistani side of the disputed territory, the Indian military said. Fighting began when soldiers intercepted heavily armed insurgents along the highly militarized border that divides Kashmir, said Col. Rajesh Kalia, an Indian army spokesman. He said soldiers suffered no casualties. Rebel groups demand that Kashmir be united either under Pakistani rule or as an independent country. India accuses Pakistan of arming and training the rebels, which Pakistan denies. 3 Ebola outbreak: Ebola vaccinations will begin Monday in two rural areas of Congo where the latest deadly outbreak was declared this month, the health ministry said Saturday, as the number of confirmed Ebola cases rose to 35, including 10 deaths. A vaccination campaign is already under way in Mbandaka, the city of 1.2 million where four Ebola cases have been confirmed. The vaccination campaign will begin Monday in the rural areas of Bikoro and Iboko in the countrys northwest. Of the 10 confirmed Ebola deaths, five have occurred in Bikoro, two in Iboko and three in the Wangata area of Mbandaka. This is Congos ninth Ebola outbreak since 1976, when the hemorrhagic fever was first identified. 4 Albania protest: Thousands of Albanian opposition supporters called for the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama during an anti-government demonstration in the capital of Tirana on Saturday, accusing him of links to organized crime. Albanians are protesting against the governments ties to organized crime and trafficking, which is undermining the future of Albania and now European integration efforts, said Democratic Party leader Lulzim Basha. Police said 11 officers were injured trying to keep protesters away from government buildings. 5 Colombia arrest: Police in Colombia have rearrested a former hit man for the late drug lord Pablo Escobar as part of an investigation into extortion. The chief prosecutors office said Jhon Jairo Velasquez was arrested in Medellin. It did not provide details about the investigation. Velasquez, known by his nickname Popeye, was paroled in 2014 after confessing to hundreds of murders and spending 22 years in jail for plotting the assassination of a former Colombian presidential candidate. He has since gained notoriety as a YouTube star who espouses conservative political views and hate-filled diatribes against leftist rebels and Venezuelas socialist government. 6 Drug crackdown: Security officials in Bangladesh said they raided an area in the capital of Dhaka on Saturday and detained at least 100 suspects as part of a nationwide antidrug crackdown, amid accusations that extrajudicial killings have taken place during the drive. More than 60 suspected drug peddlers have been killed and about 3,000 suspects detained across Bangladesh in the crackdown, according to tallies by officials and local media. The campaign began this month on orders by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The crackdown is expected to continue for several more weeks. Chronicle News Services 1 2 3 4 5 6 To continue, please log in, or sign up for a new account. We offer one free story view per month. If you register for an account, you will get two additional story views. After those three total views, we ask that you support us with a subscription. A subscription to our digital content is so much more than just access to our valuable content. It means youre helping to support a local community institution that has, from its very start, supported the betterment of our society. Thank you very much! THANH HOA Recent surveys amongst 1 million correspondents show inpatients satisfaction with hospital services in Viet Nam reached 75.6 per cent, while the figure for outpatients stands at 66.3 per cent. The overloading situation in major hospitals has also witnessed improvements, with the rate of patients having to share their beds with others going down to 16.6 and 11.4 per cent in central-level and provincial-level hospitals, respectively, a dramatic decrease compared to 2012s 58 and 47 per cent. These numbers indicate that the countrys health sector is getting better but still has plenty of room to improve their service delivery, said Luong Ngoc Khue, head of health ministrys department of medical examination and treatment in the annual conference that gathers directors of major hospitals in the northern region. Patients safety, hospital security and financial autonomy were chosen as the theme of this year conference, reflecting the urgent issues that the health sector identified as focal points in 2018. Given the rising violence against medical staff in hospitals, directors of hospitals have been asked to reinforce security forces in their institutions, form co-operation mechanisms with the police, and establish quick response security teams. Nguyen Ngoc Hien, deputy director of the Ha Noi-based Bach Mai Hospital, one of the largest public hospitals in the country, said his hospital has implemented a number of measures to increase income while cutting back on costs, most notably stringent financial management to effectively monitor spending or revenues of each of the medical unit. The wage of the medical staff is now calculated based on his/her performance and productivity, instead of a fixed rate. Hien said Bach Mai hospital has also opened up collaboration with the private sector. By the end of 2017, the hospital has managed to mobilise some VN1 trillion from partnerships of this nature, in order to purchase cutting edge medical equipment, including a surgery robot and 256-slice CT scanners. Nguyen Quoc Anh, director of Bach Mai Hospital, chair of the northern region hospitals club, in his closing speech, said the various issues regarding financial management towards more autonomy, hospital security, and social security management need inter-hospital co-operation to be effectively solved. Directors of hospitals need to also pay more attention to their roles as the bridges between their medical institutions and the health ministry, in order to better implement the tasks given, Quoc Anh said. Fianancial autonomy The Ministry of Health said that as many as 25 public hospitals have been applied financial autonomy, and the result has showed positive effects. As a result as many as 25,000 health staff no longer have their salary paid by the State, saving the budget VN1.5 trillion (US$66 million) per year, it said Speaking at a conference on financial autonomy at public hospitals on Thursday in central Thanh Hoa Province, Pham Van Tac, head of the ministrys Organisation and Personnel Department said that the ministry has now officially provided the right of financial and managerial autonomy for public hospitals nation-wide. Under the decision, these hospitals are now assigned to take responsibility of their own operation expenses, organisational structure, and recruitment of employees. The heads of each unit will be assigned the right of self-financing their units operation activities, and will be responsible for formulating, supplementing and amending regulations of their units. Financial and managerial autonomy has been applied at public hospitals in Ha Noi and HCM City since last October. In Ha Noi, five hospitals have carried out 100 per cent financial autonomy. In HCM City, seven have carried out full autonomy and 44 given partial autonomy. Financial autonomy is designed to help reduce State expenditures. The funds will be diverted to preventive medicine, improving community-care programmes, and allowing the State to pay for more health insurance cards for the poor, including those near the poverty line and welfare recipients. VNS This time the combined stores, at 166 Gertrude Street, are considerably larger, approximately 150 square metres, and can be found below recently completed apartments by JCB Architects. Keen to expand into womens wear, Pickings has just opened his new venture, Pickings & Parry alongside the womens label Heffernan & Haire. Chris Pickings, who started Pickings & Parry over five years ago in Gertrude Street, Fitzroy, combined the 1930s barbershop with utilitarian high quality work wear in this part of town. Expanding into womens clothing was always on my mind, but our previous store wasnt large enough, says Pickings, who sources his wares from Japan, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany and Scandinavia. Im interested in stocking labels that have a story, and as importantly, a history, says Pickings, removing a Merz B. Schwanen undergarment from one of the timber shelves, a company founded over 100 years ago. Pickings was tempted to reflect the history of the merchandise in this new store, thinking he could cobble together a few old timber display counters that helped shaped the former stores identity. However, inheriting an empty shell, with concrete floors and exposed mechanical ducts and services across the ceiling, suggested that help was required. One of Pickings regulars is Rob Neville, designer and construction manager for Storepro, who has been a loyal customer since Pickings put out his first shingle. News from Malaysia that local police had seized 72 suitcases stuffed with jewellery, cash and handbags belonging to the former First Lady of Malaysia Rosmah Mansor, as a corruption probe got under way, sent a chill all the way to my desk here in Sydney. Former Malaysia Prime Minister Najib Razak with his wife Rosmah Mansor. Credit:AP You see the former FLOM and I have a little bit of history together, and it involves the much reported $6 billion shopping spree she has been on over the past few years. Described in recent days as an obsessive diamond shopper, while she was FLOM, Mansor collected Hermes Birkin bags, shopped at Harrods in London, Chanel in Hawaii, Saks Fifth Avenue in New York and numerous jewellers in Hong Kong - and, as PS reported, designer frocks in Sydney. In 2012, PS reported on the FLOM paying a visit to Sydney fashion designer Carl Kapp's boutique. She was so impressed with his designs he later visited her and Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak in their luxury, $20,000-a-night penthouse suite at the then new The Darling hotel atop Star Casino. Without a single heel in the parade, Chiuri showed women can be black-tie and badass, and that wearing couture doesn't mean your feet have to suffer. That said, the gowns would look just as good with a towering heel because fashion, like feminism, is about choice. But this morning, in Paris, Dior's Maria Grazia Chiuri has given red carpet appropriateness another shake-up when she sent combat boots with ball gowns down the runway at her resort show, held at a French chateau near the capital. Last week, the shoe talk of the town was actress Kristen Stewart removing her high heels on the red carpet at Cannes, seemingly in protest against the organisers' rule about women's dress at the event. If her debut collection for the house in 2016 shouted feminism, through the "We should all be feminists" T-shirts, then this one howled, albeit with fewer statements and logos, through the presence of eight escaramuzas, the female riders who compete in the male-dominated rodeos in Mexico, in traditional dress no less. Models wear creations for Dior's Cruise 2019 fashion collection in Chantilly, north of Paris. Credit:AP Usually, the female role in rodeo culture is to be there to support their husbands and sons, but these women have decided they wanted to do it themselves, the designer told The Guardian before the show. But they do it in traditional dress, because they dont want to give up their femininity. Women are always being made to feel they have to change who they are to fit in. This collection speaks about that. The influence of the Mexican rodeo women, with an injection of Chirui's Italian heritage and plenty of French softness was evident in wide belts and the pairing of Dior's iconic bar jacket, with an oversized pocket as the latest twist, with full skirts, the former often over a shirt and tie, Annie Hall style. It's been a strong week for female fashion designers, with Clare Waight Keller, of Givenchy, and Stella McCartney creating the wedding gowns for Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex. Chiuri's show, held under rainy skies, seemed an apt bookend to a top week for women, despite the publication of a report by the Council of Fashion Designer of America about gender discrimination in the fashion industry, called "The Glass Runway". Canberra's peak provider for people with autism has been left in the dark about proposed dramatic changes to the National Disability Insurance Scheme. One Canberra father said the flagged changes would be devastating. John Donovan (centre) and his two sons Nicholas (L) and Cameron (R) may struggle under potential changes to the NDIS. Credit:Dion Georgopoulos Marymead chief executive Camila Rowland said she was "deeply concerned" about potential changes to the NDIS revealed last week. The changes were previously flagged by the Productivity Commission and would limit the availability of services for people with less than severe autism. Canberrans are being urged to dig deep into the closet this winter to help provide 1000 winter coats to charity. Take One, Leave One co-founder and ANU law student Lauren Dreyar said she's set up coat racks across Canberra where rough sleepers and people in need can pick up a warm jacket. Lauren Dreyar started the charity Take One, Leave One which allows rough sleepers to pick up coats at selected spots in Canberra for winter. Credit:Dion Georgopoulos Ms Dreyar founded her charity with Jenna Allen, Bhavani Kannan, Dylan O'Beirne in 2017 and saw it as an alternative to collecting donations and approaching homeless people to offer them clothing. "That didn't seem at all like an ethical thing or an appropriate thing to do," Ms Dreyar said. Executive staff at Calvary Hospital raised issues about being ordered to "manipulate" some elective surgery waiting lists by ACT Health in 2013, with some calling the practice unethical, according to confidential emails. Documents leaked to The Sunday Canberra Times reveal high-level staff expressed concern about a directive issued by ACT Health that Calvary staff said forced them to manipulate elective surgery wait lists by operating on patients newer to the list, rather than those who had waited the longest, in order to meet national benchmarks. The emails were leaked following revelations of a systemic culture of bullying of staff at the hospital. ACT Health previously denied any manipulation took place, stating in November 2013 that the system wasn't altered to improve performance standards. Most Canberrans who live in suburbs next to the future light rail are commuting to work to suburbs along the route, new data shows. Commuter data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics gathered as part of the 2016 census revealed residents living near the route are more likely to commute to Civic or other areas around Gungahlin and the inner north than other parts of Canberra. Most people living in suburbs next to the light rail are already commuting along the route. Credit:Sitthixay Ditthavong With the exception of Civic itself, residents in every suburb along the light right rail had more commuters travel to Canberra's centre than anywhere else. The data was based on commuter habits on August 9, 2016, one month after construction first started on the transport project. Indigenous Canberrans are stuck in a cycle of being imprisoned for driving unlicensed because they're unable to pay off fines, advocates warn. Loading Advocates have called on the ACT government to end the cycle by adopting "sensible" reforms proven to have a positive and practical impact on the lives of Indigenous Australians across the border. The reforms were laid out in the Australian Law Reform Commission's recent report on Indigenous incarceration. ACT justice statistics show a 69 per cent increase between June 2013 and June 2017 in the number of Indigenous Canberrans charged for traffic offences, which includes driving unlicensed or drink driving. "The Broadcasting Services Act is working as intended - to ensure that Australia does not become a safe harbour for prohibited content as defined by the National Classification Scheme," Ms Inman Grant said. But child safety remains a common concern for the industry and those usually in opposition. Indeed, Eros and eChildhood - formerly Porn Harms Kids - recently met to discuss the issue. An Australian Institute of Family Studies report released in December 2017 found 44 per cent of Australian children aged nine to 16 had encountered sexual images. Of those surveyed, 16 per cent had seen images of someone having sex and 17 per cent had seen genitals. Children aged nine to 12 were particularly likely to be distressed or upset by pornography, according to the institute. "Eros is in conversation with a variety of organisations to ensure the adult media industry is in keeping with community expectations," Eros general manager Rachel Payne said. "Although some of these organisations are critical of our industry in some respects, we are all in agreement that the current laws applying to adult media content are not working for anyone." Ms Payne said: "Eros supports the full legalisation of consensual, non-violent erotica in Australia with appropriate protections in place to ensure young people cannot access adult content." The issue - and proposed responses - are highly contentious. A 2016 senate inquiry into the effect of pornography on children attracted 416 submissions, 151 letters and "a significant number" of short statements. eChildhood has called for mandatory age verification filters on porn sites like those planned for the UK. Countless families around the country have told the organisation's chairwoman, Liz Walker, the impact the accidental viewing of pornography had on their lives, she said. We dont let tobacco industries or alcohol industries just sell their products without restriction because we recognise theres harms to children and young people," Ms Walker said. "The same sort of restriction laws should be applied here." Mandatory age verification is widely condemned by the adult industry and met with caution from privacy experts. Many voices have called for more resources, stronger parental involvement and better sex education. One suite of resources, the eSafety Commissioner's pornography advice web pages, have received more than 35,000 views in the past 18 months. Parents were the "frontline of defence" in preventing children from watching porn, Ms Inman Grant said, encouraging them to speak with their children about what was and wasn't appropriate. "Technological tools can be circumvented and can lead to parental complacency so the overriding message is that there is no substitute for active engagement and oversight in your childrens online lives," she said. A report released on the back of the 2016 senate inquiry recommended the government task "an expert panel" to make recommendations to the government regarding possible policy measures on protecting children from pornography. That document, prepared by the panel chaired by Ms Inman Grant, remains cabinet-in-confidence. A Communications Department spokesman said only that the panel had "reinforced ... protecting children from exposure to pornography requires a multi-faceted approach" involving families as "the first line of defence" but also using education, technological and regulatory measures. "The governments aim is to make all these approaches work together to make a difference in the online lives of Australian children," he said. It's government-speak, but it appears there may be movement. A 2012 Australian Law Reform Commission report recommended a new, simpler classification scheme guided by eight principles, including that Australians should be able to read, hear, see and participate in media of their choice and that children should be protected from material likely to harm or disturb them. Almost all action taken in the report's wake has related to the classification of video games. But when asked this week about the report and that of the senate inquiry, the Communications spokesman said the government was now looking at how the National Classification Scheme could be "modernised", and had reached out to states, territories and industry stakeholders to figure out the next step forward. An ACT Justice and Community Safety Directorate spokesman confirmed the territory government had been contacted by its federal counterparts. "The ACT supports an examination of the scheme," the spokesman said. For its part, Eros is well and truly ready to move forward. "Our classification laws are not keeping up with community standards," general manager Rachel Payne said. The dog, Elle, was six months old when she had the desexing operation in 2014. After she became unwell, a subsequent surgery revealed a mass of surgical swabs that had, over two years, embedded into the tissue causing necrosis and obstructing digestion. Ms Kilby-Luhrs complained to the vet board soon after the dogs death. It took the board a year to finalise the complaint, and she is deeply unhappy with the result. She received a letter saying the complaint had been finalised without any information as to what had been put in place to ensure what happened to her dog wouldnt happen to someone elses. Ms Kilby-Luhrs wants the process to be more open and transparent. At the moment, the board only discloses information publicly if disciplinary action has been taken - but not if recommendations are made. Ms Kilby-Luhrs fosters rescue dogs until they find their forever homes, and said she is experienced with post-surgical care. She felt the vet board dismissed her complaint because she hadnt taken Elle back for a postoperative check-up. But, Ms Kilby-Luhrs said she was never informed of complications that occurred during the surgery and the dog had no clinical signs of being unwell. The death of Elle devastated Ms Kilby-Luhrs. Adding insult to injury, she said the board was condescending, the whole episode dragged on for way too long, and she felt the problem was not dealt with appropriately. The vet just got a slap on the wrist, Ms Kilby-Luhrs said. "I still have no answers. I want to know it wont happen again, Ms Kilby-Luhrs said. Lance Nashs dealings with the vet board have been similarly difficult. While he's been told his complaint has been finalised, Mr Nash is fighting to find answers as to what's been put in place to protect other animals. He said the lack of action is appalling. I think its a matter of an industry policing itself," Mr Nash said. Mr Nash's dog Apache, a kelpie cross, was found to have cancer on his bottom. He was 14 years old. Surgery to remove a lump was undertaken in 2016 but the vet didnt tie off the suture, which resulted in infection. The dog collapsed soon after the surgery and Mr Nash said he received a phone call asking if he wanted to euthanise the dog. Lance Nash's dog Apache. Mr Nash was astonished, and asked what other options were available. He said only then did the vet offer to clean the surgery site, which would require another surgery. The vet clinic then tried to charge Mr Nash for the subsequent surgery. While the vet board doesn't deal with complaints about the cost of veterinary care, Mr Nash felt that the vet discharged Apache too early with an open wound after he complained about the fees. "They wanted me to pay for their negligence," Mr Nash said. Apache died in September 2017. Mr Nash said before the surgery, the dog was a fairly healthy older dog with arthritis as his only health issue. When I brought him home, he was not the same dog. He never fully recovered from the second surgery. The minister for Transport Canberra and City Services presented the new veterinary legislation in early May. It will be debated by the Legislative Assembly in the coming weeks. Minister Meegan Fitzharris said the changes enhance regulatory powers of the vet board, but also increase public reporting measures and accountability provisions. "These provisions will enable scrutiny of the board's work and provide the community and the profession with greater assurance that the board is working in line with its legislative duties and performing efficiently," Ms Fitzharris said. A government spokeswoman said the board investigates complaints in an evidence-focused manner. "The boards focus in resolving complaints is always on ensuring the protection of the public and the welfare of animals." The spokeswoman said the board members consult with the ACT Human Rights Commission about what actions are appropriate in response to a complaint. Dr Brad Horsburgh urged delegates to take a tougher stance on doctors engaging in "egregious" split billing and booking fees at the AMA's national conference in Canberra on Saturday. Credit:Naomi Colley But it was less a debate than unanimous agreement and anger over the practices that gouged patients and damaged the reputation of the entire medical profession. More than 200 doctors gathered on Saturday to debate a draft motion designed to combat inappropriate charges in the guise of booking fees and bill splitting. "Cowardly" specialists charging patients "egregious" out-of-pocket fees have been condemned by delegates at the Australian Medical Associations national conference in Canberra. He said charging tens of thousands of dollars in out-of-pocket costs to individual patients was rare and an embarrassment that would make the front page of the newspaper, but the more common practice of splitting bills was far more common and needed to be stamped out. Bill splitting between specialists involved a surgeon and an anaesthetist, for instance, who share a close relationship using extended Medicare safety net work-arounds to find extra item numbers to charge patients up to 45 times the Medicare Benefits Schedule anaesthetics fees and up to 16 times the MBS surgical fees, Dr Horsburgh explained. But it most cases it is simply a booking fee, he said. This other form of bill splitting occurs when a doctor sends separate bills to a patient and their private health insurer. The insurer will pay the higher no-gap or known gap rate for a procedure, under the impression that this is all the patient has paid, when in fact the patient has been given a separate, potentially exorbitant, bill from their specialist. Doctors will tell you that they do this because if they have a known gap situation, the patient gets a smaller rebate from their private health insurance than if its a no gap situation," Dr Horsburgh said. More than 100 drivers have been caught speeding in school zones on the northern beaches since 2017. However, during the same period, highway patrol and local area commands in places such as Ashfield, the eastern suburbs, and Ryde issued less than 100 fines each for the same offences. So what to make of these inconsistencies? Are northern beaches residents the worst in the city, showing a callous disregard for road rules and potentially putting children's lives at risk. Loading Or is there something else going on? As our investigation today by data journalist Nigel Gladstone reveals, there are alarming inconsistencies in the enforcement of rules about speeding and parking in restricted school zones. Because of a lack of action by both council rangers and local highway patrol units, thousands of Sydney drivers are getting away with risky behaviour near schools every day and parents and lobby groups are warning of dire consequences if this behaviour is allowed to continue. Mental Health Minister Roger Cook says the death of a 28-year-old Perth woman earlier this year to suicide "highlights the need for service improvements to be ongoing." Mr Cook says he is keen to meet John and Dianne Oliver, after their story concerning the suicide of their eldest daughter Jenni was reported by WAtoday on Thursday. John and Dianne Oliver with their daughter Jenni. Credit:Oliver Family The Oliver's spoke publicly for the first time about their daughter's battle with mental illness and their desire to bring about change across WA's mental health sector. They also hope that by taking part in the HBF Run for a Reason on Sunday they can break down the "culture of silence" associated with suicide. Former Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce and his partner Vikki Campion are set to give an exclusive interview to Seven's Sunday Night program after inking a deal with the broadcaster worth a reported $150,000. Mr Joyce and Ms Campion, his former media adviser, have been at the centre of a publicity storm since news of their relationship broke on February 7. Their son Sebastian was born at Armidale Hospital on April 16. Barnaby Joyce and his former media advisor Vikki Campion, mother of his new baby boy, Sebastian. Credit:Fairfax Media Public scrutiny of the pair intensified after they granted an exclusive and unpaid interview to Fairfax Media, published on February 21, in which they appealed to politicians and the public to "move on". At the time, Mr Joyce was still clinging to the deputy prime ministership and the Nationals leadership, but he resigned from both posts two days later. The backbench move saw his salary drop from $416,000 to about $200,000 a year. It was, the Anglican rector said, the state funeral you have when youre not having a state funeral. Liberal Party luminaries, past and present, were prominent among the mourners who turned out to farewell Sir John Carrick in Sydney on Saturday. They honoured a man who looked death in the eye daily as a Japanese prisoner of war for three years, before returning to Australia to become a pillar of the NSW Liberal Party. The funeral of Sir John Carrick at St Paul's Anglican Church, Burwood on Saturday. Credit:Brook Mitchell Sir John Carrick did not want a state funeral, granddaughter Genevieve Woods explained to the gathering, because his wartime friends who had perished in the prison camps received, at most, a simple prayer to send them on their way. Pa didnt want a state funeral because he wanted to honour his fellow prisoners, she said. He wanted to be equal to them. He wanted to be remembered as just John. Malcolm Turnbull and his wife, Lucy, sign the condolence book outside the memorial service for Sir John Carrick. Credit:Brook Yet the gathering at St Pauls in Burwood was testimony to the enormous influence the 99-year-old had on NSW politics for many years - often exercised more in the backrooms than in the spotlight. While other drum companies in Australia produce shells made from thin sheets of plywood glued together, or with a number of timber pieces bevelled together to make a circle, none in Australia use the steaming technique. Mr Jorgensen has become the first person in Australia to commercially manufacture steam-bent drums, a technique he spent countless hours researching and perfecting. But the result - a snare drum with a uniquely clear, pure tone - is worth the effort, according to Brisbane woodworker and musician Beau Jorgensen. For 10 years Mr Jorgensen, a graduate of Brisbanes Jazz Music Institute and drummer himself, had wanted to start a business producing drums. Patient research and years of work finally brought him to the right time and place to do just that, as he launched his business, Haldane Drums, in Brisbane on Friday. Mr Jorgensen used Youtube videos and papers on steam bending timber to piece together the process of using steam to shape timber into the shell of a snare drum. How-to videos from companies that did produce steam-bent drums would skip the most critical moments in the process, keeping trade secrets close, meaning Mr Jorgensen had to solve the problem bit by bit. It was about an eight-month-long process of figuring it out from scratch, because unlike most of the other methods people use to construct drums, the steam-bent process is very guarded, he said. Manila: An Australian nun who irked the Philippine President by joining political rallies defied an Immigration Bureau order to leave the country on Friday. Accompanied by fellow Catholic nuns and priests, Sister Patricia Fox again appealed to justice officials to allow her to continue her missionary work for the poor and victims of injustice. Her lawyer, Katherine Panguban, said the appeal should stop the Bureau of Immigration and Deportation from enforcing a decision to revoke Fox's missionary visa and force her to leave the country after nearly three decades of missionary work for the poor, workers and tribal communities. Supporters of Australian Roman Catholic Sister Patricia Fox hold up signs during a protest on May 2. Credit:AP Dozens of supporters held placards that read "Hands off Sister Pat" and yelled "No to deportation". Delhi: In India, driving is a mans job. It is rare to see an Indian woman behind the wheel of a car. Poor women generally dont have cars. Some middle class women do but its invariably the husband or father who drives. Rich women have plenty of cars but its the chauffeur who drives. Even rarer is a woman taxi or auto rickshaw driver. But that landscape is beginning to change with the help of, you guessed it, mobile phone apps. Mehjabhen Shaikh drives at night and looks after her family during the day. Credit:Amrit Dhillon The Indian government, seeing an opportunity to create employment, has urged Uber and its local competitor Ola to set up driving schools in small towns, with emphasis on training women. This is a stunningly callous and insulting line to take. Information about the provenance of the Buk 9M38 missile has been publicly available since 2014 from the independent investigative blog Bellingcat. On Thursday, the Joint Investigative Team confirmed their conclusion. Russia never had to accept it on faith. It was uniquely qualified to track the movements of the 53rd Anti-Aircraft Missile Brigade's Buk launchers. The Russian military is not some kind of chaotic rebel band: it's a major power's armed force, which doesn't drive around missile launchers or especially take them across borders without leaving any kind of trail. "The Ukrainian side is working there, though Ukraine broke international rules and didn't close its airspace over a territory where combat was taking place," Putin said during a joint press conference with French President Emmanuel Macron. "And yet it's working and Russia isn't. So we don't know what they're writing there and what this commission's writings are based on." Russian President Vladimir Putin had a peculiar response to Thursday's announcement by the Dutch-led investigating team that it was a missile owned by the Russian military that downed Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 over eastern Ukraine in July 2014. Putin said he had no idea how that conclusion was reached because Russia isn't allowed to take part in the investigation. There is no doubt by now that Putin knows every available detail of the case, which triggered the European Union's toughest sanctions on Russia. He knows where the missile launcher came from, on whose orders it arrived in eastern Ukraine and probably even who operated it when MH-17 was shot down. Yet, when asked about it, he chooses to gripe about not being invited to take part in the outside investigation and to shift blame to Ukraine for not closing its airspace. Years of Russian dissembling about MH-17 - including various claims from Moscow that it was shot down by a Ukrainian fighter plane, that the Buk was Ukrainian, even that the plane, filled in advance with dead bodies, was a plant - could not alter the reality. The missile launcher was brought in from Russia, apparently to help pro-Russian rebels defend against possible raids by the Ukrainian air force, and used - almost certainly by mistake - to shoot down the passenger airliner. An image of Buk-Telar missile launching system probably taken on July 17, 2014, in the town of Makeevka, Ukraine. Credit:JIT/AP There are only two ways for Russia to internalize that reality and react to it. One could be called the Great Power way. Here, Putin has a precedent to lean on - the July, 1988 downing of Iran Air Flight 655 by the USS Vincennes, in which 290 passengers and crew, almost as many as MH-17's 298, lost their lives. The US, like Russia today, blamed Iran for allowing the airliner to fly over a fighting area. It also attributed the firing of the two missiles that brought down the plane to human error from "combat stress". The US government never accepted responsibility or apologised to Iran, where government propaganda has since made the incident a cornerstone of Iran's enmity toward the US. The Iranian line is that the shoot-down was intentional, a way for the US to signal it would do anything to end the war in favor of its then-ally, Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein. Despite dodging the blame and withholding an apology, the U.S. did, however, pay out US$61.8 million to the families of the Iranian victims. Since the five-nation team hopes to bring criminal charges, identifying the chain of command in the plane's downing is vital. Made up of representatives from the Netherlands, Ukraine, Malaysia, Belgium and Australia, the team did not know Orion's identity on Thursday when pinning the missile strike on Russia. Orion was captured on mobile phone intercepts with a semi-retired three-star Russian major general who used the call sign Delfin on the day of, and in the days after, the shootdown. A report published last December by the collaborating news outlets identified Nikolai Federovich Tkachev as Delfin, the general and one of two senior officers who oversaw the movements of the BUK rocket launcher. In the intercepts, Orion and Delfin discuss transport of equipment such as trailers across the border without mentioning BUKs. Orion complains that the military men bringing the trailers were using a map of Ukraine from 1982. Australian Federal Police and their dutch counterparts search the MH17 crash site for human remains in 2014. Credit:Kate Geraghty However, the day after the shootdown, the Ukrainian security service published an intercept dated two days before the incident in which Orion explicitly says "we got a BUK now ... so we start shooting the hell out of their planes." When a member of the reporting team called Ivannikov for comment, a relative said to call back later in the day. But Ivannikov refused to come to the phone later. Reporting partners have determined with a high degree of probability that Orion is the Russian citizen Ivannikov, born in 1967 in what was East Germany, the son of a decorated Soviet major general. Ivannikov's true name has remained hidden in part because, like other Russian officers in the GRU military intelligence unit, he does not operate under his true identity. Donetsk People's Republic sniper Eugene Lukovkin stands among pilots' bags where he witnessed the front section of MH17 crashing and found the pilots bodies. Credit:Kate Geraghty Instead, Ivannikov appears to have been using an alternate identity: Andrey Ivanovich Laptev. Under that assumed name, he helped lead an uprising of ethnic Russians in South Ossetia, a breakaway region of the former Soviet republic of Georgia. He was effectively part of what would become a private Russian shadow army that later fought in Ukraine and even later in Syria, where they took a strike in February from US warplanes. Several English-language publications and books reference a man known as Andrey Laptev as having first been the chief of staff for a South Ossetian security council from 2004 to 2006 and then until 2008 serving as "defence minister" for separatist forces in the self-proclaimed Republic of South Ossetia. Yet Laptev appears in no photographs from the breakaway region, though the conflict stretched over more than four years. He has virtually no internet or social-media footprint under that name. That invisibility is one clue to Laptev's GRU connection. Russian military personnel who've left conflict zones are generally promoted, appearing in military publications or on websites receiving awards, promotions or teaching positions at military academies. About the time Laptev/Ivannikov was last linked to South Ossetia in 2013, ethnic Russian separatist activity in eastern Ukraine flared. And that's where Orion, or Andrey Ivanovich, came into view. Loading In September 2016, the Dutch-led Joint Investigation Team released what it said were telephone intercepts of two Russian speakers - Delfin and Orion - and asked for the public's help in learning their true identities. The Russian newspaper Novaya Gazeta in July 2015 concluded that based on interviews with former separatists, Orion was a Russian military adviser. And since such advisers don't operate in war theaters under their real names, it has been assumed Andrey Ivanovich was an alias. The break in identifying Orion came through mobile phone data, obtained by Bellingcat, that contained the mobile number Orion used in one of the intercepts. There were "hits" for this number in two publicly available phone-sharing apps. (Bellingcat's longer report provides greater detail.) In one app, the number appeared under "Andrey Ivanovich-GRU from Husky". In another app, the same number appeared under the name "Ivannikov". Bellingcat and The Insider later identified a special operations unit of Russian separatists in Ukraine using the call sign "Huski", for the dog breed popular in Russia. Additionally, the number associated with "Ivannikov" appears in an online telephone database and on a now-defunct e-commerce website that left its customer and order data exposed. On that website, the same phone number appears in a customer profile of "Oleg", who ordered an "elevation training mask". A reporter from The Insider went to the delivery address listed on the order; it didn't exist. But the road continued under another name, and the street number corresponded to the entrance to the Main Intelligence Directorate of the GRU. That Moscow address - Khoroshevskoye Shosse 76, Khodinka - is the same one listed in sanctions paperwork issued by the US Treasury Department on December 29, 2016, as part of the Obama administration's retaliation for Russia's meddling in the US elections. The reporting partners also traced the same mobile phone number to a dwelling across from a military intelligence institute; the structure appears on the social-media profile of one of Ivannikov's relatives living at the same address. Oleg Vladimirovich Ivannikov has been named as a person of interest in the downing of Malaysian Airlines flight MH17. Credit:Bellingcat Automobile registration records dating back 15 years from Rostov-on-Don, almost 1000 kilometres straight south of Moscow, helped to confirm other key details about Ivannikov's past. Passport records in Russia show he graduated in 1988 from the Kiev Military Aviation Engineering Academy in what today is Ukraine. Other documents obtained by the reporting team show Ivannikov got a post-graduate degree in 1990 from the academy's rocket division and in 2008, after leaving South Ossetia, wrote a PhD thesis about information warfare at the Southern Federal University in Rostov-on-Don. The reporting team also secured two photos of Ivannikov, one from 2012 and one from his 2003 passport application. In the reporting team's previous stories, intercepts were compared against videos or secretly recorded conversations to determine high likelihoods of a match. In the case of Ivannikov, the University of Colorado, Denver's Centre for Media Forensics determined intercepts were too short or too noisy for proper comparison. Among the factors pointing to Laptev/Ivannikov, however, is the fact that he has an unusually high-pitched voice that can make it difficult to tell if a man or woman is talking. The Insider confirmed with a former member of the breakaway South Ossetian government that the man they knew as Laptev had an unusually high-pitched voice. Another source in the region, who insisted on anonymity fearing reprisals, confirmed a photo of Ivannikov was the man he knew as Laptev. In addition, Ivannikov prides himself as an academic. In July 2012, under his real name, Ivannikov became a director of the Russia-Caucus Research Centre, part of the International Institute of the Newly Established States. That Moscow-based think-tank publishes papers supportive of Russia's sphere of influence over its many neighbours. Ivannikov has published more than 20 papers, which often cite his role as a "military expert". Another director of the centre was a Pole arrested at home for spying for Russia. As the reporting team neared conclusion of this report, references to Ivannikov on the think-tank's website, along with his articles, suddenly disappeared. An archived index of his writing can still be accessed. A former high-level Kremlin official, demanding anonymity for fear of the Kremlin's long reach, told McClatchy the tale of Orion/Laptev/Ivannikov should help open eyes about how Russia pursues its interests abroad. "People in the West just don't have a clue," said the former official. Ireland has overwhelmingly voted to liberalise its abortion laws, in a referendum that surprised almost everyone by revealing a fervour for change in this formerly conservative, strictly Catholic country. Exit polls showed that more than two-thirds of voters wanted to repeal the countrys Eighth Amendment, which in 1983 had enshrined in the constitution the right of life of the unborn equal to the right of the mother, effectively banning almost all abortions. People from the "Yes" campaign react as the results of the votes begin to come in the Irish referendum on the 8th Amendment of the Irish Constitution. Credit:AP Though the final vote count was not due until late Saturday afternoon in Ireland, early tallies consistent with the polls showed little doubt it was to be a day of historic change. Labour leader Brendan Howlin said after 35 long years, it seems that Ireland has finally turned the page on a shameful chapter of its history. Rio de Janeiro: Brazilian President Michel Temer has authorised the country's military to use force to remove truck drivers and their vehicles from hundreds of highways, after a five-day national strike drove the country to a standstill and its largest city to declare a state of emergency. Trucks sit idle during a truckers strike in Brasilia on Friday. Credit:AP Truck drivers angry over rising diesel prices began the strike on Monday and continued it on Friday despite a Thursday night deal between the government and transportation unions to suspend the action for a fortnight. The country's Supreme Court authorised the used of security forces on a temporary basis late on Friday and granted a government request to impose fines of 100,000 reais per hour ($36,000) for companies and 10,000 reais per day for drivers who desobey orders to remove their vehicles. In its submission to the court, the attorney-general's office cited the need to avert "social caos" caused by shortage of food and fuel, Brazilian newswebsite G1 reported. Gov. Henry McMaster (R-SC) holds up a campaign card at the beginning of a talk at the Waccamaw Branch Library on May 16. Vesta is the second most massive body in the asteroid belt, surpassed only by Ceres, which is classified as a dwarf planet. The brightest asteroid in the sky, Vesta is occasionally visible from Earth with the naked eye. It is the first of the four largest asteroids (Ceres, Vesta, Pallas and Hygiea) to be visited by a spacecraft. The Dawn mission orbited Vesta in 2011, providing new insights into this rocky world. Celestial Police In 1596, while determining the elliptical shape of planetary orbits, Johannes Kepler came to believe that a planet should exist in the gap between Mars and Jupiter. Mathematical calculations by Johann Daniel Titius and Johann Elert Bode in 1772 later known as the Titius-Bode law seemed to support this prediction. In August 1798, a group known as the Celestial Police formed to search for this missing planet. Among these was German astronomer Heinrich Olbers. Olbers discovered the second known asteroid, Pallas. In a letter to a fellow astronomer, he put forth the first theory of asteroid origin. He wrote, "Could it be that Ceres and Pallas are just a pair of fragments of a once greater planet which at one time occupied its proper place between Mars and Jupiter?" Olbers reasoned that the fragments of such a planet would intersect at the point of the explosion, and again in the orbit directly opposite. He observed these two areas nightly, and on March 29, 1807, discovered Vesta, becoming the first person to discover two asteroids. After measuring several nights' worth of observations, Olbers sent his calculations to mathematician Carl Friedrich Gauss, who remarkably computed the orbit of Pallas in only 10 hours. As such, he was given the honor of naming the new body. He chose the name Vesta, goddess of the hearth, and sister to Ceres. [Photos: Asteroid Vesta and NASA's Dawn Spacecraft] NASA's Dawn spacecraft obtained this image with its framing camera on July 17, 2011. It was taken from a distance of about 9,500 miles (15,000 kilometers) away from the protoplanet Vesta. Each pixel in the image corresponds to roughly 0.88 miles (1.4 kilometers) (Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/UCLA/MPS/DLR/IDA) Physical characteristics of Vesta Vesta is unique among asteroids in that it has light and dark patches on the surface, much like the moon. Ground-based observations determined that the asteroid has basaltic regions, meaning that lava once flowed across its surface. It has an irregular shape, roughly that of an oblate spheroid (in nontechnical terms, a somewhat smooshed sphere). Diameter: 329 miles (530 kilometers) Mass: 5.886 X 10 20 lbs. (2.67 x 10 20 kilograms) lbs. (2.67 x 10 kilograms) Temperature: 85 to 255 K (minus 306 to 0 degrees Fahrenheit / minus 188 to minus 18 degrees Celsius) Albedo: 0.4322 Rotation period: 5.342 hours Orbital period: 3.63 years Eccentricity: .0886 Aphelion: 2.57 AU Perihelion: 2.15 AU Closest approach to Earth: 1.14 AU Surface, composition and formation When Vesta made a close approach to Earth in 1996, the Hubble Space Telescope mapped its topographic surface and features. This revealed a large crater at the south pole that slices into its interior. The crater averages 460 km in diameter remember: Vesta itself is only 530 km across. It cuts an average of 13 km into the crust, and most likely formed from an impact in the asteroid's early life. The material ejected from this collision resulted in a number of smaller Vestoid asteroids that orbit near their parent, as well as some of the meteorites that have crashed into Earth. Unlike most asteroids, the interior of Vesta is differentiated. Like the terrestrial planets, the asteroid has a crust of cooled lava covering a rocky mantle and an iron and nickel core. This lends credence to the argument for naming Vesta as a protoplanet, rather than as an asteroid. Vesta's core accreted rapidly within the first 10 million years after the formation of the solar system. The basaltic crust of Vesta also formed quickly, over the course of a few million years. Volcanic eruptions on the surface stemmed from the mantle, lasting anywhere from 8 to 60 hours. The lava flows themselves ranged from a few hundred meters to several kilometers, with a thickness between 5 to 20 meters. The lava itself cooled rapidly, only to be buried again by more lava until the crust was complete. Dawn's gravity put its core at about 18 percent of Vesta's mass, or proportionally about two-thirds as massive as Earth's core. In fact, if it weren't for Jupiter, Vesta could have had a good chance at becoming a planet. "In the asteroid belt, Jupiter basically stirred things up so much that they weren't able to easily accrete with one another," Dawn scientist David O'Brien, of the Planetary Science Institute in Tucson, Arizona, told reporters in 2012. "The velocities in the asteroid belt were really high, and the higher the velocity is, the harder it is for things to merge together under their own gravity," O'Brien added. In 1960, a fireball streaking through the sky over Millbillillie, Australia, announced the arrival of a piece of Vesta on Earth. Composed almost entirely of pyroxene, a mineral found in lava flows, the meteorite bears the same spectral signals as Vesta. NASA's Dawn spacecraft, which visited the asteroid in 2012, discovered that the rocky body had a surprising amount of hydrogen on its surface. It also found bright, reflective regions that may have been left over from its birth. "Our analysis finds this bright material originates from Vesta and has undergone little change since the formation of Vesta over 4 billion years ago," said Jian-Yang Li, a Dawn participating scientist at the University of Maryland, College Park, in a statement. A massive mountain towers over Vesta's southern pole. The enormous mountain reaches up over 65,000 feet (20 kilometers) in height, making it nearly as tall as Olympus Mons, the largest mountain (and volcano) in the solar system. Olympus Mons soars about 15 miles (24 kilometers) above the surface of Mars. "The south polar mountain is larger than the big island of Hawaii, the largest mountain on Earth, as measured from the ocean floor," Dawn principle investigator Chris Russell was reported saying at a 2011 astronomical conference. "It is almost as high as the highest mountain in the solar system, the shield volcano Olympus Mons on Mars." Liquid water once flowed across the asteroid. Images captured by the Dawn spacecraft revealed curved gullies and fan-shaped deposits within eight different Vesta impact craters. All eight of the craters are thought to have formed within the last few hundred million years, fairly recent in the lifetime of the 4.5-billion-year-old asteroid. "Nobody expected to find evidence of water on Vesta. The surface is very cold and there is no atmosphere, so any water on the surface evaporates," study lead author Jennifer Scully, a postgraduate researcher at UCLA, said in a NASA statement. "However, Vesta is proving to be a very interesting and complex planetary body." Scully and her team thought the features were created by debris flows, as opposed to pure-water rivers or streams, sculpted the Vesta gullies. They proposed that meteorites bombarding the asteroid melted ice deposits beneath the surface, sending liquid water and small rocky particles flowing down the crater walls. Such activity suggests the presence of ice buried beneath the surface. "If present today, the ice would be buried too deeply to be detected by any of Dawn's instruments," Scully said. "However, the craters with curved gullies are associated with pitted terrain, which has been independently suggested as evidence for loss of volatile gases from Vesta." Ice could have been responsible for modifying Vesta's surface. In 2017, a study suggested that smooth patches of terrain on the asteroid frequently possessed high concentrations of hydrogen, which is often seen when solar radiation breaks down water molecules. "We suggest that modifications of the surface by melting of buried ice could be responsible for smoothing those areas," Essam Heggy, a planetary scientist at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, told Space.com. "Buried ice could have been brought to the surface after an impact, which caused heated ice to melt and travel up through the fractures to the surface." Dawn also observed signs of hydrated minerals (minerals containing water molecules) on Vesta's surface, which could also hint at the presence of buried ice. The hydrated materials were associated with older terrains, and could have been delivered by impacts of material from farther out in the solar system. A low-altitude map of Vesta revealed a rich geology. The steep slopes found on the asteroid, combined with its high gravity, paves the way for rocks to roll downward, exposing other material. Dawn revealed a variety of mineral, including some bright and dark materials that could relate to potential buried ice. On its southern side the asteroid Vesta shows a huge crater. This picture shows the asteroid in an image taken by the Hubble Space Telescope (top, left), as a reconstruction based on theoretical calculations (top, right), and as a topological map (bottom). (Image credit: Ben Zellner (Georgia Southern University) / Peter Thomas (Cornell University) / NASA) Vestal visitors to Earth In fact, Vesta's unique composition means that it is responsible for an entire group of meteorites. The HED meteorites made up of howardites, eucrites and diogenites tell the story of Vesta's early life. Eucrites form from hardened lava, while diogenites come from beneath the surface. Howardites are a combination of the two, formed when a large impact mixed the two sections together. Vesta has been suspected as being the source of the HED meteorites since 1970. Dawn's mapping spectrometer verified that proposition. The Dawn team thinks the HEDs came from an impact basin named Rheasilvia, after an ancient Roman vestal virgin priestess. At 310 miles (500 kilometers) in diameter, Rheasilvia is nearly as large as Vesta itself. It most likely formed from a collision that stripped away most of the southern hemisphere's crust, revealing the asteroid's interior. "Vesta likely came close to shattering," said Dawn principal investigator Carol Raymond, noting that the blow left concentric sets of troughs fracture lines around Vesta's equator. Parallel troughs may be another sign of the enormous impact. Raymond told the Planetary Society that the presence of those troughs suggests serious damage to the asteroid's interior. If the orbit of Vesta lies beyond Mars, how did pieces of it manage to arrive on Earth? The fragments of Vesta pass Jupiter once every three orbits around the sun, allowing the gravity of the largest planet to affect them. Such tugging could have shifted the fragments enough to cause their eventual impact with Earth. As a result, Vesta is one of three bodies from which scientists have samples. The other two are the moon and Mars. Exploring the asteroid In September 2007, NASA launched the Dawn mission, which is unique in that it was the first craft to enter orbit around one solar system body, then proceed to a second. Dawn entered orbit around Vesta in July 2011. After studying the asteroid for a year, it left Vesta encountered Ceres in March 2015. NASA's Dawn mission is to study the characteristics of the early solar system by analyzing the two asteroids, which are very different. Ceres is wet, with seasonal polar caps, and may have a thin atmosphere. Vesta, on the other hand, is dry and rocky. Studying the unique spectral signatures in its rocky crust will expand our knowledge of our own planet, as well as Mars and Mercury. Given their size, the two are actually regarded as protoplanets, or small planets. The gravitational pull of Jupiter disrupted their formation. Without the presence of the gas giant, the two may well have continued to evolve into full-size planets. "We now know that Vesta is the only intact, layered planetary building block surviving from the very earliest days of the solar system," Dawn deputy principal investigator Carol Raymond, of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, told reporters in 2012. Dawn's study of Vesta allowed for the creation of the best map to date of the asteroid. In October 2010, the Hubble Space Telescope imaged Vesta again. The resulting data revealed that the asteroid was tilted approximately four degrees more than scientists originally thought. These findings helped NASA to place the spacecraft in the appropriate polar orbit around the asteroid. Dawn requires light from the sun in order to perform its mapping and imaging assignments. Editor's note: This article was updated on May 29, 2018, to clarify that Vesta was not the first asteroid to be visited by a spacecraft, but rather the first of the four largest asteroids to be visited. Additional resources Follow Nola Taylor Redd at @NolaTRedd, Facebook, or Google+. Follow us at @Spacedotcom, Facebook or Google+. NASA's Apollo 12 mission sent three astronauts to the moon in November 1969 to make the second crewed lunar landing in history. See how that mission went in photos in our photo gallery here! Apollo 12 Prime Crew NASA In September of 1969, astronauts (from left) Charles Conrad Jr., Richard F. Gordon Jr., and Alan L. Bean were named by NASA as the prime crew for the Apollo 12 lunar landing mission. Practice for the Big Game NASA During an October 6, 1969 training session, astronaut Charles Conrad Jr., commander (facing the camera) and astronaut Alan L. Bean, lunar module pilot two astronauts from the Apollo 12 lunar landing mission crew practice lunar surface extravehicular activity simulations by picking samples up and photographing them. The exercise was staged inside the Flight Crew Training Building at the Kennedy Space Center. Map of a Journey NASA This image shows the Traverse Overlay, the path of the Apollo 12 extravehicular activity during the November 1969 lunar mission. Training for the Moon NASA At Ellington Air Force Base on October 25, 1969, astronaut Charles Conrad, Jr., Apollo 12 lunar landing mission commander, participates in a lunar simulation flight using a Lunar Landing Training Vehicle (LLTV). Apollo crews use the LLTV to train in lunar landing techniques. Lunar Surface Simulation NASA Outside Flagstaff, Arizona, on October 10, 1969, astronauts Charles Conrad, Jr. and Alan L. Bean participate in a training exercise for the upcoming Apollo 12 lunar landing mission. As they enter a simulated lunar surface area, the astronauts wear lunar surface cameras on their bodies. Conrad, on the left, carries some geological tools and Bean carries a geological tool container similar to the one designed for the November 19-20, 1969 extravehicular activity periods on the surface of the moon. During the lunar surface activities, Richard F. Gordon, Jr., command module pilot, will remain inside the Command and Service Modules orbiting the moon. The Journey Begins NASA On September 8, 1969, the Apollo 12 space vehicle consisting of the Spacecraft 108, Lunar Module 6 and Saturn 507 makes its way to Launch Complex 39 Pad A at Kennedy Space Center. The Saturn V stack and its mobile launch tower leave the Vehicle Assembly Building rides atop a crawler-transporter for the trip. Astronauts Charles Conrad Jr., commander; Richard F. Gordon Jr., command module pilot; and Alan L. Bean, lunar module pilot, are the crew for Apollo 12, the second lunar landing mission. More Lunar Surface Practice NASA At Kennedy Space Center in the Flight Crew Training Building, astronauts participate in yet another training on October 6, 1969. What to Expect NASA Aboard the NASA Motor Vessel Retriever, the three prime crew members for the Apollo 12 lunar landing mission learn about water egress before training begins. Along with astronauts Richard F. Gordon Jr., command module pilot; Charles Conrad Jr., commander; and Alan L. Bean, lunar module pilot, a couple of training personnel participate in the briefing. A Different Feeling NASA At the Manned Spacecraft Center inside Building 29, astronaut Alan L. Bean, lunar module pilot, strapped into a one-sixth gravity simulator, prepares for the upcoming Apollo 12 lunar landing mission. Prelaunch Journey NASA On November 14, 1969, the prime crew for the Apollo 12 astronaut Charles Conrad Jr., commander; followed by astronauts Richard F. Gordon Jr., command module pilot; and Alan L. Bean, lunar module pilot exit Kennedy Space Center's Manned Spacecraft Operations Building. As the prelaunch countdown begins, the crewmen traverse to Launch Complex 39 Pad A inside a transport van to the waiting spacecraft. The Apollo 12 spacecraft launched at 11:22 am (EST) initiating the United States' second lunar landing mission. WASHINGTON A new policy said to be on President Trump's desk for final approval would designate the Department of Commerce as the public face of space traffic management. The job of policing space currently is performed by the Department of Defense. It involves answering queries from private citizens, corporations and foreign governments about the position of satellites on orbit, and warning agencies and commercial satellite operators of potential orbital collisions. For the past several years the Pentagon had prepared to turn these responsibilities over to the Federal Aviation Administration but the Trump administration decided Commerce was a better fit in light of the booming private space economy. Although there is overall agreement on the transfer of responsibilities, the specifics of who will do what may take years to sort out. DoD has deep expertise in "space situational awareness," or SSA, whereas Commerce faces a steep learning curve. DoD holds the SSA authority and public service responsibility under section 2274 of Title 10 of the U.S. Code In advance of the president signing off on the new policy, the House Armed Services Committee is weighing in. The chairman's mark of the Fiscal Year 2019 National Defense Authorization Act unveiled on Monday (May 7) includes language that lays a path for the implementation. Section 1603 of the HASC chairman's bill titled "Space Situational Awareness Services and Information" would amend section 2274 by "terminating the authority of the Department of Defense to provide space situational awareness data to commercial and foreign entities on January 1, 2024." This section also would require the secretary of defense to hire a federally funded research and development center to assess which department or departments should assume the authorities of section 2274 of title 10. The secretary of defense would have to develop a plan to "ensure that one or more departments may provide space situational awareness services to foreign governments." Doug Loverro, former deputy assistant secretary of defense for space policy during the Obama administration, said this language "suggests that Congress is looking for a smooth transition without a break in service." This provision is not inconsistent with the administration's plan to move SSA services to Commerce, Loverro told SpaceNews. "The good news is that several years ago this same committee was clearly against DoD ever losing control of this vital function. So I would say that this represents true progress in moving this inherently civil function to a civil agency." The decision to assign space traffic management to the Commerce Department was revealed by Vice President Mike Pence last month at the Space Symposium in Colorado Springs. He said Commerce will be instructed to "provide a basic level of space situational awareness for public and private use, based on the space catalog compiled by the Department of Defense, so that our military leaders can focus on protecting and defending our national security assets in space." The space catalog is maintained by the Joint Space Operations Center at Vandenberg Air Force Base, which is part of U.S. Strategic Command. The center operates the Space Surveillance Network, a worldwide system of ground-based radars along with ground-based and orbital telescopes. SSA mission is complex Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Space Policy Stephen Kitay said the White House directive is an "important step forward in light the increased commercial activity in space and the need for DoD to focus on its war fighting missions." "We're excited about the new partnership with Commerce on space traffic management," Kitay said last week at a Mitchell Institute event on Capitol Hill. Kitay cautioned he did not want to get ahead of the White House and would not discuss specifics of the transition. He noted that SSA is a complex mission. There are 1,500 active satellites on orbit today. DoD monitors about 20,000 objects in space that are 10 cm or larger. Plus there are hundreds of thousands of objects that are smaller. The clutter could soon reach alarming proportions. "You've seen the business plans coming forward. If they come to fruition, people are discussing constellations of thousands of satellites. These objects are moving at thousands of miles per hour. Some of these small satellites may not have active propulsion on them," said Kitay. "How do we think about the long term safety, sustainability of this domain so we can all benefit from it? This is an area that is going to require a lot of attention." The Pentagon will remain closely involved in this mission, even with Commerce as the public face of SSA, Kitay said. "Our partnership with Commerce is not going to be us saying, 'Commerce, this is now yours, and SSA is your problem.' SSA is a critical mission for us, and we will continue to maintain those resources and sensors." A number of details will have to be worked out over time, Kitay noted, including the role of the private sector in SSA. "A lot is happening out there with companies," he said. "We want to make sure we take advantage of advances in commercial technology." Private space surveillance companies are enthused by the transition of SSA to Commerce, said Travis Langster, vice president of business development at AGI Inc., a provider of space data and analytical tools. Companies in this sector for years have been frustrated by DoD's resistance to opening up the market to the private sector. "Moving to Commerce is a good thing," Langster said in an interview. "The FAA took it as far as they could." Commerce has said it wants to promote innovation, he said. "That is a big mantra for companies like us that provide commercial SSA services." DoD today offers a "basic level of service, which needs to be enhanced," said Langster. "The space traffic management is not adequate for commercial use." The industry would like to see this policy executed in a way that advances, not stifles, the progress of technology, Langster said. "The current model pits the commercial SSA marketplace against the DoD, and does not allow the commercial SSA market to fully form." The DoD catalog is "critical for national security," said Langster. "But there is an opportunity to enhance that catalog with other types of information." DoD and Commerce will have different SSA priorities, said John Monahan, senior vice president of Kratos Defense. The company provides radio-frequency monitoring services for military SSA. "DoD is going to have to continue being involved in space traffic management," he said. "Commerce is going to have to have an SSA tool but they will not completely own the SSA mission. SSA is too critical and too deeply integrated. It's a warfighting mission. Both organizations are going to need it, but each has different needs." When Commerce takes over SSA duties, there will be much greater appetite for use of commercial sensors, said Greg Caicedo, Kratos' vice president of data and network solutions. The population of data and analysis vendors is starting to expand in the United States and internationally, he said. And many countries increasingly worry about how they will be able to detect nefarious acts in space. "What is the intent? How do we tell commercial activity from aggression?" Those are some of the questions being asked, said Caicedo. "By having a civilian agency take over space traffic management we can have greater international cooperation and transparent communications." Debate goes back years Loverro recalled that the debate over space traffic management started to pick up steam about five years ago. "The plan had been to go ahead and eventually transfer the responsibility to the FAA." Pilot programs were kicked off to figure out a transition. But at one point the FAA decided it didn't want this job and Trump's Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross thought it made sense for his agency to take it. There are still questions on who will perform specific duties such as operating sensors, Loverro noted. When there are two satellites coming close to each other, somebody has to "task" a sensor to go take measurements and calculate distances between objects. "That kind of back and forth between the calculations and the tasking has to happen," he said. "How that's mechanized we don't know yet. Commerce will have access to the data but will they be able to task DoD sensors around the world, or will they hire commercial firms that have sensors?" Loverro said Commerce could outsource these duties, as companies do this type of work routinely. "Whether or not that's the direction Commerce will go remains to be seen." Earl Comstock, director of the Commerce Department's Office of Policy and Strategic Planning, said DoD has "done a fantastic job providing a public service tracking objects in space." Now there are more actors, and they would like to have a civilian agency to undertake that responsibility, he said at a recent Hudson Institute conference on space policy. "They'll continue to be involved," Comstock said of DoD. "They have the resources to track these capabilities. But the public face of this should be a civilian agency." The National Space Council will work on many of the transition details, said Comstock. The challenge: "How do we maintain the DoD's resources but relieve them of the burden of having to interface so much with the public?" The reality is that Commerce or any other civilian department the White House might pick doesn't have the resources to do SSA, said Comstock. "DoD will continue to do that, but Commerce believes it should interface with the public and the industry as a means of attracting people to the United States as a place to come and do business," he said. "We also want to set a standard for the rest of the world and unite the club of 'responsible actors.'" This story was provided by SpaceNews, dedicated to covering all aspects of the space industry. Warnings of a Russian hypersonic weapon that the U.S. can't defend against may have had you running for the bomb shelter last week. But what, exactly, is this weapon, and how does it work? Russian President Vladimir Putin first announced the hypersonic weapon, code-named Avangard, in a speech in March. Last week, U.S. intelligence sources told CNBC that the weapon had been successfully tested a number of times and could be operational by 2020. The Russians have released few concrete details about the weapon, but from the information available, it appears the weapon is a so-called hypersonic glide vehicle, said Thomas Juliano, an assistant professor of aerospace engineering at the University of Notre Dame who specializes in hypersonic flight. Putin has claimed that the vehicle is capable of reaching speeds of Mach 20 or 20 times the speed of sound and could evade current U.S. missile defense systems. Worryingly, the vehicle can supposedly carry a nuclear warhead, according to the intelligence sources. [7 Technologies That Transformed Warfare] Rather than generating its own power to reach hypersonic speeds, the glide vehicle catches a ride atop an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). Typically, these rockets fly to space on an arcing trajectory before releasing warheads near the top of the parabola, and these warheads drop back down onto the target at hypersonic speeds under the power of gravity. Rather than falling back to Earth, though, Avangard reenters the atmosphere at an angle and its aerodynamic shape generates lift that lets it glide down at hypersonic speeds, says Juliano, which allows it to travel further farther and maneuver as it descends. Hyper engineering The vehicle appears to follow a design known as a "waverider," Juliano said. Waveriders are hypersonic aircraft that have wedge-shaped fuselages specially designed to generate lift by surfing on the shock wave generated as its own aircraft punches through the air at a high speed. This is important at higher altitudes, where air density is low, making it difficult to generate lift with conventional wing designs. And because it doesn't need large wings, the vehicle is more streamlined, and the reduced drag allows it to maintain its speed over a much longer distance, Juliano said. Building a vehicle that can tolerate hypersonic speeds and the temperatures they generate is no easy feat, Juliano said. But the design the Russians have opted for circumvents one of the major challenges: propulsion. [Photos: Hypersonic Jet Could Fly 10 Times the Speed of Sound] "Designing a successful propulsion system at Mach 10 or above is extraordinarily challenging," he said. "By putting the glider on top of an ICBM, you avoid the need to design a successful hypersonic air-breathing engine." Controlling a vehicle at such high speeds is still incredibly tricky, though.The Russians claim that Avangard is highly maneuverable, and based on computer-generated video included in Putin's address, it appears to have several flaps similar to the aerofoils used by planes to change direction. Adjusting the aerofoils at hypersonic speeds is not a trivial task, because the shock wave can have complex interactions with the air flowing over the vehicle's surfaces, resulting in "nonlinear" behavior, Juliano said. That means tiny adjustments can have outsize impacts, which makes it very tricky to calculate how much to move a flap or aerofoil. "It has to be precise, it has to operate quickly and it's a much harder environment to predict," he said. Nonetheless, Juliano thinks the Russian claims are credible, as the technology has been in development for some time. The U.S. tested its own version, dubbed Hypersonic Technology Vehicle 2, in 2010 and 2011, but both flights were failures. And China also has an experimental system, code-named DF-ZF. What is it for? Russian efforts to develop hypersonic glide vehicles are explicitly aimed at evading U.S. missile defense systems, said Pavel Podvig, an independent analyst who specializes in Russia's nuclear arsenal. [Could the US Stop Nuclear Weapons?] Current U.S. defenses are designed to take out conventional warheads from ICBMs on predictable ballistic trajectories while they are still in space; these defenses are not well suited to intercept weapons coming in on a high-speed glide in the atmosphere, Podvig said. And unlike traditional warheads, the vehicles will be capable of maneuvering around defenses. But Podvig said it's not clear if the weapons really provide useful additional military capabilities. "It has been described as a weapon in search of a mission," he told Live Science. "My take is, you don't really need this kind of capability. It doesn't really change much in terms of ability to hit targets." Podvig pointed out that the ICBM that carried the Avangard during testing, the SS-19, normally carries six conventional warheads. If the goal is to counter missile defense systems, it would be just as easy to overwhelm them with a greater number of standard warheads, he said. But such weapons could breed dangerous uncertainty, Podvig said, because they aren't covered by arms-control treaties such as New START, which require countries to report the number, type and location of nuclear-capable weapons like ICBMs. In addition, the capabilities and potential uses of hypersonic gliders are still unclear. "These systemscreate greater risks of miscalculation," Podvig said, "and it's not clear if we can effectively deal with those risks." In an effort to reduce some of that uncertainty, the Pentagon is reportedly considering fielding space-based sensors to spot hypersonic weapons, according to Space News. The approach would require a costly constellation of satellites, but would be better at spotting weapons gliding in the upper atmosphere and could also see farther than land-based systems limited by the horizon. Podvig says a properly designed system of this kind should be able to detect hypersonic weapons in flight, but it's not clear this would make it any easier to intercept such fast and maneuverable vehicles. Originally published on Live Science. A lot can happen in a second; you could meet a stranger, snap your fingers, fall in love, fall asleep, sneeze. But what is a second, really and is it as precise as we think it is? Right now, the most-precise clocks used to tell global time have an error of about 1 second every 300 million years so a clock that started ticking in the time of the dinosaurs wouldn't be off by even a second today. But scientists think we can do better. [The 18 Biggest Unsolved Mysteries in Physics] So, they are looking to lutetium, a neglected rare-earth element that has been gathering dust at the bottom of the periodic table, according to a new study published April 25 in the journal Nature Communications. Why is one second 1 second long? In the olden days, a second was defined as a fraction (1/86400) of the average solar day, the 24-hour rotation of the Earth around its axis. But the rotation of the Earth can vary slightly, so scientists decided to stop scanning the heavens to calibrate our clocks and scaled things way down to the level of atoms, the invisible building blocks of matter. In 1967, the International Committee for Weights and Measures defined the second as the amount of time it takes for a cesium atom to absorb enough energy to be excited that is, for its electrons to jump from one energy state to the next. For this to happen, the atom must be pulsed with exactly 9,192,631,770 cycles of microwave radiation. Researchers John P. Lowe, Robert E. Drullinger, and project leader, David J. Glaze (from left to right) stand next to a cesium atom clock they developed called NIST-7. Housed at the National Institute of Standards and Technology, this clock was responsible for keeping time in the U.S. from 1993 to 1999, but has since been replaced by more accurate cesium clocks. (Image credit: National Institute of Standards and Technology) Though that number might seem random, it comes from measuring the frequency of microwaves needed to excite the cesium atoms in the average of the earlier definition of 1 second. These measurements were taken over a span of nearly three years, Scientific American reported. Currently, hundreds of cesium atomic clocks are responsible for keeping global time and controlling GPS navigation. But in the past decade, another generation of atomic clocks has emerged, called "optical clocks," and they are 100 times more precise than the cesium variety. The new clocks work in the exact same way as the cesium ones, except they use atoms such as aluminum or ytterbium that get excited by higher frequencies of visible light (hence the name "optical") rather than the slower microwaves. This higher frequency adds more data points to the definition of a "second," making the measurement more precise. [7 Strange Facts About Quarks] To understand this, imagine the different types of clocks as a pair of rulers, said Murray Barrett, an associate physics professor at the National University of Singapore and the lead author of the new study. If the older, "cesium" ruler measures a line that's 20 centimeters (7.9 inches) long, the more precise, "optical" ruler can measure the line also as, for example, 200 millimeters. While optical clocks are very precise , getting them to run for a very long period of time and to remain stable in their environments can be problematic, Barrett said. A room's temperature can change the electromagnetic fields acting on the atoms, which in turn can skew the time measurement, Barrett said. So, the cesium clocks are still "much more reliable in their implementation than [the new] optical clocks," Barrett told Live Science. Making less sensitive atomic clocks In their new study, Barrett and his team found that a lutetium ion is less sensitive to changes in environmental temperature than are any other elements used for optical clocks, making it a strong candidate to serve as master time keeper. Lutetium atoms can also help compensate for another problem affecting time measurement, the team found. Because the atoms used in these clocks are charged, they slightly wiggle back and forth in response to the electromagnetic fields created by the waves (visible light, microwaves, etc.) and this can skew the time measurement. Scientists call this rapid backward and forward movement a "micromotion shift." Because scientists must compensate for this shift, it's really difficult to develop atomic clocks with more than one ion which would make such clocks more practical, Barrett said. But the team found that they could use a natural property in a certain type of lutetium ion to cancel out these "micromotion shifts." However, this comes at a cost: Those atoms became more sensitive to the temperature of the room. That trade-off might limit the impact of the new finding, and the atom lutetium might not be a "real game changer," said Jerome Lodewyck, a physicist at the Paris Observatory who was not part of the study. But, this "high-quality work" adds another possible atomic species to the long list of timekeeper candidates that is a "wealth for metrologists" looking to compare different clocks, Lodewyck said. [What's That? Your Physics Questions Answered] Beyond telling time Though Barrett said lutetium "is extremely promising," he doesn't think there's a big rush to redefine the second using optical clocks, as cesium clocks do just fine at things like getting us where we need to go. But highly precise optical clocks might allow for new applications "that would simply not be possible with our current technology," Barrett said. For example, clocks are sensitive to where they sit in the world, because time is distorted by gravity, according to Albert Einstein's theory of general relativity. Right now, atomic clocks on Earth can't detect the miniscule time-warping that occurs due to Earth's gravity. But if researchers could place highly precise optical clocks around the world, that setup could help researchers map out the gravitational field of our planet, Barrett said. Further, highly precise atomic clocks could detect matter and energy we may not yet be able to see, Lodewyck said. That could include dark matter, which exerts a gravitational pull yet does not interact with ordinary light, and dark energy, the mysterious force that seems to be accelerating the expansion of the universe, he said. Here's how it might work: If you know the frequency needed to excite some atoms in the time frame of a second, you could use these various clocks around the world to detect any differences beyond what you would normally expect. There are "some theories that say dark matter is around us, so if we cross a chunk of dark matter, this would perturb the clock," Lodewyck told Live Science. There may even be applications we can't think of right now, Barrett said. "Certainly, when we first started developing clocks for the purpose of ship navigation, we never imagined the idea of somebody being able to walk around and know exactly where they are in a big city." Originally published on Live Science. ARCADIA, Calif. In his first congressional testimony since becoming NASA administrator a month ago, Jim Bridenstine sought to reassure Senate appropriators about the status of several agency programs threatened with cancellation, as well as his own views on climate change. Appearing before the Senate Appropriations Committee's commerce, justice and science subcommittee May 23, Bridenstine said he would seek a balance among the agency's priorities in science and exploration, including committing to developing a number of missions that had been targeted for cancellation. "We're going to the moon and we're going to Mars, but we're not taking our eyes off the so many other critical, important missions of NASA," he said, "to include Earth science, heliophysics, astrophysics and planetary science." Asked by Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) about the status of Earth science missions proposed for cancellation in the 2019 budget request, Bridenstine said NASA was reconsidering the fate of two of them, the Climate Absolute Radiance and Refractivity Observatory (CLARREO) Pathfinder instrument for the International Space Station and the Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem (PACE) spacecraft, based on the findings of the latest Earth science decadal survey published in January. "That decadal survey indicated that CLARREO and, as you mentioned, PACE, are high priorities for the National Academy of Sciences," he said. "What we're doing right now with the Earth science division of the Science Mission Directorate is that we are evaluating that decadal survey, trying to make sure we're covering all the science that they have called for us to cover." Bridenstine reiterated comments he made at a NASA town hall meeting May 17 where he said NASA would go ahead with the launch of the Orbiting Carbon Observatory 3 instrument to the ISS next January, even though that project was also slated for cancellation in the proposed budget. He said that, despite the lack of funding for a grant program called Carbon Monitoring System in the final 2018 spending bill, NASA was committed to doing research in climate change topics. "Your NASA is 100 percent committed to understanding the carbon cycle, which is an extremely high priority that comes from the decadal surveys," he said. In a rapid-fire, but not contentious, exchange with Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Bridenstine said he believed that humans were the leading contributor to global climate change, a view he acknowledged was an "evolution" from past statements. "The National Climate Assessment that includes NASA and the Department of Energy and NOAA has clearly stated that it is extremely likely that human activity is the dominant cause of global warming, and I have no reason to doubt the science that comes from that," he said. In astrophysics, Bridenstine said that an independent review panel was still working on its assessment of the James Webb Space Telescope, including whether its latest delays will push the mission over a cost cap of $8 billion set by Congress several years ago. He noted that any financial impact of those delays should be minimal in 2019, as NASA will transfer money budgeted for spacecraft operations to its development instead. He emphasized he was committed to completing and launching JWST even if it does exceed that cost cap, which would require formal congressional reauthorization for the mission. "We have spent so much money and we have come so far and we are so close, that it's important that we do that," he said. Asked by Van Hollen if he was "100 percent committed" to completing JWST, Bridenstine responded, "Without question." Bridenstine said that he wants to avoid similar problems with the next astrophysics flagship mission, the Wide-Field Infrared Survey Telescope (WFIRST), which the administration proposed cancelling in its 2019 budget request. Bridenstine said last week at the NASA town hall meeting that he felt it was likely the mission would continue. "We are looking at what the costs are going to be going forward for WFIRST, and we're committed to not have the same thing happen to WFIRST that happened to James Webb," he said. Bridenstine suggested that, in the future, NASA should shift its focus from those flagship-class missions to smaller spacecraft. "When we think about decadal surveys in the future, we might want to consider maybe distributing the risk among more smaller projects rather than one massive project that can clobber an entire division within the NASA budget," he said. The only area where Bridenstine faced criticism from senators was the proposal in the 2019 budget to close NASA's education office. The 2018 request tried to do the same, only to be broadly rejected by Congress. Senators objected to the move because of the key role they see NASA playing in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education. "It eliminates a significant portion of that STEM education role for NASA, something that I indicated to you that I find objectionable," said Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), chairman of the subcommittee, referring to a previous conversation he had with Bridenstine about the budget proposal. "I continue to be frustrated that the administration continues to call for the elimination of NASA's Office of Education," said Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.V.) Bridenstine responded that NASA has been considering renaming that office the "Office of STEM Engagement" to avoid perceptions that it might duplicate work done by agencies like the Department of Education. "We are committed to education, we are committed to inspiration. I believe in it 100 percent," he said. "NASA will do that regardless of that particular budget line." The hearing, which lasted less than an hour, did not bring up many agency programs that have been hot-button topics in the past, like the Space Launch System, Orion or commercial crew. Senators also did not discuss NASA's lunar exploration plans in the 2019 budget request, like development of the Lunar Orbital Platform-Gateway, or the future of the ISS after 2025. Bridenstine won praise from Schatz and Van Hollen, the two Democrats who participated at the hearing, despite the fact that they and other Senate Democrats all voted against his nomination last month. "I just want to recognize your evolution on this issue," Schatz said of Bridenstine's comments on climate change. "I have come to the conclusion that this is a true evolution, that you respect the people with whom you work, you respect the science." Moran said his subcommittee would mark up an appropriations bill that funds NASA and other agencies under its jurisdiction on June 12. The full committee will take up the bill June 14. This story was provided by SpaceNews, dedicated to covering all aspects of the space industry. Dmitry Rogozin, shown above right during a 2015 visit to Vostochny Cosmodrome, was names by Russian President Vladimir Putin May 24 to head Roscosmos. MOSCOW Dmitry Rogozin, until recently the Russian government's point-man on all matters concerning the defense and space industries, was offered to head up the Roscosmos space corporation on Thursday during a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. "I will do everything possible and necessary to earn your trust," Rogozin was quoted by Russia's TASS news service as telling Putin after being offered the position. Rogozin, once the leader of a nationalist political party, served as one of Russia's deputy prime ministers for the past six years. Under his charge, Roscosmos was reformed from a government agency into a sprawling state corporation with the Russian space industry under its umbrella. But Rogozin did not retain his post in government. [Russia's Most Epic Space Missions] Following Putin's inauguration for a fourth term as Russia's president earlier this month, the prime minister, Dmitry Medvedev, put forth proposals for a new cabinet. Rogozin's name was not included. Beside his role in consolidating the Russian space industry under Roscosmos umbrella, Rogozin has been personally attached to the multi-billion Vostochny Cosmodrome construction project in the Far East. That project is over-budget and constantly falling behind schedule. Bombastic and colorful, Rogozins international profile skyrocketed in 2014 when, in response to the first round of Western sanctions against Moscow for its annexation of Crimea, he tweeted that NASA could use a trampoline to reach the International Space Station. Rogozin, who was personally added to the U.S. and European sanctions list in 2014, has also publicly suggested pulling out of the ISS project. This story was provided by SpaceNews, dedicated to covering all aspects of the space industry. Alan Bean: In Memoriam Tom Stoddart/Getty Apollo 12 moonwalker and astronaut-artist Alan Bean, Jr. died on May 26, 2018. The former NASA astronaut was the fourth man to walk on the moon and also visited Skylab. See his amazing space legacy in pictures in this remembrance. Alan Bean: Astronaut NASA NASA portrait of Apollo 12 lunar module pilot Alan Bean. Alan L. Bean NASA This official NASA portrait from Sept. 21, 1971 presents Alan L. Bean in civilian clothes. Apollo 12 Prime Crew NASA The Apollo 12 lunar landing mission prime crew, as named by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, are from left to right Charles Conrad, Jr., Richard F. Gordon, Jr. and Alan L. Bean. Training for the Moon NASA Astronaut Alan L. Bean, strapped into a one-sixth gravity simulator, prepares for the upcoming Apollo 12 lunar landing mission by engaging in lunar surface simulation training in Building 29 at the Manned Spacecraft Center. Preparing for Launch NASA As the Apollo 12 prelaunch countdown begins, astronaut Alan L. Bean, lunar module pilot for the mission, suits up inside the Kennedy Space Center's Manned Spacecraft Operations Building. Shortly after this photo, Bean and crewmates Charles Conrad, Jr., commander; and Richard F. Gordon, Jr., command module pilot; boarded a special transport van to Launch Complex 39 for launch. Apollo 12 is the second lunar landing mission for the U.S. Apollo 9 Backup Crew NASA On the deck of the NASA Motor Vessel Retriever, the Apollo 9 backup crew stands before a water egress training in the Gulf of Mexico. From the left, astronauts Charles Conrad, Jr., Richard F. Gordon, Jr. and Alan L. Bean. To the Moon NASA While on the Apollo 12 lunar landing mission, astronaut Alan L. Bean, lunar module pilot for the mission, climbs down the ladder of the Lunar Module. Bean joins astronaut Charles Conrad, Jr., mission commander, on the lunar surface for an extravehicular activity. Samples for Home NASA On the lunar surface, astronaut Alan L. Bean holds a Special Environmental Sample Container with lunar soil collected during the EVA. Commander Charles Conrad, Jr., who took the image, can be seen reflected in Bean's visor. Crossing the Moon NASA During the first Apollo 12 extravehicular activity on Nov. 19, 1969, astronaut Alan L. Bean carries two sub packages of the Apollo Lunar Surface Experiments Package. Bean deployed the ALSEP components, clearly visible in the background, 300 feet from the Lunar Module. Preparing for Skylab 3 NASA On June 30, 2973, Astronaut and Skylab 3 commander Alan L. Bean listens as a newsman asks questions during a pre-mission press conference in the Building 1 large auditorium at Johnson Space Center. A three-dimensional representation of a norovirus virion, based on electron microscopic imagery. Should astrobiologists also be considering virions and viruses when looking for life beyond Earth? They are the most abundant form of life on Earth, but viruses or their seed-like dormant state, known as virions are outliers in our search for life on other planets. Now, one group of scientists is pushing for astrobiologists to consider searching for viruses beyond Earth more seriously. Viruses are mentioned six times in NASA's 250-page-long current astrobiology strategy, write the authors of a recent paper called "Astrovirology: Viruses at Large in the Universe." They call for the study of viruses to be incorporated into extraterrestrial science missions and astrobiological research at home, and have a checklist for the actions needed to put viruses on the interplanetary map. "Viruses are an integral part of life on Earth as we know it," said study co-author Ken Stedman, a virologist at Portland State Universitys Center for Life in Extreme Environments. If we are going to be thinking about life on early Earth or ancient or current life on other planets, we need to be thinking about viruses, he said. [6 Most Likely Places for Alien Life in the Solar System] It has been more than a century since scientists discovered the first virus, and for decades it was known simply as a "very small disease-causing agent." Late Nobel laureate Sir Peter Medawar even referred to viruses as "a piece of bad news wrapped up in a protein," Stedman and colleagues wrote in the study, which was published in February in the journal Astrobiology. Future missions to sample the plumes of Enceladus (seen here pictured in silhouette against Saturns rings by NASA's Cassini spacecraft) or Jupiter's moon Europa should carry with them experiments to detect virions and viruses, some scientists say. (Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Space Science Institute) The current definition is more complicated, and less pejorative: viruses are entities whose genome replicates inside living cells, and are able to transfer that viral genome to other cells. As this definition implies, viruses comprise the whole reproduction cycle and they need other living cells to reproduce. (This dependence on cells has led some researchers to regard viruses as less than fully alive; indeed, there's an active debate in the biological community about viruses' true nature.) Virions, on the other hand, are the viral seeds that could become viruses if they happen upon compatible living cells in which to replicate. On Earth, virions and viruses go hand-in-hand with life, and if we find the former on other planets, they could point to cellular life once having existed on them. On Earth, viruses are thought to outnumber cellular life forms by a factor of 10. And our planet is teeming with virions. In fact, a teaspoon of sea water can contain up to 50 million virions. "It makes sense to be looking for the things that are likely to be the most abundant," said Stedman, who also chairs the Virus Focus Group within NASAs Astrobiology Institute. "If an alien intelligence came to Earth looking for life, they would probably get a sample of sea water, loaded with virions. The alien life would come to the conclusion that Earth is inhabited by virions." [13 Ways to Hunt Intelligent Aliens] However, there are currently no extraterrestrial missions planning to hunt for virions in the suspected water plumes on Jupiters moon Europa or the jets of the Saturn satellite Enceladus. Ken Stedman (right) working in his lab. Stedman is a virologist and Chair of the NASA Astrobiology Institutes Virus Focus Group. (Image credit: Joseph Thiebes) "Astrovirology is no more, nor less, valid than astrobiology," said Don Cowan, director of the Centre for Microbial Ecology and Genomics at the University of Pretoria in South Africa. "There is no reason why astrovirology should not be considered with the same emphasis as 'prokaryote' [i.e. bacterial] astrobiology, particularly since the lesson from Earth's biology is that every known organism has one or [sometimes many] more virus parasites," added Cowan, who was not involved in the new study. Part of the reason for astrovirologys absence from space-science agendas, Stedman said, is that virologists have not been reaching out to astrobiologists and pushing the case for virion hunting. Another major reason is technical: virions are tiny (with diameters ranging from 20 nanometers to over one micrometer), and so scientists need transmission electron microscopes to see their unique and varied shapes. "While this may not be difficult on Earth, it seems unlikely that a transmission electron microscope will be put on a spacecraft in the foreseeable future," the authors noted in the study. That was one of the authors aims in writing their paper to stimulate the development and testing of technologies that scientists could use in remote locations to discover virions. "We need to look for biosignatures, and the morphologies of these virions are extremely distinctive," said Stedman. However, another challenge is finding a way to look for unknown virions. "We have to be careful when trying to find genomes of things that we dont know are there," Stedman said. While there are techniques to identify known viruses, such as high-throughput sequencing or high-density microarrays, identifying truly novel virions could pose a problem, the authors wrote. Scientists can hunt for extraterrestrial cellular life forms, such as bacteria or more complex life, by looking for certain chemicals on a planet or in its atmosphere, but virions do not create byproducts like methane or oxygen. But, the authors hypothesize, if viruses had once infected life on other planets, perhaps those viruses changed the host organisms metabolism, and this could be remotely detected from Earth. One possibility is that host organisms chemical byproducts may be slightly different than those that had not been infected by viruses. If this were the case, this could be a proxy for detecting cellular life and viruses. In the short term, the astrovirologists suggested that, among other things, researchers need to find distinctive virus biosignatures; consider virus-detection experiments for Europa and Enceladus; and include virus models in our models for ancient oceans and other planets. However, Stedman said that finding no virions on a life-hosting planet would also be an important discovery. "If we find somewhere else where living cells dont have viruses associated with them, [then] that would be something very different from Earth, and very interesting." The work was supported in part by the NASA Astrobiology Institute (NAI) element of the NASA Astrobiology Program. This story was provided by& Astrobiology Magazine, a web-based publication sponsored by the NASA astrobiology program. This version of the story published on Space.com. When China's Chang'e-4 mission reaches the lunar surface in December 2018, it will become the first mission to make a soft landing on the far side of the moon. The combination lander-rover will explore the several aspects of the so-called "dark" side, as well as study the universe's radio sky. A key element of the mission was the May 2018 launch of the Queqiao relay satellite, which will pass information from Chang'e-4 (CE-4) back to Earth. Both missions are led by the China National Space Administration (CNSA). The Chang'e program was named after the Chinese goddess of the moon, and "Queqio" means "bridge of magpies." According to China's state-run Xinhua news service, Queqio is based on a Chinese folktale, where "magpies form a bridge with their wings on the seventh night of the seventh month of the lunar calendar to enable Zhi Nu, the seventh daughter of the goddess of heaven, to cross and meet her beloved husband, separated from her by the Milky Way." Previous Chang'e missions set the stage for Chang'e-4: [Inforgraphic: China's Moon Missions Explained] On the far side While satellites and astronauts have flown by and observed the far side of the moon, no mission has yet managed to touch down on its surface. But that's not because scientists aren't interested; retrieving a sample from the far side of the moon was an important goal in the 2013-2022 Planetary Science Decadal Survey. Because the moon is tidally locked to the Earth, those of us bound to the planet can only catch a glimpse through satellite imagery. But, despite pop culture references to the contrary, the far side isn't dark; it receives solar light when the moon sits between Earth and the sun. The far side contains the South Pole-Aitken basin, an impact site over 1,553 miles (2,500 kilometers) across that exposes the deepest parts of the lunar crust. The enormous basin is the oldest impact feature on the moon, as well as the deepest, with a rim-to-floor distance of almost 8 miles (13 km), more than 6 times as deep as the Grand Canyon. CE-4's landing site will be the southern floor of the Von Karman crater, a crater 112 miles (180 km) across lying within the South Pole-Aitken impact basin. The crater was named after a Hungarian-American mathematician, aerospace engineer and physicist. The spacecraft will carry a suite of international payloads from Germany, the Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, and Sweden. Many of these are similar to the instruments found on Chang'e-3, since CE-4 was originally designed as a backup. "Chang'e 3 lunar probe used a slow and arc-shaped landing, while as for Chang'e 4 lunar probe, we have to adopt a steep and almost vertical landing," Zhao Xiaojin, a senior official at the China Serospace Science and Technology, explained to China Central Television in 2018. "Chang'e 4 lunar probe will have huge improvements on its capabilities, because we have adopted new technologies and new products. For example, Chang'e 3 lunar probe could not work during the night, but Chang'e 4 lunar probe can do some measurement work at night." The lander will carry a landing camera and topographic camera on the lander, similar to those found on CE-3. New instruments include: Lunar Dust Analyser, to study the physical characteristics of dust Electric Field Analyser to measure the magnitude of the electric field at various heights Plasma and Magnetic Field Observation Package Lunar Seismometer to study the interior of the moon Another new feature is a Very Low Frequency (VLF) Radio Interferometer, which will be able to study the universe at extremely low wavelengths while the moon shields it from Earth's radio noise. This instrument will be helpful for future plans for putting a radio observatory on the moon, something often talked about but not yet planned by any country. The lander will also carry payload created by students across China. A lunar mini biosphere experiment designed by 28 Chinese educational institutions led by Chongqing University was one of more than 200 submissions. The 7-lb. experiment will attempt to germinate seeds from potatoes and Arabidopsis, a small flowering plant related to cabbage and mustard. Silkworm eggs may also hitch a ride. The biosphere package will contain water, air and nutrients capable of sustaining the seeds and eggs within their protective dome. A tiny camera will allow researchers to observe the experiment back on Earth. "Why potato and Arabidopsis? Because the growth period of Arabidopsis is short and convenient to observe. And potato could become a major source of food for future space travelers," Liu Hanlong, chief director of the experiment and vice president of Chongqing University, said in a statement. "Our experiment might help accumulate knowledge for building a lunar base and long-term residence on the moon." The rover will carry three of the four instruments found on CE-3, including a panoramic camera, a ground-penetrating radar and an infrared spectrometer. It will also carry an Active Source Hammer for active source seismic experiments, and a second VLF radio receiver. The rover will also boast an energetic neutral atom analyzer. "Obtaining the first direct measurements of the surface of the far side, as well as getting our first look at the low-frequency radio sky key to understanding the early history of the universe is potentially breakthrough science," Paul Spudis, a researcher at the Lunar and Planetary Institute in Houston, Texas, wrote in an article for Air & Space magazine. A two-step approach One of the biggest reasons the far side has received so little exploration comes from geometry. Missions to the far side can't communicate through the massive body of the moon, so they have faced silence when out of sight of Earth. The launch of Queqiao should solve that problem. Queqiao will sit at the Earth-moon Lagrange point 2 (L2), a special spot in the system where it will be able to see both worlds. L2 is a gravitationally stable spot located 40,000 miles (64,000 km) beyond the lunar far side. Its unique position will allow the satellite to relay messages from CE-4 to Earth, and from Earth to CE-4. The relay satellite was carried to space atop a Long March 4C rocket on May 20, 2018, from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Sichuan Province, China. Queqiao's orbit may prove a boon to missions beyond CE-4. "We will make efforts to enable the relay satellite to work as long as possible to serve other probes, including those from other countries," Ye Peijian, a leading Chinese aerospace expert and consultant to China's lunar exploration program, said in a statement. That includes China's planned Chang'e-5 lunar sample return mission, set to launch in 2019. Chinese officials have also declared their intent to put people on the surface of the moon before the end of the 2030s. Additional resources Follow Nola Taylor Redd at @NolaTRedd, Facebook, or Google+. Follow us at @Spacedotcom, Facebook or Google+. HOUSTON Apollo astronaut Alan Bean, who shared his experiences as the fourth human to walk on the moon through paintings sprinkled with lunar dust, has died at the age of 86. Bean died on Saturday (May 26) at Houston Methodist Hospital in Houston, Texas, as confirmed by his wife, Leslie. His death followed his suddenly falling ill while on travel in Fort Wayne, Indiana two weeks ago. "Alan was the strongest and kindest man I ever knew. He was the love of my life," said Leslie Bean in a statement released by the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation on Saturday. "A native Texan, Alan died peacefully in Houston, surrounded by those who loved him." [Remembering Alan Bean: A Moonwalking Astronaut-Artist in Pictures] Apollo 12 moonwalker Alan Bean, seen both in photography and his own artwork standing on the moon. (Image credit: NASA/Alan Bean via collectSPACE.com) A member of NASA's third group of astronauts selected in 1963, Bean flew twice into space, first as the lunar module pilot on the Apollo 12 moon landing mission in November 1969, and then as the commander of the second crewed expedition to the United States' first space station, Skylab, in July 1973. In total, he logged 69 days, 15 hours and 45 minutes in space, including 31 hours and 31 minutes on the lunar surface. He then spent four decades interpreting what he saw as a professional artist. An astronaut's journey NASA portrait of Apollo 12 lunar module pilot Alan Bean. (Image credit: NASA) Bean's journey to the moon almost ended in a flash. Or rather two flashes, had it not been for his memory of an obscure switch in his spacecraft. Launched on top of a Saturn V rocket on Nov. 14, 1969, Bean and his two Apollo 12 crewmates, Charles "Pete" Conrad and Richard "Dick" Gordon, were less than a minute into flight when their booster was struck by lightning, twice. The electrical discharge knocked out their power and garbled the telemetry streaming to Mission Control. A quick-thinking flight controller, John Aaron, recalled a test from a year earlier that produced a similar data pattern and suggested the crew take "SCE to AUX," which would switch the spacecraft's signal conditioning equipment (SCE) to its backup. "What the hell is that?" replied Conrad, saying out loud what Gordon and many of those in Mission Control were also thinking. Fortunately, Bean remembered the switch which was located over his shoulder from an earlier training simulation. "They call[ed] to get me to throw a switch, which I did," Bean recounted in a 1998 NASA oral history. "I didn't remember what the switch was for, either ... but it was giving them telemetry data." With data again flowing, and with more switch throws by Bean and his crewmates during the remainder of the ascent into Earth orbit, the spacecraft recovered and was able to continue on its planned path to the moon. Surveyor III, I presume Five days after their launch, Bean and Conrad left Gordon in orbit about the moon on the command module "Yankee Clipper" and landed the lunar module "Intrepid" in the Ocean of Storms on the moon. "My, that Sun is bright," remarked Bean as he took his first steps onto the surface. Unlike Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin who preceded them to the moon on Apollo 11 four months earlier, Conrad and Bean had made a precision landing, touching down within walking distance of a target. "There that thing is! Look at that!" exclaimed Bean, spotting the Surveyor 3 robotic lander, which NASA had sent to the moon in 1967. During the second of two moonwalks together, Bean and Conrad retrieved several pieces of the Surveyor, which they returned to Earth for study, along with some 75 pounds (35 kilograms) of moon rock that they collected along the way. [Apollo 12: NASA's Pinpoint Moon Landing in Photos] Bean also left something of his behind. Stepping away from Intrepid to the lip of a large crater, Bean tossed his silver astronaut pin, a symbol worn by those who had yet to fly in space. (He would replace it with a gold pin after returning to Earth.) "It'll be there for millions and millions of years," wrote Bean in 2000, "or until some tourist finds it and brings it back to Earth." Bean, Conrad and Gordon splashed down in the Pacific Ocean on Nov. 24, 1969. Like the Apollo 11 crew before them, the three were recovered by the USS Hornet aircraft carrier and quarantined for 21 days as a precaution against any possibility of "moon germs." A new frontier Bean's second space mission was six times as long as Apollo 12 had been and it covered a distance 100 times that of the Earth to the moon. Beginning with a launch on a Saturn IB rocket on July 28, 1973, Bean led the crew of Skylab II (or Skylab 3) of Owen Garriott and Jack Lousma for a 59-day stay on the United States' first space station. "We now hold the world record for space flight," wrote Bean in his in-flight diary on Aug. 25, 1973. "We will be half [way] into our mission tomorrow night." During their time aboard the orbital workshop, Bean, Garriott and Lousma carried out medical and biological experiments (including observing web formation with a pair of cross spiders named Arabella and Anita) and made observations of Earth and the sun. [Skylab: America's 1st Space Station in Pictures] On the second of the mission's two spacewalks, Bean and Garriott went outside of the space station to collect experiments and replace film cassettes. "Great EVA today all happy tonight," Bean recorded in his diary. The three crew members undocked their Apollo command module and returned to Earth on Sept. 25, 1973. In flight Skylab II commander Alan Bean spacewalking outside Skylab, the United States first space station. (Image credit: NASA) Alan LaVern Bean was born on March 15, 1932 in Wheeler, Texas. Bean received his Bachelor of Science degree in aeronautical engineering from the University of Texas in 1955. A Navy ROTC (Reserve Officer Training Corps) student, Bean was commissioned as an ensign upon graduation. Following flight training, he was assigned to a jet attack squadron in Jacksonville, Florida, where he served for four years before reporting to the U.S. Navy Test Pilot School at Patuxent River, Maryland. As a test pilot, he logged 5,500 hours of flying time in 27 different types of aircraft. "When I was doing that, the space program was born Al Shepard, John Glenn and others and when I saw them doing that, I thought, 'Wow! I never thought of this, but this is just an extension of what I'm doing. It looks like it'd be more fun,'" Bean told a NASA interviewer in 1998. After his astronaut selection, but before his assignment to Apollo 12, Bean served alongside Clifton "CC" Williams on the backup crew for the Gemini 10 mission in 1966 and the support crew for Conrad's and Gordon's Gemini 11 mission later that year. Bean was then relegated to the Apollo Applications Program, a development effort that would eventually produce the Skylab space station. "I wanted to go to Apollo. Everybody did, but I wasn't fitting in," Bean admitted. "So I got shuffled over there, and I then didn't learn that much either, other than I was out in left field and I just had to accept it and had to make the best of it." Then tragedy struck. Williams, who was assigned to fly with Conrad and Gordon to the moon, was killed in a jet crash on Oct. 5, 1967. In the wake of the accident, Conrad personally requested that Bean fly with him as the Apollo 12 lunar module pilot. After flying to the moon and living on board Skylab, Bean served as the backup to the commander of the U.S. side of the 1975 Apollo-Soyuz Test Project jointly flown with the Soviet Union. That's how it felt to walk on the moon In October 1975, Bean retired from the Navy with the rank of Captain but stayed at NASA through June 1981, leading the astronaut candidate operations and training group as the first of the space shuttle astronauts were recruited in 1978 and 1980. Bean also served as acting chief of the Astronaut Office while John Young was off training for STS-1, the first launch of the shuttle program. Around that time, Bean began considering what he would do next. "Was I going to fly the shuttle?" he asked himself. "I was doing all the things you do to be a shuttle commander. I was getting as much simulator time as anybody, flying the Shuttle Training Aircraft, flying T-38 [jets] and everything like that." "I was thinking, 'I don't know what to do.' But finally I decided that they had enough good young men and women that could fly the space shuttle as good as I could or better," he told a NASA interviewer in 1998. An aspiring artist since he took a fine art class as a student at the Navy Test Pilot School, Bean followed the advice of a friend and decided to leave NASA and try his hand at becoming a professional painter focusing on the things he saw and felt while exploring the moon. "I had a skill, and an experience, and I said, 'in my opinion someone needs to do this job, to record this great human adventure in fine art so that it will remain,'" he recalled. "It doesn't replace the movies, it doesn't replace the books other people write. But it was a great enough event in human history that recording it this way is something that only I am interested in doing, but it's worth doing." Bean's approach to his paintings was to blend an eye for technical accuracy with an impressionistic use of color. His subjects included landscapes that he first-hand witnessed, the activities of his fellow Apollo astronauts and fantasy scenes based on what he thought could have or should have been possible. Bean further set his creations apart by embedding small pieces of his moon-dust-stained mission patches in his acrylic paint and texturing his canvas using the sole of a replica lunar boot and the head of a geology hammer he used on the moon. "Every painting that I do, I put that texture, get those moon boots and all that other texture. Then I sprinkle a little bit of the patch in there so that symbolically there's dust from the Ocean of Storms," he described. Remembrance of a moonwalk At the time of his death, his online collection index listed more than 160 paintings. More than 40 of those works were exhibited by the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC in 2009 in celebration of the 40th anniversary of the Apollo 11 and 12 moon landings. A mural of one his paintings, "Reaching for the Stars," adorned the entrance wall to the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame in Florida from 1990 through 2015. Bean's art was also published in two collections: "Apollo: An Eyewitness Account By Astronaut/Explorer Artist/Moonwalker" (Greenwich Workshop Press, 1998) and "Painting Apollo: First Artist on Another World" (Smithsonian Books, 2009), both of which were written with Andrew Chaikin. For his service to his country, Bean was awarded distinguished service medals by the Navy and NASA. He shared in the Robert J. Collier Trophy in 1973 and Robert H. Goddard Memorial Trophy in 1975 as part of the Skylab team. Bean was inducted into the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame in 1997 and the National Aviation Hall of Fame in 2010. Bean was the last living member of the Apollo 12 crew. He was preceded in death by Conrad in 1999 and Gordon in 2017. With Bean's death, only four of the twelve Apollo moonwalkers are still alive: Buzz Aldrin (Apollo 11), David Scott (Apollo 15), Charles Duke (Apollo 16) and Harrison Schmitt (Apollo 17). He is survived by his wife Leslie, a sister Paula Stott, and two children from a prior marriage, a daughter Amy Sue and son Clay. See more photographs of Alan Bean, Apollo 12 and Skylab II astronaut, at collectSPACE. Follow collectSPACE.com on Facebook and on Twitter at @collectSPACE. Copyright 2018 collectSPACE.com. All rights reserved. Paris, May 26, 2018 (SPS) - Moroccos accusation against Iran for facilitating weapon delivery to the Polisario Front, via Lebanese movement Hezbollah is a complete fabrication of Moroccans, affirmed an Arab diplomat, cited by Le Monde. It is a complete fabrication of Moroccans who are able to find any pretext to refuse resuming negotiations with the Polisario Front, said the Arab diplomat who remains anonymous, cited in an analysis of Le Monde paper which came out on Thursday, to try to explain the reasons behind the breaking-off by Morocco of its diplomatic relations with Iran. Morocco accusation, dubbed allegation, was categorically denied by Teheran, affirming that this affair is totally unfounded. Moroccos ambassador was summoned by the Algerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs which informed him of the Algerian authorities rejection of the totally unfounded statement, implicating indirectly Algeria. For its part, the Polisario Front, the legitimate representative of the Sahrawi people, firmly condemned the irresponsible, shameless and false Moroccan allegations which show Moroccos attempts to shirk implementing the decision of the Security Council 2414 concerning the continuation of direct negotiations between the two sides. The Arab diplomat, cited by Le Monde, said that Rabat had already accused the Polisario to hold ties with al-Qaeda, two or three years ago, pointing out that this diplomatic crisis allowed the kingdom to please its sponsors of the Gulf countries. (SPS) 062/SPS/APS iStock/Thinkstock(NOBLESVILLE, Ind.) -- When a middle school boy allegedly opened fire at his Indiana school, the science teacher immediately ran and tackled him to the ground, one student in the classroom told ABC News. The suspected shooter, a student at Noblesville West Middle School, asked to be excused from class Friday morning and then returned to the room armed with two handguns, Noblesville police said. "He pulled the gun out of his pocket and everyone started screaming, and trying to get behind stuff, like the desks and tables. And he started shooting," seventh-grader Ethan Stonebraker, 13, told ABC News. The teacher had a basketball in his hands and immediately launched it at the gunman, and then ran toward the bullets, Ethan said. "Immediately [teacher] Mr. [Jason] Seaman was yelling and running right at him and tackled him to the ground," Ethan said. "I was trying to stay crouched behind the back table, but also see whats going on and thats when [Mr. Seaman] was running right at him with this arms in front of him, and then he just tackled him against the wall. "Then they were on the ground after [Mr. Seaman] swatted the gun from him and he just laid on the shooter so he couldnt do anything," Ethan said. "We got behind the back table in the corner of the room, and most people were just crouched covering their heads, but some people were trying to peer over the table and make sure they could see whats going on." The teacher and one student were shot and hospitalized, police said. The science teacher was struck three times and underwent surgery, according to a Facebook post by his mother. By Saturday he had been discharged from Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis and was photographed at Noblesville West Middle School shaking hands with U.S. Rep. Susan W. Brooks. The local politician praised him for his bravery. Jason Seaman selflessly put himself in harms way to protect his students and it is because of his heroic actions more students were not hurt," she said, according to a release. Seamans wife, Colette Seaman, provided an initial statement to ABC News on behalf of her husband: First of all, thank you to the first responders from Noblesville and Fishers for their immediate action and care. I want to let everyone know that I was injured but am doing great. To all the students, you are all wonderful and I thank you for your support. You are the reason I teach. The suspect, who wasn't injured and was not identified, was taken into custody, police said. "Hes very brave, hes a hero today," Ethan said of his teacher. "And he did something that most people would never dare to do. "If it wasnt for him ... a lot of us could have been hurt," Ethan continued. "He pretty much protected all of us and its something that you couldnt ask more of." Ethan described the suspected gunman as "a nice kid most of the times." "Hes funny, making jokes with most kids and stuff," Ethan said. "Hes in all my classes and its just a shock that he would do something like that." Ethan said he never thought a school shooting "would somehow get that close to you." "But then when it happens you want it to somehow be prevented from happening again," he said. "You want laws passed or more security." Copyright 2018, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. Democratic members of Congress are pushing back against a proposal from U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos that would scrap the federal office that guides education policy and practice for millions of English-language-learner and immigrant students. The lawmakers want DeVos to rethink a proposal that would consolidate her departments office English-language acquisition into the broader office for elementary and secondary education. There are an estimated 5 million English-learners in public K-12 schools in the United States, and their academic proficiency and high school graduation rates lag behind those of their native English-speaking peers. English-learner advocates have concerns that DeVos proposal would undermine efforts to improve education for an already underserved groupand members of Congress agree. Maintaining a separate office that addresses the unique needs of English-learners is also necessary to meet obligations under the landmark Supreme Court case (Lau v. Nichols) that ensures equal access to education for the countrys ELs. Without a seat at the table, the needs of ELs are likely to be ignored, the May 24 letter to DeVos reads. These reorganization efforts only further highlight our continued concerns about this administrations vitriolic rhetoric about individuals in this country who speak another language. The letter comes just days after DeVos created a stir by suggesting that decisions on whether to report undocumented students to authorities rest with local communities. While DeVos later backtracked on her statement, it drew a strong rebuke from civil rights and immigration groups that argued it stoked the fears of immigrant and Spanish-speaking students in the nations schools. Across the nation, educators have reported that the Trump administrations immigration enforcement policies have hurt student academics, attendance, and well-being . The Education Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the letter from Congress. At least eight members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, including U.S. Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada, signed the memo. Fourteen other U.S. senators signed as well, including both senators from California, Diane Feinstein and Kamala Harris. Roughly one in four K-12 public school students in the Golden State are English-learners. The congressional letter is the second DeVos has received this month with grave concerns about the education of the nations English-learners. An 18-group coalition wrote to her several weeks back asking her to pour more resources into the office of English-language acquisition . Despite the concerns of Congress and advocacy groups, the department seems ready to forge ahead with plans to scrap the office. Deputy Secretary Mick Zais responded to the coalition letter this week, outlining the departments goals. The department says the shift is part of a broader effort by DeVos and her deputies to revamp the agency . Once implemented, the department knows that its proposed changes will enhance department operations and leverage resources to better serve English-learner students and their families, Zais wrote to the organizations. I want to assure you that we are committed to maintaining an effective OELA, and complying with the law relevant to OELA, in any future organization of the department. We commend your advocacy for English-learners and all that you do on behalf of the students of our great nation. Several advocacy groups contacted by Education Week insist that Zais letter brushed aside their concerns. The proposal also calls for eliminating the directors position for the English-learner office, a job currently held by Jose Viana. On the surface, it appears DeVos would need the approval of Congress to enact the plan because federal law requires that the office have a director who reports directly to the education secretary. During a May 22 hearing on Capitol Hill, U.S. Rep. Raul Grijvala asked DeVos whether she would seek Congress authorization before restructuring the office of English-language acquisition. Wherever the law requires change, its up to Congress where to approve it or not, DeVos said. Heres a copy of the congressional letter: Bicameral Letter to Department of Education on OELA_5.24.2018 by corey_c_mitchell on Scribd Heres a copy of Zais response letter to the advocacy groups: OELA Reorganization Coalition USED Response May 2018 (003) by corey_c_mitchell on Scribd Related Stories Is Betsy DeVos About to Scrap the Federal Office for English-Language Learners? Ed. Department Focus on English-Learners Seen Waning Trumps Immigration Policies Hurting Academics and School Attendance, Survey Finds Photo Credit: President Donald Trump listens as U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos speaks during a meeting with parents and teachers at the White House Feb. 14, 2017. The event, which included a mix of public, private, and home-school parents and educators, was the first joint appearance for Trump and DeVos since she was sworn in after a bruising confirmation process. --Evan Vucci/AP A n 11-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of raping a seven-year-old boy in Dorset. The alleged attack happened outside in the village of Wool on May 14. Dorset Police confirmed in a statement that an 11-year-old boy had been arrested. The force said: Dorset Police is currently investigating a report of a rape in Wool. It was reported that the incident occurred on Monday, May 14, at an outside location. The victim, a seven-year-old boy, is being supported by specially-trained officers. An 11-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of rape and has been released under investigation to allow officers to establish the full circumstances around the incident. The mother of the alleged victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, told the Dorset Echo he was attacked while playing outside. A man has been rushed to hospital after he was stabbed near a busy Tube station in north London. Emergency services rushed to the scene of the incident close to Finsbury Park station early on Saturday morning. Police and paramedics were called just before 4.30am. They found a man, believed to be aged in his 30s, suffering from stab injuries on Blackstock Road near the junction with Seven Sisters Road. As officers tried to help him, they were forced to use CS spray on a second man who became obstructive. The stab victim has been taken to a north London hospital, Scotland Yard said. Police were unable to confirm how serious his injuries are. The second man did not require treatment and was arrested on suspicion of affray. He was taken to a north London police station where he remains in custody. A crime scene has been put in place, with images posted on social media showing a cordon and police car at the scene. Meanwhile a young man was slashed in the head in broad daylight on a residential road in Feltham, west London, on Friday evening. Police were called to reports of a stabbing in Southern Avenue shortly after 6pm. The 24-year-old victim was rushed to hospital. His injuries are not believed to be life threatening, police said. H undreds of protesters have descended on Whitehall to demonstrate against Tommy Robinsons arrest for 'breaching the peace' outside a courthouse. Whitehall had to be closed to traffic as a huge group gathered outside Downing Street on Saturday afternoon, chanting Mr Robinsons name. It comes after the founder of the English Defence League was apprehended by police while streaming a Facebook live video outside a grooming trial in Leeds on Friday morning. In the footage, he can be seen being led to the back of a van and asking Am I being arrested? I'm 'causing a breach of peace'...I'm being arrested for breaching the peace. The incident has triggered a furious reaction from his fans, who could be heard chanting shame on you outside Whitehall. Footage showed one man being lifted up to the top of the gates before turning to the crowd and pumping his fist. Tommy Robinson, the founder of the English Defence League, was arrested after filming a video outside a courtroom / PA Archive/PA Images Police officers could be seen attempting to keep the demonstration under control as violence threatened to break out at one point, with some protesters pushing officers. Many protesters could be seen holding aloft #FreeTommy signs or waving flags, including the St Georges Cross, the Union Jack and the UKIP logo. One woman held a cardboard sign which read: Free the truth teller. Free Tommy. The protest later moved down the road to Parliament Square. Meanwhile, almost 70,000 people have signed a petition calling for Mr Robinson to be freed. P olice have launched an urgent search for a 13-year-old girl who left the country after disappearing on her way to school. Serena Alexander-Benson, from Wimbledon, south west London, left the UK on a Eurotunnel train on Friday "probably in the company of an older person", police said. Scotland Yard said it was concerned about her welfare. She was last seen by her father that day when she left for school. The force added that although Serena lives with her father in London, her mother lives in Poland. She left the country via Eurotunnel at Folkestone in Kent and was wearing a green school blazer with her dark brown hair tied up. T he entire southern UK has been put on alert with torrential downpours and severe thunderstorms forecast over the coming days. The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning across southern England and Wales for the whole of Saturday and Sunday and into Monday, with lightning strikes, hail and strong winds possible. It comes with temperatures set to soar as high as 30C in Britain over the bank holiday weekend. Northern parts of the country, in particular Scotland, are expected to see the best of sunshine. Forecaster Marco Petagna told the Standard: There is a bit of a north/south split over the coming days. Scotland and Northern Ireland will see the best of the dry and sunny weather. England and Wales will be warm and humid, with some sunshine at times but we are already seeing outbreaks of rain. People need to be prepared for some heavy and thundery downpours. Temperatures could possibly reach 25 or 26C in the south east today, with similar temperatures in parts of Scotland. Hot weather May 2018 1 /14 Hot weather May 2018 People take part in a game of beach volleyball on Boscombe beach in Dorset PA People enjoy the warm weather on Boscombe beach in Dorset PA A woman reads a book in Regent's Park PA The sun rises over the City of London, as seen from Richmond Park PA The sun rises over the City of London, as seen from Richmond Park PA People enjoy the sun in Regent's Park London PA People enjoy the sun in Regent's Park London PA Sun worshippers enjoy the warm weather on Boscombe beach and take a dip in the sea in Dorset PA People sit by the lake in Regent's Park PA A jogger runs through rapeseed fields near Stathern in the Vale of Belvoir, Leicestershire PA People on the boating lake in Victoria Park in east London PA Sun worshippers enjoy the warm weather on Boscombe beach in Dorset PA A woman sunbathes in Regent's Park London PA A woman sunbathes whilst reading a book in Kings Cross PA A yellow weather warning has been issued from the early hours of Saturday until 6am on Monday, however Mr Petagna said it could be extended further. There is a warning for southern England and Wales today and tomorrow and Monday, with some torrential rain forecast and a risk of flooding in places," he said. There is scope for some intense storms pushing up overnight tonight. In the north the fine weather will continue into tomorrow but some storms could push further north. The best of the weather will be in the north and east of Scotland. UK Weather: Beast from the East freeze - In pictures 1 /64 UK Weather: Beast from the East freeze - In pictures Snow storm over London NPASLondon/Twitter The frozen canal at Little Venice, London Jeremy Selwyn A multi-car collision on the M66 NEAR Ramsbottom and Bury Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) Ice climbers at Kinder Downfall, High Peak in Derbyshire PA RFA Tidespring battles powerful weather conditions sparked by the Beast from the East EPA/Ministry of Defence Members of 1st Battalion Welsh Guards take part in a snow ball fight prior to the combined St David's Day celebration and pre-deployment service at Elizabeth Barracks, Pirbright, Surrey PA A police car on fire on the M62 near Huddersfield. PA Andrea Geile skies along Princes Street in Edinburgh PA Heavy snowfall hits St Paul's Cathedral Zuma / Splash News Storm clouds over Dublin Bay PA Paddington Station today Jeremy Selwyn The M876 to Glasgow is closed PA A man walks in the snowy conditions in Larbert PA Edinburgh Castle in the snow PA Members of the public make their way through snow the streets in Alexandria, Scotland Getty Images Jock the Shih Tzu plays in the snow Getty Images Waterloo Station tracks covered in snow Jeremy Selwyn A man clears snow in Alexandria, Scotland Getty Images Snow-covered members of the public walk through heavy snow in Westminster Getty Images A stranded car covered in snow in Whitley Bay in Tyne and Wear PA Police push a car on the on the M80 Haggs in Glasgow PA A blizzard hit Trafalgar Square School children from Wearhead Primary School, in County Durham, which stands more than 1,100 feet (335m) above sea level and which remained open despite blizzards thanks to teachers battling through the elements and a parent with a digger PA Snow continues to fall in Westminster Jeremy Selwyn A man clears snow from a car in Larbert PA Fabio Fodaro cycles during a blizzard at Helix Park in Falkirk PA The scene on the M80 Haggs in Glasgow PA Police push a car on the on the M80 Haggs in Glasgow PA Huge crowds outside Oxford Circus Tube station @_kathyharvey People walk in the snow on Horse Guards Parade Reuters Whiteout: Londoners brave the snow in Piccadilly Circus Tony Villalon Three-year-old Wilfred Martin, enjoys sledding in the snow in Richmond Park, Londo PA Victor the polar bear enjoys the snow at the Yorkshire Wildlife Park in Doncaster PA Giant waves crash over Seaham lighthouse near Durham as the "Beast from the East" brings heavy snow and freezing temperatures to much of the country PA Spectacular sunrise over Canary Wharf James Burns/London from the Rooftops Vehicles get stuck on a hill on the A30 near Land's End in Cornwall following heavy snow that made driving conditions difficult PA Battersea looking beautiful in the snow Hatty Collier People walk their dogs on Blyth Beach in Northumberland PA A swimmer braves the snowy conditions at King Edwards bay near Tynemouth PA Frozen foutains at Trafalgar Square Jeremy Selwyn Stationary traffic on the M20 near Ashford, Kent PA Pedestrians cross Whitehall as snow falls AP Pedestrians walk across millennium bridge in front of St Paul's as heavy snowfall hits London AFP/Getty Images A snow-covered Tube train early today Londoners woke to wintry scenes Jeremy Selwyn A lorry shed its load on the M20 overnight Kent Police RPU Snow falls on Wimbledon Common Alex Lentati A London bus travels through the snow in Oxford street EPA Snow surrounds the Angel of the North in Gateshead PA People walk past Buckingham Palac PA People walk along Bankside, London in the snow PA Snow at Horse guards in London Jeremy Selwyn Rare snow seen at Brighton Beach James Mayes Toby Stanton walks to school in Ashford, Kent, as heavy snowfall is affecting roads across the UK PA Highways England/Twitter Cars travel through Great Chart in Ashford, Kent PA A Eurostar train passes through Ashford, Kent PA Vehicles on the M20 between Junctions 8 and 9, as heavy snowfall is affecting roads across the UK PA A double decker bus carefully makes it way through the snowfall in London Jeremy Selwyn Cars drive through falling snow on the A41 in Hemel Hempstead Jeremy Selwyn Parents walk their children to school in Ashford, Kent PA Newcastle Quayside following heavy overnight snowfall PA Walkers in the snow near to Another Place by Anthony Gormley, on Crosby Beech near LiverpooL PA Fishing boats moored in Scarborough harbour PA Commuters battle the snoiw across London Bridge Jeremy Selwyn Temperatures will continue to increase over the course of the bank holiday weekend, and could even reach 30C on Monday. Mr Petanga said: By Monday temperatures could reach 30C in the south. It is unlikely to break the record for second May bank holiday that was 32.8C in 1944 "In the south there will be sunshine at times for the south and west of England but there is a further risk of rain, although not quite as intense as today and tomorrow. Scotland will see more dry weather again but an easterly breeze could bring in some cloud. The best of the sunny weather will in the north west of Scotland. On Tuesday and Wednesday we will still see some very warm weather. However in England and Wales heavy thundery showers continue. C ounting has begun in Ireland's historic abortion referendum which looks to have delivered a landslide win for the Yes vote, after two major exit polls recorded huge victory margins. One poll by national broadcaster RTE suggested almost 70% of the electorate sided with the Yes camp. Another poll by The Irish Times recorded 68% in favour of ending the country's all but blanket ban on terminations. The formal result is due later this afternoon, however early indications suggest Ireland is on the cusp of a defining moment in its social history. A Yes supporter dons a T-shirt ahead of the expected landslide win for legalising abortion / REUTERS The polling data suggests a huge gulf in views held by Ireland's youngest and oldest generations. A woman campaigns for the Yes vote in Dublin / REUTERS Both exit surveys recorded support for the Yes camp at approaching 90% among 18 to 24-year-olds. By contrast, the over-65 group was the only age bracket to vote No, with around 60% wanting to retain the Eighth Amendment. Urban areas appear to have been more strongly in favour of repeal, at just over 70%. Indian dentist Savita Halappanavar died in hospital in Galway aged 31 when she was refused an abortion during a miscarriage / REUTERS But according to the polls, rural areas also voted Yes, with around 60 to 63% in favour. Dublin had the highest Yes vote of around 78%. In Leinster, just under two-thirds of voters (66%) backed liberalisation, with a similar figure in Munster. In Connacht/Ulster, the figure was slightly lower at around 61%. A voter leaves a polling station in Dublin / Getty Images Taoiseach Leo Varadkar thanked voters for taking part in the referendum, tweeting: "It's looking like we will make history tomorrow". Ireland's deputy premier, Tanaiste Simon Coveney said the referendum had made him "proud to be Irish". "Thank you to everybody who voted today - democracy can be so powerful on days like today - looks like a stunning result that will bring about a fundamental change for the better," he tweeted late on Friday night. Ireland votes for abortion reform in historic referendum, exit poll suggests Health minister Simon Harris tweeted: "Will sleep tonight in the hope of waking up to a country that is more compassionate, more caring and more respectful." The leader of the Alliance Party in Northern Ireland, Naomi Long, said it appeared to be an "incredible result for #together4yes #repealthe8th". She tweeted: "Eyes will now turn to us: yet again a place apart. Behind GB. Behind Ireland." UK Minister for Women and Equalities Penny Mordaunt said it was a "historic & great day for Ireland, & a hopeful one for Northern Ireland". Prominent No campaigner Cora Sherlock expressed disappointment at the polls. "Exit polls, if accurate, paint a very sad state of affairs tonight," she tweeted late on Friday. Loading.... "But those who voted No should take heart. Abortion on demand would deal Ireland a tragic blow but the pro-life movement will rise to any challenge it faces. Let's go into tomorrow with this in mind." Voters make their way to and from a polling station situated at St Anne's national school in Dublin / Getty Images Thousands of Irish citizens living overseas travelled home in droves to exercise their democratic right on the emotive issue. The vote saw citizens effectively opt to either retain or repeal the Eighth Amendment of the state's constitution, which prohibits terminations unless a mother's life is in danger. Ireland PM Leo Varadkar casts his vote in Dublin / PA The specific question people were asked was whether they wanted to see the Eighth Amendment replaced with wording in the constitution that would hand politicians the responsibility to set future laws on abortion, unhindered by constitutional strictures. If the Yes vote is confirmed, the Irish Government intends to legislate by the end of the year to make it relatively easy for a woman to obtain the procedure in early pregnancy. A mother pushes a pram past a placard for the NO campaign in Dublin / Getty Images Ministers have promised to allow terminations within the first 12 weeks, subject to medical advice and a cooling-off period, and between 12 and 24 weeks in exceptional circumstances. The Behaviour & Attitudes poll for RTE surveyed 3,800 people at 175 polling stations across the country. With a margin of error of +/- 1.6%, 69.4% voted to repeal the Eight Amendment of the constitution while 30.6% voted No. The exit poll conducted for The Irish Times indicated a 68% to 32% Yes vote. That poll saw 4,000 voters interviewed by Ipsos/MRBI as they left 160 polling stations on Friday. The margin of error is estimated at +/- 1.5%, the newspaper said. The polling data suggests a huge gulf in views held by Ireland's youngest and oldest generations. Both exit surveys recorded support for the Yes camp at approaching 90% among 18 to 24-year-olds. By contrast, the over-65 group was the only age bracket to vote No, with around 60% wanting to retain the Eighth Amendment. A total of 3.3 million citizens were registered to vote in Friday's referendum. The Catholic Church was among influential voices calling for a No vote, arguing that the life of the unborn should be sacrosanct. The Yes camp, which portrayed itself as modernising and in step with international opinion, said repeal would demonstrate Ireland's compassion for thousands of Irish women forced to travel to England for the procedure. The debate during eight weeks of campaigning was emotive and divisive. While the leaders of all the main political parties backed change, there were also many vocal and high profile advocates for the retention of the Eighth. The amendment is a clause in the Irish constitution which was written after a previous referendum on the issue in 1983 recognised the right to life of the unborn child. It protects the equal right to life of the mother and the unborn and effectively prohibits abortion in most cases. In 1992, women in Ireland were officially given the right to travel abroad, mostly to the UK, to obtain terminations. Pro-repeal campaigners say almost 170,000 have done so. The liberalisation campaign gathered momentum in 2012 after an Indian dentist, Savita Halappanavar, died in hospital in Galway aged 31 when she was refused an abortion during a miscarriage. Her husband, Praveen Halappanavar, said she repeatedly asked for a termination but was refused because there was a foetal heartbeat. In 2013, following an outcry over Mrs Halappanavar's death, legislation was amended to allow terminations under certain tightly restricted circumstances - the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Act. When doctors felt a woman's life was at risk due to complications from the pregnancy, or from suicide, they were permitted to carry out an abortion. U S President Donald Trump has hailed the release of an American citizen who had spent nearly two years behind bars accused of weapons charges in Venezuela. Utah resident Joshua Holt had gone to Venezuela in June 2016 to marry a woman he met online while looking for Spanish-speaking Mormons. He was later arrested on suspicion of stockpiling weapons. President Trump tweeted today: "Good news about the release of the American hostage from Venezuela. "The great people of Utah will be very happy!" Mr Holt and his wife were freed from detention in Caracas and are expected to land in the US this evening. Senator Orrin Hatch said he had secured the release of Mr Holt. "Senator Hatch has secured the release of Utahn Josh Holt from Venezuela," his office said in a statement posted online. P ro life campaigners have conceded defeat in a landmark referendum on abortion in Ireland. The Save the 8th campaign, who want the existing ban on abortion in Ireland to remain in place, conceded defeat as counting was underway in the Irish referendum. Exit polls showed a landmark victory for the Yes camp, with early predictions giving them as much as 70 per cent of the vote. As the law stands, abortion in Ireland is illegal except for emergency medical intervention to save the mother's life. Indian dentist Savita Halappanavar died in hospital in Galway aged 31 when she was refused an abortion during a miscarriage / REUTERS Millions of people headed to the polls to vote yesterday in an effort to have the law changed. In a statement, Save the 8th communications director John McGuirk said: "The unborn child no longer has a right to life recognised by the Irish state. Shortly, legislation will be introduced that will allow babies to be killed in our country. We will oppose that legislation." Ireland PM Leo Varadkar casts his vote in Dublin / PA "If and when abortion clinics are opened in Ireland, because of the inability of the Government to keep their promise about a GP led service, we will oppose that as well. "Every time an unborn child has his or her life ended in Ireland, we will oppose that, and make our voices known." Earlier an exit poll by national broadcaster RTE suggested almost 70% of the electorate sided with the Yes camp. A voter leaves a polling station in Dublin / Getty Images Another poll by The Irish Times recorded 68% in favour of ending the country's all but blanket ban on terminations. The formal result is due later this afternoon. The polling data suggests a huge gulf in views held by Ireland's youngest and oldest generations. Voters make their way to and from a polling station situated at St Anne's national school in Dublin / Getty Images Both exit surveys recorded support for the Yes camp at approaching 90% among 18 to 24-year-olds. By contrast, the over-65 group was the only age bracket to vote No, with around 60% wanting to retain the Eighth Amendment. Urban areas appear to have been more strongly in favour of repeal, at just over 70%. But according to the polls, rural areas also voted Yes, with around 60 to 63% in favour. Dublin had the highest Yes vote of around 78%. A mother pushes a pram past a placard for the NO campaign in Dublin / Getty Images In Leinster, just under two-thirds of voters (66%) backed liberalisation, with a similar figure in Munster. In Connacht/Ulster, the figure was slightly lower at around 61%. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar thanked voters for taking part in the referendum, tweeting: "It's looking like we will make history tomorrow". A woman campaigns for the Yes vote in Dublin / REUTERS Ireland's deputy premier, Tanaiste Simon Coveney said the referendum had made him "proud to be Irish" "Thank you to everybody who voted today - democracy can be so powerful on days like today - looks like a stunning result that will bring about a fundamental change for the better," he tweeted late on Friday night. Health minister Simon Harris tweeted: "Will sleep tonight in the hope of waking up to a country that is more compassionate, more caring and more respectful." A Yes supporter dons a T-shirt ahead of the expected landslide win for legalising abortion / REUTERS The leader of the Alliance Party in Northern Ireland, Naomi Long, said it appeared to be an "incredible result for #together4yes #repealthe8th". She tweeted: "Eyes will now turn to us: yet again a place apart. Behind GB. Behind Ireland." UK Minister for Women and Equalities Penny Mordaunt said it was a "historic & great day for Ireland, & a hopeful one for Northern Ireland". Ireland votes for abortion reform in historic referendum, exit poll suggests Prominent No campaigner Cora Sherlock expressed disappointment at the polls. "Exit polls, if accurate, paint a very sad state of affairs tonight," she tweeted late on Friday. "But those who voted No should take heart. Abortion on demand would deal Ireland a tragic blow but the pro-life movement will rise to any challenge it faces. Let's go into tomorrow with this in mind." Thousands of Irish citizens living overseas travelled home in droves to exercise their democratic right on the emotive issue. The vote saw citizens effectively opt to either retain or repeal the Eighth Amendment of the state's constitution, which prohibits terminations unless a mother's life is in danger. The specific question people were asked was whether they wanted to see the Eighth Amendment replaced with wording in the constitution that would hand politicians the responsibility to set future laws on abortion, unhindered by constitutional strictures. Ministers have promised to allow terminations within the first 12 weeks, subject to medical advice and a cooling-off period, and between 12 and 24 weeks in exceptional circumstances. The liberalisation campaign gathered momentum in 2012 after an Indian dentist, Savita Halappanavar, died in hospital in Galway aged 31 when she was refused an abortion during a miscarriage. Her husband, Praveen Halappanavar, said she repeatedly asked for a termination but was refused because there was a foetal heartbeat. In 2013, following an outcry over Mrs Halappanavar's death, legislation was amended to allow terminations under certain tightly restricted circumstances - the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Act. When doctors felt a woman's life was at risk due to complications from the pregnancy, or from suicide, they were permitted to carry out an abortion. I reland has voted 'resoundingly' in favour of overhauling its abortion laws in a historic referendum. The final result was announced on Saturday evening with the Yes campaign winning 66.4 per cent of the votes, and No getting 33.6 per cent. Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said the country is united and voted "resoundingly" in favour of yes in the abortion referendum. Voters' ballots were counted on Saturday on whether to change Ireland's Eighth Amendment which makes abortions illegal except where the mother's life is at risk. Loading.... As the count was underway, pro-life leaders conceded defeat in the vote after exit polls predicted almost 70 per cent of people said Yes to repealing the law. The first constituency to declare was Galway East, in Ireland's west with 60.19% for Yes and 39.81% for No. Ireland abortion referendum - In pictures 1 /21 Ireland abortion referendum - In pictures Yes voters cheer at a counting centre in Dublin PA Votes are tallied in Ireland's historic referendum PA Two women wait for the results to come in PA Members of the public hold yes placards on Fairview road as the country heads to polling stations Getty Images A woman takes a picture of a mural in Dublin's city centre by art group Subset calling for 'Repeal The 8th' ahead of the referendum on the 8th Amendment of the Irish Constitution on May 25th PA Sandra Caulfield, whose daughter Hope Rose died at nine days old after she was diagnosed with Edwards syndrome when Ms Caulfield was 14 weeks pregnant, following a Save the 8th press conference ahead of the referendum on the 8th Amendment of the Irish Constitution on May 25th PA A woman walks past a pro-life poster in the city centre of Dublin, Ireland Reuters A woman sits in front of a pro-life poster in the city centre of Dublin, Ireland Reuters Martin McBreen and his daughter Grace, aged 3, and Monica Hadarean and son Cris, whose children both have Downs Syndrome, and were encouraged to have an abortion as they were told their children wouldn't survive attend a Pro-Life press event ahead of a 25th May referendum on abortion law, in Dublin, Ireland Reuters A man (name not given) arrives at the polling station in Knock National school, Mayo, as the country goes to the polls to vote in the referendum on the 8th Amendment of the Irish Constitution PA Garda Alan Gallagher and Presiding Officer Carmel McBride carry the polling box for the referendum on liberalising abortion law a day early for the few people that live off the coast of Donegal on the island of Inishbofin, Ireland Getty Images Election warehouse manager Michael Leonard checks the seals on ballot boxes that are ready for delivery to polling stations ahead of the referendum on the 8th Amendment of the Irish Constitution, in Dublin PA An abortion debate that's inflamed passions in Ireland for decades comes down to a single question: yes or no? AP Pro-life campaigners argue voting 'no' is about safeguarding human rights AFP/Getty Images Activists have been urging people to vote 'no' in Friday's referendum AFP/Getty Images 'Vote yes': Pro-repeal campaigners in Dublin make their message heard with a sign bearing the face of Savita Halappanavar, who died after being denied a termination PA Campaign: a pro-choice mural in Dublin featuring Savita Halappanavar, who died after being refused an abortion PA Pro-Choice activists dress up as characters from the Handmaid's Tale in a City centre demonstration ahead Friday's vote Reuters Protesters hold up placards during the London March for Choice, calling for the legalising of abortion in Ireland after the referendum announcement, outside the Embassy of Ireland in central London AFP/Getty Images Protesters hold up placards as they take part in the March for Choice, calling for the legalising of abortion in Ireland after the referendum announcement, in Dublin AFP/Getty Images Vote: A man and child walk past a sign for a polling station ahead of a 25th May referendum on abortion law, in Dublin Reuters Mr Varadkar said Ireland was united - with men and women, nearly every age group and every social class opting for reform in Friday's referendum. Repeal campaigners smile as votes are counted in Ireland's referendum on abortion / Getty Images He campaigned for the change, which he said represented the compassionate choice for women forced to travel to England for terminations or taking unregulated abortion pills. He said: "The public have spoken, the result appears to be resounding in favour of repealing the Eighth Amendment, possibly to carry every constituency in the country." Women cheer at a vote count in Dublin / PA He said the results represented "the culmination of a quiet revolution", one that had been taking place in Ireland for the past 10 to 20 years. Counting under way as exit polls suggest landslide in abortion referendum "The people have spoken," Mr Varadkar said. "The people have said that we want a modern constitution for a modern country, that we trust women and we respect them to make the right decision and the right choices about their healthcare." An official oversees the count in the historic referendum / PA With polling data suggesting seven out of 10 voters backed reform, campaigners in favour suggested it meant a moment of profound change - when the nation had collectively stood up for women and their healthcare. The vote saw citizens effectively opt to either retain or repeal the Eighth Amendment of the state's constitution, which prohibits terminations unless a mother's life is in danger. Earlier, 'No' campaigners conceded defeat. A mural in Dublin's city centre by art group Subset calling for 'Repeal The 8th' / PA The Save the 8th campaign, who wanted the existing ban on abortion in Ireland to remain in place, conceded defeat as counting was underway. In a statement, Save the 8th communications director John McGuirk said: "The unborn child no longer has a right to life recognised by the Irish state. Shortly, legislation will be introduced that will allow babies to be killed in our country. We will oppose that legislation." "If and when abortion clinics are opened in Ireland, because of the inability of the Government to keep their promise about a GP led service, we will oppose that as well. Ireland PM Leo Varadkar casts his vote in Dublin / PA "Every time an unborn child has his or her life ended in Ireland, we will oppose that, and make our voices known." Earlier an exit poll by national broadcaster RTE suggested almost 70% of the electorate sided with the Yes camp. Another poll by The Irish Times recorded 68% in favour of ending the country's all but blanket ban on terminations. The formal result is due later this afternoon. A mother pushes a pram past a placard for the NO campaign in Dublin / Getty Images Both exit surveys recorded support for the Yes camp at approaching 90% among 18 to 24-year-olds. By contrast, the over-65 group was the only age bracket to vote No, with around 60% wanting to retain the Eighth Amendment. Urban areas appear to have been more strongly in favour of repeal, at just over 70%. But according to the polls, rural areas also voted Yes, with around 60 to 63% in favour. Voters make their way to and from a polling station situated at St Anne's national school in Dublin / Getty Images Dublin had the highest Yes vote of around 78%. Ireland's deputy premier, Tanaiste Simon Coveney said the referendum had made him "proud to be Irish" "Thank you to everybody who voted today - democracy can be so powerful on days like today - looks like a stunning result that will bring about a fundamental change for the better," he tweeted late on Friday night. A voter leaves a polling station in Dublin / Getty Images Health minister Simon Harris tweeted: "Will sleep tonight in the hope of waking up to a country that is more compassionate, more caring and more respectful." The leader of the Alliance Party in Northern Ireland, Naomi Long, said it appeared to be an "incredible result for #together4yes #repealthe8th". She tweeted: "Eyes will now turn to us: yet again a place apart. Behind GB. Behind Ireland." Loading.... UK Minister for Women and Equalities Penny Mordaunt said it was a "historic & great day for Ireland, & a hopeful one for Northern Ireland". Prominent No campaigner Cora Sherlock expressed disappointment at the polls. "Exit polls, if accurate, paint a very sad state of affairs tonight," she tweeted late on Friday. "But those who voted No should take heart. Abortion on demand would deal Ireland a tragic blow but the pro-life movement will rise to any challenge it faces. Let's go into tomorrow with this in mind." Thousands of Irish citizens living overseas travelled home in droves to exercise their democratic right on the emotive issue. The vote saw citizens effectively opt to either retain or repeal the Eighth Amendment of the state's constitution, which prohibits terminations unless a mother's life is in danger. The specific question people were asked was whether they wanted to see the Eighth Amendment replaced with wording in the constitution that would hand politicians the responsibility to set future laws on abortion, unhindered by constitutional strictures. Ministers have promised to allow terminations within the first 12 weeks, subject to medical advice and a cooling-off period, and between 12 and 24 weeks in exceptional circumstances. The liberalisation campaign gathered momentum in 2012 after an Indian dentist, Savita Halappanavar, died in hospital in Galway aged 31 when she was refused an abortion during a miscarriage. Her husband, Praveen Halappanavar, said she repeatedly asked for a termination but was refused because there was a foetal heartbeat. In 2013, following an outcry over Mrs Halappanavar's death, legislation was amended to allow terminations under certain tightly restricted circumstances - the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Act. When doctors felt a woman's life was at risk due to complications from the pregnancy, or from suicide, they were permitted to carry out an abortion. J ubilant celebrations have broken out in Ireland after the country voted to repeal its strict anti-abortion laws. Supporters of the triumphant Yes campaign took to the streets after the official results were announced on Saturday evening. The celebrations centred on Dublin Castle, where leader Leo Varadkar was in attendance as the result was read out following a day of counting. The public decided by a two-to-one landslide to repeal part of the state's constitution which effectively prohibits terminations unless a mother's life is endangered. Loading.... Taoiseach Leo Varadkar hailed the culmination of a "quiet revolution" and said a new law could be in place before the end of the year. About two million people voted and results showed urban dwellers and a significant proportion of rural voters backed repeal of the Eighth Amendment of the constitution. Joyous celebrations broke out at Dublin Castle where the result was announced / AP In parts of Dublin almost 80 per cent favoured liberalising restrictions on abortion in early pregnancy. About 170,000 Irish women have travelled to the UK and other places for the procedure since 1980. A car covered in the colours of the Yes campaign drives through the street / REUTERS Pollsters suggested the stories of women forced to travel or take illegal pills obtained on the internet helped sway public opinion, as well as the death of an Indian dentist denied the procedure while she miscarried. Thousands were in the Dublin Castle courtyard by the time the official results were announced shortly after about 6.15pm. Ireland votes Yes to repeal strict abortion laws in referendum Eighty-one-year-old campaigner Frank Crummey was marking the occasion with his wife Evelyn and their children and grandchildren. He said: "It means everything to me, because while I knew this day would come I honestly didn't think it would come in my lifetime, and now that it has I'm just elated. Irish people took to the streets to celebrate the result of the referendum / REUTERS "This is obviously my last campaign, my last crack, and I can die happy now." Minister for Health Simon Harris was cheered when he arrived at the castle, with women shaking his hand and thanking him. One woman carried a sign which read: "I fancy Simon Harris." Megan Holyland, 23, from Co Galway, said: "He's like my idol. "I just thanked him on behalf of everyone and the people of Ireland. This has been a long time coming." Loading.... Supporters ate After Eight chocolates and popped bottles of Champagne while waiting for the result to be announced. Some supporters dressed as angels, while hundreds wore jumpers and T-shirts with campaign slogan. Maeve Conway, 21, had decorated her dog Baby's harness with Yes badges. She said: "There's an array of emotions today. Happy, sad that it had to happen. For 35 years we were waiting for this. "It's a huge change for Irish women." Ireland abortion referendum - In pictures 1 /21 Ireland abortion referendum - In pictures Yes voters cheer at a counting centre in Dublin PA Votes are tallied in Ireland's historic referendum PA Two women wait for the results to come in PA Members of the public hold yes placards on Fairview road as the country heads to polling stations Getty Images A woman takes a picture of a mural in Dublin's city centre by art group Subset calling for 'Repeal The 8th' ahead of the referendum on the 8th Amendment of the Irish Constitution on May 25th PA Sandra Caulfield, whose daughter Hope Rose died at nine days old after she was diagnosed with Edwards syndrome when Ms Caulfield was 14 weeks pregnant, following a Save the 8th press conference ahead of the referendum on the 8th Amendment of the Irish Constitution on May 25th PA A woman walks past a pro-life poster in the city centre of Dublin, Ireland Reuters A woman sits in front of a pro-life poster in the city centre of Dublin, Ireland Reuters Martin McBreen and his daughter Grace, aged 3, and Monica Hadarean and son Cris, whose children both have Downs Syndrome, and were encouraged to have an abortion as they were told their children wouldn't survive attend a Pro-Life press event ahead of a 25th May referendum on abortion law, in Dublin, Ireland Reuters A man (name not given) arrives at the polling station in Knock National school, Mayo, as the country goes to the polls to vote in the referendum on the 8th Amendment of the Irish Constitution PA Garda Alan Gallagher and Presiding Officer Carmel McBride carry the polling box for the referendum on liberalising abortion law a day early for the few people that live off the coast of Donegal on the island of Inishbofin, Ireland Getty Images Election warehouse manager Michael Leonard checks the seals on ballot boxes that are ready for delivery to polling stations ahead of the referendum on the 8th Amendment of the Irish Constitution, in Dublin PA An abortion debate that's inflamed passions in Ireland for decades comes down to a single question: yes or no? AP Pro-life campaigners argue voting 'no' is about safeguarding human rights AFP/Getty Images Activists have been urging people to vote 'no' in Friday's referendum AFP/Getty Images 'Vote yes': Pro-repeal campaigners in Dublin make their message heard with a sign bearing the face of Savita Halappanavar, who died after being denied a termination PA Campaign: a pro-choice mural in Dublin featuring Savita Halappanavar, who died after being refused an abortion PA Pro-Choice activists dress up as characters from the Handmaid's Tale in a City centre demonstration ahead Friday's vote Reuters Protesters hold up placards during the London March for Choice, calling for the legalising of abortion in Ireland after the referendum announcement, outside the Embassy of Ireland in central London AFP/Getty Images Protesters hold up placards as they take part in the March for Choice, calling for the legalising of abortion in Ireland after the referendum announcement, in Dublin AFP/Getty Images Vote: A man and child walk past a sign for a polling station ahead of a 25th May referendum on abortion law, in Dublin Reuters Ministers have promised to allow terminations within the first 12 weeks, subject to medical advice and a cooling-off period, and between 12 and 24 weeks in exceptional circumstances. Mr Varadkar said: "We voted for the 200,000 Irish women who have travelled to Britain since 1983 to end their pregnancies. "For the couples who shared their heartbreaking stories of returning home from Liverpool and other English cities with tiny coffins. "For the young and the not so young women, who spoke their truth and for those stories that have still not been heard. "In recent days I said that this was a once-in-a-generation vote. "But I believe we have voted today for the next generation. Dublin Castle was full as the result was announced on Saturday evening / EPA "We have voted to look reality in the eye and we did not blink. "And we have voted to provide compassion where there was once a cold shoulder, and to offer medical care where once we turned a blind eye." Prominent anti-abortion activist David Quinn has said the pro-life movement will not fade away. K im Jong-un has met South Korean leader Moon Jae-in in a surprise meeting in the demilitarised border area between the two nations. The pair discussed Kims potential meeting with Donald Trump next month which was cancelled by the US president before he later backtracked and suggested it could still go ahead. The meeting at a border truce village came hours after South Korea expressed relief over revived talks for the summit between President Trump and Kim. President Trump later tweeted that the summit, if it does happen, will likely take place on June 12 in Singapore as originally planned. The two leaders embrace ahead of the surprise summit / AFP/Getty Images In their first summit in April, the two leaders announced vague aspirations for a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula and permanent peace, which Seoul has tried to sell as a meaningful breakthrough to set up the summit with President Trump. But relations between the rival Koreas have chilled in recent weeks, with North Korea cancelling a high-level meeting with Seoul over South Korea's participation in regular military exercises with the United States and insisting that it will not return to talks unless its grievances are resolved. When President trump announced his meeting with Kim was cancelled, Theresa May released a statement saying that Britain was "disappointed". D onald Trump has said "very productive talks" are ongoing with North Korea over reinstating a summit with leader Kim Jong Un, adding that if successful it will likely take place in Singapore on June 12. The US president left open the possibility that the meeting could be put off to another date if negotiations do not make sufficient progress. He tweeted: "We are having very productive talks with North Korea about reinstating the Summit which, if it does happen, will likely remain in Singapore on the same date, June 12th., and, if necessary, will be extended beyond that date." Mr Trump shocked the international community on Thursday when he pulled out of the historic summit after talks deteriorated. The US president pulled out of the talks on Thursday but they now appear to be back on the table / AFP/Getty Images On Thursday, White House officials had noted that Mr Trump had left the door open with a letter to Mr Kim that blamed "tremendous anger and open hostility" by Pyongyang but also urged Mr Kim to call him. By Friday, North Korea issued a statement saying it was still "willing to give the US time and opportunities" to reconsider talks "at any time, at any format". Mr Trump rapidly tweeted that the statement was "very good news" and told reporters that "we're talking to them now". Confident in his negotiating skills, Mr Trump made a quick decision to accept the sit-down in March, over the concerns of many top aides, and has remained committed, even amid rising concerns about the challenges he faces in scoring a positive agreement. Asked on Friday if the North Koreans were playing games with their communications, Mr Trump responded: "Everybody plays games. You know that better than anybody." While the president did not detail the nature of the new US communication with the North on Friday, Defence Secretary Jim Mattis said at the Pentagon, "The diplomats are still at work on the summit, possibility of a summit, so that is very good news." He characterised the recent back-and-forth as the "usual give and take". A previously planned trip by White House aides to Singapore this weekend to work on logistics for the trip remained on schedule, said two White House officials. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo spoke on Friday with a top official from South Korea, whose leaders had appeared to be taken aback when Mr Trump withdrew from the summit. Spokeswoman Heather Nauert said Pompeo and South Korean foreign minister Kang Kyung-wha reaffirmed their "shared commitment to the denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula" and pledged to coordinate "in all of their efforts to create conditions for dialogue with North Korea". South Korea's government said in a statement released on Saturday that it was relieved about the revived talks for a summit. Mr Trump's comments on Friday came after days of mixed messages on the summit. Mr Trump, in his letter to Mr Kim on Thursday, objected specifically to a statement from a top North Korean Foreign Ministry official. That statement referred to vice president Mike Pence as a "political dummy" for his comments on the North and said it was up to the Americans whether they would "meet us at a meeting room or encounter us at nuclear-to-nuclear showdown". The president then said from the White House that a "maximum pressure campaign" of economic sanctions and diplomatic isolation would continue against North Korea - with which the US is technically still at war - though he added that it was possible the summit could still take place at some point. A senior White House official said the North had reneged on its promises ahead of the summit, including a pledge to allow international inspectors to monitor its explosive destruction of its nuclear test site. Mr Trump's aides had warned that merely agreeing to the summit had provided Mr Kim with long-sought international legitimacy and, if Mr Trump ultimately backed out, he risked fostering the perception that the president was insufficiently committed to diplomatic solutions to the nuclear question. US defence and intelligence officials have repeatedly assessed the North to be on the threshold of having the capability to strike anywhere in the continental US with a nuclear-tipped missile - a capacity that Mr Trump and other US officials have said they would not tolerate. Countries & Areas Search for country or area A Afghanistan Albania Algeria Andorra Angola Antigua and Barbuda Argentina Armenia Australia Austria Azerbaijan B Bahamas Bahrain Bangladesh Barbados Belarus Belgium Belize Benin Bhutan Bolivia Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana Brazil Brunei Bulgaria Burkina Faso Burma Burundi C Cabo Verde Cambodia Cameroon Canada Central African Republic Chad Chile China Colombia Comoros Costa Rica Cote dIvoire Croatia Cuba Cyprus Czechia D Democratic Republic of the Congo Denmark Djibouti Dominica Dominican Republic E Ecuador Egypt El Salvador Equatorial Guinea Eritrea Estonia Eswatini Ethiopia F Fiji Finland France G Gabon Gambia Georgia Germany Ghana Greece Grenada Guatemala Guinea Guinea-Bissau Guyana H Haiti Holy See Honduras Hungary I Iceland India Indonesia Iran Iraq Ireland Israel Italy J Jamaica Japan Jordan K Kazakhstan Kenya Kiribati Kosovo Kuwait Kyrgyzstan L Laos Latvia Lebanon Lesotho Liberia Libya Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg M Madagascar Malawi Malaysia Maldives Mali Malta Marshall Islands Mauritania Mauritius Mexico Micronesia Moldova Monaco Mongolia Montenegro Morocco Mozambique N Namibia Nauru Nepal Netherlands New Zealand Nicaragua Niger Nigeria North Korea North Macedonia Norway O Oman P Pakistan Palau Palestinian Territories Panama Papua New Guinea Paraguay Peru Philippines Poland Portugal Q Qatar R Republic of the Congo Romania Russia Rwanda S Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Samoa San Marino Sao Tome and Principe Saudi Arabia Senegal Serbia Seychelles Sierra Leone Singapore Slovakia Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia South Africa South Korea South Sudan Spain Sri Lanka Sudan Suriname Sweden Switzerland Syria T Taiwan Tajikistan Tanzania Thailand Timor-Leste Togo Tonga Trinidad and Tobago Tunisia Turkey Turkmenistan Tuvalu U Uganda Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom Uruguay Uzbekistan V Vanuatu Venezuela Vietnam Y Yemen Z Zambia Zimbabwe Let me save you a couple ohundred bucks. Your DNA comes from Africa. Youre welcome. I did the DNA ancestry testing thing; I got curious about it a couple of years ago. My conclusion: my parents didnt lie to me, which is good given the significant psychological ramifications of genetic testing. Im a four continent mutt four-and-a-smidge, if you count the Ashkenazi genes. Do I believe it? Meh. Ill come back to that question. DNA ancestry testing works like this. You ship a company a sample of your DNA by supplying some bodily ichor, usually saliva. The company then extracts the DNA from your sample and amplifies it using a technique called polymerase chain reaction (PCA), after which there will be lots of your DNA in that test tube and that makes it easier to analyze and catalog. It is this PCA technique that has made DNA testing less expensive.Your DNA remains unique; so only you are in that test tube, lots of copies, millions of bits of you. What comes next is tricky: a blend shall we say of statistics, biochemistry, and storytelling. Two types of DNA testing, mitochondrial and Y-DNA, identify maternal and paternal lineages respectively and focus on the far past. They look at the drift in genetic material to locate what we might think of as our oldest genetic ancestral parentage (haplogroups for the initiated). Think Wayback Machine set to six figure years ago when dinosaurs ruled the flat earth. These types of testing work some serious science. The third kind of genetic testing is autosomal. This method reads the chromosomes and those harvested million bits of you and statistically compares the results to a database of other peoples DNA. That is to say, other customers DNA, and those same people, like myself, also completed a questionnaire that asked what was already known about our own ancestry. DNA may have also been collected by a random sample of individuals from various regions around the world, but thats not always clear. In any event, this DNA database is filled with a little bit of random sample, a lot of self-reporting and the customer DNA from about 12 million of us who are mostly from the USA at last count. See the problem? Your ancestry is determined by how similar your genes are to others in that database. Theres no independent metric. Theres no table confirming a gene came from a specific region only clusters of statistical similarities. But wait, theres more. These companies also chunk up the world into roughly 25 arbitrary areas: the whole planet, all cultures, all ethnicities. I cant show you the maps because of intellectual property rights, but I can describe them. There are lots of intimate geographic areas in Europe, slightly larger areas in Africa, one to two areas in Asia, the entirety of Americas forms one region. Oceania, you are out of luck. Then, all of these socio-cultural regions are presented on a map in such a way that would suggest that our DNA can tell us which side of the Franco-Italian border our ancestors came from. You know, the border created by the Treaty of Paris on 10 February 1945. All of that regional breakdown makes sense lots of market sense, that is. It is the wealthy (on a world scale) who drive this process those aforementioned 12 million people, who are mostly from the US and who have been ruminating and longing for a cultural romance with their tribe. Thats worth a few bucks. Its about who has the luxury of time and money to use science to justify their tribalism. We dont want to sound barbaric by just making a claim. It is imperative to have scientific justification. Its like an I-knew-I-was-German bed and breakfast. Oops.. sorry Ich-wute-ich-war-Deutscher Ubernachtung mit Fruhstuck. Now for the hard truth regarding ethnicity and culture; we cant inherit them. Sadly, we can inherit Tay-Sachs disease, but we dont inherit Vikingness. We learn it. Therefore, we are obliged to remind ourselves as we read our results that genetics cannot tell you who you are; they can only tell you what you have. Claiming Vikingess does not require a genetic connection. We dont need Viking DNA to love Norse culture or Norse gods, and we do not need some weird genetic permission to establish relationships with them or that land. Were all allowed to do that. To claim that our genes drive that bargain aligns with the racist and xenophobic fringes that have regrettably tainted the groups and practices within our collective communities. Those claims are barren- philosophically, spiritually, and scientifically. We also dont need Norse genes to visit Iceland either. Despite the television commercials, we can enjoy any region without being forced to show that we have genetic markers from the area. I swam in the Silfra fissure without so much a single Scandinavian DNA chromosome. All of us are heirs to our human heritage. Your genes are human and thats all we need to know as spiritual beings. So, should you do the testing? If you can live without the money it costs, testing is fun and offers information for reflection. Its kind of like what I imagine it must be like to go see a Star Trek movie with Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson: a little bit geek, a little bad science, and lot of fun. Testing did make me think more deeply about my ancestors and what they went through the exploration as well as the horrors. Testing also made me think about how easy it is to lapse into that tribal romance about ones origin and the danger of using genetic evidence to build a story of supremacy and enhanced delusions of racial purity. Worse yet, it might delude some people to think their genes offer privileged access to the divine. Lets just call that wrong and racist. Everyone is welcome to build relationships with all gods and nature. Its about devotion, not base pairs. And, if you would love for your genes to strengthen your spirits connection with the land, meet Africa. No matter where you might be from, you came from there. * * * The views and opinions expressed by our diverse panel of columnists and guest writers represent the many diverging perspectives held within the global Pagan, Heathen and polytheist communities, but do not necessarily reflect the views of The Wild Hunt Inc. or its management. Katehon, a think-tank dedicated to the protection of nations sovereignty against invasions and coups from abroad, headlined, on May 15th, Special Services Agent: Attack on Russia Is Being Prepared, and reported that [with editorial clarifications and links supplied by me in brackets]: According to Russian and Chinese law enforcement agencies, militants fleeing by sea from Syria and Iraq follow a route from the Qasim port in the Pakistani city of Karachi to Peshawar, and are then distributed along the Nangarhar province in the east of the country. Since late 2017 the leaders of the Islamic State managed to transfer from Syria and Iraq to Afghanistan an additional 500 foreign fighters, including more than two dozen women. A source in one of the Russian law enforcement agencies says: "All of them are also in the province of Nangarhar. They are citizens of Sudan, Kazakhstan, Czech Republic, Uzbekistan, France and so on." Movement of militants to the north is planned to be organized in two directions. In Tajikistan, the radicals will penetrate the provinces of Nuristan and Badakhshan, and to Turkmenistan through the provinces of Farah, Ghor, Sari-Pul and Faryab. Governor of Nangarhar Province, Gulab Mangal [Wikipedia says of him, "After the American led invasion in 2001, he was appointed a Regional Coordinator of the Constitutional Loya Jirga in Paktia], personally oversees militant activities in the region. Mangal has a long-standing relationship with the US intelligence services. In particular, he fought against the Soviet forces during the Afghan campaign of the USSR. Immediately after the US invasion in 2001, he was appointed as the head of the local government of the Pashtuns, the people to which he belongs. Also, Mangal is loved by the Western press. Most of the publications in the major American and British media contain exceptionally positive information about him, and the BBC called him "the hope of Helmand province," which Mangal previously headed. According to the Ministry of Defense of Afghanistan, in the near future the leadership of the Islamic State plans to expand the grouping by another 1.2 thousand militants. Most of them will also be located in the province, under the control of Gulab Mangal and his people. It is worth noting that the two largest US bases in Afghanistan are in the immediate vicinity of the Nangarhar province, which is hardly a coincidence. At the same time, the expert community points out that the pressure on Tajikistan and Turkmenistan will be only one of the vectors of the new hybrid attack on Russia. Director of the Center for Geopolitical Expertise Valery Korovin [and here is more about him] is confident that Moscow should prepare for a large-scale offensive of geopolitical opponents on all fronts: in Ukraine, possibly through Armenia, as well as a number of other post-Soviet countries. [Korovin states]: "Destabilizing the situation in Central Asia, the US and its allies will achieve several goals at once. First, in this way, Washington can distract Moscow and Tehran from Syria. Secondly, if the operation succeeds, a focus of instability will be created along the path of the One-Belt-One-Road project, which is designed to strengthen the economic and logistical integration of Eurasia. Afghanistan also borders Iran in the west, which opens a new front against Tehran. Starting with economic pressure through new sanctions, ending with "color revolutions" that will continue in the post-Soviet space, and direct aggression from American networks. Obviously, the United States did not seize Afghanistan, by rigging its military dictatorship there, in order to build democracy and civil society there. This is a springboard for the creation of terrorist networks, with the help of which the US is preparing an aggression against Iran and Russia." If this is true, then Trump is carrying through the plan that George Herbert Walker Bush initiated on the night of 24 February 1990, to capture Russia, despite the termination of communism, the Soviet Union, and the Warsaw Pact, and despite the Soviet Unions departure from Afghanistan in 1989, a year before Bushs secret plan was initiated. Peter Korzun, my colleague at the Strategic Culture Fundation, has presented a case that "Despite its recent claims to the contrary, the US is hunkering down in Syria for the long haul. He noted that: Last month US forces were also reported to be building a new outpost at the al-Omar oil field in southeastern Deir ez-Zor. They were deployed to positions around the Conoco and al-Jafreh oil fields. On April 7, the area around the oil fields in Deir ez-Zor was declared a military zone by the US-led SDF. That group has already clashed with Syrian forces in the fight to control the province. On 25 June 2017, I noted that in December 2016, "Obama and Turkeys Erdogan, began their joint effort to relocate ISIS from Mosul Iraq, into Der Zor Syria, in order to culminate their (and the Sauds) joint plan to use ISIS so as to bring down Assad. And Trump has been continuing Obamas Policy of supporting Al Qaeda and even sometimes ISIS in Syria so as to carve out Syrias oil-producing region as a separate US-controlled nation, in the event that America and the Sauds fail to replace Assad in all of Syria. Perhaps the US, which clearly was not satisfied when the Soviet side ended its side of the Cold War in 1991, is going all the way to seek a hot-war victory against Russia. Pushing Russia this hard and this far and this long using even the Putin stole Crimea hoax and other such hoaxes to justify restoring a Cold War which was actually supposed to have ended when the Soviet Unions communism did suggests that Russia might soon need to respond in a direct military way, taking Americas war as the existential threat to Russian national sovereignty over Russia, that it is. The alternative Russian surrender to the US seems far less likely, even though taking the war to America would entail global annihilation. Russias President, Vladimir Putin, has said many times and the Russian public seems to be overwhelmingly supportive of him in this that for the US to push much farther in this direction will result in nuclear war, and that the US must recognize this fact. Trump seems not to recognize it. Andrew SPANNAUS The revolt of voters across the Western world has reached a high point in Europe. The Five Star Movement and the League, two so-called populist political parties in Italy, are preparing to form a government after Wednesdays appointment of a new prime minister following an election result that could directly challenge the foundations of the European Union. Like other anti-system movements around Europe, the Italian parties are calling in particular for abandoning the neoliberal economic policies and speculative finance, which are hollowing out the middle class. The breakthrough comes two and a half months after the elections held on March 4, in which Italian voters sent an unequivocal message to the current political institutions, not simply of protest, but of a desire to actually give power to those willing to implement deep changes. The two parties were not allies during the election, but they ultimately recognized that their anti-establishment positions, and in particular their opposition to the austerity-based policies of the E.U., made them obvious candidates to join together in an attempt to shake up Italy and Europe as a whole. On the Heels of Trump and Brexit After the shock of the Brexit vote and the U.S. presidential elections in 2016, Europes political elite looked fearfully towards the series of elections to be held across the continent in 2017. Political outsiders had already increased their support in recent years, fueled by anger over deepening economic difficulties and the related backlash against increased immigration mainly from Africa and the Middle East. With the precedent of Trumps victory and Britains vote to leave the EU, it seemed possible that some of those movements could actually force their way into government, opening a gape in the fabric of liberal democracy across Europe. By the end of the summer, the revolt had faltered. The anti-Islam party of Geert Wilders had failed to break through in Holland, and although right-winger Marine Le Pen had done well in the first round of Frances presidential election, she was soundly defeated by neoliberal, centrist Emmanuel Macron in the run-off. The results in Germany were more problematic, when in the September elections the far-right, anti-immigrant Alternative for Germany (AfD) successfully diverted votes from the political center, forcing the Christian Democrats and Social Democrats into months of negotiations to form a new Grand Coalition as a bulwark against the populists. Then last October in Austria the anti-immigrant rhetoric of young conservative leader Sebastian Kurz led him to victory, producing a government based on an alliance with the far-right Freedom Party. Europes elites had taken some hits, but overall it seemed that disaster for them had been avoided. Italy, however, would prove to be different. The Five Star Movement (M5S) increased its vote total in March as the top party, coming in at 32%. By itself this wouldnt have been enough to overcome the establishments efforts to keep them out of government, though. Indeed the political parties that have governed Italy in recent years had hatched what they thought was a brilliant plan to block the newcomers: change the election law to reward the coalition with the highest vote total, rather than the single party. That way, even if M5S came in first, the center-right bloc led by Silvio Berlusconis Forza Italia could still claim victory, for example; and in the likely event that the coalition didnt have enough votes to govern, an agreement would be made with the centrist Democratic Party (Pd) for a sort of Grand Coalition, not too different from the governments in place in recent years. What upset the apple cart was the success of the League, led by brash young leader Matteo Salvini. Formally known as the pro-secession Northern League, the party has succeeded in expanding beyond only the North, still drawing on anti-immigrant sentiment, but combining that with an effective anti-austerity message that allowed it to reach 17% of the vote. That beat Berlusconis party by several points. The center-right had gotten the most votes as a coalition (37%) but the internal balance of power had shifted; the best laid plans of the elites quickly came crashing down. A Predictable Result This outcome was actually entirely predictable, given the nature of the response by Italian institutions to the results of the countrys last general election, five years ago. In 2013, the Five Star Movement burst onto the scene with 25% of the national vote, despite having refused to even talk to the mass media; everything was done through the web and meet-ups, which proved to be more than enough to catalyze an effective movement against the caste of privileged members of the elite, seen as pursuing their own interests, and not those of the people, through various forms of corruption. As time went by, the centrist parties in government deceived themselves into believing that warning people about the lack of experience of the M5S, and branding anyone who criticized the EU as inviting a return to nationalism and war, would scare voters away from the populists. What the governments led by the center-left did not do, however, was considerably change the direction of the economy for the majority of the population. The situation improved slightly as the harshest austerity measures from previous years were abandoned and some limited initiatives were implemented to encourage investment and exports in the manufacturing sector. But the drivers of the revolt against globalization run much deeper, rooted in the long-term destruction of the middle class with increases in poverty and inequality, and less stable working conditions for those who do have work. An increase in short-term employment and promises of better times if the country would just stay the course, was far from enough to stop the anti-system momentum. Logo of Italys Five Star Movement After two months of back-and-forth, the League ultimately split from its center-right allies in order to avoid the risk of a grand coalition government that would continue the same centrist policies as in the past. They reached a deal with the Five Star Movement and accepted a non-politician close to M5S as prime minister, Giuseppe Conte, who is now tasked with implementing a government contract negotiated between the two parties. There are significant differences between the partners, but the most important obstacles seem not to be internal, but rather put in place by Italian and European institutions. M5S and the League quickly came to agreement on general issues such as deficit spending for welfare reform (to significantly expand social benefits, not cut them as in recent years) and simplification of the tax code. The contract also includes the key points of separating commercial banks from investment banks (the Glass-Steagall principle) and using public institutions for targeted investment. Neither Luigi Di Maio, the 31-year old Five Star leader, nor Salvini seem cowed by threats from EU officials or pressure from the financial markets regarding the need to follow strict budget rules. In response to a recent objection claiming his proposals would break the public accounts, Di Maio claimed that when done right, the multiplier effect of public investment would boost, rather than hurt the economy. Yet the establishment is doing everything it can to avoid an open clash with the EU. Like many countries with a parliamentary system, Italy has a President of the Republic, a figure-head intended as a guarantor of the institutions without a direct political role. The position is similar to that of a constitutional monarch, but in a republican system. Despite often being viewed as merely a figurehead, the Italian state president formally has the power to choose the head of the government, and also the cabinet. In this case, President Sergio Mattarella seems to be taking those responsibilities fairly seriously. There is great pressure on the Italian elites to ensure that the coming populist government will not be able to call into question the architecture of the EU by openly challenging the budget orthodoxy of the European Commission in Brussels, and the European Central Bank in Frankfurt. Thus Mattarellas office made its opposition known to certain figures proposed by M5S and the League. This happened with one of the first names floated for prime minister, Giulio Sapelli, a professor of economic history who is strongly critical of globalization and EU economic policy. But his prospects were quickly shot down through a series of leaks to an obliging press. Savona: Media attacks Another name which has sparked opposition is that of Paolo Savona, a highly-credentialed economist who was minister of industry twenty-five years ago. Since then, he has become critical of the European single currency and the related spending constraints. Thus, despite clearly being qualified, when his name was suggested for the post of finance minister, objections immediately began to appear in the establishment media. Di Maio and Salvini seem to be sticking to their guns on Savona, but it remains to be seen if they will succeed in obtaining his nomination. The situation raises serious questions about democracy in Italy. Well over 50% of Italian voters supported parties that strongly criticize the neoliberal policies of the EU; yet there is a concerted institutional effort to not allow someone who reflects precisely that view to guide the countrys economic policy. The EU Against the People This conflict is even more ironic because the insistence on EU principles comes from institutions which are supposed to be guarantors of the Italian state. Their view, however, is now that Italy is irreversibly part of the European Union, and any threat to lessen the bonds of integration would be unacceptable. Add to this the fact that over the years the EU has done everything it can to avoid having European citizens actually vote on the construction of the supranational government, and the paradox becomes clear: state institutions are defending Europe against the democratic choices of their own people. There are certainly risks inherent in the coming populist government. The League wants to take a hard line on immigration, and has often curried favor with racists and xenophobes. This has been part of its identity from the start, although it has gradually worked to expand its appeal by focusing on the broader issue of problems with globalization and Europe. M5S, on the other hand, is inconsistent and in recent months has seemed malleable even on important points in its program, in both economics and foreign policy. Di Maio quickly backtracked from his criticism of Trumps bombing of Syria, for example, fearing it could damage his prospects to lead the government. Furthermore, the M5S campaign against wasteful spending goes so far as aiming to stop important infrastructure projects like a new high-speed rail line between Italy and France; while its environmentalist bent is expressed in the desire to shutter the second largest steel production center in Europe, the Ilva plant in Taranto, due to environmental problems. These issues and others provide plenty of legitimate grounds for criticism of the anti-establishment parties, and raise the question as to whether they will actually succeed in improving peoples lives. Yet there is no question that the voters have asked for change, and that change means abandoning the pro-austerity policies that are hollowing out the middle class and making people fear for their families future. Despite the populist wave that has spread across the Western world in the past two years, European leaders in pursuit of their own interests have generally seemed to ignore the need to recognize the errors of the pro-finance, post-industrial model of recent decades, clinging to the hope that their neoliberal system will ultimately survive despite discontent from a significant portion of the population. The Italian elections have changed the calculus. Regardless of how effective the new government is, European institutions need to recognize that certain problems cannot be ignored. The only way for the elites to survive to the extent they still can will be to finally accept that their errors can longer be defended. consortiumnews.com Photo: Comment-Central President Donald Trump has called off the much-anticipated summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to be held on June 12 in Singapore. He cited unfriendly attitude toward the US as the reason. According to him, the American military was ready to use force against Pyongyang. The meeting was deliberately sabotaged by Washington. For instance, Vice President Mike Pence made a provocative statement in an interview with Fox News on May 21 when he compared the North Korean denuclearization to the Libyan model 2003, 2004. He was referring to Libyas leader Colonel Ghaddafi who abandoned his nuclear program in 2003 and admitted international inspectors to verify the compliance. In 2011, he was murdered by NATO-supported rebels. Mr. Pence is too seasoned to say something publicly off the cuff. He realized well the statement would prompt a negative reaction of North Korean leadership who perceived the comparison as an attempt to drive Pyongyang into the corner. Before that, National Security Adviser Mike Bolton had given an ultimatum, demanding that all of North Koreas nuclear weapons and fissile materials be transferred to the processing center in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. According to him, the agreement to totally dismantle the nuclear program was a precondition for the summit. The bellicose statements provoked Pyongyang into lashing out. The reaction was used by the United States as a pretext for nixing the top-level event. The US stance is in contrast to the approaches adopted by South Korea and China, trying to seize the opportunity for detente on the Korean Peninsula. As in the case of the Iran nuclear deal, America is isolated again. The decision may aggravate tensions. North Korea had gone its part of the road, including the April summit with the president of South Korea, freeing American hostages and demolishing its nuclear testing range. All the steps undertaken by Pyongyang have gone unrewarded to make it look like a party striving for peace but obstructed by Washington, which has taken a bellicose stance. President Trump wants everything at once to score a big foreign policy victory before the 2018 midterm election. He appears to be unaware of the entire complexity of the problem he is dealing with. The United States insistence on total denuclearization was unrealistic from the start. Getting rid of the nuclear potential is a gradual and complicated process not to be done in one swell swoop. It presupposes verification and practical benefits the disarming party will receive as a result of its compliance. There is no easy way to achieve progress. Iran had done the same by sticking to the provisions of the JCPOA or the nuclear deal. The deal was torn up by Washington. In both cases the US took unilateral action. The similarity is obvious. Other parties to the JCPOA refused to follow suit and are applying efforts to save the agreement. Those who are interested in preserving peace on the Korean Peninsula can do the same. China, Russia, South Korea, North Korea and the UN can continue talks and steps to ease tensions. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is ready to cooperate. This is an opportunity not to miss. If progress is achieved, therell be no justification for an expanded US military presence neither in South Korea nor Japan. The negotiation process will not be launched from scratch. The time is right to remember the road map put forward by Russia last year and supported by China. The first step is putting an end to North Koreas nuclear and missile testing (already done) in exchange for the US and South Korea sustaining their annual joint military exercises. Seoul will have to take an independent decision as a sovereign state. After all, the exercises in question are bilateral, not unilateral, and they are held on South Korean soil. Its not necessary to hold drills in the proximity of the North Korean border. Offensive weapons, such as strategic bombers and aircraft carriers, can do their training somewhere else not to stir security concerns. With no provocative activities taking place, the two Koreas would create the right environment for further talks on demilitarization of the border areas and other confidence-building measures. Actually, this process is already underway. Whatever the US says or does, the stabilization efforts should be continued. If detente between the two Koreas takes shape, other nations, such as Russia, China and Japan, will join in. The US will be invited to become a party to the talks and make a contribution, if it wants to but there will be other actors to reckon with. North Korea should be offered economic incentives. Moscow and Pyongyang are involved in a number of joint projects which benefit both parties. The two countries share the desire to stabilize the situation. The last thing Moscow wants is a conflict to reverberate in the Russian Far East. A working group on peace and security functioning under Russias auspices could be set up based on the previous experience of the Six-Party Talks. Those who follow the events in the region remember well the teetering on the brink of war 18 years ago. Moscow applied diplomatic efforts to keep potential hostilities away. In February 2000, it inked the Treaty on Friendship, Good-Neighborliness and Cooperation with Pyongyang. Russian President Vladimir Putin visited North Korea in July of the same year to hold comprehensive talks. The Russian leader left Pyongyang for Okinawa, Japan, where the G20 summit was held and the nuclear program was one of the issues addressed. Back then, Russia took the lead to dissipate clouds. Moscows peace initiative paved the way for world leaders to follow suit, including US State Secretary Madeleine Albright, who went to Pyongyang in October, 2000. A US North Korean summit was part of the agenda. The Six-Party Talks were launched to give diplomacy a chance. The process got stymied in 2001 when the Bush administration took office in the US. Negotiations, not ultimatums and threats, promote the solution of the problem. Washingtons demarche is not the end of peace efforts. Russia and China have put forward a road map, which is a good starting point for talks. The peace process can continue without the US. The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has summoned a meeting of all political parties having representation in the parliament on May 31, in order to finalise a code of conduct for the forthcoming general elections. The meeting has been summoned at 11pm on May 31, at which the proposed code of conduct for General Elections 2018 will be finalised, according to a letter written to parliamentary parties' heads by the ECP. The ECP also forwarded a copy of the proposed code of conduct with its letter forwarded to parliamentary parties' heads. The code of conduct will be finalised after consultation on political parties, candidates, polling and election agents. The incumbent government is expected to conclude its five-year term on May 31, after which the caretaker government will take over to oversee the general elections. As per the Constitution of Pakistan, the caretaker prime minister is appointed by the prime minister in consultation with the opposition leader in the National Assembly. Both the premier and the opposition leader then present names of three nominees each from which the consensus candidate is appointed as the caretaker prime minister. The prime responsibility of the caretaker government is to ensure that the elections are held in a transparent manner and the basic functions of the government continue without an elected setup in place. PM Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and Opposition Leader Khursheed Shah have held multiple meetings to decide about the caretaker prime minister. However, the meetings have failed to achieve a consensus on any name. It is Khursheed Shahs opinion to wait till Monday and if a name [for the caretaker PM] is not decided upon then the names should be sent to the committee. If the committee cannot decide the matter, it will be sent to the Election Commission, Prime Minister Abbasi told Hamid Mir during an interview on Thursday. The prime minister said that the reason for the deadlock was because both parties did not agree upon names for the caretaker prime minister proposed by the other. They do not accept our three names and we do not accept the three names they [opposition] have put forward. However, a consensus can still be reached on a fourth name. On the other hand, Shah expressed displeasure Thursday night at being told that no judges would be named as candidates for the position of caretaker prime minister, especially considering that the incumbent government, as per sources, put forward the names of two former chief justices. Shah, a member of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), said that his party wished to propose the names of certain judges as the caretaker PM. However, it was not clear which names he had in mind. Earlier, sources had said the current leadership suggested names of Justices (retd) Nasir-ul-Mulk and (retd) Tassaduq Hussain Jillani both ex-chief justices of Pakistan whereas the PPP finalised Zaka Ashraf and Jalil Abbas Jilani as its candidates for the position. Shah subsequently announced that he would not be meeting Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi for a consultation on the name of the caretaker premier. The PPP leader noted that Abbasi has, from time to time, backtracked from his position in consultative meetings with him. The two have met six times to date over the issue but no consensus could be reached. President Mamnoon Hussain on Saturday approved a summary sent by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for General Elections to be held on July 25. The current government will conclude its five-year term on May 31, after which the caretaker government will take over to hold the general elections. Polls for provincial assemblies and the Lower House of the Parliament will be held on the same day. In the wake of the upcoming general elections and with the governments tenure ending on May 31, an interim system was earlier demanded by the opposition parties so free and fair elections can be held. As per the Constitution, the prime minister and opposition leader in the National Assembly mutually finalize the name of the caretaker PM after presenting suggestions. So far, five meetings have been held between Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and NA Opposition Leader Khursheed Shah but all of them have ended in a deadlock, with the matter now expected to be taken to a parliamentary committee. National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq on Friday had said that a parliamentary committee is yet to be formed to decide on a candidate as the caretaker prime minister. "The Parliamentary Committee to mull over the caretaker prime minister candidature will only be formed after the premier and the opposition leader lodge a request," observed Sadiq. He noted that the committee which will include four members each of the government and the opposition can be formed up to three days after the tenure of assemblies ends. If the prime minister and NA opposition leader are unable to arrive at a consensus, the matter is then decided on by a parliamentary committee formed at the request of the two leaders representing the government and opposition. In case of the committee's failure to reach consensus on the matter, a candidate for the caretaker prime minister is then chosen by the ECP. Cyclone Mekunu was downgraded further to a deep depression Saturday, a day after lashing the southern coast of Oman and killing at least five people, authorities said. Civil defence officials said a man and a 12-year-old girl were killed, while three Asian nations were missing after the cyclone hit Omans Dhofar and Al-Wusta provinces. Oman police earlier reported that the man died after floods swept him away with his car near Salalah, Omans second-largest city, while the girl died when a gust of wind smashed her into a wall. Mekunu, which has wreaked havoc in Yemens Socotra island killing at least seven people, was heading northwest to Saudi Arabia, Omans directorate of meteorology said. It is expected to hit parts of the Empty Quarter, one of the worlds most arid deserts, later Saturday, it said. The meteorology department said the latest weather charts and satellite imageries indicate that Mekunus intensity has dropped to "a deep depression". It warned however that heavy rain and strong winds of about 60 kilometres (37 miles) an hour would continue to pummel Dhofar and Al-Wusta provinces, while sea conditions were rough with high tides reaching eight meters (yards). Mekunu had intensified to a category two cyclone as it hit Dhofar and Al-Wusta on the Arabian Sea on Friday, battering the coast with torrential rains, strong winds and massive waves. Three wounded Asians were rescued and civil defence teams said they had saved hundreds of people including 260 foreign sailors trapped at sea. Five Yemenis and two Indian sailors were confirmed dead when Mekunu hit Socotra in war-torn Yemen on Thursday, causing heavy damage, Yemens fisheries minister Fahad Kafin said. The government declared the island in the northwest Indian Ocean, part of a UNESCO-protected archipelago for its rich biodiversity, a "disaster" zone. Rescue teams on Friday found alive four Indian sailors who were among 17 who had been reported missing when the cyclone hit Socotras port, and search operations are continuing for eight Indian sailors. In Salalah, the heavy rain had almost stopped on Saturday, an AFP photographer said, but many streets were still under water and nearby valleys were flooded. Material damage was mostly limited to agriculture, with many farms swept by winds blowing at up to 170 kilometres (105 miles), he added. Omans civil aviation meanwhile decided to reopen on Sunday Salalah Airport, which had been closed for the past three days. Authorities said however that schools would remain closed until Monday. The civil aviation authority closed Salalah airport until midnight on Saturday. On Thursday, the storm pummelled the island of Socotra in war-torn Yemen, leaving at least five people dead and 40 missing, causing severe flooding and material damage. Yemens fisheries minister Fahad Kafin said that of those missing, 14 were Indian sailors who were at the islands port when the cyclone struck. He told AFP that authorities have recovered the bodies of the five Yemeni nationals and two Indians and were still searching for the remaining 12. Later, Socotro governor Ramzy Mahrous told Saba news agency that four sailors who were missing were found alive on Friday. Kafin said that 1,000 families were evacuated to safety after there homes were affected by flooding. Saudi teams on the island managed to open the main road between the islands capital and its airport, he said. The government declared the island in the northwest Indian Ocean, part of a UNESCO-protected archipelago for its rich biodiversity, a "disaster" zone. Saudi troops were deployed to Socotra earlier this month following tensions over an Emirati military presence on the island. The Yemeni high relief agency met with international humanitarian organisations in Aden late Thursday to discuss the situation, the countrys Saba news agency reported. They decided to set up 11 relief centres in Socotra to provide shelter for evacuees. In 2007, Cyclone Gonu tore through Oman, killing at least 49 people and causing damage estimated at $3.9 billion (3.3 billion euros). The newest addition to the Omataroa Kiwi Project, a three-month old kiwi, has been named JoeJoe in honour of the late Te Herenga member and iwi leader Joseph (Hohepa) Harawira, QSM. The naming took place this week at the regional Te Herenga hui in Whakatane, which was co-hosted by Te Runanga o Ngati Awa and the Environmental Protection Authority. Dayle Hunia, EPA Board member and Associate Trustee Omataroa-Rangitaiki No 2 Trust, surprised participants at the hui by introducing them to the newest addition to the kiwi breeding and biodiversity programme. "Mr Harawiras bio-remediation work in Kopeopeo and the wider Whakatane area was a main focus at the hui, so its fitting the attendees chose to name the kiwi JoeJoe in his honour, says Dayle. "A big part of Omataroa Kiwi Projects approach is to have kiwis living free. With the naming Josephs work will continue to live on in spirit. "There are many challenges in breeding and protecting kiwis. Nationally, about three kiwi are killed each day. The main threats to kiwi are; loss of habitat, dogs, stoats, and, cats amongst others," says Dayle. The Omataroa Kiwi Project has an objective to protect Kiwi populations and the wider bio-diversity values of the forest. Its situated on 546ha of Maori land in the hills behind Awakeri and Te Teko, near Whakatane. Ian Tarei, Kaitiaki and Manager Omataroa Kiwi Project spoke with hui attendees about his work in the project since it began 11 years ago. JoeJoe is the 76th chick release for the programme. "The hui is a great opportunity for the EPA to establish a strong relationship with Ngati Awa and also other iwi representatives from throughout the Bay of Plenty area, and to discuss issues with a regional focus and find ways to solve environmental issues, says Dayle. A man who fed police a false story to cover up possession of child exploitation images has been jailed for two years. Mark James Woods, 44, received the sentence at Rotorua District Court on Friday on two charges - one a representative charge of possession of objectionable material and one charge of indecent assault against a child. Woods' journey to prison began on Friday, August 11, 2017, when an acquaintance discovered his thousands of child exploitation images. After assaulting him, the acquaintance took his phone and threatened to inform the police. Woods, however, had a plan. He told police he'd been assaulted by three unknown men and their dog, and his phone and $11 had been stolen. He signed a statement to that effect. The truth, however, was different. "What had happened is that an associate of the defendant had assaulted him after finding a number of objectionable publications on his cellphone," the summary said. "In an attempt to distance himself from the objectionable publications on the phone, the defendant concocted a story about being the victim of an aggravated robbery." The summary revealed that police went to significant lengths to track down the nonexistent assailants, including door-to-door canvassing, reviewing CCTV footage and conducting inquiries with telecommunications networks regarding the missing phone. They believed they were investigating a random attack in a public place, so the investigation took priority over a double stabbing. Woods' deception came to light 10 days later, when an associate of the man who had Woods' phone handed it in to police with an accompanying micro SD memory card. "As a result of that information, the true picture became clear and the nature of the police investigation into the defendant changed." Searches at Woods' Rotorua house uncovered several items of children's underwear and a forensic analysis of his phone and memory card uncovered 5545 objectionable images. Internet search history and internet bookmarks also revealed Woods had accessed objectionable material. Details of the imagery found were included on Woods' charge sheet, but are too graphic to report. Further investigations into the material on Woods' phone also saw him charged with an indecent act on a child under 12. During a police interview, Woods admitted possession of thousands of objectionable images on the phone. He also admitted to knowing it was illegal to possess the images, which he described as "sick". After initially pleading not guilty to all charges and seeking a jury trial, Woods later entered guilty pleas to two representative charges of possessing objectionable material and one charge of indecent assault. -Stuff/Benn Bathgate. A Fijian national has been sentenced after earlier pleading guilty to visa fraud associated with her husband, who obtained residence after making up a story that his family was massacred by a group of Bangladeshi. Aneela Wati was sentenced to nine months home detention and 120 hours community work at the Tauranga District Court this week, on a charge under the Immigration Act 1987 of knowingly producing a visa that had been obtained fraudulently. Watis husband, Satya Nand, was sentenced earlier this year to 29 months imprisonment after pleading guilty to a representative charge under the Crimes Act 1961 of using false documentation to obtain a benefit. Nand managed to obtain New Zealand residence then citizenship by creating a new identity and making up a story that he arrived in New Zealand as a stowaway after his entire family was killed, says a statement from New Zealand Immigration.. He obtained identity documents in his false name and used documentation to obtain benefits for himself, his wife and their children. Once Nand had obtained residence and citizenship, Wati obtained a residence visa for her and three of their children by remarrying Nand and pretending that she didnt know him previously. In 2004 when Wati arrived at Auckland International Airport, she presented her resident visa to gain entry despite knowing the document, and her childrens visas, had been obtained fraudulently. In this way she supported her husbands offending by maintaining his false identity to obtain visas for herself and the children to enter New Zealand. Immigration New Zealand (INZ) Assistant General Manager, Peter Devoy, says the fraudulent behaviour demonstrated by the couple will not be tolerated. The family had an elaborate story about Nands fabricated refugee past and his dream of living in New Zealand. These actions were despicable, especially considering the suffering many genuine refugees experience. As with all visa applications, the responsibility is on the applicant to ensure they provide genuine and accurate information as part of their visa application. 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Hundreds of motorcycles and cars will be leaving from Mount Club and going along Maunganui Road from 11am. From there, they will head on to the Tauranga Eastern Link to Whakatane, then back to Matata for a stop and a regathering before going on to Edgecumbe to join in with the Family Day at the Edgecumbe Rugby Club. East Coast Harley-Davidson, Amy Anderson Design, Smiths Motorcyles, Bayride Motorcycles, Prestige Motorcycles, Hostile Customs and Mount Mellick are also throwing their support behind the ride, which will raise funds and boost morale for Edgecumbe. Funds raised by the event will go towards providing assistance to the victims of last years flood. In 2017, the inaugural charity ride drew over 400 motorcycles. The event was organised within four short weeks and this year, with more time for planning, the event is drawing a wider group of cars and motorcycles including Harleys as well as Japanese and British motorcycles. The Edgecumbe township was flooded in April 2017, and funds raised from the ride were administered through the SOS Edgecumbe Trust to help families. Residents are still faced with restoring their homes and lives. SOS Edgecumbe Charity Ride organiser is Tony Ngawhika. Andre Vlietman signing up for the ride with Gemma Trueman and Sera Langdon. Franklin Tuporo from the Tu Meke motorcycle car club (MCCC) in Moerewa north of Whangarei, and Charlie Langdon, one of the SOS Edgecumbe Charity Ride organisers. Colin Denize from Tauranga with queenside bed, BBQ and kitchen sink in his teardrop caravan. Pop Tanner with his 1938 Ford Anglia and Mike Warner from the BOP Ford Club and Reece Mines from the BOP Ford Club. She happily got quite emotional while flicking through the health provisions of the governments budget in the lockup before Grant Robertson delivered it to Parliament. They were going to give under 14-year-olds free access to GPs. Then I started crying in the house, says Jan Tinetti. Perhaps because the Tauranga Labour MP was wearing her old school maam hat. We are finally doing something about the suffering and the struggling I have been screaming about all these years. Thats the suffering and struggling she witnessed on a daily basis as principal of Merivale Primary School. I can talk about the people I have worked with very closely over the past few years, the people from the lower socio-economic areas. I was teaching children who could not access a doctor, because their parents could not afford it. And she says these are the same parents who always put their kids needs ahead of their own. If there was money, theyd spend it on the doctor for their kids. They are the same parents who really wanted their kids to get medical attention, but couldnt afford it. She says they had life threatening issues. But they couldnt access a doctor until they were headed to Accident and Emergency because they were desperate. And they were getting there really, really late. Too late. Jan Tinetti can remember, within a two-month period in 2016, visiting eleven of her pupils in hospital with severe respiratory complaints. Thats while I was principal 11 of my kids were in hospital. One had rheumatic fever simply because they didnt get to the doctor, and they didnt get there because the parents couldnt afford it. Then there was another of her pupils who ended up in Starship suffering septicaemia from an untreated school sore. He is very lucky to have survived. It was scary. Now the government is extending free doctor visits to under 14-year-olds. Parents can now take their kids to the doctor. Now kids will be safe. It may appear incremental, but its enough to bring on more empathetic Tinetti tears, as the MP talks to The Weekend Sun in her Greerton electorate office this week. For people who havent worked in my situation, they may not realise the massive impact this will have. This will make a huge difference. Because, says the MP, these are often the people much of the city doesnt see. But there are a lot of them, a significant number. So that equity for those people is fantastic. Seeing those people accessing the help they absolutely need is a wonderful thing for this city. A dance style that has catapulted many New Zealand dancers, including Parris Goebel, to international success is coming to Tauranga on the Queens Birthday weekend. The Project Youth Hip Hop Dance Competition, now in its ninth year, will see 82 crews made up of about 900 dancers take to the stage at the ASB Arena at Baypark. Among them will be a crew of nine children from Te Kura o Te Moutere o Matakana Diversity who have been working with Urban Dance Youth Trust creative director and Project Youth event director Sarah Martin to perform a set for the first time in the entry level competition. Weve been going out on the barge each week to Matakana Island and theyve come in to the studio a few times to get in front of the mirrors, says Sarah. Its been awesome. The community has really rallied behind them with fundraisers for their uniforms and associated costs. Im really looking forward to seeing them on stage. Sarah says when she first moved to Tauranga in 2009, local dancers were reluctant to enter some of the national hip hop competitions. I started Project Youth as an entry-level competition so local crews could gain some understanding and experience of the competition scene before heading off to the big ones. It just grew from there, with people in more experienced crews wanting another competition to be involved in. Weve evolved to a two-day event, where the first day is still very much entry level, beginner, schools competition and the second day is open competition with prize money. The event is open to the public each day, and from 5-9pm on Saturday, June 2, there will be free dance workshops with the event judges including dancer and choreographer Kiel Tutin, fresh from choreographing for Jennifer Lopez at this weeks Billboard Music Awards, as well as fellow dancer/choreographers Josh Cesan, Loren Sila, Chris Ofanoa and Christa Albert. I think education is really important, so the more exposure kids can get to these sort of people and be able to upskill and develop, the better our scene is going to be, says Sarah. The Project Youth Hip Hop Dance Competition will be held at ASB Arena at Baypark from June 2-3. The schools divisions will be held from 1-4pm on Saturday, June 2 and Sunday, June 3 will see open junior and mega crews from 1-4pm and open varsity, adult and 24 crews from 7.30-11pm. Tickets are available from: www.eventfinda.co.nz Forget handshakes and swapping business cards instead, try making connections in a laid back environment. Boss Babe Brunch is a networking event for young women entrepreneurs to talk business, but more importantly socialise. Creator of Boss Babe Brunch, 28-year-old Rebecca Ryan, says that while Tauranga is bustling with young women in business, she found there wasnt any networking events for women just starting out or in niche industries. There are lots of networking events, but they seem to be for older women and are a bit more serious, says Rebecca. I wanted to create something a bit more fun thats about women networking, meeting other women who have local businesses and supporting local businesses. Its for any women in business, from women who do childcare to women who do makeup and hair and make cool little candles or clothing. Rebecca says she came up with the concept of the event when she signed up to a Facebook Page called Girls in Business. I own a local fitness company, so I put up a post on the Facebook Page about doing a collaboration for a Mothers Day prize, she says. I found there was heaps of local women commenting. So I put another post up to do a get together and that went even wilder. I wanted to do it a bit differently, so I decided to do it for a charity. Rebecca says she put up another post up about organising a networking event, where the proceeds would go to charity, and she got lots of positive feedback. She says although there are many charities, she thought Mental Health Foundation NZ was most fitting as health and fitness often go hand-in-hand. Mental health is a major issue in New Zealand, especially with young women, so I want to do my part by bringing awareness. Exercise helps a lot with mental health, by just getting out of the house and taking little steps. There will be two speakers - Tasha Meys and Vivien Conway from Ace the Gram - who will discuss their experiences on starting up a business and how social media plays an important role in a businesss success. There will also be acoustic music, as well as food provided by Olive Tree Cottage. My goal is to have 200 guests, because that way a significant chunk will go to Mental Health Foundation NZ. The Boss Babe Brunch will be held on Sunday, June 10 from 10.30am at Olive Tree Cottage on 247 Joyce Road, Tauranga. Tickets are $47, with proceeds going towards Mental Health Foundation NZ. Every ticket will also go into a draw for a range of goodies, such as a wellness package, hair and beauty package and vouchers. For more information, go to the Boss Babes Brunch Eventfinda page or Facebook page. The phase III clinical trial developed by Iran's Pasteur Institute with Cuba's COVID-19 vaccines, Soberana 02 and Soberana Plus, showed excellent results, informed today the Finlay Vaccine... | Read More past daily news Sep 13 (1) Sep 09 (15) Sep 06 (12) Sep 04 (10) Sep 03 (10) Aug 31 (17) Aug 29 (14) Aug 26 (13) Aug 22 (11) Aug 21 (12) Aug 19 (21) Aug 14 (6) Aug 13 (10) Aug 10 (10) Aug 08 (9) Aug 07 (10) Aug 06 (10) Aug 05 (8) Aug 03 (8) Aug 02 (7) Aug 01 (7) Jul 31 (14) Jul 29 (1) Jul 27 (7) Jul 25 (5) Jul 24 (10) Jul 22 (11) Jul 19 (16) Jul 17 (6) Jul 16 (10) Jul 15 (13) Jul 12 (7) Jul 11 (5) Jul 10 (8) Jul 08 (8) Jul 07 (3) Jul 06 (5) Jul 05 (8) Jul 04 (11) Jul 03 (8) Jul 02 (7) Jul 01 (5) Jun 30 (8) Jun 28 (7) Jun 27 (8) Jun 26 (7) Jun 25 (8) Jun 24 (6) Jun 23 (6) Jun 22 (9) Jun 20 (5) Jun 19 (9) Jun 18 (8) Jun 15 (9) Jun 13 (13) Jun 11 (11) Jun 09 (19) Jun 06 (10) Jun 04 (10) Jun 03 (8) Jun 01 (6) May 31 (5) May 30 (5) May 29 (6) May 28 (7) May 27 (7) May 26 (6) May 25 (4) May 23 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Nov 09 (9) Nov 08 (9) Nov 07 (12) Nov 06 (8) Nov 05 (4) Oct 29 (1) Oct 01 (1) Jul 29 (1) May 11 (1) Jul 11 (1) The contrast could not have been more stark. In the same week that Gina Rinehart, Frank Lowy and others named on the BRWs Rich List revelled in their success, a host of shattered small business aspirants appeared before the banking royal commission to pour forth their tales of woe - their own rags-to-riches stories up in smoke. Marion Messih gave evidence at the royal commission. Credit:Simon Schluter Marion Messih told of being completely shattered by her dealings with Westpac after she borrowed $362,000 to purchase a Pie Face franchise in Melbournes Werribee. She quit her job in 2012 to purchase the franchise with her sister-in-law. They struggled from the outset, working 14-hour days but pulling in just $500 a week at best. In 2014, the shopping centre in which their outlet was located embarked on major renovations, hurting sales. Boeing estimates the world will need to produce 640,000 pilots over the next 20 years as rising middle-class wealth in developing nations sees the number of passengers double to 8 billion. About 40 per cent of those pilots will be needed in the Asia Pacific region. Competition for skilled pilots is becoming fierce. Those employed at Qantas, Virgin Australia, Jetstar or Tigerair say they can easily double their wages by moving to China, where desperate carriers are offering as much as $400,000 a year tax-free. But the number of pilots Australia produces is falling, from about 1700 pilot's licences issued annually a decade ago to 1200 last year. Cracks are starting to appear at small operators and regional carriers, with larger players poaching pilots to fill positions as they roll out new routes and new aircraft. Credit:Shutterstock Cracks are starting to appear at small operators and regional carriers, with larger players poaching pilots to fill positions as they roll out new routes and new aircraft and in some instances lose their own pilots to better-paying carriers overseas. Major carriers are raping and pillaging the resources of the smaller regional carriers and general aviation, says Regional Express (Rex) Airlines chief operating officer Neville Howell, who has lost a quarter of his pilots in the past year, mostly to Qantas and Virgin. Rex has had to cut back services to some of the 60 regional and remote destinations it serves while it tries to replace the pilots it has lost, threatening a vital lifeline for many communities. Rex set up its own pilot academy in Wagga Wagga 10 years ago to meet its need for pilots. Credit:AP We will protect those very remote communities as best we can but we cant do the impossible, Howell says. Rex set up its own pilot academy in Wagga Wagga 10 years ago to meet its need for pilots, after a previous hiring spree by Qantas and Virgin cut a swath through its business. But Howell says Rex now cant recruit or train pilots fast enough to cover the numbers lost to the major carriers. Howell accuses the major carriers of being reckless and negligent in managing their future need for pilots. Im not saying they cant take our pilots - a lot of our pilots aspire to fly with the Qantas and Virgin groups, and thats a healthy ambition, he says. But they cannot just assume a not our problem approach ... to the impact their actions have on what is effectively their resource pool. If there aint a resource pool to draw from, theres going to be nothing for them. He points to rules in China, where carriers are compensated when their pilots are poached by another airline, as an example of what could be done to better manage supply of pilots locally. The Royal Flying Doctors Service's CEO Martin Laverty says the service is taking an average of four months to fill positions, and has about a dozen current vacancies nationwide. The pilot supply problem is affecting the Royal Flying Doctors Service. Credit:Adam Sebire This is the canary in the coalmine moment, he says. Weve been very fortunate that the vacancies have not yet turned into service interruptions. Laverty says the industry needs to find a solution to make it easier for young people to "get their wings". Training privately for a commercial pilot's licence can cost up to $100,000 - an amount some say is prohibitive considering graduates will go into general aviation jobs with starting salaries of about $50,000. The nations largest airline, Qantas, says that it is not immune to the squeeze and had to cut back services on routes in regional Queensland and NSW late last year because it was running short on pilots. (It has been able to fly the same number of passengers by using larger planes on the services that remain.) Qantas has now applied to the federal government for a labour agreement so it can bring foreign pilots into the country to fly for its regional arm, QantasLink, on four-year visas, which will also grant the pilots permanent Australian residency. Qantas wants four-year visas to attract foreign pilots for its QantasLink arm. Credit:James Davies It expects to hire up to 295 senior pilots and simulator instructors over five years using the visas, which the federal government is considering. At the same time, Qantas says it plans to have its own pilot school up and running by the end of next year, training up to 100 pilots a year to supply its own network. It is also partnered with universities on a new training scheme. Qantas chief pilot Richard Tobiano says that airlines worldwide have been hit by the demand for pilots and the airline's priority was to ensure it had a steady supply of highly skilled and qualified pilots undergoing training to meet future demand. But pilots' unions are pushing back against Qantas request to hire foreign pilots and dispute that there even is a shortage. Simon Lutton, president of the Australian Federation of Air Pilots, which has about 5000 members including over 90 per cent of QantasLink pilots, says what Australia is in fact seeing is a short-term blockage in the pilot-training pipeline. That blockage, he says, is of Qantas' own making. Just three years ago the operators were saying that they had an oversupply of pilots and now theyre saying theres a pilot shortage, Lutton says, also pointing to Qantas' eight-year hiring freeze, imposed even as it ordered new aircraft. He says a major issue Qantas has in retaining pilots is that there is no clear career pathway from its regional operations through to mainline Qantas and Jetstar operations. That means regional pilots will jump at the first chance to take a job flying jet aircraft, because they do not know when they will have the opportunity again. A group-wide seniority system, which the Virgin Group has, would allow pilots to serve longer in regional operations without feeling they were missing opportunities to progress their careers, he says. Lutton says a labour agreement would be "essentially selling off residency to fix the problem, which will fix itself in time regardless. Its a short-term fix and that will create obstacles for future pilots coming in behind them for years to come. For its part, Virgin has enough pilots currently, says the groups director of flight operations Stuart Aggs, thanks to its managed recruitment process which since 2012 has included a cadetship program that has produced 32 new pilots. Major jet airlines and smaller regional carriers are the top tiers in Australias aviation ecosystem which has, for the most part, existed symbiotically and successfully to get people around our vast and sparsely populated country. But many in the industry are alarmed at what they say is a crisis at the bottom tier of that ecosystem - general aviation, which covers everything from small charter operators and flying cropdusters to flying as a pilot instructor. General aviation has long been the first step on a path to becoming a fully-fledged pilot able to operate commercial jets. But the number of training hours being flown in general aviation fell 43 per cent between 2008 and 2015, according to the most recently available government data. The culprit is ridiculous and expensive regulation imposed by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), according to businessman Dick Smith, who was chair of the nations air safety body from 1990 to 1992 and again from 1997 to 1999. We just departed Bourke, and we arrived in there and there was one little aeroplane, Smith tells Fairfax Media, typically, from the cockpit of his helicopter, en route to the NSW town of Coonamble. There used to be a flying club and it used to be booming, but most of these airports are almost dead. The near destruction of general aviation was absolutely a cause of any shortages of pilots airlines were seeing, Smith says. Dick Smith blames a shortage of pilots on the over-regulation of general aviation in Australia. Credit:Craig Abraham Traditionally our pilots have come from general aviation where they get about 1000 hours of experience in the bush, and then they go on to airlines. Smith says he was given assurances from the former deputy prime minister and transport minister Barnaby Joyce late last year that he was open to legislative change to make CASA consider costs to operators and industry sustainability, not just safety. But Smith says that went out the window with Joyces replacement in both roles by Michael McCormack. CASA says it is listening to these complaints and that work is underway to ease the regulatory burden on the sector, including fee reviews and licence changes. Soar Aviation CEO Neel Khokhani and Alex Kingsford-Smith. Credit:Joe Armao While global demand for pilots is creating headaches, some, like Neel Khokhani, see opportunities for both him and Australia. Loading Khokhani founded Soar Aviation - where Alex Kingsford-Smith is studying - six years ago when he was just 22, and has built it into what he says is Australia's largest private flying school, with 45 planes and 100 employees. He says part of his business rapid success - and potentially part of the solution to the current pilot shortage - was opening the career up to more diverse candidates, rather than focusing on school leavers and university graduates as pilot schools have typically done. Soar offers the course part-time over two years and is deliberately targeting candidates already in the workforce and looking for a career change. Weve got a doctor who's learning to fly and wants to move across to being a pilot, we've got a mother-daughter duo in Sydney and they're both learning to fly in the same classroom, Khokhani says. PLAYING SOLO: THE SADLY BEAUTIFUL CAREER OF MONTGOMERY CLIFT melbournecinematheque.org. Australian Centre for the Moving Image, Wednesday, May 30, Wednesday 6 and June 13 With his insular vulnerability and psychologically acute performances, Montgomery Clift helped change the expectation and experience of screen acting. The American actor, who died in 1966 aged just 45 after his latter career was marked by difficulties following a car accident, was a change agent from his Hollywood debut in Red River (, G, 133 minutes). Howard Hawks' vast western, where the Texan frontier distorts relationships, stars Clift as Matt Garth, the adult adopted son of an obsessively desperate rancher, Thomas Dunson (John Wayne). Driving their herd 1000 miles to escape a post-Civil War depression, the pair fall out, with the whip-thin Clift suggesting a coiled defiance that comes not with sudden anger but regret forged by a lifetime together. The ornery snap of camaraderie, a Hawks staple, certainly persists, but Clift and a toned down Wayne make the father and son conflict a tragic necessity that towers over the film's difficulty with female characters. It set Clift on his way to a body of work still deeply influential today. Montgomery Clift and Joanne Dru in a still from the film Red River. BETWEEN LAND AND SEA E, 94 minutes. Lido, Classic and Peninsula Cinemas. Saturday 2 and Sunday, June 3 Not since David Lean's 1970 romantic epic Ryan's Daughter has the fierce beauty of Ireland's Atlantic coastline, all cold blues and crashing waves, been so completely captured on camera. In Ross Whitaker's documentary it's the ever-present backdrop simultaneously alluring and aggressive for an unlikely surfing community that's formed around the seaside village of Lahinch in County Clare. With a summer surfing season that's just 10 weeks long, but a year-round population of enthusiasts, there's struggle onshore and also experimentation: former pro surfer turned local Fergal Smith has brought an enthusiasm for organic farming to that Irish staple of growing potatoes. The cultural shift onshore isn't closely examined, but when the action moves into the water the attraction of the waves is eloquently established by cinematographer Kevin Smith. The expatriates can't always explain what these breaks mean to them, but when surfboards slice though the water, seen from above, alongside and below, the movie is less about surfing than a wordless connection to nature's wonder. BACK IN TIME FOR DINNER Series premiere Tuesday 8.30pm, ABC What sounds like a Mad as Hell spoof ABC promo is actually a clever look at Australia's culinary and cultural development since 1950. Retrobabe Annabel Crabb guides a millennial family through the domestic experience, in which their house is dressed for a different decade each week. The family is great TV talent. Their observations of the ups and downs of yesteryear are astute and heartfelt. A millennial family goes Back in Time for Dinner. TODD SAMPSON'S BODYHACK Series return Thursday 8.30pm, Ten Refraining from performing the dangerous stunts of Life on the Line, the Gruen panellist is back learning from others who do. The neuroscience graphics imposed over the heads of those who test the limits of human endurance, such as the Sadhus of India in this first confronting episode, are unintentionally amusing. As is the feat of one Sadhu that is reminiscent of an early Chris Lilley creation. GRAND DESIGNS AUSTRALIA Series premiere **** four stars 8pm, ABC At last this local version of the UK series, fronted by the suitably Kevin McCloud-ish Peter Maddison, makes its free-to-air debut with the very Australian construction story of a Black Saturday rebuild. Literally rising like the mythological bird is treechanger architect Chris Clarke's smart, sustainable one-bedder. The man's care for each slab and stump, to which he assigns a gender, is commendable, if a little extreme. Peter Maddison hosts Grand Designs Australia. LUKE NGUYEN'S FOOD TRAIL *** three stars 8.05pm, SBS This Sydney restaurateur is so good at describing food that you can almost taste the spices and smell the aromas wafting from his wok. Here he throws together a fried rice-cake dish with flossed pork and prawns in his Honkers eatery, Moi Moi, before heading out of the city to reconnect with the Hakka roots he discovered he had on this broadcaster's genealogy series. This is a scrumptious feast for all the senses. The story was told in a bid to point out how the wedding of Prince Harry to Meghan Markle, who has African heritage, signifies a shift in racial attitudes by the British royal family. Nick Enfield, a professor of linguistics at the University of Sydney who researches the use of language in social interactions, says that while "mentioning" a racial slur in the context of someone else saying it is different to "using" it yourself, uttering the word during a live TV broadcast was unnecessary and showed a lack of sensitivity. "Without question it should have been done differently. You don't say things that are offensive on a national broadcast," Professor Enfield said. "It's all very well for me to quote someone else's words but if I'm talking to my grandmother I shouldn't really use the c-word or the f-word or what have you, simply as a matter of decorum and recognition that the word is offensive to them." An SBS spokeswoman said the discussion about Prince Philip's use of the word "highlighted the positive cultural changes that have occurred, with the commentary that immediately followed from both presenters indicating that these terms are unacceptable." As a teenager politics was a fervent passion, but after three months as a junior political reporter in the Victorian Parliament in 1969, disenchantment with our democratic system displaced my commitment to politics. Five years later, living in Francos Spain teaching English and studying Spanish, my personal experience of fascism over five months rekindled my political enthusiasm. The totalitarian regime, with inhabitants afraid to criticise the government, let alone protest vociferously for fear of persecution, torture and imprisonment, dissipated my cynicism and disillusionment with politics in the West. Many people were scared into silence. When I attempted to converse with one middle-aged man about the countrys system, he assumed I was a Francophile spy masquerading as an innocent traveller and shut up. Currently, with mistrust of governments permeating popular political perspectives, it is imperative to acknowledge the positives about democracy across the Western world. As the #MeToo movement rolls along in fits and starts, (the most striking so far: the arrest on Friday of Harvey Weinstein), the public is now starting to become more aware of all the hideous sexual harassment backstories kept under wraps for so many years. One of those stories involves Gwyneth Paltrow. In 1994, she had just scored the lead in Emma, a movie that was produced by Weinstein, who at the time was the super producer; king of Hollywood hit factory and co-founder of Miramax Films. How the mighty have fallen! Weinstein's arrest on Friday included charges of rape, and multiple counts of sexual assault. He has been released on US $1 million bail until the case is adjourned on July 30. He's pleading not guilty. Everyone heads to grungy, mod-Japanese Sando Bar, Surry Hills, for one reason the katsu sando. Credit:James Brickwood It's the magic hour between late breakfast and lunch, and we're arguing over drink choices at Surry Hills' Sando Bar. An Asahi makes sense with the '90s Wu-Tang and Ice Cube soundtrack. But a matcha and sticky rice shake also seems fitting with the cafe's slightly offbeat theme. (We've been seated at a ping pong table, after all). It's easy to get distracted by the cool trappings in this grungy, mod-Japanese cafe, but everyone's here for one reason chef Naoya Shimada's thick, golden katsu sandos. Japanese sandwiches (or sandos) have been flying under the radar in Sydney's cafe scene. While Redfern's Cafe Oratnek has been quietly paving the way for the crumbed pork sandwich, it's not until recently that the sando has started headlining brunch menus in popular spots like Paper Bird and Devon on Barangaroo and North Sydney. And now, thanks to Shimada, an entire cafe is devoted to the art of the sando. The venue is co-owned by Jason Ang, who runs Tokyo Bird and Osaka Trading Company where Shimada recently worked as a sous chef. For Sando Bar, Shimada wanted to bring elements of his favourite childhood foods to the menu. The rules for cashing out a British pension are complex. Credit:Simon Dawson/Bloomberg I have a daughter who lives and works in Britain under a temporary working visa. She currently contributes to a UK Pension Scheme, called Superannuation Arrangements of the University of London (SAUL) Care Plan. She commenced working and contribution to the SAUL Care Plan in March 2017. She plans to come back to Australia in March 2019, and she has an Australian accumulation superannuation fund, First State Super. I have checked that First State Super does not accept fund transfers from an overseas pension scheme. My daughters objective is to withdraw her contributions to SAUL Care Plan when she leaves the UK in March 2019. It would be appreciated if you could give me the answers to the following four questions: 1. My understanding is that, as she will be less than two years' contribution to a UK pension scheme, she can withdraw all of her contributions less any savings on her income tax and National Insurance Premium that resulted from her contributions to SAUL Care Plan. Is this correct? 2. As my daughter is definitely leaving the UK in March 2019, would she be better off to cease contribution to the Plan now? 3. If the answer to the second question is yes, would her current employer automatically enroll her into another UK pension scheme? In other words, is it compulsory to contribute to a UK pension if you work in the UK? 4. Is it worthwhile to find and open an Australian based superannuation scheme that accepts fund transfers from overseas? My understanding is that you will not pay any UK tax for fund transfer if the Australian based superannuation scheme is QROPS (Qualifying Recognised Overseas Pension Scheme) registered with HM Revenue and Customs. If so, do you know the name of such Australian superannuation scheme? R.L. Im not licensed in the UK to give advice on UK pensions but the following is publicly available information. According to SAULs rules, if a member leaves within two years, she can get a refund but dont forget that two-year period includes a 28-day notice period. Any refund below 20,000 is subject to 20 per cent UK tax. Under UK law, since April 2016, SAUL members have no longer paid less National Insurance and hence, as I understand it, no deductions payable to National Insurance will be made. It is compulsory for your daughters UK employer to make contributions to a pension scheme, so trying to cease fund membership without terminating her employment is impractical. How does a white Perth businessman recently discharged from bankruptcy and told by Australia's corporate watchdog he is to be banned from managing companies end up responsible for a multi-million-dollar Aboriginal charitable trust? That is one of the questions Western Australias Attorney-General John Quigley is hoping to get answered when he receives a report from deputy state solicitor Alan Sefton into the operations of the Njamal Peoples Trust in mid-June. The trust holds millions of dollars in mining-related payments made to Njamal native title holders in the resource-rich Pilbara. Companies with exploration projects on Njamal land include Pilbara Minerals, Millennium Minerals, Atlas Iron and Andrew Forrests FMG. Mr Quigley ordered the investigation into the Njamal trust a year ago amid concern about the disbursement of funds. It is understood to be the first time an attorney general in WA has used powers under the Charitable Trusts Act to order such a probe. More than $2 million will be spent in next week's ACT budget on upgrading and protecting the Mulligans Flat wildlife sanctuary. ACT Environment Minister Mick Gentleman announced $1.6 million for the construction of an ecotourism learning centre at Mulligans Flat, while almost $600,000 will be spent on the eradication of rabbits and hares from the area. A new ecotourism centre will be built at Mulligans Flat, as outlined in the upcoming ACT budget. The visitors centre was previously outlined as part of a 2016 election commitment by Labor. It's hoped the centre will bring in more tourists to the area and act as a gateway to the wildlife sanctuary. Canberrans snapped up a chance to get a first hand experience with Indigenous culture on Saturday, making bush soap, boomerangs and learning about plant life. The event at the Jerrabomberra wetlands was being held to allow younger generations to learn more about Aboriginal culture and work towards closing the gap, Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation cultural director Richie Allan said. Mikael Sarafian Green picks leaves from a tree that can be used as bush soap. Credit:Dion Georgopoulos "It's important to highlight Ngunnawal culture around here and show it to the Canberra community," Mr Allan said. Mr Allan said Canberra's first Reconciliation Day on Monday was a sign the country was moving forward. The first rule about birding is that there are no rules for birding. Look at a bird with the intent of identifying it or just watching it because you want to, and thats it, thats birding. Some who partake in the hobby, the passion, the possible obsession might beg to differ but they would be wrong because you just cant argue with such an easy, basic, and honest definition. Bird..watchvoila. However, thats not to say that birding cant be a whole lot more, if you are reading this, its very likely that you are well aware that it usually is. Those who would beg to differ with that definition, or at least sort of feel that real birding is something else, something more, do so because to them, it literally is much more. It translates to a large investment of time and effort, a hopefully happy one, but nonetheless an investment and looking out the window at a feeder on a wintry day just seems too casual to be known as birding. Yet, it most definitely is and thats because once again, the only rule for birding is that there are no rules for birding. Well, maybe there should be a rule to do an antpitta dance when you actually lay eyes on your first feathered ball with legs but we could just leave that as a suggestion. You can dance if you want to, you can leave your friends behind, but if your friends dont do the antpitta dance. Even though we got no real birding rules, this doesnt mean that we all have to bird the same way. In fact, birding differently goes right along with the only real main rule, and of the many different means of birding, one of the most effective and challenging is the kung-fu approach. While this might bring up visions of flying kicks while simultaneously focusing the binos on a Prong-billed Barbet, as cool and impressive as that would be, thats not really what it is. The kung-fu approach to birding is known like so because of the techniques and philosophies that are followed. This is what its all about: The Prong-billed Barbet is only impressed with delicious cloud forest fruit. Time and effort This is actually sort of what kung-fu really means. Although the term is usually associated with Chinese martial arts, thats only because becoming efficient in said arts requires a great deal of time, effort, dedication, and more. But, put in enough focused effort and you achieve great results, and thats what kung-fu really is whether you happen to be painting landscapes, getting serious with sudoku, making authentic Neopolitan Pizzas, practicing Northern Shaolin Long Fist, or, watching birds. It is time and effort to achieve what you want, in this case, maybe seeing more birds, identifying those first year gulls, perhaps differentiating the songs of wood-warblers. In Costa Rica, this could also involve seeing all of the antpittas (including the cute Ochre-breasted Antpitta shown in the feature image) or even finding a mega Solitary Eagle. After all, each of those endeavors requires a heck of a lot of time and effort. Patience Patience is an essential aspect of kung-fu birding because you dont get great results overnight. If life were like The Matrix, yes, but until we can download skills directly into the gray matter, achieving impressive results requires hard, dedicated work, and that requires lots of patience to keep at it, to keep going and stick with it until we pick out that rare and weird Sharpbill from a buzzing mixed flock, until we find the stop-over sites of rare Cerulean Warblers, until the Resplendent Quetzal comes back to its nest. Patience pays off. Challenging oneself to always improve Practice actually does not make perfect because thats impossible. However, humble, diligent practice can lead to achievements that never seemed possible and it doesnt have to stop there. Keep this attitude going and you can take kung-fu birding to as high a level as you want. Flight calls of nocturnal migrants? Differentiating shorebirds in flight, even at a distance? Immediate identification of vocalizations and canopy birds at odd angles as they rush through the treetops of the rainforest? All are possible and we can always get better at quick identification, we can always improve our ability to identify raptors in flight. Theres always more to learn, we can always do better and keeping that in mind is an important aspect of kung-fu birding. Doing whatever it takes White-tailed Ptarmigans are up there above the tree line. You might have to trudge through snow, and do so with less oxygen to burn, but if you want to see those special high mountain grouse, you might have to feel the ptarmigan burn and more. In Costa Rica, although we lack ptarmigans, we have more than enough difficult birds that require the do what it takes approach to make up for it. Want to see a seriously elusive Black-crowned Antpitta? You need to find out where to look, know how to look for it, have plenty of patience, and might also need to hire a good guide. Not exactly an easy bird to see. As an aside, although we know theres only one rule to birding, it bears to mention that doing what it takes doesnt mean harming birds to see them, nor, of course, harming people or being a jerk to others so you can see a bird. At its core, the kung-fu birding approach is also ethical in every way. If anything, its more about self improvement through diligent practice rather than such lesser methodologies of birding as boast-birding, talkative-birding, and, maybe the worst of the bunch, unapologetic stringing. Kung-fu birding! Are you up for the challenge? Are you already a kung-fu birder but never realized it until now? Or, maybe you happen to be a Jedi birder! Whether kung-fu birding or not, please leave a comment about the type of birding you enjoy the most. Mr Hicks, who was appointed liquidator of Walker's building company - Sepega Building Supplies - on the petition of the Australian Taxation Office, said Walker had been ripping people off for decades. During investigations of Sepega, Mr Hicks uncovered cash transactions going through Walker's trust account, he reported it to police who executed a search warrant and discovered Walker was involved in money laundering. Richard Galloway lost his entire retirement savings to Ray Walker. Credit:Simone De Peak The business model made no sense to me as it was a building company with no qualified builder, Mr Hicks said. Included in the list of creditors were about half a dozen retired coal miners who relied on Walker and had no idea of the risk they had assumed. I did not refer the Ray Walker money laundering to the ATO or the Tax Agents Board, which I now regret. A complaint was made to the Institute of Chartered Accountants and Walker was found guilty in 1990 of failure to observe a proper standard of professional care, skill or competence and fined $1000. An investigation revealed he intermingled his clients and personal affairs in the RE Walker Trust Account. Newcastle solicitor Rob Brook, who represents many of Walkers victims, described the punishment as less than a slap on the wrist. Mr Brook said the professional body, renamed Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CAANZ), later rewarded Walker by promoting him from a regular member to a fellow. At the time he was using his front as a respectable accountant to advise clients to deposit tens and hundreds of thousands of dollars into his trust account, he said. The hundreds of thousands in client money misappropriated by Walker turned into millions over years. The exact number of complaints made against Walker to regulatory and professional bodies is unclear because the majority of dealings are confidential. The Herald is aware of one client who made a complaint about Walker, not long before his death, to the Financial Ombudsman Service Australia. Another complaint was lodged with the ombudsman in July 2008 in relation to a company that was co-directed by Ray Walker and his accountant son Brett Walker, Capital Asset Investments Limited. Loading The company served to filter huge sums of client funds stolen by Ray Walker. In November 2011, a further complaint about Capital Assets Investments Limited, was lodged with the Financial Industry Complaints Service. Brett Walker has said he knew nothing about his fathers fraud and did not benefit from it. Ray Walkers victims said if they had any idea of the rogue accountants past, they would never have given him a cent or used him as their accountant. They believe there should be a public register detailing all adverse findings against accountants. Amid the deluge of client files, company documents and legal letters surrounding the collapse of Ray Walkers $10 million Ponzi scheme, there was a client email in 2013. A disgruntled Brisbane-based client wrote to Brett Walker, who worked alongside his father for more than 25 years, raising concern about money he had invested in one of Ray Walkers schemes. The client was unhappy about the lack of detail supplied by Ray Walker about money, invested through a self managed super fund, in the Cosmopolitan Hotel, at Carrington. Repeatedly unable to get a response from Ray Walker, who managed the investment, the client asked Brett Walker for help. Note: I would really like to see the books and have them audited as it all appears rather dodgy and the whole thing has an odour to it, he wrote to Brett Walker on December 5, 2013. Can you organise an official audit of the books for this trust? The chicanery the client was talking about was indeed real. Ray Walkers clients lost hundreds of thousands of dollars in a unit trust after he sold the central asset, the former Cosmopolitan Hotel, without their knowledge. Jim Todhunter, who lost $200,000, said the system did nothing to protect victims. Credit:Marina Neil Jim Todhunter, of Hamilton South, lost $200,000 in the unit trust that promised annual returns of 5.2 per cent. Mr Todhunter invested via Ray Walker $100,000 from his super and another $100,000 on behalf of his daughter who has autism. Walker had been his accountant for 31 years. He said the $10 million fraud should have been uncovered sooner but too many people failed to act on complaints and telltale signs. We were let down by the inaction of the regulatory authorities and professional bodies, he said. If I had any idea Walker had complaints against him, there is no way I would have given him money, none of us would. We were completely in the dark. Despite a veneer of professionalism, Walkers business was a wobbly amalgam of clients who he befriended over decades so he could take advantage of them. In some cases the closer the friend, the bigger the fraud. Carol McKinstry, formerly of Hamilton, lost $350,000 from her superannuation. The 71-year-old, who shared many a meal with Walker, will now not be enjoying the retirement she planned. Its far from funny to be 71 and suddenly have your security blanket ripped out from underneath you, Mrs McKinstry said. It seems like the money vanished from the moment he got it. Its too depressing to even think about. Since Walkers suicide in July, 2015, there are plenty of theories around about how he got away with it for so long, but the bottom line is that he fooled people based on his reputation, that appeared to many unblemished, and lengthy association with them. Mrs Walker told the Federal Court she was unaware of the source of her husbands wealth, stating he handled their finances and if he said we could afford it, naturally I believed him. Many of Walkers victims attended his funeral unaware their money had been frittered away. A Hamilton man, who lost $300,000, wrote a glowing tribute in Walkers funeral guest book. I knew Ray for 20 years and he consistently proved himself a stalwart friend, confidante and professional. He was as genuine a person Ive met and will be greatly missed by all who knew him. The construction of large buildings around a new metro railway station at Waterloo in Sydney's inner south will be fast tracked after planning for them was separated from the massive redevelopment of a nearby public housing estate. The split means that the so-called metro quarter at Waterloo, above an underground railway station in the city's $20 billion-plus metro project, will be completed as early as 2022, two years before the first trains are due to begin running on the second stage of the new rail line. Public housing apartment blocks at Waterloo in Sydney's inner south. Credit:Robert Pearce But the decision has sparked an outcry from community groups who argue that the acceleration of planning for the metro quarter will not give public housing tenants in the adjoining Waterloo estate enough time to be consulted on the major changes to their suburb. Community group REDWatch said there was a rush to push the plans for the metro station development through at any cost, with absolutely no regard for the vulnerable community living nearby in the Waterloo estate. At first blush, that sounds draconian. But Mr Redlich made clear in his evidence (which is available on the parliamentary committees website ) that IBAC is not seeking anything beyond the normal parameters of a police officers jurisdiction. What Robert Redlich, the relatively new IBAC commissioner, is seeking when he asks for additional, limited powers is, in our view, entirely reasonable. Mr Redlich, a former judge of 15 years standing in the Supreme Court, told a parliamentary committee in February that IBAC needs powers equivalent to the police. Unfortunately, the states still-evolving Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission has been hamstrung from the start by legislation that, variously, sets the bar too high for it to investigate certain complaints, or limits its ability to pursue individuals it suspects are involved in serious wrongdoing. If Victoria is to have a properly functioning anti-corruption commission, the government must be prepared to provide that commission with the powers and resources it needs to thoroughly investigate nefarious instances of misconduct. That should be a given. Whats missing? The power to arrest. The power to search a person. The power to prosecute someone for destroying or concealing evidence from IBAC. The list goes on. Indeed, Mr Redlich presented the parliamentary committee with an entire spreadsheet of powers that IBAC lacks. To be clear, the commissioner is not seeking a standing force of quasi-military IBAC officers and all the frightening overreach that might entail. He is, instead, pointing to some basic and logical powers that are already vested in corruption commissions in NSW and Queensland. Mr Redlich has suggested such powers could be vested in an IBAC officer who, for example, has at least five years of experience as a police officer or similar experience with a high-level investigations agency, such as the Ombudsmans office. Mr Redlich believes granting IBAC such powers would enable it to investigate many more matters that, because of the absence of those powers, it is currently obliged to refer to other agencies. That includes certain complaints involving the police. Mr Redlich says that if IBAC had limited police powers, then the greatest improvement above anything else would emerge in its ability to review misconduct and others matters of wrongdoing inside Victoria Police. It would give IBAC a sharp and visible level of independence from Victoria Police. IBAC already monitors and reviews Victoria Polices internal investigation of police officers, and Mr Redlich is adamant that IBAC should not take on that duty itself except in the area of serious misconduct. However, he believes that the current regime a mandatory one, which requires IBAC to refer certain complaints back to police because, for example, IBAC deems it does not have the logistical capability to properly investigate should be changed to give IBAC full discretion to investigate where it sees fit. Last weekend while running I had to cross the road to avoid around eight seriously drug affected and disorderly folk sprawling across the pavement near my home in St Kilda. St Kilda in winter. Credit:The Age On the way back from my run I spoke with a neighbour, who had diverted a family of Canadian tourists from encountering a couple having flagrant public sex in a nearby park by the local childrens playground. St Kilda is a popular tourist family destination and represents Melbourne and Australia to overseas visitors. On Monday evening when I called police seeking advice or assistance for a woman screaming obscenities from her tent pitched in the shadows of Luna Park, I was told she "clearly has mental health issues but is happy enough". Later in the week, as I walked my dog before work, right before me in a laneway off my street was a man trying to inject himself. Blood dripped down his arm as he was trying to get the needle in the right spot. Victorian police say they need new powers to charge family violence and sexual offenders who strangle their victims. The risk of women being murdered dramatically increases - one study found the odds leapt by 800 per cent - if their partner or former partner attempts to strangle them. This week, an inquest into the 2011 death of Mornington Peninsula woman Joy Rowley revealed the 60-year-old was choked unconscious eight months before she was strangled to death. Joy Rowley was murdered in 2011. The head of Victoria Polices response to family violence told the Coroners Court that attempted strangulation was a significant contributing factor to Ms Rowleys risk and vulnerability and it should be a stand-alone offence. At an unassuming Canning Vale industrial area factory unit, some of the worlds most advanced mineral analysis worth a potential $1 billion is happening. Perth-based driller Ausdrill has become the first in the world to use powerful x-rays to detect gold in drilling samples. The photon assay unit at Min Analytical's Canning Vale laboratory. Credit:Tony McDonough/Ausdrill The photon assay machine installed at Ausdrill subsidiary Min Analyticals laboratory uses techniques developed by the CSIRO. It has cut down the time it takes to analyse a sample from 48 hours to 10 minutes when compared to the 500-year-old fire assay technique the current industry standard. There was a revealing meltdown on the fringes of Victorian politics during the week that you might have missed. A preposterous news story declared that based upon a university study into gender identification, local councils were about to ban Thomas the Tank Engine and Winnie the Pooh as well as the words boy and girl. Of course none of this was right; not the interpretation of the study in question, not the response of local governments, not the impending abolition of Winnie and Thomas. No nouns were to be decommissioned. Thomas The Tank Engine was caught up in the gender wars this week. What had really happened was that Melbourne City Council commissioned the Australian National University to conduct some research on the development of gender roles, bias and stereotypes in preschool children. The recently published research suggested, unsurprisingly, that ff girls avoid playing with toys such as Lego, they may miss opportunities to develop special and mechanical reasoning skills that are necessary for careers and courses in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The story was dutifully regurgitated across the tabloid media spectrum and like clockwork the crack troops of the culture wars kitted up and marched. The Parents and Friends Association at one of Sydneys most expensive private schools has resigned en masse over concerns it had been structured to avoid paying tax on hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of fundraising activities. Parents at the $20,000-a-year Loreto Kirribilli school were told the association had been dissolved due to increasing red tape. But documents seen by The Sun-Herald reveal all eight members of the P&F executive sounded the alarm about the bodys finances in March and resigned to protect themselves from potential prosecution over what they suspected were breaches of tax laws relating to its charity status. Loreto Kirribilli. Credit:Fiona Morris Lawyers for the school said two independent experts had found no issue with the accounts. In a letter to principal Anna Dickinson, committee leaders said that three ABNs had been registered under its name by previous P&F committees to avoid the compliance burden of registering for GST despite total fundraising now exceeding the $150,000 threshold required to pay the tax. This presented an unacceptable level of risk, they wrote, and they resigned with immediate effect. Furthermore, the statement by the members of the executive committee attest to the accounts having been prepared to give a true and fair view of the financial position and the performance of the P&F Association, and yet this is clearly not the case, the letter said. Instead, they appear to have been prepared to avoid having to register the P&F Association for GST. After two failed trials, the state governments controversial shark net program in northern NSW has come to an abrupt halt. Not because the government thinks enough scientific data has been gathered but because the Premier is worried about PR. Killing dolphins, turtles and rays is fine. But catching a whale? Thats a totally different story. Eight dolphins have been fatally caught in shark nets off northern NSW in a little over a year. Credit:Dallas Kilponen The whales are migrating earlier this season, so the nets have been taken out in case one gets entangled. While I am certainly glad to see the government consider the welfare of whales, the selectivity of its policy on protecting marine life is difficult to comprehend. The recent shark net trials in northern NSW resulted in 193 marine animals being killed in a little over a year. Just seven of the animals caught were target shark species. Some of the species killed, such as the hawksbill turtle, are critically endangered. Wiradjuri woman Aunty Norma Ingram has lived much of her life in the political sphere, having worked at the coalface of Aboriginal affairs for more than four decades. In March she will make her first tilt at state political office as Labor's candidate for Newtown at the 2019 election, after the party endorsed her preselection on Thursday. Aunty Norma Ingram, in Redfern, is Labor's new candidate for the seat of Newtown. Credit:Steven Siewert While the electorate is new - the seat returned to the political landscape at the 2015 election for the first time since the 1950s - the suburbs it encompasses have been Ms Ingram's home turf for most of her life. "When I first moved into Newtown it was working class," she says. "Redfern was working class. Its all become gentrified now." Kuala Lumpur: The Australian grandmother sentenced to death in Malaysia for drug smuggling has told her lawyer not to worry as they will win their appeal case because "it's obvious I'm innocent". An appeal court in Malaysia on Thursday sentenced Maria Elvira Pinto Exposto to death by hanging after overturning her earlier acquittal on drug smuggling charges. Australian Maria Elvira Pinto Exposto leaves her hearing at the Shah Alam High Court after being found not guilty last year. Credit:AP The three judges sitting in Kuala Lumpur unanimously found the 54-year-old guilty but said she had a right of further appeal on the methamphetamine charges and wished her luck. On Friday Exposto's legal team lodged an application to appeal the ruling in the Federal Court. Most of the debate, both here in Benton, the hamlet that is home to the county high school, and at the state Capitol in Frankfort, has been focused on how to make schools more secure and how to detect potentially dangerous students. The school district in Marshall County has hired more armed officers and locked many of the high school's 86 doors. Every morning, teachers and staff members search students' backpacks and wand them with metal detectors. The question of guns stayed largely on the sidelines. "I don't think the Second Amendment is the issue," said Kevin Neal, Marshall County's judge/executive. "If somebody gets it in their head they're going to kill, they're going to do it." Neal, a hulking former Marine, is a staunch gun rights supporter who said he carried a pistol on his side as he finished his lunch at JoJo's Cafe. He said that many adults thought the student protesters were simply "marching to march". Some parents said the students were being goaded by anti-gun groups outside Marshall County and were just seeking attention. "They want to show, 'Look at me, look at me'," said P.J. Thomason, whose son Case was wounded in the shooting. "Everyone that owns a gun is wrong - that's what they teach them nowadays." Thomason said that Case survived that day because he is a competitive pistol and rifle shooter who recognised the sound of gunshots in the student commons and instantly knew to run. Case was struck in the hip, but recovered quickly and is shooting again. "The reason he's alive is because of a gun," Thomason said. The Marshall County students who decided to speak out for gun control said they understood the consequences of bucking the views of many of their parents, friends and neighbours on an issue as personal and emotional as guns. From left: Marshall County High School students Hailey Case, Jordan Harrell and Lily Dunn, who have been active in calling for gun restrictions since the shooting that killed two students at their school. Credit:New York Times "We knew we were going to get backlash," said Cloi Henke, 15, who was in a small group of students who participated in a local March for Our Lives rally one rainy day this spring. "I just didn't think it would be so forward," said her 15-year-old friend Lily Dunn. "When people started talking about me, it knocked me down a few pegs." It was just after school one afternoon, and Cloi, Lily and their friends - all first years - were squeezed into a booth at the Benton Dairy Queen. Since the shooting at Marshall, they cocoon together often, in their spot in the student commons or on a friend's willow-shaded back porch, to support each other and strategise about their tiny slice of the gun control movement. "Almost no one agrees with us," said Hailey Case, 16. That includes her father, who argued with Hailey after listening to her practice a speech she delivered at the local March for Our Lives rally. One girl threatened to fight them after they held a gun control rally, they said. Letters and commenters in local media said the students were too young to know anything. Cloi said she had been at a friend's house one afternoon when her friend's father pulled out his AR-15 to show her "what you guys are trying to ban". "It was kind of scary," Cloi said. Lily, sitting next to her, said a teacher had confronted her when she came to class wearing a T-shirt in the school's orange and blue colours, showing a constellation of dots for every school in Kentucky that had been affected by a shooting. Their own dot came on January 23. According to police and prosecutors, Gabriel Parker, a 15-year-old student at Marshall County High, opened fire on a group of students with his stepfather's handgun as a kind of twisted social experiment, to see how people would react. Parker was arrested after he slipped out of the school among a group of students fleeing the carnage, and has been charged as an adult in the attack. Rifles for sale at Personal Security Firearms in Benton, Kentucky. Credit:New York Times Across the country, about 60 per cent of rural households own a gun - double the rate of city households - and many Marshall County students said that before the shooting they had barely thought about the gun debate. They hunted and shot air rifles at camp on Kentucky Lake, and their fathers kept handguns for protection. Afterward, though, the gulf between their views and their parents' became impossible to ignore. Mary Cox, 18, a senior who is involved in theatre and captain of her speech team, got into arguments with her father when he tried to buy her a compact handgun to take with her to college. One day, she said, when her father was driving her home from a rehearsal, he pressed her on her support for banning AR-15s. If she was being attacked, wouldn't she want someone with an AR-15 to come help? "We couldn't be more opposite in what we believe," her father, Ezra, said in an interview. Still, he said, he and his wife had encouraged Mary to stay true to her beliefs. One evening, three first-year friends who spoke at a gun control rally drove through town on their way to dinner, gliding past "Marshall Strong" signs on the Arby's and the Lake Chem Credit Union. Four months after the shooting, reminders linger everywhere. Blue-and-orange lawn signs poke up from drainage ditches. Bible verses about faith and healing are still painted onto the windows of antique shops and insurance agencies downtown. A psalm and a message of solidarity on a downtown shop window in the wake of the Marshall County High School shooting. Credit:New York Times "I don't want to see it anymore," Lela Free said, staring out from a back seat. Sitting in front in the passenger seat, Korbin Brandon, 16, thought about how his life had changed since 7.55am on that day in January. Korbin, a first year who speaks like a cross between Encyclopaedia Brown and Alex Keaton, the conservative teenager from Family Ties, had always thought of himself a Second Amendment supporter and sportsman. He had fired a high-powered rifle when he was eight years old. Flowers at the entrance to Marshall County High School. Credit:New York Times But on January 23, he was turned to face the glass walls that overlook the student commons when his classmates were being cut down. "I saw some stuff" is how he puts it. Though he still calls himself a conservative, Korbin decided to join the students who were organising speeches and rallies focused on safety and gun control. When he returned to class after giving a speech that confronted the National Rifle Association, one friend yelled at him; others took a group photo without him; and a deacon at his church warned him that he sounded like a Democrat. "They said I'd betrayed them," Korbin said of his friends. "I'd turned my back on the good way, the sportsman's way. I faced a lot of ridicule." He was surprised at the backlash, because he does not support banning guns or accessories. But he said they should perhaps be harder to buy. The Southeast Stakeholders Coalition has failed to convince the National Energy Board to shelve upcoming hearings over the Manitoba-Minnesota Transmission Project. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 26/5/2018 (1234 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. The Southeast Stakeholders Coalition has failed to convince the National Energy Board to shelve upcoming hearings over the Manitoba-Minnesota Transmission Project. The hearings will commence June 4 in Winnipegs Radisson Hotel and proceed in two stages. A weeks worth of oral traditional evidence from Indigenous participants will be heard first, followed by arguments from other parties in late June, Matt Groza, an NEB process advisor, said this week. Turmoil inside Manitoba Hydro caused ripple effects that threatened to delay or derail the hearings, which were initially expected to begin in late May following a December order from the NEB. On March 21, all nine non-government members of the Crown corporations board resigned over what they said was Premier Brian Pallisters year-long refusal to meet with them to discuss pressing issues. Pointing to the disarray, the Southeast Stakeholders Coalition, a grassroots landowner group that wants the MMTP quashed or rerouted, filed a March 26 motion arguing Hydros board exodus, and news it planned to offer a $67 million compensation package to the Manitoba Metis Federation to quell opposition to the project, constituted grounds for adjourning the hearings. The SSC reasoned the provincial government has lost confidence in Manitoba Hydro, making the hearings a waste of resources, and called the compensation deal a misuse of public funds. The coalition also said hearing participants now need extra time to gather more information on Manitoba Hydros finances, and referenced pending litigation over the MMTP as a further reason to postpone the hearings. Eight parties responded to the SSCs motion. Roseau River Anishinabe First Nation was among four Manitoba First Nations that said they supported an adjournment, while two other parties took no position. Peguis First Nation and Manitoba Hydro called for the NEB to dismiss the request. Stay informed The latest updates on the novel coronavirus and COVID-19 delivered to your inbox every weeknight. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. On April 18, the NEB denied the SSCs motion, noting those who supported it did so largely for their own reasons. Furthermore, Manitoba Hydro remains committed to building the MMTP, and the litigation is "speculative in nature," the board ruled. Four "commenters" and 12 "interveners" are scheduled to present at the upcoming hearings, which are not intended to retread arguments and evidence delivered during a round of Manitoba Clean Environment Commission hearings last year. The SSC and Roseau River Anishinabe First Nation are listed among the interveners, while commenters include RM of Springfield chief administrative officer Russell Phillips and RM of La Broquerie resident David Dawson. Economic, environmental, landowner, and Indigenous aspects of the project are expected to be discussed at the hearings, which follow the CECs 160-page report, published last September. The CEC found Manitoba Hydro should have consulted stakeholders much earlier in its planning process, but proposed no routing changes and recommended the MMTP be issued an environmental license. The proposed 500-kilovolt transmission line is estimated to cost $453 million, and would transmit electricity 121 kilometres from the Dorsey Converter Station east of Winnipeg to Minnesotas Great Northern Transmission Line, passing through the RMs of Springfield, Tache, Ste Anne, La Broquerie, and Piney in the process. President Donald Trump shake hands during a meeting with Joshua Holt after his return to the U.S. at the White House on May 26, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Pool/Getty Images) Trump Welcomes American Hostage Released From Venezuela President Donald Trump welcomed an American hostage released from Venezuela at the White House on Saturday. Joshua Holt, a Utah man held hostage by the Venezuelan socialist government for almost two years, reunited with his family and met the president at the White House. The gesture is an olive branch from Venezuelas socialist dictator, Nicolas Maduro, amid intensifying sanctions imposed by the United States. But the White House said on Saturday that releasing the hostage does not change the United States policy toward the regime. The Maduro regime must call free, fair, and transparent elections, consistent with its constitution. The election process that occurred on May 20 was illegitimate, White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said in a statement. The regime must allow all Venezuelans and political parties to participate freely in new elections and the democratic process, Sanders added. It must release all political prisoners, and must accept desperately needed international humanitarian aid for Venezuelas dying citizens. At the meeting with the Hold family, Trump pointed out that 17 hostages held abroad have been released during his term. Most recently, North Korea free three Americans ahead of Trumps summit with Kim Jong Un. Youve gone through a lot, Trump told Holt, More than most people could endure. Holt, 26, was a Mormon missionary, which led him to meet his future wife, Thamara Caleno, 27, a mother of two and also a Mormon. After meeting Caleno for the first time in the Dominican Republic, Holt traveled, on June 11, 2016, to Caracas, Venezuela, to marry her. Yet, after a week-long honeymoon on the dreamy Margarita island, their life turned into a nightmare. On June 30, police were conducting door-to-door searches in the crime-ridden Ciudad Caribia public housing complex, where Caleno lived. Holt was staying in her apartment and when the police came in around 6 a.m., he took out his phone and started recording them. In his country, you cant search without a warrant, so he thought it was noteworthy, a witness, who wished to remain anonymous, told the Miami Herald. They confiscated his phone and took him away with other people. Two hours later, some 30 masked officers came to the apartment complex. They hauled a large black bag up to the couples apartment as several neighbors watched. While some of the officers distracted Caleno, one of the officers went out of sight and then announced he found the black bag with weapons inside, the witness said. Venezuelan news then reported that two rifles, an AK-47 and an imitation AR-15, were recovered by police, along with a grenade. The witness was convinced the couple was framed. The only reason they have him is because hes a gringo, said the woman. I dont care what color his eyes are, what color his hair is, where his passport says hes fromhes innocent and his human rights are being violated. She said Holt couldnt have bought the weapons since Calenos relatives were keeping a close eye on him. His Spanish wasnt great and they feared for him getting into trouble. Moreover, Calenos daughters, 5- and 8-years-old, stayed in the apartment. [I]f they had touched anything, it would have blown away three buildings, the witness said. Holt and Caleno were reportedly detained in Caracas at the El Helicoide, a military and intelligence office building combined with a prison. After a revolt broke out at the prison earlier in May, Holt barricaded himself in his cell and later managed to send a video and voice messages to the outside world. Im calling on the people of America, I need your help to get me out of this place, Holt said in one message, according to Miami Herald. I have been begging my government for two years. They say they are doing things, but Im still here and now my life is being threatened. How long do I have to suffer here? Sen. Hatch detailed the efforts to free the Holts, which were aided by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee as well as Caleb McCarry, former official of the second Bush Administration with expertise on Venezuela. Over the last two years Ive worked with two Presidential administrations, countless diplomatic contacts, ambassadors from all over the world, a network of contacts in Venezuela, and [Venezuelan] President Maduro himself, and I could not be more honored to be able to reunite Josh with his sweet, long-suffering family in Riverton, Hatch said. President Donald Trump imposed additional sanctions on Venezuela on Monday, May 21, shortly after socialist dictator Maduro won an election that senior American administration officials called a sham. Fourteen South American nations refused to recognize the May 20 election in Venezuela as legitimate, according to a Lima Group joint statement by Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, and Saint Lucia. Ivan Pentchoukov contributed to this report. Watch Next: An Oasis of Calm in Londons Leicester Square Wearing yellow costumes that glimmered in the sunshine, practitioners performed the slow-moving exercises of the practice in the bustling central London square. A photo taken on April 7, 2016 in Munich, southern Germany, at the office of the German daily "Sueddeutsche Zeitung" shows several issues of the newspaper dated April 4, 2016. (CHRISTOF STACHE/AFP/Getty Images) German Newspaper Stops Distributing Supplement Published by Chinese State-Run Media In recent years, many well-known newspapers in Western countries have distributed content edited and produced by China Daily, the Chinese Communist Partys (CCP) state-run English-language newspaper, as a supplement to their daily papers. Recently, the Suddeutsche Zeitung, one of the largest daily newspapers in Germany, has stopped distributing the CCP supplement, often regarded as propaganda to influence the free world with the regimes agenda. The Office of Foreign Propaganda within the CCPs Propaganda Department is geared toward foreigners in China, the outside world, and overseas Chinese. China has been remarkably successful in recent years at gaining dominant influence over foreign-based Chinese-language schools; newspapers; social, sporting, and commercial groups; television and radio stations; indeed any grouping of Chinese outside China, according to the book Marketing Dictatorship: Propaganda and Thought Work in Contemporary China, by Anne-Marie Brady. Kai Muller, Germanys executive director of advocacy group, International Campaign for Tibet (ICT), published an ICT blog post on May 16 to praise the German newspapers decision. It is absolutely worthy of praises, Muller wrote. Other newspapers and magazines should also follow the example of the Suddeutsche Zeitung, stopping the advertising cooperation with the [CCPs] propaganda organization because it is not only the propaganda mouthpiece of the one-party authoritarian regime, but also part of its oppression tool. Its time to expose the truth of this cooperation: they [media companies] are selling the credibility of their news, Muller wrote. Muller told the Chinese version of Deutsche Welle (DW), Germanys public radio broadcaster on May 19 that ICT and the International Federation for Human Rights wrote a letter to Le Figaro, a French daily morning newspaper founded in 1826 and published in Paris, to stop distributing the CCPs propaganda material via a newspaper supplement published by China Daily, called China Watch. The Suddeutsche Zeitung did not reply to DWs inquiries of whether it has temporarily or permanently discontinued the China Daily supplement, or why it decided to recently stop distributing them, said DW. Other internationally renowned newspapers that distribute China Watch supplements include the Washington Post, The New York Times, British newspaper The Daily Telegraph, and Handelsblatt, a leading German-language business newspaper published in Dusseldorf, Germany, according to DW. A February report published by the Mercator Institute for China Studies (MERICS), a Berlin-based institute for research on China, found that one of the primary means that the CCP uses to influence Western public opinion is through this supplement, China Watch. The research shows getting Western media to run its propaganda piece is one of the CCPs attempts to expand its influence globally. Using other countries traditional media is an effective method, especially for local readers, according to the report. These media have stronger public credibility than Chinese media. China Daily pays advertising fees for Western newspapers to distribute its content as supplements. According to a 2016 BBC report, citing analysis by scholar David Shambaugh at George Washington University, the Chinese regimes annual budget for spreading propaganda overseas is estimated to be $10 billion. Recommended Video: How Doctors in China Turn into Murderers Korean Leaders Hold Surprise Second Summit SEOULSouth Korean President Moon Jae-in held a surprise meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on Saturday, May 26, to ensure a summit between Kim and U.S. President Donald Trump goes off successfully, South Korean officials said. It was the clearest sign yet that the on-again off-again summit between Trump and Kim is likely to be held as initially agreed, in Singapore on June 12. The unannounced meeting at the Panmunjom border village between Moon and Kim came a month after they held the first inter-Korean summit in more than a decade at the same venue and declared they would work toward a nuclear-free Korean peninsula. The two leaders candidly exchanged views about making the North Korea-U.S. summit a successful one and about implementing the Panmunjom Declaration, South Koreas presidential spokesman said in a statement. He did not confirm how the secret meeting was arranged or which side asked for it. Video and one of the photos released by the presidential Blue House on Saturday showed Kim hugging Moon and kissing him on the cheek three times as he saw Moon off after their meeting at Tongilgak, the Norths building in the truce village, which lies in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), the 160-mile (260 km) long, 2.5-mile (4 km) wide buffer that runs along the heavily armed military border. The previous summit was held at the southern side of the border. Moon, who returned to Seoul earlier this week after a meeting with Trump, will announce details of the meeting with Kim on Sunday morning. Trump said on Friday, May 25, that Washington was having productive talks with Pyongyang about reinstating the June 12 meeting. Trump said in a Twitter post late on Friday, We are having very productive talks about reinstating the Summit which, if it does happen, will likely remain in Singapore on the same date, June 12th., and, if necessary, will be extended beyond that date. Trump had earlier indicated the summit could be salvaged after welcoming a conciliatory statement from North Korea saying it remained open to talks. It was a very nice statement they put out, Trump told reporters at the White House. Well see what happensit could even be the 12th. Were talking to them now. They very much want to do it. Wed like to do it, he said. 26 . pic.twitter.com/IMARcJ9pRY (@TheBlueHouseKR) May 26, 2018 The comments on the summit with North Koreas leader Kim Jong Un came just a day after Trump canceled the meeting, citing Pyongyangs open hostility. South Koreas presidential spokesman said in response, Its fortunate that hope is still alive for U.S.-North Korea dialogue. We are continuing to watch developments carefully. By Hyunjoo Jin and Soyoung Kim Watch Next: Now Free, Americans Detained By North Korea Greeted by Trump Posted Saturday, May 26, 2018 1:00 am The American Legion Auxiliary will host breakfast from 7 to 10:30 a.m. Sunday, June 3, at the Legion hall, 1424 W. Broadway St., Bolivar. Cost is $6. All proceeds benefit the American Legion community projects, including the scholarship fund that provides college scholarships to relatives of veterans, and many other local charities. Trump: Productive Talks Held on Reinstating North Korea Summit SEOUL/WASHINGTONProspects that the United States and North Korea would hold a summit brightened after U.S. President Donald Trump said late on Friday, May 26, that Washington was having productive talks with Pyongyang about reinstating the June 12 meeting in Singapore. Trump said in a Twitter post late on Friday: We are having very productive talks about reinstating the Summit which, if it does happen, will likely remain in Singapore on the same date, June 12th, and, if necessary, will be extended beyond that date. We are having very productive talks with North Korea about reinstating the Summit which, if it does happen, will likely remain in Singapore on the same date, June 12th., and, if necessary, will be extended beyond that date. Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 26, 2018 Trump had earlier indicated the summit could be salvaged after welcoming a conciliatory statement from North Korea saying it remained open to talks. It was a very nice statement they put out, Trump told reporters at the White House. Well see what happensit could even be the 12th. Were talking to them now. They very much want to do it. Wed like to do it, he said. The comments on the summit with North Koreas leader Kim Jong Un came just a day after Trump canceled the meeting, citing Pyongyangs open hostility. South Koreas presidential spokesman said in response, Its fortunate that hope is still alive for U.S.-North Korea dialogue. We are continuing to watch developments carefully. Threats, Insults After years of tension over Pyongyangs nuclear weapons program, Kim and Trump agreed this month to hold what would be the first meeting between a serving U.S. president and a North Korean leader. The plan followed months of war threats and insults between the leaders over North Koreas development of missiles capable of reaching the United States. Trump scrapped the meeting in a letter to Kim on Thursday after repeated threats by North Korea to pull out over what it saw as confrontational remarks by U.S. officials demanding unilateral disarmament. Trump cited North Korean hostility in canceling the summit. In Pyongyang, North Korean Vice Foreign Minister Kim Kye Gwan said North Koreas criticisms had been a reaction to American rhetoric and that current antagonism showed the urgent necessity for the summit. He said North Korea regretted Trumps decision to cancel and remained open to resolving issues regardless of ways, at any time. Kim Kye Gwan said North Korea had appreciated Trump having made the bold decision to work toward a summit. We even inwardly hoped that what is called Trump formula would help clear both sides of their worries and comply with the requirements of our side and would be a wise way of substantial effect for settling the issue, he said. North Korea also went ahead with a plan to destroy its only known nuclear site on Thursday, the most concrete action yet since pledging to cease all nuclear and long-range missile tests last month. Dozens of international journalists left North Korea on Saturday after observing the demolition of the underground tunnels in Punggye-ri, where all of the Norths six nuclear tests were conducted including its latest and largest in September. Diplomats at work Trumps latest about-face sent officials scrambling in Washington. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis told reporters diplomats were still at work and said Trump had just sent a note out on the summit, which could be back on if our diplomats can pull it off. U.S. State Department spokeswoman Katina Adams declined to give details of any diplomatic contacts but said, As the president said in his letter to Chairman Kim, dialogue between the two is the only dialogue that matters. If North Korea is serious, then we look forward to hearing from them at the highest levels. White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders told reporters Trump did not want a meeting that was just a political stunt. He wants to get something thats a long-lasting and an actual real solution. And if they are ready to do that then were certainly ready to have those conversations, she said. Watch Next: Now Free, Americans Detained By North Korea Greeted by Trump US Bill Will Force Tech Companies to Disclose China, Russia Software Probes WASHINGTONU.S. tech companies would be forced to disclose if they allowed American adversaries, like Russia and China, to examine the inner workings of software sold to the U.S. military under proposed legislation, Senate staff told Reuters on Thursday. The bill, approved by the Senate Armed Services Committee on Thursday, comes after a year-long Reuters investigation found software makers allowed a Russian defense agency to hunt for vulnerabilities in software that was already deeply embedded in some of the most sensitive parts of the U.S. government, including the Pentagon, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and intelligence agencies. Security experts say allowing Russian authorities to conduct the reviews of internal software instructionsknown as source codecould help Russia find vulnerabilities and more easily attack key systems that protect the United States. The new source code disclosure rules were included in Senate version of the National Defense Authorization Act, the Pentagons spending bill, according to staffers of Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen. In a statement, Shaheen said that tech companies have a duty to help protect federal software systems. This is why the Department of Defense and other federal agencies should know of any potential vulnerabilities relating to a partner companys business practices overseas, she said. The language in the bill mandates those disclosures and ultimately makes overdue reforms to harden the Department against cyber attacks. Details of bill, which passed the committee 25-2, are not yet public. And the legislation still needs to be voted on by the full Senate and reconciled with a House version of the legislation before it can be signed into law by President Donald Trump. If passed into law, the legislation would require companies that do business with the U.S. military to disclose any source code review of the software done by adversaries, staffers for Shaheen told Reuters. If the Pentagon deems a source code review a risk, military officials and the software company would need to agree on how to contain the threat. It could, for example, involve limiting the softwares use to non-classified settings. The details of the foreign source code reviews, and any steps the company agreed to take to reduce the risks, would be stored in a database accessible to military officials, Shaheens staffers said. For most products, the military notification will only apply to countries determined to be cybersecurity threats, such as China and Russia. Financial Times reported back in March that Chinas Ministry of State Security, an intelligence agency, told the states hackers to directly report any vulnerabilities they discover to the agency or to the companies themselves. Cyber security company FireEye discovered that Chinese hackers were behind the discoveries of vulnerabilities at several U.S.-based multinational tech firms such as Google, Apple, and Microsoft. In addition, in order to sell in the Russian market, tech companies including Hewlett Packard, SAP, and McAfee have allowed a Russian defense agency to scour software source code for vulnerabilities, Reuters found. In many cases, Reuters found that the software companies had not previously informed U.S. agencies that Russian authorities had been allowed to conduct the source code reviews. In most cases, the U.S. military does not require comparable source code reviews before it buys software, procurement experts have told Reuters. By Joel Schectman. Epoch Times staff member Annie Wu contributed to this report. The Cambridge Analytica scandal, as CNBC reported, marked an important tipping point in how many of us view tech giants like Facebook and Google. Related: How to Tell if Cambridge Analytica Scraped Your Facebook Data To briefly recap what happened: Facebook allowed a third party (the British political consulting firm Cambridge Analytica) to access huge amounts of Facebook user data and use it for political ends. This data contained details about the identities of millions of Facebook users and was shared without their direct knowledge. A massive controversy ensued and is still in full swing. Just this week, Mark Zuckerberg tried to address the European Parliament's concerns. This and other recent events have confirmed what many of us have known for some time: Our data is not safe with the Facebooks and Googles of the world and is used without our knowledge. Since the Cambridge Analytica scandal broke, widespread protests and furious debate have surrounded the issue of how our personal data ought to be handled. The ethics of the tech juggernauts are being questioned as never before. As the case against Facebook unfolds and as that conversation dominates the spotlight, the flaws with the Facebook/Google model (where big companies control our data and do with it as they please) are becoming more apparent every day. Its a system based on profiting from user data, and it pretty much benefits no one aside from the platforms themselves. Lets take a look at the problems the model shows. Related: Read Mark Zuckerberg's Full Statement on Facebook's Data Scandal A seriously flawed system The problems boil down to the fact that users of these companies services dont own their data. Its the property of the platforms themselves, and that means it just isnt safe. While Facebook repeatedly insists that it doesn't directly sell users data to advertising companies, this is an incomplete answer. In reality, both Facebook and Google work closely with ad companies, using users data to help them -- the tech companies -- bolster their efforts to target their own ads at the users most likely to respond well. Worse, the Cambridge Analytica scandal is proof that this data isn't safe with these tech companies. It can (and does) easily fall into the hands of people we know very little about, who may then use it in ways we may not agree with. But the issues run deeper than privacy. The data-model benefits users and advertisers in theory because users get to see ads for things they like, and ad companies get higher responses and ultimately more money. Unfortunately, things aren't quite that straightforward. Often, data is inaccurately used, leading to ad companies targeting the wrong users and losing money. So a data aggregator might say it didn't sell the data -- that it simply got leaked or wass "harvested" by other companies (as Zuckerberg testified in the Cambridge Analytica case). But, whatever its genesis, the data gets out there; advertisers grab it, and he users themselves are forced to look at hordes of ads for things they couldnt care less about. Another group losing out? Content creators.Theyre vital to the process because the videos, groups and posts they share are what attracts traffic to the platforms and make advertising possible. But theyre often seriously underpaid, despite their crucial role in Facebook and Googles business model. It seems, then, that the only real beneficiaries are the tech companies. And these parties certainly do benefit with enormous profits and ad revenues, as Statista reported in this article. These are the reasons we need a new system. And the good news is there could be one just around the corner. A new model, with four points Theres been one good thing about the Cambridge Analytica controversy: Its sparked a strong desire for new ways of doing things in the online advertising space. The result has been calls for a better way of handling data. Blockchain technology is one method being considered. Its decentralized by nature, so it offers a refreshing alternative to the heavy centralization of Facebook and Google. Projects like Kind Ads and Basic Attention Token are making serious headway in the war against protecting user data. These platforms,both blockchain based, are competing directly against tech giants like Facebook and Google. Here are four suggested points to reinvent the old model: 1. Decentralization In a decentralized, blockchain-based system, advertisers will be able to work directly with users and content-creators instead of doing everything via a powerful middle man. This will benefit everyone involved. Users will regain control of their data and be able to sell it directly to advertisers in return for payment via cryptocurrency. This way, they will be able to decide who can access and use their personal information, and specify what ads they'll be happy to see. 2. No identity Because blockchain promises to be highly secure and preserve anonymity, users wont need to worry about a users identity being shared or made public. "Traditional businesses are for profit, and they are built with the intention of the company doing whatever is in their best interest," Neil Patel, a board member with Kind Ads explained to me. (Kind Ads is an advertising platform that serves user-friendly ads without taking any middleman fees.) "With blockchain," Patel said, "not only is your data distributed, but many of these foundations have a mission that is focused on the user and dont ever plan on making a dollar. In essence, they are putting the user first. "Users are empowered, and they are given options in which they can sell their data in exchange for compensation," Patel added. "In this new model, the power is flipped, where the user/consumer is in control versus the business." 3. New ad networks Decentralized ad networks will be able to put the focus on the user, letting users see the ads they want to see. Advertisers won't have the ability to misuse people's personal information, and publishers will control what is shown on their websites. Advertisers will benefit too, because they will target ads much more accurately, to people they are certain will want to see them. Theyll be able to shift from impersonal, annoying ad styles (like banner ads) and embrace more pleasant and effective methods, like push notifications and chatbots. 4. No middle man Finally, content creators will be able to negotiate with advertisers themselves and keep all the revenue. Theyll be able to charge their own rates and earn more money than they would by relying on Facebook and Google. This will free them up to devote more time to creating the content their followers love. That will be a step toward a much fairer way of advertising; and when users view it, they'll rest easy, knowing their data is much safer. Related: What the Facebook-Cambridge Analytica Data Leak Teaches us About Ethics And Privacy Overall, in the wake of events like the Cambridge Analytica scandal and the Equifax breach, people are rapidly losing faith in the ability of big tech companies to protect their data; and blockchain could well be the way we advance. Obviously, Im an advocate of the blockchain revolution. I believe that disrupting big tech is the only way forward. Related: 4 Ways to Reinvent the Facebook/Google Data Model in the Wake of Cambridge Analytica Tougher Data Privacy Rules Are a Scammer's Nightmare, but Ethical Marketers Can Stay Calm Mark Zuckerberg's EU Testimony Will Be Streamed Live Copyright 2018 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved It started with neck and foot pain. Barbara Meyer-Mitchell of Norwalk didnt think much of it, and she did not connect it to symptoms that followed. It was a cascade of: every six months to a year, I had a weird new thing, she said. I went to a specialist for each problem, and they werent linking them together. Her primary care doctor in Westport tested her seven times for Lyme disease, but each test returned negative. It wasnt until nearly a decade after her first symptoms appeared that she tried a new method being developed to detect Lyme. Todays most common Lyme test looks not for the disease-causing organism itself but for the specific antibodies peoples immune systems manufacture in response. Those antibodies were not in Meyer-Mitchells bloodstream, perhaps because she had had the disease for so long. But the long squiggly spirochetes causing it were. Meyer-Mitchell still remembers the swell of emotion she felt upon learning the diagnosis finally, there was an explanation for the host of symptoms her team of specialists had not been able to solve. The Advanced Laboratory Services Inc. lab in Pennsylvania, where the test was conducted, has had difficulty satisfying the scientific community that its test is reliable, but researchers agree on the importance of a test that can detect the disease itself. Thats why, in a Danbury laboratory, a team of Western Connecticut Health Network researchers are pursuing a method of identifying the disease by scanning for its genes. In addition to being to diagnose people with Lyme whose bodies have not created antibodies, such a test allows people to diagnose the disease earlier (it generally takes two to three months before tests can detect antibodies) and to tell whether the disease has been successfully treated (antibodies can linger in the blood even after the organisms causing them have disappeared, creating potential for false positives). In the microscope room, Lead Research Associate Srirupa Das watched a video the of the bacteria wiggling across a Petri dish. She said that with the antibody test, You miss a lot of positive cases. And once it detects it, it is already late, you are already infected with Lyme disease for two or three months ... By that time, the disease has already spread. Das said that being able to diagnose and start treatment early increased a patients chances of being cured. That is why our research is so important. Paul Fiedler, a doctor researching Lyme disease at the Western Connecticut Health Network, pointed to a poster showing their teams results. This is when we got really excited, he said, indicating a chart comparing results from a traditional test to the results of the WCHNs test as performed on 19 patients. For the regular Lyme test, 32 percent of patients tested positive at the time of diagnosis, with that number increasing as patients returned to get retested two and six weeks later. In contrast, 63 percent of the patients tested by WCHN tested positive at diagnosis, and that number decreased over subsequent weeks as patients were treated. However, even after three weeks of antibiotics, 44 percent of the WCHN patients still tested positive. Theyre supposed to be cured, right, Fiedler said. Thats what we want to follow. There is controversy over what causes Lyme disease symptoms to persist after treatment, Fiedler explained some believe that its a prolonged infection (chronic Lyme disease), while others believes its a prolonged immune response causing problems. Since an antibody-based test could not tell the difference between the two, WCHNs gene-based test has the potential to finally answer the question. WCHN also home to the Lyme Disease Biobank, which has been collecting biological samples from people with Lyme disease since 2010. Fiedler said that another researcher had created a test for a number of tick-borne illnesses from a drop of blood, which could be used to look for patterns of how Lyme disease interacts with other infections. The WCHNs research, as Director of Public Relations Andrea Rynn, pointed out, is funded through philanthropy, and so the team recently launched a fundraising campaign, Taking Aim at Lyme (takingaimatlyme.org). Fiedler hopes the campaign will raise both funds and awareness. Lyme season is gearing up, as young ticks the smallest and most difficult to notice are looking for hosts and people are spending more time outdoors. At Wah Wah Taysee Scout Camp in North Haven, nestled near the foot of Sleeping Giant State Park, Ranger Ross Lanius came home Monday evening after clearing tree damage caused by the recent storm. He pulled off four ticks. You just got to be careful and check yourself every night, he said. Experts say a ticks bite needs to last over a day before the infection sets in. But spotting ticks can be harder than it seems. The other night, Lanius thought he had gotten them all and readied to relax. And Lordy be, I sit down and theres one on my other wrist, he recalled. Kirby Stafford, chief scientist and state etymologist at the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station in New Haven, tests for ticks in the environment by dragging a square yard of polar fleece along vegetation (he dresses in insecticide-treated clothes for protection) in addition to asking the public to send in ticks they find. Usually we get about 3,000 ticks submitted by the public, the majority from Fairfield and New Haven counties, Stafford said. A year ago, following a very mild winter, he had roughly 5,000 ticks. As for whether this year will be a bad one, he says its too early to tell. While this winter was also mild, it was long, and he says tick submissions in early 2018 werent as high as in 2017. What he can say is that he had seen an increase in Fairfield Countys submission of Lone Star ticks. So its not just the deer ticks or dog ticks that people have to look out for, he cautioned. If you find a tick, you can submit it to your local health department for testing. Theresa Argondezzi, a health educator at the Norwalk Health Department, explained that anyone can come in with a tick during normal health department hours. There, a scientist will identify the tick and send deer ticks to Staffords office in New Haven. Argondezzi said her department send ticks off to the state for free for Norwalk residents (for non-Norwalk residents, its $15). She cautioned the tick should not be smooshed, taped or covered in any type of substance instead, they should be sealed in a contained or plastic bag, then packaged in a padded envelope. The WHCN Lyme Disease Biobank accepts samples from anyone who has ever been diagnosed with Lyme disease, regardless of location those interested in participating should email lymeresearch@wchn.org. When you think about this, this is still a relatively new disease, said Rynn of WHCN. Lyme was discovered in Lyme, Connecticut, in the 1970s. Were working on that, Das said. rschuetz@hearstmediact.com; @raschuetz NORWALK While stationed in northeast India during World War II, Nick Samodel repaired cargo planes that hauled supplies over the towering Himalaya Mountains to allied soldiers fighting the Japanese. We had five airbases close to the mountains, said Samodel, who served as an aircraft mechanic in the U.S. Army Air Corps. We had to change the engines and fix oil leaks that was a big problem because at high altitudes the oil leaks out through the seals. It takes a lot of maintenance. We lost some planes. They found one 10 years ago on the side of a mountain. On Monday, Samodel, 97, of Norwalk, will serve as grand marshal in the 2018 Memorial Day Parade. Theyre few and far between and if we can get a World War II veteran, its nice to have them, said Dan Caporale, a Marine Corps veteran and chairman of the Norwalk Veterans Memorial Committee. Samodel, while honored to lead the parade, said the veterans committee could have picked somebody who did more than I did. I wasnt a hero but I do it (lead the parade) for the ones that passed away: my brother and cousin, and my friends, Samodel said. Samodel lost his brother, Theodore, a waste-gunner on a B-17 bomber, in an aviation accident in Louisiana during the war. He lost a cousin in the Battle of Anzio in Italy. His other brother, John Samodel, who served in the U.S. Army in World War II and Korea, died in April. The Samodel brothers grew up on a farm near Parksville, N.Y., and were drafted into the military after the U.S. entered World War II in December 1941. Nick Samodel served first as a military policeman in Calcutta, India, before being transferred to an airbase to the north. Samodel soon hung up his dark wool Eisenhower jacket and put on lighter clothing amid the stifling heat, humidity and rains. The monsoon season, he said, lasted from May through August. The area was his home from July 1943 to November 1945. The weather was anything but stifling for the pilots and crews who flew the twin-engine Curtiss-Wright C-46 Commando planes over The Hump the eastern Himalaya mountains, more than 16,000 feet in height into China. Samodel still marvels at the planes. Powered by 18-cylinder Pratt & Whitney engines, the aircraft hauled food, ammunition, mail correspondence, 50-gallon drums of gasoline and whatever else Chiang Kai-sheks nationalist Chinese forces and other allied troops fighting the Japanese needed. More than once theyd bring mules from California on a boat to Calcutta, Samodel said. Theyd take them on a train to where we were and took the mules over the mountains (by cargo plane). After the war, Samodel came to Norwalk, where his brother, John, purchased and ran the Family Diner on Main Street. He began working on aircraft again, first for Sikorsky and Chance Vought and later making parts for Northrop Grumman. He worked for U.S. Surgical Corp. before retiring. Samodels wife, Marie, passed away 16 years ago. The couple raised a son and four daughters, and have eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Norwalks 2018 Memorial Day Parade will step off at 10 a.m. Monday, May 28, from Veterans Memorial Park and proceed up Fort Point Street, Van Zant Street and East Avenue to the Norwalk Green with the reviewing stand set up at Norwalk City Hall, 125 East Ave. Floats should be at the park by 8:30 a.m., other vehicles by 9 a.m., and marchers by 9:30 a.m. Veterans needing transportation should be at Norwalk American Legion Post 12 at 60 County St., between 8 and 8:30 a.m., said Karen Doyle Lyons, secretary for the veterans committee. After having been canceled the last two years because of rain and storms, this years Memorial Day will proceed regardless of the weather. Were going to march, rain or shine, Doyle Lyons said. 22 minutes ago Why Some Experts Say Budgeting Doesn't Help You Build Wealth. Have You Fallen into the Budgeting Trap? Eighty percent of Americans (in a survey of more than 1,000 individuals) say that they have a budget, according to Debt.com. According to the site, it's the highest number of respondents who have claimed a budget compared to the past four years. But let's be honest. Read Article Indigenous youth reflect on identity ahead of Native American Day Washington High School students share why they're proud to be Native in lieu of Native American Day Parade cancellation this year. HONG KONGEight years ago, before Chinas Xiaomi Corp. had sold a single smartphone, 56 of the earliest employees pulled together $11 million to invest in the startup. Rank-and-file workers dipped into savings and borrowed from parents. One receptionist tapped her dowry. Today, theyre the Lucky 56. Xiaomi is one of the most successful smartphone makers in the world and its prepping a blockbuster initial public offering (IPO). Their stake in the company may soon be worth $1 billion to $3 billion (U.S.), depending on the stock sale. That works out to $36 million each at the midpoint. The fortuitous decision began with workers such as Li Weixing, an ex-Microsoft engineer who was employee No. 12. Back in 2010, staffers were working seven days a week out of a bare-bones Beijing office park to get the unknown mobile phone maker up and running. When word spread that Lei Jun and his co-founders were chipping in their own money for a venture financing round, Li and others wanted to join them. Read more: Samsung falls from perch as top smartphone seller in China Chinese smartphone company Xiaomi lists in Hong Kong for $10B IPO Samsung chip exports soar as firm warns of smartphone struggle Li, who helped create Xiaomis mobile operating system, had around 500,000 yuan ($79,000) saved up. It wasnt enough to buy a house, so he asked if he could invest in Xiaomi instead, CEO Lei said in a March interview at Beijing headquarters. We said, we cant let only Weixing invest, so we let everyone in. Some early Xiaomi employees were already wealthy, including Lei, who made his first fortune leading software developer Kingsoft Corp. and investing in Chinese startups. But many staffers in those days had to scrape together cash to participate. Li and others preferred investing in an effort they knew rather than the uncertain stock market. Now Li stands to make $10 million to $20 million, depending on Xiaomis IPO value. It was employee No. 14, a receptionist now working in Xiaomis human resources office, who contributed her dowry of around 100,000 to 200,000 yuan. That stake could be worth between $1 million and $8 million. Xiaomi declined to make her or other early employees available for interviews. Li declined to comment. After a first surge of interest, Lei decided to cap rank-and-file investments at about 300,000 yuan each to limit risk and stop employees from taking out loans to invest. The interest was overwhelming, but we put a cap on it because we worried, if everyone put in too much money, it would be very bad if the company failed, said co-founder Li Wanqiang in a March interview. The group collectively stands to gain as much as $3 billion if Xiaomi floats 15 per cent of the company at a $100-billion valuation when it goes public in Hong Kong later this year, according to calculations based on Xiaomis prospectus. A more conservative estimate would yield a $1.4-billion payout for the 56 employees if Xiaomi floats 25 per cent of the company at a $50-billion valuation. (Calculations assume existing shareholders havent sold their stakes and the $11 million from employees was invested during what Xiaomis prospectus refers to as Series B-2.) Employees stand to make roughly 200 times their original investment. A greater number of Xiaomis workers should be enriched through stock options, which dont require capital upfront. Lei and his co-founders put in the heftiest amounts in that round and stand to make far more than the average. Five are poised to become newly-minted billionaires, according to Bloomberg calculations, and Leis stake, accumulated over several investment rounds, could be worth $27 billion. Investment powerhouses from Qiming Venture Partners to Morningside Group are also expected to reap megareturns when Xiaomi goes public this year in what may be the biggest IPO since Alibaba Group Holding Ltd.s 2014 debut. None of this was obvious in 2010. Back then, Xiaomi was really just an idea in Lei Juns head, said Hans Tung, one of his earliest backers. Lei was a local tech celebrity with a million follows on Weibo, Chinas answer to Twitter, but it was far from clear he could compete with Apple Inc., Samsung Electronics Co. and Huawei Technologies Co. He would host smoke-and-booze-filled meetings at Beijing hotels, showing up with bags of cellphones and gadgets for his friends to try. But after Lei lured seven co-founders away from cushy jobs at Microsoft Corp. and Alphabet Inc.s Google in a matter of months, Qiming, where Tung worked at the time, and Morningside decided to bet on him. They led fundraising rounds in late 2010 and early 2011 that valued the company at about $250 million. Thats when employees put in their $11 million too. Now Xiaomi is the fourth-largest smartphone maker in the world and likely will be valued at more than 200 times that amount. Lei Jun is the founder. He could afford all the capital. But why did he share with everyone? said Morningside co-founder Richard Liu. He has a vision and he can build up that strong belief and people are willing to take the huge risks. Silicon Valley is known for its secret millionaires who were early joiners at companies such as Facebook Inc. Among the more famous examples is Bonnie Brown, the massage therapist who bargained for stock options to accompany the $450 a week she was making at her part-time job at Google. She retired a millionaire after five years at the company. In China, such riches are virtually unknown. These employees already had enough risk working for a small, untested startup and it showed this great enthusiasm, Tung said. They turned out to be right. Read more about: CALGARYCouncillor Jeromy Farkass attempts to record council meeting votes and attendance are being put down by some of his colleagues. Next week, councillors will debate some tweaks proposed by Farkas. These changes include rules on how attendance is recorded, noting why a councillor is absent for the record, deciding if council should implement an electronic voting system to track decisions and asking administration to find and implement ways for councillors to vote on items if theyre absent. I think that now is the time for us to explore how we can get this done, said Farkas. I hope to achieve a central place on the city website to be able to pull up any councillors voting record, the meeting attendance, office expenses, all the official information, similar to what I had developed through the Manning Foundation. The Manning Foundation is the conservative think tank where Farkas cut his teeth tracking council attendance and voting records. Every year, he released an annual report called Council Tracker. This link to the research Farkas did before he was elected as the Ward 11 representative is where a few of his colleagues get prickly. Councillor Shane Keating was particularly pointed about the rookie councillors idea. If Councillor Farkas is only concerned about looking after the Manning boys researchers, then he should stop wasting councils time across the board, said Keating. Keating said if a resident wants to know how he votes on an issue, and why he decided to vote a certain way, he tells them. The electronic voting system I dont mind because its easier, said Keating. But thats the reason I dont mind it. Not because theres a permanent record of how someone voted or (if) they didnt vote. Councillor Jyoti Gondek pointed out on Facebook that taking attendance can be too black and white. Instead, she proposed a format that would not only capture when a councillor is absent, but also why. On Friday over the phone, Gondek said she spoke to the city clerks office, and it said electronic voting and attendance is already possible through its escribe system (a meeting management system), but that it would take time to implement it. Farkas said his motion is all about giving Calgarians a transparent and accurate view of whats going on in meetings that are typically only presented in lengthy video formats, with PDF versions of minutes available online. Hes hoping with his colleagues support, citizens may soon be able to search for a councillors voting records on an online database. Cities like Edmonton and Toronto have been giving the public digital access to voting records, attendance and other metrics for more than five years. In Edmonton, as a councillors vote is recorded at a council meeting, its flashed on a screen overhead for the gallery to see. Those metrics are available at the same time as meeting minutes. These changes would have to be added to councils procedural bylaw the rules that govern how meetings work. But when the bylaw was last updated, which took effect after the 2017 municipal election, the topic wasnt brought forward by administrators as part of the review. What was indicated at that time is that councils system could include electronic voting methods in the future. Read more about: EDMONTONTwo years after 63-year-old Gherezghiher Yemane also known as Gary was shot to death while out for his usual evening walk, police are offering a $40,000 reward for information leading to an arrest. Standing Friday in the northeast neighbourhood where he was killed, his wife and daughter said they would match the police reward. Yemane was shot multiple times while walking near Ozerna Road between 69 Street and 165 Avenue on May 27, 2016 around 8:45 p.m., police said. When police and paramedics found him lying on the sidewalk, he was already dead. Yemanes wife Abeba Ghebregzabhir stood by her daughter Winta Berhanes side, wiping tears from her eyes as Berhane read statements on behalf of the family pleading for someone to come forward with information. We are troubled trying to understand and grasp what happened to our father on May 27, 2016, she said. Its unfathomable that his life has been taken away so violently. Yemanes death, the 23rd homicide of 2016, remains unsolved. Police hope that the reward spurs developments in the two-year-old case. Staff Sgt. Bill Clark said Yemane was minding his own business, out for his evening walk, when a man got out of an older-model Dodge Charger, walked up to Yemane and shot him multiple times. This crime was definitely a random act of violence, Clark said speaking near the scene of the homicide on Friday. We have a very good idea of people involved and we now are able to offer up a $40,000 cash reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible. Clark said there was more than one witness in the vehicle, and police hope they may still come forward. There was absolutely no reason for this man to be murdered, Clark said. This man was a pillar of the community. He was originally from Eritrea in Africa and he immigrated to Canada. Its very surreal that in his early life he fled war-torn countries in Africa, he comes to Canada for the peace and tranquillity and he ends up getting murdered. This is a tragic event. Witnesses saw an older black Dodge Charger leaving the area southbound on Ozerna Road. The driver was described as an East Indian man in his late 20s to early 30s, with short dark hair and an average build. Police said he was wearing a dark sweater and blue jeans. Yemane was not known to police and his family said he was very involved in the community, Clark said. Police followed all investigative avenues trying to find out why Yemane was the victim. This man had no enemies, none at all, Clark said. Police believe it was a case of mistaken identity and a random act of violence that was totally uncalled for, he said. Generous, caring, loving Berhane remembered her dad, a registered nurse, as someone who made sacrifices for the family while teaching love, compassion and the value of a strong work ethic. While Yemane worked in the United States for eight years as a nurse, he always was there for Christmas and birthdays. He sent my mom flowers every Valentines Day, wedding anniversary, birthday, on the clock at 8 a.m., Berhane said. Berhane recalled a time when her dad asked if she was going to use a jacket she hadnt worn. She told him he could take it. He gave it to a co-worker who always looked cold. The woman later told Berhane she couldnt afford a jacket at the time and thanked him for his generosity. When Yemane would visit with friends from Eritrea and he would see nothing in the fridge, he would disappear for two hours and return with grocery bags full of food. My dad was that guy. He was generous, caring, loving and thought of everyone, Berhane said. Friends and family flew from all over the world for his funeral two years ago at Gateway Alliance Church, she said. The church had a capacity of 750 people, but more than 1,200 came to mourn. Berhane said she struggled to understand how her father could leave a war-torn country and move to an upper-middle-class neighbourhood only to be randomly murdered on the street. It doesnt make any sense, its not fair, she said. In a statement read by her daughter, Ghebregzabhir called the murder of her husband a total shock and a nightmare. Im asking anyone with any information about my beloved husband, my best friend, to please come forward, to bring his murderer forward, to talk to the police to give us some justice and eternal peace to know that the man who murdered my love is put away so he cannot hurt anyone else or my family again, Ghebregzabhir wrote. Anyone with information is asked to call police at 780-423-4567 or #377 from a cellphone. Clark said they need a person to give police a statement and be willing to take the witness stand. We need someone to put a lid on things, to give us that key piece of information to help us arrest that individual and put him away where he belongs, Clark said. Read more about: EDMONTONFire bans blanketing nearly half the province of Alberta might dampen plans for campers looking to spend some time outdoors this weekend. Most of the bans have been issued for northern Alberta, including Jasper National Park, and reach to the provinces northern border. However, areas in southern Alberta are on notice as well, such as Lethbridges river valley. Alberta Fire Bans Map In terms of the size of this one, it certainly is one of the bigger ones that we have instituted, said Matt Bell, a spokesperson with Alberta Agriculture and Forestry. For campers, that translates to bans in nine Alberta parks, including Long Lake Provincial Park, 90 minutes north of Edmonton, as well as fire restrictions in 59 others. Fire Bans and Restrictions in Alberta Parks Bans prohibit all open fires burning solid fuels, such as firewood and charcoal briquettes. But propane stoves and fire pits and for cooking and heating are still permitted. In a statement issued Friday, Alberta Agriculture warned that individuals who break a ban could face a $287 fine. Several areas in northern Alberta are also restricting off-highway vehicle use on recreational and public land. Bell explained that the off-road driving ban applies to recreational vehicles, such as quad bikes and all-terrain vehicles. Because its been very hot and dry in the north, exhaust (pipes) from off-highway vehicles can get very hot in some cases reaching temperatures of over 200 C, Bell said. When in contact with dry grass and leaves, the exhaust pipes from those vehicles have the potential to spark a wildfire. Until we get any sustained rain in the forecast in those areas, the fire ban and the off-highway vehicle restriction will remain in place. Bell added. Hopefully that comes, but only Mother Nature can predict that. On Friday, Alberta Wildfire reported 35 fires burning in forest protected areas. Fire crews have either contained or are holding most of the blazes at bay, but five of them are still burning out of control in the High Level and Lac La Biche forest areas. Alberta Wildfire Status Map According to Alberta Emergency Alert, smoke from one of the fires burning near the hamlet of Janvier, 120 kilometres south of Fort McMurray, is affecting air quality in the area. Residents of both the hamlet and the Chipewyan Prairie First Nation have been advised to prepare for a possible evacuation, although the fire poses no threat at this time. Alberta Emergency Alerts Read more about: Siris paws have become the hands of Prince Amponsah. This dog guide is always ready to leap to the aid of the Toronto actor, whose arms were amputated after a fire that left two thirds of his body badly burned. She will fetch water bottles and plastic containers from the fridge; open doors by striking automatic buttons and pushing down on lever handles; and pick up items that have fallen to the floor, such as a credit card or a key. And if Amponsah gets tangled up in his shirt trying to take it off, she will tug at the fabric, gently pulling it over his head. To have her there, to know that she can do that and will do that, its such a peace of mind, says the 32-year-old who lives with two furry companions, Siri and a cat named Blaze. I feel safe with (Siri) Shes changed my life tremendously. Shes given me more independence. The duo were matched by the Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides, a charity in Oakville that pairs at no cost dogs with people who have medical or physical disabilities. To do that, it relies on donations and fundraisers, such as the upcoming Pet Valu Walk for Dog Guides being held in about 300 communities nationwide. Most walks will take place May 27, but some are scheduled for other dates. Toronto actor Prince Amponsah with his service dog, Siri. Prince lost his lower arms in a fire, suffered burns to 68 percent of his body and relies on his guide dog Siri to help with his day-to-day routines. Money raised will support six different training programs to assist people who are blind or visually impaired; deaf or hard of hearing; have a physical disability; have epilepsy and have type 1 diabetes with hypoglycemic unawareness. Theres also a dog guide program for children who have autism spectrum disorder. It costs $25,000 to raise, train and support a single dog. Our dog guides are changing lives, says Ian Ashworth, the director of program development. Its amazing the feedback that we get. He recalls the mother of a boy with autism who said her son had tried to run off in a busy parking lot, but because he was attached to a guide dog it immediately halted, saving the child from being struck by a car. And another mother, whose son has the same disorder, said her son used to get so anxious during visits to the dentist that he had to be sedated that is, until he took along his furry friend. She sent this fabulous photo of (her son) lying in the dentist chair, the dog lying right across him, recalls Ashworth. The dentist and the dental nurses couldnt believe it was the same child. Amponsah understands that kind of deep affection and companionship. For him, Siri is an endless source of happiness something thats been in short supply in recent years. In November 2012, as the actor was sleeping, a fire broke out and gutted his apartment on Queen St. W., located near The Cameron House bar. He was left with second and third-degree burns to 68 per cent of his body, mostly above his waist. He was put in a medically induced coma for three weeks, had both arms amputated and underwent 40 skin grafts and reconstructive surgeries, including reshaping his scalp. After a year in hospital in the burn centre and intensive rehab Amponsah moved back into the community, into supportive housing, where a worker suggested he get on the wait list for a dog guide to help him out. Back in the real world, away from the protective walls of the hospital, he was forced to come to grips with his new reality. I pushed friends away, he recalls. I needed to think and grieve. But he grew tired of being alone and feeling depressed. Amponsah eventually returned to the stage and moved into his own apartment where he still lives, assisted by personal support workers who visit three times a day to help with personal hygiene and meal preparation. Living on his own forced him to do things himself, to get out of his home and get used to how people would react to him. But there were some things he simply couldnt do. For instance, if he was home and dropped his credit card, he would have to wait for the support worker to arrive and pick it up for him. He couldnt manage it, despite having two different prosthetic arms. Life reporter Isabel Teotonio got a PR pitch about a man recovering after a fire and his canine companion, she knew this was a story worth telling. That changed last fall when Amponsah was notified by the Lions Foundation, which had a service dog ready for him. Each year, the organization breeds about 300 puppies mostly Labrador retrievers, standard poodles and golden retrievers and at eight weeks theyre placed with volunteer foster families to become socialized. At age 1, the dogs start intensive specialized training for up to eight months in one of six programs. For instance, diabetic alert dog guides are trained to paw at their handler if they smell changes in their breath or sweat, alerting them to a sudden drop in blood sugar, whereas hearing dog guides will alert their handler to sounds, such as a knock at the door, a kitchen timer or a fire alarm. After dogs are matched with specific clients, the pair undergo training for up to a month, practising commands and creating a bond. When I first met her, it was instant love, recalls Amponsah. And our love has only gotten stronger Shes so loyal and always looking to me to make sure Im all right. That loyalty goes both ways. Amponsah says he often wonders if hes doing enough for Siri in his role as pet parent. I make it my duty to make sure that shes as happy as she makes me. Location, location, location is the predictor and mantra when it comes to selling homes. But Blake Wyatt, CEO of Wyatt Development Group, believes theres a second factor thats just as important: Design. Wyatt, the son of an interior designer, grew up surrounded by good lines and strong style, and his passion for it is incorporated into his projects. His companys new Water Walk development, at Bronte Harbour in Oakville, is a design-oriented cluster of 19 townhomes located two blocks from Lake Ontario. I dont see a lot of design-driven projects, Wyatt said. I wanted Water Walk to be about good architecture and creating a space that was special and unique. I also wanted to capture the waterfront essence of the site, and create a legacy for the buyers and community there. To do so, Wyatt turned to Audax Architecture Inc., a Toronto firm skilled in both architecture and interior design. When we started looking at the design, one challenge was how to do something contemporary that is appealing, said Gianpiero Pugliese, the firms founding principal. We wanted something fresh and original but contextual we didnt want the development to compete in an awkward, negative way with the neighbours, since it sits on a residential street. His solution: Townhomes in a style he calls Contemporary Cape Cod. We looked at the Cape Cod residential esthetic because the development is near the water, said Pugliese. It was a nice starting point, but we thought about how to turn it into something more contemporary. Dormer windows, white, clapboard-style cladding, pitched roofs and gable ends, combined with oversized windows and metal roofs create a modern feel. Audax is also handling the interior design so there is a consistent vision, Pugliese said. The interiors are fresh and contemporary without being trendy; they wont be dated over time. And its the combination of design and location that has drawn Burlington-based realtor Orville Sam to Water Walk. I heard about it through a friend and started to do some research, said Sam. I had Blake forward me some renderings. I love the location; our son has just been accepted at a school in Oakville, and we can also walk to the lake shore from Water Walk. The design is exceptional; I looked at the floor plans and the wide-open space is exactly what were looking for. Its an exceptional townhouse project. The three-storey townhomes have built-in garages and yards that are largely patio space. There will be very little yard maintenance, which is attractive for both my wife and myself, since were always on the go, he said. And for just three of us, we dont need crazy amounts of space. The Sam family is exactly the type of buyer whom Wyatt anticipates will be drawn to Water Walk. I expect there will be professional people in their late-30s to mid-40s who dont find the design features theyre looking for in the single-family homes in Oakville and like the walkability of the area, with coffee shops, a pharmacy and a grocery store all within a four-to-five block radius, Wyatt said. I also imagine that there will be buyers who already live in Oakville and have a luxurious lifestyle but are ready to downsize. The townhomes range in size from 2,222 square feet to 2,880 square feet and have two or three bedrooms, plus a den that can be converted to a fourth bedroom. Those seeking additional luxury can add a wine room, an elevator and smart-home technology. Audax has created two designer colour schemes cool or warm from which to choose. Other features include European appliances, Italian faucets, quartz countertops, integrated LED lighting, rain-head showers and a free-standing bathtub. There will also be an indoor-outdoor fireplace in each home. People get nickel-and-dimed to death, Wyatt said. Were giving them more premium product out of the gate. The entry level holds the garage, den and laundry. The second floor is home to the living and dining space and the terrace, while the bedrooms take up the top floor. The home prices start at just over $1 million. Although the project is still in the pre-launch phase the launch is planned for June potential buyers are already registering. Were expecting high demand, Wyatt said, noting that during the first 10 days that signs were on display, there were more than 100 registrations. If I could do this project again all over the GTA, it would be ideal, adds Wyatt. Im even keeping one for myself. WATER WALK Location: Bronte Harbour, Oakville Developer/Builder: Wyatt Development Group Architect and interior design: Audax Architects Inc. Project: 19 three-storey townhomes, from 2,222 sq. ft. to 2,880 sq. ft., with 2 bedrooms + den and 3 bedrooms + den. Price: From just over $1 million to just over $2 million Contact: Discovery Centre, 2362 Lakeshore Rd. W., Oakville; 289-299-5262; email info@waterwalktowns.com Read more about: When a homeowner states in a sale agreement that to the best of his knowledge the property was never used for growing or manufacturing illegal substances, and subsequently discovers before closing that the house was a marijuana grow-op 12 years earlier, can the buyer back out of the deal? Does a sellers representation and warranty in the typical illegal substances clause speak to the moment the contract was signed? Or does it carry through right to closing? Those were the issues in a court decision released last June, and in a hearing before the Ontario Court of Appeal in January 2018. When the appeal decision is released, it will affect every real estate lawyer and realtor in Ontario. Jonathan and Jacqueline Beatty were the sellers of their home on Stainforth Dr., in Toronto, and Zhong Wei was the buyer. The agreement of purchase and sale was dated May 15, 2016 and contained a standard illegal substances clause that is used thousands of times a year across the province. The typical wording, which was used in this case, stated that the warranty survived closing and did not end when the buyers registered their deed. Three weeks after the agreement was signed, the purchasers lawyer received a letter from the Toronto Police Service confirming the property had, indeed, been a grow-op and that 265 marijuana plants had been seized in 2004. The Beattys bought the house in 2009 but never knew about the grow-op. Wei refused to close the transaction and the Beattys resold it to another buyer for $829,900 $86,100 less than the price in the Wei agreement. Last June, Wei applied to the Superior Court for an order returning his $30,000 deposit and declaring that he did not have to close the deal based on the sellers misrepresentation. The Beattys asked the court to declare that Wei breached the contract and that they could keep the deposit. Justice Peter Cavanagh ruled that the buyer was entitled to back out of the purchase agreement, and was entitled to the return of his deposit. The judge made a distinction between the words representation and warranty, both of which were contained in the illegal substances clause. Cavanagh found that when the seller made a warranty in the agreement of purchase and sale, it was only effective only up to the date of the agreement. But he also noted that the statement used the word representation. The representation was that, to the best of the sellers knowledge and belief, the property had never been used for the growth or manufacture of illegal substances. The judge ruled that this was a statement of a present fact that was intended to be relied upon when made, and one upon which the purchaser was entitled to continue to rely, at least until closing. He ordered that the buyer was entitled to terminate the purchase agreement and receive back the entire deposit. In a subsequent ruling, the judge also awarded the buyer legal costs of $26,436.43. In my experience, lawyers and real estate agents generally accept this representation and warranty clause to speak only at the time of the contract and not later. At press time, the Court of Appeal had not yet released its decision. Whatever it says, however, the provinces illegal-substance clause is due for an overhaul. INDIANA-- A student and a teacher are in the hospital after a shooting inside an Indiana Middle School. Hena Doba has more on the attack and the suspect who is now in custody. Students ran to waiting busses to evacuate after police say a student opened fire inside a classroom at Noblesville West Middle School around 9am. Kaley Sweeney's sister was inside. Kaley Sweeney said, "My Mom and I were both crying and freaking out hoping she was okay." Police say an adult and another student were injured before the suspect was taken into custody Kevin Jowitt, Noblesville Police Chief said, "A male student from the school was detained." Students were bussed to the high school where parents, lined up for blocks, could pick up their children. But the scare did not end there, in an email to parents the district said a new threat was made at the high school. Mackenzie Buchanan, a high school student said, "We piled desks in front of the door, we were starting to get freaked out." Austin Duncan, another high school student said, "I was terrified, I just wanted to get a hold of my mom." Parents were then told they would be able to pick up their kids after that threat was cleared. Tina Duncan, a parent said, "You can't believe it, this can't be happening." One hundred State Troopers have been brought in to help local police, long with ATF and the FBI who are assisting with the investigation. Both victims were taken to the hospital. Their conditions are unknown. Stay with Action News Now for all of your local, and national coverage. Download our app, get updates in the palm of your hand: iOS | Android No longer a secret, Little Tokyo on the Rhine is increasingly drawing visitors with an appetite for all things Japanese. For decades, Japanese professionals have called this compact Dusseldorf neighbourhood home. Steps from the Rhine Bank Promenade, where centuries-old pubs serve Dusseldorfs traditional Altbier on tap, established Japanese supermarkets and restaurants lately have been joined by trendy ramen joints, upscale sushi spots and cute bakeries, all looking to capitalize on the rising demand for authentic Asian cuisine. The enclave, with one of the largest Japanese communities in Europe, is within walking distance of several of the citys heralded art museums as well as the Konigsallee, the lively shopping boulevard known as Ko. Not to be missed in the neighbourhood is the annual Japan Day festivities on May 26, culminating with a grand fireworks display. Yoshi by Nagaya Now 2 years old, this sliver of a restaurant offers a more casual, wallet-friendly version of its upscale sister restaurant Nagaya a few blocks away. Each now has a Michelin star, but Yoshi seems to draw a trendier crowd with its artfully arranged raw seafood and a sleek design that affords most seats a good view of the masterful performance by its young sushi chefs. Kreuzstrasse 17, nagaya.de Soba-an Savvy noodle-slurpers bypass the lines in front of more popular neighbourhood ramen joints for this unassuming noodle-maker. Open since 2010, Soba-an serves what may well be Germanys best soba. Firm and slippery, chewy and nutty, the house-made buckwheat noodles are the delight of Japanese families with young children in search of mild comfort food. The noodles come in a delicately umami-rich broth with sides of crisp tempura, spongy inari and sticky rice. Klosterstrasse 68, soba-an.de Takagi In-the-know tourists and schoolchildren from Duesseldorfs Japanese International School across the Rhine River give a frenetic energy to this established Japanese bookshop. Jammed with Japanese manga comics, German guidebooks to Japan and Japanese novels, the cosy store reserves a large area in the front for stationery, pencil cases and boxes decorated with beloved anime characters like Totoro, who in plush form looks on approvingly from a high shelf. Immermannstrasse 31, takagi-books.de Kyoto Three decades old, this jewel box of a shop is separated into two halves: One side is devoted to packaged teas, smooth painted teapots and delicate chasen (matcha whisks), with flyers for tea ceremonies, workshops and tastings tucked in-between. The other side is a happy jumble of delicate stationery, stackable bento lunch boxes for children and stylish kitchenware, including smooth wooden spoons and white steel chefs knives. Immermannstrasse 26, kyoto-japan.de Waraku This bright, comfy snack bar opened in 2010 and specializes in teas, bento boxes and freshly made onigiri the popular stuffed Japanese rice balls wrapped in sheets of seaweed. At any given time, at least 20 types of this popular takeout snack are arrayed in hand-labeled rows, their fillings ranging from traditional (salmon, shiitake mushrooms) to unusual (stinging nettles, shiso). Immermannstrasse 27, waraku.de Read more about: MONTREALA new Canadian space strategy that is already at least one year behind schedule is only months away, Science Minister Navdeep Bains said Friday. We havent determined the exact date, but it will be as soon as possible, he said. In plain English in the coming months. Bains made the comments after announcing an investment of more than $26.7 million in space technology that will benefit 33 Canadian companies. The new money will create or secure 397 jobs and support 46 projects to develop what are described as game-changing technologies in medicine, artificial intelligence, autonomous navigation and virtual reality. Thanks to the new technologies, we will be able to improve wildfire monitoring, weather predictions and to better understand climate change, Bains said. Read more: Canadian Space Agency and its partners developing plans for lunar space station Opinion | Canadas space program has a diversity problem Bains, who was joined by Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen, made the funding announcement at MDAs Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue facilities on the western tip of the Island of Montreal. MDA, which builds the Canadarm and satellites, will receive about $4 million to improve its technologies. That money is being awarded through a Canadian Space Agency program geared to small- and medium-sized firms. Bains was also given a tour of three RADARSAT satellites that are expected to be launched in November. Another date that has yet to be determined is Hansens first space voyage. Fellow astronaut David Saint-Jacques is due to blast off in December on a six-month mission to the International Space Station. But exactly when Hansen will follow him is, in his own words, the million-dollar question. It has already been announced he will fly by 2024. Hansen strongly indicated his future flight will be on commercial space capsules currently being developed by two American companies SpaceXs Dragon capsule and Boeings CST-100 Starliner. We have to get those flying first and then Ill have some resolution on when Ill fly, Hansen said. I havent been part of actually testing those systems yet. But I will in the future, so its pretty exciting stuff. The only way any astronaut can currently travel to and from the space station is on board a Russian Soyuz space capsule. BATTLEFORD, SASK.A Saskatchewan man has pleaded guilty to three counts of criminal negligence causing death for a crash that killed three Edmonton women. Brandon Stucka of Lloydminster also pleaded guilty to one count of criminal negligence causing bodily harm for injuring another woman in the September 2017 crash. Stucka, who is 27, made the pleas Friday in Battleford Court of Queens Bench. He also pleaded guilty to flight from a peace officer, failure to stop at the scene of accident, possession of property obtained by crime, break and enter, and to breach of a condition of a prior order by being at-large. The Crown stayed the remaining charges including dangerous operation of a vehicle causing death and dangerous operation of a vehicle causing bodily harm. Stucka is to return to court for sentencing on July 6 when the agreed statement of facts in the case will be presented. Eva Tumbay, Jeannette Wright, and Glorious David died in the crash on Highway 16 near Lloydminster, Sask., when RCMP said the minivan they were in collided with a stolen truck. A fourth woman, Janet Wright Gaye, was treated in hospital for serious injuries. RCMP had been following the truck, but were ordered to pull back about half an hour before the crash. Read more about: ORILLIA, ONT.Provincial police from the Orillia, Ont., detachment are investigating a fatal kayaking incident. It occurred Friday on a river in Washago, Ont., just north of Orillia. Police say a 59-year-old Oshawa, Ont., woman was attempting to set out in a kayak when it flipped over, trapping her under water for a period of time. They say the woman was brought back to shore, where paramedics performed CPR. She was then taken to hospital where she was later pronounced dead. The womans name was not immediately released. Read more about: The Progressive Conservatives former campaign chair says he carefully reviewed the 2016 allegations that Doug Ford purchased party memberships to help his preferred candidate win the PC nomination in Etobicoke Centre and was completely satisfied Ford did nothing wrong. Walied Soliman was the partys campaign chair under former leader Patrick Brown during a bitter nomination dispute on Ford family turf between the ridings former candidate, Pina Martino, and Kinga Surma, who ultimately won the nomination. At the time Martino accused Ford and Surma of duping people into party memberships in order to rig the vote. On Thursday, the Liberal party released an audio recording of Ford recruiting members with Surma at an Etobicoke Tim Hortons. In it, he appears to be telling patrons that party memberships are free. Voting in nomination contests is only open to party members, who pay a $10 membership fee. The Liberals also released an affidavit Martino sent to PC party officials in which she lists dozens of people she says she met while canvassing the riding who claimed they had not paid for their membership or, in some cases, had no idea they were members at all. Martino also accused Ford of trying to intimidate her by following her in his car. Ford has denied all of the allegations. At the time of the nomination, Soliman was a member of the partys Provincial Nominations Committee, which dealt with Martinos complaint. Read more: Opinion | Martin Regg Cohn: Kathleen Wynnes Liberals struggle to stay airborne In provincial election, battle lines drawn over minimum wage and good jobs Four parties are making big promises on transit. Whats a commuter to do? I was then and remain now completely satisfied with the process that elected Kinga Surma as our candidate, he wrote on Friday in response to emailed questions. I was also aware of the support Doug Ford provided and was satisfied that it was completely appropriate. Soliman said the audio recording released by the Liberals did not change his opinion. A party source has told the Star that Martinos complaint was never actually investigated by the party because officials feared getting on the wrong side of Ford, who, despite not holding any senior role in the party at the time, held considerable influence in Etobicoke. Soliman called that allegation totally and categorically ridiculous. The Star spoke to five people listed in Martinos affidavit who said they had voted for Surma in the nomination contest but did not pay for a party membership. I said Id vote for her, but I didnt want to pay, said a woman who lives near Islington and Eglinton Aves. I didnt want to be a member. Im not political. All of the people with whom the Star spoke said Ford had encouraged them to vote for Surma. Duff Conacher, co-founder of citizen advocacy group Democracy Watch, said the partys internal investigation should not be trusted. Their investigation is biased, he said. They have an obvious conflict of interest of wanting to coverup wrongdoing of their leader. Conacher, who is also an adjunct professor of law and politics at the University of Ottawa, said the latest controversy is another example why the parties should not run their own nomination contests, which he says should instead be run by an independent elections agency. Vote now: Read more about: The sudden surge in support for the NDP is a result of voters turning away from Doug Ford who still havent taken a close look at Andrea Horwaths plan for the province, says Liberal Leader Kathleen Wynne. In a sit-down interview with the Star on Friday the halfway mark of the election campaign Wynne said the first two-plus weeks have been hard in the sense that people have been figuring out what Doug Ford is about and a lot of them have moved to Andrea and the NDP. And I think now, because they are there, they are sorting out what does she actually stand for. I think were seeing a lot of movement. Wynne believes that as people look at us and the NDP, the differences between our two plans are going to become clearer. Thats what people will be asking for now so show me how youre different from them and why should I come back to you? Thats basically the question that Im going to have to answer over and over again in the last two weeks before the June 7 election. The Liberal plan, she said, is practical and it builds on the successes of what weve done for the last five years. Earlier in the day, speaking to reporters, Wynne had been asked about her partys sinking poll numbers, and she said she is absolutely not going to give up. Read more: Four parties are making big promises on transit. Whats a commuter to do? PCs say Ford cleared of membership-buying allegations in 2016 Opinion | Martin Regg Cohn: Kathleen Wynnes Liberals struggle to stay airborne On Friday, a new poll put the NDP in the lead, ahead of the PCs and well ahead of the Liberals, but Wynne says she and her party are fighting for every seat. Then there was another poll that had us all within 10 points, she told the Star. So its really unclear right now where people are going to land having decided that Ford is not the way they want to go. Despite the bad news about her partys fortunes, Wynne got a boost at a rally of several hundred party faithful in Scarborough on Thursday night, including glowing introductions from federal Liberal ministers Chrystia Freeland and Jane Philpott. The Liberals will release their platform in the coming days, though most of it was already set out in the spring budget. Wynne said Fords lack of a platform has turned off voters. I think the people of Ontario have seen through him. They saw very quickly that there wasnt much substance to what he was suggesting and that, in fact, there was a lot of risk in what he was putting forward, and thats why were seeing the volatility in the voter intention now. Ford has said the Progressive Conservatives will release one before voters head to the polls. ANCHORAGE, ALASKAThe eldest son of former Republican vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin is seeking to bar the media from covering court hearings after he was accused of assaulting his father last year at the family home in Alaska. A lawyer for Track Palin, 29, filed a motion Friday to prohibit or limit media access to proceedings in Veterans Court, including a hearing scheduled to take place Tuesday. Palins lawyer, Patrick Bergt, said the motion was filed on grounds to ensure the case does not become a distraction to other veterans in the system. Veterans Court is part of Alaskas therapeutic court system. Bergt said he also plans to file an application next week to formally transfer the case to the Veterans Court. The case is officially in Superior Court in Palmer north of Anchorage. Anchorage District Court Judge David Wallace denied media requests to cover pretrial proceedings earlier this week in Veterans Court. He cited an administrative rule that requires media requests to be submitted at least 24 hours ahead of time as the reason for barring reporters, though judges have leeway and have granted approval in a much shorter time frame. Wallace was appointed to the bench by Sarah Palin when she was Alaskas governor. A phone message left at the court asking if Wallace planned to recuse himself because of that tie was not immediately returned. Read more: Sarah Palins oldest son pleads not guilty to charge in case accusing him of assaulting his father Sarah Palins oldest son, Track, charged with beating his father, who confronted him with a gun Anchorage-based media attorney John McKay said he has no issue with Wallace overseeing the case, even as a Sarah Palin appointee. The system allows either side to pre-empt a judge if they feel its appropriate, McKay said. I think we have an excellent system of picking judges and an excellent track record with judges, he said. McKay said he didnt know enough about the defence motion regarding the media to comment on it. Track Palin was arrested in December after his mother told authorities her son was on some kind of medication and freaking out. A police affidavit says father Todd Palin was bleeding from head cuts. He told police the dispute began when his son called to pick up his truck from the Palins home in Wasilla. According to the affidavit, Todd Palin said he told Track Palin not to come to the house but that his son said he would come anyway to beat him up. Todd Palin told police he got his pistol to protect his family. Track Palin told police he broke a window, disarmed his father and put him on the ground. A Wasilla police wrote in the affidavit that Todd and Sarah Palin had left the home when police arrived and that she was visibly upset. Track Palin yelled at officers, calling them peasants, and moved around in a strange manner before being arrested without incident, the affidavit says. He told police he consumed a few beers earlier, the document says. Track Palin pleaded not guilty in January to a felony burglary charge in the incident. He also faces misdemeanour charges of assault and criminal mischief. In 2016, Track Palin was suspected of punching his then-girlfriend, who then became concerned that he was going to shoot himself with a rifle, court documents said. He faced several charges but pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm while intoxicated, and the other charges were dismissed. His then-girlfriend later filed for custody of their child and requested a protective order against Track Palin, who served in Iraq for a year in 2008. Sarah Palin indicated that post-traumatic stress disorder might have been a factor in that case. Veterans Court gives eligible veterans the option of enrolling in mental health treatment programs instead of a traditional sentence. BERLINA German far-right party that swept into parliament last year on a wave of anti-migrant sentiment is staging a march Sunday through the heart of Berlin to protest against the government of Chancellor Angela Merkel, accusing it of ruining Germany by allowing the mass immigration of refugees. Alternative for Germany, or AfD, took 12.6 per cent of the vote in Septembers national election, coming third behind Merkels conservative Union bloc and the centre-left Social Democrats. After those two agreed to continue their governing coalition, AfD became the largest opposition party, a role that traditionally accords parties in Germany a prominent platform to promote their positions in Parliament. AfDs novice lawmakers have struggled to grasp basic parliamentary procedures and have stood out mainly with blunt attacks on minorities, particularly Muslims, who made up the majority of the more than one million asylum-seekers to enter Germany in 2015 and 2016. Co-leader Alice Weidel was formally censured by parliament earlier this month for describing girls who wear Islamic head scarves as useless people. Sundays rally, starting at Berlins main train station and ending at the landmark Brandenburg Gate, is highly unusual for a German political party. While other parties have in recent years supported protests on a variety of issues from animal rights to opposing free trade AfD is the sole organizer of the march headlined Germanys Future. David Bebnowski, an expert who studies political protest, says AfD appears to be trying to portray itself as a champion of popular anger against the government in Europes biggest economy. A demonstration is a classic expression of discontent outside parliament, he told The Associated Press. Read more: German far-right, anti-immigrant party elects leaders amid protests Germans wearing Jewish skullcaps take to the streets to protest anti-Semitism Merkel reaches deal for German coalition government but challenges remain Its move to the streets may also be an attempt to align itself more closely with the anti-Islam group PEGIDA, which has held weekly rallies in Dresden in recent years, said Bebnowski, a historian at the Centre for Contemporary History in Potsdam, Germany. It also reflects the partys tactic of provoking opponents to gain attention, he said. AfD has threatened lawsuits against journalists, rival politicians and officials who have criticized it, even as it accuses opponents of using Nazi methods. On Wednesday, party officials warned that far-left extremists could try to violently stop its rally in Berlin. This isnt a family excursion where you take your kids along, said Guido Reil, an AfD official organizing the rally. More than a dozen groups have announced plans to stage counterprotests Sunday, including artists and a coalition of Berlin music clubs hoping to blow away AfD with loud techno beats. Berlin police are reportedly planning to put some 2,000 officers on the streets to keep the peace. Bebnowski said the march could turn into a public relations disaster for AfD if it fails to prevent neo-Nazi groups and other extremists from joining its event. Party officials say about 100 stewards will watch out for banned symbols and chants. Yet while the party publicly distances itself from extremism, German media have uncovered that dozens of regional and national lawmakers and AfD staff have links to neo-Nazi groups such as Blood & Honour and the Identitarian Movement, a white nationalist group thats under surveillance by Germanys domestic intelligence agency. Observers have noted a clear rightward drift in the party in recent years, with prominent members expressing anti-Semitic and revisionist views not heard in German mainstream politics for decades. At least two AfD lawmakers have been convicted of incitement to hatred over the past year and its former leader, Frauke Petry, cited concerns about the partys direction when she quit AfD just after last years election. Georg Pazderski, a regional leader in Berlin, said he hopes a large turnout will demonstrate that the party is supported by ordinary people. Having secured seats in 14 state assemblies and the national parliament since its founding in 2013, AfD is setting its sights on a double-digit result in the Bavaria and Hesse state elections this fall. The party has told Berlin police to prepare for 10,000 people. This week, senior AfD officials sought to lower the bar, saying they expect at least 2,500 participants and 5,000 would be a great success. Read more about: SEOUL, KOREA, REPUBLIC OFNorth Korean leader Kim Jong Un and South Korean President Moon Jae-in met Saturday for the second time in a month, exchanging a huge bear hug and broad smiles in a surprise summit at a border village to discuss Kims potential meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump and ways to follow through on the peace initiatives of the rivals earlier summit. Following a whirlwind 24 hours that saw Trump cancel the highly anticipated June 12 meeting with Kim before saying its potentially back on, the Korean leaders took matters into their own hands. Their quickly arranged meeting Saturday appears to highlight a sense of urgency on both sides of the worlds most heavily armed border: Moon wants to secure a summit that he sees as the best way to ease animosity that had some fearing a war last year; Kim may see the sit-down with Trump as necessary to easing pressure from crushing sanctions and to winning security assurances in a region surrounded by enemies. Read more: North Korea demolishes nuke test site with series of blasts North Korea offers U.S. time and opportunity to reconsider summit Trump made a mess of North Korea talks, experts say Kim, in a telling line from a dispatch issued by the Norths state-run news service on Sunday, expressed his fixed will on the historic (North Korea)-U.S. summit talks. The two Korean leaders agreed to positively co-operate with each other as ever to improve (North Korea)-U.S. relations and establish (a) mechanism for permanent and durable peace. They agreed to have their top officials meet again June 1 and to set up separate talks between their top generals. The meeting came hours after South Korea expressed relief over revived talks for a summit between Trump and Kim. It remains unclear whether Kim will ever agree to fully abandon his nuclear arsenal in return, despite Moons insistence that Kim can be persuaded to abandon his nuclear facilities, materials and bombs in a verifiable and irreversible way in exchange for credible security and economic guarantees. Moon, who brokered the summit between Washington and Pyongyang, likely used Saturdays meeting to confirm Kims willingness to enter nuclear negotiations with Trump and clarify what steps Kim has in mind in the process of denuclearization, said Hong Min, a senior analyst at Seouls Korea Institute for National Unification. While Washington and Pyongyang have expressed their hopes for a summit through published statements, Moon has to step up as the mediator because the surest way to set the meeting in stone would be an official confirmation of intent between heads of states, Hong said. South Korean presidential spokesperson Yoon Young-chan said Moon will reveal details of his meeting with Kim on Sunday. U.S. officials have talked about a comprehensive one-shot deal in which North Korea fully eliminates its nukes first and receives rewards later. But Kim, through two summits with Chinese President Xi Jinping in March and May, has called for a phased and synchronized process in which every action he takes is met with a reciprocal reward from the United States. Koh Yu-hwan, a North Korea expert at Seouls Dongguk University and a policy adviser to Moon, said the South Korean president wants Kim to accept an alternative approach advocated by Seoul, in which the Norths comprehensive commitment and credible actions toward denuclearization are followed by a phased but compressed process of declaration, inspection and verifiable dismantling. Before he cancelled the summit, Trump this past week did not rule out an incremental approach that would provide incentives along the way to the North. Trump tweeted earlier Saturday that a summit with Kim, if it does happen, will likely take place on June 12 in Singapore as originally planned. Following an unusually provocative 2017 in which his engineers tested a purported thermonuclear warhead and three long-range missiles theoretically capable of striking mainland U.S. cities, Kim has engaged in a flurry of diplomatic activity in recent months. In addition to his summits with Moon and Xi, Kim also has had two meetings with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. It wasnt immediately clear how the rival Koreas organized what appeared to be an emergency summit. Ahead of their first meeting last month, Kim and Moon established a hotline that they said would enable direct communication between the leaders and would be valuable to defuse crises, but it was unclear whether it was used to set up the latest meeting. Photos released by South Koreas presidential office showed Moon arriving at the North Korean side of the Panmunjom truce village and shaking hands with Kims sister, Kim Yo Jong, before sitting down with Kim for their summit. Moon was accompanied by his spy chief, Suh Hoon, while Kim was joined by Kim Yong Chol, a former military intelligence chief who is now a vice chairman of the North Korean ruling partys central committee tasked with inter-Korean relations. The two leaders embraced as Moon departed. Moons office said that during their two-hour meeting, the two leaders also discussed carrying out the peace commitments they agreed to at their first summit, held at the South Korean side of Panmunjom on April 27, but didnt elaborate. At their first meeting, Kim and Moon announced vague aspirations for a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula and permanent peace, which Seoul has tried to sell as a meaningful breakthrough to set up the summit with Trump. But relations between the two Koreas chilled in recent weeks, with North Korea cancelling a high-level meeting with Seoul over South Koreas participation in regular military exercises with the United States and insisting that it will not return to talks unless its grievances are resolved. South Korea was caught off guard by Trumps abrupt cancellation of his summit with Kim, with the U.S. president citing hostility in recent North Korean comments. Moon said Trumps decision left him perplexed and was very regrettable. He urged Washington and Pyongyang to resolve their differences through more direct and closer dialogue between their leaders. Trumps back-and-forth over his summit plans with Kim has exposed the fragility of Seoul as an intermediary. It fanned fears in South Korea that the country may lose its voice between a rival intent on driving a wedge between Washington and Seoul and an American president who thinks less of the traditional alliance with Seoul than his predecessors did. Trumps decision to pull out of the summit came just days after he hosted Moon at the White House, where he openly cast doubts on the Singapore meeting but offered no support for continued inter-Korean progress, essentially ignoring the Norths recent attempts to coerce the South. In a letter to Kim announcing the cancellation, Trump objected specifically to a statement from senior North Korean diplomat Choe Son Hui. Choe had referred to Vice-President Mike Pence as a political dummy for earlier comments he made about North Korea and said it was up to the Americans whether they would meet us at a meeting room or encounter us (in a) nuclear-to-nuclear showdown. North Korea issued an unusually restrained and diplomatic response to Trump, saying it was still willing to sit for talks with the United States at any time, (in) any format. The first meeting would not solve all, but solving even one at a time in a phased way would make the relations get better rather than making them get worse, North Korean Vice Foreign Minister Kim Kye Gwan said in a statement carried by the Norths official Korean Central News Agency, which mainly targets an external audience. Notably, the statement did not appear in Saturdays edition of Rodong Sinmun, which is the official mouthpiece of the Norths ruling party and is widely read by North Koreans. Read more about: DUBLINIn the end, it wasnt even close. Irish voters young and old, male and female, farming types and city-bred folk endorsed expunging an abortion ban from their largely Catholic countrys constitution by a two-to-one margin, referendum results compiled Saturday showed. The decisive outcome of the landmark referendum held Friday exceeded expectations and was cast as a historic victory for womens rights. Polls had given the pro-repeal yes side a small lead, but suggested the contest would be close. Since 1983, the now-repealed Eighth Amendment had forced women seeking to terminate pregnancies to go abroad for abortions, bear children conceived through rape or incest or take illegal measures at home. Read more: Vote points to big win for abortion rights groups in Ireland Abortion debate flares in Ireland after woman denied quick termination dies Ireland to hold referendum on lifting ban on abortion next year As the final tally was announced showing more than 66 per cent of voters supported lifting the ban, crowds in the ancient courtyard of Dublin Castle began chanting Savita! Savita! in honour of Savita Halappanavar, a 31-year-old dentist who died of sepsis during a protracted miscarriage after being denied an abortion at a Galway hospital in 2012. With exit polls showing a win for abortion rights campaigners, Prime Minister Leo Varadkar called the apparent victory the culmination of a quiet revolution. Later, he hailed the momentous outcome as a victory for Irelands future. I said in recent days that this was a once in a generation vote. Today I believe we have voted for the next generation, said Varadkar, who is Irelands first openly gay leader as well as its first prime minister from an ethnic minority group. The next battleground is likely to be Irelands parliament, where the government led by Varadkar hopes to capitalize on the fresh momentum and enact legislation spelling out the conditions under which abortions will be legal for the first time by the end of this year. The plan is to allow abortions during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy and in special cases after the first trimester, likely ending the trail of Irish women who go elsewhere mostly to neighbouring Britain by the thousands each year for abortions they cant get at home. Under the Eighth Amendment, the only thing we could say to women in this country was Take a flight or take a boat, Health Minister Simon Harris told Irish broadcaster RTE. And now the country is saying, No, take our hands, we want to support you. Some called for the new abortion legislation to be named Savitas law. Her father, Andanappa Yalagi, said he has no words to express his gratitude for Irelands yes vote. Weve got justice for Savita, he told the Hindustan Times. What happened to her will not happen to any other family. It is not yet clear how hard the soundly defeated no forces will fight for restrictive laws in parliament in light of the overwhelming appetite for reform. Opponents of the repeal movement conceded defeat Saturday morning after exit polls from the night before suggested they had no hope of victory. John McGuirk, spokesman for the Save the 8th group, told RTE that many Irish citizens would not recognize the country in which they were waking up. The group said on its website that the referendum was a tragedy of historic proportions, but McGuirk said the vote must still be respected. You can still passionately believe that the decision of the people is wrong, as I happen to do, and accept it, he said. The final tally showed that just over 66 per cent of voters who cast valid ballots wanted the Eighth Amendment abolished. Exit polls indicated that both men and women strongly opposed the abortion ban, and that opposition to it was strong in rural areas, not just cosmopolitan Dublin. The support for lifting the ban highlights the liberalization of traditionally Catholic Ireland, marking the diminishing influence of the Church hierarchy and a desire to align Irish secular laws with the other countries of Europe. First it was same-sex marriage, approved here in 2015, and now it will be the consignment to history of the Eighth Amendment, which banned nearly all abortions and turned women seeking them into pariahs. This is a monumental day for women in Ireland, Orla OConnor, co-director of the Together for Yes group, said. This is about women taking their rightful place in Irish society, finally. The vote is a rejection of an Ireland that treated women as second-class citizens, she said, adding: This is about womens equality and this day brings massive change, monumental change for women in Ireland, and there is no going back. The mood was jubilant at Dublins Intercontinental Hotel, where supporters of the Together For Yes group spent hours watching the vote tally come in from the countrys 40 districts. In the end, 39 voted for repeal. Some supporters had tears of joy running down their cheeks, and many women hugged each other. Cheers erupted every time partial results were shown on two big screens transmitting the latest television news. When the final count was announced at Dublin Castle, more than 1,000 people were gathered outside singing, chanting and toasting each other with champagne despite an intermittent light rain. They cheered when leaders of the yes campaign surfaced and they cheered for the prime minister when he arrived. For many, the victory was vindication after years of opposing the abortion ban, which required Irish authorities to defend the lives of a woman and a fetus as equals under the law from the moment of conception. In practical terms, the amendment outlawed all abortions until 2014, when terminations in rare cases when a womans life was at risk started being allowed. Irish Minister for Children and Youth Affairs Katherine Zappone said she was deeply moved by the vote. Im especially grateful to the women of Ireland who came forward to provide their personal testimony about the hard times that they endured, the stress and the trauma that they experienced because of the Eighth Amendment, she said. The vote in the Republic of Ireland may increase pressure on Northern Ireland to follow suit. When abortion becomes legal in the Republic of Ireland, it will become the only part of Britain and Ireland to ban the procedure. There were roars of approval Saturday when two women leaders of the Sinn Fein party raised a sign that read, The North is next. Abortions approved by doctors are allowed in the rest of Britain until the 24th week of pregnancy, but not in Northern Ireland, where the procedure is limited to cases when a womans life is at risk. Irelands prime minister noted that Saturdays win for legalizing abortion could not right past wrongs, but could prevent future ones. The wrenching pain of decades of mistreatment of Irish women cannot be unlived, Varadkar, who backed repeal, said. However, today we have ensured that it does not have to be lived again. Sacramento, Calif.-- Cal Fire investigators release the cause of four Northern California wildfires in what officials are calling 'The October Fire Seige' of 2017. All four from Butte and Nevada Counties, are being blamed on tree branches coming in contact with power-lines. In Butte County, the La Port Fire burned over 8,000 acres near Bangor and destroyed 74 structures. Cal Fire says there was no violations of state law. However, Cal Fire says the Honey Fire that burned 76 acres near Paradise, was caused by inadequate clearance between trees and power lines. Cal Fire says it's PG&E's responsibility to maintain that clearance, not homeowners. They released the same cause for the 'McCourtney Fire' and the 'Lobo Fire' in Nevada County. Cal Fire says the October 2017 Fire Seige involved more than 170 fires. These four fires are the first fire investigations to be complete. The investigation now heads to the district attorney's office for review. BEIRUTThe United States warned it would take firm and appropriate measures to protect a ceasefire in southern Syria if President Bashar Assads forces move against rebels there. The area in southwestern Syria, between the border city of Daraa and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, has emerged as a flashpoint in a wider standoff between regional archrivals Israel and Iran. The U.S., Russia and Jordan agreed last year to include Daraa in a de-escalation zone to freeze the lines of conflict. But government forces have recently dropped leaflets on rebel-held areas warning of an imminent offensive and urging fighters to lay down their arms, Syrian state media said Friday. In a statement released Friday, the U.S. State Department said it was concerned by reports that Assads forces were preparing for an operation in southwestern Syria. It warned the government against any actions that risk broadening the conflict. Assad has relied on Russia, Iran and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah to battle an uprising against his familys decades-long rule and roll back a Daesh insurgency that grew out of the countrys seven-year civil war. Iran has sent military commanders to oversee battles and organize militias from across the Middle East to fight alongside Assads troops. The U.S. and Israel view Irans extensive military presence in Syria as a threat to Israel and have threatened action. The Israeli military is believed to be behind dozens of airstrikes in recent years against Hezbollah, Iran and Syrian military positions. Earlier this month, Israel bombed Iranian military positions in Syria in what it said was retaliation for an Iranian rocket attack on the occupied Golan Heights. Israel called it its most serious operation in Syria since the 1973 Mideast war. The government began moving reinforcements to Daraa province this week after expelling the last rebels and Daesh militants from around Damascus, according to the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which closely monitors the war. Leaflets dropped on northern Daraa, which is divided between rebel and government-controlled areas, warned: The men of the Syrian army are coming. The Syrian uprising began in Daraa in 2011. The ceasefire has slowly disintegrated as government warplanes have carried out airstrikes against rebel-held areas. Meanwhile in Idlib, a car bomb in one of the northern citys main streets killed at least four people and wounded about 30 others on Saturday, according to the Syrian Civil Defence search-and-rescue group. Idlib, the capital of a province by the same name, has suffered deterioration to its security in recent months as rebel and jihadist factions battle with the al-Qaida-linked Levant Liberation Committee for dominance. The province is one of the oppositions last remaining footholds in the country. The other is Daraa. It was not clear who was behind Saturdays bomb blast. According to the Observatory, at least 119 people have been killed over the past month in the factional infighting in Idlib. Thirty-one of them have been civilians. Read more about: EASTON, PA.A neighbour accused of harassing and using racial epithets against a Black Pennsylvania family for years has been sentenced to prison. A Northampton County judge sentenced 45-year-old Robert Kujawa to the term Friday after a jury convicted him of ethnic intimidation, harassment and stalking, the (Allentown) Morning Call reported. Prosecutors said Kujawa hung Confederate flags in the windows of his Bethlehem Township home, but only those facing the Black familys residence, and used a racial slur against the woman and her son when they were in the backyard. Kujawas lawyer denied his client, who is white, used the slur. Read more: Rachel Dolezal, woman who posed as Black, charged with welfare fraud Black and female chefs break all the cooking rules and win James Beard Awards in U.S. Britains black community watching Meghan Markles impact on royals Family members said the man used a pellet gun to shoot out their outdoor lights and damage their furniture. Judge Jennifer Sletvold noted that Kujawa was convicted of harassment of the family in 2015 and the following year admitted to reckless endangerment. Over the course of many years, Mr. Kujawa robbed this family of their peace, Sletvold said. Kujawa apologized Friday, saying he is losing his home to foreclosure and he intends to leave the state once his 10th-grade daughter graduates. Im really remorseful, he said. Im really sorry that it got to this point. Assistant District Attorney Abraham Kassis said Kujawas prosecution ends a long ordeal for the family, who he praised for their restraint in turning to police. Family members said they bought a security system, lighting and a fence but were afraid to allow their sons to play in the yard. For an ethnic intimidation conviction, authorities must show that a defendant committed a separate offence in this case, stalking for bigoted reasons. The Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing indicates that in 2014 and 2015, just 22 adults were convicted statewide. Does Ontario have enough doctors?, Opinion, May 22 It was interesting to read the divergent opinions of Ivy Lynn Bourgeault (Ontario likely has enough doctors) and Nadia Alam (Ontatio doesnt have enough doctors). I lean more toward Bourgeault. Discussion on provision of robust, cost-effective, efficient and equitable health care in Ontario is perennial. An important pitfall to avoid in such discussion is offering simple solutions to a multi-complex problem. Pouring more money into the current system will not give us value for money. We have to face the reality that a government that is elected for four years in unlikely to invest in a long-term health-care program. Doctors are not blameless, though they never tire of blaming government for inadequate funding. Yet, the doctors have failed miserably in revising the fee structure to reflect the state of technological advancement in medicine. For example, a decade ago, cataract extraction could take two hours. Now, it is done in less than half an hour. Although we enjoy relatively good health care in Canada, not many of us appreciate the cost and fewer still show due responsibility. For example, a person with constipation does not go to a family doctor during the day. Instead, he goes to the emergency department at night because it is more convenient, not realizing or caring that the hospital visit is five times more expensive than an office visit. I suggest everyone be issued a health-care passport, which will record the cost of each health-care encounter. At the end of the year, the expenditure is tabulated and presented to each person, so we will know our health-care consumption. The National Transportation Safety Board in the U.S. has mandated that all new school buses in that country need to be fitted with seatbelts. Seatbelts on school buses has been a much debated issue/concern for many years. Many experts, including the Canada Safety Council, do not believe seatbelts would make buses safer. School buses are not passenger vehicles. They are bigger, heavier and higher, so they have a body-on-frame design. The bus would have to be completely re-engineered, with seatbelts integrated at the design stage. Research has shown lapbelts alone could increase the risk of head injuries in a head-on collision. The childs head could hit the seat in front. Combination lap and shoulder belts would require stiffer seats, which could increase injury to unbelted students. Shoulder belts can also lead to abdominal injuries because of submarining. Beyond the engineering problems, someone would need to ensure the seatbelts are used, adjusted properly between uses by smaller children and larger children and repaired when damaged. In an emergency, seatbelts could hinder evacuation. Young children should not be placed in a situation where they are responsible for their safety. The real issue is not seatbelts, but reductions in school bus services. Without a bus, children are exposed to risk by walking to and from school or using other forms of transportation. Statistically the school bus is the safest way for children to get to and from school. Children are 16 times safer riding in a school bus on their way to and from school rather than in a passenger vehicle. Party may finally be able to close lid on decades-old Bob Rae bogeyman, Harper, May 23 Bob Raes NDP government of 1990-95 is ancient history. Its one thing to make promises while in perpetual opposition and another to deliver them when actually in power. The realities of the time and the economy forced Rae as premier to become a more pragmatic leader, making tough and unpopular decisions. A more disturbing and recent ghost, however, is Mike Harris and his PC government, which froze the minimum wage, slashed already low welfare benefits, cut services, created a crisis in education and undermined organized labour all part of the Common Sense Revolution. As PC Leader Doug Fords father was a member of Harriss caucus, Ford is closer to Harris than NDP Leader Andrea Horwath is to Rae. With Ford, I fear the spectre of Harris looms large. Norah Downey, Midland, Ont. Tim Harper may believe that the lid is closed on Bob Rae, but I suffered Rae Days and Ill never vote NDP. Ill bet there are many others of the same opinion but probably not enough to matter. G.A. Greig, Cambridge, Ont. All political parties have both legitimate principles and legitimate concerns attached to them. However, the narratives on the NDP seem to be more negative and more long-lasting than deserved. Why do we not hear about the more recent Mike Harris bogeyman? For example, we are now paying for the third time for the Eglinton LRT dig. The Rae government had the foresight to dig the tunnel in spite of tough economic times, and then Harris filled it in as he did not believe Toronto needed more rapid transit. Julie M. Foley, Toronto Ford claims NDP too radical to govern, May 23 What might be a great deal more radical, but in the opposite direction, would be Fords attempt to obtain money for his many promises. With his tax cuts and promise to balance the budget, will he start privatizing? Perhaps more private health clinics, to start. The wealthy would be fine, but the rest of us (the little guys) would probably be in long lines for public health care. Conservatives have tended in the past to favour privatization and Ford has already shown this tendency. (Parts of the Greenbelt were on his sites until he backed off.) Will Ford cost his many promises just before the election, when no one has a chance to check them? Liberal Leader Kathleen Wynne has been honest about her promises and has put forward much legislation to better the lives of Ontarians. Think of the big picture when you vote. Mary Gibb, Brighton, Ont. I am getting a little tired of the misinformation and selective memory exhibited by the Liberal bashers. They concentrate on what they think the current government has done wrong and completely ignore all the positive changes they have accomplished. They flog to death the provincial deficit, yet both the PCs and NDP spout all the wonderful things they are going to do but are silent on how they are going to pay for all their goodies, without increasing the deficit, or reducing programs and benefits. George M. McCaig, Burlington Horwaths campaign keeps it positive, May 19 For voters who dont remember who Bob Rae was, perhaps I can help. Mr. Rae was the worst Ontario premier in living memory, back in the day. But his claim to infamy was shortly thereafter acquired by Mike Harris, then Dalton McGuinty and finally by Kathleen Wynne. Which makes Bob Rae the best Ontario premier in recent history. For the sake of the province, I hope Andrea Horwath becomes the next one. Louis Desjardins, Belleville, Ont. Horwath admits to $1.4-billion mistake, May 21 Now that all Ontarians have had the opportunity to see Andrea Horwath dismally try to smile away $1.4 billion so flippantly, we can all see what is unfolding. Not unlike Bob Raes NDP of the early 90s, it is clear that Ms. Horwaths NDP cant count. Brian Weller, Wasaga Beach, Ont. Can someone please ask Andrea Horwath to explain who are the very rich she refers to in her TV ads? She wants them to pay more to support people with lower incomes. But what is the threshold income? Perhaps I am considered very rich, although I would argue that point. Lesley Grace, Oakville Horwath defends candidate, May 21 I have been a supporter of the NDP both provincially and federally for nearly 10 years. I have also worn the cloth of our country for 45 years in regular forces and reserves. I was interested in the NDP as a political entity as it seemed to be the closest to the Canadian values I and my comrades wanted to bring to the world. When I heard about Mississauga Centre NDP candidate Laura Kaminkers comments on wearing the poppy, denigrating the military and mocking the mild form of Canadian patriotism at sporting events, etc., I was dismayed. In response, I sent NDP Leader Andrea Horwath an email asking if she would disavow the statements by Ms. Kaminker. I was disheartened by her tepid response. She could have at least corrected her history. Ms. Kaminker says she moved from the U.S. to Canada because she didnt want to live in a country that invaded others, like Iraq and Afghanistan. Canada has been in Afghanistan for 15 years. We have suffered with 159 sons and daughters killed there. We have suffered with more than 600 wounded in action. While I never served there, my son did, and so did several of my friends. I know Horwaths response was a political calculation but, in my view, it was the wrong one. John R. McEwen, Capt. (Ret.), Toronto Ontario didnt deserve Wynne, Opinion, May 18 Kathleen Wynne did not fail for the reasons cited by columnist John Barber. She failed because her progressive policies cost billions more than her government collected, saddling Ontarians with the worlds largest sub-sovereign debt, which will make Ontario a meaner place for our children and grandchildren. Few would disagree with policies that make all of our lives better, as long as we can afford to pay for them. Her profligate ways are why the Wynne government has failed. We all love champagne and caviar, but often have to eat Kraft Dinner instead. Bill Rutsey, Toronto Read more about: I spent the last eight years living at 105 Isabella St. and though Ive moved out, theres a lot to appreciate about these kinds of mid-century apartment buildings. Built in 1959, 105 is a handsome 11-storey yellow brick building with symmetrical windows and balconies located at the corner of Jarvis St. In my imagination it looked like a perforated computer punch card from the era. Mine was a standard-issue Toronto apartment and had the parquet floors to prove it, ubiquitous here, especially in apartments built between the 1950s and 1970s. The living and dining area had a panoramic view north and there was a huge balcony by current standards. There was always light in my apartment. It had a big-enough galley kitchen and one bedroom that was just separate enough from the living area to seem like a distinct place. Most importantly, everything was at a right angle and it was easy to fit furniture inside. The proportions were just about perfect and living in one for so long I began to admire how much thought went into what seems like a deceivingly simple design. Ive become obsessed with windowsills and size them up now. Can you put plants on them, as I could in my apartment? Are they at the right height so a couch can be naturally put in front of it? There are many thousands of apartments like this in Toronto and beyond, with either near-identical layouts or remixed versions, as if each room was a piece of Lego that could be rearranged. They are instantly recognizable as kin to anybody whos lived in one. If you go to a party in one of these units they seem to fit more people than seems possible. At one a friend threw a few years ago, I mentioned how similar it was to mine, commenting on the minor variations. A machine for living, he said, using the phrase coined by the architect Le Corbusier who, along with others, pioneered the design of modern apartment buildings like mine. Le Corbusier is sometimes maligned for his Plan Voisin, a 1925 scheme that called for large areas of central Paris to be demolished and replaced with many cross-shaped towers surrounded by green space. That didnt happen, but those towers inspired residential buildings in the Parisian suburbs later and around the world. Here, these kinds of buildings, sometimes called towers in a park, have housed an awful lot Torontonians, and relatively affordably too. These buildings fell out of fashion though as Canadians continue to like, love and obsess over single-family houses. As for apartments, condos have been in fashion for the last 20 years as are single-family homes that have been carved up into quirky individual units, sometimes called dirty mansions. Though they may not be in fashion and generally dont have granite counter tops or ensuite laundry, these mid-century buildings still have style. Near the front door of 105 Isabella is a subtle nameplate noting it was built by Bregman + Hamann Architects, a then-young Toronto firm that has gone on to become the large international firm B + H Architects. 105 is connected to its sibling building at 100 Gloucester St. to the south, and the two share an underground parking garage and a grassy backyard over top of it. On the north side of Isabella a third building of similar style is called Massey House, a nod to Hart Massey who lived at what is now the Keg Mansion a few blocks south. 105 and 100 were once called the Cawthra and Mulock Apartments, references to turn-of-the-last-century millionaire Cawthra Mulock, whose mansion was torn down to build these two buildings, though those names have been lost over the decades and they just go by the street number today. Pictures of the mansion reveal a grand old building, razed during the postwar apartment buildpostwar. A lamentable loss perhaps, but I admit after it provided me and my hundreds of neighbours a home for so long, my sense of regret is low. These three buildings are the true Jarvis mansions today. My building was a microcosm of Toronto: there were young office workers, flight attendants, blue collar workers who came home wearing steel-toed shoes, nurses, a fellow who collected recyclable material in his truck and some older and elderly folks who lived in the building for decades. Immigrant families with strollers made it their first Canadian home too, and a variety of languages could be heard in the elevator. There were a few drag queens living here too, often seen leaving in full regalia for the Church St. bars, pulling their suitcase full of gowns behind them. The building was even name checked by Scott Thompsons Buddy Cole character in a The Kids in the Hall TV skit, as it was long part of the Gaybourhood. The Church-Wellesley neighbourhood is full of these kinds of buildings, and there are great clusters of them around Toronto in places such as Davisville, High Park, along Marlee and Cosburn Aves., and at Crescent Town. Some, like the giant slab building on the northwest corner of Jarvis and Wellesley Sts. have rooftop pools, while others are more humble. Not all are kept up to the same standards either, and constant maintenance is key. I loved that when something broke in my apartment I just filled out a form and it was fixed. Some towers are Toronto Community Housing properties and are in desperate need of rehabilitation. Often the green space around some buildings and other common areas are neglected too. These buildings unite parts of the city together. Now that Ive moved to a dirty mansion where no lines are straight and the floors are slanted, Ill miss 105 Isabella and the shared experience of living in one of Torontos many fine machines for living. This story is part of the Stars trust initiative, where, every week, we take readers behind the scenes of our journalism. This week, we look at how the Star is making its political endorsements more transparent. Its provincial election season in Ontario, and that means the editorial boards of newspapers across the province are studying the platforms of each party and keeping a close eye on their leaders in order to determine which candidate to endorse. Political endorsements by newspapers, including the Star, are a long tradition in journalism, dating back more than a century. Historically, the Stars political endorsements have generally leaned left, in keeping with the newspapers alignment with the Atkinson principles, a set of progressive values named for former legendary publisher Joseph E. Atkinson. In the previous 14 federal elections between 1968 and 2015, for example, the Star endorsed the Liberals 10 times, the NDP twice and the Progressive Conservatives twice. The Stars editorial board, which operates independently from the newsroom, determines which party and candidate to endorse, but not without much scrutiny of the parties policies, vision, and the actions and temperament of their leaders. Its part of our role to encourage debate and take a stand on the issues that matter to the community. Were constantly giving our opinion on everything from subways to trade, so to remain silent on such a big choice as who should lead the province would be odd, said editorial page editor Andrew Phillips. He stressed, however, that a position taken by the editorial board doesnt influence news coverage and an endorsement isnt telling readers who to vote for. Were just sharing our opinion as citizens and making an argument for that choice. Thats where editorial board meetings with the candidates come into play. Every election season, the Star invites the leaders of all the major parties to come to One Yonge St. and sit down with members of the editorial board, as well as journalists and editors from across departments. So far during this provincial election campaign, Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner and NDP Leader Andrea Horwath have met with the board. PC Leader Doug Ford and Liberal Leader Kathleen Wynne have been invited. Wynne will be here May 28 at 1 p.m. Email questions to electionquestions@thestar.ca. The idea is to see how the leaders react to tough questioning and how they defend their positions. Leaders who rely too much on canned talking points dont come across as very impressive, said Phillips. You want to see someone actively considering the arguments and responding intelligently when their positions are challenged. Leaders are going to have to deal with unexpected situations, and having a dozen journalists quiz you on your positions is a pretty good test of how well theyre going to be able to handle that. This year, the Star decided to increase transparency by live streaming these meetings on thestar.com. Readers are encouraged to send in questions, which the editorial board poses to the candidates. For the editorial board meeting with Horwath, which took place last Wednesday over the noon hour, readers sent in more than 100 questions. Many questions covered the similar subjects, so the editorial board chose a few to represent readers main concerns. The live stream gives readers an opportunity to engage with whatever the politician is saying, and to respond, comment or ask more questions in real-time. The idea is to help readers feel they are involved in the conversation, said the Stars social media editor Evelyn Kwong, who relays reader questions to the editorial board. Phillips notes that the live stream also invites readers into a key part of the way the Stars editorial board examines the choices in the election campaign. Readers often wonder how we go about making up our minds on which party to support at the end of a campaign, and live streaming opens the doors on one of the main tools we use to decide direct access to the party leaders, he said. Do you have any questions about how the Toronto Star does its journalism? What are some topics youd like to read about? Send the Stars Trust Project a note with your thoughts to trust@thestar.ca. Read more about: WHITEHORSEA former Yukon government employee and self-proclaimed whistleblower who alleges he was fired after disclosing workplace abuse and discrimination appeared before a judge on Thursday seeking a judicial review of his termination. The Yukon government, though, argued the discrimination allegations and the mans termination were two separate issues, and that he was fired not because of his complaint, but because of his inappropriate workplace behaviour which included secretly tape recording every interaction he had with anyone. Andrew Schaer was hired as a senior business development adviser with the Department of Economic Development May 10, 2017 and was placed on a standard six-month probation period, which was then extended. Hes asking Yukon Supreme Court Justice Leigh Gower to issue an order nullifying his Nov. 8, 2017 dismissal, which occurred while he was still on probation. In his petition to the court, and in person Thursday, Schaer alleged he wasnt rejected on probation as the Yukon government claims, but, in fact, was terminated for disciplinary reasons after telling his superiors about months of alleged discrimination, abuse, bullying and intimidation at the hands of coworkers all of which he claims to have captured on audio tape. Among Schaers recordings, as the Yukon News and the Star previously reported, was a September 2017 meeting where Schaer captured two colleagues making disparaging comments about First Nations education. He also claimed, among other things, that he faced linguistic and religious discrimination: on one occasion, Schaer alleged, a fellow senior business developer heard him speaking French on the phone and told him to Take that fking French st someplace else. In another instance, Schaer claimed his director said Jesus fking Christ while critiquing one of his reports, adding that he knew Schaer was a devout Christian because he said grace before eating lunch at his desk every day. The Yukon government failed to not only investigate the discrimination claims, Schaer said, but fired him for reporting them, violating the Public Service Act, Human Rights Act, Public Interest Disclosure of Wrongdoing Act and the Criminal Code of Canada in the process. Schaer, who represented himself in court, also took issue with several aspects of his employment, accusing the Yukon government of failing to provide him with proper performance evaluation and feedback and unjustly extending his original six-month period of probation. He pointed to an email from the human resources director, who wrongly believed that Schaers director had the authority to extend Schaers initial probation when, in fact, only the deputy minister has that power. Schaer said it was alarming she wasnt aware of that and that her ignorance might explain why there was an escalation of wrongdoing. Somebody, somewhere felt that they could do it because nobodys watching and the boss is in on it, he said. Schaer said his Nov. 3 probation extension meeting, during which his director and assistant deputy minister (ADM) Stephen Rose presented him with a probation extension letter from deputy minister Justin Ferbey, was impromptu (and) ad hoc. He told the court that it was at that point he asked Rose to speak privately and then told him about the all the alleged human rights violations and recordings. Schaer said he asked Rose to rectify the situation and sent a whistleblowing email to Ferbey, Rose and Economic Development Minister Ranj Pillai following the meeting. Schaer also later forwarded the message to Public Service Commissioner Thomas Ullyett and Yukon Employees Union executive director Laura Hureau. However, Schaer said no action was taken there was only a memo where Rose writes that he would not walk back Schaers probation extension and would not deny that their conversation happened, but would not raise it, either. The ADM is saying, Look, Im not going to raise this conversation, Schaer said. Its peremptory on the employer to raise the conversation. I beg to differ. He also took issue with claims that he was difficult to work with, and pointed out that two emails accusing him of being aggressive or dominating meetings were only forwarded to Ferbey four days after the deputy minister approved his probation extension. It begs the question that either (Ferbey) is a time traveller or a psychic friend, or he has some explaining to do, he said, accusing the Yukon government of playing fast and loose with the facts. Schaer also said the government only opened the kimono referring to its disclosure of documents related to Schaers termination following a court order in March. Ferbey, who was present in court Thursday, is partly of Japanese ancestry. Schaer was reminded at several points throughout his submissions by Gower that he was running out of time or that he was expressing opinions, not facts, with at least two of the exchanges between Schaer and the judge growing heated. If youre going to talk over me the way youre accused of talking over clients in meetings, thats not going to happen in this courtroom. Get on with it, Gower said at one point. In his submissions, Yukon government lawyer I. H. Fraser argued Schaers whistleblowing and the termination of his probation were not related instead, it was Schaers general workplace conduct that made him unsuitable for the job. While Schaers discrimination allegations were worthy of investigation, Fraser said, it was legitimate performance concerns with Schaer and his flat-out refusal to address them that lead to his firing. Schaer was correct in asserting that his constant recording of everybody, all the time, contributed to his dismissal, Fraser added the revelation that he was doing so poisoned and effectively destroyed his colleagues trust in him. Mr. Schaer simply rejects concerns. He doesnt understand how other people are perceiving their interactions with him, and that colours his whole attitude towards concerns that are raised, Fraser said. The extension of Schaers probation, Fraser argued, was actually done in good faith. He acknowledged Schaer had not received a formal review during his first six months, which is why his probation was extended; while there were major performance issues, Fraser said, the department was giving Schaer more time to get feedback and respond to it. That all fell apart during the Nov. 3 probation extension meeting, Fraser said, painting a different picture of the private meeting Schaer had with Rose. Fraser claimed that, in fact, Schaer had presented the discrimination allegations and recordings as a sort of bargaining chip to get himself out of probation and into a permanent position. During that meeting, Fraser said, Schaer had said he didnt like going to unions or filing grievances, and took a position that was essentially, give me a permanent job and this will all go away. Roses memo, in which he said he would not deny the meeting happened nor raise it, was in response to Schaers attempt to bargain and apparent unwillingness to file a formal complaint about the discrimination. That alone, Fraser said, was an illustration of Schaers unsuitability as an employee. Its not the whistleblowing. Its what Mr. Schaer did, Fraser said. Fraser also rebutted Schaers accusation that there was no investigation, stating that there were several explicit mentions of one in Ferbeys affidavits. None of the documents disclosed during the court process mention one, he claimed, because the court order to share documents only extended to those related to Schaers termination and the investigation took place afterwards In his reply, Schaer dismissed Frasers arguments as a bunch of spin and described his former colleagues and superiors as terrible two-year-olds with Alzheimers. His constant recording didnt break any laws or policies, he said, and the department did not address the discrimination claims that triggered his recording in the first place instead, they just fired him. If this isnt bad faith, I dont know what is, Schaer said. Cest degueulasse (its disgusting). Justice Gower reserved his decision. Contact Jackie Hong at jackie.hong@yukon-news.com Read more about: VANCOUVERThe B.C. governments announcement on Friday of a $734 million investment in supportive housing and services for women and children fleeing violence will make little long-term difference without drastic measures to control housing and rental prices, says a Vancouver womens-rights advocate. Louisa Russell, a transition-house worker with Vancouver Rape Relief and Womens Shelter, said even though the NDPs plan includes an investment in affordable housing for victims of domestic abuse, whats missing are measures to address skyrocketing rental prices that disproportionately affect women and the families they support. We have a huge housing crisis at the moment, and what women really need after living in safe houses and second-stage houses is affordable housing, Russell told StarMetro, adding that even if every one of the 1,500 units promised in the plan were made into affordable homes for women, it wouldnt be a drop in the bucket. The investment is one part of the B.C. NDPs 30-point housing plan, originally announced in the February 2018 provincial budget; $734 million will be rolled out over 10 years with $141 million scheduled to be spent in the next three years. The money will go toward long-term affordable housing, transition housing, and safe homes for women and children fleeing violence in the province. Emotional support programs and safety-planning resources will also receive funding. Read more: Port Moody mayor calls out developers, politicians on need for faster action on affordable housing School board and city council hopefuls want affordable housing built on Vancouver school grounds Vancouver rental units designated to LGBTQ refugees There are more than 60,000 physical or sexual assaults committed against women every year in B.C., according to Statistics Canada almost all committed by men. The same data shows that one in three Canadian women will be sexually assaulted in her lifetime. Premier John Horgan was optimistic his governments investment would make a marked difference in the lives of survivors of domestic abuse. I'm very pleased that we can, in some small measure, ensure that housing is not one of the concerns, one of the barriers that women and families feel when they're fleeing those domestic situations, he told those gathered at the announcement. Provincial housing minister Selina Robinson noted a pair of womens shelters in Abbotsford and Mission turned away more than 800 women and 475 children over four months in 2017 because of a lack of space. Those numbers are incredibly heartbreaking, and frankly, they make me quite angry, she said. It shows us that this new housing is desperately needed. Russell was quick to temper her criticism, saying every investment in supports for women fleeing violence is important. It definitely is going to ease the pressure with women trying to get spaces in transition houses, she said, adding she recognized the NDP has poured more money into housing than any previous provincial government. But the housing crisis is so dire, Russell said, only immediate and dramatic political action would generate long-term safety and security for victims of domestic abuse. They either have to flood or freeze the market to change the conditions, and theres no proposal to do that, she said. Raising welfare rates would (also) help, or introducing a guaranteed livable income. Russell pointed out a pilot project on the effectiveness of guaranteed basic income as a poverty-reduction strategy originally part of the 2017 Confidence and Supply Agreement between the provincial NDP and Green parties that gave Horgan the premiership has been shelved until at least 2020. In the meantime, said Russell, women transitioning out of shelters or second-stage housing are faced with a rental market that is impossible to afford or even enter, even with two minimum-wage jobs. And its a terrible predicament. They dont know where to go, she said. Theres no real confidence on our part with the province that theyre going to do anything significant or serious for women fleeing violence. Read more about: VANCOUVERA ballroom full of business leaders Friday heard from the provincial minister of housing that its the governments plan to allow those who have left the province because of the housing crisis to return and on the dime of those who have benefitted from it. Minister Selina Robinson delivered the keynote address at a forum hosted by the Vancouver Board of Trade Friday morning centred on the ways the regions housing crisis impacts business. Youre going to hear me using the word partnerships a lot, said Robinson. We can make sure that our children have the opportunity to live in homes they can afford. Partnerships between government and the development industry on affordable housing have not always seemed feasible in the lower mainland, where developers have been vocal opponents of municipal zoning delays and provincial taxation. Fridays forum also included harsh criticism directed at the government from the development industry over the new speculation tax. But some in both the public and private sectors are saying its high time for the battles to end. Put the politics aside, said Port Moody Mayor Mike Clay expressing frustration over the development industrys critiques of the tax measures. The tables have tipped a little bit, he said, and frankly, (developers) can afford it. Clay said the private and public sectors have to start working on creative solutions to more affordable housing that spans across the region. He questioned how the region could, for example, leverage the value invested in Yaletown condos to house people affordably in Maple Ridge. Kira Gerwing, manager of community investment at the credit union Vancity, described ways community organizations like faith groups are partnering with developers to add housing that is community-owned. She called it the creation of truly additional units with a triple bottom line return benefiting people, planet, and profit. Brian McCauley, president of Concert Properties, said developers too have a role to play in affordable housing solutions. We do have to accept a mix of incomes in new housing developments, he said. We cannot build a Regent Park again, referring to the downtown Toronto neighbourhood where social housing units were concentrated beginning in the late 1940s. Board of Trade president Iain Black said unlocking housing in Vancouver is a priority for the boards members, with 60 per cent reporting difficulty recruiting and retaining talent due to housing shortages and unaffordability. He called for an upgrading of the dialogue on housing, which he likened to class warfare and for stakeholders to work together on addressing the crisis. When the board of trade puts its weight behind an issue it turns from a moral imperative to an economic one, he said. Some industry representatives had harsh words for the governments plan to increase affordability. Trying to tax your way to prosperity is just not the way an economy works, said Paul Sullivan, senior partner at Burgess Cawley Sullivan & Associates. We have an industry that knows how to build. All you have to do is incentivize them and youll have all kinds of housing. Robinson argued the speculation tax is about a fairer distribution of the wealth generated in real estate in the region. If youre going to let your second home go empty, youre going to have to contribute a little more, to make room for would-be first-time homebuyers, she said. Dan Garrison, the assistant director of housing policy at the City of Vancouver, said the key is to encourage the right kind of density, what he called getting to the new yes. Building more density along transit lines and a mix of market and non-market housing rather than uniform 600 square foot condos. The question of how to plan for the right kind of development is another point of contention. While the province and municipalities advocate for municipalities to retain independent decision-making abilities over zoning, industry said the disparate interests of municipalities has promoted NIMBYism, and caused delays in getting developments approved. Andrew Ramlo, vice-president of market intelligence at Rennie group said 924,000 more people will live in the lower mainland by 2036, and that impact of that increase will be regional not specific to municipalities. City zoning becomes political, he said. At the rate of population growth the region is expected to undergo, the region would be better served to come to a collaborative plan, he said. Read more about: REDDING Calif. - After being silent since Friday lawyers for Jonathan McConkey and Kelsi Hoser, instructors at a Redding-based flight school accused of kidnapping and threating to deport a student, have released a statement responding to the incident and maintaining their innocence. On Friday the Redding police department responded to call of kidnapping after a Chinese student of the IASCO flight school Tianshu Shi was taken by his instructors and allegedly told he was being sent back to China. Jonathan McConkey Jonathan McConkey Kelsi Hoser Kelsi Hoser According to the Redding police department when Mr. Shi refused his instructors request they battered him and threatened physical violence. Jonathan McConkey and Kelsi Hoser were arrested and have since posted bail. Today they released the following statement through their lawyer. Joint Statement from Counsel for Jonathan McConkey and Kelsi Hoser, re IASCO Kidnapping Allegations This press release concerns the arrest of Jonathan McConkey and Kelsi Hoser on May 25, 2018, on suspicion of kidnapping and conspiracy to commit kidnapping in Redding, California. Our clients vehemently deny the allegations that have been made and intend to prove their innocence. In the coming weeks, we will provide you with additional facts, documentation, personal information regarding Tianshu Shi, and information regarding the complexities of training a foreign national post-9/11. This is a very complicated situation involving multiple agencies. IASCO Flight Training Inc. expelled Mr. Shi early this month for failure to meet the standards set by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Mr. Shi was given every legally permissible opportunity to successfully complete his training but was unable to demonstrate competency. He was given ample notice that he was required by law to return home to China upon his expulsion from the flight program. Mr. Shis mother and her attorney have flown in from China in a continuing attempt by Mr. Shi to circumvent American regulations and avoid shame and humiliation at home. We ask the press and public to withhold judgment, afford our clients their presumption of innocence, their right to be tried in a courtroom and to respect their privacy as this process proceeds. Jonathan McConkey is represented by attorney John M. Runfola. Kelsie Hoser is represented by attorney Naomi Chung. The IASCO flight school is unique because it runs a sponsorship program for its students to attend the school across international borders through M-1 student visas. Their website also says that the school manages the immigration process for all international students. Today Redding police department said that they are working hard to turn a case into the DAs office so that this process can continue. ____________________________________________________________________________________ REDDING, Calif.According to the Redding Police Department they responded to a report of a kidnapping at the 1400 block of Trudie Trail in Redding Friday morning around 7 a.m. The victim was identified as Tianshu Shi who is a pilot training at a local flight school IASCO in Redding. The victims brother Baihan Fu who lives in Shanghai China spoke with his brother Friday morning and Shi told him that someone was at his apartment to take him away. When Shis brother did not hear back from him a short time later, he called and spoke to another flight student who told him Shi was just assaulted and taken away. Fu then called the Redding Police Department to report the kidnapping. During the investigation, officers learned that Jonathan McConkey the General Manager of IASCO Flight School and his assistant Kelsi Hoser the Admissions Director responded to Shis address last night to advise him they were sending him back to China. They responded back to Shis home Friday morning to carry out this action. When Shi refused McConkey battered him, and threatened physical violence if he did not go with them. Mr. Shi ultimately left with them in fear for his safety. They transported him to the Redding Municipal Airport to be sent back to China. Officers located Shi, McConkey, and Hoser at the airport. McConkey and Hoser were both arrested and booked for conspiracy and kidnapping. Shi sustained minor injuries and was later released by police. Stay with Action News Now for all of your local coverage. SIGN UP: Get our daily newsletter VANCOUVERA school board candidate and a potential city council candidate want to see affordable, non-market rental housing built on Vancouver School Board properties. Aaron Leung, who is running in the October 2018 school board election, and Tanya Paz, who is seeking nomination to run for city council, both with Vision Vancouver, say its time for Vancouverites to revisit the possibility of using VSB property to build new housing for teachers and families. Were trying to find a way to support families to live in Vancouver, Leung said. As the housing affordability crisis in Vancouver has worsened, student enrolment across the city has declined, leaving valuable education space unused, he said. Leung, a youth worker, said a partnership between the VSB, the city and a non-profit housing agency could provide more housing for families, which in turn could increase enrolment. He also said purpose-built child-care facilities should be included in any developments on school lands. Paz, a transportation consultant, said the affordability crisis is having a negative impact on education. Its a threat to public education in Vancouver, she said. Teachers are increasingly unable to live in the city. Weve seen the teacher shortages and hiring struggles because its so expensive to live here. So we have to get more creative, she said Leung said he doesnt have a specific school ground in mind and that a decision on where to build housing would require deep consultation with parents, community members and housing experts. But while a location isnt yet proposed, Leung is adamant that the project wouldnt be lining pockets of the wealthy. This isnt about building more market condos, he said, and he doesnt think the VSB should sell off its property. Instead, he suggests it could grant the city or a housing operator a 99-year land lease on which to build affordable family housing. The idea of using school-board property for housing isnt new. The Green Partys Janet Fraser, who is the Vancouver School Board chair, said the board has already put this idea forward to the city. Although it was included in the boards 2016 Long Range Development Plan, the city hasnt taken the board up on it, she said. We have a lot of school sites and some of the sites are larger than they need to be for providing an educational program, Fraser said. We are open to the option of having housing at some of our school sites, she said. Now is the perfect time to up the pressure, Leung said. In the past year, the city has been partnering with the province and housing agencies to build more affordable housing on city-owned land. Leung wants the VSB to piggy back on that momentum, and Paz is on board. The times have changed, things are more urgent now, Paz said. Paz thinks its time to get more efficient with school ground space and said the best use of space changes over time. In the 80s we thought it was parking lots, but obviously thats not the best use of space anymore, she said. For a project like this to go ahead, Paz said the VSB would have to approve a proposal, city council would have to rezone the land and it would require funding from the provincial and possibly federal government. May 25, 2018 Correction: This article, as well as its headline and photo captions, has been updated from a previous version, which mistakenly said Tanya Paz was running for school board. Paz is seeking nomination with Vision Vancouver to run for city council. Read more about: VANCOUVERA StarMetro search into a Vancouver-registered firm revealed as the conduit for a C$3.3-million payment last year to prominent Republican and Donald Trump campaign fund co-chair Elliott Broidy has only added to the mystery around a growing international scandal. At first, no obvious signs of the company Xiemen Investments Ltd. were found at two separate addresses: one contained in invoices released by the Associated Press on Tuesday and another in British Columbias corporate registry. Multiple attempts to find Xiemens president, John E. Gibson, for comment were unsuccessful. A 2017 invoice shows Xiemens address as a suite at 545 Clyde Ave. in West Vancouver. StarMetro visited the office complex, finding the suite occupied by accounting firm PVKS, formerly Pawluk, Voigt, Kaye and Such. A staff member there said shed never heard of Xiemen. StarMetro later reached by phone PVKS partner Randy Kaye, who asked if it was a prank call. His firm is a small accounting outfit, he said, and he had never heard of Xiemen. Is this a joke or something? Kaye asked. Really, this is so far-fetched; theres no such company here ... No one with that company name works here or has any connections with us whatsoever. According to B.C. corporate records, Xiemen was incorporated in March 2012 at a suite at 1090 West Georgia St. in Vancouver. The firms president was registered as John E. Gibson, a resident of Plettenberg Bay, South Africa. Xiemens latest annual filings in March 2018 use the same address, with Gibson still president. StarMetro also visited that Vancouver address; Xiemen did not have an office there, either. The unit does include an accountancy and two law firms. At last, one of those law firms, Smetheram and Company Tax and Business Law, said in an email Friday that it is the registered and records office for the company. Other than that, we have no comment, lawyer Donald Smetheram said. Generally, such arrangements allow a company to use a law firms address for official paperwork and to store its incorporation records there. StarMetros search for Xiemen is intended to shed light on a scandal spanning multiple countries and engulfing several powerful political figures. On April 2, 2017, Xiemen invoiced United Arab Emirates adviser George Nader for C$3.3 million, requesting a first instalment of C$1.3 million be transferred through a Vancouver CIBC branch. Five days later, Broidy, deputy finance chair of the Republican National Committee, invoiced Xiemen for the first instalment amount, minus C$67,000. CIBC, which took part in the transfer according to APs documents, declined StarMetros interview requests. The Canadian agency that regulates international money transfers, the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (Fintrac), requires Canadian banks and accountants to report to it any single transaction larger than $10,000. The agency was unavailable for an interview. Spokesperson Jamela Austria told StarMetro it is prohibited by Canadian law from speaking to information it may have received or financial intelligence that it may have disclosed. There is no evidence any laws were broken in the April 2017 payment. Good morning dear Elliott, Nader wrote in an email released by AP. Send me kindly an invoice for the amount of $2.5 million US Dollars to my company GS Investment Ltd. for consultancy, marketing and other related services. Nader is a Lebanese-American businessman convicted in 2003 on 10 counts of sexually abusing minors. Sources in an AP investigation alleged Nader paid Broidy to persuade Trump to oppose Qatar in its ongoing feud with the United Arab Emirates. Broidys lawyer is Michael Cohen, who testified in court he has only two other clients: President Donald Trump and Fox News host Sean Hannity. Cohen is currently under criminal investigation in a high-profile probe of alleged foreign interference in the U.S. election, which prompted an FBI raid of his office in April. Another lawyer for Broidy, Chris Clark, told AP its investigation is based on fraudulent and fabricated documents obtained from entities with a known agenda to harm Mr. Broidy. Broidy resigned from the Republican National Committee last month after admitting he paid C$2 million to a Playboy model he said hed gotten pregnant, resulting in an abortion. In 2009, Broidy pleaded guilty to bribing New York state pension officials with $1 million in illegal gifts. The only other reference StarMetro could find to Xiemen is a 2017 Nevada court ruling, in which a judge declared that a Las Vegas property developer, SFR Investments, is wholly owned by a Canadian Entity, Xiemen with its principal place of business in Canada and an individual named John Gibson who is a citizen and resident of South Africa. With files from The Associated Press Read more about: Our venerable Memorial Day parade in Alton has a special consideration this year: Vietnam Veterans. They will represent a living memorial to the nearly 60,000 who died in that conflict, another undeclared war. Out of the nearly three million who served in Vietnam, less than a million live. I recall few parades for them. I go back in my memory to the Memorial Day parade in the southwest Pennsylvania village where I was raised. When I was old enough to do the math, I realized that some were crying as it had been less than 20 years when they had lost someone to WWII or Korea, even though I had no idea where Korea was. By the time I was ten, too many boys from our community were coming back to be laid in fresh graves, where the notes of Taps were sounded at the conclusion of the parade at the WWII memorial. When our children were young, I warned them that their father would tear up at the sight of the Vietnam Memorial. I recall the arguments over the memorial in its planning stages, and the terrible polarization over the Maya Lin sketch. The more traditional statue of three soldiers by Frederick Hart is nearby. The artist wrote: I see the wall as a kind of ocean, a sea of sacrifice that is overwhelming and nearly incomprehensible in the sweep of names. I place these figures upon the shore of that sea, gazing upon it, standing vigil before it, reflecting the human face of it, the human heart They wear the uniform and carry the equipment of war; they are young. The contrast between the innocence of their youth and the weapons of war underscores the poignancy of their sacrifice And yet they are each alone. Their strength and their vulnerability are both evident. At a gathering of 15,000 Civil War graves in Arlington, future President James Garfield spoke of the dead as condensing life into an hour. He was fully aware, as a general himself, of the crimson shower that flooded us during the Civil War that shoved us into an awful abyss. This silent assembly of the dead had voices that will forever fill the land like holy benedictions. In the late autumn of life, my memory also goes back to some address on Memorial Day by Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes. He was wounded three times in the Civil War. When he died in the 1930s, his uniform, with a bullet hole, was in his closet. In 1884: such hearts-ah me, how many-were stilledand to us who remain behind is left this day of memories. Every year, in the full tide of spring, there comes a pause, and through the silence we hear the lonely pipe of deathBut grief is not the end of all. I seem to hear the funeral march become a paeanOur dead brothers still live for us, and bid us think of lifeAs I listen, the great chorus of life and joy begins again, and amid the awful orchestra of seen and unseen powers and destinies of good and evil, our trumpets sound once more a note of daring, hope and will. Eleven years later: As for us, our days of combat are over. Our swords are rust. Our guns will thunder no more And then I thought: It is right. It is as the colonel would have it. This also is part of the soldiers faith: Having known great things, to be content with silence. May the silence of the cemetery be not broken by the digging of fresh graves in other wars. May peace be our memorial. David Crowley is pastor of First Presbyterian Church, Alton. The adage that failures can teach many lessons seems quite... Narendra Modi isn't taking a boat or a battleship from Port Blair to Sabang in Sumatra. He will fly to Jakarta on May 29. Don't know whose bright idea it had beento send Modi on a ship from the Andamans to Sabang, where the Indonesians are offering us a deep sea port which can berth submarines. A pleasant cruise it would have been for the Prime Minister with a little roll-and-pitch, and a jolt for the Chinese. Hardly had the idea been mooted from the foreign office when it was vetoed in the PMO. Modi would rather drown in the Andaman Sea than be accused of imitating Jawaharlal Nehru. When friend Sukarno had invited him to Indonesia as his first state guest after Independence, Nehru sailed there on battleship INS Delhi with two destroyers in escort. A little known aside to the story is that the visit had almost ended in disaster. Someone had, by mistake, loaded live ammunition in the Dutch warship's guns that were fired in welcome salute. The Dutch officers, who had given the ship as a parting gift to their former colony on independence, had a tough time calling 'ceasefire', and then censoring the news from the next day's newspapers. Thankfully, the guests and the Indian press didn't know. They were all at sea, literally. Illustration: Bhaskaran Modi isn't taking such risks. He will fly to Jakarta, shake hands with President Joko Widodo, fly kites in Bali (the Balinese are crazy about kites as are Gujaratis), pray at the Prambanan Hindu temple, visit the Borobudur Buddhist shrine, perhaps join the President at a Ramadan iftaar, and discuss how to build a martime security architecture to counter terrorists, pirates and the Chinese. Widodo has signed in on China's Belt and Road Initiative, but finds himself in belts and knots while implemeting the projects. Modi has been making waves in maritime diplomacy. He has got Singapore lend their docks to our warships; persuaded the Seyschelles to let us build sea-scanning radars on their coast and lease their Assumption Island to our Navy; got Oman to lend us land for building a naval base; smooth-talked the French into letting our warships berth in their Reunion Islands; and charmed Madagascar into lending us Agalega island for building naval rigs. There is already a logistics deal with the US which gives us access to Diego Garcia. Sabang, where Netaji Bose had landed on a Japanese submarine in 1943, is only the latest catch from the sea. A submarine berth there should take care of much of our concerns in the eastern seas. We don't realise how close Indonesia is. If he were sailing, Modi would have had a short 90-nautical mile cruise, as the albatross flies. But the strategic gulf between India and Indonesia had been widening since the Bandung bonding days of Nehru and Sukarno. By the sixties, the junta that controlled Sukarno had been befriended by the Chinese and Pakistanis. So much so that they threatened to invade the Andamans in 1965 when we were waging a war with Pakistan. We aren't yet alive to threats from the east. The Andamans had fallen to the Japanese in World War II, though we might draw patriotic comfort by saying that Bose was part of the conquering army. But the gravestones of Kohima and Imphal would tell us another story of how close we came to be conquered from the east in the 20th century. Modi's Act East, a muscular version of Look East, should mend those chinks. TAILPIECE: The Navy has a custom of holding a mock trial in Varuna's court (Neptune's in European navies) of the skipper when a ship crosses the equator. Preposterous charges are raised, and in the end a Varuna's Certificate is handed to the 'accused'. Nehru was tried on his voyage to Indonesia for being a workaholic and for having too many telephones on his desk. prasannan@theweek.in I have long immodestly considered myself the inventor of the term 'prepone'. I came up with it at St Stephens in 1972, used it extensively in conversation and employed it in an article in JS magazine soon after. Prepone, as a back-construction from postpone, seemed so much simpler, to a teenage collegian, than saying, could you move that appointment earlier? or I would like to advance that deadline. Over the years, I was gratified to see how extensively its use had spread in India. Now, in an era where too many claim credit for others work, I feel it may be time to clarify the words origins. Is anyone aware of an earlier usage? I ask because the persistence and survival of what is called 'Indian English' (often with a sneer, as if to differentiate it from the Queens propah English) deserves to be taken seriously. Our English is a vigorous language, which draws strength from local roots. If Americans can say 'fall' for autumn and 'gotten' for 'have got', though both are archaisms in England itself, why cant Indians say 'furlong', 'fortnight' and 'do the needful', even if these have fallen out of use centuries ago in London? So many words in Indian English have stood up to the only test that mattersthe test of time and usage. If enough people find a word or phrase useful, it is, to my mind, legitimate. Indian English is a living, practical language, used by millions every day. Many phrases we take for granted in ordinary conversation are actually quite unusual abroadcalling elders 'auntie' or 'uncle', for instance, or using 'non-veg' to convey a willingness to eat meat. That doesnt make them wrong, or even quaint. It just makes them Indian. Illustration: Bhaskaran Some Indian English was created by our media'airdash' (the chief minister airdashed to Delhi) and 'history sheeter' (the police explained that habitual criminal X was a history sheeter, i.e. he had a long criminal record). Some, like my 'prepone', came from school and college campuses: 'mugging' (cramming hard for an exam, with much rote learning involved) means two very different things abroad (a criminal assault by a robber, or an elaborate and often comically exaggerated expression). When an Indian student tells a foreigner he was mugging for an exam, bewilderment is guaranteed. Some Indian Englishisms are merely translated from an Indian language: what is your good name? is the classic, since all Bengalis have a daak naam that they are called by, and a bhalo naam (or good name) for the record. But what is your good name? is still the most polite form, in any version of the English language, for finding out the identity of your interlocutor. Some Indianisms are creative uses of an ordinary English word or phrase to reflect a particularly Indian sensibility, such as kindly adjust, said apologetically by the seventh person squeezing onto a bench meant for four. Our matrimonial ads have created their own cultural tropes 'wheatish complexion', of course, and better still, 'traditional with modern outlook'. But acknowledging the legitimacy of Indian English and many of its formulations doesnt mean that anything goes. Some things are simply wrong. The Indian habit of saying I will return back is an unnecessary redundancy: if you return, you are coming back. The desi practice of using 'till' to mean 'as long as' is incorrect English; it is wrong to say I will miss you till you are away when you really mean is I will miss you till you come back! The Indian official doesnt waive off a fine, he just waives it, though he could wave you off if you thank him too profusely. And, 'back side' for 'rear' causes much unwitting hilarity, as in signs proclaiming, entry through back side only. These cant be justified under the rubric of Indian English. They are just bad English. But for the rest, we have nothing to apologise about: we should defiantly celebrate their use as integral parts of our Indian English vocabulary. After all, we are like that only. And if you dont like it, kindly adjust. editor@theweek.in Legendary actor Morgan Freeman, who has been accused of sexual harassment by eight women, has said he did not create "unsafe work environment" and he did not "assault women". Through his publicist Stan Rosenfield, Freeman came out with a statement on Friday, reported variety.com. The statement read: "I am devastated that 80 years of my life is at risk of being undermined, in the blink of an eye, by Thursday's media reports." "All victims of assault and harassment deserve to be heard. And we need to listen to them. But it is not right to equate horrific incidents of sexual assault with misplaced compliments or humour. "I admit that I am someone who feels a need to try to make women-and men-feel appreciated and at ease around me. As a part of that, I would often try to joke with and compliment women, in what I thought was a light-hearted and humorous way." The Oscar winning actor said that he was not always coming across the way he intended. "And that is why I apologised Thursday and will continue to apologise to anyone I might have upset, however unintentionally," he added. "But I also want to be clear: I did not create unsafe work environments. I did not assault women. I did not offer employment or advancement in exchange for sex. Any suggestion that I did so is completely false," Morgan concluded. A CNN report has quoted multiple women, including journalists, describing troubling incidents throughout the 80-year-old actor's career that spans nearly five decades. Following the allegations, the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) is in the process of determining if any action will be necessary regarding its lifetime achievement award recipient. Pakistan has imposed a temporary ban on the exhibition and screening of Indian films during next month's Eid holidays. According to a notification issued by the ministry of information and broadcasting, the exhibition and screening of Indian and foreign films will be banned from two days before the Eid to until two weeks after the holidays. An official in the ministry said the step had been taken on the requests by the Pakistani film exhibitors, distributors and production houses. Under this ban no cinema across Pakistan will be allowed to show Indian movies during the Eid holidays which usually run for four days and bring in big business for the new Pakistani, Bollywood and Hollywood films. Another official from the Pakistan Film Exhibitors' Association confirmed they had received the notification. "The notification says that the temporary ban is being imposed in order to promote local movies on the festivals, a time when usual than larger audience is attracted towards cinemas," he said. He said the notification was also applicable for the Eid-ul-Adha holidays which will fall around late August or September. Pakistani film producers and artists have been complaining for the last two years that their new films face stiff completion from the Indian and Hollywood movies and due to the limited number of screens in the country they are not able to do good business and in some cases even recover their invested money in the films. This Eid also a number of new Pakistani films are due for release but it was not clear which Indian films are slated for release during the holidays in India and elsewhere. The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has declared CBSE class 12 results 2018 on Saturday. The CBSE class 12 results 2018 can be accessed on CBSE's official website www.cbseresults.nic.in. Ghaziabad girl Meghna Srivastava has topped the exams with 499 marks out of 500. This year 83.01 per cent students passed the CBSE class 12 examinations, as against last year's 82.02 per cent. Kerala capital Thiruvananthapuram registered the highest pass percentage this year at 97.32 per cent. Thiruvananthapuram was followed by Chennai (93.87 per cent) and Delhi (89 per cent). This year, to address issues arising out of huge traffic, CBSE has arranged additional means through which the students can access the CBSE class 12 results 2018. More than 11 lakh students wrote the CBSE class 12 exams this year. Keep your hall ticket handy to enter the roll number, school number and exam centre number to check your CBSE class 12 results. Here's how you can check your results. 1. Via cbse.nic.in Visit www.cbseresults.nic.in. Search for the link 'Senior School Certificate Examination (Class XII ) 2018'. Enter your roll number, as printed on your admit card, and date of birth, and click on 'Submit'. Your results will be displayed. Download and save for future reference. 2. Via Google This year Google.com will be hosting the CBSE class 12 results for a short duration, immediately after the announcement of results. This means that students will be able to check their results directly on www.google.com without visiting any websites. Type CBSE Class 12 results on the Google search bar, after results declaration. A results box will appear wherein you can enter your register number and date of birth to get the results. The results box will appear above the Google News links and URL to the official CBSE website. 3. Via Microsoft Students can follow the same steps as above to see their results via Microsoft Bing (www.bing.com). 4. Via SMS By sending SMS to 7738299899 as follows: cbse12 In addition, students can also check their results via apps such as UMANG. CBSE will also provide Class XII digital mark sheets in DigiLocker at https://digilocker.gov.in which can be accessed on mobile phones on Android and iOS platforms. The CBSE class 12 examinations were mired in controversies this year after an alleged paper leak of Economics exam. The board conducted retest of Economics paper for class 12 on April 25. Last year, the CBSE class 12 results were declared in the last week of May, while Class 10 results were declared in the first week of June. The post-result CBSE counseling will begin from May 26 and continue till June 9 from 8 am to 10 pm on all days. For the 21st consecutive year, CBSE will be providing counseling services to students and parents to overcome common psychological problems and general queries related to Class X and XII results. During the 2nd Phase, 69 expert volunteers including Principals, trained counselors, and special educators from CBSE affiliated government and private schools and psychologists will be available for Tele-Counseling. Out of these, 49 are from India including 2 special educators, while 20 experts are located in Nepal, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (Al-Khobar, Jeddah), Sultanate of Oman, UAE (Dubai, Sharjah, RasAl-Khaimah), Kuwait, Singapore, and Qatar. (With inputs from ANI) Exactly one month after being appointed the state party chief of Madhya Pradesh, veteran Congress leader Kamal Nath faces a tough task of keeping the party state unit intact as dissatisfaction grows among its leaders and workers ahead president Rahul Gandhis visit early next month. Rahul Gandhi is likely to visit Mandsaur on June 6 on the anniversary of the killing of six farmers in police firing during an agitation. Meenakshi Natrajan, former member of parliament from Mandsaur and chairperson of Rajiv Gandhi Panchayati Raj Organisation, a wing of AICC, has reportedly threatened to pull out of the manifesto committee formed by Kamal Nath in protest against giving entry to a rebel Congress leader who had fought polls as an independent candidate against her. Several Congress office bearers of Mandsaur, including MLA Hardeep Singh Dang, too, have reportedly threatened to resign from their AICC membership in protest against the inclusion of Rajendra Singh Gautam into the coordination committee headed by former chief Minister Digvijay Singh. Gautam had fought Lok Sabha polls against Natrajan in 2009 as a rebel candidate. Over 1200 supporters of former PCC chief Arun Yadav have threatened to resign after Maheswar block president and other office bearers were expelled by the new PCC chief. The Congress leaders of Maheswar were protesting against inclusion of some rebel leaders who had fought polls against the Congress nominees. The disgruntled Congress leaders of Khargone declared that they would go to Delhi and meet Rahul Gandhi against the high handedness of Deepak Bawaria, AICC general secretary in charge, and the new PCC chief. Thousands of Congress workers and leaders like Natrajan have come out in support of Arun Yadav. Meanwhile, the party has formed six committees headed by senior leaders in view of coming assembly polls. Interestingly, most of the committees are headed by veteran leaders except for the Election Campaign Committee headed by Jyotiraditya Scindia, 46. The topmost committee, called coordination committee, is headed by Digvijaya Singh, 71, with the task of sorting out the issues of factionalism among leaders. Digvijay Singh, who chaired the first meeting of his committee on Thursday, declared that he would go on a state-wide tour to meet all the unhappy leaders and make them work for Congress party. The third important committee, the Election Planning and Strategy Committee, will be headed by former Union minister Suresh Pachouri while the fourth, the Manifesto Committee, is headed by Rajendra Singh Gautam under whom Natrajan has been made vice-chairperson. Natrajan is reportedly unhappy about the same committee and has refused to work under Gautam. The fifth panel, the Disciplinary Action Committee, is headed by octogenarian Hajarilal Raguvanshi, 86, while the Media and Communication Committee is headed by veteran Manak Agarwal, 71. Kamal Nath also faces the dissatisfaction of workers due to giving prominent organisational position to old leaders ignoring the younger ones. Though four acting presidents were appointed by Rahul Gandhi along with Kamal Nath to balance the young and old leaders, those four leaders are yet to make their presence felt. They are over-shadowed by the presence of Digvijay Singh and Kamal Nath. Speaking at a press conference, Digvijay Singh said he would take out the Ekta Yatra from May 31 to address dispute and differences within the state Congress. The first phase of the Yatra will end on June 2 and finally it would conclude on August 31. He also denied any dissatisfaction among the supporters of Arun Yadav and Natrajan. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday launched a blistering attack on those accusing him of working for the rich, saying people "neck-deep in vote bank politics" should answer if moneyed people lived in the 18,000 villages where his government had provided power for the first time since Independence. Repeating his 'naamdar (dynast)' barb at the Congress, he said they did not know the pain of 'kaamdars (ordinary workers)' and were accusing him of working for the wealthy. "Those guided by fashion of showing devotion towards the poor by bad-mouthing the rich should answer, are there any moneyed people living in the 18,000 villages kept in darkness since Independence before our government provided electricity to them," Modi said. "I wish to question these 'naamdars' about this (why 18,000 villages lived in darkness), who does not know the pain of 'kaamdars'," he said. Those "neck-deep in vote bank politics", who had no time to spare for these 18,000 villages living in darkness even after 60 years of Independence during their time, were accusing him of working for the wealthy, the prime minister said. Modi had earlier used his "naamdar" barb apparently targeted at Congress president Rahul Gandhi during the campaign for the Karnataka assembly election. The prime minister was addressing a function at Sindri, about 20 km from Dhanbad town, after inaugurating five projects worth Rs 27,000 crore for Jharkhand. Jharkhand Governor Draupdi Murmu, Chief Minister Raghubar Das, Union Power Minister R K Singh, Minister of State for Health Ashwani Choubey and Dhanbad MP P N Singh were present at the event. The PM said that besides electrification of these villages, the Union government has set a target to provide power connection to four crore families having no electricity through the "Saubhagya" scheme. Out of the four crore families, 25 lakh hailed from Jharkhand, he said. Modi said in addition to the Rs 27,000 crore worth of projects, works are underway in projects earmarked for the state at an estimated cost of Rs 80,000 crore. Fifty such works are in progress, he added. The five projects which were inaugurated on Friday by the prime minister included revival of closed Sindri urea fertiliser unit, thermal power plant with a capacity of 2,400 MW at Patratu, AIIMS and an airport in Deogarh and taking gas pipeline to households in Ranchi. The PM recalled that it was Jan Sangh founder Shyama Prasad Mookerjee who as minister at the Centre had started the Sindri urea unit. Modi said that during campaign for the 2014 parliamentary election he had urged people that if they elected a BJP government at the Centre too along with Jharkhand, the "double engine" would propel development of the mineral-rich state. "Today this double engine of Jharkhand government and one at Delhi working in the same direction is taking the state to greater heights of development," he said. Saying that in democracy, election is the yardstick to gauge people's satisfaction over performance of governments, Modi cited the saffron party's victory in panchayat polls in Jharkhand to buttress the point. Modi had flown straight to Sindri from Santiniketan in West Bengal where he addressed the university convocation and also inaugurated Bangladesh Bhawan with Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. From Sindri, he flew to Ranchi to have a brief session with District Magistrates of 19 "Aspirational Jharkhand districts" and Chief Minister Raghubar Das. The prime minister recently launched the "aspirational district" programme to ensure all-round development of these areas. Claiming a breakthrough in the investigations into the Nagrota Army camp attack, the National Investigation Agency on Saturday arrested one Syed Muneer -Ul-Hassan Qadri, a resident of Hurhama, Lolab in Lalpora, Kupwara district of Jammu and Kashmir. He has spilled the beans on the involvement of Jaish-e-Mohammad in the attack as part of a well-planned conspiracy hatched in Pakistan. The arrest was made by the NIA based on a tip-off from the Jammu and Kashmir Police, which played a key role in the operation. The attack at the Indian Army base at Nagrota in the wee hours of November 29, 2016, was one of the most lethal attacks in recent times in which seven army personnel were martyred and three injured. Three Pakistani terrorists were killed in the operation and a huge quantity of firearms, ammunition, explosives and other articles were recovered from the slain terrorists. Preliminary interrogation of the accused revealed that the attack was carried out by the Jaish-e-Mohammad, a banned terror group, as part of a well-planned conspiracy from Pakistan. NIA officials said that the accused confessed that he, along with other Valley-based JeM operatives, were in touch with the JeM leadership in Pakistan and had received a freshly infiltrated group of three Pakistani terrorists from the Samba Sector a day before the attack. This terror module subsequently stayed at a hotel in Jammu and then left the attackers at Nagrota outside the army camp late at night and proceeded to the Kashmir Valley,'' said an official. The interrogation of the accused is continuing as the NIA and J&K police are keen to retrace the route of infiltration and find leads about the local assistance they may have received to reach the army base. The investigators are also keen to probe any similarities between the Nagrota camp attack and the other attacks on security forces in the Valley in the last two years. The accused is expected to be interrogated on these lines as well as about the JeM presence in the Valley and the terror conspiracy hatched in Pakistan. Despite the NIA's claim of a breakthrough in the case, it may be an uphill task for the sleuths to unravel the entire conspiracy given the fact that all cross-border terror case investigations have hit a wall so far. The fate of the investigations like the Pathankot (2016) terror probe or the Uri attack has not been encouraging for the simple fact that there has been no assistance from Pakistan despite evidence being shared with Islamabad. In the Pathankot and Udhampur terror cases, the NIA has filed charge-sheets, but the main accused are absconding, with little hope of investigating agencies laying their hands on them. The NIA has been unable to send a team to Pakistan to collect evidence in the Pathankot terror investigation, despite a Pakistani joint investigation team visiting the attack site in March 2016, in a bid to collect evidence. Masanam (71) is inconsolable. Lying on a torn mat on the floor of her small two-room house at Peikulam, near Thoothukudi, she has not taken even a drop of water after her son Selva Sekar (42) succumbed to his injuries on May 23 at the Government Hospital in Thoothukudi. Sekar was one of the victims of the police firing against protesters demanding closure of the Sterlite copper plant in the area. Masanam's only worry now is whether she will get her sons body or if his body will be cremated by the revenue department officials as an unclaimed body. In the court, the government said that the postmortems of all the 13 dead have been done. So the court ordered to freeze the bodies till May 30. But till date, out of the 13 victims, postmortems have been conducted on only seven victims and that too by forcing the relatives, says S. Parthasarathy, a senior advocate in Thoothukudi who filed a PIL against the police firing in the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on May 23. The court order on the status of the victims' bodies is awaited. Parthasarathy spoke to THE WEEK on the government's attempt to evade an inquiry into the firing. M. Jayakumar, a relative of Sekar, told THE WEEK about the family's harrowing experiences. The revenue officials have been calling me, pressuring us to sign the consent form for postmortem. We want to wait till the court order. But the revenue inspector says the body is lying on the floor in the mortuary and they cannot preserve it if the postmortem is not conducted. They say the court has told them to freeze the bodies only after postmortem. I am afraid the officials themselves will do the postmortem without our consent, laments Jayakumar. Though Jayakumar is firm on not signing the consent form, he is worried whether his cousins body would get decomposed and later all evidence would be erased. Sekars sister and I went to the Government Hospital mortuary. The officials there showed us three papers. One was the consent form, one was a plain letter saying that we want to take the body to cremate after the postmortem and the other was to say that my cousin died in an accident. How can we accept this? asks Jayakumar. When Jayakumar and the family were shocked to see the third paper, the officials told them it is enough if they signed the first two and take the body. Sekar was one of the protesters who died during the police firing against protesters in Thoothukudi on May 22. Sekar and I were among the crowd. When we reached near the Thoothukudi collectors office gate, when the teargas shells were fired, I lost track of him, says Jayakumar. Sekar was shot on both his legs. Unable to run, when he was lying on the floor bleeding, the policemen, according to Jayakumar, stomped on his chest and back. Sekar was later rushed to the hospital by the policemen themselves as he was bleeding profusely. We heard that he was in the Thoothukudi Government Hospital and we rushed there in the evening, says Shantha, one of Sekars sisters. At the hospital, Sekar was administered treatment. He had five stitches on his head and the bullets in his legs were removed. He told us that the police stomped on his chest. He was conscious till the next morning. But later, his chest started bleeding heavily. The doctors tried to save him. But his pulse dropped, says Jayakumar. But more than the treatment and the loss of life, what has put Sekar's family in a fix now is the question of whether they should sign the postmortem consent form or not. We dont need their compensation money. We shall give back the money to them. Let this government step down, says Jayakumar as his eyes smouldered in anger. Like Sekar, even the family of J. Snolina 17-year-old girl who died after being shot in the mouth during the Thoothukudi protestalleged they were also forced into consenting to a postmortem. I signed in a form saying she is my daughter. They performed the postmortem immediately. The revenue officers told if I dont agree, they will say it is an unclaimed body and would have been cremated. So we agreed, Snolin's father Nixon (47) told THE WEEK. Nixon and his wife Vasantha are inconsolable. But Nixon has decided to wait till the court order to get his daughters body to do her final rites despite pressure from the government officials in Thoothukudi. Parthasarathy confirms that the families of the victims have been coerced into signing the consent forms. Yesterday, the officials forced the family of another victim, Kaliappan, to sign the consent form and conducted the postmortem. Kaliappan was shot dead after the riots near Anna Nagar, at Thoothukudi, when miscreants hurled petrol bombs on the policemen on duty. Kaliappan was killed in the second day of police firing. The government is deliberately trying to erase the available records and create fresh records even before the commission of inquiry into the Thoothukudi firing incidents could begin. By coercing the families to sign the postmortem consent forms and by asking them to give a consent letter to take the bodies, the government wants to ensure that there is no evidence available by way of re-postmortem, argued Parthasarathy. Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday called for enhanced international exchange and cooperation in the development of the big data industry. He made the remarks in a congratulatory letter to the China International Big Data Industry Expo 2018, which opened on Saturday in Guiyang, capital city of China's Guizhou Province, Xinhua news agency reported. The rapid development of new-generation information technologies such as internet, big data, and artificial intelligence has brought significant and far-reaching impact on social and economic development, state governance, social management, and people's life in all countries, Xi said. He emphasised on the need for countries to increase communication and cooperation to seize the opportunities in the big data sector, promote its healthy development and handle challenges such as data security and cyberspace governance. China attaches great importance to the development of big data. With the vision of innovative, coordinated, green, and open development that is for everyone, China is implementing a national big data strategy centred on building the country's strength in cyberspace and nurturing a digital China and smart society, which will aid the transition of the country's economy from high-speed growth to high-quality development, Xi said. The Chinese President also said he expects expo attendees to exchange views and pool wisdom in order to promote the big data sector's innovative development to benefit all people and facilitate the building of a community with a shared future for humanity. A Rohingya Muslim armed group denied on Friday a report by human rights group Amnesty International that its members had killed scores of Hindu civilians last August, amid a surge in violence in Myanmars troubled Rakhine State. In its report, published this week, Amnesty documented in detail atrocities it said had been committed by the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) near a remote village in Rakhine State. The report, citing witnesses, including Hindu women who said they were abducted by ARSA insurgents, said fighters from the group killed as many as 99 Hindus near Kha Maung Seik after launching the raids on security posts on August 25. We categorically deny all of these unjustifiable and careless serious criminal accusations mentioned in the said report, ARSA said in a statement signed by its leader Ata Ullah and posted on social media network Twitter late on Friday. Myanmars military response to the Rohingya insurgent attacks have driven nearly 700,000 Rohingya Muslims to flee from northern Rakhine to neighbouring Bangladesh, in what the United Nations and aid agencies have called a textbook example of ethnic cleansing. Myanmar has rejected the accusations of ethnic cleansing, as well as most of the accounts of killings and rape recounted by many of the refugees arriving in Bangladesh. Tirana Hassan, Amnesty Internationals Crisis Response Director, said the group absolutely stands by the findings of its investigation and urged Myanmar authorities to allow unfettered access to northern Rakhine for UN and other independent investigators. Posted Saturday, May 26, 2018 11:00 am Memorial Day is officially 150 years old this year. According to the Veterans Administration, Memorial Day was established in May 1868 by the Grand Army of the Republic, an organization of Union Civil War veterans, and set as Decoration Day on May 30 by Maj. Gen. John A. Logan. The first large observance was at Arlington National Cemetery, former home of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee, and was presided over by Union Gen. Ulysses S. Grant. Following speeches, children from the Soldiers and Sailors Orphan Home and members of the GAR placed flowers on the graves of both Union and Confederate dead, the VA history states. The first recorded tribute to Civil War dead, however, was in April 1866 in Columbus, Mississippi, when women placed flowers on the graves of both Confederate and Union soldiers who had fallen at Shiloh. The VA also credits Macon and Columbus, Georgia; Richmond, Virginia; Boalsburg, Pennsylvania; and Carbondale, Illinois, with ceremonies honoring Civil War dead of both sides prior to Decoration Day in 1868. Some 25 sites, many in the South, claim a connection with the origin of Memorial Day, according to the VA. In 1966, President Lyndon Johnson declared Waterloo, New York, the birthplace of Memorial Day a century earlier. By 1900, Memorial Day was celebrated throughout the nation on May 30 and expanded after World War I to honor veterans who had died in all wars. In 1971, Congress declared Memorial Day a national holiday and set the observance on the last Monday in May. Though veterans of all wars are at rest in cemeteries throughout the United States, many in national cemeteries, Springfield National Cemetery was established in 1867 as a final resting place for Union soldiers who died in Civil War battles around Springfield the Battle of Wilsons Creek (Aug. 10, 1861) foremost. The cemetery includes a 6-acre portion established by the Confederate Cemetery Association in 1871 and added to the national cemetery by an act of Congress in 1911. At rest in the national cemetery is Wilsons Creek commander Brig. Gen. Nathaniel Lyon, the first Union general killed in the Civil War. Both Union and Confederate dead are honored with various statue and plaques within the cemetery, as are veterans of all later wars, including five African American Buffalo Soldiers and five Medal of Honor recipients. These notes barely scratch the surfaces of historical information on Memorial Day and the honors afforded military veterans in our national cemeteries. Much more can be found on the VA and Springfield National Cemetery websites. On a personal note, I find it interesting that in the wake of the Civil War, survivors of the conflict both North and South saw fit to honor the fallen of both sides. At a time when Confederate memorials are being challenged and toppled, might we not consider the magnanimity of that earlier generation who put aside politics and prejudice to honor courage and sacrifice, and do likewise? Just something to think about, 150 years hence. Copyright James E. Hamilton 2018 Jim Hamilton is a freelance writer in Buffalo. Contact him at jhamilton000@centurytel.net. The following companies are subsidiares of Prudential Financial: 210-220 E. 22nd Street SSGA Owner LLC, AIG Edison, AIG Star, AREF Cayman Co Ltd., AREF GP II Pte. Ltd., AREF GP Ltd., ASPF II - Feeder Fund GmbH, ASPF II - Verwaltungs - GmbH & Co. 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Ltd, PG Collection Service Co. Ltd., PGA Asian Retail Limited, PGA European Limited, PGI Co. Ltd, PGIM (Australia) Pty Ltd, PGIM (Hong Kong) Ltd., PGIM (Scots) Limited, PGIM (Shanghai) Company Ltd., PGIM (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., PGIM AVP IV GP S.a r.l., PGIM Advisory (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., PGIM Agricultural Investments GP LLC, PGIM Agricultural Investors LP, PGIM Broad Market High Yield Bond Fund L.P., PGIM Broad Market High Yield Bond Partners LLC, PGIM Capital Partners Management (Feeder) VI LLC, PGIM Capital Partners Management Fund VI L.P., PGIM European Financing Limited, PGIM European Services Limited, PGIM Financial Limited, PGIM Fixed Income Alternatives Fund II L.P., PGIM Fixed Income Alternatives Fund L.P., PGIM Fixed Income Alternatives GP LLC, PGIM Fixed Income Alternatives II GP LLC, PGIM Foreign Investments Inc., PGIM Holding Company LLC, PGIM INDIA ASSET MANAGEMENT PRIVATE LIMITED, PGIM INDIA TRUSTEES PRIVATE LIMITED, PGIM Inc., PGIM International Financing Inc., PGIM Investments LLC, PGIM Japan Co. Ltd., PGIM Korea Inc., PGIM LTIF Berlin GP S.a r.l., PGIM LTIF Berlin MLP S.ar.l., PGIM LTIF GP S.a.r.l., PGIM Limited, PGIM Loan Originator Manager Limited, PGIM M Campus GP S.a r.l., PGIM Management Partner Limited, PGIM MetaProp Investor LP LLC, PGIM Netherlands B.V., PGIM Overseas Investment Fund Management (Shanghai) Company Ltd, PGIM Private Capital (Ireland) Limited, PGIM Private Capital Limited, PGIM Private Placement Investors Inc., PGIM Private Placement Investors L.P., PGIM REF EUROPE SCSp, PGIM REF Europe GP S.a r.l., PGIM REF Europe Member LLC, PGIM REF Intermediary Services Inc., PGIM Real Estate (Japan) Ltd., PGIM Real Estate (UK) Limited, PGIM Real Estate CD S.a.r.l., PGIM Real Estate Capital VII GP S.a r.l., PGIM Real Estate Carry & Co-Invest GP LLC, PGIM Real Estate Carry & Co-Invest GP S.a r.l., PGIM Real Estate Carry & Co-Invest L.P., PGIM Real Estate Carry & Co-Invest SCSp, PGIM Real Estate Co-Invest Holdings LLC, PGIM Real Estate Debt GmbH, PGIM Real Estate Finance Holding Company, PGIM Real Estate Finance LLC, PGIM Real Estate France SAS, PGIM Real Estate Germany AG, PGIM Real Estate Global Debt GP LLC, PGIM Real Estate Inmuebles S. de R.L. de C.V, PGIM Real Estate Italy S.r.l., PGIM Real Estate Loan Services Inc., PGIM Real Estate Luxembourg S.A., PGIM Real Estate MVP Administradora IV S. de R.L. de C.V., PGIM Real Estate MVP Administradora V S. de R.L. de C.V., PGIM Real Estate MVP Inmuebles IV S. de R.L. de C.V., PGIM Real Estate MVP Inmuebles V S. de R.L. de C.V., PGIM Real Estate Management Luxembourg S.a.r.l., PGIM Real Estate Mexico S.C., PGIM Real Estate S. de R.L. de C.V., PGIM Real Estate U.S. Debt Fund GP LLC, PGIM Senior Loan Opportunities Management (Feeder) I LLC, PGIM Senior Loan Opportunities Management Fund I L.P., PGIM Strategic Financing LLC, PGIM Strategic Investments Inc., PGIM USPF VI Manager LLC, PGIM Warehouse Inc., PGLH of Delaware Inc., PIFM Holdco LLC, PIIC Limited, PIISC Holdings (UK) Limited, PIM KF Blocker Holdings LLC, PIM KF Blocker V Holdings LLC, PIM USPF V Manager LLC, PLA Administradora Industrial SRL, PLA Administradora LLC, PLA Administradora S. de R.L. de C.V., PLA Asesoria Profesional II S. de R.L. de C.V., PLA Asesoria Profesional S.de R.L. de C.V., PLA Co-Investor LLC, PLA Mexico Industrial Manager I LLC, PLA Mexico Industrial Manager II LLC, PLA Mexico Residential Manager I LLC, PLA Residential Fund III Aggregating Manager LLC, PLA Residential Fund III Limited Manager LLC, PLA Residential Fund III Manager LLC, PLA Residential Fund IV Aggregating Manager LLC, PLA Residential Fund IV Manager LLC, PLA Retail Fund I Blue LP, PLA Retail Fund I LP, PLA Retail Fund I Manager LLC, PLA Retail Fund I Red LP, PLA Retail Fund II Aggregating Manager LLC, PLA Retail Fund II LLC, PLA Retail Fund II LP, PLA Retail Fund II Manager LLC, PLA Retail Fund II U.S. Carry/Co-Invest LP, PLA Services Manager Mexico LLC, PLAI Limited, PMCF Holdings LLC, PMCF Properties LLC, PPPF General Partner LLP, PR GA SCP Apartments LLC, PRAMERICA PRECAP VI GP (SCOTS FEEDER) LLP, PRAMERICA PRECAP VI GP LLP, PRECO ACCOUNT III LLC, PRECO ACCOUNT PARTNERSHIP III LP, PRECO Account IV LLC, PRECO Account Partnership IV LP, PRECO III GP LLP, PREFG Hanwha Manager LLC, PREI Acquisition I Inc., PREI Acquisition II Inc., PREI Acquisition LLC, PREI HYDG LLC, PREI International Inc., PRIAC Property Acquisitions LLC, PRICOA Management Partner Limited, PRISA Fund Manager LLC, PRISA II Fund Manager LLC, PRISA II Pooled Manager LLC, PRISA III Fund GP LLC, PRISA III Fund PIM LLC, PRREF II Fund Manager LLC, PRU 3XSquare LLC, PRUCO LLC, PRUDENTIAL CAPITAL ENERGY PARTNERS MANAGEMENT (FEEDER) LLC, PRUDENTIAL MORTGAGE SKP MEMBER LLC, PRUDENTIAL MORTGAGE SKP REIT LLC, PRUDENTIAL MORTGAGE SKP VENTURE 2 LLC, PRUDENTIAL MORTGAGE SKP VENTURE LLC, PT PFI Mega Life Insurance, Passaic Fund LLC, Pine Tree GP, Pine Tree L.P., Platinum GP Limited, Platinum II L.P., Platinum L.P., Pramerica (Hong Kong) Holdings Limited, Pramerica (Luxembourg) CP GP S.a.r.l., Pramerica (Scots) CP GP LLP, Pramerica Business Consulting (Shanghai) Company Limited, Pramerica EVP CP LP, Pramerica Financial Asia Headquarters Pte. Ltd., Pramerica Financial Asia Limited, Pramerica Fixed Income Funds Management Limited, Pramerica Fosun Life Insurance Co. Ltd., Pramerica General Partner LLP, Pramerica Holdings Ltd, Pramerica Insurance Agency (China) Company Ltd., Pramerica PRECAP I GP LLP, Pramerica PRECAP II GP LLP, Pramerica PRECAP III GP LLP, Pramerica PRECAP IV GP LLP, Pramerica Pan European Real Estate (Scots) LP, Pramerica Property Partners Fund (Scotland) Limited Partnership, Pramerica Real Estate Capital I (Scotland) Limited Partnership, Pramerica Real Estate Capital I GP (Scots Feeder) LLP, Pramerica Real Estate Capital II (Scots) Limited Partnership, Pramerica Real Estate Capital III (Scots) Limited Partnership, Pramerica Real Estate Capital IV (Scots) Limited Partnership, Pramerica Real Estate Capital IV GP (Scots Feeder) LLP, Pramerica Real Estate Capital IV GP Limited, Pramerica Real Estate Capital V (Netherlands) GP LLP, Pramerica Real Estate Capital V (Scots) Limited Partnership, Pramerica Real Estate Capital VI (Scots) Limited Partnership, Pramerica SGR S.p.A, Pramerica Systems Ireland Limited, Preco III (Scotland) Limited Partnership, Pru 101 Wood LLC, Pru Alpha Partners I LLC, Pru Fixed Income Emerging Markets Partners I LLC, PruVen Capital Partners Fund I L.P., Pruco Assignment Corporation, Pruco Life Insurance Company, Pruco Life Insurance Company of New Jersey, Pruco Securities LLC, Prudential 900 Aviation Boulevard LLC, Prudential Affordable Mortgage Company LLC, Prudential Agricultural Property Holding Company LLC, Prudential Annuities Distributors Inc., Prudential Annuities Holding Company Inc., Prudential Annuities Inc., Prudential Annuities Information Services & Technology Corporation, Prudential Annuities Life Assurance Corporation, Prudential Arizona Reinsurance Captive Company, Prudential Arizona Reinsurance Term Company, Prudential Arizona Reinsurance Universal Company, Prudential Bank & Trust FSB, Prudential Capital Energy Opportunity Fund L.P., Prudential Capital Energy Partners L.P., Prudential Capital Energy Partners Management Fund L.P., Prudential Capital Partners Management Fund IV L.P., Prudential Capital and Investment Services LLC, Prudential Chile II SpA, Prudential Chile SpA, Prudential Commercial Property Holding Company LLC, Prudential Customer Solutions LLC, Prudential Equity Group LLC, Prudential Financial Securities Investment Trust Enterprise, Prudential Fixed Income Global Liquidity Relative Value Partners LLC, Prudential Fixed Income U.S. Relative Value Partners LLC, Prudential Funding LLC, Prudential General Services of Japan Y.K., Prudential Gibraltar Agency Co. Ltd., Prudential Global Funding LLC, Prudential Holdings of Japan Inc., Prudential Huntoon Paige Associates LLC, Prudential IBH Holdco Inc., Prudential Impact Investments Mortgage Loans LLC, Prudential Impact Investments Private Debt LLC, Prudential Impact Investments Private Equity LLC, Prudential Industrial Properties LLC, Prudential Insurance Agency LLC, Prudential International Insurance Holdings Ltd., Prudential International Insurance Service Company L.L.C., Prudential International Investments Advisers LLC, Prudential International Investments Company LLC, Prudential International Investments LLC, Prudential Investment Management Services LLC, Prudential Japan Holdings LLC, Prudential Legacy Insurance Company of New Jersey, Prudential Life Insurance Company of Taiwan Inc., Prudential Mortgage Asset Holdings 1 Japan Investment Business Limited Partnership, Prudential Mortgage Asset Holdings 2 Japan Investment Business Limited Partnership, Prudential Mortgage Capital Asset Holding Company LLC, Prudential Mortgage Capital Funding LLC, Prudential Mortgage Capital Holdings LLC, Prudential Multifamily Mortgage LLC, Prudential Mutual Fund Services LLC, Prudential Newark Realty LLC, Prudential QOZ Investment Fund 1 LLC, Prudential Realty Securities Inc., Prudential Retirement Financial Services Holding LLC, Prudential Retirement Holdings LLC, Prudential Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company, Prudential Securities Secured Financing Corporation, Prudential Securities Structured Assets Inc., Prudential Seguros Mexico S.A. de C.V., Prudential Seguros S.A., Prudential Servicios S. de R.L. de C.V., Prudential Structured Settlement Company, Prudential Systems Japan Limited, Prudential Term Reinsurance Company, Prudential Trust Co. Ltd., Prudential Trust Company, Prudential Universal Reinsurance Company, Prudential Workplace Solutions Group Services LLC, Prudential do Brasil Seguros de Vida S.A., Prudential do Brasil Vida em Grupo S.A., Prudential/TMW Real Estate Group LLC, Pruservicos Participacoes Ltda., QMA JP EM All Cap Equity Partners LLC, QMA LLC, QMA Wadhwani LLP, Quartzsite LLC, Residential Services Corporation of America LLC, Rio CP LP, Rock European Real Estate Holdings S.ar.l., Rock Global Real Estate LLC, Rock Kensington Limited, Rock Marty GP S.a r.l., Rock Oxford S.a r.l., Rock UK Real Estate Holdings S.ar.l., Rock UK Real Estate II S.a.r.l., Rockstone Co. Ltd., Rosado Grande LLC, Ross Avenue Energy Fund Holdings LLC, Ross Avenue Minerals 2012 LLC, SCP Apartments LLC, SENIOR HOUSING PARTNERS VI GP LLC, SENIOR HOUSING PARTNERSHIP FUND VI GP LLC, SHP IV Carried Interest LP, SHP V Carried Interest L.P., SMP Holdings Inc., SVIIT Holdings Inc., Sanei Collection Service Co. Ltd. (Kabushiki Kaisha Sanei Shuuno Service), Senior Housing Partners IV L.L.C., Senior Housing Partners V LLC, Senior Housing Partnership Fund IV L.L.C., Senior Housing Partnership Fund V LLC, Sterling Private Placement Management LLP, Stetson Street Partners L.P., Strand Investments Limited, TBG Insurance Services Corporation, TENSATOR HOLDINGS LTD, TF Proveedora S.C., TMW ASPF I Verwaltungs GmbH & Co. KG, TMW ASPF Management GmbH, TMW Management LLC, TMW Real Estate Group LLC, TMW Realty Advisors LLC, TMW USPF Verwaltungs GmbH, TRGOAG Company Inc., The Gibraltar Life Insurance Co. Ltd., The Keynes Dynamic Beta Strategy (US) Fund GP LLC, The Prudential Assigned Settlement Services Corp., The Prudential Brazilian Capital Fund LP, The Prudential Gibraltar Financial Life Insurance Co. Ltd., The Prudential Home Mortgage Company Inc., The Prudential Insurance Company of America, The Prudential Life Insurance Company Ltd., The Prudential Real Estate Financial Services of America Inc., The WMF Group, Thurloe Commercial Guernsey Limited, Times Square Center Associates, USPF V - Verwaltungs - GmbH & Co. KG, USPF V Carry LLC, USPF V Co-Invest LLC, USPF V Investment LP, United States Property Fund VI GP S.a r.l., Vailsburg Fund LLC, Vantage Casualty Insurance Company, Wabash Avenue Holdings V LLC, Wabash Avenue Partners V L.P., Wadhwani Capital Limited, Waveland Avenue Holdings I LLC, Waveland Avenue Partners I (Ireland) L.P., Waveland Avenue Partners I (US) L.P., Wellness Services Ecossistema De Bem Estar Ltda., Wellness Services SRL, Yamato Life, and Yavapai LLC. The following companies are subsidiares of NOV: AG Holding UK, APL France SAS, APL Management Pte Ltd, APL Norway AS, APL do Brasil Ltda., ASEP Group Holding B.V., ASEP Otomotiv Sanayi Ticaret Ltd., Ackerman Holdings C.V., Ackerman Holdings GP LLC, Ackerman International Holland B.V., Advanced Production and Loading, Advanced Wirecloth, Aggregate Plant Products Co., American Pipe and Construction International, Ameron B.V., Ameron Holdings Pte. Ltd., Ameron International, Ameron International Corporation, Ameron Pole Products LLC, Ameron Polyplaster Industria E Comercio de Tubos Ltda., Ameron Singapore Holding, Ameron Singapore Poly Holdings Pte. Ltd., Ameron Trading Holdings Pte. Ltd., Andergauge Limited, Andergauge Redback, Andergauge USA, Arabian Rig Manufacturing Company, Axiom Process Limited, Belco Manufacturing Company, Big Red Tubulars Limited, Bondstrand Ltd., Bowen Downhole Inc., Bowen Downhole LLC, Brandt Interests, Brandt Oilfield Services (M) Sdn. Bhd., C.M.A. Canavera S.R.L., CJSC Fidmash, CJSC Novmash, CSI Inspection, Camco Drilling Group Limited, Chemineer, Coil Services Middle East LLC, Containment Solutions, Containment Solutions Services, Couoperatie Intelliserv Holding U.A., Couoperatie NOV NL U.A., Danco AS, Denali Incorporated, Denali Management, Devin International, Dreco Canada L.P., Dreco DHT, Dreco Eastern Europe ULC, Dreco Energy Services ULC, Dreco International Holdings ULC, Dreco LLC, E.C. Motors, Elmar Far East Pty Ltd, Enerflow Industries, Enerpro de Mexico, Environmental Procedures LLC, Ershigs, Fabricated Plastics Acquisitions Limited, Fabricated Plastics Limited, Fiber Glass Systems, Fiber Glass Systems (Qingdao) Composite Piping Co., Fiber Glass Systems Holdings, Fiber Glass Systems Oman L.L.C., Fiber Glass Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Fiberspar, Fiberspar Australia Pty. Ltd., Fiberspar Corporation, Fiberspar Linepipe Canada Ltd., Fibra Ingenieria y Construccion S.A., FidService, Fjords Processing (Shanghai) Co., Fjords Processing 1 AS, Fjords Processing AS, Fjords Processing Australia Pty Ltd, Fjords Processing France SAS, Fjords Processing Korea Co. Ltd., Fjords Processing Limited, Fjords Processing UK Ltd., Fryma S.a.r.l., GOT German Oil Tools GmbH, GP USA Holding LLC, GPEX, German Oil Tools (Middle East) FZE, Grant Prideco (Jiangsu) Drilling Products Co., Grant Prideco (Singapore) Pte Ltd, Grant Prideco AB TCA Holding LLC, Grant Prideco European Holding, Grant Prideco Holding, Grant Prideco III C. V., Grant Prideco Inc., Grant Prideco Jersey Limited, Grant Prideco L.P., Grant Prideco Mauritius Limited, Grant Prideco Netherlands B.V., Grant Prideco PC Composites Holdings, Grant Prideco S. de R.L. de C.V., Grant Prideco USA, Grant Prideco de Venezuela, Greystone Technologies Pty. Ltd., GustoMSC B.V., GustoMSC U.S., Hebei Huayouyiji Tuboscope Coating Co., Hitec AS, Hydralift AmClyde, Hydralift France SAS, Hydralift Holdings UK Limited, Inspecciones y Pruebas No Destructivas, IntelliServ Norway AS, Intelliserv, Intelliserv GP Holdings LLC, Intelliserv International Holding, Intelliserv LLC, Interval LLC, JiangYin Tuboscope Tubular Development Co., Merpro Group Limited, Merpro Products Limited, Merpro Tortek Limited, Midsund Bruk AS, Mono Group Pension Trustees Limited, Mono Pumps New Zealand Company, Monoflo NOV S.A.I.C., Moyno Inc., Moyno de Mexico S.A. de C.V., NKT Flexibles I/S, NOV (Asia), NOV (Barbados) Holding SRL, NOV (Barbados) SRL, NOV (Caymans), NOV (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., NOV - Oil Services Angola LDA., NOV APL Limited, NOV ASEP Elmar Mexico, NOV Africa Pty Ltd, NOV Australia Pty Ltd, NOV Azerbaijan LLC, NOV Brandt Europe France, NOV Brandt Oilfield Services Middle East LLC, NOV CV1 GP LLC, NOV CV2 GP LLC, NOV Completion Tools AS, NOV Completion Tools LLC, NOV Completion and Production Solutions Korea Ltd., NOV DH de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., NOV DHT Canada Holding ULC, NOV Denmark Cooperatief U.A., NOV Downhole Argentina, NOV Downhole Bolivia S.R.L., NOV Downhole Colombia, NOV Downhole Comercializacao de Equipamentos para Petroleo Ltda., NOV Downhole Congo, NOV Downhole Eurasia Limited, NOV Downhole Europe B.V., NOV Downhole Germany GmbH, NOV Downhole Italia S.R.L., NOV Downhole Kazakhstan, NOV Downhole Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., NOV Downhole Pty Ltd, NOV Downhole Thailand, NOV Dreco GP LLC, NOV EU Acquisition SNC, NOV Elmar (Middle East) Limited, NOV Elmar NL B.V., NOV Elmar Pte. Ltd., NOV Enerflow ULC, NOV Eurasia Holding LLC, NOV European Holding LLC, NOV Expatriate Services, NOV FGS Malaysia Sdn Bhd, NOV FGS Singapore (Pte.) Ltd, NOV Fiber Glass Systems Fabricacao De Tubos E Conexoes Ltda, NOV Flexibles Equipamentos E Servicos Ltda., NOV Flexibles Holding ApS, NOV Floating Production AS, NOV Fluid Control B.V., NOV GEO GP LLC, NOV GEO LP1 C.V., NOV GEO LP2 C.V., NOV GP Holding L.P., NOV GP1 Holding LLC, NOV Gabon SARL, NOV Germany Holding GmbH, NOV Ghana Limited, NOV Grant Prideco Drilling Equipment Manufacturing LLC, NOV Grant Prideco Drilling Products Middle East FZE, NOV Grant Prideco L.L.C., NOV Holding Danmark ApS, NOV Holding Germany GmbH & Co KG, NOV Holding Germany Management GmbH, NOV Holdings B.V., NOV Hydra Rig Pte. Ltd, NOV India Private Limited, NOV Intelliserv UK Limited, NOV International Holdings C.V., NOV International Holdings GP LLC, NOV Intervention & Stimulation Equipment US LLC, NOV Intervention and Stimulation Equipment Aftermarket Comercio de Equipamentos e Servicos Ltda., NOV Kenya Limited, NOV Kostroma LLC, NOV Kuwait Light & Heavy Equipment Repairing & Maintenance Co., NOV LP (Trading), NOV MSI Pipe Protection Technologies Inc., NOV MSI Pipe Protection Technologies Mexico, NOV Mexico Holding LLC, NOV Middle East FZCO, NOV Mission Products UK Limited, NOV Mozambique Limitada, NOV NL Mexico Holding B.V., NOV Netherlands Finance Holding C.V., NOV Netherlands Finance Holding LLC, NOV North America I/P, NOV Oil & Gas Services Egypt (S.A.E), NOV Oil & Gas Services Uganda Limited, NOV Oil and Gas Services Ghana Limited, NOV Oil and Gas Services Namibia (Proprietary) Limited, NOV Oil and Gas Services Nigeria Limited, NOV Oil and Gas Services South Africa (Pty) Limited, NOV Oilfield Services Tanzania Limited, NOV Oilfield Services Vostok LLC, NOV Oilfield Solutions Ltd., NOV Park II B.V., NOV Process & Flow Technologies AS, NOV Process & Flow Technologies Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., NOV Process & Flow Technologies Pte. Ltd., NOV Process & Flow Technologies UK Limited, NOV Process & Flow Technologies US, NOV Rig Solutions Pte. Ltd., NOV Romania, NOV Saudi Arabia Co. Ltd., NOV Saudi Arabia Trading Co., NOV Services Ltd., NOV Servicios de Personal Mexico, NOV Subsea Products AS, NOV TV2 LLC, NOV TVI LLC, NOV Tanajib Kuwait for Services and Maintenance of Oil Rigs Refineries and Petrochemicals, NOV Tuboscope Italia S.R.L., NOV Tuboscope Middle East LLC, NOV Tuboscope NL B.V., NOV Tubulars and Connectors Ltd., NOV UK (Angola Acquisitions) Limited, NOV UK Finance Limited, NOV UK Holdings Limited, NOV UK Korea LP, NOV Wellbore Technologies Norway LLC, NOV Wellbore Technologies do Brasil Equipamentos E Servicos Ltda., NOV Wellsite Services Germany GmbH, NOV Worldwide C.V., NOV-BLM SAS, NOVM Holding LLC, NOW Downhole Tools, NOW International LLC, NOW Nova Scotia Holdings LLC, NOW Oilfield Services, NQL Holland B.V., National Oilwell (U.K.) Limited, National Oilwell Algerie, National Oilwell DHT, National Oilwell Middle East Company, National Oilwell Services de Mexico, National Oilwell Varco (Beijing) Investment Management Co. Ltd., National Oilwell Varco (Thailand) Ltd., National Oilwell Varco Algeria, National Oilwell Varco Almansoori Services, National Oilwell Varco Bahrain WLL, National Oilwell Varco Belgium SA, National Oilwell Varco Denmark I/S, National Oilwell Varco Egypt LLC, National Oilwell Varco Eurasia, National Oilwell Varco Guatemala, National Oilwell Varco Guyana Inc., National Oilwell Varco Hungary Limited Liability Company, National Oilwell Varco Korea Co., National Oilwell Varco MSW S.A., National Oilwell Varco Mexico, National Oilwell Varco Muscat L.L.C., National Oilwell Varco Norway AS, National Oilwell Varco Peru S.R.L., National Oilwell Varco Petroleum Equipment (Shanghai) Co., National Oilwell Varco Poland Sp.z.o.o., National Oilwell Varco Pte. Ltd., National Oilwell Varco Rig Equipment Trading (Shanghai) Co., National Oilwell Varco Romania S.R.L., National Oilwell Varco Solutions, National Oilwell Varco UK Limited, National Oilwell Varco Ukraine LLC, National Oilwell Varco de Bolivia S.R.L., National Oilwell Varco de Chile - Servicios Limitada, National Oilwell Varco do Brasil Ltda., National Oilwell de Venezuela, National-Oilwell Pte. Ltd., National-Oilwell Pty. Ltd., PT Fjords Processing Indonesia, PT H-Tech Oilfield Equipment, PT NOV Oilfield Services, PT National Oilwell Varco, PT PROFAB INDONESIA, Pesaka Inspection Services SDN.BHD., Pipex Limited, Pipex PX Limited, Pipex Structural Composites Limited, Pridecomex Holding S. de R.L. de C.V., Pridecomex TA Industries, Procon Engineering Ltd., Profab Engineering Pte. Ltd., Profab Services Pte Ltd, Quality Tubing FSC, R&M C.V., R&M Canada Cooperatief U.A., R&M Energy Systems Australia Pty Ltd., R&M Energy Systems de Argentina S.A., R&M Energy Systems de Venezuela, R&M Environmental Strategies, R&M Singapore Holding LLC, R&M UK Holding LLC, RE.MAC.UT. S.r.l., RHI Holding LLC, ReedHycalog, ReedHycalog International Holding, ReedHycalog LLC, ReedHycalog UK Limited, Robannic Overseas Finance A.V.V., Robbins & Myers, Robbins & Myers (Suzhou) Process Equipment Company Limited, Robbins & Myers B.V., Robbins & Myers Foundation, Robbins & Myers GP LLC, Robbins & Myers Holdings, Robbins & Myers Holdings UK Limited, Robbins & Myers Inc, Robbins & Myers Italia S.R.L., Robbins & Myers N.V., Rodic S.A. de C.V., Romaco S.a.r.l., STAR Sudamtex Tubulares S.A., STBH2O TUNISIE, STSA, Screen Manufacturing Company Unlimited, Seabox AS, Slip Clutch Systems Limited, Smart Drilling GmbH, Soil Recovery A/S, South Seas Inspection, Subseaflex Holding ApS, T-3 Energy Preferred Industries Mexico, T-3 Energy Services, T-3 Energy Services Cayman, T-3 Energy Services Cayman Holdings, T-3 Energy Services India Private Limited, T-3 Energy Services Mexico, T-3 Investment Corporation IV, T-3 Mexican Holdings, TVI Holdings, Telluride Insurance Limited, Tianjin Grant TPCO Drilling Tools Company Limited, Tube-Kote, Tubo-FGS, Tuboscope & Co. LLC, Tuboscope (Holding U.S.) LLC, Tuboscope Brandt de Venezuela, Tuboscope Machining Services AS, Tuboscope Norge AS, Tuboscope Pipeline Services Inc., Tuboscope Services, Tuboscope Vetco (Deutschland) GmbH, Tuboscope Vetco (France) SAS, Tuboscope Vetco (Oesterreich) GmbH, Tuboscope Vetco Canada ULC, Tuboscope Vetco Capital Limited, Tuboscope Vetco Moscow CJSC, Tuboscope Vetco de Argentina S.A., Tubular Coatings Solutions Ltd., Tucom Composites Polyester Sanayi Ticaret Ltd., Varco BJ B.V., Varco CIS, Varco Canada ULC, Varco I/P, Varco International de Venezuela, Varco L.P., Varco US Holdings LLC, Vetco Coating GmbH, Vetco Enterprise GmbH, Vetco Saudi Arabia Ltd., Visible Assets, Wilson International, Woolley, XL Systems, XL Systems Antilles, XL Systems Europe B.V., XL Systems International, voestalpine Middle East Free Zone Establishment, voestalpine Tubulars Corporation, voestalpine Tubulars GmbH, and voestalpine Tubulars GmbH & Co KG. ALBANY Reform Party Chairman and Guardian Angels founder Curtis Sliwa said he was unable to track down former U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara to secure his signature as the third party's nominee for attorney general by the May 23 deadline. "I looked all over for Preet," Sliwa wrote in a email to the Times Union Friday afternoon. "He never said no ... but he didn't sign up as Yes on the required date. So we have to move on." Party leaders last week announced that the Reform Party had endorsed Bharara, even though the former prosecutor had not indicated that he would seek the seat of embattled former Attorney General Eric Schneiderman. Bharara, whose pursuit of corruption in state government led to the convictions of two legislative leaders before he was fired by President Donald Trump in 2016, said on his radio show earlier this month that he was "flattered" by the many calls for him to step into the role, but that politics was not his "cup of tea." Instead, voters will select from three candidates for the Reform Party line in the Sept. 13 primary: Democrat Michael Diederich, Reform Party's Nancy Regula, and Chris Garvey, who is registered with the Green Party but is running for attorney general on the Libertarian line. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. In an unusual move, the Reform Party enabled independent voters to participate in its primary for the first time in 2017, and Sliwa said the party would again invite independents to help select its attorney general candidate on Sept. 13. The Reform Party, unaffiliated with the National Reform Party, was founded as the "Stop Common Core Party" in 2014 by the campaign of Republican gubernatorial candidate Rob Astorino with singular focus on education. After the party earned the requisite 50,000 votes to remain on the ballot, the name was changed and its interests expanded. Sliwa was installed as its chair in 2016. ALBANY - State political leaders and others are remembering Assemblyman Herman "Denny" Farrell Jr., who for more than 20 years held the reins of the chamber's powerful Ways and Means Committee. Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo on Saturday directed that flags on all state government buildings be flown at half-staff on Tuesday, May 29, to honor the Democratic Harlem statesman. Farrell announced his retirement last summer at the age of 85, citing health issues and the desire to spend more time with his family. He'd picked that Sept. 5 as his departure date because it marked the 51st anniversary of his first job in state government, working for the Manhattan Supreme Court. "Denny was a compassionate leader, a brilliant political mind and a trailblazer who left an indelible mark on New York politics," Cuomo said in a statement, calling him an inspiration. "He was part of a previous generation of leaders, along with Mayor David Dinkins, Basil Paterson, Congressman Charlie Rangel and my father Governor Mario Cuomo, on whose shoulders today's generation stands. Cuomo said Farrell "believed in my father when others did not, and he took me in when I was a 23-year-old campaign manager for my father." Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie said Farrell blazed a trail of dedication and commitment to his constituents and credited his authorship of the Consumer Protection and Banking Act. "Today we lost an icon in state politics," Heastie said. "For several years, I had the distinct privilege of sitting next to Denny in the Assembly Chambers," Assembly Majority Leader Joseph Morelle said. "Over the course of this time, he taught and impressed upon me the importance and significance of our work in public service. He set an example of kindness, respect, and commitment to the work of serving others that is often sorely lacking in the politics of today." Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan, a Republican who was a colleague of Farrell in the Assembly, said it was "a daunting task to have to debate someone with such a great command of complicated budget issues." But Farrell always did so with civility and respect, he said. BRUNSWICK - A passenger in a car stopped during a road safety check Friday night on Pawling Avenue dashed away after striking a state trooper and later fought more troopers, injuring one, as he was being arrested, State Police said. Tashon Robertson, 27, of Troy, who police said made furtive movements during the stop, also allegedly had MDMA and drug paraphernalia. He ran off after the car he was riding in tried to avoid the road check and drove down the dead-end Lakeview Avenue. Annapolis, Md. President Donald Trump declared Friday that the United States is "respected again" because of a military that is "a lot stronger," as he welcomed the 2018 graduates of the Naval Academy into what he called "the most powerful and rightful force on the planet." Trump said the new naval officers and Marines should be proud to be joining a military that he said is now recovering from years of shrinkage and decay. "We are witnessing the great reawakening of the American spirit and of American might," he said to applause from the 30,000 people in the Naval Academy's stadium. "We have rediscovered our identity, regained our stride and we are proud again." Trump made no mention of broad foreign policy issues or specific challenges that the country faces abroad, including the collapse of his efforts at international diplomacy on the Korean Peninsula. On Thursday, Trump abruptly called off his planned summit meeting with Kim Jong Un, the leader of North Korea, citing his counterpart's "open hostility" in public statements. The president has been intensely focused on the size and capabilities of the U.S. military since before he took office. And once in charge of the government, Trump repeatedly pledged to increase funding to the armed services that he viewed as having shriveled in previous years. While the Pentagon's base budget was capped in 2011, funding for the military still far outstripped the rest of the world and was still higher than the next seven countries combined. In the first months of his presidency, Trump visited the Navy's newest aircraft carrier, the Gerald R. Ford, and promised to work to "upgrade" ships and submarines and seek more money for the sailors who operate them. In his remarks at the commencement Friday, Trump took note of the carrier Ford as he touted the size and strength of the country's naval forces, including what he said will eventually be "355 beautiful ships" in the fleet. He said that is "almost a couple of hundred more ships" than currently in the fleet. In 2016, the number of active ships was 275 and the Navy plans to increase that to 355 by the 2050s. "We're building that modern fleet," he said. "We're sharpening the fighting edge of everything." As president, Trump signed a $1.3 trillion government spending bill that dramatically increased the amount of money for the military. At the signing, the president complained that he did not want to sign the legislation because it failed to close immigration loopholes or provide enough money for a wall along the border with Mexico. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. But he said the money for the military was enough to convince him to sign the bill anyway. Trump has also promised repeatedly to help veterans by reforming the Department of Veterans Affairs, a long-struggling bureaucracy. He succeeded in pushing through some bipartisan legislation aimed at improving service delivery to veterans. During his remarks at the Naval Academy, Trump underscored those successes. He said new legislation would allow employees of the Veterans Affairs department to be quickly fired if they are not doing a good job of caring for the health and well-being of veterans. During the speech Friday, Trump bragged about increasing the size of the military and said that a more powerful Army, Navy and Air Force would help keep the country safe by preventing the need to use them in the first place. Still, he added, "if a fight must come, there is no other alternative victory, winning, beautiful words, but that is what it is all about." Princess Diana once famously observed that there were three people in her marriage, "so it was a bit crowded." The same is true of Israelis and Palestinians. The third person in their marriage is Mother Nature and she'll batter both of them if they do not come to their senses. Let's start with Hamas, the Palestinian Islamist organization that rules the Gaza Strip, which just facilitated the tragic and wasted deaths of roughly 60 Gazans by encouraging their march, some with arms, on the Israeli border fence in pursuit of a "return" to their ancestral homes in what is now Israel. You hear people say: "What choice did they have? They're desperate." Well, I'll give you a choice one that almost certainly would lead to an improved life for Gazans, one that I first proposed in 2011. What if all 2 million Palestinians of Gaza marched to the Israeli border fence with an olive branch in one hand and a sign in Hebrew and Arabic in the other, saying, "Two states for two peoples: We, the Palestinian people of Gaza, want to sign a peace treaty with the Jewish people a two-state solution based on the 1967 borders, with mutually agreed adjustments." That would have stimulated a huge debate within Israel and worldwide pressure especially if Hamas invited youth delegations from around the Arab world to launch their own marches, carrying the Arab Peace Initiative. That kind of Palestinian movement would make Israelis feel strategically secure but morally insecure, which is the key to moving the Israeli silent majority. Hamas chose instead to make Israelis feel strategically insecure and therefore morally secure in killing scores of Hamas followers who tried to breach the border fence. OK. So much for the "bad" Palestinian leadership. What's Israel's approach to the secular, more moderate Palestinian Authority in the West Bank, whose security forces have cooperated with Israel for years to vastly reduce violence coming from the occupied territories? Answer: nothing. Actually, worse than nothing, because Bibi Netanyahu's government has steadily implanted more settlers deep inside Palestinian-populated areas of the West Bank. It makes separating Israelis and Palestinians increasingly impossible and an apartheid-like situation increasingly likely. This is where that third person in the marriage comes in: Mother Nature i.e., demographics and ecosystem destruction. She doesn't recognize lines on maps, either. In March Reuters reported from Jerusalem: "The number of Jews and Arabs between the Mediterranean Sea and Jordan River is at or near parity, figures cited by Israeli officials show, raising questions whether Israel can remain a democracy if it keeps territory where Palestinians seek a state." Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. Repeated Hamas rocket attacks that led to an Israeli blockade of building supplies, electricity shortages due to intra-Palestinian feuding, and Hamas' use of building materials to dig tunnels to penetrate Israel have led to a critical shortage of infrastructure in Gaza, particularly sewage treatment plants. So Gazans dump 100 million liters of raw sewage into the Mediterranean daily, said Gidon Bromberg, the Israeli director of Eco-Peace Middle East. Because of the prevailing current, most of that sewage flows northward to the Israeli beach town of Ashkelon, the site of Israel's second-biggest desalination plant. Eighty percent of Israel's drinking water comes from desalination, with 15 percent coming from the Ashkelon plant. The plant has had to close several times to clean Gaza's gunk out of its filters. Moreover, the renewable extraction rate for Gaza's underground aquifer is about 60 million cubic meters of rainwater annually, noted Bromberg, but Gazans have been drawing about 200 million cubic meters a year for over a decade, "so the aquifer has gotten drained and seawater has seeped into it, and many people are now drinking water that is both salty and polluted with sewage." In a few years, the next protest from Gaza will not be organized by Hamas, but by mothers because typhoid and cholera will have spread through the fetid water and Gazans will all have had to stop drinking it. "Then you could see 2 million coming to the border fence with Israel with empty buckets, begging for clean water," Bromberg said. Bottom line: Israel has never been stronger than it is today. Hamas has never been weaker. If there were ever a time for Israel to take a few calculated risks to try to nurture a different pathway with Palestinians in the West Bank, it's now. But its prime minister is too cowardly, and the U.S. is too slavishly supportive, for that to happen. Over to you, Mother Nature. Thomas L. Friedman writes for The New York Times. The European Union General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) went into effect today, and it brings significant changes to how companies that deal with EU citizens data can collect and process it. GDPR Makes Explicit (Opt-In) Consent The Law Most online services previously tended to enable all of their data gathering checkboxes by default, because thats how they could get the most users to agree to that collection. By far the most significant change the GDPR brings is that this practice is no longer legal in the EU. Users will also get more control of their data, including being legally empowered to request that companies delete all the data they have on them. There are still some grey areas in the law, such as companies being allowed to claim that they can collect some classes of data without consent if they have a legitimate interest to do so. The intention of the EU politicians wasnt to allow companies to claim that any data whatsoever can be called a legitimate interest. However, some online services may still push the legal limits on this, and courts may have to step in to clarify the issue. New Data Processing Agreements From Online Services Over the past few weeks, you may have noticed that most of the companies to which youve subscribed in the past have started sending you emails to agree to their new data processing terms. This is happening because the data previously gathered by companies on their users does not qualify for consent, so they need your explicit consent for the use of that data. Although they had two years to prepare, most waited until the last minute to implement the changes, all while claiming that they're making the changes because they care deeply about your privacy. Additionally, the emails usually come with a warning that if you dont agree you may lose access to your account. Thats a condition that may not be legal in some cases, because that shouldnt qualify as free consent. Other companies may have simply warned you that their terms have changed and that you dont need to do anything beyond that. This is usually sent by companies that have already obtained your explicit opt-in permission to collect your data in the past. GDPR Hall Of Shame After getting tired of receiving so many GDPR emails all of the sudden, Owen Williams from the Netherlands built a website called the GDPR Hall Of Shame, where he calls out companies that implement GDPR poorly. Among those shamed by Williams are Verizon-owned Oath websites (Yahoo, TechCrunch, Engadget, etc), which seem to use an opt-out rather than opt-in method for sharing users data with hundreds of Verizon partners; Razer, which says that unless you agree to its new terms your mouse or phone will stop working; Zoom, which gives users only the options of receiving more marketing emails or fewer; and other companies. Twitter also seems to be forcing users to agree to the new terms or their account will be deactivated: Google, Facebook, WhatsApp Accused Of Violating GDPR The None Of Your Business (noyb) privacy rights group, founded by Max Schrems, also accused Google, Facebook, and Facebook subsidiaries WhatsApp and Instagram of violating the GDPR due to the companies forcing users to consent to their new terms. Schrems is the same Austrian activist who fought against U.S. intelligence agencies mass surveillance operations targeting EU citizens as well against the American companies violating EU citizens rights with their data collection. His lawsuit eventually brought down the Safe Harbor agreement and hes currently in another lawsuit that may end up invalidating the new Privacy Shield and other loopholes American companies have found to avoid properly complying with EU data protection laws. In a public statement, noyb said: An end of forced consent does not mean that companies can no longer use customer data. The GDPR explicitly allows any data processing that is strictly necessary for the service but using the data additionally for advertisement or to sell it on needs the users free opt-in consent. With this complaint we want to ensure that GDPR is implemented in a sane way: Without just moving towards fishing for consent. The take it or leave it approach embraced by some both large and small companies will likely not sit well with the EUs executive body, the European Commission, which may soon start taking action against the companies they see as most blatantly violating the GDPR. If found guilty, the companies could end up paying up to $20 million or 4% of their global annual turnover, whichever of the two is the greater sum of money. Microsoft released Windows 10 Insider Preview Build 17677 to Fast ring and Skip Ahead members of the Windows Insider Program. This release includes numerous updates to the Microsoft Edge browser, changes how Task Manager reports memory usage, and offers the usual grab bag of bug fixes. This being pre-release software, the build also includes several issues, the most frustrating of which affects Windows Mixed Reality. Many of the new features in Preview Build 17677 affect Microsoft Edge. The browser has been given a new "Settings and more" menu, which is supposed to make it easier to find all of Edge's options, as well as expanded right-click menus in the "Downloads" pane. Tabs which have been "set aside" can now be organized, too. Microsoft also added your top sites to the Jump List in the Windows taskbar and Start menu. One of Preview Build 17677's other notable additions is a change to how Task Manager reports memory usage. Microsoft said the monitoring tool's main memory column will no longer include memory used by suspended UWP processes. That's because Windows 10 can automatically reclaim the memory used by these processes and devote it to something else, so Microsoft won't count that memory as being unavailable. Preview Build 17677 also brings kernel debugging improvements; a Narrator update that lets you select content in Edge, Word, Outlook, Mail, and "most text surfaces"; and a new networking framework that "introduces a new, more reliable, network driver model that inherits the goodness of the Windows driver framework while bringing an accelerated data path." Microsoft said more details on the framework will be revealed soon. The build also has some known issues. Most are minor, but Microsoft warned that one will be particularly vexing for Windows Mixed Reality users: After update, Mixed Reality Portal will reinstall the Mixed Reality Software and as a result environment setting will not be preserved. If you need your Mixed Reality home experience to persist it is advised you not take this build until these issues are fixed. Microsoft also announced that its next Bug Bash, which tasks members of the Windows Insider Program with helping the company find problems in its software, will take place between June 22 and July 1. A Bug Bash Webcast will also be hosted on June 27 at a yet-to-be-determined time on the program's Mixer channel. So if you want to help squash a bunch of bugs in Microsoft's products, well, next month will be your best chance. From aquabob to zawn, writer Robert Macfarlane's collection of unusual, achingly poetic words for nature creates a lexicon we all can learn from. Years ago, nature writer extraordinaire Robert Macfarlane discovered that the latest edition of the Oxford Junior Dictionary was missing a few things. Oxford University Press confirmed that indeed, a list of words had been removed; words that the publisher felt were no longer relevant to a modern-day childhood. So goodbye to acorn, adder, ash, and beech. Farewell to bluebell, buttercup, catkin, and conker. Adios cowslip, cygnet, dandelion, fern, hazel, and heather. No more heron, ivy, kingfisher, lark, mistletoe, nectar, newt, otter, pasture and willow. And in their place came the new kids on the block, words like blog, broadband, bullet-point, celebrity, chatroom, committee, cut-and-paste, MP3 player and voice-mail. Woe is the world of words. Macfarlane's Glossary Inspired by the culling and in combination with a lifetime of collecting terms about place, Macfarlane set out to counter the trend by creating a glossary of his own. We lack a Terra Britannica, as it were: a gathering of terms for the land and its weathers, he wrote in a beautiful essay in The Guardian, terms used by crofters, fishermen, farmers, sailors, scientists, miners, climbers, soldiers, shepherds, poets, walkers and unrecorded others for whom particularised ways of describing place have been vital to everyday practice and perception. And thus his book, Landmarks, was born. A field guide of sorts to the language of the wild world an ode to the places afforded to us by Mother Nature which includes thousands of remarkable words used in England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales to describe land, nature and weather. The words came from dozens of languages, he explains, dialects, sub-dialects and specialist vocabularies: from Unst to the Lizard, from Pembrokeshire to Norfolk; from Norn and Old English, Anglo-Romani, Cornish, Welsh, Irish, Gaelic, Orcadian, Shetlandic and Doric, and numerous regional versions of English, through to Jerriais, the dialect of Norman still spoken on the island of Jersey. I have long been fascinated by the relations of language and landscape by the power of strong style and single words to shape our senses of place, he writes. Of the thousands of wonderful words included in the book, here are some that warranted mention in Macfarlanes essay. 24 Beautiful Words Afeith: A Gaelic word describing a fine vein-like watercourse running through peat, often dry in the summer. Ammil: A Devon term for the thin film of ice that lacquers all leaves, twigs and grass blades when a freeze follows a partial thaw, and that in sunlight can cause a whole landscape to glitter. Aquabob: A variant English term for icicle in Kent. Arete: A sharp-edged mountain ridge, often between two glacier-carved corries. Caochan: Gaelic for a slender moor-stream obscured by vegetation such that it is virtually hidden from sight. Clinkerbell: A variant English term for icicle in Hampshire. Crizzle: Northamptonshire dialect verb for the freezing of water that evokes the sound of a natural activity too slow for human hearing to detect. Daggler: Another variant English term for icicle in Hampshire. Eit: In Gaelic, a word that refers to the practice of placing quartz stones in streams so that they sparkle in moonlight and thereby attract salmon in the late summer and autumn. Feadan: A Gaelic word describing a small stream running from a moorland loch. Goldfoil: Coined by the poet Gerard Manley Hopkins, describing a sky lit by lightning in zigzag dints and creasings. Honeyfur: A five-year-old girls creation to describe the soft seeds of grasses pinched between fingertips. Ickle: A variant English term for icicle in Yorkshire. Landskein: A term coined by a painter in the Western Isles referring to the braid of blue horizon lines on a hazy day. Pirr: A Shetlandic word meaning a light breath of wind, such as will make a cats paw on the water. Rionnach maoimmeans: A Gaelic word referring to the shadows cast on the moorland by clouds moving across the sky on a bright and windy day. Shivelight: A word created by poet Gerard Manley Hopkins for the lances of sunshine that pierce the canopy of a wood. Shuckle: A variant English term for icicle in Cumbria. Smeuse: An English dialect noun for the gap in the base of a hedge made by the regular passage of a small animal. Tankle: A variant English term for icicle in Durham. Teine biorach: A Gaelic term meaning the flame or will-o-the-wisp that runs on top of heather when the moor burns during the summer. Ungive: In Northamptonshire and East Anglia, to thaw. Zawn: A Cornish term for a wave-smashed chasm in a cliff. Zwer: The onomatopoeic term for the sound made by a covey of partridges taking flight. "There are experiences of landscape that will always resist articulation, and of which words offer only a distant echo. Nature will not name itself. Granite doesnt self-identify as igneous. Light has no grammar. Language is always late for its subject," Macfarlane says. "But we are and always have been name-callers, christeners." "Words are grained into our landscapes," he adds, "and landscapes grained into our words." The people debating the 2022 budget are supposed to represent us. They are from among us and -:- Message from Tripadvisor staff -:- This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. We hope you'll join the conversation by posting to an open topic or starting a new one. To review the Tripadvisor Forums Posting Guidelines, please follow this link: http://www.tripadvisor.com/pages/forums_posting_guidelines.html We remove posts that do not follow our posting guidelines, and we reserve the right to remove any post for any reason. Hi, I saw my first Sloth in Selva Verde Lodge in Sarapique - it's a fantastic place, the guides are expert as spotting the abundant creatures that inhabit the massive private reserve! I can thoroughly recommend it. The accommodation is Eco cabins, so no windows or Aircon but we were comfortable in the lovely room during our visit. They do various walks and you can go out at night with the guides to see nocturnal creatures! If you are going to CR you just have to visit Tortuguero, I was there for 4 days in early March and it rained a little one evening and then bucketed down one night. It will always be humid there! We stayed at Laguna Lodge Eco Lodges. If you want to see rare birds, Crocs, Giant otters, Manatees, Toucans....this is the place, we saw them all and took over 600 photos while there. Get a good hat and a rain poncho but you may get lucky like we did and not get much rain - we went height of dry season! We enjoyed Arenal but didn't see the abundance of wildlife like Sarapique and Tortuguero, the hanging bridges and hot springs are very good experiences. Hi I will be in Costa Rica in December for my bday but then this is followed up by New Years. Not too bothered where I spend my bday, although probably somewhere with some night life but unsure about New Years? I would also like their to be some party atmosphere but I do not want to stand out like a sore thumb, so out of these places where would you spend your bday and New Years? 2 separate places as they are a week apart. La Fortuna Tamarindo Samara Puerto Vieo Bocas Del Toro Panama City I am struggling to finalise my trip as I want to be sure on my dates and amount of time in each destination....I initially thought to spend NYE in PV but now wondering if I will be like a Deer in headlights:) Thanks Hi all, I have suddenly found myself in the fortunate position of having one month free between leaving my old job and starting a new one. This will be between mid-July to mid-August. I've always wanted to visit Japan and feel like this would be a perfect opportunity to spend 3-4 weeks travelling around. I have a vague itinerary in mind, which would include the usual trail (Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima) and perhaps a visit to Okinawa. Reading up on travelling this time of year, however, I noticed a lot of sites saying that it will be unbearably hot and humid, and that it is really not a great time to visit. I would really appreciate if anyone could give an honest opinion on whether this is the case. I'm from the UK (so not particularly hot summers) but I have travelled around Asia previously (Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia, Singapore) where it was very humid/hot but manageable. Could you please let me know if Japan is exceptionally bad in these months? I'll want to be doing lots of outdoor activities and am just worried that the heat/humidity is going to make things really unpleasant. I'd prefer to go in spring/fall but I'm limited to this period. It'd be great to hear your thoughts before I go ahead with booking,!f the weather's going to make a real difference, I may end up looking elsewhere and perhaps doing a 2 week trip to Japan next spring instead. Thank you :) I am travelling to NY with my 6 year old daughter. She is very excited about seeing the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island (her great-great grandparents came through here) and New York Public Library (to see Christopher Robin's Winnie the Pooh). A couple of questions, I am hoping you can help with: What would be a MUST see Broadway show? Any ideas on the best way to purchase Broadway tickets online? Any Broadway tickets that we should buy now vs. trying to get at Half Price tickets? A recommended tour for us? Best neighborhood to stay? I have read pros and cons for each neighborhood, and the more I read the more conflicted I am! We are considering Top of the Rock, Gabby the Cabby (if not booked up), Museum of Natural History, MOMA. Thoughts on those or other ideas? Thanks so much! If nothing else is different, I'd say stay at the Blakely. It is closer to Times Square, closer to Central Park, closer to Rockefeller Center, closer to more restaurants, more in the mainstream of famous places. The Roosevelt, which I have stayed at is in a quieter neighborhood office building and swanky apartment building neighborhood, not exactly off the beaten path, but within shouting distance of "off the beaten path", if you are a visitor and not a New Yorker. My brother-in-law retired and lives in an apartment building near the Blakely because he spent his whole life in Baltimore, and he wanted to be in the middle of everything for his retirement, not to have relative peace and quiet. He has never regretted it a moment. And again, in New York City, everything is relative. The hotels are about 1/2 mile apart, and both in very nice midtown areas. But if you want a distinction, there it is. - Juacali's wife slammed several women who claimed her hubby smiled less nowadays - This is after several women took to social media to talk ill of Juacali - Most claimed he had grown old, some dissed his sense of fashion, while others claimed he had many children - The rapper's wife said she doesnt care how her hubby looks or what he does because she loves him deeply Love is a very beautiful thing. It is even merrier when you fall in love with someone who loves you back equally and is ready to take a bullet for you at any given time. Send 'NEWS' to 40227 to receive all the important breaking news as it happens Kenyan rapper, Juacali, happens to be among the few men who are lucky enough to have found themselves beautiful women who not only love them, but also got their backs. READ ALSO: Kenya's legendary rapper Jua Cali and wife stun fans in new romantic photos This became evident on Friday, May 18, after the rapper's wife, Lily Asigo, picked a fight with a string of women who had talked ill of her hubby on social media. The whole drama was sparked by a random female social media user who shared Juacali's photo in one of the popular women groups on Facebook and asked fellow women to say anything about him. Quite a number of women acted all negative and listed a number of bad things about Juacali. READ ALSO: Lupita ashindwa kujizuia, abebwa na jamaa ndani ya mkahawa; ni mpenziwe? Juacali's wife slammed several women who had attacked her hubby on social media. Photo: Lily Asigo/Instagram READ ALSO: 17 unbelievable TBT photos of Akothee which prove money cleans people Some claimed he had grown super old while others picked issue with his wardrobe. Others however crossed the line and included his family in the whole mix, claiming he had sired many children. The comments angered Juacali's wife who hit back at the critics in a savage social media post seen by TUKO.co.ke. Taking to Instagram, Asigi told off the haters saying she loved her hubby with everything he had, and that people should let him be since he was not married to them but her. Asigo held that if anything, she should be the one complaining about the many 'faults' and not the attackers. READ ALSO: I can never date a slay queen - rapper Khaligraph declares after bitter breakup ''For starters, its Juacali. Save that 'K' for your people. How does he look like? He doesn't know how to dress? He smiles less nowadays. He has many children. If we ask your dad to list his children, your siblings will fill a whole county. That should not worry you. I'm I you? Are you me? Are we related? (sic)",she wrote. Lily went ahead to claim that most of those who talked ill about her hubby did not even have boyfriends . '''People are already tired with Tanzanian gossip. Most of those who talked ill do not even have boyfriends. The things this King of mine does to me are crazy and that's why he is the one who has the key. If I don't care about how he looks or what he does, who are you?'' she added. Her rant did not end at that, the mother of three went ahead to post a photo of her middle finger, a clear indication she was still hitting back at critics. 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. Socialite Bridget Achieng wants to be Kenya's next president. Tuko / Tuco - Kenya Source: Tuko Breaking News Militants launched 33 attacks on positions of Ukrainian troops in the Joint Forces Operation (JFO) area in Donbas over the past day. This is reported by the press center of the JFO Headquarters. "Over the past day, Russian-occupation forces violated the ceasefire regime 36 times, firing mortars and artillery on Ukrainian positions 13 times," the report reads. As noted, the most active military operations took place near Krymske (42.5km north-west of Luhansk), Troitske (69km west of Luhansk), Luhanske (59km north-east of Donetsk), Marinka (35 km south-west of Donetsk), Vodiane (16km north-west of Donetsk) and Shyrokyne (20km east of Mariupol). The units of the Joint Forces gave an adequate response and conducted an active defense, not allowing the occupants to force out the Ukrainian units from their positions. Two Ukrainian servicemen were wounded in fighting. They were delivered to hospital and provided with necessary medical assistance. No casualties among Ukrainian troops have been reported today. According to the intelligence, two militants were killed and four more were wounded. ish Situation in the Joint Forces Operation (JFO) area in Donbas remains difficult but controlled. No casualties among Ukrainian troops have been reported today. Joint Forces Spokesman Viktor Shubets said this at a briefing on Saturday, an Ukrinform correspondent reports. "During the fighting in the last day, two Ukrainian servicemen were wounded. They were delivered to hospital and provided with necessary medical assistance. Today, as of 11 hours on May 26, no casualties among Ukrainian troops have been reported," he said. He added that Russian-occupation troops had launched 33 attacks on positions of Ukrainian troops in the Joint Forces Operation (JFO) area in Donbas. ish The European Union will not lift anti-Russian sanctions unless there is progress on Ukraine. French President Emmanuel Macron said this at a news conference after meeting with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg on Friday, Reuters reports. The ball is in the camp of Russia and Ukraine. Its as simple as that. We wont lift the sanctions if nothings done. Thats what we discussed with Vladimir Putin, Macron said. EU countries will meet in July to consider extending the sanctions imposed on Russia in 2015, Macron said. The European Union expects that all Ukrainians illegally detained in Russia and in the occupied Crimea will be immediately released. EU Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs Maja Kocijancic stated this in the statement on the cases of several detainees in or from the illegally-annexed Crimea and Sevastopol, published on the website of the European External Action Service (EEAS). "The European Union expects international human rights standards on the peninsula to be upheld and all illegally detained Ukrainian citizens in Russia and on the Crimean peninsula to be released without delay," the statement reads. On 14 May 2018, Oleg Sentsov, a film director deported to eastern Siberia, began a hunger strike after four years of imprisonment. Another illegally-detained Ukrainian citizen, Mr Volodymyr Balukh, has also recently spent two months on hunger strike. They have opposed the illegal annexation of the Crimean peninsula and were sentenced, by courts whose jurisdiction the EU does not recognize, in breach of international law and elementary standards of justice. Adding to the extremely worrying number of Crimean Tatars who have been persecuted and had their rights gravely violated, activists Server Mustafayev and Edem Smailov were also detained on 21 May 2018. NATO says it is important for Ukraine to continue reforms. NATO does not plan to cease the support of Ukraine despite Hungary's demand. "NATO provides strong political and practical support for Ukraine, and there is no plan to change anything in that respect," a NATO official told DW's Ukrainian service on Friday, May 25. According to the source, the Hungarian government sent a letter to NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg with an initiative to revise the program of support for Ukraine. Read alsoAmbassador: Meeting of UA-NATO Commission "depends on Hungary and the whole Alliance" Hungary's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, in turn, says that Hungary is calling for NATO to introduce a new policy with relation to Ukraine in the interests of protecting the Hungarian minority in Zakarpattia. According to the ministry, despite the never before seen level of political and financial support provided by NATO, the EU, the IMF, the World Bank and a large number of states, the Ukrainian government lacks the political will and capacity to realize the fundamental reform programs aimed at reorganizing the country's economic political and social systems that are required by international donors. Hungary says that Ukraine's failure to introduce a credible modernization plan in harmony with the international commitments and criteria that Ukraine has previously accepted, means that "the already fragile country is becoming increasingly vulnerable under both domestic and external pressure." In turn, NATO does not agree with this point of view. "In recent years, Ukraine has implemented significant reforms in the defense and security sectors, also in the spheres, including health care, education and social security. It is important for Ukraine to continue to move forward along the path of reform," the NATO official said. The number of Crimean Tatars being persecuted in the annexed Crimea gives rise to great concern as well. The European Union has called for the immediate release of all Ukrainian citizens illegally detained in Russia and the annexed Crimea. Read alsoUkraine honors victims of 1944 genocide against Crimean Tatars "On 14 May 2018, Oleh Sentsov, a film director deported to eastern Siberia, began a hunger strike after four years of imprisonment. Another illegally-detained Ukrainian citizen, Volodymyr Balukh, has also recently spent two months on hunger strike. They have opposed the illegal annexation of the Crimean peninsula and were sentenced, by courts whose jurisdiction the EU does not recognize, in breach of international law and elementary standards of justice," the press service of the EU Delegation to Ukraine said in a statement on May 25. Read alsoCrimean Tatar activist Mustafayev arrested in Russian-occupied Simferopol Furthermore, the number of Crimean Tatars being persecuted in the annexed Crimea gives rise to great concern. "Adding to the extremely worrying number of Crimean Tatars who have been persecuted and had their rights gravely violated, activists Server Mustafayev and Edem Smailov were also detained on May 21, 2018," reads the statement. "The European Union expects international human rights standards on the peninsula to be upheld and all illegally detained Ukrainian citizens in Russia and on the Crimean peninsula to be released without delay," it says. Ukrainian citizen convicted in Russia declared hunger strike on May 14 indefinitely. Natalia Kaplan, sister of Ukrainian filmmaker and Russia's political prisoner Oleh Sentsov, says her brother's condition is stable. "Now his condition is stable, that is, neither good nor bad," she told TV Channel 112 Ukraine. Read alsoUkraine's foreign ministry: All options considered for release of Sentsov from Russian prison As UNIAN reported earlier, Russia's security forces detained Sentsov together with Oleksandr Kolchenko in occupied Crimea in May 2014 on charges of organizing terrorist attacks on the peninsula. In August 2015, the North Caucasus District Military Court in Russia's Rostov-on-Don sentenced Sentsov to 20 years in a high-security penal colony. Kolchenko was sentenced to 10 years in prison. Both men pleaded not guilty. Sentsov declared hunger strike on May 14 indefinitely. He went on hunger strike against the actions of the Kremlin, demanding the release of all the Ukrainian political prisoners held in Russia. Kolchenko says he is likely to go on hunger strike as well. However, his lawyer Svetlana Sidorkina speaks about the threat to his health, as the weight of her client is now even lower than normal. The occupiers used proscribed heavy weapons. Russia's hybrid military forces mounted 33 attacks on Ukrainian army positions in Donbas in the past 24 hours, with two Ukrainian soldiers reported as wounded in action (WIA). Read alsoRussian-led forces suffer huge losses in Donbas JFO The situation remains tense in the area of the Joint Forces Operation (JFO) in eastern Ukraine. Fighting with Russian-led forces continued almost along the entire contact line, where the occupiers used proscribed heavy weapons 13 times, the press center of Ukraine's JFO said in an update on Facebook on May 26, 2018. The most active fighting continued near the villages of Krymske, Troyitske, Luhanske, Vodiane, Shyrokyne, and the town of Maryinka. "Ukraine's joint forces fired back not to let the occupiers force out the Ukrainian army units from the defense positions. During the hostilities, two Ukrainian soldiers were wounded. Doctors say they are out of danger," the report says. According to intelligence data, two militants were killed and four others were wounded. As UNIAN reported earlier, Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine (NSDC) Oleksandr Turchynov arrived at the Ukrainian positions in the area of the Joint Forces Operation following a serious deterioration of the situation in Donbas. He said the number of attacks on Ukrainian army positions and Donbas settlements seen over the past week was the largest in the past six months. The enemy attempted to collect intelligence information on Ukrainian troops. Servicemen of Ukraine's Joint Forces Operation (JFO) have downed an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) of Russian-led militants in Donbas that made the reconnaissance of the Ukrainian army positions. Read alsoUkrainian surveillance drones start mission on border with Russian-occupied Crimea "On the evening of May 25, the air defense of the Joint Forces Operation downed an enemy unmanned aerial vehicle [UAV] in the action area of one of the mechanized brigades in the Volnovakha sector. The enemy attempted to collect intelligence information to further adjust the fire at the brigade's reserves," the JFO press center said. As UNIAN reported earlier, Russia's hybrid military forces mounted 33 attacks on Ukrainian army positions in Donbas in the past 24 hours, with two Ukrainian soldiers reported as wounded in action. The summit will likely be held in Singapore on June 12, he said. President Donald Trump says the U.S. is "having very productive talks with North Korea" about a summit next month with Kim Jong Un. Read alsoTrump casts doubt on planned summit with North Korean leader media "We are having very productive talks with North Korea about reinstating the Summit which, if it does happen, will likely remain in Singapore on the same date, June 12, and, if necessary, will be extended beyond that date," he tweeted. As UNIAN reported earlier, Trump had canceled the meeting with Kim Jong Un in Singapore, scheduled for June 12. In a letter to Kim released by the White House, Trump said he decided to cancel the meeting "based on the tremendous anger and open hostility displayed in your most recent statement," according to USA Today. The parties were supposed to be debating the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula. ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 26th May, 2018 ) :The Chairman of All Parties Hurriyat Conference, Syed Ali Gilani in Indian occupied Kashmir, has expressed serious concern over the increasing tension between Pakistan and India on the Line of Control and Working Boundary. According to Kashmir Media Service , Syed Ali Gilani in a statement issued in Srinagar appealed to the two countries to demonstrate restraint and wisdom and take steps towards peaceful resolution of the Kashmir dispute which poses a threat to world peace. He termed the Kashmir dispute as bone of contention between India and Pakistan and said, "Sincere steps are needed to resolve this dispute. Unless Kashmir dispute is resolved in accordance with the wishes and aspirations of people, the risk of collision between the two nuclear powers will remain there and it would be devastating not only for the region but for the whole world." The APHC Chairman deplored that the Indian forces' personnel had created mayhem in occupied Kashmir and turned it into a slaughter house. He hailed the people of the territory for their commitment and determination. "Despite atrocities perpetrated by the Indian forces, people are braving bullets and pellets and this serves a message for the oppressors that they can never suppress our aspirations or force us to submission," he added. He said, "The Indian authorities should shun stubborn approach and read writing on the wall. Their rhetoric about so-called development and construction of projects can never lure people. Sarak, Pani, Bijli and power projects are no solution to Kashmir issue." Syed Ali Gilani said, the valiant people of Kashmir have proved, time and again, that no amount of Indian state terrorism could dissuade them from pursuing their inalienable right to self-determination. Despite India using all its resources and military might during the last over 70 years, the issue is there and not an iota of change seems to have happened on the ground, he said. Meanwhile, an APHC spokesman in a statement strongly condemned the continued house arrest of Syed Ali Gilani. He said that the octogenarian leader was again disallowed by the puppet authorities to offer Friday prayers even in the month of Ramadan. He termed the puppet authorities' action as a brazen interference in religious affairs. Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz (PML-N) MNA Javed Latif has said that narrative of former prime minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif was largely being supported by party workers as well as people of the country ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 26th May, 2018 ) :Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz (PML-N) MNA Javed Latif has said that narrative of former prime minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif was largely being supported by party workers as well as people of the country. Talking to a private news channel, he said the PML-N was popular political party among the masses. No corruption or money laundering was proved against former prime minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif in Panama papers case so far, he said. Javed Latif said conspiracies were hatched against the PML-N government and Muhammad Nawaz Sharif from the day first since it came to power in 2013. He said former prime minister never wanted confrontation among the national institutions and always worked to strengthen them. To a question, he said every political party had committed mistakes in the past however there was need to work for strengthening institutions of the country. (@Aneesah05582539) Senior Vice President (SVP) Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) Mazhar Ali Nasir has said that the business community of Pakistan is eager to improve trade and economic relations with Russia Islamabad, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 26th May, 2018) : Senior Vice President (SVP) Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) Mazhar Ali Nasir has said that the business community of Pakistan is eager to improve trade and economic relations with Russia. While talking to Russian trade officials at the sidelines of the 22nd St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) on Saturday, Mazhar Ali Nasir said that the imbalance of tilting 100 percent west for seven decades should be corrected by becoming closer to the regional friends like Turkey and Russia, it said. He further stated that Pakistan and Russia are in various business deals worth over $10 billion which will take bilateral relations to new heights. The Vice President FPCCI Atif Ikram Sheikh, Chairman Coordination Malik Sohail, and Director General South Asian Strategic Stability Institute Dr Maria Sultan are also part of the delegation attending SPIEF. Amid changing circumstances, Pakistan and Russia have been trying to open a new chapter in their bilateral relations and the visit of FPCCI's delegation is part of the efforts to increase bilateral trade, Mr Nasir told the leaders of different Russian Chambers of Commerce. He said that fifteen thousand delegates from seventy-two countries are attending the forum while business deals worth 100 billion Dollars have been finalised which indicate its importance. Mazhar Ali Nasir said that Pakistan and Russia have taken a pro-active approach to take the relationship forward and look for realizing the potential in economic cooperation. Malik Sohail said that SPIEF is an important event, therefore, France's President Emmanuel Macron, Russia's President Vladimir Putin, Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, China's Vice President Wang Qishan, and International Monetary Fund Managing Director Christine Lagarde are among the noted participants. India has a good presence at the forum while African countries have also established their pavilions but Pakistan's Government has ignored the forum which is amazing, he added. He praised the services of Honorary Consul General Dr Abdul Rauf Rind and assured that FPCCI will not only fully participate in all such forums in the future but also arrange Pakistan's pavilion. (@ChaudhryMAli88) Pakistan's High Commissioner to United Kingdom Syed Ibne Abbas on Friday said that Pakistan was enjoying a good historical relations with the United Kingdom. ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 25th May, 2018 ) :Pakistan's High Commissioner to United Kingdom Syed Ibne Abbas on Friday said that Pakistan was enjoying a good historical relations with the United Kingdom. "We had multi-dimentional relations with UK and the Britain should play role for improving Pakistan's ties with United States, " he said while talking to a private news channel. The China was an all weather friend of Pakistan and the UK had also interest in China Pakistan Economic Corridor projects, he said. To a question he said the government of Pakistan had overcome the energy crisis. Syed Ibne Abbas said that Pakistan's civil and Armed forces had given a lot of sacrifices in fighting war against terrorism. To another question he said the UK had declared Pakistan a best tourism place. MULTAN, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 26th May, 2018 ) ::Three labourers were killed while four others sustained injuries after a tractor trolley ran over them near an Interchange on motorway in Shujabad tahsil on Friday evening. Police said that labourers were busy in work on the Interchange where the road was being cleaned and there was dust in the atmosphere. Meanwhile, a tractor trolley approached and ran over the laborers as its driver could not see them due to dust. Resultantly, three labourers identified as Maqbool, Ajmal and Waseem died on the spot while four others suffered injuries. The injured were rushed to Shujabad THQ hospital from where two of them were referred to Nishtar hospital due to their critical condition, police said. Rescue 1122 Shujabad official said the two injured labourers have been shifted to Nishtar hospital Multan. APP/ifi/zhr The US has warned Damascus it will take "firm" action if the regime of Bashar al-Assad violates a ceasefire deal, after Syrian aircraft dropped leaflets on a southern province ahead of an expected offensive Washington, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 26th May, 2018 ) :The US has warned Damascus it will take "firm" action if the regime of Bashar al-Assad violates a ceasefire deal, after Syrian aircraft dropped leaflets on a southern province ahead of an expected offensive. Residents of Daraa told AFP Friday that several different leaflets were scattered across the province, which has borders with Israel and Jordan and is expected to be among the next targets in the resurgent regime's reconquest. One of them, seen by a journalist contributing to AFP in the city of Daraa, includes a picture showing lined up bodies, presumably of anti-government fighters. "This is the inevitable fate of anyone who insists on carrying arms," reads the leaflet. The US State Department issued a statement late Friday saying it was "concerned" by the reports and that the area in question was within the boundaries of a de-escalation zone it had negotiated with Russia and Jordan last year. "We also caution the Syrian regime against any actions that risk broadening the conflict or jeopardize the ceasefire," said spokeswoman Heather Nauert, adding that the ceasefire had been re-affirmed by President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin at a meeting in Vietnam in November. "As a guarantor of this de-escalation area with Russia and Jordan, the United States will take firm and appropriate measures in response to Assad regime violations," she added. Syrian regime and allied forces on Monday retook the Yarmuk area in southern Damascus, giving President Bashar al-Assad full control of the capital and its surroundings for the first time since 2012. Daraa's location makes any broad operation there very sensitive, with Israel suspecting Damascus' Iranian allies of seeking to establish a military footprint closer to its borders. Government and allied forces control about 30 percent of Daraa, the rest of which is held by various factions, including a small contingent of fighters from the Islamic State jihadist group. San Francisco, CA USA (UroToday.com) Sepideh Shakeri of the Department of Radiology at the University of California Los Angeles delivered a podium on their study assessing the safety and efficacy of image-guided microwave ablation (MWA) in biopsy-proven renal cell carcinoma (RCC).To do so, they performed a retrospective review of their institutional database of patients who underwent MWA for RCC from 2013 to 2017. They abstracted data on demographics, tumor characteristics, procedural protocol, and follow-up visits within the 6-month postoperative period.Their final analytical cohort included 70 patients with 88 biopsy-proven RCC tumors. The median (range) nephrometry score was 8 (4 - 11) and the median (range) size was 2.5 cm (0.8 7.4). There was no significant change in the estimated glomerular filtration rate pre- and post-ablation. The overall technical success rate was 100%. The overall complications rate was 6.8%; complications included hematoma and pain. The recurrence rate was 6.9% and occurred predominantly in those patients with clear cell RCC.The authors concluded that ultrasound- and contrast computed tomography-guided MWA is a safe and effective treatment option with low recurrence and complication rates in those patients with T1a and T1b RCCs.Future directions include assessing this patient cohort at a longer length of follow-up.Presented by: Sepideh ShakeriWritten by: Michael Owyong, Department of Urology, University of California-Irvine at the 2018 AUA Annual Meeting - May 18 - 21, 2018 San Francisco, CA USA San Francisco, CA USA (UroToday.com) Gaetano Chiapparrone from the Urologic Clinic of Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Integrata di Trieste delivered a podium on their study assessing outcomes when using percutaneous cryoablation (PCA) in patients with a solitary kidney.To do so, they performed a retrospective review of a multi-institutional database of patients with a solitary kidney and who underwent computed tomography-guided PCA from December 2008 to June 2016.Their final analytical cohort included 28 patients with a mean age of 70.8 years. Mean body mass index was 27.5. Mean tumor size was 27.4 mm. Renal masses were located posteriorly in 27 patients, had a mean PADUA score of 7.9, and were biopsy-proved renal cell carcinoma in 16 patients. The overall complications rate was 39%, including nine Clavien-Dindo grade 1, one grade 2, and one grade 3. They found no significant difference in renal function pre- and post-PCA. At a mean follow-up of 33.7 months, recurrence-free survival was 88% with recurrence occurring in three patients.The authors concluded that PCA is a safe and effective treatment modality in patients with a solitary kidney.Further analysis is warranted once a larger sample size is acquired.Presented by: Gaetano ChiapparroneWritten by: Michael Owyong, Department of Urology, University of California-Irvine at the 2018 AUA Annual Meeting - May 18 - 21, 2018 San Francisco, CA USA San Francisco, CA USA (UroToday.com) Nina Mikkilineni, a clinical urologist from the Irving Medical Center at Columbia University, discussed her findings on the rates of sepsis following pre-stenting of patients versus primary ureteroscopy (P-URS). To begin, Dr. Mikkilineni advocated that P-URS is preferred over preoperative stenting due to fewer procedures for the patient, lower short-term costs, shorter duration of irritative stent symptoms, and a possible decreased infection risk. However, no prior studies have determined the prevalence of these infections within patients who have been pre-stented versus P-URS. Dr. Mikkilineni and her team hypothesized that preoperative stenting has a higher risk of postoperative sepsis due to the possibility of stent colonization.To test this hypothesis, the researchers conducted a retrospective review of all patients treated at 12 medical centers with the ICD9/ICD10 codes for ureteral stones and corresponding procedure codes for ureteroscopic lithotripsy (patients undergoing shock wave lithotripsy and percutaneous nephrolithotomy were excluded). These patients were then categorized as pre-stented for suspected infection, pre-stented for non-infection, stented following P-URS in preparation for 2nd stage URS, or P-URS. All patients received culture specific antibiotics prior to surgery. Outcomes were defined as postoperative sepsis during postoperative hospital stay.At the completion of the study, 420 patients were identified to the experimental cohort. Of these patients, 191 (45%) were presented, 41 (10%) were stented for 2nd stage URS, and 188 (45%) underwent P-URS. Interestingly, Dr. Mikkilineni described how patients were less likely to use a ureteral access sheath intraoperatively and less likely to receive a postoperative stent in the pre-stent groups versus the P-URS group. In regard to sepsis rates, a total of 7 cases of sepsis were experienced (1.7%): 5 cases were following a pre-stent case and 2 followed a P-URS case. There were no significant differences between any of the pre-stent groups and the P-URS group, however, P-URS patients do have a clinically meaningful decrease in sepsis rates. Through multivariate analysis, pre-stenting, P-URS, access sheath use, postoperative stent placement, or postoperative stent duration were factors predictive of postoperative sepsis.In conclusion, Dr. Mikkilineni urged the audience to treat urinary calculi at first without subjecting the patient to extra surgeries. Though her results from this study were inconsequential, the slight improvement in sepsis rates following P-URS were large enough for urologists at Columbia University to rethink their surgical plan for future ureteroscopic stone treatment.Presented by: Nina Mikkilineni, MDWritten by: Zachary Valley, Department of Urology, University of California-Irvine at the 2018 AUA Annual Meeting - May 18 - 21, 2018 San Francisco, CA USA The leader of the Albanian opposition Democratic party during a rally in Tirana (AFP or licensors) Thousands of Albanian opposition supporters have demanded the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama, whom they accuse of links to organized crime. The demonstration underscored the tensions in the impoverished member state of the NATO military alliance. By Stefan J. Bos: Accompanied by music, supporters led by the leader of Albania's main opposition conservative Democratic Party marched along the capital Tirana's Martyrs of the Nation boulevard. They demand the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama. While many held anti-government posters and Albanian and European Union flags, some threw stones and other hard objects at Rama's office building and the Interior Ministry. Some protesters pulled down a fence at the Interior Ministry and tried to break in the police cordon. The Democrats showed a picture of their newspaper's editor-in-chief who they said was hurt in battles with police. Protesters are angry as they accuse prime minister Rama of links to organized crime. Also, the Democrats claim that Interior Minister Fatmir Xhafaj has been supporting his brother's drug-related activities. Earlier this month his Agron handed himself over to the Italian authorities to serve a drug-related sentence. Denying allegations The minister denies the allegations, saying he would resign the moment the claims are proven. And Prime Minister Rama said in a statement that he wanted to thank the Democrats "who do not support the government but still refused to take part" in the rally. But thousands did turn out. And Democratic Party leader Lulzim Basha told them that only the prime minister's resignation could bring back stability to this Balkan nation. "That there is only one way out this government being kicked out by the united people," he said. Basha also criticized alleged corruption by what he views as an anti-European government. He said "hundreds of thousands" of supporters participated in Saturday's rally, but police gave no figures. However, it remains unclear how much support the Democrats would be able to receive in new elections. Last year they suffered a massive loss in elections, securing only 43 seats in the 140-seat parliament. The social and political turmoil comes at a difficult time for Albania, which has been a member of the NATO military alliance since 2009. The impoverished nation was expected to negotiations to join the European Union next month. As the school year ends, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Nevada (BGCSNV) is prepared for summer programming starting Tuesday, May 29. With 14 Clubhouses throughout the Valley, BGCSNV offers affordable all day activities for ages 5-18. Members will enjoy water days, weekly themes, educational games, family nights, field trips and more. BGCSNV offers tested, proven and nationally recognized programs in five core program areas that closely align with the development needs of all young people: Character and Leadership Development, Education and Career Development, Health and Life Skills, The Arts, Sports, Fitness and Recreation. BGCSNV will also collaborate with Three Square Food Bank by offering their summer feeding program, Meet Up And Eat Up at some Clubhouses. All kids 18 and under can get free meals; breakfast, lunch or both, Monday Friday at more than a 100 locations in Southern Nevada. BGCSNV will offer this program at the Agassi Club, Boulder Highway Club, Desert Pines Club, Downtown Club, James Club, Kish Club and Montandon Club. Music Time in Africa is VOAs longest running English language program. Since 1965, this award-winning program has featured pan African music that spans all genres and generations. Ethnomusicologist and Host Heather Maxwell keeps you up to date on whats happening in African music with exclusive interviews, cultural information, and of course, great music -- including rare recordings from the Leo Sarkisian Library of African Music. There are calls for the resignation of a Roman Catholic archbishop who was found guilty by an Australian court of covering up child sexual abuse. Archbishop of Adelaide Philip Wilson is the most senior Catholic figure to be convicted of this type of offence anywhere in the world. Wilson was accused of covering up abuse by a pedophile priest in the Hunter Valley of New South Wales in the 1970s. The Archbishop, who held a junior position in the church at the time, faces up to two years in prison. He will be sentenced in June. Wilsons lawyers said he had no knowledge of offences committed against altar boys by a fellow member of the clergy, who was later convicted of sexual abuse and died in prison in 2006. But a magistrate in the port city of Newcastle, north of Sydney, said the evidence against Archbishop Wilson was truthful and reliable. Witnesses told the court how they had reported the abuse to Wilson, who failed to act. Magistrate Robert Stone said the archbishop knew that back in 1976 he was hearing a credible allegation of molestation but did nothing to protect the children but wanted only to protect the Roman Catholic Church and its reputation. Archbishop Wilson has stepped aside from his official duties but has not resigned his position. Father Frank Brennan, the head if Catholic Social Services Australia, believes Pope Francis expects him to quit. The Pope's attitude has clearly hardened, as it should have," Brennan said. And so I would think that the mind of Pope Francis at this stage would be, that if there be a conviction of a bishop in relation of a failure to disclose abuse in circumstances where the state thought that was criminal activity, then I would think the mind of the Pope would be that that does not measure up in church terms either and that therefore it would be impossible for someone to remain in the job as a bishop, as a leader of the flock. Child abuse in the Roman Catholic Church was part of the focus of a five-year Royal Commission into Australian institutions. The inquiry found that criminality by pedophile priests was widespread. The church has come under criticism worldwide for failing to report or discipline priests accused of child abuse. Earlier this month all 34 bishops of Chile's episcopal conference, in Rome for a crisis meeting with Pope Francis on the clerical sex abuse scandal in their country, offered to resign en masse. Catholicism is Australias dominant faith. About a quarter of Australians identify as Catholics, although that proportion is gradually falling. Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos announced Friday that his country will formally become NATOs first Latin American global partner, beginning next week. In a televised address from the presidential Narino Palace and on Twitter, Santos said: We will formalize in Brussels next week and this is very important the entry of Colombia into NATO in the category of global partner. We will be the only country in Latin America with this privilege. Santos, the 2016 Nobel Peace Prize laureate, who made peace with FARC rebels, said the move would improve Colombias image on the world stage. Colombia and NATO reached a partnership deal in May 2017 following the conclusion of the peace accord with FARC, now a political party. Areas of cooperation include cybersecurity, maritime security, terrorism and its links to organized crime, and building the capacities and capabilities of the Colombian armed forces, according to a statement posted on NATOs website. In addition to Colombia, NATO lists Afghanistan, Australia, Iraq, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Mongolia, New Zealand and Pakistan as partners across the globe or simply global partners. Each country has developed an Individual Partnership Cooperation Program with the 29-country U.S.-led alliance. Many of them are actively contributing to NATO missions. The UN childrens fund warned the Ebola outbreak in Democratic Republic of Congo threatens the health and well-being of children, and special care must be taken to help them survive. Ebola is highly contagious, killing between 20 and 90 percent of its victims, and the UN childrens fund is engaging communities in the fight against Ebola. UNICEF spokesman, Christophe Boulierac said schools are crucial for minimizing the risk of transmission among children. UNICEF is scaling up prevention efforts in schools across all three affected health zones," he said. "This includes on-going efforts to install hand washing units in 277 schools and supporting awareness raising activities reaching more than 13,000 children in Mbandaka, Bikoro and Iboko. Previous outbreaks of Ebola in DRC and most recently in the horrific epidemic in West Africa have shown the high-level of trauma experienced by children at the loss of family members. Boulierac told VOA orphaned children often become social outcasts because of their association with this fatal disease. There is as you mention, rightly, the risk of stigma and the risk that the child when his father, his care-giver, his mother is affected; the child is psychologically affected, he said. Boulierac said UNICEF is taking preventive measures, including providing trained therapists to families affected by the Ebola outbreak and helping children cope psychologically with the trauma of losing loved ones. The United Nations says the ongoing drought has gripped two-thirds of conflict-hit Afghanistans 34 provinces and has put more than 2 million people at risk of becoming severely food insecure. Water points and fountains across the country have dried up, and the lack of rain and snow melt has caused rivers to run low or dry up completely, according to a weekly report by the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, OCHA. The lack of water has prompted farmers to delay planting crops and reduce their field sizes in an effort to minimize losses. U.N. officials said in many cases there was nothing formers could do but watch the seeds dry out. The humanitarian agency cautioned that the drought already has negatively and irreversibly affected the winter agricultural season of 2017/2018, and it also is expected to have a negative impact on the 2018 spring and summer agricultural season. It added that the last harvest must be considered completely lost. The agency already has documented the first migration movements of more than 21,000 people since the beginning of May to urban centers due to drought and depleted food stocks of families. "Some 1.5 million goats and sheep in the northeastern region are struggling to find food, and more than 600 out of nearly 1,000 villages in the province are suffering from the lack of water," OCHA said in a statement. OCHA said humanitarian partners urgently need $115 million to respond to the needs of the 1.4 million most vulnerable people hit by the drought. The agency said the intensified conflict across many parts of Afghanistan is exacerbating the effects of the drought and has limited the communities access to markets. The Taliban insurgency, which controls or contests nearly, half of the Afghan territory, has intensified attacks across the country and overrun new districts. Humanitarian workers cite security concerns due to active fighting in insurgent-controlled areas for a lack of access to communities in need in these areas. A U.S. government oversight agency, the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR), in its latest quarterly report has noted that more than 11 million Afghans are living in areas that are contested or under control of Taliban-led armed groups. A military tribunal in Cameroon sentenced seven English speaking detainees to 10 to 15 years in prison in connection with unrest that has paralyzed business in the English speaking zones of the central African state. Among them is radio host Mancho Bibixy, the leader of the so called coffin revolution, who used an open casket in street demonstrations calling for better conditions for the poor. Bibixy was accused of threatening Cameroons sovereignty when he appeared in a coffin at a protest in the north western town of Bamenda in November 2016, saying his coffin was symbolic of anglophone Cameroonians who seemed to have died before their real death and who therefore should not fear speaking truth to power. The suspects were arrested separately in 2016 and charged with conspiracy to terrorism, rebellion against the state, incitement of civil unrest, breach of the constitution, provoking civil war by inciting the people to take arms against each other, and propagation of false information. Shortly after the verdicts were read, Tsi Conrad, one of the activists, demanded that the presiding judge announce their sentences and stop wasting time. Bibixy said he had expected a death sentence and added that all English speaking detainees were threatened on a daily basis by prison workers. The suspects were also ordered pay a fine of $500,000 as damages to the civil parties, including the state of Cameroon. They will each also have to pay $10,000 or spend additional two years in jail. Emmanuel Simh, one of the lead defense attorneys, said they would file an appeal. Also among the activists is journalist Thomas Awah Junior who was given an 11-year jail term. Some people are asking for a return to a federal state Cameroon had practiced for about a dozen years after its 1960 independence. Some are asking for the independence of the English speaking from the French speaking regions of Cameroon, but President Paul Biya has repeated on several occasions that national unity is not for negotiation. Five Syrian rescue workers were killed in an attack by masked assailants Saturday on one of their centers in the northern province of Aleppo, the White Helmets said. The rescue force said armed men stormed its Al-Hader center in a pre-dawn attack and fired on the first responders inside. Four volunteers were killed on the spot and a fifth died later in hospital, it wrote on Twitter. Founded in 2013, the White Helmets are a network of first responders who rescue wounded in the aftermath of air strikes, shelling or blasts in rebel-held territory. The Al-Hader center lies in an area controlled by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a jihadist organization whose main component was once Al-Qaeda's affiliate in Syria. "At around 2:00 am, an armed group stormed the Al-Hader center, blindfolded the staff members who were on the night shift, and killed five of them," said Ahmad al-Hamish, who heads the center. "Two others were wounded and another two were able to flee. The attackers were masked and escaped after stealing some equipment and generators," he said. It was unclear whether the attack was a robbery-gone-wrong or if the center and its crew had been specifically targeted. More than 200 White Helmets rescuers have been killed in Syria's seven-year war, usually in bombing raids or shelling on their centers. While attacks like the one on Saturday are rare, they have happened before. In August, seven White Helmets members were killed in a similar assault in the town of Sarmin, in neighboring Idlib province. Most of Idlib is held by HTS, as well as a part of Aleppo and the adjacent province of Hama. A detained British-Iranian aid worker sentenced to five years in jail in Iran is to face a second trial on new security charges, the semi-official Tasnim news agency on Saturday quoted Tehran Revolutionary Court's head Musa Ghazanfarabadi as saying. Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, a project manager with the Thomson Reuters Foundation, was arrested in April 2016 at a Tehran airport as she was heading back to Britain with her two-year-old daughter after a family visit. She was convicted of plotting to overthrow Iran's clerical establishment, a charge denied by her family and the Foundation, a charity organization that is independent of Thomson Reuters and operates independently of Reuters News. British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson discussed Zaghari-Ratcliffe's case with Iranian officials after flying to Tehran in December to try to seek her release. "Ghazanfarabadi said the charge against Zaghari in the new case is security-related but did not say whether it was espionage or another charge," Tasnim reported. "Zaghari is to present an attorney and then the court will convene," Ghazanfarabadi said. Reuters was unable to determine the identity of the lawyer. Asked for comment by Reuters, Britain's Foreign Office said on Saturday that it would not provide a commentary on "every twist and turn." Her husband Richard Ratcliffe said it was not clear what the latest charges involved. "To go back a week, she had met with the judge ... who said there would be a charge of spreading propaganda against the regime, that's a very mild form of security charge so hopefully it's just that," he told BBC TV. In a statement on Monday, the Thomson Reuters Foundation said it totally rejected "the renewed accusations that Nazanin is guilty of spreading propaganda" and said it continued to assert her full innocence. In response to an urgent question in parliament on Tuesday about her situation, British Foreign Office minister Alistair Burt said Prime Minister Theresa May had raised all consular cases with President Hassan Rouhani in a call earlier this month. He did not provide further details. He also said the British ambassador in Tehran had spoken to Zaghari-Ratcliffe last Sunday. "We remain of the assessment that a private, rather than public approach is most likely to result in progress in Nazanin's case and ultimately, her release, which is all any of us want," he said. Iran does not recognize dual citizenship, which limits the access foreign embassies have to their dual citizens held there. Iran's Revolutionary Guards have arrested at least 30 dual nationals during the past two years, mostly on spying charges, according to lawyers, diplomats and relatives, Reuters reported in November. According to former prisoners, families of current ones and diplomats, in some cases the detainees are kept to be used for a prisoner exchange with Western countries. Iran denies the accusation. South Korean President Moon Jae-in met Saturday afternoon with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un near the two Koreas' heavily militarized border. The leaders exchanged views on how to prepare for the North's possible summit with U.S. President Donald Trump, the South Korean presidential office said. Officials said Moon will announce the outcome of his discussion with Kim Sunday. Meanwhile, Trump attacked the New York Times for its coverage of the developments, including a reported rift between national security adviser John Bolton and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said Saturday in a statement, The White House pre-advance team for Singapore will leave as scheduled in order to prepare should the summit take place. Politico magazine reported earlier that an advance team of 30 White House and State Department officials were preparing to depart later this weekend. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo chimed in Saturday afternoon via Twitter that patience is necessary. "Stay focused. It's about the outcome. It's about keeping Americans and the world safe," he wrote. South Korea said Saturday it is "carefully watching the developments"between the United States and North Korea, after 24 hours of uncertainty as Trump first cancelled , then mused about reinstatement of a historic summit on June 12 in Singapore with North Korea's Kim. "We see it as fortunate that the embers of dialogue between North Korea and the United States weren't fully extinguished and are coming alive again," Seoul's presidential spokesman Kim Eui-kyeom said in a statement. Striking an optimistic tone, President Trump said Friday that the White House is having "very productive talks with North Korea about reinstating the Summit". In an evening tweet, Trump said the talks "will likely remain in Singapore on the same date, June 12th., and, if necessary, will be extended beyond that date." The newest development came after North Korea said early Friday that it remained willing to meet with Trump despite his decision to scrap plans for the meeting with leader Kim. Trump canceled the planned talks with Kim on Thursday, blaming recent threatening statements by Pyongyang to pull out of the summit over what it saw as confrontational remarks by U.S. officials. North Korean diplomat Kim Kye Gwan said Pyongyang's recent criticisms had been a reaction to unbridled American rhetoric, and that the current antagonism showed "the urgent necessity" for the summit. "We have inwardly highly appreciated President Trump for having made the bold decision, which any other U.S. presidents dared not, and made efforts for such a crucial event as the summit," Kim Kye Gwan's statement said. In a letter released by the White House on Thursday, Trump said, I was very much looking forward to being there with you. Sadly, based on the tremendous anger and open hostility displayed in your most recent statement, I feel it is inappropriate at this time to have this long-planned meeting." The White House said Trump dictated the letter himself. According to a senior administration official, other factors also led the president to cancel the summit, including poor communication, broken promises and the North Koreans' failure to show up for a preparatory meeting in Singapore. We simply couldn't get them to pick up the phone, a White House senior official told reporters on Thursday. The last straw, according to the White House, was an insult aimed at U.S. Vice President Mike Pence earlier Thursday in a statement by North Koreas vice foreign minister Choe Son Hui. She called Pence a political dummy and warned - in rhetoric typical of that uttered by Pyongyang - of a nuclear confrontation. In his letter, Trump responded, referencing U.S. nuclear capabilities so massive and powerful that I pray to God they will never have to be used. Trump has emphasized that sanctions and the maximum pressure campaign will continue to be applied on North Korea while expressing hope Pyongyangs leadership would decide to join the community of nations. Trumps letter caught allies by surprise. The president did not call South Korean President Moon Jae-in or Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to inform them of it, White House officials confirmed. Moon expressed deep regret over the summits cancelation and urged that direct talks between Washington and Pyongyang be held as soon as possible. North Korea had threatened to pull out of the unprecedented summit after U.S. officials advocated a so-called Libya model approach, which involved that African countrys total nuclear dismantlement before any concessions were granted. A man has been blinded by his own father and siblings for allegedly wanting to marry a girl he fell in love with in southwestern Pakistan. Abdul Baqi, 22, thought his family would help him get married. Instead, his father and four brothers accused him of violating Islamic values and removed his eyes to punish him. The incident occurred May 13. His brothers and father locked his mother and sisters in a room and took Baqi to the corner of the house, where they tied his hands and legs and started beating him with batons. "One of my brothers removed my eyeball using a tea spoon. Then my father took the knife and cut it as it was hanging on my face," Baqi told VOA. "One of them [brothers] stepped on my head to make sure I that I do not move and others removed my second eye," Baqi added. Baqi is a resident of the Loralai area of Balochistan province. He did not expect that his own family would attack him and blind him. In retrospect, he said he was ready for any consequences. "If they would have even killed me, I would have still kept my promise of love and would have not begged for my life," Baqi told VOA. Ties to Taliban Baqi said his brothers have ties to the Taliban and are very conservative. His brothers had warned him that speaking to a girl over the phone was an un-Islamic act and that he was an infidel. One of his brothers, who is 18, had just returned from jihad from Afghanistan on the day of the attack. "It was his first time that he went to Afghanistan. He was shouting, 'Thank Allah, Allah is great, Jihad is only for Allah, long live mujahedeen,' " Baqi said. The brother "went on to say that we are making a mistake by going to Afghanistan for jihad. 'Actual Jihad is here in our house. The first jihad is here against this infidel.' He was talking about me as I was bleeding from my wounds," Baqi added. WATCH: Pakistan Man Blinded by Father, Brothers for Falling in Love Arrests Baqi said a friend transported him to a hospital after the attack, and once in the hospital, he informed police about what had happened. Police arrested his father along with two of his brothers. The other two brothers escaped and are at large. The suspects told police that Baqi was suicidal and wanted to kill himself that's why they tied his hands and legs. Baqi rejected those claims. He said his family would attack him again. After finding out about what had happened with Baqi, the girl's family agreed to their daughter's marriage with him. "The family of my love found out about the incident and sympathized with me and told me that they would marry their daughter to me without any dowry," Baqi said. Two days after breaking ties with Taiwan, Burkina Faso re-established diplomatic relations with China on Saturday at a signing ceremony in Beijing. Burkina Fasos decision to sever relations with Taiwan has left the Asian island with diplomatic ties to only one African country, Swaziland. Taiwan is losing its support in Africa, Guive Khan-Mohammad, a senior researcher at the University of Geneva in Switzerland, told VOA by phone. Burkina Faso was already involved in a very, very significant trading exchange with China, not really with Taiwan. Lu Kang, Chinas Foreign Ministry spokesperson, said, We welcome Burkina Fasos return to the big family of China-Africa friendly cooperation on the basis of the one-China principle. Taiwans Foreign Ministry called the decision a sad situation reflecting Chinas desire to delete Taiwan from the global community. Around the world, fewer than 20 nations now recognize Taiwans independence. Several weeks ago, the Dominican Republic also switched allegiances to China. So it is really a global effect, and Taiwan is losing this time, Khan-Mohammad said. Some say thats jeopardizing Taiwans claims to statehood, a struggle that has played out most prominently in Africa, where China, once the underdog, has all but erased Taiwan. Chinese civil war China fought a decades-long civil war that ended, in 1949, with two governments: the Peoples Republic of China and the Republic of China. The PRC won the war, and ROC leadership fled to the island of Taiwan. As the incumbent government, the ROC continued to hold its seat at the United Nations, despite now occupying an island that is less than four-tenths of 1 percent the size of the mainland country. The PRC, meanwhile, under the leadership of Mao Zedong, would begin one of the most consequential transformations in modern history. In the early 1960s, as African nations gained independence, representatives of both Beijing and Taipei, Taiwans capital, sought to establish diplomatic ties across the continent. Taiwan focused on helping African farmers grow rice. Their agricultural aid programs incorporated knowledge and technology sharing and large-scale training programs. Taiwan funded the programs, and African partners hosted delegations. For most of the 1960s, Taiwan easily outpaced China in its diplomatic ties to Africa. But its relationships frayed over time. Development aid didnt translate into political support, culminating in Taiwans ejection from the U.N. In 1971, the U.N. General Assembly passed a resolution denying Taiwan a role in the organization, while affirming Chinas place. Twenty-seven African countries voted for the resolution, effectively denying Taiwans legitimacy as an independent nation. Twelve African countries joined the U.S. in voting against the resolution. Because of the U.N. and the capacity to have a voice in the U.N., now it will be more and more difficult for Taiwan, Khan-Mohammad said. Checkbook diplomacy By the 1990s, Taiwan had become more overt in its desire for international recognition. In Africa, that meant investments in return for diplomatic ties. In 1992, a $50 million loan to Niger resulted in recognition of its statehood. Three years later, Taiwan lent $35 million to Gambia to achieve similar aims. The investments were substantial, but they didnt ensure loyalty. Taiwan often partnered with autocratic leaders. Countries switched between recognizing Taipei and Beijing, sometimes multiple times. Taiwan, a democracy, has followed a Western-style approach in Africa, Khan-Mohammad said, emphasizing cooperative projects in health and agriculture. China, the worlds most populous communist state, has focused on massive infrastructure investments based on billion-dollar loans and an increasing military presence. Taiwans current foreign relations bind stems from a deal brokered in 2008. This diplomatic truce guarantees that neither China nor Taiwan will pursue formal diplomatic relations with a country that has already recognized one or the other. Beijing calls it the one-China policy, and it forces nations to choose between it and Taipei, with Beijing increasingly coming out the more appealing choice. In recent years, as Chinas presence in Africa has grown, nations have, one by one, turned their backs on Taiwan. Gambia did so in March 2016. Sao Tome and Principe followed suit later that year. And Burkina Fasos switch to Beijing this month leaves Swaziland, a tiny landlocked country that has been led by monarch Mswati III since 1986, as Taiwans sole formal ally. Burkina Faso had maintained ties with Taiwan for 24 years. In a written statement Thursday, Burkina Fasos foreign minister, Alpha Barry, said the decision to end that relationship was guided by a firm wish of the government to defend the interests of Burkina Faso and its people. But Khan-Mohammad said Burkina Faso had good reasons to opt for ties with Taiwan instead of China for as long as it did, given its size. The people in Burkina Faso told me that it was better to be the head of a mouse than a tail of a lion. That means that it was more efficient for Burkina Faso because it is really a small country in comparison to the other countries, especially Angola and a lot of African countries, in relation to the Sino-African cooperation. So it was better for Burkina Faso to be a big country with Taiwan than a small country with China. Quest for recognition Beijing regards Taiwan unequivocally as a province within the republic. But Taiwanese hold a strong sense of national identity. More than 70 percent of Taiwans 23.5 million inhabitants see the island as an independent country, based on data from the Taiwan National Security Survey. That figure has held steady for at least a decade. Even as Taiwans diplomatic sway fades, both in Africa and around the world, it remains an economic powerhouse. it has the worlds 22nd-largest economy, based on data from the International Monetary Fund. Informally, Taiwan maintains some clout with two of Africas biggest economies, Nigeria and South Africa. Long-standing unofficial missions in both countries promote not only trade but also cultural exchange. In South Africa, Taiwan has provided significant economic support to the African National Congress, including in the apartheid era. Its the only African country that hosts a Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office, where Taiwan can issue visas and serve expatriates in the country. In Nigeria, Taiwan operates a 27-year-old trade mission. But in early 2017, Nigerian officials told Taiwan to move the facility from Abuja to Lagos, a move perceived by some to diminish its visibility. Its not clear how much pressure Burkina Faso faced from Beijing to change sides. But Khan-Mohammad said African countries are making choices that they can benefit from. African countries, and especially Burkina Faso, make their own choice, and they did it because they see a real advantage to go with China, Khan-Mohammad said. To many Americans the Star-Spangled Banner, also known as Old Glory, is almost a religious icon. That hasn't always been the case. Back in the late 1700s, during the American Revolutionary War, regiments of George Washington's Continental Army used various flags to declare their independence from Great Britain. VOA's Nikoleta Ilic spoke with an expert on U.S. flags about the origins and the various iterations of the Star-Spangled Banner. Is the summit on or off? That's the question North Korea-watchers are asking about a planned meeting between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and US president Donald Trump. Top White House officials Friday expressed optimism that the talks could be back on after a surprising response from North Korea. VOA's Jesusemen Oni has more. The Trump administration told lawmakers Friday that it had reached a deal that would keep the Chinese telecom firm ZTE alive, possibly clearing the way for the United States to make progress in its high-stakes trade talks with China next month. Under the agreement, ZTE would oust its management team, hire American compliance officers to be placed at the firm and pay a fine. The fine would come on top of the roughly $1 billion ZTE has paid for selling equipment to North Korea and Iran in violation of U.S. sanctions, according to news reports. In return, the Commerce Department would lift a seven-year ban on ZTEs purchase of components from U.S. companies. The Chinese company depends on these components to make its products, and the ban, imposed earlier this month, threatened to put ZTE out of business. On Friday evening, President Donald Trump lashed out at Democratic lawmakers and confirmed the news of the deal on Twitter. Last month, the U.S. Commerce Department ruled that the company had failed to live up to the terms of an agreement over ZTEs evasion of sanctions. News of the ZTE agreement came nearly a week after the U.S. and China suspended plans to impose tariffs on as much as $200 billion of each others goods, putting them on the brink of a trade war. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross is scheduled to travel to Beijing on June 2 for further discussions about Chinas aggressive push to challenge U.S. technological dominance. An American who had been held as a prisoner in Venezuela since the summer of 2016, is back on U.S. soil. Joshua Holt and his Venezuelan wife, Thamy Candelo, arrived in the U.S. accompanied by Senator Bob Corker, who helped negotiate their release. Holt and his wife had been imprisoned in Venezuela for two years on charges of concealing weapons. Corker met Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro for talks Friday. Very glad that Josh Holt is now back home with his family where he has always belonged, U.S. Vice President Mike Pence wrote in a tweet. Sanctions continue until democracy returns to Venezuela. Senator Orrin Hatch, who represents Holt's home state of Utah, posted on Twitter he helped secure the release of Holt and his wife, Thamy. "Over the last two years I've worked with two Presidential administrations, countless diplomatic contacts, ambassadors from all over the world, a network of contacts in Venezuela, and President Maduro himself, and I could not be more honored to be able to reunite Josh with his sweet, long-suffering family ..." Hatch also thanked U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Corker, who met in the Venezuelan capital of Caracas Friday with President Nicolas Maduro in an attempt to secure the release of Holt. Holt has been in a Caracas jail without a trial for two years on what he has said are false weapons charges. The 26-year-old Holt traveled to Venezuela in June 2016 to marry a woman he met online. Police arrested Holt after finding an assault rifle and grenades during a raid on a housing complex where the couple lived. Holt has denied the charges. After Corker's meeting with Maduro, there was speculation on social media platforms in Venezuela that the couple would be released as a goodwill gesture to improve U.S.-Venezuelan relations. Maduro won a second six-year term in office Sunday in an election that the U.S. and other countries have described as a "sham" after several rivals were prohibited from running. After his victory, Maduro expelled the two most senior U.S. diplomats for allegedly conspiring to sabotage the election by pushing opposition parties to boycott the election. Despite the expulsion of the American diplomats, the Venezuelan government has been seeking ways to avoid the threat of harsh U.S. oil sanctions that could further cripple the country's ailing economy. Real-world debates permeate this years Venice Biennale on architecture, from commemorating spaces once part of the U.S. slave trade to maintaining the delicate status quo at religious sites in the Holy Land. The sprawling exhibition, which opens Saturday for a six-month run, reflects not only on the political implications of what gets built but also on the empty spaces in between. We have to be aware of the political issues in order to make buildings which protect, in so far as we can, the status of the human being in the world, said Shelley McNamara, co-curator with Yvonne Farrell of the main exhibition, Free Space. We are acutely aware of the things that are threatening the quality of life of human beings. Israeli Pavilion The Israeli Pavilion, subtitled structures of negotiation, outlines the consequences of multiple claims on revered religious places and how daily use defines monuments. It doesnt comment on how the Trump administrations recent decision to move the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv might impact the Middle East conflict. But the curators agreed it is easy to draw inferences. What we know is that sometimes political events have a very heavy impact on the status quo of the holy places and vice versa, and even if the equilibrium of the status quo in the holy places is for some reason violated it has an influence on the political situation, said the pavilions co-curator Tania Coen Uzzielli. Take the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, revered as the place of Jesus crucifixion and burial and one of the pavilions five case studies. The exhibit features a color-coded, three-dimensional model of the church made for an Ottoman-era pasha to make clear which denomination controlled which area. In the early part of the last century, a conflict over who had the right to clean a raised stone in the church courtyard led to violence, said pavilion co-curator Deborah Pinto Fdeda. Tens of people died, she said. It is through the usage of places over time that these communities gain or lose power. Yet even there the status quo evolved: Today the Latins and Orthodox agree to clean it as if the other doesnt exist. US pavilion The U.S. pavilion comments on the meaning of citizenship as governments dictate who belongs and who doesnt. Amanda Williams and Andres Hernandez created, in collaboration with Shani Crowe, a pocket of retreat in the courtyard behind a protective veil of black braids. The refuge is built on a rail, symbolizing the underground railroad that helped bring slaves to freedom. It projects upward, toward a better future. The piece tries to embody that trajectory from fighting and surviving for your citizenship to thriving, Williams said. Inside, a group called Studio Gang brought 800 stones from a 19th century landing in Memphis linked to the slave trade. Co-curator Ann Lui said the project was about taking a moment to think about these fraught sites without proposing, yet, how to remember them. Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia is one of six countries participating for the first time in the architectural Biennale, with a project that focuses on urban sprawl in the kingdoms four major centers: political capital Riyadh, religious capital Mecca, the oil city of Dammam and the port city of Jeddah. The sprawl is the result of the oil boom but the result of the sprawl is actually social isolation, said curator Sumayah Al-Solaiman. Participation in the Biennale is yet another sign of recent opening in Saudi Arabia, giving Saudis an important chance to communicate their experiences directly to the world. I think it is becoming more and more relevant to be involved in things that relate in art and culture, said architect Abdulrahman Gazzaz. I think it is truly fascinating to us to be present at such a wonderful shift in the dynamic of the country. The Vatican The Vatican also is participating for the first time in the Biennale of architecture after joining the contemporary art fair in 2013 and 2015. The Holy See entrusted world-renowned architects including Norman Foster to create chapels in a wooded area on an island in the Venetian lagoon. Curator Francesco Dal Co said the woods provided a metaphor of where you get lost in life and the chapels are always a place of encounter, meeting experience and orientation. The chapels may stay on as a permanent presence on San Giorgio island after the Biennale closes on Nov. 25. The URL has been copied to your clipboard The code has been copied to your clipboard. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo outlined the Trump administration's efforts to end Iran's nuclear program in an exclusive interview with VOA's Persian service. VOA's Julie Taboh reports, Thursday's conversation also covered recent protests in Iran and the administration's efforts to free Americans detained by Iran. Could not establish database connection. DB: bostonimc and SQL: --> The administrator has been notified and will resolve the problem ASAP. With her movie-star looks, slight frame and love of animals, Teresa Palmer seems an inspired choice to star in Ride Like a Girl, Rachel Griffiths biopic about Michelle Payne, the first woman to ride a winning horse in the Melbourne Cup. But when it came to casting the part of Stevie Payne, the brother to whom Michelle dedicated her win in 2015, there was only ever one contender for the role: Stevie Payne. Teresa Palmer plays Michelle Payne and Stevie Payne plays himself in Rachel Griffiths' feature film Ride Like a Girl. Stevie, who has Down syndrome, is a man of not many words, but when we visit the set of the film in Sunbury, the 35-year-old strapper shares a few with us while preparing to hoe into a late lunch in the catering tent between scenes. So, how does it feel to be playing yourself? Three people who have come forward with allegations of indecent assault against actor Craig McLachlan wish to remain anonymous in court proceedings, a Sydney court has heard. McLachlan, 52, is suing the ABC and Fairfax Media publisher of The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age for defamation over a joint investigation published in January which detailed allegations of harassment and sexual misconduct made against him by female colleagues from the 2014 stage production of The Rocky Horror Show. Craig McLachlan in The Rocky Horror Show. Credit:Pat Scala The actor alleges the articles and broadcasts convey a range of imputations, including that he is guilty of "indecently assaulting, sexually harassing, indecently exposing himself to, and bullying female cast members" during the Rocky Horror tour. He says those claims are false and is seeking damages and an order that the publications be removed from the media outlets' websites. Wang put out his own statement stressing that their talk was not a formal bilateral meeting and that he had conceded to take part at Australia's request. His statement noted that Bishop had accepted that tension between the nations was due to the Australian side's reasons. Australia, he said, needed to remove its tinted glasses when it came to the relationship. Loading Then on Thursday night ASIO chief Duncan Lewis told a Senate estimates hearing that foreign [read Chinese] espionage was being conducted in Australia at an unprecedented scale. "Espionage, interference, sabotage and malicious insider activities can inflict catastrophic harm on our country's interests," he said. This is not a theoretical proposition. The reality is that acts of espionage and foreign interference are occurring against Australian interests, both in Australia and overseas." Surveying the carnage at the end of the week Clive Hamilton, the leading China hawk whose recent polemical book Silent Invasion about Chinese influence in Australia has added to tensions, said he was not surprised by Hasties revelations, nor by Wangs terse words. What shocked him, he told Fairfax Media, was how scattered Australias response to China has been. This is just the start, he said. They havent even done anything to us yet, they have just cancelled a few meetings, we have fallen at the first hurdle. Simmering tensions come to a boil Tensions between Australia and China might have been growing for months - or years - but it is no surprise that they surfaced so publicly over recent days, and to understand that you need to understand why Hastie decided to go public with his accusations about Chau Chak Wing. Loading Hastie is the chairman of the bipartisan Senate security committee that is currently considering the foreign interference laws, and pressure is mounting on the government to have the laws passed before an election campaign that might politicise them. The committee appears to be divided. Hastie is a champion of the laws and appears to have the backing of Labor MP Anthony Byrne, but not shadow attorney-general Mark Dreyfus. It gets more complicated. Hastie received his information on Chau in a recent briefing with US intelligence officers. Since he spoke out he has dismissed the suggestion that he leaked classified US information, and the US has come forward to say it has no concerns about Hasties use of the material. This makes sense: the US wants to see Australia toughen its stance against China, and the passage of the foreign interference laws are the next key tussle in this long game. Hamilton believes it is even more crucial than that. After recent briefings in Washington, DC, with officials from the US intelligence community and officials from the State Department, he argues that Australias capacity to stand up to China is seen by the US as a test of the resilience of its diplomatic network in the region. America backs Australias China hawks. The foreign interference laws also demonstrate what a fiendish domestic political problem the China relationship has become. In the face of Chinas rise all the well-understood boundaries of interest, party and ideology in Australia collapse. Nationalists on the right find themselves at odds with the Coalitions traditional friends in the business community, whose prime objective is easy access to the exploding Chinese market. Old fissures in the Labor Party between sceptics and champions of the US alliance have opened up. Or, some would say, have been ruthlessly exploited by China. Dr Chau Chak Wing has a building named after him on the UTS campus. Credit:Sahlan Hayes Not even the university sector is immune. As much as 25 per cent of the student bodies of some Australian universities are made up of full-fee paying Chinese students, says Dr James Leibold, a China specialist at La Trobe University. Then there are geysers of donations flowing into universities. It is no accident that the man Hastie accused of bribery this week has one building named after him on the campus at the University of Technology, Sydney, and a museum in his name being constructed at the University of Sydney. Hamilton accuses free speech advocates in the university sector of falling silent about Chinese interference and human rights abuses in the face of a wall of Chinese money. So far the best-known political casualty of the China debate has been the rising NSW Labor senator Sam Dastyari, who quit parliament after it was revealed he had echoed Chinese Communist Party (CCP) positions on the South China Sea after accepting donations from CCP-connected businesses. Other leading Labor figures, including former prime minister Kevin Rudd and Bob Carr, the former foreign minister and NSW premier who now runs the Australia-China Relations Institute (ACRI) at UTS, are seen by China hawks as compromised, seduced either by CCP resources or propaganda. Leibold says that in recent months pro-China voices in Australia have been emboldened by the Turnbull government's abandonment of the hawkish tone it adopted on China last year. These pro-China voices, Hamilton said this week, are - wittingly or not - serving Chinese interests. Fairfax Media understands that view is shared by American observers. Raby rejects this suggestion, saying he lamented that the debate had become so acrimonious. He says he has no problem with the foreign interference laws, nor with Australia standing up to China over matters of national interest or in defence of the current international rules-based order, or over democratic ideals. But he maintains the relationship has been mishandled, and that those laws could have been introduced without needlessly offending China. Chinese President Xi Jinping. Credit:AP In his recent column he argued that China was at the heart of a host of rapidly developing regional issues critical to Australia, illustrated in recent weeks by talks between Chinese President Xi Jinping and North Koreas Kim Jong-un, as well as with the leaders of Japan and India. Australias voice had not been heard in those discussions, he argued, because the government was determined to impress the US by taking a harder line than other nations on the South China Sea. Carr agrees. He wrote this week that Australias relationship with China is now arguably as bad as it has been since 1972, not because of issues of substance but because of a flamboyant rhetorical shift against China, presumably conducted to impress the Trump administration with our impeccable alliance credentials. In his opinion piece he said that claims that Chinese students in Australia were promoting Communist Party policy were baseless, and that in failing to defend the students Australia had missed an opportunity to help repair the relationship. And he noted that in failing to keep Coalition MPs from further traducing China, the Prime Minister had further tarnished the relationship. A Chinese base under construction on Mabini (Johnson) Reef, one of the disputed Spratly Islands in the South China Sea. He wrote: "You cant say to the Chinese 'Oh, thats only Barnaby [Joyce]' or '[Concetta] Fierravanti-Wells is only a junior minister'. Its easy to imagine the nationalist outrage if senior Chinese leaders had directed such rhetoric at Australia. We wouldnt accept comparable insults from any international partner. In foreign relations words are bullets." After Wang released his tepid statement on his talk with Bishop in Argentina, a Chinese English-language tabloid called the Global Times wrote a damning editorial about the episode and Australias conduct. The Global Times is not a mouthpiece for the CCP, says Leibold, but notes it is telling how well the paper understood the complicated pressure points in the Australian debate. It noted that since the start of the year Australia had sought to soothe China, but declared that it was necessary for China to leave Australia hanging for a while. It even argued that China could cut Australian imports while increasing America's. "$6.45 billion would send cold chills up and down the spine of Australia," the editorial stated. "Of course, it would be an even greater shock if the import reductions totalled $10 billion. It suggested there was no need for the Australian Prime Minister to visit China in the foreseeable future. On Friday Turnbull reiterated his support for the foreign interference laws, telling reporters on the Central Coast: "My job is to stand up for Australian democracy and ensure that it is not interfered with. If there are foreign interests or governments or political parties that wish to have a voice, then they should do so openly and transparently." The 61-year-old served for six years as deputy PM to John Howard, another culture warrior whose lasting impact on Australia is still maligned by progressives. And Anderson, like Howard, invests great hope that a forthcoming review of religious freedom headed by their former cabinet colleague Philip Ruddock will mark a turning point in what they regard as a war that is being lost to the left. Hubris had replaced modesty in Australia, Anderson lamented. "The dominant cultural ethos seems to have changed enormously ... theres an enormous smugness now in the public debate and an enormous price to pay if you dare to disagree." "Were living in the age of enormous cultural disharmony, I put it to you," he told his audience of principals, lobbyists and MPs. There was a "battle in our culture" between a classic version of freedom and the "latter day, politically correct" incarnation, he said, and "they can't both win". On Monday night, former deputy prime minister John Anderson delivered a rousing and ominous speech to a gathering of religious educators in Parliament House. With a gusto more suited to the Great Hall in which the Christian Schools Australia gala dinner normally takes place, Anderson dared speak the name of a spectre which is often invoked but rarely acknowledged: the culture war. The review was a consolation prize for conservative MPs bitter about the legalisation of same-sex marriage and concerned - at least ostensibly - about the impact on religious practice and belief. But others are suspicious of the "religious freedom" mantra, arguing the law already grants too much power to churches to hire and fire on personal grounds. They fear an attempt to break down and override anti-discrimination laws. Ruddock's report has been handed to Malcolm Turnbull and his Attorney-General, Christian Porter. We don't yet know what it says, but it will not be entirely toothless: it will recommend changes to the law. It also won't be revolutionary. We know this because Ruddock has said he believes religious freedom is already well-protected in this country, and almost everyone agrees with that. Despite this, the issue of religious freedom has proven to be a rallying cry for conservatives in the Liberal Party, underpinned by future leadership ambitions. Treasurer Scott Morrison, a committed Christian, led the charge last year for the same-sex marriage bill to give ground to faith demands. Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton pushed to delay the debate until this year, and won. He was out of the blocks last week, the day the review was handed to the Prime Minister, calling for religious schools to keep their rights to hire staff and teach the curriculum in accordance with their values. These rights are already enjoyed. And when you talk to conservative Liberals about what they want from this review, you start to understand it is not about change but protecting the status quo from assault by the left and state governments. Assistant Home Affairs Minister Alex Hawke, who watched Anderson's speech at Monday's sit-down dinner, is refreshingly honest when he tells Fairfax Media that Australia is "absolutely" in the middle of "a new culture war". WESTPORT While visiting from California, a 28-year-old house guest stole $4,000 in fraudulent checks from his host to put toward his college tuition, police said. Police said Christopher Puth, of Santa Clarita, California, came for a stay at a Westport residence in early April, but in leaving he took some things that were not his. Kind and caring Breda was always thinking of others Thomas Kings fictional ex-cop Thumps DreadfulWater just wants to settle down in his sleepy high Prairie town of Chinook, Mont., earns just enough money as a photographer to get by and maybe figure out where his sort-of romance with Claire the band chief is going. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 26/5/2018 (1235 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Thomas Kings fictional ex-cop Thumps DreadfulWater just wants to settle down in his sleepy high Prairie town of Chinook, Mont., earns just enough money as a photographer to get by and maybe figure out where his sort-of romance with Claire the band chief is going. And then the dead bodies start turning up, linked somehow to the aquifer on tribal land, a crucial water conference, a Texas energy billionaire and his roguish bodyguard and the unveiling of some potentially eureka-level technology that could make it exceedingly easy to find clean water under the Earth and maybe oil, too. The sheriff wants Thumps to be acting sheriff so he can take his wife to Costa Rica, but Thumps would rather hang out with his cat and try to forget the deaths from his past that haunt his loneliness. He wants to try not to think about why hes so tired and all the questions he gets about looking as though theres some major health crisis going on in his life. Chinook is big enough to have an airport, but it has a Corner Gas feel to it quirky characters galore who know everyone elses business. Its a murder mystery, sure, and a good one, but Cold Skies is great writing from one of Canadas most gifted authors. King, the Order of Canada recipient whos the author of The Inconvenient Indian (as well as a number of other books, including two other DreadfulWater mysteries), writes laugh-out-loud dialogue and gives DreadfulWater self-deprecating and insightful wit it would be an exaggeration to say were in Mark Twain or Oscar Wilde territory, but you get the drift. With one appalling exception, the societal racism in Cold Skies is subtle. The disparity in living conditions and economic opportunity and who holds the power is subtle, as are the roles of women in Indigenous and non-Indigenous society. Diabetes drives the plot as much as the whodunit sleuthing, and King includes plot-turning lessons in how land was stolen and how treaties were wantonly violated by governments to whom oral history is meaningless. A document is unearthed in Alberta containing written observations from a 19th-century Canadian who was an educated white man which could prove tribal land claims from an oral treaty agreement in the U.S. But will it stand up in an American court? King leaves it to the reader to figure it out. Cold Skies is set in Montana, but many of the people there know a lot about Canada and our health care system. They move freely across the border and are happy to do so. King is a brilliant writer, and Cold Skies is an absolute gem. Free Press legislature reporter Nick Martin reckons Thumps DreadfulWater would make a good neighbour. This second Star Wars spinoff after 2016's Rogue One prequelizes Harrison Ford's charismatic outlaw from episodes IV through VII, Han Solo... the original rogue one. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 25/5/2018 (1235 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. This second Star Wars spinoff after 2016's Rogue One prequelizes Harrison Ford's charismatic outlaw from episodes IV through VII, Han Solo... the original rogue one. Movie review Click to Expand Solo: A Star Wars Story Starring Alden Ehrenreich, Emilia Clarke and Donald Glover Grant Park, Kildonan Place, McGillivray, Polo Park, St. Vital, Towne PG, 135 minutes 2-1/2 stars out of five While a movie very much defined by the world according to George Lucas, the whole thing is reminiscent of a scene in... wait for it... Chaplin starring Robert Downey Jr. In the scene in question, Chaplin recalls his discovery of the hat and cane he employed to create his Little Tramp character in terms that suggest an almost mystical bestowal by God. Alden Ehrenreich is Han Solo and Joonas Suotamo is Chewbacca in SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY. In actuality, of course, they were just random props he happened to grab with no notion as to how they would later define him. Director Ron Howard goes heavy on the canonical approach in telling Han's back story. Howard never fails to hit the momentous-occasion button in scenes that would have otherwise lived only in the imagination: Han meets Chewbacca. Han receives his first blaster. Han fills an empty seat at a gambling table with young Lando Calrissian (Donald Glover). Han sits down behind the controls of the Millennium Falcon. And so on. One stellar scoundrel With the universes most notorious swaggering smuggler blasting off in his own entry in the Star Wars cinematic canon, here, in no particular order, are 10 of Han Solos best lines. click to read more In the Star Wars universe and beyond, few characters are as cherished as everyones favourite smuggler and scoundrel, Han Solo. Was it Harrison Fords charismatic portrayal of Solo, and his delivery of umpteen clever bits of dialogue, that has made the character a favourite among fans? That remains to be seen and with Solo: A Star Wars Story opening this weekend, fans wont have to wait long to finds out. With the universes most notorious swaggering smuggler blasting off in his own entry in the Star Wars cinematic canon, here, in no particular order, are 10 of Han Solos best lines. Look, your worshipfulness, lets get one thing straight. I take orders from just one person: me. After rescuing Princess Leia on the Death Star, Han reacts to being told what to do. Laugh it up, fuzzball and Whos scruffy looking? Han responds to Leia calling him a stuck-up, half-witted, scruffy-looking nerf herder," and voices his displeasure after Chewbacca chuckles at one of Leias insult's Traveling through hyperspace aint like dusting crops, farm boy. Pursued by the Empire, Han puts Luke Skywalker in his place as they try to escape. Great, kid dont get cocky. Luke is quickly silenced after celebrating shooting down an attacking Tie fighter. Never tell me the odds. Han reacts to C-3POs calculation while piloting the Millennium Falcon through an asteroid field. I can arrange that. He could use a good kiss! Han responds to Leias exclamation that shed rather kiss a wookie than kiss him. Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side, kid. Han downplays the forces effectiveness as Luke learns from Obi-Wan Kenobi. Youre all clear, kid. Now lets blow this thing and go home! Having sent Darth Vaders Tie fighter careening through space, Solo encourages Luke to destroy the Death Star. I know. Solo responds to Princess Leias I love you as hes about to be frozen in carbonite. Close It's intended as a big, sustained sop to Star Wars fans, of course. But when it comes to carrying the narrative forward, all these cues tend to suck the air out of the pod. At times, it feels like we're watching the world's most expensive fan film. It's a shame because the story itself by Lawrence Kasdan and Jon Kasdan is sound. We meet Han (Alden Ehrenreich) as a young man rebelling at his lot in a den of juvenile thieves working for a giant water bug named Lady Proxima, but let's call her Space Fagin. Alden Ehrenreich is Han Solo and Joonas Suotamo is Chewbacca in SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY. He attempts an escape with his one true love, fellow foundling Qi'ra (Emilia Clarke), but instead finds himself doing military service for the Empire in an attempt to realize his dream of becoming the best pilot in the galaxy. That doesn't appeal, so Han deserts to take up with a master thief named Beckett (Woody Harrelson) to help hijack a shipment of super space fuel at the behest of a crime syndicate middle-management blackguard named Dryden Vos (Paul Bettany). When he's not treating Han Solo's origin tale like a Bible story, Howard takes pains to frame this adventure as an amped-up western, with its saloons, showdowns and poker-table intrigue. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. It pays off in a centrepiece sequence that's basically a train robbery except the train travels both above and below the tracks, making for a fun new twist on the train robbery cliches. Alden Ehrenreich is Han Solo and Joonas Suotamo is Chewbacca in SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY. Ehrenreich does servicable work, but he's no Harrison Ford. Emilia Clarke plays her character a little too enigmatic for her own good: It's hard to rouse much feeling for this blank slate. For Donald Glover's sake, one wishes the character of Lando was more fun. It doesn't help that he's saddled with an activist droid forever complaining about robot rights. In a franchise that aims for timelessness, a woke cybernaut is very 2018. Solo sets itself up for a sequel, and one anticipates more of the same referential stuff in the next instalment including, presumably, a meet-up with a certain blobby kingpin on Tattooine. But if there had to be Star Wars spinoffs, one respects the direction taken by Rogue One, which spun a new story out of whole cloth instead of one long exercise in filling in the narrative blanks and connecting the dots. randall.king@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @FreepKing Winnipeg police say they are still trying to piece together what happened at a Charleswood home where a husband and wife were found dead on Monday, but have deemed the incident a murder-suicide. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 25/5/2018 (1235 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Winnipeg police say they are still trying to piece together what happened at a Charleswood home where a husband and wife were found dead on Monday, but have deemed the incident a murder-suicide. Lorne Turner, 58, killed Angela Turner, 50, his wife of 31 years, before killing himself, police said on Friday. According to court documents obtained by the Free Press, the couple had a long history of domestic disputes, with Angela Turner expressing concern for her safety as far back as the early 1990s. In June 1991, she was granted a non-co-habitation order because of her husbands temper and "wild rage." "(Lorne) has a bad temper and frequently loses his temper, resulting in yelling and screaming sessions which I believe are bad for the children and myself... And in general, (he) had a very bad outburst of temper, to the point where I was afraid to remain in the home. No physical harm came to me, but I was becoming concerned that it may," she wrote in a court affidavit. The couple were recently separated, according to Winnipeg Police Service Const. Tammy Skrabek, who said Lorne Turner had moved out of the home on the 600 block of Buckingham Road three weeks before the attack. "The homicide unit is still trying to piece something together in terms of the injuries that were sustained by both parties and how they came into possession of the instruments that may have caused the injuries," Skrabek said. Police would not divulge information on any potential weapons involved, only saying Angela Turner sustained "upper-body injuries" in an assault, and Lorne Turners "injuries were found to be self-inflicted." City police responded to a domestic dispute involving the couple in 2009, but no charges were laid, Skrabek said, adding another incident at the home that year wasnt connected to the couple, who have three adult sons. On Monday night, shortly before police arrived, neighbours said they saw one of the sons standing outside the home, looking distraught. "Somebody who attended to the residence wasnt able to get an answer at the door. They did happen to look through a window and see something which they felt was suspicious, and thus the call (to police) to check on the well-being (of the residents)," Skrabek said. On Friday afternoon, police tape that had been up at the home earlier in the week was gone. The front door was open, and a woman and young child were sitting on the steps. When approached, the woman declined comment and asked a reporter to leave the property. Next door is a church. On the churchs front lawn stands a large sign, which reads, "Pray for our neighbourhood and safety for all." Angela Turners mother declined comment on Friday when reached by the Free Press. On Wednesday, a relative who asked not to be named spoke to the Free Press, saying the family was struggling to cope in the wake of the violence. "Weve had this experience in our family already." Angela Turners father, David Bray, was murdered in 1973, according to Free Press archives. Manitoba has the second-highest rate of intimate partner violence among the provinces, according to 2016 data compiled by Statistics Canada and released in January. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. Winnipeg recorded 2,350 reports of intimate partner violence that year, 83 per cent of which involved female victims. Roughly one in five (19 per cent) solved homicides over the past decade were committed by past or present intimate partners, according to Statistics Canada. In 2016, 28 per cent of all police-reported violent crime was intimate partner violence. The WPS homicide unit continues to investigate, and is looking to interview more family, friends and acquaintances of the deceased, Skrabek said. "If somebody did have conversations where either (Lorne Turner) or (Angela Turner) were showing extreme emotions in the days before whether it be anger, whether it be rage, whether (Angela Turner) was displaying depression we really dont know what happened," Skrabek said. "(Family members and friends) may or may not have information about their attitudes, their mental states, (or) if they had said anything." ryan.thorpe@freepress.mb.caTwitter: @rk_thorpe OTTAWA As the last of 1,800 evacuees reached Winnipeg, the Canadian Red Cross (CRC) says it has tailored its response to this week's evacuations after problems surrounded last August's airlift of Island Lake reserves. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 25/5/2018 (1235 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. OTTAWA As the last of 1,800 evacuees reached Winnipeg, the Canadian Red Cross (CRC) says it has tailored its response to this week's evacuations after problems surrounded last August's airlift of Island Lake reserves. But the agency can't say whether it undertook contingency plans for Little Grand Rapids or Pauingassi, aimed at preventing the type of communication confusion that has overshadowed this week's evacuations. The last flight out of Little Grand Rapids left around 12:30 p.m. local time, according to Indigenous Services Canada (ISC), while the province says its called in for more support to save homes around the area. In a Friday afternoon news release, the province said it was sending more personnel and equipment to the area, to help protect homes. "Warm temperatures and strong winds continue to make firefighting difficult in many areas," reads the statement. Wildfires on Manitobas eastern border got out of control Monday, after both Little Grand Rapids Chief Ray Keeper and the province said they tried in vain to get in touch with each other. "I dealt with it right away; theres no delay on my part," Keeper said. "We waited for the government to give the go-ahead saying that the fire's out of hand, but they told me three times they had it under control." Manitoba Infrastructure Minister Ron Schuler and the Sustainable Development department countered that the province tried in vain to phone chief and council in Little Grand Rapids, but weren't able to even leave a voicemail. That complaint echoed criticism during last Augusts evacuation of Island Lake communities, when the three reserves said they failed to get in touch with the federal and provincial governments, and that the Canadian Red Cross (CRC) placed them in unsafe areas in Winnipeg. In February, after Island Lake officials aired those complaints at a parliamentary committee, CRC's vice-president for Manitoba told the Free Press they were assisting any of the province's 63 First Nations that wanted to craft a "community emergency plan" over the course of five years, thanks to federal funding. "We will work with the communities to find the plan that suits them," Shawn Feely said at the time. He described the plan as setting out contacts for governments and First Nations officials to stay in touch, and protocol to ensure evacuations go smoothly. On Friday, Red Cross spokesman Jason Small said CRC was in the second year of that process, but was not immediately able to say whether Little Grand Rapids or Pauingassi had formed plans. "Our team is working to increase the capacity of First Nations in Manitoba, to be prepared and on disaster risk-reduction," he said. "We work with them, so that it is their plan they're developing; we're not dictating anything." The Island Lake evacuees had also raised numerous concerns about how they were treated in Winnipeg. Canadian Armed Forces Military staff and evacuees fly to Winnipeg on a 435 Squadron CC-130H Hercules from Red Lake, Ont. Evacuees were flown to Red Lake by helicopter from Little Grand Rapids. May 23, 2018 Some claim the citys local drug dealers plied young people with free samples of methamphetamine to get them hooked. A band councillor claimed that a sex-offender had been housed alongside evacuees in an open-air convention centre in 2017, leaving women to take shifts throughout the night to make sure children werent preyed upon. Small said CRC is doing its best to prevent that from happening again. "We have security guards, we work closely with the police and we take steps to protect the evacuees as best we can," he said. He also noted that all evacuees are staying in hotels this week. With more than three times as many evacuees from Island Lake last year, less than 2,000 were placed in shelters like the RBC Convention Centre. Island Lake evacuees had also complained about being dispersed throughout the city, away from family members, including those with medical needs. "We learned to bring in our partner organizations right away," Small said. This week, CRC tapped the area's tribal council, the Southeast Resource Development Council, to help with translation. Though outside its jurisdiction for the north, Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak provided part of its crisis-counselling team to help distressed evacuees. "We're taking the opportunity to get feedback from evacuees on the spot, if they have concerns. We have mechanisms in place to be able to take that information and put it to use as quickly as possible." ISC Minister Jane Philpott wrote that her department "is working in lock-step with Public Safety, the Canadian Armed Forces, the Canadian Red Cross, the Province of Manitoba and First Nation partners to ensure that residents are supported throughout both the evacuation process and in their temporary placements in Winnipeg." But NDP MP Daniel Blaikie said in Fridays Question Period that hes seen "the worst coordination efforts in years," and that "people were left stranded until the last minute." Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. "It seems the experiences of previous years have not been taken into account," said Blaikie, MP for Elmwood-Transcona, asking that "what happened this week never happens again." Philpotts assistant, MP Don Rusnak, responded that the government activated its emergency co-ordination centre as soon as it was asked for help Tuesday afternoon. "We are ensuring that essential supports are in place for evacuees, and this includes mental health supports as needed," he told the Commons. "Community members are our absolute priority." Elsewhere, rain has helped firefighters beat back the fires near Ashern. "There are no immediate concerns to the community and nearby structures," reads the statement, adding that rain also helped with fires near Sapotaweyak Cree Nation, which remains evacuated in hotels in Brandon, Swan River and The Pas. The province says 10 new fires started Thursday, bringing the total number of fires in Manitoba to 183 so far this year; the 20-year average for May 24 is 105 fires. It's been helped by 120 Ontario firefighters and four Quebec waterbombers. dylan.robertson@freepress.mb.ca Manitoba motorcycle enthusiasts are mourning the death of well-known motorcycle show organizer Robyn Gray, who died late Thursday night after being hit on his motorcycle by three vehicles in the R.M. of Springfield. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 25/5/2018 (1235 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Manitoba motorcycle enthusiasts are mourning the death of well-known motorcycle show organizer Robyn Gray, who died late Thursday night after being hit on his motorcycle by three vehicles in the R.M. of Springfield. The 71-year-old, who lived in East St. Paul, was westbound on Provincial Road 213 also known as Garven Road near Lorne Hill Road at about 11 p.m. when he was struck from behind by a vehicle driven by a 16-year-old male from East St. Paul, RCMP said. Gray was thrown from his motorcycle. He was then hit by a second westbound vehicle being driven by a 30-year-old woman from Portage la Prairie. RCMP say they believe that Gray was struck by a third vehicle heading east on Hwy 213. The driver of this vehicle did not stop at the scene and has not been identified. Police are asking anyone with information that may help identify the driver to contact the Oakbank RCMP at 204-444-3847. Gray was pronounced dead at the scene. It is unknown if alcohol was a factor in the collision, RCMP said. Officers from the Oakbank detachment and an RCMP forensic collision reconstructionist continue to investigate. Gray was a former organizer of the popular Winnipeg motorcycle show, Rolling Thunder, at the World of Wheels and, at one time, owned a Harley-Davidson dealership. "Robyn was a larger-than-life figure and very well known in the motorcycle community, not just in Winnipeg, but around the world," said Free Press Autos editor Willy Williamson, a close friend of Grays. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. Gray was an activist who strongly supported rights for motorcyclists and helped pen many of the laws and guidelines in place, Williamson said. He was involved with the Coalition of Manitoba Motorcycle Groups and organized rallies held at the Manitoba Legislative Building to protest rate hikes by Manitoba Public Insurance. "Robyn was never afraid to not only stand up for himself but for others too," said Williamson. Gray shared his love of motorcycles with many, including one patient at Riverview Health Centre. Gray arranged for himself and a group of motorcyclists to visit a resident there who was a big bike enthusiast and rode a motorcycle back in the day. Gray was also involved in a number of charitable causes, including the Thursday Night Riders' annual Children's Wish Foundation Charity Fundraiser and the Annual Ladies of Harley Davidson Breast Cancer Pledge Run. "Robyn was a huge supporter of our military veterans and organized and led an annual Remembrance Day run that often had as many as 50 other fellow bikers along for the ride," said Williamson. "One November, it was particularly cold and Robyn, local artist Jordan Van Sewell and our buddy Brian Segal and I were the only ones who made the ride. It was so cold my bike wouldnt start and the guys had to push me down the street in front of the Selkirk Legion to get it going. Robyn was cursing and complaining the whole time but wouldnt have dreamed of leaving me stranded, that was just the type of guy he was, he always had time for his friends, always. I will miss his laugh and his passion for life," his friend said. "Robyn had a youthful energy that was contagious, he was always planning something. He may have been 71, but he really never slowed down, he recently told me he wanted to get to work restoring the old fire truck he had in his yard. He was happiest when he was turning wrenches and telling stories," said Williamson. "...He always said he wanted to write a book, and Im really wishing he had." carol.sanders@freepress.mb.ca Here are two interesting facts. One is that the winter temperatures in the Arctic this year were the highest ever recorded. On two days in February, it was actually warmer at the North Pole than it was in Zurich, Switzerland. At one location in Greenland, the temperature rose to 36 C higher than the usual average for that time of year. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 26/5/2018 (1235 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Opinion Here are two interesting facts. One is that the winter temperatures in the Arctic this year were the highest ever recorded. On two days in February, it was actually warmer at the North Pole than it was in Zurich, Switzerland. At one location in Greenland, the temperature rose to 36 C higher than the usual average for that time of year. The other interesting fact, revealed last month in two articles in Nature, one of the worlds leading scientific journals, is that the Gulf Stream is slowing down. In fact, it is now moving more slowly that at any time in the past 1,600 years (which is as far back as studies have gone). This could be very bad news for Western Europe. The difficulty comes in figuring out what these facts mean if they mean anything at all, and are not just random variations of an unusually extreme kind. And this is the point in the discussion at which you start to hear the climate scientists use the word "non-linear" all the time. Most people think of global warming as a smooth, gradual process. It might end up doing a lot of damage, but it will sort of creep up on you, not smack you in the face. Unfortunately, that is not how climate change has proceeded in many past cases of warming or cooling. The change can be abrupt and quite extreme and once it has happened, it becomes the new normal, perhaps for a very long time. Like many complex systems, the climate is non-linear: it stays the same for a long time, and then suddenly some "tipping point" is reached, and the whole thing flips into a different configuration. Now, the warming in the Arctic is not non-linear. Its a trend that has been continuous for decades, although it has accelerated greatly in recent years: the amount of sea-ice coverage at the point of maximum freeze-up, in late March, has been far lower in 2015-18 than ever before. Indeed, were almost certain to see an ice-free Arctic Ocean at the end of the summer melt season at some point in the next decade. Some of the ice will reform in the following winter, but less and less of it as the years pass. Without ice cover, the water will be warmed directly by sunlight, so one day the whole ocean will be mostly ice-free year-round. The focus of concern for the moment, however, is on what the warming is doing to the Greenland ice sheet. This ice is on land, and when it melts, it raises the sea level. More importantly for the near term may be the fact that it is putting a large volume of fresh water into the northern North Atlantic Ocean. That may be part of what is slowing the Gulf Stream down. Its a surface current of warm water from the tropics that travels at an average speed of six kilometres per hour, contains as much water as there is in all the worlds rivers, and moves it all the way up to the seas between Iceland and Norway. Then the water cools off, drops to the bottom and returns southward as a deep-water cold current. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. The Gulf Stream helps keep northwestern Europe warm: England is at the same latitude as Labrador, but the average temperature is more than 10 C higher. Norway, with five million people, is about the same latitude as southern Greenland (population 50,000). But the Gulf Stream has stopped entirely a number of times in the distant past, sometimes for centuries. To be more precise, it stops going so far north: it "overturns," dives to the bottom and heads back south long before it reaches the latitude of European countries like Ireland, Britain and Norway. And when it has done that in the past, the average temperature in those countries dropped by up to 10 C. There is reason to suspect that what was happening in these incidents was that a global warming trend was melting a lot of cool fresh water into the northern seas and blocking the Gulf Stream from getting so far north. So is that about to happen again? Nobody knows, but according to the latest studies, the Gulf Stream has already slowed by 15 per cent in the past 50-150 years. When it shut down in the past, it was abrupt and fast: non-linear, in other words. The 15 per cent slowdown is not necessarily an indicator that the whole northern branch of the current is on the brink of shutting down. But, then again, it might be. Gwynne Dyers new book, Growing Pains: The Future of Democracy (and Work), was published last month by Scribe in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand. If you listen to the subject matter experts who weighed in, Richard Joseph Catcheway fell prey to a failure to communicate. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 26/5/2018 (1235 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Opinion If you listen to the subject matter experts who weighed in, Richard Joseph Catcheway fell prey to a failure to communicate. The 32-year-old habitual criminal offender was arrested in September 2017 and charged with breaking into a Fort Richmond home to steal electronics. He eventually pleaded guilty and spent more than six months in jail. Nobody involved in the case not the prosecutor, defence lawyer, probation officer or the judge thought much about the final disposition. A victim of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder and a product of the Manitoba foster care system, Catcheway was a drug and alcohol addict who had been in and out of the justice system since his teens. His guilty plea in this case was just another in the hundreds of guilty pleas that are processed in Manitoba courts each week, many of them involving men and women like Catcheway. However, in the systems haste to fit Catcheway into a familiar narrative, everyone overlooked one nagging, little fact: Catcheway was already in custody in the Brandon Correctional Centre at the time of the Fort Richmond break-in. In early May, the Manitoba Court of Appeal quashed his conviction and directed an acquittal. The time he served will be used against a possible sentence he will receive for other, unrelated offences. The aggravating factors in this case make it hard to deduce exactly who is at fault for this miscarriage of justice. That having been said, Catcheways wrongful conviction is a product of a system in which just about everyone involved in the administration of justice has been encouraged to find the quickest, easiest and least complicated solution to the most mundane of cases. Catcheway was represented by Scott Wilson, a private bar lawyer under a certificate from Legal Aid Manitoba. He has so far resisted requests from the Free Press for comment. However, in the materials put before the appeal court, we can see Catcheway did not do much to help his own cause. Given his drug and alcohol problems and he admitted to using methamphetamine daily up until his arrest on the Winnipeg charges he couldnt remember whether he broke into the home in question. As for the guilty plea, Catcheway indicated he did not want to endure the stress of a trial. Its also not clear whether he was even able to read and comprehend the charges that were laid against him. Given his lengthy criminal history, his problems with addiction and the almost mundane nature of the charges against him, its hardly surprising he was fitted for this crime. Except this was a mistake that really should not have happened under any circumstances if and this is a big "if" all of the players in the justice system had done their jobs. At multiple stages of this case Catcheways arrest, the decision to remand him in custody, the review of the charges by the Crown attorney, the review of the case by his defence lawyer, the pre-sentencing review by his probation officer and the final review by the judge the information that would have shown he could not have done this thing was readily available: his criminal record. In fact, it is almost inconceivable that his "sheet," as its called in the system, would not have been provided to all of the parties noted above. Its basic, foundational documentation that is part of every criminal proceeding. From the moment he was arrested, police could have checked his record. When the case was assigned to the Crown, another opportunity to check that basic source of information was presented. Certainly, Catcheways criminal record had to be included in information provided to the defence lawyer. At some point, the judge and the probation officer who prepared the pre-sentence report would have had access to the same information. And given that he was cognitively challenged and admittedly impaired, it seems even more obvious that someone at some point in the proceedings should have checked his record. In legalese, there is a term that is used to describe situations where someone deliberately steers clear of factual information in order to limit their future liability in a criminal or civil matter: wilful blindness. Although not widely applied in these situations, its hard not to see this as a case of wilful blindness, where those responsible for the administration of justice ignored basic information that undermined the very foundation of the case against Catcheway. And now that it has been exposed as a miscarriage of justice, all those involved can claim they had no idea he was in custody at the time of the break-in. That could only have been possible if the stewards of the case collectively decided to avoid scrutinizing his sheet. And make no mistake about it, the wilful blindness in Catcheways case is present in most of Canadas most famous cases of wrongful conviction. In those cases, it was less a matter of checking a simple legal record and more a situation where someone at some point in the prosecution of people such as David Milgaard, James Driskell and Kyle Unger to name just a few of the more notable Manitoba cases realized there was a fatal flaw in the case against them. However, rather than pursue those flaws to see if they truly undermined the case, police and prosecutors turned a deliberate blind eye. The fact nobody looked at Catcheways sheet until after he was sentenced for a crime he could not have committed speaks volumes about the current state of the justice system. In short, our system is short-staffed, underfunded and overworked. There are too many cases and too few courtrooms to properly deal with them. Accused persons who feature Catcheways array of challenges poverty, substance abuse and cognitive issues quickly find themselves trapped on the justice assembly line, where cases are moved in and out with harsh efficiency. The structure of Legal Aid also works into this equation. Private bar lawyers are only paid about $400 for a guilty plea, which pays for up to three hours of their time. If it takes longer, the lawyer cannot be paid more unless they apply for additional funding and for a case like this, it would be unlikely that the system would pay for more than three hours work. Dan Lett | Not for Attribution A weekly look at politics close to home and around the world that is sent every Tuesday. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. This funding structure not only compromises the thoroughness of the justice system, it has encouraged some lawyers to set up practices or firms that do nothing else but process guilty pleas. Often referred to as "dump truck" operations, these lawyers or firms only do simple Legal Aid cases that more often than not result in plea bargains, making up for low fees with high volume. Its a system that most lawyers agree adds considerably to the odds that innocent people will be railroaded into guilty pleas as the simplest and easiest way of disposing with a case. The term "dump truck" is instructive in Catcheways case. When its time to haul away unwanted items, we look for the quickest and easiest route to the dump. In this case, that route did not allow for a few minutes to scrutinize the most basic of court records. Catcheway is unlikely to receive any compensation for this miscarriage of justice. His name will not be mentioned in the same breath as Milgaard, Driskell, Unger, Guy Paul Morin or Steven Truscott. However, it would be helpful, for the justice system in particular and society in general, if police and lawyers involved in the administration of justice could remember his name. Take your time. Dont cut simple corners. And whatever you do, dont get caught in a Catcheway. dan.lett@freepress.mb.ca By now it's become apparent that Churchill is no longer Manitoba's largest, northern-most community. It's a collection of hostages. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 25/5/2018 (1235 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. By now it's become apparent that Churchill is no longer Manitoba's largest, northern-most community. It's a collection of hostages. Before dismissing the hostage-taking analogy, consider the following facts: OMNITRAX / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES The Hudson Bay Railway suspended trips to Churchill after the tracks were washed out in several places on May 23, 2017. Churchill is largely dependent upon rail transportation for its survival. To provide the community with all it needs fuel, food, building materials, motor vehicles, dry goods the Hudson Bay Railway, which connects Churchill to The Pas, must be operational. And one year ago, that railway fell into disservice. Since the railway ceased operations, Omnitrax, the Denver-based owner of the railway and port, has refused to do any work on the line. It no longer wants to own a money-losing line in northern Manitoba, but won't walk away. Omnitrax wants to be paid to leave. That is something government is unwilling to do. Ottawa has tried to sue Omnitrax to recoup taxpayer investments in the line, but a court said the legal action could only be taken against the Hudson Bay Railway Company, a cash- and asset-poor subsidiary of Omnitrax. If HBRC declares bankruptcy, which it has not done to date, Ottawa might be able to seize the railway. But then it would be on the hook for all of the costs of repairing it and bringing it back to full service, something federal officials have shown little interest in taking on. The result is a community that has been taken captive by a corporate entity that is using a northern community's suffering as leverage to get government to pay the company to walk away. Government, on the other hand, has dug in its heels, unwilling to pay a company that it suspects has never quite lived up to its obligations to maintain the railway. SUPPLIED The purchase of the Port of Churchill would include the rail lines, which would have to be repaired, as well as some land and buildings. By all applicable definitions and measurements, this would certainly qualify as a hostage taking. Want more great journalism? Get our best news and features delivered in your inbox every weekday evening. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. Will anyone come to Churchill's aid? Manitoba's Progressive Conservative government believes, with some justification, that this is a federal issue. Although that may give Premier Brian Pallister the moral high ground in jurisdictional terms, it's doing nothing to help find a solution. Manitoba should not write a blank cheque to save the railway; the province should, however, take the lead on proposing a solution. That solution should involve the recasting of the railway as public infrastructure. Although the railway is not commercially viable, it is still an important piece of transportation infrastructure that serves the north, much in the way highways do in the south. Hardly anyone takes issue with government investing in highways. There is no point in looking for other private owners. The cost of the repairs estimated to be as much as $50 million would be enough to scare off any serious investor. Taxpayer-funded repairs are a precursor to putting the railway into private hands. If Omnitrax has done anything for Manitoba, it is to expose the folly of that policy. The province should be talking with Ottawa about creating a public entity to repair and run the railway. It should view any repair costs as a justifiable use of taxpayer money, the same way we would view the repaving of a highway in the south. If there are northern interests private sector or Indigenous that want to be involved, government could negotiate a management contract to ensure there is some economic benefit throughout the region. What government can no longer do, however, is sit by idly while Churchill sinks deeper into isolation and despair. It's time to make the railway a public asset and get on with the job of returning it to working service. 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Read More Driven by intractable crises and the further erosion of its global standing as it prepares to exit the European Union, Britain is seeking to reinforce its military presence in the Middle East as part of a new carve-up by the imperialist powers. Theresa Mays Conservative government plans to send 400 additional combat troops to Afghanistan to support the NATO-led Resolute Support Mission (RSM). The RSM was set up in January 2015 and comprises around 15,000 NATO troops with a remit to provide training, advice and assistance to Afghan security forces and institutions. NATO troops supposedly only have an advisory role and do not undertake combat missions. The UK has around 600 troops taking part in the RSM as well as special forces troops. Following a request from US President Trump last summer the UK sent an additional 85 troops. The proposal to commit an additional 400 follows a further request from Trump. UK Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson has written to May, who is expected to formally announce the deployment of the additional troops at a July NATO summit in Brussels. The UK participated in the US-led invasion and occupation of Afghanistan in November 2001 following the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The destruction of the World Trade Center and attack on the Pentagon provided a pretext for the US and its NATO allies to bring Afghanistan under direct Western control, an initiative which is central to securing dominance over the Eurasian land mass. The UK committed thousands of troops, mainly based at Camp Bastion in Helmand Province in the south of the country. At its height the camp held 40,000 troops. In the spring of 2014 the camp was handed over to Afghan security forces as the numbers of UK combat troops was wound down. The last UK combat forces left in October 2014, with the remaining 600 commissioned to the RSM. The Afghan conflict has cost at least 40 billion, with 450 UK armed forces personnel killed and tens of thousands left wounded, ill or psychologically damaged. According to the last poll taken by YouGov more than half of those surveyed thought that UK involvement in Afghanistan had not been worthwhile, with only a quarter thinking it had. The US-led war, now in its seventeenth year, has resulted in catastrophe. Afghanistan has seen a recent surge in the number and impact of attacks by the Taliban and other insurgent forces. In recent months there have been major attacks in the capital Kabul by the Taliban and a group affiliated to Islamic State (IS). On January 27, the Taliban detonated a massive bomb hidden in an ambulance on a crowded street in Kabul. Over 100 died and more than 200 were injured. On April 22, a suicide bomber struck at a queue of people waiting to register to vote. The attack, in a Shia area of the city, claimed over 60 lives and injured more than 100. IS claimed responsibility for the attack. More than 20 people were killed on April 30 in a double suicide bombing. Most recently the Taliban conducted a major attack on the provincial capital, Farah, on May 15 and 16 in which they penetrated the security cordon around the city. A UK parliament-briefing document issued April 24 this year noted: NATO has increased troop numbers since the Resolute Support mission began in January 2015. Troop levels will rise to around 16,000 in 2018 to combat what is described as a challenging situation. The percentage of districts under insurgent control or influence has doubled since 2015. The UN reported over 10,000 civilian casualties in 2017, over half of which were attributed to the Taliban. The US has significantly increased the number of airstrikes since President Trump unveiled a new South Asia Strategy last August, releasing more weapons in 2017 than in any year since 2012. General Sir Richard Barrons, who retired in 2016, gave his support to the proposal to send additional troops. He was Commander of the Joint Forces Command from April 2013 until April 2016. He held command in Afghanistan on several occasions, beginning in 2002. Barrons is a long-time proponent of confronting Russia and has demanded a huge rearmament programme. Speaking on the BBC Radio Fours Today programme, Barrons said the government, has to recognise that the decision to leave in 2014 ... hasnt worked. He added, When we left it was not the case that the Afghan national army and air force were strong enough to tip the balance against the Taliban and that now has to be reset. It will send an important message to our allies that they should step up as well The only way this war is going to end is when the Taliban and their supporters realise they cant fight their way back to government and that just fighting year on year, with casualties on both sides is in no ones interest. Another retired general, David Richards, the Baron of Herstmonceux and former Chief of the Defence Staff, speaking to Sky News harkened back to the 2001 invasion: That initial campaign was stunning in its simplicity and its success. In under two months the Taliban were gone. If youre looking for models for future generations of soldiers to look at, I think thats got to be one of them. The response of Barrons and Richards echoed Trump who, speaking in January rejecting the notion of peace talks with the Taliban, said the US would finish what we have to finish. What is being proposed by Richards would require the massive increases in military spendingat the expense of public spending. In an op-ed piece published in the Times in March, and co-written with Michael Clarke, a former director of the influential Royal United Services Institute military think tank, he complained that spending on defence, security, diplomacy, intelligence, international aid and R&D comes to 62 billion a year, less than 10 percent of government spending. This should be increased, even though some of the trade-offs against social policy, health or education might be severe if spending were increased on defence and intelligence. Would this be justified? ... Yes, at least for the coming decade. In a meeting earlier this month at the White House, NATO General Secretary Jens Stoltenberg backed the sending of extra troops and praised Trump. Let me thank you for the leadership you show on the issue of defence spending because it is very important that we all contribute more to our shared security, and it is really having an impact because, as you said, allies are now spending more on defence, Stoltenberg said. Trump said at the same press conference that NATO military spending by the alliances members should be increased from a standard two percent of GDP to four percent. The UK recently stepped up its intervention against the Assad regime in Syria, carrying out missile strikes against government assets. Thousands of UK personnel are intimately involved in maintaining the military war machine of Saudi Arabia, enabling it to carry out its one-sided slaughter in Yemen. The return to Afghanistan with larger numbers of troops only enhances the growing danger of a wider war in the region, involving the worlds nuclear powers. The author also recommends: UK general calls for hike in military budget and cuts in social spending [7 March 2018] Retiring British general urges preparations for war with Russia [19 September 2016] School bus drivers in Georgias Dekalb County, encompassing the eastern suburbs of Atlanta, are continuing to press for the reinstatement of six colleagues who were vindictively fired by school superintendent Stephen Green in April. Green, who was appointed to this job in 2015 with an annual salary of $300,000 and with an additional $40,000 in expenses, fired seven bus drivers after a sizeable section of them staged a three-day sickout strike commencing April 19. On May 14, about a dozen bus drivers and their supporters, including some parents, attended a school board meeting to demand that the fired bus drivers be rehired. Without any explanation Green announced the reinstatement of only one of the seven victimized drivers. The name of the reinstated driver has been deliberately kept secret and the school system has refused to divulge any further information on the rationale for limiting the reinstatement to this one specific person. This, despite the fact that all seven victimized drivers were ostensibly fired for being the ring-leaders of the April sickout. Green, however, behaved in a typically arrogant manner at the meeting, declaring that will not be happening in relation to the reinstatement of the six other terminated drivers. In order to further cow the workers, after hearing that some drivers were discussing another sickout, Green warned that that such an action would be unwise. One of the parents who intervened on behalf of the bus drivers was so shocked by the disrespect displayed by Green and the school management towards the drivers that she said, I cant imagine working for someone for so long and being treated like this. On Saturday May 19, school bus drivers and some of their supporters held a small demonstration in front of the Georgia State Capitol demanding reinstatement. Although the number of drivers who participated in the rally was less than anticipated, the organizers vowed to continue their struggle and organize another larger demonstration in the near future. This in turn requires the bus drivers establish links with their natural allies, the teachers who have been hard hit by year after year of cuts to the education budgets. One of the drivers, Peter, told how difficult their jobs have become. The drivers, he said, have to start their day at 4 am and the routes have become much longer because the number of buses in the school systems has been reduced drastically due to budget cuts. Many children who are first to be picked up have to wake up early in the morning to catch the bus. The resulting overcrowding at times leads to children fighting with each other, imposing a further burden upon bus drivers. Peter noted that those overseeing bus transportation, from superintendent Green on down, have no clue about what it takes to be a bus driver and ridiculed the idea that they could impose themselves as managers. Bus drivers organized the sickout action in April after their repeated appeals to management for a small pay raise, better benefits and respectful treatment fell on deaf ears. The bus drivers have gone without a real pay raise for at least a decade as a direct result of steep and unrelenting budget cuts by both the state government and the county school system. Their spontaneous action infuriated the highly paid superintendent who declared the workers action an illegal defiance of his authority. He responded by attempting to teach them a lesson by firing those he claimed were the ringleaders. So low are the wages of these school bus drivers that one of the victimized drivers with 10 years of service made a mere $21,000 in 2017. Numerous bus drivers are unable to survive off their paychecks alone and supplement their income by relying upon US government food stamps. Reflecting the prevailing frustration and militant mood among the drivers, one of the bus drivers John Crear, told Fox News, I didnt participate in the [April] sick out, but if it means having another sickout to get these guys their jobs back, then let me say it now that I will be a part of that one. The state uses an annual funding formula to determine the funds a school district is to be allocated from the budget. However, since 2003 the state legislature has consistently appropriated far less funds than mandated by the formula. From 2010 to 2014, for instance, the difference between what was actually allocated and the formula amount was $1 billion each year. Since 2003, it is estimated that the total reduction to the state education budget amounts to a massive $9.2 billion. To cope with such huge budget cuts school system administrators have reduced the number of school days, furloughed teachers and staff, eliminated numerous teaching positions and eliminated or vastly reduced the teaching of art, music and other such programs. This has in turn led to larger and larger class size for each teacher. Thus, every worker in the school system, including teachers, bus drivers, support staff and cafeteria workers, not to speak of students, have been severely impacted by the budget cuts which in turn have led to drastic deterioration in the quality of education. This has been seized upon by the ruling elite to intensify its drive for the privatization of public education, the promotion of charter schools or providing school choice, that is making available tax credits to parents who send their children to private schools. The struggle by Dekalb bus drivers is part of a broader movement of teachers and school employees that has seen statewide walkouts in West Virginia, Oklahoma, Arizona and Kentucky. Bus drivers must fight to link their struggle with teachers and other sections of workers in a common fight back against the ongoing assault on public education being carried out by both big business parties. Before the Fall: German and Austrian Art of the 1930s is a riveting and thought-provoking exhibition on view through May 28 at New York Citys Neue Galerie, the small but important museum that is a fairly recent (2001) addition to New Yorks Museum Mile on Fifth Avenue, home to the Metropolitan, the Guggenheim and numerous other world-renowned institutions. The current show is the last in a trilogy that began at the Neue Galerie several years ago with two other, equally fascinating exhibitions, the first one entitled, Degenerate Art: the Attack on Modern Art in Nazi Germany, which was followed by Berlin Metropolis: 1918-1933. All three shows have been curated by Olaf Peters, a professor at the Martin-Luther-Universitat in Halle, Germany. The current exhibition includes the work of some less well-known artists compared to its predecessors. It also features work from a somewhat later period than the earlier showspaintings, prints and photographs from either just prior to or during the era of the Third Reich. A few of these artists could perhaps be placed in a category similar to the forgotten composers who lost their lives or whose careers suffered because of the Holocaust. Most included in this exhibition, however, survived the war, and only a few were Jewish. In fact, there are a handful of artists here who were Nazis themselves, or at any rate joined the Nazi Party. Even among some who opposed fascism, however, their prospects for an international reputation suffered as a result of the upheavals of the 1930s and 1940s. Max Beckmann, 1922 The timeliness of this work, produced as it was in the shadow of Hitlers dictatorship, hardly needs restating in the context of the current social and political crisis on both sides of the Atlantic. Indeed, the Neue Galerie exhibitions are only a few of many devoted to art in or affected by the Nazi era in the last few years. There is also a show currently on view in the Harvard Art Museums in Cambridge, Massachusetts dealing with art in Germany in the immediate post-World War II period. The roughly 150 works at the Neue Galerie are grouped primarily by genre, with separate sections devoted to still lifes, individuals and portraiture, society, and landscapes. There are other sections of photographs and works on paper. Max Beckmann, Self-Portrait with Horn (1938) The well-known names include Max Beckmann, Oskar Kokoschka and Otto Dix, anti-Nazis who survived the war, Beckmann and Kokoschka in exile and Dix inside Germany. Beckmann (1884-1950) is represented by, among several works, his famous Self-Portrait with Horn, from 1938, a year after he had gone into exile in Amsterdam. The artist had been labeled a cultural Bolshevik by the Nazis, and was dismissed from his teaching position in 1933. In this, one of many of his self-portraits, Beckmann looks out at the viewer with a lonely and depressed expression, having just issued a call, apparently with no response, on his horn. He is clearly thinking of the circumstances that led to his departure from the land of his birth. The premonition of disaster is unmistakable, and not only in retrospect. Otto Dix (1891-1969) remained in Germany throughout the period in question. A devoted Nietzschean initially enthused by the prospect of war, Dix enlisted in the German army in World War I. He took part in the Battle of the Somme and experienced other horrors that left him traumatized. In the 1920s his name was often linked to that of George Grosz, the equally famous painter whose work depicted the corruption, crisis and inequality of the Weimar years. Otto Dix, Mother and Eva (1935) The Nazis labeled Dix a degenerate artist and are later thought to have burned or otherwise destroyed some of his paintings. He survived the period largely by adapting and softening his earlier style without completely abandoning it. One of several paintings of his in the current exhibition is Mother and Eva, from 1935. It depicts Dixs mother and his niece, in a moving scene summoning up the cycle of life itself. The mothers aged features resemble the tree she sits in front of, while the blond girl sits at her feet. The somber quality of the mother, in particular, certainly did not mesh with the aesthetic values of the Nazi regime. Otto Dix, 1925-26 (Photograph by August Sander) There are numerous lesser-known artists in the exhibit. Some of their work is interesting from a historical or art-historical standpoint, and some deserves to be far better known. The artists include some who, although opposed to the fascists, chose not to go into exile. Some, like Dix during this period, sought to survive without openly accommodating themselves to the regime. Among others who tried to adapt somewhat was Karl Volker (1889-1962). After being labeled degenerate, Volker did little work until after the war. The Neue Galerie exhibition does include his Autumn Landscape, however, dealing with what the curator calls a safe subject, compared to his work during the 1920s, which focused more on industrial and urban scenes. Rudolf Wacker, Damaged Head (1934) Among many other artists represented are Rudolf Wacker (1893-1939), Karl Hubbuch (1891-1979) and Hanns Ludwig Katz (1882-1940). Wackers Damaged Head, from 1934, evokes the dislocation, chaos and tragedy in the year after Hitler became Chancellor. Like many of the other artists, Wacker began his career as an expressionist but later turned away from what was regarded as the too-inward looking character of that school. Neue Sachlichkeit (New Objectivity) instead looked to a revived realism and the need for political and social engagement. Wacker was arrested and brutally tortured in 1938. He was subsequently released, but died a year later. Hubbuch was known for his left-wing views. He was one of the artists included in a 1925 exhibition that marked the unofficial launching of Neue Sachlichkeit. His 1934 painting, Children Under the Stones, is remarkable for its depiction of the virtual state of barbarism descending on Germany. One of the children in this work, at the very center, bears a resemblance to Hitler himself. Hubbuch was also dismissed from his teaching post, and this painting was done in secret. Hanns Ludwig Katz is one of the few Jewish artists represented in the exhibit. Katz emigrated to South Africa as the Holocaust loomed, but died soon after. His painting, Eye Operation (1929), is an unusual self-portrait, in which ocular surgery also evokes the agony of the current political moment. There are many other works of note on display. Among them is Wien, a series of 22 linocuts by the Austrian artist Wilhelm Traeger (1907-1980). This work, done when the artist was only 25, shows a series of street scenes in the Viennese capital during the Depression and shortly before the victory of the Nazis in Germany. In Wien we see the world of the unemployed and the lumpenproletariat, the prostitutes, war wounded, and beggars. The depictions of abject poverty alongside the conspicuous display of wealth are reminiscent of the work of Grosz and other ruthless realists of the time. Felix Nussbaum, Self-Portrait in the Camp (1940) The small room in the exhibition devoted to works on paper is a high point. Here we see the work of some of the most politically committed of the artists, including a number who died in Auschwitz. Felix Nussbaum (1904-44) went into exile after Hitler came to power, but was arrested in Belgium in 1940. After escaping, he went back into hiding but was rearrested along with his wife, and murdered at Auschwitz in 1944. Nussbaum is represented in the exhibition by Self-Portrait in the Camp, a hauntingly expressive painting from 1940. The artist stares defiantly from the canvas, his expression somber but not defeated. Much of Nussbaums surviving work is exhibited in the Felix Nussbaum Haus in Osnabruck, Germany, his hometown. Friedl Dicker-Brandeis (1898-1944) was a Communist Party member whose painting Interrogation II (1934-35) combines figuration and abstraction to convey the horror and brutality of her torture at the hands of the Nazis in 1933. Born in Vienna, Dicker-Brandeis taught at the Weimar Bauhaus from 1919-1923. She later worked in Berlin and Prague. She was arrested in Prague and sent to the Theresienstadt concentration camp in late 1942, and later to Auschwitz, where she also perished. Felix Nussbaum Haus in Osnabruck, Germany Other valuable work in this section of the exhibition includes The End of the Song, a print by A. Paul Weber, in which a human skeleton playing the cello appropriately signifies the impact of fascist barbarism on culture and on life. Erwin Blumenfelds gelatin silver print, Hitler, from 1932, depicts the Fuhrer with blood oozing from his mouth and eyes. The artists reacted in different ways to the catastrophe facing culture and society. Some were forced into silence. The most courageous among them sought to continue to influence the world around them. The Neue Galeries Before the Fall focuses attention on the unresolved questions of the 20th century, and the dangers of chauvinism, xenophobia and fascism. There is a tragic element to this exhibition, but it also pressingly points toward the need for a deeper engagement by the artists, and not only the artists, with historical questions and social life. President Maithripala Sirisena devoted his speech at a ceremony celebrating the 2009 defeat of the separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) to eulogise the military and issue Sinhala chauvinist appeals. Sirisena, who is also the commander in chief of the Sri Lankan armed forces, presided over the so-called national war heroes day on May 19, marking the ninth anniversary since the end of the bloody 26-year communal war. Sirisenas craven praise for the military is a measure of his dependence on it. He is leading a politically fragile government with Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and facing mounting social opposition by workers and the poor. A rival group led by former President Mahinda Rajapakse is challenging his coalition government. Standing in front of army, navy and air force commanders, Sirisena declared: Because of the great war heroes, we are enjoying freedom today. He added: The brave soldiers sacrificed their lives to defend the unitary state, territorial integrity, democracy and independence of the motherland from the brutal LTTE terrorists. Sirisenas rhetoric echoed that uttered by Rajapakse after the military ruthlessly completed the war in May 2009, killing tens of thousands of civilians and maiming many more. It is a lie that the end of war produced freedom, peace and democracy. Tamil people in the north and east still live under military occupation and intelligence surveillance. The devastation of living and social conditions for all working people continues. Rajapakse ultimately lost office in 2015 because of the mass opposition to his authoritarian rule during and after the war. Once the conflict ended, he declared now we must wage economic war and began to impose the burden of the massive military expenditure and the economic crisis produced by 2008 global financial breakdown. Sirisena exploited the opposition to Rajapakses regime with the help of a right-wing good governance movement led by Wickremesinghes United National Party, supported by the Tamil National Alliance (TNA), Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) and a host of pseudo-left groups and NGOs. Within months of taking office, the cash-strapped Sirisena-Wickremesinghe government dumped its promises to address the issues of war victims and improve social and living conditions. Instead, it imposed austerity measures dictated by the International Monetary Fund. For all the rhetoric about democracy, the struggles of workers, the rural poor and students have been suppressed by police and military violence and the draconian essential services order. Sirisenas claim that LTTE terrorists were responsible for the war is another lie, seeking to cover up successive governments role in instigating the conflict. President J. R. Jayawardenes government started the war in 1983, while preparing a major assault on living conditions in order to implement pro-market economic policies. The military conflict was the culmination of decades of systematic discrimination against the Tamil minority by the capitalist class since formal independence from British colonial rule in 1948. Anti-Tamil discrimination is used to divide the working class along ethnic lines and defend capitalist rule. At every stage, whenever the Sri Lankan capitalist class faced economic and political crises, its governments intensified the communal provocations and attacks. The 1964 betrayal of the Lanka Sama Samaja Party (LSSP) in joining the capitalist government of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party gave a free hand to the ruling class to mount its communal attacks. The LSSP abandoned socialist principles and adapted to Sinhala nationalism. The capitalist class conducted the war to preserve its rule. The Tamil elite responded by waging a communal campaign for its interests, not for the democratic rights of workers and the poor. The LTTEs separatism sought to carve out a tiny state for the Tamil elite with the help of the imperialist powers. It also used attacks on Sinhala people to divide Tamil and Sinhala workers. A major part of Sirisenas speech was devoted to insisting that the military committed no war crimes. He declared that a UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) resolution, adopted after he took office, had not mentioned military war crimes as certain media and extremists depict. In reality, the UN estimated that at least 40,000 people were killed during the final months offensive against the LTTE alone. The security forces were also implicated in numerous abductions and disappearances, carried out in association with paramilitary groups. Washington fully backed the war, turning a blind eye to the human right violations. Only during the final months of the conflict did it begin criticising the security forces. After war ended, the US sponsored UNHRC resolutions against Sri Lanka, not out of any sympathy for democratic rights but to pressure Rajapakses regime to distance itself from with China. When that failed, Washington supported a regime-change operation, via the January 2015 presidential election, to help install Sirisena. Sirisena shifted Sri Lankas foreign policy in favour of the US and its regional ally India. In return, the US backed another UNHRC resolution in September 2015, hailing his governments contributions to promoting democratic governance. The government, the TNA and US State Department together dumped an international investigation into the Sri Lankan war crimes, on the pretext that a local judicial investigation would be conducted. No such investigation has eventuated. Instead, Sirisena and Wickremesinghe vowed not to allow any security force members to face court, thus appeasing the military, the Buddhist clergy and the chauvinist groups. Sirisena casually dismissed the possibility of counting civilian deaths but the overall toll would be 100,000. He announced that, according to the security forces, 28,708 soldiers were killed and 40,107 disabled. Far from being war heroes, these troops were economic conscripts, mainly from rural areas, who joined the forces because of poverty and unemployment. Sirisena castigated those who cant identify terrorists and war heroes. They included, he said, politicians in the government, as well as in opposition, and NGOs here and abroad. The president was referring to Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne who made a passing remark at a press conference that people in the north had a right to commemorate their dead. Senaratne was not opposed to the war but tried to claim that people enjoyed freedom under the present government. The opposition, chauvinist groups and media outlets immediately seized upon Senaratnes statement to step up their propaganda, insisting there was no right to commemorate LTTE cadres and civilians who died during the fighting. In his speech, Sirisena lined up with this campaign to appease the chauvinists and stress his allegiance to the military. Though Sirisena hailed the military, Rajapakse and his supporters attacked the government for allowing massacre commemorations in the north and east and criticised the lack of pompous military pageants to honour war heroes. Rajapakse is seeking to resume power by appealing to the military, while organising Sinhala-Buddhist extremist groups. Every faction of the ruling elite is mired in Sinhala chauvinism and subservient to the military. Their nervousness is deepening as the objective conditions develop to unite the working class across ethnic divides. Increasingly besieged by the political crisis, Sirisena wants to keep the military on side as his government lurches toward dictatorial rule. Only the Socialist Equality Party is advancing an alternative perspective for the workers and oppressed, based on Leon Trotskys theory of Permanent Revolution. The working class, organising independently of every capitalist faction, must rally the oppressed and poor, and fight for a Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and Eelam as part of the struggle for a Socialist Federation of South Asia and international socialism. On Thursday, President Trump awarded the Medal of Honor to former SEAL Team 6 officer Britt Slabinski. There are well documented allegations of war crimes committed by Slabinski in Afghanistan, including the killing, torture and dismemberment of unarmed Afghan men. Slabinski is the 12th living person to be granted a Medal of Honor in relation to the invasion and occupation of Afghanistan. The establishment press has completely sidestepped the war crime allegations against Slabinski, focusing instead on the controversy generated by an internecine battle between the Air Force and Naval Command over a poorly executed operation that Slabinski led in 2003. That operation resulted in five American deaths. One of the men killed, an Air Force officer named John Chapman, was left behind to fight alone after Slabinski ordered troops to evacuate their position on Takur Ghar, a mountain near the Pakistan border. Slabinski claims he believed Chapman to be dead when he evacuated the troops. Drone footage, however, suggests that Chapman survived and was left to fight off attacks on his own. Days after the Takur Ghar operation, many SEAL Team 6 troops, including Slabinski, reportedly began mutilating the bodies of the men they killed in raids. These acts were purportedly done as revenge for the Talibans mutilation of SEAL Neil Roberts on Takur Ghar. Slabinski himself admitted that he led an ambush against what he claimed were Al Qaeda fighters attempting to enter Pakistan. Slabinski and his subordinates killed all of the men and subsequently fired security shots into the dead. In a recorded interview with writer Malcolm MacPherson, Slabinski said of the ambush: I mean, talk about the funny stuff we do. After I shot this dude in the head, there was a guy who had his feet, just his feet, sticking out of some little rut or something over here. I mean, he was dead, but people have got nerves. I shot him about 20 times in the legs, and every time youd kick him, er, shoot him, he would kick up, you could see his body twitching and all that. It was like a game. Like, hey look at this dude, and the guy would just twitch again. It was just good therapy. It was really good therapy for everybody who was there. Slabinskis perverse form of therapy led the SEAL Team 6 leadership to remove him from combat for four years. Yet in 2007, Slabinski was made squadron master of the teams Blue Squadron. The Blue Squadron was investigated by Naval Criminal Investigative Services (NCIS) and the Joint Chiefs of Staff twice in 2007 for multiple complaintsfrom Afghan allies to SEAL Team 6 troopsabout incidents of unlawful combat and abuse of the dead. Tales of orders to kill all male Afghans on raids, regardless of combat status, as well as reports of Afghan casualties being scalped or otherwise mutilated began to circulate almost immediately upon Slabinskis reentry to combat. SEALS were reported to have used specially made hatchets to brutally attack and then dismember Afghan troops. The grisly act of canoeing, in which SEALS would fire close-range upon the skulls of dead or dying men in order to expose their brain matter, was widely mentioned. Both NCIS and the Joint Chiefs chose to ignore these allegations for as long as they could. NCIS investigated only after a SEAL secretly reported that another SEAL had attempted to behead an alleged Taliban fighter after Slabinski told his troops that he wanted a head on a platter. Slabinski denied the accusations, claiming that he had neither ordered a beheading nor witnessed one. NCIS concluded that no war crimes had occurred. Speaking of the investigation, an anonymous Naval officer told the Intercept, We knew wed been called in to give them the result they wantedthat everyone was clean. Slabinski continued with SEAL Team 6 for three years after these investigations. He was investigated again, this time for killing unarmed combatants, including school boys, only to be cleared of wrongdoing. It was not until 2010, when Slabinskis own admissions of killing unarmed males imperiled the SEALs privileged status in the military, that he was dismissed. His career was saved by Rear Admiral Timothy Szymanski, then commodore of Naval Special Warfare Group 2, who tapped him as his command master chief. Szymanski was instrumental in Slabinskis nomination for the Medal of Honor. In 2012, Slabinski, still enraged at the SEALs for dismissing him, told the New York Times that far from being the originator of war crimes, he had actually helped rein in bloodthirsty SEALs. Of the beheading incident, he said that he had caught one of his men attempting to cut a mans throat and that he had ordered him to stop. The SEALs, outraged at the negative publicity, added Slabinskis name to the stone of shame, a list of former SEALs who are barred from ever visiting command again. The glorification of war criminals is by no means peculiar to the Trump White House. The Obama administration paid homage to CIA operative Johnny Spann, who was killed in 2001 when prisoners at the Qala-i-Janghi prison fortress near Mazar-i-Sharif in northwest Afghanistan rebelled against Spanns brutal interrogation methods. Video filmed just prior to the rebellion shows Spann tormenting and threatening John Walker Lindh, the US citizen who had joined the Taliban and was imprisoned in the fortress. Lindh was among a handful of prisoners who survived the US bombing of the fortress, carried out in response to the prisoners uprising. Some 800 unarmed prisoners were slaughtered. The CIA carved Spanns name into its Memorial Wall and listed him in the agencys Book of Honor. In an extraordinary press conference at CIA headquarters in December of 2014, Obamas CIA director, John Brennan, denounced the just-released Senate Intelligence Committee report on CIA torture while paying tribute to Spann. Following the decision of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to hold parliamentary and presidential snap elections on June 24, the Turkish pseudo-left parties and organisations are lining up behind the pro-NATO and pro-EU bourgeois opposition parties. While they are divided amongst themselves on the question of Kurdish nationalism, they are all in agreement on the rejection of an independent perspective for the working classindependent of all the discredited bourgeois camps. Erdogan decided to call the election 17 months ahead of the scheduled date under the pressure of intensifying class tensions, an escalating fiscal and economic crisis, the ongoing war in Syria and US war preparations against Iran. The ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) has formed an electoral alliance with the far-right Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) and the Grand Unity Party (BBP)the People's Alliance. The main bourgeois opposition party, the Republican Peoples Party (CHP), is heading the Nation Alliance that also includes the newly formed Good Party (IYI Partia Turkish nationalist party that split from the MHP) and the Felicity Party (SPa smaller Islamist party, from which the AKP split in 2001). Such electoral alliances between political parties, which have been legalised by a new electoral law, allow smaller parties, who join an alliance, to bypass the prohibitive 10 percent electoral threshold. The pro-Kurdish Peoples Democratic Party (HDP) has not been allowed into the Nation Alliance due to opposition by Turkish nationalists. It is participating in the election with its own slate. While not having formed its own alliance, it has included leading members of smaller Kurdish nationalist parties and of a significant part of the Turkish pseudo-left in its slate. In the presidential election, the three main parties of the Nation AllianceCHP, IYI Party and SPare running separate candidates against Erdogan. The HDP and the Homeland Party (a former Maoist, Turkish nationalist party) are also participating with their own candidates. On Sunday, May 13, the United June Movement (Birlesik Haziran Hareketi, BHH), Turkeys largest pseudo-left alliance, named after the May-June 2013 anti-government Gezi Park protests, announced its position in the coming election, summing it up in the slogan No to the AKP-MHP alliance. The meeting was attended by two deputies from the CHP, by the chairperson of the Confederation of Public Employees Trade Unions (KESK) and by several other trade unionists. Fatih Yaldi, a leading figure of the BHH, announced that his movement will conduct an active struggle to weaken the AKP-MHP block. The BHH pledged to organize a NO campaign against the one-man regime of Erdogan and promised to protect the ballot boxes. It called on all forces that stand for freedom, equality and brotherhood, and the millions, who took the road for justice [a reference to the CHPs Justice March in June-July 2017] to vote for the protection of the future of our country. This was a tacit call to vote for the CHPs Nation Alliance. The BHH, however, could not spell out the name of the party it is supporting; and there are good reasons for this. First, the BHH is a pseudo-left alliance comprised of a broad array of political parties, trade unions, groups and individuals with a former or actual Stalinist, guerrillaist or Pabloite background, which have diverse positions on Kurdish nationalism. Thus, it was impossible for the leadership of the BHH to make an open choice between the CHP and the HDP, which would have led to an open split in its ranks. In the ongoing Syrian war, the CHP and the HDP find themselves on opposite sides. While the CHP supports the massive military and police operations of the Turkish army against the Kurdish nationalists in Syria and Turkey, the HDP opposes them. The BHH leadership is also well aware of the fact that both main bourgeois opposition parties, the CHP and the HDP, which it tries to present as a left-wing alternative to Erdogan and his AKP, are deeply hated by workers and youth because of their political support for the imperialist war drive in the Middle East and because they have both cooperated with the AKP in its attacks on the working class. The leading force of the BHH, the Freedom and Solidarity Party (ODP), has announced its pro-CHP attitude in the coming election in a similar manner. The ODP was founded by several guerrillaist and ex-Stalinist organisations with the full participation of the Turkish Pabloites in 1996. In an interview with his partys daily Birgunon May 10, leading ODP member Alper Tas justified his support for the traditional party of the Turkish bourgeoisie by saying: This law [the new electoral law] has made the alliance almost an obligation... We had to form an arithmetical alliance even with those we do not trust. According to Tas, When the AKP and Erdogan are gone, there will be, of course, no revolution in Turkey. But the country would be freed from the most important source of instability and unrest. And this is not something insignificant. The representative of the ODP also claimed that in the new parliament there will be deputies from the BHH and close to it. Together with them, we would continue our struggle. There is no doubt that he is referring to deputies running on the slate of the Nation Alliance. Another leading force among the Turkish pseudo-left, the Labor Party (EMEP) is supporting the HDP under the same slogan used by the BHH to support the CHP-led alliance: Against the one-man, one party regime. Scores of smaller Stalinist, ex-Stalinist, Maoist, guerrillaist and Pabloite organisations are orbiting around the ODP and the EMEP, or are supporting the CHP or the Kurdish bourgeois nationalists on their own, as they did in previous elections. In order to adapt their fake revolutionary or socialist pretensions to the pro-imperialist, pro-war and reactionary character of the CHP and HDP, these smaller pseudo-left organisations are now politically juggling six things at the same time. Their calls vary between supporting the HDP in both the parliamentary and the presidential election, a boycott of the second round and a call for a total boycott of the presidential election. The anti-working class pro-imperialist character of these pseudo-left organisations will be further manifested when the presidential election comes to the second round. There is little doubt that almost all of them will vote for the candidate of the Nation Alliance against Erdogan. A Pabloite group confessed: In the second round, however, we will vote for the total force of the anti-autocratsi.e. either for the CHP or the Iyi Party candidate who will transform it into a referendum on Erdogan and the one-man regime. Before switching behind one of the two main bourgeois alliances against Erdogan, the pseudo-left parties and organisations had made hypocritical calls to the forces of labour, peace and democracy to form a democratic alliance to run a common candidate against the one-man regime. At its 9th Congress, held on March 10 and 11, the ODP decided to take responsibility for nominating a common candidate of progressive, left-wing, socialist and revolutionary forces, in a prelude to open cooperation with the CHP. EMEP, for its part, issued a statement on April 25 calling all labour, peace and democracy forces, first of all the BHH, HDP and the Community Centers (Halk Evleri), to form a democratic alliance to run a common candidate against the one-man regime. As expected, this did not happen. The Turkish pseudo-left remained divided along nationalist lines. In the second round of the presidential elections they will line up behind the most powerful candidate of the Turkish ruling class, with the HDP bargaining with either Erdogan or his rival over the conditions of its potential support. The upcoming June 24 elections, the first ones since the transformation of Turkey from a parliamentarian into a presidential regime, have once again exposed the pro-imperialist and anti-working class role of the pseudo-left. In its attempt to disorient the growing anger of workers and youth over the escalation of militarism and social counter-revolution, the pseudo-left has in fact facilitated the drive to war and dictatorship. Its opposition to Erdogan and the AKP through manipulating democratic and anti-war sentiments of workers and youth behind parties supporting NATO and the EU is, in its essence, part of a regime change operation of US imperialism and its European allies. The bourgeois opponents of Erdogan cannot offer any solution to the deepening economic and political crisis of Turkish capitalism other than to escalate militarism, implement brutal austerity policies and suppress the working class opposition by using and further strengthening the same police-state apparatus created by Erdogans AKP for their own interests. It is not the factions of the ruling class, supported by the petty-bourgeois opponents of Erdogan, but the Turkish working class, in close cooperation with Middle Eastern, American and European workers, that will consistently fight against the drive toward imperialist war and its devastating economic and social consequences, including the authoritarian forms of rule prevailing in Turkey. The Turkish working class can stop this drive to disaster only through the foundation of its independent political leadership, the Socialist Equality Party, based on the internationalist, revolutionary socialist perspective and program developed by the International Committee of the Fourth International. In an apparent bid to cling to office for a while longer, the increasingly unstable and faction-ridden Liberal-National government has set July 28still nine weeks awayas the date for five simultaneous by-elections that could determine its future. Thursdays announcement of the date followed almost two weeks of delay and uncertainty, during which media reports indicated that Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull was considering calling an early general election, or else a half Senate election, to try to break through opposition to his governments key economic platformmassive company tax cuts. Four of the five by-elections result from the latest dual citizenship disqualificationsa witch-hunt that is ousting from parliament anyone deemed to lack sole loyalty to the Australian nation state. On May 11, four members of parliament resigned because the High Court ruled that people were ineligible to stand for office even if they had taken reasonable steps to renounce their entitlement to citizenship in another countrywhich can stem from their parents or even grandparents. The ruling came just a day after the May 8 budget, in which the government offered income tax cuts in the hope of laying the basis for an early general election before economic conditions worsen because of US trade war threats, especially against China, and intensifying war dangers. The budget failed to give the government any bounce in its poor opinion polling, not least because of widespread hostility to its proposed multi-billion dollar tax handout to the countrys biggest banks and conglomerates. The governments hopes of pushing the company tax cuts through the Senate suffered a possible fatal blow earlier this week, when right-wing populist Pauline Hanson, fearing an electoral backlash, suddenly withdrew her One Nation partys support. Every aspect of the by-election timing, including the nationalist and patriotic propaganda surrounding the parliamentary purge, is anti-democratic. The date was pushed back to July 28leaving the five seats empty for 80 daysdespite the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) formally advising the government it would be ready and would be able to conduct the by-elections on June 30. Cynical political calculations are clearly involved. All five seats were held by opposition membersfour Labor and one Centre Alliance. Until mid-August, when the new members take their seats, the government no longer relies on the wafer-thin one-seat majority it has held since it nearly lost a mid-2016 double dissolution election. If Labor loses any of the seats, which is quite possible because of the widespread disaffection from the entire political establishment, rifts could open up in the Labor leadership. Turnbull could attempt to exploit a crisis in the opposition by calling a snap election, which is constitutionally possible after August 4. July 28 was also the date set for the Labor Party national conference. As a result of the by-elections, the party has been forced to reschedule the gathering at considerable expense. The government cited school holidays in July as the reason for postponing the by-elections until the end of that month, but previous by-elections have been held during such periods. The primary justification for the delay was to give the AEC time to implement new regulations designed to reinforce the High Courts ruling. All candidates will be required to supply information on their citizenship and that of their parents, grandparents and spouse, as well as details of any renunciation of dual citizenship. This reactionary requirement is designed to police the courts strict interpretation of an arcane section of the 1901 constitution, effectively rendering ineligible more than half of the countrys ever-more diverse population because they, their parents, grandparents or spouses were born overseas. Although the new vetting process will formally be voluntary, potential candidates will be warned to seek legal advice, effectively threatening them with prosecution if they are discovered to have given incorrect or incomplete information. Section 44(i) of the constitution states that no-one can nominate for parliament if he or she has supposed allegiance, obedience, or adherence to a foreign power or is even entitled to the rights and privileges of a foreign power. In 1901 colonial Australia, there was no concept of national citizenshipjust of being a subject of the British monarchbut the anachronistic section is now being used to demand undivided allegiance to Australia amid preparations to join a potential US-led war against China. For months, Turnbulls government has been wracked by divisions, at the root of which are mounting economic and geo-strategic pressures bound up with Australian capitalisms dependence on both the US and China, Australias biggest export market. Turnbull faces heightened demands from Washington to step up Canberras commitment to the US confrontation with China, including by massive military spending. This means further slashing social spending. The government, with Labors backing, is also seeking to push through draconian foreign interference legislation directed against China and internal anti-war opposition. At the same time, Turnbull has been unable to push through the huge company tax cuts that the financial elite has demanded are essential to compete globally and avert a feared withdrawal of investment. Hansons backflip this week only highlighted the governments predicament and its reliance on her anti-immigrant party and other right-wing populists who won Senate seats in 2016 by exploiting the intense political and social discontent. The governments so-called enterprise plan to slash the company tax rate from 30 percent to 25 percent by 2026 was the centrepiece of its 2016, 2017 and 2018 budgets, and its 2016 election campaign, which left it with only 30 seats in the 76-member Senate. In its desperation to get the Senate votes it needs to deliver the company tax bonanza, the government signed a secret formal agreement with Hanson, who agitates against Muslims, Asians and refugees, and has demanded a huge cut to immigration. Various incoherent efforts by Hanson this week to explain her backflip to renege on the deal underscored the nervousness throughout the parliamentary elite because of the seething disaffection produced by years of declining real wages, soaring living costs and deteriorating social services. Hanson, who currently controls three Senate seats, simultaneously criticised the government for not implementing the tax plan faster and claiming it was not supported by the people. She blamed Turnbull for failing to sell the tax plan. The people in general dont want it. It has not been well received. The government has not been able to sell the package to the people and they havent cut through, she complained. Alluding to the underlying economic vulnerability of Australian capitalism, and echoing the concerns of the corporate elite, Hanson also voiced disappointment with the governments debt reduction strategy, warning the budget was built on eggshells and could crash at any time. For its own electoral survival, the Labor Party is posturing as an opponent of the tax handout, but it is just as much a party of big business as the Liberals and Nationals. As recently as 2011, Labor leader Bill Shortenthen a key minister in the Gillard Labor governmentadvocated lower company taxes. For the past three decades, Labor governments have led the way in restructuring the economy at the expense of the working class. The Hawke and Keating Labor governments of the 1980s and 1990s slashed the company tax rate more than any other government in Australian historyfrom 49 to 33 percentsetting the stage for accelerating social inequality. The surrender to police and charging of Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein have provided a further opportunity for the American media to exhibit its hypocrisy, deceit and bloodlust. And for that section of the upper-middle class invested in identity politics to reveal that it has no sympathy whatsoever for elementary democratic principles or legal due process. After Weinstein turned himself in Friday morning, he was taken to court and charged, according to the New York City Police Department, with rape, criminal sex act, sex abuse and sexual misconduct for incidents [in 2004 and 2013] involving two separate women. The identity of one of the accusers is known. Lucia Evans has accused Weinstein of forcing her to perform oral sex in 2004. The other woman remains anonymous. These are the first criminal charges filed against Weinstein, who also faces numerous civil lawsuits. Weinstein was released on bail of one million dollars. He is represented by Benjamin Brafman, one of New Yorks leading criminal defense attorneys, who previously defended French politician Dominique Strauss-Kahn, among others. Brafman told reporters that his client would plead not guilty. We intend to move very quickly to dismiss these charges, he said. We believe that they are constitutionally flawed. We believe that they are not factually supported by the evidence. He argued at one point, Mr. Weinstein did not invent the casting couch in Hollywood and to the extent that there is bad behavior in that industry, that is not what this is about Bad behavior is not on trial in this case. Brafman also suggested that when the women who made these allegations are cross-examined, the charges will not be believed. Assuming we get 12 fair people who have not been consumed by the movement that has overtaken this case. The final point is not an insignificant one. The New York City media, led by the New York Times and the citys other dailies and television channels, has already tried and convicted Weinstein. Through its sensationalism and scandal-mongering, the media has made it virtually impossible to assemble an impartial or fair-minded judge and jury. Not a single major publication as far as we know has uttered a word of caution about a rush to judgment. The media generally treat the Weinstein case as though there were no question about his guilt. As Brafman indicated, the distinction between bad behavior and criminal behavior is being ignored. For the gutter press, having already tried and convicted the producer, the trial becomes a mere formality intended to confirm an outcome already decided upon. We have no way of knowing, any more than the American and global media, what Weinstein has done or not done, or whether a crime has been committed at all. It should be obvious by now to anyone who has a working brain that the legal and political implications of the Weinstein case go far beyond the alleged wrongdoings of one individual. The affair has been the occasion for the unleashing of powerful, reactionary forces and sentiments that have little to do with sexual misconduct or abuse of women in Hollywood or anywhere else. The Times lead article on the case Friday read like an editorial, asserting that Weinsteins court appearance was a watershed in a monthslong sex crimes investigation and in the #MeToo movement. After decades of harnessing his wealth and his influence in the movie industry to buy or coerce silence from women, the newspaper pontificated, and after withstanding an investigation into groping allegations three years ago, Mr. Weinsteins reign ended behind bars in a police holding cell on Friday morning. The accusations against Weinstein, the article went on, published first in the Times and the New Yorker last October, and other stories of sexual harassment and assault by powerful men had spawned the global #MeToo movement, and since then, the ground has shifted beneath men who for years benefited from a code of silence around their predatory behavior. The Times alluded in another article Friday to a once-powerful target [Weinstein] with high-priced lawyers, as though the newspaper did not possess an entire high-priced legal department. The New York Daily News carried a lurid, sneering article informing its readers that the hulking ex-Hollywood honcho flinched as a Manhattan prosecutor denounced him as a sexual predator who perversely wielded his power for sexual gratification. Similarly foul pieces popped up in the media across the US. The Associated Press proclaimed that the arrest was the moment the #MeToo movement had been waiting for: Harvey Weinstein in handcuffs. The court appearance was a searing reckoning for the man who became a symbol of a worldwide outcry over sexual misconduct. The Los Angeles Times gloated, We got you, Harvey Weinstein': Hollywood celebrates disgraced film mogul's arrest and surrender. The comments of alleged Weinstein victims Rose McGowan, Asia Argento, Mira Sorvino and others were not edifying to read, combining sadism and the dubious pleasures of participating in a lynch mob. Argento (who admits to having conducted a consensual relationship with Weinstein after what she alleges was an initial assault), for example: Today Harvey Weinstein will take his first step on his inevitable descent to hell. We, the women, finally have real hope for justice. If anything undermines sympathy for the women involved, it is their perpetual insistence on responding in the most vengeful and socially blinkered manner. Time magazine chimed in, For Weinstein, a prolific producer who has racked up more than 81 Oscar wins, it was an epic fall. His revelation as a serial predator, after years of rumors in Hollywood and beyond, kickstarted the #MeToo movement and ushered in the current era of reckoning around sexual abuse and assault in Hollywood and beyond. One of the most vindictive and, frankly, stupid pieces appeared in the Huffington Post. Senior reporter Emma Grays headline sums up its moral level: The Joy Of Watching Harvey Weinsteins Perp WalkTheres a delicious schadenfreude in seeing a powerful abuser finally held accountable. For Gray and the others, the word alleged is a mere after-thought. Since the Times published its account of Weinsteins alleged activities last October, the sexual harassment campaign has morphed into a metastasizing international wave of accusations with no end in sight. Hundreds of individuals have already been pulled in and, in many cases, ruined. Only a day earlier, CNN published an article alleging that actor Morgan Freeman had engaged in inappropriate behavior. Eight women claim to have been subject to lecherous comments or unwanted touching, while eight others asserted they witnessed such behavior. The co-author of the lengthy, rambling article, Chloe Melas, reveals part way through that she was subjected to inappropriate behavior by Freeman more than a year ago. So much for journalistic detachment! The conduct in question, if the accounts are accurate, may be lewd or boorish, but it hardly rises to the level of anything criminal. All this comes at a time when this same media cabal is fresh from apologizing for mass murder on the Gaza-Israel border, when the US military is engaged on a daily basis in murderous interventions in every corner of the globe, when a trio of gangsters, including a self-admitted torturer, occupy the posts of secretary of state, national security adviser and CIA director, and when the president of the United States openly threatens entire nations with nuclear annihilation. The Democratic Party, including figures such as Hillary Clinton and New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, which has been at the forefront of the sexual harassment campaign, has emerged in the period since the charges were first made against Weinstein far more distinctly as the party of the Pentagon, FBI and CIA. On Tuesday, the American Civil Liberties Union released a report detailing the systematic brutalization of unaccompanied immigrant children captured by Customs and Border Protection from 2009 to 2014 at the US-Mexican border. The behavior includes beatings, torture, starvation and sexual assault on a wide scale. None of this elicits so much as a heavy sigh from the sexual misconduct warriors in Hollywood or the throng of pious editors in Manhattan. Indeed, through the sexual witch-hunt there is an effort to divert attention from the social crisis and threatened global disaster. At the same time, certain social layers are convinced the Weinstein case means their day has come and are pressing forward with demands that sum up their selfish, mercenary concerns. Gender parity in the film industry will do nothing to improve the miserable quality of Hollywoods offerings, but it will markedly improve the bank balances of a group of already well-heeled women. Again, ignorance and cluelessness here mingle with cynicism and self-interest. There are those disoriented, unstable elements in the acting profession, egged on by the Times and trash like journalist Ronan Farrow, attached to the notion that men are the source of all evil. Others simply plan to cash in. Big questions are at stake here. Arguments appear in the mainstream and left media that amount to ever more explicit repudiations of due process. In regard to Weinstein, the well-worn phrase inevitably comes to mind, First we have the fair trial, then we hang him. Enormous resources have been expended in the ongoing investigation. Tremendous pressure will no doubt be exerted on Weinstein to accept some sort of plea deal. All of the might of the state and the media is being mobilized to ensure some sort of conviction or retribution. Powerful social and class interests are tied into this. Legal rulings can be made that will have far-reaching consequences. The entire dirty affair should give those committed to democratic rights and social progress pause for thought. Webcam hosting service will be discontinued on October 21, 2021. Read more about our decision here. President Donald Trumps Twitter critics scored a victory on Wednesday when a federal judge in Manhattan ruled that blocking his foes from viewing his tweets violates the First Amendment because his Twitter feed is an official government account. Model and vocal Trump critic Chrissy Teigen, 32, whom the president blocked in July 2017, seemed particularly pleased with the outcome and decided to publicly welcome Trump back into her bad graces. Well well well we meet again @realDonaldTrump, Teigen tweeted Wednesday after the judges ruling was announced. According to The New York Times, seven Twitter users and the Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University sued the president, claiming Trumps account is part of the government and blocking them violates their First Amendment rights. Chrissy Teigen and Donald Trump well well well we meet again @realDonaldTrump pic.twitter.com/WajEXiAQVi christine teigen (@chrissyteigen) May 23, 2018 Judge Naomi Reice Buchwald agreed with the plaintiffs, noting in her ruling that the speech in which they seek to engage is protected by the First Amendment. Teigen isnt the only notable whos been blocked by Trump. Actress Rosie ODonnell and authors Stephen King and Anne Rice and have also received the @arealDonaldTrump blocked you message on Twitter but like Teigen, they should be able to read his tweets again soon. American jailed in Venezuela for 2 years to return home to US, officials say (ABC News) American Joshua Holt, who has been jailed in Venezuela without a trial for two years, has been released, officials said today. Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, who has advocated for Holt's release, said he's "honored" to be able to finally reunite the Utah native with his family. "Over the past two years I've worked with two presidential administrations, countless diplomatic contacts, ambassadors from all over the world, a network of contacts in Venezuela, and President Maduro himself, and I could not be more honored to be able to reunited Josh with his sweet, long suffering family in Riverton," Hatch said in a statement Saturday morning. President Donald Trump said via Twitter that Holt will arrive Saturday night in Washington, D.C., where he will be reunited with his family at the White House. "The great people of Utah will be very happy!" Good news about the release of the American hostage from Venezuela. Should be landing in D.C. this evening and be in the White House, with his family, at about 7:00 P.M. The great people of Utah will be very happy! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 26, 2018 MORE: Mother of American detained in Venezuela pleads with Trump for help MORE: Venezuelans head to polls with great hunger, little hope PHOTO: Laurie Holt holds a photograph of her son Joshua Holt at her home, in Riverton, Utah in this July 13, 2016 file photo. (Rick Bowmer/AP Photo) Holt will be returning to the United States with his wife, Thamara Caleno. The Mormon missionary traveled to Venezuela in June 2016 to marry Caleno, whom he met on an online Mormon dating site. Holt planned to return to the United States with his new wife and two stepchildren, but they never made it back. The newlyweds were awaiting visas when Venezuelan police raided their apartment and arrested them on charges of terrorism, espionage and illegal possession of weapons. They were imprisoned in Caracas awaiting trial ever since. Holt and his family maintain they were wrongly accused. Story continues Holt's parents have said their son was kept in appalling conditions, with meager food and limited access to health services, at El Helicoide, the infamous political prison in central Caracas. He had lost a considerable amount of weight and was suffering from kidney stones and painful tooth decay, they said. They called the release of their son and his wife a "miracle." "We thank you for your collaboration during this time of anguish," Holt's family said in a statement to The Associated Press on Saturday. "We ask that you allow us to meet with our son and his wife before giving any interviews and statements. We are grateful to all who participated in this miracle." The news of their release comes just days after Venezuela's presidential election. Nicolas Maduro was re-elected last Sunday for a second six-year term in a vote the United States denounced and said it won't recognize. President Donald Trump's nominee for the top State Department position for refugees and migration has drawn fierce criticism over several of his past comments about immigrants. Dr. Ronald Mortensen, a fellow at the Center for Immigration Studies and a former Foreign Service officer, is known for his hardline views on immigration. He's also criticized top Republicans as advocating for amnesty, and he accused Arizona Sen. John McCain of rolling out a welcome mat for ISIS. The White House formally nominated Mortensen Thursday to be the assistant secretary of state for population, refugees and migration, the agency's top diplomat tasked with solving refugee crises overseas and potentially resettling refugees in the U.S. The Trump administration has admitted a historically low number of refugees so far this fiscal year, and advocates are concerned he "has been sent to dismantle the refugee protection and resettlement program at the State Department," said Frank Sharry, executive director of the pro-immigrant group America's Voice. "This is like Richard Spencer being appointed head of the civil rights unit at [the Department of Justice]," Sharry told ABC News, referring to the white supremacist. "It's not the fox guarding the chicken coup. It's a monster in charge of the chicken coup." The previous assistant secretary also was critical of Mortensen's nomination. Anne Richard, appointed by President Barack Obama and now a professor at Georgetown University, told ABC News in an email: "I'm hoping the Senate Foreign Relations Committee will use the confirmation process to determine whether we are still a country that welcomes refugees and immigrants. This was an unshakable part of our identity as Americans, but the Trump administration has unilaterally changed this 241-year old policy." Neither the White House nor the State Department have responded to requests for comment. Story continues (MORE: McCain urges colleagues to reject CIA director nominee Gina Haspel) (MORE: Trump's VA secretary nominee Ronny Jackson withdraws) (MORE: Trump names Robert Wilkie as new VA secretary nominee) Mortensen has written extensively about his views on immigration, consistently arguing, as he wrote in an op-ed for The Hill last year: "The vast majority of adult illegal aliens are committing felonies by virtue of being active in America." He's also said immigrants in the U.S. illegally are "lying, cheating and destroying the lives of innocent American children for their own selfish purposes." Although his views aren't too far from Trump's, Mortensen also has bashed other Republicans like Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush for being "amnesty advocates." But some of his sharpest words have been for McCain, whom he accused of "roll[ing] out the welcome mat for ISIS on America's southern border." "McCain has provided ISIS with unfettered access to the United States for both its personnel and their weapons of death and destruction," Mortensen wrote in a 2014 op-ed. "Should ISIS or some other terrorist group take advantage of McCain's welcome mat, he will only have himself to blame as he goes in the eyes of many from war hero to collaborator." He went on to claim that ISIS may be "pre-positioning" on the Mexican side of the border "with car bombs ready to go." Some advocates said they were skeptical Mortensen would be confirmed because of his comments about Republicans because, as is true with most assistant secretary positions, that's up to the Senate. For all of his pieces on immigration, however, Mortensen has written and said little about refugee resettlement in America, let alone the massive refugee-aid programs to which the U.S. contributes, including endeavors to protect, repatriate and locally integrate refugees, migrants and others displaced by conflict. The Trump administration was strongly criticized for admitting less than a quarter of the 45,000 refugees it set as a cap for the fiscal year at the halfway point. The 45,000 figure was already the lowest ceiling in the refugee resettlement program's 43-year history. On May 16, a rancher near Denton, Montana, shot and killed what appeared to be a large wolf that was lurking near his livestock. As required by law he reported the kill to the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks (MFWP). But after examining pictures of the specimen, specialists were left puzzled, concluding that it was probably not a purebred wolf, local news outlet KRTV reported. While it was clear the creature was a female canida mammal of the dog family, which also includes foxes, coyotes and wolvesand shared many characteristics of a wolfsuch as long grayish fur, a large head, and elongated snoutofficials also noted some unusual features. Trending: Should We Colonize Space? Some People Argue We Need to Decolonize It Instead "Several things grabbed my attention when I saw the pictures," Ty Smucker, a wolf management specialist at MFWP told the Great Falls Tribune (GFT). "The ears are too big. The legs look a little short. The feet look a little small, and the coat looks weird. There's just something off about it." The carcass has now been sent to the MFWPs lab where tissue samples will be taken from the animal. These will then be transferred to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Laboratory in Ashland, Oregon where DNA samples will be compared to those of known species. "We have no idea what this was until we get a DNA report back," Bruce Auchly, a MFWP spokesman told the GFT, a process which could take weeks or even months. Don't miss: Xenoblade Chronicles 2 Update 1.4: Expansion Pass Quests Unlocked 636627858500637165-Denton-Canid-head Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Nevertheless, Smucker speculates that it may be some form of wolf-dog hybrid, of which several have been spotted in the region over recent years. Wolves and dogs can interbreed and produce viable offspring, something that nearly always happens in captivityalthough it can happen in the wild, albeit rarely. People who breed wolfdogs for pets, often find they are too challenging to care for. Story continues Every year, thousands of pet wolves or hybrids are abandoned, rescued or euthanized because people purchase an animal they were not prepared to care for, according to the International Wolf Center. Laws vary from area to area. In some states, hybrids are classified as wild animals and owners are required to possess the same type of permits and caging as for a wolf. In other states, hybrids are regulated as dogs, needing only proper vaccinations and licenses. This article was first written by Newsweek More from Newsweek Astronaut Alan Bean poses for a portrait in front of a mock-up of the Lunar Module: Nasa The fourth man to walk on the moon has died at the age of 86. Alan Bean passed away at Houston Methodist Hospital on Saturday after a short illness. His wife Leslie Bean said: Alan was the strongest and kindest man I ever knew. He was the love of my life and I miss him dearly. A native Texan, Alan died peacefully in Houston surrounded by those who loved him. Alan Bean flew twice into space, first as the lunar module pilot on Apollo 12, the second moon landing mission, in November 1969. In July 1973 he was commander of the second crewed flight to the United States first space station, Skylab. Bean retired from the Navy in 1975 and NASA in 1981 before devoting his time to his Apollo-themed artworks using small pieces of his moon dust-stained mission patches. Alan Bean was the most extraordinary person I ever met, said astronaut Mike Massimino, who flew on two space shuttle missions to service the Hubble Space Telescope. He was a one of a kind combination of technical achievement as an astronaut and artistic achievement as a painter. Alan Bean was the most extraordinary person I ever met, said astronaut Mike Massimino, who flew on two space shuttle missions to service the Hubble Space Telescope. He was a one of a kind combination of technical achievement as an astronaut and artistic achievement as a painter. Born March 15, 1932, in Wheeler, Texas, Bean received a Bachelor of Science degree in aeronautical engineering from the University of Texas in 1955. He attended the Navy Test Pilot School and accumulated more than 5,500 hours of flying time in 27 different types of aircraft. In October 1963 he was one of 14 trainees selected by NASA for its third group of astronauts in October 1963. On November 19, 1969, Bean and Apollo 12 commander Charles Pete Conrad landed on the Ocean of Storms. During two moonwalks Bean helped deploy several surface experiments and installed the first nuclear-powered generator station on the moon. Story continues Astronaut Alan Bean photographed by Commander Charles Conrad walking on the moon (NASA) He and Conrad also collected 75 pounds (34 kilograms) of rocks and lunar soil for study back on Earth and famously described bright green concentrations of olivine as "ginger ale bottle glass". Alan and Pete were extremely engaged in the planning for their exploration of the Surveyor III landing site in the Ocean of Storms," said Harrison Schmitt, Apollo 17 lunar module pilot. "This commitment paid off with Alan's and Pete's collection of a fantastic suite of lunar samples, a scientific gift that keeps on giving today and in the future." Mr Schmitt described Alan Bean as "one of the great renaissance men of his generation engineer, fighter pilot, astronaut and artist." Four years later Bean commanded the second crew to live and work on board the Skylab orbital workshop. During what was then a record 59-day, 24.4 million-mile flight, Bean and his two crewmates generated 76,000 photographs of the Sun to help scientists better understand its effects on the solar system. In total, Bean logged 69 days, 15 hours and 45 minutes in space, including 31 hours and 31 minutes on the moons surface. Alan and I have been best friends for 55 years ever since the day we became astronauts, said Walt Cunningham, who flew on Apollo 7. We're saddened by the passing of astronaut Alan Bean. The fourth person to walk on the Moon, he spent 10+ hours on the lunar surface during Apollo 12. Bean was spacecraft commander of Skylab Mission II & devoted his retirement to painting. Family release: https://t.co/bX8eXNQlSq pic.twitter.com/NJPQULjGlw NASA (@NASA) May 26, 2018 When I became head of the Skylab Branch of the Astronaut Office, we worked together and Alan eventually commanded the second Skylab mission. We have never lived more than a couple of miles apart, even after we left NASA. "And for years, Alan and I never missed a month where we did not have a cheeseburger together at Millers Cafe in Houston. We are accustomed to losing friends in our business but this is a tough one." Two weeks before his death Alan Bean suddenly fell ill while visiting Fort Wayne, Indiana. He is survived by his wife Leslie, a sister Paula Stott, and two children from a prior marriage, a daughter Amy Sue and son Clay. By Will Dunham (Reuters) - American astronaut Alan Bean, who walked on the moon in 1969 during the Apollo 12 mission and commanded a crew on the Skylab space station in 1973 before giving up his career to become a full-time painter, died in Houston on Saturday, officials said. Bean, 86, a former U.S. Navy test pilot who became one of only 12 people ever to set foot on the moon, died at Houston Methodist Hospital, his family said in a statement released by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). He had fallen ill two weeks ago while traveling in Fort Wayne, Indiana. "Alan was the strongest and kindest man I ever knew. He was the love of my life and I miss him dearly," said Leslie Bean, Bean's wife of 40 years, in a statement. "A native Texan, Alan died peacefully in Houston surrounded by those who loved him." Leaving his footprints on a region called the Ocean of Storms, Bean in November 1969 became the fourth man to walk on the moon as one of the astronauts on the second of NASA's lunar landing missions, Apollo 12. For the 40th anniversary of the Apollo 11's moon landing, Bean exhibited his paintings of lunar scenes at the Smithsonian Institution's National Air and Space Museum in Washington. Bean's lunar quest came just four months after American Neil Armstrong became the first human to walk on the moon in NASA's historic Apollo 11 mission in July 1969. Bean served as lunar module pilot on Apollo 12. He and crew mate Pete Conrad explored the moon's surface and conducted experiments while Richard Gordon orbited overhead in the command module, scouting landing sites for future moon missions. "I remember once looking back at Earth and starting to think, 'Gee, that's beautiful.' Then I said to myself, 'Quit screwing off and go collect rocks.' We figured reflection wasn't productive," Bean told People magazine in 1981. The mission was a success, even though it started with a jolt. Shortly after liftoff, the rocket was struck by lightning but the crew was able to continue the three-day flight to the moon. Bean and Conrad spent more than 31 hours on the lunar surface, including more than seven hours working outside of the module. Story continues In 1973, Bean commanded the second mission to Skylab, the first U.S. space station. Along with crew mates Owen Garriott and Jack Lousma, he spent 59 days in low-Earth orbit. Bean later played a key role in preparing future astronauts, serving in that role until the first flight of the space shuttle in 1981. He even worked with "Star Trek" actress Nichelle Nichols on outreach efforts to prospective astronauts. 'LIVE YOUR DREAM' His decision in 1981 to give up his NASA career to become a full-time artist surprised some of his colleagues. "You have to live your dream even if other people think it's screwed up," Bean told a 2010 NASA oral history interview. "About half the astronauts thought it was a midlife crisis or something. The other half, the ones that were more right-brain, thought it was a pretty good idea." Bean remembered telling a senior NASA official named George Abbey the reason he was leaving the space agency. "I said, 'I'm going to be an artist,'" Bean recalled. "If he hadn't had the window behind him, he would have gone over backwards. ... His first comment: 'Can you earn a living at that?' ... I said, 'I don't know, but if I can't I'm going to go to work at Jack in the Box (the fast-food hamburger chain)." Working at his home in Houston, Bean created paintings that focused on the Apollo missions, with images of himself and other astronauts on the moon rendered with the authenticity in lighting and color that only an eyewitness could provide. His paintings sold for tens of thousands of dollars apiece. His former colleagues became admirers. Armstrong once said, "Alan Bean and his 'astroartistry' recreate the drama and excitement of man's exploration of the moon as only could be chronicled by one who has been there." "I think I would like to be remembered in the end as an astronaut and an artist," Bean told People. "I think everyone can do more than one thing with his life." Bean was born on March 15, 1932, in Wheeler, Texas, and grew up in Fort Worth. He aspired to become a pilot and started flight training at age 17. He earned a degree in aeronautical engineering at the University of Texas, then was commissioned as an officer in the Navy. He trained as a Navy test pilot under Conrad, who years later during their astronaut days played a key role in getting Bean designated for the Apollo 11 mission. The retired Navy captain lived with his wife, Leslie, in Houston. He had two children by a previous marriage. (Reporting and writing by Will Dunham; Additional reporting by Gina Cherelus; Editing by Susan Thomas) Amazon admitted the situation was 'unlikely' - Bloomberg A woman whose private conversation with her husband was recorded by their Amazon Alexa and sent to a friend by email without their knowledge said she feels "invaded" by the worrying intrusion. Luckily for the the Oregon couple, the discussion picked up by the hands-free devices placed around their home went no further than the subject of hardwood flooring. But Danielle, who did not want to give her last name in local press reports, said that although the conversation was not highly personal, she nevertheless felt her privacy had been compromised by what Amazon said was a series of unfortunate events. Every room in the family home in Portland is wired with the devices, which control the home's heat, lighting and security system. Amazon said Alexa misinterpreted the conversation as a set of demands which led to the conversation being packaged up and sent to a seemingly random contact. During the conversation in question, Danielle received a call from one of her husband's employees, warning the couple: "unplug your Alexa devices right now! You're being hacked. "We unplugged all of them and he proceeded to tell us that he had received audio files of recordings from inside our house," she told her local ABC news station. "At first, my husband was, like, 'no you didn't!' And the (recipient of the message) said 'You sat there talking about hardwood floors.' And we said, 'oh gosh, you really did hear us.'" She unplugged all of her devices and contacted Amazon, who sent engineers to her house. Danielle said they apologised to her profusely. However, she said the device did not audibly advise her it was preparing to send the recording, which it is programmed to do. Amazon has given an explanation for the strange event, insisting its devices do not listen to customers unless they are "woken up" by the word Alexa. According to the company, in this instance an unlikely series of events occurred, which lead to the device thinking the pair wanted their conversation about hardwood floors recorded and sent to their friend. Story continues Amazon Alexa | Everything you need to know A spokesperson explained: "Echo woke up due to a word in background conversation sounding like 'Alexa.' Then, the subsequent conversation was heard as a 'send message' request. "At which point, Alexa said out loud 'To whom?' At which point, the background conversation was interpreted as a name in the customers contact list. Alexa then asked out loud, '[contact name], right?' "Alexa then interpreted background conversation as 'right'. As unlikely as this string of events is, we are evaluating options to make this case even less likely." Many have been suspicious of the company encouraging customers to place listening devices in every room of their homes. However, Amazon maintains this event was a malfunction, and not proof that Alexa is always listening. In the past, the company has filed patent applications for more invasive listening devices, which record all of the time. One such application included an algorithm that would analyse when people say they love or bought something. This patent included a diagram in which two people having a telephone conversation were given separate targeted advertisements after they hung up. There were also worries in 2016 when scientists found that voice assistants could be woken up by sounds unintelligible to humans. The group found that commands could be hidden in white noise, with the device switching on and going to websites without being asked by a human. In May, these findings went further, with researchers claiming they could embed commands directly into recordings of music or spoken text. This could mean that as a human listens to music, the voice assistant may hear an instruction to send a message, or add a product to a shopping list. Price of commemorative coins reduced but customers who have already bought them have asked if they can get their money back An associate at the White House visitor center told the Guardian a lot of people have called asking how they can get their money back on the coin. Photograph: STR/AFP/Getty Images The Donald Trump summit with Kim Jong-un may be over. But the opportunity to buy a coin commemorating the doomed meeting is not. In fact, it just got cheaper. The White House Gift Shop slashed the price of the President Trump United States and Korea Summit Coin on Thursday, after Trump cancelled the planned meeting with the North Korean leader. The online store selling the coin crashed, reporting an error message that the server was too busy. A note on the White House gift shop website described the coin, which comes in a black velvet case, as the deal of the day. The deal of the day price is $19.95, down from the regular price of $24.95. The product description said the coin, designed to celebrate the summit, will be made whether or not the summit occurs. According to the White House gift shop, this is because the theme is coming close to peace and celebrates the act of communication among countries. Trump's #NorthKoreaSummit commemorative coin is now a "Deal of the Day" at the White House Gift Shop. h/t @typingelbow pic.twitter.com/QaHyAnyl9B Christina Wilkie (@christinawilkie) May 24, 2018 The description adds that people buying the commemorative coin can request a refund if the summit does not occur. But according to the gift shop, most supporters have said they want this heirloom of political history regardless of outcome. An associate at the White House visitor center told the Guardian a lot of people have called asking how they can get their money back on the coin. Staff at the gift shop did not answer the phone. Story continues The White House communications agency struck a commemorative coin to celebrate the summit earlier this week. It shows Trump and Kim in profile, with the American and North Korean flags in the background. I know Pres Trump cancelled it, but if I were Kim I would have pulled out for the double chin disrespect on the coins alone pic.twitter.com/KvlzIdedtH Landon Troester (@LandonTroester) May 24, 2018 The White House Gift Shop said the $19.95 coin is not identical to that coin. The discounted coin also features the South Korean president Moon Jae-in. The shop offers free shipping on orders over $150; eager numismatists would have to purchase eight coins to take advantage of the offer. Trump suddenly called off the summit on Thursday. The president said he had been very much looking forward to meeting Kim, but that based on the tremendous anger and open hostility displayed in your most recent statement, I feel it is inappropriate, at this time, to have this long-planned meeting. President Trumps chief of staff and a White House lawyer representing the president in the Russia investigation were present on Thursday at the start of two classified meetings requested by members of Congress to review sensitive material about the FBIs use of an informant in the inquiry. The two men left both meetings after sharing introductory remarks to relay the presidents desire for as much openness as possible under the law and before officials began to brief the lawmakers, the White House said in a statement. But the presence of John Kelly, the chief of staff, and Emmet Flood, the presidents lawyer, infuriated Democrats, and legal experts said their visit, at the least, could give off the appearance that the White House abused its authority to gain insight into an investigation that implicates the president. The presidents legal team was unapologetic. We are certainly entitled to know what information the government has on the FBI informant, Rudy Giuliani, another lawyer representing Mr Trump in the investigation, said in an interview. The meeting cuts off a long subpoena, he said, referring to a legal fight for the information. At least two lawmakers participating in the briefings told Mr Flood to his face that his presence was inappropriate. Although he did not participate in the meetings which followed, as the White Houses attorney handling the special counsels investigation, his involvement in any capacity was entirely improper, Representative Adam Schiff of California, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, said in a statement. House Republicans close to the president, led by Representative Devin Nunes of California, the committees chairman, had been pressing for weeks for access to material related to a law enforcement informant who had approached at least three Trump campaign advisers who had been in contact with suspected Russian agents. People familiar with the matter said that the purpose of using the informant a common FBI tool was to glean information about what the aides knew about the Russian efforts to hack into Democratic emails, not to spy on Mr Trumps campaign. Story continues But the issue exploded when Mr Trump accused the FBI, without evidence, of planting a spy in his campaign. He demanded in recent days that the Justice Department investigate the matter and turn over records to Congress, despite warnings from law enforcement officials in his administration that sharing the documents would put the informant and foreign intelligence partners at risk. Law enforcement and intelligence officials did not provide documents to the lawmakers on Thursday, but they did provide information about the use of the informant, according to two people familiar with the matter. They spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss a classified meeting. Republicans close to Mr Nunes made clear in the run-up to the meetings that they would not be satisfied unless officials turned over documents. Neither Mr Nunes nor lawmakers close to him spoke publicly after Thursdays sessions. Democrats who attended said after the meetings that the FBI had done nothing wrong by employing the informant, an American academic who served in several Republican administrations and has taught more recently in Britain. Nothing we heard today has changed our view that there is no evidence to support any allegation that the FBI or any intelligence agency placed a spy in the Trump campaign, or otherwise failed to follow appropriate procedures and protocols, Mr Schiff told reporters on behalf of the Democrats in the briefing. He did not take questions. White House officials had at first arranged for only Mr Nunes to be briefed. But Republican Senate leaders, including Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the majority leader, and Richard Burr of North Carolina, the Intelligence Committee chairman, pressed the White House to change the audience to the so-called Gang of Eight, the select bipartisan group with whom the governments most sensitive intelligence is shared. Mr McConnell said in an interview on Thursday that the Gang of Eight meeting was an appropriate way to convey whatever information the administration had to convey, but he declined to critique Mr Trumps charges of illegal spying. As Mr Trump continued to fan unsubstantiated claims that partisan Democrats had planted a spy in his campaign, the logistics for the meetings shifted several times. Ultimately, Mr Schiff was allowed to attend a morning session that had previously been offered to just Mr Nunes, Speaker Paul Ryan of Wisconsin and another Republican congressman. The Gang of Eight met later Thursday afternoon on Capitol Hill. Mr Floods presence at the meetings was entirely unexpected. While Mr Kelly helped arrange the meetings at Mr Trumps request, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, the White House press secretary, had said no White House staff members would attend. Guidance circulated by the Justice Department late Wednesday did not include Mr Flood among the invitees. For the record, the Presidents Chief of Staff and his attorney in an ongoing criminal investigation into the Presidents campaign have no business showing up to a classified intelligence briefing, Senator Mark Warner of Virginia, the top Democrat on the Intelligence Committee, said on Twitter. For the record, the Presidents Chief of Staff and his attorney in an ongoing criminal investigation into the Presidents campaign have no business showing up to a classified intelligence briefing. Mark Warner (@MarkWarner) May 24, 2018 When Democrats confronted Mr Flood in the Gang of Eight meeting, Mr Kelly intervened and dismissed their criticism, according to one of the officials familiar with the meeting. Democrats tried to start their own inquiry. Representative Jerrold Nadler of New York, the ranking Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, made a formal request for the Justice Department to investigate the disclosure of the confidential informants name and existence to the news media. While there is no constitutional provision that says the presidents personal lawyer cannot make a statement at a classified briefing, legal scholars expressed misgivings. Even if Flood wasnt there for any operative parts of the meeting, the optics are disquieting, said Stephen Vladeck, a professor at the University of Texas School of Law. Rather than being sensitive to the clear potential conflict this creates, the president is driving a truck through the middle of it. Historically, a president would be very careful to avoid the appearance of a conflict, as opposed to relishing in it. Mr Ryan, who has been criticised for not reining in House Republican attacks on the Russia inquiry and federal law enforcement, defended the unusual meetings. Inherent in the Intelligence Committees work is the responsibility to ask tough questions of the executive branch, he said in a statement. That is why we have insisted and will continue to insist on Congresss constitutional right to information necessary for the conduct of oversight. Mr Nunes, a loyal ally of Mr Trump who advised his presidential transition, has been quiet about what exactly he hoped to learn about the informant, saying only that his late April request was part of an oversight investigation into potential political bias and abuse of power within the Justice Department as it relates to the Russia investigation. It was the latest in a series of bold demands for classified documents and testimony related to the Russia inquiry and far from his first open confrontation with top Republican officials in the department. And it echoed another episode, from last spring, in which Mr Trump falsely claimed that President Barack Obama wiretapped Trump Tower, and Mr Nunes went public with information that he said showed the Obama administration had incidentally collected intelligence on Trump associates. Democrats say that the latest episode including the presidents involvement is the most recent gambit by Mr Nunes and Mr Trump to undermine the special counsel, Robert Mueller III, and gain information about his inquiry. Many of Mr Nuness targets were in the room for the meeting: Christopher Wray, the FBI director; Rod Rosenstein, the deputy attorney general; and Dan Coats, the director of national intelligence, along with other law enforcement and intelligence officials. Mr Trump continued to rail against law enforcement on Twitter on Thursday, repeating his unsubstantiated claims. Large dollars were paid to the Spy, far beyond normal, he said, without citing evidence, before referring to the matter as one of the biggest political scandals in US history. Five former top American intelligence officials who have worked for Democratic and Republican administrations, including Leon Panetta and Gen. Michael Hayden, warned on Wednesday that House Republicans were putting at risk the tradition of bipartisan oversight of intelligence. When congressional oversight is overly partisan or focused on undermining important counterintelligence investigations we worry about inappropriate political influence on the investigators and the erosion of a bipartisan approach to intelligence and national security, they wrote in an open letter. The New York Times President Trump speaks during a dinner with governors to discuss border security and safe communities in the Blue Room at the White House on 21 May: Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post The historic nuclear disarmament summit between President Donald Trump and North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un the one that Mr Trump thought might earn him the Nobel Peace Prize crumbled nearly as quickly as it came together, in a sudden and startling decision on Thursday morning by the American president. Inside the White House residence, the first alarm sounded about 10 pm on Wednesday when National Security Adviser John Bolton told Mr Trump about North Korea's public statement threatening a nuclear-to-nuclear showdown and mocking Vice President Mike Pence as a political dummy. Mr Trump was dismayed by Pyongyang's warmongering rhetoric, the same theatrics Mr Trump often deploys against his adversaries. Mr Bolton advised that the threatening language was a very bad sign, and the president told advisers he was concerned Mr Kim was manoeuvring to back out of the summit and make Americans look like desperate suitors, according to a person familiar with the conversations. So Mr Trump called it off first. The result was a crushing disappointment for a president eager to achieve a peace accord with North Korea that his recent predecessors had failed to reach. In a snap decision in early March, Mr Trump had agreed to face-to-face talks with Mr Kim, and in the weeks that followed, he was optimistic even boastful about what would happen when the two men met on 12 June in Singapore. It was a legitimate disappointment for him, even though he's been half-warned it was not going to happen, said Rudy Giuliani, Mr Trump's personal attorney, who visited with the president Wednesday in New York. Mr Trump debated summit locations and seriously considered meeting Mr Kim along the demilitarised zone between North and South Korea. He imagined the pageantry. The White House Communications Agency manufactured a limited run of red, white and blue challenge coins embossed with Mr Trump's silver visage facing off against Mr Kim's. He even mused about winning the Nobel Peace Prize. This was to be the ultimate Trump production. Story continues But the president's imagination collided with the reality of negotiations with a rogue and mistrusted regime. Though Mr Trump is hardly the first president to have sensitive diplomatic entreaties fall short, his played out in full public view, like a soap opera narrated daily from the Oval Office. Tony Schwartz, who co-authored The Art of the Deal with Mr Trump, said the president put an end to the summit to save his ego. Trump has a morbid fear of being humiliated and shamed, Schwartz said. This is showing who's the biggest and the strongest, so he is exquisitely sensitive to the possibility that he would end up looking weak and small. There is nothing more unacceptable to Trump than that. As dawn broke on Thursday, senior US officials congregated in the West Wing, and by 7 am, they were discussing options over the phone with Mr Trump, who was still in his private chambers. The president arrived at a swift decision to cancel the summit. A cadre of advisers including Mr Bolton, Chief of Staff John Kelly, press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders, vice presidential Chief of Staff Nick Ayers, Deputy Chief of Staff Joe Hagin and deputy national security adviser Mira Ricardel scurried between Mr Ayers', Mr Kelly's and Mr Bolton's offices, finalising their plan to break Mr Trump's news. Mr Trump dictated a stern yet wistful personal letter to Mr Kim blaming him for the tremendous anger and open hostility displayed in your most recent statement. The note bore Trumpian hallmarks, including flattering the recipient (he addressed a dictator who has kidnapped Americans and killed his own citizens as His Excellency) and boasting about the size of his arsenal. You talk about your nuclear capabilities, but ours are so massive and powerful that I pray to God they will never have to be used, Mr Trump wrote. This behind-the-scenes account of Mr Trump's decision to cancel the Singapore summit is based on interviews with seven administration officials, many of whom spoke on the condition of anonymity to candidly discuss a sensitive matter. Mr Trump's move caught South Korea and other allies off guard in part by design, aides said. The president feared the news would leak out if foreign counterparts were alerted, though some in the White House were concerned about insulting allies. Foreign diplomats got word that the summit was off at the same time as the general public, shortly before 10 am, when the White House sent a copy of Mr Trump's letter to reporters. At South Korea's presidential Blue House, officials were blindsided. President Moon Jae-in had just returned home from Washington, where he met with Mr Trump on Tuesday, and Mr Moon's national security adviser recently put the chance of the summit happening at 99.9 percent. Reached shortly after Mr Trump's letter was released, Blue House spokesman Kim Eui-kyeom said, We are attempting to make sense of what, precisely, President Trump means. Mr Trump made his announcement while several American journalists were in North Korea at the invitation of Mr Kim's government to witness the apparent destruction of a nuclear test site. In 2009, North Korean soldiers detained two American journalists, Euna Lee and Laura Ling, who were charged with illegal entry and held prisoner for five months. CNN correspondent Will Ripley, who was reporting from the test site this week, recalled being the one to read Mr Trump's letter to North Korean officials. There was just a real sense of shock, Mr Ripley reported on Thursday. Immediately they got up and left and are now on the phone kind of relaying the news up to the top. The moment, Mr Ripley added, was very awkward and uncomfortable. Mr Trump's final decision was abrupt, but doubts had been growing for several days, with indications all week that the North Koreans were operating in bad faith. The president's tone turned somewhat sceptical. We're going to see what happens, he told reporters on Wednesday. It could very well happen. But whatever it is, it is. Mr Kim and his deputies had blasted Mr Bolton for comments he made 29 April on CBS News in which he said the administration would try to emulate the Libya model from 2003 and 2004, in which Moammar Gadhafi relinquished his regime's nuclear weapons program. The North Koreans believe that agreement led to Gaddafi's downfall and death in 2011, and a top Kim aide blasted Mr Bolton, whom they generally considered antagonistic from his many years as a foreign policy hawk. Mr Trump last week sought to reassure Mr Kim that he would remain in power under any nuclear deal with the United States, contradicting Mr Bolton by saying, "The Libya model isn't the model that we have. But on Monday, Mr Pence said in an interview with Fox News that the Libyan model will apply to North Korea if Mr Kim does not agree to denuclearize. Aides said Mr Pence's comments were not an effort to sabotage the deal, saying that he and Mr Trump spoke before the Fox interview and that the vice president reiterated points Mr Trump had previously made. Still, Mr Pence's Libya analogy struck a nerve in Pyongyang. When North Korea's government unleashed its Wednesday torrent of invective against the Mr Trump administration, an aide close to Mr Kim called Mr Pence a "political dummy who made ignorant and stupid remarks. Meanwhile, US officials had grown concerned that Mr Kim's deputies had gone silent on preparations for the summit. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo who travelled twice to North Korea and was regarded inside the Trump administration as the good cop to Mr Bolton's enforcer blamed Pyongyang for the breakdown in communication in recent days. The United States received no response to our inquiries from them, Mr Pompeo told a Senate panel on Thursday. We got a lot of dial tones. US officials were further frustrated last week when a senior North Korean delegation failed to show up for a planning meeting in Singapore, leaving a team led by Mr Hagin in the island country with little to do. They waited, and they waited, a senior White House official said. The North Koreans never showed up. The North Koreans didn't tell us anything. They simply stood us up. Mr Trump suspected that Chinese President Xi Jinping may have had something to do with Mr Kim's turnabout, musing this week about their meeting this month. When Kim Jong Un had the meeting with President Xi, in China, the second meeting ... I think there was a little change in attitude from Kim Jong Un, Mr Trump said on Tuesday, with Mr Jae-In at his side. I don't like that. I don't like it from the standpoint of China. Now, I hope that's not true, because I have a great relationship with President Xi. He's a friend of mine. He likes me. I like him. Evelyn Farkas, a former Obama administration national security official who has worked on North Korea issues, said Mr Trump was naive. He fails to understand that while he might have a good rapport with a head of state, that head of state will act based on his national interests and not based on his personal feelings, she said. Some Trump administration officials worried about losing the upper hand if Mr Kim strung Mr Trump along and bailed on the meeting, according to a second senior White House official. Aides began telling Mr Trump last week that he should be prepared for the summit not to happen and that it might take several tries before he actually meets Mr Kim face to face. Tempering the president's enthusiasm was partially driven by Mr Bolton, as well as by some congressional allies. Here's what I told the president: North Koreans are going to try to wait you out, Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said. They're going to nickel and dime you. They're going to delay. They're going to obfuscate. They are going to make commitments and pull them back. Despite the warning signs, Mr Trump remained hopeful that the summit would go on as he had imagined. Aboard Air Force One on Wednesday, Mr Trump told passengers that he believed Mr Kim was ready to make a deal and that enough screws had been put on him to bring him to the negotiating table in Singapore, according to Rep. Peter King, R-N.Y., who flew with Mr Trump. If I had to bet right now, he had no intention of calling it off, Mr King said. "He was throwing out different ideas nothing dramatic, but obviously thinking through what they were going to be doing over the next few days to get ready and make plans for the summit. For Mr Trump, the cancellation brings one silver lining at least in the eyes of his lawyer. Mr Giuliani said the president would now be free to focus on whether to sit for an interview with Special Counsel Robert Mueller's team in the Russia investigation. Still, Mr Giuliani added, he believes Mr Trump is more likely to eventually sit down across from Mr Kim than Mr Mueller. I think it is more inevitable than a Mueller interview, Mr Giuliani said. At least they're not going to try to trap him into Korean perjury. The Washington Post. Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg at annual F8 summit at the San Jose McEnery Convention Center in San Jose, California on May 1, 2018. Source: JOSH EDELSON/AFP/Getty Images For years, tech companies have moved at breakneck speeds, rolling out experiences and features to draw new users and keep current ones hooked. But companies like Facebook (FB) have recently glommed onto a mindset gaining traction: more time spent on a device or service isnt necessarily better for the user. On the contrary, increased time on that device, app or website can actually impact your health a fact tech leaders have acknowledged. Were very focused on making sure that peoples use of technology is good for peoples well-being, Mark Zuckerberg conceded on Tuesday during an appearance in front of lawmakers from the European Union in Brussels. Zuckerbergs acknowledgment comes nearly two weeks after Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff called Facebook the new cigarettes of our industry and nearly a month after the Facebook CEOs appearance before Congress, in which he discussed the social networks responsibility to build services that are good for people and good for society. In early May, Google (GOOG, GOOGL) also announced at its annual developer conference its Digital Wellbeing initiative, a set of features focused on helping Android users manage how they spend their time on their smartphones. Its a particularly fraught time for big tech companies, which have come under scrutiny for issues such as data privacy and tech addiction an over-dependence on gadgets and the internet. Several studies have linked long-term use of Facebook with depression and chronic loneliness among some types of people. Meanwhile, our psychological dependence on smartphones has become so complex that just having them nearby can hinder our ability to focus, according to some research. As a result, companies such as Apple, Facebook and Google are proactively rolling out measures to look after your digital well-being, likely in part to help shore up their public image. I do think what Facebook, Apple and Google have done in the last 12-18 months are all positive steps to addressing this issue, says Gartner analyst Mark Hung. I think theres no easy answer. The good news is that the tech providers are looking at ways to address it. Ultimately, if it persists on a negative path, it will affect their bottom line. Story continues Theyre more than an appendage Tech companies like Apple, Google and Facebook in more recent years have rolled out features that help look after users well-being. As devices and services have become more advanced recognizing friends in photos, scanning our mugs to unlock phones our consumption of these devices has increased, too. To many smartphone owners, theyre more than an appendage theyre a physical and virtual connection to relevance, contends Brian Solis, a principal analyst at the San Francisco-based Altimeter Group. Hyperbolic as that sounds, look at the numbers. The average user checks their smartphone well over 320 times a week according to a study from Deloitte released in November 2017. That number is much higher among users ages 18-24, who check their phones 86 times a day up from 82 times daily in 2016. The Deloitte survey polled 2,000 U.S. internet users between ages 18 and 75. Unless youre a road warrior traveling for work or a high-flying business executive, is it really necessary to engage with your phone that often? Doubtful. But society at least American society has conditioned its denizens to feel intense bouts of instant gratification by constantly sending friends emoji-laden messages, playing brief snackable games and sending updates into the digital ether that earn likes, comments and retweets. If they have your attention, they can monetize it Apples Do Not Disturb feature has evolved since the company first introduced it in 2012 such that its sensitive to when users are on the road. For hardware and software companies, the benefits of increased user engagement are clear. The faster and more fully-featured a smartphone is, the easier it is to run and juggle even the most demanding of apps. And the more compelling or entertaining an app is, the longer youre likely to use it. If they have your attention, they can monetize it, Solis explained of tech companies product strategies until now. If they have your attention, they can sell into an open funnel in the years to come, which is why you have fanboys and fangirls for Apple. Still, no tech company wants to be caught looking like a greedy, thoughtless corporate entity, particularly in a time when society is sensitive to issues such as users rights and data privacy. And while its incredibly easy to throw all the blame at the feet of these devices and their creators some of which is well-deserved some credit should be given where its due. In 2012, Apple launched Do Not Disturb, a setting whereby a users phone can still receive incoming calls, messages and other notifications, but wont alert the user until later keeping the iPhone silent and its screen dark in the meantime. As minor as it sounds, Apples (AAPL) Do Not Disturb was an acknowledgment from a major tech company that there is indeed life beyond our devices and apps, and that people need just as much actual face-to-face time as they do FaceTime. Much more recently, Facebook followed suit. Mark Zuckerberg announced this January that the platforms News Feed will start prioritizing meaningful social interactions versus relevant content, and that he expects the time people spend on the social network will go down as a result. But I also expect the time you do spend on Facebook will be more valuable, Zuckerberg wrote then. And if we do the right thing, I believe that will be good for our community and our business over the long term, too. Uncoincidentally, Googles own Digital Wellbeing features arrived roughly five months later. So while big techs motivations obviously arent purely altruistic in nature, they at least suggest companies are more conscientious about the effects theyre having on users, which is something, at least. JP Mangalindan is the Chief Tech Correspondent for Yahoo Finance covering the intersection of tech and business. Email story tips and musings to jpm@oath.com. Follow him on Twitter or Facebook. More from JP By Lucy Fielder and Douglas Busvine VIENNA/LONDON (Reuters) - As Europe's new privacy law took effect on Friday, one activist wasted no time in asserting the additional rights it gives people over the data that companies want to collect about them. Austrian Max Schrems filed complaints against Google, Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, arguing they were acting illegally by forcing users to accept intrusive terms of service or lose access. That take-it-or-leave-it approach, Schrems told Reuters Television, violates people's right under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) to choose freely whether to allow companies to use their data. "You have to have a 'yes or no' option," Schrems said in an interview recorded in Vienna before he filed the complaints in various European jurisdictions. "A lot of these companies now force you to consent to the new privacy policy, which is totally against the law." The GDPR overhauls data protection laws in the European Union that predate the rise of the internet and, most importantly, foresees fines of up to 4 percent of global revenues for companies that break the rules. That puts potential sanctions in the ballpark of anti-trust fines levied by Brussels that, in Google's case, have run into billions of dollars. Andrea Jelinek, who heads both Austria's Data Protection Authority and a new European Data Protection Board set up under GDPR, appeared to express sympathy with Schrems' arguments at a news conference in Brussels. Asked about the merits of Schrems' complaints, Jelinek said: "If there is forced consent, there is no consent." SCOURGE OF FACEBOOK Schrems was a 23-year-old law student when he first took on Facebook and he's been fighting Mark Zuckerberg's social network ever since - becoming the poster-boy for data privacy. He won a landmark European court ruling in 2015 that invalidated a 'safe harbour' agreement allowing firms to transfer personal data from the EU to the United States, where data protection is less strict. Story continues With GDPR in mind, he recently set up a non-profit called None of Your Business https://noyb.eu (noyb) that plans legal action to blunt the ability of the tech titans to harvest data that they then use to sell targeted advertising. His laptop perched on the table of a traditional Viennese coffee house, Schrems showed how a pop-up message on Facebook seeks consent to use his data - and how he is blocked when he refuses. "The only way is to really accept it, otherwise you cannot use your Facebook any more," Schrems explained. "As you can see, I have my messages there and I cannot read them unless I agree." Erin Egan, Facebook's chief privacy officer, said in a statement that the company has prepared for 18 months to ensure it meets the requirements of GDPR by making its policies clearer and its privacy settings easier to find. Facebook, which has more than 2 billion regular users, has also said that advertising allows it to remain free, and that the whole service, including ads, is meant to be personalized based on user data. "1,000-EURO BRICK" Schrems said, however, that Instagram, a photo-sharing network popular with younger users, and encrypted messaging service WhatsApp - both owned by Facebook - also use pop-ups to gain consent and bar users who refuse. The action brought by noyb against Google relates to new smartphones using its Android operating system. Buyers are required to hand over their data or else own "a 1,000-euro brick" that they can't use, Schrems said. Google did not immediately respond to a request for comment. noyb is filing the four claims with data protection authorities in France, Belgium, Germany and Austria. Ensuing litigation may play out in Ireland, where both Facebook and Google have their European headquarters. One filing, made against Facebook on behalf of an Austrian woman, asks the country's data protection authority to investigate and, as appropriate, prohibit data processing operations based on invalid consent. It also asks the regulator to impose "effective, proportionate and dissuasive" fines as foreseen by GDPR, which in Facebook's case could run to 1.3 billion euros ($1.5 billion). "So far it was cheaper just to ignore privacy rights," said Schrems. "Now, hopefully, it's going to be cheaper to follow them because the penalties are so high." ($1 = 0.8555 euros) (Additional reporting by David Ingram in San Francisco and Julia Fioretti in Brussels; Writing by Douglas Busvine; Editing by Keith Weir) A Kansas woman has been arrested after police found a body under a bridge believed to be that of her 5-year-old stepson, whom she had reported missing in February, multiple outlets report. On Thursday night, hours after the body was found, police arrested Emily Glass, 27, of Wichita, the stepmother of Lucas Hernandez, and charged her with one count of interfering with a law enforcement officer and obstruction, local station KAKE reports. Officers who found the body under a bridge in rural Harvey County called it unidentifiable because it was so badly decomposed, the Topeka Capital-Journal reports. Sedgwick County District Attorney Mark Bennett said that Glass was in the area hours before, the New York Times reports. Glass led private investigator David Marshburn, who specializes in finding missing persons, to the area, Marshburn told KAKE in an interview. While Glass has not been charged directly in the boys disappearance, the district attorney has called her a person of interest in the case, the Times reports. Emily Glass, 27 Authorities have not yet identified the body. But Lucas maternal grandmother, Robin Taylor, told KAKE that the body is that of her grandson. An autopsy will be conducted Friday to officially identify the body, according to Police Chief Gordon Ramsay, KWCH reports. Lucas Hernandez, 5 Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Click here to get breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases in the True Crime Newsletter. After Lucas was reported missing on Feb. 17, relatives and neighbors came forward saying they believed he was abused, according to ABC News. In February, shortly after Lucas went missing, Glass was arrested on child endangerment charges related to her 1-year-old daughter, ABC News reports. She was acquitted of those charges in May. Lucas father, Jonathan Hernandez, was arrested May 10 in an unrelated battery case, ABC News reports. That case is still pending. Story continues On the day Lucas was reported missing, Glass told police she last saw the boy in his bedroom at about 3 p.m. before she took a shower and fell asleep, police said at the time. She said that when she woke up, he was gone. After he was declared missing, the FBI and local authorities spent weeks searching for the boy. At the time, Lucass elementary school teacher wrote an emotional post on her Facebook page, writing, Please pray for the safe return of the 5-year old that went missing. He is one of my students and a very sweet little boy. Please pray for him and his family. My heart is so heavy right now. Burkina Faso's foreign minister will begin a visit to China on Saturday, just days after cutting diplomatic ties with Taiwan in the first such visit in 25 years, diplomatic sources told AFP. "Minister (Alpha) Barry flew to China after taking part in Thursday's cabinet meeting and is expected to arrive in Beijing on Saturday, after stopping in Abidjan and Paris," a diplomatic source told AFP on Friday. It is the first such visit since the west African country suspended co-operation with Beijing in 1993 before switching recognition to Taiwan a year later. But on Thursday, the Sahel state announced its decision to sever ties with Taiwan following a string of similar moves by African states since 2000. Swaziland remains the only African country to have relations with Taiwan. In a statement, Barry said "changes in the world, the current socio-economic challenges facing our country and our region call on us to reconsider our position". China considers Taiwan to be a renegade province. The two have for years engaged in a diplomatic tug-of-war in developing countries, with economic support and other aid often used as bargaining chips for recognition. China has notched up a string of successes south of the Sahara, where it has gained a high profile in infrastructure projects, especially in transport. The move to dump the island, which is left with only 18 diplomatic allies around the world, sparked the resignation of Taiwan's foreign minister, Joseph Wu. A landlocked country of 18 million people on the southern rim of the Sahara, Burkina Faso is one of the poorest nations of the world. It ranked 185th out of 188 states in the UN's Human Development Index for 2016. Beijing (AFP) - China and Burkina Faso signed an agreement to establish diplomatic relations on Saturday, days after the west African nation cut ties with Taiwan in yet another victory for Beijing in its campaign to isolate the island. A communique on establishing relations was signed in Beijing by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his counterpart Alpha Barry. Burkina Faso broke off ties with Taiwan on Thursday, becoming the second country to do so within a month and leaving the democratically ruled island with only 18 diplomatic allies around the world. Wang said in a speech after the signing that Burkina Faso acknowledged in the communique that "there is only one China in the world." "The Burkina Faso government is following the trend of the times and made the right political decision," he said. The move had been widely expected after Burkina Faso defected from Taiwan, which has steadily lost ground in a decades-long diplomatic tug-of-war with China in developing countries. Taiwan can now claim only one ally in Africa, Swaziland. "Now Africa has only one country with which we have not yet established (relations)," Wang said. "We hope this country can join the big China-Africa family of friendship as soon as possible." China and Taiwan split in 1949 after a civil war won by the Chinese Communists. The two sides often use economic support and other aid as bargaining chips for diplomatic recognition. China still considers Taiwan to be a renegade province to be reunified with the mainland, by force if necessary. Relations between Taiwan and China have worsened since President Tsai Ing-wen took over in Taipei in 2016. Beijing has raised the pressure on Tsai, whose government refuses to acknowledge that Taiwan -- whose democratic freedoms stand in stark contrast to Communist-ruled China -- is part of a "one China". Burkina Faso was the fourth country to cut ties with Taipei since Tsai took office two years ago. Story continues Calling China "the world's most important economy," Barry said he expected Burkina Faso to benefit from the relationship. Taiwan expressed its "strong disappointment, regret and anger" at the move. In a statement, the foreign ministry accused Burkina Faso of "being lured by China's dollar diplomatic offensive, ignoring the significant contributions Taiwan had made for the past 24 years towards Burkina Faso's security, social stability, economic development and people's livelihood". Tsai has also lashed out at China's "crude behaviours" after Burkina Faso broke ties. "China's crude behaviours to undermine our sovereignty have already challenged the bottom line of Taiwan's society. We will not tolerate it anymore," she said Thursday. The Dominican Republic switched recognition to Beijing earlier in May, terminating a 77-year diplomatic relationship to recognise China. The small African nation of Sao Tome switched recognition to Beijing in late 2016, followed by Panama in June last year. Rich guys, they love rocket ships, President Donald Trump said during a recent Cabinet meeting, according to The Washington Post. Thats good. Thats better than us paying for them. On Thursday, Trump signed a set of directives meant to shift the burden of space exploration off the government and onto companies. But not everyone agrees that leaving space to commercial regency is bettergovernments may be more likely to ensure space exploration benefits a broader swath of society. A stark picture of what our future in space could look like came during Februarys historic launch of the SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket. The company was called out for its overwhelmingly white and male engineering staff on display during the broadcast. (SpaceX did not respond to an interview request for this story.) Whether its governments or companies in charge, some experts argue that one place to start is examining the words we use to talk about space. Many subtly or blatantly reflect unsavory aspects of our history here on Earth, like systematic oppression and murder that still produces inequality today. Even though manned missions have mostly fallen out of favor, plutocrats dream of colonizing Mars and filling their coffers by exploiting extraterrestrial resources. Trending: InfoWars Host Alex Jones Gives $3,000 to Michael Rotondo, Man Evicted From Parent's House Language is one of the ways in which we shape our social reality, Zuleyka Zevallos, a sociologist at Swinburne University in Australia, told Newsweek. That means using terms like colonize carries real risks. The history of colonialism has taught us that there is no democratic way to colonize other lands, she said. It is about profit, and profit always marginalizes minorities. Qualms about the word colonize arent newin the earliest days of spaceflight, the State Department tried to ban the term and Carl Sagan preferred space cities. But other visionaries at the time argued it was a perfectly fine term that carried both good and bad reminders. Lucianne Walkowicz, an astrobiologist at the Adler Planetarium currently spending a year at the Library of Congress studying the ethics of Mars exploration, says that arguments like that speak volumes about diversity in space. Story continues It tells you something about who is driving the conversation if somebody can talk about colonialism as a dispassionate list of things that went well and badly, Walkowicz said. To me, the words are a symptom of the ways in which we create narratives that exclude people from envisioning themselves in the future. But commercial space companies dont have a monopoly on narratives. D. Denenge Duyst-Akpem, an art historian and afrofuturist at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, points to the example being created by Mae Jemison, the first African-American woman to go to space. Jemisons nonprofit 100 Year Starship initiative emphasizes using space-bound technology to improve life on Earth as well and frames travel around the phrase establishing a human presence. Don't miss: What Is The Ireland Abortion Referendum? Constitutional Ban To Be Repealed After Landslide Win for Yes Campaign That term is a goal in more ways than one. But can we stop at just a presence? Duyst-Akpem worries well go far beyond a mere presence, given our myriad pollution problems on Earth, from plastic bags in the Mariana Trench to old spacecraft in orbit. It seems like there are some fundamental behavioral issues with humans that need to be addressed before we can really be trusted to do right by other planets, she said. One group that wants to establish perhaps more than just a presence on Mars is the Mars Society, a membership group dedicated to settling humans on Mars. Its founder, Robert Zubrin, said that the one word he shies away from is colony, preferring settlement because the first confuses the issue with imperialism. But he also argues that barring extraterrestrial natives, the history of Earths colonization isnt really relevant. On Mars, we have a chance to create something new with clean hands, he said. Were not going to Mars to steal other peoples property, were going to Mars to createnot just property but a society. (Walkowicz counters that we arent positive yet theres no life on Mars, and Zevallos says it doesnt matter because the usage whitewashes the history of colonialism on Earth. If we do make contact, it may be too late to change our approach. To use that word means youre already starting on the wrong foot, said Corey Gray, lead operator at the LIGO gravitational wave detector in Washington and a member of the Siksika Nation. Language is our first impression.) 05_25_mars_mission_settlement Jorge Guerrero/AFP/Getty Images Most popular: Trump Claims Democrats To Blame For Policy Separating Children From Parents At Border Right now, theres no societal framework to force current space explorers to be more inclusive. The cornerstone of space law, the 1967 Outer Space Treaty, cherishes equity, but its designed to govern countries, not companies or individuals. It doesnt do much to level the playing field even for less-developed countries, much less underprivileged groups within developed countries. It basically says that nobody can deny you access to space, said Michael Dodge, a space lawyer at the University of North Dakota. It doesnt guarantee that anybody will give you access to space. Government agencies have eliminated the most problematic words, like manned and colonize, without tackling words that fall in a gray area, like settlement or resource exploitation. NASA didnt provide detailed comment about its word choices, but a spokesperson flagged a different concern with colonize in an email to Newsweek, that it tends to imply we plan to send people on a one-way trip. The Canadian Space Agency generally sticks to space industry-used terms and government guidelines, a spokesperson told Newsweek in an email. But no matter how gently space programs are worded, by the numbers theyve mostly benefited colonizers so far. Every one of the 12 humans to set foot on the Moon has been a white American man. Just one in 10 countries on Earth has sent an astronaut to the International Space Station, and only three countries in the entire southern hemisphere have been able to do so. The U.S. sent its first Native American astronaut to space in 2002. Those statistics and the loaded terminology we use to talk about space are two sides of the same coin. Both cut people out of seeing a role for themselves in space, and thats a problem for the included and excluded alike. From a purely scientific standpoint, imagination is a muscle that needs to be developed, Duyst-Akpem said. So much of science is about imagining things that you dont necessarily know exist yet but you have a hunch. We may never be able to imagine stepping into space without our terrestrial baggage, but that doesnt mean we shouldnt try, Walkowicz saidbut wed need to actually try. Theres a tendency to talk about space as a place that were going to go that is going to magically shift our viewpoints and our practices, even though it hasnt done any such thing in our decades of reaching beyond Earth, she said. The only thing that can bring about change is really wanting to make change. This article was first written by Newsweek More from Newsweek The European Unions much-vaunted General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) comes into force this week. But Europe isnt the only entity trying to balance digital freedoms with citizens privacy rights. These five facts look at the state of data privacy laws around the world. What is GDPR? GDPR is the updated replacement to Europes 1995 Data Protection Directive, one thats taken almost a decade to get across the finish line. At its heart, GDPR provides European citizens with the tools they need to better control the data collected about them. Under the law, from May 25 onwards, firms anywhere in the world that collect data on E.U. citizens need to offer users the option to see the information collected about them, and to move or delete that information. Firms will also be required to report any data breaches within 72 hours. There are numerous other GDPR regulations that companies will need to comply with as well. But the basic idea behind the law is to orient companies toward privacy by default and put people in charge of their personal data. The penalty for violating GPDR are significant the maximum fine can be up to $23.5 million or 4 percent of the firms revenue, whichever is larger. Even if youre Amazon, a $7 billion fine is going to smart. Europes approach to privacy Europeans were well ahead of the data privacy curve long before Cambridge Analytica came onto the scene. The European Court of Justice ruled in 2014 that European citizens have a right to be forgotten and can have material stricken from search engines if it is determined to be inaccurate, inadequate, irrelevant, or excessive for the purpose of the data processing, a ruling enshrined in GDPR as well. In the eyes of Brussels, data privacy is an intrinsic human right, and therefore should be under the control of the individual user. GDPR is a critical step in that direction. And because GDPR applies to companies doing business in Europe rather than just those based there, plenty of folks around the world will also be at least partially covered by GDPR as companies shift to comply with it. Firms like Facebook have already vowed to operate in accordance with GDPR across their global user baseboth because its easier for Facebook and because it generates good press on the privacy front. Story continues The American approach to privacy Thats especially good news for the 61 percent of Americans who would like to do more to protect their privacy, and the 68 percent who say current data privacy laws arent stringent enough. To be fair, Congress is now mulling the Social Media Privacy Protection and Consumer Rights Act of 2018, a bipartisan proposal that in many ways resembles GDPR. If voted into law, it would require websites to give users a readout of all the data that a firm has on them, in addition to a list of who has had access to that data and how its being used. Its not as far-reaching as GDPR, but its better than nothing. The most interesting element of this idea is its timing; the bill was proposed in the wake of Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerbergs testimony to Capitol Hill amid the Cambridge Analytica fallout. Whereas Europe has spent seven years shepherding GDPR along, it took a massive privacy scandal to force Congress to even consider acting. This is in line with the U.S.s general (and riskier) approach to data privacy: relying on tech companies to police themselves and only considering regulatory remedies once data breaches have already occurred. Some say this freedom afforded to tech companies is the triumph of the free market; others argue its the failure of that same free market. The truth is somewhere in the middle. Chinas approach to digital privacy While Europe believes the responsibility of data privacy belongs to individual users and the U.S. believes its the responsibility of tech companies, China starts from a different framework altogether: its the governments responsibility to protect users from having their personal data used to commit fraud or for other illegal purposes. To that end, Beijing has been building a personal information and important data protection system as a standard to govern user data privacy. In many ways, Chinas approach to data privacy is even stricter than Europes GDPR. It has a broader definition of personal data than the European variant, considering any type of personal information that could harm individuals, property, mental health or reputations as falling under its mandate. Under GDPR, its still possible for firms to share data with third-parties for legitimate reasons without a users explicit consent; not so in China. But Beijing is less inclined to place restrictions on the use of personal data in other waysfor example, to improve medical diagnoses through training artificial intelligence algorithms. After all, for Beijing, technology is the future, and AI research is a critical component of that future and of its national security strategy. But if you take a step back, you see that over the last couple of years Chinese authorities responsible for cybersecurity have moved closer to the European model. Its the U.S. thats falling behind. The Russian approach to privacy Russia has taken a different tack when it comes to data privacy. History matters here; Russians are used to the idea of state surveillance. There was the entirety of the Soviet experience, and the SORM monitoring system has been attached to phone boxes and servers since the 1990s, an effective way for the Kremlin to supervise what Russians do online. But up until five years ago, Russians faced relatively little internet regulation; the Kremlin tries to assert its power in the cyber sphere without making Russians feel that they are being cut off from the world, an admittedly difficult feat. Russia does data privacy rules its own way, but Kremlin policymakers look to global developments for cues. Theres a version of the right to be forgotten law in Russia, for instance. The first data localization law that came into effect in 2015 was described as a personal data protection measure, and it introduced rules requiring companies to take down personal data following a request process. The Kremlin frames data privacy and state surveillance as two sides of the same cointhe state asserts the right to protect citizens personal data from each other or from other actors, but retains its own oversight powers. Russia wants to promote this concept as a global normthat the state, not the user, is the basic actor online. As politics grow more chaotic in both the physical and cyber spheres, it is an approach that could become more appealing elsewhere, particularly in struggling emerging markets. A sweeping data privacy law known as the General Data Protection Rule (GDPR) goes into effect across the EU today. While businesses have had two years to prepare for the new rules, a recent survey from data analytics firm SAS found only 49 percent of companies worldwide said they will meet the deadline to comply. "I think a lot of companies are kind of sitting on their hands and seeing, well, how does this play out?" said David Smith, head of GDPR technologies at SAS UK & Ireland. Now, with GDPR officially in effect, companies and individuals in the data management space are taking advantage of big business opportunities. "It's good news for people like me," said Tamzin Evershed, global data privacy lead at Veritas Technologies, a U.S.-headquartered data management firm. "We need more and more people who really understand how data protection and privacy really works." Evershed has spent the past two years preparing for GDPR, working with Veritas' IT and legal teams around the world. "It's actually quite complicated and many people are having to come up to speed really quickly," she said. GDPR requires public administrations and companies whose core activities involve processing sensitive data to hire a data protection officer, whose duties include notifying authorities within 72 hours of any data breach. Evershed said the new rules will require many companies to "bite the bullet" on hiring chief data officers. "We've always historically had compliance departments, we've historically had IT departments, what we're missing are the people in the middle who manage the data," she said. GDPR aims to give individuals more rights over their personal data, like the so-called "right to be forgotten" and the right to be informed. Regulators say the rules will harmonize data privacy laws across the European Union and provide a template for other countries looking to protect individuals' personal data. Story continues But experts said the law's requirements have been burdensome on many companies struggling to find and label personal information in their databases. "You can go to any organization and ask them for a copy of what data they hold on you, as well as a lot more detail on what they've done with it, where they got it from, who they shared it with," SAS' Smith said. "That is a real hard process for some organizations." Firms that don't comply with GDPR face fines of up to 20 million euros ($23.5 million) or 4 percent of global annual turnover, whichever is bigger. The high stakes have helped drive user growth at London-based startup Ohalo, which offers "x-ray" scans to locate and track personal data. CEO Kyle DuPont said 80 to 90 percent of his company's business is GDPR-related. "We found that before you can track data, most people didn't even know where their sensitive data was," DuPont said. DuPont said his business has had growing interest from American companies in the past month. Foreign companies that offer goods or services in the EU are required to comply with GDPR. "They can either do two things: They can pull out of Europe completely or they can try to fix the problems," DuPont said. Veritas' Evershed added today's deadline is just the beginning for jobs like hers. "I'm not expecting that my workload will go down, in fact, I think it will just start because I know my customers are waking up to it now," she said. More From CNBC Washington and Pyongyang were talking at cross purposes, and the debacle began and ended with gut decisions made by Trump The short, turbulent history of the Trump-Kim summit, from its surprise announcement in March to its abrupt cancellation on Thursday, is the chronicle of a trainwreck foretold. The debacle had been predicted by just about anyone with an experience of negotiating with North Korea, and experts who repeatedly warned that Washington and Pyongyang were talking at cross purposes. The whole episode began and ended with gut decisions made by Donald Trump with minimal reflection and consultation. It had its origins in a visit to Washington on 8 March by the South Korean national security adviser Chung Eui-yong, with a message from Kim Jong-un about his readiness to meet Trump to discuss denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula. Convinced that it had been his campaign of maximum pressure that had forced Kim to the table, Trump insisted on seizing the moment, and asked Chung to make an immediate statement to the press outside the White House. But it soon became apparent that Trump had no grasp of the North Korean interpretation of what denuclearisation meant. For Pyongyang it implies lengthy negotiations in which North Korea would be treated as an equal to the US, as a nuclear weapons power. Kim had extended the offer of talks only after declaring in January that his regime had successfully developed a credible deterrent, involving thermonuclear warheads and ballistic missiles to carry them. North Korea saw itself negotiating from a position of strength, a military power ready to pivot to economic development. To Trump it meant unilateral disarmament. The gap between these perceptions seems to have been papered over by Chung and his boss, President Moon Jae-in, who desperately needed US buy-in for his own peace agenda with the North to have a chance at succeeding. They heaped praise on Trump as an all-powerful and wise world leader destined to make history. Moon artfully suggested that Trump deserved a Nobel prize, and crowds at Trump rallies took up the cry, to the US presidents evident delight. Story continues Between March and May, Trump is reported to have spent little time grappling with the details of how a negotiation might work, focusing instead on the pageantry of the occasion and the staged release of details for the press. In the vacuum, members of his administration went their own way. His new national security adviser, John Bolton, set out maximalist demands for an immediate surrender of North Koreas nuclear warheads and related equipment, which were to be shipped out to the US. It soon became apparent Trump had no grasp of the North Korean interpretation of what denuclearisation meant The secretary of state, Mike Pompeo, who met Kim face-to-face on two occasions, alternated between insistence on this all-in-one option and a more phased approach. Trump himself signalled he would be ready to accept the latter, exposing some of the US negotiating strategy, such as it was. Into this swirl, Bolton casually tossed a diplomatic grenade, telling a television interviewer that the US would use the Libyan model to approach North Korean disarmament. He had in mind Muammar Gaddafis agreement to dismantle and hand over the rudimentary and fledgling nuclear weapons programme at the end of 2003. To Pyongyang, mention of the Libyan model served as a reminder that eight years after giving up his programme, Gaddafi was overthrown and murdered. Trump and the vice-president, Mike Pence, deepened that impression by warning Kim he would face the same fate as Gaddafi if he did not make a deal. The threat drew predictable outrage from North Korea which Trump presented as the reason for aborting for the summit. But Pompeo told the Senate on Thursday that US officials had also been having difficulty organising summit planning meetings with their North Korean counterparts, who had gone silent in recent days. The president didnt want to fly all the way over there and North Koreans not to be there, Victor Cha, a former national security council official with extensive experience of negotiations with North Korea, said. He added that the silence from Pyongyang suggested Washington may not have been alone in its indecision over negotiations. Pyongyang had done the same thing before in the months after an agreement to carry out phased denuclearisation in six-party talks in 2007. I am struck by how, when we get close to where it looks like the North Koreans are about to take yes for an answer, they back off, Cha said. It forces them to make choices they are not ready to make. Cha was nominated by the Trump White House as the US ambassador to Seoul, but then his nomination was withdrawn when he opposed the use of bellicose language towards North Korea. He said the cancellation of the summit might not be an entirely bad thing if it leads to negotiations on a lower level in an effort to close the gap over denuclearisation. Whether that is the next step, or a return to a tense military standoff, will depend a lot on how Pyongyang responds to Trumps surprise move. It was a day of heart-pounding drama as Harvey Weinstein turned himself in to authorities in New York. Reporters swarmed lower Manhattan as the 66-year-old disgraced movie mogul was led away from a police precinct in handcuffs. Weinsteins surrender took place at a police precinct in Manhattans tony Tribeca neighborhood, just four blocks from his office at The Weinstein Company, where he once reigned as a film titan. Weinstein was carrying books under his arm as he turned himself in, a biography of movie director Elia Kazan and Something Wonderful about Broadway musical legends Rodgers & Hammerstein. The third appeared to be a leather-bound notebook. An hour later, he was seen smiling as angry onlookers shouted obscenities while he was escorted out of the precinct by a female officer and into a car. Due to his girth, it took three pairs of handcuffs, hidden under his coat tail, to secure him. The indictment handed down Friday accuses Weinstein of sexual assaults on two women one in 2004 and another in 2013. One of those women, Lucia Evans, has publicly told her story. The second woman is unidentified. Standing before the judge, Weinstein looked exhausted as a defeated man. His flesh was a grey and had a sickly pallor. To make bail, he posted a cashier's check for $1 million and spoke only once, when asked if he understood the terms of his release, which include surrendering his passport, and wearing a GPS tracking device. "Yes," he responded. Weinstein is represented by powerhouse defense lawyer Benjamin Brafman. "Someone asked me how Mr. Weinstein was feeling and my answer was, 'As well as can be expected when you have been accused of a crime that you vehemently deny having committed,'" he told reporters Friday. Brafman says the #MeToo movement may make it difficult to find an impartial jury. "The charges will not be believed by 12 people, assuming we get 12 fair people who are not consumed by the movement that seems to have overtaken this case," he said. Story continues RELATED STORIES Harvey Weinstein Charged With Rape After Turning Himself In to New York Police Rose McGowan Claims 'Everybody Knew' About Harvey Weinstein's Alleged Sexual Misconduct Rose McGowan Slams Weinstein: 'The Monster's Face Has Been Everywhere' Related Articles: Former CIA and British intelligence operatives conducted a criminal conspiracy on behalf of Qatar intended to besmirch a former Republican National Committee deputy finance chair and fundraiser for President Donald Trump over his work against the Middle Eastern nation, according to a new court filing Thursday. The filing, which updated a previous lawsuit in the Central District Court in California, claims Global Risk Advisors's (GRA) top executives, Kevin Chalker and David Mark Powell, engaged in a hacking effort after a brother to the Emir of Qatar, Mohammad bin Hamad Khalifa al Thani, and the head of the $100 billion Qatar Investment Authority, Ahmed al Rumahi, hired them. The GRA executives were hired to coordinate and implement the hack, and the GRA defendants also personally supervised aspects of the information operation against Elliott Broidy and his hedge fund, the suit alleges. Stonington Strategies LLC, a Washington-based public relations and lobbying firm, and its owner, Nick Muzin, were also named in the suit and accused of helping GRA disseminate Broidys stolen emails to media organizations. Muzin is a registered lobbyist, while Chalker and Powell are accused of conducting work for Qatar without registering as working for a foreign government in the U.S. Trending: Michael Flynn Twitter Account Hacked, Son Says, After Tweeting Photo of Harvey Weinstein and Hillary Clinton The suit alleges Chalker to be a former CIA cyber operative, and Powell of previously working for British intelligence. Newsweeks message for comment, sent through GRAs website, was not immediately returned. The suit does not explain how Broidys attorneys believe Chalker or Powell to have previously worked with government intelligence services. Stonington Strategies also did not immediately respond to a request for comment. We believe the evidence is clear that a nation-state is waging a sophisticated cyber information campaign against me in order to silence me, Broidy said in a statement. We believe it is also clear that I have been targeted because of my strong political views against Qatars state-sponsored terrorism and double-dealing, and the fact that I was not shy about expressing my views. Story continues Don't miss: Destiny 2 Devs Talk 9-Player Escalation Protocol & Exotic Armor Changes Qatar claimed Broidy had conspired in the shadows against it and denied accusations of hacking. Mr. Broidys latest false allegation is yet another desperate attempt to divert attention from his own illegal activities. His claims are completely fabricated and without merit, Jassim Al Thani, media attache for Qatar in Washington D.C., said in a statement to Newsweek. He attempts to portray Qatar as the aggressor when he knows full well Qatar does not operate in this manner. The facts show it was Mr. Broidy who conspired in the shadows against Qatar, not the other way around. GettyImages-496671034 AFP via Getty Images/Fayez Nureldine Most popular: Antarctica Hides Giant Canyons That Could Make Melting Worse Broidy previously filed suit against Qatar in March, claiming the country was behind a massive hack and release of his personal and business emails and records that have led to numerous damning stories about his work in the defense industry and fund-raising for Republicans across the country. Part of Broidys work, along with that of his business partner George Nader, involved lobbying the Trump administration for Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, both staunch enemies of Qatar, which they have accused of harboring and funding terrorist activities. Nader is presently a cooperating witness for the special counsels investigation of Russias interference in the 2016 election; he and Broidy have been accused of using their influence in the Trump administration to prop up the Saudis and Emiratis in an effort to earn hundreds of millions of dollars in defense and intelligence contracts. Newsweek showed in March that Broidy had supported the wife of a high-ranking congressman in her successful bid for an appointment in the State Department. This article was first written by Newsweek More from Newsweek As email inboxes around the world are flooded with updated privacy policy notifications, the European Unions new privacy law, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), takes effect on May 25. The first significant regulatory policy enhancement to E.U. data protection regulations in more than 20 years, the GDPR requires companies to ask consumers whether they can collect their data, answer promptly if asked what itll be used for and disclose significant data breaches within 72 hours. Failure to fully comply could result in fines of up to 20 million (more than $23 million) or 4% of the companys worldwide annual revenue of the prior financial year. In other words, breaking the law could come with some serious consequences. The seriousness of the penalties reflects a European approach to privacy that can be traced back, in large part, to German history and to specific experiences with personal data being used for the most heinous purposes. There this misperception that its a protectionist response, but the roots are much deeper. We trace them back to World War II and the atrocities of the Nazis, who systematically abused private data to identify Jews and other minority groups, says Anu Bradford, professor of law and director of the European Legal Studies Center at Columbia Law School. As the Nazi regime rose to power, state control of businesses brought with it state control of information technology. In 1930s Germany, census workers went door to door filling out punch cards that indicated residents nationalities, native language, religion and profession. The cards were counted by the early data processors known as Hollerith machines, manufactured by IBMs German subsidiary at the time, Deutsche Hollerith Maschinen GmbH (Dehomag). This history became more widely known after the publication of the 2001 book IBM and the Holocaust: The Strategic Alliance Between Nazi Germany and Americas Most Powerful Corporation, which argued that those Hollerith machines not only identified Jews, but also ran the trains that transported them to concentration camps. Some historians dispute the books claims that IBM supported the use of its machines to carry out genocide and argue that the Nazis also used other methods, as simple as pen and paper, to round up victims just as effectively; the company hasnt denied that its machines were used during the Holocaust, but claims most documents about the operations have been lost. Story continues But, regardless of the companys direct involvement, or lack thereof, it became clear how while census data can also be used to keep a government running the collection of citizens personal information could lead to direct harm for those people. Get your history fix in one place: sign up for the weekly TIME History newsletter When the war ended, Germany was partitioned but state surveillance remained intact, most famously carried out by the now-defunct East German secret police force known as the Stasi. These officials were free to screen mail, search peoples apartments, bug bedrooms and bathrooms, and torture citizens of whom they were suspicious. They kept files on everything from peoples friends to their sexual habits. In response, in 1970 West Germany approved whats considered the countrys first modern data privacy legal protections concerning public sector data in the West German state of Hesse. This was followed by a 1977 Federal Data Protection Act designed to protect residents against abuse in their storage, transmission, modification and deletion. Later, concerns about unnecessarily intrusive census questions led to a landmark 1983 Federal Constitutional Court case that declared the right of self-determination over personal data as a fundamental right. That became the cornerstone of the E.U.s views today, says Bradford. All German citizens became entitled to those rights after the reunification of Germany in 1990. The end of the Cold War coincided with the rise in data transfers throughout Europe in the 90s. The process of establishing a single market also included a 1995 E.U. data protection regulation, and cautious attitudes about privacy became a European norm. Perhaps most famously, in 2014 Europes top court, the Court of Justice of the European Union, affirmed the so-called right to be forgotten and ruled that Google has to abide by user requests to take down data that appear to be inadequate, irrelevant or no longer relevant and since then, Google has received 655,000 requests to remove about 2.5 million links, and complied with 43.3% of those requests. Experts say the GDPR is essentially an upgrade of that 1995 law. And, Bradford says, that upgrade can be partially attributed to wider knowledge of how data has been misused, not just today but also in the past. The understanding [of the Nazi history] is very widespread now, she says. Given the historical backdrop, that made the legislation intuitively more appealing and less subject to resistance. So what about privacy outside Europe, where the GDPR cant be used to protect customers? Bradford says Europe has been good about enacting protections on privacy that tend to apply to all sectors of the economy, whereas in the U.S. laws apply to certain sectors (such as healthcare) more than others. But, especially after Cambridge Analyticas Facebook data breach and the Equifax hack raised awareness of data privacy in the first half of this year, Americans have expressed interest in the government taking more action. Polling by Reuters/Ipsos and Harris X suggests that while faith in the governments ability to keep their own personal data safe is another story a growing number of Americans may be more open to more federal regulation to protect their data. By Paresh Dave SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Alphabet Inc's Google sought to ease online publisher concerns on Thursday about the effects European data privacy rules going into effect in just a few hours will have on their ad business. Under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the biggest overhaul of data privacy laws in over 20 years, organizations must have transparent justification for processing personal data, starting Friday. The rules threaten fines of as much as 4 percent of company revenues for violations, although attorneys and European Union officials have cautioned there will be a grace period. But that has not prevented an anxious scrambling this week as companies seek and interpret last-minute counsel from consultants, business partners and regulators. Google officials, speaking on Thursday to 70 media and advertising firms at its New York City office and on a private telecast, described compliance efforts as a work in progress and said the company would release additional tools to assist publishers in June and August, according to a person with direct knowledge of the discussion. Internet companies that track users online, whether for shopping, banking or other reasons, are set to face significant scrutiny. The new rules require that they have specific justification, such as consent, for using personal information. The worst case for Google and advertisers would be users refusing to allow sharing of their personal data. Some ads they encounter would no longer be personalized to their interests, and if clicked on less, could cut industry spending. British attorney Gabriel Voisin, whose firm Bird & Bird revised 500 online privacy policies over the last two years to check their GDPR compliance, said on Wednesday that his team was still working overtime with 50 websites in "a flurry of last minute adjustments." Sovrn Inc, which has developed a permission-gathering tool that websites can use as part of GDPR compliance, said it had a flurry of clients for the service in the last week. Story continues Though GDPR has been a decade in the works, many businesses began detailing their compliance efforts only in the last month. In the online advertising industry, which Google dominates through various services, the company's interpretation has trickle-down effects for partners such as publishers and small advertising companies. Google now requires that online publishers obtain consent and take on legal risk on its behalf to track users online, a move it made in response to the GDPR that has proved unpopular with publishers. Some publisher associations, including the European Publishers Council, reiterated a demand this week that Google publicize its rationale. They are keen for regulators to pay attention. Mobile app developers also expressed concern that Google software they will rely on to comply with its GDPR-linked consent policies was not released until this week, leaving them little time to work out kinks. Jonathan Hillebrand, who makes ad-supported travel and education apps, said by email that he had to develop his own tool for now because Google "came to the party late." Google has said its GDPR strategy is in line with guidance it has received from European authorities. On Thursday, Google said it would potentially change some of its new GDPR-inspired policies if European authorities revise their instructions about what constitutes compliance, according to meeting documents seen by Reuters. Dave Grimaldi, executive vice president at the Interactive Advertising Bureau trade body, said in a tweet that, though productive, the meeting "highlighted challenges of complying with a law when so little guidance is available." (Reporting by Paresh Dave, Editing by Rosalba O'Brien) Entebbe (Uganda) (AFP) - Diplomatic tensions between countries in the Gulf are threatening peace efforts in East Africa, particularly in the Horn of Africa, the EU's special envoy has warned. The crisis, which erupted nearly a year ago, has pitted Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt and Bahrain against Qatar, with Riyadh and its allies accusing Doha of fostering close ties with Iran and backing Islamic extremists. But the fallout has had direct repercussions in the Horn of Africa where it has exacerbated already-existing tensions, notably in Somalia, said Alexander Rondos, Europe's special envoy to the region. In particular, tensions have escalated steadily between Somalia and the United Arab Emirates, which has sought to extend its influence there as the war in Yemen rages on. Although the two countries have been traditionally close, Mogadishu's attempts to remain neutral over the Gulf divisions have not gone down well. One of the EUs "most important objectives" is to make sure that East Africa "is as well protected as it can be from what is a rapidly shifting geo-political environment" in the Gulf, he said on Friday following a two-day seminar of EU envoys to the region. Political strife between Gulf states and their alliances with east African players was "the biggest strategic issue because it could easily undermine all of the efforts to overcome East Africa's own particular crises, whether it's South Sudan or Somalia," Rondos said. "We dont need something aggravating these efforts," he added, describing the geo-political challenge as the "biggest game in town". In Somalia, the conflict has raised tensions between the federal states and the central government, with many unhappy about President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed's neutral stance. For some, there would be many economic benefits to throwing Mogadishu's support behind Saudi Arabia or the Emirates in a development which has put pressure on already fraught internal relationships in a country already fraught with violence. Rondos also expressed concern that the Gulf crisis could exacerbate tensions between East African nations working together on efforts to solve regional crises, notably South Sudan and Burundi, as well as in Somalia. Harvey Weinstein was arrested on Friday in New York City on three felony charges of rape and criminal sex act stemming from a months-long investigation by the NYPD into accusations by multiple women. Though the Hollywood mogul has been accused of misconduct by more than 80 women, the criminal charges by New York prosecutors stem from the accusations of two women. The first-degree criminal sex act charge comes from a case involving aspiring actress Lucia Evans in 2004. The two rape charges stem from an unidentified accuser who accused Weinstein of keeping her against her will in a room at the DoubleTree Metropolitan hotel in midtown Manhattan in 2013. According to the complaint, Weinstein engaged in sexual intercourse with informant by forcible compulsion, to wit, defendant penetrated informants vagina with his penis and, at the time of the incident informant had clearly expressed her lack of consent to the act. Weinstein entered a not guilty plea and was released on $1 million cash bail. He will have to wear a monitoring device around his ankle, and is expected to surrender his passport and have restrictions placed on his travel. Also Read: Michael Flynn Deletes Tweet Linking Harvey Weinstein and Hillary Clinton, Son Says Account 'Hacked' The NYPD thanks these brave survivors for their courage to come forward and seek justice, a police spokesperson said. The arrest and ensuing charges are the result of a joint investigation between the NYPD and the Manhattan District Attorneys Office. Weinsteins attorney, Benjamin Brafman, called the charges constitutionally flawed and not factually supported and predicted the mogul would be exonerated. I anticipate that the women who have made these allegations, when subjected to cross examination, in the event we even get that far, that the charges will not be believed by 12 people, assuming we get 12 fair people who are not consumed by the movement that seems to have overtaken this case, he added. Story continues Also Read: Harvey Weinstein Scandal: A Timeline of a Hollywood Mogul's Downfall (Photos) The Oscar-winning producer is still under investigation by authorities in London and Los Angeles for accusations made by other women. Federal prosecutors are also looking into whether Weinsteins conduct broke federal stalking laws and reviewing his finances on possible fraud charges, according to the New York Times. He also faces several lawsuits, including a class-action RICO suit filed by several of his accusers and a separate one filed by actress Ashley Judd, who accused him of sabotaging her career. Weinstein, 66, surrendered to authorities at Manhattans first precinct in Tribeca, just blocks away from the offices of his former film and TV empire, The Weinstein Company (and before that, Miramax) which he had founded and run with brother, Bob Weinstein. The company filed for bankruptcy in March, and was acquired by Lantern Capital earlier this month for $310 million. He was fired by TWCs board just days after the New York Times first reported accusations of misconduct over decades and was subsequently expelled from the academies that sponsor the Oscars, Emmys and BAFTA Awards as well as the Producers Guild of America. Also Read: Harvey Weinstein Accuser Asia Argento Praises His Arrest: 'First Step on His Inevitable Descent to Hell' Evans, now a marketing consultant, told The New Yorker last October that Weinstein forced her to perform oral sex on him in his office in 2004. Evans told The New Yorker she was an aspiring actress when she met Weinstein at a New York club in 2004. She said she agreed to meet him at the offices of his first film company, Miramax, for a work meeting. She told The New Yorker that during the meeting, Weinstein pulled her head down and forced her to perform oral sex on him, despite her continuous resistance. Ronan Farrow, who won a Pulitzer Prize for his expose on Weinstein, reported that Boardwalk Empire actress Paz de la Huerta gave statements to New York investigators on two occasions and expressed a willingness to testify though her case has not resulted in criminal charges as yet. Many of the accusations of sexual misconduct by Weinstein that have come to light are past the statute of limitations. But according to the Times, Evans case and that of the unnamed woman are exempt from expiration because they involved forcible compulsion. Details of the second accusers accusation are not yet known. Also Read: Rose McGowan Praises Reports of Harvey Weinstein's Imminent Arrest: 'Closer to Justice' New York Times reporter Jodi Kantor, who along with her colleague Megan Twohey, broke the Weinstein story last October, on Thursday tweeted a list of some of Weinsteins most bone-chilling threats adding, not anymore. One phone call and youre done. I have eyes and ears everywhere. Im Harvey Weinstein, you know what I can do. Not anymore. https://t.co/j3x8njJZWJ jodikantor (@jodikantor) May 24, 2018 At least 80 women have accused Weinstein of assault, harassment and inappropriate conduct. The avalanche of accusations against the Oscar-winning mogul spawned the global #MeToo movement, throwing a spotlight on sexual misconduct in the workplace across many industries. In 2015, the Manhattan district attorneys office Weinstein began looking into Weinstein after Italian model Ambra Battilana accused him of groping her breasts. But the office of DA Cyrus Vance ultimately decided not to prosecute a decision for which it has faced steep criticism. The next court date is set for July 30. Tony Maglio contributed to this report. Related stories from TheWrap: Rose McGowan Praises Reports of Harvey Weinstein's Imminent Arrest: 'Closer to Justice' Gwyneth Paltrow: Brad Pitt Told Harvey Weinstein 'I'll Kill You' After 'Weird' Hotel Encounter Asia Argento Condemns Harvey Weinstein During Cannes Awards: 'This Festival Was His Hunting Ground' (Video) Actresses and survivors Asia Argento, Rose McGowan and Annabella Sciorra have applauded disgraced producer Harvey Weinstein's being arrested and charged with rape and sexual assault. Following news that Weinstein would turn himself in on rape and sex abuse charges, and before he was officially charged, the three women posted their reactions on social media. On Thursday Argento who accused Weinstein of raping her in the 90s initially wrote, "What took you so long Harvey?" adding today, "This is the only moment Harvey Weinstein will be remembered for #perpwalk." What took you so long Harvey? pic.twitter.com/MUFB34fWai Asia Argento (@AsiaArgento) May 25, 2018 This is the only movie Harvey Weinstein will be remembered for #perpwalk pic.twitter.com/zt4sa5eowR Asia Argento (@AsiaArgento) May 25, 2018 McGowan who also accused Mr Weinstein of raping her 20 years ago posted a powerful message to Instagram saying: "I, and so many of Harvey Weinsteins survivors, had given up hope that our rapist would be held accountable by law. Twenty years ago, I swore that I would right this wrong. Today we are one step closer to justice. We were young women who were assaulted by Weinstein and later terrorised by his vast network of complicity. I stand with my fellow survivors. May his arrest give hope to all victims and survivors everywhere that are telling their truths." The actress later tweeted, "We got you, Harvey Weinstein, we got you." Story continues Sciorra who alleged Mr Weinstein raped her around the year 1992 when she filmed Miramax's The Night We Never Met wrote "Can't Wait!" when she saw Weinstein was being arrested. She continued: "Anyone know where I can get front row seats?" Other Hollywood advocates of the #MeToo movement and the Time's Up campaign also commented on Weinstein's impending arrest. Director Ava DuVernay tweeted, "Karma NEVER loses an address," linking to the story about Mr Weinstein. Actress Constance Zimmer posted on Twitter, "TIMES Literally UP Friday #HarveyWeinstein." Today President Trump who has faced allegations of sexual assault himself addressed the Mr Weinstein case saying, "I'm not familiar with the case, but it's really too bad." Mr Weinstein, who has previously denied all accusations, was charged on Friday morning with four offences including rape and a criminal sex act on two women, after months of sexual abuse allegations. Mr Weinstein did not enter a plea, which is common at this stage of proceedings, but the 66-year-old's lawyer told reporters he was likely to plead not guilty. He has previously denied the allegations. The film producer agreed to post $1 million (750,000) cash bail, wear an electronic monitor and not travel beyond New York and Connecticut. Miramax co-founder and producer Weinstein has been accused of allegations ranging from rape to sexual harassment by over 50 women. In the past he has said that his actions "caused a lot of pain" but has claimed many of the accusations were "patently false." Harvey Weinstein turned himself in for arrest in New York on Friday on charges of rape, criminal sex act, sex abuse and sexual misconduct in cases involving two women. An attorney for Weinstein, who has always denied allegations of any allegations of non-consensual sex, said on Friday that Weinstein would plead not guilty to all charges filed by Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr. The charges come after a months-long investigation by the New York Police Department, which was launched after the New York Times and the New Yorker reported in October that dozens of women had accused the Hollywood mogul of sexual harassment and assault. The allegations against Weinstein sparked the #MeToo movement and a nationwide discussion about sexual assault and harassment, compelling women and men to come forward with their own accusations against other prominent figures. These are the first criminal charges against Weinstein, who has also been the subject of several civil suits. In October 2015, Vance Jr. declined to press charges after an investigation into whether Weinstein groped Italian model Ambra Battilana. Some said Friday that it was remarkable to see Weinstein face charges. Asia Argento, who said Weinstein sexually assaulted her, said on Friday: We, the women, finally have real hope for justice. Today Harvey Weinstein will take his first step on his inevitable descent to hell. We, the women, finally have real hope for justice. https://t.co/or8qGaNO93 Asia Argento (@AsiaArgento) May 25, 2018 It took all these years of whispered accounts, months of determined reporting, dozens of women speaking out publicly and multiple jurisdictions investigating to get charges against Harvey Weinstein in connection to two women. Irin Carmon (@irin) May 25, 2018 Were in the courtroom waiting for Weinstein. For so long he had his own private system fancy lawyers who paid to silence women, private investigators and spies. Now he answers to the same system as the rest of us. pic.twitter.com/ajxYCwhATw jodikantor (@jodikantor) May 25, 2018 We got you, Harvey Weinstein, we got you rose mcgowan (@rosemcgowan) May 25, 2018 The New York charges are the first against Weinstein, even though several other cities opened up investigations into the producer in the wake of the reporting on the allegations. Story continues Here are the other probes: Federal probe into Weinstein allegations Federal prosecutors opened a criminal investigation into Weinsteins alleged sex crimes, the Wall Street Journal reported earlier this week. The New York Times reported that the investigation will examine whether Weinstein violated federal stalking laws. The investigation is being run by the U.S. District Attorneys Office in the Southern District of New York. Weinsteins attorney, Benjamin Brafman, told the Journal that he met with federal prosecutors to attempt to dissuade them from proceeding. According to the Journal, federal prosecutors had already been looking into Weinstein for potential fraud. Los Angeles probe into Weinstein allegations The Los Angeles County District Attorneys office is currently reviewing five investigations into Weinstein two from the Beverly Hills Police and three from the Los Angeles Police department, according to the Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles Police Captain Billy Hayes confirmed on Oct. 19, 2017 that the department was investigating Weinstein after an unnamed woman told police that the Hollywood mogul sexually assaulted her in a hotel in 2013, according to the Times. No charges have been filed against Weinstein in Los Angeles as of Friday. The Los Angeles Country District Attorneys office did not immediately respond to TIMEs request for comment. Mr. Weinsteins criminal attorneys Blair Berk and Benjamin Brafman have said that a fair investigation of the allegations of criminal wrongdoing will prove they are without merit, a spokesperson for Weinstein told the Los Angeles Times of the Los Angeles investigation. London probe into Weinstein allegations Londons Metropolitan Police confirmed in February 2018 that it was investigating Weinstein after 10 women came forward with sexual assault allegations, according to the Associated Press. No charges have been filed against Weinstein in London as of Friday. The London Metropolitan Police did not immediately respond to TIMEs request for comment. Harvey Weinstein was taken into custody on Friday morning in New York, where he pleaded not guilty to rape and other sex crime charges filed by the Manhattan District Attorney's office. ET can confirm that the 66-year-old former movie mogul turned himself in to police in New York City just before 7:30 a.m. ET. "Today, at the NYPDs 1st Precinct, Harvey Weinstein was arrested, processed and charged with rape, criminal sex act, sex abuse and sexual misconduct for incidents involving two separate women," read a statement from the New York City Police Department. "The NYPD thanks these brave survivors for their courage to come forward and seek justice. The arrest and ensuing charges are the result of a joint investigation between the NYPD and the Manhattan District Attorneys Office." Weinstein surrendered to police after the Manhattan District Attorney's office and NYPD's months-long investigation into allegations of sexual abuse. He was arraigned later that morning, and was charged with rape in the first degree for two alleged incidences involving two different women in 2013 and 2014. Todays charges reflect significant progress in this active, ongoing investigation, said District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance, Jr. I thank the brave survivors who have come forward, and my offices prosecutors who have worked tirelessly on this investigation. I would also like to thank Commissioner James ONeill and our dedicated partners at the NYPD. We urge additional survivors and others with relevant information to call our sex crimes hotline at 212-335-9373. Harvey Weinstein surrenders to authorities on May 25, 2018, in New York. Getty Images Weinstein's attorney, Ben Brafman, released a statement to ET following the arraignment, which reads: "Mr. Weinstein has always maintained that he has never engaged in non-consensual sexual behavior with anyone. Nothing about today's proceedings changes Mr. Weinstein's position. He has entered a plea of not guilty and fully expects to be exonerated." Story continues A source tells ET that Weinstein did post bail and left the courthouse following his arraignment. According to an earlier CBS News report, one woman, actress Lucia Evans -- who went public with her accusations in an article written by Ronan Farrow for The New Yorker in October 2017 -- told investigators that Weinstein forced her to perform oral sex on him during a business meeting in 2004. Prosecutors have also reportedly spoken with actress Paz de la Huerta, who claimed in an interview with Vanity Fair that Weinstein raped her twice in 2010. Allegations against Weinstein were presented to D.A. Vance's office previously in 2015, when model Ambra Battilana Gutierrez told police that the producer had allegedly groped her. Despite reporting the incident to the NYPD immediately, Vance's office declined to file charges after two weeks of investigation. Police in Los Angeles and London have also been investigating reports filed against Weinstein by multiple women. Weinstein's rep released a statement following the publication of the New Yorker expose, denying the accusations against him. "Any allegations of non-consensual sex are unequivocally denied by Mr. Weinstein. Mr. Weinstein has further confirmed that there were never any acts of retaliation against any women for refusing his advances," reads the statement. "Mr. Weinstein obviously cant speak to anonymous allegations, but with respect to any women who have made allegations on the record, Mr. Weinstein believes that all of these relationships were consensual. Mr. Weinstein has begun counseling, has listened to the community and is pursuing a better path." UPDATE: On Wednesday, a grand jury voted to indict Weinstein on charges of rape in the first and third degrees, and criminal sexual act in the first degree. This indictment brings the defendant another step closer to accountability for the crimes of violence with which he is now charged. Our office will try this case not in the press, but in the courtroom where it belongs," Vance said in a statement to ET. "The defendants recent assault on the integrity of the survivors and the legal process is predictable. We are confident that when the jury hears the evidence, it will reject these attacks out of hand." I thank the heroic survivors for their strength throughout this process. I also thank Commissioner James ONeill and members of the New York City Police Department for their dedication to this case," he continued. "This investigation remains active and ongoing. We continue to urge additional survivors and others with relevant information to call us at 212-335-9373. Weinstein's team, meanwhile, revealed that he will not testify before the grand jury for his case. "After being unfairly denied access to critical information about this case that was needed to defend him before the Grand Jury, Mr. Weinsteins attorneys decided that there was not sufficient time to properly prepare Mr. Weinstein," the statement said. "The identities of the accusers and the specific charges were provided to Mr. Weinstein last Friday on the eve of the Memorial Day Weekend and a deadline for his appearance set for Wednesday, 2pm. Our request for a postponement of his appearance before the Grand Jury was denied. Accordingly, Mr. Brafman will inform the District Attorney today that Mr. Weinstein intends to follow the advice of his attorneys and not testify before the Grand Jury." "Not having access to these materials is particularly troubling in this case, where one of the unsupported allegations is more than 14 years old and the Rape allegation involves a woman with whom Mr. Weinstein shared a 10 year consensual sexual relationship that continued for years after the alleged incident in 2013," the statement continued. "Finally, Mr. Weinstein's attorneys noted that regardless of how compelling Mr. Weinstein's personal testimony might be, an indictment was inevitable due to the unfair political pressure being placed on Cy Vance to secure a conviction of Mr. Weinstein," the statement concluded. And in a statement to ET, Brafman, on behalf on Weinstein, said: "The announcement of Mr. Weinstein's Indictment, does not come as a surprise. Indeed, it was predicted by me this morning in an earlier statement we issued. We also note of course that the Indictment merely mirrors the same charges in the criminal court Complaint and does not add anything to the case we did not already know. We asked the District Attorney for more time so that Mr. Weinstein's attorneys could gather the material needed to properly prepare him for his grand jury testimony but that request was denied. We remind everyone that an Indictment is merely a formal accusation. Mr. Weinstein intends to enter a plea of Not Guilty and vigorously defend against these unsupported allegations that he strongly denies. We will soon formally move to dismiss the indictment and if this case actually proceeds to trial, we expect Mr. Weinstein to be acquitted." [Originally published Friday, May 25, 2018 at 7:22 A.M. PT] RELATED CONTENT: Everything You Need to Know About the Harvey Weinstein Scandal -- From the Accusations to the Fallout Antonio Banderas Reflects on Genius and What Salma Hayek Told Him About Harvey Weinstein (Exclusive) Georgina Chapman Opens Up for the First Time About Harvey Weinstein Scandal Related Articles: Israeli missiles have reportedly targeted military positions in Syria as local air defenses fired back in an attempt to intercept the attack. Citing defense sources, the state-run Syrian Arab News Agency reported Thursday that the Syrian armed forces had intercepted an Israeli attack on a military airport in the central province of Homs. No casualties have been reported and Israel has yet to claim responsibility, but the country routinely keeps silent about its growing military role in neighboring Syria, where Israel recently launched a historic wave of airstrikes against suspected Iranian and pro-Iran targets. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a U.K.-based activist group supportive of the Syrian opposition said "six explosions rocked the western countryside of Homs today evening, Thursday the 24th of May 2018, caused by rocket shelling believed to be Israeli, which targeted al-Dabah Military Airbase and its vicinity and outskirts in the western countryside of Homs," where pro-Syrian government forces, including Iran-backed Lebanese Shiite Muslim Hezbollah, were located. Trending: Memorial Day Weekend: Why are Gas Prices so High? Democrats Blame Trump The group said Syrian air defenses fired back in an attempt to block the attack, but said it could not yet provide any estimates of damage or casualties on either side. RTS1QP3X Alaa al Faqir/Reuters Lebanon's own official National News Agency carried Friday a statement by the Lebanese Army Command Directorate of Orientation, identifying five Israeli reconnaissance aircraft that had earlier violated Lebanese airspace near the southern villages of Alma al-Shaab and Al-Naqoura as well as Riyaq and Baalbek in the east. Don't miss: Leading Republican Senator Visits Venezuelan Strongman Maduro And Marco Rubio is Not Happy Story continues The Jerusalem Post also cited Lebanese military sources as saying Israeli aircraft had breached Lebanese airspace leading up to the attack, which took place near Homs city. The U.S.-led coalition, formed in 2014 to battle the Islamic State militant group (ISIS), denied any role in the attack, saying it did not target Syrian government positions. Related: U.S. Gave Jerusalem to Israel, Will Syria's Golan Heights Be Next? The coalition has also denied another attack took place hours before in Syria's eastern Deir Ezzor province. Both the U.S.-led coalition, backed by the Syrian Democratic Forces, and the Syrian military, backed by Russia, Iran and various pro-government militias are actively battling ISIS in the area. The U.S airstrikes killed potentially hundreds of pro-Syrian government fighters, including Russians, in February after reportedly coming under attack. Syria has alleged the U.S. was at fault. Most popular: Trumps New Attack on Abortion Rights Could Cost Republicans Seats in Key Swing Districts The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said at least 12 militiamen fighting on behalf of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad were killed Thursday in airstrikes conducted by the U.S.-led coalition near the T-2 station, located about 40 miles from the border town of Al-Bukamal. Al-Bukamal was the final ISIS-held town in Syria before being retaken by the Syrian military and its allies, including Hezbollah and Iraq militias, in November. The Syrian Arab News Agency also blamed the U.S.-led coalition for the alleged attack in Deir Ezzor. The observatory also reported explosions Wednesday in the western suburbs of Deir Ezzor, also taken from ISIS by the Syrian government and its partners in November. The report said, however, that the monitor could not confirm the source of these attacks, but that locals had noted violent clashes between pro-Syrian government fighters and the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces. RTS1QTD6 (1) INSTITUTE FOR THE STUDY OF WAR/MAPS4NEWS/ISRAELI DEFENSE FORCES/REUTERS Israel has stepped up its campaign against Iran and its allies in Syria, especially as the U.S. adopted a tougher stance on Tehran. Israel conducted airstrikes against a suspected Iranian military position south of Damascus hours after President Donald Trump announced a U.S. exit from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal. When rockets later targeted Israeli forces in the occupied Golan Heights, Israel responded with its largest bombing campaign in Syria since the 1973 Yom Kippur War. Iran has dismissed calls from even its Russian ally to withdraw from Syria, saying it would stay as long as it was welcome. Iran and Russia have both intervened in Syria at Assad's request, supporting him against rebels and jihadis who took up arms after a 2011 uprising backed by the West, Turkey and Gulf Arab states. Israel claims to be neutral in the Syrian conflict, but has targeted Iran and its allies, who have clashed with Israel in the past. This article was first written by Newsweek More from Newsweek Sebastien Roblin Security, Middle East And its enemies should be afriad. Israel Might Have the Ultimate Weapon: Custom-Built F-35 Stealth Fighters On May 22, Israeli Air Force commander Amikam Norkin announced that its F-35I stealth fighters had flown on two combat missions on different fronts, showing as proof a photograph of an F-35 overflying Beirut. While details on those missions have not been releasedapparently, they were not deployed in a massive Israeli air attack on Iranian forces in Syria that took place on May 9this nonetheless apparently confirmed the first combat operations undertaken by any variant of the controversial stealth jet, which is currently entering service with the militaries of ten countries after undergoing over two decades of development. In fact, Israels F-35I Adiror Mighty Oneswill be the only F-35 variant to enter service heavily tailored to a foreign countrys specifications. There had been plans for a Canadian CF-35, with a different refueling probe and drogue-parachute to allow landing on short Arctic air strips, but Ontario dropped out of the F-35 program. It has become a common practice to create custom variants of fourth-generation jet fighters such as the Su-30, F-15 and F-16 for export clients, made to order with local avionics, weapons and upgrades that suit a particular air forces doctrine and strategic priorities. Today, Israel operates heavily upgraded F-15I Raam (Thunder) and two-seater F-16I Sufa fighters. Furthermore, Israel in particular hasnt hesitated to modify aircraft it has already received fit its needs: for example, in 1981 it rigged its then-new F-15A Eagle air superiority fighters to drop bombs, and used these first-ever strike Eagles to destroy the Iraqi Osirak nuclear reactor. Recommended: How an Old F-15 Might Kill Russias New Stealth Fighter Recommended: How China Plans to Win a War Against the U.S. Navy Recommended: How the Air Force Would Destroy North Korea Story continues However, the Lockheed-Martin has mostly refused to allow major country-specific modifications to the F-35, despite the hundreds of millions of dollars foreign F-35 operators contributed to the aircrafts development. There is, of course, an efficiency-based rationale, given the additional costs and delays of creating country-specific variants, and the fact that Lockheed is struggling to both produce F-35s fast and cheaply enough and build enough spare parts for the hundreds already in service. Israel, however, managed to carve out an exception. Though not an investor in the F-35s development, Tel Aviv was nonetheless quick to sign on to the program with an initial order of fifty. It also negotiated a favorable deal in which billions of dollars worth of F-35 wings and sophisticated helmet sets would be manufactured in Israel, paid for with U.S. military aid. Furthermore, depot-level maintenance will occur in a facility operated by Israeli Aeronautics Industries rather than at a Lockheed facility abroad. The first nine F-35s entered operational service in December 6, 2017, with the 140 Golden Eagles Squadron, based at Nevatim Airbase near Beer Sheva. Six more should arrive in 2018. Israel will eventually activate a second squadron at Nevatim, and retains the option for an additional twenty-five F-35s to form a third squadron, likely based elsewhere. However, recent reports suggest a third squadron may postponed for a decade in favor of buying additional F-15Is, which trade the F-35s stealth for greater range and payload. Israel has paid a high price of between $110 to $125 million per F-35 for its initial order, but in the future unit cost will supposedly decline to around $85 million. The first nineteen stealth jets received by Israel will actually be standard F-35A land-based fighters, while the following thirty-one will be true F-35Is modified to integrate Israeli-built hardware. However, most media sources have taken to labeling all of them as F-35Is, and it does appear even the initial batch will be retrofitted with an open-architecture Israeli Command, Control, Communications and Computing (C4) system. The Lightnings sophisticated flight computer and ground-based logistics system has become a matter of contention with many F-35 operators. Foreign air forces would like to have greater access to the F-35s computer source codes to upgrade and modify them as they see fit without needing to involve external partiesbut Lockheed doesnt want to hand over full access for both commercial and security-based reasons. Israeli F-35Is uniquely will have an overriding Israeli-built C4 program that runs on top of Lockheeds operating system. One of F-35s key capabilities come from its superior ability to soak up data with its sensors and share it with friendly forces. Compatibility with datalinks used by friendly Israeli air and ground forces is thus an important aspect from Israels perspective as it tracks the position of hostile surface-to-surface rocket launchers and surface-to-air missiles systems. The new system will also allow the IDF to install Israeli-built datalinks and defensive avionics systems such as radar-jamming pods. An official told Aviation Week the IAF expects the advantages of the F-35s low radar cross section will be good for five to ten years before adversaries develop countermeasures. There already exist methods for detecting stealth fighters, including long-range infrared sensors, electromagnetic sensors, and low bandwidth radars (though all have significant limitations), and more exotic technologies such as quantum radar are also under development. Thus, the IDF particularly values the flexibility to install plug-and-play defensive countermeasures such as jamming pods as they become relevant and available. It so happens the Israeli firms Elbit and Israeli Aerospace Industries are major developers of such systems. However, due to the F-35s highly fused avionics, such plug-and-play support needs to be built both into F-35 software and apparently even the airframe. The add-ons will be installed in special apertures in the lower fuselage and leading edge of the wingspresumably, features only in the later production F-35Is that arrive in 2020. Israel is also developing two different sets of external fuel tanks to extend the F-35s range. The first will be non-stealthy 425-gallon underwing tanks developed by a subsidiary of Elbitthese could be dropped when approaching enemy airspace (the pylons holding the drop tanks would reportedly detach as well so as not to compromise stealth), or used for missions in which stealth isnt necessary. Further down the line, IAI wants to co-develop with Lockheed bolt-on conformal fuel tanks which hug the F-35 airframe so as not to compromise stealth and aerodynamics. The F-35I will also be certified to carry major Israeli-developed weapons systems in its internal weapons bay, notably including the Python-5 short-range heat-seeking air-to-air missile, and the Spice family of glide bombs, which combine electro-optical, satellite and man-in-the-loop guidance options for greater targeting versatility and have a range of up to sixty miles. However, country-specific F-35 weapons capabilities are not unique to Israel. British Royal Air Force and Navy F-35s will be compatible with the Meteor and ASM-132 air-to-air missile, while Norway and Australias Lightning IIs will be able to carry the Norwegian Naval Strike Missile, reflecting the importance of the sea-control mission for these nations. The United States even would like its NATO partners to purchase F-35s specially modified to deploy B-61 nuclear bombs. The Adir and Israeli Strategy Norkins announcement of F-35 operations was as much a part of Israeli strategy as the actual deployment of the fighters. Tel Aviv wants potential adversaries (chiefly, Iran, Syria, and Hezbollah) to know that its fighters have already proven capable of infiltrating the airspace of neighboring countries, and that its stealth jets could at any moment launch an attack that may go undetected until the first bomb strikes a target. The F-35 has been criticized for its mediocre flight performance compared to earlier fourth-generation jets, meaning that it would be at a disadvantage in a short-range ai dogfight against enemy fighters. Supporters argue that the F-35 would leverage its stealth, sensors and long-range missiles to avoid getting that close to more agile opponent in the first place, and that the platform is really optimized more for striking targets in defended enemy airspace. The strike emphasis, however, is just fine with the Israeli Air Force, as since 1948 it has historically mostly trounced its opponents in air-to-air combat, but suffered heavy losses to ground-based air defenses in the 1973 Yom Kippur War. Since then, Israel jets have continued to face, and mostly defeat, hostile SAMs in scores of raids launched into Lebanon and Syria, though in February 2018 it suffered its first combat loss of a fighter in decades when Syrian S-200 missiles downed an Israeli F-16. Since 2017, there have been rumors of the F-35s involvement in these raids, though most of these rumors were likely inaccurate due to the risk of losing an airframe over hostile territory at this stage. Prime Minister Benjamin Nethanyahu, in power since 2009, clearly favors using military force to suppress Irans nuclear research program, having opposed and undermined negotiated settlements. While Tel Aviv basically wants the United States to carry out such an attack, the F-35 makes an Israeli attack on Iran more practical. However, Israeli aircraft would have to fly through Turkey, or either Jordan and Syria and then Iraq to reach Iranian aerospace over six hundred miles awayand remember, key targets will likely be much further from the border. This also happens test the range limit of most combat-loaded fourth-generation fighters, meaning they would need conspicuous aerial tankers to make the raid viable. Furthermore, Israeli warplanes would have to disable or destroy Iranian air defenses, which would require additional time and aircraft. Israeli jets violated Turkish airspace in 2007 in order to destroy a nuclear reactor in northern Syria. However a sustained air campaign traversing foreign airspace would be more difficult to execute than a one-time raid. However, the F-35 has a greater combat radius than most fourth-generation jets, due to its inability to carry extra fuel tanks without compromising stealth. Furthermore, it could more easily penetrate Irans air defenses, and evade detection by neutral countries, than fourth-generation jets, lowering the necessary size of a strike package. Over time, Israel will likely acquire additional F-35s, as it intends for the type to replace its fleet of over 320 F-16s, starting with the now very old F-16A Netz aircraft first acquired in 1980s. Reportedly, Israel is even interested in possibly acquiring F-35B jump jets down the line. One usually thinks of F-35Bs as serving from smaller aircraft carriers or island bases, but Israel sees role for jump jets by dispersing them to remote improvised airstrips to avoid enemy air-base attacks. This still seems a somewhat extravagant solution to the threat, given that the F-35B is more expensive and has inferior performance to the F-35A for most other purposes. This may explain why an F-35B purchase is allegedly more popular with Israeli politicians than the Israeli Air Force. Israel has also been a proponent of a two-seat variant of the F-35, which would be convenient for training purposes, and also allow a back-seat Weapon System Officer to manage the F-35s precision-guided weapons while the pilot focuses on flying. At any rate, the activities of Israels Adirs are likely to continue to remain conspicuously in the news, if less so on hostile radars. Sebastien Roblin holds a masters degree in conflict resolution from Georgetown University and served as a university instructor for the Peace Corps in China. He has also worked in education, editing and refugee resettlement in France and the United States. He currently writes on security and military history for War Is Boring. Image: Wikimedia Commons Read full article BEIRUT (Reuters) - Lebanon expressed concern to Syria on Saturday over a new law aimed at redeveloping areas devastated by seven years of war, saying the initiative could hinder the return of many Syrian refugees to their homeland. Lebanese Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil wrote in a letter to his Syrian counterpart Walid al-Moualem that the terms of "Law 10" could make it difficult for refugees to prove property ownership, and in turn discourage some from returning. The legislation came into effect last month as the army was on the brink of crushing the last insurgent enclaves near Damascus, consolidating President Bashar al-Assad's grip over nearly all of western Syria. It allows people to prove they own property in the areas chosen for redevelopment, and to claim compensation. But aid groups say the chaos of war means few will be able to do so in the time specified. The law has yet to be applied. Bassil, whose country hosts more than a million Syrian refugees, voiced concern over the limited time frame given for refugees to prove possession of their properties. "The inability of the refugees to practically present what proves their possession (of their properties) during the given time limit might lead to them losing their properties and their sense of national identity," Bassil said in the letter, according to a Foreign Ministry statement. "This would deprive them of one of the main incentives for their come return to Syria," he added, echoing comments earlier this week by Lebanese Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri. Hariri said the law "tells thousands of Syrian families to stay in Lebanon" by threatening them with property confiscation. Bassil sent a similar letter to U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, calling for action to protect the rights of Syrian refugees in maintaining their properties. (Reporting by Dahlia Nehme; Editing by Helen Popper) Hes no good to me dead. Fortunately, it seems the Boba Fett movie has been resurrected, sources confirm to EW. That line, The Empire Strikes Back fans know, is what Boba Fett said to Darth Vader about the soon-to-be-carbon-frozen Han Solo, and it apparently echoes Lucasfilms feelings about the stoic Mandalorian who seemingly met his end in the belly of the Sarlaac in Return of the Jedi. Logan filmmaker James Mangold, who has lots of experience with those who live outside the law with Copland and 3:10 to Yuma, will reportedly step in to direct, according to The Hollywood Reporter. This comes nearly three years after the project was backburnered when Lucasfilm parted ways with then-director Josh Trank (Chronicle, Fantastic 4). Ironically, the news comes on the eve of the debut of Solo: A Star Wars Story. EW first broke the news that Lucasfilm was developing a young Han movie and a Boba Fett bounty hunters story back in in 2013. Director James Mangold attends a screening of Reps from Lucasfilm and Disney did not immediately return calls for comment. Some sources close to the project stress that the Boba Fett movie is in development, and not yet greenlit or dated. As they have before, things could always change. The movie was so close to launching into production that teaser footage was created for Trank to show at Star Wars Celebration in April 2014. But after Trank clashed with 20th Century Fox on Fantastic 4, he and Lucasfilm parted ways and the project stalled. The Boba Fett movie would have been released this week, in the spot now occupied by Solo. Another standalone movie rumored to be in the works includes an Obi-Wan Kenobi film, which Stephen Daldry was considering directing. But so far, Lucasfilm hasnt confirmed anything beyond J.J. Abrams Episode IX, which will come out in December 2019. This article originally appeared on EW.com. The question of why the U.S. celebrates Memorial Day has a clear answer: the holiday now celebrated on the last Monday in May began as a way to remember the approximately 620,000 troops who died during the Civil War. The question of how Americans tend to spend Memorial Day weekend has a clear answer, too: grilling, going to the beach, checking out Memorial Day sales, watching Memorial Day parades, sitting in traffic. But the question of where Memorial Day was started generates a lot of different answers. Approximately 25 places have been named in connection with the origin of Memorial Day, many of them in the South where most of the war dead were buried, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs. One of those places seems to have a particularly strong claim. In 1966, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed a proclamation recognizing Waterloo, N.Y., as the birthplace of Memorial Day, in recognition of the centennial of its first observance of the day. The town claims it first celebrated Memorial Day on May 5, 1866, at which point businesses closed, flags flew at half staff, and residents decorated graves of the fallen. But, despite the presidential proclamation and its official title as the holidays birthplace, its claim is absolutely myth, argues Richard Gardiner, professor of social science education at Columbus State University, who co-wrote The Genesis of the Memorial Day Holiday in America with Daniel Bellware. Waterloo did not have a Memorial Day ceremony in May of 1866. Gardiner and Bellware found a June 5, 1883, Seneca County News article aggregating a Syracuse Sunday Herald article that referred to a Memorial Day celebration that took place in 1866. The story cited Civil War General-turned-Seneca County Clerk John Murray and local pharmacist Henry Welles as the events organizers, and reported that Welles died two months after the event. But the article had made a mistake, and a correction was printed within a week, stating the first service was held here in 1868. Story continues That later date is further supported by a May 1875 article in Phelps, N.Y.s Neighbors Home Mail newspaper, featuring a reflection from someone who had attended the first Memorial Day in Waterloo, which happened seven years ago, meaning 1868. Furthermore, Welles couldnt have died two months after the first Memorial Day if it took place in 1866, because Gardiner and Bellware found his obituary in the Waterloo Observer from July 8, 1868. Another clip indicates that the idea for a Memorial Day didnt originate in Waterloo, either. A June 4, 1885, Seneca Falls County Courier article notes that Murray was inspired to organize a Memorial Day during a trip to the South after he observed the beautiful customof strewing flowers upon the graves of departed friends. It occurred to him that it would be fitting for the soldiers thus formally to remember his dead comrades. Returning, he put his idea into practice in the cemetery at Waterloo in the spring of 1868. Gardiner and Bellware believe representatives of Waterloo, N.Y., must have relied on the first 1883 article that had mistakes in it, and simply didnt see the corrections printed shortly afterwards. Get your history fix in one place: sign up for the weekly TIME History newsletter Looking further south for the true origins of the holiday, Gardiner and Bellware dug up newspaper clips that suggest that a widow in Columbus, Ga., may have first had the idea. Mary Ann Williams, secretary of the Ladies Memorial Association of Columbus, Ga., is thought to have encouraged the organization to start an annual holiday while regularly putting flowers on the graves of soldiers including her husband, who died in the war. A letter she wrote urging Southerners to come together one day a year to put flowers on the graves of the fallen was published in the Columbus Daily Sun in early March 1866. We cannot raise monumental shafts, and inscribe thereon their many deeds of heroism, but we can keep alive the memory of the debt we owe them by dedicating at least one day in each year to embellishing their humble graves with flowers, she wrote. She proposed that April would be a good time for such an event in the South, April is a great time for flowers but originally asked for suggestions about which precise date would be best. The suggestion that ended up most widely published was April 26, the first anniversary of the Confederate surrender in North Carolina, which came just a few weeks after the better known surrender at Appomattox. That letter got picked up throughout the state within a couple of weeks, and syndicated nationwide over the next month. But another misprint in a newspaper would preclude the holidays inventors from being the first to celebrate the holiday. That honor, coincidentally and confusingly enough, has gone to residents of another American city named Columbus. Gardiner says theres enough primary evidence to prove that women in the Civil War hospital town of Columbus, Miss., celebrated the first Memorial Day because they followed what was written in March 1866 articles that appeared in the Memphis Daily Avalanche and the Pulaski Citizen. Those stories reported that Columbus, Ga., was urging people to celebrate April 25 instead of April 26 as Memorial Day. The fact that they celebrated a day before most people is why people such as President Barack Obama have given them the credit for celebrating Memorial Day, even if experts such as Gardiner say it wasnt their idea. Newspapers reporting on those early Memorial Day celebrations noted that ladies throughout the South were leaving flowers not only on the graves of Confederate soldiers, but also of Union soldiers. As a May 9, 1866, article in the New York Commercial Advertiser, described the gesture made by Columbus, Ga., attendees, Let this incident, touching and beautiful as it is, impart to our Washington authorities a lesson in conciliation, forbearance, and brotherly love. A May 30, 1866, Cleveland Plain Dealer article said of the gesture made by Columbus, Miss., attendees, It kindles a spark of hopeWe have one God; one language, on Government; and may we not hope that we shall eventually become indeed one people. After reading an account of the Columbus, Miss., celebration, Ithaca lawyer Francis M. Finch was inspired to write a poem The Blue and the Gray, published in the Atlantic Monthly in Sep. 1867, which is thought to have spread the word even further about Southern Memorial Day celebrations. General John A. Logan, who ran the Union Army veterans organization the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR), must have heard of the 1866 Memorial Day activities in Georgia. In a speech he delivered in Salem, Ill., that summer, he commented derisively on the traitors in the South [who] have their gatherings day after day and strew garlands upon the graves of rebel soldiers. Yet nearly two years later, on May 5, 1868, he issued a proclamation from his Washington, D.C., office urging members of the GAR to celebrate Memorial Day Decoration Day, as he called it on May 30. By then, he believed, the choicest flowers of springtime would have bloomed. The press reported on the proclamation, and it stuck. So the women of Columbus pioneered the idea but Logan made it go national, Gardiners and Bellwares research argues. Congress made May 30 a national holiday in 1889. (A 1968 law moved it to the last Monday in May.) Perhaps not surprisingly, around the turn of the 20th century, more towns and cities start claiming they started Memorial Day. The confusion is understandable. So many people are claiming they started Memorial Day because they remember a cemetery dedication or remember going to a graveyard and throwing flowers on graves earlier than 1866, says Gardiner. In many cases theyre telling the truth. But, in my view, they didnt necessarily start an annual tradition. They didnt say, Lets do this every year.' For instance, some consider Charleston, S.C., the birthplace of Memorial Day because of an 1865 cemetery dedication there, which was organized by former slaves, but Gardiner argues that it doesnt quite count as the start of the holiday because it wasnt repeated every year. Still, it stands out as an amazing story and as historian David Blight once said, that event perhaps tells us more about America than we could ever learn by knowing who came up with Memorial Day first. Class is officially in session for Meghan Markle. The Duchess of Sussex, who recently tied the knot with Prince Harry, is slated to undergo duchess training. Markle will have six months of royal lessons under the guidance of Queen Elizabeth II's soon to be former assistant private secretary, Samantha Cohen, according to The Times. Cohen is expected to join Markle and Harrys Kensington Palace household in the summer, during which time she will act as the couples private secretary while teaching Markle everything she needs to know to be a proper duchess. The lessons will organically take place during a tour of Britain that will include charity meetings. Trending: Memorial Day Weekend: Why are Gas Prices so High? Democrats Blame Trump In Pictures: Royal Brides Meghan Markle, Kate Middleton, Princess Diana and the Queen Although Markle only became a royal after marrying Harry on May 19, shes already had a bit of training thanks to her new husband and sister-in-law Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge. Following the couples engagement announcement in November, Harry gave Markle the rundown on a few royal rules shell have to follow going forward, such as how to properly address dignitaries and members of the royal family, how to curtsey and how to dress like a royal. Don't miss: Leading Republican Senator Visits Venezuelan Strongman Maduro And Marco Rubio is Not Happy Markle has been demonstrating her new knowledge and was seen at her first royal engagement on Tuesday looking incredibly polished, wearing nude stockingsa first since she started making public appearances with Harry and traded in her signature messy bun for a sleek chignon. Meghan Marklet to Take Duchess Training Dominic Lipinski - Pool/Getty Images According to Vanity Fair, Middleton has been helping Markle master royal fashion. Middleton even enlisted her stylist Natasha Archer to help Markle curate her own acceptable personal royal style. Middleton also previously referred one of her favorite designers, Emilia Wickstead, to assist Markle in picking out an appropriate outfit for Anzac Day services, which Markle attended with Harry a month before their wedding. Story continues Middleton, who like Markle was a commoner before joining the royal family, similarly underwent duchess training after she married Harrys big brother, Prince William, back in 2011. This article was first written by Newsweek More from Newsweek (WASHINGTON) Donald Trumps personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, met with a Russian oligarch and discussed U.S.-Russia relations just 11 days before Trump was inaugurated as president, according to a person familiar with the meeting. A firm connected to the oligarch, billionaire Viktor Vekselberg, later paid Cohen $500,000 for consulting work. Vekselberg met with Cohen for about 20 minutes in Cohens 26th-floor office in Trump Tower in New York , said the person, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss the meeting publicly. The two men were joined by Andrew Intrater, Vekselbergs American cousin, who heads a New York private equity firm that manages financial assets for the Russian. The person who confirmed the January 2017 meeting said the discussions dealt with business and cultural relations between the two nations, but he would not characterize Vekselbergs point of view. Vekselberg has worked in recent years to improve U.S. tech and trade relations with Moscow. Intraters firm, Columbus Nova, later paid Cohen $500,000 for consulting work. A lawyer for adult-film star Stormy Daniels has claimed that the money was routed by Vekselberg and Intrater to a Cohen shell company. That company, Essential Consultants LLC, was used by Cohen to pay off Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, for her silence about an affair she claims she had with Trump, according to the lawyer, Michael Avenatti. Trump denies the affair. Cohens finances are now under investigation by federal investigators in New York, following a referral from special counsel Robert Mueller, who is investigating contacts between the Trump presidential campaign and Russian intermediaries. Columbus Nova has said Vekselberg was not involved in the money transfer. Vekselberg was targeted in April with U.S. Treasury Department sanctions, which cited his ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Trump Tower meeting between the three men was first reported by The New York Times, citing video footage and an interview with Intrater. Photo: Getty Images For some reason, plenty of Americans seem to think shaming someone whos receiving government benefits is totally acceptable. So when one Oregon woman reportedly witnessed a cashier shaming a fellow shopper receiving WIC benefits at a local grocery store, her daughter put the cashier on blast in a Facebook post. WIC benefits, which are short for the Special Supplemental Program for Women, Infants, and Children, help provide assistance to new mothers and families. Theyre not technically the same as food stamps, but many lump them together. As the Department of Agricultures Food and Nutrition Service explains, people who receive WIC benefits can include low-income women who are pregnant or postpartum, as well as children up to 5 years old. According to the USDA, WIC foods can include things like infant cereal, fruits and vegetables, milk, eggs, canned fish, whole-wheat bread, and other healthy foods. But Amanda Arnlund shared on Facebook that a cashier reportedly shamed a woman for using WIC benefits in an incident on May 18. Arnlund wrote that her mom, Jacki Carroll, saw a woman in line at Albertsons grocery store in Gresham, Ore., using WIC coupons. The WIC benefits didnt cover all of her groceries, which Arnlund wrote included fruits and vegetables. But according to Arnlund, her mom offered to help pay the remaining $12 for the woman and the cashier reportedly stopped Carroll from doing so. She got her free stuff from WIC already, she doesnt need anybody else paying her way, Arnlund claims the cashier said to her mom, referring to the other customer. Arnlund also writes that when her mom tried to reason with the cashier, she responded, Well, thats what they do, they keep on having kids and getting handouts. Arnlund noted in the Facebook post that the cashier appeared to be Caucasian, while the customer using WIC benefits appeared to be African-American. Arnlund added that she wasnt sure if the cashier meant they to mean other beneficiaries of food assistance programs, or whether she meant the term to have a racial connotation. Story continues Carroll also spoke to Oregons KATU about the situation. Carroll told the news station that she contacted the Albertsons manager and hopes the other customer will be given an apology, and potentially a store credit too. Everybody needs to help one another, Carroll told KATU. No, I dont have to give you money because you dont have any, thats not what were talking about. Were talking about showing dignity and respect. If I dont have any money to give you, that doesnt mean I have to belittle you or say anything nasty. As for the grocery stores part, Albertsons provided a statement to KATU apologizing for the incident. At Albertsons, we have a policy and a culture of treating our customers, and each other, with courtesy, dignity and respect. Its at the core of who we are as a company and member of this community, the statement reads. We sincerely apologize that, in this incident, it appears we did not deliver the customer service that we pride ourselves on. It should go without saying that all customers should feel comfortable when getting their groceries, regardless of how theyre paying or their financial status. And while it sounds like this customer had an unfortunate experience, Arnlunds Facebook post is sparking conversation, which could lead to positive change in her community. Plus, Arnlund is using her upcoming birthday as a chance to raise money for the National WIC Association, which could help other families in the future too. Read more from Yahoo Lifestyle: Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day. A mysterious wolf-like creature shot dead in the US has baffled wildlife experts who say they have no idea what it is. A farmer killed the animal after spotting it close to his livestock near Denton, Montana. But state officials, who inspect all wolf killings, say the animal appears to be something else. We have no idea what this is until we get a DNA report back, Bruce Auchly, spokesman with Montanas Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP) department, told theGreat Falls Tribune newspaper. Officials believe the creature could be a wolf-dog hybrid (AP) Among theories already circulating online are that it could be a young grizzly bear, a coyote hybrid or possibly a little less likely proof that werewolves exist. Officials appeared sceptical of these explanations. Rather, the FWP said in a release that the creature was a young, non-lactating female and a canid, a member of the dog family that includes dogs, foxes, coyotes and wolves. The FWP added that experts first doubted it was a wolf because its teeth were too short and claws too large. It is legal to hunt wolves in the state of Montana (AP) Several things grabbed my attention when I saw the pictures, said Ty Smucker, wolf management specialist with the FWP. The ears are too big. The legs look a little short. The feet look a little small, and the coat looks weird. Theres just something off about it. One theory for now is that it could be a wolf-dog hybrid bred in captivity and released into the wild. But it could be more than a month before the DNA results come back offering anything conclusive. It may be a while before anyone knows, said Mr Smucker. Wolf hunting is permitted in the state, and residents are allowed to kill wolves that threaten their property. Last week the BBC reported Montana wolf researchers estimated there was around 900 wolves across the state. Related Video: Searching for the Loch Ness Monster Watch news, TV and more on Yahoo View. Trumps rushed talks and exit with Pyongyang has only underscored the chaos that has defined his presidency Donald Trump speaking at the White House on 24 May. Photograph: Evan Vucci/AP The stage was set for what some saw as Donald Trumps greatest triumph as president: a high-profile summit with Kim Jong-un, in what would have marked the first face-to-face encounter between a sitting US president and a North Korean leader. Billed by the Trump administration as unprecedented progress in one of the worlds most troubled hotspots, political observers speculated if the presidents unpredictable style held the key to what eluded those who came before him a peace deal on the Korean peninsula. Republicans floated the idea of a Nobel peace prize. The US government even issued an official commemorative coin featuring the likeness of Trump and Kim, facing one another against the backdrop of the two countries flags. And then came the letter. On Thursday, Trump abruptly canceled the meeting in a brief letter addressed to his North Korean counterpart. In typical Trumpian language, the president lamented a truly sad moment in history, his tone vacillating sharply between congenial and aggressively threatening war. Trump personally dictated each word of the letter, a senior administration official later told reporters, reinforcing the notion of a president unbound as ever to the rules and norms of governance. The letter Donald Trump sent to Kim Jong-un on 24 May, cancelling the summit. Photograph: The White House/ZUMA Wire/REX/Shutterstock Trumps penchant for bombast has been a staple of his time in the public eye, but perhaps never more so than now as he appears to have shed any shackles put on him by senior aides and adopted a far more personal and involved style of governing. The spectacle of his rushed talks with Pyongyang, and then swift exit from the table, has only underscored the chaos and inconsistency that has defined his presidency both domestically and abroad, and from everything from the world stage to protests in sports. Following in the footsteps of Trumps decision to rescind the US from the Iran nuclear deal, national security experts warned that the resulting diplomatic whiplash reinforced the perception of a crisis in US leadership on the global stage. Story continues This fits a pattern, Joel Rubin, the former deputy assistant secretary of state under Barack Obama, told the Guardian. Hes sort of floating out there as an independent actor from the traditional way the US government has handled national security. The net result of that is his actions are not linked to the agencies tasked with implementing decisions, added Rubin, who also served as a career officer in the Bush administration. It has created a nightmare scenario for planning and preparation. Since Trump took office in January 2017, a prevailing question has loomed over his tenure amid the barrage of Twitter outbursts and oftentimes knee-jerk policy announcements: will the erratic president ever be reined in? It is an issue only worsened by a dizzying turnover of staff, especially of those who sought to oppose or control his policies. The arrival of John Kelly, a retired four-star marine general, as Trumps chief of staff last Julyoffered some hope for a more disciplined West Wing. But that bubble was burst just weeks later, when Trump equated neo-Nazis and white supremacists behind violent clashes in Charlottesville with counter-protesters on the left. In the time since, the president has opened war on the FBI and justice department, and taken a series of foreign policy actions consistently at odds with his national security team. From pulling out of the Iran nuclear deal to moving the US embassy in Israel to Jerusalem, Trumps proclamations are frequently without a plan B. The moves have also routinely been accompanied by the kind of confrontational rhetoric that threaten to heighten instability in already tense regions. Trumps own negotiations with Kim were preceded by the president vowing to unleash fire and fury like the world has never seen if Pyongyang carried on with its nuclear provocations. Kelsey Davenport, the director of Nonproliferation Policy at the Arms Control Association, said Trumps decision to cancel the summit was irresponsible and squandered a chance to reduce the threat posed by North Koreas nuclear weapons. It remained unclear how the Trump administration planned to proceed. Mike Pompeo, the newly minted secretary of state who laid the groundwork for the summit, testified before the Senate foreign relations committee on Thursday that the pressure campaign of sanctions and diplomatic coercion would continue. But Trump then added further confusion by suggesting to reporters after the release of his letter that the summit could still be held. Asked if the cancellation of the meeting escalated the risk of war, the president was characteristically vague. Well see what happens, he said. Washington (AFP) - US intelligence agencies offered no evidence to back President Donald Trump's claim that the FBI planted a "spy" in his campaign, congressional Democrats said Thursday after a closed-door briefing. The Department of Justice and the FBI held two classified meetings with leaders of the Senate and House of Representatives and the heads of the chambers' intelligence panels, after the president demanded a probe into allegations of infiltration into his team, a potential scandal Trump has branded "SPYGATE." US media have reported that the FBI sent an informant to gather possible evidence that Trump campaign advisors had suspicious contacts with Russia. Democrats have warned that Trump's fixation on the issue -- he has tweeted about it repeatedly -- suggests he is attempting to undermine the year-old investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election and possible collusion with his campaign. An initial Thursday briefing at the Department of Justice was intended to be only for Republicans, including House Intelligence Committee Chairman Devin Nunes. But after outcry from House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, the panel's top Democrat Adam Schiff was allowed to attend. The action then shifted to the US Capitol where Federal Bureau of Investigation director Chris Wray, Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein who oversees the Russia investigation, and Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats helped brief the so-called Gang of Eight. The intelligence grouping consists of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, House Speaker Paul Ryan, Pelosi, Senate Intelligence Committee chairman Richard Burr, top intelligence Democrat Mark Warner, Nunes and Schiff. Democrats said the meetings were conducted in part to assure lawmakers that no intelligence sources or methods were exposed while probing whether an FBI informant spoke with Trump campaign advisers in 2016. Story continues "Nothing we heard today has changed our view that there is no evidence to support any allegation that the FBI or any intelligence agency placed a 'spy' in the Trump campaign, or otherwise failed to follow appropriate procedures and protocols," the Democrats said in a joint statement. Trump's lead lawyer countering Special Counsel Robert Mueller's Russia probe, Emmet Flood, and White House Chief of Staff John Kelly were also allowed to attend the opening of both briefings, a move Democrats decried as a disturbing breach of protocol. "I've never seen a Gang of Eight meeting that included any presence from the White House," Warner told reporters, clarifying that the individuals left before classified substance was discussed. Trump and his supporters have cast the apparent informant as a mole possibly sent by the Obama administration to burrow into his campaign. Moscow (AFP) - Russia said Friday the Netherlands had provided no evidence that Moscow was directly behind the 2014 shooting down of flight MH17 over war-torn east Ukraine, accusing the Dutch of promoting their own agenda. "Dutch Foreign Minister Stef Blok called me today," Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told reporters in Saint Petersburg. "They have practically no doubt that the BUK missile came from Russia. I asked him about facts proving these claims. He did not give me any facts saying they want Russia to help establish them based on unfounded suspicions," said Lavrov. He accused the Dutch of using the tragedy that claimed the lives of 298 people aboard the Malaysian plane to "achieve their own political goals". On Thursday, international investigators said for the first time that the Russian-made BUK missile which smashed into the Boeing 777 in mid-air on July 17, 2014 came from a Russian military brigade in Kursk located more than 500 kilometres (300 miles) south of Moscow. The Dutch government said Friday Russia was directly "responsible" for the downing of the plane, a move which may trigger legal action. Lavrov compared the claim to the case of former double agent Sergei Skripal who was poisoned with a potent nerve agent along with his daughter Yulia in Britain in March. London has determined it "highly likely" that Russia was responsible for the attack using a nerve agent developed in the USSR. Moscow has furiously denied the charges, challenging Britain to provide evidence and mocking the phrase "highly likely". "This resembles the so-called Skripal case when they said 'highly likely that's the Russians' but Scotland Yard immediately reported that the investigation is continuing. And it has not been completed yet," Lavrov said. "There is a feeling of deja vu," he said. "We are still ready to cooperate," he added, saying that information that Russia has supplied should not be ignored or used selectively. Russian President Vladimir Putin late Thursday repeated calls that Moscow should be included in the investigation team. Russia has repeatedly said no such weapon ever crossed the Russian-Ukrainian border. It has come up with numerous theories to deflect the blame and pointed the finger at Kiev. US President Donald Trump threatened Kim Jong-un with military action - AFP North Korea said on Friday it was still open to talks with the US despite Donald Trump's threat of military action after cancelling their June 12 summit in Singapore. Pyongyang described the US president's decision to pull the plug on the highly anticipated meeting as "extremely regrettable". "The abrupt announcement of the cancellation of the meeting is unexpected for us and we cannot but find it extremely regrettable," Kim Kye Gwan, North Korea's First Vice Foreign Minister, said in a statement carried by the state-run KCNA news agency. "We again state to the US our willingness to sit face-to-face at any time in any form to resolve the problem," Mr Kim added. The US president said on Thursday the American military was ready if necessary to react with its allies should North Korea take any foolish or reckless acts. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un inspects the completed railway that connects Koam and Dapchon, in this undated photo released by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency Credit: Reuters He softened his tone on Friday morning after North Korea's response, tweeting: "Very good news to receive the warm and productive statement from North Korea. We will soon see where it will lead, hopefully to long and enduring prosperity and peace. Only time (and talent) will tell!" On Thursday Mr Trump shocked many as he announced he had formally scrapped the summit through a letter released by the White House. The US president wrote to Kim: We were informed that the meeting was requested by North Korea, but that to us is totally irrelevant. I was very much looking to being there with you. Sadly, based on the tremendous anger and open hostility displayed in your most recent statement, I feel it is inappropriate, at this time, to have this long-planned meeting. Mr Trump said this missed opportunity is a truly sad moment in history and appeared open to the talks being rearranged, saying: If you change your mind having to do with this most important summit, please do not hesitate to call me or write. Sadly, I was forced to cancel the Summit Meeting in Singapore with Kim Jung Un. pic.twitter.com/qEoi9ymUEz Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 24, 2018 But the US president also issued a clear threat: You talk about your nuclear capabilities, but ours are so massive and powerful that I pray to God they will never have to be used. Story continues Mr Trump later said he had talked to James Mattis, the US defence secretary, and the US joint chiefs of staff, adding that our military is ready if necessary. South Korea's Unification Minister said on Friday that Seoul would press ahead with improving ties with North Korea. "Our government will do its part in carrying out the Panmunjom Declaration," Unification Minister Cho Myoung-gyon told reporters according to Yonhap, referring to the landmark agreement to bolster ties and push towards denuclearisation signed last month by Kim and South Korean President Moon Jae-in. "It appears that (the North) remains sincere in implementing the agreement and making efforts on denuclearisation and peace building," he added. The latest twist in the diplomatic dance on the Korean peninsula came on the same day North Korea followed through on a pledge to blow up tunnels at its nuclear test site. North Korea has conducted all six of its nuclear tests at the Punggye-ri site, which consists of tunnels dug beneath Mount Mantap in the northeast of the country. A small group of international media selected by North Korea witnessed the demolition, which Pyongyang says is proof of its commitment to end nuclear testing. The destruction of the site began at about 11 a.m. with the blowing up and collapsing of a tunnel and an observation post. North Korea's state-run news agency KCNA reported there was no leak of radioactive materials or any adverse impact on the surrounding ecological environment. "Dismantling the nuclear test ground was done in such a way as to make all the tunnels of the test ground collapse by explosion and completely close the tunnel entrances, and at the same time, explode some guard facilities and observation posts on the site," KCNA reported. Oil prices dropped by about $2 a barrel on Friday, falling further from recent 3-year highs and putting the futures on pace for a weekly loss. Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak said a group of producer nations could soon begin easing production limits aimed at balancing the market. Novak met with his Saudi counterpart to discuss the agreement in light of declining Venezuelan output and renewed U.S. sanctions on Iran. Oil prices fell sharply on Friday after influential energy ministers said a group of two dozen producer nations could soon begin easing the production limits they put in place last year to drain a global crude glut. Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak met with his Saudi counterpart, Khalid Falih, in St. Petersburg to discuss the deal, which has aimed to keep 1.8 million barrels a day off the market since January 2017. The parties are now considering a gradual exit to that deal to compensate for falling production in crisis-stricken Venezuela and anticipated export disruption from Iran, which faces renewed U.S. sanctions. "The moment is coming when we should consider assessing ways to exit the deal very seriously and gradually ease quotas on output cuts," Novak said in televised comments, according to Reuters. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude prices dropped below $69 a barrel, slipping further from this week's peak of $72.83, its highest since November 2014. They were down $2, or 2.8 percent, at $68.71 at 9:56 a.m. ET. Meanwhile, Brent crude fell $1.81 or 2.3 percent, to $76.98. The international benchmark for oil prices last week hit a 3-year high of $80.50, also going back to November 2014. Brent is down 2 percent this week, on track to break a six-week winning streak. U.S. crude is down more than 3 percent for the week. The ministers are considering a supply increase of as much as 1 million barrels a day to cool the market, sources told Reuters. Falih is particularly concerned about the impact of oil prices above $80 a barrel on consumer nations like China and India, the news agency reported. Story continues The move to potentially ease the production caps follows news reports that Saudi Arabia was roughly targeting $80 a barrel to support domestic initiatives. Those reports helped bolster crude prices within the last two months. But it now appears that prices accelerated "too far, too fast," said Matt Smith, head of commodities research at shipping intelligence firm ClipperData. "They've reached their target and it now seems as if they're pulling the levers to try to keep prices around this $80 mark," he said. "The $80 mark is not too hot, not too cold, but just right." Oil prices struck new multi-year highs after President Donald Trump announced the United States would withdraw from a 2015 nuclear deal with Iran and restore punishing sanctions on the country, OPEC's third biggest producer. The administration's hawkish tone since then has raised concerns of substantial supply disruptions from Iran, despite efforts by the European Union to preserve the accord. Meanwhile, output continues to decline in Venezuela, which re-elected President Nicolas Maduro this week, prompting fresh U.S. sanctions. Venezuela is mired in a devastating economic crisis that has hobbled its ability to tap its lifeblood oil reserves. In the United States, output continues to rise toward the 11 million barrels-per-day, with U.S. drillers threatening to unseat Russia as the world's top producer. However, bottlenecks in the Permian basin, the nation's biggest shale oil producing region, mean U.S. drillers may fail to meet growing global demand for petroleum. The pause in the oil price rally could be good news for drivers. The national average for regular gasoline in the United States has risen to nearly $3 a gallon, the highest level since 2014, prior to an historic oil price crash. Watch: Here's what drives the price of oil More From CNBC Pakistan passed legislation Thursday paving the way for its restive tribal areas, long a focal point in the global war on terror, to enter the political mainstream, ending a colonial-era arrangement that endorsed collective punishment and fuelled militancy. The constitutional amendment would see the semi-autonomous Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) along the border with Afghanistan officially merged into neighbouring Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. It will extend the writ of Pakistani courts to its districts, and increase development assistance to residents of the region which Washington has long insisted provides safe havens to militants including the Taliban and Al Qaeda -- an allegation that Islamabad denies. The amendment received broad support from across the political spectrum in the National Assembly, with 229 voting to approve the measure and one voting against it. Another 10 abstained, according to state media. The legislation still needs final approval from the senate and the signature of the president -- a formality that is all but guaranteed after receiving overwhelming support in the lower house. "Today this house has approved a historic bill, which will have very positive effects for Pakistan. I thank the opposition for their support," Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi told legislators after the vote. "We need to provide (FATA residents) with all those facilities which are available to the people in the rest of Pakistan," he added. "Pakistan's tribal areas have long been neglected. The government has taken this decision very late," Rahimullah Yusufzai, a regional analyst and an expert on the tribal areas, told AFP. Yusufzai predicted that implementation of the amendment could take months as Pakistan prepares for elections due this summer, which would leave the reforms in the hands of the incoming government. - 'A historic day' - Since the days of the British Raj, the territory has long been seen as a backwater ruled by hostile tribesmen and kept as a buffer zone between Afghanistan and the settled territories that became Pakistan. Story continues Following the 9/11 attacks the tribal belt along the Afghan border became a notorious terrorism flashpoint, with Taliban and Al-Qaeda fighters operating in the area with impunity. The US has repeatedly accused Pakistan of allowing the tribal areas to host safe havens for militants fighting in Afghanistan -- an allegation Islamabad has consistently denied. The Pakistani military has carried out multiple operations in the region and insists it has eradicated militancy. It is also building a fence along the border with Afghanistan. But FATA residents have long complained its development has been overlooked by authorities, while appointed administrators were able to punish whole tribes for the crimes of an individual under draconian colonial-era laws. The move was largely welcomed across the FATA. "It's a historic day, I am more than happy," said Malik Zarnoor Afridi of Khyber tribal district. Samiullah Jan, from South Waziristan district, said he hopes the tribal areas will see an increase in development aid. "They will get quality education, quality health care, roads, electricity, gas and economic opportunities," said Jan. However small pockets of resistance remained, with some calling for FATA to become its own separate province. "We will lose our cultural norms and traditions because of this merger," Ahmed Saeed, local leader of a religious party in North Waziristan, told AFP. The vote was also trending on Twitter in Pakistan, with social media users lauding the decision. "Salute the political leadership for coming together on this. Proud moment!," wrote Nizamuddin Khan. The seven tribal districts -- Bajaur, Khyber, Kurram, Mohmand, North Waziristan, Orakzai and South Waziristan -- are home to some five million residents, mainly ethnic Pashtuns. The decision comes as a new rights movement emanating from FATA has accused Pakistan's military establishment of using the territory to nurture militant groups fighting in Afghanistan, while overseeing a campaign of extrajudicial killings and abductions targeting tribesmen. bur-hk-ga-st/ds/amu Ramallah (Palestinian Territories) (AFP) - Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas, hospitalised since May 20 with pneumonia, is in excellent health but no date has been set for his discharge, a hospital official said on Saturday. "His state of health is excellent but the doctors have not yet decided the date of his release," said Saed Sarahna, the head of the Istishari Arab Hospital where Abbas is being treated. Palestinian officials have said the 83-year-old could go home on Monday or Tuesday but doctors at the hospital, near Ramallah in the occupied West Bank, have not confirmed that timeframe. One official said, however, that doctors would not agree a discharge date before his complete recovery. Pictures of Abbas walking around the wards and reading a newspaper were published on Monday, in an apparent attempt to calm rumours that his condition was worse than officially reported. Official media said he had spoken to a number of regional politicians to reassure them of his health. On Saturday he was visited by Gong Xiaosheng, China's special envoy to the Middle East, official Palestinian news agency WAFA said. Abbas was admitted on Sunday with complications following an ear operation, while also complaining of chest pains. Abbas's health is the subject of regular speculation, with no clear successor identified. In February, he underwent what were described as routine medical tests in the United States. Abbas won a four-year term as president in 2005, but he has since remained in office without further elections. Abbas argues the split between his Fatah party and the Islamist Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip, has made elections politically impossible. A moderate, he has been involved in decades of negotiations with Israel but is unpopular among Palestinians, with the majority wanting him to step down. Lima (AFP) - Researchers in Peru believe they have traced the origins of the Incas -- the largest pre-Hispanic civilization in the Americas -- through the DNA of the modern-day descendants of their emperors. From their ancient capital Cusco, the Incas controlled a vast empire called Tahuantinsuyo, which extended from the west of present-day Argentina to the south of Colombia. They ruled for more than two hundred years before being conquered by the invading Spanish in the 16th century. The empire included the mountain-top citadel of Machu Picchu in modern-day Peru -- now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a major tourist attraction. After becoming fascinated by the Inca culture, their organizational skills and their mastery of engineering, researchers Ricardo Fujita and Jose Sandoval of Lima's University of San Martin de Porresit became interested in the genetic profile of their descendants. They said the aim of the study, the first of its kind, was to reveal whether there was a unique Inca patriarch. "It's like a paternity test, not between father and son but among peoples," Fujita told AFP. The scientists wanted to verify two common legends about the origin of the Incas. One attributes them to a couple from around Lake Titicaca, in Peru's Puno region. The other identifies the first Incas as the Ayar brothers from the Pacaritambo mountain in the Cusco region. DNA samples were taken from inhabitants of both places. "After three years of tracking the genetic fingerprints of the descendants, we confirm that the two legends explaining the origin of the Inca civilization could be related," said Fujita. - Genetic similarities - "They were compared with our genealogical base of more than 3,000 people to reconstruct the genealogical tree of all individuals," said Fujita. "We finally reduced this base to almost 200 people sharing genetic similarities close to the Inca nobility." The study released some preliminary results in April, in the review Molecular Genetics and Genomics. Story continues "The conclusion we came to is that the Tahuantinsuyo nobility is descended from two lines, one in the region of Lake Titicaca, the other around the mountain of Pacaritambo in Cusco. That confirms the legends," said Sandoval. But it also confirms that the two legends were linked. "Probably the first migration came from the Puno region and was established in Pacaritambo for a few decades before heading to Cusco and founding Tahuantinsuyo," he said. But the work of the researchers does not stop there. Now they want to go further back in time. For that, they have to test the DNA of ancient relics, such as mummies, "to form the most complete picture of the origin of the most important pre-Hispanic civilization," said Fujita. The task looks complicated because the Spanish Conquistadores, who arrived 1532, destroyed Inca mummies that families venerated, as they sought to convert people to Christianity. The researchers are now looking for where the Incas' most direct descendants are buried in order to trace their history. The DNA analysis would add to archeological and anthropological research to understand the exact origin of the people. "In this case, we use ... genetics, the transmission of molecular features across the generations," said Fujita. One of the founders of the conservative Federalist Society is advancing a controversial legal theory that Robert Muellers special counsel investigation is unconstitutional. In a guest editorial in the Wall Street Journal earlier this month and a call with reporters Friday afternoon, Northwestern law professor Steven Calabresi argued that Mueller cannot oversee such a broad investigation because he was not confirmed by the Senate. Calabresi argues that under the Appointments Clause of the Constitution, an official overseeing the probe would be a principal officer, and thus would have to be someone who was appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate. [Mueller] is a principal officer, and since he has not been nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate, everything he has done since May 1, 2017 has been unconstitutional and has been illegal, he told reporters on the call, which was hosted but not endorsed by the Federalist Society. Critics say the argument is far-fetched, though not implausible. It is a good-faith argument but I remain skeptical on its chances in the courts,, Jonathan Turley, professor at The George Washington University Law School, told TIME in an email. [Mueller] is closely tethered to the discretion of the Deputy Attorney General and operates only within the confines established by the mandate. The argument rests on a 1988 Supreme Court case called Morrison v. Olson, in which the court held that an independent counsel was an inferior officer, and not a principal, because the office was limited in jurisdiction to certain federal officials suspected of certain serious federal crimes. But Calabresi argues that Muellers probe fails that test, since it has broadened beyond a limited investigation into a broader one that has so far brought charges on potential money laundering by former Trump campaign head Paul Manafort, low-level campaign aides making false statements to investigators about their contacts with Russia and propaganda efforts by Russian operatives. Story continues Mueller reports to Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, since Attorney General Jeff Sessions recused himself from the investigation. But even though Rosenstein was confirmed by the Senate making him a principal officer Calabresi argues that hes not supervising Muellers work closely enough to count under the Appointments Clause. The stakes of the argument are high. If Muellers appointment really is unconstitutional, then Calabresi argues all of the actions hes taken since his appointment in May of 2017 are null and void, including all of the indictments he has brought, all of the plea bargains he has entered into, all the searches he has conducted, his phone logging of Michael Cohen and subsequent of referral of Michael Cohen to the Southern District of New York for prosecution, and any other governmental actions he has taken. The Justice Department declined to comment on the argument. Manafort has already brought a version of this question before a court and lost. After Manafort was indicted on charges related to his lobbying efforts on behalf of Ukraine, his lawyers filed a motion in the D.C. District Court arguing that Mueller had exceeded the limits of his authority. Judge Amy Berman Jackson dismissed Manaforts motion, saying it falls squarely within Rosensteins original memo to Mueller on the probe, which gave him the authority to look into any matters which may arise from an investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 election, though her decision was based on legal statutes and not the constitutional question Calabresi raises. It was logical and appropriate for investigators tasked with the investigation of any links between the Russian government and individuals associated with the campaign to direct their attention to him, she wrote of Manafort, noting: The Acting Attorney General had the authority under the applicable statutes and regulations to define the Special Counsels charter broadly. John Q. Barrett, law professor at St. Johns University, notes that the independent counsel statute that the Supreme Court upheld in Morrison v. Olson was even more broadly designed than Muellers position. The greater includes the lesser, he says. In other words, if an independent counsel with more expansive power is constitutional, then Muellers special counsel position likely is too. But Calabresi says Muellers actions over the past year have shown hes become too powerful under the definition set forth in Morrison, regardless of what regulation says. With all due respect to the statute and to the CFR [Code of Federal Regulations], I think Mueller is much too important an officer to be called an inferior officer, he said. Since his appointment more than a year ago, Mueller has indicted 19 people and secured five guilty pleas. Its all, according to Calabresi, fruit of a poisonous tree. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Saturday pledged to move forward on a peace treaty to solve a territorial dispute over the Kuril Islands. The Soviet takeover of the islands in the closing days of world war II has poisoned relations between the two countries for 70 years. "We believe it is important to patiently continue the search for a solution that would satisfy the interests of Russia and Japan and that would be accepted by the nations of both countries," Putin said at a news conference following the talks. He added that Russia would "assist" in allowing Japanese citizens to visit the Kuril islands. "Solving (the dispute) is not easy but we would like to end it within the lifetime of our generation," Abe said. He added that Tokyo was "thankful" to Moscow for allowing Japanese citizens to visit the graves of relatives on the islands. Earlier, Abe said he hoped for a "new breakthrough" in settling the territorial dispute over the Kuril Islands and that he was "ready to reinforce cooperation in a calm but energetic manner." The summit is the latest attempt to draw a line under World War II since Japan and the Soviet Union began discussions in 1956. Abe's late father Shintaro took the lead in negotiations with Moscow as a foreign minister but died in 1991 after pushing for talks while suffering from cancer. Japan has been careful to avoid criticising Russia, particularly its role in Syria that has drawn condemnation by Western countries, as it seeks to resolve the territorial dispute. - North Korea - The two leaders also discussed the North Korea crisis. Putin called on countries participating in regulating the North Korea crisis to show "restraint in order not to allow a new spike in confrontation and to keep the situation in the political and diplomatic field." "The most important (thing) is for North Korea to carry out full and irreversible denuclearisation," Abe said for his part. Story continues Russia has retained close ties with its Soviet ally North Korea, while Pyongyang has test fired ballistic missiles over Japan. Japan and Russia were both members of six-party talks on regulating the North Korea crisis, which also involved China, the US and both Koreas. The talks were designed to offer the North security and economic benefits in exchange for denuclearisation but broke down in 2009 when Pyongyang abandoned them. Putin and Abe pledged to "reinforce cooperation" at a time of tension with the West. "I am very pleased to have the opportunity to talk in detail on our bilateral relations and political cooperation," Putin said as he greeted Abe in the Kremlin. The two leaders already met this week on the sidelines of the Saint Petersburg Economic Forum where Abe was present as a guest of honour. By Michel Rose and Denis Pinchuk ST PETERSBURG, Russia (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron on Friday found a common cause in their shared unease at U.S. President Donald Trump's actions on Iran, climate change and international trade. France is at odds with the Kremlin over its annexation of Crimea from Ukraine four years ago, and allegations that Moscow meddled in a French presidential election in support of one of Macron's opponents. But there were only fleeting signs of those differences when Macron met Putin at the St Petersburg International Economic Forum, an annual showcase for investment in Russia that the Russian leader hosts in his home town. Instead, the two leaders focused on concerns about the future of a multinational deal on Iran's nuclear deal program, now in jeopardy after Trump pulled the United States out of it. Washington's withdrawal from the pact raises the prospect that Russian or French companies doing business with Iran could be hit with unilateral U.S. sanctions. Speaking at a question-and-answer session in front of an audience of business executives and Russian officials, Putin said the U.S. withdrawal was damaging and counter-productive. He also railed against the United States applying its laws beyond its borders to punish foreign companies. "This is unacceptable and it has to end," he said. Macron, who had traveled to Washington in an unsuccessful bid to persuade Trump to keep faith with the Iran deal, did not explicitly criticize the U.S. leader. He said he had a strong relationship with Trump, but he acknowledged there are "issues on which we have differences". He said he would try to convince Trump to return to talks about Iran's nuclear program, and was also critical of Trump's decision to move the U.S. embassy in Israel to Jerusalem, out of step with the stance of most European governments. "That was not desirable," Macron said, adding that the embassy move played a part in sparking fatal clashes between Palestinian protesters and Israeli security forces. TERMS OF ENDEARMENT During the session, Macron sat alongside Putin, referred to him as "Dear Vladimir", and the two men nodded in agreement with each other about a range of issues. Macron said that Trump had, de facto, lost an international argument over the Paris climate change agreement because the international consensus in support of the accord had held, even though Trump had decided to exit the deal. Trump's administration last month imposed sanctions on a raft of major Russian companies. The step also hurt European and other international firms who had to cut off business ties with the sanctioned entities for fear of punitive action by Washington. As he sat alongside Putin, Macron referred repeatedly to the need to establish "European financial sovereignty" - a jab at European economies' reliance on the U.S. financial system. He also arrived in St Petersburg with a large delegation of French business executives keen to sign deals with Russia, despite the new U.S. sanctions. Putin accused the United States of undermining global trade rules by using sanctions as a weapon in its drive towards protectionism. The Russian leader pointed to the presence of large numbers of foreign executives at the event as evidence that the U.S. sanctions were failing to achieve their aim. (Additional reporting by Tom Balmforth, Maria Tsvetkova and Vladimir Soldatkin in Moscow and Katya Golubkova in St Petersburg; Writing by Christian Lowe; Editing by Alison Williams) John Dale Grover Security, Asia Intercontinental ballistic missiles are seen at a grand military parade celebrating the 70th founding anniversary of the Korean People's Army at the Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang An event at the Center for the National Interest looks at developments on the Korean Peninsula. The Road Ahead for Dealing with North Korea Today President Donald Trump created shock waves around the world by announcing Americas withdrawal from the proposed summit with North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un. Over the past week, relations between North Korea and the United States steadily cooled. On May 16, North Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs First Vice-Minister Kim Kye-gwan warned,If the U.S. is trying to drive us into a corner to force our unilateral nuclear disarmament, we will no longer be interested in such dialogue and cannot but reconsider our participation in the DPRK-US Summit. Following this statement, North Korean state-run newspapers resumed their barrage of insults aimed at America, proclaiming, Our hearts burn with the blood of endless revenge toward the murderous U.S. imperialist and class enemy man-eaters who enjoy the slaughter of human beings. Previously, both sides had made statements and gestures that were widely taken as a sign of improving relations ahead of the anticipated summit, originally planned for June 12 in Singapore. Now, diplomats, regional powers, and analysts are all left wondering if the cycle of provocation has resumed and if U.S.-North Korean relations will return to their customary frostiness. To assess the state of relations with North and South Korea, the Center for the National Interest convened a panel of experts, including, Dr. Kim Heung-Kyu, a visiting professor at Georgetown University and a member of the South Korean Presidential Security Council, Anthony Ruggiero, a senior fellow at the Foundation For the Defense of Democracies, Wallace C. Gregson, a former Assistant Secretary of Defense and the former Commander of U.S. Forces in the South Pacific.The meeting was moderated by Harry J. Kazianis, Director of Defense Studies at the Center for the National Interest and executive editor of the National Interest magazine. Story continues When asked about how South Korean looked at the summit cancellation, Kim said, Seoul, particularly President Moon Jae-in, got tremendous domestic costs.. there is the only option for Seoul to pursue to resolve this issue which is peaceful means, that is why they invested so much political costs but now it turns out failure. Kim elaborated that South Korea needed assurances that its interests would be taken into account by the United States and that Washington would understand that peaceful means were preferable over sanctions, which were in turn very preferable over the use of force on North Korea. The point of the upcoming Trump-Kim summit would have been to further reduce tensions and possibly remove some or all of Kims nuclear weapons. Now these goals are in doubt. Ruggiero believes that more maximum pressure is needed on North Korea before a good deal can be reached. Previously positive optics really hid serious substantive difference, the difference being denuclearization, said Ruggiero, who is also an expert on sanctions. He believes that North Koreas insistence on phased denuclearization was a nonstarter and that America should focus on quick and upfront complete, verifiable, and irreversible denuclearization. Because it looked like America wasnt going to get that, Trump was right to abandon the summit: For anyone who wasnt watching the last fifteen months of this administration that thought that somehow this administration was going to sit down and come up with the same bad deal that three of his predecessors had clearly wasnt watching. I think that North Koreans at some point expected that the U.S. would revert back to form [but the U.S. didnt]. Furthermore, Ruggiero argued that it was pressure that brought North Korea to the table and it is pressure that will bring them back. He also stated that America should still do a lot more with sanctions, including fining Chinese companies that violated United Security Council Resolutions that banned trade with North Korea. Additionally, he suggested that the U.S. should support countries in Southeast Asia that host North Korean labor to convince them that they can repatriate those workers, and so deprive Kim of hard cash, without facing significant security backlash from North Korea. Gregson suggested that maximum pressure alone might not be enough, saying that The basic nature of the North Korean regime is impossible to change without regime change. He thinks Kim has no good reason to give up his nuclear weapons and that sanctions will only be effective if theyre powerful enough that they also risk regime change: Kim understands the value of nuclear weapons. He understands their high value in their potential and he also, we hope, understands that theyre worse than useless in use. And with his nuclear weapons capability hes now gained three summit meetings- the PRC twice, the ROK, and now perhaps the U.S. This means that Kims ultimate goal, other than conquering South Korea, is to be seen and accepted as a nuclear power. America wants his nuclear weapons gone, but Kim needs them to be secure against regime change. For Kim, any diplomacy serves only to make himself look good and to drag things out while he keeps his weapons. That being said, Wallace also thought that the Trump-Kim summit was not necessarily a bad idea as both sides could have signed some document ending Korean War. In fact, he still thinks some summit or summit-lite meeting could happen: Predictions of delay and cancellation might merely be negotiation ploys and political hype... Maybe our statements should be treated like wine- that theyre not any good until they age for a while. Elaborating on this, Wallace speculated that Trump and Kim might end up meeting sometime in the near future anyway and sign some document that would let them claim domestic political victory. At least for now, deterrence should hold and the death of the summit doesnt have to result in anything catastrophic. The most likely outcome will simply be a return to the same old pattern of confrontation followed by an eventual future negotiation. Trump can claim that Kim wasnt going to play ball and Kim will claim that this was what America was going to do all along. As Dr. Kim explained during the panel, Kim Jong-un already achieved most of his objectives even before we had the U.S. and North Korean summit. So his range of choices are much larger than Trumps. So even though he failed to have a U.S.-North Korea summit, he can declare success. The Russian Ambassador to the United States, Anatoly Antonov, observed that while Russia supported U.S. diplomatic efforts and doesnt support North Korean actions, it made sense that Kim would hold on to his weapons: Why should North Korea give up nuclear capability? What is the price? What kind of assurances can they get that are politically or legally binding? After all, as long as the positions on what constitutes denuclearization remain different in Washington and Pyongyang, no successful resolution would have been achievable at a summit anyway. Paul Saunders, the Executive Director of the Center for the National Interest, voiced the concern that while sanctions could be tightened, pushing North Korea too hard might cause them to lash out militarily- similar to Imperial Japans decision to choose war in the face of American sanctions in 1941. Provoking such as response would defeat the purpose of the sanctions and the purpose of deterrence. America wants to slow or stop North Koreas nuclear program but it doesnt want to cause a war by accident as a result. Wallace summed this up by remarking, As Secretary of State George Shultz said, There are problems to be solved and problems to be managed. North Korea ought to be managed. John Dale Grover is an assistant managing editor at the National Interest. Image: Reuters Read full article Evie Fordham Security, This could be big. Cuba Is Letting Citizens Get Mobile Internet On Their Smartphones Some Cuban citizens now have mobile internet on their smartphones as the Communist government plans to let the entire country access the worldwide web from their personal devices by the end of 2018. Cuba is technologically behind most of its Latin American neighbors, even though most Cubans who own cellphones have smartphones, reported Reuters. 3G technology is a new phenomenon to Cubans, while their neighbors are testing much more powerful 5G networks. Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel, who assumed office on April 19, is behind the push for greater connectivity, citing its economic benefits, reported Reuters. We need to be able to put the content of the revolution online, Diaz-Canel said while still vice president in July, claiming that Cubans could counter the avalanche of pseudo-cultural, banal and vulgar content. Journalists at state news channels received mobile internet access first from Cubas telecommunications monopoly ETECSA, reported the Evening Standard. Its been a radical change,said state journalist Yuris Norido, according to Reuters. I can now update on the news from wherever I am, including where the news is taking place. All 5 million of its cellphone customers will have internet on their smartphone by the end of 2018, ETECSA said. Thats approximately half of the communist countrys population. ETECSA has been selling mobile data plans to elite customers since December, reported Reuters. Prices were high at $45 a month for four gigabytes of data, reported the Evening Standard. Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience. For licensing opportunities of our original content, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org. Image: Reuters. Read full article Russian President Vladimir Putin has urged President Donald Trump to reconsider Washington's attempts to isolate Moscow, telling his U.S. counterpart that diplomacy was necessary to avoid potential confrontations. Putin made the remarks Friday while addressing the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, where leaders such as Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, International Monetary Fund Managing Director Christine Lagarde, French President Emmanuel Macron and Chinese Vice Chairman Wang Qishan were among those in attendance. The U.S. and its Western allies have increasingly sanctioned Russia in recent years in response to illicit interference in foreign affairs, charges Moscow has routinely denied. The Russian leader emphasized a need to establish regular communication with the U.S. even on difficult issues such as Iran and North Korea, where Washington has adopted a more aggressive stance than Moscow. Putin said that normal relations with the U.S. were essential not only to revive the world economy, but to military might from being the only deciding factor in settling disputes. Trending: Twitter Down and Not Working For Users Saturday "We, along with our U.S. partners, must agree on some uniform rules of behavior; it is crucial, because this is whats at the base of our discussion todaytrust. Trust exists or it doesnt, and then nothing good can come out of anything. And then the element of force is the only thing that remains, and this might lead to tragedy," Putin said, according to the state-run Tass Russian News Agency. RTS1T8MG Vladimir Smirnov/TASS/Host Photo Agency/Reuters Since taking office as prime minister in 1999 and president in 2000, Putin has pushed to revive Russia's standing on the international stage. Russia's growing military might and political influence have become especially apparent in recent years and met with deep suspicion by the West. Story continues Don't miss: How Do Donald Trumps New Executive Orders Affect Federal Workers? The U.S.-led NATO Western military alliance has been especially critical of Russia's involvement in neighboring conflicts, such as a 2008 fight with Georgia and the ongoing battle between the Ukrainian military and pro-Kremlin separatists in the east. The battle began after a 2014 uprising that eventually ousted a pro-Russia Ukrainian president, a move that, Russia argued, would justify seizing the Crimean Peninsula, to protect the majority-ethnic Russian population there. Related: Ex-U.S. Military Leader Says 'No General Wants to Fight Russia' The move was seen by NATO as an attack on Ukrainian sovereignty and prompted a massive Western military buildup along Russian borders as Moscow fortified its own positions. The situation deteriorated as the administration of former President Barack Obama accused Russia of interfering in the 2016 U.S. presidential election in favor of President Donald Trump, who expressed admiration for Putin's leadership and advocated for a reset in bilateral relations. Most popular: InfoWars Host Alex Jones Gives $3,000 to Michael Rotondo, Man Evicted From Parent's House Since Trump came to office in January 2017, his administration has been fraught with allegations of collusion with the Kremlin, and differences between his and Putin's views on international affairs has caused a rift between the two world leaders. In one of the most recent cases, the U.S. joined the U.K. in blaming Russia for poisoning an ex-Soviet double agent and his daughter in Salisbury, England, in March. The incident led to further sanctions and tit-for-tat diplomatic expulsions. RTX5FG5B REUTERS Despite the West's fallout with Moscow, Trump and Macron are two of the few world leaders backing a rapprochement. Trump broke with his advisers in March to congratulate Putin on his reelection to an unprecedented fourth presidential term, arguing that Russia "can help solve problems with North Korea, Syria, Ukraine, ISIS, Iran and even the coming Arms Race" in a tweet. Macron,too, has stepped up in hopes of cooling tensions with Moscow. After his meeting Thursday with Putin, Macron told his Russian counterpart that France shared "strong and deep historical ties and strong ties in the sphere of international politics" with Russia. "I believe this will help us find solutions and work together in all areas, be it Ukraine, the Middle East, Iran, Syria or a multilateral approach to international politics as we see it," Macron said. This article was first written by Newsweek More from Newsweek Madrid (AFP) - Devoted Real Madrid fan Mariano Rajoy, the Spanish primer minister, has cancelled his trip to the Champions League final to deal with a political crisis, his staff said on Friday. Rajoy was at the last three Champions League finals his team won in 2014, 2016 and 2017, but will not now be travelling to Kiev on Saturday to watch Real take on Liverpool. The opposition Socialist Party on Friday filed a no-confidence motion a day after Rajoy's Popular Party was found guilty of benefiting from illegal funds in a massive graft trial. Meanwhile Rajoy's coalition allies, Ciudadanos, called for an early election. The Daily Beast Photo Illustration by Kelly Caminero/The Daily Beast/GettyWhen you think of Tom Cotton, you probably think of the senator who wanted to use the military to bash Black Lives Matter protesters. And when you think of the 2020 presidential election, you probably think of Republicans being complicit with Donald Trumps attempts to overturn the election results. But thats a little too simple.According to David Druckers new book In Trumps Shadow: The Battle for 2024 and the Future of the GOP, we sho PARKLAND, Fla. (AP) Survivors of the Parkland school shooting lay down in "die ins" at two Publix supermarkets Friday to protest the chain's support for a gubernatorial candidate aligned with the National Rifle Association, as the company announced a suspension of political contributions. The students from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shouted "USA, not NRA!" and caused brief delays at the checkout as customers navigated carts around them on the floor. Pro-NRA counter-protesters also showed up at one store, and two men almost came to blows before police intervened. "A lot of people don't support who Publix is supporting," said Haylee Shepherd, a 15-year-old sophomore at Stoneman Douglas, who joined 13 fellow protesters on the floor for about 10 minutes at one of the stores. "It's going to reflect on them as a brand and people shopping there." Publix has been criticized by the students for supporting Agriculture Commissioner and gubernatorial candidate Adam Putnam, a Republican who has called himself a "proud NRA sellout." The activists have called for a boycott of the supermarket. Publix announced earlier this week that it would "reevaluate" its donations amid the outcry. In another statement Friday, company spokeswoman Maria Brous said the chain would halt its contributions for now as it continues that reevaluation. Senior David Hogg, one of the most vocal student activists for gun reform and one of the founders of March for Our Lives, helped organize the protest. It came a week after 10 were killed at a high school in Santa Fe, Texas, and the same day that authorities said an Indiana middle school student opened fire inside his science classroom, wounding a classmate and a teacher. At one point, a counter protester, Bill Caracofe, stuck his middle finger an inch from Hogg's face outside the grocery store just a few miles from the school where 17 of Hogg's classmates and teachers were gunned down. Story continues "There are millions and millions of people who don't worship everything that comes out of his mouth," said Caracofe, who joined about a dozen NRA supporters who counter-protested inside the store. He said the students' anger toward Publix should be directed at the sheriff's office and school district for failing to protect them. Hogg said such reactions are common, saying the media has falsely portrayed him as someone who wants to seize guns. He said he supports the Second Amendment but wants tighter regulations, universal background checks and training for people who own AR-15s and similar semi-automatic rifles. Publix has been a strong Putnam supporter. Campaign finance records show that Publix, its top executives and board members, and their family members have donated more than $750,000 altogether to Putnam or his political committee. A former top Publix executive who is related to the chairman of Putnam's committee has donated an additional $65,000. The suspension announced Friday applies only to money from the company, which has given $413,000 to Putnam over about three years. The supermarket chain is one of a long line of Florida corporations that has helped bankroll Putnam's candidacy. Over the last three years Putnam has also gotten substantial financial help from Walt Disney Co., Florida Power & Light and U.S. Sugar. Disney has given more than $800,000 to Putnam's political committee, including a $50,000 check it gave him earlier this month. Publix said it supports candidates focused on building the economy. "We regret that some of our political contributions have led to an unintentional customer divide instead of our desire to support a growing economy in Florida," the company said in a statement. Video: Teacher Who Protected Students in Indiana Shooting a 'Hero' Watch news, TV and more on Yahoo View. ___ Associated Press writer Gary Fineout in Tallahassee contributed to the report. By Stacy-Ann Ellis At least two people have been hospitalized in critical condition after an active shooter was reported Friday morning (May 25) at Noblesville West Middle School in Noblesville, Indiana. At approximately 9:30 a.m., authorities were alerted about an active shooter situation at the school, then by 10:45 a.m., police said the suspected shooter had been detailed. The two injured personsone student and one adultare said to be in critical condition. There are two victims en route to Methodist from the Noblesville West Middle School Active Shooter Those families have been notified Suspect in custody All students are being taken to the Noblesville High School, parents are asked to pick up there#NoblesvilleWest Sgt. John Perrine (@ISPIndianapolis) May 25, 2018 State Supt. of Public Instruction Jennifer McCormick has issued a statement about the shooting: Today an unfortunate shooting at a school has occurred in Indiana. State Superintendent Dr. Jennifer McCormick is in contact with the Indiana Department of Homeland Security and is actively monitoring the situation. We have confidence in Noblesville Schools Superintendent Dr. Beth Niedermeyer and her team, law enforcement, and first responders. The Department stands ready to provide guidance and support, and we will provide further statements as information unfolds. Police confirmed that threats were also made to surrounding middle schools. This is a developing story. This incident comes only one week after another school shooting incident in Sante Fe, Texas. 17-year-old Dimitrios Pagourtzis opened fire on students and administration at Sante Fe High School in Texas, killing 10 people and injuring 13 more. Story continues Noblesville marks the 43rd school shooting in America within the first five months 2018. This post Suspect In Custody After Shooting At Indiana Middle School first appeared on Vibe. DNA evidence has tied a 64-year-old Texas man to the cold case killing of an 18-year-old newlywed found dead in her apartment in 1979, police said. Michael Anthony Galvan was indicted Thursday on one count of capital murder and one count of murder in the death of Debra Sue Reiding, Austin police said. Reiding and her husband, Robert, had recently moved from Montana to south Austin when their new life as a married couple was tragically cut short, officials said. On Jan. 22, 1979, Robert Reiding arrived home from work to find his wifes body in their bed. The covers had been pulled up and a pillow was over her head, police said. She had been bound and gagged, sexually assaulted and strangled, authorities said. With no phone in their apartment, Reidings devastated husband rushed to a nearby pay phone to call the cops, but his wife could not be saved. Galvan, who was 25 at the time of the murder, worked at the same restaurant as Reiding and was known to drive her home. Though he had long been considered a person of interest in the case, there was never sufficient evidence to charge him, police said. But advances in DNA technology made it possible to link him to the crime, officials said. Last year, Galvans DNA was tested against semen stains found on the robe Reiding was wearing at the time of her attack and death, KXAN-TV reported. Galvan, who has lived and worked in Austin since the crime, was arrested and booked into the Travis County Jail. His bond was set at $750,000. We want to commend the Austin Police Department, specifically the Cold Case Unit, in its perseverance and dedication to this case," Assistant District Attorney Keith Henneke, the lead prosecutor for the case, said in a statement. The Travis County District Attorneys Office, along with APD's Cold Case Unit recently teamed up to investigate cold case murders. "Currently more than 20 Travis County Assistant District Attorneys were hand-selected to work with detectives responsible for nearly 190 cases," police said in a statement. "These team efforts lend strong support and credibility when investigating such challenging cases. The APD Cold Case Unit, along with the Travis County District Attorneys office, have solved 28 cases to date." Story continues RELATED STORIES 2 Cold Cases More than 40 Years Old Believed to Be Linked to Married Serial Killers: Police 'Clown Killer' Cold Case: Person of Interest Mike Warren Speaks to '48 Hours' DNA Used to Create Sketches of Suspect in 1987 Cold Case Killings of Couple Related Articles: By Tina Bellon NEW YORK (Reuters) - Tesla Inc on Thursday reached an agreement to settle a class action lawsuit with buyers of its Model S and Model X cars who alleged that the company's assisted-driving Autopilot system was "essentially unusable and demonstrably dangerous." The lawsuit said Tesla misrepresented on its website that the cars came with capabilities designed to make highway driving "safer." The Tesla owners said they paid an extra $5,000 to have their cars equipped with the Autopilot software with additional safety features such as automated emergency braking and side collision warning. The features were "completely inoperable," according to the complaint. Under the proposed agreement, class members, who paid to get the Autopilot upgrade between 2016 and 2017, will receive between $20 and $280 in compensation. Tesla has agreed to place more than $5 million into a settlement fund, which will also cover attorney fees. The case has been closely watched in the automotive and legal communities, as it was the only known court challenge Tesla has faced with regard to its assisted-driving technology. Tesla's Autopilot system has come under increased scrutiny in recent months after two Tesla drivers died in crashes in which Autopilot was engaged. The most recent crash, in March, is being investigated by safety regulators. Tesla said in a statement it "wanted to do right" by its customers and, as part of the proposed deal, agreed to compensate car owners who had purchased the 2.0 version of Autopilot and "had to wait longer than we expected" for the driving features to become active. "Since rolling out our second generation of Autopilot hardware in October 2016, we have continued to provide software updates that have led to a major improvement in Autopilot functionality," the company said. Even though the settlement only covers U.S. customers, Tesla said it would compensate "all customers globally in the same way." Story continues The proposed settlement does not mention the safety allegations but focuses on the delay in making the promised features available to consumers. Steve Berman, a lawyer for the car owners, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The agreement, announced in a filing in San Jose federal court late Thursday, must be approved by U.S. District Judge Beth Labson Freeman. Autopilot, released in 2015, is an enhanced cruise-control system that partially automates steering and braking. Tesla has said the use of Autopilot results in 40 percent fewer crashes, a claim the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration repeated in a 2017 report on the first fatality, which occurred in May 2016. Earlier this month, however, the agency said regulators had not assessed the effectiveness of the technology. The 2017 lawsuit in San Jose federal court named six Tesla Model S and Model X owners from Colorado, Florida, New Jersey and California who alleged the company had engaged in fraud by concealment, and had violated various state consumer protection and unfair competition laws. They sought to represent a nationwide class of consumers. (Reporting by Tina Bellon; editing by Noeleen Walder and David Gregorio) Chicago (AFP) - Survivors of a recent gun rampage at a Texas school intensified their calls for reforms including tougher gun restrictions Friday, as several of their classmates were laid to rest. Eight children and two adults were killed one week ago when Santa Fe High School student Dimitrios Pagourtzis fired multiple shots with a shotgun and handgun inside his school in rural southeast Texas, also injuring 13. Pakistani exchange student Sabikah Sheikh, 17, was buried Wednesday in Karachi. In Texas, the first three funerals were held Friday for substitute teacher Cynthia Tisdale, 64, and students Christian Riley Garcia, 15, and Christopher Stone, 17. As Santa Fe worked to heal in the wake of the May 18 tragedy, a group of students there publicly called for gun restrictions, among other reforms, to combat the mass shootings that plague life in the United States. "The simple reality is that if we do not do something, another town will be ripped apart, like mine," said Santa Fe High School student Megan McGuire. She spoke at a news conference organized by the Houston contingent of "March for Our Lives" -- the grassroots gun control movement started by teenagers after another school shooting in February in Parkland, Florida. The Texas students said they want mental health and school safety reforms, as well as "common sense" gun restrictions, such as legal mandates for secure gun storage inside homes and tougher background checks for gun purchases. Their push contrasted much of the public reaction to the shooting in the conservative state, where gun ownership rights are fiercely protected and Governor Greg Abbott's reelection campaign organized the raffling off of a shotgun before changing course after the tragedy. Abbott held three days of discussions this week over how to better prevent school shootings. Among those invited were students and educators, and advocates on both sides of the fraught gun control debate. Story continues "We are not backing down... This is not a one-week thing. We are not going to let anybody move on from this," said Bree Butler, a Santa Fe High School senior. The students promised an unspecified series of public actions over the summer. Meanwhile, memorials were planned in Santa Fe and surrounding communities through next Tuesday as the dead are buried. At the funeral of Christian Riley Garcia, the teenager was hailed as a hero for holding a door shut to keep the gunman out. "He showed bravery far beyond his years. He took it upon himself to get everyone out first, making himself last," said his obituary, read aloud during the service. Tirana (AFP) - Thousands of Albanian opposition supporters rallied in the capital Tirana on Saturday calling for the resignation of interior minister Fatmir Xhafaj, whose brother has been convicted of drug trafficking. The centre-right opposition accuses the minister of protecting his brother Agron Xhafaj, whom it alleges is still involved in the drug trade. Eleven police officers were injured when they were hit by stones during the demonstration, Albanian police chief Ardi Veliu told reporters, adding that the injuries had been slight. A journalist, Blendi Kasmi, also suffered a head injury. After leaving hospital Kasmi said he had been hit by a police officer using a baton, although other media said he had been hit by an object thrown by demonstrators. After rallying in front of the government headquarters, where they also called for the resignation of socialist Prime Minister Edi Rama, the protesters moved on to the interior ministry. There, they threw smoke bombs, as well as eggs and stones, AFP witnessed. The opposition has accused Agron Xhafaj, who in 2012 received a seven-year jail sentence in absentia in Italy, of continued involvement in drug trafficking. It recently published a recording in which a man presented as Agron Xhafaj appears to talk to traffickers. The prosecutor's office said on Thursday it had opened an investigation and had sent the recording to a specialist for verification. Interior Minister Xhafaj tweeted that if "scientific analysis proves that the accusations of the Democratic party are justified, then I will of course submit my resignation". The government dismissed the opposition's tactics as "mafia blackmail against the interior minister" who it said was involved in "reform of the justice system with international partners, the US and the European Union". Speaking at the rally, opposition leader Lulzim Basha accused the prime minister of "collusion with organised crime" and of "plunging the country into misery". Story continues Albanian lawmakers in February passed a law to screen police officers in a bid to clamp down on corruption and links to organised crime, an important part of EU-required judiciary reform. A candidate nation since 2014, Albania hopes to begin accession talks this year, but the EU has made the fight against corruption and organised crime a requirement for all the countries in the region. Last year 128 police officers received either administrative sanctions or fines, notably over their involvement in the smuggling of cannabis, a plague in the poor Balkan country. A former interior minister, Saimir Tahiri, politically allied with Prime Minister Rama, is currently under investigation for his alleged links with cannabis smugglers. Paris (AFP) - Tens of thousands of people took to the streets across France on Saturday to demonstrate against Emmanuel Macron's policies, but the turnout fell short of expectations and the president said nothing would stop his economic reforms. Organisers had called for a "popular tide" of protest for the marches, which were organised by 60 unions, political parties and associations angry at Macron's policies perceived to favour the rich. However, the turnout was well below previous similar marches and Interior Minister Gerard Collomb said it was "a bit thin". The ministry estimated that just over 93,000 demonstrated in 142 places throughout the country, while the left-wing CGT union put the number at 250,000. In Paris, police reported just 21,000 protesters, while the CGT claimed 80,000. Occurrence, an independent monitoring group working for media outlets including AFP, said 31,700 demonstrated in the capital. That compared with a police count of 40,000 and the CGT's count of 100,000 for the last such protest in the French capital on May 5. The CGT had claimed a national turnout of 323,000 on March 22. Macron said Friday during a visit to Russia that the protests "won't stop" his progress. "I won't preside in light of the polls or demonstrations, because we have done too much of that," (in the past) he said. Saturday's marches follow strikes on Tuesday when public-sector employees from street sweepers to teachers joined rail workers in walking out over what they called an "attack" against public services. It was the third day of stoppages and demonstrations by public workers since last year's sweeping election win by Macron, who has pledged to reduce spending, trim jobs and overhaul large parts of the vast French state. - 'Power so arrogant' - PCF communist party secretary general Pierre Laurent addressed the crowds, saying: "When we have power so arrogant, so authoritarian in his methods, if the country does not show its strength and unity, we will not be able to push the boundaries." Story continues Forty-three people were arrested in Paris, most at the start of the demonstration at the Place de la Bastille. Police said some carried weapons, while others were held for violent acts. Several dozen hooded demonstrators pelted police with bottles and other projectiles. The authorities used teargas after seven officers were hurt, but the clashes were limited, AFP journalists reported. Interior Minister Gerard Collomb earlier told AFP the authorities want to limit the activity of the ultra-leftwing blocs who attacked police and property during clashes on May 1. "I hope that this parade will be a calm parade, where people can express their opinion. We are in a republican state and those who want to break, loot, even attack the police force, are arrested in a preventive way," he added. In the southern city of Marseille, left-wing leader Jean-Luc Melenchon urged protesters to form a "popular front, which the people need". "The hard head of Emmanuel Macron must hear this message of the people," the France Insoumis (Unbowed) party chief said. "The country is rich, the country has to share. We've had enough of the same people always having everything. "In the name of the poor, humiliated, homeless, abandoned miners, we tell you 'Enough!'" he said. France has one of the biggest public sectors in Europe relative to the size of its economy. The country has not balanced its budget since the 1970s, leading to a public debt equivalent to nearly 100 percent of GDP. The unions accuse Macron, a former investment banker, of wanting to destroy public services -- a vital source of employment and a pillar of communal life in many parts of the country. While the CGT took part in Saturday's protests, the two other main unions, the CFDT and FO, did not saying they were too politicised. burs-bp/har House Minority Leader Rep. Nancy Pelosi speaks during a weekly news conference: Alex Wong/Getty Images Top Democrats said they have seen no evidence to support President Donald Trumps claim that the FBI planted a spy in his 2016 campaign. Republican and Democratic leaders attended hearings with FBI and Justice Department officials on Thursday to review classified information related to Mr Trumps claims. The president has repeatedly stated without evidence that the FBI placed a spy inside his campaign to aid his campaign rival, Hillary Clinton. Nothing we heard today has changed our view that there is no evidence to support any allegation that the FBI or any intelligence agency placed a spy in the Trump campaign or otherwise failed to follow appropriate procedures and protocols, Adam Schiff, the House Intelligence Committees top Democrat, told reporters after the hearings. Mr Schiff, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer later released a joint statement saying there was "no evidence to support any allegation that the FBI or any intelligence agency placed a spy in the Trump campaign or otherwise failed to follow appropriate procedures and protocols. Speaker of the House Paul Ryan, one of the Republicans who attended the hearings, said he would not comment on a classified session. He added that he looked forward to the "prompt completion of the intelligence committees oversight work in this area. Mr Ryan, Mr Schiff, and top House Intelligence Committee member Devin Nunes attended the first hearing on Thursday. House Oversight and Government Reform Chairman Trey Gowdy was also in attendance. The second meeting was attended by the Gang of Eight a group that includes House and Senate leaders from both parties, and top Democrats and Republicans on both intelligence committees. The second meeting was called after Democrats accused House Republicans and the White House of excluding them from the first. FBI Director Christopher Wray, Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats, and Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein led the meetings. Emmet Flood one of the White House lawyers handling the Russia investigation and White House chief of staff John Kelly dropped by both meetings, but did not stay for long, according to senators present. Story continues Mr Trumps spy claims came after the New York Times reported that the FBI sent an informant to speak with members of his campaign during the election. The informant reportedly spoke with two campaign aides George Papadopoulos and Carter Page after the bureau found evidence that the Trump campaign had made suspicious contact with Russia. The spy was there early in the campaign and yet never reported Collusion with Russia, because there was no Collusion, Mr Trump tweeted on Tuesday. He was only there to spy for political reasons and to help Crooked Hillary win - just like they did to Bernie Sanders, who got duped! James Clapper, the director of national intelligence during the election, has said the informant was not focusing on the Trump campaign, but on the activities of the Russians. Democrats have claimed Mr Trump's allegations are an attempt to undermine special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation. WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A Russian oligarch with links to the Kremlin met Donald Trump's lawyer Michael Cohen at the Trump Tower in New York City less than two weeks before Trump's inauguration as president, a source familiar with the meeting said on Friday. During a discussion in Cohen's office, located on the skyscraper's 26th floor eleven days before the inauguration, Cohen and Russian businessman Viktor Vekselberg talked about improving relations between Moscow and Washington and arranged to meet again at the inauguration, the New York Times first reported. The paper quoted Andrew Intrater, an American who attended the meeting and manages investments for Vekselberg. The source, who asked for anonymity as private conversations were being discussed, confirmed the New York Times' account to Reuters by telephone. Cohen and a lawyer for Intrater could not immediately be reached for comment. The paper reported that days after Trump's inauguration as president in January 2017, Intrater's private equity firm, Columbus Nova, gave Cohen a $1 million consulting contract, which was now under investigation by U.S. federal authorities. Special Counsel Robert Mueller is conducting an extensive investigation into alleged contacts and dealings between Trump, his associates and Russia, before and after the 2016 U.S. presidential election. Federal prosecutors at the U.S. Attorney's office in Manhattan are, meanwhile, conducting a separate investigation into financial and business dealings by Cohen. Intrater told The New York Times that Vekselberg, his cousin and biggest client, did not instruct Columbus Nova to hire Cohen as a consultant. Earlier this year, Vekselberg himself was questioned by FBI agents working on Mueller's inquiry, and was asked about Columbus Nova payments to Cohen as well as more than $300,000 in donations Intrater made to the Republican National Committee and Trump's inauguration, CNN reported on Friday. (Reporting by Mark Hosenball, Nathan Layne and Karen Freifeld; Editing by Bernadette Baum) Donald Trump has revealed his administration is talking to North Korea and that the 12 June summit he cancelled yesterday could still take place. On Thursday, Mr Trump announced he was pulling out of the Singapore meeting with Kim Jong-un, citing open hostility Pyongyang had displayed in recent comments. Hours later, North Korea said it was still willing to talk, at any time in any form and vice-foreign minister Kim Kye-gwan said Mr Trumps decision was extremely regrettable. On Friday, Mr Trump responded to North Korea, saying on Twitter, it was very good news to receive the warm and productive statement. Shortly after that, Mr Trump spoke to reporters before departing in his Marine One helicopter for the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, where he was due to address graduates. Asked about his decision to pull out of the summit, and North Koreas subsequent statement, he said: Well see what happens. We are talking to them now. The Associated Press said the presidents surprise exit from the planned talks on Thursday had capped weeks of high-stakes brinkmanship between the two unpredictable leaders over nuclear negotiating terms for their unprecedented sit-down. The US announcement came not long after Mr Kim appeared to make good on his promise to demolish his countrys nuclear test site. But it also followed escalating frustration and fresh rhetoric from North Korea, in response to increasingly hard comments from US officials as to what they expected from Pyongyangs denuclearisation. Such were the comments from Mr Trumps hawkish national security adviser, John Bolton, who said North Korea should give up its weapons as a starting point for negotiations, that some analysts believed he was trying to scupper the talks before they started. Very good news to receive the warm and productive statement from North Korea. We will soon see where it will lead, hopefully to long and enduring prosperity and peace. Only time (and talent) will tell! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 25, 2018 On Friday, asked by a reporter if he believed North Korea was playing games, Mr Trump replied: Everybody plays games. Story continues He added: They very much want to do it, wed like to do it. Vladimir Putin, the Russian president, a staunch ally of Kim Jong-un, said the North Korean leader had in fact done everything that he had promised in advance, even blowing up the tunnels and shafts of the site. Mr Putin said of the cancellation announcement: In Russia we took this news with regret. Mr Trump, in his letter to Mr Kim, objected specifically to a statement from a top North Korean foreign ministry official. That statement referred to Mike Pence, the US vice-president, as a political dummy for his comments on the North and said it was up to the Americans whether they would meet us at a meeting room or encounter us at nuclear-to-nuclear showdown. Underscoring the high stakes, Mr Trump said he had spoken with military leaders, as well as Japan and South Korea, and stressed that the United States was prepared for any threat. Donald Trump's abrupt cancellation of his summit with Kim Jong Un will strengthen the hand of the reclusive state's leader, analysts say, re-invigorating Pyongyang's relationship with China and driving the two Koreas closer together. Only a day before the sudden U-turn, Trump and US officials had been indicating there was every chance the historic pow-wow between a sitting American president and the third generation Kim would go ahead in Singapore. The meeting, scheduled for June 12, was to be the consummation of a relationship that had raced from threatening each other with nuclear destruction to chummy bonhomie and talk of a peace treaty -- all in a few short months. Decades of diplomatic stalemate had given way to what appeared to be genuine progress in one of geopolitics' stickiest issues, thanks, supporters said, to Trump's unorthodox approach and willingness to engage an international pariah. Pyongyang had released three American prisoners, agreed to a moratorium on missile tests, quietly accepted a US-South Korean military exercise on its doorstep and even blown up its only atomic weapons testing site. Then, barely hours after the dust had settled at the Punggye-ri nuclear facility, Trump announced the summit was dead in a personal letter to Kim. "The timing of this letter is... highly questionable," said Abraham M Denmark, director of the Asia Program at the Wilson Center. "Coming just a few hours after NK demolished its nuclear test site, it guarantees that the US takes the blame for undermining diplomacy. NK comes out looking like the reasonable one." Pyongyang furthered that impression in the hours after Trump's letter, defying expectations in some quarters that it might launch a missile, or at least a volley of abuse. Instead, it described the decision as "regrettable" and calmly declared its officials were willing "to sit face-to-face at any time". - 'Shaky alliance' - Story continues Such an overt display of levelheadedness leaves US demands for continued pressure on North Korea looking hollow, said Denmark -- especially for one key regional player. "China is likely to more openly back North Korea. Sanctions enforcement will soften, and I expect high-level contacts will continue," he said. And where Beijing had, until a few months ago, appeared almost ready to cast its troublesome younger brother to the wind, that looks a lot less likely now. "If US returns to talk of (attacking North Korea), expect Beijing to be more explicit in its willingness to intervene." Pyongyang's new-found moderatism has also won plaudits -- and allies -- south of its highly-fortified border. South Korean President Moon Jae-in, who leapt on the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics as an opportunity to broach a detente with his prickly neighbour, is unlikely to abandon the process now -- even at the cost of a deterioration of his country's US alliance. North Korea's willingness to keep the door open for talks gives Seoul the cover it needs to press ahead with engagement, said Go Myong-hyun, an analyst at Asan Institute of Policy Studies. "It won't be like last year when South Korea and the US stressed their firm alliance and pressured North Korea," he told AFP. "Moon has to double down. In short, he will push ahead with the policy of engagement and focus on dialogue with the North. The South Korea-US alliance will be shaky." But, Go added, it isn't all bad news for Trump. Analysts have decried the pace of events over the last few months, pointing out that the diplomatically untested businessman-president appeared to have little understanding of the complexities of dealing with North Korea. He and his hawkish administration talked of "denuclearisng the Korean peninsula" as a readily-navigated one-way street that simply involved North Korea mothballing its weapons. Pyongyang's understanding of the term has always been more nuanced, and likely involves retaining some of its nuclear arsenal whilst pushing for a reduction of American troops in South Korea and weakening Washington's alliance with Seoul. Granting Kim a one-on-one before any concrete moves to scrap his nuclear arsenal was always akin to rushing downhill without looking, observers said. Yet Trump's equally sudden willingness to walk away from an agreement -- a strategy he advocated in his "Art Of The Deal" memoir -- might just help to level the playing field. "North Korea will have to propose more detailed plans for denuclearisation if it wants to talk in the future," said Go. ISTANBUL (Reuters) - The Turkish Foreign Ministry on Saturday condemned as a "double standard" a decision by Germany to allow a rally by the pro-Kurdish opposition HDP party in Cologne, having previously prevented ruling party politicians from campaigning there. "This two-faced approach, which we condemn strongly, cannot be reconciled with democracy, the fight against terrorism and expectations of a normalization in Turkish-German relations," the ministry statement said. Germany, home to about three million people of Turkish origin, has said it will not allow foreign politicians to campaign on its territory ahead of Turkey's June 24 presidential and parliamentary elections. The election will see the switch to a powerful executive presidential system that was narrowly approved in a referendum last year. Police in Cologne banned two Turkish opposition politicians from speaking at a demonstration of Kurds in the city on Saturday out of fear that the politicians might use the opportunity to campaign in the Turkish elections, the Rheinische Post newspaper reported. The paper reported that Ahmet Yildirim and Tugba Hezer, lawmakers from the HDP party, had hoped to speak at the demonstration, being held by the citys Kurds to protest against Turkeys involvement in the Syrian conflict. Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz, who heads a right-wing coalition opposed to Turkey joining the European Union, also said last month Erdogan would be barred from "trying to exploit" Europe's Turkish communities. Thousands of expatriate Turks from Germany, the Netherlands and Austria and across the Balkans attended a rally held by President Tayyip Erdogan in Bosnia last week. During his speech, Erdogan took a swipe at European countries that refused to let him campaign on their territory. Ahead of the 2017 referendum, ministers traveled to countries with big Turkish communities -- including Germany and the Netherlands -- to urge support for the change, but were stopped from campaigning by authorities citing security fears. The most popular -- and divisive -- politician in recent Turkish history, Erdogan has ruled for 15 years, overseeing a period of rapid economic growth. But a widespread crackdown against his opponents has led rights groups and Western allies of the NATO member to voice concerns about Turkey's record on civil rights and Erdogan's growing authoritarianism. (Reporting by Tulay Karadeniz and Thomas Escritt in Berlin; Writing by Daren Butler and Ali Kucukgocmen; Editing by Toby Chopra and Stephen Powell) Ankara (AFP) - Turkish and US officials on Friday agreed on a "roadmap" for further cooperation to ensure the security of a Kurdish-held city which became a major headache between the NATO allies, according to a joint statement. The northern city of Manbij is held by the People's Protection Units (YPG) Kurdish militia, a group which Ankara says is the "terrorist" offshoot of Kurdish hardliners in Turkey. The US has a military presence in Manbij and has provided military support to the YPG in the fight against the Islamic State (IS) extremist group, causing anger among Turkish officials. After Turkey launched a cross-border operation against the YPG in the western enclave of Afrin in January, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan threatened to take the offensive to Manbij. The prospect raised fears of a confrontation between Turkish and American troops. The offensive also caused tension between the allies because Washington urged Turkey to show "restraint" and said it could harm the fight against IS extremists. US officials were in Ankara on Friday as part of a working group on Syria. After talks with Turkish counterparts, the statement was issued by the Turkish foreign ministry and the US embassy in Ankara. "The two sides outlined the main contours of a roadmap for their further cooperation in ensuring security and stability in Manbij," the statement said, giving no further detail. The working group was established to try to resolve the Manbij issue and coordinate US-Turkey efforts in Syria after Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu and then US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson met in February. Turkish officials were in Washington in March as part of the working group, set up after the threats by Ankara and repeated calls for the YPG to leave the city. Cavusoglu is due to meet the new US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in Washington on June 4. According to the joint statement, the two men will "consider the recommendations" of the working group during their meeting. Story continues Ankara says the YPG is linked to the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which is blacklisted as a terrorist organisation by Ankara, the US and the European Union. The PKK has waged an insurgency inside Turkey since 1984. Erdogan has repeatedly urged the US to halt support for the YPG. His ruling Justice and Development Party published a manifesto on Thursday calling for "concrete steps" by the US to end its backing of the YPG and provide "concrete support" to Turkey in its fight against the PKK. Erdogan vowed Turkey would "continue its operations in Syria until the last terrorist is cleared". Washington (AFP) - The US has warned Damascus it will take "firm" action if the regime of Bashar al-Assad violates a ceasefire deal, after Syrian aircraft dropped leaflets on a southern province ahead of an expected offensive. Residents of Daraa told AFP Friday that several different leaflets were scattered across the province, which has borders with Israel and Jordan and is expected to be among the next targets in the resurgent regime's reconquest. One of them, seen by a journalist contributing to AFP in the city of Daraa, includes a picture showing lined up bodies, presumably of anti-government fighters. "This is the inevitable fate of anyone who insists on carrying arms," reads the leaflet. The US State Department issued a statement late Friday saying it was "concerned" by the reports and that the area in question was within the boundaries of a de-escalation zone it had negotiated with Russia and Jordan last year. "We also caution the Syrian regime against any actions that risk broadening the conflict or jeopardize the ceasefire," said spokeswoman Heather Nauert, adding that the ceasefire had been re-affirmed by President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin at a meeting in Vietnam in November. "As a guarantor of this de-escalation area with Russia and Jordan, the United States will take firm and appropriate measures in response to Assad regime violations," she added. Syrian regime and allied forces on Monday retook the Yarmuk area in southern Damascus, giving President Bashar al-Assad full control of the capital and its surroundings for the first time since 2012. Daraa's location makes any broad operation there very sensitive, with Israel suspecting Damascus' Iranian allies of seeking to establish a military footprint closer to its borders. Government and allied forces control about 30 percent of Daraa, the rest of which is held by various factions, including a small contingent of fighters from the Islamic State jihadist group. Caracas (AFP) - Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro announced on Twitter he would be sworn in for a second six-year term Thursday, brushing aside a law under which his inauguration was to be held next January. Maduro, re-elected Sunday in a poll boycotted by the main opposition parties, said he would take the oath of office before the Constituent Assembly, which he set up himself last year and stacked with his supporters. "Today I will be before the National Constituent Assembly, endowed with full powers, to take the oath as re-elected president of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela for the period 2019-2025, by the will of the free and sovereign people," he said on Twitter. Maduro later plans to attend an event at the defense ministry in Caracas to receive a "reaffirmation of loyalty" from the armed forces' high command. Sunday's vote was widely condemned by the international community, including the United States, which denounced it as a "sham." Venezuela's constitution states that the president must be sworn in before parliament, where the opposition holds the majority and which has in practice been replaced by the Constituent Assembly. A thief can easily steal your identity. Photo by CafeCredit I am a victim of identity theft and fraud. Im not exactly sure how it happened. But the whole experience was a real hassle. In February, I received a letter from ERC, a debt collector claiming that I owed Comcast Cable Communications LLC $1,759.05 because I was delinquent. I was puzzled because I have never been a Comcast customer, and Comcast isnt even available to me. (New York City has cable TV franchise contracts with Yahoo parent company Verizon, Spectrum and Altice for such services. RCN also offers service in my area through a different contract.) A few weeks after that notice, my mom told me that a man from ERC called her looking for me. My mom did not share my number with him, but instead gave me the message. At the time, it didnt occur to me that someone probably stole my identity. Still, I was annoyed. I called Comcast directly to complain. A rep claimed the company would look into the matter and get back to me. But they never did. Ive never been to Michigan Instead, earlier this month I noticed a missed call from a number linked to ERC. So, I called ERC to dispute the debt collection. The ERC rep confirmed my name and address and asked me for the last four digits of my Social Security number. When I asked if they would instead provide me the digits they had on file, the rep agreed and to my surprise the rep had the exact last four digits of my SSN. I confirmed to the rep that was my number, but underscored that I never applied or received services from Comcast. The rep told me someone in Warren, Michigan, received Comcast service in my name. For the record, Ive never been to Michigan. The rep immediately flagged this as ID theft. I was forwarded to Comcasts fraud department, where a Comcast rep directed me to www.xfinity.com/fraudclaimform and outlined steps I needed to take to prove that Ive been a victim of ID theft. Its still unclear to me why the Comcast rep I initially spoke with didnt do this. I later learned that someone opened a Comcast Triple Play account in November 2016 using my information and the account was closed in July 2017 for nonpayment and then moved to collections. Story continues Step 1: Fill out ID theft claim packet and file a police report Filling out the six-page packet was easy enough. It took me about 15 minutes. Its what followed that took some time. Go to your local police precinct. Yes, you have to step inside a police precinct to report that your identity was stolen. Lucky for me, my local precinct is just a few blocks away from my home. According to the admin I worked with, it has been a while since she has had to file an ID theft report. The entire process, by the way, is done on paper. And, ironically, at no time was I asked to show a form of identification to prove that I was Amanda Fung. One interesting tidbit: The New York Police Department uses the time and date you opened and read the debt collector notice as the date of the theft. The entire visit to the precinct took about one hour, but it could have taken longer if the admin at the precinct made me wait for her to redo the report. The detective dinged her for not noting the fact that my SSN was likely stolen and told her to rewrite the report. Lucky for me, all I needed was a copy of the incident information slip and for the admin to fill out and sign the specified sections of the packet, which she successfully did. Step 2: Snail mail or fax the packet plus copies of your ID and utility bills As proof of residency during the time of the incident I dug up a few 2017 Con Ed bills with my address on it. The Comcast rep said scanning and emailing the documents is not secure. So, I faxed my packet over. Within about five hours, I got a call from a Comcast rep confirming receipt. He also notified me that an investigation has been started and that I would hear back within 30 days. Kudos to the cable company for a speedy confirmation. Comcast also contacted the collection agency to put a pause on notices. But I wasnt done yet. Heres still a few more things I had to do. Step 3: Call a credit reporting agency and activate a fraud alert Call Equifax, Experian or TransUnion. The one company you call is required to contact the other two. I ruled out Equifax because their recent data breach was something I wanted to keep my distance from. I chose TransUnion. The entire process was automated over the phone. I tried to get a real person on the line by tapping 0 but failed. (My colleague and Yahoo Finance personal finance guru Ethan Wolff-Mann told me later that I should have cursed during the automated call a tactic used to get a real person to jump on the line.) All three agencies mailed me a confirmation of the fraud alert within a week of my request. One thing to note: The fraud alert lasts for 90 days, but you can call for another 90-day extension from 60 to 100 days from your previous request. Step 4: Request a free credit report I tried to request one online via www.annualcreditreport.com, but after filling out all the information, I got this prompt: We are unable to confirm your identity. So, I had to call 1-877-322-8228 to make the request. After suffering through yet another automated phone call, I was told my report would be processed and mailed within 15 days. I received the free report via snail mail six days after submitting my request over the phone. Luckily, everything on the report was kosher! (I guess the person who stole my information didnt get his or her hands on any of my credit card account numbers.) Step 5: Report to the FTC via www.identitytheft.gov I had finally completed most of the suggested tasks, which included contacting Comcast and a credit reporting agency. But I decided not to contact the National Consumer Telecom and Utilities Exchange to request my NCTUE Data Report, a comprehensive history of utility accounts under my name. I was just too tired of automated prompts and sharing personal information (including my SSN) to yet another entity. The resolution On May 22, Comcast acknowledged that the account opened in my name was indeed fraudulent and it would cease collection activity on the account immediately and notify credit agencies to have any negative reporting linked to the account removed from my credit report. When I reached out to Comcast to tell the company I was writing about my experience, a spokesman said the company is sorry that I was a victim of ID theft and that it is committed to protecting consumers from these types of scams. It has set up a site that allows customers to report fraud and another site to outline steps someone can take in the event that your identity is stolen (the site I was directed to). Last year, 16.7 million U.S. consumers were victims of ID theft, up 8% from 2016, according to Javelin Research & Strategy, amounting to $16.8 billion in losses to fraud. The sad news is I was one of the 15.4 million victims in 2016. The good news is throughout the entire process I was never advised to change my SSN. I dont even want to know what I have to do to change my SSN. Amanda Fung is an editor at Yahoo Finance. See also: American credit card delinquencies are up Equifax reveals how many SSNs, passports, and credit cards were hacked The best way to avoid credit card fees: Just ask When the asteroid that struck the Earth in Chicxulub, Mexico, slammed into the surface some 66 million years ago it made life incredibly difficult for just about every living creature on the planet. It caused massive swings in temperature, and shrouded the Earth in a cloud of darkness which killed off plant life on a massive scale. Now, a new study into the effect the asteroid impact had on bird life is suggesting that the only birds to survive the ordeal were actually ground-dwelling species, but why was that the case? According to the study, which was published in Current Biology, the diversity of the bird species that survived the impact and immediate aftermath was quite narrow. By studying bird fossils from the period prior to the impact and contrasting that with post-impact fossils, the researchers determined that ground-dwelling birds were the only ones who managed to tough it out, and they think they know why. Don't Miss: 3rd-gen Nest Thermostat is only $150 on Amazon, but its almost sold out Thanks to foliage fossils from the time, scientists know that the asteroid sparked massive fires that wiped out huge sections of forest. The deforestation was so dramatic that it prevented birds from nesting as they normally would. In the centuries following the impact, ferns dominated North America, and tree-dwelling bird species simply couldnt adjust in time. Ground-dwelling, quail-like birds on the other hand were better equipped to deal with this new landscape. The researchers say that only a handful of modern bird types were actually around prior to the asteroids arrival, including the ancient ancestors of chickens and ducks. Gathering their food from the ground rather than finding it by air, these primitive birds were able to hang on against all odds. However, as Science magazine points out, some researchers arent so ready to accept these dramatic findings. Some have suggested that the scientists behind the work are trying to draw broad conclusions from a smattering of evidence. Its a debate thats been going on for decades, Joel Cracraft of the American Museum of Natural History in New York City notes. I dont think its going to end any time soon. Story continues BGR Top Deals: Trending Right Now: See the original version of this article on BGR.com Ireland has voted to repeal its Constitution's Eight Amendment restricting access to abortion, according to exit polls. More than two-thirds of Irish voters came out in support of nixing some of the most prohibitive legislation against abortion in the European Union. While early polls suggested the Yes campaign would win, the landslide victory has surprised some commentators in a country known for its strong conservative Catholic roots. Related: Bishop Says Abortion Can Be Far Worse Than Rape Trending: Who Is Matthew Pottinger? Audio of White House Official Debunks Trump's "Phony" Attack on The New York Times Overall, 68 percent of voters voted "Yes" versus 32 percent who voted "No," according to figures cited by The Irish Times. Both women and men overwhelming supported the repeal with 70 percent and 65 percent voting "Yes," respectively. No demographic listed supported the repeal by less than 60 percent with the most enthusiastic backing coming from the 18 through 24-years-old demographic (87 percent), to the least coming from rural households (60 percent). RTS1T8IT World Health Organization/Reuters GettyImages-962385390 Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images Don't miss: American Airlines Passenger Arrested For Cursing And Punching Other Passengers After He Was Denied More Drinks The Irish Constitution's Eighth Amendment, adopted in 1983, reads: "The State acknowledges the right to life of the unborn and, with due regard to the equal right to life of the mother, guarantees in its laws to respect, and, as far as practicable, by its laws to defend and vindicate that right." Story continues Ireland and Malta are currently the only two European Union countries that outright restrict access to abortion on request except for in the case of a mother's life being at risk. The vote was fiercely opposed by Catholic Church, which views life as beginning at conception and equates abortion to murder. A number of liberal organizations and women's health groups, however, campaigned in support of the repeal. The official results of the referendum, which closed 10 p.m. local time, will not be available until Saturday, according to Politico. Friday's poll reportedly included surveys from over 4,500 voters at 160 polling locations across the country. This article was first written by Newsweek More from Newsweek US President Donald Trump said Friday he had reached a deal to keep Chinese telecoms giant ZTE running, rolling back some penalties in exchange for security guarantees -- a move that infuriated Democrats and some in his own party. The news comes as the US prepares to send a trade delegation back to Beijing next week to continue talks aimed at defusing a potentially serious trade dispute with China, after the countries exchanged huge tit-for-tat threats on imports. In a tweet Friday evening the US president praised his plan while lambasting Democrats as well as the Barack Obama administration, who he said "let phone company ZTE flourish with no security checks." "I closed it down then let it reopen with high level security guarantees, change of management and board, must purchase U.S. parts and pay a $1.3 Billion fine. Dems do nothing...." In a follow-up tweet he called the "so called Trade Deals" struck by Democrats "the laughing stock of the world!" The New York Times had reported earlier of a deal with China's ZTE that would lift crippling sanctions slapped on the company. The reported terms of the deal closely match the conditions US President Donald Trump and Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross described earlier this week as a means for the firm to escape the export ban that nearly shuttered its operations. It provoked a harsh reaction among some members of Congress, however, as lawmakers have been critical of the administration for signaling it might ease the pressure on a company that violated US sanctions on Iran and North Korea and repeatedly lied to US officials. Democrat Nancy Pelosi, the House Minority Leader, slammed Trump's deal as "a staggering betrayal of the American people." "Trump pledged to fight for Americans, but he's now using U.S. government resources to enrich ZTE (a foreign company designated a national cybersecurity risk)," Pelosi tweeted. Story continues ZTE was fined $1.2 billion in March 2017, but last month Washington banned the sale of crucial US components to the company after finding it had lied multiple times and failed to take action against employees responsible for sanctions violations. Under the new deal brokered by the Commerce Department, according to the Times, ZTE would pay a substantial fine, hire American compliance officers to be placed at the firm and make changes to its current management team. Even while US officials said the ZTE penalties were a national security issue separate from the trade talks with Beijing, Trump said Tuesday he was looking at easing the tough sanctions on ZTE "as a favor" to Chinese President Xi Jinping. - Alternatives - On Thursday, Ross said that at Trump's request, his department was looking at alternatives to the harsh penalty he chose to impose. But, he said, "if we do decide to go forward with an alternative, what it literally would involve would be in planting people of our choosing into the company to constitute a compliance unit and that unit would report back to the Department of Commerce." Top Republican and Democrat senators have denounced the compromise and one even vowed to block it. The reprieve for ZTE came just after Washington and Beijing called a halt to a spiraling trade dispute sparked by US accusations of China's unfair practices and the alleged theft of US technology, with Washington suspending plans to impose tariffs on as much as $150 billion in Chinese imports. Trump also faced accusations of quid-pro-quo after pledging to soften sanctions on ZTE just days after AFP reported a Chinese state firm would pour cash into a Trump-tied real estate venture in Indonesia. Lawmakers were incensed by Trump's offer last week to rescue the company and Chinese jobs, which came via Twitter in the midst of the trade talks with Beijing. The president angrily denied back-pedaling. Top Republican Senator Marco Rubio of Florida, who chairs a key subcommittee on foreign relations, denounced the move, and vowed lawmakers would work on "veto-proof legislation" to stop the deal. Tweeting again on Friday, Rubio again accused the administration of reaching an agreement that was beneficial to China. "It is a great deal... for #ZTE & China. #China crushes US companies with no mercy & they use these telecomm companies to spy & steal from us," he said on Twitter. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer also decried the deal. "If the administration goes through with this reported deal, President Trump would be helping make China great again. Would be a huge victory for President Xi, and a dramatic retreat by Pres Trump," he tweeted. "Both parties in Congress should come together to stop this deal in its tracks." Asked by AFP for comment, a Commerce spokesman said no information was available. Washington (AFP) - The White House says it has reached a deal with Chinese telecoms giant ZTE that would lift crippling sanctions slapped on the company, The New York Times reported Friday. The news comes as the US prepares to send a trade delegation back to Beijing next week to continue talks aimed at defusing a potentially serious trade dispute with China, after the countries exchanged huge tit-for-tat threats on imports. The reported terms of the ZTE deal closely match the conditions US President Donald Trump and Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross described earlier this week as a means for the firm to escape the export ban that nearly shuttered its operations. However, it seemed likely to provoke a harsh reaction in Congress, as lawmakers have been critical of the administration for signaling it might ease the pressure on a company that violated US sanctions on Iran and North Korea and repeatedly lied to US officials. ZTE was fined $1.2 billion in March 2017, but last month Washington banned the sale of crucial US components to the company after finding it had lied multiple times and failed to take action against employees responsible for sanctions violations. Under the new deal brokered by the Commerce Department, according to the Times, ZTE would pay a substantial fine, hire American compliance officers to be placed at the firm and make changes to its current management team. Even while US officials said the ZTE penalties were a national security issue separate from the trade talks with Beijing, Trump said Tuesday he was looking at easing the tough sanctions on ZTE "as a favor" to Chinese President Xi Jinping. Trump said he envisioned a new fine on the company of as much as $1.3 billion as well as a management shake-up and strict new rules. In a tweet Friday evening he praised his plan while lambasting his predecessors. "Senator Schumer and Obama Administration let phone company ZTE flourish with no security checks." Story continues "I closed it down then let it reopen with high level security guarantees, change of management and board, must purchase U.S. parts and pay a $1.3 Billion fine. Dems do nothing...." In a follow-up tweet he called the "so called Trade Deals" struck by Democrats "the laughing stock of the world!" - Alternatives - On Thursday, Ross said that at Trump's request, his department was looking at alternatives to the harsh penalty he chose to impose. But, he said, "if we do decide to go forward with an alternative, what it literally would involve would be in planting people of our choosing into the company to constitute a compliance unit and that unit would report back to the Department of Commerce." Top Republican and Democrat senators have denounced the compromise and one even vowed to block it. The reprieve for ZTE came just after Washington and Beijing called a halt to a spiraling trade dispute sparked by US accusations of China's unfair practices and the alleged theft of US technology, with Washington suspending plans to impose tariffs on as much as $150 billion in Chinese imports. Trump also faced accusations of quid-pro-quo after pledging to soften sanctions on ZTE just days after AFP reported a Chinese state firm would pour cash into a Trump-tied real estate venture in Indonesia. Lawmakers were incensed by Trump's offer last week to rescue the company and Chinese jobs, which came via Twitter in the midst of the trade talks with Beijing. The president angrily denied back-pedaling. Top Republican Senator Marco Rubio of Florida, who chairs a key subcommittee on foreign relations, denounced the move, and vowed lawmakers would work on "veto-proof legislation" to stop the deal. Tweeting again on Friday, Rubio again accused the administration of reaching an agreement that was beneficial to China. "It is a great deal... for #ZTE & China. #China crushes US companies with no mercy & they use these telecomm companies to spy & steal from us," he said on Twitter. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer also decried the deal. "If the administration goes through with this reported deal, President Trump would be helping make China great again. Would be a huge victory for President Xi, and a dramatic retreat by Pres Trump," he tweeted. "Both parties in Congress should come together to stop this deal in its tracks." Asked by AFP for comment, a Commerce spokesman said no information was available. Since conflict erupted in the Central African Republic in late 2012 after the Seleka armed groups seized power from President Francois Bozize, between 3,000 and 6,000 people have been killed, almost 700,000 people displaced and countless villages destroyed. The country has been locked in violence ever since, as the mainly Muslim armed groups (formerly known as Seleka), predominantly Christian Anti-Balaka defense militias and other armed groups vie for authority. Amid this deepening crisis, more than 14,000 children have been recruited by armed groups on all sides of the conflict. However, with roughly 80% of the country under the control of armed groups, the number is likely much higher and will continue to rise. Some children have been kidnapped. But many join voluntarily to protect themselves and their communities, or to seek revenge for the death of a loved one. In May, when we visited Pissa, a village southwest of the capital, Bangui, to talk to the community about preventing recruitment, some locals were hardly surprised that children had taken up arms. You had to protect yourself, [Seleka] came to rape even old women like me how do you expect these children to react? one woman told us. While thousands have been involved in combat, childrens roles in conflict go far beyond the frontlines. Many are exploited as cooks, porters, messengers and spies. Girls often suffer horrific sexual and physical abuse. The humanitarian and security situation deteriorated further in 2018 with at least 55,000 people displaced since January; 41% of children now suffering from chronic malnutrition. Children are paying the highest price for this new surge of violence, UNICEF said this month. The world must not forget the children of the Central African Republic. Protecting children from such violence and preventing their recruitment and re-recruitment is a huge challenge. The head of a volunteer child protection network in Banguis PK5 districtone of its most volatile and the scene of a church attack in May that killed at least 22 peopletold us child recruitment remains prevalent. Story continues In his area, there are at least 66 children, including four girls, tied to Muslim and Christian armed groups. Some of them had already been freed, but have since re-joined. According to UNICEF, around 12,000 children have been released since 2014. However, over 5,000 of these have not yet received any reintegration support. Reintegration projects are often poorly funded. And projects focusing on vocational training or employment often fail as children are given neither the right materials or equipment, nor the full support they need to understand a trade. Unlike other conflicts, the CAR crisis is unusual because most groups remain in the communities which they recruit from. This is especially so with Anti-Balaka groups: most are poorly equipped and disorganized, and emerged from their own communities to defend themselves. This means that even if children are freed, they are likely to remain under the influence of commanders and are at high risk of re-recruitment. Contributing to this risk is the delay in demobilization, disarmament and reintegration support programs for adult fighters, a process that the governments failed negotiations with armed groups has rendered long overdue. This means children remain in communities that are still armed and afraid, or struggling for either power or survival. Our work in CAR is addressing this problem, and supporting community initiatives to prevent child recruitment. Our new illustrated booklet, created with local organizations, the government and the United Nations, was launched in May to help child protection actors understand the legal framework around child recruitment and advocate with armed groups for the release of children. We also launched a community training tool to promote dialogue around the negative effects of child recruitment for both the child and the community. CAR became the 167th country to ratify OPACthe international child soldier treatyin September 2017 outlawing the recruitment and use of children in conflict. While a positive step, implementing it in practice is almost impossible in the current climate. May 25 marks 18 years since OPAC was ratified and while progress has been made and more than 115,000 child soldiers freed globally between 2000 and 2016, there is a long way to go. As we know from the CAR conflict, freeing children from armed groups is just the first step in ensuring they can reclaim their childhood. The woman shot and killed by U.S. Border Patrol on Wednesday has been identified as Claudia Patricia Gomez Gonzales, a 20-year-old who had traveled to the U.S. from Guatemala in hopes of securing work to pay for her education. Gomez Gonzales was shot in the head when a Border Patrol agent fired on a group of people he believed to be undocumented immigrants in Rio Bravo, Texas. The agent, who has been with Border Patrol for 15 years, said the group refused to get on the ground and instead rushed at him, at which point he opened fire, Customs and Border Protection said in a statement on Friday. The group fled after Gomez Gonzales was shot, CBP said, but three of the individuals were later apprehended. News of the shooting quickly circulated after a local resident filmed the aftermath and uploaded it to Facebook. Why did you shoot at the girl? You killed her! the woman filming says in the video, in Spanish, as she approaches Border Patrol agents at the scene. She wasnt doing anything. SHE HAS A NAME: unarmed 20 year old, Claudia Patricia Gomez Gonzalez, from Guatemala, was shot and killed by an ICE agent on Wednesday near Laredo, Texas. pic.twitter.com/mNTgaomOvD Michael Skolnik (@MichaelSkolnik) May 25, 2018 Gomez Gonzales was a Maya-Mam indigenous woman and had reportedly graduated from a program in forensic accounting in 2016. She had hoped to further her education, her father, Gilberto Gomez, told the Guatemalan newspaper Prensa Libre. Lidia Gonzales, the womans mother, told a local news channel that the family didnt have enough money for her daughter to continue her studies. She told me she wanted to keep studying at university but we dont have the money, Gonzales said, according to a translation by The Guardian. Were poor and there are no jobs here. Thats why she traveled to the U.S. But they killed her. Immigration killed her. Story continues Gonzales said she hoped her daughters body would be sent back home. Familiares y vecinos de Claudia Patricia Gomez Gonzales fallecida en Laredo Texas, se encuentran consternados en su vivienda en el caserio Los Alonzo, en San Juan Ostuncalco, Quetzaltenango. Via: Jaime Soc. pic.twitter.com/V1fFUSaskZ Emisoras Unidas (@EmisorasUnidas) May 25, 2018 The FBI and the Texas Rangers are investigating the incident with assistance from CBPs Office of Professional Responsibility. The agent responsible for Gomez Gonzales death is currently on administrative leave, CBP said in a statement. There have been at least two other reported fatal shootings by officers on duty since the beginning of 2017. In November, a CBP agent shot and killed a suspected undocumented immigrant, who the agency claimed grabbed another agents gun. In September, Border Patrol agents shot and killed a man following a car pursuit and exchanges of gunfire, CBP said. Since the beginning of 2017, at least seven people have died in car accidents while fleeing border agents. Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today. This article originally appeared on HuffPost. In the late 1950s, on a flight from Paris to Brussels, I met a young Jew from Rhodesia, todays Zimbabwe. We started talking, and when we arrived at the Belgian capital we decided to go out to the nightclub in the luxury hotel he was staying in. We sat down at the club, ordered a drink, and suddenly I noticed my new friend had become petrified. He stared at the stage without moving, like a statue. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter When I asked him what had happened, he muttered: Do You see what Im seeing? Three black men on the stage wearing a tuxedo? Yes, I said. Whats the problem? He stared at me and said, In my country, black people dont wear suits, and they definitely dont perform on stage in front of a white audience. (The three men, by the way, were part of The Mills Brothers, one of the most famous bands in the world at the time.) Anti-Israel protest in South Africa, last week. How rude and ignorant can people be? (Photo: Reuters) It was the first time I had heard the word apartheid, which means separateness in Dutch. Last week, the word made headlines again. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the leader who has turned himself into a dictator and who dreams of turning his country into a caliphate like it was before the rule of the founder of the Republic of Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, referred to Israel last week as an apartheid state, repeating things said in the past by other friends of Israel andregretfully and shamefullyby some Israelis too. Erdogan. The leader who has turned himself into a dictator and who dreams of turning his country into a caliphate (Photo: MCT) So I would like to ask Erdogan and some of the others who are throwing false accusations at Israel: Where exactly do you see apartheid? A state with complete academic freedom, a state with Arab ministers and Knesset members, a state that fosters Arab professors, Arab doctors, Arab pharmacists and Arab teachers, a state whose universities have a high percentage of Arab students, cant be called an apartheid state, unless its by ignorant or evil people. And the last person who can throw this accusation at us is a leader who has been cracking down on freedom of speech and the free press in his own country. Any intelligent person can immediately see that the only country in the Middle East where Arabs enjoy full rights and a proper life is Israel. Ask the residents of Umm al-Fahm, or Tayibe, or Sakhnin, if they would agree to become part of the Palestinian state when it is established one day. Absolutely not, they would all cry out. We want to stay in Israel. An apartheid state? How rude and how ignorant can people be? The United States warned Syria on Friday it would take "firm and appropriate measures" in response to ceasefire violations, saying it was concerned about reports of an impending military operation in a de-escalation zone in the country's southwest. Washington also cautioned Syrian President Bashar al-Assad against broadening the conflict. "As a guarantor of this de-escalation area with Russia and Jordan, the United States will take firm and appropriate measures in response to Assad regime violations," State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said in a statement late on Friday. US President Donald Trump late on Friday said the United States was having productive talks about reinstating a June 12 summit with North Koreas leader Kim Jong Un, just a day after he canceled the meeting citing Pyongyangs open hostility. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter We are having very productive talks about reinstating the Summit which, if it does happen, will likely remain in Singapore on the same date, June 12th., and, if necessary, will be extended beyond that date, Trump said in a Twitter post. South Koreas presidential spokesman said in response: We are cautiously optimistic that hope is still alive for US-North Korea dialogue. We are continuing to watch developments carefully. US President Trump and N. Korean leader Kim (Photo: AFP) Trump had earlier indicated the summit could be salvaged after welcoming a conciliatory statement from North Korea saying it remained open to talks It was a very nice statement they put out, Trump told reporters at the White House. Well see what happensit could even be the 12th. Were talking to them now. They very much want to do it. Wed like to do it. After years of tension over Pyongyangs nuclear weapons program, Kim and Trump agreed this month to hold what would be the first meeting between a serving US president and a North Korean leader. The plan followed months of war threats and insults between the leaders over North Koreas development of missiles capable of reaching the United States. Trump scrapped the meeting, planned for Singapore, in a letter to Kim on Thursday after repeated threats by North Korea to pull out over what it saw as confrontational remarks by US officials demanding unilateral disarmament. Trump cited North Korean hostility in canceling the summit. Trump after nixing summit (Photo: AP) In Pyongyang, North Korean Vice Foreign Minister Kim Kye Gwan said North Koreas criticisms had been a reaction to American rhetoric and that current antagonism showed the urgent necessity for the summit. He said North Korea regretted Trumps decision to cancel and remained open to resolving issues regardless of ways, at any time. Kim Kye Gwan said North Korea had appreciated Trump having made the bold decision to work toward a summit. We even inwardly hoped that what is called Trump formula would help clear both sides of their worries and comply with the requirements of our side and would be a wise way of substantial effect for settling the issue, he said. Diplomats at work Trumps latest about-face sent officials scrambling in Washington. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis told reporters diplomats were still at work and said Trump had just sent a note out on the summit, which could be back on if our diplomats can pull it off. Trump speaking to US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis (Photo: AP) US State Department spokeswoman Katina Adams declined to give details of any diplomatic contacts but said: As the president said in his letter to Chairman Kim, dialogue between the two is the only dialogue that matters. If North Korea is serious, then we look forward hearing from them at the highest levels. White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders told reporters Trump did not want a meeting that was just a political stunt. He wants to get something thats a long-lasting and an actual real solution. And if they are they are ready to do that then ... were certainly ready to have those conversations, she said. North Korea had sharply criticized suggestions by Trumps national security adviser, John Bolton, and Vice President Mike Pence that it could share the fate of Libya if it did not swiftly surrender its nuclear arsenal. Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi was deposed and killed by NATO-backed militants after halting his nascent nuclear program. Trumps national security adviser, John Bolton (Photo: EPA) Trump had initially sought to placate North Korea, saying he was not pursuing the Libya model and Sanders said he was following the President Trump model. US regional allies Japan and South Korea, as well as North Koreas main ally, China, urged the two countries to salvage the summit on Friday. At an economic forum in St. Petersburg, Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan said it was necessary to ensure security on the Korean peninsula, which touched on Chinas core interests. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, at the same forum, regretted the cancellation and said the world should keep doing its bit to make the summit happen. South Korea also would continue efforts to improve ties with the North, the office of President Moon Jae-in said after Moons top security advisers met for the second time on Friday. Kim with President of South Korea Moon Jae-in (Photo: AP) Some analysts worried that canceling the summit could prompt a resumption in hostilities, including renewed shorter-range missile tests or stepped-up cyber attacks by Pyongyang and increased sanctions or deployment of new military assets by Washington. In his letter, Trump warned Kim of the United States greater nuclear might, reminiscent of his tweet last year asserting that he had a much bigger nuclear button than Kim. While the Trump administration had insisted on North Koreas complete, verifiable and irreversible dismantling of its nuclear program, Pyongyang had always couched its language in terms of denuclearization of the Korean peninsula. It has said in previous, failed talks that it could consider giving up its arsenal if the United States provided security guarantees by removing its troops from South Korea and withdrawing its so-called nuclear umbrella of deterrence from South Korea and Japan. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, considered a moderate by many, was caught on tape Thursday joining a crowd in a chant calling for the destruction of Iran's enemiesamong them the US, UK and Israel. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter The chant broke out after a speech delivered by Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei held in Tehran. The crowd is then heard chanting "Death to America", "Death to Britain" and "Death to Israel," all while Zarif is seen smiling and mouthing the words shouted by the participants. Iranian Foreign Minister Zarif chants 'death to US, UK, Israel' X Among the participants in the event were Iran's Atomic Energy Commission, former Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi and Iran's Chief of Staff General Mohammed Hussein Bakri. Zarif left last week for a trip to Asia and Europe as part of efforts to maintain the nuclear agreement after the US withdrew from it. In the days before President Trump's decision to withdraw from the deal, Zarif attacked the United States and Israel, threatening I ran is ready to resume its nuclear activities "at a much greater speed" should the US decides to pull out of the 2015 international agreement aimed at preventing Tehran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif (Photo: AP) On Wednesday, Khamenei set out seven conditions for Tehran to stay in its nuclear deal with world powers, including steps by European banks to safeguard trade with Tehran. Khameneis official website said that he also stipulated European powers must protect Iranian oil sales from US pressure and continue buying Iranian crude, and must promise they would not seek new negotiations on Irans ballistic missile program and regional Middle East activities. "European banks should safeguard trade with the Islamic Republic. We do not want to start a fight with these three countries (France, Germany and Britain) but we dont trust them either," Khamenei said. "Europe should fully guarantee Irans oil sales. In case Americans can damage our oil sales..., Europeans should make up for that and buy Iranian oil." US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo (L) and Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (Photo: EPA, MCT) This came after US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Monday demanded Iran to make sweeping changes that would force it to effectively reverse the recent spread of its military and political influence through the Middle East to the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. If Washington sees tangible shifts in Irans policies, it is prepared to lift sanctions, Pompeo stressed, but added that "the sting of sanctions will only grow more painful if the regime does not change course from the unacceptable and unproductive path it has chosen for itself and the people of Iran." Four Palestinians crossed the security fence in the southern Gaza Strip and infiltrated Israeli territory Saturday, where they burnt a tire as part of the "March of Return" protest. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter An IDF force that spotted them arrived and fired warning shots at them. The IDF Spokesperson's Unit stated that the suspects then fled back into the Gaza Strip. No casualties were reported. File photo of Gaza rioters burning tires (Photo: AFP) On Friday, an explosive device was thrown at an IDF force north of the Gaza Strip border, as the weekly protest resumed once more. No one was hurt. With dwindling numbers, some 1,600 Palestinian protesters have gathered in two locations along the Gaza border security fence. Most of the participants kept their distance and remained about 800 meters from the fence. Dozens of youths, however, advanced to around 300 meters distance and burned tires at one protest spot. East of Gaza City some youths came right up to the fence and tried to pull it apart. Israeli troops fired tear gas and live rounds. Soldiers also fired at kites with flaming tails to try to bring them down before they landed in Israeli farmland and set crops alight. Gaza health ministry officials said at least 109 protesters were hurt. Medics said at least 10 were wounded by live rounds. Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh and the groups Gaza leader, Yehya Al-Sinwar, joined separate protest encampments raising cheers from the assembled crowds. "The marches of return are not over. They may be smaller but we are continuing," said Ali, a participant who masked his face with his t-shirt at a protest east of Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip. Protesters dispersed as dusk fell to prepare to break their daytime fast during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. The Israel Police has summoned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for further interrogation in the Case 4000 probe after being handed new evidence by state's witness and former advisor to Netanyahu, Nir Hefetz, which seems to implicate his former boss, Channel 2 News reported Friday. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter The Case 4000 investigation revolve around the prime minister's ties to Bezeq majority shareholder Shaul Elovitch and the suspicion he enjoyed favorable coverage on the Walla! News website, which is fully owned by Bezeq, in exchange for benefits for his company, an Israeli telecommunications giant. Hefetz reportedly provided evidence to back the police's claim that the favors exchanged between the two was not coincidental, but rather part of an illicit quid pro quo deal they were both fully aware of. PM Netanyahu with his wife, Sara (Photo: Alex Kolomoisky) According to the report, Hefetz said he spoke with Elovitch at least six times a day in his capacity as Netanyahu's advisor. Netanyahu's next interrogation in the probe is expected to take place on June 12. Netanyahu is embroiled in several criminal investigations that threaten not only his seat, but his freedom, with corruption allegations against him ranging from the troubling to the severe. In February, The Israel Police announced there is sufficient evidence to indict the premier for bribery, fraud and breach of trust in two cases against him, Case 1000 and Case 2000 Bezeq majority shareholder Shaul Elovitch (L) and state's witness Nir Hefetz (Photo: Motti Kimchi) Channel 10 reported that a message sent by the prime minister's wife, Sara, and found by the police serves as key evidence in the Bezeq affair. The police and the State Attorney's Office believe that it acknowledges the illegal deal struck between Netanyahu and Elovitch. In addition, it was reported on Thursday that Hefetz also provided information to the police in Case 2000, which concerns talks the premier had with Yedioth Ahronoth owner and publisher Arnon Mozes regarding the Israel Hayom daily. WASHINGTON A White House team will leave as scheduled for Singapore this weekend to prepare for a possible summit between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, a White House spokeswoman said on Saturday. Politico magazine reported earlier that an advance team of 30 White House and State Department officials were preparing to depart later this weekend. While Russia boasted of the simultaneous launch of four intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) from a submarine Tuesday, it came to light Friday it also covertly experimented with the longest ever launch of a surface-to-air missile, CNBC reported. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter The missile, part of the new Russian S-500 system, hit its mark at a distance of 480 kilometers80 kilometers more than the previous record. Footage from the launch of 4 ICBMs earlier this week X The state-of-the-art S-500 aerial defense system was capable of intercepting hypersonic missilestraveling at a speed greater than the speed of soundas well as drones and aircrafts, Russia maintained. Missiles aboard the new S-500 aerial defense system (Photo: AP) Moreover, the new system was capable of intercepting the F-22 and F-35 stealth planes, the latter of which was revealed this week by Israel Air Force Commander Amikam Norkin to have been used in an attack by Israel for the first time in the world. IAF Commander Norkin confirmed Israel used an F-35 stealth fighter in one of its strikes (Photo: Motti Kimchi) The new system is thus set to improve Moscow's capabilities of engaging a variety of targets using precision strikes. The system was even capable of destroying objects traveling near space, at an altitude of more than 90 kilometers above the ground, Russia claimed. American intelligence officials, meanwhile, said that the test made use of an upgraded version of the missile used in the S-300 system, which Russia was said to be mulling providing to its ally in Syriathe regime of President Bashar Assad. Report of the S-500 came to light Friday, 24 hours after another development was made public regarding Russian surface-to-air missiles with The Netherlands publishing the conclusions of its inquiry into the crash of Malaysia Airlines' Flight 17 over eastern Ukraine four years ago, determining that it was intercepted by Russian surface-to-air missiles. The medium-range Buk system of surface-to-air missiles was reportedly used to down the plane, on a flight from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur in which 298 people were killed. The charred remains of MH17, revealed to have been downed by Russia this week (Photo: Reuters) Dutch Foreign Affairs Minister Stef Blok added Friday that the investigation's findings "pointed to direct Russian involvement." Moscow nevertheless denied any culpability, with the Russian Defense Ministry saying Thursday that none of its surface-to-air missile systems crossed the border into The Ukraine. American intelligence officials reported last week that by 2020, Russia will be able to arm its ballistic missiles with a hypersonic glide cruise missile called Avangardcapable of carrying a nuclear payloadwhich Russian statements said no country could defend against. The older S-300 system, whose sale to Syria Russia said it was mulling (Photo: AP) Several months ago, head of the Main Operations Department at Russia's General Staff Lt.-Gen. Sergei Rudskoi announced that his country will indeed supply the S-300 long-range interception system to Syria. The S-300 is considered more efficient and advanced than any antiaircraft system currently in Syrian hands, as it's capable of intercepting not only planes but also ballistic and possibly even cruise missiles at ranges of more than 150 kilometer and at high altitudes. Anne Frank and her family were captured by Nazis after being betrayed by a Jewish woman, alleged a new book attempting to uncover the mystery of the Frank family being found in a secret annex of an Amsterdam building in 1944. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter The Guardian newspaper reported Friday that according to the booktitled "The Backyard of the Secret Annex"Dutch-Jewish collaborator Ans van Dijk reported their hiding place. Van Dijk was executed after the Second World War for her collusion with the Nazis, after confessing to giving up 145 Jews, including her own brother and his family. A new book alleges Anne Frank and her family were given up to the Nazis by a Jewish collaborator (Photo: AFP) While it had been previously claimed she was also guilty of turning over the Frank family, the Anne Frank House museum in Amsterdam and its research center failed to reach any conclusion on the matter, despite studies and a police investigation into her actions. In his new book, however, author Gerard Kremer, 70, claimed he has solved the mystery. Kremer's father was a member of the anti-Nazi Dutch underground, and was an acquaintance of van Dijk in Amsterdam. The author's father, who died in 1978, was said to have been a caretaker in an office building in the Dutch capital, two floors of which were taken over by the German authorities and the Dutch Nazi organizationthe NSBduring the Nazi occupation of The Netherlands. Kremer's father recounted van Dijk's arrest by the Nazi intelligence service on the first day of Easter in 1943. After her arrest, she made frequent visits to the building, in costume, and used telephones in the appropriated offices. The book further outlined that Kremer overheard talk in the Nazi offices in early August 1944 regarding the region where Frank and her family were hiding, and that van Dijk took part in those conversations. Dutch-Jewish collaborator Ans van Dijk was later executed for treason Anne and her family members were arrested August 4, while van Dijk left Amsterdam for The Hague. A spokeswoman for Anne Frank House told The Guardian that the museum contacted the book's author, but he could provide no evidence proving van Dijk's culpability. "We consider Gerard Kremer's book as a tribute to his parents," she said, "based on what he remembers and has heard. In 2016, the Anne Frank House carried out research into the arrest of the Frank family and the other four people in hiding in the secret annex." "Ans van Dijk," she continued, "was included as a potential traitor in this study. We have not been able to find evidence for this theory, nor for other betrayal theories." After the war and van Dijk's move to The Hague, she was arrested at a friend's house on June 20, 1945. She was later charged with 23 counts of treason and brought before a special tribunal in Amsterdam, where she confessed to all counts and was sentenced to death. A spokeswoman for Anne Frank House said van Dijk had been included in a list of potential traitors, but that no conclusive evidence was found to show she was to blame (Photo: Massimo Catarinella, from Wikipedia) Her subsequent attempts to appeal the verdict and receive a royal pardon, with the claim she was merely acting out of self preservation, failed and she was executed by firing squad in January, 1948. The night before her execution she was baptized and joined the Roman Catholic Church. Simone van Hoof, a spokesman for Lantaarn, the book's publisher, said, "We can't claim that this is 100 percent the answer but we really do think it is a part of the puzzle that may be able to complete the story." Hours after four Palestinians crossed the security fence in the southern Gaza Strip and threw a Molotov cocktail, Hamas's official Al-Aqsa TV station published footage of the incident. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter Footage showed the four crossing into Israeli territory and lighting an IDF post on fire using an incendiary material, and then fleeing back into the strip. Hamas footage of the Palestinians' infiltration X An IDF force that spotted them arrived and fired warning shots. The IDF initially reported that the suspects burned a tire on Israeli land, but later recanted the claim. Palestinian lighting a fire, as seen in Hamas footage of infiltration March of Return . Returning to the lands of Palestine." It was further communicated the entire incident lasted less than a minute. On Friday, an explosive device was thrown at an IDF force north of the Gaza Strip border, as the weekly protest resumed once more. No one was hurt. IDF footage of the incident (: ") X With dwindling numbers, some 5,000 Palestinian protesters gathered in two locations along the Gaza border security fence. They threw rocks at Israeli forces and burned tires, with the IDF deploying crowd control measures. Attempts to sabotage the fence were also documented. IDF footage of rioters scaling security fence (Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Unit) IDF forces were also deployed en masse in the West Bank, and have been working in coordination with Shin Bet, Civil Administration, Border Police and Israel Police forces to allow worshipers to participate in the Ramadan Friday prayers while defending Israeli communities and roads and maintaining order and security in the sector. Consequently, some 87,000 Palestinians passed through the different crossings from the West Bank into Jerusalem Friday to participate in Ramadan prayers. Some 8,000 Palestinians, meanwhile, visited the Cave of the Patriarchs in Hebron for prayers. Staff Sergeant Ronen Lubarsky, the IDF soldier who was critically wounded after a marble slab was thrown at him during an operation near Ramallah, was pronounced dead Saturday morning at the Hadassah Medical Center in Jerusalem's Ein Karem. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu voiced his deep regret at the staff sergeant's passing, and sent his heartfelt condolences to his family. Israel's "defense arms will find the terrorist and the State of Israel will exert justice," he vowed. Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman added his own message, tweeting, "Duvdevan, one of our elite units, carries out numerous arrests every night in an unending war that affords no fame or publicity." Staff Sgt. Ronen Luvarsky succumbed to his wounds Saturday morning after being hit in the head with a marble slap during an operation near Ramallah (Photo: Ronen Luvarsky's Facebook page) The minister then sent his own condolences to the young officer's family, and said that he will "closely monitor efforts to arrest the terrorist. We will find justice for Ronen." President Reuven Rivlin spoke about the soldier's passing, saying he was "deeply saddened to receive the news. Last night I was able to talk to his parents and brothers about his condition, and to send prayers for his recovery. Today however, we are greatly pained to send our sympathies as we share in this great tragedy. "At this difficult time, I want to offer strength also to the wonderful fighters and commanders of his unit, the best of our young men, who go out every night on operations that ensure we are able to carry on our day-to-day lives in safety. "We feel the pain of the family and of the unit and have them in our hearts. May Ronens memory be a blessed." Education Minister Naftali Bennett wrote about Lubarsky as well, saying that "his death in the alleyways of the al-Am'ari refugee camp saved the lives of Israelis in the streets of Tel Aviv." PM Netanyahu, Defense Minister Lieberman both vowed Luvarsky's killer will be brought to justice (Photo: Ronen Luvarsky's Facebook page) Carmel and Sheli, who worked out with Lubarsky before their IDF conscription, recounted the excitement he felt in anticipation of his army service. "He was really excited at joining Duvdevan. It was his dream, he exercised a lot to realize it, and he ended up succeeding," they said. "He was punctual and a perfectionistalways the best, always setting an example and helping others. He never left anyone behind. He was truly caring, funny and genial and always looked on the bright side of everything." Lubarsky, a 20-year-old Rehovot resident, was a member of the army's elite Duvdevan Unit and was acting as part of the covering force for an operating serving an arrest warrant in the al-Am'ari refugee camp near Ramallah. An initial inquiry into the incident turned up that a large marble slab hit his head. After receiving emergency medical attention in the field, Staff Sgt. Lubarsky was taken to the hospital and hospitalized in its intensive care ward, where he was later pronounced dead. IDF convoy leaving al-Am'ari refugee camp X On the soldier's serious injury, an IDF official said, "His helmet was destroyed. He fell on his back and suffered another blow. So he was hit hard in the head and was evacuated." "This was a necessary raid to arrest several terrorists who carried out attacks in the past. The soldier was wearing full protective gear, including a helmet, and while he was standing close to one of the homes the marble slab was thrown down at him," the IDF official explained. While the operation had a specific purpose, it later evolved into a full-scale riot, the official expounded, with the army using crowd control measures to disperse rioters. IDF convoy in the al-Am'ari refugee camp The IDF official then remarked that "the terrorist who dropped the marble slab was not arrested. The force didn't open fire at the source and didn't identify it." He rejected claims changes had been made to the rules of engagement, noting "The reason the soldiers didn't open fire at the terrorist who dropped the marble slab was because he was not identified." The operation, which is based on Shin Bet intelligence, is part of the IDF's Judea and Samaria Brigade's wide scale activity to thwart attacks during the month of Ramadan, after recent years saw many deadly attacks during the Muslim holiday. The manhunt for the terrorist continued The soldiers still operating in the camp were explained the complexities that are part and parcel of operating in such environs, with similar past incidents of throwing heavy objects from the roofs or windows of homes in cluttered alleyways taking place. In fact, soldiers are often peltedsometimes at close rangewith washing machines, refrigerators and heavy furniture when they operate in the West Bank's refugee camps. Thanks to the intelligence efforts of the Shin Bet and the army, one suspect was indeed arrested during the operation, with a further two arrested later in the day. The three suspects were taken in for questioning by Shin Bet. Israel has notified Russia of its decision to expand its "red lines"as it pertains to operations against Iran in Syriato the entirety of its northern neighbor's territory rather than just the southern portion of the country as it had so far, the Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper reported Saturday evening. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter Israel initially offered no comment on the report by the London-based pan-Arab paper. On a possibly related matter, Arabic-language Sky News reported that in the strike in the Homs province of Syria earlier this weekattributed to the Israeli Air Force21 people were killed, nine of whom were Iranian. Sky News was the only outlet reporting the figures. PM Netanyahu (L) and Russian President Putin. Israel was said to have notified Russian it has redrawn its 'red lines' in operating against Iran in Syria (Photo: AP) The claim was later refuted by Iran's official news agency IRNA, which stated the strike led to no Iranian casualties. British-based war monitor the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported Friday that the overnight strikeseemingly by Israeltargeted a base occupied by Hezbollah operatives and weapons caches. Alleged footage of the strike in Homs X The Dabaa base, according to the Observatory's report, also housed combatants belonging to other militias allied to Syrian President Bashar Assad, and that it was unclear whether the strike caused any deaths. A Syrian jet at the Dabaa military airbase The pro-Hezbollah Lebanese daily Al-Akhbar, meanwhile, reported that the strike was the most significant since the so-called " Night of Missiles "when 32 missiles were launched by the elite Iranian Quds Force earlier in the month, prompting a crushing Israeli response that reportedly left eleven Iranians dead Despite the Syrian army's claim that its aerial defense systems shot back at the missiles and jets, several hits to the airfield were documented, the paper further reported. Al-Akhbar then went on to say no operational airborne activities were being launched from the base, but that it did house several storerooms and command centers. The region of the base was previously targeted by a tripartite American-British-French assault recently, after allegations it was being used to manufacture chemical weapons. Rami Abdurrahman, director of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, said Thursday that six missiles were fired at the Dabaa military airbase and its vicinity in southwestern Homs, hitting Hezbollah weapons caches. The base is just north of the city of Al-Qusayr, which Hezbollah overtook in 2013 from Syrian rebel forces. The city's capture marked a turning point in the Shiite terror group's involvement in the years' long Syrian civil war. The IDF carried out strikes in the southern Gaza Strip Saturday evening. There were no casualties. The IDF Spokesperson's Unit announced that the strike hit targets in a Hamas military complex, and that it was carried out in retaliation to a Palestinian infiltration into Israel earlier in the day. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter Repeated attempts to damage Israeli security infrastructures near the border under cover of the protests Hamas organizes may have also served as backdrop for the strike. The army's statement said that it "gravely considered continued daily attempts by the Hamas terror group to damage security infrastructures in Israel, while threatening the safety of both soldiers and civilians, and is determined to continuing to defend Israel's citizens." File photo. The IDF reportedly attacked in southern Gaza Saturday evening The army then added its usual refrain, that "Hamas was solely responsible for all goings-on in the Gaza Strip and will face the ramifications of the terroristic activities carried out from Gaza against Israel's citizens and its sovereignty." The infiltration incident mentioned in the IDF's comment took place earlier Saturday, when four Palestinians crossed the security fence in the southern Gaza Strip and infiltrated Israeli territory, where they lit a Molotov cocktail as part of the "March of Return" protests. An IDF force that spotted them arrived and fired warning shots. The IDF initially reported that the suspects burned a tire on Israeli land, but later recanted the claim. Apart from the incendiary bottle, it was reported the suspects left a tent in the field bearing the writing, "March of Return. Returning to the lands of Palestine." It was further communicated the entire incident lasted less than a minute. Hamas footage of the Palestinians' infiltration X Several days ago, Israeli jets attacked a Hamas terror tunnel in the northern strip. Two additional targets belonging to the Gaza-ruling terror group's naval force were also hit. The IDF Spokesperson's Unit said the strike came in retaliation to an infiltration by Gazans into Israel the previous day, and in light of "continued attempts to fly drones and kites into Israel for the purposes of terrorism and arson." On Friday, an explosive device was thrown at an IDF force north of the Gaza Strip border, as the weekly protest resumed once more. No one was hurt. Earlier in the week, the United Nations' Mideast Envoy Nikolay Mladenov commented on the tense situation in the strip's border following last week's riots, which claimed the lives of more than 60 Palestinians. UN Middle-East Envoy Mladenov said the Gaza situation was 'tragic' (Photo: AP, Reuters) During a session of the international organization's Security Council, Mladenov said that May 14the day of the opening of the US Embassy in Jerusalem and the highest Palestinian single-day death toll since 2014was a "tragic day in the long history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict." It also served, he said, is another reminder of the need to bring peace to the region. "It was a reminder as to how easily violence in Gaza can flare up, and how much Gaza is on the brink of collapse, with its residents growing ever more desperate," he added. News Washington, DC - The United States has complete confidence in the findings of the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) as presented today by the Dutch Public Prosecutor: the missile launcher used to shoot down Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 originated from the 53rd Anti-aircraft Brigade of the Russian Federation, stationed in Kursk. Todays announcement confirms and adds detail to what we have said from the earliest days of this tragedy: MH17 was shot down by a Russian-made BUK surface-to-air missile fired from territory in eastern Ukraine controlled by Russia and Russia-led forces. We recall the UN Security Councils demand that those responsible be held to account and that all States cooperate fully with efforts to establish accountability. We call upon Russia, in particular, to respect and adhere to UN Security Council Resolution 2166 (2014). It is time for Russia to cease its lies and account for its role in the shoot down. We remain confident in the ability of the Dutch criminal justice system to prosecute those responsible in a manner that is fair and just. We again extend our deepest sympathies to the families and friends of the victims and call for justice on behalf of the 298 innocent civilians who lost their lives on that day. Yuma News Yuma, Arizona - Observation of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Week continued last night with a Proclamation read by City of Yuma Deputy Mayor Gary Knight and special recognition of several local EMS personnel. The Yuma Fire Department took time Thursday evening to recognize members of the Emergency Medical Service team selected for their exemplary performance, service, and achievements. Representing the Yuma Fire Department for these presentations was Chief Steve Irr. Assisting the Chief was Deputy Mayor Knight, City Administrator Greg Wilkinson, and EMS Battalion Chief Daniel Ott. This years Paramedic of the Year for the Yuma Fire Department is Firefighter James Chavez. Although James is one of the youngest paramedics in the Yuma Fire Department, he has consistently improved his skills and is an enthusiastic and professional paramedic, volunteering for special assignments and always having a positive attitude. He ensures all his patients are treated in a prompt and efficient manner. One such example is when his unit received a call about a vehicle versus house traffic crash. His unit was first on scene, he established command and triaged three patients before the next due unit arrived. He provides extraordinary customer service and patient care, treating every patient with kindness and compassion regardless of his or her background or social status. His motivation and dedication are exemplary. This years Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) of the Year for the Yuma Fire Department is Fire Captain Erik Lohman. There are few EMTs on the department as dedicated, diligent and enthusiastic as Erik. As a Captain with 20 + years in the Department, he could take on fewer patient care duties but chooses to lead by example and fully utilize the skills he has developed over years of service. After many calls, Captain Lohman can be found completing the same task any new EMT would normally perform. Captain Lohman is an EMT who leads from the front, always providing excellent customer service and really truly enhancing the care given by the paramedics in the crew. Words cannot express how important it is to see an EMT provide such amazing care. Captain Lohman makes any crew he is a part of better. This years Emergency Medical Dispatcher (EMD) of the Year for the Yuma Fire Department is Jose Zavala. Jose has the lowest average call processing times for Fire/EMS calls at 44 seconds. Between April 2017 and April 2018, he has answered over 16,000 phone calls, entering almost 7,400 total calls for service, almost 1,400 of which were Fire/EMS calls. This is the highest phone call volume of all of the dispatchers for an entire year. He has consistently scored in the high 90s for his monthly quality assurance reviews and exceeded the expectations for the program. Jose is always willing to help whenever he is asked. Throughout the year Jose has been recognized by his co-workers for his contributions and teamwork during large incidents including the Mesa Heights fire, an incident involving a pursuit, assault on an officer, a vehicle running into a house, a homicide, and multiple calls requiring CPR instructions. He is quick to recognize others for their efforts during busy shifts or large incidents. Joses co-workers enjoy working with him. Special recognition was given to 8 high school seniors for completing the COOP program. They were Leonel Anaya (KHS), Yesenia Lizzaraga (KHS), Cory Moorehead (CHS), Brian Morones (CHS), Alexis Ulloa (GRHS), and Christopher Valdez (GRHS). In addition, Leonel Anaya (who took state honors in the Arizona National Skills USA competition and will go on to Nationals in Louisville, KY) was named CO-OP of the Year. Other recognitions included awards for YFD personnel who delivered babies, a donation of veterinary oxygen masks by Desert Veterinary Clinic, completions of Hazardous Materials Technician and Paramedic Certifications, and recent promotions. - Ghanaian actor, Akrobeto, has called on Vice President Dr. Mahamamudu Bawumia to spend more time with his family - His comments were in reaction to remarks passed by the Second Lady, Samira Bawumia, in an interview - She is reported to have stated that her husband's dedication to his work drives him to work extra hard Popular Ghanaian actor and comedian, Akrobeto, has advised Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia to spend more time with his family. According to a report by GHIssues.com, the screen icons message was in reaction to comments passed by Second Lady, Samira Bawumia, during some interviews. She is reported to have stated that her husbands passion and commitment to the nation drives him to overwork himself. Dr. and Mrs. Bawumia Source: Original READ ALSO: Ebony's death has brought me closer to God - Efia Odo Absolutely. I see the commitment. I see the passion in him. It has not waned. He is still that man who wants to serve his country and works for ridiculous number of hours, she stated. She allegedly went on to say that her husbands role takes up most of his time, but he tries to spend time with his family whenever possible. ' She added that that he usually has meetings that run deep into the night, but it is all in the interest of the nation. Speaking on UTVs programme, The Real News, Akrobeto stated that Samira Bawumias message was coded and therefore needed to be understood. In his opinion, the Vice President needs to react accordingly and spend more time with his family. READ ALSO: Songo finally speaks following Nyantakyi's interrogation Ghana Trends: Ken Ofori Atta Wins African Finance Minister of the Year Award | Yen.com.gh: Use the comments section below to share your views on this story. Do you have a story to share or you have information for us? Get featured on YEN.com.gh. Message us on Facebook or Instagram Source: Yen Superstar actress, Nadia Buari, is the gift of style and sophistication that gives on giving. The actress using her Instagram page as her own runway, takes our breath away with every pose, strut and classy outfit she has showed us. From white lace outfits to stunning jumpsuits to your everyday colorful dresses, Nadias name takes a high spot on the list of most fashionable actresses and there is no denying why. Nadia Buari READ ALSO: 13 popular Ghanaians who failed badly at exams but won at life In her recent posts on Instagram, YEN.com.gh spotted the actress in a stunning royal blue lace dress, and she looked divine. Nadia struck a classic pose with her curly mop of hair framing her face, making the entire look even more lovely. And it seems her fans were just as appreciative as we are: empreznanaabena Woow nice dress ladymarock Always looking sweet rizigreenYou look amazing esebamenmimi Natural beauty.. majidchrispius Pretty shinny dress florence._mensah Lovely dress husniya_2_ Blue is beauty. Nadia Buaris style game is not new on the Ghana fashion scene, as she has taken red carpets by storm over the last decade of her successful acting career. Nadia, since her first appearance in the Ghana movie industry in the early 2000s, has starred in countless successful movies such as Beyonce: The President's daughter, The diary of Imogene Brown, and Single and Married. Nadia Buari on the red carpet at the premiere of Deranged Known to always play intense, powerful lead characters, her stellar acting has earned her countless prestigious nominations for her roles. Aside her notable career as an actress, Nadia is also a director and producer, and has engaged in several other private business ventures. Ghana trends: Joy FM blasted over Royal Wedding, Mahama plans comeback in 2020: READ ALSO: Another nurse caught in an 'atopa' tape? Have a story to share? Send us a message via our Facebook page or check out our Instagram page for more news. Source: Yen Ghanaian celebrities are very passionate about what they do. They tackle their jobs with the utmost professionalism and are happy to entertain Ghanaians. However, something means more to them than everything else: family. Vivian Jill's son (left) and Kafui Danku's daughter Ghanaian entertainers have proven that family is the important thing to them. Day in and day out, many of them inundate social media with pictures and videos of personal moments with their children. Here are 16 of the most adorable photos that YEN.com.gh has seen so far. 1. D-Black and daughters The musician has said in interviews that although he had his daughters by mistake, they are the best things to have happened to him. 2. Andre "Dede" Ayew and daughter Her name is Inaya Ayew. 3. Okyeame Kwame and chidren Okyeame Kwame's children are called Sir Bota Nsia Apau and Shanti Antwiwaa Nsia Apau. 4. Reggie Rockstone and his beautiful family It's safe to say these kids are the source of Reggie's happiness. 5. Samuel Inkoom and family Samuel and his wife, Omega, named the children Samuel and Samuelina Inkoom. 6. Asamoah Gyan and his son Asamoah Gyan has never ceased to express pride in his son. 7. Afia Schwarzenegger and children Afia has not kept her love for her sons a secret even for one day. She could not hide her joy when the twins secured admission to the Kumasi High School recently. 8. Stephen Appiah and children The former Ghana skipper is a caring father to his four children. 9. Van Vicker and children The star actor is blessed with two sons and a daughter. 10. Mzbel and son Mzbel was ecstatic when her son secured admission to the Achimota Secondary School. 11. Kafui Danku and daughter Danku has not hidden her excitement for even a day since baby Lorde was born. 12. Vivian Jill Lawrence and son His name is Alfie Nana Amponsah Okobeng. 13. Gifty Anti and daughter Gifty has described her baby, Nyame, as the sunshine of her life. 14. Yvonne Nelson and daughter Yvonne Nelson's daughter is called Ryn Roberts. 15. Nana Aba and son Nana Aba's son is called Paa Kow Anamoah. 16. Tracey Boakye and son Tracey Boakye has described her son as her world. 17. Nana Ama McBrown and daughter Nana Ama McBrown does not joke with her beautiful daughter, Baby Maxin, at all. READ ALSO: 7 Powerful Ghanaians "big men" who are Freemasons and details about their "secretive" organisation Share your views on this with us in the comments section below. Do you have a story to share? Contact us on Facebook for publication on YEN.com.gh now. Source: Yen Kazakhstan bought a battalion of Russian Buk-M2E air defense missile systems and plans to procure another one, said the Kazakh Defense Minister Saken Zhasuzakov at KADEX-2018 defense exhibition and arms trade show in Kazakhstan. Russian-made Buk-M2E mobile medium-range surface-to-air missile (SAM) system. (Picture source Army Recognition) "We have signed a contract for the tracked hardware [the Buk-M2E on the tracked chassis]. Let us look at the second battalion on the wheeled chassis," the minister said as he viewed the display of Russias Almaz-Antey manufacturer. The Buk-M2 (NATO name SA-17 Grizzly, Russian name 9K317) is a Russian made mobile medium-range surface-to-air missile (SAM) system designed to defend field troops and logistical installations against air threats. The Buk-M2E is the export version of the Russian-made Buk-M2 The Buk-M2 can engage a wide variety of targets from aircraft to missiles flying at an altitude of between 10 and 24,000 m out a maximum range of 50 km in given conditions. The SA-17 Grizzly can engage simultaneous of up to 24 targets flying from any direction. Zhasuzakov also showed interest in Russias most advanced Buk-M3 air defense missile systems and Pantsyr-S1 complexes. The Buk-M3 also nicknamed Viking, medium-range surface-to-air missile system is a modernized version of the Buk-M2 system, features advanced electronic components and a deadly new missile and could be regarded as a completely new system. The Pantsir-S1 (SA-22 Greyhound NATO code name) is a Russian-made air defense missile-gun system designed to protect vital small-size and big military areas, industrial targets and land forces units and reinforced the air defense units responsible for the protection of troops and military installations against precision-guided air attack from low and extreme low altitudes. T Kazspecexport CEO Arman Ramazanov earlier told TASS that Russia and Kazakhstan were negotiating the deliveries of these air defense missile systems and had already signed a memorandum of intentions. Violent protests had erupted in Tuticorin on Tuesday as locals took to the streets demanding closure of a copper factory. Samarendra Das from Foil Vedanta also called on the UK government to investigate and delist this company. London: The UK's Opposition, Labour Party, has called for Vedanta to be delisted from the London Stock Exchange following the death of 13 people during violent protests against the mining giant in Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu. John McDonnell, the UK's Shadow Chancellor, said removing Vedanta Resources from the London financial markets would prevent reputational damage from the "rogue" company which has been operating "illegal" mining concerns for years. "After the massacre of the protestors this week, regulators must now take action. Vedanta must be immediately delisted from the London Stock Exchange to remove its cloak of respectability, restore confidence in the governance of the Stock Exchange, and prevent further reputational damage to London's financial markets from this rogue corporation, McDonnell said in a statement on Friday. Violent protests had erupted in Tuticorin on Tuesday as locals took to the streets demanding closure of a copper factory of the Vedanta group over pollution concerns. "The news from Tamil Nadu that 13 protestors against Vedanta have been killed is shocking and demands action. This is a major multinational company that for years has operated illegal mining concerns, trashing the environment and forcibly evicting local people, he said. The statement from the senior Labour MP, who highlighted that campaigners and international NGOs like Amnesty International have accused Vedanta of a string of human rights and environmental abuses in India, Zambia and across the globe, came as protesters are preparing to stage a major protest against Vedanta outside the Indian High Commission in London on Saturday afternoon. Hundreds of protesters mobilised by groups such as Foil Vedanta, Tamil People in the UK, Periyar Ambedkar Study Circle, South Asia Solidarity Group, Tamil Solidarity, Parai Voice of Freedom and Veera Tamilar Munnani will stage protests alongside worldwide action to condemn the Tamil Nadu state government's "collusion" in what they have termed as corporate massacre. Samarendra Das from Foil Vedanta also called on the UK government to investigate and delist this company. "For 15 years since Vedanta's London listing we have been warning the British government that this criminal company is undermining democracy across India and in Zambia whilst gaining a 'cloak of respectability' from London. This corporate massacre on a peaceful environmental movement must be the last straw, he said. Karthik Kamalakannan from Tamil People in UK added: It is disgusting to learn that a British company has put its profits above human cries for safe air to breathe and water to drink. "The leaders of this peaceful environmental movement have been targeted by snipers, which is no surprise knowing reputation of Vedanta against any uprising against them. The Internet blackout in Tuticorin destroys all semblance of democracy. This is a sad time for Tamil people." The groups are calling on the British government to launch an inquiry into the "multiple legal, environmental and human rights violations" by Vedanta Resources. Vedanta Resources' subsidiary Sterlite Copper has begun construction of a new 4-million tonne/year smelter on the edge of the town of Tuticorin, almost doubling their capacity, but residents argue the existing smelter has continuously polluted their water and air since it was established in 1996. They claim it has led to respiratory and skin problems, fainting and other illness, especially among children. Activists also claim that Sterlite obtained its environmental clearance illegally by falsifying information to statutory authorities, while the existing plant is regularly found to be dumping toxic waste in the town, and operating without proper licenses. The plant releases its waste into the sensitive Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve, an area of coral reefs and mangrove forests, the protesters claim. Sterlite was the first company set up by Agarwal in India before he launched Vedanta Resources on the London Stock Exchange in 2003, which is now a multinational FTSE 250 company with operations across India and Africa. Vedanta has previously denied that the smelter has been responsible for air and water pollution. The company said it is working with authorities to restore power to the plant, which has been offline since late March. "I assure you that I am committed to the environment, the people of Tuticorin and Tamil Nadu, and we will abide by the law of the land. It is with your wish that we would like to continue this business, Agarwal said in a video message. Kapoor, who has also acted in Hema Malini-Dharmendra starrer Razia Sultan, breathed her last at an old age home. Mumbai: Yesteryear actress Geeta Kapoor of Pakeezah fame passed away at an old age home in Mumbai on Saturday. The news was confirmed by filmmaker Ashoke Pandit. Geeta ji finally passed away, we tried our level best to care for her, but she finally gave up. She kept waiting for her children for last one full year, but no one came to meet her. Only last Saturday we had arranged a grand breakfast to cheer her up, she was okay too, but she was not happy from inside, as she wanted to see her children one last time. She had a natural death as she was not keeping well because of her age, she passed away today, around 9.00 AM, Pandit told Indian Express. He also took to Twitter, posting videos from beside her mortal remains and of her friends from the old age home and he even shared some of her latest pictures. Standing besides the dead body of Actress #GeetaKapoor 57 who was abandoned by her kids in #SRVHospital a year back breathed her last at a suburban Old age home today morning. We tried our best to keep her healthy but her wait for her Son&daughter made her weaker day by day. #RIP pic.twitter.com/yCChdzeSEt Ashoke Pandit (@ashokepandit) May 26, 2018 #LateActressGeetaKapoors friends at the Old Age Home bidding her final Good bye. They all were in tears and under shock. Better than her own kids who abandoned her. An unforgettable & heart wrenching experience of mine. #RIP. pic.twitter.com/Spi14ikJBk Ashoke Pandit (@ashokepandit) May 26, 2018 He also stated that her body will be kept at Cooper Hospital in Vile Parle for two days in the hope that her son and daughter will visit her and perform her last rites, or else he was ready to go ahead with it. Her body will be kept at Cooper Hospital Vileparle for two days hoping her Children to come and atleast do the last rites Otherwise We wl do our best to bid her a dignified good bye.. Thank U #DrTripathi SRV Hospital @MumbaiPolice #JivanAshaoldHome for being a great help. #RIP pic.twitter.com/ZsH48xPg5a Ashoke Pandit (@ashokepandit) May 26, 2018 Geeta Kapoor had made headlines around the same time a year ago when reports of her son Raja abandoning her at a hospital surfaced. The actress had reportedly stated that he used to beat her, and later got her admitted to SRV Hospital in Goregaon to which he never returned when the hospital bills started mounting. Pandit was one of those who helped clear the dues, along with Race 3 producer Ramesh Taurani, after which she was shifted to an old age home. Geeta Kapoor had also worked in Razia Sultan which also featured Dharmendra. She reportedly claimed to have worked in 100 films, but the number is likely 20-25 according to members of the film industry. The reason behind the delay is the ban put by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Pakistan. Mumbai: There is a bad news for Salman Khan fans across the border as his latest outing 'Race 3' will not release on Eid in Pakistan. His Pakistani fans will have to wait a bit longer. The reason behind the delay is the ban put by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Pakistan. According to a notification issued on May 24, the exhibition and screening of Indian and foreign films will be banned for two days before the Eid to until two weeks after the holidays. The restrictions would be in place around the period of Eid ul-Fitr and Eid ul-Azha. Hereby, Salman's release, scheduled for June 15 release, is likely to get a delayed release in the neighbouring country. The notification from Pakistan Ministry further clarified, "All the importers/distributors of the foreign films have been directed to restrain from the screening of Indian films in cinema houses all over the country during the above mentioned time period". Helmed by Remo D'Souza, the film has an ensemble cast including Anil Kapoor, Bobby Deol, Saquib Salim, Jacqueline Fernandez, and Daisy Shah. This comes hours after Army Chief General Bipin Rawat called upon Pakistan to stop infiltration to establish peace along border. Last week, the Centre ordered to suspend the security operations against terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir during the holy month of Ramzan. (Representational Image) Srinagar: Five terrorists were gunned down on Saturday after security forces foiled infiltration bid along LoC in Tangdhar sector of Jammu and Kashmir. The security operation is in progress. This comes hours after Army Chief General Bipin Rawat called upon Pakistan to stop infiltration to establish peace along border. "We want peace at borders but as you know Pakistan continuously violates ceasefire that causes loss of life and property and in such a case we have to retaliate but if Pakistan wants peace, we expect them to take initiative, which will start with them stopping infiltration," he said. Last week, the Centre ordered to suspend the security operations against terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir during the holy month of Ramzan. However, the Ministry of Home Affairs clarified that the security forces "reserve the right to retaliate if attacked or if essential to protect the lives of innocent people." Posted 5/25/18 Although I did not attend this years Fair Grove alumni banquet, I enjoyed the photos of the event posted on Facebook. One aspect of the banquet I am truly sorry I missed was the Fair Grove Alumni Rawat is on a two-day visit of Kashmir Valley to review the security situation in the wake of Ramzan ceasefire announcement. Srinagar: The Army Chief, General Bipin Rawat, on Friday said that the counter-insurgency operations in Jammu and Kashmir were suspended for Ramzan to create an atmosphere of peace during the Muslim fasting month. He hinted that the conditional ceasefire may be extended beyond Ramzan if situation on ground remains peaceful. We suspended the operations to give people an atmosphere of peace and I believe people are happy. If things continue the way they are today, we may think of continuing with non-initiation of combat operations, he said. He, however, added that if militant activities continue, we cannot do it. Gen. Rawat, who is on a two-day visit of Kashmir Valley to review the security situation in the wake of Ramzan ceasefire announcement and ahead of the annual Amarnath yatra, has held a series of meetings with local Army commanders. He has also visited a few Army formations and a goodwill school being run by its at Kashmirs premier resort Pahalgam. While speaking to reporters after inaugurating the digital education programme at Army Goodwill Public School at Pahalgam, he said that Pakistan should stop sending militants to Jammu and Kashmir if it wants peace in the region. He said, We want peace and Pakistan has to reciprocate which it can do by desisting from pushing infiltrators into Jammu and Kashmir. Replying a question on the recent flare up along the border with Pakistan, Gen. Rawat said, We want peace on the borders but as you know Pakistan continuously violates the ceasefire that causes loss of life and property. In such case, we have to retaliate. Meanwhile, the Army termed the digitisation of its goodwill schools at Pahalagm and four other locals in Kashmir Valley and Poonch district of Jammu as a significant development for the students. It said that these schools at Pahalgam, Margund (Ganderbal), Uri, Ziran (Baramulla) and Bhimbar Gali (Poonch) have been digitised as part of the pilot project Digital Education Program in partnership with Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd (PGCIL) and Extramarks Education Foundation (EEF). While PGCIL has supported the digitisation of all the classrooms, EEF has extended necessary educational tablets for students and teachers, training and software support for the program, it said. Gen. Rawat inaugurated the programme at Pahalgam in presence of Lt. Gen. A.K. Bhatt, GOC Chinar Corps, J.P. Singh, executive director (PGCIL), Poonam Singh Jamwal, CEO Extramarks Foundation and special invitees from the J&K state administration and inspector-general of police S.P. Pani and IG, CRPF, Zulfiquar Hasan. Army Chief General Bipin Rawat had assured that exemplary punishment will be awarded to Maj. Gogoi if found guilty of any offence. Srinagar: The Army has ordered a court of inquiry against Major Leetul Gogoi, who was detained by the police here on Wednesday after he had a scuffle with the staff of a Srinagar hotel on being refused to check in with a local teenage girl. The Army has ordered a court of inquiry against Major Gogoi of the 53 Rashtriya Rifles regarding an incident that occurred on May 23. If found guilty, appropriate action would be taken against him, defence ministry spokesman Col. Rajesh Kalia said here on Friday. Earlier during the day, the Army Chief General Bipin Rawat had assured that exemplary punishment will be awarded to Maj. Gogoi if found guilty of any offence. If any officer of the Indian Army is found guilty of any offence, we will take strictest possible action, Gen. Rawat, who is in the Valley to review the security situation ahead of the annual Amarnath yatra, told reporters at Pahalgam. If Major Gogoi has done something wrong, I assure you that he will be awarded punishment at the earliest and the punishment will be such that it will set an example, he added. The J&K police is investigating the incident separately. It had detained the Army officer briefly after the incident took place in Srinagars tourist frequented Dal Gate area on the morning of May 23. Major Gogoi had earlier in April 2016 stirred up a hornets nest by ordering his men to tie Farooq Ahmed Dar, a Kashmiri shawl-weaver, to the bonnet of an Army jeep during bypoll in Srinagar Lok Sabha constituency. He is a resident of Assam and was returning to his unity in Beerwa area in Kashmirs central district of Budgam after spending vacations at home. Sources said that in the backdrop of May 23 incident and impending inquiry into his conduct, Major Gogoi was taken off from field duties and attached to the headquarters. He may be shifted out for alleged lack of command and control over his subordinates. He had booked a room in Hotel Grand Mamta in Dal Lake area online. A teenage girl from Chak-e-Kawoosa village of Budgam, along with a local man Sameer Ahmed Malla, who later turned out to be soldier also arrived at the hotel around same time. The employees will also have to submit a certificate proof of their respective toilets to ensure that every household has a toilet built. The step has been taken by the District Magistrate in a bid to make the district free from open defecation. (Photo: ANI) Sitapur: Sitapur District Magistrate has taken the Swacch Bharat mission to another level by issuing an order, asking all government employees to submit a picture of them posing in front of the toilet at their home. The employees will also have to submit a certificate proof of their respective toilets to ensure that every household has a toilet built. The step has been taken by the District Magistrate in a bid to make the district free from open defecation. The order also stated that the salary for the month of May would be stalled if the order was not abided by. The order has come with a warning which states that "Salary for May month may be stalled if you failed to obey". According to sources, Cong leaders ikely to fly to Delhi soon to discuss cabinet expansion with the high-command Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy and Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara greet each other after their coalition government won the trust vote. (Photo: File/PTI) Bengaluru: Soon after Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy proved his three-day-old government's majority on the floor of the assembly, parleys began between coalition partners Congress and JD(S) on cabinet expansion in Karnataka. Within hours after the trust vote, Congress and JD(S) leaders, including Kumaraswamy, met at former Chief Minister and Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Siddaramaiah's residence on cabinet expansion, sources said. Among those who attended the meeting were Deputy Chief Minister and KPCC chief G Parameshwara, Congress General Secretary in-charge of Karnataka K C Venugopal and JD(S) leader H D Revanna. Both the coalition partners had earlier decided to discuss the cabinet expansion, after the trust vote. According to sources, Congress leaders are likely to fly to Delhi soon to discuss with the high-command the cabinet expansion and allocation of portfolios. Parameshwara had on Thursday said the coalition partners are yet to discuss the modalities on sharing of portfolios between both the parties, as also about Kumaraswamy continuing as chief minister for a full five year term. It has already been decided that Congress will have 22 ministers and JD(S) 12, in the new cabinet. With a growing number of aspirants for ministers posts in both parties, especially Congress, the leaders are up for a tough task. Senior Congress leader D K Shivakumar, who emerged as a key figure in keeping party MLAs together before the trust vote of BJP's Yeddyurappa government, is reportedly upset over not getting the Deputy Chief Minister's post. He is reportedly seeking a major portfolio along with the KPCC chief post, which Parameshwara is expected to vacate following his appointment as Deputy Chief Minister. Leaders of the coalition parties are also likely to decide on a coordination committee soon, and will form an empanelled group to formulate a common minimum programme for the smooth functioning of the government. The three-time BJP lawmaker's son was also accused of rape by a woman who staged a sit-in at the collectorate office. 'People associated with the Samajwadi Party are levelling baseless allegations against me as part of a conspiracy,' Verma said. (Photo: Facebook | roshanlal.verma.505) Shahjahanpur: A BJP leader in Uttar Pradesh on Friday said that he felt like committing suicide after land grabbing charges were levelled against him and his son was accused of rape. He blamed the Samajwadi Party of conspiring to tarnish his image. Roshanlal Verma, a three-time BJP lawmaker from Shahjahanpur's Tilhar constituency said he felt frustrated and was under immense mental stress. "People associated with the Samajwadi Party are levelling baseless allegations against me as part of a conspiracy," Verma said. "These false charges have left me so frustrated that I feel like committing suicide," he said. Recently, a woman staged a sit-in at the collectorate office in the district, alleging that she had been raped by the lawmaker's son, Manoj Verma. The woman claimed she was held captive by Manoj and threatened to immolate herself if denied justice. Another woman accused the lawmaker of grabbing her land. She, too, staged a protest at the collectorate. Verma said the Samajwadi Party had a problem with him as he had represented the Tilhar assembly seat for three consecutive terms. "SP supporters are not able to digest this and are out to level such allegations to tarnish my image...I have asked the DM and the SP to get these charges probed to bring out the truth," he said. Chairman of Isro and I&B secretary were also present at the meeting which was chaired by the cabinet secretary. The restart of the process for giving fresh licences has come as a big relief for broadcasters who have arrangements with the foreign satellite operators. (Representational image) New Delhi: After the intervention of Prime Ministers office, the process of giving out licences to new television channels stalled for the past year has been restarted by the Union information and broadcasting ministry. Among the first batch of channels that have been cleared are three channels, Aastha Kannad, Aastha Tamil and Aastha Telugu, controlled by yoga guru Baba Ramdevs Patanjali group. Over the past few months, applications for either new channels or change in the name of existing channels had been rejected by the department of space (DoS), with a direction to broadcasters operating on foreign satellites to start using Indian satellites due to security reasons. Currently about 80 per cent of all Indian broadcasters are operating on foreign satellites and broadcasters had expressed fears of financial losses if they are forced to revoke long-term contracts with foreign satellites operators to switch to Indian satellites. The restart of the process for giving fresh licences has come as a big relief for broadcasters who have arrangements with the foreign satellite operators. The three proposed channels of Baba Ramdev will also be using foreign satellites. Out of 725 active channels, only about 150 are on Indian satellites. Sources said that in meeting held in PMO recently it was decided that Isro will send a letter to I&B ministry within this week that they should not withhold any of the application. Chairman of Isro and I&B secretary were also present at the meeting which was chaired by the cabinet secretary. Also, it was decided that Isro will examine impact on broadcasters if they were to discontinue their long term agreements with the foreign satellite operators. This newspaper had first reported on April 8 that the channel licensing process was stalled as the government wanted broadcasters to switch over to Indian satellites and the Modi government was considering to offer incentives to broadcasters who shift to the Indian satellites. It is learnt that the PMOs move to relax the provisions for new channels came in an effort to promote ease of doing business and after many repeated petitions by the industry. Industry sources said that the trouble for the broadcasting sector began after the I&B ministry in October last year reverted to the erstwhile practice of referring all applications seeking uplinking permission, or change of teleport and/or satellite in respect of TV channels to DoS for its no objection. Various industry bodies pointed out that the practice had resulted in permissions being denied to a majority of new channels and existing channels which had applied for new permissions. The outcome of the Karnataka Assembly elections has boosted Opposition unity in Uttar Pradesh. Lucknow: With the clock ticking away for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP faces major challenges in Uttar Pradesh the state that helped the party get its biggest-ever majority in the 2014 Lok Sabha and then the 2017 Assembly elections. In order to form the next government at the Centre, the BJP will have to rely on increasing numbers from Uttar Pradesh which sends 80 members to the Lok Sabha. However, the renewed Opposition unity after the formation of JD(S)-Congress alliance government in Karnataka is an ominous sign for the BJP. The growing bonhomie between past political rivals for taking on the saffron party is also visible in the campaign for the May 28 Kairana Lok Sabha by-poll in which all anti-BJP parties have decided to support the Rashtriya Lok Dal candidate. A major challenge that the BJP faces in the state is the growing resentment against its 71 MPs. According to an internal survey report of the BJP, more than 40 out of the 71 party MPs in Uttar Pradesh are facing a strong anti-incumbency in their constituencies. A majority of the MPs are facing the ire of voters for their absenteeism. Top leaders, including Murli Manohar Joshi, Keshav Maurya and Hema Malini have even faced missing posters in their own constituencies. The problem with BJP MPs is that they have stopped working in their constituencies and are banking solely on the Modi magic to get re-elected. The MPs are known more for making statements rather than ensuring that the government's schemes are properly implemented. We know those MPs and the party will take a decision in this regard, admitted a BJP functionary. The biggest challenge, however, is the coming together of the Samajwadi Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party that is threatening the supremacy of the BJP in Uttar Pradesh. With the Congress and Rashtriya Lok Dal set to join the SP-BSP combine and challenge the BJP with joint Opposition candidates in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP will face an uphill task in retaining its present tally of 71 seats. The BJP has already tasted defeat in Gorakhpur and Phulpur Lok Sabha by-elections where SP-BSP contested together. As it is, dalits in western Uttar Pradesh are upset with the BJP after last years dalit-Thakur clashes in Saharanpur and the partys pro-Ambedkar stance does not seem to be working. Dalits feel that they have been wronged and their Bhim Army leader Chandra Shekhar has been wrongly jailed for the past one year. The murder of another Bhim Army leader, Sachin Walia, earlier this month has fuelled an undercurrent against the BJP. The BJP talks of Ambedkar and then allows Ambedkar statues to be desecrated all over the state. Dalits are now intelligent enough to understand how they are being fooled, said Sukhdev Gautam, a schoolteacher in Shamli. BJP chief Amit Shah with UP CM Yogi Adityanath at a rally. The jats, another major vote bank in western Uttar Pradesh that can turn the tide, are also upset with the BJP over the quota issue. We have been betrayed by the BJP. The cases lodged against our youth during the Haryana stir on reservation have not been withdrawn and neither have we been given the promised reservation, said Satyavir Tyagi, a farmer in Muzaffarnagar. In Purvanchal, too, there is anger against the BJP and in Gorakhpur, the home of chief minister Yogi Adityanath, people openly claim that BJP will win only if he contests himself. Mr Adityanath may have proved to be a vote catcher for the party in Gujarat, Tripura and Karnataka, but in Uttar Pradesh he is facing the heat over poor administrative machinery. Despite his strict orders, there is no respite from illegal mining in Bundelkhand. His scheme to provide sweaters, shoes and socks to schoolchildren has come a croppe due to delays. Video clips of corrupt cops have gone viral on the social media and BJP leaders openly complain that officers do not comply with their orders. Fadnavis said he was ready to face action if what he said in the clip was found to be inappropriate. He also released a 14-minute audio clip, claiming that it was the complete version of the "twisted" clip that was released by Thackeray during a rally on Friday. (Photo: File) Mumbai: In the run up to the Palghar Lok Sabha bypoll, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray released an audio clip, purportedly of Maharashtra chief minister asking BJP workers to use all possible means to win the by-election, even as Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday termed it "twisted". Fadnavis said he was ready to face action if what he said in the clip was found to be inappropriate. Read: Win by-election by all means, says Fadnavis on audio clip released by Shiv Sena He also released a 14-minute audio clip, claiming that it was the complete version of the "twisted" clip that was released by Thackeray during a rally on Friday. In the audio clip, Fadnavis is purportedly heard exhorting BJP workers to win the Palghar Lok Sabha bypoll, slated for May 28, by using all means. "The Shiv Sena can see it is losing and has, thus, stooped to such levels. The Sena twisted my audio clip and presented it before the people to misguide them. "The full audio clip is 14 minutes long. I will myself submit this audio clip to the Election Commission," Fadnavis said while addressing a poll rally in suburban Vasai. The chief minister alleged that the Sena had edited the clip. "My last sentence in the clip was that we are in power, but we will never misuse it. This line they never released. Had they shown it, their claims would have fallen flat," he said. "Listen to the whole clip released by the Sena. If there is anything wrong that I have said, I am ready to face action," Fadnavis said. Speaking at a rally last evening, Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray had released the audio clip, in which Fadnavis was purportedly heard asking BJP workers to use "saam, daam, dand, bhed" (all possible means) to win the Palghar by-election. "If somebody is challenging our existence in Palghar and has betrayed our trust, back-stabbed us, while calling itself our ally, then they should be taught a lesson. We should not be sitting quiet now. We should also launch a big attack and show them what the BJP is," Fadnavis is purportedly heard telling BJP workers in the clip. "If we want to win this election, then an answer has to be given in the same measure... Give an answer by using 'saam, daam, dand, bhed' (negotiation, money, punishment and division). "Do not tolerate anybody's bullying. On the contrary, bully them... I will stand behind you," the chief minister is heard saying in the clip. The BJP said it would complain to the Election Commission (EC) about the Sena's alleged "misuse of technology". After releasing the audio on Friday, Thackeray had demanded that the EC act against Fadnavis. Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut said the use of such language against an opponent did not befit a chief minister. Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) chief Ashok Chavan sought Fadnavis' clarification on the audio clip. "The CM should issue a clarification about the clip. We demand a probe into it and appropriate action by the Election Commission," Chavan said. "If the clip is authentic, then the chief minister should immediately resign, but if it is fake, then Fadnavis should take action against Uddhav Thackeray," Chavan tweeted. NCP spokesperson Nawab Malik demanded a probe by the EC and a complaint against the chief minister under section 506 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). "If the chief minister is threatening people in such a manner, then it amounts to vitiating the election atmosphere," he said. "The chief minister and ordinary citizens are all equal before law when it comes to following the election code of conduct. The Shiv Sena should make a written complaint to the EC instead of resorting to such tactics," Malik said. Responding to the clip and the allegations, BJP spokesperson Madhav Bhandari said, "The Sena is showing an incomplete and edited audio clip, because it is shaken foreseeing its imminent defeat." "We will complain to the Election Commission about the condemnable misuse of technology and also release the full clip," he said. Some have coal stock availability for only one or two days: Minister. New Delhi: Delhi power minister Stayendar Jain on Friday said the coal stock at some power stations in the National Capital Region (NCR) has dipped to an alarming level. He added that if it is not replenished at the earliest, the national capital could be staring at black-out situations. Mr Jain said he has already written to the Union power minister, Piyush Goyal, apprising him of the situation and seeking his intervention in the matter. It has been brought to my notice that coal-based generating stations of NCR, i.e. Dadri I and II and BTPS (Badarpur Thermal Power Station), are facing coal shortage. At present some of them have coal stock availability for only one or two days, he said in the letter. Mr Jain said there is a shortage of coal stock at Jhajjar power station too. There is no surplus coal at these stations. If the stocks are not replenished, there could be a black-out situation in Delhi, Mr Jain said, adding, This could become a serious problem if not addressed timely. According to sources, the situation was brought to the notice of the Delhi government by power distribution companies. In his letter to the Union power minister on May 17, Mr Jain also said, It has also been gathered that this shortage is due to non-availability of transportation rakes/wagons with the Indian Railways. The minister has requested Mr Goyal to intervene and resolve this crisis-like situation at the earliest in the interest of the consumers in Delhi and the power sector. As you are aware, the summer season is at its peak and during summer season Delhi experiences very high power demand. This year, the peak demand of Delhi is expected to touch 7,000 MW. With the rising temperatures and increasing power demand, this coal stock position is very alarming and needs immediate attention in order to avoid load shedding or any major grid incidents, Mr Jain said in the letter. The Delhi power minister minister urged Mr Goyal to issue necessary instructions to the ministries/offices concerned to not only resolve the current situation at the earliest, but also to take steps to avoid such situations in the future. General Rawat said the Army will think about continuing the unilateral ceasefire if the peaceful situation continues in J&K. 'If Pakistan really wants peace, then we will want them to take the first step by stopping infiltration of terrorists into our side. The ceasefire violation mostly takes place to aid infiltration,' General Rawat told reporters. (Photo: File | ANI) Pahalgam (Jammu and Kashmir): The suspension of combat operations in Jammu and Kashmir can be extended further if the atmosphere of peace continues in the state, but any action by terrorists would trigger a rethink immediately, Army Chief General Bipin Rawat said on Saturday. General Rawat also said Pakistan should stop sending terrorists into the state if it was interested in peace. "If Pakistan really wants peace, then we will want them to take the first step by stopping infiltration of terrorists into our side. The ceasefire violation mostly takes place to aid infiltration," General Rawat told reporters at a function in Pahalgam, 95 km from Srinagar. The army chief said India wants peace along the borders but Pakistan was continuously violating the ceasefire, which caused loss of life and property. "When such an action takes place, we also have to respond. We cannot sit idle. If there is ceasefire violation, then there will be action from our side," he said. General Rawat said for peace, it was imperative that cross-border terrorism comes to an end. "It is imperative to stop terrorism from across (the LoC), the camps which are there where training is given to them, from where the ammunition is infiltrated into Jammu and Kashmir and India, that should stop. If that happens, then I can assure you that peace will prevail on the borders," he added. The Army chief said the suspension of anti-terrorism operations in Jammu and Kashmir was an attempt to make people realise the benefits of peace. "The suspension of operations or what we call NICO (Non-initiation of combat operations) has been done to make the people believe and see how the atmosphere is when there is peace. The way an atmosphere of peace and calm is here right now, in my opinion, the people here are very happy with that," he said. The Union home ministry had announced on May 16 that security forces would not launch any operations in Jammu and Kashmir during the holy month of Ramzan. However, the security forces reserve the right to retaliate if attacked or if essential to protect the lives of innocent people. General Rawat said the Army will think about continuing the unilateral ceasefire if the peaceful situation continues in the valley. "If this atmosphere of peace continues, then I assure you that we will think about continuing with NICO. But if there is some action by the terrorists, then we will have to rethink on this ceasefire or suspension of operations or NICO," he said. General Rawat was in Pahalgam to launch Digital Education in five Army Goodwill Schools which has been established with the help of Power Grid Corporation and Extra Marks Foundation. "Children in AGPS should get right kind of education. Their education standards should keep improving. Knowledge and education today needs an infusion of technology. With this aim, we have taken help from PGC and Extra Marks foundation to start Digital education here," he said. General Rawat said the Corporation has contributed nearly Rs. 25 lakh and Extra Marks foundation are providing support. "This will be started in five army goodwill schools on a pilot basis. We would like to extend this technology to other army goodwill schools also. We want the children from here to develop and progress in life," he added. Posted 5/26/18 As Alice Cottey and Cottey College in Nevada, Mo., entered the 1920s, the decade was one of ups and downs. In March 1920, a tornado struck Nevada, damaging buildings on the town square, but the The party, which is confident of winning the next LS elections, has set the target of winning at least 80 Lok Sabha seats from these states in 2019. New Delhi: With the shadow of the Karnataka debacle looming large over the BJP, coupled with the sudden rise of the regional parties, the worried saffron partys poll strategy for the coming electoral battle of 2019 will be centred around winning seats in non-BJP ruled states like West Bengal, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and also in the Northeast, where the party could not make a significant impact the last time. The party, which is confident of winning the next Lok Sabha elections, has set the target of winning at least 80 Lok Sabha seats from these states in 2019. As the Modi government and the BJP get ready for celebrating the NDA governments fourth anniversary, the RSS has decided to hold a four-day long samiksha baithak (review meeting) with the party leadership, including Central ministers, to gauge the impact of Modi governments schemes and the BJPs organisational stre-ngth. Representatives of other Sangh Parivar affiliates will also attend the meeting. With the BJP and the Modi government facing flak over issues including challenging economic indicators, surge in fuel prices, unrest among the Dalits and farming community among others, the RSS top brass will also discuss these issues so that they do not impact the partys poll prospects. RSS top brass including Dattatreya Hosabale and Krishna Gopal are likely to attend this meeting, which would also see BJP president Amit Shah discussing organisation-related issues with the two. This four-day long samiksha baithak from May 28, will also see representatives of other Sangh Parivar affiliates, like the Swadeshi Jagran Manch, Bharatiya Majdoor Sangh, Akhil Bhartiya Shiksha Sansthan and others, discussing their respective issues with the BJP and the RSS leadership. Long pending national education policy, national security issue, including the recent developments in Kashmir, it was learnt, could also be the part of the discussion in this meeting. The outcome of this meeting could also become key points of the BJPs 2019 election strategy as well as the coming Assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh, Chattisgarh and Rajasthan. While these three states are currently under BJPs rule, ground reports are not very heartening for the BJP leadership. Feedback of the Sangh Parivar affiliates from their respective fields and of the Modi governments schemes would also be reviewed. The RSS cadre will play a key role in BJPs campaigning and poll strategies. On the eve of Modi governments four-year anniversary, Mr Shah on Friday claimed that the current dispensation has taken the countrys self-pride to the highest level. The party also unveiled a new slogan Saaf Niyat, Sahi Vikas (clean intentions, right development) as it launched a nationwide exercise to highlight the governments people-centric schemes. The party is also hopeful that the nearly 22 crore beneficiaries of governments various schemes will also add to its votebank. Says well-being of the two nations is connected. Kolkata: Hailing the ties between India and Bangladesh Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday asserted that the two neighbouring countries have been bonded by coordination and cooperation. He observed that benefits of the two nations have been connected with each other as he shared the dias with Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina at the convocation of Visva Bharati at Santiniketan in Birbhum during his maiden visit there. West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee and West Bengal governor Keshari Nath Tripathi were present there also. Lauding Ms Hasina for gracing the central universitys 49th convocation he observed that it has been a rare occasion when two PMs of two countries attended such an event in the past. Addressing the convocation Mr Modi said in his maiden speech, India and Bangladesh are two countries. But our well-being is associated with the coordination and cooperation amongst us. It is perhaps the only occasion when the PMs of the two countries have been present. He elaborated, Be it culture or public policy, we can learn many things from each other. Bangladesh Bhavan is an example of this. It is a refelction of Gurudev Rabindra Nath Tagores vision. Describing Tagore as a Global Citizen Mr Modi underlined that the Great Poet is respected all over the world and people would try to connect themselves with him. Mr Modi also recalled how the relevance of the Nobel Laureates famous story: Kabuliwala is found in Afghanistan. He also apologised for the water crisis in the area after starting his speech. The PM said, In the very beginning I, being the Chancellor of the Visva Bharati, seek your apology because when I was coming through the road, some children indicated to me by gestures that drinking water has not be here even. His sympathetic remarks were greeted with applause from the audience. Being the Chancellor, I take the responsibility for whatever inconveniences faced by you. That is why I apologise to all of you at the very outset, Mr Modi added. As he rose to deliver his address amidst cheerful slogans: Modi...Modi the PM began his speech in Bengali to greet the audience which erupted in joy. As a PM I got scopes to attend the convocation of many varsities. I am treated there as a guest. But here I have come here as Acharya ie Chancellor, Mr Modi added. The role of mine is because of the great democracy. It is because of the post of the PM. In reality this democracy is Acharya, he noted while paying his rich tribute to Tagore who had founded the premiere academic institution. Mr Modi congratulated the students who passed out. The BJP has interestingly decided to not go ahead with the slogan that swept them into power in 2014. The party has probably realized that with Demonetisation, GST, ever-soaring fuel prices and a raging unemployment rate, Achhe Din will probably draw more jibes than votes. (Photo: File) Mumbai: With the 2019 Lok Sabha elections steadily making its way towards us, all the political parties have upped their marketing games in a battle for the coveted magic figure in the Parliament. The Bharatiya Janata Party has interestingly decided to not go ahead with the slogan that took the country by a storm and swept them into power in 2014. The promise of 'Achhe Din' has been replaced by a new motto- 'Saaf Niyat, Sahi vikas' (clean intent, right development). The party has probably realized that with Demonetisation, Goods and Services Tax (GST), ever-soaring fuel prices and a raging unemployment rate, Achhe Din will probably draw more jibes than votes. So, they are going to hide behind the age-old curtain of 'good intentions', in the upcoming elections, a slogan that was released in a tweet by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the occasion of the fourth anniversary of the BJP-led Union Government. With the new slogan, which is also a play on the second slogan of the 2014 polls, 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikaas', also perhaps attempts to justify the complete economic setback. The top leaders of BJP will spread out across the country from Saturday itself and congratulate themselves with a rather delusional economic report that makes high claims of growth in economy and the social sector, which includes delivering food security, direct benefit transfer, Jan Suraksha Yojana and open-defecation free villages. The party will try to sell the last four years as '48 months of transforming India' and will run audio-visuals alongside, hoping it makes their point comes across as stronger and more believable. BJP president Amit Shah on Friday also credited Narendra Modi for a system that is the constitutional foundation of this country. Who runs the government, is it the bureaucrat or the elected representative? This debate has been settled by Narendra Modiji. The elected representative sets the roadmap, the bureaucrat executes it," he told a gathering of journalists. The BJP main man also went a little overboard, saying that India has seen unprecedented development in the last four years compared to its entire history, a statement which thankfully he does not have to substantiate with statistics. Party leaders said that the fourth anniversary celebrations will set the tone for the grand finale in 2019. This time, the target is not only to retain power, but also bettering the count by adding 80 more seats to their kitty, claimed a leader who did not want to be identified. Also Read: 4 years of Modi-led Govt most disappointing, unsuccessful: Mayawati These coveted 80 seats will also include Rae Bareli and Amethi in Uttar Pradesh- home turf of the former and current presidents of Congress, Sonia and Rahul Gandhi respectively. BJP is a party that understands marketing perfectly and the desire to win Rae Bareli and Amethi is more important for the show than the numbers. The party is also stepping up their game in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. Despite a tone of dissent ringing clear in all three states, senior party leaders exhume confidence as they say internal surveys are in favour of BJP. They are most likely to repeat the sitting chief ministers as the CM faces. Prominent faces from specific castes and communities into state cabinets and the Rajya Sabha have already begun in order to keep all factions appeased. 'One nation, one election'- a slogan the BJP pitched wanting to club the assembly polls slated for end of this year with the parliamentary polls in 2019, seems to have currently been disbanded. Mr Yeddyurappa said he would not comment on the Congress as it was already out to finish the JD(S). Bengaluru: Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly B.S. Yeddyurappa announced on Friday that his party would call for a statewide bandh on Monday in case chief minister H.D. Kumaraswamy dithers on waiver of crops loans released to farmers by public sector banks and co-operative banks. He told the media soon after leading a walkout by legislators of his party that the delay in writing off loans by the coalition government mirrored its apathy towards farmers. We have decided to call for Karnataka bandh. And since elections will be held in R.R. Nagar Assembly constituency on Monday, we decided not to support the bandh in Bengaluru city. We have called upon all private transport operators to suspend trasnport service for a day to support the cause of farmers, he added. Mr Yeddyurappa, who was recognised as leader of Opposition by Speaker K.R. Ramesh Kumar before the trust vote, charged that chief minister H.D. Kumaraswamy had promised to waive farm loans worth `53,000 crore, including those from public sector banks. It was you (Mr Kumaraswamy) who promised waiving farm loans within 24 hours (after assuming office). The farmers will not be ready to buy your stories that you head a coalition government and it has its own compulsions. You have to announce it in this special session itself. Else, we will prepare an action plan to launch our agitation across the state, he said. Mr Yeddyurappa said he would not comment on the Congress as it was already out to finish the JD(S). He, however, said the BJPs struggle was against the anti-farmer, anti-people and corrupt government of Kumaraswamy. RAW is Indias external intelligence agency while ISI is Pakistans spy agency. New Delhi: Pakistan Army chief Qamar Javed Bajwa has summoned former Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) head Maj. Gen. (Retd) Asad Durrani after he published a controversial book with his Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) ex-counterpart A.S. Dulat. Talking to this newspaper, Mr Dulat termed this nothing but harassment of an old man and a routine way of getting someone to come to the Pak Army HQ to talk. This is nothing but the harassment of an old man. He (Durrani) hasnt said anything more in the book that he didnt say earlier, Mr Dulat said. Mr Durrani has co-authored The Spy Chronicles: RAW, ISI and the Illusion of Peace along with Dulat. RAW is Indias external intelligence agency while ISI is Pakistans spy agency. Pakistani Army spokesperson Major General Asif Ghafoor tweeted that Mr Durrani was being called to the General Headquarters on Monday: Will be asked to explain his position on views attributed to him in book Spy Chronicles. Attribution taken as violation of Military Code of Conduct applicable on all serving and retired military personnel, Maj Gen Ghafoor had tweeted. Incidentally, General Musharraf too had penned his autobiography In the Line of Fire: A Memoir in 2006 which did not attract any summons from the Pakistan military. Mr Dulat said: On the Osama bin Laden operation, he (Durrani) had spoken in a BBC interview. What he has written on the Kargil war against India is what he had already said in the past. But the General knows how to take care of himself, the former RAW chief said expressing confidence on Durranis ability to take an honest stand. Asked about the incident where RAW apparently saved the life of the then Pakistani President General Pervez Musharrafs life by tipping the ISI of a team of 3-4 militants of the Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM) who were out to assassinate Musharraf, Mr Dulat said: The incident took place in 2002-03 when information came about a JeM team plotting attack on Musharraf. Accordingly, RAW passed on the information to ISI which then took the necessary precautionary steps. Later, Musharraf asked the ISI to pass on his personal thanks to RAW. Later on, we came to know that these would-be assassins were caught and hanged, Mr Dulat added. After retiring from the Army, the India-born Musharraf became Pakistans tenth President from 2001 to 2008. Mufti in a statement described the home ministers assertion as a welcome step to initiate dialogue and reconciliation in the State. Srinagar: Home minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday said that the government is ready to talk to Hurriyat Conference and also to Pakistan if they too are ready for the engagement. Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti welcomed Mr Singhs statement. She said that a peaceful engagement is urgently needed to get J&K out of violence cycle. She appealed Hurriyat Conference to display maturity and show responsibility towards people. Mr. Singh had earlier during the day on Saturday said, If Hurriyat is ready to talk, we have no problem, we are ready to talk to anyone. Even if Pakistan comes for a dialogue, we are ready for it. While talking to Aaj Tak TV channel during a programme held in New Delhi to mark four years of the Narendra Modi government, the home minister said There is no problem in any dialogue with Pakistan, it is our neighbour but Pakistan has to stop promoting terrorism first. He refuted reports of confusion in the Central government over its Kashmir policy. There is no confusion about our Kashmir policy, he said, adding that they want to end the cycle of violence. But we believe that Kashmir and Kashmiris both are our own. We want to win their hearts. Suspension of operations was one of the measures towards this aim, he said. Ms Mufti in a statement described the home ministers assertion as a welcome step to initiate dialogue and reconciliation in the State. She said, Given the positive outcome from the ground on the Ramzan ceasefire in J&K, the peace constituency in the country and the State should feel encouraged to start the much needed process of peaceful engagement with all stakeholders in the State. The chief minister hoped that parties and groups like Hurriyat Conference will seize the opportunity and show their responsibility towards the people of the state by displaying the much needed maturity so that the opportunity is not wasted. She asserted a peaceful engagement among all the stakeholders in the State is urgently needed to get it out of the unending cycle of violence and provide its people, a secure, prosperous and peaceful future. Thackeray released the audio clip while addressing a rally on Friday night in Palghar where the bypoll will be held on May 28. After releasing the audio, Thackeray demanded action against Fadnavis by the Election Commission (EC). Opposition Congress and NCP also demanded an EC probe into the clip. (Photo: File) Mumbai: In the run up to the Palghar Lok Sabha bypoll, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray released an audio clip, purportedly of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis asking BJP workers to use all possible means to win the by-election. Thackeray released the audio clip while addressing a rally on Friday night in Palghar where the bypoll will be held on May 28. The BJP alleged the Sena had tampered with the audio clip and that it would release its complete version soon. The party said it would also complain to the EC about the "misuse of technology". Fadnavis was purportedly heard saying in the clip, "If somebody is challenging our existence in Palghar and has betrayed our trust, back-stabbed us while calling itself our ally, then they should be taught a lesson. We should not be sitting quietly now. We should launch a big attack and show them what the BJP is." "If we want to win this election, then an answer has to be given in the same measure...Give an answer by using 'saam, daam, dand, bhed' (negotiation, money, punishment and division). Do not tolerate anybody's bullying. On the contrary, bully them...I will stand behind you," he purportedly said. After releasing the audio, Thackeray demanded action against Fadnavis by the Election Commission (EC). Opposition Congress and NCP also demanded an EC probe into the clip. Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut said use of such language against an opponent does not befit a chief minister. Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) chief Ashok Chavan sought Fadnavis' clarification on the audio clip. "The CM should issue clarification about the clip. We demand that a probe by the Election Commission into it and appropriate action," he said. "If the clip is authentic, then the chief minister should immediately resign, but if it is fake, then Fadnavis should take action against Uddhav Thackeray," Chavan said in a tweet. NCP spokesperson Nawab Malik demanded a probe by EC and a complaint against the chief minister under section 506 of IPC . "If the chief minister is threatening people in such a manner, then it amounts to vitiating the election atmosphere," he said. "The chief minister and ordinary citizens are all equal before law when it comes to following the election code of conduct. The Shiv Sena should make a written complaint to the EC instead of resorting to such tactics," he said. Responding to the clip and the allegations, BJP spokesperson Madhav Bhandari said, "The Sena is showing an incomplete and edited audio clip, because it is shaken foreseeing its imminent defeat." "We will complain to the Election Commission about the condemnable misuse of technology and also release the full clip," he said. Health officials working hard to get out accurate information about deadly hemorrhagic fever but face significant mistrust. MSF, which runs the treatment centre in the Wangata district of Mbandaka that the patients fled, said holding patients against their will would only fuel mistrust of health workers. (Photo: AP) Dakar: With more than twice as many Ebola outbreaks as any other country since the virus was discovered in 1976, Congolese are familiar with its destructive power, yet fear and suspicion of medical authorities are still hindering efforts at containment. Health officials say they are working hard to get out accurate information about the deadly hemorrhagic fever but face significant mistrust in a part of Africa where many place more faith in clerics in white collars than doctors in white coats. A doctor and a nursing sister were threatened by locals after they were accused of bringing the disease to their communities, while people in one town prevented medics from testing the body of someone suspected to have died from Ebola, officials said. The information campaign is being put in place but is still insufficient, Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) emergency medical coordinator Jean-Clement Cabrol told reporters in Geneva on Thursday. Religious and traditional leaders in communities are not being used enough, he said. Congos government, the World Health Organization (WHO) and aid agencies are racing to contain what could be the most dangerous of Democratic Republic of Congos nine epidemics since it was discovered by northern Congos eponymous river four decades ago. Its appearance in the northwestern river port city of Mbandaka this time gives it a potential clear shot at the capital Kinshasa, a chaotic city of more than 10 million inhabitants that lies downstream. Since April, the disease is thought to have killed at least 22 people and infected 30 more. Most people Reuters reporters spoke to in Mbandaka this week said they were pleased by the authorities energetic response. Even so, rumours about the outbreaks real origins abound. Our grandparents lived a long time here in Mbandaka and they never experienced this, said a merchant named Yvonne. This is sorcery. In one of the more alarming developments in the outbreak to date, family members of two Ebola patients removed them from an isolation ward in Mbandaka on Monday night, walking them out of the hospital before putting them on the back of motorcycles. One was taken to a nearby evangelical church, according to health officials and a source at the church, where she - by now vomiting and unable to walk - joined 19 other people for prayers in a cramped tin-roofed building. She returned to hospital before succumbing to the illness the next night. The other patient was taken home, where he died hours later, leaving health officials scrambling to locate their contacts across the city of 1.5 million people. A witness at the church, who declined to be named, said the woman came to testify that God had cured her of her illness. We prayed for her, he said, shortly before she died. Health officials later turned up at the church to vaccinate several people who had been in contact with her. When Ebola hit the West African countries of Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone in 2013 and 2014, killing more than 11,000 people, suspicion of health workers in their spacesuit-like protective gear also prompted patients to flee, helping accelerate the diseases spread. Health workers find themselves having to strike a delicate balance: restricting Ebola patients movements but without antagonising communities whose cooperation is vital. It would be impractical and counter-productive to ask security guards, who are not equipped with protective gear, to forcibly restrain patients, said Nahid Bhadelia, medical director of the special pathogens unit at Boston University Medical Center, who worked in an Ebola treatment unit in Sierra Leone during its 2014-2016 outbreak. She said officials should focus on assuaging fear, including bringing social workers and spiritual leaders to hospitals to speak to patients across a protective barrier. MSF, which runs the treatment centre in the Wangata district of Mbandaka that the patients fled, said holding patients against their will would only fuel mistrust of health workers. Forced hospitalization is not the solution to this epidemic. Patient adherence is paramount, MSF said in a statement. The quicker patients are admitted, the greater their chance of survival and ... of limiting the spread of Ebola. Study of more than 200 women who had eggs removed and frozen as form of counter-infertility insurance found nearly half expressing regret. Women who choose to freeze their eggs undergo 10 days of injections of hormones to stimulate their ovaries and as many as six ultrasounds to monitor oocyte development. (Photo: Pixabay) For the past four years, since Facebook and Apple began paying for employees to freeze their eggs to delay childbirth, healthy women are increasingly trying to slow their biological clocks by banking their oocytes, or eggs. But in a new study of more than 200 women who had their eggs removed and frozen as a form of counter-infertility insurance, nearly half expressed regret. While most women expressed positive reactions of enhanced reproductive options after freezing eggs, we were surprised to discover that for a group of women it wasnt so simple, said lead author Dr. Eleni Greenwood, a reproductive endocrinologist at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). Some even frankly regretted their choice. Greenwood and her colleagues invited women who had their oocytes surgically removed and frozen at UCSF from 2012 until 2016 to fill out email surveys. All underwent the procedure because they elected to delay childbearing rather than because of infertility or a cancer diagnosis. The participants ranged in age from 27 to 44. Most were white, 78 per cent had graduate or professional degrees, and 68 per cent earned more than $100,000 a year. Nearly a quarter worked for companies that paid for at least part of the procedure. It costs $10,000 to $20,000, and storage fees can be as high as $1,000 a year. The vast majority, or 89 per cent, of the 201 women who responded to the survey said they expected to be happy they froze eggs, even if they never used them. But 49 per cent revealed feeling some regret about their decision to undergo the procedure. Of those, about two-thirds reported mild regret and the rest reported moderate to severe regret. The survey did not ask women to explain the reasons for their regret. Women who choose to freeze their eggs undergo 10 days of injections of hormones to stimulate their ovaries and as many as six ultrasounds to monitor oocyte development. When the eggs look mature, the patient is anesthetized, and a doctor passes a needle through the vaginal wall to retrieve the eggs. Women seem to be suggesting to us through this data that they needed more emotional support, senior author Dr. Heather Huddleston said in a phone interview. We need to do a better job of educating women as they go through the process emotionally, said Huddleston, a reproductive endocrinologist and UCSF professor. In fact, 13 of the women, who were between the ages of 34 and 40, estimated their likelihood of having a baby with their banked eggs at 100 per cent - a highly inflated estimate. The authors called the expectations unrealistic. In an accompanying editorial, Dr. Kara Goldman of New York University Langone Medical Center in New York City expressed alarm over the exaggerated expectations, which could lead to unintended childlessness with devastating consequences. There is no data on the efficacy of egg freezing in healthy women, a 2013 report said. But a separate large study that year of women who were having trouble conceiving found, for example, that the probability of a live birth for a 30-year-old woman who has two to six frozen eggs ranges from about 9 per cent to 24 per cent. In 2012, the American Society for Reproductive Medicine stopped considering egg freezing an experimental procedure for infertile women or women diagnosed with cancer. But it warned: Marketing this technology for the purpose of deferring childbearing may give women false hope and encourage women to delay childbearing. Rene Almeling, a sociology professor at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut, praised the new study for being one of the first to consider egg-freezing patients experiences. Almeling, who was not involved with the current research, has called attention to the short-term dangers of egg freezing - health problems associated with the injected drugs and the surgery. She has joined other womens health advocates in calling for studies to examine potential long-term problems. Although the first so-called test-tube baby is about to turn 40, no longitudinal studies have been done on assisted-reproduction technologies, she said. Without the rigorous scientific based evidence you cant really say, yes, its safe or no, its not safe, she said. If that were communicated, there would be fewer women willing to throw their eggs into the egg freezer. Scientists have made progress with rhino IVFs and in just few years have successfully harvested female eggs and fertilised them in labs. A ranger takes care of Sudan, who was the world's last male northern white rhino, at the Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Laikipia county in Kenya. A southern white rhino has become pregnant through artificial insemination at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park giving hope for efforts to save a subspecies of one of the world's most recognizable animals. (Photo: AP) According to reports the last male northern white rhino could save his subspecies going extinct from beyond the grave. Sudan, the last male white rhino died in march aged 45, but using his sperm and cutting edge IVF technology, scientists believe they can impregnate the two remaining females. According to a report published in The Times, scientists have made significant progress with rhino IVFs and in just a few years have successfully harvested female eggs and fertilised them in laboratories. Scientists are hoping to use a small stock of sperm to perform IVF on Sudan's two remaining relatives. Veterinarians are also set to harvest eggs from the last two existing northern white rhinos, Najin, 27 and Fatu, 17. However, since both females (Sudans daughter and granddaughter respectively) are too old to become pregnant, scientists would use a female southern white rhino as a surrogate - in a staggering double first for rhino reproduction. It was initially thought the resulting offspring would be inbred, but scientists are reported to believe there is enough diversity for the DNA to survive a so-called "genetic bottleneck". The southern white rhino was saved from a similarly desperate position following a sharp drop in population blamed on poaching and destruction of their habitat. There were only 20 left alive in the early 20th Century, but there are now more than 20,000 southern white rhinos in the wild. A Cleveland icon is getting some special attention from the artist who sculpted it 45 years ago.Peter Wolf Toth is in Cleveland to treat The Cherokee Chieftain, which he carved in 1973.Toth has sculpted giant tributes to Native American Indians from wood or stone in each of the fifty states. Together, this series of artworks is called The Trail Of The Whispering Giants.Mr. Toth, whose studio is in Edgewater, Fl., 20 miles south of Daytona Beach, said he will be working in Cleveland for several weeks. The city is planning a re-dedication ceremony sometime in June.The Chieftain is a city symbol and is part of the Cleveland City Seal. It currently stands in front of The Museum Center at Five Points.Previously it was displayed before the Cleveland/Bradley Public Library History Branch (now renamed The Johnston-Tucker Center). It stood in Johnston Park for several years before being moved to the Museum Center.Mr. Toth said his sculptures are a tribute to the human spirit and especially to indigenous people everywhere. In addition to the U.S., Mr. Toth has carved giant statues in Canada and Europe. He said he plans to do the same in the Amazon region in South America.The city invited Mr. Toth to return to Cleveland earlier this spring to counter the effects of weather and age on the Chieftain. West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee and West Bengal governor Keshari Nath Tripathi were present there also. Kolkata: Hailing the ties between India and Bangladesh Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday asserted that the two neighbouring countries have been bonded by coordination and cooperation. He observed that benefits of the two nations have been connected with each other as he shared the dias with Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina at the convocation of Visva Bharati at Santiniketan in Birbhum during his maiden visit there. West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee and West Bengal governor Keshari Nath Tripathi were present there also. Lauding Ms Hasina for gracing the central universitys 49th convocation he observed that it has been a rare occasion when two PMs of two countries attended such an event in the past. Addressing the convocation Mr Modi said in his maiden speech, India and Bangladesh are two countries. But our well-being is associated with the coordination and cooperation amongst us. It is perhaps the only occasion when the PMs of the two countries have been present. He elaborated, Be it culture or public policy, we can learn many things from each other. Bangladesh Bhavan is an example of this. It is a refelction of Gurudev Rabindra Nath Tagores vision. Describing Tagore as a Global Citizen Mr Modi underlined that the Great Poet is respected all over the world and people would try to connect themselves with him. Mr Modi also recalled how the relevance of the Nobel Laureates famous story: Kabuliwala is found in Afghanistan. He also apologised for the water crisis in the area after starting his speech. The PM said, In the very beginning I, being the Chancellor of the Visva Bharati, seek your apology because when I was coming through the road, some children indicated to me by gestures that drinking water has not be here even. His sympathetic remarks were greeted with applause from the audience. Being the Chancellor, I take the responsibility for whatever inconveniences faced by you. That is why I apologise to all of you at the very outset, Mr Modi added. As he rose to deliver his address amidst cheerful slogans: Modi...Modi the PM began his speech in Bengali to greet the audience which erupted in joy. As a PM I got scopes to attend the convocation of many varsities. I am treated there as a guest. But here I have come here as Acharya i.e., Chancellor, Mr Modi added. The role of mine is because of the great democracy. It is because of the post of the PM. In reality this democracy is Acharya, he noted while paying his rich tribute to Tagore who had founded the premiere academic institution. Be it culture or public policy, we can learn many things from each other. Bangladesh Bhavan is an example of this. It is a refelction of Gurudev Rabindra Nath Tagores vision. Mr Modi congratulated the students who passed out. The training academy is controlled directly by the PMs own DoPT which explains his gameplan. By opting and qualifying for the civil service implies the voluntary acceptance of certain restrictions and a rather harsh discipline the crux of which is to internalise pain without demur. What is less known is that the job also entails facing the raw heat of democracys raging furnace elected representatives with a pre-set agenda. While appreciating the compulsions of political bosses to override the often-mindless worship of rules by babus, one cannot deny the fact that officials have learnt to live with reprimands, tantrums and worse. But even these did not prepare them for what they have gone through the Narendra Modi years the last four where the narrative of terror obliterates whatever good they may have thrown up. Uncertainty is a weapon that the PM revels in by reshuffling the highest level and repatriating (throwing out) officers from the Centre back to the states than ever before in history. His latest torpedo lies in the PMOs loaded suggestion to all concerned ministries to replace the system of allotting cadres, which would undermine the UPSC selections. The existing, time-tested system is that the UPSC goes through its rigorous process annually and shortlists candidates for all the all-India services and the Central services on rank-cum-option basis. There are only three all-India services the IAS, the IPS and the Indian Forest Service. Their officers are recruited centrally and trained initially by the Central government, which ensures a common pan-Indian spirit, but are allocated to earmarked state governments for posting them within that state. Many work only in that state for their entire career, but several others opt for Central deputation. This means that if they are selected on the basis of their performance so far yes, many are rejected they can work either in the Central ministries in New Delhi or in Central government offices located in different cities of India. But how are they allotted to the different states? This is a million-dollar question and here again, the system that has worked flawlessly since Independence is that the seniority of ranking in the UPSC examinations counts the most. About half of each state cadre is filled by successful insiders from that state, while the other half by outsiders, who gave a list of their preferred states (other than their own) in case they do not qualify on merit for their first choice. As we know, a certain fixed number of slots are reserved candidates from the OBC, SC and ST categories in all services. Other than these three all-India services, the UPSCs common examination also recommends who would be allotted to which of the 17 Central services. These include the Indian Foreign Service, the Indian Audit and Accounts Service, the Indian Revenue Service, the Indian Railway Traffic Service and so on. The main difference is that while all-India service officers can work both in their state cadres and at the Centre, the Central services work only under the Central government. Incidentally, candidates give their options for specific Central services to which they are recommended by the UPSC on the basis of ranking and the number of seats available determined under the reservation policy. This means that the no candidate can be sent, against her or his will, to some service that was not among the options. It is this judicious mix of option and UPSC ranking that has worked quite satisfactorily and the courts have accepted its fairness. This does not mean, of course, that the UPSC is infallible or that those who are chosen for the IAS or the Indian Foreign Service are superior in any respect it only means that they did better in the examinations, which could happen for a whole variety of reasons. But it has generally been accepted as a fair and transparent system even though time has proven that many underserving people have come in. The commission cannot predict this as it does not indulge in astrology. Similarly, several highly meritorious students have not been able to crack the exams, but that happens everywhere. The short point is that a rather complicated matrix of determinants is tackled by the UPSC through its vast experience of seven decades in matching merit with other factors with quite transparent procedures. What, then, is Prime Minister Modi upto? His proposal is that this established UPSC-rank based system of deciding who gets into the three all-India services in any of the four categories (General, OBC, SC and ST) and then deciding who goes to which state for life is to be replaced. He proposes that, in addition to the ranking in the UPSC, which is quite objective, will be added the probationers performance at the training academy. This would obviously be a subjective system of performance rating at the end of the first three months in service and its purpose is to distort the clear rankings in the UPSC merit list. Where the other category of Central services are concerned, the system proposed by the PM is to decide who will be allotted to which ministry, on the basis of the report sent by the training academy at the end of the same common three-month stint called the foundation course. It must be remembered that the training academy is controlled directly by the PMs own department of personnel and training which explains his gameplan. It bears the typical Modi trademarks of the highest degree of centralisation of decision-making; the subverting of national institutions (the UPSC, in this case); hanging the Damocles sword on everyones head and the resultant sadistic glee with which he carried out his Tughlaqi style of demonetisation. There are other issues at stake. The foundation course is the only time when officers of different services and state cadres meet their other colleagues, with identities clearly established, and lifelong bonds are created. It just cannot be spent in bending backwards to please the bosses to get a better grading or in jockeying for high stakes with the PMs Office or the ruling party. One man simply cannot be allowed to destroy so many wonderful past traditions or the future of the whole system of governance. Macron asked Europe to unite and assert European sovereignty in the face of unilateral moves by the US on Iran and climate change. It is a narrow policy to suppose that this country or that country is to be marked out as the eternal ally or perpetual enemy of England. We have no eternal allies, and we have no perpetual enemies. Our interests are eternal and perpetual, and those interests it is our duty to follow. Lord Palmerston said this to the House of Commons in March 1848 but his words were misunderstood and misquoted. However, interests do not speak by themselves; they are perceived. Europes perception of its ally America was affected by its policies on Iraq. President Donald Trumps cry of America First shook its complacency. Now, his decision to abandon the nuclear deal with Iran has shattered it. The first retort came from German Chancellor Angela Merkel last year, when she said in French President Emmanuel Macrons presence: Its no longer the case that the US will simply just protect us. Rather, Europe needs to take its fate in its own hands. Thats the task for the future. Macron asked Europe to unite and assert European sovereignty in the face of unilateral moves by the US on Iran and climate change. He urged Europe to defend the multilateral global order to ensure Europes sovereignty. The two are linked. Such language had never been heard before though foreign ministers Hubert Vedrine of France and Joschka Fischer of Germany came close to it. Now we have French finance minister Bruno Le Maire asking Europeans not to act as vassals of the US. He wants European companies to continue trade with Iran despite Trumps decision to reimpose sanctions. Le Maire made a far-reaching proposal: set up a European body with the same powers as the US justice department to punish foreign companies for their trade practices. European and US companies will lose billions in commercial deals stuck since the accord with Iran in 2015 and also lose access to a major new export market. The most meaningful words were said by the European Council president, Donald Tusk, this month: The EU should be grateful to Donald Trump for his latest decisions... Thanks to him we got rid of all illusions. We realise that if you need a helping hand, you will find one at the end of your arm. Things wont be the same again; even if the differences are reconciled eventually. Despite those protests, US secretary of state Mike Pompeo announced on May 21, the strongest sanctions in history against Iran. It is unlikely that Europe will back down. The consequences will be political and economic. Europes perceptions of its interests have changed. The latest rift will add to its disillusion and yearning for change. The North Atlantic Treaty did not make sense even when it was signed in 1949. Then secretary of state Dean Acheson assured the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that the treaty does not mean that the US would automatically be at war if one of the other signatory nations were the victim of an armed attack. A state department paper said it was not a military alliance. The worst-case scenario on which it was based was an illusion even in 1949. Having lost 27 million of its people, the Soviet Union was not in a condition to invade Western Europe. The British minister in Moscow, Sir John Balfour opined as a shrewd realist, Stalin, so far as can be judged, has no wish to overreach the limits within which he can prudently exercise autocratic power. Stalins concerns centred on Eastern Europe. Churchill conceded that to him at Moscow in October 1944. Roosevelt sabotaged it. He sought a Pax Americana. Charles de Gaulle warned against it. Churchill banked on a special relationship with the US. After 1945, the US liked to give orders, and if they are not at once obeyed, they become huffy, Anthony Eden remarked in 1954. Christopher Meyer, the UKs ambassador to the US (1997-2003), forbade use of the words special relationship inside the embassy. Most Americans, whether Republicans or Democrats, sophisticate or redneck, believe that their countrys actions in the world are intrinsically virtuous. The collapse of the USSR led to the rise of the Vulcans which James Mann describes in his book of this title. The mood was summed up in Charles Krauthammers famous article The Unipolar Moment. The New York Times published in March 1992 a report by Patrick E. Tyler titled US Strategy Plan Calls for Ensuring No Rivals Develop. It was based on official documents. Thanks to Trump, that order is disintegrating. A new world order is emerging with an assertive Europe, a determined Russia and a China on the rise. The Third World can play its part in this process; if only it ends its own squabbles. Western Europe will not be able to forge a viable order without the participation of Russia. By arrangement with Dawn Are Facebook and WhatsApp complying with Russian laws? Legislation requires websites which store the personal data of Russian citizens to do so on Russian servers. Moscow: Russian state telecommunications watchdog Roskomnadzor will check by December whether Facebook and possibly WhatsApp are complying with Russian laws, TASS news agency reported, citing the head of the watchdog. Russia has said it would block access to Facebook unless the social network complies with legislation requiring websites which store the personal data of Russian citizens to do so on Russian servers. We will take a decision based on the result of these checks, Alexander Zharov, Rokomnadzors chief, was quoted as saying by TASS. US defence secretary Jim Mattis said there was possibly some good news on the summit. Washington: One day after abruptly pulling the plug on a high-stakes summit with North Korea, US President Donald Trump said Friday the meeting with Kim Jong-un could go ahead after all possibly even on the originally scheduled date of June 12. The summit would be an unprecedented meeting between a sitting US President and a North Korean leader, which Washington hopes will result in full denuclearisation of the reclusive state. Were going to see what happens, Trump told reporters at the White House, after welcoming Pyongyangs latest statement on the talks as very good news. It could even be the 12th, he added. On Thursday, Trump cancelled the summit that was due to take place in Singapore, blaming tremendous anger and open hostility from Pyongyang in recent days. But North Korea responded Friday by saying it was willing to talk to the United States at any time a reaction Trump welcomed as warm and productive. Were talking to them now, Trump said of the North Koreans. They very much want to do it. Wed like to do it. US defence secretary Jim Mattis said there was possibly some good news on the summit, while White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders told reporters: If the meeting takes place on June 12, we will be ready. State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert cast the fast-moving developments as simply twists and turns in the process. We never expected it to be easy, Nauert told reporters. But the whiplash from the White House was unusual even for the chaos-loving president. In March, apparently acting on impulse, Trump agreed to the talks with Kim after only limited input from aides. Sharif said that the matter will be shifted to the parliament if no consensus is made between the opposition and government. Islamabad: Former Pakistan Prime Minister supremo Nawaz Sharif on Friday asserted that former military ruler Pervez Musharraf will not be spared in treason case. Speaking to reporters here, Mr Sharif maintained that the trial will be completed indisputably, if not today then tomorrow or in the coming future. He added: Musharraf can be brought back for inclusion in PTI but no law can bar him from undergoing trial. One day this case has to conclude. Musharraf had raised his fist after addressing Parliament. Where is that action now? Now he has gone abroad, he criticized. While bashing Imran Khan, Nawaz Sharif said: Imran Khan is licking after spitting. He took full benefit of the privileges of that parliament whom he had cursed earlier. About caretaker Prime Minister, Mr Sharif said that the matter will be shifted to the parliament if no consensus is made between the opposition and government. The matter of electing caretaker Prime Minister is likely to be discussed in the parliamentary committee as government and opposition have failed to decide the name. South Korean presidential spokesman Yoon Young-chan said Moon will reveal the outcome of his surprise meeting with Kim on Sunday. Seoul: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and South Korean President Moon Jae-in met for the second time in a month on Saturday to discuss carrying out the peace commitments they reached in their first summit and Kims potential meeting with President Donald Trump, Moons office said. South Korean presidential spokesman Yoon Young-chan said Moon will reveal the outcome of his surprise meeting with Kim on Sunday. The presidential Blue House did not immediately provide more details. The meeting at a border truce village came hours after South Korea expressed relief over revived talks for a summit between Trump and Kim following a whirlwind 24 hours that saw Trump cancel the highly anticipated meeting before saying its potentially back on. Trump later tweeted that the summit, if it does happen, will likely take place on June 12 in Singapore as originally planned. In their first summit in April, Kim and Moon announced vague aspirations for a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula and permanent peace, which Seoul has tried to sell as a meaningful breakthrough to set up the summit with Trump. But relations between the rival Koreas chilled in recent weeks, with North Korea cancelling a high-level meeting with Seoul over South Koreas participation in regular military exercises with the United States and insisting that it will not return to talks unless its grievances are resolved. South Korea, which brokered the talks between Washington and Pyongyang, was caught off guard by Trumps abrupt cancellation of the summit in which he cited hostility in recent North Korean comments. Moon said Trumps decision left him perplexed and was very regrettable. He urged Washington and Pyongyang to resolve their differences through more direct and closer dialogue between their leaders. Trumps back-and-forth over his summit plans with Kim has exposed the fragility of Seoul as an intermediary. It fanned fears in South Korea that the country may lose its voice between a rival intent on driving a wedge between Washington and Seoul and an American president who thinks less of the traditional alliance with Seoul than his predecessors. Trumps decision to pull out of the summit with Kim came just days after he hosted Moon in a White House meeting where he openly cast doubts on the Singapore meeting but offered no support for continued inter-Korean progress, essentially ignoring the Norths recent attempts to coerce the South. In his letter to Kim, Trump objected specifically to a statement from senior North Korean diplomat Choe Son Hui. She referred to Vice President Mike Pence as a political dummy for his earlier comments on North Korea and said it was up to the Americans whether they would meet us at a meeting room or encounter us at nuclear-to-nuclear showdown. North Korea issued an unusually restrained and diplomatic response to Trump, saying its still willing to sit for talks with the United States at any time, (in) any format. The first meeting would not solve all, but solving even one at a time in a phased way would make the relations get better rather than making them get worse, North Korean Vice Foreign Minister Kim Kye Gwan said in a statement carried by Pyongyangs official Korean Central News Agency, which mainly targets external audience. Notably, the statement did not appear in Saturdays edition of Rodong Sinmun, the official mouthpiece of the Norths ruling party thats widely read by North Koreans. The newspaper instead focused on Kim Jong Uns visit to the coastal town of Wonsan to inspect the construction of a beachfront tourist complex. Kim ordered the complex to be finished by April 15 next year to mark the birthday of his late grandfather and North Korea founder Kim Il Sung. Kim Jong Uns comments published by the newspaper did not include any mention of his potential meeting with Trump. Analysts say Kims diplomatic outreach in recent months after a flurry of nuclear and missile tests in 2017 indicates he is eager for sanctions relief to build his economy and the international legitimacy the summit with Trump would provide. But theres also skepticism whether Kim will ever agree to fully relinquish his nuclear arsenal, which he likely sees as his only guarantee of survival. Comments in North Koreas state media indicate Kim sees any meeting with Trump as an arms control negotiation between nuclear states, rather than a process to surrender his nukes. The North has said it will refuse to participate in talks where it would be unilaterally pressured to give up its nukes. Former chairman Pakistan Senate Raza Rabbani criticised the book by rival spy chiefs. Durrani was summoned after ousted Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Friday demanded an urgent meeting of the high-powered National Security Committee (NSC) to discuss the content of the book. (Photo: Representational image) Islamabad: Pakistans powerful army has summoned former ISI chief Asad Durrani to seek his explanation over a book he co-authored with Indias ex-spy chief AS Dulat, accusing him of violating the military code of conduct. Lieutenant General (retd) Durrani, who headed the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agency from August 1990 till March 1992, along with Dulat has written The Spy Chronicles: RAW, ISI and the Illusion of Peace. The book was released on Wednesday. The Pakistan Army in a statement said that Durrani was being called to General Headquarters (GHQ) on May 20 and will be asked to explain his position on views attributed to him in book Spy Chronicles. Attribution taken as violation of Military Code of Conduct applicable on all serving and retired military personnel, according to the statement issued last night. Durrani was summoned after ousted Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Friday demanded an urgent meeting of the high-powered National Security Committee (NSC) to discuss the content of the book. Former chairman Pakistan Senate Raza Rabbani criticised the book by rival spy chiefs. Had a politician done the same thing he would have been labelled a traitor, he said. The arrests made between May 5 and 15. Five have returned to Japan, at least three after being deported. Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs: foreigners must comply with the law. Beijing's new crackdown on the religious activities of foreigners in China. Beijing (AsiaNews / Agencies) - The Chinese authorities have arrested 21 Japanese citizens for alleged missionary activities. An source informed in relations between the two countries gave the news yesterday. In China, the religious activities of foreigners are regulated by a strict law banning proselytism and unauthorized religious meetings. The authorities arrested members of the Christian group between May 5 and 15 in five different provinces - Hebei, Henan, Guizhou, Shanxi and Liaoning - as well as in the autonomous region of Ningxia. The Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs states that five of them have returned to Japan. According to the source, three of them were deported and others are likely to remain in the custody of the Beijing authorities. Their arrest seems not to be the first: another 19 Japanese Christians were held in China last November, and later deported to Japan. Tokyo is following developments closely and asks Beijing authorities to treat their citizens appropriately. For his part, Lu Kang, spokesman for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said he was not informed of the details, reiterating that "China is a state where the law is enforced" and that for this reason the legal rights of all parties will be protected . "But - he adds - even foreigners must respect Chinese laws and not commit crimes". Beijing imposes strict regulations on religious activities of foreigners. The regulations in force since 1991 prohibit all missionary activity and any religious gatherings that have not been previously authorized. Moreover, since the beginning of May, the Chinese authorities are revising the relevant regulations, announcing a further crackdown on the religious life of foreigners in China. by Nirmala Carvalho The president of the Indian bishops intervenes on the polemics raised by the appeal to prayer for the 2019 elections launched by the Archbishop of Delhi. With the Interior Minister he speaks of the Churches mission, its commitment to the poor, women, marginalized and children in every corner of the country. Mumbai (AsiaNews) - The Catholic Church in India "must work for harmony, integration and dialogue". Card. Oswald Gracias, archbishop of Mumbai and president of the Indian Bishops' Conference (Cbci), commented to AsiaNews on the controversy triggered by the initiative of the Archbishop of Delhi, Msgr. Anil JT Couto. The prelate has aroused the ire of the Hindu nationalist party in power BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) when he asked Catholics in his diocese to pray and fast in view of the general elections of 2019. In this regard, Card. Gracias says: "It is a local pastoral letter, and it must be interpreted in this context. There are 173 bishops throughout India". The cardinal was interviewed on the sidelines of the meeting with Indian Union Interior Minister Rajnath Singh. On May 24, he reported the concerns of the Christian minority to the representative of the Delhi government, complaining that the state authorities do not do enough to guarantee protection. A few days ago the minister declared that there is no religious discrimination in the country, but then members of his party invited Msgr. Couto to "refrain from inciting caste and community". Card. Gracias confirms the leaks to the press, which claim that he spoke of the attempt to polarize society. "It's true - he admits - I feel that the polarization is much stronger than in previous years. People are led to believe that there are threats against a particular community. And this is not good for the country. We must work for harmony, integration and dialogue ". The cardinal told the minister he was "very optimistic about the Church's mission, which continues throughout the nation. The Church in India continues to serve in the most remote rural areas of the country. We selflessly serve the poorest of the poor, the marginalized, the unborn, girls, women, without any kind of discrimination, through the apostolate in medical facilities, with education and welfare". The president of the bishops emphasizes that "in India the Church is not only in the chapels or in the sacristy, but its mission is also in the streets, in speaking of human rights, justice and development. The Church in India is also very involved in the issues of climate change ". "We support the safety of women - he concludes - that this is an aspect on which we are all concerned, as well as the image of our beloved nation". Memorial Day is a special day. Since 1868, our country has set aside May 30th to remember the great sacrifice made by men and women who have died while in active military service. Since 1971, in classic American seeking of self, we have chosen to take a three-day weekend by taking a day off from work on the last Monday in May. Oh, the real Memorial Day is still May 30th, but we go about our business on the holiday and take a different day off from work. Originally, this holiday was called Decoration Day. Even though the official name has been Memorial Day for many years, some still refer to it as Decoration Day. The name came from the tradition of caring for, sprucing up, and decorating the graves of the brave men and women who died in my place and yours. However, over the years, many have come to see it as a chance to have family reunions and decorate the graves of all the dead. There is nothing wrong with that, in fact it is commendable, but it is unfortunate and regretful that this practice has taken away from the honoring of men and women who sacrificed their all so that we would not have to. Many, if not most, of our young people have no idea what Memorial Day stands for. I am moved by the greatest of all sacrifices made on our behalf; I hope you are also. May you and I both do a better job of honoring our fallen heroes. I am also moved by the sacrifices of another group of men and women. I am a Christian. I believe that Jesus was an historical figure who lived and died. I believe that He is exactly who He claimed to be. Why would I believe that? I have faith thats why. Is it blind faith? No. There is credible evidence for my faith. I have studied the Bible for many years and find it to be absolutely reliable. Also, the eyewitnesses to Jesus life, work, death, and resurrection provide me with a tremendous reason to believe. I am amazed at the faithful, steadfast testimony by the first century followers of Jesus. They risked everything; rather, they threw everything away, in order to testify to the authenticity of the claims of Jesus. The Bible gives limited information, but tradition and history tell us much about the lives and deaths of the eyewitnesses to Jesus life and work. If you are interested in details and documentation, I recommend Foxes Book of Martyrs. These eyewitnesses lost their property, wealth, standing in the community, family relationships, and often their very lives, in order to substantiate the claims of Christ. It seems to me that they must really have been convinced that He was exactly who He said He was, that He did what He claimed to do, and that He is coming back for His own. I dont know about you, but I would not live in poverty, ostracized from my community and family, facing almost certain torture and martyrdom if I was not absolutely, without a shadow of doubt, convinced. I am far too fond of comfort and food and life. I am very grateful that these eyewitnesses sacrificed so much for Jesus and for me. Their testimony strengthens and encourages me. It is my hope and prayer that during this Memorial Day season, all of us who claim the name of Christ will remember the sacrifices of those early Christians, fallen heroes that they are. As I look to the future, I wonder what you and I will be called upon to sacrifice in order to testify to the authenticity of Christ and His claims. May we be as faithful as those early eyewitnesses. If the Lord tarries, future generations depend on us. Anyone suspected, can be arrested without charge for up to 21 days. Pre-trial detention is extended from 180 to 290 days. Numerous provisions on repression and prevention, including a legal basis for impeaching IS militants returning from Iraq and Syria. Jakarta (AsiaNews / Agencies) - Almost two weeks after the attacks on Christian churches in Surabaya (East Java) and after years of protracted discussion, the Indonesian parliament has approved a revision of the law on terrorism. It replaces the current law, in force since 2003, and allows the authorities to carry out preventive arrests and detain terrorist suspects for longer, based only on preliminary indications. Anyone suspected of planning a terrorist attack can now be detained without charge for a maximum of 21 days. The provision extends the current seven-day limit. In the past, this had often forced police investigators to release suspects while investigations and the formulation of the allegations were still underway, prior to final detention. It is now extended from 180 to 290 days, 200 of which will be assigned to investigators to prepare an investigation dossier. The public prosecutors will be granted 90 to prepare an accusation to be presented in court. The new legislation is part of the extensive changes to the Indonesian counter-terrorism law, which President Joko Widodo proposed at the beginning of 2016. The resolution was accelerated after the suicide bombings of May 13 against the Christian community of the capital of East Java, carried out by militants of Jamaah Ansharud Daulah (Jad) and claimed by the Islamic State (IS). The new law punishes anyone who is a member of a group declared a "terrorist organization" by a court, even if the person has not carried out a concrete planning, an act or an attack. "Anyone who is a member or recruits other people - establishes the legislation - risks a minimum of two and a maximum of seven years in prison. Founders, managers, officials or anyone who controls the organization a minimum of three and a maximum of 12 years ". Lastly, the approved text includes numerous provisions on the repression and prevention of terrorism, including a legal basis for imputing the militants of IS coming back from Iraq and Syria. Francis meets participants at the annual international conference Centesimus Annus Pro Pontifice Foundation, which was also attended by Patriarch Bartholomew. "Too often a tragic and false dichotomy has developed between the ethical doctrine of our religious traditions and the practical interests of the current business community. But there is a natural circularity between profit and social responsibility ". Vatican City (AsiaNews) - The future of young people and families is an activity in which ecumenical collaboration is of special importance in an era in which the "culture of waste, blind to the human dignity of the most vulnerable", grows, Pope Francis underlined this at today's meeting in the Vatican with the participants at the annual international conference of the Centesimus Annus Pro Pontifice Foundation. The ecumenical patriarch Bartholomew I also spoke at the conference and held private talks with Francis. In his speech, the Pope noted that the "globalization of indifference" is the real challenge that the human family is called to respond to and, drawing a parallel between "the artificial fracture between science and faith," he added: " too often a tragic and false dichotomy has developed between the ethical doctrine of our religious traditions and the practical interests of the current business community. But there is a natural circularity between profit and social responsibility. There is in fact an "indissoluble link [...] between an ethic that respects people and the common good and the real functionality of every economic and financial system". Commenting on the title of this year's conference, "New policies and new lifestyles in the digital age", the Pope said that one of the most pressing challenges of today is "uncertain job opportunities and the impact of the digital culture revolution ". "As highlighted by the path in preparation for this year's Synod on young people, this is a decisive area in which the Church's solidarity is indeed necessary. Your contribution is a privileged expression of the Church's attention to the future of young people and families ". An activity in which ecumenical collaboration is of special importance, he underlined, citing how the presence at the Conference of Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople is "an eloquent sign of this common responsibility". For his part, Patriarch Bartholomew in his speech at the conference had affirmed the need for "a common Christian agenda for the common good". "In recent years - he said - we have experienced an immense economic crisis that is connected to the process of globalization and its ensuing implications, the surrender of culture to economy, the increase of poverty, famine and scarcity, and the tragedy of mass migration. We evaluate the so-called fundamentalism of the market, the deification of profit, the association of dignity with property, the reduction of the human being to homo oeconomicus and the subordination of the human person to the tyranny of needs, as extremely serious contemporary threats to a culture of solidarity. Society is being transformed into a gigantic market, social achievements are shrinking and the gap between rich and poor is widening". "Extreme economism causes serious economic and ecological problems". But, he said, "we reject the cynical phrase There is no alternative. In other words, we reject the claim that non-conformity to the commandments of globalization and to the autonomy of the economy, leads to the expansion of poverty and to uncontrollable societal developments and conflicts. It is unacceptable for the alternative forms of development and the strength of social solidarity and justice to be ignored and slandered. Our Churches can create new possibilities of transformation for our world. In fact, the Church itself is an event of transformation, of sharing, of love and of openness. It is utopic to believe that solidarity and social cohesion can be achieved through globalization and the raising of living standards, or through the internet and communication". iStock/Thinkstock(SANTA CLARITA, Calif.) -- A man in a California hospital who thought he'd have to miss his twins' high school graduation got a nice surprise from nurses and staff. Initially David Bernstein of Santa Clarita said Thursday that staff at Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial had told him he'd need to move into a new room. But when he was wheeled into the new room, he noticed that the room had been decorated with balloons, treats and signs of graduation congratulations. The staff had also set up a Wi-Fi connection in the room so that he could watch as his 18-year-old twin children, Michael and Valerie Bernstein, walked across the stage at Saugus High School. "It was overwhelming -- the decorations and the cake," David Bernstein told ABC station KABC-TV on Thursday. He'd been hospitalized earlier that week but had hoped to be released in time for the graduation. When he learned that he'd actually have to remain in the hospital, David Bernstein said he was "devastated." His wife, Diane, said she cried in the room when they got the news. She said the nurses and staff had felt badly for the Bernsteins and sought to do something to help them. "They got a dedicated Wi-Fi line for him and put him in a different room so he was by himself. ... They had it all decorated. ... I was just so touched," Diane Bernstein said. "They were very nice." She said the twins' college graduation had been a long-awaited milestone, particularly because Michael and Valerie Bernstein were born prematurely at 27 weeks. Both parents said it was a team effort raising the two; David Bernstein remembered making as many as 21 bottles of formula a night for the twins in preparation for the next day. "A lot of people helped us out. My wife did an amazing job," he said. "They've [Michael and Valerie] grown up to be tall kids and good health and they make good grades in school so very proud." Both Valerie and Michael Bernstein said their father was missed at the ceremony. "He's worked with me so much over the years," Valerie Bernstein said. "I am so grateful for him." "It's something that we've looked forward to," Diane Bernstein said. "They did exceptionally well in school. ... We're very proud of both of them." On Thursday, as he watched the graduation via livestream, David Bernstein got emotional, saying that he'd thought about this moment for a long time. "I really wanted to go," he said. "It's been a long time coming. We've made it to a new level. And, it's just a first step in life so more to come. ... Michael and Valerie, very proud of them." Copyright 2018, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. Commemorating Memorial Days long weekend often allows families to gather for good food, fun and games and reminiscing about yesterdays. But, with a bit of planning, families can enjoy each of these special moments while simultaneously creating memories that focus on the true meaning of the weekend. So how can you guide your family to new memories while paying homage to our fallen members of the armed forces? Its as simple as 1-2-3. 1. Since families are more mobile today and are often scattered across a region, there are less opportunities for younger family members to hear stories about their ancestors, including the memories of the older living family. Did you know that your grandfather is a U. S. Army veteran who served in the Delta region of South Vietnam? Or that your great-aunt earned her pilots license in 1942 and trained young pilots during World War II? Looking at old photos often trigger stories that personify your familys history and character values. Use your phone to record those stories to share with other family members who could not join you for the weekend. Some of the best recordings can be found when you get a group of older family members together and simply toss out a general question such as Did you have family and friends who were drafted or volunteered for Vietnam?. Let the conversation flow. When the conversation begins to wane, ask another question. Did we have family who served during The Great War? Do you remember hearing stories when you were younger about those family members? Youll leave the weekend gathering with a new appreciation of your familys role in preserving our liberty and freedoms. 2. Visit a family cemetery or the Chattanooga National Cemetery. Moving from the stories of your familys service to our Republic to standing in front of that family members tombstone creates a profound connection for most people. Take a small U. S. flag with you to mark the grave. Place the flag one foot from the center of the stone. Read the name aloud and the dates of birth and death. Historians believe that as long as someone speaks a name aloud that person is never truly forgotten. Spending time in a family cemetery is a perfect way to become interested in your familys genealogy. 3. Create a simple family tree, using names, known dates and photos. Tracing your ancestry is a low-cost hobby and completing the puzzle not only sharpens your research skills and increases your family knowledge, but conversations with family members strengthen the ties that bind your family. Genealogical research is a wonderful shared hobby for grandparents and grandchildren, from organizing old photos to visiting former homes and important historical sites. Imagine how much more interesting a trip to Gettysburg on a Memorial Day would be if you know your great-great-grandfather served during that turning point battle. So, fire up that grill and make that fresh lemonade. Hoist your U. S. flag and share your love of God, Home and Family with your neighborhood. Chat about the weather, the amazing ribs and potato salad and then guide the conversation to the connections between your family and military service. Memorial Day may well become your favorite day of commemoration. - - - Linda Moss Mines is the Chattanooga and Hamilton Historian, a member of the Tennessee Historical Commission and an active member of the Chief John Ross Chapter, NSDAR. [File photo: IC] Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday called for enhanced international exchange and cooperation in the development of the big data industry. Xi made the remarks in a congratulatory letter to the China International Big Data Industry Expo 2018, which opened Saturday in Guiyang, capital city of southwest China's Guizhou Province. The rapid development of new-generation information technologies such as Internet, big data, and artificial intelligence has brought significant and far-reaching impact on social and economic development, state governance, social management, and people's life in all countries, Xi said. He said countries need to increase communication and cooperation to seize the opportunities in the big data sector, promote its healthy development and handle challenges such as data security and cyberspace governance. China attaches great importance to the development of big data, Xi said. With the vision of innovative, coordinated, green, and open development that is for everyone, China is implementing a national big data strategy centered on building the country's strength in cyberspace and nurturing a digital China and smart society, which will aid the transition of the country's economy from high-speed growth to high-quality development, Xi said. The Chinese president said he expects expo attendees to exchange views and pool wisdom in order to promote the big data sector's innovative development to benefit all people and facilitate the building of a community with a shared future for humanity. U.S. President Donald Trump said here on Friday that the United States will possibly reinstate the meeting with the top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) Kim Jong Un. People watch a TV screen showing file footage of U.S. President Donald Trump, left, and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during a news program at the Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, South Korea. [File photo: AP] "We are having very productive talks with North Korea (DPRK) about reinstating the Summit which, if it does happen, will likely remain in Singapore on the same date, June 12th," Trump tweeted. He added that if necessary, the meeting "will be extended beyond that date." Trump said earlier on Friday that his planned meeting with Kim "could even be the (June) 12th," adding that both the DPRK and the United States want the meeting to happen. "We'll see what happens. We are talking to them now," Trump said. "They very much want to do it. We'd like to do it." Trump on Thursday sent a letter to Kim, saying that their planned meeting will not happen. DPRK's First Vice Foreign Minister Kim Kye Gwan said his country is ready to sit down with the United States anytime in any manner for talks to solve the problems existing between them. China said Friday that it hoped the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and the United States would cherish the recent progress and continue to address mutual concerns via dialogue and push for the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang made the remarks at a daily press briefing. Mainly Jem's Birding & Ringing Exploits in the Eastern Province & Ringing Trips to Bahrain 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! Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 25) Pop diva Mariah Carey is all praises for a Filipino duo's cover of one of her most iconic songs, "Hero." The 2014 cover of music duo Aldrich Talonding and James Bucong was included in the latest video of Glamour Magazine's "You Sang My Song" Youtube series. Carey said she was impressed by the amazing vocals and she loved the twists they put into their rendition of the song. The cousins from General Santos city shared their excitement with CNN Philippines after hearing the singer's comments. "Akala ko n'ung una clickbait video lang siya. So noong pinanood ko 'yung video, nag-sink in lang sa akin na totoo 'yung reaction kasi Miss Mariah Carey herself mentioned our names ) --IANS rt/gb/vm/tb (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Nipah virus may not have spread beyond Kerala but its scare has spread across the country with several states investigating suspicious cases and issuing advisories on precautions and travel to Kerala. With another death in Kerala on Saturday, the total number of deaths due to Nipah virus has reached 13. The majority of the deaths have been reported from Kozhikode district with some from the nearby Malappuram district in Kerala. Even as incidence of fresh cases in Kerala has come down, state health authorities claim things are under control and the Union Health Ministry maintains virus outbreak is a localised occurrence and there is no need to panic, fear runs high across the country. Panic gripped Himachal Pradesh when several bats were found dead at Government Senior Secondary School in Barmapapri in Sirmaur district this week. However, tests at the National Institute of Virology in Pune ruled out that the bats were carrying Nipah virus. Himachal Pradesh Additional Chief Secretary B.K. Agarwal has advised people not to panic about the Nipah virus and said that all medical colleges in the state are prepared to deal with the situation, if it occurs. Similarly, in Telangana, two persons, including one who visited Kerala recently, were admitted to hospitals on Friday with suspected Nipah virus infection. The state health authorities without taking any chances have sent their samples to Pune for investigation. K. Shankar, Director, Institute of Preventive Medicine (IPM), Hyderabad said that people should postpone their plans to visit Kerala in view of the situation. The authorities are conducting awareness campaigns and are also screening people at airport, railway and bus stations. Telangana Director of Medical Education K. Ramesh Reddy, however, said there was no need for panic as the state had not recorded any confirmed case of Nipah virus. The Bihar government issued Nipah virus alert on Saturday, asking people to take precautions. An advisory has also been issued to people with the dos and don'ts as preventive measures. "The government has issued an alert of Nipah virus in view of its outbreak in Kerala," said health department official R. D. Ranjan. "People have been advised to keep distance from bats and pigs. They have been asked not to consume fruits without washing them." Madhya Pradesh issued its advisory on Friday. While saying there was no reason to worry as the virus is generally limited to a place, Health Services Director B.N. Chouhan advised against eating fruits that are fallen on the ground or appear to have animal teeth or claw marks. Those living in areas with a bat population or where travellers from Kerala are staying should contact the nearest government hospital if any symptoms of Nipah are found, Chouhan said and added the symptoms are headaches, fever, bodyache, cough, problems in breathing, vomiting, diarrhoea, laziness and others. Nipah virus is transmitted to humans through infected fruit bats, pigs or other Nipah-infected persons. With test results showing that a particular variety of bats, found in and around Kozhikode and mostly at the worst-affected Perambara town, is not carrying the virus, a special team from Pune will see how best they can take samples from other varieties of bats also found in the district. --IANS mgu/vd (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday charged Odisha's Biju Janata Dal government with misleading the people on Mahanadi water dispute with Chhattisgarh. Addressing a gathering in Cuttack on completion of four years of his government, he said the Odisha government is responsible for the Mahanadi issue, having admitted on the floor of the Assembly that over half of the surplus Mahanadi water flows unused into the sea. "In the Assembly, the state government has accepted that more than 50 per cent of Mahanadi water drains into the sea. The state government failed to utilise the surplus and unused Mahanadi water for the benefit of the farmers," he said, hitting out that the Naveen Patnaik government for not harnessing the state's other five major rivers for the state's benefit. He said the Central government tried to resolve the Mahanadi issue, but the state government did not cooperate. Water Resources Minister Nitin Gadkari had tried to resolve the water sharing dispute and the proposal to constitute a tribunal was also discarded, said Modi. Modi said that several irrigation projects were delayed for so long. "Why the state government has delayed various irrigation projects and pushed up the project costs by 4 to 5 times? Why have the farmers of Odisha been left in the lurch? However, the Central government has taken the responsibility of bringing a change for farmers and ensuring water reaches their farmland," he asked. He also attacked the BJD government for lack of health facilities in the state. Holding the Patnaik government responsible for farmers' plight, Modi said his government is relentlessly working for the development of farmers across India but the Odisha government has failed in its part to do the same. --IANS cd/vd (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) As the Democratic Alliance government headed by Narendra Modi completed four years in office on Saturday, veteran social crusader Kisan Baburao 'Anna' Hazare sent him a strong reminder of several "unkept promises". In a detailed letter to the PM, Hazare said that after his week-long hunger strike at Ramlila Maidan in in March, the government had assured that it would set up a high-level expert committee to look into farmers demands including granting autonomy to Commission for Agriculture Costs & Prices (CACP). However, till date, nearly two months after the agitation, he ruled that nothing had been done in the matter, including determining the minimum support price to farmers, fixation of a 50 percent higher remuneration price, for farmers above age of 60, etc. "In fact, during your election campaigns, you had made various assurances, including setting up a committee on the recommendations of M.S. Swaminathan Commission and also given it to me in writing, but it has not been implemented yet. There is no information whether the committee has been formed or not," Hazare said. He reminded that these promises have to be fulfilled before Mahatma Gandhi's 150th birth anniversary on October 2, as assured by the government. The 80-year-old Hazare said that the government had assured it would put up the issue of waiving GST on tools used for agricultural purposes within four months before the GST Committee, and sought to know what action has been initiated in this so far. Recalling Modi's assurance on the appointment of and Lokayukta, he said that the selection committee is headed by the PM, but owing to unfilled posts, these crucial appointments are still pending. "You have given big full-page ads in the newspapers on your government's achievements in four years. But it's a matter of regret that in past four years, the government has failed to appoint and Lokayukta, which you had categorically assured in your election campaigns. It seems your government is not keen on a 'corruption-free' India," Hazare noted sharply. He demanded that the appointments of and Lokayukta, as promised by Modi for every state, must be done before October 2, failing which he would launch a fresh agitation in his native village Ralegan-Siddhi here that day. Hazare pointed out that he had already sent two reminder letters earlier to the government on these issues, but there was no response. The copies of the letter to the PM have been sent to Maharashtra Chief Minister and Union Minister of State for Agriculture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat. Two mutually reinforcing images from last week may well define the next phase in national affairs. It is too early to call them game changers but they have considerable potential. The most comprehensive array of opposition leaders, almost a record, who assembled in Bangaluru for H.D. Kumaraswamy's swearing in as Chief Minister of Karnataka, is significant because it happened despite the contradictions inherent between the various groups in that galaxy. The occasion produced the man and he better be noticed: Kunwar Danish Ali, the Jamia Millia educated, JD-S spokesman, carried sufficient credibility on both sides to swiftly stitch together the Congress-JD-S alliance in the state. This became the platform on which stood India's non-BJP diversity. In stitching this extensive hem too, Danish Ali is being applauded by those who know. Muslims in are either too weather beaten or "too Muslim" to navigate diversity. Danish Ali, in my view, is a political animal with a wide reach and one who keeps his faith intensely private. We should hear more about him should the Karnataka experiment remain intact. The other iconic image was, quite curiously, of a book release. It must have been a few hours of grave national danger, because seldom has the well appointed auditorium of the Claridges hotel been more packed with spies, past and present. For its sheer audacity, Spy Chronicles, RAW, ISI and the Illusion of Peace, is by itself a thrilling title, but when the authorship comes out in sharp silhouette, the revelation takes one's breath away. A.S. Dulat, former chief of RAW, and Gen. Asad Durrani, former head of Pakistan's Inter Services Intelligence (ISI), have put their heads together and have, without compromising fidelity to their respective oaths of office, produced a 320-page document which must now onwards inform those in the subcontinent shaping policy on Kashmir and India-Pakistan relations. The high-powered congregation in Bengaluru and the brave effort of the Dulat-Durrani duet, both respond to the same national quest - a softer more humane sub continent. Alas, a calmer India, on its own, divorced from the sub continent, is just not possible. It is, likewise, not possible for Pakistan. 1947 was both a blessing and a curse. We could define our separate nations according to our lights but we were also yoked together by geography from which proceed historical and sociological currents which flow forward but also regurgitate into the past. The first concerted effort to wrench away from the subcontinental centre of gravity came from Pakistan's dictator, General Zia ul Haq. His push for Nizam-e-Mustafa invited nascent Islamophobia which has metastasized into the modern horror. Just when fluctuations in Indo-Pakistan ties give way to a seemingly interminable hostility comes the Dulat-Durrani intervention, opening a ventilator in an otherwise suffocating hothouse. What the book touches on is, in effect, the nub of the matter. Indo-Pakistan initiatives flounder on that ubiquitous document meant for the principal, say, the Prime Minister, marked "for eyes only". If the Deep State on both sides is the obstacle, why not allow spymasters on both sides to sort out the cobwebs which the principals cannot? Leftovers from Partition are Kashmir, Pakistan, Hindu-Muslim tensions. If tense communal relations are a requirement for the of Hindu consolidation, it follows, as night follows the day, that Kashmir and Indo-Pakistan relations must simmer in perpetuity. They have been placed on auto by our own hands. To obviate communalism as an essential requirement for electoral politics, it is essential that the motley political crowd on the podium in Bengaluru is regularized. Many societies called it a rainbow coalition. Both, pre-requisite and a consequence of the Bengaluru experiment is precisely this: tone down social disharmony which communalism aggravates. This end is unachievable without the Dulat-Durrani initiative taking off. Social disharmony, it needs to be stressed, is the overarching malaise under which communalism is played. That is why one photograph that came out of the Bengaluru assembly is epochal - Sonia Gandhi leaning her head against Mayawati's. It may be odd to remember Urdu poetry at this juncture but do indulge a line. The most graphic poet, Mir Anis, describes cosmic tumult in which two mutually hostile creatures come together in the face of common danger: "Shaheen o kabk chhup gayey Ekja mila ke sar" (Facing danger, the falcon and the dove put their heads together in the thicket) Considering that the Congress lost its deposit in the March by-elections in Uttar Pradesh's Phulpur and Gorakhpur constituencies, Sonia Gandhi would be seen to be in requirement of the BSP supremo, Mayawati's help. Mayawati may not have been the winner but it was with her help that Akhilesh Yadav's SP won the two seats. In this situation what would one make of Congress Election Chief in Madhya Pradesh Digvijay Singh's statement from Bhopal. He dismissed any tie up with the BSP. Neither was Sonia's photograph with Mayawati an announcement of a tie up, nor does Digvijay Singh's reported statement scuttle it. This non-story is only a precursor to what is in store: political busy bodies will load a triangular situation - Congress, BSP, SP - with such heavy voltage speculation that some strand somewhere will snap. The process of coalition building will only be partly in the hands of the principals. To a large extent the process will be conditioned by the din surrounding it which will create misgivings all around as in rapid fire magazines. The Dulat-Durrani initiative will be subjected to an even more severe ordeal by fire, at least upto 2019. The events of last week provide hope which will generate its opposite - the Pulley principle. (A senior cmmenator on political and diplomatic affairs, Saeed Naqvi can be reached on saeednaqvi@hotmail.com . The views expressed are personal.) --IANS naqvi/mr ky (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday attacked the opposition unity, saying the corrupt leaders are coming together "not to save the country but to save themselves", making an apparent attack on Congress President Rahul Gandhi and his mother Sonia Gandhi. "Due to the commitment of this government against black money and corruption, people who are out on bail in the Rs 5,000-crore corruption case and many others involved in other corruption cases have come together on the same platform," Modi said addressing a rally here on the occasion of completion of four years of his government. He was apparently referring to Gandhis taking bail in the National Herald case and opposition leaders coming together in Bengaluru during the Karnataka Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy's swearing-in ceremony. "As we promised four years ago about zero tolerance towards corruption, four former Chief Ministers are behind bars," Modi said. The Prime Minister also said that his is a "committed government" instead of being a "confused government". "With a clear commitment to work, we have shown how this government along with its ally parties is capable of taking harsh decisions and strict measures," he said. "When a committed government works, then decisions like surgical strike and much-delayed One Rank-One Pension are taken." "On seeing this government's commitment against corruption, even enemies have become good friends," he said, adding that the people of the country are watching them all. "These leaders have not come together for the country, they have come together to save themselves and their families." Modi said that in the last four years, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has become the party from Panchayat to Parliament. He alleged that the opposition leaders want to destabilise the current government, "but people know everything". Taking a dig at the opposition, the Prime Minister said: "The people who try to confuse the people for power can't bring back black money, neither they can fight against corruption." Reminding the gathering of the corruption cases four years ago, Modi said: "People need to remember the situation of the country four years ago. This is important to remember what a family did for the country that remained in power for 48 years." "How people can forget the cases of corruption in the previous government due to which the image of the country was maligned across the globe?" he said. Attacking the Gandhis for guiding former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on every key decisions, Modi said: "They believed in the development of their party as against the development of the nation. They remote-controlled the Prime Minister and issued directions to several ministers on email. "But now the government does not run from Janpath (the official address of Gandhis), it runs from Janmat (people's mandate)." The Prime Minister also stressed that the President (Ram Nath Kovind), Vice President (M. Venkaiah Naidu) and the "Pradhan Sewak" (Prime Servant) of the country come from very humble and poor background. "We have seen the days of poverty ... we were not born with silver spoons. In fact, we did not see the spoon in our initial days," Modi said, in an apparent jibe at Rahul Gandhi. The Prime Minister also said that in last four years, the investigating agencies have carried out searches at over 3,000 locations and unearthed over Rs 53,000 crore of the undisclosed money. Modi claimed that the government seized properties worth over Rs 3,500 crore after the Benami Properties Bill was passed by the government. "It was the commitment of the government that led to the passage of Benami Properties Bill, unlike the confused government which delayed it for over 30 years," he said. Modi said about half of the country's population is deprived of basic needs and that most of the schemes were only meant for the upper layer of the society. "Over 50 per cent of the population does not have the gas connection, electricity connection and bank accounts. More than 50 per cent of the villages did not have road connectivity and half of the population did not have toilets in their homes," he said. "Who were the people comprising this deprived half? They were the poor, the Dalits, tribals and others," he said. Highlighting the works of his government in the last four years, Modi said: "Since coming to power in 2014, we have moved from incompleteness to completeness. "Now the electricity has reached every village of the country. Now about 80 per cent of the population resides in clean surrounding as compared to 39 per cent in 2014. We have built over seven crore toilets in the last four years, which was earlier only six crore across the country," Modi said. The Prime Minister pointed out that the government has abolished over 1,400 such laws which were not useful. He also highlighted several schemes which his government launched for the people, including the Jan-Dhan Yojana, Mudra Yojana, Ujjwala Yojana, agriculture insurance scheme and several others that have changed the life of poors and farmers across the country. --IANS cd-aks/nir (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Pakistan Foreign Office has dismissed US Secretary of State Mike Pompeos allegation about American diplomats being "treated badly" in Pakistan and noted that no specific complaints had been made by Washington, a media report said on Saturday. "The Foreign Office has not received any specific complaints from the US side after the establishment of the mechanism to resolve the issue, on the treatment of the US diplomats in Pakistan," Dawn reported quoting FO spokesman on Friday. Pompeo had on Thursday said, "My officers, our State Department officers, are being treated badly as well, folks working in the embassies and consulates (and) in other places are not being treated well by the Pakistani government either." Responding to these allegations, the spokesman said that all Pakistan-based foreign diplomats were being extended diplomatic privileges without any discrimination and were being facilitated as per international laws and norms as well as reciprocity. Pakistan-US relations have been bad since the US President Donald Trump administration in August 2017 announced the new South Asia and Afghanistan strategy, reported Dawn. The ties further turned sour after the US moved to impose movement restrictions on Pakistani diplomats--a move which was immediately reciprocated by Islamabad. Pakistan further withdrew several of the special facilities that were being enjoyed by US diplomats and missions under some secret understanding. --IANS and/vm (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) South Korea on Saturday welcomed US President Donald Trump's statement that his summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un was still possible. The US leader had earlier cancelled the June 12 meet with Kim, citing "hostility" displayed by Pyongyang towards Washington. However, on Friday Trump said that he might still meet Kim in Singapore, while leaving open the option of keeping it at a later date "if necessary". "It's a fortunate thing that the possibility of the North Korea-US dialogue is still alive without being terminated," Seoul's presidential spokesman Kim Eui-kyeom was quoted as saying by Efe news. South Korean President Moon Jae-in's government is "carefully watching the progress" of the conversation, he added, referring to the constant shifts in Trump's stance on the summit. Trump's stand softened after Pyongyang said it was willing to "sit face-to-face at any time, in any form", in a statement by its First Vice Foreign Minister Kim Kye-Gwan. "Very good news to receive the warm and productive statement from North Korea. We will soon see where it will lead," Trump tweeted after the North Korea statement came. The North and South Korean leaders met on April 28 in a historic summit to establish peace on the peninsula, first time since the Korean War in 1953. --IANS mag/pgh/soni/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Two-and-half-month-old BJP-IPFT government's performance is better than 25-year-old Left Front government's, Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb said here on Saturday promising to declare Tripura a corruption and drug-free state. "We challenge the Left leaders in Tripura for an open debate. BJP-IPFT's two-and-half-month-old government's performance is much better than the 25-year-old Left Front government," Deb told the media while highlighting the performance of four-year-old Narendra Modi government. He said: "You are seeing just the beginning. We would make all-out efforts to make Tripura a corruption and drug-free state. Ganja cultivation had been going on during the Left Front rule even in the constituency of former Chief Minister Manik Sarkar." To a question, Deb, who also holds the Home portfolio, said that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government had been demolishing various political parties' offices built illegally on the government land. "I respect Manik Da (former CM Manik Sarkar). But how is he opposing the government's move to demolish the party offices constructed on government lands? We would not compromise with illegal activities. Several government employees and policemen were suspended recently for wrong-doings." In the February 18 politically significant assembly poll, the BJP and its electoral ally Indigenous People's Front of Tripura (IPFT), a tribal-based party, together won 44 seats with the BJP alone getting 36 seats, handing a crushing defeat to the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M)-led Left Front. Highlighting the Modi government's performance, the Chief Minister said that in the past four years, the Central government has given Rs 7,270 crore to Tripura only for eight departments including rural and urban development, social welfare and water supply. "After the NDA government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi assumed office, broad-gauge railway line was extended up to Agartala, many express trains including Rajdhani were introduced in the state, six National Highways were sanctioned, two 'Border Haats' were set up along the state's border with Bangladesh, and new road and rail links are being set up between India and Bangladesh," he said. Deb, who is also president of the BJP state unit, said for extension of railway lines in the Northeast, the NDA (National Democratic Alliance) government is spending Rs 89,000 crore. "For poor and women, the NDA government is the finest government in India. The BJP does not believe in casteism and divisional Modiji's mantra is 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas' (Support of all, development for all)," the Chief Minister said. He also ridiculed the Congress observing of "Vishwasghat Diwas" (betrayal day) on Saturday on the 4th anniversary of the Narendra Modi-led BJP government. --IANS sc/nir (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A federal judge in the US state of Virginia has postponed the trial of Paul Manafort, President Donald Trump's former campaign chairman for two weeks, the media reported. The trial date now is rescheduled to July 24, said Judge T.S. Ellis on Friday. He had initially set the trial date for July 10, Xinhua news agency reported. The delay is "owing to a family member's medical procedure," said the judge, without further details. Manafort pleaded not guilty in March to 18 criminal charges including bank and tax fraud in federal court in Virginia. At the time, prosecutors said in court that they planned to call 20 to 25 witnesses for the trial and the arguments could last up to two weeks. If convicted, Manafort will face up to 305 years in jail. Manafort will go through two separate trials in total this year. Another trial on federal charges in Washington is scheduled to begin on September 17 and likely to stretch for several weeks. In Washington, Manafort is charged with making false statements about his foreign lobbying work for pro-Russia Ukrainian politicians, and engaging in a money laundering conspiracy. These charges would bring a likely sentence of 15 to 20 years in prison if Manafort was found guilty. All charges, which Manafort has denied in both courts, were levied during the ongoing Special Counsel Robert Mueller's probe into alleged Russian meddling in the 2016 US elections and possible collusion with the Trump campaign. Manafort's long-time business associate Rick Gates, also a former Trump campaign aide, has pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy against the US and making false statements to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), cutting a deal with Mueller. "Manafort and Gates generated tens of millions of dollars in income as a result of their Ukraine work," a February indictment said, "From approximately 2006 through the present, Manafort and Gates engaged in a scheme to hide income from US authorities, while enjoying the use of the money." Manafort and Gates were originally indicted in October on charges of conspiracy and fraud stemming from their lucrative lobbying work in Ukraine. The authorities at the time said Manafort alone laundered more than $18 million. Trump has vigorously and repeatedly denied any collusion between his campaign and Moscow during the elections. The Russian government has also repeatedly dismissed the accusations of interference. --IANS pgh/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday called for enhanced international exchange and cooperation in the development of the big data industry. He made the remarks in a congratulatory letter to the China International Big Data Industry Expo 2018, which opened on Saturday in Guiyang, capital city of China's Guizhou Province, Xinhua news agency reported. The rapid development of new-generation information technologies such as internet, big data, and artificial intelligence has brought significant and far-reaching impact on social and economic development, state governance, social management, and people's life in all countries, Xi said. He emphasised on the need for countries to increase communication and cooperation to seize the opportunities in the big data sector, promote its healthy development and handle challenges such as data security and cyberspace governance. China attaches great importance to the development of big data. With the vision of innovative, coordinated, green, and open development that is for everyone, China is implementing a national big data strategy centred on building the country's strength in cyberspace and nurturing a digital China and smart society, which will aid the transition of the country's economy from high-speed growth to high-quality development, Xi said. The Chinese President also said he expects expo attendees to exchange views and pool wisdom in order to promote the big data sector's innovative development to benefit all people and facilitate the building of a community with a shared future for humanity. --IANS mag/pgh/ahm/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Now that Congress President Rahul Gandhi is firmly in the saddle and the Congress has actually managed to turn the tables on the Bharatiya Janata Party in Karnataka, people are taking more interest in Gandhis team. Many are asking what is taking him so long to restructure the Congress Working Committee, the first thing any new president does, after being handed power. But there is a conundrum. To restructure the CWC in his vision, Gandhi will have to decide what to do with the 15 or so former chief ministers in the party who are now jobless. If Gandhi keeps the size of ... With his party 'stopped' in Karnataka and bracing to face crucial Assembly elections in three major states in the north this year end, Prime Minister takes his government into the last year in office with the political momentum slightly shaken against the mounting burden of fulfilling expectations on numerous election promises. Political analysts say that many of the promises of the Modi government have been rhetoric and it needs course correction by being more accommodative over the next year if BJP's prospects are to improve. They said the outcome of 2019 elections will largely depend on Opposition parties coming together to pose a common challenge to the BJP. The BJP's inability to form the government in Karnataka, despite being the single largest party, has come as a damper to the party. It had suffered jolts earlier this year in defeats in prestigious parliamentary by-elections in Gorakhpur and Phulpur as also Ajmer and Alwar. "Intolerance has been a major drawback in the last four years," says political analyst and senior journalist H K Dua, adding that the idea of India as a plural polity had suffered due to incidents like 'love jihad' and lynchings. "Every incident fouls the atmosphere. India is a composite society and Prime Minister himself said 'Sabka saath, sabka vikas' which did not happen. That's why Dalits have been very angry, tribals have been very angry, farmers have been very angry. Caste divisions are sharper than before. That does not speak well," he said. Dua said constitutional institutions "have not been shown the respect they deserve." He said consensus between the ruling and Opposition parties for running parliamentary democracy has been ignored. "The initiative had to come from Prime Minister but that has not come," he said, adding there is doubt how deep is the faith of government in democratic practices. "I don't think in 2019 there will be Modi wave. Opposition will be able to present a formidable challenge if they unite. So the unity is very, very important," he added. But even as efforts to forge understanding among Opposition parties continue at various levels, Modi continues to have a cross-country appeal as the prime vote-catcher of the BJP. As Prime Minister, he has sought to bring speed to decision-making by cutting red tape, set ambitious targets, launched some imaginative schemes, focused on delivery, simplified norms and shaken off lethargy in the official machinery. The BJP-led Democratic Alliance government is seen to be more focused and target-oriented but there is little visible impact of some of its initiatives such as the Swachh Bharat Campaign. Subrata Mukherjee, a political analyst who taught at Delhi University, said there have been more promises than delivery in the past four years and projects like Start Up India and Make in India have not progressed the way they were made out to. "The economic record of the government is not very good and they are now postponing everything to 2022. That is beyond their mandate. So it is of postponement," he said. He said most of the schemes are a rehash of Congress schemes. Mukherjee said Modi government needs to practice a more "accommodative " "They will have to work out accommodative politics, bring new segments. The scheduled castes, Muslims are angry. If they want to retain power, they will have to go for drastic course correction," he said. He said Opposition unity was important for good and the proposed federal front cannot do without Congress. "BJP will also have to understand that 2019 will be coalition government whether led by it or the Congress," he said. Unlike the 2014 elections, when he was the challenger, Modi will be the incumbent in 2019 and the Opposition has a plethora of issues to queer the pitch, including jobs, price rise, problems of farmers, multi-crore banking frauds, non-performing assets of banks, "write-offs" of corporate houses, and "atrocities" against weaker sections, including Dalits. Congress President Rahul Gandhi is also now a more formidable opponent of Modi than he was in 2014 and his attacks are sharper and unrelenting. Congress General Secretary Ashok Gehlot said people had trusted Modi but he "betrayed" them. As a member of the Opposition, he sees an all-round failure in the government. "Farmers, youth, traders, women, everyone now feels betrayed. There is sense of fear and mistrust among people. Fuel prices are sky-rocketing. This is a loot. The situation in the country is such and all sections of society are so unhappy that the people will force every party in the country to come together to defeat Modi and the BJP," he said. BJP Spokesperson G V L Narsimha Rao, however, as expected, termed the past four years as "epoch-making." "These will be best remembered for ushering in a New India Era with corruption-free governance, inclusive economic growth with special focus on farmers, women, and marginalised sections," Rao told IANS. He said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government has fulfilled long-neglected basic needs of the common citizens with innovative schemes like Ujjwala. The Ayushman Bharat scheme, announced in this year's Budget, that aims to provide health insurance cover of Rs 500,000 (Rs 5 lakh) to around 100 million (10 crore) families is an ambitious move to connect with the poor and, if successful, can help BJP earn goodwill in run up to 2019 Lok Sabha polls. The elections in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh later this year are expected to set the tempo for the Lok Sabha polls and the BJP is the incumbent in all three states facing tough contests. (Prashant Sood can be contacted at prashant.s@ians.in) Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, the famous Sikh shrine in the national capital, was visited by 12 lakh international tourists last year, Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Management Committee (DSGMC) claimed. In the first four months of this year, 6 lakh international tourists visited the Gurudwara, DSGMC president Manjit Singh said. Gurudwara Bangla Sahib is known for its association withe eighth Sikh Guru Har Krishan. "The committee has opened an information office for providing guidance to international visitors and deployed seven tourist guides who can speak different foreign languages," Singh said, adding tourists mainly from european countries visit the shrine in groups comprising 15-20 members are organised by various travel agencies. Some of them also visit individually, he said. "The committee has published literature on Sikh religion in around 10 foreign languages, including French, German, and Spanish, to provide detailed information to international tourists," he said. Around one lakh copies of Sikh literature was provided to the international tourists during the year 2018, he said Baba Baghel Singh Sikh heritage multimedia museum, located inside the Gurudwara, is another popular attraction for international tourists. Around 2,500 tourists, both Indian and foreigners, visit the museum daily, he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The 15th Finance Commission will visit Kerala from May 28 to 31, amid concerns raised by the southern state that its Terms of Reference were against the state's interest. The five-member Commission led by Chairman N K Singh, will assess the state of the finances of Kerala and the progress made in socio-economic fields. Ahead of the visit, the Commission was apprised of its various aspects by the Accountant General of Kerala in New Delhi. The commission will have meetings with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Ministers and other officials of the state. Detailed presentations will be made on the finances of the state government. The Commission will also meet leaders of various political parties, representatives of Trade and Industry and also hold an interactive session with Urban Local Bodies and Panchayat Raj Institutions. The CPI(M)-led LDF Government has decided to ask the Centre to increase the state's share in central taxes to 50 per cent from the present 42 per cent. Kerala was also worried that its tax share would come down to 1.8 per cent from the present 2.5 per cent, if the 2011 census was taken as the base for allocation of central tax revenue. Kerala had convened a meeting of Finance Ministers of southern states here on April 10 to arrive at a consensus on their response to the Terms of Reference. State Finance Minister Thomas Isaac has said these states were being 'penalised' for successfully implementing national policies. A similar meeting was also held on May 7 at Amaravati in Andhra Pradesh to discuss the commisison's proposal. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Twenty-two people were killed in a clash with the army in Cameroon's restive Northwest anglophone region, an opposition MP told AFP today. "Twenty-two people were killed Friday in Menka during a confrontation... (between the army and) a group of people that were presented as criminals," said Nji Tumasang, a member of the anglophone opposition Social Democratic Front in Santa, the area in which the town of Menka is located. Violence between armed anglophone separatists and government forces occurs almost daily in the Northwest Region and the Southwest Region, following an escalation of the crisis in late 2016. An army official confirmed the incident, speaking of "several neutralised terrorists". "A group of terrorists was reported in Menka" and the army intervened to "encircle the hotel" where they were, army spokesman Colonel Didier Badjeck said on Facebook. But he added that a "watchman alerted (the occupants of the hotel) which gave rise to long exchanges of fire lasting several minutes". "Several weapons and ammunition had been seized," he added. Earlier this month, the US ambassador to Cameroon accused government forces of carrying out "targeted killings" and other abuses in the fight against independence-seeking militants. The presence of a large English-speaking minority -- about a fifth of Cameroon's population of 22 million -- dates back to the colonial period. It was once a German colony that after World War I was divided between Britain and France. In 1960, the French colony gained independence, becoming Cameroon, and the following year, the British-ruled Southern Cameroons was amalgamated into it, becoming the Northwest and Southwest Regions. For years, resentment built among anglophones, fostered by perceived marginalisation in education, the judiciary and the economy at the hands of the French majority. Demands for greater autonomy were rejected by 85-year-old President Paul Biya, in power for more than 35 years, leading to an escalation that saw the declaration of the self-described "Republic of Ambazonia" in October last year. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Nine juvenile detainees died today during a fire that was started when inmates lit a mattress during a riot, authorities said. The facility, located in the city of Goiania, is used to temporarily hold minors between the ages of 13 and 17. The riot followed an attempt by administrators to move some of the detainees from one cell to another, said Gilles Sebastian Gomes, a lawyer for the human rights commission of state of Goias. Gomes, who is in touch with families of detainees, said the center is only equipped to hold 50 people but often has upward of 80 or 90 inmates. "The cells are small and overcrowded, and there is a significant lack of staff," he said. An investigation would be conducted and the families of victims would be provided support, the state government said in a statement. The statement confirmed nine detainees died but did not provide more details. Brazil has one of the largest prison populations in the world. Experts estimate that up to 40 per cent of prisoners have not been sentenced or are awaiting trial. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) An Afghan man was apprehended at the Delhi airport for allegedly using a fake ticket to enter the terminal area, a senior official said today. O A Yama was intercepted by the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel yesterday at 11 am as he was about to leave the Terminal-3 building of the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport, he said. He was stopped and questioned as exiting the terminal area is not usually permitted for passengers, the official said. The Afghan national told the security personnel that he used a "cancelled" ticket to enter the terminal area to see-off his wife and daughter, who were travelling to Kabul, he added. The man was subsequently handed over to the police as his ticket was a fake travel document and was charged for alleged trespass, he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav today hit out at the Narendra Modi government, alleging that the poor, dalits and women suffered during the last four years. Taking to twitter, the former Uttar Pradesh chief minister raised the issue of bank frauds and alleged that the corrupt were allowed the flee the country. He said farmers, businessmen and unemployed masses were reeling from the decisions of the Modi Government "Rajniti mein bhrashtachar ka khel , banking system hua fail. Petrol-diesel ke daam uchtam, dollar ke mukabale rupiya nyuntam. "Desh se gholatebaaz farar, videsho se dikhave ke karar. Mehgai par GST ki maar. Dalit, garib , mahila par vaar. Kisan , berozgar, karobari behal, mubarak ho yeh chaar saal," Yadav tweeted in Hindi. On its fourth anniversary, the Modi Government today listed its achievements, saying that development had become a "vibrant mass movement" during its rule, but the opposition has dismissed its claims and described it as period of "treachery, trickery, revenge and lies". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The tax department today exempted angel investors from income tax on their investments in start-ups with effect from April 11. The tax concessions are subject to certain conditions laid down by the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion last month, which said that the share capital and share premium of the start-up should not exceed Rs 10 crore after such investments. Also the angel investor who plans to subscribe the shares in the start-up will have to fulfil prescribed criteria and the start-up will have to procure a report from a merchant banker, specifying the fair market value of the shares in accordance with income tax rules. The Income Tax Department, on May 24, issued a notification, superseding its June 2016 notification. "...The Central Government, hereby notifies that the provisions of clause (viib) of sub-section (2) of section 56 of the said Act shall not apply to consideration received by a company for issue of shares that exceeds the face value of such shares, if the consideration has been received for issue of shares from an investor in accordance with the approval granted by the Inter-Ministerial Board of Certification," the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) said in the May 24 notification. This notification comes into effect retrospectively from April 11, 2018, it said. The CBDT has also amended Rule 11 UA (2)(b) of I-T Act, thereby making merchant banker valuation compulsory for the purpose of determining fair market value of unquoted equity shares, and omitted the word 'accountant'. Nangia & Co Partner Amit Agarwal said the notification states that 'angel tax' shall not be levied, where the business is an approved start-up and has obtained valuation from a merchant banker. "The notification is a welcome move in allaying fears of start-ups in relation to angel tax and providing the much-needed clarity with respect to non-applicability of angel tax. "Another key takeaway from the notification, is withdrawal of power from chartered accountants to issue valuation reports for purposes of angel tax. This is perhaps designed to bring in more sanctity to issuance of valuation report," Agarwal said. The decision to give investors in start-ups exemption from income tax was aimed at addressing a key issue faced by angel investors who put money during early growth stage, and would also provide level-playing field for all investors. The Commerce and Industry Ministry had on April 11 said that a start-up can seek tax concession under the section 56 of I-T act. The section 56 provides for taxation of funds received by an entity. According to the notification, an angel investor with a minimum net worth of Rs 2 crore or an average returned income of over Rs 25 lakh in the preceding three financial years would be eligible for 100 per cent tax exemption on investments made into start-ups above fair market value. Several start-ups had raised concerns over taxation of angel funds under Section 56 of the Income Tax Act, which provides for taxation of funds received by an entity. As many as 18 start-ups had received notices from tax authorities. This section provided that where a closely held company issues its shares at a price more than its fair market value, the amount received in excess of the fair market value will be charged to tax the company as income from other sources. Start-ups incorporated before April 2016 can seek exemptions from section 56 of the Income Tax Act. However, the three-year income tax concession would be available to only those that are incorporated after April 1, 2016, and before April 2021. Start-ups also enjoy income tax benefit for three out of seven consecutive assessment years under section 80-IAC of the Act. The government has so far extended tax benefits to just 88 start ups out of 8,765 that have been recognised by DIPP since January 2016. To avail both the concessions (under section 56 and 80 IAC of the Income Tax Act), start-ups would have to approach an eight-member inter-ministerial board of certification. An angel investor is the one who put funds in a startup when it is taking baby steps to establish itself in the competitive market. Normally about 300-400 start-ups get angel funding in an year. Their investment in a unit ranges between Rs 15 lakh to Rs 4 crore. The government launched the Start-up India' initiative on January 16, 2016, to build a strong ecosystem for nurturing innovation and entrepreneurship. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) An Indian Army helicopter made an emergency landing at Bihpuria College playground in Assam's Lakhimpur district today after it developed a technical snag. The Army aviation corps helicopter had taken off from Tezpur Misamari and developed a snag mid air, Defence Spokesperson Harshvardhan Pandey said. The helicopter had on board three Army officers and one pilot, Pandey said. Another Army helicopter reached the spot and returned with the stranded officials. "The chopper is still in the field and it will take more than one day to repair," Pandey said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Vice chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Sarath Chand today paid a farewell visit to the Army's south western command here. Lt Gen Chand, who was the south western army commander before moving to Delhi as the vice chief of the army staff last year, is retiring on May 31 and the visit was a farewell visit. Defence spokesperson Lt Col Manish Ojha said the officer has had multiple associations with the south western command. He commanded a Brigade in Jaipur at a time when the Command was newly raised. On being updated about the operational, training and administrative issues of the command by the present Army Commander Lt Gen Cherish Mathson, the vice chief expressed his admiration and appreciation for the pace and quantum of progress made in all spheres since he left the Command 2017, Ojha said. Incidentally, the army commander Lt Gen Mathson is also his regimental officer and old school mate. 'I have been closely associated with this the Command ever since it came into being and I can say now that this youngest Command of the Indian Army has finally came of age. I see a very bright future for the Sapta Shakti Warriors, the Vice Chief said while interacting with the military officers of the Command. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today said her government was striving to rid the country of poverty and terrorism, besides protecting the youth from the menace of drug abuse. Speaking at the convocation of the Kazi Nazrul University here, which conferred an honorary D.Litt on her today, Hasina said poverty was the main enemy and a barrier to development not only in Bangladesh, but across the subcontinent. "We have to alleviate poverty, prevent terrorism and protect the younger generation from drugs in Bangladesh and in the subcontinent to proceed in the right direction. We want to transform Bangladesh from a developing nation to a developed nation soon," she said, while expressing hope for a strong and everlasting Indo-Bangla friendship. She also sought cooperation from all the countries in the subcontinent in putting an end to militant activities. Stating that Bangladesh had frequently been hurt by armed coups, Hasina said, "Unlike India, which has a long-cherished tradition of democratic principles, we had suffered frequently from armed coups and that had slowed down the process of development. Since the Awami League came to power, we are fighting the issues of under-development, poverty and illiteracy." She added that Bangladesh had accorded the highest priority to education and setting up universities and institutions to encourage all modern disciplines, including engineering, medicine, computer science and digital studies, despite limited resources. The country had steadily improved its literacy rate, from 66 per cent in 2009 to 72 per cent now, Hasina said. The Bangladesh prime minister, who is on a two-day visit to West Bengal, had yesterday sought the cooperation of all to put pressure on Myanmar to take back the around 11 lakh Rohingya refugees, who have been given shelter in her country on "humanitarian grounds". Expressing gratitude to India for standing beside Bangladesh in the 1971 Liberation War, Hasina said, "We will never forget that you gave shelter to one crore refugees from Bangladesh then." "India had trained our Muktijoddhas (freedom fighters) and helped us in the liberation war. India had given shelter to those fighting against the Pakistani army in 1971. We will never forget your help," she added. Despite the division of Bengal, two of its greatest poets -- Rabindranath Tagore and Kazi Nazrul Islam -- could not be divided along geographical boundaries and communal lines, Hasina said. Like the Kazi Nazrul University in West Bengal, several universities and institutions in Bangladesh were named after Nazrul, she added. "There is a Nazrul Institute in Dhaka, where he (Nazrul) had spent his last days. This was to preserve his memory, music and contributions. I think the Kazi Nazrul University here can work with institutions in Bangladesh to take forward the research on his works," Hasina said. The Bangladesh prime minister added that she had agreed to receive the D.Litt from the university as it was named after Bangladesh's national poet, Nazrul, whose 119th birth anniversary was observed today. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today alleged that banks did not implement in a proper manner, and said people could not receive benefits to the desired extent owing to it. Addressing a quarterly review meeting of state-level bankers' committee here, Kumar also made an indirect reference to recent scams like the PNB fraud, stating that big defaulters were able to obtain huge loans and escape from the country, while the poor had to face stringent recovery steps. "Banks are so strict in recovering amounts lent to small-scale borrowers. Why the same strictness is not shown in the case of big defaulters?" he wondered. Kumar, the JD(U) president, had come out in support of the measure when he was in the Grand Alliance comprising the RJD and the Congress. "I had supported note ban. But because of the role played by banks, people could not be benefited to the extent they should have. People deposited huge amounts in scrapped currency and the money was laundered," he said. Kumar expressed resentment over the "lack of cooperation from banks" despite the Bihar government's offer of a guarantee of Rs 160 for every Rs 100 borrowed for the state students' credit card scheme. "You (bankers) should understand that banks have the responsibility of helping governments to ensure that pro-poor measures bring desired benefits to the people. Your role does not get over with borrowing, lending and recovering," the CM said. "You must also pay some attention to the abysmally low, 50 per cent, credit-deposit ratio in Bihar," he said. Speaking to reporters later, Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi dismissed suggestions that Kumar's comments were tantamount to saying that had failed in achieving its objective. "That is a completely wrong interpretation. The chief minister did not say that demonetisation has failed. Rather he said that the role of some of the bankers was not right during its implementation phase... there had been reports of irregular deposits of demonetised currency in banks," Sushil Modi said. The deputy CM, however, lauded banks' for achieving 91 per cent of the target of Annual Credit Plan (ACP) of Rs 1.10 lakh crore in 2017-18. "Of the total Annual Credit Plan of Rs 1.10 lakh crore in 2017-18, banks distributed loans of Rs 99,934 crore which is 90.85 per cent of its target. It was 87.9 per cent in the fiscal 2016-17," he said. Sushil Modi, who also holds finance and commercial taxes departments, said that banks have been given the target of disbursing loans to the tune of Rs 1.30 lakh crore in the current fiscal. Banks have been asked to review those districts which have achieved less than 80 per cent of their ACP target, he said. A total of 30.4 million bank accounts have been opened in the state so far, including 6.326 million in 2017-18 under the Prime Minister Jan Dhan Yojana, Sushil Modi said, adding, Rs 105.59 billion has been deposited in these accounts. Talking about the MUDRA scheme, the deputy CM said that Rs 95.98 billion has been distributed among 10.1 million beneficiaries in the state, which is almost double the target of Rs 53.75 billion. Referring to people facing difficulties in depositing coins at banks, Sushil Modi said that RBI Regional Director, Patna, N P Topno has clarified that there is no limit or restrictions in depositing coins. Pilgrims booking a helicopter package for Chardham yatra have to shell out 15-16 per cent more following a hike in royalties and parking charges by authorities in Uttarakhand, evoking a strong protest from the Business Aircraft Operator Association (BAOS). The association has demanded immediate withdrawal of the "unlawful order" issued by the Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority (UCADA). The move has increased the price of the package per passenger from about Rs 1.6-1.7 lakh to about Rs 1.85-1.95 with the imposition of royalty which comes to Rs 25,000 after the hike in landing and parking charges. Terming the move as "abrupt" and "unreasonable", the BAOA said the order has been made without the legally-mandatory stakeholders' consultation process as enshrined in the National Civil Aviation Policy (NCAP) 2016. Apart from the Rs 25,000 as royalty, the order has raised parking charges at hanger from Rs 1,000 to Rs 5,000 in the helipads. In Badrinath, Kharshali, Badkot, for each landing, the charges has been raised to Rs 5,000, an official said. The order was issued on May 12, about two weeks after the yatra begun, forcing pilgrims, who had already made their bookings, to pay the additional charges. Over one lakh pilgrims have already booked for the yatra. "This sudden decision, of levying royalty charges, has shocked the pilgrims and adversely affected the existing plans of those who had booked helicopters in advance for the yatra," BAOA managing director Captain R K Bali said. The order of the Uttarakhand government not only compromises the mission of National Civil Aviation Policy but also negates the government's efforts of taking flying to the masses by making it affordable and convenient, he said. "We strongly urge UCADA to revoke the order with immediate effect, rationalise all applicable charges such as landing and parking in line with NCAP 2016 and existing orders of AERA to boost Regional Connectivity Scheme and consider providing subsidy for Chardham yatra to boost pilgrimage tourism in the state," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Marking the fourth anniversary of the BJP-led NDA government, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said people have put a seal of approval on its performance while party chief Amit Shah asserted that its return to power in 2019 is not a challenge but a certainty. As the top two ruling party leaders went all out to highlight the government's achievements and mock their rivals, the opposition launched a scathing attack against the dispensation with the Congress releasing a booklet 'India betrayed' and alleging that Modi and Shah were harmful for the country. Modi addressed a rally to mark the anniversary of his government and chose Odisha, a state high on his party's agenda for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. He said his government's fight against corruption has sent "shivers down the spines of many who have come on one platform", a reference to opposition parties which have been in talks to put up a united fight against the ruling alliance. At the rally in Cuttack, the prime minister said his government is moving on the correct path and people have put their seal of approval on it as he noted that his party is in power in 20 states. It shows that people have endorsed the NDA's performance in the last four years, he said. The country is moving towards "susashan" (good governance) from "kusashan" (bad governance) and towards "jandhan" (public money) from "kaladhan" (black money), he said and claiming that the Congress is always driven by power. Shah addressed a press conference in the national capital to reel out figures to highlight the government's achievements. He claimed that Modi has been working to remove corruption and poverty while accusing the opposition of having a single-point Modi hatao' (remove Modi) agenda. He listed details of its "successes" and heaped scorn on the likely challenge from Rahul Gandhi-led Congress, saying he may have declared himself a prime ministerial candidate but his bid has not got the support from even his party colleagues, let alone other opposition leaders. Projecting Modi as the "most popular and most hardworking prime minister with unending energy", Shah said he replaced the UPA's "policy paralysis" with a "policy-driven" government working for the poor and an improved economy. The prime minister has also raised the country's esteem in the world, he said. As Shah went hard at them, Congress leaders hit back with Ghulam Nabi Azad, Ashok Gehlot and Randeep Surjewala claiming that an atmosphere of fear and hatred has been created under the BJP-led NDA rule. "People now know that Modi-Amit Shah duo is harmful for the country. Four years of the Modi government can be defined in four terms -- treachery, trickery, revenge and lies," AICC communication's in-charge Surjewala said. Referring to alleged atrocities on Dalits, tribals, minorities and women, Azad, the Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, said, "Nobody is safe in India under the BJP government. Everyone is getting sleepless nights." The Congress released the 'India betrayed' booklet on the four years of the BJP's "misrule", both in English and Hindi, and asked a set of 40 questions to the prime minister. Modi and Shah are "harmful" for the country after four years of the NDA rule, it said, describing its tenure as a period of "treachery, trickery, revenge and lies". BJP leader and Union minister Arun Jaitley launched a blistering attack on the Congress and "maverick and temperamental" leaders of regional parties like the TMC, DMK and BSP, and said the debate till the 2019 polls would be "Modi versus an anarchist combination". In a Facebook post, Jaitley, who is recuperating in AIIMS after a kidney transplant, said that the electoral prospects of the Congress are narrowing with the party is shrinking to a fringe. Attacking the Congress, Shah said under the UPA government, scams worth Rs 12 lakh crores made headlines while during the Modi dispensation, development works have done so. He also took a dig at the Congress, saying that those who imposed the Emergency, imprisoned more than a lakh people and silenced the media are now talking of an atmosphere of fear and the freedom of media. Asked about the 'achche din' (good days) promised by the BJP-led ruling alliance when it came to power, Shah said the government has "done a lot to fulfil its promises in four years and one year is still left". Playing down the challenge from a united opposition, he said people are standing by Modi like a rock and the prime minister's of performance will prevail over those promoting of dynasty, casteism and appeasement. The BJP president said the honour of the prime minister's chair had hit rock bottom under the Congress-led UPA, as he took a dig at former prime minister Manmohan Singh, remarking that Modi does not need to seek anybody's permission before taking a decision. Singh was often accused by critics of being guided by then Congress president Sonia Gandhi in his decisions. "The Congress will not decide about the dignity of the prime minister's chair. People have done it. They have replaced its 14 state governments (with the BJP)," he said. Asked if he saw a challenge from a united opposition or Rahul Gandhi in 2019, Shah said there is no challenge and the government's return to power is a certainty. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Haryana Congress today lashed out at the BJP government at the Centre on its fourth anniversary, alleging that it has betrayed all sections of the society and the dispensation has proved to be "anti-farmer". As part of the Congress' "Betrayal Day" to mark four years of the Modi government, workers of the party's Haryana unit held a demonstration here. Senior vice president of Haryana Congress Sneh Lata Ahalawat and the party's State Coordinator of IT cell Raghav Vij got their heads shaved in protest against the BJP dispensation at the Centre. "During these four years, all sections of the society have been betrayed by the BJP government," Haryana Congress chief Ashok Tanwar alleged. Terming the Modi government "anti-farmer", he said, "The cost of input has increased but the return to farmers for their crops has decreased. As per RBI report the Rural Wage Growth which was 38 per cent in 2014, has come down to zero per cent in 2018. The slogan of doubling farmers' income by 2022 is merely a 'Jumla' (gimmickry)." The BJP's promise of giving farmers cost plus fifty per cent for their agricultural produce also proved to be a "white lie", Tanwar alleged. "The Fasal Bima Yojna benefited the insurance companies and not the farmers. The profit of insurance companies has risen to Rs 14,828 crore, whereas the compensation paid to the farmers has been merely Rs 5,650 crore," he claimed. "The youth was promised by the prime minister that they will get two crore jobs every year, but only 4.16 lakh jobs were created in 2016-17 and the number of unemployed youth in February 2018 swelled to 3.10 crore," Tanwar said and alleged that the demonetization resulted in loss of 15 lakhs jobs. The Haryana Congress chief said all sections of the society are suffering due to rise in petrol and diesel prices which have "crossed all reasonable limits". "The price of petrol was Rs 76.61 a litre in 2014 when the crude price was USD 107.09 per barrel and now when the crude price is USD 76.43 per barrel, the petrol price has jumped beyond Rs 80 per litre," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Asserting that BJP's return to power in 2019 is "not a challenge but a certainty", its president Amit Shah today projected the next Lok Sabha polls as a contest between Prime Minister Narendra Modi's efforts to "remove corruption and poverty" and the Opposition's single-point agenda of 'Modi Hatao'. On the Modi government's fourth anniversary, Shah listed details of its "successes" and heaped scorn on the likely challenge from Rahul Gandhi-led Congress, saying he may have declared himself a prime ministerial candidate but his bid has not got support from even his party colleagues, let alone other opposition leaders. Projecting Modi as the "most popular and most hardworking prime minister with unending energy", Shah said he replaced the UPA's policy paralysis with a policy-driven government working for the poor and improved economy while also raising the country's esteem in the world. Asked about the 'achche din' (good days) promised by the BJP-led ruling alliance when it came to power, Shah said the government has "done a lot to fulfil its promises in four years and one year is still left. The BJP president came down heavily on the Opposition saying a shocking change has happened in the country's politics with those against the prime minister resorting to lies and speaking it loudly all the time. "This is something new I am seeing and the Opposition seems to have decided to continue with this tactic till the 2019 polls... Its one-point agenda is 'Modi hatao' (replace Modi) while the BJP and Modi want to remove disorder, corruption and poverty to usher in stability and development," Shah said at a press conference. Playing down the challenge from a united opposition, he said people are standing by Modi like a rock and the prime minister's politics of performance will prevail over those promoting politics of dynasty, casteism and appeasement. Taking on the Congress, which has accused the government of peddling lies and Modi of harming the dignity of his chair, Shah said the BJP is ready for a debate over facts and figures about the Centre's achievements. Countering the charges, the BJP president said the honour of the prime minister's chair had hit rock bottom under the Congress-led UPA, as he took a dig at former prime minister Manmohan Singh, remarking that Modi does not need to seek anybody's permission before taking a decision. Singh was often accused by critics of being guided by the then Congress president Sonia Gandhi in his decisions. "The Congress will not decide about the dignity of the prime minister's chair. People have done it. They have replaced its 14 state governments (with BJP)," he said. Asked if he saw a challenge from a united opposition or Rahul Gandhi in 2019, Shah said there is no challenge and its return to power is a certainty. Referring to Gandhi's comments during the Karnataka assembly polls that he may be prime minister if his party gets the required numbers, Shah said no Congress leader came out in support of his statement, nor did opposition leaders like Sharad Pawar, Mamata Banerjee or Akhilesh Yadav. Asked if the government has delivered on its promises, he said it has made successful efforts to change the lives of 22 crore families, referring to welfare schemes like providing LPG cylinder, houses, electricity and toilets among others to the poor, as also efforts to improve the country's economy and security of its borders. Whatever be the opposition's lies, those who have befitted from the government schemes will remember it, he said, underlining his party's welfare plank. To a question about the Telugu Desam Party leaving the NDA and the saffron party's turbulent relations with another key ally Shiv Sena, Shah said he wants its alliance with Sena to continue and added that 11 new parties, including Nitish Kumar-led JD(U), have joined the ruling bloc. He also discounted the likely challenge from SP-BSP alliance in UP, saying the media had declared the grouping of "two boys", a reference to SP chief Akhilesh Yadav and Gandhi, a winner in the state assembly poll before the results came, but it was the BJP that swept the election. Shah also said that the BJP's win in 104 seats in Karnataka is a good sign of its expansion in south India. Asked about Pakistan's continued support to terrorism in Kashmir despite Indian Army's operations, including surgical strike, and if war was an option, he said, "War is the last resort. It is not an option. Maximum number of terrorists have been killed in the last four years." Shah also said the government is also working on long-term policy to deal with soaring petroleum prices. He claimed that in three years of the UPA rule, petrol and diesel prices were as high as they are now. He also maintained the BJP's position on the Ram temple issue, saying it wants the issue to be resolved either through courts or dialogue. Stating that no village is without power now, Shah said the government recently covered 16800 villages, which had over 50 per cent Dalit population, with its seven welfare schemes, Jan Dhan bank account, toilets and LPG cylinder for all homes, and will cover 65000 villages by August 15. The Modi government ended an era of instability and has delivered on its two key promises, that it will work for the poor, Dalits, tribals, backwards, farmers and village, and that it will raise India's esteem in the world. It has fulfilled both, he said. Bahujan Samaj Party president Mayawati today told her partymen that though the BSP was discussing alliances with other parties for future polls in Uttar Pradesh and other states, they should be prepared for any situation. "Although talks are underway for poll alliances in Uttar Pradesh and other states, you have to remain prepared for facing any situation in your respective states at all levels," she said at a meeting here of national-level office bearers here. She said the stand of the party while entering into any alliance in any election has been to get a respectable share of the seats to contest. Otherwise, it sees fighting on its own as a better option, she said. Mayawati, who was part of the show of unity among opposition parties at the swearing-in ceremony of Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy, said after the debacle in that state the BJP government may advance the Lok Sabha elections. The BSP chief effected a major reshuffle within her party, appointing R S Kushwaha as the Uttar Pradesh unit president in place of Ram Achal Rajbhar who has now been appointed as the BSP national general secretary and made coordinator for three states. But Mayawati made it clear that she would lead the BSP for the next 20 to 22 years, telling partymen that nobody needed to dream of becoming the party president. The BSP president, who had come in for criticism after she made her younger brother Anand Kumar vice president, also announced changes in party constitution to check nepotism. She said no close relatives of the national president will be given any position in the party in their lifetime. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Campaigning for the Tharali Assembly bypoll came to a close today with major contenders in the fray the BJP and Congress vying with each other to reach out to voters through roadshows and public meetings. Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat held two public meetings at Deval Bazar, Chamoli and Bhagoti in Narayanbagad to drum up support for BJP candidate Munni Devi on the last day of campaigning Trivendra Singh Rawat's predecessor Harish Rawat also addressed several poll meetings besides attending roadshows and rallies in different parts of the constituency to mobilise support for Congress nominee Jeetram Shah. Though there are five candidates in the fray including two from the left parties and one independent, the BJP and Congress appear to be locked in a straight contest on the reserved (SC) seat. Infact the saffron party has fielded its sitting MLA's widow from the seat in the hope of getting the sympathy votes. BJP legislator from Tharali, Magan Lal Shah, died of an illness earlier this year which necessitated bypoll to the seat. "People from Ghat to Deval are unhappy with the state government's performance. This is going to work in favour of our candidate. We hope to win with a margin of more than 5,000 votes at the moment which may even be bigger," Harish Rawat told PTI soon after addressing a poll meeting in Narayanbagad. "Residents of all the villages where I went are angry with the government. Their expectations from the much publicised 'double engine' government have been dashed and they feel cheated. "Growing price-rise, non-availability of foodgrains on time have caused so much anger among the people, especially women which will sure have a bearing on the poll verdict in Tharali," the former chief minister claimed. Pradesh Congress committee secretary Sushil Rawat, who has been active in the of the area, said people have made up their mind about voting for development this time. "They feel disappointed when they compare work done by the previous government in the constituency and what has been done by the present government," he said. The BJP on the other hand hopes to reap a rich harvest banking primarily on sympathy votes as well as what its government has done for the constituency in the last one year of its tenure. Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat today said strengthening rural economy by generating employment opportunities for the rural populace at their doorsteps and stopping migration is central to the state government's policies. "India is a country of villages and strengthening villages is also our strategic requirement," he said citing the example of Ghesh in the constituency which has emerged as the first digital village in the hills. Describing residents of the border district of Chamoli in which Tharali is located as soldiers of the second line of defence, the Chief Minister said one lakh walnut trees have been planted by locals at Malari which are very lucrative. People are being encouraged by the government to take bank loans and begin their own trade, he said. Pradesh BJP Yuva Morcha team member Mohan Singh Negi said, Munni Deviis getting overwhelming support of people in Ghat, Deval and Tharali development blocks especially women whoturn up in large numbers at all her rallies. It shows they identify with her. "Apart from that the Modi government's four years in office and the state government's one year tenure will also earn her votes," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Meghna Srivastava, who has topped the CBSE Class 12 examination, is a fan of thriller series, loves baking cakes to beat stress and looks up to Meghan Markle. She topped the CBSE Class 12 examination by getting 99.8%. She secured 499 marks out of 500. Srivastava hails from Noida and studied at the Step By Step School there. She scored 99 in English (Core), while in other subjects --Psychology, History, Geography and Economics -- she scored 100. Srivastava said that the pre-boards helped her prepare for the exams well and she solved a lot of question papers of the previous years to prepare for the exams. "I have been very consistent and I would plan my revisions. I did not over pressurise myself . I always focussed on my timelines and never indulged in studying at the last moment," she told PTI. Srivastava's mother, who works as an HR head for a Gurgaon-based MNC, said that they never forced her to study hard. "I was always worried that she should eat well. We did not pressurise her and I always insisted that she take breaks in between studying," her mother said. Srivastava enjoyed watching shows on Amazon Prime and Netflix. She watched Suits, The Royals, The Crown during breaks and would bake cakes to beat exam stress. While she was not active on Facebook, she liked posting pictures on Instagram. Her mother said that she loved listening music and reading non-fiction books. Srivastava said that she intends to pursue psychology and has plans to pursue her further studies at The University of British Columbia. She was one of the students who was affected after the paper leak and had to appear for a retest, which she said was "quite frustrating". "I was very frustrated after the about paper leak had emerged and a retest was announced. Despite studying so hard, we had to suffer. But gradually I settled down and decided to study four-five days before the retest," she said. Srivastava believes in feminism and looks up to Meghan Markle, the newly-married Duchess of Sussex, who has been an advocate of women empowerment. She said that she was one of the leaders in a community service project of her school. "My school had adopted a village in Uttarakhand as part of a community service project. We took a trip of two-three days where we set up a 'gaushala' in the village and also taught students, which was quite an enriching experience," she said. She is the only child of her parents and her father works with a private university. Srivastava is the niece of former CBI director Anil Sinha, who said that she has always been a bright student. "She has always been a very bright and studious girl. She has brought laurels to our family and we are proud of her," Sinha said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Central Board of Secondary Edcuation today operationalised a helpline for students to battle post-result stress. The CBSE announced its Class 12 results today with an overall pass percentage of 83.01 per cent as against last year's 82.02 per cent. "The CBSE has also set up special counselling facility for dealing with post-result anxiety. There are 69 counsellors, principals and special educators, who will be assisting the caller on any issue pertaining to post-exam anxiety," said Rama Sharma, senior public relations officer, CBSE. Out of the 69 counsellors, 49 are in India, including two special educators, while 20 experts are located in Nepal, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (Al-Khobar, Jeddah), Oman, the UAE (Dubai, Sharjah, RasAl-Khaimah), Kuwait, Singapore and Qatar. The helpline will be functional from 8 AM to 10 PM on all days till June 9. The CBSE will be providing counselling services to students and parents to overcome common psychological problems and general queries related to Class 10 and 12 results, the board said. A tweet from the official Twitter handle of the board said, "Be Positive #CBSE Exam Results Result is not the ultimate decisive factor. Explore and choose the next option. Being positive is always the first step to success." There were other messages too which asked the students to not indulge in criticism or comparison. "#CBSE Exam Results: Good is that many students do better after school because of maturity and greater focus, increased awareness level and exposure to options. Avoid criticising or comparing with others. Be realistic. Remember, exams are not the end of the world," the board tweeted. In another message, the board asked the students to be positive and look forward to the future. "#Be Positive #CBSE Exam Results Counselling: Examination Results are a spring board to future achievements, better prospects and scope for improvement. Whatever be the result, you have done your best. Now prepare for your future," another tweet said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has dubbed the Congress as a divided house saying many of its leaders are being seen as chief ministerial hopefuls, and asserted that the BJP will retain power for a fourth consecutive term on the basis of its performance. With the assembly election due later this year and the Congress seeking to corner him over the issue of farm distress, Chouhan accused the rival party of instigating the farmers and claimed that his government had provided them maximum relief. Seeking to turn the tables on the Congress, Chouhan made light of its efforts to put up a united front by accommodating several state satraps in its poll campaign in various capacities. "In different regions, we hear 'abki baar, Scindia Sarkar (this time, a government led by Scindia)', 'abki baar, Kamal Nath Sarkar', 'abki baar, Bhuria Sarkar'," he said referring to senior Congress leaders belonging to MP -- Jyotiraditya Scindia, Kamal Nath and Kantilal Bhuria. He said the farmers in MP faced problems due to bumper harvest and fall in prices and that his government was working on a plan to suggest them about how much of a particular crop to be grown in a season. "Farmers have problems but the government is working to solve them," he said in an interaction with a group of journalists at his residence here yesterday. He also accused the Congress of instigating farmers in the state. "Congress is trying hard to create violent incidents in the state. Farmers are selling wheat and gram in mandis (wholesale markets) and they are instigating them. The Opposition is indulging in negative and trying not to allow anything to happen peacefully," the chief minister said. Elections are not won by "faces and names", they are won through performance, Chouhan said. "In the past few years, incredible work has been done in MP. We have managed to extricate the state from the 'BIMARU' category. Congress may try its best but we will form the government (again) in the state," he asserted. Farmers are not "unhappy" with the BJP and they are supporting the party, he claimed. Chouhan become the chief minister of Madhya Pradesh in November 2005 by replacing Babulal Gaur. Under his stewardship, the BJP managed to win 165 of the 230 assembly seats in the state in the last election in 2013. Referring to Congress president Rahul Gandhi's temple visits, Chouhan said that there was difference between show-off and genuine faith. "Hindutva is Hindutva there is no soft or hard Hindutva. People observe everything minutely. Such thinks won't matter," he said. BJP has its road map for elections ready and it will go to the people telling them about its performance and future plans, he said. He, however, refused to comment on survey reports claiming an edge to the Congress over the BJP in the run-up to the election in his state. "I cannot comment on any survey. But people will vote to form a government. If there is anti-incumbency against anyone (MLA) on a seat, the party will take a decision," he said. Talking about his sobriquet 'Mama', Chouhan said that the girls started to refer him as maternal uncle due to benefits derived by them because of 'Ladli Lakshmi Yojna', aimed at improvement in their educational and economic status. "Then boys started to call me 'Mama' because of cycles provided to them and schemes for them. Now, even the elderly call me 'Mama'," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Congress workers today held protests over the "failed rule" of the BJP which is celebrating the fourth anniversary of its government at the Centre. Delhi Congress workers led by Ajay Maken took out a protest march from Jai Singh Road towards Parliament. "This march is to expose the betrayal of the country by the Modi government and also to mark its fourth death anniversary," Maken said. There will be no need to do so next year as the Congress will be celebrating its victory on May 26, said the Delhi Congress president. The frontal organisation of the party including the Indian Youth Congress, All India Mahila Congress, Seva Dal and NSUI jointly held a protest at Raisina Road on the day. The protest march began with all the frontal heads addressing the gathering on various challenging issues being faced by the country. They guided protestors by showcasing the roadmap for a healthy, constructive, democratic and secular government in 2019, a spokesperson of the Youth Congress said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The police have released a man, who was detained yesterday for breaching the security cordon of Prime Minister Narendra Modi at an event at the Visva Bharati University campus here, after a thorough investigation, a senior officer said today. Swapan Majhi, a resident of Hooghly district, had managed to climb up to the dais to present a portrait of Rabindranath Tagore to the prime minister. "He was detained by the police. Later, a team of police and central agencies questioned him. We checked his credentials. He had somehow managed to get a pass for the convocation ceremony (of the university)," Superintendent of Police (SP), Birbhum, Sudhir Kumar, said. "We are checking how did he manage to get the pass. We have released him after questioning," another senior police officer said. As Modi was about to leave the venue after the convocation ceremony yesterday, the man had suddenly climbed up to the dais to give him the portrait. The prime minister had taken the portrait and handed it over to his securitymen. The Special Protection Group (SPG) personnel had caught hold of the man and removed him from the dais. Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had left the dais by then. Multi-layered security arrangements were put in place in Santiniketan in view of the visit of the high-profile dignitaries, including West Bengal Governor K N Tripathi. "I have seen the incident, I was present on the dais then. I don't know the man," the Officiating Vice-Chancellor of Visva Bharati University, Sabujkali Sen, had told PTI yesterday. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A court here today convicted gangster Abu Salem for demanding Rs five crore as protection money from a Delhi-based businessman in 2002. Additional Sessions Judge Tarun Sehrawat held Salem guilty of extortion and criminal intimidation and posted the matter to July 30 for hearing arguments on the quantum of sentence. The court, however, acquitted the other accused -- Chanchal Mehta, Majid Khan, Pawan Kumar Mittal and Mohammad Ashraf -- citing lack of evidence against them. One of the accused, Sajjan Kumar Soni, had died during the trial. In the extortion case lodged in Delhi, it was alleged that Salem had demanded Rs five crore as protection money from businessman Ashok Gupta, a resident of Greater Kailash in south Delhi, in 2002. Salem was convicted under sections 387 (putting person in fear of death or of grievous hurt, in order to commit extortion), 506 (criminal intimidation) and 507 (criminal intimidation by an anonymous communication) of the Indian Penal Code. He faces a maximum punishment of seven years in jail. Advocate M S Khan, appearing for Salem, had denied the allegations levelled against his client and contended that the trial in the case violated the order by which the gangster was extradited from Portugal to India. Salem, who was extradited from Portugal in November 2005, is facing various other cases, including those related to the 1993 Mumbai blasts. He is currently in judicial custody. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A Jodhpur court has granted interim bail for three days to the three main accused in the 2011 abduction and murder case of Bhanwari Devi in Rajasthan. The trial court granted bail to Malkhan Singh Bishnoi, Parasram Bishnoi and their sister Indira Bishnoi to allow them to attend a condolence meeting of their aunt at their ancestral Tilwasni village near Jodhpur. The bail period begins today and the trio would have to return to the authorities by the evening of May 28. "All this period, they will remain under strict police watch," the government counsel said. The case had grabbed headlines in 2011 after the name of then Rajasthan minister Mahipal Maderna had cropped up in connection with the killing of Bhanwari Devi. Bhanwari Devi, posted as an auxiliary nurse midwife at a sub-centre in Jaliwada village, around 120 km from Jodhpur, had gone missing on September 1, 2011. She disappeared after a CD allegedly showing Maderna in compromising position with the 36-year-old nurse was aired by some television channels. The CBI had said Bhanwari Devi was allegedly abducted from Jodhpur's Bilara area and killed. Her body was handed over to another gang which burnt it in a limestone quarry and dumped the remains in a canal, the agency alleged. Maderna, who represented Osian assembly constituency, was arrested on December 2, 2011 in Jodhpur by the CBI along with Parasram Bishnoi, brother of Malkhan Singh. Rajasthan Police arrested Indira Bishnoi from Madhya Pradesh in June last year. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A city court today directed the police to submit an action taken report on a complaint filed by Delhi Environment Minister Imran Hussain against Chief Secretary Anshu Prakash alleging that he was mobbed by the officials and the staff, a day after the purported assault on the CS. Metropolitan Magistrate Abhilash Malhotra directed the investigating officer to file the report by June 5. The complaint filed by Hussain also urged the court to summon the CS and other government officials, who were allegedly involved in the incident, as accused. Advocate Mohd Irshad, appearing for Hussain, urged the court to direct the police to take sanction from the authorities concerned to prosecute the accused as they were government officials. After the incident related to alleged assault on the chief secretary at Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's residence, Hussain had filed the complaint with the Delhi police. Hussain had claimed that on February 20, a day after the alleged assault on the chief secretary, he was mobbed by the officials and staff of Delhi government who raised slogans and prevented him from taking the elevator to his 6th floor office at Secretariat. He claimed that he was restrained from going to his office and his mobile phone was snatched during the incident. Prakash was allegedly assaulted during a meeting at Kejriwal's official residence on February 19. Two Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLAs -- Amantullah Khan and Prakash Jarwal --were arrested in the case. Police have already questioned Kejriwal, his deputy Manish Sisodia and 11 AAP MLAs who were present at the chief minister's residence for the meeting. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Lavanya Jha, who has come third among the differently abled students in the CBSE Class 12 examination, says she did not let partial visual impairment bog her down and come in the way of her aspirations. Jha scored 97.4 per cent in the board examination. For her, preparation for the examination began two years ago when she shifted to Delhi from Patna. "I left my parents and my home. I stayed in a hostel. The course I wanted to pursue was not available in Patna and that's why I had to move to Delhi for my Class 11 and 12," Jha told PTI. Jha said she also gave up watching television to focus on her examination. "I gave up TV. I used to enjoy watching songs. I don't think I like watching TV any more now," she said. The DPS R K Puram student is 40 per cent visually impaired and her impairment was diagnosed in 2014. "I did not let it affect me. I thought it would be better if I did not pay much heed to it. I ignored it and did not consider it as a hindrance," she said. "I got extra time to write my exams and and the question papers had a larger font. Even in school, I used to get extra time," she said. Jha said that she used to study for three-four hours for her exams. She now intends to pursue Psychology (Hons) from Lady Shri Ram College. The student from Delhi Public School said the feeling of being among the toppers has not sunk in yet. "I have been giving interviews and it's been tiring. But I am happy," she said. Jha's father works as a compliance officer with a private bank in Patna, while her mother is a homemaker. Jha's elder sister, Shreya, is pursuing law in Delhi, and was one of the reasons why her parents were not worried about the safety of their younger daughter while she was in Delhi. "I am pursuing law from IP University. My parents were assured that I am there to take care of my sister," Shreya said. The topper among the differently abled students was Vijay Ganesh from Palakkad, Kerala, securing 98.4 per cent. Pooja Kumari, from Dehradun, stood second among the differently abled students with 97.8 per cent. A total of 141 candidates in the differently abled category scored 90 per cent and above marks. Twenty five candidates in the differently abled category scored 95 per cent and above. The CBSE announced Class 12 board results today. The overall pass percentage was 83.01 per cent as against last year's 82.02 per cent. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Lt Governor Anil Baijal today said doctor-patient understanding was must for providing better healthcare and the doctors should empathise with the patients and their families. Speaking at a national seminar organised by the Indian Medical Association, Baijal said with changing times there is a paradigm shift in the doctor-patient relationship and better understanding will only lead to an improved doctor patient relationship along with empathy from the doctors. "Aggression and impatience along with anger and agitation, among the young generation is solely responsible for the declining doctor-patient relationship," he said. Baijal further said the basic trust on doctors needs to be restored and consent plays a pivotal role in doctor patient relationship. "More proactive compliance to a strong code of ethics will ensure that justice is done. To state emphatically, violence too has no place and no reason can justify any sort of threat or intimidation to the medical professionals by the patients and their families. "According to a recent Global study, Doctors consultation in India on an average is less than two minutes for diagnosis and prescription. Such a short duration cannot establish any meaningful relation between the doctor and patient, which is one of the biggest problems that need to be resolved. an IMA statement quoted Baijal. IMA organised the seminar in the wake of increasing cases of attacks on doctors, nurses and hospital staff. The healthcare professionals in India are the worst sufferers because of healthcare violence. It is beyond any doubt that the stress in the workplace have started affecting the quality of healthcare and acceptance of patients. "Doctors are living in fearful environment in their workplace," said Dr Ravi Wankhedkar, National President IMA The violence against medical fraternity need to be addressed by all concerned and the government need to play important role. While our medical fraternity is taking onus of healthcare from government, the onus of protection of the serving fraternity lies with the Government, he added. The situation in India has reached a critical stage and warrants immediate intervention from the government by bringing in a strong and effective Central Medicare Act. 17 states have legislations against violence on doctors and hospitals. "But the poor implementation, inadequate knowledge of police personnel, weak clauses makes these state Acts absolutely ineffective, said Dr Vinay Aggarwal, Past National President, IMA. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) "Grey's Anatomy" star Ellen Pompeo has revealed she was robbed while on a vacation in Italy. The 48-year-old actor took to Instagram to share how she had her purse snatched by a thief. "My purse was stolen from right under my nose! I blame the rose! But Grazia to whoever stole it for dropping it on the street exactly intact. "I was tracking my phone and chasing you down... had I caught you... it would not have ended well for you... I am nice but let's not forget my heritage... NAPOLITANO," Pompeo wrote. Italy police saw the actor's Instagram post and appreciated her supportive message. "Thankyou @EllenPompeoGreysAnatomy Happy to know the Police in Florence helped you," the department wrote online. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) On the fourth anniversary of the BJP-led NDA government today, Senior Congress leader Oommen Chandy shot off an array of questions to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on issues ranging from the fuel price hike to the Lokpal Bill. In a tweet, Chandy requested Modi to "be kind enough to answer a few questions" on the occasion of his completing four years as prime minister. The former Kerala chief minister wanted Modi to answer when would people start getting petrol for Rs 40 per litre, as promised by him, and sought to know where was the list of those who had stashed black money abroad. He also wanted to know the current status of the prime minister's high-profile programmes, including "Make in India", "Swachh Bharat Abhiyan" and the Lokpal Bill and the anti-corruption movement. "What is the current status of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan? Why Varanasi (PM's parliamentary constituency) became the second worst polluted city in recent surveys?" Chandy asked. Besides, he wanted to know how many jobs had been created due to "Make in India" and if the country had benefited from demonetisation. The two-time Kerala chief minister also posted questions to the prime minister regarding the alleged data leakage from the Aadhaar database. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Five persons, including a minor boy, were rescued from a house where they were lodged for alleged trafficking near Rangia railway station, the police said today. Acting on a tip off, a police team raided the house and rescued the five persons yesterday, a police officer said. The trafficker who had kept the five persons in the house is absconding and a search launched to track him. On being interrogated the five told the police that they had separately come to Guwahati's business area Paltanbazar yesterday from different parts of Assam, Meghalaya and West Bengal in search of employment when an unknown man suddenly came to them and offered them jobs in biscuit and iron factories in Jammu and Kashmir. The four men in their early 20s and the minor boy about 15 years old belonging to poor families in Darjeeling in WB, Shillong in Maghalaya and Helem, Gohpur and Lakhimpur in Assam were offered Rs 8000 per month as salary and other facilities, they told the police. The unknown trafficker brought them to Rangia from Guwahati and lodged them in a room near the railway station. The police have arranged to send the five rescued persons back to their respective homes with the help of their family, he said. Rangia railway station is being used as a transit point by human traffickers due to easy communication from there to the rest of the country and Nepal, the police said. The Railway Protection Force rescued six girls, including four minors, on May 21 when they were being allegedly trafficked at Rangia railway station, five minor boys and five men on May 15, besides sixteen girls, including nine minors, early in the month from the same place, the police said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A 'campaign for dignified healthcare' launched by a forum of family members of children who died due to alleged medical negligence, has appealed the Union Health Minister J P Nadda to intervene for justice to families concerned. In a letter addressed to Nadda and Health minister of Haryana government, the forum has alleged "inadequate response and apathy" of governmental mechanisms for investigating cases of medical negligence and ensuring justice to the affected families. The campaign is spearheaded by family members of children died due to alleged medical negligence at top superspeciality hospitals in Delhi NCR, members of civil society and non governmental organisations. The letter expressed distress over "inadequate" workings of the medical negligence committees meant to investigate complaints from affected families. The Forum also charged "glaring deficiencies in the Central Clinical Establishments Act citing "absence" of a charter of patients' rights and an institution of proper, independent grievance redressal mechanisms. It has demanded justice to four families affected due to medical negligence through a review of the outcome so far in their complaints. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A Delhi court today convicted gangster Abu Salem for demanding Rs five crore as protection money from a businessman in 2002. Additional Sessions Judge Tarun Sehrawat held Salem guilty of extortion and criminal intimidation and put up the matter for hearing arguments on quantum of sentence on July 21. In the extortion case lodged in Delhi, it was alleged that Salem had demanded Rs 5 crore as protection money from businessman Ashok Gupta, a resident of Greater Kailash in south Delhi, in 2002. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Goa has been one of the biggest beneficiaries of policies of the Narendra Modi-led government in the last four years, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar today said. Parrikar, undergoing treatment at a hospital in the US, took to Twitter to hail the NDA government's performance. He used the hashtag 'saafniyatSahiVikas' (pure intentions, right kind of development) to describe Modi's policies. "#saafniyatSahiVikas model of PM @narendramodi has been #Transformingindia for the last four years in all sectors and Goa has been one of the biggest beneficiary of the same," Parrikar tweeted. Parrikar, who served as Defence minister in the Modi-led cabinet, resigned last year to take over as the chief minister of Goa. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Gujarat Congress leader Paresh Dhanani today said the PM had failed to address the demands that he used to raise, as CM, with the UPA government. Congress workers, wearing black armbands, today observed what the party termed as "betrayal day" across the state. The party also released a booklet highlighting the Modi government's "betrayal" of the people. Dhanani, along with state Congress president Amit Chavda and Congress' state in-charge Rajiv Satav, was addressing a joint press conference here on the occasion of the fourth anniversary of the Modi government assuming power. The senior Congress leaders attacked the Modi government for failing to fulfil promises made to the public before the 2014 general elections. "When he was Gujarat chief minister, he had demanded from the UPA government that Narmada Dam project be declared as a project of national importance. He has been PM for four years now, why has it not yet been declared a project of national importance?" Dhanani, Leader of Opposition in the Gujarat Assembly, asked. Citing another example, Dhanani said that as chief minister, Modi had demanded that the Centre rename Ahmedabad railway station as "Karnavati" railway station. "Why has the name of Ahmedabad railway station not yet changed to Karnavati? And why has the headquarters of Western Railway not shifted to Ahmedabad from Mumbai as demanded by you (Modi) in the past?" he further asked. Dhanani also attacked the government over delay in the completion of Ahmedabad-Gandhinagar metro rail project. "The government talks of launching a bullet train, but the metro rail work has been going on for so long and is yet to be completed," he said. "In the last four years, the Modi government has only used marketing, money and lies to expose itself before the public. Fear is everywhere and corruption is rampant," said Satav. "Promises made by the Prime Minister four years ago have remained unfulfilled. Farmers are not even getting cost of production, while atrocities against the weak have seen a sharp increase," he further said. He charged that central agencies like CBI, IB and ED were being misused to target opponents. The Congress' state president Chavda said that the Centre had only rehashed the policies of the UPA, like FDI and GST among others, and had repackaged them as its own. Chavda alleged that no concrete steps were being taken to control corruption or price rise under which all sections of society were reeling. "Weaker sections like Dalits, women, children, farmers and tribals are under attack. The international borders are burning with jawans getting killed almost everyday," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Commerce and Industry Minister Suresh Prabhu today met his Russian counterpart Denis Manturov in St Petersburg and discussed ways to further promote trade and investments between the two countries. "India and Russia share strong trade and investment ties with more potential. We shall work together to strengthen our economic ties to create win-win for all," Prabhu said in a series of tweets. He said that businesses of both the countries have immense untapped potential of cooperation in several areas including agriculture, defence and logistics. The minister was on an official visit to Russia to participate in the St Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) 2018. Prabhu also held discussions with governor of Stavropol Vladimir Vladimirov, Russian minister for the development of far east Alexander Kozlov, and met delegations from different sectors. To promote trade, India wants Russia to explore opportunities for diamond trade here and use of national currencies for trade purposes in areas like pharmaceuticals, textiles, agricultural commodities and machinery and engineering products. According to government data, the bilateral trade between the countries increased to USD 7.5 billion in 2016-17 from USD 6.2 billion in the previous fiscal. But the trade is in the favour of Russia. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) BSP chief Mayawati today announced changes in the party constitution, which bar her brother from continuing as its vice president while letting her remain the national president till she is too old for that responsibility. Mayawati said she will continue to lead the Bahujan Samaj Party for the next 20 to 22 years, bluntly telling party leaders that nobody needed to dream of becoming the party president. Addressing a meeting here of party's national office bearers, she also announced major organisational changes and indicated that the BSP was willing to contest any coming election on its own if "respectable" seat-sharing arrangements could not be worked out. Mayawati said she had made some minor changes in the BSP constitution last year to involve her younger brother into party work on the request of party leaders. "It is unfortunate that there were reports in the media about the family being promoted in the organisation, like the Congress, she said. But my brother himself said he will work only as a common worker in the interest of the party," she added. On the changes in the party constitution, she said that no close relative of the national president will hold any position in the party. The new national president will be appointed only after the serving leader is unable to continue with field duties because of old age, she said. Also, the new BSP national president will be appointed on the advice of the outgoing leader. While mentioning the changes in the BSP constitution, she referred to the constitution during BSP founder Kanshi Ram's time, when relatives were not allowed party posts. This had upset some of Kanshi Ram's relatives, she recalled. She told party leaders that though the BSP was discussing alliances with other parties for future elections, they should be prepared for any situation. "Although talks are under way for poll alliances in Uttar Pradesh and other states, you have to remain prepared for facing any situation in your respective states at all levels," she said. She said the stand of the party while entering into an alliance in any election has been to get a respectable share of the seats to contest. Otherwise, it sees fighting on its own as a better option, she said. Mayawati, who was part of the show of unity among opposition parties at the swearing-in ceremony of Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy, said after the debacle in that state the BJP government may advance the Lok Sabha elections. The BSP chief appointed R S Kushwaha as the Uttar Pradesh unit president in place of Ram Achal Rajbhar, who is now the BSP national general secretary and made coordinator for three states. Two senior leaders Vir Singh and Jai Prakash Singh were made national coordinators, a first for the party. She told party leaders to strengthen the BSP base among the 'sarv samaj' and begin focusing on Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh where assembly elections will be held before the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. Mayawati warned them against any design to split the party vote among Dalits, Adivasi, Backwards, Muslim and other religious minorities. Earlier in the day, she slammed the Narendra Modi government, celebrating four years in office, for its "historic failure" to address issues like welfare unemployment. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) An Indian Air Force (IAF) employee was shot dead by a group of people in Bihar's Nalanda district, police said today. The incident happened at Baswanbigaha village under the jurisdiction of Bihar Sharif police station on Thursday night, the police said. He was a technician with the IAF and was posted in Karnataka, the Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) of Sadar, Nishit Priya, said. The technician had come home to the village on leave, the SDPO said. A man called Arvind Yadav along with two to three men attacked the technician's residence on Thursday night and shot him, Priya said. The seriously injured technician was taken to Sadar hospital and from there he was referred to Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH), the SDPO said, adding that the technician died on the way to the hospital. The deceased was identified as 25-year-old Suday Yadav, the SDPO said. Police are conducting raids to nab the culprits, the police officer said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Authorities in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district has warned telecom service providers to improve mobile network connectivity in the district to avoid inconvenience to the local subscribers, officials said today. Deputy Commissioner, Poonch, Mohammad Aijaz Asad has set a deadline of one month to various companies for improving the network and said in case of non-compliance, stringent action would be initiated against the network provider, they said. Asad was speaking at a meeting convened yesterday to examine the action taken post initiation of criminal proceedings against the service providers. On April 4, the deputy commissioner had initiated the criminal proceedings against various telecom operators for poor services in the district. Asad stressed on the need for developing dependable communication network in the border district for reducing reaction time of the administration in reaching out to the people in case of any eventuality. Given the frequent ceasefire violations along the Line of Control, the intermittent and unsteady network availability, coupled with poor voice quality and coverage impedes relief and rescue operations thereby hampering administrative reach out to the public, he said. Representatives of various telecommunication companies operating in the district attended the meeting to discuss the plan for improvement in the network, the officials said. The officials said the service providers briefed the meeting about the steps taken by them to improve the network connectivity with BSNL representative informing the chair that major reason for poor network is due to non-completion of the maintenance process of the optical fibre cable (OFC). He assured that within one month there would be visible improvement in the network as maintenance work is in progress, the officials said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) India and Russia have decided to increase economic cooperation between the various regions of the Russian Federation, following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's informal summit with President Vladimir Putin. Union Commerce and Industry Minister Suresh Prabhu led the Indian delegation at the St Petersburg International Economic Forum on May 24-25. Prabhu met with Russian ministers and several top business leaders representing railways, communications and media, fertilisers and start-ups. He also held meetings with Deputy Prime Minister Yury Trutnev, Minister of Transport Yevgeny Deitrich, Minister for Economic Development Maxim Oreshkin, Minister for the Development of the Far East Alexander Kozlov, and Minister of Industry and Trade Denis Manturov. Furthering the goal of increased cooperation between the various regions of the Russian Federation, Prabhu also had meetings with the regional governors of Stavropol, Yaroslavl, Udmurtia and Ingushetia. During the meetings, both sides appreciated and noted the fact that India-Russia trade has increased considerably, but was still less than the potential. The thrust of the conversations was for creating and executing a plan for increased bilateral trade and economic cooperation. Towards this end, logistics, infrastructure, knowledge-based economies, diamonds and gold were highlighted as important focus areas. In the infrastructure sector, the status of the joint study with Russian Railways on the high speed railway line between Nagpur and Secunderabad was discussed. Prabhu also highlighted the need to set up joint ventures which should participate in tenders in third countries. Knowledge-based sectors like pharmaceuticals, innovative industries, digital economies were discussed as target areas of joint cooperation. With the Russian deputy premier, the commerce minister highlighted the need for cooperation and creating a plan in areas of gold, diamond, timber and other natural resources. The visit also discussed creation of mechanisms to find complementarities and remove barriers between the economies of the two countries. The commerce minister and Minister of Economic Development Oreshkin discussed the articulation of the joint action plan on increased economic cooperation and to submit the findings of the report before the annual summit between the prime minister and the Russian president later this year. The establishment of a strategic economic dialogue between the NITI Aayog and the Russian ministry of economic development where experts from both sides would meet and discuss economic issues, which would have its first meeting later this year was also discussed. Expediting the Eurasian Economic UnionIndia negotiations on free trade agreement was also underlined. Both sides agreed that operationalising the International North South Transport Corridor would propel trade between the two countries to new heights by providing a faster and more viable trade route, and therefore should be a priority for both. Prabhu also invited the various Russian ministers, governors and corporate executives to bring a delegation of the top 100 CEOs to visit India for a summit meeting with government officials and Indian CEOs, where sector-specific industries would interact with each other to discuss and build contacts for sustained engagement. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Ireland's Indian-origin Prime Minister Leo Varadkar today declared that the country was set to make history as exit polls indicated a landslide victory for the 'Yes' vote to repeal the country's stringent abortion laws in a landmark referendum. According to an exit poll published by The Irish Times', 68 per cent voted in favour of abolishing the eighth amendment to the Irish Constitution that gives an unborn child and its mother equal rights to life. More than 4,500 voters were interviewed by Ipsos/MRBI as they left polling stations yesterday, with the highest 'Yes' vote expected in Dublin at 77 per cent. The results of the referendum will be confirmed later today after the count is completed. "It's looking like we will make history," said Varadkar, as the exit poll results poured in. While the two main parties of Ireland - Fine Gael and Fianna Fil - did not take official positions on the referendum, politicians were permitted to campaign on a personal basis and Varadkar had been campaigning strongly in favour of a Yes vote. "It has been an honour to be on this journey with you and to work #togetherforyes Thank you to everyone who voted today. Democracy in action, he said in an online message on Friday. Savethe8th - which led the 'No' campaign, has effectively conceded defeat. What Irish voters did yesterday (Friday) is a tragedy of historic proportions. However, a wrong does not become right simply because a majority support it, it said in a statement. Thousands of Irish people living abroad flew home to cast their vote in the historic referendum. The #hometovote push online grew steadily for several days leading up to the vote. The hashtag filled up social media as Irish citizens boarded planes in Buenos Aires, Bangkok, Tokyo, Sydney, Los Angeles, New York and from all across Europe and the UK. Turnout was on course to be one of the highest for a referendum in Ireland, possibly topping the 61 per cent who voted in the plebiscite that backed same-sex marriage in the country 2015. Penny Mordaunt, the UK's minister for women and equalities, welcomed the forecasted result. She tweeted, "Based on the exit poll, a historic & great day for Ireland, & a hopeful one for Northern Ireland. That hope must be met". Acknowledging an equal right to life for both the unborn child and the mother, the eighth amendment effectively prohibited termination in almost all cases, including rape, incest or fatal foetal abnormality. One of the key cases influencing the debate on abortion in Ireland was that of Indian dentist Savita Halappanavar, who died of sepsis in a hospital in Galway after being denied an abortion during a protracted miscarriage in 2012. Her husband Praveen Halappanavar had told her inquest that she requested a termination but was refused because the baby's heart was still beating. A midwife manager at Galway University Hospital confirmed that she told Halappanavar a termination could not be carried out because Ireland was a Catholic country. The inquest into her death returned a verdict of medical misadventure. I hope the people of Ireland remember my daughter Savita on the day of the referendum, and that what happened to her won't happen to any other family, her father Andanappa Yalagi said from his home in Karnataka. Her death had triggered a massive debate in the country over the issue of life-saving abortions and resulted in a new law that allows abortions under extreme circumstances. The Irish parliament voted to legalise abortion in cases of medical emergencies as well as the risk of suicide in July, 2013. The referendum this week will take that further, and if the 'Yes' vote wins, the existing article of the Constitution which was inserted in 1983 and the 1992 additions will be replaced with this text: Provision may be made by law for the regulation of termination of pregnancy. The Catholic church had strongly opposed repealing the amendment and Irish bishops warned in a joint statement that We believe that the deletion or amendment of this article can have no other effect than to expose unborn children to greater risk and that it would not bring about any benefit for the life or health of women in Ireland. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) - An Israeli soldier critically injured by a Palestinian in the occupied West Bank on Thursday died of his injuries on Saturday, an army statement said. The English-language statement said that Sergeant Ronen Lubarsky, of the Duvdevan special forces unit, died during the morning, two days after being struck on the head by a stone block thrown during an arrest raid. Palestinian sources said at the time that the block was thrown at him during a night-time operation to arrest suspects in Al-Amari refugee camp in the city of Ramallah, seat of the Palestinian Authority. The Israeli military said in Saturday's statement that the target was Palestinian militant gunmen. "The operational activity in which (Lubarsky) participated was intended to apprehend a squad of operatives who were involved in shooting attacks," it said. It added that he was promoted posthumously to the rank of Staff Sergeant. His attacker has not been identified. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed his "deep sorrow" at the soldier's death. "The security forces will reach the terrorist and the state of Israel will bring him to reckoning," a statement from his office quoted him as saying in Hebrew. Israeli forces regularly carry out night raids in Palestinian-governed parts of the West Bank to arrest Palestinians suspected of militant activities against Israel. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A day after Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy won the trust vote in the state Assembly, Karnataka Congress leaders today left for Delhi to discuss with the party high command the issues of Cabinet expansion and allocation of portfolios. The leaders, including Deputy Chief Minister and KPCC chief G Parameshwara, former chief minister Siddaramaiah and D K Shivakumar, are expected to hold discussions with Congress president Rahul Gandhi and his mother Sonia Gandhi. "All discussions will happen in Delhi... Cabinet expansion, who has to be taken, who has to be given priority...the criteria will be decided by the the high command," Parameshwara told reporters here before leaving for Delhi by a special flight. Soon after Kumaraswamy, heading the Congress-JDS government, proved majority in the Assembly, parleys began between the coalition partners regarding Cabinet expansion. According to party sources, another round of meeting took place on the issue at a private hotel here today. Among those who attended the meeting included Kumaraswamy, Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Siddaramaiah, Parameshwara and Congress general secretary in-charge of Karnataka K C Venugopal. It has already been decided that the Congress would have 22 ministers and JDS 12. Senior state Congress leader D K Shivakumar, who emerged as a key figure in keeping the party MLAs together before the trust vote of the B S Yeddyurappa government, is reportedly upset over not getting the Deputy chief minister's post. Yeddyurappa, who was sworn in as the chief minister on May 17, had stepped down two days later in the face of impending defeat without going through the floor test. Indicating that he will step down as the state party chief, Parameshwara said there are many capable leaders in the Congress for the post. "As I have become a minister, naturally I will have to give up the state party chief's post. I have held the post for about eight years now. There are many leaders in the party who are more efficient than me...They may organise the party even better if given an opportunity," he said. Discussions are also likely on a coordination committee for formulating a common minimum programme for the smooth functioning of the government, Congress sources said. The Kumaraswamy government had yesterday won the vote of confidence in the Assembly amid a walkout by BJP MLAs. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy today congratulated the BJP-led NDA government on completing four years in office. Asked whether Modi and his government had fulfilled the people's expectations, Kumaraswamy said, "Let's see, it is for the people to decide." "They have made several promises through speeches, they have discussed about big things, but they have not been able to implement is the opinion expressed by many political analysts," he told reporters here. Kumaraswamy also said he has sought an appointment with the prime minister for a meeting. "I may get an appointment.. probably tomorrow or day after tomorrow. Once I get it, I will meet him and other central ministers," he added. Meanwhile, official sources said Kumaraswamy will be meeting the Prime Minister in New Delhi on Monday at 11.30 am. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Sri Lanka's ruling United National Party today said it will support a move to abolish the executive presidential form of government. Yes we will support it," senior UNP member and Leader of the House of parliament, Lakshman Kiriella said referring to the 20th amendment (20A) to the Constitution moved in parliament yesterday by the Marxist JVP party. The 20A moved as a private member's motion by the JVP seeks to abolish the presidential system that has been in force since 1978. Kiriella said although it was only a private member's motion that can be legislated by following the due process. It needs to be adopted with two-thirds majority, then referred to the Supreme Court, if the court recommends a national referendum then it must be subjected to a referendum," Kiriella said. JVP legislator Sunil Handunneththi said his party was certain that 20A can be adopted. All political parties at different times have pledged to abolish it," he said adding, therefore no party can stay opposed to it. Even President Maithripala Sirisena pledged in 2015 to abolish the system but only through limited tinkering with presidential powers by adopting the 19A amendment. The 19A removed the president's power to arbitrarily dismiss the elected parliament before four-and-a-half years of its term. However the minority Tamil and Muslim parties have expressed unwillingness to support the abolition of the presidency as they feel they are well served in safeguarding their political rights through the presidential system. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Underscoring the importance of protection and promotion of mother tongues, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu today said he has made it a point to drive home the issue wherever he goes. "I have set a goal, the protection of mother tongues. The protection of native languages in the country, be it Telugu, Tamil, Marathi, Kannada, Punjabi, Bengali, Assamese or Bhojpuri, is needed," he said. "Like the cultural renaissance, all languages need to be promoted and their sweetness and fragrance taken to the new and young generation.. I'm talking about languages wherever I am going," Naidu said. He was speaking at the inauguration of the 75th year celebrations of Telangana Saraswata Parishad, a Telugu literary organisation. One can learn any other language, but mother tongue should not be forgotten, the vice president stressed. "I'm not against English. You study English, French, Russian, any language. But, don't forget your mother tongue. Because, language and perception, both walk together," Naidu said. He also talked about the importance of Hindi. The decision of Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao to make Telugu compulsory from the primary-level showed his commitment towards the promotion of Telugu, he said. Naidu hailed the contribution of the parishad to the protection and promotion of Telugu in the region, despite facing obstacles during the Nizam period. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) London police have seized half a million pounds ($667,000) worth of bitcoin from a prolific computer hacker in a case described as the first of its kind for the 188-year-old department. Cybercrime detectives seized the bitcoin from Grant West, 26, who was sentenced to 10 years and 8 months in prison Friday for attacking some 100 companies worldwide, largely using 'phishing' email scams to obtain the financial data. Once he obtained the data, West would then sell the material to market places on the dark web and convert his profits into bitcoin. The London Metropolitan police discovered evidence of cyberattacks on 17 major firms including Sainsbury's, Asda, the British Cardiovascular Society and the Finnish bitcoin exchange. Officers also recovered a memory card containing approximately 78 million individual usernames and passwords. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) US House Office of Photography(WASHINGTON) -- Republican Rep. Dana Rohrabacher was already facing a tough re-election bid in Californias 48th Congressional District with 15 candidates running against him, including a former protege when he told a delegation of Orange County realtors that it is acceptable to refuse to sell homes to LGBTQ people. Every homeowner should be able to make a decision not to sell their home to someone [if] they dont agree with their lifestyle, Rohrabacher told an Orange County Association of Realtors delegation at a May 16 meeting in Washington, D.C., Wayne Woodyard, a former Orange County Realtor president who was at the event, told the Orange County Register. Rohrabacher told the Orange County Register Thursday that homeowners should have "a right to choose who they do business with." Weve drawn a line on racism. But I dont think we should extend that line," he told the paper. "A homeowner should not be required to be in business with someone they think is doing something that is immoral. Rohrabachers campaign confirmed to ABC News the sentiments in the comments were accurate. Campaign spokesman Greg Blair said in a statement that the congressman "does not believe the federal government should force those with strong religious convictions into a personal or business relationship that is contrary to their religion. Rohrabacher made the comments to a group of realtors including members of the National Association of Gay and Lesbian Real Estate Professionals (NAGLREP) who were meeting with the congressman to seek his support for including LGBTQ protections under the Fair Housing Act, according to a letter sent by the group's founder, Jeff Berger, to the president of the National Association of Realtors. The National Association of Realtors had included Rohrabacher in its "President's Circle" a list of candidates it prompted members to donate to this election cycle. The group pulled the congressman from this list after reports of the comments surfaced, telling ABC News "after reviewing all new, relevant information, it was determined that Representative Rohrabacher will no longer receive support from NARs President's Circle." Rohrabacher is seeking a 16th term in office he's been in Congress for three decades but his comments come as he faces his toughest primary yet in California's 48th Congressional District, which is centered in Huntington Beach in Orange County. The top-two primary, in which the two most-voted candidates will move on to the general election regardless of party, is June 5 and Democrats had seen an opening as talk of a 'blue wave' in Southern California intensified in neighboring districts. Democratic candidate Harley Rouda, a favorite of national Democrats to win a place on the November ballot, took no time to condemn the congressman's comments. "Rohrabacher's comments are appalling and unacceptable," said. "These comments show once again that Dana Rohrabacher has no right being in office and representing the people of this district." Copyright 2018, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. The London Stock Exchange Group has thrown its weight behind a new awards ceremony that recognises next-generation talent among businesses from India and around the world. ELITE, the London Stock Exchange Group's business support and capital raising programme, will present the first-ever 'ELITE Rising Star Award' at this year's 21st Century Icon Awards 2018. The awards, launched in 2017 by Indian-origin entrepreneur Tarun Gulati, will be held in London in September this year to celebrate the success of budding business talent. "Through the ELITE programme, we will connect with dynamic entrepreneurs, helping them to keep on growing and compete on the world stage. Ambitious companies around the world can nominate themselves to avail of this fantastic opportunity," said Gulati. Squared Watermelon Ltd, which hosts the 21st Century Icon Awards, said the winner of the new award will give a "rising star" business the chance to join a unique fundraising platform in Europe. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Activists of the Mahanadi Bachao Andolan today staged a silent 'Jal Satyagrah' at Jobra during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the city to address a public meeting. The members of the unit stood in knee-deep waters of the Mahanadi, seeking Modi's intervention in resolving the river water dispute between Odisha and Chhattisgarh. "We welcome the prime minister to Odisha. Mahanadi is the lifeline of Odisha and he is holding a public meeting on the river bed. At present, the river is in a precarious state and is dying a slow death due to the closure of gates of Kalma barrage," MBA Convenor Sudarsan Das said. Modi today hit out at the ruling BJD government in Odisha, accusing it of misleading people by sparking a row over the Mahanadi river water. "Odisha government is misleading people... a glaring example is Mahanadi river water row raked up by it," he said at the public meeting at the Bali Jatra ground on the banks of the river here. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Five Syrian rescue workers were killed in an attack by masked assailants today on one of their centres in the northern province of Aleppo, the White Helmets said. The White Helmets said armed men stormed the Al-Hader centre in a pre-dawn attack and fired on the first responders inside. Four volunteers were killed on the spot and a fifth died later in hospital, it wrote on Twitter. Founded in 2013, the White Helmets are a network of first responders who rescue wounded in the aftermath of air strikes, shelling or blasts in rebel-held territory. The Al-Hader centre lies in a part of Aleppo province controlled by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a jihadist organisation whose main component was once Al-Qaeda's affiliate in Syria. "At around 2 am, an armed group stormed the Al-Hader centre, blindfolded the staff members who were on the night shift, and killed five of them," said Ahmad al-Hamish, who heads the centre. "Two others were wounded and another two were able to flee. The attackers were masked and escaped after stealing some equipment and generators," he said. It was unclear whether the attack was a robbery-gone-wrong or if the centre and its crew had been specifically targeted. More than 200 White Helmets rescuers have been killed in Syria's seven-year war, usually in bombing raids or shelling on their centres. While attacks like the one today are rare, they have happened before. In August, seven White Helmets members were killed in a similar attack in the town of Sarmin, in neighbouring Idlib province. Most of Idlib is held by HTS, as well as a part of Aleppo and the adjacent province of Hama. Tensions are on the rise there, with a wave of intra-opposition assassinations and clashes leaving at least 20 rebels dead in 48 hours, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. "You cannot separate the Al-Hader incident from the assassinations and other killings that have been happening more and more in recent weeks in areas under HTS control," said Observatory head Rami Abdel Rahman. The population of Idlib province has swelled to more than two million people as a result of massive transfers of rebels and civilians from onetime opposition zones elsewhere in the country. The killings come as the White Helmets are facing a "freeze" on funding from the United States, which is still reviewing over USD 200 million earmarked for stabilisation in Syria. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina held a closed-door meeting with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee here today. The chief minister later said that a "lot of issues" were discussed during the meeting. "The discussion was friendly and cordial. We discussed trade, economic ties and their improvement among other things," she said, without elaborating. "The country (Bangladesh) is doing well in all aspects and we want them to prosper more...We want them (Bangladesh leaders) to come here all the time," Banerjee told the waiting journalists. She said the responsibility of maintaining good relations between India and Bangladesh depend on both the countries. Banerjee said that if the Centre and Bangladesh agreed, a 'Bangabandhu Bhavan' could come up in the city. Hasina was on a two-day visit to India to attend the convocation of Visva-Bharati and the inauguration of Bangladesh Bhavan at Santiniketan yesterday. She also visited the Jorasanko Thakurbari, the ancestral house of Rabindranath Tagore in the city. Today, Hasina was conferred honorary D.Litt by Kazi Nazrul University in Asansol. She visited the Netaji Research Bureau at the national leader's ancestral house in the city prior to her meeting with Banerjee. Hasina later left for Dhaka in a special flight. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Four miscreants looted Rs 25 lakh at gun point from employees of a toll plaza when they were on their way to deposit the money in a bank at Amas in Bihar's Gaya district, police said. Two of the miscreants were arrested along with Rs two lakh after the incident yesterday, Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG), Magadh Range, Vinay Kumar said. The miscreants snatched the bag containing Rs 25 lakh from three employees of toll plaza located on NH 2 (Grand Trunk road) when they were on their way to deposit the money at Amas branch of the Punjab National Bank, the DIG said. After snatching the bag when the miscreants were escaping local people chased them and caught hold of two of them and handed them over to the police, the DIG said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Indonesia and Singapore next week will mark a new phase of engagement between India and Southeast Asia, which is looking towards more business synergies from the world's fastest expanding market, political observers here believe. Modi is scheduled to arrive in Indonesia on May 29 and leave for Singapore from there on May 31 for a three-day visit. In Singapore, Modi will hold bilateral talks with his Singaporean counterpart and deliver the key note address at the Shangri-La Dialogue which is expected to be attended by top leaders from several important countries. Modi will for the first time be addressing the world since his extensive one-to-one dialogues with government heads of China, Russia, France as well as Commonwealth heads of government that had gathered in London. It will also be a first time for the Shangri-La Dialogue to hear an Indian Prime Minister sharing his wide-ranging views on the world facing great uncertainties and flux. The IISS Shangri-La Dialogue, first convened in 2002, is an annual meeting for defence ministers, military chiefs and top-ranking defence officials from across the Asia-Pacific and other countries vitally concerned with the region's security. Modi will present India's stand on issues facing Asia, following his recent informal but frank talks with Xi Jinping of China, Vladimir Putin of Russia and Emmanuel Macron of France, among others. Political observers believe the Indian Prime Minister has directly cross-checked issues, putting aside all protocols, with these leaders and will present an in-depth understanding of India's strategic and peaceful role in the Indo-Pacific, the enlarged regional platform which needs solutions for a good number of contested issues. Modi's visit to Indonesia and Singapore is also expected to mark the coming-of-age of India's Act East policy, announced in Naypyidaw in November 2014, says Dr Amitendu Palit, Senior Research Fellow and Lead (Trade and Economic Policy) at the Institute of South Asian Studies, a think tank of National University of Singapore. The visit also marks the celebration of the India-Southeast Asia engagement, which has acquired high momentum this year, following the participation of the heads of states of ASEAN countries in India's Republic Day celebrations in Delhi on January 26 this year. "Prime Minister Modi's visit to the region will be closely watched for various reasons," believes Dr Palit. These include the possibility of the beginning of a new phase of engagement between India and Southeast Asia at a time when institutional engagement and people-to-people contacts between the two have increased manifold, he said. Palit said there will be expectations of indications towards new strands of economic partnership. India's economic performance makes it one of the best performing among major global economies today, wherein Southeast Asia looks towards more business synergies from the world's fastest expanding market and investment destination. "There will also be expectations regarding early conclusion of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) - a deal that would integrate India more closely with the economies of Southeast Asia and the Asia-Pacific," he said. Following the Modi-Xi meeting in Wuhan, indications are that Beijing understands New Delhi "much more better" and would want India in RCEP, letting it decide at its own pace about the Belt Road Initiative (BRI), a latest uncomfortable zone between the two countries, according to another political observer, who did not wish to be named. "Finally, there would also be expectations of India communicating with ASEAN and individual countries more closely on areas that are greatly significant for their respective futures. These include cooperation in higher education, tourism, connectivity, financial technology and movement of people," believes Dr Palit. In Jakarta, the Prime Minister is expected to update President Joko Widowo on his one-on-one dialogues with the Chinese, Russian and other leaders. Both countries have "strong bilateral relationship" and new developments could see a big push for tourism-related projects from Indian islands in the Andaman Sea to Sumatra. India sees Singapore as a bigger base for businesses. Modi, making his third visit in four years since he has been in office, will focus on the strongly-growing business and cultural links. Observers expect both countries to seal the reviewed Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) which has been under reviews for the past six years. The reviewed CECA is expected to see more Indian banks and professionals getting opportunities in Singapore while more and more businesses from here venturing into the Indian market. India keeps it relationships with bilateral visit exchanges with Singapore and the South East Asian countries. Regular Indian naval and coast guard ships' visits to Singapore, as well as the region, are part of the growing defence ties between the two countries. These ties will be strengthened further with more pacts expected during the Prime Minister's visit next week, the observers said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A 22-year-old Muslim youth was assaulted at Shivrajpur railway station by a group of men, allegedly belonging to a right-wing organisation, for befriending a girl belonging to Hindu community. A video of the incident in which the youth is seen being slapped repeatedly and voices are heard of inquiries about his relationship with the girl has gone viral on social media, following which the police has identified the victim and is examining him. According to police, no compliant has been filed so far by the youth about the incident which occurred Saturday. The victim told PTI over phone that the attackers claimed that they were members of a right-wing organisation and he did not file a complaint as he was afraid. Superintendent of Police, Rural, Pradyumna Singh, said the youth had gone to Shivrajpur railway station to meet his friend, belonging to another community, when about half a dozen youngsters living in the same locality questioned him about his relationship. In the video, suspected to be made the attackers, they question the youth, slapping him repeatedly on his face, the SP said, adding that one of the attackers is also heard warning him that he "will have to pay for what he did". "Tumhari zindagi agar barbaad nahin kar dee to ham apna naam badal denge (we will change our names if we failed to destroy you)," one the attackers is heard saying in the video. Police said they took note of the video and have approached the victim. A similar incident of a youth being targeted had come to light after a video showing a Sikh policeman saving him from a mob near Ramnagar in Nainital district of Uttarakhand went viral. The Muslim youth was allegedly found in a compromising position with a Hindu girl at a temple on Tuesday. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Four days after it was rocked by violence during protests against a copper plant, Tuticorin today returned to near normalcy with operation of state-run buses and availability of all essential commodities, though authorities were maintaining a tight vigil to prevent any fresh flare up. Police have deployed drones in select locations to monitor the situation as part of efforts to maintain law and order in the district where 13 people were killed in police firing during anti-Sterlite plant protests on Tuesday. Internet services suspended in Kanyakumari and Tirunelveli districts on May 23 have been restored. District Collector Sandeep Nanduri told reporters that government buses are being operated "100 per cent" and all essential commodities, including milk and vegetables, were available. "Private mini buses will be operational by evening," he said, adding talks for restoration of services with bank authorities and petrol pump dealers have concluded. Bank branches, ATMs and retail fuel outlets would be fully operational very soon, he said. "If you see, the city has now come to 90 per cent normalcy, people are going about their daily activities and we are confident that it will be 100 per cent normal within a day or two," he said. Along with district authorities, including Superintendent of Police Murali Rambha, he was interacting with with people, Nanduri said and expressed confidence that "very soon a friendly ambience would be restored". "We are for the people," he stressed. Declining to answer a question on the violence, he said retired Justice Aruna Jagadeesan Inquiry Commission constituted by the state government is expected to start its proceedings soon in this regard. Superintendent of Police Murali Rambha denied any illegal detention of protestors and added that all those arrested in connection with cases were produced before the court. So far, 145 persons had been arrested and remanded in judicial custody in connection with the riots and a section of them had got bail, he said. "When the situation keeps improving, the strength of police personnel posted in the city will be gradually reduced," he said. On restoration of internet services in Tuticorin, the Collector said the "situation is being monitored" and added that higher government officials would take a decision in this regard. Internet services were yesterday restored in neighbouring Kanyakumari and Tirunelveli districts. Tamil Nadu Congress Committee President Su Thirunavukkarasar demanded a compensation of Rs one crore to the kin of victims of police firing. "Cases filed against the protestors should be withdrawn. Those arrested should be released and the Sterlite copper plant must be permanently closed," he said. Violence erupted when a massive gathering of people took out a rally against the Sterlite copper plant here on May 22. In the police firing that day and on May 23, 13 people were killed. Protest demonstrations, meanwhile, were held today in Chennai and Nagapattinam against the police firing. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Around 1,500 migrants were rescued in the Mediterranean in operations involving the Italian navy and ships chartered by NGOs and the EU border agency Frontex, the Italian coastguard said. Today alone, seven separate operations picked up 1,050 people as they tried to make the crossing to Europe. The operations were coordinated by the Italian coastguard. The German NGOs Sea-Watch and Sea-Eye said they had rescued nearly half the total picked up -- 450 -- from three overcrowded vessels. As the occupants of the third boat were being picked up, a Libyan patrol boat came on the scene prompting some of the migrants to jump into the water to avoid being taken back to Libya. The Libyan vessel, however, maintained its distance and all the migrants were rescued by the two NGOs. In recent months the Libyan coastguard has taken responsibility for a growing number of rescue operations, subsequently returning those rescued to Libya. Yesterday, an Italian navy ship rescued 69 migrants, while a Portuguese navy boat taking part in Frontex's anti-trafficking Triton Operation rescued 296 more. The new arrivals are in addition to 10,800 migrants already registered in Italy since the start of the year, according to International Organisation for Migration (IOM) figures. The figure is around 80 per cent lower than in the same period last year, largely attributed to agreements reached between Italy and Libyan authorities and militias. The Libyan coastguard intercepted more than 6,500 migrants in the same period, IOM figures showed, while 383 people were reported dead or missing off Libya. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The death toll due to Nipah rose to 12 in Kerala, with one more person succumbing to the deadly virus here today. The deceased, 75-year-old Kalyani, was undergoing treatment at the Medical college here since May 16, official sources said. Two days ago, 61-year-old V Moosa had died of the virus infection. Two members of his family had died earlier of the virus. His eldest son had also died, but his samples were not tested. Lini Puthussery,a nurse who had initially treated members of Moosa's affected family members at Perambra Taluk hospital in the district, also died after being infected by the virus. About 160 samples were sent for tests to the National Virology Institute (NVI) Pune and 15 cases tested positive, health department sources said. Of the 15 confirmed cases, 12 people have died so far. With samples of insectivores bats testing negative for the virus, samples of fruit-eating bats are being collected from nearby Perambra, the epicenter of the Nipah virus, to be sent for tests at the National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD) in Bhopal. Experts from NIV and departments of Animal Husbandry and Forest have begun collecting samples which would be sent to NIHSAD, to test for presence of the virus in the fruit-eating bats, Dr N N Sasi, the Director Animal Husbandry, told PTI. Earlier, samples of three insectivorous bats caught from an unused well of the Moosa family, which lost three members to the virus, were sent to the Bhopal laboratory along with samples of pigs, goats and cattle in the five km radius of the affected area and all of them tested negative, he said. "We are trying to catch fruit-eating bats from the Perambra region now," Sasi said. According to an official, the droppings, urine and secretions of the bats would also be sent for testing. A Union Health Ministry advisory has said that the virus, which commonly affects animals such as bats, pigs, dogs, and horses, can spread to humans, causing serious illness. Spread of the virus to humans may occur after close contact with other Nipah infected people, infected bats, or infected pigs. Meanwhile, the Kerala government has said travellers need to avoid only Kozhikode and Malappuram districts from where the deaths have been reported. Earlier, the government had issued an advisory, stating that travelling to any part of Kerala was safe. However, if travellers wished to be extra cautious, they may avoid the four districts -- Kozhikode, Malappuram, Wynad and Kannur, it said. The outbreak of the virus infection, which is a newly emerging zoonosis that causes severe disease in both animals and humans, is suspected to be from an unused well which was infested with bats. The natural host of the virus is believed to be fruit bats of the Pteropodidae family, Pteropus genus. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Jonas Cullwick, a former General Manager of VBTC is now a Senior Journalist with the Daily Post. Contact: [email protected]. Cell # 678 5460922 The Madras High Court has refused to pass a blanket order, directing the Tamil Nadu government and the police not to register a First Information Report (FIR) or a chargesheet for offences such as obstructing public servants from discharging their duties. The first bench of Chief Justice Indira Banerjee and Justice Abdul Quddhose recently disposed of a PIL filed by a lawyer called Balaji, seeking a direction to the police not to register an FIR or a chargesheet under Indian penal code (IPC) sections 172 to 188. In its order, the bench said it was of the view that such blanket orders could not be issued and "certainly not in a public interest litigation". Any individual, however, had the alternative of filing a criminal revision application for quashing the proceedings on the ground of breach of the mandatory provisions of law, it added. IPC sections 172 to 188 deal with offences such as obstructing a public servant in discharging his public functions and disobedience to order duly promulgated by a public servant, among others. The petitioner had also sought a direction to the police not to register an FIR on the contention that the offences under the sections were non-cognizable. Referring to section 195(1) of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), the petitioner had contended that it restrained the court from taking cognizance of an offence punishable under sections 172 to 188 of the IPC, unless a complaint in writing was made to it by the public servant concerned. In other words, the police could not lodge an FIR for such offences, the petitioner had contended. The police could neither register a case against an offender for an offence punishable under sections 172 to 188 of the IPC nor submit a report under section 173, CrPC, he had added. Alluding to various cases registered by the Tamil Nadu police under the aforesaid sections, the petitioner had said, "I recently learnt and understood that in Tamil Nadu, police register the FIR and file the final report/chargesheet for an offence under section 172 to 188, IPC. "More particularly, section 188, IPC, when the law does not permit them." Stating that it led to loss of money, manpower and precious time of governments and trial courts, the petitioner had contended that the time had come to put an end to the unlawful proceedings and save public money and the courts' time. The bench observed that an appropriate training programme was to be initiated by the Tamil Nadu State Judicial Academy for magistrates in relation to the offences under sections 172 to 188, IPC. "As far as the police are concerned, they are not even under the general superintendence of the high court. Their actions may be subjected to judicial scrutiny by the court in exercise of its power of judicial review," it said. Orders, as prayed for by the petitioner, therefore, could not be granted, the court said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A National Socialist Council of Nagaland -Isak Muivah (NSCN-IM) militant was killed in a gun fight with Assam Rifles in Longding district of Arunachal Pradesh, Defence sources said today. The gun fight took place when the NSCN(IM) cadres fired upon the Assam Rifles troops yesterday when they approaching a hut where they were staying. The security personnel returned the fire in which one militant was killed, the sources said. A pistol with ammunition, grenades and other documents were recovered from the dead militant. He was identified as Pangan Gangsa, a self styled Sergeant of the NSCN (IM), the sources said. Gangsa was previously a member of the proscribed NSCN(K) and was involved in the ambush on the security forces personnel on December 3, 2016 in which two soldiers were killed. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Modi government today launched a media blitzkrieg with a slogan 'Saaf Niyat, Sahi Vikas' (clean intentions, right development) on its fourth anniversary, listing out its achievements in a range of areas, including the surgical strikes undertaken by the Army across the border with Pakistan in 2016. Through advertisements in major newspapers, the government sought to highlight the measures it had taken for the poor -- the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY), scheme for providing insurance cover at a cheap rate, electrification of four crore households, and the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) under which 3.8 crore BPL families were given free LPG connections. The PMJDY was launched to ensure access to financial services such as banking, savings, deposit accounts, remittance, credit, insurance, pension in an affordable manner. The PMUY was launched in 2016. Addressing reporters on the occasion of the Modi government's fourth anniversary, BJP president Amit Shah said that through the 2016 surgical strikes conducted by the Indian Army across the Line of Control (LoC), the government exhibited its political willingness to take on the country's adversaries. "In a historic first, India carried out surgical strikes showing a new mettle," according to an advertisement. At a rally in Cuttack, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said his government was committed to fighting corruption. "Three thousand raids were conducted by various agencies and undeclared income to the tune of Rs 73,000 crore was unearthed. Tough rules against black money have sent shivers down the spines of many who have come under one platform," Modi said, targeting the corrupt. Listing out the achievements of demonetisation, a move that was severely criticised by the opposition, the advertisements claimed it led to the country's highest ever unearthing of suspicious transactions and deposits. It also claimed that legislations such as the Black Money (Undisclosed Foreign Income and Assets) and Imposition of Tax Act and the Benami Property Act were brought in to avoid corruption. Shah also hailed the work done by his party's government in these areas. Stating that no village is without power now, Shah said the government recently covered 16,800 villages, which had over 50 per cent Dalit population, with its seven welfare schemes, Jan Dhan bank account, toilets and LPG cylinder for all homes, and will cover 65,000 villages by August 15. For the welfare of the farmers, the government has a "mutli-faceted focus" on doubling farmers' income, besides distributing 12.5 crore soil health cards and insurance under the PM Fasal Bima Yojana at nominal rates, according to the advertisements. Shah noted that under the Swachh Bharat Mission, the flagship initiative of the Narendra Modi government, seven crore toilets were built. In the area of infrastructure, he said projects worth lakhs of crores of rupees were implemented "without a scam". This includes 53,000 km road worth Rs 5.35 lakh crore under the Bharat Mala initiative. The largest tunnel and the largest bridge in the country were built by the Modi government, which has also initiated bullet train project on Mumbai-Ahemdabad route, he said. Under Ayushman Bharat, the government intends to provide health insurance to 10 crore families, the BJP president said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Cyclone Mekunu lashed southern Oman with high winds and rain, killing at least one person and wounding three a day after wreaking havoc on the Yemeni island of Socotra. Oman's directorate general of meteorology said the centre of the cyclone struck west of Salalah, the second largest city in the Gulf state, late Friday accompanied with strong winds, torrential rains and high tides. "Latest observations show that the centre of the cyclone hit the coast of Dhofar province," west of Salalah, the main city in the province, the directorate said in its latest warning. State-run Oman Television showed footage of large areas covered with floods in Dhofar and the nearby Al-Wusta provinces. Dozens of vehicles were seen submerged in several areas. Head of the directorate Abdullah al-Khoduri told Oman TV that the cyclone, which intensified to category 2 early Friday, was downgraded to category 1 after losing some of its strength. He said it would weaken further Saturday morning into a tropical storm and gradually diminish into a tropical depression before hitting the southern parts of Saudi Arabia. The cyclone also hit areas in southeast Yemen neighbouring Oman. Thousands of residents near the coastal areas in the two provinces have been evacuated to safer shelters as winds up to of 170 kilometres (105 miles) per hour and torrential rainfall lashed the coastal areas, officials said. Civil defence authorities said they had set up 65 shelter centres in the two affected provinces. Police said a 12-year old girl died when a gust of wind sent her smashing into a wall. Three Asians who were wounded by the cyclone were rescued. Police also said that civil defence teams had rescued dozens of people who were trapped because of floods. Civil defence said it had evacuated 10,000 people from schools and government buildings, mainly in the city of Salalah which has a population of 200,000. Authorities have urged other residents to stay indoors. Strong winds had already generated 12-metre-high (40-foot-high) waves offshore of the sultanate. The civil aviation authority closed Salalah airport until midnight on Saturday. On Thursday, the storm pummelled the island of Socotra in war-torn Yemen, leaving at least 19 people missing, causing severe flooding and material damage. Yemen's fisheries minister Fahad Kafin said that of those missing, 14 were Indian sailors who were at the island's port when the cyclone struck. He told AFP that authorities have recovered the bodies of the five Yemeni nationals and two Indians and were still searching for the remaining 12. Later, Socotro governor Ramzy Mahrous told Saba agency that four sailors who were missing were found alive on Friday. Kafin said that 1,000 families were evacuated to safety after there homes were affected by flooding. Saudi teams on the island managed to open the main road between the island's capital and its airport, he said. The government declared the island in the northwest Indian Ocean, part of a UNESCO-protected archipelago for its rich biodiversity, a "disaster" zone. Saudi troops were deployed to Socotra earlier this month following tensions over an Emirati military presence on the island. The Yemeni high relief agency met with international humanitarian organisations in Aden late Thursday to discuss the situation, the country's Saba agency reported. They decided to set up 11 relief centres in Socotra to provide shelter for evacuees. In 2007, Cyclone Gonu tore through Oman, killing at least 49 people and causing damage estimated at USD 3.9 billion. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Attacking rival political parties, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath today said that "opposition is unnecessarily trying to worsen the atmosphere" over price rise. Speaking to reporters, Aditynath said the fearful picture which the opposition is painting, actually does not exist. "The Centre is alert as far as price rise is concerned. The prices of the essential commodities have been controlled. The opposition is unnecessarily trying to worsen the atmosphere," he said. On a question about garlanding the statue of Chhtrapati Shivaji in Mumbai while allegedly wearing a khadau (wooden slippers), Adityanath said, "I know how garlanding of a statue has to be done. In this context, no one should advise me." Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray had earlier accused Adityanath of garlanding the statue of Shivaji while wearing wooden slippers. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) As many as 311 midshipmen and cadets of the Indian navy and Indian Coast Guard, including four from abroad, have successfully completed their training at the Indian Naval Academy at Ezhimala in the district. Four cadets from Maldives, Myanmar and Vietnam were among those who took part in the passing-out parade held here today that was reviewed by Vice Admiral A R Karve, flag officer commanding-in-chief, southern naval command, a press release from the navy said. The parade saw 10 women cadets marching with their male counterparts to join the ranks of the Indian navy, it said. The passing out midshipmen and cadets belonged to four different courses, including Indian naval academy course (B Tech), Indian naval academy course (MSc), naval orientation course (extended) and naval orientation course (regular). After the ceremonial review, the vice admiral awarded medals to nine meritorious midshipmen and cadets. The officer congratulated them for completing their courses successfully and advised them to imbibe the core values of the navy - duty, honour and courage. The 'Presidents Gold Medal' for the Indian Naval Academy BTech course was awarded to midshipman Pavan Ponnanna Uthappa Kodimaniyanda, the release said. Cadet Arun Singh was presented with the 'Chief of the Naval Staff Gold Medal' for the Naval Orientation (extended) course. The 'Chief of the Naval Staff Gold Medal' for the Naval Orientation (regular) course and the 'Flag Officer Commanding in Chief (South) Medal' for the best women cadet was awarded to Cadet Kiran Bhatt, it said. Surendra Prasad, Chairman, National Board of Accreditation, Vice Admiral R B Pandit, commandant, INA, and senior officers of the station were among those present. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Shiv Sena today wrote to the Election Commission accusing the BJP of trying to "bribe" voters ahead of the May 28 by-election for Palghar Lok Sabha constituency. In the letter to the EC, Sena MLA Amit Ghoda alleged that "distribution of cash to the voters to bribe them to vote for BJP candidate" was going on. Those distributing the cash were caught by Sena workers, and a flying squad of the Election Commission had conducted a panch-nama (spot inspection), he said. It was "gross violation of election code of conduct" and therefore the BJP candidate (Rajendra Gavit) should be disqualified, the letter said. BJP spokesperson was not immediately available for comments. Both parties have run an acrimonious campaign for the by-poll, levelling accusations at each other. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) and were on the path of peace and reconciliation under his regime, former Pakistani dictator Pervez Musharraf has said while claiming that Prime Minister was not an "advocate of peace talks". The former president and chief of All Muslim League (APML) in an interview with Voice of America claimed that when he was in power, and were on the "path of reconciliation", but that is not the case anymore, the Express Tribune reported. "At the time, I spoke to both the prime ministers, and Manmohan Singh, they were both from different political parties but we wanted to move forward from the disputes, he said. The 74-year-old retired general, who is facing high treason charges, has been living in Dubai since last year when he was allowed to leave Pakistan for medical treatment. Musharraf claimed that a four-point initiation of peace was strategised by the former president and was put in implementation by the leadership of both countries. The four points of contention included and as well, he said. "We were working on my strategy because both sides wanted to have peace. This is not the case anymore. They want to undo us," he claimed. "Incumbent Prime Minister wants to enforce supremacy in and isn't an advocate of peace talks," he alleged. He alleged that there exists an "inherent bias" towards India's treatment as both possess nuclear arms, but no questions are raised on India. "Nobody asks India to control their assets. Pakistan became a nuclear state because India posed an undeniable existential threat, he said. "The US should have stopped them, we have been loyal to them throughout, he said. He said that Pak-US relations have suffered quite a blow and are currently at "the lowest ebb". Answering a question as to why there are strenuous relations between the two countries, Musharraf said, "US has supported India very openly from the Cold War era. And now again, the US is aligning itself with India against Pakistan, this affects us directly. We would like the UN to examine India's role in Afghanistan. A one-sided approach to the problem is negative. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will unveil a plaque at the Clifford Pier in next week to commemorate the immersion of Mahatma Gandhi's ashes in the country's waters. Modi will arrive here on May 31 on a three-day visit. In 1948, Gandhi's ashes were sent to various parts of India and the world, including Clifford Pier was Singapore's sea front landmark under the colonial government. It had since been renovated and currently serves as a restaurant under the same namesake "The Clifford Pier", offering a selection of local, Asian and Western dishes under the operations of The Fullerton Bay Hotel. The plaque to be unveiled on June 2 will underline the strongly growing ties between the two countries. The prime minister will also interact with the local representatives after the plaque unveiling. He will visit three temples on South Bridge Road to highlight the old links between India and These temples were built by early Indian settlers in Singapore as community projects over a century ago and now regarded as monuments. Modi will also visit the Indian Heritage Centre in Little India to see the exhibit and inaugurate a permanent platform for Indian craftsmen to visit Singapore from India for short durations to exhibit their work. Little India is a precinct of Indian-origin small businesses. Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb today said the political situation in Marxist-ruled Kerala is similar to that which existed before the assembly election in Tripura. He said that the Left and Democratic Front (LDF) government in Kerala would be defeated if the election is held there now. Deb, had recently campaigned at Chengannoor in Alappuzha district of Kerala for a by-election. "Situation in Kerala is similar to that what existed in Tripura before the election. If election is held in that state now the LDF would be defeated. But the problem is that there is a long time for the election," he told a press conference here. Deb said he visited the house of a person called Sreejith in Kochi district during his trip to Kerala. The person had allegedly died of torture in police custody in March after a false complaint by ruling CPI-M leaders. The chief minister had announced a Rs five lakh assistance by Tripura government to the person's family during his visit to his residence. A cheque of Rs five lakh was sent to the person's home today, he said. Keralas Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan is the appropriate disciple of Tripuras former chief minister Manik Sarkar. He did not get time to visit the house of Sreejith, much like Sarkar who did not get the time to visit those who died in a similar way," he said. Deb said, BJP did not believe in conflict between different castes and religions and its sole orientation is sab ka saath sab ka vikas. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Videos Sorry, there are no recent results for popular videos. Police today arrested four smugglers and seized arms and ammunition, liquor bottles and Rs 7.86 lakh in cash from them in Bihar's Nalanda district. Superintendent of Police Sudhir Kumar Porika said that police seized five country-made pistols, 101 live cartridges of 32 bore, six bottles of foreign liquor and Rs 7.86 lakh in cash from the possession of the four arrested smugglers. Acting on a tip off, a police team led by sub-divisional police officer Nishit Priya raided a house and seized three country made pistols besides 101 live cartridges and Rs 1.86 lakh in cash. Police arrested the house owner and based on his statement netted three other smugglers. On the basis of information gathered during interrogation from the smugglers, police are conducting raids to nab two others, including the kingpin of the gang, SP said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The possession of two ponds in the pilgrimage town of Goverdhan in the district has been handed over to the respective village heads, an official said today. The ponds were earlier in the possession of the Vrindavan-based Braj Foundation, he added. "While the possession of the Rudra Kund in Jatipura was handed over to Vimla Devi, the pradhan of the village, the possession of the Sankarshan Kund in Anyor has been given to village head Guddi Devi," Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), Goverdhan, DP Singh, said. He added that both the village heads were instructed not to ban the entry of any person to the ponds. The district administration had swung into action, following a PIL filed before the National Green Tribunal (NGT) by one Anand Baba, alleging certain irregularities in the maintenance and renovation of the ponds. The NGT had, on May 22, ordered the Mathura district magistrate to conduct an inquiry into how two former village heads had awarded renovation works in the ponds without following legal procedures. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Hailing achievements of the Narendra Modi government on its fourth anniversary, Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani today said the tenure was marked by "coherent administration" and "substantial and sustainable social growth". "These 4 years symbolise years of coherent administration, substantial and sustainable social growth and bottom-up approach of governance instead of earlier top-down approach...," Rupani tweeted. He also praised the NDA government's efforts to make India a "leading mobile manufacturing hub," and "connecting young India to Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar" by developing places associated with his life. In four tweets with hashtag #SaafNiyatSahiVikas, Rupani also praised the Centre for raising minimum wages by 42 per cent and implementing the Seventh Pay Commission benefits, and for "greater formalisation for a healthier economy and securing people's rights". Rupani dedicated development projects worth Rs 322 crore to people during his visit to Vadodara today. Modi had won the Lok Sabha election from Vadodara and Varanasi in 2014, but chose to retain the latter seat. State BJP president Jitu Vaghani said the party will launch a campaign to reach out to people and communicate the achievements of Modi government from tomorrow. It will start with Rupani addressing a gathering of "intellectuals" in Rajkot, he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Ahead of the May 28 Lok Sabha bypoll in Kairana, authorities have tightened security and are taking other steps to ensure a fair election, a police official has said. The district authorities have divided the Uttar Pradesh constituency into 14 zones and 143 sectors, the official said. He said 51 companies of central paramilitary forces would be deployed for the poll. Out of these, 26 would be stationed in Shamli district and 25 in Saharanpur district, the official said. The Kairana Lok Sabha seat comprises five assembly segments: Nakur, Gangoh, Kairana, Thana Bhawan and Shamli. The official said state boundaries touching Kairana would also be sealed ahead of the poll. The Lok Sabha constituency fell vacant after the death of BJP MP Hukum Singh, whose daughter Mriganka Singh is now the party's candidate. She is fighting Rashtriya Lok Dal's Tabassum Hasan, who is supported by the Congress, the Samajwadi Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party. A bypoll will also be held for the Noorpur assembly constituency in the state on the same day. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Sikkim health department has issued an advisory urging the people of the state to take precaution against Nipah virus. "Though there is minimal possibility of Nipah virus in Sikkim, but the people need to take precaution," it said in an advisory yesterday in the wake of Nipah outbreak in Kerala. The symptoms of the virus include fever, headache, vomiting and fainting. Some may show symptoms of epilepsy. The symptoms may last 10-12 days followed by unconsciousness and death as a result of brain fever, the advisory said. It is advised to the people that they should not eat fruits and vegetables bitten by birds, bats and animals, wash their hands properly after contacting infected person and monitor fever cases with history of travel to the affected areas i.e. Kerala. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj today intervened and asked the Indian embassy in Nepal to look into a case involving a few Indians who were stranded in the Himalayan nation's north-eastern Lukla town. A few Indians were stranded in Lukla for the last two days after their flights were cancelled due to bad weather. One of the Indians, Amit Thadhani, sought Swaraj's intervention after they were unable to leave the town. Swaraj asked Indian envoy in Nepal Manjeev Singh Puri to look into the matter. "Manjeev - Please see this. @IndiaInNepal," Swaraj said in reply to Thadhani's tweet. "Currently stranded in Lukla since 2 days, Nepal, with copter company looters refusing to evacuate us to Kathmandu unless we pay 600 dollars per head. We paid 200 dollars per head fare from Kathmandu to Lukla. @MEAQuery can you please help?" Thadhani tweeted. The Indian embassy tweeted that they are trying to evacuate the stranded Indians. "Mission is in touch with them. Flights from Lukla are cancelled due to bad weather. We are trying to get them evacuated by helicopter," the Indian embassy in Nepal said in a tweet. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Three men from Madhya Pradesh have been arrested for allegedly gang-raping a 20-year-old woman at a beach in South Goa, police said today. While two of the accused-- Sanjiv Dhananjay Pal (23) and Ram Santosh Bhariya (19)-- were arrested from separate places in Goa late last night, another one-- Vishwas Makrana (23)-- was held this morning from Margao, police said. The incident took place on Thursday night at Sernabhatim beach, when the victim and her boyfriend were returning home in the evening. The accused trio demanded money from the woman's boyfriend at knife point and then stripped both of them before raping her, police said. As per the complaint lodged with Colva police station, the entire act was filmed on camera by the accused, who threatened to make the clip viral if they approached the police. "All the three accused were arrested within 48 hours of the filing of the complaint. They were trying to escape from Goa," Superintendent of Police (South) Arvind Gawas said. "All three of them are from Indore in Madhya Pradesh and they had been booked in the past in their state for various offences, including theft," he said. While Pal was arrested from Karmali railway station near Panaji late last night when he was trying to board a train, Bhariya was arrested immediately afterwards from Kadamba bus stand in Margao city, 30 kms away from here, Gawas said. "The third accused, Makrana, was arrested this morning from Margao railway station. He was also trying to escape from the state," the officer said. According to Gawas, the trio has been booked under IPC sections 376 (rape) and 394 (robbery). (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Three persons, who allegedly sold stolen cars by using chassis and engine numbers of vehicles damaged in accidents, were arrested by Azad Maidan police, an official said today. The arrested persons used to buy these damaged vehicles from insurance companies, the Mumbai police official added. Garage owner Hafizul Jafri (40), mechanics Shamim Ahmed Ansari (36) and Sannam Khan (22) were arrested after police raided Adnan Motor Garage in Shilphata-Mahape road in Mumbra township in neighbouring Thane district, Manojkumar Sharma, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Zone 1, told reporters here. The accused used to sell stolen cars by replacing their number plate, chassis and engine numbers after purchasing vehicles, totally damaged in accidents, from insurance companies, Sharma said. They would then steal vehicles of the same make and colour as the ones damaged in accidents, Sharma said. The number plate, chassis and engine numbers of the damaged vehicles would then be used on the stolen ones and the latter used to be sold, Sharma explained. Cars, valued cumulatively at Rs 23.50 lakh, along with aluminium plates with chassis numbers embossed on them, have been recovered from the arrested persons, he said. These cars have been stolen from areas in Mumbai, Navi Mumbai and Thane, he said. The official said that the gang had earlier committed offences at Mulund, Rabale and Kalamboli areas. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The All India Trinamool Youth Congress (AITYC) today took out protest marches in several districts against the sharp rise in fuel prices across the country. The agitation will continue till tomorrow, TMC sources said. The ruling Trinamool Congress had yesterday observed a protest march in the city from Subodh Mullick Square to Park Street, under the leadership of party MP, Abhishek Banerjee. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, in a recent tweet, had expressed concern over the spiralling prices of petrol and diesel. "We are very concerned about the rising prices of petrol and diesel. This will certainly affect prices all around. Common people, farmers and many will suffer," the CM had said in the tweet on May 20. The Congress, too, took out a protest march in the city today, police said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Social activist Swami Agnivesh today termed police firing in Tamil Nadu earlier this week as "state terrorism" and demanded a CBI probe of the incident. On Tuesday, police opened fire on the protestors agitating against the expansion of the Sterlite copper plant in Tamil Nadu's Thoothukudi, killing 13 protesters, including two women. He alleged that the incidents of high handedness against people protesting their rights have increased under the Narendra Modi government. "The state-sponsored terrorism unleashed on the suffering, much-harassed people of Thoothukudi in Tamil Nadu, is a black chapter in the history of the state," he said. "Ever since Modi has come to power, we have seen an unprecedented iron-handedness in dealing with people protesting for their basic rights," Agnivesh charged. He said that an enquiry by the CBI should be held to cover all aspects of the firing incident at Thoothukudi. Agnivesh also appealed to the President for his intervention in the matter. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) VBTC should do away with role of Radio regulator Following are the top stories from the northern region at 9 pm. STORY IN THE PIPELINE Lucknow: BSP chief Mayawati today announced changes in the party constitution, which now does not allow her brother to continue as its vice president and lets her remain national president till she is too old for that responsibility. STORIES ON THE WIRE NEWDELHI DEL47 MHA-RAJNATH-KASHMIR New Delhi: Home Minister Rajnath Singh today said the government was ready to hold dialogue with the Hurriyat Conference leadership if the separatists come forward for talks. LUCKNOW DEL49 UP-MAYAWATI-MEETING Lucknow: Bahujan Samaj Party president Mayawati today told her partymen that though the BSP was discussing alliances with other parties for future polls in Uttar Pradesh and other states, they should be prepared for any situation. LUCKNOW DEL28 UP-LD-MAYAWATI Lucknow: BSP president Mayawati today slammed the Narendra Modi government at the Centre for its historic failure on dealing with the issues which concern the common man. KAIRANA DEL41 UP-KAIRANA-TABASSUM (COR) Kairana: Opposition candidate Tabassum Hasan has accused the BJP of resorting to divisive as it has no concrete issue to raise ahead of Monday's bye-election for the Kairana Lok Sabha seat. JAIPUR DES6 RJ-CONG-BJP Jaipur: The Congress today hit out at the Narendra Modi government on the completion of its four years in power, accusing it of betraying the people of the country and not fulfilling the promises the ruling BJP had made to them. DELHI DEL32 NIA-JK-ARREST New Delhi: The NIA today took the custody of alleged Jaish-e-Mohammed operative Muneer-ul-Hassan Qadri from the Jammu and Kashmir Police in connection with the 2016 terror attack on an Army camp in Nagrota in which seven soldiers, including two officers, were killed. SRINAGAR DES19 JK-CBSE-SEPARATIST Srinagar: Sama Shabir, daughter of separatist leader Shabir Shah, has topped in Jammu and Kashmir in the CBSE Class 12 results which were declared today. KANPUR DES13 UP-YOUTH Kanpur: A 22-year-old Muslim youth was assaulted at Shivrajpur railway station by a group of men, allegedly belonging to a right-wing organisation, for befriending a girl belonging to Hindu community. CHANDIGARH DES16 PB-BYPOLL-CEO Chandigarh: Punjab Chief Electoral Officer S Karuna Raju today said there was no "veracity" in the Shiromani Akali Dal's (SAD) allegations of misuse of government machinery and distribution of liquor by the ruling party during campaigning for the Shahkot Assembly bypoll to be held on Monday. SHAHKOT DES14 PB-BYPOLL-AMARINDER-ROADSHOW Shahkot (Pb): Senior Congress leader and Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh today attended a roadshow on the last day of campaigning for the Shahkot Assembly bypoll, scheduled to be held on Monday, and held the Shiromani Akali Dal responsible for "total lack of development" in the constituency represented by it for the last 14 years. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu has said that tourism is the only sector after hydro power that could help the state to develop economically. Speaking at the 12th Arunachal Pradesh Tour Operators' Association (APTOA) Travel Congress here yesterday, Khandu said after hydro power, tourism holds maximum potential. "We need to concentrate on our next viable potential sector, which is undoubtedly tourism," he said. Lauding APTOA, a conglomerate of local tour operators of the state, Khandu said the tourism sector has grown exponentially in the last couple of years due to their sincere efforts. Despite increase in the number of tourists, the state is way behind the national average and has to work much more, Khandu said. "We can attract tourists more than what we are doing right now," he said. The chief minister also called upon the state tourism department authorities to finalise the draft of the state tourism policy that will chalk out a roadmap for the sector to grow. He also announced a corpus fund of Rs 1 crore for APTOA to take up various initiatives for its growth. Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju speaking on the occasion emphasised on projecting and promoting Arunachal Pradesh as a cultural tourism hotspot. "Arunachal Pradesh has got everything to satisfy the taste of every visitor," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Traders and businessmen observed a shutdown today in the old city areas to protest the alleged use of force by security personnel against agitators near Jamia Masjid, a police official said. The shutdown was called by the Jamia Market Traders' Federation against the alleged use of force and "desecration" of the mosque during protests in Nowhatta yesterday, he said. "All shops and other business establishments were shut in the old city areas," the official said. At least 50 people, including security personnel, were injured in the clashes after Friday prayers. Alleging that the security forces fired pellets inside the mosque, the traders' federation also held a protest outside the mosque against the alleged "police high-handedness". Meanwhile, several activists and leaders of separatists groups, under the aegis of Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL), and led by Yasin Malik, gathered near the Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front's office at Abi Guzar here and marched towards Press Enclave where they held a dharna to protest against the alleged "police high-handedness" and also called for release of all political prisoners. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) President Donald Trump today accused Democrats of "rooting against" upcoming nuclear talks with North Korea, and said his political opponents were trying to coddle gang members. With the 2018 midterm elections on the horizon, Trump has gone out of his way to poke Democrats. Today, he lumped his grievances against them into a tweet: "Democrats are so obviously rooting against us in our negotiations with North Korea. Just like they are coming to the defense of MS 13 thugs, saying that they are individuals & must be nurtured, or asking to end your big Tax Cuts & raise your taxes instead. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Two Indian men were apprehended at the airport here for allegedly smuggling in gold bars, a Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) spokesperson said. S R Krishna, who arrived here from Riyadh and was supposed to travel to Vishakhapatnam, was intercepted by CISF officials after they found an undeclared 300-gram gold bar in his baggage, he said. Similarly, M Mohinuddin, who arrived here from Bahrain and was supposed to take a flight to Hyderabad, was intercepted by the CISF personnel and four gold bars, weighing a total of 435 grams, were seized from him, the spokesperson said. Both men were handed over to the customs officials at the Mumbai airport as they had no documents to justify carrying the gold bars and it seemed to be a possible case of gold smuggling and duty evasion, he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) seized 10 kilograms of charas, worth Rs 1.25 crore in the international market, from a truck that had come from Jammu and Kashmir, an official said today. The Ahmedabad zonal unit of the NCB intercepted a truck coming from Anantnag in Jammu and Kashmir on the outskirts of the city here and seized the contraband hidden in specially made cavities in the driver's cabin, said NCB (Ahmedabad zone) director Hariom Gandhi. The incident happened late Friday night, he added. Two people, identified as Mushtaq Ahmed Bhat and Sohel Ahmed Ghani from Muchi near Shopian in Jammu and Kashmir, were apprehended, the official informed. "The two were promised Rs 50,000 for delivery of the contraband. We are on the lookout for the receiver. It is suspected that Mushtaq might have come to Gujarat earlier with similar contraband in the past," Gandhi said. Gandhi said that Kashmiri charas is of premium quality and 10 kg of it would fetch Rs 1.25 crore in the international market. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Two youths were arrested today for their alleged involvement in two grenade throwing incidents in the city, a police spokesman said. He said the duo was involved in the two recent grenade throwing incidents which took place at Chattabal and Baripora Safakadal. "Pursuing credible leads, police arrested two people for their involvement in grenade lobbing incidents in Srinagar," he said. The two have been identified as Basit Ahmad Malik, a resident of Nowpora Safakadal and Adil Qayoom Najar, a resident of Gulshanabad Noorbagh. During the investigation, explosive material, including 1.1 kg RDX, detonators, Chinese grenade and flags of Tehreek-ul-Mujahideen (TuM) were recovered from their possession, the spokesman said. He said the conspiracy for lobbing grenades in the city was hatched in the Central Jail, Srinagar by one of the inmates when Basit was detained under the Public Safety Act (PSA) there. "The investigation further revealed that the said inmate had given Pakistan-based contacts to Basit for carrying out these nefarious activities. Basit was allured by Pak-based TuM handlers as they promised him monetary benefits and one motorcycle for successfully lobbing grenade on security forces," the spokesman said. "The accused also disclosed that there were directions from Pakistan-based handlers of the TuM outfit that some grenades were to be lobbed at some sensitive places especially after Friday prayers in the city, including at Jamia Masjid, Nowhatta," he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh today exuded confidence that a united opposition will oust the BJP-led government at the Centre, which he described as a "total failure on all counts". Talking to reporters during his roadshow here, he said the anti-BJP forces were coming together and would throw the saffron party out of power since the people were completely fed up with it. "People want change, they want a future, they want a government that delivers," Singh said, adding that the Narendra Modi government would "bear the consequences" of its "ill-conceived" policies in the Lok Sabha elections next year. The economy has been destroyed, industry is fleeing, law and order has collapsed, prices of diesel, petrol and other essentials were out of control. Nobody wants such an India, he said. The chief minister said the problems faced by the country under the Modi government were immense and people are not willing to give another chance to them. People want a progressive India, with credible institutions which were not under the control of a party, he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) By Maytaal AngelLONDON (Reuters) - U.S. government moves to negotiate steel import quotas with its allies in exchange for tariff exemptions could leave them worse off than countries who have to pay the levy. Washington set tariffs of 25 percent on U.S. steel imports in March, but has since granted the European Union, Canada and Mexico temporary exemptions until June 1.It has also agreed permanent exemptions for Brazil, Australia, Argentina and South Korea in return for quotas.South Korea, for example, agreed to quotas restricting its steel sales to the United States by 30 percent, with ... By David Shepardson and Karen FreifeldWASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Trump administration told lawmakers the U.S. government has reached a deal to put Chinese telecommunications company ZTE Corp back in business after it pays a significant fine and makes management changes, a senior congressional aide said on Friday.U.S. President Donald Trump appeared to confirm the deal in a tweet late on Friday. "I closed it down then let it reopen with high level security guarantees, change of management and board, must purchase U.S. parts and pay a $1.3 Billion fine."The reported deal involving China's ... LOGAN An former Richmond man, currently in prison for murdering a Preston man, has been transferred back to the Cache County Jail on charges that he and a former Richmond woman raped a young girl. James K. Pilgrim was booked Wednesday after being transported from the Idaho State Prison, where the 45-year-old is serving a 25-years-to life sentence. Cache County Sheriffs Chief Deputy Matt Bilodeau said Pilgrim and 37-year-old Melissa J. Tilley are suspected of sexually abusing a four-year-old girl. The crime allegedly occurred in January 2009. Both were acquaintances of the victim. Prosecutors have charged Pilgrim with rape of a child and Tilley with sodomy on a child, both first-degree felonies. Each charge could carry a sentence of five-years-to-life in prison. Court records show Pilgrim appeared in 1st District Court Thursday afternoon. He was assigned a public defender and ordered to be held without bail. He will appear again in court June 5. Tilley reportedly lives in Florida now. She is scheduled to appear again in court Tuesday afternoon. In April 2015, Pilgrim was sentenced to prison for murdering 43-year-old Chad Andrus and threatening to kill another man during a fight. He previously pleaded guilty to murder, a second-degree felony and aggravated assault with a firearm. will@cvradio.com About Me Name: Laura-Marie Location: Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Zine maker, writer, activist. I like listening to good listeners. Email me at robotmad (gmail). View my complete profile General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GAASI) has formed an industry team to pursue the US Navy MQ-25 Stingray, the future carrier-based aerial refueling drone program. In addition to General Atomics acting as the team leader and system integrator and platform manufacturer and two sister companies in the GA group, the team includes Boeing, Pratt & Whitney, UTC, BAE Systems, L3, Rockwell Collins and GKN. GA-ASI has designed a purpose-built MQ-25A Stingray, optimized for the tanking mission and providing exceptional fuel give, that will more than double the range of the Carrier Air Wing. Our offering exceeds all of the Navys requirements, including carrier suitability. David R. Alexander, president, GA-ASI said, adding This collaboration of the best in the aerospace industry will provide the U.S. Navy with a fleet ready unmanned tanker with exceptional growth, well within the Navys preferred timeline. The most surprising member is the Autonomous Systems division of the Boeing Company. Boeing is also pursuing the MQ-25 opportunity with its own MQ-25 platform, developed by its rapid prototyping center the Phantom Works. The recent announcement seems to put Boeings Autonomous Systems activity in competition with the parent company. Boeing Autonomous Systems is pleased to have the opportunity to collaborate with General Atomics on its MQ-25 proposal, said Vice President and General Manager Chris Raymond. We look forward to supporting GA with our aviation and autonomous experience. The engine manufacturer will be Pratt & Whitney, that will provide the main propulsion system for the aircraft, to be based on its PW815 commercial turbofan engine; UTC Aerospace Systems, will design the drones landing gear, which will also include subsystems from GKN Aerospaces Fokker business, specifically the tail hook for the MQ-25s arresting gear system. L3 Technologies has also joined the team to provide communications systems for GA-ASIs Stingray, along with Rockwell Collins that will provide a new generation of the TruNet ARC-210 networked communications airborne radio, advanced navigation technologies, and a comprehensive simulation framework to support General Atomics low-risk schedule. BAE Systems will be responsible for various software and cybersecurity capabilities. Two General Atomics group companies, General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GAES), and GA Systems Integration have also joined the team providing up-front carrier integration experience and risk reduction, adding U.S. Navy program experience and landing gear integration expertise. The Electromagnetic Launch System (EMALS) developed by GAES began testing on the USS Ford at sea last year. The British Ministry of Defense has selected four groups to bid for its upcoming Air Support to Defense Operational Training (ASDOT) requirement. Each of the groups selected for the program has teamed with a training services specialists from the USA, Canada, and Israel to deliver adversary aircraft and weapons. The winning group will operate various high-performance jets simulating aggressor fighter and attack planes, cruise missiles and electronic combat to training British air, land and naval forces. A final selection is expected in September 2018 followed by the contract award in 2020 that could be worth up to 1.5 billion over 15 years. The four groups include the Red Aces team lead by Leonardo, joined by Canadian Top Aces, formerly known as Discovery Air Defense Services and the UK based Inzpire. Top Aces provides similar services to the Canadian forces with operates Alpha Jet trainers and Skyhawk A-4N fighters. Cobham, formerly the FR Aviation is the second group that team with US-based Draken International for this bid. Draken owns the worlds largest fleet of tactical fighter aircraft, operating 150 aircraft in eight types, from target towing business jets to fully avionic-equipped MACH-2 fighter planes. Top Aces and Draken both operate fleets of civilian registered high-performance military aircraft retired from active service and operated by experienced military veterans. A third group, formed by Babcock has and Elbit Systems was also selected. Elbit operates outsourced training services for several air forces, including the RAF. The fourth group is Thales, that joined QinetiQ and Textrons Airland to offer the latters Scorpion light combat aircraft for this role. Designed for affordable operation, the Scorpion will be equipped with specialized payloads and avionics to maximize training efficiency. Apart from the aircraft used for training services ASDOT will also require high-performance jets to provide red-team aggressors. Apart from supersonic maneuverability, these jets will also require radars, radar warning sensors, and some countermeasures to simulate realistic threats. ASDOT will replace several services currently operated with RAF aircraft including electronic warfare training provided by BAE Hawk trainers. Update: Some changes occurred since the selection announcement. QinetiQ has teamed with the Cobham led team to pursue the ASDOT program, and, in October 2018 announced the acquisition of Inzpire Group, a provider of operational training and mission systems that was a team played in the Leonardo ASDOT team. Akere Muna W. MUSA The former President of the Cameroon Bar Council, Barrister Akere Muna has condemned what he termed killing of unarmed civilians in Menka quarter, Pinyin Clan in Santa Subdivision, North West region of Cameroon Friday. The Presidential aspirant said it was a violation of human rights and values. Barrister Akere Muna in an outing noted that though the government is struggling to protect the countrys territorial integrity, she must do so in respecting rights of those concerned, As much as one can understand the fact the government is worried about the sovereignty of the state and interference in its internal affairs, it is untenable that it remains numb to the continuous loss of life. The recent killings in Menka-Pinyin of innocent unarmed civilians shows the total disregard for human life and growing human plight in the North West and South West Regions of Cameroon, Akere Muna said. However Legal Mind said when it comes to International laws, the killings on side of Military cannot be justified, Soldiers continue to be forced into war against their own fellow citizens and hatred is fed every single day. How many more lives should be lost? How many? When it comes to International Humanitarian Law, one can no longer talk about sovereignty, he emphasized. The former Batonnier has called on the international community to step in now before the situation escalates saying, War crimes are being committed; there are international bodies that have the mandate to investigate these. My call is for the United Nations and the International community to immediately intervene to prevent the further loss of life. He ended by calling for immediate dialogue and prayers to end the stalemate, I mourn with the bereaved families and pray for the innocent souls of those who have lost their lives in the most brutal circumstances. We Cameroonians at this moment of great sadness must stretch a hand of fellowship to each other and pray for immediate inclusive dialogue. God help us. God help our country Cameroon. Notice for the Postmedia Network This website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Saturday, May 26, 2018 at 10:29AM As it stands, you need to input your PayPal credentials separately every time you make a payment on any Google service. But thats about to change. In a blog post, PayPal says its working on deepening its relationship with Google and one of the ways they plan to do that is allow for a single sign-in into all Google services. This means, if you input your PayPal details into YouTube, for example, these can be accessed on all the other services without needing to login again. There is no specific timeline yet for when this feature will come. But PayPal says soon. One other thing this method would allow is to let users choose PayPal as an option for peer-to-peer payments using Google Pay Send. To the editor: Tough on crime and criminals with a passion for keeping us safe and helping victims is one way to describe Amira Fox, chief assistant state attorney for Lee, Collier, Charlotte, Hendry and Glades counties. Another way to describe Amira Fox would be as the most qualified person with a proven track record of results to be the next State Attorney for the 20th Judicial Circuit. Eighty-eight percent is the current conviction rate for the State Attorneys office in Lee County. Most would agree that with the lowest crime rate in the state of Florida and this incredible conviction rate the State Attorneys office is doing a great job. But Amira Fox only strives for better results to keep criminals off the street and protect the citizens of her jurisdiction. She does this by throwing the proverbial book at violent criminals and never shying away from the tough cases, having prosecuted many death penalty cases. She also employs innovative ways to catch violent criminals, like partnering with law enforcement and using RICO to end the string of terror of the Lake Boys gang. Amira has led the State Attorneys office to solve tough issues. The addiction, mental health and Veterans courts tout many stories of success by ripping off the Band-aids of revolving-door incarceration, actually providing resources and options for non-violent offenders to get their lives back on track. I have a dear friend that went through Veterans court and claims it saved their life, and their record. This person has achieved great success in life as a result of these programs. Amira Fox has a proven track record and experience to do this job. She is also the most honest, caring, ethical, no-nonsense, hard working person and the citizens of the 20th Judicial Circuit would be lucky to have her lead us into the next decade. Missi Lastra Cape Coral Photo: Contributed The Sun has many times demonstrated its power to disrupt our power, communication and transportation infrastructure, and to cause problems for many aspects of our lives. The power outages in March 1989 are an example. As time passes, we are finding more things the Sun can do. The Sun is a big ball of mainly hydrogen gas about 1.5 million kilometres in diameter. In the core, where the temperatures are in the 10-20 million degree range, nuclear fusion is taking place, where hydrogen is being converted to helium, and in the process producing the energy that makes the Sun shine. The energy output is equivalent to the total annihilation of 400 million tonnes of hydrogen per second. To help illustrate how enormous an energy output it is, a ten billion-watt power station is converting one millionth of a kilogram of material into energy per second; however, this is not the whole story. The Sun is a ball of gas, and not a solid object. Its equatorial latitudes rotate faster than the polar latitudes, and the core probably rotates faster still. In addition, material near the core gets hot, and rises to the surface by convection, where it radiates its energy to space and then submerges again. The churning material generates electric currents, which in turn create magnetic fields. These combine with the hot material to form jelly-like plasma magnetic flux ropes permeating the interior of the Sun. Sometimes a magnetic flux rope gets caught by the convection and dragged to the surface, where it erupts up through it, forming giant loops. The magnetic fields are so strong they interfere with the transfer of energy; making it cooler, 3,000 C rather than the 6,000 C of the surrounding surface, so that it looks darker a sunspot. The magnetic fields spread out, and then dive back down. As the magnetic fields continually rearrange and more magnetic fields come up, the loops get twisted, crowded and stretched. Just as in the case of a stretched and twisted elastic band, lots of energy gets stored in the stressed magnetic fields. These distortions lead to increasing electric currents. There is a limit to how much current these loops can take. If this limit is not reached, the stresses may gradually relax over days; however, if the limit is exceeded anywhere in the magnetic structure, all that stored energy may be released, catastrophically. Somewhere in the structure, the magnetic field tears, locally releasing the stress. This generates more stress in the surrounding material so the tearing grows and spreads. Imagine the snapping of an overly-stressed elastic band. The broken magnetic field lines then reconnect into a low-stress configuration, and all that stored energy is released, equivalent to millions of 100-megaton hydrogen bombs let off at once. The result is bursts of X-rays, which cause communication blackouts, high-energy particles which fry satellite electronics and endanger astronauts, and bursts of radio emission. In many cases, a large mass, maybe 1.5 billion tonnes of solar material, is ejected off into space at up to 3,000 km per second. This is a coronal mass ejection or CME. If one of those is shot in our direction, it takes between 24 and 48 hours to reach us, and when it hits the Earths protective magnetic field, we get magnetic storms, power outages and other disruptions. We also get displays of aurora. Back in the days when we were not dependent upon our complex infrastructure, we just got to enjoy the aurora. Today, our street lights make it difficult to appreciate the night sky. However, a big magnetic storm will give us a bright aurora and also shut off the lights so we can more easily enjoy its beauty. After sunset, Venus is spectacular in the west and Jupiter almost as spectacular in the southeast. Saturn, fainter and golden coloured, rises around midnight and Mars, much fainter and reddish, about 1 a.m. The Moon will be full on May 29. Photo: Thinkstock.com The City of Kelowna has expanded a water quality issued 10 days ago. The new advisory now includes those customers serviced by the Swick Road water system. The advisory was issued due to a modest health risk associated with consuming tap water due to elevated turbidity levels. The city says this is not a mandatory boil notice. Customers serviced by the Swick Road system include: 5851 5891 Lakeshore Road 167 180 Rimrock Road 164 168 Rimrock Court 100 186 Timberline Road 205 220 Ambridgefield Road This advisory will remain in effect until further notice. People with weakened immune systems or chronic illnesses, those under 12 or over 65 may wish to take precautions by boiling any water used for consumption for one minute.